Byrneville Elementary Hat Drive For Children With Cancer
October 11, 2011
From beanies to baseball caps, a hat drive Wednesday at Byrneville Elementary School will collect hats of all kinds for children with cancer.
The collection is part of the Hats Off For Cancer program, with collected hats donated to children who lose their hair due to cancer treatments.
Since 1996, over one million brand new hats have been collected nationwide through the program for children with cancer.
Any new, unworn hat — baseball caps, beanies, sock hats or any other kid-friendly hat — will be accepted from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Byrneville Elementary School.
Jay, Washington Win JD Mac Invitational; Tate, West Florida Place
October 11, 2011
Washington and Jay high schools took the top spots in the team results Saturday at the J.D. Mac Cross Country Invitational in Jay.
Boys
Washington High took first in the boy’s team results, with West Florida placing third and the Tate Aggies in sixth.
The top male runner was Jacob Kotick of Washington with a time of 16:20, followed by Ryan Larson of Washington (16:24:08), Alec Clark of West Florida (16:24:94) and Harrison Edwards (16:33) of Washington.
Top male runners for West Florida were: Austin Sortino (17:12), Marcus Slade (18:25), Darrin Qualls (18:29), Hunter Sport (18:35) and Garrett Diamond (18:37).
Top male runners for Tate were: Thomas Simmons (17:33), Daniel Keely (19:41), Austin Halfacre (19:48:57), Luke Barnhill (20:25) and Garrett Summitt (20:32).
Girls
For the Jay Lady Royals, it was the first win at the meet they host at the Bray-Hendricks City Park. West Florida placed fourth, while Central High placed sixth.
For the Lady Royals, Jessican Thornton (21:03) placed third, while Jorja Agrait (21:36) placed tenth. Other Jay Lady Royals in the top 20 were Allison Blair (22:17), Ally Settle (22:18) and Savannah Brown (22:30).
Top female runners for West Florida were: overall female winner Kaysi Roberts (19:14), Raleigh Nesbitt (22:01), Miranda Wiley (22:09:54), Hanna Moore (23:32), and Danielle Turner (23:42).
Two Arrested After Toddler Severely Burned
October 11, 2011
An Escambia County couple was arrested after a 2-year old child suffered severe burns.
The young girl is undergoing treatment for third-degree burns at the University of Alabama Burn Center in Birmingham after she was taken to a local hospital Sunday with severe burns to her right foot and leg, her genitals, and buttocks. The child also had swelling in her lip and right cheek area of her face, police said.
Nidra Comonik Crowe, 31, and Shyheem Jacquel Spellman, 18, both of Ninth Avenue, have both been charged with child neglect causing great harm. Spellman was also charged with possession of marijuana under 20 grams after marijuana was found in his left sock.
Crowe, who is a relative of the child, told police she decided to take the child to the hospital around 10 a.m. Sunday because the skin had peeled off from her buttocks area. She gave police conflicting dates on when the burns could have occurred and initially said they might have been caused by a light that was found on the floor, by a hot bath or possibly bleach.
Spellman, who is Crowe’s boyfriend, said he gave the child a bath the previous Sunday because she had urinated on herself. He said Crowe had put her in the bathtub, started the water and went to the kitchen to cook. When the child started crying and stood up, he said he told her to sit down and be quiet. He also said he gave her a bath on Monday after she had wet the bed.
Crowe told police she noticed the burns on Wednesday, went to a store and bought burn cream to put on the areas. She said she had cleansed the areas, put cream on them and wrapped them in gauze during the week.
Woman Shares Lifelong Love Of Spinning Yarn
October 11, 2011
The art of spinning yarn has interested Cathy Johnson since she was young.
Now, the Century Care Center CNA has discovered that she has a talent for spinning, and she recently shared that talent with the residents at Century Care.
At age 18, Johnson worked in a cotton mill and became interested in the process. She began spinning lessons about two years ago, and she has been spinning and dying her own yarn since. She also does knitting and crocheting, selling her artwork in festivals and on display.
She explained the spinning process — which she describes as a good form of meditation — to a group of fascinated Century Care Center residents.
Pictured above: CNA Cathy Johnson (right) explains the art of spinning yarn to Century Care Center resident Dora Rolin (left). Pictured inset: A finished product. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia’s Newest Street Name: Lowery Road
October 11, 2011
Escambia County has approved the new street name “Lowery Road” for a private road near Century that has just one resident.
The road runs south off the 1000 block of West Highway 4, about two-thirds of a mile west of Lake Stone Road. The total cost to the county will be $223.45 for a new street sign. The county will not maintain the private road.
There is just one resident on Escambia County’s newest road — Lessie M. Lowery — according to the street name application.
Man Gets Life For Molesting Young Girl
October 11, 2011
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to life for molesting a young girl.
John Cirota was convicted by an Escambia County jury of lewd/lascivious molestation upon a child under 12 and lewd/lascivious conduct. Following the verdict, Judge Jan Shackelford sentenced Cirota to life in state prison.
Cirota was also designated a sex offender. He was previously convicted of a lewd and lascivious act on a child in 1994 and of an attempted lewd and lascivious assault on a child in 1998. He served three years in state prison on that conviction.
In March 2011, Cirota was present in the home of the victim and her family as a guest when he molested the girl in her bedroom.
Two Shot Outside Escambia Apartment Complex
October 10, 2011
Two Escambia County men shot early Monday morning outside the gate of an apartment complex.
Kardale Devon Archie, 19, of the 7000 block of Bruner St., and Jacob Harrison Hardaway, 17, of the 6600 block of Hampton Rd. were both shot in the leg at around 5:10 a.m. today at Oakwood Terrace Apartments at 700 Truman Avenue.
Both victims told deputies that an unknown black male began shooting at them as they walked out of the apartment complex grounds.
