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.
Year In Review North Escambia’s Biggest Stories Of 2009: June
January 2, 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 June 2009.
Signs advertising a Vacation Bible School event at Highland Baptist Church in Molino were stolen at least twice from around the community.
Archaeologists from the University of West Florida were hard at work in June uncovering the past in Molino, looking hard for a mission settlement dating back to the 1750’s.
Funeral services were held for Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office Major Tommy America who died after enduring a long battle with cancer.
The Escambia County Comprehensive Annual Finance Report showed that each Escambia resident’s share of the county debt was $389.
Battery charges were dropped against a Town of Century employee that reportedly left a state prisoner unattended in a store parking lot while he got into fight inside the store.
June was hot…with multiple days over the 100 degree mark.
Plans moved forward for Escambia County’s first hurricane pet shelter at Molino Park Elementary.
A Century convenience store was robbed at gunpoint. The robber ran from the store with the register.
Elton Gilmore of McDavid retired after 32 years of service in the Florida Division of Forestry.
The Tri-County All-Stars were eliminated from the District 1 Little League 8-9 Year Old All Stars Tournament with a loss to Defuniak Springs.
Paul Edward Black, a sergeant at the Century Correctional Institution, was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of possession of child pornography. In an unrelated case, another North Escambia man, Perry Leonard Gibbs of Bratt, was arrested and charged with molesting a child under the age of 12.
In a bizarre accident in Molino, a woman hit a horse on Highway 29, ripping the van apart. A second car hit the horse and overturned several times, and a third car also struck the animal’s remains.
The Escambia County Commission rejected a 3-cent gas tax to help fund mass transit in the county.
The Northview High School Food For America progrm was named one of top two such programs in Florida.
The Escambia County School Board approved the final documents to sell the old Molino School to Escambia County.
The Town of Century received a $1.5 million grant toward a water project that includes a new elevated storage tank and miles of new water main.
Over 5,000 people attend the first annual Escambia County Blueberry Jamboree sponsored in part by NorthEscambia.com at the Barrineau Park Community Center.
Century Mayor Freddie McCall appealed to the Escambia County Commission to ask them to urge Escambia County Tax Collector Janet Holley to reopen her office in Century.
Scott Joseph Thompson was charged with the murder of a Cantonment woman, Cheryl Cain. Cain’s body was found in a dumpster at an abandoned Pensacola gas station.
A Molino couple — Max and Julie Kent — held a yard sale at their home to sell all of their possession before heading to mission field in Guatemala.
Authorities in two states were on the lookout for a suspect after women were mugged in Walnut Hill and Atmore.
Solutia completed the sale of their nylon division, including their plant near Cantonment, to a New York-based private equity capital group. The company was renamed Ascend Performance Materials.
Century Care Residents Celebrate 2010
January 2, 2010
Seniors at the Century Care Center rang in the New Year in a grand fashion Friday. The residents enjoyed a little non-alcoholic “bubbly”, finger foods, cake and more. The party was complete with party favors and hats as the Century Care Center residents welcomed 2010.
Submitted photos by Mae Hildreth for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Year In Review North Escambia’s Biggest Stories Of 2009: July
January 2, 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 July 2009.
Byrd and Melanie Billings were found dead in their Beulah home, setting off a series of arrests that captivated the nation. NorthEscambia.com was the first media in the nation to report that one of the suspects, Donnie Stallworth of Brewton, was in the military. As a result, NorthEscambia.com was mentioned on CNN, Fox and by United Press International (UPI), and we were linked to by Anderson Cooper and CNN, the New York Times, Huffington Post and MSNBC.
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.
The Town of Century’s foreclosure against Helicopter Technology became final on a $740,999.43 judgment.
“Don’t take for granted that you will see your kids grown” was the powerful message from Marty Green of Bratt in story about her battle with stage IV lung cancer. She passed away about a month later.
Several churches held Vacation Bible School, including Highland Baptist Church where over 200 children enjoyed a 50 foot long banana split.
Deputies in Escambia County, Alabama, uncovered about $300,000 in goods stolen from homes and businesses in North Escambia, Santa Rosa County and across south Alabama.
Paul Edward Black, 42, of Century, entered a guilty plea to federal child pornography charges.
The Tri-County and Northwest Escambia girls softball teams made the state tournament, but both fell short of a state title.
Florida Tax Watch issued a report critical of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department, recommending that the agency cut millions from its budget. But Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan spoke out against the findings, calling the data “flawed”.
The final items were moved the last week of the month from the closed Carver/Century K-8 to Ernest Ward Middle and Bratt Elementary schools.
An interim report from Escambia County Code Enforcement showed that 160 violators had been cited since code enforcement returned to Century.
Archaeologists from the University of West Florida working in Molino discovered what they believe may the first evidence of a Spanish mission settlement dating back to the 1750’s.
Northview High School Head Football Coach Cody Keene resigned. Sid Wheatley was named the new interim football coach at Northview High School.
After reading a headline on NorthEscambia.com “Wish List: $1.4 Million For Atmore, Nothing For Flomaton”, Flomaton’s mayor said that in the last 16 years, Flomaton had not received any extra funding from Congress because the town had not actually applied.
A federal grand jury indicted Chad Floyd Jeter of Canoe for robbery of the First National Bank & Trust in Atmore.
The Escambia County Commission granted final approval to the county’s first pet-friendly hurricane evacuation shelter to be located at Molino Park Elementary School.
The Escambia Sheriff’s Office substation in Walnut Hill reopened for the first time since Hurricane Ivan.
Scott Slay was named the new director of the Northview High School Tribal Beat band.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
2009 Persons Of The Year: Jerry Fischer
January 1, 2010
Jerry Fischer of Bluff Springs has been named one of our North Escambia Persons of the Year.
From Fischer Landing that bears his name, to his work with the Alger-Sullivan Historical Society, to his never ending smile, to his willingness to stop and help anyone in need, most people in the Century area know the name Jerry Fischer.
The story of Jerry Fischer is perhaps best told by his friend of about 60 years, Jerry Simmons.
Submitted by Jerry Simmons
What can be said about this man that could diminish the good that he has done for this community? He has been a friend to just about everyone he’s met; he’s been generous to the community with his time and talents; he’s been a good provider to his family, and all-in-all a man whose time for acknowledgment by his community has come.
He was a councilman for the Town of Century more than 24 years. During that time he was always for the elderly and the poor people in the town. When there were grants available for housing, he lost his last campaign partly because he spoke out against overlooking those who slept with holes in their roof and those who could not speak out for themselves. There were those who disagreed with him in principle but who had no convincing argument to the contrary when it came time to be fair and equitable. He believes in doing right by everyone, not a select few.
He was one of the original members of the South Flomaton Volunteer Fire Department in the 1960s, because he felt that was a service the community needed. He was one of several who spearheaded facilitating a vote to combine South Flomaton and Century. Some folks might think that wasn’t such a good thing, but Century is much better off with it done.
At various times he’s been a member and/or officer in just about every local civic organization, such as the Lions Club. His contemporaries must have thought well of him and his leadership ability, because he was elected to head the Little League and the Century Recreation Association. He worked selflessly to make a place for boys and girls who otherwise would have no direction. He coached, he worked in fundraising, he did anything he could to make all he was involved in to be successful. He’s passed that on to his children and now his grandchildren, who all rely upon his judgment and respect him deeply.
He once told a friend that when he went to Hawaii with his family and entered high school there, many of the Hawaiian boys didn’t like white boys. That’s where he really became interested in boxing, so he could fend for himself. The discipline that’s required in training for boxing taught him valuable lessons on how that if you wanted something bad enough, there are sacrifices that must be made. He’s followed that philosophy throughout his adult life and it’s done him well.
He wanted to provide a boat landing for the outdoorsmen in the area, so 30 or so years ago he got a group of young men together and had a cement truck come in to pour a boat ramp just about where the Escambia River Fischer Landing is today. In later years, he fought for and helped the Town of Century secure grant funds to create a real boat landing, which today is named for him.
He has a love for the environment and for years has worked with groups to go up and down the river, cleaning up the garbage ignorant people leave behind or deliberately toss out of their boats or their cars and trucks. Tires, old barbecue grills, Styrofoam coolers and cups; you name it – he’s been responsible for picking up thousands of pounds of debris from the creek and river banks in this region.
If it were not for Jerry’s love of history, hundreds of photographs and records would have been destroyed. Because of his interest, these records and pictures are categorized and saved for posterity. His dedication to the Alger-Sullivan Historical Society is legend. He’s been the driving force behind so many projects to preserve not only Century’s heritage, but that of Flomaton and Jay, as well as for miles around.
When the news came out that Jerry was sick, there was hardly anyone in Century or Flomaton whose heart did not go out to him and his family. Wherever one went, there was always a question, “Have you heard how Jerry’s doing?”
After over two years of doctors’ visits and chemotherapy, Jerry finally found himself back where he wanted to be and that was being able to make a difference. He went back to work at the Alger-Sullivan Historical Society and seemed to want to try to make up for lost time. He got buildings painted, new displays up and organized, and spearheaded the writing of a new history book for the area. He was the driving force behind fund-raising efforts by the society and created new avenues of goodwill for the Century, Flomaton and Jay areas.
Wherever he goes, whatever he does, people remember him. He is an unforgettable person, whose constant smile and cheerful banter make all who meet him for the first time feel better for having been around him.
In 2007, he was named Century’s Citizen of the Year in 2007. In 2009, he was given a clean bill of health from cancer.
This town, this community, this world is a better place because Jerry Fischer has been here.
Pictured: Jerry Fischer at the dedication of Fischer Landing on the Escambia River in Century. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
2009 In Pictures: May
January 1, 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 June.
A horse ripped through this van in Highway 29 accident in Molino. The woman in the van escaped serious injury.
Members of the Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Department Honor Guard with a 21-gun salute at the funeral of Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office Major Tommy America.
A rainbow formed beneath an irrigation system in a Walnut Hill field.
“MJ”Jones gets a hit against Defuniak Springs in the District 1 Little League 8-9 Year Old All Stars Tournament in Walnut Hill.
More action from the Tri-County All-Stars in district play.
Pictured: Choosing the perfect healthy snack following a summer reading program at the Century Branch Library.
The second place winner in the “Pies and Cobbler” division was Blueberry Dream Pie from Marti Penland Koemmerer at the first annual Blueberry Jamboree in Barrineau Park.
Molino firefighters battle a smoldering fire in a trailer load of hay.
Charlie “The Noise Guy” Williams reads “Flush: An ode to toilets” at the Century Branch Library during a summer reading program.
Year In Review North Escambia’s Biggest Stories Of 2009: May
January 1, 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 May 2009.
Amid a lot of tears, the final day ever at Carver/Century K-8 came to close. The Escambia County School Board voted to close the school, merging it into Ernest Ward Middle and Bratt Elementary schools.
The end of May was the end of Escambia County Tax Collector Janet Holley’s office in Century. The county’s tax collector has maintained an office in Century for 32 years.A rabid raccoon was shot and killed by a resident on Crabtree Church Road in Molino. It would be the first of several rabid animals found in North Escambia during the year, eventually prompting a rabies alert.
Century does not have a gang problem like some Pensacola areas, but gang members sometimes hide out in the area — that was the word from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department at a town hall meeting in Century.
The Atmore Police Department chased a suspect into North Escambia, shooting him in a field along Highway 97. He later died.
Chad Floyd Jeter of Atmore was arrested and charged with the armed robbery of the First National Bank of Atmore. Jeter allegedly burned a camper top from his getaway truck in North Escambia. Two people were arrested after a meth lab was discovered Bratt as authorities searched for Jeter.
Ernest Ward Middle School principal, Nancy Gindl-Perry, was named Escambia County’s Principal of the Year.
“God cannot be ignored,” Valedictorian Luke Fletcher Killam told over 100 members of the Class of 2009 as they graduated from Northview High School. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.”
Only four students in Escambia County made a perfect “5″ on the third grade Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test in both reading and math, including Sarah Perritt from Molino Park Elementary School.
Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies simultaneously executed 10 search warrants and made 19 felony drug arrests in Century using SWAT teams from across Northwest Florida.
The Town of Century held a “visioning day”, giving participants an up closed look at what Century has to offer.
Century heard a proposal from a Virginia company that wanted to install a wireless broadband network in the town. The town never took action on the proposal.
Camp Fire USA celebrated the first anniversary of the Century Early Learning Center.
The newly formed Ernest Ward Middle School Drama Club presented their first production.
An apparent lightning strike during an afternoon thunderstorm did not cause an damage at Ernest Ward Middle School.
Escambia Commissioners approved the purchase of the old Molino Elementary School building too add a library and community center for the growing community.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.