It’s The Last Day Of The Year For Area Schools
December 18, 2009
Today is the final day of school for students across the area before the Christmas holidays.
In Escambia County, teachers will return for planning day on Monday, January 4, 2010. Students will return to class on Tuesday, January 5, 2010.
Today is an early release day in Santa Rosa County. Students will return to school on January 4, 2010.
In Escambia County, Alabama, students will return January 4, 2010. That’s one day earlier than planned — one of two make up days for the days missed due to this week’s floods. The second make up day will be March 19.
Live Nativity Event Tonight In Cottage Hill
December 18, 2009
The First Baptist Church of Cottage Hill will host an outdoor event called “Christmas to the Cross” tonight from 6:30 until 8:30.
The event is a live nativity scene which portrays the life of Jesus from His birth in a manger, to His death of on the cross and His resurrection from the grave. There will be plenty of homemade cookies, hot chocolate and hot apple cider. Everyone is welcome to enjoy this free, festive event. The church is located at 230 Williams Ditch Road in Cantonment.
Photos: Library Celebrates Christmas With Visit From Santa Claus
December 18, 2009
The Century Branch Library held their annual Christmas event Thursday afternoon. Dozens of children had a chance to enjoy a story, presents for everyone and a visit with Santa Claus.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the event, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview NJROTC Attends Military Ball (With Photo Gallery)
December 18, 2009
The Northview High School NJROTC held their annual Military Ball recently at the Naval Aviation Museum aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola.
Over 130 cadets attended the event, a joint fuction with the NJROTC unit from Washington High School. The evening began with a dinner for the Northview cadets at Mesquite Charlie’s Steakhouse. At the museum, cadet leadership from both schools greeted all of the cadets. The evening continued with a POW ceremony, the presentation of seniors from each school as well as the king and queen, and the junior, sophomore and freshman prince and princess from both units as selected by their peers.
Two hours of dancing followed the formal events.
“It was an outstanding gather from both schools,” Captain Charlie Code said.
Click here for more photos from the event.
Pictured: Northview NJROTC Military Ball King and Queen Zach Byers and Miranda Scott. Photo courtesy Stone’s Studio for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Donna Aeppli
December 17, 2009
Donna Aeppli, a resident of Bluff Springs, Fla., died Sunday in Flomaton. She was 69.
Survivors include her three children, James H. Young and Lorri Williams, both of Walton, N.Y., and Rosalie Flannigan of Franklinton, N.C.; and three grandchildren.
Services will take place in Walton at a later date. Arrangements are by Hughes Cremation and Funeral Service in Daphne.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Rivers Starting To Fall; Roads Still Closed
December 17, 2009
(Updated 5:00 p.m.) The National Weather Service reports that the Escambia and Perdido rivers are both beginning to fall.
At 3 p.m., the Escambia River at Century was at 22 feet. Flood stage is 17 feet. Also at 3 p.m., the Perdido River at Barrineau Park was at 18.8 feet and falling. Flood stage is 13 feet.
The following roads are closed in Escambia County:
- Bluff Springs Road
- Daffin Road
- North Barth Road
- River Annex Road between Muscogee Road and the bridge
- Railroad Street
- Mystic Springs Road
- Pineville Road at 3 run bridges
- Occie Phillips between Pineville and Highway 97-A
- Barrineau Park Road between Highway 99 and the Alabama State line.
The follow roads have reopened in Escambia County:
- Arthur Brown Road between Pineville and Highway 97-A
- Fannie Road
- Arthur Brown Road @ Brushy Creek Bridge
- Highway 29 at the Alabama State line.
- Jakes Road
Around the area, Highway 21, Highway 31 and Highway 41 in Escambia County, Alabama, are all now open.
Pictured above: Looking toward the Escambia River Thursday morning on Quintette Road. Submitted photo by Ron Wark for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge
Robert Junior Martin
December 17, 2009
Mr. Robert Junior Martin, 85, passed away on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at a Mobile hospital.
Mr. Martin was a native of Troy, AL, a resident of Bratt, FL for most of his life and attended the Pinebarren Baptist Church. He was a veteran of WWII, a member of the VFW, a member of the U.S. Army National Guard for 33 years, and a retired employee of the Escambia County, FL Road Department after 23 years. He was a loving Husband, and Father, an avid gardener and fisherman, and enjoyed family gatherings and cooking.
Survivors Include: his Wife of 63 years, Ethel Martin of Bratt, FL; four Sons, Ronnie and Gayle Martin of Enon, FL, Harold and JoAnn Martin of Atmore, AL, Bobby and Nancy Martin of Davisville, FL, and
Greg and Linda Martin of Bratt, FL; 7 Grandchildren; numerous Great-Grandchildren; three Brothers, Shirley Martin of Stockton, AL, Carol Martin of Atmore, AL, and Doug Martin of Bratt, FL; and two Sisters, Lilly of Bayou LaBatre, LA, and Shelby Jean Hatcher of Atmore, AL.
Funeral services will be held Friday, December 18, 2009 at 2:00 P.M. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Mike Harper and the Rev. Don Davis officiating.
Burial will follow at Godwin Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Thursday, December 17, 2009 between 6:00 and 9:00 P.M. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home
Pallbearers will be Ken Martin, Taylor Martin, Chris Smith, Brandon Martin, Michael Martin, and Chad Rosenbam.
Honorary pallbearers will be Charles Lowrey, Joe Pennington, John Townsend, Buster Townsend, and Raymond Norris.
Commissioners Shoot Down Valentino’s Plan To Name Interim Administrator
December 17, 2009
Moments after voting to not renew the contract of County Administrator Bob McLaughlin, Commissioner Gene Valentino asked his fellow Escambia County Commissioners to name his recommendation as an interim administrator.
Valentino made the motion this morning that Larry Newsom serve as the new interim county administrator as an at-will employee until a permanent administrator is named. Valentino wanted Newsom to serve as the interim administrator and in his current position of director of transportation concurrently, saving the county $83,000.
“This is a slap in the face as far as I am concerned,” Commissioner Marie Young said, scolding Valentino. “It looks like is preplanned.”
“It is not a slap in the face to anybody…There is no likelihood of getting a good administrator prior to November of 2010,” Valentino said, because of the possitilbity of voters approving a government consolidation plan in November 2010.
Valentino’s motion failed due to a lack of second from any other commissioner. Commissioner will discuss a possible replacement for McLaughlin at their January 7 meeting.
County Administrator Bob McLaughlin Out Of A Job Come February
December 17, 2009
The Escambia County Commission decided this morning that they will not renew the contract of County Administrator McLaughlin.
The motion not to renew the contract was made by Commissioner Grover Robinson and seconded by Commissioner Kevin White. It passed on a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner Marie Young casting the negative vote.
“I was Bob’s biggest supporter, I think, when we hired him two years ago,” Robinson said, adding that support among the commission for McLaughlin had dwindled. “I know if we continue to move forward there will continue to be disagreement.”
Robinson said McLaughlin has done all he was asked, except he was unable to “overcome issues, or just the nature of the job”.
“No special interested lobbied me one way or another. My decision was beast on what I perceived as issues,” White said, adding that he has not read emails or taken phone calls about the administrator’s job. “It’s not personal with me, and it is not political.” White said he has personally lost confidence in McLaughlin.
“I find no fault in this man, no fault in this man,” Commissioner Marie Young said. “Bob is is planner. He is an organizer…he is sincere; he is effective…I don’t know what else we want.”
“It is amazing what he does bring to this county,” Young added. “Is he perfect? No. How many of us in this room is perfect?”
“I need to feel certain that the person who is considered administrator of this county does not forget who he…is working for,” Commissioner Gene Valentino said. “Until we get a charter form of government where the administrator is elected .. that person reports to five people.”
“I am compelled to say that we non-renew Mr. McLaughlin’s contract,” Valentino said.
“How can we have an administrator that the five us us cannot get behind?” Robinson asked.
“It is is evident that when you take a year to year contract, this could happen,” Commissioner Wilson Robertson said. “if you are willing to take that contract, you’ve got to be willing to take the consequences.” Robertson said he could not support an administrator that did not have the complete support of his commission.
McLaughlin made no comment about his contract non-renewal following the board’s vote, but he did issue a prepared statement after the meeting: “While I am very disappointed, I work at the pleasure of the Board. The board has decided to go in another direction and they are perfectly within their rights to do so. I will work out the term of my contract and continue to do my job to the best of my ability.”
McLaughlin will continue in his position until midnight on February 6. The commissioner’s will take a final vote at their January 7 meeting to affirm this morning’s decision. McLaughlin previously served as an assistant county administrator in Escambia County. He was promoted to interim administrator George Touart stepped down as administrator after questions were raised about his business practices. McLaughlin was hired as administrator in February 2008.
Pictured above: Escambia Administrator Bob McLaughlin at this morning’s Committee of the Whole meeting. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
More Rain Tonight, Friday; Flash Flood Watch
December 17, 2009
There is a flash flood watch in effect for the entire area as more rain will fall during tonight and Friday.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 46. Northeast wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
- Friday: Rain likely, mainly before 9am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. North wind between 10 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 53. Northwest wind between 5 and 15 mph.
- Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 52. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 29. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 57. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31. North wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 59.
- Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37.
- Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 60.
- Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.
- Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54.