State Senator Suggests De-Chartering Century, Letting Escambia County Take Over The Town
October 26, 2023
Thursday night, Florida State Sen. Doug Broxson told interim Century Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. that the town may need to to consider de-chartering and letting Escambia County take over.
Broxson’s comments came during a meeting of the Escambia County Legislative Delegation — Sen. Doug Broxson, State Rep. Alex Andrade and State Rep. Michelle Salzman — Thursday night in Pensacola. Gomez had addressed the delegation, thanking them for millions in state funding that has gone to projects in Century, including a bridge replacement, wastewater treatment plant repairs and repairs to a failed water well serving the state prison.
‘I’ve been dealing with Century for 14 years,” Broxson told Gomez. “I know you’ve had tremendous challenges there. Your tax base is very low, and your needs are very great. I can tell you this delegation has doubled down on trying to help Century.”
“We are praying for you, we know you have a big challenge, we want you to do well,” Broxson continued. “But we know you are in tough circumstances. I would hope that at some point if things continue where it’s a challenge to meet your budget, that you would consider de-chartering Century so you could come under the umbrella of Escambia County and let them take their resources and help you with some of your major problems. I’ve watched it, “I know you’ve tried, but we really need a bigger hand to help you get to where you need to be.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
International Paper Conducting Emergency Evacuation Drills Friday Evening
October 26, 2023
International Paper in Cantonment is conducting their annual Emergency Mill Evactional Drill Thursday and Friday.
There will be alarms that sound Thursday at 9 a.m., 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. On Friday, alarms wlll sound at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.
The Cantonment Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue will take part in the exercises.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Escambia School Choice Expo to be Held Thursday, Nov. 2
October 26, 2023
This year’s Escambia County Public Schools School Choice Expo will be held on Thursday, November 2nd, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at Booker T. Washington High School.
Representatives from ECPS Career Academies and Choice Schools will be on hand to greet guests and answer questions about their programs. Typically, the Expo welcomes in excess of 1,000 guests. Tables for career academy displays will be set up inside the Booker T. Washington High School gym and cafeteria. Local vendors will provide items for gift bags for attendees.
“The school district is excited to once again be offering our School Choice Expo to the community,” stated Coordinator of Enrollment Services Chris McFarland. “This is a great opportunity for our students to experience all of the awesome programs and school choice transfer options available to our students in one venue. We look forward to once again seeing everyone there!”
The School Choice Expo precedes the middle and high school open enrollment period, which runs from October 30 – December 8, 2023. The open enrollment period for elementary schools runs from January 29 – March 8, 2024.
For questions about open enrollment, please contact Chris McFarland, Coordinator of Enrollment Services at (850)469-5580. For questions about career academies, contact Steven Harrell, Director of Workforce Education, at (850)469-5357. Families are encouraged to apply while attending the School Choice Expo, as technology to apply will be made available.
File photo.
Pedestrian Killed In Escambia County
October 25, 2023
A 54-year old pedestrian is dead following a crash Wednesday night in Escambia County.
The crash happened about 8 p.m. near the intersection of North Palafox and John Gray Road. The Florida Highway Patrol said the man cross the roadway in front of a SUV. The pedestrian was struck by at least two other vehicles that fled the scene.
No other information was released as the Florida Highway Patrol investigation continued.
File photo.
Woman Gets 2.5 Years In Prison For Deadly Pit Bull Attack
October 25, 2023
An Escambia County woman has been sentenced to 2.5 years in prison for a deadly pit bull attack last February.
Kathleen Ann Taylor, 36, entered a plea of no contest to second-degree manslaughter.
The dog attack happened the night of February 24 on Norris Avenue.
A 63-year old man died at the scene following the attack by three pit bulls belonging to Taylor. “His injuries were horrific” with bites to the head and torso, according to Sheriff Chip Simmons.
The sheriff said she failed to secure her home, kennels, or other enclosures designed to keep her dogs from running free. He said she has a long history of violations and fines from Escambia County Animal Control for free-roaming dogs.
“Multiple neighbors tell us of these dogs roaming and biting people on bikes, and they told her and advised her how dangerous these dogs were,” Simmons said. “But still no action.”
After the attack that resulted in the man’s death, the sheriff said Taylor took one of her dogs and left rather than rendering aid to the victim.
“She wasn’t concerned about the safety of this individual, she was only concerned about getting her dog,” he said.
One of the dogs was shot at the scene, the second was captured the following day, and Taylor later surrendered the third dog.
County Seeks Volunteers for Contractor Competency Board
October 25, 2023
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking Escambia County residents interested in volunteering to serve on the Escambia County Contractor Competency Board (CCB). Two applicants will be appointed for service beginning in January 2024.
The Board of County Commissioners is currently seeking the following for membership on the CCB: Division II Contractor Layperson
Division II Contractors are field-specific and include areas like air conditioning contractors, sheet metal contractors, mechanical contractors, pool contractors, plumbing contractors, underground utility and excavation contractors, and roofing contractors.
The duties of the CCB include accepting contractor applications, administering contractor examinations, and issuing and recording Certificates of Competency and renewals; making an annual report; investigating complaints against contractors; and presiding over contractor disciplinary proceedings. CCB members serve a three-year term and meet the first Wednesday morning of every month for approximately two hours. Members receive $50 per meeting as compensation for their services.
CCB members are appointed from certain repfresentative segments of citizens and professions, including contractors, design professionals, business persons, and lay persons. The Board of County Commissioners is currently seeking a lay consumer member.
A lay consumer member shall not at the time of appointment be, and shall have never previously been, a member or practitioner of a profession regulated by the board or a member of any closely related profession. The term “member of any closely related profession” includes but is not limited to carpenters, painters, certified building inspectors, commercial construction supervisors, interior designers/decorators, fencers, landscapers, building material suppliers, and construction quality managers.
Escambia County residents interested in serving on the CCB are asked to submit a resume and cover letter to Jennifer Hampton, Director’s Aide, Building Services Department, 3363 West Park Place, Pensacola, Florida, 32505 or jahampton@myescambia.com by the close of business on December 1, 2023.
Inmate Assaulted Century Correctional Officer With A Broom, FDC Says
October 25, 2023
A Century Correctional Institution inmate serving life for murder assaulted a correctional officer recently with a broom, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
On September 27, Inmate Freddrick Eddie assaulted an officer by striking them with a broom on the ear and arm. Staff responded appropriately, and the inmate was subdued. Medical staff noted injuries.
Eddie was serving a life sentence out of Miami-Dade for murder during the commission of a felony.
Semi Trucks Collide On Highway 97 in Walnut Hill, Sending One Careening Through a Home
October 25, 2023
Two semi trucks collided Wednesday morning in Walnut hill, sending one of them careening off the roadway and through a mobile home.
The initial crash happened about 7:45 a.m. on Highway 97 at the North Highway 99 intersection. That’s where a semi-truck hauling construction equipment on a lowboy trailer bottomed out and was struck by a semi-truck hauling logs. The log truck continued south, left the roadway and crashed literally through a mobile home. The mobile home was completely destroyed; the occupants, however, were not injured. The log truck driver was airlifted to Saced Heart Hospital due to his injuries.
There were several other rear-end type collisions on Highway 97 as drivers tried to avoid the first crash,injuring four people.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Warm Afternoons, No Chance Of Rain
October 24, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 81. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 82. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming northeast after midnight.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 83. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 60. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east after midnight.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 84. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 80.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 49.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 63.
Suspect Charged With Burglary Of Cantonment Mercantile
October 24, 2023
A suspect has been charged with the burglary of Cantonment Mercantile on Highway 29 just north of Muscogee Road
The burglary was discovered Tuesday morning and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office quickly developed 20-year old Ronnie Lee Graham of Cantonment as the suspect. He was charged with grand theft, burglary causing damage over $1,000 and resisting arrest without violence.
Graham was booked into the Escambia County Jail Tuesday evening with bond set at $5,600.
The business has about 50 independent vendor booths along with a bakery and more.
For more photos from the scene, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
