Tag Archives: Donna Green-Townsend

Chicago Cease-Fire Member Wants To Interrupt Violence In Gainesville

April 2, 2012NewsAmeena Matthews, Chicago Cease Fire, Donna Green-Townsend, Gainesville racial tension, NW Gainesville Boys and Girls Club, racial violenceDonna Green-Townsend

Aired on WUFT on April 2nd, 2012

Ameena Matthews (Photo by Katiana Krawchenko) — Chicago Cease Fire member Ameena Matthews meeting with youth in Gainesville. (photo by Katiana Krawchenko)

After the national attention garnered by a racially charged YouTube video by two Gainesville High School students, bullying has become a quest of many who look to put an end to it. Ameena Matthews, a member of Chicago Cease Fire, which aims to stop violence before it begins, took a trip to the Gainesville area to meet with community members to discuss efforts to stop bullying and violence in the county. She’s traveled to various facilities around Gainesville including the juvenile detention center and the Northwest Gainesville Boys and Girls Club today.

Just prior to arriving in Gainesville, Chicago Cease Fire Violence Interrupter Ameena Matthews talked with Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend.

Aaron O’Rourke

March 16, 2012ArtsAaron O'Rourke, Aaron O'Rourke Trio, Donna Green-Townsend, Erik Alvar, Katie GeringerDonna Green-Townsend

Aaron O’Rourke Trio brings its unique acoustic style to Keystone Heights

Aired on WUFT on March 16th, 2012

Music lovers had the opportunity to fill their desire for Irish music at a recent house concert in Keystone Heights featuring the Tallahassee-based Aaron O’Rourke Trio. Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend takes us up close and personal with the leader of this acoustic group.

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Community to discuss need for conflict resolution ideas in light of Ohio school shooting and other recent teen violence

February 29, 2012Newsconflict resolution, Donna Green-Townsend, Heart Phoenix, Jeffrey Weisberg, Ohio school shooting, River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding, teen violenceDonna Green-Townsend

Aired on WUFT on February 29th, 2012

A Cleveland, Ohio hospital reports another student wounded in an Ohio high school shooting has died, bringing the death toll to three. The Gainesville community continues to discuss the racially-charged You Tube postings by two high school students. In Ocala, parents are calling for better supervision of students on school buses after one girl was beaten unconscious on her first day riding the bus.

The late River Phoenix (photo courtesy of Heart Phoenix)

These are just some of the recent stories of teens making headlines. Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend talked with the Director of Programs and Outreach at the new River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding, Jeffrey Weisberg about how the center is trying to engage the community for peaceful solutions to conflict:

Part 1

The Marion County school board voted last night to expel students involved in beating another student unconscious on a school bus a few weeks ago. Meanwhile, in Alachua County, school officials are still dealing with the aftermath of the racially charged “You Tube” videos posted by two Gainesville High School Students which have brought threats against the families of the students. At the University of Florida, school administrators put together a taskforce to deal with recent hazing allegations at a UF fraternity. In Ohio, 3 students have died as a result of a school shooting in Cleveland. All of these events have prompted the new “River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding” to get public discussion going on the issue of violence and potential solutions. In part 2 of her interview, Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend continues her discussion with the center’s director of programs and outreach, Jeff Weisberg.

Part 2:

Later this month the River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding will be offering the opportunity to view the documentary called, “The Interrupters.” To see the trailer go to: http://youtu.be/wS5Hjhy1RhM

U.S. Forest Service may be sued over Kirkpatrick Dam

February 22, 2012NewsBumpy Needham, Cross Florida Barge Canal, Denise Rains, Donna Green-Townsend, Earth Justice, Erin Condon, Florida Defenders of the Environment, Florida Wildlife Federation, Kirkpatrick Dam, Rodman Dam, Steve Robitaille, U.S. Forest ServiceDonna Green-Townsend

