Remembering George Touart
January 25, 2014
Flags across Escambia County are at half staff on this Saturday as the county’s residents and leaders mark the death of Escambia County Interim Administrator George Touart. He passed away early Friday morning with his family at his side. Touart had been on sick leave since December 26 due to complications from his battle with cancer. He was 65.
He recently announced his retirement, which was to have been effective February 3.
“I would like to thank the Board of County Commissioners for the opportunity to serve the citizens of Escambia County,” said Touart in his retirement letter. He was named interim administrator December 1, 2012.
In the retirement letter, Tourt said he was proud of accomplishments that included the transition of the Escambia County Jail and the library system, the four-cent gas tax for mass transit and a three percent across the board employee pay raise.
Previously, Touart served as county administrator for almost six years before he retired he 2007.
Born and raised in Pensacola, Touart graduated from Pensacola High School in 1966 and was very proud to call Escambia County home.
A longtime businessman with more than 25 years experience in management, Touart owned multiple successful companies and served in numerous leadership roles in local government; including Pascagoula city councilman, public information officer for the Mississippi State High Department and county administrator of Madison County, Mississippi.
Touart belonged to the Perdido Bay United Methodist Church and was a member of many community and civic organizations throughout the years, including Five Flags Rotary, Irish Politician’s Club, Moss Point Young Men’s Business Club, the Pensacola Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Escambia County and Baptist Hospital Board of Directors.
Touart is survived by his parents Clyde and Mary Touart, wife Barbara, sons Mathew and Jacob Touart and daughters Amber Howard and Christy McDonald, as well as numerous grandchildren.
Flags at county facilities are being flown at half-staff in memory of Mr. Touart.
The BOCC is currently in the process of hiring a new permanent administrator from a short list of five candidates that did not include Touart. Although he applied for the job, the board had voted to exclude him from the final selection process.
Pictured top: The American flag flies at half staff Friday at the Molino offices of the Escambia County tax collector and property appraiser. Northescambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Car Burns At Credit Union Drive Thru
January 24, 2014
A car in the drive-thru line at Gulf Winds Credit Union in Atmore burned Friday afternoon. There were no reports of any injuries, and no reports of damage to the building. The driver believes the fire was associated with the rear window defroster. Reader submitted photos by Kayla Brewer and Carla Spears for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Interim County Administrator George Touart Passes Away
January 24, 2014
Escambia County Interim Administrator George Touart passed away early Friday morning with his family at his side. Touart had been on sick leave since December 26 due to complications from his battle with cancer. He was 65.
He recently announced his retirement, which was to have been effective February 3.
“I would like to thank the Board of County Commissioners for the opportunity to serve the citizens of Escambia County,” said Touart in his retirement letter. H was named interim administrator December 1, 2012.
In the retirement letter, Tourt said he was proud of accomplishments that included the transition of the Escambia County Jail and the library system, the four-cent gas tax for mass transit and a three percent across the board employee pay raise.
Previously, Touart served as county administrator for almost six years before he retired he 2007.
Born and raised in Pensacola, Touart graduated from Pensacola High School in 1966 and was very proud to call Escambia County home.
A longtime businessman with more than 25 years experience in management, Touart owned multiple successful companies and served in numerous leadership roles in local government; including Pascagoula city councilman, public information officer for the Mississippi State High Department and county administrator of Madison County, Mississippi.
Touart belonged to the Perdido Bay United Methodist Church and was a member of many community and civic organizations throughout the years, including Five Flags Rotary, Irish Politician’s Club, Moss Point Young Men’s Business Club, the Pensacola Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Escambia County and Baptist Hospital Board of Directors.
Touart is survived by his parents Clyde and Mary Touart, wife Barbara, sons Mathew and Jacob Touart and daughters Amber Howard and Christy McDonald, as well as numerous grandchildren.
Flags at county facilities are being flown at half-staff in memory of Mr. Touart.
The BOCC is currently in the process of hiring a new permanent administrator from a short list of five candidates that did not include Touart. Although he applied for the job, the board had voted to exclude him from the final selection process.
County Cutting Down Old Oak Trees To Pave Dirt Road
January 24, 2014
One Enon School Road resident is questioning why several oak trees estimated to be over 100 years old are being cut down to pave the road, rather than routing the road around the trees.
But Escambia County says they were given the right of way by a property owner on the side of the road with the trees, and they don’t have any right of way to go around the trees.
The dirt Enon School Road is about a mile and a half long between Highway 97A and South Pineville Road in a remote area of the county near the Perdido River about 10 miles south of Walnut Hill. The road is sparsely populated, but is home to the Enon Country Manor, a 25-bed assisted living facility.
Pictured top and below: Workers cut down several oak trees in Enon Thursday afternoon. Escambia County was given the right of way to needed to pave Enon School Road on the side of the road with the pictured oak trees. The trees are being cut down for the paving project becuase the county does not have right of way to go around the trees. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Several Recent Escambia , Santa Rosa Wildfires Linked To Arson
January 24, 2014
Officials say several wildfires in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties that past few days were likely arson. Firefighters with Florida Forest Service’s Blackwater Forestry Center have responded to 20 wildfire calls in the past week.
“Indicators at the scene of wildfires in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties point to human causes,” said David Smith, operations administrator for Blackwater. “Natural causes, such as lightning, have been ruled out as a possibility, and there is no evidence to suggest the fires were caused by equipment. These will be investigated as arson cases.”
The suspected arson cases are not thought to be linked and have been found throughout the district. Authorities will not release a specific number or location of the suspicious fires because of ongoing investigations but are asking residents to be vigilant and report any suspected arson activity to the Florida Forestry Association’s Arson Alert Hotline at 1-800-342-5869.
Callers can remain anonymous and information about an arson-caused wildland fire could be worth up to a $5,000 reward. When reporting suspected woods arson activity, callers should include the following information:
- Descriptions of vehicles and license plates (make, model, color, etc.)
- Physical descriptions of individuals (approximate height, weight, hair, clothing, etc.)
- Be watchful for suspicious behavior and pinpoint the area to assist law enforcement in their response
- Call 9-1-1 immediately if you see suspicious behavior
- Do not approach the suspect. Safety comes first.
Pictured: A grass fire late last week along Highway 97 just north of Dogwood Park. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Failed Armed Robbery Suspect Arrested
January 24, 2014
A suspect has been arrested in an armed robbery attempt that the victim stopped by pulling out his own firearm.
Sean Robert Dvorak, 18, was charged with first degree felony armed robbery. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond Thursday afternoon.
About 6:40 Monday evening, deputies responded to a residence on Air Blanc Circle in reference to a shots fired complaint. Deputies said Dvorak, who was known to the victim, came over to the home and attempted to rob the victim at gunpoint.
The victim pulled his firearm in self-defense and was able to prevent the robbery.
Ball Registrations Continue For NWE, Molino
January 24, 2014
Here is baseball and softball registration information for NWE’s Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill and the Molino Ballpark:
Northwest Escambia’s Bradberry Park will hold open registration for ages 3-18 on Saturday, January 25 from 10 a.m. until noon. Registration fees vary and a payment plan is available. A birth certificate is needed at the time of registration. For complete information, click here.
The Molino Ballpark is accepted all age groups from 3-16 year old. Registration will be held at the Don Sutton Ballpark on Crabtree Chuch Road on Saturday, January 25 and Saturday, February 1 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Registration is $55 for the first child, $50 for the second child and $45 for the third child. A birth certificate is needed at the time of registration. For more information, click here.
Northview Takes Two From Rocky Bayou; Friday’s Game Canceled
January 24, 2014
The Northview Chiefs beat Rocky Bayou in boys and girls basketball action Thursday night.
Northview 93, Rocky Bayou 61
The Northview varsity boys beat Rocky Bayou 93-61 Thursday night in Bratt.
Leading scorers for the Chiefs were Neino Robinson with 30 and Tony Mcaroy with 23 points. Also scoring for the Chiefs were Eric Williams with 16, Cameron Newson 10, Tydre Bradley 6, Trent Howard 3, Brodie Amos 2, Nick Lambert 2, and Jeffery Taylor 1.
The Northview varsity boys game against Escambia Charter scheduled for Friday night has been canceled.
Northview 41, Rocky Bayou 20 (Girls)
The Northview varsity girls beat Rocky Bayou 41-20 Thursday night in Bratt.
The Chiefs led 25-6 at the half and held the Knights to just six earned field goals. The NHS Chiefs were led by E’Layzha Bates with 12 points, Danielle Steadham with 11 and Lana Clayton with 11. Jada Tucker had 3, and Zacarra Davis and Mallarie Rigby added 2 points each.
West Florida has canceled girls games for Friday; the girls will play next Tuesday versus Jay at Jay in the district tournament at 6:00.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Molino Museum To Open Saturday
January 24, 2014
Grand opening for the Molino Museum be held at 10:00 this Saturday morning inside the Molino Community Complex.
At 2 p.m., Lil King, president of the Molino Mid-County Historical Society will host a presentation on “The History of Molino”. A special tour of the museum will be given following the event at 3 p.m.
With its location just 25 miles north of Pensacola, the Molino area, including the old town of Molino, played a vital role in the area’s settlement and development. From its start as a Spanish mission in the 1700s, an important mill town during the Industrial Revolution and into the modern era, Molino’s history is the story of life in rural Florida and how it has changed over the years.
The Molino Community Complex — the former Molino School — is located at 6450 Highway 95A.
Garbage Rates Rising In Century
January 24, 2014
Century residents will soon see a slight increase on their garbage bills.
The rate for residential service will increase 41-cents, from $15.70 to $16.11 per month for household waste. The town is passing along a 2.6 percent rate increase from Allied Waste, the town’s service provider. Under their contract with Century, Allied is allowed to periodically adjust rates based upon increases in the Consumer Price Index.
Commercial garbage customers in Century that utilize Allied Waste will see an increase of 2.76 percent.