EREC Washington Youth Tour Winners Named
February 16, 2012
Two Central High School students have won the Escambia River Electric Cooperative Youth Tour to Washington contest.
Lauren Griswold and Logan Rowell will represent EREC on the Washington Youth Tour in June. While in Washington, Griswold and Rowell will see the sights, learn about the nation’s capital and rural electrification while making new friends from across the country.
Students from across the EREC service area interviewed with an independent panel of judges. Contestants were judged on their knowledge of EREC and the history of rural electrification. Personal attributes of each candidate such as character, academic ability, personality and leadership abilities were also considered.
Pictured: Central High students Lauren Griswold and Logan Rowell, winners of the EREC Youth Tour to Washington contest. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Care Center Names Valentine’s King, Queen
February 16, 2012
Century Care Center celebrated Valentine’s Day in grand style with sparkling juice, good food, good music and lots of great fellowship. During the event, Louise Jackson and Paul Louviere were named Century Care Center’s Valentine’s king and queen. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Drought Continues, Worries Area Farmers
February 15, 2012
Despite our recent rains, the North Escambia area remains in a drought as area farmers head toward spring planting season.
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor map shows the area in a moderate to severe drought — a drought that has persisted about a year. Most of Escambia County in Florida, except for an area along the Alabama state line, and Santa Rosa County are in severe drought. Escambia County, Alabama, and adjacent areas in Florida are in a moderate drought.
Less than half the normal precipitation fell across much of the are during the last 90 days with some areas with a deficit of as much as 10 inches in the past four months. The seasonal drought outlook for the period through April 30 does not show any improvement for the North Escambia area with overall dry conditions continuing.
Last year, Escambia and Santa Rosa counties were declared federal disaster areas due to the combined effect of excessive drought and the summer’s high temperatures. Many farmers lost a large percentage of their crops to the dry soils.
The U.S. Drought Monitor is published by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln using a variety of climatic data.
Pictured top: A field of corn is irrigated last May at Highway 4 and Dortch Road in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Here’s Your Sign: Happy Valentine’s Day
February 14, 2012
Nothing says “I Love You” on Valentine’s Day like construction equipment… at least not for the Jacksons of Barrineau Park.
Since Crystal Jackson is now a stay at home mom, Gabe Jackson couldn’t send flowers to her office this year. So the next best thing was a lighted construction sign across from Molino Park Elementary School where Crystal would be dropping off daughter Alyssa at school.
The sign proclaims for all traveling Highway 97 to see — “Happy V Day Crystal…I Love You”.
“I was definitely surprised; he had mentioned he was exited about something a few weeks ago so it took me a minute to put it together,” Crystal said.
The couple will celebrate their 11th anniversary in April. They were high school sweethearts, together now for 16 years.
“I am thankful God put us together,” she said.
Pictured top: Crystal Jackson’s Valentine’s surprise Tuesday morning in front of Molino Park Elementary School. Pictured inset: Crystal and Gabe Jackson. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bratt Students Raise $2,117 For St. Judes Children’s Hospital
February 14, 2012
Bratt Elementary students raised over $2,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital during a recent Math-A-Thon event.
The 49 students that took part in the Math-A-Thon raised $2,117.32 for St. Jude. Students turning in the top three donation amounts were Christopher Nordman ($503), Drake Jordan ($100) and Hadden Barlow ($78.77), according to results that were announced Monday morning.
The Math-A-Thon program allows students to use their math powers and help the kids of St. Jude at the same time. Participants received donations from sponsors for completing a “Funbook” filled with math problems.
Donations and used by St. Jude to continue its mission of finding cures and saving children with cancer and other serious childhood diseases.
“We would like to thank all the students who participated and all the people who donated to help our Math-A-Thon be a success,” said Bratt Math-A-Thon coordinator Linda Jackson.
Pictured top: Most of the 49 Bratt Elementary students that took part in a Math-A-Thon raising $2,117.32 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Pictured below: Top fund raisers in the event were Christopher Nordman, $503 (middle), Drake Jordan, $100 (left) and Hadden Barlow, $78.77 (right). Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
EREC Sends Area Juniors On Tallahassee Youth Tour
February 13, 2012
Fourteen high school juniors were guests of Escambia River Electric Cooperative last week in Tallahassee as they learned more about their state legislature and electric cooperatives.
Participants were Aaron Floyd, Courtney Lambert and Sandy Rainwater from Northview High School; J. D. Atkins, Jacob Burnham, Camille Driver, Kathryn English, Joshua Gilmore, Evan Goodson, Chanda Hawthorne and Carly Owens from Jay High School; Lauren Griswold and Logan Rowell from Central High School; and Brett Campbell from Pace High School.
While in Tallahassee, the students met with nearly 100 other high school juniors from electric cooperatives throughout the state of Florida. EREC delegates enjoyed visiting the Challenger Museum and viewing the IMAX movie, Hubble (3D). Youth Tour participants observed court in session in the Florida Supreme Court and participated in a mock session in the senate chambers where various members of the Legislature addressed the group.
The Youth Tour program provided students an opportunity to learn more about their state government and electric cooperatives and also gives them a chance to interact
with other students from co-ops throughout the state.
“It was a great educational experience and a lot of fun for the entire group,” according to Sabrina Owens, EREC’s marketing director.
