Area National Guard Unit To Deploy To Afghanistan
June 8, 2010
The 1165th Military Police Co. Alabama National Guard Unit based in Fairhope and maintains a unit in Brewton, has learned that it will be deployed to Afghanistan. The company also has members from Brewton, Flomaton and the North Escambia area.
The 170 troops will be deployed to Afghanistan next January; soldiers will get to spend Christmas at home with their families.
While in Afghanistan, the company will work as a personal security detachment with maneuver and mobility support operations assignments.
The company ended a 15-month tour in Iraq in July, 2004. They were awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, Valorous Unit Citation and Meritorious Unit Citation when they returned.
5K Race For The Blueberries Returns At Saturday’s Blueberry Jamboree
June 8, 2010
The Escambia County Neighborhoods and Community Services Bureau invites runners, walkers, and wheelchair racers to join the 5K Race for the Blueberries.
The event will be Saturday, June 12, beginning at 8 a.m. with a staggered start. The race will be one of the many fun activities offered at the Blueberry Jamboree, to be held at Barrineau Park Community Center and Historical Society, 6055 Barrineau Park School Road in Molino.
Pre-registration is $15. Registration forms can be found by clicking here or by calling (850) 475-5220. Registration is $20 on the day of the event. T-shirts will be given to all registrants and prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place winners.
For more information, please contact the Recreation Division, 475-5220, e-mail recreation@co.escambia.fl.us, or visit www.blueberryjamboree.com.
The Blueberry Jamboree is sponsored by several local organizations, including NorthEscambia.com.
Molino Woman Collecting Care Package Items For Troops In Iraq
June 8, 2010
A Molino woman is asking the North Escambia community to help her send care packages to American troops serving in Iraq for the Fourth of July.
Katie Hilburn’s fiancee, Spc. Ben Piatt, also of Molino, is about eight months into his tour of duty as a combat engineer in northern Iraq. He is scheduled to be in Iraq until October.
After hearing about the soldiers’ needs, Hilburn decided to send the care packages to Piatt’s unit in Iraq during the Christmas season last year, collecting several boxes of items.
“I received e-mails from different soldiers telling me how much it meant to receive packages from back home, so I want to keep supporting them,” she said. “It’s our job to take care of our soldiers and to remember them.”
The supplies will be collected at veteran-owned Cole’s Barbershop in Molino until Wednesday, June 16. They will then be shipped to Piatt, 21, and his unit in Iraq. Cole’s Barbershop is located next to Fran’s Country Grill on Highway 29.
Items being collected include:
Body Care
Toothpaste
Bottled body soap (for men)
Sunscreen
Germ X
Shampoo
Baby wipes
Q-tips
Shaving cream
Razors
Foot powder
Chap stick
Food
Ramen noodles (in the cup)
Propel powder
Small coffee creamer
Small sugar
Sunflower seeds
Apple sauce
Tuna fish and cracker packages
Beef jerky
Cereal bars
Peanuts
Cookies
Popcorn (microwavable)
Saltine crackers
Peanut butter
Fruit cup
Miscellaneous
Playing cards
DVD’s
Magazine’s (hunting, fishing, guns, sports)
Games
Pictured top: Katie Hilburn and her fiancee Spc. Ben Piatt prior to his deployment to northern Iraq. Pictured inset: Spc. Piatt in Iraq. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Resident Hiking 500 Miles Across Spain; Read Her Journal
June 8, 2010
Century resident Terri Sanders is on a 500 mile hike across Spain this summer, and she is taking NorthEscambia.com readers along.
Terri, former owner of the Country Bumpkin and current purveyor of fudge at festivals and events across the area, calls it the “trip of a lifetime”.
As Terri hikes from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France, she will file dispatches from her journal and send pictures when possible for NorthEscambia.com as she hikes the Camino de Santiago — the Way of St. James — to the Atlantic Ocean.
She will introduce us to the sights and sounds along the way, the local customs and the daily struggles of the 500 hike. Terri made the seven hour flight to Europe on May 29 and started hiking on June 4. She will send us her journal entries as soon as possible after each day. There is no Internet access between towns, but she will send us her journal entries as she arrives in towns along the way that do have Internet access — so Terri’s journal entries on NorthEscambia.com may be delayed by a few days.
