Some Officials Want New Christmas Lights For Century; One Says Town Can’t Afford It Now
December 28, 2021
The mayor of Century and several council members want to update Century’s aging Christmas decorations, while one council member says there needs to be focus on other priorities first.
Century’s focal light display is at the Nadine McCaw Park, formerly known as Roadside Park, on North Century Boulevard at Hecker Road. The town added a new Christmas tree that stands 20 feet tall back in 2013. The remainder of the big decorations were donated to Century by the City of Pensacola some number of years ago. Many of those decorations have failed due to age and are no longer displayed.
There were also about two dozen Christmas wreaths on utility poles scattered along Highway 29 this year.
Council member Dynette Lewis said she wants the council to talk about redoing Christmas decorations.
“I would really, like for us to get together on that,” she told the council at a recent meeting.
“I agree with you so we’ll definitely get that going way before budget season,” Mayor Ben Boutwell said. “I’d like for us to discuss this and get some options. And then when we make that decision of what route we want to go, and then we could add it to the budget.”
Council President Luis Gomez said he prefers decorations like lighted wire Christmas trees or snowflakes that he’s seen in several other towns.
“It’s just LEDs. It’s easy on budget,” Gomez said. “It’s just a one-time expense. It’s just something about the lights and night that just makes everything Christmas.”
But council member James Smith wants the town to explore other priorities before buying Christmas decorations that can cost many thousands of dollars.
“It’ll be great to have the city lit up and looking beautiful,” Smith said. “But we don’t need to be spending a lot of money on that. There’s way too much in Century that needs to be fixed up…getting more businesses in the town, and as the town continues to grow, then we can have the finances to make the town look good. What’s the point in making it lit up when there’s not a whole lot around to be seen?”
“We’ve got to make sure we get our priorities straight,” Smith added. “It would be good to buy a few wreaths here and there when the budget allows that. I don’t think that we need to go crazy on spending money unnecessarily.”
Pictured top: Century’s Christmas light display at Nadine McCaw Park as een through a windshield in the rain. Pictured inset and below: The other major decorations in the park are old, donated by the City of Pensacola years ago. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Now 17 Red Bulbs On Fire Safety Wreath For December Residential Fires
December 28, 2021
After several residential structure fires over the long Christmas weekend, there are now 17 red bulbs on the wreath in Escambia County’s Keep the Wreath Green fire safety campaign.
Two of those fires were in North Escambia.
The fire on Wild Turkey Road off River Annex Road was reported about 11:40 p.m. on Christmas Eve, and firefighters worked well into Christmas morning to fully extinguish the fire. The fire, sparked by an electrical issue, caused major damage, and the mobile home is a total loss. There were no injuries.
There were no injuries in a Christmas Day mobile home fire in the 6000 block of Jahaza Street, just off Molino Road. The home was a total loss.
Other residential fires were reported on Bloodworth Lane, Forest Pines Drive, Nine Mile Road and Lagoon Drive.
Pictured above: A Christmas Day fire on Jahaza Street. Pictured below: A Christmas Eve fire on Wild Turkey Road. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Dispose Of Household Hazardous Waste For Free January 22 In Molino
December 28, 2021
Mark you calendars — the next Escambia County Regional Roundup will be held Saturday, January 22 at Molino Park Elementary School.
Regional Roundup events provide an opportunity to properly dispose of electronics, household hazardous waste and up to four tires per vehicle, all free of charge. Proof of Escambia County residency is required to participate in Regional Roundup, such as a driver’s license, power bill or voter registration card. This is a residential drop-off program only; no commercial waste accepted. Simply drive up and materials will be unloaded for you – no need to get out of your vehicle.
The event will take place from 8 a.m. until noon in the school parking lot at 899 Highway 97.
Items accepted include:
- Computers (monitors, terminals, keyboards and mice)
- Printers and copiers
- TVs and remotes
- DVD players
- Gaming systems
- Fax machines
- Stereo systems
- Cell phones and telephones
- Paint (up to 20 gallons)
- Fuel (up to 10 gallons)
- Waste oil (up to five gallons)
- Fluorescent lights (up to 10 lights)
- Tires (up to four per vehicle)
- Antifreeze
- Oil filters
- Lubricants and greases
- Solvents
- Pesticides
- Fertilizers
- Batteries (rechargeable, lithium, computer, cell phone, etc.)
- Auto, marine and motorcycle batteries
- Propane bottles
- Pool cleaners
- Household cleaners
Items NOT accepted include:
- Commercial waste
- Electronics that have been gutted
- Appliances, including fans and air conditioners
- Household garbage
- Yard debris or limbs
- Scrap metal
- Medical waste
- Medications
- Furniture and mattresses
- Building materials (concrete, bricks, blocks, roofing, drywall or lumber)
Amanda Robar Is Jim Allen Elementary Teacher Of The Year
December 28, 2021
Jim Allen Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year is Amanda Robar. She teaches art to all levels from Pre-K through fifth grade. Photos for NorthEsambia.com, click to enlarge.
$21.8 Million, 3-Year Project Beginning On Highway 90 Bridges Between Escambia, Santa Rosa
December 28, 2021
Construction is expected to begin next week on the Highway 90 bridge project over Simpson River, between Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
The work includes reconstructing the eastbound bridge and widening the westbound bridge to include seven-foot outside shoulders and bicycle lanes. Additional improvements include milling and resurfacing the pavement, improving drainage, installing new signage and guardrail, and reconstructing curb and gutter.
Drivers should anticipate traffic shifts and nighttime lane closures. In addition, the speed limit will be lowered to 35 mph. The project is estimated for completion in early 2025.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Happy Ending: Lost Bag Of Child’s Christmas Presents Returned (With Photo Gallery)
December 28, 2021
A Christmas present delivery has now been completed.
On Sunday, we published a story about a large bag of Christmas presents found in the area of 9 1/2 Mile Road and Pine Forest Road on Christmas morning.
The presents were found by not just any old Scrooge, but a special elf. No, a Christmas angel that turned in the gifts to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Norman Carlisle read the NorthEscambia.com story about 1:15 a.m. Sunday and knew immediately that the presents belonged to his adult daughter Jaclyn Chattin.
“We wrapped them up off 9 1/2 Mile Road and were returning home,” she said. “They fell out of our truck.”
The presents were intended for Chattin’s 5-year old son Dawson as family gifts for Christmas.
Chattin claimed the presents Monday morning at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office for Dawson, and the Sheriff’s Office chipped in a gift bag full of goodies including a cup and official ESCO football.
“Thanks for the post and especially to that honest person who turned them in,” Carlisle wrote on Facebook.
“It’s a Merry Christmas,” Chattin said.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
IP Mill In Cantonment Switching Natural Gas Supplier To Pensacola Energy
December 27, 2021
In 2022, the International Paper mill in Cantonment will switch natural gas suppliers to Pensacola Energy, significantly increasing revenue for the municipal utility while saving money for IP.
“Pensacola Energy offered natural gas at competitive rates and we look forward to our relationship with them,” Whitney Fike, IP communications manager, said.
“It’s not often that a gas utility gets to add a major industrial customer like that, and we are fortunate to be able to secure a supply of gas that is costing them less than their current supply,” Pensacola Energy Director Don Suarez said. “That addition of International Paper will increase our throughput, our sales, next year by about 14%.”
“Utilities are slow growth businesses, so 14% increase in one year is significant for us. So we are real excited about that,” Suarez continued.
Pensacola Energy was able to offer IP a lower natural gas price than they are currently paying because of a discount from a prepaid gas agreement, according to Kaycee Lagarde, public information officer for the City of Pensacola.
Area residents won’t see any digging, new pipes or any physical changes around the IP mill in Cantonment with the new gas supplier.
“Pensacola Energy is working through our current supplier to deliver the gas and bill International Paper, so this will be a strictly transactional change,” Lagarde said. ” No digging or pipe changes will be necessary, and the gas will flow just like it currently does through the pipeline.”
Pictured: The International Paper mill in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
FHP Pursues, Arrests Driver Traveling Over 100 In 40 MPH Zone
December 27, 2021
The Florida Highway Patrol arrested a driver Sunday night that was traveling over 100 mph in a 40 mph zone.
The vehicle was clocked at 104 mph on Beverly Parkway when the trooper began the pursuit. Several PIT maneuvers were performed before the vehicle was disabled on Saufley Field Road. A Florida Highway Patrol K-9 was deployed and the suspected driver was apprehended.
The suspect driver was identified as 18-year-old Trequez L. Davis of Pensacola. He already had an active warrant out of Okaloosa County for fleeing and eluding. Troopers said various amounts of different narcotics were located in center console of the vehicle, and a large amount of cash was also located.
Davis was booked into the Escambia County Jail on charges that included reckless driving, feeling and eluding, no driver’s license, and possession of narcotics with intent to sell.
Here’s How To Get A Property Tax Discount, If You Pay By December 31
December 27, 2021
A 3% discount on payment of real estate and tangible personal property taxes ends Friday, December 31, according to Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford.
The Escambia County Tax Collector’s office will open from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on Friday, December 31. 2021. Offices will reopen on Tuesday, January 4, 2022.
Property owners paying their 2021 real estate and tangible personal property tax will receive a 3% discount when paying online by midnight December 31. Online property tax payments may be made by visiting the payment center at EscambiaTaxCollector.com. Current taxes may be paid by eCheck for no additional fee. Proof of payment will be available online and by email.
To check the status of your taxes, pay online or print a receipt, visit the payment center at EscambiaTaxCollector.com. Taxpayers are encouraged to contact the tax collector’s office by email ectc@EscambiaTaxCollector.com or by phone with any questions.
Pictured: The Escambia County Tax Collector Office in Molino. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Karl King Named Tate High School’s Teacher Of The Year
December 27, 2021
Karl King has been named Tat High School’s Teacher of the Year.
King began his career as an educator in 1995 in Edmond, Oklahoma, at Summit Middle School where he taught eighth grade math, Algebra 1, and coached football for two years. He transferred to Edmond Santa Fe High School in 1997 where he spent 6 years teaching Algebra 1 and serving as a varsity baseball coach and freshman football coach. In 2003, he was offered the opportunity to become a head baseball coach and spent six years at Putnam City North High School where he taught Algebra 1 and also served as a freshman football coach. In 2009, he became the head baseball coach at Edmond North High School where he spent the next seven years teaching Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Intermediate Algebra while winning a baseball state championship in 2012 and being named the Oklahoma Coach of the Year.
In 2016, he and his family made the big move to Cantonment where he is now in his sixth year at Tate High School teaching Liberal Arts Math 1 and 2 and serving as an assistant varsity baseball coach.
“Coach Karl King, we are proud to have you represent us as Tate High School’s Teacher of the Year! Thank you for your dedication to our students, school, and community,” the school said in an email.