Teen, 17, Charged With Felony Drug Trafficking
September 12, 2011
A 17-year old Century teen has been charged with first degree felony drug trafficking for allegedly selling hydrocodone near a local store.
Ladarrious Tamiraye Lett was caught in the act of selling 25 Lortabs by undercover officers near the Family Dollar store on North Century Boulevard, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report.
Lett was previous adjudicated as an adult in a weapons case and sentenced to nine months in the county jail. In October 2010, he was convicted of possession of a firearm by a convicted delinquent under 24 years of age, tampering with evidence and culpable negligence. Lett, who was a 16-year old middle school student at the time, traded $40 in marijuana for .22 caliber pistol that was dumped on North Century Boulevard following a traffic stop. A deputy ran over the gun, shooting out his own tire.
Lett remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $25,000.
And They’re Off: Century Candidates Report Campaign Cash
September 12, 2011
The first round of campaign finance reports are in for candidates seeking office in Century’s October election. The reports due Friday covered the campaign period from July 1 to September 2. The next round of campaign finance reports are due September 23.
Monday is the final day for citizens of Century to register to vote in the October 11, 2011, Town of Century election. [More info...]
Mayor
In the race for mayor, incumbent Freddie McCall reported campaign warchest of $1,973 — all of which he made as a personal loan to his campaign. He has had two expenditures so far with $1,000 going to Bill Salter Advertising for billboard space and $185.80 for his qualifying fee. [Read report...]
McCall’s one challenger for the mayor’s office, former council member Henry Hawkins, raised $300 during the period, including $150 of his own money and $50 each from Darrell A Hawkins, Beverly J. Hawkins and Joseph Hawkins of Pensacola. His expenditures included $185.80 to qualify, $36.93 for t-shirts at Walmart and $40.31 to “Spencer for hire” in Pensacola for campaign signs. [Read report...]
Town Council Seat 1
Incumbent Ann Brooks raised $140 in cash during the reporting period in her bid for Century Town Council Seat 1, with $100 from herself and $40 from Emma C. Fletcher of Century. She also reported an in-kind contribution of $450 because she is reusing signs from the last election. Her only expense was the $48 qualifying fee. [Read report...]
Challenger Pamela McArthur’s report lists $71 in loans from herself, including $23 for office supplies for self-made business cards. Her report does not list any expenditures. [Read report...]
Town Council Seat 2
Incumbent Annie Carter Savage, appointed to the council in August, listed $205 in cash, including $120 from herself, $35 from Benny Barnes, and $50 from Lomonica Shoemo. Her expenses included the $48 qualifying fee, $63.79 to gas stations in Brewton and Century and $35.61 to Walmart for ink cartridges. [Read more...]
Seat 2 Challenger Evelyn Hammond, a former mayor of Century, contributed $180 of her own money to her campaign and received a $250 campaign contribution from Alfonzie Cottrell of Century. Her expenses included the $48 qualifying fee, $244.75 for signs and $17.99 for campaign cards. [Read more...]
Picture Perfect Sunset
September 12, 2011
Sunday night’s sunset caught the eye of several of our readers. The sunset is pictured as seen from the North Escambia area (above), Flomaton (below) and Foley (bottom). Submitted photos from Alisa Hart, Donna Lord and others for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
1-1A And 1-6A Standings, Northview Could Move Up In State Poll
September 12, 2011
Two weeks into the season, there’s no clear leader by the numbers in District 1-1 or District 1-6A. That’s because no team has actually played a district game so far. In the state polls, there’s a shot that No. 2 Northview will move up this week after a loss by No. 1 Jefferson County to Madison County, 42-7.
In the North Escambia area, Northview is 1-0, Jay is 1-1 and Tate is 0-2 on the season.
District standings are below for District 1-1A and District 1-6A.
Pictured top: Tate fell to Fort Walton last Friday night, 33-0. NorthEscambia.com photo by Gary Carnley, click to enlarge.
Joseph Hillary Shelby
September 12, 2011
Joseph Hillary Shelby, 81, of Escambia County went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, September 11, 2011. Joseph was born on June 12, 1930, in Molino and spent most of his life in Escambia County,Florida. He was the oldest son of the late Joe Wheeler Shelby and late Laura Pugh Shelby.
Joseph served in the Army in Germany prior and at the start of the Korean War. He owned his own appliance business, Lewis Appliance, before retiring in 1980. He was a past Mason and Shriner. Joseph was a passionate church worker in the churches he was a member over the years. He served in the capacity of deacon, Sunday School teacher and Bible leader.
He leaves behind a loving wife of 57 years, Wilma Jean Handrop Shelby; and three lovely daughters, Virginia Shelby, of Pensacola; Myra Pinney (Andrew Pinney) of Cantonment and Barbara Keene (Joe Keene) of Pensacola; three brothers James Irvin Shelby of Molino, Theodore “Diego” Shelby of Pensacola, and Jerry Shelby of Pensacola. He also leaves behind two granddaughters, whom he loved very much, Stephanie Belue (Michael Belue) of Gonzales, Louisiana and Miranda Pinney of Pensacola and one great-granddaughter Rapunzel Belue of Gonzales, LA. He also has numerous aunts and uncles and cousins that he is leaving behind.
He will be greatly missed by many friends and family who have been very devoted to him over the years. It is comforting to know we will see him again in heaven soon.
Services will be held at Faith Chapel North-Cantonment at 1 p.m. on Thursday, September 15, 2011, and burial immediately following at Beulah Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, September 14, 2011, from 5-8 p.m.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Highway 29 Resurfacing From McDavid To Century
September 12, 2011
Work began Monday on a $7.7 million project to resurface about 16 miles of Highway 29 in North Escambia.
The project will consist of resurfacing the roadway, drainage upgrades and placement of new pavement markings from north of Champion Drive in McDavid to the Alabama state line in Century.
Contractor APAC Mid South will begin work on the southern part of the project, according to Tanya Sanders Branton, spokesperson for the Florida Department of Transportation. Motorists can expect minor traffic delays; However, one northbound lane will remain open to traffic. Branton said drivers are reminded to use caution and obey the posted speed limit when traveling through the work zone.
The $70 billion budget signed in May by Gov. Rick Scott included $7,709,279 to resurface the 15.5 mile section of Highway 29 in North Escambia.
Portions of Highway 29 have deteriorated severely, leaving lots of loose rocks — and lots of broken windshields — behind.
Back in February, a Florida Department of Transportation Geotechnical Foundation Investigation crew performed pavement tests on the roadway, and high-powered blowers have been used since in an effort to remove the loose rocks from the crumbling highway.
Pictured above and below: A crew from Transfield Services uses a high power blower to remove loose rocks from Highway 29 near McDavid last month. Work to resurface nearly 16 miles of Highway 29 will begin Monday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Commission Expected To Rename Park For Fallen Marine
September 12, 2011
As early as Thursday, the Escambia County Commission is expected to rename the Bratt Community Park in honor of LCpl. Travis M. Nelson, the local Marine killed in action last month in Afghanistan.
At their Committee of the Whole meeting, commissioners expressed support for formally naming the park in honor of the fallen Marine. Since it was completed over a year ago, there has never been a formal dedication or even naming of the Bratt Community Park, other than a sign erected by the county.
“We wanted to name the park for him to honor his service,” District 5 Commissioner Kevin White said of his request to the commission.
The family has requested that the park be named the “LCpl Travis M. Nelson Memorial Park”. The Nelson family is also asking Escambia County permission to place a monument at the park on Highway 4 near Northview High School, just two doors down from where Travis Nelson grew up.
Nelson was the first soldier killed in action from the Walnut Hill or Bratt area since 1969.
The name request must first be approved by the county’s legal department and formally voted on by the commission. That vote is expected to come as early September 15.
Pictured: Parents Scott and Beckie Nelson of Bratt remember their son, Marine LCpl. Travis Nelson, shortly after learning that he had been killed in action in Afghanistan. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Floyd A. Reamer
September 12, 2011
Floyd A. Reamer, 75, passed away September 12, 2011, after a brief battle with cancer. He was born in Starke City, MO on January 14, 1936 to Roy and Sylvia Reamer.
Known too many in the Molino area as “Monk”, Reamer lived in the Molino area most of his life. He was a man of many trades, farming, construction work, intarsia wood working art and pictures.
Preceding him in death were his parents and his sisters Geraldine and Patsy Ann Reamer; and brothers, Robert Earl and Harry.
He is survived by his sisters, Lucile Whitegon, Bertha Regnier, Jean Hull, Beverly Watson, Charlotte Lamb, Donna Etheridge, Arlis Stevenson, Shirley Waterman, Betty Carroll and Patsy Ann Reamer, and his brothers, Roy and Kenneth Reamer.
A memorial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 17, 2011, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North-Cantonment.
Memorials may be made in his memory to Highland Baptist Church in Molino or to Covenant Hospice.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Cody Matthew Brown
September 12, 2011
Mr. Cody Matthew Brown, 19, passed away on Friday, September 9, 2011, in Atmore.
Cody was a native and lifelong resident of Atmore a member of the Phi Theta Kappa, National Honor Society, SGA, and a graduate of Escambia County High School, Class of 2010. He was the shift manager for McDonald’s. He loved sports, especially basketball, and attended the First Assembly of God Church. He was preceded in death by his Grandfather, James Edward Brown.
He is survived by his parents, Mark and Sandra Brown of Atmore; his brother, Josh and Allison Brown of Atmore; grandparents, Archie and Cleo Sellers of Atmore and Eloise Copeland of Atmore; his fiance’, Whitney Johnson of Atmore; a niece, Madison Brown of Atmore; and a number of Aunts, Uncles and Cousins..
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, September 13, 2011, at 2 p.m. at the First Assembly of God Church with the Rev. Charles Johnson officiating.
Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery with Petty Funeral Homes directing.
Visitation will be held Monday, September 12, 2011, from 6-9 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Tyler Boatwright, Haden McGill, Justin Stabler, Cody Johnson, Shay Gipson and Marshall Rolin.
Escambia Health Officials Issue Rabies Advisory
September 12, 2011
Health officials are urging residents to avoid contact with wild and stray animals to protect themselves from the risk of rabies exposure.
In Florida, raccoons, foxes, bats and cats are the animals most frequently diagnosed with rabies. Other animals that are at high risk for rabies include dogs, bobcats, skunks, and otters. Because of their proximity to people, stray and unvaccinated cats and dogs pose a special risk.
Rabies is a viral disease that infects the central nervous system, ultimately causing brain infection and death. It is transmitted by a rabid animal through a bite, scratch, or contact with mucous membranes such as the eyes, nose, or mouth. A series of “rabies shots” can protect the bitten individual from developing the rabies infection, if given soon after a person is bitten.
“Rabies is a fatal infection but is preventable,” notes Dr. John J. Lanza, Director of the Escambia County Health Department. “It is important not to feed or pet wild and stray animals, to avoid animals that appear to be acting strangely, and to keep pets vaccinated against rabies. If an individual does get bitten by a rabid animal, they should seek immediate medical care because rabies vaccination can be life saving.”
The Environmental Health Division of the Escambia County Health Department investigates animal bite reports, tests animals for rabies through the state laboratory, and orders animal quarantine as necessary.
It is not always possible tell by looking if an animal has rabies. The Escambia Count Health Department offers the following tips to avoid rabies:
- Teach your children not to go near wild and stray animals, and never keep them as pets.
- Vaccinate your dog, cat, ferret or horse to protect against rabies.
- Don’t feed your pets outside. The food may attract wild animals.
- Make sure your garbage is securely covered. Open garbage attracts wild and stray animals.
- Don’t let your pets roam freely. Keep them in a fenced yard or on a leash at all times.
- Spay or neuter your pet to reduce its tendency to roam or fight.
- If you get bitten by an animal that is acting strangely or by a wild animal, seek medical care as soon as possible so that a physician can evaluate your risk of rabies infection and administer rabies vaccine if appropriate.