Weekend Gardening: February Tips
February 11, 2017
Here are gardening tips for the month of February from your local Extension Service:
Flowers
- Re-fertilize cool season flowerbeds, using a liquid or granular form of fertilizer. Be careful not to apply excessive amounts and keep granules away from the base of stems.
- Prepare flowerbeds for spring planting by adding and incorporating soil amendments like mushroom compost, manure or homemade compost. Till or spade the bed to incorporate the amendments with the existing soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Allow the prepared bed to lie undisturbed for 3 to 4 weeks before planting. This provides time for some important biological activity to take place, and new plants are less likely to suffer from stem and root rots as a result. Have a soil test done. Sometimes lime is needed. However, a lime application should be made only if the need is revealed by the test.
- Replenish mulch in flowerbeds.
- Prune rose bushes.
Trees and Shrubs
- February is possible the best month for rejuvenation of old, overgrown shrubs. When pruned now, plants have an entire growing season to recover.
- Prune summer flowering deciduous shrubs such as Althea and Hibiscus. Since they flower on current season’s growth, flowering can actually be enhanced by proper pruning
- Do NOT prune the spring flowering shrubs yet. Azaleas, Spiraeas and Forsythia flower during early spring because buds were formed last summer and fall. Pruning in February would therefore remove most of the flower buds.
- Cold damaged trees and shrubs should NOT be pruned until new growth appears. You want to preserve as much healthy plant material as possible.
- Replenish mulch in shrub beds
- Finish planting ornamental and fruit trees.
Fruits and Nuts
- Fertilize established pecan trees. Use a “special pecan fertilizer” that contains zinc. Use 2 lbs. for every year of age of the tree up to a maximum of 55 lbs. Broadcast the fertilizer evenly beneath the tree.
- Fertilize established peach, plum, pear, persimmon, apple and fig. Apply about 1 ½ lbs of a 10-10-10 (or similar) fertilizer for each year of age of the tree until a maximum of 10 to 15 lbs. per tree is reached.
- Blueberries are very sensitive to nitrogen and can be killed easily, particularly when they are young. Fertilize only if your goal is to increase yield or berry size. An annual application of 2 ounces of a special “azalea/camellia” or “special blueberry” type fertilizer per plant in February is ample fertilizer on 2-year-old plants.
- Prune muscadine grapes between mid-February to mid-March. A standard method is to allow 2 to 4 node spurs spaced every 6 inches of cordon. You may notice that pruning cuts bleed, but there is no evidence that this is injurious to the vine.
- Grapes (bunch and muscadine) should be fertilized at the rate of 1 ½ lbs of 10-10-10 for each year of age with a maximum of 5 lbs per plant applied in late February.
- Last call for planting fruit trees! Most fruit trees such as pecans, plums, persimmons, figs, peaches and nectarines are shipped bare roots and should be planted during the dormant season.
- Apply a spray containing horticultural oils emulsion to dormant fruit trees and ornamental shrubs. Follow label directions carefully.
Vegetable Garden
- Several winter vegetables can still be successfully grown by starting them this month. Plant beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, Chinese cabbage, collards, endive/escarole, kale, kohlrabi, leek, lettuce, mustard, parsley, English peas, radish and turnips.
- Plant Irish potatoes. Purchase certified seed potatoes rather than using the grocery store kinds. Use 2-ounce seed pieces with eyes and plant them 3 to 4 inches deep.
- Prepare spring vegetable and herb beds for planting by adding and incorporating soil amendments like mushroom compost, manure or homemade compost. Wait 3 to 4 weeks before planting.
Lawns
- Hold off on fertilizing the lawn. It is still too early for an application of nitrogen containing product. Cold temperatures and lack of plant response would likely result in wasted fertilizer. However, your winter weeds would benefit greatly.
Little Public Interest As Century Updates Aging Land Development Code
February 10, 2017
The Town of Century is updated its aging Land Development Code thanks to a state grant, and a public workshop with little public interest was held Thursday to address the latest changes.
The town received a $25,000 Division of Community Development’s Community Planning Technical Assistance Grant from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to update their LDC, which was adopted on April 29, 1991. The work is being done by Peggy Fowler and Associates, which submitted the only proposal.
The Land Development Code (LDC) essentially specifies what can be built where and how it can be used within the town limits.
