Ellie Black, Sr.
August 10, 2012
Mr. Ellie Black, Sr., 85, passed away on Thursday, August 9, 2012, in Century.
Mr. Black was a native of Hog Wallow, AL, and a resident of Century since 1960. Mr. Black was a member of Boilermaker Local 119 of Mobile, a veteran of World War II and retired from Container Corp of America. He was a member of Flomaton branch of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Ida Black of Century; three sons, Glynn J. (Donna) Black of Deatsville, AL; Ellie (Belinda) Black of Seminole, AL, and Donald Ray Black of Century; one daughter, Linda Black Davis of Bratt; one sister, Earnestine Bell of Cottage Hill; 10 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
Funeral services were held Saturday, August 11 at the Petty Eastside Chapel with Mr. Richard Ash officiating.
Burial was at Community of Christ Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Shaun Black, Jamie Black, Hunter Davis, Tyler Davis, Russel Galbreth and Maurice Dixon.
Honorary pallbearers were Lloyd Barrow, Eddie Bondurant, Freddie McCall and Luke Whidbee.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes was in charge of all arrangements.
Helicopter Company That Stiffed Century Sells Assets To The Chinese
August 9, 2012
[EXCLUSIVE] The helicopter company that disappeared and stiffed the Town of Century for about three quarters of a million dollars has resurfaced — with its owner cashing in and selling the company to the Chinese.
Century received a $740,999.43 foreclosure judgement against Helicopter Technologies, Inc. in July 2009 after owner Georges Van Nevel apparently left the country.
Recently, Van Nevel’s Helicopter Technologies transferred all industrial properties and patents on the FH1100 helicopter to China in an agreement with the China Helicopter Industry Development Association and US-China Capital, Inc., according to the Chinese website People’s Daily Online. The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
China expects to produce their first FH1100 within two years, increasing production up to about 300 copters annually.
Van Nevel operated his helicopter company from a building leased from Century in the town’s industrial park off West Highway 4. In September 2007, his regular monthly $3,257.61 payments to the town stopped, forcing the eventual foreclosure proceedings against the company.
Van Nevel then tried unsuccessfully to sell the building for $1.75 million while attempting to negotiate a payment plan with the town.
The building remains empty in the Century Industrial Park.
Troubled Past
The U.S. Office of Transportation raided Van Nevel Helicopters in January 2008, with federal officials seizing records of the business and Van Nevel.
“Van Nevel is suspected of improperly refurbishing helicopters and helicopter parts, selling unapproved aircraft parts, performing improper repairs on helicopters and misleading the aviation community by false advertisements,” according to federal documents from the Office of Transportation at the time of the raid.
In 2008, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida entered a $424,550.72 judgment in favor of El Colona Agropecurario of Costa Rica against Helicopter Technologies for failing to deliver a helicopter to the company.
Numerous lawsuits against Van Nevel and Helicopter Technologies were also filed in Escambia County Circuit Court.
Pictured top: This photo shows Georges Van Nevel (to the right of the American flag) transferring the assets and patents of his company to the Chinese. Picture inset: Van Nevel addresses the Century Town Council as Mayor Freddie McCall listens. Pictured below: Inside Helicopter Technologies in the Century Industrial Park. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Nine Mile Road Resurfacing Project Update
August 9, 2012
Work is continuing on a Nine Mile Road construction project in Escambia County.
Over the next month drivers can expect intermittent lane restrictions from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. between Perdido River Bridge and Pine Cone Drive as Panhandle Grading and Paving paves driveway connections and stripes the roadway.
This work is part of the final items to complete the roadway improvements on the 6.7 mile project which began in January of this year, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
Yard Work Program Provides Jobs, Helps Low Income, Disabled Avoid Code Violations
August 9, 2012
The Community Action Program Committee has partnered with the International Paper Foundation and FaithWorks InterFaith Ministries this summer to perform yard services for low-income seniors or disabled customers who are in danger of receiving a code violation.
