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.
Group Offers Free Prom Dresses To Disadvantaged
April 9, 2010
Prom is just a few weeks away for Northview High School, and a group of concerned students is working to make sure every girl can have that perfect dress for a magical evening.
Calling themselves the “SWANS”, the group of young ladies is collecting prom dresses that are being made available to any Northview girl headed to prom that needs a dress, no questions asked.
“Prom is big deal for girls,” said SWANS member Jessica Bloodsworth. “They want to look pretty, and the perfect dress helps them look special. It can boost the self-esteem of a girl.”
Knowing that dresses are without a doubt expensive and that the expense could keep some girls from attending their junior or senior prom, the 20-something students in the SWANS decided to go to work to create a prom dress closet of sorts. So far, they have collected just over a dozen dresses, and they have been promised a donation of about 30 more soon from someone that is closing a bridal shop.
“A lot of girls have dresses left over from other events, and there are girls that need a dress but their family can’t afford one, so it’s a perfect match,” Bloodsworth said.
The girls recently bagged groceries at a Winn Dixie store to raise money — about $200 — so they could dry clean the donated dresses. The dresses are fashionable, modern styles that are free of flaws.
“Prom is just that special night that you get dressed up and feel like an adult,” said Natalie Nall, one of the SWANS teacher sponsors. “This is the big deal for many of the girls. For the girls that don’t go to college, senior prom night is the special time in their lives until their wedding.”
Extra effort is made to make sure that no girl is embarrassed by wearing a donated dress, according to Barbara Luker, another SWANS teacher sponsor. It is all done as quietly as possible to make sure no one knows a girl took part in the program. Even for our NorthEscambia.com photo, Luker worked to make sure the dresses were presented in such a way that no dress could be identified.
Northview girls that donate a dress to the program sign a promise to not let anyone know what dress they donated.
“I promise to not let it be known that this dress once belonged to me and will hold it secret in my heart because I know that my generosity means more than the compromise of someone’s self-esteem,” the prom dress donation promise states.
Girls that receive a SWANS prom dress have the option of keeping it, or returning to the program.
The SWANS — Sophisticated Warriors Advocating Northview Self-Discovery — are also working toward a clothes swap closet at the school for everyday clothing. And they are planning a Mother’s Day tea to allow girls and their moms to get a little closer and allow the girls to meet their friends’ moms.
“It’s all about self-esteem and being a woman,” Bloodsworth said.
Northview’s prom is May 1.
SWANS is actively seeking prom dress donations. Anyone can drop a dress by the school office. Any Northview student in need of a dress can contact any SWANS member at the school, or any teacher sponsor.
Pictured above: Northview SWANS member Jessica Bloodsworth with some of the donated prom dresses. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Florida House Passes Bill Linking Teacher Pay To Student Performace
April 9, 2010
[Tallahassee] In an early morning vote, the Florida House approved a comprehensive education reform measure that will start paying teachers based on student performance rather than length of service. The bill passed 64-55.
The House continued nine hours of debate until a vote at 2:26 a.m. Eastern Time Friday on the teacher merit pay measure. Northwest Florida’s House members — Greg Evers, Dave Murzin, and Clay Ford — all voted in favor of the plan.
“I want to thank all the teachers, parents, and constituents for their input,” said Rep. Murzin in an early-morning news release. “Our teachers are valuable to Florida and rewarding them for their hard work is important. I am hopeful this increases the quality of education and as a father with a son in public school I am ready to do anything in my power to make Florida better in the classroom.”
“This bill is anti-student, anti-teacher, anti-parent, and anti-public schools,” the Florida Education Association said in a news release just two minutes after the vote.
The future of public school teacher pay is now in the hands of Gov. Charlie Crist. The governor has been coy, though, about what he might do with the bill. He told Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, the Senate sponsor of the measure, that he intended to sign it, but publicly hinted he might wield the veto pen. He told reporters Thursday morning that he hadn’t yet made a decision and planned on watching the House debate.
“The more you listen, the more you learn,” Crist said. “There are things I like and things that give me some concern,” in the bill. I’m listening to the people of Florida – my boss.”
The legislation, which was passed by the Senate 21-17 two weeks ago, would take five percent of a school’s funding to create a performance pay fund, which would dole out salary increases based on two criteria. The first would be overall performance factors such as class management, subject mastery and an advanced degree. The second part of a teacher’s evaluation would be based on learning gains made by students on standardized exams.
Proponents of the legislation said teachers should be paid on results, not on years of service.
“We have to find a way to pay these great teachers more,” said Rep. Anitere Flores, R-Miami, the chair of the House Pre-K-12 budget committee.
The debate over the bill has been a highly political and partisan process. The proposal has been championed by former Gov. Jeb Bush’s education foundation and opposed by the teachers’ union, which financed Bush’s 2002 gubernatorial opponent, Bill McBride.
Several amendments offered over the last few days were struck down angering Democrats and some Republicans who noted that the bill still needed some work.
Lawmakers have been flooded with thousands of letters, emails and phone calls over the issue and teachers have turned out in bulk to protest the legislation, backed by Democratic legislators who came out swinging during floor debate Thursday night. Most Republican lawmakers have remained steady in their support for the bill though.
Democratic Leader Franklin Sands said that lawmakers should be more considerate of teachers’ opinions because they know how the measure will affect them, not lawmakers.
“This is like spending a night at a Holiday Inn … and waking up an expert, and all of a sudden knowing what’s best for our teachers,” said Sands, D-Weston. Eleven Republicans split from the party to side with the Democrats in the final vote.
Julio Robaina, R-Miami, who voted against the legislation, said that the numerous unknowns of the bill concerned him.
The Department of Education still must determine how it would define learning gains and the testing mechanism to measure those gains. The department was involved in the drafting of the legislation and has been working closely with Vanderbilt University, which has done significant education research, on how to develop this criteria.
“It’s got a lot of good provisions in there, but it’s not complete,” Robaina said. We’ve got a lot of work to do.”
Education Commissioner Eric Smith has told lawmakers they will be ready to work on implementation should the bill pass. He has also said that the measure could help the state in its application for the second round of competition for the federal Race to the Top grant.
Pictured above: Rep. Keith Fitzgerald debates the teacher merit pay bill Thursday night in the Florida House. David Royse for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
The News Service Florida contributed to this report.