Make A Resolution To Be More Wildlife Friendly
January 1, 2012
The tradition of the New Year’s Resolutions dates back to 153 B.C. Janus, a mythical king of early Rome was said to have two faces which allowed him to look back on past events and forward to the future.
The beginning of a new year is a great time to reflect on the issues of the past and resolve to do better in the upcoming year. The 2010 Gulf oil spill had a devastating impact on local wildlife. Florida is a state renowned for its diverse and unique ecosystems. But rapid development and environmental disasters, particularly in coastal areas, is continuing to destroy wildlife habitat. Resolve to be more wildlife-friendly in 2012 by following these easy tips from the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Program.
Provide food
Select plants with seeds, fruit, foliage, or flowers that butterflies, birds, and other wildlife like to eat. Berries, fleshy fruits, nuts, and acorns are all treats for many animals.
Supply water
Any water you provide will attract wildlife. You could have running water in the form of a natural feature, such as a pond, creek, or other body of fresh water, but a fountain or birdbath will also beckon wildlife. Empty and clean your birdbath every few days. Do not clean it with soap or bleach—just physically scrub all surfaces with a brush or scouring-type sponge. Change the water regularly to prevent mosquito breeding and bacterial contamination.
Leave snags
Leave snags, which are the trunks of dead trees, in place if they do not create a hazard. Many birds use snags for perching, nesting, and feeding. Snags are often removed from yards or land mistakenly thought of as no longer having value. Nothing could be farther from the truth. A tree’s full life cycle at this point, is far from over.
Manage pets
If you permit pets to harass or kill wildlife, you will only hinder any efforts you make toward attracting wildlife. This is especially true for cats allowed outdoors.
Reduce insecticide use
Each time you apply an insecticide to your landscape, you reduce insect populations, which form an important food source for birds. Some chemicals can also poison birds and other animals that feed on affected insects.
Reduce the amount of mowed lawn area
Unmowed areas can contain more plant species than mowed areas, providing more potential food sources and habitat for wildlife. Reduce the mowed area around your house, especially in low-traffic areas, such as corners of the yard.
Increase vertical layering
Plant a variety of plants in different sizes and heights to provide more cover and feeding opportunities for diverse species of wildlife.
By following the simple tips in this chapter, your Florida-Friendly lawn and garden can become a sanctuary for wildlife, as well as part of a migratory passage between one wild space and another. Animals need to move from place to place, just like people. They have trouble traveling in heavily urban and suburban landscapes, but you can help them by joining your Florida-Friendly yard with others in the neighborhood to create a “natural corridor”—a safe, traversable route between woodlands, wetlands, or other wild areas.
For more specific information, visit the University of Florida/IFAS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_landscaping_for_wildlife or call your local Extension Office.
Theresa Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
2011 In Photos: July
December 31, 2011
All this week, we are looking back at the photos that were in the news in 2011. Today, we are featuring photos from July.
Federal and state authorities raided a Jay medical practice with Dr. C. David Smith and his son Dr. J. S. Michael Smith surrendering their DEA licenses to prescribe narcotics.
Mayor Freddie McCall (right) congratulates two-time Super Bowl champ Anthony Pleasant as a Century park is dedicated in Pleasant’s name.
Youth involved in Mission Molino did yard work for widows around Molino and witnessed on Pensacola Beach during July.
Copper was stripped from two air conditioning units at the Byrneville Community Center.
The alleged work of an arsonist destroyed an unoccupied Century mobile home.
Lightning from a summer storm destroyed this storage shed in Bratt.
Summer meant Vacation Bible School for hundreds of children across the area, including the Big Apple Adventure at Highland Baptist Church.
Black ribbons were placed on the door of Century Town Hall and the flag was flown at half staff in honor of Council member Nadine McCaw following her death.
July marked the final lift off of the space shuttle, taking with it part of Florida’s economic engine.
Molino and Century were mentioned on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, thanks to a “genius” criminal.
Children enjoyed a shadow puppet show and numerous other activities during the summer reading series at the Century Branch Library.
Thousands of people attended Fourth of July fireworks shows, with hundreds choosing a show in Flomaton that was joint project of Flomaton and Century.
A brush fire off Highway 97A created a smoke fire that could be seen for miles in early July.
2011 In Photos: June
December 30, 2011
All this week, we are looking back at the photos that were in the news in 2011. Today, we are featuring photos from June.
Hundreds of North Escambia area students graduated in June. Pictured above: Valedictorian Sarah Killam addresses the Northview High School Class of 2011.
Poplar Dell Baptist Church celebrated its 100th anniversary with the opening of a time capsule that had been hidden away for 50 years.
Temperatures topped the 100 degree mark in early June.
A mobile home in Bratt was sliced in half by a falling limb.
