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Century Ribbon Cutting Officially Opens New Splash Pad

Car Wash Fire Believed To Be Arson

A fire that ripped through a storage building at a Cantonment car wash Friday night was believed to be arson.

About 10 p.m., witnesses reported seeing juveniles set the storage building on fire before running away. The building, located at the old Highway 29 car wash across from International Paper, was a total loss.

Anyone with information on the incident can call  the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.

Pictured: Photographs taken before firefighters arrived show a storage building at a Cantonment car wash fully involved. Photos by Terry Kelly for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Tate Tops West Florida, Raises $18K For Cancer Research

Tate 10, West Florida 2

The eighth annual “Strike Out Cancer” softball fundraiser was a big winner Friday night for breast cancer research as the Tate Aggies beat West Florida 10-2.

The event at Tate High School raised over $18,000 for the American Cancer Society.

Tate sophomore Shelby Ulrich had five RBI, including a three-run home run.  Hannah Brown earned the win for Tate pitching a complete game with two runs, one error and striking out three.

For Tate – Hayden Lindsay 1-3, R; Belle Wolfenden 1-2, 2 R, RBI; Shelby Ulrich 2-3, 2R, 5 RBI, HR; Sydni Solliday 3-4, R, RBI; Shelby McLean 2-4, R, RBI.

For West Florida – Amanda Klemm 1-4; Ealon Pyle 1-4, R; Lauren Carnley 2-3, RBI.

Tate 17, West Florida 0 (JV)

Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Weekend Gardening: March Tips

Here are gardening tips for the month of March from the University of Florida IFAS Extension office:

Flowers

• Annual flowers that can be planted in March include:  ageratum, alyssum, amaranthus, asters, baby’s breath, begonia, calendula, celosia, cosmos, dahlia, dusty miller, gaillardia, geranium, hollyhock, impatiens, marigold, nicotiana, ornamental pepper, pentas, phlox, rudbeckia, salvia, sweet Williams, torenia, verbena, vinca and zinnia.
• Caladium bulbs are extremely sensitive to cold soil.  There is no advantage to planting early.  Purchase caladiums while there is a good selection, but wait until late March or April before planting them in shady beds.

Trees and Shrubs

• Finish pruning summer flowering shrubs such as althea, hibiscus, abelia, oakleaf hydrangea and oleander.
• Delay the pruning of azaleas, camellias, spiraeas, gardenias and other spring flowering shrubs until after flowering is complete.
• Prune any cold weather-damaged plants after new growth appears.
• If needed, fertilize shrubs and small trees  with a slow release fertilizer.  A good general-purpose landscape fertilizer is a 15-0-15.
• 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 sqft of canopy area or landscape area.
• Last opportunity to spray shrubs with dormant horticultural oil.
• Pick up all fallen camellia blossoms and remove them from your property.  This practice helps to prevent petal blight next season.
• Prune ornamental grasses.
• If you are in the market for specific colors of azaleas, visit the local nurseries and garden centers this month.  Though this is not the most ideal planting time you are assured of the right flower color without having to wait until next blooming season.

Fruits and Nuts

• Time to finish planting bare-root fruit trees.

Vegetable Garden

• This is the month for establishing a spring vegetable garden.  Early March plantings have about an even chance of avoiding a late frost.
• The warm season vegetables that can be planted this month are: bush beans, pole beans, lima beans, cantaloupes, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplant, okra, southern peas, peppers, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, summer squash, winter squash, tomatoes and watermelon.
• The cool season vegetables that can be planted this month are: beets, carrots, celery, collards, endive, kohlrabi, leek, lettuce, mustard, bunching onions, parsley, English peas, Irish potatoes, radish and turnips.
• More conservative gardeners might wish to wait until the middle to latter part of the month to risk tender plants such as tomatoes and peppers.

Lawns

• Remove excessive accumulation of leaves from the lawn.  This will increase the effectiveness of fertilizers and pesticides applied to the lawn.
• If a preemergence lawn herbicide is needed to control summer  weeds, it should be applied in early March.  Make certain to choose one that is safe on your kind of grass.
• Keep lawn herbicides away from the root zones of desirable flower, shrubs and other plants.
• Fertilize the lawn only after the danger of frost has passed and when the grass has greened up.  Fertilize using a complete fertilizer applied at 0.5 lbs nitrogen per 1000 sqft containing 50% soluble and 50% slow-release nitrogen.
• Service the lawn mower: include a sharpening of the blade and adjusting of the cutting height for your type of grass.
• Anyone considering establishment of centipedegrass from seed should hold off until the soil warms up and stabilizes above 70°F. Add Item Here…

Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: The Real World Intrudes

Every once in a while, the generally abstract issues discussed during the legislative session intersect with something out of real-life, something more visceral than a bill full of clauses and subsections.

