Gulf Power Linemen On Hand As House Approves ‘Lineworker Appreciate Day’
March 3, 2012
Four Gulf Power linemen were among about 80 lineworkers from across the state who were recognized Friday in the House of Representatives in Tallahassee.
Clint Floyd, Mark Truitt and Robert Duke, all line techs in the Escambia County area, and David Cope, the Planning & Construction team leader in Panama City Beach, were there to support the introduction of a resolution to make August 26, 2012, “Lineworker Appreciation Day” across the state.
The motivation for Lineworker Appreciation Day comes from Tracy Moore, wife of former Lakeland Electric lineman Marc Moore, who died while working on Aug. 26, 2002. The resolution will honor thousands of men and women who risk their lives every day, ensuring the reliable delivery of electricity throughout the state.
“We are honored to be here,” Floyd said. “As lineworkers, we are all brothers and sisters, whether it’s at Gulf Power, the state or the nation. We care about each other and we show support for each other.”
The four, along with Carl Punyko, Governmental Affairs manager, met with Moore and her family. She gave them wristbands that read, “Linemen are Heroes Too … Never Forget Aug. 26.” They presented her and her two sons with Gulf Power hats.
Later, the four Gulf Power linemen were recognized again by Rep. Debbie Mayfield (R-Vero Beach), who is a Pensacola native and whose brother, Steve Minton, works at Gulf Power. The linemen also met local representatives Clay Ford and Clay Ingram.
“It’s nice that the state wants to recognize lineworkers,” Duke said. “We appreciate their efforts.”
Pictured top: : Tracy Moore, center, with the Gulf Power linemen, from left, Clint Floyd, Robert Duke, Mark Truitt and David Cope, and Carl Punyko, Governmental Affairs manager, at the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee on Friday. Moore, whose lineworker husband in Lakeland died on the job in 2002, spearheaded a resolution that will make Aug. 26 “Lineworker Appreciation Day” in the state. Pictured below: Mark Truitt, red hat, a Gulf Power lineman, stands with other lineworkers across the state as Rep. Seth McKeel (R-Lakeland) talks about the resolution to honor lineworkers across the state on Aug. 26. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Weekend Gardening: Caring For Camellias
March 3, 2012
One of Northwest Florida’s most reliable and rewarding shrubs is the camellia. Providing dark green leaves throughout the year, gardeners are rewarded in late winter or early spring with a variety of beautifully colored and shaped flowers. Camellias tend to thrive in our acidic soil but they do require some routine maintenance.
Pick up the fallen flowers. A fungal disease known as petal blight will rapidly turn entire flowers brown. If a camellia has petal blight, remove and dispose of all blighted flowers both on the plant and on the ground. You may also consider discarding the old mulch around the shrub and apply a layer of fresh mulch. This practice sometimes helps prevent fungal spores from blowing back onto new flowers. One of the best ways to prevent this disease is to pick up and destroy fallen blooms. Flowers will continue to drop for several weeks, so it’s important to pick up blooms several times a week.
Scout for tea scale. One of the most common insect pests of camellia is a scale insect known as tea scale. Check the underside of leaves regularly for this annoying pest. These small, sessile, white, thin, sap-sucking insects can build up large numbers if you do not regularly inspect your plants and take corrective measures when scale is first found. Often your first clue will be spotty yellowing on the upper surface of the leaves. Horticultural oil can be used in the winter time if used before blooming or in spring after blooming. Do not apply horticultural oil when near-freezing temperatures may be expected. Always carefully read and follow pesticide label directions before use.
Expect some leaves to fall in the spring. Camellias are “evergreen” meaning that they have leaves on the shrub year round. However, as individual leaves age, they will fall from the shrub and are replaced with new leaves in the spring. It is not unusual for camellia to drop up to 30 percent of their leaves. As long as new leaves are developing, there is no need for concern.
Camellia can be pruned after they flower. The most important reason for pruning camellias is to improve the overall health of the plant. Many times, camellias that have not been pruned in a few years will develop dead or deteriorating twigs. Removing the dead and dying limbs will minimize the possibility of diseases such as “dieback” and will also allow the plant to re-concentrate its energies. In many instances, camellias that have been neglected for a number of years will become infested with scale insects. Pruning is an effective way to provide for better coverage of chemical sprays and increase air circulation.
