McDavid Post Office Targeted For Service Reduction
May 11, 2012
The McDavid Post Office will see cutbacks if the U.S. Postal Service moves forward with a new strategy that is designed to keep the nation’s smallest post offices open with reduced services.
The plan would keep the McDavid Post Office open, but with retail window hours reduced from eight to six hours per day. Access to the retail lobby and to post office boxes would remain unchanged, and the McDavid zip code and community identity would be retained.
“We’ve listened to our customers in rural America and we’ve heard them loud and clear – they want to keep their Post Office open. We believe today’s announcement will serve our customers’ needs and allow us to achieve real savings to help the Postal Service return to long-term financial stability,” said Postmaster General and CEO Patrick R. Donahoe.
The new reduced hours would be implemented over a two-year, multi-phased approach and would not be completed until September 2014 at thousands of post offices across the nation. Once implementation is completed, the Postal Service estimates savings of a half billion dollars annually.
The reduced operating hour strategy replaces a plan announced last year to close 3,700 post offices nationwide.
No changes will occur until after a community meeting is held to review options in greater detail. No date for the meeting has been set for McDavid; residents will be notified by mail of the date, time and location of the meeting.
The McDavid Post Office is the only North Escambia area post office on the list of thousands across the country slated for a reduction in window hours. The plan does not include the Walnut Hill Post Office, which is in the McDavid 32568 zip code and operated under contract by Escambia River Electric Cooperative.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Area Man Busted With $114,200 Kilo Of Cocaine In Louisiana
May 11, 2012
An area resident is behind bars in Lafayette, Louisiana, after being arrested with a kilo of cocaine.
Anterrio Montgomery, age 29 of Brown Street in Atmore, was booked into the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center Thursday on a charge of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine.
His arrest was the result of a three month investigation by the Lafayette Metro Narcotics Task Force. When he was taken into custody in Lafayette, he was found to have one kilogram of cocaine his possession with a street value of $114,200.
He remained in jail early Friday with bond set at $150,000.
Pictured top: A kilo of cocaine with a street value of $114,200 reportedly found in the possession of an Atmore man in Louisiana. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Car Vs. Power Pole Wreck Leaves Homes In The Dark
May 11, 2012
A single vehicle crash Thursday night on Pine Forest Road in Walnut Hill left a small number of residents in the dark.
The driver of a car was northbound on Pine Forest Road just north of Pelt Road when he lost control and struck a power pole about 9:30 p.m. The collision snapped the pole off at the base, and sent power lines down for several hundred feet along Pine Forest Road to the railroad tracks at Pelt Road.
The male driver of the vehicle and his female passenger refused medical treatment at the scene.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol; the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded.
A small number of homes in the area lost power for a few hours as Escambia River Electric Cooperative worked to replace the pole and lines.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Rain Likely Saturday, Sunday
May 11, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 7pm. Increasing clouds, with a low around 63. Southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm, then showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. High near 81. Southeast wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
- Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a low around 65. Southeast wind between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a high near 84. South wind between 5 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west.
- Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. North wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. North wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 85.
- Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61.
- Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 85.
- Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61.
- Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84.
Ernest Ward To Offer Summer Enrichment Program
May 11, 2012
An invitation to attend the Ernest Ward Middle School Enrichment Program was recently mailed to parents of all fifth grade students at Bratt, Byrneville, and Molino Park elementary school.
The program’s objective is to teach and reinforce academic skills that are needed to be successful in middle school. The curriculum will consist of reading, writing and math concepts as well as study skills that are appropriate for the sixth grade.
The dates for this summer school program are June 11-14, June 18-21, and June 25-28 from 8 a.m. until 1:15 p.m. Bus transportation will be provided, and free lunch will be served.
Parents should complete the bottom portion of the invitation and return it in the inclosed self-addressed, stamped envelope by May 16, 2012. For more information, call Mrs. Murphy at (850) 327-4283.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill Man Charged With 100 MPH Chase, Ramming Vehicle
May 11, 2012
A Walnut Hill man is jailed without bond after allegedly chasing, ramming and attempting to run his former girlfriend off the road at speeds over 100 mph.
Jerry Jason Barlow, 37, was arrested Wednesday for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon for the March 23 incident.
Barlow allegedly chased his former girlfriend, who is the mother of his two young children, for miles. She told Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies the chase reached 100 mph or more along Highway 4 from North Highway 99 to Highway 97 to Greenland Road and along “several back roads”.
When the victim lost sight of Barlow, she told deputies that she returned to her home in the 4000 block of Highway 4 and awaited their arrival. As deputies spoke with the victim, they observed Barlow return to his home about 500 feet away.
Barlow locked the front door of his residence and refused to open it, according to an arrest report. Deputies then discovered that Barlow had fled through a rear window. A K-9 unit was not available to track him.
Barlow was also charged with violation of probation in an unrelated drug case.
Clarence Bill Gulsby, Sr.
May 11, 2012
On Friday, May 11, 2012, life-long Molino resident, Clarence Bill Gulsby, Sr. went to be with his Heavenly Father. Born at home in Molino on October 24, 1932, Clarence lived on the family property his entire life.
