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pushback grows against Florida State Parks development plans

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pushback grows against Florida State Parks development plans


Florida has 75 state parks that draw millions every year. This week, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection released development proposals for nine state parks, including two in the Tampa Bay area. 

The plan adds amenities and lodging to parks in what Governor Ron DeSantis has called “the great outdoors initiative.” 

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The sunshine state has more than 800,000 acres of land within its state parks – with 2.3 million visitors each year – including Honeymoon Island and Hillsborough River State Park in the Bay Area.

Florida wants to add golf courses, pickleball to state parks

Under the governor’s proposal, nine parks in Florida would undergo major developments, including 18-hole golf courses, pickleball courts and 350-room park lodges.

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Plans for the state parks in Tampa Bay call for four pickleball courts at each park, and a disc golf course. It’s getting push back from local groups. 

“We just feel really strong that don’t fix it if it’s not broken, and that the state owns a lot of land in the state of Florida that they could use to do something like that with that’s not a state park,” said Robin Miller with Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce. “It’s impossible not to disrupt the wildlife, the birds, you know, all of the things that each park has.”

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Republican Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio have come out against the proposal, along with other state officials from both parties. 

READ: Great Horned Owl that escaped during Tropical Storm Debby dies after being rescued

“Florida natural spaces are unique and special, and I adamantly oppose Governor DeSantis’ radical plan to literally pave paradise and put up a pickleball court … Florida’s unique natural lands and habitats — our state’s identity and way of life — should not be bulldozed to cut developers a cheap deal,” said Representative Kathy Castor from Tampa Bay.

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However, the Department of Environmental Protection said the plans only hope to expand public access to parks, increase outdoor activities and provide more lodging options to accommodate more tourists in these destinations.  

Following major public interest in the plans, the Florida DEP said on Friday that they are rescheduling planned meetings for next week to accommodate bigger crowds. Meetings are now expected the week of Sept. 2.

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Florida

Family businesses serving up South Florida’s best bagels and Italian food

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Family businesses serving up South Florida’s best bagels and Italian food


Are you feeling some bagels this morning? Two family businesses, both originally from New York, are serving up some of the finest bagels and Italian food in South Florida.

CBS News Miami’s Anna McAllister heads to Fort Lauderdale to check out A&S Deli and Bakery and Goldberg’s Delicatessen and Bagels on North Federal Highway.

When you walk into A&S and Goldberg’s, you’re treated like family.

They’ve serving up Italian deli food and traditional, Jewish New York bagels – all in one shop.

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Marc Goldberg and Nick Maltese grew up in their family business – and it’s their passion.

“We started here in Florida in 1971 on Bayview Drive,” Maltese said. “It was called Rotoni’s Italian Deli, and my dad was young. He was making fresh mozzarella, making soppressata. We had a deli and I used to help him.”

Both sides of the shop pride themselves on the freshness of their products, like homemade mozzarella on the A&S side.

The cheese is made fresh every day along with the rolls for every sandwich.

And on Goldberg’s side every bagel is made fresh in house.

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“My favorite thing from Goldberg’s is the bagels,” customer Paula Cury said. “We come here in the morning and get our bagels. And them from A&S, I really like their number six. The Nicky’s Favorite. It has fresh mozzarella, tomato, prosciutto and balsamic glaze.”

And, of course, CBS News Miami couldn’t stop by and not try their specialty items like a toasted sesame bagel with vegetable cream cheese, fresh sliced lox, tomato, red onion and capers.

And how about that South Bronx chicken cutlet sandwich? Every single item that CBS News Miami tried, from the bagel sandwiches to the soups and specialty deli creations was outstanding.

“I would say that the my favorite thing about this place is that come in, and you feel like you’re home,” McAllister said.

“We make everybody feel that way,” Maltese replied.

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And you can get the best of both worlds seven days a week.

They also take orders online.

Check out the A&S Italian Deli and Bakery website by clicking here.

For more information about Goldberg’s Delicatessen and Bagels, click here.

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Police offer $5K reward to find Florida kid seen stomping, killing duck in disturbing video

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Police offer K reward to find Florida kid seen stomping, killing duck in disturbing video


Police are searching for a young child seen on video brutally stomping and killing a duck in a Florida resident’s yard, according to authorities and reports.

Disturbing surveillance video released by the Fort Lauderdale Police Department showed two young children running around a duck before one child chased the bird into the paved alleyway of a home Sunday, CBS Miami reported.

The kid stomped on the feathered creature a whopping seven times, killing it, the clip showed.

Police are searching for a young child who brutally stomped on and killed a duck in a Florida resident’s yard. Ft Lauderdale Police Department

The Fort Lauderdale homeowner called cops after noticing the juvenile trespassing on his property, and was shocked when he watched the gruesome security footage on his Ring camera, police told WSVN.

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Detectives are now seeking help identifying the child and are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

Residents of the area, home to many waterfowl, described the incident as deeply concerning.


A young child with an afro and dark clothing on a brick path, next to a building and a wooden fence, with green bushes and palm trees.
Detectives are now seeking help identifying the child and are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Ft Lauderdale Police Department

“I was appalled that that would even happen in this neighborhood, for that to happen and see the photo, it is obviously very bad,” neighbor Ross Schmidt told WSVN.

“You know, you don’t know what’s inside people’s minds, but it’s definitely a very big anger issue, and he wasn’t brought up right, or he wasn’t thinking properly,” Schmidt added.

Fort Lauderdale Police have removed the graphic footage of the incident from their social media platforms and did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.

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Multi-vehicle crash causes major delays on Florida’s Turnpike in Osceola County

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Multi-vehicle crash causes major delays on Florida’s Turnpike in Osceola County


A multi-vehicle crash caused major traffic delays Thursday on Florida’s Turnpike in Osceola County. 

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The crash happened on Florida’s Turnpike northbound near mile marker 246.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash involved four vehicles—a Hyundai Santa Fe, a Chevrolet Silverado, a Chevrolet Trax and an Audi TTS. No one involved in the crash was taken to the hospital, FHP said. 

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All lanes were temporarily shut down but have since reopened, FHP said. 

It’s unclear what caused the crash, which remains under investigation. 

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The Source: This story was written with information from the Florida Highway Patrol. 

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