Company Has Purchased, Is Cleaning Up Century’s Alger Sullivan Mill Property; County Freezes Code Violation Fines
April 1, 2021
The tornado ravaged Alger Sullivan Lumber Mill property in Century has a new owner that’s already started cleaning up, and Escambia County has suspended the tolling of code enforcement fines on the site.
The 38-acre abandoned industrial site was heavily damaged and, until recently, sat mostly untouched since EF-3 tornado winds of 150 mph five years ago.
The property was purchased March 1, 2021, by Creighton Sounds, LLC of Pensacola.
The principal owner of Creighton Sounds was involved in “Project Fusion” that in November 2020 canceled a pending contract with the Town of Century to purchase the former Helicopter Technology building and about 40 acres in the Century Industrial Park. The company had promised 80 new jobs and a $15.3 million capital investment during their first five years.
“I’m very proud to say that we’re the new owner of One Lumber Road (the Alger Sullivan Lumber property),” Creighton Sounds representative Kipp Anglin told NorthEscambia.com in an exclusive interview. “We’re very excited that we’re in Century to help the fine folks of that town to bring jobs and to clean up an area that’s been devastated by a tornado since 2016 that ravished their neighborhood. It’s been nothing but an eyesore. We’re making progress and we look forward to making more.”
Anglin said he did not wish to disclose the business development plans for the site at the present time as they focus on the huge cleanup project ahead.
Anglin appeared before an Escambia County Special Magistrate Robert O. Beasley this week to ask the county to put code enforcement violation fines on hold.
Environmental enforcement costs and fines of $50 a day against the previous property owners have been accruing since 2016 and now stand at an estimated $85,000. Beasley ordered the fines on the property put on hold as of March 1, the date of the property purchase by Creighton Sounds. The previous owner, DMT Holdings LLC of Navarre, will still be responsible for the $85,000 and has placed the amount in a trust fund.
According to documents filed with Escambia County Code Enforcement, the company will try to salvage about 60,000 square feet of a building while demolishing five storm damaged structures totaling nearly 300,000 square feet. They are estimating the process to take 180 days.
“We came in two weeks ago and started cleaning up, and we’ve made quite a bit of headway,” Anglin told the magistrate. “In reality, most of the cleanup will be done within the next 90 days. Around the fence line, the property is already bush-hogged, most of the trash is already picked up.” He said several Century residents were hired to help with the process.
He said the biggest unknown in the cleanup process is how long it will take his contractor to remove all but the steel frame of the largest building on the property.
Beasley said that the general cleanup is Escambia County Code Enforcement’s top priority The magistrate said if there are any unforeseen delays for engineering, permitting or other reasons and the building deficiencies cannot be corrected with 180 days, he would be willing to work with the developers.
“I think we would all like to see a clean site with all the debris and garbage cleaned out and the red iron (building framework) standing. That would put you in the best situation for success here,” Beasley said.
Escambia County received three bids for the demolition and cleanup of the mill in 2017, but bids ranged from $800,000 to $3 million — far in excess of the county’s entire 2017 cleanup budget of $463,425. Property records show the value of the property was $802,189 before the tornado, but the most recent assessment shows what remains is worth $226,535.
Pictured top: The tornado damaged Alger Sullivan mill in Century looms over a Front Street neighborhood. Pictured inset: Kipp Anglin, representing the new owners of the Alger Sullivan property in Century, appeared this week before an Escambia County special magistrate. Pictured below: Portions of the property. Pictured bottom four photos: Damage to the property as seen in 2016. NorthEscambia.com photos, and photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ransom Middle School Names Students Of The Month
April 1, 2021
Ransom Middle School named Kaytlin Robertson and David Jackson as February students of the month. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sacred Heart Closes Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing After Fewer Cases Result In Reduced Demand
April 1, 2021
Ascension Medical Group Sacred Heart has closed its drive-through COVID-19 testing centers due to decreased demand for testing and lower rates of COVID-19 in the community.
Ascension Sacred Heart will continue to provide COVID-19 testing at its Urgent Care Centers in Pensacola and Pace, while shifting some of its mobile testing site staff to join Ascension Sacred Heart’s expanded COVID-19 vaccination centers in Pensacola and Milton.
“While the demand for testing has been dropping as cases of COVID-19 have decreased in our area, we have a greater need to dedicate more resources right now to our vaccination sites,” said Justin Labrato, chief operating officer of Ascension Medical Group Sacred Heart. “So we are closing our mobile testing operations at the Milton Community Center, Tiger Point Community Center and drive-through center off Bayou Boulevard in Pensacola. We will relocate our COVID testing services to our Urgent Care Centers in Pensacola and Pace.”
