Historic Marker Dedicated At Escambia County Training School Site
December 5, 2016
An official historic marker was dedicated Friday in Atmore marking the location of the former Escambia County Training School on Martin Luther King Avenue.
The site’s history dates back to 1920 when a wooden building was constructed as the Atmore Colored School, which operated until 1925. In 1926, a new wood and brick building was erected with assistance from a school fund and the community, and the school was renamed the Escambia County Training School. Current buildings on the site date from 1959, 1980 and 1981.
The school offered instruction in academic and industrial education, and the students were also active in many extracurricular activities. The Escambia County Training School’s girls’ basketball team won the state championship in 1950-1951. The boys’ football team went undefeated and was regional champions in 1965 and 1968.
The first principal of the school was Robert L. Bradley. Woodrow McCorvey, Sr. was principal when the high school was closed in 1970 due to integration.
The campus became the Escambia County Middle School for the next 30 years when a new middle school was built on North Main Street.
The Escambia County Training School site is the only location with a historic marker in the city limits of Atmore listed on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage.
For more photos from the dedication ceremony, click here.
Pictured: A historic marker was dedicated Friday at the site of the former Escambia County Training School on Martin Luther King Avenue in Atmore. Pictured inset: Louise (Lois) Montgomery was presented a certificate of recognition from Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley. She played on the Escambia County Training School’s 1950-1951 state championship basketball team. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Santa Claus To Visit Molino Branch Library Tuesday Night
December 5, 2016
Santa Claus will be in Molino Tuesday at 6 p.m. for a special Pajama Story Time with Santa at the Molino Branch Library. Children invited to wear their comfy, cozy pajamas, brink a blanket and join the library staff for a stories, milk and cookies along with a very special visit from Santa Claus. Parents are encouraged to bring their cameras.
Pictured: Santa Claus visited the Century Branch Library last week. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
December 5, 2016
Drivers will encounter traffic variations on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities next week:
Escambia County:
· Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement (U.S. 98)- The westbound outside and right turn lanes of U.S. 98 (Gregory Street), from the bridge to just east of 17th Avenue, in Pensacola will be closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 4 through Thursday, Dec. 8. The closures will allow crews to perform soil borings and locate utilities. In addition, the westbound outside lane of U.S. 98, from 17th Avenue to just west of 17th Avenue in Pensacola, will be closed during this time for the same work.
· U.S. 29 (State Road (S.R.) 95) Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to 9 Mile Road- Alternating lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. continue through the week of Sunday, Dec. 11 near the U.S. 29/9 Mile Road overpass as crews continue to work on barrier wall installation and preparation for the bridge construction. Also during this time, alternating closures are expected for north and southbound lanes on U.S. 29 just north of the I-10 Interchange as crews perform milling operations.
· 9 Mile Road (S.R. 10/U.S. 90A) Widening from Pine Forest to U.S. 29- Intermittent lane closures continue on Untreiner Avenue from 9 Mile Road to Powell Street between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. as crews lay additional asphalt for an upcoming traffic shift. Once paving is complete, traffic will be shifted eastward onto the temporary asphalt as crews begin drainage improvements on the west side of Untreiner Avenue.
· Fairfield Drive (S.R. 727/295) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway to North Pace Boulevard- Intermittent and alternating lane closures between Mobile Highway and North Pace Boulevard between 8:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. as crews perform paving operations.
· East Cervantes Street (S.R. 10A) Utility Work at 16th Street in Pensacola- Eastbound outside, right lane will be closed at 16th Street from 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8 to 5 a.m. Friday, Dec. 9 and Thursday, Dec. 15 to 5 a.m. Friday, Dec. 16 as crews perform underground utility work and roadway repairs.
· I-10/U.S. 29 Interchange Improvements Phase I- East and westbound lane closures near U.S. 29 (Exits 10A and 10B) from 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10 to 8 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 11 as crews perform pipe repairs.
Santa Rosa County:
· S.R. 87 Parade from Caroline Street to Dogwood Drive- Stewart Street (S.R. 87) will be closed to traffic between Caroline Street (U.S. 90) and Dogwood Drive in Milton from 5:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 for parade festivities. Traffic will be detoured. Law enforcement will be on site to assist with traffic control.
· Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement (U.S. 98) – The westbound outside lane of U.S. 98 between Wayside Park and the bridge in Gulf Breeze will be closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 4 through Thursday, Dec. 8. The closures will allow crews to perform soil borings and locate utilities.
· I-10 Resurfacing from east of S.R. 87 to the Okaloosa County Line- Intermittent and alternating inside lane closures between the S.R. 87 interchange and the Okaloosa County line from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 4 through Thursday, Dec.8 as crews mill and pave. Motorists are reminded the speed limit is reduced to 60 MPH within the lane closure
· U.S. 90 Routine Bridge Inspection over White River- Westbound lane closure, 1.4 miles east of the Santa Rosa /Escambia County line, from 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5 to 5 a.m. Dec. 6 as crews perform a routine bridge inspection.
· I-10 Routine Bridge Inspection over Blackwater River- Westbound lane closure, four miles west of S.R. 87 (Exit 31), from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5 as crews perform a routine bridge inspection.
· U.S. 90 Soil Sample Removal from Bell Lane to Avalon Boulevard- Intermittent east and westbound turn lane restrictions between Bell Lane and Avalon Boulevard from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5 through Thursday, Dec. 8 and Monday, Dec. 12 through Thursday, Dec. 15 as crews core samples of the roadway from the medians.
· S.R. 87 Widening from two miles south of the Yellow River to Hickory Hammock Road (County Road 184)- Intermittent lane closures near the north and south ends of the Yellow River Bridge from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. the week of Monday, Dec. 5 as crews prepare to shift traffic to the west for widening work.
· I-10 Routine Bridge Inspection over Blackwater River- Eastbound lane closure, four miles west of S.R. 87 (Exit 31) from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6 as crews perform a routine bridge inspection.
Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through the construction zone, and to pay attention for workers and equipment entering and exiting the work area. All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling in a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Jim Allen Elementary Names Students Of The Month
December 5, 2016
Jim Allen Elementary School has named Students of the Month for November. They are Addison Everette (left) and D’Shayla James. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lightning Strike Damages Homes; Sparks Pole Fire; Thousands Lose Power
December 4, 2016
A lightning strike caused damage at two homes on Chippewa Way Sunday morning and sparked a utility pole fire in Molino as thousands lost power in North Escambia.
Lightning apparently struck a home in the 11000 block of Chippewa Way just before 9:30 a.m. causing minor damage. The next door neighbor’s home also suffered damage to electronic items such as televisions.
There were no injuries reported.
Lightning also believed to be responsible for a transformer and utility pole fire on Molino road near the fire station about 10:15 Sunday morning. Gulf Power reported just four customers left without power as a result. About 10:45 Sunday morning, over 2,000 Gulf Power customers lost power in the Molino, Barth and Quintette areas due to another lightning strike.
Sunday afternoon, about 250 Escambia River Electric Cooperative customers lost power between two outages in Bratt and Nokomis for up to about three hours.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Suspect On The Run After Shooting At Police Officer
December 4, 2016
Pensacola Police are searching for a man who shot at an officer and then ran from the scene late Friday night.
The officer – Matthew Mercado – was not injured in the incident, which occurred in the area of Torres Avenue and Tunis Street.
The incident occurred during a Violent Crime Suppression Operation, which had additional officers saturating known problem areas. Since September, the city has experienced an increase in gun related crimes.
Around 10:30 p.m. Friday, officers responded to Highland Drive after a male confronted a resident while armed with a handgun. The woman said the male approached her vehicle after she backed out of a driveway, and confronted her while holding the gun. Fearing for her safety, she accelerated her vehicle to escape and the man fled. Mercado found the suspect on Sixth Avenue near Tunis Street.
The suspect turned toward Mercado, fired one shot and fled the area on foot.
Sgt. Stephen Bauer, who is coordinating the operation for the department, said the suspect is wanted for attempted murder on the officer and aggravated assault. The suspect was described as a black male, thin build and wearing dark pants and a dark jacket with a hood.
During a K-9 track for the suspect, officers smelled marijuana coming from a residence in the 3000 block of North Torres Avenue.
A search of the home resulted in the seizure of six firearms – one of which was stolen – and approximately 425 grams of marijuana. One person was arrested for possession of marijuana with intent to sell and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Also during the operation, officers saw several people gambling in the area of the Fricker Center, 900 North F St. Two males were charged with possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana and gambling.
The suspect in the shooting was not located.
The Violent Crime Suppression Operation lasted approximately 11 hours, and will continue for the foreseeable future.
Anyone having information on the attempted murder of the police officer is asked to contact the Pensacola Police Department at 435 – 1900 or Crime Stoppers at 433 – STOP. Callers can remain anonymous.
Firefighters Battle Two Wildland Fires Near Cantonment
December 4, 2016
Firefighters from multiple department battled two wildland fires in the Cantonment area Saturday night.
The Florida Department of Forestry estimated the first fire off Quintette Road to be 15 acres. The forest service had a tractor/plow on the ground by 7:30 p.m. and reported to have control of the fire by 7:53. The fire was contained by8:38 p.m.
The fire burned in an area bordered roughly by Quintette Road, the eastern end of South Chipper Road and Frank Ard Road.
The second fire on Branch Cross off River Annex Road burned about two acres. Firefighters from Escambia Fire Rescue brought the fire under control, while the Florida Division of Forestry plowed a line around the blaze.
There was no word on what sparked either blaze. There were no injuries, and no structures were damaged. A burned-out pickup truck was found in the woods following the first fire.
Pictured top and below: A wildland fire burn about 15 acres Saturday night in a wooded area off Quintette Road in Cantonment. Pictured below: A truck found burned out in a wooded area. Pictured bottom: Firefighters stand by to protect several home on Frank Road. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge. Pictured inset: A wildland fire burns on River Branch Saturday night. Reader submitted photo by Crystal Croll, click to enlarge.
Molino Holds Annual Christmas Parade (With Photo Gallery)
December 4, 2016
The annual Molino Christmas Parade was held Saturday morning on Crabtree Church Road. After the parade, Santa Claus met with lots of good boys and girls at the Molino Ballpark.
Sponsored by the Molino Recreation Association, proceeds from the parade are used to benefit needy children in the Molino area during the Christmas season.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: The annual Molino Christmas Parade Saturday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino’s Parker Wins Snowball Derby Pro Truck Race
December 4, 2016
Jarrett Parker of Molino took the win in the Snowball Derby Beef O’ Brady’s Pro Truck 50 Saturday night at 5 Flags Speedway. Saturday night was Parker’s 10th start of the year and fourth and largest win.
Parker’s #46 Grocery Advantage truck sports a “NE/NorthEscambia.com” logo by each door.
Pictured: Jarrett Parker (left) wins the Snowball Derby Beef O’ Brady’s Pro Truck 50 Saturday night. Photo courtesy 5 Flags Speedway for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Superheroes, Firefighters Hold Annual Toy Drive
December 4, 2016
The heroes of the Atmore Fire Department has a little superhero help Saturday for the their Annual Firefighters Christmas Toy Drive at Walmart. The firefighters, along with the likes of Batman, Superman and Captain America were even joined by the Grinch in collecting toys for needy children this Christmas. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
