Century’s New Utility Contract With Prison System In Effect; $180K Annual Increase Expected
December 24, 2021
Century is expected to see an annual revenue increase of over $180,000 from a new utility agreement for the Florida Department of Corrections’ Century Correctional Institution. The contract, approved about a month ago, has now been fully executed by the town and state.
The Florida Department of Corrections is Century’s largest utility customer, and the town was providing water, sewer and natural gas to the prison under a 2008 agreement. It’s estimated the town underbilled over $330,000 due to a faulty gas meter and the town’s failure to adjust the contract annually to match the Consumer Price Index (CPI). However, most of the underbilling was beyond a contractual two-year limitation. The town agreed to forgive the full amount with the new agreement.
Billings under the new five year contract, which has a three year renewal option, are anticipated to total nearly $615,181 plus the actual cost of gas each year — $181,121 more than the 2008 contract.
The new rates were applied retroactively to March 2021, and the Department of Corrections has been billed for the difference to date.
Going forward, annual CPI increases will be added each March.
FDOC has also agreed to pay $1,120 per month to cover expenses if the town installs a “bar screen” – machinery that will keep large items like sheets out of the town’s pumps and wastewater treatment plant.
Pictured: An elevated water storage tank belonging to the Town of Century stands just outside the Century Correctional Institution. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
The Grinch Arrested In Escambia County; Held Without Bond Until After Christmas
December 24, 2021
“Christmas has been saved!” — that’s the word from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office after they arrested the Grinch in their parking lot.
“Rudolph found the Grinch lurking in a parking lot dressed as Santa this morning and called us immediately,” the ECSO said. “We hope he thinks through his actions, and his heart will grow three sizes.”
The Grinch is being held without bond until December 26. According to records, he is from a cave on Mount Crumpit, a steep mountain just north of Whoville. The Grinch has a criminal history of trying to steal Christmas that dates back to 1957.
He was taken into custody by Deputy Howard Enderson of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse.
Photos for all the Whos down in Whoville and NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
From Tate High To Alabama And Clemson: Atmore’s Woody McCorvey Named ‘Legend’ Of Camellia Bowl
December 24, 2021
Woody McCorvey of Atmore, a longtime college football coach that began his career at Tate High School, has been named the 2021 TaxAct Camellia Bowl Alabama Football Legend.
McCorvey, who was the Alabama State University Hornets’ quarterback from 1968-71, earned his bachelor’s degree from ASU in 1972.
McCorvey began his coaching career with a six-year stint (1972-77) at Tate High School.
The Camellia Bowl “Legend” Award is “given annually to a person who has made a significant contribution to college football in the state of Alabama”. he award was presented during a luncheon in Montgomery Thursday.
McCorvey has had a stellar career of more than 40 years as a football coach or administrator for college championship teams at the University of Alabama and Clemson University where he now serves as the chief of football administration under head coach Dabo Swinney. McCorvey has also coached at North Carolina Central, Alabama A&M, South Carolina, Tennessee and Mississippi State.
McCorvey’s outstanding record of accomplishments has earned him a number of laudable awards, including his induction into the Atmore Hall of Fame in 2010 and the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2020.
Past recipients of the Camellia Bowl award include Bobby Bowden, Pat Dye, Woodrow Lowe, Gene Stallings, Johnny Davis and Larry Blakeney.
“I am elated to be associated with all of the previous winners for this award, especially Coach (Gene) Stallings,” McCorvey said. “I worked for him for seven years at Alabama, and we have continued that relationship over the years. Pat Dye meant a lot to me and was instrumental in my career. Larry Blakeney, Woodrow Lowe and Bobby Bowden all had influences. It’s a great honor to be this year’s recipient.”
The 2021 TaxAct Camellia Bowl, pitting the Ball State Cardinals against Georgia State Panthers will be played at 1:30 p.m. Christmas day in Montgomery’s Cramton Bowl. The game will be aired on ESPN.
Wreck Claims Life Of Atmore Man
December 24, 2021
A wreck several miles north of Atmore claimed the life of an Atmore man Thursday.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said 63-year old James Millikan was killed when the 2003 Chevrolet pickup he was driving collided with a tractor-trailer driven by 44-year old Daniele Grace of Frisco City. Millikan’s passenger, 60-year old Karen Millikan of Atmore, was transported to an area hospital for treatment of her injuries.
The crash happened about 9:15 a.m. on Highway 21 in Escambia County, Alabama, north of Huxford, near the Escambia-Monroe County line.
Alabama troopers are continuing their investigation.
Sunny, Getting Warmer For Christmas
December 24, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday Night: Patchy fog after 3am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 56. South wind around 5 mph.
Christmas Day: Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 75. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday Night: Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 57. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: Areas of fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 78. West wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Areas of fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 59. South wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Areas of fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 79.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 76.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 76.
Flomaton Police, Century CI Help Santa Provide Christmas Gifts
December 24, 2021
The Flomaton Police Department recently helped Santa provide gifts to several children and families in the community with their annual “Fill the Cruiser” toy drive.
In addition to generous donations from the community, the Century Correctional Institution provided bicycles.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Juvenile Charged With Davisville Store Robbery, Accused With Two Others In Molino Burglary
December 23, 2021
A juvenile has been charged in connection with an armed robbery in Davisville and an unrelated residential burglary in Molino.
Tallin Bishop, 17, is charged with robbery and armed burglary, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. He was booked into the Escambia Regional Juvenile Detention Center.
Authorities say Bishop (pictured above) is the person that robbed the Marathon convenience store on Highway 97 in Davisville on December 7. There were no injuries.
Bishop and 18-year old Samuel Max Adams of Flomaton are both charged in connection with an armed burglary on December 8 in the Dogwood Park area. A warrant was also issued for the arrest of an adult male that is currently jailed in Escambia County, Alabama, and is awaiting extradition.
Wearing masks and armed, the trio entered the home through an unlocked door and were confronted by the homeowner, according to an arrest report.
On December 10, Bishop and the adult male were arrested on numerous felony burglary charges in Alabama, the report states, and Adams was developed as a suspect in the burglary.
Above: Samuel Max Adams
Woman Struck By Gunfire Through The Walls Of Her Cantonment Mobile Home
December 23, 2021
A woman in Cantonment was struck by gunfire through the walls of her trailer Wednesday night.
The woman was struck in the abdomen and hand as she was going to sleep in her bed, according to Sgt. Melony Peterson. The woman was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS.
It happened about 8:50 p.m. at a mobile home behind the Oak Tavern Bar in the 300 block of Robinson Street, just north of Muscogee Road.
Peterson said preliminary information led deputies to believe the gunfire came from the area of the bar. There was no available suspect information.
The investigation is continuing.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Acres Of Christmas Lights, Hayride, Goats In Pajamas Nightly Through Christmas At Runamuck Ranch In Bratt
December 23, 2021
The Runamuck Ranch in Bratt has tens of thousands of Christmas lights, and you are invited to stop by and see them for free nightly through Christmas.
And see the goats in pajamas.
The lights festival will be open Friday and Christmas from 5:30 until 9 p.m. The gate closes at 8:30 p.m., and the last hayride is at 8:15 p.m.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Nestled on three or four acres in the woods off Rigby Road, the display is walk-through (not a drive-through). Admission and parking are free, but donations are accepted.
Visitors walk a short distance from the parking lot down a lighted path and cross a small foot bridge into the Christmas wonderland. It’s in an open, park-like setting with lots of lights, inflatables, and animated displays.
Concessions are available — hot cocoa, popcorn, cotton candy, hot tea, bottled water and more are mostly $1 each. A S’mores kit will set you back just $3. Only cash is accepted. There are picnic tables and lounge chairs, and propane patio heaters if it’s cold.
Runamuck Ranch is located at 4951 Rigby Road in Bratt (about 1.5 miles from Bratt Elementary). Take Still Road south off West Highway 4 turn left on Rigby Road and look for the signs. Don’t expect to see a lot of lights from the road; it’s a driveway back to the parking lot. (We found that Google Maps was a bit off on the location; click here for a map to the driveway.)
There may be an encore opening New Year’s weekend, but plans are not yet final.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: The Christmas lights festival at Runamuck Ranch in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Seniors Christmas Party Held At Quintette Community Center
December 23, 2021
A community Christmas party for seniors was recently held at the Quintette Community Center. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
