Learn To Grow A Fall Garden
September 5, 2011
Fall gardening season will soon be here, and Escambia County Extension is offering an educational session to help homeowners grow a productive fall garden. Participants will learn the steps on soil preparation, plant selection and proper harvesting to enjoy a variety of vegetables to supplement their table.
The program will be held on Saturday, September 17, from 9-11 a.m. at the Escambia County Extension Office, 3740 Stefani Road, in Cantonment. The program is $5 per person; Preregistration is required by calling (850) 475-5230 or emailing colethia@ufl.edu. The program is limited to 60 participants.
Labor Day Closings
September 5, 2011
The following will be closed for today’s Labor Day holiday:
- All county offices in Escambia and Santa Rosa
- All city offices, including Century and Jay
- Schools in Escambia and Santa Rosa
- All public libraries, including Jay and Century
- Florida state offices
- All federal offices
- All post offices
- No bus service from ECAT, except for Pensacola Beach trolleys
- Pensacola State College
- University of West Florida
- The USPS retail windows. No carrier delivery. No mail collected from boxes. Express Mail will be delivered.
Trash Service
There will be no change in ECUA trash or recycling service. Most ECUA customers in North Escambia will have their usual Tuesday trash and recycling service.
Labor Day: 24,000 In North Escambia Area Out Of Work
September 5, 2011
On Labor Day, the latest unemployment data showed that 24,094 people are out of work in our three county area — a decrease of over 1,000 since last year.
In Escambia County (Fla.), the latest employment data for shows 10.5 percent of the workforce unemployed, steady from the previous month. That translates to 14,833 unemployed in the county.
In Santa Rosa County, the unemployment rate was at 10.2 percent, up from 9.7 percent the month prior. That equals 7,481 unemployed persons.
In Escambia County (Ala.), 11.9 percent of workers were out of a job, down from 12 the month before. There were 1,780 unemployed in the county.
Pictured top: This graphic shows the unemployment rate over the last 10 years in the three county North Escambia area. Click to enlarge.
School Board Approves North Escambia School Personnel Changes
September 5, 2011
The Escambia County School Board has approved numerous North Escambia teacher and staff transfers, resignations, and rehires at their last regular meeting.
The school board took action on the following teachers and staff at schools across North Escambia:
Instructional/Professional Appointments
- Francisco Alvarez-Pena, Northview High, teacher
- Sherry Howard, Tate High, teacher
- Cynthia R. Murphy, teacher, Tate High,
- Morgan Soutullo, teacher, Tate High
- Jean S. Wiggins, teacher, Tate High
Instructional/Professional Reappointments
- Patricia B. Clements, Jim Allen Elementary
- Rhoda C. Greenwell, Jim Allen Elementary
- Sharon M. Kite, Bratt Elementary
- Kirstin K. Metcalf, Jim Allen Elementary
- Kate O. Sapp, Molino Park Elementary
- Kelsey L. Womack, Ernest Ward Middle
Instructional/Professional Transfers
- Tammy L. Calloway, Bratt Elementary to Northview High
- Ann B. Copenhaver, Ransom Middle to staff development
- Megan D. Driver, Brentwood Elementary to Molino Park Elementary
- Blake G. Garcia, Tate High to Pensacola High
Instructional/Professional Resignations/Retirements/Other
- Francis R. Gindl, Jr., Ernest Ward Middle, teacher
- Joalex Mercado-Diaz, Northview High, teacher
- Heather M. Salon, Jim Allen Elementary, teacher
Instructional/Professional Leaves of Absence
- Maleesa M. Redish, Jim Allen Elementary, teacher
- Mary G. Vickory, Tate High, guidance counselor
Administrative Transfer
- Steven T. Harrell from Ransom Middle dean to specialist, workforce education
Educational Support Personnel Appointments
- Silvia Martines, Tate High, custodial worker
Educational Support Personnel Resignations/Retirements/Other
- Deloise S. Stanton, Tate High, food services assistant
Educational Support Personnel Leave of Absence
- Tamara G. Godwin, Bratt Elementary, food services assistant
Abbie Nowling Watson
September 5, 2011
Abbie Nowling Watson, 90, peacefully passed on to be with her Lord Jesus Christ in the early morning hours of September 3, 2011. She was a lifelong resident of Jay and a member of Cora Baptist Church.
Abbie was born to the late King David Nowling and Melissa Magaha Nowling. Being the only girl and the baby of the family, she was the “apple of her daddy’s eye”and grew up with four older brothers, Roy, Arlie, Arthur “Shorty”, and Ross Nowling.
On November 16, 1940, Abbie married the love of her life, Bill Watson. Abbie and Bill were married for 68 years and shared the joy of two sons, William Danny Watson (deceased) and Kenneth H. Watson.
