Toyz For Kidz Bike Ride To Help Those In Need
December 6, 2011
Santa will have some very special helpers on Saturday as the LA Bikers roll across the area to make sure needy kids get a Christmas present.
The 11th Annual Toyz for Kidz Bike Ride will raise funds for the program and distribute toys to families in need.
The event begins at David’s Catfish on South Main Street in Atmore with registration from 9-10 a.m. The ride will begin at 10, traveling first to Bratt Elementary School, then to Arrington Auto Parts in Flomaton and the Atmore City Hall. At each stop, families that are already preselected will receive the toy donations.
Registration is $20 per bike, with all proceeds going to the LA Bikers Toyz for Kidz program. For more information, contact Jody Jeter at (251) 547-7030.
Hot Dog! It’s The Wienermobile In North Escambia
December 6, 2011
The world-famous Oscar Mayer Wienermobile was spotted in the North Escambia area Monday afternoon.
The unmistakeable 27-foot long hot dog-shaped vehicle traveled through Atmore, south along Highway 97 through Walnut Hill, and then down Highway 29 from Molino to Pensacola. NorthEscambia.com was able to “ketchup” with the Wienermobile for some photos in front of Ernest Ward Middle School. The giant fiberglass bun was, well, a bit soggy from the rain as it turned heads on Highway 97.
There are actually six full-size Wienermobiles; the one in the area Monday was the big wiener itself with the Wisconsin license plate of “WEENR”.
They are driven by “Hotdoggers” — college seniors who cut the mustard from thousands of applicants to operate the vehicle from a “condiment control panel”. They are able to relish the job for a year before moving along.
Frankly, it’s all about the brand on the Wienermobile; the horn even plays the jingle “I wish I were an Oscar Mayer wiener”.
Pictured above: The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile passes Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill Monday afternoon. Pictured below: The Wienermobile in downtown Atmore. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge. Atmore photos courtesy Regina Hare and Casey Hare for NorthEscambia.com.
FHP Announces Drunk, Drugged Driving Crackdown In December
December 6, 2011
The Florida Highway Patrol announced Monday that troopers are cracking down on drunk and drugged driving during December, which is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month.
“We encourage everyone to plan ahead this holiday season to avoid drinking or drugged driving,” said Col. David Brierton, director of the FHP. “We are encouraging all drivers to make good decisions.”
According to the Florida Highway Patrol
- During the four-day New Year’s holiday travel period in 2010, 32 people died on Florida’s roadways. Of those, 12 were alcohol-related.
- During the four-day Christmas holiday travel period in 2010, 24 people died on Florida’s roadways. Of those, eight were alcohol-related.
- Drug-related injuries and fatalities decreased between 2009 and 2010 from 1,090 to 1,063.
Chavers Withdraws From Sheriff’s Race
December 5, 2011
William (Bill) Chavers, NPA, withdrew today from the Escambia County Sheriff’s race for the 2012 General Election, according to Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford. Chavers was formerly the chief deputy for current Sheriff David Morgan.
Currently, Morgan, the Republican incumbent, remains in the race along with Rex Blackburn (NPA) and Republican John Powell.
One Person Injured In Early Morning House Fire
December 5, 2011
One person was injured in a early Monday morning house fire in Escambia County.
The fire was reported in the 7700 block of Amberidge Road, just north of I-10 and west of Highway 29, about 4:06 a.m. When firefighters arrived, they found a home and two cars fully involved. One occupant was injured in the fire and transported to a Pensacola hospital by Escambia County EMS.
The fire caused major damaged throughout the home. The exact cause of the blaze is still under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Firefighters from Ensley, Brent, Bellview, Ferry Pass and Osceola responded to the scene.
The blaze marked the first red bulb in wreaths throughout the county in December’s “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign. Every time firefighters respond to a residential fire a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one in 28 wreaths at fire stations and other locations in the county to remind citizens of the dangers posed by holiday decorations.
Brothers Charged After FWC Seizures In Bratt
December 5, 2011
Two brothers are behind bars facing charges after the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission seized illegally taken deer meat and firearms from a home in Bratt last month.
