Thank You For Your Ticket Order!
February 14, 2010
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Order Tickets Northview FFA Alumni Bluegrass Festival
February 14, 2010
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Choose either the 2 p.m. or 6 p.m. show below. Then choose your ticket quantity on the following page.
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Jay’s Hendricks Signs With The USA Jaguars
February 4, 2010
Wednesday was National Signing Day, and it was a big day in Jay for Rush Hendricks.
Hendricks signed on the dotted line and committed to play football for the University of South Alabama Jaguars, a team that played football for the first time last season.
“I’m very excited about the opportunity to be a part of a new program. I look forward to being able to contribute to the team this fall. Coach Jones, and Coach Rodrigue are going to help me find out what I’m made of, and I’m ready,” Hendricks told NorthEscambia.com. “I haven’t met a single person involved with the program that isn’t 100% fired up about what is happening on campus and with the football program. The fact that they expect us to set a standard for excellence is an honor, and I am proud to be a part of the foundation of USA football history.”
Due to an injury, Hendricks only played five games during his senior season for the Jay High School Royals, rushing for 750 yards as a running back for the Royals. On the defensive side, playing linebacker, he had 45 tackles, eight of them for losses.
Hendricks has participated in summer camps at Florida, Florida State, Auburn and Alabama — where he made the Sabian team for two years. He’s been named a 2009 Pensacola News Journal Super Senior, and played offense and defense on the Pensacola Sports Association All-Star team.
Football is not his only sport; Hendricks has played catcher and first base in baseball, part of a district championship team each year of his high school career.
The 225 pound Hendricks is also a star in the classroom at Jay High, where he is currently ranked second in the senior class with a 4.0 GPA in an honors curriculum.
Rush Hendricks is the son of Rick and Nina Hendricks. Nina also attended the University of South Alabama.
The USA Jaguars concluded their inaugural season with a perfect 7-0 mark while outscoring the opposition 321-41. During the 2010 season, they will face 10 four-year schools, including seven home games at Ladd-Peebles stadium in Mobile.
Pictured top: Sister Tessa, mom Nina, Rush Hendricks, father Rick and Jay Coach Elijah Bell. Pictured inset: Hendricks and Coach Bell. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gene M. Valentino Statement
January 20, 2010
First, let me apologize to my constituents and Citizens of Escambia County for the confusion related to the issues associated with this recent bid. The way this has been handled and reported, as well as my own mistake, have added to an already bad situation. As your elected Commissioner I have a duty to represent all of the Citizens of the County in an ethical manner. I understand that in the current confusion some of you may feel I have not done so. I can assure you that I have never intentionally misstated or acted illegally on this or any other issue. However, I am embarrassed and ashamed if it appears that I may have compromised my office. I have not and will not. I will explain what occurred.
As to the question of “Did I solicit campaign contributions while in my office or on County Property?”
The answer is “No”. What did happen was, Mr. Rawson and Mr. Weaver asked for an appointment which I was happy to schedule as I would for any citizen. I was not aware in advance of the purpose of their visit. During the conversation I indicated that I would seek their support but stated that we’d discuss this matter at a separate time and place.
“Did I discuss the re-bid on the Maplewood Drainage Project?”
The answer is yes. Sort of. I was not aware that Roads, Inc. was in a bid process and had a problem. When Mr. Rawson and Mr. Weaver came into my office we made ’small talk’ for a while and then they got to the meat of their concern. That was the first time I became aware that they wished to discuss a pending bid and their alleged $100,000 mistake. Mr. Rawson and Mr. Weaver stated that they had been given two different alternatives to address their alleged mistake: one by County Staff and one by the County Administrator. The Purchasing Department allegedly told them there was no recourse for protest and to talk to the Commissioners. The County Administrator allegedly told them to file a bid protest, contrary to the other advice given. When I became aware that their true purpose for meeting with me was to discuss a bid in progress, I told them at that time I could not discuss this any further to protect bid protocol. I told them I would bring their concerns to staff. We ended on that note.
I then consulted with staff. They informed me that there was in fact a “breach in the process of the bid and that the process was flawed.”
It was my responsibility to bring this notion forward to protect “due process”.
If I sounded as though I was waffling at any time in my conversation with the reporter on this matter over a month later when rushing to a meeting, it was an error on my part and I apologize.
I hope this clarifies my actions and statements. Again, I wish to apologize for any appearance of wrong doing. However, I make no apology for my steadfast desire to improve our local economy and to create new jobs. I remain committed to protecting the “due process” of our government. I intend to move forward and to continue to champion the causes for District #2 and all of Escambia County. Let’s get back to work.
Gene M. Valentino
Escambia County Commissioner, District 2
County Offers Winter Weather Fire Safety Tips
January 7, 2010
With the extremely cold temperatures forecast for the rest of the week, Escambia County urges residents to take safety precautions while trying to stay warm, specifically when using space heaters. Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires during the winter months, and trails only cooking equipment in home fires year-round.
