Annual Walnut Hill Fish Fry To Benefit Retired Chief
October 11, 2008
The Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department has announced that all proceeds from their annual Catfish Fry will go to benefit retired chief Robert Stewart.
Stewart retired recently after 30 years of service to the Bratt and Walnut Hill volunteer fire departments. He is currently battling cancer.
The fish fry will be Saturday, November 1 at the Walnut Hill Fire Station on Highway 97. Plates will be $7 and will include catfish fillets or grilled chicken, hush puppies, baked beans, coleslaw, homemade bread, cake and a drink.
A drawing for door prizes will be held at 1:00. Arts and crafts and baked goods will also be sold.
The Northwest Florida Blood Center Bloodmobile will be on site for blood donations.
The catfish fry will be held from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 1. Anyone wishing to make a donation now to Robert Stewart can do so by making the donation to any member of the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department.
Electric Vehicle Plant Planned For Century, Over 1,000 Jobs Possible
October 10, 2008
NorthEscambia.com has learned that an electric car manufacturing company that could eventually employ over 1,000 people has planned to locate its primary plant in Century.
The Escambia County Commission will consider an ordinance next Thursday in support of the project, which will reportedly bring about 250 jobs initially to the area.
“The electric car assembly plant is planned for the Century Industrial Park,” said Larry Newsom, director of Escambia County’s industrial development effort. “The details are still being worked out, but the resolution in support of the project is needed next week so the state can provide the company with a grant.”
The project is being headed by Jay Patel, owner of LHS Companies in Pensacola. According to their web site, LHS operates several hotels in Pensacola and Gulf Shores, including a Howard Johnson, Days Inn and a Ramada.
Art Rocker, vice president of the car company, being developed under the name LHS EZ-Concept, LLC, said the company was not releasing any information until after the resolution was approved by the county.
“This is a very positive thing for Escambia County,” Newsom said.
The chargers for the vehicle — where it is actually plugged in to be recharged — will probably be manufactured in Fort Payne, Alabama, Escambia County Administrator Bob McLaughlin said Thursday.
“But Mr. Patel’s intentions are to try to bring all of that back into Escambia County,” McLaughlin said. “In the meantime, he will also have his corporate headquarters for the electric car company also located in Escambia County. That’s what the concept is and how he plans to proceed.”
“He’s dead set to locate as much of this in this county as he can,” Newsom told NorthEscambia.com, “and in the town of Century.”
Newsom said project plans call for the initial production of 150 cars per month. The plant is expected to employee about 250 people shortly after startup, with an eventual employment of 1,100 to 1,200 within five years.
“I certainly welcome it, and I welcome any industry to Century,” Mayor Freddie McCall said. “I am for it 100 percent.” McCall said he had not yet spoken to Patel about the project’s details, so he did not have further information.
“It’s a good thing for this county,” District 5 Commissioner Kevin White told NorthEscambia.com. “It’s a really good thing for us, and I am so glad that they are going into Century with their plant.” White said he had the opportunity to ride in one of the electric vehicle prototypes, and he was very impressed.
“It certainly will put a lot of people to work and off welfare,” Century Chamber of Commerce Director Benny Barnes said. “It will cause our area to grow; we could see a lot of changes here in Century. It would be big for any small town, but especially big for Century.”
NorthEscambia.com was the first to report this story, and we will continue to keep you updated as further details emerge.
Pictured above: The Century Industrial Park could soon be home to an electric vehicle manufacturing company that might eventually employee over 1,000 people.
Head-on Accident In Flomaton
October 10, 2008
A head-on collision in Flomaton sent one person to the hospital.
The accident happened about 5:30 Tuesday afternoon at the intersection of Highway 113 and Highway 31. An 18-wheeler apparently made too wide of a turn off Highway 113, colliding head-on with a car driven by a Century resident. Amanda Aldridge and Layton Sims managed to get out of the burning car with non-life threatening injuries.
The accident is still under investigation.
Pictured above and below: One person was injured in this accident late Tuesday afternoon in Flomaton. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NHS JV Falls To WFHS, 18-6
October 10, 2008
The JV Northview Chiefs lost to West Florida High School Thursday night, 18-8 in Bratt.
The Jaguars jumped out to a an early 6-0 lead in the first quarter. By the third, they had increased that lead to 18-0.
The Chiefs came back to put six on the board for the 18-6 final.
The JV Chiefs will end their season at home against Catholic High School next Thursday night.
Click here for a photo gallery from the game.
Pictured above: A Northview defender takes down a Catholic player early in the first quarter. Pictured below: Freshman Sean Knight picks up yardage for the Chiefs. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
NHS Chiefs Beat Walton
October 10, 2008
The Northview Chiefs varsity volleyball team beat Walton Thursday night, taking three of five.
For a photo gallery from game two and Northview’s 26-24 win, click here.
Northview downed Walton 25-23, 26-24, 20-25, 18-25, 15-13.
Northview’s varsity volleyball team is now 10-9 on the season, 2-3 in district play.
Stats from the varsity Northview versus Walnut game:
Ashley Digmon: Digs – 10, Aces -2
Brittney Thompson: Kills-14, Aces-6, Digs-7, Blocks-9
Angela Rodriguez: Kills-2, Aces-7, Digs-1, Blocks – 3
Caitlin Hall: Assists-12, Digs-2 Aces-1, Blocks-3
Shawna Montgomery: Kills – 6, Aces-7, Digs-13, Blocks-7
Amber McMillan: Digs – 13
In junior varsity play Thursday, Walton downed Northview in two straight, 13-25, 12-25.
Junior varsity stats:
Miranda Burkett: Dig-4, Aces-1
Raylin Spence: Digs-1
Trestine Dean: Digs-3
Tori Searcy: Assists-1
Christina Sepulveda: Kills-1
Pictured above: Action in game two as Northview wins a nail-biter against Walton, 26-24 Thursday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Area Churches Celebrating Major Milestones
October 10, 2008
Two North Escambia area churches are celebrating major milestones this month, one with a full century of history.
Members of the First Baptist Church of Bratt will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the church on Sunday, October 25 beginning at 9:30 a.m. Rev. Lawson Jolly will bring the message at 11:00 a.m. Lunch will be served following the morning service services.
Beulah Chapel Assembly of God on Highway 4A in Bryneville will celebrate its 73rd homecoming Sunday, October 12 beginning at 10:45 with a fellowship dinner to follow. The Vessels of Clay will minister in song. Bro. Ron Broadhead is the pastor.
First Baptist Church of Cottage Hill in Cantonment hold a 50th Anniversary Celebration on October 12. The church will be “celebrating 50 years of friendships, families and faith”. The day’s events will begin with a Continental Breakfast at 8:30 followed by Sunday School and Worship Services at 10:45. Dinner on the grounds will follow at 1:00 and there will be at “Hometown Concert” at 3:00.
Northview NJROTC Gets High Marks In Annual Inspection
October 9, 2008
Northview High School’s NJROTC Annual Inspection was held Wednesday at the school, with cadets undergoing a face to face inspection with a Navy commander.
Commander Merlin Ladner, USN (Ret) conducted the inspection. The day’s events began with a personnel inspection, drill demonstration and a pass-in-review in the school gym. Other events Wednesday included a financial record review, briefings, administrative inspections, supply inspections and more.
One by one, Cmdr. Ladner went face to face with each cadet, asking them questions about their NJROTC experience and conduction a complete inspection of their uniform.
Click here for a complete photo gallery.
“I will spend 20 to 25 seconds with each cadet, asking them questions,” Lander told the audience. “You won’t hear what I have to say to them, but it will help me get a sense of the unit’s health and how it’s going.”
“Yes, sir,” the cadets answered as they faced the questions about their NJROTC service, their ribbons, the shine on their shoes and some less than expected questions that left some cadets trying not to crack a smile.
“You play football?” Ladner asked one freshman cadet.
“Yes, sir,” he replied, obviously relieved at the easy question.
“Are you a freshman?” he asked another.
“Yes, sir,” she answered.
“That’s tough sometimes,” Ladner said.
“I want you all to know how proud I am of how you look this morning,” Ladner, who conducts annual inspections at about 60 high schools in the Southeast, told the entire group following his inspection.
He said it had been two years since he was last at Northview, and “it’s a pleasure to see how they have progressed in two years.” A visiting officer conducts inspections during the years Lander does not visit Bratt.
“Our cadets have the option,” he said, “to perhaps join the military.”
Ladner said the voluntary military service, and a voluntary Navy JROTC program is a good thing for the United States.
“I don’t think I’d want to be in a foxhole with someone that did not want to be there,” he said.
Three cadets — c/PO1 Monica McLain, c/PO3 Cardean Smith and c/SR Melissa Moretz –were presented with an “Exemplary Appearance Ribbon” for their efforts in Wednesday morning’s inspection.
Northview’s NJROTC received high marks in the review, including personnel inspection, pass in review, financial and property inventories and unit operations.
To view the program for the event, which includes a list of all Northview NJROTC cadets and officers, click here.
Northview’s NJROTC is under the command of Senior Naval Science Instructor Charlie Code and Senior Chief Lee Coleman. The unit is led by Company Commander LCDR Amanda Sellars and Executive Officer Cadet LT Dalton Cummings.
Pictured above: Commander Merlin Lander, USN (Ret), inspects Admin Officer c/ENS Clinton Davis Wednesday morning at Northview High School. Pictured below: First Lieutenant, c/LTJG Harrison Whitehead stands with his platoon awaiting their inspection. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Man Shot In Face Last Week Remains In Escambia County Jail
October 9, 2008
A man that was shot in the face last Thursday night before becoming the focus of a manhunt in the Davisville area remains in the Escambia County Jail.
Eric Wayne Hendrix, 38, is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without the intent to kill and criminal mischief. He also faces battery charges on an outstanding warrant, as well as charges of violation of probation. Hendrix is pictured left in his jail booking photo.
Hendrix was shot at a home on Deer Lake Road about 5:45 p.m. last Thursday, October 2 by a female at the home on the isolated dirt road.
“It was a domestic violence related shooting,” Sgt. Steve Smith with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department told NorthEscambia.com then night of the incident.
Hendrix was reported to have been shot in the face by the female, but he fled the scene before deputies arrived.
Deputies established a perimeter and searched the area but were not immediately able to locate the Hendrix. He was found nearly an hour later by the sheriff’s department helicopter, hiding just off Rockaway Creek Road, about a mile and a third from the original shooting location.
Hendrix was transported by ambulance to an awaiting Lifeflight helicopter at the Walnut Hill Community Center on Highway 97. The helicopter had been on the ground at the community center waiting for about an hour for him to be located and transported. Hendrix was able to walk from the back of the ambulance to a stretcher, speaking cordially to members of the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department.
Hendrix was transported by Lifeflight to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola with superficial gunshot wounds, Smith said. He was taken to the Escambia County Jail after being released from the hospital
The female involved in the incident was not injured, and she was not charged with any crime. Her name has not been released since she was the alleged victim of domestic violence.
Pictured above: Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies and Atmore Ambulance crew members stage at Young Road and Rockaway Creek Road at sunset last Thursday as a search continued in the area for Eric Wayne Hendrix after he was shot in a domestic dispute. Pictured below: Hendrix is loaded into an ambulance on Rockaway Creek Road, over a mile away from the original shooting location. Pictured bottom. Hendrix was transported by ambulance to the Walnut Hill Community Center and transferred to Lifeflight. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Carver/Century PTA: Pie In The Principal’s Face
October 9, 2008
Pie in the face…that’s what Carver/Century K-8 School Principal Jeff Garthwaite is hoping for.
If the newly formed Carver/Century PTA can get 60 members before the school’s October 17th carnival, Garthwaite has agreed to take a pie in the face. For each additional 10 PTA members, he’ll take another pie in the face.
It’s all part of the PTA’s “Pies Fly”challenge. Students at the school received the flyer and a membership form Thursday. Each PTA membership is just $3.
Click here to download a Carver/Century PTA membership form.
The flyer lists the following facts about common reasons someone might not join the PTA:
…I really don’t have the time.
It’s not the amount of time you can contribute that’s most important, but rather your commitment to help the PTA make a difference in the lives of our children.
…I don’t have any children that attend Carver/Century school.
Anyone who cares about children and our community belongs in the PTA. It is important that we all have a voice in the decision-making process relating to the laws and regulations that affect our children.
…Your PTA doesn’t really do anything.
We cannot speak for what may have happened in the previous years but I know we have great activities planned for this school year. To make these activities a great success we need ideas, time, funds, and good will from people like you to make this PTA work. Join us and help us do more than ever.
…Does the PTA really benefit our children.
Decades of research has shown when parents/guardians are involved children receive higher grades and higher test scores. Also, exhibited in children, when parents are involved, increased motivation, better self-esteem, and fewer instances of violent behavior. The number one benefit of the PTA team is having a better ability to help our children.
…Not right now… Let me think about it.
You may miss out on having your voice heard if you put off joining when it is needed most. Participating in the PTA, anyway you can, determines the course of action we can and need to take. Please make the time to put our children first.
NHS, EWMS School Resource Officer Worked Security For Sarah Palin Visit
October 9, 2008
When vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin visited Pensacola Tuesday, one local sheriff’s deputy was there helping to provide security.
Deputy James Moretz, school resource officer at Northview High School and Ernest Ward Middle School, was part of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department security detail at the Pensacola Civic Center for the Republican candidate’s visit.
“I have never seen the civic center that packed,” Moretz said. It was raining and the lines were long when he arrived early for his security post. A few people were upset that they could not take their umbrellas inside the building, he said, but otherwise it was a quiet wait for the Alaska governor to arrive.
But when the lights went out just before she took the stage, things changed.
“It was an excited crowd,” Moretz said. “She came came out and the crowd just went wild.”
Tuesday was not the first time Moretz has worked security for a high profile political figure. During President George Bush’s last visit to Pensacola, he was there too.
“Unlike Bush, she (Palin) stayed behind to sign autographs,” he said. “She even took the time to take photos with the special needs children from Escambia Westgate School.”
Moretz said he was impressed by Palin and her speech.
“She was very articulate,” he said. “She brings a lot of energy to the Republican ticket.”
He was equally impressed by the capacity crowd at the Pensacola Civic Center and their behavior.
“I was surprised that there were no hecklers,” Moretz said. “The Secret Service had told us if there were any hecklers or protesters to leave them alone. They said event staff would deal with them if there was a problem.”
Pictured above: Deputy James Moretz, school resource officer at Northview High School and Ernest Ward Middle School, worked security Tuesday for Sarah Palin’s visit to Pensacola. NorthEscambia.com photo.