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The fine art of beekeeping alive and well in DeFuniak Springs

North Walton farmer produces wide variety of sweet honey As a beekeeper only in his fourth year of operation, Jim Dietrich sure knows his bees. Picking up from what was a once a hobby with his father years ago, the DeFuniak Springs beekeeper now operates several bee apiaries full-time in locations throughout Walton County. The majority of the apiaries are located north of DeFuniak Springs in Glendale, with a few in South Walton. Producing a variety of honey throughout most...

Alaqua Animal Refuge ‘furever’ friend of the week

Happy little guy with looking for a new friend Martin is a very happy little dog.  Scheduled for euthanasia, he was rescued at the very last minute from a nearby kill shelter and is now a resident at Alaqua Animal Refuge.  When he first arrived at the sanctuary, he was quite the sad looking guy.  Due to a severe flea infestation and an impossibly matted coat, Martin had to be completely shaved.  As you can see from the photo, today...

Banded Rufous hummingbird winters in same yard seven years in a row

Winter guest returns to delight of local bird lover Local hummingbird enthusiast and butterfly expert, Mary Ann Friedman of Niceville is excited about a winter guest she has coming to her yard year after year. A Rufous Hummingbird, nicknamed “Ruferocious” has been returning to Mary Ann’s yard each winter for seven years. “We call her Ruferocious because she is pretty possessive and usually kicks any other would be winter hummingbirds out in a very short time. Before she started “living”...

CHELCO’s new electric rate gives members choices

A new rate allows members to benefit from being energy conscious You can take control of your electric bill when you sign up for the new Time of Use rate offered by CHELCO. With the Time of Use rate, you are charged different amounts based on the time of day you use the electricity. This reflects the differing costs of power paid by CHELCO. During off-peak times, the rate will be reduced to 5.736 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh). During...

Alaqua Animal Refuge ‘furever’ friend of the week

A very special blue-eyed feline looking for a new friend Ever feel self-conscious about your appearance?  Maybe you’re having a bad hair day or you missed a spot when you were shaving?  Ever wonder if animals might feel the same about the way they look?  Take one sweet feline in the far Cat Cabin at Alaqua Animal Refuge.  Lacy is her name, a two and a half year old Siamese mix.  Her coat is a flattering shade of cream with...

Fall brings hummingbird enjoyment to Northwest Florida

Rare hummingbirds visit Florida this time of year Between now and early spring, rare hummingbird species from out West turn up in Florida on their way to their winter homes in the tropics. Ruby-throated hummingbirds are year-round residents throughout Florida, but many from up North also pass through here on their annual migration to Central America. Floridians who put up hummingbird feeders or grow red or orange tubular flowers may get a glimpse of one of at least nine additional...