Molino Park Opened As Escambia’s First Pet Friendly Shelter
November 9, 2009
Molino Elementary School became the first storm shelter in Escambia County to accept pets during Ida. It housed 32 people and a small number of pets.
Officials said now is good time to pre-register for the shelter before the next storm hits be registration for pets is required. Registration forms plus a full list of all requirements and pet owner responsibilities can be downloaded from www.bereadyescambia.com, or picked up at the Escambia County Animal Shelter, 200 West Fairfield Drive in Pensacola.
Space is limited to between 150 and 350 animals, depending on breed and kennel sizes. Only dogs and cats will be accepted – no pets of any other species are allowed – however there is no limit of cats or dogs per person, nor limitations on breeds. Pet owners will be required to stay at a facility adjacent to the pet shelter and may not leave their pet at the shelter for any length of time.
Identification tags, proof of vaccinations, food, water, any medications plus bedding and kennels must be provided by the pet owner for each animal. Owners will also have to care for each of their animals including feeding, exercising, potty breaks and all clean up.
Emergency Management’s disaster preparedness web site, www.bereadyescambia.com, provides vital information for pet owners evacuating or sheltering-in-place during storms and lists more than 1,500 rooms available in comfortable, pet-friendly local motels. While pet owners are advised to find alternative accommodations in the event of a hurricane, the pet-friendly shelter will be opened for residents as a refuge of last resort.
One Year Later: Hurricane 113 Evacuation Route Stands Ready
November 9, 2009
This week marks one year since the four-lane Highway 113 route from Flomaton to I-65 opened, providing a vital capacity increase for the major hurricane evacuation route.
The $22.7 million project, which included funds from the state of Alabama, Flomaton and both Escambia County, Alabama, and Escambia County, Florida, provides 13.5 miles of four-lane divided highway from Highway 29/31 in Flomaton to Exit 69 on I-65.
“We found out after Ivan what it was like to have a four lane coming out of the coast of Florida and coming into Flomaton into a two lane,” Alabama Gov. Bob Riley said at the highway’s ribbon cutting last year. “We backed up traffic for miles. And that’s when we really did realize we’ve got to do something to get people on up to 65. One of these days, we are going look back and we are going to say that building this road saved hundreds if not thousands of lives because we were able to evacuate people from the Gulf Coast where otherwise it might not ever have happened.”
The 14 mile widening project broke ground on September 11, 2007. Escambia County, Florida, contributed $4 million to the project. Flomaton and Escambia County, Alabama, each contributed $500,000 with the state of Alabama and the federal government picking up of the rest of the nearly $22.7 million tab.
The highway also includes a new four-span, 204 foot bridge to accommodate northbound traffic.
The November 12, 2008, ribbon cutting was actually over 40 years in the making. Florida and Alabama agreed back in 1967 to four-lane roads on both side of the state line for an evacuation route. Florida finished their part along Highway 29 by 1990, but Alabama did nothing more after acquiring right-of-way back in the 1970’s.
Pictured above: Dignitaries including Alabama Governor Bob Riley cut the ribbon on the newly widened Highway 113 in Flomaton on November 12, 2008. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Hurricane Tips: Before A Storm
November 9, 2009
Every year, prior to hurricane season, your family should review your hurricane plan and make changes as necessary. It should include whether or not you plan to evacuate, where you will go if you evacuate, the route you will take to leave the area, when you will leave and what supplies you will take.
If you plan to stay, make sure you have all of the supplies necessary to be on your own for at least 72 hours. If you are planning to go to an evacuation shelter, have your shelter supplies kit packed and ready. Make sure you have all the materials on hand to protect your home. You should also trim dead wood from trees. Don’t forget to make arrangements for pets. Print and save this page for future reference. You may not have power if a storm is approaching.
If the storm is threatening the area, listen to local media for information and actions to be taken. In addition you should:
- Fuel your car. You will need it to evacuate and pumps won’t work without electricity.
