Reminder: Northview Chiefs Youth Football Camp Begins This Afternoon
July 21, 2022
The Northview Chiefs Football Youth Camp begins this afternoon.
The camp, for ages 8-14, will take place from 5-7 p.m. on July 21-22 at Northview.
Registration is $50 per child. Attendees will receive fundamental coaching and instruction led by the Northview High coaching staff. T-shirts will be provided.
For more information, email Coach Wes Summerford at WSummerford@ecsdfl.us.
Woman Sentenced For Defrauding Employer Out Of $300,000
July 21, 2022
An Escambia County woman has been sentenced for defrauding her employer out of over $300,000.
Cassondra Leigh Moreno, 43, was sentenced to seven years in prison to be followed by 20 years probation. She was convicted of organized fraud and money laundering.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation into Moreno began in June 2020 when Moreno’s employer, a beverage distributor, advised FDLE that it had noticed a $300,000 accounting discrepancy involving stolen money orders, which appeared to be linked to Moreno. The employer oversees sales in numerous stores from Pensacola to Panama City. The investigation revealed that over a four-year period, Moreno used her position as Transportation Supervisor to engage in a scheme to defraud. She modified her employer’s accounting system to conceal the amount of money orders she had stolen.
Analysis of her personal financial records revealed that she received over $300,000 between 2017-2020, by depositing hundreds of stolen money orders into her accounts. She resigned from her job in May 2020.
Bicyclist Struck By Car In Century
July 20, 2022
A bicyclist is recovering after being hit by a car Wednesday morning in Century.
The individual was hit by a Chevrolet Malibu at Highway 29 and East Highway 4.
According to the Florida Highway, the bicyclist was transported by Escambia County EMS to Jay Hospital with injuries that were not believed to be life threatening.
The FHP investigation is continuing. The Century Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue also responded.
Escambia County Asking DeSantis To Investigate If Doug Underhill Remains Qualified To Serve
July 20, 2022
Escambia County is asking Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Office to investigate if District Commissioner Doug Underhill remains qualified to hold office after selling his home in District 2 and purchasing property in District 5.
“Upon information and belief, Commissioner Douglas Underhill no longer resides in the district he was elected to represent. The official records reflect that his residence was sold in 2022, and he purchased a property in another district in 2021,” the letter signed by Commissioner Chairman Jeff Bergosh states.
Underhill sold his Perdido Key home earlier this year. Redistricting moved the home from District 2 to District 1, but the law allows him to remain in office through the end of his term — if he lives in District 2. In 2021, Underhill purchased a District 5 property in North Escambia, just over a mile from Atmore.
“Underhill has vacated the grandfathered residence and now resides in a different district of Escambia County,” according to the letter to the governor.
A screenshot provided to Bergosh of a July 7 Facebook post with free furniture and other items posted by Underhill’s wife stated that they had two days remaining to clear everything off their Sally-damaged property “before the buyer takes possession”.
“So we sold and rent back until I’m done with my service. None of this is news, and if you are worried about this more than our budget you suck and you are why Escambia County sucks,” Underhill wrote on Facebook Tuesday night in another post cited by Bergosh,
“It seen incongruent. It seems inconsistent. So I think we need to get to the bottom of it based upon citizen complaints,” Bergosh said during a Tuesday morning commission meeting.
“Guys, do what you want to do. I certainly look forward to an investigation from Tallahassee into what is clearly more of the pattern of retribution against me whistleblowing on y’all’s 401(a) thing,” Underhill said.
“I don’t take the 401(a),” Bergosh interjected.
“I know you don’t, but you certainly supported what these guys are doing,” Underhill replied to Bergosh. “In my opinion, it’s theft, and I whistle blew on it.”
The commission currently has a lawsuit pending over a 401(a) annuity plan the county contends is legal for local for elected officials and senior management. It does not cost taxpayers anything beyond a typical FRS plan.
“Redistricting me out of my district, taking me off all of the committees, all of the other things we’ve done. The censure, that little foray we had,” Underhill continued. “All of those are really the same kind of pattern of retribution for what I did for outing this issue for the 401(a).”
In reference to the Facebook post stating the family needed items out of the home for the new buyer in two days, Underhill told Bergosh that “is none of your business”.
“The matter is very clear…but if y’all want to do this, let’s send it to Tallahassee; let’s have that discussion,” Underhill said. “Gentlemen, do as you wish. It really makes no difference.”
Underhill gathered his things and walked out of the meeting during the motion and 4-0 vote. It was the last item on the agenda for the day, and the meeting concluded less than a minute later.
