Byrneville Elementary Names Students Of The Month
February 21, 2024
Byrneville Elementary School has named their January Students of the Month. They are:
- Kindergarten — Anna Brooks and Mason Wagner
- 1st Grade — Tres Cardwell and Anthony Grandison
- 2nd Grade — Lily Brown and Cambree Flowers
- 3rd Grade — Jaden Cardwell and Makayla Wise
- 4th Grade — Caelan McGaha and Myles Sellers
- 5th Grade — Xander Wise and Mary Stephen Moody
Photos for NorthEscamba.com, click to enlarge.
Century Town Hall Closed Due To Staffing Shortage
February 21, 2024
The Century Town Hall will be closed Wednesday, February 21 until further notice due to a staffing shortage.
The Century Town Coucil meeting scheduled for Tuesday night,, February 20, has been rescheduled for Tuesday, February 27 following a 6 p.m. special meeeting to discuss audit services.
For or gas or water emergencies, call town hall at (850) 256-3208 and follow the prompts
Delay Possible This Week as Highway 29 Resurfacing Project Begins North Of Highway 97
February 20, 2024
Drivers can expect delays this week as work begins on a $6.2 million Florida Department of Transportation Project to resurface Highway 29 from Highway 97 to north of Champion Drive.
FDOT said motorists will encounter intermittent daytime lane closure through Friday, Feb. 23 for construction operations. Lane closures are prohibited from 6:30 – 8:00 a.m. and from 1 – 3:00 p.m. on school days.
Improvements in the project include the milling and resurfacing, drainage improvements, auxiliary lane and shoulder widening, signalization, and signing and pavement marking improvements.
According to FDOT, the 4.58 mile project is set to be completed in the Fall of 2024, weather permitting.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
New 36 Lot SubDivision Proposed For Beulah Road
February 20, 2024
A new 36 lot subdivision is being proposed for Beulah Road north of Nine Mile Road, according to an application filed with the Escambia County Development Reviwe Committee.
Ledgestoe Developers, LLC has filed plans for a single family residential subdivision known as the Ledgestone Subdivision on 14.34 acrses.
The Escambia County Development Reviwe Committee is set to consider the appication dring a meeting at 1 p.m. on February 21 at the Escambia County Central Complex Building at 3363 West Park Place.
Deadline Is Tuesday To Register To Vote In Florida Presidential Preference Primary
February 20, 2024
Floridians who who wish to vote in the Presidential Preference Primary have a deadline of today, February 20, to register or switch party affiliation.
The deadline to register to vote or change party affiliations is 29 days before an election.
The Presidential Preference Primary is March 19, 2024 with polls open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. There will only be a Republican primary this year. The Florida Democratic Party has already chosen President Joe Biden as their candidate for the November ballot.
The vote-by-mail ballot request deadline is March 7.
Other big election dates this year in Florida are the primary election on August 20 and the general election on November 5
Suspect That Led Atmore PD On Two Different High Speed Pursuits Is Arrested
February 20, 2024
UPDATE: The suspect was identified as Justin Daniel Ward age 26 of Panama City. Ward was taken into custody at a hotel in Daphne, Alabama, and is in the Baldwin County (AL) Jail.
Ward has active arrest warrants in reference to fraud, dealing in stolen property, and theft of property with the Panama City Beach Police Department, an active warrant for fleeing and eluding from the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, and is wanted by the Bay Minette Police Department for failure to appear in a domestic violence case and driving with a suspended license.
Atmore Police will chage him with theft of property, felony attempting to elude, leaving the scene of an accident, and various traffic offenses.
Previous story:
The Atmore Police Department is searching for a suspect that led them on two high speed chases and as is believed to be involved in several other crimes.
Atmore Police said the suspect is responsible for the theft of two vehicles that both resulted in high speed pursuits on Highway 31
The suspect fled from the second vehicle after failing to navigate a turn and crashing on James Road. He then fled into a heavily wooded area in the Nokomis area.
“The suspect attempted the theft of a four-wheeler, a bicycle, and a golf cart as he was attempting to flee the area. The suspect may have had assistance in evading capture before additional resources were able to arrive on the scene,” Sgt. Darrell McMann said.
Anyone with information his identity is asked to call McMann at (251) 368-9141 or email dDarrell.mcmann@atmorepolice.us.
Rotarians Against Hunger Event Packs 44,700 Meals For Manna To Fight Local Hunger
February 20, 2024
The numbers are in from the 12th Annual Rotarians Against Hunger event last Saturday at the Manna Food Pantries.
We first told you about the event on Sunday after members of the Cantonment Rotary club joined in on the Saturday project.
Monday, Manna said Rotarians packed approximately 44,700 lentil casserole meals for neighbors in need served through their pantry and food security programs.
“The Rotarians Against Hunger project provides much-needed food during the winter and early spring months when giving has decreased and need has increased,” said Manna Executive Director DeDe Flounlacker. “Last year, Manna provided food assistance to 86,890 people – a 25% increase over the year prior! Many are the working poor, grandparents raising their grandchildren, and moms and dads who do not have enough money to pay their bills and buy food for their family due to rising food, utility, and housing costs. Thanks to our Rotary friends, thousands of our neighbors in need will be given the gift of nutritious food.”
Over 185 Rotarians representing all 13 clubs in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties participated, donating more than 472 hours of service.
“This was the twelfth year that Rotary teamed up with Manna packing meals that will be distributed in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties to help families in need,” said Mike Stahl, Rotarians Against Hunger Project Chair. “Through this project, local Rotarians are striving to exemplify the Rotary motto, Service Above Self, and support our local community.”
Rotarians Against Hunger is a service project of the Combined Rotary Clubs of Pensacola (CROP) that launched in 2012, and since then, more than 816,600 meals have been assembled for distribution to the hungry.
Pictured: Rotarians Against Hunger, a project of the Combined Rotary Clubs of Pensacola, Saturday at Manna Food Pantries. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FWC Charges Three With Poaching Deer Near Walnut Hill
February 19, 2024
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has charged three people with poaching deer in the Walnut Hill area.
FWC officers issued notices to appear for the charge of taking wildlife from the right of way of a county- maintained road to Amber Nicole Aceto, 28, and Timothy Tyler Moore, 30, both of Pensacola, and Brendan Christian Bell, 25, of Century. Timothy Tyler Moore received an additional charge for the willful and wanton waste of wildlife.
An FWC officer responded to a report from an individual who heard what sounded like a gunshot and discovered an injured deer near their home. When the officer arrived, the couple who called in the report led him to an area adjacent to the side of the road where an 8-point deer lay with a large exit wound to its back. The couple gave the officer a description of a suspect vehicle and its occupants as well as the tag number.
The officer contacted the driver of the vehicle, Moore, and met with him later that day. Moore admitted to shooting the deer from his vehicle when he saw it standing in the roadway. He stated that his girlfriend, Aceto, drove up to the deer and another friend, Bell, helped him drag the wounded deer off the road and into the ditch before they quickly left the area.
FWC said their investigation revealed that the three had been poaching at night during the prior week in the Walnut Hill area of Escambia County. They killed four additional deer from paved county roads in the area using a gun and light. Each of the three took part in poaching at least one deer and assisted in taking the others. The officers recovered two high-powered rifles and a bright flashlight the suspects used in addition to the four deer heads.
“The good citizens who reported what they saw and heard helped us stop these poachers from committing additional crimes against Florida’s wildlife,” said FWC Maj. Robby Creech, Northwest Regional Commander.
Additional charges against all three subjects followed and were filed by warrant affidavit.
Timothy Tyler Moore was charged with:
- An additional four counts of taking or attempting to take wildlife from the right of way of any county-maintained road.
- Four counts of taking or attempting to take deer at night with a gun and light.
- Two counts of discharging a firearm from any paved public road.
- One count of littering, over 15 pounds but less than 500 pounds.
- Two counts of possession of a firearm while subject to a domestic violence injunction.
- Moore was also issued citations for failure to report two deer taken during archery season.
Amber Nicole Aceto was charged with:
- An additional four counts of taking or attempting to take wildlife from the right of way of any county-maintained road.
