Wednesday Last Day To Request Absentee Ballot
August 17, 2010
Wednesday is the last day to request an absentee ballot to be mailed for the August 24 primary election, according to Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford.
Stafford said voters must request their ballot no later than close of business on Wednesday, August 18th in order for it to be mailed. Voters can make their request by contacting the Supervisor of Elections by mail, phone (850-595-3900), e-mail (absentee@escambiavotes.com), fax (850-595-3914), or by using the online form at EscambiaVotes.com. Requests must include the voter’s date of birth and the address where the ballot should be mailed. Absentee voters may now follow the status of their ballot by clicking Track My Ballot at EscambiaVotes.com.
A voter will still have the ability after Wednesday to pick up an absentee ballot in person from the Elections Office. Voted absentee ballots must be received in the Elections Office no later than 7:00 p.m. on Election Day, August 24th.
In addition to absentee voting, early voting is being offered from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. daily through Saturday at four area locations:
- Supervisor of Elections Main Office, 213 Palafox Place 2nd Floor
- Supervisor of Elections Annex, 292 Muscogee Road, Cantonment
- Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway
- West Florida Genealogy Library (former Tryon Branch Library), 5740 North 9th Avenue
A third option for voters is to cast a ballot at their precinct on Election Day – polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Voters must present photo and signature ID at the polls, or must vote a provisional ballot. A touchscreen is also available at each polling place and early voting site for persons with disabilities.
For further information on absentee ballots, early voting, or precincts and polling locations, please contact our office at (850-595-3900) or visit EscambiaVotes.com.
Century Seeks Grant For Hurricane Evacuation Routes; Resident Wants Local Shelter
August 17, 2010
The Town of Century will apply for a $1.18 million federal grant to improve hurricane evacuation routes, and one resident wants to know why the town is unable to find funding for a hurricane shelter so citizens can weather a storm close to home.
The town will seek a $1,178,796 U.S. Department of Transportation grant that would be used to resurface several streets to provide potential evacuation alternatives to Highway 29.
“People can run, but they don’t have no place to go,” said resident Leola Robinson. “Why teach them how to run?”
The former Carver/Century K-8 School is Century’s only hurricane shelter, but it is currently listed for sale by the school district.
“We can build one here; we can build a building for the people,” Robinson told the council Monday night.
Debbie Nickles, who serves at the town’s grant consultant, said that Milton did find grant funding to build such a shelter which also serves as a community center. Nickles will explore possible funding options and report back to the council.
Prior to Robinson’s comment, Nickles announced the town could apply for the $1.18 million in funding to resurface roads that would provide alternatives to Highway 29 for hurricane evacuation traffic passing through Century.
About a half million of the grant, if approved, would replace a culvert on Alger Road with a new bridge. The remainder of the funds would resurface Freedom Road, Old Flomaton Road, West Alger Road, East Hecker Road, Jefferson Avenue, Highway 4A, West Pond Street and West Highway 4.
If the town is awarded the federal grant, it will provide matching funds of about $58,000 in the form of engineering services. There are currently plans in place to use Local Option Sales Tax funds for town-funding resurfacing, including engineering fees.
“It (the grant, if awarded) will make our money we are going to spend on resurfacing go further,” said Council President Ann Brooks.
Cross Country: Runners From Four Schools Brave Summer Heat
August 17, 2010
Runners from several area schools have gathered twice weekly this summer to improve their cross country skills. Despite heat indexes well over 100 degrees many afternoons, members of the group have ran a twice-weekly 5K (that’s 3.1 miles) from Tom Byrne Park in Atmore.
The group was comprised of students from Northview High School, Escambia Academy, Escambia County High School and Ernest Ward Middle School. Northview Cross Country Coach Natalie Nall and retired T.R. Miller Coach Alan Ash assisted with the group’s conditioning.
Nall said that there is still time for Northview students to join the Chief’s Cross Country team.
Pictured: (back, L-R) Taylor Hubbard, Julia Thorpe, Aaron Rausch, Dillon Anderson, (front) Bethany Reynolds, Kristen Matthews, Natalie Nall. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
ECUA Recycling Program Expands
August 17, 2010
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority has added glass, pizza boxes, bubble wrap and more previously excluded items to their recycling program. No sorting is required, and all newly included items can be placed in the gray recycling can with the other recyclables that are currently accepted.
The new recyclable items that are accepted as of Tuesday, August 17 are:
- All glass bottles and jars – no need to sort by color or remove labels.
- Old metal cookie sheets
- Aluminum baking pans
- Metal pots and pans
- Plastic and metal hangers
- Tin foil
- Pie tins
- Egg cartons (Cardboard / Paperboard only – No styrofoam)
- Pizza boxes
- Bubble wrap
The new recyclable items were added after ECUA approved a contract earlier this year with West Florida Recycling, LLC.
The ECUA recycling program began January 5, 2009 as part of the regular residential sanitation service. There are currently 39,000 households, about 54 percent of ECUA customers, utilizing the program.
For a complete list of items accepted in by ECUA, click here.
More Rain Forecast
August 17, 2010
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 92. South wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 92. South wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
- Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. West wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 94. West wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. West wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 95.
- Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
- Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 94.
- Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
- Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 93.
Garry Godwin
August 16, 2010
Mr. Garry Godwin, 56, passed away on Friday, August 13, 2010 at a local hospital
Mr. Godwin was a native and lifelong resident of Atmore, AL, an avid motorcyclist and attended the Baptist Church. Preceded in death by his Mother, Myrlene Godwin.
Survivors include; his Wife, Dianne Godwin of Atmore, AL; a Son, Shawn and Stephanie Godwin of Biloxi, MS; a Stepson, Jason and Joy Johnson of Tuscaloosa, AL; two Stepdaughters, Chasity Johnson of Atmore, AL, and Ashley and Joey Helms of Tuscaloosa, AL; his Father, Gene Godwin of Atmore, AL; 7 Grandchildren, Maddie Godwin, Sarah Godwin, Max Godwin, Hunter Johnson, Joshua Johnson, Little J. Johnson, and Mikie Helms; a Brother, Larry and Becky Godwin of Atmore, AL; and two Sisters, Debbie and David Ronzone of Milton, FL and Shelly Brazwell of Pearlington, MS.
Funeral services will be held Monday, August 16, 2010 at 2:00 P.M. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Dr. Mike Barnett officiating.
Burial will follow at Godwin Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Sunday, August 15, 2010 between 6:00 and 8:00 P.M. at the Petty Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Jerry Brantley, Paul Mertz, Melton Bethea, Cody Black, Dennis Moye, and Jeremy Downey.
Honorary pallbearers will be Josh Johnson, Hunter Johnson, Joey Mims and Jason Johnson.
Semi Accident In Cantonment Closes Roadway For Hours
August 16, 2010
An overturned semi-truck Monday morning in Cantonment created traffic problems for hours.
The accident happened about 8:30 near Muscogee Road and Taylor Street. The driver of the truck, Jerry N. Howell, 60, of Butler, GA, received only minor injuries. The Florida Highway Patrol said Howell was traveling west on Muscogee Road when the right rear wheels of the trailer ran off the road. The trailer fishtailed and rolled onto its left side.
The roadway was closed until almost 1:00 Monday afternoon. Howell was not charged in connection with the accident. The truck was reportedly hauling paper.
The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the accident.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Three Sentenced In Drug Case; Fourth Awaits Trial
August 16, 2010
As of last week, three people have been sentenced to jail or prison and a fourth is awaiting trial in connection with a drug-related search warrant executed in Century back in April.
Members of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narotics Unit executed the search warrant at Travis Lavar Scott’s residence at 6860 Gilford Lane in Century on April 9 and arrested Orlando Dantaus Dixon, 22, of Robert Road, Century; Antwon Montrex Smith, 26, of Salters Like Road, Century; and Brandon Dewayne Jackson, 24, of Jefferson Avenue, Century, on variety of charges.
Orlando Dantaus Dixon
Dixon was charged with possession of marijuana over 20 grams. He was found guilty on the felony charge and sentenced to two years in state prison. He was also ordered to pay $518 in court costs and fees. Dixon has filed an appeal.
Dixon is being held in the Holmes Correction Institute in Bonifay. His earliest possible release date is April 3, 2012.
Antwon Montrex Smith
Smith was found guilty on a charge of possession of marijuana less than 20 grams. He was sentenced to 45 days and is currently in the county’s work release program. His driver’s license was suspended for two years, and $101 in currency seized from Smith was forfeited. He was ordered to pay $388 in court costs and fees.
Brandon Dewayne Jackson
Prosecutors dropped charges of possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana and destruction of evidence against Jackson.
Jackson had given deputies another name, according to the Sheriff’s Office, at the time of his arrest. When a relative of that person heard that the person Jackson named had been arrested, they called the jail to alert deputies about the incorrect name. About the same time, a fingerprint record returned positively identifying Jackson. Jackson was charged with a public order crime of using a false identification.
He entered a nolo contendere plea on the false name charge and was sentenced to 180 days in the county jail, with credit 124 days served. He was also ordered to pay $273 in court costs and fees. He remains in the Escambia County Jail.
Travis Lavar Scott
Scott is facing two felony counts of marijuana possession. His trial is set for September.
Arrest Warrant Served
According to the the Sheriff’s Office report, deputies heard several individuals running toward the rear of Scott’s residence when the arrest warrant was served on April 9. That is where they found Jackson standing in the bathroom near the toilet. Officers located plastic baggies containing marijuana floating in the tank water.
On Smith’s person, officers located under 20 grams of marijuana and $101 in cash, and on Dixon’s person, they located over 20 grams of marijuana, packed in two separate bags, according to the report.
During the search of the residence, deputies located a marijuana and crack cocaine on an end table, two plastic bags of marijuana in drawer by stove, four plastic bags of crack cocaine in a drawer by the sink, a set of digital scales with marijuana residue on a kitchen counter, a loaded Beretta .40 caliber handgun in a drawer by the kitchen sink and “miscellaneous paperwork”.
Tell Us: What Do You Think Of Your Child’s School Supply List?
August 16, 2010
Your child’s Escambia County school supply list was featured in the economy section of his weekend’s New York Times. The reason? The school district is one of a growing number in the county asking parents to purchase items like cleaning supplies and copy paper along with the basics like scissors and pencils.
Kleenex. Hand sanitizer. Paper towels. Wet wipes. Copy paper. Ziploc bags. Expo dry erase markers. Red pens. Those are some of the items that appear as optional or “wish list” items on the supply lists at Bratt Elementary, Molino Park Elementary, Jim Allen Elementary, Ernest Ward Middle, Ransom Middle and schools across the district.
Superintendent Malcolm Thomas told the New York Times that the items were listed as optional because “we know that people in our community are hurting”.
With a shrinking budget Thomas would probably have to cut personnel if the Escambia County School District paid for all of the supplies. He acknowledged that teachers — who have a starting salary of $32,500 — often purchase supplies out of their own pockets.
We want to know what you think. In our comment section below, tell us if the school district should ask for non-basic supplies like copy paper and hand sanitizer? If not, how should the district, and ultimately the state, fund the purchase of items like copy paper?
We would also like to know — How much did you spend on school supplies this year? Did you purchase the optional items? And what were your saving secrets?
To view Escambia County school supply lists, click here.
Under Budget: New ECUA Plant Starting Up This Month
August 16, 2010
ECUA’s new Central Water Reclamation Facility in Cantonment will quietly begin processing wastewater late this month.
The $320 million relocation project is expected to come in under budget, according to Natalie Bowers, Emerald Coast Utilities Authority spokesperson. And, she said, it is expected to be complete on schedule.
Once construction is complete, there will be a period of several months where the new plant and lift stations will be starting up. During that time, the 73-year old Main Street Plant will remain in operation.
Once all start up is completed, the ECUA will start shutting down the Main Street Plant, a process expected to take several months. Once the downtown plant is completely decommissioned, ECUA will begin the demolition process.
Construction on the new Cantonment facility started in July 2007.