Teams Still Needed For Coed Volleyball Tournament
December 29, 2008
At least four more teams are needed for coed volleyball tournament to raise funds to help the Ernest Ward Middle School cheerleaders travel to the national finals early next year.
The volleyball tournament will be Saturday, January 3 at the First Baptist Church of Bratt Family Life Center. The tournament is for four person teams, with a $10 per player entry fee. All the proceeds will go to the EWMS cheerleaders.
To signup, or for more information, contact Amy Holland at (850) 327-4744 or (850) 516-8400 as soon as possible.
Year In Review North Escambia’s Biggest Stories Of 2008: March
December 29, 2008
NorthEscambia.com is looking back at 2008 with our “Year in Review” series. Each day, we will review the biggest stories of 2008. Today, we take a look at the biggest stories of March 2008.
The story of Highland Baptist Church’s brush with the February 17 Molino tornado was a featured story in the Florida Baptist Witness. The Witness is a publication of the Florida Baptist State Convention, with 42,000 copies distributed. The publication used NorthEscambia.com photos for their article. Read more…
NorthEscambia.com ran an investigative series into complaints about the service provided by Allied Waste in North Escambia. Read that series here, here, here, here and here.
Easter Sunday saw a police chase through many North Escambia communities (pictured above). NorthEscambia.com had exclusive coverage with photos and video from the chase. Read more…
Betty M. Lavender, 80, of Atmore died in a Sunday afternooon two vehicle accident on Highway 97. Read more…
A Century home was destroyed by fire. Read that story here The residents of the home called their three-year old a “hero” after she discovered the fire in time for the family to escape. Read more…
The new Cantonment post office was named in honor of the late Charles H. Hendrix of Molino. Guest speaker was U.S. Congressman Jeff Miller. Read more…
Carley Hetrick sang an original song “I Want to Be Free” to capture first place in the Northview’s Got Talent competition. Read more…
Baseball, softball and t-ball season got a little bit closer with a pitching clinic at Walnut Hill’s Bradberry Park. Read more…
A Century Town Council member walked out of a town council meeting after discussion about the Carver Community Center. Read more…
The steeple was installed at the new CrossFaith Church on Highway 29 in Molino, and NorthEscambia.com was there with complete photo coverage. Read more…
Students in third through tenth grade took the second part of the FCAT with the reading and math portions. Read more…
We had a little fun with the FCAT as NorthEscambia.com posted questions from a sample fifth grade FCAT. A lot of people found out that they were not smarter than a fifth grader. Take the test here…
Gas prices hit $3.25 in North Escambia. Read more…
The Town of Century made changes to a $265 million finance agreement and voted to sell several surplus vehicles. Read more…
The Escambia County Commission moved forward on plan to consolidate the county’s volunteer fire departments. Read more…
fEaster Sunday saw many attending church service in North Escambia, including several sunrise services. NorthEscambia.com had coverage from a combined Molino-area sunrise service. Read more…
The First Baptist Church of Bratt held a huge Easter Egg hunt at Oak Grove Park. Read more and see the photos here…
The Century Branch Library celebrated is first year. Read more…
Students at Ernest Ward Middle School and Carver/Century K-8 School enjoyed a visit by the Pensacola Opera. Click here…
The Florida Special Olympic’s Torch began a 1,500 mile journey in Century. Read more…
Over 1,200 students attended the annual Food for America program at Northview High School. Read more…
Northview’s television students took top honors at state competition. Read more..
Century celebrated 108 years of history with a day of activities, and NorthEscambia.com posted one of our “coolest” photos of the year of the firing of a canon. Read more….
Portions of North Escambia were treated to a rare double rainbow (pictured below) the last Saturday afternoon of March. Click here for the story and photos.
For January’s biggest stories, click here. For February’s biggest stories, click here.
Names Released In Old Atmore Road Wreck That Killed One, Injured Two
December 29, 2008
(Updated) Alabama troopers have released the names of all three people involved in a single vehicle accident on Old Atmore Road about 2:15 Saturday morning that left one person dead and two injured — the second fatal accident on the road in less than a week.
Alabama State Troopers say Anthony Lee Turner, 25, of Flomaton was killed in the accident.
The accident happened on Old Atmore Road about three miles west of Flomaton near Kadee Lane when Turner’s Chevrolet Tahoe left the roadway at an apparent high rate of speed. The vehicle landed upside down off the roadway.
