The BayCare Health System broke ground this week on a Manatee County's first not-for-profit hospital and health hub in Palmetto the $548 million BayCare Hospital Manatee project includes plans for 154 hospital beds in private patient rooms Baycare will open an adjacent 45,000 square-foot BayCare Health Hub that will offer primary care and other services in the community as early as 2026 The hospital will be the 17th in BayCare's health system and will serve as Manatee County's first not-for profit hospital The adjacent Health Hub will offer convenient patient-focused health care solutions in a modern Did you know? Manatee Memorial Hospital ends indigent and uninsured patient care over funding shortfall More in Manatee: New initiative brings new 96-gallon garbage bins to unincorporated Manatee County “We made a conscious decision to bring not-for-profit health care to this community," BayCare President and CEO Stephanie Conners said exceptional care aligns perfectly with the growth and vibrancy of Manatee County Our smart growth strategy means we’ll be the first not-for-profit health system in Manatee County and we believe that’s going to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve." but BayCare Hospital Manatee and BayCare HealthHub (Manatee) Project Sponsor Patrick Downes highlighted emphasis on addressing the specific needs of the Manatee County community over 50% of women in Manatee County leave the area to deliver their babies our goal is to change that — to make sure no mom ever has to leave home for quality maternity care,” Connors said BayCare Hospital Manatee "will be a comprehensive acute care hospital "But we know that obstetrics will likely be one of our most prominent service lines We’re proud to open with a Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) from day one BayCare Chief Ambulatory Services Officer Todd Jones said the adjacent health hub is a space meant to help people connect with their primary care doctor and for preventative care and outpatient services like imaging The facilities will be located just northeast of the Interstate 75 intersection with Moccasin Wallow Road More healtcare: Four Sarasota area hospitals maintain A grades in latest Leapfrog Group rankings we can guide them to the right service at the right time.” In addition to the Manatee County hospital the system broke ground on a proton therapy center at the BayCare Cancer Institute at St BayCare also opened a replacement facility for the South Florida Baptist Hospital in Plant City August broke ground on a $110 million expansion project at the Bartow Regional Medical Center in November Joseph's Hospital-South in Riverview and St The health system also plans to use a $50 million donation from the Pagidipati family in Tampa to support construction of a new facility for the St which will be renamed as the Pagidipati Children's Hospital at St An unsuspecting Kirby Player was just enjoying the fellowship at Clemson University’s 26th annual CAFLS Alumni and Friends Golf Tournament when College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences dean Matt Holt gathered everyone around for a surprise announcement Holt presented Player with the Order of the Palmetto the highest civilian honor awarded by the State of South Carolina “There could be no more fitting recipient than Dr “Kirby has dedicated his entire life to promoting advancing and strengthening agriculture in South Carolina From his early years growing up on his family’s farm in Lee County to his many decades of service here at Clemson University Kirby’s passion for agriculture – and his commitment to developing leaders across agriculture forestry and natural resources – have been unmatched.” Player, lecturer and coordinator of the Palmetto Leadership Program for the Environment, Agriculture and Forestry A three-time graduate of Clemson and employee of the University for 37 years It was even more special to  receive the honor at the golf tournament in front of former students alums and agricultural leaders that he worked with “And then when (Holt) said the Order of the Palmetto it was a moment of disbelief because so many of my heroes and agricultural icons have received that award The idea that it was something that I could receive was the furthest thing from my mind at this point and time in my life “I was just so humbled that people would think of me to nominate I’m a man of faith so gratitude to God and all of those who helped me to get there Just that aspect of thinking of my parents I’ve had 14 deans and interim deans in my whole career So much of what I’ve done has been a function of other people and what they’ve asked me to do All of that went through my mind at one time.” The two have known each other since high school Spencer was in Player’s second cohort of Palmetto LEAF and now serves as a commissioner for the South Carolina Department of Transportation representing the 5th congressional district In his letter to South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster Spencer explained how Player convinced him to participate in Palmetto LEAF “This course has given me and so many others a firm foundation and broad knowledge of business and experiences revolving around our state’s agriculture and forestry resources all the while including the most worthy goal of protecting our environment and ensuring the protection of our most valued assets for generations to come His unbridled enthusiasm for PLEAF and all things agriculture has become contagious to many students and leaders of our beautiful South Carolina.” who approached Player about setting up Palmetto LEAF Palmetto LEAF became the 40th such program in the country and the eighth in the world it will begin recruiting for its fourth cohort “I can think of no one more deserving of the Order of the Palmetto than Dr. Kirby Player,” said Thomas Dobbins, professor and director of Clemson’s Cooperative Extension Service “His unwavering dedication to enhancing the lives of CAFLS students Through his work with the South Carolina Soil and Water Conservation Board he has made significant contributions to conservation practices that benefit all of South Carolina.” Player received his bachelor’s degree in agricultural education in 1983 recreation and tourism management in 1987 and his doctorate in therapeutic recreation in 2015 and mentor,” said University President Jim Clements “He has dedicated his life to advancing agriculture and elevating Clemson University’s land-grant mission of education Player has been awarded the Order of the Palmetto and I am proud of his significant impact on agriculture in the great state of South Carolina and beyond.” Or email us at news@clemson.edu Clemson News is the go-to source for stories and news about the innovations research and accomplishments of the Clemson Family Local political drama in the village of Palmetto Bay is costing residents thousands of dollars in legal fees — and there's still no clear final act Palmetto Bay Council Member Steve Cody has sued the village and 25-year-old Vice Mayor Mark Merwitzer over the latter’s qualifications as an elected official The village must pay for its own legal representation as well as Merwitzer’s defense while the village's public records show Cody has worked with a lobbyist the city fired last year The battle started the way many conflicts unfold in South Florida: A dispute over vacant land Miami-Dade County last year wanted to sell a tract of green space near Palmetto Bay, just south of SW 140th Street. The land has FPL power lines running through it, and no county department had a use for the vacant property Some homeowners who live next to the land wanted to buy it for themselves but so did the Village of Palmetto Bay — where the administration wanted to make a linear park they referred to as “Tanglewood park.” The Village hired government affairs attorney Jorge Luis Lopez last April to lobby the county on their behalf for the Tanglewood project Things were moving along — until a new member joined the council after the November election READ MORE: Coconut Creek election marked by feud and defamation lawsuits I put on the agenda an item to rescind that contract and I secured the votes to get rid of that contract altogether for this issue,” said Merwitzer Merwitzer joined the council late last year and undid the town’s application for the Tanglewood land as one of his first actions in office Merwitzer took issue with the fact that the village was paying Lopez up to $45,000 a month in taxpayer funds while no public vote was taken to hire him Merwitzer supported the neighboring residents who wanted to buy the property themselves this is one of those issues where it's about government versus the people and about how we bypassed every single proper procedure and process meant to protect our own residents,” he told WLRN Palmetto Bay paid Lopez about $200,000 for a combination of legal and lobbying activities Village Attorney John Dellagloria said Lopez performed only a “modicum” of legal services and the majority of his work for the village involved lobbying council member Cody began an effort to discredit the vice mayor by questioning whether he’s really a council member at all thanks to a wrinkle with his swearing-in Merwitzer was sworn into office by Miami-Dade County Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins Merwitzer’s oath of office did not meet the statutory requirements to be legitimate Merwitzer later retook the oath in front of the Palmetto Bay Clerk and then signed the oath on a separate day Because of that gap between recitation and signing Cody argues Merwitzer’s swearing-in did not count and he is not an actual member of the town council “We had our meeting in January and I objected to the minutes because it reflected that he was the vice mayor at our December meeting and he hadn't been properly sworn in So we got in a bit of a tussle,” Cody told WLRN Cody contends the issue comes down to legal liability if someone sues the village over Merwitzer’s votes “If we pass the budget three to two and he is on the winning side then we didn't pass a budget because nothing passes on a two to two tie That can impose great liability upon everybody on the council,” Cody said The village council hired an outside law firm to investigate Cody’s claim to the tune of about $6,000 The firm concluded Merwitzer was properly sworn in also insists that Merwitzer’s swearing in was legitimate stopped Cody from maintaining his argument online and in the courts He has sent email blasts to village residents and made Facebook posts about Merwitzer that include cartoon depictions of the vice mayor that Cody creates himself “If only we had a Vice Mayor … But, since Mark Merwitzer, who won the election in November as Vice Mayor, refuses to take the oath of office legally, we don't. (He's as stubborn as he is young and inexperienced.) Or maybe, his mommy wouldn't give him a ride to any of these events!” Cody wrote on Facebook on March 23 Cody has been sending his draft email blasts and legal strategies to the very same lobbyist whose contract Merwitzer rescinded: Jorge Luis Lopez Public records from the Village of Palmetto Bay show emails and texts going back and forth between Cody and Lopez after Lopez’s contract was rescinded in December Cody texted Lopez a video he created with a cartoon image of Merwitzer Lopez replied to the February 21 text that he was reviewing the video Cody emailed Lopez about a possible legal action “It looks like an action under Chapter 86 is the only avenue,” Cody wrote Two months later, on April 10th, Cody sued Merwitzer and the Village of Palmetto Bay under Florida Statutes Chapter 86 — which asks a judge to define the legal relationship between two parties in a declaratory judgment “That costs the taxpayer money and now we're paying two separate attorneys at once to address something that has already been addressed multiple times,” Merwitzer told WLRN Cody would not answer questions about his texts and emails with Lopez about Tanglewood or Merwitzer He said Lopez is handling a legal matter for him but would not explain the nature of that work Lopez's law firm donated $1,000 to Cody's 2024 village council campaign though Cody said he refunded the money to fall in line with the village's rules against council members doing business with vendors who have made political contributions to them Lopez did not respond to requests for comment from WLRN via phone call Cody’s lawsuit against the village is pending in Miami-Dade County Court after passing a resolution sponsored by Cody is re-upping its application to buy the Tanglewood property from Miami-Dade County Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInTALLAHASSEE (WCTV) - The Tallahassee Police Department is investigating a homicide following a deadly shooting Thursday night on the city’s south side Officers responded to the 200 block of Palmetto Street around 9:30 p.m and found a man suffering from a gunshot wound Police officers immediately began providing life-saving measures to the victim TPD is asking anyone with any information regarding this shooting to call 850-891-4200 you can call Crime Solvers at 850-574-TIPS To keep up with the latest news as it develops, follow WCTV on Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky and X (Twitter) Have a news tip or see an error that needs attention? Write to us here Please include the article’s headline in your message Be the first to see all the biggest headlines by downloading the WCTV News app. Click here to get started presented annually by the South Carolina Nurses Foundation highlights the top nurses from across the state who demonstrate exceptional commitment to their patients This year’s honorees represent the Medical University of South Carolina’s dedication to advancing high-quality compassionate care across South Carolina and transforming nursing education This award is awarded to the top 100 nurses in the state every year MUSC is proud of the 15 nurse honorees whose dedication to patient care sets the standard for nursing excellence.  The MUSC Health-Pee Dee Division had the most recipients of the Palmetto Gold Award with 11 nurses representing the MUSC Health Florence Marion and Black River medical centers and the Mullins Nursing Center This recognition reinforces each facility’s commitment to supporting and investing in a culture that empowers nurses to shine and deliver the best quality care MUSC Health Florence Medical Center is especially proud to be the only hospital in South Carolina to have had nurses recognized every year since the program began we are thrilled to celebrate 11 outstanding nurses who continue this legacy of excellence,” said Patricia McLeod interim chief nursing officer at MUSC Health Florence Marion and Black River medical centers. “To every nurse striving to make a difference – know that your dedication matters your compassion is felt and your excellence does not go unnoticed I encourage each of you to continue leading with purpose practicing with integrity and reaching for this incredible honor “Anything I do that’s nursing related is not for accolades and I love what I do – otherwise I wouldn’t do it this long so I think it makes it worthwhile; it’s not the same as a job I’m sure there are others that are far more deserving than me but I’m pleased about it,” said Gwen Lowery who’s been with Florence Medical Center for 43 years.  The MUSC College of Nursing is also proud to announce that two outstanding nursing professionals from the Charleston Division, associate professor Sharon Kozachik R.N., and nursing instructor Amy Smith DNP APRN, have been named recipients of the 2025 Palmetto Gold Award.  These two women are dedicated to educating the next generation of care providers within the College of Nursing Colleagues say that their hard work and dedication is inspiring to all who work with them “We are deeply proud of the extraordinary nurses being honored,” said Catherine O dean of the MUSC College of Nursing. “These remarkable individuals exemplify the qualities we strive to instill in every MUSC nursing student Their leadership and dedication reflect the heart of our mission and serve as a powerful inspiration for the next generation of nurses across South Carolina.”  The MUSC Health-Midlands Division had two recipients: Jennifer Minick honored for their unwavering dedication to the profession of nursing.  "We are thrilled to see our nurses receive this well-deserved honor," said Lance Coleman chief nursing officer of the Midlands Division "Their unwavering hard work and compassion make a lasting impact – not just on our patients but also on the future of nursing across South Carolina." where recipients will be officially honored Proceeds from the event support scholarships for nursing students across South Carolina furthering the mission of excellence in nursing education and practice Congratulations to the seven McLeod Health nurses who were honored at the 22nd Annual Palmetto Gold Gala on April 26 Team members throughout the hospital system were in attendance for the special evening highlighting the invaluable contributions nurses make to healthcare Representing McLeod Regional Medical Center McLeod Health Clarendon and McLeod Health Loris these seven nurses received the 2025 Palmetto Gold recognition: Jennifer Amaker They join the ranks of the 243 previous McLeod Nurses who have received this outstanding award The information on this site is intended to increase your awareness and understanding of specific health issues and services at McLeod Health It should not be used for diagnosis or as a substitute for health care by your physician Bishop England's Luke Walmet celebrates after making his par putt to give his team the title by a shot at the 48th Southern Cross Kevin Kisner follows his shot on the 16th hole at Palmetto Golf Club during the 2002 Southern Cross South Aiken’s Jake Carter watches his approach from left of the 18th fairway at Palmetto Golf Club Carter birdied the hole to close out a final-round 64 that gave him a championship-winning total of 139 in 2016 his second consecutive Southern Cross title stands with junior high division champion Mike Wiland North Augusta's Kyle Bradley watches his tee shot on the eighth hole during the 1998 Southern Cross golf tournament State championship season is rapidly approaching for boys' golf teams in the South Carolina High School League and soon the kings of each classification will be crowned That carries with it plenty of bragging rights as by the end of May a team will be able to claim it's the best in Class AAAAA The Southern Cross returns to Palmetto Golf Club for its 50th edition pitting the best of the best teams against one another on a premium with the first round Friday and the final round Saturday The standard in year 50 is the same as it was in 1975 when a former southern amateur championship (held from 1895-1948) returned as a high school - and junior high - showcase intended to highlight the very best in the area It hasn't strayed far from that vision Arthur Hendley was the chair of Palmetto's junior golf activities back in 1975 when he announced that the Southern Cross was being revitalized crediting then-Aiken Standard golf columnist Harold Fletcher for the idea that got the ball rolling and along with co-tournament directors Billy Howard and Joe Wyatt laid the groundwork for what quickly became and still remains one of the country's most prestigious high school golf tournaments the Masters of high school golf because it's such a great field really take care of you," said South Aiken head coach Tommy DeGennaro having a course that was redesigned by Alister MacKenzie it's almost like you are playing the Masters of high school golf You get a chance to see coaches from other teams that you've become friendly with over the years gaining and maintaining a reputation as having the best field in South Carolina high school golf especially those who are in the hunt year after year before finally breaking through "It's hard to believe," Bishop England coach Jeff Burton said after his team's 2023 title John Greavu and I started coaching this team about 12 finally put our team name up against some of the greats The Battling Bishops are among the state's all-time elite programs with eight state championships to their credit yet the one they wanted most always seemed to elude them at Palmetto before Luke Walmet's par clincher "We won't see this kind of competition (at the state championship tournament) so this has got to be a big boost," head coach Kristen Rooke said following the win "I think you can safely say we beat the best teams in the state here this one's unbelievable," head coach David Cattrell said perhaps still experiencing the shakes he was feeling as the tournament came down to the final hole and to finally win it with Greenville and these guys who have been playing in it for three years South Aiken has been the tournament's dominant force with a record six titles between 1990-2013 The T-Breds also won six state championships during that stretch and they often faced tougher competition at Southern Cross than at state "I think it's tougher because we've got AAAA The state is just the best of AAA," said Seawell a future University of South Carolina Hall of Famer It's a big stretch of the high school golf season typically with region championships preceding the Southern Cross and then state qualifiers and state championships right after This one carries a slightly different weight to it than the others something that isn't lost on the visiting schools or the hosts We're blessed to be a local team and get to participate in it every year they do a great job with putting that tournament on," said Aiken High head coach Luke McClure "I would argue that it's probably the best tournament It's something a lot of schools from a lot of states try to get into They just do everything above and beyond there and every year it seems like there's new excitement "You just can't ask for a better high school golf environment and a better atmosphere Their members and staff there do a great job of putting on that tournament It's definitely an honor and a pleasure to get to enjoy that and experience that two-day stretch there to end the year." Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Two Gulf Coast legislators and local government leaders will gather with residents on Tuesday for a special honor to a fallen military veteran who will have a local roadway named after him Army Specialist Nicholas Panipinto was killed in November 2019 during a training incident at Camp Humphreys in South Korea the Florida Legislature agreed in 2024 to name a portion of highway U.S 19 in Palmetto “Army Specialist Nicholas Panipinto Memorial Highway.” A ceremony marking the official naming of the highway section in Manatee County will take place between Palm View Road and Terra Ceia Road on Tuesday at 9 a.m Sen. Jim Boyd, a Bradenton Republican whose District 20 seat encompasses the area, was at the forefront of the project to name the portion of the roadway after Panipinto. The bill, co-sponsored by Boyd (SB 868) was part of a larger measure that renamed portions of roads across the state Boyd will be joined at the road-naming event by several local municipal leaders and Rep Family members related to Panipinto will also be on hand for the ceremony A sign will be posted on the roadway section marking the naming of that portion after Panipinto Panipinto was 20 years old at the time of his death, which had substantial repercussions for Army leadership at that camp. According to multiple media accounts Panipinto lost his life during a training accident at the military base when a Bradley Fighting Vehicle flipped over while a road test was being conducted An Army investigation concluded Panipinto had only a few hours of training and no instruction in the classroom on how to handle the vehicle One of the tracks on the vehicle became separated from the 15-ton vehicle The Army ordered all programs and training procedures to be reviewed and changed after the wreck and a Staff Sergeant and two company-level officers were dismissed from the military as a direct result of the investigation Drew Dixon is a journalist of 40 years who has reported in print and broadcast throughout Florida, starting in Ohio in the 1980s. He is also an adjunct professor of philosophy and ethics at three colleges, Jacksonville University, University of North Florida and Florida State College at Jacksonville. You can reach him at [email protected] and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" This platform and all of its content are owned by Extensive Enterprises Media Publisher: Peter Schorsch @PeterSchorschFL © Copyright by Extensive-Enterprises 2025. All rights reserved. STAFF LOGIN Mastitis: What to do when your breasts are painfully inflamed How — and why — to fit more fiber and fermented food into your meals UTI in older women: Why postmenopausal women are susceptible to urinary tract infection Some adults may need a measles booster shot Counting steps is good — is combining steps and heart rate better Can saw palmetto treat an enlarged prostate Marketed as a natural remedy for an enlarged prostate saw palmetto is a top-selling dietary supplement It's extracted from berries that grow on saw palmetto palm trees which are native to the southeastern United States more than a third of all US adults who take supplements use saw palmetto specifically Some evidence suggests that saw palmetto has