Evers’ Open Carry Gun Bill Passes Senate Committee
April 16, 2011
An open carry law opposed by law enforcement and backed heavily by the National Rifle Association passed the Senate Rules Committee Friday on an 8-4 vote, but some committee members said their support may evaporate on the floor.
The measure sponsored by Rep. Greg Evers allows people with concealed license permits to carry their guns in full view in stores but not at schools and other prohibited areas.
The bill now travels to the floor. The House version was approved by the House Judiciary Committee and awaits action on the floor.
By The Numbers: Using Fertilizer On Your Lawn
April 16, 2011
Many people think a beautiful lawn is unattainable, but that is not necessarily true. A good lawn can be achieved if you develop a good understanding of proper fertilization, watering, pest control and mowing.
Larry Williams, Horticulture Extension Agent in Okaloosa County, provides some basic facts relating to fertilizing a Florida lawn:
Many popular lawn fertilizers have too much nitrogen and too little potassium. A common example is 29‐3‐4. These numbers represent the percent nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), respectively. A 29‐3‐4 fertilizer has a lot more nitrogen (29%) than potassium (4%). Despite the fact it’s readily available, it’s not a good choice for a Florida lawn.
It’s better to select a fertilizer where the first and third numbers are equal or close to equal and the center number is very low. A few examples found locally include 15‐0‐15, 16‐2‐16 and 18‐0‐18.
You may be able to produce an attractive lawn for three, four, five years or so using a high nitrogen and low potassium fertilizer such as 29‐3‐4. But at some point in time, your lawn will begin to decline. This is the misleading part. When the lawn begins to deteriorate, most people blame mole crickets or something else. They never realize the true cause for the decline in their lawn. The excess nitrogen creates a nice green lawn short term (for a few years). But the lawn needs adequate amounts of potassium and other essential plant nutrients, which are not provided by a 29‐3‐4 or similar analysis fertilizer. As a result, the lawn declines with time.
Of the three primary nutrients (N, P and K), potassium is second only to nitrogen in utilization by lawns. Adequate potassium has been linked to reduced disease problems,
improved drought and cold tolerance and enhanced root growth.
Lawn grasses use much less phosphorus (center number) than nitrogen and/or potassium. Because of this and because phosphorus has been implicated as a cause for
problems in our surface waters, it’s recommended to base phosphorus rates on the results of a reliable soil test. In the absence of a soil test, select a fertilizer with 2% or less phosphorus. For a newly planted lawn, choose something like 8‐4‐8 or 10‐4‐10 when a soil test indicates a need for extra phosphorus.
Finally, look for slow release lawn fertilizers. It’s best to purchase a lawn fertilizer with at least half the nitrogen in a slow release form. Usually in very small print beneath the guaranteed analysis you can find a statement about the amount of slow release nitrogen. The words water insoluble, slowly available or slowly available soluble nitrogen or coated are types of slow‐release nitrogen.
Then, some calculations are necessary. If, for example a 10‐10‐10 fertilizer says it contains 5% slow‐release nitrogen, divide the 5% by the total percent of nitrogen (10% in this example) and multiply by 100 to get the percentage of nitrogen that is in slow-release form. In this example it is 5/10 x 100=50%.
Choosing a fertilizer with the right numbers is an important part of maintaining a healthy long lasting Florida lawn. For additional information on this topic, contact your
local UF/IFAS Extension Office or visit http://hort.ufl.edu/yourfloridalawn/ .
Thrower Announces He Will Seek Atmore Mayor’s Office In 2012
April 16, 2011
Just days after Atmore Mayor Howard Shell announced that he will not seek re-election in 2012, a local resident has committed to seeking the office.
Chad Thrower, a gaming agent at the Poarch Creek Indians Tribal Gaming Commission, announced this week on his Facebook page that he has committed to compete in the 2012 mayor’s race.
“We must find ways to bring in more manufacturing companies and grow our retail and service industries as well,” Thrower said. “Once we accomplish that and fight to keep the businesses here we can start an economic cycle of prosperity for Atmore.”
Thower, 27, said he also has an issue with the “massive debt the city has assumed by purchasing the Rivercane property”.
Thrower is currently politically active with Congressman Ron Paul’s Campaign for Liberty organization. He currently manages six counties, including Escambia, as the group’s Alabama Campaign for Liberty Region I Coordinator.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Woman Hospitalized Following Dog Attack
April 15, 2011
A Molino woman is recovering after being attacked by two large dogs Friday afternoon.
The incident happened about 2:15 p.m. outside a home in the 5000 block of Chestnut Road in Molino. The woman, who was in her 60’s, suffered bites to her legs, arms and back, according to Deputy Chris Welborn, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
She was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. Her name and condition were not available.
The dogs, which were described as “large and aggressive”, were later captured by Escambia County Animal Control. They will be quarantined at the Escambia County Animal Shelter.
After the attack, the woman managed to retreat back inside the home.
Her cat was reportedly killed by the dogs.
Tornado Captured On Video
April 15, 2011
A tornado in Jackson, Mississippi, was caught on video Friday afternoon.
Explosions and sparks from falling power lines and transformers can been seen as the tornado tracks along the ground. To watch the video, click play above.
Deputies: Alabama Man Finds Falling In Love With Local Prostitutes Not Recommended
April 15, 2011
An Alabama man was beaten and robbed early Thursday evening after a local prostitute he developed feelings for set him up.
At around 8:30 p.m., April 14, deputies responded to the Cutty Sark Bar, at 3811 Mobile Highway, for a reported robbery.
According to the victim, identified as 50-year-old Danny Fountain of Summerdale, AL, he was visiting a prostitute, at a residence in the 800 block of Citrus Street, when he was attacked. He could only identify the prostitute by her first name of Terry and her nickname of “Tee”.
Fountain told deputies that he was sitting in his vehicle waiting on the prostitute when he was approached by her and two black males. The two male suspects pulled him from the vehicle and began to beat him and demand money. During the attack, the prostitute directed the male suspects to look in Fountains shirt pocket for the money. One of the suspects reached into his pocket and stole $300 in cash, an ATM card and a driver’s license.
During the investigation Fountain was unable to provide deputies with any other physical description concerning the black male suspects. He did tell deputies that the prostitute had blonde hair and was wearing shorts. He said that he had known the prostitute for several days after picking her up on Citrus Street. He then admitted that he had developed feelings for her and thought that she cared for him. After this incident, he realizes that she didn’t and had set him up.
“Solicitation of prostitution is not a good idea for a number of reasons. One risks the chances of arrest, contracting sexually transmitted disease or a fate similar to the victim in this case,” said sheriff’s spokesperson Deputy Chris Welborn. “Falling in love with our local prostitutes is certainly not recommended.”
Fountain, who was injured during the attack, refused medical treatment.
Deputies Looks For Clues In Arby’s Armed Roberry
April 15, 2011
Escambia County Sheriff’s investigators are hoping the public can help provide information that will lead to the arrest of an Arby’s armed robbery suspect.
On Thursday, April 14, at around 8:40 p.m., deputies responded to the Arby’s restaurant on Davis Highway for a reported robbery. They were told by three employees that a white male wearing a black ski mask that partially obscured his face, blue “hoodie”, blue jeans and white sneakers jumped over the counter with a handgun and demanded money.
According to deputies, the suspect was believed to be armed with a small semi-automatic handgun. They would not disclose the amount of money that was taken before the suspect fled.
“After the suspect ran out of the store he entered an older a 1997 or 1998 Ford F-150 truck. The truck was described as being painted black with a red stripe down the side,” said sheriff’s spokesperson Deputy Chris Welborn. “We’re hoping this information will result in phone calls from the public, which hopefully results in the arrest of this individual.”
Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Northview To Hold Beginners Volleyball Clinic Next Week
April 15, 2011
Northview High School will host a Volleyball Junior/Beginners Clinic next week for new players wishing to learn the basics of the game.
Participants must be in at least the sixth grade. High school participants are also welcome if they are new to volleyball. Different skill level groups will be formed during the clinic. Participants will work with current and former Northview players and coaches and learn to improve their individual and team skills. Sessions will begin at 4 p.m. each day April 19-21.
The cost is $30. For a flyer and registration/release form with more information, click here.
For questions, call Betty Heaton at (850) 327-6681 or email bheaton@escambia.k12.fl.us.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Suspect Shot, Killed By Deputy In Armed Santa Rosa Standoff
April 15, 2011
A 45-year old man was shot to death Thursday night after a standoff with Santa Rosa County deputies.
Johann Felber was shot by a Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office deputy after he reportedly fired a shotgun out the window of his Milton home during the armed standoff.
Just before 6 p.m. Thursday, deputies responded to a reported armed family disturbance at 4504 Galt City Road where they found Felber standing on his porch armed with a shotgun, according to Sgt. Scott Haines, public information officer for the Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office. Deputies ordered Felber to drop the weapon, at which time he retreated inside of the residence.
A hostage negotiator was able to reach Felber on the phone.
“The suspect was very irate and told the negotiator that either the deputies would die, or he would die, and that he was not going to come out of this situation alive. During the negotiations, the suspect fired numerous rounds from a shotgun inside of his residence. Deputies could hear the suspect reloading his shotgun on numerous occasions,” Haines said.
At about 8:43, Felber broke out the front bedroom window of the home with the shotgun.
“The suspect then pointed the shotgun at a deputy that was outside, at which time the deputy fired his weapon at the suspect. The suspect dropped out of view and it was not immediately known if the suspect was incapacitated,” according to Haines.
The Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office SWAT team deployed robot inside the home. The suspect was located on a video feed from the robot incapacitated in the bedroom where he was last seen in the window. The SWAT team then entered the home where Felber was found dead.
As is standard practice, the officer-involved shooting is under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Escambia Considers Moving School Bus Stops That Avoid Sex Offenders
April 15, 2011
The Escambia County School District is looking at new bus stop policies in an effort they say will keep children safe from sexual offenders and predators.
The district is set to vote at a meeting next week to lower the distance between bus stops and some sex offenders. Under the current rules, bus stops are not allowed within 1,000 feet of a registered offender or predator’s home. That policy, according to district officials, forces some children to walk long distances to a bus stop, perhaps putting them in greater risk of contact with a sex offender.
Across Escambia County, officials say 44 percent of all public school children live within 1,000 feet of a registered sex offender.
The new policy under consideration would follow current state law by keeping bus stops 1,000 or more feet from a sexual predator or offender being monitored by the state. But in the case of other offenders, the limit would be lowered to 100 feet.
The final vote on any bus stop changes will come at the next meeting of the Escambia County School Board next Tuesday.