Government Consolidation Panel To Meet Today In Century
October 6, 2009
The full 25-member Escambia County Consolidation Study Commission will meet this afternoon at 5:30 in Century, and Century’s mayor is encouraging the public to attend and let their voice be heard in the process.
“I want everyone to come out and speak against it,” Century Mayor Freddie McCall said. “I hear that they are stacking the audience with their people to speak in favor of it, and I am not in favor of it.” McCall added that he was speaking for himself personally, not officially for town, in his opposition to consolidation.
The Commission is expected to continue discussions of major questions concerning consolidation, discuss the drafting of preliminary legislation, hear reports of sub-committees and special advisory committees and conduct a public forum
The 25-member Commission, composed of appointees from various governmental bodies throughout Escambia County, as well as appointees from other stakeholder groups, was formed after the Florida Legislature approved a commission to study various unified forms of government. The Commission is expected to issue a report by the end of the year. Should a unified form of government be recommended, that question would be expected be put before the voters of Escambia County in 2010.
The meeting will be held at the Century Agricultural Building on West Highway 4, just west of Industrial Boulevard.
County’s Top Code Enforcer Questioned By Century Council
October 6, 2009
The Century Town Council met with the county’s top code enforcer Monday night to clarify several issues that the town had questioned.
At a public meeting two weeks ago, the town came under fire for publishing a list of alleged code violators in a display advertisement in the Tri-City Ledger newspaper. One man claimed that his listed property was not in the town limits, and another presented what he said was documentation that he had complied to code enforcement’s requests as of last March.
Sandra Slay, chief of the county’s code enforcement division, told the council that property belonging to a John Stallworth that was listed in the newspaper did not belong to the John Stallworth that was at the meeting two weeks ago. Instead, she said, it belongs to a John McDuffy Stallworth in Ohio.
As for Herman Pleasant’s claim at the last code meeting that he had complied with code enforcement last March, Slay said that he was on the list printed in newspaper by mistake.
Slay said someone new had taken over the list and inadvertently did not remove Pleasant’s name.
“She did not double check to see it was open,” Slay said of the code enforcement employee that did not remove the complaint from the list provided to the town.
But she said those type mistakes do not send the wrong people to court over code violations.
“We’ve got three sets of eyes looking at the list before they go to court,” Slay said, adding that violations are checked and photographed the day prior to a court hearing just to make sure the violation has not been abated before it goes to the magistrate for an $1,100 hearing.
One Century resident said he would like code enforcement officers to provide something in writing when a problem is abated.
“I think they need to give you something when you finish the work,” Leola Robinson said. “I don’t want to go to Pensacola to get a piece of paper.”
Slay that anyone with a cleared code enforcement citation can call and request the department mail a printout showing the case is closed, or they can request such a printout from a code enforcement officer.
Ann Brooks, council president, requested that Slay provide another list that could be printed in the weekly Flomaton newspaper. Slay said she would double-check a list and email it to the mayor and council members.
Also during the meeting, Slay cleared up a few points about how code enforcement works:
- Abandoned vehicles: “You have to be able to get in, crank it up and move it forward and backward,” she said. Insurance and tags are not required.
- If a vehicle is being repaired, the owner must show an honest attempt to be undertaking the repair.
- Inoperable vehicles can be kept in the backyard of a piece of property behind a properly constructed six-foot high privacy fence. The property fence requirement does not apply if the property is greater than three acres.
- Written citations in Century provide the owner 30 days to rectify the problem, whereas the residents in the rest of the county are given citations that state 10 days.
Slay said she is in Century every Wednesday, and that she rides with Century Councilman Henry Hawkins until she gets “about 20 complaints” to turn over to her officers.
Pictured top: Sandra Slay, chief of the county’s code enforcement division, addressed the Century Town Council Monday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Oprah Winfrey Show On Billings Murder, Family To Air Wednesday With Daughter, Sheriff
October 6, 2009
An Oprah Winfrey show with Ashley Markham, daughter of murder victims Byrd and Melanie Billings, and Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan is scheduled to air nationwide Wednesday afternoon. The show was taped September 24.
