Fund Established To Help With Assistant Fire Chief’s Funeral Expenses
February 18, 2012
A fund has been established to help pay funeral expenses for an Escambia County Fire Rescue deputy station chief that passed away this week.
Joe Huff, 64, passed away Wednesday after a brief battle with cancer. He was a volunteer firefighter in Escambia County for 48 years and currently served as assistant chief of the Beulah Station of Escambia Fire Rescue.
A fund to assist with funeral expenses has been established at Harvester’s Federal Credit Union in Cantonment. Donations should be made to the “Joe Huff Fund”.
Visitation for Joe Huff will be held from 5-8 p.m. today at the Faith Chapel Funeral Home North in Cantonment. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Marcus Point Baptist Church. Graveside service to follow at Eastern Gate Cemetery on Nine Mile Road.
For the complete obituary, click here.
Tate Opens Season With Win Over West Florida
February 18, 2012
The Tate Aggies came from behind in the bottom of the seventh Friday night, scoring three runs to take down West Florida 7-6.
Hunter Black doubled home two runs for the Aggies to secure Tate’s first win of the season. Cody Palmer was 3-4 with two RBI’s. JT Granat got the win in relief.
Navy Federal To Hire 450-600 This Year
February 18, 2012
Navy Federal Credit Union announced Friday that the company will hire another 450 to 600 call center employees during 2012.
CEO Cutler Dawson said the new employees are needed due to the credit union’s growth — including 400,000 new members last year. The new jobs are in addition to 700 new hires last year that pushed total employment to 2,200. With the new hires, the company’s Beulah campus will near its 3,300 worker capacity.
Navy Federal has expressed interest in purchasing the adjacent 240-acre Langley Bell 4-H Center. So far, no agreement has been made to purchase the 4-H facility from Escambia County.
Canceled: Northview Baseball, Atmore Mardi Gras, NWE Little League Tryouts
February 18, 2012
A wet and potentially stormy forecast for Saturday is spoiling several planned weekend events:
Northview vs. PHS Baseball
Saturday’s scheduled PHS at Northview High baseball double header has been canceled. It will be rescheduled for a later date.
Atmore Mardi Gras Parade
The Ladies of Essence Mardi Gras Parade set for Saturday in Atmore has been rescheduled for Saturday, February 25 at 1 p.m.
NWE Tryouts
NWE tryouts for Saturday, February 18 have been canceled due to weather. Northwest Escambia Bradberry Park tryouts for baseball and softball for all ages will be Saturday, February 25 beginning at 10 a.m. until. Full concessions will available. Last minute registration from 9:00 – 9:45 a.m.
WABB-FM 97.5 Sold To Religious Broadcasting Company
February 18, 2012
WABB 97.5 — one of the oldest Top 40 radio stations in the country — has been sold to not-for-profit EMF (Educational Media Foundation) of Rocklin, CA.
EMF will take over all programming and the format for the station on March 1. EMF is a religious broadcast that controls the programming on stations across the country, mostly with their K-Love and Air1 formats. Both play Christian music. The company has not yet made any official announcements concerning WABB.
WABB has been a family owned station for 52 years. Bernie Dittman bought WABB-AM in 1959 and put WABB-FM on the air in 1973 with a Top 40 format. A legendary icon in the broadcasting industry, Dittman was devoted throughout his career to maintaining WABB as an independent, family owned station. The family continued to operate the station after his death in 2006.
Despite the station’s success, the next generation of the family no longer resides in the Mobile area and, as a result, the family viewed the sale as a logical transition.
“This was a very difficult and emotional decision for our family,” said Judith Dittman, Bernie’s wife. “WABB-FM has enjoyed decades of success and being an integral part of the Mobile-Pensacola communities. But the time has come for us to move into another phase of life and spend more time together as a family.”
Blue Jacket Jamboree Tonight: Group Of The Year ‘The Springs’ And Dinner
February 18, 2012
Tickets will be available at the door tonight for the Blue Jacket Jamboree presented by the Northview FFA Alumni featuring the CGMA Country Group of the Year “The Springs”.
The Springs have shared the stage with country greats like Alan Jackson, Craig Moran, Toby Keith and Reba McIntire with their high energy brand of Country/Southern Rock.
Nominated along with Steel Magnolia, Sugarland, and Lady Antebellum for the New Music Awards “Country Group of the Year”, The Springs are seen by some as the “next big thing” in country music. The all-male group has also had two Christian country number one songs. To learn more about The Springs and hear their music, click here.
Tickets are $20 per person which includes a pulled pork sandwich meal. The event takes place beginning at 5 p.m. rain or shine on Saturday, February 18 in the Northview High School Auditorium. The event will also include an auction.
For more information, visit BlueJacketJamboree.com.
The Blue Jacket Jamboree is sponsored in part by NorthEscambia.com, Cat Country, 98.7 and Your Country 102.7 WXBM.
