Facing Eviction, Century Doctor Looks To Town Council For Help
October 20, 2015
A doctor ordered out of the old Century hospital by a state agency turned to the Century Town Council for support Monday night.
In a letter dated August 26, Century Health Care Access (CHCA) and Dr. Christian Bachman, president of CHCA and physician for Mayo Street Medical, were ordered to vacate the old Century Hospital facility by September 30 by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, current owners of 25,000 square foot building on Mayo Street.
Bachman has refused to budge, continuing to operate his medical practice, which will see patients regardless of their ability to pay and even make house calls.
“What we are trying to do is ask for community support and any advice that we can to try to keep health care in Century,” Bachman told the Century Town Council.
In the letter to Bachman, Cheryl C.McCall, chief of the Bureau of Public Land Administration Division of State Lands for DEP, wrote that the eviction was due to violations of the terms of his 50 year lease, including violations of the Florida Life Safety Code and National Fire Protection Code. McCall’s letter also listed numerous lease violations, including purpose, unauthorized use, insurance and maintenance. (Cheryl McCall is no relation to Century Mayor Freddie McCall.)
Bachman does not deny that some terms of the lease may have been violated, but he said he has followed “the heart of the contract, which was to take care of the building and to look after, to provide medical services.”
“Have we fulfilled every single letter of that contract? No,” he said Monday night.
Freddie McCall, mayor, said he supports Bachman and his practice.
“We need a doctor in town. I need the citizens to speak up and do what they can and try to work through our senators and representatives so they can hopefully pull some strings for the man to stay here,” the mayor said.
While Bachman is the only doctor that practices in town on a regular basis, Baptist Medical Group, formally Century Medical Center, operates a primary care facility in Century that is staffed by nurse practitioner Georgia W. Agrait, GNP.
The DEP said recently that the department is determining its next step.
Pictured top: Century council member Ben Boutwell (background) listens at Dr. Christan Bachman addresses the Century Town Council Monday night. Pictured inset: Mayor Freddie McCall. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Event To Mark 10th Anniversary Of Death Of Fallen Hero J.R. Spears
October 20, 2015
The 10th anniversary of the death of a local hero will be marked with a special event in Molino on Saturday.
Cpl. Jonathan Ross “J.R.” Spears (USMC) was killed in action, Ramadi, Iraq, on October 23, 2005.
Spears, the son of Tim Spears and the late Marie Spears, grew up in Molino. He spent many years playing baseball at Don Sutton Ballpark in Molino. He was a 2002 graduate of Tate High School, where he played football. His number 62 jersey was retired by the school to honor their former lineman.
“He was very determined to be a United States Marine. After losing over 80 poounds and passing boot camp, he did it. The proudest moments of his life were in his dress blues. He wanted nothing more than to protect his country, and he gave his life doing so,” his father Tim said.
The event Saturday will begin at 2 p.m. at Don Sutton Ballpark in Molino. Food and drinks will be provided. There will be a few speakers on behalf of J.R. Spears and the entire Spears family. The event will conclude with a release of balloons to honor Spears, other fallen heroes and those still fighting for freedom.
The event is free and open to the public, and everyone is encouraged to attend. Donations for Cpl. J.R. Spears Memorial Scholarship Fund will be accepted.
Frequently Incarcerated Century Man Now Headed To State Prison
October 20, 2015
A Century man with a lengthy arrest history is headed to prison for the next five years.
Ronald Berlan Newton, 54, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault was sentenced by Circuit Judge Ross Goodman as a prison releasee reoffender, and a three-strike offender. As a releasee reoffender, Newton is not eligible for gain time and must serve the entire five years in prison.
On June 21, 2015, Newton was involved in an altercation with his brother and other family members at the family’s home on Blackmon Street in Century. Later in the day, Newton returned to the home and was again asked to leave the property. Newton became angry and threatened to kill his brother before picking up a sharp metal garden tool and swinging it at his brother’s head.
Since 2007, Newton has been arrested on a long list of charges that were dropped or dismissed included aggravated assault, criminal mischief, battery, lewd and lascivious behavior victim under 18, indecent exposure, disorderly conduct and contempt of court.
Newton was released from state prison in April 2012 after completing a 22 month sentence for stalking after being arrested more than a dozen times in a year. Newton was first found incompetent and remanded into the custody of the Florida Department of Children and Families for evaluation, but was later found competent to stand trial.
Newton was again sentenced to prison in October 2013 for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated stalking. After being released from prison, he was once again arrested for contempt of court for willfully violating an domestic violence injunction. He was released from jail on April 4, 2015.
Mid 50’s Tonight
October 20, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 56. East wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. East wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. East wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. East wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. East wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 82.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79.
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75.
Traffic Delays, Power Outages As Huge Equipment Is Moved From Pensacola To Brewton
October 20, 2015
A very large piece of equipment is on the move from the Port of Pensacola to the Georgia Pacific paper mill in Brewton, and it will cause traffic delays and short power outages over multiple night nights on a route that will travel through the North Escambia area.
Because of the size of the generator, power lines and traffic lights will need to be temporarily taken down to allow the transport truck to pass.
The first transport of the equipment is expected to take four nights from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. each night. A second piece of equipment leaves the Port on Friday, Oct. 23, and will use the same route through Sunday night, Oct. 25, from 10 p.m. until 10 a.m.
More than 400 obstructions are expected along the route, including overhead power lines, traffic signals, low-hanging trees, signs, etc. A convoy of power, telephone, cable, city, county and state bucket trucks, and work crews will assist the transport truck along with private and state police escort vehicles.
Gulf Power customers along the route could experience temporary power outages up to two hours as the convoy passes as well as intermittent traffic delays and road closures. Some Escambia River Electric Cooperative customers will also experience short outages and outages for crossings on Highway 29 on Highway 29 from 1.5 south of Bogia Road north to Thompson Road. EREC expects the first truck to be in that area between 10 p.m. Wednesday night and 6 a.m. Thursday.
“Outages for customers will last only as long as it takes to remove the line and re-install it as soon as the truck passes,” said Rick DelaHaya, Gulf Power spokesperson. “We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate our customers patience as we assist the transport company.”
Monday night’s move estimated to end at the Cordova Mall parking lot.
Georgia Pacific is installing a large steam turbine which will recycle the steam produced as part of Georgia Pacific’s manufacturing process and convert it to electricity to power the plant. The turbine was imported into the Port of Pensacola in late July and has been in storage at the port ever since awaiting routing and permitting for its move to Brewton. 18-feet wide, almost 25-feet tall and 173.5-feet long. The generator will be on a separate transport as part of the convoy. That trailer is 18-feet wide, 18.5-feet high and 192.5-feet long.
The details of the route are:
Route Details:
1.) Barracks St. North (Starting Location: Port of Pensacola, FL)
2.) Bay Front Pkwy East
3.) 9th Ave. North (estimated first night stop)
4.) SR289 North
5.) Olive Rd. East
6.) 90 Scenic Hwy. North
7.) Davis Hwy / US90 West
8.) US29 North
9.) US31 North
10.) Georgia Pacific (Ending Location)
Location and nightly roue updates will be published on NorthEscambia.com as the information is made available.
Pictured: A large steam turbine being moved from the Port of Pensacola to Georgia Pacific in Brewton. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Second Alleged Police Impersonator Arrested
October 20, 2015
A second man has been charged with impersonating a law enforcement officer. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office says when accused police impersonator Joshua Lynam pulled over an undercover deputy last week, he was being aided by 21-year old Ryan Philip Ramsdell.
Lynam told investigators that he was watching drivers on I-10 and I-110 and would pull them over when he thought they were speeding. He would allegedly tell them they would be pulled over again to receive their citation, or the citation would be delivered in the mail.
Lynam, 24, was charged with impersonating a police officer after he performed a traffic stop on an Escambia County deputy on I-110 at Airport Boulevard earlier this month. Investigators said the entire incident was caught on video by a camera Lynam had in his truck — he capture his own arrest on video. That video also shows Ramsdell walking up to the undercover deputy’s car, but backing down and removing his vest, stashing it in the truck.
Lynam, 24, is charged with multiple counts of impersonating a police officer after he performed a traffic stop on an Escambia County deputy on I-110 at Airport Boulevard. He is now being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond
Ramsdell is also charged with impersonating a police officer and remains in jail without bond.
Anyone that believes they may have been a victim of Lynam or Ramsdell during a suspicious traffic stop is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Mosquito Borne Illness Alert: Two More West Nile Cases Confirmed
October 20, 2015
A mosquito-borne illness alert for Escambia County continues after two more West Nile virus cases were recently confirmed in the county. That brings the total number of confirmed in Escambia County to four this year
There have been nine confirmed human cases of West Nile in Florida in 2015.
“Residents and visitors should take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and to limit exposure to mosquito-borne illnesses,” says FDOH-Escambia Director, Dr. John J. Lanza. The Escambia County Mosquito Control Division and FDOH-Escambia continue surveillance and prevention efforts. There is heightened concern that other Escambia County residents and visitors may become ill from being bitten by an infected mosquito.
To protect yourself from mosquitoes, the health department recommends that practice of “Drain and Cover”:
Drain standing water.
- Drain water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flower pots or any other containers where sprinkler or rain water has collected.
- Discard old tires, bottles, pots, broken appliances and other items not being used.
- Empty and clean birdbaths and pets’ water bowls at least twice a week.
- Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that do not accumulate water.
- Maintain swimming pools in good condition and chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.
Cover skin with clothing or repellent and cover doors and windows.
- Wear shoes, socks, long pants and long sleeves when mosquitoes are most prevalent.
- Apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing.
- Always use repellents according to the label. Repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and IR3535 are effective.
- Re-apply mosquito repellent as often as needed to prevent mosquito landings and bites.
- Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months old.
- When using repellent on children, apply to your hands first and then rub on their arms and legs.
