Century Still Dealing With Aftermath Of Sewage Lift Station Wreck
January 10, 2011
The Town of Century is continuing to deal with the aftermath of a December 20 wreck that damaged a sewage lift station and electric generator on Highway 29 near Jackson Street.
Mayor Freddie McCall said he is currently obtaining estimates to replace the lift station and generator, possibly looking to move the lift station underground. Once ordered, McCall said the lift station would arrive in about three weeks, while it might take up to 13 weeks for a replacement natural gas generator.
The mayor said he is negotiating a proper monetary settlement with the trucking company’s insurance carrier to cover the repairs.
The truck driver, Freddie Pelzer, 67, of Douglasville, Georgia, was not injured in the crash. He was charged with careless driving by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Pictured: A Town of Century sewage lift station and generator were damaged in this December 20 crash on Highway 29 near Jackson Street. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Video: War Eagle! South Korean Students Cheer For AU
January 10, 2011
Even the South Koreans had War Eagle fever before Monday night’s BCS National Championship game.
A video shows a few hundred South Korean children screaming “War Eagle”. And some of the kids even have names like Bo, Jackson, Cam and Aubie.
The spoof video was produced by Lauren Bercarich, an American with a broadcast journalism background, who lives in South Korea.
“How many times has Auburn won the national championship?” Bercarich asks one child.
“One hundred and seventeen times,” the student replied.
“I’m pretty sure that’s impossible,” she said.
“That’s what teacher says,” the student replied.
And teacher Chris Lowe explained to his students in South Korea that Auburn did not play in the national championship last year, “because they were too good”.
Bercarich explains the video on her YouTube page:
“It’s true: Chris Lowe is an Auburn alumnus, he is an English teacher in South Korea, and he taught hundreds of his students some of his favorite Auburn chants and cheers to celebrate the Tigers playing in the BCS Championship. However, this video is a fictional comic take based on Chris’ love for all things Auburn. No, he did not actually name any of his students Bo, Jackson, Cam or Newton. He has not been teaching his students about Auburn football all semester long. Oh, but one more thing is true; Chris and all his students wish Auburn good luck against Oregon in the national title game.”
The video is posted at the top of this page. If you don’t see it, it is because your work, school or home firewall is blocking YouTube videos.
Squirrel Boy Begins Jail Sentence For Selling Pot To Undercover Informant
January 10, 2011
A Century man known by law enforcement by his street name “Squirrel Boy” reported to the Escambia County Jail Sunday to being a 180 day sentence for selling drugs to an undercover informant.
Eric Quincy Allen, 42, was found guilty last month on two counts of marijuana possession with the intent to sell by an Escambia County jury after he sold drugs from his front porch to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office informant.
He was sentenced to 180 days in jail and his driver’s license was revoked for two years by Judge Paul Rasmussen. He will also be required to perform 50 hours of community service and will be on probation for two years upon release, according to court records. Allen was given 30 days to report to jail to begin his sentence.
According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, Allen was sitting on his porch at his Salter’s Lake Road home when he sold marijuana to the informant in April, 2010.
Voluntary Pre-K Celebrates 5th
January 10, 2011
Florida’s four-year old voluntary prekindergarten program is celebrating its fifth birthday this school year.
“For five years now results have shown us that when children participate in a VPK program, even partially, they enter kindergarten better prepared for success,” said Florida Education Commissioner Dr. Eric J. Smith. “I’m excited that the latest To the Core segment highlights this and all that VPK has done to give our children a focused head start on their future education.”
Cynthia R. Lorenzo, Director of the Agency for Workforce Innovation, added: “Since its inception, the VPK program has provided Florida’s four-year-olds with a rich learning environment, which is critical to creating a talent pool of future leaders who will thrive in the classroom and in the workforce. We are grateful for the many successes of the VPK program over the past five years and remain committed to preparing our youngest Floridians for a lifetime of learning success.”
Established in 2005, Florida’s VPK program is jointly administered by the Department of Education, the Agency for Workforce Innovation, and the Department of Children and Families. The program provides funding for 4-year-olds to attend prekindergarten in order to better prepare them for entrance into kindergarten. For more information on VPK, including local provider contact information, click here.
Pictured: VPK students at Bratt Elementary enjoy a little outside learning during an early December snow flurry. Submitted photo, click to enlarge.
Photo: Power Crews Stream Toward Winter Storm Outages
January 10, 2011
Power crews from as far away as Ohio traveled to Alabama, Georgia and beyond to help with power outages caused by winter storm conditions. Sunday, dozens of those power crews traveled through North Escambia.
Monday, Alabama Power only reported 1,500 outages statewide.
