Escambia Extension To Hold Certified Arborist Training
October 24, 2014
On December 12 a workshop will be held at the Escambia County Extension Office for those desiring to become certified arborists. The workshop will cover about 60 percent of the material that is covered on the certification exam. Attendees will also have the opportunity to take the exam on Saturday, December 13.
Becoming a certified arborist shows that the tree care worker or arborist has a basic knowledge of tree care. To maintain certification, arborists must continue their learning by earning continuing education credits (CEU). This helps them keep up to date with the latest information on tree care as well as broadening their knowledge base. This training is recommended for private and public arborists, foresters, professional landscapers, nursery professionals and tree surgeons.
The workshop will be taught by Sam Hand, ISA certified arborist and forestry agent with FAMU Extension; Stan Rosenthal, Leon County Extension forestry agent; Beth Bolles, Escambia County Extension horticulture agent and Cathy Hardin, Escambia County forester with the Florida Forest Service.
Preregistration for this training is required by December 8 by clicking here. The cost is $125.00.
The Friday workshop and the Saturday exam will take place 8:30-5:00 at the Escambia County Extension Office, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment. To register for the exam, click here. Contact Beth Bolles at (850) 475-5230 or bbolles@ufl.edu for more information.
Wards Named Outstanding Farm Family
October 24, 2014
The Ward family, including husband and wife Jimmy and Angela, have been named the Outstanding Farm Family of the Year in Santa Rosa County.
The Wards have a rich agricultural heritage and have been a part of the Allentown community for almost 100 years. In 1917, James B. Ward settled his family and began farming along what is now Hwy. 89. By the late 1950s four of his six sons; Joel, James, Lamar, and Charles were expanding the family farming tradition and grew corn, cotton, peanuts, soybeans, various grains, abundant vegetables, and raised cattle until the early 1990s. The Ward brothers passed on a legacy of hard work, integrity, and generosity to the next generation of family farmers. Jimmy Ward, son of Lamar Ward, is the third generation of Wards farming in Allentown.
Jimmy learned a lot about farming while working with his dad and uncles and continues to farm most of the family’s land. Jimmy and his wife Angela have established their home and raised their three sons on the same land his father and grandfather farmed and raised their families. Family and community have always been important at Ward Farms. Jimmy’s three sons, Jamie, Justin, and Dustin as well as other family and friends in the community are still part of Ward Farms today. It is a great honor to have the Ward family represent Santa Rosa County agriculture in 2014.
The Wards were honored during the recent 48th Annual Santa Rosa County Farm Tour, where Angela Ward accepted the award from County Commissioners Don Salter and Bob Cole. In addition, Tiffany Bates, district representative for Congressman Jeff Miller, presented the family with a Congressional Record proclamation honoring them for their accomplishments. Mary Beth Barrows, special assistant for Senator Marco Rubio, also presented commendations to the family.
Around 200 local officials and area citizens participated in the 48th Annual Santa Rosa County Farm Tour. During the daylong tour they learned firsthand about agriculture and its importance to the local economy. This year’s tour highlighted our county’s important peanut industry where participants saw how peanuts are grown, harvested and delivered for processing. Stops on the tour included the Roy Ward Farm, the UF/IFAS Jay Research Farm, Chumuckla’s Living Truth Church for lunch and presentations, the Mickey Diamond Farm, Golden Peanut Company and Holland Farms.
Pictured top: The Ward family. Pictured below: Farm Tour visitors. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Scott Opening Up His Wallet To Fund Campaign
October 24, 2014
Governor Rick Scott, who reportedly spent about $73 million of his own money to get elected in 2010, will soon dip into his personal wealth in an effort to retain the Governor’s Mansion. Scott will write a check to the Republican Party of Florida to assist his re-election effort against Democratic challenger Charlie Crist, Jackie Schutz, a spokeswoman for Scott’s campaign, confirmed.
The Miami Herald reported earlier that Scott told CBS4 News reporter Jim DeFede that he “will be investing” in the campaign. DeFede’s report is scheduled to air Sunday. Schutz wouldn’t say how much the check would total. But Schutz added in an email that the governor told DeFede that the money is “a small fraction of our total campaign” and will be used to “counteract the smear campaign from Charlie’s radical left-wing guy from California.”
NextGen Climate Action Committee-Florida, founded by California billionaire Tom Steyer, has spent at least $9.44 million on such things as advertising, mail pieces and grassroots efforts that target Scott because of the governor’s views on climate change.
Scott was worth $132.7 million as of Dececember 13, 2013, according to his annual financial disclosure filed with the Department of State. The amount of Scott’s check may not be known until October 31, when the Republican Party is next required to file a finance report.
The Crowley Political Report last week posted that Republican Party sources claimed Scott would put about $20 million into the campaign.
by The News Service of Florida
Cantonment Gas Station Carjacking, Sexual Assault Suspect Arrested
October 23, 2014
[UPDATED 9:30 a.m.] A Cantonment man has been arrested in connection with the carjacking of a woman at a Cantonment gas station last month and an attempted sexual assault a short time later.
Eddie Lee Atkins, age 27 of 622 Muscogee Road, has been charged with attempted sexual assault with force and carjacking without a firearm or weapon, a first degree felony. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond Thursday morning.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said DNA evidence from both cases and the “tireless work” of sex crimes investigators led to the arrest.
At approximately 8:15 a.m. on September 18, a carjacking was reported at the Raceway gas station at Highway 29 and Muscogee Road. The victim had pumped gasoline and entered the store when Atkins allegedly entered her unlocked vehicle and concealed himself in the backseat. The victim did not see Atkinst and drove away from the store with him in the vehicle.
Atkins reportedly confronted the victim once the vehicle was moving. He told her that he had a knife and to keep driving or he would “stick” her. She drove around randomly and eventually drove to a neighbor’s residence. Once there she honked the car’s horn in distress to get someone’s attention. Atkins then struck her and pushed her from the vehicle, according to investigators.
Atkins then left in the car, heading back towards Highway 29, deputies said. The victim was treated at the scene for minor injuries. Shortly afterward, the vehicle was located on Pine Street.
A little more than 15 minutes later, the attempted sexual battery of a female jogger was reported on Rocky Avenue. The victim reported that as she was jogging when an unknown black male suspect grabbed her from behind and dragged her into awooded area. Once there he struck her in the face and attempted to remove her clothing but the victim fought back and was able to escape.
Pictured below: A composite sketch of a carjacking and attempted sexual assault suspect released by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office shortly after the crime.
Gulf Power Customers Face January Increase
October 23, 2014
Gulf Power customers will see an increase on their bill next year. The Florida Public Service Commission allows expenses such as power plant fuel to be passed along to consumers, but they are not allowed to earn a profit on fuel charges.
A Gulf Power residential customer who uses 1,000 kilowatt hours a month will pay $139.29, up from $132, according to the PSC.
Fuel costs are a major component of each customer’s monthly bill. The industry commonly uses 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity for residential customers as a benchmark, though many customers use more power than that each month.
Customers of two other major Florida utilities – Florida Power & Light and Tampa Electric – will see very minor decreases on their bills.
Escambia Schools Offering Free Flu Vaccine To Students
October 23, 2014
The Escambia County School District is offering the mist form of the flu vaccine for free to all students.
The FluMist vaccine is a nasal spray – no needles are involved. It’s made from the weakened live virus, stimulating the production of antibodies in the blood and the nose. Health officials say there’s no risk of getting the flu from the vaccine.
Permission forms have already been sent home at some schools, and the forms will be headed home from other schools this week. Parents must return the forms by November 5 for their child to receive the FluMist the following week.
Son Charged After Dad Reports $37K In Musical And Fishing Equipment Stolen
October 23, 2014
A Cantonment man was arrested on long list of charges after allegedly stealing tens of thousands of dollars worth of musical and fishing equipment.
Andrew Mark Hintz, 32, was charged with at least 10 counts of felony fraud for providing false information to a pawn broker, 10 felony counts of dealing in stolen property and three felony counts of larceny.
Hintz allegedly took the items from his father’s home in Beulah while the father was working out of the country. Items reported stolen included numerous pieces of musical equipment, guitars, amplifiers and fishing equipment with an estimated value of $37,000.
Hintz pawned over $15,000 worth of property belonging to his father, receiving a total of $3,570, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report.
According to the report, Hintz had permission to be in his father’s house while he was out of the country, but no permission to take and pawn the items. The victim told deputies that his son has a drug problem.
Hintz remained in the Escambia County Jail early Thursday morning with bond set at $25,000.
FHP Aims To ‘Stuff The Charger’ During Food Drive
October 23, 2014
The Florida Highway Patrol is working to “Stuff the Charger” during their inaugural food drive.
Through November 6, the FHP will be collecting non-perishable food at their district headquarters at 150 Stumpfield Road in Pensacola to stuff in a Charger and deliver to a local food bank in time for Thanksgiving.
The following items are needed:
- Canned Goods: Sweet potatoes and yams, carrots, green beans, corn, spinach, sweet peas, black eyed peas, cranberry sauce, shelf-stable canned ham, canned meats, hearty soups and pie fillings
- Dried Goods: Stuffing, instant potatoes, gravy mix, macaroni & cheese, rice, cornbread mix, grits and oatmeal
- Other Goods: Nuts, evaporated milk, broth
Poll: Scott, Crist Deadlocked As Election Day Nears
October 23, 2014
Now less than two weeks before Election Day, the fierce race between Republican Gov. Rick Scott and Democratic challenger Charlie Crist is a dead heat, according to a poll released Wednesday.
The Quinnipiac University poll shows Scott and Crist deadlocked, with each receiving 42 percent of the vote and Libertarian candidate Adrian Wyllie receiving 7 percent. If Wyllie is not factored in, Scott and Crist were tied at 44 percent.
“For all the money spent on this race, it now appears the winner will be the one whose organization excels at the blocking and tackling of politics — getting their voters to the polls,” Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll, said in a prepared statement accompanying the results.
The survey of 984 likely voters was conducted from Oct. 14 to Oct. 20, so it does not take into account the race’s third and final debate Tuesday night in Jacksonville. The poll has a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points.
The results are similar to a Quinnipiac Poll conducted last month that showed Scott with 44 percent of the vote, Crist at 42 percent and Wyllie at 8 percent. The new poll indicated that 90 percent of voters who said they supported a candidate are unlikely to change their minds before the Nov. 4 election.
Wednesday’s results also reinforced that voters have negative views of Scott and Crist, after months of the two sides attacking each other. Brown said voters will be casting ballots for the “lesser of two evils.”
“Will nice guys finish last in the Florida governor’s race? According to voters, there are no nice guys in this race, since neither Scott nor Crist are viewed favorably,” Brown said.
The Connecticut-based Quinnipiac frequently conducts polls in Florida and other states for major media nationwide. They are considered among the nation’s most accurate political pollsters.
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
It’s National Forest Products Week
October 23, 2014
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Florida Forest Service are celebrating the benefits of Florida’s forest industry this week during National Forest Products Week.
“Florida’s forest industry produces significant economic and environmental benefits for this state,” Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam said. “The industry’s $16 billion economic impact supports 84,000 jobs, and forestry land management promotes healthy populations of native plants and animals.”
Florida’s 17 million forest acres provide more than 5,000 types of consumer goods that most people use on a daily basis. Some are easily recognized, like paper goods and lumber, while others are not. By the time forest products reach consumers, they are transformed into products such as cosmetics, medicines and fabrics used to make clothing. Pharmaceuticals developed to treat cancer have also originated from chemicals extracted from trees.
“To maintain a sustainable supply of forest products in our state, more than 70 million trees are planted in Florida each year,” said State Forester Jim Karels. “That means more than three trees are planted for each person in the state every year.”
Florida ranks eighth in tree planting across the country. The Florida Forest Service manages more than 1 million acres of public forest land while protecting 26 million acres of homes, forestland and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire.