Friday, September 23, 2011

Tallahassee man has confirmed case of West Nile Virus

Tallahassee—The Leon County Health Department continues its mosquito-borne illness alert for Leon County. The first human case of West Nile virus (WNV) in Leon County this year has been confirmed today. The virus is spread by the bite of a mosquito. It is not spread from person to person. The patient is a 22 year-old male resident of Leon County. Homer J. Rice, RS, MPH, PhD, administrator of the Leon County Health Department, reminds residents and visitors to continue to protect themselves against mosquito bites.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one in 150 people infected with WNV will develop severe illness. Symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent. People should call their health care providers if they think they might have contracted WNV.
“We will continue to collaborate with Leon County Mosquito Control to monitor the sentinel chickens for the virus,” said Rice, “And the public should continue to be diligent in their personal mosquito protection efforts.”

These should include remembering to “Drain and Cover.”
DRAIN standing water to stop mosquitoes from multiplying.
* Drain water from garbage cans, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flower pots or any other containers where water has collected.
* Discard old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances and other items that aren`t being used.
* Empty and clean birdbaths and pet`s water bowls at least once or twice a week.
* Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that don’t accumulate water.
* Maintain swimming pools in good condition and appropriately chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.

COVER skin with:
* CLOTHING - If you must be outside when mosquitoes are active, cover up. Wear shoes, socks, long pants and long sleeves.
* REPELLENT - Apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing. Always use repellents according to the label’s instructions. Repellents with 10-30% DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and IR3535 are effective.
* Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months old.

COVER doors and windows with screens:
* Keep mosquitoes out of your house. Repair broken screening on windows, doors, porches and patios.
Residents of Florida are also encouraged to report dead birds via the website http://www.MyFWC.com/bird.

For more information about mosquito-borne illnesses, visit DOH’s Environmental Public Health website at http://www.doh.state.fl.us/Environment/medicine/arboviral/index.html or call the Leon County Health Department at 850-606-8350.
Read the weekly Florida Arbovirus Surveillance Report, which publishes the number of infections, at http://www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/medicine/arboviral/Weekly-Summary.html.

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Today is Estuaries Day!

The Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve is celebrating National Estuaries Day today at their new facility in Eastpoint.

National Estuaries Day is a way to draw attention to the important estuary systems in the country.

There will be celebrations at all 28 National Estuarine Research Reserves around the country today including the three in Florida.

The local reserve will have plenty of activities including touch tanks, live reptile and insect displays and a net making demonstration.

For the kids there’s environmental scavenger hunts, simulated oyster tonging (oyster harvesting) and a wacky waterfront race.

There’s also free t-shirts for the first 600 people to show up.

Estuaries Day will be held from 1:30 to 6:30 today at the research reserve at 108 Island Drive in Eastpoint.

If you have questions call the Reserve at 670-7700.

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500 dollar reward offered for information about boat theft

Authorities are offering a 500 dollar reward for information about boat stolen from a local seafood dealer this week.

A 20 foot aluminum boat with its 90 horsepower Johnson outboard was stolen from 13 mile seafood on Monday.

It’s a specialized piece of equipment used to push a barge; it’s used during shell planting operations.

Investigators said the boat was in the water tied to a dock and they believe the thieves drove off with it and loaded it on to a trailer at a nearby ramp.

There is a 500 dollar reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the theft.

If you can help, call the sheriff’s office at 670-8500 or the State’s Attorney’s office at 653-8181.

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Franklin County looks ro lower the cost of burials of unclaimed bodies

County commissioners this week opened bids from local funeral homes to see if they could lower the county’s cost of processing and burying unclaimed bodies.

Whenever a person dies and no friends or family claim the body, it becomes the responsibility of the county to handle the burial.

The issue doesn’t come up very often, but now that there is a nursing home facility at St. James it is happening more than it used to.

The cost for one of these burials is 825 dollars, the county asked for bids to see if they could bring the price down, but that didn’t happen.

Only one company bid – that was Kelly’s Funeral home – the same company the county works with now.

And its bid was remains 825 dollars per burial.

The bid has been given to a committee for consideration with a final decision expected next meeting.

Commissioners said they will also look at the possibility of cremation which may be less expensive, though county attorney Michael Shuler said there may be other issues with cremation that the county will have to consider.

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Franklin County schedules hearing to do away with local gun laws

Franklin County commissioners have scheduled a public hearing for next month to do away with local gun laws.

The governor signed a law this year that bans local governments from passing their own gun laws that means any local gun laws already on the books have to be removed.

The law was passed to make it easier for gun owners to travel from one part of Florida to another without worrying that they might be breaking a local gun law.

County commissioners locally and around the state say they don’t like losing their local authority but the punishment for not following the law is pretty harsh.

Punishments could include removal from office, a 5 million dollar fine for the county and a 5000 dollar fine for commissioners.

The public hearing has been scheduled for October the 18^th.

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Leon Sinks waives entry fee on Saturday

People can visit the Leon Sinks Geological Area in the Apalachicola National forest for free on Saturday in honor of Public Lands Day.

Leon Sinks is one of the few sites in the state that are waiving fees as part of an effort to get people outdoors.
The area has numerous hiking trails and springs – the cost is generally 3 dollars per person to get in.
There are also some sites in the Ocala and Osceola National Forests that are waiving fees on Saturday - you can find a list of sites on the news page at oyster radio.com.

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Federal government changes listing method for Loggerheard turtles

There has been a change in the way loggerhead sea turtles are listed under the endangered species act.

NOAA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a final rule on Friday changing the listing of loggerhead sea turtles from a single threatened species to nine distinct populations listed as either threatened or endangered.

In the final rule, five of the populations are listed as endangered and four as threatened.

The South Atlantic Ocean loggerhead turtle population will remain on the threatened list.

Scientists say the new listing will help focus sea turtle conservation efforts to the specific needs of the distinct populations.

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Florida DEP permit activity

Florida Department of

Environmental Protection

Bob Martinez Center
2600 Blair Stone Road
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400

Rick Scott

Governor

Jennifer Carroll
Lt. Governor

Herschel T. Vinyard Jr.

Secretary

Permitting Application Subscription Service

Following are the permit applications which match your subscription requests:

Profile name: Oyster Radio

Permit: Water - ERP Exemption Permit
Project name: GCBOCC LAND'S LANDING MAINT DR
Location id: 306009
Location name: GULF COUNTY BOCC LAND'S LANDING DOCK
Address: 709 LAND DRIVE, WEWAHITCHKA, 32465
County: Gulf
Application number: 306009-003

For further information, please contact the Northwest District Branch ( Panama City ) permitting office in Panama City at (850)872-4375

Permit: Water - ERP Noticed General Permit
Project name: BCBOCC ODENA BOAT RAMP REPAIR
Location id: 308113
Location name: GCBOCC ODENA BOAT RAMP
Address: PORT ST JOE, 32456
County: Gulf
Application number: 308113-001

For further information, please contact the Northwest District Branch ( Panama City ) permitting office in Panama City at (850)872-4375

Thank you for using the permit application subscription service.
Click here to view more permit application information.

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Humane Society Open House annoucement

The annual membership meeting is being held at the Adoption Center on
Saturday Oct. 1st from 10-11 a.m. followed by an open house open to the
public.

There will be the dedication of the new play yard at 11:00 followed by
activities for the whole family including your 4 legged family members.

There will be face painting, photos with fido, petting zoo, hot dogs and
drinks and tours of the shelter. We will have information about our
programs and volunteer opportunities. We encourage your participation and
input and invite all of you to become members of your Humane Society

So put us on your calendar and plan to come out to the Adoption Center to
see the beautiful improvements that have been made to the facility and
spend a fun afternoon with your pets and neighbors.

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Wanted: Public help in mapping fox squirrel sites

If you have seen a big squirrel with a long, bushy, fox-like tail, Florida wildlife biologists need your help.

