Suspect In Manhunt Now Behind Bars
September 20, 2010
The man that was the focus of a manhunt just over a week ago in Century was arrested Sunday night.
David Michael Mathis, 30, of Century,was booked into the Escambia County Jail just before 9 p.m. Sunday on a battery charge resulting from a domestic violence incident September 12 on Shady Lane near Stateline Road. Mathis is being held without bond pending an appearance before a judge.
Mathis was taken into custody by Deputy Walt Shiver in the 4600 block of Camp Road.
On Sunday, September 12, Mathis fled the area on foot before law enforcement arrived, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies surrounded the area, while a K-9 unit from the Century Correctional Institution searched for Mathis. Officers from the Flomaton Police Department were on the lookout for Mathis in their city, less than one-tenth of mile away. The manhunt was called off a short time later.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, a female got into an argument with Mathis, her husband of nine months. The argument turned physical, with Mathis pushing her to the ground and attempting to drag her back inside their apartment. A witness approached Mathis with an ax handle and ordered him to leave the victim alone, according to the incident report.
When Mathis fled the area on September 12, it was believed he had taken the victim’s cell phone and had been calling friends and relatives asking for help to the get out of the area, the Sheriff’s Office report states.
Pictured: David Michael Mathis was arrested Sunday night, a week after a manhunt failed to find him.
Century Set To Approve $3.3 Million Budget
September 20, 2010
The Town of Century will hold a final public hearing tonight before approving their 2010-2011 budget and ad valorem tax rate for next year.
The total budget under consideration by the town council is $3,337,231 — an decrease over the 2009-2010 budget of $4,587,744. The difference is due to a one-time $1.83 million grant for a water infrastructure project during the last fiscal year.
Outside of the grant-funded water project, the town’s biggest source of revenue — $1,825,000 — is from water, gas and sewer charges, and the biggest expense is $1,464,178 to pay for the costs associated with providing the water, sewer and natural gas service for the town’s residents.
Ad valorem taxes will increase slightly — from .823 mils last year to .9048 mils. The new millage rate is estimated to generate $30,000 for the town during the 2010-2011 budget year, compared to $26,000 in the last fiscal year.
The final budget hearing will be held at 6:55 tonight at the Century Town Hall.
To view a summary of the budget in pdf format, click here or the image below.
Man Faces 40 Charges For Allegedly Stealing His Mother’s Credit Cards
September 20, 2010
A Molino man is facing 19 felony charges after allegedly stealing his mother’s credit card and making multiple purchases at a couple of Tom Thumb stores.
Harry Langdale Nowlin, 44, of Chance Road, was charged with 19 felony counts of fraudulent use of credit cards and 21 misdemeanor counts of second degree petty theft. Bond was set at $21,000 and he being held in the Escambia County Jail on an outstanding violation of probation charge in a 2008 drug case.
Nowlin is accused of stealing a gasoline credit card from his 73-year old mother and using it numerous times at Tom Thumb in Molino and Cantonment. He was also accused of stealing coins worth about $10 from a glass jar belonging to his mother.
The convenience store purchases were all small — ranging from $5.38 to $20.85 each.
School Board Member Going Grassroots For Amendment 8
September 20, 2010
One Escambia County school board member is going grassroots in his effort to tell voters that he believes in Amendment 8.
The entire school board has spoken out in favor of the amendment on the November ballot that relaxes class size issues. Now District 1 board member Jeff Bergosh, who was recently re-elected to another term — is recycling his campaign signs into pro-Amendment 8 messages.
“I have recently learned that I can recycle my old campaign signs and re-paint and re-use them to advocate for the passage of Amendment 8,’ Bergosh said. “I have begun to make signs and deploy them around town, and if I can at least get people to wonder what Amendment 8 is– that will be a good start.”
“Amendment 8 is a very important issue and will save Florida taxpayers billions of dollars if passed. Perhaps even more importantly, Amendment 8 will increase opportunities for students statewide because it will give local districts badly needed flexibility,” Bergosh said.
As of this school year in Florida, individual classes were capped at 18 students for kindergarten through third grade, 22 in fourth through eighth grade, and 25 in high school, with the limits having been phased in since the amendment was passed in 2002.
The proposed amendment on the November ballot would allow class sizes to be calculated in a more lenient fashion. If passed, the class size would be calculated at a grade-level average, not an individual classroom cap, allowing some classes to go above the limit.
Pictured top inset: Escambia School Board member Jeff Bergosh cuts a template in order to spray paint signs (top photo) in favor of Amendment 8. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Dig Pink And Help Beat Cancer With Northview, Flomaton
September 20, 2010
The Northview Chiefs and the Flomaton Hurricanes will meet on the volleyball court later this month in Bratt in the area’s first ever Dig Pink game.
“Dig Pink is an organization for breast cancer awareness through volleyball. Our girls will be working hard at raising money for the organization and playing a game in honor of survivors and those whom have past away,” said Barbara Luker, assistant Northview volleyball coach. “The volleyball team will be ‘decked’ out in pink for the game and has plans to host a hospitality room for survivors that attend the game. We also are going to try to ‘pink out’ our gym for the game.”
