USPS: 702-990 | ISSN: 1042-7767 | VOL 75, 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 Tallahassee, Florida.
For more than three decades, Dan Wyrick has been a member of West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC). Living in rural Florida, Wyrick has experienced his share of power interruptions, which led him to explore alternative energy solutions. Five years ago, he made the decision to install solar panels on his home - a choice driven by practicality and a desire for greater energy independence.
"In rural Florida, electricity can be interrupted several times a year," Wyrick explained. "I considered buying a generator, but that would have required storing fuel. Solar panels, especially with battery backup, offered a cleaner and more self-sufficient option."
He opted for a solar system with a single battery - foregoing a full off-the-grid setup, which typically requires two batteries. While a dual-battery system can sustain a home indefinitely with daily recharging, Wyrick's configuration allows him to maintain essential power during an outage. "With the new systems, I can monitor my use and turn off appliances and lights to conserve battery power," he noted.
The results over the past five years have been impressive. Wyrick estimates savings between 40 and 50 percent on his energy bill - a significant return on investment. And when outages occur? "I hardly notice when the power goes out," he said. "The system takes over and does exactly what it's designed to do."
When choosing a solar contractor, he emphasized the importance of research. "Do your homework and ask around. I talked to other homeowners and friends who had systems installed and learned from their experiences." Though he hasn't needed much follow-up service, he's been satisfied with the reliability of his system overall.
Wyrick also shared a few cautionary notes for those considering going solar. "There are some hidden costs that solar companies don't always tell you about," he warned. "There's a solar fee from the cooperative - not a punishment, but a cost associated with energy being purchased on your behalf. Plus, your meter has to be upgraded, your homeowners' insurance may increase, and your property taxes might go up since your home's value increases."
Wyrick did reach out to West Florida Electric Cooperative before installing his system, although he admits he wasn't sure what to ask at the time. His advice to other members? Be informed and ask questions early in the process.
continued on page 4
Before investing in solar, understand how it works - both the pros and limitations. If your goal is to save money, contact WFEC to help evaluate your potential savings and ensure your system fits your budget and energy needs.
Things to consider:
• WFEC offers a 5.2 cent/kWh credit for systems under 25 kilowatts. Some solar companies use national average rates that don't reflect WFEC's accurately.
• Weather dependence: Solar panels don't produce power at night or during cloudy periods, so you'll still rely on WFEC for consistent energy.
• Fixed costs remain: Regardless of solar output, WFEC maintains infrastructure supported by a $35 monthly base charge for all members and a $4.94 per kW solar recovery fee, which is passed through to the member from PowerSouth.
Co-op requirements:
• A signed interconnection application and a $135 fee
• A special meter installed by WFEC
West Florida Electric Cooperative is here to help. Reach out before you buy, and make sure solar is the right fit for your home, your goals and your wallet.
When summer heats up, our electric bills tend to increase as air conditioners are working overtime, driving up home energy use. WFEC is committed to helping you beat the heat without breaking the bank.
West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC) held its Annual Meeting and Member Appreciation Day on April 26 at the Graceville Civic Center. Members enjoyed demonstrations by WFEC and Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative linemen, touch-a-truck displays, and safety information. Grace and Grit from Panama City provided musical entertainment.
The event opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, the National Anthem, and the Presentation of the Colors by Vernon High School JROTC. Interim EVP & CEO, Wayne Williams, addressed co-op members who attended the meeting. He presented the co-op's new logo to the membership and election results were announced:
District 1 - David Tatum (unopposed)
District 2 - Tim Alford (2,180 votes), Andrew Bowden (858 votes)
District 3 - Jackie Pooser (unopposed)
Members approved the 2024 meeting minutes and board actions by a vote of 2,800 to 86. Members Richard and Mary Bevitt of Sneads and Hubert Kinkaid of Blountstown, won $250 bill credits for their participation in the election process.
WFEC is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative where members vote equally and help guide policy and decisions.
Photos, l-r: Grace and Grit entertained the crowd during WFEC's 88th Annual Meeting
WFEC linemen, Josh Brown (left) and Josh Carr (right) conducted pole climbing demonstrations for members throughout the day and Vernon High School's JROTC presented the colors
Children enjoyed bounce houses, obstacle courses, and a touch-a-truck event.
Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative linemen brought their live line safety demonstration and taught members about the hazards associated with electricity
Take control of your electric service no matter where you are - at home, at work, or on the go. With the West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC) mobile app, you have 24/7 access to a wide range of services right from your smartphone or tablet. It's fast, secure, and designed to make your life easier.
