Flood Warning Has Been Canceled For Escambia River
August 24, 2008
The Flood Warning has been canceled for the Escambia River near Century.
Sunday morning, the stage was 5.5 feet. No flooding saws occurring, and no flooding is forecast. Flood stage is 17 feet,
Power Companies Report Few Outages
August 24, 2008
Both power companies that serve North Escambia were reported few outages from Fay. By contrast, in Alabama, power companies reported nearly 50,000 people lost power, mostly in a line from Dothan to Montgomery.
Gulf Power company was reported that less than 50 people lost power across all of Escambia County. Escambia River Electric Cooperative reported just a few isolated outages Saturday, and they said crews were quickly able to restore those customers.
Gulf Power Company and Escambia River Electric were on standby to respond to problems.
EREC outages can be reported to their automated system by calling 1-877-OUT-EREC (1-877-388-3732).Gulf Power is able to detect most widespread outages during a storm and customers should wait a reasonable time before calling in an outage report. The company encourages customers to call 1-800-GU-POWER (1-800 487-6937) for reporting outages.
EREC serves about 10,000 members in northern Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida, including Walnut Hill, Bratt, Davisville, McDavid and Jay. Gulf Power serves the rest of the North Escambia Florida area, including Molino, Century and Dogwood Park.
Falling Tree Destroys Two Century Trailers Saturday
August 23, 2008
A falling tree destroyed two trailers in Century Saturday afternoon as Tropical Storm Fay approached.
The adjacent mobile homes were hit by a dead oak tree that fell. Now two Century families are homeless.
Annie Smith and her family were inside on mobile home when the tree fell; Johnnie Carter and is family were inside the other. No one from either family was injured.
The trailers were located at 805 and 807 Salter’s Lake Road, near the intersection of Jefferson Avenue.
The highest wind gust reported in Century Saturday afternoon prior to the tree falling was 28 mph.
The Century Volunteer Fire Department responded. The Town of Century assisted with the cleanup.
Pictured above: A falling tree destroyed two mobile homes in Century Saturday afternoon as Tropical Storm Fay approached. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photo, click to enlarge.
Fire Departments Respond To Two Area Schools Friday Morning
August 23, 2008
Fire departments were dispatched to fire alarms at two North Escambia schools Friday. Both calls were false alarms.
The Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched just before 11:30 to Bratt Elementary School in the 5700 block of North Highway 99. They were canceled before they arrived at the school. A smoke detector in the cafeteria had been accidently set off.
The Century Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a fire alarm at Byrneville Elementary School in the 1600 block of Byrneville Road earlier in the morning. When firefighters arrived, they discovered that the school was conducting an ordinary fire drill.
Funeral Held For Former Flomaton Player
August 23, 2008
Funeral services were held Saturday for a former Flomaton football player that passed away following football practice last week at a Montgomery college.
Huntington freshman Sam Henry Collins, Jr., 18, died August 15 after being taken to a Montgomery hospital following his collapse at the college’s second football practice of the year.
Collins graduated from Flomaton High School this past spring. He was a defensive lineman for the Hurricanes, and he was an Alabama Class 2A All-State player that was 6 foot 1, 240 pounds.
Funeral services for Collins were held Saturday morning with Rev. John Evangelistia and Rev. Glenn McCall officiating. Interment followed in Pollard Cemetery.
Collins is survived by his parents, Sam Henry Collins, Sr., and Marion Yvonne Monroe Collins of Pollard; one brother, Sam Henry Hooker of Huntsville, Ala.; three sisters, Martha Collins of Pollard, Jeanna Collins Pierre of Atlanta, Ga., and Samantha Boykins of Mobile; and an adopted grandmother, Lynn Hudson. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Flomaton.
Pallbearers were members of the Flomaton High School football team.
Submitted photos by Michael Newton.
District 5 Commission Republican Candidates Talk Consolidated Government
August 22, 2008
The four Republican candidates for Escambia County Commission District 5 faced the cameras Thursday night for a political forum on WSRE public television. One hot topic was the consolidation of county government with the City of Pensacola.
“I think in order to save money, it is a very viable option that needs to be looked at in the future,” candidate Randall McCrackin said. He added that if Escambia County and Pensacola could put aside some differences, he thinks the consolidated government would be viable.
“Working with the City of Pensacola would be great in certain areas,” Packy Mitchell said. “I think it would be a great thing to do, if it serves as a cost savings to the public.”
