Northview High Volleyball Preseason Classic Results
August 19, 2016
Northview High School hosted a preseason classic Thursday. Teams attending were NHS, Central, Jay, Escambia Academy, PCA, and Excel.
Results were as follows:
Jay vs Escambia Academy 25-15, 25-15 with Jay winning
PCA vs Central 25-13, 25-19 with Central winning
NHS vs Escambia High FL 22-25, 24-26, 8-15 with NHS winning
Excel vs Jay 21-25, 18-25 with Jay winning
NHS vs Central 18-25, 4-25 with Central winning
Central vs Jay 25-20, 25-22 with Central winning
State Attorney Charges Four Members Of Century Board With Sunshine Law Violation
August 18, 2016
State Attorney Bill Eddins announced Thursday that four members of the Citizens Advisory Task Force, an advisory board to the Town of Century City Council, have been charged with noncriminal violations of the Florida Government in the Sunshine Law.
Alfonzie Cottrell, Helen Mincy, Sylvia Godwin, and Robert Mitchell have been charged for having a public meeting that was not properly advertised. On July 26, 2016, a meeting was advertised to begin at 4:00 p.m. The meeting was actually held at 2:00 p.m. preventing the public from attending. In addition, a letter has been sent to the Town of Century recommending changes to their procedures to prevent this from happening in the future.
This case is set for arraignment on September 7. At that hearing, the four will have a chance to enter a plea or move forward with a trial in front of a judge, most likely in one to three weeks after the arraignment. They face a maximum penalty of a $500 fine, according to Eddins.
The State Attorney’s Office investigation began after a July 27 article on NorthEscambia.com “Century Holds Meeting In Apparent Violation Of State Sunshine Law“. NorthEscambia.com arrived the previous day for the 4 p.m. meeting to find the front doors of the Century Hall locked and the parking lot empty. We later learned that the meeting had been held at 2 p.m. The town provided a public notice on Wednesday, July 27 and re-held the meeting on Thursday, July 28.
To read the documents associated with this case, click here (pdf).
A letter from Eddins to Century Mayor Freddie McCall spells out the allegations and recommended actions. The letter reads:
“This office has completed its review of allegations that members of the Citizens Advisory Task Force violated the Florida Government in the Sunshine Law by holding a public meeting at a time other than what was advertised in the public notice. Based upon our review, we have determined that a Sunshine Law violation has occurred. As a result of that decision, we have filed noncriminal infraction charges against the members of that task force. We have also determined that the Town of Century bears considerable responsibility in this matter.
“In this case, public notices were advertised on NorthEscambia.com and in the Tri-City Ledger that the Citizens Advisory Task Force would hold a public meeting on July 26, 2016, at 4:00 p.m. The time listed on the notice was incorrect and should have stated 2:00 p.m. The meeting was held at 2:00 p.m. and concluded before 4:00 p.m. As a result, this meeting was held outside the Sunshine and without proper notice to the public. It is unclear if the problem with the erroneous time was ever discussed at the meeting. To avoid this issue occurring in the future, we recommend that at the beginning of all public meetings, the advertised notice be clearly reviewed on the record to determine that the meeting has been properly advertised.
“It is also apparent that the members of the Citizens Advisory Task Force were not sufficiently educated as to their responsibilities under the Florida Government in the Sunshine Law. We recommend that the Town of Century immediately establish training programs for all individuals serving on Sunshine boards or committees. We recommend that an outside agency such as the First Amendment Foundation be used for the training.
“Finally, concerns have been raised that the Town of Century has not adequately advertised the dates and times of public meetings. We recommend that the Town follow the suggestions of the Attorney General’s Office regarding public notices. These recommendations indicated that all meetings, with the exception of emergency or special meetings, should be advertised at least seven days prior to the meeting. Special meetings should be given notice of no less than 24 hours but preferably at least 72 hours notice should be given to the public. Emergency meetings should be afforded the most appropriate and effective notice under the circumstances. This notice should contain the date, time, and place of the meeting, as well as a copy of the agenda or statement of the general subject matter to be considered.”
Pictured top: CATF members Helen Mincy, Robert Mitchell and Sylvia Godwin during a CATF meeting on Thursday, July 28. Alfonzie Cottrell was not present at the July 28 meeting. Pictured inset and below: The Century Town Hall was locked and the parking lot empty at 4 p.m. Tuesday, July, the time of a publicly noticed town task force meeting.
OB Services, Pregnancy Program Now Available In Century
August 18, 2016
Obstetrics and a new pregnancy program are now available in Century with Dr. Julie DeCesare of Sacred Hearth Hospital.
The centering program follows the recommended 10 prenatal visits, but each visit is 90 minutes long with the doctor. Moms engage in their own care by taking their own weight and blood pressure, and recording their own health data. They also receive private time with Dr. DeCesare, who brings a handheld ultrasound device to check the baby in the womb.
The programs are held every three week at the Health Start office on Church Street in Century. Both Florida and Alabama residents are accepted.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (850) 619-1469.
Daily Afternoon Thunderstorms
August 18, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
Peace Out: Century Health And Rehab Celebrates National Hippie Day
August 18, 2016
The residents at the Century Health and Rehabilitation Center recently celebrated “National Hippie Day”. Residents event tie-dyed their own shirts. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Burglar Busted After Getaway Vehicle Breaks Down
August 18, 2016
An alleged burglar was busted after his getaway vehicle broke down the next town over from his crime.
The burglary of the Texaco Station in Flomaton was captured on camera during the early morning hours Wednesday. While Flomaton Police Department officers were still on the scene conducting their investigation, the Brewton Police Department came in contact with 49-year old Ray Allen Capterville in a disabled vehicle in downtown Brewton.
Brewton officers reporting finding items in the vehicle that had been stolen from the store in Flomaton. Flomaton officers also identified him as their suspect from surveillance video.
Capterville as charged with burglary third, criminal mischief second and theft of property fourth degree. He was booked into the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton.
Escambia County To Host Low Impact Design Workshops
August 18, 2016
Escambia County is hosting two workshops Wednesday, Aug. 24 and Thursday, Aug. 25 to cover topics including mixed-use development, low impact design and an overview of Florida’s stormwater treatment program. Each workshop is offered twice. There is no charge for attending, and pre-registration is not required. The workshops will take place at the Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place in Pensacola.
Workshop participants should bring a laptop computer to the afternoon session. Participants should also download the BMPTRAINS software prior to the conference by clicking here.
A total of six continuing education credits will be offered through the University of Central Florida through the LID workshops. In order to obtain the credits, participants will need to: 1) attend both a morning and afternoon session, 2) bring their laptop with BMPTRAINS installed and 3) bring a check for $25 made payable to UCF Continuing Education.
Low impact design is a site design approach that utilizes Green Infrastructure to meet a project’s post-development stormwater runoff water quality requirements. The workshops and the county’s low impact design manual for development were a result of recommendations made by the Stormwater Advisory Team. Escambia County, in conjunction with the city of Pensacola, established SWAT in 2014 as part of a goal to reform the county’s stormwater policy after the historic 2014 April Floods. The LID manual and workshops were made possible through a Section 319 Grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Who should attend?
The LID workshops are open to the public, but are especially recommended for:
- Architects
- Engineers
- Environmental professionals
- Planners
- Developers
- Contractors
- Anyone interested in the application of low impact design principles in Escambia County
Session I – LID Overview Workshop is scheduled for:
- Wednesday, Aug. 24, 8:30 a.m. to noon or
- Thursday, August 25, 8:30 a.m. to noon
LID Overview Workshop Objectives – To ensure that participants have a good understanding of:
- Florida’s water resource management program framework
- Florida’s stormwater program legal and technical framework
- The principles of Low Impact Design and LID BMPs
- How improved site planning and using LID BMPs can increase development flexibility, environmental benefits, and cost benefits.
- The design criteria, stormwater treatment mechanisms, construction and operation/maintenance of the LID BMPs in the Escambia County LID Manual.
- How LID BMPs have been used successfully locally and in Florida
- How the BMPTRAINS Model can be used to evaluate the costs and treatment effectiveness of LID BMPs use in BMP Treatment Trains.
Session II – LID Case Study Design Workshop is scheduled for:
- Wednesday, Aug. 24, 1-4:30 p.m. or
- Thursday, Aug. 25, 1-4:30 p.m.
LID Case Study Design Workshop Objectives – To ensure that participants have a good understanding of:
- The design and construction of LID BMPs.
- The advantages and disadvantages of conventional BMPs and LID BMPs.
- The use of the BMPTRAINS model.
- The costs and treatment effectiveness of conventional BMPs and LID BMPs using the BMPTRAINS model.
For more information, contact Brent Wipf, Environmental Programs Manager at 850-595-3445 or bawipf@myescambia.com.
Eight Days Of Early Voting Begins Saturday In Escambia County
August 18, 2016
Early voting begins Saturday, with seven sites available for eight days in Escambia County for the August Primary Election.
Early voting is available each day Saturday, August 20, through Saturday, August 27 at the following locations:
- Molino Community Center, 6450 Highway 95A North, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Escambia County Extension Office, 3740 Stefani Road, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Genealogy Branch Library, 5740 N. 9th Avenue, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Bellview-Saufley, 916 W Michigan Avenue, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Main Library, 239 N. Spring Street, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Supervisor of Elections Main Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Early voters cast paper ballots through digital scanners and may choose any one of the seven sites.
Another option for voters is to cast a vote-by-mail ballot, which can be requested through the online form at EscambiaVotes.com, or by e-mail (votebymail@escambiavotes.com), phone (850) 595-3900, mail, or fax (850) 595-3914. Requests must include the voter’s date of birth and address, and must be received no later than Wednesday, August 24. Voted ballots must be received in the Elections Office no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day and may not be returned to a polling location. The Postal Service recommends voters mail ballots at least one week before the due date. Vote-by-mail participants may track the status of their ballot at EscambiaVotes.com.
The third option for voters is to cast a ballot at their precinct on Election Day, Tuesday, August 30. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Florida is a closed primary state. In a primary election, voters may only vote for candidates in their party of registration unless there is a universal primary contest, a nonpartisan contest, or other issue on the ballot. Voters are reminded to bring their photo and signature ID with them to the polls and are encouraged to visit EscambiaVotes.com for complete voting information or contact the Elections Office by phone or e-mail with any questions.
Fall Ball Registration Saturdays At Molino Ballpark
August 18, 2016
The Molino Ballpark will hold registration for Fall Ball on the next three Saturdays.
Registration will be 10 a.m. until noon August 20, August 27 and September 3. Registration is $55 per child. T-ball is for ages 4-6; baseball for ages 7-15 and softball for ages 7-16.
Blue Wahoos Drop Opener To The Mississippi Braves
August 18, 2016
With a four-run inning in the fifth, the Mississippi Braves won the first game of the series, 6-3, at Trustmark Park over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos.
Southern League South Division leader Mississippi improved to 32-18, while Pensacola drops to 25-26 in the second half.
Mississippi was powered by first basemen Jacob Schrader who hit two blasts and drove in three runs. He was 3-4 and now has 12 homer and 38 RBIs for the Braves this season.
Mississippi overcame Pensascola when it scored four runs with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Pinch hitter Levi Hyams singled to lead off the inning and second baseman Ozzie Albies also singled. Pensacola starter Jackson Stephens struck out the next two batters but then gave up the game-winning single to third baseman Carlos Franco that drove in both Hyams and Albies for a 4-3 Braves lead.
Schrader, who is hitting .318 in August, then put the game away by jacking his second home run of the game, a two-run shot to left center field, that also brought in Franco to put the Braves ahead, 6-3.
The game matched Pensacola right hander Jackson Stephens against Mississippi lefty Sean Newcomb who are the top two strikeout artists in the Southern League.
All six Braves runs were scored off of Pensacola’s Stephens. Schrader’s second long ball chased him from the game. The 22-year-old righty worked 4.2 innings and gave up nine hits and struck out five for 120 on the season, which is good for second in the Southern League. Stephens dropped to 8-11 on the year and his ERA jumped to 3.29 this season.
Braves southpaw Newcomb, who had been pitching strong in August allowing opponents just a .175 average, evened his record to 7-7 with a 4.10 ERA. In his previous three starts, he had pitched 17.2 innings and given up just two earned runs, while striking out 25. He leads the Southern League with 133 strikeouts this season.
Pensacola went ahead, 3-2, in the fifth inning when right fielder Sebastian Elizalde hit a deep fly ball to center field to drive in second baseman Alex Blandino.
Mississippi tied the game, 2-2, in the bottom of the third inning when center fielder Connor Lien tripled in Albies, who had doubled to center field.
The Blue Wahoos center fielder Brandon Dixon doubled to center field to drive in Elizalde in the top of the third inning to put Pensacola on top, 2-1.
Mississippi’s Schrader hit his first homer of the game when he jacked a solo shot over the center field wall in the bottom of the second inning to tie Pensacola, 1-1.
Pensacola scored first when they loaded the bases in the first inning. Shortstop Zach Vincej grounded into a force out that allowed Blandino to score from third.
Phillip Ervin and Elizalde both had two-hit games Wednesday to lead the Blue Wahoos. Ervin was 2-4 and stole his 32nd base of the season. Meanwhile, Elizalde had his team-leading 26th multi-hit game of the season and his eighth in the last 11 games by going 2-3 with a run scored and driving in his 39th RBI of the year.