More Jobs Possibly Headed To Atmore Plant
February 27, 2009
Dixie Group, the parent company of Masland Carpets in Atmore, says that it may close a West Coast facility and move that work to Atmore.
It would be the second consolidation in just six months at the Atmore plant.
Dixie Group said it is considering moving the Fabrica division of the company from California to Atmore sometime in the last half of 2009. That would cost the company $3 to $5 million, a number that company says could easily be saved in just year.
The Fabrica move to Atmore would mean more jobs, some available very soon after the move is official. But the total jobs added to the 360 already in Atmore might be small.
“In this environment, we would try not to add any more than we absolutely had to,” Dixie Group Chief Financial Officer Gary Harmon said.
But the division might not be headed for Atmore. They company says it is considering selling off the division to help reduce $93.8 million in debt.
About six months ago, Dixie Group moved a carpet tufting division from Eton, Ga., to Atmore.
“The consolidation of our
Northview Celebrates Black History Month
February 27, 2009
The Minority Culture Club at Northview High School celebrated change at the school’s annual Black History Month program Thursday.
From Rosa Park’s famous bus ride, to school integration, to Martin Luther King, Jr., to the election of Barack Obama, the students depicting historic moments in black history on stage.
Guest speaker Capt. Anthony “Tony” McFarlane, USN-Retired told the students to strive to do their best.
“Maintaining that can-do spirit is the attitude of a winner,” McFarlane said. “Don’t sit on the sidelines. Be a part of those making history.”
Click here for a complete photo gallery from the event.
Members of the Northview Minority Culture Club are: Shaquaina Lewis, Brittney Thompson, Brittany Pete, Kassandra Lett, Jay Jackson, Kanisha Knight, Gabe Wesley, Jocqus Lett, Derrick Portis, Wayne Marshall, LaDarion White, Aquarius Johnson, Jody Levins, Alesha Copeland, Darwin Robinson, Nicole Peacock, Latiffia Carter, Kashun Williams, Tikieya Amos, Ashia Brown, Naomi Cooler, Brian Long, Timeka Marshall, Angela Rodriguez, Marquita Allen, Atidze Johnson, Stanley Chestnut, Latorria McGee, Aneicia McGee, Shaniqua Jones, Sam Cooler, Jeremy Jackson, Kevin Cottrell, Amber Richardson and Ashley Muse. Faculty sponsors are Rachel Pleasant and Senior Chief Lee Coleman.
Pictured above: Students re-enact the swearing in of Barrack Obama during the Black History Month program Thursday at Northview High School. Pictured inset: Capt. Anthony “Tony” McFarlane, USN-Ret. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Blog: Sheriff’s Helicopter Grounded Today; We Need It In North Escambia
February 27, 2009
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Department helicopter will take to the skies for the last time this evening. By 3 a.m. Saturday, it will be back in the hanger for the last time.
Escambia Sheriff David Morgan has grounded the department’s air unit. We understand his reason, and it is a big one. The air unit is costing the department about $800,000 a year, and times are tough. Like most everyone, Morgan must cut his budget, and the helicopter was on his radar.
We want to be very clear, we understand Morgan’s decision. NorthEscambia.com does not fault the decision at all.
“We looked for ways to keep the helicopter,” Morgan told NorthEscambia.com. “We even went to other law enforcement agencies that have used it and asked for help. No one wrote a check.”
“It came down to pulling patrols off the streets or grounding the helicopter. I could not take $800,000 worth of deputies off the streets,” the sheriff said.
Makes perfect sense to us, and we agree…$800,000 worth of deputies is better than an $800,000 helicopter program.
However, we believe it is time for someone to find the cash to get the copter back in the air as soon as possible. It is an item of special importance to us in North Escambia.
Why?
To understand the why, let’s look at the what.
In the just over a year that we’ve been publishing NorthEscambia.com, the helicopter has been used numerous times to search for criminals. Time after time, we have seen its effectiveness. Very few times has the helicopter missed finding the bad guy. The search is usually over very quickly, with the helicopter crew finding their man — or woman — within just minutes.
It’s been called to North Escambia to look for a lost hunter. It’s even been called to Century to look for a horse. A horse? It was a dark night when a black horse was running around Century, darting in an out of Highway 29. Deputies called for the helicopter to follow the horse so it could be “apprehended” before it was hit by a vehicle, possibly causing a serious injury or death.
In the basic call the helicopter to look for a criminal in North Escambia scenario, a guy runs from deputies. They setup a perimeter they begin a search with tracking dogs from Century Correctional Institute. The helicopter is called, the criminal is busted and we all sleep safer that night. It’s a very effective recipe.
The scenario works the same elsewhere in Escambia County, like say 9 Mile Road. The perimeter is setup, and the sheriff’s department’s own tracking dogs are called.
But here’s the real difference. The perimeter in the rest of the county may be city blocks. Pretty easy to put a deputy on each corner and watch for the bad guy. But in North Escambia, that perimeter may be roads that are miles and miles apart. The bad guy may be in hundreds of acres of woods. The dogs are good, but they may not find the perp. The dogs and deputies will eventually give up if they can’t find him, and the bad guy will simply walk away.
Let’s look at another real possibility for us here in North Escambia. Little Johnny and his friends are playing. They wander into the woods. Darkness is falling, and they are lost. Mom calls 911. Deputies and tracking dogs can’t find Johnny. The helicopter would likely be able to find him in minutes. But it has been grounded. The scenario could end in unspeakable tragedy.
Little Johnny might be my child. Your child. Your grandchild. Or your elderly grandmother.
“But we saved $800,000.”
Is that going to make you feel better when you have lost your child? There is no price tag that can be put on a child.
If the helicopter saved the life of your child, $800,000 would be the most unimportant thing on earth.
Again, we do not fault Sheriff Morgan for his decision. He only has so many dollars to work with in his budget.
But it’s time for a solution to get the copter back in the air. Morgan’s budget comes from the county commission. Do they have an extra $800,000 lying around? Not without robbing Peter to pay Paul as the old saying goes. The commission is facing the same budget woes as everyone else.
Where will the money come from? We don’t have that answer. But with billions in economic stimulus money, millions and millions in Homeland Security grants and all that other federal money floating around, we need cash to keep the birdie in the air.
Oh, and to our dear friends in Baldwin County, Escambia County (Ala.) and Santa Rosa County…we are sure you have Sheriff Morgan’s address. You have called for Escambia County’s helicopter to assist you many times. Now we are calling for you to write a check and help pay for the services you have been receiving. The sheriff has asked, and now it is time for him to find a check in the mail.
After all, dear Santa Rosa County Commission, if you can give $125,000 to keep a failing zoo open, you can spend $125,000 to find a lost child.
The next time the helicopter is needed, it might be your child.
Frontier Experiences Phone Outage
February 26, 2009
Frontier Communications briefly lost telephone service in North Escambia and South Alabama Thursday afternoon.
Frontier Local Manager Cereal Daniel said Frontier customers in Walnut Hill, Bratt, Molino, Atmore and surrounding areas lost the ability to make some calls due a problem outside Frontier’s control.
A telephone network processor located outside of Frontier’s telephone network and operated by another company malfunction, causing the problem.
Daniel said all local phone service has been restored.
Highway 168 Brush Fire
February 26, 2009
Firefighters fought a fast moving brush fire on Highway 168 near Wiggins Road just before noon Thursday.
The fire burned a few acres of woods along Highway 168, with high winds pushing it toward homes on Wiggins Road. One fire engine was briefly stationed on Wiggins Road to protect the homes, but the fire did not spread all the way to that road.
No structures were damaged, and there were no injuries in the blaze.
The cause of the fire, which was reported to have started as a grass fire along Highway 168, was not known. Century Fire Chief Regi Burkett said that it was possibly started by someone who tossed a cigarette out of a vehicle.
The Century, McDavid, Walnut Hill and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue were dispatched to the scene, along with the Florida Division of Forestry.
Pictured above and below: Firefighters work to contain a brush fire on Highway 168 Thursday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Memorial Service Held For Former Century Police Officer
February 26, 2009
A memorial service was held Thursday night for a long time Century police officer.
Edward Gregory (Greg) Sutton, 47, a native and former resident of Century died unexpectedly in Hernando, Mississippi, on Monday February 16.
