Molino Man’s Murder Remains Unsolved
May 10, 2010
The murder of a Molino man last week remains unsolved, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has released few details about how the man died.
The body of Torey David Jones, 20, was found last Tuesday evening in his vehicle while it was in the parking lot of the Food World in the 4000 block of Barrancas Avenue in Pensacola. Sheriff’s spokesperson Deputy Chris Welborn said the death appeared to be the result of foul play.
Wellborn said the department was awaiting autopsy results from the Medical Examiners Officer.
Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 436-7867 or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Image courtesy bing.com.
About 20 Apply To Be Century’s Next Town Clerk
May 10, 2010
About 20 people applied for the position of Century Town Clerk, and the mayor hopes to present a final candidate to the town council soon.
Mayor Freddie McCall said the list of candidates will first be cut to a “short list” for interviews with the help of the town’s accountant, Robert Hudson. Then a final candidate will be selected for council approval at a future date.
The new town clerk will be required to hold at least an associate’s degree with a minimum of three years experience in records management, data processing or experience in municipal government including supervisory experience and any equivalent combination of education and experience.
The applicant will also be required to have working knowledge of state statutes and bylaws relating to the duties and responsibilities of the town clerk, local government procedures and office procedure requirements, as well as other office and financial record keeping experience.
The previous town clerk, Dorothy Sims, retired at the end of last month, but will remain available to help train her replacement.
Pre-K, Kindergarten Registration Through Wednesday At Bratt
May 10, 2010
Bratt Elementary School will be registering students for four-year old voluntary pre-kindergarten (VPK) and five-year old kindergarten until Wednesday.
Parents may visit the school to pick up a registration packet between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p..m.
In order to be enrolled in the five-year old kindergarten class in Florida, the student must be five-years old on or before September 1, 2010. To register, parents must provide the following:
- certified birth certificate
- copy of student’s social security card
- physical examination
- immunization certificate
- proof of residence (copy of power bill, water, bill, etc.)
- parent must have a valid Florida Driver’s License (mandatory)
To be enrolled in the four-year old voluntary pre-kindergarten class in Florida, the student must be four-years old on or before September 1, 2010. To register, parents must provide the following:
- birth certificate
- social security card
- physical examination
- immunization record
- two different proofs of address
- Certificate of Eligibility from the Early Learning Coalition
- parent must also provide a picture identification
As a courtesy, The Early Learning Coalition, will be at Bratt Elementary School on Thursday, May 13 from 8:30 until 10:30 a.m. During this time, they will be issuing Certificates of Eligibility for the voluntary pre-kindergarten Program. Parents must meet with the Coalition as part of the registration process. Parents must also bring the VPK registration packet with all completed documents on this date.
For more information, call Bratt Elementary School at (850) 327-6137.
Davisville Bridge Repair Price Tag: $88,830
May 10, 2010
Emergency repairs to the bridge over Sandy Hollow Creek in Davisville are due to be complete this week will cost the county $88,830.
The bridge on Sandy Hollow Road was closed April 7 after Volkert, Inc., the Florida Department of Transportation’s bridge inspection contractor, found advanced deterioration of timber pilings.
To expedite the repair work and minimize the impact to residents in the area, the county issued an emergency purchase order to DKE Marine Service, Inc.
The repairs included the replacement of eight pilings, the backwall and headwall of the bridge and new guardrails on both sides of the bridge. DKE was given until May 12 to complete the repairs.
Pictured above: Work continues on a Sandy Hollow Road bridge last week. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Mother’s Day: Meet Several Local Moms
May 9, 2010
Happy Mother’s Day! NorthEscambia.com invited our readers to submit stories about their mothers. We’ve selected a few and included them below.
If you would like to tell your mom’s story, or just wish her a Happy Mother’s Day, please do so in the comments section at the bottom of the page.
Debbie Adcock, Barrineau Park
submitted by Tracy Adcock
How do you describe the best mother in 300 words or less? Let’s try this. My mom has been the rock in my life that refuses to move no matter what storm blows through. She is always there for me whether I want her there or not! She is a phenomenal mom to my other siblings. She also takes care of my grandmother. With so many depending on her she is always positive and always there to give of herself no matter what she is going through. I am so proud of everything she’s done and accomplished. I’ve been truly blessed to have such a wonderful lady in my life and to top it off she’s my mother too.
When going through life feeling battered and bruised,
She’s been the constant that’s helped me through.
She’s the first one to me and the last to go,
She’d be there in the fury of rain or blinding snow.
She’ll tell me when I’m wrong and she’ll tell me when I’m right,
And when I need a hug she’ll be there to hold me tight.
She’s always been someone on whom I can depend,
From the moment of conception till the very end.
She is the one and only, above her is no other
She is my very own, uniquely mine, my mother.
Yes, I’ve through a few words and rhymes out there about my mom, but there are really no words that can describe what she truly means to me. I am thankful to be able to have a mom that cared enough about me to see me through everything in my life and always behind me pushing me to do my best. There are a lot of awesome moms out there….I just happen to think I have the best.
Pictured top: Mom Debbie Adcock, granny Mary Ann, sister Amy, Tracy, and sister Tiffany and on the bottom is brother Jesse.
Willie Jean Edwards, Bratt
submitted by Brandi Edwards
My mother in-law is like no other mother that I know. She has been my inspiration for 10 blessed years. I know I would not be the wife or the mother without her encouraging me and helping me. Our family has had a lot of trials through these 10 years but its her faith and trusting in Jesus Christ that has got this family through all the ups and downs.
She is a very quite woman but her actions speak loudly. She loves the Lord with all her heart.
She is a Proverbs 31 woman through and through. People that know her will agree. She has a lot to teach people if they would listen. Her husband,children and grandchildren praise her in all she does and says. I pray I can be that mother to my children as she has to me.
She respects her husband as she has worked beside him over 40 years. She has good business skills, loving,compassionate,you can trust her,she is kind, she has a lot of wisdom, she loves her kids and grandkids. She prays and is faithful. She is a beautiful woman inside and out.
I’m glad I have this opportunity to honor (Willie Jean Edwards).
Mamma,thank you so much for loving me and believing in me. I love you so much. Happy Blessed Mother’s Day!!!!
Gail Webster, Atmore
submitted by Susan Eiland-Odom
My name is Susan Eiland-Odom and my mom is Mrs. Gail Webster. Originally from Indiana, we moved to Pensacola around 1974 and lived there until my Dad died 10 years ago. It was then that Mom moved to Atmore to be near me.
I’m really blessed to have her as my mom for so many reasons. Mom and Dad couldn’t have children so she actually chose me before I was even born, which makes me feel extra special. Some who know Im adopted ask me if I know my “real” mom. You bet I do because my real mom is the one who raised me! Even through the turbulent teen years, my mom has always been there for me without fail. She carted me from pillar to post, took me shopping and to luncheons,taught me to cook, tried to guide me and worked in countless band booster projects, just for starters. Through all of life’s trials, she has always been available for me.
Now that I am a wife and mother, I have a whole new appreciation and understanding of her. Things I once couldn’t understand and angered me now make total sense! I find myself more and more sounding like my mother with my own children, which I find funny yet makes me feel blessed. She makes it well known that she is a very proud grandmother of six; Karen, Dane and Darian Eiland, Ashley and Kim Odom and Missy Odom-Bass. Whether it is a ride home from school, ball games, school functions, holidays, birthdays, showers or weddings, we know we can count on her love and support.
So this Mothers Day, I want to tell my mother THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for all that she has done for me and our family. There are not enough words to express how much we appreciate and love her. My hope is to be the wonderful kind of mother that she have always been to me. Love, Susie
Pictured: Gail Webster’s senior portrat from Rushville High School in Rushville, Indiana, from about 1959.
Susie Conner
submitted by Amy Conner
My mom, Susie Conner, is a very special woman. She is always putting others before herself and she is always lending a helping hand. My mom not only takes care of my two sisters and I, but also my grandmother who lives with us. Everyday she cooks, cleans, washes clothes, and helps my grandma get anything and everything she needs. My mom also helps a couple in our area with their everyday needs as well. Three or four times a week she goes to their home to cook, clean, and help them in any way she can. My mom has always been an avid volunteer and she always has a positive attitude. She is very loving, caring, and courteous. I honestly couldn’t ask for a better mother and role model because she has always put everyone else’s needs before her own. She is always open to lend a hand to help and I love her very much. I don’t know what I would do without her, and I know everyone that she cares for and helps feels the same.
Inola Driver, Century
submitted by Beverly Driver Cawby
My Beautiful mother means so much to me! She has been my guiding hand and earthly angel for fifty-five years now. Mom exemplifies the words from the Bible found in Proverbs; “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies, Let her own works praise her.”
This precious lady, small in statue, big of heart has been an inspiration to her family and many others during her seventy plus years. Born to the James Boutwell family of Flomaton, Alabama, she grew up to marry my father, Bennie Driver in 1953. She became a mother to three children, Beverly, Jeff and Holley, and a great grandmother to five children, Ryan, Kamden, Ryleigh, Madison, and Jiana.
My mother served her church well in her capacity as a Pastor’s wife. She was and is a wonderful Christian. A few days after Mother’s Day, ten years ago, she said good bye to the one and only sweetheart of her life. Mom continues to mentor her family with words of wisdom and encouragement. Mere words could never tell how much my mother means to me, so I will just end by saying: Happy Mothers Day to the best mom in the world, Inola Driver, I love you!
Pictured: Four generated in March 2010, (L-R) Beverly Driver Cawby, Jiana Morrow, Inola Driver, Joni Cawby Morrow. Click to enlarge.
Ann White, Century
submitted by Kimberly Burkett
I really don’t even know just where to begin on the wonderful and loving things that my mother Ann White has done over the years. First of all my mother has battled Parkinsons Disease for over thirteen years. It is very hard to see my mother struggle with it in everyday life but she does not let it stop her from getting out and helping others. I have watched my mother take care and cook meals for her neighbors that was very sick with cancer.
Everyday my mother would cook and deliver them meals and even take them to doctors visits. Yes I say neighbors in the plural form because she has lived in the same neighborhood and became friends with all the surrounding neighbors over the past forty five years and she lost five that I can think of to cancer and was always there for them. Now she is devoted to taking care of her mother and helping her sister that lives at home with her mother.
There are days that I don’t see how she goes but she is either running errands for others, taking care of my grandmother, working in her church or doing her favorite past time working in her flowers. I have a mother to look up to and admire and I thank the Lord above for giving me such a special and loving mother.
Lisa Jones
submitted by Haley Smith
Mom, i just wanted to show North Escambia how much you mean to me. Not only are you my mom but also my best friend. When I don’t have anyone to turn to you are always there for me to call on. I will always know that you have my back no matter what good or bad. I’m graduating in less than a month and the big world is gonna hit me right in the face. When I’m down from hard situations you will always be there to pick me right back up. I just wanted you to know that I’m thankful your my mom and always remember I LOVE YOU!!!
Pictured: Mom Lisa Jones and daughter Haley Smith, click to enlarge.
Cassie Cufr
submitted by Matthew Cufr
My kids mother: my wife.
Of all the people I’ve met in my time on this earth, there is one that headlines them all. Life has been about as hard for our family as it could be the last ten years this May. Without the support, strength, love, and hope that my wife gives we wouldn’t have been able to make it this far. The mother she is to my kids is more than I could have ever asked. So for this mothers day I send a special thank you to a different mother of mine.
Thanks Cass for all you do.
