Man On Scooter, Struck And Killed By Motorcycle Wednesday Night
December 14, 2023
A 63-year old Escambia County man crossing the roadway with a scooter was struck and killed by a motorcycle Wednesday night.
It happened shortly after 8 p.m. near the intersection of Beverly Parkway and Concordia Boulevard. The Florida Highway Patrol said a motorcyclist was traveling eastbound on the eastbound lane of Beverly Parkwa as the man walking his scooter north. The motorcyclist struck the man with the scooter. The pedestrian was pronounced deceased on scene. The 29-year old motorcyclist was transported to Baptist Hospital with critical injuries.
The Florida Highway Patrol is continuing their investigation.
Escambia Notice Of Elections Arriving In Postal Mailboxes
December 14, 2023
Escambia County voters should are receiving the 2024 Notice of Elections in their postal mailboxes this week.
The notices were mailed to all active voters and include information on the three statewide elections being held next year, the three different ways to vote, and how to update a voter signature.
Gov. Ivey Discusses Alabama’s Expanding Broadband Infrastructure During Atmore Event
December 14, 2023
Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday completed the third stop on her broadband tour at Atmore Community Hospital in Escambia County. She discussed the importance of high-speed internet in allowing Alabamians to access telehealth services, while highlighting the progress being made in broadband projects in both Escambia and Baldwin counties, as well as across the state.
“Broadband availability is not just for our convenience – it is a lifeline, particularly evident in telehealth services. For thousands of Alabamians in rural areas, telehealth bridges the gap to medical facilities, and without broadband, this vital resource remains out of reach for many,” said Governor Ivey. “I am proud to say Alabama remains committed to expanding our digital infrastructure, aiming to connect households, businesses and institutions. Our broadband journey continues until every Alabamian has the ability to access high-speed internet.”
At Wednesday’s event, Governor Ivey was joined by Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) Director Kenneth Boswell, Sen. Greg Albritton (R-Atmore) and Rep. Alan Baker (R-Brewton).
The speakers addressed the more than $17 million in grant and matching funds committed for broadband projects which will give more than 3,600 currently unserved addresses the ability to be connected in Escambia and Baldwin counties. This will result in over 140 miles of new fiber. Additionally, the overall success of the Alabama Broadband Accessibility Fund (ABAF) was discussed.
ABAF, which is funded by the Alabama Legislature, supports targeted projects in communities in need of high-speed internet access. These funds, awarded by Governor Ivey and managed by ADECA, give internet service providers the ability to execute projects that connect individual households, businesses, community anchor institutions such as libraries and schools, and others to broadband infrastructure.
“When you look at the digital world we live in today, access to broadband infrastructure is just as important, in many ways, as having access to electricity or running water,” said Sen. Albritton. “But for many Alabamians, especially those living in tougher to access, rural areas of our state, getting connected to high-speed internet is difficult and expensive. That’s why the programs we have funded through the legislature are so important, they give internet service providers the support needed to connect these hard-to-reach areas so that no Alabamians are left out. I have been proud to support broadband expansion in my leadership role in the Alabama Senate, and I will continue my work on this issue until all Alabamians have access to the 21st century technologies needed for everyday life.”
Since 2018, Alabama has invested approximately $82 million in state dollars through grant awards supporting more than 100 projects through the Alabama Broadband Accessibility Fund. Once all Alabama Broadband Accessibility Fund projects awarded to date have been completed, access to broadband service will be available to more than 72,000 Alabama households, businesses and community institutions that currently have no option to subscribe.
“Our continued progress in expanding high-speed internet access would not be possible without a unified team working hard every day to accomplish our state’s broadband goals,” said Director Boswell. “This team includes Governor Ivey, the Alabama Legislature, internet service providers, and others too many to name working together to make sure Alabama residents and Alabama communities have the tools needed to thrive.”
Former Baker Fire Chief Convicted Of Escambia Murder; Sentenced To Life In Prison
December 13, 2023
The former Baker Fire District chief was found guilty Wednesday of murdering a 63-year old business owner in Escambia County in June 2022.
Brian Keith Easterling, 53, was convicted of the first degree murder of Michael Evers, 63. He was sentenced to life in prison.
Pensacola Police received a call to check on the welfare of Evers at his home because he had not been seen in several days. Officers entered the home and found blood on the floor, but Evers was not inside. They responded to his shop in the 3900 block of Creighton Road.
Inside the shop, an officer tripped over an item under a car cover, exposing the victim’s right elbow. Officers said Evers was face down on the floor, obviously deceased with a gunshot wound to the back of his head. His 2011 Chevrolet 2500 was not at either location.
