Local Cotton Gin Sets International Example
December 9, 2012
The West Florida Gin in Davisville and quality local cotton from North Escambia are setting an international example.
A group of Chinese business people visited the West Florida Gin Saturday afternoon to get a firsthand look at recent equipment upgrades.
“Always eager to put technology to a higher level they (the Chinese) strive to make the best even better,” West Florida Gin Manager Robert Godwin said.
All 15 of the Chinese business people that visited the West Florida Gin agreed that quality cotton fiber is of essence.
There are 2,200 mills in China, the largest cotton producer in the world, but they need cotton from around the world to feed their appetite for the product, Godwin said.
” I feel honored for a group such as this to take the time to visit our facility,although we are not the largest we certainly have consistent high grades,” said Godwin.
Northview’s Halteman Awarded Junior Orange Bowl Scholarship
December 9, 2012
Northview’s Justin Halteman was presented the Junior Orange Bowl Committee Scholar Athlete Award Friday night prior to the Class 1A championship game at Orlando’s Citrus Bowl.
The award is presented to the graduating senior with the highest cumulative grade point average from each teach in the FHSAA finals.
With the sponsorship and support of the Orange Bowl Committee, scholarship funds are donated to each recipient of the Scholar Athlete Award.
Pictured, Charles Knight of the Junior Orange Bowl presents the 2012 Junior Orange Bowl Scholarship to Northview senior Justin Halteman Friday night in the Citrus Bowl. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Coming Up: Chiefs Week
December 9, 2012
Coming up this week on NorthEscambia.com, it’s Chiefs Week.
We’ll celebrate the Northview Chiefs and their Class 1A championship each day with stories and galleries from our hundreds of photos from Friday night’s big win in the Orlando Citrus Bowl.
It all begins Monday morning on NorthEscambia.com.
Pictured: The FHSAA presents the state championship trophy to the Northview Chiefs. NortheEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Photos: Thousands Attend Atmore Twilight Christmas Parade
December 9, 2012
Thousands attended the annual Atmore Twilight Christmas Parade Saturday night. The parade featured nearly dozens of lighted floats, twirlers, antique cars, bands, marchers, Santa Claus and more.
Float winners were:
Ahh! Award – Atmore Community Hospital
Judge’s Choice – Jus Because
People’s Choice – PCI “Viking” Float
Most Inspirational – Brooks Memorial Baptist Church
Best Float Team Spirit – K-9 Kleaners & Resorts
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Marcella Wilson, click to enlarge.
Convenience Store Robber Nabbed
December 9, 2012
An Escambia County man was arrested shortly after robbing a convenience store.
Darrell Barge, 47, was charged with robbery after he walked into a Mobile Highway Kangaroo gas station, told the clerk he had a gun and demanded money.
Barge entered the store and went into the bathroom. Moments later he exited the bathroom and approached the clerk telling her he had a gun, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Barge ordered the clerk to open the register and give him the money. The clerk complied, and Barge then fled the store on foot. When deputies arrived on scene, a description of Barge was broadcast, and he was observed by other deputies on the New Warrington Road overpass near Lillian Highway, where he was taken into custody without incident.
Deputies said Barge was still in possession of the money taken during the robbery. As of the the time of his arrest, no weapon had been recovered. The clerk was not injured during the robbery.
Barge was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $15,000.
Deputy Receives Minor Injuries In Crash
December 9, 2012
An Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy received minor injuries in a single vehicle crash early Saturday morning.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Deputy Kevin M Stinebaugh was traveling east on Massachusetts Avenue approaching a Starla Circle driveway just before 2 a.m. Stinebaugh, 27, was responding to an officer assist call in his 2005 Ford Crown Vic patrol car.
Stinebaugh lost control of the cruiser due to slippery conditions from a recent light rain, the FHP said. The cruiser left the roadway, collided with a wooden fence and came to rest adjacent to an apartment. No contact was made with the building.
Stinebaugh was transported to Baptist Hospital with minor injuries.
There were no charges filed in the crash.
Toyz For Kidz Bike Ride Provides For Needy Kids
December 9, 2012
Santa had some very special helpers Saturday as the LA Bikers rolled through Bratt, Flomaton and Atmore making sure that needy kids had presents for Christmas this year.
It was the 12th annual toy ride organized by the LA Bikers.
