Tuesday Is Deadline To Report Wheat, Oats Acreage
April 14, 2008
Tuesday is the deadline for producers in North Escambia to repor their 2008 wheat and oats acreage to the FSA office.
When reporting, producers must be prepared to providing planting dates. Crops and acreage should be reported if it is to be harvested either for grain, hay or grazing.
If the crop was planted as winter cover and will be destroyed, the acreage does not need to be reported.
The FSA Office is in the Farm Bureau building, located at 151 Hwy 97 in Molino. For more information, call 587-5345, ext. 2.
McDavid VFD Honored At Church Appreciation Day
April 14, 2008
The McDavid Volunteer Fire Department was honored Sunday for over 25 years of service to McDavid and surrounding communities.
Most of the department’s 18 members were on hand Sunday morning at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church in Bogia as the church devoted much of their morning worship service to recognizing “Station 9″. The event was Ray’s Chapel’s first ever service honoring the local volunteer fire department.
Prior to the formation of the McDavid VFD, calls in the McDavid area were answered by the Century Volunteer Fire Department.
“This started out with an idea to give more to the folks in McDavid,” Elton Gilmore (pictured left) of the McDavid VFD told the packed church. “Many of you and many of the volunteers gave of their time, themselves and sometimes gave by risking their lives for this department.”
“It’s a real pleasure to work with these guys,” Escambia County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. David Preston said during the service.
“When I’m called to duty God, wherever flames may rage, give me strength to save a life,” Preston read from The FireFighter’s Creed. “I want to fill my calling and to give the best in me to guard my neighbor and protect his property. And if according to Your will I have to lose my life bless with Your protecting hand my children and my wife.”
“I appreciate them, and I appreciate them being there,” he said of the working relationship in North Escambia between the volunteer fire departments and the sheriff’s department. Often the job is hard, but the McDavid VFD is always there, he said.
“When there’s a fire, a death, a MVA (motor vehicle accident), a family that has just lost everything in a fire, there’s rarely emotion right then,” Preston (pictured left) said. “You are trained to react, and you do it.”
“Sometimes it’s really personal when something happens,” he said. “They have to work it; they have to clean it up. Then they have to go home and think about it.”
“We are gratefull to help out community out where we can,” McDavid VFD chief Eric Gilmore told the church during. “We have been to a lot of these recognition ceremonies, but it really means much more coming from our community.”
Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church’s RA (Royal Ambassadors) children’s group presented the firemen with handmade cards of appreciation.
“When my mom had a seizure, you were there,” one young man said in his card. “Thank you for helping.”
The children in the church also present small gifts to each fire department member that was present.
“Lord, we thank You for the McDavid Volunteer Fire Department. We thank You for the service they provide for the community ” recently retired Ray’s Chapel Pastor Fil Enfinger prayed at the close of the service. “Lord, we pray that You would keep them safe. Lord we pray that You would keep them secure.”
The McDavid Volunteer Fire Department was incorporated in 1982 with a 1962 firetruck on loan from the Florida Division of Forestry. They purchased a1948 Ford firetruck in 1983. The station was constructed on land purchased from what was then St. Regis Paper Company in 1984. Many more modern trucks and pieces of equipment were purchased over the years.
The department has nine certified firefighters, with one in training. The department has seven certified first responders and one EMT.
The McDavid VFD answered 237 calls last year, ranging from fires, to motor vehicle accidents to one call for an activated fire alarm.
Pictured above: Mark Digmon from Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church presents a certificate of appreciation to McDavid Volunteer Fire Department Chief Eric Gilmore Sunday morning.
The members of the McDavid Volunteer Fire Department are: Eric Gilmore, Elton Gilmore, Kenny Malone, Phyllis Malone, Ben Gilmore, Chris Kinley, Michelle Kinley, Larry Kinley, Matt Carter, Matt Gilmore, William Sheffield, Wayne Godwin, Galen Goetter, Morgan Goetter, Eddie Gunter, Chris Hawkins, Dorothy Gunter, Alec Estes and Adam Estes.
Highway 97 Wreck Leaves Homes In The Dark Sunday Night
April 13, 2008
A one vehicle accident on Highway 97 plunged several homes into darkness just south of Walnut Hill Sunday night.
The driver of a northbound Pontiac Grand Am lost control in a curve just about a half mile north of Howell Road about 9:30 Sunday night. She skidded across Highway 97 before flipping the vehicle and striking a power pole on the opposite side of the highway. The Grand Am landed upside down, and power lines landed in the southbound lanes of Highway 97.
The 17 year old driver was not seriously injured according to the Florida Highway Patrol. She was out of the vehicle when the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department arrived on the scene. Troopers say she was transported to the hospital to be evaluated. Her identity was not released due to her age.
Highway 97 was closed for a short time while crews from Escambia River Electric Cooperative worked to string power lines across Highway 97. Power was restored just after 11:00 p.m., about an hour and a half after the crash.
