June 2024

CURRENT LIGHT

FLASHES

P.O. Box 127 Graceville, FL 32440-0127

West Florida Electric, Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative

James & Son Tree and Crane Service Insured and Reasonable

850-272-3620 ◄

Free Estimates

DUPONT•

Authorized Agent

Specialist at Removing Hazardous Trees • Land Clearing • Stump Grinding • Forestry Mulching • Debris Removal

A Afr.lSTFAfO MFMflfA OF THf

AUTO GLASS

SAFETY COUNCIL-

• Any Glass • Any Vehicle

WISEFLYAUTOGLASS.COM

Debbie Roney Smith Call or text: (850) 209-8039

LIC#SL642701

“Be SOLD with American Gold”

“I List - I Sell” Full Time Realtor Since 1996 4420 Lafayette St., Marianna, FL 32446

www.realtordrs.com • debson1999@gmail.com

Pay Your Bill with the Touch of a Button Page 8

Mold Removal Remodels Water Damage Additions Fire Damage New Construction

INSIDE ...

24 Hour Emergency Response

Two Long-time Dispatchers Retire ...pgs. 3-4

CBC1255149, CCC1330340, MRSR9

HWY. 77 BINGO, INC. (850) 263-7788

Paper Only Bingo. Located across the street from Graceville High School.

Open 6 days a week. Closed Tuesdays. Session at 7:30 nightly. $50 payouts before & after session. Pull tab games up to $1,000!

Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays: All session games pay $250!

Saturdays 7 Sundays: Jackpot games @ 4-5-6-7-9 & 10 PM Double Action Mini-Session at 4:00 PM

Mondays & Wednesdays: T-shirt night

ISSUE JUNE 2024

Read Online www.WestFlorida.coop

VOL 74, NO 6

WFEC Holds 87th Annual Meeting/ Member Appreciation Day

...pg. 5

10 Things You Might Not Know about Power Restoration

...pgs. 6-7

Fish & Game Forecast

...pg. 11

Local Classifieds

...pgs. 13-14

DOUBLE-TIME

CURRENT LIGHT

FLASHES

Pest Control

(850) 718-6109

USPS: 702-990 | ISSN: 1042-7767 | VOL 74, NO 6

Current Light Flashes is the official voice of West Florida Electric Cooperative Association, Inc., a member-owned Touchstone Energy® cooperative serving Calhoun, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington counties. It is published as a service to the Co-op’s members. Periodicals postage is paid at Graceville, Florida.

Veteran Owned & Operated Detect * Eliminate * Defend Against Unwanted Pests

Voted Best of Tri-County for Washington, Jackon & Holmes Counties 2020, 2021 & 2022 Voted “Top 3 Best of Bay Co. in 2023”

Turning 65? New to the Area? Medicaid Eligible?

Call Me.

WFEC Board of Trustees

EAGLE’S LANDING

Call for a Free Quote Today

New Mobile Home Park

2500 Eagle’s Landing Dr., Marianna, FL 32446

Senior Rental Agent: Lori Grissett (850) 822-1572

Rental Agent: John Pereda (305) 922-7645

LARGE LOTS / 7 MINUTES TO WALMART & I-10 LAKE LOTS $695 / REGULAR LOTS $575 Access to Indian Springs Golf Course & Schools • New Marianna K8 Elementary School & Marianna High School Underground Electric, City Water, Sewer & Cable

Together We Can Stay Safe Digging too close to a padmounted transformer like this one can damage underground cables, leading to electrical shock or interruptions in service. Use caution when landscaping. Call 811 before you dig and stay safe.

I’m Local.

Licensed/Certified/Dependable/Helpful

DAVID TATUM District 1

TIM ALFORD

District 2/President

Melonie Wood (850) 658-2635 FL Lic.# W489703 Al Lic.# 300759370

Call for a FREE consulation regarding the new medicare plans/ more benefits/larger physician networks/larger drug formulary

Custom Cattle Services

Over 200 carriers: Cigna/Aetna/Humana/United Healthcare/WellCare/Blue Cross-Blue Shield/AIG/ Mutual of Omaha/Allianz/Athene/Silac/Americo

40 Years Experience • Karl Kressman (850) 557-3764

Portable Corrals & Chute Cattle Hauling Practical Cattle Vet Work Preg Testing Management & Herd Plans Cattle Penned & Caught

Medicare/Long Term Care/Final Expense & Life Insurance/Retirement Plans JACKIE POOSER District 3

DAVID CORBIN

District 5/Vice President

JOHN ADAMS District 4

GEORGE C. OWENS District 6

(850) 658-2635 Tilman: 850-964-0660 Jeff: 904-796-5900

Serving Bonifay & Surrounding Counties for all your mechanic needs

Nix Auction and Estate Sales LLC

BUSH PAINT & SUPPLY Graceville, FL Open: Monday-Friday • 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

(850) 263-4744 or (850) 263-6345 Carpet • Vinyl • Ceramic • Wood Feed• Seed • Fertilizer

Handyman Charlie

Carpentry & Plumbing Repairs Pressure Washing Cleanup & Hauling

FL Lic.#AU5112 • Auction Business Lic.#AB3892

RANDY BUSH District 7

MISTY ERICKSON District 8

850-849-5410 or 850-693-0439 Email: nixauctionandestatesales@gmail.com

Sell it all? Give us a call.

Greenwood, Florida

484-464-5938

Middlebrooks Contractors, Inc. Serving the Area for Over 60 Years Septic Tank Service, Installation & Repair • Mobile Home Pads • Land Clearing • Excavation • Dirt • Rock • Culverts

MYRON HUDSON

District 9/Secretary-Treasurer

PAGE 2

SHAWN WALLING

Executive VP & CEO

5905 Timberlane Rd. Bascom, FL 32423

Rent-All • We have everything you need! Equipment Rentals, Tractors, Trenchers, Etc.

Ph: (850) 547-3658

Plumbing • Electrical • Licensed & Insured

CURRENT LIGHT FLASHES

Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake

Submitted by: Sarah Ballard

Ingredients: 1 20 oz. can crushed pineapple w/juice 1 21 oz. can cherry pie filling 1 16.5 oz. box golden butter cake mix 1/2 cup butter (1 stick) 1/2 cup chopped walnuts Directions: Spread pineapple and juice over the bottom of a 13x9 inch baking pan.

Then spread the cherry pie filling on top of that. Sprinkle dry cake mix over the mixture and cut butter into thin squares. Arrange the butter on top of cake mix. Sprinkle with the walnuts. Bake at 350 degrees for 4045 minutes. Serve warm or cool. Serves 8-10 people.

ISSUE JUNE 2024

Lynn & Steve Helping Hands, LLC

Tractor Work • Loader Work • Bush Hogging • Chainsaw/Pruning/Hedge Trimming

Serving Holmes, Jackson & Washington Counties

386-748-9035 or 850-768-0822

TOLL FREE OUTAGE HOTLINE: 1.844.OUTAGE! (1.844.688.2431) PAGE 15

Multiple Listings (cont.) 16 acres of land, in the Gravity flow wagon, $1,700; 4” auger, $600; 2 Kuhn cutters, 10’, $1,200 each; 850-547-2563.

Graceville area, portions farmable; 727-403-4463.

Pre-1965 coins and older currency, loose, jars, collections, or estates; 850-326-3437.

Vehicles

Goats, all sizes, and ages; 850-451-1065.

Round 5’ dining table, with 6 chairs, $150; Lazy Susie $5; other 2008 Smart car for two, excellent 20+ acres pasture land, to rent; condition; 850-272-6611. items, too numerous to list; 850-693-9152.

850-557-8790.

2007 Toyota UT, $5,000; Motorguide MinnKota clamp850-573-6583, if no answer, leave Tri-County Gas on trolling motors; high-top message.

Service, Inc. camper top for small pickup; Tri-County Gas “Home Folks Service, Inc. Serving 850-674-6242.

Home Folks”

WANTED

Square bale annual peanut hay; square bale grass hay; 12x36 walkin cooler; 850-263-3427.

Old project European cars, Pre-

Real Estate 8.5 acres, 5086 Smokey Rd., Graceville, road frontage, pasture land, pole barn, new well, electric, septic, prime deer hunting land, $159,900; 334-560-6019.

Notification Statement

Notice is hereby given that the West Florida Electric Cooperative Association, Inc. Board of Trustees regularly meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month, unless special circumstances warrant a change.

