GAINSWave Therapy in Citrus Park, FL

Working with The Nature Conservancy, the UF/IFAS Florida Automated Weather Network (FAWN) is adding stations in Bristol, Poinciana, Babson Park and Jupiter to help park rangers assess wildfire risks.

This marks the latest update to FAWN, which, for nearly 25 years, has provided temperatures, humidity and wind speeds – among other meteorological data – to Florida producers.

FAWN stations can come in handy for farmers and nurseries this time of year, as we approach chillier weather in Florida. As the weather gets cooler, many of the state’s farmers rely on FAWN for accurate meteorological data to help them grow their crops.

We asked Rick Lusher, director of FAWN, about the history of the network, how the technology helps growers and about the new stations in the parks.

Q: Why was FAWN developed?

A: Prior to 1996, the National Weather Service (NWS) provided ag-specific forecasts using temperature data from weather stations located in rural/agricultural areas. For budgetary reasons, the NWS discontinued this service in 1996 and began using only data from their official reporting sites (which are all at airports) for their forecasts. This negatively impacted the forecast accuracy in rural areas in Florida, partly because there were fewer stations, but also because there can be substantial differences in temperature between more urban areas (airports) and agricultural/rural areas. After freezing temperatures hit much of Florida the next year and caused significant crop damage, UF/IFAS and several partner agencies petitioned the state to establish a network of weather stations that would be primarily located in rural areas. FAWN started with 11 stations that were part of an existing Extension network, mostly in Orange and Lake counties, and now we have 47 stations statewide.

Q: How has FAWN evolved over the years and why?

A: When we started, we mostly had stations in areas that grew citrus. Because we’ve grown in the number of stations, we can provide data and tools for more crops, including blueberries, strawberries and a half-dozen varieties of vegetables.

Q: What do farmers do with the data you provide?

A: They use our recommended irrigation schedules for citrus, blueberries, strawberries and five or six types of vegetables. That way, they don’t use too much or too little water. They use our Cold Protection Toolkit in the winter to determine the best times during which to apply water to their crops for freeze protection. They also use our data to do their own research and to supplement local measurements.

Q: When are the most frequent times/conditions that growers use FAWN?

A: If cold weather is approaching – we’re talking upper 20s to mid-30s in the forecast – farmers turn to FAWN. The network’s stations tell farmers temperature trends, humidity, wind speeds and more that will let them know whether and how long to run their water. November through March is prime time for us. We get the most interest from growers during the cold season. They want to know if they need to water their fields to prevent cold damage.

Q: What areas of Florida use the FAWN stations the most?

A: From north of Gainesville west to Live Oak and down to as far south as just north of Lake Okeechobee is probably the geographical area in which we see the most use, primarily because this is where many crops are located that require some type of freeze protection during the winter. We know this because we look at web statistics to see how many are using the FAWN website, which pages and tools producers are using, and which specific stations they are using.

Q: What are some other ways Floridians can use FAWN?

A: Our mission is to provide data and tools for as wide a variety of users as possible. That means lots of people use our data: scientists, water management district officials, National Weather Service meteorologists, farmers, the Florida Division of Forestry and more. Researchers use it to collect data. We also provide temperature, rainfall, and more data for places where the National Weather Service doesn’t have stations – in rural areas, primarily. Some growers download our data and use it, but the typical farmer will look at measurements from the gauge closest to their farms. We give rainfall and evapotranspiration information to give farmers a recommended irrigation schedule. Our most-visited data is our graphic weather page.

Q: What kind of improvements has FAWN made over the years?

A: We’re installing soil-moisture sensors at each of our existing 47 stations. Readings from the soil moisture sensors tell the user how wet or dry the soil is. Although farmers can use this to determine water needs, our new project is geared more toward flood and drought mitigation in an emergency management context. This project will help farmers mitigate damage from drought and floods.

Also, in partnership with The Nature Conservancy, we’re installing stations with sensors at Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Park (Liberty County), Tiger Creek Preserve (Polk), Disney Wilderness Preserve (Osceola) and Blowing Rocks Preserve (Palm Beach) to help park rangers assess wildfire risks. Specifically, we are measuring soil moisture and also fuel temperature and moisture, which will give them the moisture level and temperature of the surface vegetation, such as grass, etc.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis was at the State Emergency Operations Center to monitor and issue updates on Tropical Storm Nicole. Nicole made landfall as a Category 1 Hurricane near Vero Beach early Thursday and has weakened to a Tropical Storm as it moves through the Florida peninsula. Tropical Storm Nicole is expected to move up the west coast of Florida and through the Big Bend. To watch the Governor’s full remarks, click here.