- Four counts of taking or attempting to take deer at night with a gun and light.
- One count of discharging a firearm from any paved public road.
Brendan Christian Bell was charged with:
- An additional four counts of taking or attempting to take wildlife from the right of way of any county-maintained road.
- Four counts of taking or attempting to take deer at night with a gun and light.
- One count of discharging a firearm from any paved public road.
- One count of possession of a firearm by a felon.
Editor’s note: Recent mugshots were not available because FWC issued notices to appear rather than booking the suspects into the Escambia County Jail.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Ice Flyers Get Vital Win Against Quad City To End Weekend
February 19, 2024
by Bill Vilona Ice Flyers correspondent
The Ice Flyers understood the urgency of Sunday’s finale against Quad City.
And they responded with a desired performance.
After scoring the game’s first goal, the Ice Flyers quickly answered an emotional shift in second period, then pulled away in the final 20 minutes for a 4-1 victory on Friends and Family Day – the first Sunday matinee game this season – before a crowd of 4,227 at the Pensacola Bay Center.
Ice Flyers’ goaltender Stephen Mundinger was a standout for the team again, earning No. 3 star in post-game recognition after stopping 26 shots. This includes a flurry of big saves in the second period with the game 1-0.
Sunday concluded a three-game series at the Bay Center against the team ahead of the Ice Flyers in sixth place in the SPHL standings. Quad City won the games Friday and Saturday, putting the focus on Sunday as a game to salvage the weekend, get two points and leave with a good feeling before a road trip.
The Ice Flyers will now prepare for a trip to Knoxville, Tennessee where they will face the Knoxville Ice Bears on Friday and Saturday. The Ice Bears are in ninth place in league standings, trailing the Evansville Thunderbolts by five points for the eighth place and final playoff spot.
The game recap:
FIRST PERIOD
The Ice Flyers finally got some good fortune and their first lead of the weekend against Quad City when Joseph Widmar scored with a side net shot.
This wrister caromed off the leg of Quad Cities goalie Brent Moran, whose left leg was inside the goal pipe and the puck banked its way into the net. Garrett Milan was credited with an assist.
It was Widmar’s 10th goal this season and fourth since joining the Ice Flyers in an early January, multi-player trade with the Peoria Rivermen. Widmar is sixth overall in the SPHL in scoring with 42 points and his 32 assists are by far the most of any player in the league.
The Ice Flyers finished the period with a 15-8 edge in shots on goal. There were no penalties in the period, which was played in a speedy 35 minutes.
For more photos, click or tap here.
SECOND PERIOD
There were no penalties whistled at this point in the game until 6:39 remained in the second period.
And then three were called at once. And two goals ensued.
The Storm’s Tommy Tsicos was called for a cross check. In the brief scrum that ensued, the Storm’s Nicola Levesque and the Ice Flyers’ Reggie Millette were given delay of game penalties.
With the Ice Flyers on a power play, the Storm’s Cole Golka pounced on a passing turnover inside the Quad City blue line and broke free with Widmar back on defense. Using Widmar as a screen, Golka’s wrist shot got past Mundinger to tie the game.
But less than a minute later, Widmar got the lead back. Just as Tsicos exited the penalty box, Widmar got off a shot between the faceoff circles into the net for the 2-1 lead.
Both teams entered the intermission with 21 shots a piece in the game.
THIRD PERIOD
The Ice Flyers may have produced their best period of the weekend to seal this win. They outshot Quad City 15-6, allowed only a couple of scoring chances and scored twice to enable a smooth, happy ending to the game.
The Ice Flyers finished killing off a penalty to begin the period. They missed on a power play chance five minutes into the period. But with 12:06 remaining, Sean Gulka followed a close-range, quality shot by Ivan Bondarenko, pounced on the rebound and set the puck into the net. Gulka was named the game’s No. 2 star.
The No. 3 star, Bondarenko, finished a stellar game by scoring the game’s final goal with 6:20 remaining that essentially put a bow on the win.
For the first time in three days, the Ice Flyers post-game salute to the fans and the music in the arena was in a celebratory style.
