Contractor Hits Water Main On Nine Mile Road
February 13, 2020
A 16-inch water main was hit by a contractor working near the Kangaroo Express on Nine Mile Road at I-10 Thursday morning, according to ECUA. The contractor worked to make the necessary repairs.
A resulting water outage impacted part of the surrounding area, including the Navy Federal campus on Nine Mile Road.
The situation did not prompt a boil water notice, according to ECUA spokesperson Nathalie Bowers, because the water pressure at the damage location did not drop low enough.
Apartment Developer’s Utility Lawsuit Against The Town Of Century Has Been Dismissed
February 13, 2020
An apartment developer’s utility deposit lawsuit against the Town of Century has been dismissed after the court ruled the town was immune from the suit.
The court adopted both arguments that the town raised in defense that sovereign immunity and fraud statutes each preclude the developer’s claims. The developer has filed an appeal with the Florida First District Court of Appeal.
The Paces Foundation and Century Park Apartments contended they owed $63,750 for water and wastewater connection fees, but instead they were forced to pay over $100,000 more.
Paces contended that they elected to make their $10 million investment in Century in late 2015, at which time a 2015 water rate ordinance was in effect. Those rates were in effect until increased in a series of acts by the town council, increasing costs over $100,000 for the developer, according to the motion.
Paces argued it was not “just and equitable” to increase the rates after the property was developed.
The Dispute
In February 2018, Paces submitted a $165,180 check to the town for water and wastewater tap fees along with a protest letter from attorney William J. Dunaway of the Clark Partington law firm in Pensacola. The letter informed the town that the payment was made in full, but the amount remained in dispute.
Paces asked for a declaration that they owed the town $63,750 for full payment and an additional $101,430 deposit charged was invalid.
The lower fee of $63,750, according to Paces, was decided upon during a 2015 meeting with then-Mayor Freddie McCall and Town Planner Debbie Nickles. The only written agreement to come out of that meeting was a handwritten page showing calculations that Paces said were based upon the 2015 rates as published online in the town’s municipal code. The handwritten document also included a proposed fee for natural gas; however, the developer later opted to go all-electric.
In 2017, the town council passed two resolutions increasing the water and sewer tap fees and charged Paces based upon 50 connections. The apartment complex, according to the lawsuit, has only one master meter that serves all 50 units.
Paces contended they relied upon the lower payment quote in determining their financial options with the apartment development. They contended they were forced to submit the higher fee in order to obtain utility services and obtain a certificate of occupancy for the apartments.
McCall and Nickels did not deny the meeting, nor did they deny the agreement or the approximate $63,000 tap fee. “The town made a commitment to them. To me, they should do the right thing and honor that commitment,” Nickels said during a March 2018 town council meeting also attended by McCall.
Pictured top: Century Park Apartments. Pictured top inset: A check submitted under protest to the town by the Paces Foundation. Pictured bottom inset: The handwritten document Paces contends demonstrated a lower water and sewer tap fee as authorized by town code. Pictured below: Century’s justification for the $165,180 tap fee charged to the developer. NorthEscambia.com photo and images, click to enlarge.
New Sacred Heart Emergency Room Under Construction On Nine Mile Road
February 13, 2020
Ascension Sacred Heart has started construction on a new $11 million freestanding emergency room at the intersection of Nine Mile Road and Stefani Road.
Construction on the 14,700 square-foot facility should be completed by the end of this year.
The emergency center will include 13 treatment rooms and two trauma rooms staffed by emergency medicine physicians, nurses, and respiratory therapists. The ER will will include a lab, pharmacy, CT scanner and x-ray imaging. It will be open 24 hours a day.
Plans for the new ER were first announced last August.
Passport Fair Saturday At The Century Post Office
February 13, 2020
A passport fair will be held from 9 a.m. until 1 p. m. Saturday at the Century Post Office, 8450 North Century Boulevard.
Appointments are not required on passport fair days, however, customers are encouraged to show up early, as applicants will be served on a first-come, first-served basis until the applicant maximum capacity has been reached. Passport photo services will be available for those needing a new or updated passport photo.
To save time, customers can visit www.usps.com/passport to learn about the application process and also download and complete an application form before coming to the Passport Fair.
To obtain a passport, applicants need to:
- Bring proper proof of American citizenship. This must be either a certified birth certificate issued by the city, county or state, naturalization certificate (a hospital-issued birth certificate alone is not acceptable), consular report of birth abroad, certificate of citizenship or a previous U.S. passport.
- Each applicant must bring a clear photocopy of their proof of American citizenship that will be presented at the time of passport acceptance. If the document is two sided, then a photocopy of the front and back of the document must be provided.
- Bring proof of identity. This must be either a previous U.S. passport or passport card, certificate of naturalization with identifiable photo attached, certificate of citizenship with identifiable photo attached, valid driver’s license (not temporary or learner’s permit), official U.S. military or military dependent identification card, government employee identification card (federal, state, municipal, county) or current valid foreign passport.
- Each applicant must bring a clear photocopy of their proof of identity that will be presented at the time of passport acceptance. If the document is two sided, then a photocopy of the front and back of the document must be provided.
- The passport application requires recent color passport photograph of you (2” x 2” in size), which the Post Office Passport Office can provide for $15.
- All applicants must appear in person (including minors).
- Minors under the age of 16 must appear with both parents. If one parent is not available, a notarized authorization from the absent parent is required.
Each passport for an adult must be accompanied by a check or money order for $110 made payable to the U.S. State Department and a $35 execution fee made payable to Postmaster. Fees for children under 16 are $80 and $35.
The cost to expedite processing at the Department of State is $60 paid per application in addition to required fees.
The cost to expedite delivery service is $17.13 paid per application directly to the Department of State for the delivery of an issued passport book from the Department of State to the customer. This service is only available to mailing addresses within the United States. Not valid for passport cards.
Jim Allen Elementary Names Students Of The Month
February 13, 2020
Jim Allen Elementary School has named Students of the Month for January. They are Cali Mossing (pictured left) and Cooper Adams. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Baseball Opens Preseason With 3-0 Shutout Of West Florida
February 13, 2020
The Tate Aggies opened their 2020 baseball preseason with a 3-0 shutout of West Florida on Wednesday.
Josiah Glodfelter got the start on the mound for the Aggies, allowing one hit, no runs and striking out six over three innings. Tanner Rochon went for two innings, allowing one hit and striking out one. Grant Gill pitched a single inning, striking out three. Ethan George closed with three strikeouts.
At the plate, Jackson Penton led the Aggies, going 2-3.
Also for Tate: Cole Fryman 1-3; Jadon Fryman 1-3, 2R; Jackson Penton 2-3, RBI; Jordan Jarman 1-2, RBI; Josiah Glodfelter, 1-1, BB; Dalton Bowen 0-2; R.
Tractor Supply Company To Open In Atmore By Summer
February 13, 2020
Tractor Supply Company is coming to Atmore.
The new store will open this summer, the company confirmed to NorthEscambia.com. It will be one of 80 stores that the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the country will open during 2020.
The store will be located in former Ramey’s Marketplace building on Lindberg Avenue. Ramey’s moved to a former Winn Dixie location in 2018.
The Atmore Tractor Supply will bring about 15 new job to the area.
The company operates 1,844 stores in 49 states and employs about 32,000 people.
Pictured above: Tractor Supply will be opening this summer in the former Ramey’s Marketplace in Atmore. NorthEscambia.com photo. Pictured below: A typical Tractor Supply store. Click to enlarge.
Facing A Navy Captain: Northview NJROTC Cadets Undergo Inspection (With Gallery)
February 13, 2020
Northview High School’s NJROTC Annual Inspection was held Tuesday at the school, with cadets undergoing face to face scrutiny with Navy captain.
The inspection was conducted by Captain Bryant Hepstall, Executive Officer, Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT) located at NAS Pensacola. One by one, Captain Hepstall went face to face with each cadet, asking them questions about their NJROTC experience and conducting a complete inspection of their uniform.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The day’s events began with the personnel inspection, drill demonstration and a pass-in-review in the school gym. The captain also conducted a financial record review, briefings, administrative inspections, supply inspections and more.
Several cadets were promoted and received awards:
PROMOTIONS
To Chief Petty Officer:
Cadet John Bashore
Cadet Ethan Kilburn
Cadet Dallon Rackard
Cadet Skylar Wise
To Petty Officer Third Class:
Cadet Drake Driskell
Cadet Dejanique Lowery
To Seaman:
Cadet Erich Amerson
Cadet Ryan Andrews
Cadet Ruth Mobley
Cadet Anthoni Weaver
To Seaman Apprentice:
Cadet Noah Fussner
EXEMPLARY APPEARANCE AWARDS
Cadet Keaton Brown
Cadet John Bashore
Cadet Kohle Harigel
Cadet Ryan Andrews
Cadet Drake Driskell
Cadet Erich Amerson
NS1 KNOCKOUT DRILL WINNERS
1st Place-Cadet Noah Fussner
2nd Place- Cadet Drake Driskell
3rd Place-Cadet Dakota Giddeon
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fire Destroys 80-Year Old Man’s Camper At Lake Stone, The Second Time In Five Weeks
February 12, 2020
For the second time in just over five weeks, fire destroyed an 80-year old man’s camper at Lake Stone in Century.
The recreational vehicle fire was reported shortly before 3 a.m. Wednesday. Victim Neal Koe said he woke up to find the camper on fire; he was able to escape without injury.
The fire also heavily damaged his pickup truck.
About 3:45 a.m. on January 4, fire destroyed Koe’s camper at Lake Stone. That fire was blamed on a heater, but Koe said he was not using a heater Wednesday.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. The Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office was called.
After losing the first camper to fire, Koe moved the used RV that burned Wednesday morning into the county-owned park about three weeks ago. He considered Lake Stone as his primary residence.
The Century and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded.
Previous stories:
Fire Destroys Travel Trailer At Lake Stone Campground, Leaving Man Without A Home
80-Year Old Man Working To Recover From Lake Stone Camper Fire. Here’s How You Can Help.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Man Charged As Accomplice In Armed Robbery Of Piggly Wiggly; ECSO Says Pair Split The Cash
February 12, 2020
An Atmore man is now charged as an accomplice in the December armed robbery of the Piggly Wiggly in Davisville, just south of the Alabama-Florida state line.
Johnny Cecil Patterson, 46, was booked into the Escambia County Jail this week on charges of first degree accessory after the fact robbery with a firearm and grand theft.
Former Piggly Wiggly employee Maurice Montraye Ervin, 26, is was arrested in December for robbery with a firearm and first degree felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He is also charged with felony grand theft for an earlier incident caught on camera.
On December 4, 2019, Ervin called Patterson and asked for a ride to the Piggly Wiggly at their 10 p.m. closing time, according to an arrest report.. Patterson picked Ervin up and dropped him off at the shopping center on Highway 97.
Ervin allegedly entered the Piggly Wiggly at 9:51 p.m., just before the store closed. He was armed with a small silver and black semi-automatic handgun, according to an arrest report. He approached the clerk and pointed the gun at a female employee as he ordered her not to move or talk. He took $6,686.66 from the safe before fleeing the store, according to investigators. The victim told deputies that she recognized the voice of the robber as Ervin, but she did not see his face because he was wearing a mask.
Patterson picked Ervin up immediately after the robbery and drove to Ervin’s residence on West Sunset Drive in Atmore, about six miles away, the report states. Patterson also provided Ervin with Ziploc bags to use when dividing the money. Investigators don’t know the amounts of the division.
In calls monitored at the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton, Ervin and Patterson had several conversations about picking up the money from a hidden location and using it to put on Ervin’s personal account at the jail. Investigators said that in those conversations, Ervin describes in detail the location of the hidden money and directions Patterson on what to do with it.
When interviewed by deputies, Patterson completed a sworn written statement that he was called by Patterson, and he did drop him off and pick him up at the Piggly Wiggly. He said he had no conversation at all with Ervin in the vehicle, and he refused to get the hidden money when Ervin called from the jail.
Shortly after the robbery, Ervin was located in the 300 block of Sunset Drive in Atmore and taken into custody by Atmore Police on an outstanding failure to appear warrant. Atmore Police found a firearm matching the exact description of the one used in the robbery inside the 12-foot travel trailer in which Ervin was living. Five days after the robbery, his driver’s license was found in a ditch behind the Piggly Wiggly.
Ervin was also charged with grand theft for allegedly taking $941.91 from the Piggly Wiggly on October 29. Erwin was an employee at the time he was seen on video taking the cash from store’s office, according to an arrest report.
Patterson remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond due to an outstanding failure to appear warrant, while Ervin is being held on a $130,000 bond.