Escambia Officially Hires Wes Moreno As Permanent County Administrator
August 19, 2022
The Escambia County Commission gave final approval Thursday to hiring Wes Moreno as the new county administrator.
After the commission terminated Janice Gilley from the administrator position in June 2021, then deputy administrator Moreno was named interim. A total of 28 people applied through a search firm for the position, but the commission voted 3-1 to select Moreno. Commissioner Doug Underhill cast the dissenting vote, and commissioner Lumon May was not on the dais for the vote.
Moreno will be paid $191,286.84 annually; the county had advertised a negotiable salary range of $173,000 to $195,000.
“I would be leaning much more heavily toward getting a contract with who we know,” Commissioner Jeff Bergosh said during a recent workshop meeting. “We know Wes Moreno. He’s been here more than 30 years. I don’t want to use an expletive, so I won’t. But he’s kicked butt. That’s not the word I’d normally say…He loves this county, and I think he’s doing a great job.”
35,000 Pound Food Distribution Saturday In Jay
August 19, 2022
There will be a 30,000 pound food distribution Saturday morning in Jay.
The giveaway will take place at the Cornerstone Christian Church at 14047 Alabama Street from 11 a.m. while supplies last. People should being a valid photo identification. The food distribution is open to Florida and south Alabama residents.
File photo.
More Charges For Man Accused Of Scamming Homeowners For Fences That Were Never Built
August 19, 2022
A man accused of scamming three people out of money for fences that were never built is facing more charges after a story we published earlier this month.
Cody William Brown, 33, is facing new charges of felony fraud, grand theft, three worthless check courts and an organized scheme to defraud. He was released from jail on an $8,000 bond.
In an August 1 article, we reported that Brown was charged at that time with three counts of an organized scheme to defraud, three counts of grand theft, and fraudulent use of a credit card.
A victim on Millstream Drive that saw that article called the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office to report he had contacted Kodiak Fence Company to replace a privacy fence. He stated he provided Brown with his credit card number in June for the $2,325 repair with the understanding that work was to be completed within three days. With no work on communication from Brown, the victim canceled the credit card transaction.
Brown told the victim that he had been sick, but would complete the work, according to an arrest report. On June 24, the victim wrote a $2,025 check that was soon cashed, the report continues.
On July 18, the victim asked for a refund because work had not been completed.
When deputies arrived at the victim’s home, he showed them a previous NorthEscambia.com article about Brown, telling deputies that the mugshot in the article was the man he had met with on two occasions after the fence.
Brown is also facing a new accusation involving a company on Ely Road.
The company had been selling materials to him for other jobs for about three years, and they also hired him for $5,000 to repair their fence, the Sheriff’s Office said. Brown also wrote three bad checks to the company for material that totaled $8,277 according to records.
The victim stated he contacted Brown and only received text messages from Brown claiming that he was in the ICU following an accident. The victim stated the last time he tried to contact Brown, the number had been disconnected.
Man, 72 Took Photos, Videos Under Skirts Of Females From Age 3 To Adults: ECSO Says
August 19, 2022
A 72-year old Escambia County man is accused of taking photos or videos under the skirts or dresses of more than a dozen females, including a young girl.
Vincent John Carlo was charged with voyeurism, video voyeurism, battery, and two counts of video voyeurism of a child less than 16 years of age. He was released from jail on a $75,000 bond.
One June 20, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a thrift store on the 5700-block of North W Street for a disturbance. Witnesses said Carlo took photos underneath a female’s skirt while in the store but left when he was confronted.
Deputies said video surveillance also showed Carlo walking around the store and holding his cellphone underneath two female victims’ skirts to take photos.
Deputies located Carlo walking about a block away from the store. When he was asked about the incident, he eventually mentioned having many photographs of other victims on his cellphone. The cellphone was located where he had previously tossed it nearby and seized for evidence.
During the investigation, photographs and videos underneath the skirts or dresses of at least 14 female victims from the age of three to adult were located on Carlo’s cellphone, ECSO said. Investigators said these photos or videos were taken without consent at various locations, including the thrift store on W Street and a restaurant on the 8000 block of Lavelle Way from the time between April and June of this year.
Only two of the 14 victims have been identified.
Anyone that has information, or may be a victim, is asked to call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Slight Chance of Evening Rain
August 19, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mostly in the evening. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Calm wind.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 84. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Calm wind.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 84.
Tate, Northview Kickoff Classics Are On The Road Tonight
August 19, 2022
The Tate Aggies and Northview Chiefs have kickoff classics on the road tonight.
Tate High School
The Tate Aggies’ kickoff classic will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Catholic High School. Varsity will play the first half, followed by junior varsity in the third quarter and the freshman team in the fourth quarter. Tickets are $7 in the GoFan app or cash will be accepted at the gate. Parking will be $2. Credit cars will be accepted for concessions. (The Tate Showband does not attend away kickoff classics.)
Northview High School
The Northview Chiefs’ kickoff classic begins at 7 p.m. Friday at Baker High School. The Northview varsity, NHS junior varsity and the Ernest Ward Eagles will all play.
Braves Score Early And Often As Blue Wahoos Fall 8-1
August 19, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos lost their second in a row on Thursday night, falling 8-1 to the Mississippi Braves.
Zach McCambley (L, 6-8) walked a career-high six batters over 3.2 innings, allowing four runs in the first and three more in the second. Mississippi starter Alan Rangel (W, 5-6) took the early lead and ran with it, allowing only one run over 6.0 innings.
