Brooks, Lewis Headed To November Runoff For Century Council Seat 1
August 19, 2020
Two candidates are headed to a November runoff for Century Town Council Seat 1.
Incumbent Ann Brooks garnered the most votes in the race against two challengers, but Century’s charter requires a candidate to receive one more than 50 percent of the vote in order to be declared the winner.
Brooks received 148 votes (44.85%), followed by Dynette Lewis with 122 (36.97%) and Calvin Kenneth Cottrell, Jr. with 60 (18.18%) of the vote for the non-partisan seat.
Brooks, the current council president, was first elected in 2007. Lewis has 28 years experience in the financial services industry.
Two other Century town races will also be on the November ballot. Political newcomers Shelisa Dorshae McCall and Leonard B. White will face off for Century Town Council Seat 3, and incumbent Mayor Henry Hawkins will face former council member Ben Boutwell in the race for mayor.
More Mid-week Showers And Thunderstorms Possible Today
August 19, 2020
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 85. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Thursday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90.
Escambia Commission: Lumon May Wins Democratic Nod; Bergosh Returns To Seat
August 19, 2020
Three incumbent Escambia County commissioners were winners in the Tuesday’s election, sending two of them back for another term and one to the November ballot.
In District 1, incumbent Jeff Bergosh had 38.69% percent of the vote to defeat three others for the win. With no November challenger, he will serve an additional term. Jessee Casey received 31.02% of the vote, Jonathan Owens had 22.48% and Jimmie Trotter had 7.8%.
District 3 saw brother take on brother in the Democratic primary. Incumbent Lumon May received 89.01% of the vote, while his brother Rev. LuTimothy May garnered 10.99%. Lumon May, who was endorsed by his mother, will be on the ballot in November. He does not have a Republican challenger, but Jason Laird is qualified as a write-in candidate.
In District 5, Steven Barry defeated two opponents for a third term. Click or tap here for that story.
Free Produce Box Giveaway Today At Highland Baptist In Molino
August 19, 2020
A free produce distribution will Wednesday afternoon at Highland Baptist Church in Molino.
It will take place from 5-6 p.m., or while supplies last at the church, 6240 Highway 95A in Molino. It is limited to one box per vehicle, rain or shine. The produce is being provided in conjunction with the USDA and Gulf Coast Produce.
The church will also hold the produce giveaway on Wednesday, August 26 from 5-6 p.m.
For more information call (850) 587-5174.
Longtime ECUA District 5 Board Member Larry Walker Defeated By Newcomer Kevin Stephens
August 19, 2020
Political newcomer Kevin Stephens of Molino defeated longtime Emerald Coast Utility Authority District 5 board member Larry Walker in Tuesday’s election.
Stephens was elected with 59.53% of the vote to Walker’s 40.47%.
Walker served on the ECUA board for nearly three decades – from 1988 to 2000 and 2004 to the present day.
Town Of Flomaton Employees Tests Positive For COVID-19; Most Town Buildings Closed To The Public
August 19, 2020
The Town of Flomaton has closed town facilities to visitors after an employee tested positive for COVID-19.
The town in a statement that the employee became ill on August 11 and was sent home on paid leave. The employee received a positive coronavirus test result on Tuesday, August 18.
The town has closed their municipal complex, community center and fire department to visitors. All of the buildings have been cleaned, along with the library. After the exposure, the community center was professionally cleaned.
A drive-thru window is open normal business hours for court or utility payments, which can also be made online.
Mayor Dewey Bondurant has directed the mandatory use of face masks in most circumstances by town employees and volunteers “when two or more persons are present”.
The Alabama Department of Health is expected to do contact tracing and make any needed notifications to persons that may have been exposed to the infected employee.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Deputy Passes Away At Age 40
August 18, 2020
A Santa Rosa County deputy has passed away.
Deputy Charles Pugh passed away Tuesday morning at age 40.
“Just say prayers for the family and our agency,” Sheriff Bob Johnson said. He did not specify the cause of death.
Pugh was a Santa Rosa County deputy for five years, serving in the Detention Division. He was also a member of the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Honor Guard.