Love Matthew, Maggie, Emma, and Jackson.
Judy Redmond, Walnut Hill
submitted by Quinshanna Redmond
Our mother is Judy Redmond of Walnut Hill, Fl. Our mom is special to us in many, many ways. She is such an incredible person that we cannot begin to put into words. She is such an joy to be around and always keeps you laughing and smiling. Our mom is our HERO, we will always admire her for being the most understanding and patient woman we know. We are so lucky and proud to say that we have a mother like her, she TRULY is one of a kind, and we couldn’t have asked for anyone better than her. Although, I know we probably don’t say these words enough, We want you to know WE LOVE YOU VERY MUCH and hope you enjoy your Mother’s Day! From all your kids and grandkids!
– Quinshanna, Tabarin, Tymiriana, T’ahna, Tiffany, Malonie, Talaysha, Quindale, Quindarius, Myasia, Lenele, and Kassey.
Charlotte Bradley
submitted by Michelle Franklin
My name is Michelle Franklin and my mom is Charlotte Bradley . I live in Bratt and she resides in Gulf Breeze. She is the BEST MOM ever! When I was just 6 years old, my dad was diagnosed with brain cancer. Mom stood by my dad through thick and thin. After his surgery she would feed him, bathe him, help him learn to talk, and practically how to do everything all over again, not to mention changing out catheters on a daily basis. At the same time, she took my brother, sister and I everywhere we needed to go, baseball and football practice, gymnastics, and cheerleading practice , etc. She was the mom and the dad all in one. She would work a graveyard shift at Escambia Molded Plastics so she could make ends meet. After dad died, mom was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. The doctors have told her that she would have to use a walker or scooter everyday, and she still walks ( when she is not to weak ) up her stairs on a daily basis. She has taught me to be strong no matter what God puts in front of us. I love my mom and don’t know what I would do without her.
Good Eats: Blueberry Bake-Off Returns This June
May 9, 2010
The Great Blueberry Bake-Off will return to the Blueberry Jamboree this June in Barrineau Park.
The Escambia County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee invites bakers to bring their homemade blueberry goodies to The Great Blueberry Bake-Off, a competition held in conjunction with the Blueberry Jamboree.
Contestants may enter in any of three categories: pies/cobblers, cakes, and other assorted baked blueberry dishes. Entries should be brought to the Barrineau Park Community Center cafeteria on a disposable plate, covered with plastic, between 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. on June 12. A copy of the recipe must be included with the free registration.
Judging begins at 10:30 a.m., and winners will be announced at 1:45 p.m. Youth and adult entries will be judged together. Judges’ decisions are final. Winners will receive monetary prizes; first place: $50, second place: $30, and third place: $20.
The Blueberry Jamboree will be Saturday, June 12th, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Barrineau Park Community Center, 6055 Barrineau Park School Road, in Molino.
The event is sponsored in part by NorthEscambia.com, the Escambia County Office of Public Information and the Escambia County Extension Office.
Pictured above: The second place winner in the “Pies and Cobbler” division of last year’s Great Blueberry Bake-Off was Blueberry Dream Pie from Marti Penland Koemmerer. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers Honored
May 9, 2010
The Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers program has been honored for work leading to hundreds of arrests and closing over 1,000 cases last year.
Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers Inc. received the Crime Stoppers 2009 Productivity Award at a recent conference in Myrtle Beach, S.C., the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday.
In 2009, Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers was assisted in closing 1,135 cases, led to 312 arrests and gave out 286 rewards to those that provided tips.
“I am so proud of this program,” Deputy Jeff Van Camp, coordinator of the Gulf Coast program said, “It’s the hard work and cooperation of all the men and women of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that make productivity like this possible.”
The award is given to the Crime Stoppers program in the Southeast that clears the most cases for the given year. The award is specifically for organizations serving areas with a population between 200,000 and 299,000, according to the sheriff’s office.
