House Elections Bill Released
February 10, 2013
A measure allowing elections supervisors to hold more days of early voting, providing more sites for casting pre-Election Day votes and curbing the length of ballot summaries for constitutional amendments proposed by the Legislature is set to be heard Wednesday by the House Ethics and Elections Subcommittee.
The proposal (PCB EES 13-01), released ahead of next week’s meeting, would provide up to 14 days of early voting in each county, though only eight would be required; elections supervisors could allow early voting up to five days before it currently begins and on the Sunday before an election, when many churches hold “souls to the polls” voting drives.
It would also loosen rules on where early voting could take place. And it would limit the first proposed ballot summary of any amendment proposed by the Legislature to 75 words, the same cap faced by citizen initiatives. Lawmakers would be allowed to break that cap on additional summaries if they attach those to the bill as fallback options in case a court strikes down the first proposed summary.
The attorney general would also not be limited if he or she has to redraft the ballot summary after a successful court challenge to the language voters read when they decide whether to approve the amendment.
By The News Service of Florida
Alabama Details Extended February Deer Season Map
February 10, 2013
A new region is proposed in southwest Alabama where deer season would be extended into February.
A map was released Saturday in Montgomery by Conservation Commissioner N. Gunter Guy Jr. detailing the area in which deer season would be extended from January 31 to February 10. The season would include a 10 day gun season closure in December, but would allow hunting during a late-season rut when deer are more active.
The proposed region includes 11 counties, including Escambia, Baldwin, Mobile and Monroe.
The extended season would apply only to hunters using guns; the bow hunting season would remain October 15 until February 10.
The plan must now be approved by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. February 2013 is not included in the plan; deer season ended January 31, 2013, in Southwest Alabama.
Portion Of Atmore Without Power Following Wreck
February 9, 2013
A large portion of Atmore was without power Saturday night after a car hit and broke a utility pole on Carver Avenue just before 8:00. The outage included an area of North Main Street and several businesses, including Church’s Chicken and a couple of gas stations.
The Atmore police and fire departments responded to the accident scene. The driver of the car reportedly fled on foot, and authorities were searching the area. Authorities believed the driver may have been injured.
Alabama Power arrived on scene about 8:10 p.m. Saturday and had power restored by the 1:00 hour Sunday morning.
Man Facing DUI, Drug Charges After Traffic Crash
February 9, 2013
An Escambia County man is behind bars on DUI and other charges following a traffic crash Friday night.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 30-year old Derwin Robinson, Jr. was northbound on Fairfield Drive near Martin Drive when he crossed over into the southbound lanes and struck a 199 Ford Mustang head-on.
The occupants of the Mustang, 55-year old Jayne Frances Brown and 61-year old Dianna Claire Nielsen, were taken to Baptist Hospital in serious condition. Robinson was not injured.
Robinson was charged with DUI with serious bodily injury, driving on the wrong side of marked highway, possession of marijuana and driving with a suspended license, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $6,500.
Pedestrian Struck, Killed Friday Night
February 9, 2013
A pedestrian was killed Friday night in Escambia County.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 66-year old William Williams of Pensacola was southbound on New Warrington Road when he traveled through the West Jackson Street intersection on a green traffic signal. His 2010 Toyota Prius struck 51-year old John Charles Reed as he was walking across the southbound lanes of New Warrington Road.
Reed was pronounced deceased at the scene. No charges were filed against Williams.
Tate High Mourns Loss Of Longtime Teacher Michael Varner
February 9, 2013
The Tate High School family is mourning the loss of a longtime teacher. Michael D. Varner, 59, passed away after a battle with brain cancer.
“Mr. Varner” was an exceptional teacher and received many accolades including Who’s Who Among Teachers, Florida Biology Teacher of the Year and Escambia County Teacher of the Year. A humble man, he would say he only wanted to help his students become the best they could be. He taught anatomy and physiology for 11 years, botany for 10 years, and biology for 35 years at Tate High, and was an adjunct professor at Pensacola State College for 10 years.
