High Gas Bills: Double Surprise For Some Century Residents
February 4, 2010
Some Century Town Gas Department customers are getting a double surprise with their January bills.
Bills that recently arrived in mailboxes around the town include the two weeks with sub-freezing lows, and that has led to increased bills. But for some customers, the bills are also higher than normal because their billing cycle was as long as 42 days due to meter problems.
A Century gas bill normally includes gas used over 30 or 31 days. But due to difficulties reading the town’s electronic meters, some customers’ bills reflect 42 days of usage.
Resident Helen Mincy saw her normal $15 a month bill increase fourfold to almost $60. She told the town council that she only used her gas heat three days during the cold weather and that she could not understand why her bill was so high.
For Robert Mitchell, his bill jumped from about $150 to nearly $300 — partially due to the cold and partially due to the 42 day billing cycle.
“I’m ready to tear them out,” Mayor Freddie McCall said of the town’s electronic gas meters. “We got a bum installation.”
A town employee should only need to drive by an electronic meter while the meter reading appears automatically on a laptop computer. However, the mayor said the systems has been nothing but problematic, leading some to have the 42 day billing cycle last month. He said he has tried multiple times to rectify the situation with the manufacturer of the meters, but so far there is no solution.
“I am ready to tear them out and hire a meter reader,” McCall said.
Update: Work On Highway 97
February 4, 2010
Crews are beginning work on resufacing project on Highway 97 between Molino and the Alabama state line.
Thursday, crews will continue work to remove trees and brush from the right of way on Highway 97 near the Walnut Hill Community Center. On Friday, they will move to just north of Wiggins Lake Road.
Shawn Joseph, project administrator for Panhandle Grading and Paving, Inc., said that he does not anticipate any lane closures Thursday or Friday, but drivers should exercise caution.
Next week, Joseph said crews will likely begin work to replace guardrails, and that will lead to lane closures south of Highway 4 and north of Highway 29.
NorthEscambia.com will continue provide the most current Highway 97 lane closure and construction updates to help you avoid delays.
Jay Sex Offender Arrested
February 4, 2010
A convicted sex offender from Jay has been arrested by Santa Rosa County deputies on charges that she failed to properly maintain her registration as a sex offender.
Rhonda Donaldson Watson, 40, of Dawson Nowling Lane in Jay, is being held in the Santa Rosa County Jail without bond.
In 1999, Watson was convicted of a lewd or lascivious act on or in the presence of child under the age of 16. According to Florida Department of Law Enforcement records, Watson has previously resided in Milton.
Sex offenders in Florida are required to notify the state of their most current address.
Flash Flood Watch: Several Inches Of Rain Possible
February 4, 2010
A flash flood watch is in effect as light showers will give way to heavy rain by Thursday night.
The National Weather Service says we can expect 2 to 4 inches of rain across the area, and some isolated areas could receive from 5 to 6 inches by Friday morning.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 52. East wind 5 to 15 mph becoming west. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
- Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a steady temperature around 57. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. North wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 56. North wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. East wind around 5 mph.
- Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a high near 60. Southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 46.
- Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61.
- Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.
- Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a high near 57.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37.
- Thursday: A slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a high near 56.
High School Basketball Roundup: Tate, Northview, Jay
February 3, 2010
Catholic 64 Tate 60
The Tate boys lost a non-district game to Catholic on Tuesday, 64-60. Dylan Anderson was on top for the Aggies with 19.
Tate–Dylan Anderson 19, Jabrille Rashied 2, Petey Jones 2, Spencer Taylor 6, Krys Walden 8, Kevin Brown 10, Shermonne Jones 2, Adam Stumpf 2, Griffin 9.
Tate 12 14 15 10 9-60 Catholic 7 12 9 23 13-64
Escambia Charter 68 Jay 45
Hunter Boutwell had 18 for the Royals in a 68-45 loss to Escambia Charter Tuesday in Jay.
Jay–Hunter Boutwell 18,Luke Rowell 9, Bugg Fischer 2, Conner Weekes 10, Tyler Prescott 6, Stephen Jones 2.
Jay 13 8 12 12-45 Escambia Charter 10 24 20 24-68
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Freeport 37 Northview 19
The Northview Lady Chiefs fell in the District 1-2A tournament at Ponce de Leon Tuesday. The Lady Chiefs were defeated by Freeport, 37-19. Northview had a 12-4 lead at the end of the first quarter. Freeport outscored NHS 13-4 in the second, giving Freeport a one point lead at the end of two, 17-16. But the Bulldogs dominated the last two periods, outscoring the Chiefs 20 points to 3.
Northview 12 4 3 0-19 Freeport 4 13 14 6-37
Tate 52 Pace 47
Tate–Courtney Brown 19, Kat Tucker 7, Meagan Briske 11, Chelsea Hall 15.
Tate 11 13 13 15-52 Pace 13 20 4 10-47
‘Baby Shower’ Turns Into BYOB Party With Music Heard Across Century
February 3, 2010
The Town of Century is reviewing its community center rental policy after a “baby shower” turned into a late night party heard across the entire town.
On January 23, Quionsha Gomez rented the Century Community Center, commonly called the “Ag Building” on West Highway 4 for a baby shower, according to rental agreement (pictured, click to enlarge) she executed with the Town of Century on December 18, 2009.
But what happened late that night was anything but a baby shower, according to Mayor Freddie McCall. He drove to the community center late the night of January 23, he said, because he started to get complaints about the noise from across town.
“It rattled my truck windows when I drove by, and there were these wild flashing lights all over the little picket fence out front,” McCall said. “This was no baby shower.”
McCall said he called the sheriff’s department and had deputies tell the partygoers to turn the music down. But he said when he returned home — about two miles away — he could still hear the “thump” of the music.
The mayor said when he inspected the community center the following day, January 24, he found “two sets of speakers almost as big as the wall”. The trashcans, he said, were full of alcohol bottles. The rental agreement on file for the “baby shower” specifically forbids alcohol.
McCall said there was a flier taped to the door advertising the event. That flier, as provided by the mayor to the Century Town Council, advertises a “Five Star Chick B-Day Bash…Calling all Five Star Chicks Celebrating Their B-Days in January to come party With your girl Sha celebrating her 20th”.
The flier advises that attendees “Must be 18 to party” and “B.Y.O.B” — a common abbreviation for “Bring Your Own Bottle”, which by definition refers to alcohol. The flier also advertises that the party will be “Hosted by The ‘Bad Boy’ Jojo McToy from B.E.T. and Montgomery, Alabama Hot 105.7″. The flier also shows the words “all exposed” superimposed across the photo of a female.
“Our agreement says no alcohol,” the mayor said. “There were three huge trashcans of bottles.”
The community center rents for $200, which includes a $100 refundable security deposit. McCall said he refused to return the security deposit for the baby shower.
The Century Town Council plans to review the rental agreement and take steps to prevent such a late night bash from occurring again.
“People have to sleep, and the nursing home is next door” McCall said. “We aren’t going to stand for this, or for the alcohol.”
County Renews Contract With Atmore Ambulance For 327 Exchange
February 3, 2010
The Escambia County has renewed a contract with Atmore Ambulance to provide emergency medical services for the portion of North Escambia in the 327 phone exchange.
Atmore Ambulance has been providing ambulance service for the Walnut Hill, Bratt, Davisville and surrounding communities in the 327 telephone exchange since 1978.
The county’s current contract with Atmore Ambulance was due to expire on February 3. The current annual contract is $75,000 per year, without an increase since February 2006. The new contract is for $85,000 per year for an initial period of 36 months, and it is renewable for two additional 12 month periods for a total of 60 months.
Under the terms of the contract, Atmore Ambulance directly bills patients for services rendered at an amount not greater than that billed by Escambia County EMS, which provides ambulance service for the rest of the county.
Renewal of the agreement was recommended by Management and Budget Services Bureau Chief Amy Lovoy.
Outside of the 327 phone exchange area, ambulance service is provided by Escambia County EMS.
Northview Grad Promotes Book
February 3, 2010
A new chapter in the life of 1998 Northview High School graduate Candi Pearson-Shelton was opened Saturday night at the premiere party for her.book Desperate Hope: When Faith in God Overcame My Despair.
It’s the first book for the former Bratt resident, a book that chronicles the journey through the death of her brother Rick Pearson and the glory of God in the midst of the tragedy.
As Rick, her younger brother, battled for his life in the ICU, Candi Pearson-Shelton sat waiting and praying with her family for a miracle. The Scriptures were more precious to them in those hours than ever. As Candi. poured over the words from Isaiah chapter 40, a song was born.
A voice cries in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord. Make straight in the desert a highway for our God…. Then every eye will see the glory of the Lord revealed.
The days and months and years that would follow Rick’s death in September 2005 would be painful, but Candi and her family found in the words of this biblical song a sort of mission—a call to find the glory of the Lord shining through the sorrow and to reflect that glory to all those around them.
The song became the title track on the Dove Award winning album Glory Revealed, and she was soon on the album’s tour with artists Mac Powell, Shane & Shane, Brian Littrell and others.
“The song was finished in approximately five minutes! It was a sweet gift, almost a confirmation that this was our promise from the Lord — that all eyes would see His glory revealed,” Candi wrote in her book. “Everyone involved in the record felt that this was no accident. God is about His glory, and His is about His Word.”
Candi had always been a musician, singing her first solo in church when she was just two-years old. At Northview High School, she was in the band, the chorus and performed in musical theater productions. She knew she was about music, especially music that praised the Lord.
“I’m a musician, and I didn’t know at first that the book was something God. wanted,” Candi told NorthEscambia.com after her Saturday night book release party at Mountain Lake Church in Cumming, GA.
