Health Advisory: Oil Odor
June 5, 2010
The Escambia County Emergency Operation Center (EOC) has received reports of possible petroleum-like odors in parts of Escambia County. It is possible that these odors are related to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, according to statement released by the Escambia County Health Department.
There is currently no measurement data of petroleum-like substances in the air.
As a result, the Escambia County Health Department is advising residents that exposure to petroleum-like odors may cause temporary respiratory symptoms in sensitive individuals, such as eye, nose, and throat irritation. People experiencing respiratory symptoms, including those with pre-existing severe or chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma or chronic lung disease, should stay inside and consult their physician for treatment if symptoms persist.
While inside, residents should close windows and run their cooling system. If symptoms persist while inside an air-conditioned home, residents may choose to leave the area until their symptoms are tolerable. The health department will continue to monitor this situation in cooperation with the Emergency Operations Center.
Outwit and Outlast the Troublesome Armadillo
June 5, 2010
Have you ever discovered your once beautiful green lawn looking like the surface of the moon, full of craters? If so, then you may have been visited by an alien-looking creature known as the armadillo.
Armadillos originated in South America. They are mammals. They are neither rodents nor marsupials and are not related to the opossum. Their closest living relative is the anteater and sloth.
The most easily recognized feature of an armadillo is its shell. Their common name, armadillo, is derived from a Spanish term meaning “little armored one”. All armadillos have shells, made of true bone, that cover their backs. Most armadillos also have bony rings or plates that protect their tails.
Digging machines
Armadillos are built to dig. They rely on this ability to escape danger and survive. They prefer sandy or loam soils that are relatively easy to excavate. Therefore, they are well adapted to Northwest Florida soils.
Armadillos typically rest in deep burrows during the day and become more active during the late evening, night, or early morning. These burrows are usually located under brushpiles, stumps, dense brush, or concrete patios, and are about 7 to 8 inches in diameter and can be up to 15 feet long. They often have several burrows throughout their territory.
Food sources
Armadillos feed primarily on insects. They also eat earthworms, scorpions, spiders, snails, and small vertebrates and their eggs. They consume large amounts of armyworms, cockroaches, ants, wasps, flies, beetles, and grasshoppers. They have been known to dig up entire yellow-jacket nests.
Some consider the armadillo a beneficial creature because they eat potential pests. Many consider the armadillo a pest because of their destructive ways. Armadillo can burrow under driveways and patios causing structural damage. Burrows in pastures can pose a potential hazard to livestock. And because armadillos usually search for food by rooting or digging in the ground, they can damage large areas of the lawn or garden.
Control measures
If you find that you cannot live with these creatures, the University of Florida recommends four ways to deal with armadillos.
- reducing the amount of water and fertilizer you apply to your lawn
- creating barriers (e.g., fences),
- live-trapping
- shooting offending individuals (check local ordinances)
The best solution (and the most expensive) is a stout fence to keep the armadillos out. If you take this route, make sure the fence is buried at least 18 inches into the ground, or they might just burrow under it.
Reducing the water and fertilizer applications to your lawn may help reduce armadillo damage. A moist lush landscape is perfect for earthworms and insect larvae. Armadillos love earthworms. Sometimes watering adjacent areas may attract armadillos away from a site.
Trapping can be frustrating and may require some ingenious thinking. Some tried and true trapping techniques are discussed at length in an online University of Florida publication by Dr. Russ Mizell at http://ufinsect.ifas.ufl.edu/armadillo.htm.
Remember that poison baits are illegal and ineffective. No chemical repellents or fumigants are registered for use in Florida.
Armadillos are very happy in Northwest Florida and are here to stay. If they have become unwelcomed house guests, put your thinking cap on and be committed to outwitting and outlasting this prehistoric-looking creature.
For more information, contact Theresa Friday at 850-623-3868 or email tlfriday@ufl.edu. Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Molino Park 5th Graders Say Goodbye
June 5, 2010
There were lots of tears, smiles and hugs Friday morning at Molino Park Elementary School as fifth graders took their final walk to the buses on the last day of school.
Teachers, parents and other students cheered on the Molino Park graduates as they said goodbye to their elementary years.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured above and below: Fifth grade students take their final walk to the buses Friday morning at Molino Park Elementary School. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Manhunt In Molino For Burglary Suspect
June 4, 2010
A manhunt in Molino Friday morning turned up empty for a burglary suspect in the area of Sunshine Hill and Suncrest Lane.
The suspect is identified as Brandon Davis Edmondson, 30, of Molino. Deputies believe he was involved in a morning burglary in the 100 block of Molino Road and that he may have later fled his residence in the 6000 block of Sunshine Hill Road.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, deputies suspect Edmondson burglarized a shed on Molino Road, taking tools.
The suspect was last seen wearing a red shirt and blue jeans. Anyone with information is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Pictured top: A K-9 team searches for a burglary suspect in Molino Friday morning. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Globs Of Oil,Tarballs Found On Pensacola Beach; Cap Over Well
June 4, 2010
The first small balls of oil were found on Pensacola Beach Friday morning.
Sam Champion made the early morning tarball discovery on ABC’s Good Morning America. Scooping up a handful of sand, removed an oil ball that he described as “a red-like, tar oil substance right on the beaches of Pensacola this morning”. He compared the balls of oil to what he had seen what scuba diving in the Gulf Tuesday.
“It wasn’t here last night,” he said. “I’m really, really upset about this.”
Thursday night, BP managed to place cap over the Deepwater Horizon oil leak deep in the Gulf. From video, it was impossible to tell if the funnel-shaped lid was working — oil could bee seen gushing rapidly from around the cap.
