5 things you need to know happening in Florida on Tuesday, February 14

TAMPA - Here are five things you need to know happening in Florida on Tuesday, February 14.

(1) Pinellas County budget hearing

The Pinellas County Commission will discuss a multi-million dollar tax revenue shortfall during a budget hearing on Wednesday.

The county's general fund for the 2012-13 fiscal year is facing an estimated $11.9 million shortfall due to lower property tax revenues.

With two-thirds of the general fund's money coming from property taxes, the county expects a long-term shortage to be between $22 and $37 million.

During a meeting last week, Pinellas County Administrator Bob LaSala told commissioners the current level of services the county provides will be not sustainable without a tax increase. Commissioners could decide to cut services instead of increasing revenues.

The budget hearing takes place during the County Commission's regular public meeting at 9:30 a.m. at the Board of County Commissioners at 315 Court Street in Clearwater.

For more information, visit www.pinellascounty.org/commission/ .

(2) Hillsborough child welfare announcement

The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) and Eckerd will make an announcement on Tuesday on a new initiative to help protect the welfare of children in Hillsborough County.

In January, DCF decided not to renew their $65.5 million contract with Hillsborough Kids Inc. (HKI) after nine children died under the organization's watch.

HKI was Hillsborough County's lead child protection agency. Beginning on July 1, Eckerd will take over those responsibilities. Eckerd currently oversees child welfare and foster care services in Pinellas and Pasco Counties.

At today's news conference, Eckerd Executive Director Lorita Shirley will announce Eckerd's plan to launch a Quality, Safety, and Improvement Task Force. Over a four month period, the task force will conduct an extensive review of all active child welfare cases in Hillsborough County.

Until Eckerd officially takes over operations in July, the organization says they will work to assess what currently works, what is not working well, and what can be done better in order to ensure the best possible outcomes for children and families in Hillsborough County.

Eckerd recently launched a website at www.eckerd.org/hillsborough featuring updates on the transition from HKI to Eckerd, a question and feedback loop and event calendar for upcoming community forums.

Today's announcement will take place at 10:00 a.m. at the Hillsborough Children's Board at 1002 East Palm Avenue in Tampa.

(3) ALDI hiring event

National grocer ALDI is holding a hiring event for its Pinellas Park store on Tuesday.

The company is looking for people to fill cashier and shift manager positions.

You must be willing to work anytime between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Retail experience is preferred and a high school diploma or GED is required. Management experience is preferred for manager trainees.

All candidates will be required to go through a drug screening and background check.

Employees working at least 20 hours a week will receive full health insurance, dental coverage and 401k. Cashiers would earn $10.00 an hour and shift managers $13.50 an hour when performing manager duties.

The hiring event will take place from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Country Inn and Suites at 10220 8050 US Highway 19 North in Pinellas Park.

For more information about ALDI, visit www.aldi.us .

(4) Pet oxygen masks donations

Clearwater Fire & Rescue is receiving a generous donation of 15 pet oxygen masks on Tuesday.

Invisible Fence and Oakhurst Veterinary Hospital are making the donation to help the department restock its supply of pet masks.

The masks will be stored on Clearwater Fire & Rescue's EMS vehicles.

During a fire, pets can be subjected to serious injury and death due to smoke inhalation. Family pets, unfortunately, are particularly at risk in a fire since their first instinct is to hide in closets, under beds or other confined spaces.

When firefighters rescue a pet from a fire, oxygen is critical component to saving a pet's life. The masks are specially designed to fit over the face of a dog or cat as oxygen masks designed for people are normally too big and not the correct shape for pets.

The mask donation will take place at 10:00 a.m. at Oakhurst Veterinary Hospital in Seminole.

(5) Valentine's Day

February 14 is Saint Valentine's Day.

Tuesday is the annual commemoration celebrating love and affection between an intimate couple. Traditionally lovers express their love for each other through flowers, chocolate, and greeting cards known as valentines.

The day is named after one of more early Christian martyrs and was established by Pope Gelsaius I in 496 AD.

Because the exact details of what Saint Valentine did, and whether the day actually celebrates the actions of more than one saint, Pope Paul VI deleted the day from the Roman Calendar of Saints in 1969.