UWF Historic Artifacts Could Find A Home In Century
July 18, 2018
Artifacts from the University of West Florida Historic Trust could find a home in a Century.
The Trust is looking for secure, climate controlled space to store a large quantify of historic items and antiquities, according to an email from Brice Harris, a UWF assistance vice president . They are repurposing much of their downtown storage space into workable classrooms and labs.
Harris emailed Century Town Planner Debbie Nickles seeking possible space in the Century Business Center on Pond Street or another location. She said UWF is looking for three to 10 thousand square feet.
Mayor Henry Hawkins said much of the space at the Century Business Center is in use. Council member Ben Boutwell suggested the empty Helicopter Technology Building in the town’s industrial park might work.
Hawkins told the Century Town Council that the building could not be rented due to issues with the fire sprinkler system. A November 2017 violation notice from the Escambia County Fire Rescue Office of Fire Prevention found the sprinkler and fire systems were in need of an inspection.
The former Helicopter Technology building is a 40,000 square foot office/warehouse building with full climate control, sprinkler system, new HVAC and new energy efficient lighting. The town re-acquired the industrial building at public auction for less than $1 out of pocket back in August 2009, following the town’s foreclosure judgment against the now defunct Helicopter Technology.
In 2017, the building was appraised for $550,000 with a fair market rent of $80,000 per year ($6,667 per month).
Hawkins said he will contact Harris to discuss any possible building locations.
Schools Honored For Fire Life Safety Improvements
July 18, 2018
The Escambia County School Board recognized several schools for meeting fire and life safety goals.
Certificates of Excellence were presented to nine schools for a decrease in overall deficiencies by at least 50 percent. They were: Blue Angels Elementary, Global Learning Academy, Holm Elementary, Pleasant Grove Elementary, Bellview Middle, Ferry Pass Middle, Workman Middle, Pensacola High and Tate High School.
In addition, seven schools were honored for having 10 or less total deficiencies for their entire facility. They were: A.K. Suter Elementary, Bratt Elementary, Brentwood Elementary, Ferry Pass Elementary, Jim Allen Elementary, Molino Park Elementary and Brown Barge Middle School.
The certificates were presented during a Tuesday meeting of the Escambia County School Board.
Pictured: City of Pensacola Fire Inspector John Bartholomew (left) and Escambia County Fire Marshal Joe Quinn (middle) with Molino Park Elementary Principal Lisa Arnold (top)and Bratt Elementary Principal Karen Hall (below). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECSO: Two Women Fight It Out In Century Store, One Hit In Head With 12 Pack Of Beer
July 17, 2018
Two Century women have been charged after allegedly getting into two fights inside a local convenience store — one hitting the other with a 12-pack of beer and the other returning for a blow with a single can of beer.
Jalisa Faye Jackson, 25, was charged with affray and disorderly conduct, and Crystal Christine Ellis, 27, was charged with disorderly conduct.
Ellis was inside the Century Food Mart on North Century Boulevard buying cigarettes when Jackson hit her in the back of the head with the 12-pack, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office
Surveillance video showed Jackson was leaving the counter with the 12-pack as Ellis approached the clerk to pay for her items, the report states. After the attack, both women got into a fight until being separated by store customers. Once broken apart, the video showed Ellis pick up what appeared to be a beer can and hit Jackson with it before both women began fighting again until separated a second time by customers.
Jackson told deputies that she may have hit Ellis with the 12-pack unknowingly, not realizing it was still in her hand, the report states.
Jackson was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $1,500 bond. Ellis is being held without bond after her bond was revoked in a pending child neglect case.
Cantonment Man Gets Jail Time For Nightclub Burglary
July 17, 2018
A Cantonment man has been sentenced to time in the county jail for burglarizing a nightclub.
River Sewell was sentenced to 120 days for criminal mischief, burglary of an unoccupied structure and petit theft.
Sewell burglarized the Red Baron Lounge across from Walmart on Pensacola Boulevard, according to prosecutors. He entered the business using force by pulling on the front door until the locks failed, causing $50 in damage. He then pulled the business’s alarm off a wall before stealing liquor, tobacco and other products worth $100.
The burglary was captured on video.
Century Donates $1,600 For Youth Football Uniforms, More Help Needed
July 17, 2018
The Town of Century voted Monday night to contribute $1,600 towards new uniforms for the Century Sports Association, but the group is still about $800 short of the amount needed.
Century’s donation includes $1,450 earned when the nonprofit Urban Development Center rented the town’s Century Business Center to hold workforce training classes; the remaining $150 was money leftover from their Independence Day fireworks.
According to an invoice submitted to the town, the Century Sports Association ordered 75 new youth football uniforms for $4,860. A $1,500 deposit was paid, and the youth league has secured donations to pay all but $800 of the bill.
Century Sports President Amanuel Dobose said program participation is growing steadily and is a positive influence for Century’s youth.
Anyone wishing to help the Century Sports Association can email centurysportsassociation@gmail.com or mail a donation to P.O. Box 1252, Century, FL 32535
School District Educational Support Personnel Job Fair Wednesday
July 17, 2018
The Escambia County School District will hold and educational support personnel job fair Wednesday from 8 a.m. until noon at the J.E. Hall Center at 30 East Texar Drive.
Positions are available in food services, custodial, transportation and exceptional student education. Computers will be available on site for applicants to apply for positions and schedule fingerprinting to continue the application process. Applicants will be responsible for the fingerprinting fee. Human Resources personnel will also be present to assist with the application process and to answer questions.
