Gators and manatees and hurricanes, oh my! As 2022 comes to an end, we look back at some of the more memorable moments of the year. In addition to wayward alligators, a dwindling manatee population and a hurricane that changed the lives of many for years to come, there also were some bright spots, especially for the winner of a $494 million lottery ticket purchased in storm-ravaged Fort Myers.
Florida has been the year of the gator, and we are not talking about the University of Florida’s football team. From alligators showing up in the parking spot of a Polk County elementary school principal to one that decided to take a dip in an Orange County family’s swimming pool, wildlife officials were kept busy in 2022. In September, a motorist snapped a picture of a very large, and very dead gator tied to the bumper of a car driving on I-95 just south of Melbourne. It was hunting season, so we suspect the hunter simply didn’t have room inside their car.
Florida’s manatee may soon end up back on the endangered species list if they continue to die at the rate they have been this year. According to the University of Miami, boater strikes and a massive seagrass shortage in the Indian River Lagoon (where these gentle giants gather in the winter) are to blame for many of this year’s manatee (736 as of press time, according to the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission). Seagrass is their food source, so many simply starve to death. In one video taken by an onlooker, a manatee was seen coming up onto the shore to eat grass at the water’s edge.
In April, the 30-acre Scripps Research Institute facility in Jupiter, along with another 70 acres of land in Palm Beach Gardens became part of the University of Florida. The new name keeps the Scripps legacy — UF Scripps Biomedical Research. UF health touted the deal saying it will accelerate the pace of biomedical discoveries. “Scripps Florida scientists have impeccable reputations in their fields. Bringing them into UF’s research and educational enterprise will nurture many scientific and clinical breakthroughs,” says Dr. David R. Nelson, senior vice president for health affairs at UF and president of UF Health.
It may be years before we know the actual financial toll that Hurricane Ian had on Florida, but early estimates expect damages could top $47 billion (with a B). Ian put the Sunshine State in the record books. Since 1851, when hurricane records began to be kept, there have only been 38 major hurricanes in Florida — i.e., Category 3 or higher. When Ian came ashore, it packed maximum sustained winds of 150 mph. Ian is in an eight-way tie for the fifth-strongest storm to strike the U.S. The strongest storm to ever strike the U.S. was the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935, which slammed Florida packing sustained winds of 185 miles per hour.
Florida made it to the Michelin map. The Sunshine State got its first-ever Michelin Guide, earning 15 stars between two culinary hotspots: Miami and Orlando. The guide highlights some of the best restaurants in the world. Fourteen eateries earned one star, while L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon Miami earned two. From contemporary to Colombian, Korean to American, each eatery serves up its own unique cuisine. In addition to the stars, Michelin also highlighted 29 restaurants as Bib Gourmands (restaurants in Tampa also received this coveted recognition), which “recognizes great food at a great value,” plus two Special Awards. In all, there were 118 restaurants and 35 different cuisine types in the selection.
Florida Atlantic University moved up in the U.S. News & World Report list of “Top Public Schools,” to No. 132 from No. 140 in this year’s ranking of the nation’s best universities. This marks the largest rise out of all public universities in the state. The university also came in No. 41 in the “Social Mobility” ranking, which is computed using graduation rates of students receiving Pell grants and includes public and private national universities. Pell-eligible students, African American students and Hispanic students outpace the university’s overall retention and graduation rates. FAU also is the top public university in Florida for campus ethnic diversity, according to U.S. News & World Report.
As Fort Myers continues its recovery from Hurricane Ian, one lucky person will split $494 million from a lottery ticket purchased in the storm-ravaged area. The quick pick Mega Millions ticket was bought at a 7-Eleven on Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers. The other ticket was purchased in San Jose, California. Both tickets matched all six numbers: 9, 22, 26, 41, and 44 for white balls, and a gold Mega Ball of 19. Check your tickets!
Goaaaal! Greater Miami & Miami Beach have been selected by FIFA — international soccer’s governing body — to host the 2026 World Cup. Miami was one of 16 U.S. locations that bid to host matches. The Hard Rock Stadium, where the Miami Dolphins play, will host up to six matches which will take place in June and July 2026. The stadium was built according to FIFA specifications and has hosted several marquee international matches over the years. At least 48 teams will qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Expect plenty of watch parties and other related events.
The National Football League modified its concussion protocols as a result of an investigation following the troubling injury suffered by Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa while playing against the Buffalo Bills earlier this year. Described as a back injury, Tagovailoa took a blow, after which he appeared disoriented, stumbling as he tried to get to his feet. He was cleared to go back into play but still appeared disoriented. As a result of an investigation, the league and players’ union agreed to change the league’s concussion protocol to include the term “ataxia,” which is defined as “abnormality of balance/stability, motor coordination or dysfunctional speech caused by a neurological issue.”
Most people know that Ikea sells furniture made from wood, but did you know that the company also is trying to give back to Mother Nature? In January 2022, Ingka Group, the company that controls most Ikea stores, announced it purchased 3,264 acres of land in Florida damaged by Hurricane Michael in 2018. The property, Tupelo Honey, consists of two parcels of land in Gulf and Liberty Counties near the Apalachicola River that will be used for an ongoing afforestation project, creating new forestland by planting trees in areas where there were none before. The plantings are a mix of local species, focused on longleaf pine. At least 650,000 new trees will be planted in the first rotation of the 40-year cycle.