Main Business and Publications Offices 5282 Peanut Road Graceville, Florida 32440-0127 (850) 263-3231 or 1-800-342-7400 Subscription Rate Cooperative members, $2.50 per year Non-members, $6.00 per year Change of Address Notices POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Current Light Flashes P. O. Box 127 Graceville, Florida 32440-0127 DISCLAIMER: Although paid advertisements may appear in West Florida Electric (WFEC) publications in print, online, or in other electronic formats, WFEC does not endorse the advertised product, service, or company, nor any of the claims made by the advertisement. WFEC reserves the right to edit or refuse to publish any advertisement, article or information.

This Institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

PAGE 14

1975 and old motorcycles from England, Germany, Italy, CZ France, in any condition; 330-503-5201.

Two or three nanny goats, as companion animals, rescues welcome, good home; 850-547-5213.

Rims, 16” & 8”; 15” & 6”; 850-674-6242.

For All Your Propane Needs 415 S. Waukesha St., Bonifay

547-3696 #RM0048955

Art’s Home Services Carpenter/Handyman Build It - Fix It Clean It - Haul It

LLC/Insured/ 40 Years Experience

(850) 638-2611 Local help with your Medicare questions.

Gene Alford

Licensed Sales Agent 850-209-1381, TTY 711 genealford@gmail.com MyUHCagent.com/gene.alford

Horses; ponies; mules; donkeys; 850-209-8532 or 850-592-2494.

Trim David & Family Cut Tree Services, LLC Remove Bonded & Fully Insured Free Estimates

Structure Demo Stump Grinding

(850) 326-1559 Veteran-Founded CURRENT LIGHT FLASHES

Two Long-time Dispatchers Retire

V

irginia Green and Danny Pitts, two of the co-op's most experienced dispatchers, have decided to hang up their headsets and retire. As afterhours dispatchers their duties include dispatching linemen to outages, and coordinating multiple crews while they make repairs to the power grid. They also assist local emergency agencies, providing help with emergency situations related to electricity including downed lines, house fires, car accidents and more.

For years, both Green and Pitts often Virginia Green worked 12-hour shifts each weekend.

Green began her career at West Florida Electric in July 1994 while simultaneously working as a Title 1, Pre-K Assistant and Pre-K teacher at Graceville Elementary, which she continued to do until 2019 when she retired from the school system. She worked with students at GES for 29 years.

She says that the field of afterhours dispatching has changed tremendously since she started. Some of those changes included going from using a printed out list of members accounts and information during outages to using computers and new Danny Pitts dispatch programs, taking payments for prepaid members after hours, assisting members with the co-op's satellite program (which no longer exists) and training many other dispatchers. The shifts she works have also changed over the years. She says there were many challenges over the years but she learned new things with the help of her supervisors, co-workers and the linemen. She said one of the things they taught her was how to speak into the radio properly so she didn't sound like she was in a hole.

"I will miss the guys because I feel I have a good working relationship with them. They are very respectful and helpful. I will also miss my co-workers

ROW Update: WFEC Right-of-Way Crews will be cutting & trimming in the following area(s) during

JUNE:

Poplar Springs Graceville Hinson's Crossroads Vernon

When ROW crews are trimming in your area, there may be several days between ROW cutting & clean-up crews due to inclement weather, equipment failure or other unforeseen circumstances.

continued on page 4 ISSUE JUNE 2024

TOLL FREE OUTAGE HOTLINE: 1.844.OUTAGE1 (844.688.2431)

PAGE 3

because I enjoy people. I want to thank the wives of the linemen for being nice to me when I called them out at all times of the night," said Green.

She plans to do more traveling with her daughters after she retires. Green says she has been to Colorado Springs, the Pentagon, Virginia, San Diego, and many more places in the past year. She also has many more travel plans for this year.

Pitts was previously employed by the Jackson County School District and the Graceville Police Department, enjoying long careers with each. Pitts started working at West Florida Electric Cooperative in October 2013. He is married to Anna Lee and plans to spend lots more time with her and his family after retirement.

"Dispatchers are the people who direct the crews during outages. Having dispatchers who genuinely care about the lineworkers and members is a win for all parties. Danny and Virginia are those types of dispatchers," said Shawn Walling, Executive Vice President and CEO. "I have had linemen tell me Ms. Virginia would call them to make sure they are okay when a repair took longer than they told her it would. They all knew Ms. Virginia was there keeping an eye on them and making sure they were safe. In her 30 years of being a dispatcher, she has seen many changes.

Employees have started and finished their careers here at WFEC with her voice being the one on the radio after hours. She has been a fixture. As she and Danny begin this new season of their lives, we wish them the best.

For the employees, we will miss both of them, but especially Virginia's larger-than-life personality and the pride and care she took in keeping WFEC's lineworkers safe and "getting the lights" back on for the membership," he said.

Scan the QR code below to download the mobile app!

Services: Backflow Preventor Bathroom Fixtures Camera Inspection Code Violation Repairs Drain & Sewer Cleaning Slab Leak Detection Gas Line Installation Water Heaters Water Treatment & Purification

Leak Detection Repiping Sewer Pumps Construction Faucets Toilets Inspections Insurance Work

Bath/Kitchen Remodeling Boiler & Water Heaters Sales Same Day Service Sewer Lines & Sewer Systems Sewer Video Camera Inspection Garbage Disposals Underground Leak & Pipe Repair Water Min Repair

Remodeling Replacement Parts Competitive Bids Sewer Repair & Replacement Fixture Replacement Tankless Water Heaters Installation Kitchen Fixtures

CLASSIFIEDS FOR SALE Animals/Livestock

Big couch, folds into double bed w/mattress; 850-263-4339.

Enclosed trailer; 850-332-8876, call or text Joseph.

5403 John Deere tractor w/ Very gentle mare with 2 saddles, loader, 1,350 hours, 70+HP, lots of tack, $800; 850-419-3270. runs great, recently replaced tires, $20,500; 850-590-3479.

Five kittens, two tabby and three gray and white, asking re-homing Vicon hay cutter, CM2400, lift fee, $10 each; 850-638-8166. type, 8’, well maintained, one owner, everything works as it Tiny Shih Tzu male puppies, should, field ready; 850-592eclipse babies, will be buff/cream 4798. (chocolate fuzz grows out), Noritake China Blossom Time, adorable; 850-768-0556, text. eight 5-piece place settings, includes platter, vegetable bowl, sugar bowl w/lid and creamer; Appliances 850-866-4953.

Electric Kenmore washing machine, ultra fabric care, heavy duty, 90 series, quiet, extra Miscellaneous capacity; 850-237-2176.

Home/Farm Antique Long 445 tractor, with bush hog and blade, $2,500; 251-979-5971, call or text.

Two used Huffy bicycles, $70 each, good condition; 448-488-2091, call or text if interested.

Gen Air steel gas grill cover, gas tank included; 850-237-2176.

CLF Free Ad Policy (Limited to one ad per household)

www.enfingerplumbinginc.com officemanager@enfingerplumbing.com 10% off to active law enforcement

(850) 557-9311 PAGE 4

Locally owned plumbing company in NW Florida. Professional team of technicians providing the customer service & workmanship you’re looking for. Enfinger Plumbing Co. arrives on time, offers up front pricing & fixes problems right the first time. Our professionals operate a clean & safe work site, and work hard to be respectful of you & your home.

We want you to have the best experience when we assist you with your plumbing needs!

CURRENT LIGHT FLASHES

WFEC publishes free classified ads in the Current Light Flashes as a service to its members. The following limitations apply: 1) Ads must be 20 words or less and must be legible, with an active electric account number at the top. 2) Ads exceeding 20 words are subject to elimination. 3) Submit ads to the Graceville office by the 5th of the month to appear in the following month’s issue. (Example: An ad arriving

by Jan. 5 will appear in the Feb. CLF) 4) Ads for services & businesses are not free. Service businesses include, but are not limited to, pet or livestock breeders or stud services, rentals, baby-sitting, etc. 5) Any buying or selling on a regular basis will be considered a business. On-going garage sales & the sale of similar items on a repeated basis do not qualify for free advertising. 6) WFEC may refuse to publish any ad. 7) You may submit your ad online at www.westflorida.coop.

WFEC will not accept ads over the phone.

ISSUE JUNE 2024

Pepper jelly, $5 & $10 jars; habanero, cranberry jalapeno, can be made to order; 850-276-9484, text.

Used meter pole; 850-703-9375.

Multiple Listings Gravity wagon; 3-horse slant trailer; barrel, roping, pleasure saddles; tack; gentle pony; utility trailer; 850-209-8532 or 850-592-2494.

Vintage 1981 Honda Goldwing 1100 GL, low miles, $6,800; 5x11 enclosed trailer, both $8,800 OBO; 850-373-3709 or 850- 5470448.

Two aluminum tool boxes, 11x65”, $250; pair western cowboy hats, $35; 850-547-0448 or 850-373-3709.

