Cantonment Trumpet Player One Of Nation’s Best
January 22, 2012
A trumpet player from Cantonment has been selected as one of the best high school players in the nation.
Chris Snyder has been selected as a semifinalist in the National Trumpet Competition held in Washington, DC. Each year, candidates from across the nation submit a video audition of themselves performing a difficult classical composition. He is one of 30 high school students selected out of hundreds of applicants who audition for the opportunity.
As a semifinalist, Snyder will be able to attend Master Classes led by artists the likes of Doc Severinsen, longtime band leader for the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, and various other trumpet professional players from top symphonies across the United States.
Snyder, the son of Mark and Sonya Snyder, is a member of the Celebration Orchestra at Olive Baptist Church. For the past six years, he has studied trumpet privately from Darryl Evans and Tom Savage, both faculty members at Olive’s School of Performing Arts.
The OBC School of Performing Arts offers a variety of vocal and instrumental music lessons for all ages. For more information on the school, call (850) 475-1932 or visit www.olivebaptist.org.
Pictured: Chris Snyder practices at the Olive Baptist Church School of the Performing Arts. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Project Can Help Families In Need Pay ECUA Bills
January 22, 2012
An assistance program is providing a little help for ECUA customers that have trouble paying their water, wastewater or sanitation bills.
Project EUAP (Escambia Utility Assistance Program) was created in 1988 to assist families that are experiencing financial difficulties. The program is made possible through the voluntary contributions if ECUA customers; there 1,545 ECUA customers that were contributing to the program as of November 2011.
Project EUAP offers assistance to the elderly, the disabled, and to crisis victims, individuals who have a financial circumstance due to a medical emergency, death in the family, or any other serious situation. All contributions in Project EUAP are used for emergency relief and never to pay administrative expenses. The program is administered by the Community Action Program, Escambia County Council on Aging, and the Salvation Army.
ECUA customers can participate in the program by having at least one dollar included on their monthly utility bill, or making a one-time contribution.
For more information, to contribute or to sign up as a participant in Project EUAP, visit ecua.org or call (850) 476-0480.
Search Continues For Escambia Bank Robbery Suspect
January 22, 2012
Authorities are searching for a man that robbed an Escambia County bank Saturday morning.
An older white male wearing a cap and a long sleeve light colored shirt held up the Bank of America on Davis Highway at Creighton Road just before 11 a.m. Authorities said the man gave the teller a note demanding money and never displayed a weapon. He fled the bank with an undisclosed amount of money.
Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies were on the scene within four minutes. A K-9 search was unable to locate the suspect.
Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to the call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Postage Rates Increase
January 22, 2012
Sending a letter via the United States Postal Service will cost you more.
The new 45-cent price for Forever stamps went into effect across the U.S. on Sunday, the first price increase in 2.5 years.
Highlights of the new single-piece First-Class Mail pricing include:
- Letters (1 oz.): 1-cent increase to 45 cents
- Letters additional ounces: unchanged at 20 cents
- Postcards: 3-cent increase to 32 cents
- Letters to Canada or Mexico (1 oz.): 5-cent increase to 85 cents.
- Letters to other international destinations: 7-cent increase to $1.05
Prices also changed for other mailing services, including Standard Mail, Periodicals, Package Services and Extra Services, according to the USPS.
However, Express Mail and Priority Mail prices were not affected. First-Class Mail Presort mailers went up in price, but the second ounce is free.
And new for all customers is a three-month pricing option to rent PO Boxes, perfect for people on the move and others who need a PO Box for a short time period.
Pictured: New “Weather Vanes” 45-cent first class postage stamps. Courtesy image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Charges Pending After Hwy 29 Crash In McDavid
January 21, 2012
Two people were injured and charges are pending after a two vehicle crash early Saturday morning in McDavid.
The accident happened about 3:30 a.m. near Cox Road. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 2010 Mazda driven by 22-year old Dwayne K. Fountain of Florence, Ala., was legally parked next to Highway 29. His vehicle was struck by a northbound 1999 Ford Taurus driven by 27-year old Anna Maria Rae Lynn of Atmore. The parked Mazda was knocked into a wooded area by the force of the collision.
Fountain and Lynn were transported to Jay Hospital with minor injuries. A passenger in Lynn’s vehicle, 29-year old Elizabeth A. Skelton of Atmore also received minor injuries.
Charges are pending against Lynn, according to the FHP.
The McDavid Station of Escambia Fire, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the crash.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details have not been released.
Pictured: One person was injured in this two vehicle crash earl Saturday morning in McDavid. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Chance Of Rain For Sunday
January 21, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers. Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Sunday: Isolated showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Areas of fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. South wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind around 10 mph.
- Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly before noon. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. Calm wind.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. East wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 71. East wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73.
- Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 53.
- Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72.
- Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.
Navy Federal Named One Of The Best Employers In U.S.
January 21, 2012
One of the best companies to work for in the country is located in Escambia County, according to FORTUNE magazine.
FORTUNE announced Friday that Navy Federal Credit Union was ranked #95 on their 15th annual list of The 100 Best Companies To Work For. Navy Federal also made the list in 2008 and is the only credit union to ever receive the honor.
“Service and commitment are a two-way street – employees take care of our members and we take care of our employees. I’ve always believed that Navy Federal is a great place to work. I’m proud of our dedicated and talented team members who contribute to making us one of the ‘100 Best,’ ” said Cutler Dawson, President/CEO, Navy Federal Credit Union.
A Little Good News On The Unemployment Front
January 21, 2012
The latest job numbers released Friday showed a little bit of good news in the three-county North Escambia area — while Florida’s state unemployment rate dropped to the lowest level in two and a half years.
Escambia County’s unemployment was down slightly from 10.1 percent in November to 9.9 percent in December. There were 455 jobs gained during the period, for a total Escambia County unemployment of 13,512 people. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 11.3 percent.
Santa Rosa County unemployment slipped from 9.2 percent to 9.1 percent in December. Santa Rosa County added 97 jobs during the period, with a total of 6,385 persons still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 9.8 percent.
The employment news was also good in Escambia County, Alabama, where unemployment dropped from 9.2 percent in November to 9.0 percent in December. That represented 39 people returning to work during the month. There were 1,305 people unemployed in the county during the month.
Florida’s unemployment rate in December fell to 9.9 percent, its lowest level in two and a half years. December’s rate translates to 913,000 jobless Floridians out of a potential work force of 9.2 million.
Alabama’s seasonally unemployment rate, at 8.1 percent in December, was down from November’s rate of 8.7 percent and was below the year-ago rate of 9.1.percent.
The unemployment figures do not include discouraged workers who have given up on their job search or part-time employees who would rather be working full time. If those are added, the jobless rate typically climbs by several points.
Local Bride-To-Be Misses Dream War Eagle Wedding
January 21, 2012
A North Escambia area woman won’t get the free complete wedding package of her dreams this spring on Samford Lawn on the campus of Auburn University.
Jennifer Coleman, a Flomaton High School graduate, and her groom-to-be, Wes Sinor, fell short of first place in the War Eagle Wedding contest.
“Not the perfect ending, but still a very successful run at the War Eagle Wedding,” Coleman said. “Thanks everyone for your votes and support. Although we did not win, Auburn University has generously gotten us this much closer to our dream wedding.”
The couple of Katie Oliver and Slade Ponder were announced as winners on Friday of the May 26 wedding of their dreams including the dress, tuxedos, flowers, photos, cakes, limousine, entertainment, reception — a complete wedding package worth thousands. Oliver and Ponder received 9,992 votes for the win. The other two couples received 7,181 votes and 3,352 votes, but contest officials did not name which couple was second and which was third.
For an earlier story about Jennifer and Wes, click here.
Pictured: Wes Sinor and Jennifer Coleman of Flomaton, pictured here at the 2011 Auburn-Mississippi State game, are huge Auburn football fans. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ball Registration: NWE, Molino, Cantonment, Atmore
January 21, 2012
Baseball and softball registrations have been scheduled for Northwest Escambia, Molino, Cantonment and Atmore.
The Northwest Escambia League will hold open registration for baseball and softball for ages 3-18 as follows:
- Friday, January 27 from 5-8 p.m.
- Saturday, January 28 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
The cost will be $50 for the first child, $40 for the second child and $10 for the third child from each family. A copy of the child’s birth certificate should be brought to registration at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill.
Molino Ballpark registration will be held every Saturday until February 18 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Don Sutton Ballpark. Cost is $50 for the first child, $45 for the second and $40 for the third from the same family. A copy of the child’s birth certificate should be brought to registration.
Cantonment Baseball and Softball registration will he held every Saturday until February 18 from 9 a.m. until noon at the Cantonment Ballpark, 681 Well Line Road.
Ages 4 and up. Registration is $80 for the first child, $70 for the second, $60 for the third and additional child per family.
Teams include:
- T-ball 4-6
- Coach Pitch 7-8
- Minors 9-10
- Majors 11-12
- Pony 13-14
Atmore Babe Ruth Softball registration for ages 6-16 will be held each Saturday until February 4 at the concession stand at the softball fields at Tom Byrne Park.
Tryouts will be Saturday, February 11 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the softball fields at Tom Byrne Park. Players may register on the day of tryouts.
The registration fee will be $45 for one child and $40 each for the second and additional children. A copy of the player’s birth certification should be brought to registration.