Century Residents To See Slight Property Tax Increase
August 8, 2017
The Town of Century voted Monday night to approve a slight property tax increase for the upcoming fiscal year
The council voted to raise the ad valorem millage rate to 0.9919 for the 2017-2018 fiscal year. That’s equal to a 94 cent tax increase on $50,000 in taxable property value. The tax will generate $34,679.79 for the town, an increase of $2,500.91 over the current fiscal year.
Century will begin their budget setting process on Wednesday with a 4 p.m. workshop meeting a town hall.
Pictured: The Century Town Council meets Monday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Search Underway For Exxon Armed Robbery Suspect
August 8, 2017
The armed robbery of a Davis Highway gas station is under investigation as deputies seek a suspect.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said the Exxon gas station on North Davis at I-10 was robbed just before 6 p.m. Monday.
The suspect, described as a black man wearing a blue shirt, was carrying a handgun as he demanded cash from the clerk. He then ran away from the scene. There were no injuries reported.
Any with information on the holdup is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
NorthEscambia.com reader submitted photos by Jon Daniel, click to enlarge.
Wahoos At Tennessee Postponed By Smoky Mountain Rain
August 8, 2017
KODAK, Tenn., – The Pensacola Blue Wahoos’ scheduled game Monday evening at Smokies Stadium against the Tennessee Smokies has been postponed due to field conditions caused by rain.
The contest will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Tuesday, with the first game scheduled for 4:00 p.m. CT. Game two of the doubleheader will get underway approximately 30 minutes after first game’s conclusion.
Deadly Home Invasion In Atmore; Couple Shot In Bed
August 7, 2017
Atmore Police are investigating a deadly home invasion early Monday morning.
About 3:15 a.m. the Atmore Police Department responded to a shooting call at 170 Broad Street where they found damage to the front door and two people lying in bed with gunshot wounds. The homeowner, 56-year old Robert Kennedy was airlifted to the University of South Alabama Medical Center in Mobile where he later died from his injuries. The female victim, 45-year old Joi McClammy of Flomaton, was transported to Atmore Community Hospital. Her condition was not released.
Investigators were told that a single gunmen entered the home and demanded money from the victims, according to Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the Atmore Police Department at (251) 368-9141.
This was the second murder recorded in Atmore in the past week. On August 3, 31-year old Shawn O’Neil Quarles of Camden, AL, was found lying on Ann Street suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. He passed away a short time later. Atmore Police investigators were told by witnesses that Quarles was riding a bicycle to a store to purchase cigarettes when the offense occurred.
Four Juveniles Charged With Multiple Cantonment Vehicle Burglaries After Collision
August 7, 2017
Four juveniles were arrested at a Cantonment gas station Saturday after running up on a concrete curb and nearly hitting a gas pump.
The four, ages 13-15, were in a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck confirmed by Pensacola Police to have been stolen in their jurisdiction. Prior to the crash, they were allegedly involved in the burglary of 14 other vehicles on Plata Canada Drive and Bosque Court off Tate Road, less than a mile from Tate High School.
All four were charged with multiple counts of burglary of a motor vehicle, criminal mischief and petit theft.
More arrests or charges are expected in the case, according to Amber Southard, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Not A Priority Call: Sheriff Morgan Responds To Cantonment Sportsplex Vandalism
August 7, 2017
In an “Ask the Sheriff” video segment posted by his agency on social media, Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan responded to a citizen inquiry about the department’s response to several recent acts of vandalism at the Cantonment Sportsplex.
Morgan said he was concerned about the incidents, but the vandalism is not a priority type call.
“We do prioritize calls, and while certainly your sports complex is very important to us,” Morgan said in the video (posted below). “It is a matter of priorities and by that I mean we respond to burglaries in progress, robberies in progress, domestic violence, drug dealing and all sorts of you know mayhem that’s committed upon our citizens in Escambia County.”
“Responses such as that are on a much lower priority. That’s not meant to say that they are not a priority and of course it is our tax collars pay for these complexes. We do respond to those.”
Morgan was asked about installing cameras, even game cameras, to catch the perpetrators, and he pointed out that would necessitate someone to check them and follow up on any leads.
“We’ll see if we can’t step up some patrol activity in that area, and we’ll do the best with what we have. Again, I share in you concern, I’ve been to your sports complex on more than one occasion and it’s a wonderful facility for the community.”
“But right now I would tell you that it’s not getting focus based upon a list of priorities that we have in Escambia County,” the sheriff stated.
In late may and early June, the Cantonment Sportsplex was the victim of vandals at least three times. Most of the damage was inside bathrooms and to a sprinkler system.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Colorado State Releases Updated Hurricane Forecast
August 7, 2017
As Florida moves into the peak months of the annual hurricane season, Colorado State University researchers project a 61 percent chance the state will be hit by a hurricane.
In a forecast released Friday, researchers estimated there will be 16 named storms this season, eight hurricanes and three “major” hurricanes with at least Category 3 winds of 111 mph. Through July, there have been five named storms in the Atlantic Ocean, including Tropical Storm Emily which struck Florida this week.
The researchers predict an “above average” storm season due in part to “anomalously warm” waters in the Atlantic.
The 61 percent chance of a hurricane striking Florida, compares to a 51 percent historical average. The forecast projects a 27 percent chance the state could be hit by a major hurricane, compared to a 21 percent historical average.
Nighttime Changes On Traffic Patterns Scheduled For U.S. 29 And Nine Mile Road
August 7, 2017
Drivers traveling U.S. 29 and Nine Mile Road will experience changes in traffic patterns from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews perform drainage and bridge operations. Traffic control officers will be on site to help direct traffic.
–The traffic shift for east and westbound Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass has been rescheduled to begin on Sunday, Aug. 6. Both directions will be reduced to one lane. Eastbound traffic will shift to the inside westbound travel lane as the contractor prepares the area for construction of the support column for the new center bridge deck.
–On Wednesday, Aug. 9 and Thursday, Aug. 10, northbound U.S. 29 south of the Nine Mile Road overpass will be reduced to one lane and then detoured onto the Nine Mile Road off-ramp as the contractor installs drainage pipe across northbound U.S. 29. A traffic control officer will be located at the Nine Mile Road intersection to direct traffic.
Construction activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Click map to enlarge.
Quintette Community Center Hosts Back To School Bash
August 7, 2017
The Quintette Community Center held their 3rd Annual Back to School Bash Sunday afternoon with fun, games, food, kickball, haircuts and free back to school supplies. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ransom Student To Compete In National Pony Event
August 7, 2017
Local equestrian Lexi Bryant has qualified for the the U.S. Pony Finals coming up this week at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. Bryan, 13, will be riding “Surreal”, owned by Morgan Mickel. The Ransom Middle School student qualified at an Elite “A” show that was held at the Escambia County Equestrian Center. Bryant and Surreal will compete against the top ponies and riders in the nation at the event. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.