Escambia Master Gardeners Tips For July
July 24, 2010
The Escambia County Master Gardeners offer the following tips for July:
YARD
- Plant: Seeds of late cosmos, gaillardia, portulaca, zinnia, marigolds, bulbs, and native iris.
VEGETABLES
- Plant: Seeds of okra, Southern peas, cherry-type tomatoes. Blooms drop if temperature stays high at night, so water regularly and apply at least 3″ of mulch.
- Start: Broccoli, cauliflower, collards and cabbage for fall transplants. Late in the month plant tomato plants rooted from spring suckers or purchased at a garden center. Remember to get the ones marked VFFNT.
MISCELLANEOUS
- Check mulch in flower beds and under trees and shrubs. Reapply to bring it up to three inches to discourage weeds and conserve moisture. Pull mulch back from plant trunks to prevent rot.
- Remove spent vegetable and flower plants. Destroy those infected with disease or insects, and place remainder in compost heap.
- Fertilize annuals early this month if you didn’t do it in June.
- Apply mole cricket bait on moist soil in the afternoon when it is not likely to rain. However, it is essential to read and understand the insecticide label carefully for application directions.
- Keep azaleas and camellias well watered because they are setting next season’s flower buds. Remember that they are shallow rooted. Feed with an azalea fertilizer according to directions, or apply about 1/8 cup of 10-10-10 per foot of plant height after a good rain and water it in.
- Continue to monitor rose bushes each week for signs of insects or disease. Feed regularly with rose fertilizer or use 1/4 cup of 10-10-10 per plant.
- Prune roses late this month or until the middle of August to encourage a good crop of fall flowers. Remove four to six inches of each main stem.
- Lawn pests can be a problem this time of year. Before treating, find out if an insect is the culprit and treat only the affected area.
- Blossom-end rot on tomatoes or similar rot on peppers is frequently caused by a calcium deficiency and fluctuations in soil moisture. Discard rotting fruit. Keep plants evenly moist. Next season have soil tested and amend according to recommendations.
- Watch for yellowing leaves on plants. It may be a sign of chlorosis (iron deficiency), a common condition of sandy soil. Apply liquid iron or minor elements according to label directions.
- Crape myrtles susceptible to powdery mildew should be placed in locations that allow air movement to help avoid potential problems with this unsightly disease.
- Cut back poinsettias, wisteria (cut to two or three buds), chrysanthemums, dahlias and other fall blooming plants to encourage formation of more flowers.
- Pinch off salvia and marigold blooms as soon as they fade. Cut back zinnias, portulacas and verbena by several inches. Feed with 1/4 pound of 10-10-10 per square foot of planted area.
- If you still have blooming cannas, remove flower stalks to right above the uppermost leaf as soon as the blossoms fade. A new flower stalk will sprout.
- Take geranium cuttings for winter color. Start new plants from cuttings or by layering side shoots of oleander, gardenia, abelia, pittosporum, and verbena.
- Time to order cool weather vegetable and flower seeds! Calendula, larkspur, pansies, snapdragons, alyssum, candytuft, dianthus, Shasta daisy, California poppy, gaillardia, baby’s breath, nasturtium, petunias, phlox, verbena, lettuce, radishes, turnips, broccoli, beans, carrots, squash, cucumbers, cauliflower, collards (or milder tasting rape), Swiss chard, and Brussels sprouts. Store seeds in the refrigerator in airtight containers until you are ready to plant.
Crist Extends Benefits For Florida’s Long-Term Unemployed
July 24, 2010
Not content to wait for lawmakers to act later this year, Gov. Charlie Crist issued an executive order on Friday that will make nearly a quarter million Floridians who have been out of work for a long time eligible for additional benefits.
Congress passed and President Obama signed legislation this week that extends federal jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed for another six months.
Florida’s extended benefit program, which pays up to 20 weeks of additional jobless benefits to people who have used up their regular benefits, which typically last up to 79 weeks. But that program expired in June in Florida when lawmakers declined to extend it during the regular session, leaving the state unable to take advantage of the new federal dollars being made available to the long-term unemployed.
Florida had an unemployment rate of 11.4 percent last month. In addition to about 250,000 people who will now be eligible for extended benefits between now and December because of Crist’s executive order, about 900,000 other unemployed Floridians already were set to get additional help because of the new law approved in Washington this week.