We will begin our trip with Terri Sanders today and post updates periodically over the next month. She plants to complete the trip by July 4.
Camino De Santiago
May 29 2010
Most people get at least one shot at a trip of a lifetime. Sad to say most of us never have the guts to throw caution to the wind and grab onto that chance. We let different things tie our hands behind our back, be it a job or finances, responsibilities that we may or may not be the only one that can handle.
Sometimes I think it is fear itself that hinders us from grabbing a hold of that chance, whatever it may be. A trip across America, a chance to go sky diving, take that dream vacation, or just take that job offer that would take you to your dream job. We say no so quickly sometimes without even considering what exactly it is we are saying no to. Our well decorated rut is our security, or maybe our sense of adventure was never allowed to develop as a child.
Whatever the reason, very few people really reach out and grab that once in a life time adventure. My once in a lifetime adventure was hiking the Appalachian Trail. I thought it was intriguing to be able to walk from Georgia to Maine and it was intriguing to say the least. One day about 6 weeks ago another chance of a lifetime fell into my lap.
I thought of all the reasons I didn’t need to take this trip, and all the reasons I wanted to take it. The wants won out and I started making plans to hike the Camino de Santiago in Spain. I knew very little about Spain and virtually no Spanish, but the guy I was going to be hiking with knew Spanish. He had hiked part of the AT with Jerry and I and just a chance email to me about him hiking this trip set things in motion for me to join him.
I booked my flight, practiced up on my phrase: “The rain in Spain falls gently on the Plain”. I have no idea what that phrase means if anything.
My flight left Pensacola this morning and I was on my way. The 7 hour flight over the Atlantic Ocean was my biggest concern. I guess I figured a crash on the ground would be easier than a crash on the water! Anyway the flight was uneventful and I landed in Madrid as planned.
The plan was to catch a bus from there to St.Jean Pied a Port where I would meet up with Lou to begin our hike. I was standing in the information line to see where to catch the bus when this guy walks up to me and says you look like a Camino hiker. You reckon the backpack gave me away?
It took about 5 minutes to find out that he was Walkabout and had hiked the AT in 2003 always just a few days ahead of me. He is from Gainesville, Florida and was meeting a friend of his that was also from Gainesville and was going to hike the Camino. His plans had changed and he was there to tell her he had been called back to work. Her name is Ronnie and he asked me if I would hang out until she got there and then the two of us could go to St. Jean together.
Some people would say that is where I made my first mistake, changing my plans, but I had figured in an extra day to meet up with Lou so everything seemed good. I could meet Ronnie grab a bus and we would be in St.Jean as I had planned. Then we find out her plane from Atlanta had been late leaving because of the weather. So Ed and I waited and walked from one end of the airport to the other several times.
To say he is ADD or obsessive compulsive would be an understatement! It then became obvious that I was not going to make the noon bus but could still make the later bus. Finally her plane landed and introductions were made all around. Ed made a hasty retreat to meet his flight, and Ronnie and I was off to get to the bus station. Or so I thought.
Turned out she had pre-bought a train ticket so off we went in search of the train depot. There ought to be a universal word for train, bus, plain, and taxi among a few other words….
We finally found the train station, took a number and stood in line for 30 minutes only to find out that we were in the line to buy tickets for the next day. Back to take another ticket and wait another thirty minutes. Finally at the ticket counter between the two of us we got the point across that we wanted to buy one ticket to the same place as her ticket.
I happened to mention the town. Things went downhill fast from there.
The ticket she had was for a town in Spain alright, but one nowhere near where she needed to go. We got two tickets to Pamploma and found out we had a 4 hour wait. We found a small café and could not read anything on the menu, but took a stab at something that sounded faintly like an American dish.
Ronnie ordered wine and I ordered water .She got grilled chicken with a salad and I got Stuffed Cannolli. Those trips to Olive Garden paid off. I thought they paid off but spell check didn’t have a spelling for this so we will go with how I spelled it.
When the bill came I found out it was cheaper to order wine instead of water. I won’t make that mistake again.