What you saw was a Florida fox squirrel, and biologists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) are asking you to go online and record your sighting of this creature twice the size of an ordinary squirrel. Fox squirrels often have distinctive, masked faces with a black head and white nose and ears but, there are wide variations in coloration - from tan to gray or black.

You can use the FWC’s Google map application at https://public.myfwc.com/hsc/foxsquirrel/GetLatLong.aspx to enter the location where you spotted the fox squirrel. Your squirrel sighting will be logged automatically and assigned a specific latitude and longitude.

“The fox squirrel survey is a wonderful opportunity for children and adults to become amateur naturalists and get involved in conserving Florida’s wildlife. We will learn more about where the Florida fox squirrels are by asking the public to go online and report their sightings of fox squirrels,” said FWC wildlife biologist Courtney Hooker.

The fox squirrel survey is part of a research project by the FWC and the University of Florida Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. It combines the latest in online-mapping technology with the public’s enthusiasm about sharing their wildlife observations. The fox squirrel survey began in August, and data will be collected through at least January 2012. So far about 600 sightings of fox squirrels have been logged online.

Fox squirrels have been observed throughout Florida in open woods, pine and cypress stands and mangrove swamps, but knowledge about their distribution is limited. Fox squirrels spend more time on the ground than in trees and often escape their enemies by running rather than climbing. Their favorite food is pine seed.

The Sherman’s fox squirrel is found in the pine forests of central and northeast Florida and is classified as a state species of special concern. The Big Cypress fox squirrel is a state-threatened species in southwest Florida. The Southeastern fox squirrel lives in the Panhandle. All of Florida’s fox squirrels are protected from hunting.

For more information about fox squirrels, visit the “Species Profiles” area of MyFWC.com/Wildlife.

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Franklin County Humane Society Pet of the Week

SWEET TOOTSIE Tootsie will make an absolutely perfect lap dog for
someone. She is 3 yrs old, calm and loves to be held. If you or someone
you know has been looking for a gentle, small companion, please consider
this wire-haired Chihuahua mix. She will warm the heart and bring a
smile to the face of anyone that adopts her.

The Humane Society is scheduling volunteer work days for the second and
forth Tuesdays of every month. Many of you have asked how you can help
and if you are handy, this is how. We continue to make improvements on
the building and have a "working list" available. Come by between 10-4
on those days and you can be sure there will be plenty for you to do!

A big thank you to volunteers Fran Giknis and Marty Ray for the wonderful
carpentry work they did at the adoption center. What an improvement!

Volunteers are desperately needed to socialize Tootsie and all of the
other dogs and cats. We are always looking for people willing to bring
one of our animals into their home to be fostered for various needs.
Anytime you can spare would be greatly appreciated.

Call Karen at 670-8417 for more details or visit the Franklin County
Humane Society at 244 State Road 65 in Eastpoint. You may log onto the
website at www.forgottenpets.org to see more of our adoptable pets.

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District Accepts $1.7 Million for Flood Mapping

Havana, Florida—Flood map updates will continue across northwest Florida following recent action by the Northwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board. It accepted $1.7 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to continue its technical partnership, which recently resulted in a web portal open to the public.

“The new funding will help us update and improve flood hazard maps in the Chipola River and New River basins,” said Ron Bartel, Director of the District’s Division of Resource Management. “It will also fund updates and conversions to Risk Mapping Assessment and Planning (MAP) products in coastal counties from Escambia to Jefferson. Funding will also help us add inland non-coastal counties to the District’s recently opened Map Information Portal. Some of the new risk MAP products to be developed are depth of flooding maps, risk of flooding over a 30 year mortgage and risk of flooding as one moves away from the 100 year flood hazard boundary.”

“The map information portal allows individuals to click and zoom on their property view flood hazard boundaries and produce flood risk reports,” said Executive Director Douglas Barr. “It is also designed to compare old and new draft maps of the 100 year flood boundary, comment and act on this flood risk information and, in some cases, use the new information before it is finalized.”

