Fourth Holiday Closings
July 4, 2008
All city, county, state and federal offices are closed today for the Fourth of July holiday.
There will be no ECAT buses running, except for beach trolleys. All libraries area closed, and there is no mail today.
Allied Waste customers both in the rural areas of North Escambia and the Town of Century will have trash pickup today as usual, according to Allied’s customer service.
Many Alabama Fireworks Illegal In Florida, Other Safety Tips
July 4, 2008
In order to make this Fourth of July a safe holiday for all, Escambia County Fire Rescue offers the following safety tips:
• Observe local laws.
• The best way to enjoy fireworks is to visit public fireworks displays put on by professionals who know how to safely handle fireworks.
• Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
• Parents should pay special attention to older children using sparklers and remember that sparklers can easily ignite clothing. Children should not touch the lit portion of sparklers, throw them or play games with them. Sparklers can be dangerous, if used improperly.
• Read and follow all warnings and instructions.
• Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks. Never shoot a firework at or near another person.
• Only light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from the house, dry leaves, and flammable materials.
• Never try to relight fireworks that have not fully functioned. Douse and soak them for at least 15 minutes with water and throw them away.
• Keep a bucket of water handy in case of a malfunction or fire.
• Never ignite fireworks in a container, especially a glass or metal container.
• Keep unused fireworks away from firing areas.
• Store fireworks in a dry, cool place. Check instructions for special storage directions.
• Never have any portion of your body directly over a firework while lighting.
• Don’t experiment with homemade fireworks.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, in 2005, fireworks caused an estimated 1,800 structure fires and 700 vehicle fires. In 2006, an estimated 9,200 people were treated for firework related injuries, with 49 percent of the injuries were to the extremities and 46 percent to the head.
For a complete list of all approved consumer fireworks by the state fire marshal visit http://fldfs.com/sfm/pdf/Sparklers2007.pdf.
For additional information, please contact Escambia County Fire Rescue at 475-5530.
Pictured above: Many people in North Escambia purchase fireworks at stands in Alabama, like this one in Flomaton. Many of the fireworks availabe at fireworks retailers in Alabama are actually illegal in Florida. NorthEscambia.com photo.
ECUA Member Larry Walker Wants To Give Allied Waste The Boot
July 4, 2008
Emerald Coast Utilities Authority District 5 member Larry Walker said Thursday night that he wants to see Allied Waste loose its waste franchise in North Escambia.
Walker told the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club that he wants to see the ECUA take over residential waste service north of 10 mile road when Allied’s franchise agreement with ECUA expires in early 2010.
“I am going to everything I can do to get the Allied franchise terminated in March 2010,” he said. Walker said ECUA would be able to provide more reliable waste service in North Escambia at the sam he would “continue to work hard as the District 5 representative”.
While it will not serve North Escambia, Walker said a crowning achievement of ECUA is the new wastewater treatment plant under construction near Solutia. It replaces the downtown wastewater treatment plant that flooded during Hurricane Ivan. It is expected to be online before the 2010 hurricane season.
“The economy of the area could be decimated if the downtown plant was wiped out by a hurricane,” Walker said.
Pictured above: ECUA District 5 board member Larry Walker speaks to the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club Thursday night.
The Pearls Of The Pacific Perform At Century Care Center
July 4, 2008
The Polynesian dance group the Pearls of the Pacific brought their show to the Century Care Center Thursday afternoon.
From “Tiny Bubbles” to a selection from “Lilo and Stitch”, the girls performed traditional and interpretive hula dances. Several audience members also joined in on stage, trying their hand at the hula.
Pictured above: The Pearls of the Pacific at the Century Care Center Thursday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
A North Escambia Fourth: Fireworks, Music, Picnics And More Scheduled
July 4, 2008
There are no organized fireworks displays this year in North Escambia, but there are three within a reasonable driving distance In addition, people in North Escambia will celebrate the Fourth of July with a community picnic and a night of music.
And in Century, the town will dedicate a new Veterans Wall of Honor.
There will be fireworks shows at 9:00 Friday night in Jay, Poarch, Alabama, and Pensacola. Flomaton will not be holding their annual show this year.
Details on each event are below:
Jay Fireworks
Jay will celebrate the Fourth will a day filled with family fun activities. A softball tournament will begin at 8:00 a.m., and 5K run will be held at 6:00 p.m. There will also be a tennis tournament.
Entertainment will begin at the Bray-Hendricks Park pavilion at 4:00. Vendors will be in the park beginning at noon with food, beverages, arts, crafts, t-shirts and more.
The Jay fireworks show will begin at 9:00. Admission and parking are free.
Poarch Fireworks
The Poarch Creek Indians will hold their annual July 4 fireworks show Friday night on their reservation north of Atmore.
The program will be shorter than in previous years, but it still promises to be a great celebration.
