Category: Misc.

Lightbulbs can save you money on your power bill

Debbie Roney Smith on

Did you know replacing five of your home’s most frequently used lights with energy-efficient ENERGY STAR bulbs could save you $75 per year in energy costs? One of the many costs of owning a home is replacing light bulbs and paying your power bill. Wouldn’t it be great to be able to save money with a bill that comes every month? 

Earning the ENERGY STAR certification means the product meets strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Lighting products that have earned the ENERGY STAR label deliver exceptional features, while using less energy. Saving energy helps you save money on utility bills and protects the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

ENERGY STAR Certified Light Bulbs:

  • Use up to 90% less energy than standard bulbs
  • Last at least 15 times longer and saves about $50 in electricity costs over its lifetime per bulb
  • Meet strict quality and efficiency standards that are tested by accredited labs and certified by a third party

September

Debbie Roney Smith on

Where did August go? Here we are in the first month of fall already and we for sure do not have the cooler days happening yet. We are up to N for named hurricanes of the season, COVID is still going on and masks are the new normal. Now is the time to buy a house for sure! School has started for the new year and Marianna has opened the doors of the new K-8 school. Restaurants are opening up more, movie theaters are starting to open although the one in Marianna is still closed. Salad bars are making a come back. They have mostly been closed since March even if the restaurant has opened. The Ruby Tuesdays in Marianna has a sign hanging on the fence saying in door seating and salad bar now available. Long lines at Dunkin Donuts and gas stations show things are getting busier again. The election is 2 months away. If you haven’t changed your address or registered to vote do it now!

 

PLEASE if you are going to wear a mask do it correctly. Covering your nose and mouth and not taking it off to rub your face with your hand.

 

10-digit dialing coming to Florida’s 850 next year

Debbie Roney Smith on

Starting In 2021, to call a local phone number, you will need to dial 10 digits. Last year, the Florida Public Service Commission approved an “area code overlay” that will add 448 as a new area code to Florida residents in the 850 area code. They say this was necessary because the 850 area code is running out of available numbers.

Starting February 20, 2021, all local calls will have to have the area code plus the seven digit phone number.

“Customers will have six-months to transition, beginning August 22, when local calls can be made by dialing either 7 or 10 digits,” PSC Chairman Gary Clark said. “This also gives customers adequate time to check and reprogram electronics and other equipment to incorporate 10-digit phone numbers.”

Starting March 21, 2021, if you request a new phone number and live in the 850 area code overlay region, your phone number will have the area code 448. PSC officials say your current telephone number will not change, this will only impact new phone services beginning March 20, 2021, or after. They also say the price of a call, coverage area or other rates and services will not change due to the overlay.

So start getting used to saying your area code when giving your telephone number. And start reprograming your cell phones with the area code before everyone’s number.

Saturday August 22nd

Debbie Roney Smith on

Saturday August 22nd at 8am be sure to stop at this multi-family yard sale on Magnolia Road (down from Bear Paw). You can also stop by the Marianna Farmer’s Market from 8 to 11. Or possibly check and prepare for upcoming hurricanes. They have 2 TS forming and headed for the gulf this coming week. Did you know if they both turn into hurricanes it will be the first time 2 hurricanes were in the Gulf at the same time? Keep an eye out for Marco and Laura. If we had a hurricane come are you ready?   Be safe, have fun, and enjoy your weekend!

             

 

Do not open or plant seed packets

Debbie Roney Smith on

The USDA and agriculture officials across the U.S. have issued warnings about unsolicited shipments of foreign seeds and advised people not to plant them. Officials are concerned the mystery seeds, which appear to have originated in China, could be invasive plant species. They say they “may pose a threat to plant, animal and human health.” According to authorities, the mysterious seed packets are being mailed to unsuspecting Americans across the US, including people in Florida.

The USDA calls it “agricultural smuggling,” and the seeds appear to be coming from China. Florida’s Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services on Monday issued a warning. “Anyone receiving these suspicious seed packets should not open them, should not plant them, should limit contact with them, and should report them immediately to both our department and USDA officials,” Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried said in a statement.

