Century Approves Tax Increase, Higher Budget, Employee Raises
October 6, 2021
The Century town council has given final approval to a property tax increase, higher budget and employee raises for the fiscal year that began October 1.
The council approved property tax increase with a millage rate of .9204, which is 7.61% greater than the rolled-back rate of .8553 mills. The rolled-back rate is the tax rate that would generate the same amount of property tax revenue as approved for the prior year. Anything greater than the rolled-back rate is a tax increase.
The town approved a $5.7 million budget for fiscal year 2021-2022, up from $4.14 million during FY 2020-2021. The increase is mostly due to income from grants.
The tax increase and budget passed on a 4-0 vote with council member Dynette Lewis absent.
The budget includes a 5% cost of living increase for all employees, with an option for an additional 2% performance raise available with the approval of the council and mayor.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Atmore Man Facing Drug Charges After Pensacola Traffic Stop
October 6, 2021
An Atmore man is facing drug charges after a traffic stop in Pensacola
Montrelle William Deshay Fischer, 33, was charged with destruction of evidence, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies stopped Fischer’s Mercury Grand Marquis on Creighton Road after observing him driving without a seat belt. As the deputy checked computer records on Fischer, he reported seeing him lift the center console of the vehicle and place something in his mouth. Deputies asked him to step out of the car and observed marijuana all over his tongue, according to an arrest report.
A small bag of marijuana was found under the center console, along with a digital scale in the passenger seat, the report states.
The incident was captured on the deputy’s body camera.
Fischer was released on a $4,000 bond.
Tate Football Head Coach Jay Lindsey Resigns
October 5, 2021
Jay Lindsey has resigned as the head football coach for the Tate High School Aggies.
He submitted his letter of resignation from the coaching job on Monday, but he will remain in his physical education instructional position, the Escambia County School District said.
Lindsey was offensive coordinator for the Aggies when he was named head coach in 2015 after the resignation of Ronnie Douglas, who stepped down to spend more time on a business venture. In 2015, he led the Aggies into the 6A state semifinals. In his first two seasons, Tate was 26-10. Since moving to 7A in 2018, the Aggies have a 6-28 record.
This year, the Aggies are 1-5, having been outscored by opponents 165-23 points as of last week. Friday night, the Aggies will host Washington (3-2) for homecoming.
Pictured: Jay Lindsey leads the Tate Aggies from the sidelines during a 44-0 loss to West Florida (above) and a 14-0 loss to Gulf Breeze (below). NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County: Two Transported To The Hospital After Inhalation Incident At Ascend Performance Materials
October 5, 2021
Two people were transported to the hospital after an inhalation incident at Ascend Performance Materials in Cantonment Tuesday afternoon, according to Escambia County, but Ascend says there was no chemical leak.
No information was available on the condition of the individuals.
Davis Wood, spokesperson for Escambia Fire Rescue, said the two patients were exposed to cyclohexane. Cyclohexane can be harmful if swallowed or inhaled. It can cause eye iand skin irritation, respiratory symptoms, drowsiness, or coma in high enough concentrations, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
Wood said there was no danger posed by the incident to anyone outside the plant. He said Escambia Fire Rescue was initially dispatched to the call on Chemstrand Road, but canceled because it could be handled by Ascend’s internal fire department. Escambia County EMS did transported the two individuals.
A statement from Ascend differs than the official statement from Escambia County. Ascend told NorthEscambia.com:
“This morning, an employee suffered what is likely a personal medical emergency. The employee was taken to the hospital by ambulance.
“Two on-site medical staff, contracted by West Florida Hospital, responded to the event and reported the event per their protocols. West Florida Hospital requires in-person evaluation of their on-site medical staff; therefore, they were both transported via ambulance.
“At no time did any process disruption occur, nor did any material escape. At no point in time was there any threat to the community.”
Escambia Tax Collector Marcus Pointe Office Down Due To System Issues
October 5, 2021
The Escambia County Tax Collector Marcus Pointe Office has been down since Friday afternoon due to system issues.
“A truck hit a pole and pulled down a fiber line that supports the office. The break has been located and repairs are ongoing,” Tax Collector Scott Lunsford said late Tuesday morning.
He said the Marcus Pointe Office on W Street is slowly opening on a backup system for limited services, but title and registration services are not available.
All other offices are operating normally.
McDavid Man Allegedly Caught Without His Pants Burglarizing Pensacola Energy Facility
October 5, 2021
A McDavid man was allegedly caught without his pants inside a Pensacola Energy facility on Lillian Highway.
Aaron James Chancery, 29, was charged with felony burglary and misdemeanor trespassing.
Chancery allegedly climbed over a locked fence gate, part of a “barbed-wire fence of substantial construction” that is over six-feet tall, and entered a brick building on the property, according to an arrest report.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the Pensacola Energy work facility to find Chancery still inside the security fence. A Pensacola Energy supervisor told deputies he saw Chancery come out of the building without pants on, and then walk around the building with pants on before stacking cans on top of each other in an attempt get out of the fence, the arrest report states.
