Century Ready To Resurface Five Streets
February 10, 2011
The bottom line estimate is in for resurfacing five of Century’s worst streets.
The town will resurface Freedom Road, the portion of Old Flomaton Road in the city limits, Hecker Road, Elm Street and Hilltop Road. The streets were the top five on the town’s priority list.
The resurfacing part of the project will cost the town just over $181,000 by piggybacking on an Escambia County contract with Roads, Inc. Of Northwest Florida. With the addition of pavement striping on Freedom, Old Flomaton and Hecker, the total cost will be an estimated $195,000. Striping — those lines down the middle and on the side of the roadway — will not be added Elm or Hilltop because they are low-traffic.
There will be about a dozen roads remaining to be paved on the town’s priority list. Five of them — West Cottage Street, Academy Street, Pleasant Hill Road, Ramar Street and Lake Street — are all short or dead end streets. The remaining are dirt roads that will require extensive drainage work prior to surfacing.
The start date for the resurfacing project is still to be determined.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Town Hall Meeting Tuesday To Discuss Old Molino School Project
February 10, 2011
The public will have an opportunity next week to learn more and offer input about the renovation of the old Molino School into a community center, library and museum.
Escambia County Commissioner Kevin White will hold a town hall meeting on Tuesday, February 15, at 6 p.m. at Molino Park Elementary School at 899 Highway 97. The meeting is being held to discuss the old Molino School project.
The project architects, DAG, have completed the design documents, and the project could be bid as early as the end of February.
In May, 2009, commissioners approved the $400,000 purchase of the building from the Escambia County School District. Commissioners have since approved a budget of $2,089,156 from Local Option Sales Tax monies for the renovation project. DAG Architects is being paid $214,580 to design the renovations.
The project includes one section of the 15,600 square foot main building that will be converted into a library with both a children’s and adult area, computers and thousands of linear feet of book shelving. The old auditorium will remain a community auditorium with available seating for 242 people. The rest of the building will include a museum, classrooms and meeting rooms.
First opened in 1939, the Molino School closed in 2003 when the new Molino Park Elementary School consolidated Molino Elementary and Barrineau Park Elementary.
Pictured: A front hallway of the old Molino School. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Scott’s Budget Claims Fade Before Senate Panel
February 10, 2011
Some of Gov. Rick Scott’s most vaunted spending claims faded Wednesday, as the Republican chief executive’s budget director endured three hours of withering questioning from the Senate Budget Committee.
Jerry McDaniel acknowledged Scott’s touted $4.6 billion in budget cuts was actually closer to $3 billion, with the governor removing both state university tuition and spending by the state’s clerks of courts from his budget calculus.
McDaniel also may have dampened Scott’s defense of his plan to cut $3.3 billion in education spending, which includes at least a $298 average cut in per-pupil spending.
“Unfortunately, I think there will be some teachers without jobs, thanks to this policy decision,” McDaniel told senators.
A day after three House committees generally gave poor-to-middling grades to Scott’s $65.9 billion spending blueprint, it was the Senate’s turn Wednesday to challenge key portions of the plan. Scott wants to cut 8,681 jobs across state agencies, overhaul Medicaid, and pull in $1.3 billion by making 655,000 government employees contribute 5 percent of their pay to pension plans, and hand-out $1.7 billion in tax cuts.
Scott also would pull $8.5 billion from 124 state trust funds, spreading the cash across other government services.
Lawmakers aired a wide range of questions about details of Scott’s spending plan. But they also sought to gauge the governor’s willingness to compromise on budget provisions – especially after Scott advisor Mary Ann Carter warned budget chairman J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales, Senate Reapportionment Chairman Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, and others at a Governor’s Mansion dinner this week that “the nation is watching” the Legislature’s treatment of the spending plan.
Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, who campaigned for Scott last fall as Florida Republican Party chairman, asked McDaniel directly: “How flexible is the governor on this?”
McDaniel offered some assurance that his boss might be willing to deal with lawmakers, saying Scott, “is not suffering under the idea that everything we proposed here is going to pass.”
Scott and lawmakers are struggling to close a budget shortfall of at least $3.6 billion, as Florida endures a fourth straight year of drum-tight finances stemming from the recession. House and Senate leaders have said budget cuts are certain – especially with federal stimulus dollars now gone. But lawmakers from both parties are questioning Scott’s approach – and his math.
While Scott eliminates traditional state funding for private colleges and universities, he managed to earmark $1.8 million for one such school – the historically black Edward Waters College near the legislative district formerly represented by his lieutenant governor, Jennifer Carroll.
Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, said it wasn’t fair to help one school – while struggling schools such as Bethune-Cookman University and Florida Memorial College were zeroed out of Scott’s spending plan.
Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, challenged Scott’s plan to cut the Corrections Department by $82.4 million, eliminating 1,690 jobs and closing two prisons, part of an effort to offset an 8,000-bed surplus throughout Florida’s prison system.
Fasano, though, said he didn’t think savings from closing prisons was worthwhile. “You’re doing away with 619 jobs to save $2.8 million-a-year,” he said. “Are we benefiting from that?”
Senate Democratic Leader Nan Rich of Weston raised similar questions about Scott’s plan to save close to $1 billion by limiting the state’s Medically Needy program mostly to children and pregnant women, barring thousands of transplant patients and those with catastrophic illnesses from getting costly prescription drug coverage.
“I just don’t see how people will survive,” Rich said.
Jane Johnson, another Scott budget official, tried to soften legislators’ take on the change, saying the Medically Needy proposal would not be enacted until 2012-13. Like the governor’s support for a sweeping plan to steer 2.7 million Medicaid patients into managed care, saving an anticipated $1.2 billion next year, the Medically Needy change also would need federal government approval.
Scott’s proposal to require 5 percent employee contributions to the Florida Retirement System also drew pushback from Republican Sen. David Simmons of Altamonte Springs, who warned that with budget cuts already threatening layoffs, the payroll standard could also cost teachers $2,000-a-year.
Instead, Simmons said the governor should consider supporting his proposal to reduce by half the state’s 10 percent payroll contribution to new employees in the FRS, while also revising his property-tax cut. Simmons said an across-the-board rollback will not spur the economy – since many homeowners are already paying low property taxes under the state’s Save Our Homes cap. Cuts, though, could be targeted toward new home-buyers, Simmons said.
“I ask you to look at that as a solution so we are not reducing the take-home pay of our teachers,” Simmons said.
Alexander, the Senate’s budget chief, was cautious in his initial review of Scott’s spending plan. He conceded that lawmakers opposed many elements in the new governor’s approach – but that the Legislature would clearly be forced to enact deep reductions of its own this spring.
“I can tell you that there isn’t any part of our budget that is sacrosanct,” Alexander said.
By John Kennedy
The News Service Florida
Pictured: Senate President Haridopolos discusses ways to improve Florida’s economy to members of the Florida Chamber on Wednesday. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Camp Fire Kids Sharing Valentine’s Love With Local Vets
February 10, 2011
February is the month of love, and for the kids of Camp Fire USA Century Youth Learning Center, that love is being extended to local veterans.
Every year since around 1978, Camp Fire USA children and youth have made Valentine Cards for local Veteran’s expressing their honor and appreciation. This tradition started as a call to citizens to volunteer at their local Veteran’s Administration hospitals or clinics. This call to action has become the National Salute to Veterans, observed during the week of Valentine’s Day.
Camp Fire USA is one of the nation’s leading not-for-profit youth development organizations, currently serving nearly 750,000 participants annually. For more information on Camp Fire USA Gulf Wind Council and the Century Youth Learning Center visit www.campfirekids.com. The Century location can be reached at (850) 256-0953.
Pictured: Camp Fire USA children across the area are making Valentine’s Cards for local veterans. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Boil Water Notice Issued For West Kingsfield, Including Ransom Middle
February 9, 2011
Effective immediately, a precautionary boil water notice has been issued for ECUA customers residing on West Kingsfield Road, from Highway 297A to Ransom Middle School at Fox Quarry Road, including the Bentley Oaks subdivision.
This notice is being issued following a water main break. Residents are advised to boil water for one minute at a rolling boil or to use 6 drops of regular unscented household bleach per gallon of water for water to be used for drinking of cooking purposes. Bacteriological sampling is underway and the advisory will be lifted as soon as possible.
ECUA crews have repaired the main, and are flushing out the lines. Residents are advised that there is a possibility of discolored water as a result of the break and flushing, and to flush their home’s plumbing by running their taps for a few minutes. If problems persist, customers are asked to contact ECUA Customer Service at 850-476-0480 for assistance, or see precautionary boil water notice guidelines on the ECUA website at www.ecua.org
Suspect Arrested; Kidnapped Toddler Found In Alabama
February 9, 2011
A man wanted for kidnapping a 17-month-old toddler Tuesday night was arrested this morning, about an hour after the child was dropped off unharmed at the East Brewton Police Department.
Keith Square Sr., aka Keith Squaire Sr., 36, address unavailable, was taken into custody around 10 a.m. today by Pensacola Police Sgt. Stephen Davis and Detective James Gore and officers from the East Brewton Police Department.
He has been charged with kidnapping and was also wanted on a warrant from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office for violation of probation.
Davis and Gore were interviewing one of the suspect’s relatives on Crenshaw Street in Brewton when the suspect walked up to them while they were outside, put his hands behind his back and turned himself in, said Capt. Paul Kelly.
