County Set To Pave Three Byrneville Area Dirt Roads
November 20, 2015
The Escambia County Commission is moving forward with a project that will pave three dirt roads near Byrneville.
The county has inked a design services agreement with Thompson Engineering for Thompson Road from McNeal Road to Highway 29 (1.12 miles), Crary Road from Highway 29 to Byrneville Road (1.07 miles), and McNeal Road from Thompson to Byrneville Road (0.46 miles). The total design cost is $59,870. A contract for paving the roads will be let at a future dates.
After soliciting bids, Baskerville-Donovan was the top-ranked firm for the project, but the company was dropped after two negotiation attempts. It was determined that a negotiated fee could not be achieved with budget.
Thompson Engineering, as the second ranked firm, was then chosen for the project.
Pictured: McNeal Road at the intersection of Byrneville Road. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Seeks Mass Transit Advisory Committee Members
November 20, 2015
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking Escambia County residents interested in volunteering to fill vacancies on the Escambia County Mass Transit Advisory Committee, or MTAC. The Board, in its regular meeting on October 1, 2009, adopted a Resolution establishing the MTAC.
The MTAC meets quarterly, typically on the second Wednesday of the month from 3 to 5 p.m.
The duties of the Committee include the following:
- Establishing a set of benchmarks to periodically evaluate the service and management of existing public mass transit systems operating in Escambia County;
- Setting short range and long range goals for increasing ridership, expanding routes, and instituting new mass transit services;
- Assisting the Board of County of Commissioners, the County Administrator, and ECAT Management in developing partnerships with industry groups and employers to foster economic development; and
- Identifying opportunities for inter-governmental or regional transportation alliances with entities both within Escambia County and outside of Escambia County.
Escambia residents interested in serving on the Escambia County Mass Transit Advisory Committee are asked to submit a resume and letter indicating their desire to serve on the Committee by close of business on Tuesday, December 1, 2015. Resumes should be submitted to Judy Witterstaeter, Program Coordinator, Board of County Commissioners, P.O. Box1591, Pensacola, Florida 32502, or emailed to jhwitter@myescambia.com.
Bill Would Limit Backyard Shooting
November 20, 2015
A Senate committee Thursday unanimously approved a proposal aimed at preventing people from shooting guns at backyard ranges in residential areas.
The vote by the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee readied the bill (SB 130) to go to the Senate floor during the 2016 session, which starts in January.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Garrett Richter, R-Naples, would make it a first-degree misdemeanor for people to intentionally shoot guns in outdoor areas that are “primarily residential in nature” and include one or more residences per acre.
Ponce Inlet Police Chief Frank Fabrizio, who represented the Florida Police Chiefs Association at the committee meeting, said the bill addresses situations such as people using wooden palettes and dirt to fashion backyard gun ranges.
“This legislation clarifies the law without compromising the Second Amendment rights,” Fabrizio said. Committee Chairwoman Anitere Flores, R-Miami, said the bill also could help address problems with people shooting guns into the air during celebrations of events such as New Year’s Eve.
by The News Service of Florida
Supervisor Of Elections Office Receives International Recognition
November 20, 2015
The office of Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David H. Stafford received Recognition for Outstanding Achievement from the International Centre for Parliamentary Studies for their work with the Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council and its international visitors.
In 2009 the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office and the Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council began a partnership that continues to this day to promote international dialogue on free and fair elections. Since then they have hosted representatives from over 50 countries from across the globe and shared the opportunity to learn about the Democratic systems and practices essential to successful elections.
“It is a tremendous honor for our program to be selected as a finalist for such a prestigious and competitive award. We appreciate the opportunity to work with our friends at the Gulf Coast Diplomacy Council on this initiative,” said Stafford.
The three finalist for the category of the International Institutional Engagement Award were:
- Venice Commission, Council of Europe
- Manuel Carrillo Poblano, National Electoral Institute of Mexico
- Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office and the Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council, USA
Pictured top: Jena Melancon, executive director of the Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council, and Davis Stafford, Escambia County Supervisor of Elections, with the Recognition for Outstanding Achievement from the International Centre for Parliamentary Studies award. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Students Coots, Brown Named To All County Academic Team
November 20, 2015
Tate High Schools students Bryce Coots (left) and Samantha Brown will represent Tate High School and the Escambia County School District on the 2015-2016 All County Academic Team. They are pictured with Tate Principal Rick Shackle. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Honors Top Volleyball Players
November 20, 2015
The Northview High School volleyball program recognized outstanding players at their annual banquet.