Since I had already saw all of the airport at least twice we went outside in search of a park to sit and wait. We weren’t lucky enough to find a park so we did the next best thing, put our packs on the ground against the building’s window, laid down and went to sleep. An hour later we woke up to the sounds of sirens, and figured we were going to be arrested for vagrancy, but we were not the target of the police.
Back inside we found an ice cream stand and enjoyed a ice cream, then went back to waiting for the train.
There are very few signs to point a visitor into the right direction ANYWHERE! We watched the screen for the announcement of our train and finally boarded. No sooner had we gotten seated than we found out the seats were reserved in this part of the train. We gathered our packs and went to another section, sat down, got comfortable and once again were routed from our seats.
We were beginning to think we would have to stand for the three hour ride, but finally a young girl took us to our seats. The scenery here reminds me of northern Texas, with only the houses setting it apart. The ride to Pamplona was 3 hours. It was just getting dark by the time we got to town.
Make A Splash And Read With Library Summer Reading Programs In Century, Atmore, Jay
June 8, 2010
Three North Escambia area libraries are inviting children to “Make A Splash” and enjoy reading with summer reading programs. Fun, free programs will be held at the Century, Jay and Atmore libraries. Schedules are listed for each.
The Century Branch Library invites children to celebrate with summer library programs each Tuesday at noon, beginning June 8.
- June 8 – Liang, Olympian Acrobat
- June 15 – Dr. Zap, fun and wacky
- June 22 – John Jaramillo, storyteller and dancer
- June 29 – David Stephens, puppetry
- July 6, Ross Mudge, sing patriotic songs
- July 13, Beau Broomall, magician
For more information, contact the Century Branch Library at (850) 256-6217.
The Atmore Public Library, will celebrate summer reading with six weeks of fun and reading. All programs listed below will be at 10 a.m., except for June 11 which is divided into three time slots.
- June 11 – Southern Pine presents an environmental program with lizards, frogs, and turtles. This program is divided into three time slots: 9:00, 10:00 and 11:00. Please call for a free pass.
- June 18 – Turtle Point visits with their creatures.
- June 25 – Pirate Day
- July 1 – Balloon Artist Day
- July 9: Awards Day
For more information, call the Atmore Public Library at (251) 368-5234.
The Jay Library will present their “Make a Splash – Read” summer programs each Monday (except July 5) beginning June 14 and continuing through July 19 at 11 a.m. for 3-5 years old that are able to attend without a caregiver and at 1 p.m. for students who have completed K-5th grade.
- June 14 - Pirate Pals for preschoolers; A Pirates Life For Me for K-5
- June 21 - Squeaky Clean for preschoolers; Geddy the Gecko Walks on Water for K-5
- June 28 – Under the Sea for preschoolers; Shark Tales for K-5
- July 5 – Library closed for Independence Day
- July 12 – Surf’s Up for preschoolers; Island Luau for K-5
- July 19 – Rainy Days and Muddy Mischief for preschoolers; The Little Mermaid performed by Jacksonville State Unversity’s Children’s Theater for K-5
For more information, contact the Jay Library at (850) 575-6293.
AG: State Would Back Fed Charges Against BP; CFO Mad Over BP Payments
June 8, 2010
The state would be prepared to join any action – including criminal charges – needed to ensure that BP takes full financial responsibility for the effects of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, Attorney General Bill McCollum said Monday during a tour of affected areas on Monday.
And Florida CFO Alex Sink renewed her call Monday that the federal government take over the handling of lost income claims processing from BP, in light of numerous reports that many affected business owners have only been offered payments of up to $5,000 to compensate for lost income.
“If federal charges are filed I can assure you that we will join the federal government in bringing them,” McCollum said during a stop in Pensacola Beach.
But of more immediate importance is easing bureaucratic red tape that seems to be making it harder for local officials to prepare for and deal with the effects of the spill, McCollum said.
Among his biggest frustrations is the disaster’s command structure that routes all decisions through a central command in Mobile, Ala. Such a bureaucratic bottleneck is keeping needed assets from the field. BP is driving the response – and blocking some efforts, particularly by volunteers, to clean up. One concern is liability, but it’s slowing down the response, McCollum and other officials said.
“Why don’t we have activity here in real serious way?” McCollum asked. “Why isn’t the Coast Guard being given some authority to make on-site decisions here?”
McCollum said he was angered by the company’s apparent unwillingness so far to use volunteers or innovative techniques and products to combat the spill while spending hefty sums to protect its image.
“BP has just spent $50 million on national PR advertising to make their company look good,” McCollum said. “I know they are paying all their claims, but they could certainly be spending that $50 million on some of this experimental technology.”
Escambia County Commission Chairman Grover Robinson told reporters that local residents were prepared to help clean up – and in some cases had good ideas – or were asking how they could help, but weren’t getting any response from BP.
Local officials and McCollum have also decried how long it has taken to get certain equipment, such as skimmer boats, in place.
Meanwhile, CFO Sink also attacked BP while speaking in Pensacola.
“I’m incensed that BP is devoting resources to an expensive ad campaign touting how quickly they’re writing checks, because payments of $5,000 or less amount to nothing more than a PR ploy,” said CFO Alex Sink. “These payments are little more than “bait money” for many of these businesses, and don’t even come close to what they are actually losing. BP needs to start putting its money where its oil is and start writing bigger checks today. Clearly, as I suggested weeks ago, the federal government should take over this process immediately and just send BP the bill.”
Michael Peltier of The News Service Florida contributed to this report.
EREC Power Outage
June 7, 2010
Some Escambia River Electric Cooperative customers were without power about two hours this afternoon on line that runs along Highway 97A from Walnut Hill to Enon. The electric utility was working on equipment that services that area in order to prevent future outages.
New Atmore Principal Quits After A Week On The Job
June 7, 2010
After being on the job less than a week, the new principal at Escambia County High School in Atmore has called it quits.
Joseph Dean, 38, resigned Monday for what he termed “personal issues and concerns”. He first day on the job was June 2.
“I would like to begin by thanking you for the opportunity you have extended to me in your school district. It is with deep regret that I must offer my resignation to you at this time. I feel that the opportunity Escambia County High School offers is excellent, but I have personal issues and concerns that stand in my way. I hope you will accept my resignation and find the right administrator to lead the students, faculty and community of Atmore,” Dean said in his resignation letter.
Dean was hired unanimously by the Escambia County Board of Education on May 27 to replace Harvey Means after the board failed to extend Means’ contract.
Dean,38, is a native of Monroe County and most recently served as interim superintendent in Butler County, Ala. During a 15 year career in Butler County, he served as an assistant principal at Greenville High School, principal at Georgiana High School and principal at Butler County Magnet School. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Alabama State University and a master’s degree in education leadership from ASU.
The Escambia County Board of Education will start over in their search for a new principal, advertising the position for 14 days .
Bratt Principal Retiring; Several Other North Escambia Teachers, Staff Also Retiring
June 7, 2010
Bratt Elementary School’s principal and several other North Escambia area teachers and education personnel are retiring this year.
The last day on the job for Bratt Elementary Principal Sheryl G. Pomeroy (pictured) will be June 30. “I love Bratt and appreciate all the many ways you have been here for this school,” Pomeroy wrote in a letter to parents. “Your children are precious and deserve our time and energy.”
According to Pomeroy, Molino Park Elementary School Curriculum Coordinator Karen Hall has been recommended to replace Pomeroy. Her appointment will come before the school board at a later date.
Several other North Escambia area teachers and school personnel are also leaving this year, and there are several new personnel transferring into area schools. The following are scheduled to be approved by the Escambia County School Board on June 14:
- At Northview, NJROTC Capt. Lee V. Coleman, Coach Lorenzo Jones, teacher Bobby Simpson and Darlene Lee are all retiring.
- Gay C. Hassebrock, a teacher at Bratt Elementary, is leaving and Martha H. Jeter, media specialist, is retiring.
- Brenda D. Bell, a teacher at Molino Park Elementary, is retiring.
- Jessica A. Crites, Deborah A. Dubus and Rebecca J. Hamric will transfer from the Sid Nelson Center to Molino Park Elementary.
- At Ernest Ward Middle School, food service assistant Carloyn E. Morgan is retiring.
