Water Service Restored To Hundreds Of Central Water Works Customers
July 11, 2018
Water service was restored this afternoon for hundreds of Central Water Works customers that were without full service since Tuesday afternoon.
The leak in a 2-inch water main was discovered about 5:00 a.m. near a vacant residence on Driver Road. The area was isolated and water restored to all but four customers, and the leak was repaired about noon.
“The reason the leak caused so much water loss is because it’s located at the lowest elevation on our water system,” Lisa Fuller of Central Water Works said. “The water pressure there is consistently between 135 psi and 145 psi. At that rate, it doesn’t take long to drain the elevated tanks and all the mains. Also, the leak itself ran straight across a dirt road into a ditch and into the woods. It was extremely difficult to see, especially following all the rain we had yesterday evening.”
She said customers may still experience air in the lines or even discolored water. The air will eventually dissipate, but anyone with any discoloration should call the utility at (850) 256-3849.
About 4 p.m. Tuesday, water pressure dropped “quickly and drastically” for about 425 Central Water Works customers in Byrneville, McDavid and Century before water service was completely lost for about four hours. By about 9 p.m. Tuesday, water supplies were rerouted from other parts of the system to restore some water service to customers in the affected areas, but many customers still had very low water pressure.
The water system said that for all affected customers, all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative, bottled water may be used. Residents are also advised to take precautions when bathing, especially immunocompromised individuals, infants or the elderly.
Once the water system is repaired, samples will be collected for testing. The boil water notice remains in effect until that process is completed. The utility anticipated the boil water notice will be in effect until Friday afternoon. Residents will be notified by phone or if they cannot be reached by phone, in writing at their residence, and will be posted on NorthEscambia.com.
The area included in the boil water notice is as follows:
Barnes Road, Black Road, Bluff Springs Road, East Bogia Road, West Bogia Road, Brown Road, Byrneville Road from 30 to 860, Commalander Road, Cotton Creek Road, Cox Road, Crary Road, Dawson Road, Driver Road, Elsie Davis Road, Goose Creek Trail, Glover Road, Gunner Road, Highway 164 from 11 to 975, Holland Road, Lambert Bridge Road from 1770 to 1890, Main Street, McClammy Road, Milstead Road, Mystic Springs Road, Pine Barren Road from 241 to 3300, Post Office Road, East Roach Road, West Roach Road, Rodeo Lane, Tedder Road, Thompson Road, Hhighway 29 from Tedder Road to West Bogia Road, Welch Road, Whirlpool Road, and Worley Road.
For more information, call (850) 256-3849 or email centralwaterworks@gmail.com
Century Man Accused Of Child Molestation At Local Apartment Complex
July 11, 2018
A Century man has been arrested for molesting a teen girl at a local apartment complex.
Shelton O’Brian Mitchell, 34, was charged with lewd and lascivious molestation on a child under 16.
The victim told authorities that an apartment complex resident she knew as “Brian” had touched her inappropriately. She said Mitchell offered her $150 “for 15 minutes for just one time and I will pay you for six months,” according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report. The girl told deputies that she thought she was going to be paid just to “hang out” with Mitchell. She said that she was sitting with Mitchell on the stairs of the Century Park Apartments on Second Street when he texted her phone stating he wanted to perform a sexual act.
She said she refused multiple advances, including an offer of $300, before Mitchell reached over and touched her inappropriately through her clothing, the arrest report states.
Mitchell told deputies he “always hangs out” with the victim on the stairs of the apartment complex, according to the report. He denied touching the girl, and told deputies that he was confused and thought he was texting someone else.
Century Historic Board Postpones Fence Request, Wants Rules Changed
July 11, 2018
The Century Historic Preservation Board tabled action Tuesday on a local man’s request to construct a privacy fence and a storage shed. Instead, the board wants to see the town change restrictions.
Felic Fussner filed an application for development to construct an 8-foot privacy fence in the side and rear yard of a home and a storage shed in the 400 block of Front Street, in the Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company Residential Historic District. He also applied to construct a 4-foot picket fence in the front yard.
The board recommended that the town’s fence ordinance be amended by the town council to allow only wood fences in the historic historic district while reducing the side and rear fence allowable height from eight to six feet. The board also wants to see a restriction on using freight containers as storage buildings in the historic district.
Any consideration by the town council will come at a future meeting.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
UWF Partners With Elections Officials To Enhance Cybersecurity Preparations
July 11, 2018
The University of West Florida Center for Cybersecurity recently partnered with the Florida Department of State and election officials across Florida to provide training for supervisors of elections and key personnel to enhance cybersecurity resiliency ahead of the 2018 elections.
During the month of June, the UWF Center for Cybersecurity conducted cybersecurity training courses in Tallahassee, Miami, Orlando and St. Augustine, focusing on an introduction to cybersecurity processes, threats, vulnerabilities, risk management, policy frameworks and incident management. Course graduates learned how to thwart attacks and to understand and implement cybersecurity standards.
“State and local election officials have taken significant steps to protect against the growing threat of cybercrime ahead of the 2018 elections,” said Secretary of State Ken Detzner. “The recent trainings that were conducted by the UWF Center for Cybersecurity are yet another tool in election officials’ arsenal. We appreciate the valuable partnership with their organization.”
Cybersecurity preparedness is of the utmost importance in election security.
In January 2017, Homeland Security designated voting systems as critical infrastructure. In May 2018, Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Office of the Director of National Intelligence spoke to Congress about the importance of preparing state and local election officials for potential cyber threats.
“We’ve seen a massive increase in cybersecurity awareness among election officials across the country, along with efforts to increase preparedness and resiliency,” said David Stafford, Co-Chair of the Legislative Committee of the National Association of Election Officials and Escambia County Supervisor of Elections. “UWF’s Center for Cybersecurity was uniquely positioned to work with state and local election officials to design a curriculum and roll out the training, and the content and delivery of the training were outstanding.”
The UWF Center for Cybersecurity utilized the Florida Cyber Range for hands-on activities and demonstrations throughout the courses. Metova CyberCENTS partnered with the UWF Center for Cybersecurity to launch the Florida Cyber Range and deliver the training. The state-of-the-art platform provides advanced training and testing solutions for academic, government, military and industry use through face-to-face or digital formats.
“We participated in hands-on exercises designed to prepare and guide us in dealing with various threats,” said Bill Cowles, Orange County Supervisor of Elections. “The course guided us through an analysis of our cybersecurity defenses and provided tools for implementing a layered defense consistent with recommendations in the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework. The opportunity to exchange information and ideas in this setting is invaluable.”
Following the training, a survey indicated that 95 percent of participants considered the course to be beneficial.
“The UWF Center for Cybersecurity conducted a top-notch, in-depth cybersecurity training that was extremely valuable for local supervisors of elections,” said Paul Lux, Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections. “They did an excellent job of making sure the class was beneficial to all participants regardless of their previous IT knowledge.”
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Volunteers Sought For Escambia District 1 Advisory Committee
July 11, 2018
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking Escambia County residents interested in volunteering to be considered for an appointment to the Northwest District 1 Advisory Committee.
The committee was established by county commission to explore, research, provide technical or practical expertise, and make recommendations to the District 1 member of the Escambia Board of County Commissioners regarding those issues of relevance and significant importance to the citizens of the northwest portion of District 1 of Escambia County. Committee members serve a term of office concurrent with the District 1 commissioner’s term of office.
District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh said committee is open to all Escambia County Residents. It will work to develop a master plan, he said, for the the Beulah Free Will Baptist (43), Pine Forest United Methodist (5) and Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds (68) precincts in the northwest portion of District 1.
Escambia residents interested in serving on the Northwest District 1 Advisory Committee are asked to submit a completed volunteer application along with a resume indicating their desire to serve, by 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 31. Applications should be submitted to District 1; Escambia County Board of County Commissioners; 221 Palafox Place, Suite 400; Pensacola, FL 32502, or emailed to District1@myescambia.com.
Click graphic to enlarge.
Wahoos Edge Past BayBears 3-2
July 11, 2018
Pensacola halted a late-game comeback to defeat the BayBears, 3-2, Tuesday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The Wahoos got off to a quick start in the game. With TJ Friedl on base, Shed Long smashed a two-run homer in the bottom of the first inning that gave the Wahoos an early 2-1 lead. In the bottom of the second inning, Aristides Aquino belted his 10th home run of the season on a fly ball to left field to increase the lead to 3-1.
Wahoos starter Wyatt Strahan (W, 6-8) had a solid outing. Strahan pitched six innings and allowed one walk, seven hits, and three strikeouts. His only blemish of the game came from a Brennon Lund sac fly to center field that scored Luis Rengifo in the first inning that gave the BayBears the early lead in the game at 1-0.
The BayBears would make Alejandro Chacin (S, 5) and the Wahoos sweat as he earned the save in suspenseful fashion. With bases loaded, Rengifo grounded into a force out at second base to score Jose Rojas, cutting down the BayBears deficit to 3-2. Rengifo would then steal second base, and Chacin walked Jahmai Jones to load up the bases again. With Mobile threatening to tie or take the lead with only one out, Chacin struck out Brennon Lund, and got Jared Walsh on a groundout to third, ending the game.
Pensacola has a chance to tie a franchise record with its seventh straight series win in Wednesday night’s series finale. Southpaw Seth Varner (4-0, 2.43) will start for the Wahoos against RHP Joe Gatto (2-3, 8.13).
Hundreds Of Central Water Works Customers Lose Water, Low Pressure Continues; Boil Water Notice Issued
July 10, 2018
About half of all Central Water Works customers lost water service for hours Tuesday afternoon, and many were still without water Tuesday night as crews worked to determine what happened. In the meantime, the utility has issued a precautionary boil water notice.
About 4 p.m., water pressure dropped “quickly and drastically” for about 425 Central Water Works customers in Byrneville, McDavid and Century, before water service was completely lost for about four hours. By about 9 p.m., water supplies were rerouted from other parts of the system to restore some water service to customers in the affected areas. Crews were still working to find the cause of the problem.
Water system officials said Tuesday night many customers still had very low water pressure.
The water system said that for all affected customers, all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative, bottled water may be used. Residents are also advised to take precautions when bathing, especially immunocompromised individuals, infants or the elderly.
Once the water system is repaired, samples will be collected for testing. The boil water notice remains in effect until that process is completed. The utility anticipated the boil water notice will be in effect until Friday afternoon. Residents will be notified by phone or if they cannot be reached by phone, in writing at their residence.
The area included in the boil water notice is as follows:
Barnes Road, Black Road, Bluff Springs Road, East Bogia Road, West Bogia Road, Brown Road, Byrneville Road from 30 to 860, Commalander Road, Cotton Creek Road, Cox Road, Crary Road, Dawson Road, Driver Road, Elsie Davis Road, Goose Creek Trail, Glover Road, Gunner Road, Highway 164 from 11 to 975, Holland Road, Lambert Bridge Road from 1770 to 1890, Main Street, McClammy Road, Milstead Road, Mystic Springs Road, Pine Barren Road from 241 to 3300, Post Office Road, East Roach Road, West Roach Road, Rodeo Lane, Tedder Road, Thompson Road, Hhighway 29 from Tedder Road to West Bogia Road, Welch Road, Whirlpool Road, and Worley Road.
For more information, call (850) 256-3849 or email centralwaterworks@gmail.com
Walnut Hill Double Shooting Suspect Indicted For First Degree Murder
July 10, 2018
An Escambia County grand jury on Tuesday returned premeditated murder indictments against a Walnut Hill man for a fatal double shooting in Walnut Hill after which the victims were dumped at an Alabama creek.
Christopher Alan Stacey, 37, was indicted for first degree premeditated murder and attempted first degree premeditated murder for the shooting on Highway 164. If convicted, he faces the death penalty or life without parole.
