Here’s Your Sign: Century Approves New $35,000 Electronic Message Center
December 19, 2024
The Town of Century is purchasing a new $35,000 sign to be placed outside the town hall and library.
The town council voted this week to approve the purchase from Plastic Arts Signs in Pensacola for the new sign, which includes an electronic message center. According to an agenda item by Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr., the sign will “enhance community visibility and branding” with a more modern design than the town’s current brick and non-functioning electronic sign. The existing brick sign will be removed.
Gomez said the town has been in discussions with the West Florida Public Libraries, a system owned and operated by Escambia County, about potential cost sharing for the sign. The county nor the library system have yet approved any funding for the project.
Century received a second quote on the project from Built Rite Signs for $68,000.
In the town council’s agenda pack, council members received the conceptual image below. However, the agenda nor Gomez were clear which company provided the design image.
Early last month, the town spent over $11,000 for parking lot sealant, striping and parking lot signage (such as handicap signs, not the roadside marquee sign) replacement.
The parking lot project and the sign will be funded with American Rescue Plan funds.
Pictured top: Signage outside the Century Town Hall and Escambia County’s library as seen Tuesday night. The electronic sign has not functioned in a long time. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Students Collect 14,540 Pounds Of Food For Manna
December 19, 2024
Escambia County Public Schools collected 14,540 pounds of food — the equivalent of 16,837 meals — for Manna Food Pantries.
The food was collected during the district’s holiday food drive to feed neighbors in need in the winter months, when donations tend to slow.
Escambia County Public Schools, through donations of food and funds over the years, has provided more than 190,000 meals for neighbors in need.
Pictured: Students at Jim Allen Elementary school contributed a pallet of food to the Escambia County Public Schools 14,540 pounds of food for Manna Food Pantries. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Active Duty Marine Charged With Murder Of Missing Escambia County Woman
December 19, 2024
An active duty U.S. Marine has been charged with murdering a woman missing from Escambia County whose body was found Wednesday in Mobile, Alabama.
Willie Richard Ellington, a 20-year old active duty marine serving on NAS Pensacola is charged with first degree murder and possession of child pornography. He was arrested in Opelika, Alabama.
Last Saturday, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a missing person, 26-year-old Tshey Ronaie Bennett, who was last seen December 13 in the 300 block of Plantation Road. Due to the suspicious circumstances surrounding her disappearance, investigators have been working the case as a potential homicide.
Bennett’s body was located Wednesday in a pond located in an abandoned neighborhood in Mobile.
Throughout the investigation, it was determined that Tshey Bennett was working as an escort and had met the suspect at the Sweet Dreams Inn at the time of her disappearance,” the ECSO said.
Northview High School Names Students Of The Month
December 19, 2024
Northview High School recently named their Students of the Month for November. They are Maggie Stewart and Nicholas Kahalley, pictured with Principal Michael Sherrill. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Christmas Toy Giveaway Friday In Cantonment
December 19, 2024
A Christmas toy giveaway will be held Friday in Cantonment.
The Cantonment Improvement Committee will host the event beginning at 3 p.m. at Carver Park, 208 Webb Street for children in kindergarten to seventh grade while supplies last. Children must be present to receive a toy.
The giveaway is sponsored by Justified Incarcerated Ministries.
Girl, 12, Killed In Multi-Vehicle Crash On Quintette Road In Pace
December 18, 2024
A 12-year-old girl was killed in a four-vehicle crash Wednesday morning on Quintette Road in Pace.
The crash happened about 10:35 a.m. on Quintette Road at Tunnel Road in Pace, just east of Five Points. The crash involved a log truck, propane delivery truck, and two passenger vehicles, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
According to the FHP report, the crash claimed the life of a 12-year-old girl who was a passenger in a SUV driven by a 50-year-old woman. The report lists both as being from Nauvoo, Alabama. The woman suffered serious injuries and was taken to an area hospital. The log truck driver, a 47-year-old Bay Minette man, was also seriously injured.
The driver of the propane delivery truck and the second SUV were not injured.
Troopers said none of the propane tanks were damaged.
FHP Traffic Homicide and FHP Commercial Vehicle units are continuing their investigation. So far, troopers have not said how the crash happened.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Hires City Treasurer From Michigan As Their New Town Clerk
December 18, 2024
The Century Town Council voted Tuesday night to hire a Michigan resident as town clerk.
The position has been vacant since Leslie Howington took a leave of absence in mid-April before resigning in May for medical reasons. In September, Century voted to hire the current town clerk of Flomaton, but she later changed her mind and withdrew from consideration.
Jennifer Tien of Allegan, Michigan, is currently the treasurer of the City of the Village of Douglas in Douglas, Michigan, a town of 1,411 with annual budget revenues of $3.6 million. Century, by comparison, has 1,758 residents with annual budget of $10.6 million, of which $5.8 million is front grants.
Tien was hired as the City of the Village of Douglas treasurer in June 2024 at an annual salary of $74,000 with a starting day in July, according to Douglas city council minutes.
Tuesday night, the Century Town Council voted 5-0 to hire Tien at an annual starting salary of $86,000 with three weeks annual vacation. The council did not consider any relocation expenses. The vote authorizes Mayor Luis Gomez. Jr. to finalize the hiring process with Tien.
Tien sat quietly in the council chamber, unannounced by Gomez until after the vote.
“I spoke with Ms. Tien; she’s in the building,” Gomez said. “I told her upon approval of the council, I would give her a minute to address herself, and any other questions of concerns that you may have.” No council member asked any direct questions, other than asking Tien if she would like to speak; she did not address the council.
“I am particularly excited about the opportunity to work in Century. I am confident that my skills in administration, customer service, and records management align well with the requirements of the clerk’s office and working along side the other departments in the town,” Tien wrote in a cover letter to the Town of Century on November 26.
Who is Jennifer Tien?
According to her resume, Tien’s work history includes:
- July 2024- Present, Treasurer/Finance Director, City of the Village of Douglas, Ml
- August 2020 to June 2024 – Election Coordinator/Deputy Clerk, Allegan County Clerk’s Office, Allegan Ml
- July 2016 to August 2020 – Deputy County Clerk Vital Records, Allegan County Clerk’s Office, Allegan Ml
- May 2007 to August 2015 – Owner – Licensed Insurance Agent, All American Insurance & Financial Services, Crestview FL
- February 1998-May 2007 – Licensed Insurance Agent, Kyes Agency & Bartz Rumery Agency, Allegan Ml
- January 1997- January 1998 – Customer Service Representative, AIITel Telephone Company, Little Rock AR
- June 1991- January 1997 – Administrative Assistant/Payroll Administrator, City of Plainwell, Plainwell Ml
Her resume states she obtained a bachelor’s degree in business administration, at Spring Arbor (MI) College in 1994. No town clerk certifications or training are listed. Howington, Century’s previous clerk, was a certified municipal clerk with a bachelor degree in public administration and an associate degree in paralegal studies.
Pictured: Century Mayor Louis Gomez, Jr. congratulates Jennifer Tien of Michigan after the Century Town Council voted to hire her Tuesday night. Pictured inset: Tien said quietly in the audience prior to the council’s vote. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Update: Suspect Shot By Escambia Deputies Now Charged With Attempted Homicide
December 18, 2024
A suspect was shot by Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies Tuesday night., and he is now jailed on charges that include attempted homicide.
Darrion Kanye Finley, 20, was charged with attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer, fleeing and eluding with lights and siren, possession of a firearm by convicted felon, discharging a firearm from a vehicle, and deadly missiles (shooting into a vehicle). He was booked into the Escambia County Jail Wednesday morning without bond.
Just before 10 p.m. Tuesday, deputies attempted a traffic stop on a reported stolen vehicle at Aquamarine Avenue and Kentucky Drive.
“The suspect fled, initiating a pursuit that was eventually terminated using a PIT maneuver,” ECSO said in a statement Monday night. “After being stopped, the suspect, armed with a handgun, fired shots toward deputies from within the vehicle and after exiting the vehicle with the handgun. The deputies then returned fire, striking the suspect.”
Finleyt was transported to an area hospital and later released. No deputies were injured.
Per protocol, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the officer-involved shooting.
Eight Additional ‘Purple Star Schools’ Designated In Escambia County
December 18, 2024
Eight additional schools in Escambia County have been added as Purple Star Schools of Distinction by the Florida Department of Education for their support of children of military families for the 2024-25 school year through the 2026-27 school year.
“We encourage every school in the state to strive to better serve military families and earn the designation,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday afternoon. “I am proud to recognize these schools and school districts for their efforts to support our military families and earn the Purple Star designation.”
The most recent schools to achieve this honor are:
- Beulah Middle School
- Ferry Pass Elementary School
- George Stone Technical College
- Kingsfield Elementary School
- Navy Point Elementary School
- Pensacola High School
- Ransom Middle School
- Redeemer Lutheran School (Private)
There are now 28 total schools in Escambia County recognized as a Purple Star School of Distinction.
Those previously designated were:
- Bailey Middle
- Beulah Academy of Science
- Beulah Elementary School
- Bellview Elementary School
- Blue Angels Elementary
- Booker T. Washington High School
- Brown-Barge Middle School
- Ernest Ward Middle School
- Escambia High School
- Global Learning Academy
- Hellen Caro Elementary School
- J. H. Workman Middle School
- J. M. Tate High School
- Jim Allen Elementary
- Lipscomb Elementary School
- N.B. Cook Elementary
- Pine Forest High School
- Pine Meadow Elementary
- Pleasant Grove Elementary
- West Florida High School
The entire Santa Rosa County School District was named a Purple Star School District of Distinction Designation for the 2024-25 school year through the 2026-27 school year.
To earn the Florida Purple Star School of Distinction designation, schools are required to maintain the following:
- A military point-of-contact to serve as a liaison for military families;
- A school webpage for military students and families that includes specifically-focused resources like academic planning, transition planning, and educational opportunities;
- A student-led transition program to assist military students coming into the school;
- Professional development training for staff to identify and respond to the needs of military families;
- 5% open-enrollment seats for military students and families; and
- Three elective opportunities to further support military families, such as participating in a service project to connect the school with the military community, hosting an annual military recognition event, or offering a JROTC program, among others.
Two Escambia County Fires Add Red Bulbs To Fire Safety Wreath
December 18, 2024
Escambia County Fire Rescue has added two more red bulbs for a total of seven red bulbs during “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign.
The bulbs were added for a Monday night fire in the 100 block of Eden Lane in Cottage Hill that claimed the life of a dog and a Monday afternoon residential structure fire in the 200 block of Airport Boulevard.
Eden Lane Fire
Firefighters rescued two dogs from an attic fire that damaged a Cottage Hill home Monday night.
There was reportedly no one home at the time of the 8:19 p.m. fire in the 100 block of Eden Lane, just off Highway 95A.
At least two dogs found inside the home received care and oxygen using special pet masks by Escambia County Fire Rescue. One dog was transported to an emergency veterinarian, but it did not survive.
For additional photos, click here.
The Bureau of Fire and Arson is investigating the cause of the fire. ECFR said the home can be re-occupied once significant repairs are made.
Airport Boulevard Fire
Heavy flames were visible from the carport of the single-story wood-framed home when firefighters arrived just after 2 p.m. There were no injuries or fatalities. ECFR conducted the investigation and determined an electrical issue stemming from the laundry room caused the fire.
The “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign is a collaborative initiative with the City of Pensacola to promote fire safety during the month of December. During the month-long campaign. Five-foot wreaths are on display at locations that included 21 county fire stations. Each time firefighters respond to a residential or commercial structure fire with damage, a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by fires in residential and commercial buildings.
Pictured: A Monday night fire on Eden Lane in Cottage Hill. NorhtEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour; submitted photos courtesy Judith Fehl.
