Turning Even Colder
November 26, 2013
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Showers likely, mainly before midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 35. Northwest wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 45. Breezy, with a northwest wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 23. North wind around 5 mph.
- Thanksgiving Day: Sunny, with a high near 51. Wind chill values between 15 and 25 early. North wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 27. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 60. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 63. East wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. East wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.
- Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48.
- Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 70.
- Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.
- Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69.
Northview Chiefs Open Basketball Season With Win Over Escambia Gators
November 26, 2013
The Northview Chiefs beat the Escambia Gators 82-58 in high school basketball action Monday night. Delayed by football playoffs, the game was the season opener for the Chiefs.
Leading scorers for the Chiefs were Tony McAroy with 35 and Neino Robinson with 26. Other scorers were: Trent Howard, 12; Eric Williams, 4; Cameron Newsome, 3; Keondrae Lett, 2; and Nick Lambert, 2.
The Chiefs were to be on the road Tuesday afternoon against T.R. Miller, but that matchup has been canceled and rescheduled for December 16 in Bratt.
The junior varsity girls will play a game December 3 at 5:30 against Flomaton at home; otherwise, the Chiefs won’t play another home game in Bratt until December 13.
Road Construction, Land Closures Suspended For Long Holiday Period
November 26, 2013
State transportation departments in Florida and Alabama announced Monday that most road construction and lane closures will be suspended for the long Thanksgiving weekend.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District Three office is suspending highway construction projects on major roadways across Northwest Florida. There will be no work on state roads requiring lane restrictions from Thursday, November 28 through Sunday, December 1. All major roads will be open to normal traffic.
Although no construction closures are scheduled over the holiday weekend, existing state highway work zones will remain in effect. Motorists are reminded to use caution while traveling through work zones around barricades and equipment.
FDOT is encouraging drivers to allow extra travel time and to use extra caution in existing work zones along state highways. Drivers are urged to make sure they buckle up, along with their passengers. FDOT and other safety agencies also ask drivers to obey speed limits, get adequate rest before traveling, avoid distractions and never drink and drive.
Drivers also are urged to be prepared for unscheduled highway closures due to accidents, disabled vehicles or other events. Motorists should be alert to changing weather conditions while traveling.
The Alabama Department of Transportation said there will be no temporary lane closures on Alabama interstates after noon, Wednesday, November 27, through midnight on Sunday, December 1.
Bills: Double Texting In School Zone Fines
November 26, 2013
Rep. Richard Stark, D-Weston, wants to increase the penalty for motorists who text while behind the wheel in school zones. Stark has proposed a measure (HB 333) that would double fines for texting while driving in legally posted school zones or designated school crossings.
The state’s new texting-while-driving ban went into effect October 1 and carries a penalty of $30 and court costs for first-time offenders. The law only allows enforcement as what is known as a “secondary offense.” That means motorists can only be cited for texting while driving if they are pulled over for other reasons.
Last month, Sen. Maria Sachs, D-Delray Beach, filed a measure (SB 322) that would allow police to stop motorists for texting while driving as a primary offense.
by The News Service of Florida
Suspect Shot During Altercation With Escambia Deputies
November 25, 2013
A robbery suspect was shot this morning during an altercation with Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies.
Deputies made contact with Tyrone Michael Odom, 21, in the 3200 block of Tarragona Street. As deputies attempted to take the Odom into custody, a physical altercation followed as the he resisted arrest, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
A firearm that the suspect had on his person discharged, hitting him. Odom was transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital with an injury that was not considered life threatening. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail after being treated and released.
Odom was charged with fleeing/eluding police, aggravated assault, robbery with a firearm, battery of an LEO, aggravated assault on an LEO and resisting with violence.
Century To Discuss Animal Control Ordinance During Workshop Meeting
November 25, 2013
The Town of Century is continuing to hammer out the details of a controversial new ordinance banning or severely limiting most barnyard animals in the town.
The town council will hold a workshop to discuss the ordinance Tuesday afternoon at 2:00. The workshop will be open to the public; however, no public comments will be heard during the meeting. A public hearing on the ordinance will be held on Monday, December 2 at 7 p.m.
A week ago, the council held a first reading of an ordinance that will make it illegal to keep a horse, mule, donkey, goat, sheep, or cow within the town limits except in areas that are zoned agricultural or rural residential. Hogs are already prohibited in all areas of the town.
The ordinance will also set minimum lot sizes in the agricultural and rural residential areas in order to keep livestock. A minimum lot size of one acre per horse or donkey will be required, and a minimum lot size of one-half acre per goat will also be required. Structures for livestock, such as barns, feed lots and stables, will not be allowed within 200 feet of a dwelling belonging to another individual or within 200 feet of property that is zoned residential. In addition, all barnyard animals and livestock must be kept at least 200 feet from any property line.
During Tuesday’s workshop, the council will consider an amended ordinance that will allow animals currently in the town limits to be grandfathered in. The grandfather exemption would apply to the life of an animal; once the animal dies or is sold, the grandfather provision would no longer apply.
