News Releases
BCAC to meet
Date posted: 04/27/2012 11:25:53 AM
The Bay County Animal Control Advisory Committee will meet at 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 9 in Room 1030 of the Bay County Government Center, located at 840 W. 11th St., Panama City, Fl. Please see the agenda below.
AGENDA
ANIMAL CONTROL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MAY 9, 2012 @ 2:30 TO 4:30 PM
BAY COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER
840 W 11TH STREET, ROOM 1030, PANAMA CITY FL
CALL TO ORDER
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
PROGRESS REPORTS FROM ALL COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Q&A FOR ALL COMMITTEE MEMBERS
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC – LIMIT 3 MINUTES
NEW ASSIGNMENTS
SET NEXT MEETING DATE
ADJOURN
PSCC to meet
Date posted: 04/18/2012 12:21:53 PM
The Bay County Public Safety Coordinating Council will meet at 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 8 in Room 1030 of the Bay County Government Center, located at 840 W. 11th St., Panama City.
The Public Safety Coordinating Council (PSCC) holds quarterly meetings for the purpose of coordinating local criminal justice policies among affected criminal justice entities, pursuant to Section 951.26 of the Florida Statutes.
The PSCC serves as an advisory committee to the Board of County Commissioners to encourage the active participation of countywide leadership, foster close collaboration in the development and operation of public safety operations and policies and to promote coordinated public safety operations and policies.
Thomas Drive sidewalk construction continues
Date posted: 08/09/2011 02:06:30 PM
Beginning Wednesday, Aug. 10, construction in the fourth phase of a project to install sidewalks on Thomas Drive will continue with the placement of eight remaining cross drains on the south side of Thomas Drive. The work, from Hurt Street to Dolphin Drive, will reduce traffic from four lanes to two lanes, likely causing traffic delays. Work on this segment will take approximately seven to 10 days to complete.
Once work on the south side of the roadway is complete, the cross drain work will resume on the north side of Thomas Drive for the same segment, from Hurt Street to Dolphin Drive, taking another seven to 10 days to complete.
The overall project is expected to be completed Dec. 3 and will include the installation of drainage, relocation of existing utilities and new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant sidewalks on the north and south sides of the road.
Please see the attached locater map.
County to mark completion of fire station
Date posted: 08/09/2011 11:51:55 AM
The Bay County Board of County Commissioners will mark the completion of the new West End Fire Station with a ribbon cutting ceremony followed by their regular commission meeting on site Tuesday, Aug. 16.
The ribbon cutting will be held at 8:30 a.m. at the station, located at 20800 Panama City Beach Parkway, followed by the board’s regular commission meeting at 9 a.m. The public is invited to attend both events and tour the new facility.
The station, which will be manned by two firefighters, also features a Sheriff's Department substation. The building will be ready for occupancy by Sept. 1.
"This state-of-the-art facility will provide additional and improved fire service for residents and visitors to the westernmost parts of Bay County," Bay County Commission Chairman Bill Dozier said. "It's a long-awaited addition to the county's Fire Services Department."
Construction on the $2.8 million project began in June 2010. The facility was designed by Collins and Associates and constructed by dooleymack.
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified building is energy efficient, featuring solar hot water heaters and using reclaimed water for irrigation. Stormwater is retained onsite, minimizing runoff impacts.
Because it is being held remotely, the Aug. 16 commission meeting will not be broadcast on the Internet. For more information, please call Valerie Lovett at 248-8170.
Portion of 11th Street to close this week
Date posted: 08/09/2011 11:50:15 AM
Beginning Tuesday, Aug. 9, 11th Street will be closed between Transmitter Road and School Avenue for milling and paving operations. Weather issues require the closure of the road in the area of Rutherford High School to ensure that work on the project will be completed prior to the start of school on Aug. 22. The road will be open to local traffic only. Detour signs and message boards have been placed to redirect traffic to 15th Street and 6th Street. The work is part of an overall project to repave the entirety of 11th Street.
Animal Control Advisory Committee to meet
Date posted: 07/05/2011 05:09:37 PM
The Bay County Animal Control Advisory Committee will meet at 1:30 p.m. July 18 in Room 1030 of the Bay County Government Center at 840 W. 11th Street. For more information, please call Bay County Animal Control at 767-3333.
11th Street paving continues
Date posted: 06/20/2011 03:26:26 PM
Asphalt milling in an ongoing project to repave 11th Street will begin Wednesday. The milling activity will be between Florida Avenue and Sherman Avenue and will last approximately two weeks, followed by five to six weeks of asphalt paving operations.
