Tate Grad Representing Florida At National FFA Convention
October 21, 2010
A Tate High School grad is representing the State of Florida FFA as a national delegate.
Austin Courson is Florida’s representative at the 83rd National FFA Convention going on this week in Indianapolis. He is a 2009 Tate gradudate and still works locally with many FFA chapters including Tate, Northview High and Ernest Ward Middle to inform young people about FFA and agriculture.
The National FFA Organization, formerly known as Future Farmers of America, is a national organization comprised of over 500,000 students throughout the United States. Over 15,000 students in 320 chapters throughout Florida are engaged in a wide range of agricultural education activities, leading to more than 300 professional career opportunities in the agricultural industry.
Friday Final Day To Register To Vote In Alabama
October 21, 2010
Friday is the last day for Alabama residents to register to vote in the November 2 election.
Information about voter registration, sample ballots and information about absentee ballots is available at www.alabamavotes.gov.
In Escambia County, Alabama, voters can register by 4 p.m. Friday at the Satellite Courthouse at 8600 Highway 31 in Atmore or at the Escambia County Courthouse in Brewton.
To register to vote in the State of Alabama, an individual must meet the following qualifications:
- Be a United States Citizen
- Reside in Alabama
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have not been convicted of a disqualifying felony (or have rights restored)
- Have not been legally declared “mentally incompetent” by a court
For more information, contact the Escambia County Board of Registrars at (251) 867-0243.
Fire Heavily Damages Home’s Pool Deck
October 20, 2010
Fire heavily damaged the wooden deck of a Davisville home Wednesday afternoon.
The fire in the 9800 block of Highway 97 was reported just before 5 p.m. A large section of a home’s pool deck was destroyed by the fire, but the home was not damaged. Residents of the home had partially knocked the fire down and protected the back wall of the home using garden hoses prior to the fire department’s arrival.
The cause of the blaze was not immediately known. There were no injuries reported.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Atmore Fire Department responded to the blaze.
Pictured top and inset: Firefighters work to extinguish hot spots under the deck. Pictured below: Smoke pours from the deck prior to the fire department’s arrival. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ivy F. Peavy
October 20, 2010
Ivy F. Peavy, 97, of Baldwin County, died Tuesday October 18, 2010 in Daphne,AL.
Mrs. Peavy was born November 2, 1912 in Escambia County, FL and was a resident for many years before moving to Baldwin County.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bennie David Peavy, sons, Carlton A. Peavy,Kenneth Peavy, daughter, Joyce Vaughn.
She is survived by her 3 sons, Harry Peavy, of Spanish Fort, AL, Wilton Peavy, of Mobile,AL, and Leonard Peavy, of Bay Minette, AL, brother, Fernie Faircloth, of Bratt, FL, 12 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 10 am Friday October 22, 2010 at Faith Chapel North with Rev. Terry Vaughn officiating. Interment will follow at Pensacola Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6pm to 8pm Thursday October 21, 2010.
Faith Chapel North is in charge of arrangements.
Driver Airlifted After Escambia River Bridge Crash (With Photo Gallery)
October 20, 2010
The driver of a concrete truck was airlifted to the hospital following a crash on the Highway 4 bridge over the Escambia River Wednesday morning.
Officials said it appeared the driver suffered a medical problem that caused the accident. According to witnesses, the westbound driver first struck the westbound side of the bridge before traveling across both lanes of traffic into the eastbound guardrail. He then traveled several hundred feet along the guardrail before coming to a stop.
The driver was transported by LifeFlight to an area hospital. His condition was not immediately available.
The accident, which happened just after 8 a.m., was just inside Santa Rosa County.
For a photo gallery from the scene, click here.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, the Jay Fire Department, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
EWMS Eagles Beat Escambia Academy To End Perfect Season
October 20, 2010
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles ended their season undefeated with a 16-6 win over the Cougars of Escambia Academy Tuesday night.
For a photo gallery from the game, click here.
After a scoreless first quarter in Walnut Hill, the Cougars took a 6-0 lead with just over a minute to go in the half.
Following a big gain from Jaran Miles to start the third quarter, Cameron Newsome added the first Eagles touchdown of the night. With good two point conversion pass to Jaylen Parker, the Eagles regained the lead, 8-6, with 6:57 to go in the third.
Ernest Ward solidified their win with a touchdown from Jaran Miles with 1:13 remaining the game. The two point conversion was good, with a quarterback keeper from Aaron McDonald, 16-6.
The Eagles of Ernest Ward are the only middle school football team in Escambia County, Florida.
For a photo gallery from the game, click here.
Members of the undefeated EWMS Eagles team are: Jaran Miles, Cameron Newsome, Jaylen Parker, Austin Cunningham, Hunter Sherouse, Aaron McDonald, Ryder Gifford, Micheal Richards, Jonathan Griffis, Gavin Grant, Elijah Harbison, Ben Linam, Tristan Hendrix, Justin Kite, Bricen Iannone, Kenneth Nelson, Murphy Bryan, Chris Brown, Jacob Johnson, Aden Davis, Zachary Holloway, Hunter Johnson, Austin Whitehead, Tristen Partwood, Tydré Bradley, Jon’Micheal Hart and Matthew Lee.
