Latest news with #FloridaDepartmentofHighwaySafetyandMotorVehicles
UPI
3 days ago
- UPI
Dog tied to fence during hurricane inspires law banning pet abandonment
A bull terrier found tied to a fence as Hurricane Milton approached Florida last fall has inspired a new state law against pet abandonment. Photo courtesy of Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles The dog who was left to drown during a hurricane is now the face of a new Florida law. On Tuesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed "Trooper's Law," making it a felony to restrain and abandon a dog during a declared natural disaster or when an evacuation order is in effect. The law was named after a bull terrier found tied to a fence as Hurricane Milton approached Florida last fall. The dog was discovered on Oct. 9 along Interstate 75 near Tampa, as evacuees fled the path of the Category 4 storm. Body camera footage shows Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Orlando Morales crossing a flooded field in the pouring rain to reach the frightened dog, who stood chest-deep in water and barked in fear. "I don't blame you," Morales said gently, trying to calm the animal. "It's OK." The dog's owner, 23-year-old Giovanny Aldama Garcia, told investigators he had been heading to Georgia to escape the storm but left the dog, originally named Jumbo, behind "because he couldn't find anyone" to care for him. He was later charged with aggravated animal cruelty, a third-degree felony. In a statement, Hillsborough County State Attorney Suzy Lopez said, "Quite frankly, I don't think [five years] is enough," and urged lawmakers to consider tougher penalties for abandoning pets during emergencies. The dog was renamed Trooper in honor of Trooper Morales and was adopted by a couple in Parkland, Florida. Trooper recently survived cancer and stomach surgery after ingesting more than 100 pieces of garbage while in his former owner's care. Signed this week, Senate Bill 150 makes it a third-degree felony to leave a dog restrained and unattended during a declared disaster, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. It also codifies existing misdemeanor penalties for failing to provide confined animals with adequate food, water, shelter and exercise. DeSantis also signed Dexter's Law on Tuesday, a second bill that strengthens penalties for aggravated animal cruelty. Named after a shelter dog who was killed just days after being adopted, the legislation ensures that those convicted of extreme abuse face criminal consequences that reflect the seriousness of the crime. "Florida stands by man's best friend," DeSantis said in a statement. Safe, healthy and loved, Trooper was recently honored as Parkland's "Favorite Dog" and now his name is part of Florida law.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Gov. DeSantis to speak in South Florida on Wednesday morning
The Brief Gov. Ron DeSantis will speak in South Florida at 9:30 a.m. He will be joined by Dave Kerner, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. You can watch the news conference live at the top of this page. LOXAHATCHEE, Fla. - Governor Ron DeSantis is scheduled to speak Wednesday morning in South Florida. What we know The briefing will take place at 9:30 a.m. at Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Loxahatchee, located in Palm Beach County. He will be joined by Dave Kerner, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. What we don't know At this time, specific details about the governor's remarks have not been released. FOX 35 News will stream the news conference live at the top of this page once it begins. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by the Florida Governor's Office on May 28, 2025.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Florida woman denied Real ID over missing 50-year-old marriage record
A 69-year-old Florida woman says she's stuck in bureaucratic limbo — and it's all because of one missing document from half a century ago. Jane Schleppenbach, a U.S. citizen and Army veteran, recently moved to Interlachen from Washington State and tried to transfer her driver's license to Florida. But she was denied a Real ID because she couldn't produce a copy of her first marriage certificate — from when she got married at age 18 in Colorado. 'I had everything except a copy of my first marriage license from 50 years ago,' Schleppenbach told Action News Jax. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Without that piece of paper, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles won't issue her a Real ID — something Americans will need starting May 7 to board domestic flights, enter certain federal buildings, and access military bases. Schleppenbach says she's searched military archives, called counties, and even had a clerk check microfilm — but no record of the marriage exists. Read: Back-to-back e-bike crashes involving children prompt safety crackdown in St. Johns County 'I called the county and they looked in their microfilm and they didn't have it. They didn't have anything like that,' she said. 'Don't change your name — because if anything gets messed up, I look at it kind of as a harassment,' she said. 'Women face more issues due to name changes tied to marriage or divorce.' Read: Student loan collections have resumed: What borrowers in default need to know The DMV requires proof of all name changes to ensure identities match across official documents — a process that can be especially difficult for women and older adults with long histories. Schleppenbach says the system is unfairly stacked against people like her. 'It makes me feel kind of oppressed. It's a very cumbersome thing, that you have to have all these different things,' she said. Action News Jax has reached out to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles for answers about how these rules affect seniors and women — and is still waiting to hear back. She said she's still working to meet the deadline and hopes her story raises awareness — and helps others avoid the same frustrating roadblock. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Miami Herald
25-04-2025
- Miami Herald
Traveling? Deadline to get a new ID in Florida is approaching. See the details
