Man Charged After Woman Shot And Killed At Mugs & Jugs Bar
August 23, 2023
A man has been charged with an overnight shooting death at the Mugs & Jugs bar on Scenic Highway.
Christian Michael Ketchup, 25, was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond on a charge of homicide.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the bar about 1 a.m. to find the deceased victim with about a half dozen gunshot wounds.
The victim has been identified by family as Tierra Binion, a mother of twins.
Wednesday afternoon, the ECSO released photos of possible witnesses that they are seeking in the case. They say all them have now been contacted.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
One Injured In Highway 29 Rollover Crash
August 23, 2023
There was one injury in a rollover crash Wednesday morning in Cantonment.
The crash happened shortly after 7:00 on Highway 29 near Archer Road. The driver of a passenger car list control, ran off the roadway, struck a small culvert and overturned near the woodline.
One person was reportedly transported to the hospital by Escambia County EMS; an update on their condition was not available.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Who Is In Charge In Century Now That The Mayor Has Resigned? What’s Next?
August 23, 2023
Who is in charge in Century now that the mayor has resigned? And what comes next?
Those questions were on the mind of many residents Tuesday after mayor Ben Boutwell submitted his resignation effective immediately.
According to the town charter, the council president becomes the “acting mayor” during the “absence of disability of the mayor”. The council president is Luis Gomez, Jr. — who is now presumably acting mayor. The charter does not specify that he would no longer be a council member during his service as acting mayor.
In the event the mayor resigns, the town charter says the council shall appoint an interim mayor to serve until a successor is chosen. There is no time deadline mentioned.
“The interim mayor shall have the full powers and duties of mayor as provided by this charter or other law,” the charter states.
Because more than six months remain the current term of the mayor, the council “shall” call a special election to fill the office for the unexpired portion of the term through 2024. That election must be completed within 90 days from Boutwell’s resignation on Tuesday.
The office of mayor in Century was already set to appear on the 2024 ballot, with the winner taking office in early January 2025.
Pictured top: Council president Luis Gomez, Jr., now presumably acting mayor in Century, during a budget workshop Tuesday evening, August 22. Pictured below: Now resigned mayor Ben Boutwell during an August 15 meeting. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
ECUA Approves 9.5% Sanitation Rate Increase With ‘Free’ Second Can, 5% Hike For Water And Sewer
August 23, 2023
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authorities voted Tuesday to approve a 9.5% rate increase for all sanitation customers and a 5% hike for water and sewer.
The 9.5% increase raises the rate for a 90-gallon container from $27.67 to $29.88 and includes an optional additional trash or recycling can at no cost.
Facing a potential $1.8 million shortball and big problems with the wrong items being placed in recycling cans, staff had proposed a more modest 3.5% rate increase for sanitation customers plus a $3 a month recycling fee.
ECUA staff had proposed a 4% rate increase for water and 6% for wastewater. The board approved an increase to both water and wastewater by 5%.
All of the rates increase passes unanimously. The increase go into effect on October 1.
Low In The Upper 70s Tonight
August 23, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 78. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 100. Heat index values as high as 111. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 75. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 102. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 76. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west after midnight.
Saturday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 104. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 78. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 103.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly clear, with a low around 76.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny and hot, with a high near 100.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96.
Escambia Man Charged With Child Porn Possession After Search Warrant
August 23, 2023
An Escambia County man was arrested on child pornography charges Tuesday after a search warrant was served at his residence.
Joseph Stewart, Jr., 27, was charged with possession of child porn, electronically transmitting child porn, and using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at a half million dollars.
The Pensacola Police Department served a search warrant at 7634 Northpointe Drive leading to the arrest, according to spokesperson Mike Wood. He said “evidence was collected at the residence”.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force assisted with the investigation.
Escambia School Board Asking Federal Judge To Toss Lawsuit Over Book Bans
August 23, 2023
The Escambia County School Board is asking a judge to throw out a federal lawsuit filed against the district over the removal of books from school libraries.
Penguin Random House, the world’s largest trade book publisher, PEN America, a “free expression organization”, and several individuals allege Escambia County schools have violated the First Amendment by setting out to remove or restrict access to books discussing race, racism, and LGBTQ identities, against the recommendations of the district review committee charged with evaluating book challenges.
The Escambia County District filed a motion Monday in Pensacola federal court to dismiss the lawsuit, claiming recently enacted state law, HB 1069, shields the district and that the district is empowered to decide which book to allow or remove.
“These changes reshape any analysis of challenges to library materials and conclusively thwart the Parent Plaintiffs’ efforts to obtain injunctive relief to enjoin a process that no longer exists,” the school district’s motion states.
The board also contends the restriction or removal of books from school libraries “does not create a constitutional injury”.
A hearing in the case has not yet been scheduled.
Pictured: The Northview High School media center on August 10, the first day of school. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Waffle House Proposed Near Beulah Middle School
August 23, 2023
A new Waffle House is planned near Beulah Middle School.
The new restaurant would be located on three-quarters of an acre near 6030 West Nine Mile Road, next to Anytime Storage, across from the school.
The proposal goes before the Escambia County Development Review Committee Wednesday for a pre-application meeting.
Additional steps are required before the project can reach the building permit stage.
Century Talks Budget Shortfall, Employee Raises And Rising Insurance Costs
August 23, 2023
Century entered a workshop Tuesday evening with about a quarter million dollar deficit and ended with a roadmap to near the break-even point. They also talked wish lists and employee raises.
Council members Louis Gomez, Jr., Alicia Johnson and Shelisa McCall were present for the meeting. They discussed removing proposed new hires and other changes to eliminate the deficit.
They also discussed a 3% cost of living increase for all employees, plus $1 raises for current employees as minimum wage rises from $12 to $13 on October 1. A total of six employees making minimum wage or under about $15 an hour will receive the $1 raise.
The town is also grappling with rising health insurance costs of $100 or more per employee. The town covers 99% of the costs for employee coverage plus 50% for spouse or family coverage.
Accountant Robert Hudson said many department head “wishlist” purchases could come from Local Option Sales Tax or American Rescue Plan funds rather than the general fund budget.
The town is aiming to complete the budget before a council meeting on September 5.
Pictured top: Century town accountant Robert Hudson explains a tentative budget during a workshop meeting Tuesday evening. Pictured below: Council member Alicia Johnson listens to budget details. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Michael Ryan Fox
August 23, 2023
Mr. Michael Ryan Fox, age 32, passed away, Tuesday, August 16, 2023, in Atmore, AL.
Mr. Fox enjoyed spending time with his family and enjoyed the holidays. He enjoyed going hunting with his dad and granddad. He always enjoyed playing some good video games.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Michael (Janet Hartner) Fox.
He is survived by his two daughters, one sister, Felicia M. Fox, of Cantonment, FL; grandparents, Elizabeth (Ronnie) Faulk, of Walnut Hill, FL; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held Thursday August 24, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC. with Sister, Shelia Enfinger officiating.
Visitation will be held Thursday, August 24, 2023 from 10:00 AM until service time at 11:00 AM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.