Lawmakers Officially Repeal Mandatory Septic Tank Inspection Law
March 10, 2012
Lawmakers on Friday repealed a 2010 law that required septic tank inspections across the state.
The septic tank inspection issue has been controversial across Northwest Florida after the passage of the 2010 law. That law was designed, at least in part, to help limit septic tank discharges that could taint the state’s springs.
But opponents argue the law could lead to increased expenses for homeowners with septic tanks. The bill passed Friday calls for city or county officials to develop inspection programs if their areas include what are known as “first magnitude” springs — but it also allows those local governments to choose not to have the programs. There are no first magnitude springs located in Escambia or Santa Rosa counties.
Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Panama City, described the move as a “very big deal in Northwest Florida.”
Rep. Greg Evers, R-Baker, praised the passage of the bill, which he said has been his priority for the past two years. He called the repeal of the mandatory septic tank inspection law a “big win” for Floridians.
Century Names Park After Late Council Member Nadine McCaw
March 10, 2012
The Town of Century dedicated the former “Roadside Park” as the Nadine McCaw Park on Friday in honor of the late town council member and lifelong resident.
“Momma put so much of her time, money and heart into Century and trying to make it a place that people would be proud to call home,” McCaw’s daughter Felicia Jones of Arab, Ala., said. “Momma lived her life to make a difference in the lives of other people.”
The sign marking the park is adorned with purple ribbons — McCaw dedicated a large amount of time to Relay for Life and its mission of finding a cure for cancer. That cure did not come soon enough for McCaw; she passed away from cancer on July 7, 2011.
“The family greatly appreciates the dedication of the park in Nadine McCaw’s honor,” her sister Willene Bryan of Byrneville said.
The Nadine McCaw Park is located at the corner of North Century Boulevard and Hecker Road in Century.
Pictured: Members of Nadine McCaw’s family were on hand Friday morning for the dedication of the former Roadside Park in her memory. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Baseball: Tate Improves To 6-0 With Navarre Shutout
March 10, 2012
The Tate Aggies perfect season continued Friday night with a 3-0 shutout of the Navarre Raiders.
The Aggies Freshment also beat Navarre, 14-2.
Tate will host Ackerman, MS, on Tuesday, with the varsity playing at 7:00.
Death Penalty Recommended In 9 Mile Road Restaurant Murder
March 10, 2012
An Escambia County jury has recommended that Timothy Lee Hurst receive the death penalty for a murder 14 years ago at a 9 Mile Road restaurant.
The jury voted 7 to 5 in favor of death for Hurst. His conviction was upheld by the Florida Supreme Court which remanded the case back before the trial Court to conduct a new penalty phase.
Hurst was convicted in 2000 for the murder of Cynthia Harrison inside the Nine Mile Road Popeye’s Restaurant on May 2, 1998. Hurst, who was then an employee at Popeye’s, stabbed Assistant Manager Cynthia Harrison approximately 60 times and placed her body in the restaurant’s freezer.
Man Charged With Neglecting Horses
March 10, 2012
A Santa Rosa County man is jailed on multiple animal abuse charges after deputies say allegedly neglected nearly a dozen horses.
Cordderryl Lee Pittman, 24, allegedly kept the horses on a property near the Blackwater State Forest without adequate food or water. The horses were removed the property, and Pittman was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail on the animal abuse charges. He remained in jail early Saturday; he’s being held without bond on a violation of probation charge.
Pictured: Two of the horses that the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office said were being kept without adequate food or water. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ex-Escambia Coach Convicted
March 10, 2012
An ex-Escambia High School coach was convicted Friday of one count of harassing or attempting to harass a witness, victim or informant.
Scott Anderson, who was the head football coach at Escambia High School, did try to influence or dissuade a football player from pursuing criminal charges against another teammate by
having an assistant coach tell the victim that if he were to continue pursuing charges he would be kicked off the football team, according to court testimony.
Judge Thomas Dannheisser scheduled a hearing for the court to make a determination on the defense’s motion for a judgment of acquittal on March 21, 2012. The defendant will also be sentenced on March 21, 2012 if the judge denies the motion filed by the defense.
The investigation and arrest were conducted by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Northview Students Go Orange And Blue For Tommy Weaver
March 10, 2012
Students and faculty at Northview High School dressed in Auburn clothing Friday in memory of coach and teacher Tommy Weaver who passed away Wednesday. Weaver was a huge Auburn Tiger fan.
Funeral services for Tommy Weaver, 61, were held Saturday.
Northview High School will be setting up a scholarship fund in memory of Tommy Weaver. In lieu of flowers, donations can be mailed to the attention of Mr. Perry Byars at:
Northview High School
4100 W. Hwy 4
Bratt, FL 32535
Picture above and below (scroll down for multiple photos): Students and staff at Northview High School wore Auburn clothing in honor the late Tommy Weaver on Friday. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
All Those Weeds In Your Yard Now Mean Many More Next Year
March 10, 2012
The spring equinox signals the transition from winter to spring. Temperatures along the Gulf Coast this time of year are also transitioning. We will experience increasing periods of warm weather, but we are still likely to have at least one more cold snap.
Landscapes are also in a transitional period. Lawns are slowly coming out of dormancy. Bulbs are poking their heads out of the ground to enjoy the sun. Even the insects are beginning to move about. Gardeners who are finding their way outdoors are shocked to see more weeds than they imagined.
Most of the weeds you see now are what we term winter annuals. They grow annually from seed during the fall through early spring. Many of these weeds (henbit, annual bluegrass, chickweed, etc.) will eventually die when the temperatures finally warm up for the season.
Winter weeds are now flowering heavily which is why you see the bright purples, yellows, and whites in the landscape. Since they are flowering and are in a reproductive stage, they will soon be completing their life cycles and dying. Spraying them at this time with a weed killer (herbicide) to try to control them is of little value.
However, if something is not done to remove the weed seeds being produced by these winter annuals, expect a bigger weed patch next year. Remember the old saying, “One year’s weed–seven years’ seed.”
One guaranteed way of getting rid of the weed seeds is hand removal. When you have a small number of weeds, physical removal is your best option. Just remember not to shake the plant to remove the dirt; you’ll likely be shaking off some weed seeds also.
Mowing the lawn and collecting your clippings will also remove some of the seedhead canopy. If you can do this prior to the seeds maturing, it will help reduce next fall’s seed source.
Vow to use a pre-emergent herbicide to help prevent winter weeds. For pre-emergent control of winter annual weeds, apply a herbicide when nighttime temperatures drop to 55° to 60°F for several consecutive days. So mark your calendars now to apply a pre-emergent herbicide in early October in North Florida.
Next, vow to apply postemergent herbicides earlier in the winter when these young weeds are small and actively growing. Don’t wait until March to try to control winter weeds, it’s just too late.
As winter weeds begin to die off, they will create some additional problems. Their death will leave bare patches in the lawn. Unfortunately, a barren spot means that the summer weeds, such as crabgrass, spurge, and chamberbitter will probably start filling in the area. It’s best to try to repair these areas as soon as possible with sod, plugs or sprigs.
In additional to winter annual weeds, we have to contend with perennial weeds. Perennial weeds live for multiple seasons and flower more than once. Perennial structures, such as rhizomes, stolons, nutlets, or roots, survive from year to year. Perennial weeds are not effectively controlled with pre-emergent products.
There are a few perennial winter weeds that you may want to control now such as wild garlic, dandelions, clover, and plantains. Several postemergent herbicides can be used to spot treat these perennials. Contact your local Extension Service for more specific recommendations.
As always, be sure to thoroughly read and follow label directions when applying any chemical in the landscape.
Theresa Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
Fire That Shutdown I-10 Linked To Meth Lab Gone Wrong
March 10, 2012
Authorities believe a fire earlier this week that shutdown I-10 across Escambia Bay and snarled Pensacola area traffic was caused by a meth lab.
The Florida Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement said Friday that officers searched the area where the fire originated and found evidence linked to the one-pot — or “shake and bake” — method of producing methamphetamine.
While the exact cause is not certain, based upon what was found at the scene – melted plastic bottles and other items used to make meth – investigators suspect it was a malfunction of a shaker bottle that started the fire.
The fire ultimately consumed about 98 acres plus a 10 acre fire on an island that was sparked by embers from the first fire.
In Lieu Of Flowers: NHS Setting Up Tommy Weaver Scholarship Fund
March 9, 2012
Northview High School will be setting up a scholarship fund in memory of Mr. Tommy Weaver, DCT/Ag instructor and assistant coach. If anyone wishes to make a donation in lieu of flowers, they can mail the donation to the attention of Mr. Perry Byars, ag instructor. The mailing address is as follows:
Northview High School
4100 W. Hwy 4
Bratt, FL 32535