Man Found Shot To Death In Escambia County
June 21, 2018
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a murder Wednesday night in the Mayfair area off Mobile Highway.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to Trenton Drive and Edison Drive to find 19-year old Jaquan Berry. He was dead from multiple gunshot woulds.
There have been no arrests in the case. Anyone with information is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Accountant Presents Plan To Correct Century Audit Findings
June 21, 2018
Century’s accountant presented a draft “corrective action plan” Wednesday afternoon with details on how the town can correct negative audit findings.
The town’s most recent audit, covering the fiscal year ending in September 2016, found deteriorating financial conditions that could result in a future “financial emergency”, $3.83 million in transferred special revenue funds that must be repaid, $1.4 million in expenditures in violation of state statutes, over $5,000 in a bank account that did not appear on the books and other deficiencies.
The plan outlined by accountant Robert Hudson proposes fixes and changes for each finding.
he audit found the town had borrowed nearly $4 million from a special revenue fund and those funds should be repaid.
Hudson said about $600,000 derived from the local option gas tax was borrowed from the special revenue fund, but those dollars can be reclassified as operating transfers, not a loan, because Florida law allows the funds to be used for “street maintenance”. And about $1.5 million can be reclassified as transfers for certain infrastructure items and vehicles.
As for the nearly $2 million in loans from special revenue, Hudson said the town should start a repayment plan from the general fund, even if just a few hundred dollars per month.
The bank account not included in the general ledger, as found by the audit, was a “clearing account” where daily deposits were deposited into an account and transferred each day, Hudson said. Once the town started receiving credit cards that settlement would not occur for a few days after submission to the bank, leaving a balance in the account.
Hudson’s corrective action plan will be considered during a special council meeting on Monday, June 25 at 4 p.m.
Luis Gomez and Sandra McMurray-Jackson were the only council members present at Wednesday’s workshop. Ann Brooks, Ben Boutwell and Gary Riley did not attend.
Pictured: Century council members Luis Gomez and Sandra McMurray-Jackson listen as accountant Robert Hudson ( far right) presents an audit finding corrective action plan during Century Town Council workshop Wednesday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
New Bridge Now Open On North Highway 99 In Oak Grove
June 21, 2018
Traffic has been shifted to a new North Highway 99 bridge over Pine Barren Creek, just north of the Oak Grove Park.
The new bridge with 11-foot travel lanes and nine-foot shoulders was built just west of the existing bridge, which was constructed in 1955. The old bridge will now be dismantled.
The $4.2 million Florida Department of Transportation project is expected to be completed in a few weeks.
Pictured: A new bridge is now open on North Highway 99 in Oak Grove. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
No Injuries In Cantonment Three Vehicle Accident
June 21, 2018
There were no serious injures in a three vehicle crash Wednesday afternoon at Highway 297A and County Road 97 in Cantonment. Everyone involved refused transport to the hospital by Escambia County EMS following the 5:50 p.m. wreck. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
First Day Of Summer Will Be Hot And Humid
June 21, 2018
Here is your official first day of summer forecast for the North Escambia area:
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 91. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind 5 to 15 mph.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90.
One Injured In Molino Wreck
June 21, 2018
One person was transported to a local hospital by ambulance after a wreck on Brickton Road near Warhop Lane in Molino about 8:10 p.m. Wednesday.. Their injuries were not considered life threatening. The Florida Highway Patrol is continuing their investigation. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
No Injuries In Jacks Branch Road Wreck
June 21, 2018
There were no injuries in a wreck Wednesday afternoon on Jacks Branch Road near Lathram Chapel Church. Photo by Rhonda Lawson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Four New Candidates Enter Race For Century Council
June 21, 2018
Four new candidates tossed their names into the race for Century Town Council Wednesday, bringing the current total to six candidates for three seats.
The qualifying period ends at noon Friday.
Candidates are:
Seat 3
- Ben Boutwell (incumbent) – Qualified
- Amanuel Onell Dubose – Pre-filed
Seat 4
- Mary Bourgeois – Qualified
- John Brian Johnston – Pre-filed
- James Edward Smith, Jr. – Qualified
Seat 5
- Sandra McMurray-Jackson (incumbent)
Dubose and Johnston must complete the qualification process by the deadline in order to be on the ballot.
Pictured: Sandra McMurray-Jackson. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Local First Responders On Strike Against Donuts To Help Fight Hunger
June 21, 2018
With an estimated one in four children in Escambia County going to bed hungry tonight, local first responders are teaming up to arrest hunger. They are vowing to not devour a single donut until the needs of our community are met.
The Pensacola Police Department, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Pensacola Fire Department and Escambia County Fire Rescue are on strike against their beloved donuts through Friday, June 22 to support Manna. During the Donut Strike, first responders have vowed not to devour a single donut until 30,000 pounds of food has been donated to fight hunger in the local area. Members of PPD, ECSO, PFD and ECFR will be at grocery locations throughout Escambia County accepting donations from the public during the strike.
Each day of the strike, members of PPD, ECSO, PFD and ECFR will be at grocery locations in Escambia County from 3-6 p.m. to collect donations fromt the public as follows:
Friday 3-6 p.m.
- Escambia County First Responders
- Publix 9 Mile Road/Pine Forest Road
- Walmart Marketplace 1525 E. 9 Mile Road
- Publix 9 Mile Road/University Blvd.
- Pensacola First Responders
- Sam’s Club 1250 Airport Blvd.
- Walmart 2650 Creighton Road
Pensacola Fire Department and Escambia County Fire Rescue are new to the food drive this year. The PPD and ECSO held the first Donut Strike in 2017 with overwhelming success, donating more than 25,000 pounds of food to Manna.
“One in four children go to bed hungry in our community. The support of our local first responders is critical during the summer months, when children are out of school and the need for assistance increases,” said Manna Executive Director DeDe Flounlacker. “They are truly our heroes!”
Once the goal has been reached, our local first responders will return to shamelessly devouring the glazed goodness that all first responders know and love.
Manna is a local, grassroots non-profit dedicated to fighting hunger in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Their mission is to offer emergency food assistance, service the food-related needs of vulnerable populations, and engage the entire community in the fight against hunger.
Summer Feeding Fun Day Held At Carver Park
June 21, 2018
Feeding the Gulf Coast held a Summer Feeding Fun Day was held Wednesday at Carver Park in Cantonment with activities and free snacks for children under 18. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
