Beulah Master Plan Open House Set For August 24
August 10, 2023
District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh will host a Beulah Master Play Plan open house on August 24.
During the open house, staff will showcase a presentation for the Beulah Master Plan and discuss methodology for the plan. Attendees will be able to participate in a question-and-answer session following the presentation. Comment forms will be available at the door.
The open house will take place from 6-7 p.m. at Beulah Middle School, 6001 West Nine Mile Road.
The Beulah Master Plan is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Treasury under the RESTORE Act program
Man Beaten By Angry Mob Following Fatal Pedestrian Crash In Atmore Has Died
August 10, 2023
The man beaten by an angry mob following a fatal pedestrian crash last weekend in Atmore had died.
Authorities confirmed Wednesday night that 45-year old Kenneth Elbert Harrison of Silverhill, Alabama, passed away.
Alabama State Troopers said Harrison was driving a 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe that struck 24-year old Hannah Annette Martin on Highway 31 at The Tavern of Atmore about 11:50 p.m. Saturday. The Atmore Police Department said they arrived to find Martin with severe injuries. She was transported to the hospital where she was pronounced deceased
Following the crash, APD said Harrison was assaulted by an unknown number of people in the parking lot and was found severely injured and transported by helicopter to a trauma center.
Alabama troopers are continuing to investigate the crash, and the Atmore Police Department is investigating the homicide.
File photo.
Century Property Values Up $5.2 Million; Tax Increase Of 290% Proposed. But That’s Not As Much As It Sounds, Town Says
August 10, 2023
Property values are up over $5 million in Century over the past year, which will lead to increased revenues for the town at the same property tax rate, according to Mayor Ben Boutwell. A proposed tax increase of 290% is on the table, but that’s not as much as it sounds, according to the town.
The town says property values increased $5.2 million — from about $49.5 million last tax year to $54.7 million this year.
“We expect property values to continue to increase year over year. As areas to our south are moving north, we are preparing our infrastructure for future growth,” Mayor Ben Boutwell said, adding that’s good for Century and for the property owners.
Boutwell said the town’s millage rate for the upcoming fiscal year will hold steady at 0.9204 mills for the eight consecutive year, and that will generate extra revenue for the town due to the increased property values.
According to the state, the steady property tax rate is a 290.66% increase over the rolled back rate of 0.3657. The rolled back rate is a computed millage rate that would generate the same amount of ad valorem tax dollars as the prior fiscal year, based on the proposed year’s tax roll, excluding new construction. 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.
Even so, according to the town, the individual burden won’t be as bad as 290.66% sounds. That’s because only a small portion of a resident’s property tax bill is for the Town of Century.
Last year, the town generated $45,399 in property tax. This next fiscal year the combined tax burden divided total for all residents is expected to be $50,307 — an increase of $4,908.
Boutwell said the additional revenue will be used to improve streets — such as pothole repairs — and enhance other areas of the town.
The property tax rate must still be approved by the town council during a future meeting.
Blue Wahoos, Lookouts Rained Out In Chattanooga
August 10, 2023
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Chattanooga Lookouts saw their Wednesday contest at AT&T Field postponed due to rain. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader Thursday. Thursday’s regularly scheduled game will be played approximately a half hour after the completion of game one.
$1.58 Billion Mega Millions Ticket Sold In Florida
August 9, 2023
One ticket sold in Florida was the sole winner of Tuesday night’s $1.58 billion Mega Millions drawing.
The jackpot winning quick pick ticket was sold at a Publix in Neptune Beach in the Jacksonville area. The jackpot prize winner has the option of receiving their winnings in 30 annual installments or as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $783.3 million.
The winning numbers for the August 8 drawing were 13-19-20-32-33 and the Mega Ball was 14.
The retailer will receive a $100,000 bonus commission for selling the winning ticket.
In addition to the jackpot prize, Tuesday’s drawing also produced one $2 million Florida winner from a ticket matching all 5-of-5 white balls. The $2 million winning ticket was purchased at Kwik Stop in Hollywood.
