Century Approves Free Rent, Short Term Lease With Startup Transportation Company
April 21, 2022
The Town of Century has approved a free rent, three month lease with a startup transportation business.
Tuesday night, the council approved the lease with Metro Rapid Transport and their for profit non-emergency medical and other transportation service business.
The town will revisit the lease before it ends and consider options going forward; there is not an automatic renewal or extension. During the three months, the company will be required to pay utilities, but the town does not currently have a separate electric meter for the 1,000 square foot portion of the building leased by Metro Rapid.
The council unanimously approved the zero-dollar lease for the first three months. In February, the council received a business plan from Metro Rapid that indicated the company had budgeted $20,000 for leasing a facility, plus $25,000 to renovate the facility.
“I don’t want to deprive Century of the benefit of having a transit system,” Council President Luis Gomez, Jr.
“After the three months, we come back to the council and say well how much we are doing this lease for now and how much we can afford,” owner Trina James-Tanner said. “Century is small. There is no big money coming through. So it’s not like I’m gonna go right in and start making a thousand dollars a day with what I’m doing.”
“I’m trying to help the elderly. I’m trying to help the disabled. So if y’all can work with me would be great, she added.
Town Attorney Matt Dannheisser, who drafted the lease, refrained from suggesting a dollar amount for the lease citing insufficient familiarity with the Century Business Center.
Dannheisser stated in an email that he was instructed to refrain from including any requirement that the principal owners of Metro Rapid personally guarantee the rent and other obligations. The town has not conducted any due diligence into the company’s owners.
“Please recognize that because Metro Rapid is a new company (having been formed in Dec. 2021), it may have little assets. Correspondingly, in the event of breach of any terms of the lease (including, for example, breach of insurance or indemnification requirements of Sections 11 and 12), the Town may have difficulty effectively enforcing its rights under the lease,” Dannheisser warned.
Under the lease, Metro Rapid accepts the premises “as is” with the town having no responsibility for any repairs or alterations.
Metro Rapid also has nonexclusive right to use the paved parking surfaces and driveway. The lease also allows the company to use a portion of the property to the east of the Century Business Center as a bus parking area, but the buses and other vehicles are not allowed at the Century Business Center at anytime. Their use is limited to overnight and temporary parking of less than 12 hours. They are not allowed to make any repairs or service the vehicles on the property.
Metro Rapid must also maintain liability insurance with limits of at least $1 million per person or $2 million for injuries to more than one person and $250,000 for property damage.
Metro Rapid Transport plans to operate 18 hours a day, six days a week, according to their business plan and be based in the “northern Pensacola area”.
Proposed rates for the service are $2.50 “in town” or $5 round trip. For “out of town” trips, it will be $45 for the first 30 miles ($90 round tip) plus 20 cents per additional mile, according to the company’s undated business plan submitted to the town.
Metro Transit estimates nearly $4.2 million is needed to establish and maintain the service for three years. The plan states they have been able to generate about $8,000 in home equity from the owner, they are applying for state funding, and they are working to establish a line of credit at Navy Federal Credit Union.
Pictured: Metro Rapid Transport owner Trina James-Tanner addresses the Century Town Council. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
These New ‘Kids’ At Beulah Middle May Just Be The Cutest Thing You See Today
April 21, 2022
The two new “kids” at Beulah Middle School may just be the cutest thing you see today.
At 10:02 p.m. Wednesday, the Beulah Middle family welcomed two new kids to the farm.
Ms. Ruby gave birth to a boy and a girl. Mom and kids were both doing fine.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Kingsfield Elementary Book Fair Continues; Family Night Is Thursday
April 21, 2022
The Scholastic Book Fair is continuing through Friday at Kingsfield Elementary School.
Parents can shop during family night on Thursday from 4-6 p.m.
Parents and guardians can crate an eWallet to give their children a safe, cashless way to shop the book fair at school or online. Click or tap here to begin.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Gets 27 Years On Child Porn Charges
April 21, 2022
An Escambia County man has been sentenced on multiple child porn counts.
Scott Alexander Chappelear was sentenced to 27 years in state prison and designated a sexual offender by Judge John Simon. Chappelear entered a plea straight up to the court on 15 counts of possession of child pornography, six counts of transmission of harmful materials to a minor, and one count of using a computer to solicit the sexual conduct of a child.
FDLE began its investigation in August 2021. An undercover agent, posing as a 14-year old female, began communicating with Chappelear, who tried to coax the “child” into performing sexual acts and sent adult pornography, according to the agency.
Chappelear believed that he was communicating with a minor child. During the course of the communications, Chappelear solicited sexual acts, transmitted pornography, and agreed to meet with the undercover agent.
FDLE said Chappelear also agreed to meet the person he thought was a 14-year old girl at Shoreline Park in Gulf Breeze.
A search warrant was served at his home at 8126 Crystal Wells Place, off East Olive Road. Agents found dozens of child sexual abuse material photos with some children as young as one to three years of age on two of his cell phones, according to the report.
“This defendant posed a significant danger to the community. He went from possessing child pornography to actively seeking out minor children online. This sentence will ensure that the community is safe from any future actions of Mr. Chappelear,” said prosecuting attorney Carrie Gilmer.
This investigation and arrest were conducted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Tate Aggies Varsity Beats Pine Forest; JV Eagles Top Tate
April 21, 2022
Tate 2, Pine Forest 1
The Tate Aggies defeated the Pine Forest Eagles 2-1 Wednesday night.
Dalton Biggs earned the win for Tate, going five and two-thirds innings while allowing one run, one hit and striking out nine. Reaves threw one and on-third innings in relief allowing one hit and striking out one Eagle. Bray Touchstone was 1-3 for the Aggies.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Pine Forest 3, Tate 1 (JV)
In junior varsity action, Pine Forest topped Tate 3-1.
In four innings, Cameron Patrick allowed two hits and three runs while striking out four. McNair and Lynn
Ketch King and Anthony Longo each had one hit for the JV Aggies.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Laura Krause Glodfelter, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Get First Home Game Win Of The Season
April 21, 2022
Jerar Encarnacion had four RBIs, including the game-tying double and game-winning home run, to lift the Pensacola Blue Wahoos to a 6-4 win over the Montgomery Biscuits on Wednesday night.
Encarnacion tied the game 4-4 with a two-out, two-run double in the sixth, and provided the decisive blow with a two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth to give the Blue Wahoos their first home win of the season.
Cody Mincey delivered 5.0 solid innings in his second Double-A start, allowing three runs on three hits. Brett Wisely hit a solo homer in the second and a Grant Witherspoon RBI single in the third as the Blue Wahoos fell behind 3-1.
Biscuits starter Caleb Sampen allowed only one hit in his 3.0-inning start, an RBI triple to Griffin Conine that put Pensacola on the board. A solo homer from Montgomery’s Hill Alexander in the top of the sixth gave the Biscuits a 4-1 lead, but the Blue Wahoos charged back against Michael Costanzo in the bottom of the sixth.
On a windy night, a dropped infield fly off the bat of Paul McIntosh brought home a run to bring the score to 4-2. With two outs, Encarnacion drove a two-run double into the right field corner to tie the game 4-4.
Josh Simpson (W, 1-0) pitched a scoreless eighth, and Encarnacion lined a go-ahead two-run homer off the top of the left field wall against Trevor Brigden (L, 1-2) to give Pensacola their first lead. Simpson returned for the ninth, striking out three more batters to close the door.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Montgomery Biscuits on Thursday night.
Clear, Upper 50s Tonight
April 21, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 85. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 59. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 82. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light southeast in the evening.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 82.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 56.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 80.
Freddie Levon Peacock
April 21, 2022
Freddie Levon Peacock was born April 13, 1935 and rose to heaven April 18, 2022. Fred was a devout Catholic, loyal husband for 61 years, a proud father, and avid lifetime golfer. After serving in the United States Army, Fred married Nancy Ording in 1960 and started his family in Pensacola, Florida. He completed his undergraduate studies at Pensacola Junior College and the University of West Florida. He later obtained a master’s degree from the University of Alabama-Huntsville. He enjoyed a lifelong career with Monsanto with assignments in Florida, Alabama, Missouri, Connecticut, and returning to retire in Florida near his favorite golf course. He lived his life as a positive example for his four children that included faith, loyalty, superior work ethic, and 100% honesty. And for all who knew him, you certainly knew where to find him if he wasn’t at home or traveling with his family- on the golf course, trying to achieve his 5th hole in one!
Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Freddie and Velva Peacock, and his brother George Peacock.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy, his sons Mark (Nancy), Greg (Katharine) and Jason (Jennifer) and his favorite daughter Marcia (Edward), along with ten grandchildren, and three grandchildren. The family would like to express their sincere thanks to Kathleen for the outstanding care she provided for Fred and support for Nancy throughout the last 6 months.
Funeral will be held at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church on Tuesday, April 26 at 11:00 a.m. and Fred will be laid to rest at Barrancas National Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. Everyone attending the graveside should meet at Olive Baptist Church Warrington Campus, 103 W Winthrop Rd at 1:30 to be escorted on to the base. Due to base security, you must be in the procession to attend the graveside service.
$7.2 Million In Safety Improvements Begin Next Month On East Nine Mile Road
April 20, 2022
The Florida Department of Transportation is set to begin work next month on a $7.2 million project to improve safety on a 2.3 mile segment of East Nine Mile Road.
Planned safety improvements between Chemstrand Road and Baldridge Road include:
- Widening the turn lanes to include five-foot bicycle lanes in each direction.
- Traffic signal upgrades.
- Guardrail, pavement markings, and sidewalk enhancements.
- Drainage improvements.
- Milling and resurfacing all turn lanes and bicycle lanes.
FDOT said the project is anticipated to be complete by the Summer of 2023.
During construction, drivers and bicyclists can expect lane closures and traffic shifts. Lane closures will be limited to the 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. timeframe seven days a week. Pedestrian detours will be in place while sidewalk improvements are underway.
Dry Weather Continues Into The Weekend
April 20, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 83. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 59. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 82. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 82.