Century Set To Pave Five More Streets On Priority List
December 6, 2011
The Town of Century is set to pave five more streets at a cost of $38,903.70, ending a priority list of paving projects.
The town council voted Monday night to pave Bonwell Lane, Gifford Lane, Barnwell Lane, Field Road and Sellars Road, awarding the contract to Roads, Inc. of NWF. For a cost savings, Century is piggybacking on an Escambia County contract with Roads, Inc.
The project will wrap up a paving project priority list created by the council in 2010.
During the last year, Century has completed paving projects totaling about $270,000 on Freedom Road, Old Flomaton Road, Hecker Road, Elm Street, Hilltop Road, West Cottage Street, Academy Street, Pleasant Hill Road and Ramar Street.
Pictured top: The recently resurfaced Hecker Road in Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Out Of Money For Crack, Man Snatches Purse During Prayer At Church
December 6, 2011
A Flomaton man is charged with stealing a woman’s purse during prayer at a local church because, he told police, he was smoking crack in Century and ran out of money.
The man, later identified as 30-year old Morris Andy Cumbie, walked into the Sunday evening service at the Flomaton Church of Christ about 6:15. Witnesses told Flomaton Police that Cumbie sat down in a pew, and as soon as heads were bowed for the opening prayer, he grabbed a church member’s purse and bolted out the door.
Church members gave chase, but backed off when Cumbie told them that he had a gun, Flomaton Police Chief Geoff McGraw said. He then sped away in Toyota Corolla.
Police turned to technology in an attempt to catch their purse snatcher. The victim’s cellphone was inside the purse; the cellphone company was able to narrow the location of the phone down to the area of Campbell and Old Flomaton roads in Century. Police were unable to locate the phone in the dark, but witnesses did report seeing a Toyota Corolla matching the suspect’s in the area.
“Then I was blessed enough to remember having dealt with Mr. Cumbie before,” McGraw said, “and we went to his house out from Brewton.”
McGraw said Cumbie initially denied any involvement and eventually gave authorities consent to search his home and Toyota Corolla. In the car, police found a bank statement belonging to the victim that had been in her purse.
Cumbie was booked into the Escambia County (Ala.) Detention Center in Brewton on charges of felony first degree robbery and second degree theft of property.
Bill Could Block Drug Felons From Getting Welfare
December 6, 2011
A Senate Republican has filed a bill that would block people convicted on felony drug charges from being eligible for welfare benefits in Florida unless they can prove they have completed drug-treatment programs.
Sen. Steve Oelrich, R-Cross Creek, filed the proposal that would apply to temporary cash assistance and food assistance. The proposal comes after a major controversy during the 2011 session about requiring welfare recipients to take drug tests. Rep. Jimmie Smith, R-Inverness, has filed the proposal in the House.
By The News Service of Florida
Thomas Named ‘Star’ Superintendent
December 6, 2011
Escambia County’s Malcolm Thomas was among three statewide “Star” superintendents and school board members honored by the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations.
Local education foundations from throughout the state nominated school system leaders for the fifth annual awards. Nominees were reviewed by other education foundation directors in the state and rated for their leadership and involvement with their local education foundation.
Thomas was nominated by Laverne Baker, chairwoman of Escambia County Public Schools Foundation Board of Directors.
With his direct involvement and leadership in the past three years, the foundation has achieved several milestones including the most recent, hiring a full time executive director to continue moving the foundation forward, Thomas said.
The consortium, established in 1987, is the membership organization for Florida’s education foundations.
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.
