Sunny Skies For Sunday
January 20, 2013
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 37. Calm wind.
- M.L.King Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. North wind around 5 mph.
- Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32. North wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 55. North wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 29. North wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. Light southwest wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
- Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61.
- Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 50.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 29.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 56.
Pictured: Saturday’s sunset near Flomaton, Ala. Reader submitted photo by Rhonda Lassiter for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Featured Recipe: Mexican Lasagna
January 20, 2013
Today’s featured recipe for Mexican Lasagna will add new flavors to family mealtime as an old favorite gets a south of the border twist.
Mexican Lasagna
Ingredients
- 1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell’s Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 package (about 1 ounce) fajita seasoning mix
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell’s Condensed Golden Mushroom Soup
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves, crushed
- 12 corn tortillas (5-to 6- inch)
- Chopped tomatoes (optional)
- Sliced green onions (optional)
Preparation
- Stir cheese soup, milk and half the fajita seasoning in medium bowl until mixture is smooth.
- Cook beef in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat until well browned, stirring often to separate meat. Pour off any fat.
- Stir mushroom soup, water, chili powder, oregano and remaining fajita seasoning in skillet and heat to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Cook for 5 minutes. Remove skillet from heat.
- Place 3 tortillas in the bottom of a 2-quart shallow baking dish, overlapping slightly. Spread 1 cup beef mixture over the tortillas. Repeat layers twice. Top with remaining tortillas. Spread the cheese soup mixture over the tortillas.
- Bake at 350°F. for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbling. Let stand for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with the tomatoes and onions, if desired.
Serves
Makes 6 servings
Preparation Time:
20 minutes
Bake Time:
30 minutes
Standing Time:
10 minutes
Hundreds Fill A Bowl For Manna
January 20, 2013
Fill a Bowl for Manna was held Saturday to benefit the local food bank that serves clients across the area.
Attendees filled their keepsake ceramic bowl with sumptuous soups from several restaurants while helping Manna Food Panties raise funds to fill the empty bowls of more than 44,000 people in Northwest Florida.
A $30 admission fee entitled guests to a keepsake ceramic bowl filled with soups by local eateries. The event was held at the Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio of WSRE-TV.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fire Heavily Damages Barrineau Park Road Home
January 19, 2013
A Friday night fire heavily damaged a home near Molino.
The occupant of the home in the 700 block of Barrineau Park Road managed to escape the fire without injuries. The fire reportedly began as a cooking fire in the home’s kitchen about 6:30 p.m.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Molino, Cantonment, McDavid, Beulah and Ensley stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the blaze.
Pictured: Fire heavily damaged this home in the 700 block of Barrineau Park Road Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Little Change In Local Job Numbers; Florida’s Rate Best In Four Years
January 19, 2013
The latest job numbers released Friday showed the unemployment rate dropping in almost unchanged in the North Escambia area, while Florida’s unemployment rate dipped to the lowest rate in four years.
Escambia County’s unemployment rate dropped from 8.2 percent in November to an even 8 percent in December. There were 227 fewer people reported unemployed during the period, for a total Escambia County unemployment of 11,030 people. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 9.7 percent.
Santa Rosa County unemployment increased from 7.1 percent in November to 7.2 percent in December. Santa Rosa County had a total of 5,159 persons reported to be still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 8.9 percent.
In Escambia County, Alabama, unemployment was down slightly from 8.2 percent in November to 8.1 percent in December. That represented 1,169 people unemployed in the county during the month. The year-ago rate was 9.1 percent.
The jobless numbers released by Florida and Alabama do not include persons that have given up on finding a job and are no longer reported as unemployed.
Florida’s unemployment rate dipped to 8 percent in December — the lowest rate in more than four years.
The drop in the unemployment rate also lowered the gap between the state’s jobless figure and the national number, which edged up to 7.8 percent in December. The difference between the state and the national unemployment number had been 0.4 percent in November.
The unemployment rate was the lowest it’s been since November 2008, state officials said.
Currently, 749,000 Floridians are unemployed, with slightly fewer than 7.4 million people holding non-agricultural employment.
Alabama’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 7.1 percent in December, was down from November’s rate of 7.5 percent and was below the year-ago rate of 8.0 percent.
Doc-in-a-Box: Pain Clinic Owner, Two Docs Sentenced For Running Pill Mill Clinics
January 19, 2013
The owner of an Escambia County pain clinic and two doctors have been sentenced for their roles in operating illegal pill mill clinics in Pensacola and New Orleans.
Dennis M. Caroni, age 38 of Los Angeles, CA, Dr. Gerard M. DiLeo, age 61 of Bradenton, FL, and Dr. Joseph G. Pastorek, II, age 62 of Slidell, LA, were sentenced Friday by Chief U.S. District Judge Casey Rodgers. Following a six week trial, all three defendants were charged and found guilty of conspiring to unlawfully distribute prescription pain killers. Caroni and DiLeo were also convicted of conspiring to unlawfully launder the proceeds of their prescription drug distribution violations.
As the owner and operator of Global pain management clinics in Pensacola and the New Orleans area between 2004 and 2008, Caroni was sentenced by Rodgers to 20 years in prison. DiLeo was sentenced to two years imprisonment plus one additional year home confinement for his role as part-owner of one of the clinics and full-time prescribing physician. The other prescribing physician charged, Pastorek, was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment plus one additional year home confinement.
