Century Removes Towering Pine Trees From Park In No-Bid, Over Budget Job
October 25, 2019
The Town of Century has removed towering longleaf pine trees from Nadine McCaw Park under a no-bid contract that came in 40 percent over budget.
The council budgeted $5,000 to remove the pines from the park, but once the contractor started it was determined it would cost an additional $2,000 for a total of $7,000.
The job was awarded by the town council Donnie Smith Tree Service of Pensacola without advertising or requesting additional proposals.
“Tree removal work is historically provided by Donnie Smith Tree Service, who is familiar with city operations and is the only tree removal service known to staff to have the capability of removing the subject trees on short notice,” according to a memorandum from Interim City Manager Buzz Eddy.
Eddy told the council the trees were being removed because of concerns over wind damage. He said if the trees were to fall, they would damage town property and structures in the park, or they could be a danger to traffic on North Century Boulevard.
The town plans to plant new trees in the future, Eddy said.
Nadine McCaw Park, formerly known as Roadside Park, is along North Century Boulevard at Hecker Road in the heart of Century. The park was renamed for late town council member and lifelong resident Nadine McCaw in 2012. McCaw dedicated a large amount of time to Relay for Life and its mission of finding a cure for cancer. That cure did not come soon enough for McCaw; she passed away from cancer on July 7, 2011.
Pictured: Before (below) and after (above) photos of Nadine McCaw park in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: Byrneville Elementary Holds Annual Fall Carnival
October 25, 2019
Byrneville Elementary School held their annual Fall Carnival Thursday evening.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Mad Scientist Night At Kingsfield Elementary (With Gallery)
October 25, 2019
Thursday was Mad Scientist Night at Kingsfield Elementary School.
It was night of madness for students, family members and faculty. Students had a chance to wear their favorite costume while visiting different “spooky”scientific stations. Students, of all ages, had the opportunity to conduct their own science experiments, create a few special items to take home with them and even see a few “tricks” along the way!
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Alabama Community Mourns Loss Of Longtime Fire Chief
October 25, 2019
An Escambia County, Alabama, volunteer fire department and community are mourning the loss of their longtime chief.
Chief Michael Tyler of the Appleton Volunteer Fire Department passed away suddenly and unexpectedly Monday at his residence. He served as the Appleton Chief for over 20 years and presided as the president of the Escambia County Alabama Association of Volunteer Fire Departments for the past decade.
Funeral services will be Friday October 25 at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Brewton with internment immediately following at Weavers Cemetery in Appleton.
Tyler, 67, is survived by his wife Ginny, three daughters, two sons and numerous other relatives.
For the complete obituary, click here.
Photos: Flomaton Fall Festival
October 25, 2019
Big crowds attended the Flomaton Fall Festival Thursday night.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FWC Law Enforcement Report: Dove Season Violation, Alligator Baiting
October 25, 2019
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the period ending October 3 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Pettey and Investigator Livesay worked opening day of dove season in north Escambia County. After conducting several inspections, they found two individuals hunting over a food plot that had recently been baited. Both subjects were issued citations accordingly.
Officer Specialist Clark received information about an individual who left a marina in a vessel who appeared impaired and was operating the vessel recklessly. He located the vessel in Pensacola Bay and the operator showed several signs of impairment. After field sobriety tests, the operator was arrested for boating under the influence and was transported to the Escambia County Jail.
Officer Specialist McHenry completed a derelict vessel investigation. The individual was criminally charged for the violation of failing to remove the derelict vessel out of Bayou Chico. He was also cited for failing to transfer the title and for not having proper vessel lighting at night.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Lewis was on patrol when he saw a baited hook and line tied to a tree in a manner to attract alligators. He spoke with a subject utilizing the boat ramp near the location of the baited line. The subject had a permit to harvest alligators and had placed the baited hook to see what was out there. The officer explained to him that it is a violation to hang a baited hook whether the intent is to harvest alligators or not. The subject was cited.
This report represents some events the FWC handled during the time period; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Northview Boys, Four Individual Runners Place At Districts, Advance To Regionals
October 25, 2019
The Northview High School Boys Cross Country team placed fourth overall Thursday in District 1-2A competition in Tallahassee and will advance to regionals.
In addition, four individual Northview runners will advance to regionals. They are Noah Harigel, Colby Morris, David Lamb and Kara Santorelli.
BOYS TEAM RESULTS
- West Florida High School
- South Walton High School
- Pensacola High School
- Northview High School
- Pensacola Catholic High
- Suwannee High
- Santa Fe High
- North Bay Haven
- Florida High
- Newberry High
- Walton High
- Marianna High
- Bay High
- Rutherford High
Individual Northview Boys
*15. Noah Harigel 19:03:30
*20. Colby Morris 19:21:50
*21. David Lamb 19:21:70
40. John Bashore 20:11:40
53. Garret Bodiker 20:34:50
88. Andrew Shelly 23:33:90
109. Ethan Kilburn 27:51:30
*Qualified for Regionals
GIRLS TEAM RESULTS
- South Walton HS
- North Bay Haven
- Pensacola High
- Suwannee High
- Pensacola Catholic
- West Florida High
- Santa Fe High
- Florida High
- Bay High
- Rutherford High
- Marianna High
- Walton High
Individual Northview Girls
- *15. Kara Santorelli 23:00:30
- 69. Shelby Kent 28:13:90
- 75. Lexie Jeneske 28:54:70
*Qualified for Regionals
Pictured top: Northview Cross Country regional qualifiers. Pictured below: Individual regional qualifying runners (L-R) Noah Harigel, Kara Santorelli, David Lamb and Colby Morris. Pictured: Northview’s Boys Cross Country team with Coach Ronnie Gill. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Nine Mile Rollover Causes Traffic Delays, No Serious Injuries
October 24, 2019
There were no serious injuries a rollover traffic crash Thursday afternoon on Nine Mile Road at Jernigan Road, but the wreck did cause temporary traffic delays. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Approves $28K Parts Purchase To Fix Sewage Plant, Restore Capacity
October 24, 2019
Century has approved the purchase of over $28,000 in parts to repair a broken process that diminished the capacity of the town’s wastewater treatment facility by one-third.
In September, the town council approved up to $36,000 to make an emergency purchase to repair a clarifier — a device that removes solids from sewage passing through the plant.
The manufacturer of the equipment, Evoqua, provided a total price of $28,684 for the materials necessary to repair the clarifier. The equipment will be installed by town staff.
Interim City Manager Buz Eddy said the clarifier was last rebuilt 19 years ago. He described it as a geared device that has simply worn out and dropped the plant’s capacity by one-third.
There are three clarifiers at the wastewater plant, with the other two last rebuilt in 2007 and 2017. The town will fund the repair using capital outlay money in the upcoming fiscal year that begins October 1.
Century also recently approved $9,500 to remove excessive to remove excessive biosolids/sludge from the wastewater plant, and $1,800 to have a company evaluate effluent filters that need repair.
Pictured above: A nonworking clarifier in the Century Wastewater Treatment Facility. Pictured below: One of the other two functioning clarifiers at the facility. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Former County Administrator Jack Brown Named Visit Pensacola Interim President
October 24, 2019
Former Escambia County administrator Jack Brown of Molino will serve as the interim president of Visit Pensacola.
“Pensacola is home to me and what an exciting opportunity to be involved with an organization that plays such an important role in the community,” Brown said. “I am looking forward to working with the citizens of this community, Visit Pensacola stakeholders and partners and the destination’s future travelers.”
As county administrator, Brown oversaw the day-to-day operations of county government, led the county’s 13 departments, recommended an annual budget and served as a liaison to other local, state and federal entities.
Prior to his work in Escambia County, Brown retired from the U.S. Army in 1996 as a Lieutenant Colonel. From there, he served as general manager of RDS Manufacturing Company, a faculty member at Florida State University and Taylor County administrator.
Visit Pensacola is conducting a national search to recruit the next president and CEO of Visit Pensacola. A search committee will be created to evaluate potential candidates.
Brown will start at Visit Pensacola in late November to ensure a smooth transition before current President Steve Hayes’s final day on December 12. Hayes has accepted the CEO position at Visit St. Pete/Clearwater.