Century Woman Facing Drug, Custody Charges
July 22, 2010
A 19-year old Century woman is behind bars, charged with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and interfering with the custody of a minor.
Hannah Joyce Campbell of Hagan Road is being held on $10,000 after a traffic stop allegedly found her with a runaway minor and drugs in her purse.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Campbell was stopped Sunday morning by Deputy Jason Land after she ran a red light on North Century Boulevard. The passenger in her vehicle was identified as a runaway that stated she had left home without her guardian’s permission.
When Campbell asked Deputy Bobby Cook to retrieve her purse from her vehicle, he discovered a pill bottle in plain sight in the center console. The pill bottle allegedly contained hydrocodone and Xanax.
Campbell denied any involvement with the pills in her vehicle, according to the arrest report.
Her 2007 Pontaic G6 was seized by the Sheriff’s Office. She was also issued traffic citations for failure to stop at a traffic signal and failure to display a driver’s license upon demand.
Century To Promote Employees, Name Deputy Clerk
July 22, 2010
The recent resignation of Century’s deputy clerk will lead to the promotion of two employees.
Christina Wood, a nine-year town employee, will be promoted to deputy clerk to replace Karen Hughes. Denice Wiggins will be promoted into the office position vacated by Wood’s advancement. Both will receive a $1 per hour raise.
Mayor Freddie McCall said that the town will not immediately hire another employee to fill the vacancy created by Wiggins’ promotion. Instead, he said he will monitor the town office’s efficiency to see if it can operate with one less employee.
McCall also said Wiggins will be cross-trained in the duties of the town clerk while training is underway for recently hired Clerk Darlene Peters.
Appraisers Can Reassess Local Property Values After Oil Spill
July 22, 2010
A day after a special session collapsed with no action on oil-drilling, Gov. Charlie Crist signed an executive order Wednesday aimed at allowing Gulf coast property owners to make damage claims to BP.
Crist’s order allows property appraisers in the 26 Florida counties covered by the current state of emergency to perform interim assessments, giving owners of businesses, homes and condos the documentation they may need to submit a claim to BP for lost value.
“The businesses and families of the Gulf coast did nothing to warrant this loss, but they bear the burden of it,” Crist said.
Crist noted that he’s been contacted by several property appraisers seeking authority to reevaluate property last formally assessed Jan. 1 – three months before the Deepwater Horizon explosion occurred, fouling the Gulf and leading to a sharp economic decline along the coast.
BP has set up a $20 billion compensation fund to settle legitimate claims. For now, most seeking damages from the company are businesses and workers who have lost profits and earning ability, absorbed some oil removal costs, suffered property damage or have experienced the tougher-to-gauge “loss of a natural resource.”
Escambia County Property Appraiser Chris Jones and his Santa Rosa County counterpart, Gregory Brown, wrote Crist in early June urging that he advance some kind of tax-relief plan. They said that while property owners are likely to endure a loss in value because of the spill, tax payments this fall will be based on assessments that were in place pre-spill, at the start of 2010.
Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, the presumptive Democratic nominee for governor, pushed Crist to endorse a tax reduction plan soon after. But the issue has generally languished, with Crist not including any spill-related issues in this week’s special session other than a proposed constitutional amendment to prohibit oil-drilling in Florida waters – a measure that failed to be taken up by lawmakers.
Jones, the Escambia property appraiser, said Tuesday that he expected coastal homeowners and business owners to be angry when tax notices are mailed out in August. He said that motels and vacation rental properties in his county are experiencing business losses of as much as 50 percent because of the spill.
Jones’s recommendation: “Put BP on the hook for that.”
Crist, now apparently agrees.
“I have not asked BP’s permission to do this,” Crist said Wednesday.
BP spokeswoman Paula Barnett, when reached by the News Service, said the company was unaware of the governor’s executive order and had no immediate reaction. BP has paid $201 million to residents and businesses of the Gulf Coast on claims related to the spill.
According to the company, the largest groups include fishermen, who have received $32 million and shrimpers, who have received $18 million. Another $77 million has been paid for a loss of income for occupations including deckhands, seafood processors, and other Gulf businesses.
More than 114,000 claims had been submitted by mid-July, although BP said that more than 61,000 claims lack enough information for the company to make a payment. Under Crist’s executive order, Florida homeowners and businesses would take their place among those filing claims.
Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, chairman of the Senate’s Select Committee on Florida’s Economy, said he was surprised by Crist’s action – coming so quickly on the heels of a special session that the governor wanted confined solely to the drill-ban. He said he was also concerned about directing more Floridians into “the vortex of the BP claims process.”
“But maybe this is one idea we can improve on,” Gaetz said, looking ahead to what legislative leaders say will be a September special session on a host of spill-related issues. “I don’t want to sound negative about this. But we may need more guidance. We do have constitutional issues in Florida about tax equity and the assessing of property based on similar purposes. We don’t want to do anything that might kick these claims into the courts.”
Gaetz added, “But I’m grateful that the governor has gotten the sleep out of his eyes on this and is willing to address the pain and suffering that people along the Gulf Coast are feeling.”
Gaetz and Crist separately also said they didn’t consider the interim assessments as interfering with other potential steps. Still in play are discussions about providing direct payments to property-owners – similar to the $1,500 property-tax reimbursements made in 2007 to Central Florida residents whose homes were destroyed or heavily damaged by tornadoes.
Property tax relief has been distributed five times since 1985 following hurricanes, wildfires and tornadoes in Florida, according to the state’s Revenue Department.
Rabid Cat Found In Rural Santa Rosa
July 22, 2010
Authorities are investigating a confirmed case of rabies in rural Santa Rosa County.
A domesticated cat that bit and scratched an elderly woman in Allentown on Friday, July 16, has tested positive for the rabies virus, according to Santa Rosa County Public Information Officer Joy Tsubooka.
Santa Rosa County Animal Control Officers and the Sheriff’s Office have gone door-to-door in the rural Penton Road area, notifying residents of the infection and asking those with pets for proof of current vacation. Any unvaccinated cat or dog, including strays, will be taken to Santa Rosa County Animal Services and quarantined for ten days, Tsubooka said. Six humane traps have also been set in the area.
The victim reported the bite after the cat exhibited unusually aggressive behavior, a common sign of rabies. If bitten, please:
- Wash any wounds with soap and water.
- Seek medical attention immediately and report the incident to the Santa Rosa County Health Department at (850) 983-5200 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or after hours, call (850) 418-5566.
- Report the attacking or any animal displaying suspicious behavior and its location to Santa Rosa County Animal Services at (850) 983-4680 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday- Friday, and Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Night and holiday emergencies can be reported to (850) 983-5372.
Rabies is a contagious and fatal disease which all warm-blooded animals, including man, are susceptible. Although effective vaccinations and stray animal laws can control rabies among dogs and cats, the disease is difficult to control in wildlife. Nationally 85 percent of all rabies cases are caused by wildlife including raccoons, bats, skunks and foxes.
With your help, rabies can be prevented. Santa Rosa County offers the following tips to help ensure the safety of your family:
- Keep your rabies vaccinations current.
- Do not leave your pets outside unsupervised.
- Keep animals contained on your property, which includes cats. We recommend cats to be indoor pets due to their tendency to wander.
- Notify animal services of stray animals and do not allow your children to play with, touch or feed any strays.
- Do not approach wild animals. Do not keep skunks, raccoons, bats or other wild animals as pets. Never feed a wild animal from your hand.
- Do not feed dogs or cats out-of-doors this will attract wild animals and strays.
- Do not place feeders in the yard – the food will attract unwanted animals such as raccoons and foxes.
- Secure trash cans with fasteners.
It is Florida State law that every owner of an animal, four months of age or older, must vaccinate their animals against rabies by a licensed veterinarian with the U.S. approved rabies vaccine. Local animal control officers can impound any animal that does not have a rabies tag and/or a rabies certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian. If a pet is impounded, the owner will be responsible for obtaining the proper vaccination within 72 hours and will have to pay any impound fees. Violators can incur fines up to $500.
For more information, contact Santa Rosa County Animal Services at (850) 983-4680 or online at http://www.santarosa.fl.gov/animals/index.html.
Jack Moran Passes Away
July 22, 2010
Community leader Jack Moran of Century passed away Tuesday evening. He was 68.
Moran served a director of the Arts Council of Northwest Florida, a director of The Century Community Development Partnership and a director of the East Hill Academy for autistic children. He was founder and director of the Arts Committee of North Escambia County Florida, a director of the African-American Historical Society, founder and director of The Teaspoon Foundation and he was an active member of his political party’s County Executive Committee.
He also served as one of the founding organizers and member of the board of the Century Community Development Partnership, Inc., a non-profit organization with a mission that included working toward affordable housing in the rural communities of north Florida following the devastating hurricanes of 2004 and 2005.
Moran was vested as “Sir Wallace”, a Knight in the Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem (OSJ) by Crown Prince Michael.
Born Wallace David Moran in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, he was a Navy, USMC, Seabee veteran and recipient of the American Spirit Honor Medal. After finishing graduate school, he was hired by his personal mentor, Charles Tandy, chairman of the Tandy Corp.
Later, he owned his own small business, designing and manufacturing children’s furniture and wood toys, and a retail antique business from in Louisiana. He was the father of twins -a boy and a girl, and a step-daughter.
After his son died at the age of 25 from a rare form of cancer, he worked from Northwest Florida as a business development and reorganization consultant, mortgage broker, business broker and fraud examiner.
In his retirement, Moran continued to work with his wife Julie, who is managing partner of Century Pharmacy, L.L.C.
For the complete obituary, click here.
Photos: Friendship Freewill Baptist Holds Vacation Bible School
July 22, 2010
Friendship Freewill Baptist Church near Flomaton is holding their Vacation Bible School this week. VBS continues from 6:30 until 8:30 each evening through Friday. Classes are for ages 3 to 12 and up. The church is located at 1234 Friendship Road.
Click here for more photos from VBS at Friendship Freewill Baptist in Flomaton.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Do you have church news or photos to share? Email news@northescambia.com
3 Injured In Highway 29 Crash
July 21, 2010
Three people were reportedly injured a two car accident late Wednesday morning in Cantonment. The accident was reported about 11:30 a.m. at Highway 95A and Highway 29. Further details have not been released by the Florida Highway Patrol. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Motel Shooting Leads To Three Hours Standoff With Police
July 21, 2010
A Brewton man barricaded himself in a motel for three hours and fired a rifle at police Wednesday afternoon after he allegedly shot a woman.
A motel guest, Donald Gregory Wilson, is charged with attempted murder after the incident at the Colonial Manor Motel on Highway 31 near Jefferson Davis Community College. It all began about 11 a.m. when the motel owner and her daughter confronted Wilson about payment for his room. Wilson then shot the female in the chest with a .22 caliber rifle, according to police.
Wilson barricaded himself inside his room while law enforcement authorities used the telephone and loudspeakers in an attempt to get him out of the room. He responded by firing about a half dozen shots through the motel room door. No officers were injured.
When that did not work, a SWAT team used tear gas and flash bangs. Wilson then reportedly ran naked from his room into a nearby room where he was taken into custody.
The shooting victim was transported to D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton. She was treated and released.
Wilson is being held in the Escambia County (Ala.) Detention Center in Brewton.
Giddy Up: Saddle Ridge Ranch VBS Photo Gallery
July 21, 2010
Saddle Ridge Ranch Vacation Bible School is underway this week at Highland Baptist Church on Highway 95A in Molino.
The VBS, for ages Pre-K through graduating fifth graders continues each evening from 5:30 until 8:30 through Friday. There will also be a Family Night Ranch Round-Up with games, a sing-along and a hot dog roast Sunday at 5 p.m.
About 250 took part in the first night of the VBS.
For more photos from the Highland Baptist Church VBS, click here.
Pictured above and below: VBS at Highland Baptist Church in Molino. Photos by Brad Johnson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge..
Do you have new or photos you would like to share from your church? Email news@northescambia.com
Photo Gallery: Northview FFA Officers Attend Leadership Retreat
July 21, 2010
The Northview High School FFA chapter held a leadership retreat Tuesday.
Chapter officers met at Pensacola Beach to learn about the oil spill’s impact on Escambia County from Eric Johnson from the county’s Neighborhood Redevelopment office. They also toured the T.T. Wentworth Museum.
“They took part in several team building exercises and learned what they expect of each other as officers,” said Perry Byars, FFA sponsor.
During the retreat, officers also worked to plan events for the upcoming school year.
Northview High School’s 2010-2011 FFA Officers are: Lydia Weaver, president; Allie Vidak, vice president; Stephanie Solari, secretary; Allyson Bullard, treasurer; Courtney Solari, reporter; Jessica Baldwin, sentinel; and Devin Bell, historian.
Pictures above and below: Officers from the Northview High School FFA during a leadership retreat Tuesday on Pensacola Beach. NorthEscambia.com photos by Lydia Weaver and Allie Vidak, click to enlarge.
