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
Suspended Flomaton Police Chief Arrested On Florida Kidnapping Charge
March 9, 2012
The suspended Flomaton police chief has been arrested on a kidnapping charge for allegedly making an unauthorized arrest across the state line in Century.
Geoffrey Ashley McGraw, 30, turned himself in at the Escambia County (Fla.) Jail Thursday afternoon on a third degree felony charge of kidnapping/false imprisonment. He was released on a $5,000 bond.
McGraw’s arrest stemmed from a joint operation by the Florida 1st Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
FDLE obtained the warrant for McGraw’s arrest for an August 14, 2011, incident in which Ronald Adam Barrow was arrested by McGraw at a home on Old Flomaton Road in Century. McGraw, without jurisdiction, allegedly took Barrow into custody in Florida on an outstanding Escambia County (Ala.) failure to appear warrant in misdemeanor case, Keith Cameg, spokesperson for FDLE, told NorthEscambia.com. Barrow was then transported back across the state line into Alabama.
McGraw was placed on an indefinite paid leave February 27 by the Flomaton Town Council. The council is expected to once again consider his employment status at an upcoming meeting on March 12.
At that late February Town Council meeting, a Century couple made multiple allegations against McGraw and his supposed actions in Florida. Cameg said he was unaware that some of the allegations were or were not involved in the FDLE and State Attorney’s investigation into McGraw.
The couple, Tracy Tedder and his wife Tabitha Tedder, told the Flomaton council that then-Police Chief McGraw pulled his weapon and illegally searched their Century home on Old Flomaton Road.
As they spoke about their claims involving McGraw, they referred to him as “McGruff”.
“Chief McGruff drawed his gun on Florida property without Florida police department being involved and goes through our home,” Tabitha Tedder said. “He illegally arrested our son-in-law and transported him back to Alabama.”
“It’s a Florida matter; we can’t comment,” Flomaton Mayor Dewey Bondurant said about the allegations at the February meeting. To read more about the Tedder’s allegations, click here for an earlier story.
Pictured top: The mugshot taken of suspended Flomaton Police Chief Geoff McGraw after his arrest Thursday afternoon. Pictured inset: Tracy and Tabitha Tedder address the Flomaton Town Council February 27 with their allegations against McGraw. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary Dedicates Meagan Wilburn Rose Garden (With Gallery)
March 9, 2012
Fourth graders at Bratt Elementary listened quietly Thursday afternoon as a small rose garden in memory of one of their own was dedicated.
The rose garden, located just outside the fourth grade wing of the school, was dedicated in honor of Meagan Wilburn, a nine-year old Bratt Elementary fourth grader who died after an ATV accident last October in Walnut Hill.
“We are going to remember Meagan forever with this rose garden,” Bratt Principal Jeanene Hall told the students.
“Respectful. Kind. Gentle. Oh, and bubbly…that’s one I just thought of just now,” were the carefully chosen words of Guidance Counselor Sheila Bryan as she described her memories of Meagan to the students.
Following the dedication, the students walked single file past the rose garden — which for now contains a small plaque and just two rose bushes that were purchased with change collected by Meagan’s classmates. Some of the students were visibly touched, breaking down in tears and hugging friends.
“Meagan will always be in our hearts and minds,” Hall said.
For more photos from the dedication, click here.
Pictured: A rose garden was dedicated Thursday afternoon in honor of Meagan Wilburn, a 9-year old Bratt Elementary student killed in an ATV accident last year. Pictured below: Meagan’s sister Cailee Wilburn looks at the garden. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Caylee’s Law Goes To Gov.
March 9, 2012
Prompted by the 2008 death of two-year-old Caylee Anthony, the Senate on Thursday sent to the governor a bill that would increase penalties for lying to police when a child goes missing.
The measure would make it a third degree felony to give false information to a law enforcement officer in the event of missing child.
