ECSO: Deputies Located Drugs And Deer Carcass After Traffic Stop Of Cantonment Man
February 29, 2024
A Cantonment man is facing multiple charges after deputies determined he had drugs and a deer carcass following a traffic stop, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Leonard Van Kirksey, 49, was charged with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription (methamphetamine), possession of marijuana less than 20 grams, two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, knowingly driving with a suspended license, and possession of a freshly harvested deer during closed season.
An Escambia County deputy pulled Kirksey over on Memphis Avenue after a records check on the vehicle tag indicated Kirksey has no driver’s license.
AN ECSO K-9 alerted on the vehicle, according to an arrest report. A subsequent search located a broken glass pipe, a grinder with marijuana, methamphetamine and a fresh deer carcass and a crossbow, the report continues.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission responded to take possession of the deer carcass and crossbow.
Kirksey was released from jail on a $7,000 bond.
Applications Open For Escambia Summer Youth Employment Program
February 29, 2024
Applications Now Open for 2024 Summer Youth Employment Program.
Applications are now open for the Escambia County Summer Youth Employment Program. Applications are accepted beginning Wednesday, Feb. 28, until Friday, March 22, at 3 p.m. Online applications are available at MyEscambia.com/youthemployment. Physical applications are not available. Incomplete applications or applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.
The program is open to Escambia County youth ages 16-24 interested in an opportunity to receive paid work experience this summer. Qualified youth who are accepted into ECSYEP 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, over 200 youth participated in the program, working in county departments including Engineering, Public Safety, Escambia County Area Transit, West Florida Public Libraries and more.
Limited positions are available. Requirements for the program are as follows:
- Must submit complete application packet by prescribed deadline.
- Must be a resident of Escambia County, Fla. 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.
For additional information, call Neighborhood and Human Services at (850) 595-4094 or (850) 595-1620.
File photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No Injuries When Atmore Police Unit Overturns
February 29, 2024
An Atmore Police Department officer was not injured when his patrol vehicle overturned onto its side Wednesday afternoon.
The officer was responding to an unrelated traffic crash with injuries between a railroad crossing and East Ridgely Street.
“The officer was attempting to position his patrol car behind the vehicles involved in the traffic crash,” Sgt. Darrell McMann said. “The officer was unsuccessful in that endeavor and inadvertently left the roadway.”
When the patrol vehicle left the roadway, the tires slowly slid into a ditch, causing the vehicle to overturn onto the passenger side.
The drivers involved in the original traffic crash were not seriously injured, and offered assistance to the officer to exit his patrol unit.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Votes To Hire Hollywood, Florida, Auditing Firm
February 29, 2024
The Town of Century has hired a Hollywood, Florida, firm to complete the town’s required annual audit to submit to the state.
HCT Certified Public Accountants and Consultants, LLC (HCT) will charge $34,840 to audit the FY2023 ending September 30, 2023, according to a three-year proposal that totaled $104,510. The council, however, voted to hire the firm for just one year and negotiate any agreement going forward.
Interim Town Manager Howard Brown solicited proposals from HCT and Mauldin & Jenkins of Bradenton, Florida. Mauldin’s proposed fee was $58,700 for FY2023 and $61,000 for FY2024.
HCT has or is providing several government agencies across Florida, including Coral Springs, Dania Beach, Hollywood, Lauderhill, Miami, North Miami and Tampa, according to their proposal.
The legal deadline for submitting the Annual Financial Report, often referred to simply as an audit, to the Florida Department of Financial Services is June 30 of each year.Century has filed their audits late every year for about a decade. Each audit has found financial issues that repeat for several years without being rectified.
Century’s previous auditing firm, Warren Averett CPAs and Advisors of Pensacola, chose not to renew when their contract expired last year. Warren Averett’s other local government clients include Escambia County, the City of Pensacola, City Milton and Santa Rosa County. Brown said the town did not wish to hire Warren Averett again.
The Town of Century’s audit for the previous fiscal year shows the town is again in deteriorating financial condition.
The audit, which was due June 30, 2023, was not received and posted by the state until early 2024.
According to the 2021-2022 fiscal year audit, as of September 30, 2022:
- The Town’s overall financial condition demonstrates signs of a deteriorating financial condition described by Florida statute. Overall factors contributing to this condition include lack of short- and long-term financial planning, improper cash management activities and lack of analysis of existing tax rates and fee structures for proprietary operations. The local option sales tax revenues recorded in the special revenue fund are restricted for specific purposes; therefore, these funds will have to be repaid or it will be considered an inappropriate use of the restricted revenues. The town has experienced recurring operating deficits in the natural gas fund causing cash shortages.
- There was a deficit of $2.7 million in the town’s general fund and $1.9 million in the natural gas fund. Both of these funds have borrowed significant amounts from other funds of the town. The general fund and natural gas fund owed the special revenue fund approximately $2.8 million and $212,000, respectively. In June 2018, the council approved a repayment plan of $300 per month for the interfund loan between the general fund and special revenue fund.
- The town experienced the following cash management issues during the fiscal year, with inadequate funds held for customer deposits in the natural gas fund, and inadequate funds were held for required debt service reserves in the natural gas fund.
- The town did not properly reconcile multiple general ledger accounts as of year end. The town’s general ledger accounts should be reconciled monthly to detail subsidiary ledgers, and any reconciling items be promptly investigated and adjusted, and adequate supporting documentation for the adjustments be maintained.
- The town may have assets that have not been correctly recorded in the Town’s records, and there may be assets recorded on the Town’s records that are no longer in use or cannot be located. The town had not completed an inventory of assets on hand.
- A list of deficiencies and problems were also identified, many repeated from previous years.
Tate Lady Aggies Down Milton 7-6
February 29, 2024
Tate 7, Milton 7 (Varsity)
The Tate Lady Aggies defeated Milton 7-6 Wednesday night in Milton.
Peyton Womack earned the win for the Aggies in the circle, giving up four hits and four runs in five innings, while striking out four and walking three. Jordan Smith earned the save, going for two innings, allowing three hits and two runs while recording three strikeouts and two walks.
Womack went 2-4 at the plate for the Aggies. Smith, Amburleigh Laird, Kara Wine, Blakely Campbell, and Kaylie Mitchell each added a hit for Tate.
The Panama City Tournament is up next for the Aggies.
Tate 11, Milton 0 (JV)
Photos by Dellaina O’Donovan for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Beat Milton 3-2
February 29, 2024
The Tate Aggies defeated Milton 3-2 Wednesday night in Milton.
Zane Warrington earned the win for the Aggies, allowing no hits and no runs over one inning, striking out one and walking two. Neal Croom opened on the mound for Tate, giving up two hits and no runs in five innings, walking one and striking out seven. Madox Land went for one-third of an inning surrendering one hit and two runs while walking two. Gabe Patterson pitched two-thirds of an inning, recording no hits, no runs, one strikeout and one walk.
Ketch King went 2-3 at the plate for Tate. Land, Bray Touchstone, Clif Quiggins, Conner Hassell, and Cole McNair each had a hit for the Aggies.
Up next, the Aggies will host Pace on Thursday with the JV at 4 p.m. at the Varsity at 7 p.m. The games were previously scheduled for Friday but were moved due to forecasted rain.
Century To Hire Procurement Consultant At Up To $34,800 Per Year
February 28, 2024
The Century Town Council has voted to hire a consultant for procurement services.
The council voted 3-1, with Shelisa Abraham dissenting, on a recommendation from Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. and interim Town Manager Howard Brown to hire Bobbi Williams of Davie, Florida, for procurement services.
The motion specifically allows Gomez to negotiate and execute a contract with Williams not to exceed $34,800 to be paid with American Rescue Plan funds. The contract will not return to the council for additional approval of terms.
“I reached out to my network, and I was able to get two proposals.” Brown said
Williams holds a masters of public administration from Nova Southeastern University and is currently the fianance manager for the Department of Public Works in Hallandale Beach, Florida, Florida, and is the assistant director/financial services manager for the Financial Services Department in Lauderdale Lakes, Florida, according to her resume. She also has experience with the City of Fort Lauderdale and the U.S. Army.
Williams estimates it will take 38 hours of her time per month for general procurement tasks. Under her proposal, she would be paid $75 an hour for fewer hours per month.
“Services includes full service municipal procurement services, such as review and recommendation of procurement policies and practices; preparation of formal and informal competitive solicitations; acquisition of commodities and services; preparation of contracts/agreements; preparation of correspondences as required for contract files, provide contract administration services, and preparation of adhoc reports as defined in the ITB (invitation to bid) and as requested, according to her proposal.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Century To Waive Utility Late Fees This Month After Town Hall Closure
February 28, 2024
The Town of Century will waive late fees and have no utility disconnects this month following a town hall closure.
The town hall was closed beginning Wednesday, February 21 due to a staffing shortage due to illnesses.
The town sent a public notice to NorthEscambia.com on Tuesday, February 20 about the closure, stating that another public notice would follow to announce a reopening date.
No reopening notice was ever provided to us or posted on the town’s website, but town hall was reopened Friday, February 23 after Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. had the building “deep cleaned” the night before.
Utility bills were due by February 25 to avoid disconnection or a late fee. Gomez said the town had phone system issues on February 23, preventing some callers from reaching town hall to pay. He said any customer that was charged a late fee for their February utility bill will receive a credit for the amount on their next bill.
NorthEsambia.com file photo.
Why Did EREC Cut Off Power For Thosands? Why Wasn’t I Notified?
February 28, 2024
For about three hours Monday night and into Tuesday morning, nearly 2,100 Escambia River Electric Cooperative customers were without power in Oak Grove, Walnut Hill, Enon, Barrineau Park, Bogia and Molino areas.
The outage was from about 11 p.m. Monday to 2 a.m. for scheduled maintenance.
EREC said their supplier, PowerSouth, requested the outage to perform maintenance on the transmission line serving the Oak Grove substation. The outage impacted all EREC customers in the area served by the Oak Grove substation on Highway 99A.
“PowerSouth is currently upgrading transmission lines in our area to enhance the reliability, capacity, and robustness of the system. The outage was necessary to work on a power pole and install a switch on the upgraded line,” EREC said. ” The planned outage was scheduled during the late night hours as to not disrupt businesses, schools, etc.”
“Another planned outage is expected in the upcoming months to finalize the adjustments after the switch has been built and tested3″
EREC did work to notify members with phone calls and text messages to members with registered mobile numbers.
“If you were affected but did not receive a call or text, please contact our office to update your information,” the cooperative said, adding that they will never send a text requesting your personal information or any clickable links. This information will solely be used for informative or alert purposes.
NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge.
Beulah Master Plan Public Meeting To Be Held Thursday Evening
February 28, 2024
A Beulah Master Plan Public Meeting will be held Thursday, February 29.
The meeting will take place from 6-8 p.m. at Beulah Middle School, 6001 West Nine Mile Road.
The open house will showcase the findings from the previous public outreach efforts as well as a two-day design charrette. Sigma Consulting will discuss their methodology to develop the Beulah Master Plan and answer questions from residents. County staff will also be in attendance to address any additional questions or concerns from residents. Sign-in sheets and comment forms will be available at the door.
The Beulah Master Plan is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Treasury under the RESTORE Act program.
Escambia County staff and the consultant team will reveal the charrette results and a draft of design approaches taken for the Beulah community through collaborative community efforts.