Florida’s Youth Smoking Rate Reaches An All Time Low
December 26, 2014
New data released by the Florida Department of Health shows that fewer youth in Florida are smoking cigarettes than ever before. In 2014, only 4.3 percent of Florida’s youth, ages 11 to 17, are current cigarette smokers.
There are 59 percent fewer youth cigarette smokers in the state than before the Tobacco Free Florida program launched in 2007. This represents a decrease from 10.6 percent in 2006 to 4.3 percent in 2014.
“Tobacco Free Florida is a nationally renowned program that has set the bar for how other states can reduce cigarette use among young people,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. “The state’s steady and significant reduction in youth smoking is saving lives and money, and creating a healthier, tobacco free generation.”
The new data from the 2014 Florida Youth Tobacco Survey found that:
- 7.5 percent of high school students reported current cigarette use, meaning they smoked a cigarette at least once during the past 30 days, a 51.6 percent decrease compared to 2006
- Florida’s 2014 cigarette smoking rate among high school students was lower than the national average of 12.7 percent in 2013,[1] the most recent equivalent national survey
- 2.3 percent of middle school students reported current cigarette use, meaning they smoked a cigarette at least once during the past 30 days, a 65.2 percent decrease compared to 2006
- Florida’s 2014 cigarette smoking rate among middle school students was similar to the national average of 2.9 percent in 2013,[2] the most recent equivalent national survey
In 2006, Florida voters overwhelmingly approved a state constitutional amendment requiring 15 percent of the state’s tobacco settlement fund be used for a comprehensive tobacco education and use prevention program. In 2007, the funding was used to launch Tobacco Free Florida, which is managed by the health department. Tobacco Free Florida’s efforts are supported by community interventions at the county level and a statewide media campaign driven by powerful advertisements that demonstrate the dangers and real-life consequences of tobacco use, encouraging more and more youth to never begin.
Christmas In Jail: Escaped Inmate Back Behind Bars
December 25, 2014
An inmate that escaped from the Pensacola Work Release Center Wednesday is back behind bars.
Jeremy Lee Picha, 42, escaped on foot from the North L Street facility sometime between 9:20 and 9:40 a.m. According to the Florida Department of Corrections, Picha was recaptured about 2:10 p.m.
Picha was serving a 20 month sentence from possession of methamphetamine and possession of a controlled substance charges from Santa Rosa County. He was about five months away from his scheduled release date.
A Look Back: Century Christmas In The 1930’s
December 25, 2014
Here’s a look back at Christmas past for the Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company and what is now Century.
In the top photo, Mr. James H. Jones is seen giving out presents to Alger-Sullivan Lumber Co. employee children in the 1930’s. By the 1940’s, this practice had been discontinued, but Mr. Hauss always sent some families a tin of dates from California. The company always seemed to be interested in keeping families together and satisfied, although when it came to the job, it was hard-nosed about making sure the workers gave a day’s work for a day’s pay.
The picture below depicts a scene in December 1936 from one of the logging camps in the woods where races were mixed on the job, despite the attitude towards segregation. Here you see two of the bosses, Fred Gilmore and Mr. Luke Earl (with glasses), a somewhat beloved woods foreman, and a group of workers and children observing Santa Claus as he holds a little boy at their Christmas gathering. Several of the children are clutching their little bags of goodies, probably candy and some trinkets, that Santa had passed out earlier. It’s not know what purpose the wash pot, if any, played in the festivities.
Photos courtesy the Alger-Sullivan Historical Society (top) and Photo by Fischer (bottom) for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gulf Power Crews Spend Christmas Eve Helping Mississippi Town Hit By Tornado
December 25, 2014
A storm team of nearly 40 crew and support staff from Gulf Power spent Christmas Eve helping sister company Mississippi Power restore power in Columbia, MS, where more than 50 power poles were down following tornadoes that swept through the area.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Mississippi,” said Jeff Rogers, Gulf Power Corporate Communications manager. “Rolling out on Christmas Eve has its challenges. Families have plans. But this it what our crews do — restoring power and hope, whether right here at home or for our neighbors.”
The crews complete their work and were set to return to the Pensacola area Christmas morning.
Pictured: Gulf Power crews roll out for a storm ravaged Mississippi town on Christmas Eve. Pictured inset: Gulf Power crews worked Christmas Even restoring power in Columbia, MS. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Camp Fire Kids Spread Christmas Cheer
December 25, 2014
The students of the Camp Fire USA Century Learning Center recently visiting the Century Health and Rehabilitation Center to spread Christmas cheer with carols and Christmas cards for the residents. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Arrested In Shooting That Injured Two
December 25, 2014
An arrest has been made in a shooting incident that occurred Tuesday night that put two Escambia County men in the hospital
Kieshjuan Abrams, 25, has been charged with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of armed robbery, and one count each of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, reckless or negligent discharging of a firearm, firing a weapon into a vehicle, and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
Pensacola Police were dispatched to the 1400 block of West Lloyd Street where they found two males – ages 28 and 22 – has been shot while seated in a vehicle in a parking lot at Sanchez Court. Detective Pat Bradley said a witness identified Abrams, who voluntarily came to police headquarters Tuesday night for questioning.
