Northview Chiefs Have Winning Day At 7 On 7 Football Camp
June 20, 2015
The Northview Chiefs competed in the West Florida High 7 on 7 Camp Friday morning. The Chiefs compiled a 4-1-1 record over the course of six games, defeating West Florida, Milton, Crestview and Rocky Bayou. Their lone loss was a close 7-6 to Pensacola High, and they tied with Pine Forest. Pensacola High was the overall tournament winner. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Weekend Gardening: Expert Tips For The Month Of June
June 20, 2015
Here are gardening tips for the month of June from the Santa Rosa County Extension Service:
Flowers
- Annuals to plant include celosia, coleus, crossandra, hollyhock, impatiens (pictured above), kalanchoe, nicotiana, ornamental pepper, portulaca, salvia, torenia, vinca and zinnia.
- Sow seeds of sunflowers. They are easy to grow if you have a sunny spot. Look for some of the new, dwarf varieties that can also be used as cut flowers.
- Remove old blooms (deadheading) to make flowers bloom longer.
- Allow the foliage on spring bulbs to grow. Do not cut it off until it turns yellow and falls over.
Trees and Shrubs
- Mature palms should receive an application of granular fertilizer. Use a special palm fertilizer that has an 8-2-12 +4Mg (magnesium) with micronutrients formulation. Apply one pound of fertilizer per 100 sq ft of canopy area or landscape area.
- Do any necessary pruning of junipers this month.
- Finish pruning the spring flowering shrubs such as azaleas, camellias, spiraeas, wisteria and forsythia by early June.
- This is the month to reproduce plants by budding.
- Check mulch around ornamental plants to be sure it’s two inches thick. Add mulch as needed to help keep weeds down and conserve water. Keep mulch one to two inches away from trunk or stem.
- Inspect maple trees, especially silver maple for infestations of maple soft scale. Look for a white substance with some black on one end. Individual maple scales are about 1/4 inch in diameter and resemble bird droppings. They occur mostly on leaves and can cause defoliation unless controlled.
- Inspect the undersides of azalea leaves for spider mites and lace bugs. If dry weather conditions exist, these insects can do some serious damage if not controlled.
- Check conifers for signs of bagworms. Call your local Extension Service for control measures.
Fruits and Nuts
- Harvest peaches, nectarines and plums as soon as they mature, before the squirrels and birds get to them
Vegetable Garden
- Side dress vegetable gardens with fertilizer containing nitrogen and potassium. A fertilizer such as a 15-0-15 can be used. Use approximately 2-3 cupfuls (1 to 1 ½ pounds) per 100 feet of row.
- Increase watering frequency and amount as tomatoes load up with fruit.
- Vegetables that can be planted outdoors include eggplant, lima beans, okra, southern peas, peppers and sweet potatoes.
- Sweet potatoes are started from plants or “draws”. Be sure to purchase only certified weevil free sweet potato plants.
- Check for the following pests and control them if necessary: tomato fruitworm, stinkbugs on vegetables and aphids on all new growth
Lawns
- Check for the lawn pests and control them if necessary: Spittlebugs in centipedegrass. They are more attracted to especially lush areas of the yard such as along septic drain fields and in areas where excessive nitrogen fertilizer has been used. Chinch bugs in St. Augustinegrass Sod webworm in all turf
- Start monitoring for mole cricket infestations and prepare for treatment.
BayBears, Wahoos Split Doubleheader
June 20, 2015
Pensacola Blue Wahoos pitcher Robert Stephenson and Mobile BayBears pitcher Braden Shipley had the makings of a Southern League baseball pitching duel.
Stephenson is No. 23 on Baseball America’s Top 100 prospects list. Shipley No. 26.
Stephenson is the Cincinnati Reds top prospect. Shipley is the Arizona Diamondbacks No. 2 prospect.
Stephenson, a flame thrower with a 100-mph arm, was drafted 27th in the first round in 2011 by the Reds. Shipley, the best changeup and curveball in Arizona’s system, was drafted 15th in the first round in 2013 by the Diamondbacks.
