Century Crash Victim Still Not Awake; Three Crosses Erected For Victims
May 7, 2008
Nearly a month after a Century crash claimed three lives, one young man is still not awake.
Jacob Castleberry, 17, of Jay has been moved from Sacred Heart Hospital to a specialty hospital in Pensacola. Three other people in the car Castleberry was riding in died as a result of the crash at Jefferson Avenue and Highway 4 at about 10:30 p.m. on April 11. Three white crosses bearing their names have been erected at the intersection.
“Jacob still is not awake, but is doing better,” his mother Kathy Castleberry told NorthEscambia.com. “He has cracked his eyes a little and is moving both arms and legs; his broken bones are healing well.”
We are continuing to trust God and believing he will wake up soon,” she said. “Keep him,and us, in your prayers and thoughts.”
Meanwhile, Century Mayor Freddie McCall said the town had cleared some brush from around the Jefferson Avenue side of the intersection, making it easier to see oncoming traffic, and painted rumble strips (those lines of paint that vibrate your steering wheel) have been added.
McCall has also requested the Florida Department of Transportation to add a flashing caution light at the intersection. The Florida DOT says the caution light and the entire intersection will be studied.
Michael Joe Edwards, 17, of Brewton was driving north on Jefferson Avenue when he failed to stop at a stop sign, driving across Highway 4 into the eastbound path of a 2008 Ford truck driven by William H. Arnett, 43, of Holt. Arnett’s truck struck the left side of Edward’s truck, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The FHP says Edwards was pronounced dead at the scene. Edward’s passenger Daniel A. Smith, 16, of Jay was also pronounced dead at the scene. A second passenger, Jessica L. Smith, 20, of Jay was later pronounced dead at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. The Smiths were brother and sister.
Arnett was not injured, according to the FHP. His passenger, Glinda M. Arnett, 30, of Baker was transported to Sacred Heart in critical condition. She was released from the hospital a few days later.
For the original story from NorthEscambia.com about the crash, including crash photos, click here.
Hwy. 29 Accident Critically Injures One
May 7, 2008
One person was critically injured in a two vehicle crash in Cantonment Tuesday afternoon.
The Florida Highway Patrol says Chester Smith, 40, of Pensacola was critical injured when he was ejected from his vehicle.
The accident happened in a construction zone on Highway 29 just south of Neal Road about 4:20 Tuesday afternoon.
The FHP says Dannie J. Barnett, 64, of Cantonment was traveling west on Neal Road and stopped at the stop sign. When she entered Highway 29 southbound, she entered into a closed lane. When she realized she was in a closed lane, she made an improper lane change into the inside southbound lane of Highway 29, according to the accident report.
Smith then braked and veered toward the median when he lost control, overturned and was ejected. Smith was transported from the scene to Sacred Heart Hospital by Lifeflight.
Barnett was not injured in the accident.
The accident is still under investigation by the FHP, and charges are pending.
Hammer Heads Down Century; NWE Blows Past Hurricanes; Photo Gallery: NWE, Molino And Century
May 7, 2008
The NWE Hammer Heads rallied to beat Century 11-10 Tuesday night at Bradberry Park. Century’s powerhouse team held the lead for most of the night.
But the Hammer Heads began to come back in the bottom of the fifth. The Hammer Heads sealed the victory in the bottom of the sixth with a RBI single from Ben Preston.
In other action NWE’ Sandy Sansing girl’s team blew past the Flomaton Canes 18-1.
For a complete photo gallery with NWE, Century and Molino action from Tuesday night, click here.
Pictured above: Pitcher Mallory Ryan at bat for NWE Tuesday night. Pictured below: Ben Preston drove in the the winning run for the NWE Hammer Heads Tuesday night. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Middle School Holds Incoming Sixth Grade Orientation
May 7, 2008
Orientation for students planning to attend Ernest Ward Middle School school next year was held Tuesday evening in the school gym.
The future sixth graders, mostly students leaving Bratt and Molino Park elementary schools, had the chance to meet the EWMS staff and teachers to learn about the transition to middle school.
After a short assembly, the students and their parents had the chance to meet the teachers. They were also able to learn about Ernest Ward’s various sports, band, club offerings and more.
For more photos from Tuesday evening’s Ernest Ward Middle School orientation, click here.
Pictures above and below: Ernest Ward Middle School sixth grade orientation Tuesday evening in the school gym. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
NWE Eagles Down Century Gafford
May 7, 2008
The NWE First National Bank Eagles defeated Century/Gafford Monday night by a score of 3-0.
