Century Council Breaks Impasse And Hires Billing Clerk
February 19, 2019
The Century Town Council broke their impasse Monday night over the hiring of a billing clerk.
The council voted 3-2 to promote Netanya “Toni” Simmons as recommended by Mayor Henry Hawkins and increase her salary from $9.80 to $12 per hour. The council publicly interviewed Simmons during their regular meeting. She was only candidate interviewed by the council as advised by the town lawyer.
Hawkins first recommended to promote Simmons from within at the council’s January 28 meeting. Council president Ann Brooks, who represented the council at the interviews of several candidates back in January, said that she did not believe she was the best candidate. The council voted to interview Simmons and three other candidates.
On February 4, Brooks cited an emailed opinion from Matt Danheisser, town attorney, stating that the council essentially has veto power to disapprove of the mayor’ choice, but the council could not direct the hiring of a person not recommended by the mayor. Four council members split 2-2 on a motion not to promote Simmons, and 2-2 on a motion in the affirmative. Each time, Brooks and Ben Boutwell voted against Simmons, while Luis Gomez and Sandra McMurray-Jackson were in her favor. Council member James Smith was absent, causing the council to deadlock and instead decide to interview Simmons.
Monday night, Gomez, Jackson and Smith voted in favor of the promotion, and Boutwell and Brooks voted against. Gomez participated by phone for medical reasons.
According to her application, Simmons has worked with the town for just over a year as a clerk tech. She was previously employed for six months as a cashier at Odom’s Bar and Package, and six months as a desk clerk at Performance Tire & Wheel in Brewton. She is certified in Office, PowerPoint and Excel.
The previous billing clerk, Angela Suggs, resigned her position after seven years. The position is responsible for billing about $1.6 million in water, sewer and natural gas revenue each year.
Pictured: The Century Town Council interviews town employee Toni Simmons before promoting her to billing clerk during their Monday night meeting. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview, Tate FFA Horse And Livestock Teams Compete
February 19, 2019
The horse judging and livestock teams from the Northview High FFA and Tate High FFA competed recently for a chance to advance to the state finals.
Northview’s horse judging team placed 12th out of 58 teams during the state preliminaries at the Florida State Fair in Tampa and will advance to the state finals in Gainesville in April. Team members are Olivia Porter, Autumn Williams, Destiny Cleckler and Brooke Doolittle.
Northview’s livestock team placed 40th out of 79 teams. Team members are Raeleigh Woodfin, Kelley Merchant, Stewart Woodfin and Amber Gilman.
Competing for Tate’s livestock judging teams were Kylar Smith, Keaton Fuqua, Laura Alexander, Raven Hollis, Lindsay Von Stein and coach Melissa Gibbs.
Tate’s horse judging team also took part. Team members are Jessica Conti, Hannah Thorne, Emily Freeman, Katherine Cavanaugh and coach Erin Lawall.
Pictured top: Northview’s horse judge team. Pictured below: Tate horse judging team. Pictured bottom: Tate’s livestock team. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jim Allen Elementary Names Students Of The Month
February 19, 2019
Jim Allen Elementary School has named Kinzy Cutler and Cade Weaver as Students of the Month. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Program Will Help Needy Residents Get Wheelchair Ramps
February 19, 2019
Escambia County is implementing a program to provide wheelchair ramps to needy residents.
The wheelchair ramp pilot program will provide funding for supplies and materials in partnership with not for profit agencies who install the ramps through the use of volunteers.
With final approval expected this week, each agency will receive a grant and provide volunteer labor to construct ramp for income eligible applicants. The agencies are:
Council on Aging of West Florida $10,000
Pensacola Civitan Club, $12,000
Pensacola Habitat for Humanity, $6,000
Ray of Hope, of Northwest Florida, $14,000
The Escambia County Neighborhood Enterprise Division (NED) will screen applicants for income eligibility and other program requirements. Once an applicant is approved, the agency will be notified by NED for scheduling of ramp installation.
Income limits for the program, based up household size will be:
1 — $36,550
2 — $41,750
3 — $46,950
4 — $52,150
5 — $ 56,350
Pictured: Council on Aging of West Florida volunteers build a wheelchair ramp. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bill Would Tie Vaping, Smoking Tobacco In Florida
February 19, 2019
State Sen. Debbie Mayfield, R-Rockledge, wants to define vaping products with tobacco products, a move that would allow electronic cigarettes to be lumped into anti-smoking marketing efforts.
In a news release Monday, Mayfield said she wants to change the definition of tobacco products in state law to extend to all “recreational” nicotine products, including electronic cigarettes and liquid nicotine.
“Currently, retailers that sell electronic cigarettes and liquid nicotine products do not have to comply with the same restrictions and requirements that tobacco retailers do,” the news release said. “This bill will require the same accountability, allowing law enforcement to verify that the retail businesses are only selling tobacco products to patrons that are 18 years of age and older.”
A measure by Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, that would move forward with banning electronic smoking devices in workplaces was unanimously backed by the Senate Innovation, Industry and Technology Committee this month. Simpson’s proposal, which does not include the language sought by Mayfield, would carry out part of Amendment 9, a ballot measure that passed in November and includes a ban on vaping in indoor workplaces. Simpson has said he wants to keep a “clean” bill as it advances through the Senate and called the argument to add the tobacco definition to vaping “as a little bit of an overreach.”
Anti-smoking advocates contend that redefining vaping devices as tobacco products would help Tobacco Free Florida’s educational and marketing efforts.
The Simpson measure mirrors a longstanding ban on smoking tobacco in indoor workplaces and would add vaping to a state law that bars people under age 18 from smoking tobacco within 1,000 feet of schools.
by The News Service of Florida
Bill Takes Aim At Old ‘Docs Vs. Glocks’ Law
February 19, 2019
Two years after a federal appeals court rejected much of Florida’s controversial “docs vs. glocks” law, a House Democrat wants to erase those parts of the law from the state books.
Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, filed a bill that would delete parts of the law that were ruled unconstitutional in 2017 by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The law, which passed in 2011 and spurred legal challenges from doctors, sought to prevent physicians and other health-care providers from asking patients about guns and entering the information into medical records.
Doctors argued that the law, which was backed by the National Rifle Association, violated First Amendment rights.
The Atlanta-based appeals court found key parts of the law unconstitutional while upholding sections that bar doctors from discriminating against patients who have guns. While the court blocked parts of the law from being carried out, they have technically remained on the state books.
Smith’s bill, which is filed for the legislative session that starts March 5, would delete provisions that the appeals court found unconstitutional but keep in place parts that bar doctors from discriminating against gun owners.
Molino Woman Sentenced To Prison For Shooting At Husband After He Gave Her Divorce Papers
February 18, 2019
A Molino woman has been sentenced to prison for shooting at her husband several times after he came home with divorce papers.
Wendy Maureen Dennis, 42, was convicted by an Escambia County jury of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and discharging a firearm. She was sentenced by Judge Jennie Kensey to 24 months in state prison to be followed by three years probation.
In April 2018, her husband called 911 and stated that his wife had shot a gun at him multiple times before leaving their residence on North Highway 95A and heading toward Molino Road. Responding Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies conducted a felony traffic stop on her vehicle and recovered a .22 caliber rifle that was in plain view on the backseat of the vehicle, according to an arrest report. She was taken into custody without incident.
The husband told deputies that he brought home divorce paperwork to his wife of eight years, and everything was fine as they started to leave their residence to go to the tax collector’s office to have the papers notarized. According to the husband’s statement to deputies, she then walked to her car, retrieved the rifle, yelled at him and fired several shots in his direction. He was not injured.
The couple’s divorce was finalized in August 2018, according to court records.
