Weather Service Releases Official Rainfall Totals From Last Week’s Storms
March 31, 2009
The National Weather Service has issued official rainfall totals from last week’s storms.
The most rain in Escambia County fell in Molino, with 11.8 inches falling Wednesday, March 25 through Saturday, March 28. The Gonzalez area of the county recorded 9.14 inches, while Pensacola officially received 4.48 inches of rain during the period.
In Santa Rosa County, Milton recorded 7.25 inches and Pace received 6.71 inches.
In Okaloosa County, Baker topped the Panhandle rain totals at 12.2 inches, and Crestview had 10.59 inches of rain.
In Escambia County, Ala., 6.2 inches fell in Brewton and 5.04 inches fell in Pollard.
The most rain on the coast to hit an official rain gauge last week was in Theodore, Ala., at 15.62 inches.
Radar indicated that some areas in a line from Molino to Baker received up to 15 inches during the period. Most of these areas do not have an official NWS rain gauge.
Students Rally At Board Meeting In Support Of Flomaton’s Tony Ellis
March 31, 2009
A large number Flomaton students supporting Tony Ellis filed into the most recent meeting of the Escambia County (Ala.) Board of Education.
Tony Ellis, 18, was indicted by an Escambia County (Ala.) grand jury for enticing a minor into a vehicle for immoral purposes, sodomy II, and sexual abuse. The alleged victim is 12-years old. His attorneys have sought youthful offender status in the case.
School officials say Ellis was suspended from his classes at Flomaton High School, including all extracurricular activities, and was moved to the county’s alternative school.
Supporters, many wearing Flomaton High School apparel, filled the library at Flomaton High in support of the Flomaton senior and start football player. They also presented a petition with about 500 signatures in support of returning Ellis to Flomaton High School.
The board took no action on returning Ellis to Flomaton High.
Escambia School Board Makes First Move To Close Another Elementary School
March 31, 2009
The Escambia County School Board took the first step toward closing Edgewater Elementary School in west Pensacola.
The board voted Monday afternoon to advertise their intent to delete the attendance zone for Edgewater, a move that will send the approximately 350 students at Edgewater to three other elementary schools — Navy Point, Warrington or West Pensacola –depending on their address.
The school board will make their final redistricting vote on Edgewater at a May 11 meeting. If approved, the school will close at the end of this school year. The closure is expected to save the district about $400,000 per year.
It is the same redistricting method the board followed to close Carver/Century K-8 School.
The school board voted March 17 to close Carver/Century at the end of this school year to save another $600,000 plus. The Carver/Century attendance zone was deleted, sending the students to Bratt Elementary and Ernest Ward Middle School next year.The total savings from the two school closures is expected to top $1 million per year. Thomas said the district must cut about $30 million overall because of a decrease in funding from the state, partially due to economics and partially due to declining enrollment across the county.
Special Olympics Torch Run Begins In Century (With Photo Gallery)
March 31, 2009
The 2009 Law Enforcement Torch Run in support of Special Olympics began in Century Monday morning.
The torch run started at the Florida/Alabama state line in the Piggly Wiggly parking lot just after 7:15 Monday. Employees from Century Correctional Institute escorted the torch down Highway 29 to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in Pensacola. From the sheriff’s office, runners continued to the Pensacola Police Department where they were joined by more local law enforcement officials.
The Escambia County leg of the torch run ended at Bartrumn Park were the torch was passed to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Department Marine Unit.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run is an event to raise awareness and support for the Special Olympics. Law Enforcement Agencies from across Florida will participate in the event.
The Torch Run will end on May 15 in Osceola, Fla.
Click here for a photo gallery from the Torch Run as it passed through Century.
Law enforcement officers from over 300 Florida agencies (police departments, sheriff’s offices, Florida Department of Corrections, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Highway Patrol, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Agency, U.S. Customs, Air Force Police and Marine Patrol) all participate in the state-wide torch run to benefit the athletes of Special Olympics Florida. Each year, over 3,000 officers carry the torch on a 1500-mile relay through more than 60 counties in Florida.
Pictured top: The Special Olympics Torch Run got underway in Century Monday morning. Pictured inset: The Florida Special Olympics Torch is lit. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
EWMS Cheerleader Tryouts
March 31, 2009
Ernest Ward Middle School cheerleader tryouts will be held Tuesday afternoon at 3:30 in the school gym.
Tryouts are closed to the public. After tryouts, the participants are asked please to leave the area until 7 p.m. when results will be posted by tryout numbers on the glass doors of the gym. The side gate will remain open until 7:30 p.m. If you have questions please contact Mrs. Perry or Mrs. Johnson at 327-4283 ext 226.
