Tate High Marks National FFA Week By Hosting Breakfast
February 20, 2018
It’s National FFA week, and Monday morning member of the Tate High School FFA served breakfast to faculty and staff members.
National FFA Week is a time for FFA members to host activities that raise awareness about the role the National FFA Organization plays in the development of agriculture’s future leaders and the importance of agricultural education.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Speed Limit Lowered, Lane Closures Planned On Highway 29 Near Cantonment
February 20, 2018
The speed limit on Highway 29 has been lowered to 45 mph or less on a portion of Highway 29 from Gonzalez to Cantonment — between North Tate School Road and the paper mill. The speed reduction is due to construction.
“The speed limit reduction is in relation to the resurfacing project currently underway on U.S. 29,” Tanya Branton, public information specialist for the Florida Department of Transportation, said. “It is not permanent.”
Through Saturday, motorists can expect alternating lane closures on Highway 29 north and southbound from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m. from West 9 1/2 Mile Road to Muscogee Road as crews pave the roadway.
“Motorists are to be reminded that speeding fines do double in construction zones when workers are present,” Branton added.
Pictured: Highway 29 and Old Chemstrand Road. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Wife, Kids In Dispute Over Sen. Greg Evers Retirement Money
February 20, 2018
Nearly six months after former Sen. Greg Evers died in a traffic accident, the State Board of Administration has filed a court document that said his wife and children are in a dispute about who should receive his state retirement money.
The State Board of Administration filed what is known as a “complaint of interpleader” in Leon County circuit court that indicated Evers’ wife, Lori Weems Evers, and his children, Jennifer J. Evers, Robert S. Evers and Stephanie E. Barlow, are battling about Evers’ Florida Investment Plan account.
Greg Evers named his wife as beneficiary but then subsequently named his children as beneficiaries, with each child to receive an equal third share, the document said. The State Board of Administration, which administers the retirement system, said it can continue to hold the money if directed by a judge while the dispute plays out.
“Each defendant (Lori Weems Evers and the children) has demanded the plaintiff (the State Board of Administration) pay the entire FRS Investment Plan account to her/them,” the document said. “Plaintiff has no interest in the FRS Investment Plan account and did not cause the conflicting claims between defendants. Plaintiff cannot determine which defendant is entitled to the FRS Investment Plan account and runs the risk of paying the account twice if it decides between defendants.”
Greg Evers, a 62-year-old Republican who served in the state House and Senate, died Aug. 22 when his truck ran off a road near his home in Baker in Northwest Florida. The court document did not indicate how much money is in the retirement account, only that the amount is more than $15,000.
by The News Service of Florida
Pictured: Sen. Greg Evers works to remove debris from Front Street in Century two years ago in the days following and EF-3 tornado. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Blackwater CI Counselor Arrested For Smuggling Contraband Cellphone In Her Underwear
February 20, 2018
A substance abuse counselor at the Blackwater Correctional Facility in Santa Rosa County has been charged with smuggling contraband into the facility by the Office of Inspector General of the Florida Department of Corrections.
An arrest affidavit states 29-year old Patrice LaFaye Ealy had a cellular phone wrapped in black electrical tape and six bundles of loose tobacco in her bra and underwear as she was entering the prison for work last Friday. The facility was conducting “an enhanced search operation of all employees entering the facility”.
Ealy was released from the Santa Rosa County Jail on a $5,000 bond.
Weekend visitations were canceled at Blackweater CI, the Century Work Camp and four other facilities in the state due to contraband discoveries.
Ashley Cook, press secretary for the Florida Department of Corrections, said the contraband discovery at the Century Work Camp is under investigation by the Florida Department of Corrections Inspector General’s Office. There have been no arrests reported at the Century Work Camp.
Driver Crashes On Highway 97 Sunday Night
February 19, 2018
A driver was not seriously injured in a crash on Highway 97 south of Walnut Hill Sunday night.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Joseph Christopher Raines, age 31 of Atmore, was southbound on Highway 97 past the intersection of Tungoil Road when he lost control of his Fiat 500, struck a guardrail, left the roadway and and overturned against struck a tree just before 10 p.m.
The FHP cited Raines for careless driving, operating a motor vehicle with an expired registration and failure to provide proof of insurance.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
FWC Law Enforcement Report: McDavid Man Caught With Pet Owl
February 19, 2018
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity recently in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
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Officer Long checked a subject as he returned to the Heron Bayou Boat Ramp. While speaking to the individual, Officer Long noticed that both the vehicle and vessel the individual had been operating had expired registrations. A criminal history on the individual revealed he had an active warrant in Escambia County for violation of probation.