NOTABLES – Both the Canadian and U.S. National Anthem was performed Sunday by the Haze Gray Quartet, a group of four retired U.S. Navy servicemen.
The “Scout Shootout” was held at first intermission between a group of area Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts with each youth taking shots from the blue line at the net.
The Ice Flyers’ three games with big crowds put them atop the SPHL in total attendance with 115,885 and ahead of everyone in percentage capacity at 98.4-percent. The Ice Flyers are averaging 5,517 in 21 home games so far this season.
QUOTABLES – Ice Flyers Coach Gary Graham:
“From the goaltender (Mundinger) on out, I thought everybody really brought their A-game and that’s what we needed to see. I’ve said it until I’ve been blue in the face, we need our top guys to be our top guys night in and night out. This is the time in a season when the cream will start rising to the top from team to team. To see Joe and Garrett (combine for first goal) was huge for us, but every line contributed. I was happy to see for Gulks (Gulka).. he hasn’t scored in a while… he’s had some injuries this year and has been dealing with different things, but I thought that goal for him was really good for his confidence as well.
“Disappointed giving up a shorthanded goal. That’s probably the only negative I can say from the night. I thought Preston Kugler (added Sunday) did a really good job jumping in on the back end. We made some moves with our roster that maybe should get some attention from the group, which is the point of it, and the guys in the lineup made the most of their opportunities.”
Ice Flyers Center Joesph Widmar:
“It was definitely a big win for the team. Unfortunately, I thought we played some good hockey the first two games and couldn’t bury our chances, but it definitely was a great sign to see in a must win situation that the team stepped up and had a great game.”
NEXT FACEOFF
WHO: Ice Flyers vs. Knoxville Ice Bears
WHEN: Friday-Saturday (Feb. 23-24), 6:35 p.m.
Century Responds To DEP Water System Warnings
February 19, 2024
The Town of Century has responded to a Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) warning letter that identified dozens of potential violations of Florida statutes and codes with their municipal water sytem.
The letter was sent to Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. on January 30, following a January 11 sanitary survey inspection.
DEP also found that sampling, laboratory and other data was being falsified. In the town’s resposnse, the town operator said, “there was no falseification…the previous day, I started my entry on the wrong date, stopped and move up the line above to the correct date. That is why it was not filled out completely. I did fail to cross it out and that is my fault. Correction going forward is that any mis-placed number will be crossed out a initialed by the operator.”
Findings included improper safety equipment and insufficient chlorine in the water, an emergency plan dated 2012, and 55-gallon drums stored in one well with an unknown substance for at least four years. The 55-gallon drums, for instance, contained food-grade oil that was previously used for well lubrication.
Smaller items such as a broken fence and missing or broken screens have been repaired sine the report. The response indicated that plans and procedures will be properly updated and executed in the future.
The town also has a $468,453.00 State Legislature allocation DEP to rehab well facilities and equipment that they say will address numerous issues.
Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. said following the DEP warning letter that the water in Century is safe to drink.
The town council later voted to retain the Sunstrom and Mindlin law firm of Tallahassee to address issues with DEP. While the law firm did not write the responses (posted below), they have requested a meeting between DEP, consultant U.S. Water, the town and the law firm on Tuesday, March12.
For a photo gallery of many of the violations from DEP, click or tap here.
The Town of Century water system has 893 connections, most in or near the town limits.
The town operates three water wells, identified as follows:
- Well 1 — Blackmon Street
- Well 2 — Henry Street
- Well 3 — Prison (primarily serving only the Century Correctional Institution)
A total of 35 deficiencies were found by DEP at the three wells, many of them repeat findings. Each finding is listed, followed by the town’s response as entered:
- Cross-Connection Plan – Cross Connection Control Plan DRAFT provided to the Department.
- #1 the cross connection plan is attached with the response
- C3 Inventory & Testing – At the time of the inspection, the most recent test results for all testable backflow prevention devices required at or for service connections per the systems Cross Connection Control Program were requested for review. No testing records were provided. In addition, the current inventory of backflow protection being required at or for service connections was requested for review. No documentation of inventory was provided.
