Today

Cloudy with a scattered showers in the morning. Mostly cloudy with isolated showers in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 60s. Northwest winds 5 mph. Chance of rain 40 %.

Tonight

Showers. Chance of thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the lower 50s. Northeast winds 5 mph. Chance of rain 80 %.

Hazardous Weather

Isolated thunderstorms are possible in northeast florida tonight. some of these storms may produce heavy rain late tonight.

Forecast Details

Narrow band of positive vorticity advection is advancing across northeast Florida south of the I-10 corridor. Doppler radars indicate light showers were accompanying this band. For the remainder of today, aforementioned band will continue to press southward and will likely stall over or just south of Marion County this afternoon. Satellite trends indicate clouds have exited a large portion of southeast Georgia. Cloud shield will continue to press southward the remainder of today with just about all of southeast Georgia expected to be in the clear by afternoon, with decreasing clouds noted along and north of the I-10 corridor across northeast Florida. Zone forecast product has been updated, with chance probability of precipitation mainly along and south of a Gainesville – St. Augustine line today.

Today's Pollen Levels: 4.2 Low Medium(on a scale to 12); Predominate Pollen: Juniper.

For additional information visit the National Weather Service in Jacksonville website on the internet at http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jax/

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Alex Orlando, Alligator Writer

Mike Antheil has three goals in mind when he comes to Gainesville: solar panels on every rooftop, biomass energy from every farm and renewable energy on every property.

Antheil, executive director of the Florida Alliance for Renewable Energy, plans to make that happen with the Florida Renewable Energy Tour, a 10-stop trek across the state from February 10 to February 26.

The tour is set to stop in Gainesville February 25.

With the tour scheduled just before the upcoming legislative session on March 8, he said he hopes to change minds and policy.

On the itinerary are three stops at solar electricity providers around the city, followed by a workshop at Santa Fe College and a town-hall-style meeting at the Pugh Hall Ocora.

The specific solar electricity providers have not been named yet, said Don Ryan, tour coordinator.

But Gainesville renewable energy may not be too hard to sway, said Don Davis, a board member for the Florida Alliance for Renewable Energy.

“Gainesville is absolutely the best place in the state of Florida for solar energy,” Davis said, mentioning the fact that Gainesville is the first city in the US to adopt the Feed-In Tariff program, in which GRU purchases solar energy from residents who have solar panels at twice the cost of what it sells the energy.

Ryan said he hopes to inspire policies like Gainesville’s in other cities along the tour, including Miami, Tampa and Orlando.

“We hope what people take away is a clear message that Florida needs renewable energy policy,” Ryan said.

The tour is free to the public. Participants can register at renewableenergyworld.com

By Nathan Crabbe
Staff writer Gainesville Sun

University of Florida officials are backing a plan to move the state's only remaining tuberculosis hospital to the Gainesville area.

A.G. Holley State Hospital in Lantana has treated the state's tuberculosis patients for more than 60 years. As the state considers options for closing the hospital, UF is supporting the construction of a new facility within 50 miles of campus, staffed by university physicians and managed by Shands HealthCare.

"It brings it to a point where they can have closer interaction with the Emerging Pathogens Institute and the research capabilities that are here at UF," said Dr. Glenn Morris, director of the UF institute.

Lawmakers have sought to close the Lantana hospital because of its cost, problems there and calls to develop its 140-acre site in Palm Beach County for other uses. UF initially proposed building a new hospital and infectious disease center at Florida Atlantic University's Jupiter campus, but that plan fell through.

Now UF, home to one of four U.S. centers designated to the study of tuberculosis, is discussing the alternative of building a hospital closer to the university at an expected cost of $10 million to $20 million. The project might be funded through the sale of the property in Lantana, which the town recently rezoned for other uses.

Morris said the state would continue to own the hospital and be responsible for choosing a new site. It is not planned for the UF campus, he said.

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that can be spread by coughing or even breathing. It usually attacks the lungs and, if left untreated, can kill half of its victims with a year. It once was the leading cause of death in the U.S. and remains the leading cause of death by infectious disease in the world as a whole.

