FHP Identifies Pedestrian Killed Last Week On Nine Mile
December 27, 2011
Monday, the Florida Highway Patrol released the name of a pedestrian hit and killed last Thursday night on Nine Mile Road.
The FHP says 29-year old Benjamin Joseph Imperiale of Reed Springs, Missouri, stepped into the path of a 1997 Jeep Cherokee driven by 19-year old Victoria N. Oliver of Pensacola on Nine Mile Road near Fowler Avenue about 6:18 p.m on December 22.
Imperiale was wearing dark clothing, and Oliver was unable to see him in time to stop, according to the FHP.
The crash remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol Traffic Homicide Unit. No charges have been filed at this time.
Fallen Marine Travis Nelson’s Family Gives Back For Christmas
December 26, 2011
Scott and Beckie Nelson of Bratt just could not stand the thought of their first Christmas without their son LCpl. Travis M. Nelson who was killed in action in Afghanistan back in August. To take their minds off a Christmas without Travis in the house, they decided to give back to the communities that had supported them so much following his death.
The Nelson family, along with a small army of volunteers, prepared and delivered about 125 Christmas meals Sunday for elderly, shut-in and needy people in the Bratt, Atmore and surrounding areas.
“We wanted to do something to give back and wanted take our minds off Travis not being here,” Beckie said as she worked on getting the flavor just right on a sweet potato casserole. “We thought about volunteering at the Waterfront Rescue Mission. Then Scott said we should try to put back into this community and see if there was enough need.”
They initially planned to find about 70 individuals that needed Christmas lunch. But, before it was over, about 125 were on the list. For Beckie, it was her first time cooking a big Christmas lunch.
“We usually go to my mother-in-laws’ for Christmas lunch,” she said.
The recipients of the Nelson’s generosity ranged from the elderly to a family of 13, including eight children, that would have otherwise done without a traditional Christmas lunch.
Plans are already in the works to repeat the Christmas lunches next year in a program they are calling “Operation Enduring Loss”.
“We are continuing to endure the loss of Travis,” Beckie said. “For 19 years, he was here with us opening presents on Christmas. But he’s not coming home this time,” she said, pausing. “Or the next time. That chapter in our lives is closed.”
That’s been tough for the Nelson family, she said, where Christmas always meant family time and presents around the Christmas tree. The family put up a tree this year, but this time it’s a real tree with all brand new ornaments.
“I just couldn’t bear to open the box of our other ornaments,” she said. “There are so many special ornaments in there that belonged to Travis. It’s just never going to be the same.”
Pictured top: Beckie Nelson (left) and volunteer Sandy Brown work on a sweet potato casserole. Pictured inset: Beckie Nelson with a finished sweet potato casserole, one of many used in 125 Christmas lunches. Pictured below: Travis Nelson’s sister Anna Nelson (left) and friend McShane Ingalls prepare fresh string beans. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Heavy Rain Possible Tonight; Wind Advisory Issued
December 26, 2011
There is a chance of heavy rain tonight, and there is also a wind advisory with winds expected to gust as high as 35 mph.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight…Windy. Widespread rain showers and scattered thunderstorms in the evening…then showers and thunderstorms likely after midnight. Some thunderstorms may produce heavy rainfall. Lows in the mid 50s. South winds increasing to 15 to 25 mph becoming west 15 to 25 mph after midnight. Gusts of 30 to 35 mph. Chance of precipitation near 100 percent.
- Tuesday…Mostly cloudy in the morning then clearing. Slight chance of rain showers in the morning. Highs in the lower 60s. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of showers 20 percent.
- Tuesday Night…Colder. Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 30s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight.
- Wednesday…Sunny. Highs in the upper 50s. North winds around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Night…Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 30s. North winds around 5 mph.
- Thursday…Sunny. Highs in the lower 60s.
- Thursday Night…Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 30s.
- Friday…Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 60s.
- Friday Night…Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 40s.
- Saturday…Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 70s.
- Saturday Night…Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 40s.
- New Years Day…Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain showers. Highs in the upper 60s. Chance of showers 30 percent.
- Sunday Night…Partly cloudy. Chance of rain showers. Lows in the mid 40s. Chance of showers 30 percent.
- Monday…Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 60s.
Nominate North Escambia Persons Of The Year
December 26, 2011
NorthEscambia.com will honor several North Escambia residents as North Escambia Persons of the Year as 2011 comes to a close, and we need your help.
We are asking our readers to nominate individuals that they believe made a difference in North Escambia during 2011. We will choose several of them to be named as a 2011 North Escambia Person of the Year. The awards are our way of saying thanks to those that have worked to improve our lives in the North Escambia area during the past year.
We are not necessarily looking for a person with a long list of accomplishments. We are looking for people that have given of themselves — often quietly — to help others and the communities of North Escambia during 2011.
To nominate someone, please email their name, contact information (if known), and the reason why you believe they should be a Person of the Year. The person must either be a resident of North Escambia, work in North Escambia or otherwise have significantly impacted North Escambia in some way. For the purposes of this award, we define North Escambia as being Cantonment north to the Alabama line.
Entries should be emailed to news@northescambia.com by Wednesday, December 28. We need your email and phone number just in case we have questions, but your name and contact information will not be published.
Please make your nominations by email; do not use the story comment form below.
The 2011 North Escambia Persons of the Year will be named late this week.
Pictured: Lawrence and Doris Cooper, two of the North Escambia Persons of the Year for 2010. Read their story by clicking here. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
2011 In Photos: January, February
December 26, 2011
All this week, we are looking back at the photos that were in the news in 2011. Today, we are featuring photos from January and February.
Fire ripped through this Jahaza Road home in Molino on January 12.
The winners, including Miss Northview High School Hayley Simpson, pose after the January Miss Northview High School pageant.
Ernest Ward Middle School’s National Junior Honor Society held an induction ceremony in late January.
An accidental fire destroys equipment at a work site in Walnut Hill.
In February, Molino residents got their first look at a proposed community center and library in the old Molino School.
Century residents gathered to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
A Bessemer, Ala., man (inside police car) tries to explain why he used an ax as he forced his way into an elderly woman’s home west of Flomaton.
Commander Merlin Ladner, USN (Ret) addresses the audience during Northview High School’s NJROTC Annual Inspection in February.
A mobile home burns with a meth lab inside on Molino Road.
Four people were left homeless after a fire started by an oven being used for heat destroyed their Byrneville mobile home.
Drivers were inconvenienced for weeks as the North Highway 99 bridge over Pine Barren Creek was closed in January.
January’s weather was cold, as evidenced by this fountain at Century Care Center.
Rick Scott was sworn in as Florida’s new governor.
The 1165th Military Police Company, including many North Escambia area residents, deployed to Afghanistan.
Jacke Johnson, Gary Riley and Sandra McMurray Jackson were sworn in as new members of the Century Town Council.
Former Century Town Council member Sharon Scott passed away in late February.
In February, numerous arrests were made after a drug-related sweep. A meth lab was found as this Molino Road home.
Lifeflight awaits as a victim is freed from a traffic crash on Highway 4A west of Century.
Recycle Your Christmas Tree
December 26, 2011
You can recycle your natural Christmas tree in Escambia or Santa Rosa counties.
In Escambia County:
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) will pick up Christmas trees from customers for free with the regular collection of yard waste.
Customers are asked to remove all decorations from their trees and cut the trees so that no portion is longer than six feet. Trees can be placed at the curb with other yard trash, and should not be placed in the regular garbage container or recycling cans.
ECUA will not offer drop-off sites for trees this year because of the lack of participating the last few years.
For more information, call ECUA Customer Service at (850) 476-0480.
In Santa Rosa County:
Santa Rosa County residents are urged to start the New Year “green” by recycling their live Christmas trees. Trees dropped off by Tuesday, January 31 at the five recycling areas around the county will be chipped and offered as free mulch at Clean Community System in Milton at a later date to be announced.