anti-inflammatory properties and its use as folk medicine dates back over a century But experts at Harvard say men should view its supposed benefits for prostate health skeptically but it probably won't provide any major benefits either," says Dr an assistant professor of urology at Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center It's common for men to develop an enlarged prostate BPH impedes urinary flow through the urethra causing obstructive symptoms that can worsen with time Just how saw palmetto might act on the prostate to improve symptoms isn't entirely clear Some evidence suggest it mimics the effects of certain drugs used for treating BPH including 5-alpha reductase inhibitors such as finasteride (Proscar) no herbal supplement is approved as BPH treatment The American Urological Association cautions that studies backing saw palmetto for treating enlarged prostates have numerous flaws including short durations and a lack of placebo controls Most of the supporting evidence comes from small studies paid for by companies that sell dietary supplements The best-conducted research shows no benefits from saw palmetto for BPH. During one study 225 men with moderate to severe BPH were treated with either a placebo or 160 milligrams (mg) of saw palmetto The investigators detected no difference in outcomes but they also acknowledged that doses tested in the study may have been too low to produce measurable effects So, during a larger subsequent study researchers tested higher doses of saw palmetto ranging up to 320 mg given three times a day Nearly 370 men ages 45 and older were randomized to treatment or placebo groups men in both groups reported feeling either no worse or a little better 40% of the placebo-treated men said symptoms had improved suggesting the simple act of taking a pill could have something to do with the supplement's perceived benefits a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School He urges men to consult with their doctors before trying saw palmetto mainly to rule out other potential causes of urinary obstruction which can include bladder or prostate cancer And saw palmetto may interfere with the blood's clotting ability making it risky for men who take blood thinners The latest evidence on saw palmetto and BPH comes from a Cochrane Review of 27 placebo-controlled studies enrolling a combined 4,656 participants Results published in 2024 showed no improvement in urinary symptoms or quality of life from taking saw palmetto (alone or with other herbal supplements) over durations ranging up to 17 months "If the ingredients in these herbal products worked well for urinary symptoms drug companies would have already had them approved by the FDA as a medicine that insurance companies would have to cover," Dr but just be cautious about spending too much of your own money on these alternatives." "It is easy to understand why so many find taking a naturally occurring supplement for treating urinary difficulties in middle age appealing," said Dr. Marc Garnick, the Gorman Brothers Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and editor in chief of the Harvard Medical School Guide to Prostate Diseases evidence of effectiveness with saw palmetto is lacking and its use for BPH and other common urinary symptoms without a full evaluation of the potential cause should be discouraged." Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox Do not sell my personal information | Privacy Policy and Terms of Use is yours absolutely FREE when you sign up to receive Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health plus the latest advances in preventative medicine Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss...from exercises to build a stronger core to advice on treating cataracts the latest news on medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School experts Sign up now and get a FREE copy of theBest Diets for Cognitive Fitness Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School get a FREE copy of the Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness The historic Tampa neighborhood of Palmetto Beach sits just above sea level and faced flooding during Hurricane Helene a 25-million-dollar plan announced last year is facing new tweaks to get the neighborhood The Pathways to Palmetto project was originally announced last summer It focuses on narrowing Bermuda Boulevard along McKay Bay Crews would also reconstruct the seawall on McKay Bay Brandon Campbell is the Director of Transportation Services in Tampa which a City of Tampa press release describes as underinvested saw a storm surge of 7 and a half feet during hurricane Helene and Campbell says the current seawall in the area is only around 5 feet we would have seen the water from Helene overtopping that,” Campbell told WMNF “That is causing us to reimagine the scope of the project and to see if there are possibilities for us to even increase the height of the existing seawall  and what impacts that might have on the existing infrastructure and street network,” Campbell says they’re still about three years from construction He also says federal government reviews on construction funding have affected the project’s timeline “to an extent.”  A 2024 press release says projects of this scale can take up to five years to complete XHTML: You can use these tags: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong> Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value" Listen: Environmentalists in Pinellas County are calling for a renewed.. Roundup of news headlines produced for WMNF Community Radio: Trump,.. That means we don't advertise like a commercial station WMNF volunteers have fun providing a variety of needed services to keep your community radio station alive and kickin' Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_4" ).setAttribute( "value" Proud member of Project Galileo and protected by Cloudflare WMNF is a registered 501(с)3 charitable organization - The Nathan B. Stubblefield Foundation, Inc. | Online Public File Or if you just wanna let our DJ know you’re enjoying their show Signup below to get The Scoop delivered every weekday to your email inbox WMNF advises you to check with the individual venues or event planners listed before heading to anything posted here There is a high likelihood that many events have been or will be canceled or postponed Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" Bradenton Area Convention Center will hold a concert by a classic rock radio staple while Sarasota's Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall will host a 50th anniversary tour by a duo still featuring its original members 1 hit to its name along with numerous Top 5 tracks Other notable shows include a former member of famed metal bands Black Sabbath and Dio a Blues Music Award-winning artist who's up for another award at this year's ceremony two musicians who broke through with national television spotlights and performers who've been co-signed by names such as Meat Loaf Top 5 things to do in Sarasota area this Cinco de Mayo weekend (May 2-5) 75-plus things to do in May in Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice, Punta Gorda Ticket Newsletter: Sign up to receive restaurant news and reviews plus info on things to do every Friday If you would like to be considered for this story, please submit your event to tinyurl.com/SubmitEventHeraldTribune at least 10 days before our Thursday publication date Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at jimmy.geurts@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInHORRY COUNTY (WMBF) - Schools from Horry County and Florence are among the five in the 2025 Palmettos Finest list The schools were announced on SCETV on Wednesday The application process involved self-evaluation “The Palmetto’s Finest award winners exemplify innovation across South Carolina,” said South Carolina Association of School Administrators Executive Director Dr “They set the standard of excellence by cultivating vibrant school environments with high expectations and providing numerous opportunities for academic enrichment.” SCASA is the professional organization for school leaders in the state More information on the schools can be found here and a recording of the announcement here Frederica Academy's Jackson Byrd blasts out of a greenside bunker during the final round of the 50th Southern Cross Blue Ridge's Owen Kinnunen watches an approach shot during the final round of the 50th Southern Cross Bishop England's