According to the National Fire Protection Association annual fire department survey, heating equipment was involved in an estimated 64,100 reported home structure fires in the United States in 2006. These fires accounted for 16% of all home fires and were responsible for an estimated 540 deaths, roughly 1,400 injuries and $943 million in direct property damage. With this in mind, Escambia County would like to offer a few safety tips involving heating equipment:
- Properly inspect all heating equipment for frayed cords or exposed elements before use.
- Space heaters need space. Keep heaters at least three feet away from all furniture, drapes, clothing and other combustibles.
- Use only heaters designed for use in the home. Never use cooking appliances, such as ovens, or any heaters designed for outdoor usage indoors.
- Only use heaters with safety features such as cut-off switches that turn them off if they accidentally tip over and those units with heater element guards that prevent combustible materials from contacting the heating element.
- Never leave space heaters unattended. Turn them off when you leave the room or go to bed.
- Keep children and pets away from space heaters.
- Keep heaters and their cords along with extension cords away from high traffic areas.
- When buying a new space heater, make sure it carries the mark of an independent testing laboratory.
- Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home and outside every bedroom. Test the batteries every month and change them at least once a year.
- If you have gas appliances, install a carbon monoxide alarm in a central location outside each sleeping area.
Alternative Heating Fire Safety Life-Saving Tips
- Allow your heater to cool before refueling and only refuel outdoors.
- Fill your heater with only crystal clear, K-1 kerosene, not gasoline or camp stove fuel as both explode easily.
- Keep the fire in the fireplace with a screen large enough to catch flying sparks and rolling logs.
- Carefully follow manufacturers’ installation and maintenance instructions.
- Remember it’s always safer to add more blankets on your bed than to use a space heater while sleeping.
- Electric blankets can be a serious fire hazard if defected or used improperly. Check your electric blanket for any damage from fraying, creasing or general wear and tear. Electric blankets that are more than 10 years old should be replaced, and never use a wet blanket.
- In case of a fire, stay low to the ground, beneath the smoke, and crawl to an exit using your escape plan.
Actions should be taken to prepare for this and future cold weather events. Remember the “5 Ps” of cold weather preparedness:
- Protect People
- Protect Plants
- Protect Pets
- Protect Exposed Pipes
- Practice Fire Safety
Escambia County encourages everyone to follow these safety tips. For more information on cold weather hazards click here. If you have additional questions regarding heater safety or other fire safety issues, please contact Lt. Daniel Akerman at (850) 475-5530.
Dorothy Natt Robinson
January 5, 2010
Mrs. Dorothy Natt Robinson, 74, passed away on Friday, January 1, 2010, at a Mobile Hospital.
Mrs. Robinson was a native and former resident of Newark. NY, and a resident of Atmore, AL since 1999. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and Brooks Memorial Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by a twin Daughter, Donna Lee Sullivan (twin to Deborah), and a Sister, Roberta Graf.
Survivors include: her Husband, James, “Bill” Robinson of Atmore. AL; two Sons, Gerald Edward Sullivan of Newark, NY, and Robert Joseph Sullivan of Newark, NY; a Stepson, Allen Gray Robinson of Pensacola, FL; three Daughters, Elaine Faulknerson, of FL, Deborah Lynn Price of Lyons, NY, and Cynthia Ann Meminger of Winder, GA; a Stepdaughter, Angela Darlene Grissett of Pensacola, FL; 15 Grandchildren; numerous Great-Granchildren; and a Brother, Robet Natt of Marion, NY.
Funeral services were held Monday, January 4, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. James Boyd officiating.
Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetary.
Visitation was held Monday, January 4, 2010, from 10:00 a.m. until funeral time at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers were Marcus Pezent, Ryan Pezent, Hubert Brown, Aburey Teale, Ellie Bailey and Monroe Womack. Honorary pallbearers were her Sunday School Class.
Flomaton Christmas Tour Of Homes
December 3, 2009
The Flomaton Chamber of Commerce presents Flomaton’s first annual
Christmas Tour of Homes. Saturday December 12, 2009 from 4-7 PM.
For those who love the holidays as much as we do, tis the season to
shine, entertain, be thankful, and unwind with family and friends old
and new. So we invite you to come and enjoy a night of holiday fun. We
start the night at Flomaton’s historical Welcome Center where you can
pick up a map and enjoy some wonderful refreshments. And then on to the
five homes on the tour: Mr. and Mrs. B.J. Blankinchip, Mr. and Mrs.
Scott Hammond, Mr. and Mrs. Jason Hart, Mr. and Mrs. Keith Nall, and Dr.
and Mrs. John Vanlandingham. These homeowners have so graciously opened
their doors to us to get everyone in the spirit of the season. It’s the
spirit of celebration, wonder, giving, and expectation. Please come and
let’s not forget the Reason for the season.
Tickets are $10 each and $15 per couple and may be purchased at the
Flomaton Welcome Center, Escambia County Bank, and United Bank.
ECATS transportation will be available on a first come, first serve
basis.
