Update: Flomaton Police Locate Missing Teen
July 19, 2022
UPDATE: Flomaton Police said this missing teen has been located and is safe.
The Flomaton Police Department is looking for a missing teen.
Tyree Dorth, 14, was last seen late Monday night in the area of MLK Drive in Flomaton.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Flomaton Police Department at (251) 296-5811 or 911.
Vote-By-Ballots Are On The Way
July 19, 2022
Nearly 40,000 vote-by-mail ballots are headed to Escambia County mailboxes for the August 23 primary election, according to Supervisor of Elections David Stafford. This is in addition to ballots sent to military and overseas voters earlier this month.
Voters who have requested to vote by mail should begin receiving their ballot packages within a week. After completing the ballot, the voter must sign and date the return envelope and return it by mail (postage paid) or deliver it to elections office or an early voting site during early voting hours. Ballots must be received by the Supervisor of Elections no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day. All vote-by-mail ballots are verified prior to tabulation. Complete voter instructions are included in the package.
The U.S. Postal Service recommends voters mail ballots at least one week before the due date.
The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot for the primary election is 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 13. To request a vote-by-mail ballot visit EscambiaVotes.gov and click “Vote-by-Mail” or contact the Supervisor of Elections Office at (850) 595-3900.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Silver Alert Canceled
July 18, 2022
UPDATE: The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has canceled this Silver Alert.
A Florida Silver Alert has been issued for 83-year old Carl McCall, last seen in the area of the 8500 block of Blue Jay Way in Pensacola.
He was wearing a blue t-shirt, blue jeans and black shoes. He may be traveling in a 2015 blue Subaru Outback with Florida tag number 2289UB.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or 911.
Escambia School Board Divided On Potential Property Tax Increase
July 18, 2022
The Escambia County School Board currently stands divided on a potential property tax increase.
The taxable property value in Escambia County is $27.5 billion dollars, according to the district, up $4.3 billion over the current tax year due to increases in real estate values and new construction.
Keeping the 2023 millage rate at 2022’s 1.214 mils would generate $32 million and put over $2 million into reserves. The district has the option of upping the millage rate to 1.5, which would mean $39.6 million in funding.
It’s estimated that the projects that can be funded by the property tax revenue will cost $29.6 million.
But keeping the millage rate the same for the upcoming year would technically be a tax increase. A lower rolled-back rate is the tax rate that would generate the same amount of property tax revenue as approved for the prior year. A millage rate higher than the rolled-back rate is defined by the state of Florida as a tax increase. The district won’t know the rollback rate until later this week.
“You know me. I would go with 1.5 mils if I could, but I know I don’t have any support there,” board member Patty Hightower said. The 1.5 mils rate would be the highest tax increase allowed by law. She said the district needs the revenue after overspending by $3 million last year.
“We’ve got to make sure we have the funds to cover those inflation costs,” Hightower said, citing a 9.1% inflation rate the district faces on purchases.
“People out there are suffering through the same inflation that we’ve got going on,” board chairman Kevin Adams replied. “There is no way that I’m going to support a tax increase on the citizens of Escambia County. It’s not happening with me. Now the rest of my board members, if they want to join that party, it’s up to you.”
Adams said he would support the rolled-back rate and adjust the budget accordingly. He said the citizens of Escambia County will not support a property tax increase, especially after the school district has seen an increase in sales tax revenue and federal dollars.
“I will support the 1.214,” District 5 board member Bill Slayton said, later adding that he would vote for the rate necessary to maintain the same level of funding.
“I am not going to support a tax increase either,” Paul Fetsko said. I agree we’ve got the revenue coming from half cents sales tax.”
Adams, as the chairperson running a recent board workshop meeting, turned to member Dr. Laura Edler and asked for her opinion as the deciding vote.
“I could get sick that day,” Edler quipped.
Pictured top: Escambia County School Board Chairperson Kevin Adams explains that he will not support a tax increase. Pictured inset: Board member Patty Hightower. Images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Woman Charged With Victim Tampering In Century ‘Vicious Bar Brawl’ With Seven Suspects
July 18, 2022
An Atmore woman has been charged with a felony for allegedly interfering into the investigation in a “vicious bar brawl” in Century.
Seven suspects have been charged to date, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said several are “documented criminal outlaw motorcycle gang members”.
Brandy Michelle Kendrick, 44, was charged with tampering with a victim in a felony first degree proceeding. She was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $100,000 bond.
After reviewing video of the incident, deputies determined Kendrick was present for portions of the battery, according to an arrest report. After the battery ends she appears to check on the victim and have a conservation with another individual, pulling her aside for several minutes, the report continues.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s office said Kendrick appeared to intervene several times with a victim’s interview. After Kendrick left, the victim was crying and stated they were scared to identify any suspects “due to what she was told in regards to her speaking with law enforcement”, the report states.
According to the ECSO, Kendrick was in a dating relationship with suspect Bradley Griener.
