Want To Go To Jail? ESCO Seeks Detention Deputies
June 4, 2009
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is launching a campaign to recruit qualified detention deputies. Beginning the second week of June, the ECSO is starting its newest recruitment campaign seeking dedicated people to become detention deputies.
The detention deputy recruitment campaign will use radio and TV public service announcements that will be airing soon, online media resources and direct recruitment at events such as job fairs. This campaign focuses not only on the benefits this job has to offer the individual, but also what the individual can bring to the job. For example, excellent health care coverage, paid holidays and high job security are a few of the job benefits that are employee favorites, while a positive attitude, professional demeanor, and dependability are a few things that an employee can bring to the job.
Ultimately, this campaign is geared toward giving potential employees insight into the world of detention, by using current employee testimonials and highlighting the benefits and perks to being a detention deputy.
“We are looking for detention deputies at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.” Sheriff David Morgan said. “Come apply; find out if you too can become ‘one of the professionals’ at the ECSO. In today’s economy there are few positions that provide immediate career potential, this is one. Don’t come looking for just a job; we are recruiting qualified applicants looking for long term employment with benefits and retirement.”
Applicants for the detention deputy trainee need a high school diploma, or GED equivalent, and certification through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission. Interested individuals that do not meet the required qualifications, are welcome to contact the ECSO for information on how to become qualified.
To find out more information including an extensive list of benefits, or to apply for the open positions, visit the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office website, www.escambiaso.com and click on “Employment”.
Flush! An Ode To Toilets: Library Kicks Off Summer Series
June 4, 2009
The Century Library kicked off its summer reading programs Wednesday with “Flush! An ode to toilets” — complete with all the necessary sound effects from Charlie “The Sound Guy” Williams.
“How’d he do that,” one child repeated over and over as Williams made the sounds of flushing toilets, chainsaws, airplanes and more.
The Century Branch Library will continue its summer series as follows:
- June 9, Tuesday, 12:00: Funny Money
- June 16, Tuesday, 12:00: Kids Can Cook
- June 23, Tuesday, 12:00: Beau Broomall, magician. West Florida’s favorite local magician will delight and surprise with magic tricks galore.
- June 30, Tuesday: No Program
- July 7, Tuesday, 12:00: Tuffy the American Quarter Horse
- July 14, Tuesday, 12:00: Color-wheel creations. Get messy with finger paints then celebrate your art with ice cream.
Pictured above: Charlie “The Noise Guy” Williams reads “Flush: An ode to toilets” at the Century Branch Library Wednesday afternoon. Picture below: Williams’ created a lot of a laughter during his library program. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Students Receive Awards
June 4, 2009
Today, NorthEscambia.com continues a series of stories with award listings from area schools. Today’s listing contains the names of all Northview High School students in grades 9-11 that received awards in ceremonies at the end of the year.
(Editors note: If you are a teacher or administrator at an area school, please send any awards lists that you might have to news@northescambia.com for a future story.)
NORTHVIEW HIGH SCHOOL 9-11 AWARDS
Agriculture
- Exemplary Freshman: Lydia Weaver
- Exemplary Sophomore: Allie Vidak
- Exemplary Junior: Micah Byars
- 9th Grade: Charla Stark
- 10th Grade: Ashley Digmon
- 11th Grade: Felicia Settle
- Ag Foundations: Jamichael Carson
- Exemplary: Ashley Bonner
- Horticulture: Austin Arrington
- Exemplary: Heath Burkett
Art
- Visual Arts: Parish Kelley
- Exemplary: Mallorie Okahashi
English
- English 1 Honors: Amber Francis
- Exemplary: Josie Doucette
- English 1: Camilah Goetter
- Exemplary: Austin Albritton, Savannah Singleton
- English 2 Honors : Sarah Killam
- Exemplary: Christina Sepulveda
- English 2: Colton Sims
- Exemplary: Alexis Roach
- English 3 Honors: Clint Davis
- Exemplary: Mark Shipps
- English 3 : Amber Mcmillan
- Exemplary: Ashley Bonner, Courtney Merritt, Kolbi Cobb
Family And Consumer Science
- Family And Consumer Science: Emily Vickerey
- Exemplary: Allie Vidak
Yearbook
- Yearbook Editors: Kaitlyn Caraway, Clint Davis, Dakota Stuckey
NTV
- Television Production: Cody Parker
Math
- Algebra 1A: Tanya Poston
- Exemplary: Destiny Showers
- Algebra 1B : Grant Bellizi
- Exemplary: Kelly Morgan
- Algebra 1: Jacob Gibson
- Algebra 1 Honors: Holly Dickson
- Geometry: Mallory Bell
- Exemplary: Brianna Roley
- Geometry Honors: Michael Lowery
- Exemplary: Colton Sims
- Algebra 2: Amber Mcmillan
- Exemplary: Amy Conner
- Algebra 2 Honors: Kaitlyn Caraway, Mark Shipps
Band Awards
- Outstanding Freshman: Melissa Moretz, Elizabeth Wright
- Exemplary: Devon Dries
- Outstanding Sophomore: Colton Sims
- Exemplary: Justin Purvis
Science
- Biology Honors: Jocelyn Gould
- Biology: Ladarion White
- Chemistry Honors: Mark Shipps
- Exemplary: Clint Davis, Kaitlyn Caraway
- Chemistry: Dakota Stuckey
- Exemplary: Jessica Bloodsworth
- Integrated Science Honors: Tyler Randolph
- Exemplary: Holly Dickson
- Environmental Science: Amber Mcmillan
- Exemplary: Micah Byers
- Integrated Science: Chelsea Parham
- Exemplary: Camilah Goetter
- Integrated Science II: Dylan Stafford
Social Studies
- American History: Amber Mcmillan
- Exemplary: Casey Hare
- American History Honors: Kaitlyn Caraway
- Exemplary: Clinton Davis
Spanish
- Spanish I, 9th Grade: Amber Francis
- Spanish I, 10th Grade: Jocelyn Gould
- Spanish I, 11th Grade: Mark Shipps
- Spanish II: Amber Mcmillan
Business
- Digital Design 1: Ladarion White
- Exemplary: Lynsey Perry
- Exemplary: Alex Mcdonald
- Computing For College & Careers: Chris Sheets
- Exemplary: Amber Francis
- Web Design 2: Dylan Stafford
- Exemplary: Laneicia Gomez
Reading
- Reading 180 1: Aneicia Mcgee
- Exemplary: Kelly Morgan
- Reading 180 2: Lucas White, Tiffany Chavers
- Exemplary: Cory King, Shelly Reich
- Freshman Reading III: Tori Barrows
- Exemplary: Lindsey Holderfield
- Freshman Advanced Reading: Amber Francis, Lydia Weaver
- Exemplary: Elizabeth Wright
- Sophomore Reading: Josh King, Ande Giddions
- Exemplary: Kara Hardin, Tabitha Steege
- Junior Reading Exemplary: Sam Cooler, Ashley Bonner
DCT
- Blueprints For Professional Success: Megan Weekley
- Exemplary: A. J. Lambert
- Dct Exemplary: Haley Smith
Vocational
- Construction Technology: Wes Chancery
- Exemplary: Richard Craig
- Drafting: Dustin Lewis
- Exemplary: Joel Wetzel
Government Consolidation Commission Holds First Meeting; Elects Officers
June 3, 2009
(Updated 1:15 p.m.) The Escambia Consolidation Commission — the group tasked with developing a plan for voter approval to combine Escambia County, Century and Pensacola — held its organization meeting last night in Pensacola.
Seven of the committee members are attorneys and several work in the financial services field.
At Tuesday night’s meeting in Pensacola, former Florida Supreme Court Justice Ken Bell was elected chairman of the commission. Rick Harper, a professor at UWF, was elected vice chairman; C.J. Lewis, a retired Marine, was elected treasurer; and Rich Stone, Deputy Escambia County Tax Collector, was named parliamentarian.
The commission was lectured by attorney Gregory Smith, who explained that the group is subject to Florida’ Sunshine Law that requires public access to meetings and consolidation records. The Sunshine Law would also prevent any member of the committee from speaking with any other committee member about consolidation issues.
The first challenge Bell will face will be funding and support staff. The legislation by Rep. Greg Evers that established the consolidation commission provides that the group can ask Escambia County, Pensacola and Century for legal and clerical support, but none of the entities are required to help.
The commission can, according to the Legislature’s bill, solicit private party contributions of up to $3,000 from businesses or individuals. The commission is also allowed to ask for other public contributions.
The consolidation commission must meet once per month through January 15, 2010. A status report must be submitted by November 30 to the board, Town of Century, City of Pensacola and the local legislative delegation. A final recommendation is due to the legislative delegation no later than January 15, 2010. The proposal would then be placed on the ballot in 2010 for consideration by voters in Pensacola, Century and the rest of Escambia County.
The following persons have been named to the committee:
- District 1 County Commissioner Wilson Robertson: John L. Peacock, Jr., a financial advisor for Edward Jones
- District 2 County Commissioner Gene Valentino: Edward P. Fleming, partner in law firm McDonald Fleming Moorhead
- District 3 County Commissioner Marie Young: Gerald McKenzie, attorney at McKenzie & Allen
- District 4 County Commissioner Grover C. Robinson IV: Rick Finch, with Actigraph, LLC
- District 5 County Commissioner Kevin White: Russell “Rusty” E. Tanner, of Molino, service director at Hill Kelly Dodge
- Pensacola City Council: Christopher J. Lewis, retired U.S. Marine
- Pensacola City Council: Clarry Ellis, financial advisor for UBS Financial Services
- Century Town Council/Mayor: Charles L. Scott, Sr. (father-in-law to Century Town Councilwoman Sharon Scott), college professor
- Escambia Taxpayers’ Association, Inc: Jeremy Brown, with Williams-Brown, Inc.
- League of Women Voters: Sharon L. Barnett, attorney
- Pensacola Young Professionals: John Gormley, with SunTrust Bank
- Escambia County Farm Bureau: Jimmy Cunningham with Farm Bureau
- Home Builders Association of West Florida: Stephen R. Moorhead, attorney with McDonald Fleming Moorhead
- University of West Florida: Rick Harper, director of the Haas Center for Business & Economic Development
- Sheriff David Morgan: Darlene F. Dickey, attorney for the Sheriff’s Office
- Tax Collector Janet Holley: Richard Stone, deputy tax collector
- Property Appraiser Chris Jones: Enoch Leatherwood, chief deputy property appraiser
- Clerk of the Circuit Court Ernie Lee Magaha: Cheryl Maher, Circuit Court clerk
- Supervisor of Elections David Stafford: Michael Hardin, Escambia Public Safety bureau chief who has announced his resignation and is about to go to work for the Supervisor of Elections Office.
- Chief Judge Kim Skievaski: Janet Lander, former county attorney
- Chief Judge Kim Skievaski: Kenneth B. Bell, attorney with Clark Partington Hart
- Escambia County School Board: Norm Ross, deputy superintendent of schools
- Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA): Tim Common, with ECUA
- Ministerial Alliance, LuTimothy May
- NAACP, Dr. John Veasley
Hurricane Suiter Slams Gulf Coast In Tuesday Exercise
June 3, 2009
Hurricane Suiter slammed into the Gulf Coast on Tuesday with winds in excess of 100 mph, leaving behind damage and mass power outages — at least in an exercise conducted at the Escambia County Emergency Operations Center.
Evacuations were ordered, flooding caused problems, over 50 roads were left impassable and 100 percent of the county lost power as the hurricane made landfall in the drill that filled the Escambia EOC with about 100 first responders and government officials. From the impending landfall to the start of the beginning of the cleanup, officials practiced the entire hurricane scenario.
Dr. William Gray from Colorado State University, part of the Tropical Meteorology Project, is now predicting 11 named storms, five of which will develop into hurricanes. They predict that there is 48 percent chance of a hurricane striking the U.S. coast this year, a 28 percent chance for peninsular Florida and a 28 percent chance for the panhandle.
The National Hurricane Center is predicting four to seven hurricanes this year.
Pictured above and below: Officials prep for Hurricane Suiter Tuesday during a drill at the Escambia Emergency Operations Center. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jay Council Member Dies; Town Hall Closed For Thursday Funeral
June 3, 2009
Louise Freels, a member of the Jay Town Council, has died, leaving the five seat council with just three members.
Mary Louise Phillips Freels, 73, passed away at Jay Hospital over the weekend. Jay Town Hall will be closed Thursday for her funeral.
Freels won her first seat on the Jay Town Council in 2004 and was reelected last year for another four year term as one of the top two vote getters for two open seats on the council. Council member David Bush resigned his seat in May. Town officials have not yet announced if they will appoint new members or wait until one is elected in 2010.
Jay Town Hall will be closed Thursday in memory of Freels. Visitation for Mary Louise Freels will be 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Jay Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home with pastors Virginia Beckham and Jeff Hemley officiating. The Jay Town Council and Jay employees will be among the honorary pallbearers.
Freels was born and raised in the Jay area, and graduated from Jay High School where she was homecoming queen n 1952. She attended Troy State University in Troy, Alabama, graduating with a degree in English. Freels returned to Jay in 1976 to teach English at Jay High School. She later received a Masters degree in Library Science. She was a member of Jay United Methodist Church.
Freels is survived by her daughter and son in law, Drs. Michael and Stephanie Marschall, her grandchildren Erika and Ehren Marschall, her brothers William Eugene Phillips, Cecil (Margaret) Phillips, Joe Phillips, Lloyd Phillips and Neal (Millie) Phillips, and her sisters Thelma (Howard) Phillips and Rochelle (Wayne) Brown.
Friends and Family wishing to honor Mary Louise Freels may make a donation in her memory to the United Methodist Children’s Home in Selma, Alabama.
Burp Like A Dinosaur At The Library
June 3, 2009
Get ready to get creative with the summer library program series at the Century Branch Library from June 3 to July 14.
Children can pick up a free summer program packet in a snazzy book bag beginning the week of June 1 and then participate in any or all of the summer’s great activities.
A preschool story time for ages 1 to 6 will be held each Wednesday at 10:30 beginning June 3.
Weekly special programs for all ages will be as follows:
- Wednesday, June 3, 12:00: Charlie Williams “The Noise Guy”. When is the last time someone dinosaur burped for you? Can you sound like a washing machine?
- June 9, Tuesday, 12:00: Funny Money
- June 16, Tuesday, 12:00: Kids Can Cook
- June 23, Tuesday, 12:00: Beau Broomall, magician. West Florida’s favorite local magician will delight and surprise with magic tricks galore.
- June 30, Tuesday: No Program
- July 7, Tuesday, 12:00: Tuffy the American Quarter Horse
- July 14, Tuesday, 12:00: Color-wheel creations. Get messy with finger paints then celebrate your art with ice cream.
All the events are free and will be held at the Century Branch Library at 7991 North Century Boulevard. For more information, call 256-6217.
Woman Arrested For Violating Probation On Drug Charge
June 3, 2009
A Century woman has been arrested for violating her probation on charges that stemmed from a 2008 undercover operation and drug raid in Century.
Rebecca Lynn Warrick, 44, was arrested Monday on a violation of probation charge after she failed to comply with terms set by an Escambia County judge on the 2008 drug charges.
Warrick was among ten people arrested in a pre-dawn drug sweep in Century on July 11, 2008. She was charged with narcotics possession and/or use. She was arrested again after she failed to appear in court in October, according to court records. She was sentenced to 180 days in jail, but that sentence was suspended with credit for the 75 days she spent in jail. She was placed on probation in early November, 2008.
When Warrick failed to comply with her probation terms, a warrant for her arrest was issued on February 20, according to court records.
She is currently being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Insurance Audit: Century $4 Million Short In Coverage
June 3, 2009
The Town of Century has discovered that some of the town’s property is not insured against hurricanes and other losses, and that some property is grossly underinsured.
Insurance agent Wayne Hood of Underwood Anderson & Associates has informed the town that their sewage treatment plant is not insured, and that it never has been. But he said that really was not a concern.
“You are insuring water,” Hood told the council, referring to the fact that the sewage plant is always underwater, immune from fires, floods and hurricanes. Insuring the plant would provide some coverage for pipes, pumps and other equipment, but would otherwise be nearly worthless, he said.
The discovery was part of a free insurance audit and appraisal conducted by an independent appraiser on behalf of the town’s insurance carrier, the Preferred Government Insurance Trust. The company pools the insurance resources of about 700 Florida governmental agencies.
The audit found that while Century has about $6 million of property insured, the actual value of Century’s property is $10 million. The biggest discrepancies were the sewage treatment plant and two water towers insured for $200,000 each when the appraiser said they were worth $700,000 each.
PIGT provided the town with the option of increasing coverage between now and October 1, the policy renewal date, for $4,000. The increase would have upped the current coverage to 125% replacement cost as an added bonus. But the the company recommended, Hood said, that Century increase the coverage as desired at the time of the policy renewal.
“I am in favor of waiting until October first since we haven’t budgeted this amount” Council President Ann Brooks said. The council has agreed, opting to wait until their new fiscal year on October 1 to increase coverages.
Town Urges Holley To Reopen Century Office
June 3, 2009
The Town of Century has joined the list of local groups seeking to have Escambia County Tax Collector Janet Holley reopen her office in the Century Courthouse.
Holley closed the office last week to save an estimated $200,000 and because she said a low number of citizens actually use the office.
Mayor Freddie McCall said he hoped that Holley would consider reopening the office, and the Century Town Council passed a resolution asking her to stay in Century.
“Hopefully she can change her mind; if not, maybe next election somebody else can see different,” the mayor said.
Escambia County Clerk of the Courts Ernie Lee Magaha had announced that his office was pulling out of Century, but he he changed his mind and the office remains.
The Escambia County Commission and several community groups have also passed resolutions urging Holley to keep her Century office open.