The tryouts were scheduled for Saturday but were postponed due to heavy rain and flooded roads.
Last Day To Pay Real Estate, Tangible Taxes
March 31, 2009
Today is the last day to pay your real estate or personal property taxes without a penalty.
Payments will be accepted without penalty if:
- mailed with a postmark of March 31;
- left in a 24-hour drop box available at all offices by midnight March 31;
- made on web site by midnight March 31; or
- made on after-hours automated telephone (800) 601-1055 by midnight March 31.
Drive thru service is available at all locations except Century.
A late penalty of three percent for real estate and 1.5 percent for tangible taxes will be assessed for tax payments made on or after April 1.
You may check the status of your taxes and pay online at www.escambiataxcollector.com. You also may get automated information on TAX TALK at 438-3299. If you have any questions, please call the tax collector’s office at 438-6500, Ext. 252. (TTY users for the hearing impaired call 472-0031.)
Funeral Services Held For Murdered North Escambia Woman
March 30, 2009
Funeral services were held Monday for the North Escambia woman who was found murdered last week.
Services for Cheryl Cain, 29, were held Monday morning at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North in Cantonment. Burial was at Clear Springs Cemetery in Clear Springs, Alabama. She is survived by her parents Danny and Peggy Cain, sister Cindy (Jeremy) Jarvis, brother Daniel (Stacey) Cain, grandmother Annette Cain and grandparents Bill and Ann Helms.
Escambia Deputies are still investigating Cain’s death. Her body was found in a dumpster at an abandoned gas station at the corner of Burgess Road and Highway 29 Wednesday afternoon. Read more….
March Students Of The Month Named
March 30, 2009
March Students of the Month have been named at North Escambia schools.
The monthly recognition is presented to two students from each participating school by the Escambia Association for Administrators in Education
The following students of the month were named from North Escambia schools:
- Bratt Elementary: Kirsten N. White, third grade; Andrianna C. Cooper, kindergarten.
- Jim Allen: Jordan S. Hamilton, fifth grade; Brianna R. Holmquist, fifth grade.
- Molino Park: Arianna N. Rudd, first grade.
- Northview High: Tyler L. Randolph, ninth grade; Emily F. Vickrey, 10th grade.
Pictured above: Northview High School Students of the Month Emily Vickrey and Tyler Randolph. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com.
Authorities Search For Kidnapping, Home Invasion Suspect
March 30, 2009
Authorities across the area are on the lookout for a Georgia man that kidnapped his infant son and the boys mother, and was involved in a home invasion.
Christopher Grier may be in Monroeville, Alabama, or somewhere in the surrounding area, according to Georgia authorities.
Grier broke into a home in Grovetown, Georgia, and robbed the people inside. Then early Saturday morning, he kidnapped his 7-month old son and kidnapped the infant’s mother. Sheriff’s deputies in Columbia County, Georgia, said he told the woman, identified as Shashawna Odell, to drive him to Monroeville.
Odell said she dropped Grier off in a town somewhere in South Alabama, but she was unable to name the town. Odell and infant then returned to Georgia.
Law enforcement agencies across the area are on alert for Grier. His relatives in the Monroeville area have told police that they have not seen him.
Anyone with information on Grier’s whereabouts should call their local law enforcement agency immediately. Grier is considered armed and dangerous.
VFW Post Looking For Local Names For New Monument
March 30, 2009
The Atmore VFW Post 7016 is looking for the names of men and women from the area that have lost their lives in combat from 1917 to present. The VFW is also looking for the names of persons that are MIA or POWs, including those that may still be living.
The monument will include those individuals from the Walnut Hill, Atmore Perdido, Nokomis, Rabun and Lottie areas.
The monument, to be located in front of the Atmore City Hall, will be triangular in shape and a gray granite or marble. One panel will be for those who served in the Army, one for the Army Air Corps & Air force, and the third for the Navy, Marines & Coast Guard. In addition to those that were killed in action, the monument will also include those who are officially listed as MIA or who were POWs. The POW list could include individuals that are still living.
The deadline for names will be April 1, 2009. Names may be sent to: Gerri McDonald, 8791 Highway 97, Century, FL 32535.
It is anticipated that it will take six months for the monument to be built, once the names have been turned submitted and verified.
The approximate cost for the monument is between $50,000 and $80,000. Donations are being accepted. Anyone wishing to donate may send their donation to: Veterans’ Monument, VFW Post 7016, 206 West Ashley Street, Atmore, AL 36502.