Defeated Century Mayoral Candidate Crying Foul
October 12, 2011
The challenger in Tuesday’s election for Century mayor is crying foul and throwing out multiple allegations, saying he plans to protest his loss to incumbent Mayor Freddie McCall.
Final unofficial totals showed McCall was reelected with 61 percent of the vote — 292 votes to Hawkins’ 186 votes. McCall received 150 absentee votes, while Hawkins received 30. It’s the absentee votes where Hawkins said the election was flawed.
Hawkins told NorthEscambia.com shortly after the final totals were announced that he plans to file complaints with the Florida Secretary of State and the governor’s office over the absentee ballots for McCall.
“I know there’s been problems with absentee ballots,” Hawkins said. “That’s what I’m questioning, I’m challenging…is that election process. If it’s not fair, it’s not fair.”
He claimed three people attempted to vote in person Tuesday at Century City Hall, but they were told they had already voted absentee when, in fact, that had not.
“I don’t mind losing; I’m not a sore loser,” he said. “But I like to be beat fair and square. And this was not fair at all. I can’t compete against a man that has everything from the city at his disposal, so he’s paving streets, putting up speed breakers as special favors and also letting people’s water bills slide.”
Hawkins also claimed that no results from the absentee ballots were provided Tuesday night as Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford watched over Century’s canvassing board as votes were counted.
“They haven’t given the absentee ballot scores, how many people voted absentee ballot, when absentee ballots is what killed us in every election,” he said.
However, the absentee ballot results were clearly posted on the front door of the Century Town Hall right after they were tabulated.
For complete results from Tuesday’s election in Century, click here.
Pictured: Defeated Century mayoral candidate Henry Hawkins writes down vote totals as they are announced Tuesday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Century Mayor Freddie McCall Wins; Incumbent Council Members Reelected
October 12, 2011
Century Mayor Freddie McCall and two incumbent council members were all reelected Tuesday.
Complete, but unofficial, results show that McCall, who was elected for his first term in 2007, received 61 percent percent of the vote and was reelected to his second term as mayor. Challenger Henry Hawkins received 39 percent of the vote.
“I’m excited, I’m relieved, I’m humbled,” McCall told NorthEscambia.com shortly after the final votes were tabulated. “I’ve tried to run a good clean race, and I’ve just been running on my record. I think my record stood for itself.”
“I’m just looking for four more years of progress,” he said. “I’m going to fight for industry to come in.”
Hawkins, former council member, was crying foul Tuesday night after the final vote tally, saying the election process was flawed. Read more….
For council Seat 1, incumbent Ann Brooks defeated Pamela MacArthur. For Seat 2, Annie Savage defeated former mayor Evelyn Hammond. Council members in Century serve a four year term.
About 47 percent of Century’s 1,027 registered voters took part in Tuesday’s election.
Complete, but unofficial results, were as follows:
Mayor
- Freddie McCall (I) – 292 — 61%
- Henry Hawkins -186 – 39%
Seat 1
- Ann Brooks (I) – 288 — 61%
- Pamela MacArthur – 182 — 39%
Seat 2
- Annie Savage (I) – 315 — 66%
- Evelyn Hammond – 164 — 34%
For more photos from the vote count at Century Town Hall and from Mayor Freddie McCall’s celebration party, click here.
Pictured top: Incumbent Mayor Freddie McCall shakes hands with defeated challenger Henry Hawkin after Century election results were announced Tuesday night at Century Town Hall. Pictured inset: Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford and Century Town Clerk Leslie Gonzalez review final vote totals. Pictured below: Annie Carter Savage and her husband Lloyd react to the news that she has been reelected to the Century Town Council. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill Man Arrested Six Years After Warrant Issued
October 12, 2011
A Walnut Hill man wanted on an outstanding warrant for over six years and a half years is now behind bars.
Jessie Wayne McCullough, 39, was booked into the Escambia County Jail Tuesday morning where he was being held without bond.
McCullough was convicted of his third DUI and driving with a suspended license on April 22, 2004, and sentenced to 30 days in jail and placed on six months probation, according to court records. On November 24, 2004, McCullough was arrested by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office for driving with a suspended license. A violation of probation warrant was issued for his arrest January 20, 2005, in the DUI case, court records state.
