Bratt Second Graders Present ‘A Place In The Christmas Choir’
December 18, 2014
Bratt Elementary School second graders recently presented their Christmas musical “A Place in the Christmas Choir”.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos by Blair Scott for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Scottish Rite Winterfest This Weekend At Equestrian Center
December 18, 2014
The first annual Scottish Rite Winterfest will be held Friday and Saturday the Escambia County Equestrian Center on Mobile Highway.
The event will include two full days of festivities, live music, cajun food, dancing, kids activities and vendors. Free Parking and admission for kids under 12.
The schedule of events is as follows:
Friday December 19
- 9:00 AM Gates open for Vendors and Stage Crew setup, ticket agents and ushers
- 11:00 AM Gates open to Public
- 11:30 AM Opening Ceremonies
- 1:45 PM Exit 105 Band
- 2:30 PM Kids Hip-Hop dancers
- 3:00 PM Brooke Woods
- 4:15 PM Brooke Woods
- 5:00PM Belly Dancers
- 5:30PM Emerald Coast Blues Brothers
- 6:15 PM Break and announcements
- 6:30 PM Emerald Coast Blues Brothers
Saturday December 20
- 10:00 AM Gates open to Vendors and S.R. W.F CREWS
- 10:00 AM Gumbo Cook-Off start warm up of Gumbo
- 11:30 AM Gates open to Public
- Noon Opening Ceremonies
- 12:30 PM Hula Dancers/ Gumbo judging begins
- 1:00 PM C and L Band
- 1:45 PM Brooke Woods Students
- 2:15 PM C and L Band
- 3:00 PM Brooke Woods Students
- 3:30 PM Shades of Blue Band
- 4:15 PM Gumbo Cook-Off Trophy Presentation
- 4:45 PM Shades of Blue Band
- 5:30PM Present Thank You Plaque to County
- Commissioner Wilson Robertson
- 5:45PM Nouveau Cajun Xpress
Cantonment Disturbance Ends With Gunfire
December 17, 2014
There were no serious injuries in a disturbance that ended with gunfire Tuesday night in Cantonment.
Just before 6:30 p.m., Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a shots fired disturbance in the 900 block of Muscogee Road. Upon arrival, deputies determined several individuals had been fighting in front of the residence and a handgun was discharged in the air in an attempt to stop the fighting, according to a spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office.
One person was later transported to the hospital with very minor injuries sustained in the fight.
Further details have not been released.
Progress Continues On New Escambia 4-H Facility; Barn Contracts Let
December 17, 2014
Progress is continuing toward the completion of the new Escambia County 4-H facility on Chalker Road in Molino, with the Escambia County Commission recently approving a contract to construct six pole barns on the property.
Six companies bid on the on the installation of one 40×60-foot, two 30×60-foot and three 24×48-foot pole barns on the 4-H property located at Chalker Road and Highway 99. Low bidder on the project was J. Miller Construction Company at $82,196.91. Other bids ranged from $91,500 fro Trammell Construction to $140,000 from Dominguez Design-Build.
The site includes two parcels — a 79.5 acre lot that already includes a covered barn and will be home to most 4-H activities and a 28.7 parcel that will be used for livestock activities.
Construction should be complete within one to three years on facilities set to include restrooms, a small classroom, nature trails, campsites for tent camping, fire pit for outdoor cooking and group events, bird blind, archery area, low ropes course, a horse arena, and livestock facilities for shows, clinics, animal science seminars and field days. The facility will also allow 4-H’ers to study astronomy, meteorology, animal science, plant science, soil science, water quality, health sciences, environmental science and more.
In 2012, the children and teens on the 4-H County Council voted to sell their 240 acre Langley Bell 4-H Center to Navy Federal Credit Union.
Pictured: An open house was held at the new Escambia County 4-H property in Molino last June. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Home For The Holidays: A Christmas Surprise
December 17, 2014
Two Escambia County elementary school students received a special surprise Tuesday. They thought their uncle was still deployed overseas in Japan, but he had a Christmastime surprise for second grader Penelope Saxton and her brother, kindergarten student Riley Saxton.
They were together in a classroom at Scenic Heights Elementary School when their uncle, Airman Ean Van Gemerden, popped in from an adjacent room. After a brief pause, they off running into the arms of their “Uncle E”.
Penelope was in tears, but she assured everyone that they were happy tears because her hero was home for the holidays.
Van Gemerden has been deployed on the USS George Washington homeported in Yokosuka, Japan, for the past two years and is home for Christmas with his family.
The family members had been in touch via occasional phone calls and Facebook posts, but this was his first chance to see – and hug – his little loved ones in a long time.
Ean Van Gemerden also attended Scenic Heights Elementary School, so having the reunion at the school seemed like a fun idea to his sister, Ayla Van Gemerden. Principal Mary Ellen Wiggins and staff were happy to assist her in the coordination of the surprise.
After the holidays, Airman Van Gemerden will be returning to Japan to crossdeck from the Washington to the USS Ronald Reagan. While Van Gemerden has enjoyed his time in the Navy so far, he said, “When when you travel far from home, you realize what you have been taking for granted and you really wish you were home.”
