Married Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office Employees Arrested For Elderly Exploitation And Fired
June 11, 2022
Two members of the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office — a husband and wife — have been arrested and terminated
Carl Scheel III, a deputy, and Alicia Marie Scheel, a civilian clerk, were both charged with one felony count of exploitation of the elderly.
After a month-long investigation, investigators found the Scheel’s moved a pickup truck and money from his father’s name into their names without consent, according to arrest reports.
“Agency employees will always be held to high standards, both on and off duty. Although an arrest has been made, we are continuing this investigation and it remains very active,” said SRSO Sheriff Bob Johnson.
Mug shots of law enforcement officers are exempt from release in Florida.
Escambia Sheriff’s Office Tahoe Collides With A Prius
June 11, 2022
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office unit collided with a Toyota Prius Friday.
The marked ECSO Chevrolet Tahoe was traveling northbound on Highway 295 with its lights and siren activated as a white Toyota Prius was traveling southbound. The Tahoe experienced a mechanical failure while negotiating a curve, according to the Florida Highway Patrol, and traveled across the median.
The ECSO Tahoe collided with the Prius. Neither driver was transported to the hospital, and only minor injuries were reported.
FHP said no citations were issued.
Blue Wahoos Overcome Early Deficit in Comeback 9-8 Win Over B’ham
June 11, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos were undaunted by an 8-1 deficit in Birmingham on Friday night, scoring eight unanswered runs for a comeback 9-8 win over the Barons.
Josh Simpson (W, 3-0), Dylan Bice and Colton Hock (S, 5) combined for 6.0 innings of one-hit, shutout relief that allowed the offense to chip away at the Barons bullpen.
The Blue Wahoos extended their lead in the South Division by 4.0 games with 14 to play in the first half.
Griffin Conine opened the scoring for Pensacola in the first against Birmingham starter Scott Blewett, grounding an RBI single up the middle for a 1-0 lead. Blue Wahoos starter Bryan Mitchell allowed a two-run double to J.J. Muno in the second before things unraveled in the third inning.
Birmingham scored six runs against Mitchell in the third, though three errors from the Blue Wahoos made five of the runs unearned. The big inning was capped by a three-run homer from Luis Curbelo to put the Barons ahead 8-1.
Luis Aviles Jr. hit a solo homer to lead off the fourth and kick off the comeback effort, and Ray-Patrick Didder hit an RBI triple later in the inning to cut the deficit to 8-3. In the fifth, a two-out throwing error from Barons third baseman D.J. Burt made the score 8-5.
The Blue Wahoos completed the comeback in the sixth, scoring four runs against Taylor Broadway (L, 1-2). Paul McIntosh laced a two-run double to left-center and scored the tying run on a wild pitch before an Aviles sacrifice fly brought home the eventual winning run.
Simpson, Bice and Hock held the lead, facing just one over the minimum over the final four innings.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Barons on Saturday.
written by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Escambia Looks At $40 Higher Fire Fee, But Lower Property Tax To Fund Fire Services
June 10, 2022
Escambia County property owners may see a $40 increase in a fire fee, but see their property tax rate decrease at the same time.
It’s the latest solution being considered as a way to increase funding by $6 million to meet the county’s fire services next year.
Chairman Jeff Bergosh pitched the “tax swap” during a Thursday workshop meeting of the Escambia County Commission. That, he said, “leaves the Escambia County tax paying property owner without a property tax increase…even though he will pay more if his property (value) went up.”
The $40 increase will raise the fire MSBU from $125 to $165 per year.
Ultimately, Bergh said he believes a sales tax increase is the way to fund Escambia County Fire Rescue, but the timetable to place the plan on the ballot means it can’t happen until 2024.
Bergosh also proposed cutting 125 jobs from a pool of 400 positions that are currently vacant to save millions more.
Commissioner Doug Underhill took the idea a big step further, recommending that 200 vacant positions be eliminated.
“We are clearly able to conduct government business without them,” Underhill said. “We are clearly able to run this government with 400 fewer people than what we’ve got on the books.”
