September 2018

CURRENT LIGHT

FLASHES

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

West Florida Electric, Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative

Always Ready to Tackle Outages Pages 10-11

Energy Efficiency Tip:

A Cut Above

• Tree Removal • Chipper • 15 Ton Crane • Aerial Truck • Pruning & Trimming • Bobcat Work • Hazardous Tree Removal • Stump Removal • Stump Grinding

TREE SERVICE

FULLY INSURED • FREE ESTIMATES

LLC

Owner: Jason Morris

BUS: (850) 415-1217 • CELL: (850) 573-1270 Pole Barn Kits Available!

Turn off bath, kitchen & other exhaust fans within 20 minutes after you’re done bathing or cooking. When replacing exhaust fans, consider installing highefficiency, low-noise models.

Deck Kits!

Pool Supplies in Stock!

FREE Pool Water Testing Water Softener Pellets - $6.99 Pool Salt - $6.99 Pool Chemicals & Chlorine

www.panhandlesalvage.com

6x8 - $339 • 8x10 - $489 • 10x10 - $609 • 12x14 - $849 Many more sizes to choose from!

Treated Swings in Stock!

Rain Bird Irrigation Supplies Bee Keeping Supplies Now Available!

Red Mulch River Rock Pea Pebbles Landscaping Timbers Bull Run 5K September 29!

Oxygen Machines & ...pg. 3 Power Outages Let’s Power Savings ...pgs. 5-6

(Pre-register by 9/14)

850-547-9354

Panhandle Lumber & Supply Tri-State Leader of Barn Kit & Deck Kit Sales Since 1997

405 W. Hwy. 90 • Bonifay, FL

INSIDE ...

*Prices subject to change. Call to confirm.*

Free Dinner

...pgs. 13-15

Local Classifieds

...pgs. 3-18

Cover photo: Josh Brown, WFEC Journeyman Lineworker

ISSUE SEPTEMBER 2018

Read Online www.WestFlorida.coop

VOL

68, NO 9

Mold Removal Remodels Water Damage Additions Fire Damage New Construction

CURRENT LIGHT

FLASHES

USPS: 702-990 | ISSN: 1042-7767 | VOL 68, NO 9

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.

WFEC Board of Directors

Randy

Joe E.

BUSH

RONE

District 7 / Vice President

District 8 / President

24 Hour Emergency Response CBC1255149, CCC1330340, MRSR9

C&C CONSTRUCTION ADVERTISE IN COLOR!!! & ROOFING

RESIDENTIAL ROOFING SPECIALISTS

Purchase this size ad for ONLY $125/month.

Reach over 21,000 local residences.

Serving the Florida Panhandle and Southern Alabama Specializing in residential and commercial roofing projects • Shingle Roofing • All Types of Metal Roofing • Roofing Repairs • All Types of Flat Roofs CALL TODAY FOR FREE ESTIMATES

850-547-1001 690 E. Hwy. 90 Bonifay, FL 32425

License #’s FL #CCC1327331 • AL # S-44779

TATUM District 1

District 4 / Secretary-Treasurer

Text WFEC to (800) 342-7400 to sign up. When you need to report an outage, text OUT to (800) 342-7400. Text STATUS for any updates, HELP for more info & STOP to unsubscribe.

Remember to update your account information to include your current cell phone number before storms hit our area!

Andy Hall 850.557.3368

Over 21 Years Professional Experience 5 Years Labor Warranty • Licensed & Insured

# CBC1260614 • # CCC1330769 Free Estimates • 24 Hour Emergency Service

Brent Hall 850.718.7314

Serving Northwest Florida!

Middlebrooks Contractors, Inc. Serving the Area for Over 60 Years

Rent-All • We have everything you need!

Equipment Rentals, Tractors, Trenchers, Etc. Septic Tank Service, Installation & Repair Mobile Home Pads • Land Clearing • Excavation

Dirt • Rock • Culverts

M&M Welding Supply 2311 Boswell Road • Bonifay, FL 32425 Office: (850) 547-3292 Cell: (850) 373-6171

Gases:

Cylinder rental - all types

Supplies:

Safety equipment Helmets Torch Tips Rods Gloves Wire Jackets

Oxygen Helium Acetylene Argon CO2 75/25 Nitrogen

Welding Services Available

Ph: (850) 547-3658

District 3

A. C.

George Clayton

District 5

District 6

MILES

OWENS

Frank E.

Myron

BONDURANT

HUDSON

Attorney

District 9

Panhandle Tractor Russell

DUNAWAY

Executive VP/CEO

www.KubotaUSA.com ©Kubota Tractor Corporation, 2018

5003 Highway 90 Marianna, Florida 32446

(850) 526-2257

CURRENT LIGHT FLASHES

Blountstown - (850) 674-9110 Marianna - (850) 526-2300 *WFEC members who make payments at Regions Bank must be a Regions account holder and must pay with a Regions check.*

Purchase this size ad for ONLY $75/month. Reach over 21,000 local residences.

(850) 263-3231

People's South Bank Payment Locations: Chipley - (850) 415-1320 Greenwood - (850) 594-4151 Malone - (850) 569-2264 Marianna - (850) 526-4331 or (850) 482-4029 Sneads - (850) 593-1183

Blountstown - (850) 674-5900

Rodeo starts at 7:30 nightly

Parades on Friday & Saturday

Tickets (11 & up) $13 - advance $16 - gate

Tickets (ages 4-10) $8 - advance $10 - gate

(gates open at 5:30)

A Clean Cut for Every Budget.

Regions Bank* Payment Locations:

ADVERTISE IN COLOR!!!

October 4-6, 2018 Kommander-Pro Series

WFEC has convenient locations other than our offices, where you may pay your monthly electric bill on or before the due date.

Plumbing • Electrical Licensed & Insured

PATRICK

District 2

PAGE 2

Residential • Commercial

New Construction, Re-Roof, Additions & Repairs Shingle • Metal & More!

John C.

Tim

ALFORD

WFEC Remote Pay Locations

HALL Roofing, Siding & Building, LLC

(850) 263-3231

Power Out? Text Us!

David

John

ADAMS

Locally Owned & Operated

ST!”

“If You’ve Called the Rest • Now Call The BE

The Bonifay Kiwanis Club Northwest Florida Championship Rodeo is a PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association) Rodeo.

www.bonifayrodeo.com

Memorial Field • Bonifay, FL

Attention Members: West Florida Electric Right of Way Clearing Crews will be cutting & trimming right of ways in the following area(s) during the month of

SEPTEMBER

Altha

When right-of-way (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.

ISSUE SEPTEMBER 2018 TOLL FREE OUTAGE HOTLINE: 1.844.OUTAGE! (1.844.688.2431) PAGE 19

FREE

Community Calendar Cont.

24’ above ground pool, has filter & pump, no liner, you Introduction to Cast Iron Class disassemble & remove; 556-6551. September 18; 6:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

What You Need to Know

Washington County Ag Center, 1424 Jackson Avenue, Chipley Bulldog & Hound mix, to a good We’ll cover the pros and cons, proper care and use, seasoning methods, and restoration of your cast iron. The class will also discuss various cooking home; 643-1959. methods & some tips or tricks for using this versatile, classic piece of kitchenware. Registration fee is $5 and includes class materials. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required by contacting the Washington County THANK YOU Extension Office, 638-6265, or the Holmes County Extension Office, 547-1108. The University of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Institution.

The Family of Don Boutwell For persons with disabilities requiring special accommodations, please would like to thank everyone for contact 850-638-6265 (TDD, via Florida Relay Service, 1-800-955-8771) their prayers, flowers, food, cards, at least five working days prior to the class so that proper consideration may letters, and visits. The passing of be given to the request.

Mary Gene Boutwell has been very difficult, but everyone’s love, prayers, and expressions of kindness have been a big help. Thanks again and may God bless you.

2018 Scarecrow Building Contest September 22; 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Chipley Farmer's Market Join us for a free family event to see updated displays in the history museum, on-site Native American Cultural Skills demonstrations, new Creek Indian museum displays, artifacts and more. Build a scarecrow and Thank you for the fundraiser show off your artistic side. You could also win a cash prize. Enter the day given on my behalf. Your love of the contest or visit www.washingtoncountyhistoricalsociety.com for an and support will not be forgotten. entry form and contest rules. Visit the scarecrow field and choose your God bless you, Sherel Crews favorite. There will also be local arts & crafts vendors, food, Leavins refreshments and live entertainment. Interested vendors can email wchistorical@gmail.com. There is a $10 fee for vendors to set up.

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.

Oxygen Machines & Power Outages

I

f you rely on an oxygen machine, sleep with a CPAP or have other medically essential equipment in your home that depends on electricity to operate, we know how important reliable electric service is to you and your family. WFEC takes great pride in restoring power to our members as safely and quickly as possible. However, when the co-op receives calls or comments from members regarding the urgency of their need, it compels us to want to do more even when our options are limited.

With the rise in use of in-home medical equipment, we receive many calls, comments, and yes, sometimes complaints, regarding the urgency of power restoration to members with specific health needs. This is not something we take lightly and it’s the reason for this article.

As previously stated, WFEC is limited with what we can do to restore power at an individual member’s home. The feature article in this issue of the Current Light Flashes, located on pages 10-11 explains and demonstrates how power must be restored during major outages. Even though the co-op is limited to a required process, please understand that all efforts are focused on restoring power to each of our members. continued on page 4

Chihuahua puppies, $75; 352-2131.

African Grey w/cage & toys, $1,500; 638-8109.

German shorthair pointer puppies; 693-5001.

Three Pea Chicks, $35 each, bring your own cage; 956-1255.

Antiques/Collectibles Collectibles from a closed collectible shop, make appointment to view or make offer; 593-6181.

BETTER QUALITY; LOWER PRICES WINDSHIELD/AUTO GLASS EXPERTS WE TRAVEL TO YOUR LOCATION ANY VEHICLE; ANY GLASS

AARP Smart Driver Course October 9; 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Washington County Ag Center, 1424 Jackson Avenue, Chipley Erich Beck, with AARP, will conduct the AARP Smart Driver Course for county residents. Participants are updated regarding new traffic laws and rules of the road, defensive driving techniques and proven safety strategies.

All participants receive a certificate to provide to their automobile insurer possibly enabling them to receive a discount on their premiums, depending on their carrier’s guidelines. Pre-register by calling the Washington County Extension Office, 638-6265. The cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-AARP members. Registration fees will be collected the day of the course. For more information, visit www.aarp.org/drive or call Judy Corbus, Washington County Family & Consumer Sciences Extension Agent, 638-6265.

CURRENT LIGHT FLASHES

FOR SALE Animals/Livestock

WE CAN SAVE YOU MONEY CALL NOW 850-387-2400

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

LLC/Insured/ 40 Years Experience

(850) 638-2611 Local Telephone Prefixes Alford 579 Altha 762 Bascom/Malone 569 Blountstown 674, 237 Bonifay 547 Caryville 548 Chipley 638, 415 Cottondale 352 Graceville 263

This Institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

PAGE 18

CLASSIFIEDS

ISSUE SEPTEMBER 2018

TOLL FREE OUTAGE HOTLINE: 1.844.OUTAGE1 (844.688.2431)

Grand Ridge 592 Greenwood 594 Marianna 482, 526 Ponce de Leon 836 Sneads 593 Sunny Hills 773 Vernon 535 Westville 956

PAGE 3

Appliances Maytag electric dryer, looks good, works good, $150; 263-2610.

Commercial kitchen ovens, grill & coffee maker; 415-0851.

Home/Farm Karastan original collection, excellent condition, 100 percent wool rug, woven in USA, 717 made, number 700, 11.5’x16’, multi-color, $500; 239-404-4518.

5x10 trailer w/lift springs & coil springs, all new wood & tires, new spare, $450; 263-4190, Kenny.

Hay, $40/roll, net wrapped 4’x5’ rolls, weed controlled, fertilized & barn kept, Koesy Farm, 10 miles west of Vernon; 334-685-0490.

Branching Out Tree Care

We’re doing all we can on our side of the lines to restore power as quickly and safely as possible, so this leads us to what else can be done on behalf of the needs of our medically essential members - primarily those that require oxygen. Although a backup power generator would be the best all-around solution, in many cases, automatic units are not affordable and portable units often are not feasible.

The same problem exists with backup power solutions like Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS) systems or inverters as with generators – they’re rather expensive or not practical for use with this particular equipment. 51505001 However, we did find a viable solution for members on oxygen. When conferring with Jennifer Bostic, Office Administrator for Pulmonary Associates of Dothan she said, “With regards to our oxygen patients, I can tell you that our surrounding Durable Medical Equipment Suppliers (DMEs) are proactive about this and they go ahead and leave a large E-tank (sometimes two large E-tanks) at the patient’s home for those type of emergencies. Those typically last about 4-6 hours. During storms they do make sure patients have several tanks and have someone on call, but try to encourage patients on oxygen to seek a health shelter or get a generator for support in the case of a long outage,” she continued.

We encourage any member who is on oxygen or is the caregiver of someone dependent upon oxygen to contact their DME to ensure they have an adequate supply of oxygen for extended electrical outages. Patients also need to contact their local emergency management office to locate the closest health shelter they can use during storms or extended outages.

Call the co-op as soon as possible to report outages – we promise to do all we can to get your power restored as safely and as quickly as possible.

However, if you’re on oxygen, make sure you have the contact info for your DME available to notify them in extended outage situations or the means to travel to a nearby health shelter before your need becomes critical.

Jackson Farm Well Services Patrick Jackson

850-592-9530 or 850-573-6623

Aerial Bucket Work • Tree Trimming

4th Annual Quilted Together Women’s Retreat September 15, 9:00 a.m.

West Pittman Baptist Church, 1603 Bradley Road, Westville Join us for the 4th Annual Quilted Together Women’s Retreat. This year’s theme is “Chocolate & Friends.” Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. with coffee & muffins. The retreat will begin at 10:00 a.m. The guest speaker will be Dianna Byrd of Dothan, who is a wife, mom, Bible student teacher, speaker, blogger and women’s minister. Music will be provided by Quinton & Amanda Hall of Geneva. A free soup & salad lunch will be provided.

There is no fee for the retreat, but a love offering will be collected for the “Pirate Packs” backpack food program at Ponce De Leon Elementary. A nursery will be provided for children 6 months to 3 years. For additional information, contact Linda at 956-2702 or Pam at 956-2087. Look for us on Facebook: “Quilted Together Women’s Retreat in FL.”

2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 132,000 miles, $2,000; 718-8046.

Heart and Sole 5K Walk/Run September 15: 7:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.

Citizen Lodge Park, Marianna Registration is free and a free t-shirt will be given to the first 100 participants. Registration is now open online and can be accessed by the following link https://2018heartandsole5k.eventbrite.com. You can also register the day of the event. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), just under half of the adults in the United States get enough aerobic exercise. Walking is one of the easiest aerobic exercises to perform; no special equipment required. Walking can improve your health by aiding with weight loss, lowering risks for diabetes, cancer and even heart disease. We welcome all community members to participate in the Heart and Sole 5K and take the personal step to improve your health.

Free Estimates Licensed & Insured

Jeremy Hill

850-326-0266

Nick Edenfield Political advertisement paid for and approved by Clint Pate, Republican, for County Commissioner District 2

CURRENT LIGHT FLASHES

WANTED Caregiver seeking position, references available upon request; 209-6055.

License plates from any state, mainly FL, prior to 1980; old motorcycles or parts prior to 1960; 557-7030, Greg.

Horses, ponies, mules; 592-2494.

Disabled Veteran in need of refrigerator, stove, washer & dryer, unable to afford due to fixed income, will pick up any donations; 676-1549.

Rims for 1993-2000 Nissan Altima 16x6, 4 lug; 674-6242.

Nick Dillard Construction is Hiring!

Carpenters Needed! Experience is preferred, but not required.

Must have valid driver’s license. Guaranteed 40 hours per week.

Salary commiserate with experience.

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

“Quality work at a fair price!”

PAGE 4

Vehicles (cont.)

Contact Nick at 850-326-6975

Hazardous Tree Removal

850-272-2161

Community Calendar

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 SEPTEMBER 2018

Debbie Roney Smith Full Time Realtor since 1996 Multi-Million Dollar Producer

4420 Lafayette St. Marianna, FL 32446 Call or Text (850) 209-8039 debson1999@gmail.com

I’m a REALTOR~I’m American Gold

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 17

Adams Tree Service, llc

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

Family Owned & Operated w/ 20 Years Experience

Tree Removal Hazardous Tree Removal Trimming/Bobcat Work

• Fully Insured

• FREE Estimates

(850) 547-5001 or (850) 596-8767

Over 40 Years Experience License #2252

John White Owner

3024 Firefly Lane Vernon, FL 32462

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

Dot’s Caring Hands Senior Care

Dorothy Peacock Owner • License # 233976

2587 Heavenly Drive Marianna, FL 32448

Available 24/7

850-482-1781 McIntosh

Outboard & Small Engine Grand Ridge

Sneads

We buy boats & motors!

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

Let's Power Savings

Home/Farm

Water Heater Maintenance Tips

W

ater heating is the second largest energy expense in most homes.

To save money, make sure your water heater is set properly, operating efficiently and in good condition. Maintaining your water heater will also save you money by extending its life. After all, most homeowners would rather spend their money on something other than a new water heater. Here are a few tips to help keep your unit functioning properly for years to come.

Safety first! Some people are comfortable performing their own maintenance, and others are not. If you fall into the latter category, schedule an appointment with a qualified service technician.

Before you begin. If you choose to perform your own maintenance, do so with safety in mind. Locate your breaker box and turn off power to your water heater. You should also wear gloves to protect your hands from hot water.

Keep it clean. A simple way to maintain your water heater is keeping the area around it clean. You should keep two feet of clearance around your water heater. As a safety measure, never store any combustible materials near it.

Set your thermostat. Keep your water heater’s thermostat set at 120 degrees. Not only will this help you save on energy costs, but it will also reduce the risk of scalding.

continued on page 6

Phone Number Directory for WFEC:

Outage Texting Service: (800) 342-7400

We've created a list of helpful phone numbers you can use to report power outages or contact the cooperative. In the hopes of clearing up any confusion, we have provided a brief description of the the service you will access or reach when calling or texting each number.

Automated System Outage Reporting: (844) OUTAGE1 • (844) 688-2431

It's important to perform maintenance on your water heater to ensure it's operating at peak efficiency for your family and in good condition. Bonus: it can also save you money.

Use the number above to report a power outage at your location via our automated system. This is the best number to use after hours to report outages.

Hay, 4x4 rolls, fertilized, barn stored, $22.50; 579-2732.

La-Z-Boy recliner, $50; Broyhill solid oak/glass end tables, $75; matching lamps, $25; white daybed & mattress for a child, $50; 978-9403.

Hill’s Tree Service

• Tree Removal • Tree Trimming • Stump Grinding Insured • Free Estimates

593-4455

Just say, "Add it to my bill!"

Automated Customer Service Line: (855) MYWFECA • (855) 699-3322 Use the number above to make payments via the automated payment system or to report power outages at any time. You can also access account info, or speak with a CSR during business hours using this number.

CURRENT LIGHT FLASHES

Annual peanut hay, square bale; fertilized grass hay, round 5x5 rolls, string or net wrapped; 263-3427.

In the market for a new electric appliance?

Use the number above to report a power outage at your location via text. *Please note the phone numbers listed on your WFEC account must be updated & include a cell phone number for this service to work* See the article on pgs. 3-4 for more details about how to use this service. You can also use this number to reach the co-op at any time & for any reason.

WFEC has GE & HotPoint products!

Other Useful Numbers: Graceville office: (850) 263-3231 • Bonifay office: (850) 547-9325 • Sneads office: (850) 593-6491 • Toll-free: (800) 342-7400

PAGE 16

Fertilized barn stored hay, 4x5 rolls; 258-0020.

ISSUE SEPTEMBER 2018

TOLL FREE OUTAGE HOTLINE: 1.844.OUTAGE1 (844.688.2431)

PAGE 5

Miscellaneous

Inspect top to bottom. Start at the top and check the entire unit carefully for signs of leaks or corrosion. Look closely because leaks can be tiny. If you detect heavy rust or leaks, it may be time to consider a new, Tires & rims, 175/75/17, $175, energy efficient water heater. came off 2002 Tahoe; 209-0530.

Insulate the first few feet of pipe. By insulating the water heater pipe, water will arrive at your faucet 2 to 4 degrees warmer, and you won’t have Oats & wheat, bulk out of the bin to wait as long for the water to heat up. or cleaned & bagged; 260-2444.

Insulate your tank. If you own an older tank, consider wrapping it in an insulating blanket that can reduce heat loss and save 4 to 9 percent on Metal trusses, 40’ long, $275 the average water heating bill. This especially holds true if your tank is in an unheated space. But, on an electric water heater, make sure the blanket does each; 307-3685. not block the thermostat. 12842002 Drain your tank. Sediment and debris can accumulate in the tank of Motorized wheelchair, never your water heater. To keep it clean, drain it a few times every year. Draining used, needs battery because it the tank is easy. First, turn off the power to your water heater at the main wasn’t kept charged, $3,000; breaker box. Then, turn off the cold water supply coming into the unit.

326-8907.

After that, attach an ordinary garden hose to the drain valve and let the water drain into a bucket until the water is clear. If the water doesn’t run Stationary bike, $45; 482-7608. clear, you can open the water supply valve to stir the tank, then drain again.

Be sure the tank is full before you turn the power back on – failing to do so Bluebird houses; purple martin could short out the heating elements. houses; wood duck houses; hand For more information, contact the energy experts at WFEC. We value crafted wooden toys; 547-9269. your membership. We value you.

Why didn’t Tide and Cheer think of that?

Another device attached to air conditioning. The “Duct Pure” is contained in another small box, connected to a transformer, designed to protrude into ducting that “provides aggressive ionized oxidizers that are distributed throughout the home or office” using “Photo-catalytic oxidation” which destroys pollutants including “mold, bacteria, viruses, odors, and volatile organic compounds.” It would appear this device is likely an ultraviolet light, like the one my wife uses to purify tooth brushes.

There’s no indication of any actual filtration.

Want real information about saving money on energy? Just ask West Florida Electric Cooperative for your own energy audit. If you would like to schedule an energy audit, just call one of the WFEC district offices or email to energy_services@westflorida.coop. You can start with the survey found at customsurvey.yourcooperative.com/wfec/.

Real actual energy efficiency is not magic and there are no “secrets” that the power company is keeping from you. The right investment in energy efficiency can bring a good return, but buying into questionable, unproven or “magical” solutions can be a waste of money. So, what can you do?

Check the WFEC website for simple, inexpensive and easy ways we can all save money and work to make our homes and offices more energy efficient.

Tim Trott has lived in Jackson County since 1994 and owns Cyberchute Web Hosting (Cyberchute.com) and Tim Trott Productions (TimTrottProductions.com). He has provided video services for several of the early Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET.US) trade shows.

Vehicles 1997 BMW Z3, runs good, needs interior TLC, $2,999; 263-0503.

2008 RX350 Lexus, excellent condition; 592-2494.

2003 Dodge Ram 3500, diesel, 5.9, 4x4, hitches, 220,000 miles, 25 mpg. w/chip, $12,000; 559-4185.

Tyler Poole Timber Buyer

“We do swamp logging”

Flint River Timber Co., Inc. Buyers and Producers of Pine and Hardwood Timber

P.O. Box 477 800 N. Broad St. Cairo, GA 39828

Office: (229) 377-5162 Fax: (229) 377-9718 Cell: (850) 573-1599 Email: jonathanpoole713@gmail.com

Brock’s Equipment Service Cottondale • (850) 579-4863 Cell • (850) 573-1863

Excavator, Dozer & Dump Truck Service Land Clearing, Pond Building, Demolition, Site Preparation, Ditch Work, Tree & Debris Removal, Sand & Top Soil

Tri-County Gas S ervice , I nc .

Tri-County Gas S ervice , I nc .

“Home Folks Serving Home Folks”

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

547-3696 #RM0048955

American Construction & Remodel, LLC

Specializing in Hardie Board Siding

850-628-1906 Owner: Stephen Yates

If It Won’t Burn...We’ll Probably Buy It!

We can help you with the financial decisions of both business and everyday life. What matters most to us is a vibrant community, successful schools, growing businesses and financial security.

Scrap Metal & Prepared Steel We now have drive-on scales!

We have 20 & 30 yard drop off containers for metal only We Buy Cars, Trucks & Equipment Competitive Prices

We Buy the Following & More...

• Junk Cars • Copper & Brass • Aluminum • Air Conditioners • Lead • Stainless Steel • Insulated Wires • Radiators • Alternators • Batteries

Clean up the Country side. Turn your Trash into Cash!

Take Hwy. 90 to Grand Ridge, South on Hwy. 69 to Shady Grove (69A) and turn left, we are the first drive on the left.

Closed

Thursdays Saturday Afternoons Sundays

Wright’s Recycling • 1928 Edenfield Dr. • Grand Ridge, FL • (850) 592-2634 PAGE 6

CURRENT LIGHT FLASHES

ffbf.com |

Bonifay: 850-547-8250 • Marianna: 850-526-7144 Graceville: 850-263-3225 • Chipley: 850-638-7892 ISSUE SEPTEMBER 2018

TOLL FREE OUTAGE HOTLINE: 1.844.OUTAGE1 (844.688.2431)

PAGE 15

ELECT

Recreational Vehicles (cont.)

complicated is a roll of perforated foil that it would run much as $4 per square foot installed?

Claims: “BLOCKs 95% of Heat - 99% RF Signals SCIF RFID” Radio signals? RFID product tracking cards? Seriously?

Fifty HP Evinrude & controls, The demonstrator’s “experiment” did not seem like a valid new starter, switch, water pump, representation of what it sought to illustrate. A flood lamp was mounted over pink fiberglass, with and without the perforated foil barrier. Digital six gallon gas tank, needs minor thermometers were placed, not below, but inside the insulation. First, the repair, $1,000; 336-0487. sun does not shine directly on attic insulation unless the roof has blown off, in which case you have more serious problems. Second, people do not live Dutchman Classic 2012 buried inside insulation. There are too many variables for the experiment to Bunkhouse, 35’, sleeps 10, inside have any validity or relevance. The demonstrator also discounted questions & outside kitchens, new roof/air, about “R” factor, which is the standard common to any comparison of insulating properties. $15,500; 557-0692.

The next demonstration involved a motor and a meter measuring counter EMF. That’s a bit hard to explain in simple terms, but it has to do with the way all electric motors work, and by law (UL) all motors include circuitry to filter out power “noise.” The demonstration promoted the 200-Amp Power Pole “Tripcon” product, promising “whole house protection against spikes, surges and lightning strikes.” Whole house Metal Oxide Varister surge $279.95 100 - Amp Power Pole protectors have been installed on homes for decades. However, the claims $189.95 for the “Tripcon” stretch beyond MOV protection to claim that it “takes Delivery & Installation Available harmful EMF (radiation) to a safe level in your home, improving your Rick Carnley - Lic. # EC-13006648 health” (really?) and “makes equipment in your home run cooler and last Florida Meter Pole Company, Inc. longer.” Among the touted benefits are surge protection, harmonic filtration Contact Rick at 526-2183 or Anthony Register at 573-0219 and power factor correction. Okay, there’s an invention that can do some of that, but it involves a large transformer, but a 200 amp toroid transformer won’t fit inside the 8” x 8” x 6” Tripcon housing.

How can that “optimize the use of electricity” and result in saving “up to 23% on your power bill” as the website claims? Simple math would suggest otherwise. 78427001 I have another problem with the power “filter” idea. WFEC offers a program, H20 Plus, that offered savings in return for placing a device on my water heater that can remotely conserve energy during peak periods. Any “RF filtration” would seem to filter out the signal the H20 Plus device uses to communicate with the power company. There goes that savings.

Another device being promoted at the event was their “Nature Clean.” When asked, the demonstrator inferred this device generates hydrogen peroxide and injects it into the water supply to a washing machine. I looked up the chemical process for creating hydrogen peroxide (H02) and it’s a lot more complicated than passing water through a box plugged into a transformer. The claims “never use hot Water heating is the second largest energy expense water again”, “clothes dry in half the time” and “whiter whites, brighter colors” seem a bit in your home. Save money by: keeping water temps at exaggerated at best, especially when its “magic 120 degrees, shortening showers, washing clothes in powers” are based on hydrogen peroxide. Gee! cold water & fixing leaks.

continued on page 15

PAGE 14

CURRENT LIGHT FLASHES

CRUTCHFIELD

Edward E.

For Jackson County Commissioner District 2 “Hardworking, honest and dependable is how I live my life.”

- Edward E. Crutchfield Political Advertisement Paid for and Approved by Edward E. Crutchfield, Democrat, for County Commissioner District 2

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

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

1001 USES Portable Buildings, Carports & Garages Mobile Home & RV Supplies

Bush Paint & Supply

Carpet • Paint • Feed & Seed Vinyl Flooring • Ceramic Tile Free Estimates

Re-roof Specialist

Shingles • Flat Roofs • Re-Roofs

MARIANNA (Across from CVS)

Davis

and

Septic

Rim, wheel for 1993-2000 Nissan Altima, 16x6, 4 lug; 674-6242.

(850) 547-2934

Multiple Listings

Son’s Plumbing & Tank Service

• New Installation • Drainfield Repair/Replacement • Septic Tank Pumping & Service • Free Estimates

Bonifay: 956-4329 • Chipley: 638-5406 State Certified CFC1425994 ISSUE SEPTEMBER 2018

Husky 5th wheel slider hitch, 16,000#, very good condition, $500; 768-0771.

5 Year Workmanship Warranty Licensed & Insured #CCC1330359

4673 HIGHWAY 90 E.

Shotgun, Beretta 12 gauge, model AL391, 5 chokes, $800 OBO; Remington rifle, 243 WIN, model 770, scope, tripod, $450; 709-9134.

Firewood, cut & split, $60/ short-bed pickup, $70/ long-bed pick up, you load; Armondi Roofing, LLC lightered; 768-0529, Terry.

Free Estimates

E WE MOV LE PORTAB GS IN D IL U B

Thornless blackberry, blueberry, loquat, muscadine, scuppernong, dwarf mulberry, elderberry plants in 6” pots, $6 each; 674-4708.

263-4744 • 971 6th Ave., Graceville

New Roofs & All Types of Repairs

850-526-3797

Miscellaneous (cont.)

Barrel horse; pony; coon dogs; barrel; roping; pleasure saddles; tack; 592-2494.

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 Clay O’Neal:

850.762.9402 or 850.832.5055

TOLL FREE OUTAGE HOTLINE: 1.844.OUTAGE1 (844.688.2431)

PAGE 7

Multiple Listings (cont.) GOLF CART SALES Hospital bed w/trapeze, $425; lift chair, clean, burgundy, $350; recliner, $125; Rollator w/seat, U-Step, $75; bedside commode, $35; 593-6187.

John Deere 567 hay baler, string & net wrap, $9,500; Creep feeder, 225 bushel capacity, $2,500; 703-0998.

Oxygen • Acetylene • C02 • Argon 75/25 Rods, Tips, Wire Welding Accessories We service all welding machines.

850.768.3697 850.768.3114

3433 Pear Tree Lane Bonifay, FL 32425

William Crutchfield Enterprises, Inc. • Refrigeration • Heating & Cooling • Ice Machines • Residential/Commercial

License Number: CMC1250499

For Service Call: (850) 263-3427 or Cell: (850) 326-0330

PAGE 8

Surveying/GIS/Utilities

Xtreme Southern Kustomizing

(850) 263-4861 (850) 703-4442

Woodham Rd., Graceville, FL

• ALTA/ACSM Land Title Surveys • As-built Surveys • Boundary Surveys • Construction Layout Surveys • Design Surveys • Route Surveys • Foundation Surveys

TATUM’S HARDWARE Hwy. 71 Marianna

(850) 482-5513

100 amp $23695 200 amp $31995

Ag Sprayers Sprayer Repair Parts Baler Twine

with 2-0 copper wire, ground rod & main breaker Ask about delivery

Your Remodeling Pros

• Total Renovations • Vinyl

850.573.0616

• GPS Field Data Collection • Hydrographic Surveys • Legal Descriptions • Mean High Water Survey • Plats • Plot Plans • ROW Surveying & Mapping • Topographic Survey

southeasternsurveying.com

Mobile Home Power Pole

RC #29027247 RR #282811560 Licensed & Insured Free Estimates

Williams Home Improvements No Job Too Big or Small

• Roofing • Additions

850.674.8092

Brown

26 HP Massey Ferguson 1030, 800 hours, 72” Land Pride mower, all good condition, 5’ disc, $5,000; 768-0771.

Finch’s Welding Supply

Fax: (850) 638-8069

& SERVICE

Entertainment shelf w/TV, $85; 5-piece bedroom set, all wood, 65-years-old, $650; Janome sewing machine, $100; desk, $35; 638-3078 or 260-5010.

61’ Tuff Tiger Skag, 27 HP, $3,199; ride-behind Gravely, $1,199; 638-4133.

(850) 638-0790

Pump Repair 638-7221 www.brownpumprepair.com

O&L FARMS

Graceville Goat, Sheep, Chicken Auction, LLC 916 White Avenue • Graceville, FL Every Thursday: 5 PM - until Miscellaneous & Animals

Square Bales Available for Sale Perennial Peanut - A Forage

Legume of Commercial Importance

850-573-2157 850-263-0793

Perennial Peanut is a high-quality persistent tropical forage legume that can be grazed or fed to horses, dairy and beef cattle, hogs, goats, sheep, and rabbits. It can be stored as dry hay or silage and is an ideal substitute for imported alfalfa.

• No Buyer Premiums • Open to Public

Round 4x5 rolls also available

#AB3552

Art Little

Buyers & Sellers Welcome

(850) 547-1794 (850) 303-4364

Free Dinner!

