No Serious Injuries In T-bone Type Wreck
November 20, 2019
There were no serious injuries reported in a t-bone type collision Tuesday night.
The crash was reported about 6:20 p.m at Highway 29 and Archer Road. At least two people refused medical treatment.
Escambia Fire Rescue’s Cantonment Station and Escambia County EMS responded. The Florida Highway Patrol investigated.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
County Administrator Explains Future Plans, Goals For Escambia County
November 20, 2019
Escambia County Administrator Janice Gilley has revealed her plans for the county over the coming months, part of a 100-day review she promised when first hired.
“The first 100 days, there were a lot of things I was looking at and there are many more continuing to unfold,” Gilly told the Escambia County Commission.
She presented a list of visions and goals for county operations, including the restoration of public trust and confidence, improved customer service, improved economic development, fiscal accountability and maintaining infrastructure.
“It sounds great and we would all agree with these aspirations; however, I would say we are not there yet,” Gilley said. “But with the right attitude and consistent movement forward, we can achieve these goals, but it is going to require hard, thoughtful, persistent work on everyone’s part.”
She discussed numerous plans directly related to people – from the commission to community and employees. One of the biggest plans is the launch of a MyGov citizens information portal by next year to make it easier for citizens to obtain information, a simplified public records request procedure and a refreshed website. On the employee side, she will work to combine public safety training, fill vacant positions, refine employee evaluations and more.
Gilley’s report included a list of policy-oriented goals included the development of a seamless and consistent development and building process, an environment in which continuous improvement is expected and improved processes.
“I would label this organization as dysfunction junction in many ways,” Gilley said. “Not because of the people, but because of the processes that I think are lacking at this time. They are either nonexistent or they are very challenging. I’m not trying to be negative, but I want you all to know there is a lot of work to be done to get this organization into a healthy organization.”
Gilley had 14 senior staff positions to fill, and to date she has filled eight of them. They are:
- Anthony Bowens — Administrative Assistant in County Administration
- Laura Coale — Director of Communications and Public Information
- Tonya Ellis — Director of Mass Transit
- Jerry Maygarden — Assistant to County Administration
- Keith Morris — Manager Compliance and Ethics
- Sharon Pitts — Assistant to the County Administrator
- Bart Siders — Director of Information Technology
- Jana Still –Director of Human Resources
“When I came on my first day, I told you that I was here to eat frogs and get bloody in the arena, and I’m still in that position,” Gilley said. “I’m still willing to eat your frogs, and I’m still willing to get bloody in the arena. But there’s a long way to go, and I’m still looking forward to us moving in that direction with your support.”
He Killed A Pedestrian On Nine Mile Road, Looked At Him And Drove Away. Now He’s Going To Prison.
November 20, 2019
An Escambia County man is headed to prison after hitting a pedestrian on Nine Mile, getting out of his vehicle, looking and him and driving away. And now he’s going to prison.
James Alan Champitto was sentenced to 20 years in prison followed by a decade of probation by Circuit Judge Jennie Kinsey for leaving the scene of a crash involving death.
He was charged after striking and 37-year old Charles Q. Davis of Pensacola as he walked across Nine Mile Road near Plainfield Avenue on February 13. A witness observed Champitto get out of his truck, look at the victim before driving away. Champitto never reported the crash or attempted to provide aid to the victim.
When law enforcement made contact with Champitto at his home, he was under the influence of methamphetamine and marijuana. It could not be proven whether he was impaired at the time of the crash or became impaired after returning home.
“The law requires that the driver of a motor vehicle involved in a traffic crash resulting in injury, death or property damage must remain at the scene in order to give his name, address, driver’s license and vehicle registration number to law enforcement,” State Attorney Bill Eddins said. “Moreover, the driver is required to render reasonable assistance to anyone injured in the crash, including transportation to a hospital if requested. By failing to remain at the scene of an accident and rendering aid, a driver places the victim in greater danger of death or serious injury. Additionally, by leaving the scene a driver may be committing a more serious crime than he or she may have been in violation of at the time of the crash.”
Tate High’s Lilly Locke Signs With Coastal Alabama Softball
November 20, 2019
Tate High School senior Lilly Locke signed Tuesday to continue her education and softball career at Coastal Alabama Community College in Bay Minette. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Time To Register For The Molino Christmas Parade
November 20, 2019
It’s time to register entries in the Molino Christmas Parade.
The parade will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 7 and will travel from the west end of Crabtree Church Road to the Molino Ballpark where Santa will be waiting to meet with all the good little boys and girls.
Registration fees are $30 for floats, $20 for vehicles (including motorcycles, tractors and golf carts) and $10 for horses. Four-wheelers and go carts are not allowed.
To register or donate, call (850) 698-4396 or visit www.MolinoBallpark.com. All registrations must be done in advance; there will be no registration available on the day of the parade.
Proceed go directly back to the community to help children in need.
Teen Dies After Early Morning Shooting In Escambia County
November 19, 2019
A teenager has died following a shooting early Tuesday morning in Escambia County.
The 15-year old male was shot inside a vehicle at Patricia and Fairfield Drive about 1 a.m.
Three people were inside the car at the time. The Sheriff’s Office says a passenger is being “somewhat cooperative” but they still have not determined why the shooting occurred.
The vehicle was driven to Edison and Garfield and abandoned after the shooting. Deputies are still searching for the driver.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Four Injured In Molino Two Vehicle Wreck; Car Hits House
November 19, 2019
Four people were reported injured in a vehicle wreck that ended with one car hitting a house on Highway 29 in Molino Tuesday morning.
The crash happened just after 6 a.m. on Highway 29 near Chance Road when one vehicle apparently rear-ended another. One vehicle left the roadway and struck the porch of a nearby home, while the other vehicle crossed all lanes of Highway 29 and came to rest in some bushes along Chance Road.
The injuries were not considered to be life threatening; one of those injured was reported to be a minor. No one in the house was injured.
The crash is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Molino and Cantonment Stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Driver Ticketed After Colliding With Escambia County Deputy
November 19, 2019
A driver was ticketed after causing a collision with an Escambia County deputy late Monday night.
It happened about 9:10 p.m. when 51-year old Darren Lamar Lee of Pensacola traveled from a Nine Mile Road entrance ramp to Highway 29, across a high seperator in the construction zone and into the path of a deputy’s marked Chevrolet Tahoe, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
FHP said Deputy B. Kersey tried to slow and avoid a crash but hit the driver’s side of Lee’s Ford Ranger.
Neither driver was injured, but Kersey was temporarily unable to exit his vehicle due to the damage.
Lee was cited for crossing a marked divider.
Century Moves Forward With Hiring Vernon Prather As Interim City Manager
November 19, 2019
The Century Town Council voted Monday night to move forward with hiring consultant Vernon Prather as interim city manager. It’s a position that could cost the town over $100,000 per year.
The 4-1 vote authorizes Mayor Henry Hawkins and Prather to negotiate a one year employment contract to bring back to the council for final approval.
The council has budgeted $80,000 plus benefits for a city manager for a total cost that could surpass $100,000, according to current Interim City Manager Buz Eddy. But he noted Prather is not looking for a complete benefits such as insurance.
The lone vote against hiring Prather can from Councilman James Smith.
“We can barely afford anything, but we want to get a city manager who we have never had throughout the lifetime of Century,” Smith said. “How are we able to support that budget over $100,000 for one individual? Instead of getting a city manager, why don’t we make the mayor full time and make him do what he’s supposed to be doing, or her for that matter? I’ve been boggled by that for a while.”
“He (Prather) starts in gas, and now there is a recommendation for him to be city manager, but he just recently retired? That doesn’t sit well with me,” Smith continued.
“The problems that town has can be best addressed by someone like Mr. Prather,” Eddy said.
The town had only five applicants, including Prather, when the city manager job was advertised. Eddy said he believes there will more interest in the town manager position after the Century Charter Review Committee completes its work. The committee will consider making a charter change to officially establish a city manager position. Significant changes would require voter approval next year.
“We need to have that included in the charter before we can get a real live fulltime city manager,” Mayor Henry Hawkins said Monday night. “The reason we have so few applications is it is not concrete that the town will operate under a city manager form of government. The recommendation is because we are moving forward; we are making good strides with Mr. Buz and Mr. Prather.” The Century Charter Review Committee is currently reviewing possible changes that could include a city manager, but any changes will require voter approval.
Prather began working for the town on a consulting basis as part of a $35 an hour package deal when Eddy came on board in July. Prather served Gulf Breeze in various positions from 2006 to 2017, including director of public services, operations consultant and assistant city manager, while Eddy retired as Gulf Breeze city manager in 2017 after 25 years on the job.
Prather does not meet the requirement of a college degree that was advertised for the city manager position, but Eddy said his experience far outweighs classroom education. He does hold wastewater and water certifications in addition to years on the job.
Prather did not attend Monday night’s meeting. If the council approves an employment contract with Prather, Eddy will step down as interim city manager and perhaps continue with the town on a consulting basis.
To learn more about the five applicants for interim town manager, click here for an earlier story.
Pictured top: Council member James Smith (far right) expresses opposition to hiring Vernon Prather as interim city manager. Pictured inset: Prather. Pictured below: Current interim city manager Buz Eddy speaks in favor of Prather replacing him. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Laura Coale Named New Escambia County Spokesperson
November 19, 2019
Laura Coale has been name Escambia County’s new director of communications and public information, effective today.
Coale will be paid $90,000 per year, plus a $400 monthly vehicle allowance.
“I’m honored to work with such a talented team and look forward to an exciting career serving the people of Escambia County,” she said.
Coale was most recently was executive director of strategic communications for Northwest Florida State College on a one-year contract that ended in September. She was executive director of communications and public information for Aims Community College in Greeley, Colorado, for three years, and spent five years as media relations director for the Denver International Airport.
Coale holds a master’s degree in public relations from Kent State University and a bachelor’s degree from Miami University.
She succeeds Joy Tusbooka whose resignation was effective in October.