Annie Savage Appointed To Century Council; Late Nadine McCaw Honored
July 19, 2011
The Century Town Council paused Monday night to remember late Councilwoman Nadine McCaw and to appoint a successor to fill her seat.
The council unanimously voted to appoint Annie Carter Savage to fill the vacant Seat 2 until the end of McCaw’s term which ends in early January of 2012. Last year, Savage ran an unsuccessful campaign for Seat 5, defeated by current council member Sandra McMurray Jackson.
According to town council President Ann Brooks, Savage was the only person that expressed an interest in filling the seat. Savage will be sworn in at the council’s next regular meeting on August 1.
The Seat 2 position will appear on Century’s October ballot. As of Monday, no one had prefiled to run for the seat.
The Century Town Council also adopted a resolution honoring McCaw, who passed away July 7, and accepted a letter of condolences from the Town of Jay.
Pictured top: Anne Carter Savage sits in the audience at Monday night’s Century Town Council meeting. She will be sworn in as a council member on August 1. Pictured below: A resolution adopted by the Century Town Council honoring the late Nadine McCaw. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Incumbent Ann Brooks Prefiles For Century Council Seat
July 19, 2011
Incumbent Century Town Council member Ann C. Brooks prefiled Monday to seek reelection.
Brooks, an accountant, currently holds Seat 1 and also serves as president of the town council. She was was first elected in 2007 after running unsuccessfully for Seat 4 on the council in 2003 and 2006.
Brooks is the first candidate to file for a council seat in the October general election.
Court Rules Pensacola Beach Residents Must Pay Escambia Property Taxes
July 19, 2011
Residents of Pensacola Beach must pay property taxes like everyone else, the 1st District Court of Appeal affirmed Monday in a case that addresses an issue that has persisted on Santa Rosa Island since shortly after World War II.
In an opinion affirming a lower court ruling and setting the stage for possible Florida Supreme Court review, the First DCA ruled that Escambia County can collect property taxes from residents even though the residents don’t own the land on which their residences sit. All of the homes on the island are built on land that is leased by Escambia County to the homeowners.
“We’re satisfied with the outcome,” said Escambia County Property Appraiser Chris Jones of Monday’s ruling. “It vindicates what we have been saying for some time.”
Monday’s ruling affects about 2,400 properties that have been assessed $39 million in property taxes since the case was brought forward in 2004, said Escambia County Tax Collector Janet Holley. Of that, residents have paid $26 million in anticipation that the ruling might go Escambia’s way.
The case is only the most recent to challenge the county’s taxing authority. Since 2004 there have been lawsuits challenging about $90 million in property assessments.
Monday’s ruling is the latest in what 1st DCA Judge Van Nortwick called a “long and rather tortured history” of tax battles on the island over how local governments should tax residents who lease the property on which their homes are built.
Santa Rosa Island is home to Pensacola Beach in Escambia County and Navarre, which is governed by Santa Rosa County. What was once a rather desolate and isolated stretch of sugar-sand beach owned by the federal government was donated to Escambia County in 1947 with the restriction that it could not sell parcels. Escambia officials, in turn, leased the eastern portion of the island to Santa Rosa County.
Both counties entered into long-term lease arrangements with leaseholders who were allowed to build, take out mortgages, sublet and transfer title to residences built on parcels that were protected by 99-year lease agreements. Originally, leaseholders did not pay local property taxes but were assessed intangible taxes.
Over the years as parcels began filling up with permanent residents, Santa Rosa and Escambia officials began looking at ways to shift to property tax collections. Numerous lawsuits followed. Santa Rosa County now levies property taxes on the land and the improvements. That levy, upheld by the 1st DCA in April, is also likely to be challenged in the state’s highest court.
In Monday’s ruling, the appeals court sided with Escambia County officials who, unlike those in Santa Rosa, are only trying to tax the improvements and not the land upon which they stand.
“There is nothing inherently unlawful in subjecting the appellants to ad valorem taxes, as leaseholders on Santa Rosa Island were subject to,” Nortwick wrote. “Looking at the benefits and burdens of ownership, these Escambia County leaseholders are no different than the Santa Rosa County leaseholders.”
Talbot “Sandy” D’Alemberte, a Tallahassee attorney representing property owners in both Santa Rosa and Escambia counties, says the ruling leaves the island with three distinct taxing structures, a discrepancy that could lead to the high court taking an interest in answering the question once and for all.
“Right now it’s a mess,” D’Alemberte said Monday.
