Barrineau Park Brush Fire
February 22, 2009
Several area fire stations were dispatched a brush fire in the Barrineau Park community Saturday afternoon.
The fire was reported in the area of Barrineau Park Road and Schifko Road about 2:00 p.m. Fire officials reported no structures in danger from the fire. The fire burned about a seven acres of mostly wooded area. The fire was reported to be contained at about 3:30.
The Florida Division of Forestry used two bulldozers to fight the fire.
The Molino, McDavid and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the blaze.
Escambia Farming Becomes A Bigger Business; Value Doubles
February 21, 2009
The number of Escambia County farms and the value of agricultural products in the county sold rose substantially from 2002 to 2007, according to a report recently released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
During the five year period 2002-2007, the number of farms in Escambia County increased from 674 to 725. Acreage increased during the same period from 64,581 to 81,977, with most of those acres in North Escambia. The average Escambia County farm is 113 acres, compared to 96 acres five years ago. The most common farm in Escambia County is under 50 acres.
The market value of farm production in Escambia County has doubled in five years, from $15.68 million to $31.95 million. The current average is $44,064 per farm, up from $23,258. The average income per farm is $8,119.
The recently released USDA survey says the biggest value crop in Escambia County is “other crops and hay” at $10.8 million worth. Second are nursery crops like sod at $6.1 million, followed by cotton and cottonseed at at $6 million, grains and dry beans at $3.7 million and cattle at $2.6 million.
Of the farmers in Escambia County, 277 consider farming to be their primary occupation, while 448 have other primary occupations. Most are male, bu there are 117 female farmers in the county. The average farmer is 59.1 years old.
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson said the impressive performance by the state’s agricultural industry in the past five years shows that it remains a vital pillar of Florida’s economic strength.
“For decades, this economic engine has provided Florida with a dependable source of revenue and jobs,” Bronson said. “While other sectors of the economy have been on shaky ground lately, agriculture has strengthened and become more productive. This report about Florida agriculture comes at a time when we all really need some positive economic news.”
According to the USDA Census of Agriculture, the number of Florida farms increased by 7.7 percent, from 44,081 in 2002 to 47,463 in 2007. Additionally, the market value of agricultural products sold by Florida farmers hit $7.8 billion in 2007, the highest recorded level in the state’s history.
“These statistics are a testament to the determination of our state’s farmers,” Bronson said. “Even when confronted by drought, hurricanes, pests, disease, and stiff foreign competition, they continue to plant, harvest, rebuild and innovate. Florida’s farmers not only produce food and fiber for consumers, they provide a solid economic base for our state.”
The USDA Census shows that 90 percent of Florida’s farms are family operations, while about 10 percent are corporate entities. About 32,000 Florida farms, or approximately 70 percent, have 50 acres or less.
The report also reflects that changing face of agriculture in Florida, with increases in the number of farms owned by a variety of ethnic groups including Native Americans, Asians, Hispanics and African Americans. Ethnic ownership of farms increased by 26 percent, from 2,038 farms in 2002 to 2,582 farms in 2007.
Augmenting the results of the USDA Census is the University of Florida’s report, “Economic Contributions of Agricultural, Food Manufacturing, and Natural Resource Industries in Florida in 2006,” which indicates that more than 766,000 jobs are attributable to these sectors, up from 648,000 jobs in 2002. Additionally, these sectors generate an estimated $100 billion overall economic impact and contribute $2.98 billion in indirect taxes to local, county and state governments.
“While the USDA report indicates an overall expansion of Florida agriculture, it also raises some points of concern,” Bronson said. “Farmers’ net earnings, or income, declined significantly for the last three years surveyed. This means that our farmers are working harder for less return, due in part to increases in the cost of inputs such as fuel, electricity, seed and fertilizer.”
The USDA Census showed that net earnings declined from 40 percent in 2005, to 29.8 percent in 2006, to 22.1 percent in 2007.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is statutorily mandated to provide professional marketing services to Florida’s agricultural community through its Division of Marketing and Development. These marketing promotions are part of the ongoing “Fresh from Florida” campaign. For more information about Florida agriculture, visit www.Florida-Agriculture.com.
Pictured top: Wheat is harvested last year on Highway 99 near Walnut Hill. Pictured below: Butter beans are commercially harvested last summer near Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia School Calendar Approved for 2009-10
February 21, 2009
The Escambia County School District has approved the school calendar for the next school year.
School will begin about a week later next year on August 24.
Fall Break will be a one day event, November 24, the day before the two-day Thanksgiving Thursday and Friday holiday.
The last day of school before the Christmas holidays will be Friday, December 18, and students will return on January 5, 2010.
The final day of school will be Friday, June 4, 2010.
Click here to view the final complete version of the 2009-2010 Escambia County school year calendar (printable pdf format).
Ball Registration In Molino And Walnut Hill Today; Last Day For NWE
February 21, 2009
Registration was held at two area ballparks today, including Bradberry Park where today was the last day to register.
It was the last day of registration for Northwest Escambia Little League at Walnut Hill’s Bradberry Park. Registration is also going on at for the Molino Recreation Association at Don Sutton Park. Details for both parks are below.
Registration for Northwest Escambia Little League baseball continues each Saturday until February 21 from 10 a.m. until noon at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill.
The cost is $35 for the first child from a family, $25 for the second child and free for each additional child. A copy of each child’s birth certificate is required for registration.
This year, NWE will offer Wee Ball for children ages 3 and 4 on the brand new “Drew’s Field”
- Wee Ball — ages 3 & 4
- Tee Ball — ages 5, 6 & 7
- Minor and Major League Baseball — ages 8 to 12
- Minor and Marjor League Softball — ages 8 to 16
- Junior and Senior League Softball –ages 13 to 16
- Junior and Senior Leage Baseball — ages 13 to 16
- Machine Pitch Baseball — age 8
For more information, call 327-6722 or 327-6155 after five p.m.
Registration will be held each Saturday for the Molino Recreation Association at Don Sutton park in Molino. Registration will continue each Saturday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. through February 28. The annual draft will be February 28 at 3 p.m.
Registration fees have been reduced this year due to the economy. This year, registration fees are $50 for the first child, $45 for the second, $40 for the third and free for additional players from the same family. A birth certificate copy is required to be on file for each child.
Teams for the Molino Recreation Association will include:
- Wee Ball –ages 3 & 4
- Tee Ball — ages 5, 6 & 7
- Baseball — ages 8 to 15
- Girls Softball — ages 8 to 16
If you would like to coach or just help out on your child’s team, you can sign up on the day your child is registered. For more information, call 587-4090.
Another 9 Mile Road Area Assault
February 21, 2009
Another assault on a young female has occurred in the 9 Mile Road area of Pensacola, but this time deputies caught their man.
At about 7 a.m. Friday, Escambia County Deputies responded to the Publix Shopping center at 9 Mile Road and University Parkway where a young female victim told deputies that she had packed her vehicle on the side of the grocery store. Before she could exit her car, a while male wearing only a T-shirt walked up to her vehicle, opened the door, grabbed her arm and pulled her toward him as if trying to get her to touch him, according to Sgt. Ted Roy with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department.
Deputies followed up on a possible tag number that was provided by a witness, and that led them to their suspect.
Keith William Smith, 44, of Pensacola was arrested at a relative’s home about noon Friday. Deputy Phillip Martin, who took the original report, went to a residence in the Fox Run subdivision off 9 Mile Road to follow up on the tag number. At the residence, the owner of the vehicle stated that she had no driven the vehicle, but a relative who was staying with her had driven it. Contact was made with Smith, and he matched the physical description given by the victim and witnesses.
Smith said he had driven the vehicle, but denied the incident, Roy said. The victim positively identified Smith as the man that attacked her.
The incident is not believed to be connected to the cop impersonator incidents that have occurred in the past few weeks in the area.
The University of West Florida Police were notified of the incident due to the proximity to the campus and then issued an “Argo Alert” to student and faculty who have signed up for the service. An E-mail was also sent out to students and faculty.
Atmore 100 MPH High Speed Chase Ends In North Escambia
February 20, 2009
A high speed police chase out of Atmore ended in North Escambia Thursday afternoon with the suspect escaping.
The chase began about 4:45 Thursday afternoon in Atmore when an Atmore Police Department officer attempted to stop a black motorcycle for a traffic offense.
The chase wound through streets in southeast Atmore, including Pine Street and Medical Park Drive. It headed south on Medical Park Drive and cross into Florida and onto Greenland Road. The chase reportedly hit speeds of about 100 mph before Atmore officers called off their pursuit in the area of Dortch Road. Atmore Police reportedly did not notify Florida authorities of their pursuit, and Florida officers were not involved.
The motorcycle driver was not apprehended.
$22 Million Training Facility On 684 Acres Near Molino Won’t Happen
February 20, 2009
Escambia County is officially out of a $22 million deal to purchase 684 acres north of Molino near the Camp O’ the Pines for a regional police, fire and EMS training facility after Sheriff David Morgan said he wanted out of the deal.The Escambia County Commission voted 5-0 Thursday night to end the joint project between the county, Pensacola Junior College, The PJC Foundation and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department. The entities entered into an interlocal agreement in 2006 to purchase the land from RMS Timberlands, LLC for $3,278,400. That sale was to be closed by December 18 on the Highway 29 property.
