Tate High Mourns Loss Of Longtime Teacher Michael Varner
February 9, 2013
The Tate High School family is mourning the loss of a longtime teacher. Michael D. Varner, 59, passed away after a battle with brain cancer.
“Mr. Varner” was an exceptional teacher and received many accolades including Who’s Who Among Teachers, Florida Biology Teacher of the Year and Escambia County Teacher of the Year. A humble man, he would say he only wanted to help his students become the best they could be. He taught anatomy and physiology for 11 years, botany for 10 years, and biology for 35 years at Tate High, and was an adjunct professor at Pensacola State College for 10 years.
“Mr. Varner is a top-notch teacher and a dedicated public servant. He goes above and beyond the call of duty to serve his students, utilizing real-world techniques to teach them concepts beyond the classroom,” Congressman Jeff Miller said as he recognized Varner on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives as Escambia County Teacher of the Year. “He is a dedicated teacher, an inspiration to his students, and an honorable public servant.”
Additionally during his career, he coached soccer, sponsored Student Government, both the sophomore and senior classes, and Exchange Club. He also taught classes at the Florida Institute of Ultrasound. His teaching extended to church activities as well — teaching Sunday School and assisting with Youth Ministry for nearly 20 years. He was also involved with the Pensacola Civic Band and the Boy Scouts of America.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 33 years, Kathleen (Wogan) Varner; his sons, Jason (Kelly) of Orlando and Brian (Jessica); and numerous other relatives and thousands of colleagues, friends and former students who loved him.
Visitation will be held at Faith Chapel North Funeral Home on Monday, February 11 from 5-7 p.m. The memorial service, officiated by the Rev. Michael Schulenburg, will be on Saturday, February 16, 1 p.m. at Holy Cross Episcopal Church, 7979 North 9th Ave. in Pensacola. A private internment will take place at a later date.
For the complete obituary, click here.
Jay Man Flees After Century Motorcycle Crash
February 9, 2013
A Jay man was injured in a Friday night motorcycle wreck near Century.
A passerby spotted a wrecked motorcycle in a wooded area on Tedder Road near Elsie Davis Road about 6:45 Friday night. First responders determined the accident had occurred an unknown period of time prior to it being reported; the motorcycle engine was almost cold. Rescuers were unable to find anyone after a search of the wooded area.
The Florida Highway Patrol later determined the accident had occurred about 5:30 p.m. As 56-year old Thomas Hall approach a curve, he applied the brakes too quickly and locked up the rear tire on his 2007 Suzuki motorcycle and lost control. Hall then fled the scene of the crash, leaving the motorcycle behind, according to the FHP.
Hall was treated at Jay Hospital for minor injuries.
The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded to the crash.
Weekend Gardening: February Tips
February 9, 2013
Here are gardening tips for the month of February from the Santa Rosa Extension Service:
Flowers
- Re-fertilize cool season flowerbeds, using a liquid or granular form of fertilizer. Be careful not to apply excessive amounts and keep granules away from the base of stems.
- Prepare flowerbeds for spring planting by adding and incorporating soil amendments like mushroom compost, manure or homemade compost. Till or spade the bed to incorporate the amendments with the existing soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Allow the prepared bed to lie undisturbed for 3 to 4 weeks before planting. This provides time for some important biological activity to take place, and new plants are less likely to suffer from stem and root rots as a result. Have a soil test done. Sometimes lime is needed. However, a lime application should be made only if the need is revealed by the test.
- Replenish mulch in flowerbeds.
- Prune rose bushes.
Trees and Shrubs
- February is possible the best month for rejuvenation of old, overgrown shrubs. When pruned now, plants have an entire growing season to recover.
- Prune summer flowering deciduous shrubs such as Althea and Hibiscus. Since they flower on current season’s growth, flowering can actually be enhanced by proper pruning
- Do NOT prune the spring flowering shrubs yet. Azaleas, Spiraeas and Forsythia flower during early spring because buds were formed last summer and fall. Pruning in February would therefore remove most of the flower buds.
- Cold damaged trees and shrubs should NOT be pruned until new growth appears. You want to preserve as much healthy plant material as possible.