“This is an annual community service that we have offered each summer for the last three years.” said Renae Cotton, director of the community services department for CAPC. “Many of our seniors or disabled customers, because of financial strain, are facing county code enforcement violations due to the overgrown condition of their home’s yards. Our goal is to remove this one barrier from the difficult decisions seniors have to make based on their limited income.”
For the second straight year, CAPC received a $3,500.00 grant from International Paper to help fund the program.
In addition to providing a much needed service to one of the most vulnerable populations in Escambia County, the partnership will also address an unemployment issue as well.
“Along with students employed by our agency for the summer, FaithWorks will be using its regular YardWorks program workers to service an estimated 150 eligible customers in Escambia County,” said Doug Brown, CAPC executive director. “Most of the work crews are made up of formerly unemployed individuals.”
FaithWorks will train and supervise the crews on how to properly manicure a lawn, equipment usage and maintenance, and the value of hard work.
“Bringing an elderly or disabled, eligible person’s yard up to code while training young people from the CAPC Summer Youth Program in job safety, outdoor tool use and work ethics is an exciting addition to our current YardWorks Program.” said Rick Dye, chief volunteer for FaithWorks.
Persons in Escambia County interested in applying for this yard service program should call Community Action Program Committee office at (850) 438-4021.
Pictured top: By the time Abdul Smith (right) and Antwon Lyons are done, over 150 yards in Escambia County will be mowed to avoid code enforcement violation fineds. Pictured bottom: Javier Cobb has learned that an important task of the Weed Easter operator is to look for uncut grass in a customer’s yard that was missed by the mower operator. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ACLU Targets ‘Unconstitutional’ Religious Behavior At Charter School
August 9, 2012
The ACLU of Northwest Florida is targeting alleged “unconstitutional” religious behavior at an Escambia County charter school.
The letter sent to Superintendent Malcolm Thomas this week by Susan Watson of the ACLU claims that employees at the Jacqueline Harris Preparatory Academy promotes personal religious beliefs.
“They sponsor prayer at various school events and generally proselytize students during classes and other school-sponsored events and activities,” the letter states.
The letter demands that the Escambia County School District issue an immediate order to JHPA employees to cease the alleged behavior.
The ACLU is also demanding that “unconstitutional religious content” be removed the JHPA web page.
The school’s website mentions God in reference to the history behind the school:
“The Jacqueline Harris Preparatory Academy was named after the late Jacqueline Watson Harris who demonstrated clearly her faith and belief in God. She loved children and believed in each child’s innate ability to learn, however, she believed that the school, parents, community, and church must form a linkage and work together to help our children withstand and overcome the ills of society.”
Pictured: A portion of the Jacqueline Harris Preparatory Academy website.
Popular Farmer’s Opry Closing
August 9, 2012
After over a decade, the Farmer’s Opry in Chumuckla is closing this fall.
Sandy Wyatt have opened the Farmer’s Opry House almost every Friday and Saturday night with good homestyle food and country entertainment for the past 11 years. But that ends October 6, with Opry opening only for special events, concerts and fundraisers.
Wyatt said he and his wife need a break; they are both reaching retirement age and still work other full tile jobs in addition to the Farmer’s Opry House.
Thursday morning, the Farmer’s Opry posted the following on their Facebook page:
“We want to officially thank everyone in our community (and across the US) for helping us fulfill our dreams over the past 11 years. We’re thankful to have met folks who we would have never otherwise met. We love our community and our family will always be here to support Chumuckla and the surrounding area. The Sawmill Band will continue to perform special events around our area and even at the Opry on occasion.”
K9 Fighting Drugs At Schools
August 9, 2012
A four legged deputy and her handler have been working to keep drugs out of the Santa Rosa County schools.
The lab named “Idgie” and Deputy Marshall Holbrook teamed up for the first year together as a drug fighting duo.
From August 2011 to June 2012, Idgie performed 451 vehicle checks, 103 room checks, 2,300 locker checks and 1,700 bag and personal article checks. Idgie alerted seven times with drugs found, and altered 18 times were drugs were not found but students confirmed that had been drugs.
Besides her drug dog duties, Idgie also performed 125 demonstrations and public appearances.
Pictured above: Santa Rosa County Sheriff Wendell Hall, Deputy Marshall Holbrook, Idgie, and Santa Rosa County School Superintendent Tim Wyrosdick. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Business Tax Bills Mailed
August 9, 2012
Business tax bills have been mailed.
Escambia County Tax Collector Janet Holley was set to mail 22,000 business tax receipt renewal notice last week. Business owners can renew through September 30 without a delinquent penalty.
Business tax receipts can be renewed online, but other options are available including payment by mail, by phone or in person at any one of four tax collector offices.
Applications and information for business tax receipts are available at www.escambiataxcollector.com. For more information or to make an appointment, visit the tax collector’s website or call (850) 438‑6500, ext. 3252.
Blue Angels Cancel Three Upcoming Practice Days
August 9, 2012
Three Blue Angels practice sessions at NAS Pensacola have been canceled.
Practices for Friday, August 10, Wednesday, August 15 and Wednesday August 22 have been canceled due to operational requirements, according to the Blues.
The Blue Angels will resume regularly scheduled practice demonstrations onboard NAS Pensacola Wednesday, September 5th.
For more information about the Blue Angels including air show and practice schedules, visit www.BlueAngels.navy.mil.
Pictured: A Blue Angels practice session at NAS Pensacola. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Hamilton Steals Three As Wahoos Shut Out Lookouts 5-0
August 9, 2012
Pensacola starting pitcher Chad Rogers earned his second win in as many starts at the Double-A level, with relievers Drew Hayes and Justin Freeman keeping Chattanooga off the board, while shortstop Billy Hamilton stole three bases to increase his total to 131 as the Blue Wahoos shut out the Lookouts 5-0 on Wednesday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
With the win, the Fish moved to a 24-22 record in the second of the season, keeping within two games of the first-place Jacksonville Suns in the South Division. Chattanooga fell to a 26-20 mark since the All-Star Break with the loss.
Rogers (6.0 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 6 SO) threw six solid innings to improve to 2-0 with the Blue Wahoos, yielding just three hits while striking out six. Rogers also recorded his first professional hit of his career with a triple to center in the sixth, later scoring. Hayes (2.0 IP, 2 SO) and Freeman (1.0 IP, 1 H) followed Rogers by combining to give up just one hit and no walks in the final three frames, while Lookouts starter Matt Magill (5.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO) suffered the loss.
The scoreless outing from Freeman increased his scoreless consecutive innings streak to 21.2 innings dating back to June 22. In those 17 appearances, the right-hander has been successful in all 11 save opportunities and combined to give up just seven hits. Left-hander Tony Cingrani owns the team-record at 24.0 straight shutout frames, having accomplished that task between June 22 until July 13.
After reaching on an infield hit in the fourth, Hamilton proceeded to swipe second and then third, before coming home on a throwing error to push Pensacola up 1-0. The speedster tallied his third theft of the contest two innings later after reaching on a base knock before taking advantage of a wild pitch for the club’s second score of the inning, which made it 4-0.
3B David Vidal, who reached base three times, led off the fifth with a double and advanced to third on a flyout before being sent in on C Mark Fleury’s sacrifice fly to center. Pensacola plated their final tally in the eighth after RF Josh Fellhauer drew a free pass, his third of the game and got to third on a base knock prior to scoring on a fielder’s choice.
Hamilton (2-4, 2 R) was the lone Blue Wahoos batter to record two hits in the contest, while Chattanooga RF Blake Smith (2-4, 1 2B) collected half of the Lookouts’ four base knocks. With his three thefts, the 21-year-old has now stolen 131 bases this season, meaning he needs 15 to break Vince Coleman’s single-season Minor League record of 145, which he set in 1983.
The two teams are scheduled to face off again Thursday night, with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. LHP Tony Cingrani is slated to toe the rubber for the Blue Wahoos, while the Lookouts are expected to counter with LHP Aaron Miller.
Andrew Green