Two Injured In Four Wheeler Hit And Run Accident; Possible Gunshots
May 9, 2009
Two people were injured in an early morning four-wheeler hit and run accident on Jacks Branch Road, possible after someone shot at the pair.
An adult male and female were on the four-wheeler on Old Bridge Road when, according to a witness, someone fired a shot. The four-wheeler then sped away toward Jacks Branch Road where it collided with a vehicle. The vehicle left the scene while the four-wheeler occupants drove a few hundred yards back down Old Bridge Road.
The male and female were transported by ambulance to a Pensacola hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Their identities have not been released.
The incident occurred about 2:15 Saturday morning. It is still under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Molino station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and Escambia County Sheriff’s Department also responded to the call.
Pictured above: Two people were injured when their four-wheeler was struck in a hit and run accident at Jacks Branch Road and Old Bridge Road about 2:15 Saturday morning.. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photo, click to enlarge.
One Person Seriously Injured In Bratt Accident Early Saturday
May 9, 2009
One person was seriously injured about 1:10 Saturday morning in a single vehicle accident in Bratt.
Amanda Gifford, 34, was driving a Chevrolet Z71 pickup when she struck a tree on Hall Road between Breastworks Road and Highway 99. She suffered a serious head injury, according to authorities, in the accident. She walked about one tenth of a mile to a nearby house to call for help.
Gifford was transported by ambulance to the Molino station of Escambia Fire Rescue where she was transferred to LifeFlight.
Gifford told authorities that she had hit a deer. There were no passengers in the vehicle.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Walnut Hill station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Atmore Ambulance responded to the call.
Pictured above: The driver of this vehicle was seriously injured about 1:10 Saturday morning after striking a tree on Hall Road in Bratt. The truck spun around 180 degrees after hitting the tree. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photo, click to enlarge.
Northview, Ernest Ward Hold FFA Banquet
May 9, 2009
Northview High School held their 14th Annual FFA Banquet Friday night, honoring the students and adult leaders that work to provide exceptional agricultural education at Northview and Ernest Ward Middle School.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured above: Northview FFA members Jennifer Lowe, Aimee Clarke and Brittany Thompson at Friday night’s FFA Banquet. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia County To Sue ECUA Over Part Of North Escambia Trash Deal
May 8, 2009
The Escambia County Commission has voted to sue the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority to stop ECUA from using a garbage transfer station, part of the plan when ECUA took over residential waste disposal in North Escambia.com.
ECUA’s acquisition of the garbage transfer station from Allied Waste was to be used to avoid tipping fees — fees paid to dump at the landfill. If ECUA hauled garbage from North Escambia to the Perdido Landfill in Beulah, ECUA would be required to pay Escambia County’s tipping fee. But by using the transfer station, residential waste collected in North Escambia could be collected from individual trucks and then transported to an Alabama landfill, avoiding the tipping fees to Escambia County.
But the county contends that a 1992 agreement between the county and ECUA allows ECUA only to collect waste, not dispose of it. County Attorney Allision Robinson told commissioners that using ECUA’s use of the transfer station to ultimately transport the trash to Alabama would be disposal.
“The agreement says that ECUA will not operate a central recycling facility, and this transfer station is not a recycling facility,” District 5 ECUA Board Member Larry Walker tol NorthEscambia.com after Thursday night’s commission vote.
The commission approved the use of eminent domain against Allied, allowing the county to take the transfer station property on Palafox Street just south of Texas Street in Pensacola. Eminent domain would allow the county to force Allied to sell the transfer station to the county at fair market value.
Walker said he believes that the commission’s actions Thursday night are a move toward the county’s ultimate goal to take over ECUA.
“Unfortunately, the county is not looking at what is best for the citizens,” Walker said. “The county just can’t wait to take over ECUA.”
Walnut Hill Road Gets Name
May 8, 2009
A Walnut Road that previously did not have a name was given one by the Escambia County Commission Thursday night.
The commission approved the street name “Wiley Lane” for a previously unnamed private road that runs west off of the 100 block of Juniper Street, about one half mile north of Arthur Brown Road.
One new street sign will cost the county $196.80.
Rotary Club Names All Stars
May 8, 2009
The Atmore Rotary Club recognized an outstanding group of area high school students as Academic All-Stars Thursday night, including about three dozen Northview High School students.
The Academic All-Star program is open to students who attend Northview High School, Atmore Christian School, Escambia County High School or Escambia Academy.
To be named an Academic All-Star, a student must have maintained at least a B average in every subject for each grading period of the school year, with at least one A for each grading period.
For those who have maintained this status from the 9th through the 12th grades, they are honored as Four-Year Academic All-Stars. Five Northview High School seniors (pictured above), Gretchen Boughner, Lanie Jeannine Eubanks, Briana Halteman, Luke F. Killam and Chelsea Sims earned that title. (They are profiled at the end of this article.)