BP said Friday morning that some oil was flowing through a pipe from the cap to the surface, but it was too early to tell exactly how much of the oil was being captured.
Pictured top: ABC’s Sam Champion holds one of many oily tarballs found Friday morning on Pensacola Beach. To watch the video, click the photo. Photo courtesy ABC’s Good Morning America.o Pictured inset: A cap placed over the leaking oil well Thursday night did not appear to impede the flow of oil. BP photo.
Man Accused Of Murdering Century Native Changes Plea
June 4, 2010
A Bay Minette teen wants to withdraw his no contest plea charges that he shot a Century native in the face last June.
Ellis Jarel McArthur, 18, of Bay Minette, Ala., entered the surprise no contest plea in Escambia County Circuit Court in March. He was due to be sentenced Thursday, but instead told the judge that he wants to change his plea. A new hearing is scheduled for July.
McArthur was charged with the shooting death of Jeffrey Kimbrough, 41, of Pensacola. Kimbrough was a former resident of Century. McArthur will remain in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Kimbrough was born in Century and attended Century Elementary and Carver Middle school. During the time he lived in Century, Kimbrough was a member of Century Volunteer Fire Department where he obtained the rank of captain. After moving from Century, he served as a volunteer for the Pensacola Fire Department. He was employed the last five years at the Pensacola Civic Center.
He was survived by his wife of 24 years Clara Ann Nettle; children Bridgett, Leroca, Elandarge and Tamara; mother Carrie Kimbrough; four brothers and three sisters. His funeral was held at New Life Baptist Church in Century, and internment was in the Century Cemetery.
Kimbrough was shot June 14, 2009, in the 1500 block of Gulf Beach Highway in the Warrington community in the southwest part of the county. The incident occurred at the Heritage Oaks Mobile Home Park, which had been without water for about a week due to a bill that the park owner did not pay to the Peoples Water Service.
Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies said Kimbrough confronted McArthur about a stolen wallet. That is when, according to deputies, McArthur pulled out a handgun and shot Kimbrough in the face. Kimbrough died a short time later at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola.
The shooting incident occurred not far from where members of Pensacola’s First Assembly of God Church were holding services, grilling hot dogs and giving away water to the trailer park residents. Several members of the church witnessed the shooting.
Cantonment Man Seriously Injured In Highway 95A Crash
June 4, 2010
A Cantonment man was seriously injured in a wreck Thursday night on Highway 95A in Cantonment.
The Florida Highway Patrol said David M. Boyce, 27, of Cantonment was traveling north on a 2006 Suzuki motorcycle about 9:49 p.m. On Highway 95A south of Roberts Road, he changed lanes and passed several vehicles. Then, he suddenly changed lanes back to the northbound lane, failing to slow enough to avoid a collision.
Boyce’s motorcycle slid on its side into the rear of 2004 Jeep driven by William T. Hooper III, 21, of Cantonment. Boyce was transported to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola in serious condition. Hooper was not injured in the crash.
Charges are pending against Boyce in the crash, according to the FHP.
Smith Indicted In Ax Murder Case
June 4, 2010
An Escambia County Grand Jury returned a first degree premeditated murder charge Thursday against accused an ax murderer that told deputies “I enjoyed it; I loved every friggin’ swing” .
Nathan Greg Smith, 28, will be arraigned on the charge June 10. He remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond for the May 19 murder of Brian Puckett, 34.
Puckett was found dead in a home May 19 on Hollowbrook Circle, a cul-de-sac near Hillcrest Baptist Church. Deputies believe he died after being hit in the head with an ax.
Nathan Smith’s mother, Constance Smith, told investigators that her boyfriend Puckett was dead in the garage. Deputies found Puckett’s body sitting in a chair in the garage. “They immediately noticed a large laceration to the left side of the victim’s head, and it was apparent he was deceased,” Deputy Robert Guy, Jr. wrote in his report. The report states deputies found an ax by the back door of the garage, about 10-15 feet from the victim.
Deputies found Nathan Smith asleep inside the residence. He told them that he had been out with his friend the previous night and had gotten home about midnight. He told deputies that Puckett and Constance Smith were arguing, but he went straight to his room and went to sleep.
The friend told deputies that he and Nathan Smith arrived at the residence about 2:30 a.m. At about 5 a.m., Nathan Smith went to the nearby friend’s house and stated that he had gotten into an altercation with Puckett and ” he thought he hurt him pretty bad”, the Sheriff’s Office report states.
The friend said he later received a phone call from a hysterical Constance Smith stating that Puckett was dead and that she thought her son, Nathan Smith, was in trouble. The friend told deputies that Constance Smith said that Puckett had been hit with an ax.
Nathan Smith, Constance Smith and Puckett all resided in the same house, according to deputies.
Molino 16U Lady Astros Are Tourney Runner-Ups
June 4, 2010
The Molino 16U Lady Astros softball team started their season as runner-ups in a recent USFA qualifier tournament in Daphne, Alabama.
The Astros lost in the elimination round to Voo Doo of New Orleans, only to face them again and beat them 4-3 in the semi-finals to advance to the championships. The Lady Astros came up short, losing 3-1 to Crossfire of Gulfport.
Pitching for the Lady Astros were Jami Ujvair, Tristen Faircloth and Heather Schaff. Molino had team batting average of over 400 for the tournament and only two errors in the championship game.
Pictured: The Molino 16U Lady Astros softball team. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jay High Class Of 2010 Graduates
June 4, 2010
About 75 members of the Jay High School Class of 2010 graduated Thursday night at the school. Class valedictorian was Cierra Golden, and salutatorian was Rush Hendricks. About half of this year’s class earned a scholarship, with over $900,000 awarded. Submitted photo by Julie Booth-Moran for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.