Peacock Signs With Mount Mercer University
April 5, 2024
Gage Peacock of Beulah has signed with Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
The Lighthouse Private Christian Academy senior received baseball and an academic scholarships. He will also bowling for the school.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Updated: Volunteer Firefighter Attacked By Dog After Responding To Reported RV Crash; Driver Arrested
April 4, 2024
An Escambia County volunteer firefighter was attacked by a dog after responding to a reported vehicle crash with a trapped occupant Wednesday afternoon in Bratt, and the driver of the vehicle was arrested.
The Walnut Hill and McDavid stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue were dispatched about 5 p.m. to the reported recreational vehicle crash on North Highway 99 near Hanks Road. The first firefighter to arrive was a Walnut Hill volunteer in his personal vehicle. The firefighter reportedly arrived to find the driver standing outside the vehicle with two unleashed dogs. As the firefighter walked toward the RV, one of the dogs attacked him, knocking him to the ground from behind.
A Escambia County Sherriff’s Office deputy had arrived moments before the firefighter and was told by the driver that two aggressive dogs were in the vehicle, along with his 80-year old mother, and ECSO spokesperson said Thursday morning. He was instructed to remove the dogs from the RV and complied. He then removed the dogs from their leashes before the attack.
The dog was shot by the deputy to stop the attack. The dog died a short time later.
The firefighter suffered non-life-threatening injuries to his arm and was transported by Escambia County EMS to Atmore Community Hospital where he was treated and released. Long and his mother were not injured.
The driver of the RV, later identified as 47-year-old Robert Timothy Long, age 47 of Pace, allegedly resisted a law enforcement officer on scene after Escambia County Animal Control arrived.
Long appeared to be very distraught and was holding the second dog, a pit bull, by the leash and refused to let the dog get out of arm’s reach, according to an arrest report.
“Long was already known to be a sovereign citizen and did not cooperate with law enforcement,” the report states, and he ignored multiple commands to move.
When a trooper attempted to speak with Long, he became “extremely aggressive” and began cursing at the trooper and “tightly gripping the dog causing the dog to whine in pain”, the ECSO report continues. He was instructed to tie the dog to a tree but refused.
Long walked to the back of the property.
“Long placed his back against a metal garage door and placed his dog in front of him knowing that law enforcement was hesitant to detain him due to fear of being bit by his dog,” the deputy wrote.
“At one point Long sat back down and picked up a the end of a rake and when commanded to drop it, he complied. Long then picked up a plastic coffee can that was filled with dirt but again dropped it when commanded.”
“Due to the aggressive dog and Long not being compliant with law enforcement orders and fear of Long letting his dog go to attack an officer if we attempted to detain Long, I utilized my agency issued taser,” the deputy continued in his report. Long was then detained.
Long was booked into the Escambia County Jail Wednesday night on charges of resisting an officer without violence, felony intimidating or hindering law enforcement duties, and misdemeanor “dog owner reckless disregard”, according to jail records. He remained in jail mid-morning Thursday with bond set at $3,150.
Individuals reported that the RV had been in the ditch for several hours, since at least 2 p.m. Reports indicated that someone later reported it as a traffic accident with a trapped occupant about 5 p.m. There was a female occupant in the RV when first responders arrived that was unable to exit the RV due to its angle in the ditch and a pre-existing medical condition, but she was not “trapped”.
The southbound RV apparently left the roadway near Ashcraft Road and continued in the ditch for about one-quarter of a mile before coming to rest after striking a culvert past Hanks Road.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Highway Patrol are continuing their investigation.
Editor’s note: This story was updated to clarify that the dog was unleashed at the time of the time of the attack and shooting, according to information released Thursday morning by the ECSO. The story previously stated the dog was leashed when shot based upon preliminary information from the scene.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Judge Sides With County Clerk, Rules Escambia Commissioners’ Retirement Plan Is Unlawful
April 4, 2024
An Okaloosa County Circuit Court judge has ruled that a local retirement plan used by three Escambia County commissioners is unlawful.
Judge William Stone released a ruling Wednesday morning upholding a decision by Escambia County Clerk and Comptroller Pam Childers to withhold payments to the plan.
“It is not lawful for elected officers (e.g., county commissioners), to participate in the Local Plan,” Stone wrote in his ruling. “The County’s contributions to the Local Plan on behalf of county commissioners constitute unlawful compensation.”
Commissioner Steven Barry and Lumon May joined the plan in early 2021 after reelection in 2020. Former commissioner Robert Bender joined the plan shortly after his reelection in 2019.
On July 1, 2021, Childers reduced contributions to the local plan to 8.34% for the three commissioners. On January 1, 2022, Childers stopped making payments for the three county commissioners into the local plan.
Escambia County sued her to force her to make the contributions, contending the Childers did not have that authority under a state law from the 1990’s. The case went to trial in February, and the judge’s ruling Wednesday was the conclusion. Escambia County still has the right to appeal.
Stone agreed with the county’s assertion that the cost to taxpayers is exactly the same regardless of a commissioner’s participation in the local plan or FRS.
“The Court acknowledges the County’s argument that the cost to the County is the same under the Local Plan as in FRS,” Stone wrote. “However, that surface-level appeal cannot be the end of the inquiry.”
According to the ruling, the Florida Retirement System (FRS) required employer retirement contribution rate is 12.39%. In the court’s example, a commissioner serving three terms (12 years) with a salary of $98,501 annually would have an FRS contribution of $146,451.24. Under the local plan the county’s contribution rate for commissioners is 56.68%, which would amount to $693,604.68, or about 4.74 times more in accrued contributions than a commissioner who enrolled in FRS.
Stone noted that his ruling does not suggest that retirement plans constitute unlawful compensation, and that Childers “properly exercised discretion in ceasing to make the payments to the Local Plan”.
“The County Commission is disappointed in the ruling and is considering its options,” Andie Gibson, Escambia County public information officer, told NorthEscambia.com following the ruling.
Failed Urban Development Center Program Wants More Time To Finish Repaying Unsecured Loan From Century
April 4, 2024
The CEO of the Urban Development Center says she wants more time to finish repaying what started as an unsecured $61,925 loan for the YouthFirst Century program that suffered a complete funding cut by the Escambia County Children’s Trust (ECT).
At this week’s Century Town Council meeting, Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. read an April 2 letter from Dr. Jessica Griffen acknowledging UDC still owes the town $21,295 of an original interest-free $61,925 loan.
Last year, Escambia Children’s Trust (ECT) awarded a contract to the Pensacola non-profit Urban Development Center for “YouthFirst Century” to serve 750 youth ages 11-18 over a three-year period at a total cost of $1.2 million. In reality, they only reached 30 children in their targeted ages of 11-18. They requested to lower their target age group to just 5-years old, but that was also denied by ECT.
The Town of Century fronted an unsecured $61,925 loan to UDC to purchase items like computers and workbooks. The loan was to be repaid by December 31, 2023, but the town council previously approved an extension to March 31, 2024.
Griffen requested another extension to pay until May 31, 2024, “citing continual slow financial receivables for delay”. A NorthEscambia.com email to Griffen the afternoon of April 3 requesting more clarification was not immediately answered.
She did not specifically mention the Children’s Trust in her letter.
“The Urban Development Center, Incorporated is committed to meeting its obligation of repayment to the Town of Century,” she wrote. “In our view, it is critical to maintain clear communication and transparency throughout this process.”
According to ECT documentation, ECT’s contract for the year period prior to March 1 was $397,556, of which $264,058.03 was paid as of February 29, and $133,497.97 was “surrendered” because it was part of the awarded but not spent by the contract end date.
“It was use it or lose it,” ECT Executive Director Lindsey Cannon told NorthEscambia.com Wednesday afternoon regarding the surrendered funding. “It’s rolled back into (other) programs, because they (UDC) didn’t use it.”
The town council voted 5-0 to approve the loan payment extension.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Atmore Community Hospital Closing Surgery Department
April 4, 2024
Atmore Community Hospital is closing their surgery department effective June 1.
Officials pointed to low patient volumes, poor reimbursement rates including the lack of Medicaid expansion, and rapidly inflating costs as major reasons behind the closure.
“It is an unfortunate reality in today’s rural healthcare climate that hospitals are having to closely look at which services they are financially able to continue to provide. Atmore Community Hospital remains committed to providing our patients with quality healthcare and offering services locally. However, surgical services are not something we can continue offering and remain viable.” stated Brad Lowery, hospital administrator. “This decision was not made lightly, as we feel we have a very strong surgical team. Significant time and resources have gone in to trying to sustain the service, but we simply don’t have the necessary volume to support it at this time.”
According to hospital officials, Atmore Community Hospital is actively working to have outpatient surgical consults locally through visiting specialists, including D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital. Along with this change in service, visiting specialists who were located in the ACH Specialty Care building will now be relocating to other areas of the hospital and clinics.
“We continue to review what is working from a financial perspective,” stated Debbie Rowell, Escambia County Health Care Authority board chairperson. “We cannot continue to offer services that decrease our financial feasibility. We continue to research impacts of Medicaid Expansion and better reimbursements options for rural healthcare facilities.”
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Tate Defeats Northview In Flag Football (With Gallery)
April 4, 2024
The Tate Aggies defeated the Northview Chiefs 21-0 in girls flag football Wednesday afternoon in Bratt.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Tate quarterback Gabrielle Smart had 103 yards passing, completing 14 of 20 attempts. Smart also had 60 yards rushing and one touchdown on six carries. Hannah Pitman had 100 yards rushing on six carries for the Aggies. Ryan Clarke had 34 yards receiving and two touchdowns.
Northview stats were not provided.
Wednesday was senior night for Northview with the team honoring seniors Carsyn Dortch, Kendal Beasley and Ava Gurganus before the game.
The Chiefs ended their season at 3-5 overall. The Tate Aggies, currently 5-5, will end their season Thursday against Gulf Breeze.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Veterans Outreach Events Planned In North Escambia
April 4, 2024
The Escambia County Veterans Services Office will hold three public meetings in North Escambia to give veterans a chance to discuss benefits with an accredited veterans services officer.
Assistance is provided on a first-come, first-served basis at no charge. No appointment is required.
Meetings will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the following dates at community centers in North Escambia:
- Friday, April 5: Byrneville Community Center, 1707 Highway 4A in Byrneville
- Thursday, June 6: Davisville Community Center, 10200 Highway 97 in Davisville
- Wednesday, July 10: Molino Community Center, 6450 Highway 95A in Molino.
Escambia County Veterans Services Office staff members will be available to help with topics including reviewing VA benefits, filing a VA claim, and reevaluating VA disability.
For more information, contact the Veterans Services Office at (850) 595-2409 or email VSO@myescambia.com. Learn more about Escambia County’s Veterans Services Office at MyEscambia.com/veterans-services.
NWE Hosting 8U, 10U Baseball Tourney With Free Entry
April 4, 2024
Northwest Escambia Bradberry Park will host a recreational 8U and 10U baseball tournament on April 13 and 14 with a three-game guarantee.
Registration is free. Click here for a registration form.
Blue Wahoos Complete Entertaining Showcase Against Monterrey Sultanes Before Season-Opener
April 4, 2024
by Bill Vilona, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
The never-before series with the Blue Wahoos and the Mexican League’s Monterrey Sultanes ended Wednesday with both teams hugging, exchanging their jerseys, then gathering for a team photo.
Then, a countdown in Spanish began for a fireworks show, while a Latin band performed and had people dancing on the concourse well after the game ended.
It was this kind of memorable night in Blue Wahoos Stadium history.
The game was a show, too.
The Sultanes hit three home runs, one of them a sure-bet into the water beyond left field, en route to a 6-4 win against the home team, which again reverted to its alter identity as the Pensacola Pok-ta-Pok in a nod to baseball’s Latino influence and Pensacola’s own Spanish history.
“I love Pensacola. I really love the people,” said Guillermo “Willie” Gonzalez, the Sultanes’ vice president, who began working for the team at 13-years-old as a baggage handler, then worked his way all the way into having management stake in the oldest franchise (81 years) in the Mexican League.
“The weather is amazing, the food, everything,” he said. “The last time we played in the (United) States was in 2011 (against the Arizona Diamondbacks). So many years ago. This was our brilliant idea. We are so excited… I had heard about the fireworks and we’re so happy.”
The two games, which are believed to be the first time a Mexican League team has played against an affiliated Major League Baseball team in the eastern side of the U.S.. brought a sizeable crowd on a perfect weather night Wednesday at the bayfront stadium.
The event came about when Monterrey’s lead owner, a golfer and fan of Pensacola’s pro star Bubba Watson, read the introspective book by the two-time Masters champion and 11-time PGA Tour winner and wanted to meet him. That led to a meeting and eventual decision by Monterrey to travel to Pensacola.
The two organizations have quickly connected and mentioned about continuing this kind of series in future years.
The two exhibition games served as a prelude the Blue Wahoos’ 2024 season, which officially begins on Friday against the Mississippi Braves, the Atlanta Braves affiliate, and in their last year as the M-Braves before moving next season to Columbus, Ga.
Monterrey, managed by Roberto Kelly, a 14-year outfield veteran in MLB, including six seasons with the New York Yankees, begin their season next week.
“I think it’s been good, especially being in Monterrey and getting to play such a high-caliber team. I think it’s been good for the players to see different players, this kind of pitching and I think that will help us for our season.”
As for the game, the Blue Wahoos broke through first on a bases-clearing, 3-run double by Tanner Allen in the second inning, part of a good night at the plate for Allen, a Mobile-area native and former high school player.
But Monterrey’s big bats enabled them to get the lead on three home runs, including two on consecutive at-bats by first baseman Christian Villanueva, who played two seasons (2017-18) for the San Diego Padres. Both were big bombs, but the second one had the likelihood of bouncing quickly into the water beyond left field.
Romero Cuadrado, who has played nine seasons at various levels, had the Sultanes’ other homer.
The Blue Wahoos, as they hoped were able to use a half-dozen pitchers each game and get their likely starters some tasted of night games at the stadium.
Blue Wahoos starter Luis Palacios pitched out of a second-inning jam with runners on second and third and none out, before he was lifted in the fourth inning.
UPDATE: Boil Water Notice Lifted For Portion of Chemstrand Road And Area
April 3, 2024
UPDATE: This boil water notice was lifted Wednesday after bacteriological samples returned as clear.
Previous story:
Due to a broken six-inch water main, ECUA has issued a precautionary boil water notice for a portion of Chemstrand Road and the surrounding area.
This is the same area as a previous boil water notice issued March 21.
The April 1 notice was issued after a 6-inch water main was damaged by a road contractor working in the area of 8901 Chemstrand Road. The contractor previously damaged the 6-inch main at 8914 Chemstrand Road.
Precautionary Boil Water Notices are issued as a part of the standard protocol following any loss of water pressure, whether as a result of planned maintenance activities or unscheduled repairs.
Specifically, the boil water notice includes:
- Chemstrand Rd. (Address Range: 8702 – 9131)
- Camden Rd. (Address Range: 106-310)
- Topeka Rd. (Address Range: 207-301)
- Kaylyn Rd. (Address Range: 211-293)
- Lost Oak Dr.
- Beland Rd.
- Kokomo Rd.
- Bellington Rd.
- Arcadia Rd.
- Barker St.
- Fula Dr.
- Crum Ave.
- Danestar Dr.
- Sabrina Dr.
Residents located in the specified boil water notice area are advised to boil water for one minute at a rolling boil or to use eight drops of regular unscented household bleach per gallon of water, for water to be used for drinking or cooking purposes. Two independent bacteriological samples have been initiated and the advisory will be lifted as soon as possible. This process routinely takes 48 hours, and the notice will be rescinded at that time.
ECUA crews have completed the repairs and flushed out the lines. Residents within the area and nearby are advised that there is a possibility of discolored water as a result of the utility work, and to flush their home’s plumbing by running their taps for a few minutes. If problems persist, customers are asked to contact ECUA Customer Service at (850) 476-0480 for assistance.