Groundbreaking Held For $87 Million Regional Peanut Processing Plant In Atmore
March 10, 2021
Construction on a new $87 million peanut shelling and storage facility in Atmore is well underway, and an ceremonial groundbreaking was held Wednesday.
The Coastal Growers facility, located in the Atmore Industrial Park, is owned by a cooperative of farmers who live mostly in Alabama and Florida. Just a couple of miles from the state line, it will provide people from both Alabama and Northwest Florida a chance for full time jobs that will pay an average of $17 an hour.
“It’s going to bring 150 high, well paying opportunities for employment to this area,” Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey told NorthEscambia.com following the groundbreaking. “That’s a great thing for rural Alabama, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
“One of my highest priorities in my administration is developing our workforce,” Ivey said. “While we have had a hard year, our economy is proving her strength, and we are bouncing back. I am thrilled for the people of Atmore and surrounding areas to see that this facility is ready to begin to take shape. Our state has a storied tradition of peanut production which provides an estimated $200 million to our economy. This facility will be a great addition to our economy.”
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The company said the plant will process peanuts grown by farmers from Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi — from the Mississippi River to the Chattahoochee River.
“Within 150 miles of where I am standing right now, there is the capability to grow, shell, roast and jar 300 million pounds of peanuts.” said Brad Smith, president of Coastal Growers. “This is to me the definition of rural development.”
The modern plant will be about 400,000 square feet on 60 acres.
“This plant is designed to be one of the most efficient and safe peanut processing facilities in the world,” said Dirk Lindsey, CEO of Coastal Growers. “This highly automated state of the art facility is designed to produce a high quality food product with food safety as our top priority. The products produced out of this facility will be shipped throughout the United States and all over the world. These peanuts will go in a lot of the products that you already know enjoy eating on a daily basis.”
“This is great for our community; it’s going to reach way out. I mean almost to the Georgia line. We’re gonna get them too,” Atmore Mayor Jim Staff said.
The plant is expected to open by early next year.
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NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FDOT To Conduct Safety Study For Highway 29 In Century After Pedestrian Crashes
March 10, 2021
Just days after pedestrian was struck and killed trying to cross North Century Boulevard (Highway 29), the Florida Department of Transportation says they will conduct a safety study in Century.
“FDOT is currently organizing a pedestrian traffic study for that area as part of the department’s efforts to improve pedestrian safety,” said Ian Satter, public information director for the Florida Department of Transportation District 3.
FDOT said there have been four previous pedestrian crashes on the roadway, including a fatality, south of East Highway 4. About 11,000 vehicles pass through Century each day.
“The Department will begin a Safety Study of the US 29 corridor which will review current roadway features and determine the most appropriate countermeasures which may include, but not limited to, street lighting, crosswalks and pedestrian refuge islands. The study and countermeasures will be funded through the Department’s Highway Safety Improvement Program,” Satter said in an email.
“We want to take care of the safety of our citizens,” Century Mayor Ben Boutwell said Tuesday night. “Any type of visual effect that will help them get across the street safely, I love that idea. I love the idea of flashing lights.”
There’s only one marked pedestrian crossing along the three miles of North Century Boulevard in the entire town of Century. It’s at the intersection of North Century Boulevard and East Highway 4, just over a mile north of the spot where a 71-year old man died while trying to cross near Pond Street last Friday.
In May 2019, a 26-year old woman was struck on North Century Boulevard, just south of the Century Branch Library. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, she was standing on the sidewalk and improperly crossed in front of the vehicle. The pedestrian was airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital as a trauma alert by LifeFlight helicopter. She also received a ticket from FHP for failing to yield to the oncoming vehicle because she was not in a crosswalk.
In 2019, the former mayor told the media he had previously asked the state to conduct a safety study, but the study was never done.
“After reviewing the traffic crash information from the incident on May 6, 2019, a study was not conducted at that time,” Satter confirmed Tuesday.
In April 2017, a pedestrian was struck by a car at the entrance to the Century Town Hall and the Century Branch Library. The driver told FHP that the man suddenly appeared in front of her vehicle; she was unsure if he was crossing or standing in the roadway. His family approached the Century Town Council asking for a pedestrian crosswalk in the area of the town hall and adjacent library for safety reasons. Mayor Henry Hawkins said at that time that he would approach the FDOT to explore a pedestrian crossing.
Boutwell acknowledged that speed is also a major danger to pedestrians and others along North Century Boulevard.
“We need to put out some speed limit signs that show what the speeds are going on with caution lights to say hey, you need to slow down. We have too many people speeding in this community…They need to slow down.”
“Safety for our citizens is what it boils down to,” Boutwell added.
Pictured top: A pedestrian died last Friday, March 5 after being hit by this vehicle on North Century Boulevard north of Pond Street in Century. Pictured inset: A pedestrian was critically injured and ticketed by the FHP after being hit by a vehicle in May 2019. Pictured bottom: A pedestrian was struck by this vehicle in April 2017. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Officials Warning About Dry Weather And Wildfire Risk
March 10, 2021
Officials with the Florida Forest Service’s Blackwater Forestry Center have seen an uptick in wildfires recently and are cautioning residents to be vigilant in the coming days if they conduct any outdoor burning. With continued dry weather, low humidity and a natural transition to the peak of Florida’s year-round wildfire season, wildland firefighters have battled at five fires in the past four days.
“It’s more fires than we were seeing a week or two ago but it’s not unusual for this time of year. The number is on the rise,” said David Smith who oversees the firefighting efforts as operations administrator for Blackwater. “We’ve had really nice weather; maybe more people are out doing yard work and some spring cleanup. We want folks to be careful if they decide to burn those leaves and limbs.”
Forecasts call for continued low humidity and higher winds with the next chance of rain not predicted until early to middle of next week.
Residents may burn yard debris in piles less than eight feet in diameter as long as they meet the setbacks and there are no city or county ordinances against it. There currently are no burn bans in effect in Escambia or Santa Rosa Okaloosa counties. In addition to meeting the required setbacks, it is recommended that those who chose to burn have a charged water hose and shovel or rake on hand, never burn on windy days and never leave a fire unattended. Residents must ensure their burn piles are completely extinguished before leaving them unattended as lingering heat from smoldering debris often is the cause for escaped fires.
Those wishing to conduct large pile burns or acreage burns must call (850) 957-5701 for an authorization and meet additional requirements which might include having heavy equipment on site.
One Shot Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Clinic To Be Held Saturday In Escambia County
March 10, 2021
Community Health Northwest Florida will hold a special Johnson & Johnson “one shot’ vaccine clinic Saturday for Escambia County residents.
The clinic will be held from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Brownsville Community Center at 3200 West DeSoto Street in Pensacola.
Eligible persons who wish to be scheduled for this special Saturday vaccination event should call the Community Health COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center at (850) 439-3358 to make an appointment.
With the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine, only one shot is required. It is available for persons 18 and older.
This clinic is open to all residents of Florida who qualify and are:
- Persons 65 years of age and older;
- Adults 18 and older deemed medically vulnerable by a physician with the following:
- Patients may have their doctor fill out a State of Florida “COVID Vulnerability Determination” form or bring a doctor’s note/prescription stating the condition that qualifies the patient or current prescription bottles of the medication that treats the preexisting condition.
- If a current Community Health Northwest Florida patient and medically vulnerable, no form is required.
- All K-12 school employees, all ages; must show a badge from their school. (Current Executive Order does not include educators beyond K-12).
- Daycare workers; badge or paystub required as proof of employment in day care setting.
- Case workers from Children’s Home Society and Lakeview/Families First Network.
- Long-term care facility residents and staff;
- Health care personnel with direct patient contact;
- Sworn law enforcement officers 50 years of age and older;
- Firefighters 50 years of age and older.
All participants will be required to show photo ID as well as proof of eligibility at time of appointment. Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days or have had symptoms of illness (fever, cough, shortness of breath) in the past 14 days should not receive the vaccine.
Beulah Man Accused Of Child Abuse After Spanking Boy With A Belt, Leaving Bruises
March 10, 2021
A Beulah man has been accused of beating his child with a belt, leaving bruises all over his body, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Bryan Matthew Harrell, 37, of Pensacola, is charged with felony child cruelty. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Wednesday morning.
Deputies responded to a child abuse complaint at Harrell’s home where they were met at the front door by an adult and the young victim. The deputies noted obvious injuries to the child in his report including bruising on the child’s arm, back and right side.
“Daddy did it with a belt,” the victim stated, according to the report.
