Esambia School Board Approves $172,250 Contract With Superintendent Keith Leonard
February 21, 2024
Tuesday night, the Escambia County School board unanimously approved a contract with Superintendent Keith Leonard.
He will be paid a base annual salary of $172,250 plus benefits. The contract will be in place through June 30, 2027, unless the board extends the contract for an additional 18 months on or before December 30, 2025. If the board takes no action by December 30, 2025, the contract will automatically extend for additional 18 months. He can be terminated at any time without cause before June 30, 2027, by a majority vote of the school board.
The board voted unanimously in January to begin contract negotiations with Leonard to become their permanent superintendent.
Leonard took over June 1, 2022 after the board voted 3-2 in May 2022 to terminate former Superintendent Tim Smith. Leonard, previously the assistant superintendent of human resources, was the runner-up in the selection process with Smith was hired in 2020. As interim, he was paid the equivalent of $160,000 annually plus $500 per month for automobile expenses and $200 a month for business expenses. That contract was set to end June 30, 2024.
In January, Leonard was rated as “highly effective” by the school board before being named permanent.
Century Man Accused Of Battery And Child Abuse
February 21, 2024
A Century man is accused of battery and child abuse against a female and her infant.
Hunter Anthony Chavers, 28, was charged with domestic battery by strangulation and child abuse.
Chaver allegedly became angry with the victim because she was texting a friend. As she was exiting the residence, Chavers grabbed her by the throat while she was holding her infant son, according to an arrest report. Chavers shoved her into a door causing the child’s head to hit the door frame, the report continues.
Chavers allegedly choked the victim until she could not breathe. She attempted to push him off, and he bit her finger, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report stated. Deputies noted that the victim has injuries consistent with her statements.
Chaver later made contact with deputies and claimed he questioned why the victim was texting someone that previously gave her “issues”, the arrest report states. He said the victim hit the infant’s head on the door while trying to throw his phone outside, but he did not know why the victim had injuries to her neck and throat.
Chavers remained in the Escambia County Jail Wednesday morning with bond set at $7,500.
Century Set To Hire Consulant For Procurement Services
February 21, 2024
The Town of Century is set to hire a consultant for procurement services.
The town council was set to vote Tuesday night on a recommendation from Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. and interim Town Manager Howard Brown to hire Bobbi Williams of Davie, Florida, for procurement services.
Tuesday night’s town council meeting was canceled due to a staffing shortage. The procurement services vote is now set for a council meeting on February 27.
Williams holds a masters of public administration from Nova Southeastern University and is currently the fianance manager for the Department of Public Works in Hallandale Beach, Florida, Florida, and is the assistant director/financial services manager for the Financial Services Department in Lauderdale Lakes, Florida, according to her resume. She also has experience with the City of Fort Lauderdale and the U.S. Army.
Williams will charge Century $34,800 annually ($2,900 monthly) for an estimated 38 hours per month for general procurement tasks.
“Services includes full service municipal procurement services, such as review and recommendation of procurement policies and practices; preparation of formal and informal competitive solicitations; acquisition of commodities and services; preparation of contracts/agreements; preparation of correspondences as required for contract files, provide contract administration services, and preparation of adhoc reports as defined in the ITB (invitation to bid) and as requested, according to her proposal.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Baptist Opens Combined Emergency Room and Urgent Care Location On Nine Mile Road
February 21, 2024
Baptist Health Care has openeda combined emergency room and urgent care location at the existing Baptist Medical Park – Nine Mile.
Baptist Emergency Room & Urgent Care is now open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with emergency medicine-trained physicians and nurses. Each patient will be assessed by a clinician and then treated through the appropriate care path
“Baptist was the first to bring the combined hybrid ER/urgent care model to the area in 2019. Our first location opened at Baptist Medical Park – Navarre, and patients tell us they love the ease and convenience it offers,” said Brett Aldridge, chief operating officer and executive vice president of Baptist Health Care.
The addition of this innovative combined emergency room and urgent care represents a $10 million renovation investment. Baptist said 60 new jobs will be created, adding to the existing team members at Baptist Medical Park – Nine Mile.
Byrneville Elementary Names Students Of The Month
February 21, 2024
Byrneville Elementary School has named their January Students of the Month. They are:
- Kindergarten — Anna Brooks and Mason Wagner
- 1st Grade — Tres Cardwell and Anthony Grandison
- 2nd Grade — Lily Brown and Cambree Flowers
- 3rd Grade — Jaden Cardwell and Makayla Wise
- 4th Grade — Caelan McGaha and Myles Sellers
- 5th Grade — Xander Wise and Mary Stephen Moody
Photos for NorthEscamba.com, click to enlarge.
Century Town Hall Closed Due To Staffing Shortage
February 21, 2024
The Century Town Hall will be closed Wednesday, February 21 until further notice due to a staffing shortage.
The Century Town Coucil meeting scheduled for Tuesday night,, February 20, has been rescheduled for Tuesday, February 27 following a 6 p.m. special meeeting to discuss audit services.
For or gas or water emergencies, call town hall at (850) 256-3208 and follow the prompts
Delay Possible This Week as Highway 29 Resurfacing Project Begins North Of Highway 97
February 20, 2024
Drivers can expect delays this week as work begins on a $6.2 million Florida Department of Transportation Project to resurface Highway 29 from Highway 97 to north of Champion Drive.
FDOT said motorists will encounter intermittent daytime lane closure through Friday, Feb. 23 for construction operations. Lane closures are prohibited from 6:30 – 8:00 a.m. and from 1 – 3:00 p.m. on school days.
Improvements in the project include the milling and resurfacing, drainage improvements, auxiliary lane and shoulder widening, signalization, and signing and pavement marking improvements.
According to FDOT, the 4.58 mile project is set to be completed in the Fall of 2024, weather permitting.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
New 36 Lot SubDivision Proposed For Beulah Road
February 20, 2024
A new 36 lot subdivision is being proposed for Beulah Road north of Nine Mile Road, according to an application filed with the Escambia County Development Reviwe Committee.
Ledgestoe Developers, LLC has filed plans for a single family residential subdivision known as the Ledgestone Subdivision on 14.34 acrses.
The Escambia County Development Reviwe Committee is set to consider the appication dring a meeting at 1 p.m. on February 21 at the Escambia County Central Complex Building at 3363 West Park Place.
Deadline Is Tuesday To Register To Vote In Florida Presidential Preference Primary
February 20, 2024
Floridians who who wish to vote in the Presidential Preference Primary have a deadline of today, February 20, to register or switch party affiliation.
The deadline to register to vote or change party affiliations is 29 days before an election.
The Presidential Preference Primary is March 19, 2024 with polls open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. There will only be a Republican primary this year. The Florida Democratic Party has already chosen President Joe Biden as their candidate for the November ballot.
The vote-by-mail ballot request deadline is March 7.
Other big election dates this year in Florida are the primary election on August 20 and the general election on November 5
Suspect That Led Atmore PD On Two Different High Speed Pursuits Is Arrested
February 20, 2024
UPDATE: The suspect was identified as Justin Daniel Ward age 26 of Panama City. Ward was taken into custody at a hotel in Daphne, Alabama, and is in the Baldwin County (AL) Jail.
Ward has active arrest warrants in reference to fraud, dealing in stolen property, and theft of property with the Panama City Beach Police Department, an active warrant for fleeing and eluding from the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, and is wanted by the Bay Minette Police Department for failure to appear in a domestic violence case and driving with a suspended license.
Atmore Police will chage him with theft of property, felony attempting to elude, leaving the scene of an accident, and various traffic offenses.
Previous story:
The Atmore Police Department is searching for a suspect that led them on two high speed chases and as is believed to be involved in several other crimes.
Atmore Police said the suspect is responsible for the theft of two vehicles that both resulted in high speed pursuits on Highway 31
The suspect fled from the second vehicle after failing to navigate a turn and crashing on James Road. He then fled into a heavily wooded area in the Nokomis area.
“The suspect attempted the theft of a four-wheeler, a bicycle, and a golf cart as he was attempting to flee the area. The suspect may have had assistance in evading capture before additional resources were able to arrive on the scene,” Sgt. Darrell McMann said.
Anyone with information his identity is asked to call McMann at (251) 368-9141 or email dDarrell.mcmann@atmorepolice.us.