Weekend Gardening: Time To Plant Those Fall Vegetables
October 5, 2014
by Santa Rosa Extension
The slightest hint of fall is in the air. But this doesn’t mean that the vegetable gardening season is over. Fall is an excellent time to grow cool-season vegetables.
Florida is unique in that we have multiple growing seasons. There is something that can be grown in the vegetable garden all year round. Knowing which vegetables to grow during which season is the key to having a successful harvest.
In the summer, gardeners are somewhat limited in the different types of warm-season vegetables that can be grown and will survive the heat. Now with cooler days approaching, we have a much wider selection of cool-season vegetables to plant.
In September many vegetables can be planted in the garden including beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, collards, kale, kohlrabi, leek, lettuce, mustard, onions and radish. In October, you can plant Chinese cabbage, spinach and strawberries.
These vegetables are best started from transplants but many can be direct-seeded. If you seed them directly into the soil, keep the ground moist while it’s still warm to give them a good start. Keep them well watered if you transplant, too. The later you start, the smarter it becomes to transplant to cut the time to maturity. Preparing the garden properly is as important as selecting the right plants.
Choose a sunny location. Most vegetables perform poorly in shade. An area that receives at least eight hours of sunlight per day is best. Some vegetables such as broccoli, collards and spinach will tolerate partial shade. Avoid locating your garden near hedges or trees. They not only create too much shade but also compete with the garden for moisture and nutrients.
Locating the garden near the house will make it easier to periodically check the garden for insect pests and disease. And, it is easier to keep an eye on the garden for larger pests such as birds, squirrels and rabbits. Closeness to the house will make it convenient in tending to the garden chores.
Locate the garden near a water supply so it can be watered as needed. You’ll get only moderate results if you try to grow a garden without supplemental irrigation.
Of course, it’s important to prepare beds properly before planting. To do that, clear the site of all weeds or finished vegetable plants. Turn the soil with a shovel, fork or tiller to a depth of at least 8 inches, and spread a 2-inch to 4-inch layer of organic matter (leaves, grass clippings, aged manure or compost) over the tilled soil. This helps to maintain a high level of organic matter in the soil, which encourages a strong, healthy root system, improves drainage, retains moisture, provides nutrients and promotes vigorous plant growth.
Mix the organic matter thoroughly into the soil. Turn the soil by digging with a shovel, garden fork or a tiller until the materials you’ve added are evenly distributed in the soil. When using fresh organic amendments, it’s best to wait a couple of weeks before planting your transplants or seeds.
By this time of year, insects and diseases have had all summer to build up their populations. Insects such as whiteflies, stink bugs, aphids and caterpillars are commonly seen. Since insect and disease pressure often is greater in the late summer/early fall than in the spring, watch plants carefully for problems and use appropriate control measures promptly when needed. Contact your local Extension Office for control recommendations.
Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Politics Dominate, But Reality Breaks Through
October 5, 2014
With Gov. Rick Scott, the entire Cabinet and many of the state’s 160 lawmakers out on the stump campaigning for re-election, the news about government in Florida has largely moved elsewhere.
There’s some work being done by the courts, which, at least in theory, comprise the least political branch. And the Public Service Commission, with members whose jobs are only indirectly on the line this fall, is still keeping an eye on utilities.
But even those tasks seem to be infused with campaign implications in an overly political season. A lawsuit against the state’s voucher system could cause some headaches for former Gov. Charlie Crist, whose base is divided over the issue. And politicians are sensitive to any PSC decision that could hit consumers — also known as voters — in the wallet.
Meanwhile, the campaign chugs on, with Scott and Crist trading blows over everything from lagoons to wedding dresses. Even as a tragic case in the Gilchrist County town of Bell served as a painful reminder of the real-life decisions that the winners will face when the campaigns end and the work of governing begins.
‘A 9-1-1 CALL TO THE FLORIDA SUPREME COURT’
Ironically, one of the most politically combustible cases working its way through the courts made the quietest progress this week, with the 1st District Court of Appeal deciding to send a challenge to the state’s congressional districts straight to the Florida Supreme Court.
A three-judge panel of the appeals court, in a 2-1 decision, agreed to the relatively unusual move, which is known as “certification.” It marked a victory for voting-rights groups fighting the congressional map, the latest chapter of a long-running battle between opponents of the lines and legislative Republicans. The organizations opposed to the congressional districts argue that they violate a state constitutional ban on political gerrymandering.
The lengthy battle over the lines was one reason that the appeals-court majority said the case should get fast-tracked.
“In this case, any doubts about the need for immediate review by the Supreme Court should be resolved in favor of certification,” said the opinion, written by Judge Philip Padovano and joined by Judge Simone Marstiller.
But in a dissent, Judge Scott Makar disputed the need to quickly send the case to the Supreme Court because the new districts won’t take effect until 2016.
“Certification … amounts to a 9-1-1 call to the Florida Supreme Court: ‘You’re needed now!’ ” Makar wrote. “That call is not justified in this case; ample time existing for the normal appellate process to be followed over the next two years. This (appeals) court can handle the matter expeditiously, leaving more than adequate time for Supreme Court review, if it deems it necessary.”
Leon County Circuit Judge Terry Lewis ruled this summer that two of the state’s congressional districts were unconstitutional, but later found that a revised map approved by the Legislature couldn’t be implemented in time for this year’s elections. Voting-rights organizations object to the revised map and have laid the groundwork to appeal Lewis’ approval of some of the original districts that he didn’t strike down.
Meanwhile, a group calling itself the Save Our Scholarships Coalition pushed for the Florida Education Association to drop a lawsuit challenging the state’s de-facto voucher program. The coalition, which emphasized the benefits of the program to lower-income students, provided the latest reminder of how the battle over vouchers divides the Democratic base in Florida.
The organization consists largely of African-American, Hispanic and Jewish leaders — some of whom have constituents who are parts of key Democratic voting blocs. But the coalition is at odds with the state’s largest teachers union, which often provides resources and organizational muscle for Democratic candidates.
“I cannot for the life of me fathom why these educators are willing to jeopardize the well-being of the state’s poorest students,” civil-rights leader H.K. Matthews said.
At the same time, the fact that the lawsuit challenging the voucher program is also supported by the Florida NAACP and a Jewish rabbi shows how complicated the fissures within Democratic voting blocs really are.
POLITICAL POWER
There are a few groups that politicians will rarely lose points for bashing during a campaign. Bureaucrats are near the top of the list. So are insurance companies. And somewhere in the mix are utility companies, which make a profit from something that is a necessity in everyday life.
So with pressure mounting from Tampa Bay-area politicians, many up for re-election, the Florida Public Service Commission unanimously rejected a staff recommendation to wait, and instead moved ahead with approval of a $54 million credit for Duke Energy Florida customers because of payments made toward a nuclear power plant that won’t be built.
The PSC’s staff wanted the panel to hold off until Duke completes a legal battle with Westinghouse Electric Co.
Duke’s 1.7 million customers in Central and North Florida won’t actually see the money. Instead the credit will be used to shave a few months off an ongoing monthly charge on residential customers of $3.45 per 1,000 kilowatt hours that is imposed for the scuttled nuclear plant in Levy County.
“In my book, I view that (the PSC’s decision) as a credit,” Commissioner Ronald Brise said after the vote. “If I had to pay ‘x’ amount over two or three years and ultimately I’m paying less, I’m receiving a credit. That’s the way I perceive it, and I think that is the way our customers are going to view it.”
In 2012, the utility regulators agreed in a settlement to impose the $3.45-a-month charge to cover previously approved costs and equipment already purchased for the Levy County plant. The fee was set to run into 2017.
Staff noted it could be a year or two before Duke’s legal issues with Westinghouse are settled.
But political currents have been battering utilities lately.
This week, a number of legislators announced plans to push bills during the 2015 session aimed at Duke and other power companies, with the proposals ranging from imposing state lobbying requirements on utility representatives hired to sway the commission to prohibiting a utility from being able to charge customers at a higher rate due to an extended billing cycle.
Prior to the commission meeting, Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, and Attorney General Pam Bondi were among those questioning the PSC staff recommendation that would have allowed Duke to hold onto the $54 million pending the outcome of the Westinghouse litigation.
Bondi sent a letter to Commission Chairman Art Graham before the meeting urging the money be refunded.
“The commission staff’s recent recommendation fails to consider the reality that these customers have been left on the hook for a failed project through no fault of their own,” Bondi wrote Monday. “Duke needs to do the right thing and credit its ratepayers now.”
