Wishes Come True: Girl To Ride Molino Horse On Pensacola Beach
April 10, 2010
Horse riding is illegal on Pensacola Beach, except for one little girl from New York.
Her name is Madison, and she’s from central New York state. And her one wish is to ride a horse on the beach.
Thanks to the Make-a-Wish Foundation, The Leaning Post Ranch in Molino, and the Escambia County Commission, Madison will get her wish. The commission voted to change a county ordinance to allow the ride, which is expected to take place in the next couple of weeks.
The Make-a-Wish Foundation works to grant wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions. The Leaning Post Ranch in Molino provides equine assisted activities and therapeutic riding to individuals with disabilities and at-risk youth in Northwest Florida.
Pictured: A group of youth ride at The Leaning Post in Molino. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
School Prayer Bill Wins House Panel Approval
April 10, 2010
A once controversial school prayer bill won unanimous support Thursday from a House panel after a tweak to the legislation severely blunted its reach.
“This bill is now a protection of school speech,” said Rep. Greg Evers, R-Baker, a co-sponsor of the legislation.
An earlier version of the bill had barred district school boards from discouraging the delivery of an “inspirational message” at a school sponsored activity. The language spurred outcry from the Anti-Defamation League and other groups who said Jewish students or members of other minority religions might feel uncomfortable if surrounded by largely Christian students who organized prayers at school events.
But an amendment to the legislation crossed out half of the bill that dealt with an “inspirational message,” and simply leaving the second part of the bill, which says schools are prohibited from entering any agreement that infringes or waives the rights or freedoms afforded to instructional personnel, school staff, or students by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.
“This bill is about so much more than school prayer or inspirational speech, it’s about protecting Floridians’ First Amendment rights,” said Evers. “At a time when our freedoms are constantly threatened, it is of vital importance that we pass legislation that preserves our freedoms and values at all cost. If we can stop what happened to Mary Allen and the good folks at Pace High School from happening anywhere elsewhere in Florida, I feel that we have done something important and good.”
“We deeply appreciate the support of the Florida House and, especially of Representatives Evers and Drake in making sure that outside liberal forces with their own agendas do not quash the First Amendment self-expression rights of students and teachers,” said Mary Allen, a freshman at Florida State University who in May 2009 was the president of the Pace High School student body.
Anti-Defamation League officials put out a statement saying the amendment eliminated their concerns with the bill and that they would be dropping their opposition to the measure.
“Throughout its advocacy against HB 31, the Anti-Defamation League’s primary concern has been the first paragraph of the bill which would have authorized sectarian prayers, invocations, or other inspirational messages by students at so-called noncompulsory high-school activities,” the statement said. “Under the compromise passed by the Policy Council, this portion of the bill was deleted. As such, ADL will discontinue its opposition to HB 31 and we urge our constituents to do the same.”
The American Civil Liberties Union is still in opposition to the bill, and ACLU lobbyist Courtenay Strickland told lawmakers that the measure, if passed, could bankrupt school boards with litigation costs because of different legal interpretations of the bill.
“There could be huge costs involved with this legislation,” she told lawmakers.
New Hurricane Evacuation Zones Include Parts Of North Escambia
April 10, 2010
There are new hurricane evacuation zones in Escambia County that reach inland all the way to the North Escambia area.
The Escambia County Division of Emergency Management has worked with the County’s Development Services Bureau planning staff, Geographical Information Services Division, Office of Transportation and Traffic Operations and the West Florida Regional Planning Council to derive new, more refined evacuation zones for Escambia County based upon news storm surge data estimates from the state.
The old evacuation zones stretched as far north as just north of Nine Mile Road along the Perdido and Escambia Rivers only for category 3 or greater storms. The new evacuation zones stretch as far north as Molino Road along the Escambia River and Perdido Lake Road on the Perdido River — locations that are prone to flooding.
The new plans will eliminate evacuation zone references based up the category of the storm. Rather than the category evacuation zones, the county will instead identify evacuation zones with an A, B, C, D, and E reference.
While the new evacuation zones stretch further inland into North Escambia based upon storm surge date, the overall number of people that would be ordered to evacuate will be reduced.
“In turn, this may reduce the financial burden and hardship that evacuations bring to local businesses and citizens that will no longer need to evacuate,” Escambia County Fire Chief Frank Edwards wrote in a memo to the Escambia County Commission.
Residents that are in the new evacuation zones will receive a postcard in the mail during the month of May.
To download a zoomable pdf with both the old and new evacuation maps, click here. (This is large 3.7 Mb file.)
Relay For Life Yard Sale Today
April 10, 2010
There is an opportunity today to get some great bargains and help Relay for Life at the same time.
Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church will hold a yard sale to benefit Relay for Life from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. The yard sale will not be at the church; it will be at Curve’s in Cantonment at the intersection of Highway 29 and Archer Road.
Pen Air FCU Establishes Fund For Injured Marine
April 10, 2010
Pen Air Federal Credit Union has established a benefit account for Lance Cpl. Joseph Daniel Palmer who was injured March 20 in Afghanistan.
Palmer sustained a number of shrapnel wounds when he stepped on an Improvised Explosive Device, which resulted in the amputation of his right leg below the knee. Palmer, 24, has a young wife and 15-month old son. He will receive medical treatment at Bethesda Naval Hospital for an extended period of time.
“I appreciate every donation the employees of Pen Air FCU and the surrounding community can contribute to assist this brave young man,” said Pen Air FCU President/CEO Ron Fields. “Lance Cpl. Palmer will have a long road to recovery and Pen Air wants to do everything we can to make that road a bit easier for him, in appreciation for his sacrifice to his country.”
“I want to send a heartfelt thank you to Pen Air. I feel like we are honoring him as a Marine,” said Denise Palmer, Palmer’s aunt and a teller at the Pen Air FCU Milton 2 office. “His family really appreciates all of the comfort and support they have received from the community.”
Palmer is a 2004 graduate of Central High School. He joined the marines in October 2008 and was deployed to Afghanistan in January. He has several relatives in the North Escambia area.
Donations to assist him with his recovery can be made to Share Account No. 2611997 at any Pen Air FCU branch office, including Century.
Cheerleader Registration Begins Today For NWE Football
April 10, 2010
Cheerleader registration begins today for the fall season of Northwest Escambia football.
Registration will be held each Saturday through June 12 at the Ernest Ward Middle School football field for ages 5-14. New uniforms will be ordered this year.
For more information, contact Ronnel at (850) 327-3031.
Lady Chiefs Take District 1-2A; Tate, Jay Girls Lose; Wins for JV Chiefs, Tate, Jay, Northview Boys
April 10, 2010
Northview 13 Baker 1
The Northview Lady Chiefs took the top spot in District 1-2A after a five-inning win over Baker 13-1. The Chiefs are a perfect 8-0 in the district, 20-3 overall.
Misty Doran earned the win for the Chiefs striking out nine in five innings. Doran also picked up a home run and a double for NHS.
Among those hitting for Northview were: Kolbi Cobb 3-4 with a double and Candace Greenwell 2-4 with two RBI’s.
The Chiefs will host the District 1-2A tournament beginning April 19.
West Florida 3 Jay 1
The West Florida Jaguars beat the Jay Royals 3-1.
Hitters for the Royals were Steadham 1-3, Calloway 1-2 and Driver 1-3.
Escambia 13 Tate 3
Escambia beat Tate 13-3 in Friday softball action. Hitters for Tate were Myers 2-2, Waters 1-3 and Paulson 2-2.
BASEBALL
Northview 15 Escambia County 4
The Northview Chiefs defeated Escambia County High School 15-4 in five innings at Atmore Friday night.
Austin Arrington was the winning pitcher, giving up only four runs on six hits, while striking out nine.
The Chiefs were led by Branden Sheets who had two hits and scored four runs; Brad Lowery who had a double, and scored three runs; Dabney Langhorne who had two hits, with a double, one run, and five RBI’s; Austin Reid who had a double, scored two runs, and three RBI’s; Dakota Stuckey who had one hit and scored two runs; Austin Arrington who had one hit, scored one run, and two RBI’s; Taylor Martin who had a double, scored one run, and one RBI; Aaron Chancery who had one hit; Austin Lowery who had one hit and one RBI; Hunter Black who had one hit; and Josh Scott scored one run.
The Chiefs will be back in action on Tuesday night, April 13, vs. Baker, in a district game. JV plays at 4 p.m., and Varsity plays at 6 p.m. Senior Night activities will precede the varsity game.
Northview 12 Escambia County 1 (JV).
The Northview High School JV Chiefs beat Escambia County High School Friday in five innings in Atmore.
The JV Chiefs were led by Tanner Brooks who went 2 for 4, with a double, and scored two runs; Logan Brown who went 2 for 3, with a double, and scored three runs; Chance Jackson who went 2 for 3 and scored two runs; Ty Randolph who went 2 for 2 and scored one1 run; Branden Carnley who went 1 for 2 and scored a run; Kevin Vaughn, Tyler Hester, and Jamie Gafford each scored one run.
The Chiefs were led on the mound by Hunter Rigby, who struck out 7 in three innings; Branden Carnley, who pitched one inning, and Harold Harrison, who pitched one inning.
The Chiefs only gave up one hit, and that hit was erased in a double play as the Chiefs faced 17 batters in five innings.
Tate 14 Escambia 0
Tate shut out Escambia Friday 14-0.
Tate hitters were Will Schreiber 2-3 with 2 RBI, Lee Hunter 2-4, Mack 2-3. Alex Stephens pitched seven for the Aggies, allowing three hits, and striking out a dozen.
Jay 5 Freeport 0
Jay shut out Freeport 5-0.
Zach Gavin picked up the win for the Royals pitching seven. Rush Hendricks was 2-4 with a home run. Other Jay hitters were Dakota Smith 1-4, Hunter Brown 1-3.
Looking To Landscape? Try Chinese Purple Leaves And Pink Flowers
April 10, 2010
Loropetalum, a native of Japan and Southeastern Asia, was introduced to the United States about 1880. However, it wasn’t until the introduction of the purple-leaved and pink flowering forms around 1990 that this plant began to find its way into the landscape. Based on its usage, it appears to be among the most popular broadleaf evergreens in southern landscapes. Both the botanical name, Loropetalum chinense, and the common name, ‘Chinese Fringe Flower’, refers to the shrub’s unique strap-like flowers. The shrub displays clusters of white or pink flowers with narrow petals that dangle like fringe. Although spring is the main flowering time, the shrub will flower off and on throughout the summer and into the fall.
Loropetalum (lor-o-peta-lum) has evergreen foliage with the color varying depending upon the variety. Loropetalum varieties in the market place today are very similar, and yet, there are distinct differences. There are unique shades of flower color, ranging from fuchsia-pink to pink, or white with pink. Some have consistently reddish-purple leaves and others are green to purple depending on environmental conditions and time of year. All have a rapid rate of growth.
Its growing habit is loose and open and makes a great foundation plant, under-planting, screen or hedge. It can also be used in containers, or as a subject for espalier or bonsai.
At first, the young plants look small and delicate. But they grow fast, reaching 8 to 12 feet tall and nearly as wide. So space new plants appropriately.
Loropetalum grows well in moist but well-drained soil and becomes drought tolerant once established. Color is almost equally good in sun and shade. It prefers slightly acid soil, has few pest or disease problems, and only needs pruning to control size. It benefits from fertilization two to three times a year.
Loropetalum ‘Ruby’ has long been considered a fairly low maintenance landscape plant with few insect or disease problems. However, in recent years, there have been increasing reports and complaints of unexplained decline, especially in central Florida. The most commonly reported symptoms of decline include new growth that is stunted or deformed, curling of leaves, defoliation, and in extreme cases, plant death. Possible explanations for Loropetalum decline include mites, nutrient deficiency (especially micronutrients), root rot, nematodes and salt toxicity.
The University of Florida currently recommends planting ‘Burgundy’, ‘Plum’, or another cultivar with similar characteristics to ‘Ruby’, since there have been no reports of widespread decline for these cultivars in Florida. The following tips will help you to identify different cultivars.
- Loropetalum ‘Ruby’ is a small (3-5 ft tall), rounded plant with leaves that are more rounded and pink flowers that bloom year round.
- Loropetalum ‘Burgundy’ (also called ‘Sizzling Pink’) will stand more upright than ‘Ruby’ and grows to be 6-10 ft tall. It has elongated, pointed leaves that turn bright red in the fall and flowers that bloom intermittently.
- Loropetalum ‘Plum’ (also known as ‘Hines Purpleleaf’, ‘Plum Delight’ or ‘Pizzazz’) has dark foliage and tends to have smaller, darker flowers. This cultivar will grow to be 6-8 ft tall.
Due to its vigor and adaptability, many new Loropetalums have become available in the past several years. So, it’s important that you research the size of all these selections prior to placing them in your landscape. Be sure to pick a variety that is suited for your planting space.
Perfect Weekend Weather
April 10, 2010
We are in for a perfect weekend in the North Escambia area.
There is a Red Flag Warning in effect. Outdoor burning is discouraged due to low humidity increasing wildfire danger.
Here is your official forecast:
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. East wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 78. East wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 77. East wind around 5 mph.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52. East wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. East wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. East wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 53.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.
Update: Fire Marshal Did Not Resign; Rinaldi Was Transferred By Fire Chief
April 9, 2010
Escambia County’s fire marshal did not resign; he was transferred into a new position.
“The county administrator prepared an initial memo for the public safety bureau chief requesting Mr. Rinaldi’s resignation, however the public safety bureau chief was out of town. When (Fire Chief) Frank Edwards returned, he and the administrator met twice and decided instead that Mr. Rinaldi’s skills could best be used in training,” according to Sonya Daniel, Escambia County’s public information manager.
“As civil servants our job is to assure compliance from citizens and take pride and satisfaction in working with people to resolve, not escalate, issues. This has not been the case with Mr. Rinaldi,” stated March 29 memo from Interim County Administrator Larry Newsom to Edwards. “I will request a voluntary resignation from Mr. Rinaldi to be effective April 6, 2010, with optional duties until that time.” [Click here to read the full memo.]
An April 8 memo from Edwards states, “Effective, Monday, April 12th, Chief Steve Rinaldi will be reassigned to the position of Training Chief for Escambia County Fire Rescue. Inspector Joe Quinn will be assigned to the position of Acting Fire Marshal until further notice. Please give your full support to Chief Rinaldi and Inspector Quinn in their new positions. Thank you.”
Pictured: Stephen Renaldi. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.