Arrests Made Wednesday In Another Animal Cruelty Case
May 7, 2009
Two people turned themselves into authorities Wednesday on animal cruelty charges stemming from the mistreatment of horses.
Katherine Elaine Bell, 41, and Anthony Clayton Bell, 42, both of Rolling Hills Road, were charged with confinement of animals without sufficient food, water or exercise. They were released on $1,000 bond each, according to court records.
Two horses were seized from the Bell’s Cantonment property on March 21 by Panhandle Equine Rescue, according to PER President Diane Lowery. The horses are in rehabilitation and are doing well, according to Lowery.
Pictured below: One of the horses seized from the property of Katherine and Clayton Bell in Cantonment. The pair was arrested Wednesday on animal cruelty charges. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Accused Donkey Killer Surrenders At Escambia County Jail
May 7, 2009
The teen accused of shooting a donkey over the weekend near Jacks Branch Road turned himself in at the Escambia County Jail just after 9:00 Wednesday.
Kyle Mason Driver, 17, was accompanied by his mother and an attorney when he surrendered at the jail, according to Sgt. Kevin Vickrey with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department.
Driver’s arrest came about two hours after NorthEscambia.com published his photo and a plea for the public’s help in locating him from the Sheriff’s Department.
Deputies said Driver has confessed to deputies that he shot a donkey on River Annex Road near Jacks Branch Road late Saturday night. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Department says that he will be charged with felony cruelty to animals causing death, using a weapon during the commission of a felony and possession of a firearm by a person under 18.
The shooting happened within minutes of the birth J.B., a white donkey that has become a local media celebrity of sorts.
For more on the donkey shooting, click here.
Fox 10’s Retiring John Edd Thompson Broadcasts Live From Atmore (With Photo Gallery)
May 7, 2009
Fox 10 meteorologist John Edd Thompson was live from Atmore during the station’s 5:00 news Wednesday afternoon. A sudden downpour sent the crowds, and the retiring weather man, in search of a dry spot during the broadcast.
About 200 people from Atmore, Monroeville, North Escambia and other communities gathered at Heritage Park in Atmore for the broadcast. Thompson interview Atmore Citizen of the Year Tray Smith on-air, along with other locals like Atmore Mayor Howard Shell who presented the forecaster with keys to the city.
Thompson talked about his days at WATM radio in Atmore, his first broadcasting job, with Jerry Gehman who shared his fond memories of Earnestine and Tom Miniard. John Edd, as he is more commonly know, was cheered on by the Escambia Academy cheerleaders and serenaded by the Escambia County High School Band.
The broadcast ended with John Edd being presented a cake that said “Atmore Will Miss You”.
As for North Escambia, John Edd wanted to know if the “honky tonks” were still just across the state line.
Thompson is retiring from WALA after 32 years as a meteorologist.
For a complete NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from John Edd’s farewell tour, click here.
Pictured above: Fox 10’s John Edd Thompson broadcasts live from Atmore Wednesday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Northview Teacher Wins Bike Ride Event
May 7, 2009
Northview High School teacher Natalie Nall was the female division winner in the nearly 30 mile Habitat for Humanity bike ride from Brewton to Atmore.
A total of 28 riders made the 29.5 mile pedal-power trip from Brewton to Tom Bryne Park and Atmore’s Mayfest on Saturday. Nall was the first female to reach Atmore, and Will Ruzic of Brewton was the first male to to reach the finish line.
The purpose of the ride was twofold — raise funds and awareness for Habitat for Humanity’s projects in Escambia County, Ala.
Today, Habitat will choose two Atmore area families to receive new homes in the future, and another home will be constructed by the non-profit group in Brewton.
At Northview, Nall services as head coach for the Chief’s girls and boys cross country teams, and she is the school’s reading coach. Nall was named the Northview High School Teach of the Year for 2008.
Orientation Tonight At Ernest Ward Middle
May 7, 2009
New student orientation will be held tonight at Ernest Ward Middle School.
The orientation event is for all new students, including students that are transferring from Carver/Century K-8 School which is closing at the end of this school year.
The orientation will begin at 6:00 in the Ernest Ward Middle School gym in Walnut Hill.
Sheriff’s Town Hall Meeting For Tonight Rescheduled
May 7, 2009
The Escambia Sheriff’s town hall meeting that was planned for tonight has been rescheduled for Thursday, May 21 due to a scheduling conflict with an event at Ernest Ward Middle School.
Sheriff David Morgan’s office rescheduled the meeting because it conflicted with the new student orientation at 6:00 tonight at Ernest Ward.
“The sheriff realizes the importance of education and because many new students from Carver/Century will be attending Ernest Ward in the fall, the rescheduling was necessary,” the Sheriff’s Department said in a news release.
The Century town hall meeting will now be held at 6:00 on Thursday, May 21 at the Southern Panhandle Restaurant at 8420 North Century Boulevard.
The town hall meeting will allow citizens from the area to ask questions they may have about the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department.
Northview Reunion Band Looking For Members To Practice Tonight
May 7, 2009
Tonight’s practice of the Northview High School Alumni Band — including former members of the Century and Ernest Ward bands — has been moved from Northview to Ernest Ward Middle School.
Tonight’s practice will be held from 6:30 until 8:30 in the Ernest Ward Middle School Band Room. There will be instruments available to borrow.
The first gathering of the Alumni Band was back during Northview’s Homecoming in October. This time, the Alumni Band will be part of the Northview High Spring Concert on May 11.
The reunion band will play with the current middle and high school bands for two or three songs.
For more information, email homerandpunkin@yahoo.com.
Pictured above: The Northview High School Reunion Band performs at the school’s homecoming last October. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Deputies Seek Public’s Help In Locating Donkey Killer
May 6, 2009
Sheriff’s deputies are asking for your help in finding the teen accused of shooting a donkey over the weekend near Jacks Branch Road.
Ted Roy, Escambia County Sheriff’s Department spokesman, said the family of Kyle Mason Driver, 17, is being uncooperative, and deputies have been unable to locate the North Escambia teen.
Anyone that knows the whereabouts of Kyle Mason Driver of the 1400 block of River Annex Road, Cantonment, is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department at 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at 433-STOP (7867).
Deputies said Driver has confessed to deputies that he shot a donkey on River Annex Road near Jacks Branch Road late Saturday night. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Department says that he will be charged with felony cruelty to animals causing death, using a weapon during the commission of a felony and possession of a firearm by a person under 18.
The shooting happened within minutes of the birth J.B., a white donkey that has become a local media celebrity of sorts.
For more on the donkey shooting, click here.
Latest Update On J.B. The Baby Donkey
May 6, 2009
Here’s the latest update on J.B., the orphaned baby donkey, from his adoptive mother Lindley Barden:
All of the regular stuff is normal/progressing well: eating (nursing the bottle), peeing, and pooping, and he’s gained 2 pounds.
The day was to be a day of firsts, however!
It started with the arrival of the WKRG News 5 crew from Mobile. Since the weather was nice and the ground fairly dry, we decided to shoot the video outdoors. JB put on quite a show trotting, bucking, and admiring trees . . . the first time he’s REALLY gotten to stretch his legs. The fickle little fellow also took a special shine to the pretty TV reporter-lady, and really mugged for the camera . . . the TV-bit is old hat for him now!
After everyone left, I returned him to his hallway “bedroom”. He promptly got on the bed, by himself, and went to sleep!
The late afternoon prompted another outing in the front yard. He was confident enough to gallop this time, and would run about 50 feet away . . . whenever he heard a new noise, he would tear back to “his Mother” and hide behind my legs! But most exciting to me, he “answered the call of nature” OUTSIDE — you can see the possibilities in that!
He also started cutting his teeth last night . . . he was more fussy with his feedings, and wanted to lick/chew/suck everything he could find, ALL NIGHT!! I actually put some of his formula in my hand and he licked it off . . . first step toward the all-important bucket-training (in about 2 weeks)!
I’m going to go start a load of baby laundry (the house-training stuff was a fluke!), and then take him back outside . . . I’ll report any new adventures tomorrow!
Lindley
Fox 10 Weather Man John Edd’s Farewell Tour Live In Atmore Today
May 6, 2009
Channel 10 meteorologist John Edd Thompson will broadcast live from Atmore this afternoon as part of his farewell tour.
After 32 years on the air at Fox 10, Thompson is retiring.
The Gulf Coast television icon started his broadcasting career in Atmore in 1962 on WATM radio.