Northview High seniors honored as Atmore Rotary Academic All-Stars were:
- Gretchen Denea Boughner
- Kayla Sue Brewer
- Amy Nicole Conner
- Lanie Jeannine Eubanks
- Melissa Nicole Garrett
- Briana Renea Halteman
- Stormy Brooke Hayes
- Luke Fletcher Killam
- Jessica Maria Mothershed
- Chelsea Ellen Sims
- Ashley Arlene Snow
Northview High juniors honored as Atmore Rotary Academic All-Stars were:
- Jessica Nicole Bloodsworth
- Kaitlyn Nicole Caraway
- Kolbi Shae Cobb
- Clinton Eugene Davis
- Bradley James Lowery
- Amber Nicole McMillan
- Mark Allen Shipps Jr.
- Dakota Wayne Stuckey
Northview High sophomores honored as Atmore Rotary Academic All-Stars were:
- Mallory Ann Bell
- Ashley Elizabeth Digmon
- Laneicia Dynette Gomez
- Sarah Malinda Killam
- Michael Todd Lowery
- Megan Juliette Ryan
- Christina Nicole Sepulveda
- Hayley Renee Simpson
- Colton Darryl Sim
- Emily Faith Vickrey
Northview High freshmen honored as Atmore Rotary Academic All-Stars were:
- Holly Nicole Dickson
- Josie Britt Doucette
- Amber Dianne Francis
- Jacob Nathaniel Gibson
- Alexander Dewayne Payne
- Tyler Lindsay Randolph
- Joel Nathaniel Wetzel
Gretchen Boughner
Gretchen, the daughter of Kevin Boughner and Louann Boughner. Gretchen is DCT parliamentarian, is a member of FBLA, is FCCLA historian, and Spanish Club historian. She is a member of Interact and FCA. Gretchen played softball, basketball and was on the weightlifting team. She was also a member of the 2009 homecoming court. She is a Sunday school teacher, volunteered at a nursing home where she entertained and played games with the residents. She also attended FBIA and DCT competition and placed third in each. Gretchen plays to attend Pensacola Junior College and later transfer to the University of West Florida and major in psychology with a concentration in social work.
Lanie Jeannine Eubanks
Lanie, the daughter of Mike and Vickie Eubanks. Lanie was a member of FFA for three years and a member of FBLA for one year. She is currently a member of the Spanish Club and the student government association. She serves as the vice president of Beta Club, president of Rho Kappa and co-captain of the math team. Lanie has been a member of the NHS marching band for five years and serves as assistant drum major. She plans to attend the University of West Florida and major in mathematics.
Briana Halteman
Briana, is the daughter of Lyndon and Norma Halteman. She served as drum major in the Northvew marching band, was on the varsity softball team and was involved in the student government association. Briana was a member of the Beta Club, math team, FCA, Rho Kappa and was on the weightlifting team. She plans to attend the University of West Florida and major in pre-medicine.
Luke F. Killam
Luke is the son of Gary and Melanie Killam. He is the top ranked student at Northview, is class president, Beta Club treasurer, Rho-Kappa treasurer, FCA vice-president, a member of the Spanish Club and a member of the student government association. He served as NHS’s delegate to the Florida Association of Student Council, was selected by his teachers to the Senior Hall of Fame, was named NHS’s Student of the Year, received the Mira Award and was voted Best All Around by the senior class. Luke played varsity football, basketball, baseball and was on the weightlifting team. He served as class vice president, SGA vice president and was a member of the Spanish and Beta clubs, was a member of Rho-Kappa and FCA. He is an active member of Flomaton Baptist Church and sings in the adult and youth choir. He also sang in the local veterans program and spring musical. Luke was chosen as Northview’s representative as one of two high school students to serve in the Escambia County School District’s Student’s Rights and Responsibilities Handbook revision meetings. Luke plans to attend Auburn University and major in civil engineering.
Chelsea Sims
Chelsea is the daughter of Darryl and Ellen Sims. While at Northview, she was a majorette for two years and a varsity cheerleader for two years. She was named Miss NHS 2008, was a homecoming maid as a freshman and sophomore and was homecoming queen her senior year. Chelsea was a member of the student government association for three years, Beta Club for three years and voted Best All Around by the senior class. She is a member of Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church. Chelsea plans to attend Pensacola Junior College for two years and transfer to the University of West Florida. She plans to major in speech pathology.
Pictured: Atmore Rotary Four-Year Academic All-Stars from Northview High School: Gretchen Boughner, Lanie Jeannine Eubanks, Briana Halteman Luke F. Killam and Chelsea Sims. Click to enlarge.
In Court: Century Employee That Left Prisoner Unattended, Got In Fight
May 8, 2009
A new trial date has been set for the Town of Century employee that reportedly left a state prisoner unattended in a store parking lot while he got into fight inside the store.
Robert Allen Powell, 56, of McDavid was back before Escambia Circuit Judge David Ackerman. Ackerman approved a motion to continue by Powell’s attorney. His jury trial is now set for late June.
Powell reportedly got into a fight with Randall Keith Grimes, 47, of Century at the town’s Dollar General store.
Powell stopped at the Dollar General in a town truck along with a prisoner from the Century Correctional Institution that was on work detail for the town, according an Escambia County Sheriff’s Department report. Powell reportedly went into the store to purchase cold medication, leaving the prisoner unattended in the parking lot. Inside the store, Powell ended up in the altercation with Grimes.
Their stories differ on what happened. Powell told deputies that Grimes called him names and then punched him. Grimes said Powell called him a “retard” and a “bastard” before Powell punched him in the face. Powell told deputies the entire incident stemmed from Grimes’ involvement with his ex-wife.
The report says store surveillance video shows that Powell threw the first punch, according to the ECSO report. Powell was arrested on a battery warrant, and released on a $2,500 bond.
Powell filed for a restraining order to keep Grimes away from him, but that order was denied by Circuit Judge Kim Skievaski.
The only action the Town of Century took against Powell for leaving the prisoner unattended was a verbal reprimand, according to Mayor Freddie McCall.
County Buys Old Molino School For Library, Community Center
May 8, 2009
Escambia Commissioners approved the purchase of the old Molino Elementary School building at their Thursday night meeting, a move that will bring a library and community center to the growing community.
The Escambia County commission approved the purchase of the for $400,000 from the Escambia County School Board.
The county has attempted to acquire the old Molino Elementary property from the school board for several months.
The school campus includes 9.66 acres and four buildings — the largest of which is 16,630 square feet.
In July, the county commission offered the school board $2 million for both the unused Wedgewood Middle and Molino Elementary school campuses, but that offer was shot down by the school district. Then-superintendent Jim Paul made a $3.3 million counter offer that the county commission did not accept. The $3.3 million was broken down as $2.9 million for the Wedgewood property and $400,000 for the old Molino School property.
Plans call for the old Molino school to become a community hub, possibly including a 5,000 square foot library, a museum highlighting Molino history, a small health clinic, a business incubator, renovation of the cafeteria and one additional building for community events and private party rental along with other uses.
The library portion of the project is currently ranked number three in Florida for a half million dollars in funding from the state. The grant, if awarded, would require the county to use the facility as a library in Molino for a minimum of 20 years.
The half million dollar grant, if awarded, would be matched by another half million from the county. The county’s portion is already approved, using Local Option Sales Tax funds.
The Molino school closed in 2003 when the new Molino Park Elementary School consolidated Molino Elementary and Barrineau Park Elementary.
The school, which sits on nine acres along County Road 95A, first opened in 1939.
The funds will be used by the school board in their Local Capital Improvement Fund.
Pictured above: The old Molino Elementary School. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
New Golden Eagles: Ernest Ward Middle Holds Orientation
May 8, 2009
Thursday was a day at Ernest Ward Middle School with the school’s annual new student registration. Incoming students had an opportunity to explore the require and elective courses, as well as the extracurricular activities, at EWMS. Earlier in the afternoon, the staff and faculty from Ernest Ward held a reception to welcome new teachers moving to EWMS from the closing Carver/Century K-9 School.
Ernest Ward staff will visit Bratt, Bryneville and Molino Park elementary schools in the next week to register students. Students transferring from Carver/Century have already been registered.
For more photos from the event, click here.
Pictured above: Students and parents learn about girl’s sports at Ernest Ward Middle School during new student orientation Thursday evening. Pictured below: Ernest Ward agriculture teacher Cynthia Wilson explains the “wheel” electives to students and parents. When enrolled in the “exploratory wheel”, students spend nine weeks each in agriculture, family and consumer sciences (the old home economics), integrated science and keyboarding. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Faithful Gather For National Day Of Prayer Service
May 8, 2009
The faithful from across the area gathered late Thursday afternoon from a National Day of Prayer Service.
The prayer service in front of the Atmore City Hall included speakers from several churches and denominations gathered together to pray for God’s blessings and guidance in our communities.
For a photo gallery from the prayer service, click here.
The service included
- Welcome & Opening Prayer—Rev. Mike McMorris, Robinsonville Baptist Church
- National Anthem—Rev. Willie Hawthorne, Greater Mt. Triumph Baptist Church
- Pledge of Allegiance & raising of flag—National Guard members
- Reading of Proclamation—Councilman John Garrard
- Invocation—Dr. Hattie Bishop, Deliverance Ministry
- Amazing Grace—Rev. Willie Hawthorne
- Brief History of NDP—Sharon Keesler
- Prayers for Government & Influence
- Government—Brandon Smith, Escambia County Commissioner
- Military—Rev. Jim Reece, First United Methodist Church
- Media—Ryan Carter, Atmore News
- Education—Dr. Humprey Shuford, Zion Star AME Zion Church
- Business—Joe Brantley, Brantley Tires
- Church—Haskell Dunn, First Baptist Church
- Families—Rev. Diane Everette, McRae St. Methodist & Bethel Methodist Churches
- Prayer for our Nation—Read in unison
- Singing God Bless America led by Lana Langford
- Thank You—Nancy Helton
- Closing Prayer—Rev. Jason Oxendine, Atmore First Assembly of God
Pictured above: The National Day of Prayer Service held in Atmore Thursday. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.