Court Moves Forward With ‘Jane Doe’ Issue In Florida Gun case
July 17, 2018
A federal appeals court Monday cleared the way for considering a dispute about whether two teens can remain anonymous in a challenge to a new Florida law that raised the minimum age to buy rifles and other long guns.
The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a two-page document that said it “appears that this court has jurisdiction to consider this appeal,” though it said a final determination on that jurisdiction will be made later by a panel of judges who will hear the anonymity issue.
The appeal stems from a ruling in May by U.S. District Judge Mark Walker that a 19-year-old Alachua County woman, identified as “Jane Doe,” could not remain anonymous as a plaintiff in a National Rifle Association challenge to the gun law. The NRA also sought to add to the case a 19-year-old man, identified as “John Doe,” who could be affected by the law.
After Walker’s ruling, the NRA went to the Atlanta-based appeals court seeking to allow the teens to remain anonymous. The appeals court, however, raised a question about whether it should consider the anonymity matter and said that if “it is determined that this court is without jurisdiction, this appeal will be dismissed.”
The NRA contended the appeals court has jurisdiction over the anonymity issue. Also, Attorney General Pam Bondi’s office, which has objected to the teens remaining anonymous, agreed that the appeals court could take up the dispute.
The anonymity issue is rooted in a federal lawsuit that the NRA filed March 9 after Gov. Rick Scott signed into law a sweeping school-safety measure that included new gun-related restrictions. The legislation was a response to the Feb. 14 shooting at Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that left 17 students and faculty members dead. In part, the law raised from 18 to 21 the minimum age to purchase rifles and other long guns.
After filing the lawsuit, the NRA moved to add the two teens to the case but sought to keep their identities private. NRA attorneys argued in a brief filed June 27 in the appeals court that the teens feared “that being publicly named in and associated with the case would subject them to harassment, intimidation, threats, and potentially even physical violence.” It also pointed to numerous harassing and threatening emails and phone calls received by prominent NRA lobbyist Marion Hammer since the shooting in Parkland and the filing of the lawsuit.
“The context of this case — and of Jane Doe and John Doe’s request to remain anonymous — cannot be understood apart from the tragic February 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and its aftermath,” the NRA’s lawyers wrote in the brief. “That event not only led to the enactment of the ban (on people under 21 buying guns) challenged in this case; it was the catalyst for a nationwide effort to restrict the possession and use of firearms. Funded by a group of anti-gun organizations, activists have barnstormed the country advocating restrictions on the right to keep and bear arms.”
In ruling against the anonymity request in May, Walker wrote that if “it were entirely up to this court, this court would not hesitate to grant the NRA’s motion.” But Walker indicated he was bound by previous legal decisions.
Based on precedent, “this court finds that mere evidence of threats and harassment made online is insufficient to outweigh the customary and constitutionally-embedded presumption of openness in judicial proceedings,” Walker wrote. “This is especially true where the targets of such threats and harassment are not minors and where the subject at issue does not involve matters of utmost intimacy.”
While the NRA and state await action from the appeals court on the anonymity issue, the underlying challenge to the law signed by Scott has largely remained on hold. After the anonymity issue is resolved, Walker will consider the legality of the gun restriction.
Meanwhile, Hammer filed lawsuits Friday in state and federal courts against five men she says have targeted her with harmful emails and phone calls since the massacre in Parkland.
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
Wahoos Series Finale Against Braves Washed Away
July 17, 2018
Mother nature simply did not want Pensacola and Mississippi to play one last time. Monday’s series finale—and final matchup between these two teams this season—was cancelled due to rain.
Heavy rain rendered the field unplayable prior to Monday’s scheduled first pitch. Pensacola won 16 of the 25 regular season matchups with the Braves this season. With the cancelled game, the Blue Wahoos have split each of the last two series, having won twice against the Mobile BayBears earlier in the week.
Pensacola hopes to return home to drier pastures when they open up a five-game set against their divisional foes from Jacksonville, beginning on Wednesday night. RHP Vladimir Gutierrez was expected to Wednesday’s opener, but due to the weather, the rotation could be altered. The Jumbo Shrimp are expected to start one of their premier pitching prospects in RHP Nick Neidert (8-5, 2.75).
Century Armed Robbery Suspect Captured In Alabama
July 16, 2018
A Century armed robbery suspect was captured this afternoon in Alabama.
Devante Aaron Knight, 26, was arrested before 2 p.m. in Conecuh County, AL, near Evergreen, according to local authorities.
Knight robbed the Century Kwik Stop at 8130 North Century Boulevard at just before 10 p.m. on July 2, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Escambia County deputies said Knight was considered armed and dangerous.
It is expected Knight will face unknown charges in Coneuch County. He will also be extradited back to Escambia County.
Wreck Claims Life Of Pedestrian From Atmore, Driver Charged With DUI
July 16, 2018
An Atmore man has passed away from injuries he received when he was struck by a DUI driver Saturday night in Bay Minette.
Logan Heath Barrett, 23, passed away Sunday morning.
According to Bay Minette Police, the accident happened about 9:56 p.m. near the intersection of McMeans Avenue and West 5th Street. Barrett was crossing McMeans Avenue when he was struck by a vehicle driven by 24-year old Andrew Milton Cross of Birmingham, according to Bay Minette Police.
Cross was initially charged with driving under the influence, assault first degree, unlawful possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. It is expected that charges will be upgraded. Cross was being held in the Baldwin County Jail with bond set at $61,500.
The accident remains under investigation.
Pictured: Suspect Andrew Milton Cross.