This case was the result of a multi-year Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force operation named “Doc-in-a-Box” and the cooperative efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service—Criminal Investigation, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, and U.S. Attorney’s Office Northern District of Florida.
‘Massive Burglary Ring’ Suspects Busted
January 19, 2013
Police have arrested two men that allegedly burglarized at least 50 homes.
John Flynn, 19, has been charged with nine burglaries and one count of grand theft auto. Jo’Kavious Wilson, 18, has been charged with seven burglaries and one count of grand theft auto.
Eight burglary and one grand theft warrants also are active on Decker Brooks, 21, of 910 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., Pensacola. He has not yet been taken into custody. Flynn and Brooks are brothers.
Pensacola Police Department Detective Danny Harnett said the males are suspects in excess of 50 residential burglaries that occurred since August 2012. More charges are pending on these and other suspects as the investigation continues.
Among items taken were televisions, computers, alcohol, guns, coins and a vehicle. Detectives are still trying to determine what the suspects did with the items.
Harnett said the investigation determined that Flynn was the leader of the group, who typically committed burglaries during daytime hours by ringing doorbells or knocking on doors. When no one answered, they would kick doors in for access to residences.
Byrneville Elementary Celebrates Florida Literacy Week
January 19, 2013
Students across the area have spent the past week celebrating Florida Literacy Week.
At Byrneville Elementary School, numerous guest readers stopped by during the week to read to students. Friday, NorthEscambia.com’s publisher read from “Extra Credit” by Andrew Clements to fifth grade students, and from “The Fantastic Secret of Owen Jester” by Barbara O’Connor to fourth graders. Afterwards, students had an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about NorthEscambia.com and how media organizations operate.
Pictured top: Jacke Johnston’s fifth grade class at Byrneville Elementary School. Pictured below: Stephanie Gilmore’s fourth grade class. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Sweeps Freeport; Robinson Scores 41; Jones Adds 39 (With Photo Galleries)
January 19, 2013
In varsity boys action, the Chiefs beat Freeport held a strong 33-12 lead at the end of two periods, before going on to win 68-23. Neino Robinson led the Chiefs with 41, while Cameron Newsome added nine.
In junior varsity boys action, Northview beat Freeport 67-22. The Chiefs held the Bulldogs to just two points in the fourth period. Nick Lambert scored 19 for the Chiefs. Tydre Bradley and Trent Howard both had 13 for Northview.
In girls action, the Northview Lady Chiefs beat the Lady Bulldogs of Freeport 59-43. Shaquanna Jones scored 39 for the Lady Chiefs, and Elayzha Bates added 8.
The Chiefs will be in action next Tuesday at home as follows:
4 p.m. — JV Lady Chiefs vs. Escambia
5 p.m. — JV boys vs. Baker
6 p.m. — Varsity Lady Chiefs vs. Escambia
7 p.m. — Varsity Boys vs. Baker
For photo galleries, click the links below:
Baseball, Softball Registrations Continue At Area Ballparks
January 19, 2013
Baseball and softball registrations across the area are underway. Here’s a look at registration information for Northwest Escambia, Molino Ballpark, Cantonment Ballpark, the First Baptist Church of Cantonment, Northeast Pensacola and the Pensacola Miracle League:
Northwest Escambia
Northwest Escambia will hold open baseball and softball registration for ages 3-18.
Registration will be held at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill on Saturday, January 26 — 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
For updated registration fee information, visit the NWE Facebook page. A copy of the child’s birth certificate is needed at the time of registration. NWE is also looking for people willing to volunteer on the board of directors, and as managers, coaches and umpires.
Molino Ballpark
Registration at the Molino Ballpark will be held on Saturdays, February 2, 9 and 16, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the ballpark on Crabbtree Church Road. Wee Ball, T-ball, baseball and softball for ages 3-16. $55 registration fee for the first child. Birth certificate needed at registration. For more information, call (850) 712-6267.
Cantonment Spring Registration
Registration will be held every Saturday until February 16 from 9 a.m. until noon at the Cantonment Ballpark. The cost is $80 per child.
For more information email TheCantonmentBaseballClub@gmail.com or visit this Facebook page.
First Baptist Cantonment
The First Baptist Church of Cantonment will hold registration this Saturday, January 19 from ages 4-12 for T-ball through coach pitch. Registration will be at the Grocery Advantage on Highway 29 beginning at 10 a.m., or register at the church office during the week.
The cost is $35 per child. Games begin March 16. There will be no intense practices and no traveling is required. All games are Saturdays only.
Northeast Pensacola
Northeast Pensacola Ballpark on Nine Mile Road will hold registration every Saturday through January 26 from 9 a.m. until noon and Friday, February 1 from 6- 8 p.m. at Academy Sports and Outdoors on Davis Highway. Online
Online registration for NEP is also available by clicking here.
Miracle League of Pensacola
Registration for the Miracle League of Pensacola will be held Saturday, February 2 and Saturday, February 9 from 9 a.m. until noon at the ballpark on Nine Mile Road.
Registration is $40 for age 4-11; $45 for ages 12-18; $50 for ages 19 or older.
The Miracle League of Pensacola provides physically and mentally challenged individuals a safe and spirited program in which they can hit, run, and catch on a baseball field. MLP offers a unique and memorable opportunity for these exceptional people to experience baseball. Volunteers are welcome.
The season begins Friday, March 15.