Work Continues On Crary Road Bridge Replacement
June 14, 2019
Work is continuing on a $776,874 Florida Department of Transportation FRONTproject to replace the current bridge on Crary Road over Pritchett Mill Creek near Century.
The work involves replacing the current structure with a box culvert, paving the roadway approaches, and improving drainage. Crary Road has been closed between Tedder and Byrneville roads since November 2018 for construction.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sunny Friday, But A Little Rain In The Weekend Forecast
June 14, 2019
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 89. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light southeast after midnight.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light southeast after midnight.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88.
Man That Claimed Woman Was Killed In Deer Hunting Accident Sentenced For Manslaughter
June 14, 2019
A Flomaton man who told authorities he was trying to shoot a deer when he shot and killed a woman in December 2016 has been sentenced.
Shannon Bell was indicted for the murder of 36-year old Donna L. Martin, but entered a guilty plea to a lesser charge of manslaughter. He was sentence to two years in state prison followed by 36 months in community corrections.
The night of December 2, 2016, authorities received a call about a gunshot victim near the Pollard Boat Landing. The caller was experiencing problems with his phone connection, but was eventually able to relay that he wanted medical units to meet him at the intersection of Foshee Road and Highway 31. First responders arrived to find Martin suffering from a gunshot wound to her side. She was transported to D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton where she was later pronounced deceased.
Bell claimed that he was trying to shoot a deer at night and a struggle ensued over the gun. The gun went off killing Martin.
DeSantis Signs Driverless Vehicle Bill
June 14, 2019
Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill allowing vehicles to operate on Florida roads without a human on board.
“Signing this legislation paves the way for Florida to continue as a national leader in transportation innovation and technological advancement,” DeSantis said. He said the bill removes unnecessary obstacles that hinder the development of autonomous vehicle technology.
The bill signing took place at the SunTrax facility in Polk County which is a national center for the research and development of advanced mobility solutions. Today’s event celebrated the completion of Phase One of the facility with the finish of America’s newest autonomous vehicle test track. SunTrax will be the only high-speed autonomous vehicle testing facility in the southeastern United States. This innovative partnership between the Florida Turnpike Enterprise and the Florida Department of Transportation puts Florida on the leading-edge of the development of new transportation technologies.
42 Local Nonprofits Receive $850K From United Way
June 14, 2019
United Way of Escambia announced on Thursday the 29 nonprofit agencies receiving $850,000 in grant awards through the organization’s Community Investment Process. Programs operated by these agencies provide critical services to individuals and families across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in the areas of health, education, and financial stability.
“We are excited to announce the programs and agencies that will receive grant funding for the 2019-2020 year through our Community Investment Process,” said President and CEO Laura Gilliam. “Through this process, volunteers, who are also donors, carefully vet the applicants to ensure that we’re being responsible stewards of our donor’s gifts, as well as making the strongest measured impact possible for our community.”
The undesignated gifts of hundreds of businesses, companies, and institutions, in addition to roughly 7,000 individual donors, create this Community Investment Fund. In 2019-20, 23 programs will receive new one-year grants, while 19 programs are in either the second or third year of 2-3 year grant cycles.
United Way of Escambia County also announced their Top 5 Workplace Campaigns, as well as the winner of a new KIA Soul, John J. Tria, Jr., of Ascend Performance Materials.
TOP 5 WORKPLACE CAMPAIGNS
- Gulf Power Company
- Publix Super Markets
- Ascend Performance Materials
- Navy Federal Credit Union
- Armstrong World Industries
HEALTH AWARDS – $377,686
- Ashley Offerdahl Counseling Program – Children’s Home Society of Florida
- Access to Care – Health and Hope Clinic, Inc.
- Family Advocacy – Gulf Coast Kid’s House, Inc.
- Healthy Seniors Food Program – Manna Food Bank, Inc.
- Tummy Bundles – Manna Food Bank, Inc.
- Healthy Start, Century Program – Escambia County Healthy Start Coalition, Inc.
- Mobile Outreach Program – OASIS Florida
- PUMCM Hot Meal Service – Pensacola United Methodist Community Ministries
2-3 YEAR COMMITTED AWARDS
- Child Abuse Prevention Education – Gulf Coast Kid’s House
- Epilepsy Services – Epilepsy Florida
- Essential Life Skills – Capstone Adaptive Learning and Therapy Centers, Inc.
- Healthy Lifestyles – Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast
- Nutrition Program – Council on Aging of West Florida
- Pearl Nelson Child Development Center, Pediatric Therapy – The ARC Gateway, Inc.
- Senior Companion Program – Council on Aging of West Florida
- Sexual/Physical Abuse Treatment Program – Lutheran Services of Florida
- Victim Services – Lakeview Center
- Youth Development – YMCA of Northwest Florida
EDUCATION AWARDS – $377,008
- AMI Pensacola GED and Vocational Program – AMIkids Pensacola, Inc.
- Capstone Academy – Capstone Adaptive Learning and Therapy Centers, Inc.
- Girls Earning Diplomas (GED) Program – PACE Center for Girls, Inc.
- Kids for Camp Summer Learning Lab – Autism Pensacola, Inc.
- ReadingPals – Every Child a Reader in Escambia County
- School to Work – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida, Inc.
2-3 YEAR COMMITTED AWARDS
- Academic Success – Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast
- Community Based Mentoring – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida, Inc.
- Heritage Oaks Affordable Housing – Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies
- Independence for Dependent and Homeless Youth – Legal Services of North Flroida
- Pearl Nelson Child Development Center, Early Intervention Services – The ARC Gateway, Inc.
- School Readiness Program – Early Learning Coalition of Escambia County
- Service Learning and Leadership Development – Chain Reaction
- Teenspace – Children’s Home Society of Florida
- Veteran’s Legal Assistance – Legal Services of North Florida
FINANCIAL STABILITY AWARDS – $95,306
- Chadwick House – Pensacola United Methodist Community Ministries
- Child Care – YMCA of Northwest Florida
- Domestic Violence Shelter – FavorHouse of Northwest Florida, Inc.
- Emergency Assistance – Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida
- Every Adult Achieves Self-Sufficiency – Pathways for Change, Inc.
- Feeding Stability – Manna Food Bank, Inc.
- His Place Shelter – Pensacola United Methodist Community Ministries
- The Mobile Pantry Program – Feeding the Gulf Coast
- Recovery and Career Development Program: A Path to Self-Sufficiency – Waterfront Rescue Mission, Inc.
UWF Rises To Second In Florida For Performance
June 14, 2019
The Florida Board of Governors named the University of West Florida as a top-performing public university for the third consecutive year, with UWF securing a spot in the top two.
The University earned 94 points out of the 100-point scale in the Board’s performance-based funding model results from the 2018-19 academic year. UWF scored its highest point total in the six-year history of the metrics and finished one point behind the University of Florida. The distinction for UWF comes one month after the U.S. News & World Report ranked the Florida State University System No. 1 in the country for the third consecutive year.
“We are a top-ranked university in the best university system in the country,” said UWF President Martha D. Saunders. “Once again, UWF has distinguished itself as a leader in higher education. This ranking is a testament to our hard-working students, faculty and staff and our no limits approach to education.”
Under the performance funding model, the Board of Governors scores Florida’s 11 public universities based on 10 metrics designed to incentivize university excellence and improvement. These metrics establish a minimum acceptable level of performance on issues including graduation and retention rates.
Pictured: The University of West Florida celebrated a significant milestone at the Fall 2018 Commencement last December, awarding the 100,000th degree since the institution opened in 1967. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Judy Strength
June 14, 2019
Mrs. Judy Strength, age 91, of Flomaton, AL, passed away on Wednesday, June 12, 2019 at West Florida Hospital in Pensacola, FL.
Mrs. Strength was a native of Enterprise, AL, and had been a member of the Flomaton community for 24 years coming from Pensacola. During her working years, she worked as an independent financial agent and in real estate industry. She was a member of Little Escambia Baptist Church where she was very involved serving others and enjoyed vacation Bible school. Mrs. Strength was preceded in death by her daughter, Paula Smith; husbands, James A. Patterson, Frank L. Smyer, II, and Harold Strength; son-in-law, Hubert Smith, and grandson, Matt Butler.
She is survived by her sons, Doug (Sue) Patterson of Cantonment, FL, and Frank L. (Judy) Smyer, III of Pace, FL; daughter, Pam Patterson of Flomaton, AL; sisters, Evelyn Shepard of Mobile, AL, and Jan Hudson of Huntsville, AL; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; special friends, Linda Albritton, Dusty and Celrusa Godwin, James and Joyce Nix, and Ina and Robert Newton.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 15, 2019 at Little Escambia Baptist Church from 1 until 2 P.M.
