Cook Up A Holiday Gift Idea
December 24, 2014
by Dorothy Lee, Escambia Extension Agent
Christmas is a joyous season. It’s a time to remember friends and neighbors with small tokens of your love and appreciation.
Every holiday season is magical, but can also be a perplexing time. How do you choose gifts for your friends and loved ones that are unique, and sure to be cherished?
Remember Christmas when you were young? How the simplest projects—stringing lights, hanging icicles, baking cookies, gathering pine cones, or making ornaments for the tree—filled the season with fun and excitement. Bring back that special magic with your own holiday projects. These holiday projects are gifts from the heart.
If you have spent many hours in past seasons trying to find the answer to the perplexing question of what to give, perhaps this year you can find the answer in your own kitchen. Flavorful gifts you can create in an evening or two at home might be the just the solution. Most of us like to follow the pleasure of cooking with sharing the scrumptious results. So this holiday season prepare some delicious food gifts for friends and relatives.
A jar of homemade jam or jelly conveys a welcome sign of friendship to neighbors or coworkers. Besides being fun to make and share, oven-baked goods, snacks, and other savory items are attractive and often cost less than those that are store-bought. This is a gift that comes from the heart without breaking the bank. For a holiday touch, add a pretty ribbon or a note from a square of wrapping paper.
Fresh from the oven, a batch of pumpkin muffins or a loaf of whole grain bread will send warm holiday greeting to friends. Decorated with raisins and nuts, gingerbread men will appeal to anyone who fancies the spicy flavors of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. When invited to festive dinners take along a basket filled with your own gift assortment of cookies packaged in inexpensive containers with recipes and a personalized message included. You will find these gifts easy to transport and the hostess is sure to appreciate the gesture.
Another gourmet goodies idea to consider is sharing a decorative jar or tin packed with flavorful popcorn or a nutritious trail mix. Top a decorative tray with herbed cheese rounds. Herbs offer a delicious alternative to salt. Herb seasoning mixes can be packaged in a decorative glass jar or bottle and tied with festive ribbon. Be sure to attach a label with instructions for serving and a recipe for making more.
When making these gourmet goodies, you might want to prepare an additional batch so you will have a last minute gift on hand. The additional jar of jam or jelly can make a special gift for last minute visitors. These gifts are seen as thoughtful and well-prepared when they are in reality a last minute thought.
Start early and make lots of homemade goodies for the holidays. By planning your kitchen gifts early you can shop for ingredients on sale, save decorative containers and make food items in advance. So get a head start on holiday gifts from your kitchen.
For more information, contact Dorothy Lee, UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County at (850) 475-5230 or email dclee@ufl.edu.
Arrest Made In November Shooting Death In Beulah
December 23, 2014
A murder charge has been filed in connection with a shooting last month in Beulah.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday morning that 33-year old James Adam Greenwood has been charged with murder for the November 21 homicide of his stepfather, 65-year old Albert James Jones. He is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
The arrest came after an “intensive” joint investigation by the Sheriff’s Office and the State Attorney’s Office.
Albert Jones was married to Greenwood’s mother, according to an arrest report, but they were living apart. On the day prior to the shooting, Jones went to the residence to retrieve personal clothing, but was not allowed access by Greenwood. He called the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and a responding deputy told Greenwood that he could not restrict Jones’ access to the house or property, the report states.
The following day, Jones returned to the home, unlocked the backdoor with his key and attempted to enter but could not due to a security chain that was in place.
The entire incident was captured on camera. According to an ECSO report, Jones can be seen attempted to enter the residence with Greenwood telling him to contact his estranged spouse. Greenwood is wearing what appears to be a bulletproof vest in the video. Jones unlocks the door, forces it open by breaking the molding to which the security chain is attached. Jones then proceeds into the residence. Greenwood then fires at least two times with a shotgun. Jones is hit and injured, but manages to exit the residence and retrieve a handgun as Greenwood continues to fire.
According to investigators, the video shows that Jones did not have a weapon as he entered the residence.
