CORONAVIRUS ANNOUNCEMENT:
The Florida Department of Health (DOH) COVID19 Call Center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1 (866) 779-6121 or email your questions to COVID-19@flhealth.gov.
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Staying Safe & Supporting the Community in Troubling Times Throughout the Pandemic
It is important now more than ever to support your community and neighbors as many businesses may face severe hardships due to the financial turmoil that the virus has brought. Although restaurants are restricted from allowing indoor dining, many will remain open for take-out and delivery. By Austin Torres
The continuing spread of COVID-19 is bringing the economy to a screeching halt. During these times it is important to remain informed. Although many
businesses are closing, and many more may be closed by the time this article is published, we must remain vigilant and supportive of one another during this pandemic. For that reason, this
article will inform you of what you can do to stay safe, informed, and hopeful, during this trying time. At the time that this article is being written, the current number
of Floridians who have tested positive for the virus stands at 1171, but we expect there will be more new cases in the coming days. With over 300,000 cases confirmed worldwide many cit-
ies, states, and countries, are taking intensive precautionary measures to avoid spreading the infection. Traveling has been Pandemic, Page 4A
Coronavirus Drive-Thru Testing Site at C.B. Smith Park City of Hollywood COVID-19 Update Under the direction of Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida National Guard soldiers and airmen, with the collaboration of Memorial Healthcare System, state, county and local agencies, have opened a COVID-19 drivethru Community-Based Testing Site. The site is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at C.B. Smith Park, 900 N Flamingo Road in Pembroke Pines, with only the main gate available for entrance into the park. Tests will
be provided only to those who are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 and meet the following criteria: • First Responders who are symptomatic. This includes policemen, firemen, medical staff and essential staff that support the management agencies working toward keeping the citizens of Florida safe and informed. (Must bring ID) • People aged 65 or older, with COVID-
Under the direction of Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida National Guard soldiers and airmen, with the collaboration of Memorial Healthcare System, state, county and local agencies, have opened a COVID-19 drive-thru Community-Based Testing Site. 19 symptoms and chronic conditions. (Must bring ID) • Individuals who meet the testing criteria: symptomatic, have traveled on an international cruise, by air or from an
affected geographic area, or are immune compromised with symptoms. (Must bring ID) • Individuals who meet the testing criteria: symptomatic, have traveled on an
international cruise, by air or from an affected geographic area, or are immune compromised with symptoms. (Must bring ID) COVID-19 Update, Page 6A
Trouble In Paradise: Vacation Rentals Threatening the Character of South Florida Neighborhoods By Austin Torres
We are all in the process of dealing with the current COVID19 crisis, but not to long ago a not so critical issue was in the minds of local officials, vacation rentals. Many cities are stopping short term vacation rentals during this crisis in an effort to make room for essential lodgers like first responders and law enforcement. After this crisis is all over and things get back to normal, rules will need to change with how short term rentals are handled. This problem was especially evident during Super Bowl week. As South Florida contin-
ues to rapidly grow as a major tourist destination it has also seen a leap in illegal vacation rentals. South Florida residents have struggled to maintain the character of their neighborhoods in spite of absentee owners who rent homes out to vacationers over platforms such as Airbnb. Residents are often subject to loud house parties and an increase in traffic and trash caused by these short-term rentals. City officials have faced hardships in monitoring these shortterm rentals, which are legal, but are also highly regulated to
ensure that residential properties do not function as businesses which would otherwise damage the fabric of local neighborhoods. However, two new Senate Bills, Senate Bill 1128 and House Bill 1011, which are currently under consideration by the Florida Legislature could threaten to prevent the local regulation of vacation rentals. Short-Term Rentals, which are defined as any condo unit or single-family rental that occurs more than three times a year or for a period of 30-days or less, have become a growing concern for years now in South Florida.
Short-Term Rentals, which are defined as any condo unit or singlefamily rental that occurs more than three times a year or for a period of 30-days or less, have become a growing concern for years now in South Florida. Super Bowl Weekend alone saw over $168,000 in fines related to vacation rentals being issued by code compliance officers. Super Bowl Weekend alone saw over $168,000 in fines related to vacation rentals being issued by code compliance officers. The new bills threaten to undo regulations which have been put
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into place since June 1, 2001. Instead of allowing local municipalities to regulate, control, and enforce rules on these vacation Neighborhoods, Page 6A
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