The evening begins at 8:00 p.m. with a welcome from the Tribal Council Vice Chairman Stephanie Bryan, followed by the singing of the National Anthem. A salute to the veterans is next on the program, then a short musical presentation, “This Is My America,” by the Community Choir which is comprised of choirs from several area churches.
The fireworks display begins at 9 p.m.
Pensacola Fireworks
Sertoma’s 19th annual Fourth of July Celebration in downtown Pensacola will begin at 11:00 Friday morning. There will be a free children’s activity area, live entertainment, arts, crafts, food vendors and more.
The Iguanas will be in concert at 6:30. The huge fireworks show will take place at 9:00. Bring your radio…the show will be synchronized to music broadcast on Cat Country 98.7. All events are free.
Fourth Of July Molino Picnic
Aldersgate United Methodist Church will celebrate the Fourth of July with a community picnic.
The day’s events being at 11:00 a.m. and continue until 4:00 p.m.
Lunch will be a covered dish lunch at 12:00. There will be a Frisbee competition, egg toss competition, dominoes, sack race, basketball free toss, watermelon seed spitting contest, dominoes, horseshoes, and a “Noah’s Ark Jumper” bounce house for the kids.
All the events are free, and the entire community is invited to attend. The church is located on Highway 29 just south of Highway 97.
Fourth Of July Music Celebration
There were be a taste of Americana Friday night at the Barrineau Park Historical Society and Community Center.
Everyone is invited to attend a night of music featuring “The Chapel Strings” and “Rolling Tide” beginning at 7:00.
The Barrineau Park Historical Society and Community Center is located at 6055 Barrineau Park School Road near Molino.
The event is family entertainment and is free and open to the public.
Food and refreshments will be available from the Barrineau Park Historical Society
Century To Dedicate Honor Wall
The Town of Century will dedicate its new Veterans Wall of Honor at 10:00 a.m. on the Fourth of July.
The new wall will be unveiled during a patriotic service.
The Wall of Honor is located at Roadside Park at Bradley Street and Highway 29, next to the Country Bumpkin.
Pictured above: Fireworks from last year’s Sertoma Fourth of July Celebration in Pensacola. Courtesy photo. The front page photo of Uncle Sam is from his recent appearance at the Century Branch Library. NorthEscambia.com photo.
FHP Stepping Up Patrols For Long Holiday Weekend
July 4, 2008
The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) is stepping up its enforcement operations for the July Fourth holiday weekend.
“The men and women of the Florida Highway Patrol will be teaming up with law enforcement officers across the state to provide the safest possible driving environment for our visitors and residents during the Independence Day holiday driving period,” stated Colonel John T. Czernis, director of the Florida Highway Patrol.
In order to ensure a safe holiday experience for everyone, the Patrol statewide will increase visibility and enforcement efforts until midnight Sunday, July 6. The FHP will target three specific causes of highway fatalities: speeding, impaired driving and failure to use occupant restraints.
“We want the public to understand that drunk driving is no accident. It’s one of Florida’s most often committed crimes that accounts for one-third of all traffic fatalities. If you choose to drink and drive during this Fourth of July holiday period, law enforcement officers will catch and arrest you,” added Colonel Czernis.
This strategy is intended to increase the Patrol’s presence on major roadways throughout Florida in an effort to increase public compliance of traffic laws and to provide enhanced services to motorists who find themselves in need of assistance. In addition, our Auxiliary and Reserve troopers will be volunteering their time to assist regular troopers during the heightened holiday enforcement weekend.
Motorists are reminded to use their cellular phones safely. FHP urges all drivers to call *FHP (*347) to report drunk or aggressive drivers. They can also use this number if their vehicle breaks down or need assistance. Motorists needing immediate emergency services should dial 911.
For real-time traffic and road condition reports, as well as maps and other safety tips, the public is urged to visit the FHP website at www.flhsmv.gov/fhp/. Florida drivers can also call 511 on their cell phone for up-to-the minute updates on traffic congestion, road construction, lane closures, severe weather and travel delays on Interstates and major highways.
The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles encourages anyone with a valid Florida driver license or identification card to go online to www.flhsmv.gov and enter their emergency contact information. This vital information gives law enforcement immediate access to this information in cases of an emergency, which makes it easier for them to contact a family member or friend.
Sheriff Ron McNesby Campaigns In Walnut Hill
July 4, 2008
Escambia Sheriff Ron McNesby brought his campaign message to Walnut Hill Thursday night, talking budgets, crime and more.
“If I stood up here and told you what I am going to do the next four years, you would have to ask me what I did the past eight years,” McNesby told the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club.
The sheriff said he was proud of the job he had done as the county’s top law enforcement officer and that he was especially proud that there more deputies than ever on the county’s roads.
“We not increased our budget in two years,’ he said. “We have actually decreased about two million by cutting 83 funded positions.”
“But we have not laid off any deputies or detention deputies, and we won’t do that,” he said.
One the sheriff’s department biggest budget challenges has been the rising cost of fuel in a department that uses about 45,000 gallons a month, McNesby said. “It’s hard to budget for that.”