Pictured above and below: The driver of this Pontiac Grand Am was not seriously injured in a Sunday night crash that left many along Highway 97 without power. Pictured bottom: An EREC crew member works to restore power Sunday night. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
The Renaissance Fair Held Saturday At Northview High School
April 13, 2008
The English Department at Northview High School held “The Renaissance Fair” at the school on Saturday afternoon.
“The fair featured many activities, including jousting at the dreaded Barbarian Pit, trips to the daunting gallows, music and more.
The senior class also performed William Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew” during the event.
For a complete photo gallery from the event, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, with additional submitted photos by Perry Byars.
Miss Century Sawmill Crowned
April 13, 2008
Jillian Hegyi (pictured above) was crowned the Overall 2008 Century Sawmill Queen in the 17th Annual Century Sawmill Pageant Saturday afternoon. The pageant was sponsored by the Century Lions Club.
For a complete photo gallery of all of the winners, click here.
Ray’s Chapel To Honor McDavid VFD
April 13, 2008
Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church would will hold their first ever McDavid Volunteer Fire Department Appreciation Day this morning during their 11:00 worship service. VFD history and accomplishments will be chronicled, individual volunteers recognized, presentations made, and lunch will be provided for all after the morning service.
Play Ball! Opening Day For Northwest Escambia & Molino; With Photo Galleries
April 13, 2008
Opening day ceremonies for the Molino Recreation Association at Don Sutton Park in Molino and at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill for the Northwest Escambia League were held Saturday.
For a complete photo gallery from opening day in Walnut Hill, click here.
Opening ceremonies were held Friday evening in Century. Click here for that story and a photo gallery.
If you child plays balll at Molino, Century or Walnut Hill? NorthEscambia.com would love to have your photos, stats and scores. Just email news@northescambia.com with your information.
Pictured above: A game on opening day for the Northwest Escambia League in Walnut Hill. Pictured below: An opening day game for the Molino Recreation Association. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos.
Century Library Holds Book Sale
April 12, 2008
The Century Branch Library held a book sale Saturday. All proceeds will go to benefit the library on North Century Boulevard.
Three Young People Killed In Friday Night Century Crash, Two Others Injured
April 12, 2008
Three people, two teens and one young adult, died as a result of an two vehicle accident in Century Friday night.
Michael Joe Edwards, 17, of Brewton was driving north on Jefferson Avenue when he failed to stop at a stop sign, driving across Highway 4 into the eastbound path of a 2008 Ford truck driven by William H. Arnett, 43, of Holt. Arnett’s truck struck the left side of Edward’s truck, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The FHP says Edwards was pronounced dead at the scene. Edward’s passenger Daniel A. Smith, 16, of Jay was also pronounced dead at the scene. A second passenger, Jessica L. Smith, 20, of Jay was later pronounced dead at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. The third passenger in the vehicle, Jacob Castleberry, 17, of Jay was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital where he was listed in critical condition. The Smiths were reportedly brother and sister.
Arnett was not injured, according to the FHP. His passenger, Glinda M. Arnett, 30, of Baker was listed in serious condition at Sacred Heart Hospital.
None of the six people involved in the accident were wearing seatbelts, the FHP says. Alcohol was not a factor with Arnett in the crash, and whether or not alcohol was a factor with Edwards is still under investigation, according to the highway patrol.
The accident happened about 10:30 Friday night at the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Highway 4.
Witnesses reported hearing a loud crash and finding Edward’s car on fire in the middle of Highway 4 when they ran to the scene to see what happened. They reported trying to put the fire out, but they said they were unsuccessful until firemen arrived on the scene.
Arnett’s pickup truck involved in the crash came to rest in the ditch on the north side of the highway.
The accident is still under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. There were no charges filed.
The Century Volunteer Fire Department, the McDavid Volunteer Fire Department and the Flomaton Fire Department responded to the scene.
Highway 4 at Jefferson Avenue remained closed for several hours Friday night and early Saturday morning.
Pictured above and bottom: Three people were killed in this car Friday night in Century. Pictured below: Two people in this pickup truck were injured in Friday night’s wreck in Century. Editor’s note: The white sheet in the photographs is simply lying on a portion of the vehicle.
Photo Gallery From Molino Girls Softball Preseason Games
April 12, 2008
In Molino, there are two 16u teams, the Cats and the Jags. As of April 5, the Jags were undefeated after downing Bellview 17-3, making them 6-0 on the year. They are led by pitcher and catcher Ronnie R. and Mariena H.The Cats who are led by pitcher Samantha and Kayla N. were 3-3 after their April 5 game.
If you child plays balll at Molino, Century or Walnut Hill? NorthEscambia.com would love to have your photos, stats and scores. Just email news@northescambia.com with your information.
For a photo gallery from the first few games of the year from the Molino 16u teams, click here.
Molino 16u softball photos submitted by Deni Deron.