Molino Company Awarded $25,000 Contract To Reduce Wildfire Risk
June 17, 2009
A Molino company has been awarded a Florida Division of Forestry federal stimulus funds contract to lower the wildfire risk in a portion of Escambia County.
Officials with the Blackwater Forestry Center said Tuesday that several local wildfire prevention projects have started as a result of funding from the U.S. Forest service through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, commonly referred to as the federal stimulus plan.
“We’re reducing the threat of wildfire in high-risk areas by having a contractor mechanically reduce the amount of vegetation and debris. Fires in the targeted areas of southwest Escambia County have typically spread and intensified rapidly, endangering many homes. Additionally, much of the terrain is swampy and poses significant challenges for our firefighters’ equipment,” said Forest Area Supervisor Elton Gilmore.
North Escambia business owner Ricky Powell was awarded the $25,000 contract to perform the work after a bidding process. Powell’s company, RFCC, Inc., is based in Molino. The work, which started last week, should be completed by the end of June. Much of the work will include removing and mulching potential fire material in the Jones Swap Preserve and Big Lagoon State Park.
“It is a win-win situation which not only benefits local business but also protects many homeowners by significantly reducing the threat of wildfire by removing potentially hazardous fuels,” Gilmore said.
Pictured above: Forest Area Supervisor Elton Gilmore. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Tri-County Beats Shalimar 15-3, Advances To Play NWE
June 17, 2009
Tri-County eliminated Shalimar from the District 1 Little League 8-9 Year Old All Stars tournament at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill.
The Tri-Count All-Stars dominated Shalimar 15-3 in six innings.
Michael “MJ” Jones, Logan Dobson, and Neikel Robinson had two hits each, with Robinson and Dobson each ripping triples. Dutch Burkhead, Seth Killam, Reid Kelly and Brent Groover each delivered singles to advance Tri-County in tournament play.
Lefty Logan Dobson was the winning pitcher for Tri-County, which is made up of players from Century, Jay, Fidelis and Chumuckla. Middle relief pitching was provided by Reid Kelly and Dutch Burkhead, leaving Seth Killam to close out the powerful pitching tag-team.
“The victory was a team effort with every all-star contributing to the win,” said Team Manager Gary Killam. The teach celebrated with a traditional free ice-cold Coke to end a hot, humid game.
Tri-County advances to the next round of play Wednesday at 5:30 against the host Northwest Escambia All-Stars.
In other Tuesday night action, Defuniak beat Niceville American 9-8.
Pictured above: Tri-County scores Tuesday afternoon against Shalimar in tournament play in Walnut Hill. Pictured below: Tri-County steals another run as a Shalimar player holds out his glove awaiting the arrival of the ball (pictured mid-air in front of the standing Tri-County player). NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
School District May Require Insurance Purchase Before Athletes Can Even Try Out For Sport
June 17, 2009
Escambia County student athletes may be required to purchase insurance from a district approved carrier next year — even if the athlete has adequate private or even military insurance.
Kevin Windham, director of risk management for the Escambia County School District, presented the plan to the board at workshop meetingy.
Under current board policy, if a student provides proof of at least $25,000 in insurance, they are not required to purchase a district policy. The district policies current cost $54 for football players, $20 for soccer players and $9.50 for other sports.
The new plan would require athletes to have the district issued policy prior to even trying out for a sport. The problem, Windham said, is that a student may show proof of insurance at the beginning of a season, but parents may loose that insurance before a season ends. The district issued policy would shift liability in such a situation from the school district to the insurance carrier.
Windham said the district has located policies that would cost as little as $12 per student, regardless of their sport.
“I do not believe in disciplining the majority of parents who follow the rules because some do not. I believe mandatory insurance, unless it is extremely inexpensive, will discourage some from even trying out and will decrease participation,” Board Member Jeff Bergosh wrote on his blog.
“I think the goal of wanting every athlete covered is noble, however a new blanket rule that requires everyone to purchase additional insurance is aggressive; once the idea hits some who already have “gold-plated” Cadillac insurance plans that they are going to have to buy more—I think these people will become vocally opposed. For some it will be a matter of cost, but for more it will be a matter of principle,” Bergosh also wrote on his blog.
The school board voted 4-0, with District 5 Member Bill Slayton absent, to advertise the new rule for public input.
Yummy Library Lesson: Tasty And Healthy Snack Choices
June 17, 2009
Snacking can be tasty and healthy — that was the message during a summer reading program “Kids Can Cook!” at the Century Branch Library Tuesday afternoon.
Angela Hinkle from the Escambia County Extension Office presented tips for making smart food choices at a school and home. Children of all ages had fun creating and decorating a lunch box and filling it with healthy snacks.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
Next week, the library’s summer fun continues next Tuesday at noon with a free magic show with West Florida’s favorite local magician Beau Broomall.
For more information, contact the Century Branch Library, 7991 North Century Boulevard, at 256-6217.
Pictured above and below: Decisions, decisions — participants in the summer reading program Tuesday afternoon at the Century Branch Library were given the opportunity to choose four free healthy snacks. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Considers New Business Impact Fee, Public School Plan, Drainage Grant
June 17, 2009
Opening a business along Highway 29 or East Highway 4 in Century could cost more; the town is opting out of a county public school plan; and Century is looking at $1.1 million to improve drainage problem along a portion of Highway 29.
The town council has considered resolutions related to each of those items.
Highway Impact Fee
Businesses that choose to open along Highway 29 or State Road 4 in Century could be looking an impact fee to build turn lanes and provide for other traffic control measures.
Under an ordinance the town is considering, an ordinance that town consultant Debbie Nickles says is required by the state to upgrade roads, a study would be done to determine what level of vehicle traffic could be expected to be generated by the new business.
“I’m interested in what the cost might be to a new business,” Council President Ann Brooks said. Nickles said the bottom line cost would be decided on a “case by case” basis using a formula determined by the State of Florida.
The council will hold a second reading on the ordinance and consider its adoption at their July 6 meeting. At that time, Brooks said she would allow Nickles to present a few scenarios on the potential cost to a new business.
Public School Plan
The council is also considering a resolution to drop out of a Public School Facilities Element — an interlocal agreement that was required between the Town of Century and the Escambia County School District relating to public schools.
Nickles said that since the school board closed the town’s only school, the town could opt-out of the agreement with an exemption filed with the state’s Department of Community Affairs.
“Why would we want to submit an exception when they (the school board) violated everything in that agreement?” Council member Henry Hawkins asked.
Without the agreement, the town could face sanctions from the state, Nickles said.
“Then that’s when we could kick and scream,” Hawkins said.
“But you’re kicking and screaming to the wrong person,” Nickles said, noting that while the town may have problems with the school board’s closure of Carver/Century K-8 School, the Public School Facilities Element is required by the state, not the school board.
Highway 29 Drainage
The council approved a resolution allowing Nickles to submit paperwork for a grant from the Florida Division of Emergency Management to improve drainage on Highway 29 between Henry and Cottage streets.
The project would include a $823,000 grant from FEMA and $259,000 in local matching funds. The local matching funds, according to Mayor Freddie McCall, would come from in-kind services that Escambia County has agreed to provide on the project — services such as digging a necessary retention pond with county equipment and labor.
Housing Grant
The Century Town Council is also considering a resolution that would mean $175,000 in grant funding to rehabilitate unoccupied housing in the town.
Bond Revoked For Woman In DUI Death Of Bicyclist
June 17, 2009
An Escambia County judge has ordered that bond be revoked for the woman charged with driving drunk and killing a bicyclist on Nine Mile Road.
Christina Rivkin remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond charged with DUI manslaughter and four other charges in connection with the death of Michael Steele, 25.
Tuesday, Circuit Court Judge Frank Bell ordered that Rivkin be held until her trial, deeming that she is a risk to the community.ef Rivkin did not speak at the bond hearing.
Rivkin will be back in court on July 2 for an arraignment hearing. She has hired DUI defense attorney Tommy Ratchford.
Steele’s funeral was held Tuesday afternoon.
The Florida Highway Patrol says Rivkin was traveling westbound on Nine Mile Road about when she crossed the white line near Brewster Street and struck Steele as he was riding his bicycle to work at Winn Dixie about 11:15 p.m. June 10. Troopers say Steele and his bicycle were dragged under Rivkin’s GMC Yukon for about a quarter of a mile. Rivkin then fled the scene.
About an hour after the accident, Rivkin returned to the scene, where she “skidded to an abrupt stop nearly striking the patrol car of Deputy Mark Smith,” the FHP report says. She “appeared extremely intoxicated. She smelled strongly of alcoholic beverage and her speech was slurred. She could not walk without assistance. (She) could not remember her name or say where she was,” the report continues.Rivkin, according to the FHP, refused to perform a breath test, and a blood sample was taken to determine her blood alcohol level. Those test results are not yet available.
“He jumped out in front of me. What was I suppose to do?” Rivkin told a trooper at the scene.
The FHP says that the front of Rivkin’s vehicle had damage consistent with hitting the bicyclist, and “there appeared to be blood on the front of her vehicle.”
Rivkin had at least two prior DUI arrests and five other moving violations, according to the FHP.
Steele was riding his bicycle to work as part of the stock crew at the Nine Mile Road Winn Dixie when the accident occurred, according to family members. Steele and his wife, Brittney, 20, only owned one car, and family members said he wanted his wife to have the car for her morning commute. He rode the bicycle so that she did not have to drive him to work so that she would be well rested for her job.
Pictured above: Christina Rivkin’s Escambia County Jail booking photo. Click to enlarge.
Funeral Saturday In Century For Man Shot In The Face
June 17, 2009
Funeral services for the former Century resident shot in the face at a Warrington mobile home park will be held Saturday in Century.
Jeffrey Carl Kimbrough, 41, was shot about 3:30 Sunday afternoon in the 1500 block of Gulf Beach Highway in the Warrington community in the southwest part of the county in an apparent dispute over a stolen wallet.
Visitation for Kimbrough will be held Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m. at the New Life Baptist Church in Century. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., also at the church. Internment will follow at the Century Cemetery.
During the time he lived in Century, Kimbrough was a member of Century Volunteer Fire Department.
Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies said Kimbrough confront Ellis J. McArthur of Bay Minette about a stolen wallet. That is when, according to deputies, McArthur pulled out a handgun and shot Kimbrough in the face. Kimbrough died Monday evening at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola.
McArthur, 17, has been charged as an adult with murder in connection with the incident. He is being held without bond in the Escambia County Jail.
No More Printed AT&T White Page Phone Books
June 17, 2009
If you are an AT&T phone customer, the phone book the telephone giant delivers to your door will not have the residential white page listings.
On Tuesday, Florida’s Public Service Commission granted AT&T Florida a temporary two-year rule waiver that allows the company to suspend upfront local residential white page directory distribution to its customers. Customers will be able to request a free printed residential directory by calling a toll free number.
Commissioners unanimously approved the temporary rule waiver with the stipulation that the PSC conduct public outreach to inform consumers of the trial program and collect customer feedback. Upon completion of the two-year trial period, the Commission will assess consumer feedback and determine if the rule waiver should be continued or revoked.
“Today’s decision allows the PSC to assess the practicality of discontinuing printed residential directory delivery, while continuing to provide directories to customers who want a copy,” said PSC Chairman Matthew M. Carter II. “Requiring fewer printed directories will also create less waste and help our environment.”
The company will continue to furnish customers with printed copies of its business yellow page directory and provide residential listings via the Internet. The toll free number for customers to receive a free printed residential directory will be displayed on the cover of the yellow page directory. Customers should expect the trial delivery discontinuation to begin within the next two months.
In the North Escambia area, AT&T provides local phone service in Century, McDavid, the remainder of Escambia County from Cantonment south, and in Flomaton. Walnut Hill, Molino, Bratt and Atmore are served by Frontier Communications.
Bond Revoked For Woman In DUI Death Of Bicyclist
June 16, 2009
An Escambia County judge has ordered that bond be revoked for the woman charged with driving drunk and killing a bicyclist on Nine Mile Road.
Christina Rivkin remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond charged with DUI manslaughter and four other charges in connection with the death of Michael Steele, 25.
Tuesday, Circuit Court Judge Frank Bell ordered that Rivkin be held until her trial. Steele’s funeral was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.
The Florida Highway Patrol says Rivkin was traveling westbound on Nine Mile Road when she crossed the white line near Brewster Street and struck Steele as he was riding his bicycle to work at Winn Dixie about 11:15 Wednesday night. Troopers say Steele and his bicycle were dragged under Rivkin’s GMC Yukon for about a quarter of a mile. Rivkin then fled the scene.
She made her appearance Friday afternoon before Judge Thomas Johnson via a video feed from the Escambia County Jail. Rivkin could be seen wiping tears from her eyes during her appearance. State Attorney Bill Eddins had requested that bond be set at $1 million because Rivkin has two previous DUIs — one in Escambia County and one in Ohio. Johnson denied that request, setting the bond at the half million.
Rivkin will be back in court on July 2 for an arraignment hearing. She told the judge that she will hire her own attorney.
About an hour after Wednesday night’s accident, Rivkin returned to the scene, where she “skidded to an abrupt stop nearly striking the patrol car of Deputy Mark Smith,” the FHP report says. She “appeared extremely intoxicated. She smelled strongly of alcoholic beverage and her speech was slurred. She could not walk without assistance. (She) could not remember her name or say where she was,” the report continues.
Rivkin, according to the FHP, refused to perform a breath test, and a blood sample was taken to determine her blood alcohol level. Those test results are not yet available.
“He jumped out in front of me. What was I suppose to do?” Rivkin told a trooper at the scene.
The FHP says that the front of Rivkin’s vehicle had damage consistent with hitting the bicyclist, and “there appeared to be blood on the front of her vehicle.”
Rivkin is the estranged wife of Escambia County Sheriff’s Deputy Scott Rivkin, according to an FHP report.
Rivkin had at least two prior DUI arrests and five other moving violations, according to the FHP.
Steele was riding his bicycle to work as part of the stock crew at the Nine Mile Road Winn Dixie when the accident occurred, according to family members. Steele and his wife, Brittney, 20, only owned one car, and family members said he wanted his wife to have the car for her morning commute. He rode the bicycle so that she did not have to drive him to work so that she would be well rested for her job.
Pictured above: Christina Rivkin’s Escambia County Jail booking photo. Click to enlarge.
Former Century Resident Dies After Being Shot In The Face
June 16, 2009
A former Century resident has died after being shot in the face Sunday afternoon in a dispute over a wallet near Pensacola.
For an update to this story, including funeral arrangements, click here.
Jeffrey Carl Kimbrough, 41, was shot about 3:30 Sunday afternoon in the 1500 block of Gulf Beach Highway in the Warrington community in the southwest part of the county. The incident occurred at the Heritage Oaks Mobile Home Park, which has been without water for about a week due to a bill that the park owner did not pay to the Peoples Water Service.
Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies said Kimbrough confront Ellis J. McArthur of Bay Minette about a stolen wallet. That is when, according to deputies, McArthur pulled out a handgun and shot Kimbrough in the face. Kimbrough died Monday evening at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola.
McArthur, 17, has been charged as an adult with murder in connection with the incident. He is being held without bond in the Escambia County Jail.
The shooting incident occurred not far from where members of Pensacola’s First Assembly of God Church were holding services, grilling hot dogs and giving away water to the trailer park residents.
Friends and family members tell us that when he living in Century, Kimbrough was a member of Century Volunteer Fire Department.
Pictured: Ellis J. McArthur of Bay Minette has been charged with second degree attempted murder for allegedly shooting a former Century resident in the face.