Early Morning Century Prison Death Under Investigation
July 27, 2018
An early morning death at Century Correctional Institution is under investigation.
Inmate George A Allen 54, was pronounced deceased at the prison about 12:30 a.m. Friday.
The death is currently under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, with assistance from the Department’s Office of the Inspector General, according to Patrick Manderfield, press secretary for the Florida Department of Corrections. He declined to release further information due to the active investigation and privacy laws. He did not specify if the death appeared to be natural or suspicious.
Allen was serving a five year sentence out of Hillborough County for burglary and grand theft. He was scheduled to be released in July 2020.
Moore’s death was the 10th inmate death at Century Correctional Institution since since January 2017.
Century Writes 41 Payroll Checks Without Funds To Cover Them, Skips Remitting Payments To IRS
July 27, 2018
During the first half of this year, the Town of Century wrote 41 payroll checks without funds to cover them and missed legally required payroll deposits with the IRS, according to town council President Ann Brooks.
The town’s most recent independent financial audit found that Century’s deteriorating financial conditions could result in a future ‘financial emergency”.
Brooks opened the town council’s first budget workshop the upcoming fiscal year Thursday afternoon with a warning about several financial problems she found only through public records requests. She said the council was never informed of the 41 payroll checks that were written without funds available.
Bank statements reflect 41 insufficient fund charges totaling $1,394 during from February through June. The bank paid each check rather than returning them, resulting in a frequent negative balance. The overdraft fees were ev eventually refunded. United Bank also denied a loan to restructure town debt.
“This happened because there was not sufficient money to cover the checks written on the account,” Brooks said. “This is poor management.”
“The month of May we did not remit any payroll taxes to the IRS. Why? Because there was not enough money in the payroll bank account to pay the taxes,” Brooks said. She said the assistant clerk responsible for remitting the payroll taxes warned the town clerk and accountant Robert Hudson that there were insufficient funds to pay the IRS.
“Yet the council was never informed anything about this. We need to do a better job controlling our spending,” the council president said.
Brooks called for Mayor Henry Hawkins to do a better job keeping the town informed about debt refinance options and the town’s finances. He did not respond.
Hundson said he realized when reviewing the books in June that the payroll taxes were not paid in May, and he said he notified the mayor and Town Clerk Kim Godwin. He said the payroll tax deposits listed in the town’s books were still outstanding at the time of his review.
Hudson said funds to cover payroll taxes were not available in the bank account due to decreased revenue from the town’s gas department.
Brooks and Ben Boutwell were the only council members to attend Thursday’s budget workshop. Council members Luis Gomez, Sandra McMurray Jackson and Gary Riley did not attend.
Pictured top: Accountant Robert Hudson (left) explains financial documents to Century council members Ann Brooks and Ben Boutwell Thursday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Man Charged With Growing Greenhouse Marijuana
July 27, 2018
A Molino man was charged after allegedly growing marijuana in a greenhouse in his yard on Nancy Lane.
The greenhouse pot was spotted by an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy that was tracking a fleeing felony suspect with a K-9. As he passed by the greenhouse, the plants were clearly visible through a screen door.
Deputies located 15 marijuana plants growing in five gallon buckets and a lighting system to facilitate their grown, according to an arrest report.
Richard Keith Caum, 59, was charged with felony cultivation of marijuana. He was released from jail on a $2,500 bond.
Voter Registration Deadline Nears
July 27, 2018
Floridians face a Monday deadline to register to vote in the Aug. 28 primary elections, which will include high-profile races for governor, Cabinet seats, congressional and legislative seats and local races.
Voters who want to change party affiliations before the primaries also must do so before the Monday deadline.
For more information on how to register to vote, or change party affiliations, in Escambia County, click here.
As of June 30, Florida had more than 12.9 million registered voters, with registered Democrats slightly outnumbering registered Republicans, according to the state Division of Elections website.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this story.
Greyhound Group Asks Judge To Remove Racing Ban From Ballot
July 27, 2018
Arguing that it is misleading, the Florida Greyhound Association on Thursday asked a judge to remove from the November ballot a constitutional amendment that would ban dog racing in Florida.
“The (ballot) title and summary must be accurate. It must be informative. The title and summary cannot be misleading either expressly or by omission,” Major Harding, the lawyer representing the greyhound group, told Leon County Circuit Judge Karen Gievers. The association represents greyhound owners, breeders and trainers.
Harding, a former Florida Supreme Court justice, argued that the ballot title and summary for Amendment 13 is misleading on several grounds, including the fact that it would not ban all dog-race wagering in the state.
The measure, placed on the ballot by the state Constitution Revision Commission, would still allow tracks to conduct betting on dog races that are broadcast from outside the state, Harding argued.
“The title ‘Ends Dog Racing’ is false and will mislead Florida voters as to the breadth of the proposed amendment,” he said.
Harding also said the title and summary make no mention of a provision in the amendment that establishes “the humane treatment of animals” as a “fundamental value” of the people of Florida. That provision could be broadly applied and impact other activities involving animals, such as university research, he added.
“Fundamental value language is important and has significant legal effect,” Harding said, noting the only other mention of a “fundamental value” in the state Constitution is related to public schools.
Jordan Pratt, a deputy solicitor general representing the state, said the ballot language for Amendment 13, which would ban commercial dog racing after Dec. 31, 2020, is neither misleading nor fails to state its main purpose.
As for misrepresenting the racing ban since “simulcasting” of out-of-state dog races would still be allowed, Pratt said prior court decisions on amendment ballot language have presumed “voters have a certain amount of common knowledge and common sense.”
“One of the things that Florida voters certainly understand is that in voting on a proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution they are voting on what the law should be in Florida and not any other state,” Pratt said.
Pratt and other lawyers defending the proposed dog-racing ban said the “fundamental value” language was part of an introductory phrase for the amendment and would not have the wide-ranging impact claimed by the opponents.
“The fundamental value language in proposed Amendment 13 is simply a declaration,” Pratt said. “There are no judicially ascertainable standards by which a court could, as plaintiffs speculate, enforce that free-standing language to other contexts.”
Gievers specifically questioned the lawyers about the opponents’ claim that the ballot language fails to disclose its impact on another provision in the Constitution that allowed slot machines at dog tracks and other pari-mutuel facilities in Broward and Miami-Dade counties.
Harding said the slot-machine language, which was approved by voters in 2004, allowed the expanded gambling at facilities with live racing. If Amendment 13 is passed, it would break “a compact with Florida voters” by allowing slot machines at dog tracks that would become stand-alone casinos without any racing, Harding said.
But Pratt said the 2004 amendment was focused on “the original authorization” of the slot machines in the two counties and that Amendment 13 would have no impact on that activity.
The ballot summary, which specifically says “other gaming activities” are not affected, exceeds the disclosure standards and “correctly advises voters on its lack of impact on existing slot machines,” Pratt said.
Gievers said she expected to issue her opinion “quickly,” after reviewing the arguments submitted by both the opponents and opponents of the amendment.
The proposed dog-racing ban is one of 13 state constitutional amendments on the Nov. 6 general-election ballot. Eight of the amendments, including Amendment 13, were put on the ballot by the state Constitution Revision Commission.
In order to be enacted, each amendment must win support from at least 60 percent of the voters.
by Lloyd Dunkelberger, The News Service of Florida
Century Man Charged With Kicking Girlfriend In Her Head
July 27, 2018
A Century man was arrested after allegedly kicking his girlfriend in the head during an argument and preventing her from call 911.
James Edward Lewis, 50, was charged with battery, tampering with a witness and petit theft.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 6900 block of North Century Boulevard where they found a female with facial injuries. She told deputies she became involved in an argument with Lewis a $200 debt to him. She stated that Lewis became extremely agitated after she refused to drive him to Brewton because her driver’s license was suspended. The victim said Lewis pushed her to the floor and kicked her in the face, according to an arrest report.
Lewis allegedly took the battery out of her home phone and put her cellphone is his pocket, depriving her of the ability to call 911. At some point during the altercation, her son arrived home and was able to get Lewis to leave.
The victim was evaluated by Escambia County EMS and refused treatment.
Lewis remains in the Escambia County Jail due to a violation of probation charge in a possession of a controlled substance without a prescription case.
Juggling Fun At The Library; Summer Reading Program Wraps Up Next Week
July 27, 2018
Juggler extraordinaire Ron Anglin visited West Florida Library branches this week as part of the Summer Reading Program.
The Summer Reading Program ends August 4. Next week, Summer Reading Club Wrap-Up parties will be held as follows:
– Tuesday, July 31, 11 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library at Big Lagoon State Park Amphitheatre
–Tuesday, July 31, 4 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library
– Wednesday, Aug. 1, 11 a.m. – Century Branch Library
– Wednesday, Aug. 1, 4 p.m. – Pensacola Library
– Thursday, Aug. 2, 11 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
Children will play games, receive prizes and celebrate the end of the Summer Reading Program.
Pictured: Juggler Ron Anglin performed Thursday morning at the Molino Branch Library. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Inmate Bites Correctional Officer At Century Prison
July 27, 2018
An inmate bit a correctional officer at Century Correctional Institution last week, the Florida Department of Corrections said Thursday.
Inmate Joseph McLaughlin assaulted the officer at approximately 10:40 p.m. on July 17. McLaughlin bit the officer’s hand. Staff responded and subdued the inmate.
Medical staff examined the officer and noted injuries. Inmate McLaughlin will receive a disciplinary report for this assault, FDOC said.
McLaughlin was serving a one year, eight month and nine day sentence for criminal mischief with property damage in Putnam County.
Funny Money: Man Charged With Ripping Off Iconic Century Resident
July 26, 2018
A Century man has been charged with passing a counterfeit $100 bill to buy a couple of dollars worth of produce from one of Century’s most recognizable residents.
Jake Livingston is an iconic member of the Century community, selling snacks and produce from his trademark “Hazzard County Snacks” John Deere Gator. He is a local fixture at home games as “Northview’s Biggest Fan”. He also raises money for autism awareness and recently had a little library named after him [read more here] at Century Academy.
Now, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office says a man has been charged with passing a counterfeit $100 bill to make a purchase from Livingston.
Jermain Lavelle Smith, 32, bought several pieces of produce worth $2 and paid Livingston with the fake $100 bill, according to an arrest report. The ECSO report indicates Livingston provided $98 in change from his own money before he realized the $100 bill was counterfeit.
Deputies later learned Smith was “residing on a picnic table” at McMurray Park on Pond Street in Century, the report states. One deputy entered the park in marked patrol vehicle, but Smith fled on foot toward a foot trail directly behind the park where another deputy was waiting.
Smith is known to be violent and carry weapons, the report states, prompting the deputy to draw his firearm and order Smith to stop. But Smith ran the other way, slipping and falling on wet grass. Smith was not injured and was taken into custody.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Smith had been on the run for at least the past month, staying with friends and family and sleeping in wooded areas or abandoned properties.
Smith was charged with felony forgery and resisting arrest without violence. He will also face extradition on unrelated charges out of Escambia County, AL.
Families Returning To Front Street Years After EF-3 Tornado
July 26, 2018
Life continues to return to normal on Front Street in Century, nearly two and a half years after an EF-3 tornado devastated much of the area.
It was one of the poorest streets in one of the poorest towns in the state — an estimated annual household income as low as $7,000. But it’s a street rich in history, rich in memories and rich in the hearts of the residents.
Neighbors Jessica Campbell and Brenda Mullins had been out of their homes for over a year as their tornado ravaged homes were replaced. Standing in one of six new homes constructed for tornado victims, they reunited in an emotional hug.
State Disaster State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program funding was allocated to Escambia County in 2016 to assist income eligible owner occupants with rehabilitation. In August 2016, Quina Grundhoefer Architects was tasked to create replacement housing plans that would fit with the historic guidelines prescribed by the Town of Century history district as well as meeting approval with the State Historic Preservation Office since the funding is coming from the state.
Recently residents had a chance to see the inside of their new homes.
“We are very appreciative of everyone that had a part in this,” Marialena Godwin said inside her new home with her husband Carl.
For more photos, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
