10 Million Loaves Of Bread: North Escambia’s Wheat Crop
June 6, 2012
North Escambia might not be the bread basket of the country, but the local wheat crop still pumps hundreds of thousands of dollars into local economy, particularly around Walnut Hill and Bratt.
In 2008, about 500 t0 600 thousand bushels of wheat were grown per year in North Escambia . That translated to about $3.5 to $5 million into the local economy.
But 2012 wheat production was down significantly in the area.
According to James Formby, manager of Esambia Grain in Walnut Hill, there were 2,753 acres of wheat planted this year. The yield ranged from 25 to 60 bushels per acre, with an average of 45 bushels per acre . With a closing price of $5.60, the value of the 2012 crop would be about $700,000.
The 2012 harvest of about 123,885 bushels would be enough for nearly10 million loaves of bread.
Much of the wheat harvested in the area ends up at Escambia Grain in Walnut Hill, one of just a handful of grain elevators in Florida. First opened in 1965, Escambia Grain has six storage silos, each about 100 feet tall.
Editor’s note: Story updated 8:45 a.m. to reflect a mathematical correction.
Pictured top: Wheat is harvested recently in Bratt. Pictured below: Escambia Grain in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: Cool Mammatus Clouds, Possible Funnel Cloud (With Today’s Weather Forecast)
June 6, 2012
Tuesday brought unusual and stormy weather –and clouds — to the North Escambia area.
In the Atmore and Walnut Hill areas, mammatus clouds created an unusual view for those looking skyward. Mammatus clouds are characterized by smooth, round puffs hanging from the underside of a cloud, often a cumulonimbus cloud. They are often associated with the approach of severe thunderstorms.
In Walnut Hill, our NorthEscambia.com cameras captured a possible very weak funnel cloud in the area of Ernest Ward Middle School. For more photos of the possible funnel cloud, click here.
Here is Tuesday’s official North Escambia area forecast:
- Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming southeast between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90.
- Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69.
- Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 91.
- Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68.
- Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 90.
Pictured above and below: Mammatus clouds Tuesday morning in Atmore. Photos for Ditto Gorme for NorthEscambia.com. Pictured inset: A possible weak funnel cloud in the area of Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill Tuesday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
New Candidate For Sheriff, Other Candidates Qualify Tuesday
June 6, 2012
A new candidate for Escambia County sheriff emerged Tuesday as more candidates filed their official qualification papers for the 2012 election.
Political newcomer Mindy Lynn Pare pre-filed and qualified Tuesday as a write-in candidate for sheriff .
Candidates that qualified on June 5 –
Clerk of the Circuit Court
- Henry John Misiak, Write-In
Sheriff
- Mindy Lynn Pare, Write-In
County Commissioner, Dist 5
- Jim A. Taylor, Rep.
ECUA, Dist 1
- Vicki H. Campbell, Rep.
ECUA, Dist 3
- Clorissti Mitchell, Dem.
ECUA, Dist 5
- Larry Walker, Rep.
Santa Rosa Island Authority
- Thomas Campanella (Nonpartisan)
Pensacola City Council, District 7
- Jewel Cannada-Wynn (Nonpartisan)
Candidates that qualified on Monday, June 4 –
Clerk of the Circuit Court
- Pam Childers, Rep.
- Ernie Lee Magaha, Rep.
Sheriff
- David Morgan, Rep.
- John R. Powell, Rep.
Property Appraiser
- Chris Jones, Dem.
Tax Collector
- Janet Holley, Dem.
- Mike Whitehead, Rep.
Superintendent of Schools
- Malcolm Thomas, Rep.
Supervisor of Elections
- David Stafford, Rep.
County Commissioner, Dist 1
- Jesse Casey, Rep.
- Wilson Robertson, Rep.
Bobby Spencer, NPA
County Commissioner, Dist 3
- John R. Johnson, NPA
- Tiffany Washington, Rep.
County Commissioner, Dist 5
- Steven Barry, Rep.
Packy Mitchell, NPA
School Board, Dist 4
- Patty Hightower (Nonpartisan)
School Board, Dist 5
- Bill Slayton (Nonpartisan)
ECUA, Dist 3
- Calvin Avant, Dem.
Pensacola City Council, At-Large B
- Charles L. Bare (Nonpartisan)
- Victor Cross (Nonpartisan)
Pensacola City Council, District 1
- P.C. Wu (Nonpartisan)
Pensacola City Council, District 5
- John Jerralds (Nonpartisan)
Molino Family Photographs Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee
June 6, 2012
[VOA] England’s Queen Elizabeth led a carriage procession through the streets of London Tuesday, the last day of Diamond Jubilee celebrations to mark her 60-year reign, and the public poured out to view the spectacle.
A Molino family living in England was there with photos for NorthEscambia.com. To view the photo gallery, click here.
In a rare speech Tuesday broadcast in Britain and the Commonwealth, the queen said the events she attended to mark her 60 years on the throne have been a “humbling experience.” She said she was touched “deeply” to see thousands of families, neighbors and friends celebrating in such a “happy atmosphere.”
She also said her husband of 64 years, Prince Philip, is very grateful to the organizers.
On Tuesday, cheering crowds lined the avenue toward Buckingham Palace for the grand finale to the celebrations.
The 86-year-old monarch and her family waved to thousands of flag-waving Londoners from the palace balcony, as Royal Air Force aircraft conducted a fly-past overhead. Prince Philip was absent after being hospitalized Monday with a bladder infection.
Earlier in the day, Queen Elizabeth attended a solemn service of thanksgiving in St. Paul’s Cathedral, joining her son and heir-to-the-throne, Prince Charles, her grandsons William and Harry, and other members of the royal family. She then led a horse-drawn carriage procession to Buckingham Palace, while military bands played and a 60-gun salute was fired.
In his thanksgiving sermon, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams said Queen Elizabeth had shown “a quality of joy in the happiness of others” during her 60 years on the throne.
In Washington, U.S. President Barack Obama issued a personal tribute to the queen, saying he hopes she will continue to “reign supreme for many years to come.” In a video posted on the White House website , Mr. Obama called her a “living witness” to the enduring “special relationship” between Britain and the United States, a bond that he said remains indispensable to their two countries and the world.
Elizabeth succeeded her father, King George, after his death in 1952 and was coronated the following year.
She was crowned queen of seven Commonwealth countries — the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan and Ceylon, now known as Sri Lanka.
Along with Britain, the monarch is the head of state of 16 other nations, known as realms. Her role is purely ceremonial. She is also head of the Commonwealth, an organization that rose from the British empire. Most of its 53 member countries are former colonies.
Pictured top: (L-R) Camilla, Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth, Prince William and Kate, and Prince Harry on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. Pictured top inset: Queen Elizabeth rides an open-air carriage through the streets of London Tuesday. Pictured bottom inset: Looking toward Buckingham Palace. Pictured below: Prince William and Kate, and Prince Harry in an open-air carriage near Buckingham Palace. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Be A Star: Summer Reading Series Begins At Century Library
June 6, 2012
The Summer Reading Series for kids and teens began Tuesday afternoon at the Century Branch Library.
Kathleen Gibson, an award winning family entertainer, song writer, producer and recording artist shared her special program “Whoever You Are, Be a Star!! Dream Big!”. Children had the chance to make their own guitars, sing, color and dance.
The Summer Reading Series will continue on Tuesdays at noon at the Century Branch Library as follows:
June 12 — Magic with Dr. Gee & Daffodil the Clown. The zany performers will need the audience’s help as they perform fantastical magic acts and bring stories to life.
June 19 — Storytelling with Pat Nease. She will share some witty, wiley and wicked tales.
June 26 — Cartooning with Mike Artell. The award-winning cartoonist and illustrator will present an exciting time of cool and creepy facts about a variety of subjects. Mike gets the audience excited about reading, writing, drawing and creative thinking.
July 3 — No program.
July 10 — Drums with Mark Seymour. Explore the world of drums, drum styles and sounds.
The Century Branch Library also offers a preschool story time each Tuesday in June at 10:30 a.m. for children birth to five-years old.
For more information, call the library at (850) 256-6217.
Memorial Dedicated In Memory Of Fallen Firefighter Killed In 1962
June 6, 2012
A fallen firefighter, the grandfather of two Northview High School graduates, was memorialized Tuesday.
A new monument at Seville Square honors Pensacola Firefighter Vista Spencer Lowe, 23, who died in the line of duty while responding to a house fire on Zarragossa Street. After arriving at the scene, Lowe stepped from the rear tailboard of the firetruck on which he was riding. He tripped and fell to the ground. Unaware of Lowe’s location, the pumper’s driver began backing up the firetruck, crushing Lowe.
Lauren and Jennifer Lowe, 2010 Northview High graduates, took part in the monument’s dedication Tuesday morning, reading “The Fireman’s Prayer”. Their grandfather’s fireman boots were next to them; the boots are the only personal memento they have left from their grandfather. He was killed when their father, Mark Lowe, was just six months old.
