Fox 10 Weather Man John Edd’s Farewell Tour Live In Atmore Today
May 6, 2009
Channel 10 meteorologist John Edd Thompson will broadcast live from Atmore this afternoon as part of his farewell tour.
After 32 years on the air at Fox 10, Thompson is retiring.
The Gulf Coast television icon started his broadcasting career in Atmore in 1962 on WATM radio.
National Day Of Prayer Event Planned
May 6, 2009
Today is the National Day of Prayer and an area observance has been scheduled in Atmore.
“We believe many people recognize the need to pray for our great country and will want to join others in this special time of prayer,” said organizer Sharon Keesler, a Walnut Hill resident. “Many of us do not remember our country facing such difficult times, our community has not been exempt from them. It makes it all the more important to come together this year, on this day of prayer and thank God for His past blessings, and humbly ask Him to guide and direct our leaders and bless us in the future.”
The Atmore National Guard unit will lead the Pledge of Allegiance and raise the flag at the event. Atmore Councilman John Garrard will read a proclamation from Atmore Mayor Howard Shell.
Rev. Mike McMorris, Dr. Hattie Bishop, Rev. Jim Reece and Joe Brantley will lead the group in prayer planned by several area churches.
“We will be praying for the following areas government, military, media, education, business, church and families,” Keesler said.
The prayer service will be held at 6:00 Thursday evening on the lawn of the Atmore City Hall. Participants are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket. In the event of rain, the service will be moved inside City Hall.
The theme verse for the prayer service is Psalm 33:22 “Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we put our hope in thee.”
Deputies: It Could Be 7-10 Days Before Donkey Shooter Is Arrested
May 5, 2009
The 17-year old that shot and killed a donkey over the weekend off Jacks Branch Road remains free this afternoon, and deputies say it could be a week to 10 days before they have a warrant to arrest him.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Department has submitted the paperwork to the county’s judicial system to obtain an arrest warrant, according to Lt. Tony Jordan. But Jordan said under ordinary circumstances it can take 7-10 days for the courts to issue the warrant.
A 17-year old white male juvenile from Cantonment has confessed to deputies that he shot a donkey on River Annex Road near Jacks Branch Road late Saturday night. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Department says the juvenile will be charged with felony cruelty to animals causing death, using a weapon during the commission of a felony and possession of a firearm by a person under 18.
J.B., named after Jacks Branch, was born minutes before or after his mother’s death. For more, click here.
Pictured above: J.B., the donkey born minutes before or after his mother was shot and killed over the weekend by a 17-year old. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Century Refuses To Sign Required Public School Document
May 5, 2009
The Town of Century is refusing to sign a Public School Facilities Element document that is required by law that was presented to them by the Escambia County Commission.
The Public School Facilities Element is a joint agreement required between the Escambia County School District, the Escambia County Commission, the City of Pensacola and the Town of Century. In essence, the document spells out how public schools will be planned in the county and its two municipalities.
“In this agreement it says that they have to get with us, and they haven’t done that,” Councilman Henry Hawkins said Monday night.
The agreement does state in part that the governmental entities “will meet on an as needed basis but not less than annually in joint workshop sessions”.
“There’s never been any meeting,” Council President Ann Brooks said. “There should have been a meeting before April 1 and there wasn’t…the document required a meeting with them, and it never happened.”
“My recommendation is that you sign it,” Mayor Freddie McCall told the council. McCall said he tried to tell the county that Century would opt-out of the agreement because the town’s only school, Carver/Century K-8, is closing. “But they said we could not since the school was still open.”
Hawkins said that he had a problem with other portions of the agreement, specifically a section that says an appointed committee will evaluate the location of schools prior to closure.
“I will have to call them (the county) in the morning and tell them you refused to sign it and go from there,” McCall said.
If the Town of Century had signed the agreement, a provision would have allowed them to opt-out with a 30 day notice. Otherwise, the agreement is in force for 10 years.
Pictured: Century Town Council President Ann Brooks reviews the interlocal agreement at Monday night’s town council meeting. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Consolidation Bill To Be Signed Today By Governor
May 5, 2009
Today, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist will sign into law the Florida House bill that will form a commission to study local government consolidation that would combine Century, Pensacola and Escambia County into one.
The bill sponsored by Rep. Greg Evers, requires the creation of a consolidation study commission by July 1.
Once a consolidation plan is created by the study commission, it is to be submitted to the Escambia County Commission, the City of Pensacola and the Town of Century for action before submission to the Escambia County legislative delegation by January 15, 2010. Once approved by the legislature, the plan would presented to Escambia County voters.
