State Attorney Closes Criminal Investigation Into Century Mayor Henry Hawkins
December 7, 2017
The State Attorney’s Office has closed a criminal investigation into Century Mayor Henry Hawkins without filing any charges.
In August, Gov. Rick Scott’s office received any anonymous complaint alleging wrongdoing by Century Mayor Henry Hawkins. The complaint was forwarded to the local State Attorney’s Office for investigation.
“He (the mayor) seems only concerned about spending money…and increasing the utilities of the citizens, I have reason to believe that he and the clerk are not up front and honest with the council and the citizens,” the complainant wrote. The complaint included a copy of an August 8 NorthEscambia.com article “Century’s Mayor Accused Of Using City Resources On Private Property”.
In that article, NorthEscambia.com reported that Hawkins was accused of using town equipment and employees to do work on private property. Council President Ann Brooks said she received an anonymous letter alerting her of the situation.
Hawkins admitted to the town council that town resources had been used to dig up an old tank from the ground on property belonging to Wesley Chapel. The Jefferson Street church was heavily damaged, shifted off its foundation, by the February 2016 tornado that ripped through Century. The remains of the building were reduced to rubble after an arsonist set fire to it in October 2016. In early July, the church held a groundbreaking for a new facility.
“Wrong is wrong even if you have a title,” the complaint sent to the governor’s office stated. “I am only one concerned citizen. People are afraid of the revenge and wrath that might be inflicted upon them for disagreeing with him.”
“We have reviewed the complaint carefully and have made a decision to close the complaint with no further action,” Wm. Taylor Wells, State Attorney’s Office investigator, wrote in a memo released Wednesday. “We have determined that no criminal charges should be pursued at this time. Based on the complaint and the investigation thus far there is insufficient evidence to warrant any further investigation.”
“No further efforts will be completed at this time unless additional information is discovered. We have currently closed the complaint.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
A Father Lost – Help A Local Family In Need This Christmas
December 7, 2017
NorthEscambia.com enlisting the help of our readers to help a local family in need this Christmas.
Recently, the father died unexpectedly — and too late for the family to seek Christmas help from other local groups.The family’s need and situation have been vetted, and all items will be collected and distributed to the family by Ernest Ward Middle School, where some of the children attend.
Items from the list below or gift cards (no cash) can be dropped off at Ernest Ward Middle School by Wednesday, December 13. If you, your church or business would like to “adopt” a full person’s list, please email news@northescambia.com.
The family’s Christmas Wish List is as follows:
Mother
- Adult coloring books, colored pencils and crayons
- (Vallarta’s) Mexican food
- Clothing – size 6 pants, medium tops
- Alabama logo items
- Shower and bath gels
- Family board games
13-year old male (likes Alabama logo items, football, favorite color is green)
- Fishing gear
- Basketball
- Bookstore gift card
- Athletic (Nike) socks
- Camo coat
- Sizes: Medium coat, 28-28 pants, medium shirt, size 8.5-9 shoe
14-year old male (likes music, rap, radio, favorite color is black)
- MP3 player
- Bicycle
- Rip sticks
- Skateboard
- Camo coat
- Sizes: Medium coat, 28-28 pants, medium shirt, size 8.5-9 shoe
16-year old male (likes Alabama logo items, favorite color is red)
- Basketball shorts (Alabama logo)
- Basketball
- Skittles
- Color/drawing supplies
- Sizes: M-L coat, 33-32 pants, medium shirt, size 10.5 shoe
17-year old male (enjoys Playstation, basketball; favorite color blue)
- Michael Jordan basketball clothing
- Fishing gear
- baseball hats
- Sizes: large coat, 33-32 pants, large shirt, size 11 shoe
Molino Bridge To Reopen Soon; Bratt And Nokomis Bridges Closed
December 7, 2017
The Florida Department of Transportion ordered the emergency closure of two North Escambia bridges on Wednesday, as officials said a Molino Road bridge will reopen soon.
The Nokomis Road Bridge over Reedy Branch and the Bratt Road Bridge over Canoe Creek, outside Century near McBride Road, were both closed due to failed inspections. There is no estimated date for the bridges to reopen. The Nokomis Road bridge was constructed in 1964, while the Bratt Road bridge was built in 1956. Both bridges have an average daily traffic count of about 425 vehicles.
Meanwhile, an Escambia County spokesperson said the Molino Road bridge over Penasula Creek, just east of Sunshine Hill Road, will likely open next week. The Florida Department of Transportation is projected the bridge will be ready to open by Friday, December 15, weather permitting.
Contractor F&W Construction Company started the Molino bridge project on January 3 under a contract that gave the company 265 days for completion. Numerous contract extensions were granted in the $1.1 million project due to an additional piling that was required, holidays and weather, including Hurricane Irma.
The wood piling supported Molino Road Bridge was constructed in 1958 had reached a level of deterioration to warrant replacement and was next on the list of the FDOT’s Five-Year Work Plan. The project is being funded and the construction work is being performed under contract with the Florida Department of Transportation. After completion of the structure, Escambia County will be responsible for the maintenance of the bridge.
Pictured: The construction on the Molino Road bridge over Penasula Creek as seen in October. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
A Really Cold Rain Today, And Then Maybe Some Snow?
December 7, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Rain. Low around 35. North wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Friday: Rain. High near 39. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Friday Night: Rain and snow likely before midnight, then a slight chance of snow between midnight and 3am. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 28. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 49. West wind 5 to 15 mph.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 28. West wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 51. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 29. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 60. Light west wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 39.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 57.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 59.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 37.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 62.
