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Highway 4 Road Work Begins; Drivers Can Expect Delays

Construction work is now underway on a $1.13 million project on State Road 4 in Century.

Crews are milling and resurfacing the 1.4 miles of travel lanes from Highway  29 to the Escambia River Bridge, constructing minor shoulder widening, placing new signs and pavement markings along the project, and reconstructing the CSX railroad crossing in Century.

A temporary onsite diversion (pictured left) has been constructed to route traffic around the railroad reconstruction work.  Law enforcement will be on site to assist with traffic control once the railroad crossing traffic is shifted.

Tuesday morning, drivers were reporting wait time of up to 12 minutes for a pilot vehicle to lead them through the construction zone.

Construction is anticipated to be complete spring 2017, weather permitting.  This is a Florida Department of Transportation project, and is not funded or managed by the Town of Century.

Pictured: Road construction underway Tuesday morning on State Road 4 in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Cottage Hill Water Works Office To Close Early This Week

Due to necessary electr ical repairs, the office at Cottage Hill Water Works will close at noon on March, 15, 16, and 17.  The answering service will still accept  calls for field service personnel for leaks and repairs. For more information, call (850) 968-5485.

Bob’s Sales Camp: UWF Professor Takes Lesson To Escambia Jail Inmates

After years of teaching sales skills to corporate professionals and students, University of West Florida marketing professor Dr. Bob Kimball is taking his instruction to a new audience: inmates at the Escambia County Work Release Center.

In February, Kimball conducted a two-day sales course, Bob’s Sales Camp, with 24 inmates participating in the Pathways for Change men’s residential treatment program. Pathways for Change operates a faith-based addictions treatment program for men who want to overcome destructive behaviors, attitudes and habits that prevent them from living a life free from crime and incarceration.

Through a collaborative effort by the UWF College of Business, UWF Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, and Pathways for Change, Bob’s Sales Camp included interactive exercises, role-play and life skills. Kimball said he plans to repeat the course with a new cohort of inmates every 90 days.

“We are all selling and negotiating all the time, not only in business but in relationships and other areas of life,” Kimball said. “Selling and dealing with others requires you to listen and help them achieve their goals in order to get what you want. I emphasized to these men that to be successful they should focus on others. As they assess their lives and manage their goals, this is a focus that can really benefit them.”

Kimball first approached Dr. Matthew Crow, chair of the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, about his interest in conducting Bob’s Sales Camp.

“When Dr. Kimball approached me with his interest in conducting Bob’s Sales Camp in order to provide skills to inmates preparing to reenter society, I immediately thought of Pathways for Change, an important community partner for our department and UWF,” Crow said.

Brittany Austin, UWF alumna, serves as a link between the University, where she is as an adjunct professor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, and Pathways for Change, where she is the case management director.

“In our men’s residential treatment program, all of the men have been arrested for a felony and court ordered to complete our program,” Austin said. “They are non-violent, non-sexual offenders who are addicts or alcoholics and want to change. We help them develop new skills and trades, and provide counseling to help them better their lives here. For Dr. Kimball to offer these men a new skill that can be applied to any aspect of life is really valuable. It will help them to sell themselves to others in the future.”

One participant in the camp, Michael Ritenour, said he plans to use the skills he learned when he applies for a part-time job in a later phase of the Pathways program.

“It was very educational and I enjoyed it,” he said. “I’m officially trained now, and I can put that on my resume.”

Kimball, who has taught at UWF for 30 years and built his own successful business career prior to teaching, said he views Bob’s Sales Camp as an act of service on behalf of the College of Business.

“Within the College of Business, we’ve talked about finding ways that cross-functional teams can serve the community,” Kimball said. “Bob’s Sales Camp was a pilot project for this effort, and hopefully others in the college will participate in other ways.”

Wanted Atmore Man Captured by U.S. Marshals

A U.S Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force captured a wanted Atmore man in Baldwin County on Tuesday.

Buddy Lee Roberson, 48, was wanted by the Flomaton Police Department on outstanding warrants for felony unlawful possession of a controlled substance methamphetamine, felony domestic violence strangulation, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, and domestic violence third degree. At the time of his arrest, he was also charged with possession of a controlled substance – cocaine by the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office.

Roberson was booked into the Baldwin County Jail in Bay Minette where he was being held without bond.

Three Solo Homers Lead Tate Over Pace; Jay Tops Northview In Eight

Tate 6, Pace 2

Leslee Scruggs, Sydni Solliday and Hayden Lindsay each had a solo home run Tuesday night as Tate defeated Pace 6-2.

Belle Wolfenden tripled for the Lady Aggies.

Hannah Brown pitched seven for the Aggies, allowing six hits, two runs, two errors and striking out seven.

Tate – Hanna Brown 3-4; Hayden Lindsay 2-3, 2R, RBI, HR; Belle Wolfenden 1-3; 3B; Leslee Scruggs 1-3, R, RBI, HR; Shelby Ulrich 1-3; Sydni Solliday 1-3, R; RBI, HR; Tristen Cook, R.

The Tate Aggies (9-3, 5-0) will face Washington on Thursday before holding their annual Strikeout for Cancer game against West Florida Friday night at 7.

Tate 15, Pace 0 (JV)

Jay 5, Northview 4 (8 innings)

The Jay Royals defeated the Northview Chiefs 5-4 in eight innings Tuesday night in Jay.

Destiny Herring pitched the win for the Royals with seven innings, three runs, one error and 12 strikeouts. Tori Herrington pitched all eight innings for Northview, allowing seven hits, six runs, three errors and striking out five.

Jay – Maddie Holt 1-4 2 RBI, R; Harley Taggart 2-4, R; Alaina Lowery 2-4, R; Miranda Roberts 2-3,R.

Northview – Jamia Newton 1-3, 3B, RBI; Kyndall Enfinger 0+-4, R; Tori Herrington 1-3, 2R; Aubree Love 1-3, R, 2RBI; Peighton Dortch 2-4, 2RBI; Lydia Smith 1-3, R.
Payton Jackson

Pictured top: Leslee Scruggs, Sydni Solliday and Hayden Lindsay each had a solo home run Tuesday night for the Tate Aggies. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Florida House Keeps Chipping Away At ‘Liquor Wall’

A heavily lobbied measure intended to knock down a decades-old prohibition on selling liquor in grocery and large retail stores narrowly continued to advance in the House on Tuesday.

The Government Operations & Technology Appropriations Subcommittee voted 7-6 to support an amended proposal (HB 81) that would end a Depression-era law requiring liquor stores and bars to be separated from groceries and other retail goods, an issue commonly referred to as the “liquor wall.”

The contentious bill — sought by Wal-Mart and Target and opposed by Publix and ABC Fine Wine & Spirits — needs to make it through one more committee in the House and awaits a floor vote in the Senate (SB 106).

House sponsor Bryan Avila, R-Hialeah, rejected claims by opponents that his legislation, three years in the making, will increase access to liquor by minors and harm existing businesses.

“While shopping at Publix is a pleasure, certainly their argument is not,” Avila said. “The only reason the antiquated law is being opposed is to maintain the status quo.”

Before the vote, Avila proposed an amendment that would sort alcohol licenses into two categories, one for businesses that seek to remain stand-alone for liquor, the other imposing fees — based on county population — for those that want to sell liquor in the same stores as other goods.

Avila said he’s also considering additional changes for when the proposal goes to the Commerce Committee. That could include requiring cashiers to be 18 or older when liquor is purchased and increasing penalties on businesses that are found selling to minors.

He also indicated he is open to proposals in the Senate bill that would require small bottles, 6.8 ounces or less, to be displayed only behind the counter and phasing in the law over a four-year period.

Still, the House bill, which appeared to stall a week ago, remains controversial for many.

“The losers are clearly going to be the small businesses,” said Rep. Kathleen Peters, a Treasure Island Republican who voted against the bill.

Thomas Culligan, representing Publix, said in opposing the measure that the supermarket chain may be able to support a delayed implementation. Publix has opened stand-alone liquor stores in many shopping centers that also include grocery stores.

“We’ve invested so much in the stores that we have built out in the state,” Culligan said. “We also have a number of leases that we’d like to see expire if this does happen.”

Pat McClellan, owner of the Flora-Bama lounge and package store in the Panhandle, said the change would result in a greater ability for minors to get their hands on liquor and would lead to more impulse-buying of alcohol.

“It ain’t right to put the apple schnapps next to the apple sauce,” McClellan said.

Proponents contend abolishing the “outdated” law is necessary to provide more convenience to shoppers, reduce regulations and save money for businesses.

Joseph Salzverg, a lobbyist for Target, said the change would allow the Minnesota-based company to meet customers’ needs and expectations.

“The way Target structures their business model is a racetrack type of shopping,” Salzverg said. “That’s why we don’t currently operate bifurcated stores in the state of Florida.”

by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida

Pictured: A separate liquor store next to the Publix in University Town Center on West Nine Mile Road. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Track: Northview Outruns Blacksher (With Gallery)

Northview defeated JU Blacksher in a track meet Tuesday at Bratt.

For a photo gallery, click here.

Relays

Girls- 1^st 4×800, 4×400, & 4X100- Northview

Boys-1^st 4×800, 4×400, & 4X100- Northview

100 Meters-

Girls- 1^st -Nene Findley – Northview

2^nd- Crystal Douglas – Northview

3^rd- Audriene Odom – Northview

Boys-1^st –Joseph Wright – Northview

2^nd- Brandon Spencer – Northview

3^rd- Keaton Solmonson – Northview

100 Hurdles -

Girls- 1^st -Nene Findley – Northview

2^nd- Crystal Douglas – Northview

3^rd- Audriene Odom – Northview

110 High Hurdles -

Boys-1^st –Joseph Wright – Northview

2^nd- Brandon Spencer – Northview

3^rd- Keaton Solmonson – Northview

200 Meters-

Girls- 1^st -Nene Findley – Northview

2^nd- Crystal Douglas – Northview

3^rd- Myisha Syria – Northview

Boys-1^st –Brandon Spencer – Northview

2^nd- Wooten – Blacksher

3^rd- Keaton Solmonson – Northview

300 Hurdles

Girls- 1^st –Shelby Bashore – Northview

2^nd- Galsby –Blacksher

3^rd- Allison Rice – Northview

Boys-1^st –Daniel Merritt – Northview

2^nd- Tyreese Smith – Northview

3^rd- Jay – Blacksher

400 Meters-

Girls- 1^st –Myisha Syria – Northview

2^nd- Allison Rice – Northview

3^rd- Burgess – Blacksher

Boys-1^st –Daniel Merritt – Northview

2^nd- Kendrell Redmon – Northview

3^rd- Ossie Crusau – Northview

800 Meters-

Girls- 1^st –Mallory Gibson – Northview

2^nd- Shelby Bashore – Northview

3^rd- Lilley – Blacksher

Boys-1^st –Brandon Korinchak – Northview

2^nd- Kendrell Redmon – Northview

3^rd- Copeland – Blacksher

1600 Meters-

Girls- 1^st – Burgess – Blacksher

2^nd- Victoria Grammar – Northview

3^rd- Daysha Kite – Northview

Boys-1^st –Brandon Korinchak– Northview

2^nd- Oscar Rodriguez – Northview

3^rd- Cole – Blacksher

3200 Meters-

Girls- 1^st – Burgess – Blacksher

2^nd- Marissa Rothrock – Northview

3^rd- Catie Clayton – Northview

Boys-1^st –Josiah Stillwill– Northview

2^nd- Cole – Blacksher

3^rd- Jacob Hawkins- Northview

Triple Jump-

Girls- 1^st – Galsby – Blacksher

2^nd- Kirsten White – Northview

Boys-1^st –Kendrell Redmon– Northview

2^nd- Jarius Moorer – Northview

Long Jump-

Girls- 1^st – Mallory Gibson – NeNe

2^nd- NeNe Findley – Northview

3^rd – Victoria Grammar-Northview

Boys-1^st –Wooten – Blacksher

2^nd- Keaton Solmonson – Northview

3^rd –Rayvon Bush –Northview

Discus-

Girls- 1^st – Daysha Kite – Northview

2^nd- Catie Clayton – Northview

3^rd – Shelby Bashore -Northview

Boys-1^st –Tolbert– Blacksher

2^nd- Dustin Bethea – Northview

3^rd –Jacob Hawkins -Northview

Shot put-

Girls- 1^st – Catie Clayton – Northview

2^nd- Phillips – Blacksher

3^rd – Daysha Kite -Northview

Boys-1^st –Dillian Clary– Northview

2^nd- Dustin Bethea – Northview

3^rd – Tolbert -Blacksher

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Aggie Classic: Complete Day Two Results, Schedule

Tuesday was day two of the 24th annual Aggie Classic. Scores and Wednesday’s schedule are below.

TUESDAY’S GAMES

• Houston, TN 6, Mustang, OK 4
• Leon, FL 7, Durant, OK 3
• Second Baptist, TX 9, Coweta, OK 3
• Union, OK 24, Presbyterian Christian, MS 7
• Niceville 11, Booker T Washington, OK 1
• Magnolia Heights, MS 8, Southmoore, OK 6
• Edmond North, OK 8, Milton, 5
• Knoxville Catholic, TN 3, Ft. Gibson, OK 1
• Gulf Breeze, 6, Piedmont, OK 0
• Tate 16, Coweta, OK 2
• Berryhill, OK 3, West Florida 0
• Choctaw, OK 13, Washington 2
• Jenks, OK 3, Pace 2
• Bartlett, TN 6, Pryor, OK 5

WEDNESDAY’S SCHEDULE

• At Escambia High – Presbyterian Christian vs. Southmoore, 4 p.m.; Jenks vs. Niceville, 7 p.m.
• At Gulf Breeze High- Gulf Breeze vs. Coweta, 3 p.m.; Berryhill vs. Gulf Breeze 7 p.m.
• At  Milton High- Magnolia Heights vs. Mustang, 4 p.m.; Coweta vs. Milton, 7 p.m.
• At Pace  High- Pace vs. Berryhill, 1 p.m.; Piedmont vs. Houston, 4 p.m.; Union vs. Pace, 7 p.m.
• At Tate High- Durant vs. Tate, 10 a.m.; Barltett vs. Choctaw, 1 p.m.; Knoxville Catholic vs. Pryor, 4 p.m.; Knoxville Catholic vs. Tate, 7 p.m.
• At Washington High- Second Baptist vs. Gibson, 4 p.m.; Washington vs. Durant, 7 p.m.
• At West Florida High- Leon vs. Edmond North, 4 p.m.; Washington, Okla. vs. West Florida, 7 p.m.

Bomb Squad Deals With Explosive Device Found At Hwy 29 Motel

The bomb squad was called to a Highway 29 motel Tueday night after a possible homemade explosive device was found.

The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office called for the assistance of the Bay County Bomb Squad after the device was found at the Key West Inn at 6900 Pensacola Boulevard.

The Sheriff’s Office said the bomb squad deemed the device to be a possible destructive device and a decision was made to use equipment to render the device as safe.

Hotel employees reportedly found the device with wires in a room and moved it to a courtyard before deputies arrived. The Key West Inn was evacuated as a precaution.

Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Arrest Made In Klondike Road Murder

An arrest has been made in a recent murder on Klondike Road.

Dino Ray Reaves, 35, was  charged with the homicide for the death of Tadius Edward Watson. Watson, 29, was shot and killed March 7. Watson was found dead from gunshot wounds in the 8000 block of Klondike Road, south of Wilde Lake Boulevard near the Klondike Kennels. His body was discovered along the edge of the roadway.

During the investigation ECSO deputies discovered the shooting was drug related. Reaves is a documented local gang member who has been arrested multiple times in different states and arrested 21-times  in the state of Florida, according to investigators.

The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said there are no more arrests expected to be made in this case.

NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.

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