Seven Horses Seized, One Man Charged With Animal Cruelty
September 3, 2012
An Escambia County man is facing multiple animal cruelty charges after seven horses were seized by authorities.
The horses were seized by Escambia County Animal Control and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in Bellview last month due to poor conditions, part of an animal abuse case that dates back to 2005.
Samuel Calvin Reuben, 78, was issued a criminal summons for two counts each of unlawful confinement or abandonment of animals and tormenting or depriving animals, according to Escambia County Clerk of the Court records. He is due to make his first court appearance on Thursday.
In 2005, animals on Reuben’s property, including horses, cows and goats, had to be removed and relocated until the property dried out and dangerous debris was removed, according to Diane Lowery, president of Panhandle Equine Rescue, a Cantonment non-profit group that serves as the court system’s equine cruelty investigative arm.
“After a couple of years, the horses were brought back to the property, only to have the conditions deteriorate once again. Finally, all of the horses were seized and taken to a safe and dry location. This time, it was worse than before,” Lowery said.
“They were very thin and standing in deep manure and muck. With all the rain we had, the property was flooded once again and four mares struggled through the mud not being able to find a dry spot,” she said.
The seized horses are now in the custody of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office awaiting a decision by the court.
Pictured: Seven horses were seized by Escambia County Animal Control and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office due to poor living conditions and malnourishment. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jeff Miller: Americans Struggle In Faltering Economy
September 3, 2012
Across the country, ordinary Americans are struggling to get by in an economy that continues to falter. Last week, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released a report which found that our economy grew by an unacceptable 1.7 percent in the second quarter of this year. Nearly thirteen million Americans are unemployed and looking for work, more than eight million Americans have been forced to take part-time work because they could not find full employment, and, in the last year alone, over two and a half million Americans have given up the job search altogether.
According to economists, growth at or below two percent is not enough to lower the unemployment rate. Rather than face these facts and exhibit the leadership necessary to jumpstart our economy, the Administration continues to act like their economic recovery has been a success. In reality, however, the Administration’s catastrophic economic policies have led to the weakest economic recovery that our nation has seen post World War II. The President had a chance to lead when our economy most needed it, and he failed.
With the American people set to weigh in this November, the Administration has resorted to simple distortions and untruths. Recently, an Obama campaign official went on a morning cable show and told the public that the Obama recovery has created more jobs than the Reagan recovery following the 1981-82 recession. But, unfortunately for the Administration, the facts just don’t add up. In the three years since the recession officially ended in June 2009, 3.4 million jobs have been created. During the first three years of the Reagan recovery 9.1 million jobs were created. In fact, employment under the Regan recovery rose by 13 percent in those first three years, compared to just 3 percent during the Obama recovery.
Just as troubling as tepid economic growth and low job creation, is the fact that median household income has continued to fall. In fact, household income has actually decreased more during the Obama recovery than during the recession itself. In the 18 month recession from December 2007 to June 2009, median household income in the United States fell from $54,916 to $53,508. But, during the three years since the recession ended, median household income has dropped to $50,964. An economic recovery that produces a five percent decrease in household income can hardly be called a recovery. In fact, just about the only thing that has gone up during the so called recovery is the rate of poverty. Official poverty statistics from 2011 have not yet been released; however, statistics from 2010 indicated that more than 46 million Americans were living in poverty, the highest number recorded since the Census Bureau began monitoring poverty more than 50 years ago.
Under this Administration, our economic recovery has been a resounding failure and the reason for this failure is quite simple: a lack of leadership and an unwillingness to put other issues aside and deal with the most pressing issue on the table. Rather than focus his efforts on supporting the free market and growing the economy, the President decided to push for a reckless and unpopular government takeover of health care that the American people did not ask for, while simultaneously increasing the number of federal regulations which made it more difficult for businesses to expand and hire new workers. This abdication of responsibility has lead to uncertainty and slow economic growth and it is dividing our country.
Unlike the Administration, House Republicans have a plan to cut government red tape, lower taxes, and create the kind of environment that allows the free market to work. We have passed 32 jobs bills that are currently stalled in the Senate. These bills would empower small business owners, reduce the tax burden, increase competitiveness, maximize domestic energy production, and pay down our unsustainable debt. This is the kind of leadership that our country needs to get government out of the way and allow the American spirit of innovation, ingenuity and entrepreneurship to drive a true economic recovery and put our economy back on track.
