Century Receives First Half Of $924,576 In American Rescue Plan Funds
October 4, 2021
Century has received the first half of $924,576 from the American Rescue Plan.
The first half of the town’s award totaled $462,288. The second half will arrive in about one year.
To date, the town council has not discussed how to spend the money, but there is plenty of time left to decide. All funds must be allocated by December 31, 2024, and all expenditures must be complete by December 31, 2026.
The funds provide eligible governments such as Century with a substantial infusion of resources to meet pandemic response needs and rebuild a stronger, and more equitable economy as the country recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the U.S. Treasury, the funds may be used to:
- Support public health expenditures, by, for example, funding COVID-19 mitigation efforts, medical expenses, behavioral health care, and certain public health and safety staff
- Address negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency, including economic harms to workers, households, small businesses, impacted industries, and the public sector
- Replace lost public sector revenue, using this funding to provide government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue experienced due to the pandemic
- Provide premium pay for essential workers, offering additional support to those who have and will bear the greatest health risks because of their service in critical infrastructure sectors
- Invest in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure, making necessary investments to improve access to clean drinking water, support vital wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, and to expand access to broadband internet
Within these overall categories, recipients have broad flexibility to decide how best to use this funding to meet the needs of their communities.
Escambia County will receive a total of $61.7 million from the American Rescue Plan. The county has received the first payment of about $30.9 million with the second payment to arrive in 2022.
Byrneville Elementary Names Students Of The Month
October 4, 2021
Byrneville Elementary School recently named students of the month for August.
They are:
Cantonment Man Allegedly Found Naked, Screaming In Local Front Yard
October 4, 2021
A Cantonment man was charged after he was allegedly found naked and screaming in the front yard of a local residence.
William Kevin Owen, 45, was charged with trespassing, resisting arrest without violence and indecent exposure.
Deputies arrived at a Cantonment residence to find Owen completely naked in the front yard, according to an arrest report. He refused to place his hands behind his back and was taken to the ground by deputies who grabbed his legs and upper body, the report continues.
A resident of the home told deputies he was inside his home when he heard Owen screaming and cussing. He looked outside to find Owen naked in the front yard.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Owen was indefinitely trespass warned from the home back in May 2020.
Owen remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $600.
Week 3 Escambia River Youth Football Scores
October 4, 2021
Here are week three scores from the Escambia River Conference youth league:
Freshmen
NWE Garnet 35, Baker 0
NWE Gold 13-Straughn 0
Jay 26, Brewton 6
Atmore 24, Flomaton 18
Neal 6, Andalusia 0
Sophomore
NWE Garnet 35 -Baker 0
Straughn 18 – NWE Gold 7
Jay 19 -Brewton 6
Flomaton 34 -Atmore 7
Andalusia 25-Neal 0
Junior
NWE Garnet 35 – Baker 0
NWE Gold 18 -Straughn 0
Brewton 13 -Jay 0
Flomaton 14 -Atmore 7
Andalusia 35-Neal 0
Senior
NWE Garnet 27 – Baker 6
Brewton 19 -Jay 6
Atmore 14 – Flomaton 0
Andalusia 27 – Neal 6
Straughn 2 -NWE Gold 0 (forfeit)
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Purrfect Ending: Trapped Kitten Rescued
October 4, 2021
It was a rescue with a “purffect” ending Saturday night for Escambia Fire Rescue.
The Ensley Fire Station responded to an animal rescue call about 7 p.m. They found a small kitten trapped under the eave of the roof, above the soffit. The kitten was removed unharmed and transported to the Escambia Count Animal Shelter.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Down On Average
October 4, 2021
Florida gas prices declined another couple of cents last week. The state average has been on a downward trend for the past two weeks; slipping a total of nickel since setting since in mid-September.
The state average stands at $3.05, while the average price per gallon in Escambia County is $3.02. A low of $2.90 could be found in North Escambia Sunday night at a station on Highway 29 in Cantonment, while the Pensacola warehouse clubs were at $2.87.
“After weeks of declines, gas prices face renewed upward pressure after the price of crude oil rose 3% last week,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Crude prices have remained elevated this year, because unlike the years before the pandemic – where supplies far outpaced demand – the global fuel market has tightened. Many countries reduced fuel production, due to the pandemic, and are now struggling to keep pace with returning demand.”
Dollar General: Old Century Store Remaining Open Along With New Location
October 3, 2021
Yes, Century is now home to two Dollar Generals.
Now that a new Dollar General has opened in Century less than two miles from an aging store, many residents want to know if the old one will close.
We took that question to Dollar General’s corporate office.
“The other store on North Century Boulevard will be staying open,” Katie Ellison, senior manager Dollar General Corporation Public Relations, told NorthEscambia.com.
She said the new store will not replace the current Century Dollar General that’s just over a mile and a half away on North Century Boulevard near the state line, the Food Giant and a Family Dollar. The old Century Dollar General opened in July 2002 in a building that was constructed in 1970.
The new 9,291 square foot Dollar General in the 7000 block of North Century Boulevard in Century opened late last week.
Pictured top: A Dollar General location in Century has been open for 19 years in a building that’s 50 years old. Pictured below: A new Dollar General is now open in the 7000 block of North Century Boulevard in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
ECSO Still Looking For Three Suspects In Ladarius Clardy Murder; Two Jailed
October 3, 2021
Two people are behind bars in connection with the murder of football standout Ladarius Clardy, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is still looking for three more suspects.
Amos Dehontiguan Snowden Jr. and his brother Da’Quavion Snowden, Jr. are both charged with first degree principal to murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Both are in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Authorities are still searching for Kobie Lashun Jenkins, Jr. on charges including first degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Timothy Knight Jr., 20, and Terrell Taquez Parker, 23, are wanted for principal first degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder and one count of attempted murder.
Clardy, a former standout Pine Forest High School quarterback, was shot and found dead in a vehicle crash. His vehicle was found with over 50 bullet holes in a ravine at Hollywood Avenue and Fairfield Drive about 1 a.m. on July 1.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of any suspect is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620, Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP, or 911.
Look At Those Eyes! Check Out Moth Watching.
October 3, 2021
Bird watching. Butterfly watching. Moth watching.
Moth watching? Yeah, it’s thing, and it’s moth season. There are are than more than 10,000 species of moths in the United States, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. They’re not wildlife, but they are often tasty snacks for Florida wildlife.
A little more science…moths display what is called a “startle display”. When they are startled and feel threatened, several of moths unfold to reveal what looks like large eyes. It gives the little guy a chance to frighten a would-be predator.
One such moth is the Polyphemus moth (pictured above and below, except the yellow/rust colored one). It is a tan-colored moth that looks rather benign at rest. But when started, it opens its wings to reveal two large purplish “eyes”. With a wingspan that reaches six inches, it was named for the cyclops Polyphemus in greek mythology.
Many people think of moths as pests, but they are actually important pollinators for native wild plants and agricultural crops. according to FWC.
Moths can be seen in the daytime in the North Escambia area, buy many varieties can be seen after dark.
Pictured above and below: The Polyphemus moth, which has a wingspan that reaches six inches. Pictured first below is an imperial moth, about 4.5 inches wide, on a window screen. Pictured bottom: More photos of a Polyphemus moth. All photos were taken locally. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
New Gas Tax Now In Effect In Alabama
October 3, 2021
Drivers filling their gas tanks in Alabama are now paying a little more in tax.
The tax increase amounts to two-cents per gallon; it’s the final phase of 10 cents in increases scheduled under the Rebuild Alabama Act of 2019. The gas tax was also increased two cents in 2020 and six cents in 2019.
The tax was passed to help with road and bridge construction in Alabama.
Pictured: A gas station on Highway 31 in Atmore. NorthEscambia.com file photo.