Sweet Deal: Candy Company Bringing 100 New Jobs
May 3, 2012
A sweet economic deal for Pensacola and Escambia County was announced Wednesday afternoon as officials revealed that Majestic Candies Company plans to bring more than 100 new jobs in the next few years to the region with a projected capital investment of $6 million.
“Florida welcomes Majestic Candies Company and the advantages it’s bringing to our Great Northwest,” said Gray Swoope, president & CEO of Enterprise Florida Inc., the state’s primary economic development organization. “The company will further expand our manufacturing capabilities, which is vital to economic growth and job creation in our state.”
Majestic Candies Company is a producer of confectionery products, primarily pralines and other pecan-based candy products, initially targeting distribution in the four Southern regional markets.
Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward said he was glad Majestic was calling the Pensacola area home, bringing needed jobs to the community.
“Majestic Candies Company is a fitting partner in Escambia County’s efforts to guide the region into a strong economic future,” said Escambia County Board of Commission Chairman Wilson Robertson. “We look forward to working with them as they grow and prosper in their new home in the heart of Escambia County.”
Majestic Candies Company plans to locate at 2001 W. Government Street, the former H.T. Hackney building.
“We are very pleased with the support that we have received from the Pensacola community and we look forward to being a part of the continuing success which is being achieved by the citizens of Pensacola,” said Dom Perrotta, managing member of Majestic Candies Company.
Reported Robbery At Cantonment Subway Under Investigation
May 3, 2012
A Wednesday holdup at a Cantonment restaurant is under investigation.
A robbery was reported at the Subway sandwich shop in the 1500 block of South Highway 29, next to Winn Dixie, about 10 p.m. Escambia Count Sheriff’s deputies were on scene within moments after the robbery report, and a K-9 was reportedly used to search for a suspect.
There was no word from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday night if anyone had been taken into custody in connection with the reported robbery. Additional details have not been released.
Chevy Dealer Charged With Theft; Allegedly Did Not Pay Off Trades
May 3, 2012
A former Atmore car dealer has been arrested after allegedly failing to pay off customer trade-ins.
Carl Smith, age 65, was indicted by an Escambia County (Ala.) Grand Jury on 12 counts of first degree theft by deception. He was released from the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton on a $300,000 bond. Smith is the former owner of Carl Smith Chevrolet in Atmore.
Smith accepted trade-in vehicles toward the purchase of new or used vehicle. But he allegedly failed to pay off the loans as agreed on the trades, leaving customers to find out they owe a lender for both vehicles.
For Kadie Purvis, a Northview High School graduate and current college student, the whole scenario has been a nightmare.
“I’m a full time college student, and I don’t have $650 to make two car payments,” Purvis said. “It mostly just makes me angry because it not fair to me or the other people going through the same thing. We did our part; we trusted his dealership when buying a car. We’ve made the payments on our new vehicles and in turn our credit scores are being ruined.”
Purvis said she purchased a vehicle from Carl Smith Chevrolet in January, only to later start receiving phone calls and letters from lenders alerting her that her old load was not paid off. She said the entire ordeal has been five months of “unneeded stress”.
Shortly after his arrest, Smith reportedly entered into a written agreement to transfer the dealership to a Louisiana Chevrolet dealer.
Atmore National Day Of Prayer Events Moved Indoors
May 3, 2012
Century and Atmore are marking the National Day of Prayer today.
Government, community and other leaders gathered in Century this morning. (Details and photos Friday morning here on NorthEscambia.com)
In Atmore, the National Day of Prayer will be celebrated with multiple events at Tom Byrne Park on Lindberg Avenue on Thursday, May 3. The day’s events will include:
- Prayer Service – 5:30 – 6 p.m. A prayer service for the community and nation.
- Childrens Prayer Event – 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. New this year is an event for children K-6 to participate in an age appropriate prayer time and balloon release.
- Bible Reading – 6 – 6:30 p.m. The entire Bible will be read as a prayer and blessing over the community.
Due to rain, the 5:30 Prayer Service, Children’s Prayer Event and 6:00 Bible Reading will be held at Escambia County High School in Atmore. Adult events will be held in the new gym; children’s events will be held in the old gym.
For more information on National Day of Prayer events in Atmore, contact Sharon Keesler at (850) 982-0804 or sharonkeesler@hotmail.com; Nancy Helton at (850) 655-6358 or nan.helton@gmail.com; or Pastor Ted Bridges at (850) 380-3814.
Pictured top: A portion of a small group of the faithful gathered in Century this morning for the National Day of Prayer. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Former Alabama Cop Arrested On Felony Charges
May 3, 2012
A former Brewton Police officer has been arrested on one felony count of obtaining a criminal record under false pretenses and one felony count for violating Alabama’s ethics law, according to Escambia County (Ala.) District Attorney Stephen Billy.
Eddie Laffon Barton, III, 37, was arrested by agents from the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center after being indicted by an Escambia County (Ala.) grand jury. The indictment charged that Barton intentionally misused his public position for unlawful personal gain and that he misused confidential law enforcement data by willfully accessing confidential private information about an individual that was unrelated to any official law enforcement duty.
The indictment was based on evidence presented to the grand jury on April 27 by the Escambia County (Ala.) District Attorney’s office. Barton was arrested at his residence Tuesday, May 1 and booked into the Escambia County Jail. He later was released on a $25,000 bond, according to information released Wednesday.
If convicted, Barton faces a penalty of 2-20 years imprisonment for the ethics law violation and up to five years imprisonment for the misuse of confidential law enforcement data.
Further information has not been released. The case was investigated by special agents of the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center and is being prosecuted by the Escambia County (Ala.) District Attorney’s Office.
Tate’s Trawick Signs Golf Scholarship
May 3, 2012
Tate High School’s Billy Trawick has signed a scholarship to play golf at the University of Arkansas at Monticello.
Pictured: (front) Dottie Hodge, Billie Trawick, Mary Ann Trawick, (back) Ronnie Hodge, David Venettozzi, Rick Shackle . Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sheriff’s Office To Present Free Teen Drive Challenge
May 3, 2012
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office will present a free two day Teen Driver Challenge May 11-12.
The challenge is a part classroom, part driving experience, designed to provide education and training to protect teen drivers.
” The Teen Driver Challenge is an effective way to give young drivers the information and skills they need to make wise decisions behind the wheel,” Sheriff David Morgan said.
The Florida Sheriffs Association Teen Driver Challenge (TDC) program was developed at the request of the Florida Sheriffs to combat the high crash and fatality rate of teen drivers on Florida highways. The ECSO Teen Driver program is a free, 12-hour course, including 4 hours of classroom (including a pre- and post-test) and eight hours of hands-on instruction on a driving course.
The program is presented to 16-19 year old students over a two-day period.
All students must be licensed, have a vehicle that they normally drive available for the range portion. Proof of Insurance is required, along with signed release of liability forms.
The classroom portion of the TDC, which will take place at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Administration Building, covers crash-related issues, such as vehicle dynamics, braking, steering and traffic laws. Specific chapters of the assigned workbook deal with aggressive driving, distracted driving (texting, cell phone use, etc.), and DUI and seatbelt issues.
The driving portion of the class, which will take place at Bronson Field, will be held on May 12. The class will be limited to 10 applicants.
Applications are available at front desk at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Administration Building, 1700 West Leonard Street, Pensacola through May 7, 2011. For more information, contact Deputy Ronnie Gill at (850) 436-9630.
“Buddy” Hubbard Taylor
May 3, 2012
“Buddy” Hubbard Taylor, 68, of Molino went to eternal rest Wednesday, May 2, 2012.
Buddy was born in Pensacola on March 18, 1944, to William and Catherine Taylor. He was retired from Escambia County School District after 22 years of dedicated service in the transportation bus garage.
Survivors include his loving wife of 47 years, Beverly Ann Taylor; son Marvin Taylor (wife Michelle); grandson, Zachary Lee Taylor; granddaughter, Ashley Noel Taylor; brother, Johnny Taylor (wife Brenda); sisters, Mae Carroll, Christine Freeman (husband Bob) and Mildred Freeman; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Friday, May 4, 2012 from 6-8 p.m. at Pensacola Memorial Gardens Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
William George “Bill” Robinson
May 3, 2012
William George “Bill” Robinson, Jr, 83, of Cantonment went to be with the Lord Wednesday, May 2, 2012.
Bill, was raised in Brownsville and was retired after 36 years at St. Regis Paper Company. He was a member of Dogwood Park Baptist Church and West Pensacola Masonic Lodge # 296. Bill was a member of the Hadji Shrine Temple where he was in the Clown Unit, and volunteered to transport patients to and from the Shriners’ Hospitals.
Survivors include his loving wife of 63 years, Ann Marie Falk Robinson; son William G. Robinson III (wife Debbie); three daughters, Sharon Milstead (husband Glenn), Inga Robinson and Vivi Skipper (husband Marvin); 13 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Paw Paw loved each one of them dearly.
Visitation will be on Saturday, May 5, 2012, from 10 a.m. with the service beginning at 11 a.m. at Pensacola Memorial Gardens Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Glenn Milstead officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made to the American Diabetes Association , P.O. Box 11454 Alexandria, VA 22312.
Barbara Ann Wood
May 3, 2012
Barbara Ann Wood, 63 of Jay, passed away April 19, 2012, at home. Originally from Atmore, she lived in Jay 41 years.
She is preceded in death by her husband Oscar Jr. Wood, grandson Albert Jr. Lambeth, parents Leon Franklin and Mercy Jane Sanders, sisters Luverne Sanders, Velma Hendricks, and a brother Clarence Sanders.
Survivors include daughter Joyce wood, son Kenny Wood; daughter Patricia Freeman; son Earl Wood; daughter Bertha Lambeth ( Clayton); sister Elbia Wood (Audrey); brothers Lonnie Sanders, and Roy Sanders (Vivian); and nine grandchildren.
Graveside services will be Wednesday April 25, 2012, at 2 p.m. at Cora Cemetery, with Bro. Clarence Carnley officiating. Visitation will be at Jay Funeral Home from noon till 2 p.m.
Pallbearers will be Chris Wood, Dustin Wood, Eric Wood, Daniel Wood, Bryan Wood, Clayton Lambeth, Allen Inman and Khyrstopher Wood.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.