Century May Get Half Million Drainage Grant For Jefferson, Pond Street Areas
December 10, 2009
The Town of Century may receive a half million dollar grant from Escambia County for two drainage projects.
The projects would include drainage improvements in the Jefferson Street and Pond Street areas. Escambia County may provide the funding under a mitigation program, according to Mayor Freddie McCall.
Improvements would include widening drainage ditches and increasing easements to 30 feet — allowing the town to use heavy equipment rather than prisoners to keep the ditches clean and the stormwater flowing.
“This would be really good news for the people,” Century Councilman Gary Riley said.
More Charges Filed Against Couple Accused Of Abusing Horses
December 10, 2009
Additional charges have been filed against a North Escambia couple arrested on animal cruelty charges in October.
Robin Brownie Floyd, 53, and Lynn Livingston Floyd, 42, both of Gilmore Road, Century, pleaded not guilty in November to three counts each of confinement of animals without sufficient food or water. Now, prosecutors have filed five additional first degree misdemeanor animal cruelty charges against each Floyd.
Panhandle Equine Rescue received a tip that several thin horses were being moved by the Floyds to Santa Rosa County, according to PER President Diane Lowery. She said the horses were being transferred to a Santa Rosa County residence and then moved out of state to a horse rescue in Georgia. Lowery said that when PER investigated in September, they found three emaciated horses still on the Gilmore Road property. Warrants were issued, and the Floyds turned themselves in at the Escambia County Jail on October 15.
PER, Lowery said, took photos of the other horses to the State Attorney’s office and requested that there more more counts, “since every horse that suffered neglect mattered”.
A public defender has been appointed for Robin Floyd after the court found him to be indigent. Lynn Floyd has hired a private attorney. They are due back in court in early January, and their jury trials are scheduled to begin January 19. Both remain free on $6,000 bond each.
Manna Hat Auction: Bid On Hat Signed By Country Stars
December 10, 2009
The Manna Hat Auction is underway to help raise money for Manna Food Pantries in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
The 2009 Manna Hat is a straw hat signed by country artists like Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Brooks and Dunn, Darius Rucker and more. The signatures on the hat were collected by Cat Country 98.7 morning show host Brent Lane.
To see more photos of the hat and to place a bid, click here.
Manna Food Pantries is a private, not-for-profit corporation dedicated to alleviating hunger in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties of Northwest Florida. Manna is nonsectarian, community focused, volunteer supported and committed to the philosophy, “waste not, want not.” Manna believes that every person has a right to live free from hunger and that every person is to be treated with respect and dignity.
Manna Food Pantries began serving the hungry on January 3, 1983, then known as Manna Food Bank. Since then Manna have served over half a million people in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida, from Century to Navarre. Manna has given out over 6,000 tons of food to hungry families in our communities.
One hundred percent of the proceeds from the auction will go to Manna Food Pantries of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as they continue to help those in need from pantries in Pensacola, Ensley, Century, Jay, Molino and Milton.
Corrections Officer Arrested On Drugs For Sex Charges
December 10, 2009
A corrections officer at the Escambia County Road Prison in Cantonment was arrested Tuesday after he allegedly offered to provide Xanax to an inmate in exchange for oral sex.
Lawrence Thomas Vieitez, 49, was charged with procuring for prostitution, sexual battery and possession of a barbiturate. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail and later released on $25,000 bond.
After the inmate complained about the correction officer’s advances, road prison officials filed a report with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The inmate with fitted with a listening device while working Tuesday under the supervision of Vieitez .
The sheriff’s office reports that a deputy was able to listen in as Vieitez offered to exchange the Xanax for oral sex. Vieitez reportedly went home to retrieve the Xanax. When he returned and that inmate stated that he received the Xanax, Vieitez was arrested.
Vieitez has been placed on administrative leave without pay. He is scheduled to appear at an arraignment hearing on December 30.
The Escambia County Road Prison is operated by Escambia County; it is the only county-operated road camp in Florida.
Northview Winter Concert Tonight
December 10, 2009
The Northview Performing Arts Department will present it’s 2009 Winter Concert featuring the NHS chorus and the NHS Jazz Band. The concert will take place in the Northview theater at 6:00 tonight.
Admission is just $1. Everyone is welcome to attend and support the performing arts programs at Northview.
Century Chamber Open House Today
December 10, 2009
The Century Chamber of Commerce will hold it annual Christmas Open House today from 3:00 until 6:00.
The open house will provide chamber members and prospective members to network, learn more about the chamber’s services and enjoy light refreshments at the same time.
The Century Chamber of Commerce is located at 7811 North Century Boulevard. For more information, call (850) 256-1619.
Area Football Players Honored With Challenger Awards
December 10, 2009
Several North Escambia area football players were among those honored Monday night at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ Challenger Award Banquet.
John Sellars from Northview High School, Abe Hutcheon from Tate High School, Andrew Polk from Jay High School, Brian Ross from Flomaton High School and Jon Dean from Escambia Academy each received one of the 22 Challenger Awards presented by the FCA.
One Challenger Award is presented per team, chosen by a secret ballot with all players voting. The player must exemplify Christian values, sportsmanship and academic achievement.
The 41st annual event, held at the Pensacola Civic Center, hosted members of 22 football teams from across South Alabama and Northwest Florida, including the Northview Chiefs. About 1,200 people attended the annual event.
Alabama Crimson Tide freshman football star Trent Richardson, an Escambia High School graduate, was on hand to meet the players.
Medical Call At Bratt Elementary
December 9, 2009
Emergency personnel were dispatched to Bratt Elementary School about 1:10 this afternoon for a medical call.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Atmore Ambulance and LifeFlight were called to the school for a person suffering from a medical condition.
Driver Hits Downed Tree, No Injuries
December 9, 2009
No one was injured when they collided with a tree downed during overnight storms that moved through North Escambia.
The accident happened when a driver ran into a tree that was down across Highway 168 at Shaw Road near Byrneville.
The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue was called to the scene to remove the tree from the highway. The Florida Highway Patrol responded to the accident.
No ECAT Strike…For Now
December 9, 2009
The union that represents local ECAT bus drivers has voted not to strike over missed raises — as long those raises happen next year.
Drivers for Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) voted in November to strike. The members of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1395 are in a labor dispute with Veolia Transportation, the private company that runs ECAT for the county.
The issue is a 4.54 percent pay raise that the transportation union says is guaranteed in their contracts. But Escambia County won’t pony up the $225,000 citing a lack of funds.
The bus drivers voluntarily agreed in 2007 to skip raises on the promise of the 4.5 percent pay increase this year.
Now, the drivers’ union has voted not to strike, if they get a 4.5 percent raise in October, 2010. The drivers also want to see an improvement in their retirement plan