Town Designates State Line Road Magnolia As Heritage Tree
March 7, 2017
The Century Town Council has designated the town’s first heritage tree.
The town’s Land Development Code defines a “historic tree” as one that has been designated by the Town of Century has one of notable historic interest and value to the town because of its location or historical association with the community.
Joan Carnley of West State Line Road submitted a Heritage Tree Nomination Form for the designation of of a magnolia tree on her property as a heritage tree, defined as any tree with a diameter of at least 30 inches or seven feet, 10 inches in circumference, whichever is less, measured 54 inches above ground level.
Carnley said her tree is 11-feet, four inches in circumference. Carnley’s home was constructed in 1938, but the tree predates the home and has been estimated to be 150 to 175 years old.
“We will call it the Century magnolia,” Carnley told the council. “It’s just a simple tree.”
Now approved as heritage tree by the town council, the tree can’t be removed without finding by the council that the tree is hazard or it is no economically or practically feasible to develop the parcel without removing the tree.
There are no other designated historic trees in Century.
Pictured: Photos from Joan Carley’s historic tree application filed with the town of Century. Images for NorthEscambia.com click to enlarge.
Green Eggs, Ham And The Mayor Delight Camp Fire Kids
March 7, 2017
Last week, the children at Camp Fire Century learned about Dr. Seuss and celebrated his birthday. Century Mayor Henry Hawkins stopped the center to read “Green Eggs and Ham” to the children. Afterwards, the children had a chance to eat green eggs and ham. They also had a chance during the week to dress as their favorite Dr. Seuss character. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Animal Clinic Readies Youth For Spring Livestock Show April 1
March 7, 2017
A Gulf Coast Agricultural Project Animal Clinic was held this past weekend at the Escambia County 4-H Livestock Facilities on South Highway 99 in Molino. Presenters hosted workshops focused on chickens and rabbits, pigs, cows, and sheep.
The event was a precursor to the 2017 GCA/NRYO Spring Livestock show which will be held on April 1.
The GCA/NRYO Spring Livestock is open to all FFA and 4-H members in southwest Alabama and Northwest Florida. Admission for the livestock show and the adjacent Northview High School Blue Jacket Jamboree will be free.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Middle School Volleyball Playoffs – Ernest Ward Beats Ransom
March 7, 2017
The Ernest Ward Middle School volleyball team defeated Ransom Middle two sets to one in playoff action Monday night. The EWMS Eagles won the game on a 15-5 third set. Ernest Ward advances in the county middle school playoffs with a bye on Tuesday; their next game time and opponent for Wednesday is to be announced. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Tops W.S. Neal
March 7, 2017
The Northview Chiefs beat W.S.Neal 7-6 Monday night in Bratt.
Neal took an early 3-0 lead in the first, but the Chiefs scored unanswered runs in the second, third fourth and sixth before scoring the winning run in the seventh.
John Chivington went 3-3 with a run and RBI. Also for the Chiefs: Quinton Sampson 1-4; Zach Payne 2-4, R, RBI; Josh Neese 1-3, R; Blake Reid 1-4, R, RBI; Bailey Wilson 1-3 R, RBI; Daniel Mascaro R, RBI.
Alston Wiggins tossed the win for Northview in five innings, giving up two hits, four runs, two errors and striking out four. Josh Neese pitched two with no hits, no error, two hits, one strikeout and a walk.
Northview will travel to T.R. Miller on Tuesday. Game times have been switched…varsity will play at 4:00 and the junior varsity is scheduled for 6:00.
Photos by Ramona Preston for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Manhunt: Flomaton Man Charged With Kidnapping Ex-Girlfriend
March 6, 2017
A Flomaton kidnapping suspect that reportedly threatened his victim with a machete was taken into custody late Sunday afternoon after a day-long manhunt.
About 1:33 Sunday morning, the Flomaton Police Department received a 911 call from a woman who stated that Thomas Cofield had broken into her daughter’s home and had threatened her daughter with a machete. Cofield was the ex-boyfriend of the victim.
When officers arrived at the home, they could not locate the victim or Cofield. Officers checked the area and called for a K-9 tracking team to search for Cofield and the Victim. Neither could be located but were believed to be on foot in the area.
Officers from different agencies searched multiple homes over a period of several hours for the two. At approximately 10:13 a.m., officers located the victim off of Highway 113, where she had been allegedly held against her will for several hours. She was reportedly visibly shaken, but not injured.
Cofield had already fled on foot. The K-9 tracking team tracked him from the area of Wiley Drive in Flomaton to the area of Pecan Grove Trailer Park area on Highway 113.
After searching the area for several hours, law enforcement determined that Cofield had likely been picked up by someone in a vehicle. Officers searched several additional locations for Cofield as they received tips.
At 4:53 p.m., a family member brought Cofield to meet with officers to turn himself in.
Cofield was taken in custody without incident. It was later learned that Cofield was able to catch a ride from Highway 113 into Florida.
Coefield was charged with attempted domestic violence, kidnapping, burglary in the first and second degree and domestic violence in the third degree. He was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton.
This case remains under investigation and more arrests could be forthcoming.
Multiple law enforcement agencies assisted in the hunt for Cofield, including the Flomaton Police Department, Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Department, Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office, Escambia County Road Prison K-9’s, and the Alabama Department of Corrections K-9’s.
Work Underway On Crary Road Paving; Thompson, McNeal Next
March 6, 2017
Work is currently underway on a portion of a dirt road paving project on Thompson, Crary and McNeal Roads south of Century.
Construction is currently 75 percent complete on Crary Road, according to Escambia County, and should be completed sometime in April. The total price tag for Crary Road paving and drainage was $1,313,391 with work being done by contractor Roberson Excavation, Inc.
The Escambia County Commission is set to award bids on paving Thompson and McNeal roads at their March 16 meeting, with construction on both expected to take play from May until November of this year.
The project consists of the design and paving of Thompson Road from McNeal Road to Highway 29, Crary Road from Highway 29 to Byrneville Road and McNeal Road from Thompson Road to Byrneville Road. This project will also address the drainage upgrades necessary to prevent roadway flooding.
The project is being funded by Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) funds.
Learn About ‘Cut, Copy, Paste’ In Free Library Class
March 6, 2017
A free “cut, copy and paste” computer class in Century will teach participants the secrets of how to move information such as resumes, pictures and graphics from one software application to another.
The class will be held Thursday, March 6, at the Century Branch Library at 7991 North Century Boulevard.
For more information, call (850) 436-5060.
Jim Allen Elementary School Names Students Of The Month
March 6, 2017
Jim Allen Elementary School has named Students of the Month for February. They are Kinzy Cutler (left) and Cade Weaver. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New, Free ‘PBS Kids’ Channel Now On WSRE TV
March 6, 2017
There is new, free 24/7 kids television channel on the air.
The new WSRE PBS KIDS TV channel is now broadcasting over the air on channel 23.4. It is also available on Cox Channel 695; Mediacom Channel 84; Bright House Channel 200; Riviera Utilities Channel 826; and streaming at pbskids.org and on the PBS KIDS app.
Thr free channel will make it easy for families to watch quality PBS KIDS educational children’s content during primetime and other after-school hours when viewing among families is high, but when WSRE generally does not carry children’s programming on its primary channel. The TV channel is part of a new multiplatform delivery of 24/7 children’s services with live stream on digital platforms and interactive games integration. The effort is WSRE’s latest initiative to support early learning in Northwest Florida and through the station’s coverage area.
“WSRE PBS KIDS will be an awesome destination for families in our community. Whether you are streaming the service, playing an educational game, following along with a lesson plan or watching a show on our broadcast service, the experience will be learning-filled and fun,” said Bob Culkeen, WSRE general manager.