James Joseph Dixon, 27, of Port Saint Lucie, Florida, was charged with two counts of felony aggravated battery, aggravated assault, and obstructing justice. He remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $275,000.
Deputies said Dixon pressed a handgun into the victim’s eye, threatening to kill the victim if he talked to law enforcement.
Dixon is a documented member of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club according to an arrest report.
One person was transported to the hospital following the violent fight May 7at Odom’s Bar in the 9500 block of North Century Boulevard. The victim was found outside the bar covered in blood with several injuries to his face, according to deputies.Surveillance video is below.
As NorthEscambia.com previously reported, John Percy Johnson, age 45 of Century; Bradley Scott Griener, age 31 of McDavid; Brody Luke Trainer, age 44 of Gulf Breeze; Robert Tyler Dean, age 54 of Pace; and Preston David Perry, age 31 of Pace were each charged with aggravated battery. Dean, Perry and Trainer were also charged with additional felony battery and/or assault counts. All five were released from jail on bonds ranging from $25,000 to $150,000.
A sixth suspect, 44-year old Steven R Jay Arnold of Brewton, later turned himself in at the jail on charges of aggravated battery with the use of a deadly weapon, aggravated battery for causing great bodily harm, and aggravated assault for use of a deadly weapon with the intent to kill.
The victim’s girlfriend told deputies that he was attacked by several bikers outside the bar where six or seven alleged bikers were kicking and stomping him. One allegedly pointed a gun during the attack.
The victim told investigators that he had been having an ongoing issue with “Percy Johnson” and the two ran into each other at the bar. He said Johnson told him to step outside where he was attacked by approximately five bikers wearing Outlaw motorcycle gang clothing. In addition to punching, kicking and stomping him, “one of the individuals pressed a firearm into his eyeball and stated they would kill him if he talked to the police and that not to mess with their biker family”, an arrest report states.
After the victim made a statement that he was going to sue the bar, a man believed to be the bar’s bouncer along with three or four other males began to beat him again, the report states. After the attacks, the girlfriend was approached by a white female wearing a biker vest who informed her that if she talked to law enforcement, it would “not be pretty for her”, the report continues.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office obtained search warrants and seized video recordings from the bar.
An ECSO investigator said in his report that the videos show the victim and Johnson walk outside the bar, followed by at least seven other people, most of whom were wearing insignia consistent with criminal outlaw motorcycle gangs to include the Southern Saints and Outlaws.
The altercation was captured on video (posted below), showing the victim kicked, punched, and stomped on several times by numerous individuals, the ECSO report states. The victim remains on the ground for over 15 minutes, apparently unconscious until medical personnel arrive on scene.
The victim suffered a broken arm, broken nasal cavities and lost feeling in his lower back and leg, he told deputies. He stated that when the gun was pressed into his eye, he was told “If you talk to the police, we will kill you”.
The five suspects were released from jail on bonds as follows: Johnson -$25,000; Griener – $35,000; Trainer – $150,000; Dean – $65,000; Perry – $85,000; Arnold – $65,000.
The video below has no sound.
FHP Seeks Fatal Crash Witnesses In ‘Send Nudes’ Tahoe
July 18, 2022
The Florida Highway Patrol is seeking two witnesses to a July 7 fatal crash in Escambia County.
The crash occurred at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and North W Street after 7 p.m. The wreck claimed the life of a 56-year old Escambia County woman and critically injured her 38-year old passenger.
The witnesses were in a black Chevrolet Tahoe with black aftermarket rims. The back window had “Send Nudes” written on it, troopers said.
The individuals stopped at the intersection but left prior to providing statements to troopers.
“We are simply trying to locate these individuals for questioning about the traffic crash only, they are not in trouble nor do they face any charges,” FHP Lt. Jason King said. “We would also like to extend this opportunity to any witnesses willing to come forward and speak to the Florida Highway Patrol, as it relates to this fatal crash.”
Anyone with information is asked to call *FHP or (850) 484-5000.
Florida Gas Prices Continue Decline, AAA Says
July 18, 2022
Florida gas prices dropped another 15 cents last week. The state average is now on a five-week streak of declines, falling a total of 62 cents per gallon.
Sunday, the average price for gasoline across the state was $4.27 per gallon. This time last year, the price was $3 a gallon.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $4.20. In North Escambia, a low of $4.21 could be found Sunday night on Highway 29 in Cantonment, while multiple Pensacola stations were below $4, including $3.61 at a warehouse club.
“Drivers are likely relieved to get a break from record-high prices, and prices could get even cheaper this week,” Jenkins continued. “However, it’s important to remember that the market remains extremely volatile, and prices have the potential to bounce back. That particularly applies to hurricane season. If a major storm makes landfall along the gulf coast, impacting operations at refineries in Texas, Louisiana, or Mississippi, prices could spike, due to concerns about fuel supplies.”
Blue Wahoos Head To All-Star Break With 7-5 Win
July 18, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos finished off the unofficial first half of their season with a 7-5 win over the Chattanooga Lookouts on Sunday afternoon, taking five of six games in their homestand for a series win.
Paul McIntosh was 3-for-4 and Bubba Hollins hit a pivotal three-run double in support of A.J. Ladwig (W, 4-3), who pitched 5.0 solid innings.
The Blue Wahoos struck in the first against Spencer Stockton, the first of six different Chattanooga relievers in what amounted to a bullpen game, with a two-run double from Griffin Conine to take a 2-0 lead.
Alex McGarry hit a solo homer for the Lookouts in the second, and took a brief 3-2 lead in the fifth thanks to a Nick Quintana RBI double and Ivan Johnson RBI single. The lead would not last, however, as the Blue Wahoos turned the game around with a five-run bottom of the fifth.
J.C. Keys (L, 1-2) allowed singles to Ray-Patrick Didder and McIntosh before departing, and Stevie Branche loaded the bases with a walk to Conine before Hollins lifted a fly ball down the right field line that was misplayed into a bases-clearing double. J.D. Orr followed with an RBI single, and scored thanks to his second of three stolen bases and a wild pitch.
Johnson hit an RBI double and Leonardo Rivas hit an RBI single in the seventh to draw the Lookouts to a pair of runs at 7-5, but Sean Reynolds and Eli Villalobos (S, 6) got the final six outs to seal the Blue Wahoos win.
The Blue Wahoos will be off for the next four days as Major League Baseball plays the 92nd All-Star Game on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. They return to action on Friday in Biloxi as they take on the Shuckers.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Brand New Ride – Community Donates Gator To Century’s Jake Livingston
July 17, 2022
Thanks to the generosity of local residents, Jake Livingston has a new ride.
Jake, who is autistic, is an iconic member of the Century community, selling snacks from his trademark “Hazzard County Snacks” John Deere Gator. He is a local fixture at home games as “Northview’s Biggest Fan”, and always Northwest Escambia Chiefs Football. He also raises money for autism awareness and even had a little library named after him.
Everybody around Century, and pretty much every Northview High School student or fan ever, just loves Jake. And he loves them back. He does not know a stranger.
Jake’s previous Gator — his only form of transportation — was old and worn out, and repairs were becoming frequent and harder to complete.
And then several people stepped up to raise the funds needed to buy Jake a brand new John Deere Gator.
For more photos, click or tap here.
“My brand new ride,” Jake exclaimed Saturday afternoon as his new Gator was delivered.
Community members raised a total of $7,788 for the new vehicle through a GoFundMe page, auctions and other efforts. And the fine folks at Smith Tractor Company sold the Gator to the group at cost and tossed in some no-cost extras.
“We got me a new ride here. It’s going to be all over NorthEscambia,” Jake said when he hopped in the driver’s seat of his new ride, happy that NorthEscambia.com was there in Hazzard County on his very special day.
Hazzard County you say? That’s another story, and a big part of Jake.
The sign outside Jake’s residence in Century reads “Welcome to Hazzard County, Home of J.D. ‘Boss’ Hogg, Sheriff Jake”. Jake loves the character “Boss Hogg” on that classic television series, and operates a little side hustle he calls “Hazzard County Snacks”.
If you see Jake in his Gator around Century, he’ll happily sell you a snack to help pay for his living expenses. But he’s been known on more than one occasion to just give away snacks to kids that can’t afford them. That’s just the kind of guy he is, always willing to help or offer a word of prayer.
Jake, who is now in his middle 40s, had always lived with relatives until a change in life circumstances pretty much left his homeless just over a decade ago. The community stepped up then too. A neighbor found him an old FEMA trailer and helped him set it up. Area residents helped pay for the trailer and other necessities. A state-assigned caregiver helped teach him independent living skills.
“Look at this brand new thing…let me go get my hat,” Jake said Saturday afternoon before riding off for a late afternoon lunch of Mexican food at a local business. “We are going now!”
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
988 Hotline Is The New National Suicide And Crisis Lifeline
July 17, 2022
Individuals experiencing a mental health crisis have a new way to reach out for help. Now they can simply call or text the numbers 9-8-8.
988 is the new free three-digit calling code that will route people to the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
When someone calls, texts, or chats the number, they will be connected to counselors who are trained to handle a wide range of mental health issues.
“All across our country, people are hurting. They need help. The good news is that getting that help just got a lot easier…988 will be available nationwide for individuals in crisis, and their loved ones, to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline more easily,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “This cross-government effort has been years in the making and comes at a crucial point to help address the mental health crisis in our country, especially for our young people.”
988 serves as a universal entry point so from anywhere in the U.S., callers can easily access 24/7 emotional support. Callers do not have to be suicidal to reach out. Trained crisis counselors can help individuals through whatever mental health challenges they are experiencing.