Local Telephone Prefixes Alford 579 Altha 762 Bascom/Malone 569 Blountstown 674, 237 Bonifay 547 Caryville 548 Chipley 638, 415 Cottondale 352 Graceville 263

Grand Ridge Greenwood Marianna Ponce de Leon Sneads Sunny Hills Vernon Westville

592 594 482, 526 836 593 773 535 956

CLF Free Ad Form Please Type or Print Neatly.

Name Acct. # St. Address/P.O. Box City Phone #

For Sale • Wanted • Free • Thank You • Lost (circle one)

TOLL FREE OUTAGE HOTLINE: 1.844.OUTAGE1 (844.688.2431)

PAGE 13

Justin Joyner 850-658-2890

& Land Clearing

Chainlink Barbed Wire Vinyl Fence Wood Fence Field Fence “New” “Used” Repairs

Panhandle Pump Repair & Filtration Service What’s in YOUR Water?

Over 40 Years Experience License #2252

John White Owner

SOUTHSIDE

Air Conditioning & Refrigeration

Sales, Service, Leasing, Maintenance, Installation, Ice Vending Machines

3024 Firefly Lane Vernon, FL 32462

Home: (850) 535-1121 Cell: (850) 260-2204

Yard Needs Mowed?

• Glass Shower

Enclosures • Window Panes • Mirrors • Screens • Tabletops

Call Mike (850) 596-8767

Commercial & Residential

Need Ice? Ice Machine Leasing

850-703-5486 State Certified Contractor CAC1819784

www.mysouthsideair.com

50

years

1974-2024

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS AS YOUR LOCALLY OWNED, INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY BANK Serving Jackson, Holmes, and Washington Counties since 1974 We proudly provide hometown services that include: Deposit Accounts

Savings Accounts & IRAs

WFEC Holds 87th Annual Meeting/Member Appreciation Day

W

est Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC) held its Annual Meeting/Member Appreciation Day on Saturday, April 27. Attendees were greeted by a large American Flag suspended between two bucket trucks when they entered the grounds of the Graceville Civic Center. Booths ranging from health screenings to pole climbing by WFEC linemen, and toucha-truck displays from local emergency agencies and the co-op were some of the main attractions for members. The co-op also provided valuable information about electrical safety, surge protection, EVs and more. Entertainment was provided

by Swiftwater, a bluegrass group from Altha, Florida.

The meeting started with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem sung by Gerald Webb of Swiftwater, and the colors were presented by Vernon HS JROTC students. This was followed by an address to members by Shawn Walling, Executive Vice President and CEO of WFEC. Walling took time to recognize the cooperative's membership saying, "I want to thank you, the members, for understanding that sometimes to do something 'safely' it will take a little longer. This can stretch the length of outages. We want to get the lights on as quickly as possible, but we also have the goal of 'everyone goes home every day.' This translates to nobody gets hurt."

"I am very proud to be a part of the West Florida Electric Family. It is great to know that we at WFEC work for those we serve. I take great pride in working for a foundational business in this area. I say foundational because 'if WFEC is not doing our job well, the rest of the economy doesn't work.' I am proud to be a part of this organization where the membership's needs are put first. I look forward to the next annual meeting where we will be able to say again: West Florida is doing everything we can to meet our goals of providing safe, reliable, and affordable electricity to our member-owners," he continued.

During the business meeting, the results of this year's District 7, 8, and 9 elections were announced to the members. Those results were: District 7

District 8

District 9

Randy Bush - unopposed

Joe E. Rone - 1,526 votes Melissa "Misty" Erickson - 1,751 votes

Myron Hudson - 1,610 votes Jerry Eldridge - 1,039 votes Jeremy Rolling - 615 votes

Loans for Consumers, Commercial, Real Estate & Construction Loans

5306 Brown Street

Graceville, FL 32440

peoplesgraceville.com

850-263-3267

We’re Banking On Service!

PAGE 12

CURRENT LIGHT FLASHES

This year, members had the option to approve minutes from the 2023 annual meeting on the mail ballot.

Those minutes and board actions were approved with a vote of 2,897 members approving and 146 disapproving.

The two winners of the $250 bill credits for voting in this year's election are Austin and Ashland Goff and Betty Ard. As a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative, WFEC is a democratic organization controlled by its members, who actively participate in setting policy and making decisions. The elected representatives are elected by the members and accountable to them. Members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote). The elections were overseen and conducted by Carr, Riggs & Ingram, CPAs and Advisors.

ISSUE JUNE 2024

TOLL FREE OUTAGE HOTLINE: 1.844.OUTAGE1 (844.688.2431)

PAGE 5

10 Things You Might Not Know about Power Restoration

L

et's shed some light on our power restoration process to help you understand what might be happening behind the scenes.

1. We need you. When your power goes out, it might be just at your home or small section of a neighborhood. There is a chance we may not know about it, and no one has reported it. We rely on you to let us know if your power is out. You can do that by texting OUT to 800-342-7400, using the mobile app or reporting it online. You can also call 844-688-2431 (844-OUTAGE1).

2. Our employees might be affected too. Because West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC) is a local electric cooperative owned by the members we serve, our employees are local too. They are your neighbors, friends and familiar community volunteers. When you're without power, our people might be too.

3. It's a team effort. Every one of WFEC's employees are working to get your power restored as soon as possible. Our member services representatives are taking call, engineers and field staff are surveying the damage, our vegetation management team is clearing hazards, dispatchers are organizing crews, and communicators are keeping everyone informed of progress and potential dangers. When your power goes out, we all work together as quickly and safely as possible to get you back to normal.

4. We assess the situation first. Every outage is different, and we don't know how dangerous it is or what equipment might need to be replaced. When responding to outages, we first need to see what happened, then figure out what materials we need and a plan for how to fix the problem(s) without compromising electric flow for the rest of our members.

5. Restoration is normally prioritized by the largest number of members we can get back on in the shortest amount of time. Our crews focus on responding first to public safety issues and critical services continued on page 7

PAGE 6

CURRENT LIGHT FLASHES

Thank You West Florida Electric Cooperative members for your vote and

Greg A. Varner Owner

support in our recent election. Your returning me as your District 9 Trustee is deeply appreciated. As your board member, my pledge to you is to continue working diligently to maintain an effective and efficient co-op that will best serve all member-owners.

It is an honor to serve you.

Myron Hudson

SOUTHERN ROOFING, INC. All Types Licensed • Bonded • Insured

1945 Tower Lane Westville, FL 32464

District 9 Trustee

Pd. Pol. Adv. Pd. for and approved by Myron Hudson

Since 1969

(850) 956-4325 Mobile: (850) 259-0467 Fax: (850) 956-4169

License# CCC058016

Email: southroofing@centurylink.net

William

4” to 12”

Crutchfield Enterprises, Inc.

Water Well Drilling & Pump Repair

HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING

Residential, Commercial, Agricultural Water Analysis & Treatment

Florida License Number: CMC1250499 4315 Galilee Road • Graceville, FL 32440

(850) 326-0330

850-263-8064

Email: wilcruent@bellsouth.net

200-Amp Power Pole $599.95 100 - Amp Power Pole $499.95 Delivery & Installation Available Rick Carnley - Lic. # EC-13006648

Doug Hannon's Fish & Game Forecast June 2024

Excellent Times AM PM

Moon Stage

Good Times AM PM

MON.

1

6:54-8:54

7:18-9:18

1:21-2:51

1:45-3:15

TUE.

2

7:42-9:42

8:06-10:06

2:09-3:39

2:33-4:03

WED.

3

8:30-10:30

8:54-10:54

2:57-4:27

3:21-4:51

THU.

4

9:18-11:18

9:42-11:42

3:45-5:15

4:09-5:39

FRI.

5

10:06-12:06

10:30-12:30

4:33-6:03

4:57-6:27

SAT.

6

N/A

12:06-2:06

6:09-7:39

6:33-8:03

SUN.

7

12:30-2:30

12:54-2:54

6:57-8:27

7:21-8:51

MON.

8

1:18-3:18

1:42-3:42

7:45-9:15

8:09-9:39

TUE.

9

2:06-4:06

2:30-4:30

8:33-10:03

8:57-10:27

WED.

10

2:54-4:54

3:18-5:18

9:21-10:51

9:45-11:15

THU.

11

3:42-5:42

4:06-6:06

10:09-11:39

10:33-12:03

NEW

FRI.

12

4:30-6:30

4:54-6:54

10:57-12:27

11:21-12:51

SAT.

13

5:18-7:18

5:42-7:42

N/A

12:09-1:39

SUN.

14

6:06-8:06

6:30-8:30

12:33-2:03

12:57-2:27

MON.

15

6:54-8:54

7:18-9:18

1:21-2:51

1:45-3:15

TUE.

16

7:42-9:42

8:06-10:06

2:09-3:39

2:33-4:03

WED.

17

8:30-10:30

8:54-10:54

2:57-4:27

3:21-4:51

THU.

18

9:18-11:18

9:42-11:42

3:45-5:15

4:09-5:39

FRI.

19

10:06-12:06

10:30-12:30

4:33-6:03

4:57-6:27

SAT.

20

10:54-12:54

11:18-1:18

5:21-6:51

5:45-7:15

SUN.

21

N/A

12:06-2:06

6:09-7:39

6:33-8:03

MON.

22

12:30-2:30

12:54-2:54

FULL

6:57-8:27

7:21-8:51

TUE.

23

1:18-3:18

1:42-3:42

7:45-9:15

8:09-9:39

WED.

24

2:06-4:06

2:30-4:30

8:33-10:03

8:57-10:27

THU.

25

2:54-4:54

3:18-5:18

9:21-10:51

9:45-11:15

FRI.

26

3:42-5:42

4:06-6:06

10:09-11:39

10:33-12:03

Florida Meter Pole Company, Inc. Anthony Register 850-573-0219

W&S Farm and Service Tractor & Equipment Repair Welding Irrigation Repair Excavator & Bulldozer Work Land Clearing Earth Moving

(850) 326-8419 Land Clearing & Forestry Services Dozer and Excavation Work Heavy-Duty Brush Cutting Ponds • Road Building • Demolition Pine Tree Planting • Herbicide Spraying Fire Line Plowing • Burning • Root Raking Chopping • Bedding www.claycoforestry.com clayslandclearing@gmail.com

SAT.

27

4:30-6:30

4:54-6:54

10:57-12:27

11:21-12:51

SUN.

28

5:18-7:18

5:42-7:42

N/A

12:09-1:39

MON.

29

6:06-8:06

6:30-8:30

12:33-2:03

12:57-2:27

Clay O’Neal:

TUE.

30

6:54-8:54

7:18-9:18

1:21-2:51

1:45-3:15

850.762.9402 or 850.832.5055

ISSUE JUNE 2024

TOLL FREE OUTAGE HOTLINE: 1.844.OUTAGE1 (844.688.2431)

PAGE 11

Focused on You We’re passionate about taking care of our customers and making them feel at home. Our hospitality paired with our experienced Bankers and Lenders is at the heart of who we are at First Federal Bank.

ffbf.com | 850-526-4411 Bonifay - Chipley - Graceville - Marianna

Don Nowell - Regional Senior Commercial Banker Amanda Parrish - Marianna Branch Manager

Mr. Fence

OLEN BARFIELD

Larry Englert

Chris & Sheryl Tate

Efficient & portable bandsaw can cut your trees into lumber on your site with minimal sawdust waste.

Larry’s Rescreening, LLC

Commercial • Residential • Farm • Industrial Locally Owned & Operated for 28 Years

(850) 547-5516 Your Privacy is Our Business

Have Sawmill, Will Travel

638-7105

Owner

Veteran owned with 30 years experience

Pool cages, screen rooms, car ports, rescreening & repairs.

like hospitals. Then we look to complete work that impacts the largest number of people first.

6. Our employees face many dangers. Besides working around high voltage electricity, our crews are on alert for wild animals, weather elements, falling trees and fast-moving cars. (If you ever drive past one of our vehicles, please slow down).

7. Flickering lights are a good thing. Some folks mistake flickering lights for outages, but these "blinks" are important because they indicate our equipment worked and prevented a possible outage likely caused by wayward animals or stray tree limbs on the lines.

8. You need a backup plan. We do our best to help those who need it, but if you depend on electricity for life support purposes, you must have a back-up plan. Remember, we don't always know how long restoration efforts will take.

9. Our employees have to plan, and eat. If you ever see our trucks in a restaurant parking lot while your power is out, know that sometimes our employees huddle in a safe, common area to map out their plan for getting your power back on. Also, our crews work long hard hours during outages and need to take time for meals just like everyone else.

10. Sometimes it's a waiting game. Our portion of the power grid is connected to other electric utilities, and we maintain positive relationships with power providers interconnected to our system. If our outage is due to an issue from their feed into our system, we must let them do their repairs and be mindful of what they're going through to fix it.

Centipede Seed

On the Farm Delivered or Installed 850-638-4860 • Cellular 415-0385 Est. 1980

Materials, Maintenance & Installation Board, Privacy, and Chain-link

PAGE 10

20-Years Limited Warranty 21 Colors to Choose From

Gary McIntosh

(850) 593-0009

Re-roof Specialist Shingles • Flat Roofs • Re-Roofs New Roofs & All Types of Repairs

Free Estimates

5 Year Workmanship Warranty Licensed & Insured #CCC1330359

(850) 547-2934

Let’s Talk.

(850) 630-9225

D West Florida Turf SO SOCentipede • St. Augustine • 419 Bermuda D

Livestock Fencing

Armondi Roofing, LLC

Feeling left in the dark?

Licensed & insured

AFFORDABLE SEAMLESS GUTTERS

We do our best to avoid power disruptions, but they are inevitable from time to time. If the lights go out, know that your co-op team is working as quickly and safely as possible to restore power. If you experience an outage, please let us know by reporting it. You can text OUT to 800-342-7400, use the mobile app, report it online or call 844-388-2431 (844-OUTAGE1).

Track and report power outages immediately with your phone – and view detailed outage maps with impacted areas and status. Rest assured we are on our way to you. Log on or download the app today!

Concrete Designs by Levon, LLC Levon Carnley

Specialized in: Decorative Concrete • Interior/Exterior Pool Decks • Porches Patios • Garages

Licensed

Concrete Designs by Levon, LLC

www.westflorida.coop 800-42-7400

Phone: 850-703-0318

CURRENT LIGHT FLASHES

ISSUE JUNE 2024

TOLL FREE OUTAGE HOTLINE: 1.844.OUTAGE1 (844.688.2431)

PAGE 7

Pay Your Bill with the Touch of a Button

L

et's talk about West Florida Electric Cooperative's (WFEC) mobile app. Take advantage of this convenient way to manage your power in real time. Our secure mobile app is designed to give you fast, secure account access from anywhere. Receive email alerts when your new bill is ready and pay it instantly - with the touch of a button - AND without paying postage!

Using the app is easy and convenient with all the information about your electric account available at your fingertips. Nearly everything you need to do online can be handled instantly - whether you are at home, at work, or on the go.

• Make and schedule secure payments • View bills and account balances

• Schedule alerts and reminders

PAGE 8

Shop Local, Buy Local, Support Local

• View account & payment history • Contact the co-op

Bed Covers Truck Accessories

Cell Phone Signal Boosters Leather Seat Replacement Home Wifi & TV Services Ranch Hand Stepbars & Grill Guards

2817 Hwy. 71 • Marianna, FL 32446 • 850-394-4406 www.Fullersoundav.com

• Receive push notifications

• Easily manage account details • View use for the past 30 days or customize a report

• Report outages and view the online outage map The mobile app is secure and free.

All critical personal and financial information is encrypted in every transaction run through the app and no personal information is ever stored on mobile devices. Your mobile device will offer the ability to store login information, so remember anyone with access to your mobile device, can access your account using the app.

West Florida Electric's mobile apps for Android and IOS devices are very easy to locate in the Android Market or App Store - just search West Florida Electric Cooperative.

It's completely free to download and install.

To use the mobile app for the first time, please call 800-342-7400 to get started and to verify your WFEC account information is correct.

The co-op offers many other convenient payment options to help members avoid mail delays. We will talk about paying online in next month's issue.

Car Stereo Spray-in Bedliners

McIntosh

SURVEYOR

Outboard & Small Engine Grand Ridge

Florida Licensed Surveyor since 1969

Sneads

We buy boats & motors!

(850) 593-0009 • 7524 Old U.S. 90 Ln., Sneads, FL

Roger Lonsway

Mobile: 850-260-5438

YOUR SAFETY CONNECTION Never connect a portable generator directly to your home’s wiring. Doing so could kill someone working to restore power. Instead, use a heavy-duty extension cord to plug in appliances.

Connecting you to safety!

Want to pay your bill with a push of a button?

Let’s Talk.

Go Paperless!

Take advantage of our convenient services to manage your power in realtime. Receive email alerts when your new bill is ready and pay it instantly – without paying postage.

Log on or download the app today!

CURRENT LIGHT FLASHES

Going paperless is a great way to eliminate mailing delays that may impact you!

ISSUE JUNE 2024

Sign up for paperless billing online (www.westflorida.coop) or by calling our office at (800) 342-7400.