“It gives everybody a chance to see that firefighters dedicate their lives in really big way,” Jennifer Lowe said. “My grandpa passed away trying to help people.”
Lowe’s death caused fire departments to change operating procedures, requiring that no apparatus be backed up without a department member watching and directing.
“The monument not only celebrates what he did, but how his death is contributing to the safety of firefighters these days,” Jennifer Lowe said.
Pictured top: Family members of fallen firefighter Vista Spencer Lowe with a memorial unveiled Tuesday in his honor at Seville Square. Pictured inset: Northview graduates Lauren (left) and Jennifer Lowe read “The Fireman’s Prayer” Tuesday morning as a memorial was dedicated to their grandfather. The boots he was wearing the night of his demise are seen on the left of the podium (courtesy P.C. Wu). Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hundreds Line Up To Apply For Just 20 Jobs
June 6, 2012
Hundreds of people turned out in Walnut Hill Tuesday to apply for one of just 20 jobs available coming to the small community when a new crude oil transfer stations opens.
People began lining up at the Walnut Hill Community Center as early as daybreak Tuesday as Workforce Escarosa assisted Genesis Rail Services and their partner, Rail Solutions of Florida, with the recruitment and hiring of rail car unloading operators. The positions will pay from $16 to $20 per hour with benefits.
As the doors opened at 10 a.m., estimates of as many as 800 people were in line for applications. The line, two or three people deep, snaked around the community center property and alongside Highway 97 for about about a quarter mile. Parked vehicles lined both sides of Highway 97 for about a mile, from Arthur Brown Road to Wiggins Lake Road.
Many eventually gave up after spending hours in the sweltering heat. Periodically, it was announced that those would without their driver’s license and social security card, or those with felony convictions, need not apply. That announcement, along with word of a required drug test if hired, would send dozens of people back to their vehicles at a time.
Genesis’ Senior Vice President of Business Development, Paul Davis, said the company will be creating about 30 new jobs at the Walnut Hill facility over the next couple of years.
Coming up Wednesday morning on NorthEscambia.com, we’ll meet a few of the hundreds of people that were in line and learn their stories.
Pictured top: Hundreds line up for job applications in Walnut Hill Tuesday morning (note that the line in the stop photo snakes all the way around the top of the photo along with wooded area). Pictured inset: A few of the hundreds of applicants for rail car unloading operator jobs. Pictured below: Just a small portion of hundreds of people in line. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Park 2nd, 3rd, 4th Grade Awards List
June 6, 2012
Award days were recently held at Molino Park Elementary School.
The following awards were presented to second, third and fourth grade students at Molino Park.
For Pre-K to first grade awards, click here for a previous story.
Fifth grade awards will be published in an upcoming story.
SECOND GRADE
A Honor Roll
- Reagan Daniels
- Aden Fennell
- Jaden Lewis
- Kileigh Lundy
- Melody Patterson
- Sarah Sconiers
A/B Honor Roll
- Divine Abrams
- Matthew Barrow
- Kay-Lee Bradley
- Devin Creamer
- Melanie Danforth
- Josiah Delarosa
- Grayson Grondin
- Jonathan Janes
- Michayla Kent
- Lindsey Kimmons
- Clay Kittrell
- Chelsi Lashley
- Madelyn McAnnally
- James Perz
- Makayla Ramsey
- Brystal Rhodes
- Micheal Roloph
- MacKenzie Sims
- Shayle Slay
- Kailyn Watson
- Trevor Wood
Perfect Attendance
- Dylan Green
- Wesley Johnson
- Nyrobi Lee
- Hannah Ratcliff
- Sarah Sconiers
Citizenship
- Divine Abrams
- Robert Baggett
- Kay-Lee Bradley
- Rachel Byers
- Brook Cook
- Louis Crabtree
- Melanie Danforth
- Reagan Daniels
- Josiah Delarosa
- Aden Fennell
- Dylan Green
- Grayson Grondin
- Jonathon Janes
- Wesley Johnson
- Michayla Kent
- Lindsey Kimmons
- Chelsi Lashley
- Jaden Lewis
- Kileigh Lundy
- Madelyn McAnnally
- Melody Patterson
