Free Trees: Seedlings To Be Given Away In Walnut Hill
January 5, 2013
In celebration of Florida’s Arbor Day, Escambia County, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Science (UF/IFAS) Extension and the Florida Forestry Service (FFS) will be giving away 4,000 seedling trees at two locations, including Walnut Hill.
Species include crabapple, mayhaw, cherrybark Oak, river birch, wax myrtle and bald cypress. Participants will receive two tree seedlings of their choice.
The first event will be held on Monday, January 14, at the Walnut Hill Community Center (Ruritan Building) at 7850 Highway 97 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
The second event will be held on Friday, January 18, in conjunction with the grand opening of the Southwest Greenway at the Jones Swamp Preserve Trail entrance at 198 Patton Drive, near the intersection of Brigadier and Patton Drive, in Warrington, also from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Extension agents and master gardeners will be available at both locations to advise participants on tree types and tree placement in the landscape.
Cantonment Man Facing Drug Charges
January 5, 2013
A Cantonment man is facing multiple drug charges.
Billy David Clakley, 24, was charged with possession of marijuana less than 20 grams, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a scheduled narcotic without a prescription, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting an officer without violence. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $6,500 bond.
An Escambia County deputy reported being on patrol in the 400 block of Lakeview Avenue where a small party was being held. The deputy reported that as he approached, Clakley jumped into a Toyota parked close to the road and began to yell obscenities.
Inside the vehicle with Clakley, the deputies found a bag of marijuana and Clonazepam pills, a scheduled narcotic. In Clakley’s pockets, deputies found a bag of marijuana, digital scales with heavy marijuana residue and bags like those used commonly used to package the drug, according to an arrest report.
When Clakley was placed under arrest by deputies, he pulled in an effort to get away. “Clakley continued to be uncooperative and had to be assisted to my patrol vehicle,” an arresting deputy wrote in his report.
Escaped Escambia Prisoner Back Behind Bars
January 5, 2013
A prisoner that escaped from Escambia County’s work release program in December is back behind bars.
Charles Bernard Debose, 48, escaped on foot December 28 as authorities were attempting to handcuff him and escort him in the Escambia County Work Release Facility at 1211 West Fairfield Drive. Deputies were unable to locate him after a lengthy manhunt.
Debose had been arrested for larceny and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to jail records. He is now facing an additional charge of escape and is being held without bond.
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.
