Program To Provide Free Heaters To North Escambia Needy
February 11, 2010
Free electric heaters will be available for the elderly and needy Friday at a Cantonment church.
The Community Action Program will hold an outreach from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Greater First Baptist Church at 591 Booker Street in Cantonment. Free electric heaters are available to those with inadequate heat who are age 55 or older, or have children under 12, or are disabled. The program is for North Escambia residents only.
A picture identification is required, as well as social security numbers for all residents in the household, proof of income and a current electric bill.
For more information, call Elizabeth Brown at (850) 221-3356, or Mike Riley at (850) 968-1682. Call and make a reservations at (850) 968-0153.
Sheriff’s Office Rolls Out Armored SWAT Vehicle
February 11, 2010
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office unveiled its new SWAT Tactical Rescue Vehicle Wednesday afternoon.
The 19,000 pound fully armored vehicle was funded with about $230,000 in local option sales tax dollars earmarked for vehicle purchases.
“It wasn’t cheap, but if it can save one person’s life, it will be well worth it,” said Escambia County Chief Deputy Larry Aiken. “We don’t want to ever have to us it, but when we do, we will have the peace of mind that we can protect our personnel or a member of the public.”
Aiken said it can be used to position SWAT members at a scene or used to rescue someone while providing a high degree of safety. The vehicle can stop a high power projectile dead in its tracks.
None of the surround law enforcement agencies have such a fully armored vehicle, Aiken said. Escambia’s new tactical rescue vehicle will be made available for other agencies if the need arises.
Pictured top: The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office new SWAT Tactical Rescue Vehicle. Pictured inset: Sheriff David Morgan inspects the new armored vehicle. Pictured bottom: Chief Deputy Larry Aiken (left) looks inside. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Just Beautiful: Students Win Pageant Poster Contest
February 11, 2010
Three artistic youngsters at Byrneville Elementary School have been named winners in the Century Sawmill Pageant Poster Contest sponsored by the Century Lions Club.
Winners were first place, Abby Hammond, fourth grade; second place Jayda Warner, fourth grade; and third place Kris Baxter, third grade.
The posters will be used to promote the annual Century Sawmill Beauty Pageant on Saturday, March 27 at 10 a.m. at Carver/Century K-8 School. Registration forms are available at Whataburger in Century.
Pictured: (L-R) Century Lions Club member Edsol Smith, Century Sawmill Pageant Poster Contest winners Jayda Warner, second place; Abby Hammond, first place; and Kris Baxter, third place; and Lions member Don Sales. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Donations Needed For Family That Lost Everything In Fatal Fire
February 10, 2010
The American Red Cross is accepting donations for the family that lost their home in a fire that left one family member dead Wednesday morning in Atmore.
The family needs clothing as follows:
- Boy, age 3, size 4T clothing, size 8 shoes
- Girl, age 5, size 5 clothing, size 5 shoes
- Mother, size large tops, size 9/10 pants and jeans, and size 7 1/2 shoes
Household items are also needed.
Items can be dropped off at the American Red Cross at 205 East Church Street in Atmore on weekday mornings. Donations are also being accepted at Coley Petals and Parties at 301 North Main Street and at the Atmore News at 128 South Main Street.
For more information and photos from the fire, click here.
Winter Storm Watch Issued
February 10, 2010
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for residents of South Alabama.
… Winter Storm Watch in effect from late Thursday night through
Friday afternoon…
The National Weather Service in Mobile has issued a Winter Storm
Watch… which is in effect from late Thursday night through
Friday afternoon.
Precipitation will begin to spread into southeast Mississippi and
southwest Alabama late Thursday afternoon into early Thursday evening.
As the precipitation moves in… a mixture of rain and snow is likely
generally north of Interstate 65 with precipitation becoming all snow
roughly along the Highway 84 corridor after midnight. Colder air will
continue to filter into the area during the day Friday as surface low
pressure tracks across the north central Gulf of Mexico. Rain will
gradually transition to all snow to as far south as the Interstate 10
corridor by early Friday afternoon. Precipitation will quickly taper
off by Friday evening.
Snowfall accumulations of two to four inches are possible across the
northern half of the watch area with totals of one to three inches
possible further south. The snow will be wet and heavy in nature
which could result in some downed tree limbs and power lines.
There is still some uncertainty regarding the forecast track of the
surface low… which in turn will affect the amount of moisture and
cold air available for snow.
Precautionary/preparedness actions…
A Winter Storm Watch means there is a potential for significant
snow… sleet… or ice accumulations that may impact travel. Continue
to monitor the latest forecasts.
House Fire Claims Life Of Child, Age 4
February 10, 2010
A four-year old child died as the result of a house fire in Atmore Wednesday morning.
The fire was reported in the 200 block of 6th Avenue about 10:30. When firefighters arrived, the house was fully involved. About 15 minutes later, the four-year old was pulled from the home by rescuers and transported to Atmore Community Hospital. Dylan Barnhill, 4, was later pronounced dead.
The child’s mother, Jessica Barnhill, had been able to get another child, Fredrick, 3, out of the house uninjured, but she was unable get Dylan out of the house. A third child in the family, Teressa, 5, was in school at the time of the fire.
Atmore Fire Chief Gerry McGhee said the cause of the fire is under investigation by the Alabama State Fire Marshal’s office.
