Photos: Jim Allen Presents ‘To Bee Or Not To Bee’
May 3, 2012
Jim Allen Elementary School was “abuzz” recently as second graders presented the musical “To Bee or Not to Bee”.
In the musical, the Wanna Bees were helped by the Queen Bee to decide which kind of bees they wanted to be — Spelling Bees, Quilting Bees, Drones, Busy Bees or Honey Bees.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Businesses, Consumer Groups Fight Gulf Power Rate Case For North Escambia Plant
May 3, 2012
Lawyers for business groups and consumers are urging the state Public Service Commission to reject Gulf Power Company’s attempt to reopen a recently decided base-rate case. The utility wants to be able to collect about $2 million from customers for costs related to buying land in North Escambia for a potential nuclear power plant.
In February, the PSC rejected the idea, but Gulf Power filed a request for reconsideration April 18.
Last week, the state Office of Public Counsel, which represents consumers, and lawyers for two business groups and federal agencies fired back in a document, saying the Pensacola-based utility’s request is a “thinly disguised, legally impermissible effort to have the commission reweigh the evidence of the case.”
But in its request, Gulf Power said the PSC had made a mistake in rejecting the costs and raised the possibility that it will sell the land if the decision stands. ”
The value of the North Escambia site to Gulf and its customers stems from its location in the western portion of Gulf’s service area and its status as the sole site in Northwest Florida suitable for nuclear generation,” the request said.
Gulf has not decided to build a nuclear plant on the site near McDavid but says it wants to keep open the option.
The $2 million, just a fraction of the costs of the land acquisitions, would pay interest on finance agreements and fund environmental assessments on the North Escambia property.
Gulf Power has not said what type of power plant it wants to construct in North Escambia, but PSC filings indicate that it could be natural gas, coal or nuclear. However, nuclear was repeatedly cited in the latest PSC filings.
“This small price is extraordinarily reasonable when compared to the potential benefits of nuclear power if it is pursued, or the lost opportunity if the nuclear option is foreclosed by the action taken by this commission in this case,” documents state.
At last report, Gulf Power had purchased 2,700 acres for about $13 million in the McDavid area.
Pictured top: One of many houses that now sit abandoned near McDavid where Gulf Power has purchased thousands of acres for a possible nuclear power plant. One of many Gulf Power “Posted” signs that line the roads in the area of the potential plant. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sweet Deal: Candy Company Bringing 100 New Jobs
May 3, 2012
A sweet economic deal for Pensacola and Escambia County was announced Wednesday afternoon as officials revealed that Majestic Candies Company plans to bring more than 100 new jobs in the next few years to the region with a projected capital investment of $6 million.
“Florida welcomes Majestic Candies Company and the advantages it’s bringing to our Great Northwest,” said Gray Swoope, president & CEO of Enterprise Florida Inc., the state’s primary economic development organization. “The company will further expand our manufacturing capabilities, which is vital to economic growth and job creation in our state.”
Majestic Candies Company is a producer of confectionery products, primarily pralines and other pecan-based candy products, initially targeting distribution in the four Southern regional markets.
Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward said he was glad Majestic was calling the Pensacola area home, bringing needed jobs to the community.
“Majestic Candies Company is a fitting partner in Escambia County’s efforts to guide the region into a strong economic future,” said Escambia County Board of Commission Chairman Wilson Robertson. “We look forward to working with them as they grow and prosper in their new home in the heart of Escambia County.”
Majestic Candies Company plans to locate at 2001 W. Government Street, the former H.T. Hackney building.
“We are very pleased with the support that we have received from the Pensacola community and we look forward to being a part of the continuing success which is being achieved by the citizens of Pensacola,” said Dom Perrotta, managing member of Majestic Candies Company.
Reported Robbery At Cantonment Subway Under Investigation
May 3, 2012
A Wednesday holdup at a Cantonment restaurant is under investigation.
A robbery was reported at the Subway sandwich shop in the 1500 block of South Highway 29, next to Winn Dixie, about 10 p.m. Escambia Count Sheriff’s deputies were on scene within moments after the robbery report, and a K-9 was reportedly used to search for a suspect.
