Drought At Historic Levels; Rivers Near Record Lows
July 5, 2011
The drought in the North Escambia area has reached historic levels, and area rivers are reaching near all-time lows.
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor map shows all the area in an exceptional drought — the worst category possible. Portions of the area are 15-20 inches below normal rainfall. Coupled with hot temperatures and above-normal evaporation, the rainfall deficit has been helped little by scattered afternoon showers.
“This is a drought that has a historical frequency of once every 50 to 100 years,” according to the National Weather Service in Mobile.
The U.S. Drought Monitor is published by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln using a variety of climatic data.
Rivers in the area are also approaching historic lows. At Century, the Escambia River was at 2.90 feet at 9:00 Monday night; the all-time record low level was 1.30 feet in 1954. The Perdido River at Barrineau Park was at 1.30 feet Sunday night. Low water records for the Perdido River are not available.
Pictured above: The Escambia River as seen from Fischer Landing in Century. During periods of flooding, the river will almost reach the bottom of the bridge. Pictured below: The Escambia River is approaching record low levels, with a pier to nowhere and a boat ramp that does not reach the water as seen at the Molino Boat Ramp on Fairgrounds Road.
Charge Dropped In Sexual Battery Case
July 5, 2011
Felony charges have been dropped against a Cantonment man arrested on sexual battery charges by a U.S. Marshals Task Force.
One June 22, the U.S. Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested 25-year old Daniel Brooks, wanted by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office for sexual battery by physical force. He was taken into custody at Chili’s restaurant on Nine Mile Road.
On June 4, Brooks allegedly became enraged when his wife denied his sexual advances and used force to sexually assault her, according to a U.S. Marshal’s press release. According to Escambia County Clerk of the Court records, charges were dropped on June 30 because the victim declined to prosecute.
Thousands Attend Area Fireworks Shows (With Photos From Jay, Flomaton, Pensacola)
July 5, 2011
Thousands of people attended fireworks shows across the area over the long Fourth of July weekend.
Over 100,000 people were estimated to have watched fireworks shows in Jay (pictured), to Poarch, East Brewton, Pensacola, Pensacola Beach and Milton Monday night — with the largest crowds at the 22nd annual Sertoma’s 4th of July show in downtown Pensacola.
A fireworks show was held Saturday night in Flomaton, a joint project of the towns of Flomaton and Century, along with the chambers of commerce in both towns. It marked the first organized public fireworks show in either town in several years. Plans call for another show to be held next year somewhere in Century.
- For a photo gallery form the Jay show Monday night, click here.
- For a photo gallery from the Sertoma’s 4th of July show in downtown Pensacola, click here.
- For a photo gallery from the Flomaton/Century show Saturday night, click here
Pictured top: Fireworks explode over Jay Monday night (by Mandi Kinley). Pictured inset: Sertoma’s 4th of July fireworks show in downtown Pensacola (by Raja Atallah). NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Considers Extension For Expired Development Orders
July 5, 2011
Developers in Escambia County could get some extra time to obtain financing and complete their projects in Escambia County.
The Escambia County Commission will hold a public hearing on July 7 to consider reviving and extending development orders through July 7, 2014.
Development orders that did not receive an extension and had an expiration date of July 7, 2008 through July 7, 2011, will be considered for revival until 2014. Many of those development orders expired before construction activity began.
County officials said the extensions will spur local economic development and job creation by allowing developers additional time to revive their projects and obtain adequate financing.
Christmas In July Angel Tree Project To Benefit Equine Group
July 5, 2011
Angel Trees in several area businesses will benefit a Cantonment equine rescue group and their foster horses.
Panhandle Equine Rescue has set up Angel Trees in various stores that will remain there through the month of July. There are 20 stars on each tree with a photo that represents each of the group’s foster horses with their needs listed on the back of the star. The star also includes a contact number to call and donate the requested items.
The Angel Trees are located at:
- Pine Forest Saddlery at 7801 Pine Forest Rd. in Pensacola
- Farm N’ Nursery Mart at 7460 Pine Forest Rd. in Pensacola
- Southern Mill and Supply at 1280 Hwy. 97 in Molino
- Tractor Supply at 3 West Nine Mile Rd. in Pensacola
- T & C Feed Store on Hwy. 29 North in Cantonment
- Cat Clinic at 2322 West Nile Mile Rd. in Pensacola
- Cain’s Dog House Grooming at 1738 Creighton Rd. in Pensacola
- Airport Animal Hospital at 6209 N. 9th Ave. in Pensacola
- Airport Animal Hospital Grooming at 6211 N. 9th Ave. in Pensacola
- Pine Forest Animal Clinic at 6860 Pine Forest Rd. in Pensacola
- Puppy Paradise Professional Grooming at 7103 Mobile Hwy. in Pensacola
- Lee Veterinary Clinic at 484 Bachelor Rd., in Atmore, AL.
- Scenic Hill Veterinary Hospital at 1301 E. Nine Mile Rd. in Pensacola
Pictured: The Panhandle Equine Rescue Angel Tree at Southern Mill and Supply on Highway 97 in Molino. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Report: The Bell May Be Tolling For Traditional Phone Companies In Florida
July 5, 2011
Remember Ma Bell’s good old days? You know, the days before 11-year-olds carried cell phones and Skype was a verb.
Well, a new report shows those days are long gone.
The Florida Public Service Commission signed off last week on a draft report that reflects the continued transformation of the telecommunications industry, as residents ditch their old phone lines and turn to wireless and other technology.
Consider this finding: About 16.9 million wireless handsets were in use in Florida as of June 30, 2010 — nearly one for each person in the state.
Or this: 27.3 percent of Florida adults lived in wireless-only households during the period from July 1, 2009, to June 30, 2010. That was up from an estimated 22.9 percent the previous year.
Or this: In 2010, longstanding carriers such as AT&T, Verizon and CenturyLink, saw a 20 percent drop in residential and business “access” lines, an industry measurement of the wireline market.
AT&T spokesman Don Sadler said the report reflects the changes that his company has seen during the past 15 years, as competition and technology have increased.
That has forced old-line carriers to change from primarily delivering service to the phone on your kitchen wall — and focus on devices that you can use to call, text, send e-mails, watch videos, read books or do seemingly countless other things.
“What it basically has done is caused us to step up and meet the desires of our customers,” Sadler said.
But the shift away from traditional phone service isn’t limited to Blackberries, iPhones, Droids and other types of wireless devices. The report shows that many Floridians also now get phone service through what in the past were cable TV companies.
“The increasing demand for mobility and for more data intensive services like video is changing the way consumers think about voice services and influencing product selection,” the report says. “Pricing strategies that bundle broadband, mobility and voice services together are contributing to the continuing decline in residential wireline access lines.”
The information is in a Public Service Commission-produced telecommunications report compiled each year for the Legislature.
Many of the trends in the report have served as a basis for lawmakers to ease regulations on the telecommunications industry. That culminated this year, when lawmakers largely stripped the PSC of its regulation of phone services.
Some groups, such as AARP, have fought such deregulation efforts, arguing that many seniors still have wireline phones and need protections against rate increases.
But the industry has argued that regulations put wireline companies at a competitive disadvantage – because the PSC does not regulate wireless and cable services.
Also, the industry has contended that consumers have more choices now, such as wireless, which reduces the need for regulation.
“The competition is out there, and people are vying for communication dollars,” Sadler said.
By Jim Saunders
The News Service of Florida
Fourth Of July Travel Costs Were Up This Year
July 4, 2011
Motorists traveling during the Fourth of July holiday weekend found gasoline prices about 80 cents per gallon higher than they were one year ago.
Escambia County’s average gas price on Sunday was $3.46 for a gallon of regular unleaded up from $2.66 last year, but down from $4.04 in 2008. A round trip from North Escambia to Atlanta would cost about $107.57 this year, compared to $82.70 in fuel last year in a 2009 Chevrolet Impala.
AAA forecasted 39 million Americans would travel 50 miles or more from home during the Independence Day holiday weekend, a 2.5 percent decline from the 40 million people who traveled a year ago.
A survey of intended travelers found that 56 percent said rising gasoline prices would not impact their travel plans. For the remaining 44 percent who said rising gas prices would impact their travel plans, seven out of 10 will economize in other areas and three out of 10 are planning to take a shorter trip or travel by a different mode of transportation.
Pictured above: A gas delivery at a Century station. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia Extension Urges Smart Grilling For Food Safety
July 4, 2011
Safety is an important consideration when operating a grill. Improper use can cause a fire or explosion. Keep the area around a lighted grill clear of combustible materials, and never use a grill in an enclosed area such as a sheltered patio or a garage. Avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing that may catch fire. The cooking grids should be cleaned after every cookout. The last thing you want to do is cause someone to become ill due to improper cleaning or unsafe food preparation practices.
Wash your hands with hot soapy water for at least 20 seconds before starting to prepare any foods, and wash your hands again if you do anything else—change a diaper, pet an animal, or blow your nose, for example. Cover any cuts or sores on your hands with a bandage, or use plastic gloves. If you sneeze or cough while preparing foods, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue and turn your face away, or cough into your sleeve. Always wash your hands afterwards.
Bacteria multiply rapidly at room temperature. Most food-borne illness-causing bacteria cannot grow well at temperatures below 40°F or above 140°F. Thaw foods in the refrigerator or in the microwave. Never leave foods out at room temperature.
Keep everything that touches food clean. Bacteria can hitch rides around your kitchen on all sorts of things—plates and cutting boards, dirty utensils, dish rags and sponges, unwashed hands.
Never chop fresh vegetables or salad ingredients on a cutting board that was used for raw meat without properly cleaning it first. If possible, keep a separate cutting board just for the preparation of raw meat, poultry, and fish.
Wash cutting boards thoroughly with hot soapy water, and then sanitize with a solution of household bleach and water.
Keep raw meat, poultry, fish, and their juices from coming into contact with other foods during preparation, especially foods that will not be cooked. Wash all utensils and your hands with hot soapy water after contact with raw meat.
Marinate meat, poultry and seafood in the refrigerator in a covered, non-metal container. Throw away any leftover marinade.
Grill food to a safe internal temperature. Use a meat thermometer to assure correct doneness of the food being grilled.
Safe minimum internal temperatures:
- Poultry (whole, ground, and breasts): 165°F
- Hamburgers, beef: 160°F
- Beef, veal, and lamb (steaks, roasts and chops):
- Medium rare: 145°F
- Medium: 160°F.
- All cuts of pork: 160°F.
Hold meat at 140°F until served. Use a clean platter for transferring cooked meat from grill to serving table.
Summer is the time for getting together with friends and family and cooking outdoors. Make your outdoor grilling experience safe and enjoyable.
For further information regarding food safety and other related topics, go to the University of Florida’s Solutions for Your Life website: http://www.solutionsforyourlife.com.
Dorothy C. Lee, CFCS, is an Extension Agent II, Family & Consumer Sciences with the Escambia County Extension Service. Reference: Safe Food Handling Fact Sheet, United States Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Series.
Featured Recipe: Yankee Doodle Dandy Treats
July 4, 2011
Looking to spend some time with the kids in the kitchen? Yankee Doodle Dandy Treats are a fun, easy and patriotic way to celebrate.
The recipe is not only easy, but it also lots of fun. It’s terrific for a “just-because” snack or as a sweet way to finish off a family picnic. And kids of all ages can help – from pouring and stirring to dipping and decorating, there’s something everyone can do.
Yankee Doodle Dandy Treats
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter or margarine
- 1 package (10 ounces, about 40) regular marshmallows OR 4 cups miniature marshmallows
- 6 cups Kellogg’s® Rice Krispies® cereal OR 6 cups Kellogg’s® Cocoa Krispies® cereal
- 1 1/2 cups white chocolate morsels
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
- Red-, white- and blue-colored sprinkles
Preparation
- In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.
- Add cereal. Stir until well coated.
- Using buttered spatula or wax paper, evenly press mixture into 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Cool. Crosswise cut in half, forming two 9 x 6 1/2-inch rectangles.
- Meanwhile, in small saucepan melt white chocolate morsels over low heat, stirring frequently. Stir in oil. Add powdered sugar, stirring until combined. Add water. Stir until smooth.
- Spread chocolate mixture over one cereal rectangle. Top with second rectangle. Sprinkle with red, white and blue sprinkles, pressing lightly into cereal mixture. Refrigerate about 30 minutes or until set. Cut into 3 1/4 x 1-inch strips. Best if served the same day.
Serves
Servings 18
Preparation Time:
30 minutes
Total Time:
1 hour
Local Youth ‘Converge’ On Pensacola During Camp That Served
July 3, 2011
About 200 youth walked into a Pensacola Walmart last week, scattered throughout the store and stood frozen like statues for 30 seconds. “What if happened just like that? Are you ready for Jesus to come back?” they then said in unison.
The youth were part of a church camp called “Converge” which brought youth from across the area together to spread the Gospel and serve the community.
For a photo gallery, click here.
After leaving Walmart, the youth formed a line — like a huge centipede — and made their way through Best Buy and Cordova Mall telling strangers “Jesus loves you”. And, like a giant conga line, mall patrons joined in along the way.
Dozens of the teens were from the North Escambia area. Youth from the First Baptist Church of Bratt, Highland Baptist Church, Heritage Baptist Church and Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church all took part in the inaugural weeklong Converge camp headquartered at East Brent Baptist Church.
A big part of the weeklong camp was about service to the community. The students took part in a Habitat For Humanity build, spent hours collecting food for the Manna Food Pantry, ministered to patients at Nemours Childrens’ Hospital, helped at the homes of elderly community members, and helped with a golf tournament to help pay bills for the family of a child with terminal cancer.
During the hot summer week, the students walked door to door for Manna, collecting over 2,000 canned food items.
The students also gathered during the week for Backyard Bible Clubs for study.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