Kevin Vaughan blasted a solo homerun in the first inning and gave the Eagles all they needed to win the game. Reid Bell pitched fours inning with six strikeouts and no hits. Jordan Coon pitched two innings with two strikeouts and one hit. Hitters for the night were: NWE Vaughan 3-3, Coon 2-3, L. Purvis 1-2, Reyes 1-2. Century Pfifer 1-3. The Eagles will be back in action Thursday night at 7:30 against Jay/Fisher.
FBLA Students From Northview High Tour USS Alabama Tuesday
May 7, 2008
Students from the Northview High School Future Business Leaders of America visited the USS Alabama Tuesday.
The students toured the 680 foot long World War II at Battleship Park on Mobile Bay.
The Northview FBLA is sponsored by Annie Gilmore, business education teacher.
For more pictures from the Northview High FBLA trip to the USS Alabama Tuesday, click here.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Residents Discuss Future Plan For Town
May 6, 2008
Residents in the Town of Century had the chance to get their voices heard as the town prepares to create its first comprehensive plan since 1990. The town’s nearly hired consultant, Peggy Fowler of Land Design Innovations in Fort Walton Beach, conducted the meeting, but seemed unaware of many of Century’s problems.
A recurring message from residents in attendance at the meeting Monday evening was “save our school”. Some members of the Escambia County School Board have proposed closing Carver/Century K-8 School as soon as possible in a cost cutting measure.
Fowler said she was unaware of any plan to close the school.
One resident asked about the possibility of using the old Century Hospital once again, or some other plan to improve health care in Century.
“That’s one part of our infrastructure that needs help,” he said. Others in the audience noted that the county’s health department facility is now open only one day a week.
Fowler said she was unaware that Century did not have a hospital or a full-time public health department.
“If you don’t have the school, if you don’t have the hospital, then your infrastructure is pretty much shot,” the resident continued.
“The public health and a school is important,” Fowler said.
Another resident discussed the possible need for a police force in Century. Currently, Century is served by the Escambia County’s Sheriff’s Department, having disbanded the police department several years ago.
Fowler (pictured left) said she was unaware that the town did not have a police force. Nor did she seem to know that Century has a chamber of commerce.
When asked by an audience member “who are you, and who do you represent”, Fowler did not respond with her name or company, other than to say that she was “local to Century in Fort Walton Beach”.
When asked by NorthEscambia.com after the meeting why she did not seem to know that Century’s school was in danger of closing, that there is no police department and no hospital, Fowler responded.
“Is there a qualified consultant here in the city of Century who knew about these things?”, she asked. “I am learning about Century from these meetings. For me, I’d rather be hearing it from the people who live here.”
“We will be be finding out these things,” Fowler said. She stated that the town was paying $8,000 for her firm’s work on the new comprehensive plan.
During the meeting, Fowler explained the type of issues that would compose the town’s new comprehensive plan.
She said the plan’s planning stage would include a “school concurrency” study, to make sure schools were adequate for growth.
There would also need to be a “transportation fair share” plan, where developers of subdivisions, shopping centers or office parks would be required to pay their share for transportation improvements.
Fowler identified potential issues that Century would face in the future. One would be economic growth. “It hasn’t grown a whole lot in 20 years,” she said.
But Century has two good things going for it on the economic front, she said. The town is designated as both a Brownfield designation for sites that are possibly contaminated from previous industrial use, and as an Enterprise Zone, which carries various financial incentives for locating in the town.
Housing was identified as the most serious problem in Century in the 1990 comprehensive plan, and that remains a major issue today, Folwer said, adding that the problem was made worse by hurricanes and deterioration of houses where the owner has been unable to make repairs.
Other issues to be addressed in the new comprehensive plan for Century include: drainage, the water and sewer system, recreation and open space, land use and possible annexation of surrounding areas into the town.
A map and comment forms for citizens to make additional input into the Century comprehensive plan will be available this week during regular office hours at the Century Town Hall and the Century Branch Library.
Pictured above: A Century land use map adopted in 1990. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Council Moves Forward With Projects, Discusses $1.4 Million Check
May 6, 2008
The Town of Century will move forward with the installation of a pressure tank at the Century Correctional Institute to allow the shutdown, cleaning and maintenance of a water tower that serves the prison.
That was just one of the items that Dale Long of Fabre Engineering presented to the council Monday night. He also informed the council that bids had been opened on a half million project to install generators at sewage lift stations around the town. The grant money will be used to purchase 17 generators and one transfer switch for $405,198. Another $88,000 went toward administrative and engineering fees, and the remaining $6,000 plus would go toward any cost overruns. The generator bid was awarded to North Florida Construction Company.
Long also told the council that his firm would work with the city for $3,900 to draw up the permitting and design documents for a Highway 29 beautification grant that was awarded to the town. The money will come from $10,000 the town had in its annual budget for beautification.
In other business, the council approved paying its monthly bills, except those to Allied Waste.
“They are still not right,” Town Clerk Dorothy Sims told the council. She said the town was still being charged for business customers that Allied is to bill directly, and she said the town was charged $7,000 for a roll away cart in an obvious error.
“The bottom line is that we are not paying until they get it right,” Mayor Freddie McCall said.
McCall announced a $1.4 million check presentation to the town later this month. The check will simply be symbolic of funds the town is considering borrowing from the Rural Development Program for projects around the town, including water main improvements and a 300,000 gallon elevated water tank to improve water pressure.
Council member Henry Hawkins questioned why the check presentation was being done prior to the council’s approval to borrow the money.
McCall said the check was simply a “publicity stunt” by the state and that the town was not signing anything nor agreeing to anything by receiving the non-negotiable super-sized check.
“I”ve got a hard time swallowing this $1.4 million for future generations to pay off,” Hawkins said. “Why would we go through this ceremony, to lead to people on?”
“We are fixing to play with fire,” he added.
“I can assure you that it was fully discussed,” the mayor said, adding that Rural Development was fully aware that the city was not agreeing to borrow the money at this time.
The projects will actually cost the town $1.7 million, but they hope to use $300,000 in back gas billing from the Century Correctional Institute to buy down the loan.
The prison system is fighting paying interest on the past due amounts that resulted from billing errors, but McCall said he hoped to reach an agreement with them soon.
“Gas money needs to go in the gas department,” Hawkins said.
“We are pretty much sitting on a time bomb out here,” he said, referring to aging gas lines along Highway 29 that are in need of replacement or repair.
Accepting the symbolic check is the right thing to do, even without agreeing to go ahead and borrow the money, council member Nadine McCaw said, adding that it was seven to eight years after a similar event before the town moved forward on constructing the new Campfire daycare center.
The council took no action on the check presentation, so it is still scheduled to occur.
In other business;
- McCall reported that Helicopter Technologies made their April payment to the city, and that he is paying as agreed for his building lease in the Century Industrial Park. The May payment on the building is not due until May 13.
- Hawkins reported that the town needs mission, vision and policies and procedures statements. He stated that he had worked on these items for a previous council and would present them on May 19.
- McCaw requested that the state be contacted about Highway 29 sinking over drainage pipes, particularly in the area of the Sandwich Deli.
The council also discussed the need for as many Century residents as possible to attend school board meetings and workshops in support of keeping Carver/Century K-8 School open. The council was informed that they could obtain the date and time of the next school board workshop by visiting NorthEscambia.com’s events page. That next meeting is 4:30 Wednesday afternoon in Pensacola.
One Person Involved In Highway 97 Accident Late Monday Night
May 6, 2008
One person was involved in a single vehicle accident about 11:00 Monday night in the Davisville community.
The accident happened when a northbound car apparently rolled at a slow speed into a ditch in front of the Davisville Community Church on Highway 97, possibly due to the driver suffering a medical condition.
Authorities on the scene said the driver of the vehicle was not conscious when they arrived, but the person did not appear to have been injured in the accident. They were taken by ambulance from the scene to Atmore Community Hospital.
Further details were not immediately available. The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Pictured above: The Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department responded to a single vehicle wreck late Monday night in Davisville. Pictured below: Emergency personnel work to remove the driver of the vehicle. Pictured bottom of page: The car suffered very little apparent damage in the low speed crash. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
NHS Minority Culture Clubs Takes Trip To Tallahassee
May 6, 2008
Northview High School’s Minority Culture Club visited Tallahassee recently. The students visited the state capital, Florida State University and Florida A & M University.
The MCC toured the state capital before taking a walking tour to Florida A & M, a historically black university in the heart of Tallahassee.
The students then toured Florida State University where they watched a CARE Summer Bridge Program presentation. CARE is the Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement designed to assist first generation, college freshmen from disadvantaged backgrounds transition into campus life at FSU. During the summer term, CARE students take up to seven credit hours and are provided with a variety of academic and social outlets.
The Minority Culture Club at Northview High School is sponsored by teacher Annie Gilmore.
Click here for more MCC Tallahassee trip photos.
Pictured above: Members of the Northview High School Minority Culture Club in front of the Florida state capital building. Picture below: MCC members at Florida A & M University. Submitted photos.
