Prosecutors Seek Witness As Ladarius Clardy Homicide Trial Set To Begin
July 15, 2023
Jury selection is set to being Monday in the July 2021 murder of 18-year old Ladarius Clardy, and the State Attorney’s Office is attempting to locate a witness in the case.
Clardy, a former standout Pine Forest High School quarterback, was found shot dead in a vehicle crash about 1 a.m. on July 1, 2021. His vehicle was found with over 50 bullet holes in a ravine. Authorities say the murder was a case of mistaken identity.
Jury selection begins Monday in the case against Da’Quavion Snowden, 23, one of two charged with Clardy’s murder.
The Office of the State Attorney said they are attempting to locate Zityra Terrell, also known as Zityra Robbins, who was a witness in the homicide. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call State Attorney Investigator Wright at (850) 200-6903.
Da’Quavion Snowden’s brother Amos Dehontiquan Snowden, Jr. is awaiting trial and is due back in court in late September.
Charges in the case were dropped against Timothy Donaill Knight, Terrell Taquez Parker and Kobie Lashun Jenkins, Jr. due to a lack of evidence.
Boil Water Notice Lifted For Parts Of Highway 99 And On Molino Road
July 15, 2023
THIS BOIL WATER NOTICE WAS LIFTED THE NIGHT OF JULY 16 FOLLOWING CLEAR SAMPLES.
Molino Utilities has issued a precautionary boil water notice following the repair of broken water main.
The notice is in effect until further notice for Molino Utilities customers on Highway 99 from Haupert Lane south of Highway 196, and Molino Road from the 5500 to 7200 block including Lula Road.
The utility is advising, as a precaution, that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative bottled water may be used.
This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
For any additional information, contact the utility at (850) 587-5538.
Cottage Hill Water Works Lifts Boil Water Notice For Cedar Tree Lane
July 15, 2023
UPDATE: THIS BOIL WATER NOTICE WAS LIFTED MONDAY, JULY 17.
A precautionary boil water notice has been issued for Cottage Hill Water Works customers in the 500-1200 blocks of Cedar Tree Lane
The boil water notice was issued following a water main break.
The utility is advising, as a precaution, that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative bottled water may be used.
This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
The boil water notice was issued following a water main break.
This story will be updated when the advisory has been lifted.
ECSO Locates Missing 1-Year Old
July 15, 2023
UPDATE: Rashell Tally Pitsikoulis has been safely located.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a missing 1-year old.
Rashell Tally Pitsikoulis was last seen Friday in the 6800 block of Kitty Hawk Drive. She was last seen with her mother, Crystal Mathism and grandfather, Paul Mitchell, according to the ECSO. They may possibly be headed to Tallahassee in a 2021 white Ford Expedition with Florida tag NJX6K.
Anyone with information is asked to call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
Well-Rested Wahoos Beat Barons 8-3
July 15, 2023
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos didn’t miss a beat after their four-day All-Star Break, returning to action as sharp as ever in an 8-3 win over the Birmingham Barons on Friday night.
Patrick Monteverde turned in another great start with only one earned run in 5.1 innings, Victor Mesa Jr. drove in three with a homer and an RBI double, and Troy Johnston added to his league-leading RBI total with a pair of clutch hits in the final two innings.
The Blue Wahoos took a 1-0 lead in the third when Victor Mesa Jr. lined an RBI double over the head of Barons left fielder Luis Mieses, scoring Norel González from first base. The Barons tied the game 1-1 in the bottom of the fifth when a dropped pop-up was followed by an RBI single from Bryan Ramos.
In the sixth, Mesa put the Blue Wahoos in front again with a solo homer to right field. Monteverde departed after 5.1 innings with a man on third base, and Cristian Charle (W, 5-2) let in the inherited runner with a sacrifice fly from Yoelqui Cespedes to tie the game 2-2.
In the eighth, Dalvy Rosario led off with a double against Andrew Perez (L, 1-3). With two outs, Johnston hit a grounder deep in the hole at second base that Jose Rodriguez threw away for an RBI single to put Pensacola ahead 3-2. Will Banfield followed with a deep fly to center that Terrell Tatum lost in the night sky, allowing the Blue Wahoos catcher to reach third on an RBI triple.
Penascola added four insurance runs in the ninth on a Mesa RBI groundout and a Johnston three-run double to stretch their lead to 8-3. Johnston now has a league-leading 70 RBI on the season.
Zack McCambley recorded the final three outs in the ninth to lock down the series-opening win.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Barons on Saturday.
written by Bll Vilona
Officials Say $500 Million Roof Replacement ‘Community Alert’ Mailer Is A Scam
July 15, 2023
An investigation has been launched, and Escambia County officials are warning resident that a “Community Alert” about a $500 million roofing program is a scam.
NorthEscambia.com received multiple reports that residents across the North Escambia area received the letter advising that up to $75,000 was available for a new roof.
Escambia County says it is a scam, and “residents are urged not to call or give sensitive information over the phone”.
“They tell you when you call that it’s a ‘county approved’ program,” Rep. Michelle Salzman said. “It is predatory lending~ trying to get you to finance a new roof or windows in your home. Please share the word not to fall into the financing trap.”
NorthEscambia.com called the number, and the representative quickly hung up on us.
Anyone that received the letter and contacted the number is urged to contact the Florida Office of Financial Regulation at (813) 218-5308.
