2012 Was Warmest On Record Locally
January 5, 2013
Last year was the warmest on record in Pensacola, according to data released Friday by the National Weather Service.
The average temperature for 2012 in Pensacola was 70.7 degrees, which broke the record for the warmest year on record previously set in 1974 of 70.0 degrees. 2012 was 2.8 degrees above the normal temperature of 67.9 degrees.
The total rainfall in Pensacola for 2012 was 66.63 inches, which was just the 47th wettest on record. This was 1.36 inches above the normal annual rainfall of 65.27 inches. The wettest year on record occurred in 1953 when 92.37 inches was record.
Records date back to 1850 and normals are based upon the 1981 to 2010 period, according to the National Weather Service.
Weekend Gardening: What To Do With Those Holiday Plants
January 5, 2013
People often give and receive decorative plants during the holiday season. Many of these plants can last long past the holidays, but only if you care for them properly.
Use the following tips to keep Christmas cactus, poinsettia, amaryllis, kalanchoe, and cyclamen healthy and vibrant long after the holidays are over.
Light & Water Conditions
Keep your holiday plants in bright, indirect light, such as a sunny window. You can also put plants under incandescent or fluorescent lamps if a room is too dim.
Keep the room temperature cool. The ideal temperature ranges are 65º to 75ºF during the day and 50º to 60ºF at night.
Make sure the plants are watered enough to stay evenly moist, but do not overwater. Even Christmas cactuses need to be regularly watered since they are not true cactuses.
Flowering
Most plants are already flowering when you give or receive them. Eventually the flowers will fade and you should remove them.
You can prepare some plants for next season’s flowering. Remember that plants like poinsettia and Christmas cactus need to be kept away from artificial light at night to stimulate flowering, usually beginning around October.
Amaryllis
Since amaryllis is a bulb, it easily flowers if you force the bulb. After the last flower fades, remove the bloom stalk, but let the leaves continue to grow. Keep amaryllis under bright light and fertilize it regularly.
In late summer, the leaves will die and the bulb will go into a resting stage. Reduce the amount of water it receives and store the bulb in a cool, dry place for two to three months.
Begin watering again and the bulb should reflower in four to six weeks.
Poinsettia
Poinsettias are hard for home gardeners to force to reflower.
When the poinsettia begins to drop its leaves, this signals the start of its resting stage. At this time, only water the poinsettia often enough to keep the stems and roots from drying out.
In April, prune the stems to six inches high, resume a regular watering and fertilization schedule, and place it where it will receive bright light that is not direct.
Planting
Most holiday plants are cold-sensitive, so only people in the southern part of Florida can consider planting their holiday plants outdoors without too much worry. Residents in northern parts of Florida can try growing their plant outdoors, but will most likely need to pay attention to weather reports and have some way of protecting plants from the cold.
Select the plants that have remained healthy and lush, and plant them after the chance of frost is past.
Poinsettias
Plant your poinsettia in a sunny spot that will not receive artificial light at night. The soil should be well drained.
Cut off fading bracts, leaving four to six inches of stem on the branches. Mulch around the plant, and keep it well watered during establishment.
Fertilize monthly from May to September.
Prune regularly during the growing season to keep the poinsettia from looking “leggy.” Stop pruning in September and flower buds will form in October.
If the plant was damaged by cold, cut it back to 12 to 18 inches of the ground or to living tissue in the spring after the chance of frost is passed.
Tate High Softball Team Honored For Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
January 5, 2013
For the third consecutive year, the Tate High School softball team placed first in the school category for the 2012 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk.
The team, lead by head coach Melinda Wyatt, was recognized at the annual MSABC closing ceremony. The Tate softball team raised $4,674 for the cause and was also recognized as the top Bronze Strider team for raising the most in the $2500-$5000 category. Second place went to the West Florida High School softball team and third place to Washington High School football team.
Pictured: Tate High School softball team coach Melinda Wyatt, senior Amy Waters and senior Heather Thomason. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Moves Forward On 4-H Facility; Wants Explanation Of Plans For 4-H Funds
January 4, 2013
The Escambia County Commission voted Thursday night to move forward toward constructing a $1.5 million Escambia County 4-H Center, but commissioners made it clear they want some answers from the University of Florida IFAS on how they plan to use proceeds from the $3.6 million sale of the Langley Bell 4-H Center.
Earlier this year, the children and teens on the 4-H County Council voted to sell their 240 acre Langley Bell 4-H Center to Navy Federal Credit Union. Navy Federal paid $3.6 million for the property next to the credit union’s campus in Beulah. $2 million of the sale proceeds were placed in an endowment fund for 4-H, and $1.6 million was reserved for 4-H to use under the guidance of UF/IFAS for a property including livestock facilities.
The Escambia County Commission also agreed to construct the new 4-H Center on Stefani Road with $1.5 million in local option sales tax funds, which is totally unrelated to the $3.6 million sale proceeds.
Thursday night, the commission approved a $170,000 contract with Hernandez Calhoun Design International for architectural and engineering services for the new 4-H Center. Interim County Administrator George Touart made it clear that if the building came in over budget, the project was dead in the water without cost reductions.
Meanwhile, a 4-H Task Force is currently holding meetings to develop viable options that may be considered to meet the livestock, natural resources, and outdoor education needs of 4-H. The Task Force will present its findings to the UF/IFAS Dean of Extension, who will in turn use the information provided by the task force to make decisions for the 4-H program on how to use $1.6 million from the Navy Federal sale to construct or purchase another facility in addition to Stefani Road.
Jacob Gilmore, a 4-H supporter, unsuccessfully asked the commission to put off their decision for six months or after the UF/IFAS decision is made.
Commissioners said they expect UF/IFAS to spend the $1.6 million on a livestock facility.
“I would like us to one way or another get IFAS to give us their expectation of what they are going to be doing,” Commissioner Grover Robinson said Thursday night. “I think clearly I believe this board by its own actions and everything else fully expects there to be a livestock program in Escambia County, and fully expects things to be moving forward with all the programs IFAS provides. But in a sense we are kind of left out in the cold. We don’t really get to make these decisions, and I think IFAS should be telling us what is going on.”
“We have absolutely no intentions of cutting out any program,” Escambia County Extension Director Pam Allen told commissioners. “In fact, we are going to be adding more programs…Livestock is our grassroots background. We are not eliminating anything. We will find a way to meet every need we have in the 4-H program.”
“We said we want them to get some comparable land so they can feel satisfied,” Commissioner Wilson Robertson, who also serves on the 4-H Foundation board, said. “I think we ought to hear to hear from the 4-H. I think we ought to hear from those young men and women who voted to sell that property. They…need to be lobbying the Foundation and IFAS can’t overrule what the Foundation votes on. That money is ours to stay in this county.”
“I am going to be highly upset if that $1.6 million goes into this building at Stefani Road or goes to Gainesville, I tell you,” Robertson said, “because we promised them (the 4-H youth) otherwise.”
In approving the architectural and design contract Thursday night, the commission stipulated that the Stefani building is not to exceed $1.5 million from the county, and IFAS will provide a complete explanation of their plans for Escambia County 4-H.
Pictured top: The Langley Bell 4-H Center was sold to Navy Federal Credit Union for $3.6 million. Pictured below: A new 4-H Center will be constructed adjacent to the Escambia County Extension Office on Stefani Road. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Area Woman On People Magazine Cover, TV’s 20/20 After Losing 137 Pounds
January 4, 2013
A Santa Rosa County woman is on the cover of the latest edition of People magazine and was featured on ABC’s 20/20 Friday night because of her dramatic weight loss.
Ashley Donahoo, 27, was chosen for the cover of People’s 11th annual Half Their Size issue after losing 137 pounds since 2010.
“Eighteen months ago my son Zach gave me a hug and said, ‘Mom! I can reach my hands all around you.’ I started bawling because I never realized that he could never completely hug me,” the Pace resident told People.
People’s Half Their Size issue is on newsstands now. The ABC special 20/20 and People Half Their Size aired Friday night.
Meatless Mondays: Health Dept. Encourages Skipping Meat One Day
January 4, 2013
The Escambia County Health Department is advocating a program called “Meatless Monday” — encouraging residents to reduce the amount of meat in their diets.
The health department says eating less meat will improve personal health and the health of the planet. Supporting the international Meatless Monday movement, the Escambia County Health Department will provide information and resources about the benefits of eating more plant-based proteins and less meat.
“We’re not advocating complete avoidance of meat – that’s not realistic,” says Registered Dietitian and Community Health Education and Nutrition Director, Versilla Turner. “This campaign is about helping residents take small, manageable steps toward better health.”
The Escambia County Health Department will work with local restaurants, schools, and other establishments to promote eating less meat as a step toward a healthier diet. Weekly recipes, frequently asked questions, and an overview of why and how to eat less meat can be found on the campaign webpage on EscambiaHealth.com.
According to the Escambia County Health Department — Eating less meat can improve health, save money, and help sustain the environment. Excess meat consumption is linked to increased risks of obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some forms of cancer. Replacing some meat with plant-based proteins improves health by increasing the variety of vitamins and minerals consumed, as well as providing more fiber and less saturated fat. Individuals can easily meet protein needs and still feel full and satisfied by eating more plant-based proteins and less meat. Finally, eating less meat can also help sustain the planet by decreasing energy usage and dependence on fossil fuels.
Escambia Commission Honors State Champion Northview Chiefs
January 4, 2013
The Northview Chiefs were honored Thursday night by the Escambia County Commission.
The commission adopted a proclamation congratulating the players and coaches of the 2012 Northview High School Chiefs football team for winning the Florida Class 1A state football championship last month. (The complete proclamation is below, click to enlarge.)
“It’s been a tremendous season,” head coach Sid Wheatley said after receiving a standing ovation. “I’m so proud of what we were able to accomplish.”
Pictured top: Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry (right) reads a proclamation honoring the Northview Chiefs as NHS head coach Sid Wheatley (left) looks on Thursday night. Courtesy image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County High Principal Resigning
January 4, 2013
Escambia County High School Principal Zickeyous Byrd has announced he is leaving the Atmore school.
Byrd, who is in his third year at ECHS, will become the administrator of the Alabama Department of Education’s Office of Teaching and Leading. The office provides services related to teacher and educator recruitment in Alabama, testing, place, professi0nal development and the identification of highly qualified teachers based upon federal guidelines.
Byrd’s last day at Escambia County High School will be January 15; he will begin his job with the state on January 16.
Prior to taking the principal’s post at ECHS, Byrd served as principal of Escambia County Middle School. He was named ECMS principal in 2005, making him the youngest principal in Alabama at age 26.
He applied earlier this year for the Escambia County School System superintendent’s job, but was not selected.
Florida Revenue Beats Forecast
January 4, 2013
Florida general revenue tax collections in November were $10.3 million higher than expected, putting the year-to-date revenue collection estimate at $260.2 million above the earlier forecast, state officials said.
The amount is barely a blip, but shows a continuing improvement in the economy that’s slightly outpacing earlier rebound projections. Sales tax collections slightly outpaced the August estimate, though in a barely statistically significant way, according to the Legislature’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research.
The good news, however, was that sales tax collections in the building sector came in nearly 7 percent higher than earlier projected, and documentary stamp tax collections – which reflect real estate transactions – were also slightly higher than expected back in the summer.
Corporate income tax collections were also higher, but much of the difference there was due to audit assessments.
By The News Service of Florida
Transocean To Pay $1.4 Billion To Settle Deepwater Horizon Claims
January 4, 2013
Transocean Deepwater, Inc., will plead guilty and pay $1.4 billion in civil and criminal penalties for its role in causing the nation’s largest oil spill in 2010, the U.S. government said Thursday.
The Justice Department said in a statement that the company would plead guilty to violating the federal Clean Water Act, saying that it had filed the proposed settlement Thursday in U.S. District Court in Louisiana. The proposal is subject to court approval.
Transocean, the world’s largest offshore drilling contractor, confirmed the proposed settlement in its own release sent to investors from its headquarters in Switzerland. The company said that as part of the agreement, the Justice Department won’t pursue further action against it.
The company admitted wrongdoing and will pay $400 million in criminal fines, and continue to help in a federal criminal investigation, DOJ said. Also, Transocean Ocean Holdings LLC, Transocean Offshore Deepwater Drilling Inc., Transocean Deepwater Inc. and Triton Asset Leasing GMBH agreed to pay an additional $1 billion to resolve federal Clean Water Act civil penalty claims for the three-month-long spill at the Macondo Well and the Transocean drilling rig Deepwater Horizon.
The April, 2010 spill shut down the northern Gulf of Mexico and, in addition to biological damage, caused a massive slowdown in the fishing industry and tourism in Gulf economies, including along the Florida Panhandle. Eleven workers were killed and the spill was the largest in U.S. history. The spill also had an effect on oil drilling politics in Florida – effectively ending for the time discussions about opening more of the Gulf closer to Florida shores to new drilling.
The settlement also requires the company and its subsidiaries to put in place measures to improve safety and emergency response ability at all drilling rigs in U.S. waters.
“This resolution of criminal allegations and civil claims against Transocean brings us one significant step closer to justice for the human, environmental and economic devastation wrought by the Deepwater Horizon disaster,” U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said in the statement. “This agreement holds Transocean criminally accountable for its conduct and provides nearly a billion dollars in criminal and civil penalties for the benefit of the Gulf states. I am particularly grateful today to the many Justice Department personnel and federal investigative agency partners for the hard work that led to today’s resolution and their continuing pursuit of justice for the people of the Gulf.”
In agreeing to plead guilty, Transocean Deepwater Inc. admitted that members of its crew, at the direction of the British oil company BP, were negligent in failing to fully investigate indications the Macondo well wasn’t secure, the Justice Department said.
“These important agreements, which the company believes to be in the best interest of its shareholders and employees, remove much of the uncertainty associated with the accident,” Transocean said in its own statement. “This is a positive step forward, but it is also a time to reflect on the 11 men who lost their lives aboard the Deepwater Horizon. Their families continue to be in the thoughts and prayers of all of us at Transocean.”
Under the order that was filed in court, $150 million of the $400 million criminal recovery is dedicated to restoring and preserving marine and coastal environments in the affected states. Some of the money will be used for barrier island protection off the coast of Louisiana and research on oil spill prevention and response, but it’s not clear how the total will be split among the states. In addition to Louisiana and Florida, Mississippi and Alabama were also affected.
Transocean said it will make payments totaling $560 million in the coming year, and $460 million in 2014, followed by progressively smaller payments in the out years through 2017.
By The News Service of Florida