Council Takes No Action On Worker That Left Prisoner Unattended
February 17, 2009
The Town of Century has taken no action in regards to an employee that left a state prisoner unattended in parking lot, and after he got into a fight that got him arrested while on the time clock.
The council mentioned the offense at their meeting Monday night and listened to Mayor Freddie McCall report on how their prison would have handle such an offense, but the council took no official action.
Escambia Sheriff’s Department reports say that Robert Allen Powell, 56, of Century got into a fight with Randall Keith Grimes, 47, of Century at the town’s Dollar General store.
Powell stopped at the Dollar General in a town truck along with a prisoner from the Century Correctional Institute that was on work detail for the town. Powell reported went into the store to purchase cold medication, leaving the prisoner unattended in the parking lot. Inside the store, Powell ended up in the altercation with Grimes.
Their stories differ on what happened. Powell told deputies that Grimes called him names and then punched him. Grimes said Powell called him a “retard” and a “bastard” before Powell punched him in the face. Powell told deputies the entire incident stemmed from Grimes’ involvement with his ex-wife.
The report says store surveillance video shows that Powell threw the first punch, according to the ECSO report. Powell was arrested on a battery warrant, and released on a $2,500 bond.
The big issue for some members of the Century Town Council was not the fight, but the fact that Powell left the prisoner unattended outside the store.
McCall told the council member night that the prison would provide on of their employees committing the offense a verbal or written warning on the first offense. The second offense would bring a written warning. The third offense would be met with three to 10 days suspension, and termination would take place on the fourth offense.
The council was reportedly advised by Matt Danheisser, their attorney, that any employment policy could not be made retroactively to apply to Powell.
“Out working rules call for a verbal reprimand, and I issued one,” McCall said Monday night.
Council President Ann Brooks said that the town would address any possible future similar situations with a policy to be discussed when the town works on a policies and procedures manual.
At the council’s last meeting on February 2, Council member Henry Hawkins recommended that the town determine what punishment the prison system would inflict on a prison employee that might leave a prisoner unattended. He said the town should consider a punishment “up to” that level. His motion to take such action died without a second.
McCall said two weeks ago that the prison system will continue to allow the town to use free inmate labor. Powell will not be able to supervise an inmate until after his court process is complete, but McCall said prison officials had stated that he would be able to supervise prisoners in the future.
McCall said the prison system would “overlook” the fact that Powell stopped to get the cold medicine, and that the prison warden did not consider it a big problem.
Powell is scheduled to face Judge David Ackerman on February 19 on the misdemeanor battery charge. Grimes has not been charged in connection with the incident.
School Board To Hold Century Meeting To Discuss School Closure
February 17, 2009
The Escambia County School Board plans to hold a meeting in Century early next month to discuss their redistricting plan that will close Carver/Century K-8 School.
NorthEscambia.com has learned that the board plans to schedule the meeting in early March at the Carver/Century cafeteria. Premlinary plans call for the meeting to be held March 5 at 5:3o p.m.
On January 20, the board approved advertising the redistricting of Carver/Century students to Bratt Elementary and Ernest Ward Middle School. State law says they must advertise the plan for 28 days prior to official approving it. They plan to vote on the redistricting plan that would close Carver/Century at their March 17 board meeting.
At the January meeting, the vote was 3-2 to move forward with advertising the redistricting plan. Board members Bill Slayton, who represents District 5 where Carver/Century is located, and Linda Moultrie voted against the proposal. Jeff Bergosh, Gerald Boone and Patty Hightower voted for Superintendent Malcolm Thomas’ plan.
Pictured above: Century resident Leola Robinson speaks to the Escambia School Board in support of keeping Carver/Century open on January 20 while Gerald Boone (left) and Malcolm Thomas (right) look on. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Principal Addresses Northview Needs, Accomplishments In Report
February 17, 2009
Local principals met in a round table discussion Monday to discuss the state of their schools.
In her one-page report, Northview High School Principal Gayle Weaver highlighted some of Northview’s accomplishments this year in what was essentially a “state of the school” address.
Academically, the report highlight Northview’s improved FCAT scores from 2007 to 2008, and the school’s higher than district average on common placement tests.
Weaver also reported on several facility improvements and needs:
- A roofing project at the school has been completed. The roofing project was a result of Hurricane Ivan and later hurricane damage to the entire facility. The entire school received a new metal roof.
- The school theater received a new sound and lighting system.
- The weight room had experienced flooding during heavy rain, but that problem has been eliminated.
- The interior of the school has been repainted.
- Northview has received a renovation of the school’s track and surrounding areas, the first improvements to the track since it was installed 14 years ago. Material from the old track was used to create a parking area for cafeteria workers.
- Weaver applauded Escambia River Electric Cooperative for their work as a Northview Partner in Education. EREC provided the school with the equipment necessary to broadcast graduation from the gym to the theater for an overflow crowd last year, and they will provide the service again this year. EREC also provides satellite service for the school.
- Weaver’s report also stated that a new fieldhouse for the school has been delayed by budget cutbacks.
The principal’s round table report also addressed a couple of staffing issues at the school. Northview’s dean position has been elimated, and the school’s resource officer is no longer full time but now shared with Ernest Ward Middle School.
Local Residents Place In Pensacola Marathon
February 16, 2009
Three North Escambia residents placed in Sunday morning’s Pensacola Marathon.
Kim Chambless of Walnut Hill placed 12th in the Female Age Group 40-44 with a time of 5:43:05.73. Right on her heals was Mary McPherson of Century in the 13th place with a time of 5:51:44.96.
Matt Dobson of Jay placed first in the Male Age Group 35-39 with a time of 2:47:00.26.
Share The Road: Local Farmers Behind New State Law
February 16, 2009
Several local farmers were instrumental in getting legislation passed that changes the way Florida regulates farm equipment on the state’s highways.
Early last year, some farmers and equipment dealers were given citations by the state for moving over-width farm equipment during their normal daily operations. That led the local farmers and the Florida Farm Bureau to take action.
Thanks to the efforts of members of the Escambia and Santa Rosa County Farm Bureaus as well as Florida Farm Bureau, legislation was passed last year that eliminate the permits and fees for producers and allow them to move over-sized agricultural equipment within a 50-mile radius of their farms. Deliveries by equipment dealers will also be exempted.
Mike Godwin, Jerry Wayne McElhaney and Brett Ward from North Escambia were among the farmers and ranchers working for the legislation. Ben Ellison, who farms in North Escambia and lives in Santa Rosa County; and Lucas Killam and Marion Tidwell from Santa Rosa County were also instrumental in getting the legislation sponsored.
The state also recently installed signs reminding motorists that farm equipment shares the road on highways in agricultural areas across Florida, including along Highway 97 and along Highway 29.
The legislation was sponsored by Rep. Greg Evers and Senator Carey Baker, and much of the work to pass the bill was done by Farm Bureau members throughout Florida.
The new language basically says that no permit will be needed by producers if the farming equipment is 174 inches wide or less. It also goes on to say that if the equipment is over 174 inches wide, the equipment must have a warning lamp mounted on each side of the equipment, and must have a slow-moving-vehicle sign visible. The language also states that these lamps must be visible from at least 1,000 feet.
“Farm Bureau has been working hard for the past year on trying to solve this problem for farmers, and we could not have got the bill passed without the help of many Escambia and Santa Rosa County farmers. The Young Farmer and Rancher’s in both counties were also instrumental in getting the legislation passed”, said Allen Scheffer, Florida Farm Bureau Field Director from West Florida.
Pictured above: Signs reminding Florida motorists that agricultural equipment shares the road have been placed across the state following the passage of new legislation that was spearheaded by several local farmers. This sign greats travelers along Highway 97 just south of the Alabama state line. NorthEscambia.com photo.
County Declares Century Property Surplus; Sells It
February 16, 2009
Escambia County has declared a small parcel of property in Century as surplus, and has put the property up for sale.
The small piece of land is about one-tenth of an acre and is located at 17 Alley 5, very near Ivy Street and the Alabama state line. It is about 50 x 100 feet in size.
The piece of property was acquired by the county after no one bid on it in a tax sale for overdue taxes from the year 2000. It became the county’s property on December 9, 2008. The minimum bid to be considered by the county is $5,472.
Farm Bureau Food Check-out Week Targets Healthy Eating On Budget
February 16, 2009
With the continuing economic squeeze, many Americans are concerned that the cost of a healthy diet is out of reach. However, according to an Agriculture Department study, the cost of eating healthy has not changed as much as less-healthy alternatives. But eating healthy food within a budget does require smart shopping.
Farm Bureau’s Food Check-Out Week, February 15-21, is devoted to helping teach Americans how to stretch their grocery dollars with healthy, nutritious food. America’s farmers and ranchers are committed to producing safe, healthy and abundant food. And they share a common concern with consumers when it comes to putting nutritious meals on a table while sticking to a tight budget. U.S. consumers still spent under 10 per cent of their disposable income on food according to the latest USDA data. Consumers in other countries spend much more: France- 14 percent; Japan-15 percent; China-35 percent; Philippines-37 percent and Indonesia- 46 percent.
A March 2008 USDA report favorably supports the economics of healthier eating. Recent food price data show that prices for unprepared, readily available fresh fruit and vegetables have remained stable relative to dessert and snack foods, such as chips, ice cream and cola. Therefore, as defined by foods in the study, the price of a “healthier” diet has not
changed compared to an “unhealthy” diet.
Farm Bureau’s Food Check-Out Week is aimed at helping American consumers learn how to shop effectively to put nutritious meals on the table with fewer dollars.
“Learning to use your grocery dollars wisely ensures that nutrition isn’t neglected,” according Dorothy Cunningham of Escambia Farm Bureau Women’s Committee. “Fruits and vegetables – along with whole grains, low-fat dairy products, lean meats, fish, beans, eggs and nuts – are an important part of a healthy diet. Buying fresh produce when it is in season and costs less, while buying frozen fruits and vegetables when they are not in season, is a smart way to stretch that dollar.”
Here are some tips that consumers can follow to help stretch their food dollars :
Plan ahead before going to the grocery store. Make a list of the foods you want to serve during the next week. Check your newspaper for grocery store ads and coupons. Stick to your list. Do not go to the cookie or snack aisle if you don’t “ need” to. Shop the perimeter of the store. Produce, dairy products and meat are generally found on those outside walls. A tip for keeping produce fresh longer is to store it in a perforated plastic bag. This stops condensation and shriveling. Make holes in a plastic bag with a paper punch, knife or another sharp object about six inches apart all over the bag. When you get home, immediately store any fresh or frozen products especially meat.
For more specific information on nutrition , meal planning and food preparation, contact a registered dietitian.
Federal Stimulus Money Could Come To North Escambia
February 15, 2009
If all goes as planned, the federal stimulus package will bring over $5 million in road construction to North Escambia with a major resurfacing project on Highway 29.
The Florida Department of Transportation’s local District 3 plans list $567 million of projects that are “shovel ready”. Of the 16 counties in district, 10 had shovel ready projects for a quick start, including Escambia with $11,381,560 in projects. Santa Rosa County had $42,940,424. Both counties were far suprassed on the funding list by Okaloosa County at$49,756,096; Bay County at $81,240,290; and Walton County at $339,905,612. Walton County’s money list includes a major bridge project.
“We got screwed by FDOT,” District 5 Commissioner Kevin White told NorthEscambia.com. “We did not get very much funding at all.”
The Highway 29 resurfacing project would be Escambia County’s largest at $5,049,904. It would resurface the highway from Highway 97 to north of Pine Barren Road. With the federal money, the Highway 29 project could begin within 120 days, according to Tommie Speights, Public Information Director for District 3 of the FDOT. Without federal money, the Highway 29 resurfacing project is not scheduled to take place within the next five years, he said.
Other Escambia projects to be funding with the federal stimulus money, if it is approved, includes $4.6 million to resurface a portion of Blue Angel Parkway, and about $800 thousand each to add turn lanes on Gulf Beach Highway and Blue Angel Parkway.
Northview Chiefs Miss Out On District Title
February 15, 2009
The Northview High School varsity boys basketball team had their hopes of a district title crushed by Catholic High School in the district tournament at NHS.
The Crusaders downed Northview 70-59.
Catholic held a strong lead at the end of the first period of play, 22-13. By the half, the Crusaders had expanded that lead to 32-21. Catholic held NHS to just two points in the fourth period of play.
Catholic 22 11 18 18 — 70
Northview 13 8 14 2 — 59
Northview: Lance Bushaw 15, Aaron Bellamy 11, LaDarion White 10, Luke Killam 7, Colton Sims, Wayne Marshall 4.
Catholic went on to beat South Walton 51-43 Saturday night to capture the District 1-3A Championship.
Florida Forestry To Host Best Management Practices Workshop
February 15, 2009
The Florida Division of Forestry will host a Forestry Best Management Practices Workshop on Friday, February 27th from 8:00 a.m. to noon.
Topics to be discussed will include special management zones, stream crossings, different types of forestry activities involving waterways and wet weather operations. For additional information or to register for the class, contact Adam Parden with the Florida Division of Forestry at (850) 587-5123.
The workshop will be held at the IFAS Extension Office in Cantonment. The workshop is free to the public.