- #2 we will enforce the cross connection plan
- Lead & Copper Plan. Not available for review during inspection
- #3 I am currently working on finding the lead and copper plan for the town we are also looking and making a new and updated plan
- Flow Meter – No record that the calibration of the finished-drinking-water flow meter has been checked. Flowmeter at Well 2 inoperable. Operator stated he is estimating flows at Well 2.
- #4 I have installed a new meter at well 1 a picture is attached, the meter at well #2 is going to be replaced in the well rehab project, the bid opening for the well rehab project is on the 29th of February
- Safety Equipment – System does not have all required Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) safety equipment at all the plants, or on his person, and the equipment is not regularly tested/maintained according to manufacturers’ recommendations.
- #5 the scba at wells is part of well rehab project
- Additional Safety Equipment – System does not have all the required safety equipment. All plants use quicklime, but none have eyewashes or safety showers/drench hoses.
- #6 the eyewash stations are part of the well rehab project
- Security The fence at Well 1 in need of repair. The window to the well storage room at Well 1 is open when the building is unattended. The building/enclosure door(s), at Well 3 are broken and unable to close and lock. Also, glass door at Well 3 is shattered and in need of repair.
- #7 the fence at well one has been repaired a picture is attached to response, the window is also closed at well one, the doors at well 3 are being replaced as part of the well rehab project
- The Emergency Preparedness/Response Plan provided for review during the onsite was outdated. The plan provided was dated 2012 and the most up-to-date revision of the plan was requested for review.
- #8 the emergency response plan names and dates are being updated should have done by end of the week
- Monthly Operation Report(s) (MORs) not being submitted.
- #9 All the MORs are up to date and have been submitted
- Auxiliary Power – Auxiliary power is not being properly exercised.
- #10 well generators have been exercised regularly, the dates of operation are shown in the log book at well 1.. We are now using a separate log book for this
- Flushing Plan -No written program and no records documenting flushing of 6″ and larger dead-end water mains
- #11 a flushing plan will be sent to you by end of week
- Isolation Valve Exercising – No record of valve exercising for 2022 and 2023. Records indicate valve exercising has not been performed since 2021. System valve exercise plan indicates exercising will be conducted once a year.
- #12 we are going to exercise are valves yearly according to the plan
- Elevated Storage Tanks for Well 1, 2 & 3 Elevated Storage Tank is due for a washout and full 5-year inspection for structural and coating integrity.
- #13 I will need time to coordinate with tank contractors and also with construction crews with well rehab project to make sure the town does not run out of water. This will take some time please allow me three months to get everything lined up and together
- Insufficient recordkeeping Required System Records are Unavailable.
- #14 we will print the records listed and have on site
- No operation and maintenance (O&M) manuals available for Well 2, or Well 3. At Well 1 inspector noted the O&M manuals were extremely weather-damaged and infested with mold. Each Drinking water treatment plant shall have an up-to date O&M manual. The manual shall contain operation and control procedures, and preventive maintenance and repair procedures, for all plant equipment and shall be made available for reference at the plant or at a convenient location near the plant. Bound and indexed equipment manufacturer manuals shall be considered sufficient to meet the requirements of this subsection. O&M manuals were not provided for review during the onsite inspection.
- #14 we will print the records listed and have on site
- Well 1 – Four 55-gallon drums on-site for at least 4 years with unknow substance. Sanitary hazard (does not meet setback requirements).
- #16 the drums were confirmed by Layne to be food grade oil and have been removed from the site
- Well 1 – Well casing is cracked, not sealed, improperly sealed, or improperly vented. Well drop pipe is not properly encased, well drop pipe is resting directly on the well casing, gap at the wellhead and sanitary seal, sanitary seal has unplugged holes. Well piping supported by cinder blocks, and rotting wood-not sealed properly.
- #17we will address this in well rehab project
- Well 1 visible signs of excessive corrosion
- #18 all piping and fittings will either be replaced or painted during rehab project
- Well 1 visible signs of excessive lime spillage
- #19 the lime around the well at well #1 is accumulated around it since the well was built there are no drains on site for it to go currently. In the well rehab project a lime sump is planned to be installed as well as side walks around the building I believe will address these issues
- Well 1 – At the time of the inspection, it was noted that the mesh screen on the air release valve on discharge line has a tear/hole.