The milling and paving will take place between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. and will reduce traffic to one lane in the area under construction. Motorists should expect traffic delays in the vicinity of the project.
Animal Control Advisory Committee to meet
Date posted: 06/20/2011 02:35:00 PM
The newly formed Bay County Animal Control Advisory Committee will hold its first meeting at 1:30 p.m. Monday June 27 in room 1030 of the Bay County Government Center at 840 W. 11th St., Panama City.
For more information, please call Valerie Lovett at 248-8170.
Local radio operators to hold communications demo
Date posted: 06/20/2011 01:43:06 PM
Being a "ham" isn't always a bad thing, especially when it comes to emergency services. The public is invited to meet local radio operators on June 25 and 26 to learn about amateur radio communications. The operators, called "hams," will demonstrate their emergency capabilities at the new Bay County Emergency Operations Center in Southport. Residents will have the opportunity to learn about the importance of amateur radio, also known as ham radio, during emergencies as well as how to become a licensed amateur radio operator.
Ham radio operators provide critical communications during unexpected emergencies, including the recent Alabama and Missouri tornado disasters. When communication infrastructure is lost, amateur radio operators are often the first to provide rescuers with critical information and communications.
The hams are members of the Panama City Amateur Radio Club. The organization has been working with Bay County Emergency Services Communications Manager Joby Smith to increase awareness of amateur radio and membership in the club.
"Ham operators can play a key role when managing an emergency," Smith said. "Having knowledgeable radio operators willing to assist us helps save lives."
The slogan "when all else fails, ham radio works" is more than just words to the hams as they prove they can send messages in many forms without the use of phone systems, Internet or any other infrastructure that can be compromised in a crisis.
There are over 685,000 amateur radio licensees in the U.S. and more than 2.5 million around the world. To learn more about amateur radio, go to www.w4ryz.org or www.emergency-radio.org.
For more information, contact club President Greg Lane at 774-4159.
Thomas Drive sidewalk construction continues
Date posted: 06/07/2011 03:11:19 PM
The commencement of a project to install sidewalks on a portion of Thomas Drive has been rescheduled to begin at 7 a.m. Wednesday, June 8. The work will periodically reduce traffic from four lanes to two lanes between Spyglass Drive and Irwin Street and will consist of installing drainage, relocation of utilities and new Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant sidewalks on the north and south sides of the road.
This section's estimated completion date is June 10.
Bay County, NWS to offer Storm Spotter training
Date posted: 05/27/2011 11:52:58 AM
Bay County and the National Weather Service will mark the first day of hurricane season Wednesday, June 1, by offering Storm Spotter training in conjunction with local media outlets’ meteorologists.
Bay County, the NWS and weather forecasters from WJHG and WMBB will provide training for volunteer storm spotters who will assist in ensuring the community is prepared for severe weather impacts caused by hurricanes, tornadoes, lightening, storm surge and flooding.
"Even with advances in weather technology, storm spotters are the trained eyes and ears in the field," said Bay County Deputy Chief of Emergency Services Brad Monroe. "These trained individuals are the first to confirm what the computer data is indicating may be occurring on the ground."
Discussions will include what is expected of volunteer spotters, covering the what, when and where of reporting severe weather to the NWS. Instruction will be provided covering the basics of the different cloud types and what constitutes “severe” weather.
"This is some of the most interesting training I think I've ever seen," Monroe said.
The course will be offered twice. The first seminar is aimed at interested government officials, private nonprofit agencies and citizens with a key role in serving the community during disasters. It will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., June 1 at the Bay County Emergency Operations Center at 700 Hwy. 2300, or Steam Plant Road, in Southport.
A second course for the general public will be available from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., June 1 at the Bay County Public Library, located at 898 W. 11th St. in Panama City.
For those interested in becoming a storm spotter, sign up sheets will be available during each session. Current spotters are encouraged to attend as a refresher course in identifying storm features and what events should be called in to the NWS.
11th Street to close at Harmon Avenue
Date posted: 05/27/2011 11:13:24 AM
Beginning 8 a.m. Wednesday, June 1, 11th Street will be closed to thru traffic at the Harmon Avenue intersection for the installation of a new drainage pipe that will cross under 11th Street.
Road closure and detour signs will direct traffic eastbound and westbound via Martin Luther King Boulevard, 15th Street and Harrison Avenue. Eleventh Street between Harrison Avenue and Harmon Avenue and between Harmon Avenue and Martin Luther King Boulevard will remain open to local traffic only. The road closure is expected to last two days.
