ECAT Goes Green With New Buses Countywide, New Smaller North Escambia Bus
September 23, 2010
Escambia County Area Transit is going green with 10 new environmentally green buses unveiled Wednesday and new, smaller buses recently put into service in North Escambia.
The 10 new Gillig buses introduced Wednesday are designed to promote a cleaner environment, according to Veolia Transporation, Inc, which manages the ECAT program, and they were a needed upgrade to the ECAT fleet to better serve customers and protect the environment.
The new buses, which were purchased with federal stimulus dollars, will replace 1992 and 1996 models in the current ECAT fleet.
ECAT recently used grant money to replace older, larger buses on their “Route 60″that runs between Pensacola, Cantonment, Molino and Century with smaller, more fuel efficient buses (pictured).
“They are very nice and right-size for now. Maybe if ridership grows they will need to upgrade to bigger buses again one day, but in the interim these are appropriately sized,” Rodney P. Wallace, finance director for Veolia Transporation, said of the new North Escambia buses. He described the smaller buses as “very comfortable and efficient”.
The 10 new buses rolled out Wednesday include features such as:
- Low floor, one-step entry for all passengers.
- Automated wheelchair ramp with manual overrides will replace the failure prone lifts to eliminate lift-related road calls
- Environmentally-friendly LED interior lighting will come with a lifetime guarantee. This replaces standard fluorescent interior bulbs that have to be treated as hazardous waste upon disposal.
- Engine compartment fire detection and suppression system.
- Engines will meet the EPA 2010 emissions standards for diesel buses — a level that at one time could only be met with natural gas-powered buses.
Pictured top: One of 10 new green ECAT buses rolled out Wednesday. Pictured inset: One of the small, more fuel efficient business used on ECAT’s North Escambia routes. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Atmore, Flomaton To Celebrate Homecoming Weekends
September 23, 2010
Atmore and Flomaton will celebrate Homecoming Weekends next month, joining more than 200 towns and cities that will stage homecoming events and unveil historic markers in 2010 as part of the state’s tourism promotional campaign for 2010 — the “Year of Small Towns and Downtowns”.
Flomaton will celebrate a Homecoming Weekend October 22-24. Events will include a special halftime show at Flomaton High School’s homecoming game on Friday night, October 22. Open houses are planned at the brand new Flomaton Library, the award-winning Turtle Point Science Center, the Flomaton Area Railroad Museum, the Flomaton Fire Department and the Flomaton Chamber of Commerce.
Area churches are being asked to move their homecoming celebrations to the weekend, and the First Baptist Church has already done so, according to Betty Jones, chairperson of the Flomaton 2010 Committee. The weekend will also feature a car show at Flomaton’s Lions Park, a vendors area downtown, music and more.
“We want everyone to come home to celebrate small towns and downtowns with us — the places we grew up and the backbone of the country we call home,” Jones said.
Vendor applications will be available at Flomaton’s Welcome Center for those interesting in selling their wares on October 23.
Atmore will take part in the Year of Small Towns and Downtowns with the annual Williams Station Day on October 23.
During Williams Station Day, Atmore residents and guests will turn back their clocks to 1866 when their community was named Williams Station – just a supply stop along the Mobile & Great Northern railroad. It was a simpler time, when life revolved around the railroads and folks marked time by the sound of the steam engines chugging through town or the whistle of the local lumber mill. We hope you’ll join us in Atmore for this regional festival that promises a fun day of family entertainment.
Williams Station Day is packed with great venues to fit every taste. For the young and young at heart we offer an old fashioned sampling of southern heritage seasoned with the blues, arts and crafts, cane milling and railroad memorabilia.
Williams Station Day will be October 23 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. To learn more, visit www.atmorechamber.com.
Brewton participated in the Great Alabama Homecoming back on June 19 at Burnt Corn Creek Park with the Alabama Blueberry Festival.
Statewide, Alabama homecoming events will continue through mid-December. Historic markers written by local historians and provided by the Alabama Tourism Department will be unveiled at the events.
“As someone who grew up in a small town in Alabama, I know there’s something special about them. They have a unique character and charm. But in Alabama, even our bigger cities have a small town feel. As Alabamians, we’re truly fortunate that many of our hometowns really are like Mayberry,” said Alabama Governor Bob Riley, referring to the fictitious small town that was the setting of the “Andy Griffith Show”.
A total of 215 communities, ranging in size from Mooresville, population 54, to Birmingham, population 300,000, have scheduled events as part of the Year of Small Towns and Downtowns.
“It’s going to be a great time to reflect on the importance of our small towns and downtowns, and I believe when it’s all over, people throughout the state will come away with a greater appreciation for the special place we all call home,” Riley said.
The state Tourism Department has posted a list of towns and event dates on its homecoming web site at www.alabamahomecoming.com.
Pictured above: Alabama Governor Bob Riley announces The Great Alabama Homecoming. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Open House Tonight At Bratt, Molino Park Elementary Schools
September 23, 2010
Open house events will be held tonight at both Bratt and Molino Park elementary schools.
Both open house events begin at 6:30 p.m. The open house at Bratt Elementary will be preceded by a PTA meeting at 6 p.m.
