No Injuries In Century School Bus Wreck
February 9, 2010
There were no injuries a school bus crash about 8:20 Tuesday morning near Century. There were three students on the bus at the time of the crash.
The Florida Highway Patrol says the Escambia County School District bus was traveling west on State Line Road when an eastbound pickup truck driven by Steve Smith, 59, of Milton, crossed the center line into the path of the bus. The two vehicles collided, ripping the mirrors off both.
None of the occupants of the bus were injured: driver Teresa Mitchell, 41 of Molino; Gayle Grissett, 54, of Brewton; Ramey Watkins, 36, of Milton; Jeffrey Macks, 15, of Century; Andrew Farrow, 15, of Century; and Andrew Giveans, 18, of Century.
Smith and passenger in his pickup, Ulrick Renonce, 48, of Milton, were also not injured. Smith was charged with failing to drive in a single lane, according to the FHP.
Atmore Police, ABC Board Target Atmore Nightclub; 16 Minors Arrested
February 9, 2010
The Atmore Police Department and the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board conducted a surprise “inspection” of the Chick A Dee Club after receiving complaints about underage drinking at the nightclub.
“Officers entered the Chick A Dee Club just after midnight Friday night. As a result of this inspection 16 people with ages ranging from 17 years to 20 years of age were arrested and charged with minor in consumption of alcohol. One adult was charged with consuming while serving,” according to Glen Carlee, Atmore director of public safety.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Department officers transported all of those arrested to the Escambia County Detention Center.
“Numerous other minors below the age of 19 were also in the club, however they tested negative for alcohol consumption and were sent home with parents,” Carlee said. “The owners of the club will face Administrative Charges from the Alcohol Beverage Control Board. The Atmore Police Department will continue to monitor the operation of this facility and report and illegal activity or license violations to the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board and to the Atmore City Council.”
The Chick A Dee Club is located at 55 Carver Avenue in Atmore.
Object Found Glowing In Woods Indentified As County Mosquito Trap
February 9, 2010
(Updated 2:00 p.m.) The mystery object found with a light glowing in the woods in Bluff Springs late Monday night has been officially identified as a mosquito trap placed there by Escambia County.
“Escambia County Mosquito Control is using a carbon dioxide light trap for the purpose of collecting mosquitoes. Most recently a trap was placed off of Dawson Road in Century. These traps are randomly placed throughout the county to collect mosquitoes for identifying the breed and tracking the habitats,” said Sonya Daniel, Escambia County public information manager. “Light traps are placed out in the evening with a cooler of dry ice, which attracts the mosquitoes. The trap and cooler are collected the next morning and mosquito control staff analyze the samples.”
The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue was first dispatched to an unknown type fire on Dawson Road just off of Bluff Springs Road about 10:15 p.m. When they arrived, they did not find a fire but what was described as some sort of electronic device with a light. Firefighters called the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office to the scene to investigate.
The object was described by authorities as having a battery powered light attached to a tree, and a rope or string leading from the light to a cooler. Deputies called narcotics investigators to the scene, thinking that the setup may have been related to illegal drugs. From the shoulder of Dawson Road, only a faint light could be seen glowing just off the ground a few feet into the woods.
Daniel said the public should not touch a or handle the equipment or cooler if they spot a mosquito light trap because the dry ice can burn skin.
Pictured: This object was found glowing in the woods on Dawson Road in Bluff Springs late Monday night. The rope or string seen leading from the device reportedly led to a cooler. Narcotics investigators were called to the scene to investigate a possible narcotics link, but the item was determined to be a mosquito light trap. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
New Interim County Administrator Begins Work; McLaughlin Gone
February 9, 2010
Monday was Larry Newson’s first day on the job as Escambia County’s interim county administrator, a job he will hold no more than a few months.
Newsom is temporarily filling the position vacated when the county commission voted not to renew Bob McLaughlin’s contract.
Newsom’s salary will be paid at the annual rate of $120,065 only for the time he serves as interim administrator, up to 120 days. He will also get a car allowance of $500 per month.
During his short tenure, he will use Joy Blackmon as Assistant County Administrator. His employment will be “at will” — subject to any action by the commission.
Once a new permanent county administrator is hired, Newsom will return to his old salary and position of Transportation and Traffic Division manager.
Perdido Man Charged With Rape In Case Involving 15-Year Old Girl
February 9, 2010
A Perdido, Ala., man has been charged with second degree rape after he admitted to a sexual relationship with a 15-year old girl.
Kenny Ray Seale, 24, of McKinnley Road, Perdido, confessed to the incident, according to the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office. He is being held in the Baldwin County Jail on $15,000 bond on the rape charge, plus an additional $1,000 bond on an unrelated traffic offense.
Seales’s residence on McKinnley Road is located near the intersection of Highway 31 and County Road 47, about two miles from North Escambia.
Rescuers Complete Firefighter II Program
February 9, 2010
Thirteen Escambia County Fire Rescue personnel — including two from the North Escambia area — were honored for graduating from their Firefighter II training courses.