Escambia County Approves Sheriff’s Budget For The Next Three Years
July 20, 2022
The Escambia County Commission on Tuesday approved a funding agreement with the Sheriff’s Office for the next three fiscal years.
The interlocal agreement will set the Sheriff’s Office budget from the BOCC at $77.4 million for 2023, $82.7 for 2024 and $88.2 for 2025.
The funds will include all costs for personnel services, operating expenses and capital outlay as required to operate the law enforcement agency.
The agreement also has additional contingency funds of $1.25 million for 2023, $1.25 million for 2024 and $1.5 million in 2025. The contingency funds may be used for additional costs, including but not limited to, increased retirement costs, employee healthcare or higher fuel costs.
If the Sheriff’s reserve funds are not used, they will roll over to the next fiscal year of the agreement, up to a maximum reserve of $2.5 million.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Gilford Avenue In Century Closed For Water Main Repair
July 20, 2022
Gilford Avenue in Century will be closed Wednesday and Thursday for water main leak repairs. Gilford Avenue will be closed between Barwell Avenue and Bonwell Street. Inclement weather may delay the closure. NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge.
FHP Now Estimates 40 Plus Vehicles Were Involved In Friday’s I-10 Crashes
July 20, 2022
The Florida Highway Patrol now says an estimated 40 or more vehicles were involved in multiple crashes that closed I-10 in Escambia County last Friday.
The crash happened on I-10 westbound near the Palafox Street overpass, which is just east of Highway 29. There were only a few non-life threatening injuries.
The incident was treated as a multitude of individual wrecks. FHP Lt. Jason King said it took an extensive amount of time to complete the investigation and clean up the scene.
“And truly we lost count of how many cars were actually involved,” he said.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Photos: Traffic cameras and ground-level photos show the aftermath of multiple crashes on I-10 Friday afternoon. Photos: FDOT and Donnie Dixon for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Applications Open Today For Escambia County Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program
July 20, 2022
Applications open today for the Escambia County Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program.
The program is designed to provide assistance for homeowners struggling to pay mortgages or utilities due to COVID-19. Funded under the Community Development Block Grant Corona Virus Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program, eligible households may receive assistance of up to but not exceeding three months’ costs, or $8,000.
Applications are available by clicking here.
Emergency mortgage assistance may be provided to eligible Escambia County residents and families under the following conditions:
- The property must not be listed for sale
- The household must have been financially impacted by COVID-19
- The homeowner must have homestead exemption
- The property must be located in Escambia County outside of the City of Pensacola limits
- The household must not have received additional mortgage assistance
Payments will be made directly to the lending institutions and utility companies. In order to apply for the program, residents must provide documentation to determine eligibility, including qualifying COVID-19 impact or financial hardship; proof of identification for applicant/co-applicant and all household members over 18; and current proof of income for all household members. Households will be able to apply for mortgage assistance beginning Wednesday, July 20.
Click here for additional program requirements.
Citizens may use the computers at the following public libraries to complete their application:
- Century Branch Library – 7991 N. Century Blvd., Century
- Molino Branch Library – 6450-A Hwy. 95A, Molino
- Tryon Branch Library – 1200 Langley Ave., Pensacola
- Genealogy Branch Library – 5740 N. Ninth Ave., Pensacola
- Pensacola Library – 239 N. Spring St., Pensacola
- Southwest Branch Library – 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola
- Westside Branch Library – 1301 W. Gregory St., Pensacola
Once the portal opens July 20, a call center will be available Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (850) 595-0022. For more information, email at EMAP@MyEscambia.com.
Mary Kaye Weekley
July 20, 2022
Mary Kaye Weekley, age 79 of Pensacola, Florida passed away on July 19, 2022. Mary Kaye was born in Phillipsville, Alabama. Mary Kaye moved to Pensacola, Florida with her husband in 1967. Mary Kaye owned Lads & Lassies consignment shop for 30 years. Mary Kaye was a member of the Pilot Club of Pensacola.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ira Stewart and Hattie Stewart; sister, Genevieve Cates her brothers, Angelo Stewart and J. L. Stewart.
She is survived by her husband, Webb A. Weekely Jr.; son, Keith (Heidi) Weekley; daughter, Michelle Simmons; grandchildren, Adam (Natalie) Weekley, Olivia Weekley (Jeremy) Jordan, Walton Simmons, Madeline Simmons; great granddaughter, Linley Weekley.
Funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 23, 2022 at 11:00am at Faith Chapel Funeral Home in Cantonment, Florida. Visitation will be from 10:00am to 11:00am prior to the service. Interment will be at Perdido Baptist Church Cemetery in Perdido, Alabama.
Chance of Showers Thursday
July 20, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Heat index values as high as 105. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 94.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 75.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.