Category 4 Hurricane Laura Makes Landfall Near Cameron, Louisiana With 150 MPH Winds
August 27, 2020
Category 4 Hurricane Laura made landfall at 1 a.m. Thursday near Cameron, Louisiana with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph.
Laura will continue to move inland across Louisiana into Arkansas. The forecast track is below.
ECUA Approves Sanitation Rate Increase
August 27, 2020
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority has approved a sanitation rate increase.
The 2% increase was approved by the ECUA board 4-0, with District 5 member Larry Walker not yet in the Zoom meeting. The increase applies to all ECUA sanitation services from residential to commercial dumpsters.
For a single family residential customer with one 90 gallon or smaller container, the 2% increase will increase their rate by 38 cents from $24.16 to $24.54.
The rate increase goes into effect October 1. It applies to the collection portion of each bill charged by ECUA, but a disposal fee that’s part of the bill remains constant.
First Inmate COVID-19 Death Reported At Century Prison Where Half Of The Inmates Tested Positive
August 27, 2020
The first COVID-19 inmate death has been reported at the Century Correctional Institution.
The death was reported by the Florida Department of Corrections on Wednesday.
Over half of the inmates tested at Century CI have tested positive for the virus. As of Wednesday night, 766 inmates have tested positive, 748 have tested negative and 10 are awaiting test results. A total of 38 staff members have also tested positive for COVID-19.
There were 443 inmates in medical quarantine Wednesday.
Testing has been offered to all CCI inmates, and each one is being monitored daily, according to FDC. All services, including medical and meals, are being provided to inmates within their housing units.
The name of the inmate that died has not been released.
Century Applying For $312K Loan For Wastewater System Repairs. Most Won’t Be Repaid.
August 27, 2020
The Town of Century is applying for a state loan to make wastewater system repairs, but they won’t be required to repay most of it.
According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Century is eligible for a $312,518 loan from the State Revolving Fund Program with a 90% principal forgiveness. That equates to $251,266 the town won’t be required to repay.
The town will pledge water and sewer revenues for repayment of the loan.
The Century Town Council has authorized the loan application, which much be submitted by September 10. If the loan is granted, the binding agreements must be repaid by by December 9.
Appeals Court Upholds Life Sentence Of Escambia Man That Murdered Mother Of His Child
August 27, 2020
The First District Court of Appeal has upheld the conviction and sentence of an Escambia County man for a 2018 murder.
Henry Martin Steiger was sentenced to life in prison for second degree murder of Cassandra Robinson, his girlfriend and the mother of his child.
She was last seen alive on February 1, 2018. A missing person investigation began after her disappearance was reported by her family. Her remains were located on July 11, 2018, inside a 565-gallon drum in a cargo trailer owned by Steiger that was located on a vacant lot.
Prosecutors said Steiger murdered Robinson after their daughter’s first birthday party.
The First District Court of Appeal found ruled that no error was committed by the trial court. The appeals court also declined to consider Steiger’s claim of ineffective assistance of counsel because there was no allegation of fundamental error.
Ernest Ward Middle School Implements New Car Rider Morning Drop Off Procedure
August 27, 2020
Ernest Ward Middle School has implemented a new car rider drop off procedure effective today.
The following is the text of a callout phone message to parents made Wednesday evening:
“As many of you are aware of, the number of morning car riders at Ernest Ward has increased over last year, which is causing quite a backup. In an effort to alleviate the backup of traffic, beginning Thursday morning, August 27, if you arrive to drop off in the car rider line at 8:35 or later and do not plan to drop off for breakfast, you will need to take an alternate route.
“Instead of entering through the front gates and circling around in the field, you will need to utilize our gravel maintenance road on 99A and follow it around to the front of the school. If you arrive at school at 8:35 or later, school officials will be at the front entrance to remind you that it is not open. They will also be posted at the entrance to the gravel maintenance road to help direct you.
“If you arrive prior to 8:35 or plan to drop off in the center lane for breakfast, please continue to use the front entrance.
“This new process will hopefully help us avoid vehicles being backed up on Hwy 97, avoid having our grass torn up, and avoid people getting stuck in the muddy field due to inclement weather.”
Photos/images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Dollar General At West Kingsfield, Hwy. 297A Gets Zoning Approval, With A Design Condition
August 26, 2020
The Escambia County Board of Adjustment on Wednesday granted approval to a conditional zoning for a new Dollar General on West Kingsfield Road at Highway 297A.
Teramore Development, LLC, of Thomasville, Georgia went before the board seeking a conditional use to build an 8,960 square foot Dollar General Store. The current low density mixed-use (LDMU) zoning is intended to provide for a mix or residential uses with neighborhood scaled retail sales and services with a retail limit of 6,000 square feet. A conditional use in the zoning category allows for retail sales up to 35,000 square feet.
The board approved the conditional use with the stipulation that the store have a residential area design with wood siding and a shingled roof as in a concept drawing submitted by the developer.
The Escambia County Land Development Code will require screening on the south and east property boundaries because the adjoining properties are residential, and the developer intends to install additional landscaping.
The initial application for the Dollar General went before the Escambia County Development Review Committee (DRC) Wednesday afternoon. It’s the first of several required stops at the DRC before required approval can be granted to apply for a building permit.
The proposed development is on a 1.37 acre parcel on the southeast corner of the West Kingsfield Road and Highway 297A. The freestanding Dollar General will have 32 parking spots in a lot that will connect to West Kingsfield.
The property was previously developed as a single family residence that has since been removed.
The retailer intends to sell beer and wine the location.
Images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Work Is Beginning To Replace Century Gas Meters For $56K; Town Couldn’t Account For 28% Of Natural Gas
August 26, 2020
Work is beginning to replace 283 gas meters in Century in an effort to increase revenue due to improved billing accuracy. As reported in July, the town could not account for 28 percent of the natural gas they purchased for resale. That’s not due a leak; it’s due to billing and meter inaccuracies, according to town officials.
Florida Gas Utility received bids on behalf of the town, with only one bid submitted from Precision Meter Repair, Inc. of Plant City, Florida. The company will go door to door to make the needed replacements. If no one is at home, a door hanger like the one pictured here will be placed on the door.
Residents need to be home at the time of the meter replacement to avoid a prolonged service interruption of an after-hours service call. That’s because once the meter is change, pilot lights will be relit by the company, and they’ll also ensure everything about the installation is safe.
The council approved the purchase of new gas meters in early 2019 for a system with 615 connections. City staff and contractors replaced 265 meters during the winter of 2019, while the other meters remained in storage.
Precision Meter will replace 283 meters and regulators at $160 each for a total of $45,280. Numerous meters will require a regulator replacement at $38 each, with the contract allocating up to an additional $10,754. The company said it will take about 45 to 60 days to complete the job once they begin.
There are 67 inactive meters that will not be replaced at this time. They will be changed out when service is requested by the customer.
The meter replacements is being funded by Local Option Sales Tax funds.
In 2018, the town could not account for nearly 60% of their bulk purchased natural gas.
NorthEscambia.com photo/graphic. Click to enlarge.
Four Sentenced To Federal Prison For Their Roles In Local Dog Fighting Conspiracy
August 26, 2020
The last of four defendants to be convicted for their roles in an Escambia County dog fighting conspiracy was sentence Tuesday in federal court in Pensacola.
David Lee Moser, 37, was sentenced to 12 months plus one day in prison. Moser pleaded guilty to conspiring with the co-defendants to violate the dog fighting prohibitions of the federal Animal Welfare Act.
The other three defendants were sentenced earlier this month:
- James “Tommy” Peek, 68, was sentenced to serve 15 months in prison. Peek had pleaded guilty to unlawfully conspiring to violate the dog fighting prohibitions of the federal Animal Welfare Act, delivering a dog to co-defendant Shane Sprague for purposes of having the dog participate in an animal fighting venture, and possessing a dog for purposes of having the dog participate in an animal fighting venture.
- Haley Cook Murph, 25, was sentenced to eight months in prison. Murph had pleaded guilty to unlawfully conspiring to violate the dog fighting prohibitions of the federal Animal Welfare Act, traveling to Alabama to purchase a fighting dog from a known dog fighter, and possessing that dog for purposes of using the dog in an animal fighting venture.
- Shane Patrick Sprague, 36, was sentenced to serve 18 months in federal prison. A jury had convicted Sprague of felony conspiracy to violate the animal fighting prohibitions of the federal Animal Welfare Act.
Senior U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson in the Northern District of Florida imposed the sentences.
“Federal prison sentences are absolutely appropriate for these criminals,” said U.S. Attorney Lawrence Keefe for the Northern District of Florida. “Each one of them knowingly contributed to the immeasurable fear, suffering and pain these helpless dogs experienced. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to pursue and prosecute those who violate the Animal Welfare Act to the fullest extent of the law.”
Evidence at trial, along with admissions made by the pleading defendants in conjunction with their plea agreements, established that Sprague arranged dog fights and trafficked in fighting dogs with Moser and others. Moser admitted that he and Sprague agreed to fight their dogs against one another and to prepare a dog for a dog fight, and had discussed concealing evidence that one of Moser’s dogs had killed another dog.
Peek was one of the suppliers of fighting dogs to the conspiracy. He used his reputation as a prominent dog fighter to sell fighting dogs to others around the country. A dog fighting book commonly seized as evidence in dog fighting investigations has a chapter devoted to Peek, which Peek would autograph and sell to customers. He admitted to having delivered a dog to Sprague, believing that the dog would be used for fighting purposes. He also admitted to selling a dog to an undercover agent after making representations about the fighting “bloodlines” and prior and upcoming dog fights scheduled for some of the dogs on his yard.
Murph’s role was that of a makeshift “veterinarian.” Although Murph at no time possessed a veterinary license, she admitted to offering and performing veterinary and surgical procedures on dogs belonging to members of the conspiracy, treating dogs injured in a dog fight, and surgically removing dogs’ ears, including for the purpose of dog fighting. Two dogs she treated died from their fighting injuries. Murph also admitted to supplying a “bait” animal to test the fighting abilities of one of the dogs of a co-defendant. Finally, Murph admitted to traveling to Alabama to receive a dog from a known dog fighter, and to keeping that dog for the purposes of having the dog participate in an animal fighting venture.
“The cruel and inhumane practice of dog fighting has no place in a civilized society and is against federal law,” said Special Agent in Charge Jason Williams of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Inspector General (USDA-OIG). “The outstanding work of the USDA-OIG agents who investigated this case made it possible to bring these operators of a major animal fighting venture and breeders who participate in such activities to justice. We will continue to vigorously investigate individuals who attend, facilitate, or profit from the misery inflicted upon animals during these barbaric fights.”
Pictured: Law enforcement and the ASPCA conducted an operation in the 7000 block of Beulah Road in July 2018. Photos courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ensley Elementary Student Reported Positive For COVID-19
August 26, 2020
A student at Ensley Elementary School was reported positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, the second day of school, according to the Escambia County School District.
Officials were able to use seating charts to determine which other children came in close contact with the child, and parents of about 10-12 students were notified. The district said that if a parent did not receive a call, there’s no cause for concern.
The child reportedly attended school on Monday, but did not on Tuesday. The positive test was reported to the school by a parent.