Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Comes To Century
June 28, 2008
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has come to Century, with plans to provide a free book every month for every child under five years old.
In 1996, Dolly launched an e new effort to benefit the children of her home county in east Tennessee. Dolly wanted to foster a love of reading among her county’s preschool children and their families. She wanted children to be excited about books and to feel the magic that books can create. And she wanted to insure that every child would have books, regardless of their family’s income.
She decided to mail a brand new, age appropriate book each month to every child under five in Sevier County, Tennesee. With the arrival of every child’s first book, the classic The Little Engine That Could, every child could now experience the joy of finding their very own book in their mailbox. These moments continue each month until the child turns five,and in their very last month in the program they receive Look Out Kindergarten Here I Come.
Now children under in the Century area can signup for the same program under the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. They will receive a new age appropriate book each month until they turn five…all at absolutely no cost. And, there are no income requirements for the program.
“Parents will not pay a dime for the program,” said Larry Kenny from the Early Learning Coalition of Escambia County which administers the program locally. “They will not be added to any kind of mailing list; their information is kept private and used only to mail the books free of charge to their homes.”
Century area parents were able to enroll their children in the program for the first time during a celebration the the Campfire USA Child Development Center.
Parents can continue to enroll their children in the free program during regular business hours at Campfire USA on Industrial Boulevard and at the Century Pharmacy on Mayo Street.
Funding for the program in the Century area is provided by the Teaspoon Foundation and Century Pharmacy.
Pictured above: Jared Bevan, 4, enjoys reading one of the books from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at Campfire USA in Century Friday morning. Pictured below: Some of the books from the program. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Free Health Fair, AIDS Testing Held In Century
June 27, 2008
A free health fair was held Friday at the old Century Hospital.
The event featured free health screenings and free AIDS testing. There were about 12 participating organizations in the event, many offering information about services they offer in the community.
The event was sponsored by Lutheran Ministries and Century Family Practice. All services were free.
The even also included free grilled hotdogs and cold drinks.
Pictured above: Centery Family Practice’s mobile unit outside the old Century Hospital Friday morning. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Baptist Hospital To Buy West Florida Hospital; Move To Davis Highway
June 27, 2008
Baptist Healthcare has announced the purchase of West Florida Hospital for $245 million. Another $85 million will be spent to upgrade the hospital’s facilities.
Baptist Hospital will move their complete acute care hospital and emergency room to the West Florida Hospital campus on Davis Highway.
“This acquisition will enhance the best of both organizations and provides for expansion of our services to meet the needs of our patients and the community,” stated Al Stubblefield, President/CEO of Baptist Health Care. “We know the acquisition of West Florida Hospital will allow us to continue our high standard of personal care while expanding services to serve the entire Northwest Florida region.”
After the West Florida purchase, Baptist Hospital’s main campus will continue to operate as a full service outpatient facility offering walk-in urgent care services, diagnostic and imaging services, ambulatory services, physician offices and corporate management offices. The combined inpatient psychiatric services currently at Baptist Hospital and West Florida Hospitals will be housed at the Baptist Behavioral Medicine Hospital at the old hospital location.
Once the purchase is complete, the current West Florida Hospital on Davis Highway will become the new Baptist Hospital, and together with Baptist Medical Park – 9 Mile, will give Baptist Health Care a major presence in north Pensacola. The campus will feature comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care plus services such as an expanded Baptist Cancer Center in affiliation with the Moffitt Cancer Institute; Baptist Neurosciences Center complemented by a rehab hospital for neurologic and orthopaedic conditions; Baptist Heart & Vascular Center of Excellence; and an expanded Emergency Department. The new Baptist Hospital also will offer a new parking garage, new physician office buildings and a heliport for LifeFlight.
Additionally, Baptist Health Care will assume the current West Florida Hospital Primary Care Practices, which will increase access and outreach to the community. The addition of West Florida Hospital Primary Care Practices (nine neighborhood medical centers) to Baptist Health Care affiliated and employed physicians will expand Baptist Health Care primary care locations throughout the community.
“This acquisition will allow Baptist Health Care to continue to be at the forefront of health care excellence in Northwest Florida. With the help of our outstanding doctors and staff, we are revolutionizing health care in Pensacola,” Stubblefield said.
