County To Lease Old Ransom Property For Cantonment Community Center; Barry To Seek Half Million For Construction
October 14, 2020
A new community center in Cantonment could soon be a reality on the site of the old Ransom Middle School.
At their Thursday meeting, the Escambia County Commission is expected to approve a lease for two acres of the 12.1 acre former school property on Muscogee Road. And District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry told NorthEscambia.com that he will soon seek a half million in funding to build the community center.
“Within the next few meetings, I will be bringing to our board a request to allocate $500,000 towards a community center on the property from our BP Restore fund,” Barry said. “These are the first steps to bring a fantastic resource to a deserving community, and I’m happy to play a part in their success.”
The county will pay the school board $10 per year to lease the property for an initial term of 30 years, with an option for two additional renewal terms of 30 years each. Under the lease terms, the county would need to allocate funding and begin construction of a community center within 7.5 years. The county will also provide the school board with infrastructure for the remainder of the parcel, including high speed wireless internet, security fencing and gates, stormwater retention pond, parking lot, security lighting and driveway extensions.
The Escambia County School Board recently approved signing the lease.
“I’m so excited to bring this to the board on Thursday and so appreciative of the support of the school board earlier this month,” Barry added. I want to thank my friends, Superintendent Malcolm Thomas, District 5 Representative Bill Slayton, and current Workforce Education Director, but former Transportation Director, Steve Harrell for working with me over a period of several months to make this happen for the entire Cantonment community.”
In 2015, Escambia County made improvements to Carver Park on Webb Street, located a short distance from the old Ransom Middle School. Those improvements include a renovated community resource center — a former school portable building that’s less than 800 square feet.
The Cantonment Improvement Committee has managed the small resource center at Carver Park, faithfully holding programs and providing services as space has allowed. And they have advocated for a larger facility at the former Ransom property for years.
“I also want to specifically recognize and thank the Cantonment Improvement Committee for their dedication and persistent advocacy for their community,” Barry said.
Pictured: The former Ransom Middle School, which was also the site of the Sid Nelson Center, was demolished in 2014. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Receive A Letter From FEMA? Here’s How To Understand It. And How To Appeal.
October 14, 2020
Florida residents who applied for assistance from FEMA after sustaining damage from Hurricane Sally will receive a letter from FEMA in the mail or via email.
Escambia County is offering the following tips on how to understand the letter, and how to file an appeal.
The letter will explain your application status and how to respond. It is important to read the letter carefully because it will include the amount of any assistance FEMA may provide and information on the appropriate use of disaster assistance funds.
Applicants may need to submit additional information for FEMA to continue to process an application.
- Examples of missing documentation may include:
- Proof of insurance coverage Settlement of insurance claims
- Proof of identity
- Proof of occupancy
- Proof of ownership
- Proof that the damaged property was the applicant’s primary residence at the time of the disaster
If you have questions about your letter go online to DisasterAssistance.gov or call the disaster assistance helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585).
A FEMA inspection may be required to determine whether a home is safe, sanitary and functional. Currently, such inspections are being conducted remotely, by telephone, following COVID-19 guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control.
FEMA considers the following factors when determining whether an applicant may be eligible for assistance:
- The exterior of the home is structurally sound, including the doors, roof and windows.
- The electricity, gas, heat, plumbing and sewer or septic systems function properly.
- The interior’s habitable areas are structurally sound, including the ceiling and floors.
- The home is capable of functioning for its intended purpose.
- There is safe access to and from the home. FEMA assistance is not the same as insurance.
FEMA assistance only provides funds for basic work to make a home habitable, including toilets, a roof, critical utilities, windows and doors.
Appealing FEMA’s Decision
Applicants who disagree with FEMA’s decision, or the amount of assistance, may submit an appeal letter and documents supporting their claim, such as a contractor’s estimate for home repairs.
FEMA cannot duplicate assistance provided by another source, such as insurance settlements. However, those who are underinsured may receive further assistance for unmet needs after insurance claims have been settled by submitting insurance settlement or denial documents to FEMA. FEMA does not provide assistance for insurance deductibles.
Appeals must be in writing. In a signed and dated letter, explain the reason(s) for the appeal. It should also include:
- Applicant’s full name
- Disaster number (4564 in Florida)
- Address of the pre-disaster primary residence
- Applicant’s current phone number and address
- The FEMA registration number on all documents
If someone other than an applicant or co-applicant writes the appeal letter, that person must sign it and provide FEMA with a signed statement authorizing the individual to act on behalf of the applicant.
Letters must be postmarked within 60 days of the date of the determination letter. Appeal letters and supporting documents may be submitted to FEMA by fax or mail or via a FEMA online account. To set up an online account, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, click on “Apply Online” and follow the directions.
By mail:
FEMA
National Processing Service Center
P.O. Box 10055
By fax:
800-827-8112
Attention: FEMA
Sample Ballots Arriving In Mailboxes Of Escambia County Voters
October 14, 2020
Sample ballots for the November 3 General Election are arriving this week in mailboxes of Escambia County voters, according to Supervisor of Elections David Stafford.
The sample ballot, in both English and Spanish, includes a ballot image, the voter’s polling location and information on the three ways to vote: early, vote-by-mail, and on Election Day.
Early voting will be open Monday, October 19 through Saturday, October 31.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Help The Hungry: Annual Peanut Butter Challenge Underway
October 14, 2020
The annual Peanut Butter Challenge is underway, coordinated by Escambia County Extension, to collect jars of peanut butter to be given to area food pantries this December.
Through November 25, you can donate unopened jars of peanut butter at several locations throughout Escambia County. Drop off boxes can be found at:
- UUF/IFAS Extension – 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- Escambia County Farm Bureau – 153 Highway 97, Molino
- Escambia County Public Safety – 6575 N. W St., Pensacola
- Gilmore Services – 21 E. Fairfield Drive, Pensacola
- Holy Spirit Church – 10650 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola
- Perdido Bay United Methodist Church – 13360 Innerarity Point Road, Pensacola
Manufacturing And Skilled Trades Virtual Job Fair Is Next Week
October 14, 2020
CareerSource Escarosa along with its community partners will host the 2020 Manufacturing & Skilled Trades Virtual Job Fair on Thursday, October 22 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
This no-cost event is open to the public. Job-seekers will have the opportunity to network with over 30 employers seeking individuals to fill their open positions.
Employers will be recruiting for positions in manufacturing, production, construction, and skilled trades.
Job seekers will need to be registered on EmployFlorida, have a current resume, and register by clicking or tapping here prior to the event.
Those in need of computer access or assistance may visit a CareerSource Escarosa Job Center:
- Escambia County: 6913 N. 9th Ave. Pensacola (850-607-8748)
- Santa Rosa County: 5725 US-90 Milton (850-983-5325)
Employers wishing to participate will need to register here.
Escambia (AL) Taxi Driver Arrested For Shooting At Another Driver On I-65
October 13, 2020
A taxi driver has been arrested for shooting at a vehicle on I-65 in an apparent road rage incident near Atmore.
Robert E. Boggan, 44, was charged with shooting into an occupied vehicle and reckless endangerment.
The incident happened Sunday on I-65. The victim told the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office that a taxi cab pulled up beside her and the driver motioned for her to roll her window down.
She told deputies that Boggan told her she ran over a tire on the interstate and it had busted his windshield.
“After the victim refused to pull over, Boggan attempted to run her off the road and he attempted to get in front of her and block her path,” Sheriff Heath Jackson said. “The victim stated that while Boggan was beside her vehicle, she heard the sound of something hitting the side of her car. After arriving at a safe location, the victim found bullet holes in the side of her vehicle.sound of something hitting the side of her car. After arriving at a safe location, the victim found bullet holes in the side of her vehicle.”
Boggan remained in the Escambia County Jail Tuesday afternoon with bond set at $100,000.
Escambia Man Dies In Motorized Bicycle Crash Near Berrydale
October 13, 2020
Man With Century Ties Charged In Baldwin County Double Murder, Investigated In Disappearance Of Crestview Woman
October 13, 2020
A man with Century ties has been charged in a Baldwin County double murder during a drug deal gone bad, and he has been named a person of interest in the disappearance of a Crestview woman three years ago.
Antwon Montrex Smith, 37, is charged with two counts of capital murder for the shooting deaths the two men. The victims’ bodies were found on Baldwin County Road 95 south of Elberta early Friday, and investigators believe they were killed in that immediate area.
The were identified as Ryan Frazier and Joshua Carroll both of the Seattle, Washington area (pictured below). They were both linemen working for a contracting company installing cable lines in the area.
They arrived in Pensacola on October 8 and decided to meet with a “drug associate” identified by the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office as Smith. He fled in Frazier’s vehicle.
Smith was arrested driving the vehicle in Mobile Saturday afternoon after a police pursuit. He struck two vehicles before crashing into a brick retaining wall on Springhill Avenue. A firearm, drugs and cash were recovered. The vehicle had a significant amount of blood and ammunition and other evidence in the case, the BCSO said. Frazier’s wallet was also recovered.
The Crestview Police Department has named Smith as a person of interest in a missing persons case. In March 2017, Smith was last person to be seen with his girlfriend Calandra Stallworth. She has never been located. The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office later arrested Smith on drug and weapons charges. He was driving Stallworth’s vehicle at the time of his arrest.
Smith has reportedly lived in Century for a good part of the last several years, and also Pensacola. In 2016, Smith was arrested on Jefferson Avenue in Century for possession of methamphetamine. That charge was later dropped. He was also arrested during a 2010 drug raid in Century.
Smith remained in the Mobile County Metro Jail Tuesday afternoon on charges that include possession of heroin and marijuana and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Anyone with information on Smith’s relationship with Stallworth or her disappearance from Crestview is asked to call Crestview Police at (850) 682-3544 or their local law enforcement agency.
Early Morning Fire Destroys Large Barn In Molino
October 13, 2020
An early morning fire destroyed a large barn in Molino Tuesday.
The fire was reported about 4:40 a.m. in the 2100 block of Chance Road, just west of Highway 29. The approximately 40 by 40 foot barn was fully involved when firefighters arrived on scene minutes later. It was a total loss.
It took about 10 minutes for Escambia Fire Rescue to mostly knock down the fire.
The blaze caused some of the vinyl siding to melt on a nearby home. There were no injuries reported.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
New Early Voting Site Will Open In Century For General Election. It’s One Of 10 Across Escambia County.
October 13, 2020
There will be a new early voting site in Century for the general election.
There will be a total of 10 early voting sites in Escambia County open from Monday, October 19 until Saturday, October 31, including the Century site at the Billy G. Ward Courthouse on North Century Boulevard.
“Molino was the farthest north location, but folks from the north end had inquired about a site in Century,” Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford said. “We looked at it and made the determination to add a site up there.”
He said the courthouse at 7500 North Century Boulevard was the best location in Century when compared to the other options of city hall and library, both of which have limited space.
The general election early voting locations in Escambia County will be:
- Billy G. Ward Courthouse, 7500 N Century Blvd, Century
- Molino Community Center, 6450-A Highway 95A, Molino
- Escambia County Extension, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- Mobile Hwy/Pine Forest Rd Early Voting Center, 6675 Pine Forest Rd, Suite 11
- UWF Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Building 82, University Parkway
- Genealogy Branch Library, 5740 B, 9th Avenue
- Main Library, 239 Spring Street
- Supervisor of Elections Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor
- Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. DeSoto Street
- Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway
Each location will be open form 7 a.m. until 7 p.m., October 19-31.
Voters can also cast their ballot by mail or in person at their precinct on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3 from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Pictured: The Billy G. Ward Courthouse in Century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.