Amtrak Train Rolls Into Atmore (With Photo Gallery)
February 19, 2016
An Amtrak inspection train rolled into Atmore Thursday afternoon in advance of the possible return of rail service to the Gulf Coast.
Amtrak’s Sunset Limited passenger train, which included service from New Orleans through Pensacola to Jacksonville, came to an end along the Gulf Coast due to damage from Hurricane Katrina. The restored rail service would breathe life back into abandoned train stations in Pensacola and Atmore and other cities along the way.
Congresswoman Corrine Brown of Florida was on board the train. She told the hundreds gathered in Atmore that she’s wants to see the service eventually extended to Orlando.
The invitation-only train arrived in Atmore on Thursday/ Passengers boarded buses to spend the night at the Wind Creek Hotel in Atmore, while the empty train continued to Pensacola.. On Friday morning, the passengers were bused to Pensacola to re-board the train at 8 a.m. and continue on to stops in Crestview, Chipley, Tallahassee and Jacksonville.
The train is a test of sorts, testing the potential route and testing the willingness of state leaders from Alabama, Florida, Mississippi and Louisiana to provide millions in funding for the daily train service. If funding were to be approved, officials said it would be about two years before the train would roll again.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured below: U.S. Congresswoman KoreiNorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Lawmakers Want More Recess Time For Elementary Students
February 19, 2016
The Florida House wants to give schoolchildren a little more time to go outside and play. House members voted 112-2 on Thursday to approve a bill that would require elementary schools to provide 100 minutes of recess each week — at least 20 solid minutes a day.
But the proposal might not get out the door in the Senate, where it has not been heard in any committees with only three weeks left in the legislative session.
Republican and Democratic House members praised the bill, with Rep. Joe Geller, D-Aventura, saying children are not “little learning robots” and need recess.
“It has a huge impact on our children, and we need to make sure they have that free time,” said Rep. Bob Cortes, an Altamonte Springs Republican who helped sponsor the bill. Only Rep. Michael Bileca, R-Miami, and Rep. Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, dissented Thursday.
by The News Service of Florida
Group Distributes 5,000 Pounds Of Food, More To Flomaton Tornado Victims
February 19, 2016
Feeding the Gulf Coast, together with Flomaton Pentecostal Holiness Church and several local volunteer groups and churches in Flomaton and Brewton, distribute 5,000 pounds of free groceries, plus hot meals and clothing to families in the Flomaton area that we impacted by the February 15 tornado. The Thursday distribution took place at the Flomaton Pentecostal Holiness Church. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Backyard Gun Range, Lifetime Hunting And Fishing Bills Head Head to Scott
February 19, 2016
The Legislature sent nine bills to Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday, including a measure (SB 130) known as the “backyard gun range” bill, which is intended to curb recreational shooting in residential areas. Another bill presented to the governor (SB 228) would remove aggravated assault from a list of offenses that lead to people being sentenced under the 10-20-Life mandatory-minimum sentencing law. A third bill (SB 158) would allow people with lifetime fishing or hunting licenses or boater-safety identification cards to have a symbol added to their driver licenses displaying that lifetime status. The addition of the symbol, when the driver’s license is issued or renewed, would come with a $1 fee.
Scott will have seven days to sign, veto or allow the bills to become law without his signature.
Of the remaining measures, one bill (SB 182) would extend several public-records exemptions involving financial “trade secret” information, while a related proposal (SB 180) would make theft of trade-secret financial information a third-degree felony. Four of the measures (SB 1030, SB 1032, SB 1038 and SB 1040) involve technical changes to state statutes.
by The News Service of Florida
Brush Fire Burns In Barrineau Park
February 19, 2016
Firefighters from multiple Escambia Fire Rescue stations and the Florida Division of Forestry battled a brush fire in the 3800 block of Highway 196 in Barrineau Park Thursday afternoon. There were no structures damaged, but several large round bales of hay were damaged. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Wins For Tate, Northview, Jay
February 19, 2016
Local score roundup:
Tate 10 Washington 0
The Tate High School Aggies shut out Washington 10-0 Thursday night. Madison Lockman pitched the win for the Aggies, allowing no runs, four hits and striking out one n four innings. Hitters for Tate were: Branden Fryman 3-3, 2 RBIs, 2 runs; Mason Land 1-3; Jake Davis 1-3, RBI, run; Cole Halfacre 2-3, HR, 3 RBIs; Josh Kea 1-3; Logan McGuffey 2-3, RBI, run; Madison Lockman 1-2, run; AJ Gordon 1-2, RBI, run.
JV – Northview 9 West Florida 7
The Northview JV baseball team defeated West Florida on Thursday night by a score of 9-7. The Chiefs rallied from a 7-3 deficit with a 5-run 4th inning. The Chiefs added 1 more run in the 5th inning to secure the victory.
Leading the Chiefs at the plate were Jackson Moore (2-2), Devin Stabler (2-4, 2B and 1 run scored), Luke Ward (2-3, 2 runs), Andrew Sharpless (1-1), Trevor Singleton (1-1), M.J. Jones (1-3) and John Chivington (1-4, 1 run). Seth Killiam led the Chiefs with 3 runs scored and Sam Stott added 2 runs.
