Environment

Habitat for Humanity dedicates new home in Largo

Submitted by Kristin Weber, Web Producer, 10News In Your Neighborhood

Wednesday, December 15th, 2010, 3:28pm

Habitat for Humanity dedicates new home in Largo

Largo, FL - Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County kicks off the December holiday season by dedicating it's 205th house in Largo on Wednesday, December 151h at 4pm.

Pam Guttridge and her five children look forward to their new home located at 610 4th Avenue NW just in time to decorate for Christmas.

Pam has had excitement for Habitat for Humanity from the beginning, "After hearing the presentation, I did the math and realized I qualified!" says Pamela, "I had just received a raise that put me in the price range."

Aegon and The City of Largo sponsored the building of Pamela's house.

AEGON Florida Human Resources Representative, Susan Lindelof commented, "AEGON's Community Involvement Committee was proud to once again be a Corporate Sponsor of a Habitat for Humanity build project to benefit a deserving family.

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Submitted by WTSP Web Staff

Tuesday, December 14th, 2010, 5:08pm

Helicopters used to save Fla. crop from rare chill

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (AP) -- Dozens of helicopters are whirring above Florida's valuable and sensitive veggie crops, an unusual approach by farmers worried an uncommon freeze could wipe out their harvests.

The choppers hover low over green bean and sweet corn fields in the early morning hours to push warmer air closer to the plants -- and, the farmers hope, save the plants from a deadly frost.

Farmers are especially nervous because an 11-day freeze in January wiped out many crops, from corn to kumquats. Florida is the United States' largest winter producer of sweet corn.

The stakes are high: in 2009, the value of production of sweet corn from Florida was $227 million.

The helicopters may be the last line of defense if temperatures dip below freezing as expected Tuesday night.

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Hazardous coastal conditions for Florida's Gulf Coast

Submitted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 14th, 3:56 pm

Saint Pete Beach, Florida - The U.S. Coast Guard has issued a message urging mariners to exercise extreme caution due to high winds and dangerous surf conditions currently affecting our Gulf Coast today, with large swells and breaking waves of 10-15 feet or larger expected through the end of Tuesday.

The Coast Guard watchstanders at Sector St. Petersburg, Fla., continue to monitor the dangerous weather conditions for boaters within Tampa Bay, as well as offshore.

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Submitted by WTSP Web Staff

Thursday, December 9th, 2010, 10:23am

St. Pete Beach summit to discuss oil drilling ban

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (AP) -- Environmentalists, tourism officials and business owners are gathering in St. Pete Beach to talk about offshore oil drilling.

The major topic at Thursday morning's get-together will be a new report by two major environmental groups supporting President Barack Obama's recent decision to maintain a ban on oil drilling near Florida's shores.

Local business owners and tourism officials will discuss how the value of sustainable businesses, tourism and fishing outweighs the benefit of drilling for oil and gas off the Gulf Coast.

The meeting was organized by Environment Florida and Sierra Club.

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