Escambia Votes To Buy One Of Two New Ladder Trucks; ‘Ladder 5′ In Century Down For 600 Days
September 8, 2022
In a special meeting this week, the Escambia County Commission voted to buy one of two suddenly available ladder trucks for the fire department. The vote came amid discussion of the need for additional aerial trucks and Escambia County Fire Rescue’s “Ladder 5″ stationed in Century that’s been out of service for about 600 days.
The trucks were offered at a discount to Escambia County under an Orange County contract after the Orange County purchaser backed out.
Escambia County Administrator Wes Moreno said the county would receive a discount of about $250,000 total for the two trucks, while Commissioner Robert Bender said later in a special meeting that it was $250,000 each. In addition, they would arrive over a year earlier than two aerial trucks Escambia County planned to order anyway after the next budget cycle.
“I felt like it was a good situation in which we could save some money now on purchasing the equipment that we are going to need anyway,” Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore told commissioners, “and get them in a little quicker than we thought.”
Commissioner Steven Barry made the motion to purchase just one of the trucks, a 2023 E-ONE HR100 aerial ladder for $1,251,724.30. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lumon May. If only purchasing one of the two trucks, the ladder was Gilmore’s preference.
Commissioner Robert Bender pointed out that the new Beulah Fire Station will have the space to house a ladder truck, need for other ladders in the county and the downtime for Ladder 5 in Century.
Commissioner Doug Underhill said he would support purchasing the second truck because growth will mean new fire stations and a need for new equipment, and he said the time to save money is now due to inflation.
“This is almost certainly the cheapest that we will be able to purchase equipment,” Underhill said, adding that if Barry’s motion for just the one truck was approved, he would motion to purchase the second truck, a 2023 E-ONE 100-foot aerial platform for $$1,527,087.
“I think today’s a win. We get a brand new piece of equipment…we are going to get it a year and a half early. I’m certainly going to support my counterparts in the motion that they’ve made,” Barry said. “I think putting out $1.2 million on top of all of the other money we have put into fire…moving forward with one gives us a little more time to evaluate the fleet. And I think that’s the prudent step to take.”
Barry’s motion passed unanimously, and Underhill immediately made a motion to purchase the second aerial platform truck. With no discussion, the motion failed 3-2 with Underhill and Bender voting in favor.
“Having the new truck will allow us to evaluate our current situation with ladders, giving us some breathing room to take one out of service when needed to bring it back up to full,” Gilmore said.
ECFR will evaluate the best placement for the new truck before it arrives sometime around November or December of next year. Another previously ordered ladder truck is scheduled to arrive in September 2023.
Gilmore told NorthEscambia.com Wednesday that he hopes Ladder 5 in Century will be back in service soon. In 2012, the Century Fire Station received the refurbished 1991 75-foot ladder truck that was formerly assigned to the Ensley Fire Station. Gilmore said it has become impossible to find some parts for the truck, but they have now obtained and will convert a part to put the truck back in service.
Pictured top: The 31-year old “Ladder 5″, assigned to Century Fire Station, as seen in January 2012 after it was refurbished. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Century Town Hall Reopens After Lobby Floors Refinished (With Before And After Photos)
September 8, 2022
The Century Town Hall reopened this week after being closed last week to refinish the lobby floors.
Local contractor Peacock Builders did the work at a cost of $2,952, according to the town.
The last picture below shows the lobby before the work.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Before:
Century Woman Charged With Stealing Customer’s Car From Repair Shop
September 8, 2022
A Century woman is accused of stealing a vehicle from an auto repair shop where she was employed.
Samantha Dawn Harrison, 29, was charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle. She was released on a $10,000 bond.
The victim told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that he paid Precision Tune Auto Care on Navy Boulevard $1,105.75 on July 21 for the initial service on his vehicle, but he did not receive 2005 Pontiac GTO back. He was told that the vehicle had been taken to a dealership to fix additional issues, and later learned that Harrison had been terminated.
The victim was told by the dealership that they had no record of the vehicle. He was told by the dealership service manager that Harrison had requested parts for the vehicle, and he learned that Harrison was utilizing the vehicle for personal use. The victim told deputies that he only authorized the vehicle to be drive to and from the dealership.
The victim alleged that Harrison had been driving the vehicle to Atmore and having someone drive it back. In text messages, Harrison admitted to driving the vehicle from Precision Tune, and she stated that she hit a deer and had been trying to fix it, according to an arrest report.
