Century Man Charged With ‘Beating’ The Mother Of His Child, ECSO Says
August 9, 2023
A Century man is charged with allegedly beating the mother of his child.
Jayden Constatine Jackson, 20, was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment, and witness tampering.
The Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office responded to Atmore Community Hospital where the victim stated that she was spending the night with Jackson because they were trying to work things out. Jackson went through her phone and saw a picture of someone else and began beating her, according to an arrest report.
The victim told deputies that Jackson hit her with his fist and torch lighter before hitting her with a tall fan until it broke, the report states. He then allegedly held the lighter to the back of her neck. She stated he then held her in a corner by the bed and would not let her leave, and when tried to call 911, he took her phone.
“Jackson stated that if she told the police, he would kill her,” the ECSO report states.
Deputies said the victim suffered a black eye, cuts and bruises, and had a red mark on the back of her neck.
The alleged incident occurred on Backwoods Road in Century.
Jackson was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $25,000 bond.
Century Holds Budget Meeting; Talks Employee Raises, Department Needs
August 9, 2023
The Century Town Council held their first budget workshop Tuesday evening to plan their spending for the next fiscal year.
Employee expenses — salaries and benefits like health insurance — make up the largest single chunk of the budget. The town doesn’t know what health insurance will cost, but they will know soon from their insurance agent. The town is looking at mandated raises for any impacted employees as the minimum wage in Florida rises to $12 an hour on September 30.
Cost of living raises are also proposed for employees. Council president Luis Gomez, Jr. said the town should consider proactively making new hires as at least three current employees are over age 60 and could retire at any time.
Department heads have also submitted their proposals for departments including streets, water, gas and administration.
The council plans to hold a workshop in two weeks to review a draft budget before they begin the final approval and tax rate process.
The town’s new fiscal year begins on October 1.
Council members Alicia Johnson and Dynette Lewis did not attend Tuesday’s workshop meeting, while Gomez, Shelisa Abraham and Sandra McMurray-Jackson were present. Accountant Robert Hudson and Mayor Ben Boutwell participated by phone.
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Reminder: This Route To Several North Escambia Schools Is Closed For Bridge Replacement
August 9, 2023
With the first day of school on Thursday, drivers are being reminded of a bridge closure on the primary route for many to reach several North Escambia schools.
Highway 4 is closed between Byrneville and Bratt to replace the Highway 4 bridge over Canoe Creek, potentially slowing traffic with a detour for drivers headed to Northview High, Ernest Ward Middle, Byrneville Elementary and Bratt Elementary schools.
Byrneville Elementary has added a bus stop in Bratt for families that live on the west side of the bridge; contact the school for more specific information.
The Florida Department of Transportation said the detour is expected to be in place for nearly a year for the $3,837,105 project to replace the structurally deficient bridge The bridge and roadway are owned by Escambia County, but the work will be done under a locally funded agreement with FDOT.
A 330-day detour is planned from Highway 4 to Bratt Road (the eastern end of Bratt Road closer to Century) to Pine Barren Road, to Highway 4 (near Northview High School).
The portion of Highway 4 closed since July 10 is 4.14 miles; the detour will be 5.67 miles. The average daily traffic count is 1,800 vehicles per day.
The bridge constructed in 1942 is 225 feet long and has wood supports, some of which were failing and were later reinforced with steel.
A smaller Highway 4 bridge located just to the east of the Canoe Creek bridge is not set for replacement at this time.
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Mostly Clear And Muggy Tonight
August 9, 2023
Another heat advisory is in effect again on Thursday.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 78. South wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Heat index values as high as 107. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 80. Southwest wind around 10 mph.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Heat index values as high as 110. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 99. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest after midnight.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 76.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 96.
Lane Closure On Pine Forest Southbound Near I-10 Through Friday
August 9, 2023
The southbound outside lane of Pine Forest Road will be closed just north of I-10 Wednesday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. for “power pole activities”, according to the Florida Department of Transporation.
The closure will be near 8600 Pine Forest Road at the new development just north of the interstate.
New System Allows Vehicle Registration Pick Ups In Molino — Without Waiting In Line
August 9, 2023
Back in May, Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford introduced a new way to pick up registrations from his office in Molino without the need to get in line.
The Molino tax office recently completed their 625th transaction using the Expressway lockers, and over 12,000 express transactions have been completed countywide.
“Expressway Lockers is a convenient way to renew and pick up your registrations on the same day without delay. Expressway Lockers can be used to renew registrations or purchase Florida specialty license plates,” Lunsford said.
