Some Consolidation Committee Members Did Not Support Plan
January 25, 2010
The plan for a new consolidated government in Escambia County was not fully supported by the committee that created it.
When the Escambia County Consolidation study commission completed their plan to consolidate the governments of Escambia County, the City of Pensacola and the Town of Century, four members voted against the proposal.
C.J. Lewis, representing the Pensacola City Council; Gary Montee, representing Sheriff David Morgan; Doris Harris,representing Clerk of the Court Ernie Lee Magaha; and Sharon Barnett, representing the League of Women Voters, all cast votes against the plan’s final draft.
“Even though I voted against the plan, I worked as hard as I could to make the plan the best it could be because if it did get on the ballot and passed I knew I’d have to live with it,” Lewis said.
Lewis said he tried to look at “what’s broken with our local governments that can only be fixed by consolidating two or more governments”, but he could not find anything. “The problems we did identify all seem relatively minor and can be solved by realigning resources or better communication and collaboration.”
All but four of the 25 members on the consolidation committee either live or work in Pensacola. Only three members directly or specifically represented North Escambia in some manner.
The Town of Century’s representative, Charles Scott, Jr, voted for the plan. The Century Town Council, however, voter earlier this year to withdraw all support for consolidation.
Rusty Tanner, the Escambia County District 5 member, voted in favor of the plan. District 5 includes all of North Escambia. Jimmy Cunningham, representing the Escambia County Farm Bureau, also voted for the plan. The organization, which claims a few thousand members in Escambia County, is based in Molino and represents primarily the rural population of the county.
Three members of the committee were not present for the final vote on the consolidation plan: Jeremy Brown, representing the Escambia County Taxpayers’ Association; Edward Fleming, representing Escambia County District 2; and LuTimothy May, representing the Pensacola Ministerial Alliance.
The Escambia County Commission has asked the legislative delegation to delay any referendum vote on consolidation until 2012 at the earliest. The Pensacola City Council considered, but failed to pass, a similar motion requesting a delay in the public’s vote on the issue. Instead, the council will decide Monday what action to take. The legislative act that created the consolidation study commission does not require the support of any of the three governments to proceed.
The Northwest Florida legislative delegation will have just over a month to review the plan before potentially submitting it to the legislature to set a referendum vote as early as November 2010.
Want To Raise Chickens Or Have Fresh Eggs? This Program Is For You
January 25, 2010
Are you interested in having fresh eggs on your table and raising chickens on your property? Then classes scheduled in Cantonment and Davisville might be for you.
Escambia Extension will host “Small Scale Poultry and Egg Production” — a course designed to help everyone from novices to professionals in raising chickens. Guest speakers include Dr. Gary Butcher, University of Florida veterinarian and Dr. Richard Miles, University of Florida poultry scientist. They will offer research based information to educate attendees on health and diseases of chicken flocks, nutrition and management of flocks, poultry breeds, and keys to successful egg production.
Escambia Extension will host the program via interactive video on Monday, January 25, at 6 p.m. at Escambia Extension, 3740 Stefani Road in Cantonment. The course will be offered again at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, January 26 at the Davisville Community Center, 10200 Highway 97. The speakers will also be present at the Davisville program.
A $5 fee will be charged to cover materials and refreshments. To pre-register, call (850) 475-5230. For additional information, email Libbie Johnson at libbiej@ufl.edu.
Relay For Life New Team Kickoff Tonight
January 25, 2010
A Century Relay for Life Team New Team Kickoff will be held at 7:00 tonight at the Ag Building at the corner of West Highway 4 and Industrial Boulevard in Century. It will be a chance for Relay teams to sign up, learn about Relay and work on the all important planning for the Relay.
Anyone interested in forming a team for the Century Relay for Life is invited to attend the meeting. Teams are welcome from Century, Walnut Hill, Bratt, McDavid, Flomaton and surrounding areas — not just Century.
The 2010 Century Relay for Life will be the fourth in North Escambia supporting the American Cancer Society. It will be held April 24 and 25 at the old Century High School stadium.
For more information visit, www.CenturyRelay.com or call (850) 256-3842 or (850) 266-2280.
Pictured above: Last year’s Century Relay for Life gets underway. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Ball Registration Extended For NWE, Continuing For Molino, Century
January 25, 2010
Northwest Escambia has extended their ball registration one more week, and registration is continuing this weekend in Century and Molino.
Northwest Escambia
Registration for Northwest Escambia baseball and softball ends Saturday, January 30 for ages 3 to 18 for Wee ball to big league.
Registration fees are: 1st child, $35, 2nd child: $25, 3rd child: free. Children will be measured and a $20 uniform deposit collected at registration. A copy of each child’s birth certificate is required. There will also be a cleat swap…bring a pair of outgrown cleats and trade/swap while supplies last.
NWE registration will be held from 10 a.m. until noon Saturday at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill. Tryouts for boys and girls ages 3-12 will be Saturday, February 6 beginning at 10 a.m.
Junior, Senior & Big League boys 13-18 deadline for registration will be March 20th.
Molino Recreation Association
The Molino Recreation Association will hold registration Saturday from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. Registration will continue through the last Saturday in February for Wee Ball, tee ball, baseball and softball.
The cost is $50 per child, except Wee Ball which is $45 for the first child, $40 each additional. Girl’s softball teams will form on the third and fourth Saturdays of February.
Century Little League
Registration will be held January 30 and February 6 and 13 for Century Little League.
The registration fee is $30 for the first child and $20 for each additional child. A copy of each child’s birth certificate is required.
Anyone interested in coaching can fill out an application on any of the registration days. For more information, contact Wes Sims at (251) 370-0246.
More North Escambia Chances To Get A Census Job
January 25, 2010
There are opportunities this week in North Escambia to take the test to qualify for local U.S. Census Bureau jobs that pay up to $15 per hour.
The Census Bureau is currently hiring temporary employees to assist with this year’s census. Jobs will include census takers, crew leaders, crew leader assistant and census clerks.
Pay generally begins at $12.50 an hour, and can range up to $15 an hour, for up to a 40 hour week.
A valid driver’s license is required for most positions. Additionally, the potential Census Bureau employee must be 18 or older, pass a background check, be a U.S. citizen, pass a written test of basic skills and have a valid social security number.
Census Bureau hires locally because local residents are knowledgeable about their neighborhood and familiar with the community, its residents, and its local customs, according to their web site.
Persons taking one of the North Escambia census tests must have their valid driver’s license and social security card. Census tests will be given in North Escambia for Florida residents as follows:
- Friday, January 29, 10 a.m.: Aldersgate UMC, Molino
- Friday, January 29: 7 p.m.: Walnut Hill Community Center
For more information on census jobs, click here or call Tebyl Presley at (251) 253-0622. Churches or other organization that would like to host a census job testing site should call the same number.
Sunny Skies, River Flood Warnings
January 25, 2010
Dryer, cooler weather will dominate the first part of your week in the North Escambia area.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 63. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34. West wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 65. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32. North wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67. Southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west.
- Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56.
- Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35.
- Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a high near 57.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 56.
RIVER FLOOD WARNINGS
The National Weather Service in Mobile has issued a flood warning for the Perdido River near Barrineau Park from Monday morning until late Tuesday night. At 7 p.m. Sunday the stage was 11.4 feet. Minor flooding is forecast; flood stage is 13 feet. The river is forecast to rise above flood stage by tomorrow late morning and continue to rise to near 13.5 feet by tomorrow evening. The river will fall below flood stage by Tuesday evening. At 13.0 feet, the river begins to leave it’s banks at the parking lot of
Adventures Unlimited and threatens several permanently parked travel trailers.
The flood warning continues for the Escambia River near Century until further notice. Sunday, the stage was 18.5 feet. Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast. Flood stage is 17.0 feet. The river will continue to slowly fall but remain above flood stage through Friday. At 19.0 feet, low lying pastures will flood and cattle should be moved to higher ground.
Sunshine Returns After Soggy Sunday
January 24, 2010
Here is your official North Escambia forecast:
- Tonight: Scattered showers before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. West wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 63. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34. West wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 65. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32. North wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67. Southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.
- Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56.
- Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35.
- Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a high near 57.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 56.
Angel Mitchell Named Miss Northview High School
January 24, 2010
Freshman Angel Mitchell was crowned Miss Northview High School for 2010 Saturday night in front of a sellout crowd in the school’s theater. First Runner-Up was junior Caitlyn Brown, and Second Runner-Up was Sarah Killam, a junior.
The Top Ten consisted of: Caitlyn Brown, Lauren McCall, Charleigh McPherson, Lindsey Holderfield, Ariel Holland, Sarah Killam, Amber McMillan, Caroline Prater, Angel Mitchell and Felicia Settle.
Felicia Settle was named Miss Congeniality, and Lauren McCall was named Miss Physical Fitness. Miranda Burkett was named Miss Hospitality, and Caroline Prater was named Miss Poise and Appearance.
The pageant, which featured 30 contestants, was sponsored by teachers Anna Barry and Megan Carroll as a fund raiser for the school’s cheerleaders.
For a complete NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
Miss Northview High School Angel Mitchell is the 14-year old daughter of Christal Bell. She was selected as the 2008-2009 Ernest Ward Middle School Student of the year. Angel has been a member of the cross country team for one year, where she was awarded the 2009 Coaches Award. She is also a member of the Future Business Leaders of America, the theatre program, the guitar program, and the track team. She was selected as the 2009 October Student of the Month. In her community, Angel created the “Angel’s Outreach” volunteer service and is part of the Chain Reaction Organization. She was the winner of the “Take Stock” Scholarship project and was awarded Team Leader for Chain Reaction. Her hobbies include singing, dancing, cooking, and reading books written by James Patterson. Her plans are to attend Florida State University and major in Climatology. While there, she hopes to become a part of the dance team.
Pictured above: First Runner-Up Caitlyn Brown, Miss Northview High School Angel Mitchell, Second Runner-Up Sarah Killam. Pictured below: (front, L-R) Lauren McCall, First Runner-Up Caitlyn Brown, Miss Northview High School Angel Mitchell, Second Runner-Up Sarah Killam, Caroline Prater, (back, L-R) Charleigh McPherson, Miss Hospitality Miranda Burkett, Felicia Settle, Lindsey Holderfield, Ariel Holland and Amber McMillan. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge. 
Escambia Sheriff’s Office Presents Awards
January 24, 2010
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Department presented a Medal of Valor to one of its own and honored about five dozen employees and citizens during their annual awards ceremony.
Investigator Curtis Cephas was awarded the Medal of Valor for rescuing a man from a burning building last year. While off duty on July 3, 2009, Cephas was informed by a local citizen that a nearby house was on fire. Deputy Cephas ran to the house, noticed smoke pouring from inside, and began searching the home to determine if anyone was inside.
After discovering that the home’s occupant was inside and unable to escape the fire, Deputy Cephas proceeded to enter the burning house and found the resident inside and immobile. He succeeded in pulling the man outside and safely away from the fire.
Cephas was also honored in the United States House of Representatives last week, with Congressman Jeff Miller saying: “Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged to recognize Deputy Curtis Cephas for going above and beyond the call of duty. He is a hero to the community and a true public servant. My wife Vicki and I wish Deputy Cephas and his family all the best for the future.”
A large number of the awards presented were to investigators, deputies and other sheriff’s office employees that worked on the investigation of the July 9 murder of Byrd and Melanie Billings in Beulah. Ashley Markham, the daughter of Byrd Billings, attended the ceremony along with her husband Blue Markham. Ashley Markham hugged and personally thanked each person involved in the investigation of her parents’ murders that resulted in the arrests of eight suspects within 118 hours.
Awards were presented as follows:
Law Enforcement Officer of the Quarter: Deputy Donald Lewis
Detention Deputy of the Quarter: Matthew Roth
Employee of the Quarter: Sally Valetta
Detention Employee of the Quarter: Debbie Funderburg
Life Saving Medals: Rebecca Simpson, Charles Dickin
Letter of Commendation: Juneal Whitchard (citizen), Sherrie Enderson (citizen), Shelley Dill, Allen Anderson, Terry Hammock, Jennifer Lovely-Gandy, Cathy Eckols, Scott Seely.
Unit Citations: Pct. 1/ Pensacola Beach – which will include a Meritorious Service Medal for Lt. Joseph Eddins; B Shift Detention
Medal of Distinction: RMA Tracy Hardaway, RN Lisa Seabrook, LPN Bobby Hawkins
Medal of Valor: Curtis Cephas
Billings Medals
Meritorious Service: Medal Captain Bruce Wood
Commendation Medals: Ray Briggs, Lieutenant Rusty Hoard, Sergeant Donald “Buddy” NeSmith, Jr. Sergeant Tom Watts, Master Deputy Tama Barber, Senior Deputy Lee Tyree, Senior Deputy Christopher Baggett, Senior Deputy Zack Ward, Deputy 1st Class Terry Hardy, Deputy 1st Class Bobby Guy, Deputy 1st Class Brian Shorette, Deputy 1st Class Breina Hammond, Criminal Intelligence Technician Melissa Aiken , Protocol Sena Maddison, Protocol
Commendation Medals: Patrol Doyle Gresham, Sergeant Marcus Murphy, Sergeant Shedrick Johnson, Sergeant Kevin Pachucki, Deputy 1st Class Christopher Phelps, Deputy 1st Class Scott Seely, Deputy Sheriff Mark Pearson, Deputy Sheriff Walter Thomas, Deputy Sheriff
Unit Citation: Stan Wehmeier, Sergeant Christine, Percell, Crime Scene Technician Will Bradley, Crime Scene Jennifer Jones, Crime Scene Technician Jennifer Norman, Crime Scene Technician Wayne Wright, Crime Scene Technician Lacey Oden, Crime Scene Technician Scott Glazebrook, Latent Print Examiner Marybeth Bryie, Latent Print Examiner
Achievement medal: David Craig
Letter of Commendation:Marlene Lutz, Secretary Rebecca Edmondson, Secretary Robbie Leverett, Victim Advocate
Employee of the year: Vicki Hodge
Deputy of the year: Lafe Highfill
Detention deputy of the year: James Mayberry
Detention employee of the year: Debbie Funderburg
Nokomis Accident Claims Teen’s Life
January 24, 2010
(Updated 11 a.m.) An 18-year old from Perdido was killed in a single vehicle accident in Nokomis, Ala., Saturday afternoon.
Patrick Bryan Jay, 18, was was pronounced dead after the accident just before 4 p.m. Saturday.
Jay was a passenger in a 2008 Honda Civic driven by Tiffany Brooke Parker, 16, of Bay Minette. Alabama State Troopers say Parker was westbound when she lost control, ran off the road and overturned into a tree shortly.
Parker was taken by the USA Medical Center in Mobile by LifeFlight. She was listed in serious condition Sunday evening.
Jay was not wearing seat belt, and speed was believed to have been a factor in the crash, according to troopers.