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.
Five People Injured In Highway 95A Accident
March 29, 2009
Five people were injured in a two vehicle accident in Molino Saturday night.
The accident happened about 10:00 on Highway 95A just south of Meharg Road. The collision left a pickup truck on its side partially on Highway 95A and sent a Pontiac Grand Am off the roadway.
Two people in the pickup were injured, and there were three, including a juvenile, injured in the car. One person was transported to a Pensacola hospital by LifeFlight. The other four were transported to the hospital by ambulance.
Further details on the accident were not available; the accident is still under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Molino, McDavid, Century and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the call along with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department, Escambia County EMS and the Florida Highway Patrol.
Pictured above and below: Five people were injured in a two vehicle accident in Molino Saturday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Bumpkin No More: Final Day For Century Business
March 29, 2009
Sunday was the final day of business for the Country Bumpkin in Century. The store, which first opened in 1991, closed to make way for a St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store that will open Wednesday. Pictured above: Country Bumpkin owner Terri Sanders prepares for her last day of business. She will manage the new thrift store when it opens. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Recap Of Storm Closures
March 29, 2009
Several area events were postponed or canceled due to Saturdays floods, including:
Cheerleader tryouts that were scheduled to be held at Ernest Ward Middle School were canceled due to the weather and closure of local roads. This event will be rescheduled in a few days and all participants will be informed.
Panhandle Equine Rescue’s ‘Ride for Rescue’ trail ride was canceled. The trail ride will be rescheduled for a later date.
The Charity Butler softball clinic at Molino BallPark that was to be held Saturday was rescheduled for April 11. Directed by Charity Butler, former pro softball player with the Michigan Ice. Defensive and hitting drills, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; pitching 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.. Sign up from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. $25 for one session, $35 for both. Ages 14 and under. More info? Contact Donnie Nicholson at (850) 207-0663 or charitynbutler.com