Century Seeks About $13 Million To Fix Bridges, Rebuild Old CHS Gym. But The Gym May Be A Problem.
March 23, 2023
The town of Century is moving forward with applications for nearly $13 million in grants to renovate an old gym and to make bridge and drainage repairs. But there are several big “ifs” on the gym project.
A $10,015,000 grant award would be used to rebuild the old Century High School gymnasium for use as a multipurpose facility that could also serve as a hurricane or other disaster shelter. Century High closed over 25 years ago; the 16,500 square foot building was constructed in 1960.
Town consultant Robin Phillips, who in managing the grant submissions, said the gym is laden with asbestos and lead. It has been essentially abandoned for years, and is in poor condition. For those reasons, Phillips said an architect is recommending that the building be demolished and rebuilt.
And the biggest problem may be the fact that the Town of Century does not own the building; it is owned by Pensacola State College. Phillips said the college would either have to be a co-applicant for the grant, or transfer ownership to the town.
The town will also seek $2,862,137 in grant money to replace a failed bridge on Freedom Road that has been closed for three years, and make drainage improvements to two other bridges that suffered embankment erosion during Hurricane Sally.
In order to score higher on their grant applications, the town council voted this week to contribute up to $7,500 of town funds per project if the grants are received.
The funding, if awarded, would be from Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Small Cities Hurricane Sally Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funding. through the Rebuild Florida Infrastructure Repair Program.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Tried To Run Over His Neighbor, Punched Woman In Her Face, ECSO Says
March 23, 2023
A Cantonment man is accused of trying to run over his neighbor and punching the neighbor’s wife in the face.
Douglas Hunter Smith, 41, was charged with felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and misdemeanor battery.
Smith allegedly attempted to strike his male neighbor with his pickup truck. When the victims’ wife ran over to check on the neighbor, Smith got out of his truck and punched her in the face with a closed fist, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report.
The neighbor told deputies that Smith turned from Highway 29 onto Well Line and was traveling about 45 mph when he drove into a yard and in his direction. The neighbor said Smith missed hitting him by about 2-3 feet because he jumped out of the way, ECSO said
Smith said as he was going home, his neighbor was standing in the road. Smith said swerved into his neighbor’s yard to avoid hitting him. Smith was unable to provide any witnesses, the arrest report states.
He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $7,500 bond.
Ernest Ward Middle National Junior Honor Society Inducts New Members
March 23, 2023
New members were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society during a candlelight ceremony at Ernest Ward Middle School.
The NJHS is the nation’s premier organization established to recognize outstanding middle school students. More than just an honor roll, NJHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service, citizenship and character.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Insurance Company Owner Gets 14 Years, Ordered To Pay $8.3 Million In Restitution
March 23, 2023
An Escambia County insurance company owner has been sentenced to prison and ordered to pay millions in restitution.
John Thomas, 52, was sentenced to 168 months in federal prison for wire fraud and money laundering charges related to selling fraudulent insurance policies. In addition to his prison sentence, he was ordered to pay $8,340,153.34 in restitution. Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the sentence.
“This sentence should serve as a significant deterrent to those who would defraud our citizens, in this case depriving them of critical insurance coverage, simply to unlawfully enrich themselves,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “Our law enforcement partners are to be commended for their tireless dedication during this investigation and prosecution. Through their collective efforts, the defendant has been held accountable and justice has been obtained for his victims.”
Between September 2013 and February 2021, Thomas operated an insurance business known as Thomas Insurance, LLC. and defrauded customers over $4.8 million in insurance premium payments through a type of insurance fraud known as premium diversion. Thomas executed this scheme by collecting insurance premiums from customers and keeping the funds for personal use instead of producing insurance policies. To conceal his acts, Thomas gave the customers fraudulent documents referencing insurance policies that did not exist.
“Today’s sentencing should serve as a warning to anyone who uses illegal means and criminal behavior to take advantage of others,” said Sherri E. Onks, special agent in charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division. “The victims in this case suffered significant loss and pain as a result of this deception, never knowing they were without insurance coverage until disaster struck. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to work on behalf of innocent victims and investigate and pursue those who selfishly commit fraud for personal gain at the expense of others.”
Florida CFO Jimmy Patronus said, “Insurance fraud is a serious crime that causes rates to go up for every hard-working family and business owner in Florida Unfortunately, there are bad actors who think they can use fraud schemes like this to line their own pockets. I hope this case serves as a warning that if you commit fraud in Florida, you will be caught and held accountable. Thank you to the U.S. Department of Justice, the FBI, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and my dedicated insurance fraud detectives for helping put an end to this costly fraud scheme.”
Local Farmers Honored On National Agriculture Day
March 23, 2023
Tuesday was the 50th anniversary of National Agriculture Day, and Escambia County Extension recognized local producers with an appreciation luncheon at the Walnut Hill Community Center. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Back Into 80s Again; Rain Possible Friday Overnight
March 23, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, increasing clouds, with a low around 62. South wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 81. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Friday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Northeast wind 5 to 15 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 74.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.
Tate Aggies Fall To Visiting Robertsdale (With Photo Gallery)
March 23, 2023
The Tate Lady Aggies fell to visiting Robertsdale 7-2 Wednesday night.
Kate Balagbagan went four and a third innings for Tate, giving up three runs and six hits while striking out one and walking one. Peyton Womack pitched two and two-thirds innings allowing four runs and seven hits while striking out two.
Blakely Campbell led the Aggies at the plate, going 2-3 with one RBI. Lacy Wilson and Charli Vinson each added a hit for the Aggies.
The Aggies will travel to Milton to take on the Panthers at 6:30 p.m. Friday.
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Gets Life For Murdering Roommate; Body Found Near Flomaton
March 22, 2023
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to life in prison for the September 2021 murder of his roommate. Her body was found about two weeks later in a wooded area near Flomaton after an exhaustive search.
Giles Curt Jones was found guilty of the second degree murder of 40-year old Latonya Antionette Baxter.
According to an arrest report, Jones’ gray 2009 Nissan Maxima was caught on a camera as he headed north on Highway 29 through Century at 12:19 p.m. on Saturday, September 11, 2021. At 1:54 p.m., police say he took a photo on his phone of Baxter, who was deceased with obvious signs of trauma. At 3:09 p.m., his Nissan was again seen on camera it headed back south on Highway 29 in Century.
The distance from the spot Jones’ vehicle as seen on camera in Century September 11 to the location where the body was found is just under nine miles. Driving near the speed limit, the direct trip took our reporter about 12 minutes.
Baxter was reported missing on September 12 by her daughter, who stated that an air mattress and Baxter’s purse were missing. Investigators located blood in Baxter’s bedroom and other locations on the property, as well as in Jones’ vehicle, according to police.
Acting on a tip, Pensacola Police, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and KlaasKIDS searched an area along Highway 168 east of Pine Barren Road in Bratt shortly after the victim was reported missing and an area long Highway 168 east of Pine Barren Road in Bratt, but northing was found.
Pictured: The body of a Pensacola murder victim was found north of Flomaton. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Woman Seriously Injured In Overnight Motorcycle Crash
March 22, 2023
A Cantonment woman was critically injured in a motorcycle wreck early Wednesday morning.
The 29-year old woman was northbound on Mobile Highway near the fairgrounds when she drove into the center median and struck a sign, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. She fell from the motorcycle, but the bike continued for a “significant” distance of about 200 yards, FHP said.
Troopers said she was not wearing a helmet.
Escambia School Board Rejects Return To An Elected Superintendent
March 22, 2023
The Escambia County School board voted down a proposal to return to an elected superintendent during a Tuesday night meeting.
Board member Kevin Adams brought forward a resolution to officially request a referendum to switch superintendent back to an elected job. The Escambia County Commission would then would have considered a resolution asking the legislature to place the question on the ballot during the presidential preference primary on March 19, 2024.
Adams and board member Paul Fetsko voted in favor of putting the elected superintendent back on the ballot for voters, while Patty Hightower, Bill Slayton and David Williams voted against.
In 2018, Escambia County voters narrowly approved a ballot referendum for an appointed superintendent, with 50.36 voting yes and 49.64 percent voting now. This was the sixth time voters had considered the idea of an appointed superintendent in the county; all of the other attempts failed.
The term of then superintendent Malcolm Thomas ended in 2020, and Dr. Tim Smith was appointed as the new school district boss.