By Mike Griffith
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
[email protected] The voice of Niceville, Bluewater Bay and Valparaiso since 1992 (850) 678-1080 Police Blotter TThhee BBaayy BBeeaaccoonn , page A-3 6 Pages, 1 Section, 3 Inserts Wednesday, January 31, 2018 50¢ Prescribed blazes benefit Eglin forests By Mike Griffith Beacon Correspondent Eglin Air Force Base conduct- ed an 88-acre prescribed burn Thursday at Eglin’s White Point recreation area, just east of Bluewater Bay. Such burns are done periodically, to prevent wild- fires by removing accumulated shrubbery, fallen branches and other debris that could become fuel for uncontrolled wildfires. The carefully planned burn was announced several days in advance so nearby civilian property owners and others would not be alarmed. As predicted by Eglin weather forecasts, smoke from the pre- scribed burn drifted out over Choctawhatchee Bay, allowing the smoke to dissipate before reaching inhabited areas. “Burn boss” Keith Hawk, of Jackson Guard, Eglin’s environ- mental and forestry management organization, maintained radio communication with his burn crew as he patrolled the area in a truck. Using a mixture of gasoline and diesel fuel dispensed from hand-held canisters, Jackson Guard personnel ignited a series of small fires throughout an 88-acre Please see FORESTS, page A-2 Jackson Guard burn crew members set a series of small fires on 88 acres of the White Point recreation area. Such prescribed burns are conduct- ed periodically on the giant Eglin Air Force Base reserva- tion to foster the health of the longleaf pine ecosystem and reduce the buildup of dead vegetation that might feed potentially catastrophic wild- fires. Beacon photos by Mike Griffifth Lawmakers would put all of Florida on the same clock legislative session in Tallahassee is edge of Alabama, which is also on Good-bye to Central time? scheduled to end March 9. Should Central time, and is the source of the bill be enacted, further much of the region’s tourist trade. Beacon Staff clocks in the state which gives res- idents an extra hour of daylight at approval by Congress would be If the changes sought by the The Florida Legislature is con- required to institute year-round Steube bill are achieved, sidering a measure asking federal the beginning of the day. The bill’s effect would be felt daylight-saving time. Approval of Floridians would see the perma- approval to shift the state’s the U.S. Department of nent shift of an hour of daylight Panhandle region to the Eastern even more so in the Panhandle due to the region’s proposed shift from Transportation would be needed to from morning to evening between time zone and to put all of Florida expand the U.S. Eastern time zone the first Sunday in November and on year-round daylight-saving the Central time zone into the Eastern one. Here, the measure Sen. Annette Sen. Greg Sen. Debbie to include the entire state. the second Sunday in March, time. Nine of Florida’s 67 counties, when nights are longer and stan- Senate Bill 858, sponsored by would delay daybreak by two Taddeo Stuebe Mayfield hours November to March, as including Okaloosa and Walton, dard time is in effect. In three south-Florida legislators, Tourism, whose vice chair, Sen. Debbie Mayfield, R-Melbourne, measured by the clock. lie west of the Apalachicola River, Northwest Florida, the effect would set in motion a process to George Gainer, R-Panama City, and Annette Taddeo, D-Miami. The bill was cleared by the in the Central time zone, where the would be magnified by an addi- abolish the current practice of represents a district that includes None of them responded to Senate Committee on Community clocks run an hour behind those of tional shift to Eastern time, with observing standard time from the Niceville-Valparaiso area. requests for comment before press Affairs on Jan. 26. It is now is the rest of the state, in the Eastern residents of the region losing two November to March. This would The bill is sponsored by sena- time. under consideration by the time zone. The part of Florida on hours of morning sun to the end the traditional “fall back” and tors Greg Stuebe, R-Sarasota, The annual two-month regular Central time borders the southern “spring ahead” tradition for all Committee on Commerce and Please see TIME, page A-2 Weekend diversions Area residents took part in a number of outdoor activities last weekend. The boardwalk leading from John Sims Parkway out over the northern shore of Boggy Bayou gave early-morning bird- ers a fine vantage point from which to observe wildlife. Niceville High School students Tommy Eggers, 15, Paige Kelly, 14, and Jayden Reece, 18, waved signs along State Road 20 in Bluewater Bay to promote a pancake breakfast and car wash benefitting the schoolʼs track and field teams. Clear weather on Saturday brought people out to Nicevilleʼs Turkey Creek Park to