USDA Presents Century $1.7 Million Loan Check
May 23, 2008
The Town of Century received a ceremonial check for almost $1.78 million Thursday for infrastructure improvements.
The money, a loan from the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development, will be used for a half million gallon elevated water storage tank, three back up generators, construction of a new six inch water main and a booster pump station.
“It is to extend our future in the town; it is for our future,” Mayor Freddie McCall said of the $1,755,000 loan.
The new six inch water main is planned for the Backwoods Road area, where 27 homes are currently on a two inch water pipe that was originally installed for just three houses.
“The people on Backwoods are suffering right now because they don’t have enough water,” McCall said.
“USDA Rural Development is working with communities across Florida to safeguard the health and safety of residents,” Rural Development State Director Ronald Whitfield said. “Rural Development is pleased to be a part of this vital partnership with the Town of Century.”
The Century Town Council has not yet actually entered into the loan agreement with Rural Development. The town will receive the actual funds when the loan is approved by the council.
Pictured above, left to right: Century Town Council members Anne Brooks, Sharon Scott and Nadine McCaw; Mayor Freddie McCall; USDA Rural Development State Director Ronald Whitfield; Dale Long from Fabre Engineering; USDA Area Specialist Kathy Bechard; and New Life Baptist Church Pastor Irvin Stallworth.
Pictured below: USDA Rural Development State Director Ronald Whitfield presents a ceremonial $1,755,000 check to Century Mayor Freddie McCall.
NorthEscambia.com photos.
Local Piano Students Receive Awards
May 23, 2008
Piano teacher Laura Godwin’s annual piano recital was held recently at the First Baptist Church of Atmore.
Many of her students were presented with different awards. From the North Escambia area, Liberty Peebles received the “Most Improved Award”. Jadlyn Agerton and Reagon Bell both received the “Practice Award”.
Pictured above, left to right: Jadlyn Agerton, Laura Godwin and Reagan Bell. Pictured below: Jadlyn Agerton and Reagan Bell with their awards. Submitted photos from NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
3rd Grade FCAT Scores Are Good News For North Escambia Schools
May 22, 2008
The third grade reading and math FCAT scores were released yesterday by the state, and they are good news for North Escambia schools, including Carver/Century K-8.
All four of the elementary schools in North Escambia posted gains in the percent of third grade students scoring a 3 or more on the math FCAT. A score of 3 is considered to be grade level. Carver/Century over doubled their percentage score over last year, while Bratt, Byrneville and Molino Park posted moderate percentage gains. Carver/Century’s percentage gain on the math FCAT was the second highest in the county.
On the third grade reading FCAT, Carver/Century’s percentage with a passing score soared, over doubling last year’s percentage. Their gains were percentage wise the highest in the county. Bratt and Byrneville experienced slight declines in their scores, while Molino Park held steady on the percent of students scoring a three or more.
On the math FCAT, 93 percent of Byrneville third grade students scored a three or higher. At Bratt, 86 percent scored a three plus. At Molino Park, that number was 84 percent, and at Carver/Century was 58 percent. That 58 percent at Carver/Century represents a huge increase over their 24 percent score last year, and it was the highest percentage increase in Escambia County. The state average was 76 percent.
On the third grade reading FCAT, both Bratt and Bryneville elementary schools had a slight decrease in their percentage passing to 83 percent. At Molino Park, 76 percent of third graders scored a 3 or higher, and at Carver/Century, that number was 63 percent. In Escambia County, five elementary schools scored better, by just a few percentage points, than Bratt and Bryneville. The state average was 72 percent.
- Click here for Bratt Elementary FCAT results.
- Click here for Byrneville Elementary FCAT results.
- Click here for Carver/Century FCAT results.
- Click here Molino Park FCAT results.
Bratt 3rd Grade FCAT Results Mixed
May 22, 2008
Bratt Elementary school third graders improved the school’s scores on recent FCAT math test, with 86 percent of them scoring at grade level or above, while the school’s third grade reading scores dropped slightly t0 83 percent at or above grade level.
A score of 3.0 on both the reading and math FCAT is considered to be grade level.
Last year, 84 percent of the Bratt third grade students scored a 3.0 or more in math, and 84 percent were at 3.0 or more in reading.
Of the 64 third grade students taking the math FCAT at Bratt, six percent scored a 5 or higher. Thirty percent scored between 4 and 5, and 50 percent scored between 3 and 4. Nine percent of the students scored 2-3, and five percent scored a 1.
Of the 64 third grade students taking the reading FCAT at Bratt, nine percent scored a 5 or higher. Twenty-eight percent scored between 4 and 5, and 45 percent scored between 3 and 4. Thirteen percent of the students scored 2-3, and five percent scored a 1.
Molino Park Improves On 3rd Grade Math FCAT
May 22, 2008
Molino Park Elementary school third graders improved the school’s scores on recent FCAT math test, with 84 percent of them scoring at grade level or above, while the school’s third grade reading scores held steady at 76 percent at or above grade level.
A score of 3.0 on both the reading and math FCAT is considered to be grade level.
Last year, 78 percent of the Molino Park third grade students scored a 3.0 or more in math, and 73 percent were at 3.0 or more in reading.
Of the 96 third grade students taking the math FCAT at Molino Park, 16 percent scored a 5 or higher. Forty-two percent scored between 4 and 5, and 27 percent scored between 3 and 4. Nine percent of the students scored 2-3, and six percent scored a 1.
Of the 96 third grade students taking the reading FCAT at Park, three percent scored a 5 or higher. Thirty-two percent scored between 4 and 5, and 41 percent scored between 3 and 4. Eleven percent of the students scored 2-3, and thirteen percent scored a 1.
Bryneville 3rd Grade FCAT Results Impressive
May 22, 2008
Bryneville Elementary school third graders improved the school’s scores on recent FCAT math test, with 93 percent of them scoring at grade level or above, while the school’s third grade reading scores dropped slightly t0 83 percent at or above grade level.
The school’s third grade math FCAT scores were the third highest in the county.
A score of 3.0 on both the reading and math FCAT is considered to be grade level.
Last year, 89 percent of the Byrneville third grade students scored a 3.0 or more in math, and 85 percent were at 3.0 or more in reading.
Of the 29 third grade students taking the math FCAT at Byrneville, an impresseive 24 percent scored a 5 or higher. Thirty-four percent scored between 4 and 5, and 34 percent scored between 3 and 4. Seven percent of the students scored 2-3, and no student scored a 1.
Of the 29 third grade students taking the reading FCAT at Byrneville, seven percent scored a 5 or higher. Forty-one percent scored between 4 and 5, and 34 percent scored between 3 and 4. Seventeen percent of the students scored 2-3, and no student scored a 1.
Helicopter Technologies Building Up For Sale For $1.75 Million; Century Council Member Upset
May 22, 2008
The building occupied by Helicopter Technologies in the Century Industrial Park has been listed for sale for $1.75 million, and that has one Century councilman upset.
“He’s trying to sell the property out from under our noses,” Councilman Henry Hawkins said of Georges Van Nevel and Helicopter Technologies.
Helicopter Technologies was raided by federal agents back in January, and then fell behind on is payments to the town for the building. Van Nevel then agreed to a new payment plan proposed by the town, according to Mayor Freddie McCall, and he has stuck to that plan, making payments as agreed.
The real estate listings for the “immaculate office/warehouse building” were placed on February 5 of this year according to data in the PensacolaMLS, the official site of the Pensacola Association of Realtors. It is listed with NAI Halford Commercial Estate with agent Theresa Ritchie. It is also listed on commercial real estate website loopnet.com.
Click here to see the Loopnet.com listing for the building (pdf).
“It was brought up last year why we sell, not lease,” Hawkins said. “We should never sell property in the industrial park. We should hire a real estate agent to straighten this mess out.”
According to documents obtained by NorthEscambia.com, the property was sold by the Town of Century on January 19, 2001, for the sum of $10 “and other good and valuable consideration” to Helicopter Technologies, Inc. It was signed by then-mayor Benny Barnes.
Click here to read the $10 sale document (pdf).
On January 23, 2001, a mortgage agreement was entered into by the Town of Century and Helicopter Technologies for $420,000 according to additional documents obtained by NorthEscambia.com. That mortgage is why Helicopter Technologies is currently making payments to the town each month.
“We need to pull the contract,” Hawkins said. “He has already defaulted. We need to lease the property while we have the chance.”
“We have entered into another agreement, have we not?” council member Anne Brooks asked McCall.
“Yes,” McCall answered.
“As long as he is living up to it, I don’t think we should turn our backs on that agreement,” Brooks said.
Searching records at the Escambia County Clerks office where mortgages and other real estate documents are normally officially filed, NorthEscambia.com was unable to locate any recent formal legal agreement between the Town of Century and Helicopter Technologies.
“I’m sticking to my guns,” Hawkins said. “We need to do something now. We need to lease not sell property.”
Attempts to reach Helicopter Technologies for comment were unsuccessful.
Pictured above: The ad listing the Helicopter Technologies building for sale for $1.75 million. Pictured below: The interior on the Helicopter Technologies building in the Century Industrial Park. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photo.
Traffic Count Underway Around Hwy 4, Jefferson After Fatal Wreck
May 22, 2008
The Florida Department of Transportation is conducting a traffic count survey around the site of a traffic crash that claimed three lives in Century April 11.
The DOT is conducting the count around the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Highway 4 as part of study to determine if a flashing caution light is needed at the intersection.
Brush has been cleared away from the intersection and “Caution Stop Ahead” signs have been ordered, according to Century Mayor Freddie McCall.
Pictured above: A truck passes over traffic counting system installed on Highway 4 in Century between Highway 29 and Jefferson Avenue.
Century High School Class of ‘61 Donates To Library
May 22, 2008
The Century High School Class of 1961 decided to do a little something to give back to the community, and that decision led to a $700 donation to the Century Branch Library Wednesday morning.
Librarian Patricia Rigel said the money would likely be used toward children’s programs and items at the library.
NorthEscambia.com photos.
Carver/Century Celebrates Huge FCAT Gains
May 22, 2008
The school day at Carver/Century K-8 School was interrupted Wednesday by “Mission Impossible” playing over the speaker system and an announcement by the principal that had cheers and screams of excitement resounding across the school.
The cause for the excitement? The third grade reading and math FCAT scores were released Wednesday, and Carver/Century Principal Jeff Garthwaite was pleased. Beyond pleased.
The Escambia County school that had the largest percent of students improving on the reading FCAT? Carver/Century K-8. The Escambia County school with almost the largest number of students improving on the math FCAT? Carver/Century K-8.
“We celebrated,” a happy Garthwaite told NorthEscambia.com Wednesday afternoon. “When we announced to the school that we had the highest percent increases in the county, you could hear the cheers throughout the school. We are very happy today.”
The school was hit with a double blow earlier in the month with poor results on the writing FCAT and an announcement that School Superintendent Jim Paul had targeted the school for closure before the next school year. Just last week at a school board workshop, Paul said one reason he targeted the school was due to its continued poor performance.
“It certainly is cause to revisit and rethink closing Carver/Century,” Garthwaite said of the FCAT scores released Wednesday. “This is certainly a reason not to give up on this school.”
“This is an indicator that the school is doing what we need to be doing,” he said.
As for the song “Mission Impossible”, it has become a theme song of sorts for the school with a twist on the words to “Mission Possible”.
Pictured above: Students at Carver/Century about to take the FCAT.