The majority of the LDC has not been revised since it was adopted in 1991. It, according to Fowler, must be updated to ensure compliance with changes in state and federal laws and the goals and objectives of the Town Century Comprehensive Plan 2025.
The updates will also address any inconsistencies or duplication in the document, plus make the LDC more user-friendly and easier to understand with minor reorganization and the addition of tables and simple illustrations.
Most of the changes reviewed at Thursday’s workshop – added by one member of the public - involved environmental regulations and the addition of restrictions involving cultural resources, such as a significant archeological find on a construction site. An additional workshop will be held in late April, followed by the presentation of a completed draft at public hearing in May.
Pictured top: This panoramic photo show three Century staffers, Councilman Gary Riley and one member of the public at a public workshop Thursday morning. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Night Hunter Leads FWC Officers On High Speed Chase
February 10, 2017
A Cantonment man was arrested after leading state law officers on a high speed chase in North Escambia after being spotted night hunting.
Multiple FWC officers on the ground with air support from officers in a helicopter were working a night hunting detail in North Escambia County outside Walnut Hill.
The air unit guided a ground unit to a suspected night hunter shining a light from a vehicle off Highway 99A. The air unit continued to follow the suspected night hunter until the ground unit caught upon Occie Phillips Road. The FWC officer activated his blue lights and siren behind the vehicle, but the driver accelerated and fled, reaching speeds over 70 mph as he turned south onto the dirt Pineville Road and continued in the area on Highway 97A, Enon School Road and Highway 99 before turning on Barrineau Park Road and crossing the Perdido River into Alabama.
The driver, later identified as 28-year old Waylon Lee Adams, stopped about a half mile into Alabama, according to a FWC report.
Adams was held at gunpoint until backup FWC officers arrived. FWC officers reported finding less than 20 grams of marijuana in the vehicle, along with a small flashlight used to disclose the deer and two live rifle rounds. The female passenger told officers that Adams threw a rifle and scope out of the vehicle.
A records check indicated that Adams’ driver’s license had been suspended or revoked 20 times.
Adams was transported to the Baldwin County Jail and later extradited to Florida to face charges of felony fleeing and eluding, reckless driving, night hunting, felony driving on a suspended license, possession of marijuana and possession of a firearm/ammunition by a convicted felon.
Adams was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $38,000 bond.
Century Talks Emergency Management With Escambia County
February 10, 2017
The Century Town Council held a workshop meeting Thursday night with Escambia County Emergency Management to learn more about emergency response and recovery operations.
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.
Pictured top: Century council members Ann Brooks, Sandra McMurray Jackson and Ben Boutwell listen as Brad Hattaway, planning coordinator for Escambia EMA, makes a presentation Thursday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Suspect Indicted With First Degree Murder For Nine Mile Shooting
February 10, 2017
An Escambia County grand jury has indicted Shaquille Kushun Jordan for first degree felony murder in the death of Allen Ray Elliott on January 6.
Elliott died from a gunshot wound to the head after what the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office described as a drug deal gone bad. He was found face down in the parking lot of an apartment complex behind Vannoy’s Tires.
He succumbed to his wound shortly after arrival at Sacred Heart Hospital.
Jordan will be arraigned on February 16 before Circuit Judge Gary Bergosh.
Liquor In Grocery Stores, Stand Your Ground Bills Moving In Senate
February 10, 2017
Controversial proposals that would allow liquor to be sold in grocery stores and shift the burden of proof in “stand your ground” self-defense cases were set up Thursday to be among the first items the Senate could approve when the annual legislative session begins next month.
The Rules Committee voted 7-4 for a proposal (SB 106) 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.”
The committee then, in an 8-2 vote, supported a National Rifle Association-backed measure (SB 128) that would place the burden of proof on prosecutors during pre-trial hearings in “stand your ground” cases.
“If you are the government and you don’t have sufficient evidence in front of a judge to convince a judge to move forward to trial, then you aren’t going to win the trial,” said Sen. Rob Bradley, a Fleming Island Republican who is sponsoring the “stand your ground” bill.
The proposal stems from a Florida Supreme Court ruling in 2015 that said defendants have the burden of proof to show they should be shielded from prosecution under the “stand your ground” law. In “stand your ground” cases, pre-trial evidentiary hearings are held to determine whether defendants should be immune from prosecution.
Opponents maintain the measure would put an end to cases before all the facts are revealed and contend that the “stand your ground” law has disproportionate effects, as it is used more successfully as a defense when white shooters kill African-Americans.
Sen. Perry Thurston, a Fort Lauderdale Democrat who is an attorney, said that while he’s argued self-defense in court, the proposed change is unnecessary, fails to address needed criminal-justice reforms and will “open a floodgate of litigation.”
“If you pass it, I’ll use it, my colleagues will use it, they’ll clog up the court, the state will be put to an undue burden on these type of cases,” Thurston said. “It will happen. If an attorney doesn’t do it, he will be charged with a failure to practice.”
Bradley’s proposal, which has the support of the Florida Public Defender Association, was approved by the Senate in a 24-12 vote last year, but failed to advance through the House.
The annual legislative session starts March 7, and Senate and House committees are moving forward with bills in preparation. The “stand your ground” and liquor bills had earlier cleared other committees and are now positioned to go to the full Senate.
The liquor-wall measure, which has failed to advance in past sessions, pits retailers Wal-Mart and Target, both in favor of repealing the Depression-era law, against supermarket giant Publix and liquor-store chain ABC Fine Wine & Spirits.
Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater Republican, said he opposes the measure as it would allow 16-years-olds who work in grocery stores to have access to liquor. He said he’s never heard anyone complain “about a lack of access to alcoholic beverages.”
“We’ve had a process set up that nobody cares about, except a couple of large international corporations who want to get into that business in Florida in their stores,” Latvala said.
Sen. Wilton Simpson, a Trilby Republican who also voted against the bill, withdrew an amendment — after NRA lobbyist Marion Hammer objected — that would have allowed counties to ask voters if businesses that sell firearms and ammunition should be prohibited from also selling liquor.
“The box stores are the only place in a lot of these rural areas where residents can buy guns and ammunition,” Hammer told the committee. “If you give the ability to a box store, that is profit oriented, to decide whether or not to give up guns, so that they can sell hard liquor in those stores, I’m afraid that’s going to be to the detriment of people who want to exercise their constitutional right to keep and bear arms. Because these box stores are going to opt for the profit margin every time.”
The committee rejected a proposal by Latvala that would have required county governments to further allow the “wall to come down.”
“Different parts of our state have different mores,” Latvala said. “Some places in Florida you still can’t buy alcohol on a Sunday.”
The committee, however, approved an amendment that would require small bottles, 6.8 ounces or less, to be displayed only behind the counter.
Despite intense media and lobbying attention on the liquor bill, sponsor Anitere Flores, R-Miami, acknowledged the proposal isn’t among the “top 10 or top 100,” issues facing the Legislature.
“I look forward to the passage of this bill and not having to deal a whole lot more with this issue once it passes the Senate,” Flores said.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Tate Aggie JV Wrestlers Place In District Tournament
February 10, 2017
Tate High School’s Junior Varsity Wrestling team participated in District 1-2A Junior Varsity District Tournament on Monday.
Lee Pedicord — 106 lbs, 3rd place
Bryston Hudson — 113 lbs, 2nd place
Trevin Penn — 120 lbs, 2nd place
Elijah Harigel — 132 lbs, 3rd place
Isaiah Jowers — 170 lbs, 1st place
Dylan Behrends — 182 lbs, 4th place
Azaya Purifoy – 182 lbs, 1st place
Purifoy was also named the Outstanding Wrestler in the heavyweight class.
Pictured are: (front, L-R) Jonathan Stier, Isaiah Jowers, Lee Pedicord, Elijah Harigel, Trevin Penn, Bryston Hudson, (back) Wade Jack, Michael Ludwig, Azaya Purifoy and Dylan Behrends. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wild Game Supper, ‘Live’ Art Saturday In Molino
February 10, 2017
A Wild Game Dinner and Fish Fry will be held Saturday evening at Highland Baptist Church in Molino, with guest speaker Tim Bertram, a creative arts pastor.
Doors open at 4:30 p.m. with the meal at 5:00 p.m. The meal is free with a suggested donation of $5 at the door. The meal will include a variety of venison dishes (spaghetti, back strap, sausage), fried fish, baked beans, fried fish, baked beans, cole slaw, dessert, coffee, tea and water.