In order to graduate from the Firefighter II program, students must complete 360 hours of lectures and hand-on training.
Recent Escambia County Firefighter graduates were:
Bobby Raines (Cantonment), Johnell Smith (Cantonment), Derek Burleson (Innerarity Point), Lise Ehlinger (West Pensacola), Derrick Elmer (EMS), Geric Fatheree (Warrington), Kyle Gibson (Innerarity Point), Daniel Jones [EMS (honor grad)], John Lee [Ensley (Leadership award)], Mark Rea [EMS/Innerarity Point), Brandon Schlotfeld (West Pensacola), Jacob Shelly (Ensley), and Karen Wood (EMS).
Trio Busted For Attempting To Burglarize Pharmacy
February 9, 2010
Three men were busted after deputies say they tried to break into a pharmacy on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
Kristopher Body Pickelheimer, 27, of Highway 95A Cantonment; Van Darren Lovercheck, 31, of Milton; and Shane Michael Bergin of Pensacola, were each charged with criminal mischief property damage, possession of burglary tools and burglary. All three were released from the Escambia County Jail on $5,500 bond each.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to an alarm at Kim’s Family Pharmacy about 11:30 Sunday night. When they arrived, they witnessed a vehicle speeding away. The three men were inside the vehicle when deputies stopped it, and the trio said they were just looking for scrap metal.
Deputies found a tire iron and screwdriver in the car, and they also found several pry marks on the back door of the pharmacy.
Cold Tonight, Snow Later In The Week?
February 9, 2010
We are looking at overnight lows in the 20’s tonight, and perhaps some snow by Friday morning.
Click here for a winter weather statement from the National Weather Service.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Wind chill values between 15 and 20. Northwest wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. Wind chill values between 15 and 25 early. North wind between 10 and 15 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. North wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: A 20 percent chance of rain after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51. Wind chill values between 20 and 30 early. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Thursday Night: A chance of rain and snow. Cloudy, with a low around 29. North wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Friday: Rain and snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 40. Northeast wind between 10 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Friday Night: A slight chance of rain and snow before midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 27. North wind between 5 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 25. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Sunday: A 20 percent chance of rain. Partly cloudy, with a high near 53.
- Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31.
- Presidents’ Day: Sunny, with a high near 49.
- Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 27.
Update: Local Girl Recovering After Portion Of Her Brain Is Removed
February 9, 2010
Olivia Bush, 6, had part of her brain removed Monday at Miami Children’s Hospital and is now recovering well, according to family members.
The North Escambia girl underwent the surgery to alleviate seizures that have plagued her since she was born as the second youngest premature baby to survive at Pensacola’s Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital. During the surgery, doctors removed a 7 centimeter portion of her brain — basically taking out the bad, non-functioning portion and leaving behind the good, healthy tissue.
She was out of the six hour surgery by 2:40 Eastern time, and by 6:45 p.m., she was awake, talking and moving her arms and legs. By this morning, she will be moved out of pediatric intensive care and into a regular room, according to father Tad Bush.
To read a Sunday story about Olivia, click here.
Pictured top: Olivia Bush resting Monday evening at Miami Children’s Hospital after brain surgery to alleviate seizures. Pictured left inset: Olivia prior to surgery. Submitted photos by Tad Bush for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Filling A Void: Produce Store Open In Molino
February 8, 2010
When Molino’s only grocery store closed a few years ago, it left a void in the community. There are a couple of convenience stores remaining, but a trip to the grocery store meant a 40-plus mile round trip toward Atmore or Century, or almost a 20 mile round trip to Cantonment.
Fran Hampton, owner of Fran’s Country Grill, decided to take part in an experiment of sorts to find out if the Molino area would support a local store again. The experiment is called Molino Produce.
As the name implies, it’s not a full-service grocery store, but an indoor produce market that offers a selection of staples like milk, eggs, sugar and bread in addition to produce. And it’s located in a former meeting room of Fran’s restaurant.
“Ms. Fran and I talked about this for a long time, and we saw a real need,” said Harlen Johnson who runs Molino Produce. “We wanted to see what happens and see if the need would justify a full store.”
The produce market has a full selection of items, especially for February, a traditional low-inventory month for produce. The store also stock items like sour cream, Amish cheese and butter, stone ground grits and a variety of Amish jams, jellies and preserves.
“The freeze in Florida has caused a little hardship for produce, especially tomatoes and even cabbage,” Johnson said. “But I’m working to get the prices back down as low as I can.”
As the weather warms and more local fresh items are available, the community can expect to see them in Molino Produce, he said. “People want to eat as healthily as possible, and fresh produce is one way to do that.”
“I think this store will mean a lot to the community,” Johnson said. “It will save that 8-9 mile drive when people can shop right here in the community. We are hoping to see a lot of support.”
Molino Produce is located next to Fran’s Country Grill on Highway 29. It is open Monday-Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Pictured top: Harlen Johnson and Molino Produce, next to Fran’s in Molino. Pictured inset: The store has a variety of Amish jams, jellies and preserves. Pictured bottom: Molino Produce has opened in the North Escambia community. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
