Escambia County Beats Andy To Advance In Playoffs

November 6, 2010

The Escambia County Blue Devils of Atmore advanced to round two of the Alabama playoffs Friday night with a 19-6 upset of  the Andalusia Bulldogs.

Escambia County (8-3, 5-3) will travel next week to Jackson.

The Blue Devils had 19 unanswered points in the first three quarters of play on the road Friday night. The Blue Devils scored with Christopher Johnson touchdown runs of one and four years in the first half and on a 13-yard interception by Tocorian Brown in the third.

This is the first time in three years the Blue Devils have mad the Alabama High School Athletic Association playoffs. The Blue Devils are in their first year under the leadership of Head Coach Mark Heaton, a former assistant coach at Northview High School.

Tate Falls To Navarre

November 6, 2010

The Tate Aggies fell to Navarre Friday night, 41-6.

The Aggies’ only score of the night came during the fourth quarter. With 7:06 to go in the game, Lorenzo Long scored on a 12-yard run. Tate’s two point attempt failed.

Navarre was led by Joel Beauchemin with touchdowns of 12, 69 and 21 yards. Jay Warren had a 98 yard touchdown run for the Raiders.

Jay 0-9 After Loss To Baker

November 6, 2010

The final home game ever for 21-year Jay Head Coach Elijah Bell was the ninth loss of the season as the Royals fell to the Baker Gators 50-14.

The loss in the The War on Highway 4 put the Royals’ season record at 0-9, 0-8 in District 1-A.

The final game of the season next week will see the Royals on the road as they hope to pick up a win against Wewahitchka.

Today’s College Football On TV

November 6, 2010

Here’s a look at SEC and other games of interest on television today:

SEC

Florida (5-3, 3-3) at Vanderbilt (2-6, 1-4)
11:21 a.m.  WJTC TV 44/SEC Network/ESPN3.com

Idaho State (1-7) at Georgia (4-5, 3-4)
11:30 p.m. WSB-TV/ESPN3.com

Charleston Southern (2-6) at Kentucky (4-5, 1-5)
11:30 p.m. BBSN/ESPN3.com

Chattanooga (5-3) at Auburn (9-0, 6-0)
1 p.m. Auburn PPV/ESPN3.com

Alabama (7-1, 4-1) at LSU (7-1, 4-1)
2:30 p.m. WKRG TV 5/CBS Sports/CBSSports.com

Louisiana-Lafayette (2-6) at Ole Miss (3-5, 1-4)
6 p.m. ESPNU

Arkansas (6-2, 3-2) at South Carolina (6-2, 4-2)
6 p.m. ESPN

Tennessee (2-6, 0-5) at Memphis (1-7)
8 p.m. CBS College

OPEN: Mississippi State (7-2, 3-2)

Other

North Carolina at Clemson
11 a.m. WFNA TV 55

North Carolina at Florida State
2:30 p.m. WEAR TV 3

Fill Voids In Landscape With Shrubs

November 6, 2010

Occasionally gardeners will lose a shrub in their landscapes. This typically results in an unsightly void. Or perhaps you chose a beautiful shrub but put it in a location which it quickly outgrew. Fall is the best time of the year to plant new shrubs and transplant those that may need a new home.

When planting new shrubs, take the time to choose plants that will meet your design requirement and will be the right size for your location. Trying to artificially manipulate a plant’s size or height by pruning should be avoided in the landscape, unless you are an expert at topiaries.

Another consideration when choosing shrubs is their leaf-retaining characteristics. Evergreen plants always have green leaves on the plant; however, they do drop foliage throughout the year. Deciduous plants drop all of their leaves at one time of the year, usually late fall.

Deciduous plants typically add beautiful floral displays to the landscape. Evergreen plants will provide the backbone of the design. The well-designed landscape will contain both deciduous and evergreen shrubs.

Northwest Florida gardeners can choose from a wide variety of beautiful shrubs. Some popular choices include azaleas, camellias, hydrangeas, cleyera, holly and gardenias. For more options and information, refer to a University of Florida publication titled “Selected Shrubs for North Florida.” It’s available online at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg344 or by calling your local Extension Office.

The best time to add new shrubs to the landscape is when we experience cooler weather, fall through early spring. To ensure success, be sure to follow proper procedures when planting the shrub. Correct planting and proper aftercare will prevent problems in the future.

Begin by digging a hole at least twice as wide as and no deeper than the root ball. After digging, ensure that about one to two inches of the root ball is raised above the level of the surrounding soil. Remember the old saying, “Plant it high, it won’t die. Plant it low, it won’t grow.”

Probably one of the most overlooked steps is correcting root problems prior to planting. Shrubs that are planted with circling roots will always have circling roots and can abruptly fall over in high winds. Use your hands or a knife to loosen any roots that have been matted while growing in the container. Also, cut through any circling roots.

After you backfill the hole with the soil you removed, water-in the plant to release any air pockets. Mulch with three inches of organic mulch such as pine straw after planting is completed, but never on top of the root ball.

If you have decided to transplant a shrub, consider the following. Shrubs have better transplant tolerance than trees, deciduous plants better than evergreens, shallow rooted species better than deep rooted species, and younger plants better than older plants. Plants which are already in advanced stages of decline are likely to succumb to transplantation stress.

Dig as large a rootball as you can handle and follow the normal planting procedures. Aftercare is critical to a transplanted shrub’s survival, with proper watering perhaps the most important practice. Remember that sprinkler systems are not designed to establish trees and shrubs, so hand watering or a slow-drip system is recommended. Talk to your local Extension Agent for specific instructions.

You can have better success with planting or transplanting shrubs when you do it in the fall. Just be sure to follow established procedures and tend to the shrub for several months after planting.

Theresa Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.. Photo credit -  David Marshall.

Chiefs Make Playoffs; Other Area High School Scores

November 5, 2010

Live football updates tonight on NorthEscambia.com

Northview 47 Vernon 19 (FINAL)

The Northview Chiefs are in the playoffs with the win over Vernon. Complete game details and lots of photos Saturday morning on NorthEscambia.com.

Tate  41 Navarre 6 (FINAL)

Baker 50 Jay 14 (FINAL)

Holmes County 21 Freeport 6 (FINAL)

Rutherford 25 West Florida 21 (FINAL)

P.C. Arnold 42 Washington 14  (FINAL)

Alabama

Escambia County (Atmore)  19 Andalusia 6 (FINAL)

T.R. Miller 41 Daleville 24 (FINAL)

Escambia Approves Red Light Cameras

November 5, 2010

Escambia County has approved the installation of red light cameras that could add up to $3 million per year to the county’s coffers.

The Escambia County Commission unanimously approved a red light camera ordinance Thursday night.

It could be up to one year before the red light cameras are installed at intersections chosen by crash data.

The Florida Legislature approved the use of red light cameras earlier this year, with the law taking effect on July 1.

The automated cameras snap a photo of the car and license plate of alleged red light runners, and the driver receives a $158 citation in the mail — along with a photo of the violation. Of the $158 fine, Escambia County would retain $75. With 20 camera locations, Escambia County would earn as estimated $2-3 million per year.

The Sheriff’s Department would be responsible for providing trained traffic enforcement officer to review the photos and other evidence prior to a citation being issued. A portion of the county’s revenue would be transferred to the sheriff for increased personnel costs.

A citation will not go on a driver’s record if the fine is paid.

The county will give the county 30 days notice of the red light camera locations prior to their installation.

Septic Tank Inspection Requirement May Be Delayed

November 5, 2010

Republican legislative leaders said Thursday they want to delay the implementation of a new septic tank inspection requirement for six months to give lawmakers time to revisit it following complaints about its cost.

The inspection requirement, passed earlier this year as part of legislation (SB 550) meant to help keep springs clean, has been criticized by rural lawmakers who said the cost will present a hardship.

Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville and Rep. Marti Coley, R-Marianna have already said they’ll file legislation in the spring seeking to repeal it.

But in the meantime, incoming House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park and Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, said Thursday that lawmakers could pass legislation during a one-day veto special session later this month to delay the requirement until July.

Beginning January 1, the bill as it stands would require inspections of the state’s 2.6 million septic tanks once every five years by 2016.

“I am grateful for the leadership of President Designate Mike Haridopolos and Speaker Designate Dean Cannon for recognizing the concerns of the citizens of Florida and especially Northwest Florida,” Gaetz said in a statement. “By delaying the implementation of this harmful mandate, it will give Representative Coley and me the opportunity to present the case for the complete repeal in March.”

The News Service Florida contributed to this report.

Pictured top: Incoming legislative leaders Sen. Mike Haridopolos and Rep. Dean Cannon address the press Thursday in Tallahassee. Photos by John Kennedy for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Molino Kart Racer Wins Big In National Event

November 5, 2010

Molino’s Jarrett Parker continues to burn up the track in the world of kart racing, taking a top spot in one of the nation’s top events in Georgia and a big win at Talladega.

At the Triple Crown in Talladega, junior racer Parker drove in the senior classes. He struggled to qualify in the teens for all three events. Parker had two third place finishes and a crowd-thrilling win, dominating the final race of the night of the Talladega Triple Crown.

At the Dawgwood Speedway in Chatsworth, Georgia, Parker looked to dominate the Chasen’ Racen’ Pro Kart Tour, the largest kart event of the year. The best junior drivers from all over the U.S. arrived with their sights set on the much hyped Pro Junior $5,001 for the winner.

Parker, the defending champion, qualified in third, just 0.076 behind the pole sitter in a field of 40 drivers trying to make the 25 kart field.

At the start of the race Parker quickly took the second place spot trailing Nolan Pope of Harrisonville, Missouri. Parker took the lead on lap 20 with Jonathon Hinson of Lancaster, South Carolina, on his bumper. With Parker leading the race to the checkered flag, Hinson hooked Parker on the last lap in turn three and four sending Parker sailing towards the fence. Parker managed to save his kart and recovered to finish the race in third earning him a top spot at the national event.

Parker drives a Todd Miller powered 2010 Phantom Seraph and pits with MB Motorsports. He won three state titles in 2010.

Jarrett Parker, a sophomore at Northview High School, is the son of Scott and Tammy Parker of Molino.

Pictured top: Jarrett Parker (left, black kart) at the Chasen’ Racen’ Pro Kart Tour in Chatsworth Georgia. Pictured inset: Parker finished the national event in third place. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Freeze Warning Tonight

November 5, 2010

There is a freeze warning is in effect for Friday night, and a freeze warning is in effect for Saturday night.

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

  • Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 32. North wind around 5 mph.
  • Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 61. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
  • Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 31. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
  • Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 63. Calm wind becoming northeast between 5 and 10 mph.
  • Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 33. Calm wind.
  • Monday: Sunny, with a high near 71. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
  • Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45. Calm wind.
  • Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 76. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
  • Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50.
  • Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 76.
  • Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 51.
  • Veterans Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.

« Previous PageNext Page »