Saturday Is License Free Fishing Day In Florida
December 26, 2013
This Saturday will be the last freshwater license-free fishing day in Florida for 2013.
Governor Scott said, “With families already together for the holidays, this will be a great opportunity for loved ones to head to Florida’s freshwater bodies and try out those new rod and reels they got during the holiday season. These license free fishing days are a great way to promote the Sunshine State, while supporting our communities that rely on fishing.”
According to the American Sportfishing Association, Florida had 1.2 million non-resident anglers visit the Sunshine State in 2011, the next highest state was Michigan with 347,029 visiting anglers.
Although no fishing license is required, all other fishing and boating rules and regulations still apply.
Beginning in 2014, there will be eight license-free fishing days that will fall on the same weekend days from year to year. This will allow anglers to plan fishing trips in advance and businesses and nonprofit groups to create events around these fishing license holidays.
Nominate North Escambia Persons Of The Year
December 26, 2013
NorthEscambia.com will honor several North Escambia residents as North Escambia Persons of the Year as 2013 comes to a close, and we need your help.
We are asking our readers to nominate individuals that they believe made a difference in North Escambia during 2013. We will choose several of them to be named as a 2013 North Escambia Person of the Year. The awards are our way of saying thanks to those that have worked to improve our lives in the North Escambia area during the past year.
We are not necessarily looking for a person with a long list of accomplishments. We are looking for people that have given of themselves — often quietly — to help others and the communities of North Escambia during the past year.
To nominate someone, please email their name, contact information (if known), and the reason why you believe they should be a Person of the Year. The person must either be a resident of North Escambia, work in North Escambia or otherwise have significantly impacted North Escambia in some way. For the purposes of this award, we will define North Escambia as being Cantonment north to the Alabama line in Escambia County, Florida
Entries should be emailed to news@northescambia.com by Saturday, December 28. We need your email and phone number just in case we have questions, but your name and contact information will not be published.
Please make your nominations by email; do not use the story comment form below.
The 2013 North Escambia Persons of the Year will be named next year.
Stamps Going Up To 49 Cents
December 26, 2013
The Postal Service is raising the price of a first class stamp by 3 cents to 49 cents as of January 26, a move approved Tuesday.
It’s a temporary rate hike, up to two years, aimed at helping the post office recover from decreased mail volume brought on by the economic downturn that began in 2008. The postal service needs to recoup $2.8 billion in losses.
Forever stamps, good for first class postage regardless of the future rate, can be purchased at 46 cents until January 25.
Salvation Army’s Kettles Help Hundreds In Escambia, Santa Rosa
December 26, 2013
The Salvation Army of Pensacola ended the season just a little short in those little red red kettles this year, but they were still able to help hundreds of local families in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Over 400 families received food, clothing and other needs. At last report on Christmas Eve, the Salvation Army of Pensacola was about $20,000 away from their $300,000 goal for the season.
Pictured: A Salvation Army red kettle outside Cordova Mall. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Teen Charged With Murdering His Mother
December 25, 2013
A 17-year old has been arrested in Santa Rosa County for the Christmas Eve murder of his mother.
William Brandon Aydelott is charged with the murder of his mother, Sharon Lynn Aydelott, who was found dead Tuesday night .
Investigators said William Aydelott had been arguing with his mother for some period of time before stabbing her several times with kitchen knives and striking her with a baseball bat. Sharon Aydelott succumbed to her wounds at her Gulf Breeze home.
William Aydelott fled the scene and was located by deputies about three hours later at a nearby residence. Deputies surrounded the home, and he surrendered without incident.
Invesigators said the suspect was taken to the Santa Rosa County Jail where he confessed to the murder. He is being held without bond.
A Look Back: Century Christmas In The 1930’s
December 25, 2013
Here’s a look back at Christmas past for the Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company and what is now Century.
In the top photo, Mr. James H. Jones is seen giving out presents to Alger-Sullivan Lumber Co. employee children in the 1930’s. By the 1940’s, this practice had been discontinued, but Mr. Hauss always sent some families a tin of dates from California. The company always seemed to be interested in keeping families together and satisfied, although when it came to the job, it was hard-nosed about making sure the workers gave a day’s work for a day’s pay.
The picture below depicts a scene in December 1936 from one of the logging camps in the woods where races were mixed on the job, despite the attitude towards segregation. Here you see two of the bosses, Fred Gilmore and Mr. Luke Earl (with glasses), a somewhat beloved woods foreman, and a group of workers and children observing Santa Claus as he holds a little boy at their Christmas gathering. Several of the children are clutching their little bags of goodies, probably candy and some trinkets, that Santa had passed out earlier. It’s not know what purpose the wash pot, if any, played in the festivities.
Photos courtesy the Alger-Sullivan Historical Society (top) and Photo by Fischer (bottom) for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
A Look Back: Ernest Ward High School Christmas Past
December 25, 2013
Here’s a look back at Christmas past at Ernest Ward High School, with a peek into the pages of the 1955, 1971 and 1988 yearbooks. Click any of the images to enlarge.
Below: The 1955 Christmas Pageant at Ernest Ward High School.
Below: “In Celebration of Christmas”, 1988, Ernest Ward High School.
Below: “Christmas Present And Future”, 1988, Ernest Ward High School.
Below: Christmas 1971, Ernest Ward High School.
Special thanks to Sherri Stallworth and Delaney Reynolds, EWMS Yearbook staff, for their research in finding these photos. Photos courtesy Ernest Ward Middle School for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Merry Christmas! The Story Of The Greatest Gift Of All
December 25, 2013
Today’s lead story on NorthEscambia.com is a story that happened over 2,000 years ago today — the birth of a boy child.
It is story that was first delivered by an angelic choir. It was the news that changed the world…a Savior had been born in a little town called Bethlehem. It was a humble scene. A little baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
It was the world’s first ever Christmas gift on that very first Christmas morning, the gift of a Savior with the promise of eternal life.
It’s good news for all of us on this Christmas. Good news that Emmanuel, the Lord Jesus, was born. It’s story that was reported by Luke in the New Testament. It’s reprinted below for you to read, and for you to share the Good News with someone you care about this Christmas.
From our NorthEscambia.com family to you and yours, Merry Christmas!
- And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
- (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
- And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
- And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
- To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
- And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
- And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
- And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
- And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
- And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
- For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
- And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
- And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
- Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
- And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
- And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
- And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
- And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
- But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
- And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Escambia Woman Dies Aftering Being Backed Over At Walmart
December 25, 2013
An elderly Escambia County woman has died after being backed over in a Walmart parking lot.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Tuesday that 88-year old Virginia M. Abercrombie passed away December 20 at Joyce Goldenberg Covenant Hospice from injuries she received in the parking lot of the Mobile Highway Walmart on December 11.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 83-year old Matilda R. Townsend of Pensacola was backing up for a parking space when she failed to observe 38-Susan A. Wilson of Loxley in a 1991 Pontiac Sunbird behind her. Wilson began backing up to avoid being struck by Townsend.
The FHP said Wilson failed to notice Abercrombie and struck her.
Charges are pending the outcome of a FHP traffic homicide investigation.
Jeff Miller’s Christmas Message
December 25, 2013
The holiday season is a joyous time of year for millions of Americans across the country. As we celebrate Christmas this week, basking in the glow of our Christmas lights and opening the presents nestled under our Christmas trees, let us also take time to reflect on the true reason for the Christmas season: celebrating that first miraculous Christmas 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem. And whether or not you and your family celebrate Christmas, it is important to recognize the freedom of religion provided by our First Amendment and allow Christmas traditions for those who celebrate it.
As Christians, we celebrate Christmas as the day to mark the birth of Jesus Christ. But sometimes we can forget the meaning of Christmas by becoming too caught up in decorating or gift-giving. But the act of gift-giving is rooted in our religious tradition, as we read in Ephesians 4:7-8 “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” And this spirit of giving can be extended beyond family and friends to reach those in need of a little help in our local community to bring Christmas cheer to everyone.
And for lawmakers in Washington, it is all too easy to overlook the significance of Christmas during legislative sessions. That is why I am proud to cosponsor legislation this year to express the sense of the House of Representatives that the symbols and traditions of Christmas should be protected for those who celebrate Christmas. This legislation reiterates that Christmas is a National Holiday and makes clear that the Founding Fathers wrote the First Amendment to protect Americans rights to practice the religion of their choosing from intrusion by the federal government, not to prohibit the public display of religion or the celebration of Christmas.
For centuries Americans of all faiths have come together to seek the American Dream of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness through the free exercise of religion. Like those who participated in the first Christmas, we look to a higher light for guidance and give thanks for the many blessings He has bestowed on us and this great Nation, and we pray that these blessings continue.
To all those in Northwest Florida I wish you and your family a Happy Holiday, Happy Hanukkah, and of course, a Merry Christmas!