Portion Of Jakes Road Closed
April 13, 2009
A portion of Jakes Road near Jones Road is closed in extreme northwestern Escambia County.
The Nokomis area road is closed due to washout, according to Sonya Daniel, Escambia County public information manager.
Double Trouble: Rain And Cold Costly For Farmers
April 13, 2009
Excess rain and flooding was the story for everyone in North Escambia in late March and early April, but for area farmers, the impact may be on their pocketbook. Cloudy days, rainy weather, and now frosts and cold daytime temperatures have kept farmers from having less than an ideal start to the 2009 growing season.
Traditionally, the time to plant corn is late March and early April. Some farmers managed to get the seed planted in the cool ground, but soggy conditions have either delayed emergence, washed the seed away or rotted the seed. What has germinated has been patchy, and uniform stands are needed for producing a profitable crop. Many farmers have to re-plant, a pricey investment because of seed costs. Nitrogen fertilizer that has washed away with the 15-23 inches of rain is another expense that will be hard to swallow.
What about the wheat and oats that have been in the field and growing relatively well prior to the rains? Ponding water in fields is an enemy for healthy wheat plants. When you drive by a wheat field and see a huge yellow-brown patch where there was standing water, you can bet that there will not be harvestable wheat in that area.
Wheat roots are unable to tolerate wet conditions for any period of time. After one day of standing water, plants will start to show a decline. After three days, the plants will generally not recover. Even the plants that were not in standing water but in relatively soggy conditions can show signs of increased soil-borne diseases. Moisture on the leaves can encourage foliar diseases at a time when wheat needs to be as healthy as possible to make energy to put into the grain production. Farmers weren’t able to get into fields to make fungicide or insecticide treatments to their field because they would’ve been bogged down or the rain would wash the products away.
Finally, the soil hasn’t been able to warm up — a big problem for those who rely upon warm soil temperatures to help seeds germinate. The lack of sunshine, rainy days, cold fronts, and now frosts have really presented challenges to farmers. Escambia county producers grow some very tasty watermelon, but that crop will be delayed in many instances.
James Earl Hall, a watermelon and vegetable grower in Oak Grove, said that he’s already had to replant his melon crop several times because of the inclement weather. Eli Miller — blueberry, sweet corn, and watermelon producer — was so concerned about his seeds that had germinated that he set out to cover the young and tender plants with white Styrofoam cups on Monday afternoon. He’s hoping to have a crop ready for mid-June through the Fourth of July.
Wheat producers know that their crop is most sensitive to freeze injury during reproductive growth, which begins with pollination during late boot or heading stages. Temperatures that are only slightly below freezing can severely injure wheat at these stages and greatly reduce grain yields. No one will know the exact extent of damage to wheat until harvest.
Submitted by Libbie Johnson, Escambia County Extension University of Florida IFAS for NorthEscambia.com.
Pictured top: Eli Miller used Styrofoam cups to protect his young watermelon plants during the recent cold. Pictured below: An Escambia County wheat field; wheat is unable to tolerate extremely wet conditions. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com.
North Escambia Takes Spring Break (With Photo Gallery)
April 13, 2009
Last week was Spring Break for students in Escambia County School. We asked for our readers to submit photos of their Spring Break activities, and we have put together a photo gallery of North Escambia on Spring Break.
Click here for the NorthEscambia Spring Break gallery.
Austin Albritton and his parents Lisa and Randy traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada; Lake Havasu, Arizona (home of the London Bridge); Yuma, Arizona; Los Algodones, Mexico; San Diego, California; and Los Angeles during Spring Break. The Albritton’s flew to Vegas then rented a car and drove to the other locations and then flew back from San Diego.
Kendal, Kolbi and the Cobb family enjoyed part of their Spring Break on jet skis.
Jason Fischer, Chloe Leonard, Leah Fischer and Anna Fischer enjoyed Spring Break in Gulf Shores.
If you would like to add your Spring Break photos to our gallery, email news@northescambia.com.
Pictured: Anna Fischer on Spring Break in Gulf Shores. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Chiefs End Spring Break With A Win And A Loss
April 13, 2009
The Northview Chiefs split a couple of late Spring Break games last week, winning one over Washington and dropping one to St. Paul.
Northview 4 Washington 2
Washington took an early lead in the first inning, putting on on the scoreboard. But Northview answered in the bottom of the second with Austin Reid rounding the bases.
The third was even, with one each for the Chiefs and the Wildcats.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Chiefs secured the win with Dabney Langhorne and Austin Arrington rounding the bases.
The next three innings were scoreless, giving the Chiefs the 4-2 win over Washington.
St. Pauls 8 Northview 3
The end of the Spring Break games against St. Pauls did not go as well for the Northview Chiefs.
St. Pauls took an early 2-1 lead by the bottom of the first, with the Chiefs seeing Dabney Langhorne score.
St. Pauls upped their lead to 5-1 by the end of the second, and they scored again in the third and the fifth.
The Chiefs added one more with a Patrick McPherson run in the bottom of the sixth and Austin Arrington in the bottom of the seventh
But it was not enough for the Chiefs, with St. Pauls spoiling their Spring Break, 8-3.
Wish List: $1.41 Million For Atmore, Nothing For Flomaton
April 13, 2009
Alabama Congressman Joe Bonner’s $152 million in federal funding requests includes money for Atmore and Brewton, but no specific request for Flomaton.
Bonner has requested $1.41 million in federal money for Atmore, and $1.2 million for projects in Brewton.
The Atmore Airport Improvement Program would use $860,000 in funds to provide an access road from the Atmore Airport’s terminal area to Highway 31, rehabilitate the runway lights and make improvements to the safety zone. The new terminal access road will provide direct highway access to the airport hanger and terminal area. Improvements to runway lights and correction of grading in the safety zone area will enhance safety to the flying public while complying with FAA regulations.
Bonner’s request for $550,000 would construct a new elevated water tank in Atmore. The tank would provide both a potable water supply and adequate fire protection for the city’s commercial industrial development park. The water tank will also compliment existing water service to the Holman Correctional Institute by providing needed backup water supply.
The $1.2 million requested by Bonner for Brewton would be used to relocate a natural gas line that is currently on railroad right-of-way.
The largest request on Bonner’s list of local appropriations is $190 million for a new federal courthouse in Mobile.
The Congress must approve, and the president must sign off on, the requests prior to funds reaching local governments.
Repaving Project Underway On West State Line Road
April 13, 2009
A paving project is underway on a section of West State Line Road in Century.
The Town of Century awarded a $128,437.30 paving contract to Roads, Inc. of NWF for West State Line Road back in early February.
West State Line from Highway 29 at the Piggly Wiggly to Shady Lane will be resurfaced under the contract, a distance of about a half mile.
The State Line repaving project is being funded by Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) funds.
Pictured above: Work is underway to resurface a portion of West State Line Road in Century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Over 200 Attend Egg Hunt At Solutia Park
April 13, 2009
Over 200 people attended an Easter Egg Hunt Saturday at Solutia Park.
The hunt was sponsored by the Pine Forest Assembly of God Church in Cantonment. In addition to the hunt, the children enjoyed several baby ducks at the park.
Pictured above: Children enjoy playing with baby ducks during an Easter Egg Hunt at Solutia Park sponsored by the Pine Forest Assembly of God Church. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Spaghetti Supper For Relay For Life
April 12, 2009
A spaghetti supper to benefit Relay for Life is planned for Saturday night at the Walnut Hill Fire Department. A $6 donation to Relay for Life provides a meal that includes spaghetti with sauce, bread, tea and dessert. The supper will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 18 at the Walnut Hill Fire Department at 7760 Highway 97. Advance tickets are available now at Shirley’s Country Collections and the Walnut Hill Farm Supply.
Rain On The Way Tonight, Monday
April 12, 2009
After a sunny start to Easter, rain will arrive tonight and Monday in the North Escambia area.
There is just a 20 percent chance of rain today with a comfortable high in the mid 70’s.
The rain chance jumps to 90 percent tonight, 80 percent Monday and 50 percent Monday night. Heavy rainfall is possible late tonight and Monday.
By Tuesday, the rain clears and it turns cooler. Tuesday and Wednesday’s highs will be in the low to mid 70’s, and overnight lows will fall into the upper 40’s.
Area Sunrise Services Celebrate Resurrection
April 12, 2009
Easter morning Sunrise Services were held at many locations in the North Escambia area Sunday morning.
Several Molino churches came together for a community Easter Morning Sunrise Service Sunday morning at Aldersgate Methodist Church, celebrating with music and a message.
Abundant Life Assembly of God held an Easter Sunrise Service at The Moorer Place on Lake Stone with a message and communion led by the church pastor.
In Flomaton, the Flomaton Ministerial Association held a Sunrise Service at the Little Escambia Baptist Church with several local churches in attendance.
In Atmore, a community Easter Service was held at the First Baptist Church of Atmore.
The Bible says:
Matthew 28:1-20
Resurrection Morning
1 After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb. 2 Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached [the tomb]. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his robe was as white as snow. 4 The guards were so shaken from fear of him that they became like dead men. 5
But the angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here! For He has been resurrected, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead. In fact, He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there.’ Listen, I have told you.”
8 So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell His disciples the news. 9 Just then Jesus met them and said, “Good morning!” They came up, took hold of His feet, and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus told them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see Me there.”
The Soldiers Are Bribed to Lie
11 As they were on their way, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 After the priests had assembled with the elders and agreed on a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money 13 and told them, “Say this, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole Him while we were sleeping.’ 14 If this reaches the governor’s ears, we will deal with him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been spread among Jewish people to this day.
The Great Commission
16 The 11 disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped, but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
from the Holman Christian Standard Bible