Century To Hire City Manager, Names Buz Eddy As Interim
September 10, 2019
The Century Town Council Monday night voted to a hire a town manager to run daily operations, but just how far reaching the person’s authority will be remains to be seen. The council also voted to name Buz Eddy as interim town manager until a permanent hire is made.
“I think it is absolutely necessary that y’all do this,” Eddy told the council. “I think the number of things I’ve had an opportunity to work on would just be the tip of the iceberg for someone that would actually apply for and be appointed to this position.”
Eddy told NorthEscambia.com that he does not plan to apply for the job.
He said the new city manager should be able to understand “issues very close to the operation of the town, will get to understand city facilities, city finances, making plans for the future.” He said he believes a qualified candidate would be familiar with the issues raised during a grand jury investigation earlier this year, as well as a consultant’s report on town shortcomings.
The mayor and council will decide exactly what duties the city manager will have, a job description will be created, and the position will be advertised. The resolution adopted Monday night directs town staff to prepare the official job description and begin the search.
According to the ordinance, the town’s charter allows the council to create or establish departments as deemed necessary and the mayor to hire employees with the council’s approval.
Eddy’s new title of interim city manager will be the same independent contractor basis that he he’s worked under since July 29. In August, the council authorized up to $5,000 to pay him at $35 an hour for his services.
Eddy is former city manager of Gulf Breeze from 1992-2017.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
School District Announces Superintendent Search Timeline, Online Survey
September 10, 2019
The Escambia County School District has announced a timeline leading to the selection of the first appointed school superintendent in Escambia County, and they are also asking for the public’s input.
In 2018, voters approved an appointed, rather than elected, superintendent in Escambia County. The search is being guided by the Florida School Boards Association leading up the selection of a superintendent in about one year and a November 24, 2020 start date.
The search timeline is below. The actual application period will run from April to June 2020.
The school district has also posted an online survey seeking the public’s input into the qualities needed by the next superintendent.
Malcolm Thomas, the current elected superintendent, will retire after 12 years on the job.
Could You Package An Egg To Survive A 75 Foot Drop? These Byrneville Students Did
September 10, 2019
Could you design a package to make a raw egg survive a drop onto a parking lot from 75-feet up? Several groups of Byrneville Elementary School fifth graders did just that recently.
The students were given the open-ended task of using household supplies to keep an egg from cracking when dropped from various heights, and they were given a week to design their ideas.
With help of Ladder 5 and a crew from the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, the eggs were dropped from 20 feet, 45 feet and finally 75 feet. If an egg survived the first drop, students were required to remove some part of the protective shell and try again from a greater height.
The students were in seven different groups, with three groups having eggs that survived all three drops.
“The students learned that a parachute of some sort helps the egg survive as well as making the ‘protective shell’ well padded and secure,” said Byrnevill teacher Jacke Johnston.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Neighborly Gatherings Saturday In Cantonment, Barrineau Park
September 10, 2019
Neighbors will have a chance to get together Saturday in two North Escambia communities.
The Cantonment Improvement Committee and their partners will sponsor “Neighbor Meeting Neighbor Day” on Saturday, September 14 at 3 p.m. at Carver Park, 2018 Webb Street. There will be refreshments and fellowship. Attendees should bring a lawn chair.
The Barrineau Park Historical Society will sponsor its annual Fall Gathering on Saturday, September 14 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Barrineau Park Community Center at 6055 Barrineau Park School Road. There will be arts and crafts, vendors, a bounce house and other activities for the kids, live music by the Southern Revival Band and much more. Free admission. An inexpensive lunch will be available from 11:30 until 1 p.m.
Volleyball: Flomaton Hurricanes Defeat The Northview Chiefs
September 10, 2019
The Flomaton Hurricanes defeated the Northview Chiefs in high school volleyball varsity action Monday in Bratt.
The Chiefs will host Laurel Hill on Tuesday, while Flomaton will be Escambia County High School in Atmore on September 16.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Gov. Ron DeSantis Recognizes Bratt’s Donut Boy For Supporting Law Enforcement
September 10, 2019
Tyler Carach of Bratt, better known as The Donut Boy, was invited to the governor’s office to meet Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday for a special thank you.
“It was cool getting invited to meet the new governor today; he likes police just like me,” Carach told NorthEscambia.com. “He thanked me for what I do to serve the police, and I thanked him for supporting our first responders.”
The Donut Boy first gained notoriety after being featured on NorthEscambia.com in 2016 as a superhero that’s on a mission to thank law enforcement officers personally with doughnuts.
Tyler and his mother Sheena, who is a former police officer, created the “I DONUT need a reason to THANK a cop” program after an encounter with Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies at Gilley’s Store in Bratt during the summer of 2016. He asked if he could use some of his own money to buy doughnuts for the officers, purchasing four packs of chocolate doughnuts to share with the deputies.
And that was the start of his quest, which has led him to all 50 states.
Our superhero is a student at Ernest Ward Middle School when he is not out thanking law enforcement.
Pictured top: Donut Boy Tyler Carach, Gov. Ron DeSantis and Sheena Carach, Tyler’s mother. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fire Heavily Damages Molino Mobile Home
September 9, 2019
Two adults were left without a home after a fire that heavily damaged a mobile home in Molino Monday afternoon.
The single-wide home in the 8800 block of Gibson Road was involved in fire when Escambia Fire Rescue arrived on scene. All occupants and animals were reportedly able to make it out of the home without injuries.
The cause of the 1:25 p.m. fire is under investigation.
The American Red Cross is assisting the fire victims.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Man Accused Of Stealing Items While A Deputy Was Present At Wife’s House
September 9, 2019
An Atmore man has been charged with allegedly stealing internet and security equipment from his estranged wife’s house in Davisville while an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy was present.
Tommy Dewayne Colbert, 55, was charged with felony grand theft.
A deputy responded to the 10600 block of Highway 97 to stand by while Colbert removed items from the residence after he was served an a domestic violence injunction by his wife. The deputy watched as he removed a TV, clothing and other personal items and place them in his small car, according to arrest report. The wife was not at home at the time.
Later the same day, the wife reported that Colbert took her wifi router and cloud link modem for her security system valued at a total of $520. The security company recorded that their system disconnected from the internet during the time Colbert at the deputy at the residence, the report states. The wife stated the items were not communal property because she purchased them on her own after the injunction was served.
The deputy noted on his report that he saw the router on a table, but did not actually witness Colbert take it.
A few weeks prior, Colbert was charged with misdemeanor battery for allegedly pushing his wife to the ground. A judge revoked Colbert’s bond the battery case after the theft arrest, and he remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
All Traffic Now Flowing On The New Pensacola Bay Bridge
September 9, 2019
The first half of the new Pensacola Bay Bridge is now official open with traffic flowing both directions.
Highway 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) was transitioned to the new bridge on Sunday.
The temporary configuration for the new bridge will provide two lanes of east and two lanes of westbound traffic, along with a center-lane reserved for emergency vehicles. A multiuse path for pedestrians and bicyclists is expected to be operational near the end of 2019.
With all traffic shifted to the new bridge, construction crews will demolish the current bridge, complete the new westbound structure, and reconstruct the 17th Avenue interchange. All work is currently estimated for completion in mid-2021.
Century Man Faces Drug Charges After No Tag Light Traffic Stop In Flomaton
September 9, 2019
Flomaton Police arrested a Century man on drug charges after a traffic stop over the weekend.
Driver Brandon Joshua Mathis, 27, was pulled over in a Flomaton for no tag light, and Flomaton Police reported finding “spice” in his vehicle.
Mathis was charged with possession of a controlled substance synthetic cannabinoid and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was booked into the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton.