Century Wants To Keep Foreclosed Building, Unless Someone Has $800,000
August 7, 2009
The Town of Century decided Thursday that they do not want to part with the former Helicopter Technology building in the town’s industrial park — unless someone is willing to write checks that would total over $800,000.
Foreclosure proceedings against the defunct helicopter company were finalized at the end of July, and the building is set for public auction on August 24. Thursday afternoon, the town council held a workshop meeting with the town’s attorney to determine if the town was willing to let the building be sold to a party other than the town.
The final judgment against Helicopter Technologies in favor of the Town of Century was for $740,999.43 — $420,000 as principal, $307,345.08 as interest through July 30, $200 for a title search, $1,125.35 as costs, and $17,342 in attorney’s fees.
Attorney Matt Dannheisser told the council Thursday by conference call that the town could essentially bid any amount up to the $740,999.43 and not write a check. By including a second additional judgment in the amount of $41,243.71, the town could bid up to $782,242.14 and essentially not be out of any money since the building proceeds go to the town. Dannheisser said the town would have to write a $41,242.71 check to the court, but that money would be returned to the town in about two weeks.
After a brief discussion, council members indicated that at their August 17 meeting, they would support bidding up to the $782,242.14 for the building to prevent it from being sold at a lower dollar figure to another party.
The building was appraised by real estate agent Dee Dee Richie for $800,000 to $900,000. Property appraiser Chris Jones said that the 2009 appraisal on the building would be about $814,000.
“In all likelihood, there’s not going to be any other bids offered,” Dannheisser said. He said there had been no inquiries on the building since it went into foreclosure.
“We just want to get a business there that is viable and working, and get some jobs,” Mayor Freddie McCall said of the town’s desire to keep the building from being sold at auction at a low price.
“If they want to be in Century that bad, I’d love to have them,” Council President Ann Brooks said of anyone willing to outbid the town’s $782,000 proposed bid.
NorthEscambia.com discovered recently that a Costa Rican company has a $424,550.72 federal judgment against Helicopter Technology. Dannheisser said he was unaware of the lien until he read the NorthEscambia.com story, but he said the company’s lien would be secondary to the town’s claim.
If the town makes the winning bid for the building on August 24, the town will be required to pay back taxes from 2008 of $16,824 plus additional property taxes that have accrued since January 1.
Pictured inset: Century Council Ann Brooks listens as Town Attorney Matt Dannheisser addresses the council via speakerphone Thursday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Henry Cab Tice Arrested In Billings Case; Connections To Mexican Mafia
August 7, 2009
Thursday night, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrested Henry Cabell Tice, 61, in connection to his dealings with a finance company owned by Byrd Billings.
Tice faces one count of grand theft over $10,000 related to financial dealings with Byrd Billings’ business Worldco Financial Services, according to a statement from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department. These charges are related to a criminal investigation initiated in May of 2008.
Tice and Billings knew each other because of their used car businesses and Worldco Financial, Sheriff David Morgan said, naming Tice as a “person of interest” in the murder investigation. The sheriff said Tice and murder suspect Leonard Gonzalez, Jr. had a “father and son relationship” and spoke often.
The sheriff also said that Tice admitted when questioned Thursday that Tice had connections to the Mexican mafia. Morgan said he would release further information soon about Tice and his dealings with the Mexican mafia and the car business.
Morgan said Tice had borrowed $50,000 from the Mexican mafia, and that he was still in debt to them. In his dealings with the Mafia, Morgan said Tice would sell cars across the border to be resold in Mexico. The sheriff said the deals were cash, under-the-table.
NWE All-Stars Thank Community For Support (Updated)
August 7, 2009
Members of the 11-12 year old Northwest Escambia All-Stars and their manager thanked the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club Thursday night for a donation that helped them travel to Coconut Creek near Fort Lauderdale for the 11-12 Year Old State Softball Tournament late last month.
Mallory Ryan (left), Manager Jerry Mason and Cheyanne Schoonover spoke to the Ruritan Club Thursday night, also offering their thanks to the many other businesses and community members that that supported the team.
The NWE All-Stars fell short of a state championship, dropping games to Mims from Cape Canaveral and South Tampa.
The following was submitted by the NWE All-Stars:
The NWE 11-12 year old girls’ softball team and coaches would like to thank the following for their support in sending our girls to the state playoffs in Coconut, Florida on July 24th:
Jeff Hester, Southern Plumbing, First Assembly of God, Buy-Rite, Jackie Helton, Atmore Animal Clinic, Midtown Auto Parts, Jerry’s Hardware, Buster’s, Millers Antiques, NAPA-Atmore Auto Parts, Gerry McGhee, Mayor Howard Shell, Escambia Lawn and Rental, Dale Ash, Modern Woodmen of America, Losson White, Ernie Hester, Escambia Grain, Walnut Hill Ruritan, State Line Pawn Shop, Creek Indians, Mike Stacey, Edward Jones, Linda Bailey, Brantley’s, R.J. Stuckey, Jr. Inc., Gilmore Services, Allen Walston, Petty Funeral Home, Pepsi, Winn Dixie, Piggly Wiggly, and Southern Family Markets.
From the 11-12 year old Northwest Escambia All-Star girls’ softball team, we say THANK YOU, without you this trip would not have been possible.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Arraignments Postponed For Billings Suspects; Grand Jury Next Week
August 7, 2009
The State Attorney requested that arraignment hearings for several of the suspects in the Billings murders be delayed until after a grand jury convenes next week.
Leonard Gonzalez, Sr., Leonard Gonzalez, Jr., Wayne Coldiron and Pamela Long Wiggins were also scheduled to be arraigned Thursday, but some of the court appearances were delayed at the request of the State Attorney until after the grand jury meets.
State Attorney Bill Eddins said that an Escambia County Grand Jury will be convened Tuesday to hear the Byrd and Melanie Billings murder case. That grand jury will decide if any of the seven suspects will face capital murder or other charges in connection to the July 9 murders.
Court documents released in the case indicate that Gonzalez, Jr. has been named as the only shooter in the murders by the other six suspects that have been charged with murder. Long-Wiggins was charged as an accessory after the fact after the safe taken during the murder was found buried in her backyard.
Two House Fires Reported: But Where There’s Smoke, There’s Not Always Fire
August 7, 2009
Fire departments from across the area were dispatched to two different reported house fires on Jefferson Avenue in Century Thursday afternoon.
But residents discovered that where there’s smoke, there’s not always fire.
The Town of Century was conducting smoke tests in an effort to find a possible sewer leak. Essentially, a large amount of smoke is pumped into a portion of the sewer system. In Thursday’s incident, the smoke was reported to be visible rising from houses in the 7000 block of Jefferson Avenue, just off Highway 4. Town officials said that the smoke can exit the system through sewage system air vents in homes.
Engine 519 from the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue did check both houses where the occupants thought their house was on fire and determined that the smoke was from the sewage system smoke tests.
Bratt Church To Hold Free Car Wash Tonight; NHS Band To Have Saturday Car Wash
August 7, 2009
If you have a dirty car, there are two good chances to get it washed.
A Bratt church will hold a free community outreach car wash tonight, and the Northview High School Band will hold a car wash Saturday.
Children at the First Baptist Church of Bratt will wash cars for free from 5 until 8 tonight at the church. Pete Amerson explained that the car wash is a community car wash — a chance for the children to do something for the community and spread the Gospel at the same time. The children washing cars will be first to fifth graders, and anyone in the community is invited to stop by to have their vehicle washed.
The Northview High School Band Boosters will hold a car wash Saturday morning from 8 until noon at Advance Auto Parts in Atmore. All proceeds will benefit the Northview High School Tribal Beat Band.
Down Home Jam Session: Barrineau Park Music Night
August 7, 2009
There’s some good entertainment on stage tonight in Barrineau Park — and it’s free.
The monthly Barrineau Park Music Night will be tonight at the Barrineau Park Community Center. The featured groups tonight are “The Rowell Family” and “Chapel Strings”.
The singing starts at 7 p.m. and is free. Food and refreshments will also be available beginning at 6 p.m.
The event is family-friendly — no alcohol is permitted on the property, and no smoking is allowed in or near the building.
For more information, call (850) 587-5575.
The Barrineau Park Community Center is located on Barrineau Park School road, about three miles west of Molino.
Pictured: Chapel Strings (top) and The Rowell Family (below) will perform at the monthly Barrineau Park Music Night tonight. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Two Jay High School Teachers Arrested For Having Sex With Minors
August 6, 2009
Two female Jay High School teachers were arrested Thursday on charges that they had sex in their homes with teenage boys in 2007.
Ashley Elenea Burkett, 31, and April Burford Watson, 33, both of Jay, were arrested Thursday afternoon, charged with having sexual relationships with minors. Both were released on $50,000 bond each after being booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail on three counts each of unlawful sexual activity with a minor, a second degree felony. Both were released on GPS monitors.
“The investigation was initiated on July 28, 2009 after an anonymous letter was sent to the Santa Rosa County School District alleging sexual relationships between two Jay High School teachers and male juveniles,” Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office Spokesman Sgt. Scott Haines said. The letter was turned over the Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office for investigation.
“Interviews were conducted with the alleged victims in the case. Two victims alleged that they were involved in sexual activity with Watson at her residence and the residence of Burkett between the months of July and October 2007. One other victim alleged that he was involved in sexual activity with Burkett at her residence and the residence of Watson between the months of July and October 2007,” Haines said. “Both of the suspects were questioned by investigators and they both admitted to the unlawful sexual activity.”
“The case made public involving two teachers within our school district being charged with improper conduct with minor age children is now in the judicial system,” School Board Chairman Ed Gray said in a statement released Thursday. “We are confident the investigation by the sheriff’s department and the adjudication within our court system of the charges will effectively deal with the matter. The school district will cooperate with all investigating agencies in a responsible matter.”
Burkett taught reading and special education students and was assistant volleyball coach last school year, according to the Jay High School web site. Watson taught math and was the advisor for the junior varsity cheerleaders, also according to the school web site. Watson was to be the varsity cheerleader sponsor for the upcoming school year and Burkett was to be the varsity volleyball coach.
Burkett resides in the 14000 block of Highway 89 in Jay, and Watson resides in the 4000 block of Matt Jernigan Road, also in Jay.
Details on the charges were not immediately available from the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. More details will be posted as they become available.
Pictured above: Thursday, Jay High School teachers Ashley Burkett (left) and April Watson were arrested on charges that they had sexual relationships with minors. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Names Released In Murder This Morning In Beulah
August 6, 2009
A man was shot by his half-brother in a domestic dispute Thursday morning in Beulah.
Thomas Jurkowich, 19, was shot by his half-brother Michael Daly, 40, according to Sheriff’s Department Spokesman Ted Roy. Daly has been booked into the Escambia County Jail on an open count of murder and is being held with bond.
Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the 7900 block of Sasser Lane in reference to a shots fired call at 9:30 this morning. As deputies were responded, the Daly called sheriff’s office and advised that he had just shot his half-brother. Dispatchers had the Daly step outside unarmed and surrender to deputies that were arriving on the scene, according to Roy.
“The house was then cleared at which time a male was located inside the home deceased from what appeared to be gunshot wounds,” Roy said. “The motive is unclear but appears to stem from an argument between the two.”
Authorties Still Searching For Man In $300,000 Theft Ring; Photo Released
August 6, 2009
Deputies have released an old mug shot of a man they say was involved in a $300,000 multi-state theft ring that targeted homes and businesses in North Escambia, Santa Rosa County and Escambia County, Alabama.
Authorities are still searching for Mark Anthony Harrison, 38, in connection with the theft of items like all-terrain vehicles, trailers, motorcycles and motor homes. Harrison is believed to have stolen the items and then sold them to friends and acquaintances at very low prices.
Thursday, the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Department released a mug shot of Harrison that was taken at their jail in 2000.
Property discovered on Upper Creek Road in Flomaton included a four wheeler that was reported stolen from Century Marine in December of last year. Two additional stolen four wheeler and two motorcycles were also recovered from the property.
When officers executed search warrants at home in Riverview and Brewton, they located a stash of additional stolen property, including a Fleetwood motor home. In all the stolen goods are worth an estimated $300,000 from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida, and Escambia and Baldwin counties in Alabama. Once Harrison is located, he is expected to face theft charges in all four counties.
Anyone with information on Harrison’s whereabouts, or anyone that may have purchased property from him is asked to call the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Department at (251) 809-0741.