Recreational Vehicles

T

2008 Honda Goldwing, red, garage kept, runs great, battery is weak because it sits, $4,000 worth of accessories, CB, AM&FM intercom radio, good tires, lots of chrome & lights, well taken care of, $10,000; 579-2854.

by Tim Trott

he letter came in the mail with an invitation to a dinner presentation at a restaurant in Blountstown, about saving money on electricity. I was curious, I happen to know a little about energy efficiency technology, and I knew the restaurant, so we signed up and went to see what it was about.

As we entered the reserved room, it looked like something out of a science fair, with “experiments” set up at the front of the room. There was a power meter, a motor and wires, and a box with spotlights mounted over a Bass Tracker boat, 40 HP section of pink insulation. There was also a video screen showing products Mercury 4-stroke engine, on board gas tank, battery charger, promising to save money by reducing electricity costs. Later we would see promotional videos which are also featured on the company’s website, a site trailer, live well, $15,300 OBO; that is long on claims and somewhat short on “testimonials.” 79562001 263-9572.

The presenter was promoting a series of products boasting energy conservation and savings. Some listed on the website but not mentioned in the presentation are valid ways to conserve energy and save money.

Those included watersaving shower heads, which are mandated by building codes (search “Water Star” floridawaterstar.com/).

Other products, like the perforated foil “Ultimate Blanket,” designed to There are a lot of inexpensive ways to be placed over attic insulation, are not new, improve the energy efficiency of your only the marketing, and home, which don't require you to attend … the installation price. presentations such as the one discussed A metalized in this article. Sealing, caulking, water aluminum, breathable heater blankets and changing your HVAC attic roof foil house filters are all great ways to improve your wrap radiant barrier home's efficiency. product is offered online, 500 square feet of it runs around $79 (16 cents per square foot). The product promoted in the presentation is claimed to be “superior” with a guarantee, but how continued on page 14

CURRENT LIGHT FLASHES

ISSUE SEPTEMBER 2018

TOLL FREE OUTAGE HOTLINE: 1.844.OUTAGE1 (844.688.2431)

PAGE 13

Real Estate (cont.)

Wooded lot on Postpile Circle in Compass Lake in the Hills, 1.16 acres, $5,500; 394-7247.

Bush Well Drilling

Pump Sales & Service • Irrigation Systems • Water Treatment

Mulching, Excavation, Land Clearing Since 1969 • Licensed & Insured

Office:

Eighty acres, Bethlehem area, Holmes County; 547-2644.

850-263-8064

• Cell:

850-573-1229

Fred O’Neal II

O’Neal’s Dozer Service, Inc.

Compass Lake in the Hills, two adjoining corner lots, 2.5 acres, $20,000; 579-5174.

1977 Land Clearing • Rootraking • Road Building • Ponds Demolition since

Ten acres on East fork of Choctawhatchee River, near Headland, $35,900 owner financing available; 956-2054.

Home: (850) 762-8387 • Cell: (850) 832-1489

ALDAY’S Bobcat & Tree Service Licensed & Insured LI20000696600

OLEN BARFIELD

Josh Alday

Have Sawmill, Will Travel

(850) 209-2501

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

Stacey Alday

Owner/Operator (850) 557-7290

Submitted by: Aaron Todd

Ingredients: 3/4 cup macaroni 4 tablespoons margarine 1 egg 1 1/2 cup milk 8 ounces (about 2") Velveeta® cheese salt & pepper

36 windows, twenty-four, 60x32, twelve 30x30, $1,000; 36” interior wooden doors w/ frames, thirty-five 3/4x80, $720; 849-0826.

Real Estate

Directions: Boil salted macaroni & drain. Add 1 salted, peppered & beaten egg to 1 ½ cups milk. Set aside. Cube 8 ounces of Velveeta® into ½ inch cubes and also set aside. In a 9” Pyrex dish layer: 2 tablespoons margarine, half of drained pasta, half of the Velveeta and half of the egg/milk mixture. Then Repeat the steps above with remaining ingredients. Bake for one hour in a pre-heated 350 degree oven.

Five acres, great home site, Highway 273, Graceville, $25,500; 260-1755.

NE Jackson County hunting lease, call for information; 260-2628.

AFFORDABLE SEAMLESS GUTTERS

• Pole Barns • Equipment Sheds • Enclosed Sheds, Etc.

Over 20 years experience

TRI-COUNTY CRANE $100 per hour SERVICE Travel one way Commercial & Residential Use • 15 ton 107 ft. boom • Special rates for weekly or monthly rental

(850) 547-3698 • Bonifay

tion Installa ! le Availab

CBC1257046 backwoodsbuildings@yahoo.com

1240 South Blvd. • Chipley, FL 32428 www.backwoodsbuildings.net

F R E E E S T I M AT E S !

850-676-4903

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!

Friday nights: All sessions pay $250!

Saturdays: Jackpot games @ 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 & 10 Sundays: Balloon games - win up to $250!

Wednesdays & Sundays: T-shirt night Visit www.hwy77bingo.com for all early bird, daily, monthly & holiday specials.

PAGE 12

Multiple Listings (cont.)

Touchton’s Barns & Sheds

638-7105

Lic# RM0048955

Coach Aaron Todd's Macaroni & Cheese

CURRENT LIGHT FLASHES

“We Work to please YOU”

(850) 307-4449 #CBC1256015 “In God We Trust”

Family Dentistry of Chipley 415-1411 Family Dentistry of Bonifay 547-9290 Most Insurances Accepted New Chipley Location Cosmetic, General & Family Dentistry

• Veneers • Crowns • Dentures • Cleanings • Whitening • Bonding New & Emergency Patients Welcome

Dr. Ernie Hooper, Dr. John Wilson, Dr. Brian Parker & Dr. Hilary Whitaker 1410-A Brickyard Rd, Chipley ...................................... 415-1411 110 E. North Ave, Bonifay ............................................ 547-9290 ISSUE SEPTEMBER 2018

20-Years Limited Warranty 21 Colors to Choose From

Gary McIntosh

(850) 593-0009

SURVEYOR

Florida Licensed Surveyor since 1969

Roger Lonsway Home Office: 638-7412

Mobile: 260-5438

CB Roofing Shingles • Metal • All Types 24 Years Experience New Roofs & Re-Roofs Repairs Warranty 5 Year Workmanship Owner: Chuck Brinkley FL License# RC 0067463

850.263.1626 334.798.4125

TOLL FREE OUTAGE HOTLINE: 1.844.OUTAGE1 (844.688.2431)

PAGE 9

Always Ready to Tackle Outages

W

on poles or underground to houses or other buildings. Line est Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC) employees crews tackle those outages based on restoring service to the stand ready to serve our member-owners when 1.

High-Voltage Transmission Lines: greatest number of members. severe weather strikes. Animal activities, fallen trees Sometimes damage can occur on the service line between and branches on power lines cause the majority of the outages Transmission towers & cables that supply power to transmission substations your house and the transformer on a nearby pole. This may in WFEC’s service area. The co-op works year-round on (and thousands of members) rarely fail. But when damaged, these facilities must explain why you might not have power when your neighbor clearing rights-of-way to reduce the risk that lines are damaged be repaired before other parts of the system can operate. does. WFEC needs to know if you observe damage here so by trees, branches or other vegetation, but even maintaining that our crews can repair it. Don’t assume someone has already our rights-of-way can’t stop this from happening. reported an outage impacting you – check the online outage Here’s a recent example: map (www.westflorida.coop/outages) or go ahead and contact The co-op has a distribution line that serves members 2.

Distribution Substation: the cooperative to report it yourself. from the substation north of Chipley to south of Wausau Even though the co-op’s technology has improved greatly and beyond. This line brings power to approximately 2,018 A substation can serve hundreds or members in that district. Members on this section of line thousands of members. When a major outage over the years, our linemen still sometimes have to search for the culprits causing outages (like in the previous example recently experienced an outage during a storm because a pine occurs, line crews inspect substations to where our linemen found a tree on a line in the middle of a tree broke off about six feet in the air and fell across a line. This determine if problems stem from swamp). transmission lines feeding into the particular section of line was very difficult to access because So the next time you see a line crew in your neighborhood, substation, the substation itself or if problems it was in a very wet, swampy area and very remote. Our exist further down the line. they may be looking for the problem causing the outage. Just extremely heavy line trucks couldn’t be driven into the area because you can’t see a tree on the line or a blown fuse or because of the wetlands and the likelihood they’d get stuck, transformer in your immediate area, that doesn’t mean there so our linemen had to hike to the area while carrying all the isn’t one just down the road causing a problem for everyone.

3. Main Distribution Lines: equipment and gear they needed to remove the tree and repair Our linemen will never leave an area without restoring the lines. Then, after all repairs were completed, the crews had If the problem cannot be isolated at a power to the members who live there unless there is an issue to return to the substation to fully restore power to the line. distribution substation, distribution lines are they cannot control, such as having to stop working due to Despite our best efforts, damage can occur to transmission checked. These lines carry power to large deteriorating weather conditions, mandatory rest periods systems, substations and power lines. When this happens, our groups of members in communities or (which keep them safe) or damage on the members’ side of the first priority is to safely restore power to as many members as housing developments. meter, which prevents them from safely restoring power to the possible in the shortest amount of time. To do this, WFEC 4. Tap Lines: home. 100748001 crews begin restoring power to member-owners in a specific Did you know that even a lightning strike on a transmission sequence. This is a fine-tuned process aimed at tackling the If local outages persist, supply lines (also known as tap lines) line miles away could cause a blink or interruption in your biggest issues first, until every member has power. are inspected. These lines deliver power to transformers, service? It is important to note that when you see a momentary The big problems are handled first – damage to either mounted on poles or placed on pads for underground interruption or blink in service during a thunderstorm, that transmission lines, which can serve thousands of people. These service, outside businesses, schools and homes. blink or interruption is our equipment working properly to problems must be corrected before our focus can be moved to prevent a large-scale outage and to protect our transformers more localized damage. 40579002 and other equipment. When a fault doesn’t clear, then you Our crews inspect substations next to determine if the experience an outage. problem starts there or if there’s an issue down the line. If the 5.

Individual Homes: WFEC line crews are always ready to tackle power root of the problem is at the substation, power can be restored If your home remains without power, the service line between a transformer outages that may occur due to weather or other elements no to thousands of members at one time. and your residence may need to be repaired. Always call to report an matter the time of day or night. Outages are an unavoidable Linemen then work to repair the three-phase, main circuit outage to help line crews isolate local issues. circumstance, but we strive to restore power as quickly as we feeders, leading from the substations. These feeder lines carry possibly can, while maintaining the safety of our linemen. electricity away from the substation to a group of members, Please remember we never know what they may encounter while in the field working to make repairs – it could be such as those in a subdivision or neighborhood. When power is restored at this stage, all members served by the a car accident, it could be a downed power line in a very remote area or trees on lines. It could even be something feeder line could see the lights come on, as long as there isn’t a problem farther down the line. unusual like an animal creating a fault – something as small as a squirrel or snake can cause a lot of damage to lines Next, the first sets of breakers on a section of line are fixed. Each section is then energized before moving and equipment. No matter the cause, our hard-working linemen will make the necessary repairs in a specific order on to the next set of breakers while gradually working out to the single-phase taps. The closer a home is to the which has been designed to restore power to as many members as possible. substation, the sooner power will be restored to that home.

The final stage of restoration is the final supply lines or service lines. These carry power from the transformer PAGE 10

CURRENT LIGHT FLASHES

ISSUE SEPTEMBER 2018

TOLL FREE OUTAGE HOTLINE: 1.844.OUTAGE1 (844.688.2431)

PAGE 11

Always Ready to Tackle Outages

W

on poles or underground to houses or other buildings. Line est Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC) employees crews tackle those outages based on restoring service to the stand ready to serve our member-owners when 1.

High-Voltage Transmission Lines: greatest number of members. severe weather strikes. Animal activities, fallen trees Sometimes damage can occur on the service line between and branches on power lines cause the majority of the outages Transmission towers & cables that supply power to transmission substations your house and the transformer on a nearby pole. This may in WFEC’s service area. The co-op works year-round on (and thousands of members) rarely fail. But when damaged, these facilities must explain why you might not have power when your neighbor clearing rights-of-way to reduce the risk that lines are damaged be repaired before other parts of the system can operate. does. WFEC needs to know if you observe damage here so by trees, branches or other vegetation, but even maintaining that our crews can repair it. Don’t assume someone has already our rights-of-way can’t stop this from happening. reported an outage impacting you – check the online outage Here’s a recent example: map (www.westflorida.coop/outages) or go ahead and contact The co-op has a distribution line that serves members 2.

Distribution Substation: the cooperative to report it yourself. from the substation north of Chipley to south of Wausau Even though the co-op’s technology has improved greatly and beyond. This line brings power to approximately 2,018 A substation can serve hundreds or members in that district. Members on this section of line thousands of members. When a major outage over the years, our linemen still sometimes have to search for the culprits causing outages (like in the previous example recently experienced an outage during a storm because a pine occurs, line crews inspect substations to where our linemen found a tree on a line in the middle of a tree broke off about six feet in the air and fell across a line. This determine if problems stem from swamp). transmission lines feeding into the particular section of line was very difficult to access because So the next time you see a line crew in your neighborhood, substation, the substation itself or if problems it was in a very wet, swampy area and very remote. Our exist further down the line. they may be looking for the problem causing the outage. Just extremely heavy line trucks couldn’t be driven into the area because you can’t see a tree on the line or a blown fuse or because of the wetlands and the likelihood they’d get stuck, transformer in your immediate area, that doesn’t mean there so our linemen had to hike to the area while carrying all the isn’t one just down the road causing a problem for everyone.

3. Main Distribution Lines: equipment and gear they needed to remove the tree and repair Our linemen will never leave an area without restoring the lines. Then, after all repairs were completed, the crews had If the problem cannot be isolated at a power to the members who live there unless there is an issue to return to the substation to fully restore power to the line. distribution substation, distribution lines are they cannot control, such as having to stop working due to Despite our best efforts, damage can occur to transmission checked. These lines carry power to large deteriorating weather conditions, mandatory rest periods systems, substations and power lines. When this happens, our groups of members in communities or (which keep them safe) or damage on the members’ side of the first priority is to safely restore power to as many members as housing developments. meter, which prevents them from safely restoring power to the possible in the shortest amount of time. To do this, WFEC 4. Tap Lines: home. 100748001 crews begin restoring power to member-owners in a specific Did you know that even a lightning strike on a transmission sequence. This is a fine-tuned process aimed at tackling the If local outages persist, supply lines (also known as tap lines) line miles away could cause a blink or interruption in your biggest issues first, until every member has power. are inspected. These lines deliver power to transformers, service? It is important to note that when you see a momentary The big problems are handled first – damage to either mounted on poles or placed on pads for underground interruption or blink in service during a thunderstorm, that transmission lines, which can serve thousands of people. These service, outside businesses, schools and homes. blink or interruption is our equipment working properly to problems must be corrected before our focus can be moved to prevent a large-scale outage and to protect our transformers more localized damage. 40579002 and other equipment. When a fault doesn’t clear, then you Our crews inspect substations next to determine if the experience an outage. problem starts there or if there’s an issue down the line. If the 5.

Individual Homes: WFEC line crews are always ready to tackle power root of the problem is at the substation, power can be restored If your home remains without power, the service line between a transformer outages that may occur due to weather or other elements no to thousands of members at one time. and your residence may need to be repaired. Always call to report an matter the time of day or night. Outages are an unavoidable Linemen then work to repair the three-phase, main circuit outage to help line crews isolate local issues. circumstance, but we strive to restore power as quickly as we feeders, leading from the substations. These feeder lines carry possibly can, while maintaining the safety of our linemen. electricity away from the substation to a group of members, Please remember we never know what they may encounter while in the field working to make repairs – it could be such as those in a subdivision or neighborhood. When power is restored at this stage, all members served by the a car accident, it could be a downed power line in a very remote area or trees on lines. It could even be something feeder line could see the lights come on, as long as there isn’t a problem farther down the line. unusual like an animal creating a fault – something as small as a squirrel or snake can cause a lot of damage to lines Next, the first sets of breakers on a section of line are fixed. Each section is then energized before moving and equipment. No matter the cause, our hard-working linemen will make the necessary repairs in a specific order on to the next set of breakers while gradually working out to the single-phase taps. The closer a home is to the which has been designed to restore power to as many members as possible. substation, the sooner power will be restored to that home.

The final stage of restoration is the final supply lines or service lines. These carry power from the transformer PAGE 10

CURRENT LIGHT FLASHES

ISSUE SEPTEMBER 2018

TOLL FREE OUTAGE HOTLINE: 1.844.OUTAGE1 (844.688.2431)

PAGE 11

Real Estate (cont.)

Wooded lot on Postpile Circle in Compass Lake in the Hills, 1.16 acres, $5,500; 394-7247.

Bush Well Drilling

Pump Sales & Service • Irrigation Systems • Water Treatment

Mulching, Excavation, Land Clearing Since 1969 • Licensed & Insured

Office:

Eighty acres, Bethlehem area, Holmes County; 547-2644.

850-263-8064

• Cell:

850-573-1229

Fred O’Neal II

O’Neal’s Dozer Service, Inc.

Compass Lake in the Hills, two adjoining corner lots, 2.5 acres, $20,000; 579-5174.

1977 Land Clearing • Rootraking • Road Building • Ponds Demolition since

Ten acres on East fork of Choctawhatchee River, near Headland, $35,900 owner financing available; 956-2054.

Home: (850) 762-8387 • Cell: (850) 832-1489

ALDAY’S Bobcat & Tree Service Licensed & Insured LI20000696600

OLEN BARFIELD

Josh Alday

Have Sawmill, Will Travel

(850) 209-2501

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

Stacey Alday

Owner/Operator (850) 557-7290

Submitted by: Aaron Todd

Ingredients: 3/4 cup macaroni 4 tablespoons margarine 1 egg 1 1/2 cup milk 8 ounces (about 2") Velveeta® cheese salt & pepper

36 windows, twenty-four, 60x32, twelve 30x30, $1,000; 36” interior wooden doors w/ frames, thirty-five 3/4x80, $720; 849-0826.

Real Estate

Directions: Boil salted macaroni & drain. Add 1 salted, peppered & beaten egg to 1 ½ cups milk. Set aside. Cube 8 ounces of Velveeta® into ½ inch cubes and also set aside. In a 9” Pyrex dish layer: 2 tablespoons margarine, half of drained pasta, half of the Velveeta and half of the egg/milk mixture. Then Repeat the steps above with remaining ingredients. Bake for one hour in a pre-heated 350 degree oven.

Five acres, great home site, Highway 273, Graceville, $25,500; 260-1755.

NE Jackson County hunting lease, call for information; 260-2628.

AFFORDABLE SEAMLESS GUTTERS

• Pole Barns • Equipment Sheds • Enclosed Sheds, Etc.

Over 20 years experience

TRI-COUNTY CRANE $100 per hour SERVICE Travel one way Commercial & Residential Use • 15 ton 107 ft. boom • Special rates for weekly or monthly rental

(850) 547-3698 • Bonifay

tion Installa ! le Availab

CBC1257046 backwoodsbuildings@yahoo.com

1240 South Blvd. • Chipley, FL 32428 www.backwoodsbuildings.net

F R E E E S T I M AT E S !

850-676-4903

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!

Friday nights: All sessions pay $250!

Saturdays: Jackpot games @ 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 & 10 Sundays: Balloon games - win up to $250!

Wednesdays & Sundays: T-shirt night Visit www.hwy77bingo.com for all early bird, daily, monthly & holiday specials.

PAGE 12

Multiple Listings (cont.)

Touchton’s Barns & Sheds

638-7105

Lic# RM0048955

Coach Aaron Todd's Macaroni & Cheese

CURRENT LIGHT FLASHES

“We Work to please YOU”

(850) 307-4449 #CBC1256015 “In God We Trust”

Family Dentistry of Chipley 415-1411 Family Dentistry of Bonifay 547-9290 Most Insurances Accepted New Chipley Location Cosmetic, General & Family Dentistry

• Veneers • Crowns • Dentures • Cleanings • Whitening • Bonding New & Emergency Patients Welcome

Dr. Ernie Hooper, Dr. John Wilson, Dr. Brian Parker & Dr. Hilary Whitaker 1410-A Brickyard Rd, Chipley ...................................... 415-1411 110 E. North Ave, Bonifay ............................................ 547-9290 ISSUE SEPTEMBER 2018

20-Years Limited Warranty 21 Colors to Choose From

Gary McIntosh

(850) 593-0009

SURVEYOR

Florida Licensed Surveyor since 1969

Roger Lonsway Home Office: 638-7412

Mobile: 260-5438

CB Roofing Shingles • Metal • All Types 24 Years Experience New Roofs & Re-Roofs Repairs Warranty 5 Year Workmanship Owner: Chuck Brinkley FL License# RC 0067463

850.263.1626 334.798.4125

TOLL FREE OUTAGE HOTLINE: 1.844.OUTAGE1 (844.688.2431)

PAGE 9

Multiple Listings (cont.) GOLF CART SALES Hospital bed w/trapeze, $425; lift chair, clean, burgundy, $350; recliner, $125; Rollator w/seat, U-Step, $75; bedside commode, $35; 593-6187.

John Deere 567 hay baler, string & net wrap, $9,500; Creep feeder, 225 bushel capacity, $2,500; 703-0998.

Oxygen • Acetylene • C02 • Argon 75/25 Rods, Tips, Wire Welding Accessories We service all welding machines.

850.768.3697 850.768.3114

3433 Pear Tree Lane Bonifay, FL 32425

William Crutchfield Enterprises, Inc. • Refrigeration • Heating & Cooling • Ice Machines • Residential/Commercial

License Number: CMC1250499

For Service Call: (850) 263-3427 or Cell: (850) 326-0330

PAGE 8

Surveying/GIS/Utilities

Xtreme Southern Kustomizing

(850) 263-4861 (850) 703-4442

Woodham Rd., Graceville, FL

• ALTA/ACSM Land Title Surveys • As-built Surveys • Boundary Surveys • Construction Layout Surveys • Design Surveys • Route Surveys • Foundation Surveys

TATUM’S HARDWARE Hwy. 71 Marianna

(850) 482-5513

100 amp $23695 200 amp $31995

Ag Sprayers Sprayer Repair Parts Baler Twine

with 2-0 copper wire, ground rod & main breaker Ask about delivery

Your Remodeling Pros

• Total Renovations • Vinyl

850.573.0616

• GPS Field Data Collection • Hydrographic Surveys • Legal Descriptions • Mean High Water Survey • Plats • Plot Plans • ROW Surveying & Mapping • Topographic Survey

southeasternsurveying.com

Mobile Home Power Pole

RC #29027247 RR #282811560 Licensed & Insured Free Estimates

Williams Home Improvements No Job Too Big or Small

• Roofing • Additions

850.674.8092

Brown

26 HP Massey Ferguson 1030, 800 hours, 72” Land Pride mower, all good condition, 5’ disc, $5,000; 768-0771.

Finch’s Welding Supply

Fax: (850) 638-8069

& SERVICE

Entertainment shelf w/TV, $85; 5-piece bedroom set, all wood, 65-years-old, $650; Janome sewing machine, $100; desk, $35; 638-3078 or 260-5010.

61’ Tuff Tiger Skag, 27 HP, $3,199; ride-behind Gravely, $1,199; 638-4133.

(850) 638-0790

Pump Repair 638-7221 www.brownpumprepair.com

O&L FARMS

Graceville Goat, Sheep, Chicken Auction, LLC 916 White Avenue • Graceville, FL Every Thursday: 5 PM - until Miscellaneous & Animals

Square Bales Available for Sale Perennial Peanut - A Forage

Legume of Commercial Importance

850-573-2157 850-263-0793

Perennial Peanut is a high-quality persistent tropical forage legume that can be grazed or fed to horses, dairy and beef cattle, hogs, goats, sheep, and rabbits. It can be stored as dry hay or silage and is an ideal substitute for imported alfalfa.

• No Buyer Premiums • Open to Public

Round 4x5 rolls also available

#AB3552

Art Little

Buyers & Sellers Welcome

(850) 547-1794 (850) 303-4364

Free Dinner!

Recreational Vehicles

T

2008 Honda Goldwing, red, garage kept, runs great, battery is weak because it sits, $4,000 worth of accessories, CB, AM&FM intercom radio, good tires, lots of chrome & lights, well taken care of, $10,000; 579-2854.

by Tim Trott

he letter came in the mail with an invitation to a dinner presentation at a restaurant in Blountstown, about saving money on electricity. I was curious, I happen to know a little about energy efficiency technology, and I knew the restaurant, so we signed up and went to see what it was about.

As we entered the reserved room, it looked like something out of a science fair, with “experiments” set up at the front of the room. There was a power meter, a motor and wires, and a box with spotlights mounted over a Bass Tracker boat, 40 HP section of pink insulation. There was also a video screen showing products Mercury 4-stroke engine, on board gas tank, battery charger, promising to save money by reducing electricity costs. Later we would see promotional videos which are also featured on the company’s website, a site trailer, live well, $15,300 OBO; that is long on claims and somewhat short on “testimonials.” 79562001 263-9572.

The presenter was promoting a series of products boasting energy conservation and savings. Some listed on the website but not mentioned in the presentation are valid ways to conserve energy and save money.

Those included watersaving shower heads, which are mandated by building codes (search “Water Star” floridawaterstar.com/).

Other products, like the perforated foil “Ultimate Blanket,” designed to There are a lot of inexpensive ways to be placed over attic insulation, are not new, improve the energy efficiency of your only the marketing, and home, which don't require you to attend … the installation price. presentations such as the one discussed A metalized in this article. Sealing, caulking, water aluminum, breathable heater blankets and changing your HVAC attic roof foil house filters are all great ways to improve your wrap radiant barrier home's efficiency. product is offered online, 500 square feet of it runs around $79 (16 cents per square foot). The product promoted in the presentation is claimed to be “superior” with a guarantee, but how continued on page 14

CURRENT LIGHT FLASHES

ISSUE SEPTEMBER 2018

TOLL FREE OUTAGE HOTLINE: 1.844.OUTAGE1 (844.688.2431)

PAGE 13

ELECT

Recreational Vehicles (cont.)

complicated is a roll of perforated foil that it would run much as $4 per square foot installed?

Claims: “BLOCKs 95% of Heat - 99% RF Signals SCIF RFID” Radio signals? RFID product tracking cards? Seriously?

Fifty HP Evinrude & controls, The demonstrator’s “experiment” did not seem like a valid new starter, switch, water pump, representation of what it sought to illustrate. A flood lamp was mounted over pink fiberglass, with and without the perforated foil barrier. Digital six gallon gas tank, needs minor thermometers were placed, not below, but inside the insulation. First, the repair, $1,000; 336-0487. sun does not shine directly on attic insulation unless the roof has blown off, in which case you have more serious problems. Second, people do not live Dutchman Classic 2012 buried inside insulation. There are too many variables for the experiment to Bunkhouse, 35’, sleeps 10, inside have any validity or relevance. The demonstrator also discounted questions & outside kitchens, new roof/air, about “R” factor, which is the standard common to any comparison of insulating properties. $15,500; 557-0692.

The next demonstration involved a motor and a meter measuring counter EMF. That’s a bit hard to explain in simple terms, but it has to do with the way all electric motors work, and by law (UL) all motors include circuitry to filter out power “noise.” The demonstration promoted the 200-Amp Power Pole “Tripcon” product, promising “whole house protection against spikes, surges and lightning strikes.” Whole house Metal Oxide Varister surge $279.95 100 - Amp Power Pole protectors have been installed on homes for decades. However, the claims $189.95 for the “Tripcon” stretch beyond MOV protection to claim that it “takes Delivery & Installation Available harmful EMF (radiation) to a safe level in your home, improving your Rick Carnley - Lic. # EC-13006648 health” (really?) and “makes equipment in your home run cooler and last Florida Meter Pole Company, Inc. longer.” Among the touted benefits are surge protection, harmonic filtration Contact Rick at 526-2183 or Anthony Register at 573-0219 and power factor correction. Okay, there’s an invention that can do some of that, but it involves a large transformer, but a 200 amp toroid transformer won’t fit inside the 8” x 8” x 6” Tripcon housing.

How can that “optimize the use of electricity” and result in saving “up to 23% on your power bill” as the website claims? Simple math would suggest otherwise. 78427001 I have another problem with the power “filter” idea. WFEC offers a program, H20 Plus, that offered savings in return for placing a device on my water heater that can remotely conserve energy during peak periods. Any “RF filtration” would seem to filter out the signal the H20 Plus device uses to communicate with the power company. There goes that savings.

Another device being promoted at the event was their “Nature Clean.” When asked, the demonstrator inferred this device generates hydrogen peroxide and injects it into the water supply to a washing machine. I looked up the chemical process for creating hydrogen peroxide (H02) and it’s a lot more complicated than passing water through a box plugged into a transformer. The claims “never use hot Water heating is the second largest energy expense water again”, “clothes dry in half the time” and “whiter whites, brighter colors” seem a bit in your home. Save money by: keeping water temps at exaggerated at best, especially when its “magic 120 degrees, shortening showers, washing clothes in powers” are based on hydrogen peroxide. Gee! cold water & fixing leaks.

continued on page 15

PAGE 14

CURRENT LIGHT FLASHES

CRUTCHFIELD

Edward E.

For Jackson County Commissioner District 2 “Hardworking, honest and dependable is how I live my life.”

- Edward E. Crutchfield Political Advertisement Paid for and Approved by Edward E. Crutchfield, Democrat, for County Commissioner District 2

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

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

1001 USES Portable Buildings, Carports & Garages Mobile Home & RV Supplies

Bush Paint & Supply

Carpet • Paint • Feed & Seed Vinyl Flooring • Ceramic Tile Free Estimates

Re-roof Specialist

Shingles • Flat Roofs • Re-Roofs

MARIANNA (Across from CVS)

Davis

and

Septic

Rim, wheel for 1993-2000 Nissan Altima, 16x6, 4 lug; 674-6242.

(850) 547-2934

Multiple Listings

Son’s Plumbing & Tank Service

• New Installation • Drainfield Repair/Replacement • Septic Tank Pumping & Service • Free Estimates

Bonifay: 956-4329 • Chipley: 638-5406 State Certified CFC1425994 ISSUE SEPTEMBER 2018

Husky 5th wheel slider hitch, 16,000#, very good condition, $500; 768-0771.

5 Year Workmanship Warranty Licensed & Insured #CCC1330359

4673 HIGHWAY 90 E.

Shotgun, Beretta 12 gauge, model AL391, 5 chokes, $800 OBO; Remington rifle, 243 WIN, model 770, scope, tripod, $450; 709-9134.

Firewood, cut & split, $60/ short-bed pickup, $70/ long-bed pick up, you load; Armondi Roofing, LLC lightered; 768-0529, Terry.

Free Estimates

E WE MOV LE PORTAB GS IN D IL U B

Thornless blackberry, blueberry, loquat, muscadine, scuppernong, dwarf mulberry, elderberry plants in 6” pots, $6 each; 674-4708.

263-4744 • 971 6th Ave., Graceville

New Roofs & All Types of Repairs

850-526-3797

Miscellaneous (cont.)

Barrel horse; pony; coon dogs; barrel; roping; pleasure saddles; tack; 592-2494.

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 Clay O’Neal:

850.762.9402 or 850.832.5055

TOLL FREE OUTAGE HOTLINE: 1.844.OUTAGE1 (844.688.2431)

PAGE 7

Miscellaneous

Inspect top to bottom. Start at the top and check the entire unit carefully for signs of leaks or corrosion. Look closely because leaks can be tiny. If you detect heavy rust or leaks, it may be time to consider a new, Tires & rims, 175/75/17, $175, energy efficient water heater. came off 2002 Tahoe; 209-0530.

Insulate the first few feet of pipe. By insulating the water heater pipe, water will arrive at your faucet 2 to 4 degrees warmer, and you won’t have Oats & wheat, bulk out of the bin to wait as long for the water to heat up. or cleaned & bagged; 260-2444.

Insulate your tank. If you own an older tank, consider wrapping it in an insulating blanket that can reduce heat loss and save 4 to 9 percent on Metal trusses, 40’ long, $275 the average water heating bill. This especially holds true if your tank is in an unheated space. But, on an electric water heater, make sure the blanket does each; 307-3685. not block the thermostat. 12842002 Drain your tank. Sediment and debris can accumulate in the tank of Motorized wheelchair, never your water heater. To keep it clean, drain it a few times every year. Draining used, needs battery because it the tank is easy. First, turn off the power to your water heater at the main wasn’t kept charged, $3,000; breaker box. Then, turn off the cold water supply coming into the unit.

326-8907.

After that, attach an ordinary garden hose to the drain valve and let the water drain into a bucket until the water is clear. If the water doesn’t run Stationary bike, $45; 482-7608. clear, you can open the water supply valve to stir the tank, then drain again.

Be sure the tank is full before you turn the power back on – failing to do so Bluebird houses; purple martin could short out the heating elements. houses; wood duck houses; hand For more information, contact the energy experts at WFEC. We value crafted wooden toys; 547-9269. your membership. We value you.

Why didn’t Tide and Cheer think of that?

Another device attached to air conditioning. The “Duct Pure” is contained in another small box, connected to a transformer, designed to protrude into ducting that “provides aggressive ionized oxidizers that are distributed throughout the home or office” using “Photo-catalytic oxidation” which destroys pollutants including “mold, bacteria, viruses, odors, and volatile organic compounds.” It would appear this device is likely an ultraviolet light, like the one my wife uses to purify tooth brushes.

There’s no indication of any actual filtration.

Want real information about saving money on energy? Just ask West Florida Electric Cooperative for your own energy audit. If you would like to schedule an energy audit, just call one of the WFEC district offices or email to energy_services@westflorida.coop. You can start with the survey found at customsurvey.yourcooperative.com/wfec/.

Real actual energy efficiency is not magic and there are no “secrets” that the power company is keeping from you. The right investment in energy efficiency can bring a good return, but buying into questionable, unproven or “magical” solutions can be a waste of money. So, what can you do?

Check the WFEC website for simple, inexpensive and easy ways we can all save money and work to make our homes and offices more energy efficient.

Tim Trott has lived in Jackson County since 1994 and owns Cyberchute Web Hosting (Cyberchute.com) and Tim Trott Productions (TimTrottProductions.com). He has provided video services for several of the early Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET.US) trade shows.

Vehicles 1997 BMW Z3, runs good, needs interior TLC, $2,999; 263-0503.

2008 RX350 Lexus, excellent condition; 592-2494.

2003 Dodge Ram 3500, diesel, 5.9, 4x4, hitches, 220,000 miles, 25 mpg. w/chip, $12,000; 559-4185.

Tyler Poole Timber Buyer

“We do swamp logging”

Flint River Timber Co., Inc. Buyers and Producers of Pine and Hardwood Timber

P.O. Box 477 800 N. Broad St. Cairo, GA 39828

Office: (229) 377-5162 Fax: (229) 377-9718 Cell: (850) 573-1599 Email: jonathanpoole713@gmail.com

Brock’s Equipment Service Cottondale • (850) 579-4863 Cell • (850) 573-1863

Excavator, Dozer & Dump Truck Service Land Clearing, Pond Building, Demolition, Site Preparation, Ditch Work, Tree & Debris Removal, Sand & Top Soil

Tri-County Gas S ervice , I nc .

Tri-County Gas S ervice , I nc .

“Home Folks Serving Home Folks”

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

547-3696 #RM0048955

American Construction & Remodel, LLC

Specializing in Hardie Board Siding

850-628-1906 Owner: Stephen Yates

If It Won’t Burn...We’ll Probably Buy It!

We can help you with the financial decisions of both business and everyday life. What matters most to us is a vibrant community, successful schools, growing businesses and financial security.

Scrap Metal & Prepared Steel We now have drive-on scales!

We have 20 & 30 yard drop off containers for metal only We Buy Cars, Trucks & Equipment Competitive Prices

We Buy the Following & More...

• Junk Cars • Copper & Brass • Aluminum • Air Conditioners • Lead • Stainless Steel • Insulated Wires • Radiators • Alternators • Batteries

Clean up the Country side. Turn your Trash into Cash!

Take Hwy. 90 to Grand Ridge, South on Hwy. 69 to Shady Grove (69A) and turn left, we are the first drive on the left.

Closed

Thursdays Saturday Afternoons Sundays

Wright’s Recycling • 1928 Edenfield Dr. • Grand Ridge, FL • (850) 592-2634 PAGE 6

CURRENT LIGHT FLASHES

ffbf.com |

Bonifay: 850-547-8250 • Marianna: 850-526-7144 Graceville: 850-263-3225 • Chipley: 850-638-7892 ISSUE SEPTEMBER 2018

TOLL FREE OUTAGE HOTLINE: 1.844.OUTAGE1 (844.688.2431)

PAGE 15

Adams Tree Service, llc

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

Family Owned & Operated w/ 20 Years Experience

Tree Removal Hazardous Tree Removal Trimming/Bobcat Work

• Fully Insured

• FREE Estimates

(850) 547-5001 or (850) 596-8767

Over 40 Years Experience License #2252

John White Owner

3024 Firefly Lane Vernon, FL 32462

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

Dot’s Caring Hands Senior Care

Dorothy Peacock Owner • License # 233976

2587 Heavenly Drive Marianna, FL 32448

Available 24/7

850-482-1781 McIntosh

Outboard & Small Engine Grand Ridge

Sneads

We buy boats & motors!

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

Let's Power Savings

Home/Farm

Water Heater Maintenance Tips

W

ater heating is the second largest energy expense in most homes.

To save money, make sure your water heater is set properly, operating efficiently and in good condition. Maintaining your water heater will also save you money by extending its life. After all, most homeowners would rather spend their money on something other than a new water heater. Here are a few tips to help keep your unit functioning properly for years to come.

Safety first! Some people are comfortable performing their own maintenance, and others are not. If you fall into the latter category, schedule an appointment with a qualified service technician.

Before you begin. If you choose to perform your own maintenance, do so with safety in mind. Locate your breaker box and turn off power to your water heater. You should also wear gloves to protect your hands from hot water.

Keep it clean. A simple way to maintain your water heater is keeping the area around it clean. You should keep two feet of clearance around your water heater. As a safety measure, never store any combustible materials near it.

Set your thermostat. Keep your water heater’s thermostat set at 120 degrees. Not only will this help you save on energy costs, but it will also reduce the risk of scalding.

continued on page 6

Phone Number Directory for WFEC:

Outage Texting Service: (800) 342-7400

We've created a list of helpful phone numbers you can use to report power outages or contact the cooperative. In the hopes of clearing up any confusion, we have provided a brief description of the the service you will access or reach when calling or texting each number.

Automated System Outage Reporting: (844) OUTAGE1 • (844) 688-2431

It's important to perform maintenance on your water heater to ensure it's operating at peak efficiency for your family and in good condition. Bonus: it can also save you money.

Use the number above to report a power outage at your location via our automated system. This is the best number to use after hours to report outages.

Hay, 4x4 rolls, fertilized, barn stored, $22.50; 579-2732.

La-Z-Boy recliner, $50; Broyhill solid oak/glass end tables, $75; matching lamps, $25; white daybed & mattress for a child, $50; 978-9403.

Hill’s Tree Service

• Tree Removal • Tree Trimming • Stump Grinding Insured • Free Estimates

593-4455

Just say, "Add it to my bill!"

Automated Customer Service Line: (855) MYWFECA • (855) 699-3322 Use the number above to make payments via the automated payment system or to report power outages at any time. You can also access account info, or speak with a CSR during business hours using this number.

CURRENT LIGHT FLASHES

Annual peanut hay, square bale; fertilized grass hay, round 5x5 rolls, string or net wrapped; 263-3427.

In the market for a new electric appliance?

Use the number above to report a power outage at your location via text. *Please note the phone numbers listed on your WFEC account must be updated & include a cell phone number for this service to work* See the article on pgs. 3-4 for more details about how to use this service. You can also use this number to reach the co-op at any time & for any reason.

WFEC has GE & HotPoint products!

Other Useful Numbers: Graceville office: (850) 263-3231 • Bonifay office: (850) 547-9325 • Sneads office: (850) 593-6491 • Toll-free: (800) 342-7400

PAGE 16

Fertilized barn stored hay, 4x5 rolls; 258-0020.

ISSUE SEPTEMBER 2018

TOLL FREE OUTAGE HOTLINE: 1.844.OUTAGE1 (844.688.2431)

PAGE 5

Appliances Maytag electric dryer, looks good, works good, $150; 263-2610.

Commercial kitchen ovens, grill & coffee maker; 415-0851.

Home/Farm Karastan original collection, excellent condition, 100 percent wool rug, woven in USA, 717 made, number 700, 11.5’x16’, multi-color, $500; 239-404-4518.

5x10 trailer w/lift springs & coil springs, all new wood & tires, new spare, $450; 263-4190, Kenny.

Hay, $40/roll, net wrapped 4’x5’ rolls, weed controlled, fertilized & barn kept, Koesy Farm, 10 miles west of Vernon; 334-685-0490.

Branching Out Tree Care

We’re doing all we can on our side of the lines to restore power as quickly and safely as possible, so this leads us to what else can be done on behalf of the needs of our medically essential members - primarily those that require oxygen. Although a backup power generator would be the best all-around solution, in many cases, automatic units are not affordable and portable units often are not feasible.

The same problem exists with backup power solutions like Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS) systems or inverters as with generators – they’re rather expensive or not practical for use with this particular equipment. 51505001 However, we did find a viable solution for members on oxygen. When conferring with Jennifer Bostic, Office Administrator for Pulmonary Associates of Dothan she said, “With regards to our oxygen patients, I can tell you that our surrounding Durable Medical Equipment Suppliers (DMEs) are proactive about this and they go ahead and leave a large E-tank (sometimes two large E-tanks) at the patient’s home for those type of emergencies. Those typically last about 4-6 hours. During storms they do make sure patients have several tanks and have someone on call, but try to encourage patients on oxygen to seek a health shelter or get a generator for support in the case of a long outage,” she continued.

We encourage any member who is on oxygen or is the caregiver of someone dependent upon oxygen to contact their DME to ensure they have an adequate supply of oxygen for extended electrical outages. Patients also need to contact their local emergency management office to locate the closest health shelter they can use during storms or extended outages.

Call the co-op as soon as possible to report outages – we promise to do all we can to get your power restored as safely and as quickly as possible.

However, if you’re on oxygen, make sure you have the contact info for your DME available to notify them in extended outage situations or the means to travel to a nearby health shelter before your need becomes critical.

Jackson Farm Well Services Patrick Jackson

850-592-9530 or 850-573-6623

Aerial Bucket Work • Tree Trimming

4th Annual Quilted Together Women’s Retreat September 15, 9:00 a.m.

West Pittman Baptist Church, 1603 Bradley Road, Westville Join us for the 4th Annual Quilted Together Women’s Retreat. This year’s theme is “Chocolate & Friends.” Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. with coffee & muffins. The retreat will begin at 10:00 a.m. The guest speaker will be Dianna Byrd of Dothan, who is a wife, mom, Bible student teacher, speaker, blogger and women’s minister. Music will be provided by Quinton & Amanda Hall of Geneva. A free soup & salad lunch will be provided.

There is no fee for the retreat, but a love offering will be collected for the “Pirate Packs” backpack food program at Ponce De Leon Elementary. A nursery will be provided for children 6 months to 3 years. For additional information, contact Linda at 956-2702 or Pam at 956-2087. Look for us on Facebook: “Quilted Together Women’s Retreat in FL.”

2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 132,000 miles, $2,000; 718-8046.

Heart and Sole 5K Walk/Run September 15: 7:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.

Citizen Lodge Park, Marianna Registration is free and a free t-shirt will be given to the first 100 participants. Registration is now open online and can be accessed by the following link https://2018heartandsole5k.eventbrite.com. You can also register the day of the event. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), just under half of the adults in the United States get enough aerobic exercise. Walking is one of the easiest aerobic exercises to perform; no special equipment required. Walking can improve your health by aiding with weight loss, lowering risks for diabetes, cancer and even heart disease. We welcome all community members to participate in the Heart and Sole 5K and take the personal step to improve your health.

Free Estimates Licensed & Insured

Jeremy Hill

850-326-0266

Nick Edenfield Political advertisement paid for and approved by Clint Pate, Republican, for County Commissioner District 2

CURRENT LIGHT FLASHES

WANTED Caregiver seeking position, references available upon request; 209-6055.

License plates from any state, mainly FL, prior to 1980; old motorcycles or parts prior to 1960; 557-7030, Greg.

Horses, ponies, mules; 592-2494.

Disabled Veteran in need of refrigerator, stove, washer & dryer, unable to afford due to fixed income, will pick up any donations; 676-1549.

Rims for 1993-2000 Nissan Altima 16x6, 4 lug; 674-6242.

Nick Dillard Construction is Hiring!

Carpenters Needed! Experience is preferred, but not required.

Must have valid driver’s license. Guaranteed 40 hours per week.

Salary commiserate with experience.

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

“Quality work at a fair price!”

PAGE 4

Vehicles (cont.)

Contact Nick at 850-326-6975

Hazardous Tree Removal

850-272-2161

Community Calendar

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 SEPTEMBER 2018

Debbie Roney Smith Full Time Realtor since 1996 Multi-Million Dollar Producer

4420 Lafayette St. Marianna, FL 32446 Call or Text (850) 209-8039 debson1999@gmail.com

I’m a REALTOR~I’m American Gold

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 17

FREE

Community Calendar Cont.

24’ above ground pool, has filter & pump, no liner, you Introduction to Cast Iron Class disassemble & remove; 556-6551. September 18; 6:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

What You Need to Know

Washington County Ag Center, 1424 Jackson Avenue, Chipley Bulldog & Hound mix, to a good We’ll cover the pros and cons, proper care and use, seasoning methods, and restoration of your cast iron. The class will also discuss various cooking home; 643-1959. methods & some tips or tricks for using this versatile, classic piece of kitchenware. Registration fee is $5 and includes class materials. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required by contacting the Washington County THANK YOU Extension Office, 638-6265, or the Holmes County Extension Office, 547-1108. The University of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Institution.

The Family of Don Boutwell For persons with disabilities requiring special accommodations, please would like to thank everyone for contact 850-638-6265 (TDD, via Florida Relay Service, 1-800-955-8771) their prayers, flowers, food, cards, at least five working days prior to the class so that proper consideration may letters, and visits. The passing of be given to the request.

Mary Gene Boutwell has been very difficult, but everyone’s love, prayers, and expressions of kindness have been a big help. Thanks again and may God bless you.

2018 Scarecrow Building Contest September 22; 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Chipley Farmer's Market Join us for a free family event to see updated displays in the history museum, on-site Native American Cultural Skills demonstrations, new Creek Indian museum displays, artifacts and more. Build a scarecrow and Thank you for the fundraiser show off your artistic side. You could also win a cash prize. Enter the day given on my behalf. Your love of the contest or visit www.washingtoncountyhistoricalsociety.com for an and support will not be forgotten. entry form and contest rules. Visit the scarecrow field and choose your God bless you, Sherel Crews favorite. There will also be local arts & crafts vendors, food, Leavins refreshments and live entertainment. Interested vendors can email wchistorical@gmail.com. There is a $10 fee for vendors to set up.

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.

Oxygen Machines & Power Outages

I

f you rely on an oxygen machine, sleep with a CPAP or have other medically essential equipment in your home that depends on electricity to operate, we know how important reliable electric service is to you and your family. WFEC takes great pride in restoring power to our members as safely and quickly as possible. However, when the co-op receives calls or comments from members regarding the urgency of their need, it compels us to want to do more even when our options are limited.

With the rise in use of in-home medical equipment, we receive many calls, comments, and yes, sometimes complaints, regarding the urgency of power restoration to members with specific health needs. This is not something we take lightly and it’s the reason for this article.

As previously stated, WFEC is limited with what we can do to restore power at an individual member’s home. The feature article in this issue of the Current Light Flashes, located on pages 10-11 explains and demonstrates how power must be restored during major outages. Even though the co-op is limited to a required process, please understand that all efforts are focused on restoring power to each of our members. continued on page 4

Chihuahua puppies, $75; 352-2131.

African Grey w/cage & toys, $1,500; 638-8109.

German shorthair pointer puppies; 693-5001.

Three Pea Chicks, $35 each, bring your own cage; 956-1255.

Antiques/Collectibles Collectibles from a closed collectible shop, make appointment to view or make offer; 593-6181.

BETTER QUALITY; LOWER PRICES WINDSHIELD/AUTO GLASS EXPERTS WE TRAVEL TO YOUR LOCATION ANY VEHICLE; ANY GLASS

AARP Smart Driver Course October 9; 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Washington County Ag Center, 1424 Jackson Avenue, Chipley Erich Beck, with AARP, will conduct the AARP Smart Driver Course for county residents. Participants are updated regarding new traffic laws and rules of the road, defensive driving techniques and proven safety strategies.

All participants receive a certificate to provide to their automobile insurer possibly enabling them to receive a discount on their premiums, depending on their carrier’s guidelines. Pre-register by calling the Washington County Extension Office, 638-6265. The cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-AARP members. Registration fees will be collected the day of the course. For more information, visit www.aarp.org/drive or call Judy Corbus, Washington County Family & Consumer Sciences Extension Agent, 638-6265.

CURRENT LIGHT FLASHES

FOR SALE Animals/Livestock

WE CAN SAVE YOU MONEY CALL NOW 850-387-2400

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

LLC/Insured/ 40 Years Experience

(850) 638-2611 Local Telephone Prefixes Alford 579 Altha 762 Bascom/Malone 569 Blountstown 674, 237 Bonifay 547 Caryville 548 Chipley 638, 415 Cottondale 352 Graceville 263

This Institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

PAGE 18

CLASSIFIEDS

ISSUE SEPTEMBER 2018

TOLL FREE OUTAGE HOTLINE: 1.844.OUTAGE1 (844.688.2431)

Grand Ridge 592 Greenwood 594 Marianna 482, 526 Ponce de Leon 836 Sneads 593 Sunny Hills 773 Vernon 535 Westville 956

PAGE 3

Mold Removal Remodels Water Damage Additions Fire Damage New Construction

CURRENT LIGHT

FLASHES

USPS: 702-990 | ISSN: 1042-7767 | VOL 68, NO 9

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.

WFEC Board of Directors

Randy

Joe E.

BUSH

RONE

District 7 / Vice President

District 8 / President

24 Hour Emergency Response CBC1255149, CCC1330340, MRSR9

C&C CONSTRUCTION ADVERTISE IN COLOR!!! & ROOFING

RESIDENTIAL ROOFING SPECIALISTS

Purchase this size ad for ONLY $125/month.

Reach over 21,000 local residences.

Serving the Florida Panhandle and Southern Alabama Specializing in residential and commercial roofing projects • Shingle Roofing • All Types of Metal Roofing • Roofing Repairs • All Types of Flat Roofs CALL TODAY FOR FREE ESTIMATES

850-547-1001 690 E. Hwy. 90 Bonifay, FL 32425

License #’s FL #CCC1327331 • AL # S-44779

TATUM District 1

District 4 / Secretary-Treasurer

Text WFEC to (800) 342-7400 to sign up. When you need to report an outage, text OUT to (800) 342-7400. Text STATUS for any updates, HELP for more info & STOP to unsubscribe.

Remember to update your account information to include your current cell phone number before storms hit our area!

Andy Hall 850.557.3368

Over 21 Years Professional Experience 5 Years Labor Warranty • Licensed & Insured

# CBC1260614 • # CCC1330769 Free Estimates • 24 Hour Emergency Service

Brent Hall 850.718.7314

Serving Northwest Florida!

Middlebrooks Contractors, Inc. Serving the Area for Over 60 Years

Rent-All • We have everything you need!

Equipment Rentals, Tractors, Trenchers, Etc. Septic Tank Service, Installation & Repair Mobile Home Pads • Land Clearing • Excavation

Dirt • Rock • Culverts

M&M Welding Supply 2311 Boswell Road • Bonifay, FL 32425 Office: (850) 547-3292 Cell: (850) 373-6171

Gases:

Cylinder rental - all types

Supplies:

Safety equipment Helmets Torch Tips Rods Gloves Wire Jackets

Oxygen Helium Acetylene Argon CO2 75/25 Nitrogen

Welding Services Available

Ph: (850) 547-3658

District 3

A. C.

George Clayton

District 5

District 6

MILES

OWENS

Frank E.

Myron

BONDURANT

HUDSON

Attorney

District 9

Panhandle Tractor Russell

DUNAWAY

Executive VP/CEO

www.KubotaUSA.com ©Kubota Tractor Corporation, 2018

5003 Highway 90 Marianna, Florida 32446

(850) 526-2257

CURRENT LIGHT FLASHES

Blountstown - (850) 674-9110 Marianna - (850) 526-2300 *WFEC members who make payments at Regions Bank must be a Regions account holder and must pay with a Regions check.*

Purchase this size ad for ONLY $75/month. Reach over 21,000 local residences.

(850) 263-3231

People's South Bank Payment Locations: Chipley - (850) 415-1320 Greenwood - (850) 594-4151 Malone - (850) 569-2264 Marianna - (850) 526-4331 or (850) 482-4029 Sneads - (850) 593-1183

Blountstown - (850) 674-5900

Rodeo starts at 7:30 nightly

Parades on Friday & Saturday

Tickets (11 & up) $13 - advance $16 - gate

Tickets (ages 4-10) $8 - advance $10 - gate

(gates open at 5:30)

A Clean Cut for Every Budget.

Regions Bank* Payment Locations:

ADVERTISE IN COLOR!!!

October 4-6, 2018 Kommander-Pro Series

WFEC has convenient locations other than our offices, where you may pay your monthly electric bill on or before the due date.

Plumbing • Electrical Licensed & Insured

PATRICK

District 2

PAGE 2

Residential • Commercial

New Construction, Re-Roof, Additions & Repairs Shingle • Metal & More!

John C.

Tim

ALFORD

WFEC Remote Pay Locations

HALL Roofing, Siding & Building, LLC

(850) 263-3231

Power Out? Text Us!

David

John

ADAMS

Locally Owned & Operated

ST!”

“If You’ve Called the Rest • Now Call The BE

The Bonifay Kiwanis Club Northwest Florida Championship Rodeo is a PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association) Rodeo.

www.bonifayrodeo.com

Memorial Field • Bonifay, FL

Attention Members: West Florida Electric Right of Way Clearing Crews will be cutting & trimming right of ways in the following area(s) during the month of

SEPTEMBER

Altha

When right-of-way (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.

ISSUE SEPTEMBER 2018 TOLL FREE OUTAGE HOTLINE: 1.844.OUTAGE! (1.844.688.2431) PAGE 19

CURRENT LIGHT

FLASHES

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

West Florida Electric, Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative

Always Ready to Tackle Outages Pages 10-11

Energy Efficiency Tip:

A Cut Above

• Tree Removal • Chipper • 15 Ton Crane • Aerial Truck • Pruning & Trimming • Bobcat Work • Hazardous Tree Removal • Stump Removal • Stump Grinding

TREE SERVICE

FULLY INSURED • FREE ESTIMATES

LLC

Owner: Jason Morris

BUS: (850) 415-1217 • CELL: (850) 573-1270 Pole Barn Kits Available!

Turn off bath, kitchen & other exhaust fans within 20 minutes after you’re done bathing or cooking. When replacing exhaust fans, consider installing highefficiency, low-noise models.

Deck Kits!

Pool Supplies in Stock!

FREE Pool Water Testing Water Softener Pellets - $6.99 Pool Salt - $6.99 Pool Chemicals & Chlorine

www.panhandlesalvage.com

6x8 - $339 • 8x10 - $489 • 10x10 - $609 • 12x14 - $849 Many more sizes to choose from!

Treated Swings in Stock!

Rain Bird Irrigation Supplies Bee Keeping Supplies Now Available!

Red Mulch River Rock Pea Pebbles Landscaping Timbers Bull Run 5K September 29!

Oxygen Machines & ...pg. 3 Power Outages Let’s Power Savings ...pgs. 5-6

(Pre-register by 9/14)

850-547-9354

Panhandle Lumber & Supply Tri-State Leader of Barn Kit & Deck Kit Sales Since 1997

405 W. Hwy. 90 • Bonifay, FL

INSIDE ...

*Prices subject to change. Call to confirm.*

Free Dinner

...pgs. 13-15

Local Classifieds

...pgs. 3-18

Cover photo: Josh Brown, WFEC Journeyman Lineworker

ISSUE SEPTEMBER 2018

Read Online www.WestFlorida.coop

VOL

68, NO 9