Reporter
Ron Hurtibise
Ron Hurtibise is a business reporter for the South Florida Sun Sentinel. A Florida resident since 1977, he covers property and health insurance, tourism, the automotive industry, and consumer topics. He is a Florida State University graduate and a former investigative reporter at the Daytona Beach News-Journal. You can call him at 954-356-4071.
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![In a perfect world, a ruling by a Miami court supporting a bid to stop the termination of a condominium would be good news for Howard and Melissa Fellman, who have been waging a similar fight in Boca Raton. In a perfect world, a ruling by a Miami court supporting a bid to stop the termination of a condominium would be good news for Howard and Melissa Fellman, who have been waging a similar fight in Boca Raton.](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/migration/2022/07/17/DYNFPSHBAZAFPDLCBV5NRUNCEI.jpg?w=135)
Boca Raton couple losing condo unit they’ve owned for 32 years to investor who changed the rules
In a perfect world, a ruling by a Miami court supporting a bid to stop the termination of a condominium would be good news for Howard and Melissa Fellman, who...
![A former Wellington couple have been accused in a crypto investment scheme that the SEC says generated more than $650 million from at least 200,000 investors, many of them Haitian American, before collapsing in May 2023. A former Wellington couple have been accused in a crypto investment scheme that the SEC says generated more than $650 million from at least 200,000 investors, many of them Haitian American, before collapsing in May 2023.](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/migration/2023/01/30/DH6WMDWRODQJWHQXZJT4YZI2SI.jpg?w=135)
‘Fraudulent’ crypto scheme raised more than $650 million, including from Haitian Americans, SEC says
A former Wellington couple have been accused in a crypto investment scheme that the SEC says generated more than $650 million from at least 200,000 investors, many of them Haitian...
![Discount retailer Big Lots is closing nearly 300 stores across the United States, including 26 in Florida. The chain cites inflation and reduced consumer spending, but analysts say competing chains aren't experiencing similar troubles. Discount retailer Big Lots is closing nearly 300 stores across the United States, including 26 in Florida. The chain cites inflation and reduced consumer spending, but analysts say competing chains aren't experiencing similar troubles.](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/tfl-l-Big-Lots-closing-01.jpg?w=132)
Big Lots is closing most of its South Florida stores. Here’s where they are.
Discount retailer Big Lots is closing nearly 300 stores across the United States, including 26 in Florida. The chain cites inflation and reduced consumer spending, but analysts say competing chains...
![Jupiter Wrecks Inc., a company formed in 1987 after lifeguard Peter Leo discovered artifacts he believed were from a 17th century shipwreck site off Jupiter Inlet, continues to fight the government for the right to dredge up buried treasure at the site. Jupiter Wrecks Inc., a company formed in 1987 after lifeguard Peter Leo discovered artifacts he believed were from a 17th century shipwreck site off Jupiter Inlet, continues to fight the government for the right to dredge up buried treasure at the site.](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/tfl-l-Jupiter-Wreck-coins-and-artifacts.jpg?w=140)
37 years later after discovering Jupiter shipwreck, company still fights for right to hunt treasure
Jupiter Wrecks Inc., a company formed in 1987 after lifeguard Peter Leo discovered artifacts he believed were from a 17th century shipwreck site off Jupiter Inlet, continues to fight the...
![Tampa-based Slide Insurance sent takeout offers with steep premium increases to thousands of customers of state-owned Citizens Insurance last year. More than 15,000 were transferred to Slide because they didn't say no. Then the state stepped in and ordered changes. Tampa-based Slide Insurance sent takeout offers with steep premium increases to thousands of customers of state-owned Citizens Insurance last year. More than 15,000 were transferred to Slide because they didn't say no. Then the state stepped in and ordered changes.](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tfl-l-citizens-takeout-01.jpg?w=140)
New insurer offered Citizens customers steep premium hikes. Then the state stepped in.
Tampa-based Slide Insurance sent takeout offers with steep premium increases to thousands of customers of state-owned Citizens Insurance last year. More than 15,000 were transferred to Slide because they didn't...
![Steven Dorfman, CEO of Hollywood-based Simple Health Plans, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for spearheading fraudulent claims to convince people to buy alternative coverage options introduced by the company. Steven Dorfman, CEO of Hollywood-based Simple Health Plans, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for spearheading fraudulent claims to convince people to buy alternative coverage options introduced by the company.](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/migration/2019/05/15/SGRINMLLEJAMTEIG42ZCVUWEGU.jpg?w=135)
CEO of Hollywood-based ‘sham’ health insurance agency sentenced to 25 years in prison
Steven Dorfman, CEO of Hollywood-based Simple Health Plans, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for spearheading fraudulent claims to convince people to buy alternative coverage options introduced by the...
![Two men from Coconut Creek and Boynton Beach have been accused by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission of selling investments to members of South Florida's Haitian-American community in a trucking and logistics company that turned out to be a Ponzi scheme. Two men from Coconut Creek and Boynton Beach have been accused by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission of selling investments to members of South Florida's Haitian-American community in a trucking and logistics company that turned out to be a Ponzi scheme.](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/migration/2021/12/14/OZFS6RHB3WNQCXKWBBANLZMSZU.jpg?w=135)
SEC accuses two of participating in alleged Ponzi scheme targeting Haitian-Americans
Two men from Coconut Creek and Boynton Beach have been accused by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission of selling investments to members of South Florida's Haitian-American community in a...
![A state grant program offering up to $10,000 for home-hardening improvements like new roofs and impact windows has stopped taking new applications from new participants. A state grant program offering up to $10,000 for home-hardening improvements like new roofs and impact windows has stopped taking new applications from new participants.](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/migration/2022/12/14/JPWOKABJCZFJZDJOYQIBU2PQ34.jpg?w=135)
Florida home hardening program shuts down to new applicants after less than three weeks
A state grant program offering up to $10,000 for home-hardening improvements like new roofs and impact windows has stopped taking new applications from new participants.
![Coral Springs is the next South Florida city to try out a new vet care clinic opened by online pet supply retailer Chewy. Plus four new stores opened at The Gardens Mall, a new Burlington store is in Fort Lauderdale, and Toyota of Hollywood has turned its used car lot into a 'supercenter." Coral Springs is the next South Florida city to try out a new vet care clinic opened by online pet supply retailer Chewy. Plus four new stores opened at The Gardens Mall, a new Burlington store is in Fort Lauderdale, and Toyota of Hollywood has turned its used car lot into a 'supercenter."](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/tfl-l-chewy-vet-care-coral-springs-1.jpg?w=132)
Retail Roundup: Chewy opens newest vet clinic; The Gardens mall announces new stores
Coral Springs is the next South Florida city to try out a new vet care clinic opened by online pet supply retailer Chewy. Plus four new stores opened at The...
![For a change, South Florida policyholders could have enjoyed a much lower rate increase than the 14% approved by the company's Board of Governors. Indicated actuarial rate increases — which the company says is necessary to pay all estimated claims — are much lower than what was approved. Company actuaries justified the higher rate increase with an analysis stating they are needed to make the company "non-competitive" with private-market insurers. For a change, South Florida policyholders could have enjoyed a much lower rate increase than the 14% approved by the company's Board of Governors. Indicated actuarial rate increases — which the company says is necessary to pay all estimated claims — are much lower than what was approved. Company actuaries justified the higher rate increase with an analysis stating they are needed to make the company "non-competitive" with private-market insurers.](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/migration/2022/12/14/NFUOLJRIPVAHHBLG7LML3GF5LU.jpg?w=135)
Citizens chooses higher rate hikes for South Florida than its own numbers indicate
For a change, South Florida policyholders could have enjoyed a much lower rate increase than the 14% approved by the company's Board of Governors. Indicated actuarial rate increases — which...