Woman Busted In Century Drug House Sentenced To Jail
December 12, 2019
A woman arrested inside a Century drug house has been sentenced to just under a year in the county jail.
Sharnice LaBraishia Spears, 21 pleaded no contest and was found guilty by Judge Jan Shackelford on all counts against her. She was sentenced to 11 months and 30 days in the county jail plus fines and costs for cocaine trafficking, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, manufacture or deliver within 1,000 feet of a worship center, possession of a controlled substance (hydrocodone) with intent to sell, manufacture or deliver within 1,000 feet of a worship center, keeping a public nuisance structure for drug activity and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit and SWAT team executed a search warrant on Hudson Hill Road July 3, 2019, as part of an ongoing narcotics investigation.
Deputies reported locating a cache of drugs in a safe including 16.2 grams of powder cocaine, 18.1 grams of crack cocaine, 24 grams of marijuana, hydrocodone pills, an iPhone and $5,466 in cash.
Spears’ boyfriend at the time, Kendrick Jamar Washington, was also in the home at the time of the search warrant. He is awaiting trial on the same charges plus possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
Century Approves Garbage Rate Increase, Mayor Disputes Balance Sheet
December 12, 2019
The Century Town Council unanimously approved a rate increase for garbage service Tuesday night, as the mayor disputed the town’s own balance sheet showing a profit for the garbage department.
The town currently pays Republic Services $14 per resident per month for a single 95 gallon can pick up per week, plus varying fees for commercial customers. The town tacks $2.98 onto the $14 charged by Republic to cover administrative costs including billing, and adds $6.21 for debris pick up for a total rate of $23.19 per month.
Republic has exercised a provision of their contact that allows them to increase the rates they charged the town by 3.1% to match the Consumer Price Index. The council voted to pass the 3.1% Republic increase along to residents, increasing the monthly rate by 44 cents from $23.19 to $23.63 for single can pickup.
In an article published Tuesday, NorthEscambia.com reported the town’s garbage department showed a profit of $50,927.33. Of that, $41,000 was transferred to the troubled gas fund, leaving a positive balance of $9,927.33 in the gas fund at the end of the fiscal year. The numbers are clearly indicated on the town’s year end financial statement (pictured below).
Mayor Henry Hawkins took issue with the article, saying the financial statement created by the town’s accountant was wrong. He said the $6.21 debris pickup charges, amounting to roughly $40,000 last year, should have been shown in the general fund. That’s because, Hawkins said, the debris pickup is done by the street department that is operated from the town’s general fund. Then, he said, the $41,000 transfer to the gas fund should have come from the general fund.
If the $6.21 per customer per month had been recorded in the general fund ($6.21 x 12 months x 553 customers = $41,210), the garbage fund would have still shown a profit of over $9,000.
Pictured top: A special Century council meeting Wednesday. Pictured below: A condensed version of the year end financial statement for the Town of Century’s garbage fund. Click the image to see the full version. NorthEscambia.com photo/image, click to enlarge.
Atmore Armed Robbery Suspect Now Named One Of Two Suspects In Escambia Florida Robbery
December 12, 2019
An Atmore man has been arrested for a weekend convenience store armed robbery in Atmore, and he has now been named a suspect in a December 4 robbery in Escambia County, FL.
Thomas Darrelle McNeal, 25, was charged by Atmore Police with robbery first degree and booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton. McNeal allegedly walked into the Circle K at 901 West Nashville Avenue at 2:07 Saturday morning, asked about the price of the cigarettes and then robbed the store at gunpoint.
McNeal remains in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center.
Thursday, the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office named McNeal as one of two suspects in the December 4 armed robbery of a Dollar General at 4818 Mobile Highway. Donald Lamar May was also named a suspect, and he is considered armed and dangerous.
Investigators say McNeal and May fled in a silver color sedan, possibly a Nissan or Honda.
If you have any information about the Mobile Highway incident or the whereabouts of May, call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
Pictured top: The robbery of an Atmore convenience store. Pictured below: Mobile Highway Dollar General suspects.
P
Florida Now A Member Of Voter Security Partnership
December 12, 2019
Wednesday, Governor Ron DeSantis and Secretary of State Laurel Lee announced that Florida has been accepted for membership, along with 29 other members, into the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), a multi-state partnership that uses a sophisticated data-matching tool to enhance the accuracy of voter registration systems.
“My administration is committed to protecting the integrity of Florida’s voter rolls and preventing election fraud,” said DeSantis. “As a member of ERIC, Florida is now equipped with more tools to further ensure accurate voter rolls, make voting easier and reduce costs to taxpayers.”
Through ERIC, member states can share information from voter registration systems, motor vehicle databases, social security death records, and U.S. Post Office records. This data-sharing agreement will help identify voters who have moved to another state, passed away, or changed their name in Florida.
