Sharon Smith’s Story Makes National News On Fox Network
June 2, 2008
The story of Molino teacher Sharon Smith passing away on her retirement day, just moments after waving goodbye to her final class, has made headlines around the nation.
Her story is airing this morning on satellite news network Fox News. At 7:00 this morning, the Sharon Smith story was the second most read story on the network’s web site.
NorthEscambia.com was the first to report the story, posting it mid-afternoon Friday. It was reported by the Pensacola newspaper on Sunday as a front page story, and it was on a Pensacola television station Sunday night.
Hurricane Evacuation Route Is Well Ahead Of Schedule
June 2, 2008
A hurricane evacuation route in Alabama, partially funded by Escambia County, Florida, is expected to be completed well ahead of schedule.
The Alabama Highway 113 widening project is about 60 percent complete, only about 30 percent into the project’s allotted time. The four lanes on Alabama Highway 113 from Flomaton, Alabama, to I-65 will provide a four lane evacuation route from Highway 29 in Pensacola and North Escambia all the way to the interstate.
“We are shooting for a completion date around Labor Day,” Alabama Department of Transportation Acting District Engineer Brent Maddox told NorthEscambia.com. “I think we will make it. If we don’t we’ll be pretty close.”
The 14 mile widening project broke ground on September 11, 2007. Escambia County, Florida, contributed $4 million to the project. Flomaton and Escambia County, Alabama, each contributed $500,000 with the state of Alabama and the federal goverment picking up of the rest of the nearly $23 million tab.
Maddox praised contractor Grady Rawls & Sons from Evergreen, Alabama, for their work on the project. “To be over half done with the project in one third the time is just amazing,” he said.
He said the asphalt is complete on some stretches of the highway, and the deck is almost complete on one major bridge along the route.
This agreement will improve our ability to get people away from danger more quickly,” Governor Riley said of the two state project. “Anytime we work together like this, everyone wins. I’m very pleased that we’ve looked at this from a regional basis and gotten participation from Alabama and Florida. We’ve got to think of these kind of projects from a regional basis because it benefits people across state lines. This is the way it ought to work.”
Hurricane season officially began yesterday, June 1. The primary hurricane evacuation route from Pensacola and North Escambia is Highway 29 north into Alabama to Highway 113 to I-65. In past evacuations, traffic has come to a complete stop on the two lane Highway 113 between Flomaton and the interstate.
Pictured above: Highway 113 as it heads north from Flomaton, Alabama. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge. Pictured middle: The September 11, 2007, groundbreaking for the widening project, including Alabama Governor Bob Riley, Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Kevin White, Century Mayor Freddy McCall and Flomaton Mayor Dewey Bondurant. File photo.
Beloved Molino Teacher Passes Away After Waving Goodbye To Students
June 2, 2008
Molino Park Elementary fourth grade teacher Sharon Smith was set to retire Friday. She stood outside the school, waving goodbye on the last day of school to her students.
She turned back toward her Molino Park Elementary school and lost her breath. Sharon Smith, 57, passed away a short time later.
“She loved ‘her children’ in her class,” Molino Park Principal Alice Woodward said. “She was happy all day today; it was her retirement day. She didn’t feel bad at all.”
Molino Park fifth grade students “walk the walk” and wave goodbye to cheering friends and family on the last day of school. Mrs. Smith walked too, arm around another retiring teacher as they waved to the cheering crowd.
Then the students left on the buses, Mrs. Smith waving goodbye to them.
“She was excited to go outside and wave goodbye to ‘her children’ as they left school,” Mrs. Woodward said. “She was so happy. Then she turned around and went inside. That’s when she started having trouble breathing.” Mrs. Smith died a short time later.
Funeral services are set for Thursday, the day the school had planned to throw a retirement party for her.
Mrs. Smith had experienced more than her fair share of tragedy in the past months, with both her husband and son passing away within six months of each other. Her husband, President Smith, Jr. passed away May 1, 2007, and her son Reginald Smith died on October 20, 2007, at the age of 23.
“She retired, then she went home to the Lord to be with her husband and son,” Mrs. Woodward said.
“We were her family; she was ours,” Mrs. Woodward said. “We are really going to miss her.”
Mrs. Smith began teaching in 1972 at Molino Elementary School, where she remained until 2002 before moving to the new Molino Park Elementary School. Friday was set to be her last day before her planned retirement.
“We thank you and feel blessed that we got to share this awesome teacher and woman with the world,” her aunt Doreatha Jackson said. “She finished her work here.
“And due to her faithfulness in spreading the love of God to others inspite of her pain and heartache,” Jackson said, “He rewarded her by reuniting her with her husband and child. We will miss her greatly but she is happy and at peace! Thank you, Molino Family for loving her.”
Family members say Mrs. Smith suffered one heart attack at the school. She was revived, then died on the way to Pensacola’s West Florida Hospital.
“She finished the race,” Mrs. Woodward said. “She finished the race.”
NorthEscambia.com invites your comments on this article and Mrs. Smith. Email news@northescambia.com or click here for our contact form. To read the comments we have received, click here for our memorial board.
Funeral Services for Mrs. Sharon Smith will be held at 11:00 Thursday morning at the Sixth Avenue Baptist Church at 1120 North Sixth Avenue in Pensacola.
Pictured above: Mrs. Sharon Smith and her fourth grade class wave goodbye about five minutes before their final walk to the buses Friday morning at Molino Park Elementary School. Pictures below: Sharon Smith (top left of photo) and Elaine Barrow pose with students just minutes before they took their retirement walk; and Mrs. Smith at Thursday’s class party. Submitted photo, click to enlarge.
Two Women Win Beth Moore Video Conference Tickets; Not Too Late For Others Buy Tickets
June 2, 2008
NorthEscambia.com has drawn the names of two winners of tickets to “Loving Well”, a one day women’s retreat on video by Beth Moore at the Walnut Hill Baptist Church. The winners are Leslie Johnson of Flomaton and Tammy Hodge of Cantonment.
The retreat will be held June 21 from 8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. The cost is $20 and includes a breakfast, catered lunch, tote bag, journal and other goodies. The retreat includes four video sessions from Beth Moore and live music from Leah Taylor and her band. To purchase tickets, or for more information, contact Somer at 327-6469. The registration deadline is June 7.
Leslie and Tammy win one ticket each including their breakfast, catered lunch. tote bag, journal and admission to all the day’s events compliments of the Walnut Hill Baptist Church at 5741 Arthur Brown Road in Walnut Hill..
Area Churches To Hold Vacation Bible Schools This Summer
June 1, 2008
Many churches across North Escambia will hold Vacation Bible Schools during the coming weeks.
If you would like to add your church’s VBS to our list and events page, email news@northescambia.com or click here for our contact form.
- Brooks Memorial, Atmore
Brooks Memorial Baptist Church in Atmore will hold “Outrigger Island” Vacation Bible School June 2-6 from 8:30 until 11:30 a.m. for ages four years to sixth grade. - First Baptist Church, Atmore
The First Baptist Church of Atmore will hold Vacation Bible School June 2-6 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. for ages three to fifth grade. For more information, call (251) 368-0570. - Walnut Hill Baptist Church
Walnut Hill Baptist Church will hold a three day Vacation Bible School June 4-6 from 5:30 until 8:30 each evening. The theme is Outrigger Island, with activities geared around a tropical theme. On the last day of VBS, there will be a a hot dog supper and a water slide.WHBC’s VBS is open to four years old through those completing the fifth grade. Any interested in attending, can call Ramona at 327-4676 or email whbctcogb@gmail.com. Early registration would be appreciated. - Walnut Hill Mennonite Church
Walnut Hill Mennonite Church will hold Vacation Bible School June 2 through June 13 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m for ages five to tenth grade. For more information, contact Eric Koehn at 327-6180, Brian Decker at 327-9596 or Kerry Boeckner at 327-4708. Everyone is welcome. The church is located on Highway 97 about 12 miles south of Atmore and 13 miles north of Molino. - First Assembly of God, Atmore
The First Assembly of God Church in Atmore will hold hold Vacation Bible School June 9-13 from 8:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. “God’s Big Backyard” is for age two through the sixth grade. For more information, call (251) 368-4637. - Highland Baptist Church
Vacation Bible School “Outrigger Island” will be held from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m. June 23-27 at Highland Baptist Church in Molino. For more information, call the church at 587-5174. - Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church
Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church will have Vacation Bible School July 7 to July 11 from 6:00 until 8:30 each day. This year’s theme will be Veggie Tales “Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything–Calling All Heroes”. All kids 5-12 are welcome to join in with crafts, science lab, snacks, games, fun and learning from the Bible. There will be a special program for parents on Friday, July 11 at 7:00.
Injured Or Abused Dog Found In Molino Continues To Recover From Wounds
June 1, 2008
An injured dog found wandering around last Sunday night in Molino is improving, and county officials will decide this week if she will be put up for adoption.
“We got a call for stray up on Fairgrounds Road on Sunday night around 10:00 and that is when we picked her up,” Escambia County spokeswoman Sonya Daniel told NorthEscambia.com. She said the dog was missing a large amount of skin from her back. She said it was not known if the injuries were intentional or accidental.
Escambia County Animal Control immediately took the dog to an emergency clinic where she was treated. A decision was made, Daniel said, to transfer the dog to the Escambia County Animal Shelter. That decision was made Monday based upon the dog’s good temperament and improving medical condition.
The dog, a pit bull mix, remains at the county’s animal shelter in Pensacola where she continues to receive antibiotics and wound care.
“At this point, nobody has come forward to claim her,” Daniel said. “We have had have several groups come forward and offer to foster her.”
The county will determine this week if the dog will be turned over to a group for foster care or adoption.
If you have information about the dog, contact the Escambia County Animal Shelter at 595-3075 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, or 595-3080 after hours.
Submitted photo.
NWE Eagles Soar Past Century 15-2
May 31, 2008
The NWE First National Bank Eagles defeated Century Gafford 15-2 in recent play.
Reid Bell hit a two run homer in the first inning, and the Eagles never looked back.
Jordan Coon pitched five innings with five outs. Hitters for the NWE First National Bank Eagles were: L. Purvis 1-4, Vaughan 4-4, Bell 3-3, Coon 2-3, Aliff 1-3, Reyes 2-3, Bodiford 1-3.
Submitted by David Bell.
Exclusive: Jim Paul And Top Staff Meet With Carver/Century Supporters
May 30, 2008
Escambia School Superintendent Jim Paul and top members of his staff met Friday morning with Carver/Century K-8 School supporters to discuss the school’s future.
Paul began by telling the Carver/Century supporters that “this is not a decision making meeting,” and said again at the end of the meeting that his mind about a recommendation to close Carver/Century is not made up.
“I want to do what is right for the children of Century, Paul told Century Mayor Freddie Mcall; Blue Ribbon Committee members Laura Nelson, Rev. Willie Carter, Rev. Irvin Stallworth and Brenda Spencer; and Century resident Lina Showalter.
Facing millions in budget cuts, Paul said that the district must look at efficiency and the cost per student at every school. He said that with a principal, assistant principal, a curriculum coordinator and a declining enrollment, Carver/Century is expensive to operate.
“I’ve always been reluctant to close Carver/Century even though the numbers said to close it,” Paul said. “I continued to keep Carver/Century off the closure list. But when the first grades came out about a month ago, it now became a matter of what is best for the children.” Carver/Century’s FCAT Writing+ score released about a month ago were the worst in the county.
“There are members on the school board that feel strongly that the school should close,” he said. “The school board cannot shut down a school without my recommendation. My staff is recommending that I recommend that the school close. I am here to hear what you have to say before I decide.”
Paul said he basically has three options: recommend the closure of the school before the next school year begins, recommend closure in a year for the 2009-2010 school year, or simply do nothing.
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Paul Fetsko said he had worked with Carver/Century for the past 25 years both as an assistant superintendent and as a special education coordinator. He said the school has more technology, more supplies and more resources per student that any other school in the county.
“The resources available to the students is phenomenal,” he said. But he said the “more capable students” had fled to the charter Byrneville Elementary School when it opened in 2002.
Laura Nelson said that Carver/Century is more than just numbers. She related the story of a bus driver who keeps a box with extra clothes and toothbrushes on her bus. “Parents will sometimes put the kids on the bus still in their pajamas.”
“There is a need here. They need us,” she said. “I know numbers, but sometimes you have to go forth with what is best for the kids.”
To make a change at Carver/Century, the group needs more time than just a year, Barbara Spencer said.
“I ask that you do allow us as a group to do these things that we need to do,” she said. “You can’t change these things in just a year. We are at a point now where we have reached the bottom; we can only pull ourselves up.”
“Why not close another school? This is the newest school,” Century resident Lina Showalter said. “Why not bring children from older schools to Carver/Century? Has Ernest Ward been condemned?”
“No, it has not,” Assistant Superintendent for Operations Shawn Dennis responded.
“All the kids ends up here together at Northview High School, Associate Superintendent for Public and Interagency Affairs Ronnie Arnold said. “And it seems to be working here at Northview.”
Showalter proposed that students in Pre-K to second grades be sent to Bratt Elementary, students in third to fifth grades be sent to Carver/Century and students in grades six to eight be sent to Ernest Ward Middle School.”
“Failure is not an option when it comes to our children,” Rev. Irvin Stallworth said.
As for closing Ernest Ward Middle School and moving those students to Carver/Century, parents could simply use school choice laws to immediately transfer their students away from the “F” school at Carver/Century, said Director of Elementary Education Wayne Odom. He added that while some have complained about the distance that Carver/Century students would be bused to Bratt or Ernest Ward, many Bratt and Ernest Ward students are already bused a greater distance every school day because it is a large rural area.
“Mr. Garthwaite (the principal) and the others there are super,” Century Mayor Freddie McCall said. ” I am begging for at least one more year to turn Carver/Century around.”
“Carver/Century is very important to me,” Paul said. “I have not yet made up my mind what I am going to do. It is going to be a long weekend for you and me while we think about this.”
Others in attendance at Friday’s meeting were Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Business Services Barbara Linker and Deputy Superintendent Norm Ross.
NorthEscambia.com was the only media at the meeting. The meeting was not a public, or “town hall” meeting, but an invitation only meeting.
Pictured above: Rev. Irvin Stallworth listens as Escambia County School Superintendent Jim Paul speaks. Pictured below (L-R): Century Mayor Freddie McCall, Brenda Spencer, Lina Showalter and Rev. Willie Carter listen to Paul. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Ouch! Almost $4.00 Gallon
May 30, 2008
The price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas in North Escambia hit nearly $4.00 a gallon at one station on Thursday.
At the station pictured above in Century, a gallon of regular unleaded gas was at $3.96 Thursday evening, up 17 cents in two weeks. On the opposite steet corner, that same gallon of gas was $3.89.
The Tom Thumb in Molino, traditionally one of the cheapest gas stations in North Escambia, was selling a gallon of regular unleaded for $3.89 late Monday afternoon. That’s up 15 cents from two weeks ago.
At the lone station in Davisville, the price of a gallon of regular unleaded was $3.93 Thursday afternoon.
The current state average is $3.95, up from $3.64 a month ago.
Farm Tour Shows Importance Of North Escambia Agriculture
May 29, 2008
The third Escambia County Farm Tour took to the roads of North Escambia Thursday. Over 100 county, city and state leaders joined leaders from the agricultural community on a tour of agricultural locations across the area.
Participants visited the Langley Bell 4-H Center and Emerald Coast Growers in Pensacola; the Touchable Blueberry Farm, the Barrineau Park Community Center and Bayer Cropscience Research Station in Molino; and the Walnut Hill Community Center, Steve’s Sweet Corn, a wheat field and Escambia Grain in Walnut Hill.
“I think everybody has gained a better appreciation for agriculture in this county, from food to clothing,” said Libbie Johnson from the Escambia County Extension Service. “I hope they will go back and share their experiences with others.”
At Escambia Grain in Walnut Hill, farm tour participants learned that the grain elevator company will process 500 to 600 thousand bushels of wheat this year, enough to make about 25 million loaves of bread according to manager Ed Knowlin. That will pump from $3.5 to $5 million into the local economy, he said.
The wheat harvesting in the area will first go to Escambia Grain for processing. It will then be trucked to the Port of Mobile, where most will head to the Caribbean.
“This is a terrific opportunity for the people from the south part of the county to learn what goes on up here,” District 5 Escambia County Commissioner Kevin White said. “They get a chance to see that there is more to Escambia County than just the city.
Commissioners Grover Robinson and Gene Valentino were also along for the ride on the farm tour, along with State Representative Dave Murzin and Pensacola City Councilman P.C. Wu. Numerous candidates for Escambia County offices were also on hand.
At Steve’s Sweet Corn in Walnut Hill, owner Steve Hiebert said the changing economy had forced his farm to evolve over the years. Rather than traditional crops, he will plant 20 acres of sweet corn and 30 acres of other vegetables like peas and butter beans this years, and he has opened the farm’s catfish ponds to public fishing. He said the price of his catfish feed has gone up about 50 percent in just one year.
“The reason we have had to switch from regular row crops to vegetables is the dwindling market,” Hiebert said. “Ninety-five percent of what we sell is retail out of our shop here.”
The tour was organized by the Escambia County Extension Service, USDA Farm Services Agency, Escambia Soil and Water Conservation, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Florida Division of Forestry and the Escambia County Farm Bureau Federation. It was sponsored by Atmore Truckers, Bayer CropScience Research, Chuck Stevens Chevrolet, Escambia Grain Corp., Escambia River Electric Cooperative, Farm Credit of NW Florida, Florida Peanut Producers Association, FNB & Trust, Frank Currie Gin, Helena Chemical Company, International Paper, J.W. Renfroe Pecan Company, Resource Management Services, Smith Tractors, Tri-County Peanut Company, United Bank and West Florida Gin.
For a photo gallery from the 2008 Farm Tour, click here.
Pictured above: Farm Tour participants learn about no-till planting at a field behind the Walnut Hill Community Center. Pictured below: The farm tour stops at a wheat field being harvested along South Highway 99. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