- James Perz
- Makayla Ramsey
- Hannah Ratcliff
- Brystal Rhodes
- Michael Roloph
- McKenzie Rudd
- Sarah Sconiers
- MacKenzie Sims
- Shayle Slay
- Logan Thompson
- Kailyn Watson
- Jordan Wilson
- Trevor Wood
Most Improved
- Zacheriah Chavers
Outstanding Effort
- Hannah Hassebrock
- Bryson Love
- Shelby Prince
AR Award
- Chelsi Lashley
THIRD GRADE
Citizenship
- Teagan Andress
- Tayler Bridges
- Kaelin Brinker
- Kenley Brown
- Jessica Conti
- Joshua Coonrod
- Nathan Danforth
- Abeni Diggs
- Torrie Edmonson
- Jadon Fryman
- Brentley Garrett
- Hailey Harigel
- Bryce Korinchak
- Kaley Lashley
- Marianna Martinez
- Justin Miller
- Lainey Pace
- Kellie Parsons
- Ashleigh Ratcliff
- Clay Smith
- Morgan Taylor
- Ariel Ward
- Ben Ward
- Caden Woodward
Perfect Attendance
- Jessica Conti
- Harley Crumbley
- Parker Hassebrock
- Julie Ann Keith
- Connor McQuaid
- Jeremiah Morris
- Damion Payne
A Honor Roll
- Kaelin Brinker
- Joshua Coonrod
- Brentley Garrett
- Brayden Mickel
- Clay Smith
- Caden Woodward
A/B Honor Roll
- Tayler Bridges
- Jessica Conti
- Nathan Danforth
- Jadon Fryman
- Hailey Harigel
- Wesley Hart
- Parker Hassebrock
- Bryce Korinchak
- Justin Miller
- Lainey Pace
- Kellie Parsons
- Natalie St. Cyr
- Morgan Taylor
- Ariel Ward
Extra Effort Reading
- Larry Allie
- Scott Skidmore
Most Improved Reading
- Kaley Lashley
Most Improved Math
- Damion Payne
FOURTH GRADE
Perfect Attendance
- Roger Gill
- Hannah Macks
- MacKenzie McCrory
- Kayla McKillion
- Ronald Plenkers
- Logan Wise
- Raeleigh Woodfin
- Stewart Woodfin
Citizenship Awards
- Emily Boutwell
- William “Eli” Boyd
- Caleb Eddins
- Alexander Floyd
- Jordan Godwin
- John Gulledge
- Gracie Johnson
- McKinzi Kent
- Tyler Peacock
- Dellie Roberts
- Brandon Sheldt
- Sarah Woodfin
A/B Honor Roll
- Braden Boutwell
- Emily Boutwell
- Micah Calhoun
- Ben Cantrell
- Jayda Crabtree
- David Green
- Jameisha Gross
- Jacob Hawkins
- Gracie Johnson
- McKenzie McCrory
- Kayla McKillion
- Alexa Schlobohm
- Kamren Simpkins
- Brianna White
- Logan Wise
Most Improved – Math
- Dean Hatcher
- McKinzi Kent
- Dellie Roberts
- Keaton Solmonson
Most Improved – Overall
- Jaden Bellamy
- Caleb Eddins
- Kody Gresh
- Tyler Simmons
Most Improved – Reading
- Gabriel Hamm
Disney to Eliminate Junk Food Ads from Radio, TV, Web
June 6, 2012
[VOA] The Walt Disney Company will become the first U.S. media giant to ban junk food advertising on its radio and television networks, and on its Internet website.
The company announced Tuesday that starting in 2015, it will eliminate commercials for candy, salty snacks and sugary cereals. Instead, Disney programming will promote diets rich in fruits and vegetables, and limit calories, fat and sugar.
Menus at Disney theme parks will feature “Mickey Checks” — pictures of Mickey Mouse that will highlight healthy foods.
First lady Michelle Obama, who is leading a national crusade against childhood obesity, calls Disney’s new policy a “game changer” for the health of American children.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 17 percent of children in the United States are obese — triple the rate of a generation ago — in part, because they consume too much junk-food.
Two Arrested For Flomaton Robbery
June 6, 2012
Two Flomaton residents have been arrested in connection with the weekend armed robbery at a Flomaton convenience store.
Levi Sadderwhite, 18, and Eric Mathis, 16, are both charged with robbery first degree for the robbery of the Kangaroo Express on Sidney Manning Boulevard about 10:30 Saturday night. Authorities said Mathis has been adjudicated as an adult.
The incident, which was captured on the store’s surveillance video, shows two white males entering the store wearing black ski masks. One of the suspects was armed with a pistol, Flomaton Police Chief Daniel Thompson. After the robbery, the duo fled on foot, leading to a unsuccessful man hunt that lasted for several hours.
Pictured above and below: These reader submitted cell phone images show police on the scene of an armed robbery Saturday night in Flomaton. Submitted photos by Anthony Stinson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