And that’s exactly what Pensacola fans got in the second game of Friday’s doubleheader that the Blue Wahoos won, 4-2, on Seth Mejias-Brean’s walk-off, three-run, pinch-hit home run in the bottom of the seventh inning. It was the 14th sellout this season and 117th since the inaugural 2012 season in Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
Mejias-Brean’s walk-off made up for the first game when his error in the top of the ninth allowed Mobile to score two runs and pull out a, 3-2, victory to beat Pensacola in the first game of Friday’s doubleheader.
“(The walk-off) was really satisfying especially after that first loss,” Mejias-Brean said. “I was down on myself a lot. To be honest, I was just trying to get it into the air and give us a chance to tie the game and go into extra innings.”
Arguably the Southern League’s two best pitchers traded outs for seven innings in the second game.
It was the second straight game Stephenson gave up a pair of home runs. This time solo shots to both left fielder Zach Borenstein and second baseman Brandon Drury, who are both on the league’s All-Star team on Tuesday, June 23.
On the night, Stephenson, whose record improved to 4-6 on the year, threw seven innings, gave up three hits, walked one and struck out 10. He has struck out 10 twice and a career-high 11 once this season. He currently leads the Southern League with 86 strikeouts.
Stephenson last won June 4 against Mobile when he tossed a one-hitter over eight innings and struck out seven. He had lost his last two starts since that game.
“Overall, Robert did a tremendous job,” said Pensacola manager Pat Kelly. “Robert’s getting better and that’s what it’s all about. He’s playing better and doing a great job.”
Meanwhile, Shipley was pulled in the seventh after matching Stephenson pitch for pitch. He allowed a leadoff double that Pensacola second baseman Juan Perez hit into the right field corner. He threw no-hit ball for 3.1 innings before left fielder Sean Buckley got a bunt single. In six innings, Shipley gave up three hits and two runs, while walking two and striking out three.
Of course, Shipley has lost his last two starts since his last win on June 3 against Pensacola when he threw six scoreless innings, gave up just four hits and struck out five.
In his return this season from back-to-back Tommy John surgeries, Blaine Howell gave the Pensacola Blue Wahoos a career-high four innings.
One of Howell’s two hits allowed was a solo home run in the seventh to Mobile BayBears Rudy Flores, his seventh of the year, which tied the game, 1-1. Howell, a former Pensacola Junior College pitcher, also struck out one batter.
Pensacola catcher Cam Maron came through with a single to left field in the eighth inning to score shortstop Juan Perez from second and put the Blue Wahoos ahead, 2-1. Maron extended his hitting streak to seven games, going 8-23 or .348.
In the ninth inning, though, Pensacola reliever Carlos Gonzalez had two out and the bases empty. Both left fielder Borenstein and Gabriel Guerrero earned back-to-back walks. Pinch hitter Gerson Montilla, who hit for Flores, slapped a hard grounder down the third base line that skipped off Pensacola Mejias-Brean’s back hand into the Mobile bullpen and both Borenstein and Guerrero scored for the BayBears win.
The first game was resumed Friday after nearly a one hour delay Thursday as the team tried to repair the stadium lights behind home plate. Pensacola led the game, 1-0, when Perez singled to right field and took second when the first baseman missed the throw. He took third on a wild pitch and scored on a ground out to shortstop by centerfielder Beau Amaral
Pensacola is now 7-20 or a .259 winning percentage in one-run games, which is the worst record in the Southern League. The Blue Wahoos also have the worst overall record in the league at 25-41.
Deputy Airlifted To Hospital Following Traffic Stop With Meth Labs; Century Man Charged
June 19, 2015
An Escambia County deputy was airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital following a Century traffic stop in which two “one pot” meth labs were discovered Thursday afternoon.
The deputy reportedly suffered extreme breathing difficulties after becoming involved in a struggle with a suspect that ran from scene. The deputy was conscious and speaking as he was loaded into a LifeFlight helicopter at the Century EMS post. He was listed in good condition Friday morning.
The decision to transport the deputy by LifeFlight was partially based on time and distance from Century to the hospital, according to Sena Maddison, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The deputy’s identity has not been released.
The incident began when patrol deputies conducted a traffic stop on an older model Ford F250 truck on Front Street at Highway 29 in Century about 3 p.m. Thursday.
The deputies discovered two apparent “one pot” meth labs in a bag that was located in bed of the pickup. A .22 caliber revolver was also located. About 30 minutes into the investigation, one of the suspects, later identified as 43-year old William Burr Milliron of Century, ran from the area of the truck as deputies attempted to handcuff him.
Milliron reportedly told deputies that he was not going back to prison before fleeing. He lunged at a deputy and was tased before being wrestled to the ground by the deputy that was later airlifted. He continued to wrestle and fight both deputies and was tased a second time. After he was taken into custody, deputies discovered ammunition for the firearm in his pocket, according to an arrest report.
Milliron was charged with methamphetamine production, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a listed chemical, battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and possession of a weapon or ammo by a convicted felon. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Friday morning with bond set at $71,000. The driver of the vehicle, was issued a traffic citation and released. According to an arrest report, authorities believed the weapon and meth-related items all belonged to Milliron.
Members of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics responded to the scene. They were observed removing two plastic soft drink bottles containing the suspected meth labs from a camouflage bag. The bag also contained several items known to commonly be used in the manufacture of methamphetamine, including drain cleaner.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Rapid Response Unit responded with a hazardous materials team that neutralized the meth labs in buckets that were then filled with concrete. After being rendered inert, the buckets and concrete are later disposed of at the county landfill.
Further details on the incident are expected to be released sometime Friday.
For a photo gallery, click here. (Editor’s note: In some images, the face of an undercover deputy has been hidden to protect the safety of the officer.)
NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Deputies, FDLE And U.S. Marshals Arrest Sex Offender In Cantonment
June 19, 2015
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the U.S. Marshals Service arrested a wanted sex offender at a home in Cantonment Thursday.
Jerome Williams a.k.a. Ahmad Rasul Farrakhan Muhammad was arrested on active warrants out of Leon County, FL, for charges of failure to appear,sex offender failed to report and sex offender violation for failure to register.
He was taken into custody after he was tracked down to a house on Booker Lane in Cantonment.
In September of 2014, Williams resided in Leon County, in the Tallahassee area, where he’s had prior arrest warrants. He also claimed to be the President of the New Black Panther Party. Authorities said Williams has also made threats via social media against law enforcement.
He was arrested without incident. Additional Escambia County charges are pending for failure to register as a sex offender.
On Eve Of Session’s End, House Members Spar Over Budget
June 19, 2015
The long-delayed end of the 2015 legislative process drew into view Thursday, as lawmakers prepared to pass a budget for the year that begins July 1 and leave Tallahassee after a nearly three-week special session.
In the House, members sparred over the spending plan ahead of a final vote Friday. While a 72-hour “cooling off” period prevented them from actually approving the budget until Friday evening, the chamber went ahead and finished off debate over the $78.7 billion plan.
Republicans and some Democrats focused on the virtues of the proposal: record public funding of education in raw dollars, a patch for the loss of $1.2 billion in federal funding for hospitals and other health care providers, and environmental spending that the GOP says will meet the requirements of a voter-approved constitutional amendment aimed at land and water conservation.
“If you vote no, you are snubbing your constituents on these helpful, useful programs,” said House Majority Leader Dana Young, R-Tampa.
But Democrats who planned to oppose the bill said it was not enough, noting that education funding would not set a record in terms of per-student spending, that the state would not have to fill the health-care hole if it approved Medicaid expansion, and that too few of the dollars spent for conservation actually went to buying environmentally important lands.
“The budget doesn’t reflect Floridians’ priorities as much as it reflects short-sighted and narrow-minded thinking and planning,” said House Minority Leader Mark Pafford, D-West Palm Beach.
Others blasted how the budget deal was reached, pointing in particular to a late-night meeting Monday where legislative leaders doled out more than $300 million in projects in a pair of proposals that emerged at the last minute.
“By the very definition of the word, this process has not been transparent at this point,” said Rep. Evan Jenne, D-Dania Beach. “And to call it ‘historically transparent’ is not only untrue, but I believe it demonstrates an assault on the very English language.”
