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.
Tate FFA Rodeo Continues Tonight
May 8, 2010
The Tate Future Farmers of America (FFA) Alumni Foundation Rodeo continues at 7:30 Saturday night at the Escambia County Equestrian Center.
Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children.
The FFA is an organization made up of middle and high school students who focus on agricultural education programs. The FFA Alumni Foundation holds events, such as the Tate FFA Alumni Rodeo, to raise money for these students and to give those students interested in the rodeo lifestyle a chance to compete.
For more information, call John Kelley at 937-2308.
What Is Special About Your Mom? Tell Her Story On NorthEscambia.com
May 8, 2010
Do you want to say thanks to your mom for Mother’s Day? NorthEscambia.com wants you to tell us what is special about your mom.
We may select your story to appear in a special feature this Sunday (Mother’s Day). Tell us a little bit about your mom and why she is special to you in 300 words or less.
Please include your name (and the names of your siblings, if you would like), your mother’s name and the community where she lives. Please include your phone number, which will not be published.
Please take the time to proofread your story just a little and make sure you use spellcheck.
To submit a story with a photo:
Email the story in the body of an email and attach a photo. Please tell us the names of everyone that appears in your photograph. Send to news@northescambia.com with the subject line “Mother’s Day”.
To submit a story without a photo:
You can simply leave a comment on this story (your comment will not be “approved” or appear to the public until Sunday). Or you can email your story to news@northescambia.com with the subject line “Mother’s Day”.
Nokomis VFD Fish Fry Today
May 8, 2010
The Nokomis (Ala.) Volunteer Fire Department will hold its annual fish fry today.
The event will take place at the fire department at 163 James Road, just off Highway 31 near Mr. Green Jeans. Plates are $6 each and will include catfish, bread and a choice between cheese grits, baked beans or slaw.
The annual Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department fish fry will take place from 10:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. All proceeds will help the department pay for insurance and equipment.
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.
Northview Fans: Arrive In Jay Early
May 7, 2010
Northview Chief fans are being asked to arrive at the ball pakr in Jay at 5:30 this afternoon to form a spirit line when the team’s bus arrives.
The Chiefs and the Royals will play for the Region 2A title tonight at 7:00.
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.
Barrineau Park Music Night Tonight
May 7, 2010
There will be plenty of good entertainment on stage tonight in Barrineau Park — and it’s free. The monthly Barrineau Park Music Night will be tonight at the Barrineau Park Community Center. The featured local groups tonight are High Cotton and Rolling Tide.
The singing starts at 7 p.m. Food and refreshments will also be available beginning at 6 p.m.
The event is family-friendly — no alcohol is permitted on the property, and no smoking is allowed in or near the building.
For more information, call (850) 587-5575.
The Barrineau Park Community Center is located on Barrineau Park School road, about three miles west of Molino.
Pictured: High Cotton (above) and Rolling Tide (below) will perform tonight during the monthly Barrineau Park Music Night. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Students Pass Pills; Two Sent To Hospital
May 7, 2010
Authorities are investigating an incident Thursday at Ernest Ward Middle School in which prescription drugs were passed between students, sending two of them to the hospital.
The school’s resource officer, James Gill, was advised by the school nurse that a 15-year old student in the clinic had admitted to taking Xanax, Adderall and Tylenol. The student, who was reported to be “extremely lethargic” was transported by Atmore Ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital.
The girl’s mother told deputies that she did have those prescription medications hidden in her household. She later told deputies that some of the medications were missing from her purse.
According to Deputy Gill’s report, another student was taken to the hospital by his father because he appeared to be under the influence of some substance. A third student was evaluated after admitting to taking one-half of a Xanax pill.
Several students were interviewed about the incident, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office incident report. One reported that he saw one student get a “blue pill” from another student and then give it to a third student.
Another student reported seeing another take five blue pills. Xanax are sometimes blue in color, according to the incident report.
The Sheriff’s Office investigation into the incident is continuing. No charges had been filed in the case as of Thursday night. The incident was also reported to the Florida Abuse Hotline.