Century To Apply For $2.15 Million Grant To Rehab Community Centers, Camp Fire USA, Chamber
March 11, 2021
The Town of Century is taking the next step toward applying for a $2.15 million coronavirus relief grant.
Following a public hearing, the town council voted Tuesday night to seek technical assistance from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) to review the town’s pre-application project for a Small Cities Community Development Block Grant — Coronavirus Funds.
Century will apply for:
— $1 million for rehabilitation of the Carver Community Center
— $562,000 for rehabilitation of the town’s “Ag Building” community center on West Highway 4 and a parking lot
— $250,000 for rehabilitation of the Camp Fire USA buildings (owned by the town)
— $147,000 for rehabilitation of the Century Area Chamber of Commerce building (owned by the town)
The grants will be awarded by the state in amounts ranging from $200,000 to $5 million for neighborhood revitalization, commercial revitalization, economic development, public service, planning or housing. The grant requires that at least 70% of the funds must be used for benefit low and moderate income persons.
If DEO determines Century’s application is eligible for funding, then a second public hearing will be scheduled before a final application is submitted.
Pictured: Pastor Michael Steward of Pilgrim Lodge Baptist Church questions a grant application for the Carver Community Center as resident Helen Mincy listens. Pictured inset: Century resident Robert Mitchell also questions a grant application for the Carver Community Center. Pictured below: Century Town Council President Luis Gomez during a recent public hearing. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Raises Sales Tax To 11%
March 11, 2021
The Flomaton Town Council voted Wednesday to raise the total sales tax in the town to 11%.
Due to declining revenue, the town council voted to up the sales tax by a penny on the dollar. That’s expected to boost the bottom line around $175,000 a year.
The sales tax increase will go into effect on June 1 under Alabama Department of Revenue rules.
With an the increase, Flomaton’s 11% tax will be the highest in the area, along with East Brewton also at 11%. The sales tax rate in Atmore and Brewton is 10%. Across the state line in Florida, the sales tax rate is 7.5% in Escambia County and 7.0% in Santa Rosa County. The full 11% tax applies to food and medicine in Flomaton, while those items are tax free in Florida.
Pictured: Businesses on Sidney Manning Boulevard in Flomaton NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggie Freshmen Beat Navarre (With Photo Gallery)
March 11, 2021
The Tate High Aggie Freshman beat Navarre on Wednesday.
Gabe Patterson went four innings on the mound for the Aggies, allowing just one hit, no runs and striking out five. Cole McNair pitched three innings, allowing one run in the seventh inning on one hit and striking out six.
McNair and Connor Baer had two hits each for Tate. Conner Hassell and Patterson each had one hit.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos for Laura Glodfelter for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fire Damages Cantonment Apartment Building
March 11, 2021
A Cantonment apartment building was damaged by fire late Wednesday afternoon.
The fire in the two-story building behind a home in the 2400 block of Highway 297A was reported shortly after 5 p.m. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the blaze.
Everyone in the apartment was able to escape the fire without injury.
The Cantonment, Ensley, Brent, Bellview, Beulah and Osceola stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS were dispatched to the fire.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Injured In Kingsfield, Tate Road Rollover Wreck
March 10, 2021
One person was injured in a two vehicle rollover crash Wednesday afternoon at East Kingsfield Road and Tate Road.
The injured person was transported to a Pensacola hospital by Escambia County EMS with injuries not considered life threatening.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Groundbreaking Held For $87 Million Regional Peanut Processing Plant In Atmore
March 10, 2021
Construction on a new $87 million peanut shelling and storage facility in Atmore is well underway, and an ceremonial groundbreaking was held Wednesday.
The Coastal Growers facility, located in the Atmore Industrial Park, is owned by a cooperative of farmers who live mostly in Alabama and Florida. Just a couple of miles from the state line, it will provide people from both Alabama and Northwest Florida a chance for full time jobs that will pay an average of $17 an hour.