Motorists using 11th Street should be prepared to detour.
Resurfacing projects to slow traffic
Date posted: 05/18/2011 04:21:16 PM
Beginning Monday, May 23, a resurfacing project will periodically reduce traffic traveling on Kingswood Road to one lane from County 2321 to Edwards Road. New Church Road, from Kingswood Road to Dorothy Farris Road, will also be resurfaced, reducing traffic to one lane.
Work on the projects, expected to last two weeks, will occur between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Single-lane closures will be involved; motorists using Kingswood Road should expect intermittent delays.
11th Street to close for paving project
Date posted: 04/25/2011 05:43:39 PM
Beginning Wednesday, 11th Street will be closed at Mercedes Avenue to replace a cross drain as part of an ongoing project to repave 11th Street. The closure is expected to last two days. Detour signs and all other traffic signage and barricades will be in place prior to the closure.
Beginning at 6 a.m. Saturday, 11th Street will be closed for one day to remove the railroad tracks between Bell Avenue and Hub Drive.
The locations and detour routes for each closure are attached.
Bay County to broadcast meetings live, offer archived content on demand
Date posted: 02/10/2011 04:21:31 PM
Beginning Tuesday, Feb. 15, Bay County Commission meetings will be available live online at www.baycountyfl.gov.
In an effort to make government more accessible to the public, the online meetings will be broadcast live and also archived and indexed by agenda item. Users can watch the entirety of the meeting or use agenda index points to watch specific items at their convenience. Archived meetings dating back to Oct. 5 are currently available on the Web site.
"We're constantly working to improve our citizens' ability to engage their government and increase access to county business," Ed Smith, Bay County manager, said. "This new service does just that in a manner that is both easy and convenient."
The webcasting service is provided by Swagit Productions, LLC at a cost of $500 monthly. The archived content will be posted within three hours of each meeting's conclusion.
The Bay County Board of County Commissioners meets at 9 a.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month.
Co-ops seek Master Money Mentor volunteers
Date posted: 01/27/2011 03:08:34 PM
The Bay and Walton county Cooperative Extension Offices seek volunteers for a new Master Money Mentor (MMM) Program.
The goal of the program is to assist families in making spending and savings plans, help them analyze their credit behavior and limit debt and push them to be proactive with lenders when problems arise.
Volunteers who are interested in the topic but need knowledge and skills in order to assist others are needed. Fifteen participants will receive 24 hours of training and will return 25 hours of service to families who need free help managing their household finances during these difficult economic times.
The training costs $40 per person and includes a background check and lunches during the training sessions. Materials for the program are provided through University of Florida/IFAS Extension and are funded through a Bank of America Foundation grant. Master Money Mentors must complete the entire training program and background check before becoming certified as a mentor.
Training dates and locations are as follows:
Part 1: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 2-3 at the Bay County Extension Office
Part 2: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 16-17 at the Bay County Extension Office
Contact Marjorie Moore at mreem@ufl.edu or call (850) 784-6105 for more information.
Deer Point drawdown a success, ends Feb. 12
Date posted: 01/27/2011 02:37:15 PM
A joint effort between Bay County Utilities and the state Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management to draw down the Deer Point Reservoir has been deemed a success, according to officials from both government agencies.
"From my perspective as a fish manager and a biologist, we are very happy with the result," said Chris Paxton, regional fisheries administrator for the Division. "After looking at the areas that were drawn down along the shoreline, we're really pleased with the effect of the cold and that the weeds that were exposed are dead."
Bay County Utilities will begin bringing the reservoir back to normal levels beginning Feb. 12. The drawdown began Dec. 20 at the request of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
"The point of doing it is for the benefit of fish and wildlife, based on our data about how much vegetation has accumulated," Paxton said. "The weed reduction will improve spawning habitat for fish."
Bay County completed a project, funded in part by the FWC, last year that modified the Williams Bayou Pumping Station to allow for a yearly drawdown.
"We got started on the drawdown early, and we've had some brutally cold weather this year," Bay County Assistant County Manager Dan Shaw said. "We're happy that we are in a position now to be able to hold a drawdown and work in partnership with the FWC for the betterment of the reservoir."
Lemon bacopa, a native weed, as well as an exotic invasive species of plant known as Eurasian watermilfoil, are the primary targets of the drawdown, Paxton said.
