Trick-Or-Treat Safety: Most Sex Offenders Can Give Out Candy
October 31, 2011
There are lots of ways to make trick-or-treating safer for children, including a quick check for sex offenders in the neighborhood.
Most Florida sex offenders and predators are legally allowed to hand out candy to children in their neighborhoods as long as they are no longer on supervised probation, according to law enforcement officials.
Authorities say that parents can turn to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s sexual offender database to find the address of registered sex offenders that may be in an area where their children will trick-or-treat. In addition to addresses, the FDLE database also offers photos and descriptions of offenders along with information about their crimes.
According to the FDLE database, there are 23 sex offenders and predators in the Century area, six in the Walnut Hill/McDavid area, 17 near Molino and 49 in the Cantonment area. Of those 95 offenders and predators, only 19 remain on probation. That leaves 76 that might legally be allowed to answer their doors and hand candy out to children.
To search the FDLE sex offender database, click here. To check the Alabama sex offender database, click here.
In addition to checking the FDLE database, officials said parents should make sure trick-or-treaters are accompanied by an adult, have a flashlight and cellphone.
There are also several community fall festivals and events planned across the area tonight, offering a “safe” alternative to the traditional door to door trick-or-treating. For a list of many of those events, click here.
Report Cards Delayed For Escambia Students
October 31, 2011
Monday was scheduled to be report card day for Escambia County public school students, but a problem with a new software system delayed them.
Report cards were due to be sent home Tuesday, as problems with the Focus Gradebook software are resolved.
Parents can see most student grades online by using the “Focus Gradebook Parent Portal”. For information on how to register and view grades, online, click here for a previous story.
Many Halloween And Fall Events Planned For Tonight
October 31, 2011
There are numerous fall festivals and other events scheduled for tonight across the North Escambia area.
Here is a list of area events:
Monday
Molino Fall Festival
Fall Festival sponsored by numerous Molino churches, Monday, October 31, 6-8 p.m. at Victory Assembly of God on Highway 29. Fun, games, prizes and food for the entire family. Everyone welcome.
Halloween Alternative — Bratt
Halloween Alternative at Bratt Assembly of God, Monday, October 31 at 6:30 p.m. Hay ride, wiener and marshmallow roast, cupcake decorating, cakes, treats not tricks. All are welcome. Free.
Trunk Or Treat Fall Festival — Cantonment
Trunk Or Treat Fall Festival, Monday, October 31 from 6-8 p.m. at Heritage Baptist Church, 3065 Highway 297A, Cantonment. Food, candy, pony rides, bounce house, and more free fun.
Cottage Hill Fall Festival
There will be a community-wide Family Fun Fall Festival on Monday, October 31 from 6-8 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Cottage Hill at 230 Williams Ditch Road. Inflatable bounce house, carnival booths with lots of candy, face painting, hayrides, cake walks, chili, desserts and drinks – all free.
Trunk or Treat — Cantonment
Trunk or treat at Saint Monica’s Episcopal Church at 699 South Hwy 95A in Cantonment. (850) 937-0001.
Molino Woman Charged After Wreck Trying To Avoid Deer
October 31, 2011
A Molino woman was charged after a Quintette Road accident in Santa Rosa County in which she said she was trying to avoid a deer.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Karen L. Marini, age 44, was westbound on Quintette Road about three miles east of the Escambia River when she said a deer entered her path. She veered off the roadway, lost control of her 1999 Pontiac Firebird and struck a tree early Sunday morning.
Marini, who was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries, was charged with careless driving and failure to display a driver’s license, according to troopers.
Northview Homecoming Parade Planned
October 31, 2011
The Northview High School Homecoming Parade will be held next Friday afternoon.
Entries are being accepted now for the parade at 1:00 p.m on November 4. Floats, walkers, vehicles, etc. can sign up now by calling (850) 327-6681 ext 254.
BBQ sandwich lunches will be available for $5 on the day of the parade, and homecoming shirts will be $10. To purchase a lunch or t-shirt, see any Northview DCT member, or call (850) 327-6681 ext 254.
The parade will travel from Bratt Elementary School to Northview High School. West Highway 4 will be closed from approximately 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. between the two schools for the parade.
Photos: Molino Park Fairy Tale Night
October 31, 2011
Molino Park Elementary School recently held their annual Fairy Tale Night with activities to encourage students to enjoy reading.
In additional to fairy tales “Paul Bunyan” read by Matt Brabham and “The Three Little Pigs” read by Paul Morrellbook, events included a character costume contest, with Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz and a pirate from Peter Pan stealing the show.
Pictured: Fair Tale Night at Molino Park Elementary School. Submitted photos by Candice Blackburn for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Prep Football District Standings
October 31, 2011
Winners and losers are emerging as week 10 of play rolls around for Florida schools. For many teams, Friday night will be the last under the lights this season.
At 2-0, Northview sits alone at the top of District 1-1A, with Baker and Freeport tied for second at 1-1 in the district. Baker comes to Bratt for Northview’s homecoming Friday night. A Northview wins seals the deal on the District championship. But if Baker should beat Northview, there would be a three-way tie with Freeport, if Freeport defeats Jay. The Jay Royals are totally out of the district championship hunt.
In District 1-5A, West Florida is at the top, despite a perfect season coming to an end with a 41-20 loss last Friday night to Arnold. District play is over for the Jags at 4-1. Arnold is (3-1) as is Gulf Breeze. There will be a three way tie for the district if Arnold and Gulf Breeze should both win Friday night, setting up a three-team tiebreaker.
Pensacola High is on top of District 1-6A. North Escambia’s team, the Tate Aggies (0-5 in the district), will battle it out for Washington (1-4 in the district) Friday night to avoid being at the bottom of the 2011 district rankings.
Redbox Rental Rates Increased
October 31, 2011
Those Redbox movie rentals now cost more.
Coinstar, the parent company of Redbox, has raised the price to $1.20 per day for movie rentals at most of their kiosks around the country, including those in the North Escambia area.
“The price change is based on an increase in operating costs, including higher debit card fees that went into effect October 1. This is the first time in eight years Redbox has raised our daily DVD rental price,” the company said. Blu-ray rentals will remain at $1.50 per day, and game rentals will remain at $2 per day.
There is a one way to avoid the 20-cent price increase, at least for a couple of months. Until November 30, DVDs reserved at the company’s website will remain $1 for the first night, with additional nights at the regular $1.20 rate.
Pictured: There were no customers at the Redbox kiosks at Walgreen’s in Atmore Sunday morning. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Adaline Josephine McAuther
October 31, 2011
Adaline Josephine McAuther was born August 13, 1925 in Molino and went home to be with our Lord Jesus Christ at 1:10 pm on Saturday, October 29.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin Patrick; her parents, Joe and Minnie McAuther; five sisters Mae Cartwright, Ada Glass, Elvelyn Brown and Callie Ward all of Molino and Allie Sanders of Pensacola; two brothers, Willie McAuther and John T. McAuther of Pensacola; and her grandson, Kevin Edmonson of Molino.
Survivors include her children, Peggy Britt (Doug), Linda Edmonson (Gene) and Roger Little all of Molino; a sister and brother-in-law, Verndean and Tommy Enfinger of Mississippi; 11 grandchildren, Pam Goether (David), Paula Allen (Fred), Don Edmonson (Angie), Lynn and Toby Wallace, Melanie and Rusty Knowles, Darla and Donnie Barden all of Molino, Regina and Stephen Mosley of Pace, Denette and Steve Nowlin, Dewayne Little and Darrell and Nola Little all of Molino; 23 great grandchildren and 16 great-great grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 2, 201, at Pilgrim Rest Cemetery with Pastor George W. Marlow officiating.
The family will receive friends at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North-Cantonment on Tuesday, November 1, 2011, from 5-8 p.m.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 Highway 29 South Cantonment, is in charge of arrangements.
Work To Begin On Molino Library, Community Center, County Offices
October 30, 2011
Work is set to begin in just over a week on renovation of the old Molino School into a community center, museum and library, and to construct a new building to house offices for the tax collector and property appraiser.
The first day of construction at the 9.6 acre campus is set for Monday, November 7, with work set to be completed by November 2, 2012, on the almost $4 million project. The $2.9 million construction portion of the project was awarded to Birkshire Johnstone to be funded with local option sales tax monies. Each of the seven other bidders on the project submitted bids ranging from a $3.03 million to $3.48 million.
The total project includes the conversion of the main 72-year old building into a library, community center and museum. The auditorium will also be renovated and available for public use.
A new 7,000 square foot building will be constructed adjacent to the old building for the tax collector and property appraiser. The current Escambia County Tax Collector office in the former Winn Dixie shopping center in Cantonment will be closed.
Escambia County is ranked number two for a half million dollar state grant for books and furnishings for the new Molino Branch Library. Escambia County will provide a $512,000 match from existing Local Option Sales Tax funds for furniture, fixtures, equipment, computers and books if the $500,000 grant materializes during the next fiscal year.
“It is subject to funding by the legislature. The resubmission was encouraged by State Division of Libraries who believes the legislature may provide some funding this year,” Escambia County Administrator Randy Oliver said. “This is a great opportunity to make a valuable resource better.”
In the event the state does not come through with the half million dollar grant, Oliver said the county has identified some existing furniture, fixtures and equipment for the Molino Branch Library.
Pictured top: A conceptual drawing of the Molino School after renovation. Pictured inset: This end of the old Molino School will be converted into a library. Pictured below: The old Molino School. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