Celebration of life services will be held on Saturday, June 15, 2019 at Little Escambia Baptist Church at 2 P.M. with Rev. Jonathan Hill, Rev. David Nicholes, and Dr. Larry Patterson officiating.
Interment will follow in Elizabeth Chapel Cemetery, Chumuckla, FL.
Pallbearers will be Jack Morris, Jimmy Johnson, James Nix, Peyton Williams, Dusty Godwin, and Paul Peadon.
Honorary pallbearers will be Bo Brantley, Robert Newton, Ronnie Darby, DeWayne Arnette, Jimmie Butler, and Neal Miller.
Per Mrs. Strength’s wishes all attendees are asked to wear a shade of purple.
South Alabama Fugitive In Custody After A Week On The Run
June 13, 2019
A fugitive on the run for a week in South Alabama is now in custody after a four to five hour standoff with police Thursday.
John Cobb was arrested near the Covington-Conecuh county line about 6:30 p.m. Thursday by deputies from the Covington, Conecuh and Escambia County (AL) sheriff’s offices.
Deputies said John Cobb was at a home in the Damascus area Friday night but was gone by the time they arrived. The search continued in the area until 3:30 a.m. Saturday. Sunday night, K-9s tracked Cobb until rain washed out the scent trail.
Tuesday, deputies responded to a burglary and found that someone had showered and slept in a camp house, and they found a shotgun had been stolen from another camp house. A truck Cobb allegedly stole was recovered in Conecuh County.
And Tuesday night deputies from Escambia and Conecuh counties responded to a burglary in Brooklyn where a pistol and rifle were stolen.
For the next two days, Cobb continued to elude law enforcement.
ECSO: Man Fabricated Shooting Story, His Girlfriend Charged With Battery
June 13, 2019
Authorities say a man that claimed he was shot Wednesday afternoon in Escambia County was actually injured in a domestic violence situation.
The victim was shot in the hip in the 200 block of Topaz Avenue and went to Sacred Heart Hospital for treatment. He told investigators that he was breaking up a fight between two teens when he was shot, but the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office now says he fabricated the story.
The ECSO charged the victim’s girlfriend, 30-year old Xiaomae Jenkins, with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and possession of a marijuana in connection with the shooting incident. She was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
The Sheriff’s Office says the victim is expected to recover. His identity has not been released.
Financial Expert Recommends Sweeping Changes To Save Century
June 13, 2019
An independent financial consultant that wrote the Town of Century is “teetering on a financial cliff, and quick decisive action is needed to rescue it” sat down with the town council Wednesday evening to expound on his report. He recommended the town divest management of its utilities, hire a chief financial officer, get rid of their current accountant and just simply learn to work together.
With natural gas and water utilities losing about a million dollars in three years, Bob Inzer told the council they must take action now.
“Those are big numbers for a city of your size,” he said, adding most cities operate their utilities to make money to offset other expenses or provided additional services. He said it was the council’s responsibility to know about financial problems and take corrective actions on a timely basis, but “looking at the minutes (of council meetings), that’s not happened”.
He said the town’s charter, which has not been updated for four decades, is “antiquated” and presents a role for the mayor’s office that is more like that of a city manager. The council, he said, has been left with only limited information about the financial condition of the town from the mayor and town employees.
“The buck stops really with the council in this community,” Inzer said “You’ve got to find a way to work together.”
“Y’all are the board of directors. This is your money, this your system, this your government. Somebody’s got to be asking the questions and paying attention to what is going on,” he said.
Inzer repeatedly told the council that Century needs to hire someone for a chief financial officer type position to have direct oversight over the town’s finances.
“You hire the people that have that expertise to report to you, and you hold them accountable,” he said. “…I believe your city is not operating with the level of oversite it needs to be as evidenced by your losses.”
If the town were to hire a CFO, that could replace the town’s current accountant. “I would think he would not be needed,” Inzer remarked.
He also recommended that the town sell the town’s utilities or outsource their management.
“It was harsh, but it was an eye opener,” council member Luis Gomez said. “It felt like 95 percent was spot-on.”
To read more about Inzer’s report in depth, click here for an earlier NorthEscambia.com story. Inzer has spent nearly 50 years in municipal finance, including 30 years with the City of Tallahassee. Through the Florida League of Cities, his services and report were at no cost to the town.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
