Home Fires Are A Real Disaster

Article Posted by Florida Gazette Photo by Staff Photographer David Lear

Miami--During 2014, the American Red Cross helped more people affected by home fires than all other disasters combined. Day after day and in neighborhoods from coast to coast, their biggest disaster threat isn’t from tornadoes, hurricanes and floods, but home fires. Nearly every 8 minutes, the Red Cross responds to a disaster in the community and approximately 93 percent of these are home fires.

Local American Red Cross volunteers in 12,500 communities across the nation responded at all hours of the day with food, blankets and comfort to help more than 211,000 people with nowhere else to turn after home fires in 2014. The Red Cross also provided financial support to tens of thousands of households after home fires to help replace lost belongings and begin the long road to recovery.

The work doesn’t end after the smoke clears. Red Cross volunteers across the country are helping to save lives through a nationwide campaign to reduce the number of home fire deaths and injuries by 25 percent over the next five years. Since the campaign launched in October, "we’ve already reached more than 29,000 people by installing more than 17,000 smoke alarms.These efforts have already saved five lives and we hope this is only the beginning." said the American Red Cross.

To learn more about the American Red Cross CLICK HERE

President Obama reflected on the significant progress made by this country in 2014

Article by David Hudson
The President reflected on the significant progress made by this country in 2014, and in the nearly six years since he took office.

This past year has been the strongest for job growth since the 1990s, contributing to the nearly 11 million jobs added by our businesses over a 57-month streak. America is leading the rest of the world, in containing the spread of Ebola, degrading and ultimately destroying ISIL, and addressing the threat posed by climate change. And earlier this week, the President announced the most significant changes to our policy towards Cuba in over 50 years.

America’s resurgence is real, and the President expressed his commitment to working with Congress in the coming year to make sure Americans feel the benefits.

Shopping on Super Saturday

Article posted by Florida Gazette
BENTONVILLE, Ark.--Still haven’t checked everything off your Christmas gift list? Well, you’re not alone. The world’s largest retailer conducted in-person interviews with more than 2,200 customers in Walmart stores across the U.S. on Saturday, Dec. 13 and found more than one-third plan to shop for last-minute gifts on Super Saturday, the last Saturday before Christmas.

To ensure last-minute shoppers get the gifts they want at a great price, Walmart stores will continue to receive many of the season’s hottest toys, electronics and home goods until Dec. 24. The retailer is also helping its customers get in and out quickly by creating designated areas near the front of its stores with popular last-minute gifts such as stocking stuffers, gift sets and gift cards. Customers can also choose to order from tens of thousands of items on Walmart.com by Dec. 23 and receive free same-day pickup in stores on Dec. 24.

“Over the past few years, we’ve noticed a trend in customers waiting until the last minute to finish their shopping,” said Scott McCall, senior vice president of merchandising for Walmart U.S. “While many customers start their Christmas shopping in November, the majority don’t put their lists away until Dec. 24. Our stores are ready to help customers get everything they need from top toys and electronics to stocking stuffers, cookies for Santa and the easiest present to give: the gift card.”

Honoring Our Service Members Veterans and Their Families During the Holidays

Holiday decorations at the Naval Observatory Residence, in Washington, D.C., December 3, 2014. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

Article by James Gleeson
Washington D.C. --This holiday season, in honor of our service members, veterans, and their families, the Vice President and Dr. Jill Biden dedicated five trees at the Naval Observatory Residence representing each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. Capturing their personal experiences, military families from all across the country handcrafted the ornaments that adorn the trees. Atop each tree is a gold star, embodying the spirit, bravery, and patriotism of those who serve.
Earlier this month, Dr. Biden hosted a holiday celebration in honor of our military, veterans, and their families at the Vice President’s Residence. "We owe thanks today, and everyday, to those who wear the uniform. And we owe a debt of gratitude to their families because, as all of you know, when you have a family who serves in the military, the whole family serves too," Dr. Biden said.

Santa Claus hands out stuffed champ dogs during a holiday celebration in honor of our military, veterans and their families, at the Naval Observatory Residence, in Washington, D.C., December 3, 2014. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

Keeping with tradition, Dr. Biden -- a proud National Guard mom herself -- invited senior National Guard spouses, National Guard Family Program members, and their children to her office at the White House for a special holiday tree dedication. This marks the second consecutive year that Dr. Biden has welcomed members of our National Guard to her office for this event.

