Local Utility Pursues Charges For Alleged Water Theft
August 20, 2021
A local utility is pursuing charges against a Century man for allegedly stealing water.
David Allen Cormany, 55, was charged with petit theft of utility services second degree and criminal mischief.
He is accused of breaking the lock off his water meter to restore water service to his residence on South Crary Road.
Central Water Works told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office they disconnected Cormany’s water service for nonpayment on May 24. By late July, the meter showed water usage of about 8,000 gallons, according to an arrest report. The water usage totaled $65.69 and the damaged equipment was valued at $57.56.
According to the ECSO, Cormany was given a chance to pay the bill and costs, but missed the deadline, and Central Water Works pursued criminal charges.
Cormany was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $200 bond.
Blue Wahoos: Ninth Inning Rally Falls Just Short On Mullets Thursday
August 20, 2021
Trailing the Shuckers 2-1 in the bottom of the ninth, Pensacola stranded two runners in scoring position and lost on Thursday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Entering the ninth, Biloxi brought in their closer Braden Webb (S, 3), who historically had troubles against the Wahoos this season. After walking JJ Bleday, Webb surrendered a base hit to Peyton Burdick, which set up first and second with nobody out. After a strikeout of Jerar Encarnacion, both runners advanced on a wild pitch.
Unfortunately for the Wahoos, Griffin Conine followed with a groundout to first that failed to score Bleday from third. With two outs, Chris Chinea grounded out to third to end the game.
The Shuckers had taken the lead in the top of the ninth when Chad Spanberger hit a solo home run off Zack Leban (L, 1-1) to give the Shuckers the lead. Biloxi picked up their first run of the game in the top of the first when David Fry belted a solo homer off Pensacola’s starter Zach McCambley.
Thursday’s contest featured to phenomenal pitching performances from both starters. For the Shuckers, Carlos Luna pitched six innings allowed one run on four hits. McCambley—though he only pitched five innings—also allowed one run on four hits.
McCambley ran into trouble in the fifth when the Shuckers loaded the bases with nobody in the inning. However, the right-hander showed his moxie by retiring Gabe Holt with a force out at the plate. Then McCambley struck out David Hamilton before Garrett Mitchell grounded out to end the inning.
Pensacola’s series continues against Biloxi on Friday at 6:35 PM CT. Biloxi will send Lucas Erceg to the mound (0-5, 5.75) while Pensacola has yet to disclose their starter.
Game recap by Chris Garagiola
Navy Helicopter Crashes In Santa Rosa County, Two Injured
August 19, 2021
A Navy helicopter crashed in Santa Rosa County Thursday afternoon, injuring two on board.
About 1:50 p.m., a Navy TH-57 Sea Ranger helicopter assigned to Training Air Wing Five at NAS Whiting Field, was involved in a crash at Naval Outlying Landing Field (OLF) Santa Rosa near Milton.
Navy and local emergency services responded to the scene.
The two occupants, an instructor pilot and a student naval aviator, were transported to a local medical treatment facility in serious condition.
“Navy personnel are on scene and are cooperating fully with local authorities. The incident is under investigation,” said Julie Ziegenhorn, public affairs officer, NAS Whiting Field.
File photo.
Boil Water Notice Lifted For Beulah Road Area, River Annex Road
August 19, 2021
A boil water notice that was issued Thursday has been lifted for the Beulah Road and River Annex Road areas.
The advisory was issued following a water main repair Thursday on River Annex Road at Muscogee Road for Farm Hill Utilities customers on Beulah Road, all sides roads off Beulah Road, along with the 100 and 200 blocks of River Annex Road.
Tests show the water is now safe to drink, according to Farm Hill Utilities.
The water main repair closed River Annex Road at Muscogee Road most of the day Thursday.
Escambia County Spokesperson Laura Coale Resigns; Three New PR Employees Hired
August 19, 2021
Escambia County Director for Communications and Public Information Laura Coale has resigned, and the county has hired three new public information staffers.
“I am very grateful to have served as the director for communications and public information at Escambia County. I am diligently training the new employees to ensure a smooth transition, and there are plans in place for additional crisis communications support if needed,” Coale wrote in an email to Interim County Administrator Wes Moreno.
Coale’s last day on the job will be October 1. She was hired in late 2019 by former administrator Janice Gilley.
The three new public information employees, filling previous vacant positions, are:
- Davis Wood, public information and education officer for Public Safety (He was previously on air at NewsRadio 92.3/1620 as “Davis Allen”.)
- Andie Gibson, media and public information manager
- Sarah Stanford, multimedia communications specialist for the library system
Former Sheriff Morgan Repays $37,500 For Statue Of Himself Bought With Taxpayer Money
August 19, 2021
Former Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan spent tens of thousands of dollars on a life-size bronze statue of himself before leaving office last year. And now