Marvin Anthony Haynie, 47, and Stanley Haynie, 52, of adjacent addresses in the 3000 block of York Road, were booked into the Escambia County jail on wildlife conservation charges. Stanley Haynie is also facing an additional felony charge for possession of a weapon by a convicted felon; he is a registered sex offender previously convicted of lewd and lascivious exhibition and conduct with a victim under 16, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
In mid-November, FWC officers received information that a firearm was used to kill deer, according to Stan Kirkland, FWC spokesperson, outside of permitted hunting seasons.
Witnesses told officers that the Haynie brothers had gone hunting and several shots were heard. When questioned, the two brothers admitted to shooting three deer — a doe and two yearlings — with a firearm, Kirkland said. Officers located the remains of the deer behind a residence on York Road, off North Pine Barren Road just east of Northview High School.
FWC officers also seized a 12-gauge shotgun and a .30-06 rifle from the home.
Both men remained in the Escambia County Jail early Monday. Bond was set at $1,250 for Marvin Haynie and $11,250 for Stanley Haynie.
Pictured: FWC Officers watch a home on York Road in Bratt November 16 before seizing deer meat and firearms. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Out Of Century CI Just A Month, Man Busted For Bank Robbery
December 5, 2011
A man that took a cab for his getaway car after robbing a bank last week was released from Century Correctional Institution less than a month before his arrest.
Darrel Ward, 27, was released from Century CI on November 1 after serving his sentence for a 2008 Escambia County conviction on charges of providing false information to a pawnbroker and fleeing or eluding law enforcement.
Ward walked into the Member’s First Credit Union on Airport Boulevard last Thurday, passed a note to a teller demanding money and alluded that he had a weapon, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. After the teller gave Ward an undisclosed amount of cash, he fled in a cab.
The cab driver said he dropped Ward off in the 700 block of Ladner Drive in the Marcus Pointe subdivision. Off duty deputy Troy Brown saw Ward jumping the back fence of Sam’s Fun City. Ward was taken into custody with incident. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail on robbery and larceny charges with bond set at $105,000.
Sheriff’s K-9 units were able to recover a bag of money behind Sam’s Fun City and the Rave Theater.
Atmore’s Linam Named To Another Academic Football Team
December 5, 2011
Former Atmore resident Josh Linam, already a member of the CoSIDA Capital One Academic All-District First Team, earned another prestigious honor Friday. The University of Central Florida Knights’ middle linebacker was voted onto the Conference USA All-Academic First Team, marking the second-straight season he was named to the squad.
Majoring in sports and fitness, Linam currently carries a cumulative grade-point average of 3.36, and was one of just three members of this year’s C-USA All-Academic Team who were repeat selections.
Linam, a senior, started 25 of UCF’s last 26 games at middle linebacker, ranking third on the team in 2011 with 66 tackles including a season-high nine vs. East Carolina and UTEP. He also collected 10 tackles for loss, two sacks and a pair of interceptions. Linam received College Football Performance Awards Honorable Mention National Linebacker of the Week honors for his effort against UTEP, which featured 1.5 tackles for loss and an interception.
For his career, Linam registered 165 tackles with 20 tackles for loss and three interceptions in 50 games played.
Tate High Softball Team Honored For Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
December 5, 2011
The Tate High School softball team was recognized as the 2011 Top School Fundraising Team during the recent American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer banquet.
The team raised $3,262 for the walk, beginning with their spring season when they dedicated one of their home games to “striking out” breast cancer.
Pictured accepted their award are (L-R) Olivia Dixon, Barrett Barnes, Coach Melinda Wyatt, Heather Shaft and Kimberly Baker. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local Woman One Of America’s Newest Citizens
December 5, 2011
A Flomaton resident is one of America’s newest citizens.
Jeanette Johnson and 19 others became United States citizens following a naturalization ceremony in U.S. District Court in Mobile last Thursday. Jeanette, who is originally from the Philippines, lives in Flomaton with her husband Steven and daughter Breanna.
Pictured: New American citizen Jeanette Johnson of Flomaton, along with her husband Steven and daughter Breanna following a naturalization ceremony in Mobile. Submitted photos by Kelly McNeese for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.