The asset purchase agreement was between the two hospitals was signed Wednesday night. They must now file for approval from the Federal Trade Commission. Baptist officials say they hope the purchase agreement will close in the last quarter of 2008.
Closer to North Escambia, Baptist also operates Atmore Community Hospital, Jay Hospital, the Century Family Practice and Lakeview Center in Century.
More information for the community as well as the staff and employees is available at www.bhcexpansion.org
Pictured above: Artist rendering of the new cancer center to be located at the new locations of Baptist Hospital on Davis Highway.
One Commissioner Skips Conference At Luxury Resort Amid Layoffs
June 26, 2008
Four of five Escambia Commissioners are attending a conference in Miami this week, but one commissioner skipped out, saying it was not the right thing to do as the county faces a budget crunch.
District 5 Commissioner Kevin White chose not to attend the annual Florida Association of Counties Conference this week. Commissioners Gene Valentino, Marie Young, Mike Whitehead, and Grover Robinson all flew to Miami on Tuesday at the county’s expense to the conference at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa.
The conference includes multiple workshops, seminars and evening socials marked on the conference brochure with pictures of a martini glass.
“At a time when the budget is being cut, I didn’t see it as prudent be off at the conference like that,” White told NorthEscambia.com. “We are laying people off and cutting back. And I was suppose to go to a conference like that?”
White acknowledged that the conference is a good source of information for commissioners, and overall is a good thing. But he said the public perception of the trip had to be weighed against the good of the trip.
The conference will feature such workshops about budgeting, wellness programs, walkable communities, emergency planning, public speaking, media training and water quality. It began Tuesday with a four hour golf outing.
The county budgeted for the trip, and the commission gave public notice at a recent metting that it would take place so the four commissioners would not violate Florida’s Sunshine Law.
Registration for the conference was $325 each, or $1,300 total for the four. The listed conference room rate at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa was $130 per person. The commissioners will turn in travel expense reimbursement requests for the rooms and airfare once they return to Pensacola.
Bratt Baptist Youth Take On Bratt’s A-maize-ing Cornfield Maze
June 26, 2008
About 50 youth from the First Baptist Church of Bratt took on Bratt’s A-maize-ing Cornfield Maze Wednesday night.
Several members of the youth group were able to navigate the elaborate six acre cornfield maze, but many were unsuccessful.
Maze owner Colvin Davis and his wife Lavelle played host to both the FBC of Bratt youth group with a meal of corn dogs, corn chips and popcorn. A hayride followed the maze.
A small youth group from Brooks Memorial Baptist Church in Atmore also tried the maze Wednesday night.
For a complete photo gallery from Wednesday night at Bratt’s A-maize-ing Cornfield Maze, click here.
Bratt’s A-maize-ing Cornfield is located at in Bratt. That’s about a mile and a half east of Highway 97. It is open from 5:00 until 10:00 p.m. (bring your own flashlight!) Thursday, Friday and Saturday. It is open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights for groups by appointment. Admission is $5 for adults. Children under five are free with an adult admission. For more information, call 327-6372.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Lightning Sparks Fire
June 26, 2008
A lightning strike sparked a brush fire in Bratt Wednesday afternoon.
Witnesses say the lightning hit in an open area near Bratt Road and Ashcraft Road about 4:40, sparking a fire that rapidly burned a large area.
The Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department responded to the fire, but heavy rain had put out the fire by the time they arrived.
The National Weather Service had issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning on the storm as it moved from Oak Grove to Bratt, saying it was capable of producing frequent lightning strikes and winds up to 60 mph.
Pictured above: A thunderstorm near McDavid Wednesday afternoon as seen from Oak Grove. NorthEscambia.com photo.
The Sensational Tones Of Joy Perform At Century Care Center
June 26, 2008
The Sensational Tones of Joy brought a little joy to the residents of Century Care Center Wednesday morning.
The group, comprised of area men that work shift work and get together whenever they can, perform every chance they get at Century Care.
Pictured above are front (L-R): Group Manager Marvin “Gator” Johnson, Mikyle Dees and Johnny Dees. Back (L-R) Norris Grooms, Melvin Johnson Jr., Willie Holmes, Johnathan Hall and Melvin Johnson, Sr. Pictured below: More scenes from the Sensational Tones of Joy at the Century Care Center on Wednesday. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com.
Gulf Power Praised By Governor For New EarthCents Program
June 26, 2008
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist praised plans by Gulf Power Company to roll out a comprehensive energy conservation program aimed at reducing greenhouse gases while saving customers money.
The electric utility has been working with the governor’s office to launch a new energy conservation initiative called EarthCents – a comprehensive menu of programs and educational efforts to reduce residential and commercial electricity purchases.
“Energy technologies here in the Sunshine State can propel us as a leader in the industry,” Crist said, speaking from his Serve to Preserve Global Climate Change Summit in Miami on Wednesday. “I applaud Gulf Power Company for being energy and industry leaders. With innovative thinking and a commitment to excellence, they have created initiatives that conserve energy, save money and promote the use of renewable energy.”
The EarthCents effort – a combination of new and existing efficiency and conservation programs – will include a new pilot program providing customers a $1,000 incentive to install a solar water heating system and incentives for geothermal heating and cooling systems.
“Gulf Power applauds Governor Crist’s leadership in protecting the environment while at the same time helping Floridians reduce their energy costs,” Susan Story, Gulf Power president and CEO said. “Our EarthCents program, which combines numerous energy saving programs using leading edge technology, is truly a win-win for everyone. Customers could save up to 50 percent on their energy bills by participating in several of the EarthCents programs.”
The next step for the utility, which serves more than 425,000 customers in Northwest Florida, is to gain approval from the Florida Public Service Commission for the new programs and promotions which the company hopes to accomplish by the end of the year.
Other EarthCents programs will include home energy management systems with interactive thermostats and smart meters, free energy surveys, energy efficiency programs for homebuilders and a comprehensive public education program on energy conservation.
“These EarthCents programs will encourage customers to learn more about energy conservation and give them the tools to make earth-friendly decisions every day,” Story said. “We have already reduced power plant emissions by more than 70 percent and this program will give customers the opportunity to further reduce their impact on the environment through these EarthCents programs.”
Gulf Power is also participating in several demonstration projects to help provide needed research into new energy technologies. Those projects include:
- A solar water heating system for a low-income, multi-family housing complex
- The BEST house – a project at the University of West Florida to build a home with the most up to date sustainable “green” design techniques
- Commercial geothermal projects for several customers, including a hotel and a fast food restaurant.
Besides reducing greenhouse gases, Gulf Power expects the EarthCents programs will delay the need for building new peaking power plants in the future as Florida continues to grow.
“Meeting future energy demands, while reducing the total impact on the environment is our goal,” Story said. “We believe EarthCents gets more customers directly involved in improving the environment through their everyday actions.”
Funeral Services Held For Byrneville Accident Victim
June 25, 2008
Funeral services were held this morning at 10:00 for Cody Gafford, 16, who died in a one vehicle accident Saturday afternoon in Byrneville.
Services took place at at the Petty Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Tony Richburg and Bro. Brandon Barlow officiating. Burial followed in Pineview Cemetery.
Cody was a native and lifelong resident of Flomaton. He was a member of the Flomaton High School band and a youth counselor and member of the Liberty Baptist Church of Pineview.
Survivors include, his father, Tony Gafford of Century, Fla.; his mother, Phyllis Brooks of Flomaton; a brother, Mikey Burkett of Flomaton; a sister, Tara Gafford of Flomaton and his grandparents, Jamie Eilleen Gafford of Century, and Annette and Curly Brooks of Century.
Pallbearers were Greg Hagan, Rusty Carden, Jay Dawsey, Gary Hollinger, Frank Carter and Bob Gumapac. Honorary pallbearers were the Liberty Baptist Youth Group.
Visitation was held last night at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
A Long Weekend: Four Killed, 13 Injured In North Escambia Area
June 25, 2008
The first weekend of summer will not be one that emergency responders in the area soon forget. In the span of less than 72 hours, four people died and at least 13 were injured in vehicle accidents and a structure fire in the North Escambia area.
The incidents are listed below in chronological order. Click any of the headings to read the latest NorthEscambia.com story about the incident.
Friday: Deputy Injured In Bratt
Escambia County Deputy David Ingram was injured when his cruiser hit a power pole in Bratt after he collided with a pickup truck driven by a local teen. He was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Saturday: Early Morning Fire Kills Molino Man
A Molino man died in an early morning fire Saturday, unable to escape from his burning travel trailer.