Florida Highway Intersection To Get Safety Upgrades After Multiple Wrecks In Fog
February 18, 2019
A dangerous Alabama intersection will get safety upgrades as early as this week help prevent accidents.
As Highway 99 heads north from Bratt and out of Escambia County, FL, into Alabama, the name changes to Florida Highway. Two miles later, Florida Highway terminates with a stop sign at Highway 31.
Three weeks ago, a Century woman was seriously injured when she missed the stop sign in dense fog and crossed Highway 31. Her pickup landed on its side across railroad tracks that are below road level and parallel to Highway 31. It’s one of several wrecks that have occurred when drivers missed the end of the road in thick fog.
“When it is foggy, you can be at the end of the road before you know it,” Escambia County (AL) Commissioner Brandon Smith said. “So far we’ve been very fortunate. One day a vehicle is going to get broadsided by a log truck, or one day it is going to be a car load of kids.”
Weather permitting, county crews will install rumble strips this week on Florida Highway to warn drivers of the upcoming intersection. There’s already a stop ahead sign in place.
“But drivers lose track of where they are on the road. It just has big open fields on both sides, so drivers are at the end before they realize it,” Smith said. “If the changes save just one life, it will be worth it.
Pictured: The Florida Highway intersection with Highway 31, about two miles north of the Alabama-Florida state line, Sunday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FDOT’s $20 Million In Funding For ST Engineering Won’t Hurt Local Projects
February 18, 2019
The Florida Department of Transportation is removing $20 million in funding for two projects well outside Escambia County to contribute to the expansion of ST Engineer at the Pensacola airport.
Last week, FDOT stated in a letter to Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson that the agency is amending funding for other unspecified projects to fulfill the $20 million, but the agency did not elaborate on exactly which projects would be cut. NorthEscambia.com reached out to FDOT for answers.
Tom Byron, FDOT assistant secretary for Strategic Development, told NorthEscambia.com in an email that the funding will come from two passenger rail related projects along Florida’s East Coast, both roughly from Jacksonville from Miami.
“There were two projects already in the pipeline for deletion,” Byron said. “…The projects being deleted are not in Escambia County.
Earlier this month, Escambia County contributed another $5 million, for a total of $15 million, to the project. The money is mostly from local option sales tax funds. The Pensacola City Council also voted to contribute another $5 million to their previous $10 million commitment.
The city also requested another $12.5 million from Triumph Gulf Coast in addition to their previously committed $56 million. The Triumph board committed to additional $10 million, $2.5 million short of the ask, for a commitment of 1,325 jobs for at least seven years.
The project includes the construction of hangers and is expected to create over 1,300 jobs.
Tate Softball Coach, Nine Others Inducted Into PSC Athletics Hall Of Fame
February 18, 2019
Pensacola State College inducted 10 charter members into their Athletics Hall of Fame, including a current Tate High School softball coach.
Pensacola State has a long and storied sports and athletic tradition. The Hall of Fame has been a long time coming with such rich heritage,” said PSC Athletic Director Bill Hamilton. “This Hall of Fame will stand as a reminder for all time that these awesome individuals got their start here.”
The inaugural Hall of Fame class includes student-athletes, advisers, coaches, game officials and volunteers:
Dana Gilmore is the most-decorated female athlete in Pensacola State history. She was a First Team All-Conference for two years in softball and volleyball, a two-time First Team All-State in softball and First Team All-State her sophomore year in volleyball. She also was a two-time Academic All-American and the winner of the FCSAA’s Softball Jean Williams Award for scholar-athletes. She holds six softball records at Pensacola State and is the College’s all-time leader for volleyball aces. Gilmore was named to the 2003 Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association NJCAA Division I All-America Team and went on to play softball at University of Central Florida for one season. She transferred to University of Mobile where she was a member of the 2006 NAIA National Champion team. She’s now an assistant softball coach at Tate High School where she helped coach the 2015 State Champion team in girls’ softball.
Joel Anthony, a native of Canada, was recruited by Pensacola State and played basketball for the Pirates from 2002-04. He transferred to University of Nevada, Las Vegas where he was named the Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He signed with the Miami Heat, helping the team win back-to-back NBA Championships. He also played for the Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs and the Milwaukee Bucks. He now plays for Argentina’s San Lorenzo de Almagro basketball club league.
Mary Bailey established the softball program at Pensacola State in 1982. A 1967 Pensacola State graduate, she was head softball coach from 1982-94. In 1988, Bailey led the Lady Pirates slow-pitch softball team to the NJCAA Division I Softball National Championship and she was named the 1988 NJCAA Division I National Softball Coach of the Year. During her time at Pensacola State, she compiled a 498-166 record. The Panhandle Conference Softball Championship trophy was named in her honor.
Bill Brantley taught in the College’s Physical Sciences Department from 1965-95. After retirement, he taught as an adjunct professor until 2009. He generously contributes to the PSC Foundation and PSC athletics and created the William T. Brantley Scholarship Endowment for Physical Sciences. A former basketball player, Brantley attends a majority of Pirate basketball games with his wife Patsy and is a member of the Pensacola State Booster Club.
Jim Donovan was the College’s golf coach from 1987-1993. After serving in the U.S. Navy for 32 years, he coached golf at Catholic High School from 1985-87 before joining the coaching staff at PSC. He led the Pirates golf team to the NJCAA Division II National Championship in 1993 while winning the 1993 NJCAA Division II National Golf Coach of the Year, and missed a second title by one stroke the following year.
Charles Fairchild was a charter member of Pensacola State College Athletic program’s first boosters. He played basketball at Pensacola State from 1962-64 and was a member of PSC’s first state championship basketball team in the 1962-63 season. He was the MVP of the team and the leading scorer and second leading rebounder in both years that he played at PSC. He went on to play at Florida State for two years. Always a basketball fan, he was a member of the group that brought the Pensacola Tornados professional basketball team to the city. He served as color commentator for WCOA radio and later WSRE-TV when those stations broadcast the PJC basketball games.
Dennis Lindsey was Pensacola State’s first full-time assistant coach, coaching men’s and women’s basketball, from 1994-96. He joined the Houston Rockets organization in 1996, and eventually worked his way up to become the franchise’s vice president. He also served as vice president and assistant general manager of the San Antonio Spurs. He has been the general manager of the Utah Jazz since 2012.
Greg Litton played baseball for the Pirates in 1983-84 and signed to play at Mississippi State University, however he was drafted in the first round of the 1984 draft by the San Francisco Giants. After five seasons in the minor leagues, Litton moved up as a rookie and hit a home run in Game 4 of the 1989 World Series. Litton played with the Seattle Mariners and the Boston Red Sox before retiring in 1995. A true utility player, Litton played every position on the field during his Major League career.
Bob Marlin was a Pensacola State basketball coach from 1990-95. In 1993, he led the College to the NJCAA Division I Basketball National Championship and was named the 1993 Division I NJCAA National Basketball Coach of the Year. In his five seasons at Pensacola State, Marlin compiled an astonishing 123-35 record.
Bill McArthur, a youth sports advocate, was a longtime supporter of Pensacola State basketball. He played basketball for Pensacola High and was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame. He graduated from Pensacola State in 1953, and transferred to Florida State University where he earned his bachelor’s degree. He also earned his master’s degree from Mississippi State College. During the Korean conflict, McArthur served in the U.S. Army, returned to Pensacola and worked with the Escambia County School District for many years. He worked the table at basketball games for several local high schools, the Pensacola Tornados professional basketball team and the News Journal and Blue Angels tournaments. As a table coordinator at Pensacola State for 42 years, he enjoyed a relationship with every president, athletic director and coach who served at the College.
Pictured: Tate High softball assistant coach Dana Gilmore at her induction into the PSC Athletics Hall of Fame Saturday. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