There is an Escambia County program that can help residents with their roof, if they meet income guidelines and live with a designated Community Development Area (CRA) in portions of the Cantonment, Ensley, Palafox, Atwood, Barrancas, Brownsville Englewood, Oakfield or Warrington areas.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
‘That Country Way Of Life’ — Residents Unite In Battle Against Big Molino Development
July 14, 2023
“Dirt bikes. Chickens crowing. Fireworks going off. Baby shower, big booms. I can hear it now…What they’re going to do is they are going to try to change our way of life, the way we live up there because now they’re city folk. We making a city out of Molino.”
That’s what Molino resident Kelly Rogers (pictured above) said would be the complaints if thousands of people moved to a planned massive development in Molino.
“They don’t have the right to come change the way I live,” she told the Escambia County Planning Board Thursday afternoon. “Because my chickens are going to crow. My kids are going to ride dirt bikes. We’re going to ride horses down the road. We’re going to do that country way of life, and they aren’t going to change it.”
The board denied Exit 3 Investment’s Escambia County Sector Plan opt-out applications, while the investment company withdrew all rezoning requests.
The Woodland Park development, once completed, would have had thousands of homes and nearly 100 acres of commercial development in a 1,500 acre area to the south and west of Highway 196 and Highway 29.
Residents from Molino, Cantonment and beyond packed a standing room only meeting room Thursday united against the growth. Only one person submitted a form indicating that they were in favor of the development.
One after another, they told the board how they opposed Woodland Park and how it was simply just incompatible with the rural, agricultural area.
The owner of the Homestead Lounge and Package on Highway 97 joined them with concerns that a proposed school would legally be too close to his bar, while speakers from the local gun range said nearby residents would create a safety hazard and residents would complain about noise.
Vernon Prather, president of Molino Utilities for the last two decades, said the development would require perhaps two new water wells and a large elevated storage tank. The cost for the utility, which normally adds just 20 to 30 homes per year, would reach an estimated $9 million.
“I want to thank so many people for being engaged and attending the meeting today, especially regarding the sector plan issue,” District 5 Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry said Thursday night. ” Also, I want to thank each one who has sent an email or called the office. It may have taken a few days, but I believe I’ve responded to each person. I only ask that my concerned friends and neighbors wait to pass judgment on what is going to happen until our board hears the requests on August 3rd.”
On August 3, the Escambia County Commission will receive the section plan opt-out denial recommendation from the planning board and make a final ruling.
After over six hours in Thursday’s meeting, Planning Board Chairman Walker Wilson thanked the applicant and the public for participating.
“This is truly incredible to see this effort by community. Whether you were for it or against it,” he said. “It was great to see your involvement and this and to stick with it all day long. I’d like to thank the applicant for going through this process as well…this is a great showing of this community. And I would just like to thank you all for being here and being a part of this process.”
NorthEscambia.com images, click to enlarge.
BBQ Lunch Saturday At Aldersgate Church Will Benefit Needy Molino Kids At Christmas
July 14, 2023
Aldersgate Methodist Church in Molino will hold a pulled pork lunch fundraiser Saturday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
The cost is $8.50 per plate and includes a large pulled pork sandwich, coleslaw, potato chips and a brownie. Plates are available Dine in, carryout or drive through. There will be live bluegrass music and complimentary ice tea for those who dine in, and ice cold bottled water will also be available for $1.
Proceeds will be used to sponsor needy children in the Molino area at Christmas.
The church is located at 6915 North Highway 29 (just south of Highway 97). Enter using the south driveway and exit on the north (follow the signs).
Cantonment Company Honored For Employing Veterans
July 14, 2023
The Florida Department of the American Legion has presented their annual Employer of Veterans award to ESA South (ESA), a service-disabled veteran-owned small business headquartered in Cantonment.
The award recognizes companies that have shown a demonstrated commitment to employ veterans.
According to ESA, nearly one-third of their employees are veterans, and nearly 40% of their hires this year have served in the armed forces.
“This company is maintaining its growth momentum by actively hiring and retaining a cadre of military veterans and in doing so maintains its cutting-edge competitiveness.” said retired Navy commander Brian K. Harris, PE, ESA’s director of contract compliance,. “In addition to the company’s active employment of veterans and its VA project support, ESA enjoys giving back to the community by generously supporting charitable organizations such the Gulf Coast Kid’s House, Health and Hope Clinic, Children’s Home Society of Florida, Pace Center for Girls, Habitat for Humanity, Wreaths Across America, The American Legion, and the Society of American Military Engineers.”
Founded in 1999, ESA has a nationwide workforce and offices in California, Washington, Missouri, Texas, and Florida. Primarily focused on vertical construction, disaster response and recovery, and demolition and abatement of hazardous materials-ESA has worked extensively throughout the country completing numerous with a contract value up to $50 million dollars for various federal agencies and private sector clients.
ESA is located on Success Drive in the Central Commerce Park.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
“It’s The Little Details” – Century Amends Council Meeting Notices
July 14, 2023
Update: The Town of Century amended their amended council meeting notice following the publication of this story to include a large “2023″ above the list.
It’s the little details — the Town of Century on Thursday emailed an updated public notice for this year’s town council meetings, eight days after a meeting has halted due to an improper public notice.
NorthEscambia.com questioned the meeting public notice or the July 5 meeting posted by the town because it lacked a meeting time. We had documented that meeting times had not been noticed for six months. Florida’s attorney general says every meeting, each and every one, must be noticed with date, time and place.
The meeting schedule public notice email Thursday by Town Clerk Leslie Howington noted the meeting month and day and added times. One detail, the year, was removed from the new notice.
A quote below Howington’s email signature from UCLA basketball Coach John Wooden stated, “It’s the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen.”
Pictured: A public notice outside the Century Town Hall. NorthEscambiac.com file photo, click to enlarge.