Sneak Peek: Color Scheme Inside The New Ernest Ward Middle
September 18, 2013
There’s not even a foundation in place for the new Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill, but we have a sneak peek at the color scheme for the new school. The interior of the school will feature a variety of earth tone colors, the school colors of blue and gold. The building will have a light-colored aluminum roof.
The color scheme has been approved by a school staff committee, and the School Advisory Council signed off on the colors during a meeting Tuesday morning.
Pictured top: The cafeteria design and color scheme for the new Ernest Ward Middle School. Pictured below: The color scheme of a standard classroom. Pictured bottom: the complete color scheme for the new Ernest Ward Middle School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Army Pvt. Seth A. Long Gradutes From Basic Combat Training
September 18, 2013
Army Pvt. Seth A. Long has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.
Long is the son of Amy Forcheaux and stepson of James Clemmons, both of Arthur Brown Road, Walnut Hill.
He is a 2013 graduate of Northview High School.
Free Wi-Fi Now Offered At North Escambia Community Centers
September 18, 2013
Three community centers in the North Escambia area now offering free wireless internet access.
The Wi-Fi access is available for use by those renting the Byrneville, Davisville and Walnut Hill community center for parties, reunions or other events. A password to access the wireless internet is available at the time the rental contract is signed.
“We hope the free Wi-Fi will encourage more use of the community centers, especially for meetings where the internet access is needed,” District 5 Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry said.
The county is using a Verizon hotspot to provide the internet service at 3G or 4G speeds, depending on location. Free high speed Wi-Fi was already available at the Molino Community Center.
Century Approves Olive Baptist Gift Of Windows To Local Charity
September 18, 2013
The donation and installation of windows for Carver Community Center on Jefferson Avenue in Century is moving forward after go ahead from the Century Town Council.
The Ministry Village at Olive Baptist Church was set to install new insulated vinyl windows for the facility to replace wooden single-pane windows that have been in place since the 7,200 square foot building was constructed in 1945.
The building is owned by the non-profit Carver Community Center Association, Inc; the Town of Century has no ownership or interest in the building or the programs conducted there. The non-profit serves hundreds of children each year.
On September 6, the window replacement had received blessings of the Century Architectural Review Board– required because the building is within the Alger-Sullivan Historical District.
The Century Town Council was set to ratify that decision on September 9.. The council first questioned if installing fewer replacement windows than are currently in the building would “look right”. And the council questioned if Carver Director Marilyn Robinson had agreed to accept the window donation.
This past Monday night, September 16, the Century Town Council ratified the Architectural Review Board’s approval for the project after announcing that the Carver Community Center Association board of directors had voted unanimously to accept the gift.
The Ministry Village was originally set to provide and replace 18 windows at the Carver Community Center, but a contractor’s mistake will end up benefiting the center. The contractor for the new Pensacola Bay Baptist Health and Hope Clinic building in Pensacola ordered beige windows, but they arrived white. The Olive Ministry Village will purchase the 23 white windows at the contractor’s cost, saving about $200 per window.
Completely funded by donations, the non-profit Carver Community Center provides a safe place for children to go after school and during the summer as the center provides meals for 150 to 200 children daily. The center also offers tutoring services for children year round. The center was one of 12 causes in need highlighted by the Florida Department of Children and Families during their statewide “Operation Santa Cause” campaign last Christmas, leading to numerous donations of time and services.
This is not the first time the Ministry Village at Olive Baptist Church has reached out to the Carver Community Center. Earlier this year, Ministry Village volunteers joined several other agencies and non-profit groups in painting the interior of the building.
Pictured top: The Ministry Village at Olive Baptist will donate new windows for the aging Carver Community Center on Jefferson Avenue in Century. Pictured inset: Volunteers from several groups painted the interior of the building back in January. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Gas Prices Over $3 For 1,000th Day
September 18, 2013
The national average price of gasoline surpassed $3 per gallon for 1,000 consecutive day on Tuesday according to AAA. The current streak began on December 23, 2010. AAA forecasts the national average will remain above $3 per gallon for at least another thousand days barring a major economic recession.
“Paying less than $3 per gallon for gasoline may be automotive history for most Americans, like using 8-track tapes or going to a drive-in movie,” said Bob Darbelnet, President and CEO of AAA. “The reality is that expensive gas is here to stay, which is tough on millions of people who need a car to live their lives. While a few lucky drivers may occasionally pay less than $3.00 per gallon, the national average is likely to remain more costly into the future.”
