ECUA Conducting Smoke Testing In Cantonment Area
November 5, 2013
Smoke testing for sewer system leak detection in the Cantonment area south of Muscogee Road began Monday morning.
ECUA’s consultant performing the work, Constantine Engineering, Inc., has previously notified the property owners in the area and the appropriate emergency response agencies. The smoke testing should take approximately two weeks to complete.
The smoke testing in Cantonment started Monday morning on the eastern side of the area depicted on the map and will work towards the west. Monday’s testing included the Ransom and Griggs street areas.
Pictured: Smoke testing area in Cantonment, click to enlarge.
Valentino Pre-files To Run Again For Escambia Commission
November 5, 2013
Incumbent Gene Valentino pre-filed Monday to run for Escambia County Commission District 2 in the 2014 election.
Valentino was elected to the commission in 2006 and 2010 after running unsuccessfully for the seat back in 2002.
A democrat, Ray Guillory, pre-filed to run for the seat on July 1.
Southwest Airlines Arrives In Pensacola
November 5, 2013
Southwest Airlines launched service this weekend from Pensacola International Airport, creating more options for Northwest Florida and Southeast Alabama air travelers. The conversion of the Dallas-based carrier’s service from wholly owned subsidiary AirTran Airways also marks the final phase in the integration of the two airlines’ domestic networks.
Southwest Airlines now offers twice daily nonstop service between Pensacola and Nashville and daily nonstop service between the airport and Houston Hobby, with additional same-plane or connecting service to nearly 70 total destinations served by Southwest Airlines’ all-Boeing 737 fleet.
On Monday the first weekday arrival of a Southwest jet was followed by a celebration and news conference in the departing gate area.
“This weekend’s conversion from AirTran to Southwest service brings bigger planes, with more than three thousand seats in and out of Northwest Florida every week,” said Bob Montgomery, Southwest Airlines vice president of Airport Affairs. “And we’re increasing by nearly half the number of places that our Pensacola Customers may travel to and from with the Southwest network. We are honored to continue the AirTran’s history of quality, low-fare service here.”
“Pensacola International Airport is one of the city’s greatest economic development engines,” said Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward. “In addition to The Airport Commerce Park ramping up, we are thrilled to welcome Southwest Airlines to Pensacola. Southwest’s presence expands Pensacola International Airport’s routes through Houston and Nashville, making Pensacola more accessible to business and tourists across the nation. Together, we are competing and winning.”
Pictured top: Southwest Airline’s first weekday flight arrives at Pensacola International Airport Monday. Pictures inset: Southwest’s terminal inside the airport. Pictured below: Water cannons welcome the flight to Pensacola. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Injured In Highway 29, Highway 97 Crash
November 5, 2013
One person was injured in a single vehicle crash Monday at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino.
Three people were in a Suzuki SX4 that crashed into a culvert just before 10:30 p.m. One person was transported to an area hospital by ambulance, while two people refused treatment at the scene.
Exactly how the crash occurred remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details have not been released. The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Veterans Day Programs Planned Across Area
November 5, 2013
Special Veterans Day programs are planned for next week at Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill and at the Veterans Wall in Century.
Jay High School Veterans Program
Jay High School’s SGA is inviting all local veterans and active duty personnel Wednesday for doughnuts and coffee in the Media Center at 10:00, to an assembly at 10:30 in the auditorium, and to free lunch in the cafeteria at 11:30. Matt Dobson will be the keynote speaker. Please come and allow us the chance to say “Thanks”.
Ernest Ward Veterans Program
The Ernest Ward Middle School Annual Veterans Day Program will be held Thursday, November 7, at 9:30 am. All the veterans in the community are invited. The program will include patriotic music, dance, and presentations. The guest speaker will be Robert Doss from the Escambia County School District. Refreshments will be served following the program. The program will be held in the school gym, with parking behind the gym due to construction.
Molino Park Elementary School
Molino Park Elementary School’s “Melodic Minors” will present “Of Thee I Sing.” Performance time is 6:00 p.m.; the event will be held in the school’s cafeteria.
Northview High School Veterans Program
Northview High School will have its annual Veterans Day program on Friday, November 8 in the school’s theater. There will be two programs with the first program starting at 9:35 a.m. The second program will start shortly after the completion of the first program at approximately 10:30 a.m.
The guest speaker will be Mr. Gary Welch, an Army Veteran who served in Vietnam. He is also a retired teacher from Northview High School.
Century Veterans Celebration
The Town of Century will hold a veterans celebration on Friday, November 8 at 10 a.m. The program will be held at the Veterans Wall in the Nadine McCaw Park on Highway 29. Seating will be provided. Guest speaker will be Congressman Jeff Miller.
Bratt Elementary Veterans Program
Bratt Elementary School will hold a Veterans Day Program on Friday, November 8 at 1 p.m.
Northview Quarterback Club Meets Tonight
November 5, 2013
The next meeting of the Northview High School Quarterback Club is tonight at 6:30 in the Northview Media Center. All current and prospective members are encouraged to attend.
Families can support the Chiefs by joining the Quarterback Club for just $10 per family per year. All of the proceeds go directly to help the school, the football program and the students.
Two Injured In NAS Pensacola Plane Crash
November 4, 2013
Two people were injured in a T-45 training aircraft accident Monday morning at Sherman Field aboard NAS Pensacola.
At about 10:30 a.m. today, a U.S. Navy T-45C Goshawk aircraft crashed at the approach end of a runwy. The two-seat training aircraft, assigned to Training Squadron 86, was conducting a routine training flight.
The two injured were transported to Baptist Hospital, including one by LifeFlight helicopter. An updated on their conditions was available. There were no other injuries reported.
The cause of the incident is under investigation.
Lost Burglar Gets Probation For Indecent Exposure
November 4, 2013
An allegedly drunk and lost Atmore man who thought the best way to get home was to get the police by dropping his pants has been sentenced in Escambia County, Fla.
Corey Nicolas Smith, age 23 of 21st Avenue, was originally charged with felony attempted burglary of a residence, felony attempted burglary of a conveyance and indecent exposure by the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office. All of the charges were dropped, except the indecent exposure charge.
Smith was convicted of indecent exposure and sentenced by Judge Michael Alle to 12 months probation and ordered to stay away from the victim.
Deputies responding to a reported vehicle burglary in the Warrington area back in June found Smith exposing himself “in a vulgar and indecent manner”, according to an arrest report. The arresting deputy placed Smith in his patrol vehicle and “he stated he was drunk and did not know how to get home so he decided the best way was to get law enforcement by exposing himself to the …female in the vehicle,” the deputy wrote in his report.
Smith has previously tried to enter an apartment. The two occupants of the apartment exited to their vehicle. Smith tried to open the door of the vehicle but could not. He then pulled down his pants, exposed himself and began to perform a sexual act that was partially witnessed by law enforcement, the arrest report states.
Peanut Butter Drive Continues
November 4, 2013
The Escambia County Extension office, the University of Florida Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), the EscaRosa Young Farmers and Ranchers and the Florida Peanut Producer Association are collecting peanut butter now through mid-November to help take a bite out of hunger.
The groups are accepting donations of unopened jars of peanut butter to be donated to local food pantries during Farm-City Week.
“Let’s keep children eating locally grown peanuts in healthy, nutritious, and yummy peanut butter,” is a slogan being promoted for the drive. The extension service said the average child will eat 1,500 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches before graduating high school.
Unopened jars of peanut butter of any brand can be dropped off until November 15 at any of the following locations:
- Escambia County Extension office, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- Escambia Farm Bureau, 153 Highway 97, Molino
- Escambia County Public Safety, 6575 North W Street, Pensacola
- Escambia County Community & Environment Dept. 223 Palafox Place, 3rd Floor, Pensacola
- Gilmore Services, 31 East Fairfield Drive, Pensacola
For more information contact Escambia County Extension at (850) 475-5230.
Pictured top: Local peanut grower Rodney Helton and his granddaughters. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Three Escambia Students Awarded Prestigous American FFA Degree
November 4, 2013
Three Escambia County students have been awarded the American FFA Degree, which is awarded to FFA members who have demonstrated the highest level of commitment to FFA. The award is presented after the FFA member graduates from high school.
Northview High School FFA graduate Lydia Weaver accepted her degree on stage during the annual National FFA Convention Saturday morning in Louisville, KY. West Florida High School FFA graduates Jake Scott and Justin Ryan Hall were also awarded the American FFA Degree but did not attend the convention.
Less than half of one percent of all FFA members receive the American FFA Degree, making it one of the organization’s highest honors. The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 579,678 student members in grades seven through 12 who belong to one of 7,570 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
Pictured: Northview High School FFA graduate Lydia Weaver accepts her American FFA degree on stage during the annual National FFA Convention Saturday morning in Louisville, KY. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.