Downtown Pensacola Goes Blue For Child Abuse Prevention Month
April 1, 2014
Blue bows are up along Palafox Street in downtown to raise awareness for Child Abuse Prevention month.
“The ‘From Blue to Better’ campaign takes place every April to raise awareness about child abuse prevention and to promote the fact that we all have a role to play in protecting children,” said Stacey Kostevicki, executive director of Gulf Coast Kid’s House. “Our hope is that these bows serve as a daily reminder of our obligation to children in our community.”
“From Blue to Better” is a month-long series of events for Child Abuse Prevention Month in April. Launched by local child and family service agencies, the campaign uses the color to highlight child abuse awareness and prevention during the month of April.
The campaign also emphasizes that it is everyone’s job to keep children safe.
Local residents and visitors will see blue events popping up around town throughout April, including the painting of the 17th Avenue “Graffiti Bridge”.
Firefighters Battle Pasture Fire
March 31, 2014
Firefighters from several departments battled a pasture fire north of McDavid Monday afternoon.
The fire on Dawson Road, just east of Highway 29, was reported just after 4 p.m. The fire burned about 15 acres of mostly pasture land. The first fire units on scene did work to keep the blaze away from a mobile home and six to seven vehicles that were threatened.
The cause of the fire was not immediately available.
The McDavid and Century stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Flomaton Fire Department responded to the fire. There were no injuries reported.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
NHS Cadet Wright Award Air Force Four Year ROTC Scholarship
March 31, 2014
Northview High School NJROTC Cadet Victoria Wright has been awarded the Air Force’s four-year Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) college scholarship. Wright has been a member and leader in the NJROTC unit at Northview for four years. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Turn Lane Constructon Begins This Week On Nine Mile At Louise Avenue
March 31, 2014
Construction of a westbound left lane from Nine Mile Road onto Louise Avenue (across from Winn Dixie) in Escambia County will begin the week of March 31.
During construction the travel lanes will be reduced to ten feet through the area. Turn lane construction is anticipated to take approximately one month to complete.
Construction activities may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Motorists are reminded to travel with care through the work zone and to watch for construction equipment and workers entering and exiting the roadway.
Prayer And WD-40: Hattie Schneider Celebrates 105th Birthday
March 31, 2014
Hattie Schneider of Molino is celebrated her 105th birthday Monday.
She gives credit for her long life to “prayer and WD-40″. Hattie says she is not sure why she has lived so long or what God’s purpose is for her, but she has trust in the Lord.
She has one son, Carlton Abbott, two grandchildren, and many great and great-great grandchildren. Her family and friends said they thank God everyday for blessing them with her, and she is a true inspiration to everyone.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bratt Road Resurfacing Project Underway
March 31, 2014
Work is underway to prepare for the paving of a ortion of Bratt Road from North Pine Barren Road to West Highway 4. A section of Bratt Road was recently surfaced east of North Pine Barren Road. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Early Morning Fire Destroys Cantonment Mobile Home
March 30, 2014
An early Sunday morning fire destroyed an unoccupied mobile home.
The fire was reported at 2:25 a.m. in the 400 block of Garmo. Road, off Becks Lake Road. The mobile home was mostly involved when the first firefighters arrived on scene. Neighbors told firefighters that no one was currently living in the trailer.
Firefighters were hampered by the physical location of the trailer in fighting the fire; it was located down a long narrow driveway that was inaccessible to large fire trucks.
There were no injuries reported; the cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Vietnam Veterans Get Long Overdue ‘Welcome Home’ (With Gallery)
March 30, 2014
It was a tearful welcome home Saturday for a small group of Vietnam veterans….a welcome home 40, 50 or even more years overdue.
“When I came home to California, I kissed the ground. And I looked around,” said Alabama VFW State Commander Val Obergon, pausing for a moment. “And I looked around. Nothing. There were no parades; no welcome home. Nothing.”
National Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Day is observed on March 29, the 41st anniversary of the last U.S. troops leaving Vietnam — except for the prisoners of war. Saturday, a few dozen people gathered for a ceremony sponsored by the Atmore Memorial Ladies Auxiliary to VFW Post 7016.
“I am thankful to God for this day we can be welcomed home. I have a family sitting here today. Some of the other guys represented by this flag,” Vietnam veteran Harold Askew said, standing before the POW/MIA flag, “they didn’t get that chance.”
Yellow ribbons were tied to trees around Atmore’s Heritage Park for the event which included the patriotic music, food and fanfare of a welcome home ceremony most of the Vietnam veterans in attendance had never received.
“It was a special thank you and tribute to those that came back,” Vietnam veteran Mike Hanks said. “It’s something that was long overdue.”
“Those that served in the Vietnam War are deserving of our country’s praise,” Alabama Rep. Alan Baker said in an address to the group. “They are our unsung heroes.”
Baker ended his speech in the crowd, with a personal “thank you” and a hug for each veteran. “No sir,” the state representative said to an elderly veteran who struggled in an unsuccessful attempt to rise from his chair. “I’ll come down there to you.”
The ceremony concluded with VFW Ladies Auxiliary members giving each Vietnam Veteran a gift and a hug — and sometimes a quick kiss on the cheek — to thank them for their service. It was a scene reminiscent of a welcome home ceremony that has played itself out over and over for other American wars.
And tears that were decades overdue fell from the eyes of several veterans as they were finally welcomed home.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: Veterans are welcomed home during national Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Day Saturday in Atmore. Pictured top inset: Vietnam Veteran Harold Askew remembers the prisoners of war that never returned from Vietnam. Pictured bottom inset: Alabama Rep. Alan Baker leans down to hug a veteran that struggled unsuccessfully to rise from his chair. Pictured below: A yellow ribbon tied around an oak tree welcomed the Vietnam veterans home. Pictured bottom: Several of the Vietnam veterans in attendance at Saturday’s event. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Play Ball! Opening Day For Molino Ballpark (With Photo Gallery)
March 30, 2014
Saturday was Opening Day for Molino Recreation Association and the Molino Ballpark.
For photo galleries, click the links below:
For an Opening Day ceremonies photo gallery, click here.
For photos from select Opening Day games, click here.
Pictured above and below: Opening Day action at Molino Ballpark. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Court: Prison Guards Can Use ‘Stand Your Ground’
March 30, 2014
An appeals court Friday ruled that a correctional officer can use the state’s controversial “stand your ground” law in a case stemming from an altercation with an inmate.
A three-judge panel of the 5th District Court of Appeal sided with correctional officer Brad Heilman, who was charged with aggravated battery after an inmate was injured in an incident at Lake Correctional Institution.
A circuit judge found that Heilman could not use the “stand your ground” law in defense because of another state law that deals with circumstances when correctional officers can use force. But Friday’s seven-page opinion, written by appeals-court Judge Thomas Sawaya and joined by judges William Palmer and Wendy Berger, concluded that the Legislature intended for the “stand your ground” law to apply to correctional officers and sent the case back to circuit court.
The “stand your ground” law says people can use deadly force and do not have a duty to retreat if they think it is necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm. The law offers criminal and civil immunity in such cases.