Smooth First Day Of School (But Hot At Northview)
August 24, 2010
The first day of school in North Escambia went well, according to students and administrators alike.
“It was the best first day we have ever had,” Ernest Ward Middle School Principal Nancy Gindl-Perry said. “It went really well.”
There were problems reported with the air conditioning system at Northview High School. Otherwise, there were no major problems reported. There were the usual class schedule problems and transportation delays that come with the first day.
Pictured above: Students wait for the their schedules Monday morning at Ernest Ward Middle School. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man, 60, Arrested For Flashing; Deputies Seek Witnesses
August 24, 2010
An 60-year old Pensacola man was arrested after exposing himself in the parking lot of a Nine Mile Road shopping center, and deputies are looking for additional witnesses.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Target parking lot after receiving complaints of an older male in an older model blue Lincoln exposing himself. An arriving deputy located Jerry W. Dunlop in a blue Lincoln circling the parking lot, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Bowman told deputies that he had recently been released from prison for rape.
“The suspect also stated his pants were low but when asked by Deputy Bowman if he exposed himself, Dunlop stated he couldn’t remember,” according to Sgt. Ted Roy, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. “Deputy Bowman observed the suspects pants unzipped and unbuttoned. He also observed binoculars, a sex toy and lubricant in the vehicle. A witness approached Deputy Bowman and stated he had observed the suspect circling the parking lot with his pants down…”
Dunlop was booked into the Escambia County Jail on $100,000 bond on one count of misdemeanor indecent exposure.
A witness told the Sheriff’s Office that several adults and juveniles were also witness to the alleged lewd and indecent behavior. Any other witnesses are asked to call Investigator Shorette at (850) 436-9560.
Almost 12,000 Cast Early Ballots
August 24, 2010
Almost 12,000 people in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties took advantage of early voting to cast their ballots in advance of Tuesday’s primaries.
There were 6,784 people voting early in Escambia County and 4,932 in Santa Rosa County. Early voting was offered August 9 through this past Saturday at half a dozen locations in the two counties. Nearly 2,000 people cast an early vote in Escambia County during the final two days.
The numbers do not include those that voted by absentee ballot. Absentee ballots are due back in the local supervisor of elections office by 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Photo Gallery: Back To School
August 24, 2010
Monday was the first day of school in Escambia County. We invited readers to submit their back to school photos.
To see the photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: The Northview High School cheerleaders prepare for a back to school routine Monday morning. Pictured left: Cole Crichton prepares for his first day at Jim Allen Elementary in Cantonment. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Don’t Forget To Send All That Paperwork Back To School
August 24, 2010
Every child in Escambia County should have received an assortment of paperwork during the first day of school Monday. School administrators stress the importance of filling out that paperwork and returning it as soon as possible.
“It’s very important that we get all of the paperwork back tomorrow”, Ernest Ward Principal Nancy Gindl-Perry said. “We gave the folder of paperwork to the students during the last five minutes of school; so it should all make it home.”
If you have questions about any of the blue cards, white cards or other forms, call your child’s school tomorrow.
Molino Dollar General Opens
August 24, 2010
The new Dollar General Store on Highway 29 in Molino quietly opened for business Monday. A grand opening celebration is planned in the coming weeks, but no date has been announced.
The store was constructed, stocked and ready for opening in less than three months — the building permit was issued on May 25.
Molino’s Dollar General is just over 12,000 square feet; the company’s average store is about 7,000 square feet.
“We will be able to offer a full selection of brand name and private label products, including food, home decor, household items, basic clothing, seasonal items and more,” Emily Weiss, Dollar General spokesperson, said.
The Molino store location was chosen by the Dollar General corporation based upon demographic trends, traffic patterns and customer needs, Weiss added.
In the North Escambia area, there are also Dollar General stores in Century, Cantonment, Flomaton, Jay,and Atmore.
Pictured above: The new Dollar General Store in Molino Saturday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Hurricane Danielle Forms
August 23, 2010
![[Image of 5-day forecast and coastal areas under a warning or a watch]](http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/storm_graphics/AT06/refresh/AL0610W5_NL+gif/203312W5_NL_sm.gif)
Hurricane Danielle formed Monday afternoon in the eastern Atlantic and is forecast to not impact the United States. Danielle is the second hurricane of this year’s Atlantic season.
The latest information and forecast path for Danielle are in the graphic above.
Crash With Overturned Log Truck Injures Two, Slows Traffic On Highway 97
August 23, 2010
There were no serious injuries in a two vehicle crash involving a log truck Monday morning in Walnut Hill, but a spilled load of logs was expected to slow traffic for hours.
The Florida Highway Patrol says that just after 11 a.m. Jerry A. Poulsen, 59, was southbound on Highway 97 just south of South Highway 99 when he attempted a left-hand turn into a driveway. His Nissan Frontier pickup truck was struck by an 18-wheel log truck driven by Daniel Jay Williams, 47, of Molino. Troopers said Williams rounded a curve and attempted to avoid the collision.
His log truck overturned partially in the northbound lane of Highway 97, sending the entire load of logs in a ditch and a homeowner’s yard.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the scene, click here.
Williams and Poulsen were transported by Atmore Ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital. Poulsen’s injuries were minor; the extent of Williams’ injuries were not released.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the crash. The accident is still under investigation by the FHP.
