Governor Ron DeSantis made texting while driving a primary traffic offense in our state back in 2019.
For the first offense, it’s a $30 fine. But here’s the strange thing. It’s a law that is not often enforced. Enforcers who are writing tickets claim the law has too many loopholes.
And there’s another problem. Counties don’t seem to keep an accurate count of the number of violations.
For example, Florida’s “census of texting” is missing tickets altogether from in excess of 20 of the state’s 67 sheriff’s departments and at least 56 of 155 police departments.
When further investigation was done into other departments, for instance in Broward, it was discovered that only 18 people were ticketed in one year. To add some perspective, Broward is a county of nearly 2 million people. In Alachua County, campus police at the University of Florida didn’t issue any texting-while-driving citations.
When you look at last year’s figures for the entire state of Florida, you’ll see only 3,410 texting-while-driving citations were written.
For more on this story, click here.
Four laws that went into effect this year:
Greyhound racing goes away.
ShareThe vote was actually back in 2018 but it takes effect in 2021. Derby Lane in St. Petersburg posted this message to their Facebook fans this past weekend: "The sun set over Derby Lane tonight following our final race after 95 years. We thank everyone who was a part of our history, but it's the dogs we will miss the most."
9 cent rise in the minimum wage.
ShareIt goes from $8.56 per hour to $8.65 per hour.
Penalties double for passing a school bus illegally.
ShareFines will range from $200 to $400.
Immigration status will be checked for new hires.
ShareThe governor says the goal of the measure is to make sure those who are here legally get hired first.
Geno tours Boston:
Rondo’s in Southie
ShareThe trip got off to a great start. After having a small breakfast before the long flight from Tampa to Boston, I was STARVING by the time I got to my hotel.
Rondo’s
ShareI tried to visit this place on a previous trip but they don't open on Sundays. Fortunately, I got them JUST before they closed on Saturday. Boston's corner sub shops almost make living in that awful cold worth it.
Rondo’s
ShareAll of the Yelp reviews talked about how great their steak n' cheese sandwiches were. They were RIGHT. WOW. Maybe it's because I was so hungry, but this is a spot where I'll be going every time I go back to visit from now on.
Dinner in the North End
ShareWithin a few hours I was hungry again... big shock right? So I headed to the Italian section of Boston, the North End.
Giacomo’s
ShareIf you're one of my Instagram friends, no doubt you've seen me post dozens of pics from a place called Giacomo's. Their chicken parmesan is a must every trip.
Bring cash!
ShareGiacomo's, like many places in northeast cities, does not take credit cards. Nor do they take reservations. I've seen lines an hour long in the near zero temperatures during Boston winters. Right now, since so few are traveling and going out, I got right in.
Regina is another good option
ShareI'm not as big of a fan of this place as most are. It's a Boston institution. And if your appetite is light, you can just run in and grab a slice to go. But I notice a big taste difference when you go premade slice vs ordering a full pie.
Mike’s is a must
ShareIf you visit Boston, you'll see people carrying around white boxes from Mike's Pastry. It's a must - from cannoli to cupcakes.
Cash only here too!
ShareYour credit card doesn't get much love in the North End.
Where’s the lobster?
ShareI suggest the "lobster tail." No there's no lobster in it. It's just a big creme filled pastry. So good.
Mike’s vs. Modern
ShareIt's the age old debate. Bostonians will fight it out forever as to which is best - Mike's or Modern Pastry. The correct answer is to visit both.
Modern Pastry
ShareDecisions decisions.
Modern Pastry
ShareNormally this would be my go to.
Modern Pastry
ShareBut then again, I'm in Boston. Probably should go with Boston Cream?
Modern Pastry
ShareDecided on chocolate truffles. Not cheap. These 3 came out to just under $10. Yeesh.
2 of Boston’s 4 major food groups.
ShareThe other two being lobster and Dunkin' coffee.
An inexpensive North End choice…
ShareGalleria Umberto is a local favorite. I'm surprised it took me so many years of North End walks to finally try it.
Under $10
ShareTwo slices and a soda came out to about $8. Not bad. But this is another place where I think the hype is a bit much.
More chicken parmeasan?
ShareDon't mind if I do. Carlo's is a spot near Boston University on the city's west side that I used to visit when I lived in Brighton, MA.
The bread…
ShareIt's often a highlight of the meal and most Italian restaurants in Boston serve it super fresh and warm.
The Chicken Parm…
ShareGood, but honestly not great. I'd stick with Giacomo's.
Chinese Food for Dinner
ShareThe Kowloon is a Boston landmark. It's north of the city so you'll need to grab an Uber.
Honestly, it’s not the best.
ShareWe have so few great Chinese food spots in the Tampa area so I make sure to fill up when I go north. The Kowloon is legendary, but honestly there are lots of better choices. The chicken is great. The crab rangoon and teriyaki sticks were just ok.
Great Chinese Food
ShareNew England has tons of great places for Chinese food. I found a place called Evergreen while I was up in Maine. It was AWESOME! Best crab rangoon I think I've ever had.
Bova’s Bakery
ShareThis place is open 24 hours if you have a cannoli craving at 3AM. (And yes, I have visited at 3AM after a night out at the bars.)
Bova’s Bakery
ShareC is for Cookie. And quite honestly, that's good enough for me.
Bova’s Bakery
ShareDecisions decisions.
Bova’s Bakery
Share1 of each?
Bova’s Bakery
ShareOh Boston, you're killin' me.
Bova’s Bakery
ShareMore choices.
Bova’s Bakery
Share... and more.
Mike & Patty’s
ShareThis place gets incredible reviews on Yelp but I'd never hunted it down. It's in a residential neighborhood off the beaten path. As soon as I spotted a Rhode Island favorite (Coffee Milk) I knew it'd be good.
Mike & Patty’s
ShareThis is the "Crack Patty Melt." A beef patty, 2x bacon, american, cheddar and gruyere and sauteed cajun onions on buttered sourdough. Solid choice.
Chocolate lovers… sorry.
ShareThis was a bummer. I've never been to the Boston location, but I've eaten at the Max Brenner restaurant in New York City. It's phenomenal.
Chocolate lovers… sorry.
ShareLook at this menu!
Closed…
ShareBut like many great spots in Boston, they were closed due to the pandemic.
Even the New England Aquarium
ShareYup, even the fish are on vacation. On my last few hours of the trip, I had some time to kill. I hadn't visited the New England Aquarium since I was on a field trip in junior high school. Next visit maybe.
If I can’t view the fish…
ShareI thought maybe I'd eat some. Legal Seafood is a touristy place, but it's legit. But with temps in the 20s and wind chills making it feel like it was below zero, I was looking for Lobster Bisque and they weren't serving it. I was shocked. They always have lobster bisque.
Got my lobster fix earlier in the trip…
ShareFortunately I got my lobster roll checked off while I was in Maine.
I gave up on Lobster Bisque.
ShareNobody was serving it. I was shocked. So I figured... one last trip to Giacomo's couldn't hurt.
Giacomo’s
ShareTheir Caesar Salad is cheap ... $6!
Lobster Ravioli at Giacomo’s
ShareSince I'd had chicken parmesan so many times already on this trip, for the first time ever, I tried something new at Giacomo's. And MAN did I NOT regret it! In fact, I might even have a new favorite meal in Boston.
Most lobster ravioli is light on the lobster…
ShareNOT Giacomo's. Wow. Lots of lobster. Even little chunks in each pillow.
And the garlic cream sauce!
ShareWOW WOW WOW... as you can see I didn't leave much sauce behind.
Nooooooooooooo!
ShareAfter my Giacomo's meal, I always head to Mike's for dessert. It was closed. I'm going to have to investigate why. It better not be permanent.
Geno’s Tours:
Rondo’s in Southie
ShareThe trip got off to a great start. After having a small breakfast before the long flight from Tampa to Boston, I was STARVING by the time I got to my hotel.
Rondo’s
ShareI tried to visit this place on a previous trip but they don't open on Sundays. Fortunately, I got them JUST before they closed on Saturday. Boston's corner sub shops almost make living in that awful cold worth it.
Rondo’s
ShareAll of the Yelp reviews talked about how great their steak n' cheese sandwiches were. They were RIGHT. WOW. Maybe it's because I was so hungry, but this is a spot where I'll be going every time I go back to visit from now on.
Dinner in the North End
ShareWithin a few hours I was hungry again... big shock right? So I headed to the Italian section of Boston, the North End.
Giacomo’s
ShareIf you're one of my Instagram friends, no doubt you've seen me post dozens of pics from a place called Giacomo's. Their chicken parmesan is a must every trip.
Bring cash!
ShareGiacomo's, like many places in northeast cities, does not take credit cards. Nor do they take reservations. I've seen lines an hour long in the near zero temperatures during Boston winters. Right now, since so few are traveling and going out, I got right in.
Regina is another good option
ShareI'm not as big of a fan of this place as most are. It's a Boston institution. And if your appetite is light, you can just run in and grab a slice to go. But I notice a big taste difference when you go premade slice vs ordering a full pie.
Mike’s is a must
ShareIf you visit Boston, you'll see people carrying around white boxes from Mike's Pastry. It's a must - from cannoli to cupcakes.
Cash only here too!
ShareYour credit card doesn't get much love in the North End.
Where’s the lobster?
ShareI suggest the "lobster tail." No there's no lobster in it. It's just a big creme filled pastry. So good.
Mike’s vs. Modern
ShareIt's the age old debate. Bostonians will fight it out forever as to which is best - Mike's or Modern Pastry. The correct answer is to visit both.
Modern Pastry
ShareDecisions decisions.
Modern Pastry
ShareNormally this would be my go to.
Modern Pastry
ShareBut then again, I'm in Boston. Probably should go with Boston Cream?
Modern Pastry
ShareDecided on chocolate truffles. Not cheap. These 3 came out to just under $10. Yeesh.
2 of Boston’s 4 major food groups.
ShareThe other two being lobster and Dunkin' coffee.
An inexpensive North End choice…
ShareGalleria Umberto is a local favorite. I'm surprised it took me so many years of North End walks to finally try it.
Under $10
ShareTwo slices and a soda came out to about $8. Not bad. But this is another place where I think the hype is a bit much.
More chicken parmeasan?
ShareDon't mind if I do. Carlo's is a spot near Boston University on the city's west side that I used to visit when I lived in Brighton, MA.
The bread…
ShareIt's often a highlight of the meal and most Italian restaurants in Boston serve it super fresh and warm.
The Chicken Parm…
ShareGood, but honestly not great. I'd stick with Giacomo's.
Chinese Food for Dinner
ShareThe Kowloon is a Boston landmark. It's north of the city so you'll need to grab an Uber.
Honestly, it’s not the best.
ShareWe have so few great Chinese food spots in the Tampa area so I make sure to fill up when I go north. The Kowloon is legendary, but honestly there are lots of better choices. The chicken is great. The crab rangoon and teriyaki sticks were just ok.
Great Chinese Food
ShareNew England has tons of great places for Chinese food. I found a place called Evergreen while I was up in Maine. It was AWESOME! Best crab rangoon I think I've ever had.
Bova’s Bakery
ShareThis place is open 24 hours if you have a cannoli craving at 3AM. (And yes, I have visited at 3AM after a night out at the bars.)
Bova’s Bakery
ShareC is for Cookie. And quite honestly, that's good enough for me.
Bova’s Bakery
ShareDecisions decisions.
Bova’s Bakery
Share1 of each?
Bova’s Bakery
ShareOh Boston, you're killin' me.
Bova’s Bakery
ShareMore choices.
Bova’s Bakery
Share... and more.
Mike & Patty’s
ShareThis place gets incredible reviews on Yelp but I'd never hunted it down. It's in a residential neighborhood off the beaten path. As soon as I spotted a Rhode Island favorite (Coffee Milk) I knew it'd be good.
Mike & Patty’s
ShareThis is the "Crack Patty Melt." A beef patty, 2x bacon, american, cheddar and gruyere and sauteed cajun onions on buttered sourdough. Solid choice.
Chocolate lovers… sorry.
ShareThis was a bummer. I've never been to the Boston location, but I've eaten at the Max Brenner restaurant in New York City. It's phenomenal.
Chocolate lovers… sorry.
ShareLook at this menu!
Closed…
ShareBut like many great spots in Boston, they were closed due to the pandemic.
Even the New England Aquarium
ShareYup, even the fish are on vacation. On my last few hours of the trip, I had some time to kill. I hadn't visited the New England Aquarium since I was on a field trip in junior high school. Next visit maybe.
If I can’t view the fish…
ShareI thought maybe I'd eat some. Legal Seafood is a touristy place, but it's legit. But with temps in the 20s and wind chills making it feel like it was below zero, I was looking for Lobster Bisque and they weren't serving it. I was shocked. They always have lobster bisque.
Got my lobster fix earlier in the trip…
ShareFortunately I got my lobster roll checked off while I was in Maine.
I gave up on Lobster Bisque.
ShareNobody was serving it. I was shocked. So I figured... one last trip to Giacomo's couldn't hurt.
Giacomo’s
ShareTheir Caesar Salad is cheap ... $6!
Lobster Ravioli at Giacomo’s
ShareSince I'd had chicken parmesan so many times already on this trip, for the first time ever, I tried something new at Giacomo's. And MAN did I NOT regret it! In fact, I might even have a new favorite meal in Boston.
Most lobster ravioli is light on the lobster…
ShareNOT Giacomo's. Wow. Lots of lobster. Even little chunks in each pillow.
And the garlic cream sauce!
ShareWOW WOW WOW... as you can see I didn't leave much sauce behind.
Nooooooooooooo!
ShareAfter my Giacomo's meal, I always head to Mike's for dessert. It was closed. I'm going to have to investigate why. It better not be permanent.