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Alabama Burglary Suspect Arrested After Chase, Manhunt

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office joined several agencies in captured a man the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office chased into Okaloosa County Tuesday night.

Louis Allen Scott crashed his car in Okaloosa County and then fled before being taken into custody with the help of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission and a dog team from the Okaloosa Correctional Institution.

Escambia County (AL) Chief Deputy Mike Lambert said Scott was wanted in his county on multiple felony warrants related to several burglaries. When deputies spotted his vehicle near Wing, AL, in the eastern portion of the county, Scott fled and was chased into Covington County and eventually into Okaloosa County. Lambert said his deputies broke off the chase and followed at a safe distance once they entered Florida, calling for assistance from Okaloosa County.

Scott eventually crashed his vehicle on Mattie Sherman Road and fled on foot before being taken into custody.  He is facing charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription in Okaloosa County and awaiting extradition back to Alabama.

Lambert said a second suspect in the burglaries, Shane Bonifay, is already in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton on related charges.

Pictured above and below: Alabama burglary suspect Louis Allen Scott was arrested after an manhunt in Okaloosa County Tuesday night. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Council On Aging Distributes Over $28K Worth Of Christmas Presents

Every year since 2009, Council on Aging of West Florida has asked Escambia and Santa Rosa county residents to help make Christmas special for our clients age 60 and over, and every year, the community answers the call. Approximately $28,300 worth of gifts were donated to Council on Aging beginning in mid-November and continuing through the week before Christmas. These gifts included blankets, craft supplies, vacuums, microwaves, space heaters, hygiene products and more courtesy of individuals and organizations.

The holidays can be an especially lonely time for vulnerable elders, as many of their friends and family have either passed away or no longer live nearby. The delivery of these gifts – made to homebound seniors through the Meals on Wheels program, Senior Dining Sites and other initiatives – infuses their end-of-year season with joy.

“Receiving these gifts not only makes a tangible impact by disbursing the necessities of life to these low-income elders, but it also makes an emotional impact when they see that they have not been forgotten, that people still care,” said Josh Newby, marketing communications director at Council on Aging. “They are reminded that they can still be active in their community, and that is the greatest gift of all.”

Nearly 1,500 older adults received Christmas gifts through the initiative this year.

“Our clients are so grateful for these gifts,” said Margaret Jerauld, activities supervisor at Council on Aging who helps oversee the Christmas program each year. “These may be the only presents they receive and the only quality interaction they have during the holidays, so it makes a transformative impact.”

In addition to the presents that delivered holiday cheer to hundreds of aging adults, the agency helps distribute hundreds of blankets and heaters to senior citizens who are particularly vulnerable to the cold weather this time of year, and we are still receiving donations of these items.

If you are interested in volunteering to help Council on Aging, or if you would like to drop off any new heaters or blankets, call (850) 432-1475.

Molino Park Names December Students, Good Citizens Of The Month

Molino Park Elementary School named (L-R) Christopher Williams-McFarlain and Nicole Garcia as December Students of the Month, and Jordyn Gibbs and Maximus Ridgley as December Good Citizens of the Month. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Children’s Health Program Funding In Jeopardy

With money for Florida’s subsidized children’s health-insurance program due to run out in a matter of weeks, the state has not warned the parents of roughly 200,000 children that they could soon lose coverage.

Florida’s decision contrasts with other states that have decided that they can no longer wait to see if Congress restores money for the 20-year-old Children’s Health Insurance Program, according to Joan Alker, executive director of the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families.

Federal funding for the so-called CHIP program ran out in September, and while there have been promises to restore it, a final deal has not emerged from Congress. Alker’s center on Wednesday released an analysis that shows which states are projected to soon have shortfalls.

State officials have verified that funding for Florida’s program — which is operated primarily through the Florida Healthy Kids Corp. — would run out at the end of January. Twenty-four other states are also projected to run out of money at the same time.

The funding shortfall does not impact the roughly 2 million children who are in Florida’s Medicaid program — but instead affects those children whose families are just above the poverty line.

Mallory McManus, a spokeswoman for the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, said the state was “closely monitoring” to see if Congress will restore the money.

“We are hopeful that Congress will bring this issue to a resolution very soon,” McManus said in an email.

But McManus acknowledged that if that does not happen, “it our goal to provide the families with as much as notice as possible.” She added that at a minimum, families would get a “30 day notice,” which means the state would be required to send out notices by the end of December.

Alker said there is no federal requirement to send out notices, but she said states are going to also have to cut off new enrollment at some point. She said her organization has been “unable” to get answers from Florida about its plans, but she said the blame still belongs on Congress for failing to act.

“Congress has left states in an extremely difficult situation,” Alker said.

Neighboring Alabama is freezing enrollment on Jan. 1 and then will begin to disenroll families currently in the program at the start of February. Virginia has also put parents on notice that coverage could end soon.

The administration of Gov. Rick Scott has remained somewhat quiet as the deadline looms.

Scott’s press office has said the Republican governor is in favor of extending the popular children’s health insurance program, but Scott has not come out strongly to call on Congress to act. On Wednesday, Scott asked Congress to pass a hurricane relief package that Florida and Texas officials are seeking.

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Lifetime Sportsman’s License Cost Reduced For Children, Young Adults

Gov. Rick Scott has signed a proclamation authorizing the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to offer Lifetime Sportsman’s Licenses for Florida children and young adults at a reduced cost. The license currently costs up to $1,000 but from now through Dec. 31^st, the price will be reduced by 25 percent for Florida residents who are 17-years-old and younger. The lifetime license covers saltwater and freshwater recreational fishing, hunting and most associated permits.

Governor Scott said, “Our state’s natural treasures give families all across the state opportunities to spend quality time together, and I’m proud to reduce the cost of the Lifetime Sportsman’s Licenses for Florida’s children and young adults this holiday season. I encourage Florida’s children and young adults to take advantage of this opportunity to spend time enjoying Florida’s great outdoors.”

A Lifetime Sportsman’s License allows fishing and hunting in Florida for the rest of the license holder’s life, even if that person is no longer a resident of the state.

The license may be purchased online at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com, and at Florida county tax collectors’ offices. Residency must be verified. For more information about a Lifetime Sportsman’s License and this limited time offer, CLICK HERE.

FWC Law Enforcement Report

The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending December 14 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

ESCAMBIA COUNTY

Officer Allgood worked fisheries enforcement in the Pensacola Bay area and identified several individuals in violation. He issued notice to appear citations for possession of red snapper in a closed season and possession of undersized scamp and mangrove snapper. Officer Allgood also documented license and boating safety violations.

Officer Allgood entered a hunt camp and noticed the remains of a doe deer hanging on a skinning rack. The deer had already been cleaned and appeared to be an antlerless deer. Antlerless deer season is not open and to take an antlerless deer legally it must be tagged before moving it from the field. When the two hunters noticed Officer Allgood, they attempted to tag the antlerless deer. The deer was killed several hours prior and had not been tagged. Officer Allgood issued a citation for failing to tag an antlerless deer.

SANTA ROSA COUNTY

Officer Lewis located a food plot that had been planted on Blackwater River State Forest adjacent to a section of private property. When asked, a man hunting near the food plot admitted to planting it. The subject was issued multiple citations for planting the food plot on the management area.

Officer Lewis observed a pickup on the side of the road that appeared to be disabled and stopped to assist. While talking to the occupants, the officer learned that one of them had killed a doe deer, which was in a cooler in the bed of the pickup. Stories differed regarding the location where the deer was killed and the shooter could not remember where it was taken. The subject that killed the deer claimed he killed it in Alabama but had not checked it in as required by Alabama regulations. Officer Lewis contacted an Alabama game warden, and met him at the state line. The suspect showed the officers the deer carcass in Alabama, but claimed that he could not remember where it was taken. The Alabama officer charged the subject for not filling out his harvest report.

Officer Land was on the Escambia River when he observed three subjects on a boat heading under power toward a flock of coots. When the boat flushed the coots, one of the hunters fired at them before the boat stopped moving. Officer Land contacted Lieutenant Hahr who located the hunters as they were leaving a nearby boat ramp. The subjects admitted to trying to shoot the coots from the moving boat. Upon inspection, the officers found that the subject observed shooting was using lead shot and a shotgun capable of holding more than three shells. The one subject was issued a citation for attempting to take waterfowl from a vessel under power and with lead shot.

Lieutenant Berryman was patrolling the Escribano Point Wildlife Management Area (WMA) when he encountered four individuals camping at the Bayou Campground. While speaking with these individuals, he learned that they did not possess a camping permit for the campground and observed several beer cans that had been discarded on the ground and open containers of beer within their vehicles. Additionally, it was found that none of the four individuals possessed a valid driver’s license and that one of the vehicle’s registration tag was expired and was ordered by the court to be seized. All four subjects appeared to be nervous and were acting very suspiciously. Officer Land arrived to assist and requested a K-9 unit from the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s deputy arrived and worked his police canine around the vehicles and the subjects’ tent that had been set up in a non-designated camping area. The canine showed a positive alert on both vehicles and the tent for narcotics. A search of both vehicles revealed marijuana, methamphetamines and drug paraphernalia. The owners of both vehicles and the tent were placed under arrest by Officer Land and transported to the county jail. Both vehicles were towed and the tent was seized for safe keeping until a search warrant could be obtained to search it and its contents. The other two individuals were given a ride to a local motel.

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.

Homicide Suspects Jailed, One More On The Run

The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a homicide suspects, while two have been taken into custody.

Christopher Leray Portis, 34, and Alex Lamar Shavers, 21  were arrested Wednesday for a homicide that occurred Friday, December 15 about 4 p.m. in the 4600 block of West Jackson Street.

Deputies are searching for an additional homicide  suspect — 21-year old Emanuel Dinell Adams. He is considered to be armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.

‘The Day They Should Have Been Putting You In The Ground’ — Driver That Hit Log Truck Speaks

“It weighs heavy on your mind when you’re still walking and talking on the day they should have been putting you in the ground.”

Those were the words Tuesday afternoon of James Nevels of Jay, a man that many believe is still alive due to Divine intervention and a Christmas miracle.

Before daybreak last Friday, Nevels was in his Ford F-150 as he rear-ended the logs on the back of the 18-wheeler on Highway 29 just south of Barrineau Park Road. The pictures published by NorthEscambia.com were simply heart-stopping, showing multiple logs that completely penetrated the cab of the pickup, missing Nevels by mere inches. The truck was heavily damaged in the crash. The photos and story reached tens of thousands of people, many in agreement that this was that Christmas miracle.

Now, James Nevels tells his story on NorthEscambia.com, in his own words:

“Today, about 2pm my family would be having an impromptu family reunion at the Baptist Church in Jay. Some of y’all might would even have taken a little vacation time to show up. More than likely, bro Chip and bro George would’ve been the ones leading the service. I’m sure down front there would be a good pic of me, probably with my wife and son, because even though I was there I wouldn’t been able to be seen. Maybe they would play a slide show to celebrate all of my adventures, friendships, family relationship’s, marriage, and my short time as a father. Hopefully a friend or two and family would speak for few words for me. At the end 6 of my closest friends would tote me out and load me up for the short drive out to Pine Level Church Rd for the second half of the service… After that everyone would return to the church for some great food and fellowship, only to be reminded why they are there everytime my 22 month old ask if daddy was at work, or if daddy was hunting. Oblivious as to why everyone was gathered together…

No Injuries In Byrneville Crash

A driver was not on the scene of a single vehicle accident when first responders arrived late Tuesday night near Byrneville.

The driver lost control of an older model Buick LeSabre while eastbound on Highway 4, struck a culvert and went airborne at Dora Lee Killam Road about 10:45 p.m. The vehicle struck a stop sign and road sign before continuing back across the roadway and striking a tree.

A witness said the driver fled the scene a few minutes later, getting into a light-colored Jeep that continued eastbound on Highway 4 toward Century at a high rate of speed.

The accident was under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded to the crash.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Century In $100K Dispute With New Apartment Complex Over Tap Fees

The Town of Century and the development company behind a soon to be open 50-unit Century Park Apartments are at odds over just how much it will cost to turn water service on to the complex.

The developer, the non-profit Paces Foundation, tendered a $63,750 check to cover water and sewer connection fees, but that check was returned by the town. Now, according to town consultant Debbie Nickles, the town is seeking a $180,250 connection fee.

And Monday night, the Century Town Council voted 4-1 not to honor the lower amount Paces submitted. Council President Ann Brooks cast the lone dissenting vote.

The $10 million Century Park Apartments complex is scheduled to open with 50 units as early as next month on Second Street, near the Billy G. Ward Courthouse.

Paces contends that the $63,750 submitted was agreed upon during a 2015 meeting with then-Mayor Freddie McCall and Nickles. The only written agreement to come out of that meeting was a handwritten page showing calculations that Paces said were based upon the 2015 rates as published online in the town’s municipal code. The  handwritten document also included a proposed fee for natural gas; however, the developer later opted to go all-electric.

“It was agreed to by me, as a representative of the Paces Foundation, and the mayor at the point in time and your town planner. So from that, we had an agreement,” Development Manager Rick Haymond of Paces told the town council.

“So at the time we went by the documentation that was written under the ordinances and your resolutions for the fees,” Nickles told the council. Haymond said he never had a written contract regarding tap fees with a municipality in his 17 years, and had often used published rates available online.

McCall and Nickles (pictured left) do not deny the meeting, nor do they deny the agreement or the approximate $63,000 tap fee.

“The town made a commitment to them. To me, they should do the right thing and honor that commitment,” Nickles said.

Council member Luis Gomez said written documentation and agreements should appear on town letterhead and have signatures. He said the town is attempting to regroup and change the direction of finances in the town.

“The only reason I am objecting so hard is because I took office in February for this seat and at time we were operating totally red. And we are trying to regroup and change the direction of the finances and the budget in the town of Century,” Gomez said.

“I don’t know what else we could have done than to go to the highest officials in the city,” Haymond said, pointing out that the tap fee is the only disputed amount; he said Paces will be subject to all other current water and sewer rates.

Century Water Superintendent Alicia Jernigan (pictured left) said the new apartment complex will be served by a sewage lift station near Pilgrim Lodge Church which has had four recent failures with needed repairs estimated at $50,000. She said the citizens will have to pick up the repair costs.

“Our infrastructure has to be maintained, and our infrastructure is failing, Jernigan said. The failure, she said, is due to low rates and not putting money aside over 30 years to make repairs. “If we can’t handle what is coming through Pilgrim Lodge (lift station) now, how are we going to handle 50 more units? So $50,000 of that (tap fee) right now off the top will be to rehab that lift station.”

“I understand where you are coming from, you just can’t put that problem on us. To begin with, I don’t think it’s fair to put that problem on us.,” Haymond said.

“You want to do what you want to do and it’s OK, but when we do what we need to do, now you have a problem,” Century Mayor Henry Hawkins said. “Based on my consideration, I don’t like it. We have an adopted rate and I am still holding you accountable to that rate. If you want water, it’s going to cost you ‘X’ amount of dollars for fees.” He explained “X amount of dollars” as being the town’s new rates.

“I have not seen an agreement,” Hawkins continued, discounting the documentation provided by Paces and the handwritten figures. “This is not an agreement to the fees,this not an agreement to the fees.  And what was scratched out that – you said y’all do business that way. If you do businesses that way, I’m surprised you haven’t lost your shorts yet.”

Nickles said that the town had never had a formal written agreement with a developer on tap fees, nor had the town seen a $10 million investment in 30 years.

“That is taking this new development and using it as a way to make up for your lack of maintenance and your lack of taking care of your infrastructure problems. In other words, you are tying to get them to pay for your problems,” Nickles said. “I feel like we made a commitment to them (Paces), and the town should honor that agreement.”

The mayor said any agreement should be on official town letterhead and signed.

“That handwritten stuff that I still have not seen yet is not legal documentation,” Hawkins said.

“That handwritten stuff is what I think you saw at the last meeting,” Council President Ann Brooks said.

“I didn’t see it; you kept it away from me. You kept it away from me,” the mayor replied.

“I did not keep it away from you…I don’t know why you didn’t see it,” Brooks said.

William Dunaway, attorney for the Paces Foundation, said the developer would be seeking a new tap fee calculation.

Pictured top: Century Mayor Henry Hawkins denies documentation presented by an apartment developer is a tap fee agreement. Pictured bottom inset: Development Manager Rick Haymond of the Paces Foundation addresses the Century Town Council. Pictured below: Haymond sits with the council as town planner Debbie Nickles (far right) supports his claims. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

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