2009 Persons Of The Year: Charles Williams
January 4, 2010
Charles Williams has been named one of our North Escambia Persons of the Year.
Charles Williams is one of those behind the scenes people that makes the world go round — at least the world of youth sports in Walnut Hill.
From the Ernest Ward Middle School Sports Boosters to Northwest Escambia Football, Williams is always hard at work to make sure the area’s children have the opportunity to take part in sports.
He is sometimes the man on the public address system at NWE and Ernest Ward Middle School football games, but he is always the man behind the scenes. From mowing the grass to working in the concession stand, he’s the model volunteer.
As president of the EWMS Sports Boosters, Williams is quick to point out that the group works to support every boy’s and girl’s sport at the school, not just the county’s only middle school football team. Williams and his army of volunteers make sure that every player of every sport is appreciated, and that every player is fed an appropriate meal or snack before every game.
“I just don’t know what we would do without Charles,” EWMS Principal Nancy Gindl-Perry said at a school sports banquet before presenting Williams with a small token of the school’s appreciation.
Williams accepted the gift quietly and humbly — that’s just the kind of man he is. And hundreds, if not thousands, of youth would tend to agree — he’s just one of those people that influences society quietly, one child a time.
“He’s a true hero,” Perry said.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Year In Review North Escambia’s Biggest Stories Of 2009: October
January 4, 2010
NorthEscambia.com is looking back at 2009 with our “Year in Review” series. Each day, we will review the biggest stories of 2009. Today, we take a look at the biggest stories of October 2009.
The Northview High School Chiefs picked up a big win against Sneeds on Senior Night. The Silver Wings parachute team was due to parachute the game ball into the stadium prior the game, but weather forced a cancellation.
On the last Friday night of October, a 13-year old girl reported that she was the victim of a home invasion in Molino. The middle school student was cut multiple times on her hands in an apparent attempt to fight off her attacker as she was pinned on a bed but she was not otherwise injured.
The Northview Lady Chiefs lost to the Baker Gators in the District 1-1A volleyball tournament finals in Bratt, but the Lady Chiefs will have one more shot at advancing in the state tournament.
Six more people — including at least one animal control worker — were exposed to rabies following an incident with a rabid cat in the McDavid area.
Christina Rae Rivkin was sentenced to a total of 20 years in prison for the June death of a Pensacola man riding his bicycle to work so that his wife could use the family’s only car.
When just over 100 World War II veterans headed to Washington Wednesday on the Fifth Annual Emerald Coast Honor Flight so that the veterans could see the World War II Memorial — their memorial — NorthEscambia.com gave veteran Billy Ward of Walnut Hill a camera. We asked him to take pictures during his day and share them with you, our readers.
In a battle of rivals, the Northview Chiefs beat the Jay Royals 28-27, and it was a nail-biter down to the last seconds.
The Town of Century started the application process for a $140,000 grant to improve drainage in an area south of the old Century High School.
The Town of Century’s accountant predicts that the new fiscal year will be a good one financially for the town. “It looks better this year than this time last year,” Robert Hudson, Century’s accountant, said. He predicted that by the middle the of the budget year, which started October 1, “I think our incomes will wind up being a little more than we budgeted.”
Students at Molino Park Elementary School took a grand field trip to the faraway world of Egypt, thanks to Pensacola non-profit organization called The Global Corner International Learning Center.
You don’t need a driver’s license to drive an Army tank, and drill sergeants don’t really yell at recruits. Those were just a couple of the interesting answers to equally interesting questions as students at Ernest Ward Middle School met with an Army recruiter.
An Escambia County, Alabama, man died from the H1N1 virus.
Two Century residents that own a horse related business were arrested Thursday on animal cruelty charges after starving horses were found on their property.
NorthEscambia.com was named the “Best Local Blog” in the ninth annual Pensacola Independent newspaper’s Best of the Coast issue.
Barrineau Park Road closed near Jacks Branch Road for bridge repair.
Camping fees at Lake Stone were increased by the Escambia County Commission.
An Escambia County woman was charged with leaving her three young children home alone for two days with nothing to eat except six cups of Jello. One child, an 18-month old girl, was found dead in a trashcan at the woman’s home.
The final bills were submitted for the addition of modular classrooms at Bratt Elementary and Ernest Ward Middle schools — $1,026,214. That bottom line was almost $43,000 over the school district’s original budget.
An $858,713.05 project by Roads Inc. of NWF, completely resurfaced Molino Road from Highway 29 to Highway 99, a distance of just over five miles.
