Multiple Accidents Create Morning Problems On I-10
January 20, 2012
Multiple accidents created major traffics problems on I-10 near the Pine Forest Road exit Friday morning.
In a 7:30 a.m. accident, 51-year old Henry King of Cantonment and his passenger, 8-year old Joshua King, were stopped due to traffic. According to the Florida High Patrol, 37-year old Robert J. Roach of Pensacola locked his brakes, veered into the outside lane of I-10 and slid into the rear of the King’s vehicle. Henry and Joshua King were transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries. Roach was cited for an improper lane change.
In one accident at 7:49 a.m., the Florida Highway Patrol said Nicholas Larry Davis, age 27 of Cantonment, veered into the median to avoid stopped traffic, colliding with a Jeep driven by 47-year old Sherry Maureen Toler of Seminola, AL, that was already in the median. Both were uninjured. Davis was cited for careless driving.
In an accident at 8:02 a.m., the FHP said 29-year old Katrina Rook of Pensacola was stopped for traffic when Leslie Gildersleeve, age 30 of Daphne, rear-ended her. Gildersleeve was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries. She was also cited for careless driving.
In a fourth accident, 23-year old Ashley Smith of Seminole, AL, was stopped for traffic when she was rear-ended at 8:09 a.m. by 42-year old Naomi Gentry, also of Seminole. Both were uninjured; Gentry was cited for careless driving.
Extreme Makeover: Refurbished Fire Trucks Save Escambia $1.6 Million
January 20, 2012
Escambia County has seven like-new refurbished fire trucks in service, including five in the immediate North Escambia area — with the refurbished models saving the county over a million and a half dollars versus new.
In late 2010, the Escambia County Commission authorized $2,147,586 to refurbish six “commercial pumpers”, to refurbish one 75-foot aerial truck and to purchase one 2011 model 78-foot aerial truck.
Two fire trucks from the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and one each from McDavid, Molino, Beulah and Innerarity Point were completely refurbished and returned to their respective home stations during the last few weeks.
The 1991 model trucks were stripped down and completely rebuilt from the tires up, including new electronic pumps, new bodies, new paint and new lights. The process is estimated to add another 20 years to the expected life of each truck.
“It’s just like a new truck,” Century District Fire Chief Regi Burkett said, adding that Escambia County saved about $1.6 million by choosing to refurbish rather than buy new.
The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue received a refurbished 1991 75-foot ladder truck that was formerly assigned to Ensley. The Ensley Station received a 2011 78-foot aerial truck.
While there are few multi-story buildings in North Escambia, Burkett said that Century’s ladder truck will prove useful for rescues and for reaching over a large square footage building.
Pictured above: Newly refurbished Escambia Fire Rescue trucks together at the Walnut Hill Fire Station. From the left, Engine 1814 – Molino, Engine 911 – McDavid, Engine 1512 – Walnut Hill, Ladder 5 – Century, Engine 1511 – Walnut Hill, Engine 214 – Beulah, and Engine 812- Innerarity Point. Pictured below: Century’s newly refurbished 75-foot ladder truck. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Legendary Tate Coach Floyd Adams Inducted Into Hall Of Fame
January 20, 2012
A legendary former coach for Tate High School and Jefferson Davis Community College was inducted into the Alabama Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in Birmingham Friday night.
Floyd Adams was 179-37 at Tate High School, where he spent two years as an assistant coach before serving as head coach for seven years. He then moved on in 1984 to the college level at Jeff Davis in Brewton where he was 303-149 in 10 seasons.
Adams is a 1952 graduate of Escambia County High School in Atmore. He has been retired from coaching for over a decade.
Escambia Schools To Host Career Academy Showcase
January 20, 2012
The Escambia County School District Workforce Education Department will host the 2012 Empower Your Mind Middle and High School Career Academy Showcase next week.
The event will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, January 26 at the Woodham Middle School Gymnasium at 150 East Burgess Road. Families of fifth through ninth grade students in Escambia County are invited to attend the Career Academy Showcase to discover opportunities provided through career academy participation.
Teachers, students, and business partners from all middle and high school career academies in Escambia County will showcase their academies.
Representatives from the School Choice Office will be available to assist families with completing career academy applications.
The career academy application deadline for high schools is February 15; the deadline for middle schools is March 15. For more information, visit career.escambia.k12.fl.us/home/index.asp.
Hundreds Of Trees Given Away
January 20, 2012
Hundreds of trees were given away in Century Thursday as part of a Florida’s Arbor Day celebration.