Funeral arrangements are forthcoming.
10 New Deaths, Just 115 New COVID-19 Cases Reported Tuesday In Escambia, Santa Rosa
August 18, 2020
THIS STORY IS OUTDATED. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST.
There were 10 new COVID-19 deaths reported Tuesday in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties but just 115 new cases, according to the Florida Department of Health.
The Escambia County deaths were men ages 69, 70, 84, 86, and females ages 41, 68 and 68. Two were long-term care facility residents. The Santa Rosa County deaths were men ages 69 and 75, and a 79-year old female.
Escambia County cases increased to 10,405. An additional 27 cases brought the Santa Rosa County total to 4,264..
Of the 656 tests results returned on Monday in Escambia County, 11.2% were positive, and 11.8% were positive from 268 tests in Santa Rosa County. Over the past week, the overall average positivity rate for Escambia County is 12.5%.
There were 158 COVID-19 patients currently hospitalized in Escambia County as of Tuesday, according to data from the three local hospitals.
Of the 159 deaths in Escambia County, 82 have been long-term care facility residents or staff. There have been 47 deaths in Santa Rosa County, at least seven of those at the Blackwater River Correctional Facility and nine in a long-term care facilities.
Statewide, there were 579,932 cases including 573,811 Florida residents. There have been 34,695 hospitalizations* and 9,758 deaths. The Florida Department of Health does not have a clear standard or definition of “recovered” and does not report a number of recovered individuals.
Escambia County cases:
Total cases — 10,405 (+88 since Monday)
Non-Florida residents — 936
Pensacola —7,590 (+64)
Century — 879 (+8)
—-including 761 Century prison inmates
Cantonment — 723 (+12)
Molino— 117 (+1)
McDavid — 53 (+1)
Walnut Hill — 15
Bellview — 11
Gonzalez — 7
Perdido Key — 5
Current hospitalizations: 158 (-13)
Deaths — 159 (+7)
Male — 4,613
Female — 4,752
Youngest — 0
Oldest — 105
Median Age — 39
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases — 4,264 (+27 since Monday)
Non-Florida residents — 39
Milton — 2,346 (+20)
Gulf Breeze — 621 (+7)
Navarre — 515 (+1)
Pace — 324 (+1)
Jay — 113 (-2 data adjustment)
Bagdad — 9
Cumulative Hospitalizations — 227*
Deaths — 50 (+3)
Male — 2,407
Female — 1,810
Youngest — 2 months
Oldest — 101
Median Age — 40
Florida cases:
Total cases — 579,932
Florida residents — 573,811
Deaths — 9,758
Hospitalizations — 34,695*
*“Hospitalizations” in the statewide and Santa Rosa County totals is a count of all laboratory confirmed cases in which an inpatient hospitalization occurred at any time during the course of illness. These people may no longer be hospitalized. This number does not represent the number of COVID-19 positive persons currently hospitalized. The FDOH does not provide a count of patients currently hospitalized. The Escambia County number is current data compiled each day from the local hospitals.
**Data Sources: Florida Department of Health, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, local hospitals.
Century Tables Industrial Building Lease For Cotton Storage; Mayor Says Another Company With 21 Jobs Is Interested
August 18, 2020
The Century Town Council Monday night delayed a decision on leasing a town-owned industrial building after Mayor Henry Hawkins said another company promising more jobs is interested.
South Alabama Gin Company, doing business as West Florida Gin in Walnut Hill, proposed a lease of $6,000 per month for five years with an option to renew the contract for an additional five years. They want to occupy the building by October 1 and estimated that six employees would be associated with the the warehousing and distribution of cotton bales.
The gin company was the only company to respond after the town advertised for several weeks seeking lease proposals.
Hawkins said Monday night that he had been contacted just hours earlier by FloridaWest, the region’s economic development organization, about a company that is interested in the building and wants to see it on Thursday. Hawkins said the manufacturing company would bring about 21 new jobs to Century.
“I don’t plan to put cotton storage in Century…cotton out there is not going to help Century,” councilman Luis Gomez said, adding that he believes the town can lease the building to a company that will bring at least 10 jobs to town.
A heated discussion ensued with Gomez and Council President Ann Brooks yelling over each other at times. That made portions of the discussion hard to understand with council members participating by phone or Zoom due to the pandemic.
A motion by Gomez to reject the West Florida Gin proposal failed due to the lack of a second, and a motion by council member James Smith also failed with no second to table a decision on the cotton lease. Gomez made a second motion to reject the cotton gin lease, and it again failed due to the lack of a second.
Smith made a second motion to table action on the lease proposal until the council’s next meeting. It passed 4-0 with Brooks and council member Brenda Spencer expressing that they were “reluctantly” voting in favor. Council member Sandra McMurray Jackson did not take part in the meeting.
Hawkins will meet with FloridaWest and the manufacturing company on Thursday, and the council will readdress the building lease at a special meeting next Monday night.
According to Interim City Manager Vernon Prather, the council cannot simply lease the building to the manufacturing company. Instead, they would be required to reject the West Florida Gin offer and advertise again for formal proposals, much like a bid process.
A previous lease offer by the gin was rejected by the Century Town Council.
In May 2019, West Florida Gin Manager Robert Earl Godwin and businessman Larry Baxley, who were in the process of setting up North Escambia Warehouse and Storage, LLC, made a preliminary lease-to-own offer on the town-owned building at $4,000 per month for five years, for a total of $240,000. The company offered an $8,000 deposit, pay the first month’s rent in advance, and pay for any upgrades to the building. At the end of the lease term, they would have had the opportunity to buy the building for $100. The building would have been used primarily for cotton storage.
Known as the Helicopter Technology Building — named for the defunct company that was based there — the 40,390 square foot building has been empty since 2008. The town is still footing the bill for utilities, insurance, maintenance and other costs for the vacant property, and they are looking to turn it into a positive cash flow and create jobs along the way.
In 2017, the building was appraised for $550,000 with a fair market rent of $80,000 per year ($6,667 per month). The office and warehouse space has full climate control, sprinkler system, newer HVAC and energy efficient lighting.
It’s Primary Election Day: Here’s What You Need To Know
August 18, 2020
Today, August 18, is election day in Escambia County. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Here is what you need to know, including some tips in response to COVID-19, that you need to know from Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford:
- The health and safety of our community – including voters, poll workers and staff is our top concern.
- Voters and election workers are reminded to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, like COVID 19 by taking everyday precautions.
- Please bring your own mask – our election workers will be wearing theirs.
- Hand sanitizer will be provided at check-in, as well as a disposable stylus to sign your name.
- Feel free to bring your own blue or black ink pen to mark your ballot.
- Please help us by practicing social distancing while in line and voting. We will be limiting the number of people inside the polling room and sanitizing the surfaces regularly.
- Not all voters are eligible to vote in the primary due to Florida’s closed partisan primary elections, and Escambia County’s single-member districts. Check EscambiaVotes.gov for more information.
- Registration books closed on July 20. New registrations and party changes for this election may not be made at the polls.
- If you are unsure of your registration status, call 595-3900, check EscambiaVotes.gov, or e-mail us at soe@escambiavotes.com.
- Confirm the location of your polling place. It is listed on your sample ballot, voter information card, online at EscambiaVotes.gov target=”_blank”, or call 595-3900.
- Photo and signature ID is required for all voters. If you do not present one of the 12 approved forms of ID, you may vote a provisional ballot.
- Busiest times at the polls tend to be 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m., and 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.
- Election Day pick-ups of Vote-by-Mail ballots are reserved for emergencies.
- You may not return your completed vote-by-mail ballot to your precinct on Election Day – it must be returned to the Elections Office by 7 p.m.
- If you requested a vote-by-mail ballot but did not to return it, you can at your polling place. Though not required, we request that you bring your unvoted ballot package so it can be cancelled.
- Early voting ends on Saturday, August 15. If you have not yet voted or did not request a vote-by-mail ballot, you must go to your designated precinct on Election Day.