Head-on Crash Near Jay Claims One Life Saturday Morning
September 9, 2023
A head-on wreck Saturday morning south of Jay claimed one life.
A 48-year old Milton man was traveling south on Highway 89 near Highway 182 when his black sedan crossed into the northbound lane, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Trooper said the driver of a white pickup truck, a 38-year old Milton man, did not have time to react, and the vehicles collided head on.
The 48-year old man was pronounced deceased on the scene of the 8:58 a.m. crash. The driver of the pickup was airlifted to an area hospital with serious injuries.
The FHP Traffic Homicide Investigation Unit is continuing their investigation.
File photo.
BOCC Denies Request To Rezone Old Novak Parcels To Agriculture
September 9, 2023
The Escambia County Commission voted unanimously this week to affirm a planning board recommendation to deny a resident’s request to rezone their property to agricultural so that they could maintain farm animals.
Applicant Mitchell Hazelbaker told the planning board on August 1 that he has a farming background and moved from Indiana to the recently purchased property at 890 Old Novak Road. He said he was not trying to run a “big” farming operation, but just maintain his horses and cattle and “live off the land”.
According to the county, the property was never zoned agricultural.
Hazelbaker submitted a small-scale request to go from a future land use of mixed used suburban to agricultural. Like the surrounding properties, it’s currently zoned as low density residential which does not allow farm animals, other than chickens, and provides for up to four dwelling units per acre. Growing food for personal use is allowed, but not commercially.
The request, according to a county staff analysis, was not consistent with surrounding property.
During this week’s county commission meeting, one area resident said she did not agree with the rezoning.
“These people are not honest people, and because they are not honest, they have already established a pattern that they will not be honest business people,” Caroline Bramblett said. “I am dead set against this change, and I don’t understand why anybody with 20 acres would need their property changed to agricultural to have a few horses.
During the planning board meeting, Bramblett said Hazelbaker has brought trouble to the neighborhood.
Bramblett said Bobbie Lei Sales, who was recently charged by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement with allegedly impersonating a FDLE agent on Pauline Street, lives on the Old Novak property with Hazelbaker.
According to a court document and a FDLE arrest warrant, the last known address for Sales is 890 Old Novak Road, the subject of the planning board request. However, she is not listed as owner of the property, and she was not a party to the rezoning request.
“She is a pathological liar, Bramblett told the planning board, saying that Sales claims ownership of multiple parcels in the area. “She is a pathological liar.”
Planning Board vice chair Walker Wilson attempted to steer Bramblett on the topic of zoning and away from personal attacks.
Bramblett continued, saying that Sales trespasses on neighboring properties and mentioned code enforcement complaints.
“Nothing that they do is ethical; this is how they live,” she claimed. “This is what they brought into the neighborhood.”
Other neighbors made strong allegations against the rezoning during the planning board meeting.
Kim Smith of Kathleen Avenue claimed that many of the horses on the property were bought locally, not brought from Indiana.
“They do not take care of them; they do not have shelter. There’s a large majority of them that have mysteriously died,” Smith said. “His daughter has been posting where they plan to do hunting, camping, fishing retreats on that land. That’s why they brought that cabin in. They plan to make a business out of it.”
“The last year that they have lived there has been terrible. They have harassed everyone for a mile each direction,” Smith continued. “It’s unbelievable the problems that they have caused….they have already messed up everything since they’ve been there. So please don’t give them any more leeway in making a mess out of where we live.”
Hazelbaker said two bulls purchased from a cattle barn in Atmore had a disease that infected the entire herd despite veterinary care.
There are two pending Escambia County Code Enforcement complaints against Hazelbaker — one for the farm animals and one for an unpermitted structure.
Escambia County Code Enforcement Office Lynn Butler told the planning board that a structure near Hazelbaker’s pond was not permitted, nor were horses, goats and cattle. Butler said they have not been allowed onto the gated property, so they have not been able to confirm all of the animals are actually present.
A May 5 notice of violation posted at the property advised Hazelbaker to “remove the goats, horses, cows, pigs and donkeys from the property. You may keep 1 rooster and up to 8 chickens”.
