Mailing A Letter? It Will Now Cost You A Penny More
May 12, 2008
The cost of mailing a letter jumped a penny to 42 cents on Monday, the latest in what are expected to be annual price adjustments by the U.S. Postal Service.
A new law regulating the post office makes it easier to raise rates as long as the agency doesn’t exceed the rate of inflation. Rates are to be adjusted each May.
But the post office also has introduced a way for people to save money when the price goes up, the Forever stamp, which remains valid for first class postage regardless of any increases.
With the rate increase approaching, sales of the Forever stamp reached 64 million a day in April, postal officials said.
Forever stamps sold for 41 cents until midnight Sunday night, but can be used after the rate increase without any additional postage. But now that the postal rate is up a penny, so was the price of Forever stamps that are 42 cents Monday.
Unlike the Forever stamps, other 41 cent stamps will require additional postage under the new rates, and postal officials said they printed an additional 1.5 billion one cent stamps in anticipation of the demand.
A set of five 42 cent stamps honoring pioneering journalists went on sale in April, as did a set of four stamps featuring the American flag flying at different times of day.
A 42 cent stamp featuring singer and actor Frank Sinatra (pictured left) was released Tuesday morning.
The cost to mail a post card also went up a penny Monday, to 27 cents.
But, the Postal Service said that overall prices for Express Mail, its overnight service, will be lower at the weights and in the delivery zones used by most customers.
And Express mail and Priority mail customers can save money simply buying postage online, the agency said. Express mail customers will receive three percent off the published retail prices and Priority mail customers will save an average 3.5 percent.
The new 42 cent stamps, as well as penny stamps to go with your old 41 cent stamps, are available online at usps.com or at post offices across the area, including the post offices in McDavid, Molino, Century, Walnut Hill and Cantonment.
Rollover Accident Injures One Sunday Afternoon
May 12, 2008
One person was injured in a single vehicle rolloever accident about 3:40 Sunday afternoon near the Gandyville community.
Jennifer Lowe, 16, lost control of her westbound pickup truck on Highway 4A near Broomes Road. Her truck apparently left the highway, traveled a short distance on the shoulder of the road before skidding across the road, down the opposite shoulder and then back across the road again. The truck struck a ditch embankment, became airborne and crashed through a metal gate before striking a small hill and a tree. The truck landed upside down.
Lowe told authorities that she swerved to avoid another vehicle in that was in her lane when she rounded a curve on Highway 4A
Bystanders say she crawled out of the truck and walked to a nearby house before calling 911. Lowe was transported by ambulance to Jay Hospital.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Drive-thru? Pickup Truck Hits Flomaton Pizza Hut
May 12, 2008
A pickup truck struck the Pizza Hut in Flomaton Saturday afternoon. The truck apparently struck the restaurant before spinning around and landing in a wooded area near the drive thru window. There were no major injuries reported.
The Flomaton Fire Department and Escambia County (FL) EMS responded to the scene.
Submitted photos by Alisa Hart for NorthEscambia.com , click to enlarge. Scroll down for more photos.
Hundreds Attend Molino Park Carnival Saturday
May 11, 2008
Hundreds attended Molino Park Elementary School’s carnival Saturday.
Students, and many adults, enjoyed games like Plenko, skeeball, go fish, needle in the haystack and much more. There was also a cake walk, plant walk, stuffed animal walk, bingo and edible sugar sand art. Small baby bottles filled with drink were an especially popular item with the kids.
There was also plenty of food, music and basket auctions.
For a complete photo gallery, click here.
The Tribal Beat Band Holds First Ever Band Banquet
May 11, 2008
The Northview High School Tribal Beat Marching Band held its first ever NHS Band Banquet Saturday night with an emphasis on fun.
“I want to thank the students,” said Band Director Charles Tucker. “You’ve worked so very hard this year.”
“I’ve had a really good time, and I thank everybody for what you have done,” Drum Major Jeremy Halteman said.
The band’s first annual award, the Right Shoe Award, was presented to Tabitha Steege (pictured top of page). Numerous other awards and gifts were presented to students, parents, volunteers and band boosters during the banquet at the Walnut Hill Community Center.
The biggest highlight of the night for the band members were the “fun” awards. The students voted the following award winners:
- The Most Talented: Mallorie Okahashi; Jake Carlson; Jeremy Halteman
- The Cutest: Colton Sims; Caitlyn Brown
- The Shyest: Sarah Schachle; Haley Coleman; Seth Turner
- The Friendliest: Lanie Eubanks; Melissa Moretz
- Needs To Shave the Most: Marvin Lucas
- The Funniest: Briana Halteman; Lanie Eubanks; D. J. Robinson
- Most Like A Cartoon Character: Wayne Marshall; Devon Dries
- Most Likely To Have Musical Career: Jeremy Halteman, Briana Halteman
- Most Likely Not To Show Up: Brittany Peebles; Desere Bookout
- Doesn’t Know Left From Right When Marching: Devon Dries; Casey Townson; Tabitha Steege; Miranda Burkett
- Mocks Mr. Tucker The Most: Justin Purvis
- Best Baton Twirler: Caitlyn Brown
- Best Flag Twirler: Parish Kelley; Patricia Boughner
- Biggest Flirt: Marvin Lucas; Allison Spence
- Spit Valve Fills Quickest: Jeremy Halteman; Jake Carlson
- Most Likely To Break Their Instrument: Jake Carlson; Dixie Picheo
- Most Improved: Matthew Mencel; Devon Dries
- Best At Marching: Jeremy Halteman, Briana Halteman
- Most Photogenic: Dixie Picheo; Caitlyn Brown
- Looks Best With FSU Hair: Kolbi Cobb; D. J. Robinson
- Most Spirit: Lanie Eubanks; D. J. Robinson; Jeremy Halteman
- Most Fashionable: Wayne Marshall; Kolbi Cobb
- Most Unique Style: Parish Kelley; Mallorie Okahashi
- Ate The Most Animal Crackers: Alyssa MacKendree
- Mr. Wright’s Favorite: Dixie Picheo; Elizabeth Wright
- Most Dependable: Lanie Eubanks; Jeremy Halteman
- Best Attitude: Briana Halteman; Lanie Eubanks; Olivia Nolen
- Forgot Black Socks Most: Casey Townson; Devon Dries
- Mr. Tucker’s Favorite: Colton Sims; Jeremy Halteman
- Best All Around: Briana Halteman; Lanie Eubanks
- Senior That Will Be Missed The Most: Jeremy Halteman; Marvin Lucas
- 8th Grader Most Likely to Succeed in High School: Elizabeth Wright
For a complete photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured below: The “Looks Best With FSU Hair” student awards went to Kolbi Cobb and D.J. Robinson. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
North Escambia Residents Help ‘Stamp Out Hunger’ In Food Drive
May 11, 2008
Dozens of mail carriers collected hundreds of pounds of food Saturday at mailboxes across North Escambia for the 16th annual “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive.
