FDLE: Tallahassee Man Used Escambia County Business’ Tax Info To Lease Vehicles, Equipment
May 8, 2020
A Tallahassee man was arrested Thursday on charges for allegedly using the tax information of an Escambia County business to lease vehicles and equipment valued at $225,000.
Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested 45-year old Robert Brinker, 45, of Tallahassee, on charges of scheme to defraud and criminal use of personal identification information.
Brinker is the owner of Deep South Crane and Equipment Rentals, Inc., in Tallahassee.
FDLE began its investigation in March after receiving a citizen complaint. Agents say Brinker used the tax identification number of a similarly named business in Pensacola to lease three new vehicles and heavy equipment from a Tallahassee dealership.
In September and October of last year, Brinker leased a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee valued at nearly $95,000, a 2019 Dodge Ram 3500 truck valued around $62,000 and a 2019 Dodge Ram 4500 valued at more than $68,000. He was able to obtain the credit to lease the vehicles using the tax ID number from the Escambia County company.
“While Brinker does not work for the Pensacola business and is not affiliated with them, he has victimized the business in the past and has additional charges pending against him for using their tax ID number to purchase vehicles,” FDLE said in a statement.
Troopers with the Florida Highway Patrol assisted with the arrest.
Escambia County Promotes Two To Deputy County Administrators, One To Department Director
May 8, 2020
The Escambia County Commission approved three senior level staff promotions at their Thursday night meeting.
Chips Kirschenfeld and Wes Moreno were promoted to deputy county administrators, and Clara Long was promoted to director of the Neighborhood and Human Services.
Chips Kirschenfeld, Deputy County Administrator
Chips Kirschenfeld was appointed deputy county administrator and will maintain his position as director of Natural Resources Management while also serving in senior leadership to assist with the management of operations, the oversight of major projects, and supervision of departments under the direction of the assistant county administrator for the Community and Administrative branch.
Kirschenfeld began his career with Escambia County in 2001 as a senior scientist in charge of writing a new wetlands protection ordinance and establishing a new wetlands management program. In 2008, he became division manager of the Water Quality and Land Management division and established a new water quality laboratory to monitor area surface waters. Kirschenfeld was named director of Natural Resources Management in 2016 and was assigned additional duties as interim assistant county administrator in 2019 until the permanent positions were filled.
Wes Moreno, Deputy County Administrator
Wes Moreno was appointed deputy county administrator and will maintain the position of director of Public Works while also serving in senior leadership to assist with the management of operations, the oversight of major projects, and supervision of departments under the direction of the assistant county administrator for the Infrastructure and Public Safety branch.
Moreno began his career with Escambia County in 1987 as a maintenance worker with the Public Works department. Moreno has held several positions including equipment operator, road correction officer, engineering tech, chief of construction management, deputy bureau chief of public works and deputy director of Public Works. Beyond the numerous road, drainage and bridge improvement projects for the county, he also assisted with recovery efforts from major disasters including hurricanes George, Charley, Frances, Ivan and Dennis, and both an ice storm and flooding in 2014.
Clara Long, Director of the Neighborhood & Human Services Department
Clara Long was approved and promoted on Thursday, May 7 as the new director of Neighborhood & Human Services. Clara Long most recently served as Escambia County’s interim director of Neighborhood & Human Services, a position she held since August 2019.
Prior to serving as interim director, Long served as the Community Redevelopment Agency division manager from 2013 to 2019. Long began her career with Escambia County in April 2001 and began working in the CRA Division in 2003. She has held many positions in the agency including office administrative assistant, CRA urban planner II, development program manager, enterprise zone coordinator/redevelopment specialist, and CRA division manager.
Long graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College with an associate’s degree in business administration. She has 28 years of experience in the field of administration and is a member of Take Stock in Children Mentoring Program, the Florida Chapter American Planning Association, and the American Planning Council.
The Neighborhood and Human Services Department oversees the Community Redevelopment Agency, Neighborhood Enterprise Division and the Safe Neighborhood Program. In addition, Neighborhood & Human Services administers the Youth Employment Program, Human Assistance Program, the Indigent Burial Program and various Community and Resource Centers.
ADOC: Staff Member At Holman Prison Tests Positive For COVID-19; Escambia County (AL) Cases Up To 33
May 8, 2020
A staff member at Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore has self-reported to the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) that they are positive for COVID-19.
ADOC said the individual promptly self-quarantined under the direction of his or her healthcare provider.
“The ADOC’s Office of Health Services (OHS) immediately initiated an investigation to determine which, if any, ADOC inmates or employees may have had direct, prolonged exposure to this staff member. Upon completing the appropriate follow-up interviews and due diligence, OHS will advise any exposed staff members to contact their healthcare providers and self-quarantine for the recommended 14-day period, or as advised by their healthcare provider,” said Samantha Rose, public information specialist for the prison system.
The ADC said the positive test represents the 17th self-reported case of COVID-19 among corrections employees and contracted staff, twelve (12) of which remain active. Five (5) staff members who previously self-reported a positive test have been cleared by a medical provider to return to work.
According to Alabama Department of Health data Thursday night, the total number of COVID-19 cases in Escambia County increased to 33. It was not known if the Holman staff member is part of that number.
There have three deaths form the virus in Escambia County, Alabama.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Firefighter Injured As Mobile Home And Travel Trailer Destroyed By Fire In Cantonment
May 8, 2020
An Escambia County firefighter was injured in a structure fire Thursday night in Cantonment.
Escambia Fire Rescue responded to a reported mobile home fire in the 1000 block of Perdido Road in Cantonment shortly after 9 p.m. The fire destroyed both a mobile home and a travel trailer.
