Sandy Marie Calloway
November 27, 2009
Sandy Marie Calloway, age 37, passed away on Thursday, November 26, 2009 in Flomaton, Ala. She was a native and lifelong resident of Flomaton and attended the Holiness Church.Mrs. Calloway is survived by her husband, Dennis Calloway of Flomaton; her son, Dylan Calloway of Flomaton; her father, Eddie Davidson of Brewton, Ala.; her mother, Maxine Creamer of Pollard, Ala.; a brother, Jason and Brandi Davidson of Flomaton; grandmother, Daisy Childress of Flomaton; an aunt, Marie King of Flomaton; an uncle, Shelby King of Flomaton; two nieces, Jayda Davidson and Julie Davidson, both of Flomaton; and a nephew, Tyler Davidson of Flomaton.
Funeral services were held Monday, November 30, 2009 at 2 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. James Pugh officiating. Burial followed at Pollard Cemetery.
The family received friends Sunday, November 29, 2009 between 6 and 9 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers were Denver Graves, Chris Chandler, Hub Wilson, Jason Davidson, Donnie Davidson, and Wayne Lucas.
No Serious Injuries In Friday Morning Highway 97 Wreck
November 27, 2009
Two people received minor injuries in a single vehicle rollover accident Friday morning in Walnut Hill.
The accident happened on Highway 97 just north of Wiggins Lake Road. The Florida Highway Patrol says Benjamin Hess, 19, of Atmore, failed to negotiate a curve while headed north on Highway 97. His 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix went airborne over a driveway and overturned in a ditch before coming to rest upright. Hess and his passenger, Trey Lambert, of Atmore, were not seriously injured. Both were wearing their seat belts. They refused to be transported to the hospital.
The FHP says Hess was cited with failure to use due care.
Atmore Ambulance, the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Florida Highway Patrol responded to the call.
Pictured above and below: Two people escaped serious injury in this accident Friday morning on Highway 97 Pictured inset: A front tire was ripped off the vehicle when it hit a culvert. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cut Your Own: Local Christmas Tree Farm
November 27, 2009
Many area residents will enjoy Christmas tradition again this year with a fresh, locally grown Christmas tree.. The Country Pine Christmas Tree Farm near Bratt is now open daily until Christmas.
“You come here for the old time experience,” said farm owner Andy Bogdan. “This is so much more than just a plastic tree.”
Visitors to the Christmas tree farm stroll around the trees, which are located in an “L” shape field around a scenic pond with a fountain and ducks. Once the perfect tree is found, visitors can cut their own tree with a supplied saw, or have Bogdan cut it down.
The tree is then shaken to remove any loose needles (and bugs), then it’s ready to head home or it can be bagged for easier transport.
During the “experience”, visitors can also enjoy free cookies, apple juice, candy canes for the kids and lots of Christmas music. “The kids can run and play, and have the time of their lives looking for just the right tree,” Bogdan said.
Tree varieties include Virginia Pines, Leylend Cypress and Carolina Sapphires. If you have allergies, he said the Leylend Cypress is the perfect tree. It will not drop needles and has virtually no smell. The Carolina Sapphire has an intriguing aroma that is a mix of lemon, lime and mint. The Virginia Pine has that classic pine Christmas tree smell.
True fresh cut trees cut on the farm will last from before Thanksgiving until well after Christmas, Bogdan said.
Country Pine Christmas Tree Farm is one of the few remaining Christmas tree farms in Northwest Florida or South Alabama, and is the only one in the immediate area. There were a few more prior to hurricane Ivan and Dennis, Bogdan said, but most did not survive.
“You had the direct damage from the wind,” he said. “Then you have the delayed die back from damage to the trees. Exotic bugs and fungus that were not here before were blown in, and trees around here had no resistance.”
“”The trees have had good growth since the hurricane. An average seven or eight foot tall Christmas tree will grow from a seedling in about four years. “They grow much faster here in the South than they do up north,” he said.
With a little straightening and tender loving care, Bogdan’s trees post-hurricane are ready for a living room and a visit from Santa. Prices vary depending on the variety of tree and height.
Bogdan and his wife moved to the Davisville area from Miami after he retired from Eastern Airlines. He was looking for a little something to do in his retirement and settled on Christmas tree farmer over 10 years ago.
“I’d never farmed before, but ended up with a Christmas tree farm,” he said. “But it’s a nice business. It’s not like being a doctor or a lawyer where people you deal with are not happy. At a Christmas tree farm, everybody is happy when they come here.”
For more photos from the Christmas tree farm, click here.
The Country Pine Christmas Tree Farm is located at 5001 Still Road, just south of Highway 4. A map is at the bottom of this page. The farm is open 8 a.m. to dark daily. Trees range is size from table-top to 12 feet. (850) 327-4600.
Pictured top: A few of the trees at the Country Pine Christmas Tree Farm near Bratt. Pictured middle: At the Christmas tree farm, you can use one of their saws to cut your own tree. Pictured below: The Country Pine Christmas Tree Farm stand with tree accessories plus goodies like free apple juice, cookies and candy canes for the kids. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Keep The Wreath Green Campaign Kicks Off Next Week In Escambia
November 27, 2009
Escambia County Fire-Rescue and the City of Pensacola Fire Department are participating in “Keep the Wreath Green,” a holiday safety program designed to promote fire safety during the month of December. With this program, officials hope to reduce the number of fires during a time of serious fire danger with simple, life saving tips.
This year, the sixth year of the campaign, five-foot wreaths will be on display at 22 different 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. Every time firefighters respond to a residential fire a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by holiday decorations.
To help citizens stay safe and “keep the wreath green,” officials are providing a holiday safety tip for each day of the month; visit www.keepthewreathgreen.com for a complete list.
A kick-off event for the campaign will be held on Monday.
Escambia County Fire-Rescue and the City of Pensacola encourage everyone to follow the safety tips and have a happy holiday season.
Pictured above: The wreath at the Century fire station. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Brrr…Cold Again Tonight
November 27, 2009
It’s going to be cold again tonight in the North Escambia area.
A fire weather watch is also in effect. Low humidity will make outdoor burning extremely dangerous.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Today: Sunny, with a high near 61. West wind around 5 mph.
- Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 31. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 39. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
- Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49. South wind around 5 mph.
- Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Monday Night: Rain likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a low around 48. North wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 58. Northeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night: A 50 percent chance of rain. Cloudy, with a low around 47.
- Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 60.
Local Teen In National Kart Racing Championships This Weekend
November 27, 2009
A North Escambia teen will be competing in the National Indoor Kart Championship today and Saturday. It’s a big race for the Northview freshmen, and he’s hoping for a big win in his small kart.
Jarrett Parker, 15, won the state championships in both Alabama and Mississippi this year. The Molino resident will compete in a couple of classes in Batesville, Mississippi, during the kart championships this weekend.
On Friday, he will compete in the “Animal” and “Flat Head” races, and on Saturday he will compete in the “Animal” and “Pro” races. He has two cars, a black #46 and a yellow #46; he should race both cars on both days. The races will be streamed live on the internet at www.indoorkartnationals.com. He has previously competed, either winning or placing, in races across Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and Alabama. He has appeared in races on ESPN and The Outdoor Channel.
Jarrett, who has been Kart racing since 2003, is the son of Scott and Tammy Parker of Molino.
Pictured above: Molino teen Jarret Parker has made it big the in the world of kart racing. Pictured below: Parker after a big win at the MB Motorsports Racer’s Appreciation Race at Dexter Raceway in Georgia. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Black Friday Sale: Save On NorthEscambia.com Advertising
November 27, 2009
If you want advertise on NorthEscambia.com, we’ve got some good news for you. We are having a Black Friday sale on advertising, giving business owners and managers the opportunity to save 33% on our new advertising packages.
