Record Heat Sunday, Cooler Weather This Week
September 13, 2010
After record high temperatures along the Gulf Coast Sunday, there will be a little heat relief this week after the passage of a weak cold front.
Mobile set a record high temperature Sunday of 95 degrees, while Pensacola set a record high of 96. Around the North Escambia area, high temperatures on Sunday were: Walnut Hill – 94; Bratt – 95; Molino – 94; Atmore – 94; Jay 95.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming east between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. East wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. East wind around 5 mph becoming south.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 69.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
Workshops Target Small Farms
September 13, 2010
Escambia Extension will be offering a series of workshops via interactive video covering different aspects of small farming.
Sessions will be held as follows:
- Session 1: September 14, 6 p.m.
Finding Sales for your Small Farm - Session 2: September 28, 6 p.m.
Food Safety Requirements for Small Farmers - Session 3: October 12, 6 p.m.
Taking Care of Business
Price Discovery, Accountability and Basic Merchandising - Session 4: October 26, 6 p.m.
The Art of Selling
The sessions will take place at Escambia Extension, 3740 Stefani Road in Cantonment.
Each session is two hours and costs $5 per session. Early registration is recommended for participants to ensure the availability of program notebooks and materials. The training sessions are designed to help small farm producers get their product to local markets, address obstacles for small producers and identify new market segments for selling products locally.
The courses are offered by the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agriculture Science — Escambia Extension; Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; and the Florida A&M University -– College of Engineering Sciences Technology and Agriculture.
To register, or for more information, contact Libbie Johnson at Escambia Extension at (850) 475-5230 or by email at libbiej@ufl.edu.
Century Meetings Tonight: Grant Application And Council
September 13, 2010
The Town of Century will hold a public hearing tonight at 6:30 at the town hall to consider a recommendation from the Century Recreation Advisory Committee to submit a grant application for Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program funds to complete development of the Anthony Pleasant Sports Complex (formerly known as the Showalter Park Expansion Project).
The hearing will also be to solicit public input and comment regarding the submission of the grant application in order to enhance recreational opportunities for the residents of the town.
The meeting will precede a regular council meeting at 7:00. Tonight’s council meeting was rescheduled from September 6, the Labor Day holiday.
FHP: 14,000 Citations Issued During Crackdowns
September 13, 2010
The Florida Highway Patrol issued nearly 14,000 citations during the Labor Day weekend and made more than 400 DUI arrests during a drunk driving crackdown.
During the four-day Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) enforcement period on September 3-6, the FHP beefed up its force, enlisting the support of reservists and auxiliary troopers to protect holiday weekend travelers on Florida’s busy roadways.
“The Florida Highway Patrol puts additional troopers on the roadways when we know more people will be traveling, said Col. John Czernis, director of the Florida Highway Patrol. “The additional troopers on patrol enhances our ability to deter motorists from unsafe driving and better positions us to catch more of those who disregard the law, putting everyone they share the road with in danger.”
Operation C.A.R.E. – Sept. 3 – 6
The Florida Highway Patrol provided assistance to more than 3,000 motorists on Florida’s roadways during the holiday weekend. Troopers made 80 arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and cited more than 5,000 drivers for speeding and more than 1,500 for failure to buckle up, with more than 14,000 citations issued overall. The FHP also reported 17 traffic fatalities. Of the 1,304 crashes that FHP worked, 78 involved alcohol.
Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest. – Aug. 20 – Sept. 6
In addition to FHP’s heightened enforcement surrounding Labor Day, the FHP also participated in “Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest”. The nationwide enforcement campaign commenced August 20 and continued through Labor Day. During the 18-day period, Florida troopers made 431 DUI arrests.
Hurricane Igor Now A Category 4
September 12, 2010
Hurricane Igor became a category 4 storm Sunday afternoon as winds topped 135 mph, and the National Hurricane Center continues to monitor another tropical depression that is expected to strengthen.
Hurricane Igor is in the central Atlantic is not currently a threat to land. The storm is expected to turn to the west-northwest by Tuesday, possibly becoming a threat to Bermuda.
A tropical depression was located just off the coast of Africa, and expected to become a tropical storm by Monday. Complete information on both systems can be found in the graphics on this page.
Christine Lowery
September 12, 2010
Christine Lowery, a native of Monroe County, Ala., and longtime resident of Canoe, Ala., was born February 9, 1920. She passed away on September 10, 2010, at the age of 90.
She was preceded in death by her husbands James Thomas Reeves and Ralph C. Lowery, a son Willie James Reeves, and 12 brothers and sisters.
She is survived by one daughter, Hazel Johnson and husband Ed of Demopolis, Ala.; three sons, Bernard Reeves and wife Rita of Magnolia Springs, Ala., Ray C. Lowery and wife Freida of Canoe, Ala., and Roy C. Lowery and wife Ann of Bratt, Fla; four grandchildren, Jody Baker of Demopolis, Ala., Debbie Fitzhugh of Demopolis, Ala., Craig Lowery of Bratt, Fla., and Amanda Brown of Saraland, Ala.; six great-grandchildren, Christiana Baker of Demopolis, Ala.; Jonathan and David Fitzhugh of Demopolis, Ala., Colton Lowery of Bratt Fla,. and Shelby and Mallory Brown of Saraland. A;a.
Services will be Sunday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home with Bother John Stacey officiating. Interment will follow at Canoe Methodist Cemetery. Visitation was Sunday from 2:00 p.m. until service time.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Inc. is in charge of arrangements.
Time Running Out For Area Groups In Danger Of Losing IRS Nonprofit Status
September 12, 2010
Dozens of prominent North Escambia area groups are in danger of losing their nonprofit status from the IRS for failing to file the proper paperwork for three consecutive years. But one group says getting straight with IRS is a quick, easy process if you know how to proceed.