Daniel Donato hits an approach shot during the final round of the 50th Southern Cross Bishop England's Evan Hovde blasts out of a bunker during the final round of the 50th Southern Cross Blue Ridge's Dawson Szabo stares down an approach shot during the final round of the 50th Southern Cross Frederica Academy's Thomas Sands hits out of the pine straw during the final round of the 50th Southern Cross Palmetto Golf Club mascot Ralph takes in the action during the final round of the 50th Southern Cross Blue Ridge's Benjamin Brown watches an approach during the final round of the 50th Southern Cross Frederica Academy's Harper Staggs hits an approach during the final round of the 50th Southern Cross Bishop England's Merritt Matthesius hits an approach shot during the final round of the 50th Southern Cross Blue Ridge's Dawson Szabo tees off on the 16th hole during the final round of the 50th Southern Cross Frederica Academy's Will Perkins follows through after a tee shot during the final round of the 50th Southern Cross Aiken High's Evan Crooks pitches onto the 18th green during the first round of the 50th Southern Cross Hilton Head Prep's Tag Graziano watches an approach during the first round of the 50th Southern Cross Aiken High's Benton Orr watches an approach shot during the first round of the 50th Southern Cross Aiken High's Ryan Anaclerio tees off on the 17th hole during the first round of the 50th Southern Cross A northern cardinal perches on a driving range net cable during the first round of the 50th Southern Cross Aiken High's Nolan Still hits a tee shot during the first round of the 50th Southern Cross Palmetto Golf Club mascot Ralph escorts players back to the course to resume play after a weather delay during the first round of the 50th Southern Cross A fox squirrel frolics in the rain during a weather delay on day one at the 50th Southern Cross An Eastern Kingbird spends some time in the fairway during a weather delay on the first day of the 50th Southern Cross South Aiken's Charlie Schick chips onto the 18th green during the first round of the 50th Southern Cross Mead Hall's Granger Young tracks an approach shot during the first round of the 50th Southern Cross South Aiken's Christopher Cunning splashes out of a greenside bunker during the first round of the 50th Southern Cross Mead Hall's Brooks Abrams watches a bunker shot during the first round of the 50th Southern Cross Mead Hall's Graham Wilson hits a pitch shot during the first round of the 50th Southern Cross South Aiken's Collin Orander pitches onto the 18th green during the first round of the 50th Southern Cross Mead Hall's Stern Massey blasts out of a bunker during the first round of the 50th Southern Cross South Aiken's Bennett Elvis hits an approach shot during the first round of the 50th Southern Cross watches an approach during the first round of the 50th Southern Cross North Augusta's Luke Johnson watches an approach during the first round of the 50th Southern Cross won the individual title at the 50th Southern Cross Dawson Szabo and Owen Kinnunen hold up the trophy after winning the 50th Southern Cross More "+$.trim("The School District of Manatee County makes every effort to ensure that published information is accurate and current or adequacy of the contents of this website and expressly disclaims liability for errors and omissions in the content of this website Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request do not send electronic mail regarding official business to the District or any of its employees contact the District or individual employee by phone or in writing.")+" These meetings explained the rezoning process outlined the criteria for establishing Residential Attendance Zones and provided an opportunity for public input The content presented at all meetings was the same Each school district must make training available for parents and guardians on the use of FortifyFL and explain the potential consequences for anyone making a threat or false report students and staff an easy and convenient way to get real-time notifications of grades The Citizens Financial Oversight Committee ensures proper fiscal stewardship of the voter approved 1-mill ad valorem tax Members cannot be employees of the district or have a conflict of interest with the committee’s work or charter the School Board discussed the proposed Academic Calendar options for the 2026-2027 school year students and visitors at all high school and random middle school campuses will be screened using a high-tech security scanner system plan and reports of the internal and external auditors and reviews the collection and proper use of the funds raised through the one-half cent sales surtax for school capital outlay expenditures (WPDE) — The 2025 Palmetto's Finest have been announced by the South Carolina Association of School Administrators South Florence High School and Academy for the Arts and Technology were all on this list of winners The schools were a part of an intensive application process that required self-evaluation instructional programs and professional learning communities were all verified during the visits to the schools “The Palmetto’s Finest award winners exemplify innovation across South Carolina,” said Dr South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA) executive director TRENDING: 11 injured, 1 critically in Ocean Blvd. shooting Socastee Elementary School has over 850 students with families from deep This is the only Title I elementary school in the area and it balances "rigorous academic expectations" with a genuine concern for students' well-being Socastee Elementary School helps students to realize their success regardless of economic status or academic ability South Florence High School has 1,600 students between two campuses There is a man campus for grades 10 through 12 South Florence is the home to the Florence One Center for the arts and there are specialized opportunities offered at every stage of students' high school journey Advanced Placement classes and dual enrollment are also offered South Florence has a very strong sense of community pride and is always working to prepare students for success more than 570 students from nine attendance zones prepare for their STEM careers creativity and innovation in learning is the backbone of the education process at this school The AAST Majors Program is for high school juniors and seniors to do a two-year opportunity for exploring STEM fields Hands-on training and project-based learning are all included in the program Students are encouraged to become global citizens to prepare for their next steps after high school A recording of the announcement ceremony can be found here. People in New York and Los Angeles sometimes condescendingly refer to the rest of the country as the ‘fly-over states.’ I guess you could say people in Tampa Bay and Sarasota have referred to Palmetto also as an area where there’s no reason to stop All that changed last October when the Palmetto Marriot Resort & Spa opened next door to the Manatee Convention Center and the Riviera Dunes Beach Club on US 41 and I recently checked in on a Saturday afternoon for a 3-day weekend huge window looking out at the Manatee River and state of the art technology on the plugs We went downstairs to for spa treatments: Erin signed up for a facial treatment and I got a deep-tissue massage My masseur  moved back to Bradenton after doing massages for 30+ years at high-end resorts in Arizona.  Matt was excellent Afterwards we walked out the back parking lot to check out the beach club.  It includes another pool an oversized chess board and fitness room.  We got a basketball and shot baskets for the first time in years We showered and dressed for our high-end dinner at their signature restaurant The Oyster River Restaurant occupies the top corner of the 8th floor.  What a view of the region!  The service was excellent.  Erin had lobster and I had the filet Afterwards we went down to the lobby and had a nightcap at a restaurant/bar called The Social.  The bartender was friendly a hockey game was on—and it was a nice way to wind down the evening We got up early the next morning and had a hot breakfast in the private club designated for certain Marriott Bonvoy members called the “M Club.”   Nice perk.  (I actually went in there the day before to raid the M&M jar and grab a bottle of water.)  Non-members can also enter  for a fee Erin and I love to walk—we did 34,000 steps in Manhattan ten years ago—and we were about to come near that record today Our first move was walking over the bridge into downtown Bradenton.  Full disclosure: We went over the US 41 bridge with very narrow sidewalks—but on the way back we smartened up and took the other bridge back that was much safer (Business 41).  I’m still getting flashbacks about that bonehead move It was like walking a balance beam for half a mile with cars zipping past at 50 miles per hour I love to walk around downtown areas before they get busy—and on this Sunday morning at 8am Bradenton has some pretty areas (Main Street etc.) and also some historic buildings (the old courthouse and adjacent Baptist church) we freshened up and went back down to brunch in the lobby.  They had a great spread with plenty of staff to assist.  It looked like a lot of area residents came in to enjoy this new hotel in their community Some friends of ours came up from Sarasota to spend the afternoon with us We had a great time playing pickleball—and then walked back across the parking lot to the hotel to have Margaritas at the pool-side bar we got in the car and drove a few miles west to take a hike at Emerson Point Preserve.  It was a beautiful drive out to Snead Island and then a nice walk—often in view of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and Tampa Bay we went down to the lobby for a relaxing dinner at The Social.  I had a salmon Caesar and Erin ordered a couple appetizers We saw some flight crews from Jet Blue coming and going we hit the hay early—and then enjoyed breakfast in the morning at the “M Club.” (Ray: What’s ‘M’ stand for check out and be back home in Sarasota in 20 minutes.  Felt like we were farther away.  Nice to know the Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa is a new option for us Ray Collins has been published several hundred times, writing about hotels, resorts and destinations around the world.  www.RayCollinsMedia.com/articles Florida's Gulf Coast source for local area business news © 2025 Suncoast Post | Web Design by Sande Caplin & Associates | Sitemap | Privacy Policy | Accessibility Blue Ridge High School is used to being overlooked The Class AAA school is situated in Greenville County much more well-known high schools and athletic programs so sometimes the kids at Blue Ridge feel like they go unnoticed The Tigers went toe-to-toe with the best teams in the state over the weekend at Palmetto Golf Club and emerged victorious at the 50th Southern Cross They beat out a loaded field that included a few of their bigger neighbors within the county bringing home a prestigious title with the state championships fast approaching We're a school in northern Greenville County and people in Greenville County don't even know where Blue Ridge is," said head coach Richie Stevens The Tigers finished with a two-day total of 12-over 438 two shots clear of Georgia's Frederica Academy Hanna (445) and defending champion Greenville (451) overcame a rocky start to Saturday's final round to shoot 71 and earn medalist honors at 2-under 140 The only player in the field to finish under par Szabo was three shots better than a quartet of runners-up - T.L Dorman's Moses Zikusooka (73) and defending champion and fellow Dorman Cavalier Will Ruth (73) This is one on the checklist that we had marked at the beginning of the season to win as a team and to win it as an individual is more icing on the cake," Szabo said but it feels great to just get it done with the team Szabo endured a rough opening stretch that left him 4 over through four holes He knew it was bound to happen eventually at Palmetto especially with how difficult it played over the weekend and he knew he could turn things around quickly leaving him at 2 over for the championship then drove the ball left into the trees on 10 then holed out from there with a 54-degree wedge He came back after a rain delay and birdied the par-5 14th then chipped in for eagle on the par-4 15th hole he was back to 3 under while the players chasing him started dropping shots Teammate Owen Kinnunen matched Szabo's final-round 71 and Ryder Seppala turned in an 80 for a second-day score of 222 that was just enough to overtake Frederica Academy which led after day one but counted three 75s to fall from the top spot it's the program's first Southern Cross title in only the Tigers' second appearance at Palmetto tying for second and finishing two shots behind Greenville They also finished second at last year's Class AAA state championship but Stevens said having players like Szabo and Kinnunen means he has guys that won't press or panic in tough situations which can lead to the kind of mistakes that sink a team's score but I think the guys that are still playing have gotten a lot better from last year," Szabo said "I think it's really cool for the Blue Ridge community because we don't get much to cheer about a lot Stevens said they're trying to create a winning culture at Blue Ridge and he said championship teams play for each other where the Tigers shed the underdog label to beat the best field in South Carolina high school golf and just getting to know these guys - every other sport and really understanding and being here for the first time myself I look around and I understand why this is No really because you get to compete with the best teams in the state no matter what classification To be able to come out here and get it done against those guys is just a testament to their hard work." a 79 from Evan Crooks and an 83 from Ryan Anaclerio on Saturday The Panthers counted a 77 from Brooks Abrams a 79 from Granger Young and an 85 from Graham Wilson in the final round Bennett Elvis was the low T-Bred for both rounds Mead Hall also counted an 89 from Collin Orander and a 90 from Christopher Cunning Elvis tied for 67th at 166 to lead the way North Augusta didn't finish with a team score after only counting two scores in the final round Luke Johnson (73-77) finished 18th individually at 150 and Region 4-AAAA medalist Andrew Baxley (77-78) tied for 35th at 155 Thanks for visiting The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here – The Coastal Carolina beach volleyball team split their two matches on Saturday with a 2-3 loss to No 20 Florida Gulf Coast and a 3-2 win over South Carolina in the second day of the Palmetto Invitational in Columbia The Chants finished the regular 20-12 and 6-0 in Sun Belt play 1 seed in the Sun Belt tournament in Foley 1 seed for the Sun Belt Tournament and will face the winner of No For complete coverage of women's beach volleyball follow the Chants on social media @CoastalBeachVB (X) @GoCCUSports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Coastal Carolina Athletics at goccusports.com  Thanks for visiting Railroads & Locomotives Riding Amtrak’s Palmetto This unusual train is the gateway to Savannah Summary: This article discusses riding Amtrak’s Palmetto which runs an 829-mile route between New York City and Savannah It highlights the Palmetto‘s unique characteristics as a long-distance train without dining cars or sleeping accommodations The article also delves into the train’s history its various route changes and service adjustments over the years including its stops and locomotive changes and recommends it as a rewarding travel experience The article also describes Savannah Station and nearby museums It was first used by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad in 1909 for the Palmetto Limited which ran from New York City to Augusta and Savannah with a connection to Atlanta via the Georgia Railroad (The train drew its name from the Sabal palmetto the state tree of South Carolina.) The Atlantic Coast Line train was discontinued in 1968 The Palmetto’s journey begins at New York City’s bustling Penn Station the seven-car train is pulled by Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor workhorse which replaced the long-serving Swedish-designed and American built AEM7s The ACS64 is uncoupled and taken away to be readied for its next assignment a General Electric Genesis diesel or Siemens ALC42 Charger backs up for coupling and with power cables and brake lines reconnected the Palmetto proceeds through the East Tunnel Why not include a full dining car on this long-distance train It seems Amtrak cannot break out of the snack-bar-only box on trains that operate only in daylight hours Let’s recall that the renowned passenger train drew its iconic name from the Saw palmetto [Sabal palmetto – Serenoa repens] tree which native range extends from South Carolina south to Florida and west to Louisiana Note that the standardized extracts of this legendary plant has been a great helping hand for aging men As one among many “aging men” who post on these pages I suggest a consultation with your urologist Amtrak’s beloved Palmetto is also as sweet as the beloved railfanning In the spring of 2018 my wife and I along with our three grands took the Palmetto to Washington DC boarding in Yemassee SC with had a fine ride until we got to Richmond from there to DC we travelled at no more than 25 MPH due to all sorts of delays and stoppage for CSX freights arriving 2 hours late it was still better than taking I-95 with only three taxi runs we walked around DC and even to Arlington Our return to South Carolina was fine although some slow rideing near the VA/NC border Thunderstorm slowed us between Charleston and Yemassee and once again coming in late the trip was better than auto on I-95 The train was good for our grands to be able to walk about and to get food as they wished Members enjoy 15% off any purchase in our store. Join Today Get updates and special offers via email from Trains.com brands This work, Palmetto Cyber Defense Competition Fosters Next-Gen Cybersecurity Talent, by John O'Neill, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright Watch Palmetto Sports & Entertainment in the Greenville-Spartanburg-Asheville-Anderson TV market The new network focuses on sports programming appealing to local sports fans Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play Click for More Sports News Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play Click for More Sports News There are currently no upcoming/recent events Thanks for visiting atCleveland Golf Palmetto Intercollegiate First Round of Palmetto Intercollegiate Halted Due to Weather3.10.25 | Men's Golf owner and chairman of the Greenville Drive and Fluor Field was presented with the Order of the Palmetto on April 4 the Order of the Palmetto is South Carolina’s highest civilian honor It is presented in recognition of a lifetime of extraordinary achievement and contributions on a national or statewide scale “Craig’s leadership as owner and chairman of the Greenville Drive pivotal role in the revitalization of the West End of downtown Greenville and philanthropic endeavors … speak volumes about his unwavering commitment to service and excellence,” said Rep “This prestigious award is not only a fitting tribute to his remarkable legacy but also a source of inspiration for others to follow his example of selfless dedication and service.” It began in 2005 with Brown’s pledge to bring a minor league baseball team to Greenville and build a new ballpark Although other cities offered opportunities for funding a stadium Brown was adamant that Greenville was the right city for the team and offered to privately build the ballpark He wanted the community to truly understand that this new stadium was for them rather than costing them Earning the title “Ballpark of the Year” in its first season Fluor Field –– lovingly known as “Greenville’s front porch” –– has become an anchor of the renewed West End area of Greenville Fluor Field is a year-round gathering place for people of all walks of life to participate in festivals Brown began working toward building a stronger and more vibrant Greenville Shortly after joining the Greenville Chamber of Commerce he was elected to its Board of Directors and tapped to serve as co-chair of ACCELERATE an entrepreneurial initiative designed to increase per capita income of the Upstate Community At Greenville Health System (now Prisma Health) he was a member of the Strategic Coordinating Organization Board and was an early champion of the Medical Experience Academy The Academy’s mission is to engage students early in the field of medicine to increase the number of healthcare providers in South Carolina she asked him to be the Chairman of the Academy’s Advisory Board Brown has been a generous donor to many Upstate organizations — from the United Way of Greenville to the Girl Scouts-Mountains to Midlands to Unity Park Brown gives generously of his time and talent He does this through board service for organizations such as Upstate Warrior Solution and Furman University’s Advisory Board and through various Greenville Drive partnerships with Greenville County Schools And while these may initially seem like disparate organizations they all share one thing in common: dedication to improving the lives of South Carolinians “As Greenville's Mayor for the past 29 years I've worked with many people and organizations and I cannot think of anyone who has been a better partner to Greenville and the Upstate than Craig Brown.” High-A South Atlantic League affiliate of the Boston Red Sox are entering their 20th season at award-winning Fluor Field in downtown Greenville more than 500,000 fans a year have been welcomed to Fluor Field for both Drive games and additional community events the Drive was honored with the prestigious John H presented by Minor League Baseball and given to “the total baseball franchise,” based on community impact and operational excellence the Drive also received the prestigious Freitas Award which recognizes the nation’s top Single-A MiLB franchise One hundred and sixteen Drive alumni have gone on to play at the major-league level 10 out of the last 12 World Series winning teams featured at least one former Drive player on their roster [email protected] (WPDE) — A $713,000 Palmetto Cash 5 ticket was sold in Florence The ticket was sold at the Pilot Travel Center #62 at 3006 N READ NEXT: $100K Powerball ticket sold in Effingham The winning numbers for the ticket were drawn on Tuesday Officials said the odds of winning the Palmetto Cash 5 jackpot are one in 850,668 Players have 180 days from the date of drawing to claim prizes Net proceeds from every dollar spent on the SCEL are given back through funding for education retailer commissions and payment to contractors for goods and services A 45-year-old man was arrested Thursday for driving under the influence in a four-car Palmetto crash that left a woman with serious injuries Luis Alfredo Manzoni Diez was driving on the wrong side of the road on Interstate 75 near mile marker 228 when his SUV collided with the front of a pickup truck at 4 a.m., according to a crash report from the Florida Highway Patrol entered the median and collided with the cable barrier A fourth car also collided with crash debris Diez was booked into the Manatee County Jail after submiting a .150 BAC breath sample ‘Alcohol destroys’: Florida leads South in deadly DUI crashes, tears Sarasota family apart The 58-year-old Port Charlotte woman driving the pickup truck was left with serious injuries while Diez and the driver of the third car involved in the crash had minor injuries As of April 24, there have been 1,806 crashes in Manatee County, according to the Florida Crash Dashboard there have been 15 deaths and 1,280 injuries there have been 11 deaths and 1,341 injuries Melissa Pérez-Carrillo covers breaking news and public safety for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Got a tip or story idea? Reach out at mperezcarrillo@gannett.com The Palmetto Medal recognizes exceptional performance reflecting great credit on The Citadel and the state of South Carolina the award is presented to those whose service to the college or state is particularly noteworthy the Palmetto Medal is the highest honor awarded by The Citadel Two individuals who embody the college’s definition of principled leaders were chosen for the honor this year Members of the Board of Visitors presented the Palmetto Medal awards during the military review parade on March 22 The citations for the award recipients are below esteemed banking executive and dedicated community servant exemplifies the highest ideals of leadership a respected financial leader and a tireless philanthropist Cole has devoted his life to strengthening the institutions and communities he serves Cole’s career in banking spanned over 36 years culminating in his role as regional president of Wachovia Bank South Carolina he used his expertise to foster economic growth while prioritizing community impact His military service from 1969 to 1971 in the U.S followed by his retirement as a lieutenant colonel in 1991 from the U.S underscores his lifelong commitment to duty and excellence Despite facing significant personal adversity following a cervical spine injury Cole has remained a pillar of philanthropy and community engagement He has served on nearly 20 nonprofit boards Francis Foundation and Palmetto Richland Hospital Foundation and has been recognized for his unwavering dedication with numerous honors including Volunteer of the Year and Ambassador of the Year His devotion to The Citadel is equally remarkable Serving on The Citadel Foundation Board of Directors from 2004 to 2011 he played a critical role in a $100 million campaign to advance the college’s mission His outstanding contributions to his alma mater and the state have earned him recognition as Alumnus of the Year and the prestigious Order of the Palmetto from the Governor of South Carolina selfless service and enduring impact on The Citadel and beyond The Citadel Board of Visitors proudly bestows upon Charles T a fitting tribute to a life dedicated to service Wilson serves as the 2024-2025 regimental commander chosen by the president and commandant of The Citadel through a rigorous rank board selection guiding their professional leadership development upholding both individual and unit accountability Cadet Wilson was ranked 12th on the Order of Merit List of more than 5,000 Army ROTC cadets nationwide and he was the first cadet to attend the Special Forces Survive Evade Resist Escape High-Risk Training Wilson successfully completed the Special Forces Combat Diver Qualification Course the Army’s most challenging school with the highest attrition rate Wilson has been recognized for his academic success Commandant’s List and Gold Star honors for maintaining a 4.0 GPA all seven semesters as an English and History double major He was selected for the Distinguished Scholars Program which promotes intellectual discourse and global citizenship As a four-year member of the Honors Program he placed first at the National Collegiate Honors Program Conference for his presentation on the discipline system at military academies and colleges He received the prestigious Killam Fellowship administered by Fulbright Canada and spent the fall semester of his junior year at the Royal Military College of Canada He will travel to Italy in March to compete internationally with The Citadel’s Law of Armed Conflict Team Wilson is committed to strengthening The Citadel through his unwavering dedication to mentoring subordinate leaders and improving the lives of his fellow cadets by example through his leadership and humility In recognition of his outstanding service to The Citadel his community and the state of South Carolina the Board of Visitors proudly awards Cadet Colonel Sam E No new measles cases have been reported at Miami’s Palmetto Senior High School after one student was diagnosed with the highly contagious disease — Florida's first such case — say Miami-Dade school and state health officials Authorities said they are continuing to monitor the school in Pinecrest for any potential outbreak of measles and are advising parents of students who think they may have had contact with the ill student “Everything is very stable,” Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Jose L Dotres told reporters Thursday at a news conference He noted the school in Pinecrest had a vaccine rate of 99.7% speaking at a press conference in Tampa on Wednesday with Gov said state health officials were not aware of any other measles cases in Florida and had communicated with the student who contracted measles In a letter sent home to parents of Palmetto Senior High students state health officials stressed that the state Department of Health is deferring to parents over keeping their kids at home "Their preferences and choices for their healthy kids are going to be respected," said Lapado at the press conference He did point out the availability of the measles vaccine in South Florida and echoed the advice of U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., that taking Vitamin A is a treatment option for patients with measles, despite worries from disease experts "That's completely a good idea for anyone who is severely ill from measles," he said READ MORE: 'It's still out there': How to protect yourself in case of a measles outbreak Parents of students at the high school first learned of the student diagnosed with measles on Tuesday when they received an email blast and automated voicemail from the school’s principal "While the risk of transmission may be low for vaccinated individuals we are taking all necessary precautions while working closely with local health authorities to ensure the health and safety of our school community," Dobbs said in the voicemail message Senior Ariane Guenther was shocked and disappointed when she heard a measles case was confirmed at her school a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system Even though she and her family are vaccinated against measles and all of my friends and their families at risk as well,” Guenther said Measles — which was declared eliminated by the World Health Organization in 2000 — is rare in the United States But many fear a widespread resurgence amid an outbreak in rural West Texas that’s infected more than 150 people and killed at least one child a Broward elementary school had seven reported cases READ MORE: 'Grossly irresponsible': Florida congresswoman blasts surgeon general over measles outbreak Measles cases also have been reported in New Mexico Pennsylvania and Rhode Island — and now Florida and is passed through respiratory droplets To gauge how contagious a given disease is which estimates the number of cases of infectious diseases that can stem from one person For measles, that number is between 12 and 18, according to the National Library of Medicine. For a virus like the seasonal flu, that number is estimated around 1.28 “The average (for Measles) is probably about 15 but up to 18 people can be infected from one person,” said Dr the Associate Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Antimicrobial Stewardship for Jackson Health System That’s assuming all 18 people have not received the MMR the measles vaccine is highly effective,” Somani said “The efficacy from one dose is 93% and two doses is 97%.” The MMR vaccine is typically administered in two doses The first being at 12 months of age and the second when a child is between 4 and six years old “This was eradicated in 2000 in the US,” Somani said “So it's kind of like we're going back in time just because people don't want to get the vaccine but still “feeling the same fear that I did with COVID for sure… My dad he's been keeping up with his booster shots and everything Miami Palmetto Senior High School is coordinating a free MMR immunization drive March 10 through 14 from 9 a.m for unvaccinated students with parental consent The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County Monroe and Palm Beach Counties administer immunization to all children up to 18 years old free of charge The Associated Press contributed to this report – The Palmetto Series Presented by the South Carolina Education Lottery wraps up Tuesday when the No 10/11 South Carolina softball team travels to No The game will be the final on-field matchup of the Palmetto Series this season NON-CONFERENCE SUCCESS IS NOTHING NEW FOR SC For the latest on South Carolina Softball, visit GamecocksOnline.com or follow the team’s social media accounts on Twitter @GamecockSoftbll, Facebook /GamecockSoftball, and Instagram @GamecockSoftball It will take over the 1100 Ocean Avenue boardwalk location previously occupied by The Break a temporary concept replacing Langosta Lounge a hospitality group led by Phil Villapiano Chef James Avery will oversee the menu and kitchen operations Avery is known for his appearance on Hell’s Kitchen with Gordon Ramsay and for operating The Black Swan Public House in Asbury Park Palmetto will serve Southern-inspired dishes with a coastal influence Menu highlights include peel-and-eat shrimp Additional offerings include mafaldine pasta in creamed corn cacio e pepe Caesar salad with buttermilk dressing and biscuit croutons The bar will feature handcrafted cocktails The restaurant is designed to offer a relaxed but polished atmosphere The space was originally home to Langosta Lounge which operated for over a decade before closing in 2022 when BarCo Brands purchased it along with Asbury Park Yacht Club the space was temporarily branded as The Break while BarCo Brands finalized plans for Palmetto The company also owns and operates several other restaurants Be the first to know about our newest content SNJ Today gives you the latest news in Cumberland County