Dept. Of Corrections Disagrees With Century Mayor’s Claims About Security Cameras, Inmate Labor
November 26, 2018
Century’s mayor says the town must purchase security cameras in order continue using inmate labor, but state prison officials say that’s not the case.
“We are about to lose our inmates if we don’t get security cameras. People have been dropping off stuff over at Showalter Park and even at the maintenance shop for the inmates to pick up. This has happened now for three straight months. And if we don’t put in security cameras, they are going to pull our inmates,” Century Mayor Henry Hawkins told the town council last week.
“Everywhere that we put inmates, we got to have them. But our biggest traffic area for drugs right now is at Showalter and the maintenance shop. We actually need some at the roadside park (Nadine McCaw Park),” he said. Hawkins said the prison is requiring that the cameras be professionally monitored.
Hawkins said the inmates were pulled from the town last week, and the prison was going to give the town “one more stab at it” this week. “If it happens again, we will probably lose them for good,” Hawkins said.
But state officials say that’s not the case.
“The Department has not pulled any inmate work squads from the Town of Century or mandated the use of professionally monitored cameras,” Patrick Manderfield, press secretary for the Florida Departments of Corrections, said in an email response to NorthEscambia.com.
“Due to recent contraband discoveries in the community, work squad inmates were temporarily returned to the institution so staff could investigate the incidents. Century CI notified the mayor the scheduling of work squads might be affected the rest of the week as the institution gathers further intelligence,” Manderfield said last week.
He said the Florida Department of Corrections will continue to provide inmate labor to the Town of Century…. even without the cameras.
“The Department is committed to working with local partners to provide inmate work squads in accordance with best security practices and local contract agreements,” Manderfield’s email stated.
Hawkins presented the town council with two quotes for cameras – one from McCullough and Sons in Bratt and one from a company he did not name. The McCullough and Sons quote was for just over $21,000, and included five years of professional monitoring, he said.
He recommended that the cameras first be installed at Showalter Park and the town maintenance shop on Alger Road for a cost of about $4,800.
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Pictured top: The Century town shop (file photo). Pictured inset: Century Mayor Henry Hawkins listens to discussion about security cameras during a recent town council meeting. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Beulah Middle Cheerleaders Take First, Ransom Second In Cheer Challenge
November 26, 2018
Beulah Middle School placed first and Ransom Middle School was second in the recent Tate High School Charity Cheer Challenge. The first-year cheerleading program at the new Beulah Middle is coached by Taylor Rouchon. Rouchon graduated from Tate High School this year. She has 15 years experience cheerleading, including Ransom, Tate and all-star programs. She also cheers at the the collegiate level at Coastal Alabama Community College. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Average Lowest Of 2018
November 26, 2018
Gas prices are falling to their lowest levels of the year in many areas, and motorists should see additional discounts this week. Just as retailers cut prices on Black Friday, the price of crude also dropped by more than 10 percent – for concerns that strong global oil production will overpower demand.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $2.54 on Sunday, down six cents from a week ago and 23 cents from one month ago.
Gas prices in Florida are now averaging the lowest of 2018. The Florida average has declined the past 47 days for a total discount of 39 cents. Sunday’s daily average price of $2.43 per gallon is 7 cents less than a week ago, and the lowest since December 2017.
Sunday’s national average price of $2.56 per gallon is 7 cents less than last week, nearly 30 cents less than last month, and the lowest daily average since March. Sunday’s U.S. average price was 7 cents more than this year’s low, of $2.49 set in January. However, the national average should drop below that point within the next week.
“Last week’s plunge in crude prices adds even more weight to what was already strong downward pressure on prices at the pump,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Florida motorists should see gas prices drop another 5-15 cents as a direct result of the recent crude drop. These falling prices are mostly due to record crude production rates from the U.S., Russia and Saudi Arabia. Unless the oil market quickly recovers, these low gas prices should hang around through the end of the year.”
Register Now For Saturday’s Molino Christmas Parade, Century Parade Dec. 21
November 26, 2018
Molino Christmas Parade
The 16th Annual Molino Christmas Parade is set for next Saturday, December 1 at 11 a.m.
The parade route starts at the west end of Crabtree Church Road and ends and the Molino Ballpark where Santa Will be waiting to visit with all the good little boys and girls.
To participate in the parade, register the day of the parade — $30 for floats; $20 for vehicles, motorcycles, tractors or golf carts; and $10 each for horses. No 4-wheelers or go-carts. There is no pre-registration this year…be in line by 10:15 a.m. and register.
All proceeds go directly back to the community to help children in need.
For more information, call René Jones at (850) 255-3330.
Century Christmas Parade — December 21
The Century Christmas Parade will be Friday, December 21 at 11 a.m. Tentative plans call for floats to line up on Hecker Road at 10 a.m. where they will be judged for the wackiest, prettiest and most creative entries. The parade route, which has not been announced, will begin and end on Hecker Road. Winning entries will received certificates following the parade. For more information, call Emily at (850) 256-3208.
Search Underway For Missing Alabama Woman
November 26, 2018
Authorities are searching for an Alabama woman that has been missing since Friday evening.
Eva McBride was last seen at her home on McBride Circle near Pollard just east of Flomaton, less than a mile north of the Alabama/Florida state line. McBride, 74, may be suffering from a condition that may impair her judgement. Her direction of travel and clothing description were unknown.
The area around her home has been searched with no results.
Anyone with information about here whereabouts should call the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office at (251) 809-0741.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency has issued a Missing Senior Alert for McBride.
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts – Where To Expect Delays
November 26, 2018
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to U.S. 90 (Nine Mile Road) – The following traffic impacts will occur Monday, Nov. 26 through Saturday, Dec. 1. Work requiring lane restrictions will take place from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass: Alternating traffic shifts will direct all traffic onto the westbound or eastbound lanes as crews continue construction of the new northbound bridge deck. Nine Mile Road lane restrictions are Sunday through Friday.
- U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road: Drainage and paving operations continue. Drivers can expect alternating lane closures Monday through Saturday.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Construction activities continue. Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Nov. 26 through Sunday, Dec. 2.
- U.S. 98 (Lillian Highway) Resurfacing from the Perdido Bay Bridge to Dog Track Road– Paving operations continue from the Perdido Bay Bridge to Dog Track Road. Lane closures will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 26 through Sunday, Dec. 2.
- · Crary Road Bridge Replacement- Crary Road will be temporarily closed between Tedder Road and Byrneville Road as crews construct a bridge culvert. Motorists will be detoured via County Road (C.R.) 4 and Byrneville Road.
- · U.S. 98 (East Chase Street) Resurfacing from North Palafox Street to Bayfront Parkway- There will be paving operations from Palafox Street to the I-110 ramps Sunday, Dec. 2 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- · Bratt Road Bridge Replacement over Canoe Creek- Work activities will begin the week of Monday, Nov. 26. Bratt Road will continue to be closed near Canoe Creek during construction. Drivers on Bratt Road, west of the bridge, will be detoured to Pine Barren Road and C.R. 4. Drivers east of the bridge will be detoured east on Bratt Road.
- · I-10 and I-110 Maintenance in Pensacola- There will be intermittent and alternating lane restrictions along I-10, east and westbound, and I-110, north and southbound, in Pensacola from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Nov. 26 through Thursday, Nov. 29 as crews perform maintenance activities.
Santa Rosa County:
- · U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Construction activities continue. Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Nov.26 through Sunday, Dec. 2.
- S.R. 87 Multilane from Eglin AFB boundary to C.R. 184 (Hickory Hammock Road) –Traffic between Hickory Hammock Road and the Eglin AFB boundary will continue to be restricted to loads less than 11-feet wide. The restriction will be in place until the project is completed.
- U.S. 98 Safety Improvements at Constitution Drive and Navarre School Road- Temporary barrier wall construction is complete from Sunrise Drive to east of Cotton Bay Lane. Drivers are reminded to use caution as crews perform construction activities in this area.
- I-10 Widening from Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/Exit 22) – The following construction related traffic impacts are planned for Interstate 10 and Avalon Boulevard the week of Monday, Nov. 26 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.:
- Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard, near the I-10 interchange from Monday through Thursday.
- Alternating lane closures on I-10, from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of S.R. 281, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, Nov. 26 through Friday, Nov. 30 as crews work to widen the roadway.
- Drivers will encounter new traffic pattern(s) on I-10 east and westbound as crews reconstruct the inside and outside shoulders. This work will continue through late 2018.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Escambia BOCC Weekly Meeting Schedule
November 26, 2018
Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings this week:
Monday, Nov. 26
Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1395 Union Negotiations – 10:30 a.m., Escambia County Area Transit Administrative Offices & Rosa Parks Bus Terminal, 1515 W. Fairfield Drive
Escambia County Marine Advisory Commitee – 5:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Tuesday, Nov. 27
Escambia County Health Facilities Authority – 4 p.m., 1019 N. 12th Ave.
Wednesday, Nov. 28
Coffee with Commissioner Jeff Bergosh – 6:30 a.m., Hardee’s, 2500 Wilde Lake Blvd.
Contractor Competency Board Special Meeting – 9 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
$2.7 Million Bratt Bridge Replacement To Begin After Yearlong Closure
November 25, 2018
Work is set to begin this week on a $2.7 million project to replace a bridge on Bratt Road that has been closed for almost a year.
The project includes new guardrail, drainage improvements, and new pavement markings. There will not be a temporary bridge installed as previously announced by Escambia County, according to Tanya Branton, public information specialist for the Florida Department of Transportation. The new bridge is expected by be completed by summer 2019.
Bratt Road will continue to be closed near Canoe Creek during construction. Drivers on Bratt Road, west of the bridge, will still be detoured to Pine Barren Road and County Road 4. Drivers east of the bridge are detoured east on Bratt Road.
The $2,727,550.12 contract was awarded to low bidder Murphree Bridge. The second lowest bid submitted by Roads, Inc. was about $69,000 more. Two other bids were $3.12 and $3.16 million.
The bridge averaged 425 vehicles per day prior to closure. It was constructed in 1956.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Triple Shooting Suspect Extradited To Alabama
November 25, 2018
The suspect in a triple shooting in Atmore has been extradited from the Escambia County Jail in Pensacola back to Alabama.
Anji Lynn Baker, age 34 of Bay Minette, waived extradition during a video appearance before Judge Joyce William in Escambia County (FL) court. Alabama authorities have transported him back to the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton to face three counts of attempted murder and a charge of shooting into an occupied building.
U.S. Marshals arrested Baker without incident in Pensacola November 13. He was held without bond in the Escambia County Jail as a fugitive from justice.
The triple shooting happened during an event inside an Atmore business during the early morning hours of November 11. Two victims were airlifted to a Mobile hospital where one was listed in critical condition and the other in serious condition. A third gunshot victim was transported by ambulance where he was treated and released. All three victims were adult males.
An Atmore police officer suffered minor injuries when he was struck with a barstool.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Check This Out: Hay Bale Decorating Contest Winners
November 25, 2018
The results are in from the 2018 Escambia County 4-H Hay Bale Decorating Contest. And you have a chance to check out the winners (and snap a few great Instagram photos too) this week.
First place went to the Escambia County Horse Club 4-H Club, second place to the Barrineau Park 4-H Club, and third place to the Escambia County Shooting Club 4-H Club.
The hay bales will be on display at the corner of Stefani Road and 9 1/2 Mile Road, the first intersection south of the Escambia County Extension Service, through December 3.
Pictured: First place went to the Escambia County Horse Club 4-H Club (top photo), second place to the Barrineau Park 4-H Club (below), and third place to the Escambia County Shooting Club 4-H Club (bottom). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
