Traffic Watch: Highway 97 One Lane In Walnut Hill
March 4, 2010
Highway 97 is restricted to one lane in Walnut Hill today for a guardrail replacement.
The lane restriction is between Highway 99 North (at the Walnut Hill Mennonite Church) and Arthur Brown Road (at Ernest Ward Middle School).
Delays are short as workers allow one lane of traffic at a time to pass through the construction area.
Funeral Services Held For Brewton Teen Shot Near Jay
March 4, 2010
Funeral services were held today for the Brewton teen that died after being shot at a weekend party in Berrydale near Jay, as his accused shooter remains in the Santa Rosa County Jail.
Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon for Getyron Lopez Benjamin, 18, at Second Saint Siloam Baptist Church with Elder Robert McWilliams officiating. Burial followed at Piney Grove Cemetery. Benjamin was a 2009 graduate of T.R. Miller High School where he played football and ran track. He was also a first year student at Jefferson Davis Community College.
The man accused in his death, Robert Franklin Floyd, 21, is being held without bond on an open court of murder.
Benjamin was reportedly shot early Saturday morning at a party being held at Floyd’s residence on Country Mill Road in the Berrydale community. Benjamin, who is black arrived at the party with another black male and two white individuals, according to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. Floyd then requested that the four leave the party because they were uninvited, at which time he allegedly pushed one of the black males, according to information released by the Sheriff’s Office.
“Floyd alleges that at that time, the black male which he pushed pulled out a handgun. Floyd then ran to his truck which was parked nearby. Floyd then retrieved a rifle from his truck and stated that he heard gunshots being fired from the area in which the black male subject’s vehicle was located. Floyd also alleges that he saw a muzzle flash coming from their direction. Floyd then fired multiple shots from his rifle towards the direction of the vehicle as it was leaving. The vehicle left the scene and Floyd returned the rifle to his truck,” according to Sgt. Scott Haines, spokesperson for the Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office. Floyd reportedly fired five times at the vehicle.
The occupants of the vehicle told authorities that no one had a weapon, and there was reportedly no evidence that a weapon had been fired from the victim’s vehicle, deputies said. No weapon was found in the vehicle.
Benjamin, according to police reports, was shot in the back by a bullet that passed through the trunk of the vehicle. He was driven to D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton where he was pronounced dead in the emergency room.
For our Saturday story on the incident, click here.
Century Care Center Unveils New ‘Person Centered’ Care Model
March 4, 2010
Whether it be at the Teaspoon Cafe or down on Dogwood Lane, there’s a new way of taking care of residents at Century Care Center called the “Person Centered Care Model”.
“Our goal is to keep our residents safe, happy, healthy and as active as possible. The Person Centered Care Model gives them more choices, self-respect, independence and keeps them physically and mentally active as possible,” said Don Ripley, Century Care Center administrator.
Under the Person Centered Care Model, residents are allowed to reasonably keep their lifelong daily rituals. Now, residents get choices like their waking or bedtime, what time they want to eat and their dining preferences.
“They will be asked when they want to take a bath or shower, when they want to get their room cleaned and how they want to decorate their room. People are asked what they want to do each day, activities of their choice that are of interest to them, like going shopping, going for a ride through their old neighborhoods, going to the church of their choice, picnic in the courtyard or by the Ole Mill Pond, doing a little fishing in their own stocked fish pond, card games, painting, music…or any other thing that would help pass the time away.”
New “communities” and “neighborhoods” have been established within the facility. Hallways and rooms like therapy, dining and showers have been given familiar names from the Century area. Jerry Fischer and Don Sales of the Alger-Sullivan Historic Society assisted Century Care Center in selecting some historic names, such as Spanish Moss Road, Mystic Springs; Dogwood Lane, Country Lane, Teaspoon Cafe, The Spot and Paradise Place.
The Century Care Center staff has been trained by Eric Haider, CEO and president on Person Centered Care, Inc. and founder of the Person Centered Care Model.
“People who live in long term care communities are not second class citizens. They have worked hard for us. They have fought in the wars and risked their lives to protect our freedoms … let’s not take their freedoms away,” Haider said. “Person Centered Care gives personal attention to the people who live in long term care and empowers staff to be a resident advocate.”
Ripley said the changes “should make Century Care Center the best place to work and will, especially provide our treasured Residents with the happiest and best care, both physically and emotionally, for the rest of their lives”.
Century Care Center was recently named as the Business of the Year by the Century Area Chamber of Commerce The 88-bed facility is ranked by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as the number one of 69 nursing homes within 100 miles of Century
Pictured top: Century Care Center. Pictured top inset: The Person Center Care Model is introduced. Pictured bottom inset: A Century Care Center resident enjoying time by the Old Mill Pond. Pictured below: Residents in the “Teaspoon Cafe” at Century Care Center. Submitted and NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Charges Over Dog Poop Assault Dropped
March 4, 2010
Charges have been been dropped against a Century man arrested on domestic violence and aggravated assault charges after his girlfriend said he attacked her after a dog pooped on a bed.
William Mel Lowery, 52, was arrested in August and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill and felony battery by strangulation in a domestic violence situation.
Charges were dropped against Lowery after the alleged victim recanted her statements.
In August, 2009, the victim told Deputy James Gilman and prosecutors that Lowery “entered the bedroom and observed that their dog had defecated on the bed sheets”. That is when, according the victim’s statements, Lowery became angry and woke up the female victim. The victim said the two got into an argument over the dog using the bed sheets, according to the original arrest report, before the incident escalated into a physical altercation.
Learn About Florida KidCare Insurance Friday At Northview, Byrneville
March 4, 2010
If your children are uninsured or are on the Medicaid share of cost program, there is an easy opportunity coming up on Friday to get Florida KidCare insurance for your children.
Friday, a Florida KidCare outreach advocate will be at Northview High School from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and Byrneville Elementary School from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is a direct computer application process, but the advocate will be on hand to answer questions and provide assistance.
In order to apply for Florida KidCare for your children, you will need to bring:
- Picture Identification
- Social Security numbers for the children
- Pay stubs from past four weeks (or), 2009 W-2 form (or) Most recent tax return
- Proof of child support, Social Security and or unemployment benefits
- Information on cost to add child to parent’s health insurance through employer
For more information, contact Michelle Hinote R.N. at Northview High School at (850) 327-6681 ext. 243, click here for a printable information sheet, or visit floridakidcare.org for information and eligibility requirements.
Former Century Resident, Current ESPN Analyst Buck Showalter To Speak
March 4, 2010
Former Century resident and current ESPN analyst Buck Showalter will speak at an upcoming Pensacola Pelicans banquet.
The Pensacola Pelicans will host their Second Ever Hot Stove Banquet on Monday, March 22 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Sanders Beach Community Center. Former MLB manager and current ESPN Baseball Tonight analyst Buck Showalter will be the featured speaker. Showalter was born in DeFuniak Springs, FL and grew up in Century, just north of Pensacola.
Showalter, who now lives in Dallas, had three different managerial stints in the majors with the New York Yankees, the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the Texas Rangers. Showalter first managed the Yankees from 1992-1995 for 581 games posting a 313-268 record finishing 45 games over .500 with a .539 win/loss percentage. He was voted 1994 AL Manager of the Year after the Yankees finished first in the AL East going 70-43. Unfortunately, there would be no post-season in 1994 due to the strike. He made it to his first post-season appearance in 1995, losing the divisional series 3-2 to the Seattle Mariners.
Showalter moved on to the Arizona Diamondbacks where he managed 486 games from 1998-2000 with a 250-236 record. His best season with the Diamondbacks came in 1999 when they finished first in the NL West going 100-62 and eventually losing in the divisional series 3-1 to the NY Mets. Showalter took over as Texas Rangers skipper in 2003-2006 posting a 319-329 record in 648 games. He was selected 2004 AL Manager of the Year with the Texas Rangers going 89-73 with a .549 win/loss percentage.
The banquet is free to Pelicans season ticket holders and certain level sponsors. The public can attend for $30, which also gets them two tickets to the 2010 home opener, by reserving their spot at Jason@pensacolapelicans.com or by calling 850-934-8444.
“The great relationships created amongst the fans are far reaching beyond Pelican Park. Our Hot Stove banquets provide opportunities for our fans to catch up, hear an inspiring message, and see what’s in store with the team for 2010,” commented Pelicans General Manager Talmadge Nunnari. “Having someone like Buck, who’s lived in our community for so many years and his achievements in MLB, to return to Pensacola and share those experiences with us is a privilege.”
The term “Hot Stove” is a long-time baseball term that refers to the time between the end of one season and the beginning of spring training. The period is when die hard passionate fans would gather around a hot stove during the winter months and discuss their favorite teams, players, games, etc. This is also the time when a multitude of player transactions occur, called the “Hot Stove League.”
It’s not too late to get invited to this and other VIP Pelicans events. 2010 season ticket packages area now available starting at only $160. Other gift packages begin at $54. Fans can call the Pelicans office at 850-934-8444 for more information or to reserve their seats.
Sunny Through The Weekend, A Bit Of Rain Then Warmer
March 4, 2010
We are in for sunny skies through the weekend, some rain Monday night and then temperatures climbing into the middle 70’s.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Today: Sunny, with a high near 56. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tonight: Clear, with a low around 27. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 61. Wind chill values between 20 and 30 early. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
- Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 29. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 64. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
- Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 32. North wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 68. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming south.
- Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. Southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Monday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51.
- Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a high near 76.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.
NHS Digital Design Students Win Pageant Poster Contest
March 4, 2010
Northview High School’s Digital Design classes participated in a 19th Annual Century Sawmill Pageant poster contest sponsored by the Century Lions Club.
Alissa Fiellin placed first in the contest to create the best poster to promote the pageant. Alex McDonald placed second in the poster contest, and Erin Fremin placed third. Fiellin received a $25 prize for her efforts.
The posters will be used to promote the annual Century Sawmill Beauty Pageant on Saturday, March 27 at 10 a.m. at Carver/Century K-8 School. Registration forms are available at Whataburger in Century.
Pictured: (L-R) Century Lions Club member Edsol Smith, Century Sawmill Pageant Poster Contest winners Erin Fremin, third place; Alissa Fiellin, first place; and Alex McDonald, second place; and Lions member Don Sales. Pictured below: Posters by (L-R) Alex McDonald, Alissa Fiellin and Erin Fremin. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Medical Emergency Causes Traffic Delays In Century
March 3, 2010
A medical emergency at a Century gas station caused traffic delays for about 45 minutes Wednesday afternoon. East Highway 4 at Highway 29 was closed for landing a LifeFlight helicopter.
The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a medical emergency at a convenience store located at the intersection of West Highway 4 and North Century Boulevard (Highway 29) about 4:45 p.m.
The occupant of a vehicle in the parking lot was reportedly experiencing a medical problem.
Naval Air Station Pensacola Commanding Officer Relieved of Command
March 3, 2010
The Navy is now officially acknowledging the removal of the commanding officer of Naval Air Station Pensacola.
“Capt. William P. Reavey has been relieved of command by Rear Adm. Tim Alexander, Commander, Navy Region Southeast, due to loss of confidence in Reavey’s judgment and ability to command. Reavey was temporarily removed from his duties Feb. 26 at the outset of an inquiry. The decision to relieve Capt. Reavey was made based on information obtained during the inquiry,” according to a Navy statement.
Reavey has been reassigned to Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Fla., pending the formal completion and review of the inquiry.
Naval Air Station Pensacola Executive Officer Cmdr. Greg A. Thomas has assumed the duties performed by Capt. Reavey until a relief reports aboard.