- At Tate High School, teacher Norma Givens, Judy Julian, John Kelley, Kenneth Meharg, Celeste Scott and Michael D. Varner are all retiring.
- Teachers Julie Remke, Cecily Sauls, Anne M. Vasser are leaving Tate High.
- Neil A. Cobb and Pamela K. Saxton will transfer from ESEAL to Tate. Wanda B. Parrott will transfer from the Sid Nelson Center to Tate High.
- At Ransom Middle School, teachers Arthur T. Farish and Patsy Manning and guidance counselor Jeanne Kaufke are retiring.
- Janna T. Blanton will transfer from the Sid Nelson Center to Ransom Middle School. William O. Brown, Stephen B. Smithee, Gloria M. Wiggins and Allison Roberts will transfer from the Clubbs Center to Ransom.
Pictured: Bratt Elementary School Principal Sheryl G. Pomeroy is retiring. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
No Bond: Newton, Jailed 14 Times, Also Wanted In Alabama
June 7, 2010
Ronald Newton — the man arrested 14 times in about the past year in Century — is facing more charges, this time in Flomaton.
Newton, 49, was being held on $6,000 bond in the Escambia County Jail, charged with aggravated stalking, and contempt of court for violating a domestic violence restraining order. But as of Friday, Newton is now being held without bond after Florida authorities discovered that he was a wanted man in Flomaton.
According to interim Flomaton Police Chief Kataris Jenkins, Newton failed to appear in court in Escambia County, Alabama, on an indecent exposure charge. Once he completes his Florida charges, Newton will be extradited back to Alabama to face the Flomaton charges.
Newton was taken into custody without incident about 10:30 p.m. June 2 on Blackmon Street in Century on the stalking and restraining order violation charges after he approached a woman that a judge had ordered him to avoid.
Prior to Wednesday night, his most recent arrest was Saturday night, May 29 on Zion Street. Deputies responded to a report that Newton had threatened to shoot someone. He did not produce a weapon during the incident. He was taken into custody on an outstanding trespassing warrant stemming from an incident a few days prior when he was allegedly at an address from which he had been banned.
The day prior, May 28, the State Attorney’s office requested that Judge Kenneth Williams revoke bond for Newton on a contempt of court charge for allegedly violating a domestic violence restraining order on May 19. Williams denied that motion and allowed Newton to be released on $2,000 bond.
Williams gave Newton one week — until June 4 — t0 obtain a GPS monitor that would alert the victim if Newton approached.
Escambia County court and jail records show the following arrests and charges for Newton:
April 11, 2007
- trespassing, charges dropped
August 14, 2007
- simple assault — 60 days in jail
- aggravated assault with deadly weapon — charges dropped
- criminal mischief under $1,000 — charges dropped
April 28, 2008
- driving while license suspended, first offense – charges dropped
- open container in vehicle – paid $123.50 fine
- expired registration – paid $73.50 fine
May 31, 2009
- battery — charges dropped
- criminal mischief — charges dropped
July 29, 2009
- driving while license suspended, second offense — fined $500, suspended 11 months, 30 days in jail
January 8, 2009
- battery — charges dropped, defendant “mentally defective”
September 1, 2009
- indecent exposure in public — dismissed due to incompetence
- lewd lascivious behavior victim under 18 — no action by prosecutor
- lewd lascivious behavior victim under 18 — no action by prosecutor
November 23, 2009
- criminal mischief under $1,000 — dismissed
January 1, 2010
- disorderly conduct — charges dropped
February 1, 2010
- battery — dismissed
March 23, 2010
- trespassing, case pending, pleaded not guilty, released on $500 bond
- disorderly conduct, case pending, pleaded not guilty, released on $500 bond
April 27, 2010
- trespassing, case pending, pleaded not guilty, released on $500 bond
- criminal mischief over $1,000 — case pending, released on $2,500 bond, pleaded not guilty
April 8, 2010
- littering under 15 pounds, fine and costs of $135 remains unpaid
May 7, 2010
- aggravated assault — case pending, released on $5,000 bond
May 19, 2010
- contempt of court
- criminal mischief
May 29, 2010
- trespassing
May 31, 2010
- battery
- criminal mischief
June 2, 2010
- violation of a court ordered injuction
- aggravated stalking