Century, Flomaton To Hold Joint Independence Day Fireworks Show
June 5, 2013
Century and Flomaton are once against planning a joint Independence Day fireworks show. In 2011, the two towns agreed to sponsor the joint show, with each town alternating as the yearly host. Last year’s show was in Century, so this year’s show will be at Hurricane Park in Flomaton. The show will be held after sunset on July 3rd. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Federal Judge: Escambia Flow Control Ordinance Constitutional
June 5, 2013
A federal court judge has ruled an Escambia County ordinance dealing with the control of solid waste is constitutional.
On June 3, United States Federal Judge Richard Smoak dismissed a lawsuit filed by West Florida Recycling against Escambia County regarding its flow control and disposal ordinances. Judge Smoak found the Escambia County ordinance did not violate the Constitution and declined to hear all state law claims.
“This decision validates Escambia County’s authority to use flow control in providing solid waste management programs that best protect the public’s health and well-being,” said Patrick Johnson, Escambia County Solid Waste director. “The administration of municipal solid waste while remaining environmentally-protective and cost-efficient is not an easy task. It requires committed resources from local government and we are appreciative of the Federal Court’s recognition of our efforts in this area.”
In a prepared statement, Escambia County said the Federal Court decision upholds the role of local government in facilitating development of environmentally- and economically-sound waste management alternatives, including projects such as the joint Waste to Energy (WTE) program between Escambia County and Gulf Power.
The Escambia County and Gulf Power landfill methane gas conversion program generates $800,000 per year in revenue for the County and has saved Gulf Power customers more than $1.7 million since 2010.
The county said flow control is critical to maintaining a solid waste stream capable of supporting a program of this capacity.
Summer Baseball: Tate Takes On Northview
June 5, 2013
Summer ball got underway Tuesday for the Tate Aggies and the Northview Chiefs.
Tate’s team “A” defeated Northview’s team “A” at the University of West Florida. And in Bratt, team “B” from Northview and Tate faced off in a double header modified by a rain delay. The Aggies came out on top over the Chiefs, 9-2 and 6-3.
Pictured: Tate visited Northview for a rain delayed double header Tuesday in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Wahoos-Biscuits Suspended In Seventh
June 5, 2013
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Montgomery Biscuits were suspended in the bottom of the seventh inning with the Wahoos leading 2-1 on Tuesday night at Riverwalk Stadium in Montgomery, Ala.
The Biscuits plated their run on a solo home run in the third inning by Mark Thomas. Pensacola took the lead on a two-run home run by Joe Mather in the top of the seventh inning. Merrill Kelly has worked seven innings for the Biscuits and allowed both Blue Wahoos run in the seventh.
Daniel Renken started the game for Pensacola and is the pitcher of record. Wilkin De La Rosa was pitching in the bottom of the seventh inning with runners at first and second base and a 2-0 count on Mark Thomas when plate umpire Bandon Henson called for the tarp and the game was delayed. It was in a delay for less than 30 minutes before the field was deemed unplayable and the game was suspended.
The game will be resumed from that place on Wednesday. The completion of Tuesday’s game will begin at 6:05 p.m. and be completed to nine innings followed by a full nine inning game.
story by Kevin Burke
Today Is Last Day To Mail House Election Absentee Ballots
June 5, 2013
Today is the last day for voters that live in House District 2 to mail in their special election absentee ballots.
After Wednesday, a voter may still pick up an absentee ballot in person from the Elections Office. Voted absentee ballots must be received in the Elections Office (not at a polling
location) no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, June 11.
In addition to absentee voting, early voting is being offered from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. daily through Friday, and 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday at three area locations:
- Supervisor of Elections Main Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor
- Tryon Branch Library, 1200 Langley Avenue
- Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway
All voters in House District 2 are eligible to vote in the special election, regardless of party affiliation. To find out if you are registered in House District 2, check your voter information card, visit EscambiaVotes.com, or call the elections office at 850-595-3900.
Lightning Strikes Walnut Hill Home
June 4, 2013
Minor damage to a few electrical outlets was reported after a lightning strike a Walnut Hill home this afternoon. The strike was reported about 4 p.m. at the home in the 5000 block of Highway 97. The Walnut Hill and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the call. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Regional Planning Council Presents 5-Year Rural Road And Bridge Plan
June 4, 2013
A five-year transportation improvement plan, including several bridge replacement and shoulder widening projects in the North Escambia area, was presented Monday night to the Century Town Council.
Mary Beth Washnock of the West Florida Regional Planning Council presented the report on transportation projects in the rural part of Escambia County. The projects are expected to take place in the fiscal year 2014-2018 time period. Several of the listed projects have already been completed, or are currently under construction.
The project plans include:
- CR 97A — bridge replacement over Boggy Creek
- Brickyard Road — bridge replacement over Unnamed Branch
- Fannie Road — bridge replacement over Dead Lake
- Pineville Road — bridge replacement over Brushy Creek
- Hwy 97 — bridge replacement over Sandy Hollow Creek
- Hwy 97 — bridge replacement over Little Pine Barren Creek
- CR 196 — bridge replacement over Jacks Branch
- CR 99 — bridge replacement over Pine Barren Creek
- Dortch Road — bridge replacement over Beaver Dam Creek
- CR 99A — bridge replacement over Boggy Creek
- Sandy Hollow Road — bridge replacement over Sandy Hollow Creek
- Gravel Lake Road — bridge replacement over over Pritchett Mill
- Crabtree Church Road — pave shoulders from Sunshine Hill Road to Hwy 97
- CR 196 — pave shoulders from CR 97 to CR 99
- CR 99 — pave shoulders CR 196 to Hwy 97
- Hwy 29 — resurface from Champion Drive to Alabama State Line
- East Pond St., Century — rework R/R crossing
- Hecker St., Century — rework R/R crossing
Pictured top: Work has already been completed on this bridge on Dortch Road near Walnut Hill. Pictured below: A projected view of the Fannie Road Bridge replacement over Dead Lake near Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century To Rework Personnel Policy
June 4, 2013
The Century Town Council voted Monday night to rework the town’s personnel policy to give the mayor more control and eliminate the need for direct council involvement some of the time.
The changes were prompted after last week’s termination of a lower level employee by the council in a special called council meeting. The employee was repeatedly late for work.
Under Century’s current employment rules and regulations, the mayor is the town’s top boss, but the mayor can’t fire an employee without a vote of the town council. And, under those same town rules, the Mayor can’t make his termination recommendation known until a special meeting of the town council begins.
Mayor Freddie McCall and town attorney Matt Danneheiser will work together to rework the employee policies. The mayor will be able to discipline and terminate employees without input from the council; the employee can then appeal their termination to the council for a final determination. Similar policies are in place at governmental agencies throughout the area.
For more information about the public firing of a town employee last week, click here for a previous story.
Pictured top: Century Town Council members (L-R) Ann Brooks, Sandra McMurray Jackson, Jacke Johnston and town attorney Matt Dannheiser Monday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
New Traffic Signal Active On Nine Mile Road
June 4, 2013
A new traffic signal has been activited on Nine Mile Road at Jernigan Road (at the Scenic Hills Veterinarian Hospital). The signal had been in the flash mode to acquaint motorists with the location.
The new signal is mounted on horizontal mast arms. Since the signal is in the horizontal position, motorists with color weakness problems will need to remember red is on the left and green on the right, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. Drivers are urged to use caution when approaching the intersection.
Tate High Names The Top Of The Class, Presents Senior Awards
June 4, 2013
The Tate High School has named their honors graduates and announced awards to seniors.
Amy Elizabeth Sapp was named the Class of 2013 valedictorian, while Alonna Simone Chastang is salutatorian. There were 43 students (listed below) named to the Top Ten Percent of the class.
Sapp is a four-year member of Tate’s Mock Trial team. She has been awarded “Best Attorney” at the local, state, and national levels. In March, she traveled to Washington, DC , after being selected to represent Florida in the United States Senate Youth Program. Amy is also this year’s Student Council president and National Honor Society president. This summer, Amy will attend the University of Florida to study international relations and later attend law school.
Chastang is vice president of the National Beta club and is a member of the Senior Executive Board. She is an active volunteer and dedicated member of the youth group of Hillcrest Baptist Church. She plans to attend the University of West Florida and study accounting.
Highlights of other scholarships and awards presented during Senior Honors Night included:
Halee Boyd’s mother, Marty, attended the ceremony to accept an award of Fortitude and Endurance for her daughter.
Kathy Varner presented a $1,000 science scholarship to Wesley Collins in memory of Mr. Michael D. Varner. He was a teacher at Tate for over 30 years. This scholarship was given to a student intending to enter the field of science.
Principle Rick Shackle Mr. Rick Shackle presented an Aggie Hero award in memory of Dillon Roberson (Class of 2009). The first scholarship was presented to his younger brother, Tanner Roberson.
Tate’s National Merit finalist, Andrew Belt, received a Presidential Scholarship from the University of Alabama worth $107,350.00.
Additionally, Fortis Institute, Pensacola State College, University of West Florida, University of South Alabama, Huntingdon College, Troy University and the University of Alabama attended the program to present scholarships.
Members of the Tate High School Top Ten Percent are:
- Amy Elizabeth Sapp – Valedictorian (4.925 GPA)
- Alonna Simone Chastang– Salutatorian (4.8589 GPA)
- Jordan Noelle McGowan
- Bailee Cheyenne Johnson
- Kelsey Marie Potoczek
- Andrew Seth Belt
- Travis Lee Walton
- Brooke Michelle White
- Ryan Colton Rogers
- Sarah Nicole Pierre
- Matthew Donald Bailey
- Ryan Edward Lavoie
- McKenzie Dean Ellis
- Jennifer Marie Brown
- Raven Denise Ellis
- Colter Turner Uebelsteadt
- David Derby Moorhead
- Christopher David Levan
- Hannah Marie Malone
- Samuel Benton Wallace
- Lindsey Rae Gordon
- Allen Christopher Dunson
- Raychel Jean Hardy
- Whitney Leigh Patterson
- Benjamin Matthew Minor
- Breanna Starr Riddell
- Khord Jaime Ramirez
- Haley Morgan Johnson
- Lauren Ryan McKinnon
- Matthew Adam Rickard
- Dallas Juliana Nickerson
- William Tanner Newman
- Lauren Elizabeth Chavers
- Rachel Alexandra Merlin
- Audrey Lynn Freeman
- Emily June Lee
- Madison Elizabethann Leonard
- Katelyn Brooke Godwin
- Sarah Catherine Yohnke
- Jonathan Austin Stacey
- Chase Edward Green
- Bailey Mie McCrackin
- Hannah Dawn Thompson