Great American Smoke Out; Tobacco Free Florida Can Help
November 20, 2014
Thursday was the Great American Smokeout, and the Florida Department of Health’s Tobacco Free Florida program is encouraging tobacco users across the state to quit or at least make a quit plan.
The Great American Smokeout, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, is currently in its 39th year. The observance raises awareness about the dangers of smoking and the many effective resources available to successfully quit.
“Though the prevalence of adult and youth smoking in Florida continues to decline we must remain vigilant in our efforts to help Floridians end their use of cigarette products,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. “When you make the decision to quit you are taking a step in the right direction to improve health for yourself, your loved ones and your community.”
While quitting tobacco is difficult, it is not impossible. There are more former smokers in Florida than there are current smokers.[i] Those who have tried to quit in the past but relapsed are encouraged to try again. Many former smokers make several attempts before quitting permanently.
Tobacco Free Florida offers three “free and easy” ways to quit using tobacco:
- CALL: Call the Florida Quitline at 1-877-U-CAN-NOW to speak with a Quit Coach who will help assess a user’s addiction and help create a personalized quit plan.
- CLICK: Enroll in the Web Coach which will help to create a web-based quit plan unique to each individual user, visit https://www.quitnow.net/florida.
- COME IN: Visit AHEC’s website, http://ahectobacco.com, to locate a local AHEC and sign up for Quit Smoking Now group classes.
The Department’s Tobacco Free Florida campaign is a statewide cessation and prevention campaign funded by Florida’s tobacco settlement fund. Tobacco users interested in quitting are encouraged to use one of the state’s three ways to quit. Since 2007, more than 93,400 Floridians have successfully quit using one of these free services.
Staged Reading: ‘The Things They Carried’
November 20, 2014
The Pensacola Little Theatre presented a staged reading of Tim O’Brien’s “The Things They Carried”, a novel about the lasting impact of the Vietnam War, for Northview juniors and seniors Wednesday morning.
The program was presented in association with The Big Read Grant,a program of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to revitalize the role of reading in American culture by exposing citizens to great works of literature and encouraging them to read for pleasure.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
No Serious Injuries When Car Strikes Brick Home
November 19, 2014
There were no serious injuries reported when a car struck a house Wednesday afternoon in the 2300 block of Old Chemstrand Road. There did not appear to be any structural damage to the house, just damage to the exterior brick. The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Century Gas Leak Repair Project Nearing Completion
November 19, 2014
Work will be completed soon on a leaking section of natural gas pipe under Highway 29 in Century, three and a half years since the leak was publicly revealed as a “major public safety issue”.
The included large pipes bored under Highway 29 that will connect a new 4-inch pipe on west side of Highway 29 with a new 2-inch pipe to be installed on the east side of the highway, eliminating the need to install individual service lines under the road to service natural gas customers. Pipes were installed where existing easements exist or were obtained at no cost, otherwise, it was installed under existing sidewalks.
R.A.W. Construction, LLC of Tallahassee is working to install the new natural gas lines along the right-of-way of Highway 29 (North Century Boulevard) from about McCurdy Lane to West Highway 4 near the courthouse. R.A.W. Construction will complete their portion of the project in the next couple of weeks, according to Mayor Freddie McCall. Then city employees will complete the addition of individual taps and service lines.
McCall praised the work done to date by R.A.W., and also applauded the company for hiring local workers to assist with the $393,500 project.
Pictured: Gas line replacement work recently at North Century Boulevard at West Highway 4. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Nightly Lane Closures Planned For Nine Mile Road
November 19, 2014
East and westbound traffic on Nine Mile Road between the Escambia River Bridge and Scenic Highway in Escambia County will encounter nightly lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Wednesday November 19 through Tuesday, November 25 as crews reconstruct the roadway to its original traffic pattern.
Drivers can expect nighttime lane restrictions, narrowed travel lanes and a reduced speed limit; however, all lanes will be maintained during construction. Motorists are reminded to use caution and to obey the posted speed limit when traveling through the work zone by the Florida Department of Transporation.