Even some supporters of the spending plan acknowledged that changes in the budget process might be needed. Senate Appropriations Chairman Tom Lee, R-Brandon, said he was also surprised at some of the items that got stuck into the final agreement during the Monday night meeting.
“There were also some things that I thought were resolved (during earlier meetings), and they got kind of re-opened because there was additional money spent,” said Lee, who presided over the Monday meeting.
But the issues and acrimony that marked the regular spring legislative session — during which lawmakers failed to pass a budget on time for the first time in five years — seemed to linger. Rep. John Wood, R-Winter Haven, defended the House’s decision to leave the regular session three days early, even though the move was later found unconstitutional by the Florida Supreme Court.
“For those who relish repeating that a procedural decision of this Florida House was unconstitutional, I would say that the greater constitutional obligation is producing a good and thoughtful balanced budget, and that the action of the Florida House on April 28 was the right decision to create the respectful environment that has allowed us to fulfill our essential constitutional obligation by passing this good balanced budget,” Wood said.
Even if both the House and Senate approve the budget Friday, as expected, they will have only three months before returning to the Capitol for committee meetings and the first stages of pulling together a new spending plan. There will be new challenges with the Low Income Pool, the health-care funding program that the federal government reduced from $2.2 billion in the current budget year to $1 billion for the upcoming year. That total will fall again to $600 million the following year.
House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, suggested that his chamber might not be as eager next year to use state funds to help make up the difference.
“I think you’ve got to start phasing that out,” Crisafulli said. “You may have something next year that comes about that we have to look at from the standpoint of a small infusion, but ultimately, I believe that the hospitals now have kind of seen what the future holds for them. And I think it’s important for them to recognize that they’re going to have to restructure their business model and know that Washington isn’t going to be there for them anymore, and the taxpayers of Florida aren’t necessarily excited about being there for them.”
But Senate President Andy Gardiner, an Orlando Republican and hospital executive, said Thursday that lawmakers should be prepared during the 2016 session to consider using more money to replace lost funding from the federal government. Lee was even blunter when asked whether the state would have to continue picking up the slack.
“I don’t see any alternative at this point,” he said.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Fire Marshal Investigating Century Mobile Home Blaze
June 19, 2015
The cause of a Thursday afternoon mobile home fire in Century is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
The quick work of firefighters contained the fire to mostly the kitchen area of the double-wide in the 8000 block of Old Flomaton Road. The rest of the home suffered smoke and water damage. There were no injuries reported.
The Century, McDavid and Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, the Flomaton Fire Department and the Jay Fire Department were dispatched to the blaze.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
ECAT Buses Now Sporting Colorful Student Artwork
June 19, 2015
Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) announced the winners of its first ECAT Youth Art Contest during a special event on Thursday. The ceremony was part of the 10th National Annual “Dump the Pump” Day at ECAT which supports riding public transit.
Grand prize winners were Janet Michelle Barrott from Escambia High School, Ty Phan from R.C. Lipscomb Elementary, and Lana Davis, also from Lipscomb.
The grand prize winners’ artwork was unveiled as an art showcase on an ECAT bus.
Firefighters Battle Brush, Grass Fire
June 19, 2015
A brush and grass fire consumed a few acres west of Century Thursday afternoon. Multiple fire stations responded to the blaze about 3:35 p.m. at the intersection of Grimes Road and Rockin J Farm Road, off Highway 168. They were able to quickly bring the fire under control. There were no injuries and no structures threatened by the fire. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Senate To Debate Budget
June 19, 2015
Planning to vote on a new $78.7 billion budget quickly after a review period ends, the Florida Senate will hold an afternoon session Friday to explain and debate the spending plan. House members started a question-and-answer session on the budget Thursday morning.
Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, indicated he plans to hold a vote on the budget immediately after a 72-hour review period ends at 5:37 p.m. Friday. The Senate will go into session at 1 p.m. The House is scheduled to go into session at 6 p.m. Friday.
House and Senate leaders finished negotiating the budget late Monday, and the complete version was sent to lawmakers at 5:37 p.m. Tuesday. That triggered the legally required 72-hour review period.
Lawmakers have been in special session since June 1 to pass a budget.
by The News Service of Florida