The damaged vehicle was recovered by the ECSO in the 50 block of West State Line Road in Century on August 25. Harrison was at the residence, but her statements were redacted from the arrest report.
IMPACT 100 Announces Finalists For $103,820 Grants
September 8, 2022
IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area, a women’s philanthropic organization, announced their 2022 grant finalists Wednesday. Eleven of the 15 nonprofit finalists will each receive a grant of $103,820 at the group’s annual meeting on October 16.
The 15 finalists are:
ARTS, CULTURE & HISTORY
- Pensacola Little Theatre Inc. – It Starts with Art: Building the Foundation of Arts Education at Pensacola Little Theatre
- Santa Rosa Community Theatre Inc. – Provide a State-of-the-Art Theatre for Santa Rosa County
- West Florida Historic Preservation, Inc. dba UWF Pensacola Museum of Art – Pensacola Museum of Art Courtyard Renovation and Repairs
EDUCATION
- Central Gulf Coast CDF Freedom Schools – Something Inside So Strong
- General Daniel Chappie James Flight Academy, Inc – Outfit New Facility with Equipment and Other Furnishings
- Santa Rosa County 4-H Association, Inc. – 4-H Field Education Facility
ENVIRONMENT & RECREATION
- Keep Pensacola Beautiful, Inc. – KPB Covers More Ground
- Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center, Inc. – From Hatchlings to Adults, Come Join Us on Our Journey
- Young Men’s Christian Association of Northwest Florida, Inc. dba YMCA of Northwest Florida – Aerial Adventure
FAMILY
- Escambia County Public Schools Foundation for Excellence, Inc. – Parent University: Bridging Resources and Community Needs
- Pensacola Habitat for Humanity, Inc. – Community Land Trust – Affordable Housing in Perpetuity
- Studer Community Institute, Inc. – Building America’s First Early Learning City
HEALTH & WELLNESS
- District One Medical Examiner Support, Inc. – Family Advocacy Representative – providing support to Family, Community, and Staff
- Feeding the Gulf Coast – Feeding the Future
- Healing Paws for Warriors, Inc. – Save a Veteran, Rescue a Dog: Mobile Unit
This is the 19th year that IMPACT 100 will award grants to local nonprofit organizations. Since its inception, IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area has awarded 131 impactful grants totaling $13,950,000 to nonprofit organizations serving Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. After October 16, IMPACT 100 will have awarded 142 grants totaling $15,092,020 to the Pensacola Bay Area communities.
FDLE Charges Escambia Man With Child Solicitation
September 8, 2022
An Escambia County man was arrested Wednesday by the Florida Department for child solicitation.
James Darwin Willman, age 31 of Bowman Avenue, is charged with two counts of using a computer to seduce, solicit or lure a child, seven counts of transmission of material harmful to a minor by electronic device or equipment, and one count of unlawful use of a two-way communications device. All charges are third-degree felonies.
The investigation began in August when agents, posing as a 14-year-old female, started communicating with Willman via an online dating website. Willman sent the agent’s 14-year-old persona several photographs of his exposed genitalia and requested nude photographs of the minor. He also agreed to travel and meet the agent’s 14-year-old persona, describing sexual acts he wanted to perform with her.
Willman was booked into the Escambia County Jail on $100,000 bond.
Graduation Held For Female Sheriff’s Blazer Academy
September 8, 2022
Graduation was held this week for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office first female Blazer Academy.
The young women ages 13-15 spent six weeks developing lifelong skills such as how to shake hands properly, how to dress for an interview, how to speak at a podium, and much more.
The 2022 Female Sheriff’s Blazer Academy’s theme was STARS – which stands for “Strong, Trustworthy, Accountable, Resilient, and Successful”.
“The first Female Sheriff’s Blazer Academy was a huge success! We are proud to serve our community by providing mentorships for our youth,” said Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons.
Flomaton Police Chief Resigning For Another Law Enforcement Job
September 8, 2022
Flomaton Police Chief Charles “Chance” Thompson has submitted his resignation to accept a new position.
His resignation is effective September 27.
Thompson was promoted from FPD captain to chief in October 2019, following the resignation of then-chief Bryan Davis who also accepted another position after six years on the job.
In his resignation letter, Thompson said he was not being pressured to resign and it was not a disciplinary action of any kind. He said he has accepted another law enforcement position in Alabama.
“I would like to thank every citizen of this town for the ultimate opportunity to serve you. I grew up in this town and being able to serve close friends and elders that I grew up with was truly amazing. I am blessed for the amazing law enforcement experience that I gained through this journey as your chief of police,” Thompson said. “I am incredibly thankful to the good Lord for his guidance throughout my career, and what he holds for me in my future endeavors.”