Turner was ejected and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The two passengers in the vehicle were trapped in the upside vehicle and were extricated by firemen. They were identified by troopers as Jeffery Hastings, 27, and Kelly Brunson, 29. They were transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola where they were treated and released.
The accident is under investigation by Alabama State Troopers.
This was the second fatal accident in less than a week on Old Atmore Road. Miles Brewster Cunningham, 25, of Atmore was killed in a single vehicle rollover accident on Old Atmore Road Monday night. That accident was about a half mile from the location Saturday morning’s wreck.
The Flomaton Fire Department, the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS, Atmore Ambulance and the Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Department were all called to the scene.
For more photos from the scene, click here.
Pictured above and below: Anthony Turner, 25, died in this single vehicle accident early Saturday morning on Old Atmore Road. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
School District Seeks Input Into Next Year’s Calendar
December 29, 2008
When would you like Christmas/winter break next year? What about fall break? NSpring break? The Escambia County School District wants to know what you think of their proposed calender for the 2009-2010 school year.
Next year’s proposed school calendar includes a full week for Thanksgiving/Fall Break. The complete calendar includes:
- Labor Day, September 7
- Veteran’s Day, November 11
- Fall Break/Thanksgiving, November 23-27
- Christmas Break: December 21-January 1
- MLK Day: January 18
- Spring Break: March 29-April 2
- Memorial Day: May 31
The proposed first day of school is August 24, and the last day of school is proposed to be June 7.
The school district is conducting a survey for input on the calendar. To complete the survey, first read the calendar requirements by clicking here, then click here for the survey.
Century Man Shot By Off-Duty Cop At Bar
December 28, 2008
A Century man was shot by an off-duty Foley police officer early Saturday morning in a Pensacola bar in an apparent racial altercation.
Johnny Cloud, 37, of Century, was shot once in the abdomen by off-duty Foley officer Maurice Wiley at Boomerzzz Lounge on New Warrington Road in Pensacola about 2:30 Saturday morning.
Wiley, who is black, entered the lounge about 2:30, and three white men began making racial slurs, according to a news release from the Foley Police Department. Wiley decided to leave bar after one of the three men said he was going to get a pistol, but he was confronted by the three men in the parking lot, according to the Foley release.
Cloud allegedly tried to sneak up behind Wiley with a knife. That’s when Wiley identified himself as a police officer, and ordered Cloud to drop the knife. When Cloud continued toward Wiley, Wiley fired a single shot that hit Cloud in the abdomen, according to authorities.
Cloud was transported to Baptist Hospital where he was listed in critical condition Saturday night.
Escambia deputies said Cloud will likely face aggravated assault charges for the attack on the Foley officer.
Escambia authorities say several witnesses confirmed Wiley’s story.
No charges had been filed in the incident as of late Saturday night.
Wiley has been placed on paid administrative leave by the Foley Police Department.
Year In Review North Escambia’s Biggest Stories Of 2008: February
December 28, 2008
NorthEscambia.com is looking back at 2008 with our “Year in Review” series. Each day, we will review the biggest stories of 2008. Today, we take a look at the biggest stories of February 2008.
February 17 saw a tornado rip through Molino, hitting numerous homes and even ripping the steeple off Highland Baptist Church while worshipers were inside. NorthEscambia.com was the first media on the scene, and we continued to cover the aftermath and recover from the surprise storm. We posted a photo gallery from the scene shortly after the storm hit. See the photos here… Read the story here.
We posted photos of the actual tornado here and here.
The emergency response to the Molino tornado was the most public safety event of the year in North Escambia. Read more…
The Molino tornado was classified as an EF-1. Read more here…
Days after the Molino tornado ripped the steeple off their building with members inside, members of Highland Baptist Church offered praise for God’s protection. Read more…
NorthEscambia.com produced a video that several Molino churches viewed the Sunday after the Molino tornado. The video featured dozens of our photos from the area hit by the tornado. Read more and see the video here.
