Two Charged After Allegedly Passing Fake $100 Bills In Flomaton, Century
November 23, 2011
Two Pensacola men were jailed after they allegedly passed three counterfeit $100 bills in Flomaton and Century Tuesday evening.
Lamarcus Dontay Brown, 26, and Melvin Donshea Coley, 29, were both booked into the Escambia County (Fla.) Jail Tuesday night on charges of uttering counterfeit currency, petit theft and fraud.
Brown and Coley reportedly first passed a counterfeit $100 bill at a Dollar General and at an Advance Auto Parts store in Flomaton. At each store, they made small purchases under $10, paying with the allegedly fake bills in order to receive a large amount of change. After leaving Flomaton, the men also reportedly paid for small purchase at a Dollar General store in Century with a forged $100 bill.
A store manager from Flomaton spotted the vehicle occupied by the two men in Century and followed it south on Highway 29 until Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies were able to catch up and conduct a traffic stop near Black Road south of Century.
Brown, the driver of the vehicle, was also charged as a habitual traffic offender, driving without a license and with providing a false name to deputies.
Both men are expected to face additional charges in Flomaton.
The case remains under investigation by the Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office and the Flomaton Police Department.
Alert: Elderly McDavid Couple Victimized, Deputies Say Beware
November 23, 2011
An elderly couple in McDavid fell victim to a scam Tuesday, and sheriff’s deputies are encouraging the public to be wary.
A white male about 50 years old approached the couple in their 70’s at their McDavid home. Deputies said he told them that he was spokesman for Medicare and that he needed to measure rooms in their house. While they were distracted by the man, someone else stole several items from inside the home.
The man was dressed in business casual clothing and was driving black sports car, possible a Trans Am. No other description was available.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is urging residents not to let people into their homes with proper, verifiable identification. If residents have any doubt about someone at their door, they are asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Business $103K Behind In Rent To Century, Seeks To Buy Building To Save Jobs
November 23, 2011
A business in the town’s industrial park is about $103,000 behind in rent payments to the Town of Century. And to keep the business afloat, the town wants to sell the building to the company.
Donald Dockens and Century Millworks entered into their current lease for the 10,825 square foot metal building in Century’s industrial park in 2002. His monthly rent was set at $1,500, but he said Tuesday that he missed a small provision in the lease that called for a regular annual increase on the monthly lease rate. Since 2002, he also missed numerous rent payments that now total about $103,000, according to Mayor Freddie McCall.
McCall said that his administration only recently discovered the long-forgotten lease provision for annual rent increases, and he has been working with Dockens to recoup the missed rent payments.
“We don’t want to run him off; we want to keep him and jobs in Century,” McCall said. “The town has been paid well more than it cost to build the building years ago, so we are willing to work with him.”
Tuesday morning at Century Millworks, there was a steady hum of saws and other machinery running as employees worked to craft the parts needed to make cabinet doors. The company, Dockens said, builds new cabinets for contractors, builders and individuals, “anyone with money”.
There were eight employees hard at work Tuesday morning, using high-tech, computer-controlled equipment to craft cabinets.
“They are good folks, hard working folks,” Dockens said, his clothing covered in sawdust where he had been out in the plant working alongside his employees. “I want to keep them working.”
Century Millworks had employed as many as 15 people years ago, but that changed when the economy, and the home building industry, faltered.
“When the economy tanked, our business tanked,” he said. “I won’t tell you that we are not behind on payments. We are, but we are looking for a way to stay afloat and keep these jobs in Century. This town has been good to us.”
With a current monthly rental rate of $2,500, the $103,000 owed to the Town of Century would amount to over 41 months of past due rent. However, it has not been 41 straight months since Century Millworks made a payment, according to McCall. Eight monthly payments were received in each of the years 2011, 2009 and 2008; 10 payments were received in 2010.
“It’s been a payment missed here, a payment missed there,” McCall said.
The Century Town Council has approved a plan that would allow Dockens and Century Millworks to purchase the building with a lower monthly payment and stay in business.
Once a proper appraisal and legal documents are completed, the town will sell the building to Dockens for an estimated $150,000 plus the $103,000 in back rent. The approximate $253,000 purchase price will be financed by the town at 4-percent interest, dropping the monthly payment to just over $1,500. In the event Dockens were to default on the purchase agreement with the town, Century would foreclose on the property.
Council President Ann Brooks, who said, “It’s something that I recommend that we do”, abstained from voting on the plan because Dockens and Century Millworks are clients of her accounting firm.
“I’m looking forward to getting this worked out,” Dockens said, “and keeping these jobs.”
Pictured top: Peggy Nelson uses computerized equipment to cut cabinet doors Tuesday morning at Century Millworks. Pictured top inset: Century Millwork’s building, owned by the Town of Century. Pictured middle inset: Century Millworks owner Donald Dockens at a computerized moulder machine. Pictured bottom inset: Cabinet doors ready for a final sanding. Pictured below: Century Millworks uses a variety of high-tech equipment to craft cabinet doors for a variety of clients. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: Northview Holds Pep Rally
November 23, 2011
Northview High School students showed their team pride Tuesday with a pep rally as the Chiefs prepare for the Class 1A regional finals at 7:30 Friday night in Bratt against Freeport.
For a photo gallery, including “special guest” male cheerleaders, click here.
