2014 In Photos: August
January 3, 2015
We are looking back at the top events of 2014 in photos. Today, we are featuring photos from August.
The annual back to school Prayer Walk was held at Molino Park Elementary School. Students and adults from Highland Baptist Church prayed for the Lord’s blessings on the upcoming school year.
Work began in August on a leaking section of natural gas pipe under Highway 29 in Century, three and a half years since the leak was publicly revealed as a “major public safety issue”.
A Farm Share food distribution for the needy was held in Century.
Two people were arrested after a 56-mile police chase from Santa Rosa County to just outside Atmore.
The Cantonment Improvement Committee’s annual Back to School Bash was. The event included free school supplies and a hot lunch at Carver Park.
The driver of a SUV was not injured when she slammed into a cow on Highway 97 south of Walnut Hill.
A free “Day of Hope” provided free school supplies, food and an encouraging word in Molino.
A new Walmart officially opened in Atmore.
Georgia Pacific announced an investment of more than $375 million into an energy improvement project at the company’s mill in Brewton, AL.
A “topping out” was held at the new Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill.
A community “glow run” at Travis Nelson Park in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Free school supplies were available in Century for 300 children in need, thanks to a family honoring the memory of one of their own, in a program called “Deidra’s Gift”.
After a summer of hard work, the Tate High School Showband of the South held a Preview Night at Pete Gindl Stadium for parents and friends.
CrossFaith Church in Molino presented “cardboard testimonies” at a Highway 29 intersection in Cantonment.
Ernest Ward Middle School took on the Jay Royals.
The Northview High School dance team performs.
The Northview Chiefs held a scrimmage game.
The Jay Royals lost to Flomaton.
The Tate Aggies beat West Florida.
A late August sunset.
NorthEscambia.com photos.
2014 In Photos: July
January 2, 2015
We are looking back at the top events of 2014 in photos. Today, we are featuring photos from July.
The Blue Angels were back for the annual Pensacola Beach Air Show.
A stolen car was torched in a Century ballpark.
Nothing says July like a fresh Walnut Hill watermelon.
Northview High School graduate Casey B. Wilcoxon was among a group of soldiers deployed from Fort Bragg to Afghanistan.
Fourth fireworks at Showalter Park in Century.
Firefighters battled a barn and hay fire for hours in Molino.
Scenic Highway reopened in July after being washed away during the April floods.
A rainbow frames the Cantonment Fire Rescue Station.
Gov. Rick Scott visited Escambia County to talk about jobs.
The employees at Cantonment Pharmacy gathered one last time before the business was sold to Winn Dixie.
The First Baptist Church of Bratt held a very special “Freedom Sunday” and burned the mortgage on their family life center.
The 2014-2015 Ernest Ward Middle School Cheerleaders attended a three-day Universal Cheerleaders Association camp at the school.
A shelf cloud moves over Pensacola Beach.
The Northview High School varsity cheerleaders attended a two-night stunt camp at Florida State University.
The Nokomis (AL) Volunteer Fire Department held a joint training with the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue.
The old Ransom Middle School on Muscogee Road was demolished to make way for a school bus compound.
Afternoon storms roll across Corley Road.
NorthEscambia.com photos.
2014 In Photos: June
January 1, 2015
We are looking back at the top events of 2014 in photos. Today, we are featuring photos from June.
Hundreds of people turned out despite the heat and humidity for the first annual Twin Cities Volunteers Watermelon Festival in Century.
An open house was held at the new Escambia County 4-H property on Chalker Road in Molino.
Escambia County made a funding commitment of over a quarter million dollars for a red light at the Highway 29 and Highway 97 intersection in Molino.
The Town of Century received a $50,000 state grant to renovate the existing playground area at Showalter Park.
A Walnut Hill man was jailed for shooting his son on a riding lawnmower.
With an offering of smoked pork and baked beans, the Town of Century took their gas franchise dispute to Walnut Hill, making their case and hoping to drum up support against Pensacola Energy.
The Fizz, Boom, Read: Summer Reading Program made science and reading exciting for kids of all ages at both the Century and Molino branch libraries.
Rep. Clay Ingram announced that the Town of Century has received a $400,000 gas and water system grant.
The Tate High School Class 0f 2014 graduated at the Pensacola Civic Center.
The 113 members of the Northview High School Class of 2014 graduated.
The Molino Volunteer Fire Department held their annual Open House event at the their firehouse on Molino Road.
New Booster Seat Law Begins In Florida
January 1, 2015
Beginning January 1, children ages 4 and 5 were required to sit in a child safety seat or a booster seat rather than only being buckled in a seat belt in Florida.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, booster seat use reduces the risk for serious injury by 45 percent for children ages 4–8 years when compared with seat belt use alone.
“Safety belts save lives, but only when used and used correctly,” said Terry Rhodes, executive director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. “Booster seats help elevate children to the height at which the safety belt will properly secure them.”
Many children may need booster seats beyond the age required by law, depending on the size of the child and where the seat belt crosses the body. The following recommendations can help determine if your child, after age 5, is ready to wear a seatbelt without a booster seat:
- the child is at least 4’9” tall;
- the child can sit all the way back in the seat and bend knees at the edge of the seat;
- the shoulder belt lays across the chest, not the neck;
- the lap belt lays across the upper thighs, not the stomach.
Children under the age of 13 should ride in the back seat of the vehicle whenever possible for additional safety.
Tips From The IRS On Year-End Gifts To Charity
December 31, 2014
The Internal Revenue Service today reminded individuals and businesses making year-end gifts to charity that several important tax law provisions have taken effect in recent years. Some of the changes taxpayers should keep in mind include:
Rules for Charitable Contributions of Clothing and Household Items
Household items include furniture, furnishings, electronics, appliances and linens. Clothing and household items donated to charity generally must be in good used condition or better to be tax-deductible. A clothing or household item for which a taxpayer claims a deduction of over $500 does not have to meet this standard if the taxpayer includes a qualified appraisal of the item with the return.
Donors must get a written acknowledgement from the charity for all gifts worth $250 or more. It must include, among other things, a description of the items contributed.
Guidelines for Monetary Donations
A taxpayer must have a bank record or a written statement from the charity in order to deduct any donation of money, regardless of amount. The record must show the name of the charity and the date and amount of the contribution. Bank records include canceled checks, and bank, credit union and credit card statements. Bank or credit union statements should show the name of the charity, the date, and the amount paid. Credit card statements should show the name of the charity, the date, and the transaction posting date.
Donations of money include those made in cash or by check, electronic funds transfer, credit card and payroll deduction. For payroll deductions, the taxpayer should retain a pay stub, a Form W-2 wage statement or other document furnished by the employer showing the total amount withheld for charity, along with the pledge card showing the name of the charity.
These requirements for the deduction of monetary donations do not change the long-standing requirement that a taxpayer obtain an acknowledgment from a charity for each deductible donation (either money or property) of $250 or more. However, one statement containing all of the required information may meet both requirements.
Reminders
The IRS offers the following additional reminders to help taxpayers plan their holiday and year-end gifts to charity:
- Qualified charities. Check that the charity is eligible. Only donations to eligible organizations are tax-deductible. Select Check, a searchable online tool available on IRS.gov, lists most organizations that are eligible to receive deductible contributions. In addition, churches, synagogues, temples, mosques and government agencies are eligible to receive deductible donations. That is true even if they are not listed in the tool’s database.
- Year-end gifts. Contributions are deductible in the year made. Thus, donations charged to a credit card before the end of 2014 count for 2014, even if the credit card bill isn’t paid until 2015. Also, checks count for 2014 as long as they are mailed in 2014.
- Itemize deductions. For individuals, only taxpayers who itemize their deductions on Form 1040 Schedule A can claim deductions for charitable contributions. This deduction is not available to individuals who choose the standard deduction. This includes anyone who files a short form (Form 1040A or 1040EZ). A taxpayer will have a tax savings only if the total itemized deductions (mortgage interest, charitable contributions, state and local taxes, etc.) exceed the standard deduction. Use the 2014 Form 1040 Schedule A to determine whether itemizing is better than claiming the standard deduction.
- Record donations. For all donations of property, including clothing and household items, get from the charity, if possible, a receipt that includes the name of the charity, date of the contribution, and a reasonably-detailed description of the donated property. If a donation is left at a charity’s unattended drop site, keep a written record of the donation that includes this information, as well as the fair market value of the property at the time of the donation and the method used to determine that value. Additional rules apply for a contribution of $250 or more.
- Special Rules. The deduction for a car, boat or airplane donated to charity is usually limited to the gross proceeds from its sale. This rule applies if the claimed value is more than $500. Form 1098-C or a similar statement, must be provided to the donor by the organization and attached to the donor’s tax return.
If the amount of a taxpayer’s deduction for all noncash contributions is over $500, a properly-completed Form 8283 must be submitted with the tax return.
2014 In Photos: May
December 31, 2014
We are looking back at the top events of 2014 in photos. Today, we are featuring photos from May.
Two people were killed and nearly 200 were injured in an explosion at the Escambia County Central Booking and Detention Facility.
