Newly Renovated Century Branch Library Reopens (With Photo Tour)
March 4, 2021
The Century Branch Library reopened Tuesday after being closed for a month for renovation.
One of the most notable features of the new library design is a much improved use of space. The children’s area has been expanded, now incorporating what was formerly a storage room. The adult area, shelving and the circulation desk have been rearranged, creating a large open reading area that can be used for events and library programs.
And, it’s like a park inside the library.
That’s how Escambia County Director of Library Services Todd Humble describes the newly renovated library.
“We are pleased to present a bright, open and airy space for our residents to enjoy within the Century Branch Library. The design concept behind this renovation was to represent nature,” Humble said as he describe the new, modern look of the library. “The paint color on the walls is blue to simulate the sky and the carpet pattern was chosen to simulate a patio. The color of the furniture was selected for a bright contemporary look, which will include orange, green and light blue colors.”
There will be two aquariums in the library on North Century Boulevard, one of which will include fish that might be caught in the Century area.
“The adult section will incorporate flowers and trees in the artwork. The lobby will include artwork of squirrels. The idea is to create a peaceful and inviting experience for residents to enjoy nature within the library.”
And then there’s the pod chair, likely to become very popular with library patrons. It’s comfy, with soft fabric inside. The hard dome-shaped outside shell provides sound isolation, making for a quiet reading spot.
Due to shipping and other delays, the renovation project is not quite compete. An official grand opening ceremony will be scheduled for a later date.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Reschedules COVID-19 Grant Hearing After Oversight Leads To Wrong Address In Public Notice
March 4, 2021
The Town of Century has rescheduled a grant application public hearing after a simple oversight led to public notices that listed two different locations for the meeting.
The public hearing will allow the town to apply for coronavirus funding through a Small Cities Community Development Block Grant from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. The grants will be awarded in amounts ranging from $200,000 to $5 million for neighborhood revitalization, commercial revitalization, economic development, public service, planning or housing.
A public notice distributed in the council’s agenda pack and a public notice posted on the front door of Century Town Hall both listed the location of Monday’s night’s public meeting as Century Town Hall on North Century Boulevard. However, the town council voted in January to move all of their meetings to the Century Community Center on West Highway 4 beginning February 1 in order for more social distancing space and to allow for more public participation.
Town planner Debbie Nickles told the council that a public notice submitted for publication in a local weekly printed newspaper had the correct meeting location of the community center, which is where the council meeting was being held.
An improper public notice would be in violation of the Florida Sunshine Law and might invalidate Century’s grant application.
“I believe we will need to have another public hearing because the address is incorrect, although a number of people obviously figured out where the meeting was,” interim City Manager Vernon Prather said. “It is listed at 7995 North Century Boulevard (town hall). We’re not there so we have enough, we need to re-advertise. We’re trying to make transition from the old address to the new address.”
“Make sure we are all on the same page at the same time because people came by tonight with questions and concerns,” council member Sandra Jackson said in comments directed to town staff. “One person print, the next person proofread so we can go on and conduct the town’s business in a professional manner.”
The public hearing has been rescheduled for Tuesday, March 9 at 7 p.m. at the Century Community Center on West Highway 4. The public is encourage to attend to offer input on how the funds could be spent if the town is awarded a grant.
Pictured: Consultant Robin Phillips discusses a Community Development Block Grant. Pictured below: Members of the public attended the Town of Century council meeting. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Greater Pensacola Chamber Honors Community Excellence At 61st Annual PACE Awards
March 4, 2021
The Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce held its annual Pensacola Area Commitment to Excellence (PACE) Awards Wednesday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The following winners were announced:
Spirit of Pensacola: Dave and Mary Hoxeng, Cat Country 98.7, NewsRadio 92.3, ESPN-94.5, WEBY-99.1
Advocate Leader: Brian Wyer, CEO, Gulf Coast Minority Chamber of Commerce
Leader in Education: Shannon Nickinson, Director of Early Learning, Studer Community Institute
Professional Leader: Dr. David Josephs, Clinic Director, Lakeview Center
Business Leader: Norris Ayvazian, Operations Manager, Peaden Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical
Community Leader: Lisa Lyter, Creative Strategist, Red Iron Design House
Emerging Leader: D.C. Reeves, Co-Founder/CEO, Perfect Plain Brewery
“My congratulations go to this year’s PACE Award honorees,” stated Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce President Todd Thomson. “After such a trying year, it is wonderful to come together and celebrate our community’s excellence.”
Pictured: Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce Pensacola Area Commitment to Excellence (PACE) Awards winners. Photo Cat Country 98.7 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Baptist Has COVID-19 Vaccination Appointments Available In Pensacola And Jay
March 4, 2021
Baptist Health Care has vaccine appointments available in the communities of Pensacola, Gulf Breeze and Jay, Florida while supplies last. Vaccinations will be given by appointment only to those who meet Florida eligibility criteria. Evening and weekend appointments have been added to accommodate work schedules, including those of school employees. Time and location will be provided once the appointment is confirmed.
COVID-19 vaccinations are currently designated for Florida residents who are one of the following:
- Age 65 or over
- Health care worker
- K-12 school employee 50 years of age and older
- Sworn law enforcement officer 50 years of age and older
- Firefighter 50 years of age and older
People who are in one of the allowable workforce groups must present an ID badge or proof of employment at the appointment.
How to Make a Vaccination Appointment
Appointments can be made one of three ways:
- Visit EasySchedule.com. Click “procedure appointment” and complete the registration.
- Email name and contact information to BHCVaccine@bhcpns.org.
- Those without email/internet access can call 850.908.SHOT (7468), Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tate Beats Fort Walton Beach; Escambia Tops Northview
March 4, 2021
Tate 15, Fort Walton Beach 1
With an explosive 10-run fifth inning, the Tate Aggies beat Fort Walton Beach 15-1 Wednesday night.
Jordan Jarman gave up one run on three hits in three innings while striking out two on the mound for Tate. Tucker Griffin and Joseph Pusateri closed out the game in relief.
Jadon Fryman, Frankie Randall, Drew Reaves and Jackson Penton had multiple hits for the Aggies. Fryman went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead Tate.
Escambia 7, Northview 5
The Escambia Gators defeated the Northview Chiefs 7-5 Wednesday night in Pensacola.
The Chiefs tied it up at three in the top of the third when an error scored three runs for Northview, but Escambia took the lead for good with a run in the fourth.
Northview’s Clay Allen allowed four hit and four runs over five innings. Kaden Odom and Jamarkus took the mound in relief.
Odom, Bryce Korinchak, and Aron Chavira had one hit each for the Chiefs.
Pictured: The Tate Aggies beat Fort Walton 15-1 Wednesday night. Photos by Laura Glodfelter for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Low In The 40s Thursday Night
March 4, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43. North wind around 5 mph becoming northeast after midnight.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 70. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 65.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 72.
The Book Fair Is Back At Molino Park Elementary School, And There’s A New Way To Pay.
March 4, 2021
The Scholastic Book Fair is back this year at Molino Park Elementary School, and it’s been extended with a new way for parents to pay.
For over 30 years, those mobile cases of the Scholastic Book Fairs have offered a chance for schools to make a little money while giving students access to affordable books to read.
For cashless shopping, parents or guardians can create a payment wallet online by clicking or tapping here. The digital wallet can be used at the Molino Park book fair or online at a virtual book fair. Cash and checks are also accepted at the school. (Checks should made out to Molino Park Elementary and include a phone number.)
The book fair at Molino Park will continue through Wednesday, March 10.
“All proceeds Molino Park makes will be used for new purchases to update our school library collection,” said MPES Media Specialist Rebecca Hatch.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FDOH Reports 90 New COVID-19 Cases, One Additional Death In Escambia County
March 4, 2021
THIS IS A ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST DATA.
There were 90 new COVID-19 cases and one additional death in Escambia County reported Wednesday by the Florida Department of Health.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 33,894 (+90)
Non-Florida residents: 3,501
Recovered: 33,035*
Total deaths: 633 (+1)
Long-term care facility deaths: 270 (+1)
Current hospitalizations: 81 (+13)
Number of tests reported last day: 1,005
Percent positive reported last day: 7.6%
Percent positive reported last week: 6.0%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 25,255 (+64)
Cantonment: 3,051 (+9)
Century: 1,157 (+11)
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 480
McDavid: 201 (+1)
Bellview: 56
Walnut Hill: 51
Perdido Key: 21
Gonzalez: 13
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 17,220 (+57)
Non-Florida residents: 216
Total deaths: 262
Long-term care facility deaths: 78
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 796*
Number of tests reported last day: 470
Percent positive reported last day: 10.8%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 8,235 (+30)
Navarre: 3,528 (+9)
Gulf Breeze: 3,212 (+10)
Pace: 1,367 (+5)
Jay: 530 (+2)
Bagdad: 32 (+1)
Florida cases:
Total cases: 1,924,114
Florida residents: 1,888,725
Deaths: 31,267
Hospitalizations: 80,024*
*“Hospitalizations” in the statewide and Santa Rosa County totals is a count of all laboratory confirmed cases in which an inpatient hospitalization occurred at any time during the course of illness. Most of these people are longer be hospitalized. The FDOH does not provide a count of patients currently hospitalized. The Escambia County number is current data compiled each day from the local hospitals.
**On cases by location, the city is based upon zip code and is not always received as part of the initial notification. There may be a delay in reporting locations, and locations will not total the daily case increase as a result.
***The Florida Department of Health does not have a clear standard or definition of “recovered” and does not report a number of recovered individuals. Escambia County is reporting an approximate recovery number defined as the total cases prior to last month, minus deaths. In other words, anyone that tested positive more than a month ago is presumed to have recovered by Escambia County.
**Data Sources: Florida Department of Health, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, local hospitals.
Dwight Jackson Perritt
March 4, 2021
We are celebrating the life of Dwight Jackson Perritt, husband of 39 years to Marcelle Reeves Perritt, father to Cathy Flowers, stepfather to Damon Murphy and Dona Jean Gainey, grandfather to four and great grandfather to six. He left us on March 2, 2021 and entered into his eternal home in Heaven.
Dwight is survived by his wife, Marcelle Reeves Perritt, daughter Cathy (Jimmy) Flowers, stepdaughter Dona Murphy (Scott) Gainey, stepson Damon (Pammie) Murphy, brothers, a sister, four grandchildren, six great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.
Dwight spent many years working as a crane operator with the oil industry out of Louisiana until an automobile accident in 2004 almost took his life and he was forced to retire. Prior to the accident he enjoyed spending his free time working in the yard, his wood shop, attending races and going fishing. After the accident he became disabled and had to give up his boat and most outdoor work. In recent years he always spoke of memories from times spent fishing with his wife Marcelle, his grandson Joshua and his granddaughter Lauren. Those memories brought him laughter and even sadness. He was a simple man who loved his family and always helped others when in need. He showed his family love and care whether we shared the same blood or not. He spent the last few years of his life watching races on tv and watching the old westerns. If there wasn’t a Nascar race on the tv, he was watching the heroes that he loved in those old westerns and didn’t watch or care for much of anything else that was on.
Even though we mourn our loss, we celebrate and realize how blessed we were to have him in our lives. We celebrate because even though his life on this earth has come to an end, his life has really just begun in eternity.
Funeral services will be held at 12noon, Friday, March 5, 2021 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Malcolm Thomas officiating. Burial to follow in Gonzalez United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Family will receive friends at 11am prior to services.
Man Charged With Holding Patient Hostage At West Florida Hospital, Fighting With Deputies
March 3, 2021
An Alabama man was arrested Tuesday after allegedly holding a patient hostage at West Florida Hospital, fighting staff and deputies and even grabbing a deputy’s gun.
Timothy Rains, 26, of Loxley, Alabama, is charged with multiple counts of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer or EMT, kidnapping false imprisonment, damaging property, resisting arrest with violence, and obstructing police.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was called to a hostage situation in the Behavior Unit at West Florida Hospital about 2:30 p.m.
An arrest report states Rains was initially taken to the hospital as a voluntary patient for a medical condition. He was placed in the Behavior Unit due to lack of bed space in the regular emergency room.
Security staff said Rains became verbally aggressive when asked to put on hospital clothes and provide a urine sample. He then punched a hole in the wall and pulled the door scanner off the wall.
The report states Rains entered another patient’s room, locked the door and then blocked the door — not allowing the patient to leave or hospital staff to get into the room. Hospital staff asked Rains several times to let the patient out of the room, but he refused.
According to the report, hospital staff broke a window in an attempt to get the patient out of the room. Staff tried to use an aluminum crutch to pry the door open, but Rains grabbed the crutch and began swinging it at hospital staff.
The report states Rains eventually allowed the patient to leave the room, but he kept using the crutch as a weapon against hospital staff before they finally pulled it away from him.
Multiple deputies then tried to detain Rains, but he wouldn’t comply, according to the report. Rains grabbed ahold of a deputy’s gun in his holster, but he was stopped from getting the gun as deputies pinned his hand.
A deputy used a taser on Rains, but it proved ineffective. Rains then grabbed another deputy’s taser, pointed it at the deputy’s chest and pulled the trigger multiple times, according to the arrest report.
According to the report, after more struggles, deputies were eventually able to handcuff Rains and arrest him.
Rains’ bond was set at $155,000.