Man Allegedly Beat With Logging Chain After Petting Dog; One Charged
March 23, 2016
A Century man has been charged with allegedly beating a man with a logging chain after he petted his dog.
Sim Brown III, 21, was charged with felony aggravated battery causing bodily harm. The victim told Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies that he met with Brown on Bonwell Street in Century about selling some vehicle speakers. When he arrived at Brown’s residence, the victim said he reached down and petted a dog that chained in the front yard. Brown then told the victim not to touch his dog, leading to a verbal altercation that turned physical, according to an arrest report.
Brown then allegedly struck the victim with a logging chain in the head, back and arms. Several unknown black males also jumped on the victim before Brown wrapped the chain around his fist and punched him in the mouth, rendering the victim unconscious.
The victim was later treated at Jay Hospital for his injuries.
Brown was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $50,000 bond.
Rain Moves In Thursday
March 23, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. South wind around 10 mph becoming west after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 49. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 73. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west after midnight.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.
Scott Ready To Take Action On Stack Of Bills
March 23, 2016
It’s time for Gov. Rick Scott to have his say.
Scott during the next four days will take action on more than 100 bills passed during this year’s legislative session, including a proposal to expand regulations on abortion clinics and a measure that would allow terminally ill patients to have access to medical marijuana.
The vast majority of the bills are likely safe from Scott’s veto pen, as they focus on relatively non-controversial issues. As an example, about two dozen of the bills deal with local issues for specific communities or counties — bills that typically draw little discussion from lawmakers.
But Scott, who can sign, veto or let bills become law without his signature, will make other decisions that will spark debate. Perhaps the highest-profile decision will focus on a bill (HB 1411) that would increase abortion-clinic regulations and bar public funding for organizations affiliated with abortion clinics, such as Planned Parenthood.
Opponents of the bill delivered thousands of petitions to Scott’s office last week calling on him to veto the bill. They argue, at least in part, that it is an attempt to limit the ability of women to have abortions. But supporters of the bill say increased clinic regulations are needed and that tax dollars should not go to groups such as Planned Parenthood. Supporters have urged Scott to sign the measure by a Saturday deadline.
The session ended March 11, and legislative leaders formally send bills to Scott in batches. The bills due for action this week were sent to him in the final days of the session, and he had 15 days to consider them. He faces a Wednesday deadline for nine bills; a Thursday deadline for 34 bills; a Friday deadline for 21 bills; and a Saturday deadline for 48 bills, according to a list on the governor’s website.
Along wither the abortion bill, another high-profile measure (HB 307) would allow people with terminal illnesses to have access to medical marijuana and also would make changes in a 2014 law aimed at allowing some patients to use non-euphoric forms of cannabis. Scott is required to take action on that bill by a Friday deadline.
He also will take action this week on a heavily lobbied bill (HB 819) that could ultimately lead to changes in the way dental services are provided to children in the state’s Medicaid program. Scott faces a Thursday deadline on the bill, which is opposed by the managed-care industry.
Other pending bills drew headlines during the legislative session, though they were approved by large margins. For instance, Scott has a Wednesday deadline on a bill (SB 242) that would allow the creation of a pilot needle-exchange program in Miami-Dade County and a bill (SB 636) that would seek to speed up DNA testing in suspected rape cases.
On Thursday, meanwhile, Scott has a deadline for a bill (HB 93) that would require law-enforcement agencies to set policies if they use body cameras. Two days later, he is required to take action on a measure (HB 1061) that seeks to allow nurses to practice across state lines.
by The News Service of Florida
Gulf Power Warns Of Continuing Scam Against Customers
March 23, 2016
Scammers continue to target Gulf Power customers in a scheme where business owners and residential customers receive calls from a person claiming to represent Gulf Power and demanding payment — or their electric service will be cut off.
Gulf Power continues to work with law enforcement in reporting these incidents, but the company has received an escalated amount of calls from customers reporting fraudulent calls in recent months. Customers are being told their electric bill is past due and that their electricity will be cut off if the customer does not provide a credit card payment or other forms of immediate payment.
Gulf Power advises customers that:
• Gulf Power employees will never call a customer at home seeking any personal information, including credit card numbers.
• Gulf Power representatives will never ask a customer for money when they visit a residence.
• All Gulf Power representatives carry badges with picture identification that includes the employee’s name and the company’s name and logo.
Customers should call Gulf Power at 1-800-225-5797 if they have any questions about the identity of anyone representing Gulf Power.
Gulf Power is working with local law enforcement agencies to identify the perpetrators. If anyone has been victimized by one of these schemes, or has any information about suspects, they are asked to call local law enforcement and to contact Gulf Power at 1-800-225-5797.
Justices To Hear Open-Carry Gun Case In June
March 23, 2016
The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments June 8 in a challenge to a state law that bars people from openly carrying firearms.
Justices issued an order Monday scheduling the arguments in the challenge filed by Dale Norman, who was arrested in 2012 in Fort Pierce while openly carrying a gun in a holster. After a jury found Norman guilty of a misdemeanor charge, the 4th District Court of Appeal upheld the state law, ruling it does not violate constitutional rights to bear arms.
Norman then appealed to the Supreme Court, which said in October that it would take up the case.
During the legislative session that ended this month, lawmakers considered proposals that would have allowed people with concealed-weapons licenses to openly carry guns. But the measures did not pass.
Escambia County To Pave Hicks Street In Cantonment
March 23, 2016
Escambia County is set to pave Hicks Street in Cantonment.
The project consists of the design and paving of Hicks Street from Muscogee Road to the west end of Hicks. The project will also address drainage upgrades necessary to prevent roadway flooding, plus restoration of disturbed areas with sodding.
Contractor for the Local Option Sales Tax funded project is Panhandle Grading & Paving.
Pictured: Hicks Street in Cantonment. Photo courtesy Escambia County for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Housing Rehabilitation Assistance Available In Century Today
March 23, 2016
Staff from the Escambia County Neighborhood Enterprise Division will be at the Century Town Hall from 10 a.m. to 2 pm. today to take applications for housing rehabilitation programs for citizens in the unincorporated areas, or outside the town limits, affected by the February 15 Century tornado.
Applicants must bring a social security card for all household members and a picture ID for all household members over 18. Additionally, applicants should bring the following current information with them as applicable:
- Three most recent pay stubs
- Social security award letter
- Retirement/pension statement
- Unemployment statement
- Child support/alimony verification
- Current bank statements
- Current mortgage statement
- Current insurance statement
- Utility bill
- Any other documentation related to income being received by any member of a household
Programs available include the county’s HOME, CDBG and SHIP rehabilitation programs. Income limits apply and the property must be owner occupied and current on property taxes to receive assistance. For more information, call the Neighborhood Enterprise Division at (850) 595-0022.
Century Town Hall is located at 7995 North Century Boulevard.
Century Native Watson Named USA South Athlete Of Week
March 23, 2016
Huntingdon College’s Zack Watson was named an USA South Athlete of the Week on Monday.
The Century native earned Baseball Pitcher of the Week honors for his performance in Game 1 against No. 14 ranked Piedmont College.
Watson threw a complete-game three-hitter in Friday’s 14-1 win over the Lions. Watson improved to 4-2 on the season with the win and struck out seven, walked four and allowed one run in nine innings. After giving up two singles, two walks and a run in the first inning, Watson held Piedmont hitless in seven of the final eight innings.
A senior at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Watson lettered in baseball for Flomaton High School. He is the son of Billy and Dianne Watson and is majoring biochemistry.
Roundup: Tate, Northview
March 23, 2016
BASEBALL
Tate 1, Ocoee (FL) 0
The Tate Aggies beat Ocoee, FL, 1-0 in the second round of the Ocoee Knights Spring Break Invitational. Brandon Fryman had a one-out double and scored the run for Tate in the seventh on an RBI single from Jake Davis
Davis allowed just seven its in just over five innings on the mound. Michael Sherrill rounded out the Aggie pitching, allowing one hit and striking out one.
Tate hitters – Branden Fryman 2-4, R; Jake Davis 1-3, RBI; Josh Kea 1-2.
Monroe (AL) Academy 6, Northview 4
The Northview Chiefs lost 6-4 to Monroe Academy of Monroeville Tuesday in Bratt., 6-4.
Northivew hitters – Quentin Sampson 1-3, RBI; Seth Killam 1-4; Josh Neese 2-3, R.
Thomas Moore pitched 6.2 striking out seven, and allowing six runs and six hits. Zach Payne tossed three pitches for a strikeout.
SOFTBALL
Milton 2, Tate 0
The Milton Panthers defeated the Tate Aggies Tuesday 2-0 at Milton
Savannah Ulrich was 1-3 at the plate for the Aggies, while Hannah Brown took the loos on the mound for the Aggies with four strikeouts .
Clear, Cool Tonight
March 22, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 49. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 75. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Southeast wind around 10 mph.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 77. South wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 71. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 75. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 74. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 73.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.