ANTICIPATING A ‘SENSELESS MURDER’
Meanwhile, the Department of Children and Families released its first effort this week at piecing together what led up to a Gilchrist County man murdering his daughter and six grandchildren before committing suicide, the latest incident in what has become a wave of tragic headlines about the agency.
DCF said Wednesday that it would undertake increased staff training and other reforms in response to the incident, but concluded the rampage could not have been foreseen.
A preliminary report released by the department said the family was involved in 18 child-protective investigations from February 2006 to last month, with the grandfather, Don Spirit, involved in six of the investigations and alleged to be the perpetrator in three of the cases. In one instance, for example, investigators confirmed that Spirit physically abused his then-pregnant daughter, Sarah. She became one of his murder victims Sept. 18 and was the mother of the six dead children.
But the report said investigators could not have known that Spirit would ultimately go on the killing spree.
“The events that unfolded in Bell, Florida, on September 18, 2014, were an incredible tragedy that cuts to the heart of DCF’s mission,” the report said. “The senseless murder of these innocent children and their mother is an extreme outlier. There is no evidence to suggest that anyone, at any time, could have known that Don Spirit was capable of the premeditated and intentional massacre of his six grandchildren, his daughter, and then himself.”
The murders drew national attention to the small town of Bell and led to questions about whether the agency could have done more to protect the children. The department and the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office visited the family’s home as recently as Sept. 2, but the report said a case note indicated that the children were not “in imminent danger of illness or injury from abuse, neglect or abandonment.”
Spirit, 51, used a .45-caliber handgun to shoot his 28-year-old daughter, Sarah, and her children, 11-year-old Kaleb Kuhlmann, 9-year-old Kylie Kuhlmann, 8-year-old Johnathan Kuhlmann, 5-year-old Destiny Stewart, 4-year-old Brandon Stewart, and 2-month-old Alanna Stewart. He then called authorities, waited for them to arrive and shot himself.
In an email accompanying the report, department Interim Secretary Mike Carroll announced a series of actions the agency will take, including immediate retraining for Chiefland-based investigative staff members who handled the Spirit case. Also, Carroll said the department will require statewide training for all child-protective investigators on fact-gathering before the start of investigations.
STORY OF THE WEEK: State utility regulators approve a $54 million credit for Duke Energy Florida customers because of payments made toward a nuclear power plant that won’t be built
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I have been with the department for 25 years. And I thought I had seen it all until this tragedy occurred.”—Interim DCF Secretary Mike Carroll, on a murder-suicide that left eight people dead in Bell.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Boil Water Notice Lifted For Becks Lake, Stone Blvd. Area
October 4, 2014
- Becks Lake Road
- Stone Blvd.
- Elder Lane
The precautionary notice was issued on Oct. 2, following a break in the water main. Two independent bacteriological samples were taken, a process that routinely takes 48 hours. Precautionary Boil Water Notices are issued as a part of standard protocol following any loss of water pressure, whether as a result of planned maintenance activities or unscheduled repairs.
Second Inmate Escapes From Work Release Center
October 4, 2014
An inmate escaped Friday night from the a Pensacola work release center, the second escape from the facility in just three days.
According to the Florida Department of Corrections, 54-year old Michael J. Jones escaped from the Pensacola Community Release Center about 7:50 p.m. Friday. Further information such as a clothing description and the circumstances surround the escape were not released.
Jones is described a bald black male, 6-feet, 2 inches tall and about 215 pounds. Jones was serving a one year, eight and a half month sentenced out of Escambia County for a felony driver’s license violation. He previously served several prison sentenced for a long list of convictions, including multiple forgery counts, burglary, grand theft, battery on a law enforcement office, resisting an officer with violence and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
On Wednesday, 35-year old Jonathan P. Porter escape from the Pensacola CRC. He was last seen running southbound on North “L” Street and may have been picked up by a female driving a 2012 white Nissan Versa four-door with California plates.
Porter is bald and blue eyed, between 6-feet and 6-feet, 2 inches tall, and weighs about 200 pounds. He was last seen at 8:29 a.m. wearing a white shirt and khaki pants. He has tear drop tattoos under both of his eyes, the name “Lisa” on his neck, “S-O-U-L” on this left fingers, “L-O-S-T” on his right fingers, along with numerous other tattoos.
According to Department of Corrections records, Porter was serving a 15-year sentence for a 2001 conviction for conspiracy to commit robbery with a gun or deadly weapon.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of either escapee should call their local law enforcement agency or 911.
The Pensacola Community Release Center is located at 3050 North L Street. The Pensacola CRC is under the supervision of the Century Correctional Institution.
Northview Sinks Jay 53-20 In District Opener (With Photo Gallery)
October 4, 2014
The Northview Chiefs open district play Friday night with a big 53-20 win over the Jay Royals,.
“I thought we executed well on offense,” he said. “Our backs had a tremendous night, especially Keondrae Lett. Our defense…we gave up a couple of plays, but we were able to get key stops.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
Lett racked up 300 yards and four touchdowns against the Royals at Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium.
A 23-yard run from Cameron Newsome put the Chiefs on the board first 7-0 Friday Homecoming night. The Chiefs followed with 10:10 in the second with a touchdown from Tydre Bradley and at 6:16 with an 80-yard TD from Lett.
In the third, Newsome added another Northview touchdown, before Lett increased the Chiefs’ advantage to 34-7 with another touchdown. Lett scored touchdowns again with a 60-yarder with 2:26 to go in the third, and from 73 yards out with 10:30 in the fourth. Kardarius Jackson rounded out the Northview scoring with a 25-yard touchdown run with 6:56 to go in the fourth.
“It was a big game. Coach Kent Smith does a great job with that football team over there. They play hard,” Northview coach Sid Wheatley said.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
The Chiefs are headed into another off week, with their next district game on the road October 17 against Freeport.
Kamryn Brock Named Northview Homecoming Queen
October 4, 2014
Kamryn Brock was name the 2014 Northview High School Homecoming Queen Friday night. Other members of her court were First Runner-up Kendall Cobb, Second Runner-up Jessica McCollough, Freshman Maid Hannah Mascaro, Junior Maid Jadlyn Agerton and Sophomore Maid Morgan Myrick.
Pictured top: 2013 Homecoming Queen Anna Fischer crowns Kamryn Brock as the 2014 Northview High School Homecoming Queen. Pictured below (L-R): Freshman Maid Hannah Mascaro, Junior Maid Jadlyn Agerton, First Runner-up Kendall Cobb, Queen Kamryn Brock, Second Runner-up Jessica McCollough, and Sophomore Maid Morgan Myrick. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Atmore Woman Killed In Single Vehicle Crash
October 4, 2014
A single vehicle accident claimed one life about four miles northeast of Atmore Friday afternoon.
Alabama State Troopers said 43-year old Janice Harris lost control and flipped her vehicle about four miles northeast of Atmore on Robinsonville Road near Sardis Church Road about 4 p.m.
Harris was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Niceville Tops Tate
October 4, 2014
The Tate Aggies lost their district opener on the road Friday night to the Niceville Eagles, 35-7.
The Eagles were on the board first with a short touchdown run. Tate answered with a 67-yard touchdown from Sawyer Smith to Reginald Payne to even it up 7-7. But Niceville went on to score 28 unanswered points against the Aggies for the win.
The Tate Aggies (4-2, 0-1) will host Washington next Friday night at 7:30.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
Man Trapped About An Hour After Hitting I-10 Guardrail
October 4, 2014
A 77-year old Escambia County man was trapped in his vehicle for nearly an hour following a wreck Friday morning on I-10 just east of Highway 29.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, James Colman was traveling westbound on I-10 when his 2004 pickup began to hydroplane and struck a guardrail. Colman was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in serious condition following the 6:40 a.m.
Colman was cited for careless driving, according to the FHP.
Reader submitted photo by Jim Jordan for NorthEsambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hundreds Attend Northview Homecoming Parade (With Photo Gallery)
October 4, 2014
Hundreds turned out for the annual Northview High School Homecoming Parade this afternoon in Bratt.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Friday night homecoming festivities will begin at 6:00 Friday, with game kickoff set against Jay for 7 p.m. This year’s homecoming theme is “Under the Sea”.
Pictured top: The junior class float in the Northview High School Homecoming Parade Friday afternoon. Pictured below: The senior, sophomore and freshman floats. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
