Road Construction Won’t Slow Holiday Travel
July 4, 2010
A little good news for motorists this Fourth of July weekend — those pesky road construction zones won’t slow you down.
To ease traffic congestion and insure safety along the roadways in northwest Florida, construction contractors working on state roads will cease operations during the Fourth of July weekend, according to Tanya Sanders Branton, public information specialist for the Florida Department of Transportation.
There will be no work on state roads requiring lane restrictions from Saturday, July 3 through Monday, July 5, she said. All major roads in northwest Florida will be open to normal traffic.
Hometown Recipe: Lemon Zest All-American Apple Pie
July 4, 2010
We get a lot of requests for recipes at NorthEscambia.com, so over the coming weeks, we are giving a chance to sample a few different recipe columns.
Today, we have the “Just a Pinch” column from Janet Tharpe. Janet features the best in hometown recipes from across the country. Today, its an All-American Apple Pie with Lemon Zest. You can click the image below to load a printable pdf with a recipe card.
If you like the idea of weekly recipes here on NorthEscambia.com please let us know. Email news@northescambia.com or enter a comment at the bottom of the page. Several people have expressed an interest in submitted local recipes for us to publish; if you would like to submit your own recipes, let us know that too
Escambia Extension Urges Smart Grilling For Food Safety
July 4, 2010
The Fourth of July means grilling — and a good cookout means proper food safety.
Safety is an important consideration when operating a grill. Improper use can cause a fire or explosion. Keep the area around a lighted grill clear of combustible materials, and never use a grill in an enclosed area such as a sheltered patio or a garage. Avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing that may catch fire. The cooking grids should be cleaned after every cookout. The last thing you want to do is cause someone to become ill due to improper cleaning or unsafe food preparation practices.
Wash your hands with hot soapy water for at least 20 seconds before starting to prepare any foods, and wash your hands again if you do anything else—change a diaper, pet an animal, or blow your nose, for example. Cover any cuts or sores on your hands with a bandage, or use plastic gloves. If you sneeze or cough while preparing foods, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue and turn your face away, or cough into your sleeve. Always wash your hands afterwards.
Bacteria multiply rapidly at room temperature. Most food-borne illness-causing bacteria cannot grow well at temperatures below 40°F or above 140°F. Thaw foods in the refrigerator or in the microwave. Never leave foods out at room temperature.
Keep everything that touches food clean. Bacteria can hitch rides around your kitchen on all sorts of things—plates and cutting boards, dirty utensils, dish rags and sponges, unwashed hands.
Never chop fresh vegetables or salad ingredients on a cutting board that was used for raw meat without properly cleaning it first. If possible, keep a separate cutting board just for the preparation of raw meat, poultry, and fish.
Wash cutting boards thoroughly with hot soapy water, and then sanitize with a solution of household bleach and water.
Keep raw meat, poultry, fish, and their juices from coming into contact with other foods during preparation, especially foods that will not be cooked. Wash all utensils and your hands with hot soapy water after contact with raw meat.
Marinate meat, poultry and seafood in the refrigerator in a covered, non-metal container. Throw away any leftover marinade.
Grill food to a safe internal temperature. Use a meat thermometer to assure correct doneness of the food being grilled.
Safe minimum internal temperatures:
- Poultry (whole, ground, and breasts): 165°F
- Hamburgers, beef: 160°F
- Beef, veal, and lamb (steaks, roasts and chops):
- Medium rare: 145°F
- Medium: 160°F.
- All cuts of pork: 160°F.
Hold meat at 140°F until served. Use a clean platter for transferring cooked meat from grill to serving table.
Summer is the time for getting together with friends and family and cooking outdoors. Make your outdoor grilling experience safe and enjoyable.
For further information regarding food safety and other related topics, go to the University of Florida’s Solutions for Your Life website: http://www.solutionsforyourlife.com.
Dorothy C. Lee, CFCS, is an Extension Agent II, Family & Consumer Sciences with the Escambia County Extension Service. Reference: Safe Food Handling Fact Sheet, United States Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Series.
Birth Announcement: Jackson Keith Rolin
July 4, 2010
Randy Jonathan and Samantha (Martin) Rolin are pleased to announce the birth of their son, Jackson Keith Rolin. Jack was born May 10, 2010, at South Baldwin Regional Medical Center in Foley, Ala. He weighed 6 lbs. 8.75 oz., and was 20 inches long.
Maternal grandparents are Keith and Rochel Martin. Paternal grandparents are Kathy Rolin and the late Randy Rolin.
Great grandparents are the late Frank Stewart Jr., Billy and Joyce Etheridge, Ken and Janette Beck, the late Henderson Robinson, Linda Harrelson, the late Pete Harrelson, Wilbert “Bud” and Joyce Rolin, and the late Voncile Rolin.
Jack was welcomed home by his big sister Lily Grace, 2.
Woman Airlifted To Hospital After Being Kicked In Head By Horse
July 3, 2010
A woman was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital this afternoon after being kicked in the head by a horse.
The incident occurred about 2:40 p.m. in the 9000 block of Old Flomaton Road. A 20-year old woman was transported by LifeFlight to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Escambia County EMS, Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Flomaton Fire Department responded to the call.
The woman’s name and condition were not immediately available.
Tri-County Beats Niceville With Two Grand Slams In One Game
July 3, 2010
With two grand slams in one game, Tri-County beat Niceville to advance in the 11-12 year old boys baseball Florida District 1 All Star Tournament.
Tri-County beat Niceville 10-4 Friday night in Panama City in a game that was delayed on two previous evenings due to rain. In the Wednesday portion of the game, Aaron Robinson from from Chumuckla hit a grand slam. That was followed by a grand slam in Friday night’s portion of the game by Nolan Frady from Chumuckla.
The next game for Tri-County will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday against DeFuniak Springs.
One Transported By LifeFlight Following Early Morning Walnut Hill Wreck
July 3, 2010
One person was transported to a Pensacola hospital by helicopter following an early Saturday morning accident near Walnut Hill.
The accident happened about 5 a.m. on Pine Forest Road near Garrett Road. The driver of a Saturn lost control in curve, struck a brick mailbox and continued south on Pine Forest Road about 500 feet before coming to rest next to the road.
Firefighters were forced to extricate a female passenger in the vehicle. She was transported to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola by LifeFlight with an arm injury that was not considered life threatening. The driver of the vehicle was not injured.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Atmore Ambulance and the Florida Highway Patrol responded to the crash. The accident is still under investigation by the FHP.
Pictured above: A passenger in this vehicle was injured in an early Saturday morning crash near Walnut Hill. Pictured inset: The driver hit this mailbox before continuing about 500 feet down Pine Forest Road. Pictured below: A passenger in the vehicle was transported by LifeFlight. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northwest Escambia All-Stars Win District Softball Championship
July 3, 2010
The Northwest Escambia All-Stars are the 11-12 year old girls Little League Florida District 1 champions after a 4-1 win over Niceville Friday night.
Mallory Ryan pitched all six innings for NWE, walking just two and striking out half a dozen Niceville batters. Kyndall Hall scored two runs for NWE, while Addy Lee and Kristen Byrd scored one each. Courtney Peebles had two RBI’s.
The NWE All-Stars will next to head to the Florida Little League Sectional Tournament in Tallahassee on July 17.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the game, click here.
Members of the NWE 11-12 year old All-Stars are: Savanna Roux, Peighton Dortch, Courtney Peebles, Kyndall Hall, Penny Banda, Addy Lee, Kendal Cobb, Mallory Ryan, Kristin Byrd and Natalie Goetter. The team is managed by Jerry Mason, and coached by Ronald Peebles and Eddie Ryan.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
War Of Words Erupts Over War Hero’s State Senate Campaign Endorsement
July 3, 2010
The State Senate District 2 race between Greg Evers and Mike Hill erupted into war of words Friday over an endorsement by Colonel Bud Day, a retired air force colonel well known for his local and national support of veterans issues.
In January, Evers’ campaign released press release claiming Day’s endorsement, quoting him as saying “I give my endorsement of Greg…”
But on Friday, Hill’s camp issued a press release claiming Day’s endorsement. The release quotes Day as saying “”Mike Hill is the candidate I endorse in this race because his values are my values…and I believe that they are the values of the majority of patriotic Americans in Northwest Florida.”
“I actually never endorsed Mr. Evers. I told him that I would consider it. Although Mr. Evers claims I endorsed him, I never did,” Day is quoted in Hill’s release.
“I am honored and humbled that one of my heroes, Col Bud Day, has so enthusiastically endorsed my campaign” Hill said. “And as a fellow military veteran, I am equally thrilled that Col Day chose to endorse me on the weekend we celebrate our national independence.”
After Hill’s announcement, Evers fired back, issuing the following statement:
“While I greatly respect Colonel Day, I did meet with him personally in January 2010, and obtained his written endorsement before releasing or representing any support by him of my campaign. I also asked for, and secured, his express approval by telephone of his quote in my January 9, 2010, press release.
“One of the great things about this country is that people can change their minds and are free to support whomever the want – just like Mr. Hill who has been endorsed by prominent Democrats, while heralding himself a conservative Republican.
“As we all celebrate our independence this coming Sunday and thank our soldiers, I continue to thank Colonel Day for his service to our great country and our beloved military and thank him for participating in the elections process. I greatly respect and admire Colonel Day’s principles, philosophies and accomplishments. In this case, I respectfully disagree with his choice of candidates. But that is what democracy is all about.”
Evers’ campaign spokesperson, Sarah Bascom provided the media with a copy of Day’s signed endorsement dated January 9, 2010, and said “Greg Evers respects Colonel Day and his decision to change his support, but maintains and submits the attached as proof, that he did indeed receive this endorsement and would never mislead this community. A statement, Mr. Hill certainly cannot make as his negative, false and nasty campaign for Senate District 2 spirals out of control and continues to hinge on name calling and undignified behavior.”
(Click image to enlarge Evers’ endorsement letter.)
Fire Damages Flomaton Mobile Home
July 3, 2010
A Friday evening fire heavily damaged a Flomaton mobile home.
The fire was reported about 6:30 on Escambia Street, about a block west of Sidney Manning Boulevard. The fire caused extensive damage to the single wide mobile home. There were no injuries reported.
The Flomaton, Friendship, Lambeth and Century fire departments responded, along with Escambia County (Fla.) EMS and the Flomaton Police Department. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Pictured top and bottom: Fire heavily damaged this mobile home in Flomaton Friday evening. Pictured inset: Firefighters take a break from the heat. Submitted photos by Christine Stanton for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