Pictured top: A small group of protestors hold signs against a proposed barnyard animal ordinance during a Century Town Council meeting last Monday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Farm Bureau: Cost Of Classic Thanksgiving Dinner Down For 2013
November 25, 2013
The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 28th annual informal price survey of classic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table indicates the average cost of this year’s feast for 10 is $49.04, a 44-cent price decrease from last year’s average of $49.48.
“The cost of this year’s meal, at less than $5 per serving, remains an excellent value for consumers,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman, a rice and cattle producer from Texas. “America’s farm and ranch families are honored to produce the food from our nation’s land for family Thanksgiving celebrations,” he said. “During this holiday season, many farmers and ranchers will be reaching out to consumers in-person or through social media, to answer questions about the food that they grow or the poultry and livestock they raise,” he added.
The AFBF survey shopping list includes turkey, bread stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, a relish tray of carrots and celery, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, and beverages of coffee and milk, all in quantities sufficient to serve a family of 10. There is also plenty for leftovers.
The big ticket item—a 16-pound turkey—came in at $21.76 this year. That was roughly $1.36 per pound, a decrease of about 3 cents per pound, or a total of 47 cents per whole turkey, compared to 2012. The whole bird was the biggest contributor to the final total, showing the largest price decrease compared to last year.
“This year we can be thankful that Thanksgiving Dinner, a special meal many of us look forward to all year, will not take a bigger bite out of our wallets,” said John Anderson, AFBF’s deputy chief economist. “Most Americans will pay about the same as last year at the grocery store for a turkey and all the trimmings. Slightly higher turkey production for much of the year coupled with an increase in birds in cold storage may be responsible for the moderate price decrease our shoppers reported,” he said.
Strategic shoppers may pay even less for frozen tom turkey compared to AFBF’s 167 volunteer shoppers who checked prices at grocery stores in 34 states.
“Special sales and promotions on turkey and other holiday food items will continue right up to Thanksgiving,” Anderson explained. “If you have the patience to wait until the last minute to buy a turkey you might come home with an exceptional bargain,” he said.
In addition to the turkey, other items that declined in price included a dozen brown-n-serve rolls, $2.18; one pound of green peas, $1.54; a 14-ounce package of cubed bread stuffing, $2.67; fresh cranberries, $2.42; a half pint of whipping cream, $1.85; and two nine-inch pie shells, $2.49.
Items that showed a moderate price increase from last year included three pounds of sweet potatoes, $3.36; one gallon of whole milk, $3.66; and a 30-ounce can of pumpkin pie mix, $3.10.
In addition, a combined group of miscellaneous items, including coffee and ingredients necessary to prepare the meal (onions, eggs, sugar, flour, evaporated milk and butter) increased to $3.20. A one-pound relish tray of carrots and celery increased to 81 cents.
The average cost of the dinner has remained around $49 since 2011. Further, Anderson noted that despite retail price increases during the last year or so, American consumers have enjoyed relatively stable food costs in general over the years, particularly when adjusted for inflation.
The stable average price reported this year by Farm Bureau for a classic Thanksgiving dinner tracks closely with the government’s Consumer Price Index for food eaten at home, which indicates a 1 percent increase compared to a year ago.
Farm Bureau volunteer shoppers are asked to look for the best possible prices, without taking advantage of special promotional coupons or purchase deals, such as spending $50 and receiving a free turkey. Shoppers with an eye for bargains in all areas of the country should be able to purchase individual menu items at prices comparable to the Farm Bureau survey averages. Another option for busy families without a lot of time to cook is ready-to-eat Thanksgiving meals for up to 10 people, with all the trimmings, which are available at many supermarkets and take-out restaurants for around $50 to $75.
The AFBF survey was first conducted in 1986. While Farm Bureau does not make any scientific claims about the data, it is an informal gauge of price trends around the nation. Farm Bureau’s survey menu has remained unchanged since 1986 to allow for consistent price comparisons.
Two Killed In Escambia Crash
November 25, 2013
Two 20-year olds from Pensacola were killed in a single vehicle accident wreck Sunday in Escambia County.
The accident occurred about 1:25 a.m. Sunday on Olive Road at Windodee Road. According to the Florida Highway Patrol 20-year old Roman Hernandez Carnenas was eastbound on Olive Road when he traveled off the shoulder and struck a guardrail. His 1996 Ford Explorer continued northeasterly until it overturned onto a utility pole. The vehicle came to rest on its side partially submerged in water.
Carnenas and his passenger, Javier Hernandez Velazquez, were pronounced deceased following the crash.
The accident remains under investigation by the FHP.
Five Northview Seniors Play All-Star Volleyball
November 25, 2013
Five Northview High School seniors were named to the Florida Class 1A All-Star Volleyball team. They had the chance to play this weekend in St. Petersburg in front of college coaches for the opportunity to gain scholarships.. They were (picture, L-R) Lily Townson, Lana Clayton, Danielle Steadham, Rebecca Grim and Tiffani Pritchett. The five players also recently played as members of the 2013 Subway All-Star High School Volleyball West team in Pensacola. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Northview At Cottondale
November 25, 2013
The Northview Chiefs fell to the Cottondale Hornets Friday night in Cottondale.
For the photo gallery, click here.
For a game action story, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