After incident between other people in the house (their names, ages and relationships are redacted from the report), Harrell got out of the shower, grabbed a belt and started to spank the child, the report states. A witness told deputies Harell hit the child more than five times.
Harrell then told the child to go sit on the couch, where he spanked the boy again, the sheriff’s office said.
The report continues that Harll told someone to soak the child in a hot epsom salt bath to reduce the bruising.
Tate Tennis Beats Milton, Lady Aggies Softball Beats Escambia; Milton Baseball Tops Tate
March 10, 2021
TENNIS
Tate 7, Milton 0 (boys)
Tate 4, Milton 3 (girls)
The Tate Aggies boys and girls tennis teams beat Milton on Tuesday. The Boys won 7-0 and Girls were 4-3 overall.
BASEBALL
Milton 6, Tate 2
The Milton Panthers defeated the Tate Aggies 6-2 Tuesday night.
Tanner Rochon went three innings on the mound for the Aggies, allowing one run on four hits and striking out two with Jackson Penton, Jadon Fryman and Tucker Griffin rounding out the game.
Tate high three hits from Dalton Bowen, two from Dylan Godwin, and one each from Drew Reaves, Zak Licastro and Jackson Penton.
SOFTBALL
Tate 9, Escambia 1
The Tate Lady Aggies beat the Escambia Gators in 9-1 Tuesday night after four runs in the fight inning and another four in the sixth.
Abbie Burks pitched a complete seven inning game, allowing one run on three hits and striking out four.
For Tate, Christina Mason had three hits in four at bats. Kennedy Turner had two hits, and Michayla Kent, Courtney Lundquist, Sophia Jones and Courtney Adams had one hit each.
Northview 3, Baker 1
Heather Knowles had a homerun for the Chiefs Monday night.
Northview 14, W.S. Neal 1
Heather Knowles had her second home run of the week Tuesday night.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview High Band Receives Straight Superiors At Concert Music Performance Assessment
March 10, 2021
The Northview High School band received straight superior ratings this week at their concert music performance assessment, the highest rating possible. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Silver Alert Canceled For Missing Escambia County Man
March 9, 2021
UPDATE: The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday night that the Silver Alert has been canceled for a missing 71-year old Escambia County man after he was located. Further details were not provided.
Previous story:
Roger Michael Kuhn was last seen at 8:40 a.m. Tuesday on Lillian Highway. He was driving a red 2002 Honda Accord with a Georgia tag number RIY1880 and a flip-flop sticker on the back.
He is described as being 5’,11” with long gray hair and brown eyes. He was wearing black jogger style pants and green slippers.
Kuhn may be in need of medical attention.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or 911.
Cantonment Woman Charged With Stealing Her Jailed Brother’s Car And Selling it
March 9, 2021
A Cantonment woman is accused of stealing her brother’s vehicle and selling it by having another person impersonate her brother — all while he was in jail.
Niquita Lashon Potter, 35, was charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle, dealing in stolen property and altering a vehicle title.
After Potter’s brother was arrested, he requested that she retrieve and maintain his 2019 Dodge Charger. After getting out of prison, he learned the car had been sold without his permission.
Potter told deputies that her father provided a key and location of the vehicle. She explained that her father was sleeping with a woman while she was sleeping with the woman’s husband, according to arrest report. State records showed the Dodge was now registered in the name of the woman the father was sleeping with, the report continues. Both individuals denied they were involved in any intimate relationship with the parties in the case.
The vehicle was allegedly sold to the man with which Potter claimed to have an intimate relationship, the report states. He provided documentation showing he was making payments to Potter on the vehicle.
Potter remained in the Escambia County Jail Tuesday with bond set at $17,500.
Molino Tax Collector Office To Open Late Wednesday After System Upgrade
March 9, 2021
The Escambia County Tax Collector Molino office will open late on Wednesday for installation of a new computer system.
The Molino will open at 1 p.m. on Wednesday for the switch-over and testing process.
Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford said the news system is part of the Online Registration and Identity Operating Network (ORION). ORION will modernize the driver’s license issuance process and create new office efficiencies in Escambia County and across the state.
During these service interruptions, other office locations will be unaffected and open at regularly scheduled times.
Late openings for system upgrades area also planned as follows:
- Wednesday, March 17 — Marcus Pointe office will open at 1 p.m.
- Monday, March 22 — Warrington office will open at 1 p.m.