Area Educator Attends Exxon Teachers Academy
July 31, 2011
Linda S. Godwin, gifted education specialist for the Escambia County (Ala.) School System, was recently selected to attend the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy at the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Godwin was among the 200 applicants selected from the 1,500 third through fifth grade teachers who applied to attend the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy. The teachers academy was sponsored by Phil Mickelson, pro golfer, and ExxonMobil, who paid all expenses for the 200 teachers attending.
According to organizers, the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy is designed to:
- Deepen understanding of mathematics and science content at grades 3 – 5 in the areas of data and statistics, measurement, and force and motion;
- Build expertise in facilitating student learning through problem solving and inquiry;
- Demonstrate the interconnections between mathematics and science that support and enhance student learning;
- Provide an understanding of how children learn and how to translate that knowledge to the classroom instruction;
- Increase knowledge and use of instructional resources to support student learning; and
- Encourage school teams to network with other professionals in mathematics and science education.
For Godwin, highlights of the academy included the opportunity to meet teachers from across the country, work with engineers and gaining new knowledge and resources to use with students.
Birth: Gavin Adam Peterson
July 31, 2011
Cody and Peggy Peterson of Pensacola, along with big brother Gabe, are proud to announce the birth of their son, Gavin Adam Peterson.
Gavin came into the world on July 7, 2011, in Honolulu, Hawaii, where his family is currently stationed with the Navy. He was born at 9:26 p.m., weighed 8 pounds, 4 ounces, and was 21 inches long.
Paternal grandparents are Gene and Judy Hardy of Cantonment and Bruce and Angie Davis of Ozark, Alabama. Maternal grandparents are Mike and Denise Driggers of Pensacola, and Timothy Bustos of Pensacola.
Woman Sentenced To House Arrest In 85-Count Drug Case
July 30, 2011
A former Cantonment resident has been sentenced in an 85-count count drug case in which she purchased large amounts of pseudoephedrine destined for a clandestine meth lab.
Prosecutors dropped 60 of the felony drug distribution counts against Tammy Marie Sheffield before she was sentenced by Judge Nicholas Geeker. She was found guilty on the remaining 25 counts and sentenced to 12 months community control followed by 36 months probation.
As part of her sentence, Sheffield agreed to testify truthfully against other suspects in any state or federal cases in which she has any information.
According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, Sheffield purchased an excessive and illegal quantity of pseudoephedrine over about a one year period.
The investigation also revealed that several persons conspired be traveling to together to area pharmacies to purchase large quantities of pseudoephedrine. And, according to the Sheriff’s office, Sheffield should have known that the pseudoephedrine products she purchased were being used to manufacture methamphetamines in a clandestine laboratory.
According to court and Escambia County Jail records, Sheffield is a former resident of Eden Lane in Cantonment.
Hot, Humid End To July
July 30, 2011
After a hot, mostly dry Saturday, rain chances will increase for Sunday.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight…Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 70s. Northwest winds around 5 mph in the evening becoming light.
- Sunday…Mostly sunny in the morning becoming mostly cloudy. Scattered showers and thunderstorms in the morning…then numerous showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 90s. Northwest winds around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation 70 percent. Highest heat index readings 105 to 107 in the afternoon.
- Sunday Night…Mostly cloudy. Scattered showers and thunderstorms in the evening…then isolated showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the mid 70s. West winds around 5 mph in the evening becoming light. Chance of precipitation 40 percent.
- Monday…Mostly cloudy. Numerous showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 90s. Northwest winds around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation 60 percent.
- Monday Night…Mostly cloudy. Scattered showers and thunderstorms in the evening…then isolated showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the mid 70s. South winds around 5 mph in the evening becoming light. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.
- Tuesday…Mostly sunny in the morning becoming mostly cloudy. Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 90s. Chance of precipitation 40 percent.
- Tuesday Night…Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 70s.
- Wednesday…Mostly sunny. Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 90s. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.
- Wednesday Night…Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 70s.
- Thursday…Mostly sunny. Isolated showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 90s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Thursday Night…Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 70s.
- Friday…Mostly sunny in the morning becoming mostly cloudy. Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 90s. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.
- Friday Night…Mostly cloudy. Lows in the mid 70s.
- Saturday…Mostly sunny. Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 90s. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.
Today Is Final Day To Register For Football, Cheerleading At NWE And Cantonment
July 30, 2011
Today is the final scheduled opportunity to register for fall football and cheerleading for the Cantonment Cowboys and Northwest Escambia.
NWE Football Registration
Registration for Northwest Escambia football will be held today 10 a.m. until noon at the Ernest Ward field. The first practice for NWE is August 8. For more information, contact Charles at (850) 327-4603.
Cantonment Football Registration
Football and cheerleading registration for the Cantonment Cowboys will be held today from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Cantonment sports complex. For more information, call (850) 292-1775.
Man Caught At Traffic Stop Swallows Cocaine, Pot
July 30, 2011
An Escambia County man was hospitalized Friday after deputies said he tried to hide bags of cocaine and marijuana by swallowing them.
Kenya Parker, 34, is charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana, tampering with evidence and traffic charges including driving without a driver’s license.
Around 2:10 a.m., Escambia County Deputy Chad Roop observed a silver Toyota Corolla traveling on I-110 near Airport Blvd. Roop reported that the driver was weaving in and out of traffic lanes.
Roop initiated a traffic stop to investigate for impaired driving. During the stop Roop noticed an odor of marijuana coming from the stopped vehicle.
“Deputy Roop had Mr. Parker exit the vehicle during this investigation,” said Sheriff’s Office spokesman Deputy Chris Welborn. “As Mr. Parker was standing near the deputy’s cruiser, he began to regurgitate bags of cocaine and marijuana he had swallowed earlier.”
Deputies said that Parker regurgitated four plastic bags of cocaine, one bag of marijuana and an empty bag that appeared to have ruptured.
Upon seeing the ruptured bag deputies called EMS to respond and transport Parker to Sacred Heart Hospital for observation.
“The ingestion of the amount of cocaine contained in that bag can be lethal,” said Welborn.
Parker will be held on a $22,000 bond once he is released from the hospital.
Hightower Prefiles For Escambia School Board
July 30, 2011
Incumbent Escambia County School Board member Patty Hightower prefiled Friday for re-election in 2012.
“Escambia County Schools have shown tremendous improvement in the past few years. While the credit goes to our great teachers, I hope I have contributed as a school board member to higher standards and higher goals during my time on the board,” Hightower said. “Experience counts in education – not only in the classroom but also on the school board.”
She said that she and the current school board work well together as a team with the superintendent.
“I believe during my next term I can continue to contribute my time and effort toward the goal of insuring our schools provide the best possible learning opportunities for our children,” Hightower said.
Hightower will appear on the August 28, 2012, ballot. She is the only candidate so far to prefile for the seat that she has held for term terms.
Governor: Make Currently Required PIP Auto Insurance Optional
July 30, 2011
Gov. Rick Scott said Friday that he would support making personal injury protection auto insurance coverage, or PIP, optional.
Scott made the remarks during a radio interview Friday, and a spokesman confirmed that Scott would support doing away with Florida’s requirement that motorists carry PIP coverage.
“He said he supports the idea of making PIP an option,” said the spokesman, Lane Wright. “Gov. Scott has always stressed the importance of having choice, when it comes to insurance.”
Wright said the administration hadn’t drafted any legislation, that Scott was merely stating a position on the requirement.
PIP has been a subject of ire for insurers for years because of heavy amounts of fraud. Florida law currently requires every motorist to carry $10,000 worth of PIP coverage to cover their medical costs if they’re in an accident. A motorist’s insurance company pays the medical bills for that motorist out of the PIP coverage no matter who is at fault in the accident, an arrangement known as a no-fault law.
Sam Miller, a spokesman for the industry group Florida Insurance Council, said he couldn’t comment in detail without a detailed proposal, but that in general insurers would welcome changes.
“We have to do something, because the fraud is out of control,” Miller said. “If the governor wants that to be part of the mix, we would look at the details. It’s good that the governor is getting involved in the debate.”
Insurers expect that auto insurance is likely to be a major issue for legislators in the coming year after a few years of focus on property insurance reforms.
By The News Service of Florida
Weekend Gardening: Distinctly Southern Hydrangeas
July 30, 2011
Photo by Mandy Fails of Atmore for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Nothing defines a southern landscape more than hydrangeas.
These beautiful, large flowering shrubs fill gardens with their green, leafy foliage and incredible blooms during the warm months.
In order to ensure consistent and reliable blooms, these shrubs must be cared for correctly. In addition to proper site location, fertilizer and moisture conditions, hydrangeas may require pruning. Proper pruning includes correct timing.
Hydrangea aficionados are constantly debating pruning techniques. There are many different types of hydrangeas and pruning differs according to the type. It is a big genus of plants and so it’s important to know what type of hydrangeas you may have and on what type of wood they bloom on.
Blooms on old wood, prune after flowering
The bigleaf hydrangeas, known scientifically as Hydrangea macrophylla, are what most people think of when you mention hydrangeas. Most gardeners will know these as mopheads (also called hortensias) and lacecaps. Many of these blooms will be blue or pink although other colors now are available.
Many large colonies of bigleaf hydrangeas have existed around old homes for decades, surviving and blooming in spite of neglect. This tells us that it is not necessary to prune bigleaf hydrangeas.
However, if you want to keep these shrubs within a defined boundary, control their height or rejuvenate old shrubs, it will be necessary to prune them.
Bigleaf hydrangeas can be reduced in size immediately after flowering. A general rule of thumb is that you may remove up to a third of the shrub’s height. Be sure to complete your pruning before August. This is critical because next year flower blooms start to form in August. Pruning after August will remove next year’s blooms.
There now is a small group of bigleaf hydrangeas that are everblooming or remontant. Endless Summer® is one well-known brand. According to the developers of these reblooming hydrangeas, remove spent flowers to encourage rebloom. They are quite forgiving and will not suffer if left unpruned or pruned at the wrong time because these cultivars bloom on both old and new growth.
Our native oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is a large, deciduous shrub that can grow up to six feet tall. It has deeply lobed, oak-like leaves which turn bronze in the fall. This plant does not usually need pruning. If reshaping or size-reduction is necessary, prune after blooms begin to fade.
Article Continues Below Photo
Lacecap hydrangea Photo credit: Theresa Friday
Blooms on new wood, prune in early spring
Smooth hydrangea (H. arborescens) is the other U.S. native. The most common cultivar, ‘Annabelle’, produces rounded inflorescences that may reach up to a foot in diameter.
The panicle hydrangea (H. paniculata) is more of an upright type. It is typically a 10 to 15-foot large shrub or low-branched tree.
Panicle and smooth hydrangeas flower on current year’s growth and can be pruned anytime from late summer until early spring. If pruning these two species in the spring, try to prune before leaves appear.
Winter pruning
Established bigleaf, panicle, oakleaf and smooth hydrangea plants can often benefit from rejuvenation pruning. Remove about one-third of the oldest stems each year. The result is a fuller, healthier plant. This type of pruning is easiest to do in winter, since the absence of leaves makes it easier to see and reach inside plants.
Hydrangeas offer a wide variety of plants which can make the timing of pruning difficult to remember. Just keep in mind, if in doubt, either don’t prune at all or prune after flowering.
Theresa Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
Learn To Preserve Fresh Fruits And Vegetables At Workshop
July 30, 2011
Due to an overwhelming response, Escambia County Extension and the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences present another “Preserving the Essence of Summer Food Preservation Workshop.”
The workshop is on Saturday, August 20, 10 a.m. until noon, at the Langley Bell 4-H Center, 4810 W. Nine Mile Road.
Organizers say it is easy to preserve your juicy, ripe, fresh fruits and vegetables, and home canning is a wonderful way to preserve fresh fruits and vegetables from your garden or the local farmers’ market.
The workshop will teach the simple ways to save the season’s bountiful harvest and capture the fresh flavors of summer. The cost is only $5, but you must pre-register to ensure adequate supplies.
To register or get more information, please contact Colethia Lewis, Escambia Extension, at (850) 475-5230 or colethia@ufl.edu.