Ribbon Cut On New Atmore Walmart
August 6, 2014
A new Walmart was officially opened Wednesday morning in Atmore with a brief ribbon cutting ceremony. The new store at 911 North Main Street, about 2.5 miles north of the Florida line, is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“I want each and every one of y’all to know how proud we are…talking about the associates and also the customers,” Atmore Mayor Jim Staff said. “It’s just going to be nice that y’all don’t have to drive anymore. You can get it right here in Atmore, Alabama.”
“Local business owners, chamber of commerce members and the new Atmore Walmart are the community, and we know the store will be an asset to the city of Atmore,” said store manager Joe Ferguson, who began his Walmart careeer in 1999 as a temporary hourly employee in Mobile.
The store features a full line of groceries and general merchandise categories, a garden center and a pharmacy. Unlike most Supercenter stores, the Atmore stores does not have an automotive center.
The new Atmore Walmart employees about 120 full and part-time associates. The store is smaller, prototype Supercenter. At 69,197 square feet, Atmore’s Walmart will be about one-third the size of a larger Supercenter. By comparison, the Walmart SuperCenter on Highway 29 in Ensley comes in at 215,599 square feet, not counting the garden center and patio.
The new Walmart marks the first time a “big box” retailer has been open in Atmore; the town’s Kmart closed over 10 years ago.
Pictured top: Atmore Mayor Jim Staff (in light color jacket) celebrates the opening of Atmore’s new Walmart as store manager Joe Ferguson cuts the ribbon. Pictured inset: Shoppers stream into the new store. Pictured below: One of the first customers to check out at the new store Wednesday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Atmore Man Busted On Florida ‘Spice’ Charges
August 6, 2014
“Spice” has landed an Atmore man in jail following a traffic stop in Florida.
James Jarvis Peoples, age 56 of Short Street, was charged with felony synthetic narcotic possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $6,000 bond.
A Pensacola Police Department officer stopped Peoples on Pace Boulevard for a tag light offense. The officer reported seeing Peoples drop a “crack pipe”. A search of his vehicle revealed a bag of “Geeked Up” synthetic cannabinoid, commonly known as “spice”, in the center console, according to an arrest report.
Peoples’ vehicle was seized by police. He was also given a written warning for a blown tag light.
Northview Preseason Game Against Escambia Academy Canceled; Garnet And Gold Game Planned
August 6, 2014
Northview High School’s preseason kickoff game August 22 against the Escambia Academy Cougars has been canceled.
The Florida High School Athletic Association would not approve the game because Escambia Academy is a not a member of an organization that is part of the National Federation of State High School Associations, according to Northview Principal Gayle Weaver.
Weaver said the school is finalizing plans for a Garnet and Gold game with just the Chiefs at 7 p.m. on August 22.
The Northview Chiefs will open the regular season on the road at Bozeman at 7 p.m. on August 29.
Escambia Academy is private school located in Canoe, Ala. The Cougars are members of the Alabama Independent School Association, which is not a NFHS member association. The Cougars will open their regular season at home against Autauga Academy of Prattville, Ala., on August 29.
Santa Rosa Wreck Claims One Life
August 6, 2014
A 20-year old woman was killed in a Santa Rosa County traffic accident about 1:00 Tuesday afternoon.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 18-year Alexis Penton of Milton was traveling north on Highway 87 near Choctaw Road in a 2005 Ford Mustang when she crossed the center line into the southbound lane. She collided with a 2005 Mack truck driven by 46-year old Mark Williams of Milton.
Penton’s front seat passenger, 20-year old Ronni Stone of Milton was pronounced deceased following the crash, while two-year old passenger Payton Lee Stone was taken to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition. Penton was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with serious injuries. Williams received on minor injuries.
Charges against Penton are pending, according to the FHP.
Reader submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Work Continues On New Ernest Ward Middle School
August 6, 2014
Work is continuing on the new replacement Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill. The $20 million project, funded by local option sales tax funds, has a target completion date in December. That would allow students to move into the school following Christmas break. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Messy Situation Shuts Down Highway For Six Hours
August 6, 2014
A messy situation shutdown Highway 31 on the west side of Flomaton for about six hours Tuesday afternoon.
A John Deere spreader being driven from Atmore to Samson, Ala., ruptured a hydraulic hose and spilled several gallons of hydraulic fluid over a quarter-mile stretch of Highway 31. The spill was cleaned up by the Flomaton Fire Department and the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue.
There were no injuries in the incident.
Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Third Suspect Arrested In Detroit For June 22 Escambia County Murder
August 5, 2014
A third person has been arrested in connection with the June 22 Escambia County murder of 31-year old Tabius Cardell Huff.
Jimmy Jermaine Bonner, 27, was arrested by the U.S. Marshal’s Service in Detroit and extradited back to Escambia County on Monday. Trent Baker, 29, was arrested on June 24 and Jarrod Blackmon, 23, was arrested June 30, both also charged in the murder.
Huff was shot about 10 p.m. June 22 outside a convenience store in the 5300 block of Jackson Street near Edgewood Circle. Huff was pronounced deceased at the scene by Escambia County EMS.
Health Alert Rescinded For Area Around Rolling Hills Pit
August 5, 2014
Effective immediately, in response to air quality monitoring performed by Escambia County, the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County (FDOH-Escambia) is rescinding the health alert that was issued on July 22 for the area surrounding the Wedgewood Community Center and the Rolling Hills Construction and Demolition Landfill.
- Since July 22, daily air quality monitoring has been performed by Escambia County at multiple locations surrounding the Rolling Hills Construction and Demolition Landfill located at 6990 Rolling Hills Road, Pensacola.
- Since the air quality health alert was issued, all air samples taken at these monitoring sites have measured hydrogen sulfide gas concentrations that are below the minimum level of concern for long term exposure to humans.
- Inspections conducted by Escambia County and information from the operators of the landfill have indicated that the operators at the Rolling Hills Construction and Demolition Landfill have taken actions that have assisted in the prevention of further excessive hydrogen sulfide gas emission.
- The health department notes that the odor of hydrogen sulfide gas that can be detected by most people is below the minimum level of concern for long term exposure to humans.
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County will continue to monitor for health risks in the area surrounding the Wedgewood Community Center and the Rolling Hills Construction and Demolition Landfill. Additional recommendations or alerts may be issued if new information becomes available.
FHP Searching For Driver That Crashed Through Utility Pole, Fence, Landed In Pond
August 5, 2014
A driver hit a utility pole, crashed through a fence and landed in a retention pond Tuesday morning, leaving numerous homes and businesses without power for several hours.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the driver of a 1998 Lincoln Navigator failed to negotiate a curve on Kenmore Road near Palafox Street, causing the accident. The driver and any passengers in the vehicle fled the scene before first responders arrived.
There was no physical description of the driver available. Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call Trooper Kitchen at (850) 484-5000 ext. 347. The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol, with charges pending against the driver.
NorthEscambia.com reader submitted photo by Alan Thedford, click to enlarge.
Prison K-9 Team Rescues Lost Child
August 5, 2014
When a two-year old child went missing from her family’s home off Munson Highway in Santa Rosa County Saturday, the Santa Rosa Correctional Institution’s K-9 team jumped into action to quickly find the little girl and return her safely to her family.
The Santa Rosa Correctional Institution K-9 search team consisted of Sergeant Robert Lenzo, Officer Christopher Gilbert, Officer Joshua Chandler and K-9 Luke. Despite the young girl having been missing for two hours, temperatures in the high 90’s and the area crowded with friends, family and volunteers trying to locate her, the K-9 team established her track and found where she had left the residence. They followed the track through the woods and located her approximately one-half mile behind her home in a thick patch of thorns and vines. Sergeant Lenzo crawled into the thicket and freed her from the vines.
The child was quickly turned over to the Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office deputies who reunited her with her parents.
“I am proud of the brave men and women of the Department of Corrections who serve their communities daily through their public service, including by committing acts of heroism and bravery such as this rescue,” said DOC Secretary Michael Crews. “Ensuring the safety of Florida families is a priority of the Department of Corrections, and the Santa Rosa C.I. K-9 team is a stellar example of that commitment.”
The little girl was playing in her family’s backyard and ran into the woods as her mom stepped inside briefly to get her water.
The Florida Department of Corrections has 38 K-9 programs statewide which are used to support other law enforcement agencies with felon apprehension, searching for missing persons and locating and providing aid to persons in distress. In addition to the team at Santa Rosa C.I., a K-9 team is also located at the Century Correctional Institution.
Pictured top: A little girl that went missing on Saturday meets K-9 Luke. Pictured inset: Ofc. Christopher Gilbert and Ofc. Joshua Chandler after Saturday’s rescue. Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.