Northview FFA’s Food For America Program Named One Of Florida’s Best
May 1, 2009
The Northview High FFA was named Thursday as one of ten finalists for Florida’s best Food For America program.
The local Food for America Program, sponsored the National FFA Organization and conducted by the Northview FFA in March, gave the students a chance to learn about agriculture firsthand as they got up close and personal with farm animals, farm equipment and more. About 800 elementary school students and 200 volunteers took part in the program.
The program is designed to encourage FFA members to participate in Agricultural Literacy and Awareness projects on the local level. The overall program winner will be awarded on stage during the 6th General Session of the 81st Florida FFA State Convention on Thursday, June 11.
The Northview FFA has participated in the program for 14 years, placing second in the state two years ago. Northview has placed in the top five in the state for the last ten years.
Pictured above: Students from Jay Elementary School learn about grinding corn meal at Northview High School’s FFA Food for America program. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Morgan Discusses Hot Topics At Molino Town Hall Meeting
May 1, 2009
From budget differences with county commissioners, to the the number of deputies on the roads in North Escambia to the improper use of turn signals, Escambia Sheriff David Morgan fielded questions at a town hall meeting in Molino Thursday evening.
Morgan told about 50 people gathered at Fran’s Diner that five new deputies will be added in North Escambia soon. Three will be assigned to Molino and two will be assigned to Century as soon as they graduate from the academy. Overall, the sheriff said his department has gone from 238 to about 260 sworn deputies on the county’s roads.
Also in North Escambia, Morgan said people have noticed an increase in traffic patrols by the Sheriff’s Department. In December 2008, the month prior to Morgan taking office, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department wrote just 29 traffic citations. Morgan’s deputies have written nearly 4,000 since he took office in January.
While that might sound like the ECSO is running speed traps to fund the department, Escambia’s top cop said that is not the case. He said just $2 from every ticket goes into a state law enforcement trust fund. Otherwise, Morgan said his department does not receive any funds from traffic tickets that they write.
Crime in the Molino area, the sheriff said, has remained at a steady level over the past year with no increases like have been seen in some areas. The low crime rate in the Molino area Morgan attributed to Sgt. Kevin Vickrey, Lt. Tony Jordan and the other deputies that patrol Molino.
“You have some of the best,” Morgan said of the deputies that work in and around Molino.
A handful of residents at the meeting at Fran’s Diner Thursday evening expressed displeasure with the way Transfield Services, a contractor hired by the Florida Department of Transportation, handled events the morning of Molino’s floods in late March. Chief Deputy Bill Chavers said he would investigate the allegations of mistreatment of the public by Transfield employees.
The Escambia County Commission wanted Morgan to cut another $4 million from his budget before it is submitted to the BOCC for approval, but the sheriff says he has cut all that he intends to cut. And if the commission does not approve his budget, Morgan says he is taking it to the governor.
On the subject of his impasse with County Administrator Bob McLaughlin, Morgan told the Molino town hall meeting Thursday night that he’s still not speaking to McLaughlin.
“I will deal with all of the other constitutional officers,” Morgan said. “Bob McLaughlin does not work for me, and I most certainly don’t work for Bob McLaughlin. I work for the people and the governor.”
Pictured above: Sheriff David Morgan (left) talks with Molino residents Jacqueline and Richard Freisinger following a town hall meeting Thursday evening at Fran’s Diner in Molino. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Southern Family Markets To Purchase Food World, Bruno’s Stores
May 1, 2009
Southern Family Markets, with area stores in Atmore and Brewton, has made a bid to purchase bankrupt Food World and Bruno’s stores, including three in Pensacola.
Southern Family has bid on 31 stores in South Alabama and Northwest Florida. C&S Wholesale Grocers, the owners of Southern Family, would close many of the stores.
Food World locations on Davis Highway, Lillian Highway and Pine Forest Road in Pensacola would be among the 31 stores to remain open. About 25 stores would be closed, including the Food World in Monroeville, Ala. and and the Bruno’s in Gulf Breeze.
The C&S purchase of the bankrupt Bruno’s and Food World stores would have no impact on the Southern Family stores in Atmore or Brewton.
Barrineau Park Music Night Tonight
May 1, 2009
High Cotton and Lock, Stock and Barrel will take to the stage tonight at the Barrineau Park Community Center for the April installment of the monthly Barrineau Park Music Night.
The singing starts at 7 p.m. and is free. Food and refreshments will also be available beginning at 5 p.m. This is a family friendly event. No alcohol is permitted on the property and no smoking is allowed in or near the building.
For more information, call 587-5575.
The Barrineau Park Community Center is located three miles west of Molino on Barrineau Park School Road.Everyone is invited to attend.
Pictured: High Cotton (above) and Lock, Stock and Barrel (below) will perform at tonight’s Barrineau Park Music Night. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