- #20 all screens have been replaced, pictures are attached
- Well 1 Loss of chlorine was not telemetered to the operator. During inspection, there was no free chlorine residual at the plant. The operator was not notified of the outage.
- #21 after investigation of issue, we found the vacTron system at well one needed replacing. I am currently working on this and have aqua products lined up to address the issue
- Well 1-Gas chlorine plant was not functioning. Lime injection point clogged/not functioning.
- #22 was addressed on the day of the inspection
- Well 1 Gas chlorine scales not provided.
- #23 scales are being replaced in rehab project
- Well 1 and Remote Location Inadequate Chlorine Residual During the inspection, the free chlorine residual, measured at Well 1 and one remote location within the distribution system, was below the minimum required level of 0.2 mg/L. Department personnel conducted additional sampling on 1/24/2024.
- #24 we are replacing the loss of cl systems as stated response 21, Aqua products is addressing the issues will send pictures after installation
- Well 1 Monitoring & Reporting Data Validation. Falsification of sampling, laboratory, or other data. During the inspection the daily log sheet at Well 1 was pre-filled by the operator with sampling results prior to conducting sampling analysis.
- #25 there was no falsification. the previous day,I started my entry on the wrong date, stopped and move up the line above to the correct date. That is why it was not filled out completely. I did fail to cross it out and that is my fault. Correction going forward is that any mis-placed number will be crossed out a initialed by the operator
- Well 1 and Well 2 – gas chlorine room ventilation fan is non-functional.
- #26 ventilation fans are proposed for all three wells in rehab project
- Well 1 and Well 2 Audio-Visual Alarm – No audio-visual alarm for loss of chlorine residual or chlorination capability. No audio-visual alarm for power failure at site where standby power is required.
- #27 we have installed omni beacon call out systems that will address these issues
- Well 2 – Chlorine booster pump leaking
- #28 the plumbing going into the pipe was leaking we have repaired the leak
- Well 2 – Inspector noted the pump to waste valve malfunctioned and unable to close resulting in excessive water loss.
- #29 the valve has been replaced, a picture is attached
- Elevated Storage Tank #1 at Well 1 – Mesh screen shows visible sign of debris. Elevated Storage Tank #2 at Well 3 – The finished water storage is missing the screen on the overflow pipe. The overflow is not at 12 to 24 inches above the ground surface, downward facing, and no drainage inlet structure or splash plate for the discharge is present.
- #30 the screen has been cleaned and/or replaced at well 1 and 2. the drainage line has been removed and overflow has been screened, picture is attached
- Booster Pump to Tank 3 leaking
- #31as stated during inspection Layne has pulled the pump and the town is in the process of making repairs
- During inspection Department was unable to view/retrieve Well 3 Logbook although the Well is inactive
- #32 a log book has been placed at well 3 that has been out of service for over a year and I will visit the site everyday and log the well is out of service
- Operator Required Visits – Operator not making the required number of visits to the plants
- the log book at well one shows the daily visits. I was unaware I had to check the sites if not being ran. I logged the days I ran the well in log books. I’m correcting this by going by all well sights even if they are not in operation
- Missed Monitoring – Missed 1st set of Lead & Copper sampling; missed annual Disinfection Byproducts; Nitrate/Nitrite monitoring; late submittal for Triennial Sampling for Chemical Monitoring for 2023, missed monitoring for the 2nd set of Synthetic Organic Contaminants.
- #34 the town is going to sample as directed by dep for lead and copper in 2024
- Precautionary Boil Water Notice – Failure to notify DEP PBWN 1/17/24, within 24 hours of the occurrence.
- we did sample and post boil water notice at time of break. we will do better at notifying Dep in a more timely fashion when an incident occurs
For a photo gallery of many of the violations from FDEP, click or tap here.
FDEP Photos/NorthEscambia.com graphics, click to enlarge.