Smoke From Smoldering Fire Near Ransom Middle Fills Cantonment Neighborhoods
December 15, 2014
Smoke filled several Cantonment neighborhoods overnight in the Ransom Middle School area. The smoke was from a smoldering field fire that was contained Sunday afternoon.
Firefighters were called to the field behind Ransom Middle School about 2:30 Sunday afternoon and declared that the fire was contained by 3:10 p.m. The fire consumed about 10 acres of land and involved about 30-40 large bales of hay. There were no structures involved or damaged.
The bales of hay continued to smolder into the night, producing a lot of smoke and visibility problems in the Kingsfield Road area.
Shortly before 11 p.m. Sunday, a check on the area by Escambia Fire Rescue found that the smoldering areas and burning hay bales were still well within a fire line that was plowed earlier in the day by the Florida Forest Service. The fire posed no danger of escaping the fire line.
Officials were expected to monitor the fire site throughout overnight hours.
Santa To Visit Local Library Branches This Week
December 15, 2014
Santa Claus is planning several upcoming stops at local West Florida Library branches this week across Escambia County:
Pajama Story Time With Santa — Molino Branch
- Monday, December 15, 6 p.m. – Wear your cozy pajamas, bring your blankets and join us for caroling, Christmas stories, milk and cookies and a visit from Santa himself. This will be a great photo opportunity, so parents, be sure to bring your cameras.
Santa Visits Story Time – Southwest Branch
- Tuesday, December 16, 10:30 a.m. –Santa and Mrs. Claus will sing Jingle Bells, pose for photos and greet each child. (recommended for preschool age children)
Little Santa’s Holiday Party – Main Library
- Tuesday, December 16, 6 p.m. – Ever wonder how Santa Claus came to be? Children will decorate a holiday cookie, enjoy carols with the Pensacola Choral Society and learn the backstory of the jolly ol’ elf from the man himself.
Meet Santa and Sing Carols – Tyron Branch
- Thursday, December 18, 4 p.m. –Meet Santa, sing carols and enjoy holiday treats.
Christmas With Santa – Century Branch
- Thursday, December 18, 6 p.m. – Enjoy a story, cookies and a visit with Santa Claus. Each child will receive a gift from Santa.
Local Students Place In Sub-District I FFA Competition
December 15, 2014
FFA members from three counties recently took part in the 2014 Sub-District I FFA Competition at Heritage Baptist Church in Cantonment.
Students can explore numerous career fields within agriculture by participating in Career Development Events known as CDEs, which focus on student success. Students spend many hours training for competition and receive assistance from their advisor, industry partners, alumni, and community stakeholders.
Results from the event were as follows:
High School Results
Prepared Public Speaking
- Mitchell Singleton – Northview FFA (Escambia)
- Sara Herrington – West Florida FFA (Escambia)
- Zach Rutherford – Central FFA (Santa Rosa)
Extemporaneous Speaking
- Tiffani Cruce – Northview FFA (Escambia)
- Erica Waters – Central FFA (Santa Rosa)
Creed Speaking
- Emalie Sharpe – West Florida FFA (Escambia)
- Rosemary Smyth – Tate FFA (Escambia)
- Emma Fennell – Ernest Ward FFA (Escambia)
Tractor Operation and Maintenance
- Forrest Gibbs – Tate FFA (Escambia)
- Joseph Roberts – Jay FFA (Santa Rosa)
- Zach Rutherford – Central FFA (Santa Rosa)
Parliamentary Procedure
- Jay FFA (Santa Rosa)
- West Florida FFA (Escambia)
- Tate (Escambia)
Middle School Results
Prepared Public Speaking
- Lindsey Casey – Beulah FFA (Escambia)
- Olivia Key – Central FFA (Santa Rosa)
Extemporaneous Speaking
- Gabe Pfeuffer-Ferguson – Beulah FFA (Escambia)
- Kylie Schwarz – Central FFA (Santa Rosa)
Opening and Closing Ceremony
- Jay FFA (Santa Rosa)
- Ernest Ward (Escambia)
- Beulah (Escambia)
Parliamentary Procedure
- Jay FFA (Escambia)
Winning students and chapters are now among the top in the state and will advance to the 2015 District I FFA Competition.
George Stone To Offer EMT Program Beginning In January
December 15, 2014
George Stone Technical Center has announced an the addition of an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) class beginning January 8, 2015. EMT Program Director Monica Knight and Medical Director, Dr. Chris Durant, received state credentials and final approval to start the new GSTC program from the State of Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and National Registry.
“We are excited to be working closely with Escambia County EMS and Sacred Heart Hospital on this amazing endeavor,” explained Knight.
The 10 week-long EMT program provides students with an understanding of this medical field, especially the pre-hospital setting. The students will complete a combination of classroom delivered education, along with skills training, and hands-on clinical experiences. Classes will be full-time Monday through Friday. Upon successful completion of the program, students will be eligible to take the National EMT Certification Exam.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for students in the local area. This program will prepare them for many employment opportunities with in our community,” said Thomas Rollins, Principal of George Stone Technical Center.
“EMT certification means eligibility for employment in various technical patient care fields of employment and puts students on the path to enrolling in a paramedic program, or even a firefighting program,” added Knight.
