Cantonment Man Accused Of Stealing Wire; GPS Leads Deputies To His Yard
June 15, 2023
A Cantonment man is accused of stealing wire from a local business before later taking it to his own house — with a GPS unit attached.
Brian Phillip Avirett, 33, was charged with multiple counts including burglary, grand theft and criminal mischief.
On May 18, Avirett allegedly entered a secured fenced area at a business on Stone Boulevard in Cantonment and stole copper and aluminum shielded wiring and bare wire that was stored in crates, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The ECSO said he returned and stole more wire on June 7.
On June 11, the company received a GPS alert from a device that was attached to the wire. The GPS signal led deputies to Avirett’s home on Pace Parkway where they found the wire in a burn barrel with the GPS device still attached, an arrest report states. Deputies said additional wiring and cable was located on the property.
Avirett told deputies that the wire was brought to his home by a person known only as “Heath” who lives in a tent near the Cantonment ballpark. Deputies were unable to located “Heath”.
A tattoo on Avirett’s leg matched the tattoo on surveillance video from the original theft, the ECSO said.
He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $21,000 bond.
Jay Man Accused Of Hanging Dead Coyotes On Billboard, Calling Them ‘Yard Decoration’
June 15, 2023
A Jay man is accused of hanging two dead coyotes from a billboard near his home.
Lonnie Michael Hutchinson, 41, was cited for littering and two second degree misdemeanor deer depredation permit violations.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers launched an investigation after receiving a photograph of two coyotes that were killed and hung up by the legs on a billboard on Highway 89 at Dusty Trail in Allentown. An FWC office arrived to find that the freshly killed coyotes were recently cut down and were in the grass below the billboard with rope still around their feet.
FWC said Hutchinson and his wife approached in a golf cart.
“He asked me if I was entertained yet,” the FWC officer wrote in his report. “I asked if he knew why I was there and he replied ‘for the yard decoration’.”
FWC said Hutchinson made conflicting statements about the coyotes, first saying he did it before suggesting that it might be young kids but he could not provide their names. The billboard is located 544 yards from his property and can clearly be seen from his property, officers noted. The photograph also showed “LH” spray painted on the billboard, which matches Hutchinson’s initials, officers said.
He was charged with littering for “leaving and displaying the dead animals on the billboard off of the right of way”.
During the conversation, Hutchinson mentioned that shoots deer on a local farmer’s property. FWC depredation permits “authorize the lethal take of deer causing damage to crops, where less lethal means of control are either ineffective or not feasible,” according to FWC. The permits come with multiple restrictions and are issued only to landowners or authorized lessees of property with agricultural rights.
FWC officers contacted the farmer who stated that Hutchinson sent him a text message stating that he killed three deer and two coyotes.
According to the FWC report, Hutchinson failed to provide officers with a full copy of the deer depredation permit with written landowner permission and failed to report deer taken under the permit.
Pictured: A reader submitted photo shows two dead coyotes hanging from a billboard on Highway 89 near Jay. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Community Health Dental Services In Century Moves To New Location
June 15, 2023
Community Health Northwest Florida in Century has consolidated all pediatric and adult dental services and is now seeing both adults and children in a single location.
Dental services were moved from 501 Church Street to the Adult & Family Care location at 6021 Industrial Boulevard. CHNWF said the former dental space on Church Street will allow for additional exam rooms to care for more pediatric primary care patients.
“CHNWF at Industrial Boulevard boasts several state-of-the-art dental operatories with newer equipment in the bright, modern facility, which both patients and staff appreciate,” said Sena Maddison, Community Health director of communications. “Although children and adults will be seen on separate days, it will be a one stop (dental) shop for families of Century and surrounding areas.”
To schedule a dental appointment at the Community Health Northwest Florida Adult & Family location, call (850) 724-4064, option 2.
Groundbreaking Set For Escambia County’s Newest Boat Ramp
June 15, 2023
UPDATE – The Friday groundbreaking ceremony has been canceled due to weather.
A groundbreaking will be held Friday for Escambia County’s newest boat ramp, the first large public access to Perdido Bay.