Pictured top: Albert James Jones was shot at his residence on Mobile Highway in Beulah on November 21. File photo courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Work Begins To Remove Log Jam From Escambia River
December 23, 2014
Work is scheduled to be underway to remove a log jam from the Escambia River south of Century…nearly two years after the Escambia County Commission first awarded a bid for the project.
In February 2013, Escambia County awarded a $68,498 contract to Florida Forest Recyclers, LLC to remove the vessels and associated debris — including thousands of logs — from the Escambia River about one mile north of the Cotton Lake boat ramp. The agreement was not executed as written at that time.
The contract was awarded again in May 2013 for the same amount to the same contractor but was revised to waive the bond requirements at the request of then Interim County Administrator George Touart. The agreement provides for a one-time payment upon final completion and inspection of the project. The standard practice of the County is to require payment and performance bonds for projects in excess of $100,000. The project was set to begin by June 2013.
The 2013 bid from Florida Forest Recyclers was over a half million dollars lower than bids received from two Alabama companies. A $527,000 bid was received from Crowder Gulf Joint Ventures of Theodore, while DRC Emergency Services, LLC bid $792,622.14.
In November, Keith Wilkins, director of the Escambia County Community and Environmental Department, said Florida Forest Recyclers had reorganized into a new company, Southern Forest Recyclers. He said Southern Forest Recyclers has a $2 million contract for the wood from the logjam, and that the company was awaiting their final work permits from the Water Management District.
Liz Henderson of Southern Forest Recyclers said Monday that the company now has all of the permits needed to being work Tuesday. She said the company was moving forward with no money or assistance from Escambia or Santa Rosa counties.
Boaters are asked to use care and obey posted signs for safety near the project, and boaters are asked not to enter the Escambia River north of Cotton Lake.
There is no time frame for the completion of the project, which is very much weather dependent, said Henderson.
Pictured top: A logjam stretches bank to bank, blocking the Escambia River near McDavid. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Alabama Man Claims $54K Lottery Ticket Sold On Nine Mile Road
December 23, 2014
An Alabama man has claimed a $54,000 prize for a winning Florida Lottery Fantasy 5 ticket sold last week at a Nine Mile Road store.
Claude R. Mitchell of Mobile purchased the ticket for the December 18 drawing at the Publix on West Nine Mile Road at Pine Forest Road. The ticket was one of four winning tickets worth $54,467.31. Other winning tickets matching all five numbers were sold in Cape Coral, Dunnellon and Miami.
The 287 tickets matching four numbers won $122 each. Another 9,461 tickets matching three numbers are worth $10 each, and93,324 tickets holders won a Quick Pick ticket for picking two numbers.
The winning numbers for the December 18 drawing were 2-10-16-22-31.
Legal Threats Over Nativity Scene Spark ‘Holy Night’ In Jay
December 23, 2014
“O night divine, the night when Christ was born; O night, O Holy night….”
The words to the classic Christmas carol “O Holy Night” echoed across the heart of Jay Monday night as nearly 300 people gathered at a corner lot at the town’s only traffic light. A huge turnout for a town of about 575 people.
“It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth…”
Old and young, preachers, friends and neighbors, Baptists, Methodist — from all walks of life — they gathered to celebrate that night in Bethlehem when Jesus Christ was born. Their meeting in front of a Christmas tree and a vintage Nativity scene was sparked by a letter a few weeks ago from an attorney for a Wisconsin group that represents agnostics and atheists claiming that a nativity display at the town hall was illegal.
For the first Christmas in about 40 years, the Nativity scene was moved from the town hall and placed on corner lot by the Santa Rosa Ministerial Association. Following the first report of of the Nativity scene’s fate on NorthEscambia.com, emotions in Jay ranged from outrage to disbelief that some lawyer hundreds of miles away would send such a letter, and outage and disbelief that the group claimed the letter was the result of a complaint from one of their neighbors in the close-knit town.
“We can blame this group; we can blame this town, we can blame governments, we can blame all these other people,” event organizer Nick Jackson said, “but look what is doing amongst us.”
They celebrated the fact that thanks to social media, and thanks to extensive media coverage, their little Nativity scene and the message it carries had spread far beyond their little town.
