USDA Extends Conservation Stewardship Application Deadline to February 7
January 11, 2014
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has extended the deadline for new enrollments in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) to February 7 for fiscal year 2014.
Through this program, NRCS provides financial and technical assistance to farmers and ranchers to conserve and enhance soil, water, air and related natural resources on their land. Producers earn higher payments for higher performance. CSP is available on Tribal and private agricultural lands and non-industrial private forest land.
Some popular enhancements include:
- Using new nozzles that reduce the drift of pesticides, lowering input costs and making sure pesticides are used where they are most needed;
- Modifying water facilities to prevent bats and bird species from being trapped;
- Burning patches of land, mimicking prairie fires to enhance wildlife habitat; and
- Rotating feeding areas and monitoring key grazing areas to improve grazing management.
While local NRCS offices accept CSP applications year round, NRCS evaluates applications during announced ranking periods. To be eligible for this year’s enrollment, producers must have their applications submitted to NRCS by the closing date.
Learn more about CSP by visiting the NRCS website or any local USDA service center.
Teen Indicted For First Degree Murder Of His Mother
January 10, 2014
A Santa Rosa County Grand Jury has indicted William Brandon Aydelott for first degree premeditated murder with a weapon in connection with the death of his mother, Sharon Lynn Aydelott.
Aydelott beat and stabbed his mother to death in her Gulf Breeze home on Christmas Eve, according to prosecutors. He is scheduled to be arraigned on January 23. Investigators said William Aydelott had been arguing with his mother for some period of time before stabbing her several times with kitchen knives and striking her with a baseball bat.
William Aydelott fled the scene and was located by deputies about three hours later at a nearby residence. Deputies surrounded the home, and he surrendered without incident.
Copper HVAC Tubing Stolen From Underneath Molino Community Complex
January 10, 2014
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the theft of all of the heating and cooling related copper tubing from underneath one side of the Molino Community Complex.
The theft was discovered by maintenance personnel Thursday. About $500-600 worth of HVAC copper tubing was cut out from under an entire wing of the building, according to Bill Pearson, Escambia County spokesman. He said it will cost up to an estimated $4,000 to make repairs.
About two-thirds of the building — the community center and library — were not impacted by the theft, while the yet to be opened museum area was left without heating or cooling by the theft.
When the old Molino school was remodeled into the community center, every precaution was taken to prevent HVAC thefts — or so the county thought. Outdoor HVAC units are surrounded by metal frames that are bolted down, and all of the units are fenced-in. But the county never anticipated that someone would attempt to remove copper from underneath the building’s crawlspace.
“It’s kind of ironic,” Pearson said. “We thought every precaution was taken to protect it.”
It appeared that the culprit or culprits entered the building’s crawlspace through very small ventilation openings in brickwork on the front of the building. Surveillance video is being reviewed for more suspect information, Pearson said.
Anyone with information about the theft is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
The Molino Community Complex opened in October 2012.
Pictured top: Thieves apparently accessed the crawlspace under the Molino Community Complex using small ventilation openings on the front (pictured left) and back (right) of the building. Pictured inset: A sign on an HVAC unit warns of an alarm system. Pictured below: The HVAC units at the county owned building were also protected by fencing and cages around each unit. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Atmore Man Dies In Single Vehicle Crash
January 10, 2014
Alabama State Troopers are continuing their investigation into a Wednesday afternoon wreck that claimed the life of an Atmore man.
According to troopers, 67-year old Billy Ray Willis ran off Escambia County Highway 10 about 3:47 p.m. Willis, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from his 1994 Dodge Caravan.
He was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, which was located on Highway 10 between Highway 21 and Butler Street.
Oil Spill Into Escambia River Near Century; Cleanup Underway
January 10, 2014
Over 100 gallons of crude oil was spilled into a creek that flows into the Escambia River Thursday morning from Quantum Resource Management’s processing facility near Jay.
According to the Florida Department of Environmental Management, up to 126 gallons of crude oil overflowed from a holding pit at the facility. The oil drained into a nearby creek that flows into the Escambia River near Century. The incident was reported to Santa Rosa County 911 just after 5:00 a.m. and reported to the DEP a short time later.
About 1:30 this afternoon, a NorthEscambia.com staff member reported the area around Fischer Landing in Century had a strong smell similar to diesel fuel and large “mats” of what appeared to be oil were floating downriver near the bank, away from the strong current in the middle of the river. Some of the mats were reported to be 10 by 20 feet in size or greater.
A cleanup crew, identifying themselves as being from SWS Environmental Services, was on the river with absorbent boom and other materials in their boats. Another pile of the absorbent boom was stockpiled onshore at the landing. None of the boom was deployed during a 20 minute period the NorthEscambia.com staffer was on scene.
A spokesperson for the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County said the oil spill posed no public health danger and there was no danger from fish caught in the river.
Josh Wannarka, director of investor relations for Quantum, released the following statement Thursday afternoon:
“At Quantum, protection of the environment is important to us. The recent unprecedented cold snap damaged some of our equipment at the Jay Plant, which led to a release of approximately 3 barrels of oil. The release was discovered around 3:30 this morning. Immediately upon discovery of this situation, we activated our response plan and responded with all available means to contain and recover this oil. The source of the release is now under control. Recovery efforts continue at this time in coordination with local and state agencies. We do not believe this situation presents a threat to the public or the environment.”
Several state and local agencies were still accessing the situation Thursday afternoon with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection overseeing the response.
““The company reported to state regulators that 126 gallons of oil was spilled, some of which has made its way into the Escambia River. Quantum has brought in several companies to remove the material from the waterway. Since the Escambia River’s waters impact Escambia County, we are keeping a close eye on the situation,” Escambia County Emergency Management Director John Dosh said. “Escambia County will continue to monitor the cleanup effort and coordinate with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in case the situation requires more action from Escambia County.”
More details will be posted as they become available.
Editor’s note: Three barrels of oil equals 126 gallons.
Pictured: A cleanup crew at Fischer Landing at Century Thursday afternoon as large areas of what appeared to be oil could be see floating down the river. NorthEscambia photos, click to enlarge.
Gulf Power Meets Record Demand Due Cold Snap
January 10, 2014
As arctic air gripped Northwest Florida for three days, Gulf Power employees bundled up and powered up to help keep customers warm despite unprecedented electricity demand.
With the completion of several transmission system improvements as part of the largest grid construction program in the company’s history, Gulf Power was able to reach a record-setting energy demand of 2,694 megawatts of power early Tuesday. That means that Gulf Power provided more electricity to serve its customers’ needs than ever before. This surpassed the company’s all-time peak demand of 2,634 megawatts set in August 2007.
“The investments we have made in our system are paying off and will help even more to serve our customers and embrace growth in the future,” said Jeff Rogers, Gulf Power manager of Corporate Communications. “Our goal is to maintain our reliability even during these periods of high demand, and our employees worked as safely and quickly as possible through the weather to serve our customers, who are at the center of everything we do.”
System improvements — from Smart Grid technology to new transmission lines and rebuilt substations — helped ensure the grid remained stable to support the increased demand for electric service. Demand on a typical winter’s day for Gulf Power customers would be about 1,800 MW. One megawatt equals one million watts — about as much electricity needed to power a Super Walmart.
As cold weather was forecast Gulf Power worked with its sister utilities in the Southern Company system to prepare for the increased need for electricity. Gulf Power employees pitched in extra hours to bolster equipment at the power plants. Line crews worked through the nights to restore power as the cold weather pushed equipment on the smaller lines to their limits under unprecedented electrical loads.
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Sheriff’s Office Plans ‘Clean Sweep’ In Cottage Hill
January 10, 2014
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has planned their first Clean Sweep of the year for next Thursday, January 16 in the Cottage Hill area.
The Clean Sweep will begin at the Cottage Hill Baptist Church at 230 Williams Ditch Road and concentrate on the area east of Highway 95A between McKenzie Road and Becks Lake Road.
The focus of “Operation Clean Sweep” is to work with Neighborhood Watch groups, residents, churches and business owners to control and prevent the damaging effects of criminal activity, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
NHS Boys And Girls Beat Rocky Bayou, Plan ‘White Out’ Tonight
January 10, 2014
The Northview High School Chiefs boys and girls defeated Rocky Bayou Thursday night.
