FDOT’s Reconstruction Of Highway 29 In Century Will Cost The Town $377K They Don’t Have
August 4, 2022
A $3.3 million Florida Department of Transportation resurfacing and major safety improvement project on Highway 29 this winter will come with a big price tag for Century.
As we first reported in June, FDOT plans a major reconstruction of Highway 29 from just south of East Highway 4 to the Alabama state line. The project includes the roadway reconstruction, curb and gutter, drainage upgrades, signal loop replacement, driveway modifications, and sidewalks — all paid for by the state.
But Century is facing an estimated $377,411.65 cost to relocate their water, wastewater and natural gas lines due to the highway project.
It’s money that Century does not have.
FDOT will loan Century the money on a 15-year note at 0% interest.
Dale Long, Century’s engineer, told the town council this week that he plans to explore if the town’s new Rural Community designation might allow for forgiveness of all, or part, of the loan amount.
Pictured: Looking south into Florida on Highway 29 in Century. Pictured inset: Part of a Highway 29 safety improvement project will include the realignment of this curve. Graphics below show project details. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia One Of Nine Counties Included In New Opioid Recovery Program
August 4, 2022
Escambia County is one of nine counties in the state to be included in a new opioid recovery program announced Wednesday by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
DeSantis said the piloted substance abuse and recovery network addiction care – Coordinated Opioid Recovery (CORE) – is the first of its kind in the nation, according to the governor.
“Biden’s border crisis has caused a massive infusion of drugs coming into our state,” DeSantis said. “This year we increased the penalties for individuals trafficking drugs in our state, and now we are giving Floridians the tools they need to break the substance abuse cycle. Substance abuse can affect any family at any time, so from education to law enforcement to treatment we are going to make sure that Floridians can take advantage of this new addiction recovery model.”
Escambia County County EMS Chief David Torsell said recently that Escambia County leads the state in opioid overdose deaths.
“In my 26-year career, I have not seen as much death from overdose in such a short amount of time as I’ve been in Escambia County,” Torsell said. He’s been in Escambia County since June 1, 2021. “A very sad thing.”
As of August 1, Escambia EMS had responded to 1209 overdoses this year, with 37 of those in the last week.
“It is so vital for individuals contending with a substance use disorder to have access to the right array of services that will work for their individual needs,” said Department of Children and Families Secretary Shevaun Harris. “When agencies, stakeholders, and partners alike come together to bolster our state’s system of care, we can ensure that Floridians have access to comprehensive services when they need it most. Today’s announcement of the implementation of the CORE Network model throughout the state is yet another example of how the DeSantis administration is leveraging our state’s resources to help families move forward with dignity on their journey of recovery.”
“Addiction is heartbreaking for all involved, and we ultimately want to help people address the stress traumas that led them to addiction,” said State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo. “One day the standard of care will address the trauma and the stress, but until then we have the evidence-based practices that exist in place. This program is an applied, intensive application to managing addiction through powerful, effective practice that connects people to what they need to get out of the horrific cycle of addiction.”
The COREprogram was successfully piloted in Palm Beach County for nearly two years and will be expanding in up to 12 counties to break the overdose cycle. Floridians battling with addiction can utilize CORE for stabilization and to receive medical assisted treatment that is specialized to sustain a clean pathway to success. CORE will be expanded in two phases. Phase one counties include Escambia, Brevard, Clay, Duval,, Gulf, Manatee, Marion, Pasco, and Volusia counties.
District 5 Cottage Hill Neighborhood Cleanup Day Is Next Wednesday
August 4, 2022
Residents of Cottage Hill will have the opportunity to dispose of yard debris and other items free of charge Wednesday, August 10 during a District 5 Neighborhood Cleanup.
During neighborhood cleanups, Escambia County departments team up to bring services to residents in an effort to keep local neighborhoods clean and safe. Participating is easy: Residents in the cleanup area simply leave eligible items at the curb to be disposed of free of charge by Escambia County and partnering agencies.
All debris must be at the curb directly in front of residences in the area by 7 a.m. on the day of the cleanup. Tires and paint cans should be separate from all other debris. Debris piles should not be placed under low-hanging lines or near poles, fences or mailboxes. All items, including containers, will be collected.
Only residents in the designated cleanup area are able to participate in the neighborhood cleanup. Items left at the curb outside of the cleanup area will not be collected. The collection area is east of Highway 95A, between the side streets north of McKenzie Road to Eden Road and to the east of Williams Ditch Road (see map above).
Items eligible for removal include:
- Household appliances and electronics
- Household junk and debris
- Bicycles and toys
- Old furniture and mattresses
- Barbecue grills
- Household hazardous waste (old paint, motor oil, chemicals, batteries)
- Tires (limit 10 per household)
Items NOT eligible for removal include:
- Building materials (concrete, bricks, blocks, roofing, drywall or lumber)
- Explosives or ammunition
- Auto parts
- Dirt or sod
- Vehicles or vessels
- 55-gallon drums of fluids
The neighborhood cleanup initiative involves an aggressive cleanup effort, targeting different neighborhoods throughout the county, with crew members and volunteers picking up a variety of debris and waste, including electronics, furniture and household items.
Since 2016, more than 4,696 tons (9,392,000 pounds) of debris were collected and disposed of through the Community Redevelopment Agency’s Safe Neighborhood Program.
Biscuits Hand The Wahoos A Walk-Off Loss
August 4, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos were handed a bitter walk-off loss in their series opener against the Montgomery Biscuits on Wednesday night, falling 6-5 on a game-ending wild pitch in the bottom of the ninth.
Griffin Conine’s go-ahead three-run homer in the sixth for Pensacola was overshadowed by a game-tying home run from Montgomery’s Greg Jones in the ninth, setting the stage for the walk-off wild pitch that scored Osleivis Basabe with the winning run.
Pensacola starter Zach King was ambushed for three hits and a pair of runs in the first, but settled down to get through 4.1 innings without any further damage. An RBI single from Demetrius Sims in the third and a sacrifice fly from Troy Johnston in the fourth against Biscuits stasrter Evan McKendry tied things up 2-2.
In the sixth, Conine went deep to right-center field for a go-ahead homer to put the Blue Wahoos ahead 5-2. It was the team-leading 17th home run for Conine, and his third in as many games.
Montgomery scored an unearned run against Justin Evans in the bottom of the sixth, but Josh Simpson (L, 5-2) retired the Biscuits in order in the seventh and eighth. After a 1-2-3 top of the ninth for Biscuits reliever Graeme Stinson (W, 1-0), Simpson came back out for a third inning of work and walked Brett Wisely before serving up the game-tying homer to Greg Jones. After a walk and a single put runners at the corners with one out, Dylan Bice entered and threw a pitch in the dirt to bring home Basabe with the winning run.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series in Montgomery on Thursday with a doubleheader to make up Tuesday’s rainout.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
FDLE Investigating Death Of Inmate From Escambia County At Blackwater Correctional
August 3, 2022
The death of an inmate from Escambia County is under investigation at the Blackwater River Correctional Facility in Milton.
Andrew Alexander Thompson, 35, died on July 27, according to the Florida Department of Corrections. A cause of the death has not been released due to an ongoing investigation by FDLE and the Office of Inspector General.
Thompson was sentenced in March to 45 years in prison on 12 counts of possession of child pornography and one count of sexual activity involving animals.
The charges stemmed from an investigation conducted by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. During the execution of a search warrant at Thompson’s home, law enforcement found multiple hard drives, a phone, and a computer that contained child pornography. It was later determined that the he possessed over 2,000 images and videos of child pornography.
During the course of the investigation, it was found that Thompson recorded himself participating in sexual activity with a dog in the home.
After the trial, prosecuting attorney Carrie Gilmer stated, “Based off of everything discovered during this investigation, this defendant posed a serious danger to the community. This sentence was needed to protect and prevent the continued victimization of children.”
Blackwater is a private prison under contract with the Florida Department of Management Services (DMS), according to Deputy Communications Director Molly Best with FDC
“We can confirm that an inmate died at Blackwater River Correctional Facility on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 and the incident is under investigation by Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) with assistance from the Office of Inspector General,” Debbie Hall with DMS stated in an email to NorthEscambia.com.
One Injured In Highway 97 Rollover Crash Early Wednesday Morning
August 3, 2022
One person received minor injuries in a single vehicle rollover crash early Wednesday morning in Walnut Hill.
A pickup truck left the roadway and overturned in a ditch on Highway 97 just south of North Highway 99 about 3:30 a.m.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS responded.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Early Morning Fire Heavily Damages McDavid Home
August 3, 2022
Fire heavily damaged a home in McDavid early Wednesday morning.
The fire was reported about 4:30 a.m. in the 1500 block of North Century Boulevard, about 1.5 miles north of the McDavid Fire Station.
Firefighters arrived on scene to find flames from a window and heavy smoke coming from the eaves of the home. The occupant of the home was able to escape the fire without serious injuries.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Northbound Highway 29 was completely closed for about an hour as firefighters worked.
The McDavid, Walnut Hill and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded, along with the Flomaton Fire Department and Escambia County EMS.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Hitting Woman With Bar Stool, Punching Her
August 3, 2022
A Cantonment man was charged after allegedly hitting a woman in the head with a bar stool and punching her.
Dimitiri DyShawn Bryant, 43, was charged with felony aggravated battery using a deadly weapon, and misdemeanor battery.
The victim told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that she was working in a food trailer on Highway 29 when she heard a door open. When she turned around, Bryant threw a wooden bar stool, hitting her in the head before punching her in the face and ripping hair from her head, according to an arrest report.
A deputy noted that had injuries consistent with her allegations, and hair was on the floor of the food trailer. Bryant is the son of the food trailer owner and had dated the victim in the past, the report notes.
In an unrelated incident involving a second victim, Bryant was charged with battery after he allegedly grabbed a woman and held her down against her will at a residence on Moreno Court. He also punched her in the face, and bit her on the chest and arm, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Bryant was released on a $2,000 bond.
Century Spends Large Chunk Of American Rescue Plan Funds On Sewer Equipment
August 3, 2022
The Century Town Council voted Tuesday night to spend a large portion of the American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds they’ve received so far on wastewater equipment.
For an even $200,000, Century will buy a vacuum trailer, bypass pump, a water pump and a “jetter trailer” with sewer machine and camera system. A jetter trailer uses high pressure water to clear sewage blockages.
Century has received $462,287.83 in APRA funds to date, and a second payment of the same amount is being processed.
The funding is fairly significant for the town. Century has a $5.7 million budget for fiscal year 2021-2022, with a large part of that coming from grants.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Woman, 72, Convicted Of Shooting Neighbor Six Times
August 3, 2022
A 72-year old Escambia County woman has been convicted of attempted second degree murder.
Yagaunda Grace Buschbaum shot her neighbor six times at Myrtle Grove Villas on Lillian Highway. He survived critical injuries.
Three days before the shooting, Buschbaum made a false complaint of burglary against the victim, resulting in a warrant for his arrest. On the night of the shooting, she called law enforcement to come serve the warrant. Before law enforcement arrived, Buschbaum lured the victim closer to the back door of her apartment under the pretense of giving him a gift, then shot him six times and claimed he was trying to break into her apartment.
“Buschbaum had developed romantic feelings for him and he believes wanted a relationship with him, but he had zero interest,” according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report. She allegedly tried to kiss him, but he was forced to physically stop her.
Buschbaum will be sentenced in late November. She faces up to life in prison and must serve a mandatory minimum of 25 years.