Atmore Woman Charged With Assaulting Officers, Biting, Spitting And Throwing Narcotics At Them
February 6, 2024
An Atmore woman facing drug charges is accused of assaulting officers, biting, spitting and throwing bottles of narcotics at them.
The Atmore Police Department responded to a disturbance in the 300 block of Jack Springs Road where they were told by a family member that 44-year old Mary Hodges Lassiter “was acting strange and may be under the influence of narcotics,” according to APD.
“Due to Miss Lassiter’s history of being combative and aggressive with first responders the officers contacted Lassiter to ensure it was safe for medics to enter the residence,” APD Sgt. Darrell McMann said. “During the interaction with the officers, Miss Lassiter threw a clear glass jar at one of the officers that struck him in the chest. The jar contained a substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine. Lassiter then threw a grenade shaped bottle with plastic tubes attached to it that struck the same officer. That bottle had a liquid in it that field tested positive for cocaine. Lassiter threw a third item which was a shampoo bottle at the officer that missed him.”
“The officer attempted to detain Lassiter but she began pulling away from him, the officers forced Lassiter to the floor and gained control of her. While handcuffing Lassiter she was able to bite one of the officers on his hand. Lassiter also grabbed an officer’s arm and grabbed a section of skin and began twisting it causing an injury.”
“While detaining Lassiter so medics could evaluate her, she spit in an officer’s face twice. A spit mask was placed on Lassiter. While medics were attempting evaluate her, she began racially taunting one of the medics. She was transported to Atmore Community Hospital where she refused to cooperate and was released to the officers,” McMann continued.
Lassiter was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, assault with bodily fluids, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and assault third degree. She remained in the Escambia county (AL) Detention Center without bond.
Union Expresses ‘No Confidence’ In Escambia EMS Leadership
February 6, 2024
The local EMS union has executed a vote of “no confidence” in Escambia County’s EMS leadership.
The letter, dated Monday and addressed to the four sitting Escambia County commissioners, said the bargaining members of the International Association of EMTs and Paramedics Local 325 executed a vote of no confidence in EMS Chief David Torsell and Deputy Chief Christopher Stevens, citing “unsuccessful attempts to resolve the culture of harassment, tyranny and lack of health and safety for both the Escambia County community and its EMS providers”.
The union claims leadership has reduced the number of ambulances available to answer calls while forcing employees to work “unsafe and unreasonable” hours.
“Chief Torsell’s decisions while in office have created a crisis in which the community is suffering and us first responders are exhausted,” the letter signed by union leadership stated. They also alleged that Torsell has willfully misled Public Safety Direct Eric Gilmore in order to obstruct oversight.
Union leadership demanded that Torsell and Stephens resign or be removed immediately.
Escambia County has not responded to the allegations.
$2.375 Million Proposal Would Align Quintette Road At Highway 95A Intersection
February 5, 2024
Escambia County is set to seek funding to improve and align the intersection of Quintette Road with Highway 95A.
Currently, the east and west legs of Quintette Road are offset approximately 115 feet from one another, creating a hazard for the smooth flow of intersection traffic
There is no available right-of-way for a lateral shift on the west side of the intersection, but the east side has an approximate right-of-way of 100 feet, which could accommodate a northerly shift. Immediately adjacent to this intersection are a concrete plant, asphalt plant, a high-end vehicle restoration complex, a new residential development, and a proposed convenience store station on the northeast corner.
According to Escambia County, Quintette Road (CR 184) is a vital route for logging traffic from points to the northeast extending to the Florida/Alabama state line, to provide pulpwood to the International Paper Mill at Cantonment.
Quintette Road has also served as the only connection between Escambia and Santa Rosa County in the event of a catastrophic storm, as occurred in 2004 in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan, when the US 90, I-10, and US 98 bridges were all incapacitated and incapable of carrying traffic.
A study to determine if a traffic signal is warranted was conducted at the intersection in Summer 2023 before the proposed addition of the convenience store.
A westbound right turn lane is also proposed to reduce delays with logging trucks turning north onto CR 95A. Preliminary sketches indicate the proposed improvements can be facilitated within the existing public rights-of-way, but a potential corner clip donation may be required of the Circle K property once the design is underway.
Circle K has, in an email to the county, obligated $250,000 toward the intersection improvements, with an official agreement under review for acceptance at an upcoming Board of County Commissioner meeting.
At a February 8 meeting, the Escambia County commission will consider applying for a Florida Department of Transportation Regional Incentive Program for grant funding for the intersection. If awarded, the grant will require $1.275 million in matching funds from Escambia County.
The total project, including grant funds, is estimated at $2.375 million. If the project funding is awarded, completion is estimated for October 2025.
Pictured top: The proposed alignment of Quinette Road at the intersection with Highway 95A. Pictured below: A Circle K is proposed at the intersection. NorthEscambia.com graphics, click to enlarge.
Northview High School Names Students Of The Month
February 5, 2024
Northview High School has named their Students of the Month for January. Pictured with Principal Mike Sherrill, they are Cameron Bodiford and Payton Daw. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Student Zoe Wade’s Sculpture Wins Second Place At National Beta Club State Convention
February 5, 2024
Tate High School student Zoe Wade won second place in Division 2 (11th and 12th graders) at the National Beta Club State Convention with her sculpture. With the win, Wade and her sculpture will advance to the nationals in Savannah, Georgia, this summer. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
West Fraser McDavid Mill Proposes Construction Of Two New Kilns
February 5, 2024
West Fraser is proposing to add two continuous dry kilns at their existing sawmill at 401 Champion Drive in McDavid.
