Plan Ahead: Perdido Landfill To Close A Couple Of Days
August 16, 2023
The Perdido Landfill will be closed for a couple of days for work.
The landfill, at 13009 Beulah Road, will be closed Saturday, September 2 through Monday, September 4 while crews install the landfill’s new scale house building. The landfill will re-open for regular hours Tuesday, September 5.
Residents are encouraged to bring any solid waste to the landfill prior to closing at 5 p.m. Friday, September 1. Landfill customers with large loads that require manual offloading are asked to deliver loads no later than 4:30 p.m. Large loads delivered after 4:30 p.m. will not be accepted until regular hours Tuesday, September 5.
For more information, call (850) 937-2160.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Century CRA Has Collected $92K From ‘Blighted’ Area To Fund Improvements
August 16, 2023
The Century Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) now has just over $92,000 in the bank and will soon begin to consider potential projects to improve blighted areas of the town.
The five members of the Century Town Council currently sit as the CRA board. The town website indicates the CRA board will meet quarterly, but Tuesday evening’s meeting was the first this calendar year.
In October 2018, the council approved a Tax Increment Financing plan for their redevelopment area, allowing the CRA to receive property tax revenues each year in excess of an established base rate. The appraised value of the property within the designated district was “frozen” in 2018, with that amount of tax revenue generated still designated for the town’s general fund, the county and other taxing authorities.
The redevelopment area receives 95 percent of the property tax generated in excess of the frozen base value as property values rise. Along with small interest earnings, CRA had a balance of $92,177.72 on July 31, 2023. To date, the CRA has only spent small amounts on required reports and paperwork — nothing on improving the area.
The CRA funds will be used to improve conditions in the 510 acres bounded by Jefferson Avenue to the south, Jefferson Avenue to the east, East High 4 to the north and the center line of North Century Boulevard to the west. It also extends north on the east side of North Century Boulevard to include commercial properties up to, and including, the former Burger King (see map below).
Tax Increment Financing is a unique tool available to cities and counties for redevelopment activities. It is used to leverage public funds to promote private sector activities in the targeted redevelopment area. Property owners in the CRA pay the same tax rate as those in the remainder of the town.
TIF revenue can be used on a “pay as you go” basis, where the annual stream of revenue is used to fund small projects, or used to pay debt service costs over the life of a project lasting 10 or more years. Historically in Florida, TIF has been effective at generating large amounts of funding for capital investments for roadway improvements, flood control programs, water and sewer and drainage infrastructure improvements, parking lots and garages, neighborhood parks, sidewalks, street and sidewalk tree plantings, signs and building construction.
After a February 2016 tornado damaged or destroyed 40 homes and businesses, the town looked to address the long-term effects on the community of a downturn in economic development. That led to the redevelopment area.
The CRA plan sets a roadmap for future development and spending to eliminate existing conditions of blight and to encourage continued private investment. The plan also provides a framework for coordinating and facilitating public and private redevelopment within the area.
Pictured: The Century CRA held a workshop meeting this week. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge. Pictured below: The Century CRA boundary map, click to enlarge.
Firefighter Christianne Barry Honored With Dwain Bradshaw Spirit Award
August 16, 2023
Beulah firefighter Christianne Barry has been selected as the first recipient of the Dwain Bradshaw Spirit Award. She was honored for her dedication and service to Escambia County and the Beulah community.
The award is named fo Dwain Bradshaw, 41, lost his life during the early morning hours of November 2019 in the line of duty on scene of a fatal crash on the Muscogee Bridge. He was a volunteer district chief at the Bellview Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, volunteer assistant district chief for the Beulah Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, and lived a life of public service.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Drop Seventh Straight Game
August 16, 2023
A return home, specialty uniforms and multiple leads Tuesday night failed to halt the Blue Wahoos being on the wrong side of an extended streak.
After tying the game in the seventh inning, the Montgomery Biscuits got a go-ahead home run from Heriberto Hernandez in the eighth and made it stand for a 6-5 victory that became Pensacola’s seventh consecutive loss.
The series opener at Blue Wahoos Stadium was especially frustrating for the home team with the number of wasted chances to get more runs. Seven base runners were stranded, and two others were thrown out trying to advance on hits.
It ended after Pensacola had runners on first and second on walks with one out in the ninth, but couldn’t get a big hit to follow.
Taking on their alternate identity as the Pensacola Pok-Ta-Pok, complete with Mayan-inspired uniforms, the team had everyone in the lineup get at least one hit and had 12 hits in the game.
In the midst of matching the longest losing streak in three seasons, missed opportunities Tuesday proved decisive. It was a different kind of loss after dropping all six road games against the Chattanooga Lookouts.
This game featured five lead changes.
It started well for Pensacola when Jacob Berry, the Miami Marlins’ top pick in 2022, continued his hot hitting at Blue Wahoos Stadium with a first-inning homer. Berry then doubled and scored on Will Banfield’s tying double in the third. Berry reached base three times in the game.
The Blue Wahoos took a 3-2 lead in the fourth inning on José Devers’ leadoff homer. He went 2-for-4 in the game with two runs scored.
After Montgomery led 4-3 in the sixth, the Blue Wahoos answered on Cobie Fletcher-Vance’s two-out, two-run double in the sixth. Fletcher-Vance later crossed the plate, but Tanner Allen was tagged out a split second earlier trying to take an extra base.
The Biscuits answered with a run-scoring triple from Tanner Murray in the seventh, then the go-ahead homer from Hernandez in the eighth.
Biscuits reliever Antonio Jimenez recorded his first save by retiring Pensacola in order in the eighth, then striking out Banfield and getting returning designated hitter Paul McIntosh to ground out to end the game.
The second game of the series is Wednesday. The Blue Wahoos will have lefthander Luis Palacios (7-5, 5.26 ERA) on the mound against Biscuits righthander Sean Hundley (3.13).
by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Mother Of Alleged Home Depot Murderer Helped Coordinate The Crime, ECSO Says
August 15, 2023
The mother of the alleged Home Depot shooter is also being charged in connection with the murder of an 18-year old last Friday.
Keith Eric Agee, age 20 of Calvert, Alabama, charged with premeditated first degree murder and two counts of aggravated battery in connection with the shooting death of 18-year old Brooklyn Sims last Friday afternoon inside the Home Depot on Davis Highway. She was an inventory company contract employee working inside the store.
Monday night, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said they are also charging his mother, with principal (accessory) to first degree murder because she “knew and even helped him coordinate the murder…According to text messages, it’s clear that Keith Agee’s mother, Sheila Agee, knew and participated in the plan to kill Brooklyn Sims. Additionally, text messages between mother and son highlight the mother’s involvement in helping locate the victim.” Those text messages are reprinted below.
“The murder itself is unbelievable, but to know the mother knew about it and helped coordinate it is incomprehensible,” Sheriff Chip Simmons said.
Sheila Agee was arrested in Washington County, Alabama, and will be extradited to Escambia County, Florida, to face charges.
Video footage showed a black male, later identified as Keith Agee enter the store and turn down aisle 52. Seconds later, people are seen running from aisle 52, then Keith Agee runs back toward the entrance. He runs in the parking lot, gets into a silver four-door sedan and exits that parking lot at a high rate of speed toward Duval Street. He called 911 a short time later from the Mellow Mushroom on Bayou Boulevard and surrendered to police.
According to the report, Agee was interviewed at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. He stated that his day started by going to work at AM/NS Calvert Steel in Mt. Vernon, Alabama. While at work, he received a call from a local medical office, and he headed to Pensacola. The remainder of his statements were redacted from the report.
THE TEXT MESSAGES BETWEEN KEITH AGEE AND HIS MOTHER
According to the ECSO, the following are text messages sent between Keith Agee and Sheila Agee just prior to the homicide. WARNING: The following includes offensive language and violent wording.
- Keith: “Shi ain’t do nun but cost me money and gave me a ******* I’m fin just shoot her Ik I hate that for [daughter] buh like I said I can’t take it idgaf Nomo.”
- Mother: “Ok.”
- Mother: “Ok I’ll call you and tell you mf if you want to go to jail I’ll tell you when we get close but if you don’t come kill her you a mf b**ch.”
- Mother: “Don’t call nanny and tell her she will try and talk you out of it.”
- Keith: “Ian even gon tell her y I left.” “I’m just say I gotta go to the dentist.”
- Mother: “Don’t even go there she won’t know you left.” “Don’t shoot at my mf car I don’t want to die.”
- Keith: “I’m not”
- Mother: “Wait till I put her out.”
- Keith: “I was gon wait till she got out.”
- Mother: “Ok”.
- Keith: “Buh that’s another thing if she don’t get out that car momma and I have to drag her out or can’t ima ask u to step out Cuz I’m open the door jus shoot her.”
- Mother: “As long as you don’t shoot me.”
- Mother: “Hell if you getting off work now I’ll give you the address here and you can ride over here and do it so you don’t have to do it in front of [daughter].”
- Keith: “Send it to me”
- Mother: “We just in Pensacola.”
- Keith: “I’m otw send it”
- Mother: “Hold up let me get it erase the texts cause I don’t want nobody to know I was texting you stupid ass.”
- Keith: “I already deleted mine trust me ian gon say shi abt us even tlkin td.”
- Keith: “wats the address”
- Mother: “I can’t wait to get back to that store to give you the address cause you gonna have to shoot me today I done told you about cussing me.”
- Keith: “All I want is that address momma I’m done tlkin I done tlked enough Ik wats gonna happen and I’m ok with that I done already been thinkin it thru and ther the only way for me idk why u so quick to start shi wit me buh again must be scared of Brooklyn or sum idk.”
- Keith: “She gon be onna floor right?”
- Mother: “waiting on you”
- Keith: “I’m saying I’m gone have to find her in the back or sum?”
- Mother: “Nope”
- Keith: “Ok”
- Keith: “Stay out my way”
- Mother: “I am”
- Keith: “Lol man get off my phone all I needed was that address leave me alone finish yo work day And you is to I forgot just me”
- Keith: “So that last thought of her knowin she f****d and the regret in her face will b enough to satisfy me idgaf what she see wen she dead, Yes tf she do How tf I’m pick her up when yo sorry ass tryna go gamble or hang in Jackson and she don’t pick up the phone, Nah that ain’t even gon fly she a jus die before I let that continue.”
- Mother: “Ok whatever Idc do what you do idgaf. Cause I’m going home today not to hell or to jail.”
- Keith: “good for u”
- Mother: “Ok then stop texting me I’m working. Do whatever you want to do. It don’t affect me either f***ing way.”
- Keith: “Shi ain’t do nun but cost me money and gave me a ******* I’m fin just shoot her Ik I hate that for [daughter] buh like I said I can’t take it idgaf Nomo.”
- Mother: “Ok.”
- Mother: “Ok I’ll call you and tell you mf if you want to go to jail I’ll tell you when we get close but if you don’t come kill her you a mf b**ch.”
- Mother: “Don’t call nanny and tell her she will try and talk you out of it.”
- Keith: “Ian even gon tell her y I left.” “I’m just say I gotta go to the dentist.”
- Mother: “Don’t even go there she won’t know you left.” “Don’t shoot at my mf car I don’t want to die.”
- Keith: “I’m not”
- Mother: “Wait till I put her out.”
- Keith: “I was gon wait till she got out.”
- Mother: “Ok”.
- Keith: “Buh that’s another thing if she don’t get out that car momma and I have to drag her out or can’t ima ask u to step out Cuz I’m open the door jus shoot her.”
- Mother: “As long as you don’t shoot me.”
- Mother: “Hell if you getting off work now I’ll give you the address here and you can ride over here and do it so you don’t have to do it in front of [daughter].”
- Keith: “Send it to me”
- Mother: “We just in Pensacola.”
- Keith: “I’m otw send it”
- Mother: “Hold up let me get it erase the texts cause I don’t want nobody to know I was texting you stupid ass.”
- Keith: “I already deleted mine trust me ian gon say shi abt us even tlkin td.”
- Keith: “wats the address”
- Mother: “I can’t wait to get back to that store to give you the address cause you gonna have to shoot me today I done told you about cussing me.”
- Keith: “All I want is that address momma I’m done tlkin I done tlked enough Ik wats gonna happen and I’m ok with that I done already been thinkin it thru and ther the only way for me idk why u so quick to start shi wit me buh again must be scared of Brooklyn or sum idk.”
- Keith: “She gon be onna floor right?”
- Mother: “waiting on you”
- Keith: “I’m saying I’m gone have to find her in the back or sum?”
- Mother: “Nope”
- Keith: “Ok”
- Keith: “Stay out my way”
- Mother: “I am”
- Keith: “Lol man get off my phone all I needed was that address leave me alone finish yo work day And you is to I forgot just me”
- Keith: “So that last thought of her knowin she f****d and the regret in her face will b enough to satisfy me idgaf what she see wen she dead, Yes tf she do How tf I’m pick her up when yo sorry ass tryna go gamble or hang in Jackson and she don’t pick up the phone, Nah that ain’t even gon fly she a jus die before I let that continue.”
- Mother: “Ok whatever Idc do what you do idgaf. Cause I’m going home today not to hell or to jail.”
- Keith: “good for u”
- Mother: “Ok then stop texting me I’m working. Do whatever you want to do. It don’t affect me either f***ing way.”
Pictured: The scene at Home Depot on Davis Highway shortly after a shooting that left one person dead Friday afternoon. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
County Set To Remove, Destroy RV That’s Parked By A Molino Road
August 15, 2023
The Escambia County Commission is set to order the removal and destruction of a recreational vehicle in Molino.
A man was living in the RV camper parked on county right of way at the end of McKinnonville Road, according to a complaint received by Code Enforcement in early March 2023. A follow-up inspection found that the man left and abandoned the RV.
Code Enforcement said there were no traceable tags on vehicle identification numbers on the camper.
Officials said the camper is also hampering the county road department from preventing overgrowth on the right of way.
The county commission will vote on a recommendation to remove and destroy the RV at their meeting on Wednesday.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Arson Investigation Opened After Cantonment House Fire That Injured Firefighter
August 15, 2023
A residential fire that injured a firefighter Sunday afternoon in Cantonment is being investigated as an arson.
The fire was reported about 4:30 p.m. Sunday in the 110 block of Griggs Street, near Carver Park. Escambia County Fire Rescue arrived to find smoke showing the eaves of the home and brought the fire under control by 4:49 p.m.
One ECFR firefighter was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS. The nature of the injuries and the condition of the firefighter were not released. There were no other injuries reported.
Investigators determined that the fire originated from “several” points throughout the home. The Florida Bureau of Fire, Arson & Explosives Investigations was called to the scene.
The American Red Cross provided assistance to the residents that were displaced.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill Man Arrested On Spice, Other Drug Charges After Traffic Stop
August 15, 2023
A Walnut Hill man is facing drug charges after a traffic stop in Atmore.
An Atmore Police Department officer stopped 53-year old Ricky Eugene Foster after an alleged improper lane change on South Main Street.
After Foster consented to a search of the vehicle, officers reported finding about 20 grams of green leafy substance identified as synthetic cannabis (spice), “several” amphetamine and dextroamphetamine pills, and a glass pipe with residue that tested positive for methamphetamne.
Foster was charged with three counts of possession of a controlled substance and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released on bond from the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewon.
Volunteers Needed For Free Health Care Clinic This December
August 15, 2023
Remote Area Medical (RAM), a major nonprofit provider of pop-up clinics delivering free, quality dental, vision and medical care to those in need, is seeking volunteer medical, dental and vision professionals and general support staff for an upcoming clinic December 2 and 3 at Milton High School.
RAM is also in need of general support volunteers to help set up on Friday, December 1 and take down on Sunday, December 3. Overnight parking staff to greet patients is also needed, and interpreters can volunteer to aid patients through the process, either in the parking lot or during clinic operations. Individuals do not need to work in the medical field to volunteer as general support.
Organizations wishing to volunteer time to help provide free healthcare services to local residents should visit the RAM website at www.ramusa.org or call 865-579-1530.
All RAM services are free, and no ID is required. Free dental, vision and medical services will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
Services available at a RAM free clinic include dental cleanings, dental fillings, dental extractions, dental X-rays, eye exams, eye health screenings, eyeglass prescriptions, eyeglasses made on-site, women’s health exams and general medical exams.
RAM is a major nonprofit organization that operates pop-up clinics delivering free, quality dental, vision and medical services to individuals in need who do not have access to, or cannot afford, a doctor. Founded in 1985, RAM has treated more than 910,000 individuals with $189.5 million worth of free healthcare and veterinary services. Since its foundation, more than 196,000 volunteers – composed of licensed dental, vision, medical and veterinary professionals, as well as general support staff – have supported RAM’s mission.
Escambia Man Gets 15 Years For Drug Possession, Trafficking
August 15, 2023
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to 15 years in state prison on drug charges.
A jury convicted 38-year old Aaron Joseph Brunson of trafficking in cocaine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting an officer without violence.
On March 2, 2022, Brunson was stopped by Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies for a traffic infraction, but he fled on foot.
After he was captured, a search revealed that Brunson had a trafficking amount of cocaine, a quantity of methamphetamine, and a scale concealed in a zippered case in his pants.
Brunson had prior felony convictions for drug possession, drug sales, and weapons offenses.