Escambia School Superintendent Candidates Interviewed; Selection Set For Tuesday
August 28, 2020
The four finalists to be the next Escambia County’s next school superintendent were in the hot seat Thursday for questions from the school board and public. One of them will be named superintendent next Tuesday.
The finalist are Dr. Earl Johnson, executive director of leadership/operations for the Flagler County Schools with 13,000 students; Keith C. Rittel, superintendent in Provo Utah, with 18,000 students; Dr. Timothy A. Smith, executive director of high schools in Orange County with 212,000 students; and Keith Leonard, assistant superintendent of human resources in Escambia County with 40,500 students.
Each faced a series of question from the Escambia County School Board Thursday, and each finalist had 15 minutes Thursday night to answer questions submitted by community members. The interviews are available on the Escambia County School District YoutTube channel.
The finalists will individually meet one on one with each school board member on Friday.
The Escambia County School Board is scheduled to name the next superintendent Tuesday evening. Contract negotiations with the man selected will begin on Tuesday, and the board will vote on ratifying the contract on September 15.
In November 2018, Escambia County citizens voted to move from an elected to an appointed superintendent. Malcolm Thomas, the current elected superintendent, will retire in November.
Images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gibson Road Bridge In Molino Fails FDOT Inspection, One Lane Closed
August 28, 2020
The eastbound lane of the Gibson Road bridge over Alligator Creek in Molino is closed after the bridge failed a Florida Department of Transportation inspection.
A county official said Thursday that the lane will remain closed as a repair plan is formulated and implemented.
Gibson Road runs between Highway 97 and Crabtree Church Road. The 78-foot long wood-supported bridge was built in 1959.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Gulf Power Team Of 180 Heads To Help Restore Power After Hurricane Laura
August 28, 2020
A storm team of 180 Gulf Power employees and contractors left Thursday to help with power restoration efforts in Louisiana after Hurricane Laura.
Traveling with the team is Gulf Power’s new community response vehicle, which can serve as a mobile command center for the crews as well as a charging station for customers that are without power.
Gulf Power joins its sister company, Florida Power & Light, who sent more than 900 employees and contractors earlier this week to assist Entergy Louisiana and Entergy Texas with their restoration efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura.
“These communities are in dire need of help after having two tropical systems impact them – including a major hurricane. We are honored to be able to assist – just as so many have stepped up to help us in the past,” said Marlene Santos, president of Gulf Power. “We are in unprecedented times as we deal with a global pandemic and an extremely active hurricane season. As we aid our fellow utilities in restoring power, we will take every precaution to keep both our crews and the communities we will be working in safe.”
Gulf Power sent teams to support FPL earlier this month as Isaias brushed along the Florida coast as it headed north. Crews from both companies recently returned from working in New Jersey after Hurricane Isaias knocked out power to millions in the Northeast. Now, this deployment for Hurricane Laura marks the second time this month that Gulf Power and FPL deployed employees and contractors will work to support power restoration efforts following a hurricane.
The crews will follow COVID-19 safety guidelines to keep everyone safe, including social distancing, increased sanitation measures and wearing masks where appropriate. In addition, the crews are planning to be self-sufficient to limit contact with other teams. Signs on trucks remind the public to honor the 6 feet social distancing requirements that help keep the crews safe while they work.
When Gulf Power puts a team together to travel and assist other utilities, its first consideration is ensuring enough crews remain in Northwest Florida to maintain reliability at home and that no severe tropical weather systems are forecast to impact the area in the coming days.
Atmore Man Facing Multiple Weapons And Drug Charges After Search Warrant
August 28, 2020
An Atmore man is facing multiple charges after a authorities executed a search warrant in Atmore, locating guns and drugs.
Austin James Gray, Jr., age 42, was charged with possession of marijuana first degree, trafficking in synthetic cannabis, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and being a certain person forbidden to possess a firearm.
Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks said agents and officers with the Escambia and Monroe County Alabama Drug Enforcement Task Force, Atmore Police Department, Poarch Drug Task Force, Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Department and the Alabama Department of Corrections executed a search warrant at 618 Franklin Street in Atmore.
Agents located a duffel bag with approximately 1.61 kilogram of synthetic cannabis (spice), 125 grams of marijuana and numerous scales and baggies for distribution, Brooks said, along with firearms.
According to jail records, he remained in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton Friday without bond due to a probation violation.
Editor’s note: The “Inmate” watermark was added to the photo by jail software.
Alabama Governor Extends Safer At Home Order, Mask Mandate Until October
August 28, 2020
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Thursday extended her state’s Safer at Home order until October 2.
The order includes a statewide mask mandate that requires individuals to wear a mask or other facial covering when in public and in close contact with other people.
More information on the amended order, which was previously set to expire on August 31, is in the graphic below, click to enlarge.
Tate High School Placed On Lockdown Due To A Gunshot — And Snake
August 27, 2020
Tate High School was place on a brief lockdown early Thursday afternoon due to a gunshot — and snake.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said someone at the school heard a gunshot, called deputies and the school was placed on a precautionary lockdown. An investigation by school resource officers and patrol deputies traced the gunshot to a nearby home.
That’s where they discovered the resident had “shot a big snake as they had all legal rights to do”, according to ECSO Maj. Andrew Hobbs. The snake was pronounced dead at the scene.
“The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office believes student safety is paramount, as does the Escambia County School District, so we take all precautions as we investigate a situation involving our schools,” Hobbs said.
Category 4 Hurricane Laura Makes Landfall Near Cameron, Louisiana With 150 MPH Winds
August 27, 2020
Category 4 Hurricane Laura made landfall at 1 a.m. Thursday near Cameron, Louisiana with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph.
Laura will continue to move inland across Louisiana into Arkansas. The forecast track is below.
ECUA Approves Sanitation Rate Increase
August 27, 2020
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority has approved a sanitation rate increase.
The 2% increase was approved by the ECUA board 4-0, with District 5 member Larry Walker not yet in the Zoom meeting. The increase applies to all ECUA sanitation services from residential to commercial dumpsters.
For a single family residential customer with one 90 gallon or smaller container, the 2% increase will increase their rate by 38 cents from $24.16 to $24.54.
The rate increase goes into effect October 1. It applies to the collection portion of each bill charged by ECUA, but a disposal fee that’s part of the bill remains constant.
First Inmate COVID-19 Death Reported At Century Prison Where Half Of The Inmates Tested Positive
August 27, 2020
The first COVID-19 inmate death has been reported at the Century Correctional Institution.
The death was reported by the Florida Department of Corrections on Wednesday.
Over half of the inmates tested at Century CI have tested positive for the virus. As of Wednesday night, 766 inmates have tested positive, 748 have tested negative and 10 are awaiting test results. A total of 38 staff members have also tested positive for COVID-19.
There were 443 inmates in medical quarantine Wednesday.
Testing has been offered to all CCI inmates, and each one is being monitored daily, according to FDC. All services, including medical and meals, are being provided to inmates within their housing units.
The name of the inmate that died has not been released.
Century Applying For $312K Loan For Wastewater System Repairs. Most Won’t Be Repaid.
August 27, 2020
The Town of Century is applying for a state loan to make wastewater system repairs, but they won’t be required to repay most of it.
According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Century is eligible for a $312,518 loan from the State Revolving Fund Program with a 90% principal forgiveness. That equates to $251,266 the town won’t be required to repay.
The town will pledge water and sewer revenues for repayment of the loan.
The Century Town Council has authorized the loan application, which much be submitted by September 10. If the loan is granted, the binding agreements must be repaid by by December 9.