“There are concerns in District 5 about a centralized government being able to provide adequate services to the north end,” Chris Washler said, “because the north end issues are drastically different than what you find down in Pensacola.” He added that both governments need to be more efficient before consolidation talks proceed, and only then should it be seriously considered.
“There’s been an open dialog between us (the county commission) and the city; we’ve built a good relationship,” incumbent Kevin White said. “We are going in the right direction. Consolidating the two governments, I think, is a way off. There’s a lot of issues to work through to make that happen.” He said discussion is currently underway between the county and Pensacola to consolidate building inspections and parks and recreation.
One issue where the four Republican candidates agreed was the need for a county economic development agency. Currently, the county contributes $400,000 plus per year to the Pensacola Area Chamber of Commerce to conduct economic development in Escambia County. All four men agreed that using the Pensacola Chamber for Escambia County economic development was not the best option for the county.
Questions for the Rally 2008 forum on WSRE were prepared by League of Women Voters of the Pensacola Bay Area and were submitted from the community. You can watch the Rally 2008 online at wsre.org. Thursday night’s show is expected to be posted in the next few days. The Republican Primary Election is next Tuesday.
Editor’s note: It is worth noting that in another article here on NorthEscambia.com, you will read comments about Century’s economy from the Democratic candidates for District 5 commission, while there are no such comments from the Republicans. The Republicans were not asked for their comments on Century in the questions prepared by the League Of Women Voters.
Pictured below: (L-R top) Randall McCrackin, Packy Mitchell, (L-R bottom) Chris Washler and Kevin White on WSRE Thursday night. Click to enlarge. Courtesy WSRE.
Democratic Commission Candidates Discuss Century’s Economy
August 22, 2008
Century’s economy was a topic of discussion last night on WSRE public television as the two Democratic candidates for Escambia County Commission took part in a political forum.
“To start with, we need more effective police patrols in Century,” candidate Jim Barnett said. “We need to do everything we can to bring jobs to Century.”
Barnett also sees a solution to Century’s economic woes by using public transportation to get Century residents to jobs at places like International Paper, Solutia and the county’s new sewage treatment plant when it opens.
“Possibly we could give priority jobs to people in Century and have them ride the ECAT bus to the new sewage plant being built in Cantonment,”Barnett said. “But people in Century need help right now.”
John Hartman said Century has taken its own steps toward economic development with things like establishing enterprise zones.
“Where we need to help Century is with our expertise on economic development,” Hartman said.
He added that the completion of the four lane widening of Highway 113 in Alabama will complete the four lane corridor from the interstate to the beach, an improvement that Century can capitalize on.
“That’s a good opportunity for Century to develop something along the roads,” he said.
The two candidates also addressed having one consolidated government for the Century, Pensacola and the county.
“I’ve talked to a lot of people in District 5, and they are not for consolidating government with the city,” Jim Barnett said. “They already feel like they have been left out in the cold too long.
“Political consolidation, it kind of leaves people feeling like they may be lacking in the representation that they receive,” John Hartman said.
But both men agreed that consolidating some services, like vehicle maintenance and human resources, might be a good thing.
Questions for the Rally 2008 forum on WSRE were prepared by League of Women Voters of the Pensacola Bay Area and were submitted from the community. You can watch the Rally 2008 online at wsre.org. Thursday night’s show is expected to be posted in the next few days. The Democratic Primary Election is next Tuesday.
Pictured below: (L-R) Jim Barnett and John Hartmanon WSRE Thursday night. Click to enlarge. Courtesy WSRE.
Hurricanes Blow Past J.U. Blacksher In Thursday Preseason Games
August 22, 2008
The area’s football season got underway Thursday night as the Flomaton Hurricanes dealt a double blow to the Bulldogs of J.U. Blacksher.
The varsity Hurricanes beat the Bulldogs 22-6 in a preseason scrimmage that was two 12 minute quarters. The JV ‘Canes played one 10 minute quarter in Uriah, blowing away the JV Bulldogs 8-0.
Pictured above: Tony Ellis with the ball for the Flomaton Hurricanes. Pictured below, top: Neiko Robinson has the play. Pictured below, middle: Quarterback Jacob Newton goes for the pass. Pictured bottom: Quarterback Denver Hawsey getting the play from Coach Doug Vickery. Photos courtesy Mike Newton Photography for NorthEscambia.com.
Like sports? NorthEscambia.com is looking for someone to take pictures and provide scores for Northview High School football. Email news@northescambia.com for more information.
Division Of Forestry Presents Annual Report
August 22, 2008
Wildfires consumed 116 acres of land in Escambia County during the 2007-2008 fiscal year, according to the annual report of the Florida Division of Forestry to the Escambia County Commission.
The report was presented to the commission Thursday evening by Elton Gilmore, forest area supervisor, and Adam Parden, county forester.
The Division of Forestry responded to 38 different fires during the fiscal year, a decrease from the previous year due to a wetter spring. Five of the fires during the last fiscal year were started by lightning, consuming 15.6 acres. Eleven fires were caused by non-permitted burn piles and burning yard trash, consuming about 22 acres.
During the year, the Division of Forestry issued 1,470 burn permits covering 5,966 acres and 967 piles.
To help minimize the wildfire risk in the county, the Division of Forestry maintains an agressive fire prevention campaign, with both an ongoing educational program and an active landowner assistance policy. Forestry also works with the local volunteer fire departments with both training and funding, according to the report.
The county will pay the Division of Forestry seven cents pe acre for Forestry’s services in Escambia County. With 326,422 acres in Escambia County, that bill in September will amount to $22,849.54. The state’s fee increased this year from three cents per acre to the seven cents, the first increase since 1945. Over one half of the land in Escambia County is forest land.
Escambia County’s half million acres of forest land contributes an estimated $351 million to the local economy and provides 1,306 jobs, according to the reported presented Thursday night. Forestry’s indirect impact on Escambia’s economy is an additional $313 million and 5,917 jobs.
The Florida Division of Forestry in Escambia County is headquartered at 4100 North Highway 29 in Molino (under the fire tower).
Pictured above: Adam Parden (left), county forester, and Elton Gilmore, forest area supervisor, at the Thursday evening meeting of the Escambia County Commission.
IP Awards Grants To Ernest Ward Middle, Quintette Park Association, Other Groups
August 21, 2008
Ernest Ward Middle School and the Quintette Community Center were among the recipients of grants from the International Paper Pensacola Mill. The grants, totaling $50,000, were presented to 15 groups in the area.
The 2008 Foundation grant presented to Ernest Ward Middle School will be used to purchase InterActive Reader workbooks for one grade level for the 2008-2009 school year. The InterActive Reader program is designed to reward excellence and help mid to high-level readers take their skills to the next level where most programs leave off.
The grant presented to the Quintette Community Park Association was used for their Youth Summer Enrichment Program that served over 120 children in the Quintette and Cantonment areas this summer with academic tutoring, sporting events, arts and crafts and other fun-filled activities. In addition, each child received a nutritious meal which they may not have otherwise received during the summer months.
Of the 34 applications accepted, 15 were chosen by the mill’s grant review committee to receive funding for part or all of a program or project benefiting the community.
“The selection process is rigorous, and it’s difficult to choose since all of our applicants are worthy of receiving their request,” said Jessica Morris, mill communication manager. “We’re confident that the projects we’ve chosen to fund this year reflect the values of the Foundation, the company and the employees.”
Grants are awarded through the IP Foundation in Memphis, TN, which focuses primarily on education – specifically environmental education, literacy and minority career development opportunities. The company also supports organizations where its employees actively volunteer and critical civic needs in the communities where our employees live and work. Applicants must be a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization or qualifying federal entity to apply.
This year’s grant recipients were:
- American Cancer Society
- American Heart Association
- Baptist Health Care Foundation
- Civitan International
- Ernest Ward Middle School
- Escambia County School Readiness Coalition
- Greater Pensacola Symphony Orchestra
- Jim Allen Elementary School
- Junior Achievement
- Partnership for Community Programs / Bay Area Resource Council
- Pensacola Historical Society
- Pensacola Junior College Foundation
- Pensacola Opera
- Quintette Community Park Association
- Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida
The Pensacola Mill observes one grant deadline per calendar year.
For more information about IP Giving, visit www.internationalpaper.com or call (850) 968-4203.
Pictured above: International Paper Pensacola Mill employee Joe Mack accepts a certificate of appreciation for the mill’s support of the Quintette Community Park Summer Enrichment Program. Pictured below: The Quintette Community Park Association Youth Summer Enrichment Program hosted over 120 children this year in the Quintette and Cantonment area. Each child received a nutritious meal every day and participated in academic tutoring, sporting activities, and arts and crafts. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com.