The fire destroyed the small travel trailer about 2:00 Saturday morning on McKinnonville Street.
The victim was identified by neighbors as James White, who lived alone in the travel trailer.
Saturday: Flomaton Teen Dies In Byrneville Fiery Byrneville Wreck
A Flomaton teen died Saturday in a fiery single vehicle accident in Byrneville.
The Florida Highway Patrol says Cody Ray Gafford, 16, of Flomaton died in the crash (pictured top of page) about 12:45 Saturday afternoon.
Troopers say Gafford was traveling south on Byrneville Road at a high rate of speed when he ran off the road and began to spin. His1998 Ford Explorer rotated across the road and began to overturn. That’s when the driver’s side of the Explorer struck a large tree and flipped upside down. The vehicle then caught fire.
Gafford was pronounced dead at the scene by a paramedic.
Saturday: Three Injured In Jay Accident
Three Jay residents were injured in a two vehicle accident at Highway 89 and Escambia Avenue in Jay Saturday afternoon.
The Florida Highway Patrol says Seth Raught, 18 and Jeremy Raught, 18, of Jay attempted to make a U-turn from the shoulder of Highway 89 when the 1999 Dodge driven by Seth Raught pulled into the path of an oncoming vehicle. That vehicle, a 2000 Dodge SUV, was driven by Dwayne Reaves, 45, of Jay. Reaves was unable to avoid hitting Raught’s vehicle in the driver’s side, the FHP says.
Seth Raught was taken by LifeFlight to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola where he was listed in critical condition.
Seth Raught was not wearing his seat belt according to the FHP report. The other two parties were. Jeremy Raught received minor injuries in the incident and was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital. The FHP report does not specify the extent of the injuries to Reaves, but it does state that he was transported to Jay Hospital.
Saturday: Cantonment Man Dies In Motorcycle Wreck, One Injured
A Cantonment man died in a one vehicle, one motorcycle accident Saturday night in Cantonment.
The Florida Highway Patrol says Robert P. McDonald, 49, of Cantonment died in the accident about 8:45 Saturday night at the intersection of Pine Forest Road and Graham Road.
Troopers say a 2004 Hyundai driven by Gabrielle N. Taite, 18, of Pensacola was traveling north on Pine Forest Road when she traveled into McDonald’s path. McDonald attempted to take evasive action, causing his motorcycle to overturn and strike Taite’s Hyundai.
McDonald was pronounced dead at the scene. His passenger on the motorcycle, Carol E. McDonald, 50, of Cantonment, was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in serious condition.
Sunday: Five, Including Two Children, Injured In Davisville Accident
Five people were injured, including two young children, in a two vehicle wreck just before 10:00 Sunday morning in Davisville.
The two children and two adults were in a small pickup truck that collided with another small pickup in front of the Family Dollar on Highway 97, just south of the Alabama state line. The second pickup overturned on its side. One person was trapped in that truck for about 15 minutes while firemen used the Jaws of Life to free her.
None of the injuries were believed to be life threatening, according to emergency personnel on the scene.
Monday: One Killed, Two Injured In Highway 29 Crash
The Florida Highway Patrol says Carolyn Hightower, 60, of Pensacola died just before 8:00 Monday night from injuries she received earlier in the day in a North Escambia accident.
The FHP said Richard D. Hightower, 63, and his passenger Carolyn Hightower, 60, of Pensacola were northbound on Highway 29 at Bluff Springs Road in the outside lane when a pickup truck driven by Floyd D. Calloway, 65, of Century pulled from Byrneville Road into their path about 8:20 Monday morning.
Calloway’s truck hit the rear of Hightower’s Chevrolet Blazer, causing it to rotate. Hightower was unable to control the SUV, and it rolled several times before coming to a stop upside in the northbound lanes of Highway 29 (pictured below), according to the highway patrol crash report.
Carolyn Hightower was transported by LifeFlight to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola where she later died. Richard Hightower was transported by a second LifeFlight helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital in serious condition. Calloway was transported by ambulance to Jay Hospital with minor injuries. All three people were wearing their seatbelts.
NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
