Three Indicted For Valentine’s Day Murder
March 20, 2019
Three people have been indicted for a Valentine’s Day murder in Escambia County.
Leroy Benjamin, Jr., Cordarin Simmons, and Jesse Square are charged with first degree felony murder for the death of Willie Wilson, Jr.
Wilson was found severely beaten at his home on Spink Lane off North 8th Avenue. He later died from his injuries.
Benjamin will have an arraignment hearing this week. Simmons and Square were taken into custody in Ohio and are awaiting extradition.
Tate Blanks Washington (OK) In Aggie Classic; Pine Forest Beats PHS
March 20, 2019
Tate 7, Washington (OK) 0
On day two of the Aggie Classic, Tate defeated Washington (OK) 7-0 Tuesday night.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Three Aggie pitchers combined to throw the shutout. Jace Dunsford earned the win in four and a third innings, allowing no runs on two hits and striking out seven. Brantley Culbertson and Biggs entered the game out of the bullpen and helped to close out the game in relief.
Jadon Fryman led the Aggies at bat going 3-3. Mason Land, Darrien McDowell, Chase Tolbert and Trevor Norton also had hits for Tate.
The Aggies had nine stolen bases in the game, includingthree from Raymond Lafleur and Land.
Tate will host Nobles (OK) on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Pine Forest 11, Pensacola High 1
Pine Forest defeated Pensacola High Tuesday night.
Jared Riddell got the win for Pine Forest. He allowed four hits and one run over five innings, striking out seven and walking zero.
Tekoah Roby hit a 3-run homer in the fifth inning.
Pine Forest collected 11 hits.
Chase Gullatt, Tekoah Roby, Hunter Smith, and Christian Munoz each racked up multiple hits for Pine Forest.
Pictured: Tate tops Washington of Oklahoma Tuesday night in the Aggie Classic. Photos by Crystal Tolbert for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Friday Is Deadline To Apply For Escambia Youth Employment Program Jobs
March 20, 2019
Time is running out to apply for the Escambia County Youth Employment Program.
Escambia County is seeking youth ages 16-24 who are interested in an opportunity to get paid work experience this summer. Applications are due Friday, March 22 by 3 p.m.
Qualified youth who are accepted into ECYEP will be able to work up to 30 hours a week at $8.46 per hour, with positions available in various county departments along with the Escambia County School District, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector’s Office and Supervisor of Elections Office. Participants will also receive job readiness training before job placement as well as post-employment briefings.
Last summer, 76 youth participated in the program, working in county departments including Public Works, Public Safety, Escambia County Area Transit, West Florida Public Libraries and more.
Limited positions are available. Requirements for the program are as follows:
- Must be age 16-24
- Must live in Escambia County, Florida
Click here to download an application. Applications can also be picked up during normal business hours at 221 S. Palafox Place, 4th floor reception desk. Incomplete application packets will not be accepted.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia To Receive $16 Million In Bay Restoration Funds
March 20, 2019
The Florida Trustee Implementation Group approved its Final Restoration Plan 1, which selects 23 projects at a total estimated cost of $61 million. The final plan is consistent with the Trustees’ Programmatic Restoration Plan and selects projects for restoring natural resources and services injured or lost in Florida as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. With the approval of this plan, 10 projects totaling more than $16 million will benefit water quality and recreation in Pensacola Bay and Perdido Bay.
The projects include water quality improvements and park amenities for Carpenter Creek, expansion of Pensacola Beach reclaimed wastewater system, nutrient reduction in Pensacola and Perdido Bays, Gulf Islands National Seashore beach and dune habitat protection and invasive plant removal, and new camping sites along the Perdido River and Bay Paddle Trail.
These projects will help restore and benefit wetlands, coastal and nearshore habitats on federally managed lands; improve water quality and hydrology by reducing sources of pollution and restoring more natural flows to increase the overall health and productivity of these ecosystems; and enhance the public’s access to the surrounding natural resources while increasing recreational opportunities.
Alabama Man Claims $179K Lottery Prize For Davisville Ticket
March 20, 2019
An Alabama man has claimed the her prize for a winning Fantasy 5 ticket from Sunday.
The Florida Lottery says the March 17 ticket worth $179,443.81 was sold to Gregory A. Monk of Wilmer, AL, who purchased it at the State Line Gift Shop at 11208 Highway 97 in Davisville.
The winning numbers were 4-6-10-15-36.
Fire Heavily Damages Flomaton Home; Puppy Saved From Blaze
March 19, 2019
Fire heavily damaged a brick home on Old Foshee Road north of Flomaton Tuesday afternoon.
Heavy flames were coming from the garage area of the home when firefighters arrived shortly after 3 p.m.
There were no injuries reported and no word on the cause of the fire. Firefighters were able to save a puppy from the blaze.
The Flomaton, Friendship, Pineview, Barnett and McCall fire departments from Alabama, the Century Station of Escambia (FL) Fire Rescue and Medstar ambulance from Flomaton responded to the fire.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Kidnapping, Sexual Assault Suspect Named
March 19, 2019
UPDATE: A man that allegedly kidnapped and sexually assaulted a woman overnight is behind bars.
Joshua James Edwards, age 37 of Pensacola, was charged with multiple crimes including two counts of carjacking, sexual battery, armed kidnapping, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.. According to the State Attorney’s Office, he faces up to life in prison if convicted.
Edwards has an extensive criminal history and was released from prison late last year after serving about 3.5 years for grand theft, burglary, grand theft of a motor vehicle, theft, and trafficking in stolen property on a Santa Rosa County conviction, according to Florida Department of Corrections records. He was identified by Sheriff David Morgan as a member of the Aryan Brotherhood gang.
Edwards was taken into custody in a wooded area behind a Verizon store on Sorrento Road, near the Walmart on Blue Angel Parkway. As deputies chased Edwards out of the woods, he was taken into custody by Escambia County Chief Deputy Chip Simmons and Maj. Andrew Hobbs, according to Morgan.
The ECSO dive team was called into search a body of water in the woods where a weapon may have been tossed.
Edwards was reportedly spotted at the Walmart on Blue Angel Parkway earlier Tuesday morning, after releasing the woman.
The woman was abducted and her car was stolen about 11 p.m. Monday at Circle K at the intersection of New Warrington Road and Jackson Street. Edwards was armed with a handgun, according to Simmons.
Simmons said the woman was released just before 8 a.m. Tuesday at Bill Dickson Park off Gulf Beach Highway. A man matching the suspect’s description was dropped off at Walmart on Blue Angel Parkway just after 8 a.m. Deputies arrived and searched the store. During the investigation, they learned the man was seen on video leaving the store at 8:37 a.m.
Anyone with additional information is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Pictured above and below: An alleged kidnapping and sexual assault suspect at the Blue Angel Parkway Walmart Tuesday morning. Pictured bottom: Escambia County Chief Deputy Chip Simmons holds a press conference outside the store.
Gulf Power Asks For Delay For Customer Storm Restoration Charge
March 19, 2019
Gulf Power wants to delay a plan for a few months to collect an estimated $342 million from customers for Hurricane Michael recovery costs, according to a filing with the Florida Public Service Commission.
The utility had asked the PSC for permission to start collecting the costs in April, but now they want to delay that until July.
The increase amounts to about $8 a month for a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours a month of electricity, which the company said would still make the average customer’s bill lower than the January 2018. Commercial and industrial customers will see bills increase by 3 to 8 percent depending on their rate plan.
The Public Service Commission was set to consider the plan at an April 2 meeting, but now Gulf Power wants the PSC to hear the request on May 14.
“Hurricane Michael was the most destructive hurricane to ever hit Northwest Florida, with Panama City and the surrounding areas of Bay County nearly destroyed, including critical infrastructure and the energy grid that serves our customers,” said Gulf Power President Marlene Santos is a news release.. “We know that many of our customers continue to face challenges due to the aftermath of Hurricane Michael and we have worked hard to propose a plan to the Florida Public Service Commission that takes this into account and supports our ability to continue to serve them with reliable service now and into the future.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Council Seeks Help After Grand Jury Recommendations
March 19, 2019
At their first meeting after the release of a scathing grand jury report that found gross mismanagement, the Century Town Council is reaching out to the Florida League of Cities for help.
The grand jury found that the town of Century is in a state of financial emergency, and the current administration and council have failed to act in the best interest of the community. “Town officials have shown a clear lack of knowledge and understanding as to the operations of a governmental organization,” the grand jury report stated.
The council voted unanimously Monday night to accept help from the Florida League of Cities and Bob Inzer, the League’s financial advisor.
“He is available to travel from Tallahassee to spend two or three days making an assessment of the Town’s needs and developing a plan to implement the needs. The Florida League of Cities would send Bob Inzer to Century at no cost to the Town,” Ann Brooks, council president, said. It is expected that he will complete his review by mid-April.
After completion of the review report and recommended plan of action, the council will decide if they need to employ a consultant to perform an operational audit and make recommended changes.
At Monday night’s meeting, the council did not directly address any of the other recommendations and findings by the grand jury, including recommendations that the town divest the water, sewer and gas departments.
The grand jury findings were as follows:
1. We find that the Town of Century is in a state of financial emergency. The current administration and Council have failed to act in the best interest of the community. Town officials have shown a clear lack of knowledge and understanding as to the operations of a governmental organization.
2. The current administration and Council have failed to prepare and approve a budget that is realistic or financially solvent.
3. We find that the administration and Council have improperly borrowed funds from the gas tax account and the Local Option Sales Tax account.
4. We find that there has been a lack of accountability between the Mayor and supervisors and between supervisors and employees.
5. We find that the Mayor has failed to follow proper procedure when approving the use of Town equipment and manpower on private property. This appears to be as a result of a misunderstanding of public purpose and the definition of private and public property. Regular consultation with the Town’s attorney may prevent this type of misunderstanding in the future.
6. We recommend that Century sell the assets of its utility services, sanitation, natural gas, and water and sewer, and use the proceeds to repay the amounts borrowed from the restricted fund. The loss of
customers and problems with the operation of these services make it unlikely that they can ever consistently produce a profit for the Town in the future.
7. Amendments should be made to the Charter or ordinances to provide that the Town will be solely responsible for roads, parks, and land use programs.
8. We recommend that this matter be brought to the attention of the State Auditor General’s Office and that forensic financial audits be done for the past five years. Any irregularities should be referred lo the appropriate agencies, including professional licensing boards if such action is warranted. All contracts for third party professional services should be audited as well.
9. We recommend that Century seek the assistance of a municipal consulting firm to assist in the development of policies and procedures. As part of this process we recommend that an operational audit be done. These policies should provide both job descriptions and salary ranges. All employee benefits should be consistent with industry standards. Employee handbooks should be updated and should contain an anti-nepotism provision. The Florida League of Cities may be able to assist in this matter.
10. All loans by Century should be clearly listed on all appropriate financial statements. No person who has an outstanding loan from the Town should be able to run for any Century public office. Loans should not be made to any Town employee or official.
11.We have heard testimony that there is a lack of written contracts and that contracts do not have expiration dates. All contracts should be reviewed and amended as necessary. All businesses or individuals providing professional services to the Town should have written contracts containing appropriate expiration dates.
12.We recommend additional training in the area of Sunshine and Public Records. This may be done by the Town’s attorney, the First Amendment Foundation or the Attorney General’s Office. We request that the Office of the State Attorney continue to investigate allegations of missing public records as well as the failure to properly respond to public records requests.
13.We recommend that before funds are spent that they be clearly allocated and approved. We have heard testimony that economic development funds may have been spent without proper county approval. In addition, all expenditures must comply with the limitations set forth in the Town Charter.
14.The State of Florida and Escambia County should investigate the misappropriation of gas tax and LOST funds.
15.Spending restrictions should be placed on any funds provided by outside governmental entities that are not otherwise limited in their use. Prior approval should be obtained by the Town before these funds are spent. Specifically, before any funds provided to the Town of Century by Escambia County can be spent, the County should review the proposed expenditure and determine that such expenditure is appropriate.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Dog Bites Woman In Cottage Hill
March 19, 2019
A woman was bitten by a dog Sunday afternoon in Cottage Hill.
The incident occurred about 5:20 p.m. in the 2000 block of Chavers Road. An adult female was transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The owner surrendered the dog to Escambia County Animal Control, and the dog will be held in quarantine for 1 0 days, according to Kaycee Lagarde, spokesperson for the county. Escambia County Animal Control cited the dog’s owner for a animal nuisance with an attack.
Authorities have not said how the woman came into contact with the dog.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.