FloridaWest CEO Scott Luth Stepping Down
February 10, 2023
Scott Luth is stepping down as the CEO of the FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance, telling the board of directors that he is ready for a new challenge.
“When I first came to Pensacola, I saw a lot of opportunity to grow the region,” said Luth. “First with the Chamber and then FloridaWest — I knew with the right team we could make a difference, and we did.”
Luth has agreed to stay on for the next four months to ensure a smooth transition.
I’m so proud of our team and what we’ve accomplished,” said Luth. “We finished our 5-year strategic plan in 4 years and have helped companies like Navy Federal, ST Engineering, Pegasus Labs and Paradigm Parachute grow, add jobs and invest in our region. We have worked tirelessly to better Pensacola and Escambia County for those who live and work here. Now I feel the time is right to look for my next opportunity,” said Luth.
“We thank Scott for his years of service to the region and we wish him well,” said FloridaWest board chair Rick Byars. “We’ll begin a search right away and I’m grateful Scott will stay on for a bit to help with the transition.”
Escambia County Commissioner Lumon May praised Luth and his team’s hard work to compete with other regions to recruit new businesses.
“Economic development is highly competitive and Scott and his team know what it takes to lure business to Pensacola and we have the track record to show it,” said May. “I’m proud of the work they’ve done and pledge to support the organization as they transition.”
The FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance is the economic development organization for Escambia County.
Northview High School Names Students Of The Month
February 10, 2023
Northview High School recently named their Students of the Month for December. They are Colton Criswell and Alysia Enfinger. They are pictured with Principal Michael Sherrill. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Tennis Boys And Girls Open Season With Wins
February 10, 2023
The Tate High School Aggies tennis teams opened their season this week with boys and girls wins over Pensacola High School. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jaran Myles Gets Life In Prison For 2020 Century Shooting Death
February 9, 2023
A second Century man has been sentenced to life in prison for his role in a November 2020 shooting in Century that left one man dead and two others injured.
An Escambia County jury on Wednesday found Jaran Britt Myles guilty of first degree murder for the death of Joseph Christopher Smith but found him not guilty on two counts of aggravated battery for two others that were shot and survived.
Judge John Simon then immediately sentenced Myles to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Myles was sentenced last year to 45 years in state prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and violation of his probation on a 2015 conviction for manslaughter with a firearm. After the November 2020 shooting, deputies arrested Myles at the Liquor Liquor Cabinet on Highway 29 at Old Chemstrand Road in Gonzalez. He attempted to hide a gun on the store shelves. He is awaiting trial on the murder and aggravated battery charges.
Last June, Tacorius Cordale Stallworth was also sentenced to life in prison after he was convicted of first degree murder and two counts of aggravated battery. In addition to the life sentence, Simon also sentenced Stallworth to an additional 15 years in prison to run concurrently for each of the aggravated battery counts. He has since filed an appeal.
Charges of first degree murder and two counts of aggravated battery were previously dropped against E’Monee DeMontae Long in the case. And charges of first degree murder and two counts of aggravated battery against Kiaunna Shane Grice were dismissed in February 2021 due to insufficient evidence.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the shooting about 11:35 p.m. Monday, November 30, 2020, in the 8200 block of Alger Road, just off North Century Boulevard.
The victim, Joseph Christopher Smith, was found shot to death outside a shed near the mobile home. Multiple shell casings were found near the body, in the shed and leading away from the body. The inside of the shed had a couch, several chairs, tables and a lamp. The items were in a state of disarray with the lamp glass shattered.
Two other adult males were sitting near the mobile home when deputies arrived; both had been shot.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Pictured: Deputies look for evidence at the scene of a triple shooting on Alger Road Century the night of November 30, 2020. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Motorcyclist Seriously Injured In Bratt Crash
February 9, 2023
One person was seriously injured in a motorcycle crash Wednesday night in Bratt.
The driver of Kawasaki Ninja was northbound on Still Road just north of Rigby Road when he lost control and crashed, coming to rest on the roadway.
The adult male was transported by Escambia County EMS to Atmore Community Hospital. There were no other vehicles involved.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Approves ‘Conceptual’ Lease With Foreign Manufacturing Company
February 9, 2023
The Town of Century has approved a “conceptual” lease for a town-owned building in their industrial park.
The foreign-owned company will set up their first domestic manufacturing and warehouse distribution facility serving the oil and gas industry in what is commonly known as the Helicopter Technology Building.
The company has agreed to pay the appraised value of the building — $7.833.33 a month or $94,000 annually. The lease will continue for five years with a 3% annual increase beginning in the third year. The company will accept the building “as-is” and pay all utilities, maintenance, insurance and taxes.