In a May 1 application to the Florida Department of Revenue for agricultural classification of the land, Hazelbaker stated there are 10 livestock animals on the property, two acres used for “poultry, swine or bee yards”, and one acre of aquaponics. The application stated that he had a cattle income of $2,600, but lost $2,200 on cattle in 2022.
Hazelbaker told the planning board that there are less than a dozen cows on the property which are raised and sold as freezer beef “if we ever venture to get into it that far”.
Other residents of the area spoke in favor of the agricultural zoning, while others thought farm animals would be just too much.
“It’s going to affect me with the runoff, and the smell, the sounds of agriculture,” Kathleen Avenue resident Dorothy Johnson said.
“As far as the horses and cows and stuff, I grew up with them. I don’t want that noise anymore. I can listen to the roosters crowing,” Charles Johnson said. “It’s going to change what is going on in our neighborhood. ”
Janice King of Candy Lane said there has been no problem with smells or annoyances from the property and enjoys visiting the animals. She said Hazelbaker has started working with the Boys Club to teach agriculture.
“I’d like for it (the zoning) to go back to what it was for them to be able to continue that stuff for kids,” King said. “I just want to get it where he would be able to do things with kids, future stuff for America for the kids.”
“When he moved from Indiana, he should have researched that prior to this,” Sheryl Norton of Candy Lane told the planning board about Hazelbaker’s zoning problems. “If it was his desire to put animals on this piece of land, he should have looked at the zoning…I feel like they need to go north and buy land there if that’s their heart’s desire.”
Atmore Woman Charged With Kitchen Knife Stabbing At Apartment Complex
September 9, 2023
A woman has been charged in connection with a stabbing at an apartment complex in Atmore.
About 1:15 a.m. on September 4, the Atmore Police Department responded to a domestic disturbance on Point Escambia Circle.
“The officers contacted the family members involved who stated they were arguing when Janice Grant age 63 of Atmore, grabbed a kitchen knife and stabbed the victim in the leg,” Sgt. Darrell McMann said.
The victim suffered non-life threatening injuries and was treated and released.
Grant was charged with domestic violence second degree.
Cat Country 98.7 Nominated For CMA Station of the Year
September 9, 2023
Cat Country 98.7 is one of five nominees for this year’s small market Country Music Association Radio Station of the Year.
“To be recognized as one of five stations for the biggest award in country radio is a testament to the work our team does each day. We are proud to represent our communities,” WYCT, Cat Country 98.7, owner Mary Hoxeng said.
The winners of the 57th Annual CMA Awards will be honored during a November 8 broadcast on ABC from Nashville.
Cat Country 98.7 won the CMA Radio Station of the Year in 2017 and 2019.
Pictured: Cat Country 98.7 morning show hosts Brent Lane and Mel McCrae. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Holds Mini Cheer Clinic
September 9, 2023
A Northview High School Mini Cheer Clinic was held Friday evening. Campers learned individual cheer skills, partner stunts, a spirit dance and more. They will also have a chance to cheer with the Northview cheerleaders under the Friday night lights at an upcoming football game. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
High School Football Scoreboard
September 9, 2023
Here are high school football scores from around the North Escambia area:
- Pine Forest 53, Pensacola High 0
- Jay 41, Franklin County 18
- Pace 24, West Florida 21
- Milton 28, Washington 0
- Escambia 39, Gulf Breeze 27
- Pensacola Catholic 24, Fairhope 10
- Navarre 45, Rickards 18
- Tate 42, Northview 14 (Game story, photos from Thursday)
ALABAMA
- Banks Academy 60, Escambia Academy 38
- Escambia County 46, Satsuma 6
- T.R. Miller 47, Wilcox Central 12
- Mobile Christian 38, W.S. Neal 6
- Flomaton 21, Hillcrest-Evergreen 13 (Thursday)
Pictured: The Tate Aggies defeated the Northview Chiefs 42-14 Thursday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Home Run Barrage Helps Wahoos Win Fifth Straight
September 9, 2023
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos won their fifth game in a row on Friday night, overcoming an early deficit to beat the Rocket City Trash Pandas 8-4.
A night after scoring all 11 of their runs on four homers, Pensacola’s first six runs came on three long balls. Before adding two insurance runs in the ninth, they had scored 17 consecutive runs on home runs.
Jonathan Bermúdez (W, 4-5) struggled early, needing 39 pitches to escape a first inning that saw him serve up a three-run homer to Tyler Payne. Adrian Placencia added his first Double-A homer in the third to give Rocket City a 4-0 edge.
The Blue Wahoos couldn’t solve Trash Pandas starter Bryce Osmond (L, 0-1) until the fourth, when Cobie Fletcher-Vance launched a three-run homer to left-center to draw the score to 4-3.
In the fifth, Paul McIntosh hit a go-ahead two-run shot and Will Banfield followed it up with his team-leading 21st home run of the year to put Pensacola ahead 6-4.
Bermúdez settled into a groove and got through 5.0 innings, racking up 10 strikeouts to tie a season and career high, before Zach Willeman and Luarbert Arias (S, 3) worked scoreless relief for the final four innings.
Victor Mesa Jr. added an RBI single in the ninth, and Jake Thompson capped a 2-for-3 night with a sacrifice fly for a final score of 8-4.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Trash Pandas on Saturday night.
written by Erik Bremer
Special Election Date Set For Century Mayor, Council Seat (And How To Get Appointed To The Council Sooner)
September 8, 2023
Election dates have been set for the office of mayor and one council seat Century, and there is a chance for a resident to be appointed to the council before the election.
Interim Council Appointment
Ben Boutwell resigned as mayor on August 22. Then on August 28, Luis Gomez, Jr. resigned from his seat after being appointed interim mayor.
On September 19, the council will appoint a new interim council member. Any resident interested in an appointment to office through November 11 is asked to call the town hall at (850) 256-3208 to express interest. The person must be a registered voter in the town.
Special Election
The special primary election will be held on Tuesday, October 17 in a contest with three or more candidates. If that necessitates a runoff, it will be held during the general election.
The general election in a contest with only two candidates will be held on Wednesday, November 1 (along with any necessary runoff).
Candidates may qualify at the Supervisor of Elections Office at 213 Palafox Place in Pensacola from 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 26 through noon on Friday, September 29 and at Century Town Hall from 9:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. on September 27.
An registered voter in the Town of Century can qualify. A candidate for mayor must have resided in the town for six months prior to qualification date, but there is no previous residency requirement for council. The qualification fee for town council is $50; the qualification fee for mayor is $126.32.
The office of mayor pays $10,131.98 annually, while a council member is paid $3,714.92 each year.
The oath of office will be held on Veterans Day, Saturday, November 11 at 10 a.m.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Violated Restraining Order By Repeatedly Calling Woman From Jail, ECSO Says
September 8, 2023
A Cantonment man is accused of calling a woman multiple times over four days from inside the county jail in violation of a restraining order and leading a deputy on a short low-speed chase.
Curtis Keith Morris, 56, was charged with possession of methamphetamine, fleeing and eluding LEO with lights and siren activated, and violating a domestic violence injunction.
In August, Morris allegedly repeatedly violated the injunction by calling the victim multiple times from the Escambia County Jail after he was booked for previously violating the injunction. According to an arrest report, he made several calls that were missed and also left at least three voicemails.
Recently, a deputy attempted to stop Morris driving a Ford F150 without a tag in the area of Cedar Tree Lane and Highway 95A. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said he fled from the pursuing deputy at about 20 mph before pulling into his driveway on Cedar Point Road.
Deputies located a substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine in the truck.
Morris remained in the Escambia County Jail without bond after his bond was revoked in a previous case.
Pizza And Playtime With The Principal For Byrneville Elementary Students Of The Month
September 8, 2023
The August Students of the Month at Byrneville Elementary School recently enjoyed pizza and playtime with Principal Ashley Trawick.
BES August Students of the Month are:
- Kindergarten: Bailey Rogers and Tatum Boutwell
- 1st Grade: Owen Roberson and Paisley Miller
- 2nd Grade: Kamiah Moore-McKee and Estella Johnson
- 3rd Grade: Paislee Cash and Timothy Dees
- 4th Grade: Lucas Jordan and Marlee McElhaney
- 5th Grade: Wy’Naejah Thomas and Madyson Wiggins
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