Carver/Century K-8 burned the school’s “F” grade from the state as teachers and staff rallied to improve the school’s FCAT scores. Read more…
We looked into the eyes of the new homeless in Escambia County — children. A local homeless coalition teamed with many other community and faith based organizations to hold a free fish fry in Century. Read more…
NorthEscambia.com published was was perhaps our most powerful blog. “Go Home Truck” took at a look at the impact on our communities of a January accident that killed a father a son, Drew and Danny Marlow. Read more…
Rev. Fil Enfinger and his wife Mary were honored after his retirement from Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church. Rev. Enfinger was in ministry for 38 year. Read more…
Three new businesses, including Whataburger, opened in Century. Read more…
Bob McLaughlin was named Escambia County’s new administrator. Read more…
Byrneville Elementary School faced a find because they were missed half a student. Read more…
Love was in the air as Ernest Ward Middle School held their annual Valentine’s Dance. Read the story, and see the pictures…
Preparations were underway for the FCAT at Escambia County School. At Bratt and Bryneville Elementary Schools, that preparation became a little musical. Read more…
NorthEscambia.com sat down with Georges Van Nevel after a federal raid at his Helicopter Technologies. We ran an exclusive three-part series. Read part one here, part two here and part three here.
A stolen Alabama police chief’s car was recovered on Highway 29 just south of Pine Barren Road. NorthEscambia.com was there. Read more..
Farmers from several states attended a Farm Day in Walnut Hill to learn from experts from across the South. Read more…
The Escambia Commission voted to extend their contract with volunteer firefighters for another year. They wanted more time to discuss a unified county fire department. Read more…
A historic jail was uncovered in Molino. The jail was built around 1915 and repaired in 1927. Read the story and see photos from inside the jail here…
The Tom Thumb in Molino pulled out their gas pumps for about two weeks while underground storage tanks were replaced. Read the story here.
After his DUI arrest in January, Jim Paul announced that he would not seek re-election as the superintendent of Escambia County’s school system. Read more…
NorthEscambia.com had the exclusive photos as one of the tallest structures in North Escambia was topped off. A new communications tower in Oak Grove hit 330 feet. Read more…
Northview High School FFA students celebration National FFA week with a breakfast. Read more… The FFA students at Ernest Ward Middle School also held a breakfast. Read more…
The last Saturday in February was the annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Club Farm Auction. The annual event attracts hundreds ever year. Read more..
Century held their annual Teaspoon Festival that same Saturday. Read more, and see the photos…
Northview High School celebrated Black History Month with several events, including a special program “Rising above out obstacles”. Read more…
The Escambia County Commission extended their contact with volunteer firefighters and looked at rule changes for volunteers. Click here.
“Three of a Kind” was big presentation for Bratt Elementary School first graders, and we had complete photo coverage. Click here…
Sandip Burman, a world-renowned tabla player, held an intimate concert with Northview High School performing arts students. Read more…
The Flomaton and Century chambers of commerce held their annual awards banquets and named outstanding citizens of the year for each town. Read more..
A major accident on Highway 97 in Molino left two people with serious injuries. Click here…
For January’s biggest stories, click here.
Don’t Burn That Christmas Tree In The Fireplace; It Can Explode
December 28, 2008
Escambia County Fire-Rescue has some post-Christmas fire safety tips to keep you safe during the holidays. One of those tips includes not burning your Christmas tree in the fireplace — because the sap can explode.
Escambia County Fire-Rescue has some post-Christmas fire safety tips to help keep another red bulb from being lit.
Some tips include:
- The end to the holiday season means letting go of that holiday spirit and all those decorations. The longer the decorations stay up, the greater the fire hazard. Never burn trees (branches or needles) in a fireplace. Firs and pines have a lot of sap, which can explode. Flames can flare up out of control and send sparks flying across the room. Creosote deposits can also ignite in the chimney, and cause a chimney fire. The best way to dispose of your tree is to take it to a recycling center.
- Do not burn wrapping paper in the fireplace because of the paper being highly flammable. Dangerous sparks and the possibility of flash fires are possible. Gather all the gift boxes and discard them with the garbage and recyclable materials.
- Remove outdoor lights as soon as the season is over. Many light sets are not designed for prolonged exposure to the elements. Use care handling lights when taking them down and repacking them will reduce the chance of damaging a serviceable pair of lights.
- Have extra money from those gift cards? Purchase a carbon monoxide detector for your home. Carbon monoxide can be produced by any natural gas powered appliance if it malfunctions. Carbon monoxide is the silent killer.
There are 11 red bulbs now lit in Escambia County’s “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign. A red bulb is lit each time a residential fire in the county displaces a family from their home.
