Sunny And Cool Today
February 22, 2009
After a few light overnight showers, expect your Sunday to be sunny and cool with a high approaching 60.
Tonight will be mostly clear and cold with a low in the upper 20’s.
Monday and Tuesday will be 62 and sunny, and overnight lows will be in the 30’s.
Spring-like temperatures will return Wednesday through Saturday, with highs in the 70’s and comfortable nights in the 50’s.
Driver Charged After He Plows Through Highway 97 Cemetery Saturday Night
February 22, 2009
A driver who said he was trying to avoid two deer on Highway 97 plowed through a Walnut Hill cemetery Saturday night, destroying about a dozen grave markers.
The Florida Highway Patrol says James Johnson, 39, of Pace was northbound on Highway 97 at North Highway 99 when he said he tried to avoid two deer in the road. Johnson missed a curve on Highway 97 and plowed across the cemetery at the Walnut Hill Mennonite Church at about 9:55 p.m.
Johnson was not injured in the accident. He was the only occupant of the vehicle.
Johnson’s Nissan 350Z went through a chain link fence, took down a row of hedge bushes and sent marble grave markers flying 75 feet across the cemetery. The Nissan flipped across a portion of the cemetery, coming to rest in an upright position against a fence and on top of graves at the opposite end of the cemetery. About a dozen grave markers were damaged or destroyed in the crash.
The FHP says Johnson was charged with careless driving.
Dozens of church members gathered at the church late Saturday night to survey the damage to family grave markers.
Click here for more exclusive photos from the scene.
Pictured: The driver of this Nissan 350Z was not injured when he plowed through a Highway 97 cemetery Saturday night. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Blueberry And Bluegrass Festival Coming To Barrineau Park
February 22, 2009
A blueberry and bluegrass festival is being planned for Barrineau Park.
Escambia County is hosting a Blueberry Jamboree at the Barrineau Park Community Center and Historical Society. The event will take place on Saturday, June 13 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Artists and craftsmen are invited to showcase and sell their treasures at this first annual blueberry and bluegrass festival.
The cost for a 10’ x 10’ space is $45. Registration and payment must be received by May 31.
To register or for more information, please contact the Brandi Daigle of the Neighborhoods and Community Services Bureau at (850) 475-5220 or email recreation@co.escambia.fl.us.
The community center is located at 6055 Barrineau Park School Road in Molino.
How Much Should I Eat? And Other Food Tips From Local Farm Bureau
February 22, 2009
As the Farm Bureau’s Food Check-Out Week comes to a close, farmer and rancher members of the Escambia and Santa Rosa County Farm Bureaus are offering consumers practical information and tips on how to put nutritious meals on the table with fewer dollars during these slow economic times.
“Stretching Your Grocery Dollar With Healthy, Nutritious Food,” is theme of Farm Bureau’s Food Check-Out Week, reflecting the fact that many Americans are feeling an economic squeeze and as a result, are eating out less and preparing more meals at home.
Tips for better nutrition on a stretched budget, making sense of food labels, and understanding USDA’s MyPyramid are among the topics Farm Bureau members want consumers to understand.
“Learning to use your grocery dollars wisely ensures that nutrition isn’t neglected,” according Dorothy Cunningham of Escambia Farm Bureau Women’s Committee. “Fruits and vegetables – along with whole grains, low-fat dairy products, lean meats, fish, beans, eggs and nuts – are an important part of a healthy diet. Buying fresh produce when it is in season and costs less, while buying frozen fruits and vegetables when they are not in season, is a smart way to stretch that dollar.”
The Farm Bureau has prepared four one page pdfs that explain four important food related topics:
- Tips for Better Nutrition on a Tight Budget
- Understanding Food Labels
- Understanding What MyPyramid Means
- How Much Should I Eat?
Starting this year, the timing of Farm Bureau’s Food Check-Out Week is not related to the date Americans have earned enough money to pay for their food for a year, which is calculated on USDA data that is always a year behind. The third week of February was selected for Food Check-Out Week as a bridge to National Nutrition Month in March.
County To Host Pitching, Hitting, Running Event
February 22, 2009
Do you have a child that would like to showcase his or her pitching, hitting and running abilities? The Escambia County Neighborhoods and Community Services Bureau will host the Aquafina Pitch, Hit, & Run event, which will be held Saturday, March 7, beginning at 9 a.m.