According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report, surveillance video from 5:15 p.m. on Thursday, June 2 showed a man later identified as Easterling arrive at the shop with Evers. The victim entered the building and Easterling is seen standing outside the door looking around nervously.
“Easterling actually turns a complete circle looking all around, before entering the building. Within minutes of entering the building, Easterling walks up behind (the victim),” the report states. The victim “then falls immediately to the ground. Easterling can be seen on video getting a car cover and covering (the victim).”
Evers owed Easterling money, according to the ECSO.
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Atmore PD Charges Tire Shop Employee With Stealing Over $15K From His Employer
December 13, 2023
A former Atmore tire shop employee has been charged with stealing thousands from his employer.
Christopher Michael Rowland, 39, was charged with theft of property first degree by the Atmore Police Department.
A Southern Tire Mart Corporate security investigator alleged Rowland was responsible for missing deposits totaling over $15,000. The discrepancies were found during a business account audit.
Rowland was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton where he remained Tuesday night.
Century Hires Consulting Company At $7,500 A Month As ‘City Manager’
December 13, 2023
The Town of Century has hired a consulting company to act as a city manager for $7,500 per month to help Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. run the town.
The contract with Local Government Consulting Group of West Palm Beach, is effective for up to six months, plus any renewals. The town can terminate the contract with 15 days notice, or the consultant can terminate with 30 days written notice. Howard Brown, Jr., is the principal of the company, but the contract allows managing members Erin Connelly and Cheryl Harrison-Lee to work with the town.
The town accepted the city manager proposal after newly appointed Century interim Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. told the council that he would need help to properly run the town.
“I know that I am in over my head, but I don’t want the town of Century to suffer due to my lack of experience in this position,” Gomez told his town council a few minutes after he was sworn in in late August.
Months ago, Gomez asked the town council to consider contracting with consultant Robert Thompson of DeFuniak Springs, who he said was recommended by the Florida League of Cities. However, Thompson later accepted a job in Arkansas.
Gomez introduced Brown during a council meeting in November, telling the council that it was critical that quick action be taken to bring a town manager on board. He then pushed for a short-notice special meeting, less than 48 hours later, in order to hire Brown, but a contract was first developed by the town’s attorney.
Howard’s proposal states that he “has served as a City Manager with a national perspective, having successfully managed municipalities across the country.” and “My municipal government experience spans a diverse range of communities, including urban, rural, and suburban areas,”. His experience included village manager in Indiantown, Florida, city manager in Bell, CA, Muskogee, OK, and of Opa-Locka, FL.
Under the contract, the consultants scope of services includes:
- Attendance at Meetings of the Town Council. Consultant shall attend in-person all meetings of the Town Council.
- Operational Analysis: Consultant shall evaluate Town operations and provide strategic recommendations to enhance service delivery efficiency under the direction of the Town Mayor or designee.
- Financial Management: Consultant shall advise on budgeting, financial planning, and fiscal management to ensure sustainable town finances, as directed by the Town Council.
- Economic Development: Consultant shall formulate economic development strategies to drive business growth and employment, in collaboration with the Town Mayor and Council.
- Community Engagement: Consultant shall design and execute initiatives for community involvement, ensuring alignment with the Mayor’s vision and Council’s directives.
- Strategic Planning: Consultant shall create a strategic plan, working closely with the Town Mayor, designee, and the Town Council to encapsulate the Town’s long-term objectives.
- Policy Development: Consultant shall assist in crafting policies and administrative procedures in response to the Town Council’s legislative goals.
- Staff Development: Consultant shall conduct training programs for town staff as directed by the Town Mayor or designee.
- Legislative Support: Consultant shall provide expert advice on compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements as requested by the Town Mayor or Town Council.
- Project Management: Consultant shall manage specific projects as assigned by the Town Mayor or designee, with oversight from the Town Council, to ensure successful implementation.
- Performance Metrics: Consultant shall develop and maintain performance metrics, reporting to the Town Mayor or designee and Town Council on the progress and effectiveness of Town services.
Children’s Trust Denies 2nd Year Funding For Continued YouthFirst Century Program
December 13, 2023
The Escambia County Children’s Trust on Tuesday denied to renew funding for the Urban Development Center’s YouthFirst Century program.
Last year, Escambia Children’s Trust (ECT) awarded a contract to the Pensacola non-profit Urban Development Center for “YouthFirst Century” to serve 750 youth ages 11-18 over a three-year period at a total cost of $1.2 million. In reality, they only reached 30 children in their targeted ages of 11-18. They requested to lower their target age group to just 5-years old, but that was also denied by ECT.
UDC has requested a $189,256.70 reimbursement for their first year of operation, despite reaching just 56 children, with less than 30 of those in the target age range. That equals $6,308 per targeted child in the 11-18 age group.
UDC’s reimbursement request from ECT included about $60,000 for personnel, $6,212 in travel, $2,692 for advertising, $37,000 for program supplies, $1,201 for field trips, $59,000 in “sub-grants to partners”, and $21,000 for professional services for 56 children, 29 of which are not in the program’s target group.
In their application to ECT, UDC acknowledged that they did not have the cash on hand to operate under a cost reimbursement model. UDC approached the Century Town Council for help in early 2023. The town has provided the Century Business Center at 150 East Pond Street as meeting space, with upgrades such as lighting and an ice machine.
The Town of Century fronted $61,925 to The Urban Development Center to purchase items like computers and workbooks. The 500 workbooks at $52.75 per workbook were to be purchased from UDC for $26,375. UDC said they would reimburse the town after they received the ECT funding, but no specific deadline was established. At least $20,000 was recently repaid to the town, according to audio from a council meeting. However, a public records request provided no concrete evidence of the payment.
ECT board member Dr. Rex Northrup expressed concern that no ECT funding is currently going into a North Escambia specific program.
“At least consider some meaningful contributions to needs in northern Escambia County,” board member Dr. Rex Northrup said of any future applications.
Tuesday, the ECT did renew second-year funding for 16 Out-of School-Time grants totaling nearly $4.7 million:
- Boys & Girls Club of the Emerald Coast $630,088
- Central Gulf Coast Freedom Schools $215,045
- Chain Reaction $192,975
- Children’s Home Society $249,906
- City of Pensacola Parks and Recreation $540,041
- CMB Visions Unlimited $396,817
- Covenant Care $204,163
- Dixon School of Arts and Sciences $295,000
- Epps Christian Center $221,450
- James B. Washington Education & Sports $295,000
- Omega Lamplighters $156,975
- Pensacola Children’s Chorus $203,390
- Pensacola Little Theatre $85,000
- Pensacola MESS Hall $59,924
- SALT Ministry (Sisters Anointed to Lead Together) $12,629
- YMCA of NW Florida $906,561
A contract with The Children’s Theater program was non-renewed.
Pictured top and inset: Dr. Jessica A. Griffen, CEO of The Urban Development Center, addresses the Century Town Council in early 2023. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Notes on the UDC budget above, per the application: JetFuel is a Century based technology entrepreneurial business operated by Calvin Cottrell. Tutor4You is a tutoring service with “Mr. Sanders”. Reality Check Counseling is Susan Dawson, a licensed mental health counselor. Favored Hearts is owned by Cordella Allen, a clinical nurse, that will provide CPR certifications.
Century Residents Get Small Reprieve On Annual Garbage Rate Increase
December 13, 2023
Century residents are getting a small reprieve from an annual rate increase on garbage service.
The town contracts with Republic Services to collect garbage within the town limits. Republic has a provision in their contract that allows them to increase the rates they charge the town each December to match the Consumer Price Index. The town annually passes the rate increase directly along to residents.
Republic is increasing what they charge Century by a CPI increase of 5.25%. The town typically passes that increase onto sanitation customers across the board — which could have resulted in an increase of $1.40 per month to $27.99, up from $26.59. But for this year, the town will absorb a portion of the annual percentage increase while keeping other fees steady.
Residents will pay the annual increase on Republic’s charge to the town –$17.10 total cost, plus the current curbside fee pick-up fee of $6.99 and the current year service fee of $3.35. While not specifically mentioned in the motion approved by the council Tuesday night, that should put a customer’s bill at $27.44 for a single can rather than an originally proposed increase to $27.99.
Speed Limit Reduction Set For Airport Boulevard In Pensacola
December 13, 2023
The speed limit on State Road Airport Boulevard between Davis Highway and Ninth Avenue in Pensacola will be permanently reduced from 45 mph to 40 mph beginning Tuesday, December 19. New signs depicting the speed limit decrease will be installed along the corridor, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
Escambia County Commission Cancels COW Meeting Again
December 13, 2023
The Escambia County Commission has canceled the Decembeer 14 planned Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting.
The COW is a workshop type meeting held for commission discussion, but no votes are taken.
Canceling the meeting has been the norm this year.
The BOCC held a regular meeting on December 7 and will meet again on January 5.