500 To Keep Their Jobs At Clearwire
June 2, 2011
About 500 employees at Clearwire in Milton will keep their jobs, although many of them will now work for a new company, according to the company.
Clearwire notified employees Thursday of an agreement that will transition parts of their customer care operates to TeleTech, a company with which Clearwire currently holds a partnership agreement.
About 700 employees, including 380 in Milton, will transition to to TeleTech, the company said, with TeleTech managing day-to-day customer care services for Clearwire customers.
Clearwire will retain approximately 180 personnel, including nearly 120 in Milton. Those employees remaining with Clearwire are responsible for a variety of back office activities,
including operations, workforce management, process management and vendor management.
“The agreement will help Clearwire increase efficiencies and reduce costs in the company’s customer care organization by leveraging the global resources of a leader in care center support,” Clearwire said in a news release.
Clearwire also began steps Thursday to return $2 million in incentive payments from the state. The money was received from the state in advance of an expansion that will no longer occur.
Deputies: Man Opened Fire Because Business Was Out Of Crawfish
June 2, 2011
Investigators say the man that opened fire with an AK-47 along busy Highway 29 in Ensley Sunday evening did so because a seafood market had sold out of crawfish.
Larry Wayne Kelly, 42, is being held on numerous felony weapons charges in the Escambia County Jail. His bond is set at $575,000.
About 7 p.m., multiple 911 calls of a tan Ford Ranger driving erratically at a high rate of speed and shots fire in the area of the Ensley Walmart. Deputies were unable to immediately determine where the gunshots had originated.
Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies were able to later determine that the gunfire came from a Ford Ranger driven by Kelly and gave chase. The short pursuit came to an end when Kelly crashed into another pickup and a deputy’s vehicle at Palafox and Ensley streets.
Kelly called the L&T Seafood Market, located south of Walmart on Highway 29, about a dozen times during a 30 minute period that began just before 5 p.m. During the first call, Kelly reportedly told the business owner that his business was a “joke” and became “incredibly irate” that the store was out of crawfish, according to a Sheriff’s Office report. Many of the calls went unanswered because the business closed at 5:00.
At about 7 p.m., witnesses saw Kelly fire numerous times at the seafood market from his truck. Investigators later found 11 bullet holes in the building where round entered the building through the walls, roof awning, windows and doors. The seafood business was closed at the time, but adjacent businesses were open, but the shots came within 1,000 feet of persons and employees entering or leaving.
Inside Kelly’s Ford Ranger, deputies found a 12 gauge shotgun, a 38 Special, a Luger TEC-9 and an AK-47 — all loaded. In the backseat of the truck, deputies found the book “The Sociopath Next Door”.
According to deputies, Kelly said that he is a “sovereign citizen”, not subject to the law or the orders of law enforcement officers.
According to court records, Kelly is facing 27 separate felony charges in connection with incident, including multiple counts of discharging a firearm from a vehicle, firing into a building, eluding law enforcement, assault of an officer and aggravated assault.
$32.3 Million For Road Projects In North Escambia, North Santa Rosa
June 2, 2011
The new Florida budget signed by Gov. Rick Scott last week includes $32.2 million for five major transportation projects in and around northern Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
In Escambia County:
- $7,709,279 to resurface Highway 29 in North Escambia from about Pine Barren Road through Century to the Alabama state line. (Read more…)
- $17,703,796 for resurfacing and construction engineering on the entire length of Nine Mile Road from the Perdido River Bridge to the Escambia River Bridge.
In Santa Rosa County:
- $1,609,325 for preliminary engineering on State Road 4 from Market Road (about four miles east of Jay) to the Okaloosa county line.
- $3,924,041 for resurfacing Highway 89 from Chumuckla Highway to the Jay city limits
- $1,362,582 for preliminary engineering on Highway 87 from two miles south of the Yellow River to County Road 184
Pictured above: The new Florida budget signed last week by Gov. Rick Scott includes $7.7 million to resurface a portion of Highway 29 in North Escambia. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Poplar Dell Baptist Church To Celebrate 100th Anniversary, Open Time Capsule
June 2, 2011
The excitement is growing in Byrneville as residents anxiously await to find out what’s in a time capsule that’s been hidden away for 50 years at the Poplar Dell Baptist Church as the church prepares for its 100th anniversary.
During an event this Sunday, the church will open its cornerstone, which was placed and secured at the church 50 years ago. Items inside will reflect information about the church and community from 1961. A new cornerstone will also be created with 2011 memorabilia. It will be opened in 2061. (Join NorthEscambia.com Monday morning to find out what is inside the time capsule.)
Established in 1911, Poplar Dell has ministered to its members and other community members for an entire century. Although the building itself has changed, its message has not.
“We strive to be a light in darkness to the lost, while continuing to minister to the saved,” says the church’s 35th pastor, Mitch Herring. “Any person who is connected to Poplar Dell Baptist Church in any way is going to want to be here.”
The 100th Homecoming is set for June 5, beginning at 10:00 a.m. There will be no Sunday School, but the day will kick off with a special attendance from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Mounted Unit, complete with their horses and riders, followed by 15-minute increment guest speaking of former pastors. The Poplar Dell Puppet Bunch will perform their first ever performance followed by singing from the Calloways of Jay.
The largest dinner the church has probably ever hosted will follow the morning service.
“The church has prepared for double or even triple attendance,” adds the pastor. “We have tables, chairs and food coming from all over. No space is no excuse. We want anyone who desires to celebrate with us to come.”
A three-day revival will follow on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.
A historical book covering the entire 100-year period, complete with photos and documents, will be available for $5 on Sunday. Contact Vicki Baggett at vicki@baggettsolutions.com if you would like a book but cannot attend Sunday’s event.
Pictured top: The Jack Gentry family, 1911 charter members of Poplar Dell Baptist Church. Pictured inset: The modern-day Poplar Dell Baptist Church. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Area Graduations Scheduled; Warning Issued For Parking At Civic Center
June 2, 2011
Graduations for high schools in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties will continue through Tuesday.
Many of the graduations will take place at the Pensacola Civic Center where school district officials are warning of potential problems due to parking restrictions. These parking restrictions are due to the recently constructed Commerce Park in downtown Pensacola. Graduates and guests attending area high school graduation ceremonies are encouraged to car pool to the civic center, allowing extra time in order to find parking. Parking in the immediate area of the Civic Center will be limited; those participating in and those attending graduations should be prepared to walk from where they park, according to school district officials.
Here is the schedule of graduations for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties:
FRIDAY
- Central High School: 6 p.m., Central High gym
SATURDAY
- Gulf Breeze High: 11 a.m., Pensacola Civic Center
- Pace High School: 2 p.m., Pensacola Civic Center
- Northview High School: 4 p.m., Northview High gym
- Navarre High School: 5 p.m., Pensacola Civic Center
MONDAY
- Escambia High School: 1 p.m., Pensacola Civic Center
- Pensacola High School: 4 p.m., Pensacola Civic Center
- Jay High School: 6 p.m., Jay High auditorium
- Washington High School: 7 p.m., Pensacola Civic Center
- Milton High School: 8 p.m., Milton High stadium/gym
TUESDAY
- Pine Forest High School: 1 p.m., Pensacola Civic Center
- West Florida High School: 4 p.m., Pensacola Civic Center
- Tate High School: 7 p.m., Pensacola Civic Center
For The Kids: Free ‘Water Camp’ To Be Held At Lake Stone
June 2, 2011
Escambia County Extension will offer two free water camps this summer, including one at Lake Stone in Century.
The water camps are for children 8-12 on June 29 and 30. Water Camp has fun, hands-on activities designed to get kids excited about water resources and healthy lifestyles. Although registration runs through June 22, there is a limit of 20 children per session, so early registration is encouraged.
The June 29 camp will be held at Lake Stone, 801 West Highway 4, Century and the June 30 camp will be held at the Langley Bell 4-H camp, 4810 West Nine Mile Road. Both camps start at 9 a.m. and end at 1 p.m.
There will be sprinklers and a slip-and-slide, so a swimsuit and sunscreen are needed. Lunch will be provided for all attendees. Parents are not required to stay during the session.
Call ahead if assistance is needed with transportation to the Century site.
For more information or to register, contact Carrie Stevenson, ctsteven@ufl.edu or Libbie Johnson, libbiej@ufl.edu or call (850) 475-5230.
Accused Piggly Wiggly Shooter Pleads Not Guilty
June 2, 2011
The Atmore man accused of shooting another man outside the Davisville Piggly Wiggly on mothers day has pleaded not guilty.
Gary Winston Smith, 57, entered the plea in Escambia County Circuit Court 0n a felony charge of aggravated battery with a firearm. He’s accused of the of the May 8 shooting of Garland Rodney Johnson, 45, of Century.
Smith is due to appear in court again before Judge Jan Shackelford in late July.
The whole incident, authorities said, was over a woman allegedly seeing both men. For for information about the shooting and a photo gallery from the scene, click here.
Pictured top: A North Escambia man was shot just outside the Piggly Wiggly on Highway 97 in Davisville on May 8. Pictured inset: This NorthEscambia.com exclusive photo shows Gary Winston Smith of Atmore being arrested in connection with the shooting. Pictured below: The victim, Garland Rodney Johnson of Century, was transported by LifeFlight to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Records Highs Set
June 2, 2011
Temperatures topped the 100 degree mark in many locations across the North Escambia area on Wednesday. A record high of 101 degrees was set at Pensacola today, breaking the old record of 100 set in 1953. Mobile’s old record of 98 set in 1998 was broken with an afternoon high also at 101.
The unofficial, old fashioned but almost-accurate mercury thermometer at NorthEscambia.com reached 103 in the shade Wednesday afternoon. (Pictured above.)
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Photos: Bratt Elementary 5th Grade Talent Show
June 2, 2011
The fifth grade students at Bratt Elementary School held a talent show Wednesday morning. For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
Submitted photos by Mandi Kinley for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Retails Sales Up In Escambia, Santa Rosa
June 2, 2011
Data released Wednesday afternoon shows retail sales were up in March across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
The area’s retail sales across all categories were up 7.5 percent — the third highest jump in Florida, according to the Florida Office of Economic and Demographic Research.
The Pensacola Bay Area’s biggest gains were in business investment, with an increase of 15 percent. The business investment category includes taxable sales includes sales by building contractors, heating and air conditioning contractors, insulation, well drilling, electrical contractors, interior decorating, paint and wallpaper shops, cabinet and woodworking shops, soil, lumber and building suppliers and roofing contractors.
Sales of autos and automotive accessories were up 11.5 percent, while tourism and recreation spending was up 10 percent.
Consumer durables (appliances, furniture, home electronics, aircraft, boat dealers, hardware and decorating stores sales) recorded a 7.1 percent jump, while consumer nondurable good sales were up 3.1 percent. Nondurable goods are taxable sales that include food and convenience stores, department and clothing stores, drug stores, antique dealers, bookstores, florists, pet dealers and suppliers, social organizations, storage, communications firms, print shops, nurseries, vending machines, utilities, and any “kind” that doesn’t fit into the other categories.
Building investment in the two county region was the only category with a decline in sales, down 0.4 percent. The category of “business investment” taxable sales includes farm equipment, feed and seed suppliers, store and office equipment, computer shops, machine shops, industrial machinery, hotel and restaurant suppliers, transportation equipment, manufacturing and refining equipment, industrial suppliers, paper and packaging materials, medical and optical supplies, commercial rentals, and wholesale dealers.