Abbie could be described as kind, generous, loving and devoted. She was a wonderful homemaker who had many interests including cooking, crafting, fishing, and traveling. She was an active member of her church and fed countless children over the years as a kitchen volunteer at Vacation Bible School. She had a fun-loving spirit and was an active part in the lives of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She will be greatly missed and forever remembered by her surviving son, Kenneth H. Watson (Jean), and beloved granddaughters Kim Watson Chambless (Chris), Andriea Watson, and Jamie Watson Mattina (Rodney). Her special little treasures were her great-grandchildren Brandon Chambless, Bailey Calhoun, Kenzee Calhoun, and Sophia Grace Mattina. She is also survived by countless friends and relatives who blessed her life and touched her heart.
Services will be held on Tuesday, September 6, 2011, at Cora Baptist Church in Jay, officiated by Jay Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers the family requested a donation to be made in Abbie’s honor to the Cora Baptist Church Cemetery Maintenance Fund. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Covenant Hospice and Dr. Maged Nashed.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Tornado Warning: Southern Escambia, Santa Rosa
September 4, 2011
..A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1015 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN ESCAMBIA AND SOUTHERN SANTA ROSA COUNTIES…
AT 926 PM CDT…NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A POSSIBLE TORNADO. THE CIRCULATION HAS STRENGTHENED
DURING THE PAST TEN MINUTES. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED JUST NORTHEAST
OF GULF BREEZE AND WAS MOVING NORTH AT 25 MPH.
THE STORM WILL PASS VERY CLOSE TO THE EAST SIDE OF PENSACOLA…FERRY
PASS AND PACE.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A
WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS
AVAILABLE…SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN
INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO
COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.
IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES…EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE…LIE FLAT IN THE
NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.
A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM CDT SUNDAY EVENING
FOR SOUTHWESTERN ALABAMA AND NORTHWEST FLORIDA AND SOUTHEAST
MISSISSIPPI.
TORNADO WARNING
September 4, 2011
The National Weather Service in Mobile has issued a
* Tornado Warning for…
northwestern Escambia County in northwest Florida…
southwestern Escambia County in south central A+labama…
central Baldwin County in southwest Alabama…
* until 515 PM CDT
* at 412 PM CDT…National Weather Service Doppler radar indicated a
severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado 8 miles east of
Robertsdale…or 9 miles northeast of Summerdale…moving north at
25 mph.
* Locations impacted include…
Poarch creek reservation… Perdido…
i65 and CR 1… i65 and al 21… Atmore…
This includes Interstate 10 in Alabama between mile markers 49 and
62.
This includes Interstate 65 between mile markers 46 and 58.
Precautionary/preparedness actions…
When a Tornado Warning is issued based on Doppler radar…it means
that strong rotation has been detected in the storm. A tornado may
already be on the ground…or is expected to develop shortly. If you
are in the path of this dangerous storm…move indoors and to the
lowest level of the building. Stay away from windows. If driving…do
not seek shelter under a Highway overpass.
ditch or other low spot and cover your head with your hands.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT Sunday evening
for southwestern Alabama and northwest Florida and southeast
Mississippi.
Photos: Tropical Storm Lee Pounds Pensacola Beach
September 4, 2011
Tropical Storm Lee pounded Pensacola Beach over the weekend with heavy surf and high winds.
For a photo gallery from Pensacola Beach on Saturday, click here.
Pictured top: Heavy waves pound powered by Tropical Storm Lee pound Pensacola Beach Saturday. Pictured below: A surfer catches a wave. Submitted photos by Amanda Kindley for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Northwest Escambia Opens 2011 Football Season
September 4, 2011
Northwest Escambia’s Mini-Mites, Mites and Midgets open their 2011 season Saturday in Walnut Hill against Milton Black. Next Saturday, NWE will travel to Myrtle Grove, with the Mites playing at 11 a.m. and the Midgets at 2 p.m.
For a photo gallery from Saturday’s NWE Mini-Mite game, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Inside Escambia County’s Command Center On Wheels
September 4, 2011
If a major tropical storms or other disaster hits Escambia County, or even during a large event like a Blue Angels air show, Escambia County’s Office of Emergency Management has a mobile communications trailer ready to roll into action.
The emergency command center consists of a Freightliner tractor and 48-foot trailer outfitted to handle an emergency communications. Powered by a 20 KW diesel generator, the trailer has a complete radio system, cellular phone, conventional landline and fax system as well as computer network.
“We can run any scene from this trailer,” John Dosh, Escambia’s emergency management manager said. “It is completely self contained.”
The garage-kept trailer is designed to be deployed to a disaster or emergency, or large scale scene to coordinate communications between fire, EMS, law enforcement and other agencies. It is also used at events like the Blue Angels air show. At events such as the Blue Angels, the trailer is equipped with a 30-foot pneumatic mast with a camera system to allow operators to monitor a crowd.
The trailer has 320 square feet of climate control work space, including a conference room (pictured left), communications center and restroom. The trailer, Dosh said, was used one in emergency situation in North Escambia — after a February 2008 tornado touchdown in Molino.
Pictured top and bottom: Escambia County’s emergency command center. Pictured top inset: Emergency Management Manager John Dosh operates the command center’s video system from a computer control. Pictured bottom inset: The trailer’s conference room. NorthEcambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
