Giving Praise: Entire Bible Read Aloud In 30 Minutes
May 9, 2010
The entire Bible was read aloud in about 30 minutes Thursday evening in Atmore. Almost 200 people surrounded the walking track at Tom Byrne Park, each reading a different part of the Bible out loud on the National Day of Prayer.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
Photos courtesy Erin Pritchett, Cutting EJ Photography for Northescambia.com, click to enlarge.
May Lawn, Gardening Tips From The Master Gardeners
May 9, 2010
The Escambia County Master Gardeners offer the following May lawn and garden tips:
- Continue planting summer annuals. Try one or two that you’ve never grown and/or one that is not available in stores as transplants.
- Plant heat-resistant summer flowering annuals such as begonias, impatiens, coleus, salvia, marigolds, torenia, verbena, ornamental peppers and gaillardia.
- Bulbs: Caladium, gladiolus.
- Vegetables: Continue planting warm weather seeds and transplants (Shade those transplants!). Use transplants for cherry tomatoes, eggplant and sweet potatoes. Plant seeds of lima beans, okra, southern peas: purple hull, crowder, etc.
- Prune and shape spring flowering shrubs and trees now. Later pruning may destroy next year’s blooms.
- Good cultural practices help maintain a healthy lawn and discourage insects and disease. Mow with a sharp blade. Centipedegrass should be cut to a height of 1½ to 2 inches. St. Augustinegrass normal growth habit cultivars should be cut to a height of 3 to 4 inches.
- Climbing roses are pruned after they finish blooming. Blooms form on one-year-old canes, so any older ones may be removed to make them more tidy. Cut each flowering stem back to the first five leaflet stem to encourage them to bloom again.Spray with horticultural oil or malathion for mites, scale and white flies, if insects are present, before it gets too hot (85 degrees).
- Yellow leaves on azaleas may mean they need iron. Apply iron sulphate or chelated iron.
- Feed citrus plants using special citrus fertilizer. Broadcast under the tree canopy and water in.
- Begin planting palms while the weather is warm and rainy.
- Make cuttings of azaleas, hollies, camellias, and other choice shrubs as new growth becomes halfhardened.
- Take soft wood cuttings to root: alyssum, begonia, chrysanthemum, shrimp plant, dianthus, geranium, hibiscus, hydrangea, etc.
- Dig bulbs after foliage turns brown if they need to be divided or the space is needed for other plants. If the space isn’t needed, braid the foliage.
- Cut back the vines of Irish potatoes when they begin to die but leave the tubers in the ground for about two weeks longer to toughen the skin. Handle the potatoes carefully during digging, as skinned or bruised potatoes decay quickly when stored.
- Divide crowded and vigorously growing perennials.
- Promote continued flowering of bedding plants by removing faded blooms.
- Encourage coleus to branch and produce more colorful leaves by pinching off the flower stalks as they form.
- Prune poinsettias when new growth is 10-12 inches high (back to the last four leaves). Prune new growth at the base throughout the summer.
- Stop pruning after Labor Day.
- Keep roses watered, cut out weak spots, feed every six to eight weeks or at every new flush of growth, dust.
- For insect or disease problems in your garden, use the least toxic control possible.
May Lawn, Gardening Tips From The Master Gardeners
Nearly 500 Students Take Part In Sunshine Math Competition
May 9, 2010
Nearly 500 Escambia County third, fourth and fifth grade students took part in the annual Sunshine Math Competition Saturday morning at Tate High School. Bratt, Molino Park and Jim Allen elementary schools participated from the North Escambia area. Hannah McGahan from Molino Park Elementary placed third in the individual third grade category. Pictured top: The third grade Bratt Elementary team. Pictured left: Hannah McGahan. Pictured below: The Sunshine Math Competition at Tate High School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Piehl Guilty; Faces 20 Years For Shooting Over $40 Worth Of Fake Crack
May 8, 2010
A Molino man is facing at least 20 years in state prison after being found guilty of shooting into an elderly woman’s home in a dispute over $40 in fake crack cocaine.
Robert Grant Piehl, 42, of Wilder Road, Molino, bought what he thought was crack cocaine for $40 on April 15, 2009, on Barth Lane, according to his original arrest report. But when he discovered the crack was fake, he returned to confront the alleged dealer with a .22 caliber rifle.
Armed with the rifle, he confronted two women — one 88-years old at the time — in the front yard of a home on Barth Lane and eventually fired several rounds through the front door of the residence near where the two women were standing, according to the State Attorney’s Office. Piehl then proceeded to the residence next door where he fired yet another round through a window.
As Piehl left the scene, he was immediately apprehended by an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy responding to a 911 call from the area. The .22 caliber rifle and ammunition were found in Piehl’s truck. Testing by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement discovered gunshot residue on Piehl’s hands.
He will be sentenced by Circuit Judge Terry Terrell on June 21. At sentencing, he will be facing a minimum mandatory sentence of 20 years under Florida’s 10-20-Life law, according to the State Attorney’s Office.
There was a second man with Piehl at the time his truck was stopped by deputies; charges against him were later dropped.
Royals Advance Toward State With Win Over Northview
May 8, 2010
It was all the things that good playoff games are made off Friday night in Jay as a capacity crowd watched the Jay Royals take on the Northview Chiefs the Region 2A Semifinals.
In the end, the Royals beat the Chiefs 1-0. Along the way, it was a game of great pitching, great hitting and equally great fielding.
The only RBI of the game came from Rush Hendricks in the bottom of the third with a single up the middle to score Sawyer Gandy.
It was the end of one of the best seasons ever for the Chiefs (18-10). The Royals (17-7) will advance to the Region 2A Finals at 7:00 Friday night in Jay.
Hunter Brown pitched seven for the Royals, allowing two hits, no runs, one walk and striking out three. Austin Reid pitched seven for the Chiefs, allowing five hits, one run, four walks and striking out six.
Northview hitters included Brad Lower 1-2 and Dakota Stuckey 1-2.
Jay hitters included Sawyer Gandy 2-2 with a run and Rush Hendricks 1-1 with an RBI.
Photos courtesy WEAR for NorthEscambia.com.
Northview FFA Holds Annual Banquet (With Photo Gallery)
May 8, 2010
It was an emotional night Friday at the 15th Annual Northview High School FFA Banquet. For the FFA teacher sponsor and the FFA president, the night was a perhaps a little more emotional and special.
Northview FFA sponsor Perry Byars and his son — this year’s FFA President Micah Byars, a graduating senior, spent four years in Northview’s FFA under his father’s leadership.
The annual banquet includes a somber ceremony for graduating seniors…they slowly remove their signature blue FFA jackets and hang them up for the last time on a coat rack.
One at a time, the two graduating FFA senior officers participated in the ceremony. Sentinel Gavin Hinote, and President Micah Byers removed their jackets one by one, placing them on the coat rack.
The night also included many awards for Northview and Ernest Ward Middle school FFA members and supporters.
Among those honored for their support of the FFA program were Northview teacher Scott Slay, Northview and Ernest Ward agriculture teacher Tommy Weaver, FFA Alumni supporters Gayle and Angus Brewton and NorthEscambia.com Publisher William Reynolds. The five were named honorary members of the Northview FFA.
The new NHS FFA officers named for the 2010-2011 school year were: Lydia Weaver, president; Allie Vidak, vice president; Stephanie Solari, secretary; Allyson Bullard, treasurer; Courtney Solari, reporter; Jessica Baldwin, sentinel; and Devin Bell, historian.
Dozens of the students in Northview’s FFA received various awards during the night.
The night also included honors and awards for Ernest Ward Middle School’s FFA members presented by chapter sponsor Cynthia Wilson.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured top: Graduating senior FFA Sentinel Gavin Hinote, and President Micah Byers share their goodbyes. Pictured bottom: Members of the Ernest Ward Middle School FFA. NorthEscambia.comp photos, click to enlarge.
Smell From Gulf Of Mexico Oil Spill Reaches Escambia County
May 8, 2010
The first odors from the Gulf of Mexico oil spill reached Escambia County Friday afternoon, with some residents reporting a smell they described as kerosene or WD-40.
“With the afternoon sea breeze, a kerosene-like odor has been detected in areas of Escambia County. While this odor is most likely associated with the oil spill, the spill remains well to the south,” Sonya Daniel, Escambia County public information manager, said.
“Escambia County officials have deployed staff to check the waters, however there is no oil sheen or slick sighted near our coastlines,” she said.
Winds on Saturday are expected to shift to the north, alleviating the smell.
Yellow Leaves And Insects Pester Gardenias
May 8, 2010
The gardenia, with its bright white, fragrant blooms and glossy, dark green leaves, is a favorite landscape shrub in Florida.
A brief history
Gardenias originated in China, where it was cultivated for more than 1,000 years. In 1761, British naturalist John Ellis received a specimen of this plant from China and named the plant after his friend Dr. Alexander Garden, a noted botanist and physician in Charleston, South Carolina.
In the 1920s and 1930s, gardenias became highly prized as a cut flower for corsages and arrangements. Today gardenias are a favorite shrub in the Florida landscape and are acclaimed for their creamy-white blossoms and unique fragrance of vanilla, jasmine, and nutmeg, a fragrance that becomes spicier as the gardenia blooms age.
While gardenia is a lovely landscape shrub, it is not without problems.
