Men Charged With Running Illegal Bingo Operation
February 23, 2016
Two area men have been charged with money laundering and illegal gambling in their bingo operation.
Larry L. Masino, 65, of Santa Rosa County, and Dixie L. Masino, 63, of Escambia County, were arraigned Monday in the U.S. District Court in Pensacola after a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging them with wire fraud conspiracy, operating an illegal gambling business, money laundering conspiracy, and money laundering.
vThe indictment alleges that, between 2006 and 2015, Larry and Dixie Masino conspired to defraud local charities out of millions of dollars. The Masinos operated Racetrack Bingo Inc. in Fort Walton Beach on behalf of a number of charitable organizations.
According to the indictment, Racetrack Bingo Inc. was an illegal gambling business in violation of Florida law because the Masinos compensated themselves and their employees, instead of using bona fide charity members, to run bingo games. The indictment further alleges that the Masinos charged the charities grossly inflated lease fees. By law, those proceeds should have gone to the charities. The indictment also alleges that Larry and Dixie Masino conspired to launder more than $5.8 million in proceeds of their illegal bingo operation through the deposit of profit distribution checks from Racetrack Bingo Inc.
The trial is scheduled for April 18, 2016.
Softball: Northview Tops Central
February 23, 2016
Northview beat Central 11-6 Monday at Central. Hannah Ging was 4-5 at the plate; Kendall Enfinger was 4-5; and Aubree Love was 4-5 with a home run. Tori Herrington pitched the win with nine strikeouts. The Northview varsity will be at Catholic Thursday at 5:00. The JV and varsity will host Freeport Friday in Bratt.
Scott Declares State Of Emergency; State Funds To Be Released
February 22, 2016
Gov. Rick Scott has issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency in Escambia County due to last weeks EF-3 tornado.
The executive order gives the county the ability to request state disaster recovery funding from the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. The executive order is the also the next step in possibly securing federal assistance.
This disaster recovery funding can be utilized for activities as outlined in the county’s Local Housing Assistance Plan, which is used to administer the local State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program, including disaster/mitigation assistance, housing repairs and replacement housing. The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners will submit a request for disaster recovery funding to Florida Housing Finance Corporation this week. Once funding is released from the state, residents will be able to apply for housing repair and replacement costs. More information will be released as funding is available.
NorthEscambia.com will continue to follow this story and publish additional details as they become available.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tornado Flattens Century’s Job Hopes
February 22, 2016
When an EF-3 tornado slammed into Century last Monday, it not only damaged or destroyed dozens of homes, it also blew away a large part of Century’s economic development hopes for new jobs.
The former Alger-Sullivan Lumber property just off Front Street was heavily damaged, including a collapse of the rear portion of the largest building.
The property was one of two available large industrial facilities available for sale in the town, and local officials had hoped to one day land a new manufacturing plant and jobs for the economically-depressed town.
“It was one of our big hopes. We had somebody in here two weeks ago that was looking favorably at putting in something,” Century Mayor Freddie McCall said. “It hurts us when we see that it’s down.”
Before the tornado, the former Alger-Sullivan property included 330,200 square feet in eight buildings on 38 acres, all zoned commercial and located near the railroad with a CSX spur available. Local real estate listings show a $1.5 million asking price on the property, which is owned by a group of investors based in Destin, before the tornado.
But, sometimes the eternal optimist, the mayor quipped that perhaps someone can get a good deal on the damaged property.
“The people that own it might take less money for it and hopefully a good builder would come in here then and take advantage of that and build up some of the buildings and get something going, McCall said.
Century’s other available large industrial location is the former Helicopter Technology building on Industrial Boulevard. It is move-in ready 40,000 square feet was not damaged by the tornado.
Pictured top: A ground level view of the back of the main building at the former Alger Sullivan Lumber Company in Century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
February 22, 2016
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties this week as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 29, Escambia County – Intermittent and alternating lane closures within the town of Century and from Champion Drive north continue.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) over Eleven Mile Creek Bridge- East and westbound traffic reduced to one lane at the bridge as crews perform construction activities.
- I-10 Widening, Escambia County – Alternating lane closures between Davis Highway (Exit 13) and Scenic Highway (Exit 17) from 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. the week of Monday, Feb. 22. as crews perform paving and shoulder work. The speed limit on I-10 between Davis Highway and Scenic Highway is reduced to 60 mph.
- State Road (S.R.) 289 (9th Avenue), Escambia County – Crews continue paving operations between the intersection of Bayou Boulevard and Creighton Road. Lane closures will be in effect from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Motorists will also encounter intermittent and alternating daytime lane closures between Fairfield Drive and Cervantes Street as crews adjust manholes and valves.
- U.S. 90 (Scenic Highway) at the intersection of Scenic Highway Circle, Escambia County – Emergency repair work continues. New stormwater pipe will be installed beneath Scenic Highway. Traffic flaggers will be on site to assist with traffic control as construction vehicles enter and exit the work area. The repair work will take about two months to complete.
Santa Rosa County:
- I-10 Widening, Santa Rosa County – Alternating lane closures between the Escambia Bay Bridge and S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard/Exit 22) from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 21 through Thursday, Feb. 25 as crews perform construction activities. In addition, the southbound travel lanes on Avalon Boulevard near the I-10 interchange will be closed during this time. One lane of traffic will be open in each direction in the northbound lanes. The closures will allow crews to perform pile driving operations. The speed limit on I-10, between the Escambia Bay Bridge and Avalon Boulevard, is reduced to 60 mph.
- U.S. 90 Milton, Santa Rosa County- Alternating lane closures near the Marquis Bayou Bridge 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. the week of Monday, Feb. 22. as crews play final layer of asphalt and install traffic separator. Traffic flaggers will be on site to safely direct traffic through the work zone.
- US 98, Santa Rosa County- Alternating lane closures from the Gulf Breeze Zoo to the Okaloosa County line 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. through the end of Feb as crews perform striping operations.
- Drivers will encounter daytime and nighttime traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Santa Rosa County through the end of Feb. as crews perform striping and pavement marking operations.
- U.S. 90 just east of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to S.R. 87and west end of Blackwater Bridge to the east end of Blackwater Bridge.
- S.R. 87 (Stewart Street) from U.S. 90 to north end of Clear Creek Bridge.
- S.R. 89 (By-Pass) from U.S. 90 to S.R. 87.
- S.R. 89 from S.R. 87 to County Road 178.
- U.S. 98, Santa Rosa County- Alternating lane closures between Central Parkway and the Gulf Breeze Zoo from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Sunday through Thursday through the end of February. Crews will also mill and pave crossovers and side streets through the end of February.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather. Motorists are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling in a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Pictured top: Sidewalk work, including some lane closures, continues in Century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Legal Assistance Available For Tornado Victims
February 22, 2016
Legal Services of North Florida will be at the Century Business Center located at 150 E. Pond Street in Century on from 9 a.m. to 1 pm. and Friday, February 26 from noon to 4 p.m. to meet with income eligible tornado victims who cannot receive assistance due to outstanding title issues with their homes. Staff will be on hand to accept applications, meet with clients, gather information, and provide advice and services. This service is funded in part by Escambia County.
Additionally, residents may visit Legal Services of North Florida’s office between 8:30 and 3 p.m., Monday-Thursday at 1741 N Palafox St. They may also request an application be mailed by calling (850) 432-8222. For more information, call Legal Services of North Florida at (850) 432-8222.
Good Day! It’s National FFA Week
February 22, 2016
It’s National FFA Week in Escambia County, according to a proclamation issued by the Escambia County Commission. The commission commended the county’s FFA chapters, members, parents and advisors and all who support agriscience education and the development of future leaders. Pictured at the county commission proclamation presentation from the Tate High School FFA are Austin Courson, Rachel Grammer, Tori Kelson, Cora Andrews, Patra Miller, Amber Neal, Commissioner Steven Berry and Melissa Gibbs. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Driver Flips Pickup Into Water-Filled Ditch
February 22, 2016
A driver as no where to be found when a pickup truck was found flipped into a water-filled ditch on Becks Lake Road in Cantonment Sunday night.
Firefighters search the truck and ditch for any signs of a victim, but nothing was found. It appeared the driver had fled the scene before the arrival of first responders.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Lawmakers Tour Tornado Damage; Offer Hope For State Aid, FEMA
February 21, 2016
Saturday morning, Northwest Florida lawmakers toured the devastation from last Monday’s tornado, talking to the victims and vowing to do all they can to make sure assistance dollars flow to the Century area.
NorthEscambia.com was along for the ride as State Sen. Greg Evers, Rep. Clay Ingram and Rep. Doug Broxson joined Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry, Century Mayor Freddie McCall and Council President Ben Boutwell in touring the area.
Along the way, they stopped to talk to residents that were out working on the clean up, like Helen Mincy.
“I don’t have anything and government officials need to get out here and help us. We ain’t got nothing,” she said. As Evers listened, she explained that she was out saving what she could, even 2×4’s, in order to save money on any rebuilding project.
At stop after stop, they heard the frustration of residents who have been told that, so far, there is no state or federal aid on the way.
“To see this with your own two eyes is pretty powerful. People are really hurting, really struggling. That don’t have anywhere to lay their head at night, worried about their stuff, worried about their families,” Ingram said. “We can go back to the capital and sell this in a more personable way that folks need help.”
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Evers agreed.
“I think the damage is devastating far beyond anything that we could have imagined when we heard about it Monday in Tallahassee. We learned a lot today from looking over it. We can actually take what we saw back to Tallahassee and make a difference, maybe release some money at the state level,” he said.
Ingram said that budget proposals are not yet final, giving the Northwest Florida Delegation time to attempt to put money for the Century area into the next budget.
“We definitely have to try to make a play to either reserve some funds from the affordable housing money,” he said. “It was good that we got to see this while we still had a little bit of a time window to act.”
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The lawmakers signed a letter encouraging Gov. Rick Scott to declare a disaster area and make aid available (pictured above).
McCall said he was encouraged after the tour.
“I feel relief. I feel like they have seen firsthand what we’ve got, and I feel like they can better tell the story when they get back (to Tallahassee). I am encouraged that the governor is going to hear about this, and he’ll hopefully pay attention to what we have up here,” McCall said.
A federal disaster declaration from the White House would require documented losses of over $25 million in the county. The EF-3 tornado damage falls short, but Evers announced that FEMA representatives will tour Century next week to determine if any exceptions could be made to that threshold to allow for federal help.
A large percentage of those suffering tornado damage do not have any insurance and live below the poverty level.
Pictured top and bottom. Helen Mincy explains her tornado damage to Sen. Greg Evers. Pictured top inset: Evers and Rep. Clay Ingram (left) drag debris out of Front Street. Pictured middle inset: (l-r) County Administrator Jack Brown, Commissioner Steven Barry and Ingram discuss aid options. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Farm Share Giveaway Helps Tornado Survivors
February 21, 2016
Farm Share partnered with Senator Greg Evers and Representatives Doug Broxson, Mike Hill, and Clay Ingram to sponsor a disaster relief food distribution in Century Saturday at the Century Business Center on Pond Street. Families in need after the devastation of last week’s tornado were given food and supply bags free of charge from Farm Share.
Each household received a variety of fresh produce, canned and dried food, water, juice, paper products, and other needed essentials.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
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