Free Beans And Rice Giveaway Saturday In Cantonment
July 28, 2017
Saint Monica’s Episcopal Church, will be distributing free rice and dried beans and other non-perishables on Saturday from 9 until 11 a.m. (or while supplies last) at the church located at 699 South Hwy 95-A in Cantonment.
There are no guidelines and no paperwork required.
SRO’s Cut In Half At Ernest Ward, Tate, Northview, Pine Forest, Escambia
July 28, 2017
The number of school resource officers in several schools will be cut in half under an agreement reached Thursday between Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan and School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas.
Tate, Escambia and Pine Forest high schools will go from two to one school resource officer on campus, while Northview High and Ernest Ward Middle will share a SRO beginning this school year. The current three SRO supervisors will be reduced to two. That is total elimination of five SRO positions.
“This is a compromise with Superintendent Malcolm Thomas who we have a great partnership with that ensures all schools will receive at least minimal coverage,” said Morgan.
“Until a few years ago, the SRO was split between Ernest Ward and Northview, and have one between the schools is much better than the alternative of none, and that was unacceptable,” Thomas said. He said the two school principals will work together to best share the SRO.
“Most of the calls that a SRO handles at Northview and Ernest Ward are not urgent crimes,” Thomas said. “Patrol deputies can also respond if there is an urgent situation.”
Thomas said there are times that Tate High School could use five or six SROs due to events on campus, but the ordinary school will proceed with just one deputy.
“It is a workable situation at Tate and it’s better to have one that none at all,” the superintendent said.
“Maintaining the presence of school resource officers in Escambia’a middle and high schools is the best practice for school security,” Thomas said. “The agreement reached today creates a solution which assists Sheriff Morgan with his budget and manpower concerns, while preserving the law enforcement presence on each of our secondary school campuses.”
Morgan had threatened to remove all SRO’s from the impacted schools as the Escambia County Commission refused to meet his budget and manpower requests.
Pictured top. Now retired Florida School Resource Office of the Year Ronnie Gill (center), Chief Deputy Chip Simmons (right) and a group of school resource officers at Ernest Ward Middle School. NorthEcambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
County To Dramatically Change Century Economic Development Funding
July 28, 2017
The Escambia County Commission is making a dramatic change in how economic development dollars are allocated to Century, a change that will have an obvious impact on the local chamber of commerce.
During the current fiscal year that ends September 30, the county provided a $55,000 allocation to the chamber, up from $40,000 in previous years. That amounted to 97 percent of the chamber’s total funding and provided a $40,00o per year salary for an economic development coordinator.
With final budget approval, Escambia County will still allocate $55,000 in funding for economic development in the Century area, not just within town limits. Ideas and funding requests will be submitted by the Century Chamber of Commerce, the Century Town Council and any other group to District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry. The requests will be heard by the entire commission for approval.
Funding requests can include no more than a 10 percent administrative overhead and funding cannot be used for salaries or daily operations — meaning the chamber won’t be able to use the money to continue funding the economic development coordinator position.
“It’s not going to go for monthly salaries for the chamber,” Barry said. He plans to attend an upcoming Century Town Council meeting and explain the opportunities.
“Our taxpayer dollars should not be funding the operations of chambers of commerce,” Commissioner Doug Underhill said.
“I like the checks and balances you are bringing to the equation instead of just putting the whole block grant out there for them to just whichever way they want – having them bring it back each time they want to expend the funds is really a smart thing to do,” Commissioner Jeff Bergosh said.
Mostly Sunny, About 95 Today
July 28, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. West wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 90. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 71. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88.
Escambia Won’t Raise Taxes To Meet Sheriff’s Demands
July 28, 2017
Property taxes in Escambia County will not increase next year. The 2018 millage rate will hold steady at the 2017 rate after a 4-1 vote from the Escambia County Commission.
The vote came Thursday despite multiple statements by Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan he will appeal his budget to Governor Rick Scott without another $3 million from the commission.
Commissioners Steven Barry and Grover Robinson blasted what they called the sheriff’s attack on board members.
“It’s hard to reasonably get down to an issue when the initial conversation continues, you know. That the board is a bunch of bums and operating in bad faith,” said Barry.
Commissioner Lumon May expressed similar concerns while suggesting a need for dialogue.
“Has that been a conversation with the sheriff, to figure out where we can cut? Where is a happy medium?” asked May. “That we can meet where my name is not on a billboard or TV commercial or infomercial?”
Morgan took to social media with lengthy videos and billboards in an attempt to sway the general public to demand a budget increase from commissioners.