Century, Pensacola and Escambia County will not be required to pay for the commission, under the house bill, but they will be required to provide clerical, technical and legal assistance to the commission.
The commission will include up to 25 members from various groups in the county.
More Rain Possible
May 4, 2009
(Updated 3:15 p.m.) All watches and warnings have been canceled for North Escambia, but there is still a chance of rain for this afternoon.
There is an 80 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms today, with the possibility that some storms could be severe. Tonight, the rain chance decreases to 20 percent, with some fog by morning.
The rain chance increases to 40 percent, and the high will be about 85 on Tuesday.
Here is the forecast for the rest of the week:
Tuesday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. South wind between 5 and 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 4am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Thursday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. Southwest wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. South wind between 5 and 10 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 88.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 89.
Important NWE Football Meeting This Afternoon
May 3, 2009
Northwest Escambia Football League has scheduled their first 2009 football meeting for Sunday afternoon.
The event will take place Sunday afternoon at 2:00 in the Ernest Ward Middle School gym. Anyone interested in being a football manager must attend this meeting. The schedule for the upcoming season will be discussed, along with cheerleader registration.
Free Farm Safety Program This Afternoon
May 2, 2009
The Northview High School 4-H Club will sponsor a Farm Safety Day for children and their families this Saturday.
The meeting will give participants the opportunity to learn what dangers exist on farms, how to prevent injuries and ways to educate others about dangers on the farm.
A guest speaker from the Iowa group Farm Safety Just 4 Kids will present the program.
The afternoon’s events will include:
- Travel reimbursement (gas card) based on distance driven (must register for this incentive)
- Educational farm safety and health resources to use when presenting in your community
- Door prizes
- Fun learning activities for youth
- The opportunity to make connections with other farmers in your area
- Free lunch
- Mock Teen CERT disaster drill
- Farm safety equipment will be given to farmers
- Bring the kids —Jump House —-Hands on activities
The free Farm Safety Day event will take place Saturday from noon until 4:30 p.m. at the Langley Bell 4-H Camp on West Nine Mile Road. For more info, click here.
To register for the event, call Tess Estes 256-3804 or e-mail 4hgisfl@bellsouth.net.
The event will be presented by the Northview 4-H Club with a grant from the Florida State 4-H Foundation.
Saturday Is Registration Deadline For Miss Blueberry Pageant
May 1, 2009
Applications are being accepted until Saturday from girls that wish to complete in the first Miss Blueberry Pageant on June 12 at the county’s Blueberry Jamboree in Barrineau Park.
A Miss Blueberry Blossom will be named from girls in the sixth to eighth grade, and Miss Blueberry will be named from competitors in grades 9 to 12. Girls must be residents of Escambia County.
Applications and non-refundable $30 entry fees must be submitted in person on Saturday, May 2 between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. at the Barrineau Park Community Center at 6055 Barrineau Park School Road at which time applicants will receive information packages. Checks and money orders should be made payable to Escambia County Recreation. Event coordinators will explain judging procedures, rules and regulations, and answer questions at 9 a.m. Alternative arrangements are available for applicants who cannot attend registration by calling pageant coordinators prior to May 2.
Miss Blueberry is expected to participate in the Blueberry and Bluegrass Jamboree festivities on Saturday, June 13. She must also attend the 2010 Miss Blueberry crowning and will be asked to attend several other local community events. Miss Blueberry Blossom is exempt from mandatory attendance at community events.
The Blueberry and Bluegrass Jamboree is sponsored in part by Escambia County Neighborhoods and Community Services Bureau, University of Florida IFAS Extension Services, NorthEscambia.com, EREC, Escambia County Farm Bureau Insurance and A&N Blueberries.
For more information and registration contact pageant coordinators, Stacey Ward at (850) 336-0223 and Sarah J. Miller at (850) 341-9767 or click here.
Barrineau Park Music Night Tonight
May 1, 2009
High Cotton and Lock, Stock and Barrel will take to the stage tonight at the Barrineau Park Community Center for the April installment of the monthly Barrineau Park Music Night.
The singing starts at 7 p.m. and is free. Food and refreshments will also be available beginning at 5 p.m. This is a family friendly event. No alcohol is permitted on the property and no smoking is allowed in or near the building.
For more information, call 587-5575.
The Barrineau Park Community Center is located three miles west of Molino on Barrineau Park School Road.Everyone is invited to attend.
Pictured: High Cotton (above) and Lock, Stock and Barrel (below) will perform at tonight’s Barrineau Park Music Night. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
