Molino VFD, Forestry Respond to Seely Road Brush Fire
February 4, 2008
The Molino Volunteer Fire Department and the Florida Division of Forestry responded to a small brush fire off Seely Road north of Molino Monday afternoon.
Firefighters were called to the approximately one acre fire just after 3:00. Forestry assisted with a bulldozer due to the remote location of the fire. Firefighters found a downed power line in the area; it is was not immediately clear if the downed line sparked the blaze.
Seely Road is located off Highway 97, just south of the Dogwood Park Baptist Church.
District 5 Commission Candidate Launches Website
February 4, 2008
Chris Washler, Republican candidate for the District 5 seat on the Escambia County Commission, officially launched his campaign website this week.
VoteWashler.com provides residents in North Escambia with the means to learn about Washler’s background and his position on the issues, according to his campaign manager, Judy Fehl.
“It is also a tool for voters to get involved in the campaign, whether signing petition cards, contributing to the campaign or just requesting a yard sign,” Fehl said. The site also includes a blog that Washler plans to use to stay in contact with the voters in District 5.
For more information, contact the campaign at campaign@votewashler.com or his campaign manager, Judy Fehl at 393-6205.
Flood Warning Canceled For Escambia River
February 4, 2008
The National Weather Service canceled a flood warning for the Escambia River near Century. At 8:00 Monday night, the river was at 16.8 feet and falling. Flood stage is 17.0 feet.
The river is forecast continue to fall Monday night into Tuesday. At 17 feet, considerable flooding of lowlands can occur.
County Continues Lawsuit Against Allied Waste
February 4, 2008
The impasse between Escambia County and Allied Waste continues, with both sides unable reach an agreement on what the county claims is over a million dollars in unpaid fees.
The county filed a $1.3 million lawsuit on November 16 of last year against Allied over commercial tipping fees, a charge per ton for waste dumped at the county’s Perdido landfill.
The county recently passed an ordinance requiring Allied and other garbage haulers in the county to dump at the Perdido Landfill and pay tipping fees. The county says Allied dumped commercial trash outside the county, but still owes the fees.
Back on November 1, the county gave Allied 15 days to pay up, prove they did not owe the fees or end up in court. Those 15 days passed with the county filing suit. The suit did not move forward in the courts right away while the county and Allied continued negotiations.
But now the suit will continue, with the county adjusting the amount claimed to $1.1 million total for 2005 and 2006.
“For the period Jan. 1, 2005, to Jan. 29, 2008, Allied has delivered more solid waste to the Perdido Landfill than it was required to deliver under the terms of the Franchise Agreement,” Allied Waste said in a written statement. “Allied Waste will continue to honor its obligations under this contract and expects Escambia County to do the same.”
Allied Waste provides commercial service across the county, as well as residential service across North Escambia from 10 Mile Road north to the Alabama line.
The Town of Century contracts waste pickup in the town from Allied. The town bills residents for Allied’s pickups. Recent changes will have Allied directly billing the town’s businesses for commercial waste pickup.
New Time For Century Council Tonight
February 4, 2008
The Century Town Council will meet at 7:00 tonight, an hour later than usual. At the last town council meeting, the town moved all council meetings to 7:00 on the first and third Monday nights of the month.
Meetings had previously been held at 6:00. The change was made to make it easier for people who are employed to attend meetings.
The council meets at the Century Town Hall at 7995 North Century Boulevard. Meetings are open to the public.
Blog: Go Home Truck
February 3, 2008
“I rejoice knowing that Drew is the arms of Jesus this morning.”
Those are the words that Hank from Molino wrote on our memorial message board about 2-year-old Drew Marlow.
” I rejoice knowing that Drew is the arms of Jesus this morning.”
Drew and his father Danny died instantly in a two vehicle accident on Highway 97 Monday. Joyce McGahan died a few hours later at a Pensacola hospital. Those are the facts we all know by now about the accident that has shaken communities from Walnut Hill to Molino to Cantonment and beyond.
“I just can’t imagine losing my child and my husband and trying to understand why,” someone from Walnut Hill wrote in. I can’t tell you why it happened, beyond the fact that God has a plan. We may not alway agree with that plan, nor can we understand it all time.
I’m not going to try to provide any answers; I can’t. But I’m going to share a thought with you.
