Byrneville Elementary Names Students Of The Month
January 18, 2024
Byrneville Elementary recently named their December Students of The Month. They are:
- Kindergarten: Manny Gifford and Brooklynn Tamondong
- 1st Grade: Arayah McCall and Liam Steadham
- 2nd Grade: Kase Calloway and Baylee Gafford
- 3rd Grade: Marley Schoonover and William Maxwell
- 4th Grade: Tatum Godwin and Coraline Pope
- 5th Grade: Shaleigh Wesley and Cohen Linton
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Grocery Story Employee Charged With Pushing His Manager Into A Cooler
January 18, 2024
A Century Food Giant employee is charged with allegedly pushing his supervisor into a store cooler.
Steven Peter Sanfilippo, 64, was charged with battery. He was later released on a $2,500 bond.
The Food Giant night manager told Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies that he asked Sanfilippo to remove trash from shopping carts retrieved from the parking lot.
“Sanfilippo then became confused and erratic,” an arrest report states, before getting involved in a verbal argument with the manager. Sanfilippo then grabbed the night manager by his throat and pushed him into a cooler, the report continues. The manager refused medical treatment.
Two witnesses and store surveillance video corroborated the manager’s accusations, the arrest report states.
Escambia County National Flood Insurance Program Rating Improves
January 18, 2024
Escambia County has improved its rating in the National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System, resulting in an additional discount on flood insurance premiums for Escambia County residents.
Through an extensive review process and significant documentation provided by county staff, Escambia County has successfully earned a Class 6 CRS rating, improving from a Class 7 CRS rating.
Since 2019, Escambia County residents have received a discount of up to 15% on flood insurance premiums due to the county’s Class 7 CRS rating, which will increase to a discount of up to 20% when the improved Class 6 rating takes effect on Oct. 1, 2024.
“This is a major accomplishment for Escambia County that will directly benefit our residents through additional flood insurance discounts,” Escambia County Building Official Tim Tolbert said. “The standards required for this program have increased dramatically since our last evaluation, so I am especially proud of staff for their hard work to achieve this improved rating.”
The National Flood Insurance Program’s CRS has 1,520 communities throughout the United States that participate in the program by implementing local mitigation, floodplain management, and outreach activities that exceed the minimum NFIP requirements. A points system is used to create the class structure. Ratings from class 10 (lowest) to class 1 (highest) are possible within CRS.
Under the CRS, flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reward community actions that meet the three goals of the CRS: reduce flood damage to insurable property, strengthen and support the insurance aspects of the NFIP, and encourage a comprehensive approach to floodplain management.
Each year, Escambia County must re-certify or re-verify that the activities being credited by the CRS are continuing to be performed. Under the management of Floodplain Administrator Jennifer Hampton, who achieved her Certified Floodplain Manager designation in 2016, county staff spent several months preparing for the CRS visit and review in November 2023. County staff held meetings to review and obtain all documentation needed for the CRS review, including the Local Mitigation Strategy Plan, Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, and more.
North Beulah Neighborhood Cleanup Day Is Jan. 24
January 18, 2024
A neighborhood cleanup will be held in the North Beulah community on Wednesday, January 24.
The cleanup is a chance for residents to dispose of items such as old furniture, appliances and household waste free of charge. Yard debris is eligible for removal during this cleanup.
During neighborhood cleanups, Escambia County departments team up to bring services to residents in an effort to keep local neighborhoods clean and safe. Participating is easy: Residents in the cleanup area simply leave eligible items at the curb to be disposed of free of charge by Escambia County and partnering agencies.
All debris must be at the curb directly in front of residences in the area by 7 a.m. on the day of the cleanup. Tires and paint cans should be separate from all other debris. Debris piles should not be placed under low-hanging lines or near poles, fences or mailboxes. All items, including containers, will be collected.
Only residents in the designated cleanup area (click map above to enlarge) are able to participate in the neighborhood cleanup. Items left at the curb outside of the cleanup area will not be collected. Residents in the area will receive a postcard with more information.
Items eligible for removal include:
- Household appliances and electronics
- Household junk and debris
- Bicycles and toys
- Old furniture and mattresses
- Barbecue grills
- Household hazardous waste (old paint, motor oil, chemicals, batteries)
- Tires (limit 10 per household)
Items NOT eligible for removal include:
- Building materials (concrete, bricks, blocks, roofing, drywall or lumber)
- Explosives or ammunition
- Auto parts
- Dirt or sod
- Vehicles or vessels
- 55-gallon drums of fluids
The neighborhood cleanup initiative involves an aggressive cleanup effort, targeting different neighborhoods throughout the county, with crew members and volunteers picking up a variety of debris and waste, including electronics, furniture and household items.
Since 2016, more than 6,385 tons (12,770,000 pounds) of waste have been disposed of through the Community Redevelopment Agency’s Safe Neighborhood Program.
Boil Water Notice Rescinded For All Town Of Century Water System Customers
January 17, 2024
THIS BOIL WATER NOTICE WAS RESCINDED THE MORNING OF JANUARY 22ND
A boil water notice ha been issued for all Town of Century Water System customers. The system lost pressure due to a burst water main Wednesday.
As a precaution, the town advises that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. as an alternative, bottled water may be used. Residents are also advised to take precautions when bathing, especially immunocompromised individuals, infants, or the elderly.
A loss in system pressure could cause backsiphonage of contaminants, such as e. coli bacteria, into the water system. water containing E. coli bacteria can be considered safe for drinking and cooking after vigorously boiling the water. Disease symptoms caused by these bacteria may include diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and possibly jaundice, and any associated headache and fatigue. epa has set an enforceable drinking water standard for e. coli to reduce the risk of these adverse health effects. under this standard all drinking water must be free of these bacteria.
The water system is currently collecting samples to determine if the presence of E.coli bacteria exists within the water system. This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink. The estimated date for rescinding this notice is January 20.
How Cold Did It Get Last Night? Here Are Low Temps From Local Communities
January 17, 2024
Here are the low temperatures for Wednesday morning as recorded by calibrated weather stations across the area:
- Century – 17
- Molino – 18
- Walnut Hill – 18
- Beulah – 19
- Pine Forst HIgh – 19
- West Florida High – 19
- Tate High School -19
- UWF – 20
- Pensacola High – 20
- Pensacola Beach – 22
- Perdido Key – 23
Keith Leonard Named Permanent Escambia School Superintendent
January 17, 2024
Keith Leonard is the officially appointed superintendent of Escambia County Public Schools.
Tuesday night, the school board unanimously approved making his interim position permanent and begin contract negotiations between Leonard and board chair Patty Hightower.
The motion was made by District 1 board member Kevin Adams, who found Leonard “highly effective” with 88 of 88 possible points in a recent evaluation. The motion was seconded by District 5 member Bill Slayton, who also evaluated Leonard as “highly effective”.
Leonard received glowing support and praise from nine public speakers prior to the vote.
Overall, Leonard scored 74.8 out of 88 for a “highly effective” rating when the scores from the five members were combined.
“My daddy told me a long time ago, ‘Boy all you can do is work. Get your butt up and go to work and do the very best you can. And always remember your last name,’” Leonard said after the vote. “So I’ve tried to do that everyday and that is what we will continue to do.”
Leonard’s contract as interim was set to expire June 30, 2024.
The board will avoid an expensive nationwide search. Leonard was one of four finalists in their last search which ultimately led to the hiring of Dr. Tim Smith who was later terminated and Leonard was named interim.
Century Council Extends Unsecured $41K Loan With Urban Development Century YouthFirst Program Cut By ECT
January 17, 2024
Tuesday night, the CEO of the Urban Development Center asked the Century Town Council for more time to repay an unsecured $41,925 loan to the Town of Century, and said she’s looking for ways to keep the YouthFirst Century program alive despite a complete funding cut by the Escambia County Children’s Trust (ECT).
Last year, Escambia Children’s Trust (ECT) awarded a contract to the Pensacola non-profit Urban Development Center for “YouthFirst Century” to serve 750 youth ages 11-18 over a three-year period at a total cost of $1.2 million. In reality, they only reached 30 children in their targeted ages of 11-18. They requested to lower their target age group to just 5-years old, but that was also denied by ECT.
The Town of Century fronted an unsecured $61,925 loan to UDC to purchase items like computers and workbooks. At least $20,000 was recently repaid to the town, according to audio from a council meeting. However, public records requests by both NorthEscambia.com and Rick’s Blog to the town produced no documentation of the payment.
Griffen had proposed that the remaining $41,295 be repaid by December 31, 2023, but that deadline was missed. By phone Tuesday night, she requested an extension to March 31, 2024. Griffen disconnected from the phone call before providing any additional information to the council about her group’s financial condition or reimbursements already received from ECT.
UDC has been reimbursed $164,903.50 by ECT through October, according to records from the taxpayer funded Escambia Children’s Trust, but those funds were not used to fully repay the Town of Century.
UDC has requested a $189,256.70 reimbursement for their first year of operation, despite reaching just 56 children, with less than 30 of those in the target age range. That equals $6,308 per targeted child in the 11-18 age group.
Griffen also hinted that she is looking for alternative funding outside the ECT to keep the program alive.
“The Escambia Children’s Trust has voted not to fund the YouthFirst Century program due to low participation, but I have been talking to CareerSource Escarosa (CEO) Marcus McBride, who is diligently working to see how they can be an asset to the Town of Century and hopefully put something in place.”
The council voted 5-0 extended the repayment date on the unsecured loan until March 31 as requested.
Pictured: The Urban Development League’s Dr. Jessica Griffen introduces YouthFirst Century to a group at the Pilgrim Lodge Baptist Church in Century in February 2023. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Federal Judge Rules Former Commissioner Underhill Must Pay $130K In Legal Fees
January 17, 2024
Former Escambia County Commissioner Douglas Underhill has been ordered by a federal judge to pay $130,425.50 in legal fees to David Bear.
Bear sued Underhill after he failed to respond to a public records request for records held by Underhill. Bear won the case, which allowed reimbursement for legal fees.
Underhill contended that Bear had the improper purpose of harming him financially and that further discovery was required to determine what fees were actually billed to Bear to avoid duplication. Underhill also filed a separate motion to remand, asserting that all federal claims have been resolved, and in the alternative, he requests reconsideration of the determination that he is individually liable for Bear’s attorney’s fees.
Underhill lost all of his arguments in the case with the order from Federal Judge Casey Rodgers.
“Record shows that the request was a genuine search for public records and the suit was filed because Underhill refused to respond to the request for public records that were within his custody, which is not improper,” Rodgers wrote in her order.
Space Heather Safety Tips From Escambia County Fire Rescue
January 17, 2024
Escambia County Fire Rescue is encouraging residents to practice space heater safety and know the potential risks associated with home heating equipment.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire deaths and space heaters account for 4 out of 5 home heating fire deaths.
“Space heaters should have a three-foot safe zone around them,” said Escambia County Fire and Life Specialist Ray Melton. “They should never be left on while you’re away from home. They should be checked and serviced every year before used. Never plug a space heater into power strips or extension cords, and always have working smoke alarms.”
Follow these tips to stay safe while heating your home:
- Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified professional.
- Keep anything that can burn at least 3 ft. away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove or portable space heater.
- Portable space heaters should be turned OFF every time you leave the room and before going to bed.
- Never plug a space heater in a power strip.
- Install carbon monoxide detectors to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Never use an oven to heat your home.
For portable electric heaters:
- Place them on a solid, flat surface, away from high traffic areas and doorways.
- Use and purchase heaters with an automatic shut off so if they are tipped over they will shut off.
- Plug power cords directly into outlets and never into an extension cord.
- Inspect for cracked or damaged, broken plugs or loose connections; replace before using.
Heating Fire Facts:
- Most home heating fire deaths (86%) involved stationary or portable space heaters.
- The leading factor contributing to home heating fires (27%) was failure to clean, principally from solid-fueled heating equipment, primarily chimneys.
- The leading factor contributing to ignition for home heating fire deaths (54%) was heating equipment too close to things that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattress, or bedding.
- Nearly half (48%) of all home heating fires occurred in December, January and February.
Need a free smoke detector in Escambia County? Call (850) 595-HERO.