New Traffic Signal Now Installed At Dangerous Molino Intersection
May 11, 2015
A new traffic signal is now installed at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino. The signal is still is flash-only mode, and is expected to remain that way for a period of time before it becomes operational.
In October 2013, the Escambia County Commission affirmed its support for improvements at the intersection and expressed a willingness for the county to pay for the red light at the intersection. A Florida Department of Transportation study determined the intersection did meet the criteria for the light due to a high number of serious crashes, with an agreement in place that FDOT would design and construct the upgrades with Escambia County paying for the construction.
FDOT completed the design phase. and the Escambia County Commission approved $265,400 in funding for the light in August 2014, with the payment made from the county to the state in late October 2014. The project then faced several delays before the light was installed.
Once the Florida DOT announces the first day of operation for the light, the date will be published on NorthEscambia.com.
A second upcoming project will redesign the intersection of Crabtree Church Road and Highway 97, which is currently just feet away from Highway 29.
Pictured: A new traffic signal in flash-only mode Sunday at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Softball Baby Gender Reveal: The Pitch Is Good…It’s A Girl!
May 11, 2015
A single softball pitch and an explosion of pink made Mother’s Day extra special for mom-to-be Ali Martin of Bratt.
Ali and boyfriend Marshall Rolin are expecting a baby in mid-October. The couple picked a gender reveal that was a bit different than most — an “exploding” softball filled with colored chalk. Both love softball, and decided that it would be a home run way to answer the big boy or girl question.
Neither knew the gender..Ali was given a sealed envelope by the ultrasound tech last Wednesday. She made two softballs, one filled with blue chalk, the other with pink. They looked exactly the same, so she placed them in bags with a note labeling which was which.
Sunday at the ballpark, Ali’s cousin Sydney McGhee went to her car, opened the envelope and picked the correct softball to be pitched before family and friends. No one else knew before the pitch.
“I was really nervous about pitching it,” she said. Ali wound up and pitched it to Marshall, who slammed the ball into an explosion of pink.
“I’m extremely excited about it,” she said Sunday night, now knowing that she has a little girl on the way. “Now that we know the gender and everything, I am so excited for the big day.”
The couple has not yet picked a name for their little girl, but they already know they’d like her to have the initials “MJR”. Marshall, his mom, his dad and his two brothers all share the initials “MJR”.
“I just pray that I can be the best mom to my sweet little girl and give her everything she deserves and even more,” Ali said. “My heart is so full of happiness and love, that I can’t imagine how I will feel when the big day is finally here. I am so ready for it.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Vendors Needed For Quintette Park May Day Celebration
May 11, 2015
The Quintette Park Association is planning for their annual May Day festivities later this month, and they are looking for vendors.
The May Day celebration will be held on May 23 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. at the Quintette Park. Interested vendors should contact Jackie Weaden at (850) 968-6941 for more information.
File photo.
Free Small Business Workshops Continue In Century
May 11, 2015
As part of Century’s ongoing economic development efforts, the town has partnered with the Small Business Development Center at UWF to host a free “Amplify Your Business Through Fundamentals” training series for businesses in Century and the surrounding area.
All workshops are free to the general public but pre-registration for each workshop is recommended through the SBDC’s website. Attendees may pick and choose the workshops that will be most beneficial to them. All workshops will be held at the Century Business Center at 150 East Pond Street from 9 am. until noon on the dates below:
Tuesday, May 12
Financial & Cash Flow Statements, Pt. 1: Learn how to create and use profit and loss statements, balance sheets and cash flow statements to manage a small business.
Thursday, May 14
Financial & Cash Flow Statements, Pt. 2: More information on how to create and use profit and loss statements, balance sheets and cash flow statements to manage a small business.
Tuesday, May 19
Human Resources: This training will provide an overview of the many aspects of human resources management. During this session, we will provide training on the following topics: Fair Labor Standards Act, effective recruiting, effective hiring, drug testing, employee motivation, costs of employee turnover, and effective communication.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Second Man Charged With Delivery Thefts
May 11, 2015
A second man has been arrested for stealing packages from doorsteps after they were dropped off by a delivery man, and for the theft of multiple utility trailers.
Paul Anthony Brown, 50, is facing more than two dozen burglary and theft related charges. According to multiple arrest reports, Brown would steal recently delivered packages from homes in the north Pensacola and Cantonment areas. The packages, in total, contained thousands of dollars of merchandise, including hundreds of key chains, a baby stroller, prescription medication, Lysol cleaner, toilet paper, a baby gate, cat food, wedding photos and Depends undergarments.
Several of the alleged thefts were caught on residents’ surveillance video.
He is also accused of stealing three utility trailers, including one that was loaded with $250 in worth of pool chemicals. Brown remains in the Escambia Count Jail with bond set at $141,500.
Suspected accomplice John Clifford Wilson IV, 41, was arrested last month in connection with the package thefts and remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $493,500.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office investigators obtained surveillance video from two of these thefts that showed a dark blue SUV pulling up to the residence and two males removing packages that was posted on social media. Another citizen recognized the vehicle driving through his neighborhood, captured the vehicle on video and wrote down the tag number before contacting deputies.
Registration Underway For VPK Programs At Local Schools
May 11, 2015
Registration is underway now for Voluntary Pre-K programs.
The programs will be held at Bratt, Molino Park, Jim Allen, West Pensacola, Navy Point, Sherwood, Lincoln Park, McMillian, Ensley, Montclair, Oakcrest, Warrington, Semmes and Weis elementary schools and the Global Learning Academy.
Eligibility
Children whose parents reside in a Title I school attendance area and will be 4-years old on or before September 1 of the school year.
How to register?
Parents must obtain a VPK Certificate of Eligibility before registering at the school site. This can be obtained by contacting Debbie Layton at 850-595-6915 ext. 277. You may also apply through the Early Learning Coalition at www.elcescambia.org. For the online application, documents must be uploaded.
Documents needed for registration:
- Child’s Birth Certificate
- Proof of Residency (Florida driver’s license or power/utility bill)
School Enrollment Documents:
- Child’s Birth Certificate
- Proof of Residency (Power /utility bill within 90 days or lease)
- Immunization Record
- Physical (within one year of enrollment date)
Northview, Jeff Davis Grad Inks Volleyball Scholarship
May 11, 2015
A Northview High School grad has signed a volleyball scholarship after completing two years of junior college play.
Morgan Smith graduated from Northview High School in 2013 after two years playing varsity volleyball. She signed a two-year volleyball scholarship with Jefferson Davis Community College, where she graduated last week. Now, she has signed a volleyball scholarship with Brewton-Parker College in Mt. Vernon, GA, as a starting middle hitter.
After graduating with a bachelors degree in biology, Smith plans to join the U.S. Air Force to pursue a nursing career.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Terry Simmons
May 11, 2015
Terry Simmons age 59 of Jay, passed away on May 7, 2015. He was an avid outdoorsman. He especially enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was a devoted family man and his grandchildren were his world. He was a loving husband, father, son, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend. He will be dearly missed.
He was preceded in death by his father, Curtis Simmons; grandparents, John Thomas and Mattie Bell Scarborough and Katie and Henry Simmons; and mother-in-law, Mattie Black.
He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 41 years, Debbie Simmons; children, Katrina White and Jon Simmons; grandchildren, Stephen Brown, Brittany Williams, Austin Simmons, Jaden Simmons, and Hunter Simmons; great-granddaughter, Alayna Johnson; mother, Pat Cassidy; sisters, Glenda Booker, Janice, Debbie, Dawn Holloway, Robbie Hicks, Crystal Watts, and Heather McArthur; brothers, Randy Simmons, Tony Simmons, and Curtis Simmons II; father-in-law, Armand Black; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends.
Funeral services were held on Monday, May 11, 2015, at Jay Funeral Home with Brother Earle Greene officiating.
Burial was at Dixonville Community Cemetery.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
William Colvin Grissett
May 11, 2015
William Colvin Grissett, a lifelong resident of Escambia County, Alabama, died Friday, May 8, in Atmore.
Mr. Grissett , a graduate of Escambia County High School, Jefferson Davis Community College and Troy University, enjoyed a successful business career. Whether it was work in insurance, hardware, sulphur, or lawn equipment, Mr. Grissett measured his success by how much he could help others. This desire also led to involvement in various church and community activities. Beyond the professional realm, however, the love for his family and friends ensured Mr. Grissett’s lasting success.
Mr. Grissett is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Elizabeth Joyner Grissett; his father and mother, William (Bill) E. and Mary Odom Grissett; brother Donald Gray Grissett; and his father and mother-in-law, W.S. (Buster) & Sarah Vail Joyner.
Mr. Grissett is survived by his daughter, Amy Dean (Michael) of Atmore; son, Scott Grissett (Lindy) of Pensacola; grandchildren, Caitlan, Mary Joyner, Will and Lane; brother, Jerry Grissett of Barnett Crossroads, Alabama; sisters, Mary Emma Morgan (George) of Semmes, Alabama and Nancy Davis (MacArthur) of Barnett Crossroads.
Pallbearers are David Brantley, Jimmy Crook, Jerry Hatfield, Larry Hatfield, Bob Jones and Lewis Redditt.
Honorary pallbearers include Bill Perkins, John Porter, Jim Reece, Mitch Jones, Randy Nichols, Ruth Harrell, Rod Harper, Scott Brewer, Atmore Rotary Club, and Team Members of Atmore Community Hospital.
The family would like to express its warm appreciation for Dr. Jonah McIntyre, Dr. Thabet Alsheikh, Dr. Robert Spencer, Dr. Rammohan S.Rao, Dr. John Wade III, Dr. German Herrera, Dr. Donna E. Salzman, Baptist Hospital of Pensacola and Select Specialty Hospital of Pensacola.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday, May 12 at 10:30 a.m. at Atmore First United Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Atmore First United Methodist Church’s “More than Bricks” Campaign , 311 South Pensacola Avenue, Atmore, Alabama 36502; Rotary Club of Atmore’s Academic All Star Program, PO Box 327, Atmore, Alabama 36504; or “Support ACH” c/o Atmore Community Hospital, 401 Medical Park Drive, Atmore, AL 36502.
Nelia Ann Barber
May 11, 2015
Nelia Ann Barber, 77, of Pensacola, passed away May 10, 2015. She was born April 28, 1938, in Evergreen, AL.
She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Ray and Cornelia Padgett and her brother, Charlie Padgett.
Ann is survived by her brother, James Padgett; children, Ricky (Judy), Donna, Cheryl Ann (Gary), and Lisa (Kenny);
grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held at Pensacola Memorial Gardens Thursday, May 14, 2015, at 10 a.m. with Reverend Bill Flannigan officiating.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home South is in charge of arrangements.
You may express your condolences online at www.fcfhs.com.