Barry Enters Race For District 5 Commissioner
February 18, 2012
As incumbent Kevin White dropped out of the race for Escambia County District 5 commissioner Friday, former candidate Steven Barry pre-filed for the job.
“I received a courtesy phone call from Commissioner White and seized my opportunity to potentially serve,” Barry told NorthEscambia.com.
Barry, a Republican, ran unsuccessfully for commissioner in 2004, losing to White.
“I am passionate about bettering the lives of every citizen in Escambia County and all of the residents of District 5,” the Cantonment resident said. “Our community holds such great potential and I am certain we are about to experience many new successes.”
White’s withdrawal and Barry’s filing leaves seven candidates in the race – Republicans Barry, Denanne Burkett, Sam Archer and Jim Taylor and Glenn Austin, and Packy Mitchell and Dennis Wiggins with no party affiliation.
For more on White’s withdrawal from the race, click here.
Lady Chiefs Beat Catholic: McCall Homers (With Video)
February 18, 2012
The Northview Lady Chiefs opened their regular season Friday afternoon with a 6-1 win over the Catholic Crusaders.
Senior Lauren McCall hit her first-ever home run for the Lady Chiefs (video below), while junior Misty Doran recorded 15 strikeouts for the win.
The Lady Chiefs will be action again next Tuesday as they play host to the Cougars of Escambia Academy. The junior varsity begins at 3:30, while the varsity is slated for 5:30. The Lady Chiefs will round out next week on the road Thursday against the Baker Gators.
Pictured above: Senior Lauren McCall with her first ever homer against Catholic Friday night in Bratt. Submitted by Zach Barrow for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
If you do not see the video above, it is because your home, work or school or firewall is blocking YouTube videos.
Kevin White Withdraws From Commission Race (With Letter)
February 18, 2012
The day after two-term incumbent Kevin White pulled out of the race for Escambia County District 5 Commissioner, we are learning more about his decision.
“I have given eight years to Escambia County and I believe that it is time for someone else to have the opportunity to serve. The District 5 seat doesn’t belong to me……it belongs to the people….and I am humbled and thankful for the experience,” White said in a letter released to NorthEscambia.com.
The Molino resident said he has worked to make the community better for District 5 and Escambia County as a whole.
“I am proud of the progress we’ve made as a county over the past eight years. We’ve recruited businesses and created jobs and cut the county budget by 71 million dollars,” he said. “District 5 has benefited with more paved roads, newer parks, sidewalks and bike paths, and new trees planted in many areas. I believe the quality of life is better than it has been in a generation.”
White, a Republican, was first elected to the seat in 2004 and re-elected in 2008. He pre-filed his qualification papers for the commission seat back in July.
There are six candidates remaining in the race – Republicans Denanne Burkett, Sam Archer and Jim Taylor and Glenn Austin have pre-filed for the seat. Packy Mitchell and Dennis Wiggins have also announced, running with no party affiliation.
To read White’s complete statement released to NorthEscambia.com, click here.
Fund Established To Help With Assistant Fire Chief’s Funeral Expenses
February 18, 2012
A fund has been established to help pay funeral expenses for an Escambia County Fire Rescue deputy station chief that passed away this week.
Joe Huff, 64, passed away Wednesday after a brief battle with cancer. He was a volunteer firefighter in Escambia County for 48 years and currently served as assistant chief of the Beulah Station of Escambia Fire Rescue.
A fund to assist with funeral expenses has been established at Harvester’s Federal Credit Union in Cantonment. Donations should be made to the “Joe Huff Fund”.
Visitation for Joe Huff will be held from 5-8 p.m. today at the Faith Chapel Funeral Home North in Cantonment. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Marcus Point Baptist Church. Graveside service to follow at Eastern Gate Cemetery on Nine Mile Road.
For the complete obituary, click here.
Tate Opens Season With Win Over West Florida
February 18, 2012
The Tate Aggies came from behind in the bottom of the seventh Friday night, scoring three runs to take down West Florida 7-6.
Hunter Black doubled home two runs for the Aggies to secure Tate’s first win of the season. Cody Palmer was 3-4 with two RBI’s. JT Granat got the win in relief.
Navy Federal To Hire 450-600 This Year
February 18, 2012
Navy Federal Credit Union announced Friday that the company will hire another 450 to 600 call center employees during 2012.
