Century Man Arrested In Connection With Flomaton Subway Burglary
January 9, 2018
A Century man wanted on burglary charges by the Flomaton Police Department has been arrested in Escambia County, FL.
Patrick David Griffis., 26, was booked into the Escambia County Jail Monday afternoon as a fugitive from justice. He is being held without bond awaiting extradition back to Alabama.
In late December, the Flomaton Police Department asked for the public’s help in finding Griffis on outstanding warrants for felony third degree burglary, first degree theft of property and misdemeanor criminal mischief. Griffis allegedly kicked in the back door of a Flomaton Subway restaurant where he worked before stealing cash from the safe.
Cold Weather Focuses Highway 29 Cantonment Work On Drainage, Not Asphalt
January 9, 2018
Weather is an important factor in placing asphalt. With temperatures below 45 degrees in the area, crews have focused on drainage improvements along Highway 29 in Cantonment.
Crews are placing concrete drainage pipe across Tree Street at the International Paper (pictured above). Only closing one side of the roadway at a time, team members cut the asphalt, remove roadway base materials and place the cross drain. Workers then compact soil around the cross drain to maintain the structure’s integrity and hold it in place.
Further south near Tate Road, crew members continue to install new concrete drainage and grade ditches on the east side of the roadway. This work is taking place off of the travel lanes and not impacting traffic.
The $5.25 million Highway 29 resurfacing project from Nine Mile Road to Muscogee Road is slated for completion in the spring.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Trump Touts Rural Broadband Initiative, Farm Agenda
January 9, 2018
President Donald Trump Monday unveiled a major initiative designed to strengthen a rural economy that has lagged urban areas in recovery from the recession of 2007-2008. Trump signed two executive orders that fund and streamline the expansion of rural broadband access after an address to 7,400 farmers and ranchers gathered at American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 Annual Convention in Nashville.
White House agriculture aide Ray Starling said, “High-speed internet should remain a high priority for the administration.” The report urges faster federal permitting for broadband internet expansion in rural areas and for eased rules for providers to place cell towers on federal lands.
In addition to economic development, Trump touched on issues of particular importance to agriculturists such as regulations, labor and trade. He praised farmers for their enduring values. “We are witnessing a new era of patriotism, prosperity and pride—and at the forefront of this exciting new chapter is the great American farmer.” Farmers, Trump said, “embody the values of hard work, grit, self-reliance and sheer determination.”
“In every decision we make, we are honoring America’s proud farming legacy,” Trump said.
The president spent much of his address decrying the costs of excessive regulation and tallying the rules his administration has moved to eliminate.
“We are also putting an end to the regulatory assault on your way of life. And it was an assault,” he said. Trump singled out the Waters of the United States rule, now being withdrawn following an executive order he signed in the first weeks of his administration. “It sounds so nice, it sounds so innocent, and it was a disaster. People came to me about it and they were crying – men who were tough and strong, women who were tough and strong – because I gave them back their property and I gave them back their farms. We ditched the rule.”
Trump acknowledged controversy over the North American Free Trade Agreement and other trade agreements that account for roughly a quarter of U.S. agriculture revenues. “To level the playing field for all of our farmers and ranchers as well as our manufacturers we are reviewing all of our trade agreements,” he said. “On NAFTA I am working very hard to get a better deal for our farmers and ranchers and manufacturers.”
Trump promised the farm bill would continue to provide a safety net for farmers who are now entering their fifth year of declining incomes. “I look forward to working with Congress to pass the farm bill on time so that it delivers for all of you, and I support a bill that includes crop insurance,” he said.
AFBF President Zippy Duvall said Trump’s visit marked a watershed in D.C. politics.
“Farmers and ranchers have too long faced burdensome regulations,” Duvall said. “This president understands the toll government overreach has taken on ordinary business and is moving swiftly to clear the way for prosperity. We are moving into yet another year of economic difficulty. Relief could not have come at a better time.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Barry To Host Road And Bridges Town Hall Meeting
January 9, 2018
District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry will host a Roads and Bridges Town Hall meeting Monday, January 22 at 5 p.m. at the Walnut Hill Ruritan Building at 7850 Highway 97. Residents are invited and encouraged to attend the open forum event to discuss issues with their commissioner.
Pictured: The construction on the Molino Road bridge over Penasula Creek as seen in October. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Scott Proclaims UCF Knights Football National Champions In Florida
January 9, 2018
Governor Rick Scott issued a proclamation Monday declaring the University of Central Florida Knights football team as national champions in Florida after their undefeated, 13-0 season. The UCF Knights beat the Auburn Tigers 34-27 in the Peach Bowl on New Years Day. This season, the Auburn Tigers beat both the Georgia Bulldogs and the Alabama Crimson Tide, who are playing in the last game of the College Football Playoff.
“Florida is home to the country’s best college football, and this season, UCF proved to the world that they can beat any team. By having a perfect season and beating the only team that defeated both Alabama and Georgia this season, the UCF Knights are clearly champions,” Scott said.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Saves Cash On AED Units, You Can Too With Escambia County Program
January 8, 2018
When the Town of Century decided purchase three automated external defibrillators (AED), they discovered they could save hundreds of dollars using a county program that is available to all Escambia County residents.
The best quote Century obtained for the LifePak CR Plus was $1,659 each, including a wall-mount cabinet. The town was able to purchase the exact same unit at a price of $1,317.31 plus $99 for the cabinet through the Escambia County program, saving the town hundreds of dollars on the three devices.
Century placed their new AED units at town hall, the community center on Highway 4 and the maintenance shop.
Escambia County announced the program in 2016 that gives churches, businesses and even individuals the chance to purchase an AED at the same cost ($1,317.31) the county received during its last bid solicitation.
An automated external defibrillator is a lightweight, portable device that delivers an electric shock through the chest to the heart. The shock can stop an irregular heart rhythm and allow a normal rhythm to resume following sudden cardiac arrest. Sudden cardiac arrest is an abrupt loss of heart function. If it’s not treated within minutes, it quickly leads to death.
According to Escambia County, AEDs are important because they make it possible for more people to respond to a medical emergency where defibrillation is required. Because AEDs are portable, they can be used by anyone who has been trained how to use them – not only by medical professionals. They can be made part of emergency response programs that also include rapid use of 9-1-1 and prompt delivery of CPR. All three of these activities are vital to improving survival from cardiac arrest.
For more information, contact Escambia County Public Safety at (850) 471-6400.
Pictured; An AED installed in the lobby of the Century Town Hall. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Winter Jacket Drive Underway At Tate High School
January 8, 2018
A “Jacket Drive” is going each through January at Tate High School. The school is collecting jackets and sweatshirts in teen and adult sizes. The first period class that collects the most jackets will get a free breakfast.
The goal is to make sure that every Tate Aggie has a warm jacket this winter.
Tate students should take their jacket and sweatshirt donations to the Military Family Counselor’s office in a bag labeled with their first period teacher’s name and room number.
GED Classes Begin At The Molino Community Center
January 8, 2018
GED classes start January 8 at the Molino Community Center and meet every Monday and Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. This is an open enrollment program, so students may enroll anytime during the semester
Classes are actively taught by certified teachers and personalized instruction is given based on each individual student’s academic level.
Ernest Ward Middle Names Student Of The Month
January 8, 2018
Ernest Ward Middle School has named Students of the Month for December. They are (L-R) Ryleigh Barnes, sixth grade; Drake Driskell, seventh grade; and Tymiriana Wesley, eighth grade. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia BOCC Weekly Meeting Schedule
January 8, 2018
Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings for the week of January 8-12:
Monday, Jan. 8
Marine Advisory Committee – 5:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place (Agenda)
Tuesday, Jan. 9
Planning Board – Rezoning – 8:30 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place (Agenda)
Planning Board – Regular – 8:35 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place (Agenda)
Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate – 1:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place (Agenda)
Escambia County Housing Finance Authority – 5 p.m., 700 S. Palafox Place
Wednesday, Jan. 10
Contractor Competency Board – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Mass Transit Advisory Committee – 2 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place (Agenda)
Thursday, Jan. 11
Committee of the Whole – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place