Updated Forecast: More Rain Possible Tonight; Sunny And Windy Sunday
April 24, 2010
Here is your updated North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Some of the storms could be severe. Patchy dense fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Breezy, with a south southwest wind between 10 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Sunday: Partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 84. West southwest wind between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58. West southwest wind between 5 and 15 mph.
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 81. West wind between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 51. West northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. Northwest wind between 5 and 15 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. North northwest wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. North northwest wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 47. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 84.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 84.
- Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.
- Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82.
Molino PTA Golf Tournament Rescheduled; Still A Chance To Win A Car
April 24, 2010
The First Annual Molino Park Elementary School PTA Golf Tournament scheduled for today has been rescheduled for May 22 due to the weather.
Golfers will have the chance to win a new vehicle from World Ford in the tournament on May 22.
Registration will be at noon and tee off will be at 1 p.m. at the Cypress Lakes Golf Course (formerly Solutia) in Cantonment.
The cost is $55 per person on a team of four; the cost includes a golf cart. There will be goody bags and door prizes. To register, contact Tina Pendleton at (850) 982-1615 or (850) 587-5002. Business sponsors are also needed.
Jay Rodeo Rescheduled Due To The Weather
April 24, 2010
The 8th Annual Jay Pro Rodeo has been rescheduled for next weekend due to the weather.
Gates open at 6 p..m. and the rodeo begins at 8 p.m. There will be musical entertainment, plus free moon bounces and activities for the children. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children 2-12 and children under 2 are free. All tickets and fliers will still be good for the new date.
The Jay Pro Rodeo is sponsored by the Jay Quarterback Club, Jay High SGA, FRIENDS (a community service organization) and the Ted May Arena. All proceeds will benefit local youth and Relay for Life.
Click here and print the flier and receive one free admission for a child 12 and under with each paying adult, compliments of NorthEscambia.com.
Pictured: The artwork for this year’s Jay Pro Rodeo poster was designed by Jay High School senior Leely Trevino, click to enlarge.
Northview Chiefs Track Girls Place At Regionals
April 24, 2010
The Northview High School Lady Chiefs placed at the Regional competition in Jacksonville Friday afternoon.
The girls 4×100 relay team qualified for the Regionals final where they had a second chance to show off their Chief speed. Laneicia Gomez, Tierra Floyd, Angel Mitchell, and Ariel Holland finished eighth in the final Regional 2A 4×100 relay championship. The team, comprised of three freshmen and one junior, finished only about three seconds behind the top team.
In the Regional 2A 100 meter dash preliminary, freshman Angel Mitchell placed 13th.
For a photo gallery from the Jacksonville competition with the girls and Coach Natalie Nall, click here.
Pictured above: Northview’s 4×100 relay team Ariel Holland, Angel Mitchell, Laneicia Gomez and Tierra Floyd in Jacksonville Friday afternoon. Pictured below: The girls pose with Coach Natalie Nall (center) after dinner Thursday night at Jacksonville Landing. Submitted photos by Christal Bell for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Unsupervised Animal Tethering Now Illegal In Escambia
April 24, 2010
The Escambia County Commission has approved an ordinance amendment that now restricts how and when dogs can be tethered in the county.
It was a victory for animal rights groups and activists like Laura Catterton of Cantonment. She helped draft the ordinance amendment approved unanimously by the commission. As a volunteer for the Junior Human Society and Escambia County Animal Services, she has spent a lot of time over the past five years photographing and documenting animal tethering abuse in Escambia County. Here photos were also viewed by the commissioners prior to their vote.
“As a volunteer with several animal welfare groups in the area, I have witnessed the numerous chained, neglected dogs in the county. I started photographing these dogs five years ago so the citizens could have documented proof that such abuse and neglect take place in Escambia County,” Catterton said in a post on NorthEscambia.com.
The ordinance requires dog owners to provide a shelter large enough to stand up, turn around, lie down and stretch comfortably. Tethering of animals over six months old will be allowed, if the ordinance is approved, if the animal is within eyesight of the owner and the tethering system is at least six feet long, below 1/16 the weight of the animal and fitted with a proper collar. The animal can not be tethered during extreme weather or while it is sick.
There are additional requirements set forth in the ordinance. To read the ordinance, click here.
For a gallery of Catterton’s photos, click here. (Editor’s note: Some readers may find the photos disturbing.)
Pictured: An example of animal tethering in Escambia County in a photo by Laura Catterton of Cantonment. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sawmill Day Still Set For Today
April 24, 2010
Despite a rainy forecast, organizers still plan to celebrate Sawmill Day today in the historical park on Jefferson Street.
“We are still planning on having it outdoors,” organizer Jerry Simmons said Friday night.
The annual heritage festival will celebrate the roots of the town while raising funds for the Alger-Sullivan Historical Society. The groups museums — including the Leach House, the Boxcar and the Post Office — will be open for free tours.