Here’s how it works:
- Renew your registration online at EscambiaTaxCollector.com.
- Receive an email from “Luxer One” when your registration is ready.
- Scan your pickup code at the locker.
- No need to wait in line.
The Escambia County Tax Collector Molino Office is located at 6440 North Highway 95A, in the Molino Community Center complex.
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Wahoos Quickly Quieted In 3-0 Loss
August 9, 2023
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos suffered just their second shutout loss of the season on Tuesday night, falling 3-0 to the Chattanooga Lookouts in the opener of a six-game road series.
The Blue Wahoos offense managed just three hits, all singles, in a game that took only two hours to complete.
Evan Fitterer (L, 6-4) took the loss, allowing three runs in 5.0 innings. Alex McGarry opened the scoring with a sacrifice fly in the first, and blasted an opposite-field solo homer in the fourth to pace the Chattanooga offense. Michael Trautwein capped the scoring with a two-out RBI single in the fourth.
That was more than enough for Julian Aguiar (W, 2-2), who turned in a dominant start with 7.0 innings of scoreless ball for the Lookouts. The righty, making his fifth start at Double-A, struck out seven without walking a batter and did not allow any balls out of the infield in the final five innings of his appearance.
The lone offensive bright spot for Pensacola was Nasim Nuñez, who extended his hitting streak to 14 games with an infield single in the sixth inning.
Marlins reliever Tommy Nance, making a rehab appearance in his return from a right shoulder injury, worked 1.2 scoreless innings. Dylan Bice, pitching in front of friends and family from his nearby hometown of Ringgold, Georgia, fanned three over 1.1 scoreless frames.
Ryan Meisinger (S, 9) worked around a two-out walk in the ninth to lock down a six-out save and complete the three-hit shutout.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Lookouts on Wednesday.
Jay Man Gets Life In Prison For Sexual Battery Of 8-Year Old Stepdaughter
August 8, 2023
Michael George Rasmussen, age 42 of Cobbtown Road, was charged with sexual battery by a suspect over 18 on a victim under 12, a capital felony.
A Jay man has been sentenced to life in prison for the sexual abuse of his 8-year old stepdaughter in 2018.
Circuit Court Judge Clifton Drake sentenced Michael George Rasmussen of Cobbtown Road to life in prison on a charge of sexual battery on a victim under age 12 by a defendant over age 18.
The girl was left in the care of Rasmussen, her stepfather, while her mother worked. After a day at the beach, Rasmussen carried the victim from the car and placed her on a bed where he sexually assaulted her, according to prosecutors. She later told a Santa Rosa Kids House investigator that she did not tell her mom because she was scared but eventually told a friend during the sleepover.
It took a jury 23 minutes to return a guilty verdict against Rasmussen.
Jay Man Charged With Sexual Battery In Escambia County
August 8, 2023
A Jay man has been charged in Escambia County for an alleged violent sexual assault.
Jared Michael Morris, 22, was charged with sexual battery, aggravated battery, false imprisonment and criminal mischief.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to West Florida Hospital where the victim was being treated for several injuries to her face and back.
She said Morris held her against her will for about four hours in an incident that began with a celebration over placing a downpayment for rent. He became intoxicated, punched holes in the walls and screamed at her, she told deputies.
When she attempted to leave, he grabbed her by the arms and began to sling her around the room and into a wall, according to an arrest report. He began to hold her down and tell her that she enjoyed being raped and attempted to sexually assault her, the report continues.
Morris cut himself on the neck and hands with a knife before wiping blood on the victim’s face and mouth, the report states. “She stated that he wanted her to kill him and that he wanted to die.”
The victim said she was unable to call for help because Morris took and broke her iPhone, but she was able to escape when Morris decided to go find drugs.
Morris was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $23,500 bond.
Man Hit His Neighbor, Age 72, With A Shovel And Threatened To Kill Him, ECSO Says
August 8, 2023
An Escambia County man has been charged with hitting a man in his 70s and threatening to kill him with a shovel.
Richard Patrick Erie, 54, was charged with one count each of battery on a person 65 years or older and aggravated assault on a person 65 years or older.
The 72-year old victim told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office he was working in his garden when Erie walked up and grabbed a shovel. Erie shoved the victim to the ground using the shovel handle, then applied force on the victim’s neck with the shovel while threatening to kill him, according to an ECSO arrest report. The victim said Erie was intoxicated.
According to the report, Erie and the victim are nextdoor neighbors.
Erie requested a lawyer and would not speak with deputies following the incident.
Erie was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $20,000 bond.