Photos: A Steamy Sunrise At Lake Stone
January 8, 2020
Temperatures just below the freezing mark lead to steam fog, also known as sea smoke, on Lake Stone in Century Wednesday morning, making for a beautiful sunrise.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
80-Year Old Man Working To Recover From Lake Stone Camper Fire. Here’s How You Can Help.
January 8, 2020
Neal Koe, 80, was fast asleep early Saturday morning in his camper at Escambia County’s Lake Stone Campground in Century. He was jarred awake by the sound of the window by his head blowing out.
“I woke up to smoke filling the room and saw flames,” he said. “I managed to get out wearing only my skivvies.” He was not injured and refused transport to the hospital.
Tuesday afternoon, he was back searching the charred remains of his camper for anything that could be salvaged. He didn’t find anything.
“I was asleep in the bed up there,” he said, pointed to what is now nothing more than springs. “My table was over there. I had a new computer on it. But they are all gone now.”
Koe said he used to live “down in Florida”, including Tampa where he was in aerospace engineering, working on on simulators for IBM. He said later in life he came to Century where he was a caretaker at Lake Stone. “But I got too old and could not keep up with the work. I just stuck around after that.”
He poked around in the ashes some more.
“This is all I have left. Nothing. But I got out. God took care of me,” Koe said. “God took care of me.”
After the fire about 3:45 Saturday morning, several people stepped up to help him, including Victor Boyd with the Escambia County Facilities Department. He took Koe to Jay to get him some clothes, essentials and run a few errands. Dennis Kole, who is the current caretaker at Lake Stone, has also worked to help Koe where he can.
But Koe also needs additional assistance to get back on his feet. He did not have insurance and has no local relatives.
Donations are being accepted at the Lake Stone office on West Highway 4, including clothing (sizes below). He also needs basic household items that could be used in a camper. And he needs a camper. For more information, call the Lake Stone office at (850) 256-5555.
Clothing sizes:
- Large shirts
- 33/31 pants
- Size 7 to 11 socks
- Shoes 10W
- Large boxer briefs
- Large t-shirts
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Names New Director Of Facilities Management
January 8, 2020
Wednesday is the first day on the job for Cassie Boatwright as the new director of Escambia County Facilities Management.
Boatwright brings 15 years of experience to Escambia County. When she served as the executive director of facilities for Bishop State Community College, she successfully restructured the department and processes to provide a more positive working environment as well as deliver services more effectively and efficiently.
“This is not just about accepting a new job in facilities– this is about doing what I love to serve Escambia County,” Boatwright said.
Most recently, Boatwright served as the dean of operations at Coastal Alabama State College where she managed all aspects of construction, maintenance, grounds and custodial operations for 14 campuses and developed bid specifications for numerous projects. Her other managerial facilities roles include director of purchasing, auxiliary, central and legal services, construction manager, director of planning and development, and assistant tribal administrator.
Boatwright obtained a bachelor’s degree in construction management from the University of West Florida. After gaining experience in the industry, she also earned a master’s degree in public administration, acquisition and contract administration to better equip herself to manage the bidding and legal compliance aspects of facilities management. Boatwright is also a certified governmental financial manager.
Dozens Receive Driver’s License Services In Century, Mobile Unit Returning Quarterly
January 8, 2020
Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford was pleased with the turnout for the Florida Licensing On Wheels (FLOW) mobile office in Century on Tuesday.
There were 55 people that took advantage of the available of the mobile services at an event that was a partnership between Lunsford and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles at the Billy G. Ward Courthouse on North Century Boulevard.
There were 26 driver’s license transactions, four identification transactions, two tax payments, 18 motor vehicle transactions and three surrendered tags.
The mobile united is slated to return to Century on a date to be announced in May.
FLOW is a stand-alone mobile office with technology to provide most motorists’ needs. The mobile unit provides a convenient method to renew a driver’s license, obtain a replacement driver’s license, conversion or reciprocation of out-of-state license, change a name or address on a current driver’s license or identification card, and get a first-time identification card. In addition to licensing services, the mobile unit also provides an opportunity to renew or replace a vehicle registration and apply, renew or replace disabled parking placards. Written and driving tests are not available from the FLOW unit.
Pictured: The Florida Licensing On Wheels (FLOW) mobile office at the courthouse in Century on Tuesday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia School Superintendent Search Forum Held At Beulah Middle, Another Thursday At Tate High
January 8, 2020
The Escambia County School District has one forum remaining for the public to share their input as the school district moves closer to advertising the school superintendent job.
The meeting will be held Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Tate High School cafeteria and comes on the heels of a meeting held Tuesday night at Beulah Middle School.
The forum will be facilitated by the Florida School Boards Association Search Team. All input gathered during the events will be collected and provided to the Escambia County School Board members and will be made available online.
In 2018, Escambia County voters approved an appointed, rather than elected, superintendent. Advertisements for the job are anticipated to start April 1.
Pictured: A public input forum on the selection of an appointed school superintendent was held Tuesday night at Beulah Middle Schools. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Sheriff Candidate Alexander Addresses Century Town Council
January 8, 2020
Democratic candidate for Escambia County Sheriff David Alexander addressed the Century Town Council Monday night.
“I am a law and order man, and I believe in things being done right,” he said. Alexander served for 32 years at the Pensacola Police Department, becoming chief in 2015. He was forced to retire two years later due to the state retirement program.
He distributed a three-page biography and introduction and told council members that he would like to meet with each one individually to discuss his candidacy and principles.
Pictured top: Democratic candidate for Escambia County Sheriff David Alexander (far left) introduces himself to the Century Town Council Monday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
This House Was Burned On Purpose. It Was Only A Drill.
January 8, 2020
First responders burned a house on Martin Luther King Drive in Flomaton on Tuesday, part of a drill for multiple departments.
The Flomaton Fire Department, Friendship Volunteer Fire Department, Barnett Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department and the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue took part in the training drill, along with MedStar EMS.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Alabama Governor Awards $3 Million To Help Families Pay Utility Bills In Escambia, Six Other Counties
January 8, 2020
A $3 million grant will help needy residents in Escambia and six other south Alabama counties pay their utility bills.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced $46.2 million to enable 21 community service agencies throughout the state to provide emergency funding to help low-income families heat their houses this winter.
The Community Action Agency of South Alabama received $3.01 million to help families in Escambia, Baldwin, Clarek, Conecuh, Marengo, Monroe and Wilcox counties.
Nine Mile Road Bank Robbed Tuesday Morning
January 7, 2020
A search is underway for a man that robbed a Nine Mile Road bank Tuesday morning.
The man walked into Synovus Bank at the northwest corner of Nine Mile Road and University Parkway and presented a note demanding money about 10:20 a.m., according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The man walked out of the bank with an undisclosed amount of cash.
Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Pictured: A Tuesday morning bank robbery suspect inside the Synovus Bank on Nine Mile Road. Images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local Man Facing Multiple Charges After Fleeing Traffic Stop, Manhunt In Cantonment
January 7, 2020
A local man was arrested after fleeing from a traffic stop and a subsequent manhunt Monday night in Cantonment.
River Austin Sewell, 24, was charged with grand theft auto, fleeing and eluding, petit theft, resisting arrest and operating a motor vehicle without a valid license, according to ECSO Maj. Andrew Hobbs.
An Escambia County deputy attempted a traffic stop on a stolen vehicle at Highway 29 and Muscogee Road, and the driver fled at a high rate of speed. The deputy deactivated his emergency lights and continued to follow the vehicle down Becks Lake Road before locating it on Elder Lane.
A passenger still in the vehicle told deputies that Sewell fled into a wooded area. K-9 units from the Escambia County Road Prison and Century Correctional Institution began to track Sewell.
Other deputies located Sewell wearing a pillowcase made into a t-shirt near Highway 29 at International Paper, according to Hobbs.
Sewell remained in the Escambia County Jail Tuesday with bond set at $13,000.