Volleyball: Northview Falls To Baker
October 12, 2011
The Northview Lady Chiefs lost on the road to the Baker Lady Gators in both varsity and junior varsity volleyball action Tuesday.
Varsity
Northview lost to Baker, 11-25, 19-25, 16-25.
Misty Doran had three kills and a block for the Lady Chiefs, as Josie Docuette had five kills and one dig. Junior Morgan Payne contributed one kill and five digs, and Shelly Mothershed posted one kill and seven assists for Northview.
Junior Varsity
Northview’s junior varsity lost to Baker, 10-25, 25-18, 13-15.
Sophomore Danielle Steadham had two aces, eight kills, two assists and a block for the JV Lady Chiefs. Hannah Fiellin added three aces, three kills, three assists and a dig for Northview, while Tiffani Pritchett contributed three assists. Northview’s Kyndall Hall, a freshman, had one ace, one kill, two assists and a block.
Northview will host Central Thursday — JV at 4:30, varsity at 5:30 p.m. for Senior Night.
Ronnie Lamar Simmons
October 12, 2011
Ronnie Lamar Simmons, age 55 of Cantonment, died October 11, 2011.
He is survived by his wife, Debra Simmons; son, Ronnie Jr.; daughter, Ali Jensen; six grandchildren, Kaitlin, Shelbie, Ashton, Booklyn, Jordan, and Ryleigh; and three great grandchildren, Kameryn, Aubree, and Samiah. He is also survived by his mother and stepfather Vera and Willard; five brothers, Donnie, Bobby, Ricky, Robert, David; and one sister, Carolyn.
Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, October 13, 2011, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 Hwy 29, Cantonment, with Reverend Mark Torres officiating. The family will receive friends beginning at 1 p.m. until the service begins. Interment will follow at Cottage Hill Baptist Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Robert Simmons, Ricky Simmons, Donnie Simmons, Bobby Simmons, Curtis Myrick and Dennis Byrd. Honorary pallbearer will be Lonnie Vickery.
Photos: Ernest Ward Beats Excel
October 12, 2011
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles ended their 2011 season with a down to the wire win over the Excel Panthers Tuesday night, 20-14.
The Eagles took an early lead over the Panthers with a Desmone Knight touchdown. With a missed two point conversion pass to Warren Suggs, Ernest Ward held a 6-0 lead with 7:18 to go in the first quarter.
Excel held the lead with just four seconds on the clock as the Eagles drove to down to the Panther’s six yard line. On the last play of the game, Knight was in for a 6-yard touchdown and an Ernest Ward win.
The EWMS Eagles (4-2) were scheduled to travel to Baker next week to take on the Gators, but that game has been canceled.
For a photo gallery from the game, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Agrait Finishes Third In Triathlon
October 12, 2011
Jorga Agrait of Jay finished third in the recent Sea Turtle Triathlon Loggerhead Divison on Opal Beach near Navarre.
Each of the girls in her 11-12 year division swam 150 yards, biked three miles and ran one mile. Coming out of the water after the triathlon opening swim, Agrait was at the back of the pack. She caught a few competitors in the three mile bike, but poured it on and gained serious ground in the one-mile run. In the one-mile, she had the fastest time, allowing her to finish before all but two of 17 competitors.
Agrait is a member of the Jay High School Lady Royals Cross Country team.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Auxiliary Trooper Kills Naked Home Invader Armed With Bow And Arrow
October 11, 2011
An auxiliary Florida Highway Patrol trooper shot and killed her neighbor, who was naked and armed with a bow and arrow, after a home invasion Monday night in Escambia County.
Sean Harris, 24, of the 4200 block of Lynn Ora Drive, was taken to Sacred Heart Hospital where he died around 9:45 p.m.
Auxiliary Trooper Tabbatha Nussbaumer was in the shower in her upstairs bedroom in the Scenic Heights neighborhood area when her her 9-year-old son ran in and told her a man he didn’t recognize was in the house. Nussbaumer exited her room and was confronted by Harris, who was at the bottom of the stairs holding a bow and arrow.
Nussbaumer told Pensacola Police that Harris asked her where the money was located. In an effort to get the suspect out of her house and away from her son, she told him it was in her truck parked on the street. As she exited the front door, Harris followed, removed his clothes and approached her as she was at her vehicle, which was parked in the street.