In addition to enhancing the accuracy of voter rolls, ERIC also improves voter registration by providing information for member states to contact potentially eligible but unregistered voters with instructions on how to register to vote. Prior to the 2020 general election, Florida will spend $1.3 million to contact potentially eligible voter who are not registered to vote. This outreach is conducted every two years ahead of federal general elections.
Santa Visits Molino Library
December 12, 2019
Santa Claus visited the Molino Branch Library Wednesday. After reading a special story, he visited with good little boys and girls to hear their Christmas wishes.
For more photos from Santa’s visit to Molino, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Soccer: Win Over Escambia, Loss To Washington
December 12, 2019
Tate High School’s boys soccer defeated Escambia High School on the road 3 to 1 Wednesday night. The Aggies had two goals from Owen Jacobs with on a penalty kick goal by Logan Tyree and an assist by Calen Arnevik.
The Aggies were coming off a one point loss Tuesday night to Washington. An Aggie penalty allowed Washington to win with a single penalty kick goal.
Tate is 8-1 on the season, 2-0 in the district. The Aggies will host Crestview Frida night.
NorthEscambia.com file photo by Mitch Arnevik, click to enlarge.
Tate Alumni Association Collects Food For Molino Ministry
December 12, 2019
The Tate High Alumni Association is known for giving back to the community. They recently collected food items and presented them to the mission program at the Cross Roads Thrift Store in Molino. The food was delivered Wednesday by Grace Howard Paulcheck (left) to Ashley Seward and Darnell Crenshaw. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Some Rain Today, Good Shot At Showers Friday
December 12, 2019
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Today: A chance of showers between 9am and 3pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 56. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 47. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Friday: Showers likely, mainly before noon. Cloudy, with a high near 65. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. West wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 69. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 54. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 74. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 46. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 53.
Billy James Cofield
December 12, 2019
Billy James Cofield passed at the age of 76 on December 11, 2019.
Billy was born in Century, Florida, on February 20, 1943. He played football at Century High School and was also part of the first volunteer fire department in Century. Billy was drafted into the Army and served for a few years but was wounded in Vietnam. He received two Purple Hearts for his service. Billy loved hunting, fishing, and anything to do with the outdoors.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Mable Bell; father, Tom Cofield; and brothers, Harry Cofield, Richard Cofield, Clarence Cofield, and Franky Bell.
Billy is survived by his wife, Lura Diane Cofield; three sons, James Ford, Sheldon Ford, and Michael Ford; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one brother, Bruce Cofield; one step-sister, Brenda Cox; nephews, Ricky Cofield, Timbo Cofield, numerous nieces and nephews; and his hunting buddy, Jack the Beagle.
Funeral services will be held at noon on Saturday, December 14, 2019, at Clear Springs United Methodist Church with Reverend BJ Carpenter officiating. Interment will follow in Clear Springs United Methodist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to noon on Saturday, December 14, 2019, prior to services.
Pallbearers will be Ricky Cofield, Timbo Cofield, Hunter Cofield, Levi Cofield, Dewain Ford, and Michael Ford. James D. Ford and Sheldon Ford will act as honorary pallbearers.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 Hwy. 29 South, Cantonment, entrusted with arrangements.
Escambia County Deputy Shot; Suspect Charged With Attempted Murder
December 11, 2019
An Escambia County deputy was shot Wednesday afternoon off Chemstrand Road.
The suspect has been identified as 41-year old Daniel Hux, and the deputy’s name has not been released by Sheriff David Morgan.
Hux is being held without bond on two counts of attempted homicide.
Deputies were dispatched to a suicide threat in the 400 block of Limerick Lane, which is two blocks behind the Winn Dixie on Nine Mile Road.
Hux told dispatchers that someone was trying to take his son from Pensacola Christian Academy. He then told a dispatcher that he needed to go to the hospital to get medicated because he felt suicidal, according to an arrest report. He did tell dispatchers that he did not have any weapons and that he was not feeling violent.
After they arrived, a male deputy went to the front door while a female deputy went to the back of the home. The male deputy knocked, but did not get an answer. He stepped the carport area after hearing a noise and found the suspect, and shots were exchanged almost immediately, Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan said.
The deputy was hit by several rounds before retreating to the driveway of the home, and the second deputy began rendering aid. Hux begin to fire his handgun again, according to the report.
Hux went back inside the house after the gunfire exchange, walked around and eventually walked back outside with his hands up to surrender.
The deputy suffered four gunshot wounds, was transported to the hospital by other deputies and is expected to recover.
Wednesday afternoon was the 16th time the ECSO has responded to the home for issues that have included incidents ranging from an activated alarm to domestic issues. Morgan is calling the shooting Wednesday an “ambush”, adding that nothing in previous calls to the home would have indicated that this level of violence should have been expected.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the officer involved shooting as is standard procedure.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
