Century Installs New Sign
March 7, 2013
The Town of Century has installed a new scrolling message sign alongside at the entrance to the Century City Hall and the branch library. The variable message board will be used to display local announcements. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Correctional Takes Part In Read Across America Day
March 7, 2013
Read Across America Day was recently celebrated at Jay Elementary School, with a little help from Century Correctional Institution.
Century Correctional’s Assistant Warden Robert Flores and Officer Tony deGraaf read to Mrs. deGraaf’s kindergarten class at Jay Elementary School as part of the program. They read the popular Seuss book Green Eggs and Ham and gave each student a special treat. They also expressed the importance of learning to read and of a good education.
Read Across America Day, the signature program of the National Education Association, focuses on motivating children and teens to read through events, partnerships and reading resources. It’s held annual on or near Dr. Seuss’ birthday.
Pictured: Century Correctional Institution Officer Tony deGraaf (in hat) and Assistant Warden Robert Flores read to a kindergarten class at Jay Elementary School. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
School Bus Driver Ticketed In No Injury Crash
March 6, 2013
There were no injuries in a school bus crash this afternoon just north of Nine Mile Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol said bus driver Therese Drexler, age 50 of Cantonment, made a turn that was not wide enough at the intersection of Foxrun Road and Greebrier Boulevard. The driver’s side of her 2001 school bus collided with a 2004 BMW driven by 33-year old Olivia Fairley of Gonzalez.
The crash caused about $700 worth of damage to the bus and about $7,000 worth of damage to the BMW.
There were no injuries in the crash and the five students aboard the bus were released to their parents.
The FHP cited Drexler, the bus driver, with making an improper left turn.
Line In The Sand Leads Deputies Directly To Burglary Suspect
March 6, 2013
For Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies, solving a burglary case near Century was as easy as following a line in the sand directly to their suspect.
A resident in the 3200 block of Highway 4A called deputies to report that his workshop had been burglarized. The victim discovered that the shop door was open, items were removed and the entire shop smelled strongly of cigar smoke. He found drag marks in the dirt leading away from the shop, leading to nearby wooded area where several items removed from the shop had been hidden.
Deputies continued to follow the drag marks in the dirt from the wooded area, across a private drive and to the front porch of a nearby residence where they found Maurice Lovell James, 47. James told deputies he had noticed the items in the woods and pulled a jack over to his property, pointing out the the jack next to his porch. As James related his story to deputies, he was smoking a cigar, according to an arrest report.
Deputies also discovered dolly tire marks leading from the shop, and a dolly with fresh dirt on the tires in a covered area on James’ property.
James was charged with burglary of an unoccupied structure, felony grand theft and criminal mischief with property damage. He is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Morgan Grounds Helicopters
March 6, 2013
Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan is grounding his department’s helicopters, saying that they are not a cost effective investment.
“Data developed indicated that the unit, currently operating on grant funds, was not providing a level of service relative to cost of operation that could be reasonably substantiated. Therefore all air operations will cease immediately,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
The two helicopters owned by the department will be returned to state inventory for salvage or refurbishment for other agencies to use.
Pictured: An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office helicopter circles over the State Line O’ Yes Lotto on Highway 97 at the Florida/Alabama state line November 6, 2012, following the shooting death of the store’s owner. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Blue Jacket Jamboree To Feature Variety Of Vendors, Foods And Entertainment
March 6, 2013
Saturday’s Blue Jacket Jamboree at Northview High School will feature a variety of vendors, and plenty of great food and entertainment.
Vendors currently scheduled to attend the event include:
- Batter Queens baked goods
- Caum Country Candles
- Archie’s Handcrafted Woodworking
- Too Many Pies; Wreaths and Embroidery
- Eye Candy Photography
- Handmade Glass Jewelry By Michele
- 31 Gift Ministries
- Scentsy
- Angie’s Teaching Tools To Go
- Origami Owl Jewelry
- Funnel Cakes
- Boiled/Roasted Peanuts
- Ernest Ward FFA (Beef Jerky)
- Hope 4 Halee Merchandise
- West Florida High School FFA Wreaths and more
- Pampered Chef
- Advocare Weight Loss
- Velata Consultant
- Grace Adele Consultant
- Magda Fox Perfumes
- First Choice Home Builders
- Hometown Contractors
- Tupperware
- Bobby Langham, Children’s Clothes and Baskets
- Cindy Herrington, Jewelry
Available concession items will include BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, fries, nachos and more.
The event will also include a motorcycle ride, a Cruiser’s Unlimited Car Show, live entertainment, kids activities and games, and much more.
The Blue Jacket Jamboree, sponsored in part by NorthEscambia.com, will take place from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. this Saturday, March 9 on the campus of Northview High School, 4100 West Highway 4 in Bratt. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children 10 and under.
Gaetz Backs Merit Pay For Teacher Salary Increases, Not Scott’s $2,500
March 6, 2013
Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, said teachers deserve a pay raise, but prefers any increase to be based upon merit rather than Gov. Rick Scott’s proposed $2,500 across the board hike.
“We need to find a middle ground with the governor,” Gaetz said after the Senate session on Tuesday.
“I think that the governor understands that many of us who are acolytes of (former governor) Jeb Bush believe that there has to be some distinction drawn between she who does the best and he who does the worst. In our schools we don’t give all students Cs.”
House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, has previously expressed a similar preference instead of Scott’s proposal — one of Scott’s priorities for the session — that would cost $480 million.
In his State of the State address, Scott reiterated that teacher should be rewarded for the progress made in the state education system.
“Some say they are afraid that giving raises to all teachers may mean that a teacher doing a bad job gets rewarded,” Scott said. “But, thanks to our work, we are now in a better position than ever before to reward good teachers and move bad teachers out of the classroom.”
By The News Service of Florida
Northview Honors Winning Football Team, Cheerleaders, Dance Team
March 6, 2013
The state champion Northview Chiefs honored their football players, cheerleaders and dance team members during their annual banquet.
“Collectively, you are the best group of football players that has come through Northview High School,” Principal Gayle Weaver told the team, the first ever to earn a state championship for the Chiefs.
To watch the 2012 Northview Chiefs Banquet Video and Season Highlights, click here.
“This is a great time to be a Northview Chief,” Head Coach Sid Wheatley said, adding that community support is growing stronger and stronger with each passing year.
“To see 2,000 plus fans from the community in the stands at the Citrus Bowl was an awesome thing and means a lot to the kids,” he said. “It’s great to see parents the community support the kids like they do.”
This year’s graduating Northview Chiefs football players are the first to have spent four years under Wheatley as head coach.
“Over the last four years I have watched these guys turn into great football players who are disciplined, have a tremendous work ethic and great character. Northview is blessed with good athletes,” he said.
For a photo gallery from the banquet, click here.
In addition to honoring senior, the following football, cheerleading and dance teams were presented:
FOOTBALL
- Outstanding Offensive Back – LaMikal Kyles
- Outstanding Offensive Lineman - Blake McCall, LaDerious Franklin
- Outstanding Receiver – Brannon Freeman
- Outstanding Defensive Back – Neiko Robinson
- Outstanding Defensive Lineman – Stetson Nash
- Outstanding Linebacker - Corry Baggett, Roderick Woods
- Team Leader Award – Chad Smith
- Iron Man Award - Logan Weber, Tyler Roley
- Game Changer Award – Neino Robinson
- Academic Award – Justin Halteman
- Most Improved – Jeffrey Taylor, Cameron Newsome
- Outstanding Passer – Kevin Vaughan
- Defensive Anchor Award – LaQuan Thomas
- Chief Award – Trey Johnson
- Mr. Tenacity Award – Dalton Daniel
- Mr. Versatile Award – Jaran Myles, Arkelle Elliott
- Newcomer Award - LaDarious Thomas
- Coaches Award – Skyler Macks
- Spirit Award – Kahlil Grice, Austin Dorriety
- Team Player Award – LaMikeal Banks
DANCE TEAM
- Most Improved – Clarrisa Ross
- Best Rhythm – Jessica Lowery
- Best Stage Presence – Lily Townson
- Best Chaine Turns – Chloe Leonard
- Best Pirouette Turns – Morgan Digmon
- Highest Leaps – Anna Fischer
JV CHEERLEADERS
- Most Improved – Katie Born
- Spirit Award – Danielle Robinson
VARSITY CHEERLEADERS
- Spirit Award - Jessica McCullough
- Squad Strength - Madison Arrington
- Best All-Around – Ashley Mooney
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Robinson’s Volunteer Service Honored
March 6, 2013
The Town of Century has issued a proclamation honoring local resident Marilyn Robinson.
She was recognized for her work with the Carver Community Center, the annual Martin Luther King Day celebration, the Century/Flomaton Improvement Association and the local Community Action Program.
During the council’s meeting Monday night, Robinson was presented The President’s Volunteer Service Award. Established in 2003, the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation encourages citizens to volunteer in their communities. Robinson joins about 2.55 million other Americans that have received the service award.
Pictured above. Century Mayor Freddie McCall presents a proclamation to Marilyn Robinson. Pictured below: The full text of the proclamation. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
IRS Now Accepting All 2012 Returns
March 6, 2013
The Internal Revenue Service announced Tuesday that it has finished updating its tax-processing systems allowing all remaining individual and business taxpayers to file their 2012 federal income tax returns.
Over the weekend, the IRS completed reprogramming and testing of its systems for tax-year 2012 including all remaining updates required by the American Taxpayer Relief Act (ATRA) enacted by Congress in January. This final step clears the way for those claiming residential energy credits on Form 5695 and various business tax credits and deductions to file their returns.
The IRS began accepting 2012 returns in phases as it worked quickly to update various forms and instructions and made critical adjustments to its processing systems to reflect the current law. As a result, the agency began accepting most returns filed by individual taxpayers on Jan. 30. Additional returns could be accepted in February. All remaining returns, affecting in relative terms the smallest group of taxpayers, can now be filed.