Prayer group going strong in hospital parking lot
A group of people from St. Clement Catholic Church has been sending prayers to South Florida Baptist Hospital workers, first responders and other personnel from the hospital parking lot since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
You can find the group there every Wednesday, as it’s done every week since April 1, praying the rosary.
“We believe very strongly in the power of prayer and especially the rosary which we pray every week,” Joey Findlay, the group’s organizer, said in a press release issued by the hospital. “The point is to pray for the health care workers, essential workers and our first responders, and of course, all the people suffering from this virus. We’ve remained steadfast in that because we know that God will intercede. He’s here with us and has a greater plan. If He can stick it out, then so can we.”
HCSO promoting Rail Safety Week
This week is Rail Safety Week in Florida, so Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is making sure residents know how to stay safe around trains.
HCSO released a PSA this week covering basic safety rules everyone should know before going around railroad tracks, whether they’re walking or driving, and is also active on social media using the #STOPTrackTragedies hashtag along with Operation Life Saver Inc., Operation Life Saver Canada and Amtrak. According to the Federal Railroad Administration, 25 people in Florida died in vehicle-train collisions last year and 293 died that way nationwide. Florida ranks third in the country for the most deadly railway incidents, HCSO said.
“Don’t take risks, and clear the way for trains, it’s simple and life-saving advice,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “We can avoid devastating accidents by reminding ourselves, family, and friends, that trains are heavy and just about unstoppable once in motion. Use caution when approaching railroad tracks and obey signals and warnings to ensure a safe and smooth encounter.”
Here are a few safety rules HCSO is promoting:
1. Never walk on railroad tracks. All train tracks are private property, making it not only highly dangerous to walk on them, but also illegal.
2. Only cross at designated railroad pedestrian and traffic crossings. Obey all posted warnings and signals.
3. Never stop on the tracks. It takes the average freight train traveling at 55 mph, more than a mile (the length of 18 football fields), to come to a complete stop. This makes the weight ratio of a car to a train proportional to a car running over a soda can.
For more information, visit www.oli.org and follow the #STOPTrackTragedies hashtag on social media. To view HCSO’s PSA, visit the Sheriff’s Office’s YouTube channel (HCSOSheriff).
Voter registration deadline approaching
Florida residents who are not registered to vote and wish to do so have about a week and a half to meet the state’s deadline.
Whether you’re registering online, in person or by mail, the last day to register is Oct. 5. Mailed registration must be postmarked by Oct. 5. If you’ve already registered to vote in the past, it still won’t hurt to check your registration status to make sure nothing has changed. You can check your status online at VoteHillsborough.org, as well as update your information if need be.
The Early Voting period will run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 19 through Nov. 1. Election Day voting on Nov. 3 will also run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
If you wish to vote by mail (formerly known as absentee voting), you no longer need an excuse to request a ballot for yourself or another registered voter. These ballots can either be mailed traditionally or dropped off either at any Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Office or in a drop box at any Early Voting location. If you change your mind and wish to vote in person after receiving your ballot, you can check in to vote in person and your Vote By Mail ballot will be canceled. Visit votehillsborough.org/VOTERS/Vote-By-Mail, call 813-612-4180, email voter@hcsoe.org, write to Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections, 2514 N. Falkenburg Road, Tampa, FL 33619 or visit a Supervisor of Elections Office near you for more information and to request a ballot.