Tag Archives: Donna Green-Townsend

“Ditch of Dreams” still controversial a century later

Aired on WUFT on July 11th, 2012

The health of Silver Springs and Silver River has been at the heart of recent debate over water permit requests in Marion County.  The Silver River which flows into the Ocklawaha River has also been a part of a century old debate. More than a 100 years ago early Spanish explorers and Florida businessmen had big dreams to put in a cross-the-state barge canal from the Gulf Coast to the St. John’s River to allow for more commerce.  The Nixon administration put a stop to the project because of budget and environmental concerns.  Nevertheless, remnants of the original barge construction remain with the Inglis Lock and dam on the west coast and the Kirkpatrick Dam and Rodman Reservoir in Putnam and Marion Counties.  Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend talked to Steven Noll, one of the two local historians who has captured the controversial history of the project in the book called:  “Ditch of Dreams: The Cross Florida Barge Canal and  the struggle for Florida’s future.”

(This program originally aired on WUFT-FM in late fall of 2010) 

Suwannee County health officials concerned about tainted wells from flood water

Aired on WUFT on July 10th, 2012

As each day passes various disaster relief teams are able to move into areas most impacted by flooding issues from Tropical Storm Debby.  As flood waters recede many homes need material removed such as ruined dry wall and mud.  Meanwhile, many personal wells have been tainted by septic tanks from flood waters.  Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend talked with an administrator with the Suwannee County Health Department, Pamela Blackmon about the current situation there.

 

Adena protest flotilla planned to bring attention to health of Silver River

Aired on WUFT on June 30th, 2012

While river flooding is causing problems for homeowners and putting a damper on recreational businesses and parks near the Santa Fe, Ichetucknee and Suwannee River areas, there is a river event in Marion County area that is offering people a chance to go kayaking or boating all for a cause.  The group Water Action Team is sponsoring a Adena Protest flotilla and “stand up for Silver Springs” event from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  River activist Karen Ahlers says the event will include a presentation on historic Silver River photos as well as music and river boating opportunities on the Silver River.  Saturday’s protest flotilla will be at Wayside Park on SR 40 about 4 miles east of the Silver Springs attraction.  She talked with Donna Green-Townsend) about the event:

Water Action Team supporter, Karen Ahlers.  Saturday’s Adena protest flotilla is at Ray Wayside Park on SR 40, about 4 miles east of the Silver Springs attraction.

Bicycling across America to help others with spinal cord injuries

Aired on WUFT June 28th, 2012

Nearly five years ago Mark Stephan from suffered a horrific spinal cord injury in a bicycle accident in Chicago.  Though he was told he would be a quadriplegic and never walk again, the determined athlete went into six months of intensive therapy with personal trainers.  The grueling work culminated in his most recent accomplishment —climbing 103 floors to the top of the tallest building in North America.  Now Stephan is cycling across the country to bring awareness to the issue of spinal cord injuries and to raise money for a new specialized hospital to treat patients with such injuries.  He’ll arrive in Alachua tonight and leave for Palatka and St. Augustine tomorrow.  Stephan talked with Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend about his message:

Stephan is inviting other cyclists to join him on his ride.  He should be leaving from the Quality Inn in Alachua at around 8:30 a.m.  For more information his project coordinator Lincoln Baker at 406-546-9317.  To learn more about Mark Stephan go online to http://www.stephanchallenge.com

Tropical Storm Debby Stories

Aired on WUFT June 24th thru June 27th 2012

Flood waters cause aggravation to residents along the Santa Fe and Suwannee Rivers

All of the rainfall from what was Tropical Storm Debby is slowly making it way to many of Florida’s creeks and rivers. Several popular North Central Florida waterways are becoming a bit hazardous for public use.  Lars Anderson lives where the Ichetucknee and Santa Fe Rivers meet and works as a tour guide with his Adventure Outpost business.  He talked with Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend. (June 27th, 2012)

Salvation Army sends out help to flood victims

The Salvation Army has deployed seven mobile kitchens to communities flooded by Tropical Storm Debby.  Disaster teams from Clay, Marion, Alachua and Citrus Counties as well as Jacksonville and Tallahassee among others are being assembled to begin helping residents affected by the storm.  Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend talked with the Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services Director Kevin Smith about the help being offered. (June 27th, 2012)