- Bring outdoor objects inside such as lawn furniture, toys and garden tools.
- Install your storm shutters or cover windows with plywood and secure all doors. If you don’t cover your windows, remove your screens so they won’t blow away and you can reinstall them after the storm to keep mosquitos at bay.
- Prepare boats as appropriate.
- Turn refrigerators and freezers to the highest settings. Freeze plastic bottles of water (leave room for expansion).
- Turn off small appliances that are not needed.
- Turn off LP tanks.
- Call an out-of-town friend or relative to let them know of your plans. Then instruct other family members to call that person for information about your family after the storm.
- Fill sinks and bathtubs with water. Check them for slow leaks.
- Get an extra supply of cash. Banks and ATMs may not be operational immediately after the storm.
No Line, No Waiting
November 8, 2009
The long lines to buy gas often seen prior to a hurricane were nonexistent in Atmore late Sunday night. At the Winn Dixie grocery store in Atmore and the Piggly Wiggly in Davisville, it was also business as usual. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill Fire Honors Firemen, Community Members During Fish Fry
November 8, 2009
The Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department honored members of the community and the department during their annual fish fry Saturday.
Royce Ward was recognized for his part in forming the fire department in 1965. The fire department was organized by the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club, under the leadership of Ward who served as the group’s president.
The WHVFD presented their Community Service Award to Escambia Grain Manager Ed Nowlin for his long-time service to the Walnut Hill community.
The Officer of the Year Award was presented to Deputy Chief Kevin Mininger. Mininger joined the department in 1987, advancing to deputy chief by 2008.
Jonathan Koehn was named Firefighter of the Year. Koehn joined the fire department in early 2008 and completed his state Firefighter I certification by the end of the year.
Saturday’s fish fry marked the 40th annual event for the department, with over 550 fish and chicken plates sold.
“I would like to thank the department for all they do,” Escambia County Fire Chief Frank Edwards said. “We could not do what we do without the volunteer departments, especially up here.”
For more photos from the 40th annual Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department fish fry, click here.
Pictured top: Andrew Peters (left) takes fish out of a fryer with the help of Chad Rigby Saturday at the annual Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department fish fry. Pictured inset: Community Service Ward winner Ed Nowlin. Pictured below: The department sold over 550 plates of chicken or fish. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Otta’ The Woods: Hunting Season And Rule Info You Need To Know
November 8, 2009
The archery hunting season is in full swing in Northwest Florida, and now is the time to prepare for the other upcoming seasons, including the anxiously awaited Thanksgiving weekend deer season.
The first thing you need to do is pick up a $17 Florida resident hunting license. Nonresidents pay $46.50 for a 10-day license or $151.50 for 12 months.
If you plan to hunt one of Florida’s many wildlife management areas (WMAs), you’ll also need a $26.50 management area permit, but don’t forget to study the brochure for the specific area you plan to hunt, because dates, bag limits and rules differ greatly from area to area.
You can buy your license and permits over the telephone by calling toll-free 888-HUNT-FLORIDA or online at www.wildlifelicense.com/fl. Just have your credit card ready. You also can purchase them from tax collectors’ offices and most retail outlets that sell hunting and fishing supplies.
The general gun season comes in Thanksgiving Day and lasts four days through November 29. Two weeks later, the season reopens December 12 and runs through February 17.
Hunters can take bucks having at least one antler 5 inches or longer. On private lands, the daily bag limit for deer is two.
On private lands, hunters can take wild hogs year-round with no bag or size limits. On most – but not all – WMAs, there’s also no bag or size limit on wild hogs, and hunters can take them during any hunting season except spring turkey. Check the WMA brochure to be certain.
The highly anticipated antlerless deer season, often called “doe week,” is December 19-25.
During doe week, the daily bag limit’s one buck and one doe, or two bucks. You may not take two does in one day like you may during archery season, and spotted fawns are never legal game. And by the way, WMAs do not have an antlerless deer season.
