Century Cuts Size Of Charter Review Committee Due To Declining Participation
June 24, 2022
The Town of Century has cut the size of their charter review committee nearly in half due to declining member participation.
The Century Town Council appointed an 11-member Century Charter Review Committee in August 2019 to explore the town charter — the document that establishes the town, outlines its powers and spells out how it should operate. The charter has not been updated in almost 40 years, and that often creates problems in the operation of the town.
The previous committee lost six members along the way, with just five people remaining by May 2021 when the council appointed three new members for a total of eight.
A simple majority of 6 of 11 members would be required for a vote. In April 2022, the committee improperly took a vote to approve minutes with just five members present, less than the required quorum.
This week, the Century Town Council voted to appoint the six remaining members as the entire committee, dropping the number needed for quorum to four in order to take a vote.
The six members are chair Mary Bourgeois, Shelisa McCall Abraham, Michelle Cunningham, Kathryn Fleming, Evelyn Hammond and Brenda Spencer.
Pictured: Member Evelyn Hammond reviews a draft charter during the last meeting of Century Charter Review Committee meeting in April. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Car Hauler Fire Shuts Down I-10 Exit Ramp
June 24, 2022
A car hauler fire closed an I-10 ramp Thursday afternoon.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the semi-truck was exiting I-10 to Davis Highway when the rear brakes of the truck caught fire. The driver, a 56-year old man from Miami, pulled over to the exit ramp shoulder. The fire spread to a reported four vehicles on the trailer before it was extinguished by Escambia Fire Rescue.
The exit ramp was closed for about an hour.
There were no injuries reported.
Amateur Radio Field Day Is This Weekend, And You’re Invited
June 24, 2022
The Five Flags Amateur Radio Association will hold their annual field day this weekend at Ashton Brosnaham Park, during “Amateur Radio Week” in Escambia County.
ARRL (American Radio Relay League) Field Day is an opportunity for thousands of amateur radio enthusiasts throughout the U.S. and Canada to set up temporary communications stations and make contact with like-minded people. Licensed radio operators, often called “hams,” spend the weekend practicing community outreach, emergency preparedness and technical skills.
For a photo gallery from last year’s event, click here.
Local hams participate in providing emergency communications during hurricanes and other disasters when normal communications are disabled and during local events like triathlons, bikeathons, parades or wherever real time communications are needed.
The public is invited to stop by anytime during the 24-hour event beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 25 at Ashton Brosnaham Park, 10370 Ashton Brosnaham Drive (just off East 10 Mile Road).
BRACE, Escambia Search and Rescue, OneBlood, Escambia County Fire Rescue, and Escambia County EMS will also be represented. The event is open to the public, and everyone is invited to stop by and see what amateur emergency radio communications can do.
The Escambia County Commission recently proclaimed June 20-26 as “Amateur Radio Week” in the county.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Chiefs Go 5-0 To Win Emerald Coast FCA Tournament
June 24, 2022
The Northview Chiefs won the TeamFCA Emerald Coast Fellowship of Christian Athletes 7 on 7 competition. The Chiefs went 5-0 in the tournament at Niceville. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Clinch First Half Title With 10-6 Win At Biloxi
June 24, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos clinched the First Half South Division title with a thrilling 10-6 win over the Biloxi Shuckers on Thursday night.
The Blue Wahoos are headed to the postseason for the sixth time in team history, their first time since 2019, and have claimed their first division title since 2017.
Zach McCambley (W, 3-4) took a no-hitter into the fifth inning and allowed only two runs over 5.2 innings in a clutch performance. The Blue Wahoos scored five runs in the ninth, enough to withstand a four-run Biloxi rally in the bottom half, to lock in their playoff spot.
After four scoreless innings, the Blue Wahoos took a 2-0 lead in the fifth on an RBI single from Bubba Hollins and an RBI double from Devin Hairston against Nick Bennett (L, 3-6). They extended the lead to 5-0 in the sixth thanks to a two-run double from Paul McIntosh and a pivotal passed ball that brought home another run.
McCambley didn’t allow a run until the sixth, when Jakson Reetz hit a two-out, two-run single to bring the score to 5-2, but Anthony Maldonado entered and came through with a strikeout of Felix Valerio to keep the Shuckers at bay.
Biloxi threatened again in the eighth, but Jefry Yan escaped a jam with an inning-ending double play against Thomas Dillard to preserve the 5-2 lead.
The Blue Wahoos exploded for five runs in the ninth against J.T. Hintzen, highlighted by another two-run double from McIntosh to take a 10-2 lead. Colton Hock allowed four runs on five hits in the ninth, but struck out Jason Lopez to end the game.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Shuckers on Friday.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
FHP Seeks Possible Witness To Fatal Highway 29 Wreck In Molino
June 23, 2022
The Florida Highway Patrol is seeking a possible witness to a fatal crash that happened on Highway 29 in Molino about 12:40 p.m. on June 10.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a driver lost control as his southbound Ford F150 pulling a utility trailer crossed over the median and overturned multiple times, coming to rest into the northbound lanes of Highway 29 between Highway 196 and Chance Road. Lance Smith, age 39 of Cantonment, was ejected and pronounced deceased on the scene by Escambia County EMS. A 16-year male passenger from Molino was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries.
Troopers said they are looking for a man that possibly witnessed the crash but did not call 911 or stay to provide a statement to law enforcement.
“He is NOT in trouble, we would just like to speak with him about what he observed that day,” FHP Lt. Jason King wrote in an email Thursday morning.
The possible witness was driving a dark colored (possibly black) Dodge Ram four door pickup truck with what appeared to be tinted windows, and possibly with a tool box in the bed. The actual truck is pictured above.
The driver was described as being about six-feet tall, about 250-300 pounds with short hair that is gray or salt-and-pepper colored. He is about 40-50 years old. Troopers believe is is familiar with the area of the crash and is possibly from the local area.
“This person is under no investigation. We would just like to speak with him as to what he observed that day,” King stressed.
Anyone with information on his identity or whereabouts is asked to call the Florida Highway Patrol at (850) 484-5000 and ask for, or leave a message for, Corporal A. Roeber or Corporal C. Knowles.
Pictured: A fatal crash on Highway 29 in Molino the afternoon of June. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Woman Charged With Aggravated Assault, Robbery For Allegedly Snatching A $3 Lighter
June 23, 2022
A Cantonment woman is facing felony charges after she allegedly pulled a knife on a woman and stole a lighter worth just $3.
Sandra Renee Lewis, 58, was charged with second degree felony robbery by sudden snatching with a weapon, and third degree felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Lewis accused the victim of stealing her cigarettes and lighter.
The victim was walking on Lake Street in Cantonment when Lewis approached. She then pulled a pocket knife, showed the blade and threatened to harm the victim, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report.
Lewis then reached and snatched the lighter from the woman’s waistband, the report continues.
Deputies were able to recover the lighter from Lewis, which was valued at $3, and return it to the victim.
On the way to the jail, Lewis made several statements about physically harming and killing the victim when she gets out of jail, according to the ECSO.
She was released on a $20,000 bond.
Jay’s Bray-Hendricks Park Closing July 1 For $4.5 Million In Improvements
June 23, 2022
The Bray-Hendricks Park in Jay will close July 1 for a $4.5 million renovation and improvement project.
The project will include a central concession stand encircled by four baseball and softball fields, two t-ball fields, two basketball courts, four tennis courts, soccer fields, a multi-use football field and amphitheater. New restrooms
and picnic pavilions will also be added to the sports complex.
The current playground and outdoor fitness court facilities will remain.
The park will be closed to the public on July 1 to begin demolition and disposal. Construction is estimated to be completed in one year.
The park project will be funded by the State of Florida, Santa Rosa County, Town of Jay and grant sources.
The Town of Jay will not host a fireworks show this year due to the construction and fireworks show cost.
Man Arrested For Damaging Two ECSO Vehicles
June 23, 2022
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has now arrested the man they say damaged two ECSO vehicles last week.
As we first reported, it happened at an apartment complex in the 8000 block of Pine Forest Road on June 15
Ceth Gates, 25, is charged with criminal mischief property damage and burglary. His bond was set at $70,000.
Pensacola Fitness Shooting Suspect Indicted For First Degree Premeditated Murder
June 23, 2022
An Escambia County grand jury has indicted the man accused of shooting and killing his ex-girlfriend last month at Pensacola Fitness.
Kennon Nicholas Farrow, 39, was indicted on charges of first degree premeditated murder with a firearm, violation of an injunction against domestic violence and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon for the fatal shooting May 24 at Pensacola Fitness on North 9th Avenue at Creighton Road.
At 4:25 a.m., Farrow allegedly entered the gym armed with a handgun and fired several shots at 48-year Carla Elaine Williams. She was hit multiple times and pronounced deceased at the scene.
Farrow fled the scene and was later arrested during a traffic stop at Nine Mile Road at Beulah Road.
Williams (pictured below) was a beloved associate math professor and former basketball star at Pensacola State College. She worked at PSC for over 24 years in athletics, collegiate high, and the math and computer science departments.