There was no word from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday night if anyone had been taken into custody in connection with the reported robbery. Additional details have not been released.
Chevy Dealer Charged With Theft; Allegedly Did Not Pay Off Trades
May 3, 2012
A former Atmore car dealer has been arrested after allegedly failing to pay off customer trade-ins.
Carl Smith, age 65, was indicted by an Escambia County (Ala.) Grand Jury on 12 counts of first degree theft by deception. He was released from the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton on a $300,000 bond. Smith is the former owner of Carl Smith Chevrolet in Atmore.
Smith accepted trade-in vehicles toward the purchase of new or used vehicle. But he allegedly failed to pay off the loans as agreed on the trades, leaving customers to find out they owe a lender for both vehicles.
For Kadie Purvis, a Northview High School graduate and current college student, the whole scenario has been a nightmare.
“I’m a full time college student, and I don’t have $650 to make two car payments,” Purvis said. “It mostly just makes me angry because it not fair to me or the other people going through the same thing. We did our part; we trusted his dealership when buying a car. We’ve made the payments on our new vehicles and in turn our credit scores are being ruined.”
Purvis said she purchased a vehicle from Carl Smith Chevrolet in January, only to later start receiving phone calls and letters from lenders alerting her that her old load was not paid off. She said the entire ordeal has been five months of “unneeded stress”.
Shortly after his arrest, Smith reportedly entered into a written agreement to transfer the dealership to a Louisiana Chevrolet dealer.
Former Alabama Cop Arrested On Felony Charges
May 3, 2012
A former Brewton Police officer has been arrested on one felony count of obtaining a criminal record under false pretenses and one felony count for violating Alabama’s ethics law, according to Escambia County (Ala.) District Attorney Stephen Billy.
Eddie Laffon Barton, III, 37, was arrested by agents from the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center after being indicted by an Escambia County (Ala.) grand jury. The indictment charged that Barton intentionally misused his public position for unlawful personal gain and that he misused confidential law enforcement data by willfully accessing confidential private information about an individual that was unrelated to any official law enforcement duty.
The indictment was based on evidence presented to the grand jury on April 27 by the Escambia County (Ala.) District Attorney’s office. Barton was arrested at his residence Tuesday, May 1 and booked into the Escambia County Jail. He later was released on a $25,000 bond, according to information released Wednesday.
If convicted, Barton faces a penalty of 2-20 years imprisonment for the ethics law violation and up to five years imprisonment for the misuse of confidential law enforcement data.
Further information has not been released. The case was investigated by special agents of the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center and is being prosecuted by the Escambia County (Ala.) District Attorney’s Office.
Tate’s Trawick Signs Golf Scholarship
May 3, 2012
Tate High School’s Billy Trawick has signed a scholarship to play golf at the University of Arkansas at Monticello.
Pictured: (front) Dottie Hodge, Billie Trawick, Mary Ann Trawick, (back) Ronnie Hodge, David Venettozzi, Rick Shackle . Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sheriff’s Office To Present Free Teen Drive Challenge
May 3, 2012
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office will present a free two day Teen Driver Challenge May 11-12.
The challenge is a part classroom, part driving experience, designed to provide education and training to protect teen drivers.
” The Teen Driver Challenge is an effective way to give young drivers the information and skills they need to make wise decisions behind the wheel,” Sheriff David Morgan said.
The Florida Sheriffs Association Teen Driver Challenge (TDC) program was developed at the request of the Florida Sheriffs to combat the high crash and fatality rate of teen drivers on Florida highways. The ECSO Teen Driver program is a free, 12-hour course, including 4 hours of classroom (including a pre- and post-test) and eight hours of hands-on instruction on a driving course.
The program is presented to 16-19 year old students over a two-day period.
All students must be licensed, have a vehicle that they normally drive available for the range portion. Proof of Insurance is required, along with signed release of liability forms.