Officer Manning received information that an individual in McDavid was keeping an eastern screech owl as a pet and attempting to sell the owl. The owl was seized and turned over to a wildlife rehabilitator and the subject was issued a notice to appear citation.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Hutchinson and Investigator Hughes received a call from a complainant who informed them that he saw a truck drive up to the edge of a field, two teenagers exit the vehicle, and one of them fired a rifle in his direction at a deer. After missing the deer, the teens drove off. The complainant said the following day, the same truck was seen again at the field after more shots. The complainant identified one of the subjects. The officers drove to the field and located evidence from the incident. The following day, Officer Hutchinson located both subjects at their residence and interviewed them. One of them confessed to shooting at the deer from the right of way and trespassing. The firearms used to commit the violation were seized as evidence and charges were filed with the State’s Attorney Office for attempting to take deer from a right of way.
Officers Hutchinson, Long, and Clark were working late at night targeting night hunting. Officer Hutchinson saw a truck shining the field he was watching and conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. While speaking with the three subjects, he discovered that the driver was the father of the other two subjects. All three subjects admitted to shining several fields that night to try to shoot a deer. The shotgun and the spotlight were seized and the subjects were cited appropriately.
Officer Hutchinson saw a vehicle travelling towards him while shining a field with an LED light bar mounted on the vehicle. He watched the vehicle turn towards the field a couple of times and sweep the light across the field attempting to locate deer. As the vehicle approached Officer Hutchinson’s location, it stopped. A loaded hunting rifle was in the front seat. While interviewing the subjects they admitted to shining the field to look for deer. The firearm was seized and the driver of the vehicle was charged with night hunting.
Officers Lewis and Jernigan received a complaint regarding someone illegally camping in a non-designated camping area in Blackwater River State Forest. Camping in the forest is only allowed in designated areas. When the officers arrived at the site, there was no one in the area. The area was in disarray, with trash and camping supplies consisting of propane bottles, a grill, soda cans, papers, and alcoholic beverage containers strewn about. The debris extended into a nearby creek. Various trees had been cut down. The officers identified two individuals from articles that were left behind.
The officers contacted the subjects who cooperated with the officers and gave them the names of seven other subjects that camped in the area. The subjects were juveniles and young adults. The officers individually interviewed the subjects at their residences. Each of the subjects admitted to various crimes and, in total, 25 citations and three warnings were issued to the nine subjects.
Officer Ramos discovered several large piles of yard waste, construction debris, fencing materials and insulation that had been illegally dumped on a county road. An investigation led to a nearby home which was undergoing an extensive remodel. The homeowner advised he paid a man to take the debris to the county landfill for proper disposal and that the man even asked for extra money for landfill fees. With the cooperation of the homeowner, Officer Ramos, along with FWC Investigations, set up a second job for the suspect to return to the property and haul off more debris a couple of days later. When the suspect arrived, he loaded a flatbed trailer full of debris and was paid to deliver it to the landfill. Officer Ramos and the FWC investigator followed the suspect covertly when he left the home. The suspect drove directly to the same dumpsite as before and quickly offloaded the debris on the county road. The officers revealed themselves and the suspect was placed under arrest. He was transported to the county jail and faces multiple counts of felony and commercial dumping.
Officer Hutchinson was on patrol when he observed a truck parked in the middle of a paved road. He pulled up to the vehicle and saw a man slumped over in the driver seat. He attempted to get his attention and when he did the man sat up in the seat and drove off. The truck swerved off the roadway and into the other lane several times. Along with a Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s deputy who was patrolling the area, the vehicle was stopped and the man was placed under arrest for driving with a suspended license and driving under the influence of alcohol.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Escambia County Seeks Appointee For Housing Finance Authority
February 19, 2018
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking Escambia County residents interested in volunteering to be considered for an appointment to the Escambia County Housing Finance Authority. Appointees serve without compensation. Escambia residents interested in serving on the Escambia County Housing Finance Authority are asked to submit a resume and letter indicating their desire to serve by 5 p.m. Friday, March 2. Resumes should be submitted to Judy Witterstaeter, Program Coordinator, Board of County Commissioners, P.O. Box 1591, Pensacola, FL 32502 or jhwitter@myescambia.com.
The Escambia County Housing Finance Authority was established in accordance with Florida law. The authority’s duties are to assist in eliminating shortages of adequate housing, stop reoccurrence of slum conditions and stimulate employment and commerce. Knowledge in the area of labor, finance or commerce required. Authority members serve a four-year term of office. Financial disclosure is required.
Requirements:
- The authority’s regular meetings are held the second Tuesday of every month and typically last between one to two hours (i.e. 24 hours annually). Board members are also required to attend special meetings that are occasionally called on an “as needed” basis in connection with proposed multi- and single-family financings.
- Board members must review various documents (official statements, trust statements, loan agreements, etc.) prior to each monthly meeting. Preparation time generally ranges from one hour for a normal meeting, to four to six hours if there is a substantial item on the agenda.
- Board members are also required to be available for any bond issue closings that occur during the year and to also make time during the month to consult with the executive director (and/or be available to sign documents, checks, etc.) as needed in connection with routine authority business.
- Board members are also strongly encouraged to participate in various educational workshops and conferences sponsored by the National and Florida Associations of Local Housing Finance Authorities (approximately two a year) in an effort to stay abreast of emerging trends and changes to all the various laws and regulations in the housing finance and municipal finance industries (such as their due diligence responsibilities before approving a bond issue, SEC/MSRB regulations, disclosure responsibilities, etc.) that impact the authority’s mission of providing safe, decent and affordable housing.
Escambia BOCC Weekly Meeting Schedule
February 19, 2018
Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings for the week of February 19-23:
Monday, Feb. 19
Offices Closed in Observance of Presidents Day
Tuesday, Feb. 20
Board of Electrical Examiners – 9 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
FDOT Public Hearing on Nine Mile Road Access Management Modification – 5:30 p.m., Smyrna Baptist Church, 7000 Pensacola Boulevard, Pensacola
Wednesday, Feb. 21
Escambia soil and Water Conservation District Board – 8 a.m., 153 U.S. Highway 97, Molino
Board of Adjustment – 8:30 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place (Agenda)
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
UF/IFAS Escambia County Extension Gardening Series Growing Tomatoes in Pots – 6 p.m., Myrtle Grove United Methodist, 1030 N. 57th Ave.
Thursday, Feb. 22
FDOT Public Meeting for U.S. Highway 90 Project Development and Environmental Study – 5:30 p.m., Santa Rosa County Auditorium, 4530 Spikes Way, Milton
Black History Month Program – 6 p.m., Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. DeSoto St.
Two Escambia, FL, Sex Offenders Arrested In Alabama
February 18, 2018
Two convicted sex offenders from Escambia County, FL, have been arrested in Escambia County, AL.
The Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office said they found Aaron Lee Hicks, 47, employed at a car wash in Brewton, directly adjacent to a city park in violation of state statute that prevents a sex offender from being employed within 500 feet of a children’s park.
Hicks was convicted of lewd and lascivious battery on a victim ages 12-15 in Escambia County, FL, in December 2002.
Danny Darrel Hayes, 30, was arrested for failing to register after being released from the Escambia County (AL) Jail on February 6. He was convicted of sexual battery of a child 12-16 years old in Escambia County, FL, in April 2012.
Have You Seen The Progress On The Pensacola Bay Bridge?
February 18, 2018
If you haven’t been to Pensacola Beach or Gulf Breeze since last year, you’ve missed seeing the progress on the new Pensacola Bay Bridge.
The Pensacola Bay Bridge construction team reached a milestone this week by pouring the first two concrete spans (bottom picture). The bridge spans are cast-in-place atop the beams that connect the trophy pieces. The first spans poured are located on what will become the Gulf Breeze approach for the eventual eastbound (Pensacola to Gulf Breeze) bridge. In total, the bridge design calls for 210 spans, 105 each for the east and westbound bridges.
Crews are working to drive concrete piles, place trophy pieces, and install beams for the new Pensacola Bay Bridge.
A casting yard on Bayou Chico (picture left, click to enlarge) remains a busy place forming trophy pieces.The trophy pieces consist of a footing, column, and cap. They sit atop the piles and support the concrete beams. There will be 416 trophy pieces fabricated at the casting yard for the project.Completion of the second bridge (the westbound structure) is currently scheduled for summer 2020.
Combined, the two bridges will feature three eastbound and three westbound travel lanes, flanked by 10-foot shoulders. Both bridges will also include 10-foot multi-use paths for pedestrians and bicyclists.
The $398.5 million Pensacola Bay Bridge replacement project represents a tremendous boost for the regional economy. Approximately 280 workers are employed daily at the Bayou Chico concrete casting yard, while an additional 80 employees are working at the bridge construction site.
There are 1,020 Florida I-Beams needed for the new bridge. The beams are 150-feet long, 72-inches tall, and weigh approximately 166,000-pounds. They’re used to connect trophy pieces one-to-another. The bridge deck, which includes the riding surface, will be constructed atop the beams.
Estimates from the University of West Florida’s Haas Center for Business Research and Economic Development indicate the construction project is creating or sustaining approximately 4,800 jobs in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties, along with the rest of the state.
Economists further report the project is increasing the gross domestic product (GDP) of Escambia and Santa Rosa County by $500 million, with an additional $60 million boost in GDP generated in the remainder of the state.
NorthEscambia.com and courtesy photos, click to enlarge.
