Man Charged With Multiple Weapons Offenses After Highway 97 Traffic Stop
March 29, 2022
A convicted felon from Jay is facing weapons charges after Highway 97 traffic stop in Davisville.
Curtis Alan Amerson, 63, was charged with four counts of possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted Florida felon for having three firearms and a case hold ammunition in his vehicle.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a disturbance on Highway 97 for a possible warrant service. Amerson was sitting at the address in a white GMC Hummer, and deputies reported that they could plainly see two firearms between the front passenger seat and center console, an arrest report states.
While deputies were waiting for the results of a criminal history check on Amerson, he drove north on Highway 97. Deputies stopped his vehicle at the Piggly Wiggly because his license plate was obscured by a rear carrier. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said he was detained due to a 1999 felony conviction.
Inside the vehicle, deputies located a double barrel 12-guage shotgun loaded with two rounds, a .22 caliber rifle with 14 rounds including one in the chamber, a .22 caliber pistol with nine rounds including one in the chamber, and a case containing 13 additional shotgun shells, according to an arrest report.
Amerson was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $10,000 bond.
Committee Nears Completion Of Governmental Rewrite For Century
March 29, 2022
The Century Charter Review Committee has almost completed a rewrite of the document that governs the town.
The committee is tasked with updating the charter — the document that legally establishes the town, outlines its powers and spells out how it should operate. The committee has met periodically since October 2019.
Now, the committee is the last stages of completing their work.
There is an almost final draft, and members will propose any minor changes by April 4 with a vote about two weeks later. If the committee approves their creation, the new charter would go to the Century Town Council for approval and placement on the ballot.
Consultant Buz Eddy said the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office reached out after reading a story about Century’s charter review efforts on NorthEscambia.com. He said in order to make the August ballot, work would need to be completed by June, or August for the November ballot.
Pictured top: Consultant Buz Eddy speaks to the Century Charter Review Committee as chairperson Mary Bourgeois listens. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Florida Special Olympics Torch Run Begins In Century
March 29, 2022
The 2022 Law Enforcement Torch Run in support of Florida Special Olympics began in Century Monday morning and continued through Pensacola.
The torch run started at the Florida/Alabama state line Monday morning. Runners from Century Correctional Institution carried the torch from the state line to the Century Chamber of Commerce with an escort from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. An additional leg of the torch run Monday traveled from the ESCO to Bartram Park in Pensacola with the ECSO, Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Pensacola Police taking part.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Statewide, the participating chiefs, officers, sheriffs, deputies, agents and cadets from virtually every branch of federal, state, county and municipal law enforcement, represent a total of over 300 different agencies. Funds are generated through the sale of the popular Torch Run T-shirts and hats, and through various local fundraising events.
Pictured: The 2022 Law Enforcement Torch Run in support of Florida Special Olympics on a foggy Monday morning in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Volunteer Wanted West Florida Public Library Board of Governance
March 29, 2022
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking county residents interested in volunteering to be considered for an appointment to the West Florida Public Library Board of Governance.
The duties of the board include establishing policy and overseeing the management of Escambia County library services and making recommendations to the BCC regarding the annual budget according to the purposes and authority set forth in resolutions, interlocal agreements and other agreements, as well as state and federal laws. These duties also include establishing an annual plan of service and the long-range strategic planning of library services.
West Florida Public Libraries provides service to all of Escambia County, with the board typically meeting on the fourth Monday of the month from 4-6:30 p.m.
Residents interested in serving on the board are asked to submit a resume and letter indicating their desire to serve by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 20. Resumes should be submitted to Todd J. Humble, Director, West Florida Public Libraries, 239 N. Spring St., Pensacola, FL, 32502 or by email to tjhumble@mywfpl.com.
Resumes submitted to a BCC agenda for consideration will become part of the official minutes and are subject to public records requests.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Tate Freshmen Drop Navarre; T.R. Miller Tops Northview
March 29, 2022
Tate 11, Navarre 2 (Freshmen)
The Tate High School Aggie Freshmen defeated Navarre 11-2 on Monday.
Nathan Ozuna got the win Tate, lasting three innings, allowing three hits and two runs while striking out seven. Brodie Rhodes tossed three innings in relief, giving up hit and no runs while striking out five.
Taite Davis led the Aggies at the plate, going 3-4 with two runs and an RBI. Kaleb Posta, Ozuna and Trevor Land had two hits each for Tate.
T.R. Miller 6, Northview 5
The Northview Chiefs fell short of T.R. Miller 6-5 Monday in Bratt.
Cason Burkett allowing five run on six hits and struck out six for the Chiefs. Jamarkus Jefferson pitched two, allowing one run on one hit and striking out five.
Rustin Pope was 3-4 at the plate to lead Northview. Jefferson and Kaden Odom added two hits each, and Burkett had one.
Applications Open for 2022 Summer Youth Employment Program
March 29, 2022
Escambia County is seeking youth ages 16-24 interested in an opportunity to receive paid work experience this summer through the Escambia County Youth Employment Program. Applications are due Friday, April 15 by 3 p.m.
Qualified youth who are accepted into ECYEP will be able to work up to 30 hours a week, with positions available in various county departments along with the Escambia County School District, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector’s Office and Supervisor of Elections Office. Participants will also receive job readiness training prior to job placement as well as post-employment briefings.
Last summer, approximately 100 youth participated in the program, working in county departments including Public Works, Public Safety, Escambia County Area Transit, West Florida Public Libraries and more.
Limited positions are available. Requirements for the program are as follows:
- Must be age 16-24
- Must submit complete application packet by prescribed deadline.
- Must be a resident of Escambia County, FL at the time of application and for the duration of program participation.
- Must complete up-front job readiness preparatory training classes.
- Must complete post-employment debriefing sessions.
- Must not have any felony convictions.
- If enrolled in school, must submit enrollment verification.
- Must be between the age of 16 years old and 24 years old at the time of enrollment.
- Must show proof of identify (state issued driver’s license or state ID card).
- Must show proof of address.
- Must meet hiring criteria of the temporary employment agency.
- Must submit completed application with all supporting required documentation to be considered
- Must attend the end of the Summer Youth Program Award Ceremony.
Applications can be completed either electronically or by hand. Click here for an electronic application. Click here to print the application PDF.
Applications can also be picked up during normal business hours at Escambia County Neighborhood and Human Services Department, 221 Palafox Place or Brownsville Community Center, 3200 West Desoto St. Incomplete application packets will not be accepted. Please submit your application via email to Carla Thompson at cmthompson@myescambia.com.
For additional information, please call (850) 595-3123.
Driver Extricated After Two Vehicle Crash In Molino
March 28, 2022
There were no serious injuries reported a two vehicle wreck Monday morning in Molino.
The crash was reported about 6:50 a.m. at the intersection of Molino Road and Sunshine Hill road and involved two pickup trucks. Firefighters performed a simple extrication to remove one driver from their vehicle.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
FPL Rates: We Took Our Questions All The Way To CEO
March 28, 2022
[NorthEscambia.com EXCLUSIVE] – With rising local concern over electric bills, we took our questions all the way to the top.
In an exclusive interview, Florida Power & Light Chairman and CEO Eric Silagy told NorthEscambia.com where the company stands amid mounting backlash.
“We’re working really hard to have bills that are below the national average, which they are today,” Silagy said. “But even getting them even lower as well as obviously reliable and clean energy. The way you do that is you invest in technology that pays off day in and day out.”
The CEO said rising costs across the board have impacted FPL and, in turn, local customers.
“Unfortunately, as we’ve seen, gas prices are up whether it’s natural gas, or gasoline at the pump for a variety of reasons, including, of course unfortunately, what’s happening in the Ukraine. And while we can’t control that, we’re trying to figure out ways to burn less of it so we don’t have to buy as much of it and that helps with customers’ bills,” he said. “We understand it’s a tough time right now. Gasoline’s up, food prices are up, medical is up, housing is up. You know, inflation across the country and the world is up. So we’re committed to doing everything we can to make sure customers have affordable, reliable and clean energy as well.
“Future generations deserve that. I’m very very proud of what we’ve already done in the three years we’ve been here. We’ve invested two and a half billion dollars in Northwest Florida. Some of the things we’ve done as an example, as at the old Plant Crist, we tore down the coal. We built very fuel efficient natural gas. The air quality is now 30% better than it was just last year. We’re reducing the amount of water we use and at the same time, we’re actually improving reliability. So reliability has actually improved 58%.
“My goal is to continue on that march. It’s not a sprint; none of this happens overnight. We all know investing in infrastructure can take some time,” Silagy continued. “But if you do it, you do it wisely, then generations will benefit and that to me, is what the duty and the responsibility is for all of us is to do the right thing not just for today.”
Last week, FPL dedicated the Cotton Creek Solar Energy Center in North Escambia. For more information and photos, click here.
Pictured: Florida Power & Light Chairman and CEO Eric Silagy during the opening of the Cotton Creek Solar Energy Center in North Escambia. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fog Possible Overnight; Low 80s Tuesday; Storms By Wednesday Night
March 28, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 58. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 81. South wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southeast wind around 10 mph.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. Windy, with a south wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 20 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph.
Wednesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could be severe and produce heavy rainfall. Low around 63. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. West wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. West wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. East wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Showers likely, mainly before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76.
Escambia County Jobless Rate Drops By Half A Percentage Point
March 28, 2022
The Escambia County unemployment level declined by half a percentage point last month, according to newly released data from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
The unemployment rate in Escambia County was 3.2% in February, down 3.7% in February. That represented 4,667 people out of work out of a county workforce of 146,368. One year ago, Escambia County’s unemployment rate was 5.5%, or 7,938 people.
Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the Pensacola area labor force in January 2022 increased by 7,885 over the year, a 3.5% increase. The area added 8,200 new private sector jobs over the year, a 5.3% increase. The Pensacola area industry gaining the most jobs over the year was trade, transportation, and utilities, increasing by 2,700 jobs.
The area added 8,200 new private sector jobs over the year, a 5.3% increase. The Pensacola area industry gaining the most jobs over the year was trade, transportation, and utilities, increasing by 2,700 jobs.
The Pensacola area added 7,100 private sector jobs over the year, a 4.6% increase. The area industries gaining the most jobs over the year were trade, transportation, and utilities, increasing by 2,600 jobs; and leisure and hospitality, increasing by 2,400 jobs.
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.3 percent in February 2022, down 0.2 percentage point from the January 2022 rate, and down 2.3 percentage points from a year ago. There were 348,000 jobless Floridians out of a labor force of 10,471,000. The U.S. unemployment rate was 3.8 percent in February.