Police said Nussbaumer removed a handgun from the truck, turned around and faced Harris, who was standing a few feet from her. She said that as Harris advanced toward her, she fired one shot.
When police arrived, Harris was found lying nude in the street. He had been shot once in the lower abdomen.
Court documents indicated that his mother told police that Harris might be on drugs, and that he told the ambulance crew that he had used cocaine.
The Pensacola Police Department has asked the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to handle the investigation into the shooting.
“The FDLE has agreed to this request,” said Chief Chip W. Simmons. “We believe that under the circumstances, it was appropriate for FDLE to conduct the investigation because Tabbatha Nussbaumer is a former Pensacola Police officer.”
Elderly Man Dies As A Result Of Highway 97 Crash
October 11, 2011
An elderly Walnut Hill man died this morning from injuries he received in a September 29 accident on Highway 97,.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 80-year old Sam Tichi was traveling east in the driveway of Tichi’s Garage in a New Holland skid loader when he attempted to cross the roadway and pulled onto Highway 97 into the path of a southbound Ford Explorer driven by 22-year old Brittany L. Tutton of Atmore. The SUV overturned onto Highway 97 in the mid-afternoon crash.
Tichi was airlifted by LifeFlight to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola where he passed away from his injuries at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.
Tutton was transported by ambulance to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola in serious condition. Her 3-year old daughter, Maddix L. Tutton, received minor injuries and was treated and released at Baptist Hospital.
The crash remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Walnut Hill, Century and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, the Atmore Fire Department, Atmore Ambulance and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
For a photo gallery from the scene, click here.
Pictured above: Firefighters used the Jaws of Life to free a 22-year woman from this SUV after she collided with a piece of equipment (pictured below) crossing Highway 97. The occupant of the equipment, 80-year old Sam Tichi was transported to Baptist Hospital by LifeFlight where he died October 11. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century To Elect Mayor, Two Council Members Today
October 11, 2011
It’s election day in Century, with the office of mayor and two council seats on the ballot. Polls are open 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
There are 1,026 voters qualified to vote in today’s election. Polls are open 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. For voting information, click here.
Mayor
Incumbent Freddie W. McCall was elected to the Century Town Council in 2004 and was elected to his first term as mayor in 2007.
“We’ve just come so far in four years, and there’s work to be completed,” McCall said. “There are lots of things in the works. I just feel like we are on the brink of good things happening and getting some industry in Century.”
Challenger Henry J. Hawkins was first elected to the town council in 2006. He ran again in 2010, but was defeated 174-144 by political newcomer Jacke Johnston in during a 2010 runoff.
“I want to make a change for the good in Century,” Hawkins said. “There’s an old saying that if you want to make a change, it has to begin with you. I want to be the one to make that change.”
Council Seat 1
Incumbent Ann C. Brooks was first elected to the Century Town Council in 2007. Brooks, who is a certified public accountant, has served as council president for four years.
“My vision for Century is to see it become a town that its citizens take pride in. During my four years in office, the council and mayor have worked with code enforcement to clean up Century and get rid of dilapidated buildings that gave our town a bad image,” Brooks said. “We have also undertaken a major road repaving project. Century looks better today than it has in many years. We all want to attract healthy businesses to our town, but I think the first step is for us to each do our part to make our town a place that they would want to relocate to.”
Political newcomer Pamela MacArthur has lived in Century for about 20 years. She is a retired certified nursing assistant.
“I want to be a help to the community,” she said. “We can make Century a better place and have unity.”
Council Seat 2
Incumbent Annie Carter Savage was appointed to the Century Town Council effective August 1, 2011, to serve the remainder of the term of Nadine McCaw who passed away on July 7. Last year, Savage ran an unsuccessful campaign for Seat 5, defeated by current council member Sandra McMurray Jackson.
Seat 2 challenger Evelyn Hammond is no stranger to politics in Century. She served as a council member before being elected mayor in 2004. She ran for mayor again in 2007, but was defeated by current mayor Freddie McCall. In 2009, the Florida Commission on Ethics publicly censured and reprimanded Hammond, finding that she misused her position to retaliate against Century Little League and its president when that organization failed to hire her son as chief umpire. She was also fined $3,000 by the ethics commission. The complaint was filed by current council members Annie Savage and Ann Brooks along with Nolan Wilson.