14,000 Escambia Voters Need To Update Their ID Information
May 18, 2022
The Escambia County Supervisor of Elections is mailing letters to voters whose registration records do not include key identification information.
The Elections Office is sending the letter to more than 14,000 voters whose voter registration records do not include either a Florida driver’s license number, state ID card number, or the last four digits of their Social Security number. Voters who have registered to vote since 2006 were required to provide this information when registering.
Some voters who registered prior to 2006 are missing this information from their records. A recent change in Florida law now requires election offices to verify one of these numbers before updating voter addresses submitted electronically or by phone, or processing Vote-by-Mail ballot requests.
The easiest, fastest, and most secure way for a voter to provide the ID information is through Florida’s online voter registration system. Using RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov, a voter can update their record in just a few minutes and provide the missing information. Alternatively, voters can complete the form enclosed with the letter and return it using the included postage-paid envelope or may visit the Elections Office in person. Under Florida law, this part of a voter’s record is confidential and exempt from public disclosure.
Voters with questions are encouraged to contact the Supervisor of Elections by email at soe@escambiavotes.gov, or by phone a (850) 595-3900.
Tate High Class Of 2022 Takes Colorful Approach To Senior Prank
May 18, 2022
The Tate High School Class of 2022 took a colorful approach to a harmless senior prank Tuesday.
They filled hallways with thousands of balloons and left a few Class of 2022 signs around the campus, including a “Peace Out” sign outside.
Tuesday was the last day of school for Tate seniors as they celebrated with Senior Fest 2022.
The Class of 2022 will graduate at 6:30 p.m. on May 25 at the Pensacola Bay Center.
Photos by Kathleen Waters and others for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Our View: Century Right To Admit Oversight, Cancel Meeting To Avoid Sunshine Violation
May 18, 2022
The Century Town Council quickly adjourned their meeting Tuesday night after serious questions were raised if adequate public notice was provided as defined by Florida’s Sunshine Law.
Many of the Facebook commenters will read this story’s headline and bash the town. But since you are on the second paragraph of the story, keep reading to find out what happened.
The council generally meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m., following a 6:45 bill list review workshop.
There were only two council members — Luis Gomez, Jr. and Leonard White — present for the workshop, but they didn’t need their three-member quorum for that. Gomez was prepared to cancel the 7 p.m. regular council meeting without a quorum, but council member James Smith, Jr. arrived at 7:07 p.m.
With three, a quorum was in place as required for a meeting. It was mentioned that council member Sandra McMurray-Jackson was out with a toothache, and no public reason was given for the absence of Dynette Lewis.
After a prayer from Town Clerk Leslie Howington and the Pledge of Allegiance, the town heard from speakers in a public forum that ended with NorthEscambia.com asking how, and when, the meeting was properly advertised. It’s a question that most public bodies ask of themselves first thing at a meeting to avoid breaking the law. It’s one of those best practice things.
The Florida Sunshine Law is clear that “reasonable notice” of gatherings of two or more members of board are required. The Sunshine Law does not define “reasonable notice” as one would reasonably expect. But it offers some guidelines.
And, unfortunately, Century failed to meet the key guidelines applicable to both of Tuesday’s meetings.
The guidelines state the notice must contain the time and place of the meeting and an agenda, if available. There were no notices provided, so the town missed this one.
The guidelines say the notice should be “prominently displayed” in city hall and on the agency’s website. Century failed on both accords. There was nothing on their website, and no notice posted inside or outside of the town hall.
“The use of press releases, faxes, e-mails, and/or phone calls to the local news media is highly effective in providing notice of upcoming meetings,” is also in the Sunshine guidelines. Century normally emails an agenda to the council members and news media on the Friday before a Tuesday meeting. While that might arguably serve as a notice, it misses the seven-day recommendation in the Sunshine Law for a proper notice.
For Tuesday’s meeting, the town failed to send the agendas to members of the media. NorthEscambia.com emailed asking for an agenda on Monday at 11:08 a.m. and again Tuesday at 12:31 p.m. with no response. We called Town Clerk Leslie Howington at 1:46 Tuesday, and she returned our call a few minutes later. The agenda, with an apology for the oversight, arrived in our email box quickly.
In January, the town did post a public notice when council meetings moved from Mondays to Tuesdays, but notice four months ago is not reasonable notice. A citizen that had no concern whatsoever about town government in January certainly has the right to be informed in May that their town council is meeting next week. And, it should be noted, the yearly list was no longer posted at town hall. A citizen that took the extra effort to stop by and read the notices outside the building on Monday would have no idea that the council was meeting on Tuesday.
Howington told the council that she thought the town could defend itself against Sunshine Law violation claims if the meeting continued. She did, however, inform the council that it was not the best idea.
“Covered by is not the best practice, and I don’t like it,” Howington told the council. “I recommend that you not have this meeting. I’m so sorry.”
As council president Gomez spoke, council members White and Smith continued to speak. With three people speaking over each other, most of the conversation was not understandable.
“Stop talking please at the table,” Howington told the council before Gomez adjourned the meeting.
It should be noted that the meeting agenda was mostly ordinary business, plus a few items related to personnel that were going to be tabled until a future meeting anyway. And the meeting almost canceled itself due to a lack of a quorum.
Oversights happen. Century owned it and is moving forward. No Sunshine Law complaints. The town should be commended for making the effort to do things the right way and provide open access for citizens to their government.
by William Reynolds, NorthEscambia.com publisher
Pictured top: Century town council members (L-R) Luis Gomez, Jr., James Smith, Jr., and Leonard White. Town accountant Robert Hudson is in the foreground. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Jay Lady Royals Headed To 1A Final Four
May 18, 2022
The Jay Lady Royals are returning to the 1A Final Four for the second straight year. Jay beat Paxton 3-0 Tuesday night in Jay for the 1A regional championship.
Mattie Cochran earned the win for Jay in the circle. In seven innings, she allowed two hits and no runs while striking out three and walking none.
Alayna Lowery led the Royals in the plate, going 3-3 with two RBIs and two runs. She knocked in her 13th home run of the season, a new school record.
Jay (20-5) will ride a 16-game winning streak into the state semifinals May 24 against Liberty County (17-13) at Legends Way Ball Fields in Clermont.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Traffic Stop Leads To Three Drug Arrests In Flomaton
May 18, 2022
A traffic stop on Highway 31 in Flomaton for an improper lane change led to the arrest of three people on drug charges.
The Flomaton Police Department said a leafy substance believed to be spice, hydrocodone and other unidentifiable pills were found in the vehicle.
Jonathon Darroll Rabon, 40, was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance (spice) and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
Jo Seaphers Rabon, 66, was charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance (spice and hydrocodone) and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
Angela Denise Evans Salter, 60 was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance (spice) and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
Pictured: (left to right) Jonathon Darroll Rabon, Jo Seaphers Rabon and Angela Denise Evans Salter.
Three New Retail Stores Proposed At Site Of Former Highway 97 Lotto Store
May 17, 2022
Three new retail stores are being proposed for Highway 97 in Davisville at the Florida-Alabama state line.
The stores would be located in a small strip mall at the site of the former O’Yes Lotto store. Two of the stores are proposed to be 1,375 square feet, and the third is proposed at 2,000 square feet. There are 16 proposed parking spaces. The northern side of most of the four acre parcel is the state line.
The project is in the pre-application process before the Escambia Development Review Committee and would go through several additional steps before any construction could begin.
The lottery retailer has been closed since the owner was shot and killed in a robbery attempt on November 6, 2012.
Pictured top and below: Three new retail stores are proposed for the site of a former lottery store on Highway 97 in Davisville. Pictured bottom two photos: The scene outside the O’Yes Lotto store in Davisville shortly after store owner Thomas Kroll was shot and killed in November 2012. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tri-City Children’s Choir To Host Their First Concert On Thursday
May 17, 2022
The new Tri-City Children’s Choir (TCCC) will hold their first concert this Thursday.
TCCC was formed as regional initiative of the Pensacola Children’s Chorus for young singers in grades 2-6 who reside in the Century, Flomaton, Jay and surrounding area. The choir is directed by Holley Driver, a Century-based music teacher.
“I feel that our first round has been very successful and our children absolutely love it,” Driver said.
The choir has practiced since March 3 for the performance, which will also include a choral ensemble from the Pensacola Children’s Chorus.
The concert will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Century First United Methodist Church on Church Street. Admission is free, and a reception hosted by the church will follow.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Pictured: The Tri-City Children’s Choir practice for their upcoming performance in the sanctuary of the Century First United Methodist Church. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Two Dead In Escambia County Murder-Suicide
May 17, 2022
Two people are dead in a murder-suicide in Escambia County Monday afternoon.
A man shot a woman before turning the gun on himself at the Stoddert Place Apartments on Tiger Lily Drive off Blue Angel Parkway, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The two were reportedly a couple, and had a young infant.
The infant was in the apartment at the time of the shooting, along with other witnesses. None of them were injured, and the infant is now in the care of a relative.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has not released any names as their investigation continues.
Tate Lady Aggies Hold Softball Banquet
May 17, 2022
The Tate High School Lady Aggies celebrated their 2022 season Monday night at their annual end of season banquet. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia EMS Offering CPR And AED Classes
May 17, 2022
Escambia County EMS is offering CPR and AED classes to county residents.
The cost is $60 for the Heartsaver CPR AED Course and $75 for Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers. Both include an ebook.
Both courses will take place at the Escambia County Public Safety building at 6575 North “W” Street in Pensacola.
To register, click or tap here to choose a class and date.
The Heartsaver CPR AED Course is designed for anyone with limited or no medical training who needs a course completion card in CPR and AED use to meet job, regulatory or other requirements. The Heartsaver CPR AED course trains participants to give CPR, and use an automated external defibrillator (AED) in a safe, timely and effective manner. This course reflects science and education from the American Heart Association Guidelines Update for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC).
The BLS for Healthcare Providers course is designed for healthcare professionals and other personnel who need to know how to perform CPR and other basic cardiovascular life support skills in a wide variety of in-facility and prehospital settings. The American Heart Association’s BLS course trains participants to promptly recognize several life-threatening emergencies, give high-quality chest compressions, deliver appropriate ventilations and provide early use of an AED. This course, like Heartsaver CPR AED, reflects science and education from the American Heart Association Guidelines Update for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC).