Tate, Ransom Band Students To Perform With The Dallas Brass
November 27, 2012
Next month, the internationally acclaimed Dallas Brass will perform with band students from Tate High and Ransom Middle schools.
This American Musical Journey concert will include music from the time of George Washington to the present day. The event will be held at 7 p.m. on December 3 at Hillcrest Baptist Church. All tickets are $10 at the door.
About the Dallas Brass
Since its founding in 1983 by Michael Levine, the Dallas Brass has become one of America’s foremost musical ensembles. The group has established a unique blend of traditional brass instruments with a full complement of drums and percussion, which creates a performing entity of extraordinary range and musical challenges. The Dallas Brass repertoire includes classical masterpieces, Dixieland, swing, Broadway, Hollywood and patriotic music.
In addition to their solo engagements, the Dallas Brass appears with symphony orchestras nationwide. Symphonic credits include the Cincinnati Pops conducted by Erich Kunzel, New York Pops conducted by Skitch Henderson, and the Philly Pops conducted by Peter Nero. The Dallas Brass has performed at Carnegie Hall, the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, and has toured overseas to Europe and the Far East. They have shared the stage with the late Bob Hope, have performed for Presidents Gerald Ford and George H. W. Bush, have appeared on the CBS “Early Show,” and their music has been used numerous times on the television show, “The Young & The Restless”.
The ensemble has released six recordings: Debut, Dallas Brass II, A Merry Christmas with Brass, Windborne, Nutcracker and American Musical Journey.
Booster Seats Required For Kids Under 7 Under Proposed Law
November 27, 2012
Most children under 7 would have to ride in a booster seat or other safety seat under legislation filed Monday in the state Senate.
The proposal – which federal officials have been pushing Florida to pass for several years – is aimed at avoiding injuries to children who remain too small to be adequately protected by an adult seatbelt, even after they’re too big for infant car seats.
Florida is one of three states that don’t require older children to ride in a booster seat after age 4.
Children over 4′ 9″ inches would be exempt from the new requirement under the bill (SB 66), filed by Sen. Thad Altman, R-Viera. It has no companion in the House, where no bills have been filed yet for this legislative year. Altman also carried the same bill last year, but it failed to pass.
Advocates say children with smaller body frames don’t fit properly in seat belts, and sometimes are injured even worse in crashes because of them. Backers also say poor children are particularly at risk – because they may not regularly see a pediatrician who would tell their parents that.
Florida passed the requirement in 2001, but Gov. Jeb Bush vetoed it. He said at the time he was concerned that the bill might hurt low-income families, and that it went beyond the requirements of other states – something that has since changed.
Bush also said in his veto message that “we must place some trust in parents and recognize that almost every parent in our state, more so than government, wants their child to lead healthy, safe lives.”
Opponents have argued they weren’t convinced that the seats had a marked likelihood of preventing deaths, though backers say there is statistical evidence of it.
It’s the second auto safety measure filed for the upcoming legislative session, which officially begins in March, but begins committee hearings next week. Last week, Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice, filed legislation (SB 52) that would ban texting and driving, though it would only allow police to ticket motorists for the offense if they’ve been pulled over for something else.
By David Royse, The News Service of Florida
Work Begins To Demolish Town’s Asbestos Containing Building
November 26, 2012
Work is scheduled to begin to day to demolish an large, dilapidated asbestos-containing building in Century.
The town council had voted to demolish the building at 7601 Mayo Street back in 2011, but asbestos concerns put those plans on hold. A study found asbestos in the older 6,400 square foot two story portion of the building, as well as in the newer single story portion of the structure, according to Century Mayor Freddie McCall.
The town found a grant from the Regional Planning Council to abate the asbestos and demolish the structure. Because the town is not eligible to receive the grant, the building was deeded to the Century Chamber of Commerce, which is eligible for the assistance.
Once the building is demolished, the chamber will have up to 10 years to lure development to the property or it will revert back to the town. The town will approve or deny any lease or purchase of the property.
The white, mostly brick building across from the old hospital housed doctors’ offices and even a pharmacy and soda fountain years ago. It has been abandoned for several years and is in an obvious state of disrepair with roof and structural problems.
The building demolition and asbestos abatement are scheduled to be complete by December 12. Residents and visitors to the area are asked to use caution and abide by all safety notifications and barriers.
Pictured above: This building on Mayo Street will be demolished. Pictured below: The interior of the building. NorthEscambia.com file photos.
Traffic Reminder: Sunshine Hill Road Bridge Remains Closed
November 26, 2012
The bridge on Sunshine Hill Road in Molino was closed for repairs last week and is expected to remain closed for about three weeks. The bridge, located just south of Cedar Springs Road, is expected to reopen by December 10.
The Sunshine Hill Road bridge is currently scheduled to be replaced with a new structure with construction beginning in February 2013.
Supreme OK’s Consideration Of Eyewitness Race
November 26, 2012
Jurors could be told they can consider racial differences between an eyewitness and a defendant in considering the witness’ testimony, according to a new set of jury instructions published this week by the Florida Supreme Court.
“Whether the eyewitness and the offender are of different races or ethnic groups, and whether this may have affected the accuracy of the identification” is among a list of factors that a judge can now tell jurors they are allowed to consider if a witness’ identification of a defendant is disputed and a judge is asked to give the instructions.
In all, jurors would be told they can consider nine factors in weighing an eyewitness identification, many of which deal with the context of the identification or whether a witness was somehow influenced to point to a suspect.
Eyewitness testimony has come under increasing fire in recent years from advocates for wrongfully convicted inmates, who say the identifications are often inaccurate but are very persuasive to jurors.