Co-op offers diabetes management course
Date posted: 01/27/2011 11:16:22 AM
The University of Florida/ IFAS Bay County Extension Office is conducting a series of classes to help people with Type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar. The "Take Charge of Your Diabetes" program will include eight classes taught by qualified educators and health professionals. Nutrition consultations with a registered dietitian and blood pressure measurements are included. Classes will run from March 7 to April 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. and will be held at the Bay County Extension Office, located at 2728 E. 14th St., the old Cedar Grove City Hall.
If you have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, are at least 21 years old and want to find out if you are eligible, please call the Extension office at 784-6105 by March 1. The $75 cost includes program materials and services. A limited number of partial scholarships are available to individuals based on income.
For more information, call Dr. Marjorie Moore at 784-6105.
First Baptist Church to hold luncheon for BOCC
Date posted: 01/05/2011 04:58:58 PM
This will serve as public notice that one or more members of the Bay County Board of County Commissioners will attend a Men's Ministry Luncheon at noon Jan. 6 at the First Baptist Church of Panama City at the corner of 6th Street and Harrison Avenue.
For more information, please call Valerie Lovett at 248-8170.
First Baptist Church to hold luncheon for BOCC
Date posted: 01/05/2011 04:57:51 PM
This will serve as public notice that one or more members of the Bay County Board of County Commissioners will attend a Men's Ministry Luncheon at noon Jan. 6 at the First Baptist Church of Panama City at the corner of 6th Street and Harrison Avenue.
For more information, please call Valerie Lovett at 248-8170.
FWC authorizes Deer Point Reservoir drawdown
Date posted: 12/09/2010 04:56:44 PM
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission authorized a 45-day drawdown of the Deer Point Reservoir, set to begin Dec. 20.
The drawdown is aimed at reducing the number of weeds growing in the reservoir by killing them due to exposure to freezing temperatures. The effort is expected to last at least 45 days, barring unexpected interruptions outside Bay County Utilities' control such as heavy rainfalls that could raise water levels and extend the drawdown’s timetable.
Waterfront property owners should plan during this time to make repairs to their docks and bulkheads. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) must approve any major projects, and owners contemplating repairs should contact FDEP immediately to determine whether a permit is necessary and to obtain a permit so work may be completed during the drawdown period.
For more information, please call the Bay County Utility Services Department at 872-4785.
County to host pet costume contest
Date posted: 10/14/2010 10:23:03 AM
Everyone is invited to join Bay County in celebrating the grand opening of the Everitt Avenue Dog Park at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 23 with a doggy costume contest and prizes, free pet microchipping and treats for everyone.
The two-acre, off-leash park is located in the community of Cedar Grove at 1137 Everitt Ave. and features an unleashing area, lots of parking, picnic tables, fencing around the perimeter watering stations, cleanup facilities and lots of shaded areas. It opens at dawn and closes at dusk.
Bay County Commissioner Jerry Girvin said he is proud of the new park – completed in-house by Bay County employees – and excited about the upcoming grand opening events.
"So many parks are for humans only, putting pets belonging to people who live in an apartment or don't have a yard at a disadvantage," Girvin said. "Here, it's the dogs' park, and they're kind enough to let people in with them."
The Everitt Avenue facility is the second dog park opened by Bay County. The first is located at Zollie Young Park, off U.S. 231.
"The reception of the dog owners to the first dog park has been so overwhelming that we thought it would be a good idea and beneficial to people living farther south to make something like this available to them," Girvin said.
For more information about the park or the grand opening, please call 248-8170 or visit www.baycountyfl.gov.
Co-Op Extension to hold herbs program
Date posted: 10/14/2010 09:17:41 AM
Have you always wanted to learn more about growing and using herbs in your recipes? Well, here's your chance to attend a class offered by The University of Florida/ IFAS Bay County Extension. The class will feature alternative herb gardening, selecting herb plants, tips on using herbs in recipes, and a chance to taste herb food samples. The program will be Saturday, Oct. 30 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Bay County Extension Office, which is located at 2728 E. 14th St. in the old Cedar Grove City Hall building.
Please RSVP by Oct. 27 by calling 784-6105. A $5 fee, paid at the door, includes program materials and food samples. For more information, call the Extension office at 784-6105.
County to host Haunted Hay Ride
Date posted: 10/12/2010 01:21:19 PM
It's almost Halloween, and for those looking for a fun, family-friendly activity, Bay County Parks and Recreation has a spooky solution.
For the first time ever, Bay County will host a Haunted Hay Ride at H.G. Harder’s Park from 7-10 p.m. each night Oct. 28, 29 and 30.
The terrifying trek will begin at the wooden bridge at the front of the park, traveling along the park's walking trail and into the woods – with some 20 scary sites stationed along the path.
