Irma’s Agriculture Toll Tops $2.5 Billion
October 5, 2017
Hurricane Irma caused more than $2.5 billion in damage to Florida’s agriculture industry, with growers and nurseries suffering big losses, according to a preliminary report released by the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Citrus growers, already struggling because of citrus greening disease, felt the biggest impact, with losses to crops and trees approaching $761 million, followed by the nursery industry at almost $624 million.
“Florida agriculture took it on the chin as Hurricane Irma pummeled the state,” said Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, who called the $2.5 billion figure “only an initial assessment.”
“We’re likely to see even greater economic losses as we account for loss of future production and the cost to rebuild infrastructure,” Putnam added.
A department report said estimates have not been made on infrastructure losses sustained by some growers and on damage to such things as internal farm roads, dikes, water-control structures and retention areas. The report is based on satellite imagery, statistics, and early surveys of the industry.
The state Senate Agriculture Committee is scheduled to discuss the impact of Irma on the agriculture industry during a meeting Oct. 12, just before the release of the first U.S. Department of Agriculture forecast for the citrus growing season.
Shortly after the storm, citrus growers were reporting losses from 40 percent in Central Florida to 100 percent in Southwest Florida. Irma hit the Florida Keys on Sept. 10 and then made a second landfall in Southwest Florida.
The newly released report, compiled by Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Chief Economist Sergio Alvarez, estimates 421,176 acres of citrus were affected in Collier, Hendry, Lee, Brevard, Glades, Charlotte, St. Lucie, Highlands, Indian River, Okeechobee, DeSoto, Hardee, Osceola, Polk and Martin counties.
The nursery industry estimated that 46,204 acres of greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture production was affected.
Growers also project that labor in preparing nurseries for the arrival of Irma, as well as cleaning up debris after the storm passed, led to $42.5 million in costs, Alvarez wrote.
The cattle industry damage assessment is at $237.5 million, while the dairy industry is estimated to have $11.8 million in losses.
Ranchers estimated 100 animals died in the storm, according to Alvarez. Also, the storm could result in 7 percent of cows not breeding this year. Also, stress will cause an estimated 187,000 calves awaiting shipment to out-of-state feedlots to each lose about 50 pounds, a projected cost of $75 per calf.
The sugar industry appears to have $383 million in damage, with an estimated 534,324 acres affected.
The report noted higher harvesting costs are expected as much of the crop was lodged into the ground by the storm. Also, growers are worried about the ability to locate and use sugarcane for seed to plant the next crop.
“This issue may result in reduced acres planted for the first harvest in the 2018-2019 season,” Alvarez wrote.
Vegetable and fruit growers — excluding citrus — face $180 million in damage, with an estimated 163,679 acres impacted by the storm.
“Fortunately, the planting season for most of these crops was just getting started, and most crop losses will happen due to shortened production season, market distortions, and reduced yields resulting from higher pest pressure due to dilution of pesticides,” Alvarez wrote.
Alvarez noted that some blueberry growers said Irma’s winds ripped entire blueberry bushes from the ground, with one grower reporting that 125 acres of blueberry bushes were completely ripped from their beds.
“Land preparation and planting costs for an acre of blueberries in Florida is around $16,568 per acre, as reported in blueberry crop budgets,” Alvarez wrote. “An estimated 500 acres statewide have suffered the same fate, bringing the cost of replanting berry bushes to $8,284,000.”
by Jim Turner, The News Service Of Florida
NorthEscambia.com Is Best Of The Coast ‘Best Website’ Runner-up
October 5, 2017
NorthEscambia.com joins CatCountry98.7 as runner-ups in the Independent News Best of the Coast “Best Website” category.
We are extremely humbled at the honor, and wish to thank our readers for being part of the NorthEscambia.com family. We would also like to offer our congratulations to our friends, news partners and “Best of the Coast” winners at Cat Country 98.7 including Candy Cullerton and Brent Lane, NewsRadio 1620 including morning host Andrew McKay, and WEAR 3 including Christina Leavenworth and Sue Straughn.
State To Miss Deadline For Marijuana Licenses
October 4, 2017
Health officials won’t be able to meet a legislatively mandated Tuesday deadline to hand out five new medical-marijuana licenses, the head of the state’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use said.
Christian Bax, the marijuana office’s executive director, blamed the delay on Hurricane Irma and a pending challenge to a recently passed law that ordered the Department of Health to expand the number of medical marijuana licenses.
The law, passed during a June special session, was designed to carry out a November constitutional amendment that broadly legalized medical marijuana in Florida. A key part of the law was increasing the number of operators in what could turn into a highly lucrative industry.
The law called for an overall increase of 10 licenses, some of which have already been awarded, by Oct. 3. It also specified that one license go to a black farmer who had been part of settled lawsuits about discrimination by the federal government against black farmers.
