Additional Arrest In Animal Cruelty Case
January 18, 2014
A wanted Century woman was arrested Friday on outstanding animal cruelty charges.
Feather Lynn McGlothren, 36, was booked in to the Escambia County Jail on two counts of confinement of animals (dogs) without sufficient food or water, and four counts of cruelty to animals.
Thursday, NorthEscambia.com reported that the same charges were filed against Robert Earl Simmons, age 54 of McDavid, who had already been arrested, and a third person who died after the case was first opened by the State Attorney’s Office.
Both Simmons and McGlothren remained jailed early Saturday morning due to outstanding probation violation warrants.
The State Attorney’s Office has not yet released any specific information about the alleged animal cruelty in the case, other than dogs were involved.
Fire Marshal: 29 One Pot Meth Labs Found In Burned House
January 18, 2014
The Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office reported finding 29 one pot meth labs after a house fire at 4905 Birch Street. Officials believe may have been cause by one of the clandestine methamphetamine laboratories exploding.
Investigators noticed the smell of a meth lab upon arriving and upon entering the structure immediately recognized a fuel can, a one pot clandestine methamphetamine laboratory and other items consistent with a meth lab in the kitchen area.
Upon searching the entire residence, investigators located 29 one pot laboratories as well as other items used in the production of methamphetamines. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Rapid Response Unit responded and collected and disposed of all hazardous materials.
The investigation continues by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Weekend Gardening: Tips for January
January 18, 2014
Here are gardening tips for the month of January from the IFAS Extension Service:
Flowers
- Refrigerated bulbs such as tulip, daffodil and hyacinth should be planted in prepared beds.
- Start seeds of warm season flowers late this month in order to have transplants in March.
- There’s still time to transplant some cool season annuals such as carnations, foxglove, pansies, petunias and snapdragons.
- Re-fertilize cool season flowerbeds, using a liquid or dry form of fertilizer. Be careful not to apply excessive amounts and keep granules away from the base of stems.
- Finish dividing crowded perennials. Don’t wait until spring for this job.
- Plant bare root roses immediately after they are purchased.
Trees and Shrubs
- Plant trees and shrubs. This is an ideal time of year for transplanting larger specimens.
- Plant bare root plants such as deciduous ornamental shrubs and trees.
- Prune dormant shade trees, if needed.
- Stick hardwood cuttings of fig, grape, honeysuckle, Althea, Catalpa, Forsythia and Wisteria.
Fruits and Nuts
- Apply dormant oil spray to peach, plum, nectarine and other deciduous fruit trees. This practice is necessary when growing the stone fruits in locations along the Gulf Coast. Note: This applies to the flowering peaches and cherries since they are susceptible to the same pests as their fruiting cousins.
- Plant bare root deciduous fruit trees
- Prune dormant fruit trees if needed
Vegetable Garden
- Start seeds of warm season vegetables late this month in order to have transplants in March.
- Lime (if needed), and begin preparing vegetable gardens for the spring planting.
- Cool season vegetables that can still be planted in the garden are: beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, Chinese cabbage, kale, kohlrabi, leek, mustard, bunching onions, parsley, English peas, Irish potatoes, radishes and turnips.
- Irish potatoes can be started from January through March by planting seed pieces 3 to 4 inches deep in rows. Always purchase certified seed potatoes.
Lawns
- Check soil moisture during winter and water as needed.
Sunny Weekend, Slight Rain Chance For MLK Day
January 18, 2014
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers after 3am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 38. South wind around 10 mph.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 29. Calm wind.
- M.L.King Day: Sunny, with a high near 64. Light west wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
- Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west after midnight.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 56. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 26. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 49. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 26. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 51.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 28.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 53.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38.
- Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 58.
Larry S. Mathis
January 18, 2014
On Sunday, December 15, 2013, Larry S. Mathis passed away in St. Thomas, VI. Larry was a native of Century; born on January 11, 1949. He attended Century High School where he excelled in sports and set many records for the school. He was a member of the graduating class of 1967 and he went on to attend and play football for the University of West Alabama in Livingston, AL. In his class annual, the most written about by his friends was “He had a great smile.” And he did! His smile and laughter was contagious!
