Century Man Charged With Attacking Pregnant Woman
July 17, 2012
A Century man is facing a felony charge for allegedly attacking a pregnant woman that is also the mother of his child in the middle of a town street.
Maurice Austin, 23, was charged with aggravated battery when the offender knew or should have known the victim was pregnant.
The victim told Escambia County deputies that she was walking down Jefferson Avenue near East Street in Century to catch a ride with friends alongside Highway 29. Austin, the father of her child, was standing in the roadway. She claimed Austin said, “This better not be my baby momma. I’m about to slap the [expletive] out of her”.
The victim claimed Austin grabbed her by the neck, pushed her into the ditch and began fighting with her. The victim told deputies she broke free and continued walking toward her destination. She said that Austin’s girlfriend pulled off to the side of the road and ran over her foot. The two women — Austin’s girlfriend and the mother of his child — tried to fight, but Austin kept them apart briefly before saying he was going to step back and watch them fight, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report.
A third party drove by, broke up the fight and transported the victim to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Century Substation, the report states. The victim reportedly suffered cuts, bruises and swelling. Her flip-flop was broken on the foot she claimed was ran over, but she told deputies that there was no pain and she could move all her toes.
When questioned by deputies, Austin’s girlfriend denied knowledge of the alleged events.
Deputies were not immediately able to locate Austin after the July 4 altercation, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was released from the Escambia County Jail Monday on a $2,000 bond.
Warrant Issued For Man That Ran From Wreck
July 17, 2012
A wreck Monday afternoon near Flomaton led to a manhunt for a driver believed to have been seriously injured…and now a warrant has been issued for his arrest.
Witnesses identified the driver as Steven Michael Campbell, Jr., 38, of Atmore. He is now wanted on an outstanding warrant for leaving the scene of an accident without injuries.
The accident happened about 3:40 p.m. in the 3600 block of Old Atmore Road near Fowler lane, about two-tenths of mile north of the Alabama/Florida line.
Officials said Campbell lost control of of a Jeep Grand Cherokee and overturned several times before he jumped out and ran. Witnesses told first responders that Campbell was bleeding severely from his head.
The Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office, Flomaton Police Department, tracking dogs from Fountain Prison near Atmore, LifeFlight and the Flomaton Fire Department looked for the Campbell unsuccessfully for about an hour.
Witnesses described the Campbell as wearing plaid shorts and a dark or black shirt at the time of the wreck.
Anyone with information about the man’s identity is asked to call their local law enforcement agency.
Pictured: The driver of this Jeep Cherokee fled on foot after a wreck Monday afternoon on Old Atmore Road. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Community Action Accepting Apps For Disaster Kits, Mowing Assistance
July 17, 2012
The Community Action Program Committee will take applications on Wednesday for free hurricane preparedness and lawn mowing assistance for those that qualify.
The program is for persons 55 or older that meet income guidelines (see below). The lawn mowing assistance is for those qualified individuals needed to comply with Escambia County Code Enforcement orders.
The applications will be accepted at 9:30 a.m. at Heritage Baptist Church, 3065 Highway 297A in Cantonment.
Applicants will need to bring:
- driver’s license (everyone 18 and older)
- public assistance – monthly amount (cash assistance and food stamps)
- current lease
- all income for the last 30 days (biweekly-last 2 pay stubs; weekly – last 4 pay stubs; monthly last pay stub)
- disability income/retirement income (award letter monthly payment)
- child support (last 30 days)
- self-employment (last 30 days)
- No income (notarized statement from financial supporter assisting with household expenses signed and dated)
Income guidelines for the program for those 55 and older is as follows:
It’s Going To Look A Lot Like Christmas In Century
July 17, 2012
It may still be July, but the Town of Century is making plans for Christmas.
The town council plans to budget funds to replace aging Christmas decorations across Century — including decorations along North Century Boulevard and a manger scene at the town hall.
“I believe we all want a manger scene,” Council President Ann Brooks said Monday night as she shared municipal Christmas decoration catalogs with the council.
Mayor Freddie McCall suggested that inmate labor from Century Correctional Institution could perhaps be used to construct the manger and save the town money. He also said the town must budget for wiring utility poles for lighted decorations.
Council members will look at the decoration catalogs — deciding whether pole decorations should be trees, wreaths, stars, etc. — and report back at a future meeting.
Pictured top: Century Town Council President Ann Brooks (left) shows a municipal Christmas decoration catalog to council members Sandra McMurray Jackson (center) and Jacke Johnston Monday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Citizens Insurance Board Talks Higher Rates For 2013
July 17, 2012
Gearing up for next week’s meeting to approve rates, the Citizens Property Insurance Corp. Board of Governors met Monday to discuss rates for the state-backed insurer.
As the company – the state’s largest property insurer – tries to reduce its number of customers and shore up its premium base, the board also took public testimony during its workshop in Miami. And it got an earful from policyholders and local lawmakers that underscored the difficulty it faces in raising rates on some of the riskiest property in the state.
Lawmakers have capped premium increases on existing Citizens policyholders at 10 percent, avoiding rates that actuaries say could otherwise be more than 30 percent higher if market pricing were in place.
Figures prepared for Monday’s workshop show that rates would need to be increased by at least 27 percent on average statewide next year to more accurately respond to non-sinkhole risks.
State law however, restricts rate hikes to no more than 10 percent on any individual policies.
Some Citizens policyholders may even see no increase next year, though most will see some sort of increase.
Citizens remains less expensive than private insurance alternatives in certain areas – which keeps the private market from being competitive. The company wasn’t originally designed to be a cheaper alternative to private coverage, it was supposed to be an emergency alternative for people who couldn’t get private coverage. But with the cap on rates, it’s become the cheapest option in some places.