Alachua County asks for public’s help on reporting sinkholes

The Alachua County Environmental Protection Department is encouraging residents to quickly report any newly spotted or potential sinkholes. County officials say the sooner they learn of problems, then the faster they can make repairs.  They say with the extreme drought experienced in the past few years, there is increased risk of sinkhole formation as the rainy season approaches.  The county wants to avoid any contamination of the community’s drinking water. (June 26, 2012)

Residents can report observations of newly formed solution features by filling out the online form found on the ACEPD website or contact the ACEPD office at 352-264-6800, or send an email to  epd-reception@alachuacounty.us

For more information on sinkholes and other solution features, residents can contact Senior Environmental Specialist, Betty Rosenblatt at 352-264-6800.

 

SRWMD expects Three Rivers Estates to hit flood stage soon

Tropical Storm Debby continues to dump rain across many waterlogged parts of North central Florida.  Many low-lying roads have been shut down due to flooding concerns.  The Suwannee River Water Management District is expecting the three Rivers Estates area to hit flood stage at the end of this week. Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend talked with Senior Professional Engineer for the district, Meagan Wetherington about the situation:  Meanwhile, the National Weather Service has issued several flash flood warnings for North Central Florida.  Law enforcement officials are reminding  remind drivers that if they encounter any flooded roads or rising water, try NOT to drive through it, because it’s hard to know how deep the water may be.

The American Red Cross has opened up shelters for anybody forced to evacuate including one in Bradford County at the Starke Elementary School and in Levy County at the Inglis Community Center behind Town Hall for residents of Yankeetown.  In Cedar Key the Rosewood Baptist Church is on stand-by for residents who feel they need to evacuate. (June 26th, 2012)

 

Bradford County Emergency Management and American Red Cross open shelter in Starke

The Bradford County Emergency Management Office and the American Red Cross have opened a shelter at the Starke Elementary School because of flooding from Tropical Storm Debby.  The shelter is for both the general public and special need residents.  The shelter, located at 1000 West Weldon Street will be opening at 9 p.m. tonight (June 25).  Those needing to evacuate to the shelter are being asked to bring essential items for their family members including:

 Prescriptions and emergency medications

 Foods that meet unusual dietary requirements

 Identification and important personal documents

 Extra clothing, pillows, blankets, hygiene supplies and other comfort items

 Supplies needed for children and infants, such as diapers, formula and toys

 Special items for family members who are elderly or disabled

For more information, contact BCEM Public information Officer Michael Heeder at 904-966-6321.(June 25th, 2012)

 

Levy County officials remain alert as Tropical Storm Debby begins to move

Levy County officials are at a level two status as Tropical Storm Debby continues to churn in the Gulf of Mexico.  The county remains under not only a tornado and flood watch, but a tropical storm warning and a coastal flood warning.  Donna Green-Townsend talked with the Director of the Emergency Management office for Levy County, Mark Johnson, about his expectations for the coming days as Tropical Storm Debby slowly begins to move:

(June 25th, 2012)

Heavy rains overnight cause some minor damage in Micanopy area

Micanopy, like many other North Central Florida communities, experienced heavy rain throughout the night.  The storm conditions brought down a few trees on county highways.  The rain also caused the collapse of a roof on an unoccupied building at the intersection of U.S. 441 and CR 234.  A few hundred residents in Cross Creek experienced a temporary power outage overnight.  (June 25th, 2012)

 

Progress Energy prepares for damage from Tropical Storm Debby

Progress Energy officials say the slow-moving tropical system, Debby, is likely to cause multi-day outages.  Crews have been battling the effects of the storm today and are preparing to repair additional damage on Monday as the Debby continues to pound Florida’s western coastline.

Today crews worked to restore more than 80,000 customers who lost power.  As of 9:30 p.m., about 35,000 customers were still without power.  Company officials say they expect more outages when the storm makes landfall.  Progress Energy provides electricity and related services to more than 1.6 million customers in Florida.  The utility has moved crews from non-affected areas to locations where the storm will have more direct impact and is bringing in additional line and service as well as tree personnel from neighboring utilities.