Over 2,000 homes and businesses were damaged by flooding. One of the hardest hit areas was the Bristol Park Subdivision.
Gov. Rick Scott and local officials toured flood damage.
The West Florida Lady Jaguars won the 4A state championship in almost impossible grand style. The Lady Jags were down 5-1 with two outs in the seventh, before coming back to beat P. K. Yonge 6-5 in Vero Beach.
Northview High School presented “Shrek The Musical”.
The 40th annual Pen Wheels disabled fishing rodeo was held in Walnut Hill, a project of the Pensacola Fiesta of Five Flags organization.
Warm weather made for a great Field Day at Molino Park Elementary School.
Six people, including two children, were rescued from the flooded Perdido River at Barrineau Park.
The Northview Chiefs outscored the Jay Royals a total of 50-21 during a Spring Jamboree Friday night at Merle North Stadium in Jay.
The Tate High School Concert Bands presented their Spring Concert at Hillcrest Baptist Church.
Fire destroyed the Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church north of Jay.
The Ernest Ward Middle School Chorus and Band held their Spring Concert on the front lawn of the school.
Dozens of performers delighted hundreds of people Saturday night during the 19th annual Heather Leonard Danceworks recital at Northview High School.
Young mocking birds hatched in May at our NorthEscambia.com office.
The track and field portion of the Escambia County Specials Olympics was held at Tate High School after numerous rain delays.
A portion of Highway 97 in Walnut Hill collapsed in an existing 50-foot deep gully.
An afternoon of heavy rain across the North Escambia area gave way to a beautiful sunset above wheat fields in Walnut Hill.
Nearly 5,000 Escambia County residents had applied for FEMA flood aid by the middle of May.
Over 30,000 pounds of food was distributed in Cantonment to hundreds of families in need following the flooding in Escambia County from the non-profit group Farm Share.
About 200 people gathered in Atmore for a Memorial Day service to recognize those that have served and paid the ultimate sacrifice from Atmore, Walnut Hill, Bratt and surrounding areas.
The Niceville Eagles upended the Tate Aggies 21-13 in a two-quarter spring football jamboree at Pete Gindl Stadium in Cantonment.
Northview High School named the Class of 2014’s honor graduates.
Noah James Heintz was named the Class of 2014 valedictorian, while Eion Michael Blanchard was named salutatorian for the Tate High School Class of 2014.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Peanut Butter Drive Takes A Bite Of Hunger
December 30, 2014
UF/IFAS Santa Rosa County Extension collected 2,259 pounds of peanut butter in 1,477 jars to donate to food pantries in Santa Rosa County during a recent food drive.
Collections for the Peanut Butter Challenge came from civic and faith-based organizations, local businesses, individuals, schools and all county offices including libraries.
Recipients of the peanut butter were Bay Area Food Bank, Family Resource of Santa Rosa County and the food pantries at Eastside Baptist Church, First Baptist Milton, Avalon Baptist, First Baptist Bagdad, First United Methodist Church Milton and Christ United Methodist Church.
Entities and businesses that donated peanut butter or served as collection points were Santa Rosa County, the City of Milton, all five county libraries, Navy Federal Credit Union, 4-H Advisory Council, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Aktion Club at ARC Santa Rosa, Jay Elementary and High School, Central High School, Lowe’s in Pace and Gulf Breeze, Pace Rotary Club, West Florida Research and Education Center, Sam’s Club, Walmart, Winn-Dixie, and United Bank in Jay, Pace and Milton.
The Peanut Butter Challenge is an annual project of UF/IFAS Extension in the Florida panhandle and the Florida Peanut Producers Association. All county Extension offices in the panhandle collect donations of peanut butter to help fill the needs of the hungry in our area. In addition, the Florida Peanut Producers Association donates a pallet of peanut butter that is divided amongst the counties in the panhandle.
2014 In Photos: April
December 30, 2014
We are looking back at the top events of 2014 in photos. Today, we are featuring photos from April.
At the end of April, a massive flood hit Escambia County. Rain fell so fast it literally flooded the I-10 bridge over Escambia Bay.
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The April flood claimed one life in Cantonment.
Numerous roads and bridges were destroyed in April’s flooding.
The Tate High School Lady Aggies won the District 1-7A championship in April.
The Molino Library celebrated one year of service.
Opening day was held at the Northwest Escambia park.
A program at the Century Branch Library celebrated Easter.
Students at Molino Park Elementary School took part in an Easter egg hunt.
Northview High School won the Escambia Academy Junior Varsity Tournament.
The Jay Lady Royals won the District 3-1A championship.
Six people were injured in a wreck at Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino.
The 2014 Career Academy Award winners from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties were recently presented, including the Middle School Career Academy of the Year award to Ernest Ward Middle School’s Culinary Arts Academy and the High School Career Academy of the Year award to West Florida High School’s Agriscience Technology Academy.
NJROTC units from across the area took part in a flag football tournament.
A sign of Spring — Mockingbird eggs in a nest at our NorthEscambia.com office.
A driver literally wrapped his pickup around a pole in Beulah crash.
The Greater Escambia Relay at Tate High School exceeded fundraising expectations.
A Relay for Life event was also held in Atmore.
A Pensacola woman escaped serious injuries in a collision with a train on a foggy April morning.
Escambia River Electric Cooperative celebrated 75 years of service during their annual meeting at Northview High School.
Jim Allen Elementary students learned about butterflies in partnership with International Paper.
The Barrineau Park Historical Society held the First Annual Barrineau Park Heritage & Bluegrass Festival.
The Tate Aggies finished as runner-ups in District 1-3A Tuesday, giving them a chance to move on to the regional tournament.
A Relay for Life event was also held in Jay.
The Northview Lady Chiefs ended their season with a win over Escambia Academy.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
2014 In Photos: March
December 29, 2014
We are looking back at the top events of 2014 in photos. Today, we are featuring photos from March.
The annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics began in Century.
Volunteers, family, friends, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Escambia County Animal Control and the ingenuity of the Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue came together to help a rescue horse in need in Cantonment.
U.S. Army Capt. Lea Wiggins of Molino returned home from Afghanistan.
The 100th birthday of UF/IFAS Extension was celebrated.
A line of spring storms caused a trail of damage from Nokomis, FL, to Canoe, AL, including Atmore, where this shopping Center on Lindberg Avenue was flattended.
Former Florida Gov. Reubin Askew passed away, with burial in Pensacola.
The Northview High School FFA held their annual Fresh from Florida event, inviting hundreds of elementary students to campus to learn about agriculture.
Thousands attended the two-day Beulahfest, headlined by The Charlie Daniels Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Edo took part in the USPCA Region 1 K9 Trials.
The Blue Angels were back in the skies, and back for autograph and photo sessions at the National Museum of Naval Aviation.
Opening Day was held at the Molino Ballpark.
Chloe Channel headlined the annual Blue Jacket Jamboree at Northview High School.
Walls began to rise during the construction of the new Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill.
Track season began for Northview and surrounding schools.
Law enforcement officers and first responders honored Atmore Police Office Dean Lindberg who passed away suddenly of natural causes.
The District 1 Miss FFA Sweetheart was held. Winners were: Second Runner-up Victoria Kent, District 1 Miss FFA Sweetheart Rachel Grammer, First Runner-up Patra Miller, all of the Tate High School FFA Chapter.
Great weather in early march meant outdoor activities like a day on the river.
Read Across America Day was celebrated at several areas schools, including Jim Allen Elementary.
NorthEscambia.com photos.
2014 In Photos: February
December 28, 2014
We are looking back at the top events of 2014 in photos. Today, we are featuring photos from February.
High winds toppled an 18-wheeler and caused about $100,000 in damage to a farm near Walnut Hill.
The annual Miss Northview High School Pageant was held in February. Winners were: Third Runner-Up Olivia Neal, First Runner-Up Jessica Amerson, Miss NHS 2014 Anna Fischer, Second Runner-Up Danielle Scott and Fourth Runner-Up Julie Hester.
Dry weather led to several brush fires, including this out of control wildfire near Barrineau Park.
Century resident Della Godwin turned 102 in February.
Hundreds attended the annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Auction in Walnut Hill.
Softball got underway for the Northview Chiefs.
A natural gas dispute over a North Escambia territory fired up between the Town of Century and Pensacola Energy.
The Northview High School annual NJROTC inspection was held.
The Tate High School Drama Department presented “Good News”.
Cleanup continued on a 30,000 gallon acid spill during a train derailment that occurred in February in McDavid.
Bratt Elementary School held a technology showcase.
A new farm bill was signed into law as local farmers worked to find out what the bill would mean for their operations.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office held multi-agency exercise in Walnut Hill in which shots were fired and a hazard materials teams worked to neutralize dangerous chemicals.
The Tate High School Mock Trial team recently won first place in the Circuit 1 Competition.
One person was injured in this collision between a car and an 18-wheeler on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill.
New members were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society during candlelight ceremony at Ernest Ward Middle School.
Gov. Rick Scott stopped by Rep. Clay Ingram’s Tallahassee office to discuss the 2014 legislative session.