One Person Dies In Accident Near Molino
February 23, 2009
(Updated 11:45 a.m.) One person was killed an accident near Barinneau Park Sunday night.
The Florida Highway Patrol says Leona Ruth Lewis, 45, of Cantonment was southbound on Jacks Branch Road about 6:45 Sunday night when she lost control of her 2007 Lexus near Applewood Lane.
Her passenger, Ruffer Lee Lewis, 51, of Cantonment was ejected from the vehicle when it hit a four-foot high steel fence and overturned off the roadway. Ruffer Lewis was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola where he was pronounced dead at 7:46 p.m. He was not wearing his seat belt, according to the FHP.
Loeona Lewis was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries. Troopers say she was wearing her seatbelt.
The Molino and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department responded to the call.The accident is still under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Pictured above: One person was killed in this single vehicle accident on Jacks Branch Road Sunday night. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com.
Step Up, Stand Out: Northview High Celebrates National FFA Week
February 23, 2009
Northview High School’s FFA along with FFA chapters across the nation will be celebrating National FFA Week through February 28 with a variety of activities.
“Step Up, Stand Out” is the theme this year and more than half a million members around the nation will participate in National FFA Week activities at the local and state levels. Stepping up and standing out is not only a way of life for FFA members, but it’s also a call to action for others. FFA members set a positive example with their leadership, work ethic and community service activities.
The focus of National FFA Week is to tell America about the great opportunities available for youth in agriculture. From its beginnings in 1928 as the Future Farmers of America, the National FFA Organization today reaches out to all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. From urban to rural schools, FFA is committed to developing character and leadership skills and preparing members for a lifetime of success in one of the 300 careers in agriculture.
FFA members are success-oriented students who are driven to achieve their goals and be the leaders of tomorrow. They stand out by recognizing the importance of being active in their schools and communities and are urged to step up when volunteers are sought, friendship is needed and leadership is required.
Through classroom instruction and hands-on learning, agricultural education and FFA are making a positive difference for members every day. FFA members have opportunities to attend national leadership conferences, develop a supervised agricultural experience project, learn life skills and serve their communities with civic engagement. They are our future engineers, scientists, teachers and producers. One of every five Americans is employed in the food, fiber and natural resources industries of agriculture, and FFA members are the future of these important industries.
Pictured above: Nearly 1,000 elementary students attend the annual Northview High FFA Food For America Program each year. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Tungoil Road Reopens Early
February 23, 2009
Tungoil Road has reopened. The road closed on February 11 and had been scheduled to be closed until Wednesday. DKE Marine Services made repairs to the bridge on the roadway that runs between South Highway 99 and Highway 97. NorthEscambia.com photo.
Bogia Brush Fire
February 22, 2009
The McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to a brush fire in Bogia Sunday afternoon.
The fire department was dispatched to the fire about 5:05 Sunday afternoon near 300 East Bogia Road.
The first fire unit on the scene reported a very small brush fire involving a tree. The fire was quickly extinguished. No structures were threatened.
Vehicle Fire In Century
February 22, 2009
The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue was dispatched to a vehicle fire Sunday afternoon.
The fire was reported just before 4:30 in the 7000 block of Backwoods Road near St. Luke Church Road. The caller reported that the fire was out prior to the arrival of the first fire engine.
There were no injuries reported.
Early AM Century Wreck Injures Two
February 22, 2009
A single vehicle accident left two people injured early Sunday morning near Century.
The accident happened about 1:05 Sunday morning on Fannie Road north of Campbell Road. Two people were reportedly injured when the driver of the Nissan car ran off Fannie Road into a ditch.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details were not available.
The Century station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS responded to the call.
Driver Charged After He Plows Through Highway 97 Cemetery Saturday Night
February 22, 2009
A driver who said he was trying to avoid two deer on Highway 97 plowed through a Walnut Hill cemetery Saturday night, destroying about a dozen grave markers.
The Florida Highway Patrol says James Johnson, 39, of Pace was northbound on Highway 97 at North Highway 99 when he said he tried to avoid two deer in the road. Johnson missed a curve on Highway 97 and plowed across the cemetery at the Walnut Hill Mennonite Church at about 9:55 p.m.
Johnson was not injured in the accident. He was the only occupant of the vehicle.
Johnson’s Nissan 350Z went through a chain link fence, took down a row of hedge bushes and sent marble grave markers flying 75 feet across the cemetery. The Nissan flipped across a portion of the cemetery, coming to rest in an upright position against a fence and on top of graves at the opposite end of the cemetery. About a dozen grave markers were damaged or destroyed in the crash.
The FHP says Johnson was charged with careless driving.
Dozens of church members gathered at the church late Saturday night to survey the damage to family grave markers.
Click here for more exclusive photos from the scene.
Pictured: The driver of this Nissan 350Z was not injured when he plowed through a Highway 97 cemetery Saturday night. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Blueberry And Bluegrass Festival Coming To Barrineau Park
February 22, 2009
A blueberry and bluegrass festival is being planned for Barrineau Park.
Escambia County is hosting a Blueberry Jamboree at the Barrineau Park Community Center and Historical Society. The event will take place on Saturday, June 13 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Artists and craftsmen are invited to showcase and sell their treasures at this first annual blueberry and bluegrass festival.
The cost for a 10’ x 10’ space is $45. Registration and payment must be received by May 31.
To register or for more information, please contact the Brandi Daigle of the Neighborhoods and Community Services Bureau at (850) 475-5220 or email recreation@co.escambia.fl.us.
The community center is located at 6055 Barrineau Park School Road in Molino.
How Much Should I Eat? And Other Food Tips From Local Farm Bureau
February 22, 2009
As the Farm Bureau’s Food Check-Out Week comes to a close, farmer and rancher members of the Escambia and Santa Rosa County Farm Bureaus are offering consumers practical information and tips on how to put nutritious meals on the table with fewer dollars during these slow economic times.
“Stretching Your Grocery Dollar With Healthy, Nutritious Food,” is theme of Farm Bureau’s Food Check-Out Week, reflecting the fact that many Americans are feeling an economic squeeze and as a result, are eating out less and preparing more meals at home.
Tips for better nutrition on a stretched budget, making sense of food labels, and understanding USDA’s MyPyramid are among the topics Farm Bureau members want consumers to understand.
“Learning to use your grocery dollars wisely ensures that nutrition isn’t neglected,” according Dorothy Cunningham of Escambia Farm Bureau Women’s Committee. “Fruits and vegetables – along with whole grains, low-fat dairy products, lean meats, fish, beans, eggs and nuts – are an important part of a healthy diet. Buying fresh produce when it is in season and costs less, while buying frozen fruits and vegetables when they are not in season, is a smart way to stretch that dollar.”
The Farm Bureau has prepared four one page pdfs that explain four important food related topics:
- Tips for Better Nutrition on a Tight Budget
- Understanding Food Labels
- Understanding What MyPyramid Means
- How Much Should I Eat?
Starting this year, the timing of Farm Bureau’s Food Check-Out Week is not related to the date Americans have earned enough money to pay for their food for a year, which is calculated on USDA data that is always a year behind. The third week of February was selected for Food Check-Out Week as a bridge to National Nutrition Month in March.
County To Host Pitching, Hitting, Running Event
February 22, 2009
Do you have a child that would like to showcase his or her pitching, hitting and running abilities? The Escambia County Neighborhoods and Community Services Bureau will host the Aquafina Pitch, Hit, & Run event, which will be held Saturday, March 7, beginning at 9 a.m.
Both boys and girls will compete together, having four chances to win in each age group: all-around champion, pitch champion, hit champion and run champion. Children from age seven to 14 are eligible to compete.
This free event will take place at the John R. Jones Athletic Park, 555 E. Nine Mile Road.
To register for the event or for more information, please contact the Brandi Daigle, Neighborhoods and Community Services Bureau at (850) 475-5220 or email recreation@co.escambia.fl.us or visit our web site at www.myescambia.com.