Groundbreaking Held For New Kingsfield Elementary School
January 21, 2017
A groundbreaking ceremony was held Friday morning for the new Kingsfield Elementary School.
Lord & Son will build the new $25 million Kingsfield Elementary at 900 West Kingsfield Road next to Ransom Middle School. The 135,000 square foot school will serve 800 students.
“Our objective is to give relief to Pine Meadows and Beulah and help the growth that is coming to the mid-Escambia County area,” said Escambia County Superintendent of Schools Malcom Thomas. “Most of that growth is being spurred by Navy Federal. There are housing developments going up in the area and more planned developments in next three to five years. We know some of those homes will be families with children.”
The school is being funded by Local Option Sales Tax dollars and is scheduled to open in the fall of 2018.
Photos by Kim Stefansson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Telemarketer Gets 90 Months Federal Prison For Fraud
January 21, 2017
Gary R. Tomey II, 47, of Pace, was sentenced Friday to 90 months in prison after he was found guilty of conspiracy and mail fraud during a two-week jury trial. He was also ordered to pay a $1,219,129.46 forfeiture money judgment and $6,677 in restitution.
Tomey owned and operated Children and Family Services Inc. (later called Children’s Charitable Services Inc.), which fraudulently solicited charitable donations by calling donors in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee. Tomey instructed his employees to falsely tell donors that 100% of their donation went to the charity and that they were volunteers. They were also told to say the charity was located in and only helped the donor’s home state. However, the employees were paid a commission-based hourly wage and worked from a call center in Milton, Florida. Of the more than $1.2 million raised in donations, only 1.5% actually went to a charitable cause. The rest paid wages, business expenses, and Tomey’s own personal expenses.
Tomey’s sentence was enhanced because he committed his fraud through telemarketing and because he victimized more than 10 people over the age of 55.
This case resulted from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Alicia H. Kim prosecuted the case.
“Fraudsters who exploit the charitable spirit of the American people, and especially those who prey upon the generosity of our seniors, can count on a thorough scrutiny and aggressive prosecution by this office,” said United States Attorney Canova.
“When individuals misuse funds intended for a charitable purpose, it harms all donors and honest non-profit organizations,” said Charles P. Spencer, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division. “The FBI is committed to investigating and rooting out this type of corruption, whether it happens in a public office or a non-profit organization.”
Escambia 4-H Members Attend Presidential Inauguration
January 21, 2017
Fifty youth — including three from Escambia County — rom the Florida 4-H youth development program attended the presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C., to learn more about U.S. democracy and civic engagement.
“4-H believes in learning by doing, and this is an opportunity for our young people to be really engaged in our political process at the highest level,” said Chris Decubellis, associate state program leader for Florida 4-H youth development.
Representing Escambia County 4-H were Michelle Tinker, Danielle Tinker and Dillon Conti from Barrineau Park 4-H.
Pictured above (L-R) Michelle Tinker and Danielle Tinker from Escambia County 4-H, Steven Lommers flrom Florida 4-H, and Dillon Conti from Barrineau Park 4-H at the presidential inauguration in Washington on Friday. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Attorney And Accountant Face Prison For Federal Tax Crimes
January 21, 2017
An Escambia County accountant and attorney is facing up to five year in prison for federal tax crimes.
James R.J. Scheltema, 56, of Pensacola, has pled guilty to filing false tax returns and tax evasion.
Between 2010 and 2013, Scheltema, a certified public accountant and attorney, received restricted stock as compensation for his legal and accounting services. He initially reported no compensation on his 2011 and 2012 individual income tax returns, despite receiving substantial compensation from stock issuance and the sale of stock. Scheltema also failed to file timely 2013 individual and corporate income tax returns for two companies he owned and operated.
Scheltema tried to evade notice of stock sales by instructing checks be made payable to his wife and to one of the companies he owned, rather than to himself. After being notified of the IRS investigation, Scheltema filed amended 2011 and 2012 returns and a delinquent 2013 return, which were still false.
The sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 10 at 3 p.m. For each charge of filing false tax returns, Scheltema faces a maximum of three years in prison. For the tax evasion charge, he faces a maximum of five years in prison.
This case resulted from an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service—Criminal Investigation.
District 5 Community Meeting Monday To Discuss Sector Plan
January 21, 2017
District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry will host a community meeting Monday to discuss and answer citizens’ questions about Escambia County’s Optional Sector Plan.
The meeting will take place at 5:30 p.m. at the Langley Bell 4-H Center, located at 3730 Stefani Road. Barry and county staff will also be available to answer questions and take feedback before the meeting. Residents who would like to take advantage of this opportunity to discuss the Optional Sector Plan may arrive any time between 4 and 5:15 p.m.
A sector plan is a long-term planning process by one or more local governments for a large area, authorized by Florida state statute 163.3245. Sector plans emphasize urban form and protection of regionally significant resources and public facilities. The Escambia County Optional Sector Plan is comprised of approximately 15,000 acres, north of Interstate 10, west of Highway 29 and south of Highway 196 and was formalized by the commission on April 3, 2008. For more information, click here.
To view a map of the Escambia County Optional Sector Plan area, click here.
Authorities Searching For Missing Cantonment Teen
January 21, 2017
UPDATE 1/22/2017 — THIS MISSING TEEN HAS BEEN FOUND SAFE, ACCORDING TO FAMILY MEMBERS
Authorities are on the lookout for a missing Cantonment teen.
Faith Campbell, 16, was last seen Thursday on Rittenberry Road. She left the family home at between midnight at 3 a.m. with a pastel blue backpack with bluebirds and was wearing dark blue skinny jeans, a black hoodie with a white logo and black Vans shoes.
She is about 100 pounds, 5-feet tall with brown hair that may be dyed auburn on top, brown eyes and may be wearing glasses.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Faith Campbell is asked to call Klaaskids at (855) 733-5567 or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9630.
More Storms Overnight
January 21, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after midnight. Some of the storms could be severe. Low around 61. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely before noon, then a chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 71. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. West wind 10 to 15 mph.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 60. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light after midnight.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 65. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 52. South wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 73. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 60.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 55.
Weekend Gardening: Tips for January
January 21, 2017
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.
Three Tate Aggies Named To Florida All-State Class 6A Football Team
January 21, 2017
Three Tate High School Aggies made the Florida All-State Class 6A football team.
First Team Offense - P – Evan Legassey 6-3 190 Sr.
Second Team Offense – UT – Jake Henry 5-11 180 Sr.
Honorable Mention - DB – Patrick Palmer 5-11 175 So.
Molino Toddler Airlifted After Attack By Two Dogs
January 20, 2017
A Molino toddler was injured when attacked by two dogs Thursday.
The child reportedly entered an open gate into a neighbor’s property on Rumford Road and was attacked by two English bulldogs, according to Joy Tsubooka, Escambia County spokesperson. It was not immediately clear, she said, if the child opened the gate or it had been left open by someone else.
The toddler was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital as a trauma alert.
The two dogs were surrendered by the owner and are now in the custody of Escambia County Animal Control. An investigation into the incident is ongoing. Further details haven’t been released.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.