“I’m willing to find a way, but I’m not going to be bullied into something else. I want a willing partner that can work with me and realize that they might not get everything that want,” Commissioner Grover Robinson said before the vote.
“”I mean so, if you ever put me into a corner and say all or nothing and there’s no mediation, then there’s nothing,” May said.
Commissioner Doug Underhill was the lone vote against holding at the same millage rate and he pushed for more funds for the sheriff.
Without the extra millions, Morgan said he would not be able to maintain school resource officers, needed pay raises for his deputies and services such as funeral escorts. Morgan and Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas announced SRO cutbacks on Thursday (click here to read more).
The budget has not yet gone before the commission for a final vote. But the millage rate is set to hold steady at 6.6165 mills, plus a municipal service tax rate of 0.685 for law enforcement and 0.359 mills for libraries.
Nightly Traffic Shifts on Nine Mile Road At Highway 29 Overpass
July 28, 2017
East and westbound traffic on Nine Mile Road at the Highway29 overpass in Escambia County will be reduced to one lane from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. beginning Sunday, July 30. Eastbound traffic will be shifted to the inside westbound travel lane as the contractor prepares the area for construction of the support column for the new center bridge deck. Traffic control officers will be on site to help direct traffic.
Construction activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
July 28, 2017
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending July 20 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Land was conducting a fishery inspection of a commercial fishing vessel in Pensacola. The vessel had multiple ice boxes filled with fish. Officer Land located two greater amberjack among the catch on the vessel. It is currently illegal to possess greater amberjack and the commercial size limit for greater amberjack is 36 inches. Both fish were undersized and were seized. The captain of the vessel was given a notice to appear for the violation.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Roberson was patrolling the Pensacola Pass when he conducted a fisheries inspection on a vessel with two individuals who had two red snapper and a mahi-mahi. He asked who had caught the snapper, and one of the individuals responded that he did. Both snapper were undersized and the individual was issued a misdemeanor citation.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Free School Supplies Available At Several Local Events
July 28, 2017
Free school supplies and other back to school essentials will be available to North Escambia area residents as follows:
Century
Free school supplies will be given out to Century residents only while supplies last on Saturday, July 29, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Showalter Park in Century. There will also be free food, family fun and face painting. The event is sponsored by Mayor Henry Hawkins.
Atmore Area
Grace Fellowship in Atmore will host Unity In The Community on Saturday, July 29, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. There will be a kid’s carnival, food and entertainment. School supplies and school uniforms will be given to students in need in the community. Adults must accompany their children. Admission is free and everyone is invited. The church is located at 1412 E Nashville Avenue in Atmore.
Molino/Cantonment
Victory Assembly of God will host their annual Day of Hope back to school drive on Saturday, August 5 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Free backpacks, school supplies, grocery items and free professional haircuts will be available. For more information visit victorycan.org or call (850) 587-2295. The church is located on Highway 29 just south of Barrineau Park Rd. Children must be present to receive supplies.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Eight Facing Federal Pot Charges
July 28, 2017
A federal grand jury returned an indictment, charging eight defendants with conspiracy to distribute marijuana, four of whom were charged with being involved with 100 kilograms or more of marijuana. Additionally, seven of the defendants were charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The defendants are:
• Charles Zachariah Sindylek, 31, Pensacola, Florida;
• Brandon Craig Remeyer, 34, Mission Viejo, California;
• Sanford Eugene Johnson III, 31, Pensacola, Florida;
• William Brett Brownell, 26, Milton, Florida;
• William Ezra Brownell (Brett’s father), 60, Mobile, Alabama;
• David Delgiacco, 55, Lake Forest, California;
• Andrew Paul Marcelonis, 31, Pensacola, Florida; and
• Steven Ryan Michael Sholly, 30, Pensacola, Florida.
The indictment alleges that, between January 2014 and June 2017, the defendants conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana. It specifically alleges Sindylek, Remeyer, Johnson, and William Brett Brownell were responsible for involving 100 kilograms or more of marijuana in the conspiracy. The indictment also alleges that during the same time period, Sindylek, Remeyer, Johnson, both Brownells, Delgiacco, and Marcelonis conspired to launder money by transferring cash proceeds of the drug trafficking conspiracy through financial institutions. The trial is scheduled for August 28 at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola.
Pictured top: Charles Sindylek, Steven Sholly, William Brett Brownwell and Sanford Johnson III. Other mugshots were not immediately available.
Fire Heavily Damages Molino Home
July 28, 2017
Fire heavily damaged a home on Chance Road in Molino Thursday night.
The fire was reported just before 8 p.m All occupants were able to escape without injury.
The fire reportedly started with as a vehicle fire in a garage containing fuel and medical oxygen tanks.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
