Century Still Seeking Charter Review Committee Applicants; Little Interest So Far
July 5, 2019
The Town of Century is continuing to accept applicants for a Charter Review Committee, but so far they’ve had little interest expressed by local residents.
Applicants must reside within the town limits and submit an application by 3 p.m. on Thursday, July 25. As of early this week, only two applications had been received.
If the town council goes forward, the committee will explore the town charter — the document that establishes the town, outlines its powers and spells out how it should operate. The current Century charter has not been updated in almost 40 years.
The town council held a workshop in May with Lynn Tipton of the Florida League of Cities explained to the council that municipal governments in Florida often review and update their charters to meet the ever-changing landscape of government.
The Century town charter was adopted on November 27, 1979, and ratified by referendum on January 8, 1980. It has been unchanged since.
Tipton said the first step toward possible changes to Century’s charter would be the formation of a charter revision committee. The committee would hold several public forums and would work to involve local citizens every step of the way in a process that could easily take a year.
“The role of citizens in this process is crucial,” Tipton said.” Representation of the public, ability to weigh issues and to understand the charter’s importance of the city’s governing foundation.”
The number of council members, the length of their terms and how the mayor is selected could all be changed through an updated charter.
To download an application (PDF), click here.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Rolling Hills Landfill Being Closed Permanently
July 5, 2019
The Rolling Hills Landfill will be permanently closed. It has been site of fires that have burned for days.
Closure construction work should be completed within four months. Following completion of construction activities, the site will be closely monitored for several weeks to confirm site stabilization and adherence to the engineered design.
FDEP revoked the permit for the landfill in 2014, which resulted in an issuance of a Final Order of Permit Revocation in May 2015. The closure of the facility was ultimately due to permit compliance issues including failure to apply soil cover, elevated levels of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) emanating from the facility, impacts to ground-water and surface water and disposal of unauthorized waste.
“I’m glad to see that FDEP is taking final step in the remediation of the Rolling Hills landfill. It is my hope that the Wedgewood community may begin the process of healing,” said State Representative Alex Andrade.
FDEP says that residents may notice increased activity at the site, but contractors were instructed to “make every effort to minimize any inconveniences or disruptions to the community over the next few months”.
The Rolling Hill Landfill is located on Rolling Hills Road, just southwest of the I-10 and Highway 29 intersection.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Largest Catfish In Florida History Caught In Santa Rosa County
July 5, 2019
It’s not a fish tale but a real record — the largest catfish in the state of Florida was caught recently in Santa Rosa County.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) fisheries biologists certified a new state record flathead catfish weighing 69.3 pounds, measuring 47 inches long, with a girth of 34.25 inches, caught by angler Marvin Griffin from Santa Rosa County. Griffin caught his flathead catfish on rod and reel using live bait in the Yellow River.
“I wasn’t expecting to catch a state record when I started fishing that day with John Babb,” said Griffin. “But, it was the first and only fish we caught that day. I never would have been able to bring the fish into the boat without his help.”
Griffin brought his catch to the FWC’s Blackwater Hatchery near Holt, where biologists weighed it on a certified scale.
Griffin’s family has been fishing the Yellow River for years and have historically caught exceptionally large catfish there. Griffin’s uncle, James Auston Jr., caught a state record flathead catfish in the Yellow River and held the record from 2011 until 2016.
“I have always wanted to catch a state record,” said Griffin. “After my uncle caught his, I made it a mission of mine to catch my own.”
The former state record weighed 63.8 pounds and was caught on the Chattahoochee River in Jackson County in 2016.
“A state record catch is an amazing angling accomplishment,” said Chris Paxton, FWC’s Northwest Regional Fisheries Administrator. “With Griffin’s family history of state record catches, it seems that this family takes advantage of their quality time spent on the water. We are proud to award this state record to such an avid outdoor enthusiast.”
Flathead catfish are a non-native fish found in many Northwest Florida panhandle river systems. Flatheads prefer long, slow-flowing, moderately turbid rivers. Their solitary lifestyle makes them more difficult to catch than other catfish. Adult flathead catfish feed primarily on live fish, crawfish, freshwater clams and mussels.
AAA: Record-Breaking 2.6 Million Floridians Traveling This Holiday Weekend
July 5, 2019
AAA says a record number of Floridians are hitting the road during this long holiday weekend.
More Americans than ever recorded by AAA are making plans to honor the red, white and blue with an Independence Day getaway this year. An estimated 48.9 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more for the holiday weekend; 2.6 million of those will be Floridians, according to AAA.
An estimated 2.3 million Florida residents will travel by automobile, and about 200,000 are expected to take the skies.
In addition to lower gas prices than last summer, broader economic fundamentals remain strong. Low unemployment, robust consumer spending, and rising disposable incomes are all encouraging more consumers to spend their hard-earned money on travel this summer.
“This Independence Day will be a big boom for the travel industry, as a record number of Americans prepare to travel for the holiday,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Florida’s attractions, airports, hotels and beaches will see large crowds of both Floridians and those traveling from out of state.”
Federal Judge Rules Sheriff Must Participate In ‘Sex Ring’ Lawsuit Deposition (With Video)
July 4, 2019
[UPDATED} A federal judge Wednesday afternoon denied a motion by Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan not to be deposed in a federal lawsuit that alleges he was involved in a sex ring and then took steps to halt an internal affairs investigation.
Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth M. Timothy’s order means Morgan will be required to attend a deposition Friday afternoon at 1:00.
Leah and Doug Manning were convicted in state court for sexual activities that included their own underage twin daughters. Escambia County deputy Walter Thomas was also convicted. All three were sentenced to 25 years or more in prison.
Now legal age adults, the twin daughters are suing Morgan. The lawsuits allege Morgan “tolerated the sexual activities” with deputies and other ECSO employees “because of his friendship and personal relationship with mother (Leah Manning).”
Morgan is denying the allegations, and Wednesday afternoon held joint press conference and meeting with all personnel not on active duty protecting the public.
It is that press conference that led in part to the federal judge’s order. (Watch the entire press conference below.)
“A final point bears mention. At approximately 1:15 p.m., on July 3, 2019, Defendant Morgan held a press conference during which he addressed this case, and in particular some of the sensitive matters discussed in the instant filings. His willingness to voluntarily appear and publically answer questions (identical or similar to those Plaintiff’s counsel wishes to ask of him at his deposition) undermines any claim that his deposition testimony should be sealed. It likewise undermines his claim that as a high ranking public official he should not be compelled to testify, as he voluntarily appeared on air and voluntarily answered questions about this case posed to him by the media,” the judge wrote in her order.
Morgan’s attorneys had argued that he should not required to give a deposition in the lawsuits.
“Plaintiffs have failed to establish any reason why the deposition of the Sheriff is required, except for the purpose of a fishing expedition for irrelevant information. All of their claims against the Sheriff are in his official capacity regarding the policies and practices of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Such information can be obtained through other discovery and/or the depositions of lesser ranking officials,” court filings say.
Leah Manning claimed, according to a court document, that she had sex with Morgan on about five occasions, and that there is video that shows a half-naked Morgan in a hotel bed. She also claims the family dog was named “David” after the sheriff.
Morgan said he has never had contact with the Mannings and he had no supervision or influence on the investigation. The case was not directly investigated by the ECSO; it was handled by the State Attorney’s Office.
“I haven’t met someone, how can I have sex with them?” the sheriff said Wednesday. He also denied the video claim, and denied that he ever had any contact with the Mannings. The alleged video has not been made available.
During the investigation, phone numbers of a number of deputies were found in Leah Manning’s phone, including a number for Morgan.
Morgan said Thursday that the number in the Manning’s phone was his official cell number, not his personal cell or a landline. He said the investigation revealed that none of these numbers had contact with Manning’s phone.
“This whole case is fueled by rumors and innuendos and Facebook postings,” the sheriff said, “where a lie repeated often enough becomes the truth.”
Boil Water Notice Issued For Part Of Cantonment After Broken Water Main
July 4, 2019
**UPDATE: THIS BOIL WATER NOTICE HAS BEEN LIFTED.
A precautionary boil water notice has been issued by ECUA for customers in the Cantonment area due to a 12-inch water main break Wednesday evening Muscogee Road near Mintz Lane.
The notice is in effect for:
- Muscogee Road, between Pace Parkway and Highway 29
- 102-126 Mintz Lane. (west side of the street only)
- Becks Lake Road, between Highway 29 and 325 Becks Lake Road
- Stone Boulevard
Boil water notices are issued as a part of the standard protocol following any loss of water pressure, whether as a result of planned maintenance activities or unscheduled repairs.
Residents located in the specified PBWN area are advised to boil water for one minute at a rolling boil or to use eight drops of regular unscented household bleach per gallon of water, for water to be used for drinking or cooking purposes. Two independent bacteriological samples have been initiated and the advisory will be lifted as soon as possible. This process routinely takes 48 hours.
Residents within the PBWN area and nearby are advised that there is a possibility of discolored water as a result of the utility work, and to flush their home’s plumbing by running their taps for a few minutes. If problems persist, customers are asked to contact ECUA Customer Service at 850-476-0480 for assistance.
Farm Bureau: July 4th Cookout Costing About The Same This Year
July 4, 2019
A cookout of Americans’ favorite foods for July 4th, including hot dogs, cheeseburgers, pork spare ribs, potato salad, baked beans, lemonade and watermelon, will cost just a few cents more this year, coming in at less than $6 per person, says the American Farm Bureau Federation.
“Strong consumer demand for beef and growth in U.S. meat production has led to higher ground beef prices but lower pork spare rib prices for the 4th of July,” said AFBF Chief Economist Dr. John Newton.
AFBF’s summer cookout menu for 10 people consists of hot dogs and buns, cheeseburgers and buns, pork spare ribs, deli potato salad, baked beans, corn chips, lemonade, ketchup, mustard and watermelon for dessert.
“Pork production in 2019 continues to increase compared to year-ago levels. Increased supplies and competition in the meat case at the grocery contributed to lower spare rib prices,” Newton said.
With milk production record-high in 2019 and cheese production increasing, consumers will see lower cheese prices this grilling season.
New this year, AFBF tracked the average cost of 1.5 quarts of vanilla ice cream ($3.58). Including ice cream brings the total for the July 4th cookout to $56.38, which is still under $6 per person.
A total of 114 Farm Bureau members in 34 states served as “volunteer shoppers,” checking retail prices for July 4th cookout foods at their local grocery stores for this informal survey.
The July 4th cookout survey is part of the Farm Bureau marketbasket series, which also includes the popular annual Thanksgiving Dinner Cost Survey of common food staples Americans use to prepare meals at home.
The year-to-year direction of the marketbasket survey tracks closely with the federal government’s Consumer Price Index report for food at home. Both the index and the marketbasket remain relatively flat compared to year-ago levels.
“Through the mid-1970s, farmers received about one-third of consumer food expenditures for food eaten at home and away from home. During 2017, farmers received approximately 14.6 cents of every food marketing dollar, according to the Agriculture Department’s revised Food Dollar Series. However, after accounting for the costs of production, U.S. farmers net 7.8 cents per food dollar,” Newton said.
As online grocery shopping continues to capture consumer interest, a survey of popular online grocery services reveals the 13 items included in the AFBF July 4th survey cost more than $70, 38% higher.
One Injured In Highway 95A Crash
July 4, 2019
One person was reported injured in a two-vehicle collision Wednesday night on Highway 95A just south of Roberts Road. The injuries were not considered life threatening. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barber, click to enlarge.
Happy Independence Day Weekend
July 4, 2019
Happy Independence Day weekend from NorthEscambia.com! These are the Boy Scouts of Troop 430 in Molino. They placed the flags alongside Highway 29 in front of Aldersgate United Methodist Church. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No Beach Tolls Of Any Kind During Holiday Weekend
July 4, 2019
All tolls to Pensacola Beach will be waived this Fourth of July holiday weekend…that means no $1 cash toll, no Toll-by-Plate and no Sunpass needed to cross the Bob Sikes Bridge.
Commissioner Robert Bender will use about $65,000 from discretionary District 4 funds to make up the lost tolls through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 7. All lanes will be open for all drivers with no need to stop at the toll booth. Sunpass holders will not be charged during this period for using the Bob Sikes Bridge.
“The past two weekends have showed us that not stopping to pay cash via the Toll-by-Plate system dramatically helped to reduce travel time to the beach. We had very positive feedback on the greatly improved drive time during high volume periods when only electronic payment was in use, but I also understand that there was confusion on when cash payments were accepted. By District 4 paying the tolls this weekend, it allows us to move traffic faster and lets everyone enjoy the beach without worrying about the payment process,” Bender said. “This is not a a permanent solution, but gets us all through this busy weekend with one less worry as we work on a more long-term fix.”
Above and below: A live look at Pensacola Beach traffic at the toll plaza.