Registration Deadline Near For Spring Livestock Show
February 28, 2011
The deadline is fast approaching to register for the Gulf Coast Agriculture and Natural Resources Association annual Spring Livestock Show to be held April 8-9 at the Langley Bell 4-H Center on 9 Mile Road in Beulah.
The deadline to enter the show is March 1st. 4-H and FFA members in Escambia, Baldwin, and Mobile counties in Alabama, and Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton counties in Florida are eligible to show. Students can show beef breeding heifers, preview steers, goats, sheep, rabbits, and poultry if entered by March 1st. All rules are posted at the Escambia County Extension website, but questions can be directed to Allison Meharg, Escambia County 4-H /Small Farms Agent, at (850) 475-5230.
The show will begin April 9 with the youth Swine Show and continue through the afternoon. 4-H and FFA members will be exhibiting market hogs, market steers, breeding heifers, goats, sheep, rabbits, and poultry throughout the day on Saturday. The show will conclude with an auction at 5 p.m., where market animal participants will be selling their steer, swine, and goat projects.
GCA and NRA is a nonprofit organization that provides opportunities for youth with livestock projects. All sponsorships, sales proceeds, and donations are returned to participants through award premiums.
For rules, entry forms, and record book information, click here.
Quick End For Kingsfield Brush Fire
February 27, 2011
Firefighters were quickly able to contain a brush fire Sunday between to large wooded areas near East Kingsfield and Riddle roads. The Cantonment and Ensley stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the blaze. The cause of the fire was unknown. NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Brush Fire Closes Ala. Highway (With Updated Photos)
February 27, 2011
A large brush fire forced the closure of Highway 31 between Flomaton and Canoe is Escambia County, Alabama, Sunday afternoon.
The fire was reported about 4 p.m. on McMurphy Lane, which runs north of Old Atmore Road near Highway 31. A strong wind pushed the fire across the CSX railroad tracks in the area and across Highway 31. Heavy smoke was reported to have lower visibility to zero along Highway 31, prompting the closure of the roadway about 4:25 p.m.
Highway 31 reopened about 5:30 p.m., and the fire was mostly contained by 6 p.m.
For more photos, click here. Some photos submitted by Alisa Hart for Northescambia.com
Pictured: Firefighters battle a brush fire near Old Atmore Road and Highway 31 west of Flomaton Sunday afternoon. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Nursing Home Gas Leak Sends One To The Hospital
February 27, 2011
A gas leak Sunday morning at Century Care Center sent at least one person to an area hospital.
The leak was reported about 7 a.m. in the kitchen area at the Century nursing home. At least one employee was transported to Jay Hospital for evaluation and another person was reported to be nauseated by the gas smell.
The leak was secured by the Town of Century Gas Department with no further injuries to staff or residents.
The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS responded to the leak.
Century To Begin Work on $250,000 In Energy Efficiency Upgrades
February 27, 2011
Plans are being made to increase the energy efficiency of the Town of Century.
The town received a $250,000 energy efficiency grant ,with the majority being used to upgrade the climate control systems at the former Helicopter Technology building, the Century Town Hall and the Century Ag Building (community center) on West Highway 4.
The grant will also fund the installation of energy efficient lighting at all three buildings.
Last week, the town also awarded a contract to low-bidder Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. of Orlando to create a comprehensive energy savings plan. The plan, according to town consultant Debbie Nickles, will be based on a study of how the town might save energy — items like converting town vehicles to natural gas or other building upgrades.
Pictured: Century’s Ag Building on West Highway 4. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Rain For Monday
February 27, 2011
Monday will be a different weather story than Sunday as showers and thunderstorms move into the area bringing slightly cooler air.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Scattered showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Patchy fog after 9pm. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 80. South wind between 10 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Monday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. North wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 68. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 75. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast.
- Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. East wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 74.
- Friday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Saturday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 71. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Saturday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 62.
Pictured: The sun sets Saturday in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Pain At The Pump
February 27, 2011
Gas prices across the North Escambia area have risen sharply over the past week, and there’s likely more pain at the pump to come this next week.
The average price of a gallon of standard-grade gasoline in Escambia County was $3.33 on Saturday, up eight cents per gallon overnight from Friday. That also an increase of 19 cents a gallon from the week-ago price of $3.14, according to the daily price survey published by AAA. The same gallon of gas was $2.72 a year ago.
Analysts expect prices will continue to rise due to a sharp rise in the price of crude oil — which a high of $103 per barrel last week, the highest price since October 2008. The price at the pump typically lags behind crude oil increases by a few days, so analysts see more increases next week.
Oil price increases have been fueled by the political unrest in the Middle East and North Africa, the source of much of the world’s oil. John Hofmeister, an ex-president at Shell Oil, has told several national media outlets that $5 a gallon gas could be a reality by 2012.
The highest-ever average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in Escambia County was $4.05 in July of 2008.
Pictured: Gas was at $3.35 a gallon slightly higher than the local average of $3.33, Saturday in Davisville. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Hundreds Attend Walnut Hill Ruritan Auction
February 27, 2011
Hundreds attended the 36th Annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Club Farm Equipment Auction Saturday in Walnut Hill.
Items sold included farm equipment, lawn and garden equipment, vehicles, household items and more during the event, which is held each year on the last Saturday of February. All proceeds from the auction benefit the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club’s community service projects in the Walnut Hill area.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured: Hundreds attended the annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Club farm equipment auction Saturday in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Homemakers Make Yo-Yo Creations
February 27, 2011
The Molino Homemakers met on February the 2nd. A program was given by Ruth Miller on making Yo-yo’s. Pressed material was cut into circles by Becky Dorch on her cutting machine.
Circles were then hand sewn around the outside edge and the thread pulled tightly to make the yo-yo come together in the middle. After several yo-yo’s are made they can be stitched together to make many projects.
Some of those projects include quilts, wreaths, appliqués, pillows, bunnies and clowns. The possibilities are endless.
The Molino Homemakers share ideas and skills passed down to them to assure its continuation into the next generation of Homemakers. We never forget the knowledge and wisdom that sits amongst us each meeting.
The next club meeting will be on Wednesday March 2, 2011 at Aldersgate United Methodist Church at 10 a.m. Dues are $5 per year. Visitors are welcome.
Submitted photos by Terri Brown for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Featured Wee Recipe: Southwestern Chicken Tortilla Soup
February 27, 2011
This weekend’s featured recipe from Janet Tharpe is a Chicken Tortilla Soup. Thick and hearty, this soup is packed with Southwestern flavor.
To print today’s “Just a Pinch” recipe column, you can click the image below to load a printable pdf with a recipe card.