Escambia County, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Science (UF/IFAS) Extension, and Florida Forestry Service teamed up to give away Shumard Oak, Bald Cypress, River Birch, Mayhaw, Chickasaw Plum and Wax Myrtle seedlings.
Extension Master Gardeners were also available to advise participants on tree types and tree placement in the landscape.
A similar program was held Friday in Warrington.
The Arbor Day Celebration is funded through the U. S. Department of Agriculture and Florida Forestry Service with a grant administered by Escambia County Community & Environment Department.
Pictured: A tree giveaway Thursday morning in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Authorities Seek Help To Solve Decades Old Century Murder
January 20, 2012
Authorities are looking for information in a 20-year old unsolved Century murder.
On, Saturday, October 27, 1990, 62-year old white male Dawyan Willie Lee Warrick was found deceased at his residence in the area of Cottage Street and Old Flomaton Road in Century. Investigators determined that Dawyan Willie Lee Warrick, also known as “Doughboy” or “Dawboy” was murdered.
Warrack was seen by a Century police officer about 9:00 the previous night when he responded to a prowler complaint at Warrick’s address.
He was described by family members as a World War II veteran, where he received injuries that led to him being disabled. He enjoyed passing his time at Flomaton Billards, according to family members.
Investigators are still looking for the person or persons responsible for Warrick’s murder. Anyone with any information regarding what might have happened to Dawyan Willie Lee Warrick, or anyone familiar with Dawyan Willie Lee Warrick during the time frame leading up to October 27, 1990, is asked to contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office’s Major Crimes Unit at (850) 436-9580, or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Poll Of Republicans: Prison No Longer The Only Criminal Justice Option
January 20, 2012
A poll sponsored by advocates for criminal justice reform found a large number of Florida Republicans appear to agree with them – that it is now OK to talk about getting a little softer on some criminals.
A number of politicians and interest groups have watched as crime has dropped, while the economy has tanked in recent years, leading to a number of discussions about moving away from some of the tougher “lock ‘em up” sentencing practices of the last couple of decades, primarily driven by Republicans.
A poll commissioned by the Florida TaxWatch Center for Smart Justice and Associated Industries of Florida and released Thursday found that more than 8 in 10 GOP voters in the state support additional use of things like work-release and treatment programs. The poll, conducted by Tel Opinion Research, surveyed 800 registered Florida Republicans who said they were likely voters. More than 6 in 10 of the respondents were over 55.
Nearly three-quarters, 73 percent, said they agreed that fewer people convicted of non-violent crimes should be sent to prison, and that the state needs a stronger probation and parole system. The poll also found that 81 percent support certain community-based alternatives to juvenile prisons.
By The News Service of Florida
Reported Chemical Exposure Shuts Down Escambia River Bridge
January 20, 2012
Concerns over a possible chemical exposure shut down the Escambia River Bridge on Highway 4 between Century and Jay Thursday morning.
A female reported about11:30 a.m. that she was overcome by some sort of chemical smell in her vehicle which prompted her to stop at the Santa Rosa County end of the bridge. The Jay Fire Department, Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded.
The woman was transported by private vehicle to Jay Hospital in good condition.
Authorities were not able to pinpoint the alleged smell and quickly determined that there was no danger to the public before re– opening the bridge to traffic.
Further details were not available.
Pictured: The Escambia River Bridge on Highway 4 was shut down for a short time Thursday morning after a woman reported a possible chemical exposure in her car. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Academy Names New Head Coach
January 20, 2012
Escambia Academy has hired a new head football coach and athletic director who is no stranger to coaching.
Veteran coach Hugh Fountain is now on the job for the Cougars. For the last 6-years, he coached at Charles Henderson High School in Troy with a 106-67 overall record and 10 playoff trips in the last dozen years. He has also coached at W.S. Neal, Flomaton and Hillcrest Evergreen.
Fountain replaces Heath Gibson who stepped down after nine seasons with the cougars. During those nine season, Gibson led EA to the playoffs five times.
Early Morning Fire Destroys Highway 97 Home
January 19, 2012
There were no injuries reported in early Thursday morning fire that destroyed a home in Walnut Hill.
The fire at 9661 Highway 97, next door to Tichi’s Garage, was spotted by a passerby just before 2 a.m. The occupants were not at home at the time of the fire in the 2,000 square foot concrete block home.
For a photo gallery from the scene, click here.
The house was well involved when the first firefighters arrived on the scene, with flames shooting from roof and rear of the home. It took about 45 minutes to bring the fire under control.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
The Walnut Hill, McDavid, Century and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Atmore Fire Department, Atmore Ambulance and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the fire.
Pictured: A fire about 2 a.m. Thursday destroyed this home on Highway97 in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
