It’s Election Day In Century – One Council Seat On The Ballot
February 28, 2017
It is special election day in Century, with polls open at the Century Town Hall from until 7 p.m. As of 3 p.m., 90 votes had been cast in person, and 48 vote by mail ballots had been received. There are 986 registered voters in Century.
Kevin Stead and Luis Gomez, Jr. are facing off for the Seat 2 on the town council, a non-partisan office.
Stead currently holds the seat on an interim basis, appointed as the temporary replacement for Annie Savage, who passed away in late October. Tuesday’s election will fill the seat until the end of Savage’s term in January 2021.
The winner will be sworn in Friday night, March 10, at 7:00.
NorthEscambia.com will have election results shortly after the polls close on our Facebook page (click here).
FWC Law Enforcement Report
February 28, 2017
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending February 23 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
No report submitted.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
While patrolling the Yellow River WMA, Officers Mullins and Roberson observed a vehicle parked on a wood line without a tag. They positioned themselves so that they would see the vehicle pull back onto the trail and conducted a traffic stop for no tag and transitioned into a resource inspection once they determined the subject had been hunting. It was discovered that the subject was hunting with a center-fire rifle during the archery/muzzle-loader season. They subject was issued a misdemeanor notice to appear for hunting with a center-fire rifle during archery/muzzle-loader season only and a warning for no tag.
While on patrol in the north end of Eglin WMA, Officer Ramos conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that appeared to be road hunting. A strong odor of cannabis came from the driver’s window while Officer Ramos was speaking with the driver. After further questioning, the driver admitted to having a “one hitter” in his pocket and promised that was all he had. With the driver out of the vehicle, Officer Ramos continued to smell the odor of cannabis and eventually the driver admitted to having more than just the “one hitter” in his pocket. Officer Ramos recovered nearly nine grams of cannabis, four various smoking devices with cannabis residue and miscellaneous paraphernalia from the vehicle. The man was cited accordingly and given a notice to appear in court.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Ernest Ward Students Praise Chromebooks In Superintendent Meeting
February 28, 2017
Chromebooks are hit at Ernest Ward Middle School.
That’s the word from several Ernest Ward students that recently had the chance to take part in an impromptu meeting with Escambia School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas about the program that puts a Chromebook computer in the hands of every student.
“They give the power to us,” one student said, “the power to access the information we need when and where we need it.”
“I love having everything in one place,” another student told Thomas. Several students said they like having all of their school books on one computer, rather than dragging around heavy printed books for each class.
When asked about internet access issues, one student said she does not have internet access for her Chromebook at one parent’s house. But she said she uses the internet service on her phone to run the Chromebook and do her assignments.
Students with no home internet access are able to download assignments and needed materials at school before they head home each day.
The students at Ernest Ward Middle School have had their Chromebooks since Christmas break.
Pictured top: Escambia School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas (left) listens to a group of Ernest Ward Middle School discuss their new Chromebooks. Pictured inset and below: EWMS students work on their Chromebooks in the cafeteria before school. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Top Northview Essay Writers Win Bicycles From Century Prison
February 28, 2017
Five Northview High School students recently won bicycles donated by Century Correctional Institution in an essay contest.
Students were given the opportunity to write an essay on “What It Means to Be a Northview Chief’.
Winners were (pictured L-R) Emily Heard, Lexxi Baggett, Savannah Steadham, and Alyssa Bell. Not pictured is Kristen Johnson.
To read two of the top essays, click the student name below:
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Wrestling Takes Third At Regionals, Advances To State Finals
February 28, 2017
Tate High School placed third at the Region 2A Region 1 wrestling tournament this weekend.
First place went to Lincoln High with 14 wrestlers competing. Second place was Pace High with 12 wrestlers competing. Tate, in third, had just seven wrestlers competing.
Final Registration Today For Century Little League
February 28, 2017
Century Little League will hold a final registration Tuesday from 5-7 p.m. at Showalter Park.
Registration will only be open for that two-hour period. No early or late registration will be accepted. There are open spots available at all age groups, however, the spots are limited and are on a strictly first-come basis. There must be a legal guardian present to sign paperwork.
Cantonment Woman Trapped Under Overturned Vehicle At Kingsfield Bridge
February 27, 2017
A Cantonment woman was critically injured in a single vehicle crash into a ravine Sunday night.
Bonnie Judson, 30, was westbound on Kingsfield Road just after 7:00 p.m. when she ran off the roadway in her 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer and hit a guardrail, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The vehicle continued to travel westbound and hit the guardrail again, causing the vehicle to become airborne.
Judson was ejected and came to rest under the vehicle off the Eleven Mile Creek Bridge. Firefighters, including an Escambia County Fire Rescue Special Operations Team, worked for over half an hour to free the Judson from under the wreckage after securing the vehicle to keep it from further overturning.
Judson was airlifted by LifeFlight helicopter to an area hospital as a “trauma alert”.
The accident remains under FHP investigation.
For more photos from the dramatic rescue, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Century Correctional Institution Inmate Assaults Officer
February 27, 2017
An inmate recently assaulted a correctional officer at Century Correctional Institution, according to information released by the Florida Department of Corrections.
Inmate Jaylin Y. Rue became combative and bit the officer on the knee. Staff responded appropriately, and the Rue was subdued, according to DOC.
Medical staff examined the officer and noted minor injuries. Rue will receive a disciplinary report for this assault, according to corrections staff.
Rue was serving an eight year sentence out of St. Lucie County for robbery with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and for possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
FWC Offering Hunter Safety Class In Molino
February 27, 2017
A hunter safety class will be offered Wednesday, March 1 at the Molino Branch Library at 6 p.m.
All hunters born after 1975 are required to take a hunter safety class to get their hunting license. This class requires completion of the FWC’s free online hunter safety course before attending class. Go to myfwc.com/HunterSafety to register and take the online course.
Contact Paul Averill, Florida Fish and Wildlife Hunter Safety Instructor at 850-982-8070 for more information.
Century Candidates Campaign On A Budget For Tuesday Election
February 27, 2017
It’s been a campaign on a budget for two town council candidates on the ballot Tuesday in Century.
Kevin Stead and Luis Gomez, Jr. are facing off for the Seat 2 on the town council, a non-partisan office.
Stead currently holds the seat on an interim basis, appointed as the temporary replacement for Annie Savage, who passed away in late October. Tuesday’s election will fill the seat until the end of Savage’s term in January 2021.
Stead contributed $150 to his own campaign and received one contribution — $100 from Lewis M. Blanton, Jr., an electrician in Jay. He spent $50.94 on the qualifying fee to run for office, and $140.60 to Ron the Sign Man of Navarre for campaign signs, leaving him a campaign balance of $58.46 of February 23, the lastest reporting deadline.
Gomez contributed $50 to his own campaign and received donations of $10 from Denise Lynett Gomez of Century and $50 from the Baldwin Management Group, Inc. of Gulf Breeze. He spent $49.60 on business card ads to The L House in Brewton, and $50.94 on the qualifying fee to run for office. That gave him a remaining campaign balance of $9.46 as of the February 23, the latest reporting deadline.
Polls will be open 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Century Town Hall.
The winner of Tuesday’s race will be sworn in on Friday, March 10.