Century Council President Questions Why Accountant Has Missed Meetings For Three Months
August 2, 2023
Century’s town council president wants to know why the town’s accountant has been a no-show at recent meetings.
Accountant Robert Hudson provides monthly financial reports to the council and is scheduled to attend at least one meeting a month to present those reports and answer questions. The reports were distributed at Tuesday night’s meeting, but Hudson did not attend. No explanation was provided by town staff.
“Somebody make a note to find out what is going on with our financial advisor,” council president Luis Gomez, Jr. said. “He’s not made any of these meetings in the last three months.”
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia School Board Approves Tentative Budget, Lower Millage Rate
August 2, 2023
The Escambia County school board approved a tentative millage rate and budget during a special meeting Tuesday.
The board approved a total tentative millage rate of 5.144. It’s a rate lower than the current year rate of 5.274 mills, but due to rising home values, it will generally cost many taxpayers more.
Due to increased property values, the total tax collected will increase. The total millage rate to be levied exceeds the roll-back rate by 9.60%, A lower rolled-back rate is the tax rate that would generate the same amount of property tax revenue as approved for the prior year. A millage rate higher than the rolled-back rate is defined by the State of Florida as a tax increase and must be advertised as such.
The board will vote on approving the final millage rate and budget at a meeting in September.
The district’s total budget is set at almost $740 million.
Pictured: Escambia County School Board District 5 member Bill Slayton makes a millage motion during a special meeting Tuesday. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Adam Harrison Selected As Escambia County Interim Fire Chief
August 2, 2023
Escambia County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Adam Harrison has been named interim Fire Chief, effective August 12.
Harrison began his tenure with ECFR in 1993 as a volunteer firefighter on Pensacola Beach. He became a certified firefighter in 1996, eventually advancing to a full-time role with ECFR in 2001. After a series of promotions, including becoming a lieutenant in 2004 and a battalion chief of logistics in 2014, Chief Harrison was promoted to battalion chief on “B Watch” over the northern half of Escambia County in 2017.
“It is a privilege to promote Adam Harrison to the interim fire chief role for Escambia County Fire Rescue,” said Escambia County Administrator Wes Moreno. “Chief Harrison has spent several years with ECFR and has displayed a tremendous work ethic and leadership capabilities. I’m excited to see Chief Harrison succeed as he leads the largest fire department in the panhandle.”
“I’m very excited to name Chief Adam Harrison as the interim fire chief for Escambia County Fire Rescue,” said Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore. “He is a natural leader who has served the citizens of Escambia County dutifully, and I’m confident in his abilities to lead this department.”
Harrison’s duties as interim fire chief will include supervising fire rescue staff, providing oversight and directing the implementation of internal operations, managing expenditures to the approved annual budget, developing goals and objectives, and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
Harrison has served during numerous disasters, both natural and man-made. He served during local hurricane disasters for Hurricanes Opal, Ivan, Dennis and Sally. Additionally, he served deployments during the aftermath of Hurricanes Charley, Katrina, Michael, and Ian, and provided on-scene assistance following the NAS Pensacola terrorist attack on December 6, 2019.
Harrison has served on numerous teams with ECFR, including as the Urban Search and Rescue Task Force leader during deployments and as the Fireground Survival and Rapid Intervention Team instructor. He also has served as an instructor for USAR and live fire training.
Hot Temps Again Wednesday Nearing 100 Degrees
August 2, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. North wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 76. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 109. Light southeast wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. South wind around 5 mph.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 78. Southwest wind around 10 mph.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. West wind around 10 mph.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly clear, with a low around 76. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 96.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 77.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 96.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly clear, with a low around 76.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Chance of precipitation is 70%
VA Pensacola Hosting PACT Act Summer VetFest For Veterans And Families
August 2, 2023
On August 4, VA Pensacola will host a Summer VetFest to inform veterans, their families, and survivors about the PACT Act and encourage them to apply for the health care and benefits they have earned.
The event will be a casual summer gathering featuring veterans, their families, veteran advocates, and the VA health care and benefits professionals who serve them.
The event will take place Friday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Pensacola VA Clinic at 790 Veterans Way in Pensacola.
VA staff will be ready to help Veterans apply for PACT Act-related benefits (or submit an intent to file), enroll in VA health care, get screened for toxic exposures, and more. There will also be music and food for all those who attend.
Most Veterans who file by August 9 will have their benefits, if granted, backdated to Aug. 10, 2022, the day that President Biden signed the bill into law.
Despite Two Conine Homers, Wahoos Fall To Shuckers In 10
August 2, 2023
Griffin Conine had already homered twice Tuesday when the Biloxi Shuckers chose to pitch to him in the ninth inning.
With Blue Wahoos teammate Jacob Berry on second base, Conine just missed hitting the trifecta for a dramatic walk-off win.
Instead, that final out caught at the base of the center field wall became defining when the Blue Wahoos lost a battle of the bullpens in a 9-6, extra inning loss against the Shuckers to open their series at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Blue Wahoos reliever and save leader Jefry Yan, who closed out three wins last week against the Mississippi Braves, struggled in the 10th. He gave up a go-ahead, run-scoring single against first batter Isaac Collins, then a two-run homer against Wes Clarke to seal the Shuckers win.
The game began three hours earlier with Eury Pérez on the mound for the Blue Wahoos in potentially his final time in Pensacola.
The first two innings were vintage Pérez. The Miami Marlins rookie star struck out six batters in two innings. But he ran into problems when the Shuckers struck for three runs off four hits in five batters in the third inning.
Pérez ended that inning without more damage. He struck out the only batter he faced in the fourth inning before being replaced, receiving a loud ovation from the crowd. He ended his night throwing 63 pitches, 43 for strikes, recording seven strikeouts, one walk and three earned runs.
Conine’s first homer in the second inning, followed by a Cody Morissette triple, led to a 2-0 lead that the Shuckers erased. Berry, the Marlins’ top draft pick in 2022 from LSU, tied the game with his RBI single in his first game in Pensacola.
The Blue Wahoos then took a 6-3 lead in the fifth inning. Victor Mesa Jr. had an RBI single and Conine blasted his second home run – a two-run bomb, giving him 17 for the season.
The Shuckers tied the game in the sixth inning against Blue Wahoos reliever Dylan Bice, which led to the late-game drama. With their win, the Shuckers took a 10-9 lead in the season-long matchup.
Prior to the start of Tuesday’s game, the Blue Wahoos honored Shirley Studer, the 98-year-old mother of Blue Wahoos owner Quint Studer, who passed away last week. There were video tributes to Mrs. Studer, along with a moment of silence. A video of Mrs. Studer singing “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” was played during the seventh-inning stretch.
She was among the Blue Wahoos’ most devoted fans, faithfully listening to radio broadcasts of each game since the team’s inaugural season.
Also in pregame, the Blue Wahoos saluted the Pace High softball team for reaching the Class 6A state title game and advancing three consecutive years to the state final four. The Patriots’ head coach Lexi Worrell threw out a first pitch as the players were behind home plate.
The series with Biloxi continues Wednesday.
by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
‘Armed And Dangerous’ Homicide Suspect Wanted By Atmore Police
August 1, 2023
The Atmore Police Department is searching for a homicide suspect that they say should be considered armed and dangerous.
Arrest warrants have been issued for 19-year old Antonio LeMarcus Pettaway II of Mobile.
Atmore Police said Pettaway is wanted for the death of a driver July 25 on Brooks Lane in Atmore. Police responded to a traffic collision to find that the driver had been shot. The male was transported to Atmore Community Hospital where he died a short time later.
Atmore Police Sgt. Darrell McMann said anyone that sees Pettaway should not approach him and should call 911 immediately.
“He may possibly be in the Mobile area,” McMann said.
Cantonment Man Sentenced To Federal Prison On Firearm And Drug Charges
August 1, 2023
A Cantonment man has been sentenced to federal prison on firearm and drug charges.
Foster Darnell Johnson, Sr., 37, was sentenced to eight years for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and for possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, hydrocodone, and large volumes of marijuana.
During the early morning hours of August 13, 2022, Johnson returned home with his wife from an evening of drinking.
A domestic dispute ensued, and Johnson fired a pistol down the hallway of the second story of the residence where three minor children had been sleeping. Johnson then entered one of the minor children’s bedrooms with the pistol, at which point his wife dialed 911, in fear of her and her children’s lives.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the residence and secured a search warrant.
During the search of the residence, law enforcement discovered two shotguns, one of which was an AR-style shotgun, co-located with over 18 pounds of marijuana, crack cocaine, hydrocodone, digital scales, and plastic baggies, in Johnson’s bedroom.
Deputies also located the pistol used during the domestic violence incident, the discharged casing, and a “significant volume” of ammunition.
Johnson was a prior convicted felon, had two previous convictions of battery domestic violence, and was prohibited from possessing firearms.
Johnson’s imprisonment will be followed by three years of supervised release during which he will be required to participate in anger management and domestic violence counseling.
“Removing firearms from the hands of violent felons, here an intoxicated drug trafficker who had twice been convicted of domestic battery, undoubtedly makes our community safer,” said United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida Jason R. Coody. “The deputies of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office are to be commended for their swift response to this volatile situation. With their dedicated efforts, we remain committed to fighting violent crime and holding criminals accountable for their conduct.”
The ATF was also involved in the investigation.
Escambia Schools Have Just 47 Open Teacher Positions
August 1, 2023
The first day of school is less than two weeks away, and the Escambia County school district says they are in good shape on teacher hiring.
With classes beginning on August 10, there are just 47 teacher positions open in the Escambia County Public Schools. Administrators say they’re confident those remaining positions would be filled by the time students return to the classroom.
At the end of the last school year, ECPS projected they would need to fill 340 teacher vacancies before the end of the summer.
“Our hiring process is ongoing and robust,” said Melia Adams, director of Human Resource Services for ECPS, adding “we have a strong pool of substitute teachers ready to step in as needed to fill any remaining vacancies.”
The district is also filling vacant bus driver positions, even as many school districts across the state and nation struggle to do so.
Darlene Hart, director of Transportation for ECPS, said last week that the district had just 11 routes without drivers.
People from the community as well as people in other positions throughout the district are helping us to make sure that students are transported to school,” she said. “On the first day of school, we’re going to be covered.”
Affidavit Details Allegations Against Cantonment Woman Arrested For Impersonating FDLE Agent
August 1, 2023
A Cantonment woman has been charged with impersonating a Florida Department of Law Enforcement Office, and agents say there may be more victims.
FDLE agents arrested 35-year old Bobbie Lei Sales of Novak Road on one felony count of falsely impersonating a police officer.
According to a FDLE warrant affidavit obtained by NorthEscambia.com, FDLE said Sales went to a residence on Pauline Street in Cantonment in May wearing a gun on her right hip with a silver badge on the other that said “FDLE”. The resident told investigators that Sales stood with her hand on the firearm, advising that she was watching the house.
“Sales then advised (the victim) that his house was going to be raided in one week and that she was coming inside to find out what he does for a living,” an FDLE arrest warrant affidavit states. “Sales then accused him of being a drug dealer and told (the victime) she was going to get him shut down.”
The victim called FDLE the following more to report the situation, leading to the investigation and arrest.
Last year, Sales went to the FDLE Pensacola Regional Operations Center and provided a special agent with six different addresses and narcotics related information, the report states. FDLE conducted “several hours of surveillance in the areas” and found no evidence of narcotics activity.
In June 2023, an FDLE agent received a call from a local car dealership service department reporting that Bobbie Hazelbaker, later positively identified as Bobbe Lei Sales, brought her Tahoe in for service and stated that she worked for FDLE. The car dealership employee is a former law enforcement officer. The employee asked if she knew a certain current FDLE employee, but she stated she did not.
The employee “said that Sales asked him to remove her tag from the vehicle while it was there and to check it for tracking devices”.
Sales was not charged with the incident at the car dealership, but it was noted in the warrant affidavit.
FDLE said the agency believes there could be more victims. Anyone that may have been approached by Sales identifying herself as a law enforcement officer is asked to contact FDLE in Pensacola at (800) 226-8574.