By Michael Peltier
The News Service of Florida
Burglar Smashes Into Two Jay Pharmacies
July 19, 2011
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office is searching for the person that smashed windows into two Jay pharmacies late Sunday night.
The unidentified male tossed a brick through the glass front door of the Dura-Med Pharmacy and Soda Shoppe on Highway 4. The suspect left a trail of blood behind as he sprinted to the pharmacy counter where he was unable to reach the narcotics located behind a security door. Within eight seconds, he was back out of the pharmacy.
A short time before the Dura-Med burglary, what was believed to be the same suspect smashed through a drive-thru window and of the nearby Jay Pharmacy. The burglary suspect failed at the second pharmacy too; he only managed to break through the first layer of the double pane window.
Anyone with information about the burglaries is asked to contact Santa Rosa Crime Stoppers at (850) 437-STOP or the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 983-1100.
Pictured top: A burglary suspect seen on the security footage at Dura-Med Pharmacy in Jay late Sunday night. Pictured inset: Pharmacist Cecil Phillips shows where the burglary suspect tried to enter a drive-thru window at Jay Pharmacy. Photos courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Third Trial Begins For Billings Murder Suspect Stallworth
July 19, 2011
The third trial is underway for one of the suspects in the Billings murders.
Opening statements were heard Monday afternoon with three witnesses taking the stand in the case of Donnie Stallworth of Brewton. Stallworth is facing two counts of first degree murder in connection with the shooting deaths of the Beulah couple in July 2009 — one of seven people charged in the double murder.
The former Air Force staff sergeant’s first trial ended when the judge declared a mistrial after a jury could not decide his fate during nine hours of deliberations. His second trial came to an end in late April when the jury announced they were deadlocked after two days of deliberations.
Stallworth was accused of being in the home at time of the murders, armed with a gun. The accusations came from two co-defendants, 16-year old Rakeem Florence and 21-year old Fredrick Thorton. Both pleaded not contest to a lessor second degree murder charge in exchange for their testimony.
This time, the case is being prosecuted by both Assistant State Attorney John Molchan and State Attorney Bill Eddins.
Tax Service Employee Pleads; Will Testify Against Boss
July 19, 2011
A woman who was employed at an Atmore tax preparation business has pleaded guilty to federal charges and has agreed to cooperate with authorities in the investigation into the company’s owner.
Federal authorities raided Preyear’s Tax and Check Cashing Services in 2010. Latina Locke, who worked at the business from 2009 to 2010,was indicted in late June 2011 on one charge of conspiracy to defraud the United States. She pleaded guility and faces up to five years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
But she’s expected to receive a lighter sentence in exchange for helping in the investigation and prosecution of her former boss, Alice Mobley.
According to court documents, Mobley instructed Locke to create false dependents on tax forms in order to claim exemptions and tax breaks. The plea agreement states Locke would use a Post-it Note and write down the number of dependents the client wanted to purchase and attach it to the tax form. Once in Mobley’s hands, she would add the dependents before filing the form with the IRS, according to the plea deal.
Mobley was due to plead guilty last month to a 99-count federal indictment, but she changed her mind and decided to go to trial.
Mobley faces a long list of charges, including preparing and filing false tax returns, mortgage fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and filing false tax returns. Mobley’s charges stem from alleged false tax returns filed from 2007 to 2009 through her business Preyear Tax and Check Cashing, LLC, located in Monroeville and its offices in Atmore and Thomasville.
Federal agents raided Mobley’s Preyear’s Tax & Check Cashing, LLC on Ridgely Street in Atmore and other locations in March, 2010. Federal court documents show that FBI and IRS agents seized over $300,000, boxes of tax documents, computers, vehicles and even a stuffed teddy bear when they raided the businesses and Mobley’s Monroeville home.
Mobley’s scheme filed tax returns claiming some $68 million in tax refunds, largely for Earned Income Credit and other tax credits, according to the Department of Justice. Mobley would falsely claim various dependent credits, either charged her clients an extra fee for the using the false dependents or pocketing the extra funds herself.
Mobley also “split” dependents, using the identity of some children on one return to obtain Earned Income Credit, and on other returns to obtain Child Credit and Dependent Care Credit. Mobley’s firm also prepared returns which claimed business tax deductions for business which did not exist and farm tax deductions for clients who did not have farms, the DOJ said.
Mobley was also charged with mortgage fraud and wire fraud in connection with fraud in regards to applications she made for mortgages to CitiBank and Wells Fargo.
Pictured above: A federal agent enters Preyear’s Tax & Check Cashing, LLC in Atmore March 4, 2010. Pictured inset: Agents search a vehicle at the business. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Santa Rosa Man Convicted On Child Sex Abuse Charges
July 19, 2011
A Santa Rosa man faces up to 20 years in prison after being convicted on child abuse charges.
State Attorney Bill Eddins said Monday that Frank Andre Mosley was convicted by a Santa Rosa County jury of lewd and lascivious molestation and aggravated stalking of a child.
In March 2007, Mosley, age 51, had met the victim while he was looking for a mobile home to rent. He began to follow the 13-year old girl and attempted to pursue a relationship with her, according to testimony.
On one occasion, Mosley tried to lure the girl into his car by offering to buy her a cell phone and to give her money. While the girl and several of her friends were swimming at the river, Mosley showed up, stripped to his underwear and went into the water where he grabbed the victim’s buttocks, according to court records. The girl reported what Mosley had been doing after receiving a letter from him in which Mosley repeatedly referred to her as “baby” and said he only had eyes for her. Mosley was arrested following an investigation by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 16, 2011 before Circuit Judge David Rimmer. Mosley faces 20 years in prison for the crimes, including a 15 year minimum mandatory sentence as a prison releasee reoffender on count one and a five year minimum mandatory sentence on the second count.
NHS NJROTC Students Attend Camp (With Gallery)
July 19, 2011
About 90 high school students took part in a Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps basic leadership camp last week at Pensacola Naval Air Station.
The cadets from Northview, Pine Forest, Escambia and Washington high schools took part in daily instruction in academics, basic drills and physical training. The cadets also had daily room and personnel inspections, and they toured aviation training facilities and attended a Blue Angels practice.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The week ended with a graduation ceremony for 89 cadets Saturday at the Naval Aviation Museum.
Northview NJROTC cadets that attended, and the awards they received, were:
- Kasie Braun – 2nd place sit-ups, 5th place push-ups, 3rd place Individual Unarmed Knockout drill competition
- Dylan Cartwright
- Dakota Craft
- Zacarra Davis — 2nd place 1 mile run/ 1st place room inspection
- Casey Godwin
- Alanna Johnson
- Aaron Rausch –4th place room inspection
- Willie Owens — 1st place Individual Unarmed Knockout drill competition
- Johnny Robbins — 2nd place Academics
- Ashley Simpkins
- Victoria Wright — 2nd place Individual Unarmed Knockout drill competition
In addition, graduate assistants, who aided instructors and cadets at the camp, were presented the Cadet Achievement ribbon for their outstanding performance in leading the junior cadets. Graduate assistants from Northview that were honored were Arron McCants and Jonathon Moretz.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Old Time Fiddler’s Convention Winners Announced
July 19, 2011
Almost $2,000 in cash and prizes was awarded Saturday during the 32nd South Alabama Annual Old Time Fiddler’s Convention in Atmore.
Proceeds from the event benefit the Atmore Rotary Club’s Academic All-Star scholarship program that annually recognizes students who attend Northview High School, Atmore Christian School, Escambia County High School or Escambia Academy.
Adam Purvis walked away with the title of Best Fiddler and $1,000. Other winners were:
Vocal Band
- The Rail
- The Dennis’
- Seminole String Band
String Band
- The Rail
- Seminole String Band
- Frontier Bluegrass
Dobro
- Steve Crain
- Tracy Slay
- Robert Bell
Banjo
- Winky Hicks
- Caleb Dennis
- Tracy Slay
Guitar
- James Adkins
- Winky Hicks
- Scott Slay
Mandolin
- Scott Slay
- Sidney Abston
- Amanda Kolb
Fiddle
- Adam Purvis
- Calep “Sparky” Lewis
- Garrett Youngblood
Gloria E.”Gi-Gi” Ballard
July 19, 2011
Mrs. Gloria E.”Gi-Gi” Ballard, age 64, passed away Friday, July 15, 2011, in a Montgomery, AL, health care facility.
Mrs. Ballard was born in Century, and had been a resident of Flomaton before moving to Titus, AL, six years ago. She was a bookkeeper for Fore/Dixie Development Co. for a number of years. Mrs. Ballard was a member of Flomaton Church of Christ.
She is survived by a son, Terry R. Ballard of Oakridge, TN; a daughter and son-in-law, Tina and Toby Leonard of Titus, AL; and two grandsons, Tristan and Trevor.
A memorial service was Monday, July 18, 2011 at 10 a.m. from the chapel of Flomaton Funeral Home with Jerry Brantley officiating.