Christmas Gift Bargains: Try An Area Thrift Store
December 19, 2009
If you are looking for bargains on your last minute Christmas shopping, one of the area thrift stores might just have what you need. From the We Care Economy Shops in Atmore and Flomaton, to the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store in Century, to the Junior Humane Society Thrift Store in Cantonment, the deals await Christmas shoppers looking to save.
We Care Economy Shops, Atmore and Flomaton
The We Care Economy Shops in Flomaton and Atmore offer a wide variety of merchandise, from clothing for the entire family to housewares and furniture in their thrift shop.
“It’s good and clean merchandise at a good price,” Flomaton store manager Diane Bennett said. “Everything we sell is from donations, but we go through everything to make sure it is clean and in good shape.”
The store also sells a variety of household goods, toys, furniture and clothing. All of the items are inspected before being sold, and some items are new.
Proceeds from the store fund the We Care Program, a prison ministry program founded in 1970. The We Care Program spreads the Word of God in prisons, including Holman and Fountain in Atmore and the Century Correctional Institute.
The We Care Economy Shop in Flomaton is located on Highway 31 about a half mile from Highway 113 in a former hardware store building. The We Care Economy Shop in Atmore is located downtown at the intersection of Highway 31 and Main Street. Store hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store, Century
The St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store also offers a variety of merchandise at bargain prices.
The store offers a vast array of items including glassware, toasters, lamps, couches, desks and office equipment, books, movies, shoes and the complete range of clothing from infant to size 4X men’s and women’s apparel. The store also offers men’s suits, ladies formal dresses, a bridal gown, a chain saw, plus a marble counter top bathroom sink and even a stainless steel kitchen sink.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is an international organization with a mission to help the poor and homeless. Their thrift stores are a way of raising money to accomplish that mission.
The store is located in the former Country Bumpkin building at 7850 North Century Boulevard. The store is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. They will also be open this Monday for Christmas shoppers.
Junior Humane Society Thrift Store, Cantonment
The Junior Humane Society Thrift Store in Cantonment held their grand opening in mid-November.
The store features a variety of clothing for all ages, shoes, office furniture, kitchen supplies, books, toys, pet supplies and other items with new merchandise arriving daily. The JHS Thrift Store is open Wednesday – Friday from noon until 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The store also features a wall featuring photos of dogs and cats looking for new homes through JHS.
Proceeds benefit JHS activities, such as finding homes for homeless cats and dogs, while also providing unbelievable bargains for area residents battling tough economic times.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Dry, Cool Days; River Warnings Continue
December 19, 2009
Cool sunny days, clear cold night — and no rain. It’s a perfect December forecast in the North Escambia area for the next few days.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 53. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 53. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 29. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 60. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
- Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 28. South wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. Southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. East wind around 10 mph.
- Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 64.
- Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 46.
- Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55.
- Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 32.
- Christmas Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 50.
River Flood Warning statements from the National Weather Service:
The Flood Warning continues for
the Escambia River near century
* until further notice
* at 8pm Friday the stage was 21.3 feet
* minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast
* flood stage is 17.0 feet
* the river will continue rising to near 22.0 feet by tomorrow evening then
begin falling.
… Flood Warning extended until Saturday evening… the Flood Warning continues
for
the Perdido river near Barrineau Park
* until Saturday evening
* at 8am Friday the stage was 14.3 feet
* minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast
* flood stage is 13.0 feet
* the river will continue to fall to below flood stage by early tomorrow.
Afternoon.
. Flood Warning extended until Wednesday evening… the Flood Warning continues
for the Conecuh river at Brewton
* until Wednesday evening
* at 8pm Friday the stage was 30.9 feet
* minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast
* flood stage is 27.0 feet
* the river will continue to fall to below flood stage by Wednesday early
afternoon.
Northview, ECHS, EA Score Cash With FNB&Trust Points Club
December 19, 2009
The First National Bank and Trust in Atmore distributed Points Club funds to area schools this week, paying out cash for points that three area schools earned at each home football game.
Each football program received $50 for each touchdown and $25 for each field goal scored during a home football game. Northview High School’s Chiefs earned $725 for 14 home touchdowns and one field goal. The Cougars of Escambia Academy were awarded $1,000 for 20 touchdowns on their home turf, and Escambia County High School’s Blue Devils received $750 for 15 touchdowns in Atmore.
The bank also awarded $4,000 total to four Monroe County, Alabama, schools that take part in the FNB&Trust Points Club.
Pictured top: Chris Walker, Jennifer Prestridge, Northview Coach Sid Wheatley, and Christina Godwin. Pictured below: Eula Price, Shep Marsh, Escambia Academy Coach Heath Gibson and Chris Walker. Pictured bottom: Chris Walker, Escambia County High School Coach Kyle Davis, Kathy Holland and Mark Clayton. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
15-Year Old Shot In Hunting Accident
December 18, 2009
The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating an apparent accidental shooting of a 15 year old male in Perdido, Alabama.
Tanner Boatwright was hunting late with two friends Thursday afternoon in Perdido. The three hunters were on a deer drive in a wooded area. Boatwright was hit with 2 “00” buckshot pellets when one or both of his friends shot at a deer that stepped out near Boatwright, according to the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office.He was hit in the lower back, and his injuries did not appear to be life threatening, according to deputies.
Boatwright was taken to Atmore Community Hospital and was then transferred to USA Hospital in Mobile.
An early investigation shows that the hunters had permission to hunt on the property. and Boatwright stated that he was wearing hunter orange, deputies said.
The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Department will continue to investigate the incident and turn their results over to a Grand Jury.
Traffic Problems: North Century Boulevard, Also Hilltop Road
December 18, 2009
Motorists traveling through the construction zone on North Century Boulevard (Highway 29) just south of the Alabama state line can expect delays this morning. A large hole has washed out in the single open southbound lane. Motorists should avoid the area if possible.
In the 200 block of Hilltop Road in Century, a tree and power lines are reported to be down.
Sheriff: Molino Home Invasion Investigation Is Continuing
December 18, 2009
Escambia County’s top cop says his department is still looking into the case of two reported Molino home invasion attacks on cheerleaders.
“It an ongoing investigation,” Sheriff David Morgan told NorthEscambia.com. “We are still pursuing any and all leads.” He said his investigative team is keeping him updated on the progress of the case, but Morgan said he was unable to indicate a time frame for a possible resolution to the case.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Department investigators have returned to Molino several times since the incidents, questioning some of those involved with the two cases, Sgt. Ted Roy said recently.
A 13-year old Ernest Ward Middle School cheerleader reported that she was attacked by a knife-wielding intruder while she was home alone the night of October 31 at her home in the 7000 block of Highway 95A. The girl told deputies that a man entered the home through a window (pictured left), and one tried to attack her with a knife. The middle school student was cut multiple times on her hands in an apparent attempt to fight off her attacker as she was pinned on a bed, but she was not otherwise injured. Her injuries were not considered serious.
A 16-year old told investigators that a tall, slender white male had entered her home on Nancy Lane through a utility room window the morning of November 3. She told authorities that she fought back — throwing drinking glasses at her attacker and dousing him with pepper spray. She then fled the home, running to nearby Highland Baptist Church for help. She described her attacker as wearing a black ski mask, a long black shirt and black pants.
To read previous stories, click a link below:
- Cheerleader Home Invasion Victim: “I Was Scared”
- Sheriff’s Report Details Friday Night’s Home Invasion
- Another Cheerleader Attacked In Second Molino Home Invasion
- Are The Two Cheerleader Home Invasion Attacks Related
- Molino Remains On High Alert After Attacks
- Home Invasion In Molino: Young Teen Cut Multiple Times With Knife
Pictured top: The attacker in the November 3 home invasion in Molino entered this Nancy Lane home through this utility room window. Pictured top inset: The October 31 suspect reportedly entered a home on Highway 95A through this window. Pictured below: The victim in the Nancy Lane attack ran to nearby Highland Baptist Church for help. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: Ernest Ward Christmas Gala Celebrates The Season
December 18, 2009
Ernest Ward Middle School presented a Christmas Gala at the school Thursday night.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured: Scenes from the Ernest Ward Middle School Christmas Gala Thursday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Car Recovered From Brushy Creek Days After Four People Rescued
December 18, 2009
The car swept away by flood waters Monday night on Deere Creek Road near Atmore was recovered late Thursday morning.
David’s Paint and Body pulled the car from the muck near Brushy Creek.
Click here for more photos of the inside and outside of the vehicle.
It was about 9:00 Monday night as flood waters began to rise all around Atmore that emergency dispatchers received 911 calls reporting a vehicle or vehicles in waters of Brushy Creek. Initial reports to authorities indicated that as many as eight people in two or three vehicles were trapped in the rushing water.
Two hours after the rescue attempt got underway, four people had been delivered to safety to local resident Mike Allen. At that point rescue workers were still unclear how many vehicles were in the water. The creek was swollen so wide that the powerful spotlights of several emergency vehicle were unable to provide enough light for firefighters to determine exactly what situation they were facing.
During the days that followed, a clearer pictures of what happened began to emerge, and authorities learned that there was just one vehicle in the water.
Reports indicate that Kari Rolin had driven her Chevrolet Lumina into the water rushing across the road, and the vehicle had been swept several feet off the highway. She called her nextdoor neighbors Jeremy and Matthew McGhee, to ask for help. She told them that she thought she was going to drown. The McGhee brothers and Ashleigh Geck rushed to the creek to see what was happening.
They made the decision to jump into the flooded creek in an attempt to save Rolin. Their attempt failed, leaving four people trapped.
Rescue workers attempted to use a human chain to reach the four as they clung to trees for their lives. That failed. They rescuers attempted to use a boat to reach the four. The boat capsized.
Another nearby resident, Mike Allen, heard about the rescue attempt and discovered that his neice, Ashleigh Geck, was one of those trapped. He had not used his jet ski for some time. In fact, he even had to wire a car battery into the jet ski to get it to crank.
Allen’s jet ski rescue attempt worked quickly, saving the four lives.
Click here for more photos of the inside and outside of the vehicle.
Pictured top: The inside of the car that was swept into the flood waters of Brushy Creek on Deere Creek Road near Atmore Monday night. Pictured above: What appears to be a t-shirt remains in the trees near where the car was recovered. Pictured below: The Chevrolet Luminia that was engulfed by Brushy Creek Monday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Boys Beat Central; Jay Girls Fall To Pace
December 18, 2009
The Northview Chiefs beat Central in boy’s basketball action Thursday, and the Jay Royal girls lost to the Pace Patriots.
Northview 55, Central 45
Northview– Buchsaw 13, Bellamy 9, Sims 4, Arrington 6, White 15, Chestnutt 2, Laghorn 6.
Northview 10 14 12 19-55 Central 16 4 11 14-45
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Pace 64, Jay 62
Jay — Ginger Jennings 11, Tessa Hendricks 10, Danielle Skaggs 13, Candace Mulford 7, Amber Steadham 9, Becca Calloway 7.
Jay 6 18 18 20-62 Pace 18 18 13 15-64
West Florida High Named One Of The Nation’s Best
December 18, 2009
West Florida High School has been recognized by U.S. News and World Report as one of the best high schools in America. The school received the designation of a “Bronze” school.
The best high schools were determined through a three-step process. Ensuring that schools serve all their students well and used the state proficiency standards as the benchmarks were part of the first two steps. Schools that made it through the first two steps were then assessed by the degree to which students were being prepared for college-level work.
Many North Escambia students attend West Florida High School of Advanced Technology — it is magnet school open to students from across Escambia County.