Employees are being mobilized to handle increased customer calls.  For Progress Energy power outages customers are encouraged to call 1-800-228-8485. Customers can also use this number to report downed power lines.  (June 24th, 2012)

 

Sharpes Ferry Bridge in Marion County temporarily closed from severe weather

 

Marion County officials have temporarily closed the Sharpes Ferry Bridge because of damage caused by Sunday’s bad weather. Portions of County Road 314 leading to the bridge, between the State Road 40 and State Road 35 intersections, will also remain temporarily closed. Marion County officials say only local access to the temporarily closed portions of County Road 314 will be maintained.

Crews will be placing signage and barricades to let motorists know the bridge is closed.  Motorists are advised to use alternate routes. For more information, contact the Marion County Office of the County Engineer at 352-671-8686 during the regular hours hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (June 24th, 2012)

 

 Cedar Key residents take Tropical Storm Debby in stride

Cedar Key in Levy County is no stranger to tropical weather.  The community has had several bouts with strong storms through the years.  Chief of Police, Virgil Sandlin, talked with WUFT Meteorologist Jeff Huffman about the damage to the docks and his concerns for the area residents from Tropical Storm Debby.

All the rain inundating Cedar Key gave area kids something to do Sunday afternoon.

Jared Harrington of Cedar Key compared Tropical Storm Debby to past storms and says Debby hasn’t been all that impressive so far.  His main goal is to reach out to other residents in need during the storm. 

Another person wandering around the streets of Cedar Key on Sunday was a tourist from Groveland, Florida, Valerie Powers.

(June 24th, 2012)

 

Heavy rain causing dangerous driving hazards on I-75

Many North Central Florida counties are under a tornado watch until 5 a.m. Monday because of Tropical Storm Debby. Throughout Sunday heavy rains caused trouble spots on Interstate 75. The Florida highway Patrol stayed busy working a variety of weather-related accidents. Marion County highway patrol dispatcher Mike Hancock describes what problems the heavy rain is causing.  

Hancock says the rain is weakening the soil around trees near the interstate.

Hancock recommends motorists use caution while driving and expect water to be on the highways especially in Alachua County.

Conditions are expected to worsen over the next 24 hours as Tropical Storm Debby continues to move closer to landfall.  (June 24th, 2012)

 

Tropical Storm Debby drenching Florida’s west coast

The National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center report coastal areas of North Central Florida will receive several inches of rain over the next 24 hours as Tropical Storm Debby continues on a NE track in the Gulf of Mexico.  The exact track of the storm is still a bit unpredictable.  Debby is producing tropical-storm-force winds and heavy rains along portions of the Northeast Gulf Coast. At 10:00 a.m. Tropical Storm Debby was located at 28.0 North and 86.2 West or about 140 miles South Southwest of Apalachicola.    Maximum sustained winds are at 60 mph.  The present movement is to the Northeast at 6 mph.  A tropical storm warning has been extended eastward along the Northwest coast of Florida to the Suwannee River and a tropical storm watch has been issued south of the Suwannee River to Anclote Key.

A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.  A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area…in this case within 12 to 24 hours.

The combination of a storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters.  The water could reach the following depths above ground if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide: Southeastern Louisiana eastward through Apalachee Bay, 3 to 5 feet.  Florida’s west coast south of Apalachee Bay, 1 to 3 feet.  Southwestern Louisiana, 1 to 3 feet.  The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast in areas of onshore flow.  Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle and can vary greatly over short distances.

Tropical Storm Debby is expected to produce rain accumulations of 5 to 10 inches along the immediate Gulf Coast from Southeast Louisiana to the Central West Coast of Florida with isolated maximum amounts of 15 inches.  Given the recent heavy rainfall and wet soil conditions, these additional amounts will exacerbate the flash flood threat across portions of the Central and Eastern Gulf Coast.

Isolated tornadoes are possible over portions of the West-Central and Southwestern Florida peninsula today.  Keep checking with WUFT.org throughout the day for updates.  (June 24th, 2012)

 

 

 

 

“Speak Up For Florida’s Waters” to bring attention to plight of Florida springs and waterways

Aired on WUFT June 22nd, 2012

The decline of Silver Springs and many other waterways in Florida is the reason for a special environmental event tomorrow at Silver River State Park in Ocala called, “Speak Up For Florida’s Waters.”  The Florida Conservation Coalition, a nonprofit, nonpartisan group founded by former U.S. Senator Bob Graham and two-time Florida governor is the key sponsor.  Many other groups will join him for the rally at the park.  Estus Whitfield, who has been an environmental advisor for several Florida governors is the coordinator for the Florida Conservation Coalition.  Whitfield talked with Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend.

Tomorrow’s “Speak Up for Florida’s Waters” event at the Silver River State Park in Ocala runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.   The free event will include food, displays, music and trips on the Silver River.

Salinity in Cedar Key: bad for drinking water, good for clams

Aired on June 21st, 2012

Clam Farmers Play Waiting Game Final.wmv.Still013
Cedar Key clams (picture by Brittany Thompson)

Cedar Key residents lined up on Wednesday to receive jugs of fresh drinking water.  Saltwater intrusion into the city’s well field caused by the drought has city and health officials working for a solution.  Meanwhile, the key industry that fuels the Cedar Key community is thriving.  Clam farming has had a 45-million dollar impact on the coastal communities around Cedar Key.  Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend talked with aquaculture extension agent Leslie Sturmer about how the saltier conditions are giving clam farmers a bumper crop.

Former U.S. Senator Bob Graham to speak at springs and waterways protection summit in Ocala

Aired on WUFT on June 18th, 2012

Former U.S. Senator and two-time Florida Governor Bob Graham has been a longtime champion for the restoration of the Florida Everglades.  This coming Saturday Graham will participate in an event about many of Florida’s other water bodies.  Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend reports:

Senator Graham will give the keynote address at this Saturday’s event called “Speak Up for Florida’s Waters” at a Florida’s Springs and Waterways Protection Summit in Ocala. Graham says many of Florida’s water bodies are in peril.

The “Speak up for Florida’s Waters” is being sponsored by several organizations including the Silver Springs Alliance, the Florida Springs Institute, the St. John’s Riverkeeper group, the Silver River Museum, the Marion County Springs Festival and the Florida Conservation Coalition to name a few.  Graham says the ultimate goal of the Coalition is to see positive political action over concerns about the degradation of many of the state’s rivers and springs.

Graham expressed disappointment over how lawmakers dismantled many of the regulations and conservation measures for the state’s waterways in 2011. 

Despite what he calls a troubling year, Graham says he’s optimistic about the future of Florida’s environment: 

Senator Graham will be joined by State Senator Lee Constantine along with springs scientist, Dr. Bob Knight, former Chief Biologist for the Florida State Park System, Jim Stevenson and Florida outdoors photographer John Moran.  The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Silver River State park.  The free event will include educational presentations, exhibitions, food, live music and tram rides to the Silver River.

President Obama proposes major immigration changes

Aired June 15th, 2012

Earlier today the Secretary of Homeland Security and the President announced that they will stop deporting the children of undocumented immigrants and begin giving work permits to younger people who came to the U.S. as children. This decision will affect as many as 800,000 immigrants, and allow them to apply for work authorization without the fear of being deported. Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend talked with the President of an organization that assists the needs of migrant workers called Harvest of Hope about today’ announcement.

Kellerman adds the Harvest of Hope Foundation is holding a yard and book sale to benefit a migrant farmworker who is in the St. Francis House with inoperable cancer.  The goal is to raise funds to help transport him to his family in Texas.  The event will be on Saturday from 7 a.m. to noon at 3519 NW 53rd Terrace in Gainesville just off NW 39th Avenue.

Documentary on Sunshine Skyway Bridge jumpers wins national Murrow Award

Aired on WUFT on June 13th, 2012

“Suicide” is often considered a sensitive topic in society.  But independent radio producer Rich Halten says he hopes his recent Murrow Award winning documentary on the subject can help make a difference to people thinking about taking their life.  Halten recently produced a documentary called “Splash” telling the story of a man who survived jumping off the Sunshine Skyway Bridge across Tampa Bay. Halten talked with Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend.