Molino Man Charged With Trying To Steal Gun As Deputies Watched
September 13, 2019
A Molino man was charged after allegedly trying to steal a handgun from a pickup truck in Davisville as Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies watched.
Ilence James Hamm, 47, was charged with first degree felony armed burglary. He was later released from the Escambia County Jail on a $2,500 bond.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Marathon gas station in the 10000 block of Highway 97 in reference to a trespassing complaint. Deputies made contact with Hamm who was asked to leave the store by the manager, and advised to leave the property by deputies, according to an ECSO report.
Deputies watched as he left the store and walked away on Highway 97 where he stood in front of a residence for approximately seven to eight minutes before he proceeded into the yard where a pickup was parked, the report states. Deputies watched as he approached the pickup, made two laps around it and proceeded to the rear of the truck for 10-15 minutes. He then proceeded to driver’s door, looked around and opened the pickup door. The three deputies immediately responded.
As Hamm saw the deputies leaving the nearby store, he closed the door and proceeded to the back of the truck and toward the driveway. He spontaneously told the arriving deputies that the was a gun in the door of the truck, and he was immediately detained.
Deputies made contact with the resident who stated that Hamm had obviously tried to remove the handgun from the holster but had failed due to its locking style.
Century Collects $28K For Gulf Power Gas Pipeline Easement, Will Use For Their Own Gas Fund
September 13, 2019
Century has received $28,000 for granting a permanent easement to Gulf Power for the installation of a natural gas pipeline on a piece of property the town owns on Tedder Road.
The town will reserve the money in their general fund and then transfer it to their gas fund after the new fiscal year begins on October 1. That will allow the troubled gas fund to record the income in the new fiscal year.
The pipeline is part of a Gulf Power project to convert Plant Crist from coal to natural gas. The proposed natural gas pipeline will run about 39 miles from the existing Florida Gas Transmission Pipeline near the Florida/Alabama border outside Century south through McDavid, Molino and Cantonment to Plant Crist on Pate Street just northwest of the University of West Florida. Over 85 percent of the proposed route would be located on existing corridors like Gulf Power transmission line corridors.
Gulf Power is paying the town $28,000 for the 50-foot easement that will temporarily be expanded to 95 feet during construction.
The entire parcel is 23.53 acres along Tedder Road just west of the Century Work camp and Elsie Davis Road. A Gulf Power high voltage electrical transmission line already traverses the property, and the natural gas pipeline will be installed parallel to and just west of the electrical line, according to town documents.
The pipeline will be at least 36 inches deep, allowing the town to construct any needed driveways across the easement with the approval of Gulf Power. The parcel of land is currently mostly wooded and not used by the town for any purpose.
No Serious Injuries In Cantonment Highway 29 Crash
September 13, 2019
There were no serious injuries in a traffic crash Thursday night in Cantonment. A Chevrolet pickup and a Nissan Sentra collided shortly after 8 p.m. on Highway 29 at Woodbury Circle. The Florida Highway Patrol investigated and has not released further information. Reader submitted photos by Dylan Shipman, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Second Graders Visit Roy Hyatt Environmental Center
September 13, 2019
Byrneville Elementary School second graders got up close with nature this week at the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center in Cantonment. The students met Simon the bearded dragon and Ozzie the diamondback terrapin, and they compared and contrasted reptiles, amphibians, fish, birds and mammals as part of their visit. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Gets 30 Years After Impersonating Parole Officer
September 13, 2019
An Escambia County man is headed to prison for impersonating a parole officer.
Circuit Judge Gary Bergosh sentenced Benny Jay Burrell to 30 years in state prison. Burrell entered a plea of no contest to home invasion robbery with a weapon, grand theft auto, grand theft, false imprisonment, fraudulent use of a credit card, and harassing a witness, victim or informant involving a first degree felony.
On September 19, 2018, Burrell knocked on the victim’s door claiming to be a parole officer looking for a parolee. After the victim declined to let Burrell enter her residence, he forced his way inside and tied her to chair before taking her credit card, car keys, cell phone and various other items. He then stole her vehicle and left.
Shortly after fleeing the scene, Burrell used her credit card at a gas station off Cervantes Street. Law enforcement responded and apprehended Burrell who was in possession of the victim’s vehicle and other items. The victim was transported to the gas station and identified Burrell.
After he was apprehended, the victim received a threatening letter with Burrell’s DNA on the envelope.
