Atmore Names Citizen Of The Year, Lifetime Achievement Award Winner
February 10, 2012
About 300 people attended the Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce’s 66th Annual Meeting Thursday night.
Richard Maxwell of Maxwell Construction was named the chamber’s Citizen of the Year for his numerous contributions to the community.
The chamber’s Lifetime Achievement Award was presented posthumously to Mary Joyner Grissett. She was a devoted educator, community leader, and volunteer with a passion for education. After 25 years of teaching with the Escambia County School System, she retired and then taught English and literature for two years at Escambia Academy. Grissett, who passed away in 2011, was a founder of the Academic All-Star Program and named Atmore Citizen of the Year in 1991.
Guest speaker for the event was Alabama Crimson Tide star Siran Stacey. In 2007, Stacy and his family were involved in a traffic accident that claimed the lives of six people — including his wife and four children. Stacy now shares his story and ministers across the nation.
AT&T Grant Funds ‘Harvest For The Hungry’ At Tate High School
February 10, 2012
Thanks to an AT&T “STEM at Work” grant, 350 students at J.M. Tate High School will have the opportunity to learn how what they are studying in the classroom will be used in various occupations.
AT&T Florida provided $120,000 to challenge Florida’s district-wide local education foundations to create STEM workplace experiences throughout the State through a grant to the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations (CFEF). The project’s aim is to provide students with hands-on experiential learning opportunities outside the classroom that are directly linked to their coursework in science, technology, engineering and/or math.
Escambia County Public Schools Foundation has partnered with Tate High School for its project “Harvest for the Hungry.” In addition to the $2,000 provided by AT&T and CFEF, the J.M. Tate FFA Alumni Foundation is providing $2,000 in matching funds.
“Through the AT&T ‘STEM’ at Work’ grant, basic scientific, technology and mathematics skills will be applied to basic agriculture principles. This gives students real-life, hands-on experience. In the next 50 years, we will need more industry leaders than ever before, and agriscience education is providing the next generation of leaders with real-world experience,” said Austin Courson, Agriscience Program assistant and liaison for Tate FFA Alumni Foundation.
“As a student, this will give us hands-on learning that will allow us to advance our knowledge of the industry of agriculture,” says Tate student Megan Gibbs. “At the same time, this will allow us to provide basic needs to community members through our ‘Harvest for the Hungry’ project.”
Students will develop a clear understanding of the principles of soil science and plant nutrition using proper equipment and technology, learn the importance of water quality by taking water samples, and collaborate with a local irrigation supplier and the Natural Resources Conservation Service in evaluating proper irrigation systems designed for water conservation. Students will design and install an irrigation system and grow a vegetable garden; food produced during the project will be sent to a local food bank. The project began in January 2012 and will continue through May 2012.
“We are pleased with this partnership because Florida’s K-12 education foundations are well positioned to be the link between schools and local businesses that can make these critical connections for students,” said Marshall Criser, III, AT&T Florida President. “By concentrating on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math curriculum, this program will provide real life experiences that can help increase the number of Florida’s students graduating high school college- and career-ready.”
Food World Grocery Stores Sold
February 10, 2012
Food World and Bruno’s stores in Florida and Alabama are being sold.
Birmingham-based Southern Family Markets is selling its 57 stores in four states to Belle Foods LLC under an agreement announced Thursday.
Belle Foods LLC, based in Birmingham, was formed by 30-year industry veteran William “Bill” White specifically to purchase the Southern Family Market stores — including the Food World stores in Atmore and Pensacola. White is joined in the venture by his son Jeff.
“We are very excited about this acquisition and look forward with great anticipation to growing this business, being strong partners in the communities we will serve and bringing back the family-owned roots which have always made these stores so special,” White said in a released statement Thursday.
Terms of the deal, which is expected to close in the next couple of months, were not disclosed.
For now, company officials said there were no plans to close any of the stores. Future changes that will be made at the stores, if any, have not been disclosed.
Pictured: The Southern Family Market in Atmore became a Food World Store in May 2010. In this photo, workers make final adjustments to the store sign on opening day. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Northview FFA To Present ‘The Springs’ In Concert At Blue Jacket Jamboree
February 10, 2012
The Northview FFA Alumni will present the annual Blue Jacket Jamboree on Saturday, February 18 featuring the CGMA Country Group of the Year “The Springs”.
The Springs have shared the stage with country greats like Alan Jackson, Craig Moran, Toby Keith and Reba McIntire with their high energy brand of Country/Southern Rock.
Nominated along with Steel Magnolia, Sugarland, and Lady Antebellum for the New Music Awards “Country Group of the Year”, The Springs are seen by some as the “next big thing” in country music. The all-male group has also had two Christian country number one songs.
Tickets are $20 per person which includes a pulled pork sandwich meal. The event takes place beginning at 5 p.m. rain or shine on Saturday, February 18 in the Northview High School Auditorium. The event will also include an auction.
Tickets are available now at Smith Tractor Company in Jay and Atmore, Century Pharmacy and Scott’s Pharmacy in Molino. For more information, visit BlueJacketJamboree.com.
The Blue Jacket Jamboree is sponsored in part by NorthEscambia.com, Cat Country, 98.7 and Your Country 102.7 WXBM.
The Northview FFA Alumini uses proceeds from the event for scholarships for eligible seniors and transportation for FFA members to state and national conventions.
Coming up soon on NorthEscambia.com — we’ll introduce you to The Springs and we’ll have tickets to giveaway.
Minor Fire At UWF
February 9, 2012
Firefighters responded to a small fire Thursday morning in the gym building at the University of West Florida.
The fire reportedly began in a laundry room about 11 a.m. and was quickly extinguished. Firefighters remained on the scene to clear smoke from the building.
The building was evacuated during the fire; there were no injuries reported.
10 Years Community Control, Probation For Meth Lab
February 9, 2012
A Cantonment man has been sentenced to a total of 10 years community control and probation in connection with a meth lab found at a Cantonment home last year.
Adjudication was withheld in the case of Robert Edward Raines. He was sentenced by judge Michael Allen to 18 months community control to be followed by 8.5 years of probation. He was also ordered to perform 100 hours of community service at 10 hours per month.
Raines was charged with possession of methamphetamines with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of listed chemicals with the intent to manufacture a control substance.
In February 2011, deputies reported finding Raines inside a home in the 1100 block of Muscogee Road with an active methamphetamine lab.
Ethics Commission Dismisses Complaint Over Equestrian Center Hiring
February 9, 2012
The Florida Commission on Ethics announced Wednesday that it dismissed a complaint filed against several Escambia County officials over the hiring of Forest Gibbs as marketing coordinator for the Escambia Equestrian Center.
The complaint by Escambia County resident Jim C. Hunt was filed against Commissioner Wilson Robertson and three members of a hiring committee that originally gave the job to Gibbs. Those staffers were Assistant County Administrator Larry Newsom, Human Resources Supervisor Barbara Keyser, and Chief of Recreation and Special Services Michael Rhodes.
The ethics commission dismissed the complaint due to lack of legal sufficiency.
Gibbs held the Equestrian Center job for about two weeks in October until being fired by County Administrator Randy Oliver following a complaint that Robertson influenced his hiring and landed Gibbs a $63,000 salary, which was higher than was advertised. The commission, including Robertson, called for a state investigation into the process. The State Attorney found no wrongdoing.
Gibbs filed suit in Escambia County Circuit Court against Commissioners Kevin White, Marie Young and Grover Robinson claiming that he was qualified and they improperly removed him from his new job. The suit does not name Escambia County as a defendant. Gene Valentino, who was not at a county meeting in which the board considered the matter, is also not being sued.
Gibbs is seeking unnamed damages in excess of $15,000 plus legal and court costs from White, Young and Robinson.
After re-advertising the position, Pamela Mauldwin of Milton was hired as Equestrian Center manager. She will begin her job on February 28.
Fannie Road Wreck Injures One
February 9, 2012
One person was injured in a single vehicle accident Wednesday night near Century.
The accident happened about 10:15 p.m. on Fannie Road near Carnley Road just northeast of Century. The driver of a GMC SUV apparently lost control and overturned off the roadway. The driver was transported to Jay Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The Flomaton Fire Department responded to the crash because dispatchers originally believed the accident was in Alabama. The Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Highway Patrol also responded.
Further details have not been released by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Gov. Scott Appoints Darlene Dickey Of Molino To Escambia Court
February 9, 2012
Darlene F. Dickey, of Molino, was appointed Wednesday to the Escambia County Court by Gov. Rick Scott.
Dickey, 41, has been general counsel for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office since 2006. Previously, she practiced with Bozeman, Jenkins and Matthews P.A. from 2003 to 2005 after three years as an assistant state attorney with the First Judicial Circuit.
After completing a bachelor’s degree, she served five years as a law enforcement officer, first with the University of West Florida Police Department, and later as a field training officer with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Dickey received a bachelor’s degree from the University of West Florida and a law degree from Florida State University.
“Throughout Darlene’s career, she has gained valuable experience listening to all sides of the issues in order to gain the understanding needed to resolve conflicts, “Gov. Scott said. “Her willingness and ability to apply sound and restrained legal analysis will serve the people of Escambia County well.”
Dickey will fill the vacancy created by the appointment of Judge John F. Simon to the First Judicial Circuit.
Standing Strong: NJROTC Annual Inspection Held (With Photo Gallery)
February 9, 2012
Northview High School’s NJROTC Annual Inspection was held Wednesday at the school, with cadets undergoing face to face scrutiny.
The inspecting officer was Captain Maria Majar, MSC, Executive Officer for the Navy Medicine Operational Training Center in Pensacola. Accompanying her was the Command Master Chief, HMCM (SW) Timothy Perkett.
The day’s events began with a personnel inspection, drill demonstration and a pass-in-review in the school gym. Other events Wednesday included a financial record review, briefings, administrative inspections, supply inspections and more.
“I was absolutely impressed with all of the cadets,” Majar said. “They should all be very, very, extremely proud of themselves.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
About half of the cadets were recognized as “outstanding” in their uniforms. Those receiving the Outstanding Personal Appearance Award were: Jordyn Dunsford, Brittany Martin, Dylan Cartwright, Talia Syria, Haley Maddox, Andrea Miles, Victoria Wright, Kasie Braun, Kira Cartwright, Courtney Jones, Jeniya Odom, Lakelynn Parker, Tori Jordan, Dakota Craft, Kelsea Cohen, Jasmine Maher, Kayla Nahkala, Johnny Robbins, Cheyenne Godwin, Jaylen Parker, Kyle Hunter, Miranda Morris, Shauna Walker, Aaliyah Creamer, Kayla Miles, Amber Francis, Sean Allister, Natassja Scott, Ashley Joiner, Irene Stewart, Angelique Brown, Christina Donald, Jarrett Parker, Garrett Turner, Lane Carnley, Blaze Harkness, Michelle Carnley, Kent Smith and Cari Thompson.
Pictured: Northview High School’s NJROTC Annual Inspection Wednesday morning at the school. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
