Photos: A Barrineau Park Sunset
January 18, 2015
Pictured: Saturday’s sunset as seen from near Barrineau Park School Road. Reader submitted photos by Kayla Bedell fro NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Have an interesting photo to share? Email news@northescambia.com.
Airman Travis Deese Graduates From Basic Military Training
January 18, 2015
Air Force Reserve Airman Travis L. Deese graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, TX.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Deese is the son of Sewonya York of Atmore and grandson of Dan York of Mobile.
He is a 2013 graduate of Escambia County High School, Atmore.
Photos: It’s My Red Couch, And ECUA Can’t Have It
January 15, 2015
A red couch put out with the trash on Kingsfield Road attracted a little extra attention this week because of a dog that just really did not seem to want to give up his favorite spot.
Louis O’Rear, a teacher at Ransom Middle School, shared these photos, and his vision of the story:
“Tuesday, on Kingsfield, just down from Ransom Middle School toward Highwy 97 a little bit, I noticed someone had placed an old red couch on the side of the road. This morning about 7:15, someone was using it. I figure it is his, and no matter where it is, he’s going to use it. Maybe he has been sleeping on that couch for 10 years and isn’t going to stop now. In any case, seeing the look on his face, I don’t think anyone is going to be taking that couch for awhile.”
But within a short time of this story first being published on NorthEscambia.com, we learned that some picked up the little fellow. His condition led them to believe he was homeless and abandoned, and none of the neighbors had seen him before. He was taken to to the Chemstrand Oak Vet Clinic (850-474-1922) for one day, and then he’ll be headed to the animal shelter if no one claims/saves him. For more information, call the vet clinic or (850) 384-1490.
Photos submitted by Louis O’Rear for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Forest Service Shares Longleaf Pines During Arbor Day Event
January 15, 2015
The Florida Forest Service and Escambia County Forester Cathy Hardin distributed free longleaf pine seedlings Wednesday in Century and Walnut Hill in recognition of Arbor Day.
Only a small percentage of the pine trees in the Southeast are longleaf. Many people turn to planting much faster growing loblolly or slash pines, looking for a faster return on their timber investment.
A year after planting, longleaf seedlings can still only be a foot tall, meanwhile a slash or loblolly of the same age may already be two or three feet tall.
A longleaf pine has a unique growth stage called the grass stage when it is fire resistant. When fire is introduced to the growing tip, or the bud, it is protected under a thick arrangement of needles near ground level. While the bud is protected at this stage, the tree concentrates its resources these first few years developing a root system instead of height growth. This allows for rapid growth after a fire due to the well-established root system.
The longleaf pine is far more resistant to disease, tornadoes and hurricanes that destroy other southern pines. Because of its resilience, it is not uncommon for longleaf trees to live for 150 years or more. The longevity of longleaf pine allow the stands to provide a variety of different habitats.
Pictured top: Escambia County Forester Cathy Hardin discusses longleaf pines with producer Ellis Mason during an Arbor Day Event Wednesday in Walnut Hill. Pictured inset: Hardin explains how to plant a longleaf pine seedling. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Dognapping? Family Dog Missing After Being Hit By Vehicle
January 14, 2015
A local family is looking for their “fur baby”, and a little bit of closure, after the dog was apparently hit by a car Monday morning. “Coal”, a blue pit, has been the baby of the Johnson family for about five years.
Kim Johnson said she let Coal outside about 6 a.m. Monday. Normally, Coal would have stayed in the backyard, but for some reason he went around front of their home on Rockaway Creek Road, just south of the Florida/Alabama state line.
“I heard them hit my dog, stop and then I heard a few choice words and the vehicle door slam,” Johnson said. “My fur baby is nowhere to be found. Did you take our dog after you hit him? We need some closure.”
She said the family realizes Coal could have ran away after being hit, but they are very concerned that he may have been picked up by the driver. The vehicle, Johnson said, appeared to be a silver or white SUV. Area veterinarians are on alert, but so far there’s no sign of Coal.
“I’m in no way blaming someone because we do realize accidents happen. We just need some peace,” she said.
If you have any information about Coal, call Kim at (850) 698-3422, Robbie at (850) 698-3423, or the Atmore Ambulance office at (251) 368-3003.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Cold Case: 1981 Murder Remains Unsolved
January 11, 2015
It was 34 years ago on the afternoon of January 2, 1981, that 9-year old Kenneth Deshun Underwood and three companions went bird hunting in the woods near their Cantonment home. Everyone returned home that afternoon except for Underwood.
When Underwood was still not home around 6 p.m., Escambia County Search and Rescue personnel were called. The area were Underwood was last seen alive was canvassed. His body was discovered about 5:45 the next morning –apparently murdered — in an area near Booker Street.
The case remains unsolved, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public for help because they believe someone in our area still has information about Underwood’s death.
If you know anything about the death of Kenneth Deshun Underwood, 9, you are asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (850) 436-9580 or Crime Stopper at (850) 433-STOP (7867).
Pictured above: The fourth grade photo of murder victim Kenneth Deshun Underwood of Cantonment. Pictured below: The highlighted area in this map shows were the body was found. Courtesy images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Weekend Gardening: Tips for January
January 11, 2015
Here are gardening tips for the month of January from the IFAS Extension Service:
Flowers
- Refrigerated bulbs such as tulip, daffodil and hyacinth should be planted in prepared beds.
- Start seeds of warm season flowers late this month in order to have transplants in March.
- There’s still time to transplant some cool season annuals such as carnations, foxglove, pansies, petunias and snapdragons.
- Re-fertilize cool season flowerbeds, using a liquid or dry form of fertilizer. Be careful not to apply excessive amounts and keep granules away from the base of stems.
- Finish dividing crowded perennials. Don’t wait until spring for this job.
- Plant bare root roses immediately after they are purchased.
Trees and Shrubs
- Plant trees and shrubs. This is an ideal time of year for transplanting larger specimens.
- Plant bare root plants such as deciduous ornamental shrubs and trees.
- Prune dormant shade trees, if needed.
- Stick hardwood cuttings of fig, grape, honeysuckle, Althea, Catalpa, Forsythia and Wisteria.
Fruits and Nuts
- Apply dormant oil spray to peach, plum, nectarine and other deciduous fruit trees. This practice is necessary when growing the stone fruits in locations along the Gulf Coast. Note: This applies to the flowering peaches and cherries since they are susceptible to the same pests as their fruiting cousins.
- Plant bare root deciduous fruit trees
- Prune dormant fruit trees if needed
Vegetable Garden
- Start seeds of warm season vegetables late this month in order to have transplants in March.
- Lime (if needed), and begin preparing vegetable gardens for the spring planting.
- Cool season vegetables that can still be planted in the garden are: beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, Chinese cabbage, kale, kohlrabi, leek, mustard, bunching onions, parsley, English peas, Irish potatoes, radishes and turnips.
- Irish potatoes can be started from January through March by planting seed pieces 3 to 4 inches deep in rows. Always purchase certified seed potatoes.
Lawns
- Check soil moisture during winter and water as needed.
Health Dept. Urges Precautions To Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
January 8, 2015
The Florida Department of Health urges Floridians to take precautions to prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
Carbon monoxide poisoning is a year round threat, however as temperatures drop, the potential for CO poisonings rise. CO is a highly poisonous gas produced by burning fuels such as gasoline, natural gas, propane, kerosene, charcoal, and wood. CO from these sources can build up in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces. The risk of illness or death increases with the level of CO in the air and the amount of time exposed. Dangerous CO levels can result when home appliances are not properly maintained or when used incorrectly.
“Carbon monoxide is a silent poisonous gas that can cause illness and death within minutes of exposure,” said Dr. Kendra Goff, state toxicologist for the Florida Department of Health. “It is invisible, tasteless, odorless and non-irritating, which is why taking precautions is vital and having sufficient working CO alarms in your home is critical. Proper use of generators, portable space heaters or gas grills can protect you and your family from the potential tragedy of an accidental poisoning.”
Since symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to those of the flu, food poisoning, or other illnesses, you may not think CO poisoning is the cause. The common signs and symptoms include headache, nausea, weakness, abdominal discomfort/pain, dizziness, and confusion. Other signs and symptoms may include blurred vision, numbness and tingling, ataxia (loss or lack of muscular coordination), irritability, agitation, chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, seizures, and loss of consciousness.
Anyone who suspects symptoms of CO poisoning should go outside the home or building without delay and seek prompt medical attention. If a person has collapsed or is not breathing, call 911 for emergency medical assistance immediately from a safer location such as outside or from a neighbor’s home. Children, pregnant women, and individuals with heart conditions are most vulnerable.
Tips to help prevent CO poisoning:
- Never use a gas stove or oven to heat the home.
- Never burn charcoal inside a house, garage, vehicle, or tent, including in a fireplace.
- Avoid using unvented gas, propane, or kerosene heaters in enclosed spaces, especially sleeping areas.
- Install and use fuel-burning appliances according to manufacturer instructions, the Florida Building Code, and the Florida Fire Prevention Code.
- Inspect the exhaust system of each fuel burning appliance every year, including chimneys, flues, and vents. Check for blockage, holes, and disconnections.
- Have fuel-burning appliances inspected and serviced annually by a licensed contractor.
- Never leave an automobile running in a garage, even with the garage door open.
- Do not leave the rear window or tailgate of a vehicle open while driving. CO from the exhaust can be pulled inside the car, van, or camper.
- Never use a portable generator or a fuel-powered tool indoors or in other enclosed or partially enclosed areas.
- Always place portable generators outdoors on a dry surface far away from doors, windows, vents, and air conditioning equipment that could allow CO to enter. Orient the generator so that it is placed with the exhaust port pointing away from the home.
- Install battery operated CO alarms or plug-in CO alarms with battery backup inside a house according to manufacturer’s installation instructions or NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) 720: Standard for the Installation of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detection and Warning Equipment.
