Florida

Governor Ron DeSantis Announces New Monoclonal Antibody Site in Osceola County

Published

5 years ago

September 7, 2021

FILE - Florida Governor Ron DeSantis answers questions during a press conference alongside Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody in downtown Orlando, Florida on August 26, 2021. File photo: Harry Castiblanco/Florida National News.

ST. CLOUD, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis was in St. Cloud to announce that Florida will open a new monoclonal antibody treatment site in Osceola County at St. Cloud Community Center. Additionally, the Governor was joined by Floridians who have recovered thanks to monoclonal therapies.

Florida now has 23 state-run monoclonal antibody treatment sites.

The Osceola County site is located at:

St. Cloud Community Center
3101 17th Street
St. Cloud, Florida 34769
Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Hear directly from monoclonal antibody recipients about their experience with the therapy…

Paola Roman, who has a home in St. Cloud with her husband David, said, “I believe my first symptoms were on a Thursday, and I remember getting in the car and saying a quick prayer. I had a week where it was extremely difficult to even just get up and shower, brush my teeth. Walking from the bedroom to get a water refill, my legs were like spaghetti. I want to say thank you because it was extremely helpful to be able to drive over to Orlando and to get the treatment.

David Roman, Paola’s husband who is an architect, designer and former pastor, said, “When my wife came home sick I knew that there were options and resources, so I started to read as much as I could on what could be done. I saw an advertisement from the state on this treatment, and I saw that there was one within driving distance from our home here in St. Cloud. After waves of nausea and temperatures spikes, I got the Regeneron treatment. 3 days later I was back up and I felt like myself again, and I just want to say thank you so much.”

Chrissy Malukiewicz, who found out about the treatment from her brother-in-law who works in law enforcement, said, “I tested positive for COVID in August, two weeks prior to that, my brother and his wife, who reside in citrus county, had tested positive for COVID. The moment that I told them that I tested positive, they encouraged me to go get the antibody treatment. I fell asleep still experiencing symptoms, but the next morning my fever had broken, no more chills, no more body aches, and I only had a dull headache. I thoroughly believe that these antibodies are here to help us, and I am so incredibly grateful and thankful that our state has these available to us.”

Dennis Sharp, an Osceola County resident with a suppressed immune system, said, “I have been being treated for cancer at MD Anderson in Houston. I tested positive for COVID in August, and they advised me that I needed to get the monoclonal treatment. A few days later I got the treatment. My symptoms leveled out, and I made it through within the 10-day quarantine.

“My mother in her seventies ended up with COVID as well. I made her and her husband aware of this treatment, and they were able to visit one of the state sites and get treated. Her husband has not tested positive and her symptoms went away. I got the treatment and was able to promote it to family members, and I’ll continue to promote it to family, friends, employees, because I really believe it helps to keep people from having long hospital stays.”

Bill Sturgeon, St. Cloud City Manager whose daughter contracted COVID, said, “My daughter was diagnosed with COVID, had difficulty breathing, and drove herself to the hospital. I knew she was in serious situation and ensured she received the monoclonal antibodies. It was an easy decision for me to help set up this site in Osceola County, and I attribute the treatment to saving her life.”

Previously opened State of Florida monoclonal antibody sites are located at:

Alachua County
Fellowship Church
16916 Northwest U.S. Highway 441
High Springs, Florida 32643
Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Bay County
Bay County Fairgrounds
2230 East 15th Street
Panama City, Florida 32405
Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Brevard County
Kiwanis Island Park
951 Kiwanis Island Park Road
Merritt Island, Florida 32952
Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Broward County
C.B. Smith Park
900 North Flamingo Road
Pembroke Pines, Florida 33028
Hours: 7 days a week; 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Charlotte County
Tringali Community Center
3460 North Access Road
Englewood, Florida 34224
Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Collier County
Old Dollar General
1500 Lake Trafford Road
Immokalee, Florida 34142
Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Duval County
Jacksonville Public Library
304 North Main Street
Jacksonville, Florida 32202
Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Escambia County
Bayview Community Center
2001 East Lloyd Street
Pensacola, Florida 32503
Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Hillsborough County
Kings Forest Park
8008 East Chelsea Street
Tampa, Florida 33610
Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Lee County
Old Bonita Springs Library
26876 Pine Avenue
Bonita Springs, Florida 34135
Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Leon County
Vacant Sears
1500 Apalachee Parkway
Tallahassee, Florida 32301
Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Manatee County
Manatee Memorial Hospital Complex
206 2nd Street East
Bradenton, Florida 34208
Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Miami-Dade County
Tropical Park
7900 Southwest 40 Street
Miami, Florida 33155
Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Okaloosa County
Northwest Florida Fairgrounds
1958 Lewis Turner Boulevard
Fort Walton Beach, Florida 32547
Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Orange County
Camping World Stadium
1 Citrus Bowl Place
Orlando, Florida 32805
Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Palm Beach County
West Gate Park
3691 Oswego Avenue
West Palm Beach, Florida 33409
Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Pasco County
Fasano Center
11611 Denton Avenue
Hudson, Florida 34667
Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 a.m.

Pinellas County
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
409 South Old Coachman Road
Clearwater, Florida 33765
Hours: Monday – Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Polk County
Church at the Mall
1010 East Memorial Boulevard
Lakeland, Florida 33801
Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

St. Lucie County
Havert L. Fenn Center
2000 Virginia Avenue
Fort Pierce, Florida 34982
Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Sumter County
Barnstorm Theater
2720 Brownwood Boulevard
The Villages, Florida 32163
Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Volusia County
Ormond Beach Senior Center
351 Andrews Street
Ormond Beach, Florida 32174
Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

To find locations to receive monoclonal antibody treatments around the entire state, please visit floridahealthcovid19.gov.

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Florida

Joe Strada Loans Campaign $5 Million, Launches $1 Million Ad Buy in Congressional District 11

Published

2 days ago

June 16, 2026

FNN NEWS

The ad was produced by political strategist Brad Herold of Something Else Strategies and marks the first major media investment of the campaign.

$5 MILLION PERSONAL LOAN TO CAMPAIGN

Strada, founder of Strada Services, announced last week that he had loaned his congressional campaign $5 million, providing the campaign with substantial financial resources early in the election cycle.

Strada Services is one of the nation’s largest privately held, family-owned companies specializing in air conditioning, electrical, security, and plumbing services.

The campaign said the loan and advertising investment demonstrate Strada’s commitment to communicating directly with voters throughout Central Florida.

FIRST MAJOR MEDIA PUSH

The $1 million advertising effort is expected to reach voters across Florida’s 11th Congressional District through a combination of television, radio, and digital media platforms.

The campaign has positioned Strada as a conservative outsider and successful entrepreneur focused on bringing private-sector experience to Washington.

Additional details regarding future advertising and campaign events are expected in the coming weeks.

ABOUT FLORIDA’S 11TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Florida’s 11th Congressional District includes portions of Central Florida and is expected to be one of the state’s closely watched congressional races during the 2026 election cycle.

Crimes and Courts

Attorney General Uthmeier Announces Charges Against Six in South Florida Drug Trafficking Enterprise

Published

5 days ago

June 13, 2026

FNN NEWS

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced charges against six individuals accused of participating in a multi-county drug trafficking enterprise operating in Broward County and surrounding areas of South Florida.

The defendants — Isaac Lakeith Bruton, Wayne Morgan Brutton Jr., Wayne Morgan Brutton Sr., Omar Dwayne Cooper, Rene Danger Jr., and Cleon Fabian Reid — are accused of participating in an organized criminal enterprise that allegedly distributed large quantities of illegal narcotics and laundered proceeds from drug sales.

Investigation Spanned Multiple Agencies

According to the Attorney General’s Office, the charges stem from a joint investigation led by the Broward Sheriff’s Office Organized Crime Unit and the Office of Statewide Prosecution, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office.

“This joint investigation dismantled a criminal enterprise that pumped dangerous drugs into Florida communities,” Uthmeier said in a statement. “Through the tireless work of the Office of Statewide Prosecution and our great law enforcement partners, we are taking on more criminal prosecutions than ever before.”

Alleged Drug Trafficking Operation

Investigators allege the organization obtained and distributed kilogram quantities of cocaine, multiple pounds of marijuana, prescription pills and other controlled substances throughout South Florida.

According to authorities, members of the enterprise converted powdered cocaine into crack cocaine near distribution locations and utilized vehicles equipped with hidden compartments to transport narcotics.

The investigation further alleges that Bruton and Cooper laundered proceeds from drug sales through the purchase of vehicles, real estate, business investments, classic car restorations and jewelry.

Charges Filed

Bruton and Cooper are each charged with:

Racketeering (First-Degree Felony)
Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering (First-Degree Felony)
Money Laundering (Third-Degree Felony)

Brutton Jr., Brutton Sr., Danger Jr., and Reid are each charged with:

Racketeering (First-Degree Felony)
Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering (First-Degree Felony)

Potential Penalties

If convicted, Bruton and Cooper face up to 75 years in prison. Brutton Jr., Brutton Sr., Danger Jr., and Reid each face up to 60 years in the Florida Department of Corrections.

The case will be prosecuted by Assistant Statewide Prosecutors Jillian Tate and Nicholas Kaleel.

Presumption of Innocence

All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Florida

Republican Rep. Paula Stark Disqualified From Ballot, Giving Democrats Opportunity to Flip House District 47

Published

5 days ago

June 13, 2026

FNN NEWS

Republican Rep. Paula Stark Disqualified From Ballot, Giving Democrats Opportunity to Flip House District 47

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — Florida State Rep. Paula Stark has been disqualified from seeking reelection in Florida House District 47 after failing to satisfy candidate qualifying requirements before the noon Friday filing deadline.

According to state election records, Stark’s candidacy was disqualified due to a deficiency involving required financial disclosure filings, commonly referred to as Form 6. Florida law requires candidates for legislative office to timely submit all qualifying documents, including financial disclosure forms, to appear on the ballot.

Form 6 Financial Disclosure Requirement

Form 6 is a public financial disclosure document required for state elected officials and candidates. The form requires candidates to disclose assets, liabilities, sources of income, and other financial interests.

The disclosure includes a sworn certification stating: “Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have read the foregoing Form 6 and that the facts stated in it are true.”

Candidates are required to complete, sign and timely file the disclosure as part of Florida’s qualifying process. Failure to properly file required qualifying documents, including Form 6, by the statutory deadline can result in disqualification from the ballot.

Democrats Advance to Primary Election

With Stark removed from contention, Democrats now have an opportunity to capture the Republican-held seat in House District 47.

The only candidates remaining in the race are:

Jorge Figueroa, President of the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida
Anthony Nieves, a state investigator

The two Democrats will compete in the Aug. 18 Democratic Primary, with the winner becoming Representative-Elect.

House District 47 covers portions of Osceola County and has been represented by Stark since her election to the Florida House.

The disqualification was among the most notable developments of Florida’s 2026 candidate qualifying period and significantly alters the political landscape in a district Republicans had hoped to retain.