Accountant Offers Prediction: Century Will Have A Good Budget Year
October 20, 2009
The Town of Century’s accountant predicts that the new fiscal year will be a good one financially for the town.
“It looks better this year than this time last year,” Robert Hudson, Century’s accountant, said. He predicted that by the middle the of the budget year, which started October 1, “I think our incomes will wind up being a little more than we budgeted.”
The total budget approved by the town council was $4,587,744 — an increase over last year’s $3,154,355 budget. The increase this year is due to $1.83 million for a water infrastructure project being funded by a grant.
Outside of the grant-funded water project, the town’s biggest source of revenue — $1,707, 600 — is from water, gas and sewer charges, and the biggest expense is $1,246,579 to pay for the costs associated with providing the water, sewer and natural gas service for the town’s residents.
The ad valorem millage rate for the town remained at .823 per $1,000. The ad valorem taxes are estimated to provide Century with $26,000 in revenue during the October 1, 2009, to September 30, 2010, budget year.
“Considering the economy, I think we are doing pretty good,” Hudson told the Century Town Council Monday night.
Volleyball: The Northview Chiefs Beat The Escambia Gators
October 20, 2009
Both the varsity and junior varsity Northview Lady Chiefs beat Escambia High School in volleyball Monday night.
Northview vs Escambia, FL – Varsity
19-25 15-25 25-10 25-21 15-8
**Northview Winning**
Shawna Montgomery 11 M Kills-7, Aces-4, Blocks -1
Caitlin Hall 12 Setter Assists–12, Blocks-1, Aces-4
Angela Rodriguez 12 LS/Middle Kills-2, Aces-6
Raylin Spence 10 LS Kills – 1, Aces- 3, Digs – 4
Shaniqua Jones 11 M Kills-5, Aces-2
Record – Overall – 8 -15; District 4 -4
Northview Vs Escambia, FL – JV
25-22 28-26
**Northview Winning**
Trestine Dean 11 Setter Assists –3, Aces-1
Morgan Payne 09 Middle/Setter Aces – 1, Kills -2
Josie Doucette 10 Middle Kills – 3
Cheyanne Garnett 09 RS Aces-1, Assist-1
Video: NHS Tribal Beat Performs With All South High School Band
October 20, 2009
The Northview High School Tribal Beat Band participated in the All South Band Day at the University of Southern Mississippi recently.
The Tribal Beat members as well as the other participating bands were given the music for “The Hand That Feeds” by Nine Inch Nails and received instructions from USM band members, instructors, band directors and others.
After working in sectionals for about 45 minutes, the entire All South High School Band — including the NHS Tribal Beat — took to the practice filed to prepare for the Southern Miss halftime show. The Northview students were able to watch part of the USM Golden Eagles football game against Virginia before taking the field to perform with USM’s band “The PRIDE” at halftime.
“This was definitely a wonderful music educational experience for all who participated, not to mention really, really fun,” said NHS Tribal Beat Band Director Scott Slay. “I look forward to taking NHS to this event again as well as others.”
For more submitted photos, click here.
If you do not see the video above, it is because your employer, school or personal firewall is blocking external videos. Submitted video for NorthEscambia.com.
Pictured above: Northview Tribal Beat Band members watch a University of Southern Mississippi football game prior to performing during the halftime show. Pictured inset: The USM band “The PRIDE” and the All South High School Band perform. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Possible Gas Leak Sends Two People To The Hospital
October 19, 2009
Two people were transported to the hospital Monday morning after becoming ill from a possible gas leak in their home.
One of the victims called for ambulance about 9:15 a.m. and reported that they were extremely ill, and they suspected a gas leak in their home on West Pond Street in Century.
Two people — a 20-year old female and a five-year old child — were transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
Firefighters from the Escambia Fire Rescue reported an improperly installed heater inside the home and turned the gas off. Lifeguard Ambulance from Santa Rosa County also responded to the call.
The victims’ conditions were not available.
Molino Park Students Study Egypt In Global Corner Program
October 19, 2009
Students at Molino Park Elementary School took a grand field trip last week to the faraway world of Egypt, thanks to Pensacola non-profit organization called The Global Corner International Learning Center.
During the week, Molino Park students learned how to write their numbers from waahid to ashara (1-10) or about hieroglyphs and the history of writing; about ancient and modern Egyptian musical instruments and dances; what it’s like to be growing up in Egypt today; about the world during Ancient Egyptian times (including how the Egyptians used a dung beetle as an important symbol); and how to say their color and shape words in Arabic or about the Ancient Egyptian art schema.
“Our goal is to help children understand the world around them,” Global Corner founder Lee Little said. “We bring the world to life one child at a time.”
Little founded the Global Corner after she retired from the Navy in 2006.
“I went from being in charge of 400 people and 100 airplanes to being a teacher out of my station wagon,” Little, the former commodore of Training Air Wing 6 at Pensacola Naval Air Station, said. “I think it is important that children learn about the world around them.”
Little, who speaks Japanese, chose Japan for the first Global Corner lessons because she once lived there. That was followed by Spain last year, to coincide with Pensacola’s 450th birthday observance with the visiting Spanish tall ship Juan Sebastián de Elcano King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain.
She picked Egypt for this year’s lesson because she wanted a country on the African continent, and “Egpyt is such a fun place. All of the kids of hear about it”.
Little spent time in a foreign policy think tank, helping to shape the United State’s understanding of North and South Korea. She would tell people about her job and realized that Americans just did not understand the world around them.
“You could meet people and talk to them about foreign countries, and their eyes would just glaze over. Americans, in general, just don’t know much about the world around them.”
With a Master’s degree in international affairs, she saw two possible ways to bring a worldly understanding to residents of Pensacola and surrounding communities. The obvious choice seemed to be becoming a college professor, but she decided to start a little younger with the Global Corner.
Molino Park’s Egyptian adventure did not end with last week’s classroom presentations. The Global Corner has a website — theglobalcorner.org — where parents and children can visit to learn more about Egypt and the Global Corner program. Since the program is presented in area schools for free, the organization also needs donations to continue their programs. Details on on the website.
Molino Park is not the only North Escambia school that will visit Egypt this school year via the Global Corner. The program is scheduled to visit Jim Allen Elementary January 11-15, Bratt Elementary January 21-22 and Byrneville Elementary April 6-8.
Lee said she plans to offer the program again next school year with a visit to a South American country, mostly likely Brazil.
Click here for more photos from Global Corner at Molino Park Elementary.
Pictured top: Students learn about Egypt during Global Corner week at Molino Park Elementary School. Pictured top inset: Learning to “walk like an Egyptian” is a necessity when learning about the country. Pictured inset: Students created Egyptian art. Pictured below: Global Corner at Molino Park. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Reminder: Portion Of Barrineau Park Road Closed For Bridge Repair
October 19, 2009
Barrineau Park Road was closed Friday from Jacks Branch Road to Barrineau Park School Road.
The road will be closed while repairs are made to the Penasula Creek Bridge which is located north of the intersection of Barrineau Park Road and Jacks Branch Road. Sonya Daniel, Escambia County spokesperson, did not give a timetable for the bridge to reopen, but NorthEscambia.com has learned the closure may last several weeks.
The only detours around the closure would be either Chestnut Road or Highway 29 between Barrineau Park Road and Molino Road.
The closed bridge is marked with the green icon on the map below.
State Rep. Murzin Visits With Students
October 19, 2009
State Rep. Dave Murzin visited with fourth grade students at Molino Park Elementary School. Murzin talked with the students about state government, his job and his responsibilities in Tallahassee during his visit Friday morning. The students also had the opportunity to ask him questions. NorthEsambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
New Reading Books For Ernest Ward, Ransom
October 19, 2009
The Escambia School District has approved the purchase of $236,378 in reading materials for county middle schools.
The “Voyager Passport Reading Journeys” is a comprehensive reading program for middle school students who are reading two to four years below grade level. It is designed to accelerate the learning goals of below grade level readers.
Ernest Ward Middle School will receive $18,853 in materials, and $26,177 will go to Ransom Middle.
The district had wanted to purchase the program in the past, but did not have the funding. The $236,378 cost this time will be paid for with stimulus dollars.
Fund Established For Cantonment Family That Lost Everything In Fire
October 19, 2009
A fund has been established to help a Cantonment couple that lost their house in a fire on October 8.
Buford and Dolly Johnson’s home on Frank Ard Road was destroyed by fire. They have nothing left and no insurance. Persons wishing to make a donation can do so at any location of RBC Bank, including the location in Cantonment, to “The Johnson Fund”.
The family is staying temporarily in a loaned travel travel at their burned out home.
For more information, contact Tina at (850) 587-3063.
Man Arrested As Accomplice of Home Invasion Suspect Shot By 81-Year Old
October 19, 2009
A Brewton man has been arrested and charged with taking part in a burglary and home invasion gone bad that left his partner dead, shot by an 81-year old man.
Hunter Madden, 24, was charged last week with burglary first degree. Authorities said Madden dropped Jeremy Paul McCall, 35, off at the home of Ralph and Shirley Burkett on Highway 31 north of Brewton about 3 a.m. on Monday, October 12. McCall threatened the couple and demanded money, but 81-year old Ralph Burkett shot and killed him with one round from a .357 Magnum.
Madden reportedly watched from nearby as emergency workers responded to the scene on Highway 31 north of Brewton. He was being held in the Escambia County (Ala.) Detention Center on $50,000 bond.
McCall had been released from a Nebraska jail less than 48 hours before the incident. He was jailed on narcotics charges. Authorities said he had a crack cocaine addiction, and that he was facing two pending drug cases in Escambia County (Ala.). His rap sheet includes several drug crimes, assault, domestic violence and theft.
The shooting will go to a grand jury, but the sheriff does not believe either of the Burketts will be charged.