Pictured top: EREC Youth Tour delegates on the steps of the Capitol — (front, L-R) Lauren Griswold, Kathryn English, Carly Owens, J. D. Atkins, Aaron Floyd and Jacob Burnham, (back row) Brett Campbell, Joshua Gilmore, Courtney Lambert, Sandy Rainwater, Camille Driver, Chanda Hawthorne, Evan Goodson and Logan Rowell. Pictured below: Rep. Doug Broxson meets with Youth Tour participants. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Birth: Breanna Nicole Johnson
February 12, 2012
Josh and Heather Johnson are proud to announce the birth of Breanna Nicole Johnson. Breanna was born Wednesday, February 1 and weighed 8-pounds, 12 ounces.
Breanna’s grandparents are Marcus and Tinia Hennington of Cantonment, Billy Cox of Alabama and Elizabeth Cox of Pensacola, and Sandy Standford of Newman, GA.
Ernest Ward Holds Valentine’s Dance, Names Court (With Photo Gallery)
February 11, 2012
Ernest Ward Middle School held its annual Valentine’s Dance Friday night, naming a queen and her court based upon student votes.
Eighth grader Jessica Barrows was named queen, and Gavin Grant was named king. From the seventh grade, McKensie Colvin was named maiden, and Dustin Bethea was named knight. Sixth grade maiden was Raegen Harrell and sixth grade knight was Micheal “MJ” Jones.
For a photo gallery with the complete court, click here.
Pictured top: (L-R) Ernest Ward Middle School Valentine’s Dance sixth grade Maiden Raegen Harrell and Knight Micheal “MJ” Jones, King Gavin Grant, Queen Jessica Barrows, and eighth grade Knight Dustin Bethea and Maiden McKensie Colvin. Pictured below: King Gavin Grant and Queen Jessica Barrows NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Weekend Gardening: Tackle Existing Weeds And Build A Lawn Defense
February 11, 2012
Just look around and you will probably notice a lot of green lawns. But, its early February, shouldn’t the lawns be brown?
Winter weeds are creating a field of green in many local lawns. Vetch, chickweed, annual bluegrass, henbit and clovers are growing rampantly in many lawns. Unless you do something about these weeds now, your weed problem will only get worse. February is the time to take the offensive against lawn weeds.
Grow a Healthy Lawn
The first and best method of weed control begins with proper management practices that encourage a dense, thriving turf. Healthy turf shades the soil so sunlight can’t reach weed seeds that are ready to germinate. A thick turf also minimizes the physical space available for weeds to become established. Proper mowing, fertilizing and watering will promote a healthy, dense grass.
Control Existing Weeds
Control existing winter weeds by either hand-pulling or treating with post-emergence herbicides. Be sure to choose herbicides that will control the weeds you have and will be safe to use on the type of lawn grass you grow. It’s best to spot treat the weeds, if possible. Since most people have temporarily stored their lawn mowers, the winter weeds have ample leaf area to absorb the herbicide for effective control.
For help choosing the right product, contact your local Extension Office. They may ask for samples of the weeds to ensure that you have identified them properly.
Prevent Future Weeds
Now is also the time to apply pre-emergence herbicides to prevent annual summer weeds, such as crabgrass, spurges, etc., from infesting the lawn through the spring and summer.
Pre-emergence herbicides must be applied prior to weed seed germination. Applications should be between February 15 and March 5 or when day temperatures reach 65° to 70°F for four to five consecutive days. This generally coincides with the blooming of azaleas and dogwoods.
Pre-emergence herbicides work by creating a chemical barrier in the soil/thatch layer. Therefore, uniform coverage is necessary for optimum control. Large gaps in the herbicide-treated zone can result in weeds popping up.
Pre-emergence herbicides are generally effective in controlling weeds from six to twelve weeks following application. Most will begin to degrade when exposed to the environment. Therefore, to obtain season-long control, an additional application should follow six to nine weeks after the initial one.
Some pre-emergence herbicides to look for include dithiopyr (Sta-Green Crab-Ex or Vigoro Crabgrass & Weed Preventer) or pendimethalin (Lesco PRE-M or Scotts Halts).
With any pesticide, you should always READ THE LABEL carefully and completely before applying. The herbicide label will provide a list of where it can safely be applied and the weed species the active ingredient will control and at what rate.
What about Fertilizer?
It is still too early to apply a nitrogen-containing fertilizer on our mostly dormant lawns in Northwest Florida. Adding nitrogen now fertilizes your existing weeds. It may also stimulate the grass which makes it more susceptible to winter kill when/if we get our next cold snap. In general, it’s best to apply your herbicides separately from fertilizers.
Wait until April to fertilize your lawn or until you’ve mowed twice because of grass growth. In the meantime, get a soil test done so that you will have a better idea of the type of fertilizer to use.
Theresa Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
Cool Pics: In The Moonlight
February 10, 2012
A bright moon lit the skies over North Escambia Thursday night as thin, high clouds streamed by overhead on a cool north wind.
Pictured above is the Walnut Hill water tower next to Ernest Ward Middle School, and pictured below is the intersection of North Highway 99 and Highway 164 near Oak Grove. Both long-exposure photos were taken about 9:30 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
