Lane Closures Planned On Highway 29 In Century
March 19, 2018
The Florida Department of Transportation says to expect lane closures after today on Highway 29 between Highway 4 and Salter’s Lake Road.
The northbound lane may be closed between 5 p.m. and 5 a.m. through April 23 as crews perform underground utility work to install a natural gas pipeline. [Previous story...]
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded by FDOT to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Northview Yearbook Staff Attends New York City Convention
March 19, 2018
Five members of the Northview High School Tribal Spirit yearbook attend the Columbia Scholastic Press Association’s 94th annual Spring Scholastic Convention last week at Columbia University in New York City.
In addition to attending convention classes and programs, the group was able to to see sights including Times Square, the Modern Museum of Art, the 911 Memorial, St. Paul’s Chapel, the New York Stock Exchange, Battery Park, the Brooklyn Bridge, Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center, Central Park, Grand Central Station and more. They also attended a Broadway play.
The Northview High School yearbook has been honored with multiple Gold Medal awards from the nationally recognized Columbia Scholastic Press Association, affiliated with Columbia University in New York City and the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism.
This was the third year the Tribal Spirit staff has attended the convention in New York City with their advisor Alison Robinson. Northview Principal Gayle Weaver also attended this year’s convention.
Pictured: Northview yearbook staffers Kayla McKillion. Anna King, Bailey Van Pelt, Delaney Reynolds and Skye Bullington in Central Park. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
EREC Warns Of Telephone Scam
March 19, 2018
Escambia River Electric Cooperative is warning members to be aware of scam artists who may call posing as electric cooperative employees.
The caller may tell EREC members that immediate payment on their account is needed to avoid disconnection of electric service. The callers then provide instructions to send money using a third-party pay system.
EREC said the company was made aware of the scam by members who called about the status of their account. EREC is advising members if they receive a suspicious call regarding their utility bill to hang up and not provide any credit card or payment information.
Members should also contact EREC to report the incident and check their account states.
“EREC will not call or email you for your account number or password, so do not disclose your account information. Do not assume you can trust caller ID to indicate where a caller is located. Scammers may use Internet calling technology, and the area code you see may not be their actual location,” the electric cooperative said.
Gulf Power has issued previous warnings about a similar scam.
File photo.
This Week: Tate Hosts 25th Annual Aggie Classic
March 19, 2018
The 25th Annual Aggie Classic Baseball tournament is scheduled to get underway today and continue through Thursday.
This year’s tournament has captivated the interest of teams from Oklahoma, Arkansas, Alabama, Tennessee and Florida. Last year’s Aggie Classic tournament Champion, Tate High School Aggies, will return as the tournament host and to defend their title.
The Tate Baseball Boosters will serve as the host of this year’s tournament. Nineteen teams will play at Tate, Escambia, West Florida, Choctawhatchee and Navarre High schools, Pensacola State College and the University of West Florida.
This year’s tournament will include 19 teams, 15 of which made their respective 2017 playoff series. Of the 15, six schools were regional finalists, four schools were state finalists, three schools played for a sate championship game, with on claiming a state title.
“This year’s field has been diminished in number because of the spring break alignment, but the field we have assembled is as strong as ever.. The commitment by our community and our boosters to put on an event of this magnitude is huge. I am truly thankful for everyone’s assistance. The venues for the games have expanded and are the best diamonds in our area. We are looking forward to a great week of competition,” said Tate Baseball head coach Karl Jernigan.
Tournament passes are available for $30. Daily admission is $10, with free admission for children under five. No passes will be accepted.
A site schedule is below, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill Man Charged With Pulling Loaded Gun On His Wife
March 19, 2018
Update: Charges in this case were dismissed by the state. Click here for more details.
A Walnut Hill man was charged after allegedly pulling a loaded gun on his wife and threatening to kill her.
Cody Helton Burroughs, 29, was charged with felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without the intent to kill.
The victim told deputies she had been in a verbal argument with Burroughs about ending their relationship when he pointed a loaded 9mm handgun at her and told her that he would kill her if she left him, according to an arrest report. She told deputies that her relationship with her husband had a been “on again off again” for last seven years, the report states.
Deputies were unable to located Burroughs when they arrived at the victim’s home on Gobbler Road, and a warrant for his arrest was issued.
Burroughs was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $15,000 bond.
Community Says Goodbye To Longtime Physician ‘Dr. Van’
March 18, 2018
People from across the Flomaton area said goodbye Saturday to their beloved “Dr. Van”.
Dr. John Alwin Vanlandingham, age 79, of Flomaton, passed away Wednesday. His funeral was held Saturday with honors from area fire departments. The primary care physician had practiced medicine in Flomaton from 1974 until his recent retirement.
The funeral service was held at the First Baptist Church of Flomaton — on what was formerly Houston Street but is now renamed as “Dr. Van Avenue” to honor the physician.
Vanlandingham, a native of Marianna, attended medical school at the University of Michigan and received his medical degree in 1970. Upon his graduation from the School of Medicine at the University of Michigan, Dr. Vanlandingham completed his internship at St. Joseph Hospital in Michigan.
After completing his training at St. Joseph Hospital, Vanlandingham came to Flomaton to start what has turned out to be a very long and successful medical practice. He originally came to Flomaton to help treat patients on a temporary basis while a local physician was unavailable. That short visit transitioned into a long term commitment of medical care to the Flomaton community.
During his career, he has served on the medical staff for the former Abernathy Hospital in Flomaton and D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital in Brewton. He has also served in many community appointments on various boards and committees. In 2005, D. W. McMillan Memorial Hospital and Dr. Vanlandingham partnered to establish a Rural Health Clinic at the Flomaton Medical Center. Without the foundation of Vanlandingham’s 30 plus year private practice, the Flomaton Medical Center would not be what it is today for the Flomaton community.
He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Wanda Hart Vanlandingham of Flomaton, AL; sons, Joshua (Ivy) Vanlandingham of Molino, FL and Jared (Partner, Andres) Vanlandingham of Brooklyn, NY; brothers, Charles (Marcheta) Vanlandingham of Milton, FL and Frank (Genia) Vanlandingham of Geneva, AL.
The funeral procession passed under a giant American flag help by ladder trucks from the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Atmore Fire Department. The Flomaton, Pineview, McCall, Friendship, and Lambeth fire departments also took part in honoring Vanlandingham, along with the Flomaton Police Department, and the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office. A MedStar medical helicopter from Baldwin County performed a flyover at Flomaton Cemetery.
Pictured above and below: The funeral procession Saturday in Flomaton for longtime physician Dr. John Vanlandingham. Pictured bottom: Houston Street was renamed “Dr Van Avenue” in honor of Vanlandingham. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Reconstruction Underway For Tornado Ravaged 114 Year Old Century Church
March 18, 2018
Reconstruction is underway for the historic Century United Methodist Church, which was damaged beyond repair in the February 15, 2016, EF-3 tornado in Century.
Pensacola architect Carter Quina designed the new church to look much like the old building. It will include windows, pews, light fixtures, woodwork and more salvaged from the old church.
The Century United Methodist Church was built in 1902, just after Century was established by The Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company. It was constructed of virgin long leaf pine, with interior detail and finish that created a reverent place for worship.
For over 114 years, the sanctuary helped to provide comfort and inspiration to Century residents with weekly services, as well as special occasions such as baptisms, weddings, and funerals.
Time took its toll on the familiar old building, along with a fire and hurricanes. The February 15, 2016, EF-3 tornado that struck Century dealt a blow from which the building could not be recovered. Many architectural details were salvaged before the structure had to be dismantled.
D&B Builders of Molino is the project’s general contractor.
A groundbreaking was held in late January; church members hope to be in the new church building by Christmas. Meanwhile, they are continuing to meet in their Annex Building across the street.
Pictured top: Reconstruction is underway for the historic Century United Methodist Church as seen on Saturday, March 18. NorthEscambia.com photo.
Inmate, Veteran Recovery Program Provides Pathways To Change
March 18, 2018
Serving in Afghanistan left 29-year-old Army veteran Derick Zemke with a knee injury that would impact his life more than he could imagine.
Somewhere between surgeries and the pain that came with his injury, Zemke’s use of prescription pain medicine turned to abuse, escalating to dealing opioids and eventually using street drugs to sustain his habit.
But after three and a half years in and out of jail, Zemke (pictured left) was ready to turn his life around. A fellow inmate told him about the Pathways for Change addictions treatment program, and he decided to go for it. Escambia County provides financial support to the program, which is housed at the Escambia County Work Release Center on West Fairfield Drive.
“I was a productive member of society before,” Zemke said. “I played high school football, baseball, basketball, made great grades, was in the Army. And I wanted to get back to what I used to be before the pain medicine.”
The Men’s Residential Treatment at Pathways for Change is an alternative sentencing option for non-violent criminal offenders who want to overcome destructive behaviors, attitudes and habits that prevent them from living a life free from crime and incarceration.
This year, Escambia County provided $175,000 to Pathways for Change, and an additional $168,750 was allocated to the county’s probation fund to house program participants. Historically, the county has provided $140,000 directly to Pathways for Change each year in addition to the $168,750 for housing.
Zemke started Pathways for Change in July 2017 and is set to graduate in January 2019, with plans to go to college in May to study hospitality and eventually work in the tourism industry.
Along with his physical injuries, Zemke has battled post-traumatic stress disorder since his time in Afghanistan, and his automatic response was to self-medicate and keep his feelings inside. But in Pathways for Change, he gave counseling a try, started working through a PTSD workbook and opened up about his struggles.
Zemke said his hope is that after he graduates, he can help other veterans who are facing challenges similar to his own.
“It’s hard to go talk to a doctor that’s never experienced the things that you’ve experienced and be open with them about it,” Zemke said. “But talking to another veteran, I feel that I can talk to somebody and I’ve been in the same exact place as them – using opioids, battling PTSD, feeling like an outcast or a black sheep. And if I can relate on that level with them, they’re more likely to open up and try to change…so that inspires me to keep doing this, and hopefully I can save more lives than just my own.”
Army veteran Allen Townsend, 29, agreed that being able to openly talk with others is a significant benefit to being in the program. Townsend began drinking heavily after his first deployment to Iraq, eventually moving on to meth and dealing drugs.
After a two-month crime spree with his wife that left him charged with 28 felonies, he was ready to serve his 10-year minimum rather than enter Pathways for Change. His wife and oldest daughter convinced him otherwise, and he decided to give the program a chance.
“Without this program, I would definitely be out using again,” Townsend (pictured left) said. “I have learned to trust other people, other men, which is something I haven’t done since the Army. It’s a great support group – guys I can talk to, and they’re honest to me.”
Townsend will graduate in October of this year, with plans to complete an IT training program and move to Colorado to start fresh. With his wife still battling a drug addiction, Townsend is estranged from his family. He said Pathways for Change has become his family.
“These guys want me to succeed as much as I want them to succeed,” Townsend said. “I could have known these guys my whole life from what we’ve been through together.”
Navy veteran McArthur Franklin, 44, is nearing the end of his time in Pathways for Change, with his graduation set for April. After an injury forced him to leave the military, he fell into drug and alcohol addiction and suffered from PTSD.
Franklin said the program is not for the faint of heart, but the challenge is worth it.
The four-phase, 18-month program includes basic living and communication courses, group therapy, individual therapy and community service, with the final phase of the program allowing participants to live outside of the center and report back for periodic drug screenings.
“There’s a lot of rules here that you’ve got to follow, and if you don’t really want to be here, you’re not going to do it,” Franklin (pictured left) said.
Pathways for Change also connected Franklin with veteran-specific services like Volunteers of America, which helped him get an apartment of his own. Franklin is enrolled in barber school at Pensacola State College and plans open his own barber shop after he graduates.
“They’re teaching us that it’s a better way of life to focus on goals and actually try to complete them,” he said. “They’re pretty much dedicated to helping us, the people here actually are genuine and they show that they care.”
Lt. Anita Hemphill, the first lieutenant over security at the Escambia County Work Release Center, said the county supports programs like Pathways for Change that offer alternatives to incarceration.
“Pathways for Change is a solidified program that helps with recidivism,” Hemphill said. “It’s a very disciplined program – I think it has to be disciplined for someone to be put to the test and see if they’re really ready to make that lifestyle change and become productive citizens in the community.”
