Latest news with #SandInMyBootsFestival
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Some Foley neighborhoods' speed limits change — what to expect
FOLEY, Ala. (WKRG) — The Foley City Council has approved a new ordinance to change the speed limits in some neighborhoods. 'Sand In My Boots Festival' prep underway — what to know ahead of the event According to a city news release, the change was made to make the speed throughout Foley more consistent. The speed limits will change in the southwest quarter of the city and on James Road, according to officials. 'It was brought to our attention in the southeast quadrant that there were some inconsistencies in some of our streets that were really no different than other streets,' Foley Executive Director for Infrastructure and Development Wayne Dyess said. 'We felt that we can go in and standardize that.' The speed limit will now be 20 miles per hour on Orange Avenue, Myrtle Avenue, Pedigo Avenue, Oak Street and Pine Street. Streets near Max Griffin Park and Sarah Thompson Kids Park, including Verbena Avenue and Roosevelt Avenue, will be 15 miles per hour. Speed on James Road near the Cottages on the Greene Subdivision will be reduced by 10 miles per hour — from 35 to 25. City officials will look at other areas to see if the speed limit needs to be adjusted elsewhere, according to the release. Baldwin County Public Schools graduation schedule 'We will continue to look at the remainder of the city,' Dyess said. 'As we grow, traffic needs and uses are impacted and changed. This, to us, makes a lot of sense. It meets the needs of that area.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Bishop State linemen and trucking students get hands-on workforce training
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — Students at Bishop State Community College are learning skillful trades to get ready to enter the workforce. 'Sand In My Boots Festival' prep underway — what to know ahead of the event WKRG News 5's Akievia McFarland visited the truck driving and lineman programs to see the benefits of their hands-on training. The first stop on this route is the college's truck driving program, the largest of its kind in Alabama. 'We produce more students than any other college,' Transportation Department Division Chair Brad Wallace said. Over a course of eight weeks, future truckers 18-years and older learn road regulations, different types of trailers, and how to drive a big truck safely. 'The mindset that we give them here makes them very successful when they go out in the field and work for a company,' Wallace said. 'Most of our students don't have any accidents or incidents along the way for the first year of their career.' Having skills behind the wheel isn't all students want, they're also in it for a brighter future. 'To make more money and things, and explore, see what the world is like,' student Jeremiah Ervin said. 'In eight weeks you can change your career and go to work making anywhere, starting at $40,000 a year to $100,000 a year,' Wallace said. Baldwin County EMA concerned about FEMA's uncertain future as hurricane season approaches Chances for big pay are up for these students as the program has a 98% placement rate and most students are pre-hired before classes end. This isn't the college's only program taking students to new heights. Some linemen students are learning the process of hanging insulators and dealing with electricity over 11 to 12 weeks. 'They initially learn how to climb and work aloft off of wooden poles, off of concrete and steel structures and certain types of lattice towers,' instructor Daniel Matson said. 'We teach them the basics of your first day of being on the job to start the apprenticeship program of being a lineman one day.' With a placement rate of 95% among graduates, these linemen could go on to make upwards of $100,000 annually. But first, they have to learn the basics, like being able to safely recognize hazards in the field and climb in full gear. 'They always have to wear a hard hat, close toed shoes, long sleeve shirts, they have to wear appropriate gloves,' BSCC Industry Liaison Daphne Stamps said. 'The equipment probably weighs about 50 to 60 pounds that they have to wear daily.' The equipment is heavy, and the climb might be a little intimidating, but students say you get used to it all. Mobile County street to close for bridge replacement 'My favorite part is going up the pole now. It wasn't at first. It took me a little minute to ease into it but once you get the hang of it and trust the equipment and stuff while you're up there, it's a breeze,' student Kendall Patrick said. Whether their career takes them toward the skies or for a drive, students are learning lucrative skills to continue Powering Progress in Alabama`s workforce. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Emerald Coast Utilities Authority may soon stop adding fluoride to drinking water
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) — Emerald Coast Utilities Authority may soon stop adding fluoride to drinking water. 'Sand In My Boots Festival' prep underway — what to know ahead of the event 'In about 1988, when it was voted on by the public at large, at that point in time it passed with about 58% of the voter base favoring fluoride. That's the reason it was added at that time,' Bruce Woody, executive director of Emerald Coast Utilities Authority, said. Florida legislators passed a bill banning local governments from adding fluoride to public drinking water. The bill has not been signed, but Governor Ron DeSantis's administration has advocated against fluoridation, arguing high levels could pose a risk to children's intellectual development. However, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fluoride strengthens teeth by replacing minerals lost during normal wear and tear helping both children and adults prevent cavities. 'Without fluoride in the water then it would be important to discuss with your dentist what would be important for your particular situation, whether that be fluoride additives or be sure that you use other dental products such as toothpastes and washes and such,' Woody said. ECUA said they have been ordering less fluoride as a result of the bill's passage. They said they will monitor their supply to avoid having chemical supplies beyond what they can use through July 1, when the bill would take effect. Baldwin County Public Schools graduation schedule ECUA said the addition of fluoride costs approximately $340K per year in total. They said the future savings from no longer adding fluoride would be used toward the increasing expense of water production operations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Escambia County Emergency Management unfazed despite FEMA's leadership changes
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) — Despite hurricane season quickly approaching, emergency officials in Escambia County are taking the firing of acting Federal Emergency Management Agency's head Cameron Hamilton in stride. Emerald Coast Utilities Authority may soon stop adding fluoride to drinking water 'It really doesn't mean anything,' Escambia County Emergency Manager Travis Tompkins said. 'Every administration that comes in, normally, a president chooses a new FEMA executive, especially from one party to another, those changes are very common.' The county will continue to communicate directly with the state during major storms. 'Regardless of who's in charge at FEMA, we go to the state for our resources request that we have, and then if they can't fulfill those requests, then they have to reach out to the federal government in FEMA, but we've not had any issues,' said Tompkins. Maintaining a good relationship with the state is the top priority for Escambia County's Emergency Management Agency. 'They meet all our needs that we ever have, and we try to do the same for them,' added Tompkins. Last year, that included deploying three times after hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton, which hit other parts of the state. 'Sand In My Boots Festival' prep underway — what to know ahead of the event Tompkins wants to remind folks to ensure storm warnings are toggled on in settings on hand-held devices. A step-by-step video can be found on Escambia County's EMA page here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
