Governmental Hub Named For Magaha, Civic Center Renamed
October 19, 2012
The Escambia County Commission voted Thursday night to rename the county’s governmental hub and the civic center.
The commission renamed the Escambia County Governmental Complex to the Ernie Lee Magaha Governmental Complex in honor of the Jay native and longtime Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller Ernie Lee Magaha.
Magaha was born in Jay, raised in Mosquito Flats near Century, and graduated from Century High School. He served in the Merchant Marines and graduated from Auburn University with a degree in economics in 1950.
He served as a state auditor for five years and resigned in 1956 to run for the clerk of the court of record. At that time, he and his wife, Lucile, spearheaded a grassroots campaign and literally walked the county for a successful election in November 1956 as she was expecting their first child.
He took office in January of 1957 and has held the position of clerk since that time. His office was instrumental in the smooth transition of the court system in 1972 to the two-tier system in place today. In 1995, then Governor Lawton Chiles asked him to assume the additional responsibilities of the comptroller’s office.
Also Thursday night, the commission voted to rebrand and rename the Pensacola Civic Center to the Pensacola Bay Center with a new logo. The new name and logo will be phased in immediately. Plans are in place to create a comprehensive marketing campaign that also includes a new website. The change was made at the recommendation of SMG, the center’s management company.
Man Convicted Of Murdering Engaged Couple In Allentown
October 19, 2012
A Milton man has been convicted of murdering an engaged couple found on a secluded Allentown Road in September 2010.
A jury returned the verdict Thursday against Robert Lee Hobart, 43, for the first degree murders of Robert Hamm, 41, and Tracie Tolbert, 43.
Hamm and Tolbert were discovered shot to death September 22 on Jesse Allen Road in Allentown. Both victims died from gunshot wounds, according to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. Prosecutors said Hobart murdered the couple in order to steal prescription drugs from them.
He will be sentenced next week and could receive a maximum of the death penalty.
Hobart was a suspect early in the investigation and arrested by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office after he was implicated by conclusive forensic evidence. Investigators said ballistics tests matched the weapon to both the shell casings and the bullets recovered from the crime scene.
The murders were discovered after a resident of Jesse Allen Road called authorities to report what looked like a large amount of blood in Jesse Allen Road. When deputies arrived, they found the two bodies on opposite sides of the roadway.
Jesse Allen Road runs west off Highway 87, about 18 miles south of Jay and not far from Central High School.
Escambia County Commission Terminates Administrator Randy Oliver
October 19, 2012
The Escambia County Commission has voted to terminate the contract of County Administrator Randy Oliver.
Commissioner Grover Robinson made a motion Thursday night, seconded by Marie Young, to retain Oliver for the year remaining on his three-year contract. That motion failed 3-2, effectively terminating Oliver’s contract.
Following his termination, Oliver said, “I’d like to thank the board and thank the citizens of Escambia County for the opportunity to serve them.” He then exited the commission chambers quietly.
During a public evaluation of Oliver’s job performance over the past year, commissioners spoke very little. Prior to Thursday night’s meeting, each county commissioner had already submitted their own personal written evaluation of Oliver’s job performance. He was given a generally good reviews by Young and Robinson, but numerous issues and shortcomings were raised by commissioners Kevin White, Wilson Robertson and Gene Valentino.
Before his termination, Oliver made a presentation that lasted about 40 minutes applauding the accomplishments made by numerous county departments. Then he discussed his own performance and the projects he hoped to champion next year.
“You have my commitment to keep this county on sound financial footing,” he said. “We could have done some things that would have made us look good for a couple of years, and I can pad my resume to go someplace else. And you’d be thinking that you were in great shape. Then one day you wake and up and say we aren’t.”
“I’m very proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish,” Robinson said. “There are many great accomplishments that we have been able to reach; I appreciate all of you leadership in making that happen. It’s a good team, but you’ve assembled a good team…and y’all have certainly done good work.”
Commissioner Marie Young agreed. “Randy, I’d like to thank you for a job well done…you’ve done an excellent job.”
Oliver will take “terminal leave” until November 2 in order to complete two years of service to become vested in the Florida Retirement System.
Oliver’s severance package will include a lump sum payment of $72,599, which is equal to half of his annual salary, along with accumulated leave. He will also remain oon the county’s health and dental plans for six months.
Effective Friday morning, Assistant Administrator Larry Newsome will serve as acting county administrator for a few weeks until commissioners name an interim administrator and begin a nationwide search for a permanent replacement.
Pictured: Randy Oliver at Wednesday’s grand opening of the Molino Community Complex, just one day before he was terminated as county administrator. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Honors Senior Volleyball Stars, Takes On PHS
October 19, 2012
The Northview Chiefs celebrated their volleyball program’s Senior Night Thursday.
1A Northview lost to 6A Pensacola High 23-25, 25-21, 19-25, 16-25. Taylor Roberson had two aces and three digs for the Lady Chiefs, and Misty Doran added 12 kills, seven blocks and two digs.
