FWC Hunter Safety Courses Set For Molino, Cantonment, Jay, Milton
August 14, 2023
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering free hunter safety internet-completion courses in Molino, Cantonment, Jay and mIlton. Hunter safety courses are designed to help students become safe, responsible and knowledgeable hunters and learn about conservation.
Participants must take the online course before attending a class.
All firearms, ammunition and materials are provided free of charge. Students should bring a pen or pencil and paper. An adult must accompany children younger than 16 at all times.
Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, must pass an approved hunter safety course and have a hunting license to hunt alone (unsupervised). The FWC course satisfies hunter-safety training requirements for all other states and Canadian provinces.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
- Aug 14, 6-10 pm & Sept 9, 9am-noon — Molino Community Center
- Sept 11, 6-10 pm & Sept 30, 9am-noon — Molino Community Center
- Oct 2, 6-10 pm & Oct 28, 9am-noon — Escambia County Extension, Cantonment
- Oct 9, 6-10 pm & Oct 28, 9am- noon — Molino Community Center
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
- Aug 21, 6-10pm & Sept 9, 9am-noon — Jay Community Center
- Aug 28, 6-10pm & Sept 9, 9am-noon — Santa Rosa County Extension, Milton
- Sept 18, 6-10pm & Sept 30, 9am-noon — Jay Community Center
- Sept 25, 6-10pm & Sept 30, 9am-noon — Santa Rosa County Extension, Milton
- Oct 16, 6-10pm & Oct 28, 9am-noon — Jay Community Center
- Oct 23, 6-10pm & Oct 28, 9am-noon — Santa Rosa County Extension, Milton
Those interested in attending a course can register online and obtain information about future hunter safety classes or by calling FWC safety coordinator Jeff Schumacher or staff assistant Linda Adams at (850) 413-0085 for more information.
Sunday Evening Fire Destroys Shed, Boat In Beulah
August 14, 2023
Fire destroyed a large shed and boat in Beulah Sunday evening.
The fire was reported to Escambia County Fire rescue about 6:50 p.m. at a home in the 7000 block West Nine Mile Road at the intersection with Mobile Highway, near a large radio tower.
There was no immediate word on the cause of the fire and no reported injuries.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Retreat From 2023 Highs
August 14, 2023
Florida gas prices are retreating from 2023 highs. A little more than a week ago, the state average reached $3.84 per gallon – the most expensive state average since August 2022. The state average has since declined nine consecutive days, falling a total of 10 cents per gallon, during that time.
Sunday’s state average was $3.74 per gallon. That’s the lowest daily average price since July 31. Florida drivers are paying just eight cents more than this time last year.
A North Escambia low of $3.35 was available Sunday night at a Cantonment station on South Highway 29. In the Pensacola area, a station on East Nine Mile Road was at $3.27.
“Florida drivers are likely relieved to see gas prices move lower again, but that downward trend may not last long,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Last week, gasoline futures prices rebounded to the same levels that led to the 2023-highs we saw earlier this month. Since it can sometimes take a week or two before changes in the futures market hits the retail side, drivers could see gas prices move higher early this week or next.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Fall In Finale, Suffer Sweep In Chattanooga
August 14, 2023
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos dropped the finale of their series against the Chattanooga Lookouts on Sunday afternoon, falling by a score of 6-2.
The Blue Wahoos were swept in a six-game series for the first time in team history, and have lost six in a row for the first time since dropping seven straight in July of 2021.
Evan Fitterer (L, 6-5) allowed three runs over 5.0 innings, but didn’t receive enough run support as he lost for the second time in a week against the Lookouts.
Chattanooga took a 1-0 lead in the second on a Miguel Hernandez solo homer, and stretched their lead to 3-0 on a two-out, two-run single from Rece Hinds in the fourth.
The Blue Wahoos got a run back in the fifth on an RBI groundout from Tanner Allen, playing for the first time in a Pensacola uniform in his Double-A debut. Allen later added an infield single in a 1-for-4 day.
After Allen’s groundout, Vin Timpanelli (W, 2-2) relieved starter Julain Aguiar and got Nasim Nuñez to line into a double play to end the Pensacola threat. Nuñez hit into three double plays on the day, and the Blue Wahoos hit into five as a team.
The Lookouts scored three more in the eighth on a Quincy McAfee RBI single, passed ball, and throwing error. Will Banfield got a run back in the eighth with a solo homer, but the Blue Wahoos went down quietly in the ninth.
After an off day on Monday, the Blue Wahoos return home to Pensacola for a six-game series against the Montgomery Biscuits on Tuesday.
written by Erik Bremer
Century Woman Charged With Striking Deputy In The Face
August 13, 2023
A Century woman has been charged with allegedly resisting arrest and hitting a deputy in the face.
Amanda E. Hopkins, 33, was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest with violence, both felonies.
Hopkins was being taken into custody at her residence when she resisted, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
She grabbed a deputy’s arm, fell to the ground and refused to stand up, refused to get into the patrol vehicle, and forced deputies to pull her into the vehicle, according to an arrest report. As she continued to resist, a handcuff slid off her wrist and she struck a deputy in the chin, an arrest report states.
The deputy refused medical treatment.
Hopkins was released on a $20,000 bond.
The arrest report does not state the original reason Hopkins was being detained.
Sweltering Heat Continues: High Near 100, Heat Index Near 115 For Sunday
August 13, 2023
There is an excessive heat warning in effect for Sunday with a heat index reaching up to 115 degrees.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Heat index values as high as 115. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 78. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Heat index values as high as 116. Light west wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 78. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly clear, with a low around 73. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 95.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 95.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 75.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96.
Byrneville Subdivision Plans Filed For 122 Acres
August 13, 2023
Plans have been filed for the “Byrneville Subdivision” on 122 acres near Byrneville Elementary School.
But the plans are much different than most we’ve reported on. The applicant, John Dean of Pensacola, wants to split the 122 acres on two parcels into just four residential lots — three that would be 20-25 acres each and one at nearly 55 acres.
The minor subdivision fronts both West Highway 4 and Byrneville Road in front of the elementary school.
Byrneville Subdivision is in the initial internal review stage at the Escambia County Development Review Committee.
17,000 Escambia Voters Receive Final Notice To Confirm Their Address
August 13, 2023
Address confirmation final notices have been mailed to more than 17,000 Escambia County voters, according Supervisor of Elections David Stafford.
The notices were mailed to voters who have not voted or requested an address update since the 2018 general election.
Under Florida’s voter list maintenance procedures, voters who receive this notice must respond within 30 days or be placed on the inactive voter list.
Voters on the inactive list may be restored to the active voter list after confirming their current address. A voter who remains on the inactive voter list for two consecutive general elections without updating their registration, requesting a vote-by-mail ballot, or appearing to vote will be removed from the Florida voter registration system.
Notices are sent by forwardable mail, feature the official USPS Election Mail logo, and include a postage-paid, pre-addressed return envelope. Voters can always check the status of their voter registration by visiting EscambiaVotes.gov/am-i-registered or by calling (850) 595-3900 during regular business hours. Most changes to a voter’s record can be made by visiting RegistertoVoteFlorida.gov.
Local Author Cooks Up ‘Breadcrumbz’ To Help Girls Navigate Challenging World
August 13, 2023
It all started one day when Escambia County mom Shannon Addison went to have lunch with her daughter at school and it was a deja vu moment. Everytime the adults in the cafeteria walked away, she could hear the girls at the next table picking on one of the girls sitting with them. It hurt her heart to be reminded of just how mean girls can be to one another, something she had experienced growing up and something she had hoped her daughters would not have to experience. She went home and got on the phone with her mother, who was a teacher, to brainstorm a way to help. By the next day an idea was born. The Breadcrumbz would be a quirky band of characters who would share their stories and hopefully help girls navigate ‘girlhood.’
