1943 L&N Railroad Coaling Tower On State Line Is Demolished (With Photo Gallery)
July 28, 2022
A bit of railroad history on the Alabama-Florida line is no more.
A former L&N Railroad coaling tower along the CSX tracks in Flomaton was demolished this week by CSX. The concrete tower was built in 1943 and was located on the eastern side of the railyard in Flomaton.
For a photo gallery of the Flomaton L&N coaling tower, click here.
Elevated coaling towers were large bunkers that stood above the tracks to load coal into steam locomotives.
NorthEscambia.com reached out to the CSX media team to find out why the tower was brought down, but we received no response.
Pictured: A 1943 L&N Railroad coaling tower on the Alabama-Florida line in Flomaton, Alabama, as seen July 16, 2022. The top photo shows the size of the structure as CSX engines pass underneath. The bottom photo shows electric wind turbines passing under the coal tower. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Man Threatened Local Hardware Store Employee With A Chain, ECSO Says
July 28, 2022
A Molino man is facing a felony charge for allegedly threatening a Cantonment Ace Hardware employee with a chain.
David Shannon Payne, 51, was booked into the Escambia County Jail on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He was released on a $1,000 bond.
Store employees cut a one-foot long piece of chain for Payne at his request. As he walked with an employee toward the register to pay, Payne began to threaten physical harm to the employee before wrapping the chain around his hand and making a fist, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. As Payne exited the store, he told the employee to “catch him outside”. Two witnesses corroborated the employee’s accusations.
When deputies arrived, they noted a “strong smell of alcohol” coming from Payne, according to the report.
About 25 minutes after the store closed, “Payne was standing in the back of the parking lot in front of the store as if he was waiting for (the victim) to exit the store,” the reporting deputy wrote in the report.
Election Workers Needed For Century, Barrineau Park and Walnut Hill
July 28, 2022
Election workers are needed in Century, Barrineau Park and Walnut Hill, according to the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office.
“You must be a registered voter, submit a completed application and complete the required training, said Deputy Supervisor of Elections Sonya Daniel. “The first phase of the training is done online in approximately 90 minutes. There is an in-person training scheduled for August 5 in Molino. Then you can be assigned to work the August 23 and November 8 elections.”
For an application and more information, click or tap here.
Ernest Ward Cheerleaders Hold Camp; Six Selected As UCA All Americans
July 28, 2022
The Ernest Ward Middle School cheerleaders recently held their UCA Cheer Champ.
Six EWMS cheerleaders were selected for the UCA All American team and will travel to perform in the Disney Thanksgiving Day Parade. They are Morgan Driver, Valeria Franco, Addison Parsons, Makayla Playto , Lacie Kittrell and Meeyah Lassitter.
Pictured above: Ernest Ward Middle School UCA All American cheerleaders (L-R) Morgan Driver, Valeria Franco, Addison Parsons, Makayla Playto , Lacie Kittrell and Meeyah Lassitter. Pictured below: The Ernest Ward Middle School cheerleaders with UCA staff. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
McIntosh, Johnston Go Back-to-Back For Another Comeback Wahoos Win
July 28, 2022
Paul McIntosh and Troy Johnston hit clutch back-to-back home runs as the Pensacola Blue Wahoos secured a 6-4 comeback win over the Mississippi Braves on Wednesday night.
Tied 4-4 in the bottom of the seventh inning, McIntosh and Johnston hit consecutive home runs against Jake Higginbotham (L, 2-5) to give Pensacola the lead for good. It marked the third time in four games that a pair of Blue Wahoos batters hit back-to-back homers.
The Braves jumped out to an early lead against Jeff Lindgren in the first inning, as Vaughn Grisson hit a two-run home run. Johnston got Pensacola on the board with an RBI single against Mississippi starter Tanner Gordon in the third, but the Braves countered with two more runs in the sixth thanks to doubles from Grissom and Justyn-Henry Malloy to take a 4-1 lead.
Lindgren completed 6.0 innings while striking out eight batters, and the Blue Wahoos rallied against A.J. Puckett in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game. J.D. Orr hit an RBI infield single, José Devers hit an RBI double, and Victor Victor Mesa brought home Orr on an RBI groundout to even the score 4-4.
Josh Simpson (W, 5-1) kept the game tied with a scoreless seventh, setting the stage for the pivotal home runs in the bottom of the inning. Jefry Yan (S, 1) earned his first professional save since 2015 with a scoreless ninth.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the M-Braves on Thursday.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
ECUA Reports 1,100 Gallon Sewage Spill On East Kingsfield
July 27, 2022
ECUA has reported a 1,100 gallon sewage overflow on Tuesday at East Kingsfield Road and Pompano Street, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
The spill from a manhole was estimated at 1,100 gallons, of which 100 gallons was recovered. The spill was contained onsite and did not affect any body of water or storm drains.
The cause of the spill was due to a blockage in the gravity main. The blockage was cleared and the area cleaned up.
State DEO Has Designated Century As A ‘Rural Community’. Here’s Why That’s A Big Deal.
July 27, 2022
The Town of Century has been designated by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) as a “Rural Community”.
The designation makes Century eligible to have matching fund requirements waived for DEO programs and grants.
“The partnership of (DEO) Secretary Dane Eagle with this project and the awarding of millions of dollars for community centers in the town shows the commitment to revitalization of the area,” Rep. Michelle Salzman said. In April, Gov. Ron Desantis awarded Century a $3.255 million grant to renovate two community centers.
Salzman, Century Mayor Ben Boutwell, FloridaWest, First Place Partners, DEO and other leaders worked over a year to obtain the designation.
Sometimes Century may be eligible for a grant, but meeting a financial match requirement might be difficult, Boutwell said, adding that the designation is a big deal for the small town.
“This helps us out with grants,” Boutwell said. “Now that we have this Rural Community designation, we don’t have to worry about matching 10-50%. Now we can go after grants with no payback; that will make it much easier for us as a Rural Community.”
“Century is always in competition with Alabama, and Alabama is going to write a check, and Northwest Florida is going to lose out,” said consultant Dave Murzin of First Place Partners. “This a huge chance for economic development in Century, combined with state and federal resources and their commerce park.
“The commerce park is very nice. Century needs to focus on I-65, north-south logistics. They have a bunch of land, why not go after a company, a public-private partnership, to build a spec building.”
Century was able to obtain the Rural Community designation by having an agricultural related employment base, a population of less than 25,000 and three qualifying economic distress levels. Those factors are a high poverty rate, lower educational level attainment, and below average household median income, Murzin said.
Salzman offered her thanks to Eagle and his staff, FloridaWest and First Place Partners “for all the amazing work they put into this year-long project.” as she works to prioritize more projects in the northern park of Florida House District 1.
“I am so pleased we were able to bring together a great partnership of community efforts to accomplish this amazing designation for the Town of Century,” Salzman said. “This is collaboration in action.”
Molino Fire Chief Henry Hiebert Celebrates 35 Years Of Service With ECFR
July 27, 2022
Escambia Fire County Fire Rescue Molino District Chief Henry Hiebert recently celebrated 35 years of faithful and dedicated service.
Hiebert’s career with ECFR began with a chance encounter with the late Molino chief Gary Diamond at a local gas station.
During the early stages of his career, Hiebert learned from former Molino chief Harry Nowlin and Ferry Pass chiefs Tom and Corky Jones. His early training included taking the mandatory 40-hour training class. As the standards for fire service increased, Hiebert continued his fire education, taking part in 80-hour, 160-hour and 204-hour training classes.
Most recently, the chief became part of the “2nd Alarm Project,” which is a mental health awareness program with a focus on first responders.
“It is rewarding to be able to help others through a hard time and see them move on with renewed courage and strength,” he said.
Hiebert’s wife Polly continues to provide support, whether it be rewarming meals or being late to functions due to fire calls. They have five children and recently welcomed their first grandchild with a second on the way in November.
“I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Chief Hiebert for many years,” said ECFR Deputy Fire Chief Paul Williams. “His service and sacrifice should be recognized as he continues to serve in his most recent capacity as District Chief of our Molino station. Chief Hiebert has a special connection with our north-end members due to his service history and is considered a mentor and good friend by many. Congratulations to Chief Hiebert and Ms. Polly on the birth of their first grandchild and thank you to both for your 35 years of service.”
“I’ve had many great mentors and have made many friends,” Hiebert said, as he continues to serve. “I feel humbled at the willingness of the firefighting brotherhood to spend personal time to teach others. My wish is that I can be as good of a mentor as those I’ve had and encouragement to those following me.”
Pictured top: Escambia Fire County Fire Rescue Molino District Chief Henry Hiebert. NorthEscambia.com photo. Pictured below: Hiebert and his wife Polly. Photo for NorthEscambia.com. Click to enlarge.
Highway 29 Lane Closures Planned For Wednesday, Thursday
July 27, 2022
Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on Highway 29 (Pensacola Boulevard) from Brent Lane to north of I-10 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Wednesday, July 27 and Thursday, July 28 for paving operations. The lane closures will allow crews to mill and resurface the roadway, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Suspect Wanted In 2021 Murder Of 14-Year Old Near Munson
July 27, 2022
Authorities are continuing to search for a Munson murder suspect.
Isaac Cameron Daniels, 19, is wanted on an outstanding warrant for first degree murder during the commission of a robbery for the murder of a 14-year old whose body was found March 28, 2021, in the Blackwater State Forest near Munson.
A second suspect, Isaiah Jordan McCullers, 18, was indicted for first degree murder in April 2021.
The remains were identified as Cody Walker of Pace. He was last seen on March 14, 2021, five days before he was reported missing. Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson said evidence indicates he died the morning of March 15. His remains were found in a wooded area off Sandy Forest Road, south of the intersection of Highway 4 and Munson Highway.
State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden said McCullers and Daniels, if convicted, will face a sentence of life without parole or a death sentence.
Anyone with information is asked to call Santa Rosa Crime Stoppers at (850) 437-STOP.