Farm-City Week Recognizes Importance Of Local Agriculture
November 24, 2012
Today marks the close of the National Farm-City Week.
Local communities across America use the week to spread and celebrate agricultural awareness through this annual movement, which focuses on connecting rural and urban dwellers. The week is sponsored by the National Farm-City council, which has been dedicated to organizing the event since 1955.
“We got involved back in 2010 to raise awareness about the value of agriculture to our local region,” University of Florida’s West Florida Research and Education Center Director and Professor Dr. Jeff Mullahey stated.
Mullahey said the main goal for the Farm-City Week was to “create more awareness about the importance and value of agriculture in northwest Florida, and to promote the benefits of agriculture as more than a source of food and fiber.”
While the healthcare and military industries may be the most visible in our regional economy, agriculture remains a top player. According to a study conducted by the University of Florida agriculture and natural resources directly provided 44,249 jobs to the northwest Florida region (consisting Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties). For perspective, compare that number to the estimated population of 51,923 within Pensacola city limits.
The study goes on to state that for every $1 million of revenue created by agriculture and natural resources, the industry creates 13.72 jobs. In 2008 the industry created over $357 million in revenue, roughly a quarter of which was paid out as labor income.
Part of the Farm-City movement is to encourage local communities to spend locally, by getting to know local farmers and purchasing local produce. By buying local produce, consumers can ensure that more money stays in the area. Buying locally also reduces the overall cost of food and production, which increases with every mile the food travels from producer to consumer. Shipping and processing are two unseen costs that raise the price of imported produce, while local produce either cuts down or cuts out these costs.
Consumers are also encouraged to educate themselves about where their food comes from and how it is produced by local farmers in Northwest Florida. Locally grown food is sold at farmers markets, roadside stands, retail markets, and online.
Agriculture creates jobs, adds money to the local economy and provides environmental benefits, like green space, that improve the quality of life in northwest Florida.
“Not to mention,” Mullahey adds, “agriculture feeds us three times a day and provides clothes for our family.”
Pictured top: Wheat is one of the crops produced in North Escambia. Pictured inset: Escambia Grain in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Alabama Man Arrested After Escambia Wreck
November 24, 2012
An Alabama man was arrested after a Thanksgiving Day traffic crash in Escambia County.
Magno Aden Gonzales, 27, of Lillian Ala., was southbound on W Street approach Marcus Pointe Boulevard when he failed to stop for a red light, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. His Dodge pickup truck collided with a Ford F150 driven by 54-year George Thorsen of Pensacola. The impact pushed Thorsen’s vehicle into a 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier driven by 54-year old Doris Falzone of Pensacola.
Gonzales attempted to run away from the scene, according to the FHP, but was stopped and held by bystanders. He was charged with DUI, no valid driver’s license and leaving the scene of a crash with injuries.
Falzone and and Thorsen received minor injuries in the crash and were transported to Sacred Heart Hospital.
Photo: Southern Snow
November 24, 2012
Pictured: The sun sets behind a Walnut Hill cotton field Friday evening, giving the appearance of “southern snow”. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Gets 25 Years For Assaulting Prostitute
November 24, 2012
An Escambia County man is headed to prison for sexually assaulting a prostitute.
William George Redmond III, 36, was sentenced by Circuit Judge J. Scott Duncan to 25 years in state prison as a habitual felony offender for two counts of sexual battery, assault and procuring another for prostitution.
An Escambia County jury found Redmond guilty after hearing evidence that during the early morning hours of December 12, 2011, the defendant picked up a known prostitute in his vehicle and drove her around while trying to find money.
During the drive, the defendant stated that he would not give her money and the victim attempted to escape from his vehicle, but Redmond pulled her back in the vehicle. Redmond then drove to a secluded area, parked his vehicle, and forced the victim to engage in sexual activity, according to prosecutors.
Afterwards, Redmond dropped the victim off and she immediately alerted law enforcement.
Community Mourns Loss Of Longtime Educator, Youth Leader
November 24, 2012
Friends, family and students are mourning the loss of a beloved teacher and youth leader who passed away suddenly on Friday.
Bobby Gindl, 59, taught agriculture for 30 years before retiring. He left retirement to return to teaching math and science for several years at Ernest Ward Middle School. He was currently teaching agriculture at Central School in Allentown.
Gindl was a graduate of Tate High School, Pensacola Junior College and Auburn University where he majored in vocational agriculture.
“It has made a huge impact on my life,” Bobby Gindl said during a ceremony recognizing the longevity of the Barrineau Park 4-H Club . “I ended up becoming an agricultural teacher.”
Gindl was also the leader of the Barrineau Park 4-H Club, the oldest continuing 4-H Club in the state of Florida. He became involved with 4-H at an early age under the leadership of his father Francis Gindl.
He is survived by his wife Tena and numerous relatives. For the complete obituary, click here.
Pictured: Bobby Gindl at a ceremony honoring the Barrineau Park 4-H Club. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
LIVE UPDATES: Northview vs. Freeport Regional Finals
November 23, 2012
Updates from tonight’s Northview and Freeport regional final game will be posted on our NorthEscambia.com Facebook page live from the sidelines.
For the updates, visit our Facebook page, and click “LIKE” –
http://www.facebook.com/NorthEscambia
Northview Looks For Regional Win Over Freeport (With Admission, Noisemaker Info)
November 23, 2012
The Northview Chiefs will play tonight for their third straight regional title tonight in Bratt.
The Chiefs (8-3, 3-0) will host the Freeport Bulldogs at 7:30 p.m. in Bratt in what will be Northview’s final home game of the season. With a win, the Chiefs will advance next Friday night to the state semifinals on the road against the winner of tonight’s Blountstown (7-4, 3-1) at Liberty County (9-2, 4-0) game.
For the Chiefs, it’s the third consecutive playoff appearance under head coach Sid Wheatley. The previous two trips along the state series came to an end at the state semifinal level, just one game short of a state championship game in Orlando.
The Chiefs have been nothing short of dominating in 1A play this year. Ranked No. 4 in the state, Northview has destroyed all 1A opponents this season by an average of five touchdowns. Last week, Northview whipped Cottondale in the regional seminfinals, 57-6. Their only losses have come at the hands of much larger schools with strong programs — Class 5A West Florida (10-1), Class 5A Gulf Breeze (7-4) and Class 4A Marianna (8-2).
The Freeport Bulldogs are are 6-5 overall, 2-1 in 1A play. Their only loss was 42-0 at the hands of the Chiefs back in October.
Last year, the Northview Chiefs beat Freeport 43-13 in Bratt in the regional finals.
Tonight’s Game: Admission Info
Northview hosts Freeport, 7:30 p.m. in Bratt. Admission is $8 (set by the FHSAA, not the school). There are no student discounts, no elementary discounts, no free admission for employees and no passes. Donations accepted for parking.
From The Quarterback Club
“The Northview Quarterback Club would like to remind Chiefs fans that Friday night’s regional championship will be the final home game of the season, regardless of outcome. Fans are encouraged to come out and show your support by bringing your noisemakers, signs, and most of all, your enthusiasm. We would like to duplicate the atmosphere we had at the state semi-final game last year against Chipley. Come out and support your Northview Chiefs and remember to get especially loud when you hear “the bells”. Go Chiefs!”
Pictured top: Action earlier this season as the Northview Chiefs beat Freeport 42-0 in Freeport. Pictured below: Action from last year’s regional final in which Northview beat Freeport 43-13. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Century Man Arrested For Ripping Copper Wire From Power Poles
November 23, 2012
A Century man has been arrested for ripping copper grounding wires from power poles in Walnut Hill.
Leland David Kite, Jr., 44, of Jefferson Avenue, was charged with grand theft of copper, criminal mischief with damage of $1,000 or more and violating driver’s license restrictions.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies were patrolling in an unmarked vehicle in the area of Pine Forest Road and Pelt Road when they reported finding Kite’s pickup blacked out beside the road.
When deputies questioned Kite, they reported that he appeared very nervous and was sweating heavily. In plain view in the back of his pickup, deputies observed a large cooler and a five gallon bucket containing copper wire. Kite told deputies that the copper wire was from a job site where he worked. Deputies discovered that was not the case.
In Kite’s truck, deputies reported finding a hammer, pliers and gloves by the gas pedal, and in his pocket they found small pieces of copper wire and a large staple. Deputies also discovered that ground wires had been cut and ripped from at least 10 power poles in the area. The wire and staples from the poles matched those in Kite’s truck and pocket, according to an arrest report.
The report states Escambia River Electric Cooperative estimated it would cost about $130 per pole to repair the damage allegedly caused by Kite.
Kite remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Freeze Watch In Effect For Saturday Night
November 23, 2012
A freeze watch is in effect for Saturday night as temperatures are expected to dip into the upper 20’s after a cold day.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 37. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 58. North wind around 10 mph.
- Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 27. North wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 64. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
- Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 37. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 70. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. South wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 73. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. West wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.
All Americans: Local Cheerleaders Take Part In Walt Disney Thanksgiving Parade
November 23, 2012
Three North Escambia cheerleaders were among 1,800 chosen to take part in the Walt Disney World Thanksgiving Parade.
Brandy Wooten from Ernest Ward Middle School, Jadlyn Agerton from Northview High School and Danielle Robinson from Northview, marched through the Magic Kingdom in Orlando Thursday during the annual event. Three Jay High School cheerleaders — Alaina Smith, Leslie Kinder and Launa Burkhead – also took part in Thursday’s parade.
The girls were chosen this past summer at Auburn University by the Universal Cheerleader Association to represent their schools and Florida as All American Cheerleaders. They spent the last week at Walt Disney World preparing for the event.
“The best part of this experience was representing my school, making new friends and memories,” Agerton said Thursday. And Robinson said she enjoyed “spending time with girls from across the nation and representing our NHS cheerleaders.”
Pictured top: Local cheerleaders taking part in the Walt Disney World Thanksgiving Day Parade Thursday were (L-R) Jadlyn Agerton from Northview, Brandy Wooten from Ernest Ward and Danielle Robinson from Northview. Pictured inset: Robinson and Agerton pose at the Magic Kingdom. Pictured below: All American Cheerleaders from Florida, including Jadlyn Agerton from Northview (fourth from left, bottom row), Brandy Wooten from Ernest Ward (third from left, second row) and Danielle Robinson (second from right, second row). Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