The cost of the supplemental benefits is paid by the federal government.
Democrats in Florida had urged Crist to either call the Legislature into another special session – lawmakers were in session one day this week but didn’t address the issue – or to issue an executive order to change the law to make the extra benefits available.
“Unemployed Floridians are struggling in this challenging economic climate, trying to figure out how to pay their bills and support their families,” said Crist, an independent. “We simply cannot desert the 250,000 Floridians who qualify for the extended federal assistance signed into law yesterday.”
Crist had been unsure earlier in the week whether he could unilaterally make the change or whether the Legislature’s approval was needed. House Speaker Larry Cretul, R-Ocala, said Thursday that lawmakers would probably try to address the issue when they return for a special session next month or in September.
But Crist, who is running for U.S. Senate, said Friday he had determined he had a “constitutional duty” to authorize the use of available federal funds.
Advocates for the unemployed said they were pleased the governor acted, rather than waiting for lawmakers to return. People who have been out of work for months, and without unemployment benefits since June, will not only benefit, said Karen Woodall, an advocate for the unempoyed. “It’s businesses too – because that money gets spent and put into the economy,” Woodall said.
Crist’s executive order made the benefits retroactive to June 5 when the state law expired. They’ll continue through Dec. 4.
Agency for Workforce Innovation Secretary Cynthia Lorenzo said the state still needs guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor on some issues related to the newly approved benefits, but that the state should begin issuing checks within a couple weeks. The agency is mailing notices of the new eligibility dates to beneficiaries, Lorenzo said.
Escambia Considering Red Light Cameras, Could Net $3 Million Per Year
July 23, 2010
Escambia County is considering the installation of red light cameras in anticipation of adding up to $3 million per year to the county’s coffers.
“Escambia County is interested in pursuing installation of red light cameras at locations exhibiting substantial incidences of red light violations to improve enforcement capabilities,” Interim County Administrator Larry Newsom said in his written recommendation to the county commission.
The Florida Legislature approved the use of red light cameras earlier this year, with the law taking effect on July 1. According to Newsom, Sheriff David Morgan is interested in pursuing installation at problem intersections, and the idea is supported by the county’s traffic operations staff.
The automated cameras snap a photo of the car and license plate of alleged red light runners, and the driver receives a $158 citation in the mail — along with a photo of the violation. Of the $158 fine, Escambia County would retain $75. With 20 camera locations, Escambia County would earn as estimated $2-3 million per year.
The Sheriff’s Department would be responsible for providing trained traffic enforcement officer to review the photos and other evidence prior to a citation being issued. A portion of the county’s revenue would be transferred to the sheriff for increased personnel costs.
The county will hold a public hearing on August 19 at 5:30 prior to a commission meeting on a proposed red light camera ordinance.
New Over-The-Air TV Station Available
July 23, 2010
There’s a new viewing choice in the local television market. WFGX MyTV 35 is now broadcasting from WEAR TV 3’s tower in Baldwin County, providing a strong over-the-air signal in the North Escambia area.
WFGX offers MyNetworkTV programming from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. with such popular programs as “WWE: Smackdown”, “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?”, “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” and “The Unit”.
The station also airs movies from ThisTV throughout the day and with the programs “Jerry Springer”, “Maury Povich”, “Inside Edition” and “Extra” on weekdays. During the weekend, WFGX airs “Desperate Housewives”, “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Bones”.
The station is available over-the-air as channel 35.1 (physically on channel 50) in standard definition.
“Sometime in early August we will be changing to a High-Definition signal only,” said Joe Smith, WEAR/WFGX operations manager. In the near future, the station will add “TheCoolTV”, a music station, on a second digital channel.
In order to view WFGX, viewers using an antenna to receive over-the-air TV should use the “re-scan” feature on their digital TV or DTV converter box. WFGX is also carried on Cox Cable in Pensacola and Fort Walton Beach, and Mediacom in Gulf Breeze and Milton. WFGX is not currently carried on other area cable systems or satellite services.
“Viewers with cable or satellite should contact those companies asking them to provide WFGX MyTV 35,” Smith said.