Killiam started on the mound, striking out five batters on the night. Stabler finished the game and had three strikeouts. The Chiefs improved to 1-1 on the season. They travel, along with the varsity team, to Freeport this Friday. JV starts at 4:00 and varsity at 6:00.
SOFTBALL
Jay 4, Central 3
Destiny Herring got the win pitching five innings allowing six hits, three runs, three errors and striking out nine. Michaela Stewart was 3-4 with an RBI and Samanta Steadham was 1-3 with two runs for Jay. The Lady Royals (3-1) are on the road next Tuesday at Freeport.
Northview 8 Baker 1
Tori Herrington pitched the win for Northview, striking out nine. Hitting for Northview were: Hannah Ging 3-4, Kendall Enfinger 3-4, Laurie Purdy 3-4 and Jamia Newton 3-3. Northview will be at Central on Monday.
Tate 7 Pine Forest 0
Tate blanked Pine Forest 7-0 Thursday.
Pictured top: The Northview Lady Chiefs celebrate a win over Baker, 8-1, Thursday night. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tornado Recovery: Need To Know
February 19, 2016
Here is tornado cleanup information for Friday, February 19.
Debris Pick Up
- Vegetative debris is being picked up within the town limits curbside and taken to a designated location on town property at the end of Industrial Boulevard. Debris outside town limits is being handled by Escambia County.
- Private vehicles can also dump vegetative debris only at the end of Industrial Boulevard, if the debris originated inside the town limits. Tag numbers and measurements of loads will be recorded.
- Town Hall will be open on Saturday, Feb. 20th from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. to process permits only. County permits will also be available at town hall, with all fees waived. Representatives from both Escambia County and the Town will be available. Beginning Monday, Feb. 22, county permits will be available at the Century Business Center on Pond Street, also with all fees waived, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
- Residents must go through Century Town Hall for permits and construction
- Residents needing a contractor should contact town hall for a list of contractors who are licensed and approved to do business in the town
- Before the Town of Century will issue a demo permit, contractors must meet with utility personnel on site
Small Business Development Center:
- The Florida Small Business Development Center will be in Century Friday, Feb. 19th with their Mobile Assistance Center (MAC) unit to assist any local small businesses. They will be located outside the Century Chamber as well as making site visits.
- LSNWFL will be at the Century Business Center on Pond Street Friday, Feb. 19th from noon – 4:00 p.m. assisting residents with property related legal issues.
- The Century Town Council Meeting that was scheduled for Monday, Feb. 15th has been rescheduled for this Monday, Feb. 22nd at 7:00 p.m. Please find the public notice attached.
- The church cannot accommodate additional clothing donations at this time. The Town is working to identify another organization that might be able to receive and distribute donations.
Amtrak Train Rolls Into Atmore This Afternoon Early
February 18, 2016
Residents of Atmore and the North Escambia area are encouraged to meet an Amtrak inspection train as it rolls into Atmore this afternoon in advance preparation for the possible return of passenger rail service to cities like Pensacola and Atmore.
The train is set to arrive at 2:11 p.m. (20 minutes earlier than first announced) at the Atmore Train Station downtown. They will greeted by music from the Escambia County High School Jazz Band, and the VIP’s will walk through a ceremonial sword arch provided by the Northview High School NJROTC.
The train will leave the passengers behind as it departs at 2:41 p.m., just before speeches from Atmore Mayor Jim Staff, Amtrak Chairman Joe Boardman and Southern Rail Commission Chairman Gregory White. The passengers will then be bused to the Wind Creek Casino for a press conference and a reception, and many will spend the night in the Wind Creek Hotel.
The passengers will then board buses to Pensacola to an 8 a.m. departure on February 19, with stops later that day in Crestview, Chipley and Tallahassee before an arrival that night in Jacksonville.
Pictured: Today’s Amtrak train in Gulfport, MS, (top), Gulfport, MS, (inset) and New Orleans (bottom). Photos by David Gehman for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Four Children Perish In Escambia County House Fire
February 18, 2016
An Escambia County house fire claimed the lives of four children this morning in Escambia County.
Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the 5:28 a.m. call in the 2500 block of North Baylen Street in Pensacola to find small wood frame home fully involved in fire. Four children — an 11-year old male, 5-year old male, 3-year old female, and and 11-month old female perished in the blaze. They were discovered in a back bedroom of the 700-square foot home.
The mother, Curtisa Johnson, and her 15-year-old daughter, Lakeisha King, escaped without injury.
There were no working smoke detectors in the home, according to firefighters. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Man Killed By Falling Tree
February 18, 2016
A man was killed Thursday morning in Escambia County when a tree, or a large tree limb, fell on him. It happened about 9 a.m. on Malvern Street, just south of Jackson Street. The man was pronounced deceased on the scene. Details about the accident and the man’s name have not yet been released. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
