Deadline Approaching For Conservation Dollars For Florida Farmers
September 9, 2014
Time is quickly running out for Florida farmers who want to continue receiving federal assistance to improve soil, water, air and habitat on their land. Since the Conservation Stewardship Program was launched five years ago, more than 60-million farm acres nationwide have been enrolled. Sophia Kruszewski, policy specialist with the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, says the program isn’t about helping farmers avoid environmental harm; it’s about enhancing and improving what conservation-minded farmers already do.
“Maybe they started doing a little cover-cropping, but they really want to get more into a full suite of resource-conserving crop rotations,” Kruszewski says. “Maybe they’ve done some improvements in the way they’re managing their livestock, but they want to start looking at rotational grazing.”
The Conservation Stewardship Program, created in the 2008 Farm Bill, has been reauthorized and strengthened. The roughly 20,000 farmers with five-year contracts up for renewal must do so by September 12 at the Milton Service Center at 6277 Dogwood Drive, (850) 623-2441, or at the nearest office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Kruszewski calls the program a win-win for the environment and for farmers, and says the program represents a new, forward-thinking vision of American agriculture.
“We’re really seeing a strong focus on the need to support farmers,” Kruszewski says. “Not only to have productive, viable farms and ranches, but also be able to work those farms with an eye toward natural-resource conservation. ”
Kruszewski says new farmers interested in the program can submit an application at any time, with NRCS collecting and ranking the applications once per year, typically in February.
by Florida News Connection
Georgy Findley Lee
September 9, 2014
George Findley Lee, 76, passed away on September 8, 2014, at his home in Molino surrounded by his loved ones.
He was a member of Calvary Apostolic Tabernacle in Molino.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Dena; father, Murdock Lee; son, Michael Lee; and brother, Dauphin Lee.
George is survived by his mother, Gladys Lee; two brothers, Buford (Faye) and Randy (Carri) Lee; stepdaughter, Angie (Jerry) Barnes; two grandsons, Taylor O’Dell and Deven Golden; and numerous other family members and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, September 12, 2014, at Calvary Apostolic Tabernacle with Rev. Rusty Knowles, officiating.
Burial will follow in First Pentecostal Church Cemetery.
Family will receive friends Thursday, September 11, 2014, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North.
Patricia Ann Powell
September 9, 2014
Patricia Ann Powell, 73, of Pensacola, passed away Sunday, September 7, 2014. She enjoyed spending time with her kids, grandkids, fishing and camping with her husband; also shopping and keeping Jack in line.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Jimmie and Nell Floyd; sisters, Snoopy and Sis; and her brother, Frank Floyd.
She is survived by her loving husband, Jack C. Powell; brother, Jimmie Floyd (Chris); sister, Sandra; son, Lloyd Murph; daughters, Cheryl Shaberly (Steve), Donna Moore (Michael), Kim Vedder (Ralph) and Deanna Mayes (Kenny); 12 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and her adopted daughters, Pastor Renee and Cheryl Brown.
Pallbearers will be Jessie, Chance, Buddy, Clifton and James.
Honorary pallbearers will be Pat, Ralph, Kenny and Michael.
Visitation will be held Friday, September 12, 2014, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m.
Graveside services will be held at 3:30 p.m., Friday, September 12, 2014, at Cora Baptist Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home South is entrusted with arrangements.
Volleyball: PHS Over NHS
September 9, 2014
Pensacola High School topped Northview High School in straight sets Monday in Pensacola.
Junior Varsity
- 22-25, 25-22, 12-15. PHS wins
Varsity
- 16-25, 16-25, 20-25. PHS wins
The Lady Chiefs will host Baker Tuesday. Junior varsity play beings at 4:30 p.m.; varsity follows at 5:30 p.m.
Clifford Ray Walston
September 9, 2014
Mr. Clifford Ray Walston, 70, passed away on Tuesday, September 2, 2014, in Jay.
Mr. Walston was a native of Allentown and a resident of Century most of his life. His brother, Charles Walston, precedes him in death.
Survivors include his wife, Glenda Ann Walston of Century; one son, Vincent Ray Walston of Cantonment; three daughters, Victoria Carroll of Century, Sherry Lynn Walston of Brewton and Sandra Lee Walston of Century; two brothers, Paul Walston of Bratt and Donald Walston of Milton; one sister, Ann Rolin of Century; 17 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were September 6, 2014, at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. Bill Stuckey officiating.
Burial was in the Judson-Creek Indian Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Matt Rolin, Clifton Carroll, Allen Nix, Travis Carroll, Joseph Lowery, Michael Tedder and Terrance Wright.
Honorary Pallbearers were Justin Rolin and Chris Rolin.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC in charge of all arrangements, Atmore, Alabama
Grand Jury To Review Escambia Jail Explosion
September 8, 2014
State Attorney Bill Eddins announced Monday morning that his office has completed its review of the facts and circumstances leading up to and immediately following the explosion at the Escambia County Jail.
The review followed an extensive and comprehensive investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the State Fire Marshal’s Office, and the Office of the State Attorney.
Based on this review, it has been determined that incident should be presented to an Escambia County Grand Jury for their consideration, Eddins said.
The grand ury will begin their consideration of this matter on September 30 and will continue until such time as they complete their review. As part of their review, the grand jury will decide whether there is sufficient evidence to establish that any crime was committed.
The grand jury may also consider any other issues surrounding the jail explosion as they deem appropriate. Because of the confidential nature of grand jury proceedings, no additional facts will be released by the State Attorney’s Office.
“Escambia County administration, county attorney and staff will continue to fully cooperate with the State Attorney’s Office through this process,” Escambia County said in a written response to receipt of a press release from the State Attorney’s Office.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Northview Grad Blake McCall Starts For JSU In 59-0 Shutout
September 8, 2014
Northview High School graduate Blake McCall started in his first game Saturday for the Jackson State Tigers.
The Jackson State football team dominated the Virginia University of Lynchburg Dragons en route to a 59-0 victory Saturday night at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium. The shutout was JSU’s first since 2002.
McCall was in for the entire game as JSU recorded 430 total offensive yards and held VUL to 94 as the Tigers improve to a 2-0 record.
At Northview, McCall helped lead the Chiefs to an overall 11-3 record, 4-0, in the district on the way to a state championship. He was a three-year starter and played all five positions along the offensive line for the Chiefs.
Century Man Charged With Chasing Brother With Knife, Threatening To Kill Him
September 8, 2014
A Century man is facing a felony charge after allegedly chasing his brother around the family yard with a knife until his mother intervened.
Nakeetric Devonte Davison was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after the incident at an address on West Highway 4 in Century.
The brother, Kendrick Washington, told deputies that he and Davison, his brother, had argued about money that was discovered to be missing. Washington said Davison grabbed a knife and chased him around a yard, threatening to kill him. Washington reported that Davison was swinging the knife towards his chest, causing him to fear for his life. The fight was allegedly broken up by the duo’s mother.
Davison denied the allegations and said that his mother has always been against him, according to an arrest report. He remains jailed with bond set at $13,500.
Century To Hold First Budget Public Hearing Tonight
September 8, 2014
The Century Town Council will hold a public hearing with a first reading of town’s new budget for the 2014-2015 fiscal year during a 7:00 p.m. regular council meeting.
If approved, a property tax millage rate off .8707 will be set, which is equal to and does not exceed the rolled-back rate.
A copy of the proposed budget was not available prior to publication of this story early Monday morning.
Pictured: The Century Town Council and accountant Robert Hudson (purple shirt) discuss the town’s budget at budget session last month. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
High School Open House Events Tuesday Night
September 8, 2014
Open House events for high schools in Escambia County will be held Tuesday beginning at 6 p.m.
Northview High specific information as submitted by the school:
Open House at Northview High School is September 9, 2014. We have planned for a very informative night for our parents. Presentations will begin at 6 p.m.
Parents should report to the main hall, where they will pick up a menu of selections for presentations for the night.
Parents will have time to attend three (3) sessions of their choice from the following:
- Compass Learning, Room 201
- Progress Monitoring via UsaTestPrep, Room 218
- Career Technology Education – Workforce Education, Room 307
- Athletics, Room 126C
- English Language Arts/Reading, Room 204
- Math, Room 217
- Social Studies, Room 313
- Science, Room 308
- Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp, Room 212
- Music/Art/Physical Education., Media Center
At 6:50 after the last presentations, there will be a Title One Meeting. Everyone should report to the Media Center.
The meeting will last approximately 15 minutes. We hope this proves to be a night that helps parents become familiar with the many programs at Northview High School.