3 people rescued west of Steinhatchee after boat sinks

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From U.S. Coast Guard News:

COAST GUARD RESCUES 3 PEOPLE AFTER BOAT SINKS 23 MILES WEST OF STEINHATCHEE RIVER, FLA.
The crew from an HC-130 Hercules rescued 3 men after their 27ft fishing boat sank 23 mi W of Steinhatchee River, FL

The crew from an HC-130 Hercules rescued 3 men after their 27ft fishing boat sank 23 mi W of Steinhatchee River, FL

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Three people were rescued from the water by a Coast Guard aircrew after their 27-foot fishing boat sank 23 miles west of Steinhatchee River, Florida, Tuesday.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg received a call from a man stating that his boat was flooding and would soon be underwater. He stated that all three people were wearing life jackets.
A C-130 Hercules aircraft crew from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, Florida, was diverted, arrived on-scene and located the three people, in life jackets, clinging to the overturned boat. The aircrew dropped a life raft for the people to stay in until further assistance arrived. 
A 27-foot Utility Boat – Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Yankeetown, Florida, and a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater were also launched. The Jahawk arrived on scene, hoisted all three people and transported them to the air station.
"Proper communications and lifejackets are imperative when operating on the water," said Lt. Micheal Persun, a command duty officer at the sector. "It is only because of their VHF radio that the Coast Guard was made aware of this incident. Wearing lifejackets and staying with the overturned vessel like the Coast Guard recommends was also key to the quick rescue of these boaters."

This is how the news broke on twitter:

The new look Steinhatchee.com

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Welcome to the new redesigned steinhatchee.com. Most of the content is the same but with a fresh updated look and feel.

Check back often to keep up to date on local news and events. The web cam and media gallery are still here so you can see the sights around our area. The weather section of the site can help with making the decision to come over for the weekend.

Bay scallop season permanently extended by 2 weeks

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Fron the Gainesville Sun:

A state agency decided to extend the recreational bay scallop season by two weeks permanently and to consider reviving commercial scallop harvesting, which has been banned for 18 years.

The recreational season, which starts July 1 and closed annually on Sept. 11, will now end Sept. 25.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission determined Thursday that the season extensions in place the last two years did not significantly impact the bay scallop population, according to an FWC release.

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Steinhatchee public boat ramp is now open for business.

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The boat ramp is now open. It has been a long wait, but well worth it. Great job to everyone who made it happen.

For those that don't know, the ramp is located at the old Ideal Marina location. Here is a link to Google maps showuing the exact location: http://maps.google.com/maps/place?q=steinhatchee+public+boat+ramp&hl=en&cid=15350700235981898259