“Keep in mind, none of this discussion means going to somebody in any of our offices and saying, ‘you’ve got to go home’. This simple means eliminating the billets that are clearly not needed….because the staff we’ve got is doing the same job,” Underhill continued.
Commissioner Steven Barry said little during the board’s discussion, stating ““put this on the agenda next week, we’ll solve the problem” when pressed for comment by Bergosh.
“I agree with our chairman about it being a good day for the taxpayers of Escambia County,” Barry told NorthEscambia.com following the meeting. “I support, and expect based on the conversations we have had at board meetings, that there will not be any type of rate increase of any kind recommended by board, whether MSBU or ad valorem. Also, I do believe Commissioner Bergosh’s long term idea of funding fire services through a sales tax voted on by the taxpayers and removing the MSBU altogether seems to make a lot of sense.”
Century Man Gets Life In Prison For 2020 Century Shooting Death
June 10, 2022
A Century man has been sentenced to life in prison for a November 2020 shooting in Century that left one man dead and two others injured.
Tacorius Cordale Stallworth was convicted by an Escambia County jury of first degree murder for the death of Joseph Christopher Smith and two counts of aggravated battery for two others that were shot and survived.
In addition to the life sentence, Judge John Simon also sentenced Stallworth to an additional 15 years in prison to run concurrently for each of the aggravated battery counts.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the shooting about 11:35 p.m. Monday, November 30, 2020, in the 8200 block of Alger Road, just off North Century Boulevard.
The victim, Joseph Christopher Smith, was found shot to death outside a shed near the mobile home. Multiple shell casings were found near the body, in the shed and leading away from the body. The inside of the shed had a couch, several chairs, tables and a lamp. The items were in a state of disarray with the lamp glass shattered.
Two other adult males were sitting near the mobile home when deputies arrived; both had been shot.
Suspect Jaran Britt Myles was recently sentenced to 45 years in state prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and violation of his probation on a 2015 conviction for manslaughter with a firearm. After the November 2020 shooting, deputies arrested Myles at the Liquor Liquor Cabinet on Highway 29 at Old Chemstrand Road in Gonzalez. He attempted to hide a gun on the store shelves. He is awaiting trial on the murder and aggravated battery charges.
A third suspect, Emonee Demontae Long, is also awaiting trial and is due back in court in August.
Pictured: Deputies look for evidence at the scene of a of a triple shooting on Alger Road Century the night of November 30, 2020. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
License-Free Freshwater Fishing This Weekend In Florida
June 10, 2022
Anglers can fish for free in freshwater in Florida this weekend.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said license-free freshwater fishing days provide an excellent opportunity for those new to fishing without needing to first purchase a license. On these days, the fishing license requirement is waived for all recreational anglers, including residents and non-residents. All other rules including seasons, bag and size limits still apply.
Pictured: Fishing at Lake Stone near Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Atmore PD, Atmore Fire Battle Of The Badges Softball Game Is Saturday
June 10, 2022
The Atmore Police Department and the Atmore Fire Department is face off in a charity softball game Saturday.
The second annual Battle of the Badges charity softball game beings at 6 p.m. at Tom Byrne Park. The first pitch will be thrown by Betty Warren, longtime local educator and city pool director.
Proceeds from the game between the Atmore FD Plug Uglies and the Atmore PD Road Runners will benefit the Forgotten Initiative, a nonprofit that helps foster children and families.
Admission is free for kids 12 and under, $5 for everyone else.
Wahoos Split Doubleheader With Birmingham
June 10, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos split their modified doubleheader against the Birmingham Barons on Thursday, falling in the completion of Wednesday’s suspended game 5-1 but salvaging the nightcap 8-5.
Troy Johnston, the reigning Southern League Player of the Week, came through with a go-ahead, two-out, three-run homer in the seventh and final frame of game two.
The Blue Wahoos maintained their lead in the South Division by 3.5 games with 15 to play in the first half, pending other games throughout the league.
Game one was picked up in a scoreless tie in the top of the fourth, and Lenyn Sosa hit a solo homer for the Barons in the fourth against Anthony Maldonado (L, 2-3) to set the tone. Birmingham added a run in the fifth on a Raudy Read double, and a pair of runs in the seventh on a Sosa RBI single and passed ball. Sam Peralta (W, 2-3) kept the Blue Wahoos off the board in long relief, and only a ninth-inning homer for Paul McIntosh against Felix Paulino (S, 1) prevented a shutout.
In game two, the Blue Wahoos jumped ahead early against starter Kaleb Roper. José Devers whistled the first pitch of the game for a triple, and Ray-Patrick Didder followed with a two-run homer. After the Barons came back to tie the game against Pensacola starter Zach McCambley, Norel González blasted the Blue Wahoos ahead once more in the third with a three-run homer.
McCambley allowed a two-run homer to Ian Dawkins in the fifth, drawing the game to 5-4, and Eli Villalobos (W, 3-1) allowed an RBI single to Read in the sixth to blow a save and tie the game.
In the top of the seventh and final inning, Devers and Didder reached with two outs against Declan Cronin (L, 1-2) before Johnston drove a 1-2 pitch over the right-center wall for a go-ahead three-run homer. Villalobos worked a quiet bottom of the inning to lock down the win.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Barons on Friday.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Multiple Bear Sightings Reported In Molino Area; Here’s Why And What You Should Know From FWC
June 9, 2022
Multiple bear sightings have been reported in part of North Escambia over the past 10 days.
A young bear was reported crossing Highway 97 in Molino, also miles away near the intersection of Highway 196 and Jacks Branch Road, and most recently on Nicholson Drive in Molino.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) says that’s not a cause for serious alarm, but there are some things Escambia County residents should know.
“Right now, the young bears, generally males a year or so old, are being pushed out by their mothers and are on their own for the first time in their lives,” Melissa Smith, Northwest Region public information director for FWC told NorthEscambia.com Wednesday. “Generally, this is why there are more sightings at this time of the year, as these youngsters try to establish a place of their own while staying out of the way of older male bears.”
Smith said there are simple steps residents can take to avoid bear encounters.
“The number one thing people can do to keep bears away from their property is to keep food sources where bears can’t get to them. Keep your trash secured either inside until the day of trash pickup or stow it in a bear-resistant can,” she said. “Don’t leave pet food out except during feeding time and keep birdfeeders out of a bear’s reach. Pick up fallen fruit and secure hives and livestock pens with electric fencing.”
Here is more information from FWC:
Human/Bear Encounters
When wildlife feels threatened by people, they typically try to tell us to back off in their own way. For example, a rattlesnake rattles its tail and an alligator opens its mouth and hisses.
If a bear feels threatened, they may clack their teeth together, moan, blow, huff, or stomp the ground. They may bluff charge (run toward you and then stop before reaching you). These are all ways the bear is showing you it is as uncomfortable with the situation and it wants you to give it some space. These are NOT indications of aggressive intent or an imminent attack. Truly predatory or aggressive black bears are rare and eerily silent.
If you see a bear from a distance:
- Enjoy the experience, but do not move toward the bear, if your presence changes the bear’s behavior you are too close
If you encounter a bear at close range:
- Remain standing upright
- Speak to the bear in a calm, assertive voice
- Back up slowly toward a secure area, be sure you are leaving the bear a clear escape route
- Avoid direct eye contact – bears and other animals may view this as aggressive behavior
- Stop and hold your ground if your movement away seems to irritate instead of calm the bear
DO NOT:
- Make any sudden or abrupt movements
- Run – running can trigger a chase instinct and bears can sprint up to 35 mph
- Play dead – black bears eat things that play dead or are dead
- Climb a tree – black bears can climb 100 feet up a tree in 30 seconds
- Approach or surprise a bear, especially one that may be injured
If a black bear attacks you:
- Fight back aggressively. People have successfully fended off black bear attacks using rocks, sticks, or even their bare hands!
If a bear is threatening the safety of humans, pets or livestock, or causing property damage, contact FWC.
Bears are wild animals and must be respected. Even though they are typically quiet and shy animals, they have the potential to seriously harm or kill people. Do not take unnecessary risks! While bear attacks on people are extremely rare in Florida, people have been bitten and scratched by bears defending themselves, cubs, or food sources.
