Tiny Homes Could Become Easier To Build In Escambia County
May 15, 2020
Tiny homes could become easier to build in Escambia County by early next year.
New regulations from the Florida Building Commission are set to go into effect on December 31 that will offer some relief from stringent requirements that apply to standard residential construction. The rules loosen requirements on things like stair and landing sizes, ceiling heights and the size of rooms.
The Florida Building Code is used as the framework for the Escambia County’s building code. The Escambia County Commission on Thursday directed the county planning board to make local changes based upon the new state regulations.
Escambia County Commission Chairman Steven Barry said, “I think we’re going to have a lot of counties that are going down the path that we’re going, and I think it is a reasonable thing if our board ended up asking our planning board to discuss some of the variables that would be built into it, not the building code part, but on the land use and those types of things.”
All the provisions and regulations of the current Land Development Code (LDC) would apply. In all zoning districts, a tiny home could be a single-family dwelling per lot. A tiny home could be an accessory dwelling unit where a single-family dwelling unit exists. Up to four units would be allowed, without a site plan review, in zoning districts where multi-family dwellingsor multi-developments are allowed.
Commissioners also expressed that tiny homes could equate to more affordable housing in Escambia County.
Tiny homes are defined in Florida building code as being less than 400 square feet. Recreational vehicles do not qualify as tiny homes.
Central Water Works Issues Boil Water Notice Due To E. Coli Bacteria; Order Includes Century Prison
May 14, 2020
Central Water Works has issued boil water notice effective immediately due to the detection of E. coli bacteria. The warning includes not only the utility’s customers, but also the Century Correctional Institution.
Central is currently supplying the Century prison with water through an emergency fire hose connection after the failure of the Century water well that normally supplies the prison. At last report, prison inmates were not consuming the water from Central but were being provided with bottled water.
In a notice, Central Water Works said, “Fecal coliform [or E. coli] bacteria were found in some of the groundwater and distribution system samples taken on April 8, 2020. These bacteria can make you sick, and are a particular concern for people with weakened immune systems.”
All customers of Central Water Works were advised to not drink the water without boiling it first for at least one minute.
On the date of the sample — April 8 — Central was not supplying water to the prison.
Click here to read the complete boil water notice and instructions.
Central Water Works was founded in 1965 and provides water for about 1,000 members in Byrneville, McDavid and outside the municipal service areas of Century and Flomaton.
Santa Rosa County Joins Escambia In Issuing Burn Ban
May 14, 2020
Santa Rosa County issued a burn ban Thursday morning, joined Escambia County which issued a burn ban Wednesday afternoon.
Outdoor burning is prohibited in both counties, including campfires, bonfires and burning trash. Enclosed outdoor cooking, such as on a grill, is allowed.
The Florida Forest Service is not issuing an burn permits at this time for Escambia or Santa Rosa counties.
The burn bans in both counties will remain in effect until lifted by local government after significant rainfall.
ECSO: Man Wanted For Opening Fire At Pine Forest Road Gas Station
May 14, 2020
Deputies are searching for a man that allegedly opened fire at gas station on Pine Forest Road in Escambia County.
On Wednesday, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shots fired call at a gas station located in the 8600 block of Pine Forest Road at I-10. The victim told deputies that 27-year old William David Nicholson II, fired two shots at the victim, after the victim accidentally cut the suspect off in traffic.
The ECSO said Nicholson fired one shot into the victim’s driver’s side window and fired the other shot into the structure surrounding the gas pumps. The victim suffered a non-life threatening injury to the head and was taken to a local hospital.
At the time of the incident Nicholson was reported to be driving a green Kia SUV type vehicle with Florida license Z93OUE. Nicholson is a white male with red hair, blue eyes whom is 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs around 150 pounds.
A warrant for Nicholson’s arrest has been issued chagrining him with aggravated battery, firing a weapon in public, deadly missiles, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and criminal mischief. Nicholson’s bond was set at $71,000. Nicholson also has an unrelated felony warrant for his arrest for dealing in stolen property.
Anyone with information on Nicholson’s whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Hurst Hammock, Santa Rosa Fires Nearly Contained
May 14, 2020
The Florida Forest Service said Thursday that the two large wildfires burning since last week in Escambia County are nearing containment.
The Hurst Hammock Fire in Beulah has burned 1,191 acres and is now 98% contained. The 5 Mile Swamp Fire in Santa Rosa County is 2,215 acres and 97% contained.
Firefighters will continue patrolling fire lines and mopping up hot spots today. The team is leaving four brush trucks, three tractor/plow units and other specialized equipment in district to bolster local resources as the potential for new fires remains high until the area receives significant rainfall.
The weather forecast calls for relative humidity at 40-60%. Winds will be southeast at 10-14 mph with no rain in the forecast for the next several days. Given the conditions, Blackwater Forestry Center is not authorizing any burns and there are burn bans in effect for Escambia and Okaloosa counties.
Burn bans are in effect for Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties.
Cantonment Man Arrested On 20 Child Porn Counts, Previously Charged With Luring An Underage Girl For Sex
May 14, 2020
A Cantonment man arrested last month on multiple felony charges after allegedly luring and trying to meet an underage girl for sex is now facing additional child pornography charges. Authorities said he possessed nearly 450 images depicting a wide range of child pornography.
Christopher James McElveen, Sr., age 40 of 801 Cedar Tree Lane, was charged this week with 20 felony counts of possession of child pornography. Last month, he was charged with luring or enticing a minor to engage in unlawful sexual conduct, traveling to meet a minor to engage in unlawful sexual conduct and the unlawful use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
The nearly 397 child pornography images found on his computer depicted children as young as infants engaged in various sexual activities, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and an additional 47 child porn images were located on a USB drive.
Using the profile name “Chris McElveen” on a commonly used social media platform, McElveen initiated contact on March 23 with an undercover investigator posing as girl under the age of 13, according to an arrest report. The social media site was not named by authorities.
The investigator informed McElveen several times that his online persona was an underage girl. McElveen stated “I would prefer younger but its all good” and he initiated sexual conversation. His chats included statements that included “Im okay with you”, “age and all” and comments that he has previously engaged in sexual contact with a seven-year old girl, the report states.
“McElveen sent several messages of his sexual intent, he began inquiring about if my parents we at home or at work and expressed wanting to meet. McElveen advised that he wished to get a hotel room for a few hours with the underage female, and once again named the sexual acts he wished to perform with the underage female,” the investigator wrote.
A meeting location was established on Thursday, April 2, and McElveen drove his gold GMC van to the location and sent a message to the undercover social media profile which stated “Im parked on the side”. He was taken into custody without incident, and a search warrant was executed at his residence at 801 Cedar Tree Lane. His cellular phone was seized as evidence pending an additional search warrant.
McElveen’s statements to investigators were redacted from the arrest reports.
COVID-19 Testing Turnout Was Light In Century
May 14, 2020
Turnout was light Wednesday at a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site in Century.
Just 55 tests were administered during a four hour period at the drive-thru testing site that did not require and pre-screening. Many times during the test period, there was no one in line.
The tests were available to anyone for any reason from age newborn and up regardless of symptoms. Those that were tested were advised to go home and self-isolate, wear a face covering and keep away from other people, including family members, until they receive their test results.
Wednesday’s testing event in Century was the first in Escambia County north of Cantonment. At a similar event at Carver Park in Cantonment late last month, a total of 306 people were tested with others referred to another testing location.
Community Health also offers drive-thru testing at Cantonment Pediatrics at 470 South Highway 29 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Pre-screening is required for the Cantonment Pediatrics location by calling (850) 746-2684.
The Century Area Chamber of Commerce helped coordinate Wednesday’s testing in Century.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Class Of 2020 Members Receive Extra Surprises
May 14, 2020
The Northview High School Class of 2020 visited the school Wednesday to return items like uniforms, and they also received a few extra surprises.
Seniors received items such as a “We Love Our NHS Chiefs Seniors” yard signs with their name, their cap and gown, a photo banner and a “SENIORS 2020 – The One Where They Were Quarantined” senior shirt. They also received academic awards.
The seniors remained in their vehicles for the event for proper social distancing.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
UWF Reports First Confirmed Positive COVID-19 Case On Campus
May 14, 2020
The University of West Florida has confirmed an employee as the first case of COVID-19 on the college campus. While much of the college’s staff has been working for home, UWF said this employee has been at work on campus.
The university notified students in an email Wednesday evening that they learned of the positive case earlier in the day. The case was confirmed by the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County, according to the email, and the individual in turn notified the school.
“We are working closely with the Escambia County Health Department, the Florida Department of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure all guidelines and protocols are diligently followed. The University is taking proactive measures to thoroughly clean and disinfect the building,” the email stated.
The employee worked in Building 20E and has been working on campus. According to a campus map, Building 20E includes the ADA Office, Cashier’s Office and Human Resources.
UWF employees that have had contact with the infected person have been notified. The university’s email did not indicate if the person has had any contact with students or the general public. Students have generally been off campus taking part in virtual instruction for the past several weeks.
Atmore Man Facing Weapons, Drug Charges After Allegedly Speeding On Highway 97
May 14, 2020
An Atmore man is facing multiple charges after a deputy spotted him allegedly speeding on Highway 97 in Davisville.
James Logan Smith was charged with possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, carrying a concealed firearm, possession of marijuana and driving with a suspended license.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy was sitting at the Marathon Gas Station at Highway 97 and Nokomis Road about 10:50 p.m. Tuesday when he observed a Chevrolet Camaro pass at a high rate of speed. He attempted to catch up with the vehicle, and found it parked on Pine Forest Road near Highway 97.
Smith told the deputy that he did not have a valid driver’s license, and he was detained. Smith’s girlfriend, who was in the vehicle, told deputies that he pulled over because his “Reduce Engine Power” light came on. She said they had just left her mother’s house because they had been arguing.
While searching the vehicle, the deputy smelled marijuana and observed a marijuana blunt smoking in the vehicle’s ashtray, and he found loose marijuana and another blunt under the driver’s seat, according to an arrest report. The deputy also located an unsecured 9 mm handgun in the vehicle and a magazine with seven rounds of ammunition next to the gun.
Smith’s driver’s license was revoked in February 2016 and he had felony convictions in Alabama in 2013, according to an arrest report. He was released from the Escambia County Jail Wednesday night on a $6,000 bond.
The girlfriend as not charged.