Former ECUA Recycling Manager Pleads Guilty To Racketeering In Half Million Dollar Scheme
December 1, 2022
A former recycling manager at the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority’s Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) pleaded guilty Wednesday to racketeering in connection with selling a half million dollars worth of recyclables through a shell company he owned.
In September of 2018, Jarrell Lamar Reynolds, now 45, was hired by ECUA to manage the recycling operation at the Perdido Landfill.
“He was hired, according to ECUA management, because of his experience in the industry and his personal contacts with potential new vendors and customers,” an arrest report states. “ECUA believed that hiring Reynolds would increase the efficiency of the the recycling operation and increase their revenues through the introduction of new customers for their recyclable material.”
On December 5, 2018, Reynolds created a shell company called JAT Recycling in Georgia, and he was the lone officer of the company. He used the shell company to acquire the property from ECUA and sell the recyclables. Once sold to third parties, Reynolds maintained control of about $510,000 in profits and transferred them to multiple accounts he controlled, according to court documents.
The profits were then used by Reynolds to purchase cars, investment properties, and other personal expenses.
Additional charges of racketeering as well as organized fraud, money laundering, and extortion were dropped in exchange for Reynolds’ guilty plea.
Pictured top: The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority’s Materials Recycling Facility (MRF). File photo.
Escambia County’s Overall Crime Rate Drops
December 1, 2022
The overall crime index in Escambia County dropped 9.8% during 2021 compared to the previous year, according to new data released Wednesday by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
The total number of murders in the county dropped from 32 in 2020 to 23 in 2021, and robberies decreased from 376 to 282. Two other violent crime categories were up — rapes (225 to 284), aggravated assaults (1,306 to 1,332). Other crimes decreased from 2020 to 2021 — burglaries (1,588 to 1,285), larcenies (6,039 to 5,410) and motor vehicle thefts (732 to 689).
The countywide report covers crimes investigated by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Pensacola Police Department and other agencies like the Florida Highway Patrol, University of West Florida Police Department, and Pensacola State Police Department.
During 2021, 34.3% of crimes in Escambia County were cleared, compared to 32.6% in 2020.
The crime rate per 100,000 population also decreased, from 3,181.2 in 2020 to 2,867.9 in 2021.
Statewide, crime in Florida hit a 50-year low, according to the 2021 Annual Uniform Crime Report. The report covers the calendar year of 2021 and shows . Both violent and property crimes decreased in 2021. Domestic violence was also down.
Keep The Wreath Green Fire Safety Campaign Begins Thursday
December 1, 2022
The annual “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign begins Thursday in Escambia County.
During the month-long campaign, five-foot wreaths will also be on display at 21 Escambia County Fire Rescue stations and five Pensacola Fire Department stations, with wreaths also placed outside Escambia County’s Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building downtown, the Escambia County Public Safety Building and Pensacola City Hall. Each time firefighters respond to a residential fire with damage during December, a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by fires in residential homes.
There were 19 red bulbs placed on the wreaths in 2021 to represent December residential fires. Four of those were in North Escambia: St. Matthews Lane in the Quintette area, Jahaza Street in Molino, Ashcraft Road in Bratt, and Wild Turkey Road off Jacks Branch Road.
The record, set in 2004, was 22 fires during December; the 19 in 2021 was the second highest.
The 19 residential structure fires during December in Escambia County included a fire on Quintette Road (above), a Christmas Day fire on Jahaza Street (first below), a Christmas Eve fire on Wild Turkey Road (second below), and a fire on Ashcraft Road (bottom). NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate’s Drew Reaves Signs To Play Baseball At PSC
December 1, 2022
Tate High School senior Drew Reaves signed Wednesday to play baseball at Pensacola State College.
“I would like to thank God, as He has put me with these abilities to be able to go to PSC and play,” Reaves said. “Also, He has put me with this great family which led to these great friends, teammates, coaches, and ultimately to where I am at today.”
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Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Contractor Jesse LaCoste Arrested In Santa Rosa County
December 1, 2022
Pensacola contractor Jesse LaCoste was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail Wednesday evening.
LaCoste, the 30-year old brother-in-law of Pensacola contractor Matthew Banks, was charged with felony larceny in connection with an incident in Gulf Breeze, according to authorities.
Escambia and Santa Rosa counties revoked both individual’s contractors licenses after numerous complaints were filed with county boards. They were ordered to repay millions to customers after allegedly failing to complete work for which they received payments in advance.
Banks was previously charged with felony fraud for failing to provide a refund.
A Pensacola resident paid Banks $6,740 by check for a renovation on North G Street in Pensacola. Banks, according to police, never started work and would not provide a refund despite the homeowner’s demand.
Eunice Lunelle Bailey
December 1, 2022
Eunice Lunelle Bailey, 85, of Molino, Florida, passed away on November 29, 2022.
She was born in Enon, Florida on September 2, 1937 to Grover Leslie and Lottie Melandie Lewis Hall. She was married to Marion Blueford Bailey for 66 years. Eunice was a member of Victory Assembly of God. She was a homemaker and had a passion for sewing, gardening, canning, family, friends, church and helping others.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Grover Leslie Hall and Lottie Melandie Lewis Hall; brother, Grover W. Hall. She is survived by her children, Judy Bailey (Carl) Daley, Randall (Melodie) Bailey, and Charles Bailey; 8 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and 6 great great grandchildren; sister, Bernice Hall (Ralph) Carrick; brother, O. Wendell (Karen)Hall. Pallbearers will be Jason A. Lamb, P. Lamar Lamb, J. Alec Bailey, Justin A. Cruce, Zachery X. Lamb, Jacob D. Bailey.
Funeral services will be at Victory Assembly on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at 12:00 noon. Visitation will be prior to service at 11:00am. Burial will be at Bay Springs Cemetery.
Gregorio “Pony” Banda
December 1, 2022
Mr. Gregorio “Pony” Banda, 77 years of age, passed away, Tuesday, November 29, 2022 in Pensacola, FL. He was born may 9, 1945 in Col San Isidro, Mier Y Noriega, NL; and resided in Texas before moving to Atmore, AL; in 1999. He was a member of Renovation Ministries. He was employed in the Cotton Gin Industry for over 40 years, and was employed with Golden Gin Company in Jay, FL.
Mr. Banda enjoyed spending time with his family, church family, and friends. He loved his dogs, and chickens. He loved people, and he was always a hard worker. He always had this very infectious smile on his face. God shared a vision with him in 2018 about planting a church in Mier Y Noriega, México. In September 2022 Renovation Ministries opened a sister church in Mier Y Noricga, Nuero Leon México, La Iglesia de Ministerios de Renovacion. He was able to see his vision given to him by God completed. In his words “Ya despues de ver eso, que Dios me lleve.” “To God be all the glory.”
He is preceded in death by his parents, Luciano (Maxcimina Ramírez) Banda, one son-in law, Ricky Herrera, and one grandson, Ricky Josh Herrera.
He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Tomasa Banda, of Atmore, AL; three sons, Tony (Diana) Banda, of Kress, TX; Thomas (Amber) Banda, of Poarch, AL; Isidro (Maria) Rico, of Mier Y Noriega, MX, four daughters, Maria Concepcion Banda (Juan de Dios Alvarado), of Valle Hermoso, MX; Melissa Herrera, of Atmore, AL; Maxcimina (Christopher) Knorr, of Atmore, AL; Lorraine (Andrew) Marez, of Perdido, AL; two brothers, Armando Banda (Carmela) Ramirez, of Lockney, TX; José Luis (Matilda) Banda, of Lockney, TX; one sister, Maria Banda, of Valle Hermoso, MX; other relatives and friends.
Funeral service will be held Saturday, December 3, 2022 at 1:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel funeral Home, LLC. with Pastor, Brad Wilson officiating.
Burial will follow at Pleasant Grove Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Friday, December 2, 2022 from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM at Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Luciano Banda, Armando Banda, Jr; José Luis Banda, Jr; Arnulfo Campos, Jr; Isaac Bernal, Rodolfo Rico.
Honorary pallbearers will be Payo Cantú, Guadalupe Turrubiates, Phillip Marshall, Stephen Wolfe, and Isidro Rico.
John F Coon
December 1, 2022
John F Coon, 62, of Flomaton, AL, passed away November 13th in Holbrook, AZ.
He was born at the old Turberville Memorial Hospital in Century, FL to Gerald C Coon, Sr and Doris Bowman Coon. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Randy Cannon and sisters, Lisa and Donna Coon.
John was a man of many talents who had done a little bit of everything. He owned his own paint and body shop at the age of 18, built trusses, roofed and framed many a home, operated heavy equipment, owned a repossession company, delivered UPS trucks all over the country and always pursued his passion for muscle cars. He was a genius when it came to working on vehicles. He will always be remembered for his funny memes, pics of his travels and all the classic cars and trucks he saw along the way. John loved connecting with family through genealogy and would sit for hours listening to stories from “the good old days”.
John is survived by daughters, Amanda Hicks of Birmingham and Chloe Coon of Nebraska, son, Caleb Henderson of Pensacola, sisters, Debbie Anderson of Nevada, Nan Gomez of Pensacola and Jeannine Walston of New York, and brothers, David Giovacchini of Nevada and Gerald Coon of Tennessee, special nephew, Chris Coon, of Pensacola, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
As John wished, there will be no funeral or memorial service.
Kathy Adams
December 1, 2022
Mrs. Kathy Adams, age 78, passed away, November 29, 2022, in Atmore, AL; with her family at her bedside. She was born June 17, 1944, in Brownwood, TX; and resided in Hope Hull, AL; since then, she moved to Atmore, AL and has resided there for the past 20 years. She owned and operated her Daycare business for many years. She was a member of Little Rock Church.
Mrs. Adams enjoyed spending time with her family and going to church. She loved children, and she loved Christmas time. She enjoyed taking care of her dogs, cats, and spending time in her vegetable garden. She was an avid Alabama Football Fan. She was a very devoted care taker for both her mom and dad.
Mrs. Adams is preceded in death by her parents, Louis (Doris Reid) Zangas, Jr; husband, Wendell Adams, and one sister, Brenda Starks.
She is survived by her daughter, Michelle (Michael) Gantt, of Titus, AL; one brother, Larry (Faye) Zangas, of Flomaton, AL; numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Funeral service will be held Friday, December 2, 2022, at 2:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC. with Rev. Eddie Starks officiating.
Burial will follow at Little Rock Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Friday, December 2, 2022 from 1:00 PM until service at 2:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Michael Gantt, Phillip Zangas, Brian Starks, West Starks, Larry Cox, and Jack Cox.
Colder Weather Returns Tonight, Low In The 30s
November 30, 2022
Dry conditions expected through tonight with clear skies abd the return of some cold weather with a rather impressive shift in degree of temperature from last night. Lows are expected to plummet into the low tomid 30s for most of the North Escambia area with upper 30s to low 40s closer to the coast.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 37. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 59. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41. East wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 70. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 73.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 77.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 73.