Year In Review North Escambia’s Biggest Stories Of 2009: February
December 29, 2009
NorthEscambia.com is looking back at 2009 with our “Year in Review” series. Each day, we will review the biggest stories of 2008. Today, we take a look at the biggest stories of February 2009.
February brought bad news for Century as leaders learned that plans for the LHS EV electric vehicle manufacturing plant to be located in Century appear to be dead. The State of Florida has rejected a $2.5 million grant application from their Renewable Energy and Energy-Efficiency Technologies program. As a result, LHS EV no longer had plans to locate the plant in Century.
The Ernest Ward Middle School cheerleaders were named second best in the entire nation in Orlando in the Universal Cheerleaders Association competition.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office bike patrol took to the streets of Century for the first time. Sheriff David Morgan said it was part of his plan to have more deputies on the streets.
The manager of the Escambia Grain Corporation in Walnut Hill was trapped in a silo of soybeans for nearly three hours. He was rescued uninjured.
The Town of Century began action seeking $300,000 from the Florida Department of Corrections for water bills the town said were owed for the Century Correctional Institution.
Two pedestrians were killed and a third was injured in Cantonment at Highway 95A and Tate School Road.
Residents of Bratt got their first look at a new Bratt Community Park.
Graphics Packaging in Cantonment announced they they were cutting about 220 jobs — the first of many such announcements by businesses in the area during 2009.
Northview High School learned that the school would be unable to organize Baccalaureate services, and they turned to the community to help.
Flomaton High School Principal Scott Hammond was named the Flomaton Citizen of the Year, and Ernest Lloyd Barrow was name the Century Citizen of the Year at the Flomaton and Century Joint Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Banquet. Bud’s Refrigeration Service was named the Flomaton Business of the Year, and Whataburger was named the Century Business of the Year.
Preliminary non-football classifications released Tuesday by the Florida High School Athletic Association takes Northview High School from just four teams in their district to district with nine teams. Northview, Catholic, South Walton and Walton currently comprise a district. Under the new classifications released Tuesday, Arnold (Panama City Beach), Bay (Panama City), Bozeman (Southport), Chipley and Marianna would join Northview, Catholic, South Walton and Walton in District 1-3A.
Firefighters spent about an hour working to extinguish a fire at Escambia Grain in Walnut Hill. The fire was reported about 5:00 in a large metal grain dryer unit that towers about 60 feet into the air in front of the 100-foot high grain silos.
A Walnut Hill man, Tad Fredrick Cann, died after he struck a deer with his motorcycle near the intersection of Molino Road and Sunshine Hill Road.
A fiery crash in Flomaton claimed the lives of two men in Flomaton, and three others were critically injured. Flomaton Police Dispatcher Donna Filmore was credited with saving the lives of those that survived by pulling them from the burning wreckage at Highway 113 and Highway 31.
A column the Pensacola News Journal called NorthEscambia.com a “must-read”. “For news north of Nine Mile Road, www.northescambia.com is must-reading, occasionally even beating emergency vehicles to accident scenes,” Pensacola News Journal columnist Mark O’Brien wrote in his column.
It was announced that a Century landmark business would close. The Country Bumpkin was to be close to make way for a new thrift store.
Love was in the air at Century Care Center with the Valentine’s Day wedding of Karen Sue Coleman and Benjamin Edward Leonardi. Karen wanted her father, Floyd Coleman, to walk her down the aisle. Mr. Floyd has been a resident at Century Care for nearly six years. Rather than take him out of Century Care for the wedding, Karen decided to take the wedding to him.
Escambia County dropped out 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 Town of Century entered into an agreement with Escambia County to return code enforcement to Century for the first time in years.
Two people were injured in an accident with a strange end in Davisville — one pickup truck involved in the crash ended up parked with the grocery carts inside a buggy corral at the Piggly Wiggly on Highway 97.
The top three men in Escambia County Fire Rescue were asked to resign. Fire Chief Ken Perkins and Assistant Chief Robbie Whitfield were asked to resign to by Escambia County Administrator Bob McLaughlin. Deputy Chief Kurt Isakson was out as Deputy Chief, but remained with the department as a battalion chief.
In a move that would later be reversed, the Town of Century voted to waive water bills for residents of Backwoods Road due to poor service.
The Escambia County School Board continued discussions that would eventually lead to the closure of Carver/Century K-8 School.
The Northview High School varsity boys basketball team had their hopes of a district title crushed by Catholic High School in the district tournament at NHS. The Crusaders downed Northview 70-59.
Ernest Ward Middle School Principal Nancy Gindl-Perry with presented with what was, without a doubt, the most unique award of her entire educational career. Members of the Ernest Ward FFA presented her with the “Golden Cow Dung Award”. The award featured a large piece of cow dung, painted a golden color. Perry received the award from the school’s FFA members as a “thank you” for supporting FFA.
2009 In Pictures: March
December 29, 2009
Randy Boehmer stopped in the area as he was crossing the country on a lifelong journey to spread the Gospel.
Cyndi Marlow Wendt stands alone at the dedication of Drew’s Field in Walnut Hill. The field was named in honor of her son who was killed in a 2008 auto accident.
Pitcher Mallory Ryan winds up for the Northwest Escambia Sandy Sansing team on Spring Opening Day at Bradberry Park.
A mother reacts as her daughter pets a baby crocodile during a program at the Century Branch Library.
Freedom Thomas tried to comfort her daughter Keyvinana Johnson as she cries following an Escambia County School Board meeting at Carver/Century K-8 School. The board visited the school to discuss its closure.
Century resident Annie Savage addresses the Escambia County School Board, begging the board to keep Carver/Century K-8 open. The board voted to close the school a few minutes later.
A woman stands in the rain to pray for area schools during a prayer rally at Jay High School.
We took our NorthEscambia.com cameras north in search of a March snow. Pictured above: We found a snow flurry in Greenville, Alabama.
Heavy rains flooded in Molino area in March.
Bratt Elementary Librarian Martha Jeter and her husband Gerald outside the remains of their Chumuckla home that was hit by a tornado.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Calls For Emergency Services Increasing; Response Times Improving
December 29, 2009
The calls for emergency services are increasing in Escambia County, and recently released data shows that response time is improving.
The average response time for Escambia Fire Rescue has improved slightly to 5.77 minutes, compared to 5.99 minutes last year, according to a recent “State of the County Report”. The county’s fire services includes 300 active volunteer firefighters in addition to paid crews. A grant will allow the county to hire 12 new firefighters.
During the year, Escambia County EMS had 33,836 emergency calls and responded to 84.37 percent of those calls within 10 minutes. That is an improvement over 81.03 percent with 10 minutes during the previous year.
The 911 dispatch center received 182,750 calls, up from 166,934 during the previous year.
Pictured: A 911 call is answered in Escambia County’s dispatch center. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Downs Daleville In OT
December 29, 2009
In high school basketball action Monday, Flomaton beat Daleville in OT.
Flomaton 70 Daleville 64 (OT)
Flomaton – Shay Gipson 4, Neiko Robinson 8, Neino Robinson 3, Philip Lloyd 6 Austin Patterson 8, Ryheem Dixon 19, Tee Mitchell 7, Tata Ellis 15.
Cantonment Crash Injures Two
December 28, 2009
Two people were injured in a two vehicle accident Monday afternnoon in Cantonment.
The accident happened about 2:35 p.m. at the intersection of Muscogee Road and Webb Street when the driver of a Ford Mustang was apparently rear-ended by the driver of a Buick. The accident shut down Muscogee Road temporarily.
At least one person was transported to a Pensacola hospital by ambulance.
The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Highway Patrol responded to the crash.
The accident is still under investigation by the FHP. Further details were not available.
Pictured above and below: Two people were injured in this two-vehicle accident Monday afternoon on Muscogee Road in Cantonment. Submitted photos by Kristi Mith for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Morgan: Additional Deputies Still On The Way For North Escambia
December 28, 2009
Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan is once again reaffirming his commitment to increase the number of deputies in North Escambia. Sheriff David Morgan stated several times during 2009 that he would add five new deputies between the Century and Molino precincts before the end of the year.
While the additional deputies will not be assigned to North Escambia for a few more months, Morgan told NorthEscambia.com that they are still on the way.
The increased staffing, which Morgan first promised at a May meeting in Molino, was delayed by budget cutbacks and overall staffing problems in the department, he said.
“Now you are looking at the end of February,” the sheriff said. The new North Escambia deputies will be from a pool of 20 new officers to be hired with a $3.3 million, three-year COPS Hiring Recover Grant. The Escambia County Commission has committed to funding $1.1 million to keep the 20 deputies on the payroll for one year after the three-year grant comes to an end.
Morgan said his department has tracked the crime statistics in North Escambia on a monthly basis to make sure there has not been an upswing in crime in the area.
“There has not been significant trend in crime,” Morgan said. “Sgt. (Kevin) Vickrey has been holding his own.” Vickrey is a sergeant assigned to the Molino precinct.
During 2009, Morgan did follow through a campaign promise by reopening the Walnut Hill Substation that had sat empty since it was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan. The Walnut Hill “Precinct 7″ is open on Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. under the supervision of Lt. Carl Jones from the Century Precinct. Jones said the precinct provides the Walnut Hill Community with easy access to the Sheriff’s Office. Residents are able to file a report, or just stop by and express concerns about issues in their community, he said.
There were extra deputies assigned to the two North Escambia precincts during the summer, Commander Bobby Jackson said recently, but they were school resource officers working regular patrol. They returned to their school assignments in late August. In addition, medical leave has plagued the department, taking officers assigned to North Escambia off the street for weeks at a time.
Fire Damages Restaurant Shed (With Photo Gallery)
December 28, 2009
Fire heavily damaged a storage shed behind a Molino restaurant Monday morning.
The fire was reported by Anthony’s Rib Shack on Highway 29 near Molino Road about 10:20 Monday morning. The restaurant’s owner was able to remove his smoker trailer from the shed. The restaurant was not damaged and will remain open.
Escambia Fire Rescue units from Molino, Cantonment and McDavid responded to the blaze. There were no injuries.
For more photos from the scene, click here. Some photos contributed by Kristi Mith.
Pictured above: Fire heavily damaged a storage shed at a Molino restaurant Monday morning. Pictured below: Firefighters work to extinguish a tree near the shed. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Dora Belle Sims Ard
December 28, 2009
Mrs. Dora Belle Sims Ard, 93, passed away on Friday, December 25, 2009 at a Pensacola hospital.
Mrs. Ard was a native and lifelong resident of McDavid, FL, and a lifelong member of Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church. Preceded in death by her Husband, Charles Ard, her Parents, Conrad and Carl Sims, and two Sisters, Clara Gee and Hazel Brown.
Survivors Include: her four Daughters, Frances and Richard Townes, Joann Freeman, and Mary and Gary Graf, all of Cantonment, FL, and Connie Rigby of McDavid, FL; 7 Grandchildren, Pamela Ammerman, Cyndi Daniel, Tony Rigby, Gena Rigby, Alan Graf, Julie Cartwright, and Jason Freeman; 8 Great-Grandchildren, Angela Baker, Matthew Ammerman, Dalton Daniel, Brenden Clay, Alyssa Clay, Josie Cartwright, Tyne Freeman, Kaylee Freeman, and Madison Ammerman; and many Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and Friends.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at 10:00 A.M. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Dexter Truesdell and the Rev. Phil Enfinger officiating.
Burial will follow at Ray’s Chapel Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, December 29, 2009 between 6:00 and 8:00 P.M. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Richard Townes, Gary Graf, Tony Rigby, Jason Freeman, Kenny Cartwright, and Nathan Daniel.
Honorary pallbearers will be Melvin Ard and Albert Ard.
Flood Warning Extended For Escambia River
December 28, 2009
The Flood Warning has been extended until Thursday morning for the Escambia River near Century.
At 8 a.m. Monday the stage was 18.5 feet and falling. Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast. The flood stage is 17.0 feet.
The river will continue to fall to below flood stage by early Thursday morning.
Nine-Year Old Bags First Deer
December 28, 2009
Ian Baker, 9, bagged his first deer recently while hunting with his father Bill on the Bush Farm in Byrneville. Ian bagged the large doe on his second hunt ever. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