When Aramis Ayala, the new state attorney in Orange and Osceola counties, announced that she would not pursue death sentences in capital cases during her time in office, it brought new life to a debate about state-sanctioned executions that had seemed to die down.

By the end of the day Thursday, Gov. Rick Scott had booted Ayala from a high-profile case and Republicans and law-enforcement officers were howling in outrage over the prosecutor’s decision.

There were also less emotional developments as the Legislature went through its second week. Lawmakers continued to grapple with how to handle a tight budget situation that got little better as the final verdict came down on how much money the state will have to spend in the year beginning July 1.

Meanwhile, some heavily lobbied pieces of legislation continued their trek through the process. But few of them were likely to stir up as much passion as Ayala’s decision.

A FIGHT OVER CLOSURE

The week started out well for supporters of Florida’s death penalty. On Monday, Scott signed a bill aimed at fixing a flaw that the state Supreme Court found in the state’s newest death penalty system.

“Governor Scott’s foremost concern is always for the victims and their loved ones. He hopes this legislation will allow families of these horrific crimes to get the closure they deserve,” Scott spokeswoman Jackie Schutz said in a statement early Monday evening.

The new law — the second death penalty “fix” in a year — came in response to a series of court rulings, set off by a U.S. Supreme Court decision in January 2016 in a case known as Hurst v. Florida.

The Legislature last year hurriedly passed a law to address the federal court ruling, but the Florida Supreme Court struck down the new statute. Florida justices said the law was unconstitutional because it only required 10 of 12 jurors to recommend death, instead of unanimous jury decisions.

Critics of the death penalty still had problems with the new scheme, but it appeared to clear the way for prosecutors to move forward before the seemingly inevitable appeals began.

That’s when Ayala made her announcement, with the most immediate impact being on the case involving accused cop-killer Markeith Loyd.

Scott quickly appointed Brad King, state attorney for the 5th Judicial Circuit, to handle the case of Loyd after Ayala refused to recuse herself.

Loyd is accused in the execution-style killing of Orlando Police Lt. Debra Clayton in January. Loyd is also accused of the December shooting death of his pregnant ex-girlfriend, Sade Dixon. Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy Norman Lewis died as a result of a traffic crash during the hunt for Loyd.

“I am outraged and sickened by this loss of life and many families’ lives have been forever changed because of these senseless murders. These families deserve a state attorney who will aggressively prosecute Markeith Loyd to the fullest extent of the law and justice must be served,” Scott said in a statement announcing the move.

For her part, Ayala cited numerous problems with the death penalty as the rationale for her decision, which she said she reached after “extensive and painstaking thought and consideration.”

The death penalty has not proven to be a deterrent to crime and the cases drag on for years, adding to victims’ anguish, according to Ayala.

Some Republicans suggested Scott might need to go further.

“I think she ought to be thrown out of office,” said Sen. Jack Latvala, a Clearwater Republican considering a bid for governor in 2018.

Others were less fiery. Even some death-penalty proponents agreed that Ayala enjoys latitude regarding whether to seek death sentences.

“I’m a big supporter of local discretion on filing decisions,” Sen. Rob Bradley, a Fleming Island Republican who is a former prosecutor, told The News Service of Florida on Thursday.

BUDGET PICTURE: STILL TOUGH

If lawmakers were looking for some relief from their fiscal heartburn when economic forecasters met to estimate the state’s future tax revenues, none was coming. The verdict of a Friday gathering — another $115.2 million by June 30, 2018 — did little to change the overall outlook for the budget.

“In terms of what they’re facing, they pretty much have the same picture,” said Amy Baker, head of the Legislature’s Office of Economic & Demographic Research, which helps develop the forecasts.

Lawmakers aren’t expected to face a shortfall in the budget year that begins July 1. But by the following year, lawmakers could be $1.3 billion short of how much they will need to cover expected spending, with a $1.9 billion hole projected the year after that.

Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, indicated Friday that the revised forecast also didn’t do anything to change how leaders will shape their spending plans.

“As we evaluate our budget priorities, it is likely that funding for new initiatives will be offset by reduced spending on projects and programs added to the budget by prior legislatures,” Negron said in a statement issued by a spokeswoman.

The new forecast came a couple of days after the House’s top budget-writing committee heard ideas for potential cuts across state government. Suggestions included cuts in payments to hospitals, reductions in spending on universities and scaling back early-learning and other public-education programs.

House Appropriations Chairman Carlos Trujillo, R-Miami, said how closely lawmakers follow the recommendations, which were couched as an “exercise,” remains to be seen. But he said a reduction in expected spending of about $1.4 billion is a “realistic goal” for the coming budget year.

