Flomaton Police Chief Released By Town’s Mayor
July 10, 2009
Flomaton Police Chief Tim Hardage has been released, according to Mayor Dewey Bondurant, Jr. because the two did not see eye to eye.
“He and I just didn’t work well together. Sometimes that happens,” Bondurant told NorthEscambia.com Thursday. “I called him into my office and I terminated him.”
Hardage is not accused of any wrongdoing during his service as Flomaton police chief, according to Bondurant. The mayor said Hardage was a “good police officer” while on the streets of Flomaton.
The Flomaton Town Council will decide Monday night who will lead the police department while the search for a new police chief begins, Bondurant said.
Hardage joined the Flomaton Police Department as chief on February 23, 2009.
U.S. Marshals Arrest 247 In North Florida, 96 In Pensacola Area
July 10, 2009
The U.S. Marshals Service has wrapped up Operation FALCON — Federal and Local Cops Organized Nationally — with 247 arrests in the Northern District of Florida, 96 of those in the Pensacola area.
Operation FALCON combined the collective efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies in one of the area’s largest-ever fugitive initiatives, focusing on capturing individuals wanted on felony charges including sexual predators and fugitives wanted for crimes of violence.
During the 30-day operation, Deputy U.S. Marshals from the Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force teamed with federal, state and local law enforcement partners, arresting seven fugitives wanted for homicide, 31 sex offenders wanted in connection with sex crimes charges to include charges of sexual assault and failure to register, nine gang members of documented street gangs, and 16 felons on weapons charges. During the operation, 16 guns were seized as well. Overall, 353 warrants were cleared in the Northern District of Florida which covers area from Pensacola to Gainesville.
One of the fugitives captured by Task Force members was Wendell Ray Hurley who was wanted by Escambia County Sheriff’s Office for the alleged murder of Timothy Thames. His warrants charged him for homicide, armed home invasion, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. According to police reports, Hurley allegedly broke into Thames’ home and shot him two times with what was believed to be a .380-caliber handgun before fleeing. Around noon on June 2, the Task Force and apprehended Hurley without incident while he slept in a house located on the 1200 block of Tamara Drive in Pensacola. Task Force Officers found a .380 caliber handgun believed to be the murder weapon in the bed where he was sleeping.
Within the Northern District of Florida, Operation FALCON consisted of approximately 30 federal, state and local law enforcement officers, working throughout the operation. Each participating local officer was sworn in as a Special Deputy U.S. Marshal immediately prior to the start of this operation. This special authority empowers them to cross traditional lines of jurisdiction to track down and arrest targeted fugitives throughout the operation.
“The cooperation and enthusiasm of law enforcement agencies in the Northern District of Florida has always been incredible,” said U.S. Marshal Dennis Williamson. “The team effort our partners displayed throughout this initiative is commendable and this cooperative effort underscores how successful law enforcement can be when it embraces a spirit of cooperation.”
The Pensacola Task Force made its last Operation FALCON arrest at 6 p.m. on June 30. Fugitive Earl Lee Cummings was wanted in Grand Rapids, MI for felony sexual assault. Police reports indicate that Cummings’ offense involved the sexual assault of a fourteen year-old sometime in 1997. The warrant for his arrest was issued in November of 1998.
The USMS had determined that CUMMINGS has been living in Pensacola for about seven years renting a room of a house on the 2400 Block on Kelso Rd, Pensacola. While conducting surveillance at Kelso Road, U.S. Marshals and Task Force Officers spotted Cummings at the house. Assistance was summoned from other Task Force Officers from Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Escambia and Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Offices. The Task Force entered the home and found Cummings in his bedroom. He was arrested without incident, brought to the Escambia County Jail and booked in as a fugitive from justice on the Michigan warrant.
Boil Water Notice: Central Water Works Customers In Byrneville Area
July 9, 2009
Central Water Works has issued the following precautionary boil water notice for residents in the Byrneville Area:
TO: Residents of the Byrneville community, area of Century, Escambia County, Florida, living in the area bounded by Whirlpool Road, Crary Road, Thompson Road, and Byrneville Road south of 1101 Byrneville Road
A water main break occurred at the intersection of Crary Road and Thompson Road at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8, 2009. The main break has been repaired.
What should I do?
As a precaution, we advise that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. Residents are also advised to take precautions when bathing, especially immune-compromised individuals, infants, or the elderly.
What happened? What is being done?
A loss in system pressure could cause backsiphonage of contaminants, such as e. Coli bacteria, into the water system. Water containing e. Coli bacteria can be considered safe for drinking and cooking after vigorously boiling the water for one minute. Epa has set an enforceable drinking water standard for e. Coli to reduce the risk of adverse health effects. Under this standard, all drinking water must be free of these bacteria.
The water system is currently collecting samples to determine if the presence of e.coli bacteria exists within the water system. This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink. Customers will receive notice after the water system has received satisfactory laboratory results. The anticipated date for rescinding this notice is July 10, 2009.
If you have any questions you may contact Lisa Fuller, Central Water Works, 1101 Byrneville Road, Century, FL 32535, 850-256-3849.
