Century Correctonal Inmate Bit Officer, FDC Says
February 10, 2024
A Century Correctional Institution inmate assaulted a correctional officer recently, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
Inmate Alexander D. Howard assaulted multiple correctional officers by biting one officer’s arm and grabbing the other officer’s fingers. The incident was captured on camera, according to FDC.
Howard is serving a three year, six month sentence out of Escambia County for grand theft, burglary and fleeing .
Police: Man Caught Burglarizing Ministry
February 10, 2024
An Atmore man is facing charges are police caught him allegedly stealing from a local ministry Friday afternoon.
Atmore Police Department officers responded to the Agape Outreach Ministry located at 1000 East Nashville Avenue about 3 p.m. to find a suspect inside and removing items from the thirft stor ebusiness.
The man was later identified as 32-year old Blaine Montgomery. He was a charged with third degree burglary and first degree theft of property.
Montgomery was transported to the Escambia County, AL Detention Center.
Escambia Votes To Begin Negotiations With Beulah Town Center For $20 Million OLF-8 Sale
February 9, 2024
The Escambia County Commission voted 4-0 Thursday night to begin negotiations with Beulah Town Center (BTC) LLC and partner Fred Hemmer on a contract to develop the county-owned OLF-8 property on Nine Mile Road.
Beulah Town Center and Hemmer have told commissioners that they will follow the Master plan and no contruct any single family homes.
Beulah Town Center’s latest offer, revised Thursday afternoon, is $20 million cash for 290 acres, with the county retaining about acreage for economic development (shown in yellow in the graphic above). Under the latest proposal, BTC will not retain a purchase option on the additional property.
BTC and Hemmer (pictured) 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.
BTC also raised their due diligence period to seven months.
With the commission’s vote, County Attorney Alison Rogers and Administrator West Moreno will negotiate with BTC with a goal of returning a contract for commission consideration by the end of March.
A second offer from Precision Capital was also on the table, but for 537 acres, a majority of the property, with the development of some 900 single family homes.
“I can’t even consider the other offer,” Bergosh said Thursday morning.. “It’s completely 100% out of step with the master plan. It loads up the field with a bunch of single family residences, houses, no area for job growth.”
Mayor Responds To Salzman’s Plan To Request State Review Of Century’s Operations
February 9, 2024
Hours after publication of a NorthEscambia.com story reporting that Rep. Michelle Salzman will be asking the Chief Inspector General to take a look at the operations of the Town of Century, Century’s mayor emailed a letter to Salzman
“As Mayor, it is my priority to ensure transparency and accountability in our municipality’s operations,” Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. wrote. “I understand that you intend to request a state agency to audit the Town, and I believe it is essential to provide you with insight into the proactive measures we are taking to address any concerns and improve our community.”
Gomez then explained that an interim town manager had been hired.
“At our last Town Council meeting on January 16, 2024, we were presented with an action plan that outlines key objectives and timelines for addressing various challenges facing our town,” Gomez said in the February 8 letter to Salzman. The council’s last meeting was not January 16 as Gomez stated; it was actually February 6. In January, Brown discussed work on an action plan, including the need to hire a “procurement specialist”, but no action plan was approved by the council.
Gomez wrote that the town hired U.S. Water to address environmental deficiencies in the town’s water and wastewater operations. On February 6, the town approved spending up to $33,630 for U.S. Water to address FDEP water warning letters from 2023.
“I believe that by sharing this overview of our action plan, you will have a better understanding of the proactive steps we are taking to address concerns within our community,” Gomez wrote in his letter to Salzman. “I am confident that with your support and collaboration, we can work towards a brighter future for the residents of Century.
The mayor also requested a 30 minute meeting to discuss the situation further.
“This is literally the first official communication I’ve received from Century since former Mayor (Ben) Boutwell was ran off,” Salzman said in her emailed response late Thursday afternoon, saying that should be happy to hold a Zoom meeting since she is in Tallahassee for the Legislative session. “I have one more meeting with state agencies here before I know what my next steps are for your community.”
Senator: Century Needs To Seek Immediate Help, Let County Take Over
February 9, 2024
Century needs to realize just how serious of a financial and operational bind the town is in and ask for help — that was the word Thursday from Florida Sen. Doug Broxson.
Broxson told NorthEscambia.com that Century needs to immediately ask Escambia County for help, ultimately putting the future of the town on the ballot to see if the voters agree with dissolving the town and turning it over to the county.
As we reported Tuesday, Century’s latest audio shows “deteriorating financial conditions” and a combined deficit of 4.6 million in the town’s general fund and natural gas fund.
“They don’t have the tax source to run a city of their size. It’s mathematically impossible,” the state senator said.
Last October, Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. addressed members of the Escambia County Legislative Delegation, and Broxson suggested at the time that Century might eventually give up its charter and let Escambia County take over.
He reiterated Thursday that could happen if placed on the ballot by citizen petition or action of the county commission.
“I don’t know how they can continue to operate in the red,” the senator remarked, adding the town is essentially in bankruptcy because they don’t have the funds to cover needs without outside funding help.
Broxson said he will continue to explore options from the state’s perspective.
“I don’t want to continue to beat the citizens of Century, but someone in the town (government) needs to come to terms with their dilemma and deal with it.”
Florida Rep. Michelle Salzman said Wednesday that she will be asking the Chief Inspector General to take a look at the operations of the Town of Century.
- RELATED: Rep. Salzman Says She Will Ask Florida Inspector General To Review Town Of Century’s Operations
- RELATED: Mayor Responds To Salzman’s Plan To Request Review Of Century’s Operations
- RELATED: Latest Century Audit Shows ‘Deteriorating Financial Condition; Over $4.5 Million In Fund Deficits
Tate Tennis: Boys Defeated Pace; Girls Fall Short
February 9, 2024
Tate High School tennis opened their season Thursday with a boys 4-3 win over Pace, while the girls fell short in a 4-3 loss.
Up next, Tate will host Northview on Monday.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Atmore Police Dispatcher Fired, Charged With Sexual Misconduct Toward Female Inmate
February 9, 2024
A part-time Atmore Police Department dispatcher was arrested and fired Thursday after allegations arose that he made inappropriate sexual advances toward a female inmate incarcerated in the City of Atmore Municipal Jail.
Lucas Gaiters was charged with custodial sexual misconduct and transported to the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton.
“The Atmore Police Department is committed to a Zero Tolerance Policy in reference to the safety and wellbeing of citizens incarcerated in the Atmore Municipal Jail,” Sgt. Darrell McMann said.
Gaiters remaaind in jail without bond Thursday night.
The Hurricane Forecast Cone Is Getting A Makeover This Year
February 9, 2024
The hurricane forecast cone map is getting a makeover in the middle of this year’s hurricane season.
Beginning on or around August 15, 2024, the National Hurricane Center will begin issuing an experimental version of the cone graphic that includes inland tropical storm and hurricane watches and warnings in effect for the continental United States. Recommendations from social science research suggests that the addition of inland watches and warnings to the cone graphic will help communicate inland wind risk during tropical cyclone events while not overcomplicating the current version of the graphic with too many data layers.
This experimental version will add a depiction of tropical storm and hurricane watches and warnings over inland areas in the continental United States. Previously, the cone graphic only showed watches and warnings in a line along the coastline of the affected area. In addition, the experimental version of the cone will use white transparent shading for the entire 5-day forecast, instead of using white stippling for the 4-5-day portion of the forecast, and the entire outline of the cone will be in white.
Rep. Salzman Says She Will Ask Florida Inspector General To Review Town Of Century’s Operations
February 8, 2024
Florida Rep. Michelle Salzman said Wednesday that she will be asking the Chief Inspector General to take a look at the operations of the Town of Century.
The Office of the Chief Inspector General was created in 1994. This office has the responsibility for promoting accountability, integrity, and efficiency in state government. The Chief Inspector General has responsibility for monitoring the activities of the Offices of Inspectors General in the state agencies that are under the jurisdiction of the governor. The Chief Inspector General also serves in accordance with Florida statutes as the agency Inspector General for the Office of the governor. The Chief Inspector General reports directly to the governor both administratively and functionally.
Salzman’s request to the Inspector General comes after recent NorthEscambia.com stories about the town’s most recent audit showing “deteriorating financial condition” and a deficit of over $4.6 million in two major funds and Florida Department of Environmental Protection finding of nearly three dozen potential water system violations including the falsification of records.
Related Stories:
- Latest Century Audit Shows ‘Deteriorating Financial Condition; Over $4.5 Million In Fund Deficits
- Mayor Says Water Is Safe; Century to Hire Firm For $33K And Attorney For $350/Hour To Answer FDEP
- State Inspection Of Century Water System Finds 35 Possible Violations, Including Low Chlorine And Falsification Of Records
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Update: This story was updated to reflect the duties of the Chief Inspector General for the State of Florida rather than the Florida Department of State’s Inspector General, which are separate entities. This review would be beyond the purview of the Florida Department of State’s Inspector General.
Jay Woman Charged After Allegedly Resisting, Threatening To Kill FHP Trooper
February 8, 2024
A Jay woman found walking along I-10 in Escambia County is facing multiple charges after an interaction with the Florida Highway Patrol.
FHP responded to I-10 Sunday after receiving reports of someone lying down on the interstate. Troopers arrived to find 38-year old Brooke Amer Phillips walking west on the shoulder of I-10 near Pensacola Boulevard. The trooper informed her she could not walk and he would transport her to the next exit.
Phillips told the trooper that she was going to continue to walk, ignoring multiple commands to stop, according to an arrest report. Phillips ignored additional commands and stated that the trooper would have to “kill her” to make her stop, the report continues.
The trooper gained physical control over Phillips and “assisted” her to the ground.
Phillips then threatened to “murder” three troopers that were now on scene, according to FHP.
Phillips was charged with failure to obey law enforcement, resisting, and threatening death or serious bodily harm to a law enforcement officer. She remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $5,000.