Grand Jury Reviewing Century Town Operations And Management
February 4, 2019
A grand jury is reviewing the Town of Century.
NorthEscambia.com has learned from involved parties that subpoenas to appear before the grand jury have been issued.
“A number of issues have been brought to the attention of the State Attorney’s Office regarding the manner in which the town has operated, and these are the issues that may brought before the grand jury,” Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille said last month. The issues, he said, span a period of several months.
“Under Florida law, not only can they (the grand jury) charge a crime, they can investigate how a city or county is being operated and make a report to the general public of their findings that will be educational to the general public and hopefully helpful to the city of Century,” according to State Attorney Bill Eddins when the grand jury investigation was originally announced in early January.
Grand jury proceedings remain secret until after their conclusion.
Directly unrelated to the grand jury, two Century Town Council members charged with civil violations of the Sunshine Law recently entered pleas, while a court date was postponed for a third council member.
Last summer, three council members allegedly attended at least some portion of a closed-door meeting with CPA Robert Hudson, Town Clerk Kim Godwin and the town’s auditors. The meeting was not advertised as a public meeting, which would forbid more than one council member from taking part under Florida’s Sunshine Laws.
Council member Sandra McMurray Jackson entered a plea of no contest and was fined $200. Council president Ann Brooks also pleaded no contest and was fined $100. Adjudication was withheld in both cases.
Brooks received a lower fine because “she was left culpable because she was at the meeting legally before Mr. Gomez and Mrs. Jackson arrived,” Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille said. “While she should have left immediately, she did not participate in the meeting to the extent that Mr. Gomez and Mrs. Jackson did.”
Councilman Luis Gomez, Jr. did not appear in court due to health reasons, and his hearing date was reset for late February.
Pictured top: Century Council members (L-R) Luis Gomez, Jr., Ann Cofield Brooks and Sandra McMurray Jackson at a December 17, 2018, town council meeting. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
No Critical Injuries Reported In East Kingsfield Rollover Wreck
February 4, 2019
There were no critical injuries reported in a rollover wreck Sunday afternoon in Cantonment. The crash happened at the intersection of East Kingsfield Road and Chemstrand Road about 1:50 p.m. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FDOT Holding I-10, Highway 29 Interchange Improvement Info Meeting
February 4, 2019
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is holding a public information meeting about the I-10 at Highway 29 Interchange Ultimate Improvement project. The meeting will be held Tuesday, February 5 from 5:30 until 6:30 p.m. at the Maria K. Young Wedgewood Community Center at 6405 Wagner Road.
The intent of the project is increase capacity within the interchange, improve service on I-10 between Highway 29 and I-110, correct operational issues, and improve safety. Noise barrier walls and pond site locations have been determined. The project is funded for right-of-way acquisition in 2021 and 2022 and construction spring 2023.
Maps, drawings, and other information will be on display. There will not be a formal presentation,. FDOT representatives will be available to discuss proposed improvements, answer questions, and receive comments.
2019 Annual Youth Art Exhibit Winners Announced
February 4, 2019
For the 65th year, the Escambia County School District has partnered with the Pensacola Museum of Art to present the Annual Youth Art Focus, an annual exhibition showcasing the talents of Escambia County art students and educators.
From now until Feb. 17, visitors can view the amazing works from over 500 art students and educators and take in their strong artistic achievements. The exhibition creates an opportunity for ECSD art students to experience the fine art world and enjoy the feeling that comes with having their work on display, celebrates ECSD art instructors for their talent, and invites the community to to take a glimpse at the thriving art world inside ECSD schools.
The 65th Annual Youth Art Focus exhibit is available for viewing now until Feb. 17, 2019. The 2019 student and instructor winners were honored at receptions for the artists and their families and friends last week. Stop by and enjoy all of their artwork! Museum hours and admission information is provided below.
