Century Extends, Expands Contract For Town Management Services With South Florida Company
June 5, 2024
The Century Town Council voted Tuesday night to extend and expand a contract with a South Florida company to manage many of the town’s operations.
In December 2023, the town accepted the city manager proposal after newly appointed Century interim Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. told the council that he would need help to properly run the town.
“I know that I am in over my head, but I don’t want the town of Century to suffer due to my lack of experience in this position,” Gomez told his town council a few minutes after he was sworn in in late August.
In December, the town contracted with contract with Local Government Consulting Group (LGCG) of West Palm Beach for up to six months for $7,500 per month.
Under a contract amendment approved Tuesday night, the rate for LGCG will increase to $8,000 per month for town manager services for six months. The town will pay an additional $3,000 per month for grant writing services and $175 per hour for Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Consulting Services.
LGCG will also service as “Coordinator of Ongoing Projects Services” for $40 per hour.
LGCG representatives Howard W. Brown Jr., Erin Connelly, and Cheryl Harrison-Lee will provide the various services.
The contract amendment will extend the original agreement for an additional six months from the expiration of the original contract term on June 13, 2024. The town plans to pay for the services from America Rescue Plan funding and their CRA fund.
Florida Approves NIL Deals For High School Student Athletes
June 5, 2024
Florida is now the 31st state to allow high school student-athletes to make money from their name, image, and likeness.
The Florida High School Athletic Association on Tuesday approved NIL agreements effective with the next school years, pending ratification by the State Board of Education on July 24.
A student-athlete may profit from the use of their own NIL. Permissible activities include, but are not limited to, commercial endorsements, promotional activities, social media presence, product, or service advertisements.
A NIL agreement is limited to the athlete’s high school period of athletic eligibility and will not extend beyond graduation. They will not be allowed to use uniforms, logos, or mascots from their school. They cannot endorse or promote anything during school or district sponsored events and can’t reference their school accolades or championships. Politics and adult entertainment products and services are off-limits.
Schools will be able to use NIL activities to recruit, and transfer students will be prohibited in most cases from entering into a NIL agreement during their transfer season.
Pictured: The Tate Aggies host the West Florida Jaguars on October 6, 2023. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Approaches 40 Miles Of District 5 Dirt Roads Paved In Just Over Decade
June 5, 2024
With the recent approval to pave two additional roads, Escambia County’s dirt road paving projects in District 5 are approaching near 40 miles of roadway in just over a decade, representing about a $15.9 million investment into improving roadway connectivity and infrastructure.
The projects are in addition to numerous capital improvement projects completed in District 5, including sidewalks, bridges, road resurfacing and drainage improvements.
“Enhancing our infrastructure for residents of District 5 continues to be a high priority for Escambia County, and these numbers are a testament to that,” District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said. “While many of us enjoy a more rural lifestyle in District 5, it is imperative that we also provide roadways that connect our communities and allow for safer transportation. I’d like to thank staff for their hard work to complete these important projects, and I look forward to continuing to make improvements throughout District 5.”
The county is approaching a 40 mile dirt road paving total since 2012 in District 5 with the recent approval of a roadway and drainage system on Four Star Farm Road and with pavin a section a Rockey Branch Road and realigning the roadway with a previously paved portion of Rockey Branch Road. Four Star Farm Road is expected to be completed in April 2025, and Rockey Branch Road is expected to be completed in August 2025.
The projects are managed by the Escambia County Engineering Department. The Four Star Farms project contract was awarded to Site and Utility, LLC for $1,076,908.75. The Rockey Branch Road $781,081.21 project was awarded to Roads Inc. of NWF.
Below are the dirt roads paved in District 5, according to Escambia County, since 2012.
DRP=”Dirt Road Paving” project
Constructed:
- Brickyard Road DRP
- Bratt Road DRP Phase 1
- Brickyard Road Phase 2A
- Brickyard Road Phase 2B
- Bratt Road DRP Phase 2
- Eastman Lane
- Barrineau Park Road DRP
- Campbell Road, Carnley Road, Sprow Road, Hagan Road, Boat Ramp Road, Old Ferry Road and Flossie
- Road DRP
- Enon School Road DRP
- Lambert Bridge Road DRP
- Hicks Street DRP
- O.C. Phillips DRP
- Luth Road DRP
- Becks Lake DRP
- Caro St DRP
- Greenland Road DRP
- Cecils DRP
- Macks Road DRP
- Crary DRP
- Morton DRP
- Bradberry DRP
- Miller Road DRP Phase I
- Killam Road DRP
- Thompson, McNeal DRP
- Cotton Lake DRP
- Camp Road DRP
- Hall Road DRP
- Water Tank DRP
- Lambert Bridge Road DRP Phase II
- Blueberry Lane DRP
- Ashcraft Road
- Whirlpool Road
- Siglar Road
- Pine Barren Church DRP
- Salter’s Lake Rd
Pre-construction:
- Four Star Farms Road
- Rockey Branch Road
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos’ Eighth-Inning Lead Evaporates In 6-3 Loss To M-Braves
June 5, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
First pitches quickly became outs. Innings flew by in minutes. There was still sunlight during the seventh-inning stretch.
