The Point, Jan. 23, 2019: Alachua County Raises Tobacco Purchase Age, Nixes Business Tax

January 23, 2019 The Point

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The top stories near you

• Alachua County last night voted to raise the legal tobacco-buying age to 21, and it will take effect in 9 months. (WUFT News)

• Those same county commissioners decided to repeal the tax required of new businesses in the county, a move helping the business community but taking $200,000 in revenue from the county budget. (Gainesville Sun)

• A cold front is coming to the state tonight and into tomorrow, likely bringing heavy rain and wind gusts up to 60 miles per hour in certain areas. (Florida Storms)

• Ocala City Council has begun city water projects to improve the environmental health of Silver Springs. (Ocala Star-Banner)

• One of Gainesville’s newest food trucks, El Punto will be serving traditional dishes from Puerto Rico. (The Alligator)

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Around the state today

• Orlando attorney John Morgan said his campaign to raise Florida’s minimum wage to $15 an hour received more than 120,000 signatures. (Orlando Sentinel)

• According to the U.S. Coast Guard, a suspected migrant boat was stopped near Sunny Isles Beach. (Miami Herald)

• As felons regain the right to vote, the meaning of the word “murder” sparked confusion yesterday in a criminal justice committee panel discussion. (WRLN)

• A Davie firefighter is accused of driving while intoxicated and hitting four vehicles. He’s currently on administrative leave without pay. (Sun Sentinel)

• Brevard County teachers protested for more pay last night at a school board meeting. (Florida Today)

• After Hurricane Michael, Chad Gainey, a professional chainsaw sculptor, used his skill to create art out of the altered Panhandle landscape. (Panama City News Herald)