Flomaton Police, Century CI Help Santa Provide Christmas Gifts
December 24, 2021
The Flomaton Police Department recently helped Santa provide gifts to several children and families in the community with their annual “Fill the Cruiser” toy drive.
In addition to generous donations from the community, the Century Correctional Institution provided bicycles.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Juvenile Charged With Davisville Store Robbery, Accused With Two Others In Molino Burglary
December 23, 2021
A juvenile has been charged in connection with an armed robbery in Davisville and an unrelated residential burglary in Molino.
Tallin Bishop, 17, is charged with robbery and armed burglary, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. He was booked into the Escambia Regional Juvenile Detention Center.
Authorities say Bishop (pictured above) is the person that robbed the Marathon convenience store on Highway 97 in Davisville on December 7. There were no injuries.
Bishop and 18-year old Samuel Max Adams of Flomaton are both charged in connection with an armed burglary on December 8 in the Dogwood Park area. A warrant was also issued for the arrest of an adult male that is currently jailed in Escambia County, Alabama, and is awaiting extradition.
Wearing masks and armed, the trio entered the home through an unlocked door and were confronted by the homeowner, according to an arrest report.
On December 10, Bishop and the adult male were arrested on numerous felony burglary charges in Alabama, the report states, and Adams was developed as a suspect in the burglary.
Above: Samuel Max Adams
Woman Struck By Gunfire Through The Walls Of Her Cantonment Mobile Home
December 23, 2021
A woman in Cantonment was struck by gunfire through the walls of her trailer Wednesday night.
The woman was struck in the abdomen and hand as she was going to sleep in her bed, according to Sgt. Melony Peterson. The woman was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS.
It happened about 8:50 p.m. at a mobile home behind the Oak Tavern Bar in the 300 block of Robinson Street, just north of Muscogee Road.
Peterson said preliminary information led deputies to believe the gunfire came from the area of the bar. There was no available suspect information.
The investigation is continuing.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Acres Of Christmas Lights, Hayride, Goats In Pajamas Nightly Through Christmas At Runamuck Ranch In Bratt
December 23, 2021
The Runamuck Ranch in Bratt has tens of thousands of Christmas lights, and you are invited to stop by and see them for free nightly through Christmas.
And see the goats in pajamas.
The lights festival will be open Friday and Christmas from 5:30 until 9 p.m. The gate closes at 8:30 p.m., and the last hayride is at 8:15 p.m.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Nestled on three or four acres in the woods off Rigby Road, the display is walk-through (not a drive-through). Admission and parking are free, but donations are accepted.
Visitors walk a short distance from the parking lot down a lighted path and cross a small foot bridge into the Christmas wonderland. It’s in an open, park-like setting with lots of lights, inflatables, and animated displays.
Concessions are available — hot cocoa, popcorn, cotton candy, hot tea, bottled water and more are mostly $1 each. A S’mores kit will set you back just $3. Only cash is accepted. There are picnic tables and lounge chairs, and propane patio heaters if it’s cold.
Runamuck Ranch is located at 4951 Rigby Road in Bratt (about 1.5 miles from Bratt Elementary). Take Still Road south off West Highway 4 turn left on Rigby Road and look for the signs. Don’t expect to see a lot of lights from the road; it’s a driveway back to the parking lot. (We found that Google Maps was a bit off on the location; click here for a map to the driveway.)
There may be an encore opening New Year’s weekend, but plans are not yet final.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: The Christmas lights festival at Runamuck Ranch in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Seniors Christmas Party Held At Quintette Community Center
December 23, 2021
A community Christmas party for seniors was recently held at the Quintette Community Center. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
AAA Predicts Near Record Holiday Travel This Year
December 23, 2021
AAA is forecasting that nearly 6 million Florida residents will travel 50 miles or more as they hit the road, board airplanes or take other transportation out of town between December 23 and January 2.
That’s 4.5 percent fewer travelers than the record high for Florida set back in 2019, but it’s still 1.5 million (35%) more than last year.
More than 109 million people — an almost 34% increase from 2020 — are forecast to travel across the county. The bounce-back — 27.7 million more travelers than the 2020 holiday period — brings this year’s numbers in line with 2017 figures, and just 8% shy of 2019 – which was the highest on record.
Road trips remain the top mode of travel during the holidays, with over 100 million (91%) planning to drive to their destinations, despite gasoline costing $1.13 per gallon more than a year ago. Airlines will see a 184% increase from last year. More than 6 million people are expected to fly, while 3 million are booking buses, trains and cruises.
Local Drivers Get Break From Road Construction For The Holiday
December 23, 2021
Florida drivers will get a break from road construction for Christmas and New Year’s.
There will be no lane closures or other activities that impede traffic on major state roads throughout the Florida panhandle beginning at 7 a.m. on Thursday, December 23 and ending at 12:01 a.m. Monday, January 3, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Century Prison, Century Town Officials Gift Bicycles To Six Deserving Children
December 23, 2021
The Century Correctional Institution presented six bicycles to the Town of Century to be gifted to deserving children in the community.
Mayor Ben Boutwell and each of the five elected council members were able to choose a child to receive a bicycle.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Debates Hiring New Town Manager, Public Works Boss Or Some Other Next Step
December 22, 2021
The Century Town Council is debating whether to hire a town manager, a public works director or make some other move.
After nearly two years on the job, interim town manager Vernon Prather’s last day was November 30 after he opted not to seek a contract renewal.
The town rehired Leslie Howington as town clerk, and she proposed combining the town clerk and town manager roles.
“I just feel that a public works director would be vital for our town, for the future,” Mayor Ben Boutwell told the council this week. “So that’s the direction that I want to go.”
The mayor said he wants a public works director to run the town’s water, sewer, sanitation, parks and streets department, while he and Howington run the administrative side of things. With upcoming water and sewer projects, including work at the wastewater treatment plant, Boutwell said someone knowledgeable about those operations needs to be an overseer.
“We need a public works director; we don’t need a town manager,” Boutwell said.
“I’m looking for the benefit and progress of this town,” Council President Luis Gomez said. “We have a lot of projects coming in. I agree 100% we need somebody in the field.”
Council member Dynette Lewis said she’s not yet completely sold on the idea of creating a public works position. Rather, she said she wants to learn more.
The council took no action this week and will revisit the issue in January.
In addition to Howington, 10 people applied for the town manager position. To see the full list that includes former Century mayor Henry Hawkins, click or tap here.
Pictured: Century Mayor Ben Boutwell presented an appreciation plaque to former town manager Vernon Prather this week honoring his nearly two years of service. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia Horticulture Technician Carol Lord Retires After Over 30 Years
December 22, 2021
Escambia County horticulture technician Carol Lord has retired after almost 32 years of public service.
If you’ve called or visited Escambia County at UF/IFAS Extension Services with a plant question in the last three decades, the odds are that Lord assisted you.
“Particularly in the springtime when everything starts growing, it was not unusual for her to spend nearly 8 hours straight answering calls or talking to office visitors. She is a wealth of knowledge of all things horticultural, and a whiz at identifying plants, diagnosing plant diseases, and making wise recommendations on soil and nutrient issues,” the Extension Service said in a social media post.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.