Concept For Nine Mile Road Flyover At Navy Federal Under Consideration
January 29, 2018
Three proposed concepts are under consideration to alleviate traffic problems in the area of the Navy Federal Campus on Nine Mile Road, and the Escambia County Commission is set this week to consider support for one of those plans.
Navy Federal and the Florida Department of Transportation have recommended a plan that includes an elevated overpass on Nine Mile Road. This would allow Navy Federal employees to exit the campus on a new Navy Federal Way using two turn lanes to head east, while allowing Nine Mile Road traffic to flow both directions on the overpass above.
Eliminating the traffic signal will improve travel time along Nine Mile Road, according to transportation officials.
It is estimated the plan will cost $68 million and take 4-6 years to complete if and when it is approved.
If the Escambia County Commission votes to support the concept at its Thursday meeting, it will not bind the county to any funding or resource commitment.
It is anticipated that the concepts will be presented to the Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) at its February 14, 2018 meeting for further support and possible inclusion into the FL-AL TPO Long Range Transportation Plan.
If the county supports any of the Nine Mile Road Navy Federal concepts, it will not negatively impact or replace the County’s support for the Beulah Interchange and Beltway Project.
To view the three concept plans, click the links below (pdf files, hosted by Escambia County).
Pictured: The Nine Mile Road Flyover at Navy Federal Way proposal favored by Navy Federal and the Florida Department of Transportation. NorthEscambia.com image, click to enlarge.
FFA District Winners Announced
January 29, 2018
Friday, FFA Chapters from across the area competed in the FFA District competition. Competitors previously won their Sub-District competitions in December to advance to this level.
The FFA provides numerous career and leadership development events providing a variety of opportunities for members to compete in individual and team events.
Winners of FFA District 1 competitions are below. The first place winner from each category will advance to represent the district at the 90th Florida State FFA Convention in Orlando in June.
Opening and Closing Ceremony:
1st Place – Jay Middle FFA
2nd Place – Paxton Middle FFA
Middle School Extemporaneous Speaking:
1st Place – Colton Philips, Paxton Middle FFA
2nd Place – Thuan Vo, Beulah Academy of Science FFA
Middle School Prepared Public Speaking:
1st Place – Haley Pickron, Paxton Middle FFA
Creed Speaking:
1st Place: Amber Gilman, Northview FFA
2nd Place: Laura Fleaman, Chipley FFA
Tractor Driving:
1st Place – Zach Rutherford, Central FFA
2nd Place – Bailey Miller, Bethlehem FFA
High School Parliamentary Procedure
1st Place – Tate FFA
High School Prepared Public Speaking
1st Place – Avery Young, Tate FFA
2nd Place – Bailey Patterson, Chipley FFA
High School Extemporaneous Speaking
1st Place – Wyatt Patterson, Chipley FFA
2nd Place – Gabe Ferguson, Tate FFA
For additional winner photos, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fire Damages Cantonment Home
January 28, 2018
Fire damaged a home on the 2000 block of Welcome Road in Cantonment Sunday afternoon.
Initial reports indicated the 2:45 p.m. fire may have started in the kitchen of the home before possibly spreading into the attic. Escambia Fire Rescue was able to quickly bring the fire under control.
All occupants were able to escape the blaze without injuries. Fire people were displaced by the fire; they are being temporarily assisted by the American Red Cross.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Duck Hunters Rescue Owl Tangled In Fishing Line
January 28, 2018
A group duck hunting at Salter’s Lake near Century Saturday rescued an owl tangled in fishing line.
Ben Preston, David Preston, Ross Daughdrill, Lakelynn Parker and Tammy Parker were hunting when Ben Preston went out to retrieve a duck that had fallen into a wooded area. He came upon the owl hanging from the fishing line. They covered the owl with a bag while the fishing line was cut. Ben and Lakelynn wrapped the owl in Ben’s jacket and put him in their boat.
They called the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and a FWC officer met them at the Salter’s Lake Boat Ramp to pick up the owl.
