Traffic Watch: Resurfacing Begins On Highway 95A
June 14, 2010
Work is under way on the milling and resurfacing of Highway 95A (Old Palafox Road) between East Roberts Road and Nine Mile Road.
The contractor is expected to complete the work in approximately five weeks. During this time there will be intermittent and alternating daytime lane closures on Highway 95A (Old Palafox Road). One lane of traffic will remain open at all times and flagmen will be available to direct traffic during lane closures, according to Escambia County officials. Drivers are urged to use caution in the construction zone and obey the posted speed limit.
This work is weather dependent and may be rescheduled or delayed in the event of inclement weather.
Escambia County is funding this project with 2009 federal stimulus dollars.
Editor’s note: As reported in a previous story, work was scheduled to being last Thursday but was delayed.
Coed Softball Tournament, Fish Fry To Benefit Cancer Patient
June 14, 2010
A coed softball tournament and fish fry this Saturday will benefit a Molino woman as she battles cancer.
The ball tournament and fish fry will begin Saturday at 8 a.m. at the Molino Ballpark to benefit Sonja Luker.
Teams and volunteers are needed. For more information, contact Christa Wilson at (850) 698-8491.
NWE Wins Beach King Of Swing Tourney
June 14, 2010
Northwest Escambia recently won the Beach King of Swing USSSA Baseball Tournament in Orange Beach.
NWE play four games in one day on their way to the championship.
In the first game, NWE beat the Redstick Braves from Baton Rouge La. 25-0. Daulton Tullis pitched for the Eagles, allowing just runners on base the entire game. Tullis went 3 for 4 at the plate. Brannon Freeman hit a lead-off home run to start the scoring. Dalton Daniel went 3-4 as did Jody Bonner, Chasen Freeman, Reid Bell and Blake McCall. Wade Jernigan went 2-4.
In the second game NWE defeated the Saraland (Ala.) All-Stars 4-0. Jordan Coon pick up the win with a strong performance from the mound. Reid Bell and Blake McCall led the hitting going 3-4 with 2 RBI’s each.
The third game was a close pitching duel as NWE came out on top of the Pace Renegades of Pace 1-0. Blake McCall pitch a spectacular game allowing on one hit and one walk in seven Innings. NWE scored in the bottom of the seventh when Blake McCall hit a single up the middle with the bases loaded. Chasen Freeman hit a double in the fifth inning for the first hit of the game by either team.
In the championship game NWE beat the Gulf Coast Storm from Pensacola 13-11. Reid Bell started off pitching giving NWE four strong innings before being relieved by William Andriolli in the fifth inning. Leading tnwhe hitting again was Dalton Daniel going 3-4 with a triple and 2 RBI’s in the fourth. Brannon Freeman and Jody Bonner each went 2-4.
The tournament win qualifies NWE to play in the USSSA World Series Tournament later the month.
NWE has a record of 32 wins, four loses and one tie for the season. The Eagles are coached by Manager Matt Reynolds and coaches Trent Freeman and Matt Walker.
Pictured: Members of the NWE baseball team: Dalton Daniel, Daulton Tullis,Brannon Freeman, Chasen Freeman, Reid Bell, Blake McCall, Jody Bonner, Jordan Coon, Wade Jernigan and William Andriolli. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Food Bank Provides Help In North Escambia, Santa Rosa
June 14, 2010
North Escambia and Santa Rosa residents that need assistance putting food on the table can find the help they need close to home.
Manna Pantries provides a short-term emergency food source for those in need in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Food is distributed at seven locations in the two counties, including Century, Molino and Jay.
Nearly 75% of people served in the Emergency Food Program are persons referred to Manna from another program or agency, the majority of whom are in the process of applying for and being certified to receive food stamps. To qualify for food from Manna, people should bring:
- a written referral from the referring agency
- a contact phone number for the worker making the referral
- identification for every member of their household that establishes them in the residence
People who are not receiving or applying for food stamps may also be eligible for Manna’s Emergency Food Program. A person may seek food from Manna by providing proof(paid bills, notice of lay off or termination, decrease in income) of the claimed situation. Identification such as a Social Security card, birth certificate, or report card is required for all claimed members of the household.
For more information about Manna, visit www.mannafoodpantries.org.
MANNA Pantry Locations and Hours of Operation
Molino Pantry (Mobile Pantry Site)
Aldersgate United Methodist Church
6915 N. Hwy. 29
Mondays 10:00 – 12:00 p.m.
Jay Pantry
First Baptist Church
214 South Alabama Street
Tuesdays 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Century Pantry
7470 N. Century Blvd.
Intersection of Hwy 29 and Hwy 4W
Thurs – Sat. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Gonzalez Pantry
Gonzalez Baptist Church
1590 Pauline Street
850.377.0792
Tuesdays 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Pensacola Main Pantry
116 E. Gonzalez Street 32501
850.432.2053
Monday – Friday 2 – 4:30 p.m.
Myrtle Grove/West Pantry
904 North 57th Avenue 32506
(inside Felix Miga Senior Center)
850.377.3970
M/W/F 10 a.m. – noon
Ensley Pantry
St. Peter’s Baptist Church
7761 Kershaw St. 32534
850.477.0118
Thursday 9 – 11:30 a.m.
Milton Pantry
Community of Christ Church
110 Raymond Hobbs Road 32570
Mon & Wed. 9 a.m. – noon
Friday noon – 3 p.m.
Former Flomaton Police Chief Succombs To Injuries From May Traffic Accident In Century
June 13, 2010
A Jay man has died from injuries he received in a May 14 traffic accident in Century. Harold L. Stewart, 66, passed away Friday night, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The FHP said Stewart — the former police chief in Flomaton — was southbound on North Century Boulevard at 2:35 p.m. when he turned across oncoming traffic toward East Highway 4. His 1991 Dodge Dakota was struck by a 2004 Chevrolet pickup driven by James T. Wampol, 54, of Wetumpka, Ala. Both drivers were wearing seat belts.
After the accident, Stewart was transported by LifeFlight helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola in serious condition. According to the FHP, Stewart was charged with violation of right of way.
Wampol was not injured in the accident.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a traffic homicide investigation is being conducted.
For a photo gallery from the scene, click here.
Pictured: Harold L. Stewart of Jay, the driver of the gray pickup on the right, passed away June 11 from injuries received in this May 14 accident. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Thousands Enjoy Second Blueberry Jamboree (With Photos)
June 13, 2010
Over 4,000 people braved the sweltering heat to attend the second annual Blueberry Jamboree Saturday at the Barrineau Park Community Center.
The free event featured locally grown blueberries, live bluegrass music, dozens of arts and crafts vendors, bingo and even pie eating and blueberry spitting contests. The Kids’ Zone included bounce houses, face painting and educational games.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the event, click here.
The Escambia County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee sponsored a Blueberry Jamboree Bake-Off. Click here for photos and results.
Despite the heat and humidity, well over 100 runners completed the 5K Race for the Blueberries. Click here for photos and results.
The second annual Blueberry Jamboree was sponsored in part by NorthEscambia.com, Escambia County Farm Bureau, International Paper, Wind Creek Casino, Faith Chapel Funeral Homes, Navy Federal Credit Union, BagelHeads, Fran’s Diner and Winn Dixie.
Pictured top: A couple dances to bluegrass music Saturday at the second annual Blueberry Jamboree in Barrineau Park. Pictured inset: A giant blueberry. Pictured below: Thousands attended the event. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Jailed After Wild Ride; Four Accidents
June 13, 2010
A Cantonment man was arrested on multiple DUI charges after crashing into several cars and a business during a five mile wild ride Thursday night.
Grady Dale Harrison, 54 was charged with four counts of driving under the influence of drugs, three counts of leaving the scene of a crash, two counts of improper right turn, one count of failure to stop and one count of careless driving.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the sequence of crashes began about 9:02 p.m. when Harrison made an improper turn from Louis Street onto Muscogee Road and hit a 1994 Buick driven by Andrew Cobb, 18 of Cantonment. Cobb was not injured.
Harrison continued eastbound on Muscogee Road, where he made an improper turn onto Highway 29 and struck a 1994 Chevrolet truck driven by James Alan Ward, 49, of Cantonment. Ward was not injured.
Continuing south on Highway 29, Harrison ran the traffic signal at West Roberts Road, colliding with a 2002 Toyota van driven by Ruth Elizabeth Jennings, 52, of Cantonment. Jennings was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries.
After hitting Jennings’ van, Harrison’s 1986 Cadillac left the roadway and struck a fence belonging to Truck Equipment Sales on Highway 29. Harrison continued to drive down the shoulder of Highway 29 until his vehicle became disabled.