Year In Review North Escambia’s Biggest Stories Of 2008: January
December 27, 2008
Today, NorthEscambia.com begins a look back at 2008 with our “Year in Review” series. Each day, we will review the biggest stories of 2008. Today, we being our look back at 2008 with January’s biggest stories.
January 28 was a day that touched many across North Escambia as Richard Danny Marlow, 40, and Drew Marlow, 2, both of Molino, were killed in a two vehicle accident on Highway 97 south of Walnut Hill. (pictured above) The driver of a second vehicle, Joyce McGahan, 70, of Cantonment, died at the hospital following the accident. Read more and see the photos…
NorthEscambia.com published a “Memorial Message Board” for the community to post their thoughts on the death of Drew Marlow, 2, Danny Marlow, 40 and Joyce McGahan in a Walnut Hill traffic accident. Read the board here…
In early January, a new mayor and council members took office in Century. Freddie McCall was sworn in as Mayor after defeating former mayor Evelyn Hammond by 100 votes. Ann Brooks (pictured left) and Nadine McCaw were sworn in as new members of the council. Brooks, who defeated 30 year incumbent Sheryl Jordan, was elected chair of the group. A plaque was presented to former mayor Hammond thanking her for her years of service, but she was not present at the meeting. Read more…
Harold O. “Sonny” Blum was honored by the Florida Highway Patrol and the Escambia County Commission upon his retirement after 37 years of service as an auxiliary trooper. Sonny joined the Florida Highway Patrol Auxiliary on March 27, 1970. During his 37 years volunteering with the auxiliary, he logged over 30,000 hours of service. He shared his stories with us, from the painful memories of a Gulf Coast hurricane, to saving a life, to delivering a baby, to an armed robbery. Read more…
The federal government raided Van Nevel Helicopters in Century on January 9, beginning a year in the headlines for the Century company. The government seized company records. Read more…
January 9 was a big day for the members of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino. A new steeple was installed, replacing on that was blown off by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. Read more…
ECAT added a new bus that stops in Century and Molino with daily trips to and from Pensacola. Read more…
Gas prices were just above $3 a gallon by mid-January. Read more…
Escambia School Superintendent Jim Paul was arrested driving drunk. NorthEscambia.com was one of just a few media outlets to have an exclusive interview with Paul about his arrest. Read more…
Bradberry park in Walnut Hill was locked and closed to the public temporarily after some broke into the field house at the park (pictured left). Read more.
Escambia County Commissioners began to discuss plans to consolidate the county’s volunteer fire departments into a single unified county department. Commissioners also discussed over $39,000 in alleged over payments to volunteers. Read more…
Deputies from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department on the ground and in a helicopter chased a horse around Century, finally cornering the “suspect” at Showalter Park. Read more…
Miss Chelsea Sims (pictured left) was crowned Miss Northview High School. First Runner Up was junior Amber Holland, and Second Runner Up was junior Summer Sanders. Other members of the top five were freshman Katie Mann and junior Shakeria White. Read more and see the photos…
The Escambia County School Board publicly censured Superintendent Jim Paul after his DUI arrest. Read more…
A Gandyville woman celebrated her 101st birthday and shared some of her secrets for a long life. Read more…
The county commission postponed a vote on unifying the county’s volunteer fire departments. Read more…
Bob McLaughlin was recommended as the new county administrator. Read more…
Eighth grader Talisa Jackson was crowned Miss Carver/Century Friday night. First Runner Up was Takeya Williams, a fifth grader. Click here for more and photos…
John McCain and Hillary Clinton were at the top of their party’s primaries in the January primaries, at least in Escambia County. Read more…
Carver/Century K-8 School held a “Cash Grab” to promote learning gains on the FCAT. The school was making plans to improve their “F” score. Read more…
Straughn Downs Flomaton 59-46
December 27, 2008
Straughn High School beat Flomaton Friday in the Red Level Christmas Tournament.
Straughn was victorious 59-46 over the Hurricanes.
Dee Ellis scored 16 for the ‘Canes. Dominique Robinson added 15 for Flomaton.
Straughn will face LAMP in Saturday afternoon’s final game of the tourney.
Reported Stove Fire In Molino Causes Little Damage
December 27, 2008
The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to a stove fire in the 6800 block of Myra Lane in Molino Friday afternoon.
The residents of the single-wide mobile home reported a fire on the stove. The fire was out when the first fire units arrived on the home just off Molino Road. There was no major damage, and there were no injuries.
The fire was reported about 4:30 Friday afternoon.