Ransom Middle Sixth Grader Arrested With Loaded Gun At School
February 13, 2018
A Ransom Middle School student was arrested for bringing a loaded handgun to school Tuesday morning.
The firearm was located on the sixth grader as he exited his school bus, according to Maj. Andrew Hobbs. spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. He said the school resource office was following up on an “ongoing investigation” that led him to the student as he arrived at the school.
The student was charged with possession of a concealed weapon, brandishing a firearm or destructive device on school grounds, and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription.
After being arrested, the student was transported to a Department of Juvenile Justice facility in Pensacola. The situation was deemed under control, and Ransom was not placed under lockdown.
It is not know of the child had any intent of using the gun or not; there were no injuries.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Senate Won’t Move Panhandle To Eastern Time, Keeps Year Round Daylight Saving Time
February 13, 2018
Most of the Panhandle would remain an hour behind the rest of the state under a revamped Senate proposal that would seek congressional approval to put Florida on year-round daylight-saving time.
The Commerce and Tourism Committee voted unanimously Monday to support a bill (SB 858) to keep Floridians from having to reset their clocks twice a year.
Before the vote, bill sponsor Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, removed a provision that would have placed all of the state in the Eastern time zone, noting that people in Northwest Florida objected to switching from Central time.
“Northern Florida people in the Central Time zone overwhelmingly want to stay where they are,” said committee Chairman Bill Montford, a Tallahassee Democrat whose sprawling 11-county district includes areas in each time zone.
Montford is among three Northwest Florida senators who had earlier announced they were “adamantly opposed” to moving the entire state into the Eastern Time zone.
The change in the Senate bill makes it nearly identical to the House version (HB 1013), which swept through a pair of committees and is slated to go to the full House on Wednesday.
If approved by the Legislature, the proposal to shift to year-round daylight-saving time would depend on congressional approval.
Steube’s bill, called the “Sunshine Protection Act,” must still get through the Rules Committee before reaching the Senate floor.
If the measure is ultimately signed into law, Steube couldn’t give an estimate on how long it may take Congress to act, but he expects other states to follow Florida in seeking the change.
After Steube’s proposal drew unanimous support on Jan. 23 from the Community Affairs Committee, Montford was joined by Sen. Doug Broxson, R-Gulf Breeze, and Sen. George Gainer, R-Panama City, in expressing displeasure with the proposal to go to Eastern time in the Panhandle.
“We have heard our constituents loud and clear that they want to us to maintain our historical place in the Central time zone,” wrote Broxson.
Among the issues for the Panhandle counties would be time differences with people living in neighboring Alabama, which is on Central time. Also, the change could alter the amount of light before school, which would become a safety issue for schools, Montford said.
Hawaii and most of Arizona currently don’t participate in switching from standard time to daylight-saving time and back. They stay on standard time throughout the year. Daylight-saving time will start March 11 this year and end November 4.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Century Talks Audit Findings, Policies At Workshop Meeting
February 13, 2018
The Century Town Council held a lengthy workshop session Monday night to discuss recent audit findings and town policies.
“The council has made great effort to stay within budget and going forward that will continue,” Town Clerk Leslie Howington said as the council reviewed audit findings.
For the fiscal year ending September 2016, auditors found over $5,000 in a bank account that did not appear on the books.
“A bank account for utility payment receipts was not recorded or reconciled in the town’s accounting software and was not recorded in the general ledger. However, the account held a year-end balance of $5,078,” the audit stated.
Howington told the council Monday night that the account had been determined to be an account holding daily deposits, and it has now been entered in Quickbooks, the town’s accounting software. Going forward, she said, those transactions will be entered in Quickbooks as deposits are made.
Monday night, the town also reviewed verbiage in several town policies, including call out procedures for utility employees and building rental agreements.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Over 21K Gallons Of Sewage Spilled In Cantonment
February 13, 2018
About 21,300 gallons of sewage spilled Saturday in Cantonment, the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority reported on Monday.
The spill occurred at Pine Forest Road and Copper Ridge Road after a contractor working in the area bore through the 6-inch sewer main. A vacuum truck was used to recover 10,000 gallons and transported to an ECUA water reclamation facility for proper disposal and treatment. Bacteriological sampling has been initiated.
CUA crews repaired the sewer main and ensured that the overflow area was cleaned and disinfected with a biocide to eliminate any contamination concerns.
As is standard operating procedure, the ECUA notified the Escambia County Health Department, State Warning Point, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Pensacola Opera To Present ‘Three Little Pigs’ At Molino Library
February 13, 2018
The Pensacola Opera will present a 40-minute operatic version of “The Three Little Pigs” by John Davies Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at the Molino Branch Library.
The story follows three sibling pigs, Donna Giovanni, Cherubino and Despina. While her siblings are off building houses out of sticks and straw, Despina goes to the library to find books about “huff-proof, puff-proof” construction. After Wolfgang Bigbad blows down their houses, the pigs run to their sister’s sturdy brick house, ready to admit that going to the library was a smart choice.
Admission is free.
Proposal Would Lead To More Kids On School Buses Instead Of Walking
February 13, 2018
Despite concerns from school districts and lawmakers about the projected costs, a Senate committee Monday approved a bill that would lead to more students being able to take school buses.
The bill filed by Sen. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, would require that buses be available for students who live more than 1.5 miles from school — down from the current standard of two miles. It also would make other changes, such as ensuring that buses would be available to all students who encounter “hazardous walking conditions” going back and forth to school.
The Senate Education Committee voted 8-1 to approve the bill, which Steube said was aimed at helping keep children safe. But some lawmakers said they had heard from school districts worried about the potential costs of such an expansion of busing.
A staff analysis said the changes would lead to the transportation of an estimated 61,765 additional students, at a cost of nearly $58.5 million. Also, it said an estimated 908 additional buses would be needed, at a cost of more than $97.1 million.
by The News Service of Florida
Flomaton Police Chief Honored By Governor, State Rep. For Saving Suicidal Man
February 13, 2018
Flomaton Police Chief Bryan Davis was recognized Monday night for his efforts to save a suicidal man last year.
Alabama Rep. Alan Baker presented Davis with a commendation and a certificate of recognition along with a commendation from Gov.Kay Ivey for the September 2017 incident in which Davis and other first responders talked a distraught man down from a 100-foot tall water tower. The man threatened to take his own life over a period of about 3.5 hours before coming down and talking with Davis.
“Chief Davis skillfully averted an attempted suicide and the State of Alabama is proud to recognize his decisive leadership and quick assertive actions that went beyond the call ofduty.
“I alone I cannot take full credit for this incident, for my department was there to assist me,” Davis said.
Baker presented the certificates to Davis during a meeting of the Flomaton Town Council Monday night.
Pictured; Rep. Alan Baker recognized Flomaton Police Chief Bryan Davis Monday night before the Flomaton Town Council. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge. Pictured inset and below: The regcognition came as a result of efforts by Davis to save a man threatening to jump from a water tower last November. NorthEscambia.com filte photos, click to enlarge.
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Florida Forest Service Tree Giveaway Planned For Thursday Morning
February 13, 2018
A tree giveaway will be held Thursday morning in Century.
Beginning at 10 a.m., the Florida Forest Service will give away one gallon potted shumard oak, river birch and fringe trees while supplies last.
The event will be held at the Century Community Center on West Highway 4 at Industrial Boulevard.
Pictured: A Florida Forest Service Arbor Day tree giveaway last month at the Barrineau Park Community Center. Jared Sigler photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jay Tops Northview In District 3-1A Basketball Tournament Opener
February 13, 2018
The fifth seed Jay Royals defeated the fourth seed Northview Chiefs 54-43 Monday night in round one of the District 3-1A basketball tournament in Baker.
Jay will advance to take on top-ranked Chipley Tuesday at 5:30, and Baker will play Freeport Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Update: Missing, Endangered Cantonment Teen Found Safe
February 12, 2018
Update: A missing and endangered runaway teen has been located safe, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said late Monday night. Further details were not provided.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a missing Cantonment teen that may be in the company of an adult male.
Faith Gabrielle Smith, 14, was last seen on February 10 with 26-year old William Scott Robinson of Cantonment at the AMC 18 Theater on North W Street, the ECSO said Monday morning. They may be traveling to Texas and may be in a white 2017 Nissan Altima with Florida tag number HVQT94.
Smith is classified as a missing and endangered habitual runaway. She has auburn hair and hazel eyes. She has a medical condition and may be in need of medication.
Anyone with information on the location of Faith Gabrielle Smith or William Scott Robinson is asked to call 911.
Photos courtesy Escambia County Sheriff’s Office for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