Aired on WUFT on February 22nd, 2012

Three well-known environmental groups have announced plans to sue the U.S. Forest Service if the agency doesn’t move forward with removing the 44 year old Kirkpatrick Dam. Earth Justice, Florida Wildlife Federation and the Florida Defenders of the Environment representatives filed the intention to sue documents in Tallahassee yesterday. The Kirkpatrick Dam (formerly the Rodman Dam) was constructed as part of the now de-authorized Cross Florida Barge Canal Project. The dam impounds nine-thousand acres of floodplain forest and now holds a popular fishing spot called the Rodman Reservoir. Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend talked with representatives of all sides of this issue including the President of the Board of Florida Defenders of the Environment, Steve Robitaille and the Executive Director of the organization, Erin Condon:

Florida Defenders of the Environment Board President, Steve Robitaille and Executive Director Erin Condon. Meanwhile the U.S. Forest Service says it supports at least partial removal of the Kirkpatrick Dam. Spokesperson Denise Rains told Donna Green-Townsend the agency won’t comment on the possible lawsuit, but does want to move forward with restoration efforts of the Ocklawaha River:

The people who say they would be most affected by partial removal of the Kirkpatrick Dam are the owners of various fishing businesses. Stacy Weeks runs the Buck-N-Bass Sports Center & Outfitters in Salt Springs. He wants the dam to stay just the way it is:

Another outspoken bait and tackle shop owner is Bumpy Needham of Fish Tales in Ocala. He too says removal of the Kirkpatrick Dam is not the right direction to go:

No matter when restoration could begin, no one knows exactly where the funds for the effort will come from.

Clay County Sheriff’s Office mourns death of detective

February 16, 2012NewsClay County Sheriff's Office, David White, Detective David White, Donna Green-Townsend, Matthew Hanlin, Union County shooting spreeDonna Green-Townsend

Aired on WUFT on February 16th, 2012

A nine-year veteran of the Clay County Sheriff’s Office was shot and killed in the line of duty tonight. At around 6:25 p.m., 35-year-old CCSO Detective David White,, was shot and killed by an armed suspect at a home located at 4874 Alligator Blvd. in Middleburg. A second CCSO member, Det. Matthew Hanlin, was also shot by the suspect and is currently in surgery at Orange Park Medical Center and is in serious but stable condition.

According to the Clay County Sheriff’s Department, Det. White and Det. Hanlin were working as part of a larger 9-man team conducting an investigation into a meth lab suspected to be located inside the home. The two approached the door of the home and encountered the suspect. Almost immediately, the adult male suspect began firing shots at the two detectives, hitting them both. The armed suspect who has yet to be identified then fled out of the back of the home where he was shot and killed by a member of the Sheriff’s Department.

According to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), there were five other males in the home at the time of the incident. The men were taken into custody and detained for questioning. the CCSO is continuing its investigation to determine the identities and potential criminal backgrounds of all six suspects. According to a press release, one or more of the suspects may have been living illegally in the home as “squatters,” without permission of the owner.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is currently involved in the investigation of the shooting incident and the meth lab processing and clean up.

State senator doubts proposed Levy County nuclear power plants will ever be built

February 15, 2012NewsDonna Green-Townsend, Levy Count nuclear power plants, Mike Fasano, Progress EnergyDonna Green-Townsend

Aired on WUFT February 15th, 2012

Progress Energy’s proposed nuclear power plant in Levy County may not actually get built….that’s according to Republican Senator Mike Fasano. Fasano recently led an unsuccessful attempt in the Florida Florida’s to repeal the entire advance nuclear cost recovery statute. That law allows public utilities to bill customers in advance of the actual construction of a facility without having to pay customers back if the facility plans are cancelled. Despite the defeat of his bill, Senator Fasano is optimistic that Progress Energy’s two proposed nuclear reactors for Levy County won’t be built. He spoke with Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend.

Despite Senator Fasano’s concerns, Progress Energy officials say they still plan on building the two reactors.

Lawmaker, utility talk about nuclear plant

February 15, 2012NewsDonna Green-Townsend, Mike Fasano, nuclear plant, Progress Energy, Susanne GrantDonna Green-Townsend

Aired on WUFT on February 15th, 2012

Some critics claim Progress Energy’s proposed nuclear power plant in Levy County may not be built. WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend spoke with State Senator Mike Fasano about the potential future of the plant.

Despite the senator’s complaints, Progress Energy says it still plans on building the reactors. WUFT-FM’s Chip Skambis spoke with Progress Energy Spokeswoman Susanne Grant about how the financing of the proposed plant works.

Prison privatization measure killed on Senate floor

February 14, 2012NewsDonna Green-Townsend, Mike Fasano, prison privatizationDonna Green-Townsend

Aired on WUFT on February 14th, 2012

A proposed bill to privatize 27 Florida prisons met defeat on the state Senate floor today in a 19-21 vote. The controversial bill has drawn criticism and heated discussion from both Republicans and Democrats in the state Senate. Today membes of the Tea Party, corrections workers, labor groups, the NAACP, as well as members of civil rights groups and faith leaders turned out in Tallahassee to protest the bill. They say privatization would elimiante thousands of state jobs and have a negative impact on public safety. Supporters of the bill maintain privatization would save the state at least $17 million dollars during a time the state is facing a budget shortfall. One of the key opponents of the idea has been Republican Senator Mike Fasano. Fasano, who represents Pasco, Hernando, Citrus and Pinellas Counties talked with Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend about why he’s stayed adamant about the need to defeat the measure.

Supporters and opponents of proposed Levy County nuclear plants turn out for public hearing

January 16, 2012Newscrystal river, Donna Green-Townsend, John Siefert, Levy County Commission, Levy County nuclear power plants, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Ryan Bell, Tana Silva, Theodara RusnakDonna Green-Townsend

Aired on WUFT on January 16th, 2012

Supporters and opponents of Progress Energy’s two proposed nuclear power reactors in Levy County turned out for a public hearing last Thursday in Crystal River. The hearing was before a three-judge panel of the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board, the judicial arm of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The hearing was a result of a legal challenge to Progress Energy’s license application from three environmental groups over how much water the plants will need to pump for cooling towers. Last Friday we heard from two of the people who spoke at the hearing. Today we’ll from two others who voiced their opinions before the judges.

One of the supporters of the plan to construct the two reactors is Levy County Commissioner, Ryan Bell. He talked with Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend about why he thinks Progress Energy is a good neighbor which could improve the economy there by providing more jobs and electric power to the area.

Levy County Commissioner, Ryan Bell. Also speaking at the hearing in Crystal River was the President of the Citrus County Council which represents 19 homeowner and environmental groups. Group president Theodora Rusnak told the panel of judges the proposed Levy county nuclear facility is “the wrong plant, at the wrong place being paid for in the wrong way.” Rusnak also spoke with Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend:

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is expected to complete an environmental impact statement this spring. The public can give written comments on the proposal through the fall. The cost for the new plant is expected to be between 17 and 22 billion dollars. With license approval, the construction could start in 2021.

Additional interviews:

The Executive Director of the Citrus Couny Economic Development Council, John Siefert:

Concerned citizen, Tana Silva from Gainesville:

Manatee experience in Crystal River a double-edged sword

January 5, 2012Newscrystal river, Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, Donna Green-Townsend, manatees, Michael LuskDonna Green-Townsend

Aired on WUFT on January 5th, 2012

scan0002 — Manatee spotted in one of the many waterways of Citrus County

As the temperatures dip into the 20s and 30s, sea cows are seeking the warmth of Kings Bay in Citrus County. Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend talked with the Refuge Manager for the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, Michael Lusk. Lusk says while the freezing temperatures provide a challenge for law enforcement who have to patrol the Kings Bay area, the cold weather also provides an educational opportunity for the public: