All Clear: Health Advisory Lifted For Pensacola Beach
September 23, 2019
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County has rescinded a health advisory for Casino Beach near the Pensacola Beach Pier.
The warning was issued last week after testing showed a high level of enterococci bacteria.
“Enterococci bacteria are naturally present in the intestines of people and animals,” says Escambia CHD Director Dr. John Lanza. “Water samples gathered at these sites had a levels of enterococci bacteria which exceeds the recommended threshold. We advise against engaging in water-related activities at these sites until further notice.”3
The bacteriological sampling occurred during water quality monitoring activities, and the level of bacteria has exceeded the level established by state guidelines.
Additional testing now shows the water to be safe.
In Depth: New Century City Manager Job Description Has Conflicts With Town Charter
September 22, 2019
The Town of Century is now advertising to find a city manager. But an in-depth comparison by NorthEscambia.com between the duties of the Century mayor and the advertised duties of the new city manager revealed several potential conflicts, and perhaps even the wrongful removal of power from the mayor.
The job ad.
The town describes the ideal candidate as “qualified and highly motivated”, and requires a bachelor’s degree in public administration or a related field, plus five years of experience in local government administration of a senior management position. The salary is listed as negotiable based upon experience.
The city manager will serve as the chief executive officer of the town, be responsible for the management of day-to-day operations, attend all town council meetings and supervise all departments, according to the job description.
Earlier this month, the town council approved the creation of the ad by town staff, but did not require their approval before the ad disseminated for publication. The town council never approved the wording of the city manager’s job duties.
Psst. It’s a town. Not a city.
Before diving into the conflicts, it’s worth noting semantics on city manager versus town manager. There is no legal distinction between the terms city, town or village under Florida law. The job description refers only to a city manager. Century is a town, according to its charter, and the word “city” does not appear in the charter while the word town appears some 75 times. “The Town of Century, Florida, is hereby created…” is the first line of the charter.
Job may conflict with town charter.
Some of the duties of the city manager, according to the job descriptions, seem to directly conflict with the duties of the mayor as specified by the town charter. The town charter is the legal document that established the town.
For instance, both the mayor and city manager are set to be the chief executive officer of the town. Arguably, there can only be one chief executive officer. Webster’s defines a chief executive officer as “the person has the most authority in an organization or business”.
The charter directs the mayor to submit the annual budget to the town council, while the job description gives that duty to the city manager. There is only one annual budget.
There are other potential conflicts between the charter and city manager’s job, but presumably the city manager would perform those duties as directed by the mayor.
Comparisons are below between the mayor’s job per the charter and the city manager job per the job description.
The application period for the city manager job ends November 1.
Fire Damages Nine Mile Road Paint And Body Shop; Dog Rescued From ‘Allie Kats’
September 22, 2019
Fire heavily damaged a pant and body shop and several vehicles inside of it late Saturday night.
The fire at Alley Kats Paint and Body in the 1800 block of West Nine Mile Road, just west of Stefani Road, was reported just before midnight.
There were no injuries reported. Firefighters were able to rescue a dog inside the business and reunite it with family.
There was no immediate word on the cause of the blaze.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
ECAT Plans To Eliminate Or Cut Back Underperforming Routes
September 22, 2019
Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) is planning to eliminate or cut back on several underperforming routes.
None of the route changes are in the North Escambia area.
The route changes proposed are:
41 – East Pensacola Heights
- Keep route, except Hyde Park Rd to Firestone Blvd. portion
- Add service to Pensacola International Airport (Route 59A portion)
57 – NAS/Corry/Downtown
- Keep Saturday service
- No service beyond Corry Station Main Entrance Gate
- Add service to Peachtree Commons (Twin Oaks) Apartments
59A – NAS/Corry/Airport
- Portions of Route 59A are added to Routes 41 and 59X
59X – NAS/Corry/Downtown/Cordova
- Add service at 10:00 AM and last trip at 8:35 PM (weekday)
- Sunday – Thursday service starts at 10:00 AM, ends at 7:50 PM
- Friday – Saturday service starts at 10:00 AM, ends at 1:10 AM
- Add service on New Warrington Road (Route 59A portion)
61 – Pensacola Beach
- Keep Saturday service
- Begin route at ECAT Transfer Center
- Terminating south end service at Casino Beach
- Increase from 3 to 5 trips daily
64- Beach Jumper- NAS /Downtown/Pensacola Beach
- Keep Friday service
- Run service from Memorial Day – Labor Day
Pensacola Opera To Present The Enchanted Forest At The Library
September 22, 2019
The Pensacola Opera will present The Enchanted Forest at West Florida Libraries branches.
The Enchanted Forest is a choose your own adventure opera. There are plenty of dramatic twists and turns, along with music from iconic composers including Mozart and Bizet.
Each performance depends on audience participation to find the right path and make the best choice.
The free performances will be held as follows:
- Tryon Branch Library – Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 4 p.m.
- Molino Branch Library – Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 10:30 a.m.
- Southwest Branch Library – Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 10:30 a.m.
- Pensacola Library (downtown) – Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 10:30 a.m.
- Century Branch Library – Thursday, Oct. 10 at 6 p.m
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No Injuries In Three Vehicle Accident On Highway 29
September 22, 2019
Four people involved in a three vehicle crash Saturday afternoon were not injured.
The wreck occurred about 12:15 p.m. on Highway 29 at West Roberts Road. Everyone involved in the accident refused transport to the hospital by Escambia County EMS.
The Florida Highway Patrol investigated.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
UWF Storms Past VUL In Record Fashion, 69-0
September 22, 2019
The celebratory chants Saturday night from the UWF football locker room underneath Blue Wahoos Stadium reverberated through the walls.
The Argos longest wait for a season’s first home game turned into the largest win with a 69-0 rout against Virginia-Lynchburg that may remain a UWF team points record for quite awhile.
So why not have some fun?
The Argos did, much to the delight of 4,847 fans who created a welcoming home atmosphere.
“I’m excited for that for our guys. I think they worked hard to play that type of game,” said Argos coach Pete Shinnick, after his team rang up touchdowns from offense, defense and special teams – a trifecta that only happened once before in team history – and set three UWF scoring records.
The Argos (2-1) produced 573 yards total offense. They held Virginia-Lynchburg (1-4) to minus-12 yards rushing, a team defensive record. They forced four turnovers, blocked a punt for a score and allowed the outmanned visitors to only cross midfield once the entire game.
It was that kind of game. That kind of performance. Opponent aside, the Argos got what they sought. Eight different players scored touchdowns. Ten players factored into scoring.
“We have a saying, ‘It’s how we play not who we play.’ And we really harp on that. Look if we don’t make mistakes, we feel we can play with anybody in the country. We obviously had an advantage (Saturday).
“And we knew that. So, what we were looking for was that type of execution. We really just wanted to go in with a shutout mentality. And just swarm and get after it as much as we could.”
The Argos’ defense has now gone six consecutive quarters, beginning with the second half last week against Shorter, without allowing a point.
“Everything didn’t go our way. We didn’t make every tackle, but we kept hustling, kept going at it,” said linebacker Andre Duncombe, who has been on the field for all four shutout wins in UWF’s history. “We know playing defense anything can happen.”
This game, believe or not, didn’t start the way UWF hoped.
After forcing a quick punt on the game’s first possession, UWF quarterback Austin Reed, making his home debut, threw an interception on his first snap. He then took the Argos’ offense into the end zone on six of the next seven possessions.
He got a boost from backup quarterback Sam Vaughn, the starter most of last season, who reminded Reed that he once began a home game with an interception.
“That wasn’t how I planned it,” said Reed, a redshirt freshman from St. Augustine, who transferred from Southern Illinois. “But it happens. Sam came up to me after that and said, ‘Hey my first play against North Al (Alabama), I threw a pick.
“Having a guy like him there is awesome. We then came out there and made it happen.”
The Argos scored 35 points in the second quarter, setting a record for most points in any quarter. They led 42-0 at halftime, the most points scored in a half in UWF history.
“We wandered a little bit offensively in the second half,” Shinnick said.
But a pair of missed field goals were supplanted by a blocked punt for a score, then backup quarterback J.C. Robles throwing a TD pass and Vaughn finishing the scoring on a two-yard run late in the game.
“We block a punt (in fourth quarter)… it was a hold up. We weren’t trying to block a punt at that point in time,” said Shinnick referring to a special team’ gem that Marcus Clayton returned three yards for a score. “And that kinda kick-started a little more momentum for us and here we are, 69 to nothing.”
Included in the scorefest was plenty of local flavor. Anthony Johnson, a Pace High grad, who missed most of preseason trying to heal an injury, rushed for 85 yards on 11 carries and scored the game’s first touchdown on a 2-yard run.
“We feel like when he’s fresh and he’s ready to go, he can be a dynamic running back,” Shinnick said. “And we have seen that the last two weeks.”
Receiver Evan Mitchell, a Fort Walton Beach High grad, caught touchdown passes of 22 and 30 yards. He was the only UWF player with multiple touchdowns. The first was via a circus-type catch that will be saved in season video highlights.
“That catch was spectacular,” Shinnick said.
Though he didn’t score, receiver Quentin Randolph, led all receivers with 100 yards on three catches. Tailback Jayden Gardner followed Johnson’s score with a 7-yard TD run, giving the Pensacola area back-to-back players in the game stats summary.
Center Devin Gibson, a West Florida High grad, was part of an offensive line group that opened up lanes for 222 yards rushing.
“We continue to try to find the right guys to fit our program,” Shinnick said. ”We are always looking for the right guy from the area to be part of our program. I think when they have success it makes it better for what you are trying to do.”
In the second half, the only intrigue was if UWF could pitch the shutout. It was the fourth in team history, after getting two in the inaugural 2016 season (Ave Maria, Shorter), another in 2017 (Wingate).
“It’s huge,” Shinnick said. “I don’t care who you play, it’s hard. To do that down after down, play after play and just limit them and keep them off the 50 yard line and a lot of three-and-outs, that was huge. I am just happy for (defensive players).”
But the Argos are also not naïve. Virginia-Lynchburg is a small school and member of the National Christian Conference Athletic Association. The Dragons, who restarted football in 2011, were an opponent that UWF scrambled to get after so many other, potential, non-conference opponents shied from playing the Argos.
The Dragons have been outscored 219-42 in their four losses.
Biggest tests await for UWF, beginning next Saturday (Sept. 28) against Mississippi College, then Delta State to finish three consecutive home weekends.
“If we want to be the team we think we’re capable of being, then we’ve got to take care of business at home,” Shinnick said. “I got a team that is receptive. We think we can get better and we look forward to getting after it this week (in practices).”
GAME HONORS – The Argos had three major on-field presentations during the game.
* Dick Appleyard, CEO of the Appleyard Agency, was honored in the first quarter for his upcoming induction into the UWF Athletics Hall of Fame. He was joined by family, including grandchildren.
* The UWF women’s basketball team was honored at halftime.
* Peggy Butler presented UWF a check for $132,768 to support the UWF College of Arts, Social Science and Humanities in the Larry Butler Memorial Music Fund.
Five Dead In Two Wrecks In North Baldwin County, Alabama
September 21, 2019
A total of five people were killed in two wrecks in north Baldwin County, Alabama, over about a 30 minutes span Saturday night.
Shortly before 5:00 p.m. Drazen Alilovic, 48, of Theodore, was traveling south on Alabama 225 near Cottage Hill Road when his 2012 Chevrolet Silverado collided head-on with a 1995 Nissan truck.
The driver of the Nissan, William B. Shuman, 56, of Bay Minette, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. Alilovic was arrested by troopers and booked into the Baldwin County Correctional Facility on a single count of manslaughter in connection with the crash.
The second crash occurred at around 5:30 p.m. on I-65 just north of exit 37—Rabun Road. Brent Alden King, 56, of Fairhope was driving north in the southbound lanes near the 38.1-mile marker when his 2009 Chrysler Town & Country collided head-on with a 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan.
King and all three occupants of the Volkswagen suffered fatal injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene. The names of the other three fatalities have not been released.
No further information is available on either crash as troopers continue to investigate.
Century Man Charged With Armed Robbery; Victim Suffers Injured Pinkie Finger
September 21, 2019
A Century man has been charged with an armed robbery that resulted in an injury to the victim’s pinkie finger.
Maurice Austin, 30, was charged with first degree felony robbery with a firearm and petit theft.
Investigators said Austin solicited a ride from his friend to take him to Monroeville, AL, to look at a vehicle to purchase, and they met at Century Boulevard and Pond Street. The friend picked up Austin, along with an unidentified girl and a 13-year old boy.
Austin asked him to pull over at a car wash on North Century Boulevard so he could talk to someone. That’s where investigators said Austin got out of the vehicle and confronted the victim. A struggle over the gun ensued, injuring the victim’s right pinkie finger. Austin took $91 in cash, a credit card and identification from the victim, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Austin got back in the truck and stated “Drive and don’t ask any questions,” an arrest report states. They turned on State Line Road and then Highway 4A before turning on Hilltop Road. Austin got out of the vehicle on Hilltop Road, leaving the other passengers behind. The friend let the passengers out on Elm Street before driving home to Alabama.
When investigators located the friend, he stated he had received a phone call at the time they stopped at the car wash, and he was not paying attention to what Austin did outside the vehicle.
The friend and the other two passengers have not been charged.
Austin remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $53,000.
Northview Beats Holmes County (With Photo Gallery)
September 21, 2019
The Northview Chiefs hit the road Friday night and knocked off the Holmes County Blue Devils 34-22.
The Chiefs were up 14-7 by halftime in Bonifay.
Northview expanded their lead to 22-7 on a 2-yard touchdown and a good two point conversion by Jayden Jackson with about nine minutes remaining in the third quarter.
Holmes County answered with a TD and a two point conversion late in the third; Northview was on top 22-15.
Jackson was in the endzone from midfield. A missed try at two, and Northview led 28-15.
Trent Peebles powered into the endzone from 3 yards out, giving Northview a 34-15 advantage as the third quarter came to a close. The Blue Devils managed on more TD in the fourth on a 55-yard pass.
Northview (2-2, 1-1) is on the road again next Friday night to Panama City to take on North Bay Haven Academy (2-2, 0-2). The game will not be played at the school; it will be at Tommy Oliver Stadium, 351 East 13th Street in Panama City.
Photos by Lexi Kittrell for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
