Photo Gallery: Back To School
August 24, 2010
Monday was the first day of school in Escambia County. We invited readers to submit their back to school photos.
To see the photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: The Northview High School cheerleaders prepare for a back to school routine Monday morning. Pictured left: Cole Crichton prepares for his first day at Jim Allen Elementary in Cantonment. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Don’t Forget To Send All That Paperwork Back To School
August 24, 2010
Every child in Escambia County should have received an assortment of paperwork during the first day of school Monday. School administrators stress the importance of filling out that paperwork and returning it as soon as possible.
“It’s very important that we get all of the paperwork back tomorrow”, Ernest Ward Principal Nancy Gindl-Perry said. “We gave the folder of paperwork to the students during the last five minutes of school; so it should all make it home.”
If you have questions about any of the blue cards, white cards or other forms, call your child’s school tomorrow.
Molino Dollar General Opens
August 24, 2010
The new Dollar General Store on Highway 29 in Molino quietly opened for business Monday. A grand opening celebration is planned in the coming weeks, but no date has been announced.
The store was constructed, stocked and ready for opening in less than three months — the building permit was issued on May 25.
Molino’s Dollar General is just over 12,000 square feet; the company’s average store is about 7,000 square feet.
“We will be able to offer a full selection of brand name and private label products, including food, home decor, household items, basic clothing, seasonal items and more,” Emily Weiss, Dollar General spokesperson, said.
The Molino store location was chosen by the Dollar General corporation based upon demographic trends, traffic patterns and customer needs, Weiss added.
In the North Escambia area, there are also Dollar General stores in Century, Cantonment, Flomaton, Jay,and Atmore.
Pictured above: The new Dollar General Store in Molino Saturday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Mary Louise Dennis
August 23, 2010
Mary Louise Dennis, 45, of Atmore died Sunday, Aug. 22, 2010, in Mobile.
She was a sales associate with Walmart, born in Foley on April 17, 1965, to William F. and Mary Christine Holman Bass.
Survivors include her husband, Joseph Dennis of Atmore; one son, Mathew Joseph Dennis and fiancé, Melody Ann Plumb of Sanger, Texas; two daughters, Elizabeth
Mae Dennis and fiancé, Michael Tedder and Mary Christine Bass and fiancé, Michael Ross Hill, all of Atmore; two brothers, William Larry Bass of Spanish Fort and Davy Bass of Daphne; six sisters, Peggy Ann Sunday of Walnut Hill, Willie Mae Wallace of Loxley, Linda Carol Leto of Kentucky, Janice Gail Owens of Loxley, Ellen Elizabeth Taylor of Walnut Hill, and Wanda Marie Everette of Atmore; very best friend, Penny German and numerous grandchildren, nieces, nephews and loved ones.
Services will be Wednesday August 25, 2010, at 11 a.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Phil A. Bryars Sr. officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Family will receive friends Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2010, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc. of Atmore is in charge of all arrangements.
Hurricane Danielle Forms
August 23, 2010
![[Image of 5-day forecast and coastal areas under a warning or a watch]](http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/storm_graphics/AT06/refresh/AL0610W5_NL+gif/203312W5_NL_sm.gif)
Hurricane Danielle formed Monday afternoon in the eastern Atlantic and is forecast to not impact the United States. Danielle is the second hurricane of this year’s Atlantic season.
The latest information and forecast path for Danielle are in the graphic above.
Crash With Overturned Log Truck Injures Two, Slows Traffic On Highway 97
August 23, 2010
There were no serious injuries in a two vehicle crash involving a log truck Monday morning in Walnut Hill, but a spilled load of logs was expected to slow traffic for hours.
The Florida Highway Patrol says that just after 11 a.m. Jerry A. Poulsen, 59, was southbound on Highway 97 just south of South Highway 99 when he attempted a left-hand turn into a driveway. His Nissan Frontier pickup truck was struck by an 18-wheel log truck driven by Daniel Jay Williams, 47, of Molino. Troopers said Williams rounded a curve and attempted to avoid the collision.
His log truck overturned partially in the northbound lane of Highway 97, sending the entire load of logs in a ditch and a homeowner’s yard.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the scene, click here.
Williams and Poulsen were transported by Atmore Ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital. Poulsen’s injuries were minor; the extent of Williams’ injuries were not released.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the crash. The accident is still under investigation by the FHP.
Pictured: Two people were injured in this collision involving a log truck and a pickup Monday morning on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Produce Stand Operates On Honor System
August 23, 2010
There’s a little produce stand tucked away on a dirt lane near Walnut Hill with no cash register, no cashier. All summer, customers would stop by, pick out the perfect tomato or a great watermelon, leaving their money behind in a simple drop box.
The produce stand, located just over the railroad tracks between Walnut Hill and Enon, has operated for years purely on the honor system.
“My dad liked to trust people; a man’s word meant something,” said Sherry Black. She has operated the simple wooden stand since her father, J.B. Kent, passed away several years ago.
The Ten Commandments played a lot into Kent’s business model. To this day, an oversize copy of the Commandments occupies one corner of the stand, just behind the money box and weight scales, perhaps as a reminder to anyone that might be tempted when there’s no one watching.
“But if they need it worse that I do, Lord bless them,” Black said.
Regular customers don’t need cash at Black’s produce stand. There’s a spiral bound notebook and pencil for them to jot down what produce they took and how much they owe. They will “settle up” later in the box, or see Black around the neighborhood and pay.
For several years, Black grew most of the produce in the stand herself. Now she picks, buys or barters with area farmers and backyard gardeners for the freshest items. She said she’s been known to be on the phone late at night, cutting a deal with local farmers for the best price.
And sometimes there’s a special treat for visitors to the produce stand, which is located on Deer Run Road off South Highway 99, about seven miles south of Highway 97. Peacocks from a nearby flock of peacocks will visit with produce stand customers.
The produce season for this year has mostly ended — Sunday afternoon the stand was sold out and empty.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
How Much Cash Does It Take To Win A Political Office In Escambia County?
August 23, 2010
Voters on Tuesday will indirectly answer the question: How much cash does it take to win a political office in Escambia County?
With some Escambia County races drawing hundreds of thousands of dollars in contributions while other races had combined contributions of just a few thousand dollars, we are taking and in depth look at the financial interest in Escambia politics.
Escambia Commission, District 2
Nearly a quarter million dollars was donated to the active candidates in the Escambia County Commission District 2 race. Dave Murzin — the state representative that dropped out of a Florida Senate race with about $40,000 in hand — accumulated a $113,052.79 bankroll. Practically all of it was spent by the end of last week. During the last month of campaigning he dropped $9,801 on direct mail, $3,779 on radio ads, and $21,254.25 on ads at WEAR TV 3. And Murzin also spent $1,950 on the campaign tactic everyone loves to hate at dinnertime — automated “robo calls” to the home phone numbers of voters.
Former County Administrator George Touart had the second highest bankroll in the District 2 race at $65,302 in cash, including an $11,737 in the final days of his campaign. His campaign expenditures in the final weeks included $7,300 for radio ads on a mix of stations and $870.59 in newspaper advertising at the Independent News.
Incumbent Gene Valentino raised $49,015 in his bid to retain his commission seat. He loaned his campaign $5,000 of his own money with less than a week to go before election day. His large final month expenditure was to the consulting company Marketing, Metrics and Media for the purchase of media airtime ($9,128), consulting ($1,000), printing mailers ($1,760), unspecified advertising ($3,840), signs ($250) and mailing ($2,490).
The fourth major candidate in the race, Karen Sindel, raised $18,435 in cash. Her expenditures over the final weeks of the campaign including a $962 in newspaper advertising, about $4,600 in direct mail related expenses and nearly $300 in balloons.
In the past month, candidate Myra Simmons raised just $50 of her $5,600 in cash contributions. She did not report spending any money since July 16. Independent Paul Redman contributed $100 to his own campaign, and he spent $55.50 on filing expenses.
Escambia Commission, District 4
The dollar figures were lower in the District 4 Escambia County Commission race. Incumbent Grover Robinson accepted $39,610,25 in cash, spending all but about $6,000 by last Thursday. His final month expenditures included $25,183.95 for a mix of newspaper, radio and direct mail advertising.
Challenger Danny Lewis raised $3,865 — including $3,400 of his own money. All but $90 of his campaign funds were raised by July 16. He spent $3,072 to qualify to be on the ballot, and he dropped $480 on WPNN-AM radio advertising.
Dennis Green raised $6,965 in his bid for the District 4 seat. His final month expenses included $2,175 in Independent News advertising, $730 in Pensacola News Journal advertising and $378 worth of yard signs.
Escambia School Board
Candidates for for Escambia County School Board raised far less money than those running for commission.Incumbent Jeff Bergosh raised $10,096.26 in cash, while Hosea Pittman raised $4,677.05. For the District 2 seat, Gerald Boone raised $4,700 and Virginia White received $1,877 in cash. For the District 3 seat, Charlie Nichols had $8,100 in contributions, while incumbent Linda Moultrie received $2,100. Claudia Brown-Curry was in the District 3 race with $2,420, but she dropped out of the running back in July.
Emerald Coast Utilities Authority
ECUA District 2 Incumbent Lois Benson raised $17,066.60 while her three opponents — Stephen Burand, Dave Carlson and James Kirkland – raised $2,630 combined. In the District 4 race, incumbent Dale Perkins raised $26,400 while four other opponents raised $4,252 combined.