Pictured: Two people were injured in this collision involving a log truck and a pickup Monday morning on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Produce Stand Operates On Honor System
August 23, 2010
There’s a little produce stand tucked away on a dirt lane near Walnut Hill with no cash register, no cashier. All summer, customers would stop by, pick out the perfect tomato or a great watermelon, leaving their money behind in a simple drop box.
The produce stand, located just over the railroad tracks between Walnut Hill and Enon, has operated for years purely on the honor system.
“My dad liked to trust people; a man’s word meant something,” said Sherry Black. She has operated the simple wooden stand since her father, J.B. Kent, passed away several years ago.
The Ten Commandments played a lot into Kent’s business model. To this day, an oversize copy of the Commandments occupies one corner of the stand, just behind the money box and weight scales, perhaps as a reminder to anyone that might be tempted when there’s no one watching.
“But if they need it worse that I do, Lord bless them,” Black said.
Regular customers don’t need cash at Black’s produce stand. There’s a spiral bound notebook and pencil for them to jot down what produce they took and how much they owe. They will “settle up” later in the box, or see Black around the neighborhood and pay.
For several years, Black grew most of the produce in the stand herself. Now she picks, buys or barters with area farmers and backyard gardeners for the freshest items. She said she’s been known to be on the phone late at night, cutting a deal with local farmers for the best price.
And sometimes there’s a special treat for visitors to the produce stand, which is located on Deer Run Road off South Highway 99, about seven miles south of Highway 97. Peacocks from a nearby flock of peacocks will visit with produce stand customers.
The produce season for this year has mostly ended — Sunday afternoon the stand was sold out and empty.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
How Much Cash Does It Take To Win A Political Office In Escambia County?
August 23, 2010
Voters on Tuesday will indirectly answer the question: How much cash does it take to win a political office in Escambia County?
With some Escambia County races drawing hundreds of thousands of dollars in contributions while other races had combined contributions of just a few thousand dollars, we are taking and in depth look at the financial interest in Escambia politics.
Escambia Commission, District 2
Nearly a quarter million dollars was donated to the active candidates in the Escambia County Commission District 2 race. Dave Murzin — the state representative that dropped out of a Florida Senate race with about $40,000 in hand — accumulated a $113,052.79 bankroll. Practically all of it was spent by the end of last week. During the last month of campaigning he dropped $9,801 on direct mail, $3,779 on radio ads, and $21,254.25 on ads at WEAR TV 3. And Murzin also spent $1,950 on the campaign tactic everyone loves to hate at dinnertime — automated “robo calls” to the home phone numbers of voters.
Former County Administrator George Touart had the second highest bankroll in the District 2 race at $65,302 in cash, including an $11,737 in the final days of his campaign. His campaign expenditures in the final weeks included $7,300 for radio ads on a mix of stations and $870.59 in newspaper advertising at the Independent News.
Incumbent Gene Valentino raised $49,015 in his bid to retain his commission seat. He loaned his campaign $5,000 of his own money with less than a week to go before election day. His large final month expenditure was to the consulting company Marketing, Metrics and Media for the purchase of media airtime ($9,128), consulting ($1,000), printing mailers ($1,760), unspecified advertising ($3,840), signs ($250) and mailing ($2,490).
The fourth major candidate in the race, Karen Sindel, raised $18,435 in cash. Her expenditures over the final weeks of the campaign including a $962 in newspaper advertising, about $4,600 in direct mail related expenses and nearly $300 in balloons.
In the past month, candidate Myra Simmons raised just $50 of her $5,600 in cash contributions. She did not report spending any money since July 16. Independent Paul Redman contributed $100 to his own campaign, and he spent $55.50 on filing expenses.
Escambia Commission, District 4
The dollar figures were lower in the District 4 Escambia County Commission race. Incumbent Grover Robinson accepted $39,610,25 in cash, spending all but about $6,000 by last Thursday. His final month expenditures included $25,183.95 for a mix of newspaper, radio and direct mail advertising.
Challenger Danny Lewis raised $3,865 — including $3,400 of his own money. All but $90 of his campaign funds were raised by July 16. He spent $3,072 to qualify to be on the ballot, and he dropped $480 on WPNN-AM radio advertising.
Dennis Green raised $6,965 in his bid for the District 4 seat. His final month expenses included $2,175 in Independent News advertising, $730 in Pensacola News Journal advertising and $378 worth of yard signs.
Escambia School Board
Candidates for for Escambia County School Board raised far less money than those running for commission.Incumbent Jeff Bergosh raised $10,096.26 in cash, while Hosea Pittman raised $4,677.05. For the District 2 seat, Gerald Boone raised $4,700 and Virginia White received $1,877 in cash. For the District 3 seat, Charlie Nichols had $8,100 in contributions, while incumbent Linda Moultrie received $2,100. Claudia Brown-Curry was in the District 3 race with $2,420, but she dropped out of the running back in July.
Emerald Coast Utilities Authority
ECUA District 2 Incumbent Lois Benson raised $17,066.60 while her three opponents — Stephen Burand, Dave Carlson and James Kirkland – raised $2,630 combined. In the District 4 race, incumbent Dale Perkins raised $26,400 while four other opponents raised $4,252 combined.