Wanted murder suspect Bruce Edward Day was taken into custody in the Atmore area. A massive manhunt in Pensacola failed to locate Day, wanted for a 2001 Nokomis murder in which authorities have never found a body.
The Escambia County Consolidation Study Commission held a meeting in Century, but only a handful of residents attended.
Thousands from the across the area packed the annual Jay Peanut Festival.
Northview High School beat Baker 34-14 for Homecoming win.
Kassandra Lett was named as Northview High School’s 2009 Homecoming Queen. First runner up was Erica Rendell; second runner up was Amber McMillan.
2009 In Pictures: September
January 4, 2010
Escambia County (Ala.) Chief Deputy Mike Lambeth as deputies searched murder suspects after NorthEscambia.com located their van.
A Hazmat crew works to clean acid out of an Atmore gas station parking lot.
A 10 -year old boy on a dirt bike was injured after being hit by a pickup truck in Bratt.
A 19-year old male and a 15-year old middle school student were charged in connection with the September 14th robbery of the Molino Tom Thumb. Deputies found the 19-year old trying to steal tires after he had a flat on the getaway car. The clothing used in the robbery was found in the back of the car by deputies. A tip from a NorthEscambia.com reader was crediting as breaking the case for investigators. (above).
Eighth grade student Rebekah Miles leads students in prayer at Ernest Ward Middle School’s See You At The Pole rally.
We had a little fun with the urban legend that says you can stand an egg on its end on the spring and fall equinox. We are not sure if we are able to stand eggs on end at other times of the year. No one here has ever tried.
Herman Pleasant, left, waits his turn to address the Century Town Council about code enforcement problems while Eddie Stallworth, right, listens.
Northwest Escambia football action.
Fire destroyed a tractor in Bratt.
2009 In Pictures: October
January 4, 2010
We are taking a look back at 2009 through some of the thousands of photos we ran here on NorthEscambia.com. Today, we are featuring some of the best and most interesting photos from October.
Storyteller Paula Larke at Atmore’s Williams Station Day.
Jay’s Steven James fails to stop Northview’s Dustin Yuhasz during the first meeting of the two teams in several years.
A leaking natural gas line burns at house fire on Hilltop Road in Century.
Jadlyn Agerton soars at the top of a cheerleader tower at an Ernest Ward Middle School game.
The JV Chiefs’ Reid Bell picks up yardage against West Florida Tech.
Raising money for the American Cancer Society, overall Trotting for a Cure adventure race winners William Hudgens of Pace and Jack Sauve of Milton had an early lead in the 2.9 mile canoe trip down the Perdido River.
The Ernest Ward Middle School cheerleaders held a mini-cheerleader clinic.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Roger Grice, District 5 Commissioner Kevin White and Escambia Sheriff David Morgan walked Juniper Street in Walnut Hill.
The Northview High School’s first ever Homecoming Parade rolls through “downtown” Bratt.
Tommy Weaver, Northview’s DCT class sponsor, looks on as De Facto Bratt Mayor Donnie Bass signs the “Community of Bratt Parade Permit” for the school’s first homecoming parade.
A bald eagle in the top of a tree in Walnut Hill.
2009 Persons Of The Year: Rev. Willie H. Carter
January 3, 2010
Rev. Willie H. Carter of Century has been named one of our North Escambia Persons of the Year.
Turn off the TV — anyone that knows Rev. Carter knows that piece of advice.
Rev. Carter preaches a good sermon as pastor of Pilgrim Lodge Baptist Church, one of the oldest churches in North Escambia with a 130 year history. He has a passion for his Lord, and a passion for youth, including the dozens of youth in his church. But he preaches more than just the Gospel to young people in Century area.
“After you watch TV for an hour, close your eyes and see what you got out of that,” Rev. Carter said. He never missed the opportunity to tell young people to turn off the television. “Then read a book, close your eyes and see what you learned.”
“Your life is in you hands,” the reverend said. “You can make it anything you want it to be.”
Rev. Carter spent many years as a counselor at schools in Century, and he’s never stopped preaching the value of self-worth and education to youngsters.
“I can remember when it was not easy for someone to even make it to the eighth grade,” Rev. Carter told the final class of graduating eighth graders at Carver/Century K-8 School holding his Century diploma from May 22, 1936, in his hand. “Tonight, we have to think of it as a beginning.”
“Nobody’s going to ask you if came out of a little town like Century, but if you can do the job,” he said.
His involvement in the Century community extends beyond church and education. No matter what the cause for the good of Century, the Rev. Carter is there. Dozens of pastors and churches were invited to take part in a Learn To Read luncheon several months ago. One pastor was there — the Rev. Willie Carter.
Whether it was the effort to keep Carver/Century K-8 School open, or the effort to unite Century, Rev. Carter was there.
“If we’d just do like the football player, we could do a whole lot better,” he said. “It does not matter who is going to be blocking, tackling or carrying the ball. They just want to get the job done.”
“I am calling on Century; it is time for us to come together,” Rev. Carter said. “It is time for us to realize that we have one God.”
Pictured top: Rev. Willie H. Carter addresses the last-ever graduating class at Carver/Century K-8 School. Pictured inset: Rev. Carter with his 1936 Century diploma. Pictured bottom: Rev. Carter prays with Century Mayor Freddie McCall. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Inspired By A Cartoon, Bratt Student Raises Money For Children’s Hospital
January 3, 2010
Cold weather did not stop a a nine-year old Bratt Elementary School student and his charity walk Saturday for Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital.
Logan Doremus was inspired to organize the walk after watching a PBS cartoon in which the character Arthur and his friends held a bike-a-thon for cancer research, his mother Shannon Doremus said. Logan had surgery at Sacred Heart for a rare bone condition in 2003, prompting him to raise money for the children and families served by the children’s hospital.
Saturday, Logan walked around Tom Byrne Park in Atmore with friends Cameron Long, 8, and Triston Long, 10. They were joined by others that walked to raise funds for the children’s hospital.
It is not too late to make a donation…for more information email shanabelld33@hotmail.com. Donations can also be mailed to 7650 Hodges Road, Century FL 32535.
Pictured above: Cameron Long, 8; Logan Doremus, 9; and Triston Long, 10; walk Saturday to raise money for Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Year In Review North Escambia’s Biggest Stories Of 2009: August
January 3, 2010
NorthEscambia.com is looking back at 2009 with our “Year in Review” series. Each day, we will review the biggest stories of 2009. Today, we take a look at the biggest stories of August 2009.
Ron Rigby retired from the Escambia County Road Department after 25 years of service.
Playground equipment was installed at the new Bratt Community Park.
The Town of Century discussed water and sewer rate increases for most customers and new fees for future customers.
A series of strong storms downed trees and power lines across the area.
The first day of school was near perfect, including at Bratt Elementary and Ernest Ward Middle with nearly 200 new students from the closure and consolidation of Carver/Century K-8.
The Escambia County Health Department has issued a Rabies Alert for North Escambia after one person was bit by a rabid fox and two raccoons that bit dogs tested positive for rabies.
Escambia County approved the re-submission of a half million dollar library construction grant to construct a public library at the former Molino School.
Sid Wheatley was named the new head coach of the Northview High School football team.
Lance Cpl. Bruce “Bubba” Ferrell Jr., 21, of Perdido, Ala., was killed by an improvised explosive device while serving in Afghanistan.
The Town of Century decided that they did not want to part with the former Helicopter Technology building in the town’s industrial park — unless someone is willing to write checks that would total over $800,000.
Ashley Elenea Burkett, 31, and April Burford Watson, 33 — teachers at Jay High School — were arrested for allegedly having sex in their homes with teenage boys.
Year In Review North Escambia’s Biggest Stories Of 2009: September
January 3, 2010
NorthEscambia.com is looking back at 2009 with our “Year in Review” series. Each day, we will review the biggest stories of 2009. Today, we take a look at the biggest stories of September 2009.
Two murder suspects were captured after NorthEscambia.com spotted their getaway van returning to the scene of the crime in Nokomis, Ala. The suspects, Clarence Luker, 37, and Lorraine Gray, 50, were each charged with open counts of murder.
A rabies alert for North Escambia was continued after three more animals were found with rabies.
The Town of Century approved a $1.6 million low interest loan for water system improvements. The load will automatically forgive about $1.4 million in principal.
Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church held their annual McDavid Volunteer Fire Department appreciation service.
NorthEscambia.com became the official voice of the Northview High School Chiefs, providing audio from Chiefs football online.
A $367.4 million budget approved by the Escambia County Commission included the $65,000 needed to keep Escambia County Clerk of the Courts Ernie Lee Magaha in the Billy G. Ward Courthouse in Century.
A Santa Rosa County man died from the H1N1 Swine Flu, the first death in our area.
An Escambia County teacher’s aid, Rodney Darnell Portis, was arrested on drug charges after a search warrant executed at his Walnut Hill home turned up a “large amount” of cocaine as well as other drugs.
An auto plant was announced for Bay Minette with up to 5,000 jobs — if the company behind the plant is able to obtain funding.
A 19-year old male and a 15-year old middle school student were charged in connection with the September 14 robbery of the Molino Tom Thumb. Deputies found the 19-year old trying to steal tires after he had a flat on the getaway car.
Lawton “Bud” Chiles began his journey of One Million Steps across Florida retracing the steps of his father, former Florida Governor Lawton Mainor Chiles, Jr. to raise awareness of children’s health, education and safety issues in the state.
A Century man, Coy Otis Rhea, was struck and killed by a 40-foot tree being cut down at his rental home.
Frank Lay and Robert Freeman were both found not guilty on criminal charges that they prayed in violation of a federal court order in Santa Rosa County.
Hundreds of North Escambia students gathered to pray at their schools as part of the annual See You At The Pole rally.
A Cantonment man found himself nearly $200,000 richer after purchase a FANTASY 5 Quick Pick ticket.
Controversy erupted across the nation over a planned speech by President Barack Obama to the nation’s schoolchildren. In Escambia County, Superintendent Malcolm Thomas elected to not show the speech live.
Hundreds of area residents enjoyed the second Annual Bull Bash Blowout in Flomaton presented by the Tri-Cities Rotary Club.
The Escambia County Commission rejected a $10 per child youth sports fee.
Stephen Eugene Freeman, 43, and his wife Monica Lassitter Freeman, 37, of Bratt received a mandatory 15 year sentence in state prison for drug trafficking.
Jesse Warner of Bratt was seriously injured when he rear-ended a school bus in Bratt.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
2009 In Pictures: July And August
January 3, 2010
We are taking a look back at 2009 through some of the thousands of photos we ran here on NorthEscambia.com. Today, we are featuring some of the best and most interesting photos from July and August.
About two weeks after the Billings murders, Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan sat down with just one media outlet — NorthEscambia.com — to talk about what life was like for him personally behind the scenes of the investigation.
Children at Faith Bible Baptist Church in Bluff Springs had a chance to learn about firefighting from the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue.
Fire heavily damaged a home on Meadows Road.
An abandoned house on Juniper Street in Walnut Hill burns.
Action from Northwest Escambia versus Niceville-Valparaiso at Bradberry Park in the Junior League All-Star Tournament.
NWE versus Pace.
Anna Lee, 5, decided to cool off with a hose during a car wash at the First Baptist Church of Bratt.
2009 Persons Of The Year: Sonja Luker
January 2, 2010
Sonja Luker of Molino has been named one of our North Escambia Persons of the Year.
What would a Christmas parade in Molino be without Santa Claus? And Sonja Luker?
Sonja has been the driving force behind the Molino Christmas Parade for years. She has served tirelessly for years on the board of directors for the Molino Recreation Association. Took part in Relay for Life, Special Olympics…the list just goes on and on. Helping the communities of North Escambia has been her calling.
Earlier this year, doctors told Sonja to prepare for the end because, once again, chemotherapy and radiation were unable to destroy all of the cancer cells attacking her body. As Sonja tried to come to terms with the devastating news, she began to wonder how she will tell her children that she will not live long enough to see them marry, how she would tell her parents that she would probably die before them.
But then there was a glimmer of hope that has turned into a real promise. A doctor at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas was convinced that he could trick her body genetically, preventing tumors from forming.
Sonja was first diagnosed with cancer about five years ago when her son was a senior in high school. Her son Timothy is now 22 and daughter Samantha is 21.
“All I did was pray for God to let me see my children graduate,” she said. “I got my miracle.”
For Sonja, there’s always someone that needs help more than she does.
“I do what I do because I like to help,” she said. “There is always somebody worse that I am.”
Our communities did reach out and help Sonja back in September as dozens of motorcyclists took part in a 75-mile Labor Day ride from Atmore.
She said at that time that she was “a little overwhelmed by all of the people that want to help me. I would rather give than receive. I have the most amazing friends in the world.”
She did ask for one thing in return.
“I want to make sure that everybody gets involved with Relay for Life,” she said. “It if were not for the cancer research money provided by Relay for Life, I would have not a chance right now in my fight. I would have no hope if it were not for Relay for Life.”
Pictured top: Chris and Sonja Luker at a benefit motorcycle ride in Atmore in September. Pictured top inset: Sonja rides on float during the 2009 Molino Christmas Parade. Pictured bottom inset: Sonja (in purple) at the North Pensacola Relay for Life at Tate High School. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.