“This investigation is ongoing,” said sheriff’s spokesman Deputy Chris Welborn. “Our deputies are working on a promising lead, and we hope to have the suspect in custody as soon as possible.”
Archie and Hardaway were transported to local hospitals by ambulance for non-life-threatening injuries.
Anyone who may have information on the case is asked to contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Overnight Delivery: UPS Moves Regional Facility To Pensacola
October 10, 2011
Shipper UPS announced Monday morning that they are moving their regional sorting facility from Mobile to the Pensacola airport.
“UPS is pleased to add Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional Airport to our global logistics network,” said UPS Airlines President Mitch Nichols. “We look forward to providing excellent service to our Gulf Coast express shipping customers from this new gateway.”
The move will bring two daily cargo flights to the Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional Airport beginning October 31. UPS will generate an estimated 30 jobs initially in Pensacola.
“This is the type of project that could have easily gone to some other airport, but because we were paying attention, running down every lead, and making economic development a priority, we’re going to have a major international shipper flying in and out of Pensacola,” said Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward.
Owners: Century’s Old Alger-Sullivan Building Still Available
October 10, 2011
Century Lumber and Land may have held a ribbon cutting for hundreds of jobs at the doors of the old Alger-Sullivan Lumber property in Century, but they never had any claim to the property. That’s according to the real estate agent for the owners, and he says the property is still on the market for a viable company looking for that perfect location.
James Leonard Craft, now 71, stood holding the arm of Century Mayor Freddie McCall in October 2010 as the mayor cut a symbolic ribbon for Century Lumber and Land. Community members, Century town council members, county government representatives and business officials stood behind a Century Area Chamber of Commerce sign as the yellow ribbon fell on what they were told was a venture that would bring up to 500 jobs to the struggling town.
But there was a tidbit very few of them knew — Craft or the company never had any legal claim the property where he was holding the ribbon cutting.
“It was never sold; it never even had a binder,” EXIT Realty NFI-Commerical agent Gary Watson said Friday on behalf of the property owners.
Fast forward to October 2011 — Craft is behind bars in Etowah County Alabama, on a list of local and state charges via the Alabama Securities Commission…two counts of being an unregistered agent, two counts of selling unregistered securities, four counts of misrepresentation, scheme to defraud, first degree theft and a charge of second degree theft. [Read more in a Saturday NorthEscambia.com story here...]
“We want people to know the building is on the market and available,” Watson said. “There are no claims on any legal connections to Mr. Craft. The property is available free and clear.”
Watson pointed out the property is “just big” with 330,200 square feet in eight buildings on 38 acres that is zoned commercial. CSX rail runs along the western boundary of the property, and CSX is willing to install a railroad spur. It’s within easy driving distance to I-65, and less than 60 miles to Pensacola and Mobile. There are financial incentives and tax breaks available as a Brownsfield and Enterprise Zone property.
“It’s just a great location, and we want people to know it’s available regardless of what might be going on with Mr. Craft,” Watson said.
List price on the former Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company property is $2.75 million, and it is, Watson said, available for sale, owner-financing or lease. “And we’ll even take cash,” he added.
Pictured top: The ribbon is cut in October 2010 for Century Lumber & Land’s announced venture in Century. Pictured inset: Booking photo of James Edward Craft. Pictured below: The former Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company property is back on the market. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlage.
Finance Reports: Most Century Candidates Running On A Budget
October 10, 2011
The final campaign finance reports prior to Tuesday’s Century general election are in, and it remains campaigning on the cheap for most candidates.
Reports for the period ending September 30 were due Friday. An additional campaign finance report will be due for the period October 1-14 on October 21.
Mayor
During the final reporting period, incumbent Mayor Freddie McCall loaned his campaign another $1,000. In total, he’s contributed $3,973 of his own money. McCall has received just one contribution from the public — $100 from Darleene Lauria of Brewton. He reported spending $2,393 to date, with $1,500 to Bill Salter Advertising for billboards and artwork.
Henry Hawkins filed the latest campaign finance report Monday morning — one business day late — show no contributions and no expenditures. As of the last report due September 23, Hawkins had received $300 for his campaign. He contributed $150 to his campaign, while $50 contributions were received from Darrell A. Hawkins of Pensacola, Beverly J. Hawkins of Pensacola and Joseph Hawkins of Pensacola. He, as of the previous report, had spend $263 on the qualification fee, t-shirts and signs.
Council, Seat 1
Incumbent Ann Brooks loaned herself $25 during the last reporting period and spend $102.34 for stickers for her campaign signs. Her total contributions were reported as $615, with $575 of that her own money. Emma Fletcher of Century contributed the remaining $40. She had spent $150.34 with $48 for her qualifying fee and $102.34 for the stickers.
Challenger Pamela McArthur received $25 during the period from Cynthia Brown of Century for total contributions of $98 to her campaign. She has only reporting spending $48 for her qualifying fee.
Council, Seat 2
Incumbent Annie Savage reported $425 in contributions during the last reporting period. She contributed $100 to her own campaign and accepted contributions of $100 from Hauber Joeanne of Gulf Breeze and $225 from Margie McCall — the wife of Century Mayor Freddie McCall. In all, she received $912 in contributions with $220 being her own money. The remainder of her contributions have been amounts as small as $10. During the period, she spent $40 on gas and $110.49 on signs, for total to date expenditures of $637.25.
During the past reporting period, challenger and former mayor Evelyn Hammond received $50 in contributions from Alton Hammond of Century and spent nothing. Her contributions total $530, including $50 from her son, Edward Hammond who is Century’s gas supervisor and $250 from Alfonzie Cottrell. She has spent $342.74, mostly on signs.
To view the complete reports for each candidate, visit the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections website here.