Escambia County Corrections Director Tammy Jarvis also emphasized the importance of alternatives to incarceration, which she said are an excellent way to assist nonviolent offenders in dealing with mental health, anger management and addiction issues.
“Incarceration alternatives help offenders transition from the lifestyle that got them into jail to having stable employment, becoming self-sufficient and maintaining a crime-free life,” Jarvis said.
Each crime avoided also benefits the community in reduced victimization and reduced costs, Jarvis said, since criminal justice costs are driven by volume of activity.
“Reducing recidivism can help reduce overall volume of activity, which in turn results in long-term savings,” Jarvis said. “Programs such as this provide a long-term investment in our community by providing those served with the support they need to restructure their lives and achieve success.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Kitchen Fire Quickly Extinguished
March 18, 2018
A kitchen fire quickly extinguished.
About 7:15 p.m., area fire departments responded to a reported house fire in the 4400 block of Highway 95A, near Richardson Road. The occupants of the home had extinguished the fire before firefighters arrived on scene a few moments later. The fire was reportedly due to cooking.
There were no injuries reported.
The Molino, Cantonment, McDavid, Ensley and Bellview stations of Escambia Fire Rescue were dispatched to the call, but many units were canceled prior to arrival.
File photo.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
March 18, 2018
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 29 Resurfacing between U.S. 90 and Muscogee Road – Alternating and intermittent lane closures on U.S. 29, from Muscogee Road to West 9 ½ Mile Road, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Friday, March 16 and Saturday, March 17 as crews pave the roadway.
- State Road (S.R.) 742 (Creighton Road) Construction Improvement Project from east of Davis Highway to Scenic Highway- Intermittent and alternating lane closures between Davis Highway and Scenic Highway from 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, March 18 through Saturday, March 24 continue as crews perform milling, paving, sidewalk and curb replacement.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Alternating east and westbound lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, March 18 through Sunday, March 25 as crews perform construction activities.
- U.S. 29 Widening from I-10 to Nine Mile Road- Drivers traveling U.S. 29 and Nine Mile Road will encounter traffic pattern changes from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, March 18 through Saturday, March 24 as follows:
-
- Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass: North and southbound traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction. Alternating traffic shifts will direct all traffic onto the westbound or eastbound lanes as crews continue construction of the new center bridge deck. Nine Mile Road lane restrictions are Sunday through Friday
- U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road: Drivers may experience alternating lane closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations. U.S. 29 lane restrictions are Monday through Saturday.
- S.R. 95 Underground Utility Work Between Salter’s Lake Road and S.R. 4 in Century- The northbound, outside lane between Salter’s Lake Road and S.R. 4 will be closed from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, March 19 through Monday, April 23 as crews perform underground utility work.
- S.R. 750 (Airport Boulevard) Resurfacing) from Davis Highway to 9th Avenue- Activities are scheduled to begin the week of Monday, March 19. Drivers can expect intermittent lane restrictions, however, work requiring lane closures will take place at night between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. There will be temporary sidewalk closures during removal, replacement, and new construction. Pedestrians will have sidewalk access on at least one side of the roadway at all times.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) / U.S. 29 Interchange Improvements Phase I- The I-10 westbound outside (right) travel lane near the railroad overpass remains closed to traffic as crews complete drilled shaft operations for overhead sign installation.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 (S.R. 30) Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Alternating east and westbound lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, March 18 through Sunday, March 25 as crews perform construction activities.
- I-10 Widening from Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/Exit 22) Alternating lane closures on I-10, from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of S.R. 281 from 8 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 18 and Monday, March 19 as crews perform asphalt repair operations.
- U.S. 90 Safety Project at West Florida Baptist Academy- Activities are scheduled to begin in April to construct an eastbound, left turn lane in front of West Florida Baptist Academy in Milton. Drives can expect intermittent lane restrictions, however, there will be no lane closures between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m.
- S.R. 87 Multilane from Eglin AFB boundary to Hickory Hammock Road – Traffic between County Road 184 (Hickory Hammock Road) and the Eglin AFB boundary is restricted to loads less than 11-feet wide. The restriction will be in place until the project is complete.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.