A lawsuit filed this month challenges the constitutionality of that part of the law, alleging that the statute is so narrowly drawn that only a handful of black farmers could qualify for the license. The lawsuit, filed by Panama City farmer Columbus Smith, contends that the measure is what is known as an unconstitutional “special law.”
In a letter to legislative leaders, Bax wrote that his office has “worked diligently to implement” the new law, but that the issuance of five new medical marijuana licenses by Tuesday posed an “extraordinarily challenging deadline.”
In addition, response and recovery efforts related to Hurricane Irma “necessitated the mobilization of all available department assets for nearly two weeks,” Bax wrote.
Bax also blamed his office’s inability to meet the deadline on Smith’s lawsuit.
“The OMMU (Office of Medical Marijuana Use) is aware of its important role in continuing to move this process forward to provide patient access as quickly and safely as possible. However, recent history has emphasized the importance of getting the MMTC (medical marijuana treatment center) licensure process right the first time,” he wrote.
Marijuana industry insiders have long believed that the agency would not meet the deadline, but Bax’s letter informing lawmakers of the delay made it official. As late as last week, a Department of Health spokeswoman said that the deadline remained “the goal.”
The evolution of the medical-marijuana industry in Florida has been fraught with legal and administrative challenges since its inception after a 2014 law legalized low-THC treatments for a limited number of patients.
Bax pointed out that 13 administrative challenges were filed after the agency issued the first medical-marijuana licenses in 2015. The agency is still in litigation over two of the challenges, he said.
The upcoming licenses will be the first time the state has opened the application process to businesses that did not participate in the first selection process in 2015, creating intense interest in what could be one of the biggest medical-marijuana markets in the nation.
Bax’s office developed a new system to evaluate the applications, relying on an outside vendor to supply “subject matter experts” to use a “blind-testing” process to grade the submissions. Requests for quotations from potential contractors were due a week ago — just seven days before Tuesday’s deadline.
State Sen. Rob Bradley, a Fleming Island Republican who has been instrumental in the development and passage of the state’s medical marijuana laws, praised Bax’s office for the revised selection system but called the delay a letdown.
“I’m pleased with the rule that set up the process for reviewing and approving applications. It’s a much better process than the low-THC process, and I think it will produce better results,” he told The News Service of Florida in a telephone interview. “I’m disappointed that they didn’t complete their work in a timely manner with regard to the approval of the five licenses that are subject to competitive applications. They need to finish their work by the end of the year and before session starts (in January).”
Still, Bradley said: “I’d rather have them right than do it quick.”
“What I would like to know is what their revised timeline is,” Rodrigues told the News Service.
Rodrigues said he expects an update from health officials during legislative committee meetings next month.
by Dara Kam The News Service of Florida
Council President Questions Century Overtime Pay Policy
October 4, 2017
One member of the Century Town Council is questioning employee overtime pay policies.
Council President Ann Brooks said the town paid $55,880 in overtime during the fiscal year ending September 30, plus provided $15,345 in comp time. The town’s budget for the new fiscal year that started Sunday only includes a $15,000 allotment for overtime.
“We can’t have overtime like this and not budget for it,” Brooks said.
The town currently pays time-and-a-half overtime to employees that work over eight hours, including employees that are “on call” for after-hours repairs needed to water, sewer and natural gas services. Since the overtime is per day, it is possible for an employee to receive overtime pay without working 40 hours in a week due to holidays, sick days, vacation and other paid days off.
Brooks said the policy should follow federal labor guidelines and only pay overtime for employees that have actually worked over 40 hours during a week.
“You can’t bite from both sides of the apple,” council member Louis Gomez said. He, however, said he wanted to review the overtime policy before making any changes.
The Century Town Council has set workshop to discuss “budget and policy” items, including the overtime issue, at 5:15 on Monday, October 9.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
ECSO Seeks Tips In Death Investigation
October 4, 2017
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public for tips in a death investigation.
On September 29, deputies were called to a home in the 200 block of a New York Drive where they found 41-year old Rufus Montgomery deceased from a gunshot wound, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Cantonment Man Arrested On Drug Charges After Traffic Stop
October 4, 2017
A Cantonment man was arrested on drug charges after a traffic stop.
Jordan Elijah Phillips, 22, was charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, marijuana possession, possession of drug paraphernalia and cited for operating a vehicle with a suspended driver’s license.
Escambia County deputies conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle Phillips was driving in the area of North “U” Street after observing a seat belt violation. They reported finding a digital scale with marijuana residue in his pants pocket. Upon searching his vehicle, deputies found a baggie containing marijuana, another baggie containing methamphetamine and a digital scale.
Phillips was also cited for not wearing a seat belt.
Phillips remained in the Escambia County Jail Wednesday morning with bond set at $12,000.
Tate High Cheerleaders Selling Business Discount Cards
October 4, 2017
The Tate High School Aggie Cheerleaders are currently selling business discount cards for $20.
