Top North Escambia Stories Of 2013

January 1, 2014

Here are our picks for the Top 10 Stories of 2013 on NorthEscambia.com :

10. Pit Bill Attacks and Debate

A Nokomis woman was viciously attacked and mauled by two pit bulls at her home on Jakes Road in the Nokomis community. Doctors were forced to amputate 63-year old  Sandra Lambert’s arm after the attack. The dogs were euthanized.  Days later, an Escambia County deputy shot and killed two pit bulls that attacked a road crew near Tate High School in Cantonment.

9. Molino Library Opening

The Molino Branch Library opened on April 1 in the Molino Community Complex — a complete remodel of the old Molino Elementary School.  The new library was opened for 52 hours per week. An opening reception in April gave the public an opportunity to meet the library staff, peruse the opening day collection, register for a library card and tour the facility. The Molino Community Complex project included the conversion of the old Molino School in to a library, community center and museum. There was also a new 7,000 square foot facility constructed for the tax collector and property appraiser. The project was funded by local option sales tax monies.

8. Outlawing The Animal Farm

After months of debate — and public protest — the Century Town Council gave final approval just days before Christmas to a new animal control ordinance that prohibits most barnyard animals from most parts of the town. Residents that own animals that don’t meet the ordinance have just weeks to register them at the town hall.

7. One Of The Nation’s Very Best — Northview FFA

The honors just kept pouring in during 2013 for the Northview High School FFA — Outstanding FFA Chapter, State Superior Chapter, State FFA Gold Chapter Rating for hosting the top “Food for America” program in Florida. Then at the National FFA Convention in Louisville, KY, the Northview FFA was awarded the Three Star Chapter designation — the highest status at the national level — on live national television.  The chapter’s accomplishments were recognized by the Escambia County School Board and the Town of Century. And it should be noted that Northview FFA sponsor and 25-year teaching veteran Perry Byars was named Northview’s Teacher of the Year in March.

6. Molino Park Burglary

Just days before students and teachers returned to school in August, two adults and three juveniles broke into Molino Park Elementary, cleaning out tens and tens of thousands of dollars of electronics. iPads, Wii games, numerous computers and more — all gone. Within a month the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office busted the offenders and located most of the stolen merchandise. But in an almost unimaginably low twist on a despicable crime, most the items were found burned.

5.  Ernest Ward Groundbreaking

A groundbreaking ceremony was held in August for a new $17 million rebuild of Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill. The oldest buildings at Ernest Ward, including the main classroom wing, were constructed in 1945 to replace a campus ravaged by fire in 1943. That old school had been constructed to replace an Ernest Ward School that first opened in a log cabin in 1896. The new Ernest Ward will be an ultra modern learning facility designed to last for  generations to come.

4. Jobs: Black Gold And Yellow Pine

In 2013, the Walnut Hill Crude Oil Rail Unloading Facility operated by Genesis Energy, LP celebrated its first year and 100th unit train of crude oil. The oil is loaded on trains in North Dakota, transported to Walnut Hill, unloaded from the rail cars and injected into a pipeline bound for Gulf Coast refinery.  A simple sounding process that has meant mega bucks flowing through the Walnut Hill facility as the largest of its kind in the U.S. It’s also meant jobs, and it allowed Escambia River Electric Cooperative to make major improvements in the electrical system serving the Walnut Hill community. Meanwhile, Gov. Rick Scott announced in July the reopening of the McDavid Sawmill, returning 50 jobs to North Escambia.

3. Tate High Football Program

A man named Ronnie Douglas was 1 of 46 that applied and the chosen one for the Tate Aggies head football coaching job. The Aggies were coming off dismal 1-8 and 0-11 seasons as Douglas led them into a 21-7 Spring Game loss against Niceville.  Then for opening night of the fall season, the Aggies lost 45-3 to West Florida. But then the Aggies began to win, and win, and win. The Aggies ended their comeback regular season at 8-2 — their best record in a decade. And they earned a ticket to the playoffs.

2. Highway 29, Highway 97

Perhaps the most “famous” intersection in North Escambia, we reported wreck after wreck at the intersection in 2013.  Then a parade of politicians led by District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry held a sit down meeting with the Florida Department of Transportation. With Escambia County agreeing to foot the bill, the state agreed a red light and an intersection redesign was needed.

1. Crime And Punishment

The 2013 headlines were dominated by crime — and punishment.  With Operation Blister Pack 2, law enforcement at every level targeted the methamphetamine and pseudoephedrine arrests of about 60 people. Most of the arrests were North Escambia related, with drug groups dubbed “The Village Group”, centered around “The Village” area of Forrest Street and Lakeview Avenue in Cantonment; and “The Ayers Group” for a group centered around Ayers Street in Molino.  Add in murders, murder convictions, burglaries and batteries, and the most frequent headline of 2013 was crime.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News