Ways to Secure Attractants From Bears
- Here are some ways to properly secure your trash and help reducing frequent bear visits to residential areas.
- Put trashcans curbside on the morning of pickup, not the night before.
- Add hardware to your existing, sturdy trashcan to make it more bear-resistant.
- Protect gardens, apiaries, compost and livestock with electric fencing.
- Encourage your homeowners association or local government to institute ordinances on keeping foods that attract wildlife secure.
- Feed pets indoors or bring in dishes after feeding.
- Clean grills and store them in a locked, secure place (e.g. sturdy shed, closed garage).
- Remove wildlife feeders or make them bear-resistant.
- Pick ripe fruit from trees and remove fallen fruit from the ground.
- Screened enclosures ARE NOT SECURE and WILL NOT keep bears out.
- Inquire whether local waste service providers offer bear-resistant trash cans or dumpsters.
- If your waste service provider does not offer bear-resistant trash cans, you could purchase your own wildlife-resistant container or dumpster. Before purchasing a bear-resistant container, be sure to check with your waste service provider to ensure they will service it.
- Build a bear-resistant shed to store your trash can until it is ready for pickup
- It is illegal to intentionally place food or garbage out that attracts bears and causes conflicts
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Clerk Wants To Be Town Manager; Questions Why She’s Paid Less Than ‘White-Haired Man’ For Same Job
June 9, 2022
Century’s town clerk is questioning why she, as a female, is being paid less and has a lessor title and position than a man that was doing the essentially the same job before her.
“Here’s where I’m torn, what I don’t understand,” Town Clerk Leslie Howington said. “It’s why the white-haired man was given the title and the position and the pay, the compensation, and the recognition and an expense account. And homegirl comes in, does all the work except look at a water meter and tell you what’s wrong with it, and is no longer eligible to be town manager.”
After nearly two years on the job, interim town manager Vernon Prather’s last day was November 30, 2021, when he opted not to seek a contract renewal. He is the “white-haired man” referenced by Howington. Century also had a town clerk that resigned to attend nursing school.
The town advertised for a town clerk and a town manager — as two different positions. Former town clerk Howington applied for both, and made an unsolicited proposal to combine the two positions. The town council approved Mayor Ben Boutwell’s recommendation to hire Howington as town clerk, and followed his recommendation not to hire a town manager.
“We need a public works director; we don’t need a town manager,” Boutwell told the council in December 2021.
This week, Howington presented a memo to the town council proposing several staffing changes, including the hiring of a utilities director and combining her position of town clerk with town manager. Both positions would report directly to the mayor.
Due to complications from an accidental injury last week, Boutwell was forced to leave Tuesday night’s council meeting early, prior to discussion on the personnel proposals.
Council members expressed negative opinions about creating the combo town manager-clerk position and hiring a utilities director, especially if the individuals would not report to the council. Officially, they tabled the requests due to the mayor’s absence.
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“I’m sorry,” Council President Luis Gomez, Jr. told Howington in reference to her inequitably statements.
“We did not hire him (Prather) to do what he did because we hired him to be a city manager to actually be out in the field,” Gomez said. “He went over there and roughed up all of the employees at the shop and made them mad. So he came and sat in the office, and people griped that he did nothing for 30 hours a week.”
“Let me tell you that I have 118 hours today of unpaid compensation,” said Howington, who was hired at $24.55 per hour.
“I told you this, and I’m not ashamed to tell you again. Stop doing what you are not getting paid for,” Gomez replied. “I appreciate your heart and all…If you stop doing it, we are going to have to hire somebody to do it.”
“You are not going to go into the field,” he continued. “I want a city manager that is going to be in the field and be able to show me how to fix, because what Vernon (Prather) did was sit on his butt in there (the town hall offices)”.
“You’re holding this up. I’ve been here seven months, it was never a secret to anyone that I came home to be the town manager,” Howington said. She said when the town advertised for a town manager three years ago, she was leasing apartments in Pensacola. She said she read the job description and went back to school to obtain a required public administration degree so she could be town manager when the position opened again.
“I love being here,” she said of Century. “This is what I want to do when I grow up; I want to be here. I don’t understand the hesitancy.”
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.