Fall Back: Time To Change The Clocks And The Smoke Alarm Batteries
October 31, 2009
Don’t forget to “fall back” and set your clocks back one hour before heading to bed tonight. And public safety officials also want you to change the batteries in your smoke alarms.
“The peak time for home fire fatalities is between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. when most families are sleeping,” says Frank Edwards, Escambia County Public Safety bureau chief. “Smoke alarm maintenance is a simple, effective way to reduce home fire deaths. Children and seniors are most at risk. A working smoke alarm gives them the extra seconds they need to get out safely.”
Changing smoke alarm batteries at least once a year is one of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce these tragic deaths and injuries. In fact, working smoke alarms reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by nearly half. Additionally, the International Association of Fire Chiefs recommends replacing your smoke alarms every ten years.
Communities nationwide witness tragic home fire deaths each year. An average of two children per day die in home fires and 80 percent of those occur in homes without working smoke alarms. Non-working smoke alarms rob residents of the protective benefits home fire safety devices were designed to provide. Worn, dead or missing batteries are the most commonly cited cause of non-working smoke alarms.
Be Safe: Make Halloween A Treat
October 31, 2009
The Florida Highway Patrol offers the following Halloween safety tips:
As we prepare for the excitement of Halloween, motorists should be ever mindful that children will be out trick-or-treating tomorrow evening. The Florida Highway Patrol would like to provide some helpful tips for parents and drivers to help make Halloween night a safe and enjoyable experience for all.
DRIVERS
- Stay alert. Neighborhoods that do not normally have a lot of pedestrian and bicycle traffic may experience an increase on Halloween night.
- Remember that children will be excited and may be trying to visit as many houses as possible within a specific time frame.
- Trick-or-treaters may suddenly dart into traffic from between parked cars.
- Be particularly cautious in areas where cars are parked along the side of the street.
- Watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in the neighborhood.
- Be patient and SLOW DOWN. Give children lots of time to cross the street. Their costumes may impair their ability to see and hear you, and to get out of your way quickly.
- Remember that children will be excited and may forget to “stop, look and listen” before they cross the street.
PARENTS
- Talk to your child about looking both ways before crossing the street.
- Purchase or make costumes that are light colored and clearly visible to motorists.
- Decorate (and get the kids to help) or trim costumes, goody bags and other containers with reflective tape that will glow in the beam of a car’s headlights. Reflective tape can be purchased at bicycle, hardware and sporting goods stores.
- Make sure costumes are short enough so they do not cause children to trip or fall.
- Children should wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes.
- Masks should not impair a child’s hearing or field of vision. If necessary, enlarge ear and eye holes or use makeup to create special effects.
- Tie hats and scarves securely to prevent them from slipping over your child’s eyes.
Dispose Of Household Hazardous Waste Saturday At Tate
October 31, 2009
The Escambia County Division of Solid Waste Management is holding a Regional Roundup at Tate High School from 8 a.m. until noon Saturday at Tate High School.
Escambia County (Fla.) residents may bring household hazardous waste, end-of-life electronics and tires (maximum of four per vehicle, per event) for free and safe disposal.
Regional Roundups help eliminate the environmental dangers resulting from improperly handled household hazardous waste. All types of electronics including microwaves, computers and televisions may be dropped off to be recycled. Appliances are not accepted.
The division is also collecting gently worn shoes for the Soles4Souls program. Please connect each pair with a rubber band before donation.
If you have a truckload or more of electronics or household hazardous waste, please contact the Division of Solid Waste Management to schedule an appointment. For more information, call 937-2160 or visit www.escambiarecycles.com.
Dozens Of Fall Festival Events Today
October 31, 2009
Many area churches and organizations in and around North Escambia have fall festivals of other special events planned for this weekend.
Here is a list:
First Baptist Bratt Fall Festival
The First Baptist Church of Bratt will hold its annual Children’s Fall Festival on Saturday, October 31 from 2-4 p.m. There will be games, refreshments, door prizes, a hay ride, cake walk, and much more. There will be a pumpkin contest for families to enter (one per family). Pumpkins may be carved or painted. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.
Molino’s Hallelujah Night 2009
A safe a fun filled night filled with games, prizes and food for the entire family! Saturday October 31 from 5 until 7 p.m. at Victory Assembly of God, Highway 29 in Molino. Free, sponsored by several Molino area churches. Costumes are welcome, but nothing evil or scary
Family Fun Fall Festival — Cottage Hill
The First Baptist Church of Cottage Hill invites you to attend our community Fall Festival on Saturday, October 31 from 5 until 7 p.m. at 230 Williams Ditch Road in Cantonment. Hayrides, inflatable slide, carnival booths with lots of candy, horse rides, face painting, cotton candy, funnel cakes, chili, desserts and drinks — all free. For more info, call (850) 968-2357.
Trunk Or Treat -Cantonment
Trunk or Treat will be held at 6 p.m. at the Pine Forest Assembly of God Church at 3125 Pine Forest Road in Cantonment, two miles north of Nine Mile Road. For more information call the church office at (850) 476-1378.
Trunk or Treat — McDavid
Trunk or Treat at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church 170 W. Bogia Road in McDavid. Saturday, October 31 from 4:30 until 6:00.
Walnut Hill Baptist Fall Festival
Walnut Hill Baptist Church will hold a Fall Festival on Saturday, October 31 from 4 until 8 p.m. Fun, food and fellowship, plus a hayride, truck or treat, chili cook-off, cakewalks, games and other activities. Everyone is invited to this community event.
Trunk or Treat — Cantonment
The First Baptist Church of Cantonment will host a Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 21 from 6 to 8 p.m. at 118 Morris Avenue (at the old Booth Field). Plenty of candy, hot dogs, chips and drinks will be served. There will also be a hayride and inflatable Big Kahuna slide. The field is well lit and a safe alternative to trick or treating on the streets. Visit www.fbccfl.com for more information.
Beulah Chapel Assembly Fall Festival
Beulah Chapel Assembly of God will host a Fall Festival on Saturday, October 31 from 4 until 6 p.m. There will be refreshments, fun, games, goodie bags and a lot more. Everyone welcome.
Harvest Festival — Christian Home
Christian Home Freewill Baptist Church will hold their annual Harvest Festival on October 31 from 6 p.m. until. Hay ride, country store, cake walk, slide, jail and much more.
Bratt Assembly Fall Harvest Festival
The Bratt Assembly of God will hold a Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 31 from 6 until 7:30 p.m. There will be lots of good food, a hayride, peanut boil and jump house. Everyone is welcome.
Trunk or Treat – Cantonment
Trunk or Treat will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 31 at St. Monica’s Episcopal Church at 699 South Highway 95-A in Cantonment. There will also be a bounce house and hay ride. More info — call (850) 937-0001.
Liberty Baptist Fall Festival
Liberty Baptist Church in Pineview, Ala., will host a Fall Festival from 6-8 pm on Saturday, October 31. There will be over 20 activities available to play and enjoy, including games for all ages. There will be youth scavenger hunt from 4-6 pm, plus concessions will be for sale. All of the kids games are free. There will be hot dogs, a cake walk, chili cook off, dunking booth, horseshoes, bingo and more.
Unity Baptist Church — Atmore
Unity Baptist Church on Highway 31 in Atmore will hold their annual fall festival from 4 until 6 p.m.. There will be games, prizes, hay rides, cake walk and plenty of food. Everyone is invited. Everything is free.
McCullough Christian Center
McCullough Christian Center will hold their Trunk or Treat on from 6-8:30 p.m. Cake walk, nachos, hot dogs. Everything is free, and everyone is welcome. The church is located at 240 Booneville Road, Atmore. www.purposemcc.com
Christ Community Church Fall Festival
Christ Community Baptist Church at 9999 Chemstrand Road will have a Fall Festival on October 31 from 6 to 8 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend for lots of fun, games and candy.
Pumpkin Patch Open
The Allen Memorial United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch is open at Highway 29 and Neal Road in Cantonment. Prices begin at $1. Open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to dark and Sunday from 1 p.m. until dark.
Silver Wings Jump Canceled
October 30, 2009
The U.S. Army Silver Wings parachute team jump into the Northview High School football stadium tonight was canceled.
An Army spokesperson said the team’s jump plane was grounded due to weather in Tuskegee, Ala.
The Silver Wings were in Bratt and and met with fans in the stadium during the game.
Shocking Animal Cruelty Case: Woman Living With Dead Cats In Home
October 30, 2009
A shocking case of animal cruelty and hoarding has been uncovered by authorities — a case where a woman was keeping multiple cats, some of them dead and decomposing, inside her filthy home.
The Humane Society of Escambia County (Ala.) uncovered the unsettling situation in Atmore after receiving several complaints.
“We attempted contact several times with no success until two days ago when the owner did talk with the cruelty investigator,” said Renee Jones, humane society director. “She told me that she had two dead cats that she had been unable to bury and so we offered to help her and we actually went into the backyard and dug two small holes for her. She refused to bring the bodies out or to let us go in to get them.”
That prompted the human society to obtain a search and seizure warrant Thursday morning and execute it at the home, which is located within the Atmore city limits.
Seven cats were seized alive and four dead cats were removed from the home in various stages of decomposition. A Scottish terrier and a cockatiel were also seized.
“The owner of the residence did know that two of the cats were deceased and she had kept them in garbage bags in her utility room for weeks being unable to bring herself to bury them. The owner stated that she did not know that the other two cats were dead although one of them was lying right out in the open. The other had died under a sofa weeks ago,” Jones said.
The living cats were dehydrated, emaciated and infested with fleas and the dog was heavily matted, according to authorities. The animals will receive a more thorough examination from a veterinarian.
“The house was full of feces and urine and the smell was absolutely overwhelming. Humane Enforcement Officers Wes Burkley and Bryan Pugh were covered in fleas and had great difficulty breathing the ammonia laden air throughout the ordeal of locating the cats and capturing them for transport,” according to Jones.
