Fire Reported Early Tuesday Morning At Ascend Performance Materials
July 10, 2018
Units from Escambia Fire Rescue responded to a fire at Ascend Performance Materials in Cantonment early this morning.
The fire was reportedly in a “vapor stack” and was quickly extinguished. Escambia Fire Rescue responded, dispatching two ladder trucks to the scene.
There were no evacuations and no warnings for residents in the area. There were no reported injuries.
File photo.
Running On A Shoestring Budget: Century Council Candidates File Finance Reports
July 10, 2018
In Escambia County, candidates for commission and other county offices often receive donations amounting to many tens of thousands of dollars, with some campaign war chests topping well over $100,000. But in Century, candidates run their grassroots campaigns on just a few donations usually amounting to just a few hundred dollars.
The first round of financial reports filed by candidates for the Century town council generally show small donation totals. The $360 raised so far by incumbent Ben Boutwell is the largest Century council campaign budget since 2011.
The total contributions to date to candidates are listed below. Each candidate has paid the $51.07 qualifying fee out of their campaign funds; otherwise no one had expended any other funds.
Seat 3
- Benjamin Boutwell received $360 in donations – including a personal donation of $40 to his own campaign and $20 from his wife.
- Amanuel Dubose loaned $60 to his campaign.
Incumbent Boutwell will face challenger Dubose on the general election ballot on November 6.
Seat 4
- Mary Bourgeois received $130 in donations including $100 from former mayor Freddie McCall.
- John Johnston donated $85 to his campaign.
- James Smith donated $76.07 to his campaign.
Bourgeois, Johnston and Smith will be on the August 28 primary ballot with a runoff in November if no candidate receives one vote more than 50 percent.
Seat 5
- Sandra Jackson, who is running unopposed, loaned $77 to her campaign.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Escambia County Begins Talks On $479.9 Million Budget
July 10, 2018
The Escambia County Commission will hold budget meetings beginning today to consider a $474.9 million budget, up from about $456 million last fiscal year.
The meetings are scheduled for today and Wednesday beginning at 9 a.m.
Meetings will take place in the board chambers of the Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, found on the first floor of 221 Palafox Place.
Reptiles, Making Music And Teen Fun – This Week At The Century And Molino Libraries
July 10, 2018
Here are events this week at the Molino and Century branch libraries:
Reno’s Reptiles – Century, Molino
Wednesday, July 11, 11 a.m. – Century Branch Library
Thursday, July 12, 11 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
Local reptile expert, Tim Reno, shares some of his favorite creepy creatures with summer reading program particpants. Learn about snakes, tortoises and more.
Summer STEAM Making Music With Strings – Molino
Wednesday, July 11, 10:30 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
You can make music with almost anything. This time we will be making string instruments using mostly recyclable materials. Create it here and take it home with you for hours of fun.
Teen Summer Program – Molino
Wednesday, July 11, 2 p.m. – Molino Branch Library
Join us for fun with video games, board games and virtual reality. Bring your friends or come prepared to make new ones.
Pensacola’s White, Opponent Keep Pace In Florida GOP Attorney General Money Chase
July 10, 2018
Republican primary opponents in the race for attorney general — state Rep. Frank White and former Hillsborough County Circuit Judge Ashley Moody — were neck-and-neck in terms of fundraising during the fourth week of June, according to the latest campaign finance reports.
White, who remains the overall fundraising leader in the contest, picked up a combined $40,149 in his campaign account and political committee, United Conservatives, according to reports posted by the state Division of Elections.
Moody added $44,685 to her campaign account and Friends of Ashley Moody political committee during the same time period, the reports show.
White’s totals for the week of June 23 to June 29 were bolstered by a $20,000 contribution from business-backed Associated Industries of Florida. The Tallahassee-based lobbying giant and its affiliated political committees have donated generously to both candidates.
White, who serves as general counsel and chief financial officer for the chain of Sandy Sansing auto dealerships, had nearly $2.4 million on hand as of June 29. He has pumped $2.77 million of his own money into the race.
