Century’s Mayor Takes On Public Transit Before County Commission In ‘Bold’ Move
February 2, 2018
Century Mayor Henry Hawkins went before the Escambia County Commission Thursday night to plead to keep an Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) bus to his town. And instead of the bus being cut, he may have walked away close to having his own $400,000 commuter transit system after what was termed a “bold” move.
In an article published Thursday morning on NorthEscambia.com, Commissioner Doug Underhill took aim at eight low performing ECAT routes he wants to see cut. Instead, he said wants to see an estimated $4 million of gas tax money funneled toward bridge maintenance.
Hawkins approached the commission after learning of the idea that could cut his town’s only bus route to the rest of the county.
“We have a lot of folks that ride the bus that is there only source of transportation, so please don’t kill that route,” he said.
“You actually don’t have a lot of folks that ride that bus. It’s actual a very low usage route,” Underhill said. “That bus route costs almost $400,000 per year, and that is gas tax money that could be used for transportation based infrastructure. Would it not be beneficial to the city of Century to have $400,000 per year in transportation based infrastructure instead of that bus route.?”
“You gonna give us $400,000, we’ll create our own bus route,” Hawkins quipped, drawing a little laughter from the audience.
“Each of these routes costs an enormous amount of money,” Underhill said. “What I am looking at is this money could be re-purposed for infrastructure associated with transportation.”
Hawkins said with just three buses stopping per day — morning, midday and late afternoon — the service is not frequent enough.
But Underhill said data would not support more riders with more frequent routes — “that defies logic”, he replied.
“They are paying $20 for somebody (an individual, not the bus) to take them to Pensacola and back,” he said. “If we could have buses that were more consistent during the day, then yeah you would have more riders.”
Hawkins said with $80,000 and four mini-buses, Century could enter into an interlocal agreement with ECAT and connect with an ECAT route in Cantonment every hour and a half. He said that would fill the buses.
“That’s an interesting idea,” Underhill stated. “At this point, anything other than what we are doing is certainly on the table. That’s a pretty profound statement. I like the fact that you did it as bold as you did.” He questioned whether the $400,000 cost of the ECAT route to Century is having $400,000 worth of impact.
“If you come to Century on any given day, you’ll find people walking, pushing strollers, toting babies getting to and from the clinic. That’s every day.”
“If something like that would serve your people better,” Underhill said, referring to the citizens of Century, “I would certainly be wide open to it … that’s a pretty cool thing you are taking about. I would like to hear more about that idea.”
Commissioner Steven Barry said he would support exploring the idea. He also pointed out the current ECAT route north serves not only Century but other stops along the way such as Cantonment and Molino.
Commissioner Lumon May stated he is not interested in eliminating any public transportation in Century or cutting routes, but he said he would be supportive of better spending with increased ridership.
Mike Crittenden, who directs mass transit for Escambia County, said the Century route is partially funded by a grant, and the county is looking at smaller vehicles for additional local commuter runs in the area.
The commission took no action on ECAT or mass transit Thursday night, instead rescheduling discussions for their next meeting on February 15.
Pictured: Century Mayor Henry Hawkins addresses the Escambia County Commission Thursday night in Pensacola. Images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Four-Year Old Critical After Being Ejected From Vehicle
February 2, 2018
A four-year is in critical condition after being thrown from a vehicle during a three vehicle crash Thursday moring.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), 69-year-old Sara Hyduk was heading northbound on Davis Highway just after 8:45 a.m. Two other vehicles, driven by Antonio Cuffy and Sabrina Condino, were stopped at a red light on Davis Highway near Johnson Avenue.
The FHP said Hyduk may have had a medical emergency and lost consciousness, causing her to lose control of the vehicle and collide with the vehicles driven by Cuffy and Condino. An unrestrained four-year old boy in Cuffy’s Hyundai Santa Fe was ejected from the vehicle and thrown under the Buick Park Avenue driven by Hyduk.
Cuffy and Condino were not injured.
Any charges in the crash are pending the outcome of a Florida Highway Patrol investigation.
Tougher Texting While Driving Ban Heads To House Floor
February 2, 2018
A bill that would let police pull over motorists for texting while driving cruised through the House Government Accountability Committee on Thursday and is now ready to go to the House floor.
The proposal (HB 33), filed by Rep. Emily Slosberg, D-Boca Raton, and Rep. Jackie Toledo, R-Tampa, would make texting while driving a “primary” offense.
Under current law, it is a “secondary” offense, with motorists only cited if they are pulled over for other infractions such as running a red light or speeding.
The House committee, which unanimously approved the bill, added an amendment to require law-enforcement officers to separately record the race and ethnicity of people ticketed for texting while driving. That matches a requirement in the Senate version of the bill (SB 90).
“We just want to keep a record of what’s transpiring out there,” said Rep. Barbara Watson, a Miami Gardens Democrat who sponsored the amendment. When the reporting requirement was added last week to the Senate bill, Sen. Perry Thurston, D-Fort Lauderdale, said the data collection would help determine if minorities are disproportionately ticketed for texting while driving.
The bills would allow motorists to make phone calls on electronic devices while driving. Also, the devices could be used for such things as getting directions.
The Senate proposal, sponsored by Gainesville Republican Keith Perry, has cleared three panels and awaits an appearance before the Appropriations Committee.
by The News Service of Florida
Area Under A Severe Drought, But Weekend Rain Relief Forecast
February 2, 2018
A severe drought now exists across the area, according to the latest information released Thursday by the U.S. Drought Monitor. But there’s a possibility of some relief this weekend and into next week. Rain chances will increase on Saturday to 80 percent by Saturday night, with rain continuing into Sunday. And there’s another chance of rain by Tuesday and Wednesday.
Killer Of UWF Student Seeks Stay Of Execution
February 2, 2018
Scheduled to die by lethal injection on February 22, Death Row inmate Eric Scott Branch is asking the Florida Supreme Court for a stay of execution while he appeals a high-profile legal issue to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Branch was sentenced to death in the 1993 sexual assault and murder of University of West Florida student Susan Morris. Gov. Rick Scott last month scheduled Branch’s execution for February 22.
But in the motion for a stay, Branch’s attorneys wrote that he will base his appeal on arguments related to a 2016 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in a case known as Hurst v. Florida. The U.S. Supreme Court ruling found Florida’s death-penalty sentencing system was unconstitutional because it gave too much authority to judges, instead of juries. A subsequent Florida Supreme Court ruling said juries must unanimously agree on critical findings before judges can impose death sentences and must unanimously recommend the death penalty.
But the Florida Supreme Court made the new sentencing requirements apply to cases since June 2002. That is when the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling known as Ring v. Arizona that was a premise for striking down Florida’s death-penalty sentencing system in 2016.
Branch and dozens of other Death Row inmates who were sentenced to death before the Ring decision argued that the new unanimity requirements should also apply retroactively to their cases. The Florida Supreme Court has rejected those arguments.
In the motion for a stay, Branch’s attorneys wrote that the U.S. Supreme Court “will be inundated in the coming months” with challenges to the Florida Supreme Court’s refusal to apply the new sentencing requirements to inmates such as Branch.
“A stay of execution by this (Florida Supreme) Court here may also avoid needless last-minute stay litigation in this and other cases in the United States Supreme Court and is consistent with the widely-accepted judicial policy that lower courts enter stays of their decisions pending review by a higher court,” the brief said.
Attorney General Pam Bondi’s office, however, filed a response Thursday asking the Florida Supreme Court to reject the stay.
by The News Service of Florida
Volleyball: Ransom Middle Tops Ernest Ward (With Gallery)
February 2, 2018
The Ransom Middle School Lady Tigers defeated the Lady Eagles of Ernest Ward Middle School in both varsity and junior varsity volleyball action Thursday in Walnut Hill.
In varsity action, Ransom topped EWMS 25-22 before going on to win the match. In junior varsity, Ransom beat Ernest Ward 25-9, 16-25, 15-10.
On Monday, Ernest Ward will travel to Bailey Middle School, whill Ransom will be at Beulah.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate High Student Nominated By Nobel Prize Winner For Science, Tech Congress
February 2, 2018
Tate High School sophomore Sophia Swenson has been nominated for the Congress of Future Science and Technology Leaders in Lowell, MA, this summer.
T
he Congress is an honors-only program for high school students who arc passionate about science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM). The purpose of this event is to honor. inspire. motivate and direct the top students in the country who aspire to be scientists and technologists to stay true to their dream and, after the event, to prov ide a path, plan and resources to help them reach their goal.
Swenson was nominated by Dr. John C. Mather, winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics and Science Director of the National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists to represent Florida based on her academic achievement. leadership potential and passion for science and technology.
During the three-day Congress, Swenson will join students from across the country and hear Nobel Laureates and National Medal of Science recipients talk about leading scientific research, be given advice from deans of the world’s top tech universities, be inspired by fellow teen science prodigies: and learn about cutting-edge advances and the future of science and technology.
Pictured: Tate Counselor Christy Mill (left) and Sophia Swenson. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Chipley Tops Northview (With Photo Gallery)
February 2, 2018
Chipley defeated the Northview Chiefs 76-52 Thursday night in Bratt.
The varsity Chiefs will host Escambia Charter Monday at 6 p.m. before wrapping up their regular season next Friday at Pensacola Christian Academy. The district tournament begins February 12 in Baker.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Phone Line Problems At Central Works
February 1, 2018
Update: Phone service has been restored.
Central Water Works is having phone problems.
“Our office lines will not be repaired until Monday, February 5. AT&T was able to forward our phone calls from our office line to a cell phone. So, our customers can still call our office number 850-256-3849 and they should be automatically forwarded,” the company said.
ECUA Puts Brakes On Cantonment Eminent Domain Request For Sewage Lift Station
February 1, 2018
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) is temporarily putting the brakes on a request to exercise its power of eminent domain to acquire property on Well Line Road in Cantonment for a sewage lift station.
ECUA is asking the Escambia County Commission to delay action on their request, according to Nathalie Bowers, ECUA public information officer. She said ECUA is “getting closer” to an agreement with the property owner and is also looking at alternative property options.
In December, ECUA said it has been unable to reach an agreement with Robert Ross, the owner of 1.2 acres of unimproved land at 400 Well Line Road. The utility said the property is needed to replace and upgrade ECUA’s “Lift Station 143″. In order to take the property under eminent domain, ECUA must first obtain the approval of the Escambia County Commission.
In January, the commission delayed action on the request to consider at a later meeting. Commissioners instead expressed grave concerns about the use of eminent domain while expressing the desire to find an alternative solution.
Ross told the commission he received a letter on four separate occasions wanting the property, beginning with a half acre and finally the entire 1.2 acres with an offer of $2,000. He said he just “threw a number out there” of $40-50,000 in response.
Under eminent domain, Florida law allows a governmental entity such as ECUA to seize property for the public good and provide full compensation to the owner. ECUA is a public utility, established as a government agency by an act of the Florida legislature.