- Install only CO alarms that meet the UL (Underwriter Laboratories) 2034 or the CSA (Canadian Standards Association) 6.19 standards.
- Replace CO alarm batteries once a year and test alarms frequently.
- Replace CO alarms every five years or as often as recommended by the alarm manufacturer.
Money Saving Cold Weather Tips
January 8, 2015
Gulf Power Company is offering some cold weather energy savings tips for everyone, including customers of other utilities. Gulf Power offers the following tips to stay warm, safe and conserve energy.
Things you can do right now to save money and energy
- Set your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower to conserve energy.
- Reverse the direction of your ceiling fans so they rotate clockwise as you look up at them. This will force warm air down from the ceiling.
- During the middle of the day, open blinds and curtains on the sunny side of the house. Also, where possible, reduce the traffic in and out of the house.
- Don’t use your oven to heat your home — it’s not efficient and most important, it’s not safe.
- A fireplace is not always an efficient heat source. If not used properly it can actually make the rest of the house cooler because airflow up the chimney removes the heated air. When using the fireplace, close all doors and warm air ducts to the room where the fireplace is located. Glass doors on a fireplace will reduce the outflow of warm air. And a fireplace with a blower system is ever better because it actually blows the warm air around the firebox back into the room.
- An electric blanket is more economical than heating the entire house all night long.
- Use a portable electric heater to heat only a small area. Buy models that are thermostatically controlled. Keep it at least three feet from items that could catch fire like curtains or furniture. Make sure you have working smoke detectors on every floor and in every sleeping room of your house.
- Make sure vents and return air registers are not blocked by furniture, draperies, doors or other obstacles.
- Use “draft stoppers” or towels/blankets to block drafts at foot of door.
- If you should lose power, go to your thermostat and turn off your heating system. Please wait 10 to 15 minutes after power has been restored before turning it back on. This prevents a power surge from shutting down electricity again.
- If you should lose power, please do not connect portable generators to your household electrical wiring. This can cause serious injury to you and to Gulf Power employees who are restoring electricity. Instead, plug appliances into the generator. Never use a generator in enclosed or partially-enclosed spaces because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Things you can do to prepare your home for the whole winter season
Temperature settings
- Heating a house makes up about half of your electricity bill so set your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower in the winter. Did you know that you can decrease the amount of energy you buy for heating by three percent or more for every degree below 68 degrees you set your thermostat?
- Programmable thermostats are a good investment, or you can take advantage of Gulf Power’s Energy Select. Energy Select is Gulf Power’s advanced energy management program that offers a lower price for electricity 87 percent of the time. Energy Select features a programmable thermostat and a special rate of four price periods based upon time of day, day of week and season. Installation and meter-based surge protection are both free with Energy Select. Only $4.95 per month.
Heating and cooling equipment
- The system heating the home is extremely important. If it’s an older, less efficient unit, upgrading to a geothermal heating and cooling system — or a high efficiency air-source heat pump may be a wise choice. Contact Gulf Power at 1-877-655-4001 for a free Energy Check-Up.
Routine maintenance
- A well-maintained heating system runs more efficiently. A complete tune-up of the home heating system can cost anywhere from $50 to $100 and more, but this is a very worthwhile investment and can reduce your heating bill from 3 to 10 percent. Some companies offer regular service contracts, which are a convenience if you tend to forget system maintenance. Remember to replace the filter every month.
Ductwork
- Duct leakage can account for 20 percent of the heating and cooling cost. Getting ducts sealed up should be at the top of the list for making your home energy efficient.
Insulation
- Adding insulation to your attic is one of the most cost-effective energy saving measures. Different types of insulation material have different R-values. The recommended level is R-38 in the attic.
Weather-stripping and caulking
- Weather-strip door jambs and caulk any cracks around windows to prevent cool air from entering your home.
Window units
- If you have a window air conditioning unit, remove it for the winter months to prevent heat from escaping through and around the unit. If it can’t be moved, put a cover over it to prevent drafts.
Humidifier
- Use a humidifier to keep your home more comfortable. Adding moisture allows you to reduce the thermostat setting without feeling colder.
Peanut Butter Challenge Nets 1.5 Tons In Escambia, Santa Rosa
January 6, 2015
UF/IFAS Extension collected over 3,000 pounds of peanut butter for the needy during the recent “Peanut Butter Challenge” in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
There were 628 jars, or 806.5 pounds, of peanut butter collected in Escambia County, and 2,259 pounds were donated in Santa Rosa County. Local peanut farmers Rodney and Mike Helton also donated a pallet of peanut butter, as did Tri-County Peanut.
The Helton pallet at the collected peanut butter from Escambia County was distributed to local groups including the Manna Food Bank, the Salvation Army, the Ashford-Washburn Center, the Carver Community Center in Century, the First Baptist Church of Flomaton, the First Baptist Church of Bratt, Gonzalez United Methodist Church, Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino, Allen Memorial United Methodist in Cantonment, Brentwood Assembly of God, Myrtle Grove Methodist, Liberty Church North Campus and St. James Missionary.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
