Smith Says Goodbye; At Least Five Want Appointment To Century Town Council
December 19, 2022
The Century Town Council will appoint two new members in two weeks, and we now know the names of at least five of the persons interested in a seat.
Council member James Smith, Jr. recently said goodbye to the council at their final schedule meeting of 2022. He praised the work done by Mayor Ben Boutwell, Town Clerk Leslie Howington and the council in advancing Century.
Smith was elected to the council as a political newcomer in 2018. He chose not to seek a second term.
Council member Leonard White also did not seek reelection, and resigned from the council on September 27, citing time constraints due to his full time job.
That will leave both seats open when the council reconvenes for a new term on January 2. At that time, Sandra McMurray Jackson will be sworn in for another term; she ran unopposed this year. Then, the council will appoint two members to serve until a special election for the seats, which will mostly likely take place in March 2023.
Five citizens have formally expressed their interest in a temporary appointment, according to a town document. They are Shelisa Abraham, Michelle Dixon, Edward (Eddie) Hammond, Alicia Johnson and Corenda Phifer. Johnson has told town officials that she does not intend to run for the council during the special election, while the other four said they will likely seek election.
During his final council meeting, Smith said he won’t rule out placing his name on the special election ballot.
Any citizen interested in a temporary appointment to the council can contact town hall or current council members Luis Gomez, Sandra Jackson or Dynette Lewis.
Pictured: Century council member James Smith, Jr. says goodbye during his last last regularly scheduled meeting recently. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Fire Rips Through Outbuilding In Cottage Hill Sunday Night
December 19, 2022
Fire destroyed an outbuilding in Cottage Hill Sunday night.
The fire was reported just before 7 p.m. in the 1300 block of Parker Road.
Firefighters arriving on scene reported the structure involved in fire, and they reported ammunition inside the building was going off.
Relatives described the building as a smokehouse sed for smoking meats.
There were no injuries reported, and no immediate word on the cause of the fire.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Northview High NJROTC Orienteering Team Wins Area Championship, Bid To Nationals
December 19, 2022
The Northview High School NJROTC won the NJROTC Area 8 Orienteering Championship over the weekend.
Their next step is the NJROTC Orienteering National Championship in March 2023.
Orienteering involves navigation with a map and compass with a goal of getting from point to point in the fastest time possible.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Cowboys Juniors Win 1st Place, Grand Champions In Aggie Cheer Classic
December 19, 2022
The Cantonment Cowboys junior cheerleaders won a first place and grand champion trophy in the recent Aggie Cheer Classic hosted by the Tate High Aggie cheerleaders. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pedestrian Killed In Escambia County
December 19, 2022
A pedestrian that was struck and killed over the weekend in Escambia County.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the unknown age male attempted to cross New Warrington Road at Flynn Drive. He stepped in front of a vehicle about 10:06 p.m. Saturday and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
A Dayton, Ohio, woman who was driving the vehicle was not injured.
FHP has now identified the victim. The pedestrian’s identity has not been released pending further investigation and notification of next of kin.
Florida Gas Prices Decline; Escambia Sees Low Of $2.55
December 19, 2022
Florida gas prices dropped 12 cents per gallon last week. The state average has now declined five consecutive weeks, falling a total of 54 cents per gallon since mid-November.
On Sunday, Florida gas prices averaged $3.04 per gallon. That’s the lowest daily average price since September 2021.
In Escambia County the average price per gallon Sunday night was $2.83. The North Escambia low price was $2.71, while stations on Nine Mile Road and the warehouse clubs in Pensacola were at $2.55.
“The plunge at the pump is the result of falling oil prices, which have plummeted primarily due to market concerns about a global economic recession,” said Mark Jenkins, Public Relations Manager, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Lower oil prices lowers the cost of producing gasoline. These low gas prices should hang around through the end of the year, unless oil prices unexpectedly rebound.”
Cantonment Woman Charged With Burglary, Providing False Name, Meth Possession
December 18, 2022
A Cantonment woman arrested for burglary was also charged with lying about her name to law enforcement.
Emily Reese Klercker, 19, was charged with felony burglary of an unoccupied residence, petit theft, felony possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), and providing false identification to law enforcement.
Klercker allegedly broke into her stepfather’s home, where she does not reside, and took items worth $465 including medical marijuana, a grooming kit, smoking pipe, wine and AirPods. The alleged theft was caught on surveillance video, according to an arrest report.
When deputies located Klercker sitting on the front porch of a home on Lowndes Avenue, she provided a false name, according to her arrest report. They also reported finding a gram of methamphetamine in the pocket of her hoodie.
Klercker remained in the Escambia County Jail Sunday morning with her bond set at $10,000.
Escambia, Santa Rosa Collect Over 2.3 Tons Of Peanut Butter For Food Banks
December 18, 2022
The annual Peanut Butter Challenge collected over two tons of the spread in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties for local food banks.
Santa Rosa County collected 2,056 jars for 2,657 pounds of peanut butter to take the top spot in the state. With 1,981 pounds, Escambia County was third behind Hernando County with their 2,238 pounds.
The Peanut Butter Challenge has always been measured by its helpfulness to the community, said Libbie Johnson, UF/IFAS Extension Santa Rosa County agriculture agent and co-organizer of the event since it began in the Panhandle counties in 2012.
“All of the peanut butter collected goes to local food banks, backpack programs and other services that support our neighbors through difficult times,” Johnson said. “It feels like such a small thing – to collect peanut butter jars – but it’s meaningful to the local families who may be needing the extra support, especially during the holiday season.”
Santa Visits Carver Park In Cantonment
December 18, 2022
Santa Claus and Ascend Performance Materials made a special visit Saturday to Carver Park in Cantonment to spread some holiday cheer to good boys and girls. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Unemployment Rate Holds Steady Over The Past Month
December 18, 2022
The Escambia County unemployment rate held steady last month, according to newly released data from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
The unemployment rate in Escambia County was 2.7% in November, unchanged from October. That represented 4,090 people out of work out of a county workforce of 150,935. One year ago, Escambia County’s unemployment rate was 3.3%, or 4,917 people.
The area’s private sector employment increased by 3.9 percent over the year in November 2022, adding 6,400 jobs. The area labor force increased by 6,434 over the year, a 2.8 percent increase.
The industries gaining the most jobs over the year were leisure and hospitality, increasing by 1,500 jobs; education and health services, increasing by 1,300 jobs; and construction, increasing by 1,100 jobs.
Florida’s unemployment rate dropped to 2.6 percent — the lowest among the nation’s top ten largest states and 1.1 percent lower than the national rate. November marked two consecutive years that Florida’s unemployment rate remained below the rest of the nation.
“Florida’s continued success over the past two years is no accident. No matter the challenges, we have stayed on offense,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Florida’s economy is outpacing the nation for the second consecutive year because we have invested in our workforce and prioritized keeping Floridians at work and businesses open. As the new year approaches, we will continue investing in our workforce and infrastructure to create jobs and keep our economy moving forward.”