Century Officially Hires Vernon Prather As Interim City Manager
January 23, 2020
The Town of Century has finalized an employment contract with Vernon Prather as interim city manager.
Prather will be paid $40 an hour for 30 hours per week, or $1,200 per week. He will have complete control over his work schedule and hours worked. If he exceeds 30 hours per week, he will not be paid overtime but will be allowed to take comp time off at his discretion. He will also receive a $600 per month vehicle allowance, but will not receive employee benefits such as vacation, retirement or insurance.
The contract ends December 1, 2020, unless renewed.
Prather began working for the town on a consulting basis as part of a $35 an hour package deal when Buz Eddy came on board in July. Prather served Gulf Breeze in various positions from 2006 to 2017, including director of public services, operations consultant and assistant city manager, while Eddy retired as Gulf Breeze city manager in 2017 after 25 years on the job. Prather holds wastewater and water certifications in addition his on the job experience.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Highway 29 Driver Trapped After Crashing Into Railroad Crossing Signal Pole
January 22, 2020
One person was injured in a crash that tied up traffic on Highway 29 in Cantonment Tuesday night.
The driver of a Chevrolet Camaro Z28 lost control on Highway 29 just south of Muscogee Road and crashed into a railroad crossing signal pole on the southbound side of the roadway near the Raceway gas station. The driver was trapped in the vehicle until extricated by firefighters using the Jaws of Life.
The driver was transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital for treatment. Their name has not been released as the Florida Highway Patrol investigates.
There was no train involved in the 6 p. m. wreck.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Century Spending $60K To Apply For $644K Grant For Wastewater Improvements
January 22, 2020
The Town of Century is applying for a $644,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to make needed improvements to a small portion of the town’s trouble wastewater system.
If awarded, the grant will be used for a new sludge press at the wastewater treatment plant and to upgrade to existing problematic lift stations at Pilgrim Lodge and the Industrial Park.
The town council voted Tuesday night pay for the design and permitting in advance of the grant application in an effort to achieve more points and improve the likelihood of a grant award. The design will cost a lump sum of $58,411 and will need to be completed by mid-March. Work will be done by Municipal Engineering Services, Inc.
The town will also pay Jones Phillips and Associates $2,250 plus postage for a required townwide income survey. Work will include an initial mailout, follow-up door-to-door surveys and electronic maps as needed for the grant application.
The town is asking the Escambia County Commission to foot $50,000 of the costs in advance of possible RESTORE Act funding.
Century is also submitting a request for inclusion and a capital finance plan to the Florida Department of Environmental Protect for State Revolving Fund (SRF) money. Prather said the town could apply for a 90% grant and a 10% loan. The next meeting of the SRF board is in February.
The town will seek SRF money to pay for several million in construction costs at the wastewater treatment facility. The SRF documentation will be complete by Municipal Engineering and accountant Robert Hudson.
Gulf Power Is Upgrading Their Billing System. That May Cause Problems For Some Customers.
January 22, 2020
Gulf Power will upgrade their customers information and billing system, and that will cause limited functionality for some customers over the next few days.
Some customers will experience limited functionality during an upgrade of Gulf Power’s customer information and billing system, planned for Jan. 22 – 26. During normal operations, this system enables customers to gain information about their energy usage, check their balance and make a payment on their Gulf Power account.
“We apologize for the inconvenience, and appreciate our customers’ patience and understanding as we work to create a better customer experience,” said Marlene Santos, Gulf Power president. “We are committed to delivering the best possible service for our customers, and will work cooperatively to address any concerns that may arise during this short period of limited functionality.”
Here is an overview of what customers can expect from Jan. 22 – 26:
- The initial system upgrade will begin on Wednesday, Jan. 22. From 12:01 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. on this day, the customer information system will have limited functionality and all customers will be unable to make a payment during this time. Customers will not incur any adverse impact to their account due to the timing of this transition.
- From Jan. 23 – 26, approximately 30% of Gulf Power’s customers will continue to have limited functionality during the system upgrade. During this short window of time, the customer information system will continue to be unavailable for those customers, including the ability to make a payment or check account balance through the website or by calling Gulf Power’s customer service phone number. Again, customers will not incur any adverse impact to their account due to the timing of this transition.
- The 30% of Gulf Power customers included in the system upgrade from Jan. 22 – 26 have received direct mail and, in some cases, email communication to inform them of the limited system functionality during this time.
On Jan 27, Gulf Power’s new customer experience system will be available for these customers; all other customer accounts are expected to transition to the upgraded system in late February. We will continue to communicate with customers as more information becomes available.
Gulf Power said the new system will offer:
- Improved automated phone options to deliver 24-hours assistance to customers
- Additional no-fee bill payment option
- New ways to understand and manage your energy usage
- Seamless web experience on all devices
- New and informative bill design
15 Escambia Schools Receive Five Star School Award
January 22, 2020
Fifteen schools were recognized Tuesday night by the Escambia County School Board as 2018-2019 Five Star Award winning schools.
The award is bestowed upon schools that are committed to incorporating family and community members into the school environment to enhance student learning.
In Escambia County, Five Star Schools Award winners were:
- Jim Allen Elementary – Rachel Watts, principal
- Beulah Elementary – Monica Silvers, principal and Mat Taylor, assistant principal
- Blue Angels Elementary – Jayne Murphy, principal and Vanessa Griffin, guidance counselor/5-Star committee
- Hellen Caro Elementary – Sandy Moore, principal and Julie Pearson, assistant principal
- N.B. Cook Elementary School of the Arts– Lalla Pierce, assistant principal
- Cordova Park Elementary – Aggie Bauer, principal and Tammy Douglas, assistant principal
- Ferry Pass Elementary – Catrena Fieg, principal and Jessica Bryan, assistant principal
- R.C. Lipscomb Elementary – Barbara Quarells, assist. principal
- L.D. McArthur Elementary – Dr. Tamma Vaughn, principal and Kristin Arnold, assistant principal and Evelyn Ball, 5-Star Chairman
- Molino Park Elementary – Lisa Barnes, prinicipal, Angela Hassebrock, 5-Star committee and Gena Daniels, 5-Star committee
- Montclair Elementary – Hollie Wilkins, principal
- Myrtle Grove Elementary – Robin Maloy, principal and Gina Hoyland, curriculum coordinator
- Pleasant Grove Elementary – Sunday Tindell, assistant principal
- Scenic Heights Elementary – Shelly Cox, principal
- A.K. Suter Elementary – Russell Queen, principal and Dr. Patrice Moody, assistant principal
The complete criteria for the Five Star School Award is as follows:
• Have a strong community/business partnership program and provide recognition, training and opportunities for the school’s partners to be actively involved in the school.
• Have strong family involvement including an active PTA, booster program or the like; offer educational opportunities and support to families; offer joint parent/student training; offer outreach activities; use a variety of techniques to communicate with families; and provide current information about school policies, practices and school performance.
• Have a strong volunteer program with 80% of school staff having participated in school-based volunteer training; have a designated volunteer coordinator who provides leadership; a total number of hours in volunteer service must equal twice the number of students enrolled in the school; and recognize volunteers.
• Must encourage and support student community service by providing learning opportunities that focus on community needs; have a minimum of 50% of the students involved in community activities.
• Have an active School Advisory Council.
• Must complete a portfolio that documents the requirements; and must
• Have a school grade of “C” or better, as determined by the Florida DOE.
Trial Begins For Man Accused Of Murdering Three Family Members For Money
January 22, 2020
Trial got underway Tuesday for an Escambia County man accused murdering three family members over four years ago.
The case against 63-year old Donald Hartung began with state describing it a triple murder for money. He is facing three counts of first degree premeditated murder in the death of his mother, 77-year old V Voncile Smith and two half-brothers, 47-year old John Smith,and 49-year old Richard Smith. All three bodies were found on July 31, 2015, in their home on Deerfield Drive. All three were beaten with a claw hammer and their throats slit, and Richard Smith was also shot in the head.
Prosecutors say Hartung was intentionally left out of his mother’s will with everything set to go to John and Richard Smith. The state says the interhertience was Hartung’s was motivation, and the only way he would collect any cash would be to kill all three.
Hartung allegedly hit John Smith with a hammer and slit his throat, just before his mother met the same fate. He took steps to hide the bodies, according to prosecutors, before brother Richard — a Department of Homeland Security IT professional — came home. Hartung, the state said, shot him in the head and also slit his throat.
The defense claimed on Tuesday that Hartung never saw the will or knew that he was not in it, questioning how that could be a motivation.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
Make Your Mailbox Your Ballot Box
January 22, 2020
It’s less than 60 days before the Presidential Preference Primary Election, and voters can prepare now to vote by mail, according to Escambia Supervisor of Elections David Stafford.
One of three convenient ways to vote is by mail, which allows voters to avoid the lines on election day and vote from the convenience of their home. Escambia County voters will be receiving a postcard from Supervisor of Elections David H. Stafford with instructions on how to request a vote-by-mail ballot for the March, August and November elections.
Voters have several ways to make their request:
- Visit EscambiaVotes.com and click the Vote By Mail tab. Follow the instructions for completing the online request form, or
- Contact the Supervisor of Elections office by phone (850) 595-3900, or in person, or
- Complete, sign, and return the postage-paid vote-by-mail request form attached to the postcard.
Vote-by-mail voters may track the status of their ballot by using the Track My Ballot feature at EscambiaVotes.com. In addition, a voter can verify their registration status, party affiliation, precinct number and polling location, and view important future election information with the Am I Registered? feature on the home page.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Council On Aging In Desperate Need Of Space Heaters For The Elderly
January 22, 2020
The Council on Aging of West Florida is in desperate need of space heaters for elderly clients who often have no reliable source of safe warmth over the winter.
Donations can be made at 875 Royce Street or online at coawfla.org/donate.
The Council on Aging cannot accept donations of used heaters, because the agency cannot verify the safety of used appliances. Safety information is distributed with each space heater.
Individuals age 60 and over that are suffering in the cold should call (850) 432-1475 to request a space heater and verify heaters in stock before picking one up from 875 Royce Street in Pensacola. They are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and based on need.
Former Longtime Brewton Mayor Ted Jennings Passes Away
January 22, 2020
Former longtime Brewton Mayor Ted Jennings has passed away while on vacation in Georgia. He was 75.
Jennings served as Brewton’s mayor from 1998 to 2012, and also worked as a local pharmacist.
Jennings is former president of the Alabama League of Municipalities where he continued to work with the League and the Municipal Workers Compensation Fund as a staff member of Millennium Risk Managers.
He is survived by his wife Susan, five children and numerous other relatives and friends. Funeral services have not yet been announced.
Century Heat Defeats Atmore
January 22, 2020
Youth basketball (ages 5-7) score:
Century Heat 33, Atmore Kings 6 (Tuesday)