Dr. Biden places an ornament of the National Guard Memorial on a holiday tree in her office at the White House, in Washington, D.C., December 12, 2014. (Photo by SSG Michelle Gonzalez, National Guard Bureau)

The tree was decorated with 54 unique ornaments -- one from each state, territory, and the District of Columbia -- designed by the State Family Program Office in accordance with this year's theme, "Communities of Resilience." In keeping with this theme, each ornament represents its home state and Guard Families.
During this holiday season, we hope all Americans can find ways to recognize and support our service members, veterans, and their families in their communities

Auburn Tight End Jakell Mitchell Dies After Shooting

Article by David Lear with Florida Gazette. Photo by Auburntigers.com
Auburn, AL--Auburn Police were called to an early morning shooting at 12:25 a.m. Sunday. When officers arrived they found 18-year-old freshman Auburn tight end Jakell Mitchell with multiple gunshot wounds to the chest. Mitchell was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. The shooting took place at the Tiger Lodge apartment complex, a few miles from the Auburn campus.

Auburn Tigers Head Coach Gus Malzahn released the following statement: "I'm devastated and saddened by the passing of Jakell Mitchell. My thoughts and prayers are with Jakell's family and friends, who are suffering through this senseless tragedy. I know the Auburn Family is hurting, especially our players and coaches, and we are going to love and support them through this difficult time. We have lost a member of our family too young, too soon."

Police have arrested Markale Deandra Hear of Camp Hill, Alabama.

Offshore Lessons on the Volvo Ocean Race

Article by  Agathe Armand  Photo by Amory Ross/Team Alvimedica/Volvo Ocean Race

It has been a long leg for Team Alvimedica, and a slow, never-ending finish at sunset, in Abu Dhabi waters.

The Turkish/American boat did lead the race early on, stopped to assist Team Vestas Wind when their competitors hit a reef north of Mauritius, resumed racing and caught up with Team SCA and MAPFRE.

But they were finally overtaken by the Spanish team and ended the leg in a painful drift across the Gulf.

Ainhoa Sanchez/Volvo Ocean Race

“This leg has had its ups and downs and we definitely need to work on our consistency,” admits Charlie Enright, the skipper.

“But we’ve got a good plan in place and we’ll work on the best way to achieve it.”

For the youngest crew in the race, this leg was all about learning. Learning about the race – four of them are rookies, learning about their boat, learning about their performance at sea.

“We’ve had a lot of time together and conversations naturally evolved from the fun things to our performance,” explains Amory Ross, the Onboard Reporter.

“We’re happy about boat speed. We know we’re competitive in a straight line; we just need to know where to point the bow. It’s not a personal problem or a chemistry issue. Our greatest attribute is we’re a young group of guys looking to improve.”

They’ve learned about the reality of the race too, and its ruthlessness.

“The Vestas incident is something that will stick with us for a long time,” sighs Mark Towill, who admits feeling “a bit mentally drained.”

Having suspended racing for 9.5 hours to provide assistance to the blue boat, the Alvimedica guys can now apply for redress.

“And we’ve just been bleeding miles to MAPFRE these past days,” adds Mark. “Yes, a little down, but excited to wrap this up and prepare for the next leg.”

Ainhoa Sanchez/Volvo Ocean Race

Charlie and his eight teammates are now looking forward to debriefing properly in Abu Dhabi. Some are heading home; others are staying in the Emirates before the next leg.

“Part of us want to start Leg 3 tomorrow,” concludes the 30-year old skipper, “but it will be good to have some time to rest and reflect. We’re excited about where we are. It’s just a matter of refining some small things.”

Team Alvimedica finish time: 13 29 23 UTC / Elapsed time: 024d 21h 29m 23s

Eight is Great! Gators Advance to NCAA Regional Final Following Five-Set Thriller Over Illinois

Article posted by Florida Gazette. Photo by Gatorzone.com 

AMES, Iowa -- No. 8 Seed Florida downed No. 9 Seed Illinois in a five-set thriller (25-22, 21-25, 22-25, 25-17, 16-14) at Hilton Coliseum in Ames Friday evening to advance to the program’s 14th NCAA Volleyball Regional Final. The Gators (28-3) meet No. 1 Seed Stanford (32-1) Saturday evening at 9 p.m. ET on ESPNU for a trip to the Final Four in Oklahoma City Dec. 18-20.