The Dig Pink games will take place on Tuesday, September 28, with the Flomaton and Northview 9th grade teams playing at 4:30, the junior varsity at 5:30 and the varsity at 6:30 in the Northview High School gym.
The Dig Pink website allows individuals to donate to the breast cancer cause. In addition, Northview is seeking monetary and item donations for the hospitality room. For more information, email BLuker@escambia.k12.fl.us or BHeaton@escambia.k12.fl.us
The Dig Pink game is sponsored in part by NorthEscambia.com; additional sponsors are needed. Contact BLuker@escambia.k12.fl.us or BHeaton@escambia.k12.fl.us for information.
Pictured above: Jazzlyn Franklin (left) and Julia Thorpe with Northview’s Dig Pink shirts. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
More Than Half Million Donated To Project Share
September 20, 2010
In the past three years, Gulf Power customers who have opted in to donate to Project Share have donated more than a half-million dollars to help those having trouble paying their utility bills.
A cooperative effort with the Salvation Army, Project Share helps with utility bills and other energy-related needs. The program assists the elderly, the disabled, the sick and others who are experiencing financial hardship.
“This is one way the average citizen can help others in their community,” said Jeff Rogers, Gulf Power spokesperson. “Right now, families are really struggling out there. From Pensacola to Panama City, Project Share offers help for those families.”
To participate in Project SHARE and become a part of the network of neighbors, Gulf Power customers can pledge to contribute $1, $2, $5, $10 or any other whole-dollar amount they choose each month. The contributions are tax-deductible and will be added to the customer’s electricity bill every month. The amount is sent directly to the Salvation Army until Gulf Power has been notified to stop. Customers can sign up for Project Share online by visiting gulfpower.com and clicking on “My Account” then on “Billing Options.”
How does Project SHARE work? Those in need apply for Project SHARE assistance at The Salvation Army office in their county. Eligibility requirements for Project SHARE recipients are set by The Salvation Army. The Pensacola office of The Salvation Army can be reached at (850) 432-1501.
Are You Ready To Vote?
September 20, 2010
Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David H. Stafford today encouraged area voters to make sure they are “election-ready” for the November 2nd general election. With the election approaching, it is important that voters prepare to exercise one of their most fundamental rights as Americans. As such, here are a few important questions for voters:
Are you registered?
If you are not sure, visit EscambiaVotes.com and click Am I Registered? to find out. If you are not registered, you have until October 4th to do so. Registering is quick and easy – visit EscambiaVotes.com or call (850) 595-3900 to determine the most convenient way for you.
Have you moved since you last voted?
If so, the Supervisor of Elections need to know your new address as soon as possible so they can make sure they update your registration and direct you to your proper polling location. Just call or e-mail soe@escambiavotes.com. It only takes a few minutes.
Do you wish to vote by mail?
Voting by mail (also known as absentee voting) is one of three different ways voters can cast a ballot. To request a ballot, complete the online request at EscambiaVotes.com, call, or e-mail absentee@escambiavotes.com. You can also confirm your request and follow the progress of your ballot by clicking “Track My Ballot” at EscambiaVotes.com.
Are you familiar with your polling location?
If you plan to vote on Election Day, make sure you know where your precinct votes (several polling locations have changed since the 2008 elections). To confirm, check your Sample Ballot or Voter Information Card, use the Precinct Finder at EscambiaVotes.com, or call or e-mail us.
Have you studied the candidates and issues?
With the entire Florida cabinet, U.S. Senator and Representative, state legislators, circuit judge, local races, the retention of judges and justices, and eight statewide questions all facing voters, it is important to be familiar with your ballot prior to voting.
The supervisor of election’s office will send all voters a Sample Ballot prior to the start of Early Voting on October 18th. You can also check EscambiaVotes.com for a copy of your Sample Ballot and information on candidates and their campaign finances. There are many other sources of information on candidates and issues available to voters.
Organizational Meetings Today For Ernest Ward PTSA, School Advisory
September 20, 2010
Ernest Ward Middle School is seeking members for their School Advisory Council and PTSA. Both groups will meet this afternoon — the SAC at 4:00 and the PTSA at 4:30. Interested persons are encouraged to attend.
Hot And Dry Forecast
September 20, 2010
The calendar may show that fall starts on Thursday, but summer is still sticking around strong. It will be dry Monday and Tuesday, with temperatures climbing into the mid and upper 90’s across the area. By Wednesday, there is just a slight chance of rain in the forecast.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast for the week:
- Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. East wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. East wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming east.
- Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.
- Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
- Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.
- Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Area Nears Drought Conditions
September 19, 2010
The North Escambia area is unusually dry, while over 45 percent of Alabama and 10 percent of Florida is officially in a drought. According to the National Weather Service in Mobile, this has been the driest September to date on record with just a trace of rain reported across most of the area.
The U.S. Drought Monitor map published this week shows northern Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida and Escambia County in Alabama as being “abnormally dry”, but not yet experiencing drought conditions.
As the soil continues to parch under the September sun, forecasters are calling for more abnormally hot temperatures and no real chance of rain during the next week.
The U.S. Drought Monitor is published by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln using a variety of climatic data.
Pictured: This map from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows the extent of drought conditions across Alabama and Northwest Florida, click to enlarge.