New Water Tower Going Up Soon In Walnut Hill
June 9, 2008
A new water tower is planned for Walnut Hill, and construction is expected to begin by the end of the year.
The new 200,000 gallon Walnut Hill Water Works elevated storage tank will be located next to the Escambia River Electric Cooperative office on Highway 99-A, across the road from the Ernest Ward Middle School gym. This tank will be in addition to a current water tower nearby at the intersection of Arthur Brown Road and Highway 97, according to EREC. EREC owns the Walnut Hill Water Works.
The new elevated storage tank will replace a Walnut Hill Water Works elevated tank currently located in Enon.
The $2.4 million project will include the tank, plus repairs to existing well houses and operating equipment and the replacement and looping of existing lines to increase water pressure. The water system, which serves 699 connections, has received a $866,000 grant toward the project. The remaining $1,621,000 will come from a USDA Rural Development loan.
In 2005, the water system began to experience problems when the well at Arthur Brown Road and Highway 97 began to fail. That well house and the one at another well located on Highway 97 just north of Wiggins Lake Road are both in need of physical and mechanical repairs, according to EREC. They say the system operates with a 19 percent loss due to leaks and inefficiencies.
Pictured above: The moon sets behind the current Walnut Hill Water Works tower at Arthur Brown Road and Highway 97. NorthEscambia.com photo.
Fiery Crash South Of Jay Kills Three
June 8, 2008
Three people are dead following a fiery vehicle crash about seven miles southwest of Jay.
The Florida Highway Patrol says Leonard R. Lail, 65, of Jay; Louvina Rosetta Rutledge, 17, of Pace; and Michael E. Rutledge, 19 of Mobile died in the accident about 5:10 Saturday afternoon. The accident happened at the intersection of Chumuckla Highway and Mineral Springs Road.
Trooper say Louvina Rutledge’s 2007 Kia was southbound on Chumuckla Highway when she ran off the road, lost control, over-corrected and entered the northbound lane of the highway. Lail swerved off the road onto the shoulder, where the two vehicles collided.
Lail’s 1996 Ford SUV erupted into flames, completely charring the vehicle. The fire quickly spread across the harvested wheat field where the vehicle came to rest.
All three victims were pronounced dead at the scene. The FHP says Louvina Rutledge and Michael Rutledge were cousins.
The highway patrol says none of the three were using seatbelts.
Shuttle, Space Station Were Visible From North Escambia Saturday PM
June 8, 2008
The space shuttle Discovery and the International Space Station were visible Saturday night as they moved across the skies of North Escambia.
The shuttle and connected ISS were visible on the horizon in the northwest from 9:43 p.m. until it moved north and disappeared at 9:45. It looked like a bright star traveling quickly across the night sky.
Discovery and the ISS are still docked after finished their much publicized toilet repair earlier in the week.
Pictured above: An exclusive NorthEscambia.com time lapse photo of the space shuttle Discover as it passed over Walnut Hill Saturday night. It appears as the line because it was moving in the time lapse photo while the other stars appear to remain stationary.
Two Large Yard Sales Held Saturday
June 8, 2008
Two large yard sales were held Saturday in the North Escambia area. One was in Molino at the old Crossfaith Church, and the second was at Century Care Center in Century.
The two day sale at Century Care Center featured the usual yard sale items plus items like wheelchairs, walkers and hospital beds. Funds from the sale will be put toward the center’s fish pond project for residents.
The indoor sale Saturday morning at the old Crossfaith Church building on Molino Road. In addition to the normal yard sale items, they were also selling the entire building and church furnishings like pews. Crossfaith recently moved into a new building on Highway 29. Church members said the building and pews remain for sale, contact the church office for more information.
Pictured above and below: Pictures from Saturday’s yard sale at Century Care Center (the outdoor sale) and Crossfaith Church in Molino (the indoor sale). NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Softball Tournament Underway In Molino; 1,500 Expected
June 8, 2008
About 1,500 people are expected to attend Northwest Florida Girls Softball Alliance All Star Tournament that began Saturday morning in Molino.
There will be 39 teams from across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida and teams from Baldwin County in Alabama competing in the six day tournament, including 16u, 12u at 10u teams from Molino.
Saturday was not a good day for the three Molino teams. Molino 16u lost to NEP. Molino 12u lost to Pace, and Molino 10u lost to Tiger Point.
Sunday games are scheduled from 1:00 until 7:00 p.m.
Admission is $2 per person, with funds going toward all of the ball programs at Don Sutton Park.
For a photo gallery from Saturday’s 16u Molino versus NEP game, click here
For a photo gallery from Saturday’s 12u Molino versus Pace game, click here.
“We are hosting this to raise funds for park improvements as well as offset additional expenses incurred by park due to state and local tax cuts impliments in January of 2008,” Molino Recreation Association President Art Kleinatland said. “The MRA Board’s goal is to continue to run the park as efficient as possible and continue to look for opportunities to maintain or reduce cost to parent so more children are afforded the opportunity to benefit from recreational ball in the community.”
The tournament is hosted by the Molino Recreation Association and the NWFGSA with support from many local volunteers, including the United States Marine Corp.
Have scores or stats? Email news@northescambia.com
Pictured above: The umpire declared the 16u Pace runner (left) safe, saying that she was not tagged by the Molino player (right). In the photo, you can see the glove touching the other player. Pictured below: The Molino 12u catcher makes a scoop during Saturday play in Molino. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Regular Ball Season Comes To A Close At NWE Bradberry Park
June 7, 2008
NWE Bradberry Park held closing ceremonies this evening.
Park President Steve Hanks acknowledged several fund raising eventsthat took place this year, as well as all of the teams and their accomplishments.
Quite a bit of money was raised for “Drew’s Field” and Steve was excited to announce that field should be ready for opening day next season.
Special recognition was given to Keri Payne as manager of the year. Keri has been involved with the park for several years.
There were also 2 special awards that went to Pam Brown and Larry Gibson as Volunteers of the Year.
Appreciation was given to Pam Brown for her efforts concerning the concession stand. She was recognized not only for coordinating schedules, but for making sure we were stocked properly with food and supplies.
Larry Gibson was once again acknowledged for his tireless efforts to keep the park in great shape. Larry is always there, doing whatever is needed without ever having to be asked.
Carrie Payne was named the Manager of the Year.
Click here for more photos from closing ceremonies at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill.
Ramona Preston story and photos for NorthEscambia.com.
Outspoken Carver/Century Supporter Brown/Curry Resigns From Escambia School Board, Effective November
June 7, 2008
Escambia County School Board member Claudia Brown-Curry has handed in her resignation from the Escambia County School Board.
Brown-Curry’s resignation is effective November 18. She will continue to be a candidate for the school district’s superintendent job.
She has been an outspoken supporter of keeping Carver/Century K-8 School open.
“Closing and consolidation is not always a good idea,” Brown-Curry told NorthEscambia.com in an exclusive interview concerning the closure of Carver/Century. “It can be a detriment to the students and to the community. It’s more than just saving a few dollars.”
Candidates will qualify for Brown-Curry’s District 3 seat June 16 to June 20 for the August 26 primary for the position that will hold office until November 2010.
The superintendent, District 3, District 4 and District 5 school board positions will all be on the August ballot.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Accidental Fire Rages Through Oak Grove Wheat Field Friday Afternoon
June 7, 2008
Smoke could be seen from miles away Friday afternoon as an accidental fire raged through a harvested wheat field on Highway 164 near Oak Grove.
Three area fire departments responded to the fire about 6:15 Friday afternoon between Highway 164 and Gobbler Road, just west of J.D. Rigby Road. The fire was reported under control just after 7:00.
The fire reportedly began when a resident on Highway 164 was burning trash in a barrel near the field. It quickly raced about a half mile north and northwest across the field toward Gobbler Road.
The Walnut Hill, McDavid and Molino volunteer fire departments responded to the call. They worked not only to extinguish the blaze, but also to protect houses located around the field.
There were no reported injuries or structural damage.
For more photos from the wheat field fire, click here.
NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
It’s Now Easier To Recycle In Century
June 6, 2008
The Century area can live a little greener now. The Escambia County Department of Solid Waste has added a new recycling drop-off recycling site in the parking lot of the Billy G. Ward Courthouse in Century.
Items eligible for recycling are aluminum cans, steel cans, glass food and beverage containers go on one side of the container (you can mix the items). The other end of the container is for plastics, cardboard, junk mail, paper, magazines and newspapers. The recycling containers at the drop-off sites are checked daily, Monday-Saturday.
For more information on recycling in Escambia County, escambiarecycles.com
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Read Kevin White’s Complete Statement Calling For Whitehead’s Removal As Commission Chair
June 6, 2008
When the Escambia County Commission meeting began Thursday night, District 5 Commissioner Kevin White had planned to call for the removal of Commissioner Mike Whitehead as the board’s chairman at the end of the meeting. He had a prepared statement in his pocket, but never got the chance to read it because Whitehead resigned as commission chair when the meeting opened.
(Read the complete story by clicking here.)
The following is the complete text of White’s handwritten prepared statement:
“Recently we replaced the county administrator, not because he broke law but because he lost our trust. Mr. Whitehead has disregarded the public and and their confidence and trust in him.
“No commissioner should accept campaign contributions directly or indirectly from an event sponsored by people who are in an active lawsuit against the county.
“What is troublesome, he will not not even suggest he made a grave legal mistake after our county attorney advised all 5 commissioners not to carry on with parties that are suing us. While recent news stories and phone calls speak to the…events which Mr. Whitehead was inappropriately involved with dating back 10 years it is today’s issue that takes me over the top. It’s not that he made a mistake for a mistake can be forgiven. What bothers me is his attitude and arrogance suggesting that he made no mistake at all.
“To add insult to injury, he arrogantly chastises anyone who thinks he did. This attitude that he is somehow about scrutiny is troublesome to say the least. This conduct is a reflection on the entire board of commissioners and is not acceptable.
“Vital principals and standards have been violated and do not represent the people who elected each of us. At this point Mr. Chairman I honestly can’t distinguish if it is arrogance or ignorance but I know one thing and one thing only. I cannot and will not be painted with your brush of arrogance, bad behavior and indifference.
“To stand by idly and do nothing in my opinion reflects poorly on 4 other commissioners. It is our duty to continue working to restore the public trust in county government. Therefore I move that we replace Comm. Whitehead as chairman.”