Tropical Storms: Tracking Nate In The Gulf, Maria In Atlantic
September 8, 2011
Two new tropical storms formed Wednesday — Nate this afternoon in the Gulf of Mexico and Maria in the Atlantic. Neither storm appears to be a threat to the U.S. at the present time; however, the steering currents on Nate in the Gulf are weak, possibly leading to a change in the forecast path.
Details on both storms are in the graphics above and below, click to enlarge.
Deputies: Man Tries To Lure Kids Away From Bus Stops
September 7, 2011
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office looking for information about a man that has attempted to lure children away from bus stops twice within the past two weeks.
On both occasions, the male has stopped and asked directions. He then drives around the block, stops again, and attempts to lure the child into the vehicle, according to deputies. During one of the incidents the male claimed to have a gun but never displayed one.
These incidents have occurred in the general area of Ensley and Ferry Pass, according to Sgt. Mike Ward, spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office.
The male is described as Hispanic, with thinning hair or balding, possibly a mustache and tattoo on his left forearm. The vehicle is described as a small, white four-door car.
The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information about this case, or sees any suspicious activity that may be related to this type of incident, to immediately call the Sheriff’s Office (850) 436-9620.
Free Computer Classes Offered At Century Branch Library
September 7, 2011
Free computer classes will be offered on Saturdays at the Century Branch Library.
Classes include:
- September 10 – Email I
- September 17 – Creating a Resume
- September 24 – Email II
- October 1 – Job Searching Craigslist.
All classes will be held from 10:30 a.m. until noon. Space is limited. For more information, call the Century Branch Library at (850) 256-6217.
County Won’t Fund More Paid Firefighters For Cantonment; Volunteer Response Inadequate
September 7, 2011
Even though volunteers are unable to adequately answer emergency calls, the Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue won’t be staffed with 24/7 paid firefighter crews due to a lack of funding.
“”We can no longer provide the proper minimum fire response,” Cantonment VFD District Chief Jeffery Bingle said recently, asking the county for paid firefighters to answer calls from his station. The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue is currently staffed from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m Monday-Friday by a paid firefighter crew. Outside of those hours and all weekend, calls should be answered by volunteers.
According to Michael Weaver, director of Escambia County Public Safety, the total cost to provide 24 hour paid firefighter coverage for Cantonment would be an estimated $709,219 per year.
“While I understand that staffing this station with fulltime staff may be desirable it is not affordable at this time. Our County Commissioners continue to struggle to maintain a balanced budget with increased demands and decreasing funding,” Weaver wrote in an email to Escambia County Fire Chief Daniel Spillman.
The only way to provide the paid firefighters would be an additional increase in the property tax MSBU rate. The MSBU is already going up $5 per year for the next two years to cover the salaries of paid fire personnel assigned to Ensley, the busiest station in the area. The current increase will generate about $596,000 per year, according to Weaver.
“You will need to meet with your staff, including appropriate volunteer personnel, to plan the best personnel deployment and staffing levels within the funding provided. I expect all of my divisions to meet their budgetary goals. I am available to assist you in this effort,” Weaver wrote in his email to the fire chief.
Bingle said the Cantonment VFD has between 15 to 18 volunteers on the roster, but only five or six of those are very active. Many of those work or go to school outside of Cantonment, leaving an inadequate response to emergency calls. And Bingle said he has become less active in the department due to an increase in responsibilities as the fire chief and emergency services team leader at his employer, Ascend Performance Materials.
In the meantime, Bingle said the Cantonment volunteers are continuing to respond to calls. Neighboring stations, including Ensley and Molino, are also being dispatched to assist with most calls in the Cantonment district outside of the 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. time frame currently covered by a paid crew.
Pictured: Volunteers from Cantonment and other departments responded to a wreck near the Cantonment Volunteer Fire Department on May 22, 2011. Pictured top inset: The Cantonment fire district. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Middle Eagles Fall To Excel Panthers
September 7, 2011
The Ernest Ward Middle School Golden Eagles fell to the Excel Panthers Tuesday night, 8-0.
Austin Whitehead had several sacks and a fumble recovery for the Eagles, while Blake Green had a fumble recovery. Zachary Holland also had sack for loss for EWMS on the road in Excel. Gavin Grant had several completed passes, while Isaiah Dunn, Desmone Knight and Jacob Dunsford were among the yardage leaders for the Eagles.
Ernest Ward (0-2) will have next week off before hosting Uriah on September 20 in Walnut Hill.
Pictured: Action Ernest Ward Middle School loses to Excel Tuesday night in Excel. Submitted photos by Wayne Holland for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Coby James Smith
September 7, 2011
Coby James Smith, 14, passed away on Monday, September 5, 2011, in Atmore.
Coby was a native of Pensacola and a lifelong resident of Atmore. He was a member of the Escambia County High School baseball team, the Escambia County Middle School basketball team, the Cal Ripkin Babe Ruth Baseball League since the age of six, and attended the First Baptist Church of Atmore.
He was preceded in death by his grandpa, Harold Fuller of Atmore, and his grandmother, Woodie Lou Snider of Huxford.
He is survived parents, James Thomas and Kim Smith of Atmore; two brothers, Logan Smith and Tanner Smith, both of Atmore; a sister, Naudia Walls Smith of Atmore; grandparents, Joyce Fuller of Atmore, Nancy and Curtis Corey of Goodway, AL, Johnny and Debbie Smith of Atmore, and Junior and Clarnette Bohannon of Goodway, AL; his great-grandpa, James F. Snider of Huxford; uncles and aunts, Eddie and Debbie Snider of Huxford, Levi Smith of Atmore, Mark Smith of Huxford, John “Bubba” and Jennifer Jeter of Uriah, AL, Karen and Tony Thomas of Atmore, Ruth and Dave Taylor of Atmore, Samantha Jeter of Repton, AL, and Lynn Jeter of Century; his very special friends, Trey Weekes, Erin Weekes and Stephanie Lee; and numerous cousins and special friends.
Funeral services will be held Friday, September 9, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home in Atmore with the Rev. Mike Montgomery officiating.
Burial will follow at Huxford Community of Christ Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Thursday, September 8, 2011, from 6-9 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Tristan McAnally, Trey Weekes, Aaron McDonald, Trey McGhee, David Thomas, Brodie Amos, Cole Jordan and Nate Smith.
Honorary pallbearers will be Dalton Daniels, Dalton Simmons, Canyon Moye, Chase Jaye, Randy Fretwell, E. Money, Rickey Reed, Ridge Jordan, Tristan Montgomery, Sean Rolin, Cody Rolin, Tyler Sanspree, Tadd Wall, Marshall “Chick” Rolin, the Flomaton High School, Escambia County High School, Escambia Academy, Northview High School baseball teams, and the Atmore Area Baseball Association.
Great Weather Continues
September 7, 2011
Great weather for opening windows and turning off the A/C will continue today in North Escambia. Here is your official forecast:
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 81. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. North wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. North wind around 5 mph.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 85. North wind around 5 mph.
- Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. North wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 86. North wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. East wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 87.
- Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63.
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 89.
- Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 90.
Ricky “Wero” Herrera
September 7, 2011
Ricky “Wero” Herrera, 17, passed away on Monday, September 5, 2011, in Atmore.
Ricky was a native of Lubbock, TX, a former resident of Atmore, a resident of Bay Minette for the past two years, and attended the Pentecostal church.
His survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ricky Herrera of Bay Minette; his daughter, Andelina Nichole Herrera of Bay Minette; fiance’, Ashley Priest of Bay Minette; two brothers, Isaac “Taco” Bernal and A.J. Campos, both of Atmore; two sisters, Jessica Gutierrez and Kari Leann Herrera, both of Bay Minette; and his grandparents, Gregorio and Tomasa Banda of Atmore.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 10, 2011, at 4:00 p.m. at the Friendly Holiness Church with the Rev. John Herrera, the Rev. Ray Ward, and the Rev. Charlie McGhee officiating.
Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery with Petty Funeral Homes, LLC directing.
Visitation will be held Friday, September 9, 2011, from 6-9 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be A.J. Campos, Isaac Bernal, Junior Rodriquez, Jesus Cuenca, Miquel Cuenca, Brandon Blackburn and Leonardo Cuenca.
Groundbreaking Held For Sheriff’s Visitation, Training Facility
September 7, 2011
A groundbreaking was held Wednesday for a new Escambia County Sheriff’s Video Visitation and and Training facility near the Escambia County Jail.
A.E. New, Jr. Inc. was awarded the $3,919,200 project to convert an existing 31,000 square foot building on Leonard Street into the new facility.
The facility will provide 60 stations for remotely visiting inmates housed in detention areas via audio and video equipment. Inmates’ visitors will use the video equipment rather than going to the jail where visits are currently separated by glass.
The building will house the Sheriff’s Office force on force, defensive tactics, and simulator training areas, a vehicle detailing area, a media center, training and meeting rooms, and offices.
The facility is expected to open in 2012.
Jeremy Duane “Ju Ju” McNeil
September 7, 2011
Jeremy Duane “Ju Ju” McNeil, 25, passed away on Monday, September 5, 2011 in Atmore.
Jeremy was a native and lifelong resident of Atmore. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, loved his niece and nephews and attended the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.
He is survived by his parents, Donny and Wanda McNeil of Atmore; his son, Joshua Alexander McNeil of Atmore; a brother, Jonathan Andrew McNeil of Atmore; grandparents, F.D. Grant of Atmore; his dear friend, Maxie Banda of Atmore; two nephews, Jaecobey McNeil and Brantley McNeil, both of Lanette, AL; and a niece, Jada McNeil of Atmore.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 10, 2011, at 11 a.m. the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Leo Kent and Bro. Trevor Daughtry officiating.
Burial will follow at Pleasant Grove Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Friday, September 9, 2011, at 5 p.m. at the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.
Pallbearers will be Chance Baggett, Blake Pierson, Anthony Peacock, Aaron Baxter, Matt McGhee and Chad Godwin.