BOYS
The NHS varsity boys downed Rocky Bayou 70-56.
Neino Robinson led the Chiefs with 34. Other scorers were: Tony Macroy 11, Nick Lambert 9, Cameron Newsome 9, Eric Williams 4, and Tydre Bradley 2.
GIRLS
The NHS varsity girls beat Rocky Bayou 47-31.
The Chiefs led 14-13 at the half. Leading scorers were E’Layzha Bates with 15 and Danielle Steadham with 12. Angel Lathan had 5 points, Lana Clayton had 5 points, DeAsia Fointain had 4 points and Jada Tucker, Mallarie Rigby and Keyth Grice all chipped in with 2 points each.
WHITE OUT
The Chiefs are planning a “white out” night Friday against Jay — everyone wearing a white shirt will save $1 on admission. In big district games Friday, the Chiefs will host Jay. JV girls at 3:30, JV boys at 4:45, varsity girls at 6:00 and varsity boys at 7:15.
Space Available For Beginning Spring Into Vegetable Gardening Classes
January 10, 2014
If you have ever considered planting a spring vegetable garden, now is the time register to attend a four-week series to learn how to get started. T
he workshop “Spring into Vegetable Gardening,” will be held Tuesday evenings from 6 – 7:30 p.m. starting January 14 until February 4. The cost is $30 per person or $45 per couple and includes numerous handouts.
Classes will be held at the Milton and Jay locations of UF/IFAS Extension Santa Rosa County. The Milton office is located at 6263 Dogwood Drive. The Jay office is located at 5259 Booker Lane. Register on online at: http://spring-into-vegetable-gardening-2014.eventbrite.com.
Topics for the workshop include:
- Jan. 14 – Homeowner Vegetable Garden Expectations: what to grow and seasonal information, site selection and improving soils
- Jan. 21 – Growing Tomatoes, Peppers, Squash and Cucumbers; Seeding and Transplanting Basics
- Jan. 28 – General garden Maintenance: watering, fertilizing, integrated pest management
- Feb. 4 – Harvesting, Troubleshooting Vegetable Garden Problems
For more information please contact Mary Derrick at (850) 623-3868 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays or via email at maryd@santarosa.fl.gov.
Century Seeks $400K To Capitalize On Polluted Sites
January 9, 2014
Century is applying for $400,000 in grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to help manage and further capitalize on the town’s Brownfields designation.
Brownfields are properties where expansion, redevelopment or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of environmental pollution.
In late 2005, the Century Town Council took advantage of a state provision allowing them to expand the Brownfields designation to the entire town as an economic development tool. The designation provides bonuses for job creation, loan guarantees, sales tax credits and other incentives for qualified businesses to locate in the town.
If awarded, the $400,000 EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant would provide funding to develop inventories of Brownfields, prioritize sites, conduct community involvement activities and to conduct site assessments and cleanup planning related to Brownfields sites.
Established in 1997, the Florida Brownfields Redevelopment Program utilizes economic and regulatory incentives to encourage the use of private revenue to restore and redevelop sites, create new jobs and boost the local economy. Partners in the Florida Brownfields Redevelopment Program include local governments, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Economic Opportunity and Enterprise Florida, Inc.
In Escambia County, one of the largest Brownfields areas is the entire town limits of Century.
The former Alger-Sullivan Company lumber mill site on Front Street was first listed as an individual Brownfields site, and the designation was later expanded to the entire town.
From about 1900 until the late 1960’s, Alger Sullivan operated their lumber mill on the site. Various companies, including Wayne Dalton Corporation, manufactured wooded doors at the facility from about 1971 until 1992. As part of the manufacturing process, the wooded doors were dipped in pentachlorophenol wood preservative; the contamination of the property was associated with a release from the dipping tank.
Cleanup of groundwater and soils was conducted and a conditional closure was issued by DEP in 2009, indicating no further remediation of the property was necessary as long as the registered engineering and land use controls were maintained.
Other companies have expressed interest in the property after cleanup, but none have opened in the facility; the realtor that represents the property owner said the there are no offers pending on the property.
Century is also an Enterprise Zone, providing qualifying businesses with various additional tax credits and incentives.
Pictured top: The former Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company Brownfield site in Century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.