Century Needs $500K To Replace Prison Water Well; Second Well Goes Online For First Time In Two Years
September 14, 2022
There’s a bit of good news, and a bit of bad news, for the Town of Century’s water department.
The Good News
For the first time in about two years, water is flowing again from the town’s “Well No. 2″ on Academy Street. The twell had been out of service for over a year before being placed back in service in August 2020 only to fail again.
After repairs funded by a $107,000 legislative appropriation, the well is back only after good bacteriological sampling.
Well No. 2 was constructed in 1983. It has a pumping capacity of 500 gallons per minute and an elevated tank (pictured above) with a half million gallon capacity.
Until this week, the entire town, minus the prison, had been serviced by just one well on Blackmon Street that was constructed in 1963.
The Bad (And Expensive) News
For the past month, the Town of Century’s water system has relied on an interconnection to Central Water Works to supply water to Century Correctional Institution as Century looks at alternative solutions — and how to get about a half million dollars for a new well.
The town has ordered a submersible pump and sand filter for nearly $50,000 as a temporary fix that an engineer says might last a couple of months. It will take around three weeks for the pump to arrive because the sand filter must be custom-built for the well.
The temporary submersible pump will be eligible for reimbursement from a $468,453 legislative appropriation for water well upgrades.
Since July 13, water has flowed through a permanent interconnect from Central Water Works to the Century water system that was completed in late May 2020 to provide a dependable water supply to the prison. The interconnect was installed after the town’s water well that was the sole water supply for the prison suffered a repairable failure in early May 2020.
Town engineer Dale Long told the town council that a new well, if drilled next to the current pump house and water tower by the prison, will cost somewhere around $500,000 and take up to a year to be completed once the money is in hand.
Mayor Ben Boutwell said the town may seek a legislative appropriation for the well, or a USDA Rural Development loan.
The two other wells on Century’s water system can’t directly supply water to the prison due to elevation, but a booster pump near the fire department can be used.
Florida Supreme Court Affirms Death Sentence For Prison Inmate Who Murdered Cellmate
September 14, 2022
The Florida Supreme Court has upheld the conviction and death sentence of an inmate at Blackwater River Correctional Facility murdering his cellmate.
Thomas Fletcher killed his cellmate, 33-year old Kenneth Jeff Davis, on September 22, 2018, by choking him from behind while inside their prison cell.Thomas Fletcher killed his cellmate, 33-year old Kenneth Jeff Davis, on September 22, 2018, by choking him from behind while inside their prison cell. Fletcher serving a life sentenced for a 1995 murder in Broward County at the time.
Fletcher confessed to killing Davis to a FDLE special agent and in letters he wrote to the trial court. Prosecutors said the murder was “especially heinous, atrocious or cruel” and “committed in a cold, calculated and premeditated manner without any pretense of moral or legal justification”.
Ernest Ward Middle Defeats Atmore (With Photo Gallery)
September 14, 2022
The Ernest Ward Eagles defeated the Escambia County Middle School Eagles of Atmore 8-0 Tuesday night in Walnut Hill.
The game was tied 0-0 at the half. With 3:21 to go in the third quarter, Kintrell Brooks scored from about 65 yards out for the Eagles. With a good 2-point conversion, the Eagles took the lead.
Ernest Ward has the only middle school football program in Escambia County, Florida.
Up next, the Ernest Ward Eagles will host the Jay Royals at 6 p.m. on September 20. Escambia County Middle will host Jackson Middle on September 20 at 6 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ascend Contributes $50,000 To College Scholarship Endowment
September 14, 2022
Ascend Performance Materials’ Cantonment site has announced a $50,000 contribution to an endowment established by former employees from Monsanto and Solutia.
Income from the endowment will be given in the form of scholarships to support students who have demonstrated an interest in the fields of chemical engineering or healthcare, who have shown a devotion to academics, and who have a need for financial support. Preference will also be given to students who have an association with Monsanto, Solutia or Ascend and to current Ascend employees attending college to enhance their job skills.
“Our Cantonment site has been a proud member of the Pensacola and surrounding community for over 50 years. Generations of families have built their careers here. The Ascend-Monsanto-Solutia Endowed Scholarship gives us a chance to support the next legacy of employees,” said Matthew Stewart, senior site director at Ascend’s Cantonment site.
The endowment was established in 2019 by a group of retired employees from Monsanto and Solutia, the companies who owned and operated the Cantonment site from 1953 until 2009. Ascend purchased Solutia’s nylon assets in 2009 and continues to operate the Cantonment site today.
The endowment contribution matches that of the initial funding amount from the group in 2019.
The Solutia/Ascend college endowment is open for additional contributions which can help the funds grow. Anyone wishing to make such a contribution should contact the Pensacola State College Foundation and request information for the Ascend-Monsanto-Solutia Endowed Scholarship.
The Chemstrand, Monsanto and Solutia companies grew here and have greatly contributed to our community. That growth was done hand-in-hand with Pensacola Junior College/Pensacola State College. Our organization wants to leave a legacy of support to the students at PSC, in recognition of our long relationship with the college,” said Gerald McArthur, chairman, Association of Monsanto-Solutia Retirees.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
West Detroit Boulevard Closed For Two Months
September 14, 2022
Detroit Boulevard will be closed to through traffic for about two months for the installation of a new force main and sewer.
Detroit will be closed from Blue Jay Way to Ashland Avenue. Traffic will be detoured to Nine Mile Road
The road is expected to reopen by November 13.
Salzman Named Children’s Home Society Legislator of the Year
September 14, 2022
The Children’s Home Society of Florida named House District 1 Rep. Michelle Salzman as Legislator of the Year on Tuesday.
“While our work in the community together is making a huge impact on the lives of children ~ we have so much work left to do,” Salzman said.
“We all know the real winners are the ones who are given hope through the work that is done,” she added.
Children’s Home Society of Florida is the oldest and largest statewide organization devoted to helping children and families. The organization serves more than 50,000 children and family members throughout the state each year.
Pictured: Rep. Michelle Salzman (right) was named the Children’s Home Society of Florida’s Legislator of the Year. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Fall 7-2 To Biloxi Shuckers
September 14, 2022
After a successful two-week road trip to Chattanooga and Tennessee, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos began their final series of the regular season with a 7-2 loss to the Biloxi Shuckers on Tuesday night.
Zach King (L, 2-6) blew past his previous Double-A high with nine strikeouts over 4.2 innings, but allowed a two-run double to Jackson Chourio and a solo homer to Garret Whitley as the Shuckers took an early lead and kept it for the remainder of the night.
Pensacola got on the board with a Bubba Hollins RBI double in the second and a Marcus Chiu RBI single in the fourth, but that was all they could muster against Biloxi starter Carlos Luna (W, 5-5).
The Shuckers broke the game open in the sixth, scoring four runs against Brady Puckett. Jason Lopez hit an RBI single and Corey Ray hit a two-run double to turn a 3-2 lead into a 6-2 lead. Chourio, a top Brewers prospect making his Double-A debut at just 18 years old, capped the inning with a sacrifice fly for his third RBI of the night.
Josan Mendez gave Pensacola 3.0 scoreless innings of relief, but the Blue Wahoos couldn’t manage any offense against Taylor Floyd and Ryan Middendorf as the two Biloxi relievers combined to close out the game.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Shuckers on Wednesday evening
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Man Charged With Attempted Murder Of Atmore Police Officer, Firefighter
September 13, 2022
A man has been charged with the attempted murder of a firefighter and police office in Atmore.
Norman Collins Lambert, 34, was charged with two counts of attempted murder and obstructing government operations.
Sunday, the Atmore Fire Department responded to a mobile home fire on South Road. As they were leaving the property, Lambert drove onto the property recklessly at a high rate of speed, according to police.
“Lambert nearly struck a firefighter as he drove to the rear of the property and was driving in circles in the mud,” Atmore Police Sgt. Darrell McMann said. “An officer approached the area where Lambert was still revving his engine and driving recklessly in the mud and was almost struck by Lambert before becoming bogged down in the mud again.”
Lambert was taken into custody after his vehicle became stuck in the mud.
The obstruction charge was due to Lambert interfering with firefighters who were gathering up their equipment.
Lambert remained in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center without bond.
There was no one at home at the time of the fire. The trailer was a total loss.
Boil Water Notice Rescinded For Chipper Road, Tyler Lane Areas
September 13, 2022
UPDATE: THIS BOIL WATER NOTICE WAS RESCINDED THE AFTERNOON OF SEPTEMBER 15.
Due to a hydrant repair, Cottage Hill Water Works has issued a precautionary boil water notice for customers around East Chipper Road, South Chipper Road and Tyler Laine.
Cottage Hill Water Works advises residents of the area that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient, or as an alternative bottled water may be used.
This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
If you have any questions call (850) 968-5485.
This story will be updated when the notice is rescinded.
Flomaton TV Star Moonshiner Arrested By State Authorities On Alcohol Charges
September 13, 2022
A TV star moonshiner from Flomaton was arrested Monday night by state authorities on alcohol charges.
Johnny Wayne Griffis, 48, was charged with felony distillation or manufacture of prohibited liquors and beverages, and a class C misdemeanor of sale, offer for sale, possession or barter of prohibited liquors and beverages.
He was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center where he remained early Tuesday morning without bond.
Johnny Griffis competed on Moonshiners: Master Distiller on the Discovery Channel in 2020. In the end, his “old school corn liquor moonshine” took second place.
His new television series “Alabama Shine” premiered in August on The Country Network (TCN). It showcased Griffis in Flomaton and a moonshiner in Carbon Hill, Alabama. In the television series, Griffis discusses evading law enforcement during the moonshine distillation process.
State officials did not release further information about Griffis’ arrest Monday night. If convicted as charged, Griffis would face one to five years in prison, according to Alabama Code.