He graduated from J.M. Tate High School in 1950. He was active in the FFA at Tate being awarded the FFA Mechanic Award which took him to Washington, DC, to meet President Harry S. Truman. Clarence went on to serve in the Army during the Korean Conflict. Upon his return to Molino, he went to work for Champion Paper Co., retiring after 42 years. Clarence was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was a third generation blacksmith and owner/operator of Gulsby Blacksmith & Welding for over 50 years. Clarence loved his community and over the years had many accomplishments, including getting local dialing between Molino and other areas of Escambia County. He loved farming, gardening, raising cattle and singing.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William Elige “Bill” Gulsby and Zora Pugh Gulsby; brothers, Mason, Edgar, Aubrey “Peck”, Elby, and O.J.; sister, Lois Gulsby Boyington; granddaughter, Shana Marie Sanders; cousin, and life-long friend, James Edward Pugh.
Clarence is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Glenda Harigel Gulsby; sister, Wanda Gulsby Henderson; daughter, Glenda Sue Garrett; sons, Clarence Bill Gulsby, Jr. and his wife, Debbie, Harold Wayne Gulsby and his wife, Abbie; grandchildren, Susan Wyse-Wright, Cassey Gulsby Surles and her husband, Steve, Dellaina Gulsby Jordan, and William Aaron Gulsby; great grandchildren, Lyndzi Wright and Aubree Jordan. He is also survived by seven step grandchildren and 22 step great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He loved and adored his family as much as life itself.
Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 15, 2012, at Faith Chapel North Funeral Home, 1000 Hwy 29, Cantonment, with Rev. Fred Stallworth and Rev. Ed Cotton officiating. Burial will follow in Oliver Pugh Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Frank Gulsby, Alan Gulsby, Keevan Pugh, Jerry Gulsby, Joe Summerlin and Ricky Boyington. Honorary pallbearers will be Harold Holder, Wendall Hall, Gene Valentino, Kevin Biggs, Kevin White, James “Jim” Sanders, John Sims, Dennis Rigby, Wilson Robertson and Larry Walker.
The family will receive friends at Faith Chapel North from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, May 14.
Dozens Of Rotary Academic All-Stars Named From Four Area Schools
May 11, 2012
The Atmore Rotary Club recognized an outstanding group of area high school students as Academic All-Stars Thursday night, including about 45 Northview High School students.
The Academic All-Star program is open to students who attend Northview High School, Atmore Christian School, Escambia County High School or Escambia Academy. To be named an Academic All-Star, a student must have maintained at least a B average in every subject for each grading period of the school year, with at least one A for each grading period.
Those who have maintained this status from the 9th through the 12th grades, were honored as Four-Year Academic All-Stars: Amber Francis from Northview High; Branden Goddard from Escambia Academy; and Jazmine Nicole Adams, Quinston Ephraim, Jr., Taylor Rain January and Mary LaRose Powell from Escambia County High. (Photos above and below.)
The following students were recognized Thursday night as Atmore Rotary Academic All-Stars:
Northview High School
9th Grade
Annie Lorene Bobo, Joshua Joseph Borelli, Megan Paige Bryan, Kendal Brooke Cobb, Aaliyah Delois Creamer, Austin Blake Cunningham, Kyndall Lauren Hall, Julie Beth Hester, Jessica Leigh McCullough, Aaron Thomas McDonald, Tristan Hunter Portwood, Mallory Mason Ryan, Samantha Elizabeth Sharpless and Kelton Joe Wooten.
10th Grade
Madison Brooke Arrington, Kasie Lee Braun, Dale Wayne Brown, Audrey Leigh Byrd, Lana Leigh Clayton, Morgan Nicole Digmon, Anna Elizabeth Donald, Chloe Vanessa Leonard, Jessica Nicole Lowery, Rachel Ann Presley, Hilery Danielle Scott, Courtney Yvonne Solari, Jeremy Logan Stacey, Danielle Nichole Steadham, Lily Ann Townson, Courtney Alexandra Weaver and Victoria Anne Wright.
11th Grade
Jazzlyn Shanece Franklin, Ashton Brooke Gibbs, Justin Lance Halteman, Zachary Sean Johnson, Ashley Nicole Mooney and Julia Renee Thorpe.
12th Grade
Jamila Akilah Codrington, Josie Britt Doucette, Amber Dianne Francis, Jacob Nathaniel Gibson, Alexandra Nicole Riggs, Lydia Ann Weaver and Elizabeth Ashley Wright.
Escambia Academy
9th Grade
Scott Brantley, Claire Dawe, Bailey Godwin, Garrett Kirk, Cecily McCullough, Erin Rider, Anna Catherine Sasser and Nate Smith.
10th Grade
Abby Akins, Elaine Davidson, Megan Duncan, Grayson Emmons and Sarah Weatherford.
11th Grade
Caitlyn Bruley, Blake Clark and Page Lancaster.
12th Grade
Branden Goddard
Atmore Christian School
9th Grade
Caleb Hochstetler, Wesley Hostetler, Darren Landis, Anna Presley and Taylor West.
