Two Northview Cadets Graduate From Leadership Academy
July 3, 2008
Two Northview High School NJROTC cadet were among cadets from all over the southeast that graduated from a recent leadership academy.
Clinton Davis and Miranda Scott graduated from the Area 8 NJROTC Leadership Academy in Meridian, Mississippi.
Each cadet had to pass a physical fitness test in order to attend the academy, and then they were required to pass another physical fitness test after arriving in Mississippi in order to remain at the camp.
In order to graduate, Davis and Scott were required to receiving a passing score of 70 percent or greater in the academic and inspection portions of the camp.
The Leadership Academy lasted one full week, and consisted of physical training, academics, military drills, inspections and orienteering.
During the graduation ceremony, medals were giving to the top cadets in each of the fields except drill and orienteering.
Both Davis and Scott received academic medals from their respective platoons. Davis’ platoon also received the Honor Platoon award, meaning the platoon scored the highest on drill, inspection, physical fitness and academics.
Pictured above: Miranda Scott and Clinton Davis at the NJROTIC Leadership Academy in Meridian, Mississippi. Submitted photo.
McDavid Home Damaged by Fire
July 2, 2008
A McDavid home was heavily damaged by fire Tuesday evening.
The fire was reported as a kitchen fire in the 1500 block of Cox Road about 6:45. When the first firefighters arrived on scene, they reported smoke and flames visible from outside the home.
The wood frame house and attached mobile home were heavily damaged in the blaze, according to McDavid Volunteer Fire Department Chief Eric Gilmore.
The exact cause of the blaze is still under investigation, Gilmore said.
The McDavid Volunteer Fire Department, the Century Volunteer Fire Department, the Molino Volunteer Fire Department and the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department all responded to the fire.
Click here for more photos from the scene.
Pictured above: Firefighters work inside a burning home Tuesday evening on Cox Road. Pictured below: Firefighters pull a hose to the attic. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Fourth Of July Comes Early At The Library With Fun And Games
July 2, 2008
Kids of all ages celebrated the Fourth of July in grand style Tuesday afternoon at Century Branch Library.
There was a watermelon eating content, a watermelon seed spitting contest (OK…they were actually sunflower seeds), and a hula hoop contest.
The children also enjoyed pigs in a blanket, Whataburger apple pies and more.
Contest winners were awarded free movie rentals from the Movie Gallery and ice cream from the Tea Room at the Country Bumpkin.
Uncle Sam, the Statue of Liberty and George Washington all made special appearances.
The next installment of the Summer Reading Program will be at noon Tuesday, July 8 with the fabulous storytelling of Florida’s own Wendell Campbell, storyteller extraordinaire. All events are free.
Click here for a complete photo gallery.
Pictured above: Let ‘em fly…the seed spitting contest. Pictured below: The hula hoop contest Tuesday at the Century Branch Library. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
County Leaders Talk Roads, Taxes, Zoning And More At Town Hall Meeting
July 2, 2008
Roads, zoning, taxes and economic development topped discussion at a town hall meeting with top Escambia County leaders Tuesday night in Molino.
District 5 Commissioner Kevin White, Commission Chairman Gene Valentino, County Administrator Bob McLaughlin and a host of department leaders met with about three dozen concerned citizens at Molino Park Elementary School.
“There’s a lot of rezoning on the south end,” asked Patty Helton Davis, a North Escambia resident and Atmore real estate agent. “Why not on the north end?”
Davis said current zoning laws allow just one property division of ten acres, a law that hurts those in the north end that own large parcels of land. They are unable to subdivide their property in order to sell it.
“It really does hamper a lot of people,” she said. “It hurts a lot of elderly people.”
“The Land Development Code (LDC) needs to be rewritten,” White said.
“Individuals can apply to have their property rezoned,” said Lloyd Kerr, directory of planning and zoning. “But we are looking at the entire LDC.”
“But that’s a lot of expense on the individual landowner,” Davis reponded.
Many others expressed their concerns about various North Escambia roads at the town hall meeting.
Regi Burkett, chief of the Century Volunteer Fire Department, said the shoulders of Highway 4, Highway 4A and Byrneville road need attention because of deep ruts alongside the roads in many locations.
“These roads need some attention up there,” Burkett said. “We are having a lot of accidents up there.”
Another resident expressed his concerns about Pine Barren Road between Breastworks Road and Highway 4 near Northview High School. While it has been paved for several years, it has never had lines painted or reflectors installed.
“When it rains, you see nothing,” he said. “There are a lot of school buses that use that road, and a lot of kids driving to the high school.”
Other road discussions at the meeting centered around paving dirt roads in North Escambia.
One resident questioned why a portion of Cedar Tree Lane remains unpaved while both ends were paved.
“It all comes down to right of way problems,” White said. “We never got the right of way on that section of road.”
Another right of way problem has prevented Fairground Road in Molino from being paved due to two landowners, Rich Andrews from the county’s engineering department said.
“I’m one of those two people,” one man said. “But you tried to take all of the right of way from my yard and none from my neighbors.”
“If you will take half of the right of way from my yard and half from my neighbor’s, I’ll sign the agreement tonight,” he said.
Another resident asked why Highway 97 from Molino to the Alabama state line had not been widened to four lanes, especially with the growth of the Rivercane area and casino north of Atmore.
“That’s a state highway,” McLaughlin said. “But it’s the second priority for widening in a two county area.”
McLaughlin said he has a meeting scheduled with Congressman Jeff Miller to discuss possibly widening the road under an agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation, much like was done between Florida and Alabama when Alabama 113 was approved for four lanes.
The acquisition of the old Molino school was also discussed. White said the Escambia County School Board was asking $400,000 for the old Molino School and $4 million for the old Wedgewood Middle. The county had made a $2 million offer for both schools and is awaiting action by the school board.
One resident asked why there is no recycling bin located in Molino while one is located at the Oak Grove Convenience Center and at the Century Courthouse. They suggested the back parking lot of the Molino Volunteer Fire Department as a possible location. McLaughlin said he would investigate the idea.
“What about property tax relief,” one man asked.
“You are probably looking at a one mil rollback if I had to guess,” White said.
Valentino said he believes the county has saved as much as it possibly can with the elimination of many positions. The county is back to 2002 staffing levels with early retirements and other cuts.
“I’m scared to cut any further,” Valentino said. “If we cut further, we’d be cutting essential services.”
Pictured above: Commissioner Chairman Gene Valentino (left) and Commissioner Kevin White address a town hall meeting Tuesday night at Molino Park Elementary. NorthEscambia.com photo.
Site Upgrade: Post Your Comments About Our Stories
July 1, 2008
We have upgraded NorthEscambia.com to allow you to post comments about most all of our stories.
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Local Solutia Plant Could Be For Sale; Stock Falls $2 On News
July 1, 2008
Changes could be coming for the Solutia plant near Cantonment, even a possible sale of the business.
Solutia Inc. announced Monday that it has retained HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. to explore strategic alternatives with respect to its nylon business, including a possible sale.
“We have transformed our nylon business from a North American-focused fiber business into the world’s second-largest producer of nylon 66 plastics,” commented Jeffry N. Quinn, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Solutia Inc. “The nylon business is on a path for further growth and improvement in financial performance, and we believe strongly in the strategic course we have set for the business.”
“However, given the strength of our high-margin specialty chemical and performance materials businesses and the current industry dynamic in the nylon segment, it is an appropriate time to explore strategic alternatives available with respect to the nylon business that would better position both the nylon business and the rest of Solutia for reaching their ultimate potential,” he added.
While the nylon division’s $1.892 billion in sales account for just over half of Solution’s 2007 income, the company cited the rising cost of raw materials as on reason for the sale. In the first quarter of 2008, the nylon division experienced a 10 percent increase in sales compared to the first quarter of 2007. But the nylon division lost an estimated $7 million for the quarter.
Solutia emerged from bankruptcy just four months ago. The company employs about 1,000 people, many from North Escambia, at their plant near Cantonment.
Shares fell after the announcement Monday to $11.79, down about $2.11 from Friday’s close.
Pictured above: An aerial view of the massive Solutia plant near Cantonment.
Kate Sherrill Named Salutatorian Of Class
July 1, 2008
Kate Elizabeth Sherrill of Walnut Hill recently served her class at the Christian Institute of Arts and Sciences as salutatorian.
CIAS is an umbrella school, accredited by the state of Florida, which oversees home-schooled students in a rigorous college preparatory program. In addition to her course work at CIAS, Kate was duel-enrolled at Jefferson Davis Community College.
Kate was named to Who’s Who in American High Schools, is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars, and is on the National Honor Roll.
She is also active with the Greater Escambia Council of the Arts, appearing most recently as the witch in Into the Woods.
Kate works at Annie’s Community Cup and serves Walnut Hill Baptist Church as pianist. She also teaches private piano lessons.
She will attend Faulkner State Community College this fall on a vocal music scholarship. Kate is the daughter of Kent and Anne Sherrill and the granddaughter of Sam and Dean Graham and the late Hunk and Senie Sherrill.
Residents Report Funnel Cloud Over Molino; No Damage; No Problems
June 30, 2008
A funnel cloud was reported in the air in the Molino area about 2:10 Sunday afternoon near Crest Lane off Highway 29, but there was no real damage.
Witnesses told NorthEscambia.com that they saw the rotation of a funnel cloud over the Crest Lane area near the end of Crest Place. They said it sounded almost the same as the February 17 tornado that destroyed several houses in their subdivision.
One resident’s ladders were tossed about their backyard. Trash cans were overturned and small lawn furniture was moved about. There were a few small limbs down around the area, but there was no major damage.
The Molino Volunteer Fire Department and the Escambia Sheriff’ Department responded to the area. They fire department returned to their station, where they continued to standby into the afternoon in case more severe weather developed.
There were no injuries reported. Power was still on in almost all of the Molino area following the funnel cloud report.
Pictured above: This small tree was broken over on Crest Land Sunday afternoon. Pictured below: A few dead tree limbs, like this one on Cedartown Road at Highway 95A were also down around the area. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
EWMS Class of 78 Holds Reunion, Honors Former Teachers
June 30, 2008
The Ernest Ward High School Class of 1978 recently held their 30th reunion.
Former Ernest Ward teachers and class sponsors Patty Stone and Jean Webb were on hand for the evening that began with a special presentation of photos with 70’s music.
One of the highlights of the evening was Mrs. Jean Webb’s (now known as JJ) introduction and signing of her newly published book, “Feet of Clay”, with the reading of a special dedication to her former students.
The reunion was hosted at B&T Barbeque in Atmore.
Pictured above: (front, L-R) Mike Wilson, Alan Lowery, Ronald Hartner; (second row, L-R) Lenora Wilson-Grissett, Tony Killiam, Barbara Singleton-Hollingsworth, Linda Amerson-Jackson, Nancy Bentley-Barger, Judy Pickern-Parham; (third row, L-R) Richard Cook, June Hansen-Hall, Gary Gibbs, Dianne Crews-Hall, Becky Bryars-Angles, Anita Conway; (back row, L-R) Zelda Coon Berry, Jeffery Smith, Elaine Bryan-Holk, Tara Killiam-Wiggins, Cathy Dortch-Reynolds, Kathy McLain-Jones, Malcom Mitchell and Rita Powell Parker. Pictured below: Patty Stone (left) and Jean Webb. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com.
It’s A Boy!
June 30, 2008
Two sago palm plants planted around the CrossFaith Church sign at the church’s old location on Molino Road bloomed recently, and they were both boys.
Sago palms, like many plant species, require a boy and a girl to reproduce to produce more of the popular plants…just good old basic biology.
In the late spring or early summer, the mature male sago produces a golden cone shape like you see in the pictures. It can grow to over two feet. A female sago produces a huge golden cabbage-shape flower.
Most sagos will be 15 to 20 years old before they flower, and they do not usually flower in pots. They must be well established in their landscape. They do not flower every year. Usually the flowers appear every two or three years. Sagos produce a new set of leaves during the non-flowering years.
The cone have since dried and turned a bit brown since these photos were snapped.
Pictured above: A male flowering sago palm on Molino Road at the old location of CrossFaith Church. Pictured below: A closeup of the flower. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