Photo Gallery, Results: The 5K Race For The Blueberries
June 13, 2010
About 170 runners and walkers entered the second annual 5K Race for the Blueberries Saturday during the Blueberry Jamboree in Barrineau Park.
For a NorthEscambia.com runner photo gallery, click here.
Winners are listed below by category.
12 & Under, Male
Nathan Andreo, 1st place
David Dobson, 2nd place
Dillon (Last Name Unknown), 3rd place
12 & Under, Female
Allie Nelson, 1st place
Sophia Tucker, 2nd place
Lakelynn Parker, 3rd place
13 to 18, Male
Brandon Nelson, 1st place
Trent Black, 2nd place
Micah Kemp, 3rd place
13 to 18, Female
Karisa Nelson, 1st place
Katie Neslon, 2nd place
Amber Nelson, 3rd place
19 to 35, Male
Neil McDonagh, 1st place
Sean Driffenburg, 2nd place
Matthew Dixon, 3rd place
19 to 35, Female
Leah Daughtery, 1st place
Erin Fergus, 2nd place
Tanya Petty, 3rd place
36 to 54, Male
Matthew Dobson, 1st place
Russell Orr, 2nd place
Scott Nelson, 3rd place
36 to 54, Female
Eva Tucker, 1st place
55 & Over, Male
Roger Dobson, 1st place
Huey Pearson, 2nd place
Ted Hassebrock, 3rd place
55 & Over, Female
Kathy Shealy, 1st place
Tina Tuttle, 2nd place
First Place Walkers
12 & Under, Dylan (Last Name Unknown)
13 to 18, Brittany Flota
19 to 35, Christy Smith
36 to 54, Delbert Tucker
55 & Over, Darryl Rice
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Mmmm…Second Annual Blueberry Bake-Off Winners Named
June 13, 2010
It was a blueberry lover’s dream Saturday at the second annual Blueberry Jamboree Bake-Off at the Barrineau Park Community Center.
Dozens of cooks entered their tasty pies, cobblers, cakes and other blueberry goodies in hopes of winning cash prizes in the contest sponsored by the Escambia County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee. There was one basic rule — the homemade dessert must have included blueberries as an ingredient.
After the tempting treats were judged and the winners were announced, the public had the opportunity to sample the entries.
The winners of the second annual Blueberry Jamboree Bake-Off were:
Cake Division
1st place Melissa Collier – White Chocolate Cheesecake
2nd place Lukas Snelson – Blueberry Sour Cream Coffee Cake
3rd place Cathy Vanderpol – Vlueberry Sour Cream Pound Cake
Bread, Puddings and Other division
1st place Shelly Olsousky – Blueberry Yum Yum
2nd place Sharon Meharg – Blueberry Pizza
3rd place – Paul Schwartz – Zucchini Blueberry Nut Bread
Pies and Cobbler division
1st place Sabrena Padgett – Double Bottom Blueberry Lemon Supreme Pie
2nd place Cathy Vanderpol – Blueberry Cherry Pie
3rd place Cathy King – Bursting Berries & Orchard Fruit Pie
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Roberts, Maddox To Wed
June 13, 2010
Don and Laura Smith of Atmore, Ala., and Mike Roberts of Aiea, Hawaii, announce the engagement of their daughter, Stephanie Nicole Roberts, to Walter Thomas Maddox, son of Bob and Diane Maddox of Tuscaloosa, Ala.
The bride-elect is the granddaughter of James and Jackie Presley of Atmore and Malcolm and the late Willie Mae Roberts of Bay Minette, Ala.
The prospective groom is the grandson of the late Robert Maddox and Winnie Maddox of Fayette, Ala., and the late Tommy and the late Ruby Maddox of Jackson, Ala.
Stephanie is a graduate of Escambia County High School and a graduate of the University of Alabama. She earned a bachelor’s of art degree in public relations and is currently the director of sports marketing and public relations at the Tuscaloosa Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Walt is a graduate of Central High School and a graduate of the University of Alabama-Birmingham. He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and his graduate degree in public administration. Walt is currently serving his second term as Mayor of Tuscaloosa.
The wedding will take place June 26 at 4 o’clock in the afternoon at First Baptist Church in Atmore, Ala.
All friends and family are invited to attend the joyous occasion.