Both boys and girls will compete together, having four chances to win in each age group: all-around champion, pitch champion, hit champion and run champion. Children from age seven to 14 are eligible to compete.
This free event will take place at the John R. Jones Athletic Park, 555 E. Nine Mile Road.
To register for the event or for more information, please contact the Brandi Daigle, Neighborhoods and Community Services Bureau at (850) 475-5220 or email recreation@co.escambia.fl.us or visit our web site at www.myescambia.com.
Barrineau Park Brush Fire
February 22, 2009
Several area fire stations were dispatched a brush fire in the Barrineau Park community Saturday afternoon.
The fire was reported in the area of Barrineau Park Road and Schifko Road about 2:00 p.m. Fire officials reported no structures in danger from the fire. The fire burned about a seven acres of mostly wooded area. The fire was reported to be contained at about 3:30.
The Florida Division of Forestry used two bulldozers to fight the fire.
The Molino, McDavid and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the blaze.
Escambia Farming Becomes A Bigger Business; Value Doubles
February 21, 2009
The number of Escambia County farms and the value of agricultural products in the county sold rose substantially from 2002 to 2007, according to a report recently released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
During the five year period 2002-2007, the number of farms in Escambia County increased from 674 to 725. Acreage increased during the same period from 64,581 to 81,977, with most of those acres in North Escambia. The average Escambia County farm is 113 acres, compared to 96 acres five years ago. The most common farm in Escambia County is under 50 acres.
The market value of farm production in Escambia County has doubled in five years, from $15.68 million to $31.95 million. The current average is $44,064 per farm, up from $23,258. The average income per farm is $8,119.
The recently released USDA survey says the biggest value crop in Escambia County is “other crops and hay” at $10.8 million worth. Second are nursery crops like sod at $6.1 million, followed by cotton and cottonseed at at $6 million, grains and dry beans at $3.7 million and cattle at $2.6 million.
Of the farmers in Escambia County, 277 consider farming to be their primary occupation, while 448 have other primary occupations. Most are male, bu there are 117 female farmers in the county. The average farmer is 59.1 years old.
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson said the impressive performance by the state’s agricultural industry in the past five years shows that it remains a vital pillar of Florida’s economic strength.
“For decades, this economic engine has provided Florida with a dependable source of revenue and jobs,” Bronson said. “While other sectors of the economy have been on shaky ground lately, agriculture has strengthened and become more productive. This report about Florida agriculture comes at a time when we all really need some positive economic news.”
According to the USDA Census of Agriculture, the number of Florida farms increased by 7.7 percent, from 44,081 in 2002 to 47,463 in 2007. Additionally, the market value of agricultural products sold by Florida farmers hit $7.8 billion in 2007, the highest recorded level in the state’s history.
“These statistics are a testament to the determination of our state’s farmers,” Bronson said. “Even when confronted by drought, hurricanes, pests, disease, and stiff foreign competition, they continue to plant, harvest, rebuild and innovate. Florida’s farmers not only produce food and fiber for consumers, they provide a solid economic base for our state.”
The USDA Census shows that 90 percent of Florida’s farms are family operations, while about 10 percent are corporate entities. About 32,000 Florida farms, or approximately 70 percent, have 50 acres or less.
The report also reflects that changing face of agriculture in Florida, with increases in the number of farms owned by a variety of ethnic groups including Native Americans, Asians, Hispanics and African Americans. Ethnic ownership of farms increased by 26 percent, from 2,038 farms in 2002 to 2,582 farms in 2007.
Augmenting the results of the USDA Census is the University of Florida’s report, “Economic Contributions of Agricultural, Food Manufacturing, and Natural Resource Industries in Florida in 2006,” which indicates that more than 766,000 jobs are attributable to these sectors, up from 648,000 jobs in 2002. Additionally, these sectors generate an estimated $100 billion overall economic impact and contribute $2.98 billion in indirect taxes to local, county and state governments.
“While the USDA report indicates an overall expansion of Florida agriculture, it also raises some points of concern,” Bronson said. “Farmers’ net earnings, or income, declined significantly for the last three years surveyed. This means that our farmers are working harder for less return, due in part to increases in the cost of inputs such as fuel, electricity, seed and fertilizer.”
