Blackwater State Forest Grows By 625 Acres
November 17, 2016
The Blackwater State Forest has grown by over 600 acres.
The Trust for Public Land announced Wednesday that 626 acres of Wolfe Creek Forest has been acquired and added to the Blackwater River State Forest. The acquired property includes frontage on Big Coldwater Creek, which is widely used for kayaking, tubing, and canoeing by community members. It also includes a spring-fed state paddling trail beloved by area paddlers and birdwatchers.
This acquisition will also protect naval air base operations, water sources, public recreational activities, bird migration, and habitat for endangered species and other wildlife. The Trust for Public Land purchased the property on October 18th from CF Florida, LLC. The purchase price was $1,526,038.85 and was sold to the State of Florida for the same price on November 4.
“Incorporating this section of Wolfe Creek Forest into the Blackwater River State Forest protects it from development, forever, protecting both the natural resources on the property as well as assuring continued naval air station operations. Our goal is to make sure this land remains a recreational hub and habitat center for generations to come while investing in the future of Whiting Field,” said Trust for Public Land Project Manager Doug Hattaway.
Funding for the acquisition came by leveraging both Florida Forever funds, with the US Navy contribution through its Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Program. Protecting the property ensures that land adjacent to the base will not be incompatibly developed in ways that may limit flight operations and vital military training.
NAS Whiting Field is the busiest aviation complex in the world, accounting for nearly 15 million annual flight operations including primary flight training for over 1,200 students and is the host of 21 tenant activities. Additionally, approximately 600 new helicopter pilots are winged annually and 100 percent of all Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard pilots are trained at NAS Whiting Field. The base supports over 14,000 local jobs and is a vital economic engine for the area with more than $1.1 billion in economic impact on the local economy.
The acquisition will also accelerate efforts to fill in a strategic landscape-level gap of long leaf pine forest. Land management will see to the replacement of existing commercial tree species with the native long leaf pine species. Longleaf Pine Forests once covered over 90 million acres in the Southeastern United States but prior logging practices reduced their range to only about 3 million acres.
Bringing back the native trees will provide the habitat upon which several endangered animal and plant species, such as the red cockaded woodpecker, indigo snake, black-bear, and gopher tortoise depend.
Warming Up Before A Weekend Cool Down
November 17, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 80. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 53. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 79. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 37. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 62. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 34. North wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 66.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 74.
Molino Christmas Parade Set For December 3
November 17, 2016
The 14th Annual Molino Christmas Parade is set for Saturday, December 3 at 11 a.m.
The parade route starts at the west end of Crabtree Church Road and ends and the Molino Ballpark were Santa Will be waiting to visit with all the good little boys and girls.
To participate in the parade, preregister at Jimmy’s Grill or register the day of the parade. Registration fees are $30 for floats; $20 for vehicles, motorcycles, tractors or golf carts; and $10 each for horses. No 4-wheelers or go-carts. All proceeds go directly back to the community to help children in need.
For more information, contact René at (850) 255-3330 or Jimmy’s Grill at (850) 754-0041. Donations such as toys and non-perishable foot items can be dropped off at Jimmy’s Grill.
The rain date will be Sunday, December 4 at 2:30 p.m.
Pictured: The 2015 Molino Christmas Parade. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
November 17, 2016
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending November 10 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
While on patrol in Pensacola Bay, Officer Allgood found numerous fisheries-related violations including possession of red snapper during the closed season, undersized red snapper and undersized gag grouper. Four criminal summonses were issued for some of the fisheries violations as well as multiple warnings and infractions for boating safety and resource violations.
Officers Allgood and Clark conducted several resource inspections while on patrol in state waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and found violations involving possession red snapper during closed season. Six citations and associated warnings were issued for the violations.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
No report submitted this week.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
Let The Miracle League Fry Your Thanksgiving Turkey
November 17, 2016
Volunteers from the Miracle League of Pensacola will fry your turkey for you on Wednesday, November 23, saving you the time and trouble while benefiting the charity. And there is still time to make an appointment.
Completely thaw your turkey, removing all of the inside packaging and giblets. Write down exactly how much your turkey weighs so it is fried perfectly and take it to the Miracle League Park at 555 East Nine Mile Road from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, November 23. For a monetary donation to Miracle League, the volunteers will fry your turkey to perfection. A minimum of $20 per turkey is necessary to help cover costs, and any additional donation will benefit the Miracle League of Pensacola.
Call (850) 426-6466 with questions or to schedule your time (leave a message if no answer). Reservations should be made early as the number of time slots is limited.
Council On Aging Needs Heaters, Blankets; Offers Cold Weather Tips
November 17, 2016
The Council on Aging of West Florida needs to your help to help local senior stay warm this winter.
The COA is accepting monetary contributions and donations of new heaters and blankets for the elderly. Drop off donations at the Council on Aging office located at 875 Royce Street in Pensacola between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., or call (850) 432-1475 for more information.
This winter season the elderly in particular may be vulnerable and at risk for developing hypothermia, a deadly condition caused by a drop in body temperature. The best way to prevent hypothermia is to stay warm.
Here are some winter safety tips:
- Keep your home comfortably heated.
- Wear several layers of loose clothing. Tight layers of clothing can keep your blood from flowing freely, which can lead to loss of body heat.
- Wear a windproof and waterproof coat or jacket if you plan to be outdoors.
- If your hands and feet are cold, put on a hat. This causes your body to send more warm blood to our hands and feet.
- Use a scarf to cover your neck.
- At night, use hot water bottles, heating pads and electric blankets to help keep you warm.
Northview Girls Out Lift Jay, Pensacola
November 17, 2016
The Northview Chiefs won a weight meet with Jay and Pensacola high schools Wednesday.
Results were as follows:
Northview 1st -53.5 points
Pensacola High 2nd -25.5 points
Jay 3rd -18 points
The following placed fire in their weight class
Crystal Douglas-Northview
Wynder, T-Pensacola
Myisha Syria- Northview
Tagert, H- Jay
Watson, H. –Jay
Kiara Baker- Pensacola
Mallory Gibson –Northview
Aubree Love –Northview
Savanna Roley –Northview
Summer Hodo -Northview
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Deadline Today For FFA Smoked Meat Orders, Citrus Sale Continues
November 17, 2016
The order deadline is today for the annual Northview High School FFA Alumni Smoked Turkey and Boston Butt Sale. And, the Northview FFA’s Fruit Sale is also underway with delivery before Christmas.
Turkeys And Boston Butts
In the annual fund raiser, you can choose either a seven to nine pound smoked Boston butt or a 10-12 pound smoked turkey for $30 each.
Boston butts will be available for pickup on Monday, November 21, and the the smoked turkeys will be available for pickup on Tuesday, November 22 at either Highland Baptist Church in Molino or the Northview Ag Department (complete pickup details are on the order form).
Proceeds from the sale will go to benefit the Northview High School FFA Scholarship Fund. The sale is sponsored by Archie’s Catering Smokehouse in Molino. For a printable order form, click here. Orders must be placed by Thursday, November 17.
Fruit Sale
The NHS FFA is selling citrus in attractive 2/5, 1/2 or 4/5 bushel boxes perfect for gift wrapping. The Florida citrus is from RiverBrite in Vero Beach.
Orders must be made by Monday, November 28. The pickup date is Wednesday, December 14.
For an order form click here. Order forms and payment can be returned to Northview by mail (the address is on the order form), or dropped off at the school office. Fruits available include red apples, pears, grapefruit, navel oranges, tangelos, and Hamlin oranges. Mixed trio half bushels are also available.
For more information, call (850) 327-6681, ext. 248.
Molino Man Facing Drug Charges After Short Police Chase
November 16, 2016
A Molino man is facing multiple felony charges after a short police chase in Molino.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy reported that 24-year old Telacia Markay Brown ran a stop sign at Cedartown Road and Highway 95A. As he approached Highland Baptist Church, the deputy attempted a traffic stop with lights and siren activated, but Brown continued to a residence about a quarter mile away on Nancy Lane. He told the deputy that he did not stop because he was continuing to the residence of the vehicle owner.
A K-9 alerted for the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. Deputies reported the recovery of pills containing oxycodone, pills containing hydrocodone and $792 in cash.
Brown was charged with felony fleeing and eluding, operating a motor vehicle without a license, two felony counts of possession of controlled substance without a prescription, and trafficking in oxycodone. He also received traffic citations for opening a motor vehicle with an expired registration and failing to stop at a stop sign.
He was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $113,600.
Sunny And Warm
November 16, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday Night: Patchy fog after 5am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 47. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 78. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night: Patchy fog after 3am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 53. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 78. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 52. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 66. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 62.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 33.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 65.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 69.