Century Losing Interim Town Manager Vernon Prather
October 1, 2021
Interim Town Manager Vernon Prather has notified Century that he is leaving when his contract ends December 1.
“I will not be requesting a renewal or extension to the contract, as I have decided to fully retire,” Prather wrote in an email to the council and mayor. “It has been a privilege to serve with the Mayor and Council, these last two (2) years, and I wish continued success for the Town.”
Prather is paid $40 an hour for 30 hours per week, or $1,200 per week ($62,400 yearly). He has complete control over his work schedule and hours worked. If he exceeds 30 hours per week, he is not be paid overtime but is allowed to take comp time off at his discretion. He also receives a $600 per month vehicle allowance, but does not receive employee benefits such as vacation, retirement or insurance.
When his contract was extended for a year in December 2020, the council did so with the stipulation that they review his performance at least every quarter. With three quarters already passed this year, the council has not held a single review.
Prather began working for the town on a consulting basis as part of a $35 an hour package deal when Buz Eddy came on board in July 2019 following a scathing grand jury report on previous town operations.
Prather served Gulf Breeze in various positions from 2006 to 2017, including director of public services, operations consultant and assistant city manager, while Eddy retired as Gulf Breeze city manager in 2017 after 25 years on the job. Prather holds wastewater and water certifications in addition his on the job experience.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Here’s What You Need To Know About Today’s Northview Homecoming Parade
October 1, 2021
The Northview High School Homecoming Parade will roll through Bratt this afternoon.
The parade will begin at Bratt Elementary School at 1 p.m. Friday; the public should no enter the Bratt Elementary campus. The parade will travel North Highway 99 a short distance to Highway 4 to Northview. Floats will travel through Northview’s bus loop before parking in the field next to the cow pasture or departing. A homecoming pep rally will follow the parade in the stadium for students, faculty, staff, and parade participants.
North Highway 99 from Bratt Elementary to Highway 4, and Highway 4 from North Highway 99 to Pine Barren Road, will be closed during the parade. Drivers should seek an alternative route.
Ernest Ward Middle checkout time for the parade will begin at 11:30 a.m. The person checking out a student must have identification and be on the student’s blue card. Notes will not be accepted. For more detailed information regarding Ernest Ward, click here.
Northview’s homecoming festivities and crowning of the queen will begin at 6 p.m. Friday. At 7 p.m., the Northview Chiefs host the Jay Royals on the gridiron.
Pictured: The 2019 Northview High School homecoming parade. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Second In A Week: New North Escambia Dollar General Opens; Two More Planned
October 1, 2021
For the second time in a week, a new Dollar General has opened in North Escambia, and there are still two more in the works.
A new 9,291 square foot Dollar General in the 7000 block of North Century Boulevard in Century is now open.
Last weekend, a new Dollar General opened at the corner of Highway 297A and West Kingsfield Road in Cantonment. Escambia County granted a conditional use to allow the 8,960 square foot store in an area that is zoned for low density mixed-use up 6,000 square feet. A conditional use in the zoning category allows for retail sales up to 35,000 square feet. The Escambia County Board of Adjustment approved the conditional use with the stipulation that the store have a residential area design with wood siding and a shingled roof. [Click or tap to see the store.]
Dollar General’s development company has development applications for two more North Escambia stores in the works. One is on 1.89 acres on the west side of Highway 29 between Ten Mile Road and Roberts Road, just north of Kingline Equipment.
The second is in Walnut Hill at 7100 Highway 97, on the north side of the intersection of South Highway 99. There are currently two residential structures on the 5.3 acre property, which is across the road from a former farm supply retail business.
Pictured: A new Dollar General is now open in the 7000 block of North Century Boulevard in Century. Here, the store is shown late Thursday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Mary Fant Enfinger
October 1, 2021
Mary Fant Enfinger of Cantonment, Florida was born on Feb. 9, 1939 in Kilgore, Texas and entered Heaven’s gates on Saturday, September 25, 2021.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. F.L. Enfinger; her oldest grandson, Dale Nathan Enfinger, Jr.; her parents, Rev. C.D. Fant Sr./Eva Moulton Fant; 4 brothers, Ronald Fant, Rev. Henry Fant, Rev. C.D. Fant Jr., Marshall Fant; her sister, Martha Fant Terry. Mrs. Enfinger is survived by her three sons: Randy Enfinger (Denise), Wesley Enfinger (Lisa), and Dale Enfinger (Cora), and 1 brother, John Fant (Faye). She is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 21 great children, and 1 great, great grandchild, as well as an innumerable amount of friends.
Mary moved with her family as a young teenager to Molino, Fl. where she eventually met and married Fillmore Lee Enfinger. They enjoyed over 50 years together before the Lord called him home. She was a loving Mother to her sons and a kind friend to all she met, but her “calling”, her “occupation”, was to be a devoted helpmeet to her husband. She served at his side faithfully as he ministered in churches and throughout the surrounding communities. Mary Enfinger was a modern day example of the godly woman described in Proverbs 31. The heart of her husband did truly trust in her and her children certainly call her blessed! She was a woman that should be praised! Even after the passing of her husband, she continued to faithfully serve the Lord and support His work until the Lord graciously allowed her to join her loved ones in Heaven. She will be interred at the First Baptist Church of Cottage Hill where she and her husband served for 28 years.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, October 5, 2021 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Alan Harpe officiating. Burial will follow in Cottage Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.
Family will receive friends at 1 p.m. prior to services.
Slight Chance Of Rain Friday And Saturday, Higher Chance By Sunday
October 1, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: A 20 percent chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. East wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 61.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
Here Is Tonight’s High School Football Schedule
October 1, 2021
Here are tonight’s North Escambia area high school football games:
FLORIDA
- Jay at Northview [Click for homecoming game and parade info]
- Pace at Tate
- Godby at West Florida
- Milton at Washington
- Pensacola High at Arnold
- Mobile Christian at Pensacola Catholic
- Gulf Breeze (bye week)
- Navarre (bye week)
- Pine Forest 22, Escambia 20 (Thursday)
ALABAMA
- Escambia Academy at Chipley (FL)
- Vigor at Escambia County (Atmore) (4 p.m.)
- Bayside Academy at Flomaton
- Excel at T.R. Miller
- St. Michael Catholic at W.S. Neal
Pictured: Tate at Escambia last week. NorthEscambia.com photo by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
UWF State Of The University Address: Saunders Reflects On Navigating Pandemic, Looks To New Horizon
October 1, 2021
University of West Florida President Martha D. Saunders reflected on the adaptation and accomplishments of Argonauts amid a global pandemic during her 2021 State of the University address Thursday. Saunders addressed students, faculty and staff in the UWF Center for Fine and Performing Arts Mainstage Theatre.
“The combined impacts of Hurricane Sally, the broken bridge, a challenging legislative session, and the Delta variant blew us off course a time or two,” Saunders said. “But true to form, the Argonauts adapted and showed the resilient spirit for which we are known.”
Saunders said although UWF faced many obstacles, the University still had several treasures including record enrollment and recognition through metrics, rankings, grants and awards.
Highlights of the last year included the University receiving the 2021 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity, or HEED, award for the sixth time. Saunders also pointed out that for the ninth time, UWF was named a Great Colleges to Work For. UWF ranked among the best public regional universities in the South for the second consecutive year in the 2022 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges list. The University of West Florida was No. 1 in the Florida State University System for Metric 1 of the Florida Board of Governors’ 2020-21 performance-based funding model. More than 79% of UWF bachelor’s graduates are employed or furthering their education one year after graduation. The University was also once again named a gold-level military friendly school.
Despite the pandemic challenges, the University stayed true to its mission, providing high-quality education, research and community engagement. Saunders looked ahead to new horizons and plans including master planning, strategic planning, enrollment planning, and diversity planning.
“Having experienced a major disruption last year, we have a great opportunity to reconsider the ways in which we conduct our business,” Saunders said. “Storms have a way of clearing new paths and this will help shape us for years to come.”