The Urgent Care Center on Highway 29 in Pensacola and the Urgent Care Center on Highway 90 in Pace are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (The Urgent Care Centers will reduce their hours on Easter Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Labrato said Ascension Sacred Heart will be ready to ramp up drive-through testing again if there is another large spike of the coronavirus in the community. The healthcare system was one of the first in Florida to open a drive-through testing center when the first cases of COVID-19 arrived in the area in March 2020. Since then, Ascension Sacred Heart has conducted nasal swab tests on more than 75,500 people, with more than 12,000 of those confirmed to have the virus.
At the peak of the COVID-19 surge in Pensacola in December and January, Ascension Sacred Heart’s three drive-through centers in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties were testing 400-500 people each day. In the past two weeks, that number has dropped to about 100 per day.
“With the expansion of vaccinations to anyone in Florida over the age of 18 starting on April 5, we felt we had to focus our staffing resources where they are needed most — and that is our vaccination centers,” Labrato said.
In Pensacola, Ascension Sacred Heart will hold vaccination clinics for Florida residents 18 and older at Olive Baptist Church on April 5, April 8, April 10, April 16, April 17, and April 19.
ECSO Presents Service Awards To Deputies, Other Employees
April 1, 2021
Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons and Chief Tommi Lyter presented awards to the following Escambia County Sheriff’s Office employees and deputies recently:
Marcus Faulkner was awarded the Civilian Service Medal for meeting the challenges COVID-19 and Hurricane Sally presented during the year 2020. Faulkner was also the recipient of the Law Enforcement Employee of the Quarter.
Crime Scene Supervisor Lacey Oden was awarded the Achievement Medal for receiving a Master of Science degree in Forensic Science from Oklahoma State University.
Sergeant Vincent Odenbrett was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and Cole Chancellor was awarded the Civilian Service Medal for exceptional professionalism and meeting the complex task of keeping the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in compliance and accredited.
Master Deputy Michael Moulton and Deputy 1st Class Thomas Garrett were awarded the Life Saving Medal for saving the life of Ronnie Golloher, who was in cardiac arrest during Hurricane Sally.
Senior Deputy Samuel Shelley and Deputy 1st Class Jeremiah Meeks were awarded the Legion of Merit Medal for being recognized every year (2016 – 2020) by MADD for outstanding achievement in relation to DUI arrests. Shelley was also the recipient of the Achievement Medal for becoming a Certified Drug Recognition Expert.
The Medal of Courage was presented to Master Deputy Matt Watkins, Deputy Trenton Hershberger, and Deputy Daniel Weller, who were engaged in a lengthy exchange of gunfire with a violent suspect who was wanted for aggravated assault and battery on a law enforcement officer. Watkins, Hershberger, and Weller showed extreme bravery in the face of danger by staying in the gunfight and assisting with apprehending the armed and dangerous suspect.
The Medal of Valor was presented to Senior Deputy Douglas Shoemaker. Shoemaker was also the recipient of the Purple Heart and Law Enforcement Officer of the Quarter. Senior Deputy Douglas Shoemaker responded to a suicidal threats call, and upon his arrival, he was met with open gunfire. Shoemaker was struck several times, and despite being wounded, Shoemaker was able to maintain his composure while returning fire.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County COVID-19 Hospitalizations Remain At Lowest Level In Nine Months
April 1, 2021
The number of Escambia County COVID-19 daily hospitalizations is remaining at or near the lowest levels since last June.
The number of people hospitalized due to the virus on Wednesday was 23, after a low of 22 in recent days. In mid-January, the number reached a high of 291.
“We continue to be in the 20s range for COVID-19 hospitalizations between the three local hospital systems. We are glad to see these numbers coming down for our community and for our hospitals,” Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson said. “Please continue to take preventive actions, including wearing a mask, washing your hands often, and staying home if you are sick.”
The numbers in the graph indicate daily hospitalizations in Escambia County and are provided daily by Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital, Baptist Hospital and West Florida Hospital. The daily numbers are not cumulative.
Data sources: Escambia County, City of Pensacola, Ascension Sacred Heart, Baptist and West Florida hospitals. Graphics: City of Pensacola, Escambia County.
Oklahoma Police Detective Guilty Of Murdering His Chief At Pensacola Beach Hotel
April 1, 2021
A former small town Oklahoma police detective has been convicted in Escambia County of killing his police chief during a law enforcement conference on Pensacola Beach in 2019.
Michael Patrick Nealey, 50, was found guilty of second degree murder for the death of Mannford Police Chief Lucky Miller.
It took a jury about two hours Wednesday to return the guilty verdict. Nealey will be sentenced on April 29.
Prosecutors said the murder was the result of an alcohol-fueled night. Prosecutors say the medical examiner determined Miller was beaten and strangled or suffocated to death.
Images courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
15-Year Old Teen Seriously Injured In Hit And Run On Ten Mile Road; FHP Searching For Driver
March 31, 2021
The Florida Highway Patrol is searching for a hit and run driver that struck a 15-year old early Wednesday morning on Ten Mile Road.
The teen was walking west in the travel lane of of 10 Mile Road toward Chemstrand Road about 12:30 a.m as a vehicle was also traveling west.
The driver of the vehicle, described as possibly being a small dark-colored sedan, slammed on brakes and attempted to swerve to avoid the pedestrian, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The car hit the boy, throwing him to the right side of the vehicle and onto the roadway.
The driver failed to stop and was last seen traveling west towards Chemstrand Road. The car will have damage on the front bumper and hood, near the passenger side headlight.
The teen was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries.
Anyone with information is asked to contact FHP Trooper Knowles at *FHP from a cell phone or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
File photo.
Questions Raised About Residency Of ECUA District 5 Board Member Kevin Stephens
March 31, 2021
Questions have been raised about the residency of Emerald Coast Utilities Authority board member Kevin Stephens after recent comments he made at a Pensacola City Council meeting and a check of property records. But Stephens says he is, and remains, a longtime resident of Barth, a small community in the Molino area.
The political newcomer was elected to ECUA last year as the representative for District 5, an area essentially from Nine Mile Road north in Escambia County.
Last week, Stephens stepped to the microphone at Pensacola council meeting and made statements that some interpreted as indicating that he actually lives in the city.
“Good evening, my name is Kevin Stephens, 607 Crown Cove,” he said. He also identified himself as vice president of the homeowners association for the Crown Cove subdivision. Crown Cove is in Pensacola very near Veterans Memorial Park on Bayfront Parkway. The U.S. Navy veteran addressed the council in favor of the installation of bathrooms at the park.
“My 10-year old son and I jog down there frequently, three days a week when here ” Stephens told the council.
Speaking at the reopening of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Molino Precinct in February, Stephens referred to his neighbors in the area and driving by the precinct daily on his way home.
“From District 5 to my neighbors here in Molino and Barth, I can’t be more excited about having this substation opened up. I pass it to and from home each day and look at it,” he told a large crowd in Molino.
Public records show Stephens and his wife have claimed a homestead exemption on their Crown Cove property for the past two years. He said that a homestead exemption does not indicate residency.
“I have lived in Molino for over 16 years,” Stephens told NorthEscambia.com late Tuesday afternoon. “I live in District 5 and represent the people of District 5.”
Tuesday, Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford agreed. He said that the residency requirement for the ECUA board is the same as defined by law for the Escambia County Commission.
“They must be a resident of the district on the day of election by statute,” Stafford said. Florida residency is defined as where a person spends most of their time and is not defined by homestead exemptions.
Stephens explained that he and his wife do spend time at their Crown Cove home in Pensacola, and that time increased right after Hurricane Sally which downed trees and caused significant damage their Barth Road home.
“We do still live in Molino. In fact we’ll be celebrating Easter their this weekend. Anyone that doubts we live there can stop by and hunt Easter eggs with us,” he said.
Pictured top: ECUA District 5 board member Kevin Stephens speaks about his neighbors during the reopening of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Molino Precinct. Picture below: Stephens, far right, looks on as the ribbon is cut on the precinct. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Had Over 100 Images Showing Child Sex Abuse, ECSO Says
March 31, 2021
An Escambia County man was charged after investigators found over 100 images depicting child sexual abuse in his possession, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
On Tuesday a search warrant was executed in the 8500 block of Alvarado Calzada off Gulf Beach Highway by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit and SWAT team, along with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations. The search warrant revealed that the target of the investigation, Andrew Alexander Thompson, was in possession of image files on his electronic devices which depicted over 100 children being sexually abused, the ECSO said in a statement.
The victims were between the ages of 2 and 12, according to an arrest report.
ECSO lead investigator Jeremy Horn arrested Thompson on 20 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material.
He was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $300,000.
Your Local Pizza Hut Has A New Owner In Massive Franchise Deal
March 31, 2021
Your local Pizza Hut has a new owner.
Flynn Restaurant Group has acquired 937 Pizza Hut locations across the United States from NPC International. NPC declared bankruptcy in 2020.
The deal includes the Pizza Hut restaurants in Cantonment, Pensacola, Milton, Pace, Atmore, Flomaton and Brewton, a Flynn Restaurant Group spokesperson told NorthEscambia.com.
Flynn, which describes itself as the largest restaurant franchise operator in the country, including Applebee’s, Panera Bread, Taco Bell and Arby’s. With the purchase, Flynn will nearly double its restaurant count as a result of this acquisition, now owning and operating a combined total of 2,355 quick-service, fast casual and casual dining restaurants, generating $3.5 billion in sales and employing 73,000 people in 44 states.
Pictured: The Pizza Hut location in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.