Century Charter Committee Examines Its Role
November 5, 2019
The Century Charter Review Committee (CRE) took another look at the town’s charter Monday night, and they took steps to establish their identity and roles.
Early in the meeting, member Mary Hudson Bourgeois brought forward a list of items for the committee to consider before actually tackling the charter. Her list included a better location that council chambers that would facilitate a roundtable type discussion setting for 10 members and the need for an agenda.
She also requested that meetings not be held immediately prior to council meetings, which limits the amount of time the committee has for deliberations. And, she suggested that the committee should have a chair and vice-chair.
Committee members agreed, and on a vote, Hudson was elected chair, and Shelisa Abraham was named vice-chair.
In future meeting, the committee intends to early-on tackle the possibility of adding a city manager to the charter, Century’s overall form of government, and review charters from other cities and towns in Florida.
The next meeting date and location for the Century Charter Review Committee had not yet been set. All meetings are open to the public.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Woman Charged With Child Neglect After Boy Gets Lost In The Woods
November 4, 2019
A Cantonment woman was charged after a child was found walking out of a wooded area unsupervised.
Collean Tiffany Cozart, 31, was charged with felony child neglect last week and later released from the Escambia County Jail on a $5,000 bond.
A resident of Hillock Drive reported that a boy and his dog had walked from the woods behind his property, and the boy stated that he became lost while walking the dog. The age of the child was redacted from the arrest report.
The deputy transported the boy and his dog back to his residence where Cozart was responsible for watching him.
Cozart said the child had been watching television about 30 minutes prior, according to an arrest report, and she did not know he was missing. The report states the child had walked about a half mile through a heavy wooded area once he left the residence and had been gone for an estimated hour.
The incident was also reported to the Florida Department of Children and Families.
Tate High Recognizes Sherrie Swenson As Ms. Spirit
November 4, 2019
Tate High School has recognized Sherrie Swenson for raising almost $600 for Tate High School’s Ms. Spirit during Homecoming. The proceeds benefit Special Olympics. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
McDavid Tree Farm, Escambia Forester Honored As Best In Florida
November 4, 2019
The Russell Brothers Farm in McDavid was recently recognized as the 2019 Florida Outstanding Tree Farm of the Year., and Escambia County’s forester was named the Tree Farm Inspector of the Year during an event in McDavid.
The farm was originally purchased by Jay and Clara Russell in 1946. Since Jay and Clara have passed on, the name on the deed has changed, but it remains family land that plays a central role in keeping the family together.
John Russell lives on the property, managing it for the family, and hosting a large family gathering each Thanksgiving. They enjoy hayrides together hoping to catch a glimpse of wildlife and marvel at the growth of young longleaf pines.. Other times of year the Russell’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren hike down to Pine Barren Creek in the north part of the property to explore and play in the water.
The 109-acre property off Highway 164 has seen some changes over the years. Former row crop land is now a young but rapidly growing longleaf pine stand. A mature natural longleaf stand that was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in 2004 has been replaced by younger pines with native grasses and wildflowers. A hay field separates the pine stands.
Pine Barren Creek has always cut across the northern boundary of the property and is surrounded by a variety of hardwoods many of which are more frequently seen in areas north of Florida.
Several of those generations, including John, his nephew Wade and Wade’s young children, were on-hand to mark the occasion. The event, featured during Working Forests Week, included a two-hour tour of the property showcasing the time, effort and outcomes of decades of work by the Russell family.
“Sixty-five percent of Florida’s forests are privately owned,” said State Forester and Director of the Florida Forest Service Jim Karels. “Partnerships with families like the Russell’s are key to protecting our state’s top agriculture commodity and ensuring our forests are available for future generations.”
The Florida Forest Service’s Cathy Hardin, County Forester for Escambia County, was recognized as the Florida Tree Farm Inspector of the Year. This is Hardin’s second recognition, receiving, receiving the award in 2014 for her work in Gadsden County near Tallahassee.
“I do this because I am passionate about the land and love to help care for God’s creation,” Hardin said. “My ability to get things done revolves around the landowners and our forest rangers. I appreciate them so much and the opportunities I’ve been given.”
The American Tree Farm System is a nationwide community of more than 90,000 individuals and families joined by their desire for sustainable management of forests. These landowners share a commitment to protect watersheds and wildlife habitat; to conserve soil and provide recreation for their neighbors; and, at the same time, to produce the wood that America needs for thousands of useful products. Florida has more than 1,100 certified Tree Farms, accounting for over 760,000 acres.
Pictured above: Wade Russell (left) and John Russell (center) were honored last week for their work on the Russell Brothers Farm as Florida’s Outstanding Tree Farm of the Year for 2019. Steve Lloyd of the Florida Tree Farm Committee also is pictured. Pictured below: Cathy Hardin, center, receives her plaque for being named the Outstanding Tree Farm Inspector of the Year for 2019 from Jim Karels (left) Florida State Forester and Director of the Florida Forest Service, and Steve Lloyd of the Florida Tree Farm Committee. Pictured bottom: Dozens of people took part in a tour of the 109 acre property. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Eight Area Teams Make The Playoffs
November 4, 2019
Eight North Escambia area teams are in the playoffs. Six of the teams are in Florida, and two are in Alabama.
FLORIDA
Region 1-1A Quarterfinals
Jay (4-6) at Northview (7-2)
It’s a rematch in Region 1-1A between the Northview Chiefs and the Jay Royals. Just last Friday night, Northview bat Jay 40-7. For more details on the matchup, the 1A brackets and rankings and more, click here for an earlier story.
Region 1-3A
Pensacola Catholic, ranked No. 1 in the region, has a bye Friday night and on November 15 will play the winner of Trinity Catholic vs. Trinity Christian.
Region 1-5A Quarterfinals
Baker County (6-4) at Pine Forest (7-2)
Region 1-6A Quarterfinals
New Smyrna Beach (7-3) at Escambia (10-0)
Washington (8-1) at Daytona Beach Mainland (5-4)
ALABAMA
3A – AHSAA
The defending state champion Flomaton Hurricanes (9-1) will open the first round of the 3A state football championship at home against Opp.
AA – AISA
The Escambia Academy Cougars will host Lakeside on Friday, November 8.
Pictured top: The Northview Chiefs defeated the Jay Royals on Friday, Nov. 1. Pictured below: The Flomaton Hurricanes defeated Escambia County High School on Sept. 27. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia BOCC Weekly Meeting Schedule
November 4, 2019
Here is the schedule of public meeting set for this week in Escambia County:
Monday, November 4
District 5 Town Hall with Commissioner Steven Barry – 5:30 p.m., Milestone Baptist Church, 3800 Pine Forest Road, Cantonment
Northwest District 1 Advisory Committee – 6 p.m., Beulah Middle School, 6001 W. Nine Mile Road
Tuesday, November 5
Planning Board – Rezoning – 8:30 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Amalgamated Transit Union 1395, Public Works #1332 Collective Bargaining Session, 10 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate – 1:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program Education Committtee Meeting – 3 p.m., 207 E. Main St.
Wednesday, November 6
Contractor Competency Board Committee Meeting - 8:30 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Contractor Competency Board Public Meeting – 9 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program Technical Committee – 10 a.m., 4101 Orange Beach Blvd., Orange Beach
Amalgamated Transit Union 1395, Public Works #1332 Collective Bargaining Session, 10 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program Policy Board Meeting – 1:30 p.m., 4099 Orange Beach Blvd., Orange Beach
Santa Rosa Island Authority Board Meeting – 5 p.m., 1 Via de Luna, Pensacola Beach
Thursday, November 7
Community Redevelopment Agency – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers
Board of County Commissioners Agenda Review – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers
BCC Public Forum – 4:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers
BCC Regular Meeting – 5:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
FDOT Weekly Traffic Alert: Where To Expect Delays This Week
November 4, 2019
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- · State Road (S.R.) 196 (Bayfront Parkway) Westbound Closure at Alcaniz Street Special Event- Starting at South Alcaniz Street the westbound lane of Bayfront Parkway will be closed from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Sunday, Nov. 3 for the Gulf Coast Arts Festival.
- · U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of Muscogee Road (County Road/C.R. 184) to Atmore Highway (S.R. 97) – Northbound motorists may encounter nighttime lane closures on U.S. 29 as crews continue paving operations. Also, both northbound and southbound traffic may encounter intermittent daytime lane restrictions as crews perform median work. Motorists are reminded to watch for crews and heavy equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
- · U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10/U.S. 90A)– Drivers will experience the following impacts to traffic the week of Sunday, Nov. 3.
o Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass: Alternating east and westbound lane shifts as crews construct the new southbound bridge.
o U.S. 29 traffic between I-10 and 9 ½ Mile Road may experience alternating lane closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations.
- · U.S. 98 (Pensacola Bay Bridge) Replacement- Bridge construction may require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, Nov. 3.
- · S.R. 292 (South Palafox Street) Half Marathon from east of U.S. 90 (Cervantes Street) back to South Palafox Street- The outside lane on South Palafox Street will be closed Sunday, Nov. 3 from 4:30 a.m. to noon from east of Cervantes Street back to South Palafox Street for the Pensacola women’s Half Marathon race.
- · S.R. 296 (Bayou Boulevard) Driveway Operations at intersection of Ninth Avenue- The southbound right lane on Bayou Boulevard at the intersection of Ninth Avenue will be closed from 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5 as crews install a driveway.
- · S.R. 10/U.S. 90A (Nine Mile Road) Widening from S.R. 297 (Pine Forest Road) to U.S. 29 – Ashland Avenue will be closed at the intersection Nine Mile Road from 7 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5 through 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9 for drainage operations. Traffic will be detoured to Stefani and 9 1/2 Mile roads.
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- Intermittent and alternating lane closures on U.S. 98 east and westbound between 17th Avenue in Pensacola and Fairport Drive in Gulf Breeze Sunday, Nov. 3 at 8 p.m. through Monday, Nov. 4 at 5 a.m. In addition, all U.S. 98 travel lanes will be closed for approximately 30 minutes between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m.
- Intermittent lane closures on U.S. 98 east and westbound, from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to 2,000 feet east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola, between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
C.R. 168 Bridge Replacement over Unnamed Branch in Northwest Century- All piles have been driven and pile caps poured for the new bridge. Crews are currently working on placing rebar reinforcement for the bridge deck in preparation of pouring the deck slab. Traffic will remain shifted on the temporary diversion until construction of the new bridge has been completed.
Hanks Road Bridge Replacement over Breastworks Creek- Construction activities continue. The roadway is temporarily closed. Drivers on Hanks Road, west of the bridge, are detoured to C.R. 99 and C.R. 4. Drivers east of the bridge will utilize Pine Barren Road. The project is anticipated to be complete late 2019.
Santa Rosa County:
- S.R. 4 Resurfacing and Drainage Improvements from the Escambia River Bridge to C.R. 87A (Market Road) in Jay- Motorists may encounter daytime lane restrictions as crews perform paving operations.
- U.S. 98 Safety Improvement from Villa Woods Circle to Ortega Park Drive- Construction activities continue near Villa Woods. Motorists may encounter lane closures from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
- U.S. 98 (Pensacola Bay Bridge) Replacement- Bridge construction may require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, Nov. 3.
- Intermittent and alternating lane closures on U.S. 98 east and westbound between 17th Avenue in Pensacola and Fairport Drive in Gulf Breeze Sunday, Nov. 3 at 8 p.m. through Monday, Nov. 4 at 5 a.m. In addition, all U.S. 98 travel lanes will be closed for approximately 30 minutes between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m.
- Intermittent lane closures on U.S. 98 east and westbound, from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to 2,000 feet east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola, between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- S.R. 87 Bridge Rehabilitation and Repair Over Yellow River- Motorists may encounter southbound intermittent lane closures and traffic shifts. Vessel traffic will be maintained along the Yellow River during construction. There will be signage and buoy-type channelization devices directing boaters through the work zone.
- S.R. 87 Pavement Markings Replacement- Traffic will encounter alternating and intermittent minor delays between Nicholas Lake Road and Vonnie Tolbert Road from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday until Tuesday, Dec. 31 as crews remove and replace pavement markings in the roadway. Law enforcement will be on site to direct traffic.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Average Florida Gas Price Jumps A Nickel
November 4, 2019
Florida gas prices are up a nickel over last week, according to AAA with the average price per gallon at $2.44.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $2.39. One Cantonment station was at $2.31 Sunday night.
“Although the state average has seesawed since the summer, it has mostly held between $2.40-$2.50 since July,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Drivers could see the state average rise a few pennies this week, based on recent adjustments in the price of wholesale gasoline.”
Compared to this time last year, drivers are paying 20 cents per gallon less at the pump.
Jodi Woods Named Ransom Middle School Teacher Of The Year
November 3, 2019
Jodi Woods is Ransom Middle School’s Teacher of the Year. She is a mathematics instructor. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview To Host Jay In First Round Of 1A Playoffs Friday Night
November 3, 2019
The Northview Chiefs will be at home Friday night against the Jay Royals in the first round of the Florida High School Athletic Association 1A state championship series.
The Florida High School Athletic Association released final rankings and playoff brackets Sunday morning.
The Baker Gators remain the top ranked team in Region 1-1A and have a bye Friday night, along with Vernon, the No. 2 ranked team. The Chiefs are ranked No. 3, while Jay is ranked No. 6. Only the top six teams in the region make the playoffs.
The Chiefs (7-2) are coming off a 40-7 win just this past Friday night over Jay (4-6). The winner of the Northview vs. Jay regional quarterfinal game will advance to face Vernon (7-3) on November 15 in the regional semifinal round. Baker will face the winner of next Friday night’s Graceville at Freeport game.
Northview’s only two losses this season were 14-12 to Baker and 34-26 to the defending Alabama 3A state champion Flomaton Hurricanes. Baker’s 38-game regular season win streak came to an end Saturday night as Blountstown beat the Gators 33-7.
Kickoff for Friday night’s game is 7:30 p.m.
Final Region 1-1A final rankings are as follows:
- Baker 0.665 (9-1)
- Vernon 0.629 (7-3)
- Northview 0.625 (7-2)
- Freeport 0.574 (6-3)
- Graceville 0.573 (7-3)
- Jay 0.502 (4-6)
- Holmes County 0.484 (5-5)
- Chipley 0.446 (2-8)
- Cottondale 0.418 (2-7)
Teams are ranked based upon a RPI formula. RPI stands for Ratings Percentage Index. In short, it is a way to measure a team’s strength relative to other teams, based largely on the strength of their schedules.
Final four play is November 29, and the 1A state championship is in Tallahassee on December 7.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
