Dollar Tree To Buy Family Dollar For $8.5 Billion

July 28, 2014

Dollar Tree,  the nation’s leading operator of discount variety stores selling everything for $1 or less, is purchasing Family Dollar.

The board of directors of both companies have unanimously approved the sale, which was announced early Monday morning.  The deal is valued at $74.50 per share, with Family Dollar shareholders to receive $59.60 in cash and $14.90 equivalent in Dollar Tree shares, or about $8.5 billion, when the transaction is closed by early 2015.

Both chains will continue to operate under the Dollar Tree and Family Dollar names.

Family Dollar operates stores throughout the North Escambia area, including Davisville, Century, Flomaton, Jay, Atmore, Cantonment and Pensacola. There’s no word if any of Family Dollar’s nationwide stores will close as a result of the merger.

Dollar Tree operates store in the North Escambia area in Pensacola and Atmore.

Pictured: The Family Dollar store in Century opened in August 2012. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.

More Rain Possible Tonight

July 28, 2014

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

  • Monday Night Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 10pm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and frequent lightning. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
  • Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 91. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
  • Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 64. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
  • Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 91. North wind around 5 mph.
  • Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 65. North wind around 5 mph.
  • Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. North wind around 5 mph.
  • Thursday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. North wind around 5 mph.
  • Friday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90.
  • Friday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66.
  • Saturday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90.
  • Saturday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68.
  • Sunday A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 90.

Today Last Day To Register To Vote In August Primary

July 28, 2014

Today is the last day to register to vote or change party affiliation for those who wish to cast a ballot in the August 26 Primary Election, according to Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford.

Florida law mandates that registration books close 29 days before an election. New registrations and party changes must be completed and received or postmarked no later than July 28 in order for them to be effective for the August 26 election. Address changes can be made after the books close. Voters unsure of their registration status can visit EscambiaVotes.com and click Am I Registered?.

Escambia County citizens have several ways to register or update their record:

Online/By Mail: Visit EscambiaVotes.com and complete, print, and sign the online application. Be sure to include a valid Florida Driver’s License number, a valid Florida ID number, or if you have neither, the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number in the appropriate space. Completed applications must be received or postmarked no later than July 28. Send to: Escambia County Supervisor of Elections, PO Box 12601, Pensacola, FL 32591-2601, or take the completed application to the Elections Office at 213 Palafox Place, 2nd Floor, in downtown Pensacola. Also, to have a form mailed to you, call (595-3900) or e-mail the Elections Office (soe@escambiavotes.com).

In Person: You can register at the Elections Office at 213 Palafox Place, 2nd Floor in downtown Pensacola, at any Florida Driver’s License Office, and several other governmental offices and public assistance centers. Registration forms are also available to pick up at many locations countywide. For a complete list of locations throughout Escambia County, visit EscambiaVotes.com or call or e-mail the Elections Office.

For voters who wish to cast a ballot by mail (an absentee ballot), go to EscambiaVotes.com and complete the online request form, or call or e-mail the elections office. Early voting begins August 16 at seven locations throughout Escambia County.

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Two Injured In Flomaton Crash

July 28, 2014

Two people were injured in a two-vehicle crash Sunday afternoon in Flomaton. The accident happened near the intersecton of Highway 31 and Holt Street. Both of the injured persons were transported to D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton in stable condition. The Flomaton Fire Department, Escambia County (Fla.) EMS and the Flomaton Police Department were among the responding agencies.  Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Northview QB Club Reschedules Softball Tourney; Still Accepting Registrations

July 28, 2014

The Northview High School has rescheduled their double elimination coed softball tournament from August 2 to August 16. The tournament will be held from 8 a.m. until at  Showalter Park in Century, with proceeds benefiting the Northview Chiefs football program.

For more information or to sign up a team, call Amy at (850) 516-8400 or Tony at (850) 516-5736.

Braves Win Second Straight Over Pensacola Blue Wahoos 6-2

July 28, 2014

For the second straight night, the Braves scored three late runs to take down the Blue Wahoos 6-2 at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss. Rich Poythress doubled home two in the eighth to put the game out of reach, before later scoring on a sac fly to give the Braves a four-run lead.

Pensacola started the game struggling offensively. Braves right-handers J.R. Graham and Greg Ross (W, 4-1) combined to face the minimum over the first 5.1 innings of the game before Brodie Greene broke through with a base-hit. Ryan Wright immediately followed that up with a two-run home run to pull the Wahoos within one in the sixth inning. That would be all for the Wahoos offensively.

Daniel Corcino (L, 9-9) allowed a pair of baserunners in the first inning before he settled down to retire the next eight batters he faced before he issued back to back walks to open the fourth inning. Both came home on a two-run triple from Daniel Castro, which was followed up by an RBI double from Mycal Jones.

Corcino was charged with 3 R/ER on three hits over 3.1 innings with three walks and three strikeouts in the losing effort. Drew Hayes was tremendous in relief going 3.2 innings without allowing a run to keep Pensacola in the game. He allowed just one hit with a strikeout in the longest outing of his career.

Much like the Braves seventh inning rally on Saturday night, Mississippi started their three-run eighth on Sunday with a bunt single. Mississippi used their speed effectively Sunday totaling seven steals including three in the eighth.

Graham didn’t factor a decision after going two perfect innings with a strikeout in his start. The win went to Ross after he allowed just 2 R/ER on four hits over 5.0 innings.

Pensacola will turn to RHP Jon Moscot (5-9, 3.18) against Braves RHP Williams Perez (3-6, 3.51) in the middle game of the five-game series on Monday. First pitch is slated for 7:00 from Trustmark Park in Mississippi.

by Tommy Thrall

Robert Willard Faircloth, Sr.