The bill was introduced following the highly publicized trial of Caylee’s mother, Casey Anthony, who was acquitted of murder but charged with lying to police. She was sentenced to four years in prison for lying to police, but was released last summer after time served.
Coast Guard Crew Remembered
March 9, 2012
Thursday, the U.S. Coast Guard bid farewell to four of its own.
In a memorial service held at Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile, the service paid tribute to the crew of Coast Guard helicopter 6535 – Lt. Cmdr. Dale Taylor, Lt. Thomas Cameron, Chief Petty Officer Fernando Jorge and Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew Knight.
“Dale, Tom, Nando and Drew answered the call,” said Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Bob Papp. “They stepped forward and dedicated their lives to helping others – the only thing stronger than their desire to fly, was their desire to serve. And, they did serve – they served all of us.”
On February 28, a Coast Guard helicopter went down in Mobile Bay during a training flight. The bodies of Taylor, Cameron and Jorge were recovered from the crash site shortly after the crash. Knight’s body was recovered Thursday.
Pictured: A memorial service honoring the Coast Crew that died last week in a Mobile Bay crash was held Thursday in Mobile. Photos by Petty Officer 2nd Class Patrick Kelley for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lawmakers Want Electronic Time Clocks For Prisons
March 9, 2012
Legislators will consider a budget today that includes provision to withhold up to $1 million from the Department of Corrections until it puts in place an electronic time and attendance system.
The issue of electronic time clocks has irked Senate Budget Chairman JD Alexander, R-Lake Wales, for a couple of years, since lawmakers first put a requirement for such a time clock system for state prisons in the law in 2010. The prison system didn’t implement the requirement however, even though it was put in the law again last year.
This session, Alexander mentioned the issue several times in complaining that the Department of Corrections hasn’t done enough to save money – citing that reluctance as part of the reason some members of the Legislature were intent on privatizing more prisons, though they were unsuccessful in that effort this year.
The budget up for a vote on Friday says that of the money earmarked for the Department of Corrections, $1 million of it will be held in reserve until the agency’s “successful statewide implementation of the electronic time and attendance system.”
By The News Service of Florida
Northview Remembers Coach, Teacher Tommy Weaver
March 9, 2012
Thursday was described as quiet, difficult day at Northview High School as they mourned the loss of 61-year old teacher and coach Tommy Weaver.
Students began their day with a mile-long vehicle procession from the LCpl. Travis M. Nelson Park on West Highway 4 in Bratt to the school parking lot. As the vehicles passed by the school, most of the students stared quietly ahead, many visibly crying.
Grief counselors from the Escambia County School District were on campus during the day for students and faculty that wanted to talk about the death of Weaver, husband of Northview High Principal Gayle Weaver.
Funeral services for Weaver were held Saturday.
Northview Senior Class President Mallory Turner encouraged students and community members to visit a Facebook page setup in honor of Weaver and share their memories. The recollections will be used in a special Senior Class project. To visit the page, click www.facebook.com/CoachTommyWeaver.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Baseball: Varsity Aggies Remain Undefeated; JV Falls To Pace
March 9, 2012
The Tate Aggies remain undefeated after a a win over Pace Thursday night, while the JV Aggies lost to the Patriots 3-1.
The Tate Aggies continued their winning ways as they beat Pace Thursday night 4-2 in a well played game by both teams.
Riley Hodge collected the win pitching six strong innings, allowing two runs on three hits. JT Granat picked up another save pitching a perfect seventh.
Offensively, the Aggies tallied eight hits led by Mac Seibert (3-3, 2B, Run, RBI), Andrew Mack (2-4, Run, RBI), and JT Granat (1-3, RBI).
Pace’s Addison Russell, who is considered future first round draft pick in Major League Baseball’s June draft, was 1-2 with a home run.
Steven Jernigan took the loss for the Patriots despite an outstanding performance.
The Aggies are back in action Friday, playing host to the Navarre Raiders in a JV/Varsity doubleheader at 4:30/7:00.