Flomaton Police Captain Resigns After Facebook Post
November 6, 2020
A Flomaton Police Department captain has resigned following a controversial Facebook post.
Scott Waldon submitted his resignation Friday.
“They need to line up ev1 of them and put a bullet in their skull,” Walden commented from his personal Facebook account on Thursday. His reply was made to another individual’s post that stated, “The idiots that voted for Biden hated Trump enough to throw the country away. Thank the lying liberals and democrats news media”.
In another post on his personal page, Walden said he was calling for the punishment for treason as prescribed by law, not any kind of violence.
He was placed on administrative leave on Thursday by Flomaton Police Chief Charles Thompson who said the statements could result in termination.
“This Police Department docs not, and will not, condone or represent the alarming comments, made by the former officer. They arc completely against this Department and Towns mission task. The Flomaton Police Department will conduct matters with Respect, Integrity, Pride, and strive for Law Enforcement Excellence. I want our Community, State, and Country to know we will continue to uphold our Oath of Office and serve our citizens and visitors to the best of this Department’s ability,” Thompson wrote in a press release midday Friday.
Here’s Who Claimed A $7 Million Winning Lottery Ticket Purchased In Century
November 6, 2020
An Alabama man that purchased a lottery ticket in Century has claimed his $7 million prize.
The Florida Lottery said Robert Sims, 61, of Brookwood, Alabama, just claimed a $1,000 a a Day for Life top prize in the multi-state Cash4Life game drawing on July 29. He chose the $7 million cash payout option.
Sims purchased his winning ticket at the Southern Pit Stop at 9321 North Century Boulevard. The convenience store will receive a $10,000 bonus commission for selling the top prize winning ticket.
The winning numbers for July 29 were 08-11-21-36-39 with a Cash ball of 02. The odds of winning $1,000 per day for life in the game is 1:21,846,048.
Cash4Life tickets are sold in nine states – Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Maryland and Virginia.
Tate High Volleyball Wins Inaugural Escambia County Championship
November 6, 2020
The Tate High School Lady Aggies won the inaugural Escambia County Championship over Washington High School.
The championship tournament was established to for volleyball teams that had their regular seasons shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Aggies were 6-11 headed into the contest, while the Wildcats were 6-11.
On Tuesday, Washington defeated Pensacola High, and Tate beat West Florida to advance to the finals.
Photos by Crystal Tolbert for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Deputies Were Justified In Shooting Man During ‘Running Gun Battle’, State Attorney Says
November 6, 2020
No charges will be filed against three Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies for shooting a man in August during what was described as a “running gun battle”.
Tyler Edward Brooks,. 30, fired a rifle at deputies when they went to arrest him on Matthews Junction Road near Saufley Field on August 28. Brooks fled into a wooded area, resulting a manhunt.
When Brooks was taken into custody, he was found to be suffering from four gunshot wounds — three to the abdomen and one to his right arm. He was transported to the hospital for treatment. After his arrest, the charges against him were upgraded to attempted murder on a law enforcement officer.
Assistant State Attorney John Molchan said the use of force was justified and no criminal charges are warranted. He said the use of force by the deputies attempting to stop a fleeing felon was in direct response to Brooks firing them in an incident that was captured on video.
“The deputies fired at him when he was fleeing and armed with a high powered rifle that he had just pointed as his mother and fired at the deputies. At that time, Brooks presented a clear threat of death or serious bodily harm to the public,” Molchan wrote in his findings.
Escambia Approves Contract With Dr. Deanna Oleske As District 1 Medical Examiner
November 6, 2020
The Escambia County Commission on Thursday approved the employment agreement Dr. Deanna A. Oleske, moving her closer to becoming the District 1 medical examiner.
Her name will go to the governor’s office for official appointment.
“I am honored to have made it through this round of approvals from the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners,” said Oleske. “Serving the residents of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties has been very rewarding as an associate medical examiner. I am eager to bring transparency, integrity and compassion in my new role as the next District 1 medical examiner.”
The District 1 medical examiner position has been vacant since October 1, 2019. Oleske was recommended by a search committee appointed by State Attorney Bill Eddins.
Oleske holds active medical licenses in Florida and Texas. She earned a medical doctorate from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Indiana University in Bloomington. Dr. Oleske is double board certified in forensic pathology and anatomic pathology. She is currently a deputy medical examiner at the Fort Bend medical examiner’s office in Rosenberg, Texas and an associate medical examiner at the District 1 medical examiner’s office in Pensacola. From December 2016 to May 2020, she was an associate medical examiner at the District 23 medical examiner’s office in St. Augustine. Dr. Oleske is also an assistant clinical professor of pathology and the forensic pathology clerkship site director at the University of Central Florida.
Ivey Extends Alabama Mask Order Until December 11
November 5, 2020
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Thursday announced that the state’s mask order has been extended until Friday, December 11. It was set to expire on Sunday.
Ivey said she had hoped to change the order into a strong recommendation, but it’s simply not time. She said with the impending flu season, the flu and COVID-19 could be a “deadly combination”.
“I know you can’t go on forever with a government mandate,” Ivey said. “I am willing to keep the mask order in place acknowledging that sooner or later it will be up to each up us to do the right thing.”
She did roll back restrictions on retail stores and restaurants, and close contact service providers such as hair and nail salons, allowing them to return to full capacity if everyone is following CDC guidelines.
“If you mask up and social distance, you can increase occupancy in your businesses,” Ivey said.
Specifically:
- Occupancy rates were removed for retailers, fitness centers and entertainment venues.
- An exception to social-distancing rules will be allowed for many businesses, including barber shops, hair salons, gyms, and restaurants, if people are wearing masks and separated by an “impermeable” barrier such as plexiglass partitions.
FDOT Wants Public Input On Potential I-10, Beulah Road Interchange
November 5, 2020
The Florida Department of Transportation is conducting a study to consider the addition of a new I-10 interchange along I-10 in the vicinity of Beulah Road.
The project includes the widening of Beulah Road from West Nine Mile Road to Isaacs Lane, the realignment from Isaacs Lane to West Kingsfield Road, a new interchange at I-10 and the widening of I-10 from the Florida/Alabama line to the Pensacola weigh station.
The project encompasses an area that will see a significant amount of a future development.
As a result of planned growth, there is a need to provide connectivity from new areas of development to the surrounding regional transportation system, according to FDOT. Additionally, there is a need to provide an alternative route that will reduce travel times and congestion within the study area.
For a project update, virtual tour, interactive map and an interactive comment form, click or tap here.
FDOT is seeking public comment on the proposal with a deadline of Thursday, November 19.
Cantonment Man Charged With Pushing Fiancée, Breaking Her Rib
November 5, 2020
A Cantonment man was arrested after allegedly pushing his fiancée of five years into a chair, breaking her rib.
Eric Lamon Hurst, 45, was charged with felony aggravated battery causing bodily harm or injury. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday morning with bond set at $5,000.
The victim told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that Hurst had been drinking alcohol and began to video her with his phone while she was not dressed appropriately. Despite multiple requests, he would not stop, so she took his phone away. He became upset and bit her lip and hand, according to an arrest report.
Hurst then pushed the victim down into a wooden chair hard enough to break her rib and the chair, the report states. She was transported by Escambia County EMS to West Florida Hospital for treatment.
Hurst told deputies he was sleeping and did not touch the victim and he was video chatting with his sister. He also said that he was not sure why EMS transported the victim, the ECSOs reported.
Gulf Power Customers To See Slight Electric Rate Increase In January
November 5, 2020
Gulf Power customers will see a small rate increase on their bills in January.
Gulf Power residential customers that use 1,000 kilowatt hours in a month will see their bill increase by 19 cents from $140.43 to $140.62, according to the Florida Public Service Commission. The 1,000 kilowatt hours in an example; actual usage varies widely among consumers.
Customers of Florida Power & Light, the parent company of Gulf Power, will see a $2.62 increase for 1,000 kilowatt hours. Their total bill for example usage will increase to $99.05.
Escambia Property Tax Bills Are In The Mail. Here’s How You Can Get A Discount.
November 5, 2020
Collection of Escambia County 2020 real estate and tangible personal property taxes is underway, and there’s a way to get a discount.
This year’s tax rolls include 179,704 accounts totaling over $320 million, and bills are being delivered now by the postal service and should arrive by November 12.
Discounts are available:
- November payments are discounted 4%
- December payments are discounted 3%
- January payments are discounted 2%
- February payments are discounted 1%
- March payments receive no discount, and the gross amount is due by close of business on March 31, 2021.
Any payment made April 1 and after is considered delinquent and will be assessed a penalty.
When mailed, discounts are determined by postmark of payment. When a discount period ends on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the discount period will be extended to the next business day for online payments or walk-in customers.
In addition, help is available for those taxpayers who may need to make partial payments. If a property owner decides to make partial payments, the following information applies:
- Property owner must submit an application (found on the back of the tax bill, online at EscambiaTaxCollector.com or available at the tax collector’s office) with initial partial payment.
- Partial payments are accepted for current year taxes only between November 1 and March 31.
- No discount allowed for partial payments.
- A $10 processing fee is deducted from each partial payment.
- Partial payments are not accepted after March 31, and any remaining balance as of April 1 is delinquent and subject to all applicable penalties and fees.
Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford encourages taxpayers to take advantage of the Tax Payment Installment Plan. By utilizing this plan, taxpayers make four quarterly payments instead of one lump sum payment. Each quarterly bill will receive a different discount for early payment as prescribed by Florida Statutes. The quarterly payments are due by the last day of June, September, December and March. The installment payment plan application deadline for 2021 property taxes is April 30, 2021.
“The installment program not only helps ease the financial burden on taxpayers by allowing them to spread out the payments, it also provides a discount for making payments on time,” Lunsford said.
NorthEscambia.com photo.