Occie Phillips Road Open Again
December 20, 2009
Occie Phillips Road has reopened. Occie Phillips was closed between Highway 97A and South Pineville Road last week due to flooding at Brushy Creek. Pictured above: Occie Phillips Road last week. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Organist To Perform Christmas Music Tonight On Pipe Organ He Built
December 20, 2009
A Molino man will perform an organ recital of seasonal music tonight on a pipe organ that he designed and built.
Tom Helms, Jr., has designed and built organs for churches around the nation, and tonight he will perform at his home church, Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino.
Helms, a gifted organist and composer, grew up as a member of Aldersgate. He designed and built the church’s Matthews-Helms Memorial pipe organ in honor of his grandparents.
Tonight’s recital beings at 6:30 at Aldersgate UMC, located on Highway 29 just south of Highway 97. Everyone is welcome to attend.
High School Basketball Scores: Tate, Jay, EA
December 20, 2009
Here is a look at recent high school basketball action from around the area:
Baker 58, Jay 36
Baker handed Jay (3-6) a loss in the final game of the year for the Royals, 58-36. Luke Rowell led the Royals with 16.
Jay — Dakota Walker 9, Luke Rowell 16, Hunter Boutwell 2, Stephen Brabham 3, Tyler Prescott 6.
Baker 19 11 11 17-58 Jay 8 7 5 16-36
Pensacola High 57, Tate 30
Tate — Chelsea Hall 8, Courtney Brown 7, Megan Burke 6, Cecila Olsen 6, Ashlee Thompson 2, Kat Tucker 1.
Tate — 8 4 10 8-30 PHS 10 14 17 15-57
Escambia Academy 40 Atmore Christian 32
Keaton Maher led the Escambia Academy Cougars over Atmore Christian, 40-32.
Escambia Academy — Keaton Maher 16, Darron McGhee 9, James White 7, Nate Smith 6, Brandon Goddard 1, Tanner Kirk 1.
Escambia Academy 21, Atmore Christian 19 (JV)
Jordan Sasser 10, Paul Arnold 4, Jacob Dean 2, Garrett Kirk 3, Eddie Agrait 2.
Don’t see your team? Submit your scores and stats! Email your results as soon as possible after the game to news@northescambia.com
Loretta Maudine “Dean” Glass
December 19, 2009
Loretta Maudine “Dean” Glass, a member of Sardis Baptist Church in the Wawbeek community, died Wednesday at a hospital in Florida. She was 73.
Mrs. Glass, a resident of Flomaton for the past 23 years, formerly lived in Pensacola. She was a native of Bobtown, Ky., where she was the 1954 valedictorian at Eubank High School.
Survivors include her husband of 53 years, James P. “Jimmy” Glass of Flomaton; one son, James P. Glass Jr. of Conroe, Texas; two daughters, Evelyn L. Gutknecht of Pace, Fla., and Elizabeth Sutley of Pensacola; three sisters, Marie Dove of Elizabethtown, Ky., Maxine French of Science Hill, Ky., and Rose Estep of Somerset, Ky.; and three grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 1 p.m. until the 2 p.m. service at Flomaton Brown Service Funeral Home in Flomaton. Burial will be in Sardis Cemetery in Wawbeek.
Clatys “Pops” Woods
December 19, 2009
Clatys “Pops” Woods, a native of Crestview, Fla., and a longtime resident of Perdido, died Monday at his home. He was 89.
Survivors include his wife, Emma Woods of Perdido; five children, Willie Woods of Ashton, Md., Kathy Welker, Tommy Woods and Anthony Barron, all of Perdido, and Johnny Barron of Camden, N.J.; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from noon until the 2 p.m. funeral at Morning Dove Baptist Church in Perdido. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Christian Memorial Funeral Home in Atmore is handling arrangements.
Santa In The McDavid and Century Areas This Morning
December 19, 2009
If you hear sirens in the McDavid or Century areas this morning, you might want to take the kids outside. Santa Claus has been spotted on the back of a fire truck in the McDavid and Century areas this morning making his rounds to see all of the good little boys and girls.
Sunday morning NorthEscambia.com will have photos of some of Santa’s visit.
Pictured above: Santa Claus and one of his elves in McDavid this morning. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
A Charlie Brown Christmas: Angels Helping Others
December 19, 2009
In the children’s television show, Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree was, to put it kindly, sad. But thanks to Charlie Brown, Snoopy and friends — including angels from Atmore — Christmas will be better for more than dozen area families.
It was a cold night on December 5th when, for the second night in a row, the Creek Indian Enterprises Development Authority (CIEDA), loaded their Christmas float with candy and beads and set out intent on winning first place. On the previous night, they had succeeded in placing first in the 2009 Poarch Creek Indian Parade. Now they had their sights set on winning the top prize in the 2009 Atmore Christmas Parade.
Dressed in a multitude of layers as they set out in the bitter night air, they had no idea that they would end up warming the hearts of the less fortunate in the community. Their float was based upon “Snoopy the Musical” and included larger than life character renditions of Charlie Brown, Lucy, Snoopy, Pig Pen, Schroeder, Marcie, Sally, Peppermint Patty and Linus.
They did place first in the Atmore Christmas Parade and that night, they made history. For the first time ever, a float from the Poarch Creek Indians won a total of three awards. They finished first place in both the Poarch Creek Indian and Atmore Christmas Parades plus won the Atmore Christmas Parade’s “Ahhh Award”. What made their achievement so special was not that they won the competition, but how they spent the $300 cash prize they received for winning.
The crew knew they wanted to use the money to help the community when so many families are enduring tough economic times. They drew inspiration from a line in Charlie Brown’s Christmas. In the story it was asked, “Isn’t there anyone who understands what Christmas is all about?” “Sure,” said Linus. “I can tell you what Christmas is all about.”
Their goal was to show that they understood the real meaning of Christmas. Their plan was to provide 10 Christmas dinners for local families in need. They received additional assistance from individuals from the CIEDA Board of Directors and staff, Poarch Creek Indian Government offices and some Wind Creek Casino employees, as well as the local Piggly Wiggly who offered to sell them the hams at cost.
That enabled the float crew to present a total of 13 families with Christmas dinners made up of ham, sweet potatoes, brown sugar, green beans, corn, stuffing, gravy, dessert, rolls and cranberry sauce. The donations were so extensive they were able to add a loaf of bread, jars of jelly and peanut butter, bags of oranges and apples, whipped cream, marshmallows, butter, an assortment of candies, and a blanket for each family. Included with each gift box was a Christmas card giving well wishes.
The saying goes a man cannot help another without also helping himself. The CIEDA float crew and staff understand that all too well. Donna Henry, the float crew leader stated, “So many people are hurting right now, it just feels good to help someone else.”
Pictured top and top inset: The Creek Indian Enterprises Development Authority float in the Atmore Christmas parade. NorthEscambia.com photos. Pictured bottom inset: Some of the food provided for needy families. Pictured below: Float ushers Ginger Stabler, Judson Stabler, Lee Moons, Kitty Stuart, Tasha McGhee, Teresa McLaughlin, and Paula Smith. Characters (from left) Peppermint Patty – Brenda Helton, Pig Pin – Michelle White, Charlie Brown – Judge Mark Kennedy, Lucy – Amanda McGhee, Marcie – Judy McElhaney, Snoopy – Paula Miller, Schroder – Bryan Fayard, Charlie Brown – Tammy Gaffney, Linus – Curtis Hayes, Lucy – Brandi Helton and Sally on Knee – Donna Henry. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Alabama Gov. Riley Estimates $5.8 Million In Flood Damage, Tours Area
December 19, 2009
As the flood cleanup continued in Escambia County, Alabama, Gov. Bob Riley toured the hardest hit areas of Brewton Friday afternoon.
Brewton, Flomaton, Atmore and other areas of the county suffered almost $6 million in damage. Riley promised that help from his office and other state departments would be on the way by Christmas Eve. The governor also said his office would work to get federal agencies involved in the cleanup and recovery process.
“The state will do everything it can to help our citizens and our communities,” Riley said.
During his Friday visit to Escambia County, Riley visited with local and county leaders and toured the county’s emergency management agency.
Riley declared a state of emergency on Wednesday in Escambia and three other Alabama counties due to the significant rainfall and flooding. By declaring a state of emergency, the governor authorized the Alabama Emergency Management Agency to assist communities, make the appropriate assessments of damage and seek state and federal assistance for the affected areas.
Pictured top: Flooding in Flomaton Tuesday morning. Pictured inset: Alabama Gov. Bob Riley. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Almost 24,000 Out Of Work In Area; Unemployment Rates Increases
December 19, 2009
The unemployment rate continues to rise in Escambia County, up nearly a full percentage point over last month. The number of jobless was also up in Santa Rosa County and across Florida. In Escambia County, Alabama, unemployment dropped slightly. There were 23,890 total persons out of work in the three counties.
In Escambia County, unemployment data released Friday shows that 10.9 percent of the labor force was out of work in November. That’s 15,297 people, up from 10 percent, or 13,911 people in October.
There were 6,853 Santa Rosa County residents out of work last month. Santa Rosa County’s unemployment rate was 9.9 percent in November, up from 9.4 percent in October.
Escambia County, Alabama, saw an improvement, with November’s 12.5 percent unemployment rate compared to 12.7 percent in October. That decrease represents 43 people that found work.
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for November 2009 is 11.5 percent. This represents 1,056,000 jobless out of a labor force of 9,202,000. The unemployment rate is up 0.2 percentage point from the revised October rate of 11.3 percent, and up 4.3 percentage points from the November 2008 rate. The state’s current unemployment rate is 1.5 percentage points higher than the national unemployment rate of 10.0 percent. November’s rate is the highest since May 1975 when it was 11.9 percent.
Industries losing the most jobs in Florida were construction; trade, transportation, and utilities; and professional and business services. These three industries account for more than two-thirds of the job losses in the state. Health care has been Florida’s only growth sector for most of 2009.
Alabama’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 10.5 percent in November, decreased from October’s rate of 10.9 percent but was above the year-ago rate of 6.2 percent.
Salvation Army Appeals For Help In Red Kettle Campaign
December 19, 2009
There are only six days remaining before Christmas, and the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign is lagging behind the last two year’s figures.
“Hurricane Ida, tropical storm like weather, the changes in the economy and the drop in volunteerism has made a harsh impact on our kettle campaign,” said Major Richard Watts, commanding officer of The Salvation Army in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
The Salvation Army has been providing services to the community since 1901 and hopes to raise $300,000 to support its year round programs. But Watts said less than $175,000 had been donated as of Tuesday.
The campaign started November 6 and ends Christmas Eve. The kettles staffed by volunteers and paid workers are found outside stores in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. In the North Escambia area, there is a kettle located outside the Winn Dixie store in Cantonment.
Services provided by the Salvation Army include emergency services, including rental, utility and prescription medication assistance, emergency transitional housing, and a safe environment for the youth in the community center.