Senator: Century Needs To Seek Immediate Help, Let County Take Over
February 9, 2024
Century needs to realize just how serious of a financial and operational bind the town is in and ask for help — that was the word Thursday from Florida Sen. Doug Broxson.
Broxson told NorthEscambia.com that Century needs to immediately ask Escambia County for help, ultimately putting the future of the town on the ballot to see if the voters agree with dissolving the town and turning it over to the county.
As we reported Tuesday, Century’s latest audio shows “deteriorating financial conditions” and a combined deficit of 4.6 million in the town’s general fund and natural gas fund.
“They don’t have the tax source to run a city of their size. It’s mathematically impossible,” the state senator said.
Last October, Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. addressed members of the Escambia County Legislative Delegation, and Broxson suggested at the time that Century might eventually give up its charter and let Escambia County take over.
He reiterated Thursday that could happen if placed on the ballot by citizen petition or action of the county commission.
“I don’t know how they can continue to operate in the red,” the senator remarked, adding the town is essentially in bankruptcy because they don’t have the funds to cover needs without outside funding help.
Broxson said he will continue to explore options from the state’s perspective.
“I don’t want to continue to beat the citizens of Century, but someone in the town (government) needs to come to terms with their dilemma and deal with it.”
Florida Rep. Michelle Salzman said Wednesday that she will be asking the Chief Inspector General to take a look at the operations of the Town of Century.
- RELATED: Rep. Salzman Says She Will Ask Florida Inspector General To Review Town Of Century’s Operations
- RELATED: Mayor Responds To Salzman’s Plan To Request Review Of Century’s Operations
- RELATED: Latest Century Audit Shows ‘Deteriorating Financial Condition; Over $4.5 Million In Fund Deficits
Tate Tennis: Boys Defeated Pace; Girls Fall Short
February 9, 2024
Tate High School tennis opened their season Thursday with a boys 4-3 win over Pace, while the girls fell short in a 4-3 loss.
Up next, Tate will host Northview on Monday.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Atmore Police Dispatcher Fired, Charged With Sexual Misconduct Toward Female Inmate
February 9, 2024
A part-time Atmore Police Department dispatcher was arrested and fired Thursday after allegations arose that he made inappropriate sexual advances toward a female inmate incarcerated in the City of Atmore Municipal Jail.
Lucas Gaiters was charged with custodial sexual misconduct and transported to the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton.
“The Atmore Police Department is committed to a Zero Tolerance Policy in reference to the safety and wellbeing of citizens incarcerated in the Atmore Municipal Jail,” Sgt. Darrell McMann said.
Gaiters remaaind in jail without bond Thursday night.
The Hurricane Forecast Cone Is Getting A Makeover This Year
February 9, 2024
The hurricane forecast cone map is getting a makeover in the middle of this year’s hurricane season.
Beginning on or around August 15, 2024, the National Hurricane Center will begin issuing an experimental version of the cone graphic that includes inland tropical storm and hurricane watches and warnings in effect for the continental United States. Recommendations from social science research suggests that the addition of inland watches and warnings to the cone graphic will help communicate inland wind risk during tropical cyclone events while not overcomplicating the current version of the graphic with too many data layers.
This experimental version will add a depiction of tropical storm and hurricane watches and warnings over inland areas in the continental United States. Previously, the cone graphic only showed watches and warnings in a line along the coastline of the affected area. In addition, the experimental version of the cone will use white transparent shading for the entire 5-day forecast, instead of using white stippling for the 4-5-day portion of the forecast, and the entire outline of the cone will be in white.
Rep. Salzman Says She Will Ask Florida Inspector General To Review Town Of Century’s Operations
February 8, 2024
Florida Rep. Michelle Salzman said Wednesday that she will be asking the Chief Inspector General to take a look at the operations of the Town of Century.
The Office of the Chief Inspector General was created in 1994. This office has the responsibility for promoting accountability, integrity, and efficiency in state government. The Chief Inspector General has responsibility for monitoring the activities of the Offices of Inspectors General in the state agencies that are under the jurisdiction of the governor. The Chief Inspector General also serves in accordance with Florida statutes as the agency Inspector General for the Office of the governor. The Chief Inspector General reports directly to the governor both administratively and functionally.
Salzman’s request to the Inspector General comes after recent NorthEscambia.com stories about the town’s most recent audit showing “deteriorating financial condition” and a deficit of over $4.6 million in two major funds and Florida Department of Environmental Protection finding of nearly three dozen potential water system violations including the falsification of records.
Related Stories:
- Latest Century Audit Shows ‘Deteriorating Financial Condition; Over $4.5 Million In Fund Deficits
- Mayor Says Water Is Safe; Century to Hire Firm For $33K And Attorney For $350/Hour To Answer FDEP
- State Inspection Of Century Water System Finds 35 Possible Violations, Including Low Chlorine And Falsification Of Records
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Update: This story was updated to reflect the duties of the Chief Inspector General for the State of Florida rather than the Florida Department of State’s Inspector General, which are separate entities. This review would be beyond the purview of the Florida Department of State’s Inspector General.
Jay Woman Charged After Allegedly Resisting, Threatening To Kill FHP Trooper
February 8, 2024
A Jay woman found walking along I-10 in Escambia County is facing multiple charges after an interaction with the Florida Highway Patrol.
FHP responded to I-10 Sunday after receiving reports of someone lying down on the interstate. Troopers arrived to find 38-year old Brooke Amer Phillips walking west on the shoulder of I-10 near Pensacola Boulevard. The trooper informed her she could not walk and he would transport her to the next exit.
Phillips told the trooper that she was going to continue to walk, ignoring multiple commands to stop, according to an arrest report. Phillips ignored additional commands and stated that the trooper would have to “kill her” to make her stop, the report continues.
The trooper gained physical control over Phillips and “assisted” her to the ground.
Phillips then threatened to “murder” three troopers that were now on scene, according to FHP.
Phillips was charged with failure to obey law enforcement, resisting, and threatening death or serious bodily harm to a law enforcement officer. She remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $5,000.
Patchy Fog After Midnight
February 8, 2024
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers after 8am. Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 59. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 72. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 72. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 60. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Monday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 57.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.
Beulah Master Plan Public Meeting Set For February 29
February 8, 2024
A Beulah Master Plan Public Meeting will be held in late February.
The meeting will take place from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, February 29 at Beulah Middle School, 6001 West Nine Mile Road.
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.
Woman Gets Life In Prison For Setting Store Clerk on Fire
February 8, 2024
On Wednesday, an Escambia County woman was sentence to life in prison to attempted first degree murder for setting a store clerk on fire.
The charge stems from an incident at a Circle K on North W St. on March 30, 2022, where McFadden poured gasoline on a store clerk and set her on fire.
Life in prison, as imposed by Judge Linda Nobles, was the maxium allowed setence.
Ransom Middle School Announces Students Of The Month
February 8, 2024
Ransom Middle School has announced their January Students of the Month.They are eighth graders Isabelle Eden and Issac Dillard. Images for NorthEscambia.ocm, click to enlarge.
