Century Celebrates Legacy Of Martin Luther King, Jr. (With Gallery)
January 17, 2017
Dozens turned out in Century Monday to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Century-Flomaton Improvement Association held their annual motorcade, ending with a program and celebration at the Ag Building. Songs, essays and speeches honored King’s memory, looked forward to the future and honored local community leaders that have passed away.
Essay contest winners were: Zipporah Harris, first place; Jalexis Robinson, second place; and Tobijah Crenshaw and Markavia Johnson, third place.
Guest speaker Pastor Booker T. Bivens of the New Life Christian Center in Flomaton addressed the group before a community lunch.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: A musical selection from members of the Pilgrim Lodge Mass Choir. Pictured inset: Essay contest winner Zipporah Harris reads her essay to the crowd. Pictured below: A MLK Day motorcade passes on Pond Street in Century Monday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Volunteer Needed For West Florida Library Board Of Governance
January 17, 2017
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking county residents interested in volunteering to be considered for an appointment to the West Florida Public Library Board of Governance.
The duties of the board include establishing policy and overseeing the management of Escambia County library services and making recommendations to the BCC regarding the annual budget according to the purposes and authority set forth in resolutions, interlocal agreements and other agreements, as well as state and federal laws. These duties also include establishing an annual plan of service and the long-range strategic planning of library services.
West Florida Public Libraries provides service to all of Escambia County, with the board typically meeting on the fourth Monday of the month from 4-6:30 p.m.
Residents interested in serving on the board are asked to submit a resume and letter indicating their desire to serve by close of business on Friday, January 20. Resumes should be submitted to Todd J. Humble, Director, West Florida Public Libraries, 239 N. Spring St., Pensacola, FL, 32502 or by email to tjhumble@mywfpl.com.
Resumes submitted to a BCC agenda for consideration will become part of the official minutes and are subject to public records requests.
Firefighters Save Building From Growing RV Fire
January 17, 2017
Firefighters were able to prevent the spread of a recreational vehicle fire to a nearby building and other vehicles Monday evening in Cantonment. The fire was reported about 5:25 p.m. in the 1600 block of Muscogee Road. Pictured above and immediately below: An unidentified man attempts to prevent the spread of an RV fire using a garden hose. Pictured bottom: The Cantonment Station of Escambia Rescue quickly extinguished the fire. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
No Injuries In Old Chemstrand Wreck
January 17, 2017
There were no serious injuries in a two vehicle wreck Monday at the intersection of Old Chemstrand Road and Highway 95A. One person was taken to the hospital for minor injuries by private vehicle. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Marked With Parade In Atmore (With Gallery)
January 17, 2017
Martin Luther King Jr. Day programs were held across the area on Monday. In Atmore, a parde wound through the streets Monday morning.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Last Man To Walk On The Moon Dies; Remembered By Local Friend
January 17, 2017
Former U.S. astronaut Gene Cernan, the last man to walk on the surface of the moon, died Monday at age 82.
Cernan was a Navy captain that trained in Pensacola. NASA chose him and 13 other astronauts for the pioneering Apollo program, created after President John F. Kennedy announced the goal of landing a man on the moon by the end of the 1960s. When Cernan stepped off the moon in December 1972, he left his footprints and his daughter’s initials in the lunar dust.
“He was very kind and enjoyed sharing his knowledge and experiences,” pilot David Gehman of Atmore said. Gehman and Cernan met a few years ago at a Learjet pilot meeting Kansas. They became friends, years after Gehman had watched him blast off of Kennedy Space Center on Apollo 17.
“He was a Navy pilot, and flew out of Pensacola. He was familiar with Atmore. We talked about having him come to Atmore but it never happened,” Gehman said.
“He was very kind and enjoyed sharing his knowledge and experiences.”
Cernan flew on Apollo 10 in May 1969, the final test flight before the actual moon landing two months later.
He was part of the last manned moon mission in December 1972 — Apollo 17.
“We had a lunar rover, we were able to cover more ground than most of the other missions. We stayed there a little bit longer. We went to a more challenging unique area in the mountains, to learn something about the history and the origin of the moon itself,” Cernan later recalled of the mission.
Just before leaving the moon as the last man to walk on it, Cernan said man would return there one day “with peace and hope.”
He was still waiting at the time of his death. Speaking on the 40th anniversary of the last mission, Cernan said he is not proud to be the last man to walk on the moon because of a fading interest in space travel.
“It is tremendously disappointing that here I am, 40 years later, and still hold that title,” he said.
Cernan retired from the Navy and NASA in 1976 and later did television commentary for early space shuttle flights.
Pictured top: Cernan on the moon. Pictured bottom: Cernan in the lunar module of Apollo 17. NASA photos, click to enlarge.
Jay Lady Royals Advance To Regional Weight Meet
January 17, 2017
Five members of the Jay High School ladies weightlifting team competed last week in Baker and advanced to regionals at Choctaw High School on Wednesday. They are (L-R) Trinity Palmer, sixth in her division; Kara Douglas, sixth in her division; Haven Target, fourth in her division; Haylee Watson, district champion in her division. Also pictured are their coaches, Melvin Kersey (left) and Hunter Wyrdoisk. Not pictured is Trinity Palmer, who placed fifth in her division.
Most Of Century Loses Power After Hit And Run Wreck
January 16, 2017
Most of the town of Century lost power this morning due to an apparent hit and run accident.
About 800 Gulf Power customers lost power about 7:15 a.m. due to an apparent hit and run accident involving a utility pole at North Century Boulevard and Hatties Boulevard. A vehicle apparently hit the pole, sending a power line across Highway 29 and damaging additional poles. North Century Boulevard was closed for an hour while crews worked to repair the dmage.
Power was restored about 8:15 a.m.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Driver Hits Semi, Fence On Highway 97 Near Walnut Hill
January 16, 2017
The driver of a Honda Passport escaped serious injury in a crash with an semi-truck Monday morning in Walnut Hill.
The driver was northbound on Highway 97 at Pelt Road when she apparently rear-ended the semi, which was making a left-hand turn onto Pelt Road. The Passport continued north, leaving the roadway and striking mailboxes and a fence, stopping short of a house. The semi came to a stop on Pelt Road.
The Passport driver was transported to Atmore Community Hospital with injuries that were not considered severe. The semi driver was not injured.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details have not been released.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Voter Registration Ends Tuesday For Century Special Primary Election
January 16, 2017
Residents of Century have until Tuesday to register to vote in a special election next month to fill two council seats.
Seat 2 on the council is currently held by Kevin Stead. Stead was appointed as the temporary replacement for Annie Savage, who passed away in late October. Savage had just been re-elected for another term beginning January 2017, so the election will fill the seat until 2021.
Seat 3 is currently held by Ben Boutwell. Boutwell was forced to resign his seat effective January 2 when he ran unsuccessfully for mayor during the recent election. But he was re-appointed as his own temporary replacement by the remainder of the council.
There will be a primary election February 14 if three or more candidates qualify for one or both seats. If no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two candidates will face off in a general election on February 28.
If only two candidates quality for one or both seats, then there will be only a general election on February 28.
Voter registration will close Tuesday for the February 14 primary election and January 30 for the special election on February 28.
Candidates interested in either seat must be a resident of Century. Pre-qualifying will continue through January 20 at the Supervisor of Elections Office. Qualifying will be held at Century Town Hall on January 23 and January 24 from 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
The qualifying fee is $35.84 (one percent of salary), plus a council fee of $15 for a total of $50.94.
If a seat is decided during the February 14 special election, swearing in will be Friday, February 24. If a seat is not decided until the February 28 election, the swearing in will be Friday, March 10.