Florida Dept. Of Environmental Protection Fines Town Of Century Over Fuel Tank Violation
January 27, 2022
The Florida Department of Environmental (FDEP) has fined the Town of Century for failing to follow Florida statutes and code regarding two fuel storage tanks.
A February 2021 inspection found that leak detection gauges were damaged on two above ground petroleum storage tanks at the town shop on Alger Road. In addition, the department found the town failed to conduct annual operability testing of the devices. One tank contained 2,000 gallons of unleaded gasoline, and the second tank contained 2,000 gallons of vehicle diesel fuel.
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County, on behalf of FDEP, conducted the inspection and sent the town a letter explaining the findings and requesting a response within 15 days. The town did not respond, according to state documents, and the case was referred to FDEP for formal enforcement action.
According to an October 13, 2021, letter from FDEP, actions were completed to bring the tanks into compliance, but the department proposed $3,000 in civil penalties plus $250 for costs and expenses with payment in full due by November 5, 2021.
In January 2022, FDEP reduced the proposed civil penalties to $750 plus $250 for costs and expenses.
“The Respondent (Town of Century) requested a reduction in the penalty based on good communication with the Department (FDEP), urgency resolving the violations after discovery, and the low-income status of the municipality which owns and operates the facility. The facility has also implemented a system of calendar alerts for annual and periodic regulation requirements to prevent the violations from occurring again,” according to a FDEP letter to the town.
The Town Council, told that the fine was due to a lack of communication, approved paying the $1,000. Payment in full is due by February 8.
On January 20, NorthEscambia.com made a public records request to the town for “the documentation referenced in the discussion Tuesday night (during a council meeting) about a state fine regarding a town fuel tank, including the settlement agreement and notice(s)”. The public records had not been received as of this story’s publication the morning of January 27. NorthEscambia.com instead obtained documents from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for this story.
Pictured top: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has fined the Town of Century for faulty leak detection gauges on two fuel storage tanks located at the town shop. The photos below, according to FDEP, show damaged gauges on the fuel tanks. Photos courtesy FDEP for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Children’s Chorus Forms New Tri-City Children’s Choir For Century, Flomaton, Jay
January 27, 2022
The Tri-City Children’s Choir (TCCC) has been formed as regional initiative of the Pensacola Children’s Chorus.
TCCC will welcome young singers in grades 2-6 who reside in the Century, Flomaton, Jay and surrounding area.
The choir will be under the direction of Holley Driver, a Century-based music teacher.
“I believe this is a wonderful opportunity for the children in our community because locally, not driving a great distance, or driving to the city, or going downtown Pensacola, but locally, they will receive cultural, academic, and social growth fostered by participating in a choir with like minded peers and they will be exposed to a high quality level of musical training and musicianship,” Driver said.
Singers will meet weekly on Thursdays, with the spring session March 3-May 12 from 4:30 until 5:15 p.m. at Century First United Methodist Church, 530 Church Street. TCCC is a tuition-based program and costs $5-$15 per week. Families may choose the weekly amount that works best for their household finances, and scholarships are also available.
Alex M. Gartner, artistic and executive director of the Pensacola Children’s Chorus, said making music with others provides children with an opportunity for immense personal and social growth.
“By studying music, participating in rehearsals, and sharing performances with the community, singers learn invaluable lessons in responsibility, teamwork, accountability, empathy, and confidence,” Garner said. “In this, TCCC not only strives to inspire talented young musicians, but to mold them into assured individuals and powerful contributors to their community.”
For more information on joining the choir, or make a contribution, visit www.tricitychoir.org. Registration officially opens February 1.
Driver taught music in the Escambia County School District for over 15 years, served as the choral director at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino for nine years, and teaches in her own studio.
Jim Allen Elementary School Names Students Of The Month
January 27, 2022
Jim Allen Elementary school has named students of the month. They are Layana Perry and Daniel Mack. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Woman Shot, Man Stabbed In Domestic Violence Incident
January 27, 2022
One person was shot and another stabbed during a domestic violence incident Wednesday in Escambia County.
It happened early in the afternoon on Sarah Drive, not far from Brown Barge Middle School. Deputies arrived to find a man had been stabbed, and the woman arrived a short time later at a local hospital.
The middle school was placed on lockdown during the incident.
Further details, including names, were not released as the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office continued their investigation.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Escambia Schools Are Celebrating Literacy Week
January 27, 2022
The Escambia County School District is celebrating Literacy Week with activities and events at schools across the district.
District 1 school board member Kevin Adams stopped by Kimberly Aiken’s second grade class Wednesday at Beulah Elementary School. He read the book “The Recess Queen” to the class.
“The Recess Queen” offers a fresh look at bullying and conflict resolution, according to the publisher.
Cantonment Woman Charged With Fleeing From Deputy At High Rate Of Speed
January 26, 2022
A Cantonment woman is accused of fleeing from a deputy at a high rate of speed.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy was on patrol at Ashton Brosnaham Park late last Saturday night when he observed a Pontiac Solstice back into a parking spot as the vehicle’s lights were turned off. He approached the vehicle and illuminated it with his headlights and spotlight in order to tell the driver that the park was closed after dark.
The deputy observed the female driver to have a large nose ring, and he smelled a strong odor of marijuana from the vehicle, according to an arrest report. As he approached the vehicle, it sped out of the parking lot. He attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle on Ashton Brosnaham Drive, but the vehicle fled at a high rate of speed.
The deputy was able to keep the vehicle’s tail lights in sight as it drove north on Highway 29 and then turned on West Roberts Road. The deputy initiated another traffic stop at the intersection of West Roberts Road and Pine Forest Road, but the vehicle again fled at a high rate of speed south on Pine Forest Road.
The ECSO used the tag number and physical description to positively identify the driver of the vehicle as Sarah Angel Stokes, the report states. Stokes was contacted by phone and agreed to meet the deputy at her father’s home.
Stokes was still wearing the large nose ring and had a strong odor marijuana coming from her person, the report continues. Both attempted traffic stops and the interactions with Stokes were captured on the deputy’s body camera and in-car camera, the report notes.
Stokes was charged with second degree felony fleeing and eluding and released from the Escambia County Jail on a $10,000 bond.
Escambia County ‘Blue Moon’ Triple Murder To Be Featured On National TV Program
January 26, 2022
The Escambia County’s “blue moon” triple murder case will be featured on a national television show Friday night.
The investigation will be featured on Oxygen’s new true crime series “Family Massacre”. According to the network, the episode features commentary from Escambia County Sheriff’s Office homicide detective Matt Infinger, as he recalls the details of the gruesome homicide of the Smith family, who were brutally beaten, stabbed and covered in blankets inside her home.
Donald Hartung was convicted on three counts of first degree premeditated murder of his mother, 77-year old V Voncile Smith and two half-brothers, 47-year old John Smith, and 49-year old Richard Smith. He was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences.
Prosecutors said Hartung was intentionally left out of his mother’s will with everything set to go to John and Richard Smith. The state said the inheritance was Hartung’s motivation, and the only way he would collect any cash would be to kill all three.
All three bodies were found on July 31, 2015, in their home on Deerfield Drive. The case was originally dubbed the “blue moon” murders after then-sheriff David Morgan said the killing occurred on the night of the blue moon and may been related to witchcraft.
“Family Massacre” airs Fridays at 8 p.m. on Oxygen. For a preview, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Gaetz Announces Service Academy Nominations for 2022
January 26, 2022
John Bashore from Northview High School and Northview graduate David Lamb were among the 2022 service academy nominations for Florida’s First Congressional District announced Tuesday.
During an event at Choctawhatchee High School in Fort Walton Beach, Rep. Matt Gaetz nominated the following students to the U.S. Military Academy (West Point), the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and the U.S. Air Force Academy:
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY
Ashley Spear, Gulf Breeze High
Page Dolloff, Niceville High School
John Bashore, Northview High School
Zoe Racz, Choctawhatchee High School
Charles Sherwin III, Niceville High School
Aidan Stamp, Lakenheath High School
Gavin Unterreiner, Navarre High School
Emma Spanovich, Choctawhatchee High School
Mikala Urenda, Niceville High School
Creanna Shaw, United States Air Force Academy
James Ratley, Niceville High School
Nolan Sweeney, Stockholm International School
Massimo Grisotto, Niceville High School
Leanne Gujski, Niceville High School
Jon Tomlinson, Fort Walton Beach High
Kirsten Cannon, United States Air Force Academy
Aine King, Liberty Academy Online
Chance Gully, University of South Florida
UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY
Charles Jasso, Pensacola Catholic High
Aidan Bryan, Pace High School
Zachary Peterson, Booker T. Washington High
Abigail Driskell, Gulf Breeze High School
Steve Brunache, Pace High School
David Lamb, Pensacola State College
Grace Mims, Pensacola High School
Winfred Allgyer, Homeschool
Sebastien Epplin, South Walton High School
UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY (WEST POINT)
Nicklaus Fielder, Pace High School
Laurie Petracca, Humphrey’s High School
Eric Hill, Choctawhatchee High School
Zachary Hruby, Niceville High School
Christian Perry, Choctawhatchee High School
Keegan Detweiler, Niceville High School
Shayla Trotter, Crestview High School
UNITED STATES MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY
Sven Dunham, Trinitas Christian School
Pictured: (L-R) Northview graduate David Lamb, Congressman Matt Gaetz and John Bashore of Northview High School during service academy nominates Tuesday at Choctawhatchee High School in Fort Walton Beach. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Learn How To Start Your Spring Garden At Free Master Gardener’s Program
January 26, 2022
UF/IFAS Extension Escambia Master Gardener volunteers will host a program “Starting Your Spring Garden” next month.
The program will take place on February 3 at noon at the Tryon Branch Library, 1200 Langley Avenue in Pensacola. Registration will open at 11:30 a.m.
Participants in the free program will learn about tips and tricks for planting warm season edibles.
Former Santa Rosa Sheriff Lieutenant Indicted On Federal And State Charges
January 26, 2022
A former Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office lieutenant is now facing federal charges.
Scott Haines is charged with four federal counts of wire fraud and with making fraudulent statements. He is facing additional state charges.
The federal indictment alleges that, between January 2015 and May 2021, Haines engaged in a scheme to defraud an elderly victim out of over $10,000. The scheme, according to the indictment, is alleged to be based upon Haines’s attempt to obtain the money after inserting himself into the personal and business affairs of the victim.
The indictment also alleges that, when confronted with these allegations by federal agents, Haines made multiple material false statements about his relationship in the personal and business affairs of the victim.
In addition to the federal indictment, Haines was arrested on state charges of exploitation of an elderly person or disabled adult, theft from a person 65 years of age or older, and unauthorized access of a computer system or network. He appeared in state court after his initial appearance in federal court in Pensacola in order to be advised of the charges against him.
Trial in the federal case has been set for March 7.
He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $40,500 bond, according to jail records.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg and Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Karen C. Murillo.
Haines was demoted from captain to lieutenant following a 2020 sexual harassment investigation. He retired last year after an internal affairs investigation.
Photo: Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office. Under Florida law, Haines’ mugshot was exempt from release.