New Law Guarantees The Public’s Right To Speak At Meetings
June 29, 2013
Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill Friday guaranteeing members of the public the right to speak at public meetings. While most government meetings in Florida must be open to the public, courts have found that, under current law, there is no guarantee that citizens get to speak at those meetings. The measure signed by Scott exempts emergency meetings from the requirement and allows for time and decorum limits.
The Century Town Council, pictured above, already allows holds a public forum at the end of each regular meeting. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Weekend Gardening: A Red, White And Blue Garden
June 29, 2013
A patriotic flower garden is all about combining dazzling colors of red, white and blue. Red and white flowers are the easiest to find. Flowers that have a dark blue color like the American flag can be more challenging to locate. Generally the blue seen in flowers is a lighter blue, not a navy blue. But feel free to use dark purple flowers for a dark blue effect. Here are some plants that will perform in your garden throughout the summer, not just for the Fourth of July.
Firecracker Plant
Bright red, tubular flowers that resemble little firecrackers hang on this plant during much of the year. Known scientifically as Russelia equisetiformis, this tender small shrub has an unusual look. The rush-like stems are lacking obvious foliage. It has an attractive weeping growth habit with wiry branches that start out erect then fall over to cascade down in lengths as long as four feet.
Firecracker plant grows well in full or broken sun. It will tolerate different soil types but thrives in areas that are well-drained but are regularly watered. This is a must for the butterfly or hummingbird garden.
Bee Balm
Another flower that is a hummingbird and butterfly attractant is this easy-to-grow perennial. Its bright colors and nectar-filled blooms attract a wide variety of “flying jewels.”
The sweet and minty, citrus-scented plant isn’t just for our winged friends, however. Both the leaves and the flowers are perfectly edible-add them to salads or use as garnishes. The dried leaves have been used for centuries to make tea.
Bee balm, or Monarda didyma, comes in many different colors. ‘Jacob Cline’ is an outstanding dark red, powdery mildew-resistant cultivar.
Cat’s Whiskers
Cat’s Whiskers is a member of the mint family and is native to tropical East Asia. Its scientific name is Orthosiphon stamineus. In zone 8, consider this plant an annual since it is tender and will not reliably come back after a freeze.
Cat’s Whiskers has beautiful dark green leaves and unusual white flowers. The flowers consist of an upright spike that contains long flowers and even longer stamens, reminiscent of cat whiskers. Flowering occurs on new growth.
This plant performs best in full sun. It will however grow with several hours of filtered light or spotty direct sun. Cat’s whiskers is a shrub-type plant that will reach heights of two to three feet and spreads three to four feet.
Blue Mist
Caryopteris x clandonensis, sometimes called bluebeard or blue mist shrub, is a cross between two species, and is one of the best small shrubs for late color in the landscape.
It is a low mounding, herbaceous shrub that prefers loose, loamy soil and full sun. It produces sturdy stems with several whorls of blue flowers in the fall. There are several cultivars available. The famous variety ‘Longwood Blue’ has sky blue flowers.
Another popular type, ‘Worcester Gold’, has yellow foliage and blue flowers. Proven Winners has one called ‘Petit Blue’ that is known for its tight, compact growth habit.
Bees and butterflies love them, but deer don’t — a happy combination. The flowers are so attractive to the bees, that the insects aren’t bothered by the presence of people
For more information, contact Theresa Friday at 850-623-3868 or email tlfriday@ufl.edu. Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
Quarter Horse Show This Weekend
June 29, 2013
The Northwest Florida Quarter Horse Association is hosting a combined Quarter Horse/Palomino horse show at the Escambia County Equestrian Center through Sunday. The show will include English and Western classes, as well as leadline, driving, and halter classes.
The competition begins at 8 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and runs until classes are finished. For a list of classes or more information on the event, visit www.nwfqha.com. Spectators are welcome and there is no admission fee. A full service concession stand will be open during the event.
The Escambia County Equestrian Center is located at 7750 Mobile Highway.
Wahoos Beat The Braves 7-6
June 29, 2013
Devin Lohman launched a leadoff homer in the first inning, setting the stage for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos’ 7-6 victory over the Mississippi Braves on Friday night in front of a sellout crowd of 5,038 at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. Combined with Jacksonville’s loss to Mobile, Pensacola moved back into a tie for the first place through the first 10 games of the second half.
Lohman’s dinger was part of a two-run first inning for Pensacola. Yorman Rodriguez reached on an error and came around to score on a double from Marquez Smith to make it 2-0. After Mississippi tied the game on a Mycal Jones RBI double in the top of the second, Pensacola rallied for five straight runs.
In the second inning, Devin Lohman brought home his second run of the day on a two-out single scoring Ryan LaMarre to make it 3-1. The power returned in the last of the third, as Donald Lutz singled to set up a two-run blast from Smith, his second in as many days. Two batters later, Travis Mattair mashed his team-leading 11th homer of the year to left-center to push Pensacola’s lead to 6-1. The solo shot was also Mattair’s third round-tripper in the last four games.
All of the runs in the first three frames were charged to Braves starter Aaron Northcraft (3-6). The right-hander gave up six runs (five earned) on seven hits, three of which were long balls. The Mississippi bullpen stopped the bleeding by allowing just one run over the final five at-bats for Pensacola.
Pensacola tacked on what turned out to be an important insurance run, though, in the fourth when Lutz singled home Lohman who had walked earlier in the frame.
Josh Smith (6-6) picked up the win for the Wahoos by keeping the Braves at bay through six frames. He allowed just one run while scattering five hits.
Once Smith exited, though, the Braves made things interesting against the Pensacola bullpen. Trailing by six entering the seventh, Mississippi strung together three one-out hits, culminating in a Dan Brewer three-run homer to slice the deficit in half at 7-4 against Wilkin De La Rosa.
Mississippi cut the lead to just one in the eighth inning but putting two on with one out. Barrett Kleinknecht brought home a run with a sac fly against Jamie Walczak, who was replaced by Trevor Bell. The Pensacola closer’s first offering went straight to the backstop, allowing Emerson Landoni to scamper home, making it a 7-6 game.
Bell retired the last batter of the eighth inning before closing the door on Mississippi in the ninth for his third save of the year.
Having won back-to-back series for the first time all year, Pensacola travels to Jacksonville to start a five-game series against the Suns at 6:05 p.m. CT. Chad Rogers (3-2, 2.09) will get the start for the Blue Wahoos against the Suns’ Robert Morey (3-4, 4.73).
story by Kevin Burke
Two People Identified From Fiery Fatal Crash On I-10
June 28, 2013
Two people that died in a fiery head-on crash on I-10 on June 16 have been identified by the Medical Examiner.
Driver Dustin Richard Davis, age 22 of Chipley, and passenger Amy Rachel Owens, age 22 of Bonifay, both died in the crash. Davis was the driver of a 1993 Jeep Cherokee that was traveling the wrong way on I-10 near the 36 mile marker. Davis’ Jeep collided with a 2007 Jeep Wranger. The second driver has not yet been identified.
Both vehicles caught fire and were fully engulfed before emergency personnel arrived.
Anyone with information on the crash is asked to contact Cpl. Brian Davis at (850) 484-5000 ext. 306.
$40 Million Bond Issue For UWF Project Collapses Day After Century Approval, But Project Is Not Dead
June 28, 2013
A $40 million bond issue for expansions at the University of West Florida collapsed Thursday, just one day after the Town of Century signed off on the deal, but officials say the project is not dead.
The $40 million was to come from the Capital Trust Agency, a bond conduit partnership between Century and Gulf Breeze, for a hotel, conference center, new student housing and more at the Davis Highway entrance to UWF. The college’s development arm, University of West Florida Business Enterprises, Inc., has entered into an affiliation agreement with Vieste, LLC, for the project.
Thursday marked the second time financing for the project failed. Vieste originally approached the Escambia County Housing Authority looking for a bond issue, the authority declined to finance the development because the bonds were not investment grade, Matt Dannheisser, attorney for both Century and Gulf Breeze, said.
Wednesday afternoon, Dannheisser said backers had hoped to close on the deal within a week, but he said rapid and recent changes in the bond market might be an issue. On Thursday, CTA decided the bond market was not acceptable to make the bond issue work. The bonds were to be underwritten by Raymond James & Associates of St. Petersburg.
The $40 million UWF project will include 356 student housing beds plus 54 beds dedicated to guest housing, a conference and academic center and parking amenities. The 18 acres at the east entrance of the campus on Davis Highway will also include space for retail development.
Under the agreement with Vieste, UWF was to have received a percentage of the gross revenue from the project, with UWF BEI owning the improvements after 50 years.
Now, Dannheisser said Friday morning, the deal is being restructured to be presented once again to CTA and ultimately to Gulf Breeze and Century for approval. Under the new plan, a subsidiary of UWF BEI will be formed. The now tax-free bonds will be issued to the subsidiary, which will in turn hire Vieste as the contractor to build the project. UWF BIE or the subsidiary will own and operate the facility or hire a a management company.
“UWF will build this project without the developer sharing in the profits,” he said. “UWF will ultimately have more responsibility.”
With a tax-free bond issue, the tax savings will lower the debt service, making the project more attractive to developers. The new financial structure is expected to be approved by the CTA board in the coming days and presented to the Century and Gulf Breeze councils on July 15 for their final approval.
Century entered into the Capital Trust Agency with Gulf Breeze in 1999 with Century essentially serving as the “second signature” for CTA. entury has received over $650,000 in fees since the inception of CTA. Tuesday’s approval of a $40 million bond issue for UWF would have earned Century about $14,000 in fees upon closing.
The CTA is structured in such a way to indemnify Century from any financial risk, whether it be from a company that defaults on repayment or any other legal liabilities, according to Dannheisser. The funds used for the bonds are from the CTA’s coffers, not from Century or Gulf Breeze
UWF will receive a certain percentage of gross revenue from the annual income generated from the student housing, hotel, conference center, restaurants and retail.
The private developer will fund,design, construct and develop the project. There will be no state or university funds utilized. UWF will continue to own the land and will execute a 50 year lease with the development partner. After the 50 years lease term, UWF BEI will own the improvements.
Pictured top: Development plans for the east entrance of the University of West Florida. Pictured inset: Attorney Matt Dannheisser explains the project to the Century Town Council Tuesday afternoon. Pictured below: (L-R) Dannheisser, Century Clerk Leslie Gonzalez, and Century council members Gary Riley, Ann Brooks and Sandra McMurray Jackson. Council member Annie Savage participated in the meeting by phone. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Teen Arrested For Stealing About Two Dozen Highway Signs
June 28, 2013
A local teen has been arrested for allegedly stealing about two dozen highway signs from roadways in the North Escambia area.
Jerry Ladwan Barlow, 17, was arrested Thursday morning on a felony charge of grand theft less than $5,000 and damage to property. He was released to his parents.
The signs — everything from speed limit signs, to a CR 99 sign, to bridge weight limit, railroad crossing and stop signs — were seized from a home near Walnut Hill in late May after the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office received a tip.
The signs were returned to the Escambia County Road Department and other agencies.
Pictured: Stolen highway signs lined up at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office substation in Century in late May, just before they were returned to the county and other agencies. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
New Standards Aim For Healthier Foods At School
June 28, 2013
Look for high calorie sports drinks and candy bars to be gone from vending machines and the cafeteria line at schools in the future, to be replaced by healthier items.
The USDA announced new “Smart Snacks in School” nutrition standards on Thursday. Under the new standards, students will be offered healthier food options during the school day.
The standards require healthier foods, more whole grains, low fat dairy, fruits, vegetables and leaner protein. Portion sizes will be cut, with snack and a la carte items limited to 200 calories.
The rules include the ability for parents to send their kids to school with homemade lunches or treats for activities such as birthday parties, holidays, and other celebrations; and allowing schools to continue traditions like fundraisers and bake sales.
Schools and food and beverage companies will have an entire school year to make the necessary changes, and USDA will offer training and technical assistance every step of the way.
Lonely Highway: Dog Seems To Sit, Wait For Someone That Never Comes
June 28, 2013
The saga of a lonely dog is playing out on Facebook, capturing the hearts of hundreds of people, as he sits and waits alone by a country road.
On Sunday, Molly Hughes of Flomaton posted a couple of photos of dog on a roadside off Highway 113 near Flomaton.
“He has been sitting in the same spot for 2 days like he’s waiting on his owner to show up to get him,” Hughes wrote in her post, believing someone dumped the dog on the roadside. “It’s so sad.” She stopped and put out food and water for the dog, but she was unable to get very close to him.
But no matter what, the dog has continued to sit by the road, seemingly waiting for someone he loves to come back.
“It’s day 5 of this poor dog sitting in the same spot waiting on his owner to show back up to get him,” Hughes posted on Facebook on Wednesday. “We have put food and water out for him every day and tried to get him to come with us but he’s scared and won’t leave this spot.”
By Thursday, other Facebook members had begin to help Hughes take care of the roadside dog. Several people visited with the dog and provided food and water. They have been able to pet the dog, but so far he’s too frightened to allow anyone to take him to a new home.
“I want to thank everyone in the community that has helped out with this poor fella,” Hughes said. “It’s so heartwarming to know that many people actually care and will take the time out of their day to help an animal.” On Thursday, Hughes was able to spend about 45 minutes with the dog, providing him not only with more food and water, but a bone and some much appreciated treats.
“Please keep him in your prayers and pray that he will decide to trust someone enough to go home with them soon,” she said.
If anyone has any information about the roadside dog, email us your contact information at news@northescambia.com and we will put you in touch with Hughes.
Pictured: A dog waits by the roadside near Flomaton. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECUA Turns Down $7.6 Million Offer For Former Sewage Plant
June 28, 2013
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority board has turned down a $7.6 million offer for a 19-acre property in downtown Pensacola that was the location of the utility’s wastewater treatement plant.
HT Land Company made the offer, but the ECUA board turned it down Thursday afternoon on a 3-2 vote. Board member Larry Walker, Louis Benson and Vicki Campbell voted not to accept the offer and instead market it through a broker. Dale Perkins and Elvin McCorvey voted to approve the $7.6 million sale.
There’s no word on how long it might take to hire a real estate marketing firm to help with the sale.
The former downtown ECUA Main Street Wastewater Treatment Plant, dubbed “Old Stinky” was originally designed and constructed in 1937. The 19-acre downtown site underwent numerous expansions in the 1970s and mid-1990s before it was officially taken off-line in April 2011. It was replaced by the Central Water Reclamation Facility in Cantonment.