Our user-friendly mobile app gives you nearly all the same features as our online portal - right at your fingertips. Once you download the app, you can:
• View and pay your bill quickly and securely
• Report power outages
• Manage your account details including updating account information
• Contact us
• Set alerts and reminders for bill due dates or high use notifications
• Receive real-time notifications about outages, payments, or important updates
Secure & Reliable: Rest easy knowing your personal info is protected every time you use the app. Our app uses industry-standard security protocols, and your data is never stored on your mobile devicekeeping your info safe even if your phone is lost or stolen.
Save Energy, Track Use, and Cut Costs: Looking to reduce your energy use and save money? The app makes it easy to monitor your daily electric consumption in real time. You can:
• View energy use by day, week, or within a specific date range
• Identify patterns or high-use times to make smarter energy decisions
• Set alerts so you know you're nearing a certain limit - ideal for managing budgets or keeping track of prepaid accounts
Report & Track Outages: Skip the call - just open the app to report the issue with a few taps. You can also view real-time outage maps, track the power restoration process, and stay updated about power restoration.
Don't wait - start managing your electric account on your terms. The WFEC app is free to download from your phone's app store. Search for "West Florida Electric Cooperative" and take control with the convenience of mobile access.
Want to pay your bill with a push of a button?
Take advantage of our convenient services to manage your power in real time. Receive email alerts when your new bill is ready and pay it instantly – without paying postage.
Log on or download the app today!
West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC) is excited to share our 2025 scholarship recipients.
Scholarships in the amount of $1,000 are being awarded to 14 local students through our annual scholarship essay competition.
These students were chosen for their thoughtful essays about what makes cooperatives unique compared to other utilities, their academic achievements, and their service to their communities.
The scholarships are part of the cooperative's ongoing commitment to supporting and empowering local students as they pursue higher education, trades or skills, and work toward building successful futures.
The 2025 scholarship recipients to the college, technical school or university of their choice are:
• Reagan Roberts, Altha School
• Ansley Hires, Blountstown High School
• Wyatt Speers, Cottondale High School
• Savannah Goodman, Holmes County High School
• Ruben Mayes, Jr, Marianna High School
• Kylie Holton, Poplar Springs School
• Ashley Burke, Vernon High School
• Morgan Faircloth, Bethlehem School
• Cooper Bloechl, Chipley High School
• Blessen Council, Graceville School
• LaRae Baxter, Malone School
• Dwayne Schley, Ponce De Leon High School
• Joseph Smith IV, Sneads High School
• Annabeth Bontrager, Home School
Thank you to our cooperative members and the Board of Trustees whose support makes programs like this possible. We are excited about our scholarship program and look forward to continuing to expand our support to local students in the years to come.
West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC) is excited to announce we've updated our monthly billing statements to serve you better! Your new bill features a fresh, easy-to-read layout with a convenient summary of previous and current billing details, as well as the total amount due. You'll also find a helpful graph displaying your electricity consumption over the past month, complete with key dates and weather data to provide insight into your energy use and make it easier to track and manage your energy habits. The back of the statement contains the traditional breakdown of monthly charges as well as helpful definitions and information to make understanding your statement easier. We hope to roll out the new format in July. Over the next few months, we will provide more information to help you navigate and understand the new bill.
This is is placeholder information where a fixed hard-coded message can be located. If use of this area is not desired, a blank space will print here in the absence of text. We generally print this message using Arial font, in keeping with the template theme, with bold and italic style options available. While the standard text color for this message is black, any color can be used in accordance with the bill theme or for highlighting purposes. This message can safely print up to seven wrapped lines in Arial 9-point font.
An alternate way to use this area is that it can also contain a bill banner or marketing image, rather than a text message. Maximum image space is 2” high X 7.5” wide. High - resolution JPG format is the preferred format, if so. File size should be 200 kB – 500 kB.
8 10:06-12:06 10:30-12:30 4:33-6:03 4:57-6:27 WED. 9 10:54-12:54 11:18-1:18 5:21-6:51 5:45-7:15 THU. 10 N/A 12:06-2:06 FULL 6:09-7:39 6:33-8:03
11 12:30-2:30 12:54-2:54 6:57-8:27 7:21-8:51 SAT. 12 1:18-3:18 1:42-3:42 7:45-9:15 8:09-9:39 SUN. 13 2:06-4:06 2:30-4:30 8:33-10:03 8:57-10:27 MON. 14 2:54-4:54 3:18-5:18 9:21-10:51 9:45-11:15 TUE. 15 3:42-5:42 4:06-6:06 10:09-11:39 10:33-12:03 WED. 16 4:30-6:30 4:54-6:54 10:57-12:27 11:21-12:51
4H Tailgating Camp • July 8-10; 7:45 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Jackson Co. Ag office; 2741 Penn Ave., Marianna
Few things taste better than a freshly grilled hamburger on a hot summer day. If your youth signs up for this camp, they will learn how to grill multiple meats safely. Campers will be introduced to food safety, meat preparation and selection, and how to make rubs and marinades. This camp will also prepare them to compete in the 4H tailgating competition if they choose. The camp will be held over 3 days and participants will grill their own lunch. Snacks and beverages will be provided. The camps is for ages 10-14 and the fee is $75 each.
Ingredients:
1 cup chopped tomato
Submitted by: Laura Weightman
1 cup chopped tomatillo (green Mexican tomato)
1 cup yellow onion
1 cup chopped scallions
1 cup chopped jalapeño peppers
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup lime juice
1/2 cup cilantro
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix well. Place in a non-metallic jar and keep refrigerated up to 2 weeks. Serve with corn chips or empanadas or over rice and vegetables.
WFEC Right-of-Way Crews will be cutting & trimming in the following area(s) during JUNE:
Hill
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.
AKC German Shepherd puppies, first vet check & shots/dewormed; 850-718-6047, call or text.
Tiny Shih Tzu litter, due June 6, deposits $150, girls, $700; boys, $650, mom white/dad silver-black; 850-768-0556, text.
Craftsman riding mower, 42” cut, 24 hp Briggs and Stratton, $600, just serviced, new tires, great condition; 850-260-5088.
Stainless steel three-drawer wood top workbench, with light, like new, from Harbour Freight; $150; 850-260-5438.
Container plants, century plants, hydrangeas, prickly pear, live oak, confederate rose, wisteria, amaryllis, $8 and up; 850-592-8769.
Full pine bedroom set, bed/ headboard/footboard/rails/slats/ mattress, dresser with mirror; 850-725-8322, text.
Twin bedroom set, mattress/box spring/metal frame with cherry dresser/mirror, coffee stain on edge of mattress, $175; 850-725-8322, text.
Homemade/handmade quilts, lap, baby, twin, full or queen; two used bathtubs, to be used for water or feed troughs, great price; 850-547-3649.
CDs, rock and country, $1 each; cassettes, rock and country, .50 cents each; 3 truck tool boxes, $50 each; smoker/grill, $50; 850-525-5074.
Six Ruger 22 Mark IV auto lites, different colors, new; 1 Taurus TX; 1 Kel-Tec PMR-30, all 22s, $500 each; 850-596-2681.
Dog kennel, 14’ by 8’, 2-bay w/ enclosed & open areas, $4,000; 850-718-8790, text for pictures & information.
Barbie Dreamhouse, 18 dolls, furniture, clothes, boat, Barbie Jeep, car, grocery store, & 5 boxes of extras, $175; 954-296-5333.
CLF Free Ad Policy (Limited to one ad per household)
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.
Presto 16-quart pressure cooker, 409A, $65; Craftsman all-in-one cutting tool, $40; 850-272-2208.
Square bale annual peanut hay; square bale & round roll grass hay; 12x36 walk-in cooler; 850-326-0330.
Tools; collectibles; geodes; leathers; dolls and more, Cottondale; 850-693-8111.
Waterfront lot, on Chipola River; 850-447-1717.
2012 Fiat 500, 98,000 miles, good gas mileage, $5,800; 850-209-1372.
CLF Free Ad Form Please Type or Print Neatly.
Acct. #
Address/P.O. Box
# For Sale • Wanted • Free • Thank You • Lost (circle one)
150-500 acres pasture land, in Holmes or Washington County; 850-234-7070.
Penny through dollar coins, loose, in jars, collections and estates, buy, sell or trade; 850-326-3437.
License plates from any state, mainly Florida, prior to 1980; old motorcycles or parts prior to 1960; 850-557-7030, Greg.
Pasture land to rent, the closer to Campbellton the better; also looking for hunting land; 850-703-5450.
Honey bees, in hollow tree in yard, need rehoming to a hive; 850-263-3836, leave message.
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.
