Molino Man Convicted Of Child Molestation
November 21, 2019
A Molino man has been convicted of child molestation.
Dennis Lister Odom, 60, was found guilty by an Escambia County jury on two counts of lewd or lascivious molestation.
From June 2017 through September 2018, Odom fondled a young girl left in his care. She disclosed the abuse to family members in September 2018, and Odom was arrested in October 2018. After Odom’s arrest, another young girl came forward and disclosed that she had also been molested by Odom over the course of several years.
Odom will be sentenced on January 3. He faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 25 years in state prison with a maximum sentence of up to life. He will be designated as a sexual predator.
Fire Heavily Damages Home Near Century; Cause Under Investigation
November 21, 2019
The cause of a fire that damaged a home near Century early Thursday morning is under investigation.
The fire in 1000 block of Backwoods Road was reported just after 1 a.m. and took about 40 minutes to bring under control. There were no injuries reported.
The fire reportedly began in a bedroom of the 2,000 square foot brick home. The exact cause is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
The Century, McDavid, Walnut Hill and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Flomaton Fire Department and the Jay Fire Department responded, along with Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Newly Paved, Crumbling North Highway 99 Set To Be Fixed By Thanksgiving
November 21, 2019
The crumbling and sinking on recently paved North Highway 99 should be fixed by Thanksgiving, according to Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry.
Shortly after a $2.4 million resurfacing project on the roadway from Oak Grove to Bratt was completed in July, the asphalt began to sink, crack and literally slide under the weight of passing traffic. So far, there’s no definitive answer as to why, but that won’t stop repairs.
“We are still not sure what has caused the problems, but we are sending portions of the road off to a lab to be tested and determine the cause of problem,” Barry said Wednesday evening.
After multiple meetings and testing of core samples over the last few weeks, Escambia County and contractor Panhandle Grading and Paving are going ahead with repairs.
“The most important outcome is to have the road repaired for all the citizens that utilize Highway 99 on a regular basis, and I am happy to report that, weather permitting, Panhandle will complete the necessary repairs by Thanksgiving next week, Barry said. “While we do not have an exact dollar figure for the expense of the repairs, we do expect it to be less than $50,000s, or 2% of the project’s total cost.”
Work is set to begin Monday, November 25 and be completed by Wednesday, November 27 to mill and resurface the problem areas.
“I apologize for the inconvenience our citizens have experienced, but I am looking forward to Highway 99 being in great shape when so many of us will be traveling on Thanksgiving to spend the day with our families and loved ones,” Barry added.
North Highway 99 resurfacing was planned for 2024-25, but the Escambia County Commission fast tracked the advancement of $1,726,325 available in Local Option Sales Tax to last fiscal year and solicited bids.
The 8.01 mile roadway runs from Highway 97, past Highway 4 in Bratt and continues to the state line. It is a major north-south transportation corridor for the area. In addition to the school buses that serve Bratt Elementary on North Highway 99, buses travel the road twice-daily between Northview High and Ernest Ward Middle schools.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Was About To Lose Its Job Service, But They’ve Found A New Free Home
November 21, 2019
CareerSource Escarosa was looking at the possibly closing their Century location, but now should stick around thanks to free space from the town.
CareerSource currently operates three days a week from a mobile home owned by Abundant Life Assembly of God at 8120 North Century Boulevard. The nonprofit agency provides employment and training resources for area job seekers and employers. They also operate a video conferencing system that allows face to face interaction with the Social Security Administration.
CareerSource CEO Sheryl Rehberg said they will be leaving the mobile by January because it is “falling apart”.
Mayor Henry Hawkins has offered to allow CareerSource to use about 200 square feet of a storage area located just off the lobby at Century Town Hall three days per week for free, and the agency will reimburse the town $150 per month to cover utilities. The room will be partitioned off for the jobs agency.
According Rehberg, the agency will install their office and computer equipment and provide their own internet service. She said they currently see between 3-12 people per day.
The two-year contract will include an early termination clause. The town council must approve the contract once it is prepared.
Central Water Works, Town Of Century Consider Interconnect, Mutual Aid Agreement
November 21, 2019
The Town of Century and Central Water Works are working toward a mutual aid and interconnect agreement.
Century currently has no interconnection with any other water system except their own system, according to Interim Town Manager Buz Eddy. Central Water Works would provide the town with a backup for their water supply in the event of an emergency or the need to make a major repair.
The town has a well on Blackmon street that delivers 520 gallons per minute, a well rated at 320 gallons per minute on Academy Street that is currently not operational and in need of repair, and a well at the prison that delivers 320 gallons per minute but needs major repair work.
The town is proposing a physical interconnect with Central’s system on Tedder Road near the prison or on Highway 4 near Williams Street. Under the proposed agreement, the town would use Central’s water supply only in the event of an emergency, and the town would be required to submit a service deposit if the interconnect is operated and pay $2.50 per 1,000 gallons used. It would take a representative from both utilities with a key to open the connection.
Century typically would not be able to provide significant amounts of water back to Central due to elevation and pressure issues, according to the town.
The town will pay for the interconnect equipment and meter at an estimated cost of about $60,000 to $70,000, plus engineering work estimated at $22,500.
Central is also proposing to make equipment and personnel available to Century on a non-emergency, as-needed basis to repair or replace water lines, replacing water meters and other services. For instance, Central would charge Century $45 an hour for a licensed water operator, $25 an hour for an assistant, a mini excavator at $85 an hour, a work truck at $15 an hour and other hourly rates for additional equipment.
Central Water Works was founded in 1965 and provides water for about 1,000 members in Byrneville, McDavid and outside the municipal service areas of Century and Flomaton.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Motorcyclist Killed In Highway 98 Wreck; Cantonment Man Causes Second Crash At Same Location
November 21, 2019
An Escambia County crash claimed the life of a 41-year old motorcyclist Wednesday night.
Shannon Thorp was traveling west on her Honda motorcycle on Highway 98 approaching Fairfield drive when she failed to observe oncoming traffic and turned into the path of a Toyota Scion driven by 55-year old Mary Gibson of Pensacola.
Following the 6:41 p.m. crash, Thorp was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital where she later died from her injuries. Gibson was not injured, but a 22-year old passenger in her vehicle was taken to Sacred Heart with minor injuries.
No charges were filed against Gibson.
While troopers were investigating the first crash, a Cantonment man failed to slow and hit two other vehicles stopped. The FHP said 33-year old Andrew Kauffman’s Nissan Altima crashed into an Isuzu pickup truck and a Toyota Corolla that stopped due to the motorcycle wreck. The driver of the pickup, 60-year old Hobey Brown, was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries.
Kauffman was cited for careless driving.
Byrneville Fourth And Fifth Graders Enjoy Thanksgiving Feast
November 21, 2019
Fourth and fifth graders at Byrneville Elementary School enjoyed a Thanksgiving feast Wednesday. The feast was held with the help of parents and volunteers at the nearby Byrneville Community Century. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia School District Names Top 5 Finalists For Teacher Of The Year
November 21, 2019
The Escambia County School District has narrowed their list of finalist for Teacher of the Year to five.
The top 5, in alphabetical order, are:
- Kadee Barnett – first grade teacher, Beulah Elementary
- Jacqueline Chabot – third grade teacher, Montclair Elementary
- Maureen Harden – sixth grade math teacher, Bailey Middle School
- Cheyenna Novotny – chemistry and other science topics teacher, West Florida High School
- Jodi Woods – six grade mathematics teacher and math department chair, Ransom Middle School
The Escambia County School District’s Teacher of the Year will be named at the Golden Apple Awards in January.
For an earlier story listing all individual school teachers of the year, click here.
Workers’ Comp Insurance Rate Cut Finalized
November 21, 2019
Florida Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier has approved a statewide statewide overall decrease of 7.5% for Florida workers’ compensation insurance rates.
The rate decrease applies to both new and renewal workers’ compensation insurance policies effective in Florida as of January 1, 2020.
“I am pleased to issue this order, reducing workers’ compensation rates for Florida’s businesses, providing another year of rate relief. Increased innovation in workplace practices and continued emphasis on safety for employees has meant a decline in the workers’ compensation claims and Florida businesses will see the results of those efforts reflected in their insurance rates,” Altmaier said.
“Florida businesses are the backbone of our economy and when they see cost savings, our local communities benefit,” said CFO Jimmy Patronis. “Affordable workers’ compensation insurance means more workers are protected. It is great to see the costs of this coverage continue to decrease for those businesses who call Florida home.”
Beulah Master Plan, Century Wastewater Plant Among New Escambia County RESTORE Funding Requests
November 20, 2019
A master plan for Beulah and wastewater treatment facility improvements for Century are two of eight new projects added to Escambia County’s RESTORE Act funding requests.
Escambia County will receive approximately $70 million through 2031 in RESTORE Act Direct Component (Pot 1) funds as a result of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. The RESTORE Act requires a Multi-Year Implementation Plan (MYIP) be approved by the Treasury Department prior to submittal of individual project Grant Applications and dispersal of funds.
The county also removed a funding request for an OLF8 Master plan, replacing the funding ask with a campus expansion at the Pensacola International Airport.
A 45-day comment period on the the requests is required before projects are submitted for possible funding.
Beulah Master Plan
$300,000 to develop a master plan for the Beulah area
Escambia County will procure the services of an urban/land-use planning firm to develop a master plan for approximately 30,000 acres in the Beulah community of Escambia County. The master plan will be based on the University of West Florida HAAS Center Citizen Survey, an existing conditions analysis, technical analysis, and on stakeholder engagement and community participation.
The Beulah Master Plan will establish a vision for allowing for the continued growth in the area while preserving the quality of life and sense of place enjoyed by the current residents. The final deliverable will be a master plan and/or zoning overlay district and implementation plan, dependent on the technical guidance provided by the procured consultant and concurrence provided by Escambia County Developmental Services staff.
The Beulah community has experienced extensive growth resulting from improved economic conditions and the expansion of Navy Federal Credit Union’s Beulah campus, which is expected to employ over 10,000 people by 2022. Subdivision development orders in Beulah have increased exponentially, with 7,000 residences permitted for development since 2010. Beulah does not currently have a master plan nor zoning overlay district to effectively plan or manage growth. Development of the Beulah Master Plan will balance the highest and best land uses of the subject area with the needs of the County, region, and the Beulah community in creating a plan for sustaining growth while preserving the character of the community.
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Town of Century Wastewater Improvements
$500,000 to design and permit repairs to Century’s failing wastewater treatment facility
The wastewater treatment and collection system has fallen into disrepair as the town has struggled financially for the last decade to keep pace with maintenance and replacement activities.
Direct Component funds will be utilized to fund planning, design, and permitting associated with wastewater treatment and collection system improvements, including lift station, treatment plant, and piping repairs and replacements.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has strict requirements for the proper operation and maintenance of the utility system, and Century is responsible for meeting these requirements. Funding design and permitting of wastewater treatment and collection system improvements will allow the town to work with FDEP to secure funding to implement the improvements from the State’s Revolving Loan Fund as a rural, disadvantaged community.
OTHER PROJECTS:
Pensacola International Airport Campus Extension — $1.524 million, replaces OLF8 Master Plan on funding request
Perdido Bay Boat Ramp — $2.5 million for the construction of a boat ramp
Brownsville Community Center Renovation — $300,000 to renovate the interior and exterior, add incubator retail space
CRA Community Center – $500,000 for a community center in a yet to be determined CRA but likely in the Palafox CRA
CRA Economic Development Program -- $1.5 million to institute the complete streets program in CRAs
Little Sabine Bay Restoration Program – $2 million for a multi-tiered restoration effort
Pictured top: The Century Wastewater Treatment Facility, NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge. Pictured below: The Navy Federal campus in Beulah.
