Photo Gallery: Art On The Farm
November 22, 2009
People from across the area had the opportunity to enjoy Art at the Farm Saturday in Walnut Hill.
The annual event features art, crafts, foods like homemade gumbo and taco soup, pony rides and more. Event organizers said the event was successful, and the rains held off until after the event.
For photo gallery from Art at the Farm, click here.
Pictured above and below: Art on the Farm was held Saturday in Walnut Hill. Photos by Seales Photography for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Atmore Dentist Found Dead From Gunshot Wound
November 21, 2009
The Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Department is investigating the death of Atmore dentist who was found dead from a gunshot wound in his home Saturday.
Dr. Thomas Alvin Rice, Jr., 54, was discovered dead at his residence in the 3600 block of Highway 31 in Nokomis late Saturday afternoon. Rice died from a gunshot wound, according to Escambia County (Ala.) Chief Deputy Mike Lambert. Officials are not currently saying if foul play is suspected in Rice’s death; they are awaiting autopsy results from the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences in Mobile.
His death is still under investigation by the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Department.
Dr. Rice was a 1982 graduate of the Unversity of Alabama. He has held an active dental license in Alabama since June of 1982, and has practiced dentistry at 111 East Ridgely Street in Atmore for a number of years.
Highway 97 Repaving To Begin After Thanksgiving Weekend
November 21, 2009
Work is set to begin the week after Thanksgiving on a $5 million resurfacing project on Highway 97 from Molino to Alabama that will take about 10 months to complete.
The entire 22.5 mile length of Highway 97 will be repaved from County Road 95 in Molino across Highway 29 to the Alabama state line. No major drainage changes are expected to the route’s 55 cross drains under the highway, with the exception of some possible changes near the intersection of Highway 97 and Crabtree Church Road. There will also be new and replacement guardrails installed along the state highway.
“They will probably start with some isolated drainage work,” according to Tanya Branton, spokesperson for the Florida Department of Transportation. “There should not be any major lane closures in the first few days.”
Once work begins on the actual highway, work crews will restrict traffic to one lane through the work zone. Weather permitting, the project should be completed in September 2010.
“They will maintain accesses to businesses and residences during the process,” she Branton said.
Existing 12 foot wide travel lanes and five foot paved shoulders will be milled and resurfaced. This project does not include the four-laning of Highway 97. A four lane highway is not in any of the state’s current plans for Highway 97.
NorthEscambia.com will work with the Florida Department of Transportation and the contractor to keep you updated on the status of the project.
Pictured above: Highway 97 (running left to right in the photo) in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Learn About Home, Shopping Safety Today In Molino
November 21, 2009
The Escambia County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee is hosting a series of home and personal safety programs for North Escambia.
The first program will be at 9:00 this morning at Aldersgate United Methodist Church on Highway 29 just south of Highway 97.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office will present “Safety In the Home, Shopping Safety” and information on other basic safety issues. At the first meeting, Lt. Pat Spears will provide information specific to living in a rural area, as well as tips to stay safe when starting holiday shopping.
Future talks and workshops are planned around self defense and age-specific issues. For more information, contact the Molino Farm Bureau office at (850) 587-2135.
Middle, High School Girls Can Join Youth Volleyball
November 21, 2009
Middle and high school girls had the opportunity to learn about club and training volleyball at a Friday night meeting at Northview High School.
Northview’s volleyball coach, Betty Heaton, is looking to organize youth volleyball in the North Escambia area.
“The observation by coaches in the area is that there are girls that are interested in playing club volleyball, but that driving distances for club teams in Pensacola and Mobile have prohibited them from playing,” Heaton said. “We are interested in starting a club team and/or training team in the North Escambia Florida and surrounding Alabama areas.”
Club Volleyball is used to help players gain more experience playing volleyball. Club Volleyball will give players interested in developing their volleyball skills a chance to practice and play volleyball with a variety of coaches and teammates.
Training Team is a non-tournament club volleyball team. The goals would still be the same as a club volleyball team but they would not travel or play in tournaments. This would provide the players with the chance to practice and improve their skills.
To rdownload the information packet provided to interested girls Friday night, click here.
