1943 L&N Railroad Coaling Tower On State Line Is Demolished (With Photo Gallery)
July 28, 2022
A bit of railroad history on the Alabama-Florida line is no more.
A former L&N Railroad coaling tower along the CSX tracks in Flomaton was demolished this week by CSX. The concrete tower was built in 1943 and was located on the eastern side of the railyard in Flomaton.
For a photo gallery of the Flomaton L&N coaling tower, click here.
Elevated coaling towers were large bunkers that stood above the tracks to load coal into steam locomotives.
NorthEscambia.com reached out to the CSX media team to find out why the tower was brought down, but we received no response.
Pictured: A 1943 L&N Railroad coaling tower on the Alabama-Florida line in Flomaton, Alabama, as seen July 16, 2022. The top photo shows the size of the structure as CSX engines pass underneath. The bottom photo shows electric wind turbines passing under the coal tower. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Fire Chief Henry Hiebert Celebrates 35 Years Of Service With ECFR
July 27, 2022
Escambia Fire County Fire Rescue Molino District Chief Henry Hiebert recently celebrated 35 years of faithful and dedicated service.
Hiebert’s career with ECFR began with a chance encounter with the late Molino chief Gary Diamond at a local gas station.
During the early stages of his career, Hiebert learned from former Molino chief Harry Nowlin and Ferry Pass chiefs Tom and Corky Jones. His early training included taking the mandatory 40-hour training class. As the standards for fire service increased, Hiebert continued his fire education, taking part in 80-hour, 160-hour and 204-hour training classes.
Most recently, the chief became part of the “2nd Alarm Project,” which is a mental health awareness program with a focus on first responders.
“It is rewarding to be able to help others through a hard time and see them move on with renewed courage and strength,” he said.
Hiebert’s wife Polly continues to provide support, whether it be rewarming meals or being late to functions due to fire calls. They have five children and recently welcomed their first grandchild with a second on the way in November.
“I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Chief Hiebert for many years,” said ECFR Deputy Fire Chief Paul Williams. “His service and sacrifice should be recognized as he continues to serve in his most recent capacity as District Chief of our Molino station. Chief Hiebert has a special connection with our north-end members due to his service history and is considered a mentor and good friend by many. Congratulations to Chief Hiebert and Ms. Polly on the birth of their first grandchild and thank you to both for your 35 years of service.”
“I’ve had many great mentors and have made many friends,” Hiebert said, as he continues to serve. “I feel humbled at the willingness of the firefighting brotherhood to spend personal time to teach others. My wish is that I can be as good of a mentor as those I’ve had and encouragement to those following me.”
Pictured top: Escambia Fire County Fire Rescue Molino District Chief Henry Hiebert. NorthEscambia.com photo. Pictured below: Hiebert and his wife Polly. Photo for NorthEscambia.com. Click to enlarge.
Five Escambia Volunteer Firefighters Earn State Certification
July 26, 2022
Five Escambia County volunteer firefighters recently earned their certification.
The five volunteers — Christianna Barry, Jeff Carden, Chris Knezienski, Nate Montgomery and Anna Niedermeyer — completed 206 hours of training through online courses and practical evolutions.
“I want to welcome these men and women to the ECFR family and thank them for their willingness to serve their communities and dedication to complete many hours of training to attain their certifications,” said Escambia County Fire Rescue Deputy Fire Chief Paul Williams. “We hope they will spend many years with ECFR and continue their training throughout their time with us.”
The five also completed the following training:
- Mental Health/PTSD Training
- Cancer Prevention Training
- FL-130 Wildland Firefighter Training
- FL-180 Human Factors in Wildland Fire Service
- FL-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior
- ICS-100 Introduction to Incident Command System
- ICS-700 Introduction to National Incident Management System
- Traffic Incident Management
- Structural Collapse Awareness
- Emergency Medical Responder
Pictured above: (L-R_ Nate Montgomery, Jeff Carden, Chris Knezienski, Anna Niedermeyer and Christianna Barry. Pictured below: The ECFR volunteers training in Ocala. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
When You Need A Friend: Bratt Elementary PTA Donates New ‘Buddy Benches’
July 22, 2022
Bratt Elementary School has new “Buddy Benches” thanks to the Bratt PTA.
“These will be used to help our children show kindness to other children who need a friend and to help them feel more included. If a child feels lonely or needs a friend, they can sit on the bench and our teachers will make sure a friend comes along to help cheer them up,” according to the PTA.
The benches were assembled by volunteers and are ready for the first day of school.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview NJROTC Cadets Conduct ‘FOD Walkdowns’ Cleaning Up Two Local Parks
July 21, 2022
The Northview High School NJROTC performed a little community service Wednesday, and learned a new skill at the time same time.
The cadets picked up trash at Travis M. Nelson Park in Bratt and at the Byrneville Community Center.
They walked methodically side by side in what’s known as a foreign object debris (FOD) walkdown. On the deck of an aircraft carrier or a runway on land, sailors conduct FOD walkdowns scanning for any foreign objects, no matter how large or small, to prevent mishaps.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Brand New Ride – Community Donates Gator To Century’s Jake Livingston
July 17, 2022
Thanks to the generosity of local residents, Jake Livingston has a new ride.
Jake, who is autistic, is an iconic member of the Century community, selling snacks from his trademark “Hazzard County Snacks” John Deere Gator. He is a local fixture at home games as “Northview’s Biggest Fan”, and always Northwest Escambia Chiefs Football. He also raises money for autism awareness and even had a little library named after him.
Everybody around Century, and pretty much every Northview High School student or fan ever, just loves Jake. And he loves them back. He does not know a stranger.
Jake’s previous Gator — his only form of transportation — was old and worn out, and repairs were becoming frequent and harder to complete.
And then several people stepped up to raise the funds needed to buy Jake a brand new John Deere Gator.
For more photos, click or tap here.
“My brand new ride,” Jake exclaimed Saturday afternoon as his new Gator was delivered.
Community members raised a total of $7,788 for the new vehicle through a GoFundMe page, auctions and other efforts. And the fine folks at Smith Tractor Company sold the Gator to the group at cost and tossed in some no-cost extras.
“We got me a new ride here. It’s going to be all over NorthEscambia,” Jake said when he hopped in the driver’s seat of his new ride, happy that NorthEscambia.com was there in Hazzard County on his very special day.
Hazzard County you say? That’s another story, and a big part of Jake.
The sign outside Jake’s residence in Century reads “Welcome to Hazzard County, Home of J.D. ‘Boss’ Hogg, Sheriff Jake”. Jake loves the character “Boss Hogg” on that classic television series, and operates a little side hustle he calls “Hazzard County Snacks”.
If you see Jake in his Gator around Century, he’ll happily sell you a snack to help pay for his living expenses. But he’s been known on more than one occasion to just give away snacks to kids that can’t afford them. That’s just the kind of guy he is, always willing to help or offer a word of prayer.
Jake, who is now in his middle 40s, had always lived with relatives until a change in life circumstances pretty much left his homeless just over a decade ago. The community stepped up then too. A neighbor found him an old FEMA trailer and helped him set it up. Area residents helped pay for the trailer and other necessities. A state-assigned caregiver helped teach him independent living skills.
“Look at this brand new thing…let me go get my hat,” Jake said Saturday afternoon before riding off for a late afternoon lunch of Mexican food at a local business. “We are going now!”
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Extension Names New Agriculture Agent
July 10, 2022
Madelyn Godwin has been named the new Escambia Extension agriculture agent.
Godwin grew up on her family farm in Jayand has been involved in agriculture since birth.Her passion for agriculture flourished even more once she joined the FFA in middle school.
She graduated from the University of Florida in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in natural resource conservation and a minor in entomology.
Godwin worked at the University of Florida West Florida Research and Education Center in Jay for the past three years.
Escambia Honors Firefighter And Paramedic Bill Halfacre As He Retires After 41 Years
July 9, 2022
This week, Escambia County Fire Rescue honored Willis “Bill” Halfacre as he retired with 41 years of dedicated service as a firefighter and paramedic.
“Well, I made it,” Halfacre said during the ceremony. “I appreciate everyone for being here today, and I am so thankful to Escambia County for everything they have done for me. They will always be remembered.”
Halfacre began his fire service career as a volunteer firefighter with Ensley Volunteer Fire Department in January 1981. In 1989, Halfacre went to work part-time with Escambia County EMS as an EMT and eventually become a paramedic in May 1994.
He joined ECFR full-time in January 2000. Throughout his career, FF Halfacre received his HAZMAT certification, Fire Officer II certification, live fire training Instructor certification, pump operator certification and his AAS degree in fire science from Pensacola State College.
Family, friends, colleagues, local elected officials, local law enforcement and fire partners from nearby communities gathered to honor Halfacre. Escambia County District 4 Commissioner Robert Bender presented him with an official proclamation from the board thanking him for his service, and he also received a certificate of recognition from the office of Rep. Michelle Salzman.
Halfacre has been married to his wife Cassandra since 2005.
Cantonment Rotary Club Swears In New Officers
July 7, 2022
Cantonment Rotary recently held a Change of Command ceremony. The new club president is Tony Lee (pictured bottom) and Dustin Vaughn was pinned as president elect (pictured first below). The new officers and board members were sworn in (pictured above) by Cantonment Rotary member Deb Held, who is also the district area governor. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
As Fireworks Boomed, Volunteers Read Books To Animal Shelter Cats And Dogs
July 6, 2022
While the fireworks were booming across Escambia County for Independence Day, the canines and felines at the Escambia County Animal Shelter were enjoying the company of volunteers and a good book.
The 2022 Tales for Tails event saw volunteers spend Monday night reading or just chatting with the dogs and puppies and cats and kittens who were comforted by a good story. Or just hearing someone that took the night to talk to them, show them that they care.
They were not alone as the sky booms echoed. They were not afraid. They were brave, thanks to their friends.
The words didn’t necessarily matter, but a “good boy” or “good girl”…wow, that means the world to a shelter resident.
Tails wagged in the doggie kennel, and there were more than a few purrs in the shelter’s Catnip Café. It was good for the animals, whether they were of the cat, dog or human species. You could tell by the smiles; it was a great way for animal lovers to celebrate the night of the Fourth. If you looked, you could see the smiles on doggie and kitty faces too.
And then there was Mallory McIver. She captured the night with her drawings of sweet resident pups.
Drawings that may become the cover of the next storybook as the shelter animals become part of someone’s family. It’s next chapter in this tale for tails that all hope to hear.
Photos courtesy Friends of the Escambia County Animal Shelter for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
