High School Football Standings, Upcoming Schedule
September 9, 2013
Here is a district by district look at last Friday night’s high school football scores and this week’s schedule. District play has not yet started, so there are no district rankings.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Those Pesky Love Bugs – Even Making The Power Blink?
September 9, 2013
Escambia River Electric Cooperative reported a blinking problem in the Pace and Quintette areas on Sunday afternoon from a seemingly unlikely source — love bugs.
“Clusters of love bugs are believed to be causing this issue,” the electric utility reported in a statement on their Facebook page.
Here are some love bug facts, from the University of Florida:
- Origins. Contrary to popular belief, the University of Florida did not introduce the love bug to the state. During the 20th century, lovebugs migrated from Central America, traveling through Texas and Louisiana before arriving in Florida.
- Attractants. Lovebugs are attracted to decomposing plant debris, but may confuse these odors with chemicals in exhaust fumes. Heat also attracts lovebugs. Both of these factors can lead them to congregate around highways.
- Active times. Lovebugs are usually active between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., in temperatures above 84°F.
- Mating season. Mating peaks and lasts about four weeks in May and September. Typically, two main generations occur during this time, but the insects can be seen throughout the summer.
- Problems. Lovebugs are mainly a nuisance. They do not bite, sting, or transmit diseases and are not poisonous. They can damage automobile paint if they are “baked” in the sun.
- Solutions. After a lovebug-filled drive, wash your car with water and scrub it to remove the lovebugs. A hood air deflector or screen will reduce the number of spattered lovebugs on your car. Using car wax will protect an automobile’s paint.
- Pesticides. Chemical controls are ineffective, as the lovebug is widespread and continually drifts onto highways from adjacent areas.
Photo Gallery: Northview Takes On Marianna
September 9, 2013
The Northview Chiefs traveled to Marianna Friday night to take on the Bulldogs.
For a game results story, click here.
For a photo gallery featuring action photos, cheerleaders and the band, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Young Marines Honor The Memory Of LCpl Travis M. Nelson
September 8, 2013
A young Travis Nelson of Bratt grew up in a military family and had two things on his mind — fishing and growing up to join the military.
He lived that dream, spending many days at his favorite fishing spots. At 14, he joined the Young Marines of Pensacola. By age 19, he had made it from Bratt to the front lines in Afghanistan as a United States Marine. It was there in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, that LCpl Travis M. Nelson lost his life in August 2011 defending the freedom of his family, friends and the America he loved so much.
Saturday, the Young Marines of Pensacola gathered at the LCpl Travis M. Nelson Park on Highway 4 in Bratt, near Nelson’s childhood home, to honor one of their own that paid the ultimate price.
The Young Marines, boys and girls ages 8 to 18, stood silently at attention as a wreath was placed at the park’s memorial to Nelson. Then they posed for a photo, the Young Marines and the memorial to a fallen Marine.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sunny And Hot Today
September 8, 2013
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the morning.
- Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
- Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 91.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69.
- Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.
- Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.
Results Of Florida’s First Statewide Forest Inventory Released
September 8, 2013
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam announced Wednesday the results of the first statewide inventory of 17 million acres of forest land. The study, required by the Legislature and led by the Florida Forest Service, evaluated the distribution, availability and sustainability of Florida’s timber resources.
“This study is the most comprehensive forest inventory in the United States. It provides us with a snapshot of the sustainability of Florida’s forests and identifies areas where we can make improvements,” Putnam said. “The study indicates that most counties in Florida have highly sustainable forests that meet or exceed the demands of our forest products industry.”
The study focused on mapping forestland cover, identifying forestland ownership and analyzing the growth and demand for timber resources by Florida’s primary wood-using mills.
Findings include:
- 17 million acres of forestland covers 49 percent of the land in Florida.
- Of 8 million pine acres, 7 million are in North Florida. Pine accounts for about 1/3 of all forest land.
- 63 percent of forest land is privately owned, mostly in non-corporate ownership.
- 37 percent of forest land is owned by federal, state, county and municipal governments.
- 65 wood-using mills in the state are made up mostly of sawmills, mulch, chip-and-saw and pulp mills.
- Softwood pulpwood – mostly pine – is in the highest demand among all timber products.
- 49 counties in Florida exhibit sustainable forests where growth meets or exceeds timber demand.
- There is relatively little pressure for both hardwood pulpwood and sawtimber, with hardwood forests sustainable throughout the state.
- South Florida’s 5 million acres of forests are predominantly in water – almost 4 million acres are mangrove, cypress or other forested wetlands.
- Two-thirds of the state’s forests are more than 40 years old, predominantly older hardwood forests.
To view the Comprehensive Statewide Forest Inventory Analysis Study, visit www.FreshFromFlorida.com/Forest_Inventory.
Pictured: A Florida Stewardship Forest located near Molino. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Hayes Graduates From Basic Infantry Training
September 8, 2013
Army Pvt. Desmon A. Hayes has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history, core values and traditions. Additional training included development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics, and
experiencing use of various weapons and weapons defenses available to the infantry crewman.
Hayes is the son of Denise Hayes of Highway 31 South, Flomaton.
Friday Night Football Schedule
September 8, 2013
Here’s a look at next Friday night’s high school football schedules for teams around the area:
FLORIDA
- Northview at Chipley, 7 p.m.
- Bay at Tate, 7:30 p.m.
- Vernon at Jay, 7 p.m.
- Escambia at Rutherford, 7 p.m.
- Niceville at Pine Forest, 7:30 p.m.
- Catholic at PHS, 7:30 p.m.
- Gulf Breeze at Choctawhatchee, 7 p.m.
- Lake Area New Tech (La.) at Washington, 7:30 p.m.
- Fort Walton Beach at Milton, 7:30 p.m.
- Pace at Navarre, 7:30 p.m.
- OPEN: West Florida
ALABAMA
- Flomaton at Choctaw County
- Escambia County (Atmore) at Wilcox Central
- Escambia Academy at Monroe Academy
- Cottage Hill Christian at W.S. Neal
- T.R. Miller at Excel
Chavers, Ramsey To Wed
September 8, 2013
Mr. and Mrs. Will Chavers of Flomaton are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Misty Nicole Chavers, to J. D. Ramsey, son of Jim Ramsey of Heber Springs, Arkansas.
The bride to be is a 2001 graduate of Flomaton High School and a 2003 graduate of Jefferson Davis Community College. She also attended Auburn University. Misty is a graduate of International Gospel Outreach of Semmes, Alabama.
The prospective groom is a 1996 graduate of Heber Springs High School. He is the CEO of Kingdom Call Ministries, Inc. and travels nationally holding crusades as a Christian evangelist.
The wedding will be September 14 in Mobile. Wedding gifts can be sent to PO Box 891 in Wilmer, Alabama.
Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Mysteries Abound In Florida Politics
September 8, 2013
It was a week of mysteries in Florida politics.
What will the $500 million tax cut that Gov. Rick Scott promised look like? Nobody knows. Not even Scott.
Where did Rep. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, stand with his colleagues after the discovery of a previously-unknown campaign account he had set up? Nobody was really certain, just like few people outside of Rouson’s inner circle seemed to know about the account in the first place.
And a far more serious mystery continued to unfold about what happened years ago at the shuttered Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys.
WHAT CAN I GET FOR $500 MILLION?
Scott spent Wednesday making a variety of appearances at events that he said were about jobs. The last stop was at the grand opening of a Bass Pro Shops store in Tallahassee — where NASCAR driver Tony Stewart, Miss Florida USA and a variety of hunting and fishing celebrities stood alongside the governor on a parking-lot stage.
But after his appearance at the event, Scott told reporters that his administration had not released details of one of his key initiatives for the 2014 legislative session — a $500 million reduction in taxes and fees — because Scott didn’t know exactly what the details were yet.
Instead, the governor said he was looking for feedback on how to continue his mantra of holding down the cost of living in Florida.
“So I’m working with the House and the Senate to get everybody’s idea,” he said. “I want to ask all of the citizens, what are their ideas?”
On Friday, the governor laid out a plan for doing just that. Scott said he would embark on an “It’s Your Money” tour of the state to ask the citizens what he should propose in the form of a tax cut. Scott said he would visit West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Tampa and Orlando to hear from those who had ideas on how taxes should be sliced.
Meanwhile, the Florida Democratic Party took advantage of reports about the projected size of the state surplus to take a whack at the tax-cut proposal. An early financial projection showed that the state could have a surplus of $845.7 million as lawmakers look to craft a budget for the coming fiscal year, which begins next July 1.
But there are caveats, including the fact that $449 million of the surplus is considered one-time money, and all of the other uncertainties that accompany a projection for a fiscal year that is almost 10 months away.
Nonetheless, Democratic Party Chairwoman Allison Tant hammered away, saying there was no way the state could cover the cost of the tax cuts and continued increases in spending on schools.
“Voters deserve to know just how much education funding will suffer because the governor wants a new talking point for his re-election campaign,” Tant said. “After over $1.3 billion in cuts from education, our kids cannot afford to fall victim to Rick Scott’s political games again.”
WILL DEMS STILL WANT TO BE AFFILIATED WITH ROUSON?
An already-challenging 2014 election cycle for House Democrats, who will be defending several freshmen in swing districts just as the six-year itch hits President Barack Obama, got a new speed bump when Rouson spent the latter part of the week mixing it up with Tant and other party leaders.
It was an awkward position for a man who is set to lead House Democrats after the election.
Party leaders discovered this week that, in August, Rouson had set up a fundraising body called the Florida House Democratic Caucus Affiliated Party Committee — one of the “leadership funds” that Democrats had attacked when Republicans reinstated them in 2011.
Tant fired two staffers involved in the brouhaha, prompting an angry email from Rouson to his House colleagues.
“This overreaction today by FDP is an example of why we must continue in this direction for the long term viability of our electoral success as a caucus,” he wrote. “In a private meeting with Allison Tant yesterday she could have discussed this matter but she chose a public forum to air an internal matter.”
It is the second public dust-up between Rouson and fellow Democrats in less than three months. He faced heated criticism from two House Democrats at a caucus meeting in June, shortly before the party’s annual fundraising gala. Most Democrats were cautious Friday, saying they wanted more time to figure out what was going on.
“There are a lot more questions than answers at this time,” said Rep. Alan Williams, a Tallahassee Democrat who briefly ran against Rouson for Democratic leader before backing Rep. Mia Jones, D-Jacksonville.
HELP WANTED
Perhaps it’s not mysterious, but there are a still a handful of offices around state government whose occupants are unknown. Among them: the internal watchdog at the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp., a position that will ultimately be filled by Scott and the Florida Cabinet.
Hector Collazo Jr., the inspector general for the Pinellas County clerk of court, and Thomas Raftery, a former member of the FBI who is now with the Delaware River Port Authority, received the most support from a three-member selection committee vetting the applicants.
But all four names were sent to the Cabinet, including Bruce Meeks, a former member of the state attorney general’s office who is now a partner with the law office of Roberts & Meeks in Tallahassee, and R. David Holmgren, a deputy inspector general for inspections and evaluations at the U.S. Treasury General for Tax Administration.
“I just assume that we do all four, give them (Scott and the Cabinet) the broader rather than the narrow,” said committee member Tom Kirwin, the inspector general for the Department of Financial Services.
There will be just one name for the job of interim chancellor of the State University System: Vice Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer Jan Ignash.
Board of Governors Chairman Dean Colson said he would recommend Ignash during a meeting next Thursday; she would take over temporarily for Chancellor Frank Brogan, who is moving to a similar job in Pennsylvania.
And speaking of jobs, state Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, said this week that he will be looking for a promotion. Baxley intends to run for Senate in 2016.
LOOKING FOR DOZIER ANSWERS
Investigators also continued to try to uncover what happened at the Dozier school decades ago. A group of researchers from the University of South Florida announced Tuesday that they had finished the latest part of their work, exhuming the remains of two boys from half-century-old unmarked graves at the Panhandle reform school.
The team will now try to identify the remains before returning in search of additional bodies.
The two boys are among at least 50 sent to the school between 1900 and 1952 who were buried in unmarked graves, said Erin Kimmerle, a USF anthropologist who is one of the leaders of the excavation. Others have claimed the body count could top 100.
The researchers intend to return in October or November to exhume bodies from unmarked graves in other locations on the once 1,400-acre campus that now sits closed behind chain link fencing topped with barbed wired.
The state hopes to eventually sell the land.
Identifying the bodies could be harder than finding them.
“As children, they didn’t have direct descendants and the parents had their last known address over 50 years ago,” Kimmerle said. “So you really have to find aunts and uncles, and then the cousins and go down a generation or two and find where these people are living today.”
STORY OF THE WEEK: Rep. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, faced criticism from fellow Democrats for setting up an “affiliated party committee” to raise funds for the 2014 campaign, throwing into doubt whether he would remain the choice to lead House Democrats after the 2014 elections.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “We have a very glamorous and handsome and winsome cool black guy for president. I think they’re quite concerned what’s going to happen when he’s not on the ballot next time. I just don’t want them to use this issue. What I saw him do is shift. They can’t deliver on the hate crime from the Department of Justice so they pivoted and said let’s go look at all these self-defense laws.”–Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, explaining his thoughts on the reason President Barack Obama had allegedly politicized the state’s controversial Stand Your Ground law.