Pictured: The Northview Chiefs held a pep rally Tuesday afternoon in advance of the regional finals Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
700 New Jobs Possible For Santa Rosa County
November 23, 2011
About 700 new jobs could be headed to Santa Rosa County by the end of the year.
The unnamed call center company has narrowed their choice to locations in an unknown number of cities, including the former Clearwire building in Milton.
Back in October, the company learned that Clearwire was moving jobs out of Milton, and contacted Team Santa Rosa’s Cindy Anderson at home and setup a visit. TEAM and the Pensacola Chamber of Commerce jointly showed sites in both Escambia and Santa Rosa counties to the company, which will provide both technical support and technical service.
Now, Santa Rosa County is finalist for the jobs.
“This is a highly competitive process,” said Dave Hoxeng, Team Santa Rosa chairman. “We believe we are the only option still being considered in Florida.”
TEAM is working to line up state and local incentive packages for the company and will make a presentation to the Santa Rosa County Commission next week before presenting a deal to the company.
“Of course, the communities that we are in competition with are also lining up their incentives. This opportunity is for a lot of jobs and it is very competitive,” Hoxeng said.
Slayton Elected School Board Chairman
November 23, 2011
A new chairman and vice chairman were elected Tuesday for the Escambia County School Board.
District 5 board member Bill Slayton, who represents the North Escambia area, will be the board’s chairman for the next year. District 1 member Jeff Bergosh was elected as vice chairman.
The next regular meeting of the Escambia County School Board will be Tuesday, December 13 at 5:30 p.m. at the J.E. Hall Center at 30 East Texar Drive in Pensacola.
Investigators Still Seeking Clues In Pharmacy Burglary
November 23, 2011
The investigation is continuing into a weekend burglary at a Cantonment pharmacy.
Someone made entry into the Kim’s Pharmacy on Highway 29 about 11:00 Saturday night through the front door. The burglar made his way quickly to the rear of the building, a blue plastic tub in hand, taking prescription narcotics.
He is believed to have fled the scene in a older model white sedan.
Anyone with information on the burglary is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP. Kim’s Family Pharmacy is offering a $500 reward into addition to the reward offered by Crime Stoppers.
Pictured: Still captures from surveillance video during a burglary at Kim’s Family Pharmacy in Cantonment. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Featured Recipe: Sweet Potato Marshmallow Swirl Cheesecake
November 23, 2011
As Thanksgiving approaches, we are featuring recipes on NorthEscambia.com this week. Today’s featured recipe, from columnist Janet Tharpe is a Sweet Potato Marshmallow Swirl Cheesecake.
Atmore’s Linam Makes 1st Team Capital One Team, Nominated Academic All American
November 23, 2011
Former Atmore resident Josh Linam, senior linebacker for the University of Central Florida Knights, has received a spot on the CoSIDA Capital One Academic All-District First Team. By being voted onto the First Team, Linam will now be included on the Capital One Academic All-America ballot which will be voted upon beginning this week.
Linam is currently majoring in sports and fitness and holds a cumulative grade-point average of 3.36
Prior to his junior season, Linam was used off the bench in 24 games as he racked up 21 tackles from 2008-09. However in 2010 he broke out and started every game as middle linebacker, guiding UCF to a Conference USA title and an AutoZone Liberty Bowl victory over Georgia. Linam completed the year with 78 tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss, an interception and a sack.
Now as a senior in 2011, Linam has amassed 42 tackles to rank third on the team, has 6.0 tackles for loss, a pair of sacks, an interception and two forced fumbles while starting eight games.
Health Department Offers Thanksgiving Food Safety Tips
November 23, 2011
The Escambia County Health Department is emphasizing the importance of safe food preparation and storage to prevent possible foodborne illnesses.
“While family celebrations are being prepared, everyone should practice proper food hygiene,” said Dr. John Lanza, health department director. “Floridians should wash their hands and counter tops thoroughly before and after preparing foods to help eliminate bacteria. Foods should be cooked at the appropriate temperature and leftovers should be stored properly.”
Factors that can contribute to foodborne illnesses include:
- Improper food storage (inadequate refrigeration temperature or hot holding temperature). Safe refrigeration temperature is less than 41 degrees Fahrenheit, and safe hot holding temperature is greater than 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Improper washing of hands and fingernails
- Improper cooling of foods. Safe cooling of foods is getting the foods to less than 41 degrees Fahrenheit within a four-hour time period.
- Cross contamination (such as from uncooked meat to salad ingredients)
- Improper cleaning and sanitizing of eating and cooking utensils, work areas and equipment
- Contamination of food, utensils and equipment from flies, roaches and other pests
Tips to prepare turkeys safely:
- A whole turkey should be cooked at an oven temperature of 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
- An 8-12 pound unstuffed turkey should be cooked for 2-3 hours.
- Preparers should use a meat thermometer. Every part of the turkey should reach a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Frozen turkeys should be kept frozen until ready to thaw prior to cooking.
Individuals with liver disease or diabetes or who have had gastric surgery or are immune-compromised should avoid eating raw oysters or other raw animal protein during the holidays. Oysters that are thoroughly cooked or have been post-harvest treated can be consumed by people with these conditions to minimize the risk of infection from Vibrio vulnificus.
For more information about food safety, click here.