Former Century High Bricks And Monument Committee To Meet
June 6, 2016
A committee working to decide how to preserve bricks from the former Century High School in a monument will meet Tuesday evening.
The “Bricks and Monument Committee” will meet Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Century Area Chamber of Commerce at 7811 North Century Boulevard. The meeting is open to the public.
The former school, the oldest portion of which was constructed in the 1930’s, was demolished due damage received during the February 15 tornado.
Bricks from the school, along with a flagpole and monument, were salvaged. The bricks will be sold, engraved and place at a monument to the school at a location yet to be determined, but likely the Alger-Sullivan Historical Park, the Nadine McCaw Park or Showalter Park. The town formed the committee to decide how to use the bricks and memorialize the old Century High School.
Pictured: A 1936 monument at the former Century High School is being salvaged for inclusion in a new monument. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary Grade 3-5 Award Winners Announced
June 6, 2016
BRATT ELEMENTARY 3RD GRADE AND 4TH GRADE AWARDS
Honor Roll
• Abbott, Rabekah
• Blanton, Kyle
• Boatwright, Olivia
• Brock, Ava
• Carter, Dixie
• Carter, Jakyra
• Carter, Kaedence
• Coker, Kinslee Abigail
• Dawson, Riley
• Dubose, Tyteanna
• Eicher, Gage
• Elliott, Scotty
• Faulkner, Noah
• Fountain, Aaliyah
• Hall, Berklee
• Hudson, Jared
• Johnson, Mattison
• Jones, Allyson
• Laborde, Laura
• Lloyd, Kaitlin
• McGhee, Michael
• Mondaca, Adannaya
• Mosley, Gracie
• Moya, Alexis
• Schoonover, Angel
• Smith, Zakyla
• Stilwell, Emily
• Stilwell, Jonathon
• Turberville, Corbin
• Victor, Brayden
• Watson, Raycer
Academic Achievement Award
• Abbott, Raegan
• Bailey, Sarah
• Castro, Alexa
• Criswell, Colton
• Dortch, Carsyn
• Dortch, Jacee
• Edwards, Mayson
• Fountain, Zykuria
• Gilman, Jamison
• Godwin, Maggie
• Gurganus, Ava
• Hetrick, Sarah
• Hughes, Mary Catherine
• Moorer, Jaquez
• Pugh, Colby
• Richardson, Ally
• Scott, Maggie
• Spence, Jacob
• Van Pelt, Bentley
Progress Award
• Andrews, Denise
• Ard, Troy
• Bailey, Sophia
• Banks, Zania
• Bryan, Kyra
• Dettling, Samuel
• Gibson, Raleigh
• Hasting, Logan
• Helton, Joshlynn
• Hughes, Cole
• Jay, Kayleigh
• Laborde, Laura
• Mason, Kaya
• McNeir, Anyla
• White, Brayson
Outstanding Attendance
• Adams, Adam
• Brock, Ava
• Brooks, Quantavia
• Criswell, Chloe
• Criswell, Colton
• Curry, Malonie
• Dubose, Tyteanna
• Elliott, Scotty
• Faulkner, Noah
• Fountain, Aaliyah
• Gilman, Jamison
• Hall, Berklee
• Hudson, Jared
• Hughes, Mary Catherine
• Hunter, Matthew
• Jordan, Dylan
• Laborde, Laura
• Lambert, Gage
• Long, Sarah
• Miller, Anthony Robert
• Mitchell, Ayden
• Moorer, Jaquez
• Mosley, Gracie
• Pugh, Colby
• Richardson, Ally
• Sanders, Bryson
• Sanders, Tyondray
• Stilwell, Emily
• Thomas, Ja’mya
• Van Pelt, Bentley
• Walker, Jayda
Perfect Attendance
• Ewing, Khaliah
• Fountain, Zykuria
• Watson, Raycer
Outstanding Citizenship Award
• Abbott, Rabekah
• Abbott, Raegan
• Bailey, Sarah
• Criswell, Colton
• Dortch, Carsyn
• Fehr, Noah
• Fountain, Aaliyah
• Fountain, Zykuria
• Godwin, Maggie
• Hetrick, Leah
• Hughes, Mary Catherine
• Johnson, Markavia
• Richardson, Ally
• Van Pelt, Bentley
AR
• Abbott, Raegan
• Amerson, Elijah
• Amerson, Luke
• Ard, Troy
• Dortch, Jacee
• Fountain, Zykuria
• Richardson, Ally
• Scott, Maggie
• Spence, Jacob
• Stilwell, Emily
• Van Pelt, Bentley
Art
• Dortch, Jacee
• Dubose, Tyteanna
• Hughes, Mary Catherine
• Jones, Allyson
• Laborde, Laura
• Long, Sarah
• Moorer, Jaquez
• Richardson, Ally
Music
• Blanton, Kyle
• Coker, Abigail
• Faulkner, Noah
• Helton, Joshlynn
• Hughes, Cole
• McNeir, Anija
• Smith, Zakyla
• Williams, Skyler
P.E.
• Bailey, Sarah
• Carter, Kaedence
• Criswell, Colton
• Dawson, Riley
• Dixon, Irmani
• Fountain, Aaliyah
• Stilwell, Jonathon
• Van Pelt, Bentley
Battle of the Books Team Members
• Abbott, Raegan
• Amerson, Elijah
• Bailey, Sarah
• Criswell, Colton
• Dortch, Jacee
• Fountain, Zykuria
• Gurganus, Ava
• Hetrick, Leah
• Scott, Maggie
• Spence, Jacob
• Van Pelt, Bentley
Sunshine Math Team Members
• Abbott, Raegan
• Amerson, Luke
• Criswell, Colton
• Dawson, Riley
• Edwards, Mayson
• Faulkner, Noah
• Fountain, Zykuria
• Garrett, Johnathan
• Gurganus, Ava
• Hetrick, Leah
• Laborde, Laura
• Pugh, Colby
• Richardson, Ally
• Spence, Jacob
• Van Pelt, Bentley
Sons of the American Revolution
• Bingham, Ethan
• Boatwright, Olivia
• Dawson, Riley
• Dettling, Samuel
• Gurganus, Ava
• Hall, Berklee
• Hudson, Ji’keir
• Moorer, Jaquez
BRATT ELEMENTARY 5TH GRADE AWARDS
Honor Roll
• Amerson, Erich
• Dove, Ryan
• Evans, Ja’Kayla Alexis
• Gilley, Charles David
• Harigel, Kohle
• Knighten, Trent
• Long, Kennedy
• Lowry, Houston
• McGhee, Braeden
• McGhee, Megan
• Morales, Elianna
• Richardson, Torian
• Simmons, McKenna
• Smith, Arquavian
• Stabler, Alyssa
• Ward, John Michael
Academic Achievement Award
• Bridges, Luke
• Gibson, Caitlyn
• Gilmore, Emma
• Moya, Alyssa
• Stewart, Kole
• Stuckey, Aubrey
• Wilson, Clay
Progress Award
• Blackwell, Riley
• Carter, Rosa
• Peters, Derek
• Smith, Arquavian
• Ward, John Michael
• Wesley, T’ahna
Outstanding Attendance
• Albritton, Drew
• Brown, Na’khya
• Findley, Tatyanna
• Garrett, Kayci
• Gilman, J.P.
• Gilmore, Emma
• Knighten, Trent
• Moya, Alyssa
• Spence, Anna
• Stabler, Alyssa
• Thomas, Madison
• Wesley, T’ahna
Outstanding Citizenship
• Albritton, Drew
• Bryan, Anastasia
• Smith, Arquavian
Art
• Feagin, Jamyla
• Berry, Leah
• Stabler, Alyssa
Music
• Knighten, Trent
• Richardson, Torian
• Smith, Hailey
P.E.
• Albritton, Drew
• Stewart, Kole
• Wilson, Clay
AR
• Amerson, Erich
• Brown, Na’khya
• Gilmore, Emma
• Moya, Alyssa
• Stewart, Kole
Battle of the Books Team Members
• Amerson, Erich
• Gilmore, Emma
• Moya, Alyssa
• Stewart, Kole
Sunshine Math Team Members
• Gilley, Charles David
• Gilman, J.P.
• Moya, Alyssa
• Spence, Anna
• Stuckey, Aubrey
Sons of the American Revolution
• Albritton, Drew
• Chavers, Landon
• Gilmore, Emma
• Moya, Alyssa
• Simmons, McKenna
• Wilson, Clay
Spelling Bee
• Pruitt, Matthew
Century Lions Club
• Moya, Alyssa
Cox
• Gruenwald, Jamie
Shining Star
• Harigel, Kohle
Presidential Achievement
• Amerson, Erich
• Bridges, Terrell Luke
• Gilley, Charles David
• Knighten, Trent
• Long, Kennedy
• Lowry, Houston
• McGhee, Braeden
• Simmons, McKenna
• Stabler, Alyssa
• Wilson, Clay
Presidential Excellence
• Gibson, Caitlyn
• Moya, Alyssa
• Stewart, Kristopher Kole
• Stuckey, Aubrey
Two Tate Graduates To Be Featured On Times Square Billboard
June 6, 2016
On Wednesday, The Get Schooled Foundation and partner Taco Bell Foundation will honor 300 students, including two from Tate High School.
Their pictures and stories will be featured on a six story digital yearbook in the heart of Times Square. Each of the applicants were asked to detail their life passion and how they used education to further their passions and dreams this school year.
Two J.M. Tate High School Class of 2016 graduates being honored are Devon Ledbetter and Miranda Nock. Their featured stories are as follows:
- “My dream career is being an editor for a publishing company. I have had a passion for reading and writing from a very young age, and I have had the opportunity to explore my interests through being the Editor-in-Chief of my school’s yearbook for two consecutive years now. This position has allowed me to grow and learn so much before I even start college, and has secured my sense of belonging in this career path. There is nothing I desire to pursue more, and I cannot wait to study at FSU!” — Devon Ledbetter
- “I’ve always know I wanted to work with animals since I can remember. I joined the vet academy at my high school helping me gain knowledge of the career and to confirm further my passion to work with animals. For a year now I have been working in a vet clinic being very hands on. I get to give shots, take care of animals, and even assist in surgeries! I even achieved getting my Florida State Veterinarian Assistant certification taking me a step closer to becoming a veterinarian! ” — Miranda Nock
Each of the honorees will also receive a $1,000 scholarship.
Florida Coach Jim McElwain To Host Football Skills Camp
June 6, 2016
The Booker T. Washington football program will host University of Florida Coach Jim McElwain in a high school skills camp on June 17.
Rising high school players should visit www.btwfootball.org for details, the registration form, and the parent consent form (which must be notarized).
The price is $35 now (payment must be received by Booker T. Washington High by June 16) or $50 for walk-up registration and includes a camp T-shirt. Coach McElwain will have members of his coaching staff with him.
The camp is open to any and all rising 9-12 graders and all junior college student athletes. For more information, follow the link above or call (850) 475-5237 ext. 236.
Generals Beat Pensacola 8-5
June 6, 2016
The top team in the Southern League Northern Division and Southern Division faced each other Sunday at The Ballpark at Jackson.
In the end, it was the Jackson Generals who defeated the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, 8-5, behind two homers by first baseman D.J. Peterson. After a nine game win streak, Jackson had lost to the Tennessee Smokies on Saturday.
Jackson won again and remains in first with a 37-19 record with its win, while Pensacola also stayed atop the South Division despite the loss with its 32-23 record to remain one game ahead of the Biloxi Shuckers.
Blue Wahoos second baseman Brandon Dixon kept his hot-hitting streak going with his third two homer game in the past six games and his third straight game with a homer.
Dixon has 11 homers on the season—eight in the past six games since May 29—helping him leap frog to second in the Southern League for the season.
The 24-year-old Dixon went 2-4 with two homers, two runs and three RBIs Sunday and is now 15-24 (.625) in his six-game hitting streak. He has eight home runs and 18 runs-batted in during his streak and 37 on the season. He now has a .617 slugging percentage, which is second in the Southern League. Dixon is batting .322 this year, which ranks fourth in the league.
Jackson Stephens took the mound for Pensacola and worked 4.1 innings, giving up six runs, three earned on seven hits and three walks. He dropped to 5-4 on the season with a 3.36 ERA.
Jackson’s starter Andrew Moore improved to 2-0 for the Generals with a 3.78 ERA. He pitched 6.2 innings and allowed three runs on eight hits and one walk, while striking out seven.
The Generals scored first when DH Leon Landry lined a two-out single to right field to score both left fielder Ian Miller and center fielder Guillermo Heredia to put the team up, 2-0, in the third inning over Pensacola.
Pensacola came back in the top of the fourth with Dixon smacking a solo homer to right field to pull the Blue Wahoos within, 2-1.
Miller singled to left field in the bottom of the fourth inning with one out to drive in Jackson catcher Steve Baron, who had singled to center, for a 3-1 Generals’ lead.
Pensacola leadoff hitter Tony Renda, who was playing left, then hit a two-out double to drive in center fielder Jeff Gellalich, who tripled with two out, to pull the Blue Wahoos within, 3-2, in the top of the fifth inning. Pensacola right fielder Sebastian Elizalde then hit a two-out, game-tying single to center to drive in Renda and knot the score, 3-3.
In the bottom of the fifth, Jackson’s first baseman Peterson hit a three-run, line drive home run to centerfield that also brought home right fielder Tyler O’Neill and Landry to put the Generals up, 6-3. O’Neill earned the Southern League Player of the Month for May for hitting in 24 of 28 games and posted a .348 average in the month.
The Generals’ Peterson hit his second home run of the game—eighth on the year—in the bottom of the seventh to increase Jackson’s lead to 7-3. Jackson third baseman Brock Hebert singled to center to drive in second baseman Tim Lopes to extend Jackson’s lead to 8-3.
Dixon hit his third two-homer in six games in the top of the eighth when he rocketed the ball to left center, which also brought home Elizalde, and pulled Pensacola within, 8-5.
Jackson closer Dan Altavilla finished the ninth by striking out the side for his fifth save of the year.
Also leading the Blue Wahoos at the plate were Renda, who went 2-4, with a double, run scored and RBI and Elizalde, who also was 2-4, with a double, run scored and RBI. Renda has a seven-game hitting streak and 15 multi-hit games and is now hitting .310 this season. Elizalde has hit in five of the last six games and is batting .313 on the year.
Cantonment Man Cited After 3-Vehicle Interstate Wreck
June 5, 2016
A Cantonment man was cited by the Florida Highway Patrol after a three-vehicle crash on I-10 near Pine Forest Road Saturday afternoon.
According to the FHP, 28-year old Christopher Michael Benoit was westbound on the interstate when he noticed a vehicle stopped in his lane. His 2003 Ford F150 entered the median. Due to rainy and wet conditions, he lost control and re-entered the westbound lanes, causing a collision with a Kia Forte and a Cadillac STS.
The occupants of the Kia – driver Nina Marie Chestnut, 53, and passenger Gary Frank Chestnut, 61 – were critically injured and transported to Sacred Heart Hospital. Benoit received minor injuries as did 62-year old Suzanne Peabody Holm, the driver of the CTS.
Benoit was cited for failure to drive in a single lane by the FHP.
No Driver Found In Early Morning Nokomis Crash
June 5, 2016
Firefighters discovered a pickup truck with major damage early Sunday morning in Nokomis, but the driver and any passengers were not around the vehicle.
The wreck was reported on Nokomis Road, just west of Jakes Road, in extreme northwestern Escambia County just after 3 a.m. The vehicle had apparently struck a bridge guardrail where a tire was sheered off, hit a guardrail, had a door ripped off that landed under the bridge and rolled several times.
Firefighters searched the area for anyone that may have been ejected from the crash, but they were unable to locate a driver.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Atmore Ambulance also responded to the crash.
Pictured top and below: The pickup rolled several times after the crash. Pictured below: A tire was sheered off when the pickup hit a bridge. Pictured bottom: The passenger door was ripped from the vehicle and deposited under the bridge. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Monday Is Deadline For Tornado Recovery Federal Disaster Loans
June 5, 2016
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, Monday is the deadline to businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters to submit low-interest disaster loan applications for the physical damages caused by the severe storms and tornadoes in Century and Ferry Pass last February.
Low-interest disaster loans are available in Escambia County, FL, and the adjacent counties of Santa Rosa in Florida; Baldwin and Escambia in Alabama.
Businesses of any size and nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.
For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small aquaculture businesses and private, nonprofit organizations, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.
Loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for loans up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.
Interest rates are as low as 4 percent for businesses, 2.625 percent for nonprofit organizations, and 1.813 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase up to 20 percent of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements may now include a safe room or storm shelter to help protect property and occupants from future damage caused by a similar disaster.
Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
Disaster loan information and applications may also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing), or by emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Loan applications can also be downloaded at www.sba.gov/disaster. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is June 6, 2016. The deadline to return economic injury applications is January 9, 2017.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
June 5, 2016
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 – Intermittent and alternating lane closures continue within the town of Century and north beginning at Champion Drive.
- Interstate 10 (I-10)/U.S. 29 Interchange Improvements – Alternating lane closures near U.S. 29 (exits 10A and 10B) Sunday, June 5 through Thursday, June 9 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., as crews perform barrier wall and striping work. In addition, the east and westbound U.S. 29 ramps will be closed during this time as crews place barrier wall. Traffic destined for I-10 eastbound will be detoured south to make a U-turn at Diamond Dairy Road. Traffic destined for I-10 westbound will be detoured north to make a U-turn at Broad Street.
- I-10 Widening – Intermittent and alternating lane closures near U.S. 90 (Scenic Highway/exit 17), from 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. the week of June 6 as crews perform striping work.
- Nine Mile Road / State Road (S.R.) 10- Lane closure between Pine Forest Rod and U.S. 29 at Ashland Avenue from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, June 5 through Thursday, June 9 as crews construct an eastbound, right turn lane at Milestone Apartments.
- I-110- Minor delays between the Maxwell Street ramp and the I-10 overpass from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, June 12 through Thursday, June 16. A slow moving vehicle will be used to place reflective pavement markers along the roadway.
Santa Rosa County:
- I-10 Widening – Alternating lane closures, between the Escambia Bay Bridge and S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard/Exit 22), from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, June 5 through Thursday, June 9 as crews continue widening work. In addition, alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard near the I-10 interchange for bridge work.
- I-10 Santa Rosa and Okaloosa Rest Area –Resurfacing entry/exit ramps of rest areas in Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties continues through Friday, June 17. Lane closures will be in effect 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Only one rest area in each county will be closed during paving operations. Variable message boards and the I-10 Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) will be used to alert drivers of the temporary closure.
- S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard)- Intermittent lane closures and slow moving operations from U.S. 98 to the toll bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. continuing through Thursday, June 30 as crews perform striping operations. There will be no work performed Friday through Sunday.
- S.R. 87 and S.R. 89 from S.R. 4 to the Alabama line – Intermittent and alternating lane closures and slow moving operations from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. continuing through Friday, July 15 as crews perform striping operations.
- U.S. 98 – Crews will perform striping operations and install raised pavement markers (RPMs) from the Pensacola Bay Bridge to Central Parkway (approximately nine miles) Sunday through Thursday nights through Thursday, June 30. Motorists may encounter minor traffic delays from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- S.R. 399 over U.S. 98 – Overnight repairs to the S.R. 399 southbound overpass over U.S. 98 will be in place from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. throughout the project. U.S. 98 will be reduced to one lane in each direction from Shoreline Drive to just east of S.R. 399 to allow westbound U.S. 98 traffic to be diverted to eastbound U.S. 98. Westbound U.S. 98 access to S.R. 399 will be closed. An on-site detour will direct traffic to turn left on Daniel Street, left on Shoreline Drive and then right on eastbound U.S. 98 to access S.R. 399 via the at grade on ramp.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling in a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Escambia Man Facing Up To Life For Molesting Child
June 5, 2016
An Escambia County man is facing up to life in prison after being convicted of molesting a child.
An Escambia County Jury convicted 32-year old James Anthony Stevenson of two counts of lewd or lascivious molestation, one count of lewd or lascivious Conduct, and one count of lewd or lascivious exhibition.
The case involved sexual abuse by Stevenson on a young boy, according to prosecutors. The child disclosed the abuse to his mother in January 2015.
Circuit Court Judge J. Scott Duncan scheduled sentencing for June 28. Stevenson faces up to life in prison and a minimum mandatory of 25 years state prison. Stevenson is already a designated as a sexual predator for committing an attempted sexual battery on a child in 2002.