Lichens are warning signs. Lichens are gray-green to green mossy growths on the stems of old, neglected camellias. The lichen is a combination of a fungus and an alga that grows symbiotically. They are not parasitic to the camellia. Affected plants usually need fertilizing, watering, and mulching for better growing conditions.
Fertilizer applications help to achieve maximum performance. Apply fertilizer in the spring after blooming but before new growth starts. With many fertilizers, small amounts at frequent intervals are better than heavy applications. Special camellia fertilizers are available at your local stores. One application in early spring after blooming should be followed by a second application in mid June to early July. Scatter the fertilizer evenly on top of the mulch and away from the main stem of the plant. Water the fertilizer into the soil. Do not fertilize after July, so the plants will have a longer time to harden off and avoid freeze damage.
Theresa Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
Junior Miss Ernest Ward Middle School Named (With Photo Gallery)
March 3, 2012
Jadlyn Agerton was named Junior Miss Ernest Ward Middle School Friday during the school’s annual pageant.
First runner-up was Raegan Harrell; second runner-up was Lillie Allen; and third runner-up was Alexys Smith. Elizabeth Wright was named Miss Congeniality, while Agerton received the Physical Fitness Reward. The Poise and Appearance award was presented to Harrell.
Picture top: (L-R) Second Runner-up Lillie Allen, First Runner-up Raegan Harrell, Junior Miss Ernest Ward Middle School Jadlyn Agerton and Third Runner-Up Alexys Smith. Pictured left: Agerton awaits the judges’ decision backstage during Friday night’s Junior Miss Ernest Ward Middle School pageant. Pictured below: Allen is crowned third runner-up. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
House Passes Bill To Drug Test State Employees
March 3, 2012
The House voted largely along party lines Friday to allow state agencies to set up drug testing programs for their workers over the objection of Democrats who said it wasn’t just unconstitutional, but a bully tactic.
The bill follows a similar requirement for random drug testing and pre-employment screening put in place a year ago by executive order of Gov. Rick Scott. That order is on hold pending the outcome of a court challenge, with Scott telling most agencies in June to hold off on the plan until the courts rule.
Regardless, the state prisons agency has gone ahead with drug testing of employees.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Jimmie Smith, R-Inverness, doesn’t require the drug tests, but would let agencies set up such programs. It limits the number of employees tested to no more than 10 percent of each agency’s workforce every three months.
Fire Damages Atmore Rotary Village Apartment
March 2, 2012
Fire damaged at apartment about noon Friday at the Atmore Rotary Village.
The fire appeared to originate from electrical wiring in an exterior wall of the apartment. The fire was mostly contained to the exterior wall, but the apartment did suffer some water and smoke damage.
There were no injuries reported.
The fire was quickly extinguished by the Atmore Fire Department. The department’s main station is about a block away from the apartments on Ashley Street.
Pictured: Fire damaged one apartment at the Atmore Rotary Village apartments midday Friday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Man Critically Injured In Alabama Wreck
March 2, 2012
A Century man was critically injured in a single vehicle rollover accident Thursday night on Old Atmore Road just north of the Alabama/Florida state line.
Jeffery Jay, age 37 of Pond Street, lost control of his vehicle and overturned multiple times in the 2100 block of Old Atmore Road, about four miles west of Flomaton. The vehicle came to rest off the roadway.
Jay was trapped in the vehicle and was extricated by firefighters within about 10 minutes using the Jaws of Life. He was transported by ambulance to a helipad in Century and airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola as a “trauma alert” patient.
The accident is under investigation by the Alabama State Troopers. The Flomaton Vol. Fire Department, Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County (Fla.) EMS also responded to the accident.
Further details have not been released.
Pictured above and below: A Century man was seriously injured in this wreck Thursday night west of Flomaton. NorthEscambia.com photos by Alisa Hart, click to enlarge.
Required Septic Tank Inspection Bill Moves To Senate Floor
March 2, 2012
The Senate Budget Committee on Thursday approved a measure to provide some flexibility to cities and counties over septic tank regulation, a step back from a septic tank inspection requirement passed two years ago.