On Monday, Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order (EO) 22-253, declaring a State of Emergency for 34 counties in the potential path of Tropical Storm Nicole to encourage emergency preparations. Today, Governor DeSantis expanded the State of Emergency to all 67 counties due to potential impacts as the storm moves across the state.

As of 10:00AM EST, Tropical Storm Nicole was located 30 miles northeast of Tampa, Florida, with maximum sustained winds of 50mph and moving west-northwest at 16mph. Floridians are reminded to stay indoors and take safety precautions against Nicole’s widespread impacts of coastal and river flooding, storm surge, rainfall, heavy winds, tornadoes, rip currents and beach erosion.

The following Watches and Warnings are in effect:

The state remains in constant communication with the National Hurricane Center, the National Weather Service and county emergency management officials of all 67 counties ahead of impacts from Tropical Storm Nicole. State preparedness and response efforts include:

Search and Rescue

Power

Florida Division of Emergency Management

Infrastructure

Roadways and Bridges

Roadway and Bridge Closures

Seaports

Airports

Rail

Transit

Spaceport

Health and Human Services

Education

Law Enforcement

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Business Support

Elections

Closures

ORLANDO, Fla. — College football fans are getting ready as two big college bowl games head to Orlando

The Cheez-It Bowl and the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl are both coming to Camping World Stadium this week.

· Cheez-It Bowl

The Florida State Seminoles will meet the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2022 Cheez-It Bowl.

The game will kick off at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 29, at Camping World Stadium.

Originally titled the Blockbuster Bowl, the game was born in Miami, Florida, in 1990.

After 11 seasons in South Florida, the game was acquired by Florida Citrus Sports and moved to Orlando. The first edition of the game in Central Florida was called the Tangerine Bowl, a tribute to the name of Orlando’s original bowl game (now the Citrus Bowl).

Over the past five years, the bowl has averaged just shy of 55,000 fans per game.

In 2020, Cheez-It signed a multi-year agreement with Florida Citrus Sports to become the new title sponsor of the game.

· Cheez-It Bowl Pep Rally

Join fellow fans alumni at the official pep rally at Pointe Orlando. The band and cheerleaders from each team will perform and each head coach will make a special appearance to fire up the crowd before game day!

Dec. 28, 2022

Oklahoma: 4 p.m.

Florida State: 4:45 p.m.

· Cheez-It Bowl Parade of Bands

Join participating team bands, cheerleaders and mascots as they march down Park Avenue in Winter Park for an up-close fun-for-all performance that is free to the public. The parade will take place Dec. 29 at 11 a.m.

· Cheez-It Bowl Fan Fest

The official bowl pregame tailgate party for the Cheez-It Bowl features live entertainment, interactive games, inflatables, face painters and premier interactive displays held at Tinker Field next to Camping World Stadium. Admission is free and will take place on Dec. 29 at 1:30 p.m.

· Cheez-It Bowl Pregame Hospitality (presented by Band-Aid brand)

Starting three hours before kickoff, fans can enjoy this VIP area next to Camping World Stadium featuring lounge seating, all-inclusive food and beverage, plenty of TVs and games as well as live music. The teams’ marching bands will make special performances. Tickets are $105. This event will take place on Dec. 29 at 2:30 p.m.

· Cheez-It Citrus Bowl

The LSU Tigers and the Purdue Boilermakers will play in the 2023 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl

LSU and Purdue are set to square off on Jan. 2 at 1 p.m. at Camping World Stadium.

The seventh-oldest collegiate bowl game in the country, the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl began as the Tangerine Bowl in 1947.

Since 1993 the bowl has hosted top teams from the Big Ten and Southeastern conferences.

The game moved to a New Year’s Day date in 1987 and has remained a New Year’s Day tradition except in years when the holiday falls on a Sunday.

The meeting will be the first between the Tigers and Boilermakers, champions of the SEC West and Big Ten West, respectively, in 2022.

· Cheez-It Citrus Bowl Pep Rally

Join fellow fans alumni at the official pep rally at Pointe Orlando. The band and cheerleaders from each team will perform and each head coach will make a special appearance to fire up the crowd before game day!

Jan. 1, 2023

4:00 p.m. – Purdue

4:45 p.m. – LSU

· Cheez-It Citrus Bowl Fan Fest

The official bowl pregame tailgate party for the Cheez-It Bowl features live entertainment, interactive games, inflatables, face painters and premier interactive displays held at Tinker Field next to Camping World Stadium. Admission is Free and will take place on Jan. 2 at 9 a.m.

· Cheez-It Citrus Bowl Pregame Hospitality (presented by Band-Aid brand)

Starting three hours before kickoff, fans can enjoy this VIP area next to Camping World Stadium featuring lounge seating, all-inclusive food and beverage, plenty of TVs and games as well as live music. The teams’ marching bands will make special performances. Tickets are $105. This event will take place on Jan. 2 at 10 a.m.

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

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Nearly three years into a pandemic that may feel over but isn’t quite, the attractions industry is not only surviving but thriving.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020, theme park business around the world came to a grinding halt. Parks were closed without word about when they would reopen, and many in-progress projects were put on hold as everyone was told to stay home and keep away from one another.

Thousands of jobs were lost and revenues at all the major players in the industry fell to historic lows. Even when parks did reopen, they did so with slashed capacity, temperature checks, and mask requirements.

While the pandemic has had lasting effects on the industry, much of the world’s major theme parks and attractions have since reopened and rebounded in surprising ways. Many of those success stories and future-looking optimism was on display at this year’s IAAPA Expo, which took over the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando the week before Thanksgiving.

“The market has bounced back; people are keen on having fun again and going out and enjoying attractions,” said Jacob Wahl, incoming CEO of IAAPA. “And that is also what we see…at the tradeshow—buyers from all across the world who are interested in the most recent products and innovations to really try to…cater to those changed needs and entertain our guests.”

“I think all kinds of different attractions have seen a rebound. But it’s not only amusement parks and theme parks and FECs (family entertainment centers), it’s also cinemas, it’s shopping malls, it’s ski stations, it’s camping and camping resorts.”

At the expo, companies and creators from around the world showed off their latest and greatest rides, experiences, and technology to use in theme parks, arcades, family entertainment centers, outdoor attractions, and yes, even at malls, hotels and campgrounds.

Some of the biggest reveals at this year’s IAAPA Expo include the ride vehicles for SeaWorld Orlando’s new Pipeline: The Surf Coaster and Dollywood’s Big Bear Mountain coaster in Tennessee—both expected to open next year.

Beyond roller coasters, some of the biggest trends in the industry—seen in many of the booths at IAAPA—are virtual reality, IP franchises (intellectual property), and the fusion of classic entertainment and games with new tech.

“What I think we see what we call ‘social gamification,’” Wahl said during the Expo. “If we think back 10-15 years, a waterslide, you usually did kind of on your own. But more and more of those activities actually now are racing or something where you can watch the people on the slide next to you; see who is faster.”

“Also, when you think about all those social activities in gaming places, something like Top Golf…those things are really, really booming right now.”

Wahl said the industry is also full of the “rejuvenation” of classic games and concepts like bowling, mini golf, and arcades by combining them with new and interactive technology. He noted the success of Puttshack, an indoor mini golf and entertainment center that uses computer chips inside golf balls to keep track of your score.

“You can go there with friends and with your family—bowling, mini golf, those things, and I think that will always exist,” he said. “Despite all those new trends (like) virtual reality, I think there’s a space for everything because it complements the other. While virtual reality allows you to be in fantasy worlds, it’s great to see your friends…throwing the bowling ball and make a strike.”

With Florida, and Orlando in particular, being the theme park epicenter of the world, it’s no surprise that IAAPA Expo has been full of Sunshine State-based businesses, including a few from the Tampa Bay area.

One such company is U.S. Design Lab, an entertainment design firm with headquarters in Tampa just northeast of Ybor City. It specializes in master planning, branding, revitalizing and marketing bowling and family entertainment centers around the country.

In Florida, it helped bring to life an Xtreme Action Park and an Arena Roller Skating Rink—both in Fort Lauderdale. And soon, Tampa’s Citrus Park Mall will be home to an Elev8 Fun complex in the former Sears building.

“It’s taking the entertainment center concept and just taking it to an entirely different level,” said Gary Smith, co-owner of U.S. Design Lab. “Kind of like an enormous entertainment mall.”

Elev8 Fun is based in Sanford, also where its first location resides. The Tampa location will mimic what’s inside Sanford, including go-karts, laser tag, axe throwing, bowling, a virtual reality experience called Omni Arena, video games, blacklight mini-golf and full service kitchens and bars.

Elev8 Fun’s Director of Operations Keith Baldwin said that’s all part of phase one. For phase two, they’re planning to turn a former loading dock at the mall into a beer garden.

“Our locations are going after the suburban families and bringing entertainment back to the local malls,” Baldwin said. “Our strategy has been to acquire the real estate as well as enhancing the locations with entertainment. And then the malls have been very, very welcoming.”

Baldwin said Tampa’s Elev8 Fun center is slated to open in spring 2023.

As designers of some of these spaces, Smith and U.S. Design Lab founder Michele “Mik” Oca said they’ve been seeing industry evolutions for years now—especially with the demand for nostalgic entertainment and returning attractions amid the pandemic.

“It’s different entertainment inside one facility that makes everyone happy; everything is integrated,” Oca said. “We create these places where you can play one hour of bowling and then stay with your family and have a nice dinner, and then play some games.”

After roughly two years of many people staying at home amid COVID-19 concerns, Smith said his industry has seen a surge in families and younger generations putting “a really high priority on entertainment and social entertainment, especially.”

“Sure, they could do their own VR at home or play on their game systems. But again, people want to get out, and entertainment is a much higher priority,” he said.

TAMPA, Fla. — The Bay area will feel its coldest Christmas temperatures in decades this weekend as a strong cold front is bringing frigid air to the region.

Temperatures will quickly fall Friday afternoon and evening, with low temperatures on Saturday morning around the mid-30s for Tampa.

Conditions could be in the 20s on Saturday and Sunday morning in Citrus and Hernando counties. A freeze is likely for inland Hillsborough and Pasco Counties on both mornings.

The weather will prompt cold weather shelters being opened throughout the Bay area.

Hillsborough County

The county’s Cold Weather Shelter (CWS) Partnership plan will be utilized on nights when the temperature dips to 40 degrees or below, including wind chill between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Hyde Park United Methodist partnered with Hillsborough County to offer a cold weather shelter. They’ll transform their contemporary worship area into a shelter each night it’s open, and in order to do that, they need about 20 volunteers each day.

The church plans to open the cold weather shelter Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. For more information, click here.

Hillsborough County announces that cold weather shelters will be activated Friday, Saturday and Sunday, for the homeless and those who live in homes without adequate heat who are unable to find other accommodations.

The county is partnering with the following organizations to offer a limited-capacity cold weather shelter for adults. All shelters will take in guests from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. unless they reach capacity prior to that time, officials with the county said.

Amazing Love Ministries 3304 E. Columbus Dr., Tampa, FL 33602

Church of God of Prophecy Hyde Park 107 S. Oregon Ave., Tampa, FL 33606

Greater New Hope Church Anointed Ministries (Prayer Retreat Center) 2104 Mud Lake Rd., Plant City, FL 33566

Homeless Helping Homeless 801 E. Saint Clair St., Tampa, FL 33602

Homeless Helping Homeless 3008 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa, FL 33602

Hyde Park United Methodist Church (preferred media location) 500 W. Platt St., Tampa, FL 33606

New Life Church in Tampa (pet friendly) 8216 N. 13th St. Tampa, FL 33604

Tampa Bay Mission of Hope 212 St. Cloud Ave. Building A, Valrico, FL 33594

Metropolitan Ministries and Generations Renewed are supplying a limited number of single-night motel vouchers on a first-come, first-served basis for families with minor children, county officials said, adding that all congregate shelters are reserved for adults only. Pre-registration is required by calling the numbers below. Phone lines turn on at 9 a.m., and the deadline to call is 5 p.m.

Pinellas County

Cold Night Shelters are pop-up shelters operating through Pinellas County when the “feels like” temperature dips below 40 degrees between Nov. 15 and March 15. Open shelters will be listed when county officials announce them.

Shelters will be open from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. at the following locations:

- Boys & Girls Club of the Suncoast: 111 W Lime St., Tarpon Springs

- First United Methodist Church: 411 Turner St., Clearwater

- The Refuge Outreach Church: 606 Alden Ave., Clearwater

- Boys & Girls Club of the Suncoast: 7790 61st St. N, Pinellas Park

- Northwest Church: 6330 54th Ave. N, St. Petersburg

- WestCare Turning Point: 1810 5th Ave. N, St. Petersburg

- Unitarian Universalist Church: 100 Mirror Lake Dr. N, St. Petersburg

- The Salvation Army: 1400 4th St. S, St. Petersburg (open from 6 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.)

Manatee County

Manatee County's Emergency Management Division has coordinated with The Salvation Army to open cold weather shelter space at their Manatee County location: 1204 14th St. W., Bradenton. Doors will open at 6 p.m., and there will be space for an additional 50 people.

In addition to their daily sheltering program (with space for 60 individuals overnight) during regular and high temperatures, the Salvation Army provides cold weather shelter for Manatee County’s homeless. They monitor the weather for expected drops in temperature and prepare extra bedding to increase their sheltering capacity.

For more information about Manatee County Government, visit mymanatee.org or call (941) 748-4501.

Pasco County

Pasco County is opening cold weather sheltering on both sides of the county Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for those who need a warm place to spend the night. (Note: Transportation and meals are not provided.)

Officials with Pasco County say sheltering space is limited, and to make sheltering arrangements for any of the three nights, you must call the Coalition for the Homeless of Pasco County at 727-842-8605, and select the “cold weather sheltering” option, extension 2, as follows:

- Thursday, Dec. 22: Until 8 p.m.

- Friday, Dec. 23: Noon - 8 p.m.

- Saturday, Dec. 24: Noon - 8 p.m.

Mike Fasano Regional Hurricane Shelter located at 11611 Denton Avenue in Hudson

- Open 12/23 - 12/25 at 6pm each night

- Closes at 8 a.m. the following morning

- Transportation and meals are not provided

- Officials have now added Monday, 12/26, from 6 p.m. - 10 a.m.

Hernando County

Hernando County officials say that emergency management has coordinated with Jericho Road Ministries to make sure that those without access to heat have a safe place to stay beginning Friday until weather conditions improve.

Men’s Shelter 1090 Mondon Hill Road Brooksville, FL 34605 Phone: (352) 799-2912 ext.103

Women’s Shelter (Mary’s House) 1163 Howell Avenue Brooksville, FL 34601 Phone: (352) 799-2912 ext.109

Pinellas County opens cold weather shelters

PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — With temperatures forecast to drop to levels where a coat and a blanket aren’t nearly enough to keep warm, Pinellas County is activating its Cold Night Shelters to get as many homeless people off the streets during this cold snap.

Shelters all over Pinellas County are trying to make extra space anywhere they can.

“During these cold weather events we can stage about 10 extra people in our sleeping area,” said St. Vincent de Paul Cares chief of staff Mark Cooper. “We can sleep around 50 in the main dining area, and then we have a women’s area where we can fit another 10 plus or minus a few during the cold weather event.”

But that’s still not nearly enough bed space at St. Vincent de Paul Cares to get everyone who needs shelter into one for this weekend. That’s where the Cold Night Shelter Alert opens up more buildings throughout the county to handle all the additional people who need shelter.

“If we look at historically, there are around 100 additional homeless people throughout Pinellas County,” said St. Vincent de Paul chief of homeless services Jana Balicki. “And we have shelters in Tarpon Springs, Clearwater, Pinellas Park and St. Petersburg.”

Balicki says as long as the weather stays cold, these extra shelters will stay open.

“So Friday is already scheduled to be open because of the weather and Saturday,” she said. “And Sunday, they still have not made that determination, but it looks like the weather will be around 34 degrees. If it hits anything below 40 is when they’ll open the cold weather shelters.”

If you’re in need of shelter and don’t know where to go, call 211 for details.