Century Town Council Candidates File Financial Info Reports
September 23, 2010
Candidates for the Century Town Council have filed their second round of campaign finance reports, providing some insight into their supporters and the expenses needed to gain a council seat in the town with just over 1,000 voters.
Click a candidate’s name below to read their complete campaign finance reports.
Seat 5
Annie Carter Savage
Sandra McMurray Jackson
Candidate Annie Carter Savage had raised the most dollars by the end of the most recent reporting period, with $1,095 contributed to her campaign. Her opponent, Sandra McMurray-Jackson, had raised no money during the same period. Both women are candidates for the seat currently held by Sharon Scott, who is not seeking re-election.
Savage’s largest reported contributions were $200 each from Century Mayor Freddie McCall, his wife Margie and his daughter Sonja McCall. Other contributions were from Julie Booth Moran ($100), Lloyd Savage ($10), Annie Carter Savage ($200) and Lomonica Savage Shoemo ($100), Benny Barnes ($35), and Marilyn Robinson ($50).
Savage reported spending just $31 in the second finance reporting period of August 28-September 10. The funds were spent for gas, according to her filings with the Supervisor of Elections.
McMurray-Jackson reported receiving no contributions during the reporting period and $75 total since she qualified. She first reported spending $255.60 on campaign signs on September 18, but then amended her filing to remove the expenditure that was outside the August 28-September 10 reporting period.
Seat 3
Henry Hawkins
Jacke Johnston
Robert Lasher
Candidate Robert Lasher has reported $595 in total contributions to his campaign — all of which were prior to the most recent reporting period. His largest contributor was Century Council President Ann Brooks with $250. During the August 28-September 10 period, Lasher reported receiving $65 of in-kind contributions in the form of campaign sign stakes from Ken McMurry of Century and Bo Brantly of Flomaton.
During the August 28-September 10 reporting period, candidate Jacke Johnston reported $375 in contributions — all from John B. Johnston. She reported a $374.50 expenditure for campaign signs.
Incumbent Henry Hawkins reported zero contributions during the reporting period, and expenditures of $64.50 for “labels for signs”.
Pictured top: A group of political signs near Showalter Park in Century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Three North Escambia Residents Injured In Highway 97 Crash
September 22, 2010
Three people were injured in a two vehicle crash just before 8:00 Wednesday night on Highway 97 in Davisville.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Teresa Etheridge, 54, of Walnut Hill was northbound in her 1994 Buick Park Avenue when she failed to notice a passenger van stopped in the northbound lanes of Highway 97 waiting to turn into the Diamond gas station. Etheridge rear-ended the van driven by Timothy Mason, 51, of Century, at a high rate of speed, pushing the van forward nearly 100 feet. Both vehicles came to rest against each other in the northbound lanes of Highway 97 north of Nokomis Road.
Mason, who was ejected by the force of the crash, was transported by ambulance to Atmore Communty Hospital. He was not wearing his seat belt, the FHP said. His passenger, Delia Mason, 47, was also transported to Atmore Community Hospital. Both had non-life threatening injuries, according to the FHP.
Etheridge was transported by LifeFlight to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola in serious condition. Etheridge was charged with careless driving. Troopers said alcohol or drugs were not a factor in the crash.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Atmore Ambulance, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the call.
Pictured top and bottom: Three people were injured in this two vehicle accident Wednesday night on on Highway 97 in Davisville. Pictured inset: This photo shows the damage to the van after the two vehicles were separated. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Hundreds Of Students Gather To Pray At Area Schools
September 22, 2010
Hundreds of students gathered to pray at their schools in North Escambia Wednesday morning during the annual See You at the Pole event.
Students gathered as school began to pray in the non-denominational event. See You at the Pole is a student-initiated, student organized, and student-led event. Students prayed for their school, friends, teachers, government and the nation.
Do you have See You at the Pole photos from a North Escambia area school? Email them to news@northescambia.com or upload them to your Facebook and message us.
Pictured above: Students pray this morning at Northview High School. Pictured below: Students gather to pray at the flagpole at Ernest Ward Middle School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Robert “Brad” Donald Bradley, Sr.
September 22, 2010
Robert “Brad” Donald Bradley, Sr., 75, of Pensacola passed away on September 18, 2010. Brad was born on 18th of December 1934.
He was known by the name of Bobby while growing up in the small town of Lebanon in the “show me state” of Missouri. He worked as a farm hand after finishing high school. He decided to get ahead he would have move away there and joined the United States Navy on the 28th of May 1952 During his 3 year enlistment he rose to new heights during military life. He completed Naval Hospital Corpsman School on the 26th of February 1953 . He reenlisted on the 23rd of September 1955. During this enlistment he was subject to Operation Redwing which required for his ship and shipmates to line up at different intervals and face the fallout of a nuclear blast. He was discharged in Pensacola, FL on the 1st of December 1959 under honorable conditions.
He then moved to a hometown favorite of Macon, MO. While living there he missed the excitement of Pensacola and dreamed of moving back there. He met his soon to be wife, Effie Joyce Waibel and they shared the same dream and made it happen during the cold, cold winter of 1962. Which they were soon wed and blessed with a son, Robert Donald Bradley Jr. on the 13th of January 1963. The next year brought another bundle of joy in a second child, Bruce Edward Bradley born on 31st of May 1964.
During the following years, Brad opened and was partners in several Pawnbroker shops around Pensacola. The last was the longest and was named the Big Easy Jewelry and Pawn. This was a 20 year venture that took him to the end of his thrilling ride. Everyone who knew of him, knows he loved helping his customers and made him one of the very best at it.
Survivors include: his son, Bruce; sister, Shirley; and brother, Bennie; special companion and friend, Margrett Boyett, and numerous nieces and nephews; special friends, Tommy and Kym Lowery, Pat Garcia, Bea Steel, Jay Turner, Willie and Betty Hudson, Cotton and Alice Basham, Brett and Jackie Hernandez.
Trahan Family Funeral Home, 419 Yoakum Court, is in charge of arrangements. Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at the funeral home. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 22, 2010 also at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Cottage Hill Cemetery in Cantonment.
Edward Richard “Buddy” McConnell, Jr.
September 22, 2010
Edward Richard “Buddy” McConnell, Jr., 48, of Molino died Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010. Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, September 23, at the National Cremation & Burial Society in Milton until services begin at 11 a.m.
Two Injured When Car Slams Into Broken Down Semi On Highway 29
September 22, 2010
Two people were injured when their car slammed into the back of a parked 18-wheeler in Molino early this morning.
Charles Curtis Wolfe, 31, of Byrneville Road, Century and Jason A. Hadley, 26, address unknown, both claimed to be backseat passengers in a Volkswagen Jetta that collided with the truck about 2:30 a.m., according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The FHP said both men claimed that the driver of their vehicle fled the scene; however, first responders were unable to locate any sign of a third person in the accident.
The accident happened on Highway 29 near Mathison Road in front of the Molino Health Department. The broken down truck had been parked on the shoulder of the road for some period of time prior to the crash. The semi-truck driver was not with the truck at the time of the crash.
The FHP estimated the speed of the car at about 60-65 mph when it struck the trailer.
Wolfe and Hadley were transported by ambulance to a Pensacola hospital. Their conditions were not available.
In addition to the Florida Highway Patrol, Escambia County EMS and the Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the call.
Pictured above and below: Two people were injured when this Volkswagen Jetta struck the back of a broken-down semi-truck early Wednesday morning in Molino. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Pharmacy Bandit Wore Underwear On His Head, Gun Recovered
September 22, 2010
There have been no arrests in Monday afternoon’s armed robbery of Scott’s Pharmacy in Molino, but we now know more details about what happened inside the pharmacy and at a standoff at a nearby home.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has released their incident report on the robbery, which occurred just before 1:30 Monday afternoon.
The bandit was described as a white male in navy blue bathrobe, blue jeans, black house slippers, yellow kitchen-type gloves, and with boxer shorts on his head. He entered the store and announced that he was robbing the business, which is located at the intersection of Highway 29 and Molino Road. Employees said he was armed with a revolver that was wrapped in a plastic bag and pointed at a store employee as he demanded prescription narcotics. The suspect threatened to kill witnesses if the police responded, the report states.
The suspect said, “No cops better pull up, because I will kill someone and I will not have a problem doing it either,” a pharmacy employee told deputies.
He fled the store with a large quantity of narcotics worth several thousand dollars in two plastic bags, according to the ECSO report. Deputies recovered an unknown number of pill bottles outside the store following the robbery. Investigators did not say how much of the stolen medication was recovered.
A store employee told deputies that she recognized the suspect as a pharmacy customer by his voice.
For a photo gallery from the pharmacy and the standoff on Molino Road, click here.
A witness told deputies that he saw the armed robber run from the store and enter his getaway vehicle. A vehicle matching the exact description was located in the yard of a home in the 400 block of Molino Road near the U.S. Post Office.
A short time after the robbery, numerous deputies converged on the home. With weapons drawn, deputies ordered the occupants of the home to exit. Two people — a male and female — complied and were temporarily detained and later released.
A third person refused to exit the home. Deputies could be heard calling the man by name, ordering him step outside and threatening to send a K-9 into the home. After the standoff continued for about a half hour, the man exited the brick home and was detained. He was later released after being questioned by investigators.
Inside the home, deputies recovered a .38 caliber Smith and Wesson revolver matching the description of the one given by store employees, according to the report.
None of the individuals at the Molino Road home had been charged with any crime as of early Wednesday morning. The Sheriff’s Office investigation into the incident is continuing.
Click here for an earlier story about the robbery. For a photo gallery from the scene, click here.
Pictured top: An unnamed male was temporarily detained by deputies Monday afternoon at a home in the 400 block of Molino Road. Pictured top inset: Scott’s Pharmacy in Molino was robbed at gunpoint Monday afternoon. Picture inset: An Escambia County Sheriffs Deputy stands with her weapon drawn has she orders a man to exit the backdoor of a home on Molino Road. Pictured below: Deputies were involved in a brief standoff at a Molino Road home following the pharmacy robbery. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