In addition to the hay ride, visitors can enjoy game booths vendors and candy for the kids, and on Oct. 30 parents are encouraged to bring their children to the Pumpkin Patch, a free, fun alternative to trick or treating.
Admission for the hay ride is $3 for adults, $2 for children (children under 6 are admitted for free), with all proceeds benefitting the Relay for Life.
H.G. Harder's Park is located at 8110 John Pitts Rd., Panama City. Call 784-4065 to learn more.
County, Panama City Beach to celebrate opening of new fishing piers
Date posted: 10/11/2010 12:27:30 PM
The Bay County Commission, the Panama City Beach City Council and the Bay County Tourist Development Council invite the public to attend celebrations marking the completion of the new twin fishing piers at Panama City Beach on Friday, Oct. 22.
Admission will be free at both piers all day Friday, Oct. 22. At 2 p.m., the county will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony at the M.B. Miller Pier, followed by a city rededication of the Russell-Fields City Pier at 4 p.m.
The celebration continues into the night with a simultaneous fireworks display from each of the piers at 8 p.m., with accompanying music on WPAP 92.5. Bring the entire family out for free fishing, food, fireworks and fun Oct. 22 at the city and county piers.
County opens new dog park
Date posted: 09/10/2010 09:49:44 AM
Bay County's newest dog park is open and ready for four-legged fun. The Everitt Avenue Dog Park, located at 1137 Everitt Ave., is a two-acre, off-leash park complete with watering stations and plenty of room for pets to play.
The property is land that was formerly owned by the city of Cedar Grove before its dissolution into the county, and it is the second dog park opened by Bay County. The first is located at Zollie Young Park, off U.S. 231.
"The reception of the dog owners to the first dog park has been so overwhelming that we thought it would be a good idea and beneficial to people living farther south to make something like this available to them," Bay County Commissioner Jerry Girvin said.
The park features an unleashing area, lots of parking, picnic tables, fencing around the perimeter, watering stations, cleanup facilities and lots of shaded area. It opens at dawn and closes at dusk.
All of the work on the park was done in-house, and it was completed at a cost of $15,800 using recreational impact fees.
The county will host a grand opening event in coming weeks.
Co-op offers diabetes management course
Date posted: 09/08/2010 12:02:20 PM
The University of Florida/ IFAS Bay County Extension Office is conducting a series of classes to help people with Type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar. The "Take Charge of Your Diabetes" program will include eight classes taught by qualified educators and health professionals. Nutrition consultations with a registered dietitian and blood pressure measurements are included. Weekly classes will run from Sept. 27 to Nov. 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. and will be held at the Bay County Extension Office, located at 2728 E. 14th St., the old Cedar Grove City Hall.
If you have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, are at least 21 years old and want to find out if you are eligible, please call the Extension office at 784-6105 by Sept. 22. The $75 cost includes program materials and services. A limited number of partial scholarships are available to individuals based on income.
For more information, call Dr. Marjorie Moore at 784-6105.
Local Mitigation Strategy completed
Date posted: 08/04/2010 11:05:55 AM
Bay County has completed updates to the Local Hazard Mitigation Strategy, a federally mandated document, and it is now available for public review.
Bay County is threatened by a variety of natural hazards – flooding, tornadoes, wildfires, tropical storms and hurricanes – which endanger its citizens, economy and environment.
The Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) identifies these hazards and assesses their potential impacts on both the incorporated and unincorporated areas of the county. Based on the identifications, the LMS further proposes appropriate hazard mitigation projects to reduce damage or impairment to homes, businesses, schools and government buildings. An example of a hazard mitigation project would be Panama City’s retrofitting of traffic signal mast arms to withstand higher winds during a tropical storm or hurricane.
Hazard mitigation is the only phase of emergency management specifically intended to break the cycle of damage, reconstruction and repeated damage, and Federal Emergency Management Agency funding is contingent upon the completion of the LMS.
The study involved a coordinated effort between Bay County and the municipalities of Callaway, Lynn Haven, Mexico Beach, Panama City, Panama City Beach, Parker and Springfield. A task force of representatives from each entity worked to identify specific hazard areas and subsequently prioritize projects, proposals and programs to address those vulnerabilities.
The document is available for review at the Bay County Public Library at 898 W. 11th St., Panama City. An electronic copy may be made available to the public upon request.
The document is scheduled for consideration by the Bay County Board of County Commissioners at 9 a.m., Aug. 17 at 840 W. 11th St., Panama City. The public is invited to participate. For more information, or to request a copy of the document, please email Public Information Officer Valerie Lovett at vlovett@baycountyfl.gov or call 248-8170.