“It’s going to bring 150 high, well paying opportunities for employment to this area,” Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey told NorthEscambia.com following the groundbreaking. “That’s a great thing for rural Alabama, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
“One of my highest priorities in my administration is developing our workforce,” Ivey said. “While we have had a hard year, our economy is proving her strength, and we are bouncing back. I am thrilled for the people of Atmore and surrounding areas to see that this facility is ready to begin to take shape. Our state has a storied tradition of peanut production which provides an estimated $200 million to our economy. This facility will be a great addition to our economy.”
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery click here.
The company said the plant will process peanuts grown by farmers from Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi — from the Mississippi River to the Chattahoochee River.
“Within 150 miles of where I am standing right now, there is the capability to grow, shell, roast and jar 300 million pounds of peanuts.” said Brad Smith, president of Coastal Growers. “This is to me the definition of rural development.”
The modern plant will be about 400,000 square feet on 60 acres.
“This plant is designed to be one of the most efficient and safe peanut processing facilities in the world,” said Dirk Lindsey, CEO of Coastal Growers. “This highly automated state of the art facility is designed to produce a high quality food product with food safety as our top priority. The products produced out of this facility will be shipped throughout the United States and all over the world. These peanuts will go in a lot of the products that you already know enjoy eating on a daily basis.”
“This is great for our community; it’s going to reach way out. I mean almost to the Georgia line. We’re gonna get them too,” Atmore Mayor Jim Staff said.
The plant is expected to open by early next year.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FDOT To Conduct Safety Study For Highway 29 In Century After Pedestrian Crashes
March 10, 2021
Just days after pedestrian was struck and killed trying to cross North Century Boulevard (Highway 29), the Florida Department of Transportation says they will conduct a safety study in Century.
“FDOT is currently organizing a pedestrian traffic study for that area as part of the department’s efforts to improve pedestrian safety,” said Ian Satter, public information director for the Florida Department of Transportation District 3.
FDOT said there have been four previous pedestrian crashes on the roadway, including a fatality, south of East Highway 4. About 11,000 vehicles pass through Century each day.
“The Department will begin a Safety Study of the US 29 corridor which will review current roadway features and determine the most appropriate countermeasures which may include, but not limited to, street lighting, crosswalks and pedestrian refuge islands. The study and countermeasures will be funded through the Department’s Highway Safety Improvement Program,” Satter said in an email.
“We want to take care of the safety of our citizens,” Century Mayor Ben Boutwell said Tuesday night. “Any type of visual effect that will help them get across the street safely, I love that idea. I love the idea of flashing lights.”
There’s only one marked pedestrian crossing along the three miles of North Century Boulevard in the entire town of Century. It’s at the intersection of North Century Boulevard and East Highway 4, just over a mile north of the spot where a 71-year old man died while trying to cross near Pond Street last Friday.
In May 2019, a 26-year old woman was struck on North Century Boulevard, just south of the Century Branch Library. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, she was standing on the sidewalk and improperly crossed in front of the vehicle. The pedestrian was airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital as a trauma alert by LifeFlight helicopter. She also received a ticket from FHP for failing to yield to the oncoming vehicle because she was not in a crosswalk.
In 2019, the former mayor told the media he had previously asked the state to conduct a safety study, but the study was never done.
“After reviewing the traffic crash information from the incident on May 6, 2019, a study was not conducted at that time,” Satter confirmed Tuesday.
In April 2017, a pedestrian was struck by a car at the entrance to the Century Town Hall and the Century Branch Library. The driver told FHP that the man suddenly appeared in front of her vehicle; she was unsure if he was crossing or standing in the roadway. His family approached the Century Town Council asking for a pedestrian crosswalk in the area of the town hall and adjacent library for safety reasons. Mayor Henry Hawkins said at that time that he would approach the FDOT to explore a pedestrian crossing.
Boutwell acknowledged that speed is also a major danger to pedestrians and others along North Century Boulevard.
“We need to put out some speed limit signs that show what the speeds are going on with caution lights to say hey, you need to slow down. We have too many people speeding in this community…They need to slow down.”
“Safety for our citizens is what it boils down to,” Boutwell added.
Pictured top: A pedestrian died last Friday, March 5 after being hit by this vehicle on North Century Boulevard north of Pond Street in Century. Pictured inset: A pedestrian was critically injured and ticketed by the FHP after being hit by a vehicle in May 2019. Pictured bottom: A pedestrian was struck by this vehicle in April 2017. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Officials Warning About Dry Weather And Wildfire Risk
March 10, 2021
Officials with the Florida Forest Service’s Blackwater Forestry Center have seen an uptick in wildfires recently and are cautioning residents to be vigilant in the coming days if they conduct any outdoor burning. With continued dry weather, low humidity and a natural transition to the peak of Florida’s year-round wildfire season, wildland firefighters have battled at five fires in the past four days.
“It’s more fires than we were seeing a week or two ago but it’s not unusual for this time of year. The number is on the rise,” said David Smith who oversees the firefighting efforts as operations administrator for Blackwater. “We’ve had really nice weather; maybe more people are out doing yard work and some spring cleanup. We want folks to be careful if they decide to burn those leaves and limbs.”
Forecasts call for continued low humidity and higher winds with the next chance of rain not predicted until early to middle of next week.
Residents may burn yard debris in piles less than eight feet in diameter as long as they meet the setbacks and there are no city or county ordinances against it. There currently are no burn bans in effect in Escambia or Santa Rosa Okaloosa counties. In addition to meeting the required setbacks, it is recommended that those who chose to burn have a charged water hose and shovel or rake on hand, never burn on windy days and never leave a fire unattended. Residents must ensure their burn piles are completely extinguished before leaving them unattended as lingering heat from smoldering debris often is the cause for escaped fires.
Those wishing to conduct large pile burns or acreage burns must call (850) 957-5701 for an authorization and meet additional requirements which might include having heavy equipment on site.
One Shot Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Clinic To Be Held Saturday In Escambia County
March 10, 2021
Community Health Northwest Florida will hold a special Johnson & Johnson “one shot’ vaccine clinic Saturday for Escambia County residents.
The clinic will be held from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Brownsville Community Center at 3200 West DeSoto Street in Pensacola.
Eligible persons who wish to be scheduled for this special Saturday vaccination event should call the Community Health COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center at (850) 439-3358 to make an appointment.
With the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine, only one shot is required. It is available for persons 18 and older.
This clinic is open to all residents of Florida who qualify and are:
- Persons 65 years of age and older;
- Adults 18 and older deemed medically vulnerable by a physician with the following:
- Patients may have their doctor fill out a State of Florida “COVID Vulnerability Determination” form or bring a doctor’s note/prescription stating the condition that qualifies the patient or current prescription bottles of the medication that treats the preexisting condition.
- If a current Community Health Northwest Florida patient and medically vulnerable, no form is required.
- All K-12 school employees, all ages; must show a badge from their school. (Current Executive Order does not include educators beyond K-12).
- Daycare workers; badge or paystub required as proof of employment in day care setting.
- Case workers from Children’s Home Society and Lakeview/Families First Network.
- Long-term care facility residents and staff;
- Health care personnel with direct patient contact;
- Sworn law enforcement officers 50 years of age and older;
- Firefighters 50 years of age and older.
All participants will be required to show photo ID as well as proof of eligibility at time of appointment. Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days or have had symptoms of illness (fever, cough, shortness of breath) in the past 14 days should not receive the vaccine.
Beulah Man Accused Of Child Abuse After Spanking Boy With A Belt, Leaving Bruises
March 10, 2021
A Beulah man has been accused of beating his child with a belt, leaving bruises all over his body, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Bryan Matthew Harrell, 37, of Pensacola, is charged with felony child cruelty. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Wednesday morning.
Deputies responded to a child abuse complaint at Harrell’s home where they were met at the front door by an adult and the young victim. The deputies noted obvious injuries to the child in his report including bruising on the child’s arm, back and right side.
“Daddy did it with a belt,” the victim stated, according to the report.
After incident between other people in the house (their names, ages and relationships are redacted from the report), Harrell got out of the shower, grabbed a belt and started to spank the child, the report states. A witness told deputies Harell hit the child more than five times.
Harrell then told the child to go sit on the couch, where he spanked the boy again, the sheriff’s office said.
The report continues that Harll told someone to soak the child in a hot epsom salt bath to reduce the bruising.