LAUREL HILL — Apalachicola folks know seafood. But for the pork part of a proposed gourmet foods venture, an Italian company's partners turned to local hog farmers.

Mark and Kasia Fortune have a successful line of sausages, bacon and pork loin made from a herd of free range, pure-bred Heritage Tamworth hogs at their Big Creek Farm in Laurel Hill. To that, Michael Battaglia — an American owner of Este Farms in Tuscany, Italy — wants to add a line of prosciutto, a smoky, often thinly sliced gourmet ham that, while commonplace in most of Europe, locally sells for upward of $15 a pound.

“This group of Italians saw my website,” www.bigcreekfarmflorida.com, Mark Fortune said. “They’re doing a joint venture down in Apalachicola with mullet roe. We talked about it as possibly being the only approved Tuscan prosciutto maker in the United States.”

The Battaglias await Apalachicola city commissioners' approval of Mayor Van Johnson’s request to provide the city’s Scipio Creek harbormaster’s house, rent-free, as the venture’s headquarters for the first three years, according to The Times of Apalachicola and Carrabelle. The Times, like the News Bulletin, is a GateHouse Media operation.

“Este and the mayor aim to make North Florida a central food producer by utilizing local traditions, including farming and fishing, with Italian partners in artisan food production,” Battaglia wrote in an email to The Times. “Not only will this create local jobs, in line with Governor (Rick) Scott’s ‘jobs jobs jobs’ program, but they will be locally based, developed and run; and in tune with healthy — and good — eating.”

The company’s goal is “quality-food-based job creation in northern Florida through direct investment, (joint ventures) and other partnerships between Italian and local businesses,” Battaglia stated.

If the proposal receives approval, Fortune said prosciutto would be produced in a plant built on his farm to the specifications of Este Farm’s Italian experts. Fortune currently relies on an out-of-state processing plant to produce his sausage and other foods. But he soon will open Okaloosa County’s only USDA-approved plant, which would support the prosciutto-curing house.

Because the best prosciutto comes from wild hogs, Fortune said, he and Este partners want the federal government to allow local hunters to trap boars on Eglin Reservation, and other federal land from Franklin to Okaloosa counties, and transport them to Big Creek Farm.

If the federal government approves the plan, Fortune believes the idea can work, profitably.

“You don’t have to feed this hog,” he said. “Takes me a damn year, year and a half to (fatten a pig). Here, you get a free hog.

“We’ll bring them in, let them calm down, then would days later slaughter them,” he said.

The Times of Apalachicola and Carrabelle Editor David Adlerstein contributed to this article

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Laurel Hill pig farmer could become Tuscan prosciutto maker

CRESTVIEW — Crestview High School band and cheerleaders will be on hand with residents, Main Street merchants and community leaders to welcome the return of passenger rail to the city.

Amtrak and the Southern Rail Commission will operate an Inspection Train from New Orleans to Jacksonville, Fla., with a Crestview stop, this week. 

The train, hosted by Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman, will carry elected officials, industry representatives, community leaders and federal stakeholders to examine new ideas for intercity passenger rail.

The goal of the invitation-only trip is to examine the existing CSX railroad infrastructure and to better understand rail's economic, cultural and mobility opportunities.

"It will provide an unparalleled perspective on reintroducing intercity passenger rail along the Gulf Coast," a spokesperson said.

The train will be at each of these stations for 10 minutes before departing at the times below.

Feb. 18:

●Louisiana: New Orleans, 8:45 a.m.

● Mississippi: Bay St. Louis, 10:20 a.m.; Gulfport, 11:00 a.m.; Biloxi, 11:31 a.m.; Pascagoula, 12:16 p.m.

●Alabama: Mobile, 1:25 p.m.; Atmore, 2:41 p.m.

Feb. 19:

●Florida: Pensacola, 8:00 a.m.; Crestview, 9:20 a.m.; Chipley, 11:00 a.m.; Tallahassee, 2:47 p.m.; Madison, 4:24 p.m.; Lake City, 5:35 p.m.; arriving Jacksonville at 7:15 p.m.

The SRC recently released a study by Amtrak detailing the range of feasible service options accompanied by an analysis of ridership levels, projected revenues, and associated costs for passenger trains between New Orleans and Orlando.

The models in this new study present the range of service options that will support regional economic resilience and projected population growth.

Better connections and financial performance has been projected in these models — with higher ridership and lower costs — than Amtrak services previously considered or operated in the region. The study can be found at the SRC website.

"We want to work with community leaders and CSX." said Boardman. "Additional regional economic development can come from shared infrastructure investments on a timeline to better connect the region to the rest of the country and more than 500 other Amtrak destinations."

Connecting the cities and towns along the Gulf Coast with passenger rail is one of the top priority projects for the Southern Rail Commission.

"The Southern Rail Commission is committed to working with local and federal partners, and Amtrak to make this service a reality in the near future," said SRC Chairman Greg White. "We are continuing to align the necessary support for the project."