For more information, call or email Betty Heaton at bettie08@yahoo.com or (251) 253-0101 or Cheryl Bosley at Willy24@comcast.net (251) 591-0456.
Ernest Ward Gets New $50K Kitchen Hood
November 21, 2009
A new kitchen hood has been installed at Ernest Ward Middle School at a cost of $49,236.
The district awarded the $49,236 contact to low bidder Comfort Systems USA of Pensacola earlier this year. The project was completed on budget by the contractor.
Two other bids — $53,472 and $67,500 — were received on the lunchroom project.
Art At The Farm Today
November 21, 2009
Art at the Farm will be held today 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 8600 Rease Seales Road in Walnut Hill.
There will be local arts and crafts vendors, pony rides for the kids, food vendors, Christmas photos and much more. Bring the family and enjoy a day at the farm. Call Melissa Seales for more information (850) 207-2100.
The event will take place regardless of rain.
Santa Claus Is Coming; Event To Benefit Molino Ranch; Kid’s Coloring Contest
November 21, 2009
For the seventh consecutive year, Santa will make an early appearance in Escambia County at the much anticipated Santa Hay Ride. This year’s event will be held on Friday, December 4 at the Escambia County Equestrian Center.
This winter wonderland will be fun for children of all ages. Ride and sing on the hayride, enjoy seasonal, fun activities, such as inflatable “moon walks,” make holiday decorations, and have a chance to give Santa your wish list all at no charge. Bring your own camera for photos with Santa.
Kids can enjoy a holiday horse ride for a $5 donation to the Leaning Post Ranch, a Molino charity whose mission is to provide equine assisted activities and therapeutic riding to individuals with disabilities and at-risk youth in Northwest Florida. This family friendly event provides a great opportunity to make holiday memories that will last a lifetime. Come enjoy the festive music, cheer and holiday refreshments.
Area businesses, organizations and vendors can get involved in the festivities by decking the stalls. Decorate one or more of the many horse stalls at the Equestrian Center for the holiday season and be a part of this great community event. Each winner will receive a plaque. Setup and decorating can be done during normal business hours on Thursday, December 3 or Friday, December 4. Reserve your stall early.
Escambia County’s ECTV government access television is sponsoring a coloring contest for ages three to 12. Artwork will be judged age appropriately on neatness, creativity and originality. The coloring page can be found by clicking here or picked up at Escambia County’s Recreation Division, 1651 East Nine Mile Road or Public Information Office, 221 Palafox Place, Suite 410. The participant’s name and age must be on the page to qualify for the contest. All entries must be received at the Public Information Office by the close of business on Monday, November 30.
This is a season of giving, so this holiday event also serves as an official drop-off site for the Toys for Tots program sponsored by the Marine Corps League Detachment 066. Patrons are also encouraged to drop off broken or old cellular telephones, which will be exchanged for free minutes for overseas troops to call home for the holidays.
For more information on the hayride, coloring contest, stall decoration or the Leaning Post Ranch, contact Brandi Daigle, Public Information Office at 595-3476.
The Escambia County Equestrian Center is located at 7750 Mobile Highway. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and admission is free.
Rainy Night…
November 21, 2009
Expect a rainy Saturday night with showers ending by about noon Sunday. Here is your official North Escambia forecast:
- Tonight: Rain. Low around 52. East wind between 10 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
- Sunday: A 40 percent chance of rain, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. East wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. North wind around 5 mph.
- Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 68. North wind around 5 mph.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 73. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. North wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 66. North wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. North wind around 5 mph.
- Thanksgiving Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 38.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 62.
- Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 38.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 65.
Don’t Forget: Northview Vs. Tate
November 21, 2009
The 1A Northview Chiefs will take on the 4A Tate Aggies Saturday at Tate.
Proceeds from the game will benefit the Miracle League of Northwest Florida, a baseball league for disabled and special needs persons that plays spring and fall at the Mitchell Homes Miracle League Park on Nine Mile Road.
The Class 1A Northview Chiefs, under first year Coach Sid Wheatly, finished with a 7-3 record, a huge improvement over last year’s 2-8 season. The Tate Aggies were 7-3 this season in Class 4A.
Kickoff is at noon. Admission is $5. The Tate Showband of the South will perform at halftime.