Friday’s Northview Baseball And Softball Games Canceled
March 27, 2009
Friday afternoon’s Northview High School baseball and softball games were canceled.
The Chiefs were to have been home against Walton in baseball action. The softball team was to have traveled to Catholic in Pensacola.
Morning Storm Damage Report: Multiple Homes Damaged In Area; North Escambia Spared
March 27, 2009
(Updated 2:25 p.m.) A fast moving storm that tracked across the area in the pre-dawn hours today has left a trail of destruction in its path, but the storm spared North Escambia for the most part.
National Weather Service Doppler radar tracked a potential tornado on radar as it crossed from Baldwin County into North Escambia and into Santa Rosa County during the pre-dawn hours today Radar indicated the tornado moved from Baldwin County across Enon, Bay Springs, Walnut Hill, McDavid and Bluff Springs before heading into Santa Rosa County. There were no reports that the radar-indicated tornado touched down or caused any damage in North Escambia.
A tornado warning issued for North Escambia was allowed to expire at 5:00 this morning.
(If you slept through the tornado warning this morning for North Escambia, the National Weather Service recommends that you purchase a weather radio to alert you to weather warnings.)
Some flooding of low-lying roads was reported this morning across North Escambia, Atmore and Flomaton. Power lines and small trees were reported down in Atmore and Flomaton. There were reports of some scattered power outages across the entire area.
In Santa Rosa County, eight homes suffered an estimated $100,000 in total damage. One home lost has about one-third of its roof . Trees were also reported down near Highway 4 near Berrydale. There were no injuries reported in Santa Rosa County.
The complete damage report from Santa Rosa EMA is as follows:
Bell Creek Road
- Residence 1: Major Damage- 30 percent of roof destroyed. Uninhabitable due to heavy water damage
- throughout structure. Multiple trees down and debris throughout yard from roofing components.
- Damage to fifth wheel RV from roofing components. Building inspections going to site.
- Residence 2: Minor Damage-damage to siding on house.
- Residence 3: Minor Damage-damage to eaves of house and small tree against house. Roof damage to
- workshop.
- Residence 4: Minor Damage-damage to siding and eaves of mobile home.
- Residence 5: Major Damage-damage to rear second story roof from large tree on house. Some
- structural damage to roof components.
2000 Block of Farm Road
- Residence 1: Minor Damage-some shingles blown off, broken window, pump and pump house
- destroyed, boat damaged.
- Residence 2: Minor Damage-some shingles blown off, porch damaged, siding damaged, pump and
- shed damaged.
2600 Block of New York Street
- Residence 1: Minor Damage-damage to roof of shed
The storm caused widespread damage in Baldwin County minutes before it tracked across North Escambia on its way toward Santa Rosa County. Damage was reported near Loxley, Rosinton and Elsanor. In Loxley, a tornado was reported on the ground. Several homes were damaged across central Baldwin County.
In Escambia County, Ala., there were mutiple reports of small trees, limbs and power lines down around Atmore and Flomaton. Some minor flooding was reported early in Atmore on streets like Presley Street that normally flood.
In North Escambia, very little was reported from this morning’s storms. Some small tree limbs were reported down across the area.
Power outages were reported all across North Escambia and surrounding areas.
Pictured above: Storm damage this morning in Baldwin County, Ala. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com.
North Century Blvd. Traffic
March 27, 2009
(7:05 a.m.) The Florida Highway Patrol reported an accident at North Century Boulevard and McCall Road this morning.
Engine 519 from the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded and located a car stuck in a ditch on North Century Boulevard just north of Tedder Road. There were no injuries.
Northview, Tate Students Receive Mira Creative Arts Awards
March 27, 2009
Many North Escamba students received Mira Creative Arts Awards Thursday night.
The award honors the 10 brightest creative art stars from each high school in Escambia County.
Northview’s Mira Creative Arts Award winners were:
- Olivia Bryan, theater.
- Patrick Carlson, instrumental music.
- Brandon Coburn, drama.
- Lanie Eubanks, instrumental music.
- Briana Halteman, instrumental music.
- Josh Holder, visual arts.
- Luke Killam, wood working.
- Jackie Lowen, visual arts.
- Jace E. Stone, music.
- Jessica Taylor, visual arts.
Winner from Tate High School were:
- Casen Barnard, Visual Arts.
- Tyler Baxter, Drama.
- Samantha Bruce, Instrumental Music.
- Benjamin Carmichael, Instrumental Music.
- Madeline Chivington, Journalism.
- Stephanie Evans, Visual Arts.
- Candace Hubble, TV Production.
- Alexandria Jarman, Journalism.
- Valorie Lysek, Vocal Music.
- Brittany Nunnelee, Debate.
Pictured above: Olivia Bryan (center) in last November’s Northview High Schoolproduction of “Don’t Say No To The USO”. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Consolidation Bill In House; No Such Effort Successful With Florida Voters Since 1967
March 27, 2009
As a bill makes it way through the Florida Legislature that would create a study commission to develop a plan for consolidated government in Escambia County, NorthEscambia.com is taking a look back at past consolidation efforts in Florida.
No successful consolidation activity has occurred in Florida since the consolidation of Duval County and the City of Jacksonville in 1967. Despite the perceived benefits of streamlining governmental processes, and the Legislature‟s attempts to simplify the process, Floridians have consistently rejected consolidation proposals at the polls.
In addition to the consolidation attempts that went to referendum, there have been efforts that stopped short of the ballot in Brevard, Charlotte, Columbia, Hardee, Highlands and St. Lucie Counties.
The Florida House bill filed by State Rep. Greg Evers that, if approved, would led to the formation of a commission to study the consolidation of the governments of Century, Pensacola and Escambia County. The bill has cleared its first House committee
The Military and Local Affairs Policy Committee cleared the bill last Friday afternoon, and the bill had its first reading in the Florida House. The bill has been referred to two other committees — the Finance and Tax Council and the Economic and Community Affairs Policy Council. It has not yet made the agenda of either group.
The following is the historic records of government consolidation votes in Florida:
Facebook Group Seeks To Reunite Century High Grads
March 27, 2009
A few Facebook group is seeking to reunite Century High School graduates.
Felicia McCaw Jones, now living in North Alabama, created the site this week for all Century High School alumni.
“I am a sentimental fool for stuff like this. I would like the group to be proactive in posting pictures from around school times, even just hanging out with friends ‘back in the day’,” Jones said in an email.
As of Thursday night, there were 43 members on the page. Century graduates still living in the area have joined, along with Blackcat graduates now living in Mobile, Jacksonville, Ohio, West Palm Beach, Atlanta, Virginia and more.
Click here to view the Facebook site for Century High School alumni. In order to view the entire site, you must have a free Facebook membership.
Fund Set Up At Bank For Flomaton Wreck Victims
March 27, 2009
A fund has been set up at a local credit union for a family injured in an accident last Sunday near Flomaton.
The fund at Pen Air Federal Credit Union in Century to benefit the family of David and Leigh Smith.
The Smiths, along with their children — Samantha Bryant, a Flomaton High senior, and Curtis Smith — were also injured in the crash. Leigh Smith remains hospitalized with broken ribs, a broken shoulder and a broken knee. She is facing several surgeries, including one scheduled for this afternoon.
To help the family, donations are being accepted at any location of Pen Air Federal Credit Union, including the branch in Century on North Century Boulevard next to the post office.
To donate to the fund, mention the “David and Leigh Smith Fund” as set up by Kristy Lambeth. Proceeds will be used by the family for accident-related expenses beyond those covered by their insurance.
For more information on the accident click the headlines below to read that story:
Flomaton Wreck Involved Man Free On Manslaughter Bond For 2007 Traffic Deaths Of Atmore Couple
Four People Injured In Flomaton Crash; Two Transported By LifeFlight
Pictured above: A fund has been set up at Pen Air Federal Credit Union in Century for a family injured in this accident east of Flomaton Sunday afternoon. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FFA Students Take Part In Ag On The Hill Day
March 27, 2009
FFA students from Northview High School had the opportunity to take part in Ag on the Hill Day, meeting state leaders and taking part in a mock session in the Florida legislature.
FFA students Micah Byars, Lydia Weaver, Stephanie Solari and Brittany Thompson were joined by student intern teacher Jennifer Nobles and FFA Advisor Perry Byars for the annual event that introduces FFA students to state government.
The students were able to meet with Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson, Sen. Don Gaetz and Rep. Greg Evers. They also participated in a mock legislative session and toured the state capital.
Ag on the Hill is sponsored by the Florida Association of Agriculture Educators, Florida FFA and the Florida Department of Education.
Click here for more photos from the Northview FFA trip to Ag on the Hill in Tallahassee.
Pictured above: FFA students (L-R) Stephanie Solari, Lyndia Weaver, Brittany Thompson and Micah Byars with Florida Rep. Greg Evers in Tallahassee. Pictured below: Lydia Weaver (L) and Stephanie Solari in the House chambers. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Just A Drill: Terrorist Attack On Poarch Reservation
March 26, 2009
The Poarch Band of Creek Indians, in conjunction with the Alabama National Guard and Alabama Department of Homeland Security, are conducting a homeland security exercise on the Poarch Creek Reservation today.
The exercise, known as “Dragon Slayer,” is a disaster response exercise meant to evaluate first responder efforts.
The scenario centers on the annual Poarch Creek Indian Thanksgiving Pow Wow with approximately 20,000 people. The situation that will play out will be considered a deliberate act of terror on the reservation.
This simulated exercise is the first ever conducted on a federally recognized American Indian Reservation. No other tribe has tested their disaster efforts with this type scenario. Exercise officials will use this event as a model for other reservations in the nation, according to Poarch Creek officials.
The Poarch Creek Fire and Police Departments, Health Department, local hospitals and ambulance services are joining with the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Indian Health Service, Alabama Department of Public Health, Alabama Emergency Management Agency and other state agencies to determine what response is needed.
North Escambia Woman Found Murdered In Pensacola Dumpster
March 26, 2009
The person found murdered in a Pensacola dumpster has been identified as a Cantonment woman.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Department said the body of Cheryl Renee Cain, 29, of Cantonment, was found in a dumpster at an abandoned gas station at the corner of Burgess Road and Highway 29 yesterday afternoon.
“The investigation continues and investigators are still waiting to confirm a cause of death pending autopsy results,” according to Sgt. Ted Roy, spokesperson for the sheriff’s department. “The case is being ruled a homicide.”
A maintenance worker located in Cain’s body in the dumpster about 4:00 Wednesday afternoon behind the closed Shell gas station. The location in near a McDonald’s restaurant and the Greyhound bus station. Deputies reportedly removed some evidence from the bus station.
The sheriff’s department had the entire dumpster, body inside, moved to their department to continue their investigation.
The exact cause of Cain’s death has not been released. She was identified using fingerprint records.
This was Escambia County’s fifth homicide of the year. One of those deaths was ruled justifiable by the state attorney’s office.
Pictured above: A murdered Cantonment woman was found inside this dumpster in Pensacola Wednesday afternoon. Pictured inset: A crime scene technician takes photographs in the dumpster. Photos courtesy WEAR for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.