Suspect In Manhunt Now Behind Bars
September 20, 2010
The man that was the focus of a manhunt just over a week ago in Century was arrested Sunday night.
David Michael Mathis, 30, of Century,was booked into the Escambia County Jail just before 9 p.m. Sunday on a battery charge resulting from a domestic violence incident September 12 on Shady Lane near Stateline Road. Mathis is being held without bond pending an appearance before a judge.
Mathis was taken into custody by Deputy Walt Shiver in the 4600 block of Camp Road.
On Sunday, September 12, Mathis fled the area on foot before law enforcement arrived, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies surrounded the area, while a K-9 unit from the Century Correctional Institution searched for Mathis. Officers from the Flomaton Police Department were on the lookout for Mathis in their city, less than one-tenth of mile away. The manhunt was called off a short time later.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, a female got into an argument with Mathis, her husband of nine months. The argument turned physical, with Mathis pushing her to the ground and attempting to drag her back inside their apartment. A witness approached Mathis with an ax handle and ordered him to leave the victim alone, according to the incident report.
When Mathis fled the area on September 12, it was believed he had taken the victim’s cell phone and had been calling friends and relatives asking for help to the get out of the area, the Sheriff’s Office report states.
Pictured: David Michael Mathis was arrested Sunday night, a week after a manhunt failed to find him.
Man Faces 40 Charges For Allegedly Stealing His Mother’s Credit Cards
September 20, 2010
A Molino man is facing 19 felony charges after allegedly stealing his mother’s credit card and making multiple purchases at a couple of Tom Thumb stores.
Harry Langdale Nowlin, 44, of Chance Road, was charged with 19 felony counts of fraudulent use of credit cards and 21 misdemeanor counts of second degree petty theft. Bond was set at $21,000 and he being held in the Escambia County Jail on an outstanding violation of probation charge in a 2008 drug case.
Nowlin is accused of stealing a gasoline credit card from his 73-year old mother and using it numerous times at Tom Thumb in Molino and Cantonment. He was also accused of stealing coins worth about $10 from a glass jar belonging to his mother.
The convenience store purchases were all small — ranging from $5.38 to $20.85 each.
School Board Member Going Grassroots For Amendment 8
September 20, 2010
One Escambia County school board member is going grassroots in his effort to tell voters that he believes in Amendment 8.
The entire school board has spoken out in favor of the amendment on the November ballot that relaxes class size issues. Now District 1 board member Jeff Bergosh, who was recently re-elected to another term — is recycling his campaign signs into pro-Amendment 8 messages.
“I have recently learned that I can recycle my old campaign signs and re-paint and re-use them to advocate for the passage of Amendment 8,’ Bergosh said. “I have begun to make signs and deploy them around town, and if I can at least get people to wonder what Amendment 8 is– that will be a good start.”
“Amendment 8 is a very important issue and will save Florida taxpayers billions of dollars if passed. Perhaps even more importantly, Amendment 8 will increase opportunities for students statewide because it will give local districts badly needed flexibility,” Bergosh said.
As of this school year in Florida, individual classes were capped at 18 students for kindergarten through third grade, 22 in fourth through eighth grade, and 25 in high school, with the limits having been phased in since the amendment was passed in 2002.
The proposed amendment on the November ballot would allow class sizes to be calculated in a more lenient fashion. If passed, the class size would be calculated at a grade-level average, not an individual classroom cap, allowing some classes to go above the limit.
Pictured top inset: Escambia School Board member Jeff Bergosh cuts a template in order to spray paint signs (top photo) in favor of Amendment 8. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Dig Pink And Help Beat Cancer With Northview, Flomaton
September 20, 2010
The Northview Chiefs and the Flomaton Hurricanes will meet on the volleyball court later this month in Bratt in the area’s first ever Dig Pink game.
“Dig Pink is an organization for breast cancer awareness through volleyball. Our girls will be working hard at raising money for the organization and playing a game in honor of survivors and those whom have past away,” said Barbara Luker, assistant Northview volleyball coach. “The volleyball team will be ‘decked’ out in pink for the game and has plans to host a hospitality room for survivors that attend the game. We also are going to try to ‘pink out’ our gym for the game.”
The Dig Pink games will take place on Tuesday, September 28, with the Flomaton and Northview 9th grade teams playing at 4:30, the junior varsity at 5:30 and the varsity at 6:30 in the Northview High School gym.
The Dig Pink website allows individuals to donate to the breast cancer cause. In addition, Northview is seeking monetary and item donations for the hospitality room. For more information, email BLuker@escambia.k12.fl.us or BHeaton@escambia.k12.fl.us
The Dig Pink game is sponsored in part by NorthEscambia.com; additional sponsors are needed. Contact BLuker@escambia.k12.fl.us or BHeaton@escambia.k12.fl.us for information.
Pictured above: Jazzlyn Franklin (left) and Julia Thorpe with Northview’s Dig Pink shirts. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
More Than Half Million Donated To Project Share
September 20, 2010
In the past three years, Gulf Power customers who have opted in to donate to Project Share have donated more than a half-million dollars to help those having trouble paying their utility bills.
A cooperative effort with the Salvation Army, Project Share helps with utility bills and other energy-related needs. The program assists the elderly, the disabled, the sick and others who are experiencing financial hardship.
“This is one way the average citizen can help others in their community,” said Jeff Rogers, Gulf Power spokesperson. “Right now, families are really struggling out there. From Pensacola to Panama City, Project Share offers help for those families.”
To participate in Project SHARE and become a part of the network of neighbors, Gulf Power customers can pledge to contribute $1, $2, $5, $10 or any other whole-dollar amount they choose each month. The contributions are tax-deductible and will be added to the customer’s electricity bill every month. The amount is sent directly to the Salvation Army until Gulf Power has been notified to stop. Customers can sign up for Project Share online by visiting gulfpower.com and clicking on “My Account” then on “Billing Options.”
How does Project SHARE work? Those in need apply for Project SHARE assistance at The Salvation Army office in their county. Eligibility requirements for Project SHARE recipients are set by The Salvation Army. The Pensacola office of The Salvation Army can be reached at (850) 432-1501.
Are You Ready To Vote?
September 20, 2010
Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David H. Stafford today encouraged area voters to make sure they are “election-ready” for the November 2nd general election. With the election approaching, it is important that voters prepare to exercise one of their most fundamental rights as Americans. As such, here are a few important questions for voters:
Are you registered?
If you are not sure, visit EscambiaVotes.com and click Am I Registered? to find out. If you are not registered, you have until October 4th to do so. Registering is quick and easy – visit EscambiaVotes.com or call (850) 595-3900 to determine the most convenient way for you.
Have you moved since you last voted?
If so, the Supervisor of Elections need to know your new address as soon as possible so they can make sure they update your registration and direct you to your proper polling location. Just call or e-mail soe@escambiavotes.com. It only takes a few minutes.
Do you wish to vote by mail?
Voting by mail (also known as absentee voting) is one of three different ways voters can cast a ballot. To request a ballot, complete the online request at EscambiaVotes.com, call, or e-mail absentee@escambiavotes.com. You can also confirm your request and follow the progress of your ballot by clicking “Track My Ballot” at EscambiaVotes.com.
Are you familiar with your polling location?
If you plan to vote on Election Day, make sure you know where your precinct votes (several polling locations have changed since the 2008 elections). To confirm, check your Sample Ballot or Voter Information Card, use the Precinct Finder at EscambiaVotes.com, or call or e-mail us.
Have you studied the candidates and issues?
With the entire Florida cabinet, U.S. Senator and Representative, state legislators, circuit judge, local races, the retention of judges and justices, and eight statewide questions all facing voters, it is important to be familiar with your ballot prior to voting.
The supervisor of election’s office will send all voters a Sample Ballot prior to the start of Early Voting on October 18th. You can also check EscambiaVotes.com for a copy of your Sample Ballot and information on candidates and their campaign finances. There are many other sources of information on candidates and issues available to voters.
Area Nears Drought Conditions
September 19, 2010
The North Escambia area is unusually dry, while over 45 percent of Alabama and 10 percent of Florida is officially in a drought. According to the National Weather Service in Mobile, this has been the driest September to date on record with just a trace of rain reported across most of the area.
The U.S. Drought Monitor map published this week shows northern Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida and Escambia County in Alabama as being “abnormally dry”, but not yet experiencing drought conditions.
As the soil continues to parch under the September sun, forecasters are calling for more abnormally hot temperatures and no real chance of rain during the next week.
The U.S. Drought Monitor is published by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln using a variety of climatic data.
Pictured: This map from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows the extent of drought conditions across Alabama and Northwest Florida, click to enlarge.
Escambia Honors David Johnson For 35 Years Of EMS Service
September 19, 2010
David Johnson of Century was honored for 35 years of service to Escambia County EMS at Thursday night’s meeting of the Escambia County Commission.
Johnson joined the county as a paramedic on October 1, 1975. He will retire effective September 30.
“Mr. Johnson has responded to thousands of calls for assistance in all kinds of environments and weather conditions, employing the mental and physical attributes required to accomplish many of the life saving techniques necessary to serve the injured and critically ill,” the proclamation presented to Johnson by the county states. “David B. Johnson has faithfully served the county and his community with the utmost care and compassion for those in need.”
Pictured: Paramedic David Johnson was honored Thursday by the Escambia County Commission for 35 years dedicated service to Escambia County EMS. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Looks For Mystery Wastewater
September 19, 2010
An influx of stormwater into the Town of Century’s water treatment is causing problems for the town, and plans are being created to alleviate the problem.
The town’s wastewater treatment system is capable of treating 650,ooo gallons per day, but it is only permitted for 425,000 gallons per day.
“We are right at the borderline now,” Century Mayor Freddie McCall said. “We are treating too much water, and we can’t find it.”
McCall and the town’s engineer, Dale Long, believe that tens of thousands of gallons of water is being treated that leaks in to the system — from rainwater or even from streams. When the town replaced a culvert on Elm Street, a two-foot break in the sewer line was found near a creek crossing, allowing groundwater in.
The town will pay Fabre Engineering up to $7,000 to prepare contract documents to put qualified contractors “on call” to repair system problems as needed. That, according to Long, will save repair delays for the bidding process since the repair process will be pre-bid.
“If you have a problem you will have somebody on call,” Long said. “They are giving us basically line item prices for specific tasks.”
The town also plans to hire a firm to use video cameras to inspect the inside of the wastewater system.
Job Fair Planned
September 19, 2010
The Expand Your Opportunities Job Fair 2010 will be held this week at Victory Assembly of God in Molino.
The community job fair will provide participants the opportunity to meet with area employers who are actively looking for talented individuals to fill their current openings. There will also be free critique classes to find out how your resume and job applications skills compare.
The job fair will take place Thursday, September 23 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Victory Assembly of God on Highway 29. Admission is free, and the event is open to the public. Click here for more information for job seekers.
Employers interesting in attending the event should click here for a registration form.