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Amtrak, Southern Rail Commission bring inspection train to Crestview

The Arbor Day Foundation is making it easy for everyone to celebrate the arrival of spring by planting trees.

Join the Arbor Day Foundation in March and receive 10 free white flowering dogwood trees.

"White flowering dogwoods are versatile trees that will break heavy winds and add beauty to your home," said Matt Harris, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. "These fast-growing landscape trees are known for their soft needles and graceful branching, making them an ideal addition to any yard."

The free trees are part of the nonprofit Foundation's Trees for America campaign.

With planting instructions included, the trees will be shipped at the right time for planting, between March 1 and May 31. The 6- to 12-inch trees are guaranteed to grow or they will be replaced free of charge.

Arbor Day Foundation members also receive a subscription to Arbor Day, the Foundation's bimonthly publication, and The Tree Book, which contains information about tree planting and care.

To become a foundation member and receive the free trees, send a $10 contribution to Ten Free White Flowering Dogwood Trees, Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Avenue, Nebraska City, Nebraska 68410, by March 31, or join online at http://www.arborday.org/march.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Join the Arbor Day Foundation and receive 10 free dogwoods

CRESTVIEW — The Hub City ranks high for Floridians who want to buy their first home, according to NerdWallet.

The San Francisco-based consumer finance site ranks Crestview at No. 28 of 308 places on its new list, "Top places for first-time homebuyers in Florida."

NerdWallet used 2014 data and measured trends from 2011 to 2014 to compile the list.

The city's highlights:

●Crestview — with 22,099 residents in 2014 — has a median annual income of $51,115

●Population grew 7.57 percent between 2011 and 2014

●Owners occupy 60.8 percent of housing

●Median home value is $157,700

●Selected monthly homeowner costs are $1,413

●Median property tax rate is 0.85 percent

However:

●Home values dipped 6.85 percent between 2011 and 2014

●It takes 14.3 years to save for a 20 percent down payment (assuming people save 4.8 percent annually, based on the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis' U.S. 10-year average)

●19 percent of families live in poverty

●The crime-risk score is "less safe"      

Other Northwest Florida communities in NerdWallet's top 30 places include East Milton, No. 1; Navarre, No. 3; Pace, No. 5; Niceville, No. 8; and Midway, No. 23. Fort Walton Beach, No. 31, just missed the list. 

So, why did NerdWallet focus on Florida?

See the full report: www.nerdwallet.com/blog/mortgages/first-time-home-buyer/#florida

This isn't the first time Crestview ranked high for its quality of life. 

See 'RELATED CONTENT' at left for more stories. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Why Crestview's a top place for first-time home buyers

CRESTVIEW —Agricultural producers can now sign up for funding available through the Conservation Stewardship Program, which helps improve the health and productivity of private and tribal working lands.

USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service plans to add an estimated 10 million acres to the CSP rolls during fiscal 2016.

NRCS accepts applications for CSP throughout the year, but producers should submit applications by March 31 to USDA service centers to be considered for enrollment in 2016. Participants with existing CSP contracts expiring Dec. 31 may renew them for five more years if they agree to adopt additional activities to achieve higher conservation levels. Applications to renew are also due by March 31.

In Florida, producers can participate through CSP in the regional landscape-level Longleaf Pine Initiative.

Funding is available for more than 100 kinds of enhancements to help participants:

•Improve soil quality through use of cover crops, conservation crop rotations and other activities that increase soil productivity.

•Use water wisely and improve water quality through enhancements such as more efficient irrigation systems and weather monitoring.

•Restore habitat for wildlife and pollinators such as the greater sage-grouse, lesser prairie-chicken and monarch butterfly through the use of better grazing systems and improved plant management.

For more on technical and financial assistance available, visit http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/GetStarted or contact the Crestview NRCS office at 938 Ferdon Blvd. N., 682-3714, extension 3.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Conservation funding available for Northwest Florida agricultural producers

CRESTVIEW — Southbound traffic on State Road 85 will encounter lane restrictions as crews pour a section of concrete for the flyover bridge deck.

The closure affects the intersection of S.R. 85 and State Road 123 from 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19 to 6 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 20.

Construction activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Motorists are reminded to travel with care through the work zone and to watch for construction equipment and workers entering and exiting the roadway.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Lane closure scheduled south of Crestview

PENSACOLA — Northwest Florida residents seeking a new job or investment opportunity: beware of this scam.

Someone is calling people and claiming to represent a business seeking new partners. Under the scam, new investors supposedly receive 50 percent equity in the company — but there's a catch: they must pay thousands of dollars in "associated fees and costs" first.

In one case reported to the Better Business Bureau, "Academic Tech Partners" claimed to work with universities turning their research to marketable products. Its name and logo look similar to Academic Tech Ventures Inc. Both have domains registered in September 2015.  

