Mosquito Spraying Planned In Cantonment, Gonzalez
August 23, 2012
The Escambia County Mosquito Control Division plans to spray in an area in the Cantonment and Gonzalez areas from 6:30 until 10:00.
Spraying will occur in four areas, bounded by:
- Kingsfield Road, Nine Mile Road, Chemstrand Road, Highway 95A
- Becks Lake Road, Old Chemstrand Road, Conference Road, Highway 95A
- Old Chemstrand Road, Boulder Creek Drive, Hornsby Drive, Highway 95A
- Quintette Road, Becks Lake Road, Parker Road, Highway 29
The following information was released by the Escambia County Mosquito Control Division:
Mosquito control administration and operations teams have directed surveillance activity, identified target mosquito species and determined that today’s justified actions are warranted. Methods used to determine necessary fogging mission activity include dry ice-baited light traps, landing rate counts and receiving focally located service requests from the public.
Fogging mission hours vary by start and conclusion times, but generally adult mosquito pesticides are applied in the early evening hours. We ask residents to keep travel in these areas to a minimum during spray times.
For additional information or to request service, please contact the Mosquito Control Division during normal business hours at 937-2188.
10 Mile Intersection To Close Tonight
August 23, 2012
The intersection of Motley Court and 10 Mile Road will experience temporary short term closure beginning 11 p.m. Thursday until 5 a.m. Friday. This closure is necessary to accommodate a drainage project happening in the area.
Emergency vehicles will have access to the area during this time.
With Isaac Cancel The Republican National Convention?
August 23, 2012
[TALLAHASSEE] Organizers of the Republican National Convention will make the call on whether to cancel their shindig or not as Tropical Storm Isaac bears down on Florida, Gov. Rick Scott said Thursday.
Ramping up efforts as Isaac continues its track toward the state – and in some models toward the Tampa Bay area where as many as 50,000 visitors are expected for the convention – Scott said Florida and local officials will work with organizers to keep them apprised of storm conditions.
But the final decision on whether to go forward with the convention that begins Monday will rest with the RNC, though the state will provide input.
“Local teams will make evacuation plans for their areas depending on what happens,” Scott said during the first of two scheduled updates Thursday. “The convention will make its own decision. The goal is that you have everybody together, we’ll have the same information and can coordinate our efforts and work together.”
State emergency managers will hold twice daily briefings with convention organizers and local responders starting today in an effort to ensure that everyone has up-to-date information.
Scott plans to activate the state’s emergency operations center later Thursday and will hold more regular updates in the days leading up to the convention, which runs through next week.
“This is the convention’s decision,” Scott said. “They will work with the city. They will work with the county. They will work with the state. By having these briefings, everybody will all have the same information so I don’t think we will have any confusion.”
On Wednesday, Florida’s director of emergency management, Bryan Koon, said portions of the Tampa Bay area are located in mandatory evacuation zones. Convention visitors would be expected to comply with local evacuation directives if they’re ordered, Koon said.
Scott is scheduled to speak at the convention Monday evening, but said he will decide later in the week if he will be available. Four years ago, then-Gov. Charlie Crist skipped the Republican convention in Minnesota because of Hurricane Gustav in Florida.
“I’m responsible for the 19 million people who live here and the visitors,” Scott said. “That’s what my focus will be.”
Following an inadequate response to Hurricane Andrew 20 years ago this week, Florida officials have spent tens of millions on emergency response and set up a command system that links local, state and federal agencies together.
Earlier this year, emergency managers conducted a hurricane exercise that focused on a category 3 hurricane hitting the Tampa Bay region during the convention.
While national attention has focused on the RNC, Scott said the track of the storm can change dramatically over the next several days. Nearly all of Florida is currently within the storm’s potential path.
“This state is prepared,” Scott said. “We’ve gone through hurricanes.”
By The News Service of Florida
Cantonment Bookkeeper Indicted For Stealing $282,000 From Local Company
August 23, 2012
A Cantonment woman is facing 125 charges for allegedly stealing $282,000 from her employer over a five year period.
Thursday, a federal grand jury charged 43-year old Kandi Kay Holden in a federal indictment that included 120 counts of wire fraud and five counts of federal tax violations.
The 125-count indictment charges Holden with diverting funds from her place of employment and failing to report this money as income on her federal income tax returns. From November 2004 until her discharge in January 2011, Holden was employed in the bookkeeping and accounting department of Cantwell Steel Erectors in Pensacola.
During her employment, she allegedly initiated 120 unauthorized wire transfers totaling $282,000. Prosecutors said she then transferred the money from the bank account of Cantwell Steel Erectors into various bank accounts that she controlled.
Holden is also charged with filing false tax returns for the years 2006 through 2009 and willfully failing to file her 2010 individual federal income tax return.
If convicted, Holden faces maximum sentences of 20 years in prison for each count of wire fraud, three years in prison for each count of filing false tax returns and one year in prison for willfully failing to file a tax return.
The federal indictment followed an investigation by the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation unit.
SBA Disaster Assistance Available Following June Storms, Flooding
August 23, 2012
Florida and Alabama residents and businesses affected by severe storms and flooding June 9-11, can apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
The loans were made available in response to a letter from the governor’s office requesting a disaster declaration by the SBA. The declaration covers Escambia County and the adjacent counties of Santa Rosa in Florida, Baldwin and Escambia in Alabama.
“The SBA is strongly committed to providing the people of Florida with the most effective and customer-focused response possible to assist homeowners, renters, and businesses of all sizes with federal disaster loans,” said SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills. “Getting businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA.”
“Loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for loans up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property,” said Frank Skaggs, director of SBA’s Field Operations Center East in Atlanta. SBA’s customer service representatives are on hand at the Disaster Loan Outreach Center to answer questions about the disaster loan program, explain the process, issue and help individuals complete their applications.
The Disaster Loan Outreach Center is open weekday until August 30 and Saturday, August 25 at the Small Business Development Center, 401 East Chase Street in Pensacola.
Businesses and non-profit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets,” said Wilfredo Gonzalez, SBA’s Jacksonville district director.
The SBA may increase a loan up to 20 percent of the total amount of disaster damage to real estate and/or leasehold improvements, as verified by SBA, to make improvements that lessen the risk of property damage by future disasters of the same kind.
For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small aquaculture businesses and most private nonprofit organizations of all sizes, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.
Interest rates are as low as 1.938 percent for homeowners and renters, 3 percent for non-profit organizations and 4 percent for businesses with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
Individuals and businesses unable to visit the Center may also obtain information and loan applications by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing), or by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Loan applications can also be downloaded from the SBA’s website at www.sba.gov. Completed applications should be returned to the Center or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is October 22, 2012. The deadline to return economic injury applications is May 21, 2013.
School District: Watch Out For The Big Yellow Buses
August 23, 2012
Escambia County School officials are asking motorists and students to be careful around school buses.
With the start of a new school year, comes a dramatic increase in traffic during the morning and afternoon commutes. Parents driving their children to school as well as the addition of 320 yellow school buses will add traffic pressure. Motorists are advised to take a little extra time to get to work or school, be patient with delays, and, most importantly, expect the unexpected.
Last school year, half of all traffic accidents involving school buses were caused by motorists who rear-ended a stopped school bus at a railroad crossing, traffic signal, or school bus stop. “Inattention to driving is the only reasonable explanation,” according to Rob Doss, the district’s director of transportation. Doss added that now is an excellent time to put the cell phone away and watch the road ahead.
“It is the goal of the Escambia County School District to be a safety leader,” remarked Superintendent Malcolm Thomas. “Our school bus drivers are fully trained and qualified, are able to apply best practices in safety, and are focused on getting students to and from school in a safe environment.
For school bus safety tips and more district transportation information, visit www.escambiayellow.com.
One Dead In Another Escambia County Shooting
August 23, 2012
A man was shot and killed Wednesday night in Escambia County.
The victim was identified by neighbors as 21-year old Darrington Lovely.
He was found shot in the front yard of a home about 9:15 p.m. in the 1100 block of Webster Drive in the Mayfair community. Lovely was unresponsive as he was transported to an area hospital where he later died.
There were no immediate arrests, as Escambia County Sheriff’s Deputies canvassed the area for clues.
Investigators and the Gun Crime Response Team are continuing the investigation and are asking anyone with information on the murder to call the Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Swing Dancing Coming To North Escambia Friday Night
August 23, 2012
Swing dancing is coming to North Escambia Friday night.
“Swing Molino Swing”, a family oriented event, will be held at the Barrineau Park Community Center on Barrienau Park School Road.
“This is an event for all ages and you can dress up or dress down as much as you want,” said Meridith Caum, one of the event organizers. She said spike heels are not allowed, and females that plan to wear a dress and practice the dip moves will need a pair of shorts underneath.
Lessons begin at 6:30 with the dance from 7-11 p.m. There will be a $5 charge to cover costs, and there will be a $5 meal available with a hot dog, chips, dessert and drink.
There will be no alcohol and no smoking allowed in the Barrineau Park Community Center, and there will be a deputy on site for security and peace of mind.
Pictured top: Marshall Caum and Haylee Weaver in a swing dancing dip. Pictured inset: (top to bottom, L-R) Marshall Caum, Meridith Caum, Lydia Weaver, Justin Purvis and Haylee Weaver. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Deputies: Woman Tries To Attack Daughter With Bat Over Swimsuit
August 23, 2012
A Century woman was jailed after allegedly trying to attack her daughter with a baseball bat after a fight over a swimsuit.
Kimberly Renee Harwell, 38, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and battery. She remained in the Escambia County Jail early Thursday with bond set at $25,000.
Harwell allegedly become involved in a physical confrontation with her daughter over a bathing suit. The fight escalated until Harwell was allegedly outside a window with her daughter inside, at which time she struck the window with a bat and shattered it.
The daughter locked the mom outside, but she managed to make access. Once inside the home, Harwell allegedly tried to hit the daughter with the wooden bat.
The daughter suffered minor cuts in the incidents and refused medical treatment.
Bratt Renter Charged With Grand Theft For Moving Out With Appliances
August 23, 2012
A North Escambia man is charged with a felony for allegedly moving out of a rental property in Bratt with the owner’s appliances.
The owner of the property in the 5300 block of North Highway 99 told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that Israel Dewayne Wiggins, 36, moved out after about a year and took a stove, refrigerator and a freezer. He then allegedly sold the appliances, valued at $1,870, to another man for $60.
Wiggins was charged with felony grand theft and released from the Escambia County Jail on a $2,500 bond. The appliances were recovered and returned to the property owner.