Federal Judgment Against Helicopter Technology; Century Continues With Foreclosure Proceedings
July 9, 2009
A federal court has awarded a Costa Rican company a $424,550.72 judgment against the former Helicopter Technology company of Century. Meanwhile, the Town of Century’s efforts to foreclose on the former Helicopter Technology building are continuing, with a final ruling expected by the end of the summer.
The United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida entered the judgment in favor of El Colona Agropecurario of Costa Rica. The company paid Helicopter Technology $407,500 down on a $560,000 remanufactured FH1100 helicopter with an agricultural spray system to spray banana plantations. (Click the image to load a pdf of the invoice obtained by NorthEscambia.com.)
According to federal court documents, Helicopter Technology was to have delivered the helicopter by April 2007. “Between April 2007 and December 2007, El Colono made numerous demands for delivery of the helicopter and spray system without success,” the lawsuit states. El Colono began asking for their $407,500 back on December 20, 2007.
The federal court ruled in favor of El Colono, awarding the $407,500 plus interest for a total of $424,550.72.
Meanwhile, the Town of Century started mortgage foreclosure proceedings against Helicopter Technology, Inc. in Escambia County Circuit Court on August 26, 2008, after the company defaulted on payment arrangements with the town. Company owner Georges Van Nevel apparently left the country about that time.
At the time the mortgage foreclosure proceedings were filed, the town was aware of two other liens against the property. One from Williams, Cox, Weidner & Cox. P.A. from 2005 was for $8,000. Another judgment from 2008 by Anthony Urella and Demetri Urella had a $27,000 balance. After the lawsuit was filed, the town learned that there was an additional lien for $90,000 for a judgment in favor of Landmark National II Corp.
The town’s foreclosure motions in Escambia County Circuit Court sought to have the other liens dismissed. Only one party, the accounting firm, filed an answer supporting their claim. A motion of default was entered against the other defendants, including Helicopter Technology, in October.
Both companies have now agreed to settle with the town for under $10,000. Now, attorney Matt Dannheisser is seeking an additional $17,000 in attorney’s fees added to the claim against Helicopter Technology for his work on the case.
After that hearing, which will not take place for about three weeks, Century Mayor Freddie McCall said he expects the foreclosure to soon become final.
“There’s nobody here as far as I know to protest,” McCall said of Van Nevel and Helicopter Technology. “Mr. Van Nevel is out of the country as far as I know.”
One of the biggest points that the town will be required to prove in court is the amount of interest owed, Town Attorney Matt Dannheiser said in a recent letter obtained by NorthEscambia.com. According to the letter to Mayor Freddie McCall, Dannheiser said the interest rate could mean a $235,000 difference in the amount of money the town receives.
The promissory note provides for a seven-percent interest rate, making the total amount owed by Helicopter Technology $471,000. But one provision of the note provides for an 18-percent default rate, which would make the total amount the town could claim $706,000 if the rate is applied back to March 1, 2004 — the first day of default.
If the building is sold at auction for less than $471,000, the interest rate is unimportant, Dannheisser’s letter says. But if it sells for more than $471,000, the excess would go to the other lien holder before the town. If the court agrees the interest rate should be the 18 percent back to 2004, the town would receive the full auction selling price up to the $706,000 before a lien is paid.
“Of course, that effort would be for naught if the amount bid at the foreclosure sale would be less than $471,000,” Dannheisser said in his letter to McCall.
Pictured bottom: Helicopter Technologies owner Georges Van Nevel addresses the Century Town Council in early June 2008. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
NWE Girls Win 11-12 Year Old Softball Championship
July 9, 2009
The Northwest Escambia All-Stars won the 11-12 Year Old All-Star District 1 Tournament championship Wednesday night in Destin.
NWE beat Niceville 4-1 to claim the district title. They will advance to the sectional tournament July 18 and 19 in Destin.
Pitching for NWE Wednesday night, Mallory Ryan had seven strikeouts and allowed just two walks. Reagan Bell, Danielle Steadham, Cheyenne Schoonover and Kyndall Hall each scored once for Northwest Escambia.
The NWE All-Stars were undefeated during the tournament, with a 7-0 win over Niceville, a 12-1 win over Shalimar and Wednesday night’s 4-1 win over Niceville.
Pictured above: The NWE 10-11 Year Old All-Stars with their championship banner Wednesday night in Destin. Pictured front: (L-R) Addy Lee, Kyndall Hall, Kendal Cobb, Courtney Peebles, Darby Randolph, Mallory Ryan, Danielle Steadham, Cheyanne Schoonover, Reagan Bell and Madison Arrington. Pictured back row: Manager Jerry Mason and Coach David Arrington. Submitted photo by Kim Ryan for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Final ApprovalFor Pet Hurricane Shelter In Molino
July 9, 2009
The Escambia County Commission has granted final approval to the county’s first pet-friendly hurricane evacuation shelter to be located at Molino Park Elementary School.
While there are over 1,500 local hotel and motel rooms that will accept pets, the county determined the need for a pet-friendly shelter as a last resort for those unable to evacuate their pets elsewhere or simply will not evacuate without their pets. The domestic pets would be housed in the 3,158 square foot area of the school’s gym, about 100 feet from the man building.
