Belle Foods Stores Sold At Auction
September 25, 2013
At least 30 Belle Foods stores are expected to remain open after 43 stores went on the bankruptcy auction block. Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc., made the $16.13 million winning bid plus an agreement to purchase the inventories of several other stores at a discount.
AWG filed a “stalking horse” bid plan, with a group of 11 other bidders that must be accepted by bankruptcy court. Under the plan, some of the other 11 buyers will close the Belle Foods stories and liquidate their inventories. Some may or may not reopen under a new or existing name. Belle currently operates stores as Belle Foods, Piggly Wiggly, Food World, Southern Family Markets and Bruno’s.
The Atmore Belle Foods store, along with one previously operated as a Piggly Wiggly in Luverne, AL, will be sold to Ramey Enterprises in Waynesboro, MS. Ramey operates the “Ramey’s” supermarkets in 14 Mississippi Locations plus locations in Butler and Chatom, Alabama. The company also operates two CashSavers stores and one Pic n Sav.
The Brewton, AL, store will be purchased by Food Giant Supermarkets, Inc. It is currently slated to be closed, with the assets sold to AWG.
The Food World stores in Pensacola, previously owned by Belle, were already sold prior to Tuesday’s bankruptcy auction.
Editor’s note: The Piggly Wiggly store in Davisville is not associated with Belle Foods or involved in bankruptcy.
Hundreds Attend Middle School Open House Events
September 25, 2013
Hundreds of parents attended Open House events at middle schools across Escambia County Tuesday evening. Parents had the opportunity to learn more about their child’s middle school education and learn more about how to become involved at their child’s school.
Pictured top: Ernest Ward Middle School teacher Laura Chavers explains her class to parents Tuesday night. Pictured inset: EWMS teacher Renee Wilkins discusses her language arts class with parents. Pictured Parents at Tuesday night’s Open House at Ernest Ward Middle School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Beats Jay In District Volleyball (With Photo Gallery)
September 25, 2013
The Northview Lady Chiefs earned an important district win against the Jay Royals Tuesday evening in Bratt.
In varsity action, Northview defeated Jay 23-25, 25-16, 25-18, 12-25, 15-19. Tiffani Pritchett had 5 aces, 2 kills, and 17 digs for the Lady Chiefs, while Hanna Ging had 4 aces, 1 kill, and 7 digs. A portion of the matches was played in dim conditions after half of the lighting in the Northview gym failed due to power problems in a heavy thunderstorm.
In junior varsity action, Jay defeated Northview 18-25, 25-13, 11-15. Dimonique Brown had 1 ace, 6 kills, and 5 digs, and Leah Fischer had 3 aces, 4 kills, 1 block, and 4 digs for Northview.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The varsity Lady Chiefs will travel to Jay Thursday to play Freeport in a district match up.
Pictured top and inset: The Northview Lady Chiefs take on the Jay Lady Royals Tuesday in Bratt. Picture below: The varsity Chiefs celebrate a win. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Elementary Open House Is Thursday
September 25, 2013
Byrneville Elementary School will hold an Open House event this Thursday, September 26.
The event begins at 6 p.m. and includes the Open House, a Title I meeting and PTO meeting. For more information, contact the school.
Heavy Rains Cause Flooding, Damage
September 25, 2013
Thunderstorms brought heavy rainfall and flooding to the North Escambia area Tuesday evening.
According to the National Weather Service in Mobile, Doppler radar estimated up to four inches of rain fell in just over an hour. The Atmore Police Department reported extensive flooding in their city, particularly in the downtown area.
Several downtown Atmore businesses and residents reported minor damage from flooding.
In Florida, minor street and creek flooding occurred, but there was no damage reported.
Pictured top and inset: Flooding on North Main Street in Atmore as water seeps into the Alabama Wing House. Pictured below: A portion of a gas station awning downed and flooding at North Main Street and Jacks Branch Road in Atmore. Pictured bottom: Flooding at Highway 21 and Medical Park Drive in Atmore. Reader photos by Kristen Branch, Lori Eddins and Pamela Iutzi for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
USPS Proposes Three Cent Increase In Cost Of Stamps
September 25, 2013
The U.S. Postal Service has announced proposed price changes, including an increase in the price of a first class letter from 46 cents to 49 cents. The proposed changes, which would go into effect in January, are intended to generate $2 billion in annual revenue for the Postal Service.
Other types of mail would also increase in cost:
- Letters (1 oz.) — 3-cent increase to 49 cents
- Letters additional ounces — 1-cent increase to 21 cents
- Letters to all international destinations (1 oz.) — $1.15
- Postcards — 1-cent increase to 34 cents
In a letter disseminated to customers today, Board of Governors Chairman Mickey Barnett described the “precarious financial condition” of the Postal Service and the “uncertain path toward enactment of postal reform legislation” as primary reasons for seeking price changes. He also indicated that the price adjustment is necessary in order to ensure that the Postal Service will be able to maintain and continue the development of postal services.
“Of the options currently available to the Postal Service to align costs and revenues, increasing postage prices is a last resort that reflects extreme financial challenges,” said Barnett in the letter. “However, if these financial challenges were alleviated by the timely enactment of laws that close a $20 billion budget gap, the Postal Service would reconsider its pricing strategy. We are encouraged by the recent introduction of comprehensive postal reform legislation in Congress, and despite an uncertain legislative process, we are hopeful that legislation can be enacted this year.”
Pictured top: Forever stamps. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
ECSO: Century Man Caught With Meth In Molino
September 24, 2013
A Century man has been arrested on drug charges after an incident in Molino.
Eric Dean Vickers, age 29 of North Pine Barren Road, was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting an officer without violence. He remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
A resident of the 800 block of Cedar Tree Lane called the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office to report that a white truck had just backed into a nearby driveway and into a wooded lot. Deputies arrived to find the truck, doors open, with Vickers and a female engaged in sexual activity.
Vickers consented to a search of his vehicle, where deputies reporting find a glass smoking pipe and a plastic bottle containing a white substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine. Vickers also had an outstanding arrest warrant for violation of probation on a reckless driving charge.
As a deputy attempted to place Vickers in handcuffs, he resisted, trying to remove his wallet from his person and saying that he was not taking it to jail.
Cantonment Man Charged With Shooting At Neighbor
September 24, 2013
A Cantonment man has been charged with firing a weapon at his neighbor.
During the early morning hours of August 30, 64-year old James Lee Grandison of 206 Sheppard Street called the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office to report that he had just shot someone across the street that was threatening him.
Deputies arrived to find Grandison and an empty shotgun shell in the front yard of his home, and they located the victim inside of a travel trailer across Sheppard Street.
The victim suffered a minor wound to his shin from buckshot. The victim refused medical treatment, and he refused to press charges against Grandison, who was known to him.
A warrant was later issued for Grandison’s arrest on a first degree misdemeanor charge of discharging a firearm in public. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $500 bond.
Escambia Farm Bureau Honors Governmental Officials; 4-H Members Ask For Land
September 24, 2013
At their recent annual meeting, Escambia County Farm Bureau presented appreciation awards to local governmental officials, while local 4-H kids took the opportunity to lobby new land.
Sen. Greg Evers, Rep. Clay Ingram and Commissioner Steven Barry were presented plaques honoring them “in appreciation for support given to Escambia County Farm Bureau and Escambia County 4-H Youth” over the past year.
Members of Escambia County 4-H were on hand to present letters from their membership to Evers about their desires to receive comparable land to replace the Langley Bell 4-H Center. After the sale of the center to Navy Federal Credit Union, University of Florida/IFAS Extension Dean Nick Place recommended the 4-H’ers use a combination of the Cottage Hill State Forest, Escambia County Equestrian Center and privately owned land.
Place also recommended that most of the $1.6 million from the Navy Federal sale proceeds that was to have purchased land instead by given to the 4-H Foundation for use only in Escambia County.
Barry, along with Commissioner Wilson Robertson, spoke out against the dean’s proposal, saying that it was not fair and equitable because 4-H sold 240 acres and did not receive something comparable in return. The Escambia Commission voted 3-2 against the plan.
