Century Purchases Helicopter Technology Building At Foreclosure Sale; No Other Bidders
August 25, 2009
The Town of Century purchased the former Helicopter Technology building in the town’s Industrial Park at public auction Monday morning — for less than $1 out of pocket.
Century Mayor Freddie McCall said the town was the only bidder on the building. It was being sold at public auction following the town’s foreclosure judgment against the now defunct Helicopter Technology.
McCall said that the entire process took less than three minutes, and the town’s only out of pocket expense in purchasing the building, besides legal fees, was 70-cents in document stamps to the court clerk. The town’s attorney, Matt Dannheisser had been authorized to bid up to $785,000 for the property, but with no other bids, the town easily won the building at the auction.
“I hope to put a business in there right away,” McCall said. “It will be up to the town council to put it on the market or put a business in there; or sell it, and refinance it to make more money off of it and bring us some jobs.”
Northview Mini-Cheerleading Clinic Scheduled
August 25, 2009
The annual Northview Mini-Cheerleading Clinic will be held this Friday, giving girls three-years old through the eighth grade the chance to cheer at halftime of a Northview Chiefs game.
The clinic will be from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. Friday in the school gym. Registration is at 5:00. The clinic is open to children three-years old through the eighth grade. Cost is $15 per person or $20 for siblings. The girls will perform during halftime of the first home football game on September 4. They will receive free admission to the game. For questions, call Anna at Northview at (850) 327-6681.
Larry White Named President Of State Commission Association
August 25, 2009
Escambia County (Ala.) Commissioner Larry White of Flomaton has been elected president of the Association of County Commissions of Alabama, the statewide association that represents Alabama’s county governments.
White is active in ACCA having previously held the position of ACCA first vice president, as well as currently serving on the ACCA board of directors and several committees.
“I am very anxious to get to work,” White said. “This year offers many challenges for county government, and I am looking forward to working with our ACCA staff, new board of directors, our members and our affiliates to face them. Budget shortfalls, health care, road and bridge funding are but a few concerns our counties must address this year. We will work hard together to solve our problems. We are committed to continue to provide safe roads and bridges, promote economic development, support our law enforcement agencies, and to provide other vital services of county government.”
ACCA Executive Director Sonny Brasfield said he is confident in White’s capabilities to serve the association’s membership well.
“We have nothing to worry about in the next year. I know that Larry will lead this association with pride and a dedication to improving county government,” Brasfield said. “With his experience on the board of directors, our affiliate groups, our special projects, our insurance programs, and his knowledge of county issues, Larry will continue to be a valuable asset to the people of Alabama.”
The Association of County Commissions of Alabama is a statewide organization representing county governments in Alabama. ACCA promotes improved county government services in Alabama, offers educational programs for county officials and their staff members, administers insurance programs for county governments and employees, offers legal advice, and represents the interests of county government before state and federal organizations and agencies. The activities of the Association are governed by a board of directors composed of three officers, past presidents and representatives elected from 12 Alabama districts.
Clara Bell Steadham
August 24, 2009
Mrs. Clara Bell Steadham of McDavid, FL passed away August 22, 2009 at the age of 68. She was born November 29, 1940.
She is survived by her Loving, Devoted Husband of 49 years Dudley “Bo” Steadham. Her Sons Jeff Steadham, Daniel Steadham (Melinda), and David Steadham (Linda), all of McDavid, FL; Grandchildren: Jeffery Steadham, Ian Steadham, and Danielle Steadham all of McDavid, FL, Stephanie Nelson of Bay Minette, AL, Step-Grandson Casey Burkett (Megan) of Atmore, AL. Great-Grandson: Quinton Nelson of Bay Minette, AL. She also leaves behind a Sister Dorothy Steadham of McDavid, FL.
She is preceded by her siblings, Lewis Gilmore, Ernest Gilmore, Catherine Garrett, and Perlie Mare Miller. Her Family and Grandchildren were the sunshine of her life; she also will cherish the memories of many Nieces and Nephews. She will always be in our Hearts and forever in God’s Loving Arms.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 25, 2009 at 2:00 P.M. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Nathan Brown officiating.
Visitation will be Monday August 24, 2009 from 6 to 9 P.M. at the Petty Eastside Chapel
Pallbearers will be: Lee Jernigan, Robbie Barrows, Gordon Gilmore, Avis Garrett, Lamar Garrett, Alfred “Bubba” Kimmons.
Honorary Pallbearers will be: Josh Hiest and Mack Jr. Morris
Burial will be in Ray’s Chapel Cemetery.
Petty Funeral Homes, LLC (Eastside Chapel) in charge of arrangements.
Three Cantonment Residents Involved In Crash
August 24, 2009
Three Cantonment residents were involved in a two-vehicle crash Monday afternoon.
The accident happened in the 2800 block of Pine Forest Road. The Florida Highway Patrol says Jeffrey Bookout, 52, was southbound on Pine Forest Road in 1997 Dodge pickup pulling a 36-foot travel trailer when he started to turn into his own driveway. That’s when troopers say Michael Craig, 48, tried to to pass the pickup on his 2007 Harley Davidson motorcycle. As Bookout turned left, Craig collided with the left front of the pickup, according to the FHP report.
Craig and his motorcycle were knocked about 20 feet into concrete culvert, according to the FHP. He was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola in serious condition.
Bookout and his passenger, Rhonda Brant, 37, were not injured.
Craig was charged with an improper lane change, according to the FHP.
Don’t Forget Paperwork To Send Back To School
August 24, 2009
Every child in Escambia County should have received an assortment of paperwork during the first day of school Monday. School administrators stress the importance of filling out that paperwork and returning it as soon as possible.
“It’s very important that we get all of the paperwork back tomorrow”, Ernest Ward Principal Nancy Gindl-Perry said Monday afternoon. “We gave the folder of a paperwork to the students during the last five minutes of school; so it should all make it home.”
If you have questions about any of the blue cards, white cards or other forms, call your child’s school tomorrow.
Edna E. McKinley
August 24, 2009
Edna E. McKinley, a homemaker, died Saturday in Atmore. She was 82.
A native of Uriah and a former resident of Davisville, Fla., she was a resident of Atmore.
Survivors include her daughter, Teresa McClure of Dyersburg, Tenn.; two sons, Michael W. McKinley and Billy McKinley, both of Atmore; one sister, Mattie Moore of Pace, Fla.; one grandchild; and two stepgrandchildren.
Visitation will be tonight from 5 to 8 at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, where services will be Tuesday at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Pine Barren Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Covenant Hospice in Brewton.
One Person Injured In Bratt Highway 4 Wreck Monday Morning
August 24, 2009
One person received minor injuries in an accident in the 4600 block of Highway 4 in Bratt Monday morning.
A Jeep was apparently rear-ended by another vehicle; the driver was transported by ambulance with minor injuries. The accident happened about 8:30 a.m. near the First Baptist Church of Bratt.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire-Rescue, Atmore Ambulance at the Florida Highway Patrol responded to the crash. The accident is under investigation by the FHP.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Pelicans Preserve Division Lead With 6-3 Win Over El Paso
August 24, 2009
The Pelicans picked up a much needed win on Sunday night, defeating the Diablos 6-3. On a night that saw the Captains and Air Hogs earn victories as well, the Pelicans earned the win they needed to remain three games ahead of Shreveport-Bossier, and three and a half games up on Grand Prairie. The Pelicans’ magic number is now four as seven games remain in the regular season. Avoiding a sweep in the final game of the series, Pensacola had to fend off multiple El Paso attacks.
The Pelicans took an early two-run lead in the first inning. Francisco Leandro doubled and Kevin Reynolds hit him in and then stole second, scoring himself on a Chase Burch single. Yet the Diablos answered right back in the top of the second with two runs of their own.
Jeff Vincent continued to foil Pelicans’ starter Randy Beam: after recording the lone knock in Beam’s one-hitter during July, Vincent started off the second inning in this game with a solo home run. After Jerry Verastegui grounded out, Eddy Rodriguez went yard as well, and the game was tied.
Pensacola scored a run in the bottom of the fifth in their gritty style: Jason Diaz singled, stole second, and Kevin Reynolds drove him in. Diaz would end the evening with a single in each of his three plate appearances.
El Paso rallied to tie it in the very next frame, leading off the top of the sixth with an Hector Bernal double. Randy Beam would leave the game in the inning, finishing with five and a third innings pitched, allowing three runs on nine hits, walking two and striking out six. The third run scored when Juan Camacho singled off new pitcher Francisco Butto, advancing Bernal to the dish.
Butto would keep the Diablos shut down for the next few innings, leaving after recording the final out of the eighth. His only blemishes were three hits, which he overshadowed with four strikeouts.
The Pelicans provided Butto with run support in the bottom of the sixth. Antoin Gray singled, moved to second on a groundout, third on a wild pitch, and scored on a Marcos Rodriguez base hit.
An inning later Pensacola added insurance when Jason Diaz recorded his final hit to lead off the bottom of the seventh. Francisco Leandro put down his second sacrifice bunt to advance Diaz to second base, and Marshall McDougall provided a timely to hit to bring him home. After McDougall recorded his first steal in a Pelicans uniform, Antoin Gray doubled to drive McDougall in, and the Pelicans had the 6-3 lead that would go final.
Hunter Davis pitched the ninth inning, giving up a leadoff single, but after inducing a popup to third base and a 6-4-3 double play, the ballgame was over and Davis earned his twenty-first save.
Diaz went 3-3, scoring twice, and Reynolds ended the evening 2-4 driving in two. Gray and Rodriguez each went 2-4, driving in one; Gray hit a double.
The Pelicans travel overnight to Fort Worth where they start a three game series on Monday. The Pelicans will throw Aaron Jackson against Fort Worth’s Ryan Riddle. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and all the action can be heard on NewsRadio 1620 and online via SportsJuice.com.
Becoming One: Teacher Liaison Working To Bring Communities Together
August 24, 2009
The transition of Carver/Century K-8 School into Ernest Ward Middle and Bratt Elementary will go smoothly. Just ask anyone involved with either school in any capacity, and they are sure of it.
Except for Joyce Wright-Evans. She’s double sure.
Wright-Evans is a teacher on special assignment as a community liaison at Bratt and Ernest Ward this year in a position funded by federal stimulus dollars to help ensure that parents and the community are as involved as possible with the two schools. It is all part of the plan to make sure the consolidation of Carver/Century K-8 into Ernest Ward and Bratt goes as smoothly as possible.
“It’s going to be a great year,” Wright-Evans said last week while sitting in the office of Ernest Ward Principal Nancy Gindl-Perry. “I am very proud to be part of the Ernest Ward family.”
“You hear that?” Perry asked. “Part of the Ernest Ward family…that’s what we are here at Ernest Ward…family.”
With hundreds of children in the two schools — an expected 547 just at Ernest Ward — a big part of Wright-Evans’ job will be helping parents and the community feel like part of that family at EWMS and Bratt Elementary.
“I think she has the right temperament, and she has the right personality. She’s very energetic, and that passion for children is going to show,” Escambia School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said of Wright-Evans. “She is going to be a good thing for everyone involved with either school.”
Jeff Garthwaite, former principal of Carver/Century K-8 School and now stimulus funds coordinator for the school district, agreed.
“She will be there to help plan community activities like open house, and she will be there to smooth out any bumps in the road that might happen,” Garthwaite said. “She will troubleshoot any problems, and she will act as an advocate for children and parents with the school.”
“Parents can contact me about anything involving the schools,” she said. “We work together as a team.”
Wright-Evans will also be reaching out to community groups and businesses, looking for their involvement with Bratt and Ernest Ward.
“It’s all about the kids,” Wright-Evans said. “It is about each one of them. The kids come first.”
Wright-Evans will maintain an office at Ernest Ward and travel frequently to Bratt. To contact her about any issue or more information on how to become involved with the two schools, email jwright-evans@escambia.k12.fl.us or call Ernest Ward Middle at 327-4283 or Bratt Elementary at 327-6137.
Pictured: Joyce Wright-Evans in the hallway at Ernest Ward Middle School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.