Kelly said Square will be extradited to Pensacola as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, the child’s mother – Monique Slater, 29, of Pensacola – was on her way to Brewton to be reunited with her son.
The suspect vowed that he and the child “would not be taken alive”, prompting a nationwide Amber Alert for the 17-month old boy, Keith Square, Jr. Prior to being found in East Brewton Wednesday morning, the toddler was last seen in the company of his mother’s ex-boyfriend Keith Square Sr. after 9 p.m. Tuesday in the area of the Century Woods Apartments at 20 West Highway 4, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
While Square’s current address is unknown, Escambia County Circuit Court records indicate he is a former resident of Blackmon Street in Century.
Pensacola Police Department Sgt. Stephen Davis said the mother and her son were visiting friends in the 1200 block of Cervantes Street in Pensacola Tuesday when the suspect showed up and asked to take the baby to see some friends.
Davis said the mother agreed. A short time later, the suspect Square called Slater and told her she would never see the baby again. Pensacola Police said Square called Slater several times threatening to harm the baby and also said that he and the baby “would not be taken alive.”
The vehicle believed to have been used in the kidnapping was later located in Brewton Tuesday night, where the driver told Brewton Police that the suspect and baby were dropped off at a residence near Century Woods.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Department unsuccessfully checked several possible suspect locations including homes on Blackmon Street and West Highway 4 Tuesday night in an effort to the find the child.
Police said Square is not the biological father of the child, and the mother has sole legal custody. Square has an extensive criminal history including arrests for aggravated battery, robbery, vehicle theft, and battery.
(Editor’s note: The story corrects the last name of the mother to Slater, not Salter as originally reported by the Pensacola Police Department.)
Pictured: Kidnapping suspect Keith Square.
Playoff Results: Northview Beats Jay, Tate Falls To Pine Forest
February 9, 2011
Northview 51 Jay 45
Number 4 Northview defeated number 5 Jay 51-45 Tuesday night. The Chiefs will advance in the District 1-2A Tournament to take on number 1 Freeport at 6 p.m. Friday at Baker High School in a semifinal game.
Lance Bushaw led the Chiefs (9-8) with 14 points, while Colton Sims added 12 and Austin Arrington contributed 11. Todd Laney led the Royals (4-15) with 18 points.
Northview — Lance Bushaw 14, Colton Sims 12, Austin Arrington 11, Dabney Langhorne 7, Derrick Portis 6, , Laderius Franklin 3.
Jay — Todd Laney 18, Tyler Prescott 11, Connor Weekes 5, Trent Sweeney 3, Keith Lisonbee 2.
Jay 9 10 11 15—45
Northview 10 16 13 12—51
Pine Forest 67 Tate 52
Pine Forest defeated Tate Tuesday night in the District 1-5A Quarterfinals, 67-52. Pine Forest will advance to play Milton on Friday. Josh Gray led the Aggies with 23.
Tate — Josh Gray 23, Shermone Jones 14, Spencer Taylor 7, Kenny Elliott 2, Tyler Hudson 2, Lawrence Colston 2.
Pine Forest 9 24 12 22—67
Tate 17 2 14 19—52
Century Looks At Security For Community Center, Council Meetings
February 9, 2011
The Town of Century is getting serious about security at community center events and town council meetings.
Mayor Freddie McCall said he is obtaining estimates from three private security companies for events held at the town’s community center. The move came after he reported to the town council two weeks ago about a possible shots fired incident inside the Ag Building on West Highway 4. [Read more...]
McCall also announced that arrangements have been made with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office to have a deputy present at town council meetings.
Pictured: Century’s Ag Building on West Highway 4. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Molino Neighborhood Association Forming
February 9, 2011
Residents of Molino are coming together to form a neighborhood association.
The association’s goals will include creating a crime watch, providing help to those in need and to bring neighbors, businesses and clergy together, according to organizers.
The meeting with David Craig of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday at the Barrineau Park Community Center on Barrineau Park School Road. For more information, call (850) 587-2524.
Three Facing Charges After Active Meth Lab Discovered
February 9, 2011
Three North Escambia men are facing multiple drug charges after deputies discovered a meth lab at a home on Muscogee Road.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies located the active methamphetamine lab inside the residence at 1115 Muscogee Road during the early morning hours Sunday. They discovered Matthew Michael Ramsey, 38, of Molino; Robert Edward Raines, 48, of Cantonment; and a third man inside the residence with the meth lab. The third man, a Molino resident, was transported to a Pensacola hospital for an untreated burn on his hand; a warrant is being issued for his arrest.
Raines and Ramsey were charged with possession of methamphetamines with intent to sell, trafficking in methamphetamine , possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of listed chemicals with the intent to manufacture a control substance. Raines was also charged with possession of marijuana under 20 grams.
Ramsey was released from the Escambia County Jail on $25,500 bond, while Raines was released on $26,000 bond.