Students interested in enrolling in the EMT program should speak to a GSTC guidance counselor or Knight. The total cost for the course is between $1,200 and $1,300. The deadline to register for the first class is January 6, 2015. The next class will begin in late March. For information on the EMT program and EMS Education at George Stone Technical Center, call (850) 941-6200, ext.2177 or visit www.georgestonecenter.com.
Jay Plans Praise And Prayer Assembly At Nativity Scene
December 15, 2014
Residents of Jay and surrounding areas will hold a Praise and Prayer Assembly next Monday, December 22, at the Jay Nativity and Christmas Tree.
Called a “united community event” by organizers, the 5:30 p.m. event will feature Christmas readers, songs and prayer
After an attorney for the Wisconsin group from the Freedom From Religion Foundation sent a letter to the town claiming that a nativity display on public property is illegal, it was acquired by the Santa Rosa County Ministerial Association and moved to the corner of Commerce Street and Highway 4. [Read more...]
One Injured In Bratt Crash
December 14, 2014
One person was injured in a two vehicle crash Sunday afternoon in Bratt.
The accident involving a pickup truck and SUV occurred at the intersection of West Highway 4 and Pine Barren Road, at Northview High School.
One person from the pickup was transported to an area hospital by ambulance with a non-life threatening injury. The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Pictured: A two vehicle crash Sunday afternoon in Bratt. The red pickup had been removed from the roadway prior to this photo. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Toyz For Kidz Bike Ride Provides For Needy Kids (With Gallery)
December 14, 2014
Santa had some very special helpers Saturday as the LA Bikers rolled through Bratt, Flomaton and Atmore making sure that over 60 needy kids had presents for Christmas this year.
It was the 14th annual Toyz For Kidz Ride organized by the LA Bikers.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Dozens of children received new bicycles and helmets, clothes, shoes and lots of toys. About 100 bikers took part in the event with stops at Bratt Elementary,the Flomaton Fire Department and Atmore City Hall.
Pictured: Children received Christmas gifts from Santa Claus Saturday morning thanks to the LA Bikers Toyz For Kidz Ride. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: Thousands Attend Atmore Twilight Christmas Parade
December 14, 2014
Thousands attended the annual Atmore Twilight Christmas Parade Saturday night. The parade featured over two dozen lighted floats, twirlers, antique cars, bands, marchers, Santa Claus and more.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Two Injured In Cantonment Motorcycle, Pickup Wreck
December 14, 2014
Two people were injured in a collision involving a pickup and motorcycle Saturday night in Cantonment.
The accident happened about 7:30 p.m. on Muscogee Road at McQueen Drive, just south of Jacks Spring Road. Two people from the motorcycle were transported by ambulance to area hospitals. The motorcycle passenger, an adult female, was classified as a “trauma alert”.
The names of those involved and further details have not been released by the Florida Highway Patrol as they continue their investigation. The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the accident.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
AG Bondi: Be Wary Of Debt Collection Scams
December 14, 2014
Attorney General Pam Bondi warns Floridians to protect themselves against debt collection scams, particularly when the number appears to be from a legitimate governmental entity, such as the IRS or Attorney General’s Office. Scams where impersonators pretend to be collecting legitimate debt continue to top the number of complaints received by Attorney General Bondi’s Citizen Services Division, and there are measures Floridians can take to protect themselves.
“I encourage all Floridians who receive high-pressure calls demanding that they pay their debts immediately to use caution,” stated Attorney General Bondi. “One of the simplest ways to protect yourself from this type of scam is to say you’ll call the entity back and find its legitimate number.”
In some cases, the imposters will threaten that those who owe money will be jailed—law prohibits imprisoning those in debt. Oftentimes, the scammers will attempt to get their victims to purchase Green Dot or MoneyPak cards to pay their debts. Legitimate debt collectors will never ask for payment in this way.
Debt collectors must adhere to these laws:
- A debt collector may not contact you at work if the collector knows your employer does not approve, nor may a collector contact you at unreasonable times or places, such as before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., unless you agree.
- A debt collector is required to send you a written notice within five days after you are first contacted, telling you the amount of money you owe. The notice must also specify the name of the creditor to whom you owe the money and what action you should take if you believe you do not owe the money.
- You may stop a collector from contacting you by writing a letter to the agency telling them to stop. Once the agency receives your letter, they may not contact you again except to say there will be no further contact, or to notify you if the debt collector or the creditor intends to take some specific action.
- If you do not believe you owe the debt, you may write to the collection agency within 30 days after you are first contacted, saying you don’t owe the money. The agency may not contact you after that unless you are sent proof of the debt, such as a copy of the bill.
- A debt collector may not harass or abuse anyone. For instance, a collector may not use threats of violence against the person, property or reputation; use obscene or profane language; advertise the debt; or repeatedly or continuously make telephone calls with the intent to harass or abuse the person at the called number. In addition, debt collectors are required to accurately disclose their identities to the person at the called number.
Anyone who believes that they have been the victim of a debt collector scam should call toll-free in Florida 1-866-9-NO-SCAM or 850-414-3990. Complaints can also be filed online at MyFloridaLegal.com. When reporting this type of scam, Floridians should include the number that was used when the call was received.