Bradberry Park Locked And Closed Following Crimes
January 16, 2008
The ball fields and playground at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill now sit quietly behind a closed and locked gate following recent vandalisms and thefts.
“We don’t want to have to keep that park locked,” said Escambia County’s Chief of Recreation Michael Rhodes. “But it had to be locked following vandalism and the theft of several items.”
All 13 athletic parks in Escambia County are managed by the athletic associations that play there. The seven acre Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill is managed by the Northwest Escambia Little League.
League President Steve Hanks tells NorthEscambia.com that over $12,000 worth of athletic equipment and other items were stolen from the field house in the park. The thieves actually busted into a wall of the building in an attempt to gain entry.
“We are probably going to keep locking and unlocking the park for now,” Hanks said. “Once baseball season starts, we will probably leave it open all the time.” The league’s first games are scheduled for early April after Spring Break.
Rhodes said most athletic parks in the county are kept locked, opened only for events, practices and games. Walnut Hill’s Bradberry Park was one of the few that were open all the time.
For parents that want to let their children play on safe playground equipment, there is a nearby alternative to Bradberry Park. There is a complete playground, including swings, at the county owned Walnut Hill Community Center (also known as the Ruritan Club building) on Highway 97 just north of the fire department.
Free Trees For Arbor Day
January 16, 2008
Escambia County Neighborhood and Environmental Services Department will celebrate Arbor Day by giving away 175 six to eight foot canopy trees. Tree varieties include southern magnolia, savannah holly, and live oak.
The tree giveaway is part of a grant-funded program from the USDA Forest Service and Florida Division of Forestry.
Parents Warned After Masked Man Attempts To Lure Child
January 16, 2008
Parents of students Jim Allen Elementary School have been called and warned about a masked man that tried to lure a girl into his car last week.
Authorities say the man in an older white Lincoln or Cadillac tried to entice the first grade girl on Booth Avenue into his vehicle with candy and a portable Playstation.
The sheriff’s departments says they’ve stepped up patrols in the area, especially around bus stops.
Blood Drive Held At Walnut Hill Farm Supply
January 15, 2008
The Northwest Florida Blood Center held a community blood drive Monday at the Walnut Hill Farm Supply at the corner of South Highway 99 and Highway 97. A total of 28 units were donated.
There is a need for all blood types, but there is currently a significant need for type AB-, according to the Northwest Florida Blood Center.
If you missed this opportunity to donate, blood donations are accepted on a regular basis at the blood center’s main location at 1999 Nine Mile Road in Pensacola. They are open Monday through Thursday from 9-6 and Friday from 9-5. For more info, call 473-3853 or visit their website at www.nfbcblood.org.
Pictured: The “Bloodmobile” Monday morning at the Walnut Hill Farm Supply.
Memorial Fund For Deputy’s Family Continues To Grow
January 15, 2008
A memorial fund for the family of Escambia County Deputy Lt. Raymond Simmons continues to grow. The fund was established by The Northwest Florida Chapter of the Police Benevolent Association. Simmons died November 24 in Walnut Hill.
About 35 people have pledged a total of $5,400 for the fund so far, according to Eric Haines, a Northwest Florida PBA board member.
The association is asking for 100 deputies to pledge to work one side security job and donate $150.00 to the fund in Simmon’s memory. Deputies typically work extra duty security jobs and earn about $150.00 for eight hours. Any deputy willing to make the pledge is asked to email nwfpbawebmaster@yahoo.com with their name and fulfill their pledge within 90 days.
Anyone else wishing to make a donation for his children can do so at any branch of Pen Air Federal Credit Union, including the branch at 8460 North Century Boulevard in Century.
“We have an opportunity to work extra duty employment outside our jobs as officers,” benevolent association President Bain Custer told NorthEscambia.com last month. “We are asking each officer to commit an eight hour shift. But anything would help.”
“It is important to us that we do this for Ray’s children and his wife Summer,” Custer said.
Funeral services for Simmons were held Friday, November 30 at Faith Chapel North in Cantonment. He was laid to rest at Bayview Memorial Park. He had served 14 years with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department.
Picture above and below are submitted photos from the funeral of Escambia County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Raymond Simmons.