The FWC warns that that monofilament fishing line and fishing hooks can snag and entangle birds, sea turtles and manatees, leading to injury and even death.
“People can prevent injury and death to wildlife by committing to stop litter of tackle and monofilament line,” said FWC biologist Ricardo Zambrano.
Tackle should be checked frequently for frayed line that may easily break. Unwanted or damaged line should be stored safely and securely until it can be placed in a recycling bin. The FWC urges those outdoors to pick up, secure and appropriate dispose of any fishing line they may see.
Photos by Ross Daughdrill and Tammy Parker for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Missing Toddler Found Safe With Mom After Cantonment Search
January 28, 2018
A toddler was found safe with his mother after a search in the Cantonment area late Saturday afternoon.
According to Deb Henley, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the mother went to visit a relative and took the child with her but forgot to tell the grandfather. The mother does not have phone, so the grandfather was unable to reach her to find out where she was at and if she had the child.
“So he called just in case,” Henley said.
The grandfather called the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office to the residence on Pace Parkway off Muscogee Road about 4:35 p.m.
ECSO deputies and a K-9 searched the house and the area for the child, and Escambia Search and Rescue was alerted.
“We were eventually able to verify she had taken her daughter with her,” Henley said. The child was safe and was never in any danger.
Chloe Ragsdale Named Miss Ernest Ward (With Photo Gallery)
January 28, 2018
Chloe Adele Ragsdale was named Miss Ernest Ward Middle School Saturday night in “Fabulous 50’s” themed pageant at the school.
Third runner-up was McKenna Rae Simmons, second runner-up was Elianna Teresa Morales, and the first runner-up in the annual pageant was Carsyn Laine Dortch.
Other awards presented were: Miss Hospitality MaKayla Shana Ramsey, Miss Congeniality Jordan Jade Wilson, People’s Choice Addison Ruby Geck, Miss Personality McKenna Rae Simmons, Miss Physical Fitness Chloe Adele Ragsdale, and Miss Poise and Appearance Carsyn Laine Dortch.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the pageant, click here.
Pictured top: Third runner-up McKenna Rae Simmons, second runner-up Elianna Teresa Morales, Miss EWMS Chloe Adle Ragsdale, and first runner-up Carsyn Laine Dortch. Pictured below: The contestants in the annual pageant. Pictured below: Miss EWMS 2018 Chloe Adele is crowned by outgoing Miss EWMS 2017 Tavianna Parker. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill Producers Place Statewide In National Corn Yield Contest
January 28, 2018
Miriam Classen and her son Kevin Classen of Walnut Hill placed second in Florida in their categories in the 2017 National Corn Yield Contest.
Miriam Classen placed second in the “A No-Till/Strip-Till Non Irrigated” category with a yield of 212.8423 bushels per acre.
Kevin Classen placed second in the “A Non-Irrigated” category with a yield of 211.2845 bushels per acre.
The National Corn Yield Contest is now in its 53rd year and remains NCGA’s most popular program for members.
“The contest provides farmers more than just an opportunity for friendly competition; it generates data that impacts future production practices across the industry,” said Roger Zylstra, chair of NCGA’s Stewardship Action Team. “The techniques first developed by contest winners grow into far-reaching advances, helping farmers across the country excel in a variety of situations. Our contest emphasizes innovation both from growers and technology providers, thus enabling us to meet the growing demand for food, feed, fuel and fiber.”
For more than half of a century, NCGA’s National Corn Yield Contest has provided corn growers the opportunity to compete with their colleagues to grow the most corn per acre, helping feed and fuel the world. This has given participants not only the recognition they deserved, but the opportunity to learn from their peers.
Jason Weber of Atmore with a yield of 214.3802 and James R. Weber of Atmore with a yield of 213.3344 entered but did not place int he Alabama Non-Irrigated division. Jason Weber also had a yield of 207.8621 in the No-Till/Strip-Till Non Irrigated category but did not place in the state category.
