DeSantis Awards $144 Million To Century, Escambia County, Pensacola, Jay For Hurricane Sally
July 12, 2023
Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis awarded $144 million to the Town of Century, Escambia County, City of Pensacola and Town of Jay for Hurricane Sally impacts through the Florida Department of Commerce’s Rebuild Florida program. Rebuild Florida provides funding for local governments to strategically rebuild homes and harden infrastructure to prevent or mitigate losses from future disasters through multiple avenues.
“Governor Ron DeSantis continues to make good on his promise to support Northwest Florida communities with vital resources to recover from the damage caused by Hurricane Sally,” said Senator Doug Broxson. “Today’s awards will go a very long way to get people back in their homes and build up vital infrastructure to strengthen Northwest Florida’s resiliency in the face of future storms.”
The Rebuild Florida Infrastructure Repair Program
The Rebuild Florida Infrastructure Repair Program provides funding for local governments to strategically rebuild and harden infrastructure in order to prevent or mitigate losses from future disasters. Communities will receive awards through the Rebuild Florida Infrastructure Repair Program for Hurricane Sally for the following projects:
- Town of Century ($12,877,137) – to demolish the old Century High School Gym building located on Hecker Road and build a shelter that can also be used as a multi-purpose facility and to make drainage and road improvements at Jefferson Avenue, Freedom Road Bridge and Alger Road Bridge, which were damaged during Hurricane Sally.
- Escambia County ($52,946,768) – to build a new state-of-the-art, energy-efficient and resilient Escambia County Area Transit Center and to make regional stormwater drainage improvements in low- and moderate-income neighborhood
- City of Pensacola ($39,686,539.86) – to facilitate a stormwater infrastructure project at Hollice T. Williams Park to improve water quality and reduce stormwater in the area, to repair infrastructure at the Port of Pensacola, and to repair and improve infrastructure at the Fricker Center.
- Town of Jay ($5,479,939) – to build a Community Disaster Response Facility and various infrastructure to support disaster response and recovery following a storm event.
The Rebuild Florida Voluntary Home Buyout Program
The Rebuild Florida Voluntary Home Buyout Program reduces the risk of future property loss and recurrent flooding by funding the purchase and re-purposing of residential properties in high flood-risk areas.
- Escambia County ($3,170,114)
The Rebuild Florida Hometown Revitalization Program
The Rebuild Florida Hometown Revitalization Program is designed to support the recovery of economic activity in commercial areas of communities impacted by Hurricane Sally, facilitating the return and recovery of businesses, jobs, and provision of goods and services to the area. Communities will receive awards through the Rebuild Florida Hometown Revitalization Program for Hurricane Sally for the following projects:
- Escambia County ($5,000,000) – to improve streetscapes and add solar-powered lighting throughout low- to moderate-income areas by installing 80 new Escambia County Area Transit bus shelters and updating 32 Escambia County Area Transit Bus Shelters.
- City of Pensacola ($10,000,000) – to acquire, prepare and rehabilitate a targeted property at West Cervantes and North Pace Boulevard and complete a project at Baptist Hospital.
The Rebuild Florida Housing Repair and Replacement Program (HRRP)
The Rebuild Florida HRRP for Hurricane Sally is designed to provide funding for local governments to rebuild, replace or repair homes that were damaged by Hurricane Sally, helping impacted Floridians return to decent, safe and sanitary homes. Communities will receive awards through the Rebuild Florida Housing Repair and Replacement Program for Hurricane Sally for the following projects:
- Escambia County ($9,000,000)
- City of Pensacola ($5,861,500)
The overall awards announced by DeSantis Wednesday totaled $187 million with funds also going to Panama City.
“My administration has prioritized supporting businesses and communities impacted by hurricanes while they get back on their feet,” said DeSantis. “Today, I am happy to announce $187 million in awards to aid in recovery efforts following Hurricane Sally – an important step in helping Northwest Florida recover.”
Pictured: The old Century High School gym on Hecker Road will be demolished and replaced with a new shelter and multi-purpose facility. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
State Charges Cantonment Woman With Exploitation Of Elderly Person, Credit Card Fraud
July 12, 2023
State authorities recently charged a Cantonment woman with fraud and elderly exploitation for allegedly defrauding an elderly person.
Pamela Suzanne McCann was charged with two counts of felony fraudulent use of credit cards more than two times in six months, and felony exploitation of an elderly person or disabled adult.
According to the Florida Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU), the victim was an 84-year old female suffering from numerous serious age-related illnesses that was confined to a walker and wheelchair until they fell. The victim was admitted to the hospital and rehabilitation faculties.
McCann worked fo a company as a senior care advocate, according to court documents.
The MCFU said McCann was added to the victim’s American Express account and later made thousands of dollars in charges. The agency said McCann was an unauthorized user on a Capital One account belonging to the victim, with McCann’s card totalling $2,443 in charges to McCann’s insurance company, power company, Verizon, restaurants and gas stations.
The victim’s AT&T account reached a balance of $2,317, according to investigators, for 16 devices — five phones and an Apple iPad with McCann as the registered user, five phones registered to McCann’s husband, four wearable devices for which McCann’s husband was the registered user, and one additional iPad with “Apple iPad” as the registered user.
McCann was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $15,000 bond.
Wanted Atmore Man Captured After Fleeing From Police On Bicycle
July 12, 2023
A wanted Atmore man was arrested after allegedly fleeing from police on a bicycle.
According to Atmore Police, 56-year old Gregory Brown was riding a bicycle without lights late at night on Liberty Street. As an officer was checking Brown’s identification, he fled on his bicycle.
Brown was taken into custody a short time later in a nearby wooded area. Officers searched Brown and found a metal straw used to ingest narcotics that contained a white rocky substance that field tested positive for cocaine,” Sgt. Darrell McMann said.
Brown was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and attempting to elude. He also had additional warrants outstanding for theft of property third degree, criminal mischief third degree, and criminal trespassing third degree.
Wednesday morning, Brown remained in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center without bond.
This Is Who Claimed A $28K Fantasy 5 Ticket Sold In Beulah
July 12, 2023
We now know who had a winning Florida Lottery Fantasy 5 ticket sold in Beulah.
The ticket sold at the Publix on Beulah Road at Nine Mile Road was one of two winning tickets in Sunday’s midday drawing and was worth $28,725.68. The other winning ticket was sold in Sarasota.
According to the Florida Lottery, the cash option on the winning ticket was claimed by Lori Lee Stuard of Robertsdale.
Sunday’s midday winning numbers were 4-10-19-23-33.
Free Wi-Fi Now Available On All ECAT Buses
July 12, 2023
Free wi-fi is now available on all Escambia County Area Transit buses.
Commuters can now use their travel time to catch up on work emails, attend virtual meetings or even stream their favorite shows, according to ECAT. Riders will simply need to connect to the network and accept the terms and conditions.
“Providing Wi-Fi on public transit is a game-changer for our commuters,” said Mass Transit Director Rodriquez Kimbrough. “We understand the importance of staying connected and we are committed to providing our riders with the best possible experience.”
Ribbon Cutting Held For New FDLE Regional Operations Center
July 12, 2023
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday to celebrate the opening of the new Pensacola Regional Operations Center (PROC). The new building is named after former FDLE Commissioner James T. Moore, who served in that role from 1988 to 2003.
“This move, one of the most significant such undertakings FDLE has accomplished in its 55-year history, was accomplished both ahead of schedule and under budget. This was made possible because of the support given to FDLE by Florida’s lawmakers and because the FDLE members who, throughout the years, worked to bring this project to fruition,” FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass said.
“This new FDLE facility gives our members the opportunity to continue to be leaders and innovators in our field, and room to grow to better serve the needs of our local and statewide law enforcement partners and the citizens in our communities,” FDLE Pensacola Special Agent in Charge Chris Williams said.
FDLE moved into the new building on Commerce Park Circle in April.
Tate High Graduate Landen George Signs Golf Scholarship With Coastal Alabama
July 12, 2023
Tuesday, Tate High School 2023 graduate Landen George signed a full ride scholarship with Coastal Alabama Community College to further his golf and academic career. He was joined by his family, friends, staff members and future coaches. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pedestrian Hit By Vehicle On North Century Boulevard Has Passed Away; Second Remains Hospitalized
July 11, 2023
One of the two Brewton women struck by vehicles last Thursday night in Century has died, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Both were walking across a North Century Boulevard (Highway 29) construction zone near Rudolph Street, in front of the Vallarta restaurant, about 8:30 p.m.. It is commonplace for restaurant patrons to park across the four-lane highway at an abandoned building and walk across the road.
Both women were airlifted to a Sacred Heart Hospital as “trauma alerts”.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a Chevrolet Silverado driven by a 36-year old Flat Rock, Alabama, man was traveling southbound when he noticed the pedestrians walking across the road. He attempted to swerve and avoid a collision but struck a 34-year old woman from Brewton. She remains hospitalized.
The second pedestrian, a 53-year old Brewton woman, attempted to care for the first pedestrian. She later passed away from her injuries.
Troopers said the driver of a Chevrolet Tahoe, a 71-year old Brewton man, failed to see the second pedestrian.
The crash closed all lanes of North Century Boulevard.
Both drivers and three passengers — ages 1, 7 and 35 — in the pickup were not injured.
For more photos, click or tap here.
The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Flomaton Fire Department, Escambia County EMS, Flomaton MedStar EMS, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Flomaton Police Department, MedStar Air Care helicopter and ShandsCair helicopter responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Wanted Grand Theft Suspect Arrested After Manhunt In Bratt
July 11, 2023
A man wanted on felony warrants was arrested after a search warrant and manhunt in Bratt on Tuesday.
Jimmy Lavon Wiggins was wanted for obstruction of justice and two counts of grand theft, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. He also had three active warrants for previous charges of grand theft and violation of probation.
Officers and K-9s were involved in a search for Wiggins in the area of Still and Rigby roads off Highway 4.
Wiggins was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $8,500.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Development Proposed With Over 2,350 Apartments, 2,000 Home Lots On Nearly 1,500 Acres
July 11, 2023
A St. Petersburg, Florida, investment firm is seeking to construct a large mixed-used development on nearly 1,500 acres in Molino.
The Woodland Park development, once completed, would have 2,356 townhomes and apartments, 2,065 single family lots (50′ x 120′ or 60′ x 130′), nearly 100 acres for commercial development, plus land for a fire station, school and other public uses, according to planning documents. The 1,486 acre development would be located west of Highway 29 and south of Highway 196 in Molino on land already owned by the investment company.
Exit 3 Investments, LLC has multiple applications pending this week before the Escambia County Planning Board as they seek to opt parcels out of the Escambia County Sector Plan and rezone multiple parcels for higher densities.
For the most part, Escambia County Planning staff found that all three rezoning requests are consistent with the comprehensive plan and the county’s land development code.
However, planning staff the proposed amendment to the high density residential (HDR) use is not consistent with the land development code on one side of the property that is next to agricultural zoning. Staff also found that the proposed high density residential zone is not compatible with surrounding uses because that provides for residential neighborhood development with a greater dwelling unit density within urban areas — not adjoining an agriculture zone.
“The land uses or development conditions within the area surrounding the properties are changing as development appears to be moving to the north and west. The development within the area has remained residential large lots with activities that support agricultural uses. Potential uses allowed in HDR would not be compatible with the existing surrounding development patterns,” county staff wrote in their report on the rezoning request on the most northern part of the parcel near Highway 196.
The Escambia County Planning Board will consider the Exit 3 applications for Woodland Park during a public meeting beginning at 8:30 a.m. Thursday at the Escambia County Central Office Complex at 3363 West Park Place in Pensacola.
WOODLAND PARK
Transportation
The applicant states they have an existing agreement with Escambia County for the construction of a roadway to be named Woodland Parkway from an extension of the existing Mathison Road to intersection with a western extension of Quintette Road, which would be funded by the county.
Water and Sewer
The development would be served entirely by Molino Utilities with a backup connection to Cottage Hill Water Works. An on-site water storage facility would be constructed “at some point” to increase pressure for fire protection. Sewer would be provided by ECUA.
Schools
Exit 3 would donate 40 acres to the Escambia County School District for a new K-8 school.
Other Infrastructure
The developer would donate 20 acres to Escambia County for community services such as a fire station, library, storm water facilities, and other public uses as the county sees fit.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.