By The News Service of Florida
Photos: Behind The Regional Champs
November 26, 2012
For a photo gallery of the Northview High band, cheerleaders, dance team, NJROTC and fans standing behind their regional champion Chiefs, click here.
For a game action summary, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Florida Class 1A Playoff Pairings
November 26, 2012
Here are last Friday night’s scores and this week’s pairings for the Class 1A state semifinal playoffs.
CLASS 1A
REGION FINALS
Friday, November 23
- Northview 34, Freeport 28 (OT)
- Liberty County 14, Blountstown 7
- Trenton 42, Lafayette 26
- Newberry 18, Union County 13
STATE SEMIFINALS
Friday, November 30
- Northview at Liberty County, 7:30 p.m.
- Trenton at Newberry, 7:30 p.m.
Local Residents Guests Of Kansas City Coach As Denver Beats The Chiefs
November 26, 2012
When the Denver Broncos beat the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday in Kansas City, several North Escambia area residents were on hand to cheer on the Chiefs. And they were cheering for defensive line coach Anthony Pleasant, a Century native.
Mikey Burkett, Kenny Fehl, Anthony Pleasant, Jonathan Bondurant, Steve Stanton and Eddie Hammond started with a pheasant hunting trip in Kansas on Saturday. On Sunday morning, they were guests at Pleasant’s home before heading to Arrow Head Stadium in Kansas City for the game.
After an early lead a strong defense, the KC Chiefs were unable to outlast the AFC-West leading Denver Brocos, who defeated the Chiefs 17-9.
Kansas City, now 1-10, will play for that elusive home win next week against the Carolina Panthers, who are in Philadelphia on Monday night to face off against the Eagles.
Pleasant, a 1986 graduate of Century High School, earned two Super Bowl rings with the New England Patriots.
Pleasant was selected in the third round of the 1990 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. During his 14 year NFL career, Pleasant played for the Browns, the Baltimore Ravens, the Atlanta Falcons, the New York Jets, the San Francisco 49ers and the New England Patriots. He played a total of 202 NFL games and racked up 58 sacks.
The 22-acre Anthony Pleasant Park on East Highway 4 in Century is named after the two-time Super Bowl champ and includes a full-size football field with bleachers, press box and a playground.
Pictured top: A group of North Escambia area residents were the guests of Kansas City Chiefs defensive coach Anthony Pleasant Sunday in Kansas City as the Chiefs lost to the Broncos. Pictured below: Pleasant speaks in July 2011 at the dedication of the park named in his honor in Century. Submitted and NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Retired Florida Fire Truck To Benefit Small Alabama VFD
November 26, 2012
An Alabama volunteer fire department’s need for a tanker truck has been met by an Escambia County, Fla., department in a deal sealed with a handshake.
The McCall Volunteer Fire Department in Escambia County, Ala., needed more water available to fight fires; the largest tank they had could only hold 750 gallons. The department had been saving up for 12 years looking to buy a new-to-them truck.
The Bellview Volunteer Fire Department in Florida was retiring a 1,500 gallon tanker purchased by then Chief Al Davie 27 years ago. Davie was on hand as current Bellview VFD members gave McCall VFD members a quick run through of the tanker and any needed special instructions.
With a handshake between Bellview Chief Troy Johnson and McCall Chief Charles Jackson, the old tanker was on its way to its new home in Alabama.
Pictured: An retiring tanker truck was transferred from the Bellview Volunteer Fire Department in Florida to the McCall VFD in Alabama recently. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Bright Future: New Power Substation Signals Growth In Walnut Hill
November 25, 2012
Growth — including the construction of a new industrial facility — is leading to an increase in the electrical capacity and service to the entire Walnut Hill area.
Escambia River Electric Cooperative and it power supplier, PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, are currently constructing a new Oak Grove Graham electric substation on Highway 99A near North Highway 99. The new facility will have a total power capacity of 20 MVA (megavolt ampere), over twice the capacity of the aging Oak Grove Substation with a total capacity of 9.375 MVA.
“The new substation has been in the works for a while; however, we have moved that plan to the forefront in order to meet the needs of the Genesis Rail Services Walnut Hill Station,” said Clay Campbell, EREC general manager.
The new Genesis transfer station that fronts Corley Road near Arthur Brown Road in Walnut Hill is the largest such facility in the United States. Crude oil is transferred from the oil fields of North Dakota to Walnut Hill by train and offloaded.
A crude oil pipeline from Jay rises to the surface at the facility. The flow from oilfields in the Jay area is cut, and the crude from the Walnut Hill train is injected into the pipeline. Up to 118 tanker cars per day can be transferred directly into an existing crude oil pipeline, flowing primarily to a Shell facility near Saraland, Ala., and potentially to other refineries along the Gulf Coast.
The first train, with 104 tanker cars filled with 69,000 barrels of oil worth $6.5 million, rolled into the Walnut Hill facility back in mid-August. Presently, the facility can inject 2,500 barrels per hour into the pipeline. That capacity will increase to about 5,000 barrels — almost a half million dollars worth — of crude oil per hour by January 2013 once a 100,000 barrel storage tank is completed.
As construction of the new EREC electric substation continues, contract crews also also building out a new electrical distribution system from the power substation to the oil transfer facility. The end result, according to EREC, will be more electrical capacity and an increased quality of service for the entire Walnut Hill area.
“The entire community will benefit from this power upgrade,” Campbell said.
For an earlier story about the first train rolling into the oil transfer station, click here.
Pictured top: Construction is underway on a new power substation in Walnut Hill. Pictured inset and below: The new Genesis Rail Services Walnut Hill Station on its first day of operation back in August. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