July 28, 2014

Robert Willard Faircloth, Sr. 84 of Atmore passed away July 27, 2014, in Atmore. He was born June 6, 1930, in Atmore to the late Mack Edward, Sr. and Bessie Taylor Faircloth. He was a graduate of Escambia County High School and a member of the “Barnes Boys.” He served in the United States Army during the Korean conflict. He owned and operated through the years Faircloth Grocery Store, Ponderosa Drive-In, Quick Chic, Church’s Chicken and David’s Catfish House. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Atmore.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Mack Edward Faircloth, Jr. and George Taylor Faircloth; his wife, Mary Lou Faircloth Wiggins and his second wife, Frankie Faircloth.

He is survived by his children, Robert W. “Rob” (Sheilo) Faircloth, Jr. and Mary Bess Faircloth (Buck) Powell, all of Atmore and Lisa Faircloth (Pat) Busby of Jackson, MS; grandchildren, Dr. Mark Faircloth (Katie) Powell, Robert McLemore Busby, Andrew Powell Busby, Edgar Ross Busby, Mary Catherine Faircloth (Owen) Moore and Robert Elliott Faircloth; and great-grandchildren, Adeline Elizabeth Moore, Leah Catherine Moore, Audrey Evans Moore, Emma Kathlyn Powell and Robert Reeves Powell.

Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, July 29, 2014 at 11 a.m. from the First United Methodist Church of Atmore with Rev. Deborah Bishop officiating.

Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be his grandsons. Dr. Mark Faircloth Powell, Robert McLemore Busby, Robert Elliott Faircloth, Edgar Ross Busby, Andrew Powell Busby and Owen Harrison Moore.

Honorary pallbearers will be the Barnes Boys.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 29, 2014 from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. from the First United Methodist Church of Atmore.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the First United Methodist Church of Atmore Building Fund.

Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Joyce Skinner Morris

July 28, 2014

Mrs. Joyce Skinner Morris, 83, passed away on Saturday, July 26, 2014, in Jay.

Mrs. Morris was a native of Canoe and a resident of Mobile for the past 40 years. Mrs. Morris attended the Oak Park Church of God. She is preceded in death by her parents, Aris Skinner and Lou Skinner; husband, Albert Morris; and brother, George Daniel Skinner.

She is survived by her three sons, Kenneth (Caroline) Long of McDavid, Richard Keith Long of Wewahitchka, FL and James Ronald Long of Pensacola; one brother, Manuel (Luverne) Skinner of Mobile; two sisters, Lois Skinner Smith of Port St. Joe, FL and Marlene Skinner Winters of Springfield, MO; five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, July 29, 2014, at 12 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Minister Josh Long and Rev. Alfred Long officiating.

Burial will follow at the Christian Home Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 29, 2014, from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Dylan Berry, Brandon Berry, Matthew Berry, Tim Long, Nathan Barnes and Corey Barnes.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Alfred Long and Randall Long.

Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.

Century Ready To Make A Deal On Move-In Ready Industrial Building

July 27, 2014

It’s been about five years since the Town of Century re-acquired  the  former  Helicopter Technology building in the town’s industrial park, and the town still stands ready to make a deal with a future tenant for jobs.

The town purchased the industrial building at public auction  for less than $1 out of pocket back in August 2009,  following the town’s foreclosure judgment against the now defunct Helicopter Technology.

Century’s mayor, Freddie McCall, still has high hopes for the future growth of his town. And he sees the building as 40,000 square feet of space that would be just perfect for a company looking to locate and grow on the Gulf Coast.

“It has a lot of office space up front,” he said. “It has a little kitchen here with a microwave.”

He knows the real estate sales pitch on the building — “Immaculate 40,000 square foot office/warehouse building. Enterprise and free trade zone. All under climate control. Fully sprinkled. Eight HVAC units, 10 restrooms, two loading docks and three phase power. Priced to move.”

“It’s ready to go,” McCall said of the building. “Fairly heavy duty electrical wiring. Air conditioning. Plenty of room. It has great potential.”

The biggest potential of the building, according to the mayor, is the fact that it’s move-in ready. He said that would allow a company to become operational quickly, rather than waiting for permits and construction of a new facility.

“Things are looking up in Century,” he said. “We are ready for a company to become part of the excitement.”

Pictured top: Century Mayor Freddie McCall on the empty plant floor in the old Helicopter Technology Building in the Century Industrial Park. Pictured inset: McCall believes the building could be key to the grown of Century. Pictured below: The building, repurchased by the town at a foreclosure auction in August 2009, still sits empty. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Hot Monday, Cold Front Bringing Rain

July 27, 2014

A cold front will push into the area on Monday. Expect scattered showers and storms to develop ahead of this front with some strong storms that are capable of producing frequent lightning, gusty winds and torrential downpours. Isolated severe storms with damaging winds are possible, according to the National Weather Service.

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

  • Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
  • Monday Mostly sunny in the morning becoming mostly cloudy. Chance of thunderstorms in the morning. Chance of showers through the day. Chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Some thunderstorms may produce gusty winds and heavy rainfall in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 90s. West winds around 5 mph with gusts to around 15 mph becoming 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation 50 percent. Highest heat index readings 105 to 107 in the afternoon.
  • Monday Night Mostly cloudy in the evening then clearing. Chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Some thunderstorms may produce gusty winds and heavy rainfall in the evening. Lows around 70. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation 40 percent.
  • Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 91. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
  • Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
  • Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 89. North wind around 5 mph.
  • Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
  • Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.

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