Jay Celebrates The Fourth With Fireworks; Show Tonight In Century (And Many More Monday)
July 3, 2016
Hundreds of people turned out for an Independence Day Weekend fireworks show at Bray-Hendricks Park In Jay Saturday night. Flomaton and Century will celebrate tonight with a show at Showalter Park in Century, and numerous fireworks shows are planned for Monday.
For more photos from Jay, click here.
Here’s a guide to public, non-profit Fourth of July Fireworks shows across the North Escambia area:
Sunday, July 3
Century-Flomaton Fireworks Show
The towns of Century and Flomaton will present their annual fireworks show on Sunday, July 3 at 9 p.m. at Showalter Park in Century.
Monday, July 4
Sertoma — Downtown Pensacola
For the 27th year, area Sertoma organizations are once again coordinating and hosting the largest fireworks display on the Gulf Coast over Pensacola Bay on Monday, July 4th at 9:00 pm.
There will be activities throughout the day, from 11:00 am until 6:00 pm, in Seville Square to include a free Children’s Area with inflatables, pony rides, rock climbing wall, “meet and greet” with characters, face painting, and much more. There will also be a variety of arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, and live entertainment on the Bayfront stage in the afternoon. There will also bee a Hot Dog Eating Contest at noon. New this year is the free Pensacola Symphony Orchestra concert at Hunter Amphitheater in Community Maritime Park at 7:30 p.m. This live orchestra concert will be broadcast to speakers along Bayfront Parkway and to Wahoos Stadium.
The festivities will culminate with the fireworks show over Pensacola Bay at about 9 p.m. synchronized with music broadcast on Cat Country 98.7.
Jay 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run
Annual Celebrate Freedom 5K and 1 Mile Run Run at 8 a.m. Monday at Jay City Park. 5K entry fee is $25; One mile fun run is $10. Awards to be presented. (Fireworks are Saturday night.)
Pensacola Beach
Red, White and Blues week begins with the Pensacola Beach Fourth of July firework show and celebration at 8:30 pm Monday over Santa Rosa Sound near Quietwater Beach. .
Riverfest, Milton
Riverfest will be held Monday, July 4 in Milton. Festivities include the annual Firecracker Bike Show at 9 a.m., a Freedom Car Show at 9 a.m., a Children’s Activity Area, annual Great Mill Town Duck Race at 5 p.m., live entertainment at 5:30 p.m., a Veteran’s Salute at 6:30 p.m. and karaoke at 7 p.m. The day will end with a fireworks display over the Blackwater River at dark.
East Brewton
East Brewton will celebrate Monday, July 4, with a fun-filled day beginning at 9 a.m. at Fort Crawford Park and ending with a fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. Plastic duck race at 6 p.m.
Bay Minette
The Rotary Club of Bay Minette will host a fireworks show on Monday, July 4, beginning at dusk behind Simmons Field.
Pictured: Fireworks Saturday night in Jay. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FDOT: Road Construction Suspended For 4th Weekend
July 3, 2016
The Florida Department of Transportation is suspending highway construction projects on major major roadways across Northwest Florida for the holiday weekend. There will be no lane closures on the state road system until 12 a.m. Tuesday, July 5.
Although no construction closures are scheduled over the Independence Day holiday, existing state highway work zones will remain in effect. Motorists are reminded to use caution while traveling through work zones around barricades and equipment.
FDOT is encouraging drivers to allow extra travel time and to use extra caution in existing work zones along state highways. Drivers are urged to make sure they buckle up, along with their passengers. FDOT and other safety agencies also ask drivers to obey speed limits, get adequate rest before traveling, avoid distractions and never drink and drive.
Drivers also are urged to be prepared for unscheduled highway closures due to accidents, disabled vehicles or other events. Motorists should be alert to changing weather conditions while traveling.
Travelers can access Florida’s 511 service from cell phones, landlines, and the Internet at www.FL511.com to receive updates on travel in the area.
Ag Boss: Avoid Gas Skimmers While Traveling This Weekend
July 3, 2016
Ahead of what’s expected to be another record-breaking holiday travel weekend, Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam, along with Senator Anitere Flores and the Miami-Dade Police Department, today offered tips to avoid identity-stealing card skimmers placed on gas pumps and provided information on a new anti-skimmer law that will help protect Floridians and visitors from skimmers.
“Floridians and visitors are all too often the victims of fraud, and identity-stealing card skimmers are the last thing they want to deal with this travel season,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “When filling up your gas tanks this summer, be sure to take simple steps to protect yourselves from skimmers.”
In a little over a year, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has found and removed more than 250 skimmers, devices that illegally capture consumers’ credit or debit card information, from gas pumps across Florida. The number of consumers victimized by each skimmer is estimated to be about 100 per device, with an average of $1,000 stolen from each victim. On average, each skimmer represents a $100,000 threat to consumers.
