Portion Of Hilltop Road In Century To Be Closed Friday
August 29, 2019
Hilltop Road in Century will be closed from North Century Boulevard (Highway 29) to Alger Road beginning at 9 a.m. Friday for maintenance, according the Town of Century. A reopening timetable was not provided. NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Dorian Becomes Hurricane, May Threaten Florida As Cat 3 Storm
August 28, 2019
THIS IS AN OUTDATED AND ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION.
Dorian strengthened into a hurricane Wednesday afternoon near the U.S. Virgin Islands, and forecasters say it may be a major Category 3 storm by the weekend as it approaches the Florida east coast.
For the local area, it’s still not known what impacts Dorian will have, if any, early next week.
The latest information on Dorian is in the graphics on this page.
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ECUA Approves Rate Hike For Water, Sewer And Garbage
August 28, 2019
The Emerald Coast Utility Authority approved a rate increases for water, sewer and sanitation customers effective October 1.
Tuesday, the ECUA board approved a 2.3% rate increase for water and sewer, which ECUA said translates to just a few cents for the average customer.
“For the single-family residential, it means an increase of .28 on the base rate and an increase on the volume charge of .06. In total, the proposed increase to a household with an average consumption of 6,000 gallons would be an increase of .64 per month,” ECUA Public Information Office Nathalie Bowers said about water rates.
For sewer, the base rate increase equates to 33 cents plus 17 center thousand gallons, or $1.01 for the average residential customer.
Following a motion by District 5 board member Larry Walker, the motion to increase water and sewer rates pass unanimously.
The board also approved a sanitation rate increase on a 3-1 vote, with District 1 member Vicki Campbell dissenting.
Base sanitation collection rates will increase 5%, but a disposal fee on sanitation bills will remain constant. For single family residential customers with one 90-gallon or smaller container, the sanitation rate will increase 91 cents from $23.25 to $24.16.
The water, sewer and sanitation rate increases also includes commercial accounts.
Trial Begins For Private Investigator Murder Suspect
August 28, 2019
Tuesday was the first full day of testimony in the case of a former crime scene investigator accused of murdering a woman for money and burying her body in Cantonment.
Ashley McArthur is charged with shooting and killing private investigator and former police officer Taylor Wright over $34,000. Earlier this year, she was sentenced to seven years in state prison for racketeering and organized fraud in an unrelated case.
On September 14, 2017, Wright’s girlfriend reported that she was missing. The girlfriend gave a sworn statement to Pensacola Police that Wright had not been seen or heard from since September 8. Prior to her disappearance, Wright had told her girlfriend that she had placed a large amount of money in a safe deposit box that belonged to McArthur, her friend. Wright said she had tried to get her money back from McArthur several times with no success. Wright was trying to get the money back from McArthur for court proceedings related to Wright’s pending divorce.
On September 8, Wright and McArthur met so Wright could get her money. Wright and the girlfriend communicated back and forth via text until about 11:20 a.m. When the girlfriend did not hear back from Wright after numerous texts, she called McArthur. McArthur answered and said Wright could not come to the phone because she was riding a horse.
The girlfriend continued to try to communicate with Wright with no success until 7:58 p.m. when she received a text from Wright’s phone stating that she needed time to think and get her life on track.
On September 18, McArthur met with a Pensacola Police detective. She told the detective that she had picked Wright up on the morning of September 8 and they drove to various locations during the day before going to McArthur’s family property in East Milton to ride horses. She said they were there for about an hour before heading back to McArthur’s residence in the Pensacola city limits about 4:45 p.m. McArthur claimed that she went inside her house, and when came back out shortly, Wright was gone.
During the investigation, McArthur’s bank records and cell phone records were obtained. Bank records show that on August 16, McArthur deposited a cashier’s check in Wright’s name for the amount of $34,000 into McArthur’s personal checking account. The money has since been spent.
On September 14, Wright’s girlfriend reported that she was missing. The girlfriend gave a sworn statement to Pensacola Police that Wright had not been seen or heard from since September 8. Prior to her disappearance, Wright had told her girlfriend that she had placed a large amount of money in a safe deposit box that belonged to McArthur, her friend. Wright said she had tried to get her money back from McArthur several times with no success. Wright was trying to get the money back from McArthur for court proceedings related to Wright’s pending divorce.
On September 8, Wright and McArthur met so Wright could get her money. Wright and the girlfriend communicated back and forth via text until about 11:20 a.m. When the girlfriend did not hear back from Wright after numerous texts, she called McArthur. McArthur answered and said Wright could not come to the phone because she was riding a horse.
The girlfriend continued to try to communicate with Wright with no success until 7:58 p.m. when she received a text from Wright’s phone stating that she needed time to think and get her life on track.
On September 18, McArthur met with a Pensacola Police detective. She told the detective that she had picked Wright up on the morning of September 8 and they drove to various locations during the day before going to McArthur’s family property in East Milton to ride horses. She said they were there for about an hour before heading back to McArthur’s residence in the Pensacola city limits about 4:45 p.m. McArthur claimed that she went inside her house, and when came back out shortly, Wright was gone.
During the investigation, McArthur’s bank records and cell phone records were obtained. Bank records show that on August 16, McArthur deposited a cashier’s check in Wright’s name for the amount of $34,000 into McArthur’s personal checking account. They money has since been spent.
McArthur’s phone records never showed her in the area of the family property in East Milton, instead her phone showed her in the area of Beulah on September 8 from 11:52 a.m. until 1:44 p.m. and again from 2:40 p.m. until 3:33 p.m. Police discovered that McArthur’s family has property at 2201 Britt Road, in the same area as her phone indicated.
Pictured top: Taylor Wright. Pictured mugshot, inset: Ashley McArthur.
High In The 90s Today, Flirting With The 60s Tonight
August 28, 2019
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Otherwise partly sunny, with a high near 91. Heat index values as high as 105. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. North wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. North wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 92. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 91.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Labor Day: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88.
Entire Panhandle Will Get A New Area Code; The 850 Numbers Are Running Out
August 28, 2019
The 850 area code is running out of available phone numbers, and an additional area code would be added under a plan under consideration by state regulators.
The North American Numbering Plan Administrator, which oversees area code planning across the nation, said the 850 area code will run out of available photo numbers in the first quarter of 2022. They have petitioned the Florida Public Service Commission for a new area code that will overlay the existing 850 area code.
The PSC will consider the request at a September 6 workshop meeting.
If approved the new area code would cover the same area as the current 850 area code, which includes Escambia County to Tallahassee.
The new area code would go into service in 2021, with a transition period before the 850 runs out of numbers. The addition will require 10-digit dialing in all of Northwest Florida .
All existing customers would retain the 850 area code and would not have to change their telephone numbers, according to the PSC.
How To Get Married In Alabama Changes Thursday
August 28, 2019
Effective Thursday, getting married in Alabama no longer involves a license, just filling out an application, having it notarized and taking it to the local probate judge’s office.
“The new law removes the need for a marriage license to be obtained in advance. Additionally, while couples certainly may have a ceremony if they wish, a ceremony will no longer be required,” according to the Escambia County (AL) Probate Office.
Persons wishing to marry will no longer file an application for a marriage license with the county probate court, and the courts will no longer issue marriage licenses. Probate judges will instead accept notarized forms completed by couples as official records of marriage.
Once the probate court records the completed marriage certificate form, the marriage is legal. A wedding ceremony may be performed, but a ceremony will no longer be required for a recognized marriage in Alabama. The elimination of marriage licenses will not affect any other aspects of marriage in Alabama, including divorce, spousal support, child support and child custody.
The marriage certificate form can be downloaded at the Alabama Department of Public Health’s website.
A recording fee established by each county probate court must be paid to the court at the time the form is presented for recording. In Escambia County (AL), that fee is $75.
The probate office must receive and file the original form, but a certified copy will be provided to the couple for their personal records. The effective date of the marriage is the latter of the dates of the signatures of the spouses.
Volunteers Still Needed To Help Repair Miracle League Field
August 28, 2019
The Miracle League of Pensacola still needs volunteers to help them prepare a damaged filed in time for their falls season.
The field is covered with hundreds of tiles to create a safe playing surface. All of the tiles must be removed, pressure washed and replace. This will require a “massive” number of volunteers and hours of service, according to league officials.
They will be working each evening this week, weather permitting at 5:30 p.m. Volunteers may need gloves, but no other tools are required.
The park is located at 555 East Nine Mile Road, at the corner of Nine Mile and Airway Drive.
Pictured: Scores of volunteers have helped with repairs for the Miracle League, including these Tate High School baseball players. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Rotary Club Donates Hydration Packs For ECSO K-9 Unit
August 28, 2019
The Five Flags Rotary Club donated 15 hydration packs to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit.
Deputy B. Baker and K-9 Triton, and Deputy T. Bortner and K-9 Zeek attended their weekly luncheon on Monday. Master Deputy Gulsby thanked Five Flags for the donation and had Deputy Baker showed off the hydration packs and discussed how they will help K-9s and officers in the field.
After lunch, club members were able to meet and greet the K-9s.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Charles L. Cummings
August 28, 2019
Charles L. Cummings, 76 of Atmore, AL, passed away August 27, 2019, in Century, FL. He was born in Bibb County, AL on October 11, 1942, to the late J.C. and Alice Argo Cummings. He retired from Vanity Fair where he was in management.
He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Black Cummings, three sons Mike (Traci) Cummings, Wayne Cummings, Gary Cummings and a daughter Teresa (Tony) Hadley all of Atmore, AL; four Brothers, Tommy (Dot) Cummings, David (Brenda) Cummings, Jerry (Jimmie Ruth) Cummings, and Bill (Patsy) cummings all of Montevallo, AL; grandchildren, Clay (Ashley) Cummings, Klint (Jamie) Burkett, Leslie (Dustin) Helton, Dustin McGhee, Dylan (Melissa) McGhee, Jacob Hadley, and Annalyn Hadley; great-grandchildren, Trip Gilly, Brantley Cummings, Taiten Cummings, Mason Helton, Taylor Helton, Emma Baggett, Ava Baggett and Noah Baggett.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 30, 2019, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Waylon Stuckey officiating.
Burial will follow in Canoe Free Will Baptist Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Clay Cummings, Klint Burkett, Dustin McGhee, Dylan McGhee, Aaron Guy and Dee Guy.
Visitation will be held 10 a.m. until service time at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.