Three existing batch kilns will be decommissioned in phases, according to the company’s application with the Escambia County Development Review Committee.
The proposed development occupies an area of approximately 5.83 acres at the eastern side of the current 170.5 acre parcel.
The total area of construction is about 5.831 acres. Of that, approximately 4.170 acres is new impervious with new pavement accounting for 3.354 acres, leaving 0.816 acres in buildings and other structures.
In addition to the two new kilns, the proposed project includes a motor control center (MCC) for the kilns, a fuel storage/reclaimer building and MCC, energy system building, electrical building, transformer/generator building, breeching system building, a conveyor from the existing facility, and other conveyors for moving material through the new facilities. The new area pavement will be concrete.
There will be no impacts to wetlands, according to the company.
The project is currently in the pre-application stage with the Escambia County Development Review Committee and is set for public meeting at 2:25 p.m. on February 7 at the Escambia County Central Complex Building at 3363 West Park Place.
Florida Gas Prices Decline; Pensacola Metro Has State’s Chepeast Gas
February 5, 2024
Florida gas prices are moving lower again after jumping 12 cents last week. Rising crude oil and gasoline futures prices contributed to last week’s increase, which sent the state average to a 3-month high of $3.27 per gallon on Thursday.
“Futures prices reversed course last week, enabling pump prices to drop 4 cents in past three days,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Sunday’s state average was $3.23 per gallon and falling.”
Gasoline futures prices dropped 15 cents per gallon. The U.S. price for crude oil declined $5.73 per barrel (-7%) last week. Friday’s closing price of $72.28/b was the lowest daily closing price in two weeks.
Sunday night, Pensacola was the cheapest market in Florida, with an average of $3 per gallon. A North Escambia low of $2.93 could be found at a station on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Farm Auction Is Saturday, February 24
February 5, 2024
The 49th Annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Club Farm Equipment Auction will be held Saturday, February 24, beginning at 9:30 a.m.
The auction includes not only farm equipment, but also household items like tools and small equipment, lawn and garden items, antiques and more.
The sale takes place at the Walnut Hill Community Center, 7850 Highway 97, just north of Ernest Ward Middle School. The deadline for adding lots is 8:00 the morning of the auction.
This is an open, no reserve sale. Ten percent of the final price will be assessed to the buyer for all lots sold, with a $500 maximum. There is a $5 minimum fee per lot, and sellers must be present to “no sale” a lot. Settlement must be made the day of the sale with cash, check, cashier’s check or credit card. All sellers will be paid by a check in the mail.
For more information or consignments, call (850) 324-3358.
Pictured: Hundreds attended the annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Club 2023 farm equipment auction. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FBI Warns Of Romance Scams
February 4, 2024
The FBI Jacksonville Division is warning Floridians to take caution when developing relationships online, as they could fall victim to confidence fraud, also known as romance scams. According to the FBI’s Internet Crimes Complaint Center (IC3), Floridians reported losing more than $53 million to the scam in 2022, up from $13 million five years earlier (2017). In 2022, IC3 received 19,000 confidence fraud complaints nationwide, with reported losses of at least $739 million.
The criminals who carry out romance scams identify and target vulnerable victims via social media, intending to establish a relationship as quickly as possible. Romance scammers spend hours studying their victims to understand better how to manipulate and exploit them emotionally. They often claim to be traveling or engaged in work overseas to avoid meeting in person. Eventually, when they feel they have gained their victim’s trust, they will request money, often for a medical emergency or unexpected legal fee.
The FBI said be careful about the personal information you post online, and always assume that con artists are trolling even the most reputable dating and social media sites. If you develop a relationship online, consider:
- Research the person’s photo and profile to see if the material appears elsewhere.
- Go slow and ask questions.
- Beware if the individual seems too perfect or quickly asks you to communicate “offline.”
- Beware if the individual attempts to isolate you from friends and family.
- Beware if the individual requests inappropriate photos or financial information that could be
- used to extort you.
- Beware if the individual promises to meet in person but always has an excuse.
- Never send money to anyone you don’t know personally; never help anyone move money through your account or another person’s account
If you suspect an online relationship is a scam, stop all contact immediately and file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.
State Inspection Of Century Water System Finds 35 Possible Violations, Including Low Chlorine And Falsification Of Records
February 4, 2024
The Town of Century has responded to a Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) warning letter that identified dozens of potential violations of Florida statutes and codes.
The letter was sent to Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. on January 30, following a January 11 sanitary survey inspection.
Findings included improper safety equipment and insufficient chlorine in the water, an emergency plan dated 2012, and 55-gallon drums stored in one well with an unknown substance for at least four years. FDEP also found that sampling, laboratory and other data was being falsified. A daily log sheet was pre-filled by the town’s operator with sampling results before the sampling analysis was conducted, FDEP said. A few of the items have been corrected, according to FDEP. The 55-gallon drums, for instance, contained food-grade oil that was previously used for well lubrication.
“Violations of Florida Statutes or administrative rules may result in liability for damages and restoration, and the judicial imposition of civil penalties,” the letter states. “Please be advised that this Warning Letter is part of an agency investigation, preliminary to agency action in accordance with (Florida Statutes).”
For a photo gallery of many of the violations from FDEP, click or tap here.
The Town of Century water system has 893 connections, most in or near the town limits.
