Aired on WUFT on January 14th, 2011
The frigid winter weather in North Central Florida has kept farmers busy this past week. As Donna Green-Townsend reports, vegetable growers in Putnam County were scrambling to get their crops to market before the freezing temperatures could hurt their profit margins.
Vegetable growers in North Central Florida scramble to get their crops to market during a January, 2011 freeze.
Aired on WUFT on January 6, 2011
What do astrophysics, the rapture, global warming and twister have in common? All have a tie to the latest production opening Friday night at the Hippodrome State Theatre in Gainesville. Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend talked with two of the actors from “End Days”.
Aired on WUFT on January 5th, 2011
The cold snap in December on top of the major cold snap earlier in 2010 doubled the yearly average of manatee deaths in Florida. Overall, 767 manatees died last year with nearly three hundred of those deaths coming from “cold stress.” The Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission handles the necropsies on the manatee carcasses. FWC veterinarian Martina DeWitt talked with 89.1 FM’s Donna Green-Townsend about how the cold weather took a toll on the endangered sea cow.
Aired on WUFT on December 22nd, 2010
Firefighters from a variety of agencies continue to battle a growing wildfire near Island Grove and Cross Creek in Southeast Alachua County not far from the historic Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park. About 300 acres burned on Tuesday near Lochloosa Lake. That fire has tripled in size because it’s in an area where firefighting equipment can’t get to. WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend talked with Wildfire Mitigation Specialist with the Florida Division of Forestry, Ludie Bond to get an update on what’s being called the “Burnt Island fire.” Meanwhile, because of extremely dry conditions, Alachua County has issued a burn ban until the area receives more rainfall.
Heisman Trophy Winner and former UF Gator quarterback Danny Wuerffel is known for his passion for mission work. Just a few years after winning a national college football championship while playing QB for the Gators Danny decided to gather some football buddies and other friends and family together to produce a Christmas CD.
Former Gators Jason Odom, Lawrence Wright and James Bates joined Wuerffel on, Go Tell It On The Mountain. Members of the well-known band Sister Hazel, Ken Block and Andrew Copeland, performed on He Come From The Glory and Silent Night. The goal of the music project was to benefit Desire Street Ministries in New Orleans. Wuerffel wanted proceeds from the Heaven & Nature Sings Christmas CD to go toward helping the ministry with its goal of transforming impoverished urban neighborhoods into flourishing, healthy communities. From Donna’s 2001 audio archives here’s the feature she produced on Wuerffel’s music venture.
Aired on WUFT on December 9th, 2010
When Ruth Alexander first came to the University of Florida in 1969, the “Lady Gator” athletic program did not exist. She had a vision for women’s sports at UF and has recently been nominated by the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame for seeing that vision through. This isn’t the first time she has been recognized. Her work with the “Lady Gators” during the 1970’s helped her become the first woman to be appointed to the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports by President Richard Nixon. WUFT FM’s Donna Green-Townsend talked with her this week.
Aired on WUFT on November 29th, 2010
“A Christmas Carol” is now on-stage at the Hippodrome State Theatre in Gainesville and runs alternately with a new play this year, “This Wonderful Life.” Actor Rusty Salling talked with WUFT’s Donna Green-Townsend about his longtime role as “Scrooge.”
New USFWS emergency rules regarding management of manatees has pitted Crystal River dive shop owners and area businesses against the USFWS. WUFT-FM’s Trent Kelly examines both sides of the issue. (videographer- Donna Green-Townsend)
Aired on WUFT on November 18th, 2010
One of the many Department of Environmental Protection officials in attendance on Tuesday at the renaming of Peacock State Park to Wes Skiles Peacock State Park was Connie Bersok. Bersok is the environmental administrator for the agency’s springs initiative. During Tuesday’s rainstorm following the unveiling of the new sign marking the renaming of the park she talked with WUFT’s Donna Green-Townsend about Skiles influence on efforts to protect Florida’s natural springs.
Aired on WUFT on November 12, 2010
It’s that time of year again…. time for the annual Fall Round Up and Awards Celebration by the Conservation Trust for Florida. Each year this not-for-profit organization honors a Floridian who has made a difference in the effort to conserve rural landscapes. This year the group is honoring the late University of Florida Professor, Larry Harris. 89.1’s Donna Green-Townsend talked with the new Executive Director of the Conservation Trust for Florida, Brian Block about why the group selected biologist Professor Larry Harris.