Saturday, March 22, 2014
#1622 Aquaculture Shellfish Harvesting Update - Closure
CLOSURE STATEMENT
Date: 3/22/14
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is
temporarily closing the following shellfish area at sunset on Saturday
March 22, 2014 for the harvest of oysters, clams, and mussels. In this
context, shellfish does not include scallops, shrimp, or crabs.
Area(s):
#1622 Apalachicola CA Winter West_Shellfish Harvest Area
Affected
Counties
_______Franklin_____________
Basis for action:
Operating procedures in Chapter 5L-1.003 (1),
Florida Administrative Code
The closure is based on a change in conditions specifically required
under the management plan. Water samples will continue to be collected
and analyzed for the area until the sample results conform to the
management plan.
http://live.oysterradio.com/
Friday, March 21, 2014
Pets in Port St. Joe can get free spaying and neutering
The
Gulf county Humane Society has money to provide free spaying a neutering for
pets in Port St. Joe.
The
group received a grant through the PETSMART Company that will pay for spaying
or neutering dogs or cats.
The
animal must reside within the 32456 area code, though any veterinarian can do
the work.
You
can get an application by stopping by the Gulf county Humane Society shelter at
1007
10th street
http://live.oysterradio.com/
Artwalk comes to Apalachicola on Saturday
The Apalachicola
Bay
The event begins at 11 Am
and continues through 6pm .
The daylong event will consist of three
components - Art, Wine, and Great Local Cuisine.
Various forms of Art will be on display
throughout the day in front of businesses in downtown Apalachicola where artists
will highlight, sell, and demonstrate their work.
The festival will continue into the evening
with a progressive Wine tasting and hors d’ oeuvre starting at 3:00PM where wines will be sampled at several locations.
The event will wrap up starting at 6:00PM with area chefs and participating restaurants preparing Great Local
Cuisine made with fresh local ingredients including oysters, shrimp, crabs,
fish, and tupelo honey.
If you would like more information about the Apalachicola Art Walk &
Wine Festival, call the Apalachicola Bay
http://live.oysterradio.com/
Florida seafood companies top 25 million in sales at Seafood Expo North America
The Florida
Department of Agriculture is recognizing nine Florida Apalachicola and Woods Fishery
in Port St. Joe, which took part in the Seafood Expo North America this month.
This was the 24th year the Department of
Agriculture has worked to bring Florida
It’s the largest seafood show in North America , with more than 1,000 exhibitors and 19,000
buyers from 100 countries.
The nine Florida
On display were snapper, grouper, king
mackerel, Spanish mackerel, spiny lobster, stone crab claws, farm-raised
shrimp, oysters, farm-raised clams, blue crab and wild-caught shrimp.
Chef Justin Timineri, Florida
Besides Water Street Seafood and Woods
Fishery, the other companies taking part in the event included Ariel Seafoods, Frenchy’s
Stone Crab Company, Rod’s Seafood, Southeastern SeaProducts and Sun
Shrimp.
Florida DEP permit activity for Wakulla County
 |
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
BOB MARTINEZ CENTER
2600 BLAIRSTONE ROAD TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32399-2400 |
RICK SCOTT
GOVERNOR
CARLOS LOPEZ-CANTERA
LT. GOVERNOR
HERSCHEL T. VINYARD JR.
SECRETARY
|
|
http://live.oysterradio.com/
Thursday, March 20, 2014
FWC Law Enforcement Weekly Report 03/14 - 03/20/2014
Weekly Report
March 14, 2014 - March 20, 2014
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week;
however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement.
Patrol, Protect, Preserve
NORTHWEST REGION
BAY COUNTY
Officers Goodwin, Brady, Letcher and FHP Trooper Russell were working a night detail during spring break at St. Andrews State Park when they observed a golf cart drive up to the after-hours entry gate from outside the park. They could hear the occupants of the golf cart talking to each other about pushing the gate arm up so the golf cart could be driven under the gate arm. The driver then drove the golf cart off the road and around the gate entering the park. The officers approached the subjects, identified themselves, and told the subjects to stop. The driver drove past the officers and into the park. The officers followed the golf cart in their patrol vehicles. The driver attempted to hide the golf cart by driving it into the woods and turning off the lights. The officers located the golf cart and all the occupants fled into the woods except for the driver. All the occupants were apprehended within a short time. The driver was charged with driving under the influence. The subjects that fled the scene were charged with resisting arrest without violence. All were charged with entering into the park without a park pass and transported to the Bay County Jail.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officers Livesay and Pettey worked an area that appeared to have been previously baited for illegal turkey hunting. After waiting in the area most of the morning, the officers decided to change locations to a nearby field. While walking to this area, they noticed a hunter sneaking through the woods. The hunter set up and called for turkeys. Officers Livesay and Pettey approached the hunter and discovered he was hunting on a second baited spot. The subject admitted putting out bait in both spots and was charged with turkey hunting over bait.
LIBERTY AND CALHOUN COUNTIES
FWC officers continue to search for a missing man on the Apalachicola River. The man has been missing since March 9. The location of the search has been expanded south towards the Iola Landing area.
LEON COUNTY
Officer Louque observed a subject calling turkeys from a ground blind. There was cracked corn deposited beside the blind. The subject had also placed a hen turkey decoy in the cracked corn. Officer Louque cited the subject for attempting to take turkeys over bait. Investigator Bryant arrived later to assist and wrote the subject’s friend, who was in a different blind, a warning for no turkey permit.
http://live.oysterradio.com/
Apalachicola airport runways to thin for expanded military use
It
turns out the concrete on the runways at the Apalachicola
airport is not as thick as the air force thought, and that will keep the
military from expanding its uses there.
It
had been assumed in Air Force documents that the concrete was between 8 to 10
inches thick in all areas where planes would land or taxi.
With
that assumption the Air Force was considering designating the Apalachicola
airport as a Forward Area Refueling Point for various training exercises and
missions.
After
the Civil Engineer Center took core samples from about 95 sites, however, they
determined that the actual concrete thickness is actually between 4 and 7
inches.
And
while that is plenty for private aircraft, it is not thick enough to support
the type of planes the air force was considering using.
So the airport will not be part of any expansion of Forward
Area Refueling Point training missions by the US Air Force though it will
continue to be used for training by Special Forces.
http://live.oysterradio.com/
Beach water testing begins for the summer
The local health department has begun testing water quality for local
beaches again.
The health
department stopped their weekly water sampling program last October as part of
a statewide cost-cutting measure.
The state takes
weekly water samples from about 304 beaches in 34 counties during the summer –
they stopped the sampling the 6 beaches in Franklin County
In some other
areas of the state they reduced the testing from weekly to bi-weekly.
The good news is
Franklin County
Heath officials
did find moderate amounts of the enterococcus bacteria in Alligator Point, but
not enough to issue a swimming advisory.
Moderate
concentrations of bacteria were also found at Shell Point in Wakulla County
The last results
for Gulf County
http://live.oysterradio.com/
PRECAUTIONARY BOIL WATER NOTICE FOR FIESTA DRIVE AT ALLIGATOR POINT
TO: ALLIGATOR POINT RESIDENTS ON FIESTA DRIVE
PWS ID#1190013
ON THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2014, RESIDENTS ON FIESTA DRIVE EXPERIENCED A WATER
OUTAGE DUE TO A SERVICE LINE BREAK AT 24 FIESTA DRIVE.
THEREFORE, AS A PRECAUTION, WE ADVISE THAT ALL WATER USED FOR DRINKING,
COOKING, MAKING ICE, BRUSHING TEETH, OR WASHING DISHES BE BOILED. A
ROLLING BOIL OF ONE MINUTE IS SUFFICIENT. AS AN ALTERNATIVE BOTTLED WATER
THIS “PRECAUTIONARY BOIL WATER NOTICE” WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL YOU
ARE NOTIFIED THAT THE BACTERIOLOGICAL SURVEY SHOWS THE WATER IS SAFE TO
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, YOU MAY CONTACT WAYNE CONRAD, SOUTHERN
WATER SERVICES, AT (850) 627-8884 OR (850) 251-1524.
http://live.oysterradio.com/
“Fresh From Florida” Presence at Seafood Expo North America Generates $25 Million in Estimated Sales
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
| |
March 20, 2014
| |
“Fresh From Florida” Presence at Seafood Expo North America
Generates $25 Million in Estimated Sales
Nine Florida Companies Feature “Fresh From Florida” Products at Annual Event in Boston
Tallahassee, FL – With support from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, nine Florida companies reported more than $25 million in sales of seafood products at the three-day Seafood Expo North America this week.
“Florida’s seafood is second to none, and that’s why buyers across the country and the globe choose our products for their stores and restaurants,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “We're proud to help bring Florida companies to the expo, where they can showcase their delicious products.”
The event, formerly known as the International Boston Seafood Show, hosted the following Florida companies:
On display were snapper, grouper, king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, spiny lobster, stone crab claws, farm-raised shrimp, farm-raised clams, blue crab and wild-caught shrimp. Chef Justin Timineri, Florida's Culinary Ambassador, cooked and offered samples, including fresh Florida frog legs, to interested buyers.
The department works with Florida seafood companies to bring their products to the expo, which is the largest seafood show in North America – hosting more than 1,000 exhibitors and 19,000 buyers from 100 countries around the globe.
Florida ranks among the top 12 states in the nation for fresh seafood production. Florida fishermen harvest more than 100 million pounds of seafood annually, including all of the nation's spiny lobster, 97 percent of stone crabs and 84 percent of grouper, pompano, mullet, pink shrimp and Spanish mackerel. More than 85 different varieties of seafood are harvested in Florida.
###
| |
http://live.oysterradio.com/
Franklin county tables bid award for revetment project
County commissioners decided not
to accept any bids on a project to repair about 1000 feet of revetment at
Alligator Point because the issue is under litigation.
The section of revetment is east
of Tom Roberts
Road
The county wants to remove the
existing concrete rubble and debris and replace it with clean granite rock.
The board opened bids from 4
companies for the project earlier this month, the lowest bid was from CW
Roberts at about 74 thousand dollars.
The work, however, is being
contested by Capitol city bank.
So even if the county awarded the
bid, it’s likely the work could not be done in the 60 days during which the bid
would be valid.
The board decided to table the
issue this week while the legal issues are worked out.
http://live.oysterradio.com/
Florida DEP permit activity for Apalachicola
|
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
BOB MARTINEZ CENTER
2600 BLAIRSTONE ROAD TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32399-2400 |
RICK SCOTT
GOVERNOR
CARLOS LOPEZ-CANTERA
LT. GOVERNOR
HERSCHEL T. VINYARD JR.
SECRETARY
|
|
http://live.oysterradio.com/
Apalachicola National Forest prescribed burning today in Liberty County
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The U.S. Forest Service is prescribed burning in the Apalachicola National Forest today.
The 3,308 acre prescribed burn will take place in Liberty County between Forest Highway 13 and Forest Road 120. The burn will improve wildlife habitat, eliminate vegetation build up and reduce the threat of wildfires.
People are reminded that the smoke they may see today and tomorrow in this vicinity is not coming from a wildfire. Motorists are cautioned to drive slowly with lights on while traveling in smoky areas. Drivers should be particularly cautious in areas where prescribed fires have taken place when it is foggy. Morning fog can mix with smoke and decrease visibility further.
This is one of many prescribed burns the Apalachicola National Forest is doing during the 2014 prescribed burning season. Today’s burn is in burn unit 61 (see the Apalachicola’s planned burn map): http://www.fs.usda.gov/
Individuals who are sensitive to smoke may continue to monitor us at http://www.fs.usda.gov/news/
http://live.oysterradio.com/
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Everything you ever wanted to know about oysters on March 19th, 2014
- Okay, Fine, I’ll Have an Oyster
- Galveston Bay Stops Oyster Harvesting; Already A Shortage
- Shellfish harvesting in the Lafayette? Maybe one day.
- Shhhh! Baby oysters are always listening
- Oysters a delectable harvest
- NC researcher finds baby oysters drawn to places with reef sounds
- Supermarket oysters poached
- Oyster Nachos
- Spring into seafood: Great places for oysters
- USA: Lafayette River – Home to New Oyster Sanctuary Reef
- Bacteria Shuts Down Oyster Season In Galveston Bay
- Oak Bluffs selectmen approve oyster farm
Wakulla County teacher of the year receives Governor's SHINE award
The Governor and Cabinet on Tuesday recognized the Wakulla county Teacher of the Year with the Governor’s
Shine Award.
The Shine Award
is presented to Floridians who have positively helped Florida
John
Kane who teaches 8th grade at Riversprings Middle School
He has been teaching for eight years and hosts a
daily after-school mathematics tutoring program that is open to all middle
school and high school students in Wakulla County School
District
Each of Florida
The Florida
Teacher of the Year is chosen from 192,000 public school teachers throughout
the state by a selection committee representing teachers, principals, parents
and the business community.
http://live.oysterradio.com/
Take part in Gulf County "Selfie" contest
The Gulf County Tourist
development Council has a “selfie” contest going on through April 17th that
will win someone a trip to Gulf County
The contest is simple.
Just snap a picture of yourself
being active outside.
Post it to instagram and tag it
#GCFLnofilter; it will automatically be entered to win a free trip to Gulf County
They will randomly draw one
winner every week of the sweepstakes!
Each package includes
a 3-night, long weekend stay during Spring, $200 to help with travel expenses
and $150 to spend any way you want.
For every entry received, the
Tourist development Council will donate $1 to Outdoor Nation – up to a final
donation of $5,000.
Outdoor Nation is a non-profit
group dedicated to reconnecting millennials with the outdoors.
Do it soon.
The contest ends on Thursday,
April 17th.
http://live.oysterradio.com/
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
DEP to discuss Orman House and Gorrie Museum management plan tonight
The Florida
Department of Environmental Protection will hold a public meeting next week to
discuss updating their management plan for the Orman House and the John Gorrie Museum
Both state parks
are in the City of Apalachicola John Gorrie Museum
The Orman House
was built in 1838; the park includes the botanical gardens and the three
servicemen detail.
The Orman House Historic State John Gorrie Museum State Park
The management
plan identifies the Department’s goals for the parks, including the research it
does, the educational programs it provides to the public and the way it manages
its property.
If you would like
to comment on the proposed management plan, the meeting will be held on
Tuesday, March the 18th at 7 PM at the Apalachicola Community Center
http://live.oysterradio.com/
Shelby needs a forever home
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Shelby is a gorgeous 3-4 yr old Bluetick hound. These poor, forgottenhunting dogs keep showing up at the shelter. Hunting season is over and
for many of the them, their lives could easily have been over as well.
The ones that end up here have a second chance at life but only if you
will open your hearts and homes to one of them.
How many times have you seen them wandering along the highways, starving
and scared, wanting to stop to help but not knowing if you should? Well
now you can help.
We have given them shelter, nourished their bodies, rid them of parasites
and vaccinated them against disease. These forgotten souls are ready for
a home, a real inside home where they will be loved and fed and cared
for. PLEASE give these dogs a second chance. They have survived so much
already and have so much love to give. Have a heart. Save a hound.
http://live.oysterradio.com/
Humane Society selling nature photos for "Second Chance Fund"
The Franklin County Humane
Society is raising money for its Second Chance Fund.
Area wildlife photographer Jon
Johnson has donated several framed photographs to the Humane Society to help
raise money for the Fund which pays for life saving medical care
such as heartworm treatment, diagnostic work and surgery.
Jon's photographs are on display at the Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce office at122
Commerce Street Apalachicola .
such as heartworm treatment, diagnostic work and surgery.
Jon's photographs are on display at the Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce office at
The pictures can be viewed and purchased during regular business hours.
http://live.oysterradio.com/
Franklin County unemployment jumps in January
Local
unemployment rose from 5.3 percent in December to 6 percent in January.
Twenty-two
counties had lower unemployment rates than Franklin County
308
people were looking for work in Franklin County
403
people were looking for work in Gulf County
In Wakulla County
Overall, the statewide seasonally
adjusted unemployment rate fell to 6.1 percent in January, the lowest it’s been
since June
2008.
You can see the
full statewide unemployment report for yourself – it’s posted at
oysterradio.com
http://live.oysterradio.com/
#1642 Aquaculture Shellfish Harvesting Update - Closure
CLOSURE
STATEMENT
Date:3/18/14
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is
temporarily closing the following shellfish area at sunset onTuesday March
18th, 2014 for the harvest of oysters, clams, and mussels. In this
context, shellfish does not include scallops, shrimp, or crabs.
Area(s):
#1642Apalachicola CA
Affected Counties
_______Franklin_____________
Basis for action:
Precautionary closure due to excessive rainfall
The closure is based on a change in conditions specifically required
under the management plan. Water samples will continue to be collected
and analyzed for the area until the sample results conform to the
management plan.
Date:
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is
temporarily closing the following shellfish area at sunset on
Area(s):
#1642
Affected Counties
_______Franklin_____________
Basis for action:
Precautionary closure due to excessive rainfall
The closure is based on a change in conditions specifically required
under the management plan. Water samples will continue to be collected
and analyzed for the area until the sample results conform to the
management plan.
http://live.oysterradio.com/
Monday, March 17, 2014
Four people rescued from sinking boat off Cape San Blas
Four people
were rescued from their sinking boat about 30 miles south of Cape San Blas on Friday.
The Coast Guard Station in Panama City
The vessel operator
originally made a distress phone call to his wife using his satellite phone,
who then subsequently relayed the information to the Coast Guard.
A 45-foot response boat out
was sent out of Panama City Mobile
Two good Samaritan vessels
also headed to the scene.
The four on the CBS were
able to safely get into their life raft and took their emergency position
indicator radio beacons with them.
Fifteen minutes after
abandoning ship, the Jean Marie arrived on scene and removed all four from the
life raft.
All were transferred to the
Coast Guard vessel and taken back safely to Panama City
http://live.oysterradio.com/
Franklin county commission meets Tuesday in Apalachicola
Assistance for the local oyster
industry will be a big topic of discussion at Tuesday’s county commission
meeting.
Jim Estes from the Florida Fish
and Wildlife Conservation commission will be at the meeting to discuss money
recently approved by the federal government to help the local oyster industry.
Commissioners are hoping to get
more detailed information about how the money will be distributed and how it
can be used.
At the last county commission
meeting commissioners expressed frustration at not having the information they
need about the various programs providing assistance to the oyster industry.
The county will also open bids on
Tuesday for two road projects, including the resurfacing of Oak Street Lanark Village Bayshore Drive
Commissioners will also meet with
their labor attorney to continue discussions about compensation for county
employees.
You can see the full agenda at
oysterradio.com and on the Oyster Radio facebook page.
The county commission meeting
will begin at 9 tomorrow morning at the Franklin county Courthouse Annex in Apalachicola .
http://live.oysterradio.com/
Padowitz convicted in crash that killed Sopchoppy man
A
local woman was convicted of DUI last week in a 2012 drunk driving crash that
killed a Sopchoppy man.
Rebecca Ann Padowitz was
convicted of DUI manslaughter.
She was driving a jeep in April
2012 when she lost control of the vehicle on Highway 98 about a mile west of Lake Morality Road
The vehicle went into a spin and
went onto the north shoulder of the road where it hit a tree stump with its
front bumper.
The jeep then hit a tree and came
to rest on its roof before catching on fire.
There were 4 people in the Jeep
Grand Cherokee at the time of the accident.
28 year old Rona Lavon Hawkins
Jr. was thrown from the front passenger set and killed.
He was the son of Former
Sopchoppy mayor Colleen Skipper Mitchell.
The jury found Padowitz had a
blood alcohol level higher than .15 at the time of the crash.
Padowitz will be sentenced April
14th.
She faces up to 15 years in
prison.
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