Groups like the chambers of commerce in Century and Jay; the fire departments in McDavid, Cantonment and Nokomis; community centers in Century, Byrneville, Davisville; and many more social, civic and charitable organizations are on a list released by the Internal Revenue Service.
Across the country, about 325,000 groups have failed to comply with IRS requirements, risking their nonprofit classification. The IRS said the organizations can keep their non-profit status by filing the proper paperwork by October 15.
“It really turned out to be a pretty easy thing to do,” Margie McCall of the Century Chamber of Commerce said. “I was able to do the form in about 15 minutes.”
But McCall said she spent hours gathering documents, filling out a long and complicated form, and following instructions on the IRS website. When she was unable to find the mailing address for the form, a chamber staffer called the IRS — to find out that many small non-profits need to only fill out a short form that takes just minutes. The form, McCall said, is submitted online and provides a printable receipt in seconds. (Link: Form 990-N)
“That’s all you have to do,” she said. “I wanted all of the non-profits on your list to know that it’s not that hard.”
McCall said the Century Chamber of Commerce learned that the group was in danger of losing their non-profit status from a story first published by NorthEscambia.com in late July.
“I’m sure glad you ran that story,” said said, ” because we had no idea. We never received a letter from the IRS or anything.”
The IRS said that many non-profits may not realize that they are not in compliance with the agency’s paperwork requirements.
“Our message is simple: If you don’t have your filings up to date, now is the time to take action and get back in compliance,” Doug Shuman, IRS commissioner said in a released statement. “We’re taking these steps today to go the extra mile and help small tax-exempt groups.”
The following North Escambia area groups were on the list released by the IRS in July. Some, such as the Century Chamber of Commerce, may have already completed the necessary paperwork with the IRS.
Century
Byrneville Community Center Inc
Carver Community Center Association Inc
Century Area Chamber Of Commerce
Century Community Development Partnership Inc
Davisville Heritage And Historical Preservation Association Inc
Free & Accepted Masons Of Florida
International Association Of Lions Clubs
McDavid
McDavid Volunteer Fire Department Incorporated
Molino
Friends Of The Northwest Branch Library Inc
Walnut Hill
McKinnonville Hunting Club Inc
North Escambia Sportsman
Cantonment
American Federation Of State County & Municipal Employees
Camden Academy Alumni Association Inc
Cantonment Baseball Club
Cantonment Volunteer Fire Department Incorporated
Coalition Of Professional Employees Incorporated
Diamond Aces Inc
French International Mission Inc
Global Vision Ministries Inc
Pensacola Press Club Inc
PTA Florida Congress
Quintette Community Park Inc
SWM Community Development Inc
Atmore
Atmore Council Of Fine Arts
Atmore Drug Abuse Community Education Foundation
Atmore Rotary Clubs Academic All Star Program
Community Hunting Club
D C Restoration Inc
E&B Youth And Outreach Center Inc
Escambia Allied Community Health Service Inc
Free & Accepted Masons Prince Hall Gr Mst Conf Americaeureka Ldg 953
Free & Accepted Masons Prince Hall Grand Masters Conf Of America
Free & Accepted Masons Prince Hall Grand Masters Conf Of America
Growing Tots Inc
Leadership Atmore
New Beginning Outreach Programs
Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department Inc
Order Of The Eastern Star
Rotary International
Servants Of The Father Ministries
Sullivan Cemetery
The Junior Service League Of Atmore
Flomaton
International Brotherhood Of Electrical Workers
Flomaton Volunteer Fire & Rescue Inc
Travelers Rest Cemetery Association
Turtle Point Foundation
Jay
Jay Area Chamber Of Commerce Inc
Jay Historical Society
Jay Volunteer Fire Department Inc
Milton Baseball
Moore Creek Hunting Club Inc
North Santa Rosa-Escambia Development Council Inc
Panhandle Outlaws
Santa Rosa Pest Management Association Inc
For more information, see the IRS website.
Pictured top: Margie McCall of the Century Chamber of Commerce. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Grand Opening Held For New Molino Dollar General
September 12, 2010
A grand opening celebration was held Saturday at the new Dollar General in Molino.
The first 50 shoppers at the store received $10 gift cards, and the first 200 shoppers received a free Dollar General tote bag. The new 12,480-square-foot store features what the company terms a fresh layout, “designed to make shopping simple for customers”. Some of the store’s new features include seasonal products featured in the center of the store, easily recognizable departments with visible signage and coolers conveniently located at the front of the store.
The new store will employee up to 10 people, according to company officials.
In the North Escambia area, there are also Dollar General stores in Century, Cantonment, Flomaton, Jay,and Atmore.
Pictured top: The new Dollar General in Molino held a grand opening celebration Saturday. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
9/11 Breakfast Honors First Responders
September 12, 2010
A 9/11 Breakfast Saturday morning honored police, fire, public officials and other first responders from across Escambia County, Ala., Escambia County, Fla., and Santa Rosa County. The breakfast was held at the Little Escambia Baptist Church in Flomaton.
Pictured top: A 9/11 Breakfast Saturday morning at Little Escambia Baptist Church in Flomaton. Pictured left: Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff Grover Smith (foreground) and David Johnson of Escambia County (Fla.) EMS. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cold Front Moving Across Gulf
September 12, 2010
An early season cold front will move across the area today and be offshore by late tonight — bringing slightly cooler and drier air.
The front won’t bring real fall air, but it will result in lower overnight temperatures in the 60’s and highs in the upper 80’s to lower 90’s. The front’s biggest bonus will be lower humidity.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
- Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 92. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 91. East wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 90.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.