Escambia Moves Toward Red Light Cameras, Could Net $3 Million Per Year
September 17, 2010
Escambia County moved toward the installation of red light cameras in anticipation of adding up to $3 million per year to the county’s coffers.
“Escambia County is interested in pursuing installation of red light cameras at locations exhibiting substantial incidences of red light violations to improve enforcement capabilities,” Interim County Administrator Larry Newsom said in his written recommendation to the county commission.
The Florida Legislature approved the use of red light cameras earlier this year, with the law taking effect on July 1. According to Newsom, Sheriff David Morgan is interested in pursuing installation at problem intersections, and the idea is supported by the county’s traffic operations staff.
The automated cameras snap a photo of the car and license plate of alleged red light runners, and the driver receives a $158 citation in the mail — along with a photo of the violation. Of the $158 fine, Escambia County would retain $75. With 20 camera locations, Escambia County would earn as estimated $2-3 million per year.
The Sheriff’s Department would be responsible for providing trained traffic enforcement officer to review the photos and other evidence prior to a citation being issued. A portion of the county’s revenue would be transferred to the sheriff for increased personnel costs.
A citation will not go on a driver’s record if the fine is paid.
The county will give the county 30 days notice of the red light camera locations prior to their installation.
This Place Matters: Flomaton Historical Group Misses $25K
September 17, 2010
The Flomaton Area Railroad Museum came up short in public voting for a $25,000 “This Place Matters” grant.
Last week, NorthEscambia.com told readers about a This Place Matters Challenge from the National Trust for Historic Preservation that would award the $25,000 to one entrant to protect places in their community.
The largest number of votes — 7,862 — in the national contest and the $25,000 went to the Tinker cottage Museum in Illinois with 11 percent of the votes. There 101 groups across the country in the running for the cash grant.
Supporters of the Flomaton Area Railroad Museum said they were pleased to be involve in the contest and get national attention.
“I am terribly happy that we were chosen to be on there,” Betty Jones of the Flomaton Area Railroad Museum said.
To see Flomaton’s entry, click here.
Pictured: Levi Wagner, son of Tip Wagner and April Eicher, in photo used by the Flomaton Area Railroad Museum in their “This Place Matters” entry. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Holds Open House; Still Seeks School Advisory, PTSA Members
September 17, 2010
Hundreds of people attended the annual open house Thursday evening at Ernest Ward Middle School.
EWMS is seeking members for their School Advisory Council and PTSA. Both groups will meet on Monday, September 20 — the SAC at 4:00 and the PTSA at 4:30. Interested persons are encouraged to attend.
Thief Swipes Gas From City; Leaves It In Park For Others For Free
September 16, 2010
Someone was stealing gas from the Town of Century’s shop and then leaving it in a 55-gallon drum at the city park, apparently for anyone in the know to fill up for free.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the free gas plot was discovered by Century Mayor Freddie McCall, who was hiding on nearby railroad tracks in an attempt to catch the thief red-handed.
The mayor told deputies that someone was stealing gas from fuel tanks at the city shop at 7850 Alger Road. Deputies found that someone was using an old computer monitor and a barbecue grill as make-shift steps to climb over the shop’s fence. Nearby, at Showalter Park, deputies found a white 55-gallon drum about two-thirds full of gasoline. There was, according to the Sheriff’s Office report, a clear and well-worn trail through a wooded area between the 55-gallon drum and the Century city shop fence.
Tuesday night, McCall reported that while hiding on the railroad tracks, he observed a white Chevrolet Cavalier pull up to the free gas 55-gallon drum. The mayor told deputies that he ran back to his car and pulled back around to Showalter Park. Two males that were standing around the 55-gallon drum fled the park when they spotted McCall.
The vehicle was stopped a short time later in Flomaton. The male driver told deputies that he had been called by a friend who told him about free gas in Century, but he did not know the gas was stolen. The female in the vehicle told deputies that she had received a text message about free gas in the bushes at Showalter Park, but she too did not know the gas was stolen.
Deputies found a plastic siphoning hose, a red 5-gallon gas can and a black 5-gallon bucket in the suspects’ vehicle.
An estimated 300 gallons of gas worth $750 was reported as missing from the Century city shop, according to the Sheriff’s Office report.
The incident is still under investigation; no charges have been filed in case.
Woman Busted For Teen House Party; Parents Allege Drugs, Underage Sex (Updated With Report Copy)
September 16, 2010
A 39-year old Century woman is accused of throwing an open house party Saturday with about two dozen underage teens.
Parents told deputies that the teen house parties included alcohol, drugs and underage sex. Some of the minors at the party were as young as 16. It was the second alleged open house party raided at the woman’s home this year.
Jennifer Leigh Black, 39, was released from the Escambia County Jail Wednesday afternoon on $5,000 bond.
Four deputies from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office raided the house at 4330 North Century Boulevard Saturday night after receiving complaints about a house party. When they arrived, several underage juveniles were stopped as they attempted to run out the backdoor while others were seen inside the house running from room to room trying to hide, the Sheriff’s Office report states.
Other juveniles were observed by deputies that appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. Open alcoholic beverage containers were noted to be across the living room by deputies.
Jennifer Black’s 18-year old daughter Alexis Rae Black came to the door and told deputies that her mother was not home. But deputies found Jennifer Black hiding in a bedroom closet. Jennifer Black gave deputies several different stories about the minors and adults in her house, including an attempt to blame her 18-year daughter Alexis for throwing the open house party.
In his report, Deputy Walter Shiver said he told Jennifer Black that he had received “several complaints from parents of juveniles that her residence was used in her presence and with her knowledge (for) underage drinking and illegal drugs and minors having sexual relations with adults”.
Parents of the minors were called to pick up their children. There were several adults over 21 at the party, but none were the parents of the minors present. The Sheriff’s Office declined to name any of the individuals — including the adults– at the party other than Jennifer and Alexis Black.
Deputies raided a party at the Black’s residence back in February. At that party deputies found a “large number” of teenagers drinking and gathered around a bonfire in the backyard and inside a detached garage. Alexis Black told deputies there were no parents at the party.
Parents were called to pick up their children from the party. A parent later contacted deputies to say that she had been advised that Jennifer Black had been present at the February party. The parent told deputies that Jennifer Black had ran into a wooded area, was picked up and driven back to the party “as if she had not been present and did not know what what happening”. Deputies were told that Jennifer Black “frequently throws parties where minors are encouraged to drink alcohol”, and that she was normally present at the events.
Alexis Black was cited for a misdemeanor open house party offense for allowing minors alcohol. She was found guilty in March and given a 30 day suspended jail term along with fines and costs of $473.
10 Years Of Water Problems End For Backwoods Residents
September 16, 2010
A decade of water woes are over for residents of Backwoods Road in Century.
Water is now flowing through a $1.58 million project to improve the Town of Century’s water system in the Backwoods Road, State Line Road and Highway 4A area.
Residents of Backwoods Road complained about poor water pressure and poor water quality for 10 years. Their water service was provided by a small, two-inch water pipe that has now been replaced with a six-inch main with increased pressure.
The entire project included a new 300,000 gallon elevated water storage tank to improve system reliability and fire protection, two natural gas operated back-up generators to improve system reliability for the existing water treatment plants, 16,000 feet of six-inch water main and a booster station to provide fire protection, improve pressure and system reliability in a portion of the existing water system franchise area.
All of the project is complete, with the exception of the booster station, according to Dale Long, Century’s engineer. Long said the water pressure is better than expected along Backwoods Road.
Most of the project was funded by a federal stimulus dollars, with the remaining portion from a low interest loan.
Pictured top: A new 500,000 gallon elevated water storage tank under construction at the intersection of Academy and Henry streets in Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Former Pastor Pleads On Fake Prescription Charges
September 16, 2010
An Alabama pastor accused of passing fake prescriptions at a Century pharmacy pleaded no contest in an Escambia County courtroom Wednesday.
Bertha Y. Wright, 44, appeared before Escambia County Circuit Court Judge Nickolas Geeker and entered the plea on three charges of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud and one count of possession of a blank prescription. Prosecutors dropped numerous charges against Wright, including 11 counts of possessing a controlled substance without a prescription, 12 counts of possessing a new legend drug without a prescription and one count of trafficking in hydrocodone.
Wright, who remains free on $34,500 bond, is due to be sentenced on November 17.
When Wright attempted to fill three prescriptions at Century Pharmacy on Mayo Street in March, the pharmacist suspected that they were fraudulent. Julie Moran called the doctor that allegedly issued the prescriptions, Dr. David Smith in Jay, and determined they were indeed fraudulent, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office incident report.
The first prescription was written for Phenergan and codeine. The second was for 180 methadone tablets, and the third was for 120 Soma tablets. All three were dated March 3, 2010. Deputy David Bashore contacted Dr. Smith by phone, and he advised that he last saw Wright in February and had written no new prescriptions for Wright.
Inside Wright’s purse, Bashore located an unlabeled prescription bottle containing methadone, a bottle with generic Lorcet and generic Soma mixed together, and a third bottle with methadone.
When deputies Michael Coburn and Tod Day searched Wright’s vehicle across the street from the pharmacy, they discovered a variety of medications — the sheriff’s office incident report lists about a dozen other medications by their identification numbers. The report identified 127 hydrocodone tablets and the muscle relaxer Carisoprodol. An ice-filled cooler in the vehicle also contained three bottles of an unknown substance, according to deputies. The vehicle and the medications were seized as evidence by the sheriff’s department.
Wright was reportedly a pastor at a Mt. Vernon, Alabama, church.
Open House Tonight At Ernest Ward, Ransom
September 16, 2010
Open house will be held this evening at Ernest Ward and Ransom Middle schools. The open house events will begin at 6 p.m.
In addition, Ernest Ward Middle School is seeking members for their School Advisory Council and PTSA. Both groups will meet on Monday, September 20 — the SAC at 4:00 and the PTSA at 4:30. Interested persons are encouraged to attend.
Jay Cross Country Girls Win First Meet
September 16, 2010
The Jay High School Girls Cross Country Team placed first in their first meet of 2010 against Gulf Breeze, Pace, Navarre and Central high schools. During the meet at Sims Middle School in Pace, the top five runners from Jay were Leely Trevino (23:12), Allison Blair (23:57), Robin Blackman (23:59), Caristyn Golden (24:41), and Jessica Thornton (25:09). Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jay Peanut Festival To Begin Beaches To Woodlands Tour
September 16, 2010
The 21st Annual Jay Peanut Festival October 2-3 will kick-off the seventh annual Beaches to Woodlands Tour of Santa Rosa County. The month-long self-guided driving tour of Santa Rosa County features more than two dozen events. Geared toward locals and tourists alike, the tour has become an annual Gulf Coast staple.
“Once Fall season starts settling in people get motivated to get out and about,” said Karen Harrell, tour coordinator. “This is a showcase series of events for Santa Rosa County. These events are family-friendly and inexpensive, back-to-basic type of activities.” Along with great activities, Harrell said October is a great time for a weekend vacation with water temperatures still warm enough to swim and area lodging rates for out-of-towners down up to 40 percent from summer’s high season.
The Jay Peanut Festival draws upwards to 70,000 people to the 15-acre Gabbert Farm each year who have a chance to sample all types of peanuts -– boiled, green, fried, candied and more.
Admission is free and all weekend long there will be arts, crafts, antique, new items, games, rides, rock climbing wall, pony and horse rides, wagon rides, train rides, buckboard rides, anvil shoot, and a grist mill. The farm’s popular museum is also open for tours.
Pictured above and below: Large crowds attended the annual Jay Peanut Festival last year. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
