Demolition Set To Begin On Escambia Jail Central Booking Facility
November 2, 2018
After being destroyed in an explosion linked to the April 2014 flooding, Escambia County is moving forward with the demolition and site clearing of the old Central Booking & Detention Facility located on Leonard Street. Slated to begin as soon as Monday, the project will first include removing material from inside the structure before the actual four-story building and adjacent one-story buildings can be demolished.
The project specifics include:
- Demolition of existing structures and site clearing, Mondays through Fridays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Complete removal and legal disposal of the structure, interior/exterior finishes, mechanical systems, electrical systems, and furnishings as to not damage any adjacent facilities.
- No stormwater pond or other construction will take place at this time.
- No explosives will be used during the demolition.
- Continuous monitoring of noise and air quality will take place to mitigate project nuisances, along with water spraying to prevent airborne materials from leaving the work zone.
- A hazardous material survey was performed, and any regulated materials will be removed and disposed of per proper Florida Department Of Environmental Protection procedures and regulations.
The Escambia County Commission awarded the contract for the demolition of the facility to Jobe’s Dirt Works, LLC at their October 18 regular meeting. The demolition project is expected to take approximately eight months, barring weather or other unforeseen delays. The project engineering and demolition costs are estimated at $584,000. (For more on the bids received, click here for a previous story.)
No building will be rebuilt in the location. Instead, a 3.5 acre stormwater drainage pond will be constructed using a federal grant to reduce flooding in the area. While a depression will be in the ground until the drainage project construction begins, it is not the completed pond. Design plans for the new dry stormwater pond will be 90 percent complete in November. A construction start date has not yet been determined.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Man Charged With Molesting Juvenile Girl
November 2, 2018
A Molino man has been arrested for allegedly molesting a juvenile girl.
Dennis Lester Odom, 59, was charged with lewd and lascivious behavior and molestation of a victim under the age of 12, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison, and lewd and lascivious behavior and molestation of victim between the age of 12 and 16.
The offenses were alleged to occur at his home on Branch Crossing Road between early 2017 and August 2018. The victim told investigators that Odom touched her inappropriately on multiple occasions on the living room couch as Odom’s wife was asleep in a bedroom, according to an arrest report. She said she told him “no” and objected to the touching.
Odom voluntarily spoke with an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office investigator and said he has known the victim’s father since he was a child. He denied the allegations against him.
Odom remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $10,000.
Jim Allen Students Collect $1,200 For Hurricane Victims
November 2, 2018
On Wednesday, Jim Allen Elementary students wore their costumes for a cause. They collected cash and coin donations for students who were affected by Hurricane Michael in Panama City and the rest of Bay County. Jim Allen collected approximately $1,200. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Crary Road To Close Next Week For Bridge Replacement
November 2, 2018
Construction is scheduled to begin next week on a $776,874 project to replace the current bridge on Crary Road over Pritchett Mill Creek near Century.
The work involves replacing the current structure with a bridge culvert, paving the roadway approaches, and improving drainage. During construction, Crary Road will be closed between Tedder and Byrneville roads. Drivers will utilize County Road 4 and Byrneville Road as a detour route. The project is currently scheduled for completion next spring.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
The current bridge was constructed in 1961.
File photo.
Tate Baseball Halloween Game Raises Money For Hurricane Recovery
November 2, 2018
The Third Annual Tate Aggie Halloween Baseball game raised funds for those impacted by Hurricane Michael.
Children were able to trick-or-treat with baseball players before the game. The players then competed in costume, while fans enjoyed chili, hot dogs and other treats.
Photos by Christy King for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill VFD Fish Fry Set For Saturday
November 2, 2018
The 49th Annual Catfish Fry at the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department will be Saturday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Walnut Hill Fire Station on Highway 97. Plates will be $8 each with your choice of catfish fillets or grilled chicken, plus baked beans, cole slaw, hush puppies, bread and cake.
There will also be a drawing for door prizes beginning at 1 p.m. and the Big Red Bus will also be on hand for a blood drive.
NorthEscambia.com file photos.
Driver Uninjured After Hitting Tree On Barrineau Park Road
November 1, 2018
A driver was not injured when she hit on a tree on Barrineau Park Road near the railroad tracks, just east of the Perdido River Thursday morning. The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Florida Highway Patrol responded. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Century’s Failing Gas Dept. Looks To Increase Declining Prison Revenue; FDC Took Cost-Cutting Measures
November 1, 2018
Century is setting its sights on the local prison to help the gas department’s continued financial slide.
According to a document created by town account Robert Hudson, the natural gas bill for the Century Correctional Institution has dropped by about one-third when analyzing each August and September since 2014. In 2014, Century Correctional’s bills for August and September totaled $18,966. That decreased to $14,354 in 2016 and to $6,547 by 2018.
Century Gas Superintendent Wally Kellett said the prison’s natural gas meter is 18-years old and was “sticking” and not operating properly He said the meter was temporarily repaired and new meter has been ordered to stop revenue losses.
NorthEscambia.com reached out to the Florida Department of Corrections to see if there might by any other reason CCI’s natural gas bills dropped by such a large percentage since 2014.
FDC Communications Director Michelle Glady said the facility has actually taken several steps to decrease natural gas use.
“We converted the laundry operation from steam-powered to direct gas dryers. Century used to have a large steam boiler that consumed a lot of natural gas, but the new direct-fired gas dryers are more energy efficient. Additionally, several hot water heaters have been upgraded to high efficiency models,” Glady said.
The Century Gas Department lost $165,181 during last fiscal year ending September 30.
Pictured: The Century Correctional Institution is town’s biggest water, sewer and natural gas customer. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Highway 97 Wreck Cuts Power For Hundreds
November 1, 2018
Hundreds lost power for hours Wednesday night after wreck on Highway 97 in Davisville.
A driver was southbound on Highway 97 when she ran off the roadway and struck a power pole about a mile south of the Florida/Alabama state line. The collision sheared off the pole, leaving live electrical wires just feet off the ground.
The driver refused medical treatment at the scene.
Only two Escambia River Electric Cooperative customers lost power at the time of the crash; however, power was cut to about 250 customers north of Highway 4 for first responder safety and repairs.
The crash is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Park, Bratt Students ‘Visit’ Canada
November 1, 2018
Students at Bratt Elementary and Molino Park Elementary had a chance to “visit” Canada and learn about the country during a recent Global Corner International Learning Center program at each school.
The Global Corner provides opportunities for the children of Northwest Florida to learn about world languages, cultures, and geography through innovative educational programs.
Pictured: The Global Corner at Bratt and Molino Park elementary schools. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
