Tenth Red Bulb Added In County’s Keep The Wreath Green
December 22, 2008
Escambia County has recorded its tenth residential fire since the “Keep the Wreath Green” holiday fire safety campaign began on December 1.
At 4:30 Sunday morning, a fire was reported in the 2300 block of Yonge Street. A neighbor noticed the fire inside the home, called 911 and then woke the occupants. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire, which was located in the living room.
The fire, started by an unattended candle, caused moderate damage to the living room and smoke damage throughout the rest of the structure. There were no working smoke alarms in the home. One occupant was treated for minor injuries on site by Escambia County EMS. The American Red Cross was called to assist the family. Firefighters from West Pensacola, Brent, Osceola, and Myrtle Grove responded to the fire.
Escambia County Fire-Rescue and the City of Pensacola Fire Department will continue the “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign throughout the holiday season. This year, the fifth year of the campaign, five-foot wreaths are on display at 22 locations throughout the holiday season. These sites are the Old Escambia County Courthouse on Palafox Place, the Public Safety Building on W Street, all 18 primary county fire stations, and two fire stations within the City of Pensacola. Each time firefighters respond to a residential fire, a green light bulb is replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by holiday decorations.
Some fire safety tips from Escambia Fire Rescue include:
- Use candles with care. Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets. Burn candles inside a one foot circle of safety, free of anything that can ignite. Use sturdy candleholders that will not tip over. Never leave a burning candle unattended.
- According to the National Fire Protection Association, unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the U.S. When cooking, keep an eye on the range. Turn handles on stovetop pots away from the front, so they won’t be tipped over.
If your home does not have a working smoke detector, you can obtain a free one by calling 595-HERO.
Sunday Afternoon Wreck In Century Causes Injuries
December 22, 2008
One person was transported to the hospital following a two vehicle accident in Century Sunday afternoon.
The accident happened at the intersection of East Highway 4 and Jefferson Avenue just before 1:30 Sunday afternoon. A pickup truck and an Acura Legend collided at the intersection. The Acura spun around, running backwards over a stop sign on Jefferson Avenue.
The driver of the Acura was transported to Jay Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. A front seat passenger and a 13-year old rear seat passenger in the pickup truck were taken to Jay Hospital by private vehicle with minor injuries.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Century Station of Escamibia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS responded to the call. The Molino and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire-Rescue and the Flomaton Fire Department were orginally dispatched to the call, but they were canceled prior to their arrival.
Your Weather: Cold All Day
December 22, 2008
After a cold start in the 20’s, it will remain cold today with a high of just 45 degrees. A northeast wind at 15 mph and gusty will make it seem much colder.
It will be partly cloudy and cold Monday night, with a low of 31.
Tuesday will be partly sunny and not as cool, with a high of 65.
Tuesday night will be mostly cloudy and warmer, with a 20 percent chance of rain and a low of 58.
There is a 50 percent chance of rain for Wednesday, with a high of 75. The rain chance remains at 40 percent for Christmas Eve night and Christmas Day. The overnight low for Santa will be 62 and the high Christmas Day will be in the upper 70’s.
Governor Crist, First Lady Host Book Drive For Area Children
December 22, 2008
A book drive held by Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and first lady Carole Crist collected hundreds of books for foster children across Florida, including a Cantonment children’s home.
Governor Charlie Crist and first lady Carole Crist celebrated the Governor’s Holiday Book Drive by hosting a party and book reading at the Governor’s Mansion Sunday with foster children, families and foster agency workers. The book drive has collected more than 700 books for foster children across Florida, including the children of the Northwest Florida Baptist Children’s Home in Cantonment.
“As Christmas Day and the New Year approaches, it is important that we remember the many children throughout Florida who do not have the gift of a ‘forever’ family,” Governor Crist said. “Carole and I pray that every child has the opportunity to find a caring family to give them a permanent home filled with love and support.”
The Governor and first lady served cookies and punch to 30 local foster children, who attended along with foster families and representatives of several foster care organizations. Joining them was Department of Children and Families Secretary George Sheldon and Jim Kallinger, Chief Child Advocate. The children sat down with the Governor and first lady and read “The Twelve Days of Christmas in Florida” by Sarasota author Frank Remkiewicz, whose colorful book showcases Sunshine State treasures including flamingos, Key lime pies, alligators.
“It’s an honor to have my book chosen for a read-aloud at the Governor’s Holiday Book Drive celebration,” Remkiewicz said. “I had so much fun creating a book about Christmas in Florida. The state has so many unique features. It was difficult to only choose 12 of them.”
The children at the party received books collected during the book drive as gifts. The other collected books will be distributed across Florida to children served by six foster care organizations:
- SOS Children’s Village in Coconut Creek
- Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranch in Live Oak
- 4Kids of South Florida Inc. in Fort Lauderdale
- Big Bend Community Based Care in Tallahassee and the Big Bend
- Florida United Methodist Children’s Home in Enterprise
- Northwest Florida Baptist Children’s Home in Cantonment
Brush Fire Burns Highway 4 Yard
December 22, 2008
A brush fire Sunday afternoon burnt a large portion of the front yard of a home on Highway 4.
The fire was reported about 2:25 Sunday afternoon at a home on Highway 4 just west of Canoe Creek. The residents of the home extinguished most of the fire prior to the arrival of the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue.
The fire burnt most of the front yard of the home and a small portion of the yard of a neighboring home, but there was little damage.
There were no injuries.
Coming Tuesday: Aerial Tour Of Century And Flomaton
December 22, 2008
Coming up Tuesday morning on NorthEscambia.com, we will take an aerial photo tour of Century and Flomaton. Friday afternoon, NorthEscambia.com went for a ride over the two towns in the LifeFlight helicopter. We’ll share what we saw with you in a complete photo gallery Tuesday morning. (This was originally scheduled to run Monday morning, but we’ve rescheduled it.)
Pictured above: Looking north from over Whataburger in Century back toward Century and Flomaton from Lifeflight Friday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photo, click to enlarge.
Century Care Center Ranked As One Of The Best In The State
December 21, 2008
Century Care Center has received a five star rating from the federal government, making it one of the top rated nursing homes in the area and placing it in the top 10 percent of for-profit nursing homes in the nation.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services modeled the five-star rating system after the star rating system for hotels and restaurants, basing scores on inspection records, complaint investigations and various quaility measures. Those criteria were assigned individually in the categories of quality, staffing and health inspections to create an overall score.
Just four nursing homes in Escambia County made the five-star list: Century Care Center, Bayside Manor, Haven of Our Lady Of Peace and Rosewood Manor. Three others received the four-star score, three made the three-star list, two received two stars, and one — Pensacola Health Care Facility — received a one-star score.
In Santa Rosa County, three nursing homes received the top score. In Escambia County, Ala., Atmore Nursing Center received three stars, and West Gate Village in Brewton received four stars.
Century Care Center has 88 licensed beds.
In Florida, there were more one-star rating nursing homes than five-star. Seventeen percent of Florida’s 679 nursing homes received one star, while 12 percent received five stars. Nationally, just 9 percent of for-profit nursing homes received five stars.
North Escambia Store Sells Winning Lottery Ticket
December 21, 2008
Somebody who purchased Florida Lottery Fantasy 5 ticket at a North Escambia store is $123,754.79 richer thanks to the numbers 06-10-16-25-27.
The winning Fantasy 5 ticket for the Wednesday, December 18 drawing was sold at the State Line Gift Shop on Highway 97 at the Alabama-Florida state line.
The $247,509.58 top prize will split between the State Line Gift Shop winner and the holder of a ticket sold in Miami Beach. The retailers will receive a $500 bonus for selling the top prize winning tickets.
A store clerk says a man called the store wanting to know how to redeem the ticket. He was told to contact the lottery office in Pensacola. The clerk identified the man as Guy Victor, a store regular. She did not know where Victor lives, but she did say he often buys a lot of lottery tickets about once a week.
In Wednesday drawing, 383 players matched four numbers and each won $104.00. A total of 11,449 players matched three numbers and each won $9.50, and 111,141 players matched two numbers and each won a free Quick Pick ticket.
Area Artist Donates Painting To Gulf Coast Kids House
December 21, 2008
The Santa Rosa Kids House has announced a special gift of area artist Autry Dye.
Dye was asked to create a an original piece to become the building’s focal point. Her painting “Family Day on Blackwater River” is original acrylic on canvas measuring three by five feet.
“I wanted to capture an impression of the Blackwater so more people could realte to the painting,” Dye said. “I thought it would be a wonderful addition to the facility.”
The Santa Rosa Kids House is a non-profit corporation. The building house various law enforcement agencies that deal with child abuse in one “kid friendly” building.
Pictured above: Autry Dye with her painting “Family Day on Blackwater River” at the Gulf Coast Kids House. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com.
Christmas Week Services, Events Planned At Area Churches
December 21, 2008
Beginning today, several North Escambia area churches will hold special services and present musicals and plays for Christmas. If your church has an event or special service scheduled that is not listed, please let us know by submitting the event in the comments section at the bottom of this page.
Angels Unaware In Bratt
The college and career groups at the First Baptist Church of Bratt will present “Angels Unaware” on Tuesday evening, December 23 at 6:00. Everyone is invited to attend.
Molino Christmas Eve Service
Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino will hold a Christmas Eve Service on Wednesday, December 24 at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend.
Walnut Hill Christmas Eve Service
Walnut Hill Baptist Church will hold a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 6:00 Wednesday, December 24. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Christmas Eve Communion
A “Come and Go Communion” will be held from 5 until 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve at Century Methodist Church at 530 Church Street. Everyone is invited to “come as you are” and take part in this service. For more information, contact Rev. Janet Lee at 256-3503.
Free Christmas Dinners
Free Christmas dinners will be distributed at the home of Mrs. Gladys Hicks at 851 Salters Lake Road in Century from 10 a.m. until for anyone in need. Sponsored by the Waterfront Rescue Mission.