The classroom portion of the TDC, which will take place at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Administration Building, covers crash-related issues, such as vehicle dynamics, braking, steering and traffic laws. Specific chapters of the assigned workbook deal with aggressive driving, distracted driving (texting, cell phone use, etc.), and DUI and seatbelt issues.
The driving portion of the class, which will take place at Bronson Field, will be held on May 12. The class will be limited to 10 applicants.
Applications are available at front desk at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Administration Building, 1700 West Leonard Street, Pensacola through May 7, 2011. For more information, contact Deputy Ronnie Gill at (850) 436-9630.
3 Injured In Hwy 4 Crash
May 2, 2012
Three people were injured in a two vehicle crash Wednesday night in Davisville.
A car and a Toyota T100 pickup collided on West Highway 4 near Highway 97 about 6:45 p.m. Three people were transported by ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
West Highway 4 was closed about an hour due to the crash.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Atmore Ambulance and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
Pictured above and below: Three people were injured in this crash early Wednesday night on West Highway 4 near Highway 97 in Davisville. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Special Feature: Along The North Escambia Trail With A Wagon Train
May 2, 2012
The scene Tuesday very well could have been a postcard snapshot of the dawning of Walnut Hill in the 1800’s. Freshly plowed fields stretch across the flat land, blue skies with a few puffy white clouds floating along in a gentle breeze, piney woods in the distance. Nearby, railroad tracks sat empty, awaiting the next freighter’s horn to break the melody of birds singing.
In the distance, the outline of a wagon train could be seen approaching, a baker’s dozen strong with outriders for protection. Moving nearer, the sound grew louder of horseshoes — clump, clump, clump — and of chains rattling used to connect horses, mules and tack to handcrafted wagons.
For a photo gallery, click here.
But this was May 1, 2012. And in our modern zip-zip fast paced world, wagon trains tend to draw a bit of attention. And that was the point on the annual wagon train ride to the Tate High School FFA Rodeo. The ride started Saturday morning in Barnett Crossroads, just north of I-65 in Escambia County, Ala. It ends Friday night at the Escambia County Equestrian Center in Pensacola for Tate FFA Rodeo’s grand parade.
It’s a 20 year old tradition started by the late Selmer Thompson with a ride from Barrineau Park to Pensacola. This year is the first annual week long event.
At one to four horsepower, or mule-power each, it’s slow ride with a top speed of about 3.5 mph that provides the opportunity to take in the surroundings. And to be neighborly, speaking and waving to the bystanders that gather along the highways or in their yards to watch the unique picture of Americana pass by.
“It’s just an amazing thing,” participant Tina Martin said. “There’s nothing like it.”
“When you ride in a car, you can see what man has made,” wagon owner James Smith said. “But when you ride in a wagon or on a horse, you stop and have time to see what God made.”
Catching up with the ride Tuesday afternoon on Corley Road for the photos on the page, our photographer discovered that the only way back to his car from a ride along with the wagon would be a horse. There were no escort vehicles, no trucks full of supplies. This was a real deal, old-timey wagon train through the countryside.
But it’s not a total step back into time — some of the wagons have battery powered lights, fans and radios — country music, of course. And a few wagons were equipped with BBQ grills mounted at the rear. No need for a drive-thru when the ride is a self-contained, on the move BBQ house.
The actual ride Tuesday was our second encounter with the die hard wagoneers. Modern life, roughing it style, was more evident at the group’s camp Monday night on Highway 164 at Velor Road.
They had just finished a 13 mile trek from Canoe, Alabama. The horses and mules were grazing and resting.
“They eat before we do,” Smith said, gesturing toward the animals.
The wind rustled through the campsite beneath tall pecan trees. A welcomed cool breeze following a hot last day of April with a high in the 90’s — made worse by the open air ride over asphalt.
In the old days of the Tate FFA ride, trail riders would sleep on the ground, or air mattress popped up in the back of a pickup. But this is 2012, after all. The generators hummed outside dual purpose trailers — part horse trailer part in the front and part comfy RV in the back. It’s chance to rest in the A/C or watch a little TV while getting ready to hit the highways again in the morning.
“I just love it,” Martin said. “It’s an experience you’ll never forget.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