WFGX has been on the air since 1987, but was previously available to viewers in the Fort Walton Beach area. With the move to WEAR’s tower near Robertsdale, the station is now available in the entire Mobile-Pensacola television market.
Are You Ready To Vote?
July 23, 2010
Are you election-ready?
From party primaries for Florida’s next U.S. senator, governor and cabinet, state legislative delegation, county commission, and ECUA, to non-partisan races for school board, circuit judge, and Pensacola’s first “strong mayor,” a wide array of important contests are up for grabs in the August 24th primary election. With the election rapidly approaching, it is important that you prepare to exercise one of your most fundamental rights as an American.
If you are not registered to vote, you must do so by Monday, July 26th. If you are unsure of your registration status, you can visit EscambiaVotes.com and click ‘Am I Registered?’ to find out. We need to know if you recently moved, changed your name, or wish to change political parties. Florida is a closed primary state, which means that in order to vote in a party’s primary, you must be a registered member of that party no later than July 26th.
At EscambiaVotes.com, you can also view your sample ballot, locate your polling place (several have changed since 2008), learn how to cast your vote, request an absentee ballot, and follow the progress of that ballot by clicking ‘Track My Ballot’. You can confirm that we have your request, check the date your ballot was mailed, and verify when it is received back in our office. It is a valuable new tool, especially for our men and women in uniform deployed across the globe.
There are three different ways to cast your ballot:
* Vote by mail, by requesting an absentee ballot and returning it to our office before the polls close
* Vote early at any one of four locations in Escambia County, beginning August 9th
* Vote at your precinct between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Election Day
In the 2008 general election, early votes and absentee ballots together totaled more than half of all ballots cast. In other words, more votes in Escambia County were cast before the polls opened than on Election Day.
If you vote in person during early voting or on Election Day, you will receive a paper ballot to complete and insert into a digital scanner. For voters with disabilities, a touchscreen with an audio ballot feature is also available at each polling place. Be sure to bring your photo and signature ID with you to the polls.
So, check your registration status, request an absentee ballot if you wish, familiarize yourself with the candidates, locate your polling place or nearest early voting site, and be on the lookout for your sample ballot in the mail within the next few weeks. If you have any questions or need more information, call 595-3900 or visit EscambiaVotes.com. We’ll see you at the polls!
David H. Stafford
Escambia County Supervisor of Elections
Northwest Escambia Drops First State Game As Tourney Continues
July 23, 2010
The Northwest Escambia 11-12 year old softball team lost their first state tournament game Thursday night in Fort Myers, but they have at least two more games to play.
Port St. Johns slipped past NWE 4-1 in game one of the state championship series.
Mallory Ryan pitched the first two innings, striking out two and with no walks. Courtney Peebles pitched the second two innings, with two strike outs and two walks. Kyndall Hall finished up the game on the mound for Northwest Escambia with no strike out s and three walks. Ryan had the only RBI for NWE, scoring Kristen Byrd.
Northwest Escambia won the Little League Section 1 championship last weekend in Tallahassee, sweeping two games from Tallahassee Chaires Little Leage, 16-1 and 8-2.
Members of the NWE 11-12 year old All-Stars are: Savanna Roux, Peighton Dortch, Courtney Peebles, Kyndall Hall, Penny Banda, Addy Lee, Kendal Cobb, Mallory Ryan, Kristin Byrd and Natalie Goetter. The team is managed by Jerry Mason, and coached by Ronald Peebles and Eddie Ryan.
Pictured: The Northwest Escambia All-Stars 11-12 softball team after last Saturday’s sectional win in Tallahassee. File photo, click to enlarge.
Gulf Power Offers Hot Weather Energy Savings Tips
July 23, 2010
Gulf Power company is offering some tips for the summer heat — tips that can save you money whether you are a customer of Gulf Power, Escambia River Electric Cooperative, Alabama Power or Southern Pine Electric Cooperative.
Set your thermostat and leave it
During the summer, your air conditioner is the biggest user of electricity. For many homes, it accounts for more than half of the summer electric bill.
- Set your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher and leave it there. For every degree below that setting, you’ll use 3 to 5 percent more electricity.
- Set the thermostat even higher when at work or away from home for long periods of time, but no more than five degrees higher.
- Change or clean your air conditioner filter regularly. Dirty filters restrict airflow and reduce efficiency.
- Use your ceiling fan for more comfort. Only turn it on when you’re in the room. Ceiling fans only cool people, not rooms.
- Clear outside AC units of plants or brush so they can run more efficiently.
Insulate
- Increase attic insulation, which can save up to 30 percent on cooling and heating costs.
- Insulation is measured in R-value, which is a measure of resistance to heat flow. So the higher the R-value, the better the insulation value.
- Experts recommend you use an R-value of R-38 in ceiling areas.
- Check your windows and doors for air leaks. Install weather stripping or caulking if needed.
Kitchen
- Whenever possible, cook a lot of meals at the same time. This uses less energy than when you cook each meal separately.
- If you’re baking, avoid opening the oven door. This lets out 20 percent of the heat. Use a cooking timer instead.
- Use pots and pans that match the size of the burners on your stove. This allows more heat to the pan and less heat will be lost to surrounding air.
- Try to use the range instead of the oven. Better yet, turn on the microwave or use a pressure cooker. Both use less power than a standard electric range.
Refrigerator
- Choose the right size refrigerator for your needs. Larger models use more energy. Open and close the refrigerator door quickly. Know what you want before opening the door.
- Make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight. Check it by closing a piece of paper in the door, half in and half out. If you can pull the paper out easily, you may need to make some adjustments or replace the seal.
- Keep your food covered. Moisture buildup in the refrigerator makes the air inside harder to cool.
Dishwasher
- Run the dishwasher, dryer and the stove after the sun goes down to avoid adding heat to your house.
- When using the dishwasher, turn off the drying cycle if you don’t need dishes right away.
- Wait until the dishwasher is full before running it. Partial loads can use just as much water and power as a full load.
- Scrape dishes before loading them into the dishwasher so you don’t have to rinse them. If they need rinsing, use cold water.
Lighting
One of the best ways to save energy is to turn off lights that aren’t in use.
- Use fluorescent lighting or CFLs when possible. They last about 10 times longer than incandescent lamps. And they can produce four times more light than standard incandescent lamps, for the same amount of energy.
- Use one large bulb instead of several small ones in areas where bright light is needed.
- Use smaller lamps in work areas, like sewing areas and computer desks, so you don’t light the entire room.
- Lighter-colored walls, drapes, blinds and upholstery reflect light. Dark colors absorb heat and require more artificial light.
Gulf Power customers can call 1-877-655-4001 or visit www.gulfpower.com for summer money-saving tips. Customers can also do their own Energy Check Up online — a 5-minute EZ Check Up or more detailed 20-minute Full Check Up is available to help identify low cost and no cost ways to make your home more energy efficient.
For even more ways to save money and energy, learn about our EarthCents programs at www.gulfpower.com.
Escambia River Electric Cooperative also offers many other money saving energy tips at www.erec.net.
16-Year Old Now Charged As An Adult After Deputy’s Tire Shot Out
July 23, 2010
A 16-year old will now be tried as an adult after allegedly dumping a firearm into the middle of a North Escambia street, eventually leading to a shot being fired into a deputy’s tire.
Ladarrious Tamiraye Lett of Ivey Street, Century, is facing charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted delinquent under 24 years of age, tampering with evidence and culpable negligence. His bond was set at $21,000.
Lett was originally charged as a juvenile in connection with the July 14 incident, but his case was transferred to Escambia County Circuit Court this week. He is scheduled to be arraigned on August 6.
The incident began at 3:23 a.m. on July 14 when Deputy Scott Rivkin conducted a traffic stop on a black Eagle Talon with no headlights near North Century Boulevard and Henry Streets. The driver of the vehicle was given a warning for failing to use his headlights. Lett was reportedly the passenger in the vehicle. Both left the area.
About five minutes later, Rivkin was traveling on North Century Boulevard in the same area as the traffic stop when when he heard what he believed to be a gunshot. Upon investigation, he discovered a .22 caliber pistol in the middle of North Century Boulevard. When the right rear wheel of the deputy’s cruiser rolled over the weapon, it had fired a round, flattening the tire. Next to the revolver, the deputy discovered one empty shell casing and five live rounds of ammunition.
While Deputy Rivkin was still parked on North Century Boulevard, he noticed the driver from the previous traffic stop and Lett approaching him on foot. The two were separated and questioned as the Flomaton Police Department responded for backup.
The driver told authorities that Lett had dropped the gun out of the vehicle’s window just prior to the traffic stop and that the pair had returned to the area to retrieve the gun. The 16-year old told deputies that he had purchased the gun from an individual, and he provided a bill of sale. Lett admitted to dropping the gun out of the vehicle window, according to his arrest report.
Thompson Gets Life Sentence In Cheryl Cain Murder; ‘Closure’ For Family
July 22, 2010
Scott Joseph Thompson will remain behind bars for the rest of his life for the murder of Cheryl Cain, the Cantonment woman whose body was found in a Pensacola dumpster in March, 2009.
Thompson, now 30, was found guilty of second-degree murder for the strangulation death. Following the jury verdict, Circuit Judge Ronald Swanson sentenced Thompson to life in prison.
“I’m tickled to death for the verdict,” said Danny Cain, Cheryl’s father, Wednesday night. “I hate it for his family. But they can go and see him in jail. We can’t go see our daughter.”
When he was arrested on the second degree murder charges, Thompson was already in the Escambia County Jail for violating probation on 2007 narcotics charges, according to court records, waiting for a bed to become available in a drug treatment facility.
Cain’s body was found in a dumpster behind a former gas station on Highway 29 at Burgess Road in Pensacola on March 25, 2009. DNA evidence from the dumpster and in Cain’s car were used to charge Thompson with murder, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department. Thompson’s DNA was reportedly found in Cain’s vehicle, which was located after the murder at a Pensacola motel.
Phone records also connected Thompson to Cain, as well as a witness that testified that the two argued over money the last day she was seen alive.
It took an Escambia County jury just an hour and twenty minutes Wednesday night to return the guilty verdict.
“We finally got some closure,” Danny Cain said.
In March of this year, Danny Cain spoke to NorthEscambia.com about what it was like to loose his daughter.
“It wasn’t suppose to be this way,” Cain said in that interview. His daughter Cheryl was a rodeo star, a proud Tate graduate, and doing what she loved — working with animals at the office of a Pensacola veterinarian.
“I think about it every day; something always reminds me of her” Cain said. “There’s no way to explain it. He took her life.”
Cain admits sometimes he thinks that he would like to sit down face to face with Thompson. “I wish I could talk to him and understand why.”
The support of friends, family and church have been important for the Cain family. A memorial in front of the gas station where Cheryl’s body was discovered has also provided a bit of solace. Hundreds of stuffed animals and handwritten notes have been left behind by the community. But nothing, Cain said, replaces the empty void created by the murder.
“We sure miss her. I wish we could have her back.”
Pictured top: A makeshift memorial for Cantonment murder victim Cheryl Cain at a Pensacola gas station. Pictured below (courtesy WEAR): Cheryl Cain’s body was found in this dumpster. Pictured above: Cherly Cain and her dog Bandit. Submitted and NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
House Candidate’s Wife Jailed On Drug Trafficking, Related Charges
July 22, 2010
The wife of a candidate for Florida House District 1 has been arrested on drug charges in Santa Rosa County.
Jennifer Rene Perritt, 38, of Wallace Lake Road, Pace, is charged with drug trafficking, prescription forgery and fraud. She was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail where she was being held on $620,000 bond.
(Read a July 24 update to this story here.)
She is the wife of Ricky Perritt, a Republic candidate for the Florida House District 1 seat. A statement issued by Perritt’s campaign said Jennifer Perritt has suffered from a degenerative spinal condition for the past seven years, and that she became addicted to her prescribed pain medications.
“Last night Mrs. Perritt voluntarily reported to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff to answer questions regarding allegations that she mishandled prescriptions,” the news release states. “Mr. Perritt is concerned for the health of his wife and he is consulting with the appropriate professionals to evaluate the situation. During this time Mr. Perritt asks you to pray for his family and asks that you respect his wife’s privacy.”
Ricky Perritt plans to hold a press conference on Friday to answer questions regarding his future plans.
Florida House District 1 includes the northern two-thirds of Escambia County, most of Santa Rosa County and a portion of Okaloosa County. The seat is being vacated by Greg Evers who is running for Florida Senate District 2.