Four Injured, Including Three Juveniles, In Highway 29 Crash
February 9, 2015
Four people were injured in a single vehicle crash this morning on Highway 29 near Cotton Lake Road north of Molino.
One adult and three juveniles were transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola following the 6:45 a.m. crash. None of their injuries were considered to be life threatening.
The Florida Highway Patrol is continuing their investigation into the crash. Further details have not been released.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Work Nearing Completion On Jack’s Branch Road Widening Project
February 9, 2015
Well more than a year after it began, work is making real progress on a $2.6 million project to widen and resurface Jacks Branch Road from Muscogee Road to Barrineau Park. The project saw major delays, when following the April flood and into the summer, most of the work on the project seemed to stop, according to area residents.
Drainage work is complete, and crews are now working on widening the roadway with 11-foot travel lanes and four-foot paved shoulders with some minor drainage improvements.. Overall, the project is now 90 percent complete, according to Escambia County.
The project was funded by the Florida Department of Transportation and is being managed by Escambia County’s Engineering division. Roads, Inc. is the primary contractor.
The Jack’s Branch Road project is now estimated to be completed next month.
Pictured: Jack’s Branch Road Sunday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cooler For Remainder Of The Week
February 9, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. North wind around 10 mph.
- Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 59. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Tuesday Night Clear, with a low around 36. North wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 66. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.
- Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 41. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
- Thursday Sunny, with a high near 62. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 31. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Friday Sunny, with a high near 51.
- Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 33.
- Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 58.
- Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 33.
- Sunday Sunny, with a high near 56.
Rep. Ingram Receives Exemplary Public Service Award From Counties Association
February 9, 2015
Rep. Clay Ingram was recently presented with the Florida Association of Counties Exemplary Public Service Award.
“Representative Ingram has always had an open door to listen to the concerns of not only the counties he represents but all of Florida’s 67 counties. We are appreciative of this and his consistent consideration to honor home rule by limiting unfunded mandates and preemptions on counties,” said Cragin Mosteller, communications director for the Florida Association of Counties.
Pictured: Rep. Clay Ingram (left) and FAC’s Davin Suggs (right). Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Valentine’s Fun At The Century Branch Library
February 9, 2015
The Molino Branch Library will offer a Valentine Candy Craft Monday at 6 p.m. Kids can create a candy heart lollipop along with a Valentine card to give someone special. Space is limited. Call the Molino Branch Library at (850) 435-1760 to register.
The Century Branch Library will present “Giving Your Heart Away” on Thursday at 5 p.m. at 7991 North Century Boulevard. Participants can enjoy stories, treats and make a handmade Valentine for someone special.
Look Back: Tate Drama Dept. Presents The Addams Family Musical
February 9, 2015
The Tate High School Drama Department presented a three-night run of “The Addams Family: A Musical Comedy”. The production brought the characters of Gomez Addams, Morticia Addams, Uncle Fester, Wednesday Addams, Pugsley Addams, Grandma, Lurch and other to life in an original story with Wednesday falling in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family – a man her parents have never met.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Elementary’s Vocabulary Words On Parade
February 9, 2015
Byrneville Elementary School recently held a Literacy Week Parade. Students dressed as vocabulary words for the celebration.
For more Byrneville Elementary School Literacy Week Parade photos, click here.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sweetheart Edition: Chief Challenge 5K Run/Walk Is Saturday
February 9, 2015
The Northview High School Chief Challenge 5K is returning with a Sweetheart 5K Run/Walk this Saturday morning, February 14 – Valentines Day – at 9 a.m.
While open to individual runners and walkers, couples are encouraged to enter the event. There will be special awards given to the fastest couple and the cutest couple in additional to traditional overall and age category awards.
For a registration form and complete details, click here. Registrations are discounted through Friday, with late registration Saturday morning at Northview from 7:30 to 8:15 a.m. Packet pick up with be Friday from 3:30 until 5:00 in the Northview gym and Saturday morning beginning at 7:30. To download an entry form, click here.
For more information, email Natalie Nall nnelson@escambia.k12.fl.us.
The Chief Challenge 5K is sponsored in part by NorthEscambia.com.
Pictured: A previous Chief Challenge 5K. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Bill Could Bolster Dental Care In Underserved Areas
February 9, 2015
A Senate Republican has filed a proposal that would create a program to provide financial help to dentists who work in areas of Florida that lack adequate dental care. The proposal filed by Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, would provide money that could be used for such things as repaying dental-school loans and investing in property and facilities.
“The Legislature recognizes that maintaining good oral health is integral to overall health status and that the good health of residents of this state is an important contributing factor in economic development,” the bill says. “Better health, including better oral health, enables workers to be more productive, reduces the burden of health care costs, and enables children to improve in cognitive development.”
The bill would focus on dentists who work in “dental health professional shortage areas” or “medically underserved areas,” both of which are federal designations. For example, dentists could qualify if they work at public-health programs in those areas. Lawmakers will consider the proposal during the legislative session that starts March 3.
by The News Service of Florida
AgSave$ – Securing Your Farm’s Financial Future
February 9, 2015
Farm families face unique issues concerning retirement and succession planning (who will own and/or manage the farm when the current owner is no longer able). Farming is a business which has evolved into more than just a way of life.
Now, successful farming includes in-depth financial planning, implementing and evaluating new enterprises, new techniques, new tools, and planning future ownership and management of the farmstead. Many times, unfortunately, “exit” strategies for retirement and succession of leadership are often overlooked.
The question, “Who will continue the farm?” is just as important as assessing the value of land, equipment, and livestock. The first step, which is often the hardest, in building a succession plan is to include and communicate with family members about the process. Some questions to get the conversation started with your family include:
- How do I become financially stable?
- How do I retire well?
- What do I need to do to secure the future of my farm?
To help with this important process, the University of Florida IFAS Extension faculty in the Panhandle are offering a newly developed personal finance and succession planning program for Florida farmers and their families called AgSave$. Farmers and their families involved with any agricultural industry are invited to join our Florida Commissioner of Agriculture, Adam Putnam, in a proclamation for the kick-off event, the AgSave$ Summit, at the UF/IFAS Extension Jackson County office on February 23 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. in Marianna with “satellite sites” located at the Extension offices in Jay Monticello
The first event is free of charge, and will focus on the importance of succession planning. Lunch is also provided free.. Registration for the AgSave$ Summit is being offered online a: bit.ly/AgSavesSummit, or by calling your local Extension office.
Following the initial “Summit,” you may wish to enroll in our AgSave$ Workshop Series beginning on March 24. This four session series of interactive workshops will focus on the basics of securing your farm’s financial future and will be offered locally in County Extension offices across the Florida Panhandle. The cost of this series is $55 for the entire family (up to four members). In addition to learning from our featured speakers, which are experts in the field of financial planning, participants will receive a Farm Journal Legacy Project Workbook to help walk your family through the succession planning process. For more information on these programs, contact Libbie Johnson or Dorothy Leeat the
UF IFAS Escambia County Extension office at 3740 Stefani Road in Cantonment at (850) 475-5230 or email libbiej@ufl.edu or dclee@ufl.edu.