CEO Cutler Dawson said the new employees are needed due to the credit union’s growth — including 400,000 new members last year. The new jobs are in addition to 700 new hires last year that pushed total employment to 2,200. With the new hires, the company’s Beulah campus will near its 3,300 worker capacity.
Navy Federal has expressed interest in purchasing the adjacent 240-acre Langley Bell 4-H Center. So far, no agreement has been made to purchase the 4-H facility from Escambia County.
WABB-FM 97.5 Sold To Religious Broadcasting Company
February 18, 2012
WABB 97.5 — one of the oldest Top 40 radio stations in the country — has been sold to not-for-profit EMF (Educational Media Foundation) of Rocklin, CA.
EMF will take over all programming and the format for the station on March 1. EMF is a religious broadcast that controls the programming on stations across the country, mostly with their K-Love and Air1 formats. Both play Christian music. The company has not yet made any official announcements concerning WABB.
WABB has been a family owned station for 52 years. Bernie Dittman bought WABB-AM in 1959 and put WABB-FM on the air in 1973 with a Top 40 format. A legendary icon in the broadcasting industry, Dittman was devoted throughout his career to maintaining WABB as an independent, family owned station. The family continued to operate the station after his death in 2006.
Despite the station’s success, the next generation of the family no longer resides in the Mobile area and, as a result, the family viewed the sale as a logical transition.
“This was a very difficult and emotional decision for our family,” said Judith Dittman, Bernie’s wife. “WABB-FM has enjoyed decades of success and being an integral part of the Mobile-Pensacola communities. But the time has come for us to move into another phase of life and spend more time together as a family.”
Bank Of Brewton Robbed
February 17, 2012
The main branch of the Bank of Brewton was robbed Friday afternoon.
Brewton Police have released few details about the early afternoon robbery at 103 Belleville Avenue.
Investigators indicated that the suspect or suspects fled the bank. A manhunt followed involving multiple agencies including the Brewton Police Department, East Brewton Police Department, the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office, a K-9 team from the Century Correctional Institution and the FBI.
The only description provided by police so far is that the suspect is black, but it was unknown if they were male or female due to the disguise that was used. The suspect reportedly walked into the rear entrance of the bank off a public boardwalk.
“This isn’t your normal situation,” Lt. Brock Holt of the Brewton Police Department said.
Pictured: Three images from video surveillance inside the Bank of Brewton Friday afternoon. Submitted for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Troopers: Speed Was Factor As Man Plows Into Train
February 17, 2012
Speed was a factor as a 24-year old man plowed his pickup truck into the side of a moving freight train north of Flomaton this morning.
William David Stewart of Irvington, Ala., was seriously injured in the 8:36 a.m. crash on Foshee Road near Hammac Road, about 10 miles from Flomaton. He was transported by LifeFlight to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola. There were no other occupants in the vehicle.
The accident caused a minor diesel fuel leak from a tank on one of the engines. No one on the train was injured.
The crossing is marked by signs but no automated crossing arms or lights. Well over 100 feet of skids marks from the truck were evident on the asphalt leading up to the crossing.
Pictured: One person was seriously injured in this pickup truck versus train crash Friday morning north of Flomaton. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
County Gives 30 Acres To Muzzle Loaders
February 17, 2012
The Escambia County Commission Thursday night voted to give the Escambia River Muzzle Loaders the 30 acres where they operate and allow the group to extend their shooting hours.
The vote was the final approval needed to give the land to the non-profit ERML group to release the county of any liability associated with the shooting range and avoid an environmental cleanup.
Neighbors of the range on Rocky Branch Road have spoken out in opposition to the range and its practices for years. They claim ERML committed to spend $250,000 to improve the range’s safety and reduce noise. But neighbors said the upgrades have never happened. Neighbors have also claimed that the Muzzle Loaders want to purchase additional property to expand the range — and shoot in the direction of neighboring homes.
Changes approved in spirit by the commission Thursday include:
- The range will be open extended hours from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. during the April 1 to September 30 period. Previous hours were 8 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.
- A safety officer must be present whenever the shooting range is being used.
- The range will remain closed on Mondays, unless it is a national holiday other than Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter Sunday.
- Lighting can be installed around the shooting platform only.
The Escambia River Muzzle Loaders is located on Rocky Branch Road, north of Quinette Road near the Escambia River.