Pictured above and below: Power crews head north along Highway 29 near McDavid on Sunday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sleet Reported In Escambia, Santa Rosa (With Photo)
January 9, 2011
We received numerous reports of light sleet Sunday afternoon in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Sleet was reported in Century, Walnut Hill, Molino, Byrneville, McDavid, Cantonment, Beulah, Pensacola, Ferry Pass, Pace and Milton. No real accumulations were reported.
For more on the weather, click here…
Do you have photos? Email them to news@northescambiacom
Pictured: A little sleet began to accumulate on a trampoline in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Driver Distracted By Cell Phone, Hits Hwy 29 Building
January 9, 2011
An elderly Colorado man not was injured in a car versus building accident Sunday morning in Bluff Springs that was blamed on a cell phone.
Jack Ray McAllister, 73, of Littleton, Colorado, blamed the 7:50 a.m. accident on his cell phone; he told the Florida Highway Patrol that he was distracted when his phone rang. While looking for the phone, he failed to negotiate a curve as he traveled northbound on Highway 29 at Bluff Springs Road.
His Chevrolet Malibu struck a support pillar of an old brick and wooden gas pump awning, sending one end of the awning crashing to the ground. The vehicle continued a short distance away from the building, coming to rest upright alongside Highway 29.
McAllister was not injured.
McAllister was charged with careless driving by the FHP. The Century and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the call.
Pictured: A car versus building accident Sunday morning in Bluff Springs. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
State Of Emergency Declared In Alabama In Advance Of Winter Storm
January 9, 2011
A state of emergency has been declared in Alabama and a winter storm is expected to cover most of the state with snow and ice by Monday morning.
The declaration was made Sunday by Alabama Gov. Bob Riley
“We face a serious storm that will have an impact all across Alabama,” Riley said. “With the accumulations of ice that are projected to begin tonight, motorists should stay off roads during these conditions. State agencies have been preparing for this dangerous weather and have already called up extra manpower and equipment. However, the most important thing right now is for citizens to be constantly aware of the hazards and to make sure they themselves are prepared. I urge all Alabamians to heed the weather reports and to make sure their families and friends do the same.”
Gov. Riley also announced:
- The Alabama Department of Transportation has personnel ready throughout the state with sanding and salting equipment. But if current forecasts hold true, many road in Alabama — including interior South Alabama — will be impassable at some point during the night.
- Emergency closures of state roads will be posted online by ALDOT at www.dot.state.al.us.
- The Alabama Department of Public Safety (DPS) has its officers working 12-hour shifts to assist motorists who insist on traveling, despite the expected dangerous road conditions.
- The ALDOT emergency call center will also be activated beginning 5 p.m. Sunday. The call center is staffed by ALDOT personnel to provide road closure and travel information. The emergency call center number is 888-588-2848.
- The Alabama National Guard also has 7,000 of its troops on drill duty in the state at this time, and they are focusing on storm preparations as well.
Pictured: Gov. Bob Riley declared a state of emergency in the entire state of Alabama due to an approaching winter storm. Watching the signing is Sonny Reagan, the governor’s legal advisor and a major in the Alabama National Guard. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lawmakers Comments On Arizona Shooting
January 9, 2011
Two area members of Congress have issued statements about the shooting of Representative Gabrielle Giffords at a Tucson, Arizona, shopping complex on Saturday.
United States Representative Jeff Miller (R-FL)
“We are all shocked and saddened by the news of the attack on my colleague, Gabrielle Giffords, members of her staff, and her constituents at a public event today in Tucson, Arizona. Congresswoman Giffords is a hard working public servant and this senseless act of violence is unconscionable.
This is a sad day for our nation. Violence and threats of violence against citizens are reprehensible and have no place in society.
Vicki and I will be praying for the Giffords family, the friends and family of Judge John Roll, and for all of the victims of this unfathomable attack.”
U.S. Representative Jo Bonner (R-AL)
“This is an absolute tragedy. Gabby and I briefly served together on the House Science Committee where she was always approachable about working on matters of national interest. The wife of an astronaut and a devoted public servant, Gabby has been a tireless advocate for her district and state. All our hearts are heavy today for her, her family, staff and constituents. They are all in our prayers.”
FHP Plans Checkpoints
January 9, 2011
The Florida Highway Patrol has announced locations for driver’s license and vehicle checkpoints during the month of January in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
In Escambia County, FHP checkpoints will be held during December at the following locations:
- Kemp Road west of Rolling Hills Road
- Jernigan Road south of 9 Mile Road
- Border Street at SR10A overpass
- Cerny Road south of Muldoon Road
In Santa Rosa County, checkpoints will be held:
- Hamilton Bridge Road east of Bridge
- Ward Basin Road at the Fire Department
- Mulat Road south of U.S. 90
- Gardenview east of CR197