Century Car Plant Backers Pay Off State Taxes; New Liens Filed For $30,000 In Unpaid Utility Bills
February 11, 2009
The companies behind Project Green Leaf that plans to bring an electric car manufacturing plant to Century have settled more than $65,000 in updated state taxes. But new liens totaling almost $30,000 have been filed against the companies for unpaid utility bills, and liens are still outstanding on unpaid Escambia County tourist development taxes.
LHS EV, Inc, owned by Jay and Nash Patel, applied for a $2.5 million grant from the State of Florida’s Renewable Energy and Energy-Efficiency Technologies program. The application was filed with the assistance of Escambia County.
New liens have been filed against the Patel’s properties for $29,915.54 in unpaid Emerald Coast Utilities Authority bills. Liens were recorded this week for $4,379.85; $13,166.74; $8,503.72 and $3,865.23.
Escambia County liens filed against the hotel group in January have not been satisfied, according to records at the Escambia County Clerk of the Courts web site. A $5,548.28 lien was filed last month in Escambia County Circuit Court against LHS Pensacola 4, Inc. and Howard Johnson. And another $5,754.64 lien was filed against LHS Pensacola, Inc. and the Ramada Inn. Both liens were for unpaid tourist development taxes.
The Patels’ motel companies have settle outstanding debts with the Florida Department of Revenue with liens released for $65,747.83 in unpaid sales and use taxes on four different Florida properties. There were four liens filed on their properties for $21,127.28; $20,339.76; $16,794.21 and $7,486.58.
The taxes were owed on the Patel’s Travelodge Inn and Suites, Days Inn North, Ramada Inn and Howard Johnson properties on Pensacola Boulevard. LHS also owns two hotels in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
In May, Escambia County filed a $2,001.86 tax warrant against the Ramada Inn and LHS Pensacola for failing to pay county tourist development taxes. That tax lien was satisfied by the company in July. Another $1,548.63 lien for unpaid tourist taxes by LHS for their Days Inn was filed in May by Escambia County and satisfied in July. Another $2,185.15 tourist tax lien was filed by Escambia County against LHS and their Howard Johnson in May and satisfied in July.
The Patels have told county commissioners that they have a line of credit worth over $34 million, but they have not named the bank that has extended the credit.
Tungoil Road To Be Closed For Two Weeks
February 11, 2009
Tungoil Road is expected to be closed beginning today and remain closed for the next two weeks.
DKE Marine Services will be working on bridge on the roadway that runs between South Highway 99 and Highway 97.
Escambia Sheriff’s Office Issues Fraud Alert For Senior Citizens
February 11, 2009
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Department has issued a fraud alert for senior citizens following an attempted scam.
An elderly victim in the Pensacola area reported to deputies that she received a phone call from an unknown caller stating that it was her grandson. The victim asked which grandwon since she had more than one, and the caller stated “which one do you think it is?” The caller said he was the best looking grandson.
The victim then gave a name of one of her grown grandchildren to which the caller stated she was correct. The caller then went on to state that he was in a car accident in Montreal, Canada, and he needed $3000. He said he was at the airport and they would not accept his credit card.
The victim thought this odd since her grandson was in the military and assigned oversees. The caller stated he had taken a vacation and was in fact in Montreal. The caller stated he really needed her help and gave an address of 727 Main Road, Montreal, Canada, and specifically asked the victim to obtain a money gram because no other money order type was accepted. Before taking action the victim spoke with friends who advised her not to send the money because it was a scam that they had heard about on an internet news site.
The victim did not send the money, but called the sheriff’s department and filed a report.
“These type of scams as well as others are perpetrated every day with some victims, realizing they have been scammed, to embarrassed or ashamed to come forward,” Escambia Sheriff’s Department Spokesman Ted Roy said in a news release.
Attend IP Workshop To Learn How Your Group Can Share $40,000 In Grants
February 11, 2009
The International Paper (IP) Pensacola Mill will award $40,000 in Foundation Grants in 2009 and is hosting a free workshop to review the application process with interested non-profit organizations and federal entities.
The workshop is scheduled for Thursday, February 26 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the mill’s Employee Development Center at 375 Muscogee Rd. in Cantonment and will focus on eligibility, criteria and restrictions.
Reservations to attend the workshop are required as space is limited; however, attendance is not mandatory for eligibility.
The deadline for all grant applications is Wednesday, April 1, 2009.
Grants are awarded by the IP Foundation out of Memphis, Tenn., which primarily focuses on environmental education, literacy, employee involvement, and new critical community needs. Applicants must be a registered 501c3 non-profit organization or qualifying federal entity to apply.
For additional information about the Foundation, visit www.ipgiving.com.
To reserve your seat at the workshop, contact Jessica Morris at 850-968-4203 or via email at jessica.morris@ipaper.com.
FHSAA Releases Classifications; Northview’s District Goes From Four Teams To Nine
February 11, 2009
Preliminary non-football classifications released Tuesday by the Florida High School Athletic Association takes Northview High School from just four teams in their district to district with nine teams.
Northview, Catholic, South Walton and Walton currently comprise a district. Under the new classifications released Tuesday, Arnold (Panama City Beach), Bay (Panama City), Bozeman (Southport), Chipley and Marianna would join Northview, Catholic, South Walton and Walton in District 1-3A.
There would be nine teams in the district for sports like basketball and volleyball, and eight for soccer. Northview does not currently have a soccer program.
Schools can appeal their placements for the 2009-10 and 2010-11 school years by February 20.
In preliminary district alignments released in December for football, Northview remained in District 1-2B. Under a FHSAA rule that allows schools to “play down” one district, the Chiefs requested to be moved down one district to District 1-1A, the same district as the Jay Royals.
Class 1A is Florida’s smallest, comprised primarily of schools with 521 or fewer students. Northview had 544 students during the October week used by the FHSAA to determine the new classifications, but schools in the lower 10% of the population breakdown of each classification have the option of playing down one classification if it is deemed more suitable for district travel reasons.
Rain Possible Today; High Winds Expected
February 11, 2009
There is a 50-50 shot of rain for your Wednesday, so the umbrella might not be such a bad idea.
Today’s high is expected to be 72 with that 50 percent chance of rain. It will be windy too; expect winds from the southwest at 10 to 20 mph with gusts to around 35 mph.
The rain chance drops to 20 percent tonight, and the temperature will drop to 45. The wind will switch to the north at 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday looks sunny with a high of 73.
A 50 percent chance of rain returns to our forecast for Friday and Friday night.
Mailing A Letter Will Cost You More
February 11, 2009
The price of a first class stamp is heading up, again. Beginning in May, a first class letter will cost you an extra two cents to mail.
The United States Postal Service announced the price increase to 44-cents effective on May 11.
There is still plenty of time to stock up on Forever Stamps. They will cost you 42-cents prior to May 11 and and will remain valid regardless of any rate increases.
Postal rates go up every May, with the price increase announced in February.
The new 44-cent rate for the first ounce of first class mail will be the only first class letter increase. Each additional ounce of mail will remain at 17-cents.
Turn Lane Being Constructed On Highway 97 At Highway 4
February 10, 2009
Work is underway to install a turn lane on Highway 97 at Highway 4 in the Davisville community.
The contractor, Panhandle Grading and Paving, is currently doing the ditch and pipe work portion of the project, according to Tommie Speights, spokesperson for the Florida Department of Transportation. Once that phase of the job is completed, they will widen both sides of Highway 97 to install the turn lane from southbound Highway 97 onto Highway 4. There will not be a northbound turn lane.
Once a side is completed, traffic will shift to the new construction, and the other side will be constructed, according to Speights. He said traffic delays will be minimal during the project.
The entire project is expected to be complete by the first week of April.
Pictured above: Construction of a turn lane is underway on Highway 97 at Highway 4 in Davisville. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill Motorcyclist Dies After Collision With Deer Near Molino
February 10, 2009
A Walnut Hill man has died after being involved in a single vehicle motorcycle accident between Molino and Barrineau Park early Monday morning.
Authorities say Tad Fredrick Cann, 46, of Walnut Hill struck a deer while riding his motorcycle just after 6 a.m. near the intersection of Molino Road and Sunshine Hill Road. He was wearing his helmet, authorities say.
Cann was headed east on Molino Road when a a deer ran from the north side of the road. Cann struck the deer, according to the Florida Highway Patrol, ejecting him from the motorcycle. It was very foggy in the area at the time, according to the FHP.
He was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital by Escambia County EMS and LifeFlight where he underwent surgery Monday morning. Authorities say he passed away from his injuries Monday about 12:43 Monday afternoon.
The accident is still under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Identities Released In Fiery Flomaton Crash
February 10, 2009
Two men died in a fiery crash in Flomaton Sunday morning, and three people were critically injured. The high-speed crash appeared to have been caused by heavy fog.
Authorities say driver Tremayne Brown, 24, and front seat passenger Rashawn Caldwell, 18, both of Pensacola, died in the accident. Three other people, Demontray Woodward, 17, Maurice Williams, 18, and Richard Beverly, 18, were critically injured.
The single vehicle wreck happened at Highway 113 and Highway 31 just after 7 a.m.
Brown apparently failed to stop the end of Highway 113, crossed over Highway 31 and struck a large billboard support at the corner of the Rowland’s Tires building. Authorities estimate that Brown was traveling in excess of 55 mph at the time of the crash; he did not attempt to stop.
The vehicle then burst into flames, becoming completely engulfed in flames and charring the outside of the tire store.
Brown and Caldwell were unable to escape and died in the burning car. Three backseat passengers were pulled from the burning car by a passerby. They were in critical condition when transported from the scene by ambulance.
Flomaton Police dispatcher Donna Filmore was on her way home from work she she drove up on the accident, pulling the three from backseat. Williams and Woodward were transported by ambulance to Jay Hospital. Beverly was taken by ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital and later transported by helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. Flomaton Fire officials had called LifeFlight to the scene, but the medical helicopter was unable to respond to due heavy fog.
The accident is still under investigation by Alabama State Troopers.
Click here for more photos from the scene.
The Flomaton Fire Department, Friendship Volunteer Fire Department, Lambeth Volunteer Fire Department, Flomaton Police Department, Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Department, Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Department, Atmore Ambulance, Escambia EMS and Alabama State Troopers all responded to the call.
Pictured above and middle: Two people died in this fiery accident in Flomaton Sunday morning. Pictured below: This submitted photo from Alisa Hart of the Flomaton Fire Department shows the vehicle still smoldering after being extinguished. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