- Replenish mulch in shrub beds
- Finish planting ornamental and fruit trees.
Fruits and Nuts
- Fertilize established pecan trees. Use a “special pecan fertilizer” that contains zinc. Use 2 lbs. for every year of age of the tree up to a maximum of 55 lbs. Broadcast the fertilizer evenly beneath the tree.
- Fertilize established peach, plum, pear, persimmon, apple and fig. Apply about 1 ½ lbs of a 10-10-10 (or similar) fertilizer for each year of age of the tree until a maximum of 10 to 15 lbs. per tree is reached.
- Blueberries are very sensitive to nitrogen and can be killed easily, particularly when they are young. Fertilize only if your goal is to increase yield or berry size. An annual application of 2 ounces of a special “azalea/camellia” or “special blueberry” type fertilizer per plant in February is ample fertilizer on 2-year-old plants.
- Prune muscadine grapes between mid-February to mid-March. A standard method is to allow 2 to 4 node spurs spaced every 6 inches of cordon. You may notice that pruning cuts bleed, but there is no evidence that this is injurious to the vine.
- Grapes (bunch and muscadine) should be fertilized at the rate of 1 ½ lbs of 10-10-10 for each year of age with a maximum of 5 lbs per plant applied in late February.
- Last call for planting fruit trees! Most fruit trees such as pecans, plums, persimmons, figs, peaches and nectarines are shipped bare roots and should be planted during the dormant season.
- Apply a spray containing horticultural oils emulsion to dormant fruit trees and ornamental shrubs. Follow label directions carefully.
Vegetable Garden
- Several winter vegetables can still be successfully grown by starting them this month. Plant beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, Chinese cabbage, collards, endive/escarole, kale, kohlrabi, leek, lettuce, mustard, parsley, English peas, radish and turnips.
- Plant Irish potatoes. Purchase certified seed potatoes rather than using the grocery store kinds. Use 2-ounce seed pieces with eyes and plant them 3 to 4 inches deep.
- Prepare spring vegetable and herb beds for planting by adding and incorporating soil amendments like mushroom compost, manure or homemade compost. Wait 3 to 4 weeks before planting.
Lawns
- Hold off on fertilizing the lawn. It is still too early for an application of nitrogen containing product. Cold temperatures and lack of plant response would likely result in wasted fertilizer. However, your winter weeds would benefit greatly.
Northview, Jay Out Of District 2-1A Tourney
February 9, 2013
Both the Northview Chiefs and the Jay Royals saw their seasons come to an end Friday with losses in the District 2-1A Boys Basketball semifinal round in Jay.
Holmes County 77, Northview 63
Northview lost a hard fought battle with Holmes County, 77-63.
For Northview, it was a battle against the star of the Blue Devils team — 6-foot-10 Chris Walker, a University of Florida signee that has been ranked as the No. 10 overall prospect in the country. Robinson scored 42 on the night, just ahead of Northview junior guard Neino Robinson with 41 points.
The Blue Devils jumped out to a 18-8 lead at the end of one and held a 39-25 advantage at the half. By halftime, Robinson had scored 15 of the Chiefs’ 25 points. With about four minutes to go, a Chiefs free throw from Robinson tied it up 61-61, but Holmes County quickly recovered for the win.
Chipley 65, Jay 34
Also in Jay Friday night, Chipley took command early to beat the Jay Royals 65-34.
Bonifay and Chipley will play at 7 p.m. Saturday for the District 2-1A championship.
Pictured top and top inset: Northview lost to Holmes County Friday night in Jay. Pictured bottom inset: Jay was defeated by Chipley. Photos by WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Sheriffs Promise To Protect Second Amendment Rights
February 9, 2013
Amidst calls for stricter gun control laws, the Florida Sheriff’s Association is speaking out in favor of gun rights.
At their recent conference in Destin, the Florida Sheriff’s Association passed a resolution that promises to prevent any infringement on Second Amendment rights to bear arms.
“Florida Sheriffs have continually supported the rights guaranteed under the Constitution of the United States, including the right to bear arms, and Florida Sheriffs affirm they will not assist, support or condone any unconstitutional infringement of that right,” the proclamation states.
