Carpet Drive In Atmore Closes Monday For Railroad Spur Construction
August 21, 2022
Carpet Drive in Atmore will close Monday for the construction of a new railroad spur.
The closure is immediately west of Swift Mill Drive.
To access Masland Carpets, Coastal Growers and the surrounding area, motorists should use Highway 31 and Industrial Drive.
A reopening date has not been announced.
The $3 million railyard project will support the existing Coastal Growers peanut processing plant, along with other existing and potential new industries in the Atmore Industrial Park.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Make It Three Times In Five Days: Blue Wahoos Rained Out Again
August 21, 2022
For the third time in five days, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Mississippi Braves were postponed due to rain and wet grounds at Trustmark Park on Saturday night. Originally scheduled as a doubleheader to make up Friday’s rainout, one of Saturday’s games will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Sunday while the other will be canceled.
No Injuries In Three Pickup Crash At Highway 95A And Neal Road
August 20, 2022
There were no injuries reported in a three-pickup crash late Saturday morning at Neal Road and Highway 95A.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released additional information.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Alabama Man Charged With Murder After Woman’s Body Discovered
August 20, 2022
An Alabama man is charged with murder after a missing person report led to the discovery of a woman’s body.
William Joseph Everett, age 50 of East Brewton, is charged with murder for the death of 51-year old Elisha Michelle Jordan.
Escambia County (AL) Sheriff Heath Jackson said his department responded to the 300 block of Travis Road in connection with the report of a possible missing person.
“Deputies found a large amount of blood inside, consistent with a crime scene,” Jackson told NorthEscambia.com.
Everett was taken into custody on an unrelated outstanding warrant and taken in for questioning. Deputies executed a search warrant and worked to locate the victim.
As he was being questioned, Everett confessed to the murder. He stated that he placed Jordan’s body on the back of his truck after he choked her to death. Everett went on to state that he drove her to a secluded area off of Dixon Nursery Road and dumped her body in a ravine.
That led to the discovery of Jordan’s body on a dirt road on hunting club property off Dixon Nursery Road.
The sheriff said Jordan had reportedly been living with Everett for about two weeks.
Everett remains in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center where he will be held without bond until his trial.
Escambia County IT Director Bart Siders Resigns
August 20, 2022
Escambia County’s information technology director has resigned.
Bart Siders submitted his letter of resignation, according to a social media post from Commissioner Doug Underhill.
The reason for his resignation and the effective date were not available Friday evening.
Siders joined Escambia County in October 2019. Before the county, he worked as Gulf Power IT technology leader with NextEra Energy.
County To Rebuild Traffic Light At Olive And Davis On Sunday
August 20, 2022
If you drive through the intersection of Olive Road and Davis Highway often, you know the light is frequently in flash mode during or after bad weather.
This Sunday, the signal will be completely rebuilt between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., weather permitting, to solve the problem, according to Escambia County.
Law enforcement will be on-site directing traffic through the intersection during work times as needed.
Escambia County 4-H Shines At 4-H University
August 20, 2022
submitted by Brian Estevez, UF/IFAS Escambia County 4-H Agent
Head, Heart, Hands and Health.
hese are the four “H’s” that comprise 4-H. This summer there were many 4-H activities promoting and utilizing all of the four “H’s” together and individually.
One of these activities was 4-H University, which is a four-day convention for senior 4-H members (ages 14-18) hosted on the campus of the University of Florida. Over 250 youth attended this event and had the opportunity to utilize the different facilities such as dorms, Gator Dining and the Reitz Union. This year Escambia County had 10 youth attend: Alan Bray-Crews, Ava Chauvette, Aubree Dillon, Kailee Dunlap, Payton Fuqua, Madelyn Goss, Raimi Joseph, Gracie Meredith, Tucker Padgett, and Cat Proud.
Escambia County 4-H members kicked off 4-H University with state competitive events, along with a spirit rally and guest speaker. Tuesday was a day of scholarship interviews, community service, and workshops. That evening, 4-H members attended the annual Share-the-Fun talent show, where Madelyn Goss represented 4-H District 1 and played the piano.
Wednesday was a day full of workshops. That evening, 4-H members, participants and guests attended the formal 4-H University banquet where scholarships were awarded to seniors, 4-H trips were distributed, and the 2022-2023 Florida 4-H State Council Officers were inducted. Escambia County 4-H’s Alan Bray-Crews, Kailee Dunlap, Madelyn Goss, and Cat Proud all earned a trip to attend National 4-H Congress in Atlanta later this year. Cat Proud also won the Greenawalt scholarship worth $400. Jessica Conti, an Escambia County 4-H alum, received the Barber scholarship worth $1,000.
Thursday morning was the competitive events award ceremony and Escambia County 4-H members received awards for their state competitions. Results of the different state contests were:
- Cat Proud, team member on first place avian bowl team
- Syrah Chauvette, first place, graphic design, junior, other category
- Laney Clarke, first place, graphic design, senior, flyer category
- Zaiyn Chauvette, first place, photography, junior, still life category
- Brayden Clarke, first place, photography, senior, still life category, Best of Show
- Madelyn Goss, red ribbon, public speaking
- Alan Bray-Crews, red ribbon, nature and the outdoors demonstration
- Cat Proud, red ribbon, second place, communication and media arts demonstration
- Gracie Meredith, white ribbon, second place, food prep demonstration
Escambia County 4-H is proud of the accomplishments of these 4-H members as they represented Escambia County at Florida 4-H University.
Blue Wahoos, Braves Rained Out Again In Mississippi
August 20, 2022
For the second time in four days, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Mississippi Braves were postponed due to rain at Trustmark Park on Friday night. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Saturday.
Escambia Officially Hires Wes Moreno As Permanent County Administrator
August 19, 2022
The Escambia County Commission gave final approval Thursday to hiring Wes Moreno as the new county administrator.
After the commission terminated Janice Gilley from the administrator position in June 2021, then deputy administrator Moreno was named interim. A total of 28 people applied through a search firm for the position, but the commission voted 3-1 to select Moreno. Commissioner Doug Underhill cast the dissenting vote, and commissioner Lumon May was not on the dais for the vote.
Moreno will be paid $191,286.84 annually; the county had advertised a negotiable salary range of $173,000 to $195,000.
“I would be leaning much more heavily toward getting a contract with who we know,” Commissioner Jeff Bergosh said during a recent workshop meeting. “We know Wes Moreno. He’s been here more than 30 years. I don’t want to use an expletive, so I won’t. But he’s kicked butt. That’s not the word I’d normally say…He loves this county, and I think he’s doing a great job.”
35,000 Pound Food Distribution Saturday In Jay
August 19, 2022
There will be a 30,000 pound food distribution Saturday morning in Jay.
The giveaway will take place at the Cornerstone Christian Church at 14047 Alabama Street from 11 a.m. while supplies last. People should being a valid photo identification. The food distribution is open to Florida and south Alabama residents.
File photo.