Escambia Ala. Residents Can Recycle Old Electronics Free Today
February 21, 2009
If you live in Escambia County, Ala., you can recycle your old electronics for free today.
Old TV’s, computers and other electronics will be accepted for free today at three locations in Escambia County, Ala.
In Flomaton, old electronics can be dropped off at the Flomaton Fire Station. In Atmore, the location will be the Atmore City Hall, and the drop off location in Brewton will be the old Wal-mart parking lot. The time for all three locations will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The recycling program is for residents of Escambia County, Ala., only. Escambia County, Fla., residents can recycle old electronics at the Oak Grove Citizens Convenience Center Fridays and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Atmore 100 MPH High Speed Chase Ends In North Escambia
February 20, 2009
A high speed police chase out of Atmore ended in North Escambia Thursday afternoon with the suspect escaping.
The chase began about 4:45 Thursday afternoon in Atmore when an Atmore Police Department officer attempted to stop a black motorcycle for a traffic offense.
The chase wound through streets in southeast Atmore, including Pine Street and Medical Park Drive. It headed south on Medical Park Drive and cross into Florida and onto Greenland Road. The chase reportedly hit speeds of about 100 mph before Atmore officers called off their pursuit in the area of Dortch Road. Atmore Police reportedly did not notify Florida authorities of their pursuit, and Florida officers were not involved.
The motorcycle driver was not apprehended.
$22 Million Training Facility On 684 Acres Near Molino Won’t Happen
February 20, 2009
Escambia County is officially out of a $22 million deal to purchase 684 acres north of Molino near the Camp O’ the Pines for a regional police, fire and EMS training facility after Sheriff David Morgan said he wanted out of the deal.The Escambia County Commission voted 5-0 Thursday night to end the joint project between the county, Pensacola Junior College, The PJC Foundation and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department. The entities entered into an interlocal agreement in 2006 to purchase the land from RMS Timberlands, LLC for $3,278,400. That sale was to be closed by December 18 on the Highway 29 property.
$11 million of the total $22 million price tag for the facility was to be contributed by the sheriff’s department via the county from local option sales tax money. The other $11 million was to come from a state grant obtained by PJC. Morgan said he was not convinced that the facility was needed.
Funds contributed by the various parties toward the project will be returned.
Plans called for the facility to being as a state-of-the-art firing range for PJC students and area law enforcement. It was to expand into a fire and emergency medical service training facility.
The original agreement was entered into by former Sheriff Ron McNesby.
Done Deal: County To Provide Code Enforcement In Century
February 20, 2009
Escambia County has added their approval to an agreement that will bring code enforcement back to Century.
The Escambia County Commission approved the agreement with Century last night. The Century Town Council had ratified the agreement at the end of January.
The agreement calls for Escambia County to provide code enforcement for both county and town ordinances within the town limits. Sandra Slay, Escambia County’s code enforcement manager, told the town council that the enforcement will be “proactive”, The code officers will not respond to citizen complaints within the Town of Century; rather, the officers will seek out violators.
The written agreement states that “the parties expressly agree that no performance standards, other than those that are generally applicable to similar actives by the county elsewhere outside the corporate limits of the Town, are intended of should be inferred.”
Under the agreement, the Town of Century will be responsible for removing nuisance violations, such as tearing down buildings that owners do not repair.
The county will provide a monthly report of all enforcement activities in Century to the town.
The county’s enforcement activities will be funded by a Community Development Block Grant. The county will receive all fines and fees collected from Century violators.
Previously, Century ended an agreement with Escambia County to provide code enforcement in the town. Under that agreement, the county’s code enforcement officers worked Century and wrote citations that were turned over to the town for abatement. The services were provided by the county at no charge to Century.
The arrangement came under fire, with allegations that the county’s officers provided selective enforcement, citing some people but no others. That prompted the council to sever the relationship with Escambia Code Enforcement. Currently, there is no code enforcement at all in the town.
NorthEscambia.com Hiring Reporter, Sports Reporter, Sales Person
February 20, 2009
NorthEscambia.com is seeking a talented individual or individuals or join our small staff. Our innovative approach to news in North Escambia is setting the standard for online media on the Gulf Coast with over two million page views last month.
We are looking for a reporter/photographer, a sports reporter/photographer and a sales person. Or, we are looking for that talented person with a drive to succeed that might be able to fill all three positions. These positions are ideal for that person wishing to join NorthEscambia.com will become a vital part of our team and capitalize on our success and join us in a very bright future.
Descriptions for all three positions are below. If you are interested in a position, forward a basic resume and a short note explaining why you would succeed in any or all of these positions to news@northescambia.com. Have questions? Feel free to ask them at news@northescambia.com. No phone calls, please.
All positions are likely part-time, with the possibility of full-time in the future. Benefits are not currently offered. A college degree is not required.
Reporter/Photographer
The person we choose for this position will likely live in or near North Escambia. The person will cover scheduled and breaking news in communities like Century, Molino and Walnut Hill for daily publication.
Skills required:
- A positive attitude, with a love of people and community
- The drive and desire to succeed in a fast paced environment
- Easy access to a computer with high-speed internet
- Access to a camera, with basic photography skills (we like people to have heads in our photos!)
- Good writing skills
- Good usage of the English language
- The ability to spell, or at least fake it well with “spell check”
- A flexible schedule — news does not happen just 9-5
- A valid driver’s license with proof of insurance
Additional skills (desirable, but not required):
- Access to a video camera, and the ability to use it
- Video editing skills (Can you post to Youtube?)
- The ability to sell ads for additional income
Sports Reporter/Photographer
The person we choose for this position will likely live in or near North Escambia. The person will cover sporting events from high school to little league and assist with breaking news in communities like Century, Molino and Walnut Hill for daily publication.