The 2019 winners are:
Art Educators:
3rd – Denise Quirk Vowell, Love Bird, Hellen Caro Elementary School
2nd – Sarah Stubbs, Sweet, Northview High School
1st – Sarah Ingram, Restoration, West Florida High School
Best in Show – Katherine Discepolo, Tronco, Global Learning Academy
Student Artist Best in Show:
David Barthod-Perez, West Florida High, Forestful Rest
High School Student Artists:
Painting:
3rd – Katie Munoz, Washington, Moroccan Blues
2nd – Ben Crossin, Washington, Peacock
1st – Benjamin Darby, Pensacola High School, Look What You Have Done
Drawing:
3rd – Loc Pham, Washington, Yokai
2nd – Jolie Kennedy, Tate High, Metallic Slithering
1st – Scarlett Coffey, Washington, Self Portrait
Photography/Digital Arts:
3rd – Maggie Smartt, Escambia High, Shattered Fragments
3rd – Madalyn McGurk, Pensacola High School, Meadow
2nd – Raegan Tainter, Tate, Ladder to the Sky
1st – Ian Larrieu, Pensacola High, Reach
3-Dimensional Works:
3rd – Michelle Luther, Tate High, Autumnal Bowl
2nd – Chensen Nguyen, Escambia High, Vans Shoe
1st – Isabel Cauley, West Florida, Abraham
2-Dimensional Works:
3rd – Elijah Edmonds, West Florida High, We Took An “L”
2nd – Ian Young, West Florida High, Lakeside Village
1st – Savannah Creel, Washington High, X-Ray
Middle School Student Artists:
Painting:
3rd – Jasmine Felks, Bailey Middle, Wolf
2nd – Morgan Arreglado, Bellview Middle, Untitled
1st – Aiden Wilson, Bellview Middle, Untitled
Drawing:
3rd – Laynee Hubbell, Ransom Middle, Hybrid
2nd – Connor Hignite, Beulah Middle, Harmonious
1st – Monee´ Stokes, Beulah Middle, Emotional Singularity
Photography/Digital Arts:
2nd – Alyssa Allen, Beulah Middle, Reflection
1st – Adrienne Kimball, Beulah Middle, Friendship
3-Dimensional Works:
3rd – David Hathaway, Bellview Middle, Untitled
2nd – Gavin Pesta, Bailey Middle, Smoosh Face
1st – Jobey Conrad, Ransom Middle, Thoughts in Relief
2-Dimensional Works:
3rd – Patrick Rolin, Ernest Ward Middle, Untitled
2nd – James Harper, Beulah Middle, Man of Steel
1st – Nicole Lobo, Bellview Middle, Untitled
Outstanding Artistic Achievement: Cameron Keefer, Westgate, Untitled
Outstanding Artistic Achievement: Taylor Causey, Westgate, Untitled
Outstanding Artistic Achievement: Tyrese Thomas, Bellview, Untitled
Outstanding Artistic Achievement: Mya Dalton, Pine Forest High, Whos Kingdom
The museum is open Tuesdays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. They are closed on Mondays. Admission costs are: adults $7 ($6 for military, seniors, AAA members, UWF Historic Trust Members and UWF Alumni Association Members) and students (3 – 14) $4 (younger than 3 are Free). EBT cardholders, with a photo I.D., can obtain four free admissions. UWF students and museum members also receive free admission.
Milder Week, Showers Ahead
February 4, 2019
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
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Monday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly after midnight. Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 59. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tuesday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 9am. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 72. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Areas of fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Areas of fog before 9am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 77. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. South wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 75. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 62.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 62.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 68.
FDOT: This Week’s Road Work Delays
February 4, 2019
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
- Hanks Road Bridge Replacement over Breastworks Creek - Construction activities are scheduled to begin the week of Feb. 4. The roadway will be temporarily closed during construction. Drivers on Hanks Road, west of the bridge, will be detoured to County Road (C.R.) 99 and C.R. 4. Drivers east of the bridge will utilize Pine Barren Road.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Lane closures will take place from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 3 through Sunday, Feb. 10:
- U.S. 98 east and westbound from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to just east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to U.S. 90A (Nine Mile Road) – The following traffic impacts will occur from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 3 through Saturday, Feb. 9.
- Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass: Alternating traffic shifts will direct all traffic onto the westbound or eastbound lanes as crews continue construction of the new northbound bridge deck. Nine Mile Road lane restrictions are Sunday through Friday.
- U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road: Drainage and paving operations continue. Drivers can expect alternating lane closures Monday through Saturday.
- · U.S. 98 (Chase Street) Resurfacing from North Palafox Street to State Road (S.R.) 196 (Bayfront Parkway)- Weather permitting paving operations from I-110 to Bayfront Parkway will resume the week of Sunday, Feb. 3. Lane closures will be in effect from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday.
- U.S. 98 (Lillian Highway) Resurfacing from the Perdido Bay Bridge to Dog Track Road– Drivers may encounter lane restrictions from the Perdido Bay Bridge to Dog Track Road as crews perform miscellaneous operations to complete the project. Lane closures will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 4 through Sunday, Feb. 10.
- Ninth Avenue Manhole Repairs - The northbound outside lane on Ninth Avenue will be closed at Jackson Street from 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5 to 5 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6 as crews perform manhole repairs.
- U.S. 98 (Garden Street) Asphalt Repairs- The westbound outside lane will be closed from C Street to D Street from 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5 to 5 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6 as crews perform asphalt repairs.
- Crary Road Bridge Replacement over Pritchett Mill Creek- Crary Road is closed between Tedder Road and Byrneville Road as crews construct a bridge culvert. Motorists will be detoured via C.R. 4 and Byrneville Road. The project is anticipated to be complete spring 2019.
- Bratt Road Bridge Replacement over Canoe Creek - Bratt Road will continue to be closed near Canoe Creek. Drivers on Bratt Road, west of the bridge, will be detoured to Pine Barren Road and C.R. 4. Drivers east of the bridge will be detoured east on Bratt Road. The project is anticipated to be complete summer 2019.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Lane closures will take place from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 3 through Sunday, Feb. 10:
- U.S. 98 east and westbound from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to just east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- North 17th Avenue in Pensacola, between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- S.R. 4 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Cold Water Creek – Drivers will encounter alternating east and westbound lane restrictions over Cold Water Creek, about three miles east of S.R. 89, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 3 and Monday, Feb. 4 as crews perform routine bridge maintenance.
- I-10 Widening from Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/Exit 22) – The following construction related traffic impacts are planned for Interstate 10 and Avalon Boulevard the week of Sunday, Feb. 3:
- Work on the on-and-off ramps at the Interstate 10/Avalon Boulevard (State Road 281/Exit 22) interchange will require overnight closures Sunday, Feb. 3 through Tuesday, Feb. 5. Crews will be milling and resurfacing the following ramps between 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
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- Sunday, Feb. 3, I-10 westbound off-ramp.
- Monday, Feb. 4, I-10 eastbound off-ramp.
- Tuesday, Feb. 5, I-10 eastbound on-ramp.
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- Alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard, near the I-10 interchange, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Thursday as crews perform construction activities.
- Alternating lane closures on I-10, from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of S.R. 281, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 3 through Friday, Feb. 8 as crews work to widen the roadway.
- Drivers will encounter new traffic pattern(s) on I-10 east and westbound as crews reconstruct the inside and outside shoulders. This work will continue through spring 2019.
- U.S. 98 Safety Improvements at Constitution Drive and Navarre School Road- There will be eastbound lane closures near Thresher Drive Sunday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. as crews construct aright turn lane.
- Drainage work is underway at Newport Street and Thresher Drive.
- Construction activities continue from Sunrise Drive to east of Cotton Bay Lane. Lane Closures will be in effect Sunday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews perform concrete operations in the median.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Escambia BOCC Weekly Meeting Schedule
February 4, 2019
Here is a schedule of this week’s Escambia County public meetings:
Monday, Feb. 4
Northwest District 1 Advisory Committee – 6 p.m., Beulah Middle School, 6001 W. Nine Mile Road
Tuesday, Feb. 5
Planning Board-Rezoning – 8:30 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Planning Board-Regular – 8:35 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate – 1:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Wednesday, Feb. 6
Contractor Competency Board – 9 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Thursday, Feb. 7
Community Redevelopment Agency – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, Board Chambers, 221 Palafox Place
Board of County Commissioners Agenda Review – 9:15 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, Board Chambers, 221 Palafox Place
BCC Public Forum – 4:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, Board Chambers, 221 Palafox Place
BCC Regular Meeting – 5:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, Board Chambers, 221 Palafox Place
Saturday, Feb. 9
Escambia County Regional Roundup – 8 a.m. to noon, Escambia High School, 1310 N. 65th Ave.
Cantonment Man Facing Drug Charges After Bicycle Traffic Stop
February 3, 2019
A bicyclist from Cantonment is facing multiple felony charges after a traffic stop in Pensacola.
Billy Early Grantham, 37, was charged with cocaine possession, marijuana possession, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Sunday with bond set at $13,000.
The Pensacola Police Department stopped Grantham as he rode his bicycle about 3:40 a.m. Monday on Pace Boulevard near Cervantes Street for not having a required light on his bicycle.
During the search, officers located a metal pipe with marijuana residue and over three dozen pills of various types of controlled substances including Tramadol inside a backpack, according to arrest report.
After providing consent to search, Grantham attempted to bolt away, and he was “assisted” to the ground by the police officer, the report states. At the jail, a corrections officer located a cocaine rock.
One Injured In Highway 29 Molino Rollover Crash
February 3, 2019
One person was injured in a rollover crash Saturday afternoon in Molino.
The wreck happened about 3:15 p.m. on Highway 29 at Highway 196. The injured person was transported by Escambia County EMS to West Florida Hospital.
The crash is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Molino and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Milder With Scattered Showers
February 3, 2019
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers before 7pm. Areas of fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Calm wind.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers after 7am. Areas of fog before 10am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 69. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning.
Monday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Areas of fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. South wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Areas of fog before 10am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers after 7am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 77.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57.
Friday: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 70. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. Chance of precipitation is 60%.