enjoy the sunshine, stroll along the boardwalk, and enjoy the sights and sounds of Northwest Florida in its natural state. The Northwest Florida State College campus was the site of a motorcycle training class. Beacon photos by Mike Griffith Page A-2 T HE B AY B EACON Wednesday, January 31, 2018 Law Office of THE INQUIRING PHOTOGRAPHER —by Mike Griffith SAMUEL M. PEEK If you received a warning of a nuclear attack, • Probate • Wills what would you do? • Trusts Location: Murphy Express • Estate Planning • Powers of Attorney • Medical Directives 678-1178 222 Government Avenue Niceville, FL 32578 The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience. “Considering all the “If it happens, thereʼs not “Enjoy the time I have left. defenses we have, much you can do. Unfortunately, Iʼm 99 percent positive I donʼt worry about it.” military bases are the first places Iʼd throw a party.” theyʼd hit. Iʼd get ahold of family Maurice Elliot, 53, and friends, and say goodbye.” Chaela Floyd, 30, Niceville, DeFuniak Springs, construction manager Mike Bradley, 52, administrative assistant Niceville, Gulf Coast Dental stocker We can help you smile again. Do you have gum or periodontal disease? There is now a FDA‐approved way to treat this chronic, debilitating disease. This laser technique involves no pain, no cutting, no stitches, “Pray.” “Iʼd try to find a bunker. I admit “Iʼd stock up on groceries, Iʼm not prepared. Itʼs not something just in case there was and best of all... Malcom McCoy, 40, I think about often.” a way of survival.” no down time! Fort Walton Beach, bricklayer Miranda Mumaw, 20, Anthony Ford, 54, Call us for a FREE Consultation! Crestview, Niceville, waitress home repair Dr. Steven G. Robinette Gulf Coast Dental Graduate of the Bluewater Bay University of Tennessee 4566 Hwy. 20 E. #108 What should we ask next week? Email your suggested question to: [email protected] College of Dentistry Courtyard Plaza Include "Suggested IP question" in the "subject" field. Practicing in NW Florida Niceville, FL 32578 with more than 22 years gulfcoastdental.com between west and east Florida (2) If the United States of experience. (850) 897‐9600 TIME most famously came to the atten- Congress amends 15 U.S.C. s. Dedicated to From page A-1 tion of the nation during the pres- 260a to authorize states to observe excellence in dentistry. evening period November to idential election of Nov. 7, 2000, daylight saving time year-round, it March. when national news organizations is the intent of the Legislature that The 60-minute time difference erroneously called the Sunshine daylight saving time shall be the State for Al Gore rather than the year-round standard time of the actual winner, George W. Bush, entire state and all of its political after the polls closed at 7 p.m. Rep. Heather Rep. Jeanette subdivisions. local time in Florida’s Eastern Fitzenhagen Nunez Section 2. As soon as practica- time zone, an hour before they ble after this act becomes a law, closed in the Panhandle. relating to time observances; pro- the Legislature of the State of A companion bill pending in viding title; providing legislative Florida shall submit a request to the Florida House of intent regarding the State of the Secretary of the United States Representatives would institute Florida and its political subdivi- Department of Transportation to daylight-saving time statewide, sions observing daylight saving initiate rulemaking to redesignate but would not end the Panhandle’s time year-round under certain those portions of Florida that cur- membership in the Central time conditions; directing the rently lie within the Central Time zone. Legislature to submit a request to Zone to the Eastern Time Zone. House Bill 1013, whose lead the Secretary of the United States The request must include a formal sponsors are Rep. Jeanette Nunez, Department of Transportation to certification, contact information, R-Miami, and Rep. Heather redesignate portions of the state in and any supporting documenta- Fitzenhagen, R-Fort Myers, was the Central Time Zone into the tion demonstrating that moving unanimously endorsed by the Eastern Time Zone; specifying the entire state of Florida into one House Local, Federal and requirements for the request; pro- time zone would serve the conven- Veterans Affairs Subcommittee. It viding an effective date. ience of commerce. is now under consideration by the WHEREAS, the State of Government Accountability Florida is known as the “Sunshine Committee, whose members State,” and include Brad Drake, a Walton WHEREAS, as the “Sunshine FORESTS County Republican. State,” Florida should be kept From page A-1 sunny year-round, The nine sponsors of the senate portion of the White Point recre- NOW, THEREFORE, Be It and house bills all represent dis- ation area, near housing subdivi- Enacted by the Legislature of the tricts in Florida’s Eastern time sions.