The “Pictorial History” books published by the group will be for sale, along with books, railroad caps and coffee mugs.
Entertainment planned includes the Jay High Jazz Band, Atmore’s Southern Pride Dancers, Camp Fire boys and girls, the Pilgrim Lodge Youth Choir, the Santa Rosa & Escambia Twirlers, Angie Shelly & Twirltime and more.
The Panhandle Cruisers will display antique and custom automobiles, and there will be vendors featuring a variety of wares.
The event takes place from 8:30 a.m. until at the Historical Park in the Century Historical District on Jefferson Avenue.
Local Elementary Students Hold P.E.P. Rallies
April 24, 2010
Elementary schools in Escambia County took part in an Escambia County P.E.P. Rally, an event designed to encourage students to Play more, Eat right, and Push away from the screen.
The all-day event was a project of Unite Escambia’s Health Solutions Team and the Escambia County School District. In addition to fun outdoor activities, each school had a healthy lunch consisting of sweet and sour chicken with sticky rice, chef salad, fresh fruit bar and milk.
“The obesity rates in Escambia County are staggering,” said Robin Herr, chair of the Unite Escambia: Health Solutions Team. “It is imperative for us to make a conscious effort to reach our youth and teach them the importance of increasing physical activity, eating healthy foods, and spending less time in front of screens. It is our hope that this event will give our children the skills needed to make smart choices and live active, healthy lives.”
The organization says that 37 percent of students are overweight and 19 percent are obese in Escambia County.
Pictured: Students at Ferry Pass Elementary play with a parachute Friday as part of the school’s field day. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida House Approves Use Of Red Light Cameras
April 24, 2010
The House passed a bill Friday that will allow the use of and standardize cameras to catch red light runners in Florida over the objections of libertarians who said it is an encroachment on personal freedom and a money grab by cities and counties.
The bill (HB 325) passed 77-33, but not before opponents said the measure wasn’t about preventing people from running red lights, but raising money for government in tight times.
“Government has an insatiable appetite for our people’s money,” and residents are tired of “revenue grabs” like the red light camera bill,” said Rep. Rob Schenk, R-Spring Hill. “Where does it end?” Schenk asked, suggesting that today cameras may record red light runners, and that could lead in the future to cameras in homes to determine how much water we use, for example.
But several Republicans rose to say that the measure will reduce traffic deaths and was worth any intrusion – and that people shouldn’t expect the freedom to break the law anyway.
“We have a lot of liberties in this country,” said Rep. Clay Ford, R-Gulf Breeze. “Running red lights and killing school children isn’t one of them.”
Added Rep. Matt Hudson, R-Naples: “If you don’t want the ticket, don’t run the red light. It’s not tricky.”
The bill is named the Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act after a man who was killed by a red light runner. His widow, Melissa Wandall, watched as the House passed the bill, which still needs Senate approval.
The bill standardizes the use of the cameras statewide, including spelling out how the $158 fines issued from the cameras’ use would get divvied up. It also adds protections for red light runners who simply fail to fully stop before turning right on red, and allows drivers to review the tape of their offense if they dispute it.
Pictured: Melissa Wandall, whose husband Mark was killed by a driver that ran a red light, applauds Friday as the House passes a measure to allow cameras to be used statewide to catch red light runners. David Royse photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
News Service Florida contributed to this report.
Photo Gallery: Ernest Ward Middle Holds Annual Sports Banquet
April 24, 2010
The fourth annual Ernest Ward Middle School Sports Banquet was held Friday night. Students were honored for their participation in football, cheerleading, volleyball, track, basketball and swimming.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the event, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Will Gov. Remove Comm. Valentino From Office After Arrest?
April 24, 2010
There’s no word yet if Gov. Charlie Crist will suspend Escambia County Commissioner Gene Valentino following his arrest.
Valentino was indicted by an Escambia County Grand Jury Thursday on charges of the solicitation of a political contribution in a building owned by a governmental agency. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail late Thursday afternoon and released on his own recognizance.
The charge is a first degree misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in the county jail and a $1,000 fine.
Gov. Crist is not required to suspend Valentino from office, but has the authority to do so. He has exercised that authority and suspended many indicted officials across the state during his term as governor.
Local web site Ricksblog.biz reports that Crist will appoint Rep. Dave Murzin or Holly Benson to Valentino’s District 2 seat. Benson is currently running for Florida Attorney General, and she is a resident of the district, which would allow her to run for the seat this fall. Murzin is running for a Florida Senate seat, and he does not live in District 2.
Besides Valentino, the only other candidate in the District 2 race with household name recognition George Touart, the former embattled county administrator.
Pictured: Commissioner Gene Valentino’s Escambia County Jail booking mugshot.