Flood Advisory Until 8 pm
August 4, 2009
The National Weather Service in Mobile has issued an
* urban and small stream flood advisory for…
central Escambia County in northwest Florida…
east central Baldwin County in southwest Alabama…
* until 800 PM CDT
* National Weather Service meteorologists found heavy rain occurring
in a thunderstorm located in south central Mobile County in the
vicinity of Tillmans Corner. The storm was producing heavy rain up
to 5 inches per hour.
Precautionary/preparedness actions…
Motorists should be cautious for ponding of water on roadways
especially on highways where sudden hydroplaning can occur at speed.
Most flood deaths occur in automobiles. Never drive your vehicle
into areas where the water covers the roadway. Flood waters are
usually deeper than they appear. Just one foot of flowing water is
powerful enough to sweep vehicles off the Road. When encountering
flooded roads make the smart choice… turn around… dont drown.
Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause elevated levels on
small creeks and streams… and ponding of water in urban areas…
highways… streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage
areas and low lying spots.
Three Injured In North Century Blvd. Accident
August 4, 2009
Three people were injured in a two vehicle accident on North Century Boulevard Tuesday afternoon.
The accident happened in front of Whataburger, just south of East Highway 4 about 2:50 p.m.
A jeep and a Ford Taurus collided, causing the car to flip in the northbound lanes of North Century Boulevard. Three people — an adult and two children –were transported by ambulance to Jay Hospital. Their conditions were not available. The driver of the Jeep pulled into the parking lot of Southern Treasures (pictured left).
The occupants of the Taurus were briefly trapped; firefighters were forced to use the Jaws Of Life to free them from their vehicle.
Traffic on North Century Boulevard was complete blocked both north and southbound for about half an hour due to the accident.
The Century, McDavid and Molino stations of Escambia Fire-Rescue, Escambia Fire-Rescue Engine 519 and Engine 1819, and the Flomaton Fire Department were dispatched to the call. Escambia County EMS, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department and the Florida Highway Patrol also responded.
The accident is still under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The names of those involved in the accident have not been released.
Pictured above and below: A two vehicle accident left three people injured Tuesday afternoon on North Century Boulevard at Whataburger. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Attempted Robbery At Century Bar Leaves Bandit Empty-Handed
August 4, 2009
Authorities are searching for the man the attempted to rob a Century bar late Monday night.
The attempted robbery happened just before 11 p.m. at Odom’s Bar on East State Line Road at the Alabama/Florida line. Authorities said a black male displayed a handgun in an attempt to rob the business at the drive-thru, but he fled on foot without getting any money.
The black male was described as being about 5-foot 6-inches tall and weighing about 200 pounds. The clerk told deputies the would-be robber was wearing dark clothing, and his face was covered with a bandana as he displayed a silver handgun.
Deputies from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department were on the scene in less than five minutes. They searched the area but were unable to locate the suspect.
Anyone with information on this crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 433-STOP or the Escambia Sheriff’s Office at 436-9620.
Men Busted For Stealing Dresses To Wear Themselves; Two Nearly Died In Fiery Flomaton Wreck
August 4, 2009
Two Escambia County men and two women have been busted for stealing dresses to use in a nightclub drag performance. Two of the men were survivors of a fiery February crash in Flomaton that killed two other men on the way back from a cross-dressing drag performance in Montgomery.
Males Maurice Tremane Williams, 18, and Richard Jesse Beverly II, 19, and female Kendrick Demetris Meshea Barren, 21, were arrested by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department and are facing charges of burglary, grand theft and criminal mischief. A fourth suspect is being charged as well, but investigators have not released the person’s identity because they are currently cooperating and helping to clear several burglaries.
Beginning in June, the sheriff’s department said 19 hair and nail salons were targeted by the four who would break out the front window, enter the store and target the cash register. A number of bridal stores were also targeted, with up to 350 dresses stolen. In all, investigators believe the suspects were involved in the burglaries of about 30 businesses.
Last week, Escambia investigators recovered 96 formal and wedding dresses valued at $30,000 from Barren and Willams’ apartment, the sheriff’s department said. Investigators said they were stealing the dresses to perform in a cross-dressing drag show at a downtown nightclub. Investigator Joanna Wilson estimated that between 200 and 250 dresses could still be recovered as the investigation continues.
On June 3, Jim’s Computers in Ensley was targeted by the suspects, according to the sheriff’s department. Video surveillance from the store captured the suspects as they targeted another store in the same strip shopping center on June 28. The Pensacola Police Department and Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office were able to work with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department to identify the suspects.
On February 8 of this year, Williams and Beverly were backseat passengers in fiery single vehicle crash in Flomaton. The driver of the vehicle failed to stop at the end of Highway 113, striking a large billboard support at the corner of Rollin’s Tires in excess of 55 mph. The two front seat passengers were unable to escape the burning vehicle and perished in the burning car. Williams, Beverly and Demontray Woodward were pulled from the back of the burning car by a passerby, Flomaton Police dispatcher Donna Filmore.
Witnesses said that the three that survived the accident were dressed at least partially in drag at the time of the crash, reportedly returning from a drag show at a Montgomery, Ala., nightclub. Click here to read the February NorthEscambia.com coverage of the wreck.
Pictured top: Booking photos of three burglary suspects from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department. Pictured bottom inset: Two of the men arrested were involved in this fiery crash that killed two other people in Flomaton back in February. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Study Recommends Century Water And Sewer Rate Increase
August 4, 2009
A rate study commissioned by the Town of Century is recommending water and sewer rate increases for most customers and new fees for future customers.
The typical residential water bill for a customer using 3,000 gallons per month would increase from $12.45 to $15.95 if the town followed the recommendations in the study from the Florida Rural Water Association. The new $15.95 minimum charge would include 3,000 gallons; the current minimum water bill is $9 for 1,500 gallons.
Commercial customers would see their minimum jump from $9 for 1,500 gallons to $19.95 for 3,000 gallons.
Both commercial and residential customers would see an increase per 1,000 gallons over the 3,000 minimum to $2.78 to $3.16 per 1,000 gallons. The current additional charge per 1,000 gallons is $2.27. Institutions and churches would pay the residential rate.
Sewage rates would also increase if the water association proposal were to be approved by the town.
The current sewage rate is $13 for the first 6,000 gallons and $3.50 per additional $1,000 gallons for residential and commercial customers. For the first 3,000 gallons, the recommended rate is $12 for residential customers and $25.50 for commercial customers. Each additional 1,000 gallons of sewage would cost $3.
Under the rate proposal, a family using 8,000 gallons of water per month would see their water bill increase from $23.75 to $30.13, and they would see their sewage bill increase from $20 to $27. The total monthly increase for that family would be $13.38, or $160.56 per year.
A business using an average of 8,000 gallons per month would see their water bill jump from $23.75 to $34.13 and a sewage increase from $20 to $40.50. The total annual increase would be $370.56.
The Florida Rural Water Association Proposal recommends that the town also charge a “capacity” fee for new hookups, in addition to the $125 water connection fee and $1,000 sewage impact fee currently charged. The study does not offer a specific recommendation on the amount of the new fee.
The Town of Century has not increased water or sewage rates since 1995. The water association recommends that the town make yearly rate increases based upon the consumer price index.
Before considering any rate increases, the town will meet with a representative of the Florida Rural Water Association . That meeting has been tentatively scheduled for 2 p.m. on Tuesday, August 25, but that date is subject to change. The exact date and time will be published in the Legal Notices on NorthEscambia.com’s classifieds page prior to the meeting.
Want To Help? Time To Start Planning Relay For Life 2010
August 4, 2009
Relay for Life is months away, but there is a meeting just a week away to being planning Relay for Life 2010 in North Escambia.
Community leaders and anyone passionate about fighting cancer in the North Escambia area are invited to a Relay for Life 2010 Committee Rally at 7:00 next Tuesday evening at the Century Ag Building at the corner of Highway 4 and Industrial Boulevard.
The purpose of the meeting will be to recruit new members for the Relay for Life Steering Committee. The committee is tasked with organizing teams, fund raising and the Relay event itself.
The 2010 Relay for Life will be the fourth in North Escambia supporting the American Cancer Society.
For more information, contact Paula Jernigan at (850) 256-3842.
Three In A Row: Another Short Meeting For Century Council
August 4, 2009
Monday night made it three in a row for the Century Town Council. It was the third unusually short meeting in a row for the group.
Monday night’s meeting lasted about 25 minutes, including public comment from two people that took up about eight minutes. The council’s last meeting, gavel to gavel, was about 10 minutes.
The council approved the minutes of their last meetings and a bill list in just moments.
In his report, Mayor Freddie McCall reported on the final foreclosure judgment against Helicopter Technology, Inc., telling council members that the details on the foreclosure were available in an article on NorthEscambia.com (click here).
Councilman Gary Riley suggested that Century join neighboring towns in supporting the return of Amtrak to the Gulf Coast. He also reported that the walking track and sidewalk at McMurray Park needs repair due to grass growing through it.
Council President Ann Brooks questioned why she was told that the town’s dental insurance had been canceled when she filed a claim. She said the dental insurance was still being deducted from her paycheck. According to a NorthEscambia.com story on September 10, 2008, the council voted to drop the dental insurance option for all employees to save money during the 2008-2009 fiscal year.
Beau Godwin told the council that three way stop signs are needed on Front Street, Hecker Road and Jefferson Street to slow down speeders.
Council member Nadine McCaw said she has witnessed cars drag racing down a median divided section of Jefferson Avenue.
Print A Copy: NHS Football Schedule
August 4, 2009
In just over two months, the Northview High School Chiefs will take to the football field for their Kick-off classic.
It will be a year of change for the Chiefs. They will be under the leadership of Interim Head Coach Sid Wheatley following the resignation of Head Coach Cody Keene. The Chiefs will also be in a new district taking on several different opponents this year.
Northview dropped to Class 2A District 1 into a district with with Jay, Baker, Vernon, Sneeds, Freeport, Holmes County, South Walton and Bozeman.
This year’s Northview High School varsity football schedule is below.
Click the graphic to download a printable pdf.
Special Weather Statement
August 3, 2009
A line of strong thunderstorms will affect North Escambia this afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.
Radar shows that a line of storms will affect areas in and around Barrineau Park by about 3:45 this afternoon.
lightning…and wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph. Winds this strong could
bring down dead or diseased trees and large limbs resulting in
serious injury or property damage. Local loss of electrical power may
result from downed power lines. Exercise extreme caution when
outdoors during such strong winds…or seek shelter in a safe home or
building until these storms have passed.
Slow Speed Police Chase Lands Local Man In Jail
August 3, 2009
A slow speed police chase landed a Walnut Hill man in jail Sunday night.
When deputies attempted to stop a vehicle driven by Jeremy E. McBride, 28, near Highway 4 and C.W. Caraway Road just after 8 p.m., he failed to stop and kept driving. Deputies followed him — at about 10 mph — down C.W. Caraway Road to his residence.
That’s where he was arrested for reckless driving and fleeing and eluding.
McBride was booked into the Escambia County Jail where he remained Monday morning on $2,750 bond.