Reminder: School Choice Expo This Evening
October 29, 2024
Escambia County Public Schools will host their annual School Choice Expo on Tuesday, October 29 from 6-7:30 p.m. at Washington High School.
Representatives from ECPS career academies and choice schools will be on hand to greet guests and answer questions about their programs. Tables for career academy displays will be set up inside the Washington gym and cafeteria. Local vendors will provide items for gift bags for attendees.
The expo typically welcomes over 1,000 guests.
“The school district is excited to once again be offering our School Choice Expo to the community,” stated Coordinator of Enrollment Services Chris McFarland. “This is a great opportunity for our students to experience all of the awesome programs and school choice transfer options available to our students in one venue.”
The School Choice Expo coincides with the middle and high school open enrollment period, which is from October 28 until December 6, 2024. The open enrollment period for elementary schools will be January 27 – March 7, 2025.
For questions about open enrollment, contact Chris McFarland, coordinator of enrollment services at (850)469-5580. For questions about career academies, contact Steven Harrell, director of Workforce Education, at (850)469-5357. Families are encouraged to apply while attending the School Choice Expo; technology to apply will be made available on site.
Two Veterans Work To Clean Up Town Of Century’s Neglected Veterans Wall Of Honor
October 29, 2024
UPDATE: We are told the Town of Century began power washing the memorial Tuesday afternoon.
Two North Escambia veterans worked to clean up the Veterans Wall of Honor in Century Monday after seeing how the Town of Century had neglected upkeep.
Sunday morning, NorthEscambia.com published a story about a veterans’ motorcycle club that held a small ceremony Saturday morning in Century to honor those missing in action and that have given their lives for this county.
Viet Nam & Legacy Vets Motorcycle Club member Kris Fleming, who spoke at the Saturday event, returned Monday morning to trim the grass and edge around the wall. Craig Stephens, a retired Marine Corp officer went by and washed the wall.
The “before” picture is above, and the “after” is below.
“Still not the greatest, but better than before,” Stephens wrote on our Facebook page Monday afternoon. ”Best I could do without a water source at the park. If anyone knows of a portable pressure washer who would volunteer some time to clean the rest of the brick and the concrete floor.”
Both veterans said they would follow up with the town about the poor state of the wall, and work to replace name plaques that are broken and missing (pictured below).
The veterans wall of honor was dedicated by the Town of Century on July 2, 2008, at the then Roadside Park, now known as Nadine McCaw Park, on North Century Boulevard at Hecker Road. The town’s latest budget (pictured bottom) does not show any money allocation to maintain the monument.
NorthEscambia.com and reader submitted photos, click to enlarge.
Motorcycle Crash Claims One Life North Of Atmore
October 29, 2024
A motorcycle crash north of Atmore claimed the life of an Alabama man.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division said 63-year-old Frankie E. Rodgers from Frisco City was fatally injured around 2:45 p.m. Sunday when his 2002 Honda Gold Wing motorcycle left the road near the 13-mile marker, approximately 13 miles north of Atmore.
After veering off the road, the motorcycle struck a ditch, collided with a fence, and eventually overturned, throwing Rodgers from the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Alabama troopers are continuing their investigation.
Thunderbirds, Blue Angels To Perform Joint ‘Super Delta” Flyover Wednesday
October 29, 2024
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will team up for a rare joint flyover of Pensacola on Wednesday.
The “Super Delta” formation will take place beginning at 11:30 a.m. and should be visible along the Gulf Coast from as far west a Perdido Key through Oriole Beach, Florida.
Pensacola areas at which the Super Delta formation can be seen during the flyover include Johnson Beach, Pensacola Beach, Oriole Beach and Palafox Street in downtown Pensacola.
The Navy and Air Force flight demonstration squadrons, the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds, debut the original Super Delta formation at Naval Air Facility El Centro, Calif., March 2, 2021. Air Force Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Update: Hobby Lobby, Books-A-Million Space Sold; But Real Estate Firm Says They Are Staying
October 29, 2024
A shopping center building with Hobby Lobby and Books-A-Million has been sold to a church, but now the church’s real estate firm says the business are not going anywhere soon.
Rob Bell of the Pensacola commercial real estate firm Bellcore Commercial represented Destiny Worship Center in their purchase. He told NorthEscambia.com Tuesday morning that both Hobby Lobby and Books-A-Million have leases in place with options to extend. He said the church plans to honor those leases.
Previously, commercial real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield said they arranged the $7 million sad of the shopping center at 6253 North Davis Highway in Pensacola and that it would be converted into a church. The building was constructed by a subsidiary of Walmart in 1987 and later sold for $3.75 million in February 2002.
The Escambia County Property Appraiser’s website confirms the sale, and the deed (pictured below) also confirms the transaction.