The conceptual lease, drafted by the town’s lawyer, will next go to the company for approval before returning for a final town approval. The company hopes to begin warehouse operations by the end of February with a forthcoming expansion into manufacturing.
According to FloridaWest, the company plans to hire five people initially, with a goal of 10 employees by the end of the year with an average salary of $46,570 — the average wage in the Pensacola area.
RELATED: It’s No Secret: Century’s Mayor Says New Industry Will Jump-start Growth
The town re-acquired the industrial building at public auction for less than $1 out of pocket back in August 2009, following the town’s foreclosure judgment against the now defunct Helicopter Technology company. The building has sat empty since then.
Council members and the mayor have met individually with the company and are familiar with their operations and plans. The company’s name is not yet known by the public. Florida law allows economic development discussions to remain private until deals are finalized. That’s to prevent other locales from potentially stealing away businesses, and to keep business competitors in the dark on potential expansion plans.
The FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance is the economic development organization for Escambia County. Most details about the new company and their plans remain confidential during discussions, as is allowed and is standard in economic development in Florida.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Advance To District Title Game With 55-50 Win Over Crestview (With Gallery)
February 9, 2023
The Tate Aggies will face the Gulf Breeze Dolphins for the 6A District 1 basketball championship.
Wednesday night, the No. 2 seed Tate Aggies beat Crestview 55-50 in Cantonment. Crestview held a 35-28 lead at the end of the second period, but the Aggies outscored Crestview in the final two.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Also Wednesday night, No. 1 seed Gulf Breeze Dolphins knocked off Pace 49-41.
Gulf Breeze (21-3) will host Tate (18-4) Friday at 7 p.m. for the district title.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Regional 6A Soccer: Chiles Tops Tate 2-0 In Tallahassee
February 9, 2023
The Chiles Timberwolves defeated the Tate Aggies 2-0 in regional 6A soccer action Wednesday night in Tallahassee.
The Aggies finished their season at No. 2 in District 1 6A with a record of 10-4-3.
On February 11, Chiles will host Niceville and Gulf Breeze will travel to Gainesville as the regional tourney continues.
NorthEscambia.com file photos.
One Injured In Ensley Shooting Wednesday Afternoon
February 9, 2023
One person was shot Wednesday afternoon in Ensley.
The victim suffered a single gunshot wound about 1:15 p.m. at Figland Avenue and Detroit Boulevard. They were transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS with what appeared to be a non-life threatening wound.
At last report, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was continuing their investigation and had not named a suspect.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Century Finds No Garbage Customer Billed Correctly, Some Getting ‘Half Price’ Service
February 9, 2023
No one in the town of Century is being charged the correct rate for garbage service, and some residents are paying twice as much for the very same service.
Everyone has at least the minimum one-can residential service. But different people are paying different rates, according to Town Clerk Leslie Howington, but generally ranging from $12 to $24, and no one is being billed the correct rate of $25.34.
The billing blunders came to light this week when the town council set out to approve a 4.93% , or $1.25, increase , per customer for one weekly pick up of a trash can and twice per month curbside debris pickup of household items and vegetative debris. The town contracts with Republic Services to collect garbage within the town limits. Republic has a provision in their contract that allows them to increase the rates they charge the town each December to match the Consumer Price Index. The town annually passes the rate increase directly along to residents.
But over the last several years, town staff has failed to actually adjust the rates in the billing system, so the town has been losing the revenue while paying Republic more.
Interim town council member Alicia Johnson, who just took office last month, said she is being billed just $14, rather than the correct $25.34. And she is not alone.
So far, there’s not a definitive explanation while some residents are being just charged essentially half price.
“Did the past employees just add the rate increases and ignore the current customers?,” Mayor Ben Boutwell asked Wednesday.
Quick math shows that if the town has 550 garbage customers, revenue should be about $14,000 a month (550 x $25.34). But the town is only billing $8,000 to $9,000.
Boutwell agreed it’s simple elementary school math that should have shown the billing errors long ago.
“It blows me away. These are simple, common sense things to do. I am the mayor, and I’m saying someone has got to take pride in their work,” Boutwell said, clarifying that he was referring to previous administrations and since-departed employees. “We have a totally different administration and staff now.”
Howington and current employees have spent countless hours, sometimes 15 hours a week she says, working to solve the problem.
The mayor added the self-auditing will continue, and customers will see the billing corrected.
“I want to talk to our customers and let them know, some of their garbage bills are about to double to get them to the correct rate,” he said.
“I’m not going to lie. It’s exhausting to keep hitting these walls,” Howington said. “They are going to be right, and we’re going to go up.”
And, he noted, software problems with natural gas billings have also been uncovered and are being investigated.
As for that annual consumer price index increase of about 5%, that $1.25 is still on the table, with the council set to vote later this month.