Rep. Matt Gaetz Discusses Issues With Locals In Century And Jay
February 22, 2019
Congressman Matt Gaetz brought his “Open Gaetz Day” tour to Century and Jay on Thursday, an area he had not visited during his term.
“These communities have unique challenges with infrastructure and with the environment and agriculture that we don’t l necessarily hear about in the more urban areas of our district. So I am here to learn how I can be a better congressman for every town in Northwest Florida, not just the major urban centers,” he said.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Century Mayor Henry Hawkins said he wants to see an expansion of the town’s sewer system. Gaetz explained that the best source of funding would be the state.
“We are going to be in the golden era of environmental infrastructure in Florida during the DeSantis governorship,” he said.
During an afternoon roundtable with the Century Town Council, Century Chamber of Commerce officials and local citizens, Gaetz asked what should be the “brand” of Century headed forward.
“We’ve lost the brand of this town,” Century council member Ben Boutwell said. “There’s no industry here, that’s what’s hurting us. Our infrastructure’s failing. You brought that up. We have to rebuild that to get an industry in here. Something’s got to come to help us.”
Gaetz again pointed to state funding, rather than federal, to help the town.
“In Northwest Florida’s communities, they don’t care if the federal government or the state government is the solution. They just want the solution,” said Gaetz.
The Congressman spent most of his day in Jay, where he made several stops. He visited the Terrace at Ivey Acres Assisted Living Facility where he was met with chants of “Build the Wall”, toured the Jay oilfields and Escambia River Electric Cooperative and had lunch with local leaders.
He started the day at Jay High School, where he said students encouraged him to support national legislation against texting and driving. The day ended with a town hall meeting at the Linda Carden Community Center in Jay.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com and courtesy photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Man Charged With Threatening To Kill Off-Duty Deputy, Animal Control Officer
February 22, 2019
A Molino man allegedly threatened to kill an Escambia County Animal Control officer and an off-duty deputy.
Seth Ragsdale, 40, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
When the animal control officer arrived to make contact with a witness, 40-year old Seth Ragsdale ran to a fence and screamed at the officer, according to a report. He allegedly threaten to shoot the officer.
The victim attempted to address the situation; however, Ragsdale continued to threaten the animal control officer, even stating he was off his medications and did not care if he went to jail, the report revealed.
An off duty deputy arrived on the scene, and Ragsdale threatened to kill him and any arriving deputies, according to the report.
Ragsdale then walked back to the residence and appeared a short time later carrying a shovel — swinging it at the victims and gesturing he was going to hit them, the report stated.
It was after this the report stated, Ragsdale grabbed the only thing standing between the victims and himself — a low lying fence and began to shake it and threaten to jump over and “bash their heads in with a shovel,” the report stated.
The animal control offer returned to his vehicle and left the scene.
A witness said Ragsdale has a traumatic brain injury and has been diagnosed with Explosive Outburst Disorder which he believed it the reason Ragsdale was threatening people, the report stated.
Woman Accidentally Electrocuted At Century Prison
February 22, 2019
A woman was accidentally electrocuted at Century Correctional Institution Thursday afternoon.
The incident occurred about 1:10 p.m. at a warehouse reportedly located outside the main prison fence.
Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia Count EMS reported. An adult female was transported by ambulance to Jay Hospital, according to an Escambia County spokesperson.
An update on the woman’s condition and and additional information on the accident were not available.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Town Of Century Meter Reader Bitten By Dog
February 22, 2019
A Town of Century employee was bitten by dog while on the job.
The employee was reading meters at a residence on West Highway 4, according to Mayor Henry Hawkins. The worker was taken to Jay Hospital for evaluation.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the incident because the emergency Escambia Animal Control officer was on another call, according to Kaycee Lagarde, spokesperson for Escambia County. She said the bite did not break the skin.
Escambia County Animal Control responded to the address on West Highway 4 Thursday morning and is investigating. Citations will be issued if necessary, Lagarde said.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Beat Chiles In Regionals (With Photo Gallery)
February 22, 2019
The Tate Aggies beat Tallahassee Chiles in a 59-58 thriller Thursday night for their first state tourney win since 2010.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Aggies were down by 10 in the fourth before powering back. Tate went ahead on a layup from Tavares Madison before Chiles missed a couple of free throws with just seconds on the clock.
Senior JT Qualls led the Aggies with 23 points, while typical top scorer Love Bettis only had seven points.
Tate (21-8) will move to the second round Tuesday night as they travel to Lincoln High (18-9) in Tallahassee.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Bonds Set, Details Released In Convenience Store Clerk Murder
February 22, 2019
The three suspects in the deadly robbery armed robbery of the Quickfill on Mobile Highway appeared in court Thursday where a judge set their bond. Meanwhile, more information has been released about the crime that has the community in mourning.
Govardhan Kotha, known as “Reddy”, was shot and killed at the QuickFill on Mobile Highway.
Bond for Keandra Martez Smith was set at $2.5 million for each of two counts. Crystal Elaine Clausel;’s bond was set at $100,000 Efidarius Gemeateus Bryant will be back in court after he gets a public defender, but until then he is being held without bond.
Smith and Bryant are charged with murder and armed robbery, and Clausell is charged with conspiracy to commit robbery.
A customer that entered the store Tuesday night called authorities because he did not see a clerk in the store and the register drawer was open. Deputies arrived to find that Kotha, 50, was shot in the head and chest.
On the surveillance video, deputies watched as Smith entered the store in a gray hoodie. He purchased sunflower seeds and left the store. Then Bryant entered the store wearing mask, brandishing a 9mm semi-automatic automatic handgun at Kotha. A short time later, he lifted the cash register draw and fired two shots at Kotha, hitting him in the upper chest and head, according to a report.
Smith, according to the report, left the store without taking any cash.
By early morning, surveillance images were posted on social media and news media, including NorthEscambia.com. A tipster came forward an identified one of the suspects as Smith to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Smith was taken into custody and transported to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, wearing the same hoodie as in the surveillance video. A police report notes he was distraught and crying hysterically.
At no point did Smith attempt to render first aid to Kotha, contact emergency medical services or reach out to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the report revealed.
Smith provided his DNA to Crime Scene, according to the report.
Clausell and Bryant were dating, the investigation revealed.
Northview Beats Flomaton, West Florida Gets Shutout In Softball; Tate Baseball Beats Escambia
February 22, 2019
Softball
Northview 4, Flomaton 0
The Northview Chiefs beat Flomaton 4-0 Thursday night in Bratt. Tori Herrington pitched the win for the Chiefs, striking out nine while going 1-3 with one RBI. Aubree Love, Kailin Watson and Valen Shelley were all 1-3 at bat, while Heather Knowles was 1-4. Love, Watson, Kendall Enfinger and Maykala Jeneske each had a RBI. Up next, the Chiefs are on the road Friday at Crestview.
Northview 13, Flomaton 3 (JV)
Northview’s junior varsity earned a run-rule win in just three innings Thursday over Flomaton by the score of 13-3.
West Florida 1, Niceville 0
Jeya Prasad didn’t allow a single run against Niceville, throwing a complete game shutout and leading West Florida Jags Varsity to a 1-0 victory in the circle and at the plate with a RBI single to score Kiauna Watson in the top of the 6th. She surrendered zero runs on two hits over seven innings, striking out 11 and walking zero. Hampton took the loss for Niceville. She went five innings, allowing one run on six hits, striking out two and walking one. Watson went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead West Florida Jags Varsity in hits, one in which included a triple in the top of the 6th.
Preseason Baseball
Tate 10, Escambia 0
Pictured top: Gracie Godwin pitches against Flomaton Thursday at Northview in JV softball. Pictured below: The final out as Northview’s JV run-rules Flomaton, and action as West Florida blanks Niceville. NorthEscambia.com and courtesy photos, click to enlarge.
FHP Cracking Down On Hit And Run Drivers; Woman Wanted For Fleeing Crash
February 22, 2019
The Florida Highway Patrol held a press conference Thursday to send a message about the problem with hit and run crashes in the Panhandle.
The FHP said troopers, a long with other agencies that include the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and Pensacola Police, are cracking down on hit and run drivers.
“One hit and run is one too many,” Cpt. Rich Warden said.
In Escambia County, there were 1,704 hit and run crashes in the last year with four fatalities.
Warden said drivers should remain at the scene if they are ever involved in a crash. And he encouraged anyone witnessing a hit and run to stop and render aid, while calling authorities quickly with information about the hit and run driver and vehicle.
Also Thursday, the FHP highlighted the hit and run case of a Pensacola woman wanted for hitting a pedestrian with her car and driving away.
Troopers said suspect 42-year-old Cherie Renee Wallace was involved in an alleged burglary on Fairfield Drive. She backed her black Toyota Celica into 56-year-old Mark Booth while she was trying to flee the scene, according to the FHP.
Wallace is former resident of Molino, according to police reports.
Anyone with information on here whereabouts is asked to contact the FHP at (850) 484-5000.
Food Trucks In Century? Town To Discuss Regulations And Fees
February 21, 2019
The Town of Century will hold a workshop next month to discuss regulations on food trucks in the town.
Workshop topics will include permit requirements, restrictions and the use of water and sewer. Town Planner Debbie Nickles said the Century Land Development Code (LDC) needs to be amended to allow food truck operation, and fees should be discussed.
When a “permanent food truck” was installed late last year behind Odom’s Bar in Century, town official discovered that food trucks were not directly addressed in the LDC. Odom’s agreed to comply with town direction and obtain separate water and sewer taps for the food business.
While there are no traditional mobile food trucks currently operating in Century, Nickles and town council members noted that food trucks often set up at special events in town, such as the Fourth of July fireworks show.
The food truck workshop will be held Monday, March 18 at 5:30 p.m. at the Century Town Hall.
Pictured: A “permanent food truck” behind Odom’s Bar in Century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Farm Auction Is Saturday
February 21, 2019
The annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Club Farm Equipment Auction will be held this Saturday, February 23, beginning at 9:30 a.m.
The auction includes not only farm equipment, but also household items like tools and small equipment, lawn and garden items, antiques and more. Items will be received on Thursday and Friday.
Concessions will be available all day Saturday from the Ruritan Club. The sale will be located at the Walnut Hill Community Center on Highway 97 just north of Ernest Ward Middle School.
For more information or consignments, call (850) 327-4479 or (850) 327-4318.
For complete information, click here.
Pictured: Hundreds attended the annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Club farm equipment auction last year in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
