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.
Patchy Fog After Midnight
February 8, 2024
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers after 8am. Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 59. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 72. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 72. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 60. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Monday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 57.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.
Beulah Master Plan Public Meeting Set For February 29
February 8, 2024
A Beulah Master Plan Public Meeting will be held in late February.
The meeting will take place from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, February 29 at Beulah Middle School, 6001 West Nine Mile Road.
Escambia County staff and the consultant team will reveal the charrette results and a draft of design approaches taken for the Beulah community through collaborative community efforts.
Woman Gets Life In Prison For Setting Store Clerk on Fire
February 8, 2024
On Wednesday, an Escambia County woman was sentence to life in prison to attempted first degree murder for setting a store clerk on fire.
The charge stems from an incident at a Circle K on North W St. on March 30, 2022, where McFadden poured gasoline on a store clerk and set her on fire.
Life in prison, as imposed by Judge Linda Nobles, was the maxium allowed setence.
Ransom Middle School Announces Students Of The Month
February 8, 2024
Ransom Middle School has announced their January Students of the Month.They are eighth graders Isabelle Eden and Issac Dillard. Images for NorthEscambia.ocm, click to enlarge.
Escambia Receives Second $20 Million Offer For OLF-8 Property
February 7, 2024
Another firm has submitted an offer for Escambia County’s OLF-8 property on Nine Mile Road.
The new offer was submitted by Ryan Bell of Kinetic Realty Services and Pensacola Bay Realty broker Bryce Burch on behalf of Precision Capital.
“As members of this community with many families and friends who are also a part of this community, we believe in a Community First Vision for this Development. We believe in creating a complete and thriving Urban Development for this rapidly growing community. Complete with parks, shopping, a school, a place of worship, high end restaurants, entertainment, and career-oriented jobs to establish a future for their families and yes housing. A home is the fundamental gathering place for all families and friends,” the proposal states.
Precision Capital is offering $20 million — the same dollar figure as a Beulah Town Center offer received last week, but there are several differences in the scope of the offers
Beulah Town Center did not plan to develop any single family homes, but Precision Capital is proposing up to 900 single family home sites over a 40-year period, which they say would generate about $126 million in annual tax revenue.
The Precision Capital Offer proposes the purchase of 537 acres, with a portion of the green space given back to the county for a park and a school. Beulah Town Center’s offer is for about 290 acres, with the county retaining 250 acres to be used for job creation.
“For this project to succeed we need people. Restaurants need people. Entertainment needs people. Employers need people. People need homes. This plan starts with Housing to bring the people in, the people then are able to spend money at shops, restaurants and entertainment. These shops, restaurants and places of entertainment bring quality of life to the whole county. This quality of life will both attract tourism as well as fortune 500 companies,” the Precision Capital offer states.
Both the Precision Capital and the Beulah Town Center proposals are set for discussion by the Escambia County Commission at their next meeting on Thursday, February 8.
Pictured top and inset: Precision Capital plans for OLF-8. Pictured below: Plans from Beulah Town Center. NorthEscambia.com graphics, click to enlarge.
ECSO Seeks Burglary Suspects In Attempted Business Burglary
February 7, 2024
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for three suspects that attempted to burglarize a business in the 4100 block of North W Street.
During the burglary attempt, the entrance to the business was shot at in order to break the lock, ECSO said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
New Traffic Signal To Be Activated Monday At Mobile Highway, Klondike Road
February 7, 2024
A new traffic signal at the intersection of Mobile Highway and Klondike Road was placed into flash mode on Monday, February 5, and will become fully operational next Monday, February 12.
The activation is weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Pictured: A new traffic signal at the intersection of Mobile Highway and Klondike Road shortly after installation. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Mayor Says Water Is Safe; Century to Hire Firm For $33K And Attorney For $350/Hour To Answer FDEP
February 7, 2024
“The water is safe…We’ve been testing it.”
That is how Century Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. reassured citizens at a town council meeting Tuesday night. Questions about the town’s water supply were raised after NorthEscambia.com reported on Sunday that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) issued a warning letter on January 30, identifying 35 potential violations in the water system of Florida statutes and codes .
The town council voted Tuesday night to allow the mayor to hire U.S. Water Services Corp. in New Port Richey for up to $33,630 to address FDEP water warning letters from 2023 and a wastewater treatment plant consent order. The company will not address the most recent January 30 warning letter’s 35 items; the town’s request for proposals was issued prior to that date.
Instead, the town will hire an attorney recommended by the town attorney Matt Dannheisser to respond to the latest allegations. The second attorney will charge $350 per hour.