Century Resident Busted After Convenience Store Robbery
December 5, 2013
A former Century resident was quickly arrested for the robbery of a Gulf Beach Highway convenience store.
Troy Anthony Smith, Jr. 23, was charged with the robbery of the Circle K at 2700 Gulf Beach Highway.
Smith, who was known to the clerk, came into the store and asked for change for a twenty. As the clerk made change, Smith grabbed cash from the register, a struggle followed and Smith ran out of the store. The clerk said she knew the robbery suspect as a regular customer named “Troy” and that he was living in a trailer park not far from the store. She provided a detail description of the suspect, and surveillance included a prominent scar or scab on his face.
As a K-9 was conducting a search, a deputy spotted Smith on Bainbridge Avenue and he was taken into custody without incident.
Smith provided a Freedom Road, Century address when he was booked into the Escambia County Jail. He remained jailed with bond set at $16,000.
State DEP Increases Century’s Wastewater Discharge Permit
December 5, 2013
A chance meeting at a conference between Century Mayor Freddie McCall and Florida Department of Environmental Secretary Herschel Vinyard turned out to be good news, and a big financial savings, for the Town of Century.
For the past several years, Century has applied to increase their permitted treated wastewater discharge into the Escambia River. Since at least 2010, the town’s wastewater treatment plant has been at or near its 450,000 gallons per day permitted capacity. The town has applied, and been turned down, three times to increase the permitted discharge capacity.
The Florida DEP wanted Century to spend about $100,000 on testing to support the permit application, when the DEP had already done the testing, McCall said. Until his chance conversation with Vinyard, McCall said Century had been unable to convince the state DEP to use their own testing data to support the application. But he said Vinyard agreed that the DEP could use their own testing results, saving the town the $100,000, and get the permit issued.
Now, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has increased Century’s wastewater permit to 675,000 gallons per day average, with effluent discharge into the Escambia River. The wasterwater facility already has the ability to handle the higher flow without any physical upgrades.
The new permit, McCall said, takes a big worry off his mind…if a new industry had wanted to locate in Century, the wastewater treatment plant might not have supported the industry under the previous permit.
“We welcome new industry to come to town,” McCall said. Now we are ready to take them on.”
Pictured: Highway 4 crosses the Escambia River in Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia Flu Cases On The Rise; Officials Recommend Vaccination
December 5, 2013
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County is reminding residents to protect themselves and their families from the flu.
The flu season usually begins in early October and lasts until May, peaking in January and February in Escambia County. There has been a notable increase in the incidence of flu in Escambia County during the month of November, including an increase in the number of cases in pregnant women, the health department said.
Seasonal flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat and lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness and can sometimes lead to death.
Everyone six months and older should get vaccinated, especially adults 65 and older, children 5 and younger, pregnant women and caregivers of infants under 6 months of age. It is also important for those with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes and heart or lung disease to get vaccinated. Pregnant women are especially encouraged to get vaccinated. Pregnancy’s effect on the immune system can cause a more severe infection leading to poor outcomes for both mother and baby.
Flu vaccine may be given as a shot or a nasal spray. The flu shot is approved for use in people 6 months of age and older, including people with chronic medical conditions and pregnant women. The nasal spray is approved for use in people 2 through 49 years of age who do not have underlying medical conditions and are not pregnant. Flu vaccines are available at many physicians’ offices, clinics, and local pharmacies. The vaccine takes approximately two weeks to become fully effective.
Symptoms of the flu may include cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue and fever. Some people may also experience diarrhea and vomiting. Health officials advise individuals who are at risk of complications from influenza to contact their physicians immediately if flu symptoms appear. Individuals should see a physician early, as antiviral medications may be effective in reducing the severity of symptoms or the length of the illness.
Individuals can protect themselves and their families from the flu by practicing preventive behaviors. While the best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated every year, frequent hand washing is another important key to prevention. Other healthy behaviors such as avoiding close contact with those who are sick, getting plenty of sleep, being physically active and eating nutritious food can also help in preventing the flu.
Individuals can spread the flu to others before they even know they are sick. The most effective ways to avoid spreading the flu are by covering coughs and sneezes with the elbow rather than the hand and by staying home when sick.
Escambia Clerk Wins Public Records Ruling
December 5, 2013
The First District Court of Appeal has ruled in favor of Escambia County Clerk of Court Pam Childers. The court’s decision upholds a trial court’s ruling that Childers’ office did not violate the law by refusing to provide names of grand jurors to a public information request.
For more than 10 years, Kevin Wood of Panama City has made requests to various clerks of court offices throughout the state for lists of grand jurors’ names. In January 2013, three weeks after Childers took office, Wood made a public records request for the list of grand jurors’ names of the then-current grand jury.
Citing Florida law, Childers refused to provide the information to Wood because it was confidential. Soon thereafter, Wood filed a lawsuit asking the court to find that the clerk of the court had improperly withheld the information.