- Best Offensive Award — Ellie Amerson, JV, with 14 aces, 20 kills and 33 assists; Brittany Ward, varsity, with 16 aces, 3 kills and 146 assists; Hanna Ging, varsity, with 33 aces, 36 kills and 5 assists.
- Best Defensive Award – Natasha Walker, JV, with 6 blocks; Leah Fischer with 37 blocks and 15 digs; Jamia Newton, varsity, with 14.5 blocks and 10 digs.
- Most Improved – Alysa Whatley and Kayla Galvan, JV; Jamia Newton and Brittanie McLemore, varsity.
- Coaches – Brittany Ward
- Best Attitude – Lyndia Smith, JV; Savanna Roux, varsity.
- Effort Award – Alyana Brown, JV; Hanna Ging and Laurie Purdy, varsity.
Team members were recognized:
Junior Varsity
- Ellie Amerson
- Samantha Roux
- Kayla Galvan
- Alyana Brown
- Alysa Whatley
- Olivia Porter
- Autumn Albritton
- Lydia Smith
- Madison Sherouse
- Natasha Walker
Varsity
- Brittany Ward
- Savanna Roux
- Maddi Weber
- Leah Fischer
- Hanna Ging
- Courtney Griml
- Laurie Purdy
- Brittanie McLemore
- Catie Clayton
- Jamia Newton
Pictured: Northview’s varsity (top) and junior varsity (below) volleyball teams. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Library Holds ‘Thank-You’ Event; Coloring Contest At Molino Library
November 20, 2015
A “Thank You Kids!” program was held Thursday afternoon at the Century Branch Library. The program celebrated youth with stories, crafts and treats.
A Thanksgiving coloring contest is continuing through Saturday at the Molino Branch Library. Children 11 and under can pick up an sheet, color a Thanksgiving turkey and return it to the library by Saturday for a chance to win a prize. Winners will be announced on Monday.
Photo by August Whorff for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Peanut Butter Drive Continues
November 20, 2015
The Escambia County Extension office, along with the University of Florida Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences and the Florida Peanut Producer Association are collecting peanut butter now through next week to help take a bite out of hunger.
The groups are accepting donations of unopened jars of peanut butter to be donated to local food pantries during Farm-City Week.
Unopened jars of peanut butter of any brand can be dropped off until November 25 at any of the following locations:
Escambia County
- Escambia County Extension Office, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- Escambia County Farm Bureau, 153 Highway 97, Molino
- Escambia County Public Safety, 6575 North W Street
- Escambia County Administration, 221 Palafox Place, 4th Floor
- Gilmore Services, 31 East Fairfield Drive
Peanut butter collected in Escambia County last year was donated to food pantries in Molino, Bratt and Century.
Pictured: The Godwins of Godwin Farms in Santa Rosa County, (L-R) Steven, Laryn, Valarie, Kylei, Rachael. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Inmate Dies In Escambia County Jail
November 19, 2015
An inmate died at the Escambia County Main Jail after being found unresponsive Wednesday from an apparent medical condition. Escambia County Corrections medical personnel discovered 21-year old Samuel Devon Averheart unresponsive in the infirmary unit and called emergency medical services at 3 a.m. with crews arriving on scene at 3:09 a.m. He was pronounced dead at 3:23 a.m.
Averheart was arrested on Tuesday, November 10, charged with felony violation of probation and held without bond. He was moved to the infirmary on Tuesday, November 17 after being evaluated, treated and released on the same day by a physician at a local hospital for a medical condition. Jail records show he was housed alone and checked every hour by medical staff since being released back into custody, according to a statement by Escambia County, which operates the jail.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating.
Escambia Man Convicted On Federal Child Exploitation Charges
November 19, 2015
A federal jury has convicted an Escambia County man on child exploitation charges.
Robert M. Grafton, Jr., 29, was convicted of attempted enticement of a minor for sex and he pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography just prior to jury selection in Pensacola.
At trial, the government presented evidence that, in May 2015, Grafton communicated online with an undercover law enforcement officer for the purpose of meeting a 12-year-old special needs child for sexual activity. Grafton was arrested when he arrived at the arranged meeting location in Pensacola. A search of his cellphone and digital media at his residence revealed numerous images and videos of child pornography.
For the attempted enticement of a minor charge, Grafton faces a minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison. For the possession of child pornography charge, Grafton faces a maximum of 20 years in prison. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 27, 2016.
The case was investigated by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, Pensacola Police Department, Gulf Breeze Police Department, and other agencies that are part of the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg.