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.
Year In Review North Escambia’s Biggest Stories Of 2009: April
December 31, 2009
FCAT writing scores were released in April, and they were good news for most North Escambia schools.
A bill has passed the Florida legislature that could pump life back into Jay and North Santa Rosa County. The Florida Senate passed a bill that will provide exemptions and tax breaks to the six active oil producing companies in Florida. One of those producers is Quantum Resources in Jay.
Century became home to a new video conferencing system that allows area residents to interact with the Social Security Agency face to face, one of just three such sites in an eight state area. The video system now available at the Workforce Escarosa office in Century was just one of just three in an eight state Southeastern U.S. region.
Communities from across the area joined together for Century’s Relay for Life.
Students at Molino Park Elementary School planted a tree in honor of Earth Day and teacher Sharon Smith who died on the final day of school in 2008.
The Escambia County School Board formally voted to sell the old Molino School to the county for a new library and community center.
Escambia River Electric Cooperative held their 70th Annual Meeting at Jay High School. James Earl Hall and Ernie Hester were elected as cooperative trustees from Escambia County and Ed Kelly was elected as a Santa Rosa County trustee.
Escambia Sheriff David Morgan (pictured at the Century Substation with Sgt. David Preston) announced that arrests were forthcoming from weeks of undercover drug buys in Century.
The Town of Century voted to apply for a loan for water systems improvements in the State Line Road, Highway 4A and Backwoods Road areas, but the town was still hoping to receive a grant to fund the nearly $2 million project.
The town of Century celebrated its 108th birthday with a big bash in the town’s historical district.
A small army of volunteers headed out from the Barrineau Park Community Center for a Clean and Green Community Cleanup.
Molino Park Elementary School held its annual Arts Day, with the students spending the day immersed in a variety of arts.
Over a three day period, students from Carver/Century K-8 School had the opportunity to visit the campus of Ernest Ward Middle School.
The Northview High School Theater Department presented “Willy Wonka the Musical”.
The Escambia County Commission wanted Sheriff David Morgan to cut another $4 million from his budget before it is submitted to the BOCC for approval, but the sheriff said he cut all that he intended to cut. Morgan says he would take his budget to the governor before dealing with the commission.
Students at Molino Park Elementary held a wagon parade to raise money for Relay for Life.
The faithful gathered for Easter Morning Sunrise Services across North Escambia.
FFA students and 4-H members from Escambia County celebrated the 100th anniversary of the 4-H in conjunction with the GCA and NRA Spring Livestock Show.
Residents of Century turned to a letter writing campaign in hopes of saving Carver/Century K-8 School. About 200 letters were mailed to President Barack Obama.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
2009 In Pictures: May
December 31, 2009
Graduate Jessica Mothershed shares a tearful moment with teacher Tommy Weaver following May’s graduation exercise at Northview High School.
During closing ceremonies for Northwest Escambia Little League, a trophy for Drew Marlow was presented to his mother Cyndi Marlow Wendt. Drew Marlow died in a 2008 auto accident near Walnut Hill.
Final goodbyes as the last day of school ever came to a close at Carver/Century K-8 School.
Rev. Willie Carter addresses the students, his 1936 Century diploma in hand, during the final graduation excercise at Carver/Century K-8 School.
Firefighters locate the “victim” in a simulated McDavid building fire, part of an Escambia Fire Rescue training exercise.
Three people were injured in this accident on Highway 97. The Blazer burst into flames shortly after the last passenger was pulled from the wreckage.
Flags fly on the Walnut Hill grave of PFC Russell William Stewart on Memorial Day. PFC Stewart died April 14, 2007, while serving at Camp Lejeune, NC.
NorthEscambia.com had exclusive photos from the scene where the Atmore Police Department shot a suspect following a chase into North Escambia. The suspect later died.
The Northview High School Class of 2009 held their Baccalaureate service at the First Baptist Church of Bratt — the first time in the history of the school that Baccalaureate was not held at the school.