When dropping off trees, please place the trees in the designated area identified by signage. Do not place trees in front of the recycling containers. Trees can be disposed at:
- Jay Transfer Station, on Transfer Station Road
- Quintette Recycle Area at the Five Points Intersection
- Pace Patriot Boulevard next to Pace Volunteer Fire Department
- Tiger Point recreation area in Gulf Breeze, east of Walmart
- Clean Community System on Park Avenue
Christmas Closings Continue Today
December 26, 2011
The following will remained closed on Monday in observance of the Christmas holiday:
- Escambia County offices
- Santa Rosa County offices
- Century town offices
- Jay city offices
- Atmore city offices
- Flomaton city offices
- West Florida Library branches
- U.S. Postal Service deliveries will be made as normal.
- ECAT will not run Monday.
- ECUA routes will all be picked up as normal.
- The Perdido Landfill will be open as usual on Monday, except for the administrative offices.
Hardee’s Presents $10,500 To Alzheimer’s Family Services
December 26, 2011
Employees from several area Hardee’s restaurants recently presented the Alzheimer’s Family Services board of directors with a $10,500 check. The funds were from their “Paper Hearts” campaign in which donations were requested from Hardee’s customers in Florida and Alabama.
“We are so grateful for Hardee’s continued support and to all who donated,” said Leah Harrison, Alzheimer’s Family Services senior development manager. “Their contributions allow us to continue our mission of providing resources and support to Alzheimer’s patients and caregivers in our local community.”
Alzheimer’s Family Services, an affiliate of Covenant Hospice, is a not-for-profit organization.
Troopers Remain Out In Force
December 26, 2011
Gov. Rick Scott recently proclaimed December as National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month.
As part of Florida’s focus on safe highway travel during the holiday season, the Florida Highway Patrol has joined thousands of other law enforcement and highway safety agencies across the nation in Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, a nationwide campaign targeting impaired driving through January 2, 2012.
Impaired driving is one of the deadliest crimes, especially during the holiday period. During the 2010 Christmas and New Year’s holiday travel period, approximately 35 percent of the traffic fatalities in Florida were alcohol related.
Motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians who comply with Flroida’s traffic laws and use sound judgment can help make the holiday period safer and less stressful for everyone, according to the FHP.
“Impaired driving continues to be a priority for law enforcement in the state, and the Florida Highway Patrol will be intensifying enforcement during the holidays,” said FHP Director, Col. David Brierton. “Our goal is to create the safest possible driving environment by modifying driver behavior – and helping drivers make better decisions.”
FHP Auxiliary and Reserve troopers are also out during the heightened travel periods.
The FHP offers these tips for a safer holiday:
- Plan ahead
- Use a designated driver
- If you are impaired, call a taxi, use mass transit or call a friend or family member to get you home safely.
- Call *FHP (*347) to report intoxicated or aggressive drivers, or if your vehicle breaks down and you need assistance. To request immediate emergency services, dial 911.
Pictured above: FHP Trooper Rafael Streeter issues a traffic citation at the corner of Highway 29 and Hecker Road in Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Helton Haddock
December 26, 2011
Helton Haddock, age 73 of Oak Grove, died Monday December 26, 2011, in Atmore. He was a chemical operator and supervisor with International Paper Company, born in Vernon on May 31, 1938, to the late Jack Easter and Annie Bell Curlee Haddock.
He is survived by his wife, Helen M. Haddock of Oak Grove; three daughters, Gina Denise Vaughn (Phillip) and Linda Darlene Johnson (Larry Spaller) all of Oak Grove, Marilyn Peters of Bratt; one son, Lester Hooper (Amanda) of Monroeville; six brothers, Wilton D. Haddock, Henry Elton Haddock, James Carlton Haddock, Curtis Cliffton Haddock, Donald Lee Haddock and Homer Preston Haddock; five sisters, Vydell Dyges, Myrtle M. Hodges, Lucille Odom, Luverne Phillips, and Joyce Summers; four grandchildren, Travis Wesley Johnson, Felishia Jade Seelig, Cody Helton Burroughs, Serina Kristen Johnson; and five great-grandchildren.
Services will be Thursday December 29, 2011, at 2 p.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Butch Brown and Bro. Roy Chewing officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Grove cemetery.
Family will receive friends, Wednesday evening December 28, 2011, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in Atmore from 6-8 p.m.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.