Three Injured in Kingsfield Road Rollover Crash
October 16, 2024
Three people were injured in a rollover crash Wednesday morning near Tate High School.
The crash happened about 8:20 a.m. on Kingsfield Road near the intersection with Tate Road and involved two passenger cars. One, a Hyundai Sonata, came to rest upside down in a ditch.
Three people, including at least two juveniles, were transported to the hospital by Escambia County EMS with injuries that were not considered serious.
The crash is under instigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Atmore Veteran Arrested After Police Find Homemade Explosive Devices In His Home
October 16, 2024
An Atmore veteran was arrested Tuesday after police say they found two homemade explosive devices at his home after he made allegedly concerning statements.
On Monday, the Atmore Police Department responded to a call from a citizen on Pleasant Hill Circle seeking to speak with officers. The officers met with Trenton Lofton, 34, of Atmore, who was visibly upset over personal issues. Although officers initially calmed Lofton, his statements raised concerns, prompting a follow-up investigation.
Tuesday, officers discovered that Lofton, a former military Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician, may have constructed two homemade explosive devices. Lofton, who police said has been receiving treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), became the subject of a more thorough investigation.
Atmore Police Department obtained a search warrant for Lofton’s home. They contacted the Mobile Police Department Bomb Squad, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) SWAT team to assist.
Before they arrived at his home, investigators learned Lofton was at Walmart on North Main Street. A traffic stop was initiated as Lofton was leaving the store, and he was taken into custody without incident. The area around Walmart’s entrance and Highway 21 was shut down while an ATF bomb technician cleared Lofton’s vehicle. No explosives were found.
Attention then shifted to Lofton’s residence. The Mobile Police Department Bomb Squad and ATF carefully searched the property and discovered two homemade explosive devices, which were safely neutralized, according to police.
Lofton was arrested and charged with possession and distribution of destructive devices. He was transported to the Escambia County Detention Center.
“The Atmore Police Department recognizes that Mr. Lofton served our country and is suffering from PTSD. Our hope is that he receives the mental health care he needs,” Atmore Police Sgt. Darrell McMann said.
In 2022, Century Lost Bond Deal That Made Them $1.8 Million; Now, They’ve Hired A Law Firm
October 16, 2024
In 2022, Century lost a deal that earned them nearly $1.8 million since 1999, with most of that coming in just the latter six years of an agreement.
Now, Century has hired a law firm to apparently pursue litigation or take other action against the group with which the town worked on big dollar finance deals as partners with the City of Gulf Breeze.
Tuesday night, the Century Town Council voted to retain the Morgan & Morgan Business Trial Group for contingency-fee litigation against the Capital Trust Agency and the Capital Trust Authority and other potential defendants. The town council approved hiring the law firm on a recommendation by interim town manager Howard Brown with no discussion or explanation.
Before the vote, council president Dynette Lewis asked Brown, “Why is it dated July 11?”
“Because it has been going on since July 11,” Brown responded with no further comment.
Under the contingent fee contract, which does not include personal injury or property damage, Morgan & Morgan will earn a fee of 40% of any gross amount recovered.
What Is Capital Trust?
On the surface it might seem unlikely that Century, one of the poorest small cities in the state, could have ever played a part in the bond financing of dozens of multi-million projects including the Community Maritime Park in Pensacola, $439 million in hotel and convention centers for the Seminole Nation, airport cargo terminals, schools and apartment complexes. The bond money was not from municipal funds of either Gulf Breeze or Century.
The town has served an integral role in the tax-exempt financing of nearly $4 billion worth of projects, including affordable housing projects, airport facilities, hotel and convention developments promoting tourism, health care projects, and K-12 educational buildings.
The approvals were granted by Century and Gulf Breeze as members of the Capital Trust Agency (CTA), an independent public body for the purpose of financing or otherwise accomplishing development programs. Century entered into the Capital Trust Agency with Gulf Breeze in 1999 with Century essentially serving as the “second signature” for CTA, certifying that the projects meet a public purpose under IRS rules and regulations.
The City of Gulf Breeze later partnered with the newly formed Capital Trust Authority (referred to hereafter as the “Authority” in this article). The new Authority reached a deal with Quincy, Florida, as their second signature for all new bond issues. With no involvement, Century would receive no income from the new Authority.
In 2019, a scathing grand jury report found that Century was in a state of financial emergency, and that the council and administration failed to act in the best interest of the community. “Town officials have shown a clear lack of knowledge and understanding as to the operations of a governmental organization,” the grand jury found.
About the same time 2019, Century pushed CTA for the first rate increase in about 20 years, from $350 for each $1 million of bonds issued with a $2,500 minimum per issuance. An agreement was reached to up the payment to $400 per million up to $50 million and $325 for each additional million.
By 2021, Century was looking for another fee increase to $775 per million. And the old CTA was facing increased difficulty in getting bonds approved smoothly by the Century town council. Due to the lack of a quorum, some Agency bond projects were delayed, and CTA faced growing discord between council members.
The Authority’s new deal with Quincy will set to pay that city $400 per million in bonds, with a minimum of $5,000 per deal.
“The Capital Trust Agency (the “Agency”) is still in existence and will continue to administer the outstanding bonds that have been issued dating back to 1999,” Denis McKinnon told NorthEscambia.com in 2022. He was the executive director of both the old Agency and the new Authority. Century only received payment upon the issuance of bonds, so their income from the CTA was zero as all new bonds were issued by the Authority with Gulf Breeze and Quincy.
The CTA paid Century a total of $1,789,828.52 with more than $1 million of that since 2016.
Pictured top: Interim Century town manager Howard Brown at Tuesday night’s council meeting. Pictured first inset: Capital Trust Agency Executive Director Denis McKinnon addresses the Century Town Council in 2022. Pictured lower inset: (L-R) Capital Trust Agency bond counsel Kareem Spratling, Executive Director Denis McKinnon and Gulf Breeze Mayor Cherry Fitch met with the Century Town Council on October 14, 2021. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Schools Announce Their Teachers Of The Year
October 16, 2024
The Office of Community Involvement for the Escambia County (FL) Public Schools has released the full list of Teachers of the Year selected to represent their respective schools. Nominated teachers will compete for selection as the school district’s overall Teacher of the Year.
Several North Escambia area Teachers of the Year have already featured with a front page photo on NorthEscambia.com, and we will continue to feature them over the coming days.
Details regarding this Year’s Teacher of the Year awards ceremony will be released in the coming weeks.
The Escambia County School District’s Teachers of the Year are:
- Jim Allen Elementary – Jacey Taylor
- Bellview Elementary – Natalie Hardeman
- Beulah Elementary – Brooke Ferrara
- Blue Angels Elementary – Christina Cardenas
- Bratt Elementary – Sherri Carter
- Brentwood Elementary – Jill Stewart
- Hellen Caro Elementary – Erin Quinlan
- N. B. Cook Elementary – Kheri Murphy
- Cordova Park Elementary – Margaret Fox-McClellan
- Ensley Elementary – Mary Springer-Alonzo
- Ferry Pass Elementary – Jina Bradley
- Global Learning Academy – Kelly Reed
- Holm Elementary – Lynette Chandler
- Kingsfield Elementary School – Laura Wiggins
- Lincoln Park Elementary – Janie Hayes
- Lipscomb Elementary – Aurora Paul
- Longleaf Elementary – Christine Dunson
- McArthur Elementary – Jodie Langford
- Molino Park Elementary – Heidi Robar
- Montclair Elementary – Maxine Mathis
- Myrtle Grove Elementary – Carrie Lawson
- Navy Point Elementary – Tanya DeGruccio
- Oakcrest Elementary – Deja Ramsey
- Pine Meadow Elementary – Kristen Whiddon
- Pleasant Grove Elementary – Theresa Restifo
- Scenic Heights Elementary – Amanda Byers
- O.J. Semmes Elementary – April Scott
- Sherwood Elementary – Patrice Majewski
- A. K. Suter Elementary – Tracy Eiser
- Warrington Elementary – Sylvia Harvey-Thomas
- C. A. Weis Elementary – Brianna English
- West Pensacola Elementary – Brittany Langlois
- Bailey Middle School – Clif (William) Cone
- Bellview Middle – Vicki Davis
- Beulah Middle – LeAnne Jenkins
- Brown Barge Middle – Nora Guy
- Ernest Ward Middle – Maria Willis
- Ferry Pass Middle – Kristen Amerson
- Ransom Middle – Stacie Hammer
- Workman Middle – Cynethia Gosse
- Escambia High School – Alicia Gifford
- Northview High School – Obreonne Parker
- Pensacola High School – Justin Aultman
- Pine Forest High School – Jonetta Moody
- Tate High School – Kristin Maum
- Booker T. Washington High School – Karen Privett
- West Florida High School – Tiffany Odom
- Alternative Education – Christopher Baker
- Beulah Academy of Science – Kara List
- Achieve Academy – Jayla King
- Success Academy – Pam Carter
- Escambia Virtual – Kimberly Rayburn
- Escambia Westgate – Terri Michelle Price
- ESE – Kirsten Kappler-Bennett
- Hope Horizon – Heather Turner
- George Stone Technical College – Garry Ellison
- Pensacola Beach Charter – Heather Gagnet
Four Escambia, Florida, Residents Arrested On Drug Charges In Atmore
October 16, 2024
Four Escambia County, Florida, residents were arrested on drug charges after a traffic stop in Atmore.