10th Grade
Charity Hall, Durrell Martin and Travis Smith.
11th Grade
Aimee Jurjevich, Jacinda Stahly, Narisa Wiggins and Hannah Ziglar.
12th Grade
Logan Boatwright, Casey Freeman, Frisco Gehman and Josh McDonald.
Escambia County High School
9th Grade
Rodrick Felder, Robert Henderson, Ben Hubert, Lyricia Johnson, Cheyenne McGee, Allanis Rolin, Ashleigh Simpkins and Jerome Webster.
10th Grade
Tristen Boothe, Yamilex Gutierrez, Annah Nichols, Ashley Prime, Matthew Quimby, Davontae Walker and Iva Wiggins.
11th Grade
Mariah Hinton, Charmia Hollinger, Scarlet Martin, Jazmine McGinnis, Violet Miller, Heather Taylor and Bria Willis.
12th Grade
Jazmine Adams, Lovincy Brown, Daejon Burrous, Quinston Ephraim, Jr., Amber Hubert, Keierikai James, Taylor January, Ta’Kia Johnson, Kiona Lambert, D’Asia Lockett, Ashley McKenzie, Aaron Miller, Jamieka North, LaRose Powell, Taniecha Richardson, Stacie Young and Diamond Williams.
Blue Wahoos Beats Braves 4-3 In 10
May 11, 2012
Pensacola third baseman Cody Puckett drew a bases-loaded walk in the tenth inning as the Blue Wahoos held off the Mississippi Braves for a 4-3 extra-inning victory on Thursday night at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Mississippi.
Despite the defeat, the Braves won the series 3-2 thanks to their win on Wednesday afternoon. The win improves the Blue Wahoos’ record to 16-19, while Mississippi dropped to 14-21 with the loss.
SS Didi Gregorius got the extra frame started with a single, got to second on 2B Brodie Greene’s free pass and took third on a sacrifice bunt before 1B Joel Guzman was intentionally walked to load the bases. Puckett then came to the plate and drew a five-pitch walk to bring home Gregorius as the eventual game-winning run.
The Blue Wahoos wasted little time scoring with their two tallies in the first. CF Ryan LaMarre singled, moved to second on RF Josh Fellhauer’s base knock and came across on a Braves error, before Fellhauer was plated by Puckett’s run-scoring single to make it 2-0. LaMarre would later lead off the fifth with a single prior to Gregorius’ RBI double to right, which increased the margin to three.
Mississippi however would draw the game even at 3-3 in the sixth, with RF Keenan Wiley and SS Andrelton Simmons beginning the rally with back-to-back lead-off walks. Wiley would be sent in on a run-scoring base knock from C Evan Gattis, while Gattis subsequently scored on an RBI single from CF Todd Cunningham. After a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases, 2B Barrett Kleinknecht was plunked to force in the tying run.
Blue Wahoos closer Donnie Joseph (2.0 IP, 2 SO) earned the win after retiring each of the six batters he faced in the final two innings, while Braves RHP Billy Bullock (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1 SO) suffered the loss after tossing the final frame. Neither Pensacola starter Tim Crabbe (5.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 7 SO), nor Mississippi RHP Gary Moran (5.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO) factored in the decision after each allowed just a lone earned run in five innings.
LaMarre (2-4, 2 R, 1 BB), Gregorius (2-5, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI) and Puckett (2-4, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 1 BB) each collected two hits in the contest for the Blue Wahoos, while Cunningham (2-4, 1 RBI)was the only Braves batter to accumulate multiple base knocks. LaMarre’s single in the first extended his hit streak to nine contests, during which he has hit .375 (12-32).
Pensacola now heads back home for a five-game series with the Birmingham Barons, the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, beginning Friday night at 7:05 pm. RHP J.C. Sulbaran is slated to get the nod for the Blue Wahoos, while the Barons are scheduled to send LHP Matt Wickswat to the hill.
The Blue Wahoos will be hosting 2012 Masters champion and Milton High School graduate Bubba Watson during Friday evening’s contest, with Watson scheduled to throw out a first pitch pre-game. Fans attending Friday’s game are encouraged to wear green in honor of Watson winning golf’s famed ‘Green Jacket’ as part of a green out. In addtition, the first 1,000 fans to enter the gates will receive a Blue Wahoos beach towel, compliments of Florida Blue as part of Fan Appreciation Friday.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: Closer Donnie Joseph earned his fourth win of the year in the Wahoos’ 4-3 win. File photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview’s Braun Wins 1st Place At State FBLA Event
May 11, 2012
The Florida Future Business Leaders of America recently held their 62nd annual State Leadership Conference in Orlando Kasie Braun, a sophomore at Northview High School, won first place at the state competition in “Introduction to Business Communication”.
- Steven Shelby, third place Cyber Security, West Florida High
- Bellview MS Chapter, first place Local Chapter Activities Report
- Josh Britt, fifth place Network Design, Milton HS
Pictured: Northview’s Kasie Braun with her first place state FBLA trophy and her mother, Gine Braun. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.