Fire Marshal Investigating After Fire Destroys Home In Century
November 30, 2023
Fire destroyed an abandoned home in Century Thursday morning.
The home, in the area of Hilltop and Alger roads, was fully involved when firefighters arrived on scene.
There were no injuries reported.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Photos by Tip Wagner for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Attempted Murderer Assaulted Century Correctonal Officer, FDC Says
November 29, 2023
A Century Correctional Institution inmate assaulted a correctional officer recently, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
Inmate Charles Daniels assaulted an officer assaulted by grabbing their arm. The incident was captured on camera.
Hudson was serving a 20-year sentence out of Duval County for attempted murder and robbery.
Cantonment Man Charged With Battery of 88-Year Old
November 29, 2023
A Cantonment man is charged with the battery of an 88-year old man.
Thomas Lee Barnhardt, 54 was charged with felony battery on a person 65 years of age or older. He was released on a $1,500 bond.
Barnhardt allegedly became involved in an argument with the victim before hitting him with a closed fist on the right side of his face, according to an arrest report. The victim refused EMS treatment, but had a red mark on the side of his face, deputies said.
Barnhardt told deputies that he did get into an argument with the victim but denied striking him, an arrest report states.
The ECSO said the victim is an 88-year old that has a hard time standing on his own without some type of assistance.
Rainy Period Begins Thursday Overnight
November 29, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a temperature falling to near 51 by 8pm, then rising to around 61 during the remainder of the night. Southeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Friday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 74. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Friday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 64. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between 2 and 3 inches possible.
Saturday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 72. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
Saturday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before noon, then a slight chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 70. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 63. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. North wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 63.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 60.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 37.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 60.
Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier To Close For Several Months For $4 Million In Repairs
November 29, 2023
Repairs to the Casino Beach Fishing Pier on Pensacola Beach are anticipated to begin in December 2023, with work estimated to be completed by May 2024. The pier will be closed for the duration of construction.
The Casino Beach Fishing Pier sustained damage during Hurricane Sally, which made landfall on Sept. 16, 2020. Repairs to the pier include replacement of pier signage, lighting, water line, entrance gate, timber railing, and blow-out deck panels; repairs to timber railing and blow-out deck panels; and installing items including viewing scopes, cameras, benches, trash cans, fishing line receptacles and a flag pole removed during the pedestrian rail replacement.
The new pedestrian railing, deck panel replacement, and light installation will comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act Guidelines and the Florida Fish and Wildlife restrictions for turtle lighting.
Escambia County’s Construction Management Division of the Engineering Department has contracted with DRMP, Inc. for construction engineering and inspection services. Southern Road & Bridge, LLC, is the primary contractor with a construction cost of $4,271,359.
Molino Park Food Drive Helps Stock Two Local Pantries
November 29, 2023
Molino Park Elementary School held their annual food drive recently in partnership with Aldergate Methodist Church. The food collected thisyear was used to help stock the food pantroes at Aldersgate Methodist Church and Highland Baptist Church for distribution to needy families in the community.
Pictured: Molino Park Elementary School PTA representatives Lyndsey Cutler with her her children Paycen and Lexi Cutler, along with Rachel Parker and her children Jaxson and Madi Parker.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Middle School Names Students of the Month
November 29, 2023
Ernest Ward Middle School has named their Students of the Month for Ocotober. They are (L-R) Ella Grace Diller, 6th Grade; Ava McCann, 7th Grade; Haylee Everette, 8th Grade; pictured with Principal Tyvanna Boulanger. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Urban Development Center, Mayor, Push For Continued YouthFirst Century Program Funding From Children’s Trust
November 29, 2023
The Urban Development Center pushed for continued funding during a Tuesday meeting of the Escambia Children’s Trust Program Committee.
The Escambia Children’s Trust (ECT) awarded a contract to the Pensacola non-profit Urban Development Center for “YouthFirst Century” to serve 750 youth ages 11-18 over a three-year period at a total cost of $1.2 million. In reality, they have only reached 30 children in their targeted ages of 11-18. They are pushing to lower their target age group to just 5-years old.
UDC directors, and Century’s mayor, addressed the board Tuesday morning.
“If you take this program away from Century, you’re not taking away one of the programs in Century. You’re taking away the only program in Century,” Mayor Luis Gomez said.
“We need this program to remain in Century. I know that it might be out of compliance a little bit,” the mayor continued. “This program is the only educational program in the town of Century. And we actually need it to stay in Century; it would be devastating to lose this program…just please keep it there.”
“It’s disappointing when I see 11 participants, 30 participants and yet we are spending $20-$30,000 dollars a month.” Escambia School Superintendent Keith Leonard, who sits on the ECT board, said “So, I will think long and hard prior to our next board meeting on where, where I will cast my vote.”
As they push for a second year of funding, UDC has requested a $189,256.70 reimbursement despite reaching just 56 children, with less than 30 of those in the target age range. That equals $6,308 per targeted child in the 11-18 age group.
UDC’s reimbursement request from ECT included about $60,000 for personnel, $6,212 in travel, $2,692 for advertising, $37,000 for program supplies, $1,201 for field trips, $59,000 in “sub-grants to partners”, and $21,000 for professional services for 56 children, 29 of which are not in the program’s target group.
In their application to ECT, UDC acknowledged that they did not have the cash on hand to operate under a cost reimbursement model. UDC approached the Century Town Council for help in early 2023. The town has provided the Century Business Center at 150 East Pond Street as meeting space, with upgrades such as lighting and an ice machine.
The Town of Century fronted $61,925 to The Urban Development Center to purchase items like computers and workbooks. The 500 workbooks at $52.75 per workbook were to be purchased from UDC for $26,375. UDC said they would reimburse the town after they received the ECT funding, but no specific deadline was established. At least $20,000 was recently repaid to the town.
The Children’s Trust board took no action Tuesday; they will vote at an upcoming December meeting.
Flomaton Christmas Parade Postponed A Week Due To Weather Concerns
November 29, 2023
The Town of Flomaton Christmas Parade has been postponed a week to Saturday, December 9 at 10 a.m. due to concerns about this Saturday’s weather.
There is currently a 70% chance of rain for this Saturday.
Pictured: The 2022 Flomaton Christmas Parade. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Multiple Buglaries At Cantonment Building Materials Business Under Investigation
November 29, 2023
Multiple burglaries are under investigation at a Cantonment business.
Pittman’s Cantonment Building Materials and Hardware says they have lost about $10,000 so far in at least two burglaries.
Video shows the culprits in dark hoodies with masks covering their faces.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 850-433-STOP or the ECSO at 850-436-9620.