I-65 Open Again After Fires Send Heavy Traffic Into Atmore
March 20, 2009
Traffic was a major problem in Atmore Friday afternoon as the closure of I-65 sent hundreds of extra motorists through the the town. I-65 was opened once again northbound and southbound just before 4:00, according to Alabama State Troopers.
Authorities had shut down I-65 between Perdido and the Jack Springs Road exit about 1:00 Friday afternoon due to three different wildfires reportedly set by an arsonist.
I-65 traffic was diverted along Highway 31 to Atmore and, at one time, all the way to Flomaton.
March 20, 2009
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Happy First Day Of Spring!
March 20, 2009
Happy spring! Today is the first official day of spring, and your North Escambia forecast calls for sunny skies with a high near 70. Tonight will be mostly clear and cool with a low of 46, and Saturday will be sunny and 72.
The rest of the forecast looks like this:
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Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46. East wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. East wind between 5 and 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. East wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 72. East wind between 5 and 10 mph.
Monday Night: Isolated showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 52. Southeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 73. Southeast wind between 10 and 15 mph.
Tuesday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Wednesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Wednesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Thursday: A slight chance of rain. Partly cloudy, with a high near 73. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Drew’s Field: Tragedy Turned Into A Dream
March 20, 2009
A tragedy that touched a community and turned into a dream will become a reality Saturday morning when Drew’s Field is dedicated in Walnut Hill.
Two year old Drew Marlow and his dad Danny Marlow died in a January 2008 accident on Highway 97. A short time later, the Northwest Escambia Little League voted to name a new wee ball field at the back of Bradberry Park “Drew’s Field” in honor of Drew’s dream to play ball.
“I am excited about it, but I get sad. It’s bittersweet,” said Drew’s mom, Cyndi Marlow Wendt. “I am so happy that the other kids will get to enjoy it.”
A monument stand’s near Drew’s Field. It’s a little over five feet tall. The top reads “Welcome to Drew’s Field” and the bottom features a quote from Danny. “Always let your Light shine,” it says. That’s what Danny would always tell players after ballgames that he coached.
The middle of the monument features a little boy and man walking hand in hand toward the sunset with baseball caps and a bat. The back of the boy’s jersey says “Drew” and has the number “3″ and the man’s jersey says “Drew’s Dad” and has the number “3″ too.
Drew and Danny spent hours playing with a blue and orange Florida Gators bat. Dreaming of that big opening day they both just knew would come when that little boy with a big number “3” on his jersey stepped to the plate.
Danny had it all planned out, down to the jersey number. Drew was Cyndi and Danny’s “miracle baby”…he was their third attempt at in vitro conception.
“We were just so excited. But then we went to the doctor. They rate the chances of the embryo surviving on a scale of one to five. A four or below has a small chance of surviving.”
“The doctor rated the embryo as a three that was Drew. A three out of five. We knew it was all in God’s hands.”
And God blessed the Marlows with a healthy sandy blond baby boy they named Drew.
“That’s where the jersey number ‘3’ came from. Danny always said ‘could you imagine if he was a five’,” Cyndi said. “He always wanted Drew to wear ‘3’ in his first ball game.”
“We were going to go play t-ball,” Cyndi said. “That’s all Drew talked about.”
Drew will never get to play on the field that bears his name, but “Drew’s Dream Team” will take to the field Saturday morning.
A memorial tile will be placed near the field, with a handwritten message from Cyndi:
“Drew my sweet angel, I would give anything to have one of your big bear hugs right now. I miss you so much. I know your smile makes heaven brighter…you will forever be in my heart.”
Drew’s field will be dedicated during Opening Day ceremonies Saturday morning at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill. Ceremonies begin at 9 a.m., with the Drew’s Field dedication expected to begin at about 9:30.
NorthEscambia.com will have complete coverage Sunday morning from Saturday’s Opening Day at Bradberry Park and from the dedication of Drew’s Field.
Pictured top: Drew’s Field at Bradberry Park will be dedicated Saturday morning. Pictured top middle Cyndi Marlow Wendt with the mermorial marker at Drew’s Field. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Man Gets 10 Years In Prison For 2007 DUI Death Of His Brother
March 20, 2009
A Century man involved in a drunk driving accident that killed his brother in early 2007 has been found guilty of DUI manslaughter and sentenced to over 10 years in state prison.
John William Lance, 28, was sentenced to 10 years, four months and 24 days for DUI manslaughter in connection with the 2007 death of his brother, Jack Lance, 33 of Holt.
Jack Lance was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident on Highway 29 near Whirlpool Road south of Bluff Springs on February 28, 2007.
Circuit Judge Paul Rasmussen found Lance incompetent to stand trial in September of 2007 after the results of a psychological exam. That ruling was later overturned, finding Lance competent to stand trial. Lance refused a breath test at the Escambia County jail after the accident. He was taken to West Florida Hospital where a blood alcohol test was performed.
The Florida Highway Patrol says Lance was driving north on Highway 29 near Whirlpool Road when he lost control, overcorrected and hit an 18-wheel log truck. Jacky Lance was ejected from the 1992 Pontiac driven by his brother. Dylan Lance, John Lance’s four year old son, was transported from the scene by LifeFlight to Sacred Heart Hospital. His injures were minor. Another passenger, Michael Livingston, 19, was transported by ambulance to West Florida Hospital. Livingston was treated and released.
Ronnie Watson, the driver of the 18-wheeler, suffered minor injuries but was not transported to the hospital.
Lance is being held at the Bay Correctional Facility near Panama City.
Commission Rejects $4 Million Employee Buyout Plan, Calls It “Lucrative”
March 20, 2009
The Escambia County Commission has shot down a lucrative buyout plan that would have paid up to $136,900 for employees to take early retirement.
Commissioners said the county may still be forced to lay off some employees in order to keep a balanced budget, or they may take a look at another less-lucrative early retirement buyout program. The county is expecting next year’s budget to be as much as $12 million short. The plan would have cost the county $4 million this year, but it was expected to save lower level jobs this year and provide a savings next year.
District 5 Commissioner Kevin White gave examples of buyout plans from other counties around the state, none offering the high dollars of the Escambia plan.
“We had one thing throwed at us,” White said. I believe if we were given some options other than the Cadillac version that we were given, we probably could have got somewhere with this. But we were not given an option.”
The one plan presented to the commission Thursday night would have offered employees 50 plus or those with 30 or more years of county service a package that would include two weeks of pay per year of service up to a full year’s salary, and health insurance for a year.
The commission offered a similar plan last year, buying out about 50 positions for $2.7 million. That saved the county only about $300,000 last year, but this year’s savings is expected to be $3 million.
“Every commissioner here has made comments about how great it was, how wonderful it was, how well it worked, how much it saved the county,” Commissioner Wilson Robertson said last year’s plan, which was passed before he was on the board. “Would one of the county commissioners on this board please tell me why it was so great last year and we can’t afford it this year?”
This year’s buyout plan failed on a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner Marie Young voting for the proposal.
The possibility of “last in, first out” layoffs were mentioned as a possible cost savings, along with possibility of rolling back employee benefits during the current year to help cut next year’s budget shortfall.
Pictured: Commissioners Kevin White (top) and Wilson Robertson (bottom) discussed an early retirement buyout plan during Thursday night’s meeting of the Escambia County Commission. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
A Gator, A Snake And A Turtle Equal Library Fun
March 20, 2009
Flomaton’s Turtle Point Science Center amazed children Thursday afternoon at the Century Branch Library with a collection of small critters. Children had the opportunity to see and touch a snake, turtle and a baby alligator. Next month, the library’s monthly program will feature a much more cuddly creature — the Easter Bunny.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
WKRG Adds Live Cam In Atmore
March 20, 2009
WKRG television has added a new live camera in Atmore.
The view from the camera is available live on wkrg.com and may, at times, be used in WKRG newscasts and weather broadcasts.
To access the live camera, click here.
(Keep in mind, that if is dark outside, the view will be…dark.)
“They Busted Me” – Century’s New Code Enforcement Tickets The Town’s Mayor
March 19, 2009
Century Mayor Freddie McCall was one of the first to be ticketed by Escambia County Code Enforcement when they returned to Century on March 4.
McCall was cited for violations that included trash and debris, an inoperable vehicle, overgrowth and a dilapidated structure on property he owns on McCall Road.
Escambia County began code enforcement duties in Century on March 4 after an agreement was signed between the town and the county. Sandra Slay, Escambia County’s code enforcement manager, said the code enforcement is “proactive”. The code officers will not respond to citizen complaints within the Town of Century; rather, the officers will seek out violators no matter who they might be.
McCall said he was proud of the job done in just two days in Century; the officers are usually in town on Wednesdays.
“I have not received the first complaint,” McCall said. “All I’ve got is praise and glory.”
McCall provided a list of addresses where violators had been ticketed on March 4 and March 11. A McCall Road address was highlighted in yellow.
“The one that I highlighted was me,” the mayor said. “They busted me.”
McCall said he has spent about $550 to clean up his property to bring it into line with the town’s codes. He said he was glad that the county was being fair about their code enforcement actions.
Those actions that have been confined to the southern part of the town so far.
On their first sweep through Century on March 4, four code officers issued citations on 20 properties. The citations included inoperable vehicles, dilapidated structures, overgrowth and prohibited burning. Citations were issued on Century Boulevard, Upton Road, Hudson Hill Road, McCall Road, Ramar Street, Jefferson Street, and Cumbie Road.
On their second day in town on March 11, three code officers issued citations on 13 properties on Hudson Hill Road, George Avenue, Highway 4, Sellers Road, Pond Street, and Church Street. In addition to the types of citations issued the week before, code enforcement also issued citations for four unsafe structures.
Clarification: Health Emergency At Northview
March 19, 2009
Clarification: The “health emergency” at Northview High School involving bird excrement at a single building at the school has not impacted the regular school day or Friday’s “Food for America” program at the school. There will be school on Friday, and the Food for America program will still take place.
“Health emergency” was the term used by the Escambia County School District in order to facilitate the cleanup of a single building without going through the normal bidding procedure for a contractor. There is no health risk to the students, and no impact on the Food for America program because the impacted building is closed to the public.
A health emergency was declared at Northview High School over bird poop, allowing the school district to take swift action to cleanup the problem.
According to school district documents, a building used by the Northview agricultural department was infested by birds, covering the interior of the building and its contents with excrement.
Under school district rules, Superintendent Malcolm Thomas declared a health emergency existed around the building, allowing a contractor to be hired without prior school board approval. The total estimated cost was $5,310.
Principal Gayle Weaver said crews are working from about 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. to clean up the problem.
The agricultural department at West Florida Tech had more expensive problem. Rodents in storage buildings, classrooms at the courtyard of the ag departments led to an estimated $32,300 in cleanup expenses.