After college, Larry returned to Century to work with his dad, Noah Mathis, in the construction business. Mathis Development was formed and Larry had a knack for learning the construction side of the business. He was a heavy equipment operator until his dad retired. He went on to work for several companies as an operator in Tennessee and in Miami, and then in 1995, after Hurricane Marilyn, he took a job working for a company in the Virgin Islands. His current job was with G.E.C. Company operating a 90 ton friction crane based out of the Virgin Islands. The owner had seen his work on another job and wanted to hire him on the spot. Larry told him once he finished the current job, GEC could hire him. Within a few weeks, he was working for GEC and had mastered the crane. The company owners said that they had never seen anyone learn so quickly and have such a great work ethic like Larry. He continued working on various islands for GEC during the past 19 years.
While living in St. Thomas, he met and married Mari Hamer on January 9, 1999 in a ceremony overlooking the beautiful scenery of the island. Larry & Mari loved the ocean and the sun: living in the peaceful serene setting in St. Thomas suited them. His wish to Mari was that he be cremated and ashes spread on the island; a place that he loved and now he called home. Mari will fulfill this wish with friends at a later date.
Larry was a workaholic, loved to garden and work on his boat. He was always busy working on something unless he was watching football. He was a Crimson Tide fan and wore a ‘Bama hat proudly to work everyday. As the days go by, he has been and will be forever missed by his family and friends.
Larry was preceded in death by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Noah Mathis, Sr, and Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Moore. He is survived by his wife, Mari Mathis of St. Thomas; his parents, Noah and Chiquita Mathis of Century; three sisters, Betty Jackson, Judy Dunsford and June Thompson; also Scott Moore, Jimmie Moore and Brandon Mathis and his beloved pet dogs, Braveheart and Gidget.
A memorial service will be held at Hudson’s located at 7241 N. Century Blvd in Century, on Monday, January 27, 2014, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Chipley Downs Northview In Critical District Game
January 18, 2014
In a critical district game, the Chipley Tigers defeated the Northview Chiefs Friday night 66-55 in Chipley.
The Chipley Tigers moved into the first place in the current district standings with the win. The Tigers are now 5-0 in 1A-3, while Northview’s Chiefs are 4-1 in the district.
Individual player statistics from the game were not submitted.
Large Grass Fire Shuts Down Highway 97
January 17, 2014
Smoke from a large grass fire closed Highway 97 for about half an hour Friday afternoon.
The fire was mostly contained to grassland, a cow pasture and the roadside, but thick, white smoke dropped visibility along the highway to near zero near Hendricks Lane, south of Walnut Hill. There were no structures damaged, and no injuries reported.
The fire was initially estimated at about 10 acres.
The Molino, Walnut Hill and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the reported fire about 12:30 p.m. and continued to battle it into the afternoon. The Florida Forest Service also responded to the blaze.
The roadway was partially reopened by 1:25 p.m.
Pictured top and left: Smoke closed Highway 97 Friday afternoon due to near zero visibility at times. Pictured below: Firefighters battle a large grass fire. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Deputies: 15-Year Old Shoots Pregnant Woman
January 17, 2014
A teen has been arrested for shooting a pregnant 19-year old woman as she walked down an Escambia County street last night.
About 10:30 p.m., deputies responded to the 7800 block of Oak Forest Drive where they found the pregnant female suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. She has only told investigators that she was shot while walking down the street, according to the Sheriff’s Office. She was transported to a local hospital. Her condition has not been released.
Deputies arrested 15-year old Ladarryl Derrell Paige for the shooting about 4:00 a.m. Friday. He has been charged with aggravated battery and discharging a firearm in public.
Redevelopment Plan Approved For ‘Blighted’ Areas Of Cantonment
January 17, 2014
The Escambia County Commission voted Thursday night to approve the Cantonment Redevelopment Plan — a plan designed to address issues that need major improvement in a distressed area of Cantonment.
Just under 2,000 people live in the Cantonment Redevelopment Area in 533 family households. The median household income is $28,291, far below the Escambia County median income of $43,707. Over half of the homes in the area are worth less than $50,000, and a significant number are in need of some sort of repair.
West of Highway 29, the blighted area is generally bordered by Heaton Road to the south, Nowak Road and Hicks Street to the west and Well Line Road to the north. East of Highway 29, the blighted area is generally bordered by Becks Lake Road, Virecent Road, and Eden Lane. The blighted area does not include all properties on the listed roads. (For a detailed map in pdf format, click here.)