Hobby Lobby and Books-A-Million are tenants at the property, which was built in 1987 and comprises 103,485 square feet across two tenant spaces. Hobby Lobby and Books-A-Million occupy 70,100 and 33,385 square feet at the center, respectively.
NorthEscambia.com reached out to Hobby Lobby Monday to find out if the store might be relocated, or if it will close. We had not received a response from Hobby Lobby by midday Tuesday.
The property was last valued at $6,965,998 by the property appraiser.
Destiny Worship Center, based in Destin, has a top priority of building families, according to their website.
The church has current locations in Destin, Freeport, Crestview, Panama City Beach, Fort Walton Beach, FL, Kenya, and Nicaragua. The church has not directly commented on the sale.
Courtesy photo, click to enlarge.
Sunny And Warm Dry Weather Pattern Goes On
October 29, 2024
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 83. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. East wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. East wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 82.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 82.
Firefighters Respond To Possible Attic Fire In Cantonment
October 29, 2024
Firefighters responded to a reported structure fire Monday in Cantonment.
There was reportedly some light smoke seen coming from the home on Isabella Road near Rittenberry Road. Evidence of an attic fire was found.
There were no injuries reported.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Adren Wyleen Stacey
October 29, 2024
Adren Wyleen “Joe” Stacey, 86 was born on April 8, 1938 in Monroeville, AL. He fought the fight and the battle is over and his victory is in Jesus. Joe went in peace on October 26, 2024 to be with his Lord and Savior. Adren was known to most as “Joe” until he became Poppie. He had many careers in his 86 years. His first Job was at the Strand Theater as a young teenager. Over the years he worked at A&P, was a farmer, drove a milk truck then became a business owner of Stacey’s Grocery, Stacey’s Drive-In and Drew’s Army Store. He retired from Winn Dixie after 10 years upon his retirement he never truly had a hobby so he took up landscaping yards and took pride in his work.
Joe served in the Army National Guard for many years. He was a member of the Gideons International and a faithful member of Brooks Memorial Baptist Church. He loved his family, his church but most of all his wife Martha of 64 years. He is preceded in death by his parents Wesley and Mazie Stacey and one brother and six sisters.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years Martha Bartley Stacey, son Quincy (Caroline) Stacey and one daughter Faith (Larry) Miller; two grandchildren, Megan Miller, Elliott Miller; many nieces and nephews and one grand dog Bella.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at 2 PM at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Tim Tew, Bro. Randell Jernigan and Bro. Randy Jones officiating.
Interment was in Serenity Gardens Cemetery in Atmore.
Active pallbearers were Larry Miller, Elliott Miller, Quincy Stacey, Luke Jernigan, Jerry Rolin and Bradley Rolin.
In lieu of flowers donation can be made to Gideons International or a charity of your choice.
Gulf Shores Man Charged With Attempted Murder For Cantonment Shooting
October 28, 2024
A Gulf Shores mn has been charged with attempted murder following a shooting in Cantonment early Monday morning.
Grant Bieber, 43, is being held without bond on charges of attempted murder and a felony weapons offense for shooting into a home.
The incident happened during a disturbance in the 200 block of River Annex Road.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Bieber and a female friend were outside a residence and tried to get inside. Bieber became angry and tried unsuccessfully to bust in a door, according to investigators.
He then retrieved a firearm from a vehicle and fired into the residence, deputies said.
No one was injured by the gunfire.
“He was charged with attempted murder because of the intent to harm or kill,” ECSO spokesperson Morgan Lewis said.
Lewis said the incident was a not a random act of violence; she said Bieber knew the person inside the residence.
Construction Underway At New ‘Paper Park’ At Former IP Golf Course (With Photo Gallery)
October 28, 2024
Construction is underway at a new park to be known as “Paper Park” on the 68-acre former International Paper golf course in Cantonment
In April, Escambia County leased the property at Highway 29 and Muscogee Road to develop it into a park.
Walking trails have been constructed around the park, playground installation started late last week, and construction has started on a disc golf course.
The Escambia County Commission approved the purchase of a play structure and 704 square feet recreational shelter with tables for the property. The total was $369,775.76 for purchase and installation of the GameTime equipment. The recreational area will be open to the public free of charge during daylight hours once completed and opened.
The purchase is being funded from the Cantonment Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA).
Under the lease agreement for, Escambia County will pay a $5,000 lease fee the first year with an annual increase of 5% with the lease reading $6,077.53 by year five.
The Champion Golf Club course has been closed since 2017.
Pictured: Progress on the new Paper Park in Cantonment as worked continued late Saturday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Renderings of what the completed playground will look like (just the equipment; it’s a stock background):
