Busted: Couple Asks For Help In Locating Beulah Thief
July 29, 2017
UPDATE: Saturday afternoon, the items were recovered and the trailer recovered in Baldwin County, AL. One arrest was made. Further details have not been released.
A Beulah couple is asking for the public’s help in locating the thieves that stole thousands of the dollars worth of lawn care equipment sometime early Friday morning.
The items stolen were taken from a lot in the northwest corner of Rebel Road and Nine Mile Road, at the future site of the Pensacola Seed and Garden North location. About 2 a.m. Friday, the thieves broke into the lot and stole several thousand dollars worth of lawn care equipment, a pressure washer, air compressor and many other tools. The thieves then returned around 4 a.m. and removed the gate to the facility and stole a 18-foot enclosed trailer.
The job was captured on surveillance cameras along with images of the pictured Chevrolet Trailblazer. The vehicle was last seen leaving the lot and heading north on Rebel Road.
The longtime Beulah residents are asking anyone in the area with surveillance cameras to review the footage between 2-4 a.m. Friday and report any matching vehicle or trailer.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Southern Pine Beetle Assistance Application Period Ends Soon
July 29, 2017
The Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program will accept applications from non-industrial, private forest landowners through Monday, July 31.
The southern pine beetle (SPB) is one of the most economically devastating forest pests of the southeast, with periodic outbreaks leading to deaths of millions of pine trees. In 2016, 222 SPB infestations were reported in Florida, killing trees on over 1,100 acres. Those numbers are small compared to the last major outbreaks that occurred in Florida from 1999 to 2002, which resulted in an estimated $59 million in timber losses.
The program, supported through a grant by the United States Forest Service, provides incentive payments for landowners who conduct a first pulpwood thinning and offers partial cost reimbursement for activities such as prescribed burning, mechanical underbrush treatments, and the planting of longleaf or slash pine rather than the loblolly pine, the beetle’s preferred species.
Since it was first offered in 2005, the program has supported these practices on more than 167,000 acres and helped thousands of landowners. The program is limited to 44 northern Florida counties, the known range of the southern pine beetle. Qualified landowners can apply for up to two different practices per year and funding requests may not exceed $10,000. All qualifying applications received during the submission period will be evaluated and ranked for approval.
To obtain an application or to learn more about the Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program, visit FreshFromFlorida.com/SouthernPineBeetle/Prevention.
Weekend Gardening: Spots On Your Crape Myrtles Can Be A Problem
July 29, 2017
by UF/IFAS Extension Service
As the heat and humidity increases in Northwest Florida, expect to see some diseases appear in the landscape. One problem that is popping up on crape myrtles is Cercospora leaf spot. While not a deadly problem, it can greatly detract from the beauty of crape myrtles.
The initial symptom on crape myrtles is the appearance of tan to dark brown spots randomly scattered on yellow to red discolored leaves. The spots develop first on the lower leaves and progress upward in the canopy. Spots will continue to develop from mid-summer through fall. The color change is due to the production of a toxin by the fungal pathogen.
Infected leaves will drop prematurely and serve as a source to spread the pathogen causing further disease development. As the summer progresses, many infected trees will have dropped all but the newest leaves.
Older varieties of crape myrtles are more susceptible to this disease than newer varieties. The crape myrtle varieties most tolerant to Cercospora leaf spot are Natchez, Muskogee, Basham’s Party Pink, Sioux and Tonto.
Long term, this disease is not detrimental to a tree, although it will slow down growth on younger plants. Plants growing in conditions that are not ideal will be more affected by the leaf spot disease.
The best control is selecting a planting site with good air circulation so that the foliage will dry quickly. Thinning interior branches will also promote air flow.
The use of fungicides to control this disease has not been very effective because they would have to be applied repeatedly on a regular basis throughout the growing season. If used, fungicide applications should be started in early summer when the spots are first noticed and continued at one to two week intervals when the weather is warm and wet. Consult your local Extension office for fungicide recommendations.
As always, be sure to read and follow all label directions. Fungicides can be classified by how they work on the fungus or how they work on the plant. Products that work in a similar way on fungi have the same mode of action (also referred to as chemical family or class).
Contact fungicides are sprayed onto plants and act as a protective barrier from pathogen infection. They prevent infections from occurring when applied before symptoms are visible, but infections that have already occurred will continue to develop.
Systemic fungicides move into the plant, but movement inside the plant is limited. The vast majority of fungicides only move upward in the plant vasculature, but not down. Some fungicides only move locally into the plant part treated. Some systemic products exhibit curative action, which means the disease is stopped during its development. For managing fungicide resistance, products with different modes of action should be used in rotations.
Since this disease will result in early defoliation or the loss of leaves, it is critical to practice good sanitation. Raking and destroying fallen leaves should be a routine practice in order to prevent the spread of the disease.
Wahoos Beat Biloxi
July 29, 2017
Pensacola Blue Wahoos third baseman Nick Senzel hit a triple, a solo homer, a single and missed hitting for the cycle by a few feet when his line drive landed just foul down the right field line in his last at bat.
The Cincinnati Reds top prospect’s 4-for-4 night and Pensacola starter Jose Lopez’s fifth straight quality start led Pensacola to a, 4-3, victory Friday over the Biloxi Shuckers in front of 4,567 at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Pensacola clinched the series, 3-1, and has now won 10 of its 11 homestands this season. The only series loss from the first half Southern League South Division champions was to Biloxi at the end of April.
Senzel knew he had a chance to hit for the cycle, which was last done by former Blue Wahoos first baseman Donald Lutz on April 21, 2014. No Southern League hitter has hit for the cycle this season. It was Senzel’s fourth four-hit game of his two-year professional career.
“I saw it and knew it was going foul,” he said. “I was just a few feet short. I knew what the situation presented. I was glad my teammates were there to support me.”
Senzel put Pensacola on top, 2-0, with a triple to dead center that bounced off the wall and drove in center fielder Gabriel Guerrero and a solo homer he crushed to left field out of the ballpark. It was his fourth homer in 32 games since being called up from High-A Daytona Tortugas, where he had four homers in 62 games.
Pat Kelly said Senzel, who is hitting .331 in the Southern League, is still improving.
“I’m sure there are a few things. We can all get better,” Kelly said. “But he sure swings the bat extremely well.”
Senzel said he was just happy that Pensacola could jump out to a 4-0 lead and let Lopez concentrate on pitching. In 19 games head-to-head, Pensacola has won 11 and 12 games have been decided by two runs or less.
“He has been really good,” Senzel said of Lopez. “His hard work is paying off, which is great for us. It was nice to get out front and let Jose do his job.”
The 23-year-old Pensacola right-hander started off in Double-A by giving up four runs in his first three starts and six in his fourth start. But he has turned his season around, pitching his fifth straight solid start in his ninth game for the Blue Wahoos. Against Biloxi, he completed seven innings, allowed one run on four hits and two walks, and struck out five.
Over his last five starts, Lopez has been stingy, giving up only five earned runs in 34 innings for a 1.32 ERA. He’s only walked six in that stretch. Lopez improved to 5-1 with Pensacola and has a 2.95 ERA on the year.
In Pensacola’s rotation, he follows starter Deck McGuire, who has a 0.98 ERA in his last seven starts.
Kelly said he likes have McGuire and Lopez pitching back-to-back in the middle of the Blue Wahoos rotation.
“It allows us a little more leeway on the ends,” Kelly said. “When he first came up, he gave the hitters too much credit. Now, he’s more aggressive with his fastball in the zone and he’s getting ahead of hitters.”
In the fourth inning both left fielder Josh VanMeter and right fielder Aristides Aquino reached first base, stole second base and continued to third base on throwing errors by Biloxi catcher Rene Garcia, and scored on wild pitches by the Shuckers pitcher Freddy Peralta, putting Pensacola on top, 4-0.
Biloxi finally got on the scoreboard in the fifth inning to pull within, 4-1, when Peralta squared to bunt and then slapped the ball that glanced off Pensacola first baseman Gavin LaValley’s glove and rolled into right field to allow Shuckers third baseman Javier Betancourt to score. It was Peralta’s first professional hit and RBI in nine at bats this year.
Weiss made his 11th appearance and gave up a two-run homer to Biloxi first baseman Dustin DeMuth that bounced off the top of the left field wall to pull the Shuckers within, 4-3. It was DeMuth’s seventh homer this season. Despite giving up the two runs, Weiss earned his seventh save this season for Pensacola.
“It’s all about getting three outs before giving up three runs,” Kelly said.
Biloxi 21-year-old right-handed pitcher Freddy Peralta, the No. 11 ranked Milwaukee Brewers prospect by MLBPipeline.com, made his sixth Double-A start for Biloxi and gave up all four Pensacola runs to take the loss, falling to 1-3 with a 3.06 ERA.
Photos courtesy Barrett McClean Photography/Blue Wahoos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sheriff’s Office Warns Of Telephone Warrant Call Scam
July 29, 2017
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office is warning of a telephone scam.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office has received reports of a telephone scam involving the agency. During the call, an individual is representing himself as a deputy. The caller then tells the person there is an active warrant for their arrest. The caller will then demand for money in lieu of arrest.
This is a scam, the SRSO said.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office will not call anyone to tell about an arrest warrant, and the agency does no ask for monetary payments.
Anyone receiving such call is asked to disconnect immediately and contact theSanta Rosa County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 983-1190.
Free Beans And Rice Giveaway Saturday In Cantonment
July 28, 2017
Saint Monica’s Episcopal Church, will be distributing free rice and dried beans and other non-perishables on Saturday from 9 until 11 a.m. (or while supplies last) at the church located at 699 South Hwy 95-A in Cantonment.
There are no guidelines and no paperwork required.
SRO’s Cut In Half At Ernest Ward, Tate, Northview, Pine Forest, Escambia
July 28, 2017
The number of school resource officers in several schools will be cut in half under an agreement reached Thursday between Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan and School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas.
Tate, Escambia and Pine Forest high schools will go from two to one school resource officer on campus, while Northview High and Ernest Ward Middle will share a SRO beginning this school year. The current three SRO supervisors will be reduced to two. That is total elimination of five SRO positions.
“This is a compromise with Superintendent Malcolm Thomas who we have a great partnership with that ensures all schools will receive at least minimal coverage,” said Morgan.
“Until a few years ago, the SRO was split between Ernest Ward and Northview, and have one between the schools is much better than the alternative of none, and that was unacceptable,” Thomas said. He said the two school principals will work together to best share the SRO.
“Most of the calls that a SRO handles at Northview and Ernest Ward are not urgent crimes,” Thomas said. “Patrol deputies can also respond if there is an urgent situation.”
Thomas said there are times that Tate High School could use five or six SROs due to events on campus, but the ordinary school will proceed with just one deputy.
“It is a workable situation at Tate and it’s better to have one that none at all,” the superintendent said.
“Maintaining the presence of school resource officers in Escambia’a middle and high schools is the best practice for school security,” Thomas said. “The agreement reached today creates a solution which assists Sheriff Morgan with his budget and manpower concerns, while preserving the law enforcement presence on each of our secondary school campuses.”
Morgan had threatened to remove all SRO’s from the impacted schools as the Escambia County Commission refused to meet his budget and manpower requests.
Pictured top. Now retired Florida School Resource Office of the Year Ronnie Gill (center), Chief Deputy Chip Simmons (right) and a group of school resource officers at Ernest Ward Middle School. NorthEcambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
County To Dramatically Change Century Economic Development Funding
July 28, 2017
The Escambia County Commission is making a dramatic change in how economic development dollars are allocated to Century, a change that will have an obvious impact on the local chamber of commerce.
During the current fiscal year that ends September 30, the county provided a $55,000 allocation to the chamber, up from $40,000 in previous years. That amounted to 97 percent of the chamber’s total funding and provided a $40,00o per year salary for an economic development coordinator.
With final budget approval, Escambia County will still allocate $55,000 in funding for economic development in the Century area, not just within town limits. Ideas and funding requests will be submitted by the Century Chamber of Commerce, the Century Town Council and any other group to District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry. The requests will be heard by the entire commission for approval.
Funding requests can include no more than a 10 percent administrative overhead and funding cannot be used for salaries or daily operations — meaning the chamber won’t be able to use the money to continue funding the economic development coordinator position.
“It’s not going to go for monthly salaries for the chamber,” Barry said. He plans to attend an upcoming Century Town Council meeting and explain the opportunities.
“Our taxpayer dollars should not be funding the operations of chambers of commerce,” Commissioner Doug Underhill said.
“I like the checks and balances you are bringing to the equation instead of just putting the whole block grant out there for them to just whichever way they want – having them bring it back each time they want to expend the funds is really a smart thing to do,” Commissioner Jeff Bergosh said.
Mostly Sunny, About 95 Today
July 28, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. West wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 90. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 71. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88.
Escambia Won’t Raise Taxes To Meet Sheriff’s Demands
July 28, 2017
Property taxes in Escambia County will not increase next year. The 2018 millage rate will hold steady at the 2017 rate after a 4-1 vote from the Escambia County Commission.
The vote came Thursday despite multiple statements by Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan he will appeal his budget to Governor Rick Scott without another $3 million from the commission.
Commissioners Steven Barry and Grover Robinson blasted what they called the sheriff’s attack on board members.
“It’s hard to reasonably get down to an issue when the initial conversation continues, you know. That the board is a bunch of bums and operating in bad faith,” said Barry.
Commissioner Lumon May expressed similar concerns while suggesting a need for dialogue.
“Has that been a conversation with the sheriff, to figure out where we can cut? Where is a happy medium?” asked May. “That we can meet where my name is not on a billboard or TV commercial or infomercial?”
Morgan took to social media with lengthy videos and billboards in an attempt to sway the general public to demand a budget increase from commissioners.
“I’m willing to find a way, but I’m not going to be bullied into something else. I want a willing partner that can work with me and realize that they might not get everything that want,” Commissioner Grover Robinson said before the vote.
“”I mean so, if you ever put me into a corner and say all or nothing and there’s no mediation, then there’s nothing,” May said.
Commissioner Doug Underhill was the lone vote against holding at the same millage rate and he pushed for more funds for the sheriff.
Without the extra millions, Morgan said he would not be able to maintain school resource officers, needed pay raises for his deputies and services such as funeral escorts. Morgan and Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas announced SRO cutbacks on Thursday (click here to read more).
The budget has not yet gone before the commission for a final vote. But the millage rate is set to hold steady at 6.6165 mills, plus a municipal service tax rate of 0.685 for law enforcement and 0.359 mills for libraries.