Tuesday’s national average price was $3.52, while the average price in Escambia County was $3.34.
Pictured: Gas prices below $3, like at this Davisville station in 2010, are likely a thing of the past. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Holley Elected To Florida Tax Collector’s Board
September 18, 2013
Escambia County Tax Collector Janet Holley has been elected to serve on the Florida Tax Collectors Association’s (FTCA) Board of Directors as the District 1 Director for 2013-2014. She will represent Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, and Washington counties. Holley previously served as president for the association in 2005-2006.
Holley and her accounting department, headed by Chief Financial Officer Brenda Chestnutt, received recognition at the FTCA’s Fall Education Forum. The office earned a Certificate of Merit for achieving a clean audit for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012. This is the second year in a row they received this honor.
ECSO: Man Videos Child Beating To Tune Of Robin Thicke Song ‘Blurred Lines’
September 17, 2013
A Molino man is facing multiple child abuse charges after allegedly beating a juvenile girl on video to the tune of the Robin Thicke song “Blurred Lines”.
Steven Grady Fillingim, age 40 of Chestnut Road, was booked into the Escambia County Jail on three counts of felony child abuse. He was being held without bond.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a child abuse complaint on Sunday. The victim said Fillingim came home Saturday night and became angry with her, calling her lazy, because she had not vacuumed up bugs from the carpet. He allegedly struck her on the face with a belt and his hands, but he did not leave any marks. According to an arrest report, he then made the victim hold a 20-pound weight straight out in front of her body, and then made her hold an 8-pound weight behind her. He then reportedly made the victim shovel dirt for about an hour and a half before allowing her to go to bed at 1:30 a.m.
The victim told deputies that punishments were for “being lazy” and for skipping school the previous week.
The day she skipped school, the victim said Fillingim began to hit her on the backs of both thighs with a switch about 2.5 feet long for about 40 minutes, using the switch like a whip.
As he was striking the victim, Fillingim played the Robin Thicke song “Blurred Lines”, striking her with the switch to the beat of the music, an arrest report states. At some point during the beating, Fillingim began to record the incident with his phone and sent the recording to his girlfriend via text message.
A deputy that viewed the video said it was titled “She’s Home” and what appears to be a switch is repeatedly stuck across the upper thigh area of a person’s legs. The face of the person is not visible in the video, but the deputy said the portion of the legs was the same area where the victim was bruised.
The victim also reported Fillingim struck her multiple times leaving a bruise on the upper portion of her left arm.
Fillingim’s girlfriend told deputies she observed Fillingim strike the victim with a belt before ordering her to hold a weight. The victim said she was then ordered to go to her room and “mind her own business”, the report states. The woman told deputies that she has now broken up with Fillingim and no longer wished to continue a relationship with him.
The arrest report does not specify the relationship between Fillingim and the victim.
The Department of Children and Families is also investigating the incident.
Century Postpones Public Hearing, Final Action On New Budget
September 17, 2013
The Town of Century promptly adjourned a final budget public hearing Monday evening until next week.
The town council was set to hold the public hearing prior to their regular meeting and then vote to adopt a budget and set a tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year. But due to advertising requirements, the council was forced to postpone the public hearing at 5:01 p.m. on Monday, September 23.
To view a summary of the budget in pdf format, click here.
Northview Seeks School Advisory Council Members
September 17, 2013
Northview High School is seeking volunteers for their 2013-2014 School Advisory Council.
The council meets four times each year after school. Interested parents and community members should call (850) 327-6681, ext 221, before September 23.
At Least Two Injured In Highway 29 Crash
September 17, 2013
At least two people were injured in a two vehicle wreck Monday night on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
The accident happened about 9:15 p.m. in the northbound lanes of Highway 29 near Neal Road when the driver of a car apparently rear-ended a pickup truck. The northbound lanes of Highway 29 were closed for over an hour by the crash.
Both of the injured persons were transported to an area hospital by ambulance. Their names and conditions were not available Monday night as the Florida Highway Patrol continued their crash investigation.
The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
Pictured: At least two people were injured in this two vehicle accident Monday night on Highway 29 in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