Work Continues On Molino Highway 97 To Highway 29 Turn Lane
September 3, 2012
Work is expected to be completed this month to add a new turn lane at the intersection of Highway 97 and Highway 29 in Molino.
Anderson Columbia is constructing a right turn lane from southbound Highway 97 to southbound Highway 29. Drivers can continue to expect delays, intermittent lane shifts and closures, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. However, no lane closures will be permitted between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Pictured: A turn lane from Highway 97 to Highway 29 in Molino is expected to be completed this month. Work on the project ceased for the Labor Day weekend. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
United Way Gulf Coast Disaster Fund Activited To Assist After Isaac
September 3, 2012
In response to the impact of Hurricane Isaac, United Ways of the Gulf Coast have activated the United Way Gulf Coast Disaster Fund.
The United Ways of the Gulf Coast recognized the need for a collaborative effort to address community needs in the wake of disasters that affect our greater region. United Way is committed to providing assistance to Gulf Coast communities in the present and in the long term. Responding to and recovering from disasters reinforces the United Way goals in education, income and health.
Funds will be allocated to groups that have a long-term vested interest in the affected communities and that will be addressing the human (economic, cultural, psychological, emotional) consequences of this disaster. In the short term, the fund will support organizations responding to immediate needs. In the long-term, the fund will assist in building resilient coastal communities along the entire Gulf Coast, as well as build upon Gulf Coast United Ways’ successes in long term recovery in alignment with the 2018 goals in the areas of Education, Income and Health. Gifts to the fund are tax deductible.
The United Way Gulf Coast Fund was established at the request of United Way of the Gulf Coast and their community partners to meet the health and human service needs of individuals and households impacted by the 2010 BP oil spill.
Visit www.unitedwaygulfcoast.org to find out how to make a financial donation to the fund, donate goods large or small, or volunteer time.
Week One: Prep Football District Standings
September 3, 2012
There are winners and losers after week one of high school football in Florida, but none of the area teams opened their regular season with a district game.
In the Rural District 1-1A, three teams picked up non-district wins, while Freeport recorded a loss to Fort Walton. In District 1-6A, Escambia, Milton and Washington added one to the loss column. Tate, Pine Forest and Pensacola all had their season openers canceled due to Hurricane Isaac’s impact on competing teams. In District 1-5A, Arnold and Rutherford both had losses.
Here’s a look at last week’s results and this Friday night’s schedule:
Smokies Topple Pensacola Wahoos 7-3 In 15 Innings
September 3, 2012
Tennessee shortstop Junior Lake blasted a three-run homer as part of a four run fifteenth inning and drove home a total of four runs as the Smokies defeated the Pensacola Blue Wahoos 7-3 on Sunday afternoon in the longest game in the short history of Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
The victory pushed the Smokies to a 36-33 record in the second half of the year, while the defeated dropped Pensacola to an even 34-34 mark since the league’s midpoint of the season. The game set team records for duration by innings played (15) and game time (4:48). The two clubs also combined for 25 hits and 27 runners left on base.
During the contest, the Cincinnati Reds announced they expect to promote Blue Wahoos LHP Tony Cingrani to the Major Leagues on Tuesday. Cingrani, who is expected to be promoted along with former RHP Pedro Villarreal on that day, would become the sixth Blue Wahoos alum to be promoted to the Big Leagues this year.
After both clubs were held scoreless through the first five extra frames, Tennessee power ahead with their big four-run frame. 2B Logan Watkins began the rally with a single and then took second on a sacrifice bunt, while 1B Justin Bour was intentionally walked to bring up Lake, who drove the 2-0 pitch over the left field wall to push the Smokies ahead 6-3. Tennessee added another insurance run in the frame after CF Rubi Silva tripled and was brought home on an RBI groundout.
Entering the seventh down 3-1, the Blue Wahoos forced extra innings by plating two tallies in the bottom of the frame. RF Josh Fellhauer singled before CF Bryson Smith sent Fellhauer in with a run-scoring triple to right-center field. Smith would subsequently score on an RBI double by 1B Beau Mills down the right field line.
Tennessee plated single scores in the first, sixth and seventh innings, with Watkins driving home two of those three runs. The second baseman lined a run-scoring double to left-center in the first and later recorded a second RBI with his sacrifice fly to right. The Smokies broke a 1-1 tie in the sixth when Lake lifted a sacrifice fly to center.
The Blue Wahoos answered Tennessee’s first tally with a score of their own in the first. Smith rached on a single and then advanced to a second on a wild pitch, before he came plateward on a run-scoring double by Beau Mills down the first base line.
LF Donald Lutz (2-6, 1 BB) joined Mills (2-7, 2 2B, 2 RBI), Fellhauer (2-5, 1 R, 2 BB) and Smith (3-5, 2 R, 1 3B, 1 RBI) to record multi-hit efforts for Pensacola in the loss, while five Smokies hitters totaled two or more base knocks. 3B Matt Cerda (3-7, 1 R, 1 RBI) led Tennessee with three hits, in addition to two-hit games from Watkins (2-6, 1 R, 1 2B, 2 RBI) and Silva (2-7, 1 R, 1 3B) , along with C Mike Brenly (2-5, 2 BB) and LF Jae-Hoon Ha (2-6, 1 R).
The Smokies and Blue Wahoos combined to use 12 pitchers, including starters, with Tennessee LHP Casey Harman (4.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 SO) earning the victory to improve to1-4 in 2012. Pensacola RHP Michael Griffin (2.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB) suffered the loss to fall to 1-1. Relievers Chris Manno (0.1 IP), Curtis Partch (2.0 IP, 1 H, 2 SO), Justin Freeman (2.0 IP, 1 H) and Wilkin De La Rosa (1.0 IP, 1 BB) together fired 5.1 shutout frames in relief.
During the contest a woman in a dog costume ran onto the field and took 2B Brodie Greene’s hat off between innings, before being caught by stadium security and escorted away. Though appearing random, it was actually a planned stunt to help raise money for a local individual with cancer. To find out more information, please contact Shelley Yates at SYates@BlueWahoos.com.
The two teams will face off in the final game of the inaugural 2012 season at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium, with first pitch scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Blue Wahoos RHP Mark Serrano (7-4, 3.49) is scheduled to get the start, with the Smokies planning to give the nod to LHP Austin Kirk (1-0, 3.57).
By Andrew Green
Pictured: Beau Mills recorded two hits and drove home two runs Sunday afternoon. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Seeks Committee, Board Volunteers
September 3, 2012
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking volunteers for the Escambia County Human Services Appropriations Committee, the Pensacola-Escambia Development Commission and the Escambia County Value Adjustment Board.
The Escambia County Human Services Appropriations Committee’s duties are to concurrently review agency funding requests to Escambia County and the City of Pensacola, to make funding recommendations individually to both bodies in accordance with policy and procedure agreements with each. No members of the Committee shall be a member or employee of, or serve on any board of, any of the requesting agencies reviewed by the Committee. Committee members serve a three-year term of office.
The Pensacola-Escambia Development Commission was established through Florida law. The Commission’s duties are to actively seek new industry for the area and promote expansion of existing industries. The Commission is also responsible for promoting and developing industrial parks and promoting tourism and convention activities for the Escambia County area. Commission members serve a two-year term of office and a financial disclosure is required.
The Escambia County Value Adjustment Board was established in accordance with Florida Statutes. The Value Adjustment Board provides for the hearing of all petitions, complaints, appeals and disputes concerning taxable assessment of properties. Board membership shall consist of two Commissioners, one of whom shall be elected chairman; one citizen appointed by the Board of County Commissioners (BCC), two members of the District School Board, as elected from the membership of that body; and one citizen appointed by the School Board. The citizen Board members must own homesteaded property in Escambia County, cannot be a member or employee of any taxing authority and cannot be a person that represents property owners in any administrative or judicial review of property taxes. Board members serve a one-year term of office.
Persons interested in serving on any of the boards should contact Judy Witterstaeter, County Administration at (850) 595-4916 to submit your resume. All resumes must be submitted no later than Wednesday, September 5.
No Serious Injuries When Camper, Truck Roll Down Embankment On I-65
September 2, 2012
Two people escaped serious injuries when a truck and camper trailer rolled down an embankment Sunday on I-65.
The driver of a GMC pickup apparently lost control, ran off the roadway and overturned down a 30-foot embankment near the 63 mile marker — about halfway between the Atmore and Flomaton exits. The driver and the only occupant were transported to Atmore Community Hospital with minor injuries. The camper was completely destroyed.
The accident is under investigation by the Alabama State Troopers. The Barnett Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department also responded to the crash.
Pictured: There were no serious injuries in this rollover accident on I-65 Sunday. Photos by Davis Messmer for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Voting Ends Monday: Farmer’s Market In The Running For America’s Favorite
September 2, 2012
A Cantonment farmer’s market is in the running to be named one of America’s Favorite Farmer’s Markets, and your final chance to vote is Monday.
The Market at St. Monica’s is one of the contestants in the 2012 competition hosted by the American Farmland Trust. Winners will be featured on the food website Epicurious.com and will be honored at local celebrations with a prize package.
Market shoppers can cast their vote in support of their region’s farmers, community and market. To vote for The Market at St. Monica’s, click here and select the market. After voting, American Farmland Trust will solicit a donation to protect American farmland, but donations are not required to vote.
The Market at St. Monica’s is open on the first and third Saturdays of each month from 8 a.m. until noon with a variety of locally grown produce and other merchandise at St. Monica’s Episcopal Church at 699 County Road 95-A South in Cantonment.
The market will be open again September 15.
Pictured: Scenes from a recent Market at St. Monica’s. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gardening: Fall Veggies Are Cool To Grow In North Escambia Area
September 2, 2012
In Northwest Florida, vegetable lovers can enjoy harvests from their backyard gardens throughout the year. However, to ensure a productive and enjoyable vegetable garden, you must understand and abide by planting times.
In general, vegetable crops can be grouped into warm-season and cool-season varieties. Warm-season crops do not grow well at temperatures below 50 degrees F and are killed by frost. Cool-season crops are those that grow at lower temperatures, are not injured by light frost, but can’t take the heat.
In late summer and early fall, North Florida gardeners experience a unique opportunity. You can still plant another round of warm-season crops and/or start your cool-season vegetables.
Planting of warm-season vegetables gets to be more critical with the fall garden because we have an end point—frost and freezes. When planted too late, plants will grow, but may not provide enough of a harvest to make the effort worthwhile. Examples are peppers, eggplants and tomatoes. These vegetables can easily take up to two months from transplanting to producing the first fruit. All the time, the fall is getting shorter in day length and cooler in temperatures. That’s really tough on “warm-loving,” full-sun plants.
Since timing is so important with the fall crop, choose warm-season crops that will produce well within a short time. Look for fast-maturing and determinant or bush-type cultivars to ensure a good yield before frost.
Crops to plant outdoors in August include bush and lima beans, cauliflower, collards, cucumbers, onions, southern peas, peppers, squash, tomato and turnips.
In September, you can set out beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, endive, kale, kohlrabi, mustard and radish.
The cooler temperatures of October are better for planting Chinese cabbage, lettuce and spinach.
To find specific recommendations on when to plant vegetables in Florida, read the UF/IFAS “Vegetable Gardening Guide”. It’s online at edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vh021
The leafy crops excel in the fall. Some of the more popular leafy crops are Swiss chard, collards, spinach, mustard, turnip greens and lettuce. Endive, escarole, kale, arugula and the greens of mesclun mix also do very well during the cooler months.
Garden lettuces can be divided into three classes based on habit of growth – leaf or loose-leaf types, semi-heading types (such as butterhead and romaine) and heading or crisp-head types.
Crisp-head lettuces, such as the iceberg types available in supermarkets, are more of a challenge to grow here, so its recommend you stay with the leaf and semi-heading varieties. Other than generally avoiding the heading types, feel free to try just about any variety that strikes your fancy.
Leaf lettuces are the most decorative and least-demanding. They also are among the most heat-tolerant lettuces. This type of lettuce grows in a loose rosette of foliage, and the leaves can be smooth or crinkled, pointed, lobed, curled or ruffled. Foliage color runs from deep ruby red to dark green to pale greenish yellow, with just about every combination in between.
Collards will withstand wide ranges of temperatures if properly conditioned. They may be direct seeded and or plants can be transplanted. Collards may be harvested by cutting the whole plant or by “cropping” individual leaves.
Onions are generally grown from sets or plants. Sets and plants will require about six to eight weeks to reach eating size. Bulbing onions will not be ready to harvest until spring.
Radishes are fast growers and fun for the kids. Many are ready to harvest 25 to 30 days after planting.
So take the leap and “fall” into vegetable gardening.
Theresa Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County