Make A Resolution To Be More Wildlife Friendly
January 1, 2012
The tradition of the New Year’s Resolutions dates back to 153 B.C. Janus, a mythical king of early Rome was said to have two faces which allowed him to look back on past events and forward to the future.
The beginning of a new year is a great time to reflect on the issues of the past and resolve to do better in the upcoming year. The 2010 Gulf oil spill had a devastating impact on local wildlife. Florida is a state renowned for its diverse and unique ecosystems. But rapid development and environmental disasters, particularly in coastal areas, is continuing to destroy wildlife habitat. Resolve to be more wildlife-friendly in 2012 by following these easy tips from the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Program.
Provide food
Select plants with seeds, fruit, foliage, or flowers that butterflies, birds, and other wildlife like to eat. Berries, fleshy fruits, nuts, and acorns are all treats for many animals.
Supply water
Any water you provide will attract wildlife. You could have running water in the form of a natural feature, such as a pond, creek, or other body of fresh water, but a fountain or birdbath will also beckon wildlife. Empty and clean your birdbath every few days. Do not clean it with soap or bleach—just physically scrub all surfaces with a brush or scouring-type sponge. Change the water regularly to prevent mosquito breeding and bacterial contamination.
Leave snags
Leave snags, which are the trunks of dead trees, in place if they do not create a hazard. Many birds use snags for perching, nesting, and feeding. Snags are often removed from yards or land mistakenly thought of as no longer having value. Nothing could be farther from the truth. A tree’s full life cycle at this point, is far from over.
Manage pets
If you permit pets to harass or kill wildlife, you will only hinder any efforts you make toward attracting wildlife. This is especially true for cats allowed outdoors.
Reduce insecticide use
Each time you apply an insecticide to your landscape, you reduce insect populations, which form an important food source for birds. Some chemicals can also poison birds and other animals that feed on affected insects.
Reduce the amount of mowed lawn area
Unmowed areas can contain more plant species than mowed areas, providing more potential food sources and habitat for wildlife. Reduce the mowed area around your house, especially in low-traffic areas, such as corners of the yard.
Increase vertical layering
Plant a variety of plants in different sizes and heights to provide more cover and feeding opportunities for diverse species of wildlife.
By following the simple tips in this chapter, your Florida-Friendly lawn and garden can become a sanctuary for wildlife, as well as part of a migratory passage between one wild space and another. Animals need to move from place to place, just like people. They have trouble traveling in heavily urban and suburban landscapes, but you can help them by joining your Florida-Friendly yard with others in the neighborhood to create a “natural corridor”—a safe, traversable route between woodlands, wetlands, or other wild areas.
For more specific information, visit the University of Florida/IFAS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_landscaping_for_wildlife or call your local Extension Office.
Theresa Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
2012 Brings Minimum Wage Increase, Unemployment And Worker’s Comp Changes
January 1, 2012
The new year brought changes in Florida for both unemployment compensation and the worker’s comp rate paid by employers.
Florida’s 26-week maximum unemployment benefit period changed Sunday to a sliding scale that ranges from 12 weeks to 23-weeks, depending on the unemployment rate. The duration will be calculated based on the average unemployment rate in Florida for July, August and September 2011. The Department of Economic Opportunity says the change is projected to save the state’s Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund an estimated $103 million annually.
The new year also means businesses are now facing an 8.9 percent increase in workers compensation insurance rates that was approved by state regulators earlier this year.
And, the Florida minimum wage went up to $7.67 per hour, effective January 1. Florida law requires the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to calculate a minimum wage rate each year based on the percentage increase in the federal Consumer Price Index. That’s 36 cents higher than the current rate of $7.31 and above the national minimum wage of $7.25.
Damaged Guardrail Replacement Almost Complete On Molino Road
January 1, 2012
Escambia County has almost completed guardrail replacements on Molino Road.
The county’s drainage crew is replacing damaged sections of guardrail along Molino Road east of Highway 95A. The project is about 90 percent complete.
Gladys Marie (Joyner) Hawthorne
January 1, 2012
Gladys Marie (Joyner) Hawthorne age 89 of Jay, went to be with her Heavenly Father on December 31, 2011. She was born in Owassa, AL, on February 10, 1922. She retired from Jay Hospital after working for many years.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Coady Hawthorne; son, Jessie Oliver and two grandchildren.
She is survived by her six children, Hazel Barrow, Ann Malshuk, Vernia (Buddy) White, Richard (Deborah) Hawthorne, Ronnie Hawthorne, and Chiquita (Jim) Lockhart; eight grandchildren, Keith Stanton, Nick Malshuk, Candice Thornton, April Cullen, Richard Hawthorne, Kenneth White, Brooke Ehly, and Justin White; brother, Curtis (Eva) Joyner and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She loved her family and church family, working outside with her roses and flowers, and looked forward to seeing her Heavenly Father.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 4, 2012, from 6-9 p.m. at Jay Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 5, 2012, at 11 a.m. at True Worship Assembly of God Church with Bro. Adam Peterson officiating services. Burial will follow at Concord Primitive Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Jerry Nelson, Randy Morris, James Earl Diamond, Jeff Wolfe, Johnny Watson, and Richard Walther.
Honorary pallbearers will be Skip Thompkins, Lonny Williams, and Phil Calhoun.
The family would like to thank Dr. C. David Smith, Dr. Jeffery S. Kelley and the rest of the Jay Hospital staff, Covenant Hospice, Bro. Adam Peterson of True Worship Assembly of God, Bro. Paul Wetzel, and Bro. Mike Wetzel and all the numerous friends and family for all their prayers and concern during our time of need.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Much Colder Weather Coming
January 1, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia weather forecast:
- Tonight: Clear, with a low around 34. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 55. North wind between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 23. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 50. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 22. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 57. Calm wind becoming west between 5 and 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming northwest.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 63. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.
- Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 45.
- Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 67.
Betty Jane Shroyer
January 1, 2012
Betty Jane Shroyer age 77 of Jay, went to grace peacefully resting at home on December 30, 2011. She was born in Allen County, Indiana, on November 8, 1934, the first child to Eugene (Gene) and Cecil (Holsworth) Thorne. In her youth, Betty was an active member of 4H, Zion Church, and Jackson Township High School. Betty enjoyed a variety of interests, especially senior affairs and church activities but delighted in raising her daughter and three sons. Her chosen profession was respiratory therapist from which she retired in 1991.
Betty is preceded in death by her parents, sister Juva Sterling and grandchildren Carol Shroyer and Jennifer Shroyer.
Betty is survived by her loyal and loving husband of 59 years; brother, Jim Thorne; sisters, Nita Endsley and Mary Albright; daughter, Elizabeth Dellinger; sons, Lewis, David, and John; grandchildren, Amy, Daniel, Robert, John Shaw, Katie Ann Shaw, and Allison Shaw.
Services will be held at Jay United Methodist Church at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 4, 2012, with fellowship to follow. All are welcome to fellowship with family and friends.
The family would like to give a warm thank you to Dr. C. David Smith and staff.
In lieu of flowers a donation may be given to the Jay United Methodist Church Youth at Jay United Methodist Church, 14093 Alabama St., Jay, FL 32565.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
No Injuries In Hwy 97 Crash
January 1, 2012
There were no injuries in a single vehicle crash Saturday afternoon on Highway 97 north of Molino. The accident happened about 4:30 p.m. just north of Gibson Road. The driver of a northbound car left the roadway and struck a culvert.
The crash is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded to the accident.
Pictured above: There were no injuries in this single vehicle crash Saturday afternoon near Molino. Pictured below: The driver apparently lost control and struck a culvert. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