Responding to a 2010 law to protect Florida springs, several bills were introduced last year aimed at either eliminating the inspection program or scaling it back.
The Senate requires an inspection program in counties with first magnitude springs – though they could opt out. In other counties, the default is to repeal the requirement, though they could opt in.
Existing local inspection programs would be grandfathered in.
The measure remains controversial, with property owners, environmentalists, municipal water utilities and others chiming in from various perspectives.
Critics say the bill ignores the science that governs septic systems and will prevent effective regulation of septic systems.
A bill that passed the House would repeal the requirement altogether, though it allows local governments to vote to keep an inspection program if they have first magnitude springs nearby.
Escambia and Santa Rosa counties do not have first magnitude springs.
Deputies Find Meth Lab, Napalm At Scientist’s House
March 2, 2012
Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office deputies found more than just meth when they executed a search warrant near Milton Thursday at a scientist’s home.
Deputies located an extensive meth lab in a shed on Anthony Avenue — along with napalm and a variety of weapons.
Seth Andrew Stanley, 32, was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail, charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of felony narcotic equipment, producing methamphetamine, possession of listed chemicals and trafficking in methamphetamine.. He was released on a $45,000 bond.
Deputies obtained a search warrant after receiving credible evidence that Stanley was producing meth at his home, including a large number of purchases of pseudoephedrine over the past year.
Stanley admitted to detectives that he was making methamphetamine to help medicate himself showed deputies his manufacturing equipment in a storage shed. Investigators located a variety of drug production equipment and supplies along with 117 grams of meth. They also found a Mason jar that contained a gas like substance that Stanley stated was homemade napalm. He did not give a reason for possessing the Napalm.
Numerous firearms, to include rifles and handguns, along with a large amount of ammunition were also located inside Stanley’s residence.
Stanley told deputies that he was a scientist, and investigators found documentation inside his residence verifying that information. His workplace has not been disclosed.
Helicopter Crash: Coast Guard Recovers Two More Bodies
March 2, 2012
The Coast Guard recovered the bodies of two crewmembers, Thursday, as the salvage of the MH-65C Dolphin helicopter that crashed in Mobile Bay continues.
The remains of Lt. Cmdr. Dale Taylor, of Snow Hill, N.C., and Lt. j.g. Thomas Cameron, of Portland, Ore., were recovered by response personnel. The body of Chief Petty Officer Fernando Jorge was recovered Tuesday night after communications with the helicopter was lost during a training flight. Missing is Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew Knight of Thomasville, Ala.
The Coast Guard suspended the active search and rescue operations Thursday night and are now conducting salvage and recovery operations.
“We saturated 95 percent of Mobile Bay for nearly two days with both aircraft and boats to thoroughly cover the search area. The decision to suspend the active search was terribly difficult,” said Capt. Donald J. Rose, commander of Coast Guard Sector Mobile. “Now, we must shift our focus to continuing salvage and recovery operations. As we continue to recover wreckage, we will look for the missing crewman.”
Coast Guard crews searched for 36 hours, conducting approximately 30 search patterns with track-line-search legs that covered 1,198 nautical miles within a search area of more than 200 square-nautical miles in an effort to locate the Coast Guardsmen. Crews and aircraft from multiple Coast Guard units, as well as several state and local first responder agencies, such as Alabama Marine Resources, Mobile Sheriff’s Department, Bon Secour Fire Department and Daphne Search and Rescue participated in the search efforts.
The tail section of the helicopter and other components were recovered Thursday by the crew aboard the Ben R. Johnson, a 57-foot salvage vessel. Wednesday night, the Ben R. Johnson recovered the helicopter fuselage from the bottom of Mobile Bay.
Pictured: A Coast Guard MH-65C based out of New Orleans on public relations visit to Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill in November 2010. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
International Paper Named Industry’s Most Admired Company
March 2, 2012
International Paper in Cantonment is part of the world’s most admired company in the forest and paper products industry, according to a list released by FORTUNE Magazine.
International Paper has received the award 9 of the last 10 years. IP was ranked No. 2 last year.
The company was at the top of the industry in people management, use of corporate assets, quality of management, financial soundness, investments and global competitiveness.
Over 450 people are employed at IP’s Cantonment mill.