First Day Of Fall: Slight Rain Chance, Warm
September 23, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67.
Wednesday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87.
Century Seeks Funds For Water System Improvements
September 23, 2015
The Town of Century is looking for $700,000 in state or federal funds for water system improvements.
The town has lobbied the local legislative delegation — Sen. Greg Evers, Rep. Clay Ingram and Rep. Mike Hill – for $198,000 in state funding during the next legislative session.
The town is also set to apply for $700,000 in RESTORE funding. RESTORE projects will be funded with civil penalties from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Once the RESTORE application period closes at the end of the month, , project proposals will be evaluated by the technical review team consisting of subject matter experts, the RESTORE Act Advisory Committee and the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners. The ranked proposals will be presented for public comment. The Board of County Commissioners has the final authority for approval of the project list before it is submitted to the U.S. Department of Treasury for federal level review.
Escambia Man Indicted For First Degree Murder
September 23, 2015
An Escambia County man was indicted Tuesday on murder charges.
State Attorney Bill Eddins said an Escambia County grand jury indicted Charles Demetris Boutwell for first degree premeditated murder in the death of Dewayne Silas.
Silas was found shot to death behind the Oakstead Mobile Home Park on August 11, 2015. Crime scene evidence revealed that Silas was shot by two different firearms and from two different directions. Earlier this month, co-defendant Gerial Deloach was also indicted for first degree premeditated murder for his involvement in this crime.
Bill Seeks Unanimous Juries In Death Cases As Supreme Court To Hear Nine Mile Popeye’s Case
September 23, 2015
Juries would have to be unanimous before recommending the death penalty for defendants in murder cases, under a bill filed Tuesday in the Florida Senate, just weeks before the U.S. Supreme Court is to hear an Escambia County death penalty case that was unanimous.
Under current law, a majority of a jury can recommend that a defendant receive the death penalty, with a judge ultimately deciding whether to impose the sentence. The bill (SB 330), by Sen. Thad Altman, R-Rockledge, for the 2016 legislative session, would establish the higher standard for death sentences. The bill also would give direction to judges on some jury instructions in death-penalty cases. Those instructions deal with what are known as “aggravating circumstances,” which are factors used to support death-penalty recommendations.
The bill, in part, would require aggravating circumstances to be proven beyond a reasonable doubt and be subject to a unanimous vote. The bill — an identical measure (HB 157) has already been filed in the House — would only apply to sentencing proceedings that begin after July 1, 2016. Similar efforts have failed in prior legislative sessions.
However, this year’s proposal comes as the U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments Oct. 13 in a case that challenges the way Florida sentences people to death. The case stems from the 1998 murder of an Escambia County fast-food worker, and attorneys representing Death Row inmate Timothy Lee Hurst contend that Florida’s unique sentencing system is unconstitutional. The attorneys argue, in part, that a 2002 U.S. Supreme Court ruling requires that determination of aggravating circumstances be “entrusted” to juries, not to judges. Also, they take issue with Florida not requiring unanimous jury recommendations in death-penalty cases. A judge sentenced Hurst to death after receiving a 7-5 jury recommendation.
Hurst, now 36, was convicted in the 1998 murder of Cynthia Lee Harrison, who was an assistant manager at a Popeye’s Fried Chicken restaurant where Hurst worked. Harrison’s body was discovered bound in a freezer, and money was missing from a safe, according to a brief in the case.
by The News Service of Florida and NorthEscambia.com
Escambia Business Tax Renewals Due By The End Of The Month
September 23, 2015
Escambia County Tax Collector Janet Holley is reminding all business owners and practicing professionals that September 30 is the final day for business tax receipt renewals. After that date, penalties will be added.
Online renewal is encouraged, but renewals can be made by mail, phone (with a convenience fee) and in person at any of three tax collector locations:
- Downtown – 213 Palafox Place
- Marcus Pointe – 6451 North W Street
- Molino – 6440 Highway 95-A North, Suite A
Applications and information for business tax receipts are available at www.EscambiaTaxCollector.com. For more information or to make an appointment, visit the tax collector’s website or call (850) 438-6500, ext. 3252.
Volleyball: Jay Defeats NHS
September 23, 2015
The Jay Lady Royals defeated Northview 3-0 in three sets Tuesday night in Jay, 25-14, 25-14, 25-17.
Jay will host Laurel Hill on Thursday, while Northview will host Pensacola Christian at 4:30 (JV) and 5:30 (varsity).
In junior varsity action, Jay won on two sets, 25-19, 25-21.
NothEscambia.com photos by Gary Amerson, click to enlarge.
Tate Girls Cross Country Delivers Strong Finishes At Jay Invitational
September 23, 2015
The Tate High girls cross country team continued their successful cross country season with a second place finish out of 14 teams in the JD Mac Invitational at Jay.
The were led by Carley Pope with a sixth place finish with a time of 21:00.
The other scoring members of Tate’s team were
7. Hannah Wellenkamp 21:00 1
2. Avery Royer 21:21
13. McKenna Royer
15. Emma Shows 21:57
23. Riley Orr 22:49
Atwater Looks For Next Steps At Dozier Boys School In Marianna
September 23, 2015
The Florida Cabinet is expected next week to discuss the state’s next steps after researchers finish onsite work at the shuttered Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys, a former reform school where children are alleged to have been abused and died in Marianna.
State Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater wrote a letter Sept. 4 to Secretary of State Ken Detzner that said University of South Florida researchers, who have been excavating the site and seeking identification of remains, will submit a final report to the governor and Cabinet in the coming months.
Atwater urged that one entity be put in charge of issues that will follow the completion of the researchers’ onsite work.
“Now, the next phases involving the preservation of artifacts unearthed, the storage and reinterment of the remains of those unidentified, decisions regarding appropriate memorials, and state funding appropriations will need to be addressed,” Atwater wrote. “The issues involving the preservation of historical resources and records, archives, and state monuments seem best to be handled by the Department of State or an appropriate oversight body. Having one entity to oversee these next phases and ensuring the inclusion of stakeholders and families will be paramount as we move towards eventual closure.”
In the letter, Atwater asked for the issue to go before the governor and Cabinet, and it has been placed on the agenda of a meeting next Tuesday.
Dozier served as a state reform school for decades. Atwater’s letter said the USF researchers would submit a final report in December, though the Cabinet agenda indicates it will be submitted in January.
by The News Service of Florida
Pictured top: A trench dug in the search for human remains at the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys in Marianna. Pictured below: Mapping the graves. Pictured inset: The remains of George Owen Smith have been positively identified. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Okaloosa County Deputy Dies After Being Shot, Suspect Dead
September 22, 2015
An Okaloosa County deputy has died after being shot Tuesday morning out side an attorney’s office in Shalimar.
Deputy Bill Myers was 64. The 25-year veteran rejoined the agency to serve part-time in 2013. He is survived by his wife, children and granddaughter. He was, according to Sheriff Larry Ashley, saving money to take his granddaughter and family on a trip to Disney World.
Investigators say Myers had just finished serving a domestic violence injunction to 33-year old Joel Dixon Smith of Navarre at Cotton and Gates Law Firm on Plew Avenue around 8:20 a.m. Deputy Myers was walking outside when he was shot multiple times in the back, including a gunshot wound to the rear of his head.
Investigators say the suspect in the shooting, 33-year old Joel Dixon Smith of 9807 Navarre Parkway in Santa Rosa County, then drove to the Comfort Inn and Suites, 148 John Sims Parkway, in Niceville, where he barricaded himself inside a room.
The OCSO Special Response Team responded and evacuated the building, setting up a perimeter.
After an hour and a half of negotiations, the suspect came out of his room with a weapon at 11:13 a.m. Deputies responded and the suspect was struck and taken to Fort Walton Beach Medical Center where he later died. No members of the SRT Unit were injured.
“Deputy Myers has been a treasured part of this agency’s family since 1989,” said Sheriff Larry Ashley. “He served this community with distinction for decades. He was loved, admired, and respected for his dedication to the law enforcement profession. He loved photography and he had an ability to make those around him smile, especially his young granddaughter who he adored and took to Disney World as often as he could. We pray for his soul and for his family and we ask that the community pray for them as well, and for all the men and women who have the courage in these troubled times to put their lives on the line for others.”
“We also want to express our sincere gratitude to all of you who have reached out to our agency at this time with words and gestures of support, and to all the agencies which assisted us today at the scene of the shooting and in Niceville.
Ashley described Smith as a “sick little coward”.
In a written statement late Tuesday afternoon, Gov. Rick Scott said, “Today, our hearts are broken to learn of the death of Deputy Bill Myers. Florida’s law enforcement officers risk their lives daily to protect others, and any act of violence against these brave heroes is shameful and cowardly. My wife, Ann, and I send our sincerest condolences to Deputy Myers’ family and brothers and sisters in Florida’s law enforcement community. I am grateful for the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Department and all law enforcement and first responders whose immediate response helped protect innocent lives during this horrific incident.”
Pictured: The scene outside a Shalimar law firm following the shooting of an Okaloosa County deputy Tuesday morning. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge
Century Approves Property Tax Increase, $4.25 Million Budget
September 22, 2015
The Town of Century Monday night gave final approval to a budget for the next fiscal year that is down about 16.5 percent from last year, along with a property tax increase.
The budget for the 2015-2016 fiscal year is $4,259,831.36, down from $5,107,641.34. Last year’s budget was higher due to the inclusion of increased grant income and expenditures. For a summary of Century’ budget, click here (pdf).
The council also approved a property tax rate increase from a current year 0.8707 mills to 0.9006 mills, an increase of 6.35 percent. The increase would equal the 2013-2014 rate, while remaining lower than the rate during the previous three years.
One mill is equal to $1 in taxes per $1,000 in taxable value. If the tax increase is approved, the property tax paid to Century on home with a $50,000 taxable value would increase from $42.34 to $45.03, or about $2.69 per year.
With the increase Century would be set to collect $29,549 in total property taxes, up from $27,784. Due to homestead and other exemptions, many Century residents do not pay any property tax at all, according to council members.
Pictured top: Century council members (L-R) Gary Riley, Sandra McMurray Jackson and Ben Boutwell. Pictured inset: Council members Annie Savage. Council President Ann Brooks was not present at Monday night’s meeting. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.