The USDA Census showed that net earnings declined from 40 percent in 2005, to 29.8 percent in 2006, to 22.1 percent in 2007.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is statutorily mandated to provide professional marketing services to Florida’s agricultural community through its Division of Marketing and Development. These marketing promotions are part of the ongoing “Fresh from Florida” campaign. For more information about Florida agriculture, visit www.Florida-Agriculture.com.
Pictured top: Wheat is harvested last year on Highway 99 near Walnut Hill. Pictured below: Butter beans are commercially harvested last summer near Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia School Calendar Approved for 2009-10
February 21, 2009
The Escambia County School District has approved the school calendar for the next school year.
School will begin about a week later next year on August 24.
Fall Break will be a one day event, November 24, the day before the two-day Thanksgiving Thursday and Friday holiday.
The last day of school before the Christmas holidays will be Friday, December 18, and students will return on January 5, 2010.
The final day of school will be Friday, June 4, 2010.
Click here to view the final complete version of the 2009-2010 Escambia County school year calendar (printable pdf format).
Ball Registration In Molino And Walnut Hill Today; Last Day For NWE
February 21, 2009
Registration was held at two area ballparks today, including Bradberry Park where today was the last day to register.
It was the last day of registration for Northwest Escambia Little League at Walnut Hill’s Bradberry Park. Registration is also going on at for the Molino Recreation Association at Don Sutton Park. Details for both parks are below.
Registration for Northwest Escambia Little League baseball continues each Saturday until February 21 from 10 a.m. until noon at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill.
The cost is $35 for the first child from a family, $25 for the second child and free for each additional child. A copy of each child’s birth certificate is required for registration.
This year, NWE will offer Wee Ball for children ages 3 and 4 on the brand new “Drew’s Field”
- Wee Ball — ages 3 & 4
- Tee Ball — ages 5, 6 & 7
- Minor and Major League Baseball — ages 8 to 12
- Minor and Marjor League Softball — ages 8 to 16
- Junior and Senior League Softball –ages 13 to 16
- Junior and Senior Leage Baseball — ages 13 to 16
- Machine Pitch Baseball — age 8
For more information, call 327-6722 or 327-6155 after five p.m.
Registration will be held each Saturday for the Molino Recreation Association at Don Sutton park in Molino. Registration will continue each Saturday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. through February 28. The annual draft will be February 28 at 3 p.m.
Registration fees have been reduced this year due to the economy. This year, registration fees are $50 for the first child, $45 for the second, $40 for the third and free for additional players from the same family. A birth certificate copy is required to be on file for each child.
Teams for the Molino Recreation Association will include:
- Wee Ball –ages 3 & 4
- Tee Ball — ages 5, 6 & 7
- Baseball — ages 8 to 15
- Girls Softball — ages 8 to 16
If you would like to coach or just help out on your child’s team, you can sign up on the day your child is registered. For more information, call 587-4090.
Another 9 Mile Road Area Assault
February 21, 2009
Another assault on a young female has occurred in the 9 Mile Road area of Pensacola, but this time deputies caught their man.
At about 7 a.m. Friday, Escambia County Deputies responded to the Publix Shopping center at 9 Mile Road and University Parkway where a young female victim told deputies that she had packed her vehicle on the side of the grocery store. Before she could exit her car, a while male wearing only a T-shirt walked up to her vehicle, opened the door, grabbed her arm and pulled her toward him as if trying to get her to touch him, according to Sgt. Ted Roy with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department.
Deputies followed up on a possible tag number that was provided by a witness, and that led them to their suspect.
Keith William Smith, 44, of Pensacola was arrested at a relative’s home about noon Friday. Deputy Phillip Martin, who took the original report, went to a residence in the Fox Run subdivision off 9 Mile Road to follow up on the tag number. At the residence, the owner of the vehicle stated that she had no driven the vehicle, but a relative who was staying with her had driven it. Contact was made with Smith, and he matched the physical description given by the victim and witnesses.
Smith said he had driven the vehicle, but denied the incident, Roy said. The victim positively identified Smith as the man that attacked her.
The incident is not believed to be connected to the cop impersonator incidents that have occurred in the past few weeks in the area.
The University of West Florida Police were notified of the incident due to the proximity to the campus and then issued an “Argo Alert” to student and faculty who have signed up for the service. An E-mail was also sent out to students and faculty.