Yellow leaves
Yellow leaves are a common complaint among gardenia-growers. Yellowing, or chlorosis, may be due to a number of causes.
One of the first things to consider is an iron deficiency. Gardenias generally require more iron than other plants. In high pH (alkaline) soils, iron is not readily available. Lack of iron will result in yellow leaves.
To correct this problem, first see if your soil pH is the issue by getting a soil test. Sometimes, foliar applications of iron are effective. Follow the directions on the product label. In addition, fertilize your gardenias with an “acidifying” fertilizer.
Other causes of yellow leaves include insufficient light, over watering or poor drainage, soil temperature that is too low, nematode damage or disease.
Even though gardenias are evergreen plants, they do go through a period of leaf replacement. Some yellowing on older leaves is normal and may occur during the spring months before new growth appears.
Whiteflies
As their name implies, whiteflies are small, fly-like insects with white-colored wings. They hide on the underside of leaves, where they multiply rapidly. Whiteflies suck on plant juices and, in large numbers, can consume a considerable amount of nutrients. Like aphids, they excrete lots of honeydew, on which black sooty mold fungus grows.
The key to whitefly control is not a specific insecticide–the key is persistence. Almost any insecticide will kill a whitefly. Insecticidal soap, neem oil, horticultural oil, permethrin, bifenthrin and lambda-cyhalothrin are deadly to the insect.
Since whiteflies live under gardenia leaves, it is critical to direct your spray upwards under the leaves. Plan to spend several minutes with each gardenia, working to achieve complete coverage. One spray won’t kill all of them. Nearby plants harbor the creatures and they will move back in within a few days.
Thrips
In early summer, the gardenia will reward gardeners with fragrant blooms. However, the blooms are frequently infested with an insect known as thrips.
Thrips are very small insects with piercing-sucking mouthparts. In addition to causing discoloration of petals, they can also cause leaf malformation (distorted, dwarfed, and matted), leaf fold, leaf roll, leaf blisters, and sometimes defoliation.
To aid in detecting thrips, place a sheet of white paper beneath the leaves or flowers and shake the plant. The thrips will fall onto the paper and can be more easily observed and identified than when on the plant.
Since thrips may come in large flights over an extended period of time, insecticides which give good initial results but have a short residual effect are generally inadequate for control of thrips infestations. Systemic insecticides are highly effective and provide long-term control.
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 by Theresa Friday for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Murzin Drops Out Of Senate Race; Pre-Files To Run Against Valentino, Touart For Commission
May 7, 2010
Rep. Dave Murzin has dropped out of his the primary race for the Florida Senate to run for the Escambia County Commission seat currently held by Gene Valentino.
Murzin, R-Pensacola, pre-filed for the commission seat Friday afternoon, citing the need to clean up Escambia County politics and spend more time with his 11-year old son. The District 2 Commission seat is currently held by Gene Valentino, who is facing misdemeanor charges of soliciting campaign contributions on state property.
“We’re never going to pull ourselves up to our potential when we have people mired in conflict,” Murzin said Friday.
In addition to Valentino, Murzin enters a field crowded with contenders — former Administrator George Touart, Robety Kelley, Andy Kowalski, Karen Sindel, Myra Simmons and Paul Redman.
Murzin’s move leaves only Rep. Evers and Pensacola insurance agent Mike Hill in the race for the Senate seat being vacated by Rep. Durell Peaden. With 10 years in the Senate, Peaden is not running again due to term limits.
“I wish Dave well in whatever he chooses to do in the future and am confident he has much to contribute to our community and our state,” said Evers. “Dave is a friend and a true public servant who has literally dedicated his entire professional life to the service of our state. I am proud to have served with him in the Florida House and wish him the very best. I look forward to continuing to work with him to make certain the Northwest Florida we both love and call home is well-positioned and well-served for years to come.”
The News Service Florida contributed to this report.
Pedestrian Struck And Killed On New Chemstrand
May 7, 2010
A pedestrian was struck and killed late Thursday night in Pensacola. He was hit by three vehicles.
The Florida Highway Patrol says Billy G. Beck, 23, of Pensacola, was walking northbound on the paved portion of New Chemstrand Road just south of 10 Mile Road when he was struck by a northbound vehicle. That vehicle fled the scene.
Beck was then struck by the front undercarriage of vehicle driven by Devin J. Poe, 18, of Cantonment. Poe and passenger in his vehicle, Joshua F. Valentine, 18, of Pensacola, were not injured.
A third vehicle, driven by Julian J. Donato, 24, of Pace, then struck Beck.
Charges are pending the outcome of the investigation, according to the FHP.
The FHP said they have no information or description of the vehicle that fled the scene. Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Cpl. Michael J. Tucker at the Florida Highway Patrol Station in Pensacola, (850) 484-5000 ext.331.