“I think it’s a roadmap — whether we decide to go down Road A or Road B — but I think it’s a roadmap of how we’re going to craft our budget,” he said. “I don’t think anything’s set on stone as far as specific amounts.”

LOBBYIST IN CHIEF

Using the term loosely, the highest-profile lobbyist of the year so far might be Scott. He’s spent weeks banging away at House Republicans who want to curtail business incentives and tourism marketing money, and he shows no signs of letting up.

On Monday, Scott brought his roadshow through Tallahassee — not coincidentally, where many of the reporters covering the session are located — for a roundtable with business leaders and state officials.

At Danfoss Turbocor Compressors Inc., Scott declined to rule out vetoing the budget for the year that begins July 1 if it doesn’t include funding for business incentives. But he spent most of his time trashing legislation that would abolish business-recruitment agency Enterprise Florida and overhaul tourism marketer Visit Florida, approved last week by the House.

As he has done at other stops during a recent media blitz aimed at saving business incentives, Scott singled out a local lawmaker: Rep. Halsey Beshears, R-Monticello.

“Why in the world would Halsey Beshears or anybody else vote to eliminate Enterprise Florida and decimate Visit Florida?” Scott told reporters after meeting with business leaders and state economic development officials. “This is about some family getting a job. I’m going to fight for those families all this session.”

More conventional lobbyists had their eyes on other legislation considered this week.

Four years after House and Senate leaders thought they had finally settled a decade-old turf battle between the state’s optometrists and ophthalmologists, the “eyeball wars” have returned.

The old compromise allowed optometrists to prescribe oral medications, but not perform surgery. But now, optometrists are seeking to expand their scope of practice to perform some surgical procedures. Optometrists maintain the proposal is an access-to-care issue, while ophthalmologists argue it would endanger patient safety.

The House Health Quality Subcommittee narrowly approved the proposal Wednesday by a one-vote margin, after two hours of testimony.

The measure (HB 1037) would allow optometrists who receive special training to perform certain kinds of surgery in which “human tissue is injected, cut, burned, frozen, sutured, vaporized, coagulated, or photodisrupted by the use of surgical instrumentation,” including lasers and scalpels, according to a House staff analysis of the bill.

But the chances in the Senate remain dicey.

Another big-ticket item, focused on key changes to the workers’ compensation insurance system, was approved by the House Insurance & Banking Subcommittee.

The panel approved a bill that deals with a series of issues, such as the duration of benefits for some injured workers and the amounts of money hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers get paid to provide outpatient care to workers.

But almost all of the debate focused on attorney fees, which business groups blame for driving up costs in the workers’ compensation system. The bill (PCB IBS 17-01) would allow judges of compensation claims to approve fees up to $250 an hour for workers’ attorneys.

And the decades-old prohibition on selling liquor in grocery and large retail stores narrowly continued to advance in the House on Tuesday.

The Government Operations & Technology Appropriations Subcommittee voted 7-6 to support an amended proposal (HB 81) that would end a Depression-era law requiring liquor stores and bars to be separated from groceries and other retail goods, an issue commonly referred to as the “liquor wall.”

Rep. Bryan Avila, the Hialeah Republican sponsoring the measure, rejected claims by opponents that his legislation, three years in the making, will increase access to liquor by minors and harm existing businesses.

“While shopping at Publix is a pleasure, certainly their argument is not,” Avila said. “The only reason the antiquated law is being opposed is to maintain the status quo.”

The House bill, which appeared to stall a week ago, remains controversial for many.

“The losers are clearly going to be the small businesses,” said Rep. Kathleen Peters, a Treasure Island Republican who voted against the bill.

STORY OF THE WEEK: Aramis Ayala, the new state attorney in Orange and Osceola counties, announced that she would not pursue death sentences in capital cases during her time in office, escalating debate over the state’s death penalty.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “It ain’t right to put the apple schnapps next to the apple sauce.”— Pat McClellan, owner of the Flora-Bama lounge and package store in the Panhandle, on legislation knocking down the “liquor wall” for grocery stores.

by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida

Tate Hosts District Special Olympics (With Photo Gallery)

The 21st Annual Escambia County School District’s Special Olympics Spring Games were held Friday at Tate High School with about 600 student athletes from 27 schools. About 600 Tate student volunteers assisted as “buddies” and event workers.

The event began with Special Olympic athletes running with the Special Olympics Torch around the track.  There will was also an Olympic Village with plenty of fun and games, and even a petting zoo, for the athletes to enjoy after they completed their track and field events.

For a photo gallery, click here.

NorthEcambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Pediatric Dental Clinic Opens In Cantonment; Medical Services Soon

A new pediatric dental clinic is now open in Cantonment, and pediatric medical services begin soon.

Escambia Community Clinics Cantonment Pediatric Dental Clinic is open and ready to care for children ages 0 to 20.

The brand new clinic is located at 470 South Highway 29 in Cantonment in the former Winn Dixie. For appointments and more information call (850) 780-0111.

Pediatric medical hours in Cantonment begin on Monday, April 3.

ECC inked a five year lease with Escambia County on seven to eight thousand square feet in the former grocery.

File photo.

Century Leaders Tour Emergency Center, Plan To Manage Disasters

The Town of Century plans to become more proactive in future emergency responses and recovery operations, according to Century Mayor Henry Hawkins.

Thursday morning, Hawkins, council members Luis Gomez and Sandra McMurray Jackson and Town Clerk Leslie Howington toured the Escambia County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on W Street in Pensacola.

Brad Hattaway, planning coordinator for Escambia EMA, explained to the council how the agency works and the council’s role. He said the Town of Century is part of the planning process and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is there to support the town during disasters.

The town has a standing invitation to participate in the planning, training, exercises and operations of the EOC, Hattaway said.

The Town of Century currently contracts with BRACE – the Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies — to represent the town during EOC activations.

Picture top: Century council member Sandra McMurray Jackson in Century’s seat at the Escambia County Emergency Operations Center. Pictured below: (L-R) Mayor Henry Hawkins, council member Luis Gomez, council member Jackson, Town Clerk Leslie Howington. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Council On Aging Fears Trump Budget Will End Program Funding

The budget submitted Thursday by President Donald Trump includes the elimination of grant programs that currently fund the Council on Aging of West Florida’s “Meals on Wheels” program.

Locally, Meals on Wheels delivers almost 130,000 meals to nearly 500 senior citizens throughout the year. Many of these aging adults are homebound and cannot care for themselves like they once could. Meals on Wheels not only provides much-needed nutrition and sustenance, but companionship and a chance for social service agencies to check in with clients.

“Meals on Wheels is a program that serves a vital need for homebound, disabled and vulnerable aging adults,” said John Clark, President and CEO of Council on Aging. “The program is largely comprised of volunteers who donate their time and transportation to alleviating hunger in our senior community. This is not a government agency bloated with bureaucracy whose cuts would benefit the tax-payer; Meals on Wheels is fully dedicated to the client and in fact helps Americans avoid the far greater cost of caring for these individuals in a nursing home or retirement community.”

The program needs increased funding and participation, not less, according to Clark.

There are almost 500 elderly people on waiting lists in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties who need the services of Meals on Wheels. Nationwide, the need is growing rapidly as well, and federal funding has not kept pace. Meals on Wheels is already serving 23 million fewer meals now than in 2005, and waiting lists are mounting in every state. At a time when increased funding is needed, millions of seniors who rely on the program every day for a nutritious meal, safety check and visit from a volunteer will be left behind, Clark said.

“The problem with a skinny budget is it is lean on details. So, while we don’t know the exact impact yet, cuts of any kind to these highly successful and leveraged programs would be a devastating blow to our ability to provide much-needed care for millions of vulnerable seniors in America, which in turn saves billions of dollars in reduced healthcare expenses” said Ellie Hollander, President and CEO Meals on Wheels America.

Tate Softball Beats Washington; Northview Baseball Tops Pine Forest

SOFTBALL

Tate 12, Washington 2

The Tate Lady Aggies defeated the Washington Wildcats Thursday night 12-2.

Hannah Brown took the win on the mound for Tate, pitching six, allows two its , two runs, two errors and striking out nine.

For Tate – Hannah Brown R; Hayden Lindsay 2-2, 2 R; Deazia Nickerson 1-1, R; Belle Wolfenden 1-4, 2 R; 2 RBI; Shelby Ulrich 2-3, R, 3 RBI; Sydni Solliday 1-4, 2 R; RBI; Ashley Lundquist 1-2, R; Gabby Locke 1-4, 2 RBI; Taylor Hedgepath 3-3, R, 2 RBI; Katie Snyder 1-1, R.

Up next for Tate: Strike Out Cancer game against West Florida, 7 p.m. Friday, Tate High School.

Tate 17, Washington 0 (JV)

BASEBALL

Northview 5, Pine Forest 4

The Northview Chiefs defeated the Pine Forest Eagles 5-4 Thursday night in Bratt.

Zach Payne and Quinton Sampson had doubles for the Chiefs; John Chivington and Blake Reid had RBIs for Northview, while Seth Killam had two RBIs.

Northview is on the road Friday night at South Walton at 5:00.

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