Photo Gallery: The Thunder Rolls
August 23, 2010
Residents in northern portion of Escambia County were treated to some unusual cloud formations Sunday afternoon as storms pounded the area from Molino south. The photos on this page and in our gallery were taken from South Highway 99, about six miles south of Walnut Hill.
The storms caused scattered power outages across the area, downed a few small trees and at least home on Blanc Lane in Molino was reported to be struck by lightning. There was no major damage reported in that incident.
Pictured top and inset: Our cameras caught two distant lightning strikes as storm clouds moved across the Molino area Sunday afternoon. Pictured below: The cloud formations associated with the thunderstorms. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cheat Sheet: Quick Back To School Facts You Need To Know
August 23, 2010
Here’s a last minute cheat sheet on things you need to know for back to school:
School Start Times Are The Same
Elementary schools in Escambia County have a morning start time of 7:45 and an afternoon dismissal time of 2:00. The earliest students can be dropped off at the elementary schools — including Bratt, Molino Park, Byrneville and Jim Allen — is 7:20.
At Ernest Ward Middle School, the morning start time will be 9:05 and the afternoon dismissal will be 3:45. The earliest students can be dropped off will be 8:55. Most of the other middle schools in the county, including Ransom, will have a 9:20 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. school day.
At Northview High School, the school day will run 8:45 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. The earliest students will be allowed on campus will be 8:30. The other high schools in the county will run 8:30 a.m. to 3:05 p.m.
Click here for a complete schedule for all Escambia County schools.
Buses Run At Different Times Too
Since school starts at the time this year, buses will run at about the same time. Questions about your child’s bus? Call your child’s school or click here for a schedule.
Breakfast and Lunch Cost The Same
The bottom line for food remains the same this year — breakfast and lunch prices are:
- Elementary Breakfast: $1, full; $0.30, reduced; $1.80, adult.
- Elementary Lunch: $2, full; $0.40, reduced; $3, adult.
- Middle/High Breakfast: $1.50, full; $0.30, reduced; $1.80, adult.
- Middle/High Lunch: $2.50, full; $0.40, reduced; $3, adult.
Students that qualified for free and reduced price meals last year must complete an application again this year. Look for an application to be sent home with your child during the first week, or apply online.
You Can Pay For Meals Online
You can prepay for your child’s breakfast and lunch at mealpayplus.com. You’ll need their student number. That will be sent home with your child, or you can call your school to get it. You can use any major credit card or a check. It’s the cost of the number of meals you choose plus a small service charge per student. But there’s no sending money to school and hoping it arrives or is spent for lunch.
The Breakfast And Lunch Menu
Here is the breakfast and lunch menu for elementary students for the first two days of school:
The elementary menu for breakfast on the first day of school will be Pop Tart, cheese wedge and mixed fruit. The lunch menu will be Mandarin chicken, grilled cheese, sticky rice, broccoli and peaches. Day two, Tuesday, will have breakfast pizza and pears in the morning. For lunch on the second day, the menu includes corn dog, chicken Alfredo, fresh fruit, garden salad and french bread.
Featured specials in middle and high school for Monday include chicken Alfredo, classic chicken tender salad and corn dogs . Tuesday’s menu includes chicken potato bowl, beef teriyaki wrap or cheese burger.
For the rest of the week, click here.
The Rules And The Dress Code
Each student will receive a copy of the Escambia County Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook during the first few days of school. Take a moment to look at; it can save one of those unwanted calls from the principal.
The school day dress code for students in grades 6-12 now applies to every activity after school too, even ball games. Leave the short shorts and baggy pants at home.
If you are just dying to read the handbook before it comes home with your child, click here for middle and high school or click here for elementary.
Communications
Communications is a two way street. Make sure you have your child’s school phone number in your cell phone in case you need it one day.
Make sure your child’s school has correct phone numbers for you, both your landline and cell phones. There will be forms sent home the first few days of school asking for the information, and you can send a note to your child’s teacher anytime.
Speaking of the teacher, ask him or her for their extension number at school, and trade email addresses with them. That way you have easy access to your child’s teacher(s).
And don’t fall for the cell phone temptation. Students of any age can have their cell phone at school, but it must be turned off between the first and last bell. Vibrate is not off.
Checkout List
Make sure you have an updated list of people allowed to check your child out of school. You don’t want to send grandma to school to checkout the kids for her to be told no. The names will go on that blue card the school sends home during the first week.
Get Your John Hancock Ready
Check the book bags. There will be lots of papers to fill out and sign during the first week. Make sure they are returned to school.
Fall Break And Holidays
If you are planning ahead for Fall Break, don’t expect it to be a long one this year. One again, the school district has taken the normal Thursday and Friday Thanksgiving break and tossed Wednesday in for a three day Fall Break. It will be November 24-26. The first holiday of the year will be Monday, September 6 for Labor Day.
Last Day Of School
Ready for next summer again? The last day of school will be 180 days of school away – Friday, June 3, 2010.