Inside Century Correctional Institution
September 3, 2014
Century Correctional Institution recently offered community members an inside look at what goes on inside the facility, plus insight into how the prison gives back to the community.
A great deal of what happens daily inside Century CI is targeted toward preparing and reforming prisoners for life outside the facility. The ultimate goal is to reduce recidivism — former prisoners returning to prison. Florida’s recidivism rate has dropped from 30.5 percent in 2011 to 27.6 percent in 2013. Approximately 90.3 percent of offenders who complete community supervision do not return to custody or supervision within three years.
The main unit at Century CI has a total capacity of 1,508 inmates. Currently, about 300 of those are service life sentences. Over 600 other inmates are housed under the supervision of the Century Correctional Institution in the Century Work Camp, Berrydale Forestry Camp and the Pensacola Community Release Center. The average prisoner in Century is serving 5.21 years and is about 38 years old.
Locally, Century Correctional Institution currently employs 341 security staff; of which 210 reside in Escambia County, 74 in Santa Rosa, six in Okaloosa and 48 live in Alabama. The facilities annual budget is just under $17 million.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Work squads from Century CI and the Berrydale Forestry Camp provide inmate labor for numerous agencies, including Escambia County, Santa Rosa County, the Department of Transportation, Century, Jay and Gulf Breeze — resulting in a $3.1 million savings for taxpayers. Additional, Century CI inmates work on the campuses of local schools including Bratt Elementary, Ernest Ward Middle and Northview High. Prisoner work squads are only allowed on school campuses when no students are present.
Volunteers from the outside also assist inside the prison, with 3,294 volunteer hours recorded in the first half of 2014.
Through a partnership with the UF/IFAS program, prisoners have raised 647,968 pounds of produce such as tomatoes, collards, turnips, sweet corn, cabbage and watermelon valued at $925 thousand.
Statewide the Community Partnership Meetings such as the one held at Century Correctional aim to open avenues of communication and build strong relationships between the correctional institutions and local communities.
“I look forward to the upcoming session and being able to assist the Department in addressing many of the issues that I have heard and seen today,” Rep. Mike Hill said following the tour, while commending staff “on an outstanding job they do every day in keeping our communities safe.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: Open bunks in a prison dorm at Century Correctional Institution. Pictured top inset: Inside a more secure housing unit. Pictured below: Community leaders tour a housing unit inside Century Correctional Institution. NorthEscambia.com photos. click to enlarge.
Northview To Host Mini-Majorette Clinic
September 3, 2014
The Northview High School Majorettes will host a Mini-Majorette Clinic this Saturday, September 6th from 8-11 a.m. and September 11th from 4-5 p.m.
The clinic will teach students baton tricks, skills, and a baton routine that they will perform at pregame during the Northview vs Chipley game on September 12th. The clinic is open to any student from 5 years of age to 8th grade. Students must bring their own baton due to limited extras. The cost will be $25 per child and includes the clinic, a t-shirt, admission to the home game and a performance before kick-off.
If interested, registration is on September 6th between 7:30-8 a.m.in the Northview band room, just before the Saturday practice. Registration fees are due on September 6 to ensure that t-shirts are available on time. Call (850) 380-2531 for more information.
Snacks and drinks will be provided on the Saturday practice, but students are encouraged to bring something of their own.
Pictured top: Northview High School majorettes Julie Hester, Brianna Smith and Hanna Mascaro. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ransom Responds, Tate’s Shackle Shivers With Ice Bucket Challenge
September 2, 2014
Ransom Middle School staff members recently responded to the ice bucket challenger for ALS, as did Tate High Principal Richard Shackle.
Shackle recently completed the ALS ice bucket challenge from Superintendent Malcolm Thomas. Shackle challenged the Escambia County School District’s assistant principals and Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan. Shackle also donate $100 to ALS. (Video below)
And the staff at Ransom Middle School stepped up to the challenge after Principal Brent Brummet was challenged by Thomas. About 50 Ransom staff members took part in the ALS challenge.
The ALS challenge has a couple of goals — raise money and raise awareness about ALS, a neurodegenerative nerve disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.
Pictured top: Ransom Middle School staff members including Principal Brent Brummet (tan pants) and Assistant Principal Sandy Ames (long black pants) take the ALS ice bucket challenge. Pictured inset: Tate Principal Rick Shackle takes the challenge.
If you do not see the video below, it is because your work, school or home firewall is blocking external videos from Youtube.
Faulk Graduates From Basic Military Training
September 2, 2014
Air Force Airman Randy Faulk graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Faulk is the son of Volante Henderson of Augusta, Ga., and grandson of Junius McGee of Century.
Celebrating 100 Years: Extension’s Role In The Community
September 1, 2014
For 100 years, the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension program has been enhancing and sustaining the quality of life by making university research accessible to the public.
UF/IFAS Extension is a federal-state-county partnership dedicated to developing knowledge in agriculture, human and natural resources, and the life sciences. UF/IFAS has a reputation for excellence in teaching and research on the university campus, which is extended into every community in the state through county extension offices. The local branch of UF/IFAS is typically referred to as “extension,” with “extension agents” tasked with carrying out educational programs.
Since inception, the Escambia County extension agents have translated research from the UF campus into useful instruction for members of the community, taking a highly engaging approach to learning. For example, natural resource agents lead clientele in kayaking trips over seagrass beds to teach them about coastal ecology, while the agriculture agent hosts a biannual farm tour for elected officials. Horticulture agents teach physically and intellectually challenged youth to grow vegetables in a wheelchair accessible garden, while 4-H youth learn legislative procedure at mock sessions in the state capital.
Customer service surveys performed in 2012 indicated 96% of residents who used Escambia County Extension were satisfied with their experience, and 90% of walk-in clientele said the information they received answered their questions or solved their problem.
Annually, Escambia County Extension agents train over 700 volunteers to further the reach of our educational efforts, with a total contribution (in 2012) of 54,035 hours valued at $983,437. Individuals in classes and workshops return to Extension time after time, due to the agents’ ability to utilize relationships with UF and local community members to provide targeted, science-based information through creative teaching methods.
ll of these efforts promote the advancement of agriculture, natural resources and sustainable economic development in Escambia County. Program area advisory committees, comprised of local citizens, assure that programs meet community needs.
Pictured top: Escambia County Extension Agent Carrie Stevenson and 4-H caretaker Ellis Miller blow out the candles on a 100th birthday cake for Escambia Extension. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Cotton Transition Assistance Program Enrollment Underway
August 31, 2014
Farmers can enroll in the Cotton Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) beginning through October 7.
The program, created by the 2014 Farm Bill, provides interim payments to cotton producers during the 2014 crop year until the Stacked Income Protection Plan, a new insurance product also created by the legislation, is available. Details on the plan will be released by mid-August.
CTAP applications approved before Oct. 1, are subject to Congressionally mandated automatic reductions of 7.2 percent for the 2014 crop year. Applications approved after October 1 will be reduced the required 7.3 percent for the 2015 crop year. The Budget Control Act of 2011 requires USDA to implement these reductions to program payments.
For more information about CTAP, visit a local FSA office or go online to www.fsa.usda.gov.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Sunny Days: Growing Sunflowers
August 31, 2014
by the Santa Rosa Extension Service
Sunflowers not only make the garden beautiful but can also be used to bring the beauty of outdoors inside.
It may be towards the end of summer, but you can still plant sunflowers and enjoy them during the fall. In north Florida, try to complete sunflower planting by the third week in August. Depending on the variety, sunflowers will bloom about 55 to 75 days after planting – 60 days is a good average. Some sunflowers are sensitive to day length and may yield shorter plants and earlier bloom when planted in late summer. This corresponds to the reduction in daylight hours as summer progresses toward autumn.
To begin, choose cultivars that fit your landscape. There are now more sunflowers than just the seed bearing giants that many gardeners are familiar with. Just take a look at the gardening catalogs.
Sunflowers can be broadly divided into two types: those grown for production of edible seeds and those grown as ornamentals and cut flowers. Most gardeners will be interested in the ornamental sunflowers, also known as Helianthus annuus.
Sunflowers come in heights ranging from less than one foot to ten feet and also come in a wide range of flower colors. While brilliant yellow will always be popular, you can also choose from creamy white, bronze, mahogany, rusty red, burgundy and orange. Some types produce flowers with more than one color. The center disk of the sunflower also adds to the display and goes through color changes as the flower matures and seeds form.
Sunbright, Sunrich Lemon, Sunrich Orange, Soraya and Moulin Rouge are some that are recommended for Florida.
For best bouquet results, choose cultivars that are pollen-less to prevent pollen from shedding onto a tablecloth or other flowers in an arrangement.
If you want to grow sunflowers for the delicious, nutritious seeds, make sure you choose varieties bred for seed production, such as Mammoth Russian – also known as Mammoth, Russian Giant and Gray Stripe. These tall-growing sunflowers produce a single enormous flower at the top of the plant. To grow a really big seed head, apply general-purpose fertilizer when the flower head begins to appear. Just be sure to place them so that you can stake them if necessary.
Sunflowers are true to their name, they need to be grown in full sun. Prepare a sunflower bed as you would for planting most vegetables. They tolerate heat and dry conditions and almost any soil type. The pH preference is 6.5 to 7.5 and the addition of composted organic matter is beneficial.
Plant seeds about one-quarter inch deep directly into a prepared garden bed. It’s common to plant sunflowers into landscape beds, and many gardeners include a row of sunflowers in spring and fall vegetable gardens. After sowing the seeds, water the bed well and thesun water it as needed to keep the soil moist – even lightly every day if the weather is dry.
Sunflowers should be harvested in early morning before 10:00 a.m. It is best to cut the stems and place them in warm water right away for best results.
The versatility and variety of today’s sunflowers offer something for almost every garden and gardener. If you haven’t tried this plant lately, give it another look.
Theresa Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
Pack A Better School Lunch
August 31, 2014
by Dorothy Lee, Escambia County Extension
It’s that time of year again. With kids off to school they are again faced with the important question: What’s for lunch? With childhood obesity on the rise, having a nutritious lunch is an important part of an overall healthful diet. Since most kids consume one-third of their daily total calories at lunch, here are some tips on helping them eat more super-nutritious foods:
- Plan ahead. It helps to have all the right ingredients on hand for making the best lunch. You might even consider coming up with a weekly menu. Involve the kids in planning whenever possible.
- Avoid last-minute rushing by preparing all or part of lunch the night before.
- Use cookie cutters to make fun shapes with sandwiches, etc.
- Make sure you always include at least one fresh fruit or vegetable – both is even better.
- Hide special notes or cards in the lunch box.
- Best beverage bets include skim milk, water or 100% fruit juice.
- Try to use more low-fat snack and cookie items – see the list below for ideas.
- Remember food safety. It is better if you keep foods chilled in insulated lunch boxes with either an ice pack or frozen juice box.
And consider options when choosing ingredients for lunches:
Dorothy C. Lee, CFCS, is an Extension Agent, Family & Consumer Sciences with the Escambia County Extension Service.
10 Years After Arriving In America, New Citizen Votes For The First Time
August 27, 2014
Ten years to the day since Cesar Gonzalez came to America from Colombia, South America, he voted in his first election Tuesday in Century.
Gonzalez became a naturalized citizen on November 9, 2012, and registered to vote in the lobby of the courthouse immediately following the ceremony. Tuesday he showed his identification, just like every other U.S. citizen, and cast his vote at Precinct 22, the Century Town Hall.
His path to citizenship took seven years. Gonzalez was already a permanent resident, so the only tangible benefit he received with his citizenship was the right to vote. He and his wife, Century Town Clerk Leslie Gonzalez, moved to Century in 2010.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lineworker Appreciation Day Was Tuesday
August 26, 2014
When Robert Duke was growing up in the Pensacola area, he spent a lot of time at a restaurant where Gulf Power linemen would come eat for lunch.
“I would talk to them a lot,” he said. “Then after Hurricane Frederick (in 1979), they came and worked in our yard. I got pumped up and said, ‘Man, I’m going to be a lineman one day.’”
Duke has been a lineman for Gulf Power for almost 27 years. As the state honors lineworkers across the state on Tuesday, August 26 with Lineworker Appreciation Day, Duke is proud that line crews are being recognized for the work they do to keep customer’s lights on.
“You’re in the field every day and not in the same place,” he said. “We work in the heat and sometimes it’s hard on your body. But it’s a good feeling knowing you are getting people’s lights on when they’re in a bind. That’s a big reward.”
Gulf Power is proud to salute its lineworkers, who work tirelessly to keep Northwest Florida’s electricity flowing.
“Gulf Power crews do a great job of keeping the lights on — but they’re often called away from their families to work nights and holidays to restore power following storms or traffic accidents for example,” said Wendell Smith, Gulf Power vice president of Power Delivery. “These men and women are truly heroes and this day is to honor them.”
Gulf Power has approximately 175 employees who work on the company’s transmission and distribution lines, which total more than 9,300 miles.
They have been especially busy this year in addition to their regular duties. Many were called away from their families in February during the ice storm in Pensacola and again in April when the floodwaters hit. In both events, they were able to restore power in less than 48 hours while working in hazardous conditions.
In 2012, the state Legislature made August 26 Lineworker Appreciation Day in Florida. It was created through the efforts of lawmakers and Tracy Moore, the widow of a Lakeland lineman, who was killed while working.
Part of Gulf Power’s mission is to lend assistance to other companies when natural disasters knock power out to hundreds of thousands of customers. Earlier this year, Gulf Power sent lineworkers to assist its sister company Georgia Power for a week following an ice storm. In 2013, Gulf Power sent crews out of state to assist other utilities on two different occasions. One of those was a trip to Alabama in March following a series of tornadoes. In December, crews worked to restore power in the Dallas area following an ice storm.
“Our award-winning lineworkers are committed to keeping the lights on, whether here in Northwest Florida or across the country,” Smith said. “That’s what they do and we’re proud they are being recognized for their efforts.”
NorthEscambia.com and submitted photos, click to enlarge.