Two Shot Outside Escambia Apartment Complex
October 10, 2011
Two Escambia County men shot early Monday morning outside the gate of an apartment complex.
Kardale Devon Archie, 19, of the 7000 block of Bruner St., and Jacob Harrison Hardaway, 17, of the 6600 block of Hampton Rd. were both shot in the leg at around 5:10 a.m. today at Oakwood Terrace Apartments at 700 Truman Avenue.
Both victims told deputies that an unknown black male began shooting at them as they walked out of the apartment complex grounds.
“This investigation is ongoing,” said sheriff’s spokesman Deputy Chris Welborn. “Our deputies are working on a promising lead, and we hope to have the suspect in custody as soon as possible.”
Archie and Hardaway were transported to local hospitals by ambulance for non-life-threatening injuries.
Anyone who may have information on the case is asked to contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Overnight Delivery: UPS Moves Regional Facility To Pensacola
October 10, 2011
Shipper UPS announced Monday morning that they are moving their regional sorting facility from Mobile to the Pensacola airport.
“UPS is pleased to add Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional Airport to our global logistics network,” said UPS Airlines President Mitch Nichols. “We look forward to providing excellent service to our Gulf Coast express shipping customers from this new gateway.”
The move will bring two daily cargo flights to the Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional Airport beginning October 31. UPS will generate an estimated 30 jobs initially in Pensacola.
“This is the type of project that could have easily gone to some other airport, but because we were paying attention, running down every lead, and making economic development a priority, we’re going to have a major international shipper flying in and out of Pensacola,” said Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward.
Owners: Century’s Old Alger-Sullivan Building Still Available
October 10, 2011
Century Lumber and Land may have held a ribbon cutting for hundreds of jobs at the doors of the old Alger-Sullivan Lumber property in Century, but they never had any claim to the property. That’s according to the real estate agent for the owners, and he says the property is still on the market for a viable company looking for that perfect location.
James Leonard Craft, now 71, stood holding the arm of Century Mayor Freddie McCall in October 2010 as the mayor cut a symbolic ribbon for Century Lumber and Land. Community members, Century town council members, county government representatives and business officials stood behind a Century Area Chamber of Commerce sign as the yellow ribbon fell on what they were told was a venture that would bring up to 500 jobs to the struggling town.
But there was a tidbit very few of them knew — Craft or the company never had any legal claim the property where he was holding the ribbon cutting.
“It was never sold; it never even had a binder,” EXIT Realty NFI-Commerical agent Gary Watson said Friday on behalf of the property owners.
Fast forward to October 2011 — Craft is behind bars in Etowah County Alabama, on a list of local and state charges via the Alabama Securities Commission…two counts of being an unregistered agent, two counts of selling unregistered securities, four counts of misrepresentation, scheme to defraud, first degree theft and a charge of second degree theft. [Read more in a Saturday NorthEscambia.com story here...]
“We want people to know the building is on the market and available,” Watson said. “There are no claims on any legal connections to Mr. Craft. The property is available free and clear.”
Watson pointed out the property is “just big” with 330,200 square feet in eight buildings on 38 acres that is zoned commercial. CSX rail runs along the western boundary of the property, and CSX is willing to install a railroad spur. It’s within easy driving distance to I-65, and less than 60 miles to Pensacola and Mobile. There are financial incentives and tax breaks available as a Brownsfield and Enterprise Zone property.
“It’s just a great location, and we want people to know it’s available regardless of what might be going on with Mr. Craft,” Watson said.
List price on the former Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company property is $2.75 million, and it is, Watson said, available for sale, owner-financing or lease. “And we’ll even take cash,” he added.
Pictured top: The ribbon is cut in October 2010 for Century Lumber & Land’s announced venture in Century. Pictured inset: Booking photo of James Edward Craft. Pictured below: The former Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company property is back on the market. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlage.
Finance Reports: Most Century Candidates Running On A Budget
October 10, 2011
The final campaign finance reports prior to Tuesday’s Century general election are in, and it remains campaigning on the cheap for most candidates.
Reports for the period ending September 30 were due Friday. An additional campaign finance report will be due for the period October 1-14 on October 21.
Mayor
During the final reporting period, incumbent Mayor Freddie McCall loaned his campaign another $1,000. In total, he’s contributed $3,973 of his own money. McCall has received just one contribution from the public — $100 from Darleene Lauria of Brewton. He reported spending $2,393 to date, with $1,500 to Bill Salter Advertising for billboards and artwork.
Henry Hawkins filed the latest campaign finance report Monday morning — one business day late — show no contributions and no expenditures. As of the last report due September 23, Hawkins had received $300 for his campaign. He contributed $150 to his campaign, while $50 contributions were received from Darrell A. Hawkins of Pensacola, Beverly J. Hawkins of Pensacola and Joseph Hawkins of Pensacola. He, as of the previous report, had spend $263 on the qualification fee, t-shirts and signs.
Council, Seat 1
Incumbent Ann Brooks loaned herself $25 during the last reporting period and spend $102.34 for stickers for her campaign signs. Her total contributions were reported as $615, with $575 of that her own money. Emma Fletcher of Century contributed the remaining $40. She had spent $150.34 with $48 for her qualifying fee and $102.34 for the stickers.
Challenger Pamela McArthur received $25 during the period from Cynthia Brown of Century for total contributions of $98 to her campaign. She has only reporting spending $48 for her qualifying fee.
Council, Seat 2
Incumbent Annie Savage reported $425 in contributions during the last reporting period. She contributed $100 to her own campaign and accepted contributions of $100 from Hauber Joeanne of Gulf Breeze and $225 from Margie McCall — the wife of Century Mayor Freddie McCall. In all, she received $912 in contributions with $220 being her own money. The remainder of her contributions have been amounts as small as $10. During the period, she spent $40 on gas and $110.49 on signs, for total to date expenditures of $637.25.
During the past reporting period, challenger and former mayor Evelyn Hammond received $50 in contributions from Alton Hammond of Century and spent nothing. Her contributions total $530, including $50 from her son, Edward Hammond who is Century’s gas supervisor and $250 from Alfonzie Cottrell. She has spent $342.74, mostly on signs.
To view the complete reports for each candidate, visit the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections website here.
Sheriff’s Office To Sweep Century
October 10, 2011
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and several other agencies will conduct an “Operation Clean Sweep” in Century next Monday.
The Sheriff’s Office and agencies including Escambia County Animal Control, Environmental Law Enforcement, and the United States Military will work to clean up neighborhoods of criminals and trash, while educating citizens on preventive measures to minimize crime.
The “Operation Clean Sweep” will take place Monday, October 17 primarily in the area bounded by East Pond Street to the south, North Century Boulevard to the west, Cottage Street to the north, and Jefferson Avenue and Old Flomaton Road to the west.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Virtual Classes Go From Optional To Mandatory
October 10, 2011
A new state law that requires Florida high school students to take a class online is causing cash-strapped school districts to spend millions on new computers.
And it’s caught the attention of the American Civil Liberties Union, which said it is calling on school districts to ensure that students who do not have Internet access at home aren’t at a disadvantage when it comes to being able to take online courses.
“We are concerned about issues of access,” said ACLU spokesman Baylor Johnson. “There is a digital divide in this country and Internet access is limited by economic means.”
The new law requires entering high school freshman beginning this year to take at least one course online prior to graduation. School districts say to meet this new requirement, it means spending money on new computer labs so that students who do not have the Internet at home are able to take online courses.
In Escambia County, school officials say they are working towards getting the word out to all entering freshman and their parents that taking an online course is now mandatory.
“It is what it is, and there are concerns, but we will work through them,” said Norm Ross, a deputy superintendent for the Escambia County School District.
Ross said there are “companies jumping for joy who want to take advantage of this.” The bill that instituted the requirement was heavily lobbied by for-profit virtual education providers.
Florida Virtual School, a state-supported virtual school program that some districts contract with to offer their own virtual classes, said its most popular high school courses include algebra, geometry, Spanish, and a health and physical education class. The school is funded by the state through student enrollment and course completion.
Virtual education companies are a fast-growing industry as more states embrace online education. It is championed by Republican lawmakers as a way to give flexibility to school districts and students.
It is also touted as a way to help students preparing for the shift in three years to online-only standardized tests.
Critics of online education say that it makes cheating on assignments and tests easier and for some students, the material is more difficult to understand when delivered over the Web.
By Lilly Rockwell
The News Service of Florida
Rain Possible
October 10, 2011
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. North wind around 10 mph.
- Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. North wind around 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60. West wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: A slight chance of showers between 10am and 4pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. West wind between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55. West wind around 5 mph.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 83. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 52.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 83.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 83.
Bills Filed To Ban Texting While Driving In Florida
October 10, 2011
A House Republican on Friday filed a bill that would ban “texting while driving.”
Rep. Ray Pilon, R-Sarasota, filed the measure, which would ban people who are driving from “manually typing or entering multiple letters, numbers, symbols, or other characters into a wireless communications device …. for the purpose of nonvoice interpersonal communication, including, but not limited to, communication methods known as texting, e-mailing, and instant messaging.”
People in the driver’s seat of a parked car wouldn’t be covered by the bill, and enforcement would be as a secondary offense, meaning police wouldn’t be able to pull a driver over for an infraction, but if they saw a driver texting and pulled them over for something else they’d be able to cite them for violating the texting ban.
There’s also an exemption for using a cell phone to navigate.
The same bill was filed earlier this week in the Senate by Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice. Senate President Mike Haridopolos noted this week that similar legislation passed the Senate earlier this year, and declined to predict whether it would again.
“That’ll be an up-or-down vote that happens in the Senate,” said Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island. The measure didn’t pass the House this year.
By The News Service of Florida
District Standings: Northview, West Florida Up; Tate Down
October 10, 2011
District rankings are beginning to shape up in the North Escambia area.
In 1-1A, two teams are 1-0 in the district, Freeport and Northview. Both teams are sitting it out with a bye this week, preparing to meet in Bratt in an October 21 game likely to determine district champs. Baker and Jay are 0-1 in the district after falling to Freeport and Northview, restrictively, last Friday night.
The stars of District 1-5A are the West Florida Jaguars so far this season. The Jags are no longer that team you schedule for an easy homecoming win. At 6-0, the WFHS is having the best season in school history, and they are the only team undefeated at 2-0 in the district.
In 1-6A, Pensacola high has the only perfect 2-0 record in the district, while Pace and Milton are both 2-0. The Tate Aggies are at the very bottom of the district at with a 0-6, 0-3 record.
Weekend In Photos
October 10, 2011
Here’s a look back at over 425 photos from the weekend on NorthEscambia.com. Click a photo to read the story and see the corresponding photo gallery.
NorthEscambia.com photos.