Two People Found Dead In Murder-Suicide At Cantonment Home
August 9, 2023
An investigation is underway after two people were found shot to death in a murder-suicide Tuesday night in Cantonment.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office were called to a shots fired disturbance at 10:09 p.m. on Joshua Drive in the Bristol Parka area off County Road 97.
A man and woman were found deceased inside the home, and the ECSO says it has been ruled as a murder suicide.
Additional details, including names, have not been released.
Century Man Charged With ‘Beating’ The Mother Of His Child, ECSO Says
August 9, 2023
A Century man is charged with allegedly beating the mother of his child.
Jayden Constatine Jackson, 20, was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment, and witness tampering.
The Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office responded to Atmore Community Hospital where the victim stated that she was spending the night with Jackson because they were trying to work things out. Jackson went through her phone and saw a picture of someone else and began beating her, according to an arrest report.
The victim told deputies that Jackson hit her with his fist and torch lighter before hitting her with a tall fan until it broke, the report states. He then allegedly held the lighter to the back of her neck. She stated he then held her in a corner by the bed and would not let her leave, and when tried to call 911, he took her phone.
“Jackson stated that if she told the police, he would kill her,” the ECSO report states.
Deputies said the victim suffered a black eye, cuts and bruises, and had a red mark on the back of her neck.
The alleged incident occurred on Backwoods Road in Century.
Jackson was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $25,000 bond.
Century Holds Budget Meeting; Talks Employee Raises, Department Needs
August 9, 2023
The Century Town Council held their first budget workshop Tuesday evening to plan their spending for the next fiscal year.
Employee expenses — salaries and benefits like health insurance — make up the largest single chunk of the budget. The town doesn’t know what health insurance will cost, but they will know soon from their insurance agent. The town is looking at mandated raises for any impacted employees as the minimum wage in Florida rises to $12 an hour on September 30.
Cost of living raises are also proposed for employees. Council president Luis Gomez, Jr. said the town should consider proactively making new hires as at least three current employees are over age 60 and could retire at any time.
Department heads have also submitted their proposals for departments including streets, water, gas and administration.
The council plans to hold a workshop in two weeks to review a draft budget before they begin the final approval and tax rate process.
The town’s new fiscal year begins on October 1.
Council members Alicia Johnson and Dynette Lewis did not attend Tuesday’s workshop meeting, while Gomez, Shelisa Abraham and Sandra McMurray-Jackson were present. Accountant Robert Hudson and Mayor Ben Boutwell participated by phone.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Reminder: This Route To Several North Escambia Schools Is Closed For Bridge Replacement
August 9, 2023
With the first day of school on Thursday, drivers are being reminded of a bridge closure on the primary route for many to reach several North Escambia schools.
Highway 4 is closed between Byrneville and Bratt to replace the Highway 4 bridge over Canoe Creek, potentially slowing traffic with a detour for drivers headed to Northview High, Ernest Ward Middle, Byrneville Elementary and Bratt Elementary schools.
Byrneville Elementary has added a bus stop in Bratt for families that live on the west side of the bridge; contact the school for more specific information.
The Florida Department of Transportation said the detour is expected to be in place for nearly a year for the $3,837,105 project to replace the structurally deficient bridge The bridge and roadway are owned by Escambia County, but the work will be done under a locally funded agreement with FDOT.
A 330-day detour is planned from Highway 4 to Bratt Road (the eastern end of Bratt Road closer to Century) to Pine Barren Road, to Highway 4 (near Northview High School).
The portion of Highway 4 closed since July 10 is 4.14 miles; the detour will be 5.67 miles. The average daily traffic count is 1,800 vehicles per day.
The bridge constructed in 1942 is 225 feet long and has wood supports, some of which were failing and were later reinforced with steel.
A smaller Highway 4 bridge located just to the east of the Canoe Creek bridge is not set for replacement at this time.
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NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Lane Closure On Pine Forest Southbound Near I-10 Through Friday
August 9, 2023
The southbound outside lane of Pine Forest Road will be closed just north of I-10 Wednesday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. for “power pole activities”, according to the Florida Department of Transporation.
The closure will be near 8600 Pine Forest Road at the new development just north of the interstate.