Page 30 - Abacoa Community News - September '24

Page 30, Abacoa

Northern Notes from page 28 Coyotes need our help to survive: FALSE!
People like to feed animals. However, providing
Coexisting With Coyotes coyotes with a “free lunch” eliminates their natural
Coyotes can be fear of humans and increases their population.
curious but are also Remember … a fed coyote causes problems.
timid and run away Coyotes can be eliminated: FALSE!
if challenged. Just Removing coyotes is an inefficient and
remember that any ineffective method of controlling populations.
wild animal will Coyotes compensate by increasing litter size, and
protect itself or its new coyotes move into areas where others have
young. Never initiate been removed. Populations can quickly return to
a close encounter with their original size.
a coyote. NPDES tip: Please pick up after your pet. When
Where coyote pet waste is washed into lakes or canals the waste
encounters occur decays, using up oxygen and sometimes releasing
regularly, walk pets at other times besides nighttime hours, ammonia. Low oxygen levels and ammonia
dusk, and dawn. Carry something that will make noise or scare combined with warm temperatures can kill fish. Pet
the animal, such as a solid walking stick or golf club. These waste also contains nutrients that encourage weed
things may deter the coyote at close range. Make a “coyote and algae growth. Overly fertile water becomes
shaker” by putting a few washers, pebbles, or pennies into an cloudy and green – unattractive for boating and
empty soft drink can. Wrap the can in foil and tape it closed. fishing. Perhaps most importantly, pet waste carries
Myths About Coyotes diseases which make water unsafe.
Coyotes are extremely dangerous: FALSE!
There have been very few reported cases of Eastern
coyotes biting people. The coyote’s innate fear of humans
tends to keep them from getting too close, so there’s no need
to fear them excessively.
Coyotes are a new problem: FALSE!
Coyotes have been in Florida for many years and will
continue to make their
homes around the
state. Coyotes should
be considered native
or naturalized species,
not exotics. Fossil
fragments recovered
from Florida indicate
coyotes occurred in
the state as early as
the late Pliocene (2 million years before the present). Coyotes
are found across the state and have been documented in all
67 counties. This medium-sized predator is exceptionally
adaptable and thrives in urban, suburban, and rural areas.
Town Of

Jupiter News

By Jim Kuretski, Mayor,
Town of Jupiter
The Town Council works
with our town manager, staff,
and others to address issues
affecting our residents and
businesses. The following
provides in progress efforts
to improve public safety at
12 pedestrian crosswalks
around town:
On an annual basis, the
Town Council receives a roundtable presentation by our
Police Department and traffic engineers about vehicular and
pedestrian traffic within Jupiter. Traffic levels and historical
accident locations and rates are presented, along with
status updates on planned roadway improvement projects.
An emphasis is placed on overall traffic management and
mitigation of congestion and safety hazards.
During this year’s meeting, a decision emerged to fund
and complete construction of pedestrian safety crosswalk
enhancements at 12 targeted locations by end of the year. These
locations included: 1) Dakota Drive at Lighthouse Elementary,
2) South Loxahatchee Drive at Jupiter Elementary, 3) South
Loxahatchee Drive south of 6th Street, 4) Palmfield Way
between Via Rosina and Cocoa Lane, 5) South Old Dixie near
Jupiter Medical Center, 6) Toney Penna Drive near Jupiter
Village Swimming Pool, 7) University Blvd. at Osceola Woods,
8) Main Street at Roger Dean Stadium, 9) Maplewood Drive
at Pine Tree Trail, 10) Greenway Drive at Abacoa Community
Park, 11) South Loxahatchee Drive at Officer Bruce St. Laurent
Park and 12) Longshore Drive at Central Blvd.
The first two of these (outside Lighthouse Elementary
and Jupiter Elementary) were completed in time for the new
school year.
The remaining 10 of the planned enhanced pedestrian
safety crosswalks will be completed and placed into service
by no later than the end of this year. The design work for
these crosswalk enhancements is under way.
These pedestrian crosswalk improvements demonstrate
the town’s commitment to public safety, especially the
safety of our children.
Additional locations for potential pedestrian crossing
safety enhancements will be considered for implementation
in future years.