County Buys Old Molino School For Library, Community Center
May 8, 2009
Escambia Commissioners approved the purchase of the old Molino Elementary School building at their Thursday night meeting, a move that will bring a library and community center to the growing community.
The Escambia County commission approved the purchase of the for $400,000 from the Escambia County School Board.
The county has attempted to acquire the old Molino Elementary property from the school board for several months.
The school campus includes 9.66 acres and four buildings — the largest of which is 16,630 square feet.
In July, the county commission offered the school board $2 million for both the unused Wedgewood Middle and Molino Elementary school campuses, but that offer was shot down by the school district. Then-superintendent Jim Paul made a $3.3 million counter offer that the county commission did not accept. The $3.3 million was broken down as $2.9 million for the Wedgewood property and $400,000 for the old Molino School property.
Plans call for the old Molino school to become a community hub, possibly including a 5,000 square foot library, a museum highlighting Molino history, a small health clinic, a business incubator, renovation of the cafeteria and one additional building for community events and private party rental along with other uses.
The library portion of the project is currently ranked number three in Florida for a half million dollars in funding from the state. The grant, if awarded, would require the county to use the facility as a library in Molino for a minimum of 20 years.
The half million dollar grant, if awarded, would be matched by another half million from the county. The county’s portion is already approved, using Local Option Sales Tax funds.
The Molino school closed in 2003 when the new Molino Park Elementary School consolidated Molino Elementary and Barrineau Park Elementary.
The school, which sits on nine acres along County Road 95A, first opened in 1939.
The funds will be used by the school board in their Local Capital Improvement Fund.
Pictured above: The old Molino Elementary School. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
New Golden Eagles: Ernest Ward Middle Holds Orientation
May 8, 2009
Thursday was a day at Ernest Ward Middle School with the school’s annual new student registration. Incoming students had an opportunity to explore the require and elective courses, as well as the extracurricular activities, at EWMS. Earlier in the afternoon, the staff and faculty from Ernest Ward held a reception to welcome new teachers moving to EWMS from the closing Carver/Century K-9 School.
Ernest Ward staff will visit Bratt, Bryneville and Molino Park elementary schools in the next week to register students. Students transferring from Carver/Century have already been registered.
For more photos from the event, click here.
Pictured above: Students and parents learn about girl’s sports at Ernest Ward Middle School during new student orientation Thursday evening. Pictured below: Ernest Ward agriculture teacher Cynthia Wilson explains the “wheel” electives to students and parents. When enrolled in the “exploratory wheel”, students spend nine weeks each in agriculture, family and consumer sciences (the old home economics), integrated science and keyboarding. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Faithful Gather For National Day Of Prayer Service
May 8, 2009
The faithful from across the area gathered late Thursday afternoon from a National Day of Prayer Service.
The prayer service in front of the Atmore City Hall included speakers from several churches and denominations gathered together to pray for God’s blessings and guidance in our communities.
For a photo gallery from the prayer service, click here.
The service included
- Welcome & Opening Prayer—Rev. Mike McMorris, Robinsonville Baptist Church
- National Anthem—Rev. Willie Hawthorne, Greater Mt. Triumph Baptist Church
- Pledge of Allegiance & raising of flag—National Guard members
- Reading of Proclamation—Councilman John Garrard
- Invocation—Dr. Hattie Bishop, Deliverance Ministry
- Amazing Grace—Rev. Willie Hawthorne
- Brief History of NDP—Sharon Keesler
- Prayers for Government & Influence
- Government—Brandon Smith, Escambia County Commissioner
- Military—Rev. Jim Reece, First United Methodist Church
- Media—Ryan Carter, Atmore News
- Education—Dr. Humprey Shuford, Zion Star AME Zion Church
- Business—Joe Brantley, Brantley Tires
- Church—Haskell Dunn, First Baptist Church
- Families—Rev. Diane Everette, McRae St. Methodist & Bethel Methodist Churches
- Prayer for our Nation—Read in unison
- Singing God Bless America led by Lana Langford
- Thank You—Nancy Helton
- Closing Prayer—Rev. Jason Oxendine, Atmore First Assembly of God
Pictured above: The National Day of Prayer Service held in Atmore Thursday. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Arrests Made Wednesday In Another Animal Cruelty Case
May 7, 2009
Two people turned themselves into authorities Wednesday on animal cruelty charges stemming from the mistreatment of horses.
Katherine Elaine Bell, 41, and Anthony Clayton Bell, 42, both of Rolling Hills Road, were charged with confinement of animals without sufficient food, water or exercise. They were released on $1,000 bond each, according to court records.
Two horses were seized from the Bell’s Cantonment property on March 21 by Panhandle Equine Rescue, according to PER President Diane Lowery. The horses are in rehabilitation and are doing well, according to Lowery.
Pictured below: One of the horses seized from the property of Katherine and Clayton Bell in Cantonment. The pair was arrested Wednesday on animal cruelty charges. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Accused Donkey Killer Surrenders At Escambia County Jail
May 7, 2009
The teen accused of shooting a donkey over the weekend near Jacks Branch Road turned himself in at the Escambia County Jail just after 9:00 Wednesday.
Kyle Mason Driver, 17, was accompanied by his mother and an attorney when he surrendered at the jail, according to Sgt. Kevin Vickrey with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department.
Driver’s arrest came about two hours after NorthEscambia.com published his photo and a plea for the public’s help in locating him from the Sheriff’s Department.
Deputies said Driver has confessed to deputies that he shot a donkey on River Annex Road near Jacks Branch Road late Saturday night. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Department says that he will be charged with felony cruelty to animals causing death, using a weapon during the commission of a felony and possession of a firearm by a person under 18.
The shooting happened within minutes of the birth J.B., a white donkey that has become a local media celebrity of sorts.
For more on the donkey shooting, click here.
Fox 10’s Retiring John Edd Thompson Broadcasts Live From Atmore (With Photo Gallery)
May 7, 2009
Fox 10 meteorologist John Edd Thompson was live from Atmore during the station’s 5:00 news Wednesday afternoon. A sudden downpour sent the crowds, and the retiring weather man, in search of a dry spot during the broadcast.
About 200 people from Atmore, Monroeville, North Escambia and other communities gathered at Heritage Park in Atmore for the broadcast. Thompson interview Atmore Citizen of the Year Tray Smith on-air, along with other locals like Atmore Mayor Howard Shell who presented the forecaster with keys to the city.
Thompson talked about his days at WATM radio in Atmore, his first broadcasting job, with Jerry Gehman who shared his fond memories of Earnestine and Tom Miniard. John Edd, as he is more commonly know, was cheered on by the Escambia Academy cheerleaders and serenaded by the Escambia County High School Band.
The broadcast ended with John Edd being presented a cake that said “Atmore Will Miss You”.
As for North Escambia, John Edd wanted to know if the “honky tonks” were still just across the state line.
Thompson is retiring from WALA after 32 years as a meteorologist.
For a complete NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from John Edd’s farewell tour, click here.
Pictured above: Fox 10’s John Edd Thompson broadcasts live from Atmore Wednesday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Northview Teacher Wins Bike Ride Event
May 7, 2009
Northview High School teacher Natalie Nall was the female division winner in the nearly 30 mile Habitat for Humanity bike ride from Brewton to Atmore.
A total of 28 riders made the 29.5 mile pedal-power trip from Brewton to Tom Bryne Park and Atmore’s Mayfest on Saturday. Nall was the first female to reach Atmore, and Will Ruzic of Brewton was the first male to to reach the finish line.
The purpose of the ride was twofold — raise funds and awareness for Habitat for Humanity’s projects in Escambia County, Ala.
Today, Habitat will choose two Atmore area families to receive new homes in the future, and another home will be constructed by the non-profit group in Brewton.
At Northview, Nall services as head coach for the Chief’s girls and boys cross country teams, and she is the school’s reading coach. Nall was named the Northview High School Teach of the Year for 2008.
Orientation Tonight At Ernest Ward Middle
May 7, 2009
New student orientation will be held tonight at Ernest Ward Middle School.
The orientation event is for all new students, including students that are transferring from Carver/Century K-8 School which is closing at the end of this school year.
The orientation will begin at 6:00 in the Ernest Ward Middle School gym in Walnut Hill.
Sheriff’s Town Hall Meeting For Tonight Rescheduled
May 7, 2009
The Escambia Sheriff’s town hall meeting that was planned for tonight has been rescheduled for Thursday, May 21 due to a scheduling conflict with an event at Ernest Ward Middle School.
Sheriff David Morgan’s office rescheduled the meeting because it conflicted with the new student orientation at 6:00 tonight at Ernest Ward.
“The sheriff realizes the importance of education and because many new students from Carver/Century will be attending Ernest Ward in the fall, the rescheduling was necessary,” the Sheriff’s Department said in a news release.
The Century town hall meeting will now be held at 6:00 on Thursday, May 21 at the Southern Panhandle Restaurant at 8420 North Century Boulevard.
The town hall meeting will allow citizens from the area to ask questions they may have about the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department.
Northview Reunion Band Looking For Members To Practice Tonight
May 7, 2009
Tonight’s practice of the Northview High School Alumni Band — including former members of the Century and Ernest Ward bands — has been moved from Northview to Ernest Ward Middle School.
Tonight’s practice will be held from 6:30 until 8:30 in the Ernest Ward Middle School Band Room. There will be instruments available to borrow.
The first gathering of the Alumni Band was back during Northview’s Homecoming in October. This time, the Alumni Band will be part of the Northview High Spring Concert on May 11.
The reunion band will play with the current middle and high school bands for two or three songs.
For more information, email homerandpunkin@yahoo.com.
Pictured above: The Northview High School Reunion Band performs at the school’s homecoming last October. NorthEscambia.com file photo.