Move-In Day Set For New Ernest Ward Middle (With Photo Tour)
December 1, 2014
Work is continuing on the new Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill, with a student move-in date now on the calendar.
Students are scheduled to begin classes in the new $20 million facility on Monday, February 2, 2015. Some portions of the building are nearing completion, with furniture being moved into place. Additional furniture deliveries are scheduled throughout December, and dates are scheduled for teachers to have their items moved from the old building into the new facility.
All of the items such as computers and furniture, with the exception of library shelving, will be brand new.
Some contractors are expected to work extended hours and seven-day weeks in order to meet the completion schedule.
Pictured top: Inside the new Ernest Ward Middle School library. Pictured inset: Cabinets and shelves inside a classroom. Pictured below: A science classroom. Pictured bottom library windows. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Train Derailment In Santa Rosa County (With Photo Gallery)
December 1, 2014
Update: One lane was opened about 3:45 p.m. Monday on U.S. Hwy. 90 between Jeff Ates and SA Jones Roads in East Milton. One lane remains closed as cleanup continues after Sunday morning’s train derailment. Expect delays and use caution.
Previous story:
No injuries and no chemical spills were reported in a Sunday morning train derailment in Santa Rosa County.
About 20 of the 84 cars in the CSX train derailed along Highway 90 near the Santa Rosa Industrial Park. Two cars were carrying phosphoric acid, but no leaks have been found. . A 150 foot isolation area has been put in place for as a safety measure , but no evacuations were needed, according to Joy Tsubooka, public information officer for Santa Rosa County.
Highway 90 was closed between Jeff Ates Road and SA Jones Road remained closed for the cleanup effort.
Crews from the Florida Department of Transportation, Harold, East Milton, Whiting Filed, and the HAZMAT team from NAS Pensacola fire departments responded to the incident.
Pictured: A Sunday morning train derailment in Santa Rosa County. NorthEscambia.com photos by Stephanie Norton, click to enlarge.
Regular Century Council Meeting Delayed A Week
December 1, 2014
The December 1s regular scheduled meeting of the Century Town Council has been rescheduled for next Monday, December 9.
The council normally meets the first and third Monday nights of each month, with just one meeting each December. The council voted to move that meeting to December 8 at 7 p.m. rather than holding it on December 1 to allow more time for regular bills and other items needing approval to arrive.
All Century Town Council meetings are open to the public.
Storytime For Ages Five And Under Held Each Week At The Local Library
December 1, 2014
The West Florida Public Library offers Story Time for children five and younger each week.
Story Time is held:
- 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays at the Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway
- 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays at the Molino Branch Library, 6450-A Highway 95A
- 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays at the Main Library: 239 North Spring Street
- 4 p.m. Thursdays at the Century Branch Library, 7991 North Century Boulevard
- 10:30 a.m. Thursdays at the Tryon Branch Library, 1200 Langley Avenue.
For more information call (850) 436-5060 or visit www.mywfpl.com. The events area always free of charge.
Keep The Wreath Green Fire Safety Campaign Begins
December 1, 2014
Escambia County Fire Rescue kicked off its annual “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign on Monday. This annual effort is designed to promote fire safety during the month of December. With this program, officials hope to reduce the number of fires during a time of serious fire danger with simple, lifesaving tips.
Five-foot wreaths are be on display at 21 different County fire stations. Every time firefighters respond to a residential fire, a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by holiday decorations.
Last year, there were 13 fires during the month-long campaign, including a Christmas Day fire on Highway 4 in Bratt. The wood frame home suffered heavy smoke and water damage throughout following a fire that was believed to have been started by a wood burning heater.
Register Now For Saturday Christmas Parades In Century, Molino
December 1, 2014
Registrations are still be accepted for Christmas parades scheduled for this Saturday in Molino and Century.
Century’s Land To Lake Lighted Boat Christmas Parade
The Century Christmas Land To Lake Lighted Boat Parade will be held Saturday, December 6 with line-up at 5 p.m. and floats rolling out at dark from Industrial Boulevard to Lake Stone. The entry fee is $10 per boat or float, with checks made payable to the Century Area Chamber of Commerce. For more information and a printable registration form, click here.
The parade is sponsored in part by NorthEscambia.com.
Molino’s 12th Annual Christmas Parade
Molino’s 12th Annual Christmas Parade will be held Saturday, December 6 with line-up at 10:15 a.m. The parade will begin at 11 a.m. at the west end of Crabtree Church Road and will end at the Molino Ballpark were Santa will be waiting to visit with children. All funds will go directly to the community to help children in need.
To participate in the parade, you can pre-register at Fran’s Diner on Highway 29 in Molino or register day of parade. Floats are $40, vehicles, motorcycles, tractors and golf carts are $30, and horses are $20 each. No 4-wheelers or go carts permitted. For more information, contact Charity Sheldt at (850) 324-4463 or Fran’s Diner at (850) 587-2803. Donations such as toys and non-perishable food can be dropped off at Fran’s Diner. Rain date will be Sunday, December 7 at 2:30 p.m.
Pictured above: One of the floats/boats in last year’s Century Christmas Land To Lake Lighted Boat Parade. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
One Injured In Dirt Road Crash Near McDavid
November 30, 2014
One person was injured in a single vehicle crash Sunday afternoon on a dirt road near McDavid.
The driver of a Subaru Legacy lost control just before 1 p.m. on Pine Barren Road between Highway 29 and Bogia Road. The vehicle came to rest on its side in a ditch.
The 19-year old male driver was transported by Atmore Ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the crash. Further details have not been released.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Little Damage In Reported Walnut Hill House Fire
November 30, 2014
There was minimal damage from a reported house fire this morning in Walnut Hill.
A resident in the 6300 block of Highway 97 reported a possible attic fire about 9:25. The fire, believed to be electrical in nature in the ceiling or attic of a sunroom, was out when firefighters arrived a few moments later.
The Walnut Hill, McDavid, Molino and Century stations of Escambia Fire Rescue were dispatched to the reported fire. There were no injuries reported.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Eagle Scout Project Cleans Up Drew’s Field
November 30, 2014
A t-ball field at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill received some much needed attention this weekend from Eagle Scout candidate Benjamin Stott of Bratt.
Stott chose to focus his Eagle Scout project on beautifying and repairing Drew’s Field, which was dedicated in 2009 in memory of two-year Drew Marlow who died in a January 2008 Highway 97 traffic crash along with his father Danny Marlow.
Stott and his small team of friends and family worked to clear overgrowth from the base paths, the pitcher’s mound and batter’s box, pulled weeds from the field fence, fertilized the outfield, cleaned out the flower box surrounding a monument and replaced the dirt and weeds with decorative rocks.
He was helped by his brother Samuel Stott, Johnathan Elliot, Triston Long, Thomas Long, Ashley Long, Bill Pettus and his parents Kevin and Sherry Stott.
Benjamin Stott is a senior at Northview High School and will turn 18 in a few weeks. He is a member of Boy Scout Troop 430 in Molino.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Call Monday: Housing Rehab Funds Available For Century Homeowners
November 30, 2014
Monday, the Town of Century will begin accepting applications to assist 15 very low and low income homeowners in the rehabilitation of their homes.
Funding will be available in amounts from $2,000 to $5,000 for rehabilitation activities that will contribute to the overall health, safety and well being of the homeowner. Applicants must reside within the town limits, own their single family detached home (no mobile homes) and meet income guidelines based upon family size.
The town will set up and maintain a housing assistance waiting list for this program only. To apply, homeowners should call the Century Town Hall at (850) 256-3208 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. beginning December 1.
The program is funded though USDA Rural Development Housing Services. Applications will be funded on a first come, first served basis.