The utility supervisor unlocked the fence and Chancery was arrested by deputies.
Deputies reported finding Chancery’s phone and charging cord near the fence, close to cans that were stacked on top of each other. His wallet and charger were found on a shelf inside the building. Officers also noted a window screen on the ground outside the building underneath a window.
He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $3,000 bond.
Flomaton Man Charged With Calling In False Report Of Shots Fired
October 5, 2021
A Flomaton man is facing charges after allegedly calling in a false report of a shots fired incident in an attempt to hinder an ongoing investigation.
Shane Johnson was arrested Monday on charges of false reporting to law enforcement and obstructing a government operation.
Last Friday, Flomaton Police were conducting an investigation in the Holt Subdivision when Johnson called to report shots fired situation across town, according to Chief Charles Thompson, in attempt to hinder the investigation.
Thompson said caller ID was blocked, but investigators were able to track to the call to Johnson.
Thompson said false reports cost time, gas, and impact public safety.
“This release isn’t to hinder someone from notifying us of any issue, but the issue is required to be factual. It shall not be some bogus attempt to hinder my officers from doing their job,” the police chief said. “For every call that is received to our department that is fake, we will use every resource at our disposal to investigate the incident, and if probable cause is found for arrest, it will be presented to the courts for a warrant.”
Dollars For Doers: Navy Federal Employees Help Give $100,000 to Nonprofits
October 5, 2021
Navy Federal Credit Unit has donated $100,000 through its Dollars for Does program.
Based on nominations from the credit union’s employees, the annual grant program awards 100 nonprofits with $1,000 grants as a way of recognizing employees’ volunteer efforts with the causes they care about the most.
“One of our core values is ‘Championing Community,’ and our team members continue to live this by how they show up when it matters most – for our members, each other and our communities,” said Jennifer McFarren, Navy Federal’s manager of corporate social responsibility. “Dollars for Doers is a program that gives us a chance to celebrate the volunteer service of our team members and the positive impact they make in our local communities.”
For the 2021 program, over 80% of the grants are going to nonprofits in Virginia and Florida, where Navy Federal has its largest concentration of employees. The remainder of the grants will be spread across the country to recognize how Navy Federal’s branch employees give back.
“It’s great being a Dollars for Doers recipient, and I love that Navy Federal does give back and gives us this opportunity,” said Emily Kennedy, one of Navy Federal’s 2021 Dollars for Doers grant recipients who nominated Autism Pensacola.
Nonprofits from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties being awarded grants include:
- A Place of Hope Small Dog Rescue
- Achieve Escambia
- Autism Pensacola
- Ballet Pensacola
- Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida
- Chain Reaction of Escambia County
- Cokesbury United Methodist Church – Boy Scouts Troop 3
- Council on Aging of West Florida
- Emerald Coast Veterans Alliance
- End of Watch Foundation
- Feeding the Gulf Coast
- Freedoms Foundation of Valley Forge
- Genes of Joy
- Gulf Coast Kid’s House Inc
- James B. Washington Education & Sports
- Keep Pensacola Beautiful
- Krewe du YaYas – Keeping Abreast Foundation
- Krewe of Vixens – Ovarian Cancer Awareness
- Liberty Sertoma Club
- My Brothers and Sisters
- New Generation Pink Corporation
- Northwest Florida Community Outreach
- Northwest Florida Great Dane Rescue
- Open Books
- Pensacola Children’s Chorus Inc
- Pensacola Delta Enrichment Center
- Pensacola Humane Society
- Pensacola LGBT Film Festival
- Tate High School Future Business Leaders of America
- The Seven Project
Since the start of the Dollars for Doers program, Navy Federal has donated $850,000 to organizations in the communities where its employees live and serve.
Three Bratt Elementary Students Earn Perfect Scores On State Math Assessment
October 5, 2021
The Bratt Elementary School students are being recognize dfor earning a perfect score on the 2021 state math assessment.
Audrey Franklin, Olivia Garrett and Trevor Knighten each received a certificate of achievement and a letter from the governor recently.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Don’t Make Donations To ‘The Fire Department’ In Florida, ECFR Says
October 5, 2021
Escambia Fire Rescue is warning residents in Escambia County, Florida, that anyone soliciting donations for them on the phone is scammer. But that’s a different story for Alabama residents.
According to the county, they actually received a $35 check over the weekend from a citizen that received a phone call from a solicitor requesting a donation of either $35 or $100. The citizen said the person claimed they were with “the fire department”.
The battalion chief on duty delivered the check back to the citizen at their residence and explained that ECFR does not solicit any funds.
Escambia County Fire Rescue (in Florida) said they will not solicit donations from residents.
“Occasionally, other organizations, benevolent associations and non-profits will solicit funds by phone or door-to-door,” said Escambia County Fire Rescue Deputy Chief Paul Williams. “These groups are not affiliated with ECFR and should be thoroughly researched by residents to determine if they want to make a donation.”
However, officials in Escambia County, Alabama, want residents to know the their fire departments still do solicit direct donations from Escambia County, Alabama, residents.