Company Increases Offer By $1 Million For Smaller Portion Of OLF-8
February 16, 2024
An investment firm has upped their offer by a million dollars for a smaller portion of the Escambia Ccounty-owned OLF-8 property on Nine Mile Road.
Ryan Bell of Kinetic Realty Services and Pensacola Bay Realty broker Bryce Burch on behalf of Precision Capital previously offered $20 million for 537 acres, a majority of the property, and proposed the development of some 900 single family homes.
This week, Precision Capital increased their offer to $21 million for 290 acres while following the area’s master plan, and no longer proposing single family homes. The county would retain the remainder of the property for economic development.
Last week, the Escambia County Commission voted 4-0 on February 8 to begin negotiations with Beulah Town Center (BTC) LLC and partner Fred Hemmer on a contract to develop OLF-8. Beulah Town Center (BTC) and Hemmer have told commissioners that they will follow the Master plan and not contruct any single family homes.
Beulah Town Center’s latest offer was $20 million cash for 290 acres, with the county retaining acreage for economic development. Under their latest proposal, BTC will not retain a purchase option on the additional property.
BTC and Hemmer also revised their offer at the request of Commissioner Jeff Bergosh to set aside sufficient property to allow the county to construct four tennis courts adjacent to the new Navy Federal Recreation Park.
Just before the commission voted to negotiate a contract with BTC, District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh said he could not consider Precision Capital’s offer that, at the time, did not follow the master plan.
FHP Arrests Convicted Felon In Escambia County With Weapons, Neo-Nazi Memorabilia
February 16, 2024
Thursday, Florida Highway Patrol troopers arrested a convicted felon in Escambia County with weapons and neo-Nazi memorabilia.
Trooper stopped a vehicle on I-10 near the Highway 29 exit for following a dump truck too closely.
Troopers discovered weapons, including handguns, ammunition, and antisemitic memorabilia.
The driver, identified as 42-year old Ronald Lee Murray Jr., of Cypress, Texas, was confirmed to be a convicted felon with multiple felony convictions out on bond in Orange County, Florida. Murray also holds no valid Florida driver’s license.
Passengers in the vehicle were released, and Murray was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond on charges of driving while license suspended or revoked and possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon. According to jail records, he was also wanted by the FBI.
The investigation is continuing.
Images courtesy Florida Highway Patrol for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Adds New Sidewalks Near Pine Meadow Elementary
February 16, 2024
Escambia County has completed the 9 ½ Mile Road Sidewalk Project, providing children and their families with a safer route to Pine Meadow Elementary School by connecting to the existing sidewalk network in the area.
The project added approximately 4,600 feet of 5-foot sidewalks near Pine Meadow Elementary School from Edendale Lane to Cove Avenue, expanding existing sidewalks that were installed as part of the Safe Routes to School initiative.
Florida’s Safe Routes to School program helps communities like Escambia County address school transportation needs and encourage more students to walk or ride their bicycles to school. The program is part of a nationwide movement to increase the number of children who walk or ride their bicycles to school by funding projects that make it easier and safer for them to do so.
“Any opportunity to enhance safety for our children is a win for Escambia County,” District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said. “I’m incredibly excited to have this project completed and provide a better connected, safer route for children and families to walk or bike to and from school.”
The goal of this project was to contribute toward creating safer walking infrastructure in Escambia County, while providing a more safe and secure walking route for Pine Meadow Elementary School students
Sweet Treats: Record Setting Northview Culinary Arts Academy Makes School Board Presentation
February 16, 2024
Students from Northview High School’s Culinary Arts Academy made a presentation to the Escambia County School Board during a workshop meeting Thursday.
They also provided a charcuterie board filled with sweet treats.
The Northview High School Culinary Arts Academy had one 167 students earn culinary certifications last year, a district record. The academy was also named the Escambia County School District’s 2023 Career Academy of the Year.
Academy students can receive certifications from the National Registry of Food Safety Professionals (NRFSP) and ServSafe. Students learn to prepare meals, cater events, prepare and have a chance to compete in food-related competitions.
“To our students, thank you. What you do is amazing,” Superintendent Keith Leonard said.
Photos for NorthEscambia.co, click to enlarge.
Second Suspect Arrested In Deadly Shooting Of Man Trying To Stop Fight On Atmore Street
February 16, 2024
Atmore Police on Thursday charged a second suspect in a deadly shooting that claimed the life of a 39-year old man.
The Atmore Police Department responded to reported gunfire just before 11 a.m. January 13 in the area of Martin Luther King Avenue and Bragg Street.
They found a 39-year old Okeema McCants suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. McCants was transported to Atmore Community Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.
“During the initial investigation of the crime scene, the investigators recovered spent casings from two different caliber firearms. Investigators were able to identify the two male subjects who were involved in the physical altercation and the two subjects who discharged firearms,” Atmore Police Sgt. Darrell McMann said.
Witnesses provided police with a description that led to the arrest of 25-year old Charles DeWayne Walker of Atmore about two hours later. Atmore Police said he was in possession of a handgun stolen from Jefferson County, Alabama, at the time of his arrest and had an outstanding warrant for theft of property.
McMann said 30-year old Cleo Frye III was identified as the other subject who fired multiple rounds.
Investigators learned that Frye may have fled the Atmore area and requested the assistance of U.S. Marshals. Agents took Frye into custody Thursday afternoon without incident on Highway 21 at Woods Road. Frye was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center without bond.
Tate’s Trevaris Edwards Signs Full Football Scholarship
February 16, 2024
Tate High School offensive lineman Trevaris Edwards signed a full football scholarship Thursday with Carson-Newman University in Jefferson City, Tennessee.
Edwards is an honors student who is a member of the Tate High School Agriscience Academy and student council. He is also a member of the weightlifting and track and field teams.
“Tre excelled on the field his senior year and became one of the area’s most dominating lineman,” said Aggies head coach Rhett Summerford. “He did this all while maintaining a 3.6 gpa. We’re all looking forward to what his college career will bring. He’s going to do great things at Carson-Newman.”
Photos by Tate Yearbook for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Seeks To Withdraw Plea In Conviction As Accessory In 2018 Walnut Hill Murder
February 15, 2024
A man recently sentenced to prison as an accessory in a 2018 Walnut Hill murder case has filed a motion to withdraw a no contest plea he made over four years ago.
Christopher James Logan Stacey was sentenced in January to 40 years in prison for accessory after the face to first degree premeditated murder and accessory after the face to first degree attempted premeditated murder. He received credit for 1,612 days served in the county jail awaiting trial.
According to a motion filed in circuit court, Christopher James Logan Stacey seeks to withdraw his plea because it was “entered due to defense counsel coercing him and/or not explaining all implications of the plea”. His attorney, Bryan J. Hamlin, disputes the claim and asd the court to appoint another “conflict-free” counsel. A hearing is set for next week before Judge Linda Nobles.
His father, Christopher Alan Stacey was convicted in September 2023 and sentenced to life plus 30 years for second degree murder and attempted second degree murder. He was originally indicted for first degree premeditated murder and attempted first degree premeditated murderbut pleaded to the letter charges.
Christopher Alan Stacey claimed the shootings were self defense. Court motions and denied appeals from the Florida First District Court of Appeals delayed the trial, but all of Stacey’s self defense motions were eventually denied.
Christopher Alan Stacey’s ex-wife, Jessica Nicole Thomas, was also charged with accessory after the fact to first degree premeditated murder and accessory after the fact to attempted first degree premeditated murder for the shooting at her home on Highway 164. Alexis Ileene Shiffner Cain pleaded guility to accessory after the fact to first degree premeditated murder and accessory after the fact to attempted first degree premeditated murder.
Alabama detectives learned that Boutwell had been at his friend’s house in the 5900 block of Highway 164, just east of Highway 97 in Walnut Hill. Deputies responded to find the suspects in the home.
An Escambia County, FL, investigator was contacted by Atmore Police to relay information on the shooting location. He instructed deputies to respond to the home where they found a couch burning in the backyard (photo below). Deputies extinguished the fire. Victim Boutwell later said he was shot on the couch in the living room of the home, which is about nine miles from where the men were found with the truck.
According to the report, an AR-15 was found in one of the bedrooms and a 12 gauge shotgun was found in another bedroom. The report does not specify if either was the murder weapon. A bullet hole was found in an interior wall.
Christopher Alan Stacey was seated on a bucket across the road from the residence watching as investigators processed the crime scene, while his son sat in a wooden chair in front of a neighboring home (both pictured below). Cain and Jessica Thomas were placed in the back of ECSO patrol vehicles as investigators worked.
Florida investigators also responded to the truck at Brushy Creek on Deere Creek Road in Alabama to process that crime scene with Alabama agencies. The straight-line location of the truck was about 1,000 feet north of the Alabama-Florida State line.
Christopher Alan Stacey, resided with Thomas at the home on Highway 164. Boutwell told law enforcement that he was shot because of an argument with her ex-husband. The son, Christopher James Logan Stacey, also resided in the home, the report states.
Boutwell, the victim that survived the July 2018 shooting, was killed in a single vehicle wreck on March 13, 2021, on Highway 4A about three miles west of Century. He was pronounced deceased at the scene; there were no passengers in the vehicle. [Read more...]
Pictured below: Christopher Alan Stacey was seated on a bucket across the road from the residence watching as investigators processed the crime scene, while his son James Logan Stacey sat on a wooden chair in front of a neighboring home. Pictured middle below: A deputy questions Jessica Thomas as she sits inside a patrol vehicle in Walnut Hill. Pictured bottom: Investigators say two men were shot inside this home on Highway 164 in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Today Is The 8th Anniversary Of EF-3 Tornado That Ravaged Century (With Photo Galleries)
February 15, 2024
Thursday marks the eigth anniversary of an EF-3 tornado that ripped through Century.
The tornado first touched down southwest of Lambert Bridge Road southwest of McDavid at 3:32 p.m. on February 15, 2016. The first EF-2 intensity damage was on Holland Road where a workshop was destroyed. As it moved into Century, the tornado reached peak intensity with widespread EF-2 damage with isolated EF-3 level damage from 152 mph winds that destroyed numerous homes and businesses, according to the National Weather Service.
The tornado continued to track across the state line into Alabama with EF-2 damage on Old Fannie Road east of Flomaton. The tornado continued toward Pollard, AL, where it weakened and lifted at 3:55 p.m.
The EF-3 tornado was on the ground 16.5 miles with a path up to 300 yards wide.
The photos on this page and in the first gallery below were taken just by NorthEscambia.com just minutes after the tornado touchdown in Century. In the top photo seen around the world, neighbors and first responders came together to rescue a woman that was trapped in her overturned mobile home.
For a photo gallery from February 15, 2015, click here.
For a photo gallery featuring the Century UMC, click here.
For an additional damage photo gallery, click here.
For a photo gallery from Gov. Rick Scott’s visit to Century, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Church Offered ‘Ashes To Go’ At Local Hardware Store For Ash Wednesday
February 15, 2024
A Cantonment church offered drive-up “Ashes to Go” to start Lent on Wednesday.
St. Monica’s Episcopal Church Rev Deacon Rachel Iversen was stationed in front of the Ace Hardware on Highway 29 for a couple of hours, offering ashes to observe Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent.
For more photos, click or tap here.
“We make a shape of the cross with ashes on the forehead and say what the ancients said, ‘Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.’ It’s a wonderful reminder of our mortality but the grace of it all too,” he said.
“The church is called to take the church out to the streets,” Iverson said.
Ash Wednesday marks the start of the 40-day penitential period of Lent, leading up to the celebration of Easter, which will be observed March 31.
Photos for NorthEsambia.com, click to enlarge.
Mostly Cloudy Thursday Night, Upper 40s
February 15, 2024
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 63. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 49. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming west after midnight. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 58. West wind 5 to 15 mph becoming north in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. North wind 10 to 15 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 56. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 30. North wind around 5 mph.
Washington’s Birthday: Sunny, with a high near 62. North wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 68.
Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 43.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 72.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.