“As a kid, I was always fascinated by the idea that following a trail of breadcrumbs could guide you to safety. The Breadcrumbz will create this trail for girls by giving them fictional examples of ways to navigate their way to a safe place when dealing with conflict,” Addison explained. ”Many of their experiences are inspired by real-world incidents I remembered or I learned from my daughters. I matched that knowledge with research that focuses on girls and social cruelty.”
The initial group of Breadcrumbz, all of whom have heads that are bread shaped, are Penelope Pumpernickel, Rachel Rye, Samantha Sourdough, and Whitney Wheat.
“When Covid shook our world, so many of us found something we wanted to learn – how to knit, as an example. For me, it was learning to make bread. A friend pointed out the connection to my characters and I had a new goal – to create an interactive baking book for girls. Each of my characters is featured in stories that can be read together by an adult and a young baker while they wait for bread dough to rise and finish while they wait for the bread to bake.” Addison said. “There are prompts provided to help start conversations that will hopefully lead to some insight into what is happening with girls and their peers.”
Young bakers will start by making playdough, a great way to introduce them to how to measure ingredients, how to knead dough, and how to help clean up! Each of the Breadcrumbz helps you learn how to make the type of bread she represents and they have been joined by additional characters, Breanna Brioche and Penelope’s little sister, Poppy, and their dog, Pepper (who looks a lot like Addison’s real dog).
“One question I get often is why is my emphasis on girls? Don’t boys also have to learn how to deal with bullies and hurt feelings? The short answer is yes, however, boys’ bullying behavior differs from that of girls. That said, there isn’t any reason your son can’t participate, and reading the stories might help him understand his sister and his female friends better. It might also be a way for a big brother to help when his little sister is hurt in a way he can’t see – mean words don’t leave visible bruises.”
“I started aiming this whole project toward helping girls because that was what I knew best. I was a girl, I was bullied, and I have two daughters with similar experiences. Learning how to help them allowed me to create stories I hope will help others.” Addison added.
The baking book and coordinating measuring cups, spoons, aprons, and baker’s hats, can be ordered now by visiting her web page, mycrumbyworld.com. For a couple more weeks, you will be directed to a Kickstarter page that offers various combinations of items starting with a preorder for the cookbook. Preordering through Kickstarter will allow you to get the book at a discounted rate while it is active. It concludes with plenty of time for Addison to get the books printed in time for the holidays.
Addison gives back is a Take Stock in Children mentor and as a member of the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation’s board.
Wahoos Drop Fifth Straight
August 13, 2023
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos were held to four hits in a 2-0 loss to the Chattanooga Lookouts on Saturday night, losing their fifth consecutive game for the first time all season.
Patrick Monteverde (L, 8-3) looked like his old self in his return to Double-A, but a first-inning homer from Chattanooga’s Rece Hinds gave the Lookouts all the runs they would need for their second shutout of the series.
Monteverde finished strong, completing 6.0 innings with only the two first-inning runs allowed, as he took the tough-luck loss.
Sam Benschoter (W, 4-9) worked around trouble in the early innings, but kept the Blue Wahoos off the board in 5.0 scoreless innings to earn the win for the Lookouts.
The Blue Wahoos had their best chance to break through in the seventh, loading the bases with a single and two walks before Pedro Garcia got Nasim Nuñez to tap out to end the threat. Nuñez was 0-for-4, ending his team-record hitting streak at 17 games.
Ryan Meisinger (S, 10) worked a quick ninth to earn the save and lock down another Chattanooga win over the Blue Wahoos.
The Blue Wahoos have not lost six games in a row since dropping seven straight during the 2021 season, and have never been swept in a six-game series in team history. They turn to Evan Fitterer as they look to avoid the sweep on Sunday afternoon.
written by Erik Bremer