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  By Pam Anderson An update on NOAA’s proposed actions regarding the Rice’s Whale is not good news. Not only is the agency proposing limited speed and access zones in the Gulf, but they are also now proposing a Critical Habitat Designation for the Rice’s Whale which will add even more restrictions. In their Fishery Bulletin regarding this matter, it states “Only federal agencies are directly affected by a critical habitat designation; non-federal entities may be affected if their activities involve federal funding, permitting, or authorization.” And, “The proposed designation does not create any new regulations or restrictions on fisheries.” But, our military, some of our community partners in shipping, and federally permitted fishing boats will all have to abide by whatever restrictions they plan to impose because our activities are involved in “federal funding, permitting, or authorization.” This will have a very negative economic impact on all who live on the Gulf Coast if these proposals are brought to fruition. In addition, in the critical habitat designation scenario, the area of concern may change over time because patterns of species like whales and others change their habits. More info on this issue and comments can be made on the NOAA website, as well as at the October Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management’s meeting scheduled here in PCB in late October. Go to www.gulfcouncil.org for details. Be informed: read more about it. You will also find information regarding a contested issue between NOAA and the fishing industry concerning the use... Read More

  By Ed Offley Bay County Transit, also known as Bayway, has become the newest partner with the Anchorage Children’s Home in providing emergency support to young people in crisis, according to Bayway Program Administrator Lamar Hobbs. “It’s critical to ensure that every young person has a place to go and someone to help in unsafe situations and environments,” Hobbs told PCB Life. “We are grateful to be able to implement a program that allows our organization to support teens in crisis situations, creating a safety net for youth.” The safety assistance program, known as Safe Place, has been in existence nationwide for forty years. It constitutes a network of government and nonprofit organizations in each participating community where employees are trained to provide immediate assistance to people under 18 years old in a crisis or emergency. Safe Place programs utilize schools, fire stations, libraries and other youth-friendly organizations as Safe Place locations, which display the distinctive yellow and black sign. With the inclusion of Bayway, the transit system’s fleet of buses operating countywide will expand the reach of the program along its route system. Hobbs said that transit employees are trained to react in a variety of situations, ranging from providing transportation to the main Bayway administrative facility on Corn Avenue in Panama City, to stopping and providing on-scene assistance until police or medical responders arrive. The training focuses on identifying the seriousness of the crisis and knowing which specific agency to contact for the victim. “If necessary, we... Read More

  By Ed Offley Bay County Transit, also known as Bayway, has become the newest partner with the Anchorage Children’s Home in providing emergency support to young people in crisis, according to Bayway Program Administrator Lamar Hobbs. “It’s critical to ensure that every young person has a place to go and someone to help in unsafe situations and environments,” Hobbs told PCB Life. “We are grateful to be able to implement a program that allows our organization to support teens in crisis situations, creating a safety net for youth.” The safety assistance program, known as Safe Place, has been in existence nationwide for forty years. It constitutes a network of government and nonprofit organizations in each participating community where employees are trained to provide immediate assistance to people under 18 years old in a crisis or emergency. Safe Place programs utilize schools, fire stations, libraries and other youth-friendly organizations as Safe Place locations, which display the distinctive yellow and black sign. With the inclusion of Bayway, the transit system’s fleet of buses operating countywide will expand the reach of the program along its route system. Hobbs said that transit employees are trained to react in a variety of situations, ranging from providing transportation to the main Bayway administrative facility on Corn Avenue in Panama City, to stopping and providing on-scene assistance until police or medical responders arrive. The training focuses on identifying the seriousness of the crisis and knowing which specific agency to contact for the victim. “If necessary, we... Read More

 By RUBY KEARCE  The DeFuniak Springs City Beautification & Tree Board met for its regular meeting on Thursday, Sept. 7, where the first order of business […] The Defuniak Herald & Beach Breeze Read More  Read More

 By RUBY KEARCE  The DeFuniak Springs City Beautification & Tree Board met for its regular meeting on Thursday, Sept. 7, where the first order of business […] The Defuniak Herald & Beach Breeze Read More  Read More