Crime and the perception of crime are major contributing factors to blight in the area. In a five-year data period, total crimes in the Cantonment CRA exceed the crime rate in Escambia County as whole. Residents and business owners in the Cantonment CRA are more likely to experience crime than the county average.
In four out of the five reporting years, citizens and businesses in the Cantonment CRA were twice as likely to be the victim of a burglary that a citizen outside of the CRA.
Through a series of workshops and public participation, seven focus areas needing improvement in the area were identified: Housing, Community Facilities and Services, Health and Safety, Workforce and Jobs.
The CRA will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the plan once it is approved by the Escambia County Commission. The Cantonment Improvement Committee will play a major role in the implementation of this plan, along with other neighborhood groups formed within this area. Other county agencies, such as Code Enforcement, will also be utilized.
The major needs identified in the Cantonment Redevelopment Plan were as follows:
Housing
Because over 50 percent of the homes within the redevelopment area are 45 years or older, there is a great need for housing repair or rehabilitation. Other identifiable needs included affordable mortgages and affordable rental homes and apartments.
The Community Redevelopment Agency will work with the Neighborhood Enterprise Foundation and other groups to assist residential property owners who need housing repairs and or rehabilitation assistance. The CRA will encourage public/private initiatives to make affordable mortgages available.
Community Facilities and Services
Residents of the area identified the need for a community center, job training center, library, adult education center, center for tutoring, a senior citizens center, recreation center and housing center.
The Sidney W. Nelson Community Learning Center (formerly known as old Ransom High School) has been identified by the community to possibly be converted to a community center. The CRA will collaborate with the Escambia County School Board, Community Affairs, and other agencies to determine if this is feasible and/or look at alternatives of building a new facility. Such a community center could be utilized to meet most of the other community facilities needs identified in the plan.
Health and Safety
The top two health and safety issues identified by the community are street lights and health care facilities. Additionally mosquito control and vacant and abandoned homes are important community issues as well as community policing and disaster shelters ranked very closely. Although they are lower priorities, overgrown trees and bushes and noise at the paper mill were also major concerns.
The CRA will work with Gulf Power and other departments to identify locations for street lights. The CRA will also collaborate with Escambia County Health Department, Sacred
Heart, Baptist and West Florida Hospitals and other agencies to provide or build a medical facility that provides 24 hour health care services in the local area.
The use of community policing, neighborhood watch groups and use of other agencies will be encouraged. The CRA staff will work closely with Escambia County Code Enforcement and
International Paper to ensure buffers is in place to reduce and control the paper mill noise.
Workforce and Jobs
Job training opportunities and more local jobs tied as the highest priority in this category. Many participants at the public meetings noted the long drive required to job training centers and areas were most job opportunities are available. Making job opportunities and training available locally will improve the lives of residents in Cantonment. Providing job opportunities for ex-convicts and voluntary pre-kindergarten programs were also identified as needs in the community.
Transportation and Infrastructure
Improving roads and improving drainage and ditches were the two highest priority transportation and infrastructure need identified by the community. Other high priority issues were
improving Muscogee Road, adding sidewalks and bike paths, creating a roadway plan for private roads, traffic calming and adding more bus stops and increasing bus frequency.
Opportunities identified by meeting participants included increasing transit and transport jobs, training and elderly services.
Business Generation
Creating more small business and retail shopping received the highest priority by the community. Improving commercial infrastructure and developing a local farmers market were also needs that could be addressed. The community identified several ideas for improving business generation opportunities: partner with major industries in the Cantonment and Greater Pensacola area to bring jobs to the community as well as reusing the Sidney W. Nelson Community Learning Center as a job training center.
Cultural/Natural Resources and Recreation
In the cultural/natural resources and recreation category, Cantonment citizens identified the greatest needs as a community pool, sports programs and the lack of identified historic buildings. The Community Redevelopment Agency will work to address the needs.
Pictured top: The First Baptist Church of Cantonment. Pictured below: A home at the corner of Booth Avenue and Mintz Lane in the Cantonment CRA. Picture insets: Areas around the Cantonment CRA as seen Thursday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sunny Though The Weekend
January 17, 2014
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 26. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 53. Wind chill values between 20 and 30 early. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 37. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 64. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- M.L.King Day: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 68. Light southwest wind becoming west 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
- Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. West wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 59.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 27.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 53.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 29.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 54.