The deadline is approaching to get a REAL ID. It's required for domestic travel starting this year. Here's what to know about it: What is REAL ID? REAL ID 'is a national effort to improve the integrity and security of state-issued driver licenses and identification cards, which in turn will help fight terrorism and reduce identity fraud,' according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Documents that meet Real ID requirements are the driver's license or identification card that each state issues, including Florida. How do you know if your license or ID is compliant? A REAL ID can be easily identified by a star inside a circle in the upper right corner of the card. If your driver's license has this icon, it means it meets REAL ID standards. If not, you should apply for it as soon as possible at a DMV office. What's the deadline for getting a REAL ID? Starting May 7, 2025, travelers in the U.S. will be required to comply with REAL ID regulations to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities. According to the Department of Homeland Security, travelers can't board domestic flights without a REAL ID card unless they have a U.S. passport. The regulation on domestic travelers follows a measure passed in 2005 to increase national security after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. It was due to go into effect on May 7, 2023, but DHS decided to give states more time to ensure people obtained the new identification. Florida began issuing REAL IDs in 2010. What happens if you arrive at the airport without a Real ID? If you go to the airport without a Real ID, passport or another acceptable piece of identification after May 7, the Department of Homeland Security says you 'can expect to face delays, additional screening and the possibility of not being permitted into the security checkpoint.' The Transportation Security Administration states that fliers without acceptable identification will need to undergo additional security procedures. These ID requirements apply to everyone age 18 or older, including people with TSA PreCheck. People whose identity cannot be confirmed or who refuse to complete the additional screening will not be able to pass through airport security, according to the TSA. What documents do you need to get a REAL ID In Florida? You will need to bring one of the following documents to establish your identity, proof of legal residence and date of birth, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. For U.S. Citizens: ▪ Valid U.S. passport ▪ Original or certified copy of a birth certificate ▪ Consular report of birth abroad ▪ Certificate of naturalization issued by DHS ▪ Certificate of citizenship For Non-Citizens: ▪ Valid permanent resident card ▪ Valid passport for non-immigrants except for asylum applicants and refugees ▪ Other government issued document showing your full name ▪ Department of Homeland Security document showing proof of lawful presence Both Citizens and Non-Citizens will need to bring: ▪ Social Security Card or proof of your Social Security number. ▪ Two documents that show your principal residence Can you renew your driver's license online with a REAL ID? You'll also need to go to a DMV office if you don't yet have a REAL ID. If you already have one, you may be eligible to renew your Florida driver's license online if you obtained your last license in person.
Miami Herald
23-04-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Can you renew your Florida's driver's license online to avoid a line at the DMV?
Heading to the DMV to renew your license? Don't be surprised to see long lines in South Florida. But there may be a way to side-step the crowds and the waiting. You could be eligible to renew your Florida driver's license online at Online renewals can be done 'every other renewal period.' MORE: Lines at Miami's DMV offices stretch for hours. What's being done? Here's what to know: How many times can you renew your Florida driver's license online? People under 80 need to renew their Florida Class E driver license every eight years. People 80 and older must renew their license every six years and pass an eye exam. If you last renewed your license online, sorry, you'll have to visit the DMV this time for your renewal. But then you can be eligible to renew online or by mail next time. What about a REAL ID? You'll also need to go to a DMV office if you don't yet have a REAL ID. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles says REAL ID 'is a national effort to improve the integrity and security of state-issued driver licenses and identification cards, which in turn will help fight terrorism and reduce identity fraud.' Documents that meet Real ID requirements are the driver's license or identification card that each state issues, including Florida. How do you know if your license or ID is compliant? It can be easily identified by a star inside a circle in the upper right corner of the card. If your driver's license has this icon, it means it meets REAL ID standards. If not, you should apply for it as soon as possible at an FLHSMV office. Starting May 7, 2025, travelers in the U.S. will be required to comply with REAL ID regulations to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities. Remember, your driver's license is a photo ID, and appearances can change through the years. When you renew online or by mail, the same photo is used. When you renew in person at the DMV, a new photo is taken. Other reasons to go to the DMV In addition to the every other renewal rule and the REAL ID rule, there are also other restrictions on who is eligible to renew online or by mail. ▪ Drivers are required to visit a DMV to renew if they want to update the photo, change a name either with a court order or marriage certificate. ▪ If you move to Florida and intend to live in the state for more than six consecutive months and intend to drive, you need to get a Florida driver's license. You must apply in person at any office offering driver license services, according to the Department of Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. You have 30 days after establishing residency as a new Florida resident to obtain a valid Florida driver's license To check your eligibility status, visit Miami Herald staff writer Howard Cohen contributed to this report.
