Escambia Deputy Involved In Traffic Crash
March 4, 2011
An Escambia County deputy received minor injuries in a traffic crash with two Alabama residents Thursday night.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Deputy Michael Milstead,32, was traveling west on Barrancas Avenue in a marked 2007 Ford Crown Victoria about 9:10 p.m. That’s when Daniel Stamaris, Jr., 51, of Headland, Alabama, was also westbound in the center turn lane before tuning into the path of Milstead’s cruiser.
Both vehicles then ran off the road. The deputy’s cruiser hits a utility pole, while Stamaris hit a business sign. Stamaris and his passenger, Heather Stamaris, 35, also of Headland, were transported to Baptist Hospital with minor injuries. Milstead also received minor injuries and was transported to Baptist Hospital.
There were no charges filed in connection with the accident.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Kingsfield Crash Slows Morning Drive
March 4, 2011
An accident slowed the commute Friday morning on East Kingsfield Road.
The two vehicle crash was reported just before 7:30 in front of Plastic Coated Paper on East Kingsfield Road just east of North Palafox. The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. There was no immediate word on injuries, and further details were not available.
Pictured above and below: A two vehicle crash on East Kingsfield Road this morning. Submitted photos by Cheyenne Godwin for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tiny Town Files Suit Against Giant Dump; Developers Toss Words At Escambia, Florida
March 4, 2011
A town of less than 300 people has filed suit to stop a mega-landfill planned just upstream from North Escambia, just as the landfill company has taken aim at three area counties, including Escambia, Florida.
Repton, Ala., population 280, filed suit this week against Conecuh Woods LLC and the Conecuh County (Ala.) Commission in an attempt to stop a permit from being issued for the 5,100 acre landfill planned for just outside the tiny town.
Numerous counties and cities in the area have passed resolutions against the landfill forwarded to Conecuh commissioners and Alabama’s governor — including Escambia counties in Alabama and Florida, Baldwin County, Century, Atmore and Flomaton.
Now, Conecuh Woods has fired back at three of counties against the landfill, throwing verbal jabs. On the Conecuh Woods website, the company says Escambia County, Florida is against the mega-landfill because “They already have a landfill and a Green Energy facility, and the last thing they want is competition for new industry”. The developer also alleges that Escambia and Baldwin counties in Alabama are against Conecuh Woods because their are landfill operating in their counties, and they don’t want the competition.
Escambia County, Florida, in opposing the landfill by resolution, expressed concerns over runoff that could pollute waterways downstream in Florida.
Conecuh Woods’ landfill, would include a 1,600 acre “disposal cell” from Range to Repton to near the Big Escambia Creek. Big Escambia Creek flows southward into Escambia County, Alabama, through Flomaton and drains through a North Escambia swamp into the Escambia River and then Escambia Bay.
Located only about 30 miles from the landfill site, the Town of Century joined Escambia County in opposing the landfill over water quality concerns.
“Nobody knows more than we do that Florida’s rules on water quality are tougher than Alabama’s,” Century Mayor Freddie McCall said. “If it comes into our river, Florida is in trouble immediately.”
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley issued an executive order providing for a moratorium on new landfills in the state. Conecuh County then, in turn, requested an opinion from Alabama’s attorney general on any impact on Conecuh Wood’s pending application before the commission.
A public hearing for the Conecuh County Commission to consider approval for Conecuh Woods is set for next Thursda, March 10, 9 a.m., at Reid State Technical College in Evergreen. The commission has until April 2 to make a decision on the proposal — if the governor’s moratorium does not stop the process.
Meanwhile, Conecuh Woods, LLC has listed numerous jobs and provided an employment application on the company’s website. The website asserts that the landfill’s annual payroll will be $1.8 million annually, with over $250 million in new revenues.
“This project is about jobs, revenue and who gets them; Conecuh, or some other county,” the website states.
Pictured top: Repton, Alabama, Mayor Terri Carter addresses the Century Town Council recently in opposition to a proposed 5,100 acre landfill in Conecuh County, Alabama. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Mistrial Declared In Trial Of Billings Murder Suspect Donnie Stallworth
March 4, 2011
A mistrial was declared late Thursday night in the trial of Billings murder suspect Donnie Stallworth, Jr. after almost nine hours of deliberation.
The Brewton native was one of seven people charged in the execution-style murders of Byrd and Melanie Billings in July 2009 . Leonard Patrick Gonzalez, Jr. received the death penalty last month for gunning down the Beulah couple as several of their special-needs children watched.
Stallworth, a former U.S. Air Force staff sergeant, was accused of being in the home at time of the murders, armed with a gun. He was charged with two counts of first degree murder.
The accusations came from two co-defendants, 16-year old Rakeem Florence and 21-year old Fredrick Thorton. Both pleaded not contest to a lessor second degree murder charge in exchange for their testimony.
The jury began deliberations just before 2 p.m. Thursday. The hung jury was summoned back to the Escambia County courtroom and released by Judge Nick Geeker just before 11 p.m. Geeker scheduled a retrial for Stallworth, 29, to begin on April 25.
Sometime after the July 9, 2009, murders, Stallworth fled to his hometown of Brewton, Ala., where he turned himself in at the Escambia County Detention Center. At the time of the murders, Stallworth was assigned to the 1st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Hurlburt Field. Much of his family still residents in Brewton.
Relay For Life Chicken Plates Sold Out
March 4, 2011
A lot of people will enjoy a good lunch in the Century area today and help the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.
The Town of Century’s Relay for Life Team had planned to sell smoked chicken plates to the general public today at the Roadside Park. All of the plates sold out during the pre-order period. Pre-ordered plates can be picked up in the park beginning at 10:30 a.m. Plates will not be available unless a pre-order was placed.
Each $6 plate includes smoked chicken, baked beans, cole slaw or potato salad, bread and dessert. For more information, call (850) 256-3208.
Rain Later, Wet Saturday
March 4, 2011
The first part of the weekend looks like a total washout, with showers and thunderstorms moving into the area by Friday afternoon and continuing through Saturday night. A wind advisory is in effect today with winds expected to gust to 35 mph.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Cloudy. Numerous showers through the night. Isolated thunderstorms after midnight. Near steady temperature in the lower 60s. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph becoming 5 to 10 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation 70 percent.
- Saturday: Numerous showers and scattered thunderstorms in the morning…then widespread showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs around 70. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation 90 percent.
- Saturday Night: Cooler. Rain showers and scattered thunderstorms in the evening…then chance of rain showers after midnight. Lows in thelower 50s. South winds 10 to 15 mph becoming west 5 to 10 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation 80 percent.
- Sunday: Mostly cloudy in the morning then clearing. Highs in the lower 60s. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph becoming north 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
- Sunday Night: Colder. Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 30s. North winds around 5 mph.
- Monday: Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 60s.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 40s
- Tuesday: Mostly cloudy. Highs in the lower 70s.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57.
- Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75.
- Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.
Ransom Middle Hosting Silent Art Auction, Craft Show Tonight
March 4, 2011
Ransom Middle School’s Krafty Krew Art Club is hosting their 5th Annual Silent Art Auction and Craft Show from6-8 tonight in the school cafeteria.
The Ransom orchestra will be performing ,and all proceeds from the auction will go toward Relay for Life. The theme this year is “Glass Works” with stained glass, glass etching and glass-based jewelry appearing in the bidding. Paintings, photographs, and other donated work from local artists will also be available in the auction.
Fortune Gives High Marks To Gulf Power, Alabama Power
March 4, 2011
Fortune has ranked Gulf Power, Alabama Power and other subsidiaries of Southern Company were ranked number one in the electric and gas utility sector of the magazine’s 2011 list of the “Worlds Most Admired Companies” released Thursday.
Although it shares the top pot with NextEra Energy, Southern Company — which includes Mississippi Power, Alabama Power, Georgia Power and Gulf Power — was ranked first in the utility industry in six of the nine categories on which the survey was based.
Southern Company has ranked number one four times since 2002 in the Fortune survey and has been in the top five on four other occasions.
“We are totally committed to keeping our customers at the center of our business,” said Gulf Power President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Crosswhite. “This honor is a testament to what our employees do every day.”
The survey included more than 600 companies, which were judged on nine criteria – innovation, people management, use of corporate assets, social responsibility, quality of management, financial soundness, long-term investment, global competitiveness and quality of products and services.
Southern Company was ranked first in its industry in people management, use of corporate assets, quality of management, financial soundness, long-term investment and quality of products and services.
“Being a good value to our customers is part of our mission and therefore part of everything we do,” said Crosswhite. “Our success rests in their complete satisfaction and that’s what we work toward every day.”
Herman L. Carnley
March 4, 2011
Herman L. Carnley, age 90, passed away Tuesday, March 1, 2011. He was born September 19, 1920 in Jay. Mr. Carnley was owner and operator of Ensley Curb Market and a member of Chumuckla Pentecostal Holiness Church.
He was preceded in death by parents; Albert and Eula Carnley, his first wife; Annie Louise Carnley and his son; Ronnie Carnley.
He is survived by his wife, Louise Carnley, his children, Adon (Sharon) Carnley, Wayne Carnley, Faye (Fred) Johnson, Stanley (Susie) Carnley, Pete (Linda) Foster, David (Linda) Foster and Jessie (Ronnie) Gilbert; his brother, Max Ray Carnley; his sisters, Alberta Hopkins and Dorothy Tyree (Rufus); 25 grandchildren; 50 great grandchildren and 12 great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 5, 2011 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North-Cantonment with Rev. Ron Carnley and Rev. Ira Decker officiating. Interment will follow at Morgan Cemetery.
Serving as pallbearers will be the grandsons.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, March 4, 2011, from 6 until 8 p.m.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 Highway 29 South Cantonment is in charge of arrangements.
Feinberg, Governor and AG Work Out Claims Speed Plan
March 4, 2011
Federal BP Claims Administrator Ken Feinberg has agreed with Gov. Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi on measures for getting compensation into the hands of economic victims of the Gulf oil spill.
Feinberg has agreed that his office will process at least 25 percent of all pending claims by March 31, expanding staffing in the state to get that done, Scott said.
The governor’s office also said that in each Florida claims office, the federal government will refer claimants to independent accounting firms that can assist in gathering the documentation for the claims, with the fee for the firms to be reimbursed by the Gulf Coast Claims Facility.
The claims facility also has agreed it will provide to claimants a named contact for claimants who have questions, and to create a single Florida claims coordinator to assure responsiveness. Feinberg has also agreed that the facility will have accountants either on site, or available by appointment to help claimants with questions.
“Florida’s tourism, fishing and seafood industries are still feeling the impacts of last summer’s disaster almost a year later,” Scott said in a statement. “Mr. Feinberg agrees that it’s time to get to work and implement a streamlined, fair and effective way of paying these claims for Floridians.” Feinberg will be back in Tallahassee next month to report on the process of the claims process. He met with Scott and Bondi separately last month.