According to FDCAS, the state has received over 160 reports from Florida residents about these unwelcome seed deliveries. The packages have Chinese characters on them, may have the words “China Post” and could be labeled as jewelry.

If you receive a shipment of seeds, call the FDACS Division of Plant Industry at 1-888-397-1517. Or you can also contact the USDA APHIS Anti-Smuggling Hotline at 1-800-877-3835.

Heat Exhaustion~ Heat Stroke signs and warnings

Debbie Roney Smith on

It is another HOT day in the Florida Panhandle. High 90’s with very little breeze. Do you know the difference between heat stroke and heat exhaustion and what to do if you or someone you know experiences symptoms? During extremely hot and humid weather, your body’s ability to cool itself is challenged. When the body heats too rapidly to cool itself properly, or when too much fluid or salt is lost through dehydration or sweating, body temperature rises and you or someone you care about may experience a heat-related illness. It is important to know the symptoms of excessive heat exposure and the appropriate responses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides a list of warning signs and symptoms of heat illness, and recommended first aid steps. Some of these steps are listed below.

In Case of Heat Exhaustion:
✔ Go to a cooler, air-conditioned place                                                                                                                                                                             ✔ Drink water if fully conscious
✔ Take a cool shower or use a cold compress

In Case of Heat Stroke:
✔ CALL 9-1-1
✔ Take immediate action to aid the person until help can arrive.

Thanks to West Florida Electric for this visual.

Wild oyster harvest from Apalachicola Bay has been suspended for 5 years

Debbie Roney Smith on

Did you know North Florida’s oyster fisheries dates back to the 1800s and at one point produced 90 percent of Florida’s oysters and 10 percent of the nation’s oysters?

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has unanimously approved a plan to suspend commercial and recreational harvest of wild oysters from Apalachicola Bay for five years. The rule will go into effect on Aug. 1. Under the new rule, on-the-water possession of wild oyster harvesting equipment, such as hand tongs, would also be prohibited through December 31, 2025.

The rules only apply to wild oysters and do not apply to oyster aquaculture operations. Staff will return for a final public hearing at the October Commission meeting. FWC’s large-scale restoration project will be ongoing on for five years and the largest portion of funding, nearly $17 million, will go directly toward forming 1,000 acres of oyster reef habitat.

 

Plastic Free July

Debbie Roney Smith on

Earlier this month, this blog featured a piece on the Plastic Free July movement. However, working towards eliminating plastic in your life when living in a rural community can seem especially daunting. Below is a short list of changes you can make living here in the Panhandle to reduce the presence of chemically harmful plastic in your life.
1. Swap goods and services with neighbors! Need a new blender but don’t want to buy a plastic wrapped monstrosity from Walmart? Check in with your neighbors to see if anyone has a spare in their storage or are finally ready to admit they just don’t like smoothies and pass their blender on to you. If you’re on Facebook, consider joining or creating a Zero Waste Swap group in your area. Oftentimes people are willing to give up items for FREE! How great is that? You don’t have to pay for something you need, someone else keeps from throwing that something into the waste stream, AND there’s no new waste introduced by your purchasing a new item. Saving plastic all around!
2. Stick to the basics! This includes using shopping totes, fabric produce bags, reusable water bottles and coffee containers, foregoing plastic straws unless you need them medically, packing a lunch instead of a store packaged one, and so on. While simple, these actions add up. Additionally, it is safe to use reusable shopping bags despite COVID-19 – just sanitize between uses. Cloth bags are the best because you can just toss them in your wash.
3. Create the means to be the change! This is related to the step above. If you notice a need in your community, fill it. For example, if you are in need of cloth bags, create them. You can sustainably source material from thrift stores in the form of curtains, sheets, mismatched pillowcases, and more. Then bring them home, sanitize them, and get to sewing! Pass the bags out for free to family and friends or make a small profit by selling them cheap outside grocery stores or farmers’ markets. This is just one example of how you can help reduce your communities reliance on plastic while you’re largely stuck at home during quarantine.
This article was largely sourced from the following blog, please check it out! It has a lot of great additional information and is a very moving piece on rural community: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/4/8/1848735/-Thinking-Outside-the-Plastic-Box-Going-Plastic-Free-in-Rural-America

Purchase a brick for a Veteran

Debbie Roney Smith on
Sandra McDaniel Causby posted on her FB page that she was contacted by Carolyn Watson regarding the Veterans Park in Wewahitchka. They are offering bricks with engraved names of veterans for the park. If you have a member of your family who is a veteran and would like to purchase one, please contact her. She’s with the Women’s Club and the contact number is 850-340-1984.