For more information on the Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers Program, Van Camp at (850) 436-9387 or visit gulfcoastcrimestoppers.org. To submit a crime tip, call (850) 433-STOP.
Giving Praise: Entire Bible Read Aloud In 30 Minutes
May 9, 2010
The entire Bible was read aloud in about 30 minutes Thursday evening in Atmore. Almost 200 people surrounded the walking track at Tom Byrne Park, each reading a different part of the Bible out loud on the National Day of Prayer.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
Photos courtesy Erin Pritchett, Cutting EJ Photography for Northescambia.com, click to enlarge.
May Lawn, Gardening Tips From The Master Gardeners
May 9, 2010
The Escambia County Master Gardeners offer the following May lawn and garden tips:
- Continue planting summer annuals. Try one or two that you’ve never grown and/or one that is not available in stores as transplants.
- Plant heat-resistant summer flowering annuals such as begonias, impatiens, coleus, salvia, marigolds, torenia, verbena, ornamental peppers and gaillardia.
- Bulbs: Caladium, gladiolus.
- Vegetables: Continue planting warm weather seeds and transplants (Shade those transplants!). Use transplants for cherry tomatoes, eggplant and sweet potatoes. Plant seeds of lima beans, okra, southern peas: purple hull, crowder, etc.
- Prune and shape spring flowering shrubs and trees now. Later pruning may destroy next year’s blooms.
- Good cultural practices help maintain a healthy lawn and discourage insects and disease. Mow with a sharp blade. Centipedegrass should be cut to a height of 1½ to 2 inches. St. Augustinegrass normal growth habit cultivars should be cut to a height of 3 to 4 inches.
- Climbing roses are pruned after they finish blooming. Blooms form on one-year-old canes, so any older ones may be removed to make them more tidy. Cut each flowering stem back to the first five leaflet stem to encourage them to bloom again.Spray with horticultural oil or malathion for mites, scale and white flies, if insects are present, before it gets too hot (85 degrees).
- Yellow leaves on azaleas may mean they need iron. Apply iron sulphate or chelated iron.
- Feed citrus plants using special citrus fertilizer. Broadcast under the tree canopy and water in.
- Begin planting palms while the weather is warm and rainy.
- Make cuttings of azaleas, hollies, camellias, and other choice shrubs as new growth becomes halfhardened.
- Take soft wood cuttings to root: alyssum, begonia, chrysanthemum, shrimp plant, dianthus, geranium, hibiscus, hydrangea, etc.
- Dig bulbs after foliage turns brown if they need to be divided or the space is needed for other plants. If the space isn’t needed, braid the foliage.
- Cut back the vines of Irish potatoes when they begin to die but leave the tubers in the ground for about two weeks longer to toughen the skin. Handle the potatoes carefully during digging, as skinned or bruised potatoes decay quickly when stored.
- Divide crowded and vigorously growing perennials.
- Promote continued flowering of bedding plants by removing faded blooms.
- Encourage coleus to branch and produce more colorful leaves by pinching off the flower stalks as they form.
- Prune poinsettias when new growth is 10-12 inches high (back to the last four leaves). Prune new growth at the base throughout the summer.
- Stop pruning after Labor Day.
- Keep roses watered, cut out weak spots, feed every six to eight weeks or at every new flush of growth, dust.
- For insect or disease problems in your garden, use the least toxic control possible.
May Lawn, Gardening Tips From The Master Gardeners
Nearly 500 Students Take Part In Sunshine Math Competition
May 9, 2010
Nearly 500 Escambia County third, fourth and fifth grade students took part in the annual Sunshine Math Competition Saturday morning at Tate High School. Bratt, Molino Park and Jim Allen elementary schools participated from the North Escambia area. Hannah McGahan from Molino Park Elementary placed third in the individual third grade category. Pictured top: The third grade Bratt Elementary team. Pictured left: Hannah McGahan. Pictured below: The Sunshine Math Competition at Tate High School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