About 12:05 a.m. Saturday, an Atmore Police Department officer on routine patrol conducted a traffic stop on on a vehicle on Highway 21 that was failing to maintain its lane of travel, according to Sgt. Darrell McMann. He said a K-9 was requested due to suspicious behavior from the driver, 35-year-old Sebastian Blake of Pensacola.
Atmore Police said the K-9 alerted on the vehicle, leading to the discovery of over 15 grams of marijuana, more than six grams of cocaine, over a gram of fentanyl, and “numerous items used to ingest narcotics”.
Blake was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana first degree, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Three passengers were also charged:
- Danielle Maulden and Bryan Cherry was charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
- Alyssa Cooper was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana second degree, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
All were booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton.
Ernest Ward Eagles Fall To Atmore (With Photo Gallery)
October 16, 2024
The Eagles of Escambia County Middle School defeated the Eagles of Ernest Ward 52-0 Tuesday night in Walnut Hill.
For the Ernest Ward Eagles, it was a special homecoming night event. Before the game, eighth grade football players, cheerleaders and band members were honored. Past homecoming queens were recognized on the field at halftime (pictured below).
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Dirt Cheap Closing All Stores After Filing Bankruptcy
October 16, 2024
Discount retailer Dirt Cheap is closing all stores, including those in Pensacola and Atmore after the company filed for bankruptcy.
Channel Control Merchants, which is the parent company of Dirt Cheap, Treasure Hunt and Dirt Cheap Building Supplies will close all its 68 stores that span eight states, including Florida and Alabama.
In the North Escambia area, Dirt Cheap had stores in Atmore, and in Pensacola on Davis Highway and Fairfield Drive.
Liquidation sales are already underway at all locations. Finial store closing dates have not been announced.
According to their website, Dirt Cheap is “an extreme value retailer giving major brand customer returns and excess inventory a second chance”. The company said Dirt Cheap became the largest buyer of insurance claims in the United States, while also adding manufacturer and retailer buybacks, closeouts, bankruptcies, overstocks, liquidations, customer returns, and out of season goods.
Pictured: The Dirt Cheap on Lindberg Avenue in Atmore. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Jay Defeats Northview 3-1 In District Semifinal Match
October 16, 2024
In FHSAA Rural District 1 volleyball semifinals Tuesday, the top seed Jay Royals defeated the Northview Chiefs 3-1.
Northview took the first set 25-20, but Jay responded to win the following three sets, winning 25-13, 25-15, and 25-11.
In another semifinal match, Baker blanked Central 3-0. Baker won 25-12, 25-15, 25-5.
The Royals will advance to the district finals against Baker Thursday night in Baker.
Pictured: The Northview Chiefs after a first round district win Monday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Trio Charged With Stealing AT&T Phone Cable Serving Up To 900 Customers
October 15, 2024
Three Cantonment residents have been charged in connection with the theft of large phone cable from Jernigan Road that served hundreds of AT&T customers.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office filed felony grand theft and felony criminal mischiefs against 44-year-old Chadwick Clay Dixon, 34-year old Joshua Glenn Mobley, and 35-year-old Brittany Nicole White.
Investigators said the trio was responsible for cutting down and stealing about 500 feet of phone cable from utility poles on Jernigan Road just south of Nine Mile Road. AT&T told deputies that the phone cable, about 2.5 inches in diameter, contained 900 pairs of phone lines. The value of the wire was estimated at $8,000, plus about $2,200 in costs to replace.
Dixon was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $10,000 bond. Mobley remained in jail with bond set at $10,000, while White was held on a $5,000 bond.
Firefighters Prevent Pickup Fire From Spreading To Nearby Home
October 15, 2024
Escambia County Fire Rescue recently saved a nearby home from severe damage as a pickup truck burned nearby.
The Molino, Cantonment and McDavid stations of ECFR responded to the fire midday Saturday in the 1300 block of Barth Road. They arrived to find the pickup truck fully involved just a few feet from the home. Firefighters worked to extinguish the vehicle fire while preventing the flames from reaching the home.
The truck was a total loss. An investigation determined the fire was caused by an “unspecified malfunction” in the truck.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