No Serious Injuries In Wreck At Northview High School
September 7, 2022
One person received minor injuries in a two vehicle crash in front of Northview High School in Bratt Wednesday afternoon.
The adult male driver of a Chevrolet Impala apparently collided with the rear of a Nissan on West Highway 4 about 2:20 p.m. According to a witness, the Nissan driver was stopped headed eastbound with her blinker on waiting to turn into the school’s driveway. The Impala came to rest in a ditch, while the Nissan traveled off the roadway and across a grassy area before coming to rest partially in the driveway.
The adult female driver of the Nissan was transported by MedStar EMS to a nearby hospital, while the driver of the Impala refused transport.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Walnut Hill and Century stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the crash.
The crash occurred about an hour before Northview’s dismissal time.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FPL Customers Could See Rate Increase In 2023
September 7, 2022
Florida Power & Light customers could be facing higher bills in 2023.
FPL, and two other utilities in the state, filed petitions last week with the Florida Public Service Commission detailing higher costs for 2023, mostly from natural gas. If the proposals are approved, it will mean higher monthly bills next year.
In the FPL’s Northwest Florida territory, which was previously served by Gulf Power, the typical 1,000 kwh a month customer will see their bill go from $155.61 in 2022 to $160.43 in 2023. FPL customers in the rest of the state pay less, and would see an increase from $120.67 now to $130.23 in 2023.
“FPL believes it is appropriate to continue to monitor the market to determine whether the conditions and international events that have sharply impacted the natural gas market will moderate, such that a future fuel forecast may mitigate the projected fuel costs to be recovered,” the FPL petition stated. “FPL will continue to update its fuel cost calculation with additional data reflecting actual gas prices, actual sales and actual revenues. At the appropriate time toward the end of 2022 or beginning of 2023, FPL will file a request for recovery based on an updated calculation, to be considered by the commission in early 2023 for implementation following the customer notice period.”
More Fraud Claims Against Fence Contractor, Including Elderly Woman That Loaned Him Money
September 7, 2022
More alleged victims are coming forward claiming they were scammed by a local fence contractor, including an elderly woman that loaned him money.
Cody William Brown, 33, is facing new charges that include three counts of grand theft, giving a worthless check, exploitation of the elderly, and three counts of organized scheme to defraud. He was released on a new bond of $20,000.
He was previously charged with three counts of an organized scheme to defraud, multiple counts of grand theft, fraudulent use of a credit card, and multiple worthless check counts.
New victims came forward after NorthEscambia.com was first to report the original allegations and a second arrest.
The latest allegations are detailed below, according to Escambia County Sheriff’s Office reports.
“Boy Was I Fooled”
The victim told investigators that Brown previously did good work on fence jobs in the past. In April 2022, he told her that his son was sick and “would need to be seen in a different part of Florida for a specific medical treatment” before asking her for a loan, according to an arrest report. The 77-year old woman accompanied him to a local Regions Bank where she gave him $10,000 after she wrote a contract that was notarized by a bank employee, the report continues. The loan was due on May 30, but Brown never made a payment, she said.
She did not file a report until late August with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The woman told deputies that Brown took advantage of her, and later revealed that Brown did deposit a $5,000 check that was returned. A text message history shows that when confronted, Brown said he had COVID and was unable to handle the transaction, the report states.
“I thought I was dealing with an honorable person that needed help, boy was I fooled,” the 77-year old texted back.
According to the sheriff’s office, bank records corroborate the victim’s statements about the financial transactions.
Grand Theft, Scheme To Defraud Charges
Another victim reported that he gave Brown a $3,100 down payment to cover materials in a $6,200 fence job on Mobile Highway. The lawyer sent a letter to Brown and said no response was received.
The victim told deputies that he made contact with a lawyer to file a civil suit against Brown, but he was advised to file a police report due to previous news coverage about Brown.
“Cody Brown has even generated flyers which he passed out in neighborhoods in order to generate victims,” the ECSO report states.
The White Fence
According to the ECSO, Brown also accepted a $1,800 credit card down payment, half of a fence job’s total cost, from a victim.
The victim said a white fence was required in his neighborhood off Nine Mile Road, but Brown never started work. The victim told investigators that he texted Brown in January and February 2022, but the only response from Brown stated that materials were on backorder.
The victim called and filed a report in late August with the ECSO after news coverage about Brown.