Neglected Dog Finds Forever Home through Escambia Foster Program
September 10, 2024
When the Miller family opened their home to a severely neglected dog through Escambia County Animal Welfare’s foster program earlier this year – as they’ve done for many dogs and cats before – they had no idea that this foster dog would end up becoming a permanent part of their family.
The dog, now called Rosario or “Rose” by her new family, arrived at the Escambia County Animal Shelter in April, nearly starved to death, covered with fleas, and afraid.
Rose was especially afraid of humans and withdrew from staff, but the shelter’s veterinary team was able to win her over after a couple of weeks and help her gain 2 pounds. Once she was ready, Animal Welfare put out a call for a foster family to help socialize Rose, show her love, and help her gain some weight so she could ultimately be adopted.
The Miller family stepped up to help, taking Rose into their home to nurture her and shower her with affection.
“It was so sad when she first arrived,” said Ashley Ratz, who regularly fosters animals with her husband, Zack Miller, and their three daughters. “She was probably less than half the size she is now. She had a lot of scars and open wounds on her, she was really timid, and she was so shy. It was like she didn’t know how to be a dog yet. When she first got to go in the yard, that’s when we first saw her excitement.”
Over time, Rose grew more comfortable around the Miller family, becoming especially attached to their three daughters and sleeping next to them every night. Rose also got along well with the family’s two cats and their dog, an Akita named Koda.
Once Rose gained enough weight to be eligible for adoption, the Miller family knew they wouldn’t be able to let her go back to the shelter or even to someone else’s home.
“We just realized we couldn’t put her back in any environment that wasn’t our home,” Ratz said. “She just fits in so well. We all love her, and we couldn’t think of it any other way.”
Ratz said the positive changes she’s seen in Rose have been incredible to watch, and she’s truly become part of their family. Rose even waits by the door every weekday, ready to hop in the car and go pick up the girls from school.
“She’s like a completely different dog,” Ratz said. “She’s the sweetest girl. She just has more confidence, and we can actually take her out in public without her getting scared and nervous. She plays with toys now, she plays fetch – she’s amazing. She’s turned into a real dog.”
Even with a full house of two dogs and two cats now, the Miller family is continuing to foster pets through the Escambia County Animal Shelter’s volunteer program, which Ratz said has been a great experience for their family.
“A lot of people I talk to don’t know that you can go to the shelter and just give a dog a freedom for a weekend, they don’t know you can take them out for walks,” Ratz said. “The dogs that are inside the shelter are completely different than when they’re inside your home, and just being able to give an animal some space is so nice. It’s a lot easier than you think it is, and it means so much to them.”
Escambia County Animal Welfare Director John Robinson said families like the Millers are an example of the incredible positive impact volunteering and fostering can make in an animal’s life.
“A little love and attention can change an animal’s life tremendously, and this heartwarming story is a prime example of that,” Robinson said. “We always have a need for volunteers and fosters to help free up shelter space until dogs and cats can find their forever home, and we are so grateful for generous people like the Miller family who step up to help animals in need in our community. I think Rosario’s smile says it all: This foster ‘fail’ is a true win for everyone involved.”
Tate Aggies Baseball Holding Golf Shootout
September 10, 2024
The Tate Aggies Baseball team is hosting a golf shootout on Friday, October 4 at Scenic Hills. This event offers a fun-filled day of golf, delicious food, and the opportunity to support a local cause.
Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place, longest drive, and closest to the pin.
Sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses and individuals who wish to support the event. Various sponsorship levels starting at $150 offer benefits such as tee signs, table/tent space, golf for players, and more.
A portion of the proceeds will go towards the Trace Penton Memorial Scholarship, supporting a top academic athlete.
Details are in the graphic below, click to enlarge.
To register or learn more, contact Rob McLellan at (850) 377.0184 or TateAggiesBaseball@gmail.com.
Bears And Fall: FWC Offers Tips On What To Do – And Not To Do
September 10, 2024
As fall approaches, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is sharing the annual reminder that our state’s black bears are starting their seasonal increase in activity while in search of food before winter. Following BearWise practices such as securing garbage and removing food attractants can help prevent negative interactions with bears, as well as with other wildlife.
Bears start consuming more calories in the fall to store up fat reserves for the winter, even in Florida when not hibernating as long as they do in colder climates. An adult bear needs to consume approximately 20,000 calories a day during the fall. This seasonal need to increase fat reserves results in more activity from bears while in search of food. When given the opportunity, bears will take advantage of easy meals from things like unsecured trash cans and bird feeders.
“People can make a big difference in preventing conflicts with hungry bears by securing or removing potential food attractants such as garbage or bird seed,” said the FWC’s Bear Management Program Coordinator, Mike Orlando. “When bears can’t find a food source in your yard or neighborhood, they’ll move on.”
Want to be BearWise this fall and help prevent negative interactions with bears and other wildlife? Follow these six BearWise Basics:
1: Never feed or approach bears
- Feeding bears can make them lose their natural fear of people.
- It is illegal in Florida to intentionally feed bears or leave out food or garbage that will attract bears and cause conflicts.
- Getting close to a wild animal is dangerous.
2: Secure food and garbage
- Store garbage in a sturdy shed or garage and then put it out on the morning of pickup rather than the night before.
- If not stored in a secured building, modify your existing garbage canto make it more bear-resistant or use a bear-resistant container.
- Secure commercial garbage inbear-resistant dumpsters.
- Protect gardens, beehives, compost and livestock with electric fencing.
- Pick ripe fruit from trees and bushes and remove fallen fruit from the ground.
3: Remove or secure bird feeders
- Remove bird feeders where bears are present.
- If bird feeders are left up, only put enough food out for birds to finish eating before dark
- Use other options to attract birds, not bears.
4: Never leave pet food outdoors
- Feed pets indoors.
- If feeding pets outdoors, only put food outside for short time periods and bring in leftover food and dishes after each feeding.
5: Clean and store grills
- Clean and degrease grills and smokers after each use.
- If mobile, store them in a secure shed or garage.
6: Alert neighbors to bear activity
- If you see a bear, let your neighbors know.
- Share tips on how to avoid conflicts with bears.
- Encourage your homeowner’s association or local government to institute bylaws or ordinances to require trash be kept secure.
While black bears generally are not aggressive, they can injure people and pets. Female bears with cubs can be particularly defensive and protective of their offspring. Dogs can trigger defensive behaviors from bears; 60% of incidents where bears injured people in Florida involved dogs. When walking dogs, keep them close to you – preferably on a non-retractable leash – and be aware of your surroundings. Before letting your dog out at night, flip lights on and off and bang on the door to give bears and other wildlife a chance to flee.
As bears increase their movements in search of food this time of year, they also increase the number of roads they cross. For the safety of yourself and bears, remember to slow down when driving, particularly on rural highways at dawn or dusk. Watch for road signage identifying known bear crossing areas.
Officials Say ‘Potential School Threat’ At Flomaton High Was Not Credible
September 9, 2024
A potential threat at Flomaton High School over the weekend was unfounded, according to the school district, but extra law enforcement will be at all Escambia County, Alabama, schools today.
“The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was contacted Saturday about a possible threat made that involved Flomaton High School,” Escambia County (AL) Sheriff Heath Jackson told NorthEscambia.com. “An in-depth investigation is still in going and there does not appear to be any legitimate threat at this time. As a precaution, All county schools will have an extra law enforcement presence on Monday morning. East Brewton police, Atmore Police, Flomaton Police, and the Brewton Police Departments are all aware and are providing extra coverage.”
Sunday, Escambia County (AL) School Superintendent Michelle Collier issued a statement about “a serious matter that occured over the weekend at Flomaton High School…we received notice of a potential school threat.”
School district officials and the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office investigated, and “no credible threat was found”, she said.
“However, we take these matters very seriously and only want to protect our school communities. As part of our response to this situation, we will be utilizing our metal detectors more thoroughly and frequently. Local law enforcement will be visible and monitoring our schools. These enhanced safety measures are in place to protect everyone on campus and provide peace of mind to our students, staff, and community,” the superintendent’s statement continued.
Pictured: An empty hallway during classes Friday at Flomaton High School. NorthEscambia.com photo.
Falling Oil Prices Equate To Lower Florida Gas Prices, AAA Says
September 9, 2024
Florida gas prices fell after a drop in the crude oil market, according to AAA.
Last week, the U.S. price for a barrel of oil fell to the lowest level since June 2023. The crude price plunge has reportedly been driven by concerns about both the U.S. and international economies, and the belief that global oil supplies could outpace global fuel demand by the end of the year.
On Sunday, Florida gas prices averaged $3.16 per gallon. That’s the lowest daily average price since February 12, 2024. Sunday’s state average is 15 cents less than last week, 24 cents less than last month, and 47 cents less than this time last year. The highest price so far this year was $3.64 per gallon. The all-time high was $4.89 per gallon – recorded in June 2022.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $2.95. North Escambia prices were as low as $2.77 on Highway 29 in Cantonment, while Pensacola prices dipped to $2.63 on East Nine Mile Road.
On Friday, domestic oil prices settled at $67.67 per barrel. That’s almost $6 per barrel (-8%) less than last week. Oil prices had been trading at more than $80 per barrel just one month ago.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Girls High School Golf: Tate Claims Victory; Northview’s Anna Kunkel Shoots 37
September 9, 2024
Tate High School emerged victorious in a girls’ varsity golf match recently at Cypress Lakes Golf Club against Pensacola and Northview high schools.
Tate’s team score of 193 secured the win. PHS was second with 213, while the Northview finished in third place with a total of 220.
Northview’s Anna Kunkel led the Chiefs with a score of 37. Talia and Jordan Smith of Tate both shot 46 to tie for third overall for the Aggies.
Tate Individual Scores By Position
3. Talia Smith: 46
3. Jordan Smith: 46
5. Kinzlee Biggs: 49
6. Alessa Lloyd: 52
7. Paige Raiter: 53
9. Lacy Wilson: 55
10. Kara Wine: 57
15. Destiny Owen: 63
Northview Individual Scores By Position
1. Anna Kunkel: 37
12. Bailey Burkett: 57
13. Presley Amos: 60
14. Payton Daw: 61
15. Kaylee Long: 63
15. Reena Lin: 63
Highway 21 Resurfacing In Atmore To Have Impacts South To Florida Line
September 9, 2024
A resurfacing project is underway in Atmore that will have impacts to the Florida line.
An Alabama Department of Transportation project will resurface Highway 21 (known as Main Street) in Atmore from the state line north to Sunset Drive, just north of Escambia County Middle School. The first phase of the project was from the railroad tracks in downtown Atmore north, and the second phase is ongoing from the railroad tracks south to Florida Highway 97 at the state line. Drivers can expect single lane closures, mostly nights and overnights.
Pictured: Resurfacing on Highway 21 near downtown Atmore recently. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Finish Off Road Series Win, Enter Final Week With Momentum
September 9, 2024
written by Carter Bainbridge
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (68-62) clinched a road series victory on Sunday with a 6-5 win over the Birmingham Barons (69-63). Sunday’s decision marked Pensacola’s first series win since August 6-11 at Mississippi.
The Wahoos fell behind early in their series finale. Behind lefthander Luis Palacios, Pensacola spotted the Barons a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. Back-to-back run-scoring hits from catcher Weston Eberly and center fielder Matt Hogan helped plate an early Barons pair. The two runs would be all Palacios allowed across 4.2 innings of work.
Neither team scored again until the top of the fifth, when Blue Wahoos first baseman Josh Zamora smacked his first Double-A home run of the season off Barons righthander Riley Gowens to cut the Birmingham lead to 2-1. In the sixth, Zamora delivered again with a hard-hit RBI double that bounced off the top of the center field wall. Two batters later, Barons righthander Jordan Mikel (L, 4-2) threw a wild pitch to score right fielder Shane Sasaki from third base and give the Wahoos a 3-2 lead. Designated hitter Nathan Martorella then hit a sacrifice fly to score Zamora from third base and double the Pensacola lead. After six innings, the Wahoos led 4-2.
The Blue Wahoos tacked on additional insurance runs in the seventh and ninth innings. Birmingham broke through for three runs in the ninth, but righthander Woo-Suk Go held on to strand the tying run at first base and preserve a 6-5 win.
With its victory, Pensacola returns home for its final regular season series with an outside chance to qualify for postseason play. With six games remaining, the Blue Wahoos begin their final week 2.5 games behind the wild card-leading Biloxi Shuckers.
The Wahoos return home on Tuesday to begin their final regular season series versus the Montgomery Biscuits. First pitch from Blue Wahoos Stadium is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. CT,
Fresh Produce on Wheels: Millie Mobile Market Visits Molino
September 8, 2024
The Millie Mobile Market recently stopped in Molino, and it will be back later this month with a variety of fresh produce.
Feeding the Gulf Coast launched the initiative this year that is designed to help people living in “food deserts”. Millie offers a variety of fresh produce.
During the Molino visit, Millie offered a menu of fresh produce that included cabbage, carrots, corn, garlic, onions, oranges, yellow squash, sweet potatoes and zucchini at below-market prices.
Millie will travel routes throughout Feeding the Gulf Coast’s Florida service area, addressing pockets of low food access (food deserts) where supermarkets are scarce, to provide community members the opportunity to buy affordable fresh produce and other nutritious foods at a significantly discounted rate. As the program progresses, the Mobile Market aims to become a SNAP-authorized retailer, enabling families to use their SNAP benefits for purchasing nutritious food.
“We are thrilled to launch this exciting new program as an extension of the food bank,” Michael Ledger, president and CEO of Feeding the Gulf Coast, said after the program was launched. “There are many obstacles to healthy food access within rural, hard to serve communities. This vehicle will help broaden the availability of nutritious and affordable food to those we serve, bringing hope and health to our Florida communities.”
Feeding the Gulf Coast collaborates with local farmers to purchase produce specifically for the Millie Mobile Market.
Millie will return to the Molino Branch Library on Highway 95A on Thursday, September 26 from 10 a.m. until noon. It will also be at the Jay Farmers Market on Friday, September 27.
Pictured: The Millie Mobile Market made a recent stop in Molino. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Elementary School Names Students Of The Month
September 8, 2024
Byrneville Elementary School recently named their August Students of the Month.
They are:
- Kindergarten: Trusten Nall and Saga Waters
- 1st Grade: Ares Parish and Bailey Rogers
- 2nd Grade: Ava Culliver and Jacob Vollmer
- 3rd Grade: Adelina Sims and Sieanna Lambeth
- 4th Grade: Paislee Cash and Kolin Rogers
- 5th Grade: Jaxon Sparks and Marlee McElhaney
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.