Ernest Ward Names Students Of The Month
January 9, 2014
Ernest Ward Middle School has named their December Students of the Month. They are Shelby Bashore (left), Baily Van Pelt (right) and Lari McCann (not pictured). Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local Bases, Towns Recognized As ‘Tree Cities’
January 9, 2014
Five towns and cities and three military installations in Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties have been recognized for continuing their traditions as Tree City USA participants for 2013.
Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Gulf Breeze, Milton and Pensacola as well as Hurlburt Field, NAS Whiting Field and NAS Pensacola were credited as Tree Cities based on their work with urban forestry.
The Tree City USA program is a national program that provides the framework for community forestry management for cities and towns across the United States. Communities achieve Tree City USA status by meeting four core standards: maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry and celebrating Arbor Day.
There were 166 Tree Cities recognized across the state in 2012.
Missing Woman Found OK
January 9, 2014
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday that a missing woman has been located.
“Kimberly Joyce Smith has been safely located,” was the only information released by the department. Earlier the ECOS said the 30-year old had not been heard from since November 27 or seen since October.
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Cogongrass In The Panhandle Workshop Planned
January 9, 2014
Escambia County University of Florida/IFAS Extension will hold a Cogongrass in the Panhandle Workshop on Tuesday, January 14.
Held at the Escambia Extension Office, 3740 Stefani Road in Cantonment, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST attendees will discuss identification and biology of cogongrass in Northwest Florida and current methods being used for control.
Pre-register by calling Escambia Extension, or by clicking here (specify which location you wish to attend).
The $25 cost of the program also includes lunch.
For more information contact Libbie Johnson, Escambia County Extension at (850) 475-5230 or libbiej@ufl.edu.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Log Truck Driver Injured In Collision With Train
January 8, 2014
A Cantonment man was injured when his 18-wheel log truck was struck by a train at a crossing on Quintette Road just east of Highway 95A Wednesday morning.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 21-year old Austin Gillenwater of Cantonment was traveling west on Quintette Road about 9:30 a.m. in an 18-wheel log truck. He told troopers that his brakes failed when he attempted to stop for the railway crossing arms. His 1984 Peterbuilt truck came to stop on the tracks as the train was approaching. The CSX train initiated an emergency stop prior to striking the truck.
Gillenwater was taken to Baptist Hospital with non-life threatening injuries, according to the FHP.
There was minor damage to the CSX locomotive and about $10,000 in damage to the 18-wheeler. The logs on the truck and the train’s contents and cargo remained intact during the collision.
Quintette Road was closed by the accident until about noon. No charges were filed in the accident.
The Cantonment and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded to the accident.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
One More Freezing Night
January 8, 2014
Here is your official North Escambia are forecast:
- Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 24. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. East wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. East wind around 5 mph.
- Friday: A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Friday Night: A slight chance of showers, then showers and thunderstorms after 7pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 58. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
- Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms before 7am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 7am and 1pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 71. South wind around 15 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
- Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 42. West wind 5 to 15 mph.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 65. West wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
- Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41. South wind around 5 mph.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 37.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 55.
Citizens Won’t Get Ballot Vote On Century Barnyard Animal Ban
January 8, 2014
Residents of Century won’t get to vote on a recently enacted barnyard ban despite a grassroots push to place the issue on the ballot.
After three months of back and forth discussions, public meetings and protests, the Century Town Council gave final approval to the new animal control ordinance during a special meeting on December 23.
Before the vote, Century resident Maggie Waters presented the council with a self-styled ballot initiative signed by 86 citizens calling for the ordinance to be placed on a ballot for public vote. The 86 signatures were not documented as being from registered voters.
Unsure if the ballot initiative would require the council to place the issue on the ballot, the council approved the barnyard animal ban on a unanimous vote December 23. The new ordinance went into effect immediately.
Century Mayor Freddie McCall told the council Monday night that town attorney Matt Danneheisser had reviewed the issue and said that the town is not required to place any issue on the ballot due to citizens’ requests.
Since December 23, it has been 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 were already prohibited in all areas of the town. One horse or cow will be allowed for every two acres, one donkey or mule per acre and one goat or sheep per one-half acre. The animals and their pens must be 200 feet or greater from a dwelling or property line.
Anyone with the regulated animals in an area not zoned agricultural or rural residential within the town limits, must register their animals at the Century Town Hall within 60 days. The resident must apply for and be granted a variance from the town council within six months or get rid of their animals.
Pictured top: Three members of the Century Town Council were present Monday night, (L-R) Ann Brooks, Sandra McMurray Jackson and Jacke Johnston. Pictured inset: Resident Maggie Waters (right) presents a ballot initiative signed by 86 residents on December 23 to the council calling for a public vote. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Brooks, Riley Selected To Lead Century Town Council
January 8, 2014
The Century Town Council has re-elected Ann Brooks as council president and Gary Riley as vice-president for 2014. Pictured: Century Town Council President Ann Brooks at Monday night’s regular council meeting. Riley was absent from Monday’s meeting. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
GED Classes Offered In Molino
January 8, 2014
GED classes will resume Monday January 13 from 6-8 p.m. at the Molino Community Center. Classes will be on Monday and Thursday evenings.
New students can take the TABE (Test of Adult Basic Education) on Tuesday, January 14 and complete registration at the Molino Community Center, Room 123. Applications for enrollment are available at the Molino Branch Library in the community center. For more information, call the Molino Library at (850) 435-1760, or George Stone at (850) 941-6200, ext. 2121 or 2117.
More Local Winter Photos, Including Snow
January 8, 2014
Here are more winter weather pictures from North Escambia readers.
Homemade snow fell at the home of Kevin Goodson on Spring Street in Jay (top) and at the home of Bill Linhardt in West Pensacola (below).
Frozen tree and yard in Walnut Hill. (NorthEscambia.com photo)
An icy tree in North Escambia. (Courtesy Kay McCormick)
“So I read online the other day about blowing bubbles when it is in the teens or colder. Said they’;; freeze. Decided to try it this morning. They really do freeze!” — Becka Peebles, Walnut Hill
Perdido Bay along Lillian Highway. (Courtesy Mitch Mosley)
A frozen tree in Walnut Hill. (Courtesy Josh Scott)