I drove past the accident site Tuesday afternoon, pretty close to 24 hours after the crash. A song by the contemporary Christian group “Casting Crowns” was playing in the car.
“Jesus, You know just how far the east is from the west…In the arms of Your mercy I find rest ’cause You know just how far the east is from the west.” That’s the chorus of that song.
There along that straight stretch of Highway 97, many of you have enjoyed many a splendid sunrise as you drove by and looked to the east across the wide open fields. Many of you have driven that same stretch of Highway 97 in the late afternoons and enjoyed a spectacular sunset to the west. It’s probably one of the best places along all of Highway 97 to enjoy both the sunrise and the sunset. But just how far is it from the east to the west? It’s just one of those things about God’s world we can’t comprehend.
Drew understands. He knows. He has sat with the maker of the universe, the maker of the east and the west.
Many tears have been shed across the area this week for all three victims. People, myself included, that never knew Drew have been deeply touched by that little boy. He’s brought our communities together, and he has glorified the name of our Lord Jesus.
No preacher in the area will reach as many people this week as 2-year-old Drew did in the local media.
How you say? Read the Memorial Message Board that we started Tuesday. That’s just a small sampling of the overwhelming number of comments were received. But you’ll notice one common thread…Jesus. Most of the comments talk about God, Jesus, heaven and prayer.
Look at the front page of this past Wednesday’s Atmore Advance. Scripture is quoted from the Bible in an article by Publisher Adam Prestidge. Look at the editorial by Ryan Carter in this week’s Atmore News, or read it online here. In this week’s Tri-City Ledger, Janet Little Cooper explains what the Bible says about death.
Hundreds, thousands of souls have been touched by Drew. He’s touched lives in unimaginable ways this week. He has caused all of us to remember just how fragile our lives are, and caused many to exam their relationship with the Lord. He’s caused people to talk openly about life, death and eternity. Perhaps by losing his life, he’s caused many more to be saved.
I spent a lot of time this week reading your comments about Danny, Drew and Joyce. Not just the ones you read on the site. There were many more where someone just wanted to express a thought, but they just did not want to share it publicly. I know many of you have cried as you wrote your memorials, and the rest of us have cried right along with you as we read them.
But there was one that just tore me up. You see, I’m one of those people that when I read, I visualize things in my head. I never knew Drew. But I pictured this cute little boy, an innocent face, a sweet smile, a simple young child’s voice when I read this comment from Walnut Hill:
“My sweet Drew, I will miss you like crazy. I am so happy to have had the day to spend with you last week. I will forever treasure it. You will always be in my heart. If I could only hear you say “Go home truck?” again.”
Go home truck. Imagine a little boy saying that, wanting to do one of his favorite things and ride home in the truck.
Go home truck. Go home truck.
Drew did go home truck Monday afternoon. Home to the streets of gold to touch the face of God.
“I rejoice knowing that Drew is the arms of Jesus this morning.”
–William
Colmus Family Was In Concert Sunday In Molino
February 3, 2008
The Colmus Family was at Aldersgate Methodist Church in Molino Sunday morning. The Colmus Family is a Christian Country band from Michigan and Kentucky, according to their website.
Their music is described as “country with a Jesus kick”, not Southern gospel and not bluegrass. They have toured since 1983 with their own brand of Christian country music.
The Colmus Family is made up of Edith Colmus Hunt , Dick Hunt and Todd Hunt. Edith plays piano and guitar, and she sings lead and harmony vocals. Dick plays bass and sings lead vocals, and Todd plays lead guitar, mandolin and dobro, and sings lead and harmony vocals.
Their latest CD, “Washed Clean”, is currently receiving airplay across the U.S. and around the world. Their “Bible Stories” CD features two original songs…the title track and “He Didn’t Have to Do It”. They have released several other CD’s that feature old time gospel favorites and original songs.
Aldersgate Methodist Church is located at 6915 Highway 29 North in Molino, just south of the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97.
For more information on the Colmus Family, visit www.colmusfamily.com
Rev. Fil Enfinger Retires After 38 Years In Ministry
February 3, 2008
The retiring Rev. Fil Enfinger and his wife Mary were honored with a reception Saturday at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church in Bogia. Enfinger has been in the ministry for 38 years.