The Northview Chiefs held their intrasquad Garnet and Gold game on a rainy night.
A truck driver from Greenville, Alabama, was killed in a fiery explosion on I-65 between Flomaton and Atmore.
The Pen Wheels Fishing Rodeo was held in Walnut Hill.
The North Pensacola Relay for Life was held at Tate High School.
Year In Review North Escambia’s Biggest Stories Of 2009: March
December 30, 2009
In March, the Escambia County School Board voted to closed Carver/Century K-8 School, despite pleas from area residents like Annie Savage (pictured) to keep the school open. The vote came a few weeks after the school board held a meeting in Century where dozens of angry parents argued for the school.
NorthEscambia.com broke the exclusive story that Gulf Power was purchasing land in Cox and Road road areas between Bratt and Byrneville for possible nuclear power plant.
The Escambia County School Board approved $1 million in renovations for Bratt Elementary and Ernest Ward Middle Schools.
The 2009 Law Enforcement Torch Run across Florida in support of Special Olympics started in Century.
Hundreds of people gathered at Jay High School to pray for schools across the area. The prayer service came about two months after a federal judge issued an order against any prayer or promotion of religion in Santa Rosa County Schools.
State Rep. Greg Evers filed a bill in Florida House that would led to the formation of a commission to study the consolidation of the governments of Century, Pensacola and Escambia County.
Century’s celebrated its heritage with the annual Teaspoon Festival.
Softball returned to Century after a long absence at Century Little League.
Hundreds attended the annual Ruritan Farm Auction in Walnut Hill.
Up to 15 inches of rain brought flooding to Molino, shutting down all highways between the north of south parts of the county.
A North Escambia woman, Cheryl Renee Cain, was found murdered in a dumpster at an abandoned Pensacola gas station.
The Town of Century voted to spend $4,000 to find out how much it would cost to hire a Crestview attorney to find out what legal grounds the attorney thought Century would have to fight the Escambia County School board over the closure of Carver/Century K-8 School.
Drew’s Field was dedicated in honor of Drew Marlow, a two-year old that died in a 2008 auto crash.
About 1,000 students and volunteers took part in the annual Food for America program at Northview High School. The program, sponsored the National FFA Organization and conducted by the Northview FFA, gave the students a chance to learn about agriculture firsthand as they got up close and personal with farm animals, farm equipment and more.
John William Lance, 28, of Century, was sentenced to 10 years, four months and 24 days for DUI manslaughter in connection with the 2007 death of his brother, Jack Lance, 33 of Holt.
On the first to be ticketed by the new code enforcement program in Century was the town’s mayor, Freddie McCall.
Escambia County listed 22 projects on a “Project Priority List” — including a new community center and library in Molino.
Florida House and Senate committees have approved a bill proposal that would get the oil flowing again in the Jay Oil Field. The bill, sponsored in the House by Rep. Greg Evers, would provide exemptions and tax breaks to the six active oil producing companies in Florida. One of those producers is Quantum Resources in Jay.
March was time for FCAT testing at area schools
Ernest Ward Middle School held “Penny Wars” to raise funds to send veterans on an Emerald Coast Honor Flight.
Escambia School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas paid a surprise visit to Northview High School, meeting with students and faculty.
Northview High School held their first home track meet in years on their newly resurfaced track.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
2009 In Pictures: April
December 30, 2009
The annual Century Relay for Life was held.
This unique cloud formation rolled across North Escambia in late April.
An Escambia County Deputy was involved in this accident near Jay.
Enjoying a cupcake at an Easter event in Molino.
Firefighters battle a blaze that destroyed a home on Pilgrim Trail West in Molino.
Pictured above: Opening day at the Molino Ball Park.
Year In Review North Escambia’s Biggest Stories Of 2009: February
December 29, 2009
NorthEscambia.com is looking back at 2009 with our “Year in Review” series. Each day, we will review the biggest stories of 2008. Today, we take a look at the biggest stories of February 2009.
February brought bad news for Century as leaders learned that plans for the LHS EV electric vehicle manufacturing plant to be located in Century appear to be dead. The State of Florida has rejected a $2.5 million grant application from their Renewable Energy and Energy-Efficiency Technologies program. As a result, LHS EV no longer had plans to locate the plant in Century.
The Ernest Ward Middle School cheerleaders were named second best in the entire nation in Orlando in the Universal Cheerleaders Association competition.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office bike patrol took to the streets of Century for the first time. Sheriff David Morgan said it was part of his plan to have more deputies on the streets.
The manager of the Escambia Grain Corporation in Walnut Hill was trapped in a silo of soybeans for nearly three hours. He was rescued uninjured.
The Town of Century began action seeking $300,000 from the Florida Department of Corrections for water bills the town said were owed for the Century Correctional Institution.
Two pedestrians were killed and a third was injured in Cantonment at Highway 95A and Tate School Road.
Residents of Bratt got their first look at a new Bratt Community Park.
Graphics Packaging in Cantonment announced they they were cutting about 220 jobs — the first of many such announcements by businesses in the area during 2009.
Northview High School learned that the school would be unable to organize Baccalaureate services, and they turned to the community to help.
Flomaton High School Principal Scott Hammond was named the Flomaton Citizen of the Year, and Ernest Lloyd Barrow was name the Century Citizen of the Year at the Flomaton and Century Joint Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Banquet. Bud’s Refrigeration Service was named the Flomaton Business of the Year, and Whataburger was named the Century Business of the Year.
Preliminary non-football classifications released Tuesday by the Florida High School Athletic Association takes Northview High School from just four teams in their district to district with nine teams. Northview, Catholic, South Walton and Walton currently comprise a district. Under the new classifications released Tuesday, Arnold (Panama City Beach), Bay (Panama City), Bozeman (Southport), Chipley and Marianna would join Northview, Catholic, South Walton and Walton in District 1-3A.
Firefighters spent about an hour working to extinguish a fire at Escambia Grain in Walnut Hill. The fire was reported about 5:00 in a large metal grain dryer unit that towers about 60 feet into the air in front of the 100-foot high grain silos.
A Walnut Hill man, Tad Fredrick Cann, died after he struck a deer with his motorcycle near the intersection of Molino Road and Sunshine Hill Road.
A fiery crash in Flomaton claimed the lives of two men in Flomaton, and three others were critically injured. Flomaton Police Dispatcher Donna Filmore was credited with saving the lives of those that survived by pulling them from the burning wreckage at Highway 113 and Highway 31.
A column the Pensacola News Journal called NorthEscambia.com a “must-read”. “For news north of Nine Mile Road, www.northescambia.com is must-reading, occasionally even beating emergency vehicles to accident scenes,” Pensacola News Journal columnist Mark O’Brien wrote in his column.
It was announced that a Century landmark business would close. The Country Bumpkin was to be close to make way for a new thrift store.
Love was in the air at Century Care Center with the Valentine’s Day wedding of Karen Sue Coleman and Benjamin Edward Leonardi. Karen wanted her father, Floyd Coleman, to walk her down the aisle. Mr. Floyd has been a resident at Century Care for nearly six years. Rather than take him out of Century Care for the wedding, Karen decided to take the wedding to him.
Escambia County dropped out out of a $22 million deal to purchase 684 acres north of Molino near the Camp O’ the Pines for a regional police, fire and EMS training facility after Sheriff David Morgan said he wanted out of the deal.
The Town of Century entered into an agreement with Escambia County to return code enforcement to Century for the first time in years.
Two people were injured in an accident with a strange end in Davisville — one pickup truck involved in the crash ended up parked with the grocery carts inside a buggy corral at the Piggly Wiggly on Highway 97.