"The deep pool of people who have tuberculosis around the world is a big challenge,"said Dr. Mike Lauzardo, director of the Southeastern National Tuberculosis Center.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designated four tuberculosis centers in the U.S, each dedicated to a particular region, to provide training, education and medial consultation. The Southeastern center is housed in UF's Emerging Pathogens Institute, with the Lantana hospital serving as a clinical training site.

The hospital is the only one that remains of four built by the state from 1938 to 1952. It was built to care for 500 patients but has 50 beds today and currently houses 37 patients. Most of its patients have been ordered there by the courts for failing to adhere to treatment, while other patients have drug-resistant strains.

State lawmakers have pushed to privatize the hospital, an effort fueled by a 2009 inspector general's report. It found the hospital's former interim CEO had used a state credit card to pay for home improvements and allowed a plumber to live with a crack-smoking prostitute in an RV on the hospital site.

A state law passed last year ordered the Florida Department of Health to develop a plan to treat patients in private and non-state hospitals. A study issued by the department in November found a lack of isolated rooms at private hospitals and security to manage court-ordered patients.

Morris said private treatment would increase costs and create other challenges, as private hospitals lack physicians with the expertise to treat tuberculosis patients.

"These patients just don't fit into your standard acute care hospital," he said.

He said a rising number of cases outside the U.S. continue to make it a problem here. About half of the tuberculosis cases in Florida originated in foreign countries, mostly in Haiti and Mexico, according to the state Department of Health.

"We are going to have people coming into Florida all the time who are restarting the brush fires," Morris said.

There were 821 tuberculosis cases and 38 deaths in 2009, the most recent year of available data, according to the Florida Department of Health. Lauzardo said there are typically about 1,000 cases in the state annually, 10 percent of which result in death.

He said a big problem with tuberculosis is the failure of patients to take drugs, creating resistant strains that are more difficult and expensive to treat. The cost of treating the average patient is about $20,000 compared with as much as $500,000 for one with a drug-resistant strain, Morris said.

The Department of Health study also outlined other options such as moving patients to a tuberculosis hospital in San Antonio or building a new hospital on the Lantana site. Morris said building a new hospital closer to UF would allow for better access to facilities here and might attract biotechnology research to the area.

Lauzardo said the hospital would pose no threat to the community or its employees, as transmission of the disease is less common in a specialty facility than other hospitals. In the end, he said, treating those with the disease only benefits public health.

"This is protecting all of us," he said. "This is not just protecting the patients that have the disease."

Contact Nathan Crabbe at 338-3176 or nathan.crabbe@gvillesun.com.

The submission deadline for the third annual “Elegance of Science” art contest sponsored by the University of Florida Marston Science Library is Feb. 28.

The contest will showcase the research happening at UF in an imaginative and distinctive format. Current faculty, students and staff as well as alumni are eligible to submit artistic 2-D representations of their scientific research. A panel of judges will award prizes for first, second and third place in addition to a $200 Alumni Prize donated by the UF Alumni Association to entries that creatively merge science and art.

An open house and awards reception to honor the winning artists will be held in the Marston Science Library later in the spring semester. Additionally, winning entries will be displayed at the Marston Science Library, the Health Science Center Liblrry and the contest website throughout 2011.

The contest is co-sponsored by the Health Science Center Libraries, the Architecture & Fine Arts Library and the UF Alumni Association.

For further details and entry form please see http://www.uflib.ufl.edu/msl/art.

“If there were in the world today any large number of people who desired their own happiness more than they desired the unhappiness of others, we could have paradise in a few years.” 

I do not want your money, and I offer nothing to buy. No coffee mugs or T-shirts here. I do this to learn, keep some semblance of sanity and, foolishly, not to make money. There are only four ways in which I can be fairly compensated for my efforts here at the Mullet Wrapper...

Comment! Don't be shy. It's my only feedback. Make up a name, if you want. Yes, I know our insane spam-blocker can make it frustrating at times. I welcome civil disagreement, too.  

Today

Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a high near 70. West wind between 10 and 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Tonight

A 40 % chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 44. West wind between 5 and 8 mph. 

Hazardous Weather

Isolated thunderstorms are possible across the area today as a cold front slowly moves through. severe weather is not anticipated.

