Update: Boil Water Notice Rescinded For Cottage Hill Water Works Customers On Williams Ditch Road
September 21, 2022
UPDATE: This boil water notice was rescinded on September 21 follow the satisfactory completion of a bacteriological survey showing that the water is safe to drink.
A precautionary boil water notice has been issued for Williams Ditch Road due a water main break just over a week ago and continued repairs in the area.
A boil water notice was issued for William Ditch Road on September 12 after the water main break and rescinded on September 13. But the water company said new repair work led to the reissuance of a boil water notice on Monday, September 19.
Cottage Hill Water Works advises residents of the area that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient, or as an alternative bottled water may be used.
This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
If you have any questions call (850) 968-5485.
This story will be updated when the notice is rescinded.
Divided Escambia School Board Votes To Not Discuss Superintendent’s Contract
September 21, 2022
The Escambia County School Board killed any discussion about terminating Superintendent Tim Smith’s contract Tuesday evening.
An agenda item to discuss Smith’s contract was added to the agenda on Monday, but the board approved the agenda with the exception of the contract.
“I would like to ask for the just cause for adding the item under the board action,” board member Patty Hightower asked, without specifically saying anything about the subject matter of the item — the discussion of Smith’s contract. When asked which item, she referred to it as “the last minute addition that came less than 24 hours before this meeting”, again with mentioning the actual subject matter.
“And you were the one that made that decision, Mr. Chair,” Hightower said to board chairman Kevin Adams.
“I did, I did,” Adams said.
“What was the immediacy of the issue?” she said.
“What I am going to do is chair, and what I have done is chair,” Adams responded. “I’m not going to stop anybody that wants to discuss about the item. That’s not my position…As chair, if you come to me and say you want to add something, I don’t feel like it’s my responsibility to say no to you.”
“I think that the lateness of the add, the lack of communication, less than 24 hours — I was completely caught blindsided. People calling me, asking me. They knew. I didn’t know,” District 5 member Bill Slayton said, adding that he felt it was an error on the part of Adams. and Fetsko.
Dr. Laura Edler asked, “I too would like to know, what was the urgency to put that on the agenda at the 13th hour?”
The board’s attorney told Adams that it was his decision whether or not the discussion remained on the agenda.
“I’m OK with leaving it on,” Adams replied.
Slayton then made a motion to approve the agenda, minus the discussion item on Smith’s contract. A second was made by Edler.
Fetsko, who asked for the contract discussion to be added to the agenda, said, “I am listening to the majority of the board at this time.”
The motion to approve the agenda without the superintendent contract discussion, passed 3-2 with Adams and Fetsko voted against (which would have continued with the discussion).
The board did not discuss if Smith’s contract might be part of a future meeting.
In November 2018, Escambia County citizens voted to move from an elected to an appointed superintendent, and Smith took office in November 2020.
Escambia Approves Static Millage Rate, Defined As A Tax Increase, And $654.5 Million Budget
September 21, 2022
The Escambia County Commission Tuesday evening gave final approval to a static property tax rate for next fiscal year, which is defined by the state as a tax increase.
The final aggregate millage rate is 7.4679, which is not an increased millage rate but is a 13.20% increase over the rolled back rate of 6.5969 mills.
The rolled back rate is a computed millage rate that would generate the same amount of ad valorem tax dollars as the prior fiscal year, based on the proposed year’s tax roll, excluding new construction. A millage rate higher than the rolled-back rate is defined by the State of Florida as a tax increase and was advertised as such.
The county also adopted a budget of almost $654.5 million for the next fiscal year, which begins October 1. The new budget is 15.17% more than the current-year’s $568.26 million.
To read the budget summary, click or tap here.
Reminder: Wednesday Is An Early Release Day For Escambia Schools
September 21, 2022
Wednesday, September 21, is an early release day for public schools in Escambia County.
All schools will serve breakfast and lunch to students on the early release day. Regular modes of student transportation will be provided.
Other early release days this school year are scheduled for November 2, December 20, February 1 and May 23.