The new 40-acre facility at 10836 Lillian Highway is located on Heron Bayou and will include a two-lane boat ramp, 62 parking spaces for vehicles with trailers, 22 parking spaces for vehicles without trailers, and a stormwater treatment facility. In addition, a new channel measuring at 2,260 feet long by 40 feet wide and a depth of five feet will be dredged from the launch facility to Perdido Bay.
Additional passive recreational opportunities include a landing area along the Perdido paddling trail with two primitive campsites and 11 acres of wetlands placed into conservation.
In 2013, the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners funded the acquisition of the Perdido Boat Ramp property for $1.24 million through Local Option Sales Tax III. Project design was paid through a grant from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Vessel Registration Fees. The $4.2 million needed for construction is funded through U.S. Treasury RESTORE Direct Component funds, American Rescue Plan Act funds and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Natural Resource Damage Assessment Coastal Protection Fund.
The groundbreaking will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday.
NEP 10U Gold Wins All-Star Tourney; NEP 10U Blue Takes Second
June 15, 2023
NEP 10U Gold softball took first place and NEP 10U Blue softball finished in second place in the GCGSA All-Star Tournament last weekend.
Kayla Wroblewski was named the 10u Tournament Defensive Player MVP.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Win In 10 Over Braves
June 15, 2023
The Blue Wahoos checked off the lone void so far in their stellar season.
They won their first extra-inning game. And did it dramatically, of course.
Catcher Will Banfield worked a full count with the bases loaded, then completed a big night by launching a deep fly to center field for a sacrifice fly that scored Troy Johnson with the winning run in the Blue Wahoos’ 5-4 victory in 10 innings against the Mississippi Braves.
Earlier in the game he blasted a 3-run homer.
The Blue Wahoos had a 4-3 lead in the ninth and were one out and no base runners from finishing the game. But reliever Jefry Yan gave up a walk, a double and single. Griffin Conine, however, made a saving throw from right field to thwart Beau Philip from scoring the go-ahead run.
Yan was then strong in the 10th inning. With a runner placed a second in the extra-inning format, he struck out Jesse Franklin, got a short flyball that J.D. Orr rushed in to grab, then struck on the M-Braves Javier Valdes to end the inning. Yan had the crowd fired up, spinning in a celebratory, emotional dance when he ended the inning.
That lift carried right into the Blue Wahoos at-bat. With Johnston placed at second, Victor Mesa Jr. reached on an infield single. Conine was intentionally walked to load the bases.
Up stepped Banfield, who had a pitch from flamethrowing reliever Kyle Wilcox sail over his head, but bounce right back to prevent Johnston from scoring. Banfield then worked a 3-2 count, fouled off a pitch and connected with the next fastball for a flyball that easily scored Johnston.
With the Biloxi Shuckers rained out Wednesday in Montgomery, the Blue Wahoos (36-22) are now 6.5 games ahead of the Shuckers – the nearest team chasing – in the race for the Southern League first half title.
The M-Braves took a 2-0 lead in the second inning with a pair of solo home runs off Blue Wahoos starter M.D. Johnson.
In the bottom of the second, Mesa Jr. singled and Conine singled, then Banfield blasted for a 3-2 lead. The Blue Wahoos made it 4-2 when Cody Morissette scored on a wild pitch in the third inning.
The Blue Wahoos got strong relief from Austin Roberts and Dylan Bice, who combined for four innings and just one run allowed. That set up the riveting ending.
The Blue Wahoos will have their top pitcher, Patrick Monteverde (6-1, 2.09) on the mound Thursday against the M-Braves’ Scott Blewett (2-3, 4.43).
by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
PSC Approves FPL Rate Decrease Beginning With July Bills
June 14, 2023
Florida Power & Light customers could soon see a rate reduction on their electric bills due to lower than expected natural gas costs.
Tuesday, the Florida Public Service Commission approved an additional $359 million reduction to FPL’s 2023 fuel costs.
A reduction of approximately $256 million will be applied to customer bills from July to December 2023. The remaining $103 million reduction will be applied to FPL’s 2024 fuel cost recovery factors.
Beginning in July, an FPL residential customer bill in Northwest Florida for a typical 1,000 kWh usage will decrease $3.95 from $158.86 to $154.91.
“We are committed to keeping bills as low as possible for our customers,” Armando Pimentel, president and CEO of FPL, said. “With fuel prices moderating, we are pleased to pass along additional savings to our customers. We also encourage our customers to use FPL’s free tools to save energy and make their bills even lower.”