TOLL FREE OUTAGE HOTLINE: 1.844.OUTAGE1 (844.688.2431)

PAGE 9

Pay Your Bill with the Touch of a Button

L

et's talk about West Florida Electric Cooperative's (WFEC) mobile app. Take advantage of this convenient way to manage your power in real time. Our secure mobile app is designed to give you fast, secure account access from anywhere. Receive email alerts when your new bill is ready and pay it instantly - with the touch of a button - AND without paying postage!

Using the app is easy and convenient with all the information about your electric account available at your fingertips. Nearly everything you need to do online can be handled instantly - whether you are at home, at work, or on the go.

• Make and schedule secure payments • View bills and account balances

• Schedule alerts and reminders

PAGE 8

Shop Local, Buy Local, Support Local

• View account & payment history • Contact the co-op

Bed Covers Truck Accessories

Cell Phone Signal Boosters Leather Seat Replacement Home Wifi & TV Services Ranch Hand Stepbars & Grill Guards

2817 Hwy. 71 • Marianna, FL 32446 • 850-394-4406 www.Fullersoundav.com

• Receive push notifications

• Easily manage account details • View use for the past 30 days or customize a report

• Report outages and view the online outage map The mobile app is secure and free.

All critical personal and financial information is encrypted in every transaction run through the app and no personal information is ever stored on mobile devices. Your mobile device will offer the ability to store login information, so remember anyone with access to your mobile device, can access your account using the app.

West Florida Electric's mobile apps for Android and IOS devices are very easy to locate in the Android Market or App Store - just search West Florida Electric Cooperative.

It's completely free to download and install.

To use the mobile app for the first time, please call 800-342-7400 to get started and to verify your WFEC account information is correct.

The co-op offers many other convenient payment options to help members avoid mail delays. We will talk about paying online in next month's issue.

Car Stereo Spray-in Bedliners

McIntosh

SURVEYOR

Outboard & Small Engine Grand Ridge

Florida Licensed Surveyor since 1969

Sneads

We buy boats & motors!

(850) 593-0009 • 7524 Old U.S. 90 Ln., Sneads, FL

Roger Lonsway

Mobile: 850-260-5438

YOUR SAFETY CONNECTION Never connect a portable generator directly to your home’s wiring. Doing so could kill someone working to restore power. Instead, use a heavy-duty extension cord to plug in appliances.

Connecting you to safety!

Want to pay your bill with a push of a button?

Let’s Talk.

Go Paperless!

Take advantage of our convenient services to manage your power in realtime. Receive email alerts when your new bill is ready and pay it instantly – without paying postage.

Log on or download the app today!

CURRENT LIGHT FLASHES

Going paperless is a great way to eliminate mailing delays that may impact you!

ISSUE JUNE 2024

Sign up for paperless billing online (www.westflorida.coop) or by calling our office at (800) 342-7400.

TOLL FREE OUTAGE HOTLINE: 1.844.OUTAGE1 (844.688.2431)

PAGE 9

Focused on You We’re passionate about taking care of our customers and making them feel at home. Our hospitality paired with our experienced Bankers and Lenders is at the heart of who we are at First Federal Bank.

ffbf.com | 850-526-4411 Bonifay - Chipley - Graceville - Marianna

Don Nowell - Regional Senior Commercial Banker Amanda Parrish - Marianna Branch Manager

Mr. Fence

OLEN BARFIELD

Larry Englert

Chris & Sheryl Tate

Efficient & portable bandsaw can cut your trees into lumber on your site with minimal sawdust waste.

Larry’s Rescreening, LLC

Commercial • Residential • Farm • Industrial Locally Owned & Operated for 28 Years

(850) 547-5516 Your Privacy is Our Business

Have Sawmill, Will Travel

638-7105

Owner

Veteran owned with 30 years experience

Pool cages, screen rooms, car ports, rescreening & repairs.

like hospitals. Then we look to complete work that impacts the largest number of people first.

6. Our employees face many dangers. Besides working around high voltage electricity, our crews are on alert for wild animals, weather elements, falling trees and fast-moving cars. (If you ever drive past one of our vehicles, please slow down).

7. Flickering lights are a good thing. Some folks mistake flickering lights for outages, but these "blinks" are important because they indicate our equipment worked and prevented a possible outage likely caused by wayward animals or stray tree limbs on the lines.

8. You need a backup plan. We do our best to help those who need it, but if you depend on electricity for life support purposes, you must have a back-up plan. Remember, we don't always know how long restoration efforts will take.

9. Our employees have to plan, and eat. If you ever see our trucks in a restaurant parking lot while your power is out, know that sometimes our employees huddle in a safe, common area to map out their plan for getting your power back on. Also, our crews work long hard hours during outages and need to take time for meals just like everyone else.

10. Sometimes it's a waiting game. Our portion of the power grid is connected to other electric utilities, and we maintain positive relationships with power providers interconnected to our system. If our outage is due to an issue from their feed into our system, we must let them do their repairs and be mindful of what they're going through to fix it.

Centipede Seed

On the Farm Delivered or Installed 850-638-4860 • Cellular 415-0385 Est. 1980

Materials, Maintenance & Installation Board, Privacy, and Chain-link

PAGE 10

20-Years Limited Warranty 21 Colors to Choose From

Gary McIntosh

(850) 593-0009

Re-roof Specialist Shingles • Flat Roofs • Re-Roofs New Roofs & All Types of Repairs

Free Estimates

5 Year Workmanship Warranty Licensed & Insured #CCC1330359

(850) 547-2934

Let’s Talk.

(850) 630-9225

D West Florida Turf SO SOCentipede • St. Augustine • 419 Bermuda D

Livestock Fencing

Armondi Roofing, LLC

Feeling left in the dark?

Licensed & insured

AFFORDABLE SEAMLESS GUTTERS

We do our best to avoid power disruptions, but they are inevitable from time to time. If the lights go out, know that your co-op team is working as quickly and safely as possible to restore power. If you experience an outage, please let us know by reporting it. You can text OUT to 800-342-7400, use the mobile app, report it online or call 844-388-2431 (844-OUTAGE1).

Track and report power outages immediately with your phone – and view detailed outage maps with impacted areas and status. Rest assured we are on our way to you. Log on or download the app today!

Concrete Designs by Levon, LLC Levon Carnley

Specialized in: Decorative Concrete • Interior/Exterior Pool Decks • Porches Patios • Garages

Licensed

Concrete Designs by Levon, LLC

www.westflorida.coop 800-42-7400

Phone: 850-703-0318

CURRENT LIGHT FLASHES

ISSUE JUNE 2024

TOLL FREE OUTAGE HOTLINE: 1.844.OUTAGE1 (844.688.2431)

PAGE 7

10 Things You Might Not Know about Power Restoration

L

et's shed some light on our power restoration process to help you understand what might be happening behind the scenes.

1. We need you. When your power goes out, it might be just at your home or small section of a neighborhood. There is a chance we may not know about it, and no one has reported it. We rely on you to let us know if your power is out. You can do that by texting OUT to 800-342-7400, using the mobile app or reporting it online. You can also call 844-688-2431 (844-OUTAGE1).

2. Our employees might be affected too. Because West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC) is a local electric cooperative owned by the members we serve, our employees are local too. They are your neighbors, friends and familiar community volunteers. When you're without power, our people might be too.

3. It's a team effort. Every one of WFEC's employees are working to get your power restored as soon as possible. Our member services representatives are taking call, engineers and field staff are surveying the damage, our vegetation management team is clearing hazards, dispatchers are organizing crews, and communicators are keeping everyone informed of progress and potential dangers. When your power goes out, we all work together as quickly and safely as possible to get you back to normal.

4. We assess the situation first. Every outage is different, and we don't know how dangerous it is or what equipment might need to be replaced. When responding to outages, we first need to see what happened, then figure out what materials we need and a plan for how to fix the problem(s) without compromising electric flow for the rest of our members.

5. Restoration is normally prioritized by the largest number of members we can get back on in the shortest amount of time. Our crews focus on responding first to public safety issues and critical services continued on page 7

PAGE 6

CURRENT LIGHT FLASHES

Thank You West Florida Electric Cooperative members for your vote and

Greg A. Varner Owner

support in our recent election. Your returning me as your District 9 Trustee is deeply appreciated. As your board member, my pledge to you is to continue working diligently to maintain an effective and efficient co-op that will best serve all member-owners.

It is an honor to serve you.

Myron Hudson

SOUTHERN ROOFING, INC. All Types Licensed • Bonded • Insured

1945 Tower Lane Westville, FL 32464

District 9 Trustee

Pd. Pol. Adv. Pd. for and approved by Myron Hudson

Since 1969

(850) 956-4325 Mobile: (850) 259-0467 Fax: (850) 956-4169

License# CCC058016

Email: southroofing@centurylink.net

William

4” to 12”

Crutchfield Enterprises, Inc.