Forecast Details

Deepening mid level low over southern Missouri has already turned the corner as it encounters resistance from deep southwesterly flow around northwestern periphery of a strong and stubborn mid-level high over the Turks and Caicos island. the upper low will quickly eject northeast into the Ohio Valley today. At the surface, a weak low over the Florida Big Bend is beginning to open up as it becomes absorbed by deeper surface low on the east side of aforementioned upper low. northeast winds along the coast relentlessly held on through the much of the night but are finally starting to retreat as winds begin to veer to the south, this will send a warm front rapidly north across the area.

Showers are likely across the entire area today as a surface front limps through. Temperatures are once again a challenge today. In fact, this will remain the case for the next several days. Given strength of warm front., decided to go a little above guidance today, which yields highs in the 50s across the northwestern zones and in the mid 70s across the southeastern zones. in fact some areas in the latter zones are likely to see some sun peek out this morning before the rain arrives.

Most of the dense fog early this morning is originating from water sources. thus it is most dense along the coast and near the St. Johns River. tough call on when it will break but increasing southerly flow should break it up over the land areas by mid-morning. A dense fog advisory will continue along the Atlantic coast until mid morning. but we may be able to drop it a little earlier, this will be monitored.

Additional showers are likely to develop tonight as deep layer moisture lingers and shortwave energy cuts into the ridge. clearing skies will begin in southeast Georgia tonight as the surface high currently trailing the cold front shifts east into the area. Northwest winds around the high will drive the front south of the area by Sunday morning with most of the shower activity coming to the end. Temperatures may in fact drop to near freezing over the interior of southeast Georgia under clear skies with calm winds. temps will drop into the 40s across northeast Florida.

Today's Pollen Levels: 3.2 Low Medium(on a scale to 12); Predominate Pollen: Juniper.

For additional information visit the National Weather Service in Jacksonville website on the internet at http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jax/

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Tickets are now available for the 11th Annual Firefighters' Ball, sponsored by Gator Fire Council and Shands Burn Center at the University of Florida.

The ball is a fund raising event open to the community. Dress up, dine and dance while raising money for the Children's Burn Camp of North Florida, Inc., Camp Amigo, on Saturday, Feb. 26th from 6 pm to midnight at the Hilton, University of Florida Conference Center.

Tickets are $50 per person in advance or $60 at the door and can be purchased by either calling 352-377-2157 or sending e-mail to:

gatorfirecouncil@aol.com.

Tickets and recognition opportunities are available to corporate sponsors and to patrons.

The tax-deductible donations and all proceeds will benefit burn survivors and help them enjoy a week at burn camp. The community can also donate items for the silent auction that will be held the night of the Firefighters' Ball.

"Camp Amigo is for local children who are burn victims," said Scotty Taylor, president of Gator Fire Council and a Gainesville Fire Rescue driver-operator. "Firefighters understand the pain and suffering the children go through with their burns. This camp allows the children to enjoy themselves and play with other children who have been burned. We (firefighters) cook pizzas, barbecue for the children and serve as camp counselors.

"It's a worthwhile cause, and we encourage the community to support our efforts and purchase tickets to the Firefighters' Ball."

For more information, contact Tracey Higdon at 352-258- 2465 or Scotty Taylor at 352-745-0272.

By Chad Smith
Staff writer Gainesville Sun

Drivers in Gainesville apparently won't be able to get away with running red lights for much longer, but being caught walking the street with an open beer might soon become a little less burdensome.

The City Commission on Thursday voted to install cameras at intersections that will photograph motorists running red lights. Commissioners also voted to give police the option of issuing a civil citation for an open container instead of making an arrest.

A second and final vote on both issues will be held at the commission's meeting on Feb. 17, but if Thursday's votes were any indication, they should pass easily.

The commission voted 6-0 to implement red-light cameras.

It wasn't the body's first vote on the matter.

In 2009, the commission passed an ordinance allowing the use of the cameras but, on the advice of the city attorney, waited until a state law was signed before moving forward.

Then-Gov. Charlie Crist signed such a law last year, paving the way for the city to take up the matter again.

Assistant City Attorney Thomas Arden said Thursday the fine for running a red light will be $158, with $75 going back to the city.

Arden pointed to a study released this week by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety that determined red-light cameras in 14 cities have reduced traffic fatalities by 14 percent.

While the city has already started taking bids from contractors, Commissioner Thomas Hawkins said he does not want a vendor that would benefit from issuing as many tickets as possible.

"I want that decision to always be made based on public safety," Hawkins said.

The commission voted 5-1 to create a $200 civil citation option for police when they catch someone with an open container. Arden said police could still make an arrest, depending on the circumstances. That's why Scherwin Henry voted against it.

"I just don't see where an open container is worth ruining a person's life," said Henry, pushing for a full transition to civil citations for the offense.

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20110203/ARTICLES/110209794/-1/entertainment?p=all&tc=pgall

“Americans detest all lies except lies spoken in public or printed lies.” 

I do not want your money, and I offer nothing to buy. No coffee mugs or T-shirts here. I do this to learn, keep some semblance of sanity and, foolishly, not to make money. There are only four ways in which I can be fairly compensated for my efforts here at the Mullet Wrapper...

Comment! Don't be shy. It's my only feedback. Make up a name, if you want. Yes, I know our insane spam-blocker can make it frustrating at times. I welcome civil disagreement, too.  

Today

Cloudy. Chance of rain and areas of drizzle and fog. Highs 62 to 67. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph shifting to the south in the afternoon. Chance of rain 50 %.

Tonight

Cloudy. Not as cool. Rain likely and patchy drizzle and fog. Patchy dense fog after midnight. Lows in the mid 50s. South winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70 %.

Forecast Details

As warm frontal boundary sits just to the south across central Florida, overrunning light rain, drizzle and fog will continue through much of the day across the forecast area. Some lift northward in the warm front is expected this afternoon into North Florida but wedge will hold tight across southeastern Georgia with highs only in the 40s/50s and pushing into the 60s/70s south of the boundary. Main impact tonight as warm frontal boundary lifts north will be the development of dense fog along and just south of the boundary. Light rain and drizzle will continue across the forecast area this evening as a steadier band of light/moderate rain slowly progresses into southeast Georgia from the northwest after midnight. Temperatures will generally remain steady or slowly rise through the night for many locations as the warm frontal boundary continues to lift slowly northward.

Today's Pollen Levels: 2.1 Low (on a scale to 12); Predominate Pollen: Cedar/Juniper.

For additional information visit the National Weather Service in Jacksonville website on the internet at http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jax/

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Year of the Rabbit from Frater on Vimeo.

Fat Choy!! Happy Lunar New Year

1982 BAR: 919 W. University Ave., Gainesville. Tonight: Day Trader, Go Rydell, Panda Nova, The Future Now. Friday: Prodigal Sun.

ATLANTIC: 15 N. Main St., Gainesville. Friday: The Righteous Kind, Micah Shalom and the Babylonians, Gris Gris Boys. Saturday: Los Ekobios.

BACKSTAGE LOUNGE: 1315 S. Main St., Gainesville, 373-0281. Tonight: Vagrant Undertow, Rusty Ritchie. Friday: Black Swan Theory, Fick, Eight Track Automatic. Saturday: Second Slice, Scarlet Eagle. Wednesday: The Red River, Matt Minchew, Catlin Reed.

BLUE WATER BAY: 319 SR 26 Melrose, FL. 475-1928. Tuesday: Killer B's.

COMMON GROUNDS: 210 SW Second Ave., Gainesville. Friday: Ancient River, Bastard Lovechild of Rock ‘n' Roll, The Footlights. Saturday: 3rd Stone, The Rooze. Monday: Karaoke. Tuesday: Free Energy, The Postelles, Aleutian Low. Wednesday: No More, Dear Mr. Anderson, Kathy Sohar.

DIRTY BAR: 2441 NW 43rd St., Gainesville, 373-1141. Tonight: Wolfgang. Friday and Saturday: Out of Hand Band. Tuesday: Karaoke. Wednesday: DJ Pacman.

DURTY NELLY'S: 208 W. University Ave., Gainesville, 374-9567. Friday: Bobbie Murray.

EAGLES LANDING: 7118 W. University Ave., Gainesville, 332-4454. Friday: Karaoke.

EMILIANO'S CAFE: 7 SE First Ave., Gainesville, 375-7381. Wednesday: Karl Weismantel Duo.

FARAH'S ON THE AVENUE: 1120 W. University Ave., Gainesville, 378-5179. Tonight: Alan Stowell and C.P. Heaton.

FRANCESCA'S TRATTORIA: 4410 NW 25th Place, Gainesville, 378-7152. Sunday: Karl Weismantel Duo.

GATOR TALES: 5112 NW 34th St., Gainesville, 376-9500. Tonight: Karaoke. Friday: Moondog. Wednesday: Michael J.

GREAT OUTDOORS RESTAURANT: 65 N. Main St., High Springs, (386) 454-1288. Friday: String Kings. Saturday: Travelin' Light.

KICKIN' DEVIL CAFE: 2017 NE 27th Ave., Gainesville, 505-6660. Tonight: Ed Barker, open mic. Friday: Ron Schmidt. Saturday: Little Jake and the Soul Searchers. Sunday: Bobbie Lee. Tuesday: Progressive Madness. Wednesday: Louie Tate and the Visionaries, karaoke.

THE LABORATORY: 818 W. University Ave., Gainesville, 505-5337. Tonight: Blast and the Detergents, Jiblit Dupree, Le Sphinxx, The Magick Report, Hal McGee with AJ Herring, Velma and the Happy Campers. Friday: Analogue Ghost, Dark Sea of Awareness, Ghost Fields, Praything, Spirit Tramp.

LEONARDO'S 706: 706 W. University Ave., Gainesville, 378-2001. Tonight: The Marty Liquori Jazztet.

LIGHTNIN' SALVAGE: 1800 NE 23rd Ave., Gainesville, 395-6622. Tonight: O'Reilly and Co. Friday: Lavell. Saturday: The Velveeta Underground. Wednesday: The Klezmar Katz.

LILLIAN'S: 112 SE First St., Gainesville, 372-1010. Tonight: Mishap. Friday: Mishap. Saturday: Mishap. Monday: Jam Night. Tuesday: Michael J. Wednesday: Karaoke.

THE LUNCHBOX: 104 SE 1st Ave., Gainesville, 505-6341. Saturday: The Ex-Boogeymen.

MUNEGIN'S: 4005 NW 13th St., Gainesville, 335-0300. Tonight: Karaoke. Friday: Little Bit More. Saturday: Local Traffic. Tuesday: Jam Night.

NAPOLATANO'S: 606 NW 75th St. (Tower Road), Gainesville, 332-6671. Friday: Karaoke.

RED ONION: 3885 NW 24th Blvd., Gainesville, 505-0088. Friday: Barry Sides and Ken Shore. Saturday: Mercury's Refrain. Wednesday: The Dudes.

SANTA FE BAR: 23731 S. U.S. 441, High Springs, 386-454-9461. Friday: DJ Wildman. Saturday: Karaoke.

SPINDRIFTER LOUNGE: 16130 NW U.S. 441, Alachua, (386) 462-9081. Friday and Saturday: Evil Monkey. Wednesday: DJ Wildman.

SUNSHINE EAGLES @ DUBS: 4562 NW 13th St., Gainesville, 335-4518. Tonight: Karaoke. Friday and Saturday: What's Next.

THE VENUE: 233 W. University Ave., Gainesville, 374-4114. Wednesday: Indigo Girls.

Dudley Farm Old-Fashioned Plow Days, annual festival showcasing traditional farm skills with demonstrations, period music and wagon rides. 10 am-2 pm Friday and Saturday at Dudley Farm Historic State Park, 18730 W. Newberry Road, Newberry

Cost: $5 entrance fee per vehicle

Info: 472-1142 or www.floridastateparks.org/dudleyfarm

Alachua County Feed & Seed

Come in today, tomorrow or Saturday mention this facebook ad and get $1 off any size bag of seed potatoes (they come in 5, 10 and 50 pound bags). 

Also, we got a shipment of tomatoes, lettuce and broccoli in yesterday!

Populations of the rusty blackbird have declined alarmingly over the past 30 years. Because relatively little is known about the reasons for this decline, scientists are seeking information about where this species is found during the wintering period, when it visits the southeast. 

Citizens can get involved by taking part in the Rusty Blackbird Blitz. All that is needed is to go birding between January 29th and February 13th, and enter your observations on the Ebird online database.

The City of Gainesville’s Nature Operations Division would like to encourage participants to look for rusty blackbirds in City of Gainesville nature parks. We can suggest areas to survey, or if you have a favorite city nature park that you plan to survey, let us know. We are not able to cover all of the possibly suitable areas, so coordinating can help us focus our staff and volunteer efforts in areas that would not otherwise be covered.

You can email parksgr@cityofgainesville.org or call 352-393-8437.

Drivers, bike riders, pedestrians and other interested people are invited to an open house to get an update on the Main Street reconstruction project. The event is scheduled for Tuesday at the Alachua County Administration Building at 12 SE 1st St.

Florida Department of Transportation officials said no formal presentation will be given. Instead, anyone who is interested is invited to drop by from 11 am to 1 pm.or from 3 pm to 5 pm. People working on the project will be on hand to answer questions and talk about the work.

For more information, contact Laurie Windham at 800-475-0044 or lkwindham@pbsj.com.

A final cleanup plan, formalized in a document known as the Record of Decision (ROD), has been signed by EPA for the Cabot Carbon/Koppers Superfund Site in Gainesville, Fla. The ROD outlines how the Potentially Responsible Party (PRP) Beazer East will be required to address soil, sediment, groundwater and surface water contamination from the site. EPA will oversee the work to ensure all the cleanup goals are met and, once cleanup is complete, the site will be ready for reuse as commercial, industrial, recreational or mixed-use with a residential component.

EPA undertook a comprehensive four-year public involvement process that included over 22 opportunities for the public to provide input on the agency’s proposed plans, encompassing site tours, participation in City of Gainesville/Alachua County public meetings, public availability sessions and community interviews. The ROD reflects many changes made following receipt of input from the community, as well as the City of Gainesville, the Alachua County Environmental Protection Department, the Florida Department of Health and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. PRP Beazer East has committed to work with local citizens and local government entities to redevelop the site.

To address off- and on-site contamination, the ROD specifies:

• Nearby residential and commercial properties where soil contamination is indentified will be cleaned up to the most conservative standard based on appropriate land use (e.g., residential properties will be cleaned up to meet stringent residential standards). • The sediment from contaminated hot spots along Hogtown and Springstead Creeks will be excavated, removed and replaced with clean sediment, and the recovery of the creeks will be monitored. • An impermeable engineered cap will be placed over the contaminated soil consolidation area on the site. • A 65-foot deep vertical barrier wall will be installed below the engineered cap that will encompass the four source areas of contamination. • Within the former Process Area and South Lagoon source areas, chemical treatment injections will be used that react with contaminants to reduce, encapsulate and solidify them. • Within the North Lagoon and Drip Track Area source areas, subsurface soils will be mixed with a solidifying agent to a depth of 65-feet to prevent contaminants from leaching into groundwater. • In the deeper portions of the Hawthorn Aquifer, chemical treatment will be used to render contaminated groundwater harmless. • In the Upper Floridan Aquifer, where Gainesville’s drinking water is withdrawn, contaminated groundwater will be pumped, treated and discharged into the Gainesville Regional Utility wastewater treatment plant. • Additional monitoring wells will be installed throughout the Upper Floridan Aquifer and sampled regularly to effectively monitor conditions within the aquifer. Should conditions change, additional containment and treatment of contaminated groundwater will take place. • A minimum of two feet of clean soil will be placed over all impacted soils on the property to prevent direct contact and support reuse.

The Cabot Carbon/Koppers Site included the Koppers Wood Treating Company, located at 200 NW 23rd Avenue in Gainesville that operated from 1916 until 2009. During its operation, the facility treated utility poles with creosote, pentachlorophenol and copper-chromated arsenic.

The ROD and the Administrative Record, a compilation of documents which form the basis for EPA’s selection of the remedy, will be made available through the Information Repository for the site at the Alachua County Public Library, 401 E. University Avenue in Gainesville.

The complete ROD and other site documents are available online at:http://www.epa.gov/region4/waste/npl/nplfln/cabkopfl.htm