District 5 School Board Candidates Raise Little Money
January 15, 2008
The two candidates for the District 5 seat on the Escambia County School Board had very little campaign money by the end of 2007.
Incumbent Pete Gindhl reported that by December 31 he had raised nothing and spent nothing on his campaign. Gindhl qualified for the nonpartisan office on September 7 of last year.
His challenger, Tom Harrell, reported that by year’s end he had raised just $1,186.33. A full $1,000 of that amount came from the candidate. He had only spent $50, with that amount paid to the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections office. Harrell has been a declared candidate for the school board seat since January 29, 2007.
District 5 Candidates Report Campaign Donations
January 15, 2008
Escambia County District 5 incumbent Kevin White continues to lead the fund-raising pack as of the latest financial reports filed by the four candidates for the seat.
As of December 31, White had raised $34,155.00 in contributions, loans and in-kind donations for his campaign. He had spent $431.70. That amount included a $200 donation to the Pensacola Civitan Club, printing and miscellaneous office related expenses. Click here to view White’s campaign finance reports in pdf format.
Chris Washler reports that he had raised $2,569.45 by the last day of December. He had spent $388.25 on his campaign, mostly on printing, a logo and bank charges. Click here to view Washler’s campaign finance reports in pdf format.
John Hartman, the lone Democrat in the race, reported that he had $1,180.00 come into his campaign fund by the end of 2007. He had spent $243.64, mostly on signs and office supplies. Click here to view Hartman’s campaign finance reports in pdf format.
Randall McCrackin reported that he had no campaign income or expenses by December 31. Click here to view McCrackin’s campaign finance reports in pdf format.
The primary election is scheduled for August 26, 2008. The prefile deadline for local offices is noon on May, 19, 2008.
Clicking on any of the pdf links above with load the candidates actual campaign finance report. You can see the name and address of each contributor and the name and address for each expense.
NorthEscambia.com will have complete local election coverage over the coming months.
Area Gas Prices Still Above $3 Gallon; Pcola Cheaper
January 14, 2008
Area gas prices continued to run over $3 a gallon on Sunday, with a variation as much as 20 cents per gallon between stations in Pensacola and some in North Escambia.
The lowest price per gallon for regular unleaded NorthEscambia.com found in Escambia County on Sunday was $2.96 at Sam’s Club on Airport Boulevard. Many other Pensacola area stations were at about $2.99, including the Tom Thumb on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
Ten miles north would cost you another 10 cents per gallon Sunday; the Tom Thumb at the corner of Highway 29 and Highway 97 was selling a gallon of regular unleaded for $3.09 per gallon (pictured left).
Another 19 miles up Highway 29 would cost you yet another couple of cents per gallon Sunday, with a BP station at the corner of Highway 29 and Highway 4 selling a gallon of regular unleaded for $3.11 per gallon (pictured above).
A spot check of other stations around the area found a high of $3.16 per gallon at another station in Century.
The national average Sunday was $3.07 per gallon. That’s about 75 cents per gallon higher than the same time last year. Experts say not to expect any more significant jumps at the pump in the next few weeks until the winter driving season hits its mid-point, unless there is some major international incident.
Catholic Downs Northview Boys And Girls Saturday
January 12, 2008
Catholic High School defeated both the Northview boys and girls Saturday afternoon in Bratt.
The Catholic boys edged past the Chiefs 59-56. Nakita Mytles racked up 27 points on the board for Northview and Tarus Thomas scored 12. Other points: Jocqus Lett 8, Jay Jackson 4, James Lewis 3 and Cordayl Lowery 2.
The Chiefs enter the fourth period down 40-32. They rallied in the final period for 24 points, but still fell shy of the win.
The Catholic girls defeated the Northview girls 55-42. Melissa Garrett downed downed 18 for the Chiefs and Gabe Wesley hit 12. Other points: Timeka Marshall 8, Angela Rodriquez 2 and Brittney Thompson 2.
The Chiefs are next on the road, Thursday in Jay and Friday in South Walton Beach.
Fire Departments Respond To Century Care Center
January 12, 2008
Several area fire departments responded to the Century Care Century early Saturday morning following the report of a fire.
Units from Century, Flomaton and McDavid responded to the call. Reports from the scene reported some smoke in one room from a faulty heater.