More Sunny Skies
June 22, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 92. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light in the evening.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 91. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light southwest after midnight.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89.
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Free Hot Dog Meals For Kids At Cantonment Park Every Wednesday
June 22, 2016
There will free hot dog meals will be offered every Wednesday, beginning today, at noon in Cantonment’s Carver Park at 2058 Webb Street.
The hot dog, chips and beverage meals are sponsored by Saint Jude Catholic Church for school-age children and served by the Cantonment Improvement Committee.
The Carver Park Resource Center will be open from 10 a.m. until noon on Wednesdays for children who want to keep up with their reading and math skills using computer games.
Pictured: The Carver Park Resource Center. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Election Watch: Two Candidates Officially Qualify On Tuesday
June 22, 2016
This is qualifying week for candidates seeking local office.
Those qualified Tuesday for local offices are listed below. For additional candidates that qualified on Monday, click here.
Friday at noon is the deadline to qualify for local offices.
Sheriff:
- Douglas DeWayne Baldwin, Sr., Republican
County Commissioner, District 1:
- Audra Carter, Democrat
Lake Stone Caretaker Reappointed
June 22, 2016
The Escambia County Commission has extended their caretaker agreement for the Lake Stone Campground near Century.
Dennis Keith Cole will continue to manage thee facility for another year, until May 31, 2017. He will be paid $11,400 in 12 equal monthly installments of $950 with housing an utilities provided. Cole was first named Lake Stone caretaker in June 2013.
Lake Stone Campground is a 100-acre campground and boat ramp facility located at 801 West Highway 4 in Century. The campground has 77 campsites for everything from big RV rigs to tents. Lake Stone is the Escambia County’s only facility located on a fresh water lake. The facilities include a boat ramp , indoor public use pavilion, a playground, showers, restrooms, a fishing pier, security lights, electrical and water hookups, a sewage dump station, picnic areas and the lake.
The Lake Stone pavilion or campsites can be reserved by calling the Lake Stone campground manager at (850) 256-5555 or Escambia County Parks and Recreation at (850) 475-5220.
Since the inception of the Lake Stone Campground, the County has entered into an agreement for on-site caretaker/management services at the facility.
Pictured inset: The Century Area Chamber of Commerce June 2013 Community Pride Award was presented to caretaker Dennis Cole for the Lake Stone Campground. Pictured top and bottom: Lake Stone and the pavilion. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Three Children Injured In North Century Boulevard Wreck
June 22, 2016
Three children received minor injuries in an accident about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon on North Century Boulevard at West State Line Road, near the Food Giant. The children were transported to Jay Hospital by Escambia County EMS. Two adults involved in the crash were not injured and refused medical treatment.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Pictured: One of the two vehicles involved in a crash that injured three juveniles Tuesday afternoon in Centuy. The vehicles were moved to the Food Giant parking lot following the crash. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Tate’s Grammer Receives State FFA Equine Proficiency Award
June 22, 2016
Tate High School FFA members Rachel Grammer received the Equine Proficiency Award at the Florida State FFA Convention last week in Orlando. She received first place out of four state finalists. She is pictured above (holding awards) with Tata FFA sponsor Austin Courson. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FWC Cracking Down On Boating Under The Influence
June 22, 2016
As the summer recreational boating season gets into full swing, the FWC Law Enforcement Division is ramping up its enforcement efforts as part of a national crackdown on boating under the influence.
The annual three-day, heightened awareness and enforcement campaign, Operation Dry Water, focuses on deterring boaters from boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Law enforcement agencies nationwide will be out in force June 24-26, looking for boaters who choose to boat under the influence, and then removing them from the water. Increased awareness about the dangers of boating under the influence, along with officers focused on identifying impaired operators, aim to drastically reduce the number of accidents and deaths due to impaired boating.
“It is our job as law enforcement officers to identify and remove impaired boaters from the water so that everyone else can continue to have an enjoyable boating season and not become a victim of boating under the influence. Protecting the public goes to the heart of our mission,” said Maj. Richard Moore, FWC’s Boating and Waterways Section Leader. “Our agency is participating in Operation Dry Water, and joining thousands of law enforcement officers nationwide to decrease the number of accidents, injuries and deaths that come as a result of boaters who choose to drink and boat.”
In Florida it is illegal to operate a vessel with a BAC level of .08 or higher. The FWC wants to remind boaters to stay safe this summer by staying sober on the water. Alcohol use is one of the leading contributing factors in recreational boater deaths. During the national weekend of heightened awareness and high-visibility enforcement, boaters can expect to see an enhanced law enforcement presence and increased messaging about this dangerous and preventable crime.
Another Semi Truck Overturns In North Century Boulevard Curve
June 21, 2016
For the second time in just over a week, and 18-wheeler has overturned on North Century Boulevard near Jackson Street, just south of the Food Giant.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 30-year old Aref Alday of Miami traveled off the roadway, causing his 2000 Freightliner semi-truck to overturn. He was cited for careless driving. Aref Alday was not injured; his passenger, 53-year old Amnerys Alday was transported to Jay Hospital with minor injuries.
The truck was hauling cotton bales.
The Town of Century has complained as recently as Monday night to the Florida Department of Transportation about slope of the curve and the inability of 18-wheelers to safely navigate it at the posted speed limit.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Driver ‘Rear-Ends’ Tree In Highway 97 Wreck
June 21, 2016
An adult female driver “rear-ended” a tree in a Tuesday morning wreck on Highway 97 near Walnut Hill.
The woman was southbound on Highway 97 south of Howell Road when she apparently lost control of her Hyundai Elantra in a curve. She over-corrected and ran off off the roadway. The vehicle skidded in the ditch and rotated backwards into a tree.
The driver was transported to an area hospital with injuries that were not considered critical.
Further details, including the name of the driver, have not been released as the Florida Highway Patrol continues their investigation.
Atmore Ambulance and the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Council President Boutwell Resigns, Qualifies To Run For Mayor
June 21, 2016
Century Town Council President Benjamin Boutwell has submitted his resignation so that he may run for the office of mayor.
His resignation, required by Florida law to seek another elected office, is not effective until the end of the day on January 1, 2017.
“It’s been a privilege to serve our residents of Century and I look forward to continuing to serve my town, town workers and my neighbors,” Boutwell said in his letter of resignation.
Monday, Boutwell became the first candidate to officially qualify to seek the mayor’s office in Century. Incumbent Freddie McCall pre-filed last week, but had not completed the qualification process by the close of business on Monday, according to the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office. The qualification period ends at noon Friday.
“I love the town; I love the citizens here,” Boutwell said, adding that he said decided to run for mayor after being asked by numerous residents. “I think I could be a big asset to the town.”
Boutwell said he’s looking to bring businesses and jobs into the town.
He will retire in December after 30 plus years in the Air Force and DOD civil service.