Pictured top: Ean Van Gemerden shares a welcome home hug with his niece and nephew, Penelope and Riley Saxton. Pictured inset: Penelope and Riley’s mother, Ayla Van Gemerden (holding their little brother),and Ean Van Gemerden’s mom, Sara Exner, look on. Pictured below: Van Germerden visits helps with a gingerbread project. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Council Workshop Meeting To Discuss Economic Development Plan
December 17, 2014
The Century Town Council has scheduled a special workshop meeting for this Thursday, December 18 at 3 p.m.
During the meeting, town council members and the mayor will meet with Brick Harris, co-director of the University of West Florida’s Haas Center to discuss implementation of the town’s economic development plan.
The Haas Center recently developed Century’s economic development strategic plan, funding by a $25,000 grant.
State Attorney: Deputy Justified In April Shooting
December 17, 2014
The shooting of a Pensacola man by Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy last April has been ruled justified, according to the State Attorney’s Office.
During the early morning hours of April 14, deputies responded to the 3000 block of Bent Oak Road in reference to suicidal threats. Thomas Eugene Fillingim, had been reported earlier as missing, armed and suicidal late the night before had returned to the home.
When deputies arrived on scene Fillingim was in possession of a knife and had cut his own throat from ear to ear. Fillingim, armed with a knife, lunged at Deputy Albert Kalber who discharged his service weapon in self defense.
“Due to the circumstances faced at that moment in time, Deputy Kalber was justified in the use of deadly force at the time he shot Thomas Fillingim,” Assistant State Attorney Coleman Robinson concluded in his report.
Wildfire Danger Remains High
December 17, 2014
Officials with the Florida Forest Service’s Blackwater Forestry Center – serving Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties – are warning residents of the local wildfire danger level.
Dry weather has led to an increase in local wildfires, with the Florida Forest Service responding to at least a dozen fires in the past week. Until substantial precipitation is received, officials said the potential for fire ignition and spread will remain high.
With the increase in wildfires comes an increase in the likelihood drivers could encounter smoke on the road. Here are some tips:
DRIVE WITH LIGHTS on low beam. High beams will only be reflected back off the fog and actually impair visibility even more. Your lights help other drivers see your vehicle, so be sure they all work. Keep your windshield and headlights clean, to reduce the glare and increase visibility.
SLOW DOWN – and watch your speedometer – before you enter a patch of fog. Be sure that you can stop within the distance that you can see. Fog creates a visual illusion of slow motion when you may actually be speeding. Speed is a major factor in fog-related crashes.
WATCH OUT for slow-moving and parked vehicles. Listen for traffic you cannot see. Open your window a little, to hear better.
REDUCE THE DISTRACTIONS in your vehicle. Turn off the radio and cell phone. Your full attention is required.
USE WIPERS AND DEFROSTERS liberally for maximum visibility. Sometimes it is difficult to determine if poor visibility is due to fog or moisture on the windshield.
USE THE RIGHT EDGE of the road or painted road markings as a guide.
BE PATIENT. Avoid passing and/or changing lanes.
SIGNAL TURNS well in advance and brake early as you approach a stop.
DO NOT STOP on a freeway or heavily traveled road. You could become the first link in a chain-reaction collision. If you must pull off the road, signal (people tend to follow tail lights when driving in fog), then carefully pull off as far as possible. After pulling off the road, turn on your hazard flashers (hazard lights should only be used when you pull over to show that you are parked on the side of the road). Move away from the vehicle.
Byrneville Students In Grades 3-5 Present Christmas Musical (With Gallery)
December 17, 2014
Byrneville Elementary School students in grades 3-5 presented their Christmas program – “Twinkle & Shine! A Musical That Celebrates the Light at the Top of the Tree” – Tuesday night at Northview High School.
For a photo gallery, click here.
For story and photos from Monday night’s grade K-2 performance, click here.
Photo by Raja Atallah for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Health Department Lifts Mosquito Borne Illness Alert
December 17, 2014
A mosquito-borne illness alert that was issued back in August for Escambia County has been lifted, the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County announced Tuesday.
Although mosquito-borne illnesses are less common in the winter months, the health department still urges local residents to “Drain and Cover” to protect against being bitten by mosquitoes:
Drain standing water.
- Drain water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flower pots or any other containers where sprinkler or rain water has collected. Water held in open containers in your house is also a potential breeding location for mosquitoes.
- Discard old tires, bottles, pots, broken appliances and other items that aren’t being used.
- Empty and clean birdbaths and pets’ water bowls at least twice a week.
- When protecting boats and vehicles from rain, ensure that tarps don’t accumulate water.
- Maintain swimming pools in good condition and keep them adequately chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.
Cover skin with clothing or repellent and cover doors and windows.
- Clothing – Wear shoes, socks, long pants and long sleeves when mosquitoes are most prevalent.
- Use repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535.
- Always use repellents according to the label. Using too much repellent doesn’t make it work better or last longer.
- Re-apply mosquito repellent as often as needed to prevent mosquito landings and bites.
- When using repellent on children, apply to your hands first and then rub on their arms and legs.
- Instead of repellent, use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months old.
- Place screens on windows, doors, porches, and patios. Always repair broken screens.
For more information contact the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County at (850) 595-6700 or visit www.EscambiaHealth.com.