The top three men in Escambia County Fire Rescue were asked to resign. Fire Chief Ken Perkins and Assistant Chief Robbie Whitfield were asked to resign to by Escambia County Administrator Bob McLaughlin. Deputy Chief Kurt Isakson was out as Deputy Chief, but remained with the department as a battalion chief.
In a move that would later be reversed, the Town of Century voted to waive water bills for residents of Backwoods Road due to poor service.
The Escambia County School Board continued discussions that would eventually lead to the closure of Carver/Century K-8 School.
The Northview High School varsity boys basketball team had their hopes of a district title crushed by Catholic High School in the district tournament at NHS. The Crusaders downed Northview 70-59.
Ernest Ward Middle School Principal Nancy Gindl-Perry with presented with what was, without a doubt, the most unique award of her entire educational career. Members of the Ernest Ward FFA presented her with the “Golden Cow Dung Award”. The award featured a large piece of cow dung, painted a golden color. Perry received the award from the school’s FFA members as a “thank you” for supporting FFA.
2009 In Pictures: March
December 29, 2009
Randy Boehmer stopped in the area as he was crossing the country on a lifelong journey to spread the Gospel.
Cyndi Marlow Wendt stands alone at the dedication of Drew’s Field in Walnut Hill. The field was named in honor of her son who was killed in a 2008 auto accident.
Pitcher Mallory Ryan winds up for the Northwest Escambia Sandy Sansing team on Spring Opening Day at Bradberry Park.
A mother reacts as her daughter pets a baby crocodile during a program at the Century Branch Library.
Freedom Thomas tried to comfort her daughter Keyvinana Johnson as she cries following an Escambia County School Board meeting at Carver/Century K-8 School. The board visited the school to discuss its closure.
Century resident Annie Savage addresses the Escambia County School Board, begging the board to keep Carver/Century K-8 open. The board voted to close the school a few minutes later.
A woman stands in the rain to pray for area schools during a prayer rally at Jay High School.
We took our NorthEscambia.com cameras north in search of a March snow. Pictured above: We found a snow flurry in Greenville, Alabama.
Heavy rains flooded in Molino area in March.
Bratt Elementary Librarian Martha Jeter and her husband Gerald outside the remains of their Chumuckla home that was hit by a tornado.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
2009 In Pictures: January, February
December 28, 2009
All week, we’ll take 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 January and February.
This amazing photograph shows the moment Northview softball player Amber McMillan’s leg was broken in tournament game against Enterprise High School in Dothan, Alabama.
The driver of this pickup continued into the Piggly Wiggly parking lot in Davisville after rear-ending another pickup on Highway 97. The pickup stopped inside the buggy corral.
Fire destroyed a compact track loader in Davisville.
Several large control burns around the North Escambia area darkened the sun.
A driver plowed through a Walnut Hill cemetery after trying to miss a deer on Highway 97.
A fiery crash in Flomaton claimed the lives of two men in Flomaton, and three others were critically injured. Flomaton Police Dispatcher Donna Filmore was credited with saving the lives of those that survived by pulling them from the burning wreckage at Highway 113 and Highway 31.
Firefighters work outside of a grain silo in Walnut Hill where a man was trapped for nearly three hours. The man was rescued uninjured by an Esambia Fire Rescue Special Operations team and area firefighters.
Jared Jeter poses for a glamour shot photo at Byrneville Elementary as admiring fans look on. The photos were part of a Hollywood reading night at the school.
Emergency workers use the Jaws of Life to free the driver of this car on Highway 29 south of Molino. The AIRHeart One helicopter can be seen in the background waiting to transport the patient.
A firefighter from the Walnut Hill station of Escambia Fire-Rescue works to contain a brush fire on Arthur Brown Road just west of Pine Forest Road.
Amber Holland was named Miss Northview High School.
Participants in a Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Celebration join hands while singing “We Shall Overcome”.
Three Northview High School cheerleaders were injured in this crash.
A firefighter watches a control burn.
Ashley Cunningham is crowned Junior Miss Ernest Ward Middle School by 2008’s winner Angel Mitchell.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.