To read the entire proclamation from the Florida Sheriff’s Association, click here.
Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Hello Managed Long Term Care
February 9, 2013
Florida this week won approval to begin shifting low income, long-term care residents to managed-care plans amid broader questions about whether it will go along with the federal government in expanding Medicaid.
Federal approval this week of the long-term care changes brought Republican backers a step closer to the Holy Grail — a federal waiver allowing the state to shift virtually all Medicaid patients to HMOs or similar plans.
Meanwhile, lawmakers returned to preparation for a session that although not scheduled to begin for more than a month feels in full swing.
Pensions, foreclosures, and ethics reform were just some of the big issues already being tackled by lawmakers. While those issues, – along with the death penalty, search and seizure laws and juvenile justice, sparked lively debate, Gov. Rick Scott’s budget proposal got a yawn from many lawmakers, or polite acknowledgement, along with more than a little skepticism.
The only chillier response, perhaps, was a House committee’s icy reaction to a bill repealing the state’s death penalty, which was known to be dead on arrival but sparked lively debate before being shelved for at least the year.
Outside the capital, Progress Energy Florida announced it would shut down its nuclear reactor in Crystal River after a botch do-it-yourself repair project damaged critical portions of the 35-year-old plant. Environmentalists, meanwhile, filed a legal challenge to a deal giving a pair of south Florida sugar growers 30-year leases north of the Everglades
MEDICAID WAIVER APPROVED
The week started off well for Scott and Republican leaders who have been wrangling with federal health care officials over how the state delivers medical care to low income and nursing home residents.
Federal officials on Monday approved a key part of Florida’s effort to transform its Medicaid program by allowing Medicaid-eligible seniors who need long-term care to be enrolled later this year in HMOs and another type of health plan known as a “provider service network.”
The Republican-controlled Legislature approved wide-ranging bills in 2011 aimed at shifting to a statewide managed-care system in Medicaid. The plan was to make the changes in two phases — first for seniors who need long-term care and then for the broader Medicaid population.
Backers of a statewide system argue it would help hold down Medicaid costs and better coordinate services for beneficiaries. But critics have long argued that the shift will result in managed-care plans squeezing care to save money.
Such Medicaid proposals require approval by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services before they can take effect.
PENSIONS
Legislators on both sides of the Capitol continued a two-track debate on retirement benefits for public workers. The Senate has taken the lead on how to handle the funding of some local pensions, while the House is pushing ahead with a bill on the state retirement system — a key priority for House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel.
In the Senate, lawmakers are working toward a consensus on giving cities more flexibility in using revenues from insurance premium taxes to fund police and firefighter pensions. But the effort is running into resistance from cities, which want to repeal any restrictions on which benefits they can pay with the tax revenue, in keeping with a new interpretation of the state law governing the funding of pensions following a dispute in Naples.
Lawmakers have signaled hesitance about that approach.
Anger on the part of employees and Democrats is more pronounced on the House bill dealing with state pensions. That bill would require workers hired on or after Jan. 1 to enroll in a 401(k)-style “defined contribution” plan instead of a traditional, “defined benefit” pension.
Supporters say moving now will allow them to avoid cutting current employees’ benefits. But opponents blasted Republicans for moving forward with the bill before a study on the effects of the proposal was complete.
SCOTT’S BUDGET MAKES THE ROUNDS
Gov. Scott’s $74.2 billion spending plan made the rounds this week and one of the centerpieces of the proposal, a $2,500 across-the-board raise for Florida public school teachers, was met with polite skepticism.
“The governor’s proposal seems to treat different employees differently, and we have some consternation about that as it relates to teachers being treated differently than corrections officers being treated differently than other state employees,” said House budget chairman Rep. Seth McKeel R-Lakeland.
Other aspects of Scott’s proposal, including sales tax cuts for manufacturers, appeared to fall on more receptive ears, but budget builders were careful not to commit too strongly to much.
FORECLOSURE BILL MOVES
The House this week took another crack at speeding up the foreclosure process, a controversial topic in a state that leads the nation in the percentage of homeowners facing losing their homes.
Sponsored by Rep. Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, the bill (HB 87) aims to shorten the time period involved in a foreclosure proceeding and relax restrictions on who can request an expedited procedure and the standards for what can be filed.
Passidomo said the bill would help remedy a problem that extends far beyond the state and of which the state has limited authority: the relationship between lenders and those who borrow from them.
The bill would reduce from five years to one the length of time a lender could pursue a claim after a foreclosure action and require lenders to provide more. The bankers are concerned about that.
Homeowner advocates, meanwhile, are skeptical of changes making it easier for a judge to forgo further proceedings if the paperwork is in order.
ETHICS/ELECTION BILLS INTRODUCED, ADVANCE
Lawmakers dealt with both election and ethics issues this week as they debated measures to expand early voting , more accurately track contributions and more aggressively investigate suspected unethical behavior.
A Senate ethics bill passed the Senate Community Affairs Committee on Wednesday, apparently queued up for quick action when lawmakers return in March. The measure (SB 2) would limit the jobs elected officials could take with state agencies, give the Ethics Commission more power to collect fines and strengthen conflict-of-interest laws.
The committee approved an amendment that would bar elected officials from taking a job with a government agency if the official knows he or she is getting the job because of their elected position.
On the finance front, the House Ethics and Elections Subcommittee heard testimony on a bill (HB 569) that would prevent committees of continuous existence, or CCEs, from accepting contributions after Aug. 1.
The bill, which is expected to come up for a vote in the committee on Monday, also raises individual contribution limits from $500 to $10,000. House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, has made getting rid of CCEs one of his main goals on ethics reform.
Early voting issues also came up with a bill (SB 80) by Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, to add more early voting days discussed in the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee. The bill is among a handful of measures in response to long voting lines in the November election.
COURT ACTIONS PENDING
Legal challenges to a recently penned Everglades agreement and a proposed utility rate hike were filed this week.
Environmentalists called on a state administrative law judge to rescind a pair of 30-year leases awarded to Florida Crystals and A. Duda and Sons on about 14,000 acres in the Everglades Agricultural Area.
The Florida Wildlife Federation filed the challenge with the Division of Administrative Hearings, saying the long-term leases will further degrade water quality in the River of Grass.
Meanwhile, Florida’s utility consumer watchdog filed a challenge with the Florida Supreme Court, arguing that a recently approved $350 million rate hike requested by Florida Power & Light is invalid.
The dispute focuses on a settlement that FPL reached in August with groups of major power users. That settlement, which did not include the Office of Public Counsel, served as the basis for the rate hike approved by regulators in December.
The Office of Public Counsel contends that such a settlement cannot move forward without its agreement.
OTHER BILLS TRAVELING
Bills dealing with texting while driving and the use of aerial drones by law enforcement also made headway this week.
The Senate Transportation Committee amended a texting ban bill (SB 52) by Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice, to allow texting while a driver is stopped at a red light or stuck in traffic. This is the fourth year Detert has sponsored a texting ban.
Bills barring the use of aerial drones by the police seemed to be on autopilot this week, with a House plan flying through its first committee without debate. The bill (HB 119) would prevent law enforcement officials from using drones without a warrant.
The measure, similar to SB 92 in the Senate – which is also moving quickly – is opposed by police and sheriffs, who say they want to make sure there are carve-outs for circumstances under which they would still be able to use drones.
STORY OF THE WEEK: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services approves a waiver allowing Florida to place Medicaid beneficiaries needing long-term care into managed care plans.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “This bill’s been around nearly as long as I’ve been alive.” Rep. Matt Caldwell, R-Lehigh Acres, who is 31, talking about the annual fight between optometrists and ophthalmologists about the things each profession is allowed to do.
By The News Service of Florida
Extension Service To Offer Beekeeping Course
February 9, 2013
Escambia County Extension will be hosting a four-week beekeeping in the Panhandle interactive video course. Classes will be held on Monday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Escambia County Extension office, 3740 Stefani Road in Cantonment, starting February 18. The cost of the course is $25 per person or $40 for a family which covers course materials and refreshments.
The couse schedule is as follows:
- February 18 — Queen and Package Bee Production
- February 25 — Nutrition/Immunity in Honey Bees
- March 4 — Integrated Pest Management for Disease/Pest Control
- March 11 — History and Theory of Honey Production
For more information or to register, contact Libbie Johnson at (850) 475-5230 or libbiej@ufl.edu. .
Pine Forest Softball Drops Home Opener
February 8, 2013
The Pine Forest varsity softball team couldn’t get its bats going and struggled defensively Thursday night when the Lady Eagles lost their home opener, 14-1, to Choctawhatchee in five innings.
Junior right-hander Janessa Landas struck out three and allowed only one walk, but Choctaw’s bats were hot. The Indians connected for 15 hits, including nine for extra bases, and scored in every inning but the third. Pine Forest’s defense let Landas down, committing four errors that led to six runs.
Sophomore Rebecca Rudd went 2-for-2 with a walk and a run for Pine Forest (1-1) and is hitting .600 for the season. Landas went 1-for-2 with a walk, senior Kellie Payne had a single and junior Alexis Gardner singled and drove in the Eagles’ only run.
Pine Forest is off until Tuesday, when they play host to Gulf Breeze at 6:30 p.m.
The Lady Eagles’ junior varsity improved to 2-0 as they beat Choctaw 9-1. Sophomore Brooke Lauter pitched a complete game for the victory.
Escambia Upset Pensacola May Not Turn Over Money From Gas Tax Hike
February 8, 2013
Late last year, the Escambia County Commission approved a four cent gas tax increase in 2014 to fund ECAT public transportation. The Town of Century balked, and now it appears the City of Pensacola may not play along.
The City of Pensacola has yet to agree forward the additional four cents collected within the city to the county for ECAT. Pensacola may instead use the funds as incentives for Project Stallion, an aerospace company with 500 jobs that is considering a location at the Pensacola International Airport. Pensacola is expected to collected over $700,000 annually from the gas tax.
Thursday morning, Escambia commissioners spoke out against the plan because the gas tax was intended for public transportation.
“It was well understood that the gas tax became the earmarked funding source for mass transit,” Commissioner Gene Valentino said. “This approach is not balanced or fair, and is a last minute move the (Pensacola) administrator made us aware of.”
Valentino said Pensacola needs to head “back to the drawing board” an find another way to finance their portion of a bond issue for Project Stallion. Escambia County does, Valentino added, remain 100 percent committed to the new company.
“The county was expecting the city to agree to reduce the mill rate with this gas tax pledged to mass transit. At the Committee of the Whole meeting on February 14th, the BCC will discuss and decide how we collectively will agree to fund Project Stallion, but it’s only fair that the city find a way to do what they financially committed to, without taking from the gas tax revenue dedicated completely to mass transit,” he said.
The Town of Century has also refused to agree to remit their portion of the tax to the county, claiming it would potentially force the three gas stations in Century to close as drivers cross the state line and purchase cheaper gas in Flomaton.
Century asked the Escambia County State Legislative Delegation to support a bill exempting Century from the tax, but that idea failed because Florida law won’t allow the exemption. Century is now considered a push for a constitutional amendment to nix the tax in Century.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Cheerleaders Take Second Best In The State
February 8, 2013
The Tate High School Varsity Cheerleaders took second best in the state during the recent FHSAA State Cheerleading Competition in Kissimmee.
After competing in the preliminary round against 14 teams, Tate advanced to final four before taking the title of state runner-up. This was highest finish in the five years of competing at the FHSAA state compeition. The team trained for the event since tryouts in April 2012and began working on the competition routine in September.
The Tate Varsity Cheerleaders are coached by Andrea Howey, who has been coaching the varsity program since 2009. Members of the varsity team are: Sarah Al-Qahtani, Sarah Baxter, Lauren Chavers, Kaylee Coots, Katie Cutting, Brooke Fowler, Ashley Gozalka, Corissa Hammer, DeAnna Jernigan, Kirstyn Johnson, Jordan McGowan, Lauren McKinnon, Shelby Miller, Maranda Milstead, Alie Phillips and Brooke Vincent.
Pictured: The Tate High School Varsity cheerleaders. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
