ARC Gateway Seeks Mardi Gras Bead Donations
February 17, 2013
Now that the Mardi Gras parades have passed, ARC Gateway is looking for donations of beads – as well as organizations to volunteer as collection sites. At ARC Gateway’s Pollak Industries, adults with developmental disabilities sort and package donated beads for resale to Mardi Gras krewes and other organizations.
The program not only allows them the opportunity to earn their own money while gaining valuable vocational training, it also supports local recycling efforts and helps generates revenue for additional services at ARC Gateway.
Collection boxes can be found in the following locations:
Pensacola
ARC Gateway Admin – 3932 North 10th Avenue
ARC Gateway Nursery – 1112 East Fairfield Drive
Becky’s Eatery – 5 Interbay Parkway
Barne’s – 1301 North 9th Avenue
Beach Community Bank branches – 9 Mile at Palafox, 4465 Bayou Blvd and 33 W. Garden St.
City Grocery – 2050 North 12th Avenue
Everman’s Foods – 315 West Garden Street
Food World – 4320 Lillian Highway
Pearl Nelson Center – 3911 North 10th Avenue
Pollak Industries – 2313 Truman Avenue
Pollak Training Center – 1000 East Fairfiled Drive
Publix – 2180 West 9 Mile Road
Publix – 9251 University Parkway
Seville Quarter – 130 North Government Street
Stein Mart – 1660 Airport Boulevard
Winn Dixie – 4751 Bayou Boulevard
Winn Dixie – 5975 Mobile Highway
Gulf Breeze
Beach Community Bank – Northcliff and Highway 98
Dani Demure – 913 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Harbourtown #31
Higher Learning: Firefighters Train In McDavid With Tower Truck
February 17, 2013
Twenty volunteers are currently in the midst of a 160-hour Firefighters I class for Escambia Fire Rescue that is being conducted at the McDavid fire station. Saturday, the crew from Tower 7, stationed at Ferry Pass, demonstrated the 105-foot tower truck’s capabilities in McDavid. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Details Released: Local, Federal Agents Raid Cantonment Meth Lab
February 16, 2013
Three people were arrested when federal and local law enforcement raided an alleged meth lab in Cantonment Thursday.
Nikki L. Kight, 45, Joseph David Peterson, 33, and Sylvia Marie Rutherford, 34, all of the 400 block of Well Line Road, were booked into the Escambia County Jail Thursday afternoon. Each suspect was charged with producing methamphetamine, trafficking pseudoephedrine, possession of a listed chemical with the intent to manufacture a controlled substance, possession of a listed chemical with the intent to manufacture a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
All three remained in the Escambia County Jail Saturday morning. Bond for Kight was set at$61,000. Peterson’s bond was at $26,000, while Rutherford was held on a $28,500 bond.
On Thursday, two federal probation officers performed a probation check on Kight at her residence at 445 Lakeview Drive. When the probation officers, along with an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics investigator and a DEA agent entered the residence, they found Kight, Peterson and Rutherford in the residence, along with Kight’s teenage children.
During a check of the residence, the federal probation officers observed what appeared to be several burned marijuana cigarettes in the ashtrays of the residence and smelled what they believed to be burned marijuana. Kight told the officers that she thought “someone” had been smoking it in the residence and she believed “Spice” was in the home.
Outside the residence, officers located a bag containing salt and drain cleaner on a makeshift shelf behind a pile of yard debris, along with a plastic soda bottle with a hose containing a white substance — items commonly used in a meth lab.
Upon searching the residence and property, investigators found dozens of items of drug paraphernalia typical associated with the manufacture of methamphetamine, including large quantities of pseudoephedrine. They also reported finding “paperwork” associated with the operation.
Deputies said additional arrests and charges may be forthcoming as a result of the raid.
Kight is expected to face federal violation of probation charges. She, according to federal court records, is currently on five years probation for conspiring to defraud the government. She was convicted last year in a scheme in which she and other defendants would use the names of social security numbers of Florida prison inmates to file fraudulent tax returns in order to obtain refunds. The scheme netted about $1 million, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Ernest Ward Holds Valentine’s Dance, Names Court (With Photo Gallery)
February 16, 2013
Ernest Ward Middle School held its annual Valentine’s Dance Friday night, naming a queen and her court based upon student votes.
Eighth grader Morgan Myrick was named queen, and Jacob Weaver was named king. From the seventh grade, Anna Nelson was named maiden, and Logan Calloway was named knight. Sixth grade maiden was Shelby Bashore and sixth grade knight was Brandon Santos.
For a photo gallery with the complete court, click here.
Other sixth grade court members were: Ashtyn Carnley, Catherine Casey, Nikoal Creamer, Madison Sherouse, Zachary Hilton, Tanner Levins, Cameron Long and Noah Moore. Seventh grade members included: Abby Hammond, Celeste North, Olivia Reber, Tori Smith, Korbin Bryan, Eli Deese, Triston Long and Trevor Singleton. Additional eighth grade court members were: Autumn Albritton, Peighton Dortch, Lenora Hall, Daysha Kite, Dustin Bethea, Dillon Clary, Desmone Knight and Luke Ward.
Pictured top: Ernest Ward Middle School Valentine’s Court sixth grade Knight Brandon Santos and Maiden Shelby Bashore, Queen Morgan Myrick and King Jacob Weaver, seventh grade Maiden Anna Nelson and Knight Logan Calloway. Pictured below: Queen Morgan Myrick and King Jacob Weaver. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Former Cop Found Not Guilty Of Battery
February 16, 2013
A Pensacola Police officer has been found not guilty of battery.
Officer Christopher Geraci was fired last year after the department said a routine review of his patrol vehicle’s camera revealed he used unnecessary force in making a recent arrest. He was also charged with battery.
The incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. August 2 when Geraci responded to a hit and run crash at D and Cervantes streets. The driver – identified as Abbi Bonds, 29, of Pensacola – was found with the car in the 1100 block of North C Street. The car had heavy front end damage and was disabled.
The Pensacola Police Department said a verbal exchange followed between Geraci and Bonds, Geraci approached Bonds and grabbed her by her left arm. He then forcibly slung her into the side of the car, then grabbed the back of her head and forced it into the top of the vehicle while placing her in handcuffs, police said.
But a jury this week cleared Geraci of the battery charge. He pleaded no contest to leaving the scene of an accident.
Escambia Man Gets 25 Years For Burglary, Choking Police Dog
February 16, 2013
An Escambia County man is headed to state prison on burglary related charges.
Marcus Lawaun Bryant was sentenced by Judge Gary Bergosh to 25 years in state prison with a minimum mandatory sentence of three years. Bryant plead straight up to the court to burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, burglary of an occupied dwelling, attempted burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, burglary of an unoccupied structure, dealing in stolen property, grand theft, petit theft, possession of firearm by a convicted felon, resisting officer without violence, criminal mischief, and battery upon a police dog.
On April 15, 2012, Victim Jill Jones called the Pensacola Police Department to report that her home had been burglarized and she saw Defendant Bryant in possession of her bicycle a short distance from her home. Officer David Rogers and his police dog, Darek, arrived at the scene, they saw Defendant Bryant on the bicycle, but when he attempted to flee the area, Bryant wrecked the bicycle. At that time, Officer Rogers and K-9 Darek struggled with Defendant Bryant and Bryant grabbed K-9 Darek by the neck and tried to choke him.
Bryant was taken into custody and charged with burglary, theft, causing harm to a police animal and resisting an officer. He had other outstanding warrants for burglaries, grand theft, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and dealing in stolen property. He had taken over $30,000 worth of jewelry from several homes in the area. He pawned many of the items to various pawn shops in Pensacola.
EREC Sends Area Juniors On Tallahassee Youth Tour
February 16, 2013
Ten area high school juniors were guests of Escambia River Electric Cooperative last week in Tallahassee as they learned more about their state legislature and electric cooperatives.
Participants were Garrett Peirce from Central High School; Kayne Caraway, Kayla Flowers, Dakota Mack, Chassity McCranie, Tate Upton and Dylan Wolfe from Jay High School; and Taylor Brook, Shelena Dukes and Victoria Wright from Northview High School.
While in Tallahassee, the students met with nearly 120 other high school juniors from electric cooperatives throughout the state of Florida. EREC delegates enjoyed visiting the Challenger Museum and viewing the IMAX movie, Space Junk (3D). The group took part in a mock session in the Florida Supreme Court and participated in a mock session in the House chambers where various members of the Legislature addressed the group.
The Youth Tour program provided students an opportunity to learn more about their state government and electric cooperatives and also gives them a chance to interact
with other students from co-ops throughout the state.
“It was a great educational experience and a lot of fun for the entire group,” according to Sabrina Owens, EREC’s marketing director.
EREC Youth Tour delegates with Representative Clay Ingram. (L-R) Garrett Peirce, Dylan Wolfe, Chassity McCranie, Victoria Wright, Dakota Mack, Representative Clay Ingram, Tate Upton, Kayla Flowers, Kayne Caraway, Taylor Brook and Shelena Dukes. Pictured inset: Tate Upton enjoys the batting cage at Tallahassee’s Fun Station. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge. Pictured below: The group with Sen. Greg Evers. Pictured bottom: Taylor Brook, Victoria Wright, and Shelena Dukes look for clues to the scavenger hunt in the Challenger Learning Center.
Firefighters: Retirement Of Florida Public Employees In Jeopardy
February 16, 2013
A proposal to change the retirement benefits of public employees, such as teachers and firefighters, is gaining momentum in the Florida House of Representatives.
House Bill 7011 would force all public employees hired by agencies participating in the Florida retirement system after next January into a 401(k)-style plan, instead of the current pension plan.
Gary Rainey, president of Florida Professional Firefighters, says lawmakers are pushing this through without understanding all the consequences.
“Frankly, I don’t think they really care, for the most part,” he said. “The fact that nine Republicans on the committee would vote to do this without having the first numbers saying this is going to cost an exorbitant amount of money, or it’s going to save us money.”
Other states, including New Hampshire and Nevada, considered a similar plan recently, Rainey said, but abandoned it after they realized it would cost the state more instead of saving money. Part of the problem, he said, is that phasing out the pension plan also would reduce the money being paid into the plan for existing workers, and force the state and local municipalities to foot the bill.
Closing the current pension plan would also end benefits such as life insurance or death benefits if employees are hurt or killed in the line of duty. Rainey said death benefits of a newly hired firefighter killed in the line of duty under the 401(k) plan could offer his or her family less than $1,000.
“Not providing any type of disability or death benefit or survivor benefits for families is unconscionable by anyone who is proposing to do this,” he said.
According to the Florida Retirement Security Coalition, no tax increase is needed to fund the current system, which is 86 percent funded. If lawmakers move to the 401(k) plan, the coalition said, tax increases may be necessary.
Opponents of the current pension plan insist that it places a demand on the state budget.
By Stephanie Carroll Carson, Public News Service – FL
Weekend Gardening: Best Time to Prune is Now
February 16, 2013
Now until buds break is the best time to prune, according to the UF/IF Extension Service.
Why Prune?
- Control plant size or form
- Remove damage (mechanical, disease, etc.)
- Prevent potential damage (overlapping branches, poor crotch angles, diseases, etc.
- Stimulate new growth (rejuvenate old plants, fill bare areas, increase flowering, etc.)
When to prune:
- Corrective pruning due to injury or dead tissue should be done as soon as evident.
- Avoid pruning from August 15 until plants are dormant.
- Most pruning should be done during the dormant season or immediately after flowering.
Rules of thumb – The “May Rule”:
- May defined if the plant blooms before May 1, prune immediately after flowering has ended (flowers produced on old wood or last year’s growth: Azaleas, Forsythia, etc.)
- If the plant blooms after May 1, prune during the dormant season (flowers produced on new growth: Crape Myrtles, Lilac Chaste tree, etc.).
- As with any rule there are exceptions: Oak leaf Hydrangea.
General rules of Pruning:Eddie Hand Pruners
- Local in affect (usually within 6” of cut).
- Cuts should be made ¼” above a bud or to a crotch (Lateral branch).
- Cuts should be made at angles.
Pruning Equipment: (Make sure blades are sharp)
- Hand Snips (for small branches)
- Loppers (branches > 0.75” in diameter)
- Pruning Saw (limbs > 1.5” in diameter)
- Shears (for a more formal look)
- Pruning Knife (for clean-up)
Safe Pruning Principles:
- Keep equipment clean and in good repair.
- Appropriate, properly fitted safety equipment for job (eye and ear protection, no loose fitting clothes, etc.)
- Keep equipment within your control zone. Don’t over extend, know the limitations of your equipment and yourself.
- Know your surroundings (overhead utilities, other workers, etc.).
- Be able to identify Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, and other skin irritants.
Quick Tips to Remember:
- Pruning: Remove dead wood and seed pods annually during the dormant season.
- Size control should be done by cultivar selection, not by pruning.
- To promote a second set of flowers, prune away faded or spent flowers throughout the season.
Plea Deal In Gulf Oil Spill Approved
February 16, 2013
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation said it will manage the distribution of $150 million in settlement funds from Transocean Deepwater, Inc. for environmental restoration following a judge’s acceptance of a plea agreement.
The money comes from a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice to resolve certain criminal charges against Transocean as a result of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
The Transocean funds will be paid over a two-year period.
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation also will administer nearly $2.4 billion from a recently approved plea agreement between BP and the Justice Department. BP will pay those funds over a five-year period.
Funds from both settlements will be used for natural resource restoration projects in the five Gulf States, including Florida. Louisiana will get half, with Florida and the other three states splitting the rest.
By The News Service of Florida