Escambia County’s Newest Fire Station Opens
September 26, 2013
A ribbon cutting was held Wednesday morning at Escambia County’s newest fire station.
The Perdido Key Fire Station, Visitor Information Center and Community Center is located is located at the site of the previous Perdido Key Fire Station at 15500 Perdido Key Drive and will house the Escambia County Fire Rescue Station 19, the Perdido Key Chamber of Commerce, and visitor information center and a community center. Offices, meeting space and a helicopter landing pad for EMS and disaster recovery use are also featured at the facility.
The $5.7 million project was funded with local option sales tax funds.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill Ruritan To Hold Spaghetti Supper, Auction
September 26, 2013
The Walnut Hill Ruritan Club will hold a spaghetti supper and auction this Saturday.
The spaghetti supper will be from 4-6 p.m. with the auction to follow at 6 p.m. at the Walnut Hill Community Center, 7850 Highway 97 (just north of Ernest Ward Middle School). All proceeds from the spaghetti supper and auction benefit the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club’s community service projects in the Walnut Hill area, including the annual recognition of outstanding students in local schools.
Pictured: The Walnut Hill Ruritan Club has served the Walnut Hill Community since it was chartered in 1947. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Hundreds Of Students Gather To Pray At The Pole (With Photo Gallery)
September 25, 2013
Hundreds of students gathered at their schools across the area Wednesday morning during the annual See You at the Pole event.
Students gathered as school began to pray in the non-denominational event. See You at the Pole is a student-initiated, student organized, and student-led event. Students prayed for their school, friends, teachers, government and the nation.
For photos from Northview High, West Florida High, Jay High, Ransom Middle, Ernest Ward Middle and Molino Park Elementary, click here for a photo gallery.
Have See You at the Pole photos? Email them to news@northescambia.com.
Pictured top: See You at the Pole Wednesday morning at Ernest Ward Middle School. Pictured inset: SYATP at Northview High School. Pictured below Molino Park Elementary, West Florida High School, Ransom Middle School, Jay High School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Hundreds Attend Middle School Open House Events
September 25, 2013
Hundreds of parents attended Open House events at middle schools across Escambia County Tuesday evening. Parents had the opportunity to learn more about their child’s middle school education and learn more about how to become involved at their child’s school.
Pictured top: Ernest Ward Middle School teacher Laura Chavers explains her class to parents Tuesday night. Pictured inset: EWMS teacher Renee Wilkins discusses her language arts class with parents. Pictured Parents at Tuesday night’s Open House at Ernest Ward Middle School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Elementary Open House Is Thursday
September 25, 2013
Byrneville Elementary School will hold an Open House event this Thursday, September 26.
The event begins at 6 p.m. and includes the Open House, a Title I meeting and PTO meeting. For more information, contact the school.
USPS Proposes Three Cent Increase In Cost Of Stamps
September 25, 2013
The U.S. Postal Service has announced proposed price changes, including an increase in the price of a first class letter from 46 cents to 49 cents. The proposed changes, which would go into effect in January, are intended to generate $2 billion in annual revenue for the Postal Service.
Other types of mail would also increase in cost:
- Letters (1 oz.) — 3-cent increase to 49 cents
- Letters additional ounces — 1-cent increase to 21 cents
- Letters to all international destinations (1 oz.) — $1.15
- Postcards — 1-cent increase to 34 cents
In a letter disseminated to customers today, Board of Governors Chairman Mickey Barnett described the “precarious financial condition” of the Postal Service and the “uncertain path toward enactment of postal reform legislation” as primary reasons for seeking price changes. He also indicated that the price adjustment is necessary in order to ensure that the Postal Service will be able to maintain and continue the development of postal services.
“Of the options currently available to the Postal Service to align costs and revenues, increasing postage prices is a last resort that reflects extreme financial challenges,” said Barnett in the letter. “However, if these financial challenges were alleviated by the timely enactment of laws that close a $20 billion budget gap, the Postal Service would reconsider its pricing strategy. We are encouraged by the recent introduction of comprehensive postal reform legislation in Congress, and despite an uncertain legislative process, we are hopeful that legislation can be enacted this year.”
Pictured top: Forever stamps. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Clayton Graduates From Basic Combat Training
September 23, 2013
Army Pvt. Jacob A. Clayton has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.
Clayton is the son of Brenda Garrett-McCall of Highway 95A, Molino, and grandson of Larry Garrett of Mobile, Ala.
He is a 2011 graduate of Northview High School in Bratt.
Realtors: Local Home Sales On The Upswing
September 23, 2013
Single-family home sales across Florida grew 12.5 percent in August compared to the same period a year earlier, the Florida Realtors reported Thursday, with the local market expanding at almost twice that rate.
In the Escambia-Santa Rosa market, new home sales were up 22.6 percent in August over last year, while local condo and townhouse sales were up 6.1 percent. The average home sale price in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties was up 4.7 percent from last year to $157,000.
The Realtors reported there were 20,933 sales closed statewide on existing single-family homes last month. The median sales price for single-family homes was $175,000, up 18.6 percent from a year earlier. That was down from the $179,500 median price on the 20,632 single-family homes that were sold statewide in July. The median sales price on single-family homes nationwide, based upon July numbers, is $214,000, up 13.5 percent from the prior year.
Free Family Movie Night To Feature ‘Despicable Me’
September 23, 2013
The Northwest Escambia Baseball Park and NorthEscambia.com are teaming up to bring you a free Family Movie Night. Mark your calendars now…on Saturday, October 19 at 7 p.m., we’ll bring you “Despicable Me” on the big screen.
Bring your blankets or chairs. No outside coolers; concessions will be available. This is a family event; no alcohol or inappropriate behavior will be tolerated.
Admission is free, but donations will be accepted toward the cost of the event for NWE’s 2014 baseball season.
Bradberry Park is located on Highway 99A in Walnut Hill, directly behind Ernest Ward Middle School.
Manna Food Pantries Celebrates 30th Birthday In A Big Way
September 22, 2013
Manna Food Pantries held their 30th Birthday Bash on Saturday.
The event raised over $33,000 for Manna, enough money to feed 6,400 more members of the local community from just a one-day event. The Birthday Bash included a barbecue, gourmet cake contest and two auctions.
Winners in the Gourmet Birthday Cake Contest were: first place Angel Cakes, second place Betty Weber, third place Cupcake Emporium, and the People’s Choice winner was Angel Cakes.
Pictured: Manna Food Pantries 30th Birthday Bash was held on Saturday. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
