Resurfacing Begins On Century’s Worst Roads
April 26, 2011
Resurfacing begins this week on seven of Century’s worst roads.
The town will repave Freedom Road, the portion of Old Flomaton Road in the city limits, Hecker Road, Elm Street, Hilltop Road, B Street and Archie Street. The streets were on the top of the town’s priority list.
Traffic delays will be kept to a minimum during the resurfacing process. “We ask our residents to be patient with us for a couple of weeks while we improve our streets,” Century Mayor Freddie McCall said.
The resurfacing part of the project will cost the town about $200,000 by piggybacking on an Escambia County contract with Roads, Inc. Of Northwest Florida. Another $14,000 will be added for pavement striping on Freedom, Old Flomaton and Hecker. Striping — those lines down the middle and on the side of the roadway — will not be added to the other roads because they are low-traffic.
There will be about a dozen roads remaining to be paved on the town’s priority list. Five of them — West Cottage Street, Academy Street, Pleasant Hill Road, Ramar Street and Lake Street — are all short or dead end streets. The remaining are dirt roads that will require extensive drainage work prior to surfacing.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill Man Gets 3 Years Probation On Drug Charges
April 26, 2011
A Walnut Hill man has been sentenced to three years probation after pleading guilty on four drug charges.
Mark Allen Shipps, 38, pleaded guilty to manufacturing methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana in connection with a meth lab that was discovered last October at a shed located at his home at in the 6400 block of Rockaway Creek Road in the Nokomis community.
Shipps was also ordered to pay fines and court costs of $668 and his driver’s license was suspended for two years.
Photos: Spring Gardening At Century Care Center
April 26, 2011
Spring means gardening for many in the area, and the residents at Century Care Center are no exception. The residents have planted a variety of vegetables in raised beds for easy access.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview, Jay In District 1-2A Semis Today
April 26, 2011
Northview and Jay will both be in action today in the semifinals of the District 1-2A baseball tournament at Jay.
The No. 1 ranked Northview Chiefs will play Freeport at 4 p.m. Freeport is coming off a 19-0 win over Ponce de Leon Monday night. The No. 2 ranked Jay Royals will play Baker at 7 p.m. The Baker Gators beat Pensacola Christian 8-3 Monday night.
The winner of Tuesday night’s games will play at 7 p.m. Thursday.
If Northview and Jay both advance to the finals, it will be a repeat of last year’s matchup, which Jay won. The Royals made it all the way to the final four in 2A last year.
District 1-2A at Jay
GAME 1: Freeport 19 Ponce De Leon 0
GAME 2: Baker 8 Pensacola Christian 3
GAME 3: Freeport No. 1 Northview, 4 p.m. Tuesday
GAME 4: Baker. No. 2 Jay, 7 p.m. Tuesday
CHAMPIONSHIP: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 7 p.m. Thursday
27-Year Proprietor Of Mamie’s Restaurant Passes Away
April 26, 2011
Longtime Century and Flomaton restaurateur Mamie E. Rowland passed away Sunday. She was 77.
Rowland owned and operated Mamie’s Restaurant for 27 years. The business began in Century and later moved to Flomaton after fire destroyed the first location.
Funeral services for Mamie E. Rowland will be held Wednesday, April 27 at Jay Funeral Home. For the complete obituary, click here.
Friday Deadline To Pay Escambia Real Estate, Tangible Taxes
April 26, 2011
Over $24 million — about nine percent — of Escambia County’s tax roll remains unpaid, according to Tax Collector Janet Holley.
All 2010 real estate and tangible personal property taxes must be paid and receipted by 5 p.m. Friday, April 29 to prevent being advertised as delinquent, adding advertising costs to the final tax bill. Online or automated phone payments (800‑601‑1055) also must be made by midnight April 30 to prevent advertising.
The delinquent ads will be published and posted on the tax collector’s web site on May 12.
Payments must be processed:
- in person at one of four branch offices by 5:00 p.m. April 29;
- through the service center 850-438-6500 x252 by 5:00 p.m. April 29;
- on the website www.escambiataxcollector.com by midnight April 30; or
- on the automated telephone 800-601-1055 by midnight April 30.
For more information, contact the tax collector’s office at (850) 438-6500, Ext. 252.
Virtual School Expansion Moves Forward
April 26, 2011
A bill that requires all students in Florida to take one virtual class before graduating and permits kindergarteners to take full-time virtual classes was approved by the Senate Budget Committee on Monday.
The measure (SB 1620) was amended to match a carefully negotiated House version. The Senate bill is now scaled back from its original version, which would have permitted a statewide virtual school with open enrollment to any student in public, private or home schools.
In its amended form, the bill now only permits virtual charter schools and expands the ability of the Florida Virtual School to offer full-time and part-time enrollment to students in grades K-12.
Many Democrats on the committee expressed concern about allowing kindergarteners to take full-time virtual instruction. Bill sponsor Sen. Anitere Flores, R-Miami, defended the bill as likely only attracting a small number of new virtual school students.
“This isn’t just a kindergarten student waking up one day and saying ‘Gee, I want to be in virtual classes,’ ” Flores said. “There will be discussion with parents, of course, and the district as well.”
Other lawmakers said they were concerned about the fiscal impact, which was estimated at over $6 million. A rally will be held on Tuesday to support the bill and its House companion (HB 7197) with Gov. Rick Scott and Senate President Mike Haridopolos as well as other lawmakers in attendance.
West Florida High Criminal Justice Club Takes Part In State Conference
April 26, 2011
West Florida High School of Advanced Technology’s Criminal Justice Club travels to Daytona today for the Florida Public Service Association Conference.
The FPSA is a high school based club for students who are involved in the studies of criminal justice, teacher assisting or firefighter assisting. The organization was founded in 1990 to assist teachers and students studying in these career fields to expand the knowledge of their chosen fields by competing against others from around the state. The competitions are designed by teachers based on the Florida Department of Education curriculum guidelines for each of these career fields.
Three North Escambia residents, Cheyenne Godwin and Kaitlin Howard of Molino and Josh Vihnanek of Walnut Hill, are among those competing this week. During the conference, Godwin will be campaigning for FPSA state historian.
Last year at FPSA Conference, WFHS placed in the following:
- Community Service
- Extemporaneous Open Statement
- Extemporaneous Poster Display
- CPR
- Job Seeking Skills
- Parliamentary Procedures
- Scrapbook
- Mr. Public Service
- Ms. Public Service
- Firearms-Novice
- Firearms-Advanced (1st & 2nd Place)
- Top Gun
- Forensic Investigation
- Accident Report Writing
- Traffic Accident Report Writing
- Defensive Tactics
- Traffic Stop
- 3rd in CJ Top Chapter
Teacher-sponsor for the group is Gerald Russo.
Pictured top: The West Florida High School of Advanced Technology’s Criminal Justice Club at FPSA 2010 in Orlando. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Red Flag Warnings: 65+ Rescues At Area Beaches
April 26, 2011
Headed to the beach for Spring Break? Officials are reminding everyone to pay attention to red and yellow flag warnings.
There were more than 65 rescues by lifeguards from Pensacola Beach to Navarre Beach during last weekend. There were no drownings, but several people were transported to area hospitals for treatment.
Dangerous surf conditions and rip currents are expected to persist this week. For the latest surf advisory for Pensacola Beach and Gulf Islands National Seashore, call (850) 932-SURF.
Pictured top: A lifeguard heads into the Gulf at Pensacola Beach to rescue a swimmer in trouble. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Proposed Amendment Targets Federal Health Overhaul
April 26, 2011
Readying for a ballot fight in 2012, the House Health & Human Services Committee on Monday approved a proposed constitutional amendment that targets a key part of the federal health overhaul.
The proposed amendment says laws or rules “may not compel, directly or indirectly, any person or employer to purchase, obtain or otherwise provide for health care coverage.”
The Senate has already approved its version of the measure, which would seek to allow Floridians to opt out of the “individual mandate” in the health law that President Obama and congressional Democrats passed last year. That mandate will require almost all Americans to have health insurance in 2014. The Health & Human Services Committee voted 8-6 for the proposal, sending it to the full House.
Sponsor Scott Plakon, R-Longwood, said it would allow people to make their own choices about health care. But Rep. Elaine Schwartz, D-Hollywood, said it is one of several attacks by Florida Republicans on the health law.