Escambia Children’s Trust Approves Hiring New Executive Director With Requested Pay Increase
January 11, 2024
The new executive director of the Escambia County Children’s Trust is getting a raise beginning with her first day on the job.
Lindsey Cannon asked that her salary be increased by $5,000 to $125,0000 a year plus benefits.
She had offered to forgo certain health benefits and moving expenses to fund the increase.
Her employment contract for $125,000 annual was approved Wednesday night on a 6-3 vote, with David Peaden, LumonMay, and David Williams voting no.
May saide couldn’t justify increasing the base salary, when there are so many children living in poverty in his district.
“I would like to see somebody come in, take the job, do a good job, and then at 12 months from now be evaluated and possibly have a raise,” Peaden remarked. “If we had advertised this job at $125K, maybe we would have had a different pool of candidates, we won’t know that. But I think she understood what it was walking in from the get-go when it was advertised $120K. I can’t be supportive of that salary increase at this time.”
Second Suspect Found Guilty Of Ladarius Clardy Murder
January 11, 2024
The second suspect in the 2021 murder of 18-year old Ladarius Clardy was found guilty on Wednesday.
A jury found 22-year-old Amos Snowden guilty of first-degree premeditated murder. The charge carried a mandatory sentence of life in prison.
Snowden was also found guilty of attempted first-degree premeditated murder for shooting another occupant in the vehicle at the time, Eric Young.
His brother Da’Quavion Snowden was found guilty of first-degree premeditated murder and sentenced to life in prison last summer.
Clardy, a former standout Pine Forest High School quarterback, was found shot dead in a vehicle crash about 1 a.m. on July 1, 2021. His vehicle was found with over 50 bullet holes in a ravine. Authorities say the murder was a case of mistaken identity.
Registration Open For Molino Park Spring Ball
January 11, 2024
Registration is underway for Molino Park Spring Ball.
Sign-ups close on January 25. Tryouts begin January29. The cost is $125.
To register and for more info, visit www.molinoballpark.com.
Cantonment Woman Charged With Felony Child Abuse
January 11, 2024
A Cantonment woman is accused of felony child abuse.
Bobbie Baumebusch HidleBaugh, 58, was booked into the Escambia County Jail on a felony charge of cruelty toward a child. She was released on a $15,000 bond.
The investigation began after a child was reported to have a “big knot” on her forehead and a bruised, bloodied lip.
The age and relationship of the child to HidleBaugh was redacted from an ECSO arrest report.
The Department of Children and Families was notified.
Candice Blackburn Is The Molino Park Elementary School Teacher of the Year
January 11, 2024
Candice Blackburn is the Molino Park Elementary School Teacher of the Year.
NorthEscambia.com is welcoming 2024 honoring the Teachers of the Year from North Escambia schools. Escambia County’s overall Teacher of the Year will be named in February. Blackburn is a finalist.
Woman Killed In Wednesday Morning Escambia County Wreck
January 10, 2024
A 34-year-old Escambia County woman was killed when she crashed into a utility pole Wednesday morning on Mobile Highway.
The single vehicle crash happened around 7:45 a.m. near the intersection of Annandale Drive.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the woman suddenly veered to the left in her Hyundai Sonata, crossing the center line and opposing traffic lane before leaving the roadway and crashing into a power pole.
She was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Two children — girls ages 6 and 9 — were transported with minor injuries.
Person Rescued After Being ‘Launched’ From Dumpster Into Garbage Truck
January 10, 2024
One person was rescued after being “launched” into a garbage truck from a dumpster in Escambia County.
The incident happened about 9:45 a.m. in the 7900 block of Pine Forest Road.
Escambia County Fire Rescue. said “a person was launched into the garbage truck and trapped inside.”
With the use of ladders inside the truck, firefighters were able to safely rescue the patient. Once secured, the patient was transported to an area hospital.
Escambia County EMS also responded.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Baptist Urgent Care On Nine Mile Closed, To Reopen As ER and Urgent Care
January 9, 2024
Baptist Medical Park Urgent Care-Nine Mile is closed until February 6, 2024, for the final construction preparations of the new combined Baptist Emergency Room & Urgent Care.
Patients needing urgent care services can visit Baptist Medical Park Urgent Care-Airport at 5100 N 12th Ave.
File photo.
Century Looks To Hire New Auditing Firm
January 9, 2024
After missing a state law mandated audit deadline every year for about a decade, the Town of Century is looking to hire a new auditor.
The town previously contracted with Warren Averett CPAs and Advisors of Pensacola, but that relationship came to an end when their contract expired September 30.
Warren Averett’s other local government clients include Escambia County, the City of Pensacola, City Milton and Santa Rosa County. Interim town manager Howard Brown said the town does not wish to hire Warren Averett again.
The Century “Auditor Selection Committee” met Tuesday night to begin the process of selecting a new auditing firm by issuing a request for proposals for a new firm while following state guidelines.
The legal deadline for submitting the Annual Financial Report, often referred to simply as an audit, to the Florida Department of Financial Services is June 30 of each year.
As of January 9, Century’s 2021-22 fiscal year audit that was due June 30, 2023, had not been received and posted online by the Florida Auditor General, as NorthEscambia.com first reported on December 31.
The last audit with the state three months late for fiscal year 2020-21 found a deficit balance in the General Fund of $2.9 million and in the Natural Gas Fund of $1.8 million. A list of deficiencies and problems were also identified, many repeated from previous years.
A 2019 grand jury report that found gross mismanagement in the town, over a million dollars lost in utility operations, missing natural gas, about $3 million improperly borrowed from accounts with a 750-year payback plan, and a state of financial emergency. The town has never worked to follow many of the grand jury recommendations.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Escambia, Santa Rosa Schools Closed Today
January 9, 2024
Escambia and Santa Rosa county schools and district offices are closed on Tuesday.
School in Escambia County (Alabama) Schools will be on an e-learning day on Tuesday.
“We anticipate normal district operations will resume on Wednesday, January 10,” stated Superintendent Keith Leonard. “Of course, we’ll continue to work closely with local emergency operations officials to determine what is safest for our families and staff.”
For more cancellation information, click or tap here.