Water Well Drilling & Pump Repair

HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING

Residential, Commercial, Agricultural Water Analysis & Treatment

Florida License Number: CMC1250499 4315 Galilee Road • Graceville, FL 32440

(850) 326-0330

850-263-8064

Email: wilcruent@bellsouth.net

200-Amp Power Pole $599.95 100 - Amp Power Pole $499.95 Delivery & Installation Available Rick Carnley - Lic. # EC-13006648

Doug Hannon's Fish & Game Forecast June 2024

Excellent Times AM PM

Moon Stage

Good Times AM PM

MON.

1

6:54-8:54

7:18-9:18

1:21-2:51

1:45-3:15

TUE.

2

7:42-9:42

8:06-10:06

2:09-3:39

2:33-4:03

WED.

3

8:30-10:30

8:54-10:54

2:57-4:27

3:21-4:51

THU.

4

9:18-11:18

9:42-11:42

3:45-5:15

4:09-5:39

FRI.

5

10:06-12:06

10:30-12:30

4:33-6:03

4:57-6:27

SAT.

6

N/A

12:06-2:06

6:09-7:39

6:33-8:03

SUN.

7

12:30-2:30

12:54-2:54

6:57-8:27

7:21-8:51

MON.

8

1:18-3:18

1:42-3:42

7:45-9:15

8:09-9:39

TUE.

9

2:06-4:06

2:30-4:30

8:33-10:03

8:57-10:27

WED.

10

2:54-4:54

3:18-5:18

9:21-10:51

9:45-11:15

THU.

11

3:42-5:42

4:06-6:06

10:09-11:39

10:33-12:03

NEW

FRI.

12

4:30-6:30

4:54-6:54

10:57-12:27

11:21-12:51

SAT.

13

5:18-7:18

5:42-7:42

N/A

12:09-1:39

SUN.

14

6:06-8:06

6:30-8:30

12:33-2:03

12:57-2:27

MON.

15

6:54-8:54

7:18-9:18

1:21-2:51

1:45-3:15

TUE.

16

7:42-9:42

8:06-10:06

2:09-3:39

2:33-4:03

WED.

17

8:30-10:30

8:54-10:54

2:57-4:27

3:21-4:51

THU.

18

9:18-11:18

9:42-11:42

3:45-5:15

4:09-5:39

FRI.

19

10:06-12:06

10:30-12:30

4:33-6:03

4:57-6:27

SAT.

20

10:54-12:54

11:18-1:18

5:21-6:51

5:45-7:15

SUN.

21

N/A

12:06-2:06

6:09-7:39

6:33-8:03

MON.

22

12:30-2:30

12:54-2:54

FULL

6:57-8:27

7:21-8:51

TUE.

23

1:18-3:18

1:42-3:42

7:45-9:15

8:09-9:39

WED.

24

2:06-4:06

2:30-4:30

8:33-10:03

8:57-10:27

THU.

25

2:54-4:54

3:18-5:18

9:21-10:51

9:45-11:15

FRI.

26

3:42-5:42

4:06-6:06

10:09-11:39

10:33-12:03

Florida Meter Pole Company, Inc. Anthony Register 850-573-0219

W&S Farm and Service Tractor & Equipment Repair Welding Irrigation Repair Excavator & Bulldozer Work Land Clearing Earth Moving

(850) 326-8419 Land Clearing & Forestry Services Dozer and Excavation Work Heavy-Duty Brush Cutting Ponds • Road Building • Demolition Pine Tree Planting • Herbicide Spraying Fire Line Plowing • Burning • Root Raking Chopping • Bedding www.claycoforestry.com clayslandclearing@gmail.com

SAT.

27

4:30-6:30

4:54-6:54

10:57-12:27

11:21-12:51

SUN.

28

5:18-7:18

5:42-7:42

N/A

12:09-1:39

MON.

29

6:06-8:06

6:30-8:30

12:33-2:03

12:57-2:27

Clay O’Neal:

TUE.

30

6:54-8:54

7:18-9:18

1:21-2:51

1:45-3:15

850.762.9402 or 850.832.5055

ISSUE JUNE 2024

TOLL FREE OUTAGE HOTLINE: 1.844.OUTAGE1 (844.688.2431)

PAGE 11

Justin Joyner 850-658-2890

& Land Clearing

Chainlink Barbed Wire Vinyl Fence Wood Fence Field Fence “New” “Used” Repairs

Panhandle Pump Repair & Filtration Service What’s in YOUR Water?

Over 40 Years Experience License #2252

John White Owner

SOUTHSIDE

Air Conditioning & Refrigeration

Sales, Service, Leasing, Maintenance, Installation, Ice Vending Machines

3024 Firefly Lane Vernon, FL 32462

Home: (850) 535-1121 Cell: (850) 260-2204

Yard Needs Mowed?

• Glass Shower

Enclosures • Window Panes • Mirrors • Screens • Tabletops

Call Mike (850) 596-8767

Commercial & Residential

Need Ice? Ice Machine Leasing

850-703-5486 State Certified Contractor CAC1819784

www.mysouthsideair.com

50

years

1974-2024

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS AS YOUR LOCALLY OWNED, INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY BANK Serving Jackson, Holmes, and Washington Counties since 1974 We proudly provide hometown services that include: Deposit Accounts

Savings Accounts & IRAs

WFEC Holds 87th Annual Meeting/Member Appreciation Day

W

est Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC) held its Annual Meeting/Member Appreciation Day on Saturday, April 27. Attendees were greeted by a large American Flag suspended between two bucket trucks when they entered the grounds of the Graceville Civic Center. Booths ranging from health screenings to pole climbing by WFEC linemen, and toucha-truck displays from local emergency agencies and the co-op were some of the main attractions for members. The co-op also provided valuable information about electrical safety, surge protection, EVs and more. Entertainment was provided

by Swiftwater, a bluegrass group from Altha, Florida.

The meeting started with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem sung by Gerald Webb of Swiftwater, and the colors were presented by Vernon HS JROTC students. This was followed by an address to members by Shawn Walling, Executive Vice President and CEO of WFEC. Walling took time to recognize the cooperative's membership saying, "I want to thank you, the members, for understanding that sometimes to do something 'safely' it will take a little longer. This can stretch the length of outages. We want to get the lights on as quickly as possible, but we also have the goal of 'everyone goes home every day.' This translates to nobody gets hurt."

"I am very proud to be a part of the West Florida Electric Family. It is great to know that we at WFEC work for those we serve. I take great pride in working for a foundational business in this area. I say foundational because 'if WFEC is not doing our job well, the rest of the economy doesn't work.' I am proud to be a part of this organization where the membership's needs are put first. I look forward to the next annual meeting where we will be able to say again: West Florida is doing everything we can to meet our goals of providing safe, reliable, and affordable electricity to our member-owners," he continued.

During the business meeting, the results of this year's District 7, 8, and 9 elections were announced to the members. Those results were: District 7

District 8

District 9

Randy Bush - unopposed

Joe E. Rone - 1,526 votes Melissa "Misty" Erickson - 1,751 votes

Myron Hudson - 1,610 votes Jerry Eldridge - 1,039 votes Jeremy Rolling - 615 votes

Loans for Consumers, Commercial, Real Estate & Construction Loans

5306 Brown Street

Graceville, FL 32440

peoplesgraceville.com

850-263-3267

We’re Banking On Service!

PAGE 12

CURRENT LIGHT FLASHES

This year, members had the option to approve minutes from the 2023 annual meeting on the mail ballot.

Those minutes and board actions were approved with a vote of 2,897 members approving and 146 disapproving.

The two winners of the $250 bill credits for voting in this year's election are Austin and Ashland Goff and Betty Ard. As a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative, WFEC is a democratic organization controlled by its members, who actively participate in setting policy and making decisions. The elected representatives are elected by the members and accountable to them. Members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote). The elections were overseen and conducted by Carr, Riggs & Ingram, CPAs and Advisors.

ISSUE JUNE 2024

TOLL FREE OUTAGE HOTLINE: 1.844.OUTAGE1 (844.688.2431)

PAGE 5

because I enjoy people. I want to thank the wives of the linemen for being nice to me when I called them out at all times of the night," said Green.

She plans to do more traveling with her daughters after she retires. Green says she has been to Colorado Springs, the Pentagon, Virginia, San Diego, and many more places in the past year. She also has many more travel plans for this year.

Pitts was previously employed by the Jackson County School District and the Graceville Police Department, enjoying long careers with each. Pitts started working at West Florida Electric Cooperative in October 2013. He is married to Anna Lee and plans to spend lots more time with her and his family after retirement.

"Dispatchers are the people who direct the crews during outages. Having dispatchers who genuinely care about the lineworkers and members is a win for all parties. Danny and Virginia are those types of dispatchers.," said Shawn Walling, Executive Vice President and CEO. "I have had linemen tell me Ms. Virginia would call them to make sure they are okay when a repair took longer than they told her it would. They all knew Ms. Virginia was there keeping an eye on them and making sure they were safe. In her 30 years of being a dispatcher, she has seen many changes.

Employees have started and finished their careers here at WFEC with her voice being the one on the radio after hours. She has been a fixture. As she and Danny begin this new season of their lives, we wish them the best.

For the employees, we will miss both of them, but especially Virginia's larger-than-life personality and the pride and care she took in keeping WFEC's lineworkers safe and "getting the lights" back on for the membership," he said.

Scan the QR code below to download the mobile app!

Services: Backflow Preventor Bathroom Fixtures Camera Inspection Code Violation Repairs Drain & Sewer Cleaning Slab Leak Detection Gas Line Installation Water Heaters Water Treatment & Purification

Leak Detection Repiping Sewer Pumps Construction Faucets Toilets Inspections Insurance Work

Bath/Kitchen Remodeling Boiler & Water Heaters Sales Same Day Service Sewer Lines & Sewer Systems Sewer Video Camera Inspection Garbage Disposals Underground Leak & Pipe Repair Water Min Repair

Remodeling Replacement Parts Competitive Bids Sewer Repair & Replacement Fixture Replacement Tankless Water Heaters Installation Kitchen Fixtures

CLASSIFIEDS FOR SALE Animals/Livestock

Big couch, folds into double bed w/mattress; 850-263-4339.

Enclosed trailer; 850-332-8876, call or text Joseph.

5403 John Deere tractor w/ Very gentle mare with 2 saddles, loader, 1,350 hours, 70+HP, lots of tack, $800; 850-419-3270. runs great, recently replaced tires, $20,500; 850-590-3479.

Five kittens, two tabby and three gray and white, asking re-homing Vicon hay cutter, CM2400, lift fee, $10 each; 850-638-8166. type, 8’, well maintained, one owner, everything works as it Tiny Shih Tzu male puppies, should, field ready; 850-592eclipse babies, will be buff/cream 4798. (chocolate fuzz grows out), Noritake China Blossom Time, adorable; 850-768-0556, text. eight 5-piece place settings, includes platter, vegetable bowl, sugar bowl w/lid and creamer; Appliances 850-866-4953.

Electric Kenmore washing machine, ultra fabric care, heavy duty, 90 series, quiet, extra Miscellaneous capacity; 850-237-2176.

Home/Farm Antique Long 445 tractor, with bush hog and blade, $2,500; 251-979-5971, call or text.

Two used Huffy bicycles, $70 each, good condition; 448-488-2091, call or text if interested.

Gen Air steel gas grill cover, gas tank included; 850-237-2176.

CLF Free Ad Policy (Limited to one ad per household)

www.enfingerplumbinginc.com officemanager@enfingerplumbing.com 10% off to active law enforcement

(850) 557-9311 PAGE 4

Locally owned plumbing company in NW Florida. Professional team of technicians providing the customer service & workmanship you’re looking for. Enfinger Plumbing Co. arrives on time, offers up front pricing & fixes problems right the first time. Our professionals operate a clean & safe work site, and work hard to be respectful of you & your home.

We want you to have the best experience when we assist you with your plumbing needs!

CURRENT LIGHT FLASHES

WFEC publishes free classified ads in the Current Light Flashes as a service to its members. The following limitations apply: 1) Ads must be 20 words or less and must be legible, with an active electric account number at the top. 2) Ads exceeding 20 words are subject to elimination. 3) Submit ads to the Graceville office by the 5th of the month to appear in the following month’s issue. (Example: An ad arriving

by Jan. 5 will appear in the Feb. CLF) 4) Ads for services & businesses are not free. Service businesses include, but are not limited to, pet or livestock breeders or stud services, rentals, baby-sitting, etc. 5) Any buying or selling on a regular basis will be considered a business. On-going garage sales & the sale of similar items on a repeated basis do not qualify for free advertising. 6) WFEC may refuse to publish any ad. 7) You may submit your ad online at www.westflorida.coop.

WFEC will not accept ads over the phone.

ISSUE JUNE 2024

Pepper jelly, $5 & $10 jars; habanero, cranberry jalapeno, can be made to order; 850-276-9484, text.

Used meter pole; 850-703-9375.

Multiple Listings Gravity wagon; 3-horse slant trailer; barrel, roping, pleasure saddles; tack; gentle pony; utility trailer; 850-209-8532 or 850-592-2494.

Vintage 1981 Honda Goldwing 1100 GL, low miles, $6,800; 5x11 enclosed trailer, both $8,800 OBO; 850-373-3709 or 850- 5470448.

Two aluminum tool boxes, 11x65”, $250; pair western cowboy hats, $35; 850-547-0448 or 850-373-3709.

Local Telephone Prefixes Alford 579 Altha 762 Bascom/Malone 569 Blountstown 674, 237 Bonifay 547 Caryville 548 Chipley 638, 415 Cottondale 352 Graceville 263

Grand Ridge Greenwood Marianna Ponce de Leon Sneads Sunny Hills Vernon Westville

592 594 482, 526 836 593 773 535 956

CLF Free Ad Form Please Type or Print Neatly.

Name Acct. # St. Address/P.O. Box City Phone #

For Sale • Wanted • Free • Thank You • Lost (circle one)

TOLL FREE OUTAGE HOTLINE: 1.844.OUTAGE1 (844.688.2431)

PAGE 13

Multiple Listings (cont.) 16 acres of land, in the Gravity flow wagon, $1,700; 4” auger, $600; 2 Kuhn cutters, 10’, $1,200 each; 850-547-2563.

Graceville area, portions farmable; 727-403-4463.

Pre-1965 coins and older currency, loose, jars, collections, or estates; 850-326-3437.

Vehicles

Goats, all sizes, and ages; 850-451-1065.

Round 5’ dining table, with 6 chairs, $150; Lazy Susie $5; other 2008 Smart car for two, excellent 20+ acres pasture land, to rent; condition; 850-272-6611. items, too numerous to list; 850-693-9152.

850-557-8790.

2007 Toyota UT, $5,000; Motorguide MinnKota clamp850-573-6583, if no answer, leave Tri-County Gas on trolling motors; high-top message.

Service, Inc. camper top for small pickup; Tri-County Gas “Home Folks Service, Inc. Serving 850-674-6242.

Home Folks”

WANTED

Square bale annual peanut hay; square bale grass hay; 12x36 walkin cooler; 850-263-3427.

Old project European cars, Pre-

Real Estate 8.5 acres, 5086 Smokey Rd., Graceville, road frontage, pasture land, pole barn, new well, electric, septic, prime deer hunting land, $159,900; 334-560-6019.

Notification Statement

Notice is hereby given that the West Florida Electric Cooperative Association, Inc. Board of Trustees regularly meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month, unless special circumstances warrant a change.

Main Business and Publications Offices 5282 Peanut Road Graceville, Florida 32440-0127 (850) 263-3231 or 1-800-342-7400 Subscription Rate Cooperative members, $2.50 per year Non-members, $6.00 per year Change of Address Notices POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Current Light Flashes P. O. Box 127 Graceville, Florida 32440-0127 DISCLAIMER: Although paid advertisements may appear in West Florida Electric (WFEC) publications in print, online, or in other electronic formats, WFEC does not endorse the advertised product, service, or company, nor any of the claims made by the advertisement. WFEC reserves the right to edit or refuse to publish any advertisement, article or information.

This Institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

PAGE 14

1975 and old motorcycles from England, Germany, Italy, CZ France, in any condition; 330-503-5201.

Two or three nanny goats, as companion animals, rescues welcome, good home; 850-547-5213.

Rims, 16” & 8”; 15” & 6”; 850-674-6242.

For All Your Propane Needs 415 S. Waukesha St., Bonifay

547-3696 #RM0048955

Art’s Home Services Carpenter/Handyman Build It - Fix It Clean It - Haul It

LLC/Insured/ 40 Years Experience

(850) 638-2611 Local help with your Medicare questions.

Gene Alford

Licensed Sales Agent 850-209-1381, TTY 711 genealford@gmail.com MyUHCagent.com/gene.alford

Horses; ponies; mules; donkeys; 850-209-8532 or 850-592-2494.