A pedestrian from McDavid died when he was struck by two semi-trucks hauling logs on Highway 29 in Bluff Springs.
A massive wildfire scotched over 1,500 acres north of Flomaton
Fire destroyed the media center at Pollard McCall School, just north of the Alabama/Florida line.
A farmer’s John Deere tractor and a Walnut Hill Water Works tower are dwarfed by a massive storm cloud west of Walnut Hill in mid June.
Low water levels from drought led to the discovery of an 1800’s era steamboat in the Escambia River near McDavid.
Drought led to near-historic lows on the Escambia River, including at the Molino Boat Ramp on Fairgrounds Road.
A major archaeological dig is underway near the Escambia River in Molino unearthed evidence of a 1740’s Spanish mission along with artifacts believed to be 6,000 years old.
Six people were involved in this two vehicle crash at Molino Road at Highway 29.
A Geraldine, Alabama, man died in this wreck at Fountain Prison in Atmore.
A participant is hit by a water balloon during an Escambia County Extension Service Water Camp at Lake Stone.
Ernest Ward December Students Of Month Named
December 29, 2011
December Students of the Month have been named for Ernest Ward Middle School. They are (L-R) Hannah Godwin, sixth grade; Troy Stuckey, seventh grade; and Haley Brown, eighth grade. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
2011 In Photos: May
December 29, 2011
All this week, we are looking back at the photos that were in the news in 2011. Today, we are featuring photos from May.
Northview High School presented their senior class play “Bye Bye Birdie”.
The annual Sawmill Day was held in Century.
Hundreds of elementary students participated in a Sunshine Math competition at the University of West Florida, with Jim Allen Elementary taking first place.
A driver that wrecked on Hanks Road in Bratt left messages spray painted on their vehicle.
A Century man was shot outside of the Piggly Wiggly on Highway 97 in Davisville.
The annual National Day of Prayer was held.
A Century man drowned in Bluff Springs lake in early May.
Our NorthEscambia.com cameras caught up with the Google Street View car in Walnut Hill.
The annual Relay for Life events were held at Tate High and in Century.
The annual Danceworks recital was held at Flomaton High School.
A woman was shot and killed outside of a Highway 29 convenience store.
The impending closure of the Atmore and Brewton animal shelters was announced.
A drought in the North Escambia area was officially labeled as “extreme” in late May.
Gov. Rick Scott signed a new budget that slashed $615 million.
Four people were left homeless after an early morning fire near Molino.
A new monument was dedicated on Memorial Day in Atmore to honor those that have served from Atmore and North Escambia.
2011 In Photos: April
December 28, 2011
All this week, we are looking back at the photos that were in the news in 2011. Today, we are featuring photos from April.
About 250 people attended a community meeting in April in Jay to learn about potential future plans for Jay Hospital.
Deputy David Bashore works to remove a bottle that was allegedly part of a meth lab thrown into a stream that feeds a gravel lake in Century.
A K-9 team prepares to search for a suspect along the Alabama/Florida line after an attempted home invasion at the home of a law enforcement officer in Escambia County, Ala.
North Escambia area residents collected hundreds of pounds of supplies for Alabama tornado victims. In this photo, goods are collected in Flomaton.
Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan (right) presents a Life Saving Medal to Senior Deputy Rudy Brown of the Century Precinct in April.
Both Northview and Jay were defeated in softball Regional 1-2A Quarterfinals.
Partial demolition of this building on North Century Boulevard near the Alabama State Line revealed signage for the former Ash Dept. Store and Worley’s Food Store.
McCullough Christian Center marked Good Friday with a reenactment of the Crucifixion in Atmore.
Youth from the Greater First Baptist Church pick up trash from along Booker Street during an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office “Clean Sweep” in their neighborhood.
Chet Truett Named Ernest Ward Teacher Of The Year
December 27, 2011
Eighth grade science teacher Chet Truett has been named the Ernest Ward Middle School Teacher of the Year.
Teachers of the year are chosen by the faculty and staff at each school in the county. The Escambia County Teacher of the Year will be announced at the annual Golden Apple Awards Dinner in February 2012.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
2011 In Photos: March
December 27, 2011
All this week, we are looking back at the photos that were in the news in 2011. Today, we are featuring photos from March.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team prepares to enter a Cantonment home to end a domestic violence standoff. The 32-year old suspect was taken into custody without any injuries.
Molino Sandy Sansing’s Lauren Carnley missed a catch at third as the ball grazes the helmet of Northwest Escambia Alto’s Liberty Peebles during opening day games in Molino.
Teamwork: Members of the Ernest Ward Middle School track team compete in their season opening meet at Woodham Middle School.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Operation Clean Sweep was held in Cottage Hill.
A missing Escambia County, Ala., dog found 900 miles away in Texas was flown home.
Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Kevin White, County Administrator Randy Oliver and Century Mayor Freddie McCall discuss the future of Century while outside Century’s business incubator in March.
Open Day ceremonies were held in March at Northwest Escambia in Walnut Hill.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy stopped this truck with the bumper sticker “Buckle Up! Or Pay Up!” on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill. The driver was stopped because he was not wearing a seat belt.
Three people were arrested for firing shots into this Molino home.
A tornado hit McDavid in early March.
A National Weather Service team determined that a tornado that slammed McDavid was an EF1 with 105 mph winds.
A double shooting prompted Century to set new rules for community center rentals in the town.
One person was killed and two were injured in an Atmore Police Department pursuit near the Atmore City Hall.
Grammy award winner Marty Raybon performed in March at the Northview FFA Alumni Blue Jacket Jamboree in Bratt.
Spring flowers: Purple henbit covers a Walnut Hill field.
NorthEscambia.com photos.
Fallen Marine Travis Nelson’s Family Gives Back For Christmas
December 26, 2011
Scott and Beckie Nelson of Bratt just could not stand the thought of their first Christmas without their son LCpl. Travis M. Nelson who was killed in action in Afghanistan back in August. To take their minds off a Christmas without Travis in the house, they decided to give back to the communities that had supported them so much following his death.
The Nelson family, along with a small army of volunteers, prepared and delivered about 125 Christmas meals Sunday for elderly, shut-in and needy people in the Bratt, Atmore and surrounding areas.
“We wanted to do something to give back and wanted take our minds off Travis not being here,” Beckie said as she worked on getting the flavor just right on a sweet potato casserole. “We thought about volunteering at the Waterfront Rescue Mission. Then Scott said we should try to put back into this community and see if there was enough need.”
They initially planned to find about 70 individuals that needed Christmas lunch. But, before it was over, about 125 were on the list. For Beckie, it was her first time cooking a big Christmas lunch.
“We usually go to my mother-in-laws’ for Christmas lunch,” she said.
The recipients of the Nelson’s generosity ranged from the elderly to a family of 13, including eight children, that would have otherwise done without a traditional Christmas lunch.
Plans are already in the works to repeat the Christmas lunches next year in a program they are calling “Operation Enduring Loss”.
“We are continuing to endure the loss of Travis,” Beckie said. “For 19 years, he was here with us opening presents on Christmas. But he’s not coming home this time,” she said, pausing. “Or the next time. That chapter in our lives is closed.”
That’s been tough for the Nelson family, she said, where Christmas always meant family time and presents around the Christmas tree. The family put up a tree this year, but this time it’s a real tree with all brand new ornaments.
“I just couldn’t bear to open the box of our other ornaments,” she said. “There are so many special ornaments in there that belonged to Travis. It’s just never going to be the same.”
Pictured top: Beckie Nelson (left) and volunteer Sandy Brown work on a sweet potato casserole. Pictured inset: Beckie Nelson with a finished sweet potato casserole, one of many used in 125 Christmas lunches. Pictured below: Travis Nelson’s sister Anna Nelson (left) and friend McShane Ingalls prepare fresh string beans. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
2011 In Photos: January, February
December 26, 2011
All this week, we are looking back at the photos that were in the news in 2011. Today, we are featuring photos from January and February.
Fire ripped through this Jahaza Road home in Molino on January 12.
The winners, including Miss Northview High School Hayley Simpson, pose after the January Miss Northview High School pageant.
Ernest Ward Middle School’s National Junior Honor Society held an induction ceremony in late January.
An accidental fire destroys equipment at a work site in Walnut Hill.
In February, Molino residents got their first look at a proposed community center and library in the old Molino School.
Century residents gathered to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
A Bessemer, Ala., man (inside police car) tries to explain why he used an ax as he forced his way into an elderly woman’s home west of Flomaton.
Commander Merlin Ladner, USN (Ret) addresses the audience during Northview High School’s NJROTC Annual Inspection in February.
A mobile home burns with a meth lab inside on Molino Road.
Four people were left homeless after a fire started by an oven being used for heat destroyed their Byrneville mobile home.
Drivers were inconvenienced for weeks as the North Highway 99 bridge over Pine Barren Creek was closed in January.
January’s weather was cold, as evidenced by this fountain at Century Care Center.
Rick Scott was sworn in as Florida’s new governor.
The 1165th Military Police Company, including many North Escambia area residents, deployed to Afghanistan.
Jacke Johnson, Gary Riley and Sandra McMurray Jackson were sworn in as new members of the Century Town Council.
Former Century Town Council member Sharon Scott passed away in late February.
In February, numerous arrests were made after a drug-related sweep. A meth lab was found as this Molino Road home.
Lifeflight awaits as a victim is freed from a traffic crash on Highway 4A west of Century.