The cards provide discounts an numerous businesses, including Vallarta, Tokyo, Zaxby’s, Arby’s, Waffle House and Deluna Lanes.
Tate students can purchase cards by seeing Nikki Gill in Room 52 or Annie Wiggins in Room 11. Interested persons outside the school can email tatehighcheer@gmail.com for purchasing details.
Funds will be used by the team for competitions, travel fees for buses and equipment.
Click here to see the card; click here to see more information.
Pictured above: Sherrie Swenson, Hagyn Helton and Kally White with the Tate Cheerleader Discount Card. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECUA’s Recycling Facility Receives National Honor
October 4, 2017
The Emerald Coast Utility Authority’s recycling facility has received national recognition.
The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) announced ECUA has been named the winner of the SWANA Silver Excellence Award in the Recycling System category. The award was presented at SWANA’s annual conference, WASTECON, last week in Baltimore.
The ECUA received the award for its state-of-the-art materials recycling facility, which began operations in September 2016. The 2017 awards honor programs and facilities in 13 different categories, spanning many facets of the municipal solid waste industry. Award winners represent the most innovative and dynamic organizations throughout North America as judged by their peers, according to SWANA.
“The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) constructed a regional materials recycling facility (MRF) to process recyclables collected from its 100,000 customers as well as residents in surrounding counties in Florida and Alabama,” said Randall Rudd, deputy executive director for ECUA.
ECUA partnered with Escambia County to develop an ECUA-owned MRF at the county’s landfill. The partnership worked under an expedited timeframe to build a 53,460 square-foot single stream MRF capable of processing 25 tons-per-hour. Strategic planning for the $10.7 million facility began in 2015 and was completed in just 18 months.
ECUA decided to employ a dynamic process where the equipment, site development, and operations schedules were compressed by overlapping the design, permitting, procurement, negotiations, and construction. ECUA has constructed a modern high-tech MRF with several state-of-the-art enhancements to allow for advanced automation, customization for desired materials removal and processing, and automatic performance reporting to produce a cleaner and more marketable material.
ECUA Cleans Up 84,000 Gallon Sewage Spill In Cantonment
October 4, 2017
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority has cleaned and disinfected an area in Cantonment after an 84,000 gallon sewage spill.
The spill happened Monday after a cable contractor bore through a sewer force main at Highway 297A and Promenade Drive. Of the 84,000 gallons estimated to be spilled, 34,220 gallons were recovered and transported to an ECUA water reclamation facility for proper disposal and treatment. An additional 29,500 gallons were diverted from the spill site to four ECUA Lift Stations. Bacteriological sampling has been initiated.
ECUA crews repaired the main and ensured that the overflow area was cleaned and disinfected with a biocide agent that abated any contamination concerns, per state protocol, the utility said. In accordance with standard operating procedure, the ECUA notified the State Warning Point, the Escambia County Health Department and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
The utility said it issued a public notice on the spill “through an abundance of caution”.
FHSAA Releases Local Football Playoff Point Standings
October 4, 2017
The Florida High School Athletic Association has released current projected football playoff points to date for local high school teams.
Beginning this season, district play has been eliminated in Classes 1A-4A, with teams making the playoffs based on a points system. Classes 5A-8A retain districts, with the district champion receiving an automatic playoff bid.
For Classes 1A-4A, no region or district play is required, with each school controlling its own schedule. Four teams from each region (16 total statewide) will make the playoffs based on the new points system.
District play for Class 5A-8A remains, with 32 teams qualifying for the playoffs in each class. District champions will receive an automatic bid to the playoff and will receive a 1-4 seed based on the new points system. Four wild cards will be taken from each region based on points following the conclusion of Week 11.
Bottom Line for North Escambia Schools: Tate is tops in District 1-Class 6A. The Northview Chiefs are currently seventh in Region 1-Class 1A (not in a playoff spot).
For more information on the points system, click the graphic at the bottom of the story to enlarge and click here for a informative pdf.
District 1-Class 6A
Tate 4-1 1-0 36.80
Escambia 2-2 1-0 35.00
Pine Forest 2-2 0-1 37.25
Washington 2-4 0-1 31.50
District 2-Class 6A
Navarre 5-0 1-0 37.80
Gulf Breeze 4-1 1-0 34.80
Milton 2-3 0-1 31.40
Pace 1-4 0-1 25.80
District 1-Class 5A
West Florida 4-1 1-0 43.40
Pensacola 2-4 1-0 27.00
Mosley 4-2 1-1 33.33
Panama City Arnold 2-3 1-1 29.20
Panama City Bay 1-5 0-2 27.00
Region 1-Class 1A
Chipley 5-0 42.80
Baker 5-0 38.20
Holmes County 4-2 37.83
Bozeman 3-2 33.80
Vernon 1-3 32.75
Jay 1-4 32.40
Northview 1-5 30.07
Freeport 3-3 30.00
Graceville 0-4 27.25
