AG Consumer Alert: Beware of Scammers Trying to Exploit Child Tax Credit Payments
July 27, 2021
Attorney General Ashley Moody today issued a Consumer Alert warning that scammers may attempt to target recipients of the Child Tax Credit payments. Eligible parents have started to receive a monthly advance payment on the Child Tax Credit as part of the American Rescue Plan Act. An estimated 36 million families will continue to receive payments from the Internal Revenue Service of up to $300 per child, per month.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Anytime the federal government is doling out huge amounts of money, scammers pounce — trying to make a quick, dishonest dollar. With this latest round of federal stimulus money slated to be distributed, parents should be on the lookout for scams.”
Attorney General Moody is asking eligible Floridians to stay informed about the payment schedule to avoid scams and to seek out verified sources of information, such as the IRS, to stay up to date. The following tips will also help Floridians spot and avoid scams related to the Child Tax Credit payments:
- Eligible families will receive payments automatically and do not have to sign up or register for Child Tax Credit payments;
- The IRS will never randomly call, text, email or direct message anyone asking for money or personal information. If asked, hang up immediately and directly contact the business or agency that the fraudster was impersonating;
- The IRS will never ask for payment via gift card, wire transfer or cryptocurrency; and
- Any offers to speed up the delivery time of a Child Tax Credit payment is a scam.
Boil Water Notice Lifted For Residents In Stacey Road, Quintette, Highway 95A Area
July 27, 2021
On Tuesday, Cottage Hill Water Works lifted a precautionary boil water notice that was issued Monday following a 4-inch water main break on Stacey Road. The boil water notice was rescinded after the satisfactory completion of bacteriological sampling.
The boil water notice was effect for customers that reside on Stacey Road north to Quintette Road, and Highway 95A north to St. Matthews Lane.
For more information, call Cottage Hill Water Works at (850) 968-5485.
Cantonment Man That Went Missing On His Way To Work Found Safe
July 27, 2021
A Cantonment man that went missing July 19 after leaving for work has been found safe, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday.
Michael L. Lady, 62, was last seen about 5 a.m. on July 19. He left Petty Street, just off Tate Road, on a 2002 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 motorcycle headed to work in Panama City.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
Wilbern Lee Tyree, Jr.
July 27, 2021
Mr. Wilbern Lee Tyree Jr. age 82, passed away on Friday, July 23, 2021, in Century, FL.
Mr. Tyree lived in Century most of his life. He was a member of Faith Bible Baptist Church. He was a founding member and first Chief of South Flomaton Fire Department. He worked with his dad at Tyree Garage and Wrecker Service. He was employed with Jim Walter and Crawford Doors and was employed for 22 years with the Town of Century.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Wilbern Lee Tyree Sr. and Clara Tyree; one brother, Stewart Wayne Tyree; and one sister, Voncille Tyree Cannon.
Mr. Tyree is survived by his wonderful wife of sixty-four and a half years, Mrs. Voncile Tyree of Century, FL; one son, Steven Lee Tyree (Barbara) of Flomaton, AL; one sister, Dorie Lea Hammond (Larry) of Century, FL; four grandchildren, Michael Tyree, Jennifer Gomez, Martin Tyree and Stephanie Taylor, six great-grandchildren, special friend numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 29, 2021, at 11 a.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home LLC with Rev. Robert Barrow officiating.
Burial will follow at McCurdy Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 28, 2021, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Joe Brown, Charlie Brown, Sam Weaver, Ray Hammond, Jerry Bondurant and Jerry Fisher.
Honorary pallbearers will be Terry Bush, Darryl Barrow, Eddie Bondurant and Donald Godwin.
Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Terry Grogan, III
July 27, 2021
On Friday, July 23, 2021, at the age of 65, Terry “Frank” Grogan III went to his eternal resting place in his home from natural causes. For the past decade, Frank courageously fought a rare, progressive, and debilitating disease. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and a Christian. He will be greatly missed.
Frank is survived by his wife of 22 years, Anita Grogan; son, Spencer Grogan (Alison Grogan) of The Woodlands, TX; stepson, Gregg Wilson (Jann Kleeman) of Pensacola, FL; four grandchildren; and sister Jennifer Nott.
He was preceded in death by parents, Terry and Betty Grogan; brother, Spencer Grogan; sister, Cindy Glaze; and stepdaughter, Lori Lyn Wilson.
Frank was born on June 29, 1956, in Pensacola, FL. He graduated from J.M. Tate High School in 1975 and earned an associate degree in criminal justice from Pensacola Junior College. He worked in many trades throughout his career including, 22 years at Flour, a reserve deputy with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, a corrections officer with the Florida Department of Corrections, a business owner, and a variety of others.
He loved to spend time with family and friends. He found great joy in teaching children and young people about the outdoors and working with your hands. Frank loved the outdoors and spent most of his free time outside even as the disease progressed. His most beloved hobbies were hunting, fishing, and working in his shop.
No funeral or memorial service is immediately planned. The family will notify loved ones in the future when a celebration of life is scheduled.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to Frank’s charity of choice – St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Sally Marie Shively
July 27, 2021
Sally Marie Shively, 82, of Potterville, Mi. passed away July 23 2021. Sally had moved to Pensacola, Florida in 2017.
She was born to the late Donald and Marguerite Morrissey, April 3,1939, in Potterville, MI. Sally was born at home and was one of five children. Victor, Verda, Sandra and Joseph. Although Sally dropped out of High school, she was determined to get her high school diploma and returned to school at age 45 to receive her GED.
Sally lived in Potterville until 1989 when she relocated to Charlotte and finally to Pensacola in 2017. Sally is survived by her five children: Gary Martis of Michigan, Troy Martis of Michigan, Tony Martis of Michigan, Barry Shively of Florida and Mindy Robertson of Minnesota. Also survived by 8 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
Sally was a wonderful and loving mother and grandmother. She enjoyed cooking homemade meals for her family and was known for her wonderful baking. She was a devout Christian and loved to attend church with her friends and family. Sally was also an amazing and accomplished crocheter.
Sally spent a great deal of time throughout her life giving back to her community through her charitable acts. Sally worked for years delivering meals on wheels, volunteered at schools to help children with reading disabilities and worked as a hospice volunteer. She also regularly donated blood and throughout her life gave over 25 gallons. Sally gave endlessly to many charities, but focused a great deal on disabled veterans. There was no limit to her selfless acts.
Sally was also a superb dancer and loved to have a great time laughing and joking with friends and family. She was friendly to everyone she met and would often say, “I’ve never met a stranger”. Her family is immensely proud of the legacy she has left behind and will forever miss her beautiful smiling face.
Sally will be cremated followed by a private memorial with her family.
Man Charged With Aggravated Battery Of His Girlfriend In Century
July 26, 2021
A man is facing two felony charges after allegedly head-butting and biting his girlfriend during an argument at a Century apartment complex.
Melvin Shamar Pleasant, age 21 of Flomaton, was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated battery causing bodily harm.
Pleasant and his girlfriend of four months were “hanging out together” at her apartment on West Highway 4. The report states she said, “he accused her of changing who she is on him,” leading to an argument that turned violent. She told deputies that she hid a gun belonging to Pleasant because she was afraid he would use it to shoot her.
He allegedly head-butted her in the face and bit her twice during the argument. The Escambia County Sheriff’s office said her eye was stitched closed due to an injury, and she received treatment at Jay Hospital for bite injuries to a finger and her wrist.
The victim later turned the gun over to the ECSO.
Pleasant remained in the Escambia County Jail Monday morning with set at $27,500.
Small Plane Makes Emergency Landing On I-10
July 26, 2021
A small plane made an emergency landing on I-10 near Milton Sunday evening after the pilot ran out of fuel.
Witnesses told the Florida Highway Patrol they observed the single engine plane circle around before landing on the interstate. Troopers arrived to find the plane safely on the shoulder of the roadway and the pilot unharmed.
“It’s not every day we respond to an airplane on the interstate,” said FHP Lt. Jason King.
The pilot made his own arrangement to have the plane removed from I-10.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board were notified of the emergency landing.
Photos courtesy Florida Highway Patrol for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Family Story Time Returns This Week To West Florida Libraries
July 26, 2021
Family story time has returned to the branches of the West Florida Public Libraries.
With exciting stories, songs and movement, the program is suggested for children ages 2-5 and their caregivers, but it is open to everyone.
The schedule is as follows:
- Century Branch Library at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 28
- Molino Branch Library at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 28
- Tryon Branch Library at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 29
- Pensacola Library at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 28
- Southwest Branch Library at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 27
Big Changes Upcoming To Ambulance, Medical Helicopter Coverage In Escambia, Alabama
July 26, 2021
Several big changes to ambulance and medical helicopter services are upcoming for Escambia County, Alabama.
The Escambia County (AL) Health Care Authority (ECHCA) has reached an agreement with MedStar to provide comprehensive 24/7 ground ambulance coverage for the greater Atmore market, replacing ASAP EMS.
MedStar currently provides ground ambulance services for the Flomaton area, but D.W. McMillan EMS will assume responsibility for providing ground ambulance service in the greater Flomaton area.
ECHCA has also contracted with MedStar to provide medical helicopter service to all of Escambia County, Alabama. MedStar’s Air Care 2 helicopter is currently based at Atmore Community Hospital.
As NorthEscambia.com reported Saturday, Air Care 2 from Atmore will also respond to North Escambia in Florida under a new “first call agreement” between the operator of ShandsCair and Escambia County, Florida.
Pictured: MedStar’s Air Care 2 from Atmore responds to a traffic crash in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.