The Braves used a pair of RBI doubles from Drew Lugbauer and Cade Bunnell in the first to jump out to their early lead. Lugbauer’s two-bagger was lost in the twilight by left fielder Davis Bradshaw, setting the tone for a challenging night for Pensacola.
Third baseman Demetrius Sims committed an error in the second inning, setting the stage for a two-run single from Justyn-Henry Malloy. Leading 7-0 after two innings, Mississippi had more than enough run support for Rangel and the Braves bullpen.
Pensacola’s lone run came in the sixth on a sacrifice fly from J.D. Orr. In an offensive bright spot, catcher Will Banfield was 3-for-4 with a pair of singles.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Braves on Friday.
Driver Uninjured In Crash On Wet Highway 97
August 18, 2022
Up to about three inches of rain had fallen north of Molino by 7 a.m. Thursday morning, leading to the ponding of water on some roadways.
This driver lost control in the 2500 block of Highway 97, about a half mile south of Pilgrim Trail. The driver was not injured, and the Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
The highest rainfall totals were north and west Walnut Hill. By 7 a.m., a weather station at Molino Park Elementary had recorded just over an inch of rain.
There is an 80% to 90% chance of more rain and thunderstorms through Friday.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Big Changes Proposed For Century’s Government In Draft Charter
August 18, 2022
Big changes have been proposed to how the Town of Century governs itself in a new draft charter.
The new roadmap for Century’s government was created by the Century Charter Review Committee — which started as 11-member committee that was cut to six people due to declining participation. With delays due to the pandemic, the committee worked with consultant Buz Eddy for three years to create the 18-page document.
The town charter — the document that establishes the town, outlines its powers and spells out how it should operate. The current charter has not been updated in almost 40 years.
The draft charter has not been formally approved by a vote of the charter review committee. The town council must approve the final proposed charter and schedule it for a vote by the citizens. There’s no definitive timetable, but that could happen in early 2023 during a special election for what will then be two open council seats.
Here’s a look at some of the major changes and other highlights of the draft charter:
- Establishes a consecutive two-term, or eight-year limit for the mayor. A mayor that has reached the term limit may then seek election as a council member. There are no term limits in the current charter.
- A consecutive two-term, or eight-year limit is established for council members. A council that has reached the term limit may then seek election as mayor. There are no term limits in the current charter.
- The mayor and council members will not be paid if they miss a meeting, unless it’s due to an emergency. With two or more unexcused absences per quarter from consecutive meetings, the council can determine with a fourth-fifths vote that the council member or mayor has abandoned their seat.
- The town council shall conduct all meetings using Robert’s Rules of Order.
- The town will create the position of town clerk/finance director, along with a public works director position that reports directly to the mayor. Both will be hired by the mayor with approval by the council. With the approval of the mayor — not the council — the town clerk/finance director and public works director will hire, fire and supervise the employees in their respective departments. (Currently, the council must approve all hires, from the highest to lowest positions in the town.)
- The charter establishes the right of the town clerk/finance director to take part in town council discussion. The clerk has no guaranteed right to take part in discussions under the current charter.
- The mayor will establish an agenda for all council meetings.
- The mayor will provide quarterly reports on finances, administrative activities, and actions of various departments. The mayor will also present an annual budget to the town council.
- The mayor will be able to authorize expenditures up to $5,000, or up to $10,000 in a declared emergency, without town council approval.
- The council will request and receive bids and award contracts for expenditures of $5,001 or more.
- To be eligible to seek election as a council member, one year residency in the town will be required. (There is currently no length of residency requirement for council members, and a 6-month requirement for the mayor.)
- Before being sworn in as mayor or town council member, the individual must agree to complete any state-mandated training or orientation, and complete Sunshine Law and public records law conducted by the town attorney.
Any portion of the draft charter, including the items listed above. could be altered or removed from a final charter. The town council also has the option to reject the charter or never place it on the ballot.
Pictured top: Century Charter Review Committee chairperson Mary Bourgeois speaks as consultant Buz Eddy listens in April 2022. Pictured below: Committee member Kathryn Fleming reviews a draft charter. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Voter Turnout Nearing 10% In Escambia County; Early Voting Continues
August 18, 2022
Almost 7,000 people had voted early in Escambia County as of Wednesday.
According to the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections, 6,997 early votes were cast so far with three early voting days remaining. Voter turnout stood at 9.84% Wednesday night when including 14,745 vote-by-mail ballots received.
The busiest early voting location so far has been the Genealogy Branch Library on 9th Avenue with 1,580 early votes, followed by the Extension Office in Cantonment with 1,360 ballots cast. The slowest location has been the courthouse in Century, with 45 early voters.
Early voting for the 2022 Primary Election in Escambia County continues through Saturday, August 20 at 10 locations throughout the county.
Those locations open daily are:
- Billy G. Ward Courthouse, 7500 N. Century Boulevard, Century (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Molino Community Center, 6450-A Highway 95A, Molino (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Escambia County Extension, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds, 6655 Mobile Highway (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- UWF Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Building 82, University Parkway (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Genealogy Branch Library, 5740 B, 9th Avenue (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Main Library, 239 Spring Street (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Supervisor of Elections Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
- Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. DeSoto Street (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
Voters may choose any one of the 10 locations, each of which is also equipped with a ballot marking device.