Escambia Extension To Present Winter Beef Update Next Week
December 7, 2011
A “Winter Beef Update” will presented next Tuesday, December 13 in Walnut Hill.
The program topic will be provide information on developing a beef cattle operation and marketing options with guest speaker Kevan Tucker, Clarke County (Ala.) extension coordinator and animal science/forages agent.
The two-hour program is geared toward beef producers of all experience levels, according to Allison Meharg of the Escambia Extension Service. It will be held at the Walnut Hill Community Center on Highway 97.
For reservations, contact Fran Lainhart at (850) 475-5230 or email lainhaf@ufl.edu.
$50 Million Gulf Restoration Plan Includes North Escambia Initiative
December 6, 2011
A portion of a $50 million Gulf Coast restoration initiative announced Monday by the Obama administration will be funneled into the North Escambia area to improve water quality in the Escambia River and the Gulf of Mexico.
The $50 million will spent over three years in conservation assistance to farmers and ranchers in priority areas along seven major rivers in five states that drain into the Gulf.
In both Escambia counties in both Florida and Alabama, funds will be focused on the Canoe Creek watershed and the Sandy Hollow-Pine Barren Creek watershed in the Escambia River basin. Also, in North Escambia, funds will provide conservation assistance in the Little Pine Barren Creek Watershed in the Escambia River Basin.
USDA will work with a team of local, state and federal partners to deliver this project. Through this effort, North Escambia farmers and ranchers will invest in voluntary conservation to provide cleaner water and more abundant wildlife for their neighbors and communities.
The money will be used for conservation practices for any agriculture producers wanting to install conservation and will probably pay a higher cost-share rate than standard EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program) or WHIP (Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program),” said Cam Johnson, communications coordinator for Escambia County (Fla.) “We don’t have a handle of how much money this county will receive, since we have not been given full details of the program.”
“The conservation partnership is taking proactive steps to improve the health of the Gulf of Mexico,” said USDA Under Secretary Harris Sherman. “This initiative is a powerful example of how government can collaborate with private citizens, communities, and private organizations. Together, we can identify challenges, leverage each other’s resources and capabilities, and make a difference for both the environment and our quality of life.”
The funds will not go directly to Escambia County; rather, the money will be administered through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service office in Molino. Once program details are finalized, NorthEscambia.com will publish application information.
Pictured top: The Highway 4 bridge over the Escambia River at Century. Pictured below: The Escambia River at Molino. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Police Bust Century Man On Cocaine Charge
December 6, 2011
The Pensacola Police Department arrested a 30-year old Century man after they discovered cocaine in his possession during a traffic stop.
Joseph Smith of Hudson Hill Road in Century was charged with cocaine possession and providing a false name to law enforcement.
Smith was a passenger in a vehicle pulled over by Pensacola Police for running a stop sign while exiting the Pensacola Village apartment complex onto Fairfield Drive. According to police, he had no identification and provided a false name.
Officers found seven rocks of crack cocaine in a cigarette package in Smith’s possession. After he admitted his real name to officers, they also discovered that he had an outstanding warrant for failure to appear in court back in October on charges of driving with a suspended license and no valid driver’s license.
Century Set To Pave Five More Streets On Priority List
December 6, 2011
The Town of Century is set to pave five more streets at a cost of $38,903.70, ending a priority list of paving projects.
The town council voted Monday night to pave Bonwell Lane, Gifford Lane, Barnwell Lane, Field Road and Sellars Road, awarding the contract to Roads, Inc. of NWF. For a cost savings, Century is piggybacking on an Escambia County contract with Roads, Inc.
The project will wrap up a paving project priority list created by the council in 2010.
During the last year, Century has completed paving projects totaling about $270,000 on Freedom Road, Old Flomaton Road, Hecker Road, Elm Street, Hilltop Road, West Cottage Street, Academy Street, Pleasant Hill Road and Ramar Street.
Pictured top: The recently resurfaced Hecker Road in Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Out Of Money For Crack, Man Snatches Purse During Prayer At Church
December 6, 2011
A Flomaton man is charged with stealing a woman’s purse during prayer at a local church because, he told police, he was smoking crack in Century and ran out of money.
The man, later identified as 30-year old Morris Andy Cumbie, walked into the Sunday evening service at the Flomaton Church of Christ about 6:15. Witnesses told Flomaton Police that Cumbie sat down in a pew, and as soon as heads were bowed for the opening prayer, he grabbed a church member’s purse and bolted out the door.
Church members gave chase, but backed off when Cumbie told them that he had a gun, Flomaton Police Chief Geoff McGraw said. He then sped away in Toyota Corolla.
Police turned to technology in an attempt to catch their purse snatcher. The victim’s cellphone was inside the purse; the cellphone company was able to narrow the location of the phone down to the area of Campbell and Old Flomaton roads in Century. Police were unable to locate the phone in the dark, but witnesses did report seeing a Toyota Corolla matching the suspect’s in the area.
“Then I was blessed enough to remember having dealt with Mr. Cumbie before,” McGraw said, “and we went to his house out from Brewton.”
McGraw said Cumbie initially denied any involvement and eventually gave authorities consent to search his home and Toyota Corolla. In the car, police found a bank statement belonging to the victim that had been in her purse.
Cumbie was booked into the Escambia County (Ala.) Detention Center in Brewton on charges of felony first degree robbery and second degree theft of property.
Bill Could Block Drug Felons From Getting Welfare
December 6, 2011
A Senate Republican has filed a bill that would block people convicted on felony drug charges from being eligible for welfare benefits in Florida unless they can prove they have completed drug-treatment programs.
Sen. Steve Oelrich, R-Cross Creek, filed the proposal that would apply to temporary cash assistance and food assistance. The proposal comes after a major controversy during the 2011 session about requiring welfare recipients to take drug tests. Rep. Jimmie Smith, R-Inverness, has filed the proposal in the House.
By The News Service of Florida
Thomas Named ‘Star’ Superintendent
December 6, 2011
Escambia County’s Malcolm Thomas was among three statewide “Star” superintendents and school board members honored by the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations.
Local education foundations from throughout the state nominated school system leaders for the fifth annual awards. Nominees were reviewed by other education foundation directors in the state and rated for their leadership and involvement with their local education foundation.
Thomas was nominated by Laverne Baker, chairwoman of Escambia County Public Schools Foundation Board of Directors.
With his direct involvement and leadership in the past three years, the foundation has achieved several milestones including the most recent, hiring a full time executive director to continue moving the foundation forward, Thomas said.
The consortium, established in 1987, is the membership organization for Florida’s education foundations.
Toyz For Kidz Bike Ride To Help Those In Need
December 6, 2011
Santa will have some very special helpers on Saturday as the LA Bikers roll across the area to make sure needy kids get a Christmas present.
The 11th Annual Toyz for Kidz Bike Ride will raise funds for the program and distribute toys to families in need.
The event begins at David’s Catfish on South Main Street in Atmore with registration from 9-10 a.m. The ride will begin at 10, traveling first to Bratt Elementary School, then to Arrington Auto Parts in Flomaton and the Atmore City Hall. At each stop, families that are already preselected will receive the toy donations.
Registration is $20 per bike, with all proceeds going to the LA Bikers Toyz for Kidz program. For more information, contact Jody Jeter at (251) 547-7030.
Hot Dog! It’s The Wienermobile In North Escambia
December 6, 2011
The world-famous Oscar Mayer Wienermobile was spotted in the North Escambia area Monday afternoon.
The unmistakeable 27-foot long hot dog-shaped vehicle traveled through Atmore, south along Highway 97 through Walnut Hill, and then down Highway 29 from Molino to Pensacola. NorthEscambia.com was able to “ketchup” with the Wienermobile for some photos in front of Ernest Ward Middle School. The giant fiberglass bun was, well, a bit soggy from the rain as it turned heads on Highway 97.
There are actually six full-size Wienermobiles; the one in the area Monday was the big wiener itself with the Wisconsin license plate of “WEENR”.
They are driven by “Hotdoggers” — college seniors who cut the mustard from thousands of applicants to operate the vehicle from a “condiment control panel”. They are able to relish the job for a year before moving along.
Frankly, it’s all about the brand on the Wienermobile; the horn even plays the jingle “I wish I were an Oscar Mayer wiener”.
Pictured above: The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile passes Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill Monday afternoon. Pictured below: The Wienermobile in downtown Atmore. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge. Atmore photos courtesy Regina Hare and Casey Hare for NorthEscambia.com.
FHP Announces Drunk, Drugged Driving Crackdown In December
December 6, 2011
The Florida Highway Patrol announced Monday that troopers are cracking down on drunk and drugged driving during December, which is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month.
“We encourage everyone to plan ahead this holiday season to avoid drinking or drugged driving,” said Col. David Brierton, director of the FHP. “We are encouraging all drivers to make good decisions.”
According to the Florida Highway Patrol
- During the four-day New Year’s holiday travel period in 2010, 32 people died on Florida’s roadways. Of those, 12 were alcohol-related.
- During the four-day Christmas holiday travel period in 2010, 24 people died on Florida’s roadways. Of those, eight were alcohol-related.
- Drug-related injuries and fatalities decreased between 2009 and 2010 from 1,090 to 1,063.