On crime, the sheriff said crime in Escambia County has increased less than one percent in recent years, while nationwide statistics have soared.
The recent Florida Taxwatch study on Escambia County government reported that the sheriff’s budget is 52 percent of the overall county budget, but that report notes “but it must be mentioned that this is not unique to Escambia County.” (Click here for the NorthEscambia.com story on the Florida Taxwatch report and a link to the report.)
After the report, there was a call for a more in-depth look at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department budget. But McNesby pointed out that his budget had increased just 17.93 percent from the report period of 2001 to 2006. The report says that the Board of County Commissioners’ budget increased 68.13 percent during the same period and increases for most other constitutional officers in the county were also in the 32 to 48 percent range.
“The sheriff that needs to be looked at has increased just 17.9 percent, or about three percent per year,” McNesby told the Ruritan members.
Several of McNesby’s opponents have criticized the expense of helicopters used by the department.
But the sheriff defended the value of the helicopters, citing a recent case where the helicopter was used to locate a missing Alzheimer’s patient and a case where it was used to locate another missing teen.
“His family is with him today because of the helicopter,” McNesby said of the Alzheimer’s patient. “And ask the mom of that boy if it is worth it.”
Pictured above: Escambia Sheriff Ron McNesby addressed the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club Thursday night. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photo, click to enlarge.
Gas Soars Past $4 Gallon In North Escambia Just In Time For Holiday Travel
July 3, 2008
Gas soared to a new all time record high Wednesday in North Escambia, passing the $4 mark for the first time.
A gallon of regular unleaded jumped six cents to $4.05 Wednesday afternoon at a station on Highway 97 in Davisville, just in time for the Fourth of July weekend travel period.
A new poll shows that about one third of Americans are curtailing their travel plans for the Fourth because of high fuel prices.
According to a CNN/Opinion Research poll, 31 percent of Americans have canceled or shortened their planned holiday weekend vacation because of the recent increases in gas prices.
For the first time this decade, AAA estimates a decline in the number of Americans traveling during the Fourth of July holiday travel period.
AAA still projects 40.45 million Americans will still travel during the July Fourth holiday weekend, down 1.3 percent, or nearly 550,000 Americans, from the 41 million who traveled last year. This is the second consecutive travel holiday in 2008 where a year-to-year decrease was forecasted. AAA projected a nearly one percent drop in holiday travelers for the Memorial Day travel holiday in May. The forecast includes U.S. residents traveling 50 miles or more from home.
The national average for a gallon of regular unleaded hit an all time high Wednesday at $4.09 according to AAA. The state average in Florida is $4.06. Last Fourth of July, the average cost for a gallong of regular unleaded in Florida was $2.91.
When NorthEscambia.com last ran a gas price story back on May 13, gas had just hit $3.75 a gallon.
Fireworks Shows Planned In Nearby Communities
July 3, 2008
There are no organized fireworks displays this year in North Escambia, but there are three within a reasonable driving distance.
There will be shows at 9:00 Friday night in Jay, Poarch, Alabama, and Pensacola.
Flomaton will not be holding their annual show this year.
Details on each event are below:
Jay, Florida
Jay will celebrate the Fourth will a day filled with family fun activities. A softball tournament will begin at 8:00 a.m., and 5K run will be held at 6:00 p.m. There will also be a tennis tournament.
Entertainment will begin at the Bray-Hendricks Park pavilion at 4:00. Vendors will be in the park beginning at noon with food, beverages, arts, crafts, t-shirts and more.
The Jay fireworks show will begin at 9:00. Admission and parking are free.
Poarch, Alabama
The Poarch Creek Indians will hold their annual July 4 fireworks show Friday night on their reservation north of Atmore.
The program will be shorter than in previous years, but it still promises to be a great celebration.
The evening begins at 8:00 p.m. with a welcome from the Tribal Council Vice Chairman Stephanie Bryan, followed by the singing of the National Anthem. A salute to the veterans is next on the program, then a short musical presentation, “This Is My America,” by the Community Choir which is comprised of choirs from several area churches.
The fireworks display begins at 9 p.m.
Pensacola, Florida
Sertoma’s 19th annual Fourth of July Celebration in downtown Pensacola will begin at 11:00 Friday morning. There will be a free children’s activity area, live entertainment, arts, crafts, food vendors and more.
The Iguanas will be in concert at 6:30. The huge fireworks show will take place at 9:00. Bring your radio…the show will be synchronized to music broadcast on Cat Country 98.7. All events are free.
Pictured above: Fireworks from last year’s Sertoma Fourth of July Celebration in Pensacola. Courtesy photo.
Century To Dedicate Wall Of Honor For The Fourth
July 3, 2008
The Town of Century will dedicate its new Veterans Wall of Honor at 10:00 a.m. on the Fourth of July.
The new wall will be unveiled during a patriotic service.
The Wall of Honor is located at Roadside Park at Bradley Street and Highway 29, next to the Country Bumpkin.