UF/IFAS: Not all sheens oil
Date posted: 07/02/2010 04:36:45 PM
After responding to more than a dozen reports of oil sheens and mousse off Bay County beaches Thursday night and Friday morning, none were confirmed to have been oil product, Bay County Emergency Services Chief Mark Bowen said.
In an effort to assist people in discerning what substances are actually biological in nature, rather than oil product, Franklin County Sea Grant Agent and UF/IFAS Extension Program Director Bill Mahan issued a news release outlining some substances commonly mistaken for oil. The following information may help Bay County residents and visitors determine what might be oil versus a natural substance floating in the water. Bay County still encourages anyone who believes they may spot oil product in the water to report the sighting to the Bay County hotline at 248-6030 or the Florida response hotline at 1-877-272-8335.
Not all sheens on the water, dark spots/blobs on beaches and foamy/frothy material floating around in the water are caused by oil, Mahan says. In fact, Mother Nature produces these oil look-a-likes all the time. This is especially true during this time of the year.
According to Mahan, some of Mother Nature's look-a-like oil spill products include:
Oily Sheen on the Water's Surface: A silvery or rainbow-colored sheen on the water surface may be related to a petroleum product; however, it may also be related to natural biological sources such as the presence of iron, decomposition of organic matter, or the presence of certain bacteria. Naturally occurring sheens are usually silver or relatively dull in color that breaks up into small patches of sheen when disturbed. Petroleum sheens tend to be shiny, rainbow-colored and if disturbed the oil patches will come back together.
Tar Balls: A general description of a tar ball is weathered oil that has formed a pliable ball, varying in size from a pinhead to about a foot across. Sheen may or may not be present around them. At this time, we have had a number of confirmed tar ball reports in the Florida Panhandle. However, before real tar balls were coming ashore, initial tar ball reports in Destin were identified as skate egg cases. Also pieces of peat and small sea cucumbers have been called in as possible tar balls.
Foam Lines/Mousse: Oil, or sheen oriented in lines or streaks out on the water can easily be confused with algal/vegetative scum collected in tidal convergence lines. Sometimes called streaks, stringers or fingers, they are commonly found floating in near and offshore Gulf waters. They are often a collection of seagrasses, Sargassum/seaweeds and protein scum/foam moving with the tides and wind.
Dark, Oil-like Patches of Sand on the Beach: Several reports of black oil-like patches on the beach have been reported in the Florida Panhandle. When investigated, the dark patches of sand were found to be caused by ‘June Grass’ clumps of sea grass or several different types of algae that wash up on our beaches in June and other times of the year. These algae and sea grass, as they are moved back and forth by the wave action in the intertidal zone, break up into small dark pieces and can leave behind an area of dark-colored stained sand.
Other Sightings/Rumors: In early May, in the Destin area, a common rumor making the rounds was that sharp glassy fragments washing up on local beaches were fiberglass remains of the booms used to collect the oil out in the Gulf. When investigated, the fragments were the exoskeletons of an animal called a pterpod. Commonly called sea butterflies, these marine snails shed their exoskeleton when they die. The pointed part of the shell can prick people’s feet if they step on them. However, they pose no threat to people.
Bill Mahan may be reached at (850) 653-9337, 697-2112 x 360; or via e-mail at bmahan@ufl.edu.
Bay County offers important information for businesses/workers affected by oil r
Date posted: 06/07/2010 01:31:42 PM
As tourism and marine industry businesses and workers face compounding losses from the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil release, opportunities for recouping money exist.
BP has established a toll-free number, 1-800-440-0858, and claim system for people affected by the oil to recover lost income or damage-related expenses. People seeking reimbursement from BP should file a claim at the toll-free number. After doing so, they may also visit BP’s local claims office, located at 7938 Front Beach Road in the shopping plaza adjacent to Bay Street Deli. The office is open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
For those not satisfied with BP’s resolution, there is an additional avenue for assistance available through the U.S. Coast Guard, once BP has finalized a claim. People who have already pursued the BP claims process unsatisfactorily may call 1-800-280-7118.
More information about what types of damages are eligible for compensation under the Oil Pollution Act, as well as guidance on how to seek such compensation, are located at www.uscg.mil/npfc.
The following additional tips may assist business owners/workers in recouping financial losses:
•Florida residents should not sign any documents provided to them in return for money from BP or anyone else until they know the extent of their losses, which may be significantly higher than the money being paid.