Jones added that there were no children living in the home.
Animal cruelty charges are expected to filed against the woman sometime Friday. The Humane Society of Escambia County (Ala.) is not releasing the woman’s identity at this time as they attempt to seek help for her.
WARNING: Many readers will find the following photos disturbing. For photos from the home submitted by the Humane Society of Escambia County (Ala.), click here.
Pictured top: In a disturbing case of animal cruelty, the decomposing body of a cat was found under this couch inside an Atmore home. Pictured inset: One of the cats rescued from the home by The Humane Society of Escambia County (Ala.). Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lady Chiefs Fall To Baker; Still Headed To Quarterfinals
October 30, 2009
The Northview Lady Chiefs lost to the Baker Gators in the District 1-1A volleyball tournament finals Thursday night in Bratt, but the Lady Chiefs will have one more shot at advancing in the state tournament.
Northview fell to Baker 21-25, 15-25, 18-25. Thursday night’s win gave the Baker Gators their seventh straight district volleyball title.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the game, click here.
“They did play hard, but the intensity we needed just wasn’t there,” Head Coach Betty Heaton said. This was only the third time in Northview’s history that the team will advance beyond the district. As district runner-ups, the Chiefs will play a quarterfinal game next week on the road against Blountstown at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
“I was hoping we would come out this number one,” Heaton said. “But we do get another chance in the quarter finals. We could progress from there; nothing says the state champ can’t be a second seed in the quarter finals.”
Northview Vs Baker (District Championship Game ) – Varsity
21-25 15-25 18-25
** Baker Winning**
Shawna Montgomery 11 M Kills-3, Digs-3 Aces–1
Caitlin Hall 12 Setter Assists-10, Digs-2, Kills-2,
Angela Rodriguez 12 LS Kills-5, Digs – 5, Aces-3
Raylin Spence 10 LS Kills-1, Aces-1, Digs-4
Record – Overall – 9 -18; District 5 -5
Pictured: Action from the District 1-1A volleyball championship game between Northview and Baker Thursday night in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Flomaton Fall Festival
October 30, 2009
From Spiderman to princesses to Michael Jackson and more, characters of all sorts roamed the streets of downtown Flomaton Thursday night during the town’s annual Fall Festival.
NorthEscambia.com was there; click here to see our complete photo gallery.
Pictured top: Hundreds packed the streets of Flomaton Thursday night for a Fall Festival. Pictured inset: Even the King of Pop took part in the festivities. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
All You Need To Know: Silver Wings To Parachute Into Tonight’s NHS Game
October 30, 2009
Tonight will be a Senior Night football game like no other at Northview High School, and we have all of the information you need to know.
The United States Army’s parachute demonstration team, the Silver Wings, from Fort Benning, Georgia are scheduled to jump from a fixed wing aircraft at least 5,000 feet over the Northview High School stadium before the start of the game. The demonstration team plans to bring down with them a United States flag, a POW/MIA flag, and Army flag and the official game ball. One jumper will land on the 50-yard line to deliver the game ball for the game against Sneads High School.
Arrive early…gates for the event will open at 5:00, and the first approximately 1,000 people will receive free American flags on a first come basis. Senior night activities will begin at 5:30 with the presentation of the seniors from the band, color guard, majorettes, NJROTC, cheerleaders and football players.
At about 6:10 p.m., special guests will be recognized, including Brigadier General Mike Ferguson, retired, Northwest Florida Aide to the Secretary of the Army; Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Boyd, Montgomery Recruiting Battalion Commander; Major Christopher Dawson, Mobile Recruiting Company Commander; and Superintendent of Schools Malcolm Thomas.
A short time later, the Silver Wings will jump. The demonstration team plans to bring down with them a United States flag, a POW/MIA flag, and Army flag and the official game ball. One jumper will land on the 50-yard line to deliver the game ball for the game against Sneads High School.
Following the jump, the Silver Wings will remain at the game for about one and a half hours to meet the public, take photographs and sign autographs.
The U.S. Army will be giving away an Ipod during halftime. Registrations will be accepted until the end of the first quarter. Also during halftime, Principal Gayle Weaver will be making a special presentation.
Adult and student tickets are $6 each and $1 each for elementary students at the gate. Pre-sale tickets will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday in the front office. Pre-sale prices are $5 for adults, $4 for students and $1 elementary. All parking will be free.
And don’t forget — NorthEscambia.com will have complete coverage with lots of photos Saturday morning.
Photos: Bratt Elementary Third Graders ‘Bebop With Aesop’
October 30, 2009
Third graders at Bratt Elementary learned some important lessons Thursday morning as they presented the play “Bebop With Aesop”.
Scenes from classic fairy tales came to life as students learned lessons like “look before you leap”, “don’t count your chickens”, and “honesty is the best policy”.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the play, click here.
Pictured top: Cameron Long (middle) as Aesop in Bebop with Aesop Thursday morning at Bratt Elementary. Pictured inset: The Hare of Tortoise and the Hare fame portrayed by Shelby Bashore. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.