It’s the same church where her brother Rick, then 23, served as worship leader. Leading worship was Rick’s passion, his calling. He was leading worship at a camp in Panama City during the summer of 2005 when he began to feel unreasonably fatigued. The first diagnoses were varied and none as ominous as the final diagnosis — Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
He was admitted to the cancer ward of a Georgia hospital on August 4, and battled a very public and faith centered battle against the disease until his death on September 9, 2005. Daily — sometimes hourly — family members would post the latest on his condition on his blog for the world to see. And the hundreds, if not thousands, would join the family in prayer for Rick and the family. Many, many of those were in the North Escambia area, where mom, Elaine and stepfather, Billy Holk still live.
“I did not start out to write a book, but God had a bigger story to tell,” Candi said Saturday night. It was not to be told through just her music, but through the book that was over four years in the making.
“I write these thoughts out of necessity,” Candi said. “There is value in recording the gentle whispers and hard-learned faith lessons that make up the aftermath, springing up like tender shoots of vivid green grass through the contrasting blackened dry soot. These are my blades of grass, the lessons in the aftermath, told with the heart of an adventurer fresh from the adventure, brimming with tales of terror and scars, of beauty and redemption.”
Candi, her husband Jonathon and son Elias now live in southern California. Candi and Jonathon have recently released a new worship album Sycamore Yet I Will Rejoice. She hopes to continue work and expand the project into a full CD. But for now, it’s the book.
Her book tour is planned — all three stops of it, so far.
“I miss it there sometimes,” Candi said of North Escambia. “It’s so much different than California. You can see the stars at mom’s house in Bratt.”
Every purchase of Candi’s book Desperate Hope: When Faith in God Overcame My Despair includes a free download of the song “One Breath, Then Another.”
“In the salty tears, we discovered the way through is to take one breath…then another,” the chorus of the song says. And that is Candi’s intention — to follow God’s leadership, one breath at a time.
All of the profits from the sale of Desperate Hope will go to the Rick Pearson Memorial Fund, a non-profit that exists to extend the hope of Christ to others by championing the interests and organizations that Rick passionately supported. Monies that are donated to the Rick Pearson Memorial Fund are used to help support organizations like Compassion International, Bigstuf Camps, The 410 Bridge, Passion Conferences and most recently, a scholarship fund for students who want to pursue a ministry of music with an emphasis on missions.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Agribusiness Conference: Learn About New Crops and Business Models
February 3, 2010
The University of Florida IFAS Extension and Team Santa Rosa will host the 2010 Gulf Coast Agribusiness Conference on Thursday, February 18, 2010, in Chumuckla.
Family farms are continually facing new challenges in today’s economy. To address these concerns, speakers from the Southeast region will provide our area farmers with ideas for new crops and business models. A trade show will be held at the conference, with space for vendor booths and equipment displays.
The target audience for this conference is producers of all types of crops in the Western Panhandle of Florida and Baldwin and Escambia Counties in Alabama. It will also serve as an informational seminar for prospective new farmers. Conference topics include “New Crops and Growing Methods,” “Estate Planning,” “Marketing Options: Most Successful Marketing Tools,” and “Greenhouse Demonstration”.
For more information on obtaining registration & sponsorship information contact Robin Vickers at rvickers @ ufl.edu or (850) 983-5216 x 113 or Jennifer Walters at jwalters @ teamsantarosa.com or (850) 623-0174. Also click here.
Chumuckla’s Farmers Opry House is located located at 8897 Byrom Campbell Road.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Supervisor of Elections Releases New Web Site
February 3, 2010
Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David H. Stafford has released an updated and expanded version of EscambiaVotes.com, the popular web site first launched in 2005 to expand the reach of the Elections Office by featuring a wide array of services and information online.
The redesigned and enhanced site builds on the success of the original by providing even more information to the public, while increasing functionality and ease of navigation. For example, the election results tool features new graphics and incorporates additional information, including precinct-by-precinct results for all elections since 2006. The home page includes the latest voter registration statistics in an easy-to-read format, while the navigation of the new site is much simpler and intuitive. And with the new online filing requirements enacted by the County Commission and City Council at the request of the Elections Office, campaign finance information will be available to the public in real time.
In conjunction with the rollout of the new site, the Escambia County Elections Office is entering the world of “social media” with launch of a fan page on Facebook, a Twitter account, and a YouTube page where video content will be posted. Links to each of these can be found on the homepage of EscambiaVotes.com. An RSS feed is also available for those interested in receiving new information as soon as it is posted, and Google Maps are incorporated to pinpoint the location of the Elections Office, early voting sites, and polling places.
“As I said five years ago when we launched our first site, the Internet is the primary source of information and news for a large and growing segment of America, particularly younger generations whose participation in elections lags far behind older voters,‟” said Stafford. “We now know that the Internethas expanded far beyond what many thought possible, and we have a responsibility to the public to keep pace.”