Escambia Building Inspections To Start Following 2017 Florida Building Code
December 7, 2017
Effective Jan. 1, 2018, the Escambia County Building Inspections Department will be operating under the 6th Edition (2017) Florida Building Code. All plans submitted after Monday, Jan. 1 must meet or exceed the updated code and all plans must include the statement “Plans conform to the 6th Edition (2017) FBC.”
An analysis of the changes from the Department of Business & Professional Regulation is available online by clicking here.
For more information, please contact Escambia County Building Services at 850-595-3550 or buildinginspections@myescambia.com.
FCA Challenger Awards Presented To Area Football Players
December 7, 2017
Area high school football players were honored Monday and Tuesday nights at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ Challenger Award Banquet.
One Challenger Award is presented per team, chosen by a secret ballot with all players voting. The player must exemplify Christian values, sportsmanship and academic achievement.
Monday Night Winners (pictured above)
- Jason Fischer – Northview High
- Trae Melton -Tate High
- Connor McLemore – West Florida High
- Kwadetrius Fountain – Pine Forest High
- Caleb Ward – Washington High
- Isaiah Boyle – Escambia High
- De’Andre Thurman – Pensacola High
- Luke Selogy – Gulf Breeze High
- Patrick Richardson – Catholic High
Tuesday Night Winners (pictured below)
- Patrick McGhee – Escambia Academy
- Logan Hanks – Flomaton High
- Eric Godfrey – Jay High School
- Todd Watson – T.R. Miller High
- Justin Campbell — Milton High
- Sam Faulknet – Pace high
- Mike Beaudry – University of West Florida
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No Injuries In Cantonment Crash
December 7, 2017
There were no serious injuries in a two vehicle crash early Wednesday evening at Highway 95A at Highway 29 in Cantonment. The drivers of both vehicles refused transport to the hospital. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
House Speaker Backs Tougher Texting While Driving Law
December 7, 2017
Texting while driving would become a “primary” traffic offense under legislation backed by House Speaker Richard Corcoran.
The legislation, expected to be unveiled Wednesday, would allow law-enforcement officers to pull over motorists if they see them texting or emailing. Currently, texting while driving is a secondary offense, meaning officers can only charge motorists with texting violations during traffic stops for other offenses, such as speeding.
Corcoran said in an interview Tuesday that as the father of six children, including two teens who have driver licenses, he has become convinced by statistics showing the dangers of texting while driving, particularly for younger drivers.
“The statistics have just become overwhelming. This has reached a national crisis,” Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, said.
The state Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reported nearly 50,000 distracted driving crashes in Florida in 2016, including 233 deaths.
“You see the under-30 population are the greatest violators of engaging in texting and driving behavior,” Corcoran said. “All of us have driven down the road and looked over to the car next to us and watched them fully engaged in email or texting. It has reached an epidemic.”
Corcoran’s support is significant because it makes the legislation much more viable during the upcoming 2018 session, after similar proposals failed to make it through the Legislature in past sessions.
The new House bill will be a variation of legislation already filed in the House (HB 121) by Rep. Emily Slosberg, D-Boca Raton, and a Senate measure (SB 90), sponsored by Sen. Keith Perry, R-Gainesville.
Corcoran said the new bill will be co-sponsored by Slosberg, who was injured in a 1996 crash that killed her twin sister along with four other teenagers, and Rep. Jackie Toledo, R-Tampa. Slosberg’s father, former Rep. Irv Slosberg, D-Boca Raton, led an effort to make violations of the state seat-belt law a primary traffic violation.
While making it easier for law enforcement officers to pull over motorists for texting, Corcoran said the bill would still protect “civil liberties.”
Motorists would not have to turn over their phones until warrants are issued. And motorists could not be detained while authorities seek warrants.
Officers would “have to witness the event, issue the ticket, and then that person is entitled to their day in court,” Corcoran said.
Asked about an American Civil Liberties Union study this year that found African-Americans were nearly twice as likely as whites to be stopped for seat-belt violations, based on 2014 data, Corcoran said those concerns will be considered as the texting legislation is debated.
But he also noted state law already has prohibitions against racial profiling to try to protect minority motorists.
Under the texting-while-driving bill, first-time violators would face a $30 fine plus court costs for a non-moving violation. Second-time offenders would face a $60 fine plus court costs with a moving violation.
The bill would include additional penalties for texting violations for motorists involved in crashes and while driving through school zones, Corcoran said.
“Really what is at issue is trying to keep our families as safe as possible on the road,” Corcoran said.
At least 39 states make texting while driving a primary traffic offense.
by Lloyd Dunkelberger, The News Service of Florida
Tate High Wrestling Places At ‘Border Wars’
December 7, 2017
The Tate High School Wrestling Team had an outstanding weekend at Border Wars in Santa Rosa Beach with four wrestlers placing in the Top 4.
Jacob Cochran, 113 lbs — 1st place
Matthew Blalock, 132 lbs – 2nd place
Nate Golmon, 152 lbs — 2nd place
Juan Alvarez ,160 lbs — 4th place
Cochran was named the Outstanding Lightweight Wrestler of the tournament. Blalock and Cochran both achieved their 100th high school career win, breaking the school record held since the 1990’s.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bratt Road Bridge Closed After Failed Inspection
December 6, 2017
The Florida Department of Transportation has closed Bratt Road Bridge over Canoe Creek, near McBride Road, outside Century. The closure is effective immediately due to a failed inspection. No opening date has yet been projected.
The detour from the west is: Bratt Road west to Highway 4A
The detour from the east is: Bratt Road east to Highway 4A
Click detour route map to enlarge.