Things To Do In SW Florida

Spirit Airlines is following through on a sweeping $80 million cost reduction plan, which includes the furlough of another 330 pilots by the end of January 2025, the pilots union and company confirmed Thursday.

The move, first reported by Reuters, comes after the airline dropped 186 pilots from its roster in early September. The latest round of furloughs would be accompanied by the demotion of 120 other pilots.

“We are implementing a series of cost savings initiatives throughout our business, including a reduction in workforce, as part of our comprehensive plan to return to profitability,” the airline said in a statement.

Ryan Muller, chairman of the Spirit unit of the Air Line Pilots Association, said in a note to members that the union is “actively seeking options to mitigate these furloughs and are committed to supporting affected pilots during this challenging time.”

He said management notified the union that the reductions would take place effective Jan. 31, 2025.

The personnel moves follow Spirit’s recent deal to sell 23 older Airbus jetliners to an aviation services firm. Besides labor force cuts designed to streamline the operation, the airline is also cutting unprofitable routes. read more

TALLAHASSEE — A state program that provides critical backup coverage for property insurers could pay out an estimated $4.6 billion because of claims from hurricanes Milton and Helene, officials said Wednesday.

If that preliminary estimate holds, the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund would have adequate cash to cover its share of losses, leaders and a financial adviser told members of the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund Advisory Council. The vast majority of estimated losses stem from Hurricane Milton.

Widely known as the “Cat Fund,” the program provides relatively low-cost reinsurance to property insurers. Carriers must pay losses up to certain amounts, known as retention levels, before they can tap the state fund.

The Cat Fund is projected to have $7.12 billion in cash to pay losses this year and has access to $3.25 billion in what is known as “pre-event” bond money if needed.

“Initial estimates for Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton as it relates to the Cat Fund are at $4.6 billion, which the Cat Fund can cover with its current available cash,” said Chris Spencer, executive director of the State Board of Administration, an agency that includes the Cat Fund. read more

A parking spot shuffle coming up this weekend more than 250 miles above Earth will mark a unique feat for a pair of NASA astronauts who will become the first to fly in both Boeing’s Starliner and SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft.

NASA’s Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams who flew up to the International Space Station in Starliner, but remained on board when NASA opted to return it back to Earth without crew, are now part of the four-member crew that will fly home on the SpaceX Crew Dragon Freedom next year.

Freedom arrived to the ISS on Sept. 29 with just two crew — NASA’s Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov —leaving room for Wilmore and Williams on that flight home targeting February 2025.

But because parking space is limited at the ISS, all four will climb on board early Sunday for a short trip moving from the Crew Dragon Freedom from the front-facing port of the space station’s Harmony module, and redock it to the space-facing port of the same module.

That will make room for the planned launch of a SpaceX Cargo Dragon on the CRS-31 mission launching from Kennedy Space Center’s Space Launch Complex 39-A as early as 9:29 p.m. Monday carrying 6,000 pounds of supplies. read more

Ten years ago, on Nov. 6, 2014, the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts was inaugurated with a ribbon cutting and the promise of performances by Emmylou Harris, Broadway stars Norm Lewis and Sierra Boggess, opera great Deborah Voigt, Orlando Ballet and the Bach Festival Society to come.

Among the flowery speeches by various officials — including Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, who said he was having more fun than any other mayor in the country —  arts-center president and CEO Kathy Ramsberger sounded a reflective note of realism.

“This has been a difficult project,” she said. “But that’s why it’s so worthwhile.”

Now that more than 5 million guests have attended some 4,500 performances, it’s more worthwhile than ever, she says. And she’s feeling grateful. Grateful for the “perseverance” of board members, who at one point personally guaranteed $16 million in loans to get construction started. Grateful for the employees who keep the center — now with four major indoor venues and the outdoor Seneff Arts Plaza — running. Grateful for the government officials who spent years championing the project. read more

Q: My downstairs neighbor often hangs out on his porch, which is directly under ours, and due to his drinking and smoking pot, we hear loud, explicit conversations into the early morning hours at least twice a month. Our bylaws state that “quiet time” is between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., but the HOA says they can only send him a reminder letter. I work and need my sleep, but management suggests calling the police, which I’m reluctant to do. Any suggestions on how to handle this? — Donna

A: While everyone has the right to enjoy their property, this right does not extend to actions that prevent their neighbors from enjoying the same privilege. When someone’s use of their property interferes with their neighbor’s peaceful enjoyment of their home, it is known as a “nuisance.” Under the law, excessive noxious smells, smoke, and noise are considered nuisances.

What is considered a nuisance can vary depending on the situation, so it is essential to figure out what would be considered reasonable in your specific case. For instance, an occasional party that ends before most people go to bed differs from loud music that continues until 4 a.m. every weekend. read more