Abrams and a second male suspect left the scene after the shootings, but not before they took money and other valuables from the victims. The robbery appears to be drug-related and remains under investigation, police said.
Abrams remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $1.65 million.
The Gun Crime Response Team and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms assisted with the investigation.
Anyone having information on the incident is asked to contact the Pensacola Police Department at (850) 435-1900.
A Look Back: Ernest Ward High School Christmas Past
December 25, 2014
Here’s a look back at Christmas past at Ernest Ward High School, with a peek into the pages of the 1955, 1971 and 1988 yearbooks. Click any of the images to enlarge.
Below: The 1955 Christmas Pageant at Ernest Ward High School.
Below: “In Celebration of Christmas”, 1988, Ernest Ward High School.
Below: “Christmas Present And Future”, 1988, Ernest Ward High School.
Below: Christmas 1971, Ernest Ward High School.
Special thanks to Sherri Stallworth and Delaney Reynolds, EWMS Yearbook staff, for their research in finding these photos. Photos courtesy Ernest Ward Middle School for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Christmas Recipes: Rice Krispie Treats, Oatmeal Cookies, Hot Chocolate
December 25, 2014
Here are some family time favorites for this Christmas Day.
Today’s recipes include Traditional Oatmeal Cookies, Crockpot Candy and Rice Krispie Treats — perfect recipes for the family to make together. And what would Christmas be without Hot Chocolate? Our quick and easy recipe can easily be increased to make enough for everyone, plus it’s easy to include some extra cocoa powder for a deeper, darker treat.
Crock Pot Candy
- 16 oz Salted Peanuts
- 16 oz UnSalted Peanuts
- 4 oz German Chocolate Bark
- 1 pkg Almond Chocolate Bark
- 1 pkg Butterscotch Morsels
Put all ingredients into crock pot. Cook on low for 2 hours. Do not stir or open lid. After 2 hours, turn off crock pot, stir candy and drop in clusters onto wax paper. Let cool and enjoy. This recipe will make 70-90 pieces of candy, depending on the size.
Traditional Oatmeal Cookies
- 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, softened
- 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
- 3 cups of Quaker Oats (Quick)
- 1 cup raisins (optional)
Preheat oven to 350° F. Beat together butter and sugars until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla extract; beat well. Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well. Slowly stir in oats. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto an ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 1 minute on sheet, remove to wire rack.
Rice Krispie Treats
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 (10 oz., about 40) pkg. regular marshmallows or 3 cups miniature marshmallows
- 6 cups Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal
In a large saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add the marshmallows and continue to stir until the marshmallows have completely melted. Remove from heat. Stir in the Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal coating them well with the melted marshmallow mixture. Using a buttered or silicone spatula, press the mixture evenly into a 13 x 9 x 2 inch pan which has been buttered or sprayed with non-stick spray or lined with wax paper. Cut into squares when the mixture cools. Makes 24 squares.
MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS:
Microwave butter with marshmallows on high setting for 2 minutes in a microwave safe mixing bowl. Stir together when melted. Microwave again on high for 1 additional minute. Stir in cereal, mixing until well coated. Press into pan as above.
Hot Chocolate
- 1 tbsp. cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp. sugar
- 2 tbsp. water
- 1 c. milk
- a bit of vanilla, if desired
Combine cocoa, sugar, and water in a small saucepan. Heat it on low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent the paste from sticking to the pan. After about 1 to 2 minutes, add milk and vanilla. Mix it all together until it reaches your preferred temperature.
Photo: Glorious Sunset
December 25, 2014
The North Escambia area enjoyed an unusually beautiful sunset Christmas Eve, as seen here from Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Cost Of Christmas Lighting Still A Bargain
December 25, 2014
Outdoor lighting is as much a part of the holiday season as Santa and gift giving. Have you ever wondered how much it costs to operate those lights on your home or business?
Traditional larger bulbs are the most widely used, but cost the most to operate. One string of these incandescent lights can consume more than $1 of electricity a day. That adds up when you put up a few strings of lights and leave them on for the holiday season, according to Gulf Power.
Miniature holiday lights are a less costly option, and have replaced larger bulbs in many decorations. One string of miniature lights uses less than 3 cents per day.
For even greater savings you can use Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) instead of bulbs. LEDs use 90 percent less energy, can last years longer and, since LED bulbs generate less heat, they make for safer illumination as well. LED lights are more expensive to buy; however, at less than half a cent per day to operate, a string of LED bulbs will pay for itself quickly.
You can also lower your holiday energy use by putting your lights on a timer. Be sure to use a durable timer that is made to withstand the elements, Gulf Power recommends.