The Northview FFA Alumini uses proceeds from the event for scholarships for eligible seniors and transportation for FFA members to state and national conventions.
Kevin White’s Withdrawal Letter
February 18, 2012
Incumbent District 5 Escambia County Commissioner Kevin White withdrew from the race Friday. The following is a letter from White faxed to NorthEscambia.com —
To the citizens of District 5 and Escambia County,
Just over eight years ago, I walked from Cantonment to Century to kick off-my campaign for the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners, District 5. The walk was long, but it gave me a unique opportunity to listen to the citizens along the way about what they perceived as challenges facing our community. Many expressed the desire for better jobs, and a smaller, more efficient county government. Others wanted the county’s infrastructure improved with paved roads and sidewalks. And some wanted our community cleaner with an emphasis on protecting our natural resources.
I was fortunate that the citizens put their trust in me and elected me to two successful terms. Every day I worked to make our community better, not just for the citizens of District 5, but the community as a whole. My experience in the United States Air Force, Air National Guard and as a small business owner helped me become a more effective commissioner. I am proud of the progress we’ve made as a county over the past eight years. We’ve recruited businesses and created jobs and cut the county budget by 71 million dollars. District 5 has benefited with more paved roads, newer parks, sidewalks and bike paths, and new trees planted in many areas. I believe the quality of life is better than it has been in a generation.
With this in mind, I have decided not to seek a third term for the District 5 seat. I still care very deeply about Escambia County and will remain active to see that our community moves forward in a positive direction. I have given eight years to Escambia County and I believe that it is time for someone else to have the opportunity to serve. The District 5 seat doesn’t belong to me……it belongs to the people….and I am humbled and thankful for the experience.
Being a member of the County Commission and serving with my colleagues has been a challenging and rewarding experience. We have tackled many policy issues that impacted the citizens for the county. I am proud of the way everyone worked to put the community back together after the devastation of Hurricane Ivan; I am thankful to the dedicated county employees who continue to amaze me with their commitment to the betterment of Escambia County. I could not have accomplished so many goals without them.
This chapter in my life is coming to a close and I will always remember having the awesome responsibility of serving the citizens of Escambia County. They are very informed and I have learned a lot from their insights.
May God bless you and Escambia County. It has been a wonderful ride.
– Kevin White
Bank Of Brewton Robbed
February 17, 2012
The main branch of the Bank of Brewton was robbed Friday afternoon.
Brewton Police have released few details about the early afternoon robbery at 103 Belleville Avenue.
Investigators indicated that the suspect or suspects fled the bank. A manhunt followed involving multiple agencies including the Brewton Police Department, East Brewton Police Department, the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office, a K-9 team from the Century Correctional Institution and the FBI.
The only description provided by police so far is that the suspect is black, but it was unknown if they were male or female due to the disguise that was used. The suspect reportedly walked into the rear entrance of the bank off a public boardwalk.
“This isn’t your normal situation,” Lt. Brock Holt of the Brewton Police Department said.
Pictured: Three images from video surveillance inside the Bank of Brewton Friday afternoon. Submitted for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Troopers: Speed Was Factor As Man Plows Into Train
February 17, 2012
Speed was a factor as a 24-year old man plowed his pickup truck into the side of a moving freight train north of Flomaton this morning.
William David Stewart of Irvington, Ala., was seriously injured in the 8:36 a.m. crash on Foshee Road near Hammac Road, about 10 miles from Flomaton. He was transported by LifeFlight to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola. There were no other occupants in the vehicle.
The accident caused a minor diesel fuel leak from a tank on one of the engines. No one on the train was injured.
The crossing is marked by signs but no automated crossing arms or lights. Well over 100 feet of skids marks from the truck were evident on the asphalt leading up to the crossing.
Pictured: One person was seriously injured in this pickup truck versus train crash Friday morning north of Flomaton. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
County Gives 30 Acres To Muzzle Loaders
February 17, 2012
The Escambia County Commission Thursday night voted to give the Escambia River Muzzle Loaders the 30 acres where they operate and allow the group to extend their shooting hours.
The vote was the final approval needed to give the land to the non-profit ERML group to release the county of any liability associated with the shooting range and avoid an environmental cleanup.
Neighbors of the range on Rocky Branch Road have spoken out in opposition to the range and its practices for years. They claim ERML committed to spend $250,000 to improve the range’s safety and reduce noise. But neighbors said the upgrades have never happened. Neighbors have also claimed that the Muzzle Loaders want to purchase additional property to expand the range — and shoot in the direction of neighboring homes.
Changes approved in spirit by the commission Thursday include:
- The range will be open extended hours from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. during the April 1 to September 30 period. Previous hours were 8 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.
- A safety officer must be present whenever the shooting range is being used.
- The range will remain closed on Mondays, unless it is a national holiday other than Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter Sunday.
- Lighting can be installed around the shooting platform only.
The Escambia River Muzzle Loaders is located on Rocky Branch Road, north of Quinette Road near the Escambia River.