Planned construction activities are weather dependent and may be re-scheduled.
Century Hires Wastewater Superintendent
November 19, 2014
About two months ago, the Town of Century announced it was in desperate need for waterwater treatment facility operator in order to fulfill state requirements.
And now that new operator has been hired. April Conatser holds dual certifications in wastewater and water and was recommended for the job of wastewater treatment superintendent by Mayor Freddie McCall. Her hiring was approved by the town council.
File photo.
Friday Is Deadline For Farmers, Ranchers To Apply For EQIP Funds
November 19, 2014
Florida farmers and ranchers can apply through Friday for financial assistance in fiscal year 2015 through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to improve soil, water, air, plants, animals and related resources.
Through EQIP, the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) develops contracts with agricultural producers to help plan and implement conservation practices that address natural resource concerns. Eligible land includes cropland, rangeland, pastureland, private non-industrial forestland and other farm or ranch lands. The application process for conservation programs is continuous, but funding selections are typically made once a year.
For more information, contact the Molino Field Office at (850) 587-5404 ext. 3, visit the office at 151 Highway 97 in Molino, or click here.
Gulf Power To Join Ascend, IP In Funding For Escambia County Mass Notification System
November 19, 2014
Gulf Power has joined other local companies and governmental agencies in contributing to the purchase of an emergency notification system.
As NorthEscambia.com reported last month, Escambia County’s EMA has found it necessary to replace its current mass notification system that allows it to communicate with the public and other agencies and entities during emergencies. The Escambia County Commission approved the system subscription last month with funding from Escambia County Emergency Management, the Escambia County Health Department, ECUA, International Paper and Ascend Performance Materials
After the initial agreement was approved and executed, Gulf Power Company agreed to provide equal funding for the purchase of the subscription.
The agencies and companies will purchase of a new internet-based mass notification system subscription at a total cost of $67,375 for a July 1 to June 30 period. Each party will contribute equally toward the annual subscription price.
The first subscription year will be prorated for eight months from November 1 to June 30, with each party contributing $7,486.00. Next year’s annual subscription will cost each party $11,229.16.
Escambia County will utilize federal grant funds to pay for its share of the total subscription cost.
The Escambia County Commission is expected to approve Gulf Power’s participation at their upcoming meeting on Thursday.
Health Department, UWF ‘AIM’ To Reduce Escambia Infant Mortality
November 19, 2014
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County and the University of West Florida are working to reduce infant mortality in Escambia County.
Attack Infant Mortality (AIM) Escambia is a collaboration of the health department, UWF, and other community agencies dedicated to infant health. AIM Escambia’s primary objective is to reduce the rate of infant mortality in Escambia County, Florida.
An infant mortality occurs when a child dies before his or her first birthday. The infant mortality rate for 2011-2013 in Escambia County, Florida was 7.6 per 1,000 live births, which was above the state average.
Parental health, especially the mother’s health, affects the health of children in gestation and in infancy. AIM Escambia uses peer educators to encourage young adults to adopt lifestyle habits known to impact health in pregnancy and infancy. According to UWF Assistant Professor and AIM Escambia Program Manager, Dr. Erica Jordan, “If we truly want to save the lives of young infants, then we must begin long before they are actually conceived. Increasing healthy behaviors among young adults before they begin families will lead to healthier pregnancies and healthier infants.”
FDOH-Escambia Director, Dr. John Lanza agrees: “A mother’s health before pregnancy predicts later infant health. Healthier communities include healthier mothers who, in turn, have healthier infants.”
Both men and women are encouraged to become peer educators. Interested community members can learn more about volunteering at www.aimescambia.com or by visiting AIM Escambia on Facebook or Twitter.
Just Nuts: Bratt Elementary Students Learn About Peanuts, Nutrition
November 19, 2014
Students at Bratt Elementary School learned about peanuts, farming and nutrition Tuesday morning during an Escambia Count Extension program. Pictured above: Local farmer Scott Walker shares his story about growing peanuts with Bratt Elementary School third graders. Pictured below: Making homemade peanut butter. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
