The Bald Eagle Is Now The Official U.S. Bird Of The U.S; And Yes, They Do Live In North Escambia
December 30, 2024
The bald eagle is now officially the national bird of the United States after President Joe Biden signed law bestowing the honor on the national bird. And they do live in North Escambia.
The bald eagle has been a national emblem and used on the great seal since 1782. But it was never officially made the national bird. The bald eagle was removed from the USFWS endangered species list and the FWC imperiled species list in 2007 and 2008, respectively. The bald eagle continues to be protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Florida has one of the densest concentrations of nesting bald eagles in the lower 48 states, with an estimated 1,500 nesting pairs, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. FWC has monitored the population of nesting bald eagles in Florida since 1972.
FWC’s documentation does not show any eagle nests in northern Escambia County. However, eagles are frequently spotted here, especially around Walnut Hill (pictured first below). Just over a decade ago, a one-year old rehabilitated bald eagle was released back into the wild near Walnut Hill by the Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida (pictured second below).
Earlier this year, the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Southeastern Raptor Center brought bald eagle Spirit to Ernest Ward Middle School — home of the Eagles mascot (pictured top, inset and bottom). Spirit was the pre-game flight eagle at Jordan-Hare Stadium at Auburn University for nearly 20 years.
For more NorthEscambia.com eagle photos, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Need To Get Rid Of Your Christmas Tree? Recycle It For Free
December 30, 2024
You can recycle your natural natural Christmas tree in Escambia or Santa Rosa counties.
In Escambia County:
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) will pick up Christmas trees from customers for free with the regular collection of yard waste.
Customers are asked to remove all decorations from their trees and cut the trees so that no portion is longer than six feet. Trees can be placed at the curb with other yard trash, and should not be placed in the regular garbage container or recycling cans.
For more information, call ECUA Customer Service at (850) 476-0480.
In Santa Rosa County:
Santa Rosa County Public Works offers an environmentally friendly option for disposal. Residents who would like to “treecycle” their tree for mulch may drop off their clean Christmas trees in the designated areas listed below by Jan. 20
- Jay Transfer Station – Transfer Station Road, Jay
- Central Landfill – Household Hazardous Waste facility, 6337 Da Lisa Road, Milton
- Pace Fire Rescue District – 4773 Pace Patriot Blvd., Pace
- Navarre Beach Boat Ramp Parking Lot Recycle Area – Gulf Blvd., Navarre Beach
- Tiger Point Recreation Area – Gulf Breeze, east of Walmart
Residents who wish to drop off their live tree will need to remove any tinsel, lights, and ornaments from the tree before dropping it off.
Atmore Police Arrest Flomaton Man On Drug Charges
December 30, 2024
A Flomaton man was arrested recently in Atmore on multiple drug charges .
Justin White, 39, was charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana second degree, and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to a news release.
The Atmore Police Department stopped White’s vehicle on Robinsonville Road. The officer noted the strong smell of marijuana, leading to a probable cause search. APD said officers located Clonazepam, a small amount of cocaine and and small amount of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.
White was booked into the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewon.
Registration Underway For Spring Season At Molino, NWE, Century, NEP
December 30, 2024
Registration is underway now for the spring season at the Century, NWE, Molino and NEP ballparks.
Molino Ballpark
Registration from the spring 2025 season will continue through January 25 for the Molino Ballpark. Register early — once a division is filled, prospective players will be placed on a waitlist.
Register at molinoballpark.com.
Draft will be January 27 – January 31, 2025. Practice being February 3, and opening day will be Saturday, March 8.
Northwest Escambia
Registration is underway for all new and returning players ages 4-16 through January 18 for Northwest Escambia in Walnut Hill. Cost is $100 for the first child, $75 for each additional child. $23 is due at registration with the remainder due on January 18. Opening day is March 29. Registration is on a first come, first served basis. The maximum number for an age group is reached, there will be waitlists for additional teams.
NWE offers:
- T-ball for ages 4-6
- Baseball for ages 7-16
- Softball for ages 7-16
Register at nwebaseball.com.
Century Baseball
The Century Baseball Association will be sanctioned with USSSA Alabama for the 2025 Spring season, allowing boys to have mid-season tournament as does softball. It also adds a 14U division. Softball will remain with GCGSA.
Early registration is $75 per player through December 31 for t-ball and up. The registration will increase to $95 on January 1 and $75 for each additional player. Wee ball registration is $35 per player through December 31, increasing to $45 on January 1. Uniforms not included.
Register at their website. Registration ends February 3.
NEP Baseball and Softball
Registration is underway for NEP baseball and softball at the park on Nine Mile Road through February 2 with late registration February 3-5. Baseball draft is February 8, and softball draft is February 9. Opening day will be March 8.
Register at their website.
Former President Jimmy Carter Dies At 100; Flags At Half Staff For 30 Days
December 30, 2024
Jimmy Carter, 39th president of the United States and winner of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, died peacefully Sunday, Dec. 29, at his home in Plains, Georgia, surrounded by his family. He was 100, the longest-lived president in U.S. history.
President Carter is survived by his children — Jack, Chip, Jeff, and Amy; 11 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Rosalynn, and one grandchild.
Carter served one term as president of the United States from 1977 to 1981.
“President Carter was a man of character, courage, and compassion, whose lifetime of service defined him as one of the most influential statesmen in our history,” President Jo Biden said Sunday in a statement officially announcing Carter’s passing. ” He embodied the very best of America: A humble servant of God and the people. A heroic champion of global peace and human rights, and an honorable leader whose moral clarity and hopeful vision lifted our Nation and changed our world.”
Biden has scheduled a state funeral in Washington on January 9, which he declared a National Day of Mourning across the nation. He also ordered U.S. flags to fly at half-staff for 30 days from Sunday, December 29.
People can visit www.jimmycartertribute.org to make a memorial gift or sign a virtual condolence book.
A private interment will be held in Carter’s hometown of Plains, Georgia.
Overnight Storms: House Fire, Power Outages
December 29, 2024
Overnight storms caused power outages and a house fire in Escambia County.
Molino House Fire
Lightning reportedly sparked a residential structure fire early Sunday morning in Molino.
The fire was reported about 1:50 a.m. in a two-story home in the 3000 block of Crabtree Church Road near Solari Farm Road. The fire was declared under control at about 2:35 a.m.
There was no information immediately available on the extent of damage. There were no injuries reported.
Power Outages
The storms caused power outages in the county. The largest outage was reported by Escambia River Electric Cooperative were 456 customers from Walnut Hill to Barrineau Park lost power about 9 p.m., many of them along Highway 99 and Highway 97. Power was restored by 11 p.m. EREC reported other minor isolated outages.
Florida Power & Light reported mostly isolated outages. Off 9 & 1/2 Mile Road, a live power line fell and sparked a small fire on the ground (pictured above).
Pictured: A live power line down off 9 & 1/2 Mile Road. Reader submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Christmas With ‘Pipes’ The Kitten Rescued From A Drainage Pipe
December 29, 2024
Christmas was very merry for the little kitten known as Pipes.
Our first story about Pipes was in late November after he was rescued from inside a drainage pipe by Escambia County Animal Welfare. He was later adopted in early December by Lorissa Johnson and family during a Cat Cafe Adoption Event at the Molino Branch Library.
We checked in on Pipes to see how the little feline is doing now.
“He’s doing great and being introduced to his big brother and sister Lila and Rio,” Johnson said.
Big sister Lila, a calico tabby, is six years old and was also adopted as a kitten through Junior Humane Society. She is still hesitant with Pipes and runs away when he tries to play with her.
Big brother Rio (a tuxedo cat) came to the Johnsons as a three-year-old foster, but they decided to keep him when his prior owner said they would not be able to retrieve him as planned. He is now seven years old and seems to find Pipes quite entertaining. They like to chase each other through their house.
“His favorite person in the house is my son, Jonas. Pipes sleeps on Jonas’s bed and follows him around the house,” Johnson said. “His favorite toy is this blue kick stick. He has so much energy it can be hard to get a good picture.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Monday Is Deadline To Register, Change Party For Upcoming Special Primary Election
December 29, 2024
The registration and party change deadline is Monday, December 30 for the upcoming Republican party primary. The special primary election is to fill the U.S. House District 1 seat left vacant following the resignation of Matt Gaetz.
the primary election will be held on January 28, 2025, and the general election will be held on April 1, 2025. The 2025 special primary election is for Republican voters only because there are multiple Republican candidates and only one Democrat.
For more information on how to register to vote, visit the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections.
McKenzie Estates With 404 Homes Proposed For Cottage Hill
December 29, 2024
A developer is proposing to build just over 400 homes in a new subdivision in Cottage Hill.
D.R. Horton has submitted plans to the Escambia County Development Review Committee for “McKenzie Estates” on the east side of Highway 95A in the 800 block of McKenzie Road. The development, as proposed, would be 404 single family homes on three parcels totaling 197.2 acres. (The largest parcel is 189.38 acres, plus small parcels of 5.87 and 1.94 across.)
The site is currently vacant and wooded with a stream and an estimated 43 acres of wetlands.
D.R. Horton has proposed that McKenzie Estates be constructed in three phases, beginning with 136 lots in phase one, followed by 102 lots in phase two and 166 lots in phase three.
A public hearing on the proposal has not yet been set.
Ed Spainhower Names Escambia County Employee of the Year
December 29, 2024
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners has named Ed Spainhower, human resources specialist in the Employee Relations division of the Human Resources department, as the 2024 Employee of the Year. He has worked with Escambia County for a decade.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the citizens Escambia County and feel privileged to work with and for the outstanding men and women of the county workforce,” Spainhower said. “I feel honored to receive this recognition and am thankful for those folks that support me in my duties. I could not excel at my job without the support of those I work with.”
As a human resources specialist, Spainhower maintains employee records, facilitates training opportunities, oversees all FMLA and ADA processes, and educates county staff on human relations policies and procedures, all while ensuring compliance with employment laws and fostering positive relationships with employees.