We are opening up many more advertising slots on the area’s most popular local news source, and they are discounted for any business that inquires about advertising during the NorthEscambia.com Black Friday sale.
If you are interested in advertising on NorthEscambia.com, make sure you send an email to news@northescambia.com or use our contact form by 6 p.m. Friday during our “Black Friday” sale. You must include your name, the name of your business, a valid email address and a contact phone number.
Contacting us about advertising does not obligate you to make any purchase. We will send you an email on Monday with all of the advertising details. You will have up until December 4 to decide to make your investment in advertising here on NorthEscambia.com.
Advertising opportunities are limited, so respond early. Some restrictions apply.
Teens Uninjured In Thanksgiving Night Wreck
November 27, 2009
Two teens were uninjured in a single vehicle accident late Thanksgiving night in Davisville.
The accident happened just before 11 p.m. on Greenland Road, near Hodges Road. The 16-year old driver of a GMC Jimmy apparently failed to negotiate a 90-degree curve on Greenland Road and overturned into a ditch. The driver and her 15-year old passenger were not injured in the accident.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Atmore Ambulance responded to the call. The accident is still under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Pictured above: Two teens were uninjured in a single vehicle accident on Greenland Road late Thursday night. The vehicle reportedly came to rest in a ditch, but it had been pulled out of the ditch by friends of the driver before emergency workers arrived on scene. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escapee Arrested After High Speed Chase That Ended In Escambia Bay
November 26, 2009
A convict that walked away from an Escambia County work detail is back in jail after a high speed chase and crashing is truck into Escambia Bay.
Edgar Farmer, 27, walked away from a work detail at the Florida Highway Patrol station on Stumpfield Road Wednesday afternoon.
U.S. Marshals were tipped off that Farmer was near Davis Highway and Copter Road in Pensacola. They spotted his truck. He fled, and they gave chase. The high speed chase ended at the Floridatown Boat Ramp in Santa Rosa County. That’s where Farmer ran his truck into Escambia Bay. He tried to swim out into the bay, but was caught about 200 yards from shore.
Farmer is now in the Santa Rosa County Jail on $16,000 bond charged with resisting arrest, fleeing and eluding, and a probation violation. Deputies said he might face more charges in both Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
H1N1 Vaccination Clinic To Be Held In North Escambia
November 26, 2009
The Escambia County Health Department will be holding a H1N1 vaccination clinic in North Escambia on Saturday, December 12.
The clinic will be held on Saturday, December 12 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. or as long as vaccine is available at the old Carver-Century School at 700 East Hecker Road in Century. This is only H1N1 vaccination clinic planned in North Escambia, according to Molly Payne-Hardin, spokesperson for the health department.
Vaccine will be offered to the five federally-designated priority groups:
- Pregnant women
- Caregivers and those who live with infants under six months
- Individuals ages 6 months -24 years old
- All healthcare workers
- Adults ages 25-64 years old who are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.
Individuals do not need to provide proof of age or medical condition.
“This is our first Saturday clinic and I hope that our residents in the northern portion of our county will take advantage of this opportunity to get vaccinated,” said Health Department Director Dr. John Lanza.
To fill out consent forms in advance (this step is optional; you will have time to do this at the clinic):
First, read the appropriate Vaccine Information Sheet (VIS). Healthy individual ages 2 through 49 years old, will be offered the nasal mist format of the vaccine and should read the Vaccine Information Sheet labeled “Live Attenuated”.
H1N1 Influenza Vaccine (Live, Attenuated)-VIS (36.8kb; pdf)
H1N1 Influenza Vaccine (Inactive)-VIS (36.4kb; pdf)
Second, after reading the Vaccine Information Sheet (VIS), print, fill out, sign and the following consent form. Each person being vaccinated needs their own consent form.
H1N1 Vaccine Consent Form (1.4mb; pdf) (This consent form is ONLY for the Century vaccination clinic on December 12.)