Weekend Gardening: Start Your Spring Garden Indoors
January 28, 2018
by UF/IFAS Extension
Get a head start on your spring vegetable garden by planting seed now for some of your favorite spring crops. A great advantage to starting from seed is the seemingly endless number of varieties of your favorite vegetables that are available from online seed companies. You can experiment with new and heirloom varieties. Look to plant several different varieties that will mature at different times, thereby lengthening your harvest season.
Seed is also cheaper than purchasing transplants, especially if you save your seeds in optimal conditions. To save leftover seed, keep it tightly closed in the original packet and store in a closed jar or plastic storage bag along with a desiccant (one of the little packs that come in vitamin bottles or shoe boxes) to absorb any excess moisture. Place in a consistently cool place, like your refrigerator. Some seeds naturally keep longer than others.
No fancy pots are needed, just about anything several inches wide and deep with a drainage hole will work. The pots should sit in a shallow waterproof tray to catch the runoff. Be sure to sterilize any reused pots with a solution of 1 part chlorine bleach to 9 parts water to destroy any lingering pathogens from the previous plants.
A commercial seed-starting mix is your best choice. Compressed peat or coir pots are also a good choice. Some all-purpose potting mixes are okay, but others are heavy and can hold too much water and promote fungal disease.
Plant the seed according the packet instructions, water well and place in a nice sunny spot where you can check them every day. If you don’t have a convenient sunny spot, a shop light with florescent and/or grow lights mounted about 6 inches above the tops of the plants will work well. A timer for the light is a handy device to make sure your seedlings have a good 14-16 hours of light a day. If your pots are in a sunny window, rotate them 180° daily to insure uniform growth. If you find your seedlings skinny and stretched, they are not getting enough sun.
Make sure that the soil stays evenly moist from the time of planting until the young plants are ready for your garden. A clear cover over the pots or tray will help to keep moisture consistent while the seeds germinate.
When the time comes to transition your plants to the outdoors, do it gradually. Expose them to the sun for an hour or two the first day and gradually increase their ‘sunbathing’ time each day for about a week and then transplant them to their
Escambia Deputies Searching For Attempted Murder Suspect
January 28, 2018
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is searching for an attempted murder suspect following a shooting Saturday morning.
Barry “B” Locklear III, is wanted for the shooting about 5:00 a.m. in the 500 block of Forest Park Drive. When deputies arrived on scene, they found 21-year old Darmichael Vershawn Turner suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Turner was transported to an area hospital.
Locklear in considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information on his whereabouts or the shooting is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Northwest Florida Water District Plants 15 Millionth Longleaf Pine Tree
January 28, 2018
The Northwest Florida Water Management District planted its 15 millionth longleaf pine tree on public lands.
“Planting trees and restoring forests are something we take a lot of pride in here in northwest Florida,” said George Roberts, Chairman of the District’s Governing Board. “We understand the significant role the longleaf pine habitat plays in protecting water resources for the residents in our District.”
Once other plantings are completed this month, the District will have planted nearly 15.1 million longleaf pines since 1993. In that same 25-year period, the District has also planted an additional 1.6 million other trees, including cypress and other hardwoods, to bring the overall total tree plantings to nearly 17 million.
“It’s an honor to join the District on Florida Arbor Day to celebrate 15 million longleaf pine trees,” Valenstein said. “The Department is committed to continuing to work with the District and our local partners to restore natural habitat and protect our state’s prized properties in northwest Florida and statewide.”
The District has also planted more than 6.6 million wiregrass tubelings – a key component to a healthy longleaf ecosystem.
The longleaf pine is a critical piece of northern Florida ecosystems. The tree’s presence helps improve plant species diversity and provides wildlife habitat for animal and insect species. It also provides erosion control and natural fuel for effective prescribed burns.
The Northwest Florida Water Management District is charged with managing and protecting the water resources of the Florida panhandle in a 16-county region, including Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
