Wrecks Costing Century Much More Than Peanuts
September 24, 2012
The second overturned 18-wheeler on Highway 29 at Jackson street in two years will cost Century much more than peanuts — likely pushing the two-wreck damage total to town property over a quarter of a million dollars.
Last Thursday afternoon, an 18-wheeler fully loaded with peanuts overturned across a town sewage lift station, destroying a generator and control equipment, rupturing a town gas line and sending the town scrambling for a septic tank company to pump out the facility to prevent an overflow. Damage estimates are not yet complete for last week’s accident.
On December 20, 2010, an 18-wheeler loaded with plastic beads overturned at the same location. That accident destroyed the generator, control equipment and the complete pumping equipment for the sewage lift station. The Great Western Casualty Company settled with the town for $190,250.51 for the damages.
When repairs were made following the December 2010 accident, the pumping equipment was moved underground. The pumping equipment was not damaged during last week’s wreck.
Town officials said they want to explore options for moving the generator away from the side of the roadway, but the town’s current utility easements won’t allow it.
Pictured top: An overturned 18-wheeler last week caused tens of thousands of dollars to equipment at a Century sewage lift station at Highway 29 and Jackson Street. Pictured inset: A overturned natural gas generator partial covered in peanuts. Pictured below: An overturned truck caused $190, 250 in damage at the same location in December 2010. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Scott To Appeal FEMA’s Denial Of Local Hurricane Isaac Claims
September 24, 2012
Gov. Rick Scott’s office will appeal the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s decision to deny the state — and Escambia and Santa Rosa counties — a major presidential disaster declaration for Tropical Storm/Hurricane Isaac, which skirted the state in late August,
FEMA notified Florida on Wednesday that it was rejecting the application, meaning no federal funds to cover $11 million in damage in Escambia County and $1.2 million in Santa Rosa County.
In notifying FEMA of the state’s intent to appeal, Scott also said in a letter to FEMA Director Craig Fugate that the state was expanding its request for a major disaster declaration by adding Broward, Franklin and Martin counties, where Scott said damage estimates are more than $9.8 million. The original seven counties in the request are Escambia, Santa Rosa, Bay, Collier, Monroe, Okaloosa and Palm Beach.
Scott said in his letter that the total statewide damage figure for all 10 counties is now $36.7 million.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.
Romney Bus Tour Hits Escambia County Monday
September 24, 2012
The “Romney Plan for a Stronger Middle Class Bus Tour” will make stops in Escambia County Monday, with Congressman Jeff Miller and Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward.
The bus schedule is as follows:
Event: Stronger Middle Class Bus Tour – Built by Us Rally
Location: Blue Wahoo Park/Flash Community Maritime Park
449 West Main Street, Pensacola, Florida 32502
Program Time: 2:30 pm
Who: Mayor Ashton Hayward
Small business owners
Romney Bus
Stops with Congressman Jeff Miller were made earlier today at The Coffee Cup restaurant and Pensacola Christian College.
All of the events are open to the public. Romney will not be on the bus.
County Seeks Volunteers For Extension Council, Library Board
September 24, 2012
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking volunteers for the Extension Council and the West Florida Public Library Board of Trustees.
The Escambia County Extension Council was established in accordance with Florida Statutes. The purpose of this Council is to study the needs of the County in developing its natural resources, its families and youth; to provide for the organization of planning committees in various agricultural commodities, in youth and in all phases of home economics important to Escambia County; to provide for close liaison between the committees, County extension agents and the Council; and to coordinate the reports of all committees into a single Escambia County resource development program designed to develop the County’s resources and its people through programs for which the cooperative Extension Service has a responsibility for initiating or coordinating. Council members serve a two-year term of office.
The West Florida Public Library Board of Trustees was established in accordance with Florida Statutes. The West Florida Public Library Board of Trustees governs the operation and programs of the library. Trustees serve a four-year term of office.
If interested in serving on the council or board listed above, please contact Judy Witterstaeter, county administration at (850) 595-4916 to submit your resume. All resumes must be submitted no later than Wednesday, October 3.
This Week: Last Chance To Save On Registration For Chief Challenge 5K
September 24, 2012
This week is the last chance to save on registration for the Third Annual Chief Challenge 5K Run/Walk at Northview High School.
The event will be held Saturday, October 6 at 8:30 a.m. at the school campus in Bratt. “The course is not your typical 5K race. It includes a variety of terrains and challenging hills around the campus,” according to event organizers.
For a registration form and more details, click here. The registration fee and a t-shirt are discounted to only $15 though September 28.
Awards will be presented to the top six male and female runners in the elementary, middle and high school categories, and to the top three male and female runners in two adult categories plus master and grand master.
About 120 runners and walkers took part in last year’s Chief Challenge. The Chief Challenge 5K Run/Walk is sponsored in part by NorthEscambia.com.
Pictured: The 2011 Chief Challenge. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Week Four: Prep Football Standings
September 24, 2012
Last Friday night marked the first night of district games in the North Escambia area, except for Class 1A.
In 6A, early district leaders emerged with wins for Pace, Pensacola and Escambia, while Milton, Pine Forest and Tate record district losses. In Class 5A, Gulf Breeze and West Florida put one in the district win column.
The first district games in Class 1A won’t come until the first week of October.
Here’s a look at last week’s results and this Friday night’s schedule:
Scott Nelson
September 24, 2012
Mr. Scott Nelson, 50, passed away on Monday, September 24, 2012, in Bratt.
Mr. Nelson was a native and former resident of Brewton and has resided in Bratt for the past 14 years. Mr. Nelson was an employee of Archer-Western Contractors .He attended the Abundant Life Assembly of God in Century. He is preceded in death by his father, Morris Nelson and a son, LCpl-Travis Nelson USMC.
Survivors include his ,mother, Louise Nelson of Brewton; wife, Beckie Sanspree Nelson of Bratt; son, Daniel Scott (Melissa) Nelson of Bratt; twp daughters, Jenna Nelson (Kevin) McCall of Brewton and Anna Nelson of Bratt; and five grandchildren, Quinton Nelson, Amber Nelson, Caitlin Nelson, Aydin Nelson and Jaxon Nelson.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, September 26, 2012, at 2 p.. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Jeff Dwenger officiating.
Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be Wednesday, September 26, 2012 from 12:30 p.m. until funeral time at 2 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Buddy Lovelace, Earl Self, Danny Self, Jimmy Self, Donnie Dubose and Van Self.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home in Atmore is in charge of all arrangements.
New Highway 97 To Highway 29 Turn Lane Almost Complete
September 24, 2012
Work is nearing completion to add a new right turn lane from southbound Highway 97 to southbound Highway 29. Contractor Anderson Columbia is expected to complete the project this month.
Pictured: A new turn land from southbound Highway 97 to Highway 29 as seen Sunday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Voter Registration Deadline Approaching For November General Election
September 24, 2012
Tuesday, October 9 is the last day to register to vote or change party affiliation for the November 6 general election.
Florida law mandates that registration books close 29 days before an election, but due to the Columbus Day holiday the deadline was extended. New registrations must be completed on or before the end of the business day on October 9 in order for them to be effective for the November 6 election, according to Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford. Address changes can be made after the books close.
To check registration status, visit EscambiaVotes.com and click “Am I Registered?”.
Escambia County citizens have several ways to register or update their record:
Online/By Mail: Visit EscambiaVotes.com and complete, print, and sign the online application. Be sure to include a valid Florida Driver’s License number, a valid Florida ID number, or the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number in the appropriate space. Completed applications must be received no later than October r 9 to: Escambia County Supervisor of Elections, PO Box 12601, Pensacola, FL 32591-2601. Or, take the completed application to the Elections Office at 213 Palafox Place, 2nd Floor, in downtown Pensacola. Also, to have a form mailed to you, call (595-3900) or e-mail the Elections Office (soe@escambiavotes.com).
In Person: You can register at the Elections Office at 213 Palafox Place, 2nd Floor, in downtown Pensacola, at any Florida Driver’s License Office, and several other governmental offices and public assistance centers. Registration forms are also available to pick up at many locations countywide. For a complete list of locations throughout Escambia County, visit EscambiaVotes.com or call or e-mail the Elections Office.
For voters who wish to cast a ballot by mail (an absentee ballot), go to EscambiaVotes.com and complete the online request form, or call or e-mail the elections office. Early voting begins October 27 at several locations throughout Escambia County.
Nellie “Branch” Ward
September 24, 2012
Mrs. Nellie “Branch” Ward, 92, passed away on Friday, September 21, 2012, in Jay.
Mrs. Ward was a native of Troy, AL and resident of Jay for the past 69 years. Her last year was spent at Century Care Center. She attended the Pine Level Baptist Church. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother, hard worker on the farm and church worker.
Mrs. Ward is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas L. “Bill” Ward; parents, Sam and Addie Branch; two brothers, J.D. Branch and Kyle Branch; three sisters, Bertha Bell, Bonzie Roten and Voncile Watson.
Survivors include her two sons, James (Shirley) Ward of Pace and Roy (Lillian) Ward of Jay; one brother, Garth Branch of Atmore; two sisters, Louise Sheffield of Troy and Frances Holt of Flomaton and four grandchildren, Sonia Bullock, Karen Welch, Nikki Dole and Tammy Ward.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, September 25, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. at the Pine Level Baptist Church with Rev. Earle Greene officiating.
Burial will follow at the Concord Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Dr. Jeffrey Kelley, Don Dean, Heath Marshall, Jeffrey Bauldree, Dexter Hunter, Doyle Marshall, Mark Bauldree and Tony Starling.
Special thanks to Jay Hospital and nursing Staff, Dr. C. David Smith, Dr. Jeffrey Kelley and Covenant Hospice of Pensacola. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Covenant Hospice or the Pine Level Church Fund.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC is in charge of all arrangements.