•The Attorney General’s fraud hotline is open to receive any reports of fraud or price gouging. The hotline is 1-866-966-7226.
•The Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner gas price-gouging hotline is also operational. The toll-free hotline number is 1-800-HELP-FLA (1-800-435-7352).
•Hotel and condominium owners should take detailed records of cancelled reservations. It is important that when these cancellations occur, the cancelling party is questioned whether the cause is because of the oil spill. If the answer is yes, keep a record of the person’s name and contact information, and also the revenues lost as a result of the cancellation.
•Calculate estimated losses for a six-week period and be able to provide records, sales receipts and documentation to support such a claim. A good idea would be to compare business now to a five-year average of revenues between May and June, which can offer insight as to the damages incurred.
•Businesses, including shops, restaurants, sport-fishing charters, watersports rental companies, etc. that may be negatively impacted, are asked to keep detailed profit and loss records should a claim need
to be presented.
•Make a detailed list of assets – including non-structural – and include appropriate records to support the list. For example: if a hotel or restaurant is within walking distance to the beach and that beach has oil reach its shores, the business’ assets are damaged even though there is no physical damage to the structure, and it is important to record this depreciation.
•Be wary of insurance settlement scams.
•For businesses who may have already begun the claims filing process with BP, first, make sure you are dealing with authorized representatives from BP and not scam artists; and be careful not to sign waivers of liability too quickly without getting adequate legal and financial counsel.
•In all circumstances, affected businesses should file a claim with BP via the hotline number – 1-800-440-0858.
Lost income
•All claimants will be directed to a hotline (1-800-440-0858) that is manned by people specializing in oil spill claims.
•According to BP, payments will be made to address immediate issues associated with property damage or loss of income due to the oil spill. The company is providing interim payments to claimants who are not receiving ordinary income while the cleanup is under way.
•Within 48 hours of receiving supporting documentation (e.g. tax return) the claim will be evaluated and the claimant will be notified of an advance payment for the claim. The equivalent of one month's income will be paid and these payments will continue until they are able to return to work or their overall claim is resolved. If a claim is rejected the person will be notified in writing of non-payment.
•A link to information on some of the types of claims available and who can submit each claim is available at www.uscg.mil/npfc/Claims/default.asp#types_of_claims.
More resources
•Florida CFO Alex Sink announced that her Department of Financial Services’ toll-free Consumer Help Line, at 1-877-My-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236), is prepared to assist business owners impacted by the oil spill. Specialists are available from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and information is also available at www.MyFloridaCFO.com.
•Additional guidance to help small businesses survive a disaster can be found at www.MyFloridaCFO.com or by calling 1-850-413-3089 or toll-free at 1-877-MY-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236). Insurance specialists on the Helpline can answers questions about the claim filing process as it becomes available, but claims for damage or lost income should be filed with BP at 1-800-440-0858.
•To register as a consultant, contractor, vendor or submit information on alternative response technology, services products or suggestions, call
BP at 281-366-5511.
•For the Vessels of Opportunities Program, call 281-366-5511.
Animal Control to offer free pet vaccines
Date posted: 06/07/2010 01:06:21 PM
Bay County Animal Control will offer a free pet vaccine clinic from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 19 at the shelter located at 6401 Bayline Dr., across from the Waste-to-Energy facility.
The clinic will provide free rabies and regular vaccinations for dogs and cats belonging to Bay County residents. All of the vaccines are being paid for by donated funds.
"We have had very generous donations that are allowing us to give these vaccines for free to those who have pets in need," said Jim Crosby, BCAC director.
At the last free vaccine clinic, BCAC vaccinated more than 1,100 pets in a single day, many of whom had never been vaccinated, Crosby said. BCAC is prepared for approximately 2,000 animals this year, he said.
Vaccinations can cost between $25 and $100, he said.
"In these tough economic times, we hope we can provide some relief for Bay County pet owners," Crosby said.
BCAC will also provide discounted pet microchipping at the event. Microchips will cost $5 each, and are vital for pet identification in the event of an accident, disaster or hurricane and assist the reunification of separated pets and owners. The microchips will be available to all animal owners, even if they are having their pets vaccinated the day of the event.
For more information, call 767-3333.
