Oak Grove House Destroyed By Fire
November 11, 2007
Fire destroyed a house in the 3100 block of North Highway 99 in the Oak Grove community Sunday morning. Fire departments from Walnut Hill, Atmore, McDavid and Molino responded to the wood frame structure just after seven o’clock. The house was located on a heavily wooded lot and was fully involved when the first fire units arrived on scene.
There were no immediate reports of injury. The fire is under investigation.
Smoke from the fire was visible from miles away as the fire departments responded. The photo below (click to enlarge) was taken from the corner of Highway 99A and Highway 99, about one and half miles from the fire.
Molino Park Presents Play; Makes Donation to Manna
November 9, 2007
Molino Park Elementary School wrapped up its successful food drive for Manna Food Bank with the first grade classes presenting the play “Stone Soup” Thursday night.
The school collected 1,952 cans of food for the food bank, according to principal Alice Woodward. Jennifer Garrett’s fourth grade class collected the most cans and will receive a pizza and dessert party. Second place went to Elaine Barrow’s second grade class which will receive a popcorn party. Katherine Kimball’s second grade glass came in third and will receive a Tootsie Pop party.
Click here for a complete photo gallery from the Molino Park first grade play.
New Calendar Highlights Molino Transportation History
November 9, 2007
A new calendar on sale from the Molino Mid-County Historical Society features transportation photos from days gone by in Molino.
From the cover photo of a car in front of the 1915 barbershop in downtown Molino, to horses in the late 1800’s, to early 1900’s school children in front of their bus, the calendar features historic photos that chronicle the history of transportation in Molino.
The “Our Rides of Yesterday” 2008 calendar is available for $5 at Cole’s Barbershop and Handcrafted Treasures. This is the fourth year the historical society has published calendar.
“It’s a great way to preserve our history and our pictures,” society member Donna Ging (pictured above, click to enlarge) said at the group’s meeting Thursday night at Aldersgate Methodist Church.
“The neatest thing about doing the calendar every year is the excitement of seeing the people and the pictures, seeing relatives and their friends,” she said.
Local Veterans Honored At Ernest Ward Middle
November 8, 2007
Over 40 local veterans were honored Thursday morning at the eleventh annual Veterans Ceremony at Ernest Ward Middle School.
“The lesson of the day is that freedom is not free,” EWMS history teacher Janna Dickey told the students. She said the program was dedicated to five area servicemen that have lost their lives during the past five years in Iraq:
- Marine Corps Cpl. Jonathan Spears, 21, of Molino, died Oct. 23, 2005. He was a 2002 Tate High School graduate.
- Army Pfc. Kevin Ellenburg, 20, died Nov. 1, 2006. He was a 2004 Pace High School graduate.
- Army Spc. Joseph Landry III, 23, died Sept. 18, 2007. Landry was a 2002 Pine Forest High School graduate.
- Marine Staff Sgt. Daniel Clay, 27, died Dec. 3, 2005. He was a 1996 graduate of Washington High School.
- Army Sgt. Daniel McCall, 24, died Oct. 30, 2007. He was a 2001 graduate of Pace High School.
Upon reading the list, Dickey paused after reading the name of Sgt. Daniel McCall. “His funeral is today,” she said.
“The price that is being paid by these young people is very painful,” she said. “Especially since they are from this community.”
The students gave the veterans a long standing ovation. Many of the veterans were noticeably moved by the standing ovation, some fighting back tears.
“It was very touching,” said Mike Hanks, Veterans Service Officer for Escambia County, Alabama. “I really appreciate the school and effort they put into the service.” Hanks served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam.
Click here for a photo gallery from the event.
Major James G. Ross, 51, was also honored at the service. He was killed in a motorcycle accident in late August in north Santa Rosa County. He was Northview’s Naval sciences and ROTC instructor at Northview since 2002. He was present at last year’s Ernest Ward Veterans Ceremony with the NHS Color Guard.
Domestic Shooting in Molino
November 7, 2007
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a shooting that took place about 9:00 Wednesday morning in Molino.
The shooting on Dewey Rose Lane just south of County Road 196. Authorities say 31 year old David Crockett was shot in the knee by his wife. Deputies say she had recently kicked him out of the house a few days ago because of marital problems, and he had been sleeping in vehicle in the yard.
Crockett forced his way into the house while his wife was in the shower. During the attack, she managed to get a gun and shoot Crockett in the knee. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Authorities say he will face a variety of charges, including battery, attempted sexual assault, false imprisonment and domestic violence. She was not charged.
The couple had been married about four months.
Northview Names Teacher of the Year
November 7, 2007
Mrs. Natalie Nelson-Nall has been named the Northview High School teacher of the year. She was selected by her peers, and will be recognized at the school’s annual banquet on February 28, 2008.
Nall is currently the Reading Coach for Northview. She attended the University of Central Florida where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education in 1992. She has been teaching for 14 years. She is also the head coach for the girls and the boys Cross Country teams.
Veterans Program At Northview High Postponed
November 6, 2007
The Veterans Program scheduled for 6:30 Tuesday night at Northview High School was postponed due to technical difficulties.
According to principal Gayle Weaver, the problem involves “the inability to have stage lighting”. The program will be postponed until a date to be determined.
“Northview High School apologizes for any inconvenience this postponement may cause to anyone; however, the postponement will allow the production to be seen in a better ‘light’,” Weaver said.
NorthEscambia.com will post the rescheduled date and time of the program as soon as it is announced.
Major Ross Memoral Fund Established at Northview High School
November 5, 2007
Retired Admiral Joan Engel presented checks totaling $725 Monday morning to Northview High School Principal Gayle Weaver to establish the Major Ross Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Major James G. Ross (pictured left), 51, was killed in a motorcycle accident in late August in north Santa Rosa County. He was Northview’s Naval sciences and ROTC instructor at Northview since 2002.
“When we heard of the tragic loss of Major Ross,” Engel said, “we knew we had to do something in his memory.”
“Those of us who knew Major Ross know he was a man of integrity, honor, love, commitment and man of God,” she said. “We knew what a tremendous loss this was to his cadets.”
“We will establish this scholarship fund in memory of Major Ross”, Weaver said. “Through this fund, the memory of Major Ross will live on.”
Picture below, front row left to right, are Senior Chief Lee Coleman, NHS Principal Gayle Weaver, Admiral Joan Engel and Captain Charlie Code as the checks are presented. Senior Chief Coleman and Captain Code are Naval Science instructors at Northview. Looking on are the cadets of Northview’s NJROTC. Click the photo to enlarge.
Click here for more photos from Monday’s presentation at Northview High School.
Hundreds Attend Bratt Fall Carnival
November 3, 2007
Hundreds of people attended the annual Bratt Elementary School Fall Carnival Friday afternoon at the school. The event featured popular games like the Duck Pond, Football Toss and the Cupcake Walk. Students redeemed prize tickets for hundreds of prizes.
Click here for a complete photo gallery of the event from NorthEscambia.com
Bratt First Baptist Holds Festival
November 3, 2007
Bratt First Baptist Church held their Fall Festival Saturday afternoon at the church. Click here to view a photo gallery from the event