Smith Says Goodbye; At Least Five Want Appointment To Century Town Council
December 19, 2022
The Century Town Council will appoint two new members in two weeks, and we now know the names of at least five of the persons interested in a seat.
Council member James Smith, Jr. recently said goodbye to the council at their final schedule meeting of 2022. He praised the work done by Mayor Ben Boutwell, Town Clerk Leslie Howington and the council in advancing Century.
Smith was elected to the council as a political newcomer in 2018. He chose not to seek a second term.
Council member Leonard White also did not seek reelection, and resigned from the council on September 27, citing time constraints due to his full time job.
That will leave both seats open when the council reconvenes for a new term on January 2. At that time, Sandra McMurray Jackson will be sworn in for another term; she ran unopposed this year. Then, the council will appoint two members to serve until a special election for the seats, which will mostly likely take place in March 2023.
Five citizens have formally expressed their interest in a temporary appointment, according to a town document. They are Shelisa Abraham, Michelle Dixon, Edward (Eddie) Hammond, Alicia Johnson and Corenda Phifer. Johnson has told town officials that she does not intend to run for the council during the special election, while the other four said they will likely seek election.
During his final council meeting, Smith said he won’t rule out placing his name on the special election ballot.
Any citizen interested in a temporary appointment to the council can contact town hall or current council members Luis Gomez, Sandra Jackson or Dynette Lewis.
Pictured: Century council member James Smith, Jr. says goodbye during his last last regularly scheduled meeting recently. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Cold Rain Tonight, Tuesday
December 19, 2022
An arctic front will move across the area by late week, bringing windy and bitterly cold conditions.
Wind chill warnings, hard freeze warnings and gale warnings are becoming more likely for late week.
Uncertainty remains in just how low temperatures will actually drop and if or when any wintry precipitation may occur. However, lows in the teens and 20s are possible Thursday night through Saturday night. We’ll continue to monitor trends over the coming days and provide updates.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers. Low around 42. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tuesday: Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 3pm. High near 52. Northeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. South wind 5 to 15 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 37. Breezy, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 18.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 35.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 20.
Christmas Day: Sunny, with a high near 40.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 21.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 47.
Drama Club To Present ‘An Ernest Ward Christmas’ Tonight
December 19, 2022
The Ernest Ward Middle School Drama Club will present “An Ernest Ward Christmas” at 6:00 tonight.
Tickets for the fundraising performance are $3 cash for general admission; children age 4 and under will be admitted free. The audience will cast votes at $1 each to determine the People’s Choice Award, and concessions will be available.
Proceeds from the show will be used to purchase costumes, backdrops, and props for the annual Veterans Day and Christmas programs at Ernest Ward.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fire Rips Through Outbuilding In Cottage Hill Sunday Night
December 19, 2022
Fire destroyed an outbuilding in Cottage Hill Sunday night.
The fire was reported just before 7 p.m. in the 1300 block of Parker Road.
Firefighters arriving on scene reported the structure involved in fire, and they reported ammunition inside the building was going off.
Relatives described the building as a smokehouse sed for smoking meats.
There were no injuries reported, and no immediate word on the cause of the fire.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Northview High NJROTC Orienteering Team Wins Area Championship, Bid To Nationals
December 19, 2022
The Northview High School NJROTC won the NJROTC Area 8 Orienteering Championship over the weekend.
Their next step is the NJROTC Orienteering National Championship in March 2023.
Orienteering involves navigation with a map and compass with a goal of getting from point to point in the fastest time possible.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Cowboys Juniors Win 1st Place, Grand Champions In Aggie Cheer Classic
December 19, 2022
The Cantonment Cowboys junior cheerleaders won a first place and grand champion trophy in the recent Aggie Cheer Classic hosted by the Tate High Aggie cheerleaders. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pedestrian Killed In Escambia County
December 19, 2022
A pedestrian that was struck and killed over the weekend in Escambia County.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the unknown age male attempted to cross New Warrington Road at Flynn Drive. He stepped in front of a vehicle about 10:06 p.m. Saturday and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
A Dayton, Ohio, woman who was driving the vehicle was not injured.
FHP has now identified the victim. The pedestrian’s identity has not been released pending further investigation and notification of next of kin.
Kelly Ray Swanson
December 19, 2022
Mr. Kelly Ray Swanson, age 65, passed away peacefully, Wednesday, December 14, 2022, in Atmore AL; with his family by his bedside. He was born August 29, 1957, in Lansing, MI; then resided in Seattle, WA; before moving to Atmore, AL; a year and a half ago.
Mr. Swanson loved his dogs, enjoyed camping, and riding his Harley. He always stayed busy working, especially in his yard and around his pond.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Floyd (Alice) Swanson, and twin sister, Becky Cunningham.
He is survived by his daughter, Jennifer (James) Brazwell, of Atmore, AL; three grandchildren, Kelsi Brazwell, Michael Brazwell, Madison Brazwell, and one nephew, Chris Stewart.
Graveside service will be held Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at 2:30 PM at Poplar Dell Cemetery with Rev. Bill Stuckey officiating.
Florida Gas Prices Decline; Escambia Sees Low Of $2.55
December 19, 2022
Florida gas prices dropped 12 cents per gallon last week. The state average has now declined five consecutive weeks, falling a total of 54 cents per gallon since mid-November.
On Sunday, Florida gas prices averaged $3.04 per gallon. That’s the lowest daily average price since September 2021.
In Escambia County the average price per gallon Sunday night was $2.83. The North Escambia low price was $2.71, while stations on Nine Mile Road and the warehouse clubs in Pensacola were at $2.55.
“The plunge at the pump is the result of falling oil prices, which have plummeted primarily due to market concerns about a global economic recession,” said Mark Jenkins, Public Relations Manager, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Lower oil prices lowers the cost of producing gasoline. These low gas prices should hang around through the end of the year, unless oil prices unexpectedly rebound.”
Cantonment Woman Charged With Burglary, Providing False Name, Meth Possession
December 18, 2022
A Cantonment woman arrested for burglary was also charged with lying about her name to law enforcement.
Emily Reese Klercker, 19, was charged with felony burglary of an unoccupied residence, petit theft, felony possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), and providing false identification to law enforcement.
Klercker allegedly broke into her stepfather’s home, where she does not reside, and took items worth $465 including medical marijuana, a grooming kit, smoking pipe, wine and AirPods. The alleged theft was caught on surveillance video, according to an arrest report.
When deputies located Klercker sitting on the front porch of a home on Lowndes Avenue, she provided a false name, according to her arrest report. They also reported finding a gram of methamphetamine in the pocket of her hoodie.
Klercker remained in the Escambia County Jail Sunday morning with her bond set at $10,000.