Team managers are: Bethany Merchant, Chasen Freeman and Kristal Whitehead.
Ernest Ward coaches are: Keith Griffin, Jeremy Greenwell, Jordan Coon, Trey Johnson and Jay Jefcoat.
Extreme Home Makeover Property Was Sold By County For $1
October 20, 2010
The Rainbow Avenue property being used for this week’s Extreme Home Makeover build in Pensacola belonged to Escambia County until it was sold “for the development of affordable housing” for $1 about a month ago.
The 0.38 acres was acquired by the county through a governmental foreclosure in September 2005. The Escambia County Commission declared the property surplus and put it out for bid in February 2006 for a minimum bid of $21,220.
In May, the Escambia County Commission authorized selling the property to the highest bidder in excess of $12,635. The dollar figure represented the amount the county spent to remove a 636 square foot dilapidated structure on the lot.
Unanimously approving a motion by Commissioner Kevin White, the county agreed to sell the property to Community Enterprise Investments, Inc. for $1 for the purpose of developing affordable housing. The county waived document and closing fees associated with the sale.
Middle School Student, 16, Sentenced To Jail On Weapon Charges
October 20, 2010
A 16-year old middle school student charged as an adult will spend the next several months in jail after dumping a firearm into the middle of a North Escambia street, eventually leading to a shot being fired into a deputy’s tire.
Ladarrious Tamiraye Lett of Ivey Street, Century, was found guilty in Escambia County Circuit Court of possession of a firearm by a convicted delinquent under 24 years of age, tampering with evidence and culpable negligence. He was sentenced to nine months in the county jail, with credit for the 86 days he had already been behind bars following his arrest.
Trial is scheduled for January for David Dewayne Simmons, 49, the McDavid man accused of selling a .22 caliber handgun to Lett in exchange for a $40 bag of marijuana.
Lett was originally charged as a juvenile in connection with the July 14 incident, but his case was transferred to Escambia County Circuit Court.
The incident began at 3:23 a.m. on July 14 when Deputy Scott Rivkin conducted a traffic stop on a black Eagle Talon with no headlights near North Century Boulevard and Henry Streets. The driver of the vehicle was given a warning for failing to use his headlights. Lett was the passenger in the vehicle. Both left the area.
About five minutes later, Rivkin was traveling on North Century Boulevard in the same area as the traffic stop when when he heard what he believed to be a gunshot. Upon investigation, he discovered a .22 caliber pistol in the middle of North Century Boulevard. When the right rear wheel of the deputy’s cruiser rolled over the weapon, it had fired a round, flattening the tire. Next to the revolver, the deputy discovered one empty shell casing and five live rounds of ammunition.
While Deputy Rivkin was still parked on North Century Boulevard, he noticed the driver from the previous traffic stop and Lett approaching him on foot. The two were separated and questioned as the Flomaton Police Department responded for backup.
The driver told authorities that Lett had dropped the gun out of the vehicle’s window just prior to the traffic stop and that the pair had returned to the area to retrieve the gun. The 16-year old told deputies that he had purchased the gun from Simmons , and he provided a bill of sale. Lett admitted to dropping the gun out of the vehicle window, according to his arrest report.
Walnut Hill Fire Station Parking Lot Expanded
October 20, 2010
The parking area at the Walnut Hill Fire Station has been expanded.
Escambia Fire Rescue requested that the county install a gravel parking lot at the fire station. The county’s crews removed vegetation, prepared the base and installed two gravel parking areas at the fire station on Highway 97.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Over 100 Work To Clean Up Area Waterways
October 20, 2010
Over 100 people recently worked to clean up over 35 miles of North Escambia area waterways.
The cleanup was part of the Alabama Coastal Cleanup across several Alabama counties as well as Escambia County in Florida.
The largest group participating in the event was organized by Jerry Fischer and friends from Century. The group cleaned over 35 miles of shoreline in Alabama and Florida along the Escambia River, Conecuh River, Little Escambia Creek, Big Escambia Creek, Bluff Springs, Pollard and Murder Creek.
Adults and students from the Century, Jay, Brewton and Flomaton areas participated. The youngest volunteer was Chance Thornton, Fischer’s 5-yard old grandson. Century Mayor Freddie McCall personally donated the use of a garbage dumpster for the group.
This international Coastal Cleanup event serves as a public service as well as an educational tool to help teach both adults and students the grave effects that littering has on our environment, specifically to aquatic life, according to area organizer Janet Wofford. Since Alabama joined the International Coastal Cleanup in 1987, over 58,000 have volunteered for the event and over 1 million pounds of trash has been removed from shorelines and waterways.
Pictured above: Volunteers from the North Escambia area take a break at Bluff Springs, Fla., during the annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup. Pictured inset: The youngest volunteer was 5-year old Chance Thornton. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.