Never Forget: First Responders Gather For 9-11 Memorial Breakfast
September 11, 2019
The sunrise Wednesday was like any other September 11 morning over the Little Escambia Baptist Church in Flomaton. A bit hazy, but a bright fiery orange with the promise of another day. Much like September 11, 2001, in New York City. And Washington. And a field in Pennsylvania.
Flomaton is a world away from the horrors that became our focus 18 years ago. But there’s a kindred spirit, a brotherhood between first responders. Police, fire, EMS – they are one, and they are there to answer the next call.
First responders from the Escambia counties in Alabama and Florida gathered Wednesday morning for the annual 9-11 Memorial Breakfast. It was a chance to remember where they were on September 11, 2001. It’s been long enough that some were not old enough to know what was unfolding. But they will never forget.
Speakers, free flags and a little sausage made for a better morning. But it was more about the hugs, the pats on the back and the fellowship of the first responder family.
As the event wound to a close, the tones went off for the Flomaton Fire Department, alerting them to an emergency call. And they left the breakfast to answer the call. That’s what first responders do. That’s what nearly 3,000 of their brothers did on September 11, 2011.
They will never forget.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Wants To Eliminate Position, Replace With Work Release Inmates
September 11, 2019
The Town of Century wants another inmate work squad from the local prison, and the town is willing to eliminate a position to pay for it.
Street Superintendent Kevin Merchant wants to eliminate a vacant budgeted position, benefits for that position and other associated costs like overtime to save about $50,000 to offset the cost of additional work release squad from Century Correctional Institution.
The work release squad would include five inmates and supervising correctional officer working in the street department. The town has budgeted an additional $10,000 to cover the shortfall from the $60,000 per year estimated cost.
The next step in the process is the creation of a contract by the Florida Department of Corrections for town approval.
Pictured. Century Correctional Institution inmates on a work detail at Nadine McCaw Park in Century. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment McDonald’s Shooting Victim Sentenced To Probation
September 11, 2019
A man shot last March the McDonald’s on Highway 29 in Cantonment has been sentenced to probation.
Judge Jeffrey Burns withheld adjudication in sentencing Roger David Madden to 12 months supervised probation on a reduced count of misdemeanor first degree battery. He was also ordered to stay away from the victims and their home and to complete anger management counseling.
Madden was originally charged with first degree felony burglary with assault or battery, which was punishable by up to life in prison.
On March 28, a dispute erupted between Madden and another man in the restaurant parking lot on Highway 29 near Old Chemstrand Road. Madden walked away from the vehicle, returned and jumped through an open driver’s side window into the vehicle, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The man inside the vehicle fired one shot in self defence, striking Madden in the arm. Madden was arrested after being released from the hospital.
There were no children present in the vehicle at the time of the shooting, but children were present on the scene.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Century Approves About $3,000 In Emergency Repairs To Collapsed Elm Street
September 11, 2019
A collapsed culvert on Elm Street is costing about $3,000 to for the Town of Century to repair.
The repair required the purchase of 40 feet of 4-foot wide corrugated pipe and asphalt. The collapse led to the closure of Elm Street from Highway 29 to Jeter Lane.
The town council approved the emergency purchase of the people and asphalt from their sales tax infrastructure fund.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary Names Students Of The Month
September 11, 2019
Bratt Elementary School has named Students of the Month for September. They are:
Pre-K
Summer Bell
Dawson Golson
Kindergarten
Lilly Harper Jacobson
Addisyn Steege
James Romans
Makenna Smith
1st Grade
Mason Wilson
Cameron Hall
Melody Sage
Paisley Emmons
2nd Grade
Audrey Franklin
Bailey Campbell
Landon Lee
Zoe Jantz
3rd Grade
Jaxon Byrd
Autumn Heist
Alexa Beasley
Sophia Ikner
Jeremiah Walker
4th Grade
Makinzi Roley
Trinity Bryan
Sawyer Gilmore
Sandra Hall
5th Grade
Mikayla McAnally
MaKayla Plato
Presley Johnson
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Schools Recognized For Helping The American Heart Association
September 11, 2019
Several Escambia County Schools were recognized by the American Heart Association Tuesday for their efforts in conducting the Kids Heart Challenge and the American Heart Challenge.
Meghan Austin,youth market director for AHA, provided awards to the top fundraising schools for 2018-2019: Holm Elementary, for raising $1,635; Molino Park Elementary, $1,701.83; Bratt Elementary, $2,449; N.B. Cook Elementary, $2,491; and Bellview Elementary on top raising $2,825. The Participation Excellence Award recognized t Beulah Elementary and Blue Angels Elementary for their participation levels.
This year’s participating schools were A.K. Suter Elementary, Bellview Elementary, Bellview Middle, Beulah Elementary, Beulah Middle, Blue Angels Elementary, Bratt Elementary, Brentwood Elementary, Byrneville Elementary, Hellen Caro Elementary, Holm Elementary, Lincoln Park Elementary, Lipscomb Elementary, McArthur Elementary, Molino Park Elementary, N.B. Cook Elementary, Oakcrest Elementary, O.J. Semmes Elementary, Pine Meadow Elementary, Ransom Middle, Warrington Elementary, and West Pensacola Elementary.
Pictured top: (L-R) Principals Melissa Groff, Bellview; Karen Hall, Bratt; Lisa Arnold, Molino Park; Terri Fina, Holm; Monica Silvers, Beulah; Jayne Murphy, Blue Angels; and Larry Knight, N.B. Cook. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Get A Special Edition Toy Story 4 Library Card This Month Only
September 11, 2019
West Florida Public Libraries are offering a special edition library card during September in honor of Library Card Sign-up Month.
The special edition card features Disney-Pixar’s “Toy Story 4” characters joining the American Library Association on an adventure to promote the value of a library card.
While library cards are always free for Escambia County residents, the usual $3 replacement fee for lost or damaged cards will be waived during the month of September as part of the celebration.
September was designated as Library Card Sign-up Month by the ALA in 1987, after then Secretary of Education William J. Bennett issued a challenge. The challenge was for a national campaign encouraging every child to obtain and regularly use a library card.
Escambia County residents can find information about getting a library card or sign up at mywfpl.com/borrow/card.
About 700 Weapons And Phones, Drugs Recovered In 300 Officer Raid On Fountain Prison
September 10, 2019
More than 300 officials from local, county and state law enforcement agencies conducted a predawn operation to remove illegal contraband from the Fountain Correctional Facility in Atmore on Monday.
The operation recovered 621 makeshift weapons, 51 contraband cell phones, 240 grams of synthetic drugs, and seven gallons of an alcoholic beverage that inmate’s refer to as julep or pruno.
The Atmore, Bay Minette, and Brewton police departments, along with the Escambia, Baldwin and county sherriff’s offices, took part in the operation. Supporting state agencies included the Alabama Pardons and Paroles, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s K-9 unit, Alabama Emergency Management Agency, and the Alabama Department of Transportation.
The agencies conducted a complete sweep of the prison including dorms that house more than 1,230 inmates. Monday’s 10-hour operation was the sixth led by the Alabama Department of Corrections’ Operations and Investigations and Intelligence Divisions.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century To Hire City Manager, Names Buz Eddy As Interim
September 10, 2019
The Century Town Council Monday night voted to a hire a town manager to run daily operations, but just how far reaching the person’s authority will be remains to be seen. The council also voted to name Buz Eddy as interim town manager until a permanent hire is made.
“I think it is absolutely necessary that y’all do this,” Eddy told the council. “I think the number of things I’ve had an opportunity to work on would just be the tip of the iceberg for someone that would actually apply for and be appointed to this position.”
Eddy told NorthEscambia.com that he does not plan to apply for the job.
He said the new city manager should be able to understand “issues very close to the operation of the town, will get to understand city facilities, city finances, making plans for the future.” He said he believes a qualified candidate would be familiar with the issues raised during a grand jury investigation earlier this year, as well as a consultant’s report on town shortcomings.
The mayor and council will decide exactly what duties the city manager will have, a job description will be created, and the position will be advertised. The resolution adopted Monday night directs town staff to prepare the official job description and begin the search.
According to the ordinance, the town’s charter allows the council to create or establish departments as deemed necessary and the mayor to hire employees with the council’s approval.
Eddy’s new title of interim city manager will be the same independent contractor basis that he he’s worked under since July 29. In August, the council authorized up to $5,000 to pay him at $35 an hour for his services.
Eddy is former city manager of Gulf Breeze from 1992-2017.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
School District Announces Superintendent Search Timeline, Online Survey
September 10, 2019
The Escambia County School District has announced a timeline leading to the selection of the first appointed school superintendent in Escambia County, and they are also asking for the public’s input.
In 2018, voters approved an appointed, rather than elected, superintendent in Escambia County. The search is being guided by the Florida School Boards Association leading up the selection of a superintendent in about one year and a November 24, 2020 start date.
The search timeline is below. The actual application period will run from April to June 2020.
The school district has also posted an online survey seeking the public’s input into the qualities needed by the next superintendent.
Malcolm Thomas, the current elected superintendent, will retire after 12 years on the job.