Bertram is creative arts pastor for God’s Graffiti Ministry. While creating a work of “live” work of art, he shares the Gospel. Bertram will also be guest speaker during a Men’s Breakfast at 7 a.m. Sunday and during the morning service at 10:45 a.m. Sunday at Highland Baptist, 6240 Highway 95A North in Molino. For more information, call (850) 587-5174.
House Makes Plan For Deepwater Horizon Money For Escambia, Other Counties
February 10, 2017
Northwest Florida projects eyed to receive settlement money from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill would require gubernatorial and legislative approval, under a measure proposed by a House committee.
The House Select Committee on Triumph Gulf Coast started to review a proposal Thursday that also would create an administrative framework for Triumph Gulf Coast Inc., a non-profit organization within the Department of Economic Opportunity created to direct money to eight counties for economic recovery projects, tourism efforts, educational grants and infrastructure projects.
The House committee, comprised of Republican lawmakers from Northwest Florida, was created to ensure settlement payments are distributed to the eight Panhandle counties —Bay, Escambia, Franklin, Gulf, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Wakulla and Walton — most impacted by the disaster, as required by a 2013 state law.
Under the House proposal, $1 million would be designated to set up the non-profit overseen by a five-member board — currently three are from Okaloosa County and one each from Escambia and Bay counties.
Trumbull said the board may be expanded to broaden the representation across the Panhandle.
“I don’t want to make the board so big,” Trumbull said. “To add two people, to make it seven, and get some eastern representation, I think there is an appetite for that.”
The board will also get to select an administrator for the non-profit at a salary up to $130,000 a year.
Florida is in line to eventually receive up to $2 billion from the $4.9 billion that is expected to be paid by BP to resolve Gulf Coast economic claims arising from the Deepwater Horizon disaster.
The state received $400 million last year and is expected to get $106.7 million a year from 2019 through 2033. Seventy-five percent of the money is to go to the eight Panhandle counties and the remaining 25 percent is to be divided among 15 other Gulf Coast counties impacted by the 2010 disaster.
The House proposal setting up the framework for Triumph Gulf Coast to direct the money would go deeper than a Senate bill (SB 364) introduced last month. That bill would primarily require that the non-profit receive an initial payment of $300 million —- out of the $400 million Florida has received — by August along with the same percentage of subsequent payments.
“I think we’re along the same view,” said House committee Chairman Jay Trumbull, R-Panama City. “It’s getting the money to the Panhandle and putting guardrails in place.”
A bill based on the proposal is expected to return before the committee in two weeks, he said.
A concern expressed by members of the House committee on Thursday is that some projects could be slowed by requiring the non-profit to submit an annual spending plan that requires the governor’s support and approval from the Joint Legislative Budget Commission.
Trumbull said projects recommended by the non-profit wouldn’t have to wait for the annual spending report to go through the state review.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Man Surrenders As SWAT Team Responds To His Century Home
February 9, 2017
As the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team finished their deployment Tuesday afternoon in the search for fugitives William Boyette and Mary Rice, they were almost immediately deployed toward a domestic violence situation in Century.
Samuel Oscar Macks, 53, was charged with felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, battery and improper exhibition of a firearm. He was released from the Escambia County Jail Wednesday night on a $20,000 bond.
Deputes were called to a disturbance involving a potentially armed man inside a home on Elsie Davis Road. As deputies arrived, they were met in the driveway by a relative of the suspect who advised Macks was “going crazy” and that he had threatened to shoot any law enforcement that came onto his property. The relative also warned Macks was armed with a .22 caliber pistol and there were other weapons in the house, including hunting rifles and shotguns.
The deputy backed away to a more secure location to await backup, and the decision was made to call the SWAT team to the home.
Deputies made several unsuccessful attempts to call Macks; however, an arrest report indicates that he is hard of hearing and may not have heard the phone. About 25 minutes later, Macks walked out of his home with his hands up and surrendered without further incident. The SWAT team response was canceled.
Family members told deputies that Macks had become enraged during a family argument over a phone. He waved a pistol around and threatened family members with a claw hammer, and grabbed one family member by the throat, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report. Family members stated that while he waived the pistol around without regard for others, Macks did not point it directly at anyone.