Trim David & Family Cut Tree Services, LLC Remove Bonded & Fully Insured Free Estimates

Structure Demo Stump Grinding

(850) 326-1559 Veteran-Founded CURRENT LIGHT FLASHES

Two Long-time Dispatchers Retire

V

irginia Green and Danny Pitts, two of the co-op's most experienced dispatchers, have decided to hang up their headsets and retire. As afterhours dispatchers their duties include dispatching linemen to outages, and coordinating multiple crews while they make repairs to the power grid. They also assist local emergency agencies, providing help with emergency situations related to electricity including downed lines, house fires, car accidents and more.

For years, both Green and Pitts often Virginia Green worked 12-hour shifts each weekend.

Green began her career at West Florida Electric in July 1994 while simultaneously working as a Title 1, Pre-K Assistant and Pre-K teacher at Graceville Elementary, which she continued to do until 2019 when she retired from the school system. She worked with students at GES for 29 years.

She says that the field of afterhours dispatching has changed tremendously since she started. Some of those changes included going from using a printed out list of members accounts and information during outages to using computers and new Danny Pitts dispatch programs, taking payments for prepaid members after hours, assisting members with the co-op's satellite program (which no longer exists) and training many other dispatchers. The shifts she works have also changed over the years. She says there were many challenges over the years but she learned new things with the help of her supervisors, co-workers and the linemen. She said one of the things they taught her was how to speak into the radio properly so she didn't sound like she was in a hole.

"I will miss the guys because I feel I have a good working relationship with them. They are very respectful and helpful. I will also miss my co-workers

ROW Update: WFEC Right-of-Way Crews will be cutting & trimming in the following area(s) during

JUNE:

Poplar Springs Graceville Hinson's Crossroads Vernon

When ROW crews are trimming in your area, there may be several days between ROW cutting & clean-up crews due to inclement weather, equipment failure or other unforeseen circumstances.

continued on page 4 ISSUE JUNE 2024

TOLL FREE OUTAGE HOTLINE: 1.844.OUTAGE1 (844.688.2431)

PAGE 3

DOUBLE-TIME

CURRENT LIGHT

FLASHES

Pest Control

(850) 718-6109

USPS: 702-990 | ISSN: 1042-7767 | VOL 74, NO 6

Current Light Flashes is the official voice of West Florida Electric Cooperative Association, Inc., a member-owned Touchstone Energy® cooperative serving Calhoun, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington counties. It is published as a service to the Co-op’s members. Periodicals postage is paid at Graceville, Florida.

Veteran Owned & Operated Detect * Eliminate * Defend Against Unwanted Pests

Voted Best of Tri-County for Washington, Jackon & Holmes Counties 2020, 2021 & 2022 Voted “Top 3 Best of Bay Co. in 2023”

Turning 65? New to the Area? Medicaid Eligible?

Call Me.

WFEC Board of Trustees

EAGLE’S LANDING

Call for a Free Quote Today

New Mobile Home Park

2500 Eagle’s Landing Dr., Marianna, FL 32446

Senior Rental Agent: Lori Grissett (850) 822-1572

Rental Agent: John Pereda (305) 922-7645

LARGE LOTS / 7 MINUTES TO WALMART & I-10 LAKE LOTS $695 / REGULAR LOTS $575 Access to Indian Springs Golf Course & Schools • New Marianna K8 Elementary School & Marianna High School Underground Electric, City Water, Sewer & Cable

Together We Can Stay Safe Digging too close to a padmounted transformer like this one can damage underground cables, leading to electrical shock or interruptions in service. Use caution when landscaping. Call 811 before you dig and stay safe.

I’m Local.

Licensed/Certified/Dependable/Helpful

DAVID TATUM District 1

TIM ALFORD

District 2/President

Melonie Wood (850) 658-2635 FL Lic.# W489703 Al Lic.# 300759370

Call for a FREE consulation regarding the new medicare plans/ more benefits/larger physician networks/larger drug formulary

Custom Cattle Services

Over 200 carriers: Cigna/Aetna/Humana/United Healthcare/WellCare/Blue Cross-Blue Shield/AIG/ Mutual of Omaha/Allianz/Athene/Silac/Americo

40 Years Experience • Karl Kressman (850) 557-3764

Portable Corrals & Chute Cattle Hauling Practical Cattle Vet Work Preg Testing Management & Herd Plans Cattle Penned & Caught

Medicare/Long Term Care/Final Expense & Life Insurance/Retirement Plans JACKIE POOSER District 3

DAVID CORBIN

District 5/Vice President

JOHN ADAMS District 4

GEORGE C. OWENS District 6

(850) 658-2635 Tilman: 850-964-0660 Jeff: 904-796-5900

Serving Bonifay & Surrounding Counties for all your mechanic needs

Nix Auction and Estate Sales LLC

BUSH PAINT & SUPPLY Graceville, FL Open: Monday-Friday • 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

(850) 263-4744 or (850) 263-6345 Carpet • Vinyl • Ceramic • Wood Feed• Seed • Fertilizer

Handyman Charlie

Carpentry & Plumbing Repairs Pressure Washing Cleanup & Hauling

FL Lic.#AU5112 • Auction Business Lic.#AB3892

RANDY BUSH District 7

MISTY ERICKSON District 8

850-849-5410 or 850-693-0439 Email: nixauctionandestatesales@gmail.com

Sell it all? Give us a call.

Greenwood, Florida

484-464-5938

Middlebrooks Contractors, Inc. Serving the Area for Over 60 Years Septic Tank Service, Installation & Repair • Mobile Home Pads • Land Clearing • Excavation • Dirt • Rock • Culverts

MYRON HUDSON

District 9/Secretary-Treasurer

PAGE 2

SHAWN WALLING

Executive VP & CEO

5905 Timberlane Rd. Bascom, FL 32423

Rent-All • We have everything you need! Equipment Rentals, Tractors, Trenchers, Etc.

Ph: (850) 547-3658

Plumbing • Electrical • Licensed & Insured

CURRENT LIGHT FLASHES

Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake

Submitted by: Sarah Ballard

Ingredients: 1 20 oz. can crushed pineapple w/juice 1 21 oz. can cherry pie filling 1 16.5 oz. box golden butter cake mix 1/2 cup butter (1 stick) 1/2 cup chopped walnuts Directions: Spread pineapple and juice over the bottom of a 13x9 inch baking pan.

Then spread the cherry pie filling on top of that. Sprinkle dry cake mix over the mixture and cut butter into thin squares. Arrange the butter on top of cake mix. Sprinkle with the walnuts. Bake at 350 degrees for 4045 minutes. Serve warm or cool. Serves 8-10 people.

ISSUE JUNE 2024

Lynn & Steve Helping Hands, LLC

Tractor Work • Loader Work • Bush Hogging • Chainsaw/Pruning/Hedge Trimming

Serving Holmes, Jackson & Washington Counties

386-748-9035 or 850-768-0822

TOLL FREE OUTAGE HOTLINE: 1.844.OUTAGE! (1.844.688.2431) PAGE 15

CURRENT LIGHT

FLASHES

P.O. Box 127 Graceville, FL 32440-0127

West Florida Electric, Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative

James & Son Tree and Crane Service Insured and Reasonable

850-272-3620 ◄

Free Estimates

DUPONT•

Authorized Agent

Specialist at Removing Hazardous Trees • Land Clearing • Stump Grinding • Forestry Mulching • Debris Removal

A Afr.lSTFAfO MFMflfA OF THf

AUTO GLASS

SAFETY COUNCIL-

• Any Glass • Any Vehicle

WISEFLYAUTOGLASS.COM

Debbie Roney Smith Call or text: (850) 209-8039

LIC#SL642701

“Be SOLD with American Gold”

“I List - I Sell” Full Time Realtor Since 1996 4420 Lafayette St., Marianna, FL 32446

www.realtordrs.com • debson1999@gmail.com

Pay Your Bill with the Touch of a Button Page 8

Mold Removal Remodels Water Damage Additions Fire Damage New Construction

INSIDE ...

24 Hour Emergency Response

Two Long-time Dispatchers Retire ...pgs. 3-4

CBC1255149, CCC1330340, MRSR9

HWY. 77 BINGO, INC. (850) 263-7788

Paper Only Bingo. Located across the street from Graceville High School.

Open 6 days a week. Closed Tuesdays. Session at 7:30 nightly. $50 payouts before & after session. Pull tab games up to $1,000!

Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays: All session games pay $250!

Saturdays 7 Sundays: Jackpot games @ 4-5-6-7-9 & 10 PM Double Action Mini-Session at 4:00 PM

Mondays & Wednesdays: T-shirt night

ISSUE JUNE 2024

Read Online www.WestFlorida.coop

VOL 74, NO 6

WFEC Holds 87th Annual Meeting/ Member Appreciation Day

...pg. 5

10 Things You Might Not Know about Power Restoration

...pgs. 6-7

Fish & Game Forecast

...pg. 11

Local Classifieds

...pgs. 13-14