New ‘Aggressive’ Mosquito Species Found In North Escambia
June 7, 2018
The Escambia County Mosquito Control Division has identified a new species of mosquito within the county called Aedes japonicus, or Asian bush mosquito. Mosquito Control Technician Kimberly Betts identified the new species from a CDC light trap set in Cantonment near International Paper.
The Asian bush mosquito can also be found in Santa Rosa, Walton, Okaloosa, Bay and Leon Counties, and with the migration into Escambia, it brings the known list of mosquito species in Escambia County to 73.
Mosquito Control Technician Kimberly Betts realized the mosquito was not an Asian tiger mosquito, one of the local prominent container breeding mosquitoes, because the markings and colors were different. Two samples of the newly found mosquito were sent to a lab in Vero Beach, Florida and were officially verified as a new species within the county.
The Asian tiger and Asian bush mosquitoes both breed in natural and artificial water containers, including rock pools, bird baths, pet bowls and flower containers. Like the Asian tiger mosquito, the Asian bush mosquito is an aggressive daytime-biting mosquito, capable of transmitting several diseases to animals and people, according to Escambia County.
To help reduce the risk of getting bitten by mosquitoes, Escambia County said residents should follow the “Five D’s and an S” of mosquito control:
- Dusk to Dawn – is the time frame when mosquitoes are most active. Reduce or eliminate outdoor activity between dusk and dawn or take precautions to prevent mosquito bites
- Drainage – is key to eliminating breeding sites for mosquitoes. Check around your home to rid the area of standing water. Water found in old tires, flowerpots, clogged rain gutters, leaky pipes and faucets, birdbaths and wading pools is where mosquitoes can lay their eggs.
- Dress – in light colored, long sleeves and pants when you are outside, especially in mosquito infested areas.
- DEET – if you are going to be outside when mosquitoes are most active, make sure you apply insect repellent that contains DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide). Read and follow label instructions. Spray both exposed skin and clothing with repellent when outdoors.
- Screens – make sure window and door screens are in good condition.
Animals, such as dogs, cats and horses may be bitten by mosquitoes as well, though these animals may be protected by using vaccines and other methods as prescribed. Consult your veterinarian for methods to protect animals from mosquito-borne diseases.
To request Escambia County Mosquito Control Services including being added to the “no spray/fog” list, contact the Mosquito Control Division at 850-937-2188, mosquitocontrol@myescambia.com, submit an online request here.
Pictured: The Aedes japonicus mosquito. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century May Hire New Accountant After Missed Deadlines, Late Audit; Grants In Jeopardy
June 7, 2018
The Town of Century is threatening to hire a new accountant after missed deadlines, the likelihood of a late audit submission to the state and the possibility that future grants could be denied as a result. And the issue $4 million in unpaid and possibly improper loans from a restricted revenue account remains.
Debbie Nickles, the town’s planner, said a $30,000 USDA Rural Development grant is in danger due to a 2016 audit. The USDA requested more information from the town after reviewing Century’s 2016 audit which showed “material weaknesses, significant deficiencies and and compliance findings”, according to an email from the USDA.
“It’s a real problem for future grants,” Council President Ann Brooks said.
In response to a NorthEscambia.com public records request, Brooks provided copies of email exchanges between Brooks, a representative of auditing firm Warren Averett and town accountant Robert Hudson.
Brooks said the this year’s town audit will not be completed in time for submission by the state’s June 30 deadline because accountant Hudson has not complete a list of tasks and provided documentation to Warren Averett.
“I have been corresponding with Robert directly for most of May. Each week he has promised he would be able to turn over the information, and then there is an issue and it is not ready. I emailed him again today to check on status. If you recall, we had tried to start the audit in January but were unable to get information at that time and told Robert we would try again in May,” CPA Kristen McAllister of Warren Averett said in an email to Brooks. “The Town’s audit is due to the State on June 30 and with only 1 month remaining until the deadline, I am not confident in being able to meet that deadline.”
“I had every intention of getting the audit completed timely this year, but we have not been able to get information to start the audit. I spoke with Kim earlier this month and let her know as well that we were waiting on information,” McAllister’s email said.