“This means that Citizens is a rate competitor with private insurers in many territories where Citizens should be working to reduce exposure and be noncompetitive,” Citizens staff wrote in an executive summary of the proposed rates.
Sinkhole coverage is another area of concern. Lawmakers have removed the 10 percent cap on sinkhole premium increases, and it is virtually assured that Citizens board will increase the rates on sinkhole coverage to the degree necessary to make them actuarially sound.
To do that, the rates would have to more than triple for homeowners in Citizens most populated insurance pool. The board is instead expected to approve a phase-in of higher sinkhole rates.
Citizens officials have tried to make the case that the 10-percent cap should not apply to new business, arguing new commercial and residential policies should be priced at rates higher than what rates would be if the cap were taken into consideration.
The political pushback was evident Monday as board members met with citizens and local lawmakers during a public workshop in Miami. State Reps. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, and Frank Artiles, both Miami Republicans, said many South Florida residents have little choice but to get coverage through the state-backed insurer.
Lopez-Cantera urged the board to remember that many residents are on fixed incomes and said insurance “is not a luxury, it is a requirement” for people who have mortgages.
“The decisions you make affect people that you may not think about,” said Lopez-Cantera.
While the board heard from the public, its actuarial committee approved changes made by lawmakers earlier this year to reduce costs.
Among a list of changes, the panel approved caps on water damage payments, a higher deductible for hurricane claims and even higher optional deductibles for policyholders who choose to reduce their premiums by taking on more of the financial risk.
The full board meets July 27 to vote on rates, which must then be approved by the Office of Insurance Regulation.
By The News Service of Florida
Man Charged With Possessing Pot, Gun And Counterfeit Cash
July 17, 2012
An Escambia County man is behind bars facing multiple charges for possessing marijuana, a gun and counterfeit cash.
Charles Randall Butler, 24, fled from deputies after a traffic stop on Lucerne Avenue and was apprehended after a foot chase with deputies.
Deputies reported that he had 43 grams of marijuana, $1,175 in currency, a 380 semi-automatic handgun and $260 in counterfeit $20 bills in his possession or in his vehicle.
He was charged with driving with habitual suspended license, possession of a firearm during a felony, possession of a weapon by convicted felon, criminal mischief, possession of counterfeited money, resisting an officer without violence, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, and possession of marijuana over 20 grams.
Butler was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond due to an outstanding warrant from another case.
No Serious Injuries In Tate, Kingsfield Road Crash
July 17, 2012
There were no serious injuries reported in two vehicle wreck Monday afternoon in Cantonment.
The accident was reported just before 5 p.m. at the intersection of Tate and Kingsfield roads. The wreck is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
Pictured: There were no serious injuries in this wreck Monday afternoon at Tate and Kingsfield Road. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Updated: Local Woman Seen On ABC’s Good Morning America
July 17, 2012
Several area women made a brief appearance on Good Morning America Monday morning on the ABC television network.
Diane Johnson, three-year old teacher at the Friendship Learning Lodge on Wolf Log Road, was one of the women. She was seen in the New York City crowd, happily waving at the camera. The sign she’s holding had a peace symbol, a heart and “& Roll Tide” (that’s Peace, Love and Roll Tide).
Johnson is in New York with several friends that also received a little airtime — Shirley Manning of Brewton, Barbara Swinney of Gulf Shores, Diane White of Brewton and Sharon Chavers of Brewton.
Pictured top: Shirley Manning, Barbara Swinney, Diane White, Robin Roberts of GMA, Diane Johnson, and Sharon Chavers. Pictured inset: Diane Johnson (right, waving) of Flomaton was seen on ABC’s Good Morning America Monday morning.Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Perdido Gators Win Beachside Blast Tournament
July 17, 2012
The Perdido Gators wonUSFA Beachside Blasttournament this past weekend in Pace.
The 14U girls fast pitch softball team went undefeated this past weekend, allowing a total of only six runs throughout the tournament. Area girls from Northview, Tate, West Florida, Escambia, Pace, and Gulf Breeze high schools make up the Perdido Gators softball team.
The Gators will be headed to Orlando in August to compete in the USSSA World Series.
Pictured: Members of the Perdido Gators (bottom row, L-R) Ashley Young, Kota Berry, Sara Spears, Kristin Gunter, Morgan Peppers, (top row) Lauren Brennan, Angel Lathan, Olivia Printiss, Sydney Ezelle, Ali Cutaio, Mallory Ryan. Coaches are Tracey Ezelle, Greg Spears, Eddie Ryan, and Jeff Cutaio. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Homeless Man Steals Car, Rams Police Cruiser, Tosses Sawed Off Shotgun
July 17, 2012
Multiple charges were filed on a homeless man Sunday after he fled from police in a stolen car, rammed an officer’s car with the vehicle and threw a sawed-off shotgun onto the ground while running from officers.
William E. Waters, 19, no permanent address, was charged with fleeing/eluding police, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, grand theft of a motor vehicle, possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, resisting without violence, and not having a driver’s license.
The incident began around 12:15 a.m. Sunday near the intersection of “I” and Cervantes streets after Pensacola Police Officer Chris Grantham spotted the stolen vehicle.
Officers tried to stop the vehicle at Barcelona and Cervantes streets but Waters, who was driving the car, refused to stop.
The stolen Lincoln Towncar collided with the front of a cruiser at Spring and Cervantes streets, and continued eluding officers until it stopped in a grassy lot southwest of Jackson and “D” streets where the driver fled.
Officer Charles Decker and Officer David Hausner and his K-9 Kyros found Waters hiding in a yard in the 500 block of North “D” Street.
During a search of the area, officers found a loaded sawed-off shotgun wrapped in a white T-shirt that one of the officers had seen the suspect throw to the ground during a foot chase.
Waters was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $66,500.