- Place screens on windows, doors, porches, and patios. Always repair broken screens.
Century Accepts Ceremonial Check For New $50K Splash Pad
October 20, 2015
As previously reported on NorthEscambia.com, Century received a $50,000 grant from the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program to install a splash pad at Showalter Park.
Monday night, the town was presented a ceremonial check from the state .
More than $5.4 million was announced by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for 110 recreational development projects in local communities across the state. Century’s splash pad project was the only grant recipient in Escambia County. The competitive grant program provides state funds to develop lands for public outdoor recreational use, such as building or renovating sports facilities or playgrounds.
Pictured top: Century Mayor Freddie McCall accepts a ceremonial $50,000 check for a new splash pad at Showalter Park from Geoffrey Davidson, a manager for Florida State Parks. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Senate Agrees To Remove Confederate Flag From Seal
October 20, 2015
Without a formal vote, the Florida Senate on Monday agreed to strip the Confederate battle flag from its official seal, removing one of the few remaining vestiges of the infamous icon in state government.
After some hesitation when the change first came up, senators — back in Tallahassee for a redistricting special session — agreed without objection to adopt a new rule removing the controversial emblem from the chamber’s insignia. Approving the change without objection avoided the need for even a voice vote on the emotional issue.
Under the rule approved Monday, the seal would still include other non-American flags that flew over Florida, including the 1513 Spanish flag, the 1564 French flag and the 1763 flag of Great Britain. The United States flag would also remain, while the Florida state flag would replace the Confederate banner on the marker.
Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, and Senate Minority Leader Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, requested in June that the Senate Rules Committee consider whether to change the seal amid a national backlash against Confederate symbols after a man with white supremacist views opened fire at an African-American church in Charleston, S.C., killing nine people.
Since then, Southern states, including Florida, have wrestled with how to reconcile past commemorations of “the lost cause” with shifting feelings about race and the meaning of the Civil War.
While many Southerners view displays of the Confederate banner as recognition of their ancestors’ military service and sacrifice, blacks and others interpret government use of the flag as an endorsement of the brutal, slave-driven economy that was a central issue in the war, which raged from 1860 to 1865.
“I’m glad that we are taking it down and recognizing the Confederate flag for what it is,” Sen. Oscar Braynon, a black Democrat from Miami Gardens, said after the session. “What it is, is a symbol of a time when this country went to war to keep my ancestors in slavery.”
Senate Rules Committee Chairman David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs, defended the proposal on the floor of the Senate by pointing to U.S. Supreme Court rulings rejecting the legality of the decision by 11 Southern states to secede from the Union during the conflict.
“The flags on the current seal appear to presume to represent sovereign nations. However, our research established that the Confederacy was never legally a sovereign nation,” Simmons said.
No one openly objected to the change of the Senate seal during the debate. However, Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, said he wasn’t aware that the chamber was going to take up the issue during the special redistricting session.
Bradley also raised questions about whether the Senate should look at other options for the seal, including an overhaul of the symbol that goes beyond simply replacing one flag.
“If you look at all the flags on the seal, I think you would find that there were things that occurred in the name of some of those flags that history has now looked upon as being abhorrent and terrible,” he said.
But Gardiner defended moving forward with the changes now, saying it would take time to remove the old seal from various places around the Capitol. Bradley’s concerns, and questions from other senators, initially caused Senate leaders to pull back from the change before moving ahead with it later in the day.
Perhaps because of that, Gardiner told reporters after Monday’s session that the seal could be altered again.
“I think the understanding working with Senator Simmons is, he’s going to work with the members, and the seal may change some more,” Gardiner said.
by Brnadon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Purvis Boyington
October 20, 2015
Mr. Purvis Boyington, 71, passed away on Friday, October 16, 2015, in Stockton, Alabama.
Mr. Boyington was a native of Citronelle, Alabama, former resident of Bay Minette, where he spent most of his life, and he resided in Stockton. Mr. Boyington worked for AAA Cooper Transportation-Standard Furniture. He attended the Full Power Holiness Church. He is preceded in death by his parents, Hayward and Pearl Boyington; daughter, Susan Jane Boyington; three brothers, Charles, O’Neal and Earl Boyington; sister, Marie Frazier; and granddaughter, Kristin Boyington.
Survivors include his wife, Jeannie Boyington of Stockton; one son, Nolan Boyington of Ft. Worth, TX; three daughters, Rhonda Boyington of Bay Minette, Karen Phillips of Century and Jonni Boyington of Fairhope; two brothers, Johnny Boyington of Bay Minette and Hayward Boyington, Jr. of Bay Minette; one sister, Ellarine Stewart of Bay Minette; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, October 20, 2015, at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Sis. Helen Stewart officiating.
Burial was in the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Shawn Stuckey, Jonathan Boyington, Tyler White, B.K. Brown, Nikki Boyington and Timmy Kirkland.
Honorary pallbearers were Anthony Stuckey and Kevin Boyington.
In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the Petty Funeral Homes for funeral expenses.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.