$11 million of the total $22 million price tag for the facility was to be contributed by the sheriff’s department via the county from local option sales tax money. The other $11 million was to come from a state grant obtained by PJC. Morgan said he was not convinced that the facility was needed.
Funds contributed by the various parties toward the project will be returned.
Plans called for the facility to being as a state-of-the-art firing range for PJC students and area law enforcement. It was to expand into a fire and emergency medical service training facility.
The original agreement was entered into by former Sheriff Ron McNesby.
Done Deal: County To Provide Code Enforcement In Century
February 20, 2009
Escambia County has added their approval to an agreement that will bring code enforcement back to Century.
The Escambia County Commission approved the agreement with Century last night. The Century Town Council had ratified the agreement at the end of January.
The agreement calls for Escambia County to provide code enforcement for both county and town ordinances within the town limits. Sandra Slay, Escambia County’s code enforcement manager, told the town council that the enforcement will be “proactive”, The code officers will not respond to citizen complaints within the Town of Century; rather, the officers will seek out violators.
The written agreement states that “the parties expressly agree that no performance standards, other than those that are generally applicable to similar actives by the county elsewhere outside the corporate limits of the Town, are intended of should be inferred.”
Under the agreement, the Town of Century will be responsible for removing nuisance violations, such as tearing down buildings that owners do not repair.
The county will provide a monthly report of all enforcement activities in Century to the town.
The county’s enforcement activities will be funded by a Community Development Block Grant. The county will receive all fines and fees collected from Century violators.
Previously, Century ended an agreement with Escambia County to provide code enforcement in the town. Under that agreement, the county’s code enforcement officers worked Century and wrote citations that were turned over to the town for abatement. The services were provided by the county at no charge to Century.
The arrangement came under fire, with allegations that the county’s officers provided selective enforcement, citing some people but no others. That prompted the council to sever the relationship with Escambia Code Enforcement. Currently, there is no code enforcement at all in the town.
McDavid Man Involved In Fatal Santa Rosa Crash
February 20, 2009
A McDavid man was involved in a three vehicle accident in north Santa Rosa County Thursday morning that left a Pace man dead.
The Florida Highway Patrol says William Fillingim, 55, of McDavid was was northbound on Chumuckla Highway south of Archies Way in a 2000 Mack log truck when he drifting into the southbound lane. Fillingim struck the rear of a 2005 Dodge pickup truck and a flatbed trailer driven by Ernest D. Evans, 30 of Pace.
Fillingim’s log truck then struck the left front and side of a 1986 Ford pickup driven by Randal L. Touchton, 47, of Pace, pushing the truck onto the shoulder. The log truck continued off the highway into a wooded area.
Touchton, who was not wearing a seat belt according to the FHP, was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola by helicopter. Touchton was pronounced dead at the hospital at 7:07 a.m.
Evans was not seriously injured in the crash. Fillingim, who also was not wearing a seat belt according to the FHP, recieved minor injuries in the crash.
The accident in still under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. No charges have been filed.
Century Employee Enters ‘Not Guilty’ Plea In Fight Case
February 20, 2009
The Town of Century employee that reportedly left a state prisoner unattended in a store parking lot while he got into fight inside the store has entered a plea of not guilty in Escambia Circuit Court.
Robert Allen Powell, 56, of Century entered the not guilty plea along with a request for a jury trial through his attorney. Powell had been scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.
Powell’s jury trial is scheduled for April 13.
Powell reportedly got into a fight with Randall Keith Grimes, 47, of Century at the town’s Dollar General store.
Powell stopped at the Dollar General in a town truck along with a prisoner from the Century Correctional Institute that was on work detail for the town. Powell reported went into the store to purchase cold medication, leaving the prisoner unattended in the parking lot. Inside the store, Powell ended up in the altercation with Grimes.
Their stories differ on what happened. Powell told deputies that Grimes called him names and then punched him. Grimes said Powell called him a “retard” and a “bastard” before Powell punched him in the face. Powell told deputies the entire incident stemmed from Grimes’ involvement with his ex-wife.
The report says store surveillance video shows that Powell threw the first punch, according to the ECSO report. Powell was arrested on a battery warrant, and released on a $2,500 bond.
Powell filed for a restraining order to keep Grimes away from him, but that order was denied by Circuit Judge Kim Skievaski.
The only action the Town of Century took against Powell for leaving the prisoner unattended was a verbal reprimand, according to Mayor Freddie McCall.