One Injured In Two Vehicle Wreck Near Road Prison
October 31, 2019
At least one person was injured in a two vehicle crash Wednesday night on Highway 297A near the Escambia County Road Prison.
The injuries were not considered to be life threatening. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Spooky Photos: It Happened One Night At The Molino Library
October 31, 2019
“It Happened One Night at the Molino Library” featured goofy library witches and trick-or-treating through the library. Those who dared also toured a haunted house.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Doing The Monster Mash At Ransom Middle School
October 31, 2019
The Ransom Middle School Jazz Band presented the “Monster Music Mash” this week in the school cafeteria. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Elementary Student Gets Finger Really, Really Stuck In A Desk
October 30, 2019
A fourth grade student’s finger got stuck — really, really stuck — in a desk Wednesday morning at Beulah Elementary School on Helms Road.
The Beulah and Bellview stations and Special Operations team from Escambia Fire Rescue responded to 9:46 a.m. call, and it took about an hour to free Ethan Rayner’s finger from the desk.
“He is doing great,” mom Courtney Rayner said. “It was very swollen, and now that the swelling has gone down it is bruised but not broken or anything. The fire department was amazing. The made sure he was comfortable as could be and told him every step as they did it.”
The rescuers took the time to pose for a photo with Ethan afterwards (and mom noted that it was “Wacky Tacky” dress day at BES for Red Ribbon week to explain his clothing).
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
North Highway 99 Was Just Paved. Now It’s Falling Apart. Why?
October 30, 2019
North Highway 99 was just repaved, and now it’s falling apart in several places. NorthEscambia.com reached out to find out why.
“We are actively investigating and trying to determine the source of the problem,” Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said, “so we can figure out how to solve it. I anticipate a redo.”
Work started in late May to resurface the county road from Highway 97 in Walnut Hill to the Alabama state line. The asphalt is now sinking, forming large ruts and cracking. It looks as if it is sliding away as it is pushed downward by passing traffic.
At least portions of the road will have to be milled and repaved. Just how much remains to be seen; it could be only failing sections or it could be much more of the 8.01 mile roadway.
“It’s going to get fixed, and it’s going to get fixed quickly when the source of the problem is found,” Barry said. “People will be held accountable. Those that are culpable will definitely be held accountable.”
Multiple core samples of the highway have been extracted and sent for analysis. “That’s going to tell a lot of the story about the source of the problem,” the commissioner said.
Low bidder on the project was Panhandle Grading & Paving at $2.4 million. NorthEscambia.com has learned that rather than hired an outside inspection firm, Escambia County was responsible for their own inspections and quality control as the project progressed as is often done on county projects.
Barry said he is ready to see repair work begin, even if that means starting before it is determined who is responsible for paying the associated costs.
“I promise the people that it will be fixed in a timely fashion. I will not force the public to wait and see who is fault; the rest we will work out,” he said.
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.
Motorcyclist Critically Injured In Three Vehicle Quintette Road Crash
October 30, 2019
A motorcyclist was critically injured in a three vehicle crash Tuesday evening.
The motorcyclist was transported by Escambia County EMS to a local hospital as a trauma alert after the 5:45 p.m. wreck on East Quintette Road near Highway 95A.
Additional information has not been made available by the Florida Highway Patrol as they continue their investigation.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
State: Century’s Public Notice Of A Tax Increase Violated State Law
October 30, 2019
Century’s public notice of a tax increase last month violated state law according to the Florida Department of Revenue, forcing the town to try again.
In September, the town council approved a millage rate of .9204, which is about 10% greater than the rolled-back rate of .8361.
The levy of property taxes in Florida is governed by the Truth In Millage (TRIM) Act that dictates numerous steps that must be strictly followed. Improper steps can result in all state revenue being withheld for the fiscal year.
After NorthEscambia.com became aware of several possible violations of the TRIM statutes, we reached out to Interim City Manager Buz Eddy with the concerns. Town staff contacted the Florida Department of Revenue which has determined the notice did in fact violate state law.
The town will redo a public hearing to consider the tax increase on Monday, November 4 at 6:31 p.m. — over a month after the new fiscal year and budget started on October 1.
Pictured: Century council members Ann Brooks (left) and Sandra McMurray-Jackson await the arrival of councilman Luis Gomez in order to conduct a budget hearing September 23. Gomez was running only about threes minutes late, and the council proceeded with three of five members at the table. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Photos: Trunk Or Treat At The Quintette Community Center
October 30, 2019
Rain may have forced Tuesday night’s Trunk or Treat indoors at the Quintette Community Center, but it did not stop kids from having a great time.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Photos: Donuts With Mom At Molino Park Elementary
October 30, 2019
Molino Park Elementary School held Donuts With Mom Tuesday morning. It was a chance for students and their moms to enjoy a doughnut served by dads that stepped up so moms could take a break.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Northview Chiefs Improve To No. 2 In Region, No. 7 In State
October 30, 2019
The Northview Chiefs moved up a spot this week to to No. 2 in the region and are ranked No. 7 in the state in the latest 1A rankings released Tuesday by the Florida High School Athletic Association.
In Region 1-1A, the Chiefs are ranked behind Baker, ranked No. 1 in the state.
Region 1-1A rankings are as follows (listed as school, RPI, record):
- Baker 0.682 (9-0)
- Northview 0.619 (6-2)
- Vernon 0.607 (6-3)
- Freeport 0.576 (6-3)
- Graceville 0.545 (6-3)
- Jay 0.514 (4-5)
- Holmes County 0.475 (4-5)
- Cottondale 0.414 (2-7)
- Chipley 0.408 (1-8)
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.
Northview will face Jay this Friday night in Jay, while Baker will face No. 3 Blountstown in Panama City in a battle of the undefeateds.
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.
Pictured: The Baker Gators got past Northview in a close 14-12 game September 13 in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.