Ransom Middle School Placed On Lockdown Due To Threat
October 31, 2019
Ransom Middle School was placed on a brief lockdown Thursday morning due to a threat.
The written threat was located within the school, but it was not immediately known if it was left Thursday or sometime previously, according to Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Maj. Andrew Hobbs. He said surveillance video was being reviewed as the investigation continues.
Escambia County School District Deputy Superintendent Norm Ross said the lockdown was brief, lasting only about 15 minutes before it was lifted.
The exact nature of the threat was not released by the school district or Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Parents were notified of the lockdown by a telephone callout from the school.
File photo.
Century Considers Millions In Proposals To Fix Gas, Sewer Problems With Little Upfront Cash
October 31, 2019
Century is considering two proposals to bail the town out of million of dollars of trouble with the natural gas department and aging wastewater treatment facility (WWTP) without much upfront cash.
Millions In Sewer System Problems
The nonprofit Florida Rural Water Association (FRWA) has created an asset management plan that identifies the most urgent and critical needs in the town’s water system. The plan is a requirement for participating in the State Revolving Fund Program. Century may receive financing or a grant up to 90% of an estimated $7 million plus price tag to fix the WWTP and sewer system to bring them into compliance with Florida Department of Environmental Protection regulations.
If the town receives a 90% grant, they hope to cover most or all of the 10% match with funds from Sen. Doug Broxson and the state, and Commission Steven Barry and Escambia County.
Installing Gas Meters At No Real Cost
Florida Gas Utility (FGU) is proposing to connect Century to the Peninsula Pipeline Company (PPC) and the Florida Gas Transmission (FGT) Transportation Service Agreement, build a gate station for the town, connect to the town’s existing delivery system, and replace every natural gas meter not covered an existing agreement with Pensacola Energy.
Century currently receives service from the Gulf South Pipeline on a “pay as you go” type rate for the quantity of pipeline capacity at $1 per dekatherm, which is 1 million BTUs.
FGU is recommending a 20 year term with the additional connection to Peninsula Pipeline at a cost of 40 cents per dekatherm. There would be a contracted capacity of 120 dekatherm per day in summer, 750 dekatherm per day in winter. That’s higher than the town’s historical usage, allowing for growth. There would be a 273,000 minimum over the first five years.
Century would also need additional capacity at a cost of 6 cents per dekatherm, using excess capacity from the Town of Jay. The total expected cost would be 46 cents per dekatherm, compared to $1 from Gulf South.
Under the agreement, FGU would build a new gate station to connect to PPC and pay the estimated $200,000 to $250,000 cost normally paid by the customer. In addition, PPC would build Century’s part of the station and charge the town for the actual cost of such work plus a negotiated markup estimated at $50,000 to $75,000.
Pensacola Energy is under contract to replace 10 commercial gas meters, including the meter at Century Correctional Institution. FPU will replace all other meters, both commercial and residential, for the actual costs plus a negotiated markup over time. The cost is estimated at $75,000 for 500 meters at $150 per meter.
In order to pay for the gate station and meter replacements, FGU will bill Century the 46 cents per dekatherm for the pipeline capacity. The town will also repay the gate station at 22 cents per dekatherm and 33 cents per dekatherm for the meter installations for a total of $1.01 per dekatherm, just a penny over the current costs on Gulf South.
Pictured: Century’s Wastewater Treatment Plant. NorthEscambia.com photo.
Escambia Man Killed In Okaloosa I-10 Crash
October 31, 2019
An Escambia County man was killed in a traffic crash Wednesday night on I-10 in Okaloosa County.
Daniel Joseph Gafford, 39, was westbound on I-10 in a 2002 Mercedes Sprinter Van when he failed to maintain a single lane and struck a truck parked on shoulder due to a maintenance issue, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Gafford was transported to North Okaloosa Medical Center were he was later pronounced deceased.
The occupant of the truck, 48-year old Kenneth Boggs of Port St. Joe, suffered minor injuries.
One Injured In Two Vehicle Wreck Near Road Prison
October 31, 2019
At least one person was injured in a two vehicle crash Wednesday night on Highway 297A near the Escambia County Road Prison.