The Orange and Blue used double-doubles from freshman middle Rhamat Alhassan (15K, 10B), junior setter Mackenzie Dagostino (51A, 10D) and sophomore right side Alex Holston (18K, 10D) to propel a comeback after Illinois went up 2-1 in the match. Florida took set four, 25-17, to force a fifth and gutted out a 16-14 decision in the final frame to advance to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2011.

Florida’s back row held it down to stifle the Illini attack, as seniors Holly Pole (19) and Maddy Monserez (16) joined Dagostino and Holston in double-digit digs. Illinois became the 22nd UF opponent the Gators have limited to a .197 or lower hitting efficiency this season. Florida improved to 6-2 against ranked opponents this season, including six straight. 

Sophomore Shaïnah Joseph provided a spark for the Orange and Blue off the bench with seven errorless kills on 13 attempts for a career-high .538 hitting efficiency. Joseph added five blocks for 9.5 points towards the Gators’ tally. Alhassan tied a career high with 10 blocks at the net and Holston led the Orange and Blue in slams for the 20th time this season. Holston has had double-digit kill performances in 11 of UF’s last 12 tilts. Dagostino made it two straight 51-assist matches and has had 50+ assists in three of UF’s last four matches.

The Gators added their 23rd straight victory with the five-set win over the Illini, the longest streak in the country. UF will make its 14th Regional Final appearance Saturday evening and will aim for its eighth Final Four berth in program history. UF last advanced to the National Semifinals and played for the National Championship in 2003.

“The eight-nine match-up lived up to its billing. It was an elite level performance by both teams, gutsy, gritty play from the very beginning of the match. If we played 10 times, it would go five and five. I thought Illinois was terrific and we knew that between Birks and McMahon, those are some high heavy arms. We thought yesterday that the match would come down to two-offensive teams and some big time blockers. The difference in the match was that we out-passed Illinois, statistically. I think that the result that comes down to two points in the fifth set.”

What's Your Chance Of A White Christmas?

Article posted by Florida Gazette Graphic by NOAA

Miami ,FL--For those of you dreaming of a white Christmas, this map depicts which places have the best chance of being a winter wonderland according to weather history. The “Historical Probability of a White Christmas Map” shows the climatological probability of at least 1 inch of snow being on the ground on December 25 in the lower 48 states. On the map, dark gray shows places where the probability is less than 10 percent, while white shows probabilities greater than 90 percent.

Where does history say you should be for the best chance of seeing a white Christmas? Idaho, Minnesota, Maine, Upstate New York, the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and, of course, the Rockies and the Sierra Nevada Mountains all have a high probability of seeing a white Christmas. And, Aspen, Colorado, is just one of about a dozen locations in the Northwest boasting a 100% historical probability of seeing a white Christmas.
This map is based on the 1981–2010 Climate Normals, which are the latest three-decade averages of several climatological measurements. This dataset contains daily and monthly Normals of temperature, precipitation, snowfall, heating and cooling degree days, frost/freeze dates, and growing degree days calculated from observations at approximately 9,800 stations operated by NOAA’s National Weather Service. You can find the Climate Normals for locations near you by using NCDC’s interactive map or search tool.
While the map shows the climatological probability of snow on December 25, the actual conditions this year may vary widely from these probabilities because the weather patterns present will determine if there is snow on the ground or if snow will fall on Christmas Day. These probabilities are useful as a guide only to show where snow on the ground is more likely. For prediction of your actual weather conditions, check out your local forecast at Weather.gov within seven days of Christmas.
If you would like to keep track of the snowfall across the United States on a daily basis, see the National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center’s National Snow Analyses.

USS Norfolk Decommissioned

NORFOLK (Aug. 26, 2014) The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Norfolk (SSN 714) returns to homeport at Naval Station Norfolk after completing its final deployment. Norfolk will begin the inactivation process in 2015. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Shannon D. Barnwell/Released)

Article by Kevin Copeland
NORFOLK (NNS) -- The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Norfolk (SSN 714) was decommissioned Dec. 11 during a ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk. The submarine will remain in Norfolk until in leaves in January to begin the decommissioning process at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine.

Norfolk is currently under the command of Cmdr. Christopher Polk, who became the submarine's 17th and final commanding officer during a ceremony on Oct. 10, 2014.

"Anyone who has ever served in the Navy understands there is a special bond between a ship and her crew," said Polk. "With every one of the ship's successes, and the occasional failure, we live and die. While on board, we experience the full spectrum of emotions - happiness and/sadness, joy and anger, and confidence and fear. We love her, we curse her; we feel out of place, we feel right at home. But through it all, our spirits breathe life into this ship.

"None of us want to acknowledge the inevitable, least of all me. The ship has a particularly special place in my heart since I was fortunate enough to previously serve on board as a department head and I still consider that assignment as the turning point in my naval career. Without my Norfolk experience, I never would have achieved my ultimate goals of command at sea and command of the Norfolk."

The 360-foot submarine is the third naval ship to be named in honor of its namesake city of Norfolk, Virginia. It was built by Newport News Shipbuilding and was commissioned May 21, 1983 by then Secretary of Defense Casper Weinberger. Norfolk was also the Navy's 133rd nuclear-powered submarine, the 89th attack submarine, and the 24th Los Angeles-class submarine.

In addition to Polk, Mayor Paul Fraim, city of Norfolk, retired U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Joseph J. Krol, Norfolk's second commanding officer and former associate administrator for the National Nuclear Security Administration's Office of Emergency Operations, and Capt. Paul Snodgrass, commander, Submarine Squadron 6 were the featured speakers.

"It is a real thrill for me to be here today, as we honor this crew and all who sailed before them on USS Norfolk," said Krol. "I am a Norfolk Sailor and just one of more than 1,000 submariners who have served on board the ship. Thank you, captain, for inviting me to participate, as I am very proud to have been a small part of the accomplishments produced by those who have sailed on this magnificent ship.

"It has always been fashionable to say that a successful Naval vessel is a great ship, and I have always thought that a strange expression. But, Norfolk has been and is a great ship. However, it is not the ship which has delivered so much success over the past 31-plus years. Norfolk joined the fleet on May 21, 1983 and was a key player during the huge transition in submarine warfare that has spanned her entire life. She was designed and constructed as primarily an anti-submarine warfare platform but that all changed from the bipolar Cold War to today's chaotic and unpredictable asymmetrical war involving various state supported and non-state actors worldwide.

"The crews that sailed Norfolk in 31-plus established a huge legacy were at the forefront of this development change. Throughout the vast changes in the military and the Navy that have taken place since the Cold War ended, this ship has soldiered on and delivered. The only way this could have happened is through the efforts every day of every year by the crews that manned this ship."

The ship returned from its maiden deployment in the Mediterranean Sea in November 1984 and returned to its homeport in Norfolk from its last deployment on Aug. 26, 2014, where it operated in the European Command and Central Command areas of responsibilities.

"It is an honor for me to have this rare opportunity to represent the city at USS Norfolk's decommissioning ceremony," said Fraim. "To each of you who presently serve on-board Norfolk, and to all who have had the privilege of serving in the past, please know how very proud we are that your boat was named for this city and proud that it has sailed around the world in defense of the freedom we are so blessed to enjoy here at home.

"Norfolk and her citizens are fiercely proud of our military heritage, proud of our relationship with the Navy, and proud that we have had the privilege of giving more than most cities in defense of our nation. For 31 years, your boat has sailed the world's oceans carrying our city's name through times of war and times of peace. On behalf of the citizens of Norfolk, thank you to all who have served our nation on-board USS Norfolk. We will never forget her or you."

During its 31 years of active service, Norfolk completed 15 deployments to the North Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea, U.S. Central Command and U.S. European Command. The ship has received six Battle Efficiency awards; two Arleigh Burke awards; four Meritorious Unit Commendations; a Navy Unit Commendation; and two Armed Forces Service Medals.

"It is a true honor to attend this ceremony to celebrate a ship that has always answered the call of our nation," said Snodgrass. "We are in the midst of generations of submariners who share a common spirit, and exemplify the USS Norfolk motto "Vi per Concordium" which translates from Latin as "strength through unity." While others went about their normal lives, these men have lived that motto and have stood the watch to maintain our nation's security - completing 15 overseas deployments, carrying out our nation's tasking through the Cold War, Gulf War, Kosovo Conflict, Global War on Terror and many other conflicts and periods of tension, some named others unnamed."

Almost 140 Sailors will be on Norfolk when it leaves in January for the trip to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and begin the formal decommissioning process. Ninety-three Sailors will stay after the first crew release scheduled in February 2015. Twenty-nine of those 93 Sailors will be moving families and 24 Sailors will travel unaccompanied. All lament being the final crew, but understand there is still work ahead.

"The crew is excited and at the same time saddened to this Battle "E" winning ship being decommissioned," said Senior Chief Logistics Specialist Kevin Gibbs, the submarine's senior enlisted advisor or chief of the boat (COB). "Norfolk has served the Submarine Force and the U.S. Navy honorably, and has contributed significantly to our nation's defense and that of our allies. While we are disheartened in seeing this great warrior go, we are ready to face the challenge in ensuring USS Norfolk exits our submarine force with the utmost dignity. It has been an honor for me to serve on this great warship with this amazing crew on her last deployment."

Snodgrass and Polk echoed the COB's sentiments.

"Over the past several years, the Norfolk crew has developed a rallying cry, "when you want more, 714," continued Snodgrass. "Since 1983, USS Norfolk has always given more. The current crew is the reigning Submarine Squadron 6 2013 Battle Efficiency awardee. This crew returned from a very successful six month deployment to Central Command this past August. Half way through that deployment, the crew was informed that the ship would be decommissioned. This news may have caused some crews to let down their guard, but not Norfolk. This crew ran to the finish line, carrying out all tasking and demonstrating the highest level of skill. After deployment, the crew completed a rigorous propulsion plant evaluation this past month with stellar results, the best in our squadron. This crew gave more and. I am proud of them. USS Norfolk crew members and families, I thank you for your service to our nation, and contribution to the Submarine Force."

"All of us can feel a special pride in knowing that we are Norfolk's final crew and have the honor of ensuring that she is treated with the respect she deserves in her final days," said Polk. "Our experiences on this boat have been a microcosm of our lives and we should never forget the lessons we learned on these sacred deckplates. In this manner, we can honor her best by keeping her spirit alive in our thoughts, our words and our deeds. This submarine is called Norfolk, but we are Norfolk."

For more news from Commander, Submarine Force, Atlantic, visit www.navy.mil/local/sublant/.

Article Posted by Florida Gazette
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured October 25, 2013, to August 22, 2014. The affected vehicles may be equipped with tire placard labels which contain inaccurate seating capacity and occupant/cargo combined weight information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."

With inaccurate information on the tire placard, the operator may overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a correct tire placard label, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P70.

Meet Jim McElwain: A Primer on Florida's New Football Coach

Article by SCOTT CARTER GatorZone.com Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jim McElwain has spent the majority of his 30-year coaching career outside the spotlight. A career assistant until his three-year stint as head coach at Colorado State, McElwain’s most visible role previously was four years as Alabama’s offensive coordinator under Nick Saban.
McElwain was muzzled working under Saban’s “one-voice” policy. However, McElwain’s offenses were not, helping the Crimson Tide win a pair of national titles in his four seasons in Tuscaloosa.
But don’t be fooled. McElwain has a personality to go along with his prolific career as an offensive coordinator. The 24th head coach of the Gators might not be a household name in Gator Nation, but he is well-respected and well-liked by those who know him. That can be a tricky combination to pull off. He also isn’t afraid to venture off the beaten path like so many coaches.
Fan interest at Colorado State had dwindled prior to McElwain’s arrival. The Rams were 9-27 in the previous three seasons. Once the Rams started to win under McElwain, students and fans started to pay more attention. In mid-October as Colorado State prepared for a key Mountain West Conference showdown with Utah State, McElwain broke away from the office to speak to a couple of classes: Fashion Merchandising and Music Appreciation. He impressed the professor in the Music Appreciation class by referencing The Cyrkle, a band that charted with hits “Red Rubber Ball” and “Turn Down Day” in the late 1960s. The students had no clue. It didn’t matter to McElwain. He had fun. “There seemed to be a little bit of energy on campus and I thought that was pretty cool,’’ McElwain told The Denver Post. As for his stop in the Fashion Merchandising class?
“I knew absolutely nothing about it and of course, they laughed at what I was wearing, which obviously meant my fashion was not very good,’’ he said. The 52-year-old McElwain is headed to The Swamp. He’ll be in charge of the Gators soon. Let’s take a closer look at the man who was born in Missoula, Mont., consumed episodes of “The Partridge Family” growing up, and whose perfect day is hanging out with his family on Montana’s Flathead Lake eating his those legendary barbecue ribs he is known for amongst family and friends. McElwain started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Eastern Washington, where he played quarterback from 1980-83. While teaching a golf class, he met Karen, his future wife. The couple has three kids – daughters JoHanna, 23, and Elizabeth, 21, and 19-year-old son Jerret. Growing up in Missoula, Mont., McElwain’s mother Marjorie and father Frank were educators. Marjorie McElwain was an English teacher who also worked at the University of Montana’s ticket office. Frank McElwain was a high school coach, official and principal who passed away in 2009. Jim developed into a talented quarterback at Sentinel (Mont.) High and is one of five siblings. 

Cavorting in a wake and staying shipshape

Article posted by Florida Gazette. Photo by Amanda Nalley
Miami-Even though these dolphins look like they are close to the very large ship, they frequently ‘bow-ride’ or ‘surf’ the bow wakes of vessels both large and small. Scientists say they may be using the propulsion to get where they are going faster. Dolphins show a high degree of intelligence and have a wide range of vocalizations. They often hunt together and will even take care of an injured pod-member. Scientists say two males of the same age often form a lifelong bond and will spend the majority of their time together, helping each other to find food and mates? Inshore dolphins live in small social groups of around 10 individuals; while offshore dolphins form larger groups of 10-100. Wildlife Experts say, "When on the water, please try to observe them from a distance of at least 50 yards."

Monkey Jumping Around Tampa Florida

Article by Florida Gazette. Photo by the City Of  Tampa
Tampa-Even the dispatchers were caught off guard over the weekend when the first call came in about a monkey on the loose. Residents of Tampa Florida started to call 911 after a monkey was seen hopping around a tampa neighborhood earlier this week. One caller said," Did someone lose a monkey" to which the dispatcher said,"not that I know of." Tampa Police said, "We are still trying to recover the monkey so if you see it running or jumping around call us at 813-231-6130."

The Gators picked up the No. 8 overall seed in the 2014 NCAA Tourney, will host Alabama St., UCF and Miami Dec. 5-6.

Article and Photo by Gaztorzone.com

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The SEC Champion Gators picked up the No. 8 overall seed in the 2014 NCAA Volleyball Tournament, announced Sunday evening on ESPNU, marking the 24th consecutive season the Gators are going dancing. The Orange and Blue (25-3) will play host to Alabama State (20-18), UCF (25-7) and Miami (Fla.) (21-8) Friday and Saturday, Dec. 5-6, in the NCAA First & Second Rounds at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center.

UCF and Miami will get the action started Friday at 4:30 p.m., while the Gators and Alabama State Lady Hornets take to the court in the nightcap at 7 p.m. The winners of each first round match square off Saturday at 7 p.m. for a shot to advance to the Ames, Iowa, Regional site at Hilton Coliseum Dec. 12-13.

Judge Orders Start Of Trial For Robert Corchado

Article by Florida Gazette
ORLANDO-Robert Corchado's Jury selection is set to start Monday after he was accused in a deadly crash at an Orange County day care at 4035 North Goldenrod Road, north of University Boulevard. Corchado was arrested on April 10, one day after he reportedly hit a Toyota Solara, sending that car into the Kindercare daycare  in Winter Park. The accident killed a 4-year-old Lily Quintus and injured 12 others.

Crew Module Cabin the Focus for Weekend at Cape Canaveral

Article and Photo Credit NASA
Engineers and technicians prepping Orion for its first flight test Dec. 4 began putting the finishing touches inside the crew cabin today at Cape Canaveral in Florida and will continue the work through the weekend. Although Orion will not carry any people on its flight test, it’s designed for astronauts, and engineers want to find out what conditions will be like inside the cabin as Orion travels through high radiation and extreme temperatures during this flight test. Launch pad teams also will start on a lengthy list of closeout duties to make sure Orion and its vital instruments and recorders are ready for space. The steps will set the stage for the first launch week in Orion’s career. The spacecraft and its United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket are on track to lift off Thursday at 7:05 a.m. EST, the opening of a 2 hour, 39-minute window for the day.

Gators Pull Off A Win Against UAB 56-47

Article by Chris Harry GatorZone.com Senior Writer Photo by University Of Florida

PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas -- Talk about trouble in paradise.

Florida trailed Alabama-Birmingham by two points with just over three minutes to play. The 18th-ranked Gators weren’t hitting shots, weren’t making free throws and weren’t doing much of a job stopping the Blazers either, as UAB’s confidence exuded both on the floor and on the bench.

UF appeared on the verge of Paradise Island Lost.

But something happen. The Gators sprinkled in a series of stops with a couple baskets and seven straight free throws to score the game’s final 11 points and stave off what could have been a really, really bad defeat and instead pull away for a 56-47 victory in the loser’s bracket of the Battle 4 Atlantis.

Six different UF players accounted for those 11 points, with Chris Walker, Jon Horford, Michael Frazier and Kasey Hill combining to go 7-for-8 down the stretch from the free-throw stripe, both Hill and Dorian Finney-Smith converting field goals and Horford coming up with a huge blocked shot when the UAB was down four with a minute to go.

Basically, the Gators made plays down the stretch on a night when few were made in the 36 minutes leading up to the decisive flurry; and they were made by some guys who didn’t make them in numbing late-second losses to Miami last week and Georgetown less than 24 hours earlier at Imperial Arena.

“That was huge tonight for us,” said Frazier, who had 14 points and eight rebounds, of the his club’s collective finishing act. “I think we took a step. As a team, just getting stops when we needed to get stops, we’d been struggling with that. So I was happy to see us do that tonight.”

Happy just to get a win, especially the way things went the night before -- with Georgetown guard D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera bombing in a 21-footer with three seconds left in overtime for the win -- and giving the Gators (3-2) a date against No. 5 North Carolina (4-1) Friday night at 8.

With junior Eli Carter sidelined by soreness in the left foot he sprained last week, freshman guard Chris Chiozza sparked UF off the bench with 13 points, three assists and six steals, while helping pace an offense seemingly grinding its way between first and second gear. Horford had eight points, eight rebounds and his huge blocked shot, while Walker tallied seven points, six rebounds and a block in just 11 minutes.

In fact, let’s talk about two of Walker’s points.

The Gators trailed 47-45 when the 6-foot-11 center made a move to the basket and was raked back to the floor. At that point, Florida was 6-for-15 from the line for the game. So here came Walker, just a 46-percent shooter there for his collegiate career, stepping up with a chance to tie the game.

He swished both.

On UAB’s ensuing series, Florida played great defense and forced a desperation 3-pointer as the shot-clock expired. It missed, Chiozza rebounded and Horford was fouled in the halfcourt. He knocked down both his free throws to give the Gators a two-point lead.

Once again, more great defense hurried the Blazers (2-4) into a late-clock situation and an errant shot. At UF’s end, Hill made a nice baseline move and finish to push the margin to four.

Another Florida stop led to a Finney-Smith dunk with 50 seconds to go for a six-point lead, and the Gators went on to complete the deal.

“We put ourselves in position to win,” UAB coach Jerod Haase said. “[But] there were defining moments late in the game.”

The Gators did the defining.

“One of the things you want to see in an event like this with a quick turnaround -- after an emotional loss yesterday -- is could we play better today? And I thought we improved in some areas,” Donovan said. “Some times, offensively, we’re getting bogged down, but other times we’re getting good looks.”
Most of the time, they're not going in.
UF shot just 34 percent for the game and at one point just before the late flurry was at 27 for the second half. Given the Gators problems putting the ball in the basket, Chiozza’s contributions off the bench all the more critical. Not only did he bomb a 28-footer as the shot-clock expired for one basket in the first half, he also had a steal earlier in the game that led to a driving layup where he faked a behind-the-back pass, cuffed the ball and laid it in with a defender on him.

