Escambia School District Moving
August 8, 2010
The Administrative Offices for the Escambia County School District currently housed at 215 West Garden Street are being relocated, in a phase-in approach, to the building located at 75 North Pace Boulevard (32505).
The School District’s Information Technology Department was the first to move into the new location, and during the week of July 26-30, 2010, other departments completed the move. Groups that recently moved include the superintendent and his staff, board members and their staff, internal auditing, board attorney and staff, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction and the assistant superintendent of operations. The entire administrative move will be complete by December, 2010.
All telephone numbers and email addresses will remain the same.
Cantonment Armed Robbery Under Investigation; Two Police Cars Crash During Chase
August 8, 2010
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an armed robbery in Cantonment that eventually led to a chase and a traffic crash involving two police cars.
A black male armed with a knife reportedly robbed the BP gas station in the 200 block of Highway 29, directly across from International Paper. The incident occurred about 9 p.m. Friday. The store clerk was not injured.
Authorities say the same person may be responsible for an armed robbery at another gas station in the City of Pensacola a short time later before heading to Gulf Breeze.
Gulf Breeze Police Department officers got into a chase with the Pensacola robbery suspect, David Charles George, 21, in Gulf Breeze about 10:20 p.m.. At least three Gulf Breeze Police cars were chasing George when one cruiser was involved in a traffic crash with James Finch, 70, of Gulf Breeze.
Finch, according to the Florida Highway Patrol, yielded for the first two police cars on Fairpoint Drive. But, according to the FHP, he did not see the third police car running with emergency lights and sirens and pulled into its path. The Gulf Breeze officer, Terry J. Godwin, 31, slid 112 feet before striking Finch’s 2007 Toyota, pushing it into a large tree. Finch and his passenger, Lillian Finch, 66, received minor injuries and were transported to Gulf Breeze Hospital. James Finch was charged with failing to yield to an emergency vehicle.
Godwin and fellow officer Paul C. Stetfon, 43, received minor injuries but were not transported to the hospital.
As the chase ended, the vehicle driven by robbery suspect George struck another Gulf Breeze police cruiser twice. George was taken into custody and charged with fleeing and eluding police, aggravated battery, vehicle theft and a drug charge. George, who listed his address as homeless, was being held in the Santa Rosa County Jail on $200,000 bond. He has not yet been charged with the robbery in Pensacola or Cantonment.
Molino Homemakers Club Create ‘Hairy Heads’ Craft
August 8, 2010
The Molino Homemakers club had a demonstration on making “Hairy Heads” at a recent meeting.
Nancy Holland gathered up her husband’s old socks, string, rubber bands, Styrofoam bowls, a few grass seeds, potting soil and water. Then she along with April Glass proceeded to demonstrate to the club members how to make a “Hairy Head”.
First you will need to cut off the top of the sock if it has elastic on it which makes it easier to put the soil in. Place a couple of tablespoons of grass seed in toe of the sock. Fill with soil about 6 inches deep. (Depending on the size of the sock) Tie top of sock tightly with string or rubber band. Hold over the bowl and pour water over sock soaking it well. Hold up a few inches and let excess water drip off. Cut off excess sock just above the string or rubber band. Place upside down in the bowl. String will be on the bottom, seeds on top. Shape like a head flattening the bottom sort of like a chin. Put buttons in with pins for eyes, or eyes and nose if you have three buttons. Place in a sunny window. “It is very important to keep the sock moist until it sprouts,” said Holland. Cover with plastic wrap for faster sprouting. Without wrap mist often and cut hair when Hairy needs a haircut. “Why would you want to do this?” asks Holland, “Because you need to be silly once in a while.”
Barbara Hendrix gave an interesting devotion on cicadas insects like Katydid’s and Honeybees. Saying, “Katydids appear every 17 years or so creating an almost constant noise at an extremely disruptive level, then, they quickly disappear. Honeybees are just the opposite. Their hives exist for years. They make an effort everyday to live in harmony with one another pollinating plants and flowers that furnish fruit and vegetables that provide for our daily nourishment. Without those gifts our loss would be great.” She left us considering whether we are disruptive or doing the work we are called to do.
The Molino Homemakers toured Camp Five Road Prison in Cantonment in place of their regular June meeting.
The Molino Homemakers meet at 10 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month, excluding July, in the fellowship hall of Molino First Assembly of God Church. Visitors are welcome.
Pictured top: Molino Homemakers Club “Hairy Heads”. Pictured inset: The ladies of the Molino Homemakers Club work on a project. Pictured below: April Glass and Nancy Holland demonstrate the project. Submitted photos by Terri Brown for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Blackcats 1977-1987 To Hold Reunion
August 8, 2010
The Century High School classes of 1977-1987 will hold a combined reunion on August 20-21.
The event begins with a meet and greet, and registration, at 7:30 Friday night at the Century Community Center (Ag Building) on West Highway 4. The reunion banquet will take place on Saturday, August 21 beginning at 3:30 p.m.
The fee is $25 per person, including food and drinks. For more information, contact Terrie (Anderson) Abernathy at (850) 221-4229, Johnny Findley at (251) 727-0690 or Sharron (Peebles Jones) Bell at (404) 949-6403. Visit the reunion Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CenturyHighSchoolClassReunion.
Volunteer Group Soliciting Funds Not Affiliated With Local Fire Departments
August 8, 2010
A search and rescue group using a private company to solicit funds in Santa Rosa county is in no way affiliated with Santa Rosa County.
Santa Rosa Volunteer Search & Rescue, Inc. is not associated with local fire departments or emergency services provided by the Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners, according to Santa Rosa County Public Information Officer Joy Tsubooka.
“While other organizations may be called upon to assist in some instances, this volunteer organization is not affiliated with any Santa Rosa County government office or any of the 16 fire districts,” Tsubooka said.
County search and rescue functions are coordinated through emergency management and are primarily conducted by fire departments and the volunteer organization CERT or Citizen Emergency Response Team. Citizens wishing to make donations in support of their fire department are encouraged to do so in person at their local fire headquarters.
Santa Rosa Volunteer Search & Rescue, Inc. approached the Santa Rosa County Firefighters Association at their June board meeting seeking support for their fundraising plan, Tsubooka said. The association, made up of local fire chiefs and firefighters, declined to support the plan and asked the volunteer organization not to solicit donations door-to-door, as it may be perceived as the fire departments asking for additional money above MSBU or fire taxes paid by residents each year.
More Thunder Likely For Sunday
August 8, 2010
There is a 60 percent chance of more showers and thunderstorms for your Sunday. Much like Saturday evening, some residents will only hear thunder, while others will experience downpours.
Here is your official North Escambia are forecast:
- Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 93. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Sunday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 105. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Calm wind.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 95. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 95.
- Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76.
- Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 95.
- Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76.
- Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 93.
Featured Recipe: Cumin Grilled Pork Chops
August 8, 2010
This weekend’s featured recipe from Janet Tharpe is Cumin Grilled Pork Chops. A cumin-fueled marinade is the star of this fast and easy dish. Not only does it add a distinctive smokiness to the pork, it also does wonders sealing in the chops’ natural moisture.
To print today’s “Just a Pinch” recipe column, you can click the image below to load a printable pdf with a recipe card.
Video: Four Hurt In Flomaton Crash
August 7, 2010
Four people were injured in a two vehicle crash Saturday afternoon in Flomaton.
Click here for the story, or watch the video below:
Four Injured In Flomaton Crash; One In Critical Condition (With Photo Gallery, Raw Video)
August 7, 2010
Four people were injured in a two vehicle crash Saturday afternoon in Flomaton.
An elderly female was airlifted by LifeFlight to a Pensacola hospital in critical condition after being trapped in her vehicle for about 15 minutes. She was the driver of a pickup truck that witnesses said turned in front of an SUV on Highway 31 at Holt Street just after 4 p.m. The adult driver of the SUV and two children were transported by ambulance to an area hospital.
The accident is under investigation by Alabama State Troopers. Further details were not immediately available.
The Flomaton Fire Department, the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Atmore Ambulance and Escambia County EMS also responded to the call.
Pictured above: Four people were injured in this crash Saturday afternoon in Flomaton. Pictured below: One person was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital in critical condition. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Early Voting Begins Monday
August 7, 2010
Early voting will begin Monday in Escambia County, according to Supervisor of Elections David Stafford.
There will be four early voting sites available for August 24 primary election:
- Supervisor of Elections Main Office, 213 Palafox Place 2nd Floor
- Supervisor of Elections Annex, 292 Muscogee Road, Cantonment
- Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway
- West Florida Genealogy Library (former Tryon Branch Library), 5740 North 9th Avenue
Early voting will be offered Monday, August 9th through Friday, August 13th from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, August 14th from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.; Sunday, August 15th from 11:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.; and Monday, August 16th through Saturday, August 21st from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Early voters will cast paper ballots through our digital scanners, and may choose any one of the four sites.
Another option for voters is to cast an absentee ballot, which can be obtained by contacting the Supervisor of Elections by mail, phone (850-595-3900), e-mail (absentee@escambiavotes.com), fax (850-595-3914), or by using the online form at EscambiaVotes.com. Requests must include the voter’s date of birth and the address where the ballot should be mailed, and must be received no later than Wednesday, August 18th. Voted ballots must be received in the Elections Office no later than 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. Absentee voters may now follow the status of their ballot by clicking “Track My Ballot” on EscambiaVotes.com.
The third option for voters is to cast a paper ballot at their precinct on Election Day using digital scanners. Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. A touchscreen is also
available at each polling place and early voting site for persons with disabilities.
All eligible voters in Escambia County are being mailed a sample ballot. A sample ballot, along with additional election information, may also be viewed at EscambiaVotes.com. Florida is a “closed primary” state, which means that voting in a party’s primary is limited to those voters registered in that party when registration closed for the election (July 26th). However, all voters may vote in any non-partisan races (circuit judge, school board, Pensacola mayor) appearing on their primary ballot, regardless of party affiliation.