Markham, her husband James, and Robert Beasley, their attorney, were in Chicago for the taping. The sheriff taped his portion of the program via the Skype Internet video chat program from his office in Pensacola.
The show “Oprah Exclusive: Inside the Home of the Florida Massacre” will air locally on WALA FOX 10 at 4 p.m Wednesday.
Pictured above: Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan waits to film a segment on the Oprah Winfrey show via an Internet teleconference from his office September 24. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Answering The Call: Flomaton Fire Dept. Teaches Safety
October 6, 2009
For over a quarter century, the Flomaton Fire & Rescue Department has answered the call for fire prevention education in town’s schools.
“Attention all Station 32 firemen, report to the elementary school,” was the emergency traffic heard on fire radios around Flomaton Monday morning. When firemen arrived, they were not faced with a fire, but with teaching Flomaton Elementary School students about fire safety. From “stop, drop and roll” to smoke alarms, children learned from Flomaton’s first responders.
In addition to Flomaton Elementary, the Flomaton Fire Department also presented their fire safety program at the Flomaton First Baptist Church Daycare. Monday’s events were part of National Fire Prevention Week activities.
Picture top: A member of Flomaton Fire & Rescue demonstrates how to “stop, drop and roll” Monday morning at Flomaton Elementary School. Pictured below: A fire prevention program was also presented at the Flomaton First Baptist Church Daycare. Submitted photos by Christine Stanton for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hot Pursuit To Benefit Youth Ranch
October 6, 2009
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Second Annual ‘In Hot Pursuit’ 5K will be held this Saturday at Pensacola Beach.
All proceeds from the race will go to support the Florida Sheriff’s Association Youth Ranches, an organization dedicated to the prevention of juvenile delinquency and the production of strong, lawful and productive citizens for our community.
There will be a fun beach course, great prizes, red beans and rice at the finish line, and medals for the winners.
The race will start at 8 a.m. near the Pavilion on Pensacola Beach. Pre-registration is $17.00 through Friday October 9. Day of the race registration is $25. Register online at www.active.com or download a printable form at escambiaso.com. For more information, contact Sgt. Ted Roy at (850) 554-1358.
Homeschooled Kids & Co. Visit Railroad Museum
October 6, 2009
Homeschooled Kids & Company visited the West Florida Railroad Museum in Milton recently.
Once a fully functioning train depot around the turn of the century, now stands a historic museum offering our group a look into the past. We received a guided tour through a 1951 L&N freight car, a 1934 Frisco caboose, a 1951 Pullman boxcar, and ending with a ride on an outdoor 1-1/2 inch scale model railroad.
The bridge tender’s house contains a functioning HO scale model layout of the Milton Railroad Service as it once was around the 1940’s. The group enjoyed watching the numerous trains move along the track while noticing the tiny details in the scene. Some of the kids noticed a tiny scale model of a person swimming inside of the water tank used to refill the steam engines.
The cargo loading side of the depot is full of relics such as original conductor’s caps, railroad signs, track repair tools, baggage trolleys, fire suppression bulbs, and lots more. The passenger side of the depot is full of antiquated treasures like a telegraph machine. We ended our tour with lunch in the 1929 L&N Dining car and a trip through the gift shop.
HK&C would like to thank the volunteers, who operate the West Florida Railroad Museum, for spending the afternoon with us, especially our tour guide Mr. George Wilson. The museum is celebrating it’s 100th year anniversary with a festival on October 17th and 18th. They will host heritage vendors and exhibits, a Civil War Reenactment, historian Mr. Raymon Melvin Turpentine, basket weaver Mr. Ned Wenick, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida, and many more. Admission through the museum is based on a tax-deductible donation to support the museum. This would be a great outing for the whole family and railroad enthusiasts. For more information call (850) 501-6249 or visit www.wfrm.org.
Pictured top: Riding on the scale model railroad — (front to back) Elijah Kimbrel, Noah Kimbrel, Justus Zundel, Logan Tieppo, Gavyn Tieppo, Micaiah “Kia” Zundel (waving), Canaan Zundel. Pictured inset: Climbing up to the once used cupola in the 1934 caboose — (bottom of ladder) Canaan Zundel, Gavyn Tieppo, Justus Zundel (top left) and Elijah Kimbrel (top right). Pictured bottom: (top of stairs left to right) Tyler Presley , Lanita Pfeffer, (next step) Micaiah “Kia” Zundel, Canaan Zundel, parent Kristina Kimbrel, Tanner Pfeffer, Logan Tieppo, Justus Zundel, parent Melissa Tieppo, (front) Elijah Kimbrel, Noah Kimbrel, (left) Gavyn Tieppo. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Volleyball: Northview Chiefs Take On Baldwin County
October 6, 2009
Northview’s varsity and junior varsity volleyball teams fell to visiting Baldwin County High School Monday afternoon.
Click here for a photo gallery from the JV game.
Northview Vs BCHS – Varsity
15-25, 12-25, 21-25
*BCHS winning
Shawna Montgomery 11 M Kills-15
Caitlin Hall 12 Setter Assists– 25, Digs-1, Blocks – 1
Angela Rodriguez 12 LS/Middle Kills-5, Digs -4, Aces-1
Shaniqua Jones 11 Middle Kills – 5, Aces-1
Record – Overall – 4 -12; District 2 -3
Northview Vs BCHS – JV
15-25, 25-21, 10-15
*BCHS winning
Trestine Dean 11 Setter Assists – 4, Blocks -1
Morgan Payne 09 Middle/Setter Aces – 3, Kills -5, Blocks-2
Josie Doucette 10 Middle Kills – 5, Digs -1
Pictured: Josie Doucette up to the net for the JV Northview Chiefs Monday afternoon against visiting Baldwin County High School. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Child Porn Sentencing Delayed For Former Century Correctional Sergeant
October 5, 2009
Sentencing has been delayed for the former Century Correctional Institution sergeant that pleaded guilty to federal child pornography charges.
Paul Edward Black, 42, of Century, entered the guilty plea in federal court back in July. He now faces a term of up to ten years in prison, a $250,000 fine and a lifetime of supervised release. He was scheduled to be sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge Casey Rogers, but the sentencing was continued until mid-November after a motion was filed by Black’s attorney, Thomas S. Keith.
Keith told the court in a motion to continue sentencing that Black is undergoing counseling at Cordova Counseling as a condition of his release. About a month ago, according to the motion, Black’s lawyer asked the counselor to provide a detailed evaluation of Black to possibly be used at the sentencing hearing.
Black’s motion asked that sentencing be continued until October 19 to allow the doctor time to complete the evaluation report.
Deputies seized a laptop computer, desktop computer and 56 CD’s from Black’s residence while he was at work at the Century Correctional facility. When sheriff’s investigators later interviewed Black at CCI, he admitted to searching the Internet for child pornography, according to federal court documents, and admitted to specific search terms that he used such as “teen”, “lolita”, “PTHC” and “Bambina”.
“A forensic review of his electronic media located images and videos of child pornography on his laptop and desktop,” federal court documents signed by Black state. “A review of the compact disks (CD’s) revealed the same.”
Arrest Warrant Issued For Century Man After He No-Shows In Court On Indecent Exposure Charges
October 5, 2009
An arrest warrant has been issued for a Century man who failed to show up in court on charges that he showed private body parts to three people — including two underage juveniles.
Ronald Berlan Newton, 48, of Blackmon Street, Century, was due to appear before Circuit Court Judge Jan Shackelford on one charge of indecent exposure and two counts of lewd and lascivious behavior by a person over 18 on a victim under 16 years old. He was released on $21,000 bond.
When he failed to appear, the judge issued a warrant for his arrest.
Newton was arrested September 2 after allegedly exposing himself to an adult female and two female juveniles. Newton, according to the arrest report, approached the woman and asked for change for a $20 bill. As the woman went to get the change, according to the report, Newton, who was dressed in a white robe, exposed himself. When questioned by deputies, Newton denied the accusations against him.
Anyone with information about Newton is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at 436-9620.
Weekend In 500 Photos
October 5, 2009
If you missed NorthEscambia.com this weekend, you missed over 500 photos from area events.
Peanuts, a parade, a football game, cheerleaders, a band and a homecoming queen and her court — they are all in our photo galleries: