Florida Man Charged With Intent To Distribute Meth After Flomaton Traffic Stop
July 21, 2022
An Escambia County (FL) man is facing multiple drug charges after a traffic stop Wednesday in Flomaton.
Jontae Yochae Williams, 40, was charged with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center without bond.
The Flomaton Police Department stopped Williams’ vehicle for a switch license plate. According to police, K-9 Boo alerted on the vehicle and officers found nine grams of alleged crystal methamphetamine packaged is separate baggies and a glass pipe.
Williams was also cited for a switched tag, driving with a suspect license and operating a motor vehicle without insurance.
Woman Sentenced For Defrauding Employer Out Of $300,000
July 21, 2022
An Escambia County woman has been sentenced for defrauding her employer out of over $300,000.
Cassondra Leigh Moreno, 43, was sentenced to seven years in prison to be followed by 20 years probation. She was convicted of organized fraud and money laundering.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation into Moreno began in June 2020 when Moreno’s employer, a beverage distributor, advised FDLE that it had noticed a $300,000 accounting discrepancy involving stolen money orders, which appeared to be linked to Moreno. The employer oversees sales in numerous stores from Pensacola to Panama City. The investigation revealed that over a four-year period, Moreno used her position as Transportation Supervisor to engage in a scheme to defraud. She modified her employer’s accounting system to conceal the amount of money orders she had stolen.
Analysis of her personal financial records revealed that she received over $300,000 between 2017-2020, by depositing hundreds of stolen money orders into her accounts. She resigned from her job in May 2020.
Bicyclist Struck By Car In Century
July 20, 2022
A bicyclist is recovering after being hit by a car Wednesday morning in Century.
The individual was hit by a Chevrolet Malibu at Highway 29 and East Highway 4.
According to the Florida Highway, the bicyclist was transported by Escambia County EMS to Jay Hospital with injuries that were not believed to be life threatening.
The FHP investigation is continuing. The Century Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue also responded.
Escambia County Asking DeSantis To Investigate If Doug Underhill Remains Qualified To Serve
July 20, 2022
Escambia County is asking Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Office to investigate if District Commissioner Doug Underhill remains qualified to hold office after selling his home in District 2 and purchasing property in District 5.
“Upon information and belief, Commissioner Douglas Underhill no longer resides in the district he was elected to represent. The official records reflect that his residence was sold in 2022, and he purchased a property in another district in 2021,” the letter signed by Commissioner Chairman Jeff Bergosh states.
Underhill sold his Perdido Key home earlier this year. Redistricting moved the home from District 2 to District 1, but the law allows him to remain in office through the end of his term — if he lives in District 2. In 2021, Underhill purchased a District 5 property in North Escambia, just over a mile from Atmore.
“Underhill has vacated the grandfathered residence and now resides in a different district of Escambia County,” according to the letter to the governor.
A screenshot provided to Bergosh of a July 7 Facebook post with free furniture and other items posted by Underhill’s wife stated that they had two days remaining to clear everything off their Sally-damaged property “before the buyer takes possession”.
“So we sold and rent back until I’m done with my service. None of this is news, and if you are worried about this more than our budget you suck and you are why Escambia County sucks,” Underhill wrote on Facebook Tuesday night in another post cited by Bergosh,
“It seen incongruent. It seems inconsistent. So I think we need to get to the bottom of it based upon citizen complaints,” Bergosh said during a Tuesday morning commission meeting.
“Guys, do what you want to do. I certainly look forward to an investigation from Tallahassee into what is clearly more of the pattern of retribution against me whistleblowing on y’all’s 401(a) thing,” Underhill said.
“I don’t take the 401(a),” Bergosh interjected.
“I know you don’t, but you certainly supported what these guys are doing,” Underhill replied to Bergosh. “In my opinion, it’s theft, and I whistle blew on it.”
The commission currently has a lawsuit pending over a 401(a) annuity plan the county contends is legal for local for elected officials and senior management. It does not cost taxpayers anything beyond a typical FRS plan.
“Redistricting me out of my district, taking me off all of the committees, all of the other things we’ve done. The censure, that little foray we had,” Underhill continued. “All of those are really the same kind of pattern of retribution for what I did for outing this issue for the 401(a).”
In reference to the Facebook post stating the family needed items out of the home for the new buyer in two days, Underhill told Bergosh that “is none of your business”.
“The matter is very clear…but if y’all want to do this, let’s send it to Tallahassee; let’s have that discussion,” Underhill said. “Gentlemen, do as you wish. It really makes no difference.”
Underhill gathered his things and walked out of the meeting during the motion and 4-0 vote. It was the last item on the agenda for the day, and the meeting concluded less than a minute later.
Escambia County Approves Sheriff’s Budget For The Next Three Years
July 20, 2022
The Escambia County Commission on Tuesday approved a funding agreement with the Sheriff’s Office for the next three fiscal years.
The interlocal agreement will set the Sheriff’s Office budget from the BOCC at $77.4 million for 2023, $82.7 for 2024 and $88.2 for 2025.
The funds will include all costs for personnel services, operating expenses and capital outlay as required to operate the law enforcement agency.
The agreement also has additional contingency funds of $1.25 million for 2023, $1.25 million for 2024 and $1.5 million in 2025. The contingency funds may be used for additional costs, including but not limited to, increased retirement costs, employee healthcare or higher fuel costs.
If the Sheriff’s reserve funds are not used, they will roll over to the next fiscal year of the agreement, up to a maximum reserve of $2.5 million.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
FHP Now Estimates 40 Plus Vehicles Were Involved In Friday’s I-10 Crashes
July 20, 2022
The Florida Highway Patrol now says an estimated 40 or more vehicles were involved in multiple crashes that closed I-10 in Escambia County last Friday.
The crash happened on I-10 westbound near the Palafox Street overpass, which is just east of Highway 29. There were only a few non-life threatening injuries.
The incident was treated as a multitude of individual wrecks. FHP Lt. Jason King said it took an extensive amount of time to complete the investigation and clean up the scene.
“And truly we lost count of how many cars were actually involved,” he said.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Photos: Traffic cameras and ground-level photos show the aftermath of multiple crashes on I-10 Friday afternoon. Photos: FDOT and Donnie Dixon for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Applications Open Today For Escambia County Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program
July 20, 2022
Applications open today for the Escambia County Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program.
The program is designed to provide assistance for homeowners struggling to pay mortgages or utilities due to COVID-19. Funded under the Community Development Block Grant Corona Virus Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program, eligible households may receive assistance of up to but not exceeding three months’ costs, or $8,000.
Applications are available by clicking here.
Emergency mortgage assistance may be provided to eligible Escambia County residents and families under the following conditions:
- The property must not be listed for sale
- The household must have been financially impacted by COVID-19
- The homeowner must have homestead exemption
- The property must be located in Escambia County outside of the City of Pensacola limits
- The household must not have received additional mortgage assistance
Payments will be made directly to the lending institutions and utility companies. In order to apply for the program, residents must provide documentation to determine eligibility, including qualifying COVID-19 impact or financial hardship; proof of identification for applicant/co-applicant and all household members over 18; and current proof of income for all household members. Households will be able to apply for mortgage assistance beginning Wednesday, July 20.
Click here for additional program requirements.
Citizens may use the computers at the following public libraries to complete their application:
- Century Branch Library – 7991 N. Century Blvd., Century
- Molino Branch Library – 6450-A Hwy. 95A, Molino
- Tryon Branch Library – 1200 Langley Ave., Pensacola
- Genealogy Branch Library – 5740 N. Ninth Ave., Pensacola
- Pensacola Library – 239 N. Spring St., Pensacola
- Southwest Branch Library – 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola
- Westside Branch Library – 1301 W. Gregory St., Pensacola
Once the portal opens July 20, a call center will be available Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (850) 595-0022. For more information, email at EMAP@MyEscambia.com.
Community Service Providers Meet In Century
July 20, 2022
Agencies and groups that offer community services in Century held a meeting of the minds Tuesday afternoon.
Opening Doors Northwest Florida facilitated the gathering that included 25 people in person with another 42 taking part virtually.
The groups discussed the services offered, and needed, in the Century area.
Participating groups included Pensacola Habitat for Humanity, CDAC Behavioral Healthcare, Community Action Program, Century Area Chamber of Commerce, Legal Services of North Florida and many others.
Photos for NorthEscabia.com, click to enlarge.
Downed Tree Limb Sparks Electrical Fire At Molino Home
July 19, 2022
A downed tree limb sparked a reported electrical fire Tuesday morning at Molino home.
A large oak limb brought down a power line at home on Molino Road and caused it to overheat at the outside electrical panel.
Escambia Fire Rescue responded and quickly brought the situation under control. There were no reports of injuries.
The Molino, Cantonment, Century, Walnut Hill, Ensley and Bellview stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue were initially dispatched, with many of those units canceled prior to arrival.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
‘We Are Number One’ – EMS Chief Says Escambia Leads Florida In Opioid Overdose Deaths
July 19, 2022
Escambia County leads the state in opioid overdose deaths, according to Escambia County EMS Chief David Torsell.
“We are number one. We get the trophy that nobody else wants. We are the ones recognized for that we don’t want to be recognized for. The state has absolutely recognized us as someone who needs assistance from the state in order to combat this problem.”
“In my 26-year career, I have not seen as much death from overdose in such a short amount of time as I’ve been in Escambia County,” Torsell said. He’s been in Escambia County since June 1, 2021. “A very sad thing.”
The state recently announced Escambia County is one of nine counties to be fully funded for an overdose assistance program that will offer addiction therapy services.
He said during the 2021 calendar year, Escambia County EMS administered 1,391 doses of Narcan, a medication that is given in hopes of stopping an opioid overdose. There were a total of 1,085 overdose calls in 2021.
Just over half way through 2022, Escambia EMS had administered 964 doses of Narcan. As of Monday, EMS had responded to 1,134 overdoses this year, with 42 of those in the last week.
“We’ve already surpassed last year’s overdose numbers in the first half of the year. We are going to double last year’s number,” the EMS chief said. “That is extremely concerning.”
He added that fortunately right now there are not a lot of overdoses among school-aged children. But he wants to use community partners like the Escambia County School District to help educate children about the dangers of the drug use they may see among adults at home.
“Fentanyl has become the bane of our existence. Previously, you go back years, you’re talking about cocaine, marijuana, things like that. But now, everything as we’re seeing has fentanyl in it,” Torsell said.
He said the fentanyl is often mixed with other illicit drugs, and people don’t know they are taking it until it’s too late.
“It’s extremely frustrating to see what we are seeing in our community and just know that it’s kind of become the norm,” he said.
But some days are worse than others.
Escambia EMS has seen 19 overdoses in one day in a six to eight block area. They are literally able to tell when a new batch of drugs arrives in a community or zip code. Those drugs, the EMS director said, are often given away for free.
“They are testing it. They want to see if it’s going to work. They want to see if it to them it’s good product.”
Escambia EMS often deals with overdose “frequent flyers”. For instance, someone will overdose at 6 a.m., be transported by ambulance to the hospital, and be discharged later in the day. Later the same afternoon, they are found to have overdosed again and are transported back to the hospital.
“Wash, rinse, repeat. It’s the same cycle over and over. So, we have to do something different that what we have done previously. We have to be more than reactive, we have to be proactive,” Torsell remarked. “And that’s what we are going to do.”
Torsell’s comments came as he spoke to the Escambia County School Board at the invitation of Kevin Adams, District 1 member and board chair.