Utilities do not earn a profit on fuel charges. The fuel and capacity cost component of customers’ bills is set for each calendar year, but mid-course corrections are used when a utility’s costs increase or decrease significantly in the interim.
IP To Award $63,000 In Grants To Local Nonprofits. Here’s How To Apply.
June 14, 2023
The International Paper Pensacola Mill has announced that it will be awarding a total of $63,000 in foundation grants to non-profit organizations in 2023.
International Paper Pensacola Mill recognizes the vital role non-profit organizations play in addressing critical needs within the local communities. Through these grants, organizations will be able to fund new projects and programs that align with IP’s signature causes and have a positive impact on the lives of individuals.
To apply for these grants, non-profit organizations are invited to submit their applications until Tuesday, July 11. Interested parties can access the application form at www.ipgiving.com.
“International Paper grants are a powerful way for us to make a meaningful difference in our community,” said Whitney Fike, regional communications manager. “We are committed to supporting organizations that share our vision of creating positive change and improving the lives of individuals.”
The International Paper Foundation focuses on making sustainable investments that address critical needs in the communities where its employees live and work. Grants are awarded based on signature causes.
Signature causes include:
- Education – Programs focused on helping children succeed via a comprehensive approach to education. Priority is given to literacy programs from birth through 3rd grade.
- Hunger – Programs dedicated to improving food security throughout our communities.
- Health & Wellness – Programs that promote healthy living habits.
- Disaster Relief – Programs that help communities prepare for and recover from natural disasters.
Funding also is available to address environmental initiatives (forests, water and air), employee involvement grants and other critical community needs.
Applicants must be a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or qualifying federal entity to apply for a grant. To be considered, organizations must have a program that addresses critical community needs and have measurable objectives to demonstrate impact.
For more information about grant guidelines, contact Fike at whitney.fike@ipaper.com or call (850) 968-3076.
Man Charged With Battery On Girlfriend After Cantonment Disturbance
June 14, 2023
An Atmore man has been charged in connection with Cantonment disturbance involving his girlfriend.
Andrew Hank Stabler, 30, was charged with battery and felony criminal mischief.
On Sunday, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a disturbance at the Circle K on Highway 29 at West Roberts Road. The victim told deputies that she became involved in an argument with Stabler, her boyfriend, at an unknown address on Frank Ard Road. She said she agreed to give him a ride to his residence off Copper Ridge Drive.
The victim said Stabler began to use his fist and head to hit the dashboard and radio in the vehicle, a 2019 Dodge Charger, before grabbing her back the neck and telling her “he was going to kill her while she was driving”, according to an arrest report.
The damage to the vehicle dash and radio was estimated at $1,500.
Stabler denied striking the victim, instead telling deputies that the victim hit him in the face, and he denied damaging the vehicle ,the report states.
When deputies contacted Stabler at his residence, he had a laceration above his right eye and on his hand near his knuckles, injuries that were “consistent with the damage that was done to the vehicle”, according to an arrest report.
Stabler was released from jail Tuesday night on a $3,000 bond.
Plan Ahead: Most Government Offices Closed Monday For Juneteenth
June 14, 2023
Most Escambia County offices and facilities and Century offices will be closed Monday in observance of the federal Juneteenth holiday.
TOWN OF CENTURY
All Town of Century offices will be closed.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
The following Escambia County offices will be closed on June 19, 2023.
Escambia County Board of County Commissioners - all departments including:
- West Florida Public Libraries (all locations)
- Escambia County Property Appraiser
- Escambia County Tax Collector
- Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare
- Escambia County Supervisor of Elections
- Escambia County Extension Office
- Waste Services Administration
- ECAT administrative offices
Open On Monday/Exceptions
- ECAT will run current weekday service Monday, June 19. UWF trolleys will not run. Regular service will resume Tuesday, June 20.
- The Clerk’s Official Records, Finance, Treasury and Clerk to the Board offices located at 221 Palafox Place will be closed. The Clerk’s Century office located at 7500 N. Century Blvd. will also be closed. All other Clerk’s offices located at the MC Blanchard Judicial Building, Theodore Bruno Juvenile Building and Public Records Center will be open.
- The Perdido Landfill will be open with regular hours Monday, June 19.