Death Of Century Correctional Institution Inmate Under Investigation
June 26, 2018
A weekend inmate death at Century Correctional Institution is under investigation.
Inmate Wesley C. Moore, 38, was pronounced deceased at the prison shortly after 7:00 p.m. Saturday.
The death is currently under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, with assistance from the Department’s Office of the Inspector General, according to Patrick Manderfield, press secretary for the Florida Department of Corrections. He declined to release further information due to the active investigation and privacy laws. He did not specify if the death appeared to be natural or suspicious.
Moore was serving a three year, nine month sentence out of Okaloosa County for possession of a controlled substance and failing to comply with sexual offender registration requirements. He was previously convicted of unlawful sexual activity with a minor age 16-17 and robbery.
Moore’s death was the 15th inmate death at Century Correctional Institution since 2013 and the ninth since January 2017.
Century Approves Plan To Correct Audit Findings; Repay Nearly $2 Million To Fund
June 26, 2018
The Century Town Council has approved a “corrective action plan” with a roadmap to correcting negative audit findings….even if it’s paying back nearly $2 million at a rate of just $300 per month.
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
The 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 that would still be outstanding after the reclassification, the town council approved a good faith payment at a rate of $300 per month as recommended by Hudson.
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.
Pictured: Century Town Council members on a conference call with accountant Robert Hudson during a special council meeting Monday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
New Construction Career Academy Opening At Jay High School
June 26, 2018
Jay High School will open a Building Construction Academy this fall to meet the increased demand in the the construction trades.
It’s one of three new academies that will open in Santa Rosa County Schools.
Gulf Breeze High School seeks to meet local workforce demand in hospitality careers with its new Hospitality & Tourism Academy. And Milton High School students will have the opportunity to learn about starting their own business in the new Business & Entrepreneurship Academy.
For more information visit SantaRosaCareerPathways.com.
County Makes Offer To Purchase Beulah Fire Station
June 26, 2018
Escambia County is making a $300,000 offer to purchase the fire station property at 6400 West Nine Mile Road from the non-profit Beulah Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.. The property is about six acres with a 6,000 square foot fire station building. The purchase price was the average of two appraisals.
A portion of the property has a reverter clause that would return that portion to the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority, but ECUA has agreed to release that claim.
Commissioner Jeff Bergosh said he wants to see the facility modernized and building an addition with a kitchen, bunks and showers.
“It’s woefully inadequate for what’s out there,” Bergosh said of the current fire station. He said the county should also consider the addition of a paid daytime fire crew to supplement, but not replace, the response of volunteers.
“I support volunteer firefighters…I am never going to run them out,” he said.
The purchase will be funded from the Local Option Sales Tax.
File photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lane Closures Wednesday On Highway 4 At Canoe Creek Bridges
June 26, 2018
Drivers can expect intermittent lane closures on West Highway 4 at the Canoe Creek bridges on Wednesday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m for maintenance activities. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Hot, Humid And Afternoon Thunder-Boomers
June 26, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. West wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Calm wind.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Calm wind.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 91.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90.
Attorney General Pam Bondi Endorses Hill For Florida House
June 26, 2018
Florida Attorney Pam Bondi has endorsed Florida House of Representatives District 1 candidate Mike Hill.
“I have worked with Mike Hill on many legislative issues, and he has always proven himself to be a champion of conservative principles. I know he believes in defending the Constitution and will be a true voice in Tallahassee for his constituents. That is why I am proud to endorse Mike Hill to be the next Florida State House Representative for District 1,” Bondi said.
Wahoos Beat Jackson 11-6
June 26, 2018
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos scored 10 runs over the first four innings on their way to an 11-6 win over the Jackson Generals on Monday night at The Ballpark at Jackson. Brian O’Grady helped pace the offense with a three-hit game and three RBI. Taylor Sparks also collected three hits in the win. The Wahoos third baseman is 7-for-15 (.467) with five extra base hits since the all-star break.
The Blue Wahoos started hot and scored three runs when Aristides Aquino cleared the bases with a triple in the top of the first. Jose Siri hit his third home run in as many games with a man on in the second. Later in the inning, Brian O’Grady tripled home two, giving the Wahoos a 7-0 lead. Pensacola stretched it to 9-0 when starting pitcher Keury Mella doubled home two more in the third inning.
The Generals scored their six runs over two innings. Their first rally was in the bottom of the third against Mella. He walked three batters in the game, but two were in that inning. The Generals also used a pair of singles do put a dent in the Blue Wahoos lead.
Outside of the one inning, Mella was outstanding. He was charged with three runs on five hits with five strikeouts in his third straight win. He got it done at the plate also with a 2-for-4 game. He scored a run and drove in two others. The starter was one of five Wahoos hitters with a multi-hit game.
The Wahoos early attack knocked Jackson starter Ryan Atkinson from the game after 2+ innings. He was charged with a season-high nine runs (seven earned) in the loss. The Generals hung three more runs (one earned) against Wahoos reliever Jesus Reyes in the seventh inning. Rafael De Paula came in and struck out two of the last three batters to leave the bases loaded and end the threat.
Pensacola will go for the series win on Tuesday afternoon. Pensacola will start LHP Victor Payano (0-1, 3.51) against Generals RHP Justin Donatella (3-3, 3.30).
Wrong-Way Driver Sentenced For DUI Crash In Molino
June 25, 2018
A Pensacola woman has been sentenced after a wrong-way DUI crash on Highway 29 in Molino.
Linda Vires Brown was sentenced to 12 months probation after being convicted of driving under the influence and failing to submit to a DUI test. She was sentenced to 12 months probation and ordered to pay fines, costs and restitution to the victim. Her driver’s license was revoked for 12 months, and she was ordered to wear an electronic continuous alcohol monitor.
In March, Brown was southbound in the outer northbound lane of Highway 29 past Highway 95A when she stuck a Ford F150 pickup driven by Edward Carnley of Century. Carnley swerved in an attempt to avoid the collision, but his pickup was struck in the side rear. The F150 then traveled off the roadway into the median at an angle, rotated and overturned once during the late night wreck.
Carnley and his teen daughter were wearing their set belts and were uninjured. Brown was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries before being released and placed under arrest.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Grad Lausen Graduates From Basic Training
June 25, 2018
U.S. Air Force Airman Matthew Lausen graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, TX.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training also earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
He is a 2016 graduate of Tate High School in Cantonment.