If you hunt with deer dogs anywhere in Florida, special rules and registration requirements may apply, so call the FWC for details.
Fall turkey season in the Northwest Hunting Zone is November 26-29 and December 12 – January 17. Only bearded turkeys and gobblers are legal game, and you must have a $5 turkey permit to hunt them. The bag limit’s one bird per day, and a total of two during the archery, crossbow, muzzleloading gun and fall turkey seasons combined.
Quail and gray squirrel season runs statewide November 14 – March 7. There’s a daily bag limit of 12 for each, but shooting fox squirrels is against the law.
Shooting hours for deer, turkeys, quail and gray squirrels is a half-hour before sunrise to a half-hour after sunset. All legal firearms, muzzleloaders, bows, crossbows and handguns are legal for taking these resident game animals during the general gun, antlerless deer, fall turkey, and quail and gray squirrel seasons.
Snipe hunting in Florida ranks second in the nation in number of birds harvested each year, and the season runs November 1 – February 15 statewide. The second phase of the mourning and white-winged dove season also comes in this month and runs November 14-29. Shooting hours for migratory game birds are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. The bag limit for snipe is eight; and for doves, the bag limit is 15.
You must get a no-cost migratory bird permit if you plan to hunt snipe, doves or any other migratory game birds.
The FWC even provides an online “Dove Hunters’ Hotline,” which gives up-to-date information on Florida’s public dove fields. The address is MyFWC.com/Dove, and it’s updated every Thursday throughout the dove season. Information includes dove densities, previous weeks’ harvests and field conditions.
Whether small-game hunting with friends and family or hunting solo, going after that monster buck, boar hog or big tom, November brings loads of great hunting opportunities.
Here’s wishing you a happy Thanksgiving and a successful hunting season.
Northwest Florida Hunting Season Dates
(not applicable on wildlife management areas)
Archery Oct. 17 – Nov. 15
Deer-dog training Oct. 31 – Nov. 19
Crossbow Nov. 30 – Dec. 6
Muzzleloading gun Nov. 20-22 & Feb. 18-28
General gun Nov. 26-29 & Dec. 12 – Feb. 17
Antlerless deer Dec. 19-25
Fall turkey Nov. 26-29 & Dec. 12 – Jan. 17
Quail and gray squirrel Nov. 14 – March 7
Bobcat and otter Dec. 1 – March 1
Spring turkey March 20 – April 25
Wild hogs, rabbits, raccoons, opossums, skunks, nutrias, beavers and coyotes may be taken year-round.
Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset, except during spring turkey season when shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until sunset on private lands.
For hunting regulations and dates on wildlife management areas, click the following links:
For other wildlife management area regulations, click here.
For complete Florida hunting information, click here.
Schools Plan Veterans Day Programs
November 8, 2009
Veterans were scheduled to honored at schools across North Escambia this week.
However, Escambia County Schools are closed Monday and Tuesday due to Hurricane Ida.
The following information from a previous story includes events that were planned, that will obviously no longer take place as planned
Veterans Day programs and events will be held as follows:
Ernest Ward Middle School
The annual Veterans Day program will be held at 9:30 Monday morning at Ernest Ward Middle School. All veterans, parents and community members are invited to attend a special assembly in honor of Veterans Day in school’s gym.
Molino Park Elementary
Molino Park Elementary students will honor military veterans on Monday afternoon at 1:00with a patriotic program and donation drive for April Emerald Coast Honor Flight. Each grade level will sing two songs. Special guests will be the Northview High School NJROTC Color Guard, guest speaker Mr. Gary Cooper, and Mrs. Sheila Allen and Mrs. Ginny Cruz, singer/songwriters, singing “Stand Up America”. For further information please contact Alice Woodward, principal, at (850) 587-5265.
Northview High
Northview High School will hold it’s Veterans Day program at 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday, November 10 in the school theater.
Bratt Elementary
Bratt Elementary will be hosting an “honor walk” Monday morning for the Emerald Coast Honor Flight. An area in the front of the school will be dedicated to honor service men and women. Flags will be sold for a minimum donation of $1 in honor of or in memory of the men and women who have served or are serving our country. The flags will be tagged with the name of the service person, the branch of service, and the student’s name. The flags will be displayed November 9th – November 20th in front of the school. All donations will be given to the Emerald Coast Honor Flight to send WWII veterans to Washington DC. Each student who brings in a donation will place a flag or flags on the Honor Walk. Students will take the flags home on November 23rd. For further information, please contact Tammy Calloway, intervention specialist, 327-6137, ext. 264.
Jim Allen Elementary
Jim Allen Elementary School will host a fund raiser kick off, “Honor a Vet with Flight” for the Emerald Coast Honor Flight. During this week students, faculty, and staff will be raising money to send a veteran to Washington D.C. The hallways of the school will be decorated using patriotic themes. The event will culminate with a school-wide assembly at the flagpole on Friday, November 13 at 7:45 a.m. Students, faculty and staff will wear red, white and blue and veterans from the community have been invited. For more information, please contact Rachel Watts, principal, 937-2260.
NWE Midgets Win Playoff Game In Last 3.3 Seconds
November 8, 2009
The Northwest Escambia Midgets beat defending Gulf Coast Youth Football Alliance champions Ensley Gold 6-0 in Saturday playoff action.
NWE pulled off the 6-0 win with a touchdown in the last 3.3 seconds of the game in round two of the GCYFA playoffs in Milton. With the win, the Northwest Escambia Eagles will advance to the semifinals next Saturday against either A&G or Milton Gold.
Daulton Tullis recovered the kickoff, and NWE started play at first and 10 at about the 41 yard line. Quarterback Tullis handed off to Taylor Reyes, and Reyes gained four yards on the first down of the ballgame. From second and six, the Eagles Tullis handed off to Reyes again, and he was met at line of scrimmage for no gain. At third down and six, Reyes lost a couple of yards. With fourth and seven, Brannon Freeman was in to punt. Ensley blocked the punt and took over first and 10 at the NWE 36. Ensley was pushed back to the 46 yard line, making it first and a long 20 to go.
Ensley Gold then fumbled the ball away to the Eagles at their own 44 yard line. Tullis handed off to Ryder Gifford for three to the 43. On second down, Reyes was up the middle to just shy of the midfield mark with about four minutes to go in the first quarter. On third and five, Gifford crossed into Ensley territory to the 49. Faced with fourth and three, Ensley jumped offside, putting NWE at first and 10 from the 44.
Freeman gained three on the first down to the 41, and on second down, it was Freeman again with five to the Ensley 36. Reyes took the next hand off, but was just shy of the first down. On fourth down down, Freeman gained a NWE first down at the Ensley 33.
With 47 seconds to go in the first, Freeman lost a yard. On second down, Tullis pitched to Freeman to end the first quarter in Milton.
Tied scoreless headed into the second quarter, Freeman gained good ground to the 31 yard line. NWE went for it on fourth on nine, with a incomplete pass from Tullis. Ensley took over at their own 31. Ensley drove as close their own 17, and then lost ground on a penalty.
Northwest Escambia took over at their own 21 with about four minutes to go in the first half. A Tullis to Reyes hand off gained nothing for NWE. Freeman then drove out to the 30 yard line to make it third and inches with 3:14 in the half. On a QB keeper, Tullis then picked up the first down with a gain of four on the play. The next downs, NWE was unable to gain any territory.
Ensley Gold took over inside the NWE 30 with 54 seconds in the second. A Sherouse tackle stopped Ensley with just over one on the first down. Ensley’s drive was ended by a fumble recovered by NWE inside the Ensley Gold 20 with 20 seconds to go in the half.
Headed into the half, the score was still tied 0-0 in round two of the Gulf Coast Youth Football Alliance playoffs in Milton.
In the third, Ensley drove to the 41 before falling short of a first down. On two downs, Freeman picked up a NWE first down at the Ensley 48. On a quarterback keeper, Tullis picked up about three. Freeman lost about three, then Reyes picked up about six on a carry. Freemen then went up the middle and fell short of the first down with 3:16 to go in the third quarter.
From the 37, Freeman and Gifford brought the Ensley QB to the ground for a loss in the backfield. On third and 15 with a minute in the third, Ensley’s QB went down on a hard sack by the Eagle’s Deonte Mitchell.
The third quarter ended with the score still tied with no score.
Brannon Freeman started the fourth with a 2-yard run, and it was downhill from there. NWE was forced to punt, and Ensley returned to the NWE 40 with under seven minutes in a scoreless game.
On Ensley’s first down, they fumbled the ball away to the NWE Midgets at the 41 with 6:13 to go in the game. Tullis then drove to the 39 for eight and two on the play. Reyes broke to the outside for a NWE first down at the Ensley 28. on first down, Reyes gained another NWE first down to the 18.
After a short loss, the Eagles where third and 11 with 3:15 on the clock. A Tullis to Brannon Freeman pass was incomplete for fourth and 12. The Eagles went for it, a Tullis pass into the end zone was incomplete.
Ensley then took over at their on 19 with 3:05 to go in the playoff game. They managed to drive to their own 40 with a minute on the clock. With 30 seconds on the clock, Ensley picked up a first down at their own 41. With 17 seconds on the clock, Tullis blocked an Ensley pass, knocking it to the ground.
Second and 10 on their own 41, an Ensley pass was picked off by Brannon Freeman who returned it to the NWE 29.
With just 3.3 seconds to go in the scoreless game, the Northwest Escambia Midget Eagles had time for just one play. Tullis attempted a perfect pass deep into the end zone to Brannon Freeman. Freeman jumped and caught the pigskin for a NWE win, 6-0, over Ensley Gold.
Northwest Escambia entered the tournament as the number 12 seed. They started their league championship bid last week by beating undefeated powerhouse Myrtle Grove 12-6.
Members of the Northwest Escambia Midgets are: Brannon Freeman, Daulton Tullis, Thomas Rolin, Olan Barlow, Deonte Mitchell, John Rhodes, Ryder Gifford, Dylan Berry, Chason Freeman, Logan Sherouse, Zachary Holland, Taylor Reyes, Gavin Grant, Brodie Amos, David Edwards, Dalton Daniel, Elijah Harbison and Matthew Lee.
Next week, the NWE Eagles will continue their Midget championship playoff bid against the Albritton & Grant Rattlers. The Rattlers are coming off a 7-6 upset of the Milton Panthers Saturday afternoon.
Pictured above: The Northwest Escambia Midgets celebrate after a 6-0 win in the last 3.3 seconds of their league playoff game against Ensley Gold Saturday. Submitted photo by Wayne Holland for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Church Holds Byrneville Carnival; Century Care Residents Visit
November 8, 2009
The Mt. Zion Chapel held a fall carnival Saturday, and some of the residents from Century Care Center were their special guests.
The carnival, at the Byrneville Community Center, featured a variety of fun games and food.
Pictured above and below: Residents from Century Care Center enjoyed a fall carnival sponsored by Mt. Zion Chapel Saturday at the Byrneville Community Center. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Area Students Selected For All-State Band
November 8, 2009
Several North Escambia area students were among 462 selected for one of six 2010 All-State bands by the Florida Bandmasters Association.
In order to audition for the All-State bands, students were required to sight read two pieces of music and perform two prepared exercises.
Area students selected were: Tate High, trumpet; Jakob Wisdom, Tate High, trumpet; Kayla Smith, Ransom Middle, flute; Noah Heintz, Ransom Middle, trombone; Jacob Charles, Ransom Middle, tuba; Bree Mendoza, Jay High, flute; Austin Herring, Jay High, trombone; and Nick McMellon, Jay High, trombone.
The Florida All-State bands will perform in Tampa January 7-10.