Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio introduced legislation Wednesday that would keep the U.S. on daylight saving time through Nov. 7, 2021, because of the pandemic. The senators say the bill would “help provide stability for families who are already dealing with enough change with virtual learning, work from home, and other disruptions the COVID-19 pandemic has placed into our daily lives. After months of staying inside amid the coronavirus pandemic, families across the nation could use a little more sunshine and time to enjoy all that Florida has to offer,” Scott said. “I signed legislation as governor to continue Daylight Saving Time year-round for Floridians, and I’m glad to join Senator Rubio to lead this effort in Congress.” If the bill is enacted, Americans would avoid changing clocks in March 2021 when the U.S. typically springs forward an hour, WINK News reports.

 

Plans to build 100,000 homes in part of eastern Collier County are being met with opposition. The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is fighting to protect the area’s wetlands and wildlife habitat and wants a say in new rules to manage the growth in this section of the county, WINK News reports. Thousands of homes are planned on 300 square miles of mainly undeveloped land in part of the 185,000 acres known as the Rural Lands Stewardship Area (RLSA). The Conversancy of Southwest Florida said that if the RSLA downsizes plans for its development footprint, it will reduce costs for new roads, maintenance, utilities and emergency services. A public hearing to discuss changes for this area of eastern Collier County’s growth is set for today, Thursday, at 9 a.m.

 

Business owners can go to designated locations to pick up free face masks and hand sanitizer supplies paid for by the CARES Act. Out of $19 million spent so far, almost $2 million went to cleaning products, more than $5 million to PPE and $121,000 to the medical examiner’s office for morgue and medical supplies such as UV sanitizers and autopsy tables. All of this puts a small dent in the $134 million the county received under the CARES Act. Commissioner Brian Hamman says he thought there would be greater demand for the money, but that having some remaining was fortunate because plenty of families and businesses need help. Lee County is distributing PPE at multiple sites throughout the month, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. while supplies last: Sept. 15-17 at Veterans Park in Lehigh Acres, Sept. 22-24 at North Fort Myers Recreation Center, and Sept. 28-30 at Estero Recreation Center. You do not need to register, but you’ll need to send a representative with your business’ name, address and employer identification number.

 

Many people look for excuses when it comes to health and fitness. To help erase excuses for being the best you can be, Versa Gym recently rolled out the first versatile mobile fitness operation for private clients in Collier and Lee counties. “There’s no excuse anymore. There’s no excuse because of COVID. There’s no excuse because of time or travel,” says fitness coach Carlos Garcia, who co-launched Versa Gym in the Naples area this fall with local investor Blake Cathey. “Versa Gym is a mobile gym that is very versatile to serve a variety of needs,” Garcia says. “You can work out at the beach, home or even work.” Versa Gym saves clients time and offers them convenience by coming to their driveways, backyards, garages or businesses in a 5-by-8-foot trailer. The black box opens out and expands, transforming in less than 15 minutes into a multi-station fitness center perfect for one-on-one training sessions or group classes for up to 12 individuals. See the full story on GulfshoreBusiness.com.

 

Bars in Florida will now be allowed to operate at 50% capacity beginning today, Monday, said Halsey Beshears, secretary for the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation. The state rescinded the governor’s March emergency executive order affecting the way bars can operate in the state during the coronavirus pandemic. Bars and other alcoholic beverage vendors may resume sales of alcoholic beverages for consumption on premises provided that their operations comply with the parameters of Florida’s Phase 2 recovery plan. These vendors may operate at 50% of the facility’s indoor capacity, allow bar service to seated patrons and permit outdoor seating and service with appropriate social distancing. For more information, visit the Florida Department of Businesses & Professional Regulations.

 

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