“I just did what Coach Donovan told me to do before the game,” said Chiozza, who swiped all six of his steals in the first half, coming two shy of Clifford Lett’s 25-year-old school record of eight in a game. “Just go out there and play defense and have a defensive mentality and try to anticipate on defense.”

His teammates, eventually, took his cue.
Just in time.

UAB was hitting at a 59-percent clip until going on that 0-for-7 finish to the game.
“We’re 3-2 right now, but we could have won every single game ... and we could have lost every single game,” Donovan said. “That’s the reality of it.”
Another reality is another game -- against the Tar Heels, no less -- in 20 hours.

Nordhavn announces expansion, relocation of its Southeast operations in Florida.

In an effort to better service its customers on the East Coast, Pacific Asian Enterprises, Inc. (PAE) is extremely pleased to announce the expansion and relocation of its southeast sales and commissioning operations to North Palm Beach, FL. The highly regarded Old Port Cove Marina will serve as the new home base for Nordhavn Yachts Southeast, providing clients a one-stop shop for superior sales, service and yacht management.

Further development of Nordhavn Southeast was initially triggered by the company having outgrown its Stuart, FL location after facing an influx of service demand from larger Nordhavns. At the same time, PAE wanted to refocus its efforts on improving strategies to address client needs by offering the most competitive professional and technical service. 

“Clients have been asking for increased manufacturer support in our area for years,” says Southeast Sales Manager Andy Hegley who oversees operations. “We are excited to now be in a position to offer the best possible services to them.”

To start, the company has named Rob Cole as the new Southeast Service Manager. Cole, an experienced commissioning tech, has worked on dozens of Nordhavns across the globe during his 10-year tenure with PAE. Having serviced every model in the line (both 50- and 60-cycle boats), performed countless deliveries, and built long-term client relationships, Cole has established himself as one of the pre-eminent and sought after Nordhavn technicians in the world today. 

Cole has a solid team around him, including Chris Cooper, another long-time commissioning member who has served alongside Cole the past 6 years and knows Nordhavns from stem to stern. Together, they have proven a trustworthy, results-driven tandem whose single most important goal is providing the best service on each job they take. Already up and running in North Palm Beach, Cole and Cooper have started on several work orders and will tackle commissioning the brand new Nordhavn 68 hull 29 in January.

With its established, ethical and successful service track record as a foundation, Nordhavn Yachts Southeast is also offering yacht management services for Nordhavns laying over anywhere in the area. Owners are provided support via a dedicated team of Nordhavn professionals who ensures each yacht is maintained, operated and administered to the highest possible standards. “Our aim is to give owners peace of mind whether or not they’re on board,” said Hegley. Those owners who do opt to stay aboard while at Old Port Cove can enjoy the amenities the marina has to offer. The facility caters to boaters with its deep water entry, easy ocean accessibility and the sort of first class conveniences that Nordhavn owners have a right to expect. It’s a short drive from Palm Beach airport and within close proximity to a multitude of shops and restaurants. 

In addition to being an ideal backdrop for expert yacht maintenance and care, Hegley is enthused about the increased visibility the Old Port Cove site (an already established hub for Nordhavns) will provide the sales arm of Nordhavn Yachts Southeast. A third broker was recently added to the sales force in anticipation of meeting increased demands. With a recovering economy and a location that has always been a draw for Nordhavns, Hegley foresees a bright and busy future in both the new and pre-owned markets. “The combined amount of professional yacht sales experience in the Florida office now is nearly 75 years – that’s an immense skillset,” said Hegley. “When you add to that our direct connection to Nordhavn engineering and project management coupled with the services we can now offer anyone looking to buy or sell a Nordhavn, it positions us as the most viable option for customers in this region.”

Some of the advantages clientele can look forward to include discounted dockage, preventative inspections, owner’s manual updates, and manufacturer-direct parts orders. 

“No other firm will be able to offer a more professional, high level and comprehensive package of services at a greater value than Nordhavn Yachts Southeast,” asserts Hegley.