Northview volleyball seniors are as follows (along with a little biographically information):
Misty Doran # 1
Height — 5′10″
Favorite TV Show — Blue Mountain State
Favorite Movie — The Vow
Favorite Food — Italian
Favorite Music — Rock
Favorite Subject — Science
Grow Up To Be — Athletic trainer
Morgan Smith # 3
Height — 5′11″
Favorite TV Show — Pretty Little Liars
Favorite Movie — Remember the Titans
Favorite Food — Nachos
Favorite Music — Everything
Favorite Subject — P.E.
Grow Up To Be — A nurse in the Navy
Taylor Roberson # 4
Height — 5′2″
Favorite TV Show — Pretty little liars
Favorite Movie — ??
Favorite Food — Sloppy Joes
Favorite Music — Country
Favorite Subject — P.E.
Grow Up To Be — Pharmacist
Shelley Mothershed # 5
Height — 5′3″
Favorite TV Show — Pretty Little Liars
Favorite Movie — I Am Legend
Favorite Food — Potato soup
Favorite Music — Rap
Favorite Subject — English
Grow Up To Be — Cosmetologist
Morgan Payne # 13
Height — 5′10″
Favorite TV Show — Pretty Little Liars
Favorite Movie — Act of Valor
Favorite Food — Apple sauce
Favorite Music — Christian
Favorite Subject — Theatre
Grow Up To Be — Sports trainer
Hannah Fiellin # 15
Height — 5′3″
Favorite TV Show — Vampire Diaries
Favorite Movie — Ghost Rider
Favorite Food — Pasta
Favorite Music — Country
Favorite Subject — History
Grow Up To Be — Doctor
Missing Cantonment Woman Found Safe In Mississippi
October 19, 2012
A Cantonment woman missing since Wednesday was found safe in Mississippi Thursday night.
A silver alert had been issued in both Florida and Alabama for Nina Veach, 82. She was last seen about 4 p.m. Wednesday at her residence in the 10000 block of Bristol Park Road in Cantonment.
Authorities said was in need of medical attention.
Further details have not been released.
Photos: Bratt Elementary Holds Fall Festival
October 19, 2012
The annual Fall Festival was held Thursday afternoon at Bratt Elementary School, featuring games, food and fun for the children.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Undefeated: Ernest Ward Beats Escambia Academy
October 19, 2012
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles added another one to the win column Thursday night. The Eagles beat the Cougars of Escambia Academy 36-16 at home in Walnut Hill.
Ernest Ward (7-0) will wrap up their season next Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Escambia Academy in Canoe, Ala.
Pictured: The Ernest Ward Eagles take the field Thursday in Walnut Hill. Submitted photos by Heather Jernigan, click to enlarge.
Deputies Raid Indoor Marijuana Growing Operation In Molino
October 18, 2012
An indoor hydroponic marijuana growing operation in Molino was raided Wednesday night.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit served a search warrant at a home on Wesley Circle, just off Brickton Road, about 6:45 p.m. Investigators reported finding 11 marijuana plants will a street value of $22,000 growing inside a garage and a separate shed behind the residence. Deputies also reported finding numerous lights and other equipment used to grow the plants indoors.
No arrests were made Wednesday night, but investigators said an arrest warrant is likely forthcoming in the case.
Deputies said it is unusual to find an indoor operation in the rural areas of North Escambia; indoor operations are more commonly found in urban areas.
Pictured: An indoor marijuana growing operation discovered Wednesday night in Molino. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Grand Opening Held For New Molino Community Complex (With Gallery)
October 18, 2012
The grand opening of the new Molino Community Complex was held Wednesday morning.
The project included the conversion of the old Molino School in to a library, community center and museum. There was also a new 7,000 square foot facility constructed for the tax collector and property appraiser. The project was funded by local option sales tax monies.
“It’s a joyful day; it’s just wonderful,” said Lil King, a longtime proponent for the project and a former Molino School student.
- For a photo gallery from Wednesday’s ribbon cutting, click here.
- For a photo tour of the old Molino School, click here.
During the ceremony, Escambia County Tax Collector Janet Holley presented a $500 check to the Friends of the Library specifically for use at the Molino Branch Library.
Despite Wednesday morning’s ribbon cutting, the library, community center and museum are not yet complete and open. The tax collector and property appraisers offices have been open since July.
Librarian Pat Rigel said the library could open as soon as December.
Pictured: The grand opening of the new Molino Community Complex was held Wednesday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Frontier, Verizon Customers Report Widespread Telephone Outages
October 18, 2012
There was no immediate word Wednesday night on the cause of communications problems in the North Escambia area that left many residents unable to make or receive phone calls.
Frontier Communications customers from Molino north through Walnut Hill and Atmore into Monroe County, Ala., reported that they were unable to make phone calls outside of Frontier exchanges and unable to receive phone calls from non-Frontier customers. Numerous Verizon Wireless customers also reported problems making and receiving calls or text messages, particularly in the Molino area.
In previous similar Frontier outages, residents also reported that they were unable to call 911. However, test calls made Wednesday night from Walnut Hill confirmed that Frontier customers were able to reach 911 emergency services in Escambia County.