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DeSoto News Briefs SFCC hosts watershed workshop
The DeSoto campus of South Florida Community College will host a free workshop today from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The workshop will be led by WGCU Public Media and will help educators and youth group leaders explain ocean and watershed literacy to youth. The three-hour workshops will focus on essential principles and fundamental concepts of ocean literacy, the role the watershed plays in the health of ocean ecosystems, and effective tools and methods for educators to convey this information to students. There is no charge for the workshops, but WGCU requests a preregistration fee of $10 to secure a seat; on the workshop day, these checks for this fee will be returned to those who prepaid to reserve a spot. Please make checks payable to WGCU Public Media, Attention: Rosie Emery, 10501 FGCU Blvd.
Newburgh Meals on Wheels seeks to raise $25,000
The annual mail campaign to benefit the Meals on Wheels of Greater Newburgh is under way. This year's goal is $25,000.
It's a nonprofit organization that receives no regular funding from city, state or federal sources.
Since it was established in 1972, volunteers have delivered home-cooked meals to the elderly, the physically challenged and others. Frederica Warner, founder, who has served many years as the group's executive director, said the service has made the difference in many cases as to whether the person can live at home or move to a nursing facility.
Although recipients pay for the service based on what they can afford, contributions from businesses and individuals are needed to cover the costs of preparing the food.
It's a well-run organization with a 20-member board of directors led by Betsy McCurdy.
'Plan B' pill easier to obtain
ATLANTA — The federal government has cleared the path for consumers to buy the "morning-after" contraceptive pill without a prescription, but some Georgia politicians say they might fight to limit its distribution. The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday said women age 18 and older can buy the pill from pharmacies without first having to visit a doctor. Girls 17 and younger will still need a prescription. But that compromise — allowing pharmacy sales while excluding younger girls — failed to quell the debate over the pill, which critics say encourages promiscuity and poses other moral and practical problems. Previously available only by prescription, the pills will be sold only from behind the counter at pharmacies so the pharmacist can check photo identification, but not at convenience stores or gas stations.
STARWATCH CONSUMER
The Food and Drug Administration proposed a ban Tuesday on over-the-counter sales of skin-lightening products, saying possible health risks cannot justify their being sold without a prescription. The creams typically contain a drug called hydroquinone, a possible carcinogen also linked to a skin-disfiguring condition, the FDA said. While the actual risk of the drug is unknown, the agency said the products should be restricted to prescription use under medical supervision. An estimated 65 companies in the United States sell roughly 130 different skin-bleaching creams and other products that contain hydroquinone, the FDA said. Medicare refunds Elderly and disabled Americans who got erroneous refunds from the federal government last week will get a letter this week instructing them on how to repay the money.
Englewood Briefs Bombers hold car washes Saturday
The Englewood Bombers softball program will hold three car washes Saturday at Helmet Drive, at the intersection of State Road 776 and Pine Street; at the intersection of Placida Road and Oriole Boulevard; and at Karen's Creamery & Chocolates, 70 Indiana Ave. Cost is $5. Up to $2,500 will be matched by modern Woodmen of America for uniforms and equipment. For information, call Jeanne O'Rourke, 475-7641, 270-1102, or e-mail newwaveconstr@aol.com. Note: 6U registration remains open as there are not enough girls to make a team. Call 475-7641. Venice Art Center opens for season The Venice Art Center will reopen on Sept. 5 with the first gallery exhibition of the season with a reception from 4-6 p.m., opening on Sept. 8. The show is called "A New Beginning" and is sponsored by the VAC Board of Directors.
Lawson city clerk faces charges
Authorities Wednesday arrested the Lawson city clerk, accusing her of multiple counts of forgery and of stealing more than $89,000 in public funds. Rhonda S. Minnick, 43, of Lawson is accused of writing several checks that were made payable to herself from the city's checking account. Minnick later deposited the money in her personal account at a Kearney bank, according to court records. In January, Minnick allegedly wrote a check for $6,264 in city funds from the Lawson Bank. That check was made payable to herself without permission from city officials, according to court records filed Wednesday. Authorities also said Minnick wrote other checks to herself and forged the signature of City Administrator John C. Tracy. That money also was deposited in her personal checking account, the documents said.
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