No Injuries In Early Morning Highway 29 Rollover Crash
September 12, 2019
A driver was cited for leaving the scene of an accident following a single vehicle rollover crash sometime early Thursday morning on Highway 29 in McDavid.
The vehicle was found about daybreak on its roof in the median one mile north of Highway 164. There was no one in or around the vehicle when first responders arrived on scene. Hours after the crash, driver and vehicle occupants made contact with a concerned citizen who transported them to a nearby store.
The driver was northbound on Highway 29, ran off the roadway onto the shoulder and crossed back over to the median before overturning.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The McDavid and Century stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Gas Superintendent Quits; Pensacola Extends Helping Hand To Century
September 12, 2019
Century’s gas superintendent abruptly quit this week, and City of Pensacola is extending a helping hand to their neighbors to the north.
Kellett Resigns
Wally Kellett notified the town on Tuesday that Thursday would be his last day, according to interim Century City Manager Buz Eddy. He said Kellett has accepted another job in Sunrise, Fla.
The Century Town Council has asked “Where’s Wally?” several times this year after Kellett was a no-show for council meetings despite being instructed to attend.
The council requested Kellett keep them updated on the progress of new meter installations, back billing issues with the prison and other issues concerning the department. But with few updates, the town’s governing body has been in the dark on their natural gas department.
“Our gas superintendent won’t come to these meetings. We need this vital information,” council President Ann Brooks said at a July meeting.
Kellett worked as gas superintendent from June 2015 to May 2016 before leaving for another job. He returned to Century’s payroll in July 2018.
City of Pensacola Helping Hand
The City of Pensacola is offering to help Century with gas department and financial issues. The initial offer was made prior to Kellett announcing his departure.
“I think it’s critically important for local governments throughout our region to work together as a team, so I am committed to assisting the Town of Century in creating a strategic plan that will help resolve some of their existing issues,” Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson said. “While the City of Pensacola cannot commit to solving these problems, we want to help Century assess their needs and create a plan to address them in a way that benefits their residents and moves the town forward.”
Pensacola Energy has not committed any staff to install meters in Century, but will be assessing the scope of work this week to make a recommendation to the Town of Century. Pensacola staff is helping Century assess what their next steps should be and prepare a strategic plan, specifically related to the town’s gas service and financial issues.
Pictured top: Century Gas Department Superintendent Wally Kellett addresses to the Century Town Council earlier this summer. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Man Critically Injured In Molino ATV Accident
September 12, 2019
An adult male was seriously injured in a rollover all-terrain vehicle accident in Molino Wednesday night.
The man, reportedly in his 50s, was injured about 7:35 p.m. in the 6800 block of North Highway 95A, near Kemala Avenue. He was transported by Escambia County EMS to the Molino Fire Station and airlifted as a “trauma alert” to an area hospital. An update on his condition was not available.
Further details have not been released.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
First Responders Dedicate New Library Flagpole On 9-11
September 12, 2019
A new American flag and flagpole were dedicated Wednesday at the Flomaton Public Library by local first responders honoring 9-11. Both were donated by Modern Woodmen. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Elementary Halts Multi-Million Dollar Construction Plans
September 12, 2019
Byrneville Elementary School’s board of directors officially decided Wednesday afternoon to halt plans for a multi-million dollar construction project, instead opting to look at renovations and upgrades on the current campus.
At one time the charter school’s board of directors discussed $7.7 million for a new building with 10 classrooms, a 1,000 square foot multipurpose room and associated spaces, and a new cafetorium with a serving kitchen. The board’s banker told them earlier this year that the school can afford a loan of just $2.185 million with an enrollment of 205 students. Byrneville’s current enrollment stands at 185.
“We have to have more students to build the whole thing,” board chair Melanie Killam said Wednesday. “We could modify it to fit what we have.” She mentioned that perhaps a four classroom building could be constructed, but that would force the board to take ownership of the property from the Escambia County School District and assume responsibility for all facility repairs.
“We are back to square one. If we start building, we have to start paying for all the insurance and all that has to be done,” Killam said.
“We know that we don’t have the money to build what we were going to do. We need to update,” said board member Brandy Carter. “Spruce it up.”
The board decided to meet again with their architect and explore renovation and upgrade options.
Byrneville Elementary’s main building was constructed in 1941, and many classrooms and the school’s library are located in aging portables.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.