Man Gets Over 18 Years In Prison For Teen Sexual Battery
September 21, 2017
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to over 18 years in state prison for the sexual battery of a teen.
Escambia County Circuit Court Judge Jan Shackelford sentenced 57-year old Phillip Arnez Benjamin to 226.5 months state prison on one count of lewd or lascivious battery.
Under Florida law, lewd or lascivious battery generally carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in state prison.
However, based on Benjamin’s lengthy prior record, including six prior felony convictions, the court was allowed to exceed the maximum term of imprisonment and sentenced the defendant to more than 18 years in prison. He was also designated a sexual offender.
In October 2016, Benjamin was at a gathering watching football games. The other adults fell asleep, leaving Benjamin the only adult awake in the home. Benjamin went into the 13-year-old victim’s bedroom where she slept with her siblings. At that time, he committed a lewd battery on the victim. The child woke up, and Benjamin told her not to tell anyone what he had done.
Soon after, Benjamin left the home, and the child frantically called her mother at work to tell her what happened.
West Florida Libraries Offer Special Edition Library Card
September 21, 2017
West Florida Public Libraries will offer a special edition library card in September in honor of Library Card Sign-up Month.
The special edition card features Teen Titans, a fictional superhero team appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics.
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners officially proclaimed September as Library Card Sign-up Month during the regular board meeting Thursday, Sept. 7.
While library cards are always free for Escambia County residents, the usual $3 replacement fee for lost or damaged cards will be waived during the month of September, as part of the celebration.
Escambia County residents can find information about getting a library card or sign up online by clicking here.
September was designated as Library Card Sign-up Month by the American Library Association in 1987, after then Secretary of Education William J. Bennett issued a challenge. The challenge was for a national campaign encouraging every child to obtain and regularly use a library card.
Driver Injured After Hitting Mailbox
September 20, 2017
One person was trapped in their vehicle following a single vehicle accident on Kings Road off East Kingsfield Road Wednesday morning.
The vehicle overturned after the driver left the roadway and struck a large residential mailbox. The driver was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS after being extricated from the vehicle.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Local Students Won’t Be Required To Make Up Missed Irma Days
September 20, 2017
Students in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties will not have to make up two days of school lost to Hurricane Irma. Even though Irma had little or no direct effect locally, schools where closed September 8 and September 11 on order of Gov. Rick Scott.
Scott said schools outside Irma’s strike zone might be used as shelter for evacuees.
Florida Education Commissioner Pam Stewart told superintendents Tuesday that the state is waiving the two days for all districts in the state.
Both Escambia and Santa Rosa County already have extra days built into their school years to account for emergency closures.
Business Tax Receipt Renewal Deadline Approaching
September 20, 2017
Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford is reminding business owners that the deadline to renew their Business Tax Receipt (BTR) is quickly approaching. Businesses may renew their BTRs anytime between now and September 30.
Businesses can make online payments at EscambiaTaxCollector.com.
“Paying online is easy and secure, and there is no wait time,” said Lunsford. E-checks and credit cards can be used for online transactions. Businesses also can make payments by mail or at one of four convenient offices.
Also, business owners are encouraged to take advantage of the installment plan for tangible personal property tax payments. By utilizing this plan, business owners with a tangible personal property tax bill of at least $100 can make four quarterly payments instead of one lump sum payment. Each quarterly bill will receive a different discount for early payment as prescribed by Florida Statutes. The quarterly payments are due by the last day of June, September, December and March. Paper applications are being accepted now, and businesses can apply online after November 1, 2017. The Installment Payment Plan application deadline for 2018 property taxes is April 30, 2018.
Lunsford said, “The installment program not only helps ease the financial burden on taxpayers by allowing them to spread out the payments, it also provides a discount for making payments on time.”
Volunteers Sought For Six Escambia County Extension Council Seats
September 20, 2017
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 Extension Council for the following zones:
- Zone 1: North of intersection of Hwy. 164 and Hwy. 97
- Zone 3: Tungoil Road to Gibson Road
- Zone 5: Quintette Road to Molino Road
- Zone 7: Nine Mile Road to Kingsfield Road
- Zones 9 & 11: At Large
The Escambia County Extension Council was established in accordance with Chapter 67-1366, Section I-8 Florida Statutes. The purpose of this council is to study the needs of the county in developing its natural resources, its families and youth; to provide for the organization of planning committees in various agricultural commodities, in youth and in all phases of home economics important to Escambia County; to provide for close liaison between the committees, county extension agents and the council; and to coordinate the reports of all committees into a single Escambia County resource development program designed to develop the county’s resources and its people through programs for which the Cooperative Extension Service has a responsibility for initiating or coordinating. Council members serve a two-year term of office. For more information on UF/IFAS Escambia Extension click here.
Escambia County residents interested in serving on the Escambia County Extension Council, who meet the requirements noted in the job description below, are asked to submit an information sheet (attached) and letter indicating their desire to serve by 5 p.m., Friday, September 29, 2017. Informational sheets and letters should be submitted via email to shendrix@ufl.edu or by mail to:
Susan Hendrix
3740 Stefani Road
Cantonment, FL 32533
UF/IFAS ESCAMBIA COUNTY EXTENSION COUNCIL MEMBER
JOB DESCRIPTION
General Description
Represent your organization that serves the people of Escambia County. Share their needs and concerns. Serve as a catalyst and leader in shaping the vision for Extension in support of Escambia County citizens within the scope and mission of UF/IFAS Extension.
Specific Responsibilities
- Attend quarterly council meetings as scheduled.
- Seek out needs and issues of clientele you represent.
- Learn about all programs of Extension.
- Advocate for Extension as opportunities arise.
- Suggest resources to contribute to Extension educational programs.
- Contribute personal expertise, information, and time as available and needed to support Extension’s efforts in Escambia County.
Time Required
- Two-year term of membership.
- May be eligible for a second term.
- Four to 6 council meetings per year; 1-2 hours in length.
- Committee meetings as assigned.
Resources Available
- Extension Council guide
- Extension staff
- Escambia Extension agents’ plan of work reports
- Extension educators within the region
- Regional and state advisory councils
Training Opportunities
Several training opportunities, including orientation, are available to council members throughout their term of service. This council operates under the Florida Sunshine Law and members are required to attend training provided by the Escambia County Attorney’s staff at a regularly scheduled Extension Council meeting.
Organizational Relationships
Council members work primarily with the county Extension director. There is generally regular interaction with Extension agents and staff members, as well as Extension educators who serve Escambia County. Council members may be asked for input from the regional Extension director or other members of UF administration.
Qualifications:
- Live in the geographic zone area noted (included below).
- Interest in enhancing the educational efforts of Escambia County.
- Ability to work collaboratively in an advisory capacity with Extension staff and volunteers.
Atmore Man Arrested On Child Sex Abuse Charges
September 20, 2017
An Atmore man has been arrested on child sex abuse charges.
Ricky Terrell Pratt, age 19 of Liberty Street, was charged with enticing a child and sexual abuse of a child under 12. He was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center with bond set at $250,000.
The Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office said Pratt lured a child under the age of 12 into a room “for the purpose of lewd and lascivious behavior” and subjected the child to sexual abuse. Investigators said the child later disclosed the sexual abuse.
The Child Advocacy Center and the Department of Human Resources assisted the Sheriff’s Office with their investigation.
Town Rents Century Business Center Office To Attorney
September 20, 2017
The Town of Century is renting space at the Century Business Center to a Pensacola attorney.
The “main office” of the center will be rented to Gerald McKenzie for $100 per month, plus $7.50 in sales tax, and he will be responsible for the electric bill, according to Century Mayor Henry Hawkins. Hawkins said the non-profit Northwest Florida Legal Services will continue to use the office to periodically meet with clients.
The Century Business Center on Pond Street is a former school that was converted into a business incubator known as the “Habitat for Opportunity Building” until being renamed in 2015.
McKenzie recently told Century Chamber of Commerce members that he looks forward to becoming actively involved in the Century community. He said his office in Century will be staffed a few days each month; he will retain his main office and staff in Pensacola.
Pictured top: This corner of the Century Business Center contains restrooms (foreground) and a small office that will be rented to a Pensacola attorney. Pictured below: The Century Business Center on Pond Street. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Volleyball Loses To Central In Three, Tate Beats Fort Walton
September 20, 2017
The Central Jaguars defeated the Northview Chiefs Tuesday night in Bratt 3-1.
The Chiefs dropped the first set by a score of 18-25 before losing the second set 19-25. Northview turned the tables on Central, bouncing back to win the third set 25-18. The Chiefs could not find success in the fourth and final set, falling 15-25.
Teriana Redmond led the Chiefs with seven blocks and 13 digs, while Natasha Walker recorded six serving aces.
The Northview Chiefs will travel to Jay on Thursday.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Tate 3, Fort Walton 0
The Tate High School Lady Aggies defeated the Fort Walton Beach Lady Vikings Tuesday 3-0. The Aggies won straight sets at home in Cantonment 25-17, 25-21, 25-23. The Lady Aggies will be at Pensacola High School on September 26
Tate 2, Fort Walton 0 (JV)
In junior varsity action, the Tate Lady Aggies beat Fort Walton’s Lady Vikings 2-0. The Aggies won the first set 25-13 before beating Fort Walton 25-15 in the second set.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Portion Of Stefani Road To Close Friday Morning
September 20, 2017
The closure of Stefani Road between Nine Mile Road and 9 1/2 Mile Road in Cantonment has been rescheduled. The segment will now experience closures and detours beginning Friday at 7 a.m. Construction will consist of the installation of a sanitary sewer manhole.
The roadway closure is expected to remain in effect for approximately two weeks. Every effort will be made to expedite construction efforts to reopen the road on or before Friday, October 6. If other lane or roadway closures are necessary beyond the anticipated time period, another notice will be issued.