The clerk’s general counsel, Susan A. Woolf, successfully argued the matter to the trial court and obtained a favorable ruling . On November 21, 2013, the First District Court of Appeal affirmed the trial court’s decision.
Ernest Ward Names Science Fair Winners
December 5, 2013
Ernest Ward Middle School recently held their annual Science Fair. Winners were as follows:
Overall Winners (pictured top)
1st Madison Kemp “Going Green as You Clean”
2nd Micah Calhoun “Potato Chip Grease Investigation”
3rd Cloe Smith “Wild about Dyeing”
Environmental Science
1st Going Green as You Clean—Madison Kemp 7th grade
2nd Water Differences—Addison Albritton and Raleigh Woodfin 6th grade
3rd Water Purification—Logan Hall 8th grade
Botany (pictured above)
1st Flower Power—Bailey Seibert 6th grade
2nd Plant Growth—Rhayshawanna Davidson 8th grade
3rd Plant Growth—Alayna Brown 8th grade
Behavioral and Social Sciences (pictured above)
1st Finger Prints—Trent Kite 6th grade
2nd Stroop Test—Jessica Muse and Jarrod Davison 8th grade
3rd Learning a New Task—Seth Killam 7th grade
Chemistry (pictured above)
1st Wild about Dyeing—Cloe Smith 6th grade
2nd Marshmallow Meltdown—Josh Wilson
3rd Dissolving Salt—Delaney Reynolds 7th grade
Physics (pictured above)
1st Wind verses Water on Plant Life—Savanah Nielsen and Camren McClemore 8th grade
2nd Project: Clear Ice—Breanna Deloach and Jenna Black 8th grade
3rd Frozen Ice—Trevor Borden
Biochemistry (pictured above)
1st Harmony in Plants—Elijah Harigel 6th grade
2nd Rubber Egg—Julie Coleman 8th grade
3rd Growth Rate by Color of Epsom Salt Crystals—Alabama Gilley 7th grade
Microbiology (pictured above)
1st Bread Mold 2.0–Alex McMinn 7th grade
2nd Growth of Mold—Cameron White 7th grade
3rd Mold Growth—Katie Buford 7th grade
Engineering (pictured above)
1stRocketology—Ian Gifford 6th grade
2nd Solar Still—Ryan Joseph 7th grade
3rd Superman Shapes—Triston Long 8th grade
Health Science (pictured above)
1st Potato Chip Grease Investigation—Micah Calhoun 6th grade
2nd Belching Beverages—Brandon Sheldt 6th grade
3rd How does packaging effect the ripening of fruit—Cassidy White 6th grade
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Small, Prototype Walmart Supercenter Coming To Atmore
December 5, 2013
It’s been over 10 years since Atmore’s only big box retailer — a Kmart on the south side of town — closed up shop. And now the town’s all abuzz after word that Walmart has purchased property north of down town for what’s been described as a prototype Walmart Supercenter.
The store will be constructed on a now-empty13 acre lot on North Main Street between a real estate company and the city’s Oak Hill Cemetery. A masonry wall will separate the store from the deceased.
The Supercenter will be smaller than a traditional Walmart store and offer products more in line with the average grocery store. At 69,197 square feet, Atmore’s Walmart will be about one-third the size of a larger Supercenter. By comparison, the Walmart SuperCenter on Highway 29 in Ensley comes in at 215,599 square feet, not counting the garden center and patio.
There’s no word yet on an opening date for the store, but officials familiar with the project say the first dirt could be moved as early as next week.
Results Vary Widely In Teacher Evaluations
December 5, 2013
The Department of Education released teacher evaluation numbers that showed wide variations between districts across the state, raising questions about how useful the information might be in comparing marks from different counties.
Overall, the state report — based on information provided by school districts as of Nov. 25 — shows that 97.9 percent of classroom teachers were rated effective or highly effective for the 2012-13 school year. Just 0.2 percent were rated unsatisfactory, the lowest measure on the scale.
At the same time, evaluations hadn’t been completed or submitted to the department for 13.7 percent of classroom teachers. Those numbers will be added when the report is updated in January or when it’s finalized in March.
In Escambia County, 215 (8.3 percent) teachers were rated as highly effective, 2,260 (87 percent) as effective, 77 (3 percent) as needing improvement and 12 (0.5 percent) as unsatisfactory. There were 359 Escambia County teachers (12.1 percent) that have not yet been evaluated, according to the report.
State officials said that difference probably stems at least in part from the fact that, while state law provides “a framework” for how the evaluations are conducted, districts also have a great deal of leeway in determining what makes a teacher fall into one of four categories: highly effective, effective, needs improvement or unsatisfactory.
“Where districts set the performance levels for each of the categories … is up to the school district,” said Kathy Hebda, chief of staff at the Department of Education.
The evaluation system and its connection to teacher pay under legislation approved in 2011 is under legal assault in state and federal courts by teachers unions. In a separate case, The Florida Times-Union is seeking the release of the results for individual teachers from the “value added” model used in the evaluations.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.
Gulf Power Sending Team To Help After Texas Winter Storm
December 5, 2013
Gulf Power Company is joining other utilities by sending a storm team of 74 employees to assist Oncor with restoration as a winter storm is expected to bring ice and wind to the region.
Oncor, the host utility, serves 10 million customers in the northeast and west-central Texas areas and covers all expenses incurred by the supporting utilities. The crews will be restoring power in the Dallas area.
The storm team includes 52 line personnel and 22 support personnel who will leave in convoys Thursday morning from Pensacola, Crestview and Chipley.
“Our crews are experts in restoration and are often called upon to help in the wake of these devastating storms,” said Jeff Rogers, Gulf Power spokesperson. “They’re battle-tested and ready.”
The last time Gulf Power crews were called on to help during a winter storm, they experienced very similar conditions.
“Our last winter storm trip was to the areas affected by Hurricane Sandy in the Northeast last year, so working in wintry conditions is fresh on our minds,” said Rogers. “This experience helps our crews keep their skills sharp — it’s a great value for our customers and means faster restoration right here at home.”
Pictured: Gulf Power crew works to restore power after a snowstorm last winter near Hot Springs, Arkansas. File photos, click to enlarge.
Witness: Driver Pulls Into Path Of 18-Wheeler
December 4, 2013
Two people were injured when a driver reportedly pulled into the path of an 18-wheeler Wednesday afternoon in Century.
The elderly male driver of a Ford Fusion was stopped at stop sign on Old Flomaton Road at East Highway 4 in Century when he pulled forward into the path of an 18-wheeler, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Witnesses said the driver of the 18-wheeler swerved into the oncoming lane of Highway 4 in an attempt to avoid a collision, but the trailer tires hit the car.
The elderly driver and his female passenger were transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital in unknown conditions. The driver of the 18-wheeler was not injured.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details were not released. The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the crash.
Pictured top and below: Two people in this Ford Fusion were injured when they reportedly pulled out from a stop sign and underneath an 18-wheeler trailer Wednesday afternoon. Pictured inset: A fender and tire on the truck trailer hit the car. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
PSC Approves Gulf Power Rate Hike
December 4, 2013
State utility regulators accepted a settlement agreement Tuesday that increases base electric rates for customers of Gulf Power Company for the utility’s largest-ever construction program.
The residential bill in January 2014 for 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity is currently slated to be $127.94. That same bill will increase $4.06, an increase of about 3.2 percent. In addition, in January 2015, the price will increase an additional $2.42 per 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity. Originally, Gulf Power filed a request that would have increased the cost for a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity $10.93 per month by the end of 2015.
“We’re pleased with the PSC’s decision because it will help us continue to deliver long-term, reliable service throughout Northwest Florida,” said Stan Connally, Gulf Power President & CEO. “Our focus will continue to be on maintaining high reliability and high customer satisfaction. They are the heart of our business.”
The Gulf Power increase was part of settlement between the utility and representatives of consumers, business interests including the retailer Wal-Mart Stores East, LP, and federal agencies that represent military bases in the Panhandle. PSC Chairman Ronald Brisé called the agreement “solid give and take.”
The deal is expected to provide 42 months of rate stability for Gulf’s more than 430,000 customers.
The hike allows Gulf Power to increase its revenue through base rates by $35 million in January, with another $20 million boost in 2015.
The money will be used to pay for 15 transmission projects, both new and upgrades, Stone said. The work is considered the largest ever to be undertaken by the investor-owned utility, said attorney Jeff Stone, representing Gulf Power.
Another significant part of this settlement includes new job creation incentives. These incentives will reduce the amount the business pays for electricity by a certain percentage for four years if the business meets certain eligibility requirements.
“Some businesses could apply for incentives for relocating to Northwest Florida or for expanding their existing business in Northwest Florida,” said Connally. “This is another important element in the growing portfolio of economic development programs and activities Gulf Power can use to help draw businesses and jobs to the region.”
Examples of the planned Gulf Power infrastructure investments include:
- Substations are being added and improved to continue to provide reliable service to our customers. In Pensacola, a substation on Devilliers Street has been rebuilt. On Allison Avenue in Panama City, a new substation has been built.
- Seventy miles of 70-year-old transmission line is being rebuilt from Panama City to Holmes County.
- An existing transmission line between Highland City and Holmes Creek substations in the Panama City area is being upgraded to maintain reliability for our customers.
- A new 38-mile line is being added that begins in the Pensacola area and goes to the Florida-Alabama state line. This project is necessary for mandatory federal environmental compliance.
Originally, the utility had sought to increase base rates by $74.4 million, along with the potential for a further $16.4 million in 2015. Those increases would have pushed the typical monthly bill to $138.87 by the end of 2015.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.
Pictured inset: Gulf Power crews making upgrades to a distribution line. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.