The Salvation Army of Broward County will launch its first local Stuff the Buss virtual school supplies drive, in conjunction with Walmart.

 The drive will kick-off on Monday, August 3, and will offer generous supporters several ways to donate voa Walmart’s online registry, through the organization’s secure donation portal and via drop-offs. All supplies will be distributed to school-aged children in need in Broward County just in time for the start of the new school year on Wednesday, Aug. 19.

“These are trying times for our children as COVID-19 continues to ravage South Florida claiming lives and jobs, leaving more families without the income to buy basic school supplies,” said Major Stephen Long, area commander for The Salvation Army of Broward County. “The Salvation Army of Broward is here to guide our community through this hardship and provide our children with the necessary tools to succeed even while learning at home in a virtual environment. We urge our more fortunate community members to consider making the smallest donation which is a huge investment in our future – our children.”

The Salvation Army of Broward County is currently seeking a variety of supplies including pencils, pens, calculators, paper, folders, spiral notebooks, binders, colored markers, glue sticks and more.

Individuals and businesses seeking to donate to The Salvation Army of Broward County’s Stuff the Bus Virtual School Supplies Drive may purchase items securely through https://tinyurl.com/StuffTheBus2020 or visit the following Walmart locations to shop and drop-off:

• 4700 S. Flamingo Road, Cooper City, FL 33330

• 2500 W. Broward Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312

• 6001 Coral Ridge Drive, Coral Springs, FL 33076

Monetary donations can be made directly via The Salvation Army’s secure website at https://give.salvationarmyflorida.org/browardschoolsupplies.

Supplies may also be shipped to or dropped off through Aug. 17 at The Salvation Army of Broward headquarters at 1445 W. Broward Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312.

In addition to its school supplies drive, The Salvation Army of Broward County is feeding thousands of residents-in-need through its Food Pantry during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each Thursday, trusted Army experts provide non-perishable items and other pantry goods to more hundreds of underserved families. The organization also provides meals-to-go services for the homeless, its residents and other impoverished individuals.

For more information, contact Robert Beasley, The Salvation Army of Broward County, at 954-712-2480 or via email at Robert.beasley@uss.salvationarmy.org.

Despite COVID-19, Lobster Mini Season is still on July 29-30. Some boat ramps have closed in The Keys and there may be other changes so be aware. There is a daily bag limit of 6 per person for Monroe County and Biscayne National Park; 12 per person for rest of Florida. The possession limit onthe water is equal to the daily bag limit. Off the water is equal to the daily bag limit on the first day and double the daily bag limit on the second day. These limits are enforced. The minimum size limit is that the carapace must be larger than 3 in., measured in the water. Dont forget to bring your measuring device. It is required at all times. Night diving is prohibited in Monroe County during this time. Lobster harvesting is also prohibited in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park during this time. Also, in the Everglades National Park, Dry Tortugas National Park, no-take areas in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, in the Biscayne Bay/Card Sound Lobster Sanctuary, and in the five Coral Reef Protection Areas in Biscayne National Park it is prohibited during both the mini season and regular season.

During a school board workshop held July 22, Superintendent Runcie said that school will not be returning as usual this year. The date of August 19 for the beginning of the school year will remain, however, instruction will 100% be online for now due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, during the lengthy workshop, they discussed different options for students of varying grade levels, including having morning and evening class time to help parents work around work schedules. Runcie said that teachers will be getting extra training in teaching in the online environment before returning to instruction. There also are certain exceptions to the online option, including for students with disabilities, those who speak a foreign languagethose who need to get into a lab for advanced science, career and technical education and basically those who need extra help.

The Pompano Beach- Lighthouse Point-Margate Chamber of Commerce is collaborating with the Sunrise Chamber of Commerce and Davie-Cooper City Chamber of Commerce to have a special Zoom event to jumpstart your networking! For $10, you can join in the fun and meet new people and possibly work together in the future. Raffle is $5. The event will take place on July 29th from 5:30 to 7 p.m. To sign up, visit https://pompanobeachchamber.chambermaster.com/eventregistration/register/679692 

The city of Deerfield Beach Cultural Committee meeting will be held on Monday, July 20 at 6:30 p.m. through Zoom.

A copy of the agenda for the meeting will be available at https://www.deerfield-beach.com/836/Cultural-Committee. The agenda includes a link to the Zoom virtual meeting as well as instructions on how to access by telephone and Zoom. Follow the link on the homepage of the city’s website or use the link below to access the meeting beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, July 20th.

https://deerfield-beach.zoom.us/j/88666904268?pwd=ZDdieTN5T3lnVUxPdHFZSGxhL2hidz09

Meeting ID: 886 6690 4268

Password: 939885

You can also join via telephone (audio only) by calling 1-301-715-8592,

(Meeting ID: 886 6690 4268/ Password: 939885)

Persons desiring to provide public comment may do so by one of the methods listed below. Please be sure to include your name and address for the record.  If your comment is specific to an agenda item, please include the agenda item number:

1. Via email – Email Ashley Molina at AMolina@deerfield-beach.com. The public comments submitted via email will be read to the Committee and incorporated into the record;
2. Pre-recorded Phone Message – The public may also leave pre-recorded comments by calling 954-295-2644.  The deadline for submitting pre-recorded phone messages is 5 p.m. on Monday, July 20^th. The pre-recorded comments that are timely received will be played during the meeting and those comments received after the deadline but prior to the meeting conclusion will be incorporated into the record; or 
3. Live zoom video participation – Click on the link via your web browser to access the meeting.  When the meeting gets to the applicable public comment period, click “raise hand” on the bottom of the “participants” tab and your audio will be unmuted when you are recognized.

Any person requiring auxiliary aids and services at this meeting may contact the City Clerk’s Office at 954-480-4213 at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.  If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the Florida Relay Service by using the following numbers: 1-800-955-8770 or 1-800-955-8771.

Due to rising cases of COVID-19, another curfew has been put into effect. It began July 17 at 11 p.m. and will last until August 1 at 5 a.m. The curfew is from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. In addition, gatherings of more than 10 people are not allowed. People who go to a gym must wear a mask at all times. Restaurant bar counters are now closed. Short term vacation rentals that are not actively managed by on-site owners or management companies are not permitted to operate.

Although it does not seem totally clear the way in which students will return to school, which is slated to begin Aug. 19 in Broward County, one thing does seem sure… There will still be a Back to School Tax Holiday again this year. This time, it will be held Aug. 7 to 9. To see all the details of what is included and what is not, visit https://revenuelaw.floridarevenue.com/LawLibraryDocuments/2020/06/TIP-123084_TIP_20A01-04_FINAL_RLL.pdf