Improved Backwoods, Hwy. 4A Water Pressure Soon
May 20, 2010
Decades of water woes will soon come to an end for residents of Backwoods Road in Century.
A $1.58 million project to improve the Town of Century’s water system in the Backwoods Road, State Line Road, Highway 4A area is waiting on health department approval.
The improvements failed two of 20 recent water quality tests, according to Mayor Freddie McCall. The system is being flushed to remove impurities so that future tests will give the town the go-ahead to pump water to customers through the improvements.
The entire project includes a new 300,000 gallon elevated water storage tank to improve system reliability and fire protection, two natural gas operated back-up generators to improve system reliability for the existing water treatment plants, 16,000 feet of six-inch water main and a booster station to provide fire protection, improve pressure and system reliability in a portion of the existing water system franchise area.
Almost all of the project is complete, according to the mayor. The booster station has not been installed yet, but McCall said the system will be used prior to its construction.
Residents of Backwoods Road have complained about poor water pressure and poor water quality for 10 years. They are currently served by just a two-inch water main.
Pictured top: A new 500,000 gallon elevated water storage tank under construction at the intersection of Academy and Henry streets in Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Jay Man Jailed For Failure To Appear
May 20, 2010
A traffic stop led to the arrest of a Jay man Wednesday morning in Century on outstanding warrants for failure to appear on multiple charges.
Jeffrey Edgar Macks, 41, is being held without bond in the Escambia County Jail on charges that he failed to appear in Escambia County Circuit Court on April 15. He was facing charges from 2008 of battery, child abuse, resisting an officer with violence, and two counts of battery on an officer or firefighter.
Macks was arrested after Investigator Frank Way spotted him driving on North Century Boulevard near Boundurant’s Lumber shorty after 10 a.m.
Escambia County Honors Tate Mock Trial Team
May 20, 2010
Tate High School’s Mock Trial Team was honored Thursday night by the Escambia County Commission for winning state in the Florida High School Mock Trial Competition tournament and placing in the National High School Mock Trial Championship.
Members of the team are Collin Metcalf, Dylan Lunsford, Allison Baliey, Jacob Sander, Asia Cravens, Amy Sapp, Denis McKinnon III, Josh Levins, Austin Perry, Sarah Barlow,Ashley Fasshauer, and Brooke St. Pierre. Collin Metcalf also won the “Best Attorney” award at the state competition.
At the National High School Mock Trial Championship earlier this month in Philadelphia, the Tate team placed 27th. In addition, Collin Metcalf was presented the Judge Marjorie O. Rendell Outstanding Performance Award at the national level.
The group is coached by Amanda Brown. Former coach Kelly Krostag and Attorney Aaron Watson from The Levin Firm also worked with the group.
Pictured: (left of stairs, bottom to top) Brooke St. Pierre, Asia Cravens, Ashley Fasshauer, Amy Sapp, Sarah Barlow, Allison Bailey, coach Amanda Brown, (bottom of stairs, bottom to top) Dylan Lunsford, Austin Perry, Jacob Sander, Josh Levins, Collin Metcalf, Denis McKinnon III. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Commissioner Wants Escambia Waters Tested
May 20, 2010
One Escambia County Commissioner wants to make sure that the water quality off Escambia’s beaches is safe following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. He is calling for weekly water testing to monitor any changes.
Commissioner Grover Robinson issued the following statement Wednesday:
Recently it has come to our attention the public concern with water quality on the Gulf of Mexico. Prior to the end of April and first of May we quickly took water samples for clinical testing of both our Gulf and inland waters to determine the baseline for the existing waterways. With this baseline we are able to know what is a clean and acceptable level for people who participate in water activities.
We must and will do all we can to ensure the environmental protection of our citizens and our tourists. Towards that end, I am working through staff to submit a request to e-Constellation (Unified Command) to perform weekly testing on Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key. This water sampling would be tested and the results compared against the baseline. If there is no detectable difference between the test and the baseline then the water will be deemed safe.
If the water is significantly in variation from the baseline we will work with the State Health Department and notify our citizens and visitors. The plan is to take one sample on Pensacola Beach and the following week take a sample from Perdido Key and return to Pensacola Beach the following week and so forth as we proceed through the summer and fall season. We believe the cost of this testing will be around $25,000 but would seem the right allocation of resources from BP and e-Constellation to ensure the public’s safety and wellbeing.
I believe it is Escambia County’s responsibility to ensure the citizen’s wellbeing; however, if there is no detectable variation, then it is equally our responsibility to promote our economic entities. At this point there are many details of the testing plan yet to be resolved; however, I do hope that it will be made available on a weekly basis to the public and to the media for publication.
If you have any questions or comments you are welcome to contact myself or Larry Newsom to discuss.
Sincerely,
Grover C. Robinson, IV
Chairman,
Escambia Board of County Commissioners
Walking Trail Featured In State Guide
May 20, 2010
Looking for a good place to walk? A trip around Flomaton’s Hurricane Park is one of the best walks in Alabama.
The “Alabama’s Passport to Fitness” walking trail guide from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs lists the walk around the park as one of the 85 best Passport Trails in the state.
Welcome centers across Alabama, as well as each community with a trail, will provide the official Passport Guide that contains maps of the trails and points of interest. In addition, the “Passport Stamp Page” allows walkers to collect an official passport stamp for each trail walked.
An online GIS interactive web page provides a virtual map that contains street maps and aerial imagery for each trail.
Flomaton’s Hurricane Park is an easy walk around a playground on a paved track. The walk passes the Turtle Point Environmental Science Center (pictured), a hands-on experience located on twenty acres of wetlands on Big Escambia Creek. The center features an interpretive wildlife center; wetland trail and boardwalk; gardens; butterfly and honeybee exhibits; and touch tank; live reptile, fish, and amphibian exhibits and a gift shop. The park is located on Highway 31 across from Flomaton High School.
To learn more about the Alabama Passport To Fitness guide and to view the interactive map, click here.
Courtesy photos and graphics for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fire, Chemical Spill At Masland Carpets
May 19, 2010
A Wednesday night fire at Masland Carpets in Atmore and a chemical spill were quickly contained.
The fire was reported about 9:30 p.m and was quickly extinguished by the Atmore Fire Department. A potential hazardous materials situation was turned over to Masland for cleanup.
Authorities said a mishap caused powdered bleach and a dioxide to be mixed, and the combination spontaneously combusted.
The entire facility was evacuated during the incident. Workers were able to return to the building in about 45 minutes, and the overnight shift reported to work as normal.
There were no injuries reported.
The Atmore Fire Department, Poarch Creek Fire Department and the Atmore Police Department responded to the incident.
Pictured above: Firefighters on scene at Masland Carpets in Atmore Wednesday night. NorthEsambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Snapshot: Big Increase In Construction In Escambia County
May 19, 2010
A snapshot of activity last month in Escambia County’s Building Inspections Division shows a big increase over a year ago in construction and renovations.
In April 2010, there were 57 new single family home plans submitted for approval, up from 31 in April 2009. Permits were issued for 64 new single family homes in April 2010; there were 37 in 2009.
The total valuation of construction in Escambia County increased from $15,748,000 in April 2009 to $91,540,255 in April 2010.
Jay Tee Ball Angels Named Champs With Perfect Record
May 19, 2010
The Angels are Jay Recreation Tee Ball champions with a perfect 14-0 record. Pictured are: (front, L-R) Allie Odom, Makenleigh Bledsoe, Trent Roberson, Carson Walters, Kaden Roberson, (second row) Leslie McCall, Bryson McCullough, Devin Sauls, Grant Barrow, Tylen Sorrells, Payton Jackson, Bailey Odom, (third row) coaches Reggie Odom, Phillipp Sorrells, Stephen Jackson and Jason Roberson. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Have photos from your team? Email them to news@northescambia.com
Century Reviews Preliminary List Of Streets For Resurfacing Project
May 19, 2010
Century is moving forward on plans to resurface some streets, with the town’s street superintendent developing a list of streets that most need attention.
“The list is food for thought right now,” Mayor Freddie McCall said. The town council will review and refine the list well before any work begins. McCall said that obtaining proper right of way will be an issue on several streets before any resurfacing.
The preliminary street resurfacing list includes:
- Freedom Road — heavy traffic
- Old Flomaton Road – north end from curve to railroad, heavy traffic
- Hecker Road — heavy traffic
- Elm Street — school bus traffic
- Hilltop Road — moderate traffic
Short streets or dead ends
- West Cottage Street
- Academy Street
- Pleasant Hill Road
- Ramar Street
- Curve on Lake Street
Dirt Roads
(all need drainage system before paving)
- Bonwell Lane
- Gifford Lane
- Barnwell Lane
- Field Road
- Sellers Road
- East Pond Street
Repairs Finished On Sandy Hollow Road Bridge
May 19, 2010
Emergency repairs to the bridge over Sandy Hollow Creek in Davisville are now complete, and Sandy Hollow Road has been reopened.
The bridge on Sandy Hollow Road was closed April 7 after Volkert, Inc., the Florida Department of Transportation’s bridge inspection contractor, found advanced deterioration of timber pilings.
To expedite the repair work and minimize the impact to residents in the area, the county issued an emergency purchase order to DKE Marine Service, Inc. for $88,830.
The repairs included the replacement of eight pilings, the backwall and headwall of the bridge and new guardrails on both sides of the bridge.
Pictured above: Work underway on a Sandy Hollow Road bridge the week of May 3 . NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.