County Votes To Withhold Library Funding From City, Looks To Terminate Agreement
October 19, 2012
Escambia County has approved a plan to ensure that the West Florida Library branches in the county — including Century and Molino — are open the same number of hours as those in the city of Pensacola. And the county is moving forward with terminating their involvement with the City of Pensacola in the library system.
Escambia County provides about 70 percent of the funding for the library system, while the Pensacola acts as library administrator. With the passage of a fiscal year 2012-2013 budget, Escambia County cut their library contribution by 5-percent or $165,000 from the previous year.
The West Florida Library responded by cutting operational hours by one-third, reducing part-time employees by 30 percent, subscriptions by 15 percent and book purchases by 85 percent. The new Molino Branch, set to open this fall, will be staffed by personnel from the Century Library, while the Century Library will see hours cut by 40 percent. The library system now hopes to stock the shelves at the Molino Branch with duplicates from within the system and donated items.
Thursday night, the Escambia County Commission approved a $3,152,425 to the City of Pensacola for the county’s share of funding the joint library system. The approval also stipulated that the county administrator can reduce the purchase order by the amount needed to provide staffing to all the branches in the unincorporated areas of Escambia County at the same level as the branch in Pensacola with the greatest operating hours.
The commission also voted to have the county attorney find a way to get the county out of the interlocal library agreement the city of Pensacola
“I think this current interlocal agreement needs to be terminated, and we need to evaluate what happens,” Robinson said.
“I could not agree more,” Commissioner Gene Valentino said. “I’d like a whole new structure for the library system, and I think this starts the gears in motion.”
The county attorney’s recommendation to end the library agreement with Pensacola is due to presented to the commission on November 15.
Operation Clean Sweep Targets Molino
October 19, 2012
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office along with the Mid-County Neighborhood watch, partner agencies and volunteers, worked to clean up in Molino Thursday.
The Operation Clean Sweep removed four tons of debris. Three people were arrested, and 11 traffic citations were issued out of 84 vehicles that were stopped at a checkpoint at Highway 95A and Molino Road. In addition, the ECSO Sex Crimes Unit made 20 address verifications, and Escambia County Code Enforcement initiated 15 new cases.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the focus of “Operation Clean Sweep” is to work with neighborhood watch groups, residents, churches and business owners to control and prevent the damaging effects of crime.
The operation task force works closely with Escambia County Animal Control, Escambia County Environmental Law Enforcement, the military, Escambia County Roads and Bridges, and neighborhood watch groups to clean up neighborhoods and educate citizens on preventive measures that could be implemented to minimize possible crimes.
Pictured above and below: Deputies and volunteers plan their course of action before an Operation Clean Sweep gets underway Thursday morning at Highland Baptist Church in Molino. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Governmental Hub Named For Magaha, Civic Center Renamed
October 19, 2012
The Escambia County Commission voted Thursday night to rename the county’s governmental hub and the civic center.
The commission renamed the Escambia County Governmental Complex to the Ernie Lee Magaha Governmental Complex in honor of the Jay native and longtime Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller Ernie Lee Magaha.
Magaha was born in Jay, raised in Mosquito Flats near Century, and graduated from Century High School. He served in the Merchant Marines and graduated from Auburn University with a degree in economics in 1950.
He served as a state auditor for five years and resigned in 1956 to run for the clerk of the court of record. At that time, he and his wife, Lucile, spearheaded a grassroots campaign and literally walked the county for a successful election in November 1956 as she was expecting their first child.
He took office in January of 1957 and has held the position of clerk since that time. His office was instrumental in the smooth transition of the court system in 1972 to the two-tier system in place today. In 1995, then Governor Lawton Chiles asked him to assume the additional responsibilities of the comptroller’s office.
Also Thursday night, the commission voted to rebrand and rename the Pensacola Civic Center to the Pensacola Bay Center with a new logo. The new name and logo will be phased in immediately. Plans are in place to create a comprehensive marketing campaign that also includes a new website. The change was made at the recommendation of SMG, the center’s management company.
Man Convicted Of Murdering Engaged Couple In Allentown
October 19, 2012
A Milton man has been convicted of murdering an engaged couple found on a secluded Allentown Road in September 2010.
A jury returned the verdict Thursday against Robert Lee Hobart, 43, for the first degree murders of Robert Hamm, 41, and Tracie Tolbert, 43.
Hamm and Tolbert were discovered shot to death September 22 on Jesse Allen Road in Allentown. Both victims died from gunshot wounds, according to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. Prosecutors said Hobart murdered the couple in order to steal prescription drugs from them.
He will be sentenced next week and could receive a maximum of the death penalty.
Hobart was a suspect early in the investigation and arrested by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office after he was implicated by conclusive forensic evidence. Investigators said ballistics tests matched the weapon to both the shell casings and the bullets recovered from the crime scene.
The murders were discovered after a resident of Jesse Allen Road called authorities to report what looked like a large amount of blood in Jesse Allen Road. When deputies arrived, they found the two bodies on opposite sides of the roadway.
Jesse Allen Road runs west off Highway 87, about 18 miles south of Jay and not far from Central High School.
Escambia County Commission Terminates Administrator Randy Oliver
October 19, 2012
The Escambia County Commission has voted to terminate the contract of County Administrator Randy Oliver.
Commissioner Grover Robinson made a motion Thursday night, seconded by Marie Young, to retain Oliver for the year remaining on his three-year contract. That motion failed 3-2, effectively terminating Oliver’s contract.
Following his termination, Oliver said, “I’d like to thank the board and thank the citizens of Escambia County for the opportunity to serve them.” He then exited the commission chambers quietly.
During a public evaluation of Oliver’s job performance over the past year, commissioners spoke very little. Prior to Thursday night’s meeting, each county commissioner had already submitted their own personal written evaluation of Oliver’s job performance. He was given a generally good reviews by Young and Robinson, but numerous issues and shortcomings were raised by commissioners Kevin White, Wilson Robertson and Gene Valentino.
Before his termination, Oliver made a presentation that lasted about 40 minutes applauding the accomplishments made by numerous county departments. Then he discussed his own performance and the projects he hoped to champion next year.
“You have my commitment to keep this county on sound financial footing,” he said. “We could have done some things that would have made us look good for a couple of years, and I can pad my resume to go someplace else. And you’d be thinking that you were in great shape. Then one day you wake and up and say we aren’t.”
“I’m very proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish,” Robinson said. “There are many great accomplishments that we have been able to reach; I appreciate all of you leadership in making that happen. It’s a good team, but you’ve assembled a good team…and y’all have certainly done good work.”
Commissioner Marie Young agreed. “Randy, I’d like to thank you for a job well done…you’ve done an excellent job.”
Oliver will take “terminal leave” until November 2 in order to complete two years of service to become vested in the Florida Retirement System.
Oliver’s severance package will include a lump sum payment of $72,599, which is equal to half of his annual salary, along with accumulated leave. He will also remain oon the county’s health and dental plans for six months.
Effective Friday morning, Assistant Administrator Larry Newsome will serve as acting county administrator for a few weeks until commissioners name an interim administrator and begin a nationwide search for a permanent replacement.
Pictured: Randy Oliver at Wednesday’s grand opening of the Molino Community Complex, just one day before he was terminated as county administrator. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Red Flag Warning; A Cool 45 Tonight
October 19, 2012
There is a red flag warning in effect — avoid outdoor burning. Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Clear, with a low around 45. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 76. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 45. Calm wind.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 79. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the morning.
- Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 48. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 83. East wind around 5 mph.
- Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 83. East wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 57. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 83.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 59.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.
Northview Honors Senior Volleyball Stars, Takes On PHS
October 19, 2012
The Northview Chiefs celebrated their volleyball program’s Senior Night Thursday.
1A Northview lost to 6A Pensacola High 23-25, 25-21, 19-25, 16-25. Taylor Roberson had two aces and three digs for the Lady Chiefs, and Misty Doran added 12 kills, seven blocks and two digs.
Northview volleyball seniors are as follows (along with a little biographically information):
Misty Doran # 1
Height — 5′10″
Favorite TV Show — Blue Mountain State
Favorite Movie — The Vow
Favorite Food — Italian
Favorite Music — Rock
Favorite Subject — Science
Grow Up To Be — Athletic trainer
Morgan Smith # 3
Height — 5′11″
Favorite TV Show — Pretty Little Liars
Favorite Movie — Remember the Titans
Favorite Food — Nachos
Favorite Music — Everything
Favorite Subject — P.E.
Grow Up To Be — A nurse in the Navy
Taylor Roberson # 4
Height — 5′2″
Favorite TV Show — Pretty little liars
Favorite Movie — ??
Favorite Food — Sloppy Joes
Favorite Music — Country
Favorite Subject — P.E.
Grow Up To Be — Pharmacist
Shelley Mothershed # 5
Height — 5′3″
Favorite TV Show — Pretty Little Liars
Favorite Movie — I Am Legend
Favorite Food — Potato soup
Favorite Music — Rap
Favorite Subject — English
Grow Up To Be — Cosmetologist
Morgan Payne # 13
Height — 5′10″
Favorite TV Show — Pretty Little Liars
Favorite Movie — Act of Valor
Favorite Food — Apple sauce
Favorite Music — Christian
Favorite Subject — Theatre
Grow Up To Be — Sports trainer
Hannah Fiellin # 15
Height — 5′3″
Favorite TV Show — Vampire Diaries
Favorite Movie — Ghost Rider
Favorite Food — Pasta
Favorite Music — Country
Favorite Subject — History
Grow Up To Be — Doctor
Missing Cantonment Woman Found Safe In Mississippi
October 19, 2012
A Cantonment woman missing since Wednesday was found safe in Mississippi Thursday night.
A silver alert had been issued in both Florida and Alabama for Nina Veach, 82. She was last seen about 4 p.m. Wednesday at her residence in the 10000 block of Bristol Park Road in Cantonment.
Authorities said was in need of medical attention.
Further details have not been released.
Photos: Bratt Elementary Holds Fall Festival
October 19, 2012
The annual Fall Festival was held Thursday afternoon at Bratt Elementary School, featuring games, food and fun for the children.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Undefeated: Ernest Ward Beats Escambia Academy
October 19, 2012
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles added another one to the win column Thursday night. The Eagles beat the Cougars of Escambia Academy 36-16 at home in Walnut Hill.
Ernest Ward (7-0) will wrap up their season next Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Escambia Academy in Canoe, Ala.
Pictured: The Ernest Ward Eagles take the field Thursday in Walnut Hill. Submitted photos by Heather Jernigan, click to enlarge.
