Escambia County Remains On High Alert Due To West Nile Threat
September 9, 2012
Escambia County residents should remain alert and take extra precautions to avoid mosquito bites — that’s the word from the Escambia County Health Department after at least five people in the county have confirmed cases of the West Nile Virus and a “Mosquito Borne Illness Advisory” remains in effect.
The reported cases mean “there is an imminent risk of additional persons becoming infected,” according to the Escambia County Health Department. The health department has not said where in the county the infected persons reside, but the exact location of those infected by West Nile is not important when the disease is spread by birds that can travel several miles and then by mosquitoes to humans.
“There is no place in Escambia County that would be better or worse than any other place,” said Dr. John Lanza, director of the Escambia County Health Department. “The abnormally high number of confirmed cases reaffirms the increased risk of contracting West Nile Virus for everyone in Escambia County.”
“Since most people who contract the disease have mild or no symptoms, there are most likely numerous undiagnosed cases throughout the area. All Escambia County, Florida residents and visitors should take precautions to limit their exposure to mosquitoes,” Lanza said.
Okaloosa County officials confirmed Friday that one person in that county has died as a result of the West Nile virus.
There are been 19 total cases of West Nile reported this year in Florida.
Mosquitoes infected with West Nile Virus can bite and infect humans. Symptoms of infection can range from mild to severe, including development of diseases such as meningitis or encephalitis. Being outdoors, especially during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active, further increases the risk of infection. People with weakened immune systems and individuals over 50 may be at higher risk of the most severe form of the infection.
The Escambia County Health Department recommends that residents follow the Five D’s of mosquito control:
- Dusk – avoid when mosquitoes are most active.
- Dawn – avoid the next most active period.
- DEET – use personal chemical protection to ward off mosquitoes.
- Dress – cover exposed skin to block mosquito access.
- Drain – remove standing water in pots, pet dishes, gutters and other retainers.
The health department also recommends these precautions:
- Apply insect repellent to exposed skin, or onto clothing, but not under clothing.
- In protecting children, read label instructions to be sure the repellent is age-appropriate.
- According to the CDC, mosquito repellents containing oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under the age of three years. DEET is not recommended on children younger than two months old.
- Avoid applying repellents to the hands of children. Adults should apply repellent first to their own hands and then transfer it to the child’s skin and clothing.
Good Budget News: Florida Won’t Face Budget Shortfall
September 9, 2012
The Legislative Budget Commission will get a dose of good news when it meets next Wednesday — a draft financial outlook shows the state likely will not face a budget shortfall for the 2013-14 fiscal year.
Analysts each year provide a long-term outlook to the LBC, showing estimated revenues and anticipated levels of spending.
Lawmakers have repeatedly grappled with shortfalls during the past few years, but the new outlook shows no budget gap for the fiscal year that starts July 1, 2013.
“Fiscal strategies will not be required; the budget is in balance as constitutionally required and is growing more slowly than available revenues,” the draft says.
By The News Service of Florida
Weekend Gardening: Now’s The Time To Plant Onions
September 9, 2012
Onions are sold in every grocery store, served at many meal and featured at sporting events across the United States. Onions are everywhere. If you’ve ever wanted to try to grow them, now is the time to plant.
Edible onions have been cultivated for so long that it is difficult to trace their origin. Onions were first introduced to America around the turn of the century when a retired French soldier brought some onion seeds from Corsica to the Walla Walla region of the Pacific Northwest. But it wasn’t until the farmers in Georgia realized what a special thing they had in the Vidalia onion and began spreading the news that the sweet onion finally got the attention it deserves.
Onions have different requirements as to the number of hours of daylight required for bulb formation. The types that require 15 to 16 hours of light daily are referred to as “long day” varieties and not adapted for the South. Types that grow best in Florida are the “short-day” varieties. They must be started in the fall so that bulbing is induced by the short days of winter. However, the subsequent harvest of bulbs follows in the spring or early summer.
Onions are often grouped according to taste (mild and strong flavored), color (white, yellow, and red) and use (storage or freshly eaten). Some suggested bulbing onion varieties for Florida include Excel, Texas Grano, Granex, White Granex and Tropicana Red.
Yellow onions are gardeners’ most popular choices. Granex 33 is the early Texas hybrid grown in Vidalia, Georgia. Texas Grano 1015Y Aggie Sweet produces a large, mild bulb that is very sweet under the right growing and soil conditions. The Texas Grano 502 is well known for large, mild bulbs with fair storage potential.
Onions are grown either from seed, sets (tiny immature bulbs) or transplants. The planting method selected is based on cost, use, availability, and planting ease.
Onions grown from sets do not make the best bulbs, and are rather costly. Specific onion varieties are usually not available. They are sold simply as red, white, or yellow onion sets. Since the variety is unknown, the flavor, use, and keeping quality of onions grown from sets varies considerably. Avoid sets more than an inch in diameter, as they are likely to bolt. Late plantings are more susceptible to cold or freeze injury. Planting too early can result in increased seed stem production.
Growing onions from seed may be the most difficult planting method. However, it is the least expensive and offers the greatest variety. Germination may be sporadic and plant growth can be slow. Be aware that onion seed does not remain viable long, and should not be planted when more than one year old.
In North Florida, onions can be started between mid-September and mid-November. Onion seed can be planted directly in the garden or in flats. Sow eight to 12 seeds per foot of row ½ to one inch deep. If larger bulbs are desired, thin to a final spacing of four to six inches apart.
Set out transplants from late December through February. Plants should be about 6 inches high and about half the thickness of a lead pencil at the time of transplanting. Set plants with the bottom of the plant about 1 to 1½ inch below the surface of the soil. Transplants should be spaced 3 to 4 inches apart in the row.
Onions have a shallow, poorly developed root system, so regular fertilization and watering are essential. Inconsistent watering may lead to splits, doubles and small bulbs. Fertilize the crop monthly with a nitrogen fertilizer. Be sure to keep the fertilizer from contacting the plants directly.
Good weed control is a must. Since young onions are small and grow slowly at first, they can be taken over by weeds that reduce yield. Look out for diseases before they become established. Leaf blight diseases can seriously reduce yields. Monitor for insects twice each week, and use appropriate management techniques. Contact your local Extension Office for the latest information on pest management recommendations.
Theresa Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
Former Molino Resident Gindl Named League’s Batter Of Week
September 9, 2012
NASHVILLE — Former Molino resident Caleb Gindl was recently named the Pacific Coast League’s Batter of the Week.
The 23-year-old posted a .533 average (16-for-30) with a league-leading 10 RBIs in seven games over a seven-day span for the Nashville Sounds. Gindl rapped eight of his league-high 16 hits for extra bases during the week (five doubles, one triple, two home runs).
Gindl, who recorded five multiple-hit efforts and hit safely in six of the seven games, set several season highs during the week.
The award is the third weekly honor of Gindl’s six-year career. He was previously honored by the Florida State League in April 2009 and by the South Atlantic League in August 2008.
Pictured: Caleb Gindl gets another hit for the Nashville Sounds. Photo by Mike Strasinger/Nashville Sounds for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Obama, Romney Hit Campaign Trail
September 9, 2012
ST PETERSBURG – Democrat Barack Obama and his Republican challenger, Mitt Romney, are campaigning in key states, with public opinion polls showing them virtually even. With both parties’ conventions concluded, the two candidates are seeking an advantage in the final two months before the presidential election.
Obama began a two-day bus tour with a rally near St. Petersburg, Florida. “I honestly believe this is the clearest choice of any time in our generation. Because it is a choice, not just between two candidates or two political parties. This is a choice between two fundamentally different paths for America, two fundamentally different visions for our future,” he said.
Florida is the largest of the so-called swing states, where experts believe the November 6 election will be decided.
The economy is the main issue in this year’s campaign, and Friday’s disappointing report on job creation is not likely to help the president’s cause.
Obama told supporters in Florida his plan for strengthening the economy and reducing unemployment is superior to Romney’s. “All they have got to offer is the same prescriptions that they have had for 30 years: tax cuts, tax cuts, gut a few regulations, some more tax cuts. Tax cuts when times are good, tax cuts when times are bad,” he said.
Meanwhile, Romney campaigned Saturday in Virginia, another swing state. At a rally in Virginia Beach, the Republican nominee said the president’s economic plan has not worked.
“And then he went to the Democrat convention and spoke at great length and had a lot of wonderful things to say. But he did not say what he would do to help people get jobs, or come out of unemployment, or to get people that are poor back to the middle class. He does not have a plan. He does not have any ideas. And we have got to make sure he does not have any more days in the White House after January,” he said.
The former Massachusetts governor told the crowd he would abandon proposals to cut the military budget. “We must have a commitment, not just to more ships and more aircraft, but also, in my view, to more members of our armed forces. I will not cut our military. I will maintain our military commitment,” he said.
Pictured top: Barack Obama campaigns in St. Petersburg, Florida, on Saturday. Pictured inset: Mitt Romney campaigns Saturday in Virginia. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
by Kent Klein, VOA
Rain, Then Upper 50’s? Cold Front Headed South
September 8, 2012
A passing cold front will bring a chance of rain for Saturday before bringing much cooler weather by Sunday night. Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. North wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 88. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58. North wind around 5 mph.
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the morning.
- Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 89. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. East wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.
- Friday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.
- Saturday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Preliminary Investigation Determines Man Shot Himself After Shooting Alabama Sheriff
September 8, 2012
An initial investigation by the Alabama Bureau of Investigation has confirmed that a Flomaton man took his own life after shooting Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff Grover Smith Friday morning in Flomaton.
Deputies first arrived at the Arrington Lane home of 59-year old James Arrington Jr. about 8:30 a.m. Friday. The Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office was joined by a tactical response team from the Brewton Police Department in an attempt to serve a mental health commitment order to pick up Arrington and transport him to a mental health facility.
For a photo gallery from the scene, click here.
An Escambia County (Fla.) EMS unit was on standby at the nearby Arrington Auto Parts Store, owned by a relative of the suspect. Deputies were prepared for the possibility of violence; Arrington had a historyof previous run-ins with law enforcement, including an incident involving a meat cleaver. Arrington, a Vietnam veteran, had a history a mental health issues, according to family friends.
Arrington became uncooperative with authorities and barricaded himself alone inside his residence.
About 10:30 a.m., the Brewton tactical team and Smith entered the home. Arrington fired one round at Smith, striking him in the right forearm. Arrington then turned the gun on himself. He was pronounced dead at 10:39 a.m.
No officer fired a weapon during the incident.
Smith was transported in good condition by the waiting Escambia County (Fla.) EMS unit to D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton and later to a Pensacola hospital for surgery. His injuries were not life-threatening.
Because an officer was shot, the investigation was turned over to the Alabama Bureau of Investigation. The ABI’s final report and any findings will be presented to the Escambia County (Ala.) District Attorney for review. Officials said that report may not be complete for several weeks.
For a photo gallery from the scene, click here.
Pictured top: Investigators remained on scene for hours after the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff was shot Friday morning at this home in Flomaton. Pictured top inset: Sheriff Grover Smith. Pictured bottom inset: The shooting scene. Pictured below: An Escambia County (Fla.) EMS unit arrives at the scene Friday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Armed Bandits Hit Three Auto Parts Stores Friday Night
September 8, 2012
Armed robbers hit three different auto parts stores Friday night in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
An 7:43 p.m., an armed bandit held up the Advance Auto Parts on Mobile Highway. Moments later, an armed robbery was reported at 8:08 p.m. at the O’Riley Auto Parts store on Pace Boulevard.
Less than two hours later, an armed robbery was reported at an Advance Auto Parts store in Navarre.
There was no immediate word any arrest, and it was not known if the robberies were related. The incidents are under investigation by the Escambia and Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Offices.
Man Hospitalized After ‘Fun’ Jump From Bob Sikes Bridge
September 8, 2012
A man was hospitalized Friday afternoon after jumping from the Bob Sikes Bridge on Pensacola Beach.
Witnesses told deputies that the man and his friend thought it would be fun to jump from the hump on the Bob Sikes Bridge. One of the two men jumped, landing face first in the water and remaining that way until a nearby boat arrived and pulled him from the water about 1:15 p.m.
The victim was brought to shore and then taken to a local hospital. His condition is not known at this time.
The man’s name has not been released.
Isaac Causes $13 Million In Damage To Escambia County Beaches
September 8, 2012
Escambia County leaders say Hurricane Issac left behind $13 million in damage to Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key.
Of that, about $10 million is eligible for reimbursement from FEMA.
A preliminary damage assessment found Pensacola Beach lost 250,000 cubic yards of sand, which will cost about $8 million to fix. Perdido Key lost 180,000 cubic yards and had up to $6.3 million in damage.
About half the damage to Perdido Key is not eligible for reimbursement because FEMA only recoups damage to engineered beaches. Escambia County authorities are confident the state will qualify for FEMA reimbursement.
Pictured: Damage along SR 399 between Pensacola Beach and Navarre. Photo by Anthony Pura, WEAR for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.