Residents were asked to participate in the annual event by leaving a bag of nonperishable food by their mailboxes for their mail carrier to collect.
The food collected in North Escambia Saturday will go to the Manna Food Bank, ACTS Ministries; Warrington Emergency Aid; and St. Vincent de Paul in Pensacola for local distribution. The bulk of the food will go to the Manna Food Bank.
The local chapter of the National Association of Letter Carriers hoped to collect quarter million pounds of food Saturday across Northwest Florida. Last year, local letter carriers collected 246,000 pounds of food. That accounted for about one third of all the food Manna collected last year.
Pictured above: Food awaits collection in the Stamp Out Hunger food drive Saturday on Wiggins Lake Road in Walnut Hill.
NWE Hammer Heads Shut Out Molino
May 10, 2008
The Northwest Escambia Hammer Heads shut out the Molino Chicken Rockets by a score of 12-3 Friday evening. Much to everyone’s disappointment the game was called early due to time. This makes three wins in a row for the Hammer Heads.
For more photos from the game, click here.
Ramona Preston photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview High Holds 13th Annual FFA Banquet
May 10, 2008
It was an emotional night Friday at the 13th Annual Northview High School FFA Banquet.
For the FFA teacher sponsor and the FFA president, the night was a perhaps a little more emotional and special.
“She’s been going to these (FFA) banquets for 18 years,” Northview FFA sponsor Perry Byars said of this year’s FFA President Andrea Byars (pictured left), his daughter. Andrea, a graduating senior, spent four years in Northview’s FFA under her father’s leadership.
The annual banquet includes a somber ceremony for graduating seniors…they slowly remove their signature blue FFA jackets and hang them up for the last time on a coat rack.
One at a time, the three graduating FFA seniors participated in the ceremony. Secretary Travis Vickery, Vice President Jacob Shiver and finally President Andrea Byers removed their jackets one by one, placing them on the coat rack. After hanging up her FFA jacket the last time, Andrea walked over and hugged her father.
Perry Byars then stood aside as Andrea took the podium.
“Mr. Byars, or as I call him ‘daddy’,” she said fighting back tears, “I want to thank you for the best four years of my life.” Sniffles and quiet sobs could be heard throughout the Northview theater.
She then presented Perry Byars and the “FFA Mom” Kay Byars with tokens of the FFA Club’s appreciation. Kay Byars is Andrea’s mom.
The night also included many awards for Northview and Ernest Ward Middle school FFA members and supporters.
Among those honored during the night were community members Libbie Johnson, Jamie Hall and James Riggs for their support of the FFA program. The three were named honorary members of the NHS FFA. Abbie Rolph and Jack Livingston were also honored as adult supporters of the FFA.
The coveted NHS FFA High Points Award went to Andrea Byars. The Blue and Gold Awards went to Sandie Sanders and Jennifer Lowe.
The new NHS FFA officers named for the 2008-2009 school year were: Micah Byars, president; Allie Vidak, vice president; Desere Bookout, second vice president; Aimee Clark, secretary; Jennifer Lowe, treasurer; Wes Chancery, parliamentarian; Lydia Weaver, reporter; Brittany Thompson, historian; Stephanie Solari, sentinel and Candice Greenwell, chaplain.
Dozens of the over 120 students in Northview’s FFA received various awards during the night.
The night also included honors and awards for Ernest Ward Middle School’s 87 FFA members presented by chapter sponsor Cynthia Wilson. Lydia Weaver and Bessie Hollingsworth were presented with EWMS FFA Leadership Awards.
For a photo gallery from the Northview FFA Banquet, click here.
Pictured above: FFA President Andrea Byars and her father, FFA sponsor Perry Byars, share a tearful hug. Picture below: Just one of the many awards presented during the 13th Annual Northview High School FFA Banquet Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Carver/Century Holds Field Day
May 10, 2008
Students at Carver/Century K-8 School held its annual Field Day Friday.
The elementary school students spent their morning doing a variety of activities outdoors, as the did the middle school students in the afternoon.
The day’s events included such events as the kangaroo relay, sack race, tug-of-war, hula hoop relay, wheelchair race, obstacle course , egg on spoon, egg toss, volleyball and more.
For a photo gallery from the elementary school portion of the Carver/Century Field Day, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
NWE Panhandle Wins Again
May 9, 2008
The Northwest Escambia Little League Panhandle team beat Chumuckla Thursday night.
NWE Panhandle 13, Chumuckla 3.