Operation Christmas Child Central Continues At FBC Bratt
November 23, 2013
Volunteers are busy at the First Baptist Church of Bratt during “National Collection Week” for Operation Christmas Child. For the 20th year, the simple, gift-filled shoe boxes will bring Christmas joy and evangelistic materials to children in over 130 countries across the world.
National Collection Week for OCC continues through November 25. The First Baptist Church of Bratt will be the official OCC Relay Center for the north end of Escambia County, Florida. The FBC Bratt will also accept boxes from individuals, groups or churches in and Escambia County, Alabama, again this year.3
“This is not about the FBC of Bratt”, says Student Pastor Tim Hawsey, Relay Center coordinator. “This is about being a blessing and bringing God’s love and hope to children in poverty around the world that would not receive it otherwise. We have gone through the intense process of been approved as a church to be a Relay Center to collect the boxes from individuals, families, and churches of our area, document and pack them into special cartons and take them to the next level for Samaritan’s Purse, and we are blessed to do it.”
Collection hours at the First Baptist Church of Bratt will be:
- Saturday, Nov. 23: 8 a.m. – noon
- Sunday, Nov. 24: 8 a.m. – noon, 4-6 p.m.
- Monday, Nov. 25: 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.
The boxes collected this year at FBC Bratt will go through the Atlanta Processing Center then will be shipped to the countries of Belize, Botswana, Columbia, Dominican Republic, Gabon, Georgia, Ghana, Haiti, Macedonia, Madagascar, Niger, Seychelles, Suriname, Trinidad, Tobago, and the Ukraine.
Operation Christmas Child boxes should be packed in a specific manner, and there are changes this year. For more information, call Hawsey at the First Baptist Church of Bratt at (850) 327-6529, visit www.samaritanspurse.org/occ, or call (800) 353-5949. Resources are available for churches that wish to participate.
Unemployment Inches Downward
November 23, 2013
The latest job numbers released Friday the unemployment level inching down across entire three-county North Escambia area — as Florida’s unemployment rate also dropped.
Escambia County’s unemployment dropped from 6.5 percent to 6.1 percent from September to October There were 8,582 people reported unemployed during the period. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 7.8 percent.
Santa Rosa County unemployment fell from 5.8 to 5.4 percent from September to October. Santa Rosa County had a total of 4,054 persons still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 6.7 percent.
In Escambia County, Alabama, unemployment dropped from 8.3 percent in September to 8.0 percent in October. That represented 1,116 people unemployed in the county during he month.
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.7 percent in October 2013, down 0.1 percentage point over the month, and down 1.5 percentage points from 8.2 percent a year ago. The state’s October rate was the lowest since August 2008 when it also was 6.7 percent.
Alabama’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 6.5 percent in October, was up from September’s revised rate f 6.4 percent and was below the year-ago rate of 7.1 percent.
Pictured top: Gov. Rick Scott announces the latest Florida unemployment data Friday morning in Lake Mary, FL. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Two Benefit Events Saturday At Equestrian Center
November 22, 2013
There will be two benefit events this Saturday at the Equestrian Center on Mobile Highway.
The Crazy Acres Ranch Horse Show, benefiting Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital, starts at 8 a.m Saturday. The event will include a costume contest, three and four barrel races, a cake walk, and other fun events. For more information, call Rhonda Jones at (850) 206-8113.
Children’s Charitable Services (CCS) Bulls & Barrels includes exhibition barrel racing from 10 a.m. to noon, a 4D barrel race at 1 p.m., and open barrel racing, bull riding, and mutton busting at 7 p.m. The event benefits Isaiah Mainer, Caleb Owens and Wyatt Oglesby. For tickets or other information, call Kim Jones at (850) 525-5334.
Both events will have a full service concession stand for spectators.
Cantonment Highway 29 Wreck Claims One Life
November 22, 2013
For an update to this story, click here.
A wreck involving a semi-truck and a car claimed one life about 10:45 Thursday night at the intersection of Highway 29 and Muscogee Road in Cantonment.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 48-year old Melvin Pryear of Cantonment was traveling north on Highway 29 in a 2004 Chrysler Sebring when he turned into the path of a southbound 2000 Volvo 18-wheeler driven by 60-year old Standford Britts of Medina, OH. The FHP said that according to multiple witnesses, both north and southbound Highway 29 had a green light, but there was no green turn arrow for Pryear.
The front of the 18-wheeler struck the Chrysler, causing it to rotate onto the southbound shoulder at the Raceway gas station. A passenger in the Chrysler, 54-year old Albertina McCarty of Pensacola, was pronounced deceased at the scene by Escambia County EMS.
Pryear was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola with serious injuries. Britts was not injured.
Charged in the accident are pending, according to the FHP. The Cantonment, Ensley and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the accident.
Pictured: The semi involved in a fatal crash Thursday night at Highway 29 and Muscogee Road in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Chiefs Aim For Regional Championship Tonight In Cottondale
November 22, 2013
The defending 1A state champion Northview Chiefs will lay it all on the line tonight in Cottondale as they take on the Hornets for the Region 1-1A championship.
Both are teams are coming into the game as district runner-ups. The Chiefs (4-6) are coming off a 22-19 road win against District 2-1A champion Vernon Yellow Jackets. Cottondale (7-4) beat the District 1-1A champion Baker Gators 28-23.
The winner of tonight’s Northview-Cottondale game will face the winner of the Blountstown vs. Port St. Joe in the state semi-finals next week on the road to the state championship game December 6 in Orlando.
Directions To Cottondale’s Stadium (137 miles from Northview):
- Traveling east on Interstate I-10 take exit 130 toward Cottondale/Dothan AL.
- Take 231 N for about 3 miles to the first traffic light (HWY 90).
- Turn right onto HWY 90 East.
- Travel past Cottondale High School, take next right onto Zion St.
- Travel to the 4-way stop, turn left onto Thomas St.
- The football field is on the right.
Map: Click here.
Pictured top: Northview head football Coach Sid Wheatley celebrates victory last Friday night in Vernon. Pictured below: Northview beat Vernon 22-19. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Seasonable Weather Forecast
November 20, 2013
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Wednesday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 67. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. East wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. East wind around 5 mph.
- Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. East wind around 5 mph.
- Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 69. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 56.
- Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32.
- Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Sunny, with a high near 60.
- Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.
- Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65.
Subway All-Star High School Volleyball Game Tonight
November 19, 2013
The Subway-High School All-Star Volleyball Game will take place tonight, featuring the best senior volleyball players from Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties.
Tickets are $7 or $5 with a canned food donation to the Manna Food Bank. The game begins at 6 p.m. at the University of West Florida Field House.
The West Team (representing Escambia County) will be coached by Northview High School’s Barbara Luker and David Bryant from West Florida High School.
Members of the West Team are: Lauren Merts (Tate), Lily Townson, Danielle Steadham, Rebecca Grim, Tiffani Pritchett, and Lana Clayton (Northview), Cara McDaniel and Mallory Herrmann (Catholic), Jennifer Werner (Washington); Maddy Lopez, Rachel George, Casey Melvin, and Amanda Davis (West Florida High), Allison Palmer, Megan Kirst, and Brittany Delone (Pine Forest), Yenny Wu Ho (Pensacola High) and Tyaina Colston (Escambia).
Tommiko Parks from Baker High School will coach the East Team (Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties).
Members of the East Team are: Sydney Lowery (Jay), Lauren Gordon (Laurel Hill); Caroline Lathi (Fort Walton Beach High), Clair Gunter (Rocky Bayou Christian School); Jasmine Middelton and Brittany Pase (Crestview); Kiera Foster (Navarre); Hana Wadsworth and Alex Roy (Baker), Keren Haygood (Milton), Emili Jordan, Brooklynn Roberts and Claire Pierson (Pace); Shannon McDonald (Choctaw); Sage Dunne and Alex Karcher (Gulf Breeze); Arielle Harris and Adrienne Harris (Central); Bailey Noon (Niceville).
Pictured top: Northview members of the West All-Start Team (L-R) Lily Townson, Rebecca Grim, Lana Clayton, Tiffani Pritchett and Danielle Steadham during the school’s Senior Night activities. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Rain Moving In
November 17, 2013
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Cloudy. Numerous showers and isolated thunderstorms until early morning. Scattered showers late in the night. Patchy dense fog in the late evening and overnight. Near steady temperature in the upper 60s. South winds 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation 70 percent.
- Monday: Mostly cloudy in the morning then clearing. Isolated showers in the morning. Highs in the upper 70s. North winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of showers 20 percent.
- Monday Night: Much colder. Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 40s. North winds 5 to 10 mph.
- Tuesday: Cooler. Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 60s. North winds 5 to 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 40s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 60s.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of rain showers. Lows in the upper 40s. Chance of showers 20 percent.
- Thursday: Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of rain showers. Highs in the lower 70s. Chance of showers 20 percent.
- Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of rain showers. Lows in the lower 50s. Chance of showers 20 percent.
- Friday: Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of rain showers. Highs in the lower 70s. Chance of showers 20 percent.
- Friday Night: Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of rain showers. Lows in the mid 50s. Chance of showers 20 percent.
- Saturday: Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain showers. Highs around 70. Chance of showers 30 percent.
- Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain showers. Lows around 50. Chance of showers 30 percent.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 60s.
Century Moving Foward With Barnyard Animal Regulations
November 17, 2013
The Century Town Council is moving forward with an ordinance to deal with barnyard animals in the town limits.
Under the ordinance, it will be illegal to keep a horse, mule, donkey, goat, sheep, or cow within the town limits except in areas that are zoned agricultural or rural residential. Hogs are already prohibited in all areas of the town.
The ordinance set minimum lot sizes in the agricultural and rural residential areas in order to keep livestock. A minimum lot size of one acre per horse or donkey will be required, and a minimum lot size of one-half acre per goat will also be required.
Structures for livestock, such as barns, feed lots and stables, shall not be located within 200 feet of a dwelling belonging to another individual or within 200 feet of property that is zoned residential. In addition, all barnyard animals and livestock must be kept at least 200 feet from any property line.
The Century Town Council will hold a required first reading of the ordinance during their regular meeting tonight. A second reading and a public hearing will be held on December 2 before the council votes on making it law. Both meetings are open to the public at 7 p.m.
Pictured top: Century council members Ann Brooks (right) and Sandra McMurray Jackson (middle) listen to council member Jacke Johnston during a recent council meeting. NorthEscambia.com photo.
Rain By Sunday Night
November 16, 2013
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: A chance of drizzle. Areas of dense fog. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday: A chance of drizzle before 10am, then a slight chance of showers after 10am. Areas of dense fog before 10am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 78. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Sunday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind around 5 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44. North wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 68. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. North wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 67. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. East wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.
- Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 50.
- Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 72.
- Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50.
- Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69.