The county says the gym will house between 148 to 350 pets in pet carriers or cages. The main school building, which has previously served a hurricane shelter, can house 2,200 people under the supervision of the American Red Cross.
The shelter would be for household cats and dogs only, with no other pets or animals allowed. Pet owners would be responsible for providing their own food, water, medicine and cleanup supplies.
Owners would not be allowed to shelter with their pets in the pet area, nor would pets be allowed in the people shelter area of the school.
The gym floor will be protected with plastic and mats. A contractor will be used to sanitize the school and spray for fleas before students are allowed to return.
The plan has been approved by the Escambia County School Board and will became final after approval Thursday night by the Escambia County Commission.
Lightning Strike Death: Remembering Dawn Yoder
July 9, 2009
Friends and family members are remembering Dawn Yoder, 51, of Atmore who died Wednesday morning, about 48 hours after she was hit by lightning at the Yoder family home while she was taking out the trash.
They are celebrating her life, and the fact that she will provide life after her death — the family decided to donate her organs so that others might live.
Visitation will be Friday from 4 until 9 p.m. at Mennonite Christian Fellowship in Atmore. Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon at 2:00 at the First Assembly of God in Atmore. Funeral services will be streamed live on the Internet at www.streamflood.net.
The family issued the following statement about the death of Dawn Yoder, wife of Atmore doctor Jon Yoder.
Dawn, our amazing mother, wife, daughter has been declared brain dead by 2 doctors, with her EEG showing no activity. We believe that she entered heaven instantaneously 2 days ago, but we are now as a family turning her body over to the organ donation center of Alabama, so that she may share her life with others. That is typical of the life she lived, and it is so much like her. We will miss her, but we know she is in God’s protective care, and we want to praise Him for his faithfulness.
I write with this tears in my eyes, but with joy in my heart as Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his saints.
And she definitely received “Well done, thou faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of the Lord. She is free at last!
Jon, Robert, Kristin, Amber, and Stephen and all the family
Dawn Yoder was apparently struck by lightning outside of her home Monday morning. LifeFlight was called to the scene but was unable to respond due to weather. She was transported by ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital and then later transferred to Springhill Hospital in Mobile. She had been in a coma during her time at Springhill Hospital.
In lieu of flowers, family members ask that donations be made to Atmore Christian School.
Citizens Raises Rates, Some Locals Could Get Break
July 9, 2009
There is a 10 percent rate increase in store for many of the 1 million customers of Citizens Property Insurance, but some customers in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties will actually be eligible for a rate decrease.
The state agreed to allow Citizens, the state’s largest property insurer, to end a three year rate freeze in 2010 to allow the company to boost its financial ability to pay in the event of another major hurricane.
Customers in higher risk areas in South Florida are likely to see the full 10 percent increase, while customers in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Sarasota and Duval counties might get up to the full 10 percent rate decrease.
The 10 percent increase should net Citizens another $140 million per year in premiums, while the 10 percent discount will cost about $29 million in revenues. Citizens is reportedly collects about $1.8 billion less than the company needs to be financially sound.
Junior Baseball Tourney Begins Saturday At NWE
July 9, 2009
The Florida District 1 Junior Baseball All Star Tournament begins Saturday at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill with four teams competing.
At 5:00 Saturday, Shalimar with take on Defuniak Springs. Host team Northwest Escambia begins play at 7:30 Saturday against Niceville-Valparaiso. Round two will be Monday night, with winners playing at 5:00 and losers playing at 7:30.
The Northwest Escambia All-Star Team includes:
- Brannon Freemon
- Alkoda Snyder
- Colton Williams
- Wade Jernigan
- Dalton Tullis
- Reed Bell
- Blake McCall
- Harold Harrison
- Justice Agerton
- Justin Haltemon
- Jerry Barlow
- Manager: Matthew Reynolds
- Coaches: Body Tullis, Trent Freemon, David Bell, Matt Walker
Molino Man Involved In Two Different Cantonment Crashes
July 8, 2009
A Molino man involved in a domestic dispute in the Cantonment area Tuesday night was involved in two different accidents that reportedly sent four people to the hospital.
Authorities say the incident began when Kirby Smith, 47, and another man got into an argument over a woman in the 2800 block of Kingsfield Road. The second man and the woman got into the back of a 1998 Chevy pickup while Smith drove the truck away on Kingsfield. The other man in the fight reportedly chased the truck, hitting it on Kingsfield near Cabot Street. The man and woman who had been riding in the back of the pickup were injured in the crash. The identities of the second man and the woman have not yet been released.
Smith then fled the scene of the first wreck. That’s when he hit a 2009 Toyota at Cabot Street and Kingsfield Road, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The driver of that vehicle, Samantha Barnsdale, 34, of Pensacola, and Smith where injured in that crash.
Smith was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries. Barnsdale was transported to West Florida Hospital, also with minor injures.
The FHP said that alcohol was not a factor in the second crash, and that Smith was not wearing a seat belt.
The accidents are still under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Deparment.
More information will be posted as it becomes available.