He first spent three years and eight months at Ray’s Chapel, beginning in 1970. Then he pastored Cottage Hill Baptist Church for 24 years. Then he returned to Ray’s Chapel doing “pulpit supply”–just filling in on a temporary basis. He’s been back at Ray’s Chapel for 10 years.
“I love to preach,” Rev. Enfinger told NorthEscambia.com Saturday afternoon, surrounded by church members, family and friends. “It’s been a good ministry.”
“There have been a lot of baptisms over the years. The Lord has truly blessed,” Rev. Enfinger said.
When asked about the funniest thing that ever happened during the 38 years, he started to tell a story. But his wife Mary interrupted with a “you can’t tell that one” kind of look. So we got the Kleenex wedding story instead.
“I was doing this wedding one time with a young couple. Just as they played the song for me to go out, I got this bad nose bleed,” he said. Acting quickly, he grabbed Kleenex and stuffed them into his nose to stop the bleed. “I did this entire wedding with the Kleenex hanging out of my nose.”
The Rev. and Mrs. Enfinger were honored with a reception and video slide show Saturday afternoon at Ray’s Chapel.
And the best part of the 38 years? “Getting to serve the Lord,” Rev. Enfinger said. “It’s all about Him.”
Click here for a complete photo gallery from Saturday’s reception Rev. Phil and Mary Enfinger at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church.
Sunny And A High Of 80 Monday And Tuesday
February 3, 2008
Monday is forecast to be sunny with an afternoon high of 80. The low Monday night is expected to be 58. A 20 percent chance of rain is back in the forecast Tuesday with a high once again of 80.
A cold front sweeps past Tuesday night and Wednesday with rain, then daytime highs return to the 60’s and overnight lows to the 30’s.
Pictures above and below: It looks like spring around NorthEscambia.com with our amaryllis in full bloom here in the office. We just had to share them with you; we hope you enjoy them as much as we have.
Burn Awareness Week Begins Sunday In Escambia County
February 3, 2008
February 3-9 is Burn Awareness Week in Escambia County. This year’s campaign theme is “Preventing Gasoline Burns.” Escambia County Fire Rescue would like remind all Escambia County residents that most gasoline injuries are avoidable through proper use and storage.
Please remember the following tips when using, handling, and storing gasoline:
DOs
• Use gasoline only to fill the gasoline tank of a car, motorcycle, lawn mower, etc.
• Watch for any source of heat that can ignite gasoline vapors such as sparks or flames, even if it is located many feet away.
• Handle gasoline responsibly at all time and for kids, only under adult supervision.
• Add gasoline only after an engine has completely cooled, an engine that is still warm can ignite gasoline vapors.
• Store gasoline only in an approved gasoline container
• Store gasoline in a well-ventilated outside storage area that is not attached to your home, such as a shed or garage, preferably in a locked cabinet. Be sure there are not ignition sources nearby.
• Make sure gasoline containers are out reach of children
• Keep only the minimum amount of gasoline required (generally, no more than a gallon).
DON’Ts
• Don’t use gasoline anywhere near a barbeque grill.
• Don’t use gasoline to light a barbeque grill or to start or accelerate any kind of fire.
• Don’t use gasoline as a cleaning fluid or solvent.
• Don’t experiment with gasoline in any way. A few minutes of experimentation could result in a lifetime of painful surgeries, disfiguring scars, or even death.
• Don’t sniff or huff gasoline; it can cause brain damage or death.
• Don’t allow children to touch gasoline or a gasoline container, even under supervision
• Don’t handle gasoline near a flame source, such as matches, lighters and pilot lights on stoves and water heaters.
• Don’t use gasoline indoors.
• Don’t siphon gasoline by mouth, as it is harmful or fatal if swallowed.
• Don’t induce vomiting if gasoline is swallowed. Instead seek medical attention.
• Don’t store gasoline in a glass jar, milk jug or any other non-approved container.
• Don’t store gasoline near a source of heat or sparks, such as a hot water heater, furnace, clothes dryer or any appliance that uses a pilot light.
• Don’t keep gasoline anywhere inside a home or vehicle.
Escambia County Fire Rescue encourages everyone to follow these safety tips. For additional information, please visit the following website: www.burnawarenessweek.org.