Blue Jacket Jamboree Going On Today
March 9, 2013
The Blue Jacket Jamboree is going on today at Northview High School with a variety of vendors, and plenty of great food and entertainment.
This year’s lineup includes musical entertainment from local artists, along with an entire day of car shows, crafts, food, games, and more. The proceeds from this event will fund scholarships for graduating Northview seniors and promote agricultural education and FFA in Northwest Florida. A blood drive will also take place during the event.
Featured music will include Shane Harrell and The Major Moves Band with a mix of Southern rock, classic rock, blues and country; and Denean Workman and her hope-centered music.
Available concession items will include BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, fries, nachos and more.
The event will also include a motorcycle ride, a Cruiser’s Unlimited Car Show, live entertainment, kids activities and games, and much more.
The Blue Jacket Jamboree, sponsored in part by NorthEscambia.com, will take place from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. today on the campus of Northview High School, 4100 West Highway 4 in Bratt. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children 10 and under.
Today’s entertainment schedule is:
- 10:30-1100 — NHS Glee Club
- 11:15-noon — Candy McGahan, Amber Freeman, Ashton Gibbs
- 12:15 – 1:00 — Denean Workman
- 1:15-4:00 — Shane Harrell and the Major Moves Band
Vendors currently scheduled to attend the event include:
- Batter Queens baked goods
- Caum Country Candles
- Archie’s Handcrafted Woodworking
- Too Many Pies; Wreaths and Embroidery
- Eye Candy Photography
- Handmade Glass Jewelry By Michele
- 31 Gift Ministries
- Scentsy
- Angie’s Teaching Tools To Go
- Origami Owl Jewelry
- Boiled/Roasted Peanuts
- Ernest Ward FFA (Beef Jerky)
- Hope 4 Halee Merchandise
- West Florida High School FFA Wreaths and more
- Pampered Chef
- Advocare Weight Loss
- Velata Consultant
- Grace Adele Consultant
- Magda Fox Perfumes
- First Choice Home Builders
- Hometown Contractors
- Tupperware
- Bobby Langham, Children’s Clothes and Baskets
- Cindy Herrington, Jewelry
- Michelle Ware, recycled items
- Frontier Communications
- Jimmy Dodge bird feeders
- Ray’s Chapel funnel cakes
- John Manley Novelties
- Richard King Kites
- Volata (chocolate fondue)
- Sandy Candy
- Copper Creations
Pictured top: Shane Harrell and The Major Moves Band. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Free Spay/Neuter Program Now Available, Register Today In Molino
March 9, 2013
A free spay/neuter program is now available for Escambia County residents who meet income guidelines, with a registration event scheduled for this afternoon in Molino.
The free program is available to Escambia County residents with a household income of $35,000 per year or less through a local animal group, Pet Come Home, Inc., and the Escambia County Low-cost Spay/Neuter program.
Pet Come Home, Inc. was awarded a $25,000 grant through the Florida Animal Friends license plate grant program to fund this program, which is expected to fund approximately 1,000 surgeries through August 2013. Pet Come Home has partnered with Emerald Coast Animal Allies, another local animal rescue, to administer the grant.
Those interested in the free spay/neuter program can sign up at one of the Spay Your Pets! Application Stations being held all over the County or at the Escambia County Animal Shelter. Details, including required documents, can be found at www.spayyourpets.org or by calling (850) 780-3223, and choosing option #3.
To participate, applicants need to prove income and residency in Escambia County, FL. Applicants must bring the required proof of residency with them when they apply. All animals are required to have current rabies vaccinations to participate. If the pet does not have the required shots, rabies shots are available for $15 through at the Escambia County Animal Shelter Spay/Neuter Program and can be purchased when the pet in brought in to be spayed or neutered. Every dog and cat in Escambia County must have a rabies vaccination license. Licenses are $11 per pet, or $7 for pet owners that are 60+ years old. The license fees go to support the Spay/Neuter Program.
Applications will be taken at upcoming events:
- March 9, 1:30-4:00 p.m. – Fran’s Country Grill, 5939 Highway 29 N, Molino, FL. No rabies shots will be offered; do not bring your pet.
- March 23, Noon-4:00pm – PetSmart, 6251 Davis Hwy, Pensacola, FL. Rabies shots will not be available at this location
- March 24, 2013 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. – Tractor Supply Company, 3 W Nine Mile Rd.. Rabies shots will be available at this location for $13.
Spring Fling Festival Today In Molino
March 9, 2013
The annual CrossFaith Church Spring Fling Festival is today.
The event will feature live music, craft vendors and more. There will be free children’s activities including horse rides, petting zoo, inflatable and face painting. Fish fry dinners will be $6, plus there will be hot dogs desserts and drinks available.
The event takes place from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at 5701 Highway 29 in Molino. For more information, call (850) 587-3187.
Time Change: Spring Forward (And Don’t Forget The Smoke Alarm Batteries)
March 9, 2013
Don’t forget to “spring forward” and set your clocks ahead one hour before heading off to bed Saturday night. Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday, making use of longer summer days, allowing people to rise early and spend more of the day working or playing.
As you “spring forward” with the change to daylight-saving time, Escambia County Fire Rescue wants to remind residents to make another change that could save lives — changing the batteries in smoke alarms.
The peak time for home fire fatalities is between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. when most families are sleeping, according to Escambia Fire Rescue.
It is also recommended that residents test smoke alarms by pushing the test button, planning “two ways out” and practicing escape routes with the entire family. Families should also prepare a fire safety kit that includes working flashlights and fresh batteries.
Communities nationwide witness tragic home fire deaths each year. An average of three children per day die in home fires and 80 percent of those occur in homes without working smoke alarms. Non-working smoke alarms rob residents of the protective benefits home fire safety devices were designed to provide. The most commonly cited cause of non-working smoke alarms: worn or missing batteries.
Tragically, fire can kill selectively. Those most at risk include:
- Children — Approximately 1,000 children under the age of 20 die each year in home fires. Children under age five are at twice the risk of dying in a home fire. Eighty percent of fatal home fire victims who were children were killed in homes without working smoke alarms.
- Seniors — Adults over age 75 are three times more likely to die in home fires than the rest of the population; those over 85 are 4.5 times more likely to die in a home fire. Many seniors are unable to escape quickly.
- Low-Income Households — Many low-income families are unable to afford batteries for their smoke alarms. These same households often rely on poorly installed, maintained or misused portable or area heating equipment — a main cause of fatal home fires.
Changing smoke alarm batteries at least once a year is one of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce these tragic deaths and injuries. In fact, working smoke alarms nearly cut in half the risk of dying in a home fire. Additionally, the International Association of Fire Chiefs recommends replacing your smoke alarms every ten years.
For more information about fire safety, call Escambia County Fire Rescue at 850-475-5530 or visit the web site at www.myescambia.com.
For information about obtaining a free home smoke alarm call 850-595-HERO (4376).
Ernest Ward To Host Womanless Beauty Pageant Tonight
March 8, 2013
Ernest Ward Middle School will host a womanless beauty pageant tonight at seven contestants seek the title of 2013 EWMS Womanless Beauty Queen.
The event takes place in the school gym at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 for middle school students through adults and $3 for elementary students.
Contestants are: Jacob Weaver, Luke Ward, Chase Gifford, Hunter Edwards, Cameron Long, Heath Sheldt and Triston Long.
Sunshine Through The Weekend
March 8, 2013
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
- Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 70. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 71. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph.
- Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 73. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
- Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 67.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 71.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 72.
WXBM Radiothon Continues Today For Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital
March 8, 2013
The WXBM 102.7 Radiothon for Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital continues today with a live broadcast through 7 p.m.
The broadcast is raising funds to provide sick and injured children in the local area with specialized equipment needed for their care.
Young patients and parents of children treated at Sacred Heart will be interviewed on the air about their experiences with the doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals at the hospital.
For the past 15 years, WXBM radio personalities including Marty White, Lindsey Marie, Lynn West, and Ryan Andrew have spearheaded the fundraising effort to encourage their listeners to pledge their support and donations to Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital. Since the program’s inception, over $1 million has been raised by WXBM’s loyal listeners.
As of the close of the Radiothon on Thursday, $15,448.11 had been raised so far this year.
To pledge your support, call (850) 416-KIDS (5437), toll free (800) 261-KIDS or for online donations, visit WXBM.com.
Pictured top: WXBM’s Lindsey Marie and Marty White with 14-year old cancer patient Derek. Pictured inset: Addison was stillborn at Sacred Heart Children’s hospital but brought to life thanks to the technology at Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Paving Operations Planned On Hwy 89 Near Jay
March 8, 2013
Motorists traveling Highway 89 from Bragg Creek south to County Road 178 in Santa Rosa County can expect daytime lane restrictions as crews begin laying the final layer of asphalt on Saturday, March 9. Paving operations are expected to be complete within four days.
There will be no lane closures allowed from 6:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Access to businesses and residences will be maintained throughout the construction zone, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
Construction activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather. Motorists are reminded to obey the posted speed limit when traveling through the work zone, FDOT said.
Escambia Calls For Full Audit Of Pensacola Chamber Use Of County Funds
March 7, 2013
The finances of the Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce are coming under scrutiny over a BP gift card program.
An independent audit found possible “irregularities” in a $2.4 million gift card program paid for by BP over the last couple of years.
Now, Escambia County wants a full audit of all county funds sent to the chamber.
“Escambia County was made aware of a situation at the Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce from Chamber President and CEO Jim Hizer. The County has turned this matter over to the office of Pam Childers, Escambia County Clerk of Court, and has requested a full audit review of Chamber funds received from Escambia County,” Escambia County said in a prepared statement issued Wednesday evening.
The gift cards have been given out by the Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce, the Perdido Key Chamber and Visit Pensacola since 2011 as part of the BP program.
The Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce will hold a special meeting on Friday to look at the independent audit results.
Rain Chance Returns
March 5, 2013
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 59. Breezy, with a northwest wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 63. North wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. North wind around 5 mph.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. Light east wind becoming southeast 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.
- Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55.
- Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73.
- Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48.
- Tuesday: A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 71.