Northview, Major Leaguer Caleb Gindl To Hold Baseball Clinic For Ages 9-17
October 15, 2013
Northview Baseball and Major Leaguer Caleb Gindl of the Milwaukee Brewers will present a fall baseball clinic for ages 9-17. Participants will receive on the field experience while supporting the Northview Chiefs baseball program.
The clinic will be held Saturday, November 9 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Northview baseball complex. The cost is $40 per participant. Pre-register by October 29 for a free clinic t-shirt. The number of registrations are limited.
For more information or to register, call the Northview Diamond Club at (850) 554-8594.
It’s Buffet Time For Bears; FWC Asks For Sighting Reports
October 15, 2013
In fall, the world is an all-you-can-eat buffet for Florida black bears. Programmed to pack in extra calories before winter, bears can smell food a mile away and will eat almost anything. Bears may decide an overflowing trash can is easier pickings than searching for acorns and berries.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminds the public this is a critical time of year to properly store garbage, pet food and birdseed to keep bears out of places where people live and work. During the fall, bears with big appetites are less likely to linger in neighborhoods if people don’t give them access to food.
“People can prevent problems with Florida black bears by safely securing garbage, putting out garbage cans the morning of pickup rather than the night before, and using bear-resistant garbage cans or dumpsters.” said David Telesco, the FWC’s bear management coordinator.
Surveys of Florida communities with access to bear-resistant trash cans or dumpsters show the overwhelming majority are pleased with the results.
“The FWC is committed to helping the public keep bears out of garbage and out of neighborhoods,” said Telesco. “Now, we’re asking the public to help us better understand the range of the Florida black bear in the wild.”
As bears become more active in fall, more people are also going outdoors for hunting, fishing, hiking, biking and wildlife viewing. The FWC is asking the public to report their sightings of Florida black bears or their tracks to a new web page: https://public.myfwc.com/fwri/blackbear/. Biologists are especially interested in sightings of a female bear with cubs.
The bear sightings page will help biologists update the map of where bears live in Florida. However, the Web page is only for sharing bear location information. FWC regional offices remain the places for people to call for advice on how to resolve human-bear conflicts.
The web page has the option for people to upload photos of bears or their track, but residents are advised not to approach bears to take photos of them. Black bears are generally not aggressive, but approaching them can make them defensive. Adult males typically weigh 250 to 400 pounds and can be as large as 600 pounds. Extra caution is appropriate when a mother bear and her cubs are sighted. Photos from game cameras are welcome.
“We know about prime bear habitats such as the Apalachicola National Forest, Ocala National Forest and Big Cypress National Preserve. While bear subpopulations are mainly centered on large public lands, bears also occur elsewhere, and those locations have been underreported,” said FWC bear research biologist Brian Scheick. “Our bear range data is 11 years old, and we are excited about getting the public’s help in identifying all the places where bears now live in Florida.
“What we learn from the new bear sightings Web page will inform the FWC’s efforts to document bear distribution and help with future bear management decisions,” Scheick said.
The black bear is a conservation success story in Florida, with the population growing from as few as 300 bears in the 1970s to an estimated population of more than 3,000 today.
Pictured: This black bear wondered through a Cantonment apartment complex for days last year until it was captured and euthanized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Florida Still Doesn’t Have A Lt. Governor
October 15, 2013
Florida has quietly passed the seven-month mark without a lieutenant governor, as Gov. Rick Scott has given few clear indications about when he will fill the post.
Former Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll stepped down in March, after law-enforcement officials raided Internet cafes across the state. Carroll previously had done consulting work for Allied Veterans of the World, a key target of the investigation.
Scott said in early July that Chief of Staff Adam Hollingsworth would prepare for a search, and rumors of candidates have periodically flared. But Scott has rarely addressed the issue.
If Scott were unable to fulfill his duties before a lieutenant governor is named, Attorney General Pam Bondi would take over as governor.
by The News Service of Florida
County Set To Contribute $40K To Century Chamber Of Commerce
October 14, 2013
The Escambia County Commission is set to contribute financially to the operation of the Century Area Chamber of Commerce.
The commission will vote Thursday on a $40,000 contribution to the Century Chamber for the retention and expansion of existing industries and recruitment of new businesses to the area. The allowance will be payable monthly.
The county will make the contribution from the county’s economic development fund for the 2013-14 fiscal year.
Escambia County already contributes to the operation of the Pensacola Chamber of Commerce. Escambia County has not contributed to the operation of the Century Chamber in several years. Escambia County did contribute funds years ago to the Century Chamber. They first received $50,000 to purchase their current office location, then another $50,000 to renovate the building, and finally $50,000 for furnishings and to pave the parking lot.
Century Purchases First Natural Gas Powered Truck
October 14, 2013
The Town of Century has purchased a new natural gas powered truck that will be used as a work vehicle and rolling billboard at the same time.
The truck will be wrapped in an advertisement for the town’s natural gas services.
The truck, on a state contract price purchase, was $34,999 from Pete Moore Chevrolet in Pensacola. The cost included $9,300 to convert the vehicle to natural gas. A Natural Gas Fuel Fleet Vehicle Rebate program, beginning January 1 through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, is valued at half of the cost of the conversion ($4,650).
The cost of the ad wrap from Pensacola Sign and Graphics was $1,728.
The gas department will “sell” one of their existing trucks to the Century Water Department for $12,900, which was already in the water department’s budget for a truck.
No Serious Injuries When Driver Flips Jeep On Dirt Road
October 14, 2013
There were no series injuries in a single vehicle rollover accident Sunday afternoon in Cantonment.
The accident happened about 5:30 on River Annex Road between Wild Turkey Road and Muscogee Road. The driver of a Jeep apparently lost control on the dirt road and overturned. The four occupants of the Jeep reportedly refused transport to the hospital.
The accident was investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details were not released.
The Cantonment and Beulah stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded to the crash.
Pictured: A single vehicle crash Sunday afternoon on Jacks Branch Road near Cantonment. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: A Firefighter’s Wedding
October 14, 2013
Two members of the Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue — Lt. Drew Manning and Julia Cleckley — were united in marriage Saturday. Their wedding was held at the Molino Fire Station.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos by Meagan Kennedy and Kristi Smith for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Great Escambia Relay For Life Kickoff Meeting To Be Held Tuesday
October 14, 2013
The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Greater Escambia will get underway Tuesday night. A kickoff event will be held at 6 p.m. at the Heritage Baptist Church off Highway 297A.
As participants gather this year to register teams and launch fundraising efforts, they’ll be helping the American Cancer Society redouble its efforts to make this cancer’s last century – not just for members of Escambia County, but around the world.
As the world’s largest grassroots fundraising program, the Relay For Life movement mobilizes friends, families, businesses, hospitals, schools, service organizations and faith-based groups in communities throughout the country, to celebrate those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and provide everyone an opportunity to fight back against the disease.
For more information, call the American Cancer Society at (850) 475-0850 or visit relayforlife.org.
The Relay for Life of Greater Escambia will be held April 25, 2014, at Tate High School.
Pictured: Last year’s Relay for Life of Greater Escambia at Tate High School. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Friday Football Schedule
October 14, 2013
Here’s a look at the Friday night football schedule for this week:
FLORIDA
- *Freeport at Northview, 7 p.m.
- *Jay at Baker, 7 p.m.
- *Tate at Crestview, 7 p.m.
- *Gulf Breeze at West Florida, 7 p.m.
- *Pine Forest at Washington, 7:30 p.m.
- *Arnold at Catholic, 7:30 p.m.
- *Pace at PHS, 7:30 p.m.
- *Choctawhatchee at Navarre, 7:30 p.m.
- *Escambia at Milton, 7:30 p.m.
* denotes a district game.
ALABAMA
- Flomaton at Leroy
- Hillcrest at Escambia Co. (Atmore)
- Escambia Academy at Clarke Prep
- Straughn at T.R. Miller
- W.S. Neal at Opp
Expect Delays At Hwy 29 In Ensley
October 13, 2013
The Florida Department of Transportation will construct a westbound right turn lane on Burgess Road at the intersection with Highway 29. Crews are expected to begin work Monday with construction lasting about three months.
Motorists can expect intermittent lane restrictions during the $114,053 project. No lane closures will be allowed during holidays or special events.
All activities may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to pay attention to the speed limit when traveling through the construction area and to use caution when driving in work zones, according to DOT.