TALLAHASSEE --  The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced today that a new analysis shows Southern Florida, the Florida Keys, and the East Coast are unlikely to experience any effects from the remaining oil on the surface of the Gulf as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

No new oil has leaked from the Deepwater Horizon well in 15 days and the surface oil that remains is hundreds of miles away from the loop current and in the process of degrading.

“This announcement further confirms what Florida’s reconnaissance efforts have long suggested – that oil is not likely to reach the loop current,” said Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Michael W. Sole.

Three Candidates for County Commission district 2 and one from District 4 spoke at a forum Thursday evening at the Fort White Community Center and agreed on most issues.

Cedric Davis, Mark Kazmierski, Rusty DePratter, Leo Flemming and Stewart Lilker are running in District 2, which is open due to the retirement of Dewey Weaver. DePratter and Fleming did not attend. Toby Witt is challenging Stephen Bailey in District 4. Bailey, the only incumbent in the group, did not attend.

Rosalie Bandyopadhyay, President of the Alachua County League of Women Voters, moderated the meeting, which was organized by NEAT - Neighbors Equine Assistance Team.

Three of the four candidates for City Council District 10 participated in a political forum Thursday evening at Richardson Community Center. The fourth candidate, Adee Farmer, sent a prepared statement that was read at the meeting.

The candidates were asked 10 questions during the forum, but many of the responses wandered from the topic.

Harris said she attended a Council meeting and did not think Councilman Jefferson spoke out on issues when he should have. However, she could not remember what issues he should have spoken about.

Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. announced at 8 a.m. today that it will close 30 non-remodeled, underperforming stores, but none in Suwannee Valley.

Stores in Lake City, Live Oak, High Springs and Macclenny will remain open.

Winn-Dixie Stores will consolidate its four operating regions into three and reduce its workforce at the field and corporate support levels.

Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, announced that Social Security is asking members of the public, as well as current and former employees, to help the agency celebrate its 75 years of public service by sharing their personal stories and reflections about how Social Security has touched their lives.  

To share your story, go to www.socialsecurity.gov and click on the box that says “Social Security Celebrates 75 Years of Public Service.”  Selected stories will be edited for content and brevity and posted for everyone to read.

“On August 14, the most important and successful domestic program in our nation’s history turns 75,” Commissioner Astrue said. 

The Columbia County School Board set tentative rates for its four levies for the 2010-2011 fiscal year Thursday night and School Superintendent Mike Millikin announced they will have a representative on the FCAT Sate Evaluation Team.

The total millage for the four issues is 7.912 mills. The state-mandated local effort was tentatively set at 5.414 mills. This is required in order to qualify for state funds for education.

Total millage for the levies is less than the roll-back rate, said Keith Hudson, Chairman of the School Board.

Lake Shore Hospital Authority Board members will recommend advertising the current millage rate of 2.0468 for its two levies for the current year, a move that will reduce its tax revenue by 3.57 percent.

The rate was announced at a special workshop Monday afternoon that was scheduled to hear a request from Lake City Medical Center officials to be included in the funding for indigent care. The millage rate decision was made to give board members a starting point for budgeting the request from the Medical Center.

Charles Briscoe, recently appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Lake City Medical Center, began the presentation with a question:

“Will the Lake Shore Hospital Authority of Columbia County provide funding for healthcare services for indigent residents of Columbia County that seek health care at Lake City Medical Center?”

Port St. Lucie – The 5th Annual Florida Open Tournament for Golfers with Disabilities is scheduled for August 28^th at PGA Village on the PGA Golf Club's Tom Fazio designed Wanamaker Course.

This tournament is also for golfers without disabilities. In a conscious effort to be all-inclusive, golfers without disabilities are encouraged to play in the open tournament, along with their friends with disabilities.

All golfers are eligible to compete for the Low Gross Awards. Everyone with a USGA Handicap is eligible to compete for the Low Net Awards. Stroke Survivor Ian Halliwell is the 2009 defending Open Champion and will be there to defend his title.

CINCINNATI -- The Procter & Gamble Company is voluntarily recalling two specific lots of its prescription renal dry cat food as a precautionary measure, as it has the potential to be contaminated with salmonella.

The following products are included:

                                         Product Name             Lot Code    UPC Code

    Iams Veterinary Formulas Feline Renal 5.5 lbs 01384174B4 0 19014 21405 1

    Iams Veterinary Formulas Feline Renal 5.5 lbs 01384174B2 0 19014 21405 1