Moody, whose contributions during the week included $6,000 from a pair of pari-mutuels in Miami and Orange Park, had $2.2 million in her combined accounts.
by The News Service of Florida
Summer Gas Prices At Four-Year High
July 10, 2018
The price at the pump is the most expensive summer gas prices in four years in Florida.
Since June 1, Florida gas prices averaged $2.76 per gallon – an increase of nearly 50 cents compared to the average price last summer. But current pump prices remain 20 cents below this year’s high, set during Memorial Day weekend.
The average price per gallon in the North Escambia area is $2.74, up from $2.19 last year.
“Reduced global oil supplies have caused summer travelers to pay a higher price at the pump this year,” said Mark Jenkins, AAA spokesman, AAA. “Fortunately, domestic gasoline production remains strong, which should help prevent major swings in summer gas prices. But AAA said pump prices will pop if a major hurricane threatens refineries along the Gulf Coast.
NorthEcambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Ready For Aggie Football? Tate Season Passes On Sale
July 10, 2018
Tate High School football season passes are now on sale.
A limited quantity are available on a first come, first served basis. Passes included admission to all regular season home games for the freshmen, junior varsity and varsity teams, plus VIP parking. (Kickoff classic, spring game and playoff games are not included per FHSAA rules.)
To purchase or for more details, click here.
DOJ: Escambia Man Faked Being Marine to Steal VA Benefits
July 10, 2018
An Escambia County man has pleaded guilty to stealing from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Richard E. Kohl stole over $200,000, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
The Justice Department said Kohl falsely reported that he served in the Marines during the Korean War and was discharged in 1961, but he never served in any military branch. He then used the false form (Form DD-214) to claim veteran’s benefits to which he was not qualified.
Between February 2005 and February 2018 Kohl received benefit payments and services totaling approximately $219,719.39 from the VA.
“By defrauding the federal government for personal gain, Kohl stole resources needed to help real veterans,” said U.S. Attorney Canova. “These benefits are meant for the brave men and women who have served our country.”
Kohl faces a maximum of 10 years in prison. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 19.
BayBears Trounce Wahoos 8-2
July 10, 2018
Pensacola struggled to keep the ball in the park against the BayBears as they fell to Mobile, 8-2, in Monday night’s ballgame at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Pensacola starter Daniel Wright (L, 4-6) had a rough night. Wright pitched four innings and was charged with six runs (five earned) on seven hits, one walk, and four strikeouts. Wright also allowed a career-high four home runs, three of which came in the fourth inning. Robinson Leyer, Juan Martinez, and Jose Rafael De Paula totaled two runs on six hits, four walks, and four strikeouts over the final five innings.
The Wahoos avoided the shutout in the bottom of the eighth inning. Trailing 7-0, a Mitch Nay groundout scored T.J. Friedl and Brian O’Grady tripled to center field to score Jose Siri that cut the deficit to 7-2.
Jeremy Beasley (W, 1-0) impressed in his Double-A debut for Mobile. Beasley pitched five shutout innings on three hits, one walk, and nine strikeouts.
Designated hitter Jose Rojas also had a good night for the BayBears. He reached base in all five plate appearances and went a perfect 4-for-4 with four RBI and three runs scored. He belted two home runs to account for two of the runs and three RBI. He singled home Mobile’s final run in the ninth inning for his fourth hit.
Pensacola will look to bounce back in Wednesday night’s matchup. Right-hander Wyatt Strahan (5-8, 6.87) will start for the Wahoos against RHP Alex Klonowski (5-1, 3.86) who will take the hill for the BayBears.
Century Man Wanted For Armed Robbery; Considered ‘Armed And Dangerous’
July 9, 2018
A Century man is wanted in connection with an armed robbery of a local convenience store last week.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Offices said 26-year old Devante Aaron Knight robbed the Century Kwik Stop at 8130 North Century Boulevard just before 10 p.m. on July 2.
Knight is considered armed and dangerous and should not approached, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.