“Look around you tonight. Look what God is doing in this community. Look what God is doing among your church and your household,” Jackson said. “He is stirring us again. He is reviving the believer to stand and to speak out.”
Jackson said the entire episode had sparked revival in Jay and a Christmas celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ like none before.
“O night divine, O night when Christ was born…”
For more photos from the event, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
CrossFaith Members Bring Christmas Cheer To ‘The Retreat’
December 23, 2014
Members of CrossFaith Church in Molino paid a special visit Monday to The Retreat, operated by the Council on Aging of West Florida. The Retreat offers a stimulating day experience for older adults with physical and cognitive impairments. Participants enjoy a full day of activities, social interaction and recreation in a safe, protective at-home like atmosphere.
While at The Retreat, the CrossFaith group played bingo with the participants and sang Christmas carols to them.
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Gets 10 Additional Years In Drug Case
December 23, 2014
A Cantonment man has been sentenced to another 10 years in state prison following another drug related conviction.
Johnathan Wayne Glass, 38, was convicted by a Santa Rosa County jury of trafficking in methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Immediately following the trial, Santa
Rosa County Circuit Court Judge John F. Simon sentenced Glass to 10 years in state prison with a minimum mandatory of three years. Judge Simon ordered the 10 year sentence to run consecutively to a 15 year prison sentence he had previously imposed on Glass in September.
On February 21, 2013, members of the Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant at the residence Glass shared with his girlfriend, Victoria Cain, at Piney Woods Place Apartments in Milton.
During the execution of the search warrant, officers found a trafficking amount of methamphetamine along with drug paraphernalia and numerous other items used to manufacture methamphetamine.
The search warrant had been obtained after Glass brought sulfuric acid into the home on February 20, to use during the process of manufacturing methamphetamine. Glass left the bottle of acid on a bathroom counter where a 3-year old child drank the acid. As a result, Glass was charged and convicted on September 18, 2014, by a Santa Rosa County Jury of child neglect causing great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement. Judge Simon sentenced Glass to 15 years in prison in that case.
Glass is also charged with conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine and unlawful possession of listed chemicals. Those charges are set for trial on January 20, 2015. He faces a maximum possible sentence of 30 years in prison in that case.
Victoria Cain was also arrested as a result of her involvement and entered a plea to aggravated child abuse, child abuse causing great bodily harm, trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of prescription drugs without a prescription, conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine and unlawful possession of listed chemical.
Cain testified at both trials against Glass. She is set for sentencing on February 4, 2015, before Circuit Judge Marci Goodman and faces a maximum possible sentence of 135 years.
Minor Injuries In Late Night West Roberts Crash
December 23, 2014
One person received minor injuries in a single vehicle crash late Monday night. The accident happened about 11:55 p.m. on West Roberts Road near Tate Road. A young female driver was transported to an area hospital by ambulance. The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details have not been released. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Century Offices To Close December 26 Rather Than Christmas Eve
December 23, 2014
The Town of Century normally closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but this year town leaders have decided to close town hall on Thursday, December 25 and Friday, December 26 to allow employees to enjoy a four-day weekend. Town offices will be open on December 24.
The closure schedule change in include all town departments such as water and gas. For more information, contact the town at (850) 256-3208.
Supreme Court: Another Circuit Judge Needed For Escambia, Santa Rosa
December 23, 2014
After lawmakers have turned down requests in recent years for more trial judges, the Florida Supreme Court on Monday said the state needs an additional three circuit judges and 32 county judges — including an additional circuit judge in the 1st Judicial Circuit, which includes Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties.
“The First Judicial Circuit continues to experience a heavy criminal workload as well as a steady number of tobacco cases, which frequently go to trial and thus require significant judicial labor,” the Supreme Court said.
The request came in an annual process known as a “certification of need” to the Legislature, which ultimately decides whether to approve new judges.
“As the state economy continues to steadily improve, we recognize that in a post-recessionary period competing demands for state funding persist across state government,” the Supreme Court said in a 10-page document. “We also note that, due in large part to the recession, the judicial branch has had no increase in trial court judges since 2007, despite a documented need.”