Travelers can take the following steps to avoid skimmers at gas stations:
· Pay in cash inside the store to ensure credit card information stays safe.
· Check to make sure the gas pump dispenser cabinet is closed and has not been tampered with. Many stations are now putting a piece of security tape over the cabinet to ensure it has not been opened by unauthorized individuals.
· Use a gas pump closer to the front of the store. Thieves often place skimmer at the gas pumps farther away from the store so they are not noticed as quickly.
· Use a credit card instead of a debit card. Credit cards have better fraud protection, and the money is not deducted immediately from an account.
· If using a debit card at the pump, choose to run it as a credit card instead of putting a PIN number in. That way, the PIN number is safe.
· Monitor bank accounts regularly to spot any unauthorized charges.
· Consumers who suspect their credit card number has been compromised should report it immediately to authorities and their credit card company.
Consumers who suspect that a gas pump has been tampered with should contact the gas station manager, local law enforcement or the department’s consumer protection and information hotline at 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) or, for Spanish speakers, 1-800-FL-AYUDA (352-9832).
Double Rollover Accidents Slow Holiday Traffic
July 3, 2016
Eastbound raffic on I-10 near the Alabama/Florida state line came to a standstill late Saturday afternoon due to two separate rollover accidents that injured five total people.
Three people were injured in the first rollover accident (pictured above) that left a vehicle upside down in the median. About a quarter of a mile away, two people were reported to be injured in the second accident when a vehicle rolled over and into the wood line near the roadway.
Both accidents are under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details have not been released. The Bellview, Ensley and Beulah stations of Escambia Fire Rescue assisted Escambia County EMS and Alabama first responders with the collisions.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
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Patriotic Historic Home Greets Highway 29 Travelers
July 3, 2016
Motorists on Highway 29 at Hecker Road in Century are greeted by this historic home’s patriotic display for the Fourth of July weekend. The home, belonging to the Boutwell family, was constructed in 1907 and was recently restored. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
4th Weekend Recipes: Patriotic Pops, Ice Cream Sandwiches
July 3, 2016
The Fourth of July calls for a carefree party, with good friends, fab food, fun and fireworks – a real star-studded holiday celebration.
Patriotic Pops cut into star shapes definitely say “Happy Fourth of July.” Decorated in red, white and blue icing, red licorice and colored candies, these easy-to-make crispy rice treats are a favorite for both youngsters and the grown-ups. The kids can lend a hand to help decorate by placing the candy pieces on the stars.
Add a taste of nostalgia for the child in all of us with Ice Cream Sandwiches – everybody loves ‘em. Homemade brownies and buttery vanilla cookies, sandwiched with the ice cream flavor of your choice are a cut above ice cream truck offerings. Give them the flair of the Fourth by rolling the edges in patriotic sprinkles and sugars. Or, dip part of the sandwich into melted candy melts and decorate with sprinkles for a fun and festive finish.
(Scroll down to see both recipes.)
Patriotic Pops
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
- 4 cups mini marshmallows
- 6 cups crisp rice cereal
- 24 8-inch Cookie Treat Sticks
- Red, Blue and White Cookie Icing
- Red and blue candy-coated chocolates
- Red licorice
Preparation
- Spray Star Cookie Treat Pan and rubber spatula or wooden spoon with vegetable pan spray.
- In large saucepan, melt butter. Add marshmallows; cook and stir until melted. Remove from heat and add cereal; mix well. Press into prepared pan; insert cookie sticks. When cool to touch, remove from pan. Repeat with remaining cereal mixture. (If mixture becomes hard to work with, microwave at 50% power 30 to 60 seconds to soften.)
- Outline treat as desired with Cookie Icing; add candy and licorice. Let dry at least 1 hour.
Serves
Makes about 2 dozen pops
Ice Cream Sandwiches
Ingredients
Brownies
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
- 1-1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Vanilla Cookies
- 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup firmly-packed light brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract, orange extract or ground cinnamon (optional)
Preparation
- Brownies: Preheat oven to 325°F. Spray Ice Cream Sandwich Pan with vegetable pan spray.
- In small bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. In large microwave-safe bowl, melt butter with chocolate chips. Whisk in sugar, eggs and vanilla; beat well. Add flour mixture; stir until just combined. Spoon 2 tablespoons batter into each pan cavity, spreading evenly.
- Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until toothpick inserted at an angle toward center comes out clean. Immediately remove to cooling rack; cool completely. Repeat with remaining batter.
- Vanilla Cookies: Preheat oven to 325°F. Spray Ice Cream Sandwich Pan with vegetable pan spray.
- In small bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. In large microwave-safe bowl, melt butter. Whisk in sugars, eggs, vanilla and, if desired, other extract or cinnamon; mix well. Add flour mixture; mix until blended. Spoon 2 tablespoons batter into each pan cavity, spreading evenly.
- Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until toothpick inserted at an angle toward center comes out clean. Immediately remove to cooling rack; cool completely. Repeat with remaining batter.
- To Assemble: 1 quart ice cream, any flavor
- Assorted Patriotic Mix Sprinkles and Red and Blue Sugars
- White Candy Melts, melted (optional)
- Scoop about 1/4 cup ice cream onto smooth side of half of the brownies. Top with remaining brownies, pressing gently. If desired, roll edge of sandwiches in sprinkles or sugars. Wrap and freeze immediately.
- Or, dip a portion of the sandwich in melted candy melts; add sprinkles and sugars. Freeze 5 minutes to set, then wrap and freeze until ready to serve.
Serves
Makes about 12 ice cream sandwiches
Wahoos Drop Game To Chattanooga
July 3, 2016
It looked like the Pensacola Blue Wahoos would send Chattanooga Lookouts pitcher Aaron Slegers to the showers early and end his four-game winning streak in Saturday’s game.
The 6-foot-10 Slegers gave up two runs on four hits to the first five batters, including Pensacola right fielder Juan Duran’s double that he rocketed off of the left field wall that scored center fielder Jeff Gelalich and third baseman Alex Blandino.
But Pensacola ended up losing to Chattanooga, 7-3, Saturday as Slegers struck out a career-high 10 batters in front of the 20th sellout of the season of 5,038 at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The Blue Wahoos are in danger of losing their first series at home with a 2-2 tie with the final game scheduled at 6:30 p.m. Sunday. The game will feature 20-plus minute fireworks show on July 3 for the Pensacola fans.
“It looked like we were going to get to him (Slegers) and knock him out,” said Pensacola manager Pat Kelly. “Duran hit that ball as hard as you can hit a ball. But I have to give Slegers credit. He had better stuff than we thought.”
Slegers ended up working seven innings, and giving up three earned runs on seven hits and a walk. He won his fifth straight game and is now 6-4 with a 3.41 ERA.
Meanwhile, Blue Wahoos starting pitcher Sal Romano struggled through five innings, giving up four runs, two earned in the third inning. The two unearned runs scored when Pensacola shortstop Calten Daal, who has had trouble making the throw to first base this series, threw a rocket past the first baseman.
Romano worked five innings, throwing 94 pitches total. He allowed five runs, three earned, on seven hits, two walks, while striking out five. Romano dropped to 1-9 with a 4.86 ERA.
“Nobody wants to be 1-9,” Kelly said. “He’s not giving up. He keeps going after the hitters.”
In the top of the second inning, Romano struck out the first two batters but then gave up a single to Chattanooga shortstop Leo Reginatto. Reginatto then scored from first when Lookouts catcher Stuart Turner hit a two-out double into the left field corner to pull within, 2-1.
Chattanooga scored four runs in the third inning to go up, 5-2. Lookouts first baseman Mitch Garver hit a deep fly ball to right field that scored second baseman Engelb Vielma to tie the game, 2-2. Lookouts third baseman Niko Goodrum scored on a wild pitch for a 3-2 Chattanooga lead.
Then with two outs Reginatto hit a routine grounder to Pensacola’s Daal who threw the ball away allowing both left fielder Travis Harrison and DH D.J. Hicks to score putting the Lookouts ahead, 5-2.
Pensacola pulled within, 5-3, when second baseman Zach Vincej hit a line drive into left field down the third base line to score Duran, who drew a walk.
Vincej continued his tear since the first of June, going 2-4 with a double and RBI. He is hitting .338 and now has eight of his 11 multi-hit games during that hot-hitting streak.
GAME NOTES
Fire Destroys Home; Two Firefighters Injured
July 2, 2016
Fire destroyed a home on Deedra Avenue off 10 Mile Road Saturday morning, and two firefighters were injured.
One firefighter was reportedly transported to the hospital with a possible back injury; another was taken to urgent care for treatment of minor injuries. All of the occupants in the home escaped without injury.
Two adults and three children were left homeless by the fire. Firefighters did save the family pet, a gerbil, from fire.
The exact cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
SWAT Search Turns Up Empty; Armed, Dangerous Suspect On The Run
July 2, 2016
A suspect remains in the run after a SWAT team search came up empty Friday evening in Escambia County.
Reonoppoliss D. Taylor is considered armed and dangerous.
Authorities received a tip that he was inside one of two residence at a trailer park on Langley Avenue. The Pensacola Police Department, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the SWAT team followed through on the tip, but he was nowhere to be found.
Tayler is wanted on multiple charges in Escambia County, plus charges in Fayette County, GA, of attempting to elude a police officer, vehicle theft and multiple traffic offenses.
Anyone with information on Taylor’s whereabouts is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Vietnam Vet’s Flag Display Honors Military
July 2, 2016
On this Fourth of July weekend, Floyd Calloway on Bluff Springs Road has a flag display in front of his home supporting our military. Calloway is a retired Marine and a Vietnam veteran. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.