Local Man Arrested For Scamming Elderly NJ Woman
September 17, 2019
An Escambia County man has been charged with scamming an elderly New Jersey woman.
Parth C. Patel was charged with grand theft of a victim over the age of 65. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $10,000 bond.
Last week, the East Windsor New Jersey Township Police Department requested assistance from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Fraud Unit. The New Jersey authorities reported a 72- year old victim had been scammed out of a large sum of money.
NJ Police stated the victim was told that they had “pending criminal actions” against them and needed to send money via FedEx to resolve the matter or their social security may be seized. Even though the victim had no criminal history, they complied out of fear and was provided an address location where to send the money via FedEx to Escambia County, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
After a search warrant was served, Patel was taken into custody.
Escambia County investigators said they believe there may be more victims tied to Patel’s activities.
Volleyball Senior Night: Jay Defeats Northview (With Photo Gallery)
September 17, 2019
The Jay Royals defeated the Northview Chiefs 3-2 Monday night in Bratt.
The Lady Chiefs celebrated senior night, honoring senior Teriana Redmond, Lexi Broadhead, Payton Jackson, Hailie Anderson and Abi Mascaro (pictured bottom).
The Chiefs will host their Gold Digger event against W.S. Neal beginning at 4:30 Tuesday. The Royals will be at T.R. Miller on Tuesday.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Take Stock in Children Announces 34 New Students Selected For Local Scholarship Program
September 17, 2019
Take Stock in Children recently introduced 34 new scholarship recipients and their mentors. There are 29 new seventh graders and five alternates from eighth or ninth grades among the new class..
Students will receive a college scholarship upon graduation from high school as long as they maintain good grades, attendance and citizenship, remain crime and drug free, and meet weekly with a volunteer community mentor.
The newly selected students include:
- Bailey Middle – Dewey Cushing Jr, Jacquelynn Davis, Landon Green, Xandria Smith, Gabriella Soto
- Bellview Middle – Allison Banks, Raven Falzone, Bethany Gurley
- Beulah Middle – Izaiah Cubias, Andrew Moles
- Brown Barge Middle –- Lana Carter, Tyrin Joiner, Elizabeth Mendiola (8th grade), Kenya Wadley (8th grade)
- Ernest Ward Middle – Jackson Davis, Laura Laborde, Jared Long, Genesis Scott-Johnson
- Ferry Pass Middle – Retag Abdelhamid, Jayden Brown, Kyleigh Cox, Azarria MGhee, Amiya Rudolph, Alysa Sutton, Mary Kaitlyn Johnson (8th grade), Catherine Wester (8th grade)
- Ransom Middle – Jayda Fillingim, Adrianna Middleton, Ceth Morris, Kaylyn Weiss
- Warrington Middle – Shynia Bowie, Nyking Curry, Christian Stone
- West Florida High – Patrick Delcour (9th grade)
Take Stock in Children is a statewide non-profit organization operating locally under the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation. Take Stock provides “scholarships, mentors & hope” to deserving young people selected through a need-based application process through the public middle schools at the end of their 6th grade year. Scholarship donations from local foundations, organizations, businesses and individuals are matched dollar-for-dollar when scholarships are purchased from Florida Prepaid College Foundation each year and are held until students successfully graduate from high school.
There are now a total of 138 students in grades 7-12 in Escambia County’s program.
Learn About Center Of Independent Living Wednesday At Molino Library
September 17, 2019
Area residents will have a chance to learn about the programs and services offered by the Center of Independent Living on Wednesday, September 18 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Molino Branch Library.
The services are offered to people with all types of disabilities. September’s focus is on service animals and advocacy issues.
Atmore Issues Burn Ban; Fire Danger Advisory Issued For State Of Alabama
September 17, 2019
A burn ban was issued Tuesday within the city limits of Atmore.
Fire Chief Ronald Peebles said the ban on all burning will remain in effect until sufficient rainfall is received.
“That won’t just be after the next thunderstorm,” Peebles said. “It will be after receive a long soaking rain.”
The Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) has issued a Fire Danger Advisory for all 67 Alabama counties effective immediately until rainfall is received. Current drought conditions and persistent high temperatures have combined to create a high probability of fuel ignition and an atmosphere favorable for wildfires, according to the agency.
In the last 30 days, AFC wildland firefighters have battled 192 wildfires burning approximately 2,221 acres of land across the state.
Although the state is not under any type of burn restriction, the commission is urging residents to delay outdoor burning until conditions improve. While under the fire danger advisory, all necessary safety precautions should be exercised when doing any type burning. Alabama Forestry Commission is still issuing burn permits at this time.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Elderly Man Reported Missing From Retirement Community
September 16, 2019
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help to locate a missing elderly adult.
Alvin James Crossman, 69, was last seen about 4 a.m. Sunday at the Westpointe Retirement Community in the 5100 block of Northpointe Parkway. No clothing description was avialable.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Monday Was The 15th Anniversary Of Hurricane Ivan
September 16, 2019
Hurricane Ivan made landfall 15 years ago Monday near Gulf Shores at 1:50 a.m. By 4:01 a.m, the right front eyewall, the worst of Ivan at time, was near Walnut Hill in North Escambia (radar image above).
Ivan packed 120 mph sustained surface winds and a historic storm surge, the magnitude and extent of the damage and destruction over Baldwin County in Alabama and Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in northwest Florida exceeded that of both Hurricane Frederic (September 1979) and Hurricane Opal (October 1995).
A total of eight deaths in the western Florida Panhandle — seven in Escambia County and one in Santa Rosa County — were the direct result of Hurricane Ivan. Damage was estimated near 14 billion dollars.
A buoy south of Dauphin Island recorded a wave height of 52 feet before the buoy went missing. The peak wind gust recorded in Pensacola Naval Air Station was 107 mph, while the Pensacola airport recorded 101 mph. No surface wind observations were available from North Escambia in Florida or Escambia County in Alabama; an estimated 80-100 mph or greater winds near Ivan’s center caused major tree and structural damage.
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Century Targets More Commercial Gas Meter Replacements To Boost Revenue
September 16, 2019
The Town of Century has completed the emergency installation of four commercial gas meters and will soon replace eight more in an attempt to increase their gas department’s troubled bottom line.
In August, the town declared an emergency and approved a no-bid proposal presented by now-interim town manager Buz Eddy for $4,750 to G.P.’s Gas Appliance Repair and Piping, LLC in Baker and $35 an hour to consultant Vernon Prather for the four meter replacements. No quotes or bids were obtained from any other company.
The town replaced the natural gas meters at Century Coin Laundry and Self Storage, the Southern Panhandle Cafe, Food Giant and the Sunrise Donut Shop under the emergency purchase. The four meters were faulty and not properly recording gas usage, according to the town.
Now, town is wrapping up a audit of their natural gas system route books, ensuring that each address with gas service is receiving a bill. Those that are receiving service but not being billed will be required to submit a deposit for service or their gas meter will be locked.
The Century Town Council has also authorized a request for proposals and advertising to find a contractor for eight additional commercial meter replacements.
The contractor will inspect and facilitate gas meter replacements at the following locations:
- Century Health and Rehabilitation, Industrial Boulevard
- The Sandwich Deli, North Century Boulevard
- Hudson’s Grocery, North Century Boulevard
- Century Millworks, Industrial Boulevard
- Campfire USA, Industrial Boulevard
- Escambia County EMS Post, Industrial Boulevard
- Lakeview Center, Industrial Boulevard
- Century Community Center (Ag Building), Industrial Boulevard at West Hwy. 4
The gas meters will be provided to the contractor by the town, with the contractor providing pipe fittings and calibration test ports.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Florida Gas Prices Could Rise 5 To 20 Cents This Week Due To Saudi Oil Attacks
September 16, 2019
Florida drivers could soon see gas prices move higher, as crude oil prices surged after a series of drone attacks on Saudi Arabian oil facilities during the weekend, according to AAA.
The drone attacks targeted two huge Saudi processing plants, knocking out half the kingdom’s oil capacity, and nearly six percent of what the world consumes every day. Various news reports have suggested other countries would ramp up production to offset the shortage. President Donald Trump authorized the release of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in effort to balance the market.
“This is a fluid situation which has quickly ignited, but could also flame out – depending on how the market responds over the next couple of days,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “If oil prices hold at current levels, drivers could see gas prices begin to rise anywhere from 5-20 cents by the end of the week.”
Florida drivers are currently paying an average price of $2.40 per gallon. The state average is 3 cents less than a week ago, and 34 cents less than this time last year. The highest daily average price so far this year was $2.80 per gallon; the lowest was $2.12.
Sunday night, Escambia County had among the lowest gas prices in the state. The average price per gallon was $2.36 per gallon, while three stations in Cantonment were at $2.26.
Ransom Middle Names September Students Of The Month
September 16, 2019
Ransom Middle School has named September Students of the Month. They are sixth graders Ellie Nissim and Andrew Norris. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.