Three others have been charged in the case. Stacey’s ex-wife, 30-year old Jessica Nichole Thomas, was charged with accessory after the fact to homicide and accessory after the fact to attempted homicide. His son Christopher James Logan Stacey, 18, and Alexis Ileene Shiffner Cain, 21, were each charged with accessory to homicide and accessory to attempted homicide. Both Staceys remain in jail without bond. Shiffner-Cain is being held with bond at $151,000; Thomas is being held on a $500,000 bond.
Their arrests came after two men were found shot in the head near Atmore June 2.
Dalton Davis was found dead in a truck in Brushy Creek on Deere Creek Road, and Troy Boutwell was found near the road after crawling from the truck, according to an arrest report. He was transported to Atmore Community Hospital and then airlifted to the USA Medical Center in Mobile in critical condition.
Alabama detectives learned that Boutwelll had been at his friend’s house in the 5900 block of Highway 164, just east of Highway 97 in Walnut Hill. Deputies responded to find the three suspects and another individual in the home.
An Escambia County, FL, investigator was contacted by Atmore Police to relay information on the shooting location. He instructed deputies to respond to the home where they found a couch burning in the backyard (photo below). Deputies extinguished the fire. Victim Boutwell later said he was shot on the couch in the home’s living room of the home, which is about nine miles from where the men were found with the truck.
According to the report, an AR-15 was found in one of the bedrooms and a 12 gauge shotgun was found in another bedroom. The report does not specify if either was the murder weapon. A bullet hole was found in an interior wall.
Christopher Alan Stacey was seated on a bucket across the road from the residence watching as investigators processed the crime scene, while his son sat a wooden chair in front of a neighboring home (both pictured below). Cain and Jessica Thomas were placed in the back of ECSO patrol vehicles as investigators worked.
Florida investigators also responded to the truck at Brushy Creek on Deere Creek Road in Alabama to process that crime scene with Alabama agencies. The straight-line location of the truck was about 1,000 feet north of Alabama-Florida State line.
Christopher Alan Stacey, resides with Thomas her at the home on Highway 164. Boutwell told law enforcement that he was shot because of an argument with her ex-husband. The son, Christopher James Logan Stacey, also resides in the home, the report states.
Christopher Allen Stacey and Christopher James Logan Stacey are being held without bond. Cain remains jailed with bond set at $151,000.
NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Above: Suspects Christopher James Logan Stacey (left) and Christopher Alan Stacey (right) watch as investigators process a murder scene in Walnut Hill Sunday.
Above: A deputy questions Jessica Thomas as she sits inside a patrol vehicle in Walnut Hill.
Above: Deputies found a burning couch in the backyard of the Walnut Hill home.
Above: Florida investigators arrive at the scene on Deere Creek Road in Alabama.
Former FDLE Agent Sentenced To Life For Abusing Young Boys
July 10, 2018
A former Florida Department of Law Enforcement supervisor is headed to prison for the rest of his life for child sexual abuse.
Tuesday, Charles McMullen was sentenced to eight consecutive life terms and an additional 15 years to run concurrent to the life sentences.
McMullen was charged with one count of sexual battery of a child under 12, seven counts of lewd and lascivious molestation on a child under 12 and one count of promoting the sexual performance of a child.
McMullen was first arrested in November 2016 after an 8-year boy told investigators that McMullen had been touching him inappropriately on a frequent basis, followed by another 8-year old boy that made similar allegations and also claimed he was forced to touch McMullen.
Two additional victims came forward after seeing McMullen in the news.
McMullen investigated similar cases during his five year employment with the FDLE. He previously worked as Chief of the Cybercrimes Unit for then-Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum and for the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office.
Pictured top: Charles Calvin McMullen (courtesy WEAR 3). Pictured below: McMullen chats online as a teenage girl during a Florida Attorney General demonstration in 2007. File photos.
Mediacom Reports ‘Massive’ Internet Outage
July 10, 2018
UPDATE: This outage has been resolved.
Previous story:
Mediacom is reporting a “massive” outage across several states, including Alabama and Florida. The outage reportedly includes cable television, phone and internet services.
So far, there is no estimated time for services to be restored.
“There’s currently a massive outage that our techs are working on as we speak. We have no ETA, but they’ll keep working on this until the issue is resolved,” the company said on Twitter.