This advanced-fee scam is similar to a Nigerian prince scam, BBB stated.

So, what can you do?

●Use the "too good to be true" rule. If an "opportunity" appears too good to be true, there's probably a catch.

●Don't share banking information. Do not reply to emails asking for personal financial information.

●Be wary of individuals claiming to be overseas. In many types of scams, con-artists claim to be living abroad to avoid in-person contact.

●Be suspicious of transactions involving additional fees. Scammers will often tempt victims with lottery winnings or a job offer, and request additional fees to further the transaction.

●Hit delete. Don't reply, and don't click any links or download attachments in emails such as this.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Beware of this new investment scam circulating Northwest Florida

Gulf Power crews worked through the night to restore power to their customers following a night of severe weather across Northwest Florida that toppled trees and damaged homes and businesses across the area.

Because of the severity of damage caused by the storms, additional crews from sister companies Alabama Power, Mississippi Power and Georgia Power have arrived to assist with the restoration process.

“Being a part of Southern Company allows us to draw from the strength of our operating companies across the Southeast,” said Jeff Rogers, External Communications manager.

“Our crews worked through the night restoring power as quickly and safely as possible, and with the additional reinforcements, it will make all the difference as crews make final repairs and get everyone back on.”

Century was particularly hard hit by the storm.

“Our priority right now is in Century,” said Rogers. “Heavy winds destroyed more than 40 poles. New poles have arrived and Chipley crews have joined Pensacola crews to restore power and hope to this city.”

Approximately 700 customers remain without power. As crews continue to make progress, Gulf Power asks customers if they are still without power to call the restore power line at 1-800-487-6937 or report at outagemap.gulfpower.com. The outage map will also how current outages and projected restoration time.

Customers can also download an app for mobile phones and tablets that offers convenient access to the information such as outages.

Customers can download the app in the Apple Store or on Google Play.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Gulf Power crews restore power to 21,000 overnight

BAKER — Some dedicated young colleagues join the Baker Fire District's certified firefighters when engines leave Station 20.

During a blaze, junior firefighters handle logistics, swapping out oxygen bottles, and performing basic first aid and CPR, freeing up their certified partners to fight the flames.

“They’re just like brother and sister firefighters,” junior firefighter coordinator Lt. Mark McKenzie said. “The only thing we have to exclude them from is actual firefighting. They have to stay out of the danger zone.”

Until they’re 18. But by then, the juniors will have all prerequisite certifications to begin certified firefighter training.

“Our job is to get them ready now,” Fire District Chief Dusty Talbert said. “All that first aid, CPR, all that will be done. So as soon as they hit 18, they’ll be ready.”

The junior firefighter team currently has six to 10 members ranging from sixth grade to high school seniors.

On Feb. 11, the juniors took seats in the station conference room with their older colleagues as Capt. Tim Busby taught a course on arson recognition.

“This is a group of hard-working kids,” Baker Fire District Commissioner Ralph Ellis said. “We’re glad to support them. They’re not just out for fun and games. They’re learning a lot.”

Dressed in helmets, boots, protective coats and overalls, the kids fell in with Baker’s older firefighters and approached the scene of a “suspicious fire.”

Busby introduced the scenario: “Earl Mannequin” — the department’s CPR and first aid dummy — built a house for his mother, who allegedly flicked a lit cigarette into a trash can and started a fire. Earl was now trying to collect insurance.

Junior and senior firefighters investigated the site’s exterior before examining the building, a wooden shed about 10 feet square constructed behind the fire station.

The firefighters saw various clues suggesting Earl may have lit the fire himself. These included two ignition sources, fire “trailers” caused by dribbled accelerant, and scorching inconsistent with the fire's reported cause.

Such weekly drills aren’t the juniors’ only experience. M.E. Cates, a Baker School junior, attended Volunteer Weekend at Northwest Florida State College, where, being certified in CPR and first aid, she checked blood pressure and vital signs after attendees left a smoke-filled training facility.

Ariel Peterson, a Crestview High junior, recently attended training on how to knock escape routes through a donated mobile home's walls and floors.

David joined firefighters at crash victim extrication training and watched them use the Jaws of Life to cut open a car.

“They’re going to be our replacements,” Talbert said. “The certified firefighters aren’t getting any younger. It’s good we have these kids coming up.”

“Even if they never become firefighters, they’re giving back to the community right now,” McKenzie said.

What: Baker Fire District Junior Firefighters weekly training

When: 6:30 p.m. Thursdays

Where: Baker Fire District Station 20, 1375 19th St.

Notes: The program is open to any middle or high school student regardless of Baker residency. Call 537-2487 for more details.

WANT TO GO?

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker junior firefighters gain experience for certification (VIDEO)

CRESTVIEW — A cold weather shelter in Crestview will be open this week if weather drops below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

If so, the Community of Christ in Crestview will be open from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. starting Wednesday evening, Feb. 17.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview cold weather shelter set to open