“Mr. Varner is a top-notch teacher and a dedicated public servant. He goes above and beyond the call of duty to serve his students, utilizing real-world techniques to teach them concepts beyond the classroom,” Congressman Jeff Miller said as he recognized Varner on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives as Escambia County Teacher of the Year. “He is a dedicated teacher, an inspiration to his students, and an honorable public servant.”
Additionally during his career, he coached soccer, sponsored Student Government, both the sophomore and senior classes, and Exchange Club. He also taught classes at the Florida Institute of Ultrasound. His teaching extended to church activities as well — teaching Sunday School and assisting with Youth Ministry for nearly 20 years. He was also involved with the Pensacola Civic Band and the Boy Scouts of America.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 33 years, Kathleen (Wogan) Varner; his sons, Jason (Kelly) of Orlando and Brian (Jessica); and numerous other relatives and thousands of colleagues, friends and former students who loved him.
Visitation will be held at Faith Chapel North Funeral Home on Monday, February 11 from 5-7 p.m. The memorial service, officiated by the Rev. Michael Schulenburg, will be on Saturday, February 16, 1 p.m. at Holy Cross Episcopal Church, 7979 North 9th Ave. in Pensacola. A private internment will take place at a later date.
For the complete obituary, click here.
Soggy Sunday Forecast
February 9, 2013
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Sunday: Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 70. East wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Sunday Night: Showers and thunderstorms before midnight, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Areas of fog. Low around 62. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
- Monday: Showers likely, mainly before noon. Areas of fog before noon. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 67. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Monday Night: Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 52. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Tuesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm, then showers and thunderstorms after noon. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 65. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
- Tuesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms before midnight, then a chance of showers. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 48. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
- Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 61. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32. North wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 61.
- Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 36.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 61.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 50.
Jay Man Flees After Century Motorcycle Crash
February 9, 2013
A Jay man was injured in a Friday night motorcycle wreck near Century.
A passerby spotted a wrecked motorcycle in a wooded area on Tedder Road near Elsie Davis Road about 6:45 Friday night. First responders determined the accident had occurred an unknown period of time prior to it being reported; the motorcycle engine was almost cold. Rescuers were unable to find anyone after a search of the wooded area.
The Florida Highway Patrol later determined the accident had occurred about 5:30 p.m. As 56-year old Thomas Hall approach a curve, he applied the brakes too quickly and locked up the rear tire on his 2007 Suzuki motorcycle and lost control. Hall then fled the scene of the crash, leaving the motorcycle behind, according to the FHP.
Hall was treated at Jay Hospital for minor injuries.
The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded to the crash.
Weekend Gardening: February Tips
February 9, 2013
Here are gardening tips for the month of February from the Santa Rosa Extension Service:
Flowers
- Re-fertilize cool season flowerbeds, using a liquid or granular form of fertilizer. Be careful not to apply excessive amounts and keep granules away from the base of stems.
- Prepare flowerbeds for spring planting by adding and incorporating soil amendments like mushroom compost, manure or homemade compost. Till or spade the bed to incorporate the amendments with the existing soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Allow the prepared bed to lie undisturbed for 3 to 4 weeks before planting. This provides time for some important biological activity to take place, and new plants are less likely to suffer from stem and root rots as a result. Have a soil test done. Sometimes lime is needed. However, a lime application should be made only if the need is revealed by the test.
- Replenish mulch in flowerbeds.
- Prune rose bushes.
Trees and Shrubs
- February is possible the best month for rejuvenation of old, overgrown shrubs. When pruned now, plants have an entire growing season to recover.
- Prune summer flowering deciduous shrubs such as Althea and Hibiscus. Since they flower on current season’s growth, flowering can actually be enhanced by proper pruning
- Do NOT prune the spring flowering shrubs yet. Azaleas, Spiraeas and Forsythia flower during early spring because buds were formed last summer and fall. Pruning in February would therefore remove most of the flower buds.
- Cold damaged trees and shrubs should NOT be pruned until new growth appears. You want to preserve as much healthy plant material as possible.
- Replenish mulch in shrub beds
- Finish planting ornamental and fruit trees.
Fruits and Nuts
- Fertilize established pecan trees. Use a “special pecan fertilizer” that contains zinc. Use 2 lbs. for every year of age of the tree up to a maximum of 55 lbs. Broadcast the fertilizer evenly beneath the tree.
- Fertilize established peach, plum, pear, persimmon, apple and fig. Apply about 1 ½ lbs of a 10-10-10 (or similar) fertilizer for each year of age of the tree until a maximum of 10 to 15 lbs. per tree is reached.
- Blueberries are very sensitive to nitrogen and can be killed easily, particularly when they are young. Fertilize only if your goal is to increase yield or berry size. An annual application of 2 ounces of a special “azalea/camellia” or “special blueberry” type fertilizer per plant in February is ample fertilizer on 2-year-old plants.
- Prune muscadine grapes between mid-February to mid-March. A standard method is to allow 2 to 4 node spurs spaced every 6 inches of cordon. You may notice that pruning cuts bleed, but there is no evidence that this is injurious to the vine.
- Grapes (bunch and muscadine) should be fertilized at the rate of 1 ½ lbs of 10-10-10 for each year of age with a maximum of 5 lbs per plant applied in late February.
- Last call for planting fruit trees! Most fruit trees such as pecans, plums, persimmons, figs, peaches and nectarines are shipped bare roots and should be planted during the dormant season.
- Apply a spray containing horticultural oils emulsion to dormant fruit trees and ornamental shrubs. Follow label directions carefully.
Vegetable Garden
- Several winter vegetables can still be successfully grown by starting them this month. Plant beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, Chinese cabbage, collards, endive/escarole, kale, kohlrabi, leek, lettuce, mustard, parsley, English peas, radish and turnips.
- Plant Irish potatoes. Purchase certified seed potatoes rather than using the grocery store kinds. Use 2-ounce seed pieces with eyes and plant them 3 to 4 inches deep.
- Prepare spring vegetable and herb beds for planting by adding and incorporating soil amendments like mushroom compost, manure or homemade compost. Wait 3 to 4 weeks before planting.
Lawns
- Hold off on fertilizing the lawn. It is still too early for an application of nitrogen containing product. Cold temperatures and lack of plant response would likely result in wasted fertilizer. However, your winter weeds would benefit greatly.
Northview, Jay Out Of District 2-1A Tourney
February 9, 2013
Both the Northview Chiefs and the Jay Royals saw their seasons come to an end Friday with losses in the District 2-1A Boys Basketball semifinal round in Jay.
Holmes County 77, Northview 63
Northview lost a hard fought battle with Holmes County, 77-63.
For Northview, it was a battle against the star of the Blue Devils team — 6-foot-10 Chris Walker, a University of Florida signee that has been ranked as the No. 10 overall prospect in the country. Robinson scored 42 on the night, just ahead of Northview junior guard Neino Robinson with 41 points.
The Blue Devils jumped out to a 18-8 lead at the end of one and held a 39-25 advantage at the half. By halftime, Robinson had scored 15 of the Chiefs’ 25 points. With about four minutes to go, a Chiefs free throw from Robinson tied it up 61-61, but Holmes County quickly recovered for the win.
Chipley 65, Jay 34
Also in Jay Friday night, Chipley took command early to beat the Jay Royals 65-34.
Bonifay and Chipley will play at 7 p.m. Saturday for the District 2-1A championship.
Pictured top and top inset: Northview lost to Holmes County Friday night in Jay. Pictured bottom inset: Jay was defeated by Chipley. Photos by WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.