Skills required:
- A positive attitude, with a love of people and community
- The drive and desire to succeed in a fast paced environment
- Easy access to a computer with high-speed internet
- Access to a camera, with basic photography skills (we like people to have heads in our photos!)
- Good writing skills
- Good usage of the English language
- The ability to spell, or at least fake it well with “spell check”
- A flexible schedule — news does not happen just 9-5
- A valid driver’s license with proof of insurance
- A love of sports, from football to baseball to whatever people are playing
- The ability to attend sporting events as area teams travel, such as Northview football
Additional skills (desirable, but not required):
- Access to a video camera, and the ability to use it
- Video editing skills (Can you post to Youtube?)
- The ability to sell ads for additional income
Sales Person
The person we choose for this position will likely live in or near North Escambia. The person will both cold call and follow established leads, selling from a rate sheet. NorthEscambia.com is a powerful medium that can provide powerful advertising results. With over two million pages views last month, NorthEscambia.com can provide a unique adveritising opportunity to a variety of businesses.
Skills required:
- A positive attitude, with a love of people and community
- The drive and desire to succeed in a fast paced environment
- Easy access to a computer with high-speed internet
- Access to a camera, with basic photography skills (we like people to have heads in our photos!)
- Good writing skills
- Good usage of the English language
- The ability to spell, or at least fake it well with “spell check”
- A valid driver’s license with proof of insurance
McDavid Man Involved In Fatal Santa Rosa Crash
February 20, 2009
A McDavid man was involved in a three vehicle accident in north Santa Rosa County Thursday morning that left a Pace man dead.
The Florida Highway Patrol says William Fillingim, 55, of McDavid was was northbound on Chumuckla Highway south of Archies Way in a 2000 Mack log truck when he drifting into the southbound lane. Fillingim struck the rear of a 2005 Dodge pickup truck and a flatbed trailer driven by Ernest D. Evans, 30 of Pace.
Fillingim’s log truck then struck the left front and side of a 1986 Ford pickup driven by Randal L. Touchton, 47, of Pace, pushing the truck onto the shoulder. The log truck continued off the highway into a wooded area.
Touchton, who was not wearing a seat belt according to the FHP, was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola by helicopter. Touchton was pronounced dead at the hospital at 7:07 a.m.
Evans was not seriously injured in the crash. Fillingim, who also was not wearing a seat belt according to the FHP, recieved minor injuries in the crash.
The accident in still under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. No charges have been filed.
Century Employee Enters ‘Not Guilty’ Plea In Fight Case
February 20, 2009
The Town of Century employee that reportedly left a state prisoner unattended in a store parking lot while he got into fight inside the store has entered a plea of not guilty in Escambia Circuit Court.
Robert Allen Powell, 56, of Century entered the not guilty plea along with a request for a jury trial through his attorney. Powell had been scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.
Powell’s jury trial is scheduled for April 13.
Powell reportedly got into a fight with Randall Keith Grimes, 47, of Century at the town’s Dollar General store.
Powell stopped at the Dollar General in a town truck along with a prisoner from the Century Correctional Institute that was on work detail for the town. Powell reported went into the store to purchase cold medication, leaving the prisoner unattended in the parking lot. Inside the store, Powell ended up in the altercation with Grimes.
Their stories differ on what happened. Powell told deputies that Grimes called him names and then punched him. Grimes said Powell called him a “retard” and a “bastard” before Powell punched him in the face. Powell told deputies the entire incident stemmed from Grimes’ involvement with his ex-wife.
The report says store surveillance video shows that Powell threw the first punch, according to the ECSO report. Powell was arrested on a battery warrant, and released on a $2,500 bond.
Powell filed for a restraining order to keep Grimes away from him, but that order was denied by Circuit Judge Kim Skievaski.
The only action the Town of Century took against Powell for leaving the prisoner unattended was a verbal reprimand, according to Mayor Freddie McCall.
Many Northview FBLA Students Place In District Competition
February 20, 2009
The FBLA from Northview High School participated in the 2008-2009 FBLA District I Competition recently at the University of West Florida. High schools from across Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties partipated in the event.
Northview winners were:
- Business Calculations: Brett Hanks, 3rd; Ashley Snow, 4th.
- Business Law: Magen Weekly, 1st
- Business Math: Kayla Hall, 4th; Derrick Portis, 5th
- Business Presentation (team): Amber Holland, 1st; Samantha Merritt, 1st; Amie Sutton, 1st
- Business Procedures: Kinsey Hendrix, 3rd; Shaquaina Lewis, 5th
- Desktop Publishing (team): Alex McDonald, 4th; Megan Tharp, 4th
- Introduction to Business: Destiny Showers, 5th
- Introduction to Business Communication: Taylor Byrd, 2nd
- Introduction to Parliamentary Procedures: Heather Kite, 2nd
- Public Speaking I: Rebecca Dean, 2nd
- Public Speaking II: Zachary Lamb, 2nd
- Word Processing II: Alesha Copeland, 4th; Kayla Rentz, 5th
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Kids Race To Fun At The Library
February 20, 2009
Boys and girls raced to the Century Branch Library Thursday afternoon for a racing story time, the chance to sit in a real race car and a high speed box car derby.
For a complete photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured above: Ready…set…go! A box car race at the Century Branch Library Thursday afternoon. Pictured below: Children had the chance to sit in a real race car. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Today Is Deadline For Chamber Banquet Tickets
February 20, 2009
Today is the deadline to buy tickets for the annual Flomaton and Century Chambers Of Commerce awards banquet.
The banquet will take place at 6:30 Tuesday, February 24 at the Flomaton Community Center.
Tickets are $20 each. Tickets can be purchased by calling Judy Champion Realty at (251) 296-4663 or Brantley Contractors at (251) 296-5459.