The injuries were not considered to be life threatening. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Spooky Photos: It Happened One Night At The Molino Library
October 31, 2019
“It Happened One Night at the Molino Library” featured goofy library witches and trick-or-treating through the library. Those who dared also toured a haunted house.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Doing The Monster Mash At Ransom Middle School
October 31, 2019
The Ransom Middle School Jazz Band presented the “Monster Music Mash” this week in the school cafeteria. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Elementary Student Gets Finger Really, Really Stuck In A Desk
October 30, 2019
A fourth grade student’s finger got stuck — really, really stuck — in a desk Wednesday morning at Beulah Elementary School on Helms Road.
The Beulah and Bellview stations and Special Operations team from Escambia Fire Rescue responded to 9:46 a.m. call, and it took about an hour to free Ethan Rayner’s finger from the desk.
“He is doing great,” mom Courtney Rayner said. “It was very swollen, and now that the swelling has gone down it is bruised but not broken or anything. The fire department was amazing. The made sure he was comfortable as could be and told him every step as they did it.”
The rescuers took the time to pose for a photo with Ethan afterwards (and mom noted that it was “Wacky Tacky” dress day at BES for Red Ribbon week to explain his clothing).
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
North Highway 99 Was Just Paved. Now It’s Falling Apart. Why?
October 30, 2019
North Highway 99 was just repaved, and now it’s falling apart in several places. NorthEscambia.com reached out to find out why.
“We are actively investigating and trying to determine the source of the problem,” Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said, “so we can figure out how to solve it. I anticipate a redo.”
Work started in late May to resurface the county road from Highway 97 in Walnut Hill to the Alabama state line. The asphalt is now sinking, forming large ruts and cracking. It looks as if it is sliding away as it is pushed downward by passing traffic.
At least portions of the road will have to be milled and repaved. Just how much remains to be seen; it could be only failing sections or it could be much more of the 8.01 mile roadway.
“It’s going to get fixed, and it’s going to get fixed quickly when the source of the problem is found,” Barry said. “People will be held accountable. Those that are culpable will definitely be held accountable.”
Multiple core samples of the highway have been extracted and sent for analysis. “That’s going to tell a lot of the story about the source of the problem,” the commissioner said.
Low bidder on the project was Panhandle Grading & Paving at $2.4 million. NorthEscambia.com has learned that rather than hired an outside inspection firm, Escambia County was responsible for their own inspections and quality control as the project progressed as is often done on county projects.
Barry said he is ready to see repair work begin, even if that means starting before it is determined who is responsible for paying the associated costs.
“I promise the people that it will be fixed in a timely fashion. I will not force the public to wait and see who is fault; the rest we will work out,” he said.
North Highway 99 resurfacing was planned for 2024-25, but the Escambia County Commission fast tracked the advancement of $1,726,325 available in Local Option Sales Tax to last fiscal year and solicited bids.
The 8.01 mile roadway runs from Highway 97, past Highway 4 in Bratt and continues to the state line. It is a major north-south transportation corridor for the area. In addition to the school buses that serve Bratt Elementary on North Highway 99, buses travel the road twice-daily between Northview High and Ernest Ward Middle schools.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Motorcyclist Critically Injured In Three Vehicle Quintette Road Crash
October 30, 2019
A motorcyclist was critically injured in a three vehicle crash Tuesday evening.
The motorcyclist was transported by Escambia County EMS to a local hospital as a trauma alert after the 5:45 p.m. wreck on East Quintette Road near Highway 95A.
Additional information has not been made available by the Florida Highway Patrol as they continue their investigation.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
State: Century’s Public Notice Of A Tax Increase Violated State Law
October 30, 2019
Century’s public notice of a tax increase last month violated state law according to the Florida Department of Revenue, forcing the town to try again.
In September, the town council approved a millage rate of .9204, which is about 10% greater than the rolled-back rate of .8361.
The levy of property taxes in Florida is governed by the Truth In Millage (TRIM) Act that dictates numerous steps that must be strictly followed. Improper steps can result in all state revenue being withheld for the fiscal year.
After NorthEscambia.com became aware of several possible violations of the TRIM statutes, we reached out to Interim City Manager Buz Eddy with the concerns. Town staff contacted the Florida Department of Revenue which has determined the notice did in fact violate state law.
The town will redo a public hearing to consider the tax increase on Monday, November 4 at 6:31 p.m. — over a month after the new fiscal year and budget started on October 1.
Pictured: Century council members Ann Brooks (left) and Sandra McMurray-Jackson await the arrival of councilman Luis Gomez in order to conduct a budget hearing September 23. Gomez was running only about threes minutes late, and the council proceeded with three of five members at the table. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
