Santa Claus Visits Cantonment Senior Dining Site
December 24, 2018
Santa Claus recently stopped by the Council of Aging of West Florida’s senior dining site in Cantonment. He visited and distributed Christmas gifts. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Injured In Pine Forest Road Rollover Crash
December 24, 2018
One person was injured in a two vehicle crash Sunday night on Pine Forest Road near Wilde Lake Boulevard.
The victim was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS.
The collision is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Bellview and Ensley stations of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Videos: Twas The Night Before Christmas From Escambia County Employees
December 24, 2018
Twas The Night Before Christmas, as told by Escambia County employees.
Increasing Clouds Tonight, Partly Sunny For Christmas Day
December 24, 2018
Merry Christmas from NorthEscambia.com! Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Increasing clouds, with a low around 42. Calm wind.
Christmas Day: Partly sunny, with a high near 66. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 65. East wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 55. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 69. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Thursday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 64. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Friday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 71. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 59. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Saturday: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 67. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 57. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 65. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 63.
ECUA Holiday Garbage Collection Schedule
December 24, 2018
For the holiday season, ECUA collections will be as follows:
Escambia County
All of the ECUA sanitation collections in Escambia County (garbage, recycling an yard trash) will be made one day later than normally scheduled during the weeks of Christmas and New Year’s.
Santa Rosa County
There will be no collections on Tuesday, December 25 or Tuesday, January 1. Tuesday recycling collections for our Santa Rosa County customers will be made on Wednesday, December 26 and January 2, 2019, respectively for each holiday week.
Christmas tree Collections in Escambia and Santa Rosa
ECUA customers in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties may place real wreaths and Christmas trees at the curb with their regular yard waste collection. Customers are asked to remove all tinsel and decorations from their trees before placing them at the curb, and to ensure that trees, or portions thereof, are no more than 6 feet in length. Trees can be placed at the curb with other yard trash and should not be placed in the recycling cans or green garbage containers.
For more information, call ECUA Customer Service at (850) 476-0480.
Escambia County Christmas Closures
December 24, 2018
Below is a listing of Escambia County offices and departments closed Monday, Dec. 24, Tuesday, Dec. 25 and Tuesday, Jan. 1 in observance of Christmas and New Year’s holidays.
Escambia County Board of County Commissioners — All departments, including:
West Florida Public Libraries (All locations)
Escambia County Property Appraiser
Escambia County Tax Collector
Escambia County Supervisor of Elections office
Escambia County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller’s office
Escambia County Exceptions:
ECAT buses will not operate Tuesday, Dec. 25 and Tuesday, Jan. 1. Buses will operate on a modified holiday schedule Monday, Dec. 24 and Monday, Jan. 31, with Route 59X running service until 6 p.m. Route 64 will not run service. There will be no UWF Trolley or Express Shuttle service from Friday, Dec. 14 to Friday, Jan. 4. UWF service will resume Saturday, Jan. 5. For more information about ECAT schedules visit goecat.com.
The Perdido Landfill will be open Monday, Dec. 24, but will be closed on Tuesday, Dec. 25 and Tuesday, Jan. 1.
ECUA
ECUA offices will be closed Monday, December 24 and Tuesday, December 25, in observance of the Christmas holiday, and on Tuesday, January 1, 2019, in observance of the New Year’s holiday. The Customer Service office and walk-in payment area ONLY will be closed on Monday, December 31. All other ECUA offices and the drive-thru window will be open on this day.
Sanitation Collections, Escambia County:
All of the ECUA Sanitation Collections in Escambia County (Garbage, Recycling & Yard Trash) during these two weeks will be made one day later than normally scheduled.
Sanitation Collections, Santa Rosa County:
There will be NO collections on Tuesday, December 25 and January 1. Tuesday recycling collections for our Santa Rosa County customers will be made on Wednesday, Dec. 26 and Jan. 2, 2019, respectively for each holiday week.
Christmas tree Collections in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties:
ECUA customers in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties may place real wreaths and Christmas trees at the curb for pickup with their regular yard waste collection. Customers are asked to remove all tinsel and decorations from their trees before placing them at the curb, and to ensure that trees, or portions thereof, are no more than 6 feet in length. Trees can be placed at the curb with other yard trash, and should not be placed in the recycling cans or green garbage containers.
For more information, please call ECUA Customer Service at 476-0480.
Christmas Recipes: Apples, Sweet Potatoes And A Quick Breakfast Brunch
December 24, 2018
Today’s Christmas recipes feature an Apple Caramel Pudding and a Sweet Tater Cheesecake. We also have a Farmer’s Omelet Casserole that’s easy to cook and would provide a hearty Christmas morning breakfast or brunch for everyone.
To submit your recipes to share with our readers, email them to news@northescambia.com.
Farmer’s Omelet Casserole
by Terri Brown
- 3 cups frozen cubed hash brown potatoes
- 1 cup chopped green pepper, divided
- 1/3 cup chopped onion
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 18 large eggs, beaten
- 2 1/3 cups chopped cooked ham
- 1 1/4 cups chopped tomato, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (coarse grind is best)
- 1 1/2 cups (6 oz) shredded Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
Cook potato, 3/4 cup green pepper and onion in oil in a large skillet over medium high heat, stirring constantly, 8 min. or until tender. Cool potatoes if preparing the night before. Combine potato mixture, eggs, ham, 1 cup tomato, salt and black pepper in a large bowl; stir well. Pour mixture into a lightly greased 13 x 9 inch baking dish. Bake, uncovered at 325 for 40 minutes or until golden. Top with remaining 1/4 cup green pepper and 1/4 cup tomato. Sprinkle evenly with cheese. Bake 5 more minutes until cheese melts.
Apple Caramel Pudding
by Janet Smith
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 1/2 cups chopped peeled apples
Combine first five ingredients; then add apples and milk. Blend thoroughly and pour into 8″ square pan.
Combine:
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup butter
- 3/4 cup boiling water
Mix sugar, boiling water and butter and pour over the batter already in pan. Bake
at 375 degree oven for 45 minutes. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream. Very simple but rich dessert. Serves 4 to 6
Sweet Tater Cheesecake
- 4 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 3 egg yolks
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ginger
- 1 cup whipping cream (cool whip will work if no cream handy)
- 1 1/2 cups sweet potatoes, mashed (NOT CANNED)
Graham Cracker-Pecan Crust
- 2 cups finely crushed graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 1/4 cup finely chopped pecans
- Preparation:
- Preheat oven to 425°.
Crust:
Combine crust ingredients thoroughly; press into a 10-inch springform pan.
Beat cream cheese, sugar, and eggs until smooth; beat in flour, cinnamon, and ginger. Beat cream and well-mashed sweet potatoes in on medium speed of a hand held mixer just until well-combined. Pour the batter into the prepared crust. Bake at 425° for 15 minutes; lower heat to 275° and bake 1 hour longer. Turn heat off and leave in the oven to cool for several hours, or cool on a wire rack. Serve with sweetened whipped cream or caramel sauce.
Cantonment Man Accused Of Selling Fake LSD, Bringing Spice Into Jail
December 23, 2018
A Cantonment man is accused of the sale of fake LSD and bringing spice into the Escambia County Jail.
Joshua Robert Welch, 19, was charged with selling a misbranded drug in lieu of a controlled substance, possession of spice within 1,000 feet of a college and introduction of contraband into a detention facility.
Escambia County deputies conducted a traffic stop on Welch for not having a rear view mirror on Pensacola Boulevard near Pensacola Christian College. Officers found a small piece of aluminum foil containing what was believed to be LSD, also known as acid.
As officers questioned Welch, he began to cry, stating he was scared for getting pulled over, according to an arrest report.
Welch told deputies that he bought the drugs believing it was acid, but when he took one nothing happened. He stated he was going to try to sell the drugs to try to make some money but believed the items were fake acid, according to the report.
At the Escambia County, staff located a brown paper towel containing spice in Welch’s genital area, records show.
He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $7,500 bond.
Escambia 4-H Holds Holiday Bake-Off, And Here’s The Winning Recipe
December 23, 2018
Escambia County 4-H recently hosted its second annual Holiday Bake-Off.
The best of show award went to A.T. Bridgers from the Barrineau Park 4-H Club for his Yule Log, his second bake-off win. For the recipe, click here.
There were 41 4-H members submitting 90 delicious entries, and over 100 people attended the awards ceremony and enjoyed all the goodies.
Division winning entries received the coveted golden spoon for all of their hard work. Cloverbuds, 4-H members ages 5-7, also were able to enter, although their desserts were not judged. Cloverbuds instead received a participation ribbon and golden spoon for their hard work.
The category winners were:
- Cloverbuds (Participation ribbon only)-Lindsay Carbone (2), Syrah Chauvette (3), Zaiyn Chauvette (2), Megan Gray, Ellison Miller, Z’Akarr Shaw, Weston Simmons (2), Anna Simmons, and Hunter Smith
- Cakes-A. T. Bridgers of the Barrineau Park 4-H Club
- Cupcakes-Hannah Schnupp of the New Horizons 4-H Club
- Pies-Maegan Workman of the Cool Clovers 4-H Club
- Candies-Jasmine Guillory of the Olive Heights 4-H Club
- Cookies-Hannah Schnupp of the New Horizons 4-H Club
- Brownies-Izzie Jenkins of the Barrineau Park 4-H Club
- Breads-Taylor Anderson of the Escambia County Horse 4-H Club
- Specialty Items-Ethan Thorne of the Escambia County Leadership 4-H Club
- Appetizers-Izzy Kent of the Escambia County Leadership 4-H Club
- Lite Recipes-Izzy Kent of the Escambia County Leadership 4-H Club
- Gluten Free Cookies- Maegan Workman of the Cool Clovers 4-H Club
- Gingerbread House Making Workshop-Bella M. of the Barrineau Park 4-H Club
As a community service project, 4-H members were also encouraged to bring a toy to be donated to Toys for Tots.
Resident Critically Injured In Saturday Home Fire; Mobile Home Burns Friday
December 23, 2018
An elderly Escambia County residents was critically injured in a house fire Saturday night, and a Friday after fire left three people without a home. The fires represent the fourth and fifth red bulbs in the “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign.
Capitol Boulevard Fire
Escambia County Emergency Communications received a call reporting the fire in the 1200 block of Capitol Boulevard at 6:49 p.m. Saturday after a home smoke alarm signaled the resident’s alarm company. The alarm company spoke with the resident’s emergency contact who was able to view the home’s hallway via internet cameras, confirming a problem and notified 9-1-1.
Crews arrived on scene at 6:58 p.m. and was able to locate the elderly resident who had collapsed in the single story home by 7:06 p.m. (pictured below). The fire was called under control at 7:16 p.m., with moderate damage to the home. The resident was transported to Sacred Heart in trauma alert condition. The state fire marshal is investigating the cause of the fire.
Turkey Road Fire
A mobile home fire that occurred Friday represents the fourth red bulb on the “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety wreath.
Escambia County Emergency Communications received a call at 4:24 p.m. Friday reporting a residential structure fire in the 5600 block of Turkey Road. Crews arrived on scene at 4:30 p.m. to find fire showing from the mobile home. Escambia County Fire Rescue called the fire under control at 4:49 p.m. No injuries were reported but heavy fire and smoke damage throughout has made the home uninhabitable (pictured top) Three adults were displaced and are being assisted by the American Red Cross. The state fire marshal is investigating the cause of the fire. No working smoke detectors were present in the home.
Keep The Wreath Green
The “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign is a collaborative initiative with the city of Pensacola to promote fire safety during the month of December. During the monthlong campaign, five-foot wreaths are on display at 18 county fire stations and five city fire stations, with wreaths also placed outside Escambia County’s Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building downtown, the Escambia County Public Safety Building, Pensacola City Hall and Cordova Mall near the food court entrance. Each time firefighters respond to a residential fire with damage, a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by fires in residential home.
If your home doesn’t have a working smoke detector, please call Escambia County Fire Rescue at 850-595-HERO (4376) or 850-436-5200 for city of Pensacola residents.
Pictured top: A fire Friday on Turkey Road. Pictured below: Inside a Capitol Boulevard home after a Saturday fire. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