Average Cost Of Thanksgiving Dinner Down This Year
November 26, 2009
Menu items for a classic Thanksgiving dinner including turkey, stuffing, cranberries, pumpkin pie and all the basic trimmings dropped 4 percent in price this year, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.
AFBF’s 24th annual informal price survey of classic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table indicates the average cost of this year’s feast for 10 is $42.91, a $1.70 price decrease from last year’s average of $44.61.
“As we gather this Thanksgiving for food and fellowship, it’s fitting to take a moment to recognize and give thanks, not only for the abundant food we enjoy as Americans, but for the hard-working farm and ranch families across our nation who produce it,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman.
The AFBF survey shopping list includes turkey, bread stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, a relish tray of carrots and celery, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, and beverages of coffee and milk, all in quantities sufficient to serve a family of 10.
The cost of a 16-pound turkey, at $18.65 or roughly $1.16 per pound, reflects a decrease of 3 cents per pound, or a total of $.44 per turkey compared to 2008.
Milk, at $2.86 per gallon, dropped $.92 and was the largest contributor to the overall decrease in the cost of the 2009 Thanksgiving dinner.
“Consistent with the retail food price declines seen throughout the year, consumers will pay just a bit less for their Thanksgiving feast this year,” said Jim Sartwelle, an AFBF economist.
“Consumers are benefiting at the grocery store from significantly lower energy prices and the effects of the economic slowdown. Again this year, the cost per person for this special meal is less than a typical ‘value meal’ at a fast-food outlet,” Sartwelle said.
Other items showing a price decrease this year were: a ½ pint of whipping cream, $1.55; a dozen brown-n-serve rolls, $2.08; a 1-pound relish tray of carrots and celery, $.72; and a 12-oz. package of fresh cranberries, $2.41. A combined group of miscellaneous items, including coffee and ingredients necessary to prepare the meal (onions, eggs, sugar, flour, evaporated milk and butter) also dropped in price, to $2.50.
Items that increased slightly (less than 5 percent) in price this year were: a 14-oz. package of cubed bread stuffing, $2.65; two 9-inch pie shells, $2.34; and a 30-oz. can of pumpkin pie mix, $2.45.
Two items, green peas and sweet potatoes, stayed the same in price at $1.58 for one pound and $3.12 for three pounds, respectively.
Sartwelle said despite retail price increases during the last year or so, American consumers have enjoyed relatively stable food costs over the years, particularly when adjusted for inflation.
The 4 percent decrease in the national average cost reported this year by Farm Bureau for a classic Thanksgiving dinner tracks closely with the organization’s 2009 quarterly marketbasket food surveys (available online at http://newsroom.fb.org) and the federal government’s Consumer Price Index (available online at http://data.bls.gov/), Sartwelle noted.
Download Northview Vs. West Florida
November 15, 2009
To download the MP3 audio from the November 13 Northview High School game against West Florida, click here.
Note that this is a large MP3 file. The file will take up to one hour to download on a dialup internet connection. On cable, satellite, DSL and high speed wireless connections, the file will download in just minutes. This file is for personal use only. Any commercial use is strictly prohibited. © 2009 NorthEscambia.com
Hurricane Tips: After A Storm
November 10, 2009
- Keep listening to your local radio, TV stations or check NorthEscambia.com for information. Remember if your power is out, NorthEscambia.com is available on most internet enabled cellular phones.
- If you evacuated, return home only when authorities advise that it is safe. Make sure you have plenty of gas, and bring any supplies you may need (batteries, water, non-perishable food).
- Drive only if it is absolutely necessary. Immediately following the passage of the storm, debris and downed power lines may be covering roadways making them impassible. Emergency crews will be working to clear roadways but it may take hours or even days to clear them all. Avoid sightseeing. Roads may be closed for your protection so if you encounter a barricade, turn around and go another way.
- Do not drive in flooded areas. Avoid weakened bridges and washed out roadways. If water is touching the span of the bridge, do not cross over.
- Stay on firm ground. Moving water only six inches deep can sweep you off your feet. Standing water may be electrically charged from downed power lines.
- Beware of downed power lines. Lines may be charged and dangerous.
- Beware of snakes, insects or animals driven to higher ground by flood waters.
- Enter your home with extreme caution. Beware of fallen objects or damaged roof and wall sections.
- Remove shutters or plywood and open windows and doors to ventilate or dry your home if necessary. Replace screens if you removed them prior to the storm.
- Check gas, water and electrical lines and appliances for damage. Do not attempt to repair damaged gas or electrical lines. Call a professional.
- Do not drink or prepare food with tap water until you are certain it is not contaminated.
- Avoid using candles or other open flames indoors. The fire department may not be able to respond if you have a fire. Use a flashlight, glow sticks or battery-powered lighting.
- Use the telephone to report emergencies only. This includes cellular phones. An older “corded” phone can be used if your power is out but your phone lines are up.
- Be especially cautious when using a chainsaw to cut fallen trees. Ambulances may have difficulty responding to accidents, and roads to hospitals might be impassable.
- Never connect portable generators to your house. Use them only to run necessary appliances and plug the appliance into the generator.