The American Red Cross is seeking donations for the family. Click here for more information.
For more photos from the scene, click here.
Pictured above and below: A four year old child died as a result of this house fire Wednesday morning in Atmore. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tanker Explosion Rocks Flomaton; No Injuries
February 10, 2010
A tanker truck explosion rocked Flomaton Wednesday morning but caused little damage and no injuries.
The explosion happened about 9 a.m. as the truck was parked at Kelley Brothers Contractors on Highway 113, just behind the Tom Thumb.
The tanker truck was loaded with saltwater, according to the Flomaton Fire Department. A 100 pound end cap was blown off the tanker about 250 feet — past the Tom Thumb and across Highway 31 to Rollin’s Tires. Windows at the contracting company were also shattered by shock wave from the blast. No one, including a man reportedly on top of the tanker welding at the time of the explosion, was injured.
Residents from all over the Flomaton area reported hearing the explosion or feeling the earth shake.
The exact cause of the saltwater explosion is under investigation. Officials tell us that the saltwater may have mixed with residue of some other chemicals previously transported in the tank, causing a chemical reaction.
The saltwater is used in the oil drilling process at wells around the area.
Pictured top: This tanker full of saltwater exploded Wednesday morning in Flomaton. Pictured inset: The end cap of the tanker was blown off. Pictured below: The top lid of the tanker was damaged. Pictured below: Windows were blown out a contracting company. Submitted photos by Alisa Hart for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Michael “Mike” Meadows
February 10, 2010
Mr. Michael “Mike” Meadows, 34, passed away on Monday, February 8, 2010 at a Pensacola, FL hospital.
Mr. Meadows was a native of Phenix City, AL, a resident of Pace, FL and attended the Liberty Baptist Church. Born on October 17, 1975, he was a devoted Husband, Father and Alabama fan. He was loved by everyone that knew him, an all around great guy and will be greatly missed.
Survivors include: his Wife, Rachael Renfroe Meadows of Pace, FL; his 2 year old twins, Ava Grace Meadows and Noah Frank Meadows; his Mother, Joan Meadows of Pace, FL; his Father, Jerry Meadows of Enterprise, AL; Grandmothers, Patience Pelham of Pace, FL and Betty Meadows of Enterprise, AL; a Brother, Jessie Meadows of Pace, FL; and two Sisters, Nikki Meadows of Pace, FL and Jennifer Meadows of Enterprise, AL; and numerous Aunts, Uncles and Cousins.
Funeral services will he held Friday, February 12, 2010 at 2:00 P.M. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Tony Richburg and the Rev. Jerry Keese officiating.
Burial will follow at Pineview Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Thursday, February 11, 2010 between 6:00 and 9:00 P.M. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Darrell Lamberth, Tony Lambeth, Tony Odom, Jayson Paul, Christopher Kitchens, Shawn Hughes, Jimmy Meadows and Ed Miller.
Honorary pallbearers will be Clifford Williams, Paul Smeltzer, and Jason Walker.
Bill Would Ban Texting, IM, Internet While Driving
February 10, 2010
If you read or write a text message while driving in Florida, it could cost you in the future.
Under a bill introduced Tuesday by two state legislators, texting while driving would mean a $30 fine. State Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, and Janet Long, D-Seminole, have introduced bills to introduce the civil fine. If caught texting behind the wheel, no point would assessed against a driver’s license.
Dockery admitted that she used to read her messages while driving, but no longer. “Distracted driving is an epidemic that’s sweeping through our state and country, destroying lives and families,” she said.
The ban would not just apply to texting, but also sending or reading email, instant messages, pages and using the Internet. The ban would not apply to law enforcement, military and emergency personnel sending messages in the line of duty.
If stopped on the side of the road or parked, texting from a vehicle would be allowed. Talking on a cell phone while driving would not be banned.
County Officers On Board With Molino Community Center Project
February 10, 2010
Three of Escambia County’s constitutional officers are interested in locating offices in a community center planned for the Old Molino School.
That’s the word from District 5 Escambia County Commissioner Kevin White who met Tuesday with Escambia County Tax Collector Janet Holley, Supervisor of Elections David Stafford and a representative of Property Appraiser Chris Jones.
“They were all very receptive of the idea of locating offices in the building,” White said.
For Holley a county center in the renovated Molino School might come at the perfect time — the tax collector’s lease at her current Cantonment offices expires in 2012.
“We are open to exploring the option,” she said. “We will approach it with an open mind. It’s definitely something we would consider, especially since the growth is in that direction.”
In May, 2009, commissioners approved the $400,000 purchase of the building from the Escambia County School District. Commissioners have since approved a budget of $2,089,156 from Local Option Sales Tax monies for the renovation project. DAG Architects is being paid $214,580 to design the renovations.
Plans call for the old Molino school to become a community hub, possibly including a 5,000 square foot library, a museum highlighting Molino history, a small health clinic, a business incubator, renovation of the cafeteria and one additional building for community events and private party rental along with other uses.
The school campus includes 9.66 acres and four buildings — the largest of which is 16,630 square feet.
First opened in 1939, the Molino School closed in 2003 when the new Molino Park Elementary School consolidated Molino Elementary and Barrineau Park Elementary.
Pictured above: The old Molino School now sits empty, closed in 2003. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.