Early release days provide teachers and staff regular opportunities for professional development.
Release times are listed below. For additional information, contact your child’s school.
Atmore Man Charged With Attempted Murder After Alleged Drive-by Shooting
September 21, 2022
An Atmore man has been charged with attempted murder after an alleged drive-by shooting.
Eric Montrey Frye, 31, drove past a residence on Curtis Street and fired twice, according to the Atmore Police Department.
One of the victims followed Frye and provided an update on his location. Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Frye’s vehicle, and he “made several evasive maneuvers and pulled into a driveway”, according to Atmore Police Sgt. Darrell McMann. He was taken into custody without further incident.
Police said a 9mm semi-automatic handgun was recovered from the vehicle.
Frye was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center without bond.
Century Proclamations Honor The Lives Of Willie Dortch And Regi Burkett
September 21, 2022
The Town of Century issued proclamations Tuesday night honoring the lives of two longtime residents that passed away recently after serving their community for decades.
Willie C. Dortch passed away September 10. A proclamation from Mayor Ben Boutwell described him as a “pillar” in the town. A heavy equipment operator by trade, he spent his own time and materials as groundskeeper at the Century Cemetery and worked to serve his community in any way that he could.
Regi Burkett passed away August 20. Burkett spent nearly 40 years in the fire service for his community, retiring as chief of the Century Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue. “Burkett’s fight for the people of the Town of Century was both resolute and uncompromising,” according to the mayor’s proclamation.
After accepting the proclamation, Burkett’s widow Ann said he dedicated his life “to getting everything the department needed, and the Town of Century and the surrounding communities what they needed in fire protection” while doing what he loved.
Pictured top: Regi Burkett’s widow Ann Burkett accepts a proclamation in his honor during a meeting of the Century Town Council Tuesday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Tate Volleyball Tops West Florida (With Gallery)
September 21, 2022
Tate High School volleyball defeated West Florida Tuesday night with the Aggies taking three of four sets.
The Lady Aggies also honored educators during a teacher appreciation night.
Up next, Tate will host Gulf Breeze Thursday night.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Photos by Matt Durham for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Registration Underway For Tri-City Children’s Choir
September 21, 2022
Registration is underway for the second season of the Tri-City Children’s Choir (TCCC), a regional initiative of the Pensacola Children’s Chorus.
TCCC welcomes young singers in grades 1-6 who reside in Century, Flomaton, Jay and the surrounding areas.
The choir will one again be under the direction of Holley Driver, a Century-based music teacher.
Singers will meet weekly on Thursdays from 4:30 until 5:15 p.m from October 6 to December 15 at Century First United Methodist Church, 530 Church Street. A performance is scheduled for December 16. TCCC is a tuition-based program and costs from $15 to $65 per week. Families may choose the weekly amount that works best for their household finances, and scholarships are also available.
For more information on joining the choir, or make a contribution, visit www.tricitychoir.org.
Driver directed the TCCC during their first season this past spring. She taught music in the Escambia County School District for over 15 years, served as the choral director at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino for nine years, and teaches in her own studio.
If you need more information, call Driver at (850) 324-6182.
Pictured: A May 2022 by the Tri-City Children’s Choir. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Truck Rolls Over On I-10
September 20, 2022
A driver received minor injuries when his truck and trailer overturned on I-10 Tuesday morning in Escambia County.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the 55-year old man from Atlanta was driving east on I-10 approaching the Highway 29 exit at 10:17 a.m. when he “failed to maintain single lane of travel and failed to use due care”. That caused his truck to drift off the interstate onto the shoulder of the roadway.
The load shifted, according to FHP, when the driver overcorrected, causing the truck to overturn.
I-10 was reopened by 11:40 a.m.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Transported After Highway 29, Tate School Road Wreck
September 20, 2022
A morning crash caused traffic delays on Highway 29 at Tate School Road Tuesday morning.
One person was transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital after the crash that heavily damaged two vehicles.
The Florida Highway Patrol investigated the crash and has not released additional information. The Cantonment Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