After missing a deadline to provide documentation, Hudson wrote on May 9, “I do expect to be completed within the next few days…..hopefully by Tuesday of next week. I am shooting for Friday of this week, but allowing additional time to put out a fire or two there as always happens”
The auditor followed up with an email on May 15 inquiring about the status of Hudson’s work.
He replied May 21 that several things were not completed by town employees. “Give me a couple more days,” Hudson wrote.
After a May 30 inquiry from the auditor, Hudson replied quickly that he was going back to the town offices “hopefully to complete the little things”. He also said the town’s Quickbooks software had to be updated, slowing the process.
In a June 4 email to Brooks, Hudson said everything should be in the auditor’s hands by the end of the week.
The Century Town Council voted to hold Hudson to a June 8 deadline to complete all work for the auditor. If not, the town plans to advertise for a new accountant. “…this letter serves as notice that we cannot have nor do we expect this type of service anymore. This is hurting our chances of getting grant money,” Century Mayor Henry Hawkins wrote in a demand letter to Hudson. [Click here to read the entire letter (pdf).]
“In the real world, I’d get fired,” council member Ben Boutwell said.
In his June 4 email to Brooks, Hudson offered explanations for the late submissions to the auditor. “There was difficulty in running down some of the entries needed to correct the books before we turned them over to the auditor,” he said, adding that the resignation of the town clerk and the appointment of a new clerk further slowed the process. He also stated that a search was underway for documentation to substantiate bills that had already been paid without invoices being posted. He also listed numerous tasks that are complete.
The 2016 audit found about $4 million had been borrowed from the town’s special revenue fund over several years to cover the general operations of the town. The revenues in the special revenue fund are restricted for specific purposes, and therefore, these funds will have to be repaid or it will be considered an inappropriate use of the restricted revenues. Century currently has an annual budget of $4.5 million and has been unable to repay the special revenue fund.
Since the 2016 audit was received, the town has continued to borrow from the special revenue fund, including money to keep the gas department afloat.
“This is the same situation as we referenced as a finding in the 2016 audit. All other amounts being borrowed from the special revenue fund have been treated as a loan as well. I would imagine this situation has continued through fiscal year 2017 as well, and would be included in the financial statement findings again this year,” the auditor wrote in a June 4 email to Brooks. Also, it would not be as significant of an issue if it was a small borrowing with repayment plan, however, it was approx. $4M (million) cumulative through fiscal year 2016. With that significant of a loan without a plan to reimburse the special revenue fund, it becomes a concern for the financial condition of the Town.”
Hudson wrote that he was working with the town attorney to resolve some of the “loans” from the special revenue fund by a reclassification as “maintenance of the street”, which is an allowed use.
Pictured top: Accountant Robert Hudson addresses the Century Town Council during a May 7 meeting. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Health Plan To Challenge Medicaid Contracts With Pensacola Company
June 7, 2018
A decision last week to award Medicaid contracts to two additional managed-care plans, one to a Pensacola firm, could mean more legal challenges for the state Agency for Health Care Administration.
The state announced last that Lighthouse Health Plan would be given a contract in Medicaid Region 1, which includes the western counties of the Panhandle. Lighthouse is affiliated with Pensacola-based Baptist Health Care.
The AHCA also announced that it was awarding additional contracts in Medicaid regions 9 and 11 to Miami Children’s Health Plan, which is affiliated with Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. Region 9 goes from Indian River County south to Palm Beach County and Okeechobee County, while Region 11 is made up of Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.
Attorneys for Molina Healthcare filed a notice with the state Tuesday announcing the HMO’s intention to challenge the agency’s decision last Thursday to award contracts to Miami Children’s Health Plan and Lighthouse Health Plan.
The HMO has 10 days to file a legal petition with the state.
The Agency for Health Care Administration has gone through a lengthy process to award new contracts in the Medicaid system, which requires most beneficiaries to enroll in managed-care plans. In April, the agency announced a decision to award five-year Medicaid contracts, which one official has estimated to be worth upwards of $90 billion in all, with nine HMOs.
That decision drew challenges from a dozen health plans that were not chosen for contracts, including Molina Healthcare.
Under a 2011 law that called for the statewide use of Medicaid managed care, AHCA is awarding contracts in 11 different regions. The number of contracts varies by region.
Molina’s notice filed Tuesday dealt with the additional contract awards.
Miami Children’s Health Plan and Lighthouse Health Plan are what are known as provider-sponsored networks because they are owned and operated by health-care providers. If the contract awards stand, they will provide “managed medical assistance” services, which involve the bulk of Medicaid beneficiaries and range from childhood checkups to surgeries.
Other health plans awarded contracts are expected to provide what AHCA describes as “comprehensive” services. In addition to managed medical assistance services, comprehensive plans would offer long-term care such as skilled nursing services.
by Christine Sexton The News Service of Florida
Escambia Man Gets 30 Years After Apartment Complex Fight
June 7, 2018
An Escambia County man was sentenced to three decades in prison after pulling a gun during a fight at an apartment complex.
Therall Williams, 28, was sentenced by the Judge John Miller to 30 years in state prison as a habitual felony offender and a prison releasee reoffender. He will serve the 30 year sentence day for day because of his status as a prison releasee reoffender.
Williams was convicted by an Escambia County Jury of aggravated battery with a firearm with discharge and great bodily harm and possession of a firearm by convicted felon.
On April 16, 2017, deputies responded to a shooting at Forest Creek Apartments. The victim stated that two people tried to rob him and then shot him. A witness identified the defendant as the shooter. The victim later told law enforcement that Williams and another individual were arguing about a gun before Williams shot him. The victim identified Williams out of a photo line-up. Surveillance video shows three people begin to fight. The fight goes to the ground and fire from a gun is seen, then a male resembling Williams runs toward a camera at another angle.
Williams’s criminal history includes burglary, grand theft and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Williams was last released from prison January 20, 2017,about than three months before the shooting.
Cantonment Diamond Dolls Win 8U All-Star Tournament
June 7, 2018
The Cantonment Diamond Dolls won first place in a recent 8U all-star tournament in Navarre. The team also won a mid-season tournament, the Blue Angel Classic tournament and placed second in two additional tournaments.
The Cantonment Diamond Dolls are Lily Speight, Kenzee Tanner, Miley McMullan, Natalee Sherouse, Cheyenne Paul, Chloe Engle, Addison Wilson, Kaylyn Relstab, Kalleigh Jarman, Tessa Kendrick, Giovanna Barnes and Jamaria Cook. Head coach is Kenny Tanner and assistant coaches are Chris Sherouse, Scott Relstab, Justin McMullan, Joey Paul, Matt Speight and Adam Wilson.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
‘Dumbest Way Possible’ – Local Bank Robber, Still On Probation, Tries To Rob North Carolina Bank
June 7, 2018
A man recently released from prison and still on probation for local bank robberies tried and failed at another bank robbery Wednesday in North Carolina.
The Forest City (NC) Police Department said 38-year old Jerry Hover Tinsley was arrested for the attempted robbery of Fifth Third Bank in Forest City about 12: The Rutherford County (NC) Sheriff’s Office found him hiding in the edge of a wooded area near his home a few hours later. Surveillance photos show the suspect handing the teller a note, but he didn’t get any money before leaving the bank.
At the time of this arrest Wednesday afternoon, Tinsley was wearing a t-shirt that stated, “No, you’re right, let’s do it the dumbest way possible”.
Tinsley, along with a female accomplice, robbed banks in Flomaton, East Brewton and Florala, AL, during a March 2010 crime spree. He was sentenced to six years and five months in federal prison.
During the Flomaton robbery, Tinsley and Jones both presented tellers with demand notes which stated “this is a robbery, place all $100s, $50s, $20s on the counter no alarm no die packs no tracers”, according to federal court documents. A demand note with the same wording was presented during the East Brewton robbery. They did not display a weapon during any of the robberies.
Authorities said Tinsley and Jones picked banks along the state line because they believed Alabama authorities could not pursue them into Florida. Authorities believe in each robbery, the pair fled to Florida immediately after the holdups — including March 8 when they fled into North Escambia following the Flomaton robbery.
The pair was arrested by federal agents and local law enforcement after a short chase from a Motel 6 in Destin, Florida, March 18. The arrest was reportedly the result of a tip phoned into the Florala (Ala.) Police Department concerning a MySpace photo.
Tinsley’s accomplice, Rhianna Marie Jones of California, was sentenced in 2011 to three years and 10 months in prison.
Pictured above: Suspect Jerry Hover Tinsley and the robbery of a North Carolina bank Wednesday. Pictured above: The robbery of United Bank in Flomaton on March 8, 2010. NorthEscambia.com photos and submitted surveillance images, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Beat The Shuckers
June 7, 2018
The Wahoos shook off last night’s rough outing with a solid win 5-1 against the Shuckers Wednesday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Vladimir Gutierrez (W, 2-8) set the tone for the Wahoos from the get-go. Gutierrez, who began the game with a walk on Biloxi’s Corey Ray, picked up the slack and retired the next three batters. In the bottom of the first, Brian O’Grady smashed a triple that scored Shed Long and Nick Longhi. Luis Gonzalez followed with a single that scored O’Grady that gave the Wahoos a quick 3-0 lead.
The Wahoos would score two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning with an O’Grady solo home run and an Alberti Chavez single that scored Gonzalez to increase the lead at 5-1.
Gutierrez pitched six brilliant innings, with his only blemish being a solo home run surrendered to Jake Gatewood in the fourth. He finished with seven strikeouts, one shy of his season-best. Gutierrez’s walk to Ray was his only free pass of the game on his way to his second win of the year. Carlos Navas (S, 2) was excellent in his relief of Guiterrez. Navas allowed only one hit over three innings of shutout ball for his second save of the year.
The Wahoos will try to get their second consecutive series win against the Shuckers Thursday night. RHP Wyatt Strahan (4-4, 6.70) will get the start for the Wahoos against Biloxi RHP Trey Supak (0-1, 8.00).
Man Killed In I-10 Crash
June 7, 2018
A Mississippi man was killed in a single vehicle accident Wednesday afternoon on I-10 near West Nine Mile Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 64-year old Chester Jack Tullos, Jr. of Pearl, MS, was traveling east on I-10 when he lost control and struck a tree.
The crash remains under investigation by the FHP.
Second Arrest Made In Highway 97 Convenience Store Burglary
June 6, 2018
A second person has been arrested in connection with the 2017 burglary of a convenience store in Davisville.
Annie Deloris Frye, 47, was charged with burglary of an unoccupied business, criminal mischief property damage and grand theft. She was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $12,500 bond.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Frye and 23-year old Desmond Deshawn Grubbs broke the glass out of the front door of the convenience store at the corner of Highway 97 and Nokomis Road, entered the business and stole cigarettes and beer valued at $800. The damage to the door was estimated at $500 during the September 11, 2017, burglary.
Grubbs was charged with the burglary earlier in May. [Previous story...] Both were identified by fingerprints, according to arrest report.
Road Closures: North Palafox, Fowler Avenue
June 6, 2018
Escambia County has issued the following road closure notices:
North Palafox/Chauncery Street
Beginning Friday, June 8 at 8 p.m. Chauncey Street at North Palafox Street will be closed to through traffic. Traffic will be detoured along Palafox Street to East Nine Mile Road and East Nine 1/2 Mile Road. Construction will consist of the
upgrading and installation of new pipe.
The roadway closure is expected to remain in effect for approximately four days and every effort will be made to expedite construction efforts to reopen the road before Monday, June 11 at 5 p.m.
The closure is part of the Highway 29 widening project.
Fowler Avenue
Beginning Wednesday, June 6 at 7 a.m. Fowler Avenue between West Nine Mile Road and McKinnon Lane will be closed to through traffic. Traffic will be detoured along Cove Avenue, Nine 1/2 mile Road and Highway 29. Construction will consist of the installation of sewers and connecting existing sanitary sewers to the newly installed sewers.
The roadway closure is expected to remain in effect for approximately three days and every effort will be made to expedite construction efforts to reopen the road before Saturday, June 9.