And then, the Blue Wahoos had a potential record-speed win fade into darkness of a laborious eighth inning and loss.
The Mississippi Braves followed a leadoff out into a six-run rally for an eventual 6-3 victory against the Blue Wahoos to start an intriguing Tuesday night of their six-game series at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The Blue Wahoos led 1-0 into the eighth inning.
This game on “Doggone Tuesday” with fans bringing their beloved dogs to the ballpark, featured a repurposed, veteran Major League infielder David Fletcher continuing his bizarre buzz in the baseball world as a knuckleball pitcher.
Making his M-Braves debut, his second minor league start, Fletcher raised attention by throwing six, solid innings with his fluttering, 60-something, miles-per-hour knucklers. He allowed just two hits, both in the first inning, as the Blue Wahoos couldn’t get solid contact with his pitches.
Fletcher was recently acquired in a December trade with the Atlanta Braves. When joining the Braves, Fletcher mentioned his desire to become a knuckleball pitcher.
He is being paid $6.1 million this season, part of a $25 million contract extension he signed with the Angels following his best MLB season in 2020 when he garnered American League MVP votes as a second baseman.
Fletcher, who turned 30 on May 31, made his first mound start last week with the Gwinnett Braves, the Atlanta Braves’ Triple-A affiliate. He is scheduled to start twice this week in Pensacola with the M-Braves. He’s down to be the starter on Sunday to close out the series.
In the first inning, Fletcher’s flutterers were hit the hardest. Blue Wahoos catcher Joe Mack hit a one-out double and Nathan Martorella followed with an RBI single. Zach Zubia flew out deep to left for the second out and from that point, Fletcher retired 11 of the next 13 batters he faced.
Meanwhile, Blue Wahoos starter Jonathan Bermúdez dazzled with a no-hitter through five innings. He gave up an infield single in the sixth, then pitched out of a two-on, one-out jam to match his longest start this season.
But in the eighth inning against reliever Patrick Murphy, the M-Braves batted around the order following a leadoff strikeout. The next six batters reached base – four of those on hits – as the Blue Wahoos’ 1-0 lead became a five-run deficit. The rally earned a second win for former Pensacola State College pitcher Patrick Halligan, who threw a scoreless seventh inning.
The Blue Wahoos got a pair of runs back in the eighth and had two more runners on base when the M-Braves’ bullpen ended the threat.
The Blue Wahoos (27-24) will have Luis Palacios start Wednesday’s second game of the series against M-Braves ace and rising prospect Ian Mejia (5-0, 1.45 ERA) who tossed a seven-inning, no-hitter win earlier this season.
GAME NOTABLES
— Recent UWF graduate Tris Weeks sung the National Anthem while playing her guitar as she continues pursuit of her musical career.
— The Blue Wahoos had a 20-0 success rate when leading in the seventh inning before Tuesday’s loss.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Mississippi Braves vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Wednesday, 6:05 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
Ascension Has Restored Much Of Its Patient Tech After ‘Cybersecurity Incident’
June 4, 2024
Ascension Healthcare and Ascension Sacred Heart have restored much of its patient documentation technology following a May cyberattack.
Tuesday an Ascension spokesperson said:
“Ascension Sacred Heart has restored the primary technology used for electronic patient documentation in care settings. This will allow most hospital departments, physician offices and clinics to use electronic documentation, charting, and ordering systems. Patients should see improved efficiencies and wait times. Our team continues to work tirelessly to restore other ancillary technology systems.”
In the days following the attack, Ascension reported unavailability of their electronic health records system, MyChart (which enables patients to view their medical records and communicate with their providers), some phone systems, and various systems utilized to order certain tests, procedures, and medications.
In the early hours of the intrusion, Ascension was diverting ambulances and patients to other hospitals.
The hospital system engaged Mandiant, a third-party expert, to assist in the investigation and remediation process, and we have notified the appropriate authorities. They were working to fully investigate what information, if any, may have been affected by the situation. They planned to notify and support those individuals in accordance with all relevant regulatory and legal guidelines.
Boil Water Notice Issued For Cottage Hill Water Works Customers On Cedar Tree Lane
June 4, 2024
The June 4, 2024 “PRECAUTIONARY BOIL WATER NOTICE” for Cedar Tree Ln, andCedar Park Dr, is hereby rescinded following the satisfactory completion of the bacteriological survey showing that the water is safe to drink.
A precautionary boil water notice has been issued for Cottage Hill Water Works customers on Cedar Tree Lane.
System upgrades continue on Cedar Tree Lane and resulted in a disruption of water service Tuesday. The area affected includes all residents and meters located on Cedar Tree Lane from Cedar Point Road to Highway 29.
The utility is advising, as a precaution, that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative bottled water may be used.
This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
This story will be updated with the boil water notice is rescinded.
Cantonment Man Charged With Contracting Without A License, Grand Theft, Fraud
June 4, 2024
A Cantonment contractor is accused of not installing an HVAC unit despite accepting payment and contracting without a license.
Corey Paul Grandpre was charged with grand theft and contractor fraud, both felonies. The State Attorney’s Office also filed a charge of engaging in business as a contractor without being registered or certified against him.
The alleged victim told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that Grandpre cashed a $5,400 check on November 30, 2022, for the installation of a new HVAC system for his home, according to an arrest report.
The victim said Grandpre provided nothing but excuses as to why the HVAC work was never done, but there was never a contract because they were acquaintances. The victim provided deputies with an image of the check, a demand letter to Grandpre dated March 19, 2024, and a certified mail receipt dates March 20, 2024.
The State Attorney’s Office said Grandpre engaged in contracting without a license between October 26, 2023, and January 24, 2024.
Grandpre was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $21,000 bond.
Veterans Outreach Events Thursday In Davisville, July 10 In Molino
June 4, 2024
The Escambia County Veterans Services Office has two upcoming public meetings in North Escambia to give veterans a chance to discuss benefits with an accredited veterans services officer.
Assistance is provided on a first-come, first-served basis at no charge. No appointment is required.
Meetings will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the following dates at community centers in North Escambia:
- Thursday, June 6: Davisville Community Center, 10200 Highway 97 in Davisville
- Wednesday, July 10: Molino Community Center, 6450 Highway 95A in Molino.
Escambia County Veterans Services Office staff members will be available to help with topics including reviewing VA benefits, filing a VA claim, and reevaluating VA disability.
For more information, contact the Veterans Services Office at (850) 595-2409 or email VSO@myescambia.com. Learn more about Escambia County’s Veterans Services Office at MyEscambia.com/veterans-services.
A previous outreach was held April 5 in Byrneville.
Walnut Hill Man Charged With Felony Weapon Possession, Fined $6,525 After His Cows Got Loose
June 4, 2024
A Walnut Hill man was arrested on a felony weapon charge and fined over $6,500 last month after his cows got loose on Highway 97 last month.
Bryce Carson Griffith, 43, was charged with possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. He was released from jail on a $5,000 bond.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a complaint of loose cows in the 9700 block of Highway 97, near Pine Forest Road in Davisville. The complainant told deputies that he had seen Griffith on horseback attempting to retrieve the cows and that he had fired a gun twice to scare the cows back toward his property.
Deputies later made contact with Griffith at his Highway 4 residence, and he admitted to deputies that he had used a gun to round up his cattle, an arrest repour states. He retrieved the rifle from his truck, and it contained one spent casing in the chamber and one live round in the magazine, the report continued.
According to the ECSO, Griffith was convicted in Texas of harassment of a public servant in 2010 and assault on a public servant and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon in 2023.
Escambia County Animal Control cited Griffith with 21 counts of animals roaming at large and 21 counts of animal nuisance for 21 head of cattle that were roaming at large and grazing on a church’s property. The total fine including surcharges and cost was $6,525.
In 2023, animal control fined Griffith $2,730 for three horses that were in the road and nine dogs that had no proof of rabies vaccination and no water, according to court records.
Tate Aggies Holding Youth Football Camp June 6-7
June 4, 2024
The Tate Aggies football team will host a Youth Camp June 6-7.
The event will be held from 5-7 p.m. each day. The cost is 50 and includes a t-shirt.
The camp is open to incoming kindergarten students to eight grade.
Players will run through drills and basic fundamentals based on grade. Participants should bring shoes or cleats to practice and water bottle.