Dollar General Wants To Build In Walnut Hill. It Would Change The Future Of North Escambia Rural Zoning.
February 17, 2021
Dollar General is considering a location in Walnut Hill, and that could change the future of rural zoning across North Escambia.
Teramore Development currently has three properties under contract at the intersection of Highway 97 and Highway 99A in Walnut Hill, next to Ernest Ward Middle School. One of the parcels includes building constructed in 1940 as the former Bryan’s Grocery and Hardware.
The Escambia County future land use category of the property is Rural Community (RC), and is it currently zoned Rural Mixed Use (RMU). The RMU zoning allows commercial buildings up to 6,000 square feet. There is no provision whatsoever to grant any exceptions to construct a larger commercial building.
Teramore wants the county to make a text amendment to Escambia County code to allow a commercial building up to 11,000 square feet in the RMU zone, with each request for any project over 6,000 square feet requiring individual approval.
If such a text amendment were to be approved by Escambia County, it would allow the construction of not just a Dollar General in Walnut Hill, but any development up to 11,000 square feet anywhere in the RMU zoning category across North Escambia, whether that be Walnut Hill, Bratt, Century outside the town limits, McDavid or Molino.
Buckley Davis of Teramore Development said they want to bring a 10,640 square foot Dollar General Store to the property. Teramore sent letters to 100 residents in the area, inviting them to a recent meeting to gauge community support. About a dozen residents attended the meeting.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Davis told attendees that Dollar General needs over 10,000 square feet for a new concept called “DG Fresh” that offers fresh produce and healthier grocery options. The concept, he said, is Dollar General’s current focus for new stores more rural areas with few food shopping options. Residents said they currently travel 8-12 miles to Atmore or 30-40 miles to Cantonment or Pensacola to shop for food.
Attendees at the Teramore meeting at the Walnut Hill Community Center were generally supportive of the idea of building a larger Dollar General in Walnut Hill, but concerns were expressed about the location next to the school.
The Dollar General parking lot would be accessed from Highway 99A. Residents said it is often difficult at best to see oncoming traffic when drivers pull out from Highway 99A to Highway 97. The speed limit on Highway 97 in the area, outside school zone times, is 45 mph, and the intersection is in a banked curve on the busy state highway.
Retired Walnut Hill pediatrician Cynthia Worrell-White said that outside traffic safety concerns, she has no issue with the proposed Highway 97 Dollar General.
“You’re not really going to an agricultural area in the middle of a field and going to take up good agricultural land. You’re going to a location that has already been a commercial site,” Worrell-White said. “It’s close to that hub of other buildings and EREC (Escambia River Electric Cooperative’s Walnut Hill office) and all. So I think that’s a good choice for those reasons.”
“We’ve got to make sure we keep those safety concerns and keep that intersection safe,” Davis said. “Besides that, I think it’s the perfect location.”
Other residents express concerns about a Walnut Hill Dollar General selling alcohol, but current Escambia County ordinances would prohibit alcohol sales due to the proximity to Ernest Ward Middle School.
Brett Ward, a local agricultural producer, said he was concerned about those yellow Dollar General shopping bags in a rural area. If they blow across Highway 97 into his cotton field and end up in his cotton bales, he said it will cost him money on the cotton market.
“There’s a 16 cent per pound deduction,” he said. “You’ll be hearing from me if that happens.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: Walnut Hill resident Helen Ward listens to details about a proposed Dollar General near her home. Pictured top inset: A preliminary site plan for a new Dollar General in Walnut Hill. Pictured second inset: Cynthia Worrell-White. Pictured bottom inset: Buckley Davis of Teramore Development presents a conceptual drawing of a Walnut Hill Dollar General Store. Pictured below: The conceptual drawing and area map. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Raping Underage Girl
February 17, 2021
A Cantonment man is charged with the forcible rape of an underage girl.
Josue Morel Lopez, 23, is charged with two counts of felony sexual battery of an underage victim age 12 or older while using force.
According to arrest report, Lopez would go to the victim’s home to see her sister and enter through her window. On the night of the incident, he instead went to the underage victim’s bedroom window. She recognized him and let him in the front door.
As she returned to her room, Lopez allegedly pushed her on the bed, began to strangle and rape her, according to an arrest report. The victim was treated for injuries, and a sexual assault kit was collected at a local hospital.
When the victim was interviewed, she told investigators that Lopez had previously sexually assaulted her about six years ago, the report states.
If convicted, Lopez faces life in prison on the capital offenses. He remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $400,000.
Woman Accused Of Stealing SUV From Atmore Gas Station Wrecks During Police Chase
February 17, 2021
An Ohio woman that allegedly stole a vehicle in Atmore led police on a chase that ended with a crash in Baldwin County.
Shortly before 7:30 Tuesday morning, 22-year old Hayli Lape of Columbus, Ohio, jumped into Chevrolet Tahoe that was parked at a gas station on Highway 21 in Atmore, according to police. She sped away, damaging the pump.
The Alabama Highway Patrol and Atmore Police caught up with the vehicle and pursued it south on I-65. Lape exited onto Baldwin County Highway 47 at Perdido.
Lape crashed and then attempted to get away on foot, according to Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks. She was apprehended a short time later. She was transported to North Baldwin Hospital In Bay Minette where she was treated for minor injuries and released.
Lape was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton without bond on charges of theft of property first degree, and fleeing and eluding law enforcement.
Update: Becks Lake Road Crossing Now Open After Emergency Repair To Broken Rail
February 16, 2021
Update: Becks Lake Road has reopened after an emergency repair at a CSX crossing.
CSX reported the broken rail and closure early Tuesday morning on Becks Lake Road just east of Highway 29 in Cantonment.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Escambia County Worked To Sand Bridges, FDOT Prepped For Ice Potential
February 16, 2021
When the threat of black ice became apparent, Escambia Public Works and the Florida Department of Transportation went to work.
County crews fanned out across North Escambia to sand bridges, according to Public Works Director Wes Moreno. Sands improves traction in the event of ice on a bridge.
The Florida Department of Transportation into winter weather operations mode at 9 p.m. in Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties. FDOT was poised to deploy various tankers, bridge deck sprayers and other equipment to apply anti-icing products on bridges and overpasses to prevent ice from bonding to the pavement surface. The anti-icing products allow any potential ice layer to melt more quickly and reduces the amount of time required to restore roads to a clear, dry state.
Pictured: Escambia County work crews sand bridges late Monday afternoon. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
It’s A Boy! Northview Ag Dept. Welcomes Calf, Works To Keep Him Warm In Frigid Weather
February 16, 2021
The Northview High School agriculture department had a little Valentine’s weekend surprise.
A healthy calf was born sometime Saturday afternoon in the pasture in front of the school. On Monday, students named him “Cupid”.
Ag students worked hard Monday to make sure the little guy would be nice and warm Monday night into a very frigid Tuesday morning.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click on enlarge.
Six Flomaton, Escambia County High Football Players Sign With Colleges
February 16, 2021
Six players Flomaton and Escambia County high school signed Monday to play football at the collegiate level.
Four players from Flomaton High School signed:
- Jaquez Madison signed with Bluffington University in Ohio
- Riley McMorris signed with Allan Hancock College in California
- Travon Brown signed with Gila River College in Arizona
- Ki-Jana Carter signed with Salt River College in Arizona
Two Escambia County High School (Atmore) players — Dezmun Crenshaw and Jacobey James — signed with Faulkner University in Montgomery.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Using A Space Heater? Here Are Quick Need To Know Safety Tips
February 15, 2021
Escambia County Fire Rescue is encouraging residents to practice space heater safety and know the potential risks associated with home heating equipment.
Home fires occur more in the winter months than any other time of year. According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire deaths and space heaters account for four out of five home heating fire deaths.
“As cold air rushes into our area, space heaters and fire places will be used. Most heating fires can be prevented from happening by following simple tips,” said Ray Melton, Escambia County Fire Rescue fire and life safety specialist. “ECFR wants to remind our citizens that space heaters, furnaces and fire places should all be checked prior to use. Last year during a cold period, ECFR responded to several chimney fires that displaced residents.”
Follow these tips to stay safe while heating your home:
- Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified professional.
- Keep anything that can burn at least 3 ft. away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove or portable space heater.
- Portable space heaters should be turned OFF every time you leave the room and before going to bed.
- Never plug a space heater in a power strip.
- Install carbon monoxide detectors to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Never use an oven to heat your home.
For portable electric heaters:
- Place them on a solid, flat surface, away from high traffic areas and doorways.
- Use and purchase heaters with an automatic shut off so if they are tipped over they will shut off.
- Plug power cords directly into outlets and never into an extension cord.
- Inspect for cracked or damaged, broken plugs or loose connections; replace before using.
Heating Fire Facts:
- Most home heating fire deaths (86%) involved stationary or portable space heaters.
- The leading factor contributing to home heating fires (27%) was failure to clean, principally from solid-fueled heating equipment, primarily chimneys.
- The leading factor contributing to ignition for home heating fire deaths (54%) was heating equipment too close to things that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattress, or bedding.
- Nearly half (48%) of all home heating fires occurred in December, January and February.
For information about obtaining a home smoke detector, call (850) 595-HERO (4376). City of Pensacola residents may call (850) 436-5200 for smoke detector installation assistance.
Chumuckla Elementary School Struck By Lightning
February 15, 2021
Chumuckla Elementary School was struck by lightning on Monday.
The Allentown Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a fire alarm at the northern Santa Rosa County school about 11:15 a.m., and smoke was reported in the building.
The smoke was traced to heat and cooling system as the result of the lightning strike. There were no other issues reported.
There were no students at the school due to the President’s Day holiday.
Photos: Brad Baker, Santa Rosa County Emergency Management for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Protect Your Pipes Now From Freezing Temperatures
February 15, 2021
There are steps that will protect household pipes from freezing temperatures External, exposed pipes are naturally the most vulnerable to freezing. Here are tips from ECUA:
- Insulate pipes or faucets in unheated areas: Pipes located in unheated areas of your house, such as a garage or crawl space under the house or in the attic, are subject to freezing. If you have time to do this before freezing temperatures arrive, wrap these pipes with insulation materials made especially for this purpose. These materials can be found at most hardware stores or home improvement centers.
- Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses: Detach all hoses from faucets and allow them to drain. This prevents the water in the hose or pipe from freezing and bursting the faucet or pipe to which it is connected.
- Run a trickle of water: When forecasts call for sustained and/or severe freezing temperatures, run a thin trickle of water from the faucet furthest from the water line coming to your house. Usually, this is in a room at the back of the house or outside, in the yard. Allowing the water to circulate through your home’s plumbing helps to keep it from freezing. Some consider this a waste of water but the cost of the water used is extremely slight compared to repairing broken pipes and the resulting water damage.
- Remember the backflow preventer: Residents and business owners who have backflow preventers on their properties for water lines, fire lines, irrigation systems, and swimming pools need to protect their backflow preventers from freeze as well. Extended freezes can burst the body of the backflow assembly, rendering it useless. Wrap these pipes with insulation materials, made especially for this purpose. These materials can be found at most hardware stores or home improvement centers. If the device and the water line are not in use at this time (i.e., irrigation system or swimming pool lines), shut off the water supply line and drain the backflow device.