Ernest Ward Holds Valentine’s Dance, Names Court (With Photo Gallery)
February 12, 2011
Ernest Ward Middle School held its annual Valentine’s Dance Friday night, naming a queen and her court based upon student votes.
Eighth grader Kamryn Brock was named queen, and TyDre Bradley was named king. From the seventh grade, Brianna Parker was named maiden, and Gavin Grant was named knight. Sixth grade maiden was Peighton Dortch and sixth grade knight was Hunter Kite.
For a photo gallery with the complete court, click here.
Pictured above: (L-R) Seventh Grade Maiden Brianna Parker and Knight Gavin Grant; Queen Kamryn Brock and King TyDre Bradley; and Sixth Grade Maiden Peighton Dortch and Knight Hunter Kite. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Florida Urges Public To Burn With Caution And Care
February 12, 2011
Officials with Florida Division of Forestry’s Blackwater District are urging residents in Escambia, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties to use caution if they decide to burn yard waste in the near future.
Since December 2010, the Division of Forestry has responded to more than 50 wildfire calls, more than half were the result of escaped debris burns. Despite recent rains, the forecast calls for pleasant weather this weekend and into next week. Fine fuels such as grasses and small brush which have been killed by winter frost and freezes and burn readily. Low humidity (less than 40 percent) and gusty winds cause these vegetative fuels to dry quickly. If grass feels dry to the touch, it will probably burn.
While there currently are no burn bans in our area, some cities and municipalities prohibit outdoor burning or require a special permit. If you are not certain about burning in your area, check with the Division of Forestry office by calling (850) 957-6145 and listen to the requirements and restrictions when prompted.
Click the graphic to enlarge and see setback requirements for burning.
Some tips and requirements to keep in mind before you burn yard waste include:
- Legal burning hours are between 8 a.m. and one hour before sunset.
- It is illegal to burn household garbage (including paper products), treated lumber, plastics, rubber materials, tires, pesticide, paint and aerosol containers.
- Piles greater than 8 feet in diameter will require an authorization from the Division of Forestry.
- Clear down to bare, mineral soil around your pile to prevent the fire from spreading.
- Don’t burn on windy days.
- Never leave a fire unattended – even for a moment. One gust of wind can cause a fire to escape.
- Grass fires can spread quickly. Be prepared. Keep handy a water hose, shovel or other means to put out the fire.
- Make sure the fire is completely out before leaving it – no smoke and no heat.
- If your fire escapes, call for help quickly. Several minutes may pass before a fire department or the Division of Forestry can arrive on scene.
- If your fire escapes, you might be held liable for the cost of suppression and damages to the property of others.
Minimum required setbacks to legally burn yard waste:
- 25 feet from any forested area (grasslands, brush or other wildlands).
- 25 feet from your home or other combustible structure.
- 50 feet from any paved or public roadway.
- 150 from any occupied dwelling other than your own home.
Think Roses In February
February 12, 2011
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, out thoughts go to roses. Roses grown in Florida require regular maintenance, but growing roses can be a rewarding hobby for those who like to spend time in the garden each week. Pruning will help keep your plants healthy and productive.Hybrid tea and grandiflora roses, in particular, should be pruned every year during the first or second week in February. Otherwise, these roses tend to become leggy, less vigorous and unattractive, and they won’t bloom as well.
Other types of roses, such as floribunda, shrub and everblooming old garden roses, generally require less drastic pruning, but they still benefit from pruning to improve their shape or control their size, when necessary.
Following a logical sequence of steps while pruning will help make the job seem less complicated. The first step is to remove the three D’s: any dead, diseased or damaged wood. Cut the stems one inch below darkened areas, making sure you are cutting back to green wood. Make the cut at a 45 degree angle about ¼‐inch above an outward facing bud. If no live buds remain, remove the entire cane. Weak, spindly canes, which are the diameter of a pencil or less, should also be removed the same way.
To avoid dieback and encourage rapid healing, pruning cuts should be made just above a dormant bud (eye). When an entire branch is removed, make a smooth cut at the point of juncture.
The second step is to remove branches that grow toward the center of the plant. This opens up the plant for better air circulation and allows sunlight to penetrate the inner portion of the plant. The third step is to locate crossing branches and remove the weakest one. Crossing branches may rub against each other, causing abrasions that may serve as openings for disease organisms to enter the plant. Also remove sucker growth, which is growth coming from below the bud union. Sucker growth can be from the root stock and a different rose variety; if not removed, sucker growth will crowd out the desired variety
Finally, prune to shape the plant. Hybrid teas, grandifloras and floribundas can be pruned 12 to 24 inches in height, leaving up to four to eight large, healthy canes the diameter of your finger or larger. Shrub and species roses should be pruned lightly, removing no more than 1/3 of the growth. Miniature roses need only minimal pruning. Old‐fashioned roses and climbers that bloom only once a year should be pruned
Immediately after flowering. Do not prune these types of roses heavily in the early spring since they bloom on wood from the previous year’s growth. If you have purchased new rose bushes you don’t have to worry about pruning them. Newly purchased roses have already been pruned, and no further pruning is required.
Pruning back roses takes some getting used to. Many new gardeners have a hard time getting up the nerve to cut their bushes back. If you don’t, however, the result will be tall, rangy, overgrown bushes that will not be nearly as attractive.
Theresa Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
Officials: Gas-Like Smell Was Normal
February 11, 2011
Several people around Flomaton and North Escambia reported a gas-like smell Friday night, including a report in which Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to a gas leak on Highway 168 west of Century.
Officials said the gas-like smells around Flomaton and south into North Escambia were from the gas and oil facilities in Escambia County, Ala. Officials said the smell was nothing dangerous or out of the ordinary; the smell was just being pulled south with the light northerly wind flow.
‘Major Malfunction’ Leaves Thousands Without Power
February 11, 2011
Thousands of people in the eastern half of Escambia County, Ala. lost power Friday night after a “major malfunction” at a primary electrical substation — and they remained in the dark well into the early morning hours Saturday.
The incident happened at a Southern Pine Electric Cooperative main power substation just outside Brewton before 7 p.m. Friday. NorthEscambia.com received numerous reports that the “explosion” or a bright glow could be seen in the night sky from as far away as Jay, Century, Flomaton, McDavid and Walnut Hill.
Escambia County (Ala.) Director David Adams said about 5,000 Southern Pine customers lost power during what he termed a “major malfunction” at the power substation.
Power was restored for all customers after 4 a.m. as temporary equipment — essentially a portable substation — was transported to the scene from Power South in Andalusia, Ala., and installed.
The outage includes thousands of Southern Pine customers outside of Brewton and Flomaton — both cities are served by Alabama Power.
The incident was believed to have been the result of a small animal that wandered into the facility and created a short.
Three Injured In Molino Road, Highway 29 Crash
February 11, 2011
Three people were injured in a wreck involving a car and a semi-truck Friday night in Molino.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the driver of a Toyota Camry, Bridgette McMillian, 33, of Monroeville, Ala., was injured, along with two juvenile passengers ages 16 and 14. Two other passengers — Michael McMillian, 27, and Jeffrey McMillian, 29, both of Monroeville — were not injured. The injuries were not believed to be life threatening.
Their southbound vehicle was struck by a semi-tractor with no trailer being driven by Terry Spears, 54, of Molino, according to the FHP. Spears and his passenger, Joshua Spears, 29, were not injured.
According to the FHP. Spears pulled out of Molino Road directly into the path of McMillian’s car. Spears was cited for violation of right of way, and McMillian was cited for failure to provide proof of insurance, according to the FHP.
The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded to the crash.
Pictured above: Three of five people in this car were injured in a crash with a semi-truck Friday night in Molino. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Art Club To Host Barnes & Noble Book Fair
February 11, 2011
The Northview High School Art Club will be hosting a book fair Saturday at the Barnes & Noble book store in Pensacola to raise money for the visual arts program.
Ten percent of any purchase made at the store — whether it be beverages, food, books or music — will be donated to the school’s art program to purchase much-needed art supplies. To help, just mention Northview Arts or present a voucher (available in store) at the time of purchase.
Students will be face-painting for free and displaying art work at the store from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m tomorrow. Residents are urged to come out and support the arts in our community.
Additionally, 10 percent of any online purchases made this weekend will also be credited to the school’s art program; just use book fair ID#10422343
Two New Career Academies Planned For Ernest Ward Middle
February 11, 2011
Two new career academies are planned for Ernest Ward Middle School for the next school year.
A graphic arts academy and a culinary arts academy for Ernest Ward are both set for approval later this month by the Escambia County School Board. The new academies will be in addition to an electrical academy that is currently in its first year at the school.
Middle school career academies are small, personalized learning communities within a school in which select students and teachers participate during a two or three-year span. A career academy involves teachers from different subjects working together as an interdisciplinary team.
The Ernest Ward Middle School Graphic Arts Academy will focus on digital and web publishing, graphic design and multimedia production. Students will be able to continue their education in career academies at Northview, Tate, Pine Forest, Escambia or West Florida high schools. Students will also be able to earn high school credits while in middle school.
The academy will use software such as Microsoft Office and the Adobe Digital School Collection, including Photoshop Elements and Premier Pro Elements.
The lead instructor for the academy will be Brenda Rutherford.
The Ernest Ward Middle School Culinary Arts Academy will include topics such as creative food presentation, nutrition and wellness, personal health and kitchen design. Students will be able to continue their education with academies at Pine Forest, Washington and Escambia high school. While Northview High School does not offer a culinary-related academy, students that attend NHS will be able to take nutrition and wellness and principles of food preparation courses.
Students will produce a green kitchen design, produce an edible display, design and decorate cakes for a contest and more. Students will have the opportunity to obtain the “Safe Staff” industry certification while in middle school. An agreement with Pensacola State College will allow students entering PSC with ServSafe Certification to be awarded six college credits.
The lead instructor for the academy will be Kathy Ellis.
Get Your Trash Out Earlier; ECUA Changes Route Times
February 11, 2011
Beginning Tuesday, you’ll need to have your trash out earlier to make sure you don’t miss your pickup if you are an ECUA customer.
ECUA’s Sanitation Department will implement new collection routes for garbage, recycling and yard trash service on Tuesday, February 15. The changes will only affect the time of collection, while all collection days will remain as scheduled. To avoid a missed pickup, ECUA customers are asked to place their garbage and recycling containers, as well as any yard trash, at the curb by 5:30 a.m. on their normal collection day.
“The popularity of the ECUA Curbside Recycling program is reflected in the steadily increasing amount of recyclables and decreasing amount of garbage and yard trash being collected weekly,” said Nathalie Bowers, public information officer for ECUA. “A periodic review and adjustment in collection routes and schedules allow us to better serve our customers and operate in a more efficient and cost-effective way.”
For more information, or to learn about ECUA’s recycling program visit ecua.org or call (850) 476-0480.
Quintette Road To Be Resurfaced In Santa Rosa
February 11, 2011
Thursday, the Santa Rosa County Commission unanimously approved a $1.28 million project to resurface Quintette Road on the Santa Rosa County side of the Escambia River.
Santa Rosa County is entering into an agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation for the milling and resurfacing of Quintette Road from the Escambia River Bridge to Chumuckla Highway. The bottom line for the project is $1,275,655 — with 75 percent from the Florida Department of Transportation and 25 percent from the Electric Franchise Fee Road and Bridge Reserve fund.
Work is expected to begin on the project in April, and it should take about two months to complete, according to Joy Tsubooka, public information officer for Santa Rosa County.
Quintette Road runs from Highway 29 in Escambia County to Chumuckla Highway in Santa Rosa County. It is the only roadway across the Escambia River between Highway 4 in Century and Highway 90 in Pensacola.