The District will match this grant with existing data, in-kind services of District staff and local government funding and services. Cash match by the District, if necessary, will not exceed more than five percent of total funds and may include staff salary and contractual expenses. The new portal can be found at http://portalnwfwmdflood maps.com/

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National Public Lands Day Recognizes Florida’s Natural Resources

For Immediate Release: Sept. 23, 2011

Contact: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us

NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY RECOGNIZES FLORIDA'S NATURAL RESOURCES

~Statewide events to showcase Florida’s publicly-owned lands and parks~

A bridge at Hillsborough River State Park. Clean-up events, like National Public Lands Day, help keep Florida’s natural lands clean.

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) invites Floridians to celebrate the 18th annual National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011, on any of Florida’s more than 9 million acres of public land throughout the state.

“We are delighted to take part in National Public Lands Day, which is a perfect opportunity for Floridians and visitors to engage in the preservation of our beautiful state-owned lands,” said DEP Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard Jr. “I encourage Floridians to head to their favorite state park to enjoy the day and even participate in one of many volunteer opportunities.

Coordinated by the National Environmental Education Foundation, National Public Lands Day brings together thousands of volunteers to improve and restore the publicly-owned lands that are used for recreation, education, exercise and relaxation. This yearly opportunity for stewardship and service provides an opportunity for community members to volunteer to preserve America’s lands.

“It is very fulfilling to give back to the community on a day like National Public Lands Day,” said eco-VolunteerUSA™ Program Director Christine Small. “A sense of community and volunteerism is what we need.”

National Public Lands Day volunteers in Florida’s state parks can contribute to the restoration of Florida’s public lands in many ways, including: removing trash and exotic plants from park property, picking up litter by beaches, replanting trails, and volunteering for demos, exhibits and kids activities. In addition, the Florida Park Service will waive state park entrance fees for all volunteers participating in National Public Lands Day.

Florida’s system of public lands includes parks, unique landscapes, forests, wildlife refuges, historic trails, natural streams and wetlands, nature centers, gardens and other landmark areas, which represent irreplaceable national resources.

Cleanups taking place at state parks on Saturday, Sept. 24th:

•Blue Springs State Park – 9 a.m. to noon

Help improve wildlife habitat by removing the trash and nonnative plants from park property. Join the nation's largest hands-on effort to improve public lands. Registration required; ages 16 and up.

•Wakulla Springs State Park - 9 a.m. to noon

Join community members to help replant trails.

•Jonathan Dickinson State Park -10 a.m. to noon

Family Exotic Plant Removal

•Washington Oaks Gardens State Park- 9 a.m. to noon

Coastal clean-up

•Oleta River State Park - 8:30 a.m. to noon

Assist land managers remove exotic plants, clean up the coastline and plant trees.

•Oscar Scherer State Park - 9 a.m. to noon

Entertainment & Education Day - volunteers needed for demos, exhibits, kids activities.

•Delnor-Wiggins State Park - 8 a.m. to noon

Sea-grape planting, seed collection, relocate small cabbage palms

•Big Lagoon State Park - 9 a.m. to noon

Volunteer at the yearly event and help with trails, coastal and Highway clean-up.

•Topsail Hill State Park - 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Restore wetlands, clear invasive vegetation and remove debris.

•St. George Island State Park - 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Beach & Bay litter pick-up

About Florida State Parks, Greenways and Trails

The nation’s best state parks and trails have joined forces. Now a part of the Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Park Service, the award-winning Office of Greenways and Trails manages the 110-mile Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway, eight state trails and more. Florida’s award-winning state parks have inspired residents and visitors with recreation opportunities and scenic beauty that helps to strengthen families, educate children, expand local economies and foster community pride. With 160 parks, 700,000 acres, 100 miles of beaches and more than 600 miles of multi-use trails, visit soon and often to enjoy Florida’s natural treasures. For more information visit www.FloridaStateParks.org or www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide/.

About National Public Lands Day

National Public Lands Day (NPLD) is the nation's largest, single-day volunteer event for public lands in the United States. NPLD began in 1994 with three sites and 700 volunteers. It proved to be a huge success and NPLD became a yearly tradition, typically held on the last Saturday in September. Since the first NPLD, the event has grown by leaps and bounds. Last year, 170,000 volunteers worked at over 2,080 sites in every state, the District of Columbia and in many U.S. territories. www.publiclandsday.org

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9/26/11 SEAHAWK SCOOP

Bulletin 9.26.11

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Beach Conditions Report: Franklin County

Pictures of Franklin County Beaches Not Yet Available
--------------------------
Location: St George Island Bayside
Last Report: 09/23/2011 at 07:51am
Dead Fish: None
Water Color: Moderate
Respiratory Irritation: None
Surf: Moderate
Wind Direction: N
Oil Spill Impact: None
Oil Spill Severity: None (No clean up required -- beach open)
Beach Flag: Yellow
Seaweed: Some
Seaweed Location: On Beach
--------------------------
Location: St George Island Gulfside
Last Report: 09/23/2011 at 07:50am
Dead Fish: None
Water Color: Moderate
Respiratory Irritation: None
Surf: Moderate
Wind Direction: N
Oil Spill Impact: None
Oil Spill Severity: None (No clean up required -- beach open)
Beach Flag: Yellow
Seaweed: Some
Seaweed Location: On Beach

All reports copyright 2008 Mote Marine Laboratory.
All rights reserved.

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Carrabelle Chamber E-news, Sept. 23, 2011

E-news - Sept. 23, 2011

2^nd Annual Carrabelle Lions Club

Charity Golf Tournament

Saturday-October 15, 2011

St. James Bay Golf Resort

· Entry Fee: $100 per player

· Dinner: $25

· Silent Auction

· Call for Sponsorship Packages

Sponsored by: Carrabelle Lions Club

Benefiting: Vision/Hearing Impaired

Hosted by: St. James Bay Golf Resort

Call: 850-697-9507

****

Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum

Don’t forget National Museum Day

Saturday-September 24th

****

Seahawks Football Game Tonight!

Seahawks won last week over Cottondale with a score 27 - 12!

Seahawks play Liberty County at home this Friday - September - 23rd

Go Seahawks!

****

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Thursday, September 22, 2011

State gives grace period for new oyster tag rules

New oyster tag requirements took effect this month but state officials say they are giving harvesters a break when it comes to enforcement.

As of September the 1^st, bags of oysters harvested outside of the existing time and temperature regulations are require to carry a special tag that spell out that the oysters are for shucking or post harvest treatment only.

The new tags are bright green with big letters so they really stand out.

Division of Aquaculture chief Leslie Palmer said that oystermen using the old tags aren’t being cited yet.

Wildlife officers are letting oystermen work through their old inventory first before writing tickets for not using the new tags.

Instead they are using this time to educate oystermen about the new tag requirement.

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County commissioners plan to address hospital issues in October

County commissioners have asked that representatives of the local hospital, the hospital advisory board and TMH attend the next county commission meeting to work through a couple of issues.

According to the clerk of the court, the hospital currently has just over 54 thousand dollars in its operating fund which is much less than the county would like.

The hospital also has some money in CDs and Money Market Accounts, but the commission said it would rather that money stay put

And while the board is concerned about the financial situation at the hospital they say there is a bigger problem in that they are having a hard time getting the information they need from the facility.

Part of the problem, as the county sees it, is that because of an affiliation agreement Weems has with TMH, the current CEO of the hospital does not work for the board and is not being as forthcoming as commissioners would like.

Commissioners say they would like to address this problem now because when it comes down to it the hospital belongs to the county and the county has invested far too much money in the hospital to give up its authority.

Commissioner Smokey Parrish pointed out that when the hospital runs out of money they’ll come before the county commission, not TMH.

Commissioner Cheryl Sanders had a laundry list of concerns ranging from hiring practices to TMH’s authority at the hospital.

The board says it does not want to take any action that could be detrimental to the hospital so they plan to hash out these issues so that all of the groups know exactly where they stand.

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