Residents should call local hotline to report potential tarball sightings
Date posted: 06/06/2010 04:06:23 PM
As of Sunday afternoon, no reports have been confirmed of petroleum product originating from the Deepwater Horizon oil release washing up on Bay County shores, though Bay County hazardous materials teams have responded to suspected tarball sightings. Bay County residents and visitors are asked to continue to survey the beaches and report any suspected petroleum product or odor to authorities by calling the local hotline at 248-6030. Upon receipt of a reported petroleum product or odor, the Bay County Emergency Operations Center will immediately deploy Bay County hazmat personnel to collect and test the item(s), meanwhile the information will also be forwarded to Unified Command and other designated responders. Residents and visitors should not handle any suspicious material, but rather allow properly trained technicians to address the issue.
Residents and visitors may also visit www.baycountyfl.gov for more information about the oil release and to sign up for E-mail notifications concerning Bay County's response to the release. To report materials or odor that may be related to the oil release, or for general information about the oil release, please call 248-6030.
Unified Command continues boom placement efforts
Date posted: 05/08/2010 03:47:40 PM
While Bay County remains outside the area of uncertainty for any impact by the Deepwater Horizon oil release, Unified Command continued Saturday its effort to install marine protection booms along the coast. Booms are floating barriers that help contain or direct floating oil.
As the booms are placed in local waters, the public is cautioned not to tamper with or displace booms. All watercraft should keep a safe distance from booms.
Please report instances of unmoored boom to U.S. Coast Guard Call Channel 16 or the Bay County Citizens Information Center at 850-248-6030.
For more information about the Deepwater Horizon oil release response, please visit www.baycountyfl.gov.
Unified Command sets up call center
Date posted: 05/08/2010 03:46:40 PM
The Unified Command, based at the Bay County Emergency Operations Center, established a local informational phone line for issues related to the Deepwater Horizon oil release response. Area residents may call 248-6030 to speak with an operator for information concerning the oil release.
Questions may also be answered by visiting the Bay County Web site, located at www.baycountyfl.gov.
Unified Command begins staging operations
Date posted: 05/08/2010 03:45:28 PM
While Bay County remains well outside the "area of uncertainty" for landfall of oil emitted from the Deepwater Horizon oil release, the U.S. Coast Guard has selected the Panama City Marina as a staging area for preventative measures in the Florida Panhandle.
The Bay County Emergency Operations Center has been activated to Level 1, establishing a coordinated prevention effort with the U.S. Coast Guard and the private sector.
The Coast Guard outlined its plans for protecting Bay County's bay from any potential effects of the oil release. Boom will be placed throughout large swaths of Bay County waterways, placing priority on avoiding any contaminant access to the bays. Deflection boom will be placed at the entrance to the pass, while farther north, inside the bay, additional boom will be strategically placed to further protect environmentally sensitive areas. Public boating will remain open unless Bay County is affected by the spill, in which case channels will be closed at incoming tides and opened to vessels at outgoing tides. Bay County's beaches remain open and unaffected by the oil release, and booming activities will not impede beachgoers.
British Petroleum (BP), via the Coast Guard, has secured five crew boats to transport boom from the Panama City Marina to Vessels of Opportunity, or boats hired locally that will deploy boom according to the local action plan.
For information about the USCG boom plan, how to become a Vessel of Opportunity or any other information concerning Bay County’s response to the event, please visit www.baycountyfl.gov.
Masons to lay cornerstone at library
Date posted: 03/03/2010 12:38:05 PM
Following an American tradition dating back hundreds of years, local Masons will gather at the Bay County Library at 10 a.m. Friday morning to lay a cornerstone at the building to demonstrate their support of "intellectual light."
"The Masons support anything to do with learning and the search for light, and in this case, it's intellectual light," District 6 Deputy Grand Master Wayne Wert said.
The laying of the cornerstone will be the first in several decades in Bay County – the last was placed at the former Bay County Library at the Panama City Marina in 1966.
"Since we became a nation, most of the leaders of our country have been members of the Masonic order, and the Masonic principles reflect our nation's principles," Bay County Commissioner Jerry Girvin, a Mason, said.
He said it is customary for government buildings to have a cornerstone laid by the Masonic order, pointing to George Washington's laying of the cornerstone at the U.S. Capitol in 1793. The custom, he said, has fallen by the wayside in Bay County.
"We're very pleased that it's being reborn, and hopefully, this will remind people that we are truly one nation, under God," Girvin said.
District 6, which includes Bay County, has 11 Masonic lodges and some 1,600 members in this district, Wert said. The Masons are the oldest philanthropic fraternity in the world and provide millions in donations to various causes in the United States and abroad each year.
Three Bay County Commissioners are members of the organization, including Girvin, Commissioner Mike Thomas and Commissioner George Gainer.
The general public is invited to attend the event.
For more information, call Bay County Public Information Officer Valerie Lovett at 248-8170.