Even More Portable Classrooms Headed To Bratt
June 18, 2009
Two additional portable classrooms are being moved to Bratt Elementary School.
The two classrooms will be moved to Bratt from the closing Edgewater Elementary. The school district will spend $11,200 to transport and set up the buildings for use as additional classroom space.
These two classrooms are in addition to five brand new modular classrooms with included restrooms, five sinks and two closets installed at Bratt Elementary at a total projected cost of $440,006.
The school district will also spend $16,800 to relocate three portable classrooms from Edgewater to Warrington Elementary School and two from Brentwood to Navy Point Elementary.
The total cost of the bid awarded to Myrick House Movers of Holt, Fla., is $39,200.
School Board Approves Final Documents To Sell Old Molino School To County
June 18, 2009
The Escambia County School Board has given official approval to the contract selling the old Molino Elementary School building to Escambia County — a move that will bring a library and community center to the growing community.
The Escambia County commission has already approved the purchase of the building for $400,000 from the Escambia County School Board. The county has attempted to acquire the old Molino Elementary property from the school board for several months.
The school campus includes 9.66 acres and four buildings — the largest of which is 16,630 square feet.
Plans call for the old Molino school to become a community hub, possibly including a 5,000 square foot library, a museum highlighting Molino history, a small health clinic, a business incubator, renovation of the cafeteria and one additional building for community events and private party rental along with other uses.
The library portion of the project is currently ranked number three in Florida for a half million dollars in funding from the state. The grant, if awarded, would require the county to use the facility as a library in Molino for a minimum of 20 years.
The half million dollar grant, if awarded, would be matched by another half million from the county. The county’s portion is already approved, using Local Option Sales Tax funds.
The Molino school closed in 2003 when the new Molino Park Elementary School consolidated Molino Elementary and Barrineau Park Elementary. The school, which sits on nine acres along County Road 95A, first opened in 1939.
The funds will be used by the school board in their Local Capital Improvement Fund.
Poarch Creek Swears In New Tribal Council Members
June 18, 2009
A swearing in ceremony was held during the Poarch Creek Indian Tribal Council meeting Wednesday for the Tribal Council candidates that were elected into office on June 6. Stephanie A. Bryan, Keith Martin and Berry Ross were sworn into office by Judge Joseph Brogden.
For the first time in Poarch Creek’s history, tribal members were able to vote for and elect an executive officer for Tribal Council. Stephanie A. Bryan was elected Tribal vice chair during this historic election. This will be Bryan’s second term as vice chair, during her first term she was elected to executive office by the Tribal Council.
“I was ecstatic when the results were revealed on Election Day. I shed tears of joy that night from knowing the faith and confidence that people have in my leadership abilities. This is the first time in the tribe’s history that Tribal Members got to vote for an executive officer’s seat, and I am thankful to be selected by my constituent’s during this memorable moment for the tribe. I would like to thank everyone for their support and I look forward to serving three more years as the Vice Chair for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians,” Bryan said.
Keith Martin was re-elected to his second term as councilman for the Tribe. Berry Ross will be serving his first term as a council member.
Molino Company Awarded $25,000 Contract To Reduce Wildfire Risk
June 17, 2009
A Molino company has been awarded a Florida Division of Forestry federal stimulus funds contract to lower the wildfire risk in a portion of Escambia County.
Officials with the Blackwater Forestry Center said Tuesday that several local wildfire prevention projects have started as a result of funding from the U.S. Forest service through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, commonly referred to as the federal stimulus plan.
“We’re reducing the threat of wildfire in high-risk areas by having a contractor mechanically reduce the amount of vegetation and debris. Fires in the targeted areas of southwest Escambia County have typically spread and intensified rapidly, endangering many homes. Additionally, much of the terrain is swampy and poses significant challenges for our firefighters’ equipment,” said Forest Area Supervisor Elton Gilmore.
North Escambia business owner Ricky Powell was awarded the $25,000 contract to perform the work after a bidding process. Powell’s company, RFCC, Inc., is based in Molino. The work, which started last week, should be completed by the end of June. Much of the work will include removing and mulching potential fire material in the Jones Swap Preserve and Big Lagoon State Park.
“It is a win-win situation which not only benefits local business but also protects many homeowners by significantly reducing the threat of wildfire by removing potentially hazardous fuels,” Gilmore said.
Pictured above: Forest Area Supervisor Elton Gilmore. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Tri-County Beats Shalimar 15-3, Advances To Play NWE
June 17, 2009
Tri-County eliminated Shalimar from the District 1 Little League 8-9 Year Old All Stars tournament at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill.
The Tri-Count All-Stars dominated Shalimar 15-3 in six innings.
Michael “MJ” Jones, Logan Dobson, and Neikel Robinson had two hits each, with Robinson and Dobson each ripping triples. Dutch Burkhead, Seth Killam, Reid Kelly and Brent Groover each delivered singles to advance Tri-County in tournament play.
Lefty Logan Dobson was the winning pitcher for Tri-County, which is made up of players from Century, Jay, Fidelis and Chumuckla. Middle relief pitching was provided by Reid Kelly and Dutch Burkhead, leaving Seth Killam to close out the powerful pitching tag-team.
“The victory was a team effort with every all-star contributing to the win,” said Team Manager Gary Killam. The teach celebrated with a traditional free ice-cold Coke to end a hot, humid game.
Tri-County advances to the next round of play Wednesday at 5:30 against the host Northwest Escambia All-Stars.
In other Tuesday night action, Defuniak beat Niceville American 9-8.
Pictured above: Tri-County scores Tuesday afternoon against Shalimar in tournament play in Walnut Hill. Pictured below: Tri-County steals another run as a Shalimar player holds out his glove awaiting the arrival of the ball (pictured mid-air in front of the standing Tri-County player). NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
School District May Require Insurance Purchase Before Athletes Can Even Try Out For Sport
June 17, 2009
Escambia County student athletes may be required to purchase insurance from a district approved carrier next year — even if the athlete has adequate private or even military insurance.
Kevin Windham, director of risk management for the Escambia County School District, presented the plan to the board at workshop meetingy.
Under current board policy, if a student provides proof of at least $25,000 in insurance, they are not required to purchase a district policy. The district policies current cost $54 for football players, $20 for soccer players and $9.50 for other sports.
The new plan would require athletes to have the district issued policy prior to even trying out for a sport. The problem, Windham said, is that a student may show proof of insurance at the beginning of a season, but parents may loose that insurance before a season ends. The district issued policy would shift liability in such a situation from the school district to the insurance carrier.
Windham said the district has located policies that would cost as little as $12 per student, regardless of their sport.
“I do not believe in disciplining the majority of parents who follow the rules because some do not. I believe mandatory insurance, unless it is extremely inexpensive, will discourage some from even trying out and will decrease participation,” Board Member Jeff Bergosh wrote on his blog.
“I think the goal of wanting every athlete covered is noble, however a new blanket rule that requires everyone to purchase additional insurance is aggressive; once the idea hits some who already have “gold-plated” Cadillac insurance plans that they are going to have to buy more—I think these people will become vocally opposed. For some it will be a matter of cost, but for more it will be a matter of principle,” Bergosh also wrote on his blog.
The school board voted 4-0, with District 5 Member Bill Slayton absent, to advertise the new rule for public input.
Yummy Library Lesson: Tasty And Healthy Snack Choices
June 17, 2009
Snacking can be tasty and healthy — that was the message during a summer reading program “Kids Can Cook!” at the Century Branch Library Tuesday afternoon.
Angela Hinkle from the Escambia County Extension Office presented tips for making smart food choices at a school and home. Children of all ages had fun creating and decorating a lunch box and filling it with healthy snacks.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
Next week, the library’s summer fun continues next Tuesday at noon with a free magic show with West Florida’s favorite local magician Beau Broomall.
For more information, contact the Century Branch Library, 7991 North Century Boulevard, at 256-6217.
Pictured above and below: Decisions, decisions — participants in the summer reading program Tuesday afternoon at the Century Branch Library were given the opportunity to choose four free healthy snacks. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Considers New Business Impact Fee, Public School Plan, Drainage Grant
June 17, 2009
Opening a business along Highway 29 or East Highway 4 in Century could cost more; the town is opting out of a county public school plan; and Century is looking at $1.1 million to improve drainage problem along a portion of Highway 29.
The town council has considered resolutions related to each of those items.
Highway Impact Fee
Businesses that choose to open along Highway 29 or State Road 4 in Century could be looking an impact fee to build turn lanes and provide for other traffic control measures.
Under an ordinance the town is considering, an ordinance that town consultant Debbie Nickles says is required by the state to upgrade roads, a study would be done to determine what level of vehicle traffic could be expected to be generated by the new business.
“I’m interested in what the cost might be to a new business,” Council President Ann Brooks said. Nickles said the bottom line cost would be decided on a “case by case” basis using a formula determined by the State of Florida.
The council will hold a second reading on the ordinance and consider its adoption at their July 6 meeting. At that time, Brooks said she would allow Nickles to present a few scenarios on the potential cost to a new business.
Public School Plan
The council is also considering a resolution to drop out of a Public School Facilities Element — an interlocal agreement that was required between the Town of Century and the Escambia County School District relating to public schools.
Nickles said that since the school board closed the town’s only school, the town could opt-out of the agreement with an exemption filed with the state’s Department of Community Affairs.
“Why would we want to submit an exception when they (the school board) violated everything in that agreement?” Council member Henry Hawkins asked.
Without the agreement, the town could face sanctions from the state, Nickles said.
“Then that’s when we could kick and scream,” Hawkins said.
“But you’re kicking and screaming to the wrong person,” Nickles said, noting that while the town may have problems with the school board’s closure of Carver/Century K-8 School, the Public School Facilities Element is required by the state, not the school board.
Highway 29 Drainage
The council approved a resolution allowing Nickles to submit paperwork for a grant from the Florida Division of Emergency Management to improve drainage on Highway 29 between Henry and Cottage streets.
The project would include a $823,000 grant from FEMA and $259,000 in local matching funds. The local matching funds, according to Mayor Freddie McCall, would come from in-kind services that Escambia County has agreed to provide on the project — services such as digging a necessary retention pond with county equipment and labor.
Housing Grant
The Century Town Council is also considering a resolution that would mean $175,000 in grant funding to rehabilitate unoccupied housing in the town.
Bond Revoked For Woman In DUI Death Of Bicyclist
June 17, 2009
An Escambia County judge has ordered that bond be revoked for the woman charged with driving drunk and killing a bicyclist on Nine Mile Road.
Christina Rivkin remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond charged with DUI manslaughter and four other charges in connection with the death of Michael Steele, 25.
Tuesday, Circuit Court Judge Frank Bell ordered that Rivkin be held until her trial, deeming that she is a risk to the community.ef Rivkin did not speak at the bond hearing.
Rivkin will be back in court on July 2 for an arraignment hearing. She has hired DUI defense attorney Tommy Ratchford.
Steele’s funeral was held Tuesday afternoon.
The Florida Highway Patrol says Rivkin was traveling westbound on Nine Mile Road about when she crossed the white line near Brewster Street and struck Steele as he was riding his bicycle to work at Winn Dixie about 11:15 p.m. June 10. Troopers say Steele and his bicycle were dragged under Rivkin’s GMC Yukon for about a quarter of a mile. Rivkin then fled the scene.
About an hour after the accident, Rivkin returned to the scene, where she “skidded to an abrupt stop nearly striking the patrol car of Deputy Mark Smith,” the FHP report says. She “appeared extremely intoxicated. She smelled strongly of alcoholic beverage and her speech was slurred. She could not walk without assistance. (She) could not remember her name or say where she was,” the report continues.Rivkin, according to the FHP, refused to perform a breath test, and a blood sample was taken to determine her blood alcohol level. Those test results are not yet available.
“He jumped out in front of me. What was I suppose to do?” Rivkin told a trooper at the scene.
The FHP says that the front of Rivkin’s vehicle had damage consistent with hitting the bicyclist, and “there appeared to be blood on the front of her vehicle.”
Rivkin had at least two prior DUI arrests and five other moving violations, according to the FHP.
Steele was riding his bicycle to work as part of the stock crew at the Nine Mile Road Winn Dixie when the accident occurred, according to family members. Steele and his wife, Brittney, 20, only owned one car, and family members said he wanted his wife to have the car for her morning commute. He rode the bicycle so that she did not have to drive him to work so that she would be well rested for her job.
Pictured above: Christina Rivkin’s Escambia County Jail booking photo. Click to enlarge.
Funeral Saturday In Century For Man Shot In The Face
June 17, 2009
Funeral services for the former Century resident shot in the face at a Warrington mobile home park will be held Saturday in Century.
Jeffrey Carl Kimbrough, 41, was shot about 3:30 Sunday afternoon in the 1500 block of Gulf Beach Highway in the Warrington community in the southwest part of the county in an apparent dispute over a stolen wallet.
Visitation for Kimbrough will be held Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m. at the New Life Baptist Church in Century. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., also at the church. Internment will follow at the Century Cemetery.
During the time he lived in Century, Kimbrough was a member of Century Volunteer Fire Department.
Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies said Kimbrough confront Ellis J. McArthur of Bay Minette about a stolen wallet. That is when, according to deputies, McArthur pulled out a handgun and shot Kimbrough in the face. Kimbrough died Monday evening at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola.
McArthur, 17, has been charged as an adult with murder in connection with the incident. He is being held without bond in the Escambia County Jail.