Florida laws took effect July 1st

Debbie Roney Smith on

Some of Florida’s newest laws officially went into effect on July 1st. After several months of fighting a pandemic, this year’s legislative session feels like it wrapped up forever ago. Quick recap — lawmakers filed about 3,500 bills. They passed 191 of those. Here’s a few of them that took effect on the 1st~

HB 641 – TEACHER PAY
State sets aside $400 million to raise the minimum base pay for full-time classroom teachers to at least $47,500. Another $100 million will be used to raise the salaries of Florida’s veteran teachers and other instructional personnel who did not receive a salary increase or who received an increase of less than two percent.

CS/CS/SB 404 – PARENTAL CONSENT
Girls under 18 will need a parent’s consent before having an abortion. Previous law only required minors to inform a parent or legal guardian of their decision.

HB 43 – JORDAN’S LAW
The bill is designed to protect children from abuse in the state’s welfare system by reducing the workload for caseworkers; meaning the maximum caseload would be no more than 15 children, if possible. The bill also requires caseworkers to receive training developed on the recognition of and response to head trauma and brain injury in children under six years old. Additionally, caseworkers and law enforcement would share data collected more optimally to help children stay away from violent caregivers.

CS/CS/HB 971 – ELECTRIC BIKES  The bill creates regulations governing the operation of e-bikes in the state of Florida, allowing them on streets, highways, roadways, shoulders, bicycle lanes, and bicycle or multi-use paths. Local governments still maintain authority to limit their use.

HB 7067 – SCHOOL CHOICE
The bill expands access to the Family Empowerment Scholarship (FES) Program, the Florida Tax Credit (FTC) Scholarship Program, and the Hope Scholarship Program (HSP) which provide financial assistance to families seeking private education. Bill also establishes a dual enrollment funding incentive for school districts.

SB 1084 – EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS
The legislation aims to crack down on the abuse of emotional support animal certifications. It allows housing providers to prohibit use in situations where the animal poses a direct threat to the safety, health, or property of others. Property owners can also request written proof of the support animal’s certification from federal, state, and local government agencies or specified health care providers.

SB 172 – FLORIDA DRUG AND COSMETIC ACT
Legislation preempting local government’s ability to ban the sale of over-the-counter proprietary drugs and cosmetics, which include sunscreen. The law comes after Key West limited the sale of certain types of sunscreen fearing it was destroying coral reefs in the area.

CS/HB 327 – ILLEGAL TAKING, POSSESSION AND SALE OF BEARS
Penalties increase for taking or possessing a freshly killed bear during the closed season. Those in violation face a first-degree misdemeanor for the first offense and forfeit any other Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) license or permit for three years. A subsequent offense leads to permanent ineligibility of any future FWC license or permit. A person who possesses for sale or sells an illegally-taken bear commits a third-degree felony.

SB 400 – ELDER ABUSE FATALITY REVIEW TEAMS
Creates teams in each of the state’s judicial districts to review closed cases of elder fatalities caused by abuse or neglect. After reviews, teams will make policy recommendations to help prevent future abuse-related fatalities.

CS/HB 177 – DRUG REPOSITORY PROGRAM
Creates a drug donation repository and distribution program for unused medication in the state. Bill changes current law requiring the destruction of many drugs despite being unopened and safe for use.

CS/HB 659 – DRONES
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or Florida Forest Service can use drones to manage or eradicate invasive exotic plants or animals on public lands. Also to suppress or mitigate wildfire threats.

SB 1082 – DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INJUNCTIONS
Authorizes that courts can include pets in temporary restraining orders for survivors of domestic violence.