Dozens of children received new bicycles and helmets, clothes, shoes and lots of toys. Over 100 bikers took part in the event with stops at Bratt Elementary, in Flomaton and Atmore City Hall.
Pictured: The LA Bikers Toyz for Kidz ride departs Bratt Saturday morning after Santa and helpers delivered toys to children waiting at Bratt Elementary School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Former Gov. Charlie Crist Turns Democrat
December 9, 2012
After months of speculation — and a high-profile stint campaigning for President Obama — former Republican Gov. Charlie Crist signed up Friday night to become a Democrat.
Crist, who left the GOP to run as an independent for the U.S. Senate in 2010, signed a registration form during a reception at the White House. He sent out a Twitter message that said, “Proud and honored to join the Democratic Party in the home of President @barackobama!”
Also, Crist posted a photo that showed him holding up the signed registration form, while his wife, Carole, smiled. The Tampa Bay Times reported that Obama celebrated the change with a fist bump.
But the Republican Party of Florida, which has long criticized Crist as a turncoat and an opportunist, quickly bashed the former governor Saturday morning.
“The truth is that this self-professed, Ronald-Reagan Republican only abandoned his pro-life, pro-gun, conservative principles in 2010 after he realized that Republicans didn’t want to send him to Washington D.C. as a senator, especially after he proved he couldn’t do the job as governor,” the party said in a prepared statement.
Crist’s move to the Democratic Party will add to widespread talk that he might try to return to the governor’s mansion by challenging Republican Gov. Rick Scott in 2014.
So far, no clear Democratic front-runner has emerged for the race, though the party’s 2010 nominee, former state Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, could run again. Also, former Senate Minority Leader Nan Rich, D-Weston, has opened a campaign account.
If Crist runs and captures the Democratic nomination, it likely would be one of the highest-profile — and fiercest — races in the country in 2014. Crist campaigned heavily for Obama this year, including giving a speech at the Democratic National Convention.
For years, Crist was a star in Republican politics. He first gained notoriety as a state senator from St. Petersburg and later was elected education commissioner, attorney general and governor. He parlayed an upbeat demeanor with popular positions on issues such as holding down taxes and insurance rates and fighting crime.
But Crist tangled with some major business interests, such as utilities and insurance companies, while governor. He then completely broke with the party by running unsuccessfully as an independent for the Senate seat after facing a primary fight from the eventual winner, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio.
During his speech at the Democratic National Convention in September, Crist said the GOP had left its roots and become too extreme. He said GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney and vice-presidential candidate Paul Ryan couldn’t lead the country in a bipartisan fashion.
“When I look at the Republican ticket today, I see two candidates who would break the fundamental promise of Medicare and Social Security, and cut investments on our middle class that are so important to our economic recovery,” Crist said during the speech. “And when I look at President Obama, I see a leader with a cool head, a caring heart and an open mind, a president who has demonstrated through his demeanor, his grace and his deeds that he is uniquely qualified to heal our divisions, rebuild our nation and lead us to a brighter future.”
But Republicans on Saturday said it was Crist who had changed. The state GOP pointed to examples such as Crist’s support in 2008 for Republican president candidate John McCain over Obama.
“The Great Imposter … at it again,” national Republican consultant Mike Murphy wrote in a Twitter post that linked to a Tampa Bay Times story about Crist’s Democratic registration.
By The News Service of Florida
Sheila Sue Huie Bahner
December 9, 2012
Sheila Sue Huie Bahner, of Atmore, passed away December 7, 2012. She was born on January 18, 1950, to William Donald and Susie Mae Burkett Huie. She worked for the United States Department of Defense and worked at the Pentagon.
She is survived by her mother; Susie Mae Penton of Flomaton; brothers, Donald Wayne Huie of Flomaton, Bruce Donnell Huie of Pace, James L. Huie of Chumuckla, and Thomas Huie of Pace and a host of family of friends.
The family wishes to thank her caregivers and a special thank you to Peggy Bowman and Covenant Hospice-Brewton.
Sheila’s wishes were that her arrangements are to be private.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Warm Weekend Forecast
December 8, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
- Sunday Night: Scattered showers, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Monday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before noon, then scattered showers and thunderstorms after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 72. South wind 5 to 15 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Monday Night: Scattered showers. Cloudy, with a low around 47. West wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Tuesday: Isolated showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 60. North wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Isolated showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Wednesday Night: Isolated showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 40.
- Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 63.