The injured firefighter was transported to a local hospital for treatment of a minor injury. There were no other injuries reported.
There were no smoke alarms present, according to Escambia County. An accidental cooking fire was determined to be the cause.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com by Kristi Barbour and others, click to enlarge.
Gonzalez Baptist Church To Hold Food Box Distribution On Saturday
May 8, 2020
Gonzalez Baptist Church will hold a food box distribution on Saturday.
“Last week the church distributed 150 boxes in about 45 minutes to families in need. This week, we plan on having over 300 boxes on hand, due to the high demand from central and north Escambia County. We will do this each Saturday in May as long as supplies last,” Senior Pastor Mike Mashburn said.
The food distribution will begin at 10 a.m. and continue while supplies last at 1590 Pauline Street (one block off Highway 29 and Old Chemstrand Road, behind Winn Dixie). The event is drive-thru only and limited to one food box for each member of the household.
Pictured: Last Saturday, Gonzalez Baptist Church distribute food boxes, and they will do it again this Saturday. Photos for NorthEscambia.com click to enlarge.
Showers And Thunderstorms Develop Friday Into Friday Night
May 8, 2020
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 79. Light and variable wind becoming south 10 to 15 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Friday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1am. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 50. West wind 10 to 15 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 78. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 82. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 54. North wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 87.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 88.
Nicholas Carroll Clark
May 8, 2020
Nicholas Carroll Clark, 29 of Cantonment, Florida passed away on May 1, 2020.
Nicholas was born in Pensacola, Florida on June 15, 1990 to John C. Clark & Cynthia E. Clark. Nick resided in Cantonment, Florida for the remainder of his life.
Nick was employed by Pensacola Bay Center. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, riding his motorcycle, running RC cars with his children, nephews and brothers as well as hanging out with his cousins and the lifelong friends, that he shared so many memories with, many of which have been shared with his family in recent days. Nick is survived by his children, Nicholas Chase (mother Brittany Holland), Emma Rose (mother Carla Burks). His parents John & Cindy Clark. Brothers and sister, Ryan, Zachary (Brooke) and Ashley Clark. Cousins Brooke Whitehurst, Shaine Garrett, Jordan Garrett, Josh Stewart, Brittney Clark, Tea Clark. His loving grandparents, John (Edna) Whitehurst, Mona (Randall) Thomas, Jimmy (Ronnie) Clark. His Aunt Cathy Garrett, Aunt Mary (Brad) Leatherwood, Uncle Jim (Julie) Clark and Uncle Matthew Clark. He is preceded in death by his Uncle, John Whitehurst Jr.
Nick was a loving Uncle to John, Carter, Khloie and Kayde.
As life goes on, and we all know that it does, Nicks family would like to thank each and every person who has stopped by, shared a memory, gave a hug, expressed a condolence, and shed a tear with us. You all have no idea what this has meant to us in our time of need, you all matter to us.
Please join us for a Celebration of Life on June 13, 2020. There will be food, fun and more memories in the making in his honor….Details will be announced via Facebook.
Highway 29 Northbound Wreck Backs Up Traffic
May 7, 2020
A traffic crash on Highway 29 just north of Muscogee Road backed up northbound traffic for at least of a couple of miles Thursday afternoon.
There were no serious injuries reported in the 3:35 p.m. crash, but both northbound lanes were blocked. The roadway was reported to be open by 5 p.m.
Readers reported traffic was backed up to at least Winn Dixie at Old Chemstrand Road.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Beulah Fire Grows To 1,000 Acres, But Is Expected To Burn Itself Out
May 7, 2020
[Updated 7:40 p.m.] Four Florida Forest Service bulldozers and two helicopters are actively working the Hurst Hammock Fire in Beulah. The fire has become more active, but remains in the marsh and is not currently a threat, according to Escambia County. Escambia County Fire Rescue has several additional units on scene standing by along with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The fire size is still 1,000 acres and 40% contained.
Previous story:
[Updated 4:10 p.m.] A large wildfire is Beulah grew to about 1,000 acres Thursday afternoon, but officials say it is not threatening any structures.
The fire is now 40% contained, according to Laura Coale, Escambia County spokesperson.
“It’s just burning out the marsh,” she said, “still no threat to any structures.”
There have been no evacuations and Hurst Hammock road is open to residents.
Coale cautioned that the air quality in the area is reduced and residents may continue to see some smoke.
The Florida Forest Services continues to work to contain the fire, and Escambia Fire Rescue is on standby to assist if needed.
The cause of the fire is not yet known.
Reader photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Correction: Photo Used In Santa Rosa Wildfire Story Erroneously Represented By Fire Department
May 7, 2020
NorthEscambia.com has removed a photo from our story about the Santa Rosa wildfire, and we are correcting the origin and context of the photo.
The photo (above) was erroneously released Wednesday night on Facebook by the Baker Fire District in a collection of photos that included graphics related to the Santa Rosa County fire such as Santa Rosa County evacuation maps, fire maps and a Florida Forest Service helicopter. It was clearly represented by the Baker Fire District as being their firefighters at the Santa Rosa fire. Escambia Fire Rescue was misled and posted the photo Wednesday nigh labeled as the Baker Fire District working the Five Mile Swamp Fire in Santa Rosa County.
In turn, NorthEscambia.com and other media outlets published what we believed to be a public domain photo released by a government agency. We later learned Thursday, thanks to an alert reader, the photo was taken in June 2007 by the Reno Gazette Journal at the Angora Fire in South Lake Tahoe, California.
We apologize for the erroneous information released by the Baker Fire District.