Greg was born in Century on March 22, 1961. His family left the area shortly afterward then moved back to Century when Greg was 13 years old. He attended Century High School.
He worked for the town of Atmore before enrolling in Pensacola Junior College’s Law Enforcement Program at the age of 18. After graduation he worked for the Century Police Department before going to work for the Flomaton Police Department. He eventually came back to his home town and worked as a police officer for the next 16 years.
When Century’s police department was disbanded he went to work for Prevention Services in Century as a data collector at the then Jefferson Smurfit Paper mill in Brewton. He attended training classes and became a level one analyst. He worked there until he was forced to retire because of health issues.
During his off time he could be found fishing on Escambia River, a hobby he dearly loved. He is survived by a wife, Susie of Bryneville; four sons, Edward Brandon, Michael Dustin, Dakota Douglas and Aaron Lee; one daughter Aimee JoLynn and several grandchildren. He is also survived by his mother Vicki (Doug) Hussey of Hernando, Mississippi, and a brother Mike (Terry) Sutton also of Hernando, Mississippi.
A memorial service for Edward Gregory (Greg) Sutton was held at the Byrneville United Methodist Church Thursday night.
Lawsuit Stops Organized Baccalaureate Services At Northview; School Turns To Community For Help
February 26, 2009
For the first time in the history of Northview High School, the school will not sponsor a Baccalaureate service. The change is due to decisions made by the Escambia County School District following a judge’s decision in favor of the the ACLU in a lawsuit against the Santa Rosa County School District.
A federal judge issued preliminary injunction against any policy or practice that promotes prayer or religion in the Santa Rosa County School District. The American Civil Liberties Union has also requested documents concerning prayer from Escambia County Schools.
“As part of a district-wide change in procedure, to be implemented with the graduating class of 2009, high schools will neither sponsor, direct, nor organize future Baccalaureate services for graduation,” Northview High Principal Gayle Weaver said.
But the policy does not necessarily mean an end to Baccalaureate services for Northview Seniors.
Baccalaureate services may still be organized and sponsored by the members of the senior class, parents, community leaders, pastors or other interested persons. The school itself is not allowed to organize the service.
Luke Killam, the NHS senior class president, and other class officers met with Northview administrators Wednesday morning to hear about the district’s decision and to begin planning initial steps to assume responsibility for Baccalaureate.
After that initial between administrators and class officers, a meeting of the entire senior class was called Wednesday to explain the situation and ask for assistance.
“Northview High School is very optimistic that the parents, community leaders, pastors, etc. will come together and will work with the officers and their Baccalaureate committee to make decisions relative to a place to hold the services, when to hold the services and who will be a part of the program,” Weaver said.
“The administration, faculty, and staff of Northview High School have been proud to sponsor all of the Baccalaureate services since the school’s inaugural 1996 graduating class. It is believed that the Senior Class of 2009 will rise to the challenge of having an off-campus Baccalaureate services and will not only have a wonderful service but also one which may serve as a model for future years,” Weaver said.
Supporters of Baccalaureate in Santa Rosa County have launched a website to assist in the understanding of their efforts. The site is www.gotyourbacc.com and may be of assistance and guidance to individuals, Weaver added.
Pictured above: The Class of 2008 Baccalaureate service at Northview High School. Pictured inset: First Baptist Church of Bratt Pastor Gary Wieborg delivers the address at last year’s Northview Baccalaureate service. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Exclusive: Escambia Sheriff’s Bike Patrol Hits The Streets Of Century
February 26, 2009
The November night David Morgan found out he was elected as Escambia County’s new sheriff, he put Century criminals on notice. Wednesday night, they noticed something they did not expect…three uniformed officers riding Century’s neighborhoods on bicycles.
Down Salter’s Lake Road and along the railroad tracks to Jefferson Avenue and the community center, NorthEscambia.com was there as the Sheriff’s Department bike patrol hit the streets of Century.
“Who’s that? The police?” a young man playing basketball with a group of friends at the community center said after the deputies circled the basketball court. “Man, it’s the cops. They on a bicycle. You ain’t going to hear them coming,” another young man said to his friends.
On an ordinary night, Deputy Scott Rivkin patrols the Century district in a cruiser. But Wednesday night he led the way for the bike patrol and deputies James Navton and Ted Roy. Roy serves as Morgan’s public information officer.
“It’s one promise that the sheriff made…to have more deputies on the streets,” Roy said. “People notice the police presence when you are on a bicycle.”
While the thought of a few deputies on bicycles might not seem like such an impressive crime fighting tool, it’s really very effective according to Roy.
“We are going to get them. When you are on a bike, you can get close to people on the streets before they even know that you are there. You can hear things like glass breaking. You can smell things. It’s a lot different than being in a car.”
The bike patrol was formed five years ago. In their first year, they were responsible for 525 arrests. That number jumped to 1,000 arrests last year.
“Century is on the scope,” Morgan told NorthEscambia.com. “Century has a whole host of problems. But we have a pretty good plan.”
The biggest problem plaguing Century, Morgan said, is prescription drug abuse. But Morgan’s plan will take most of those drugs off the street. As for when it will happen, the sheriff would not say. It’s all part of his plan.
We do know the bike patrol will return to Century’s streets. “We’ll be back,” Roy said.
From Jefferson Avenue, the bike patrol headed toward Ramar Street.
“What are they doing?” one of the boys on the basketball court asked our reporter. “Man, they are going to get somebody. Who are they looking for?”
“I bet they get…” another basketball player said, mentioning a name. “I told him they were going to get him.”
A noticeable police presence in Century. That’s what Morgan said was part one of his plan for Century. Wednesday night, that plan began to fall into place as people took notice.
“I hope they clean up this place,” a nearby adult said. “Write that down. Tell that sheriff we want him to clean up this place.”
Pictured above: The Escambia County Sheriff’s Department bike patrol hit the streets of Century Wednesday evening. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photo, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward FFA Holds Breakfast
February 26, 2009
FFA students at Ernest Ward Middle School did their part to celebrate National FFA Week with a Wednesday morning breakfast for faculty and staff.
“Step Up, Stand Out” is the theme of National FFA Week this year as more than half a million members around the nation are participating in National FFA Week activities at the local and state levels. Stepping up and standing out is not only a way of life for FFA members, but it’s also a call to action for others. FFA members set a positive example with their leadership, work ethic and community service activities
Students cooked a breakfast of eggs, grits, biscuits, bacon, sausage and more for the EWMS faculty and staff.
Click here for a photo gallery from the breakfast.
Pictured above: FFA members at Ernest Ward Middle School served breakfast to school staff Wednesday morning as part of their National FFA Week activities. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Bratt Church Donates Bears To Atmore Police
February 26, 2009
Romeo’s little bear Sam will provide a little bit of joy for a child that might have experienced the worst day of their life.
Sam is one of 10 Build-A-Bear stuffed animals presented to the Atmore Police Department Wednesday morning by the Senior Adults at the First Baptist Church of Bratt. Sam was the creation of Bratt member Romeo Coleman.
The First Baptist Church of Bratt Senior Adults donated the stuffed animals to Atmore Police Chief Jason Dean. Dean said the bears will be given to children that are experiencing a crisis such as a violent event or a house fire.
“A lot of times it will give them something they can hold on to and hug,” Dean said. “That can make them feel better where there is something bad going on.”
Each stuffed animal’s box contains the phone number for Bratt Pastor Gary Wieborg. That way, church member Marcella Wilson said, a family in need has an easy way to contact a pastor to help them in their time of need.
“A lot of people in the department have a tender heart for the kids,” Dean said. “These bears are a very good thing for the kids.”
The Bratt Senior Adults have plans to purchase more bears to be presented to the Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Department.
Pictured top: The Senior Adults from the First Baptist Church of Bratt presented Build-A-Bear stuffed animals to the Atmore Police Department Wednesday morning. Pictured are (L-R) Barbara Posey, Robery Bartley, Nina Bartley, Marcella Wilson, Atmore Police Chief Jason Dean, Romeo Coleman, Winnie Hollingsworth and Pastor Gary Wieborg. Pictured inset: Romeo Coleman and his bear Sam. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.