Pictured: Sen Greg Evers (top photo), Rep Clay Ingram (left, bottom photo) and Escambia Commissioner Steven Barry (right, bottom photo) receive plaques from Brett Ward of the Escambia County Farm Bureau. Picture inset: 4-H Escambia County Council Delegate Izzy Kent with Evers. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Appears Ready To Pull Out Of Common Core Standards Tests
September 24, 2013
Florida appears ready to exit a multistate effort to develop new Common Core Standards tests to measure student learning, abandoning the initiative amid conservative activists’ concerns that it represents federal overreach into the state’s education system.
Gov. Rick Scott issued an executive order Monday ordering the state to end its role in helping handle the financial affairs of the Partnership for the Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers. The project, generally known as PARCC, has received a $186 million federal grant to develop tests for the “Common Core Standards” currently being taught in Florida schools.
Abandoning PARCC would not mean the state is ending the use of Common Core, though another action Scott took Monday could open that door. Instead, leaving the tests would mean that Florida officials would have to develop or buy another testing system to measure whether students are learning the new material.
Scott also called for the Florida Department of Education to hold three public hearings around the state on Common Core by Nov. 1. In a letter to State Board of Education Chairman Gary Chartrand, Scott said the hearings and other forms of public input should “identify any opportunities to strengthen or risks for federal intrusion in Florida’s standards.”
State officials say they’re confident that new assessments could be up and running in time for the 2014-15 school year.
Scott’s order represents a partial victory for a group of activists who have worried that despite PARCC’s evolution as a state-led project, it could become a tool for the U.S. Department of Education to direct education policy nationwide. The governor echoed those concerns in a letter to Chartrand explaining his decision.
“To be clear, as Governor, I support Florida’s high academic standards and strongly reject overreach into those standards and other areas of our education system by the federal government, including state assessments, curriculum and instructional materials,” Scott wrote.
Education Commissioner Pam Stewart did not specifically list a concern that Scott had when asked why he was worried about the federal government’s involvement.
“I think that this is the way for us to ensure that there is not federal overreach,” she said.
Republican leaders who had already urged Scott to abandon the tests praised him for the executive order. But they suggested they were still on board with Common Core.
“The fact is that we had a system of evaluation that hadn’t been invented yet that we were being asked to buy into,” said Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville. “I don’t think that was fair for our students, for our teachers or for our families or our employers.”
“But the idea of having high standards — and I think Florida has helped lead the nation in that — is an idea that we’re not backing up one bit from,” he continued.
Stewart said that PARCC could still win a competitive bidding process aimed at coming up with the testing system Florida will used. Given Scott’s language about the tests, though, that seemed unlikely. Still, at least one key lawmaker on education issues held out hope.
“I think PARCC is on a respirator, if you will,” said Sen. Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee. “And so what we have to do is, if it’s going to revive, Florida needs to say, ‘This is what we want, and if you can do it, fine, and if you can’t, fine. We’ll try another route.’ ”
Whatever the decision, the state has to move soon, said Patricia Levesque, executive director of the Foundation for Florida’s Future. That organization, founded by former Gov. Jeb Bush, has strongly supported Common Core.
“I urge the Commissioner of Education and the State Board of Education to move quickly and carefully to make decisions regarding Florida’s assessment. … In order to effectively field test Common Core-aligned assessments next spring, their decisions must be made soon,” Levesque said in a statement issued by the foundation.
The fact that PARCC could return caused some concern for activists who have fought against Common Core generally and the tests specifically. John Hallman, who lobbies for conservative groups like the Florida Campaign for Liberty and Liberty First Network, expressed cautious optimism about Scott’s move.
“On the other hand, I’ll be honest — I’m skeptical,” he said.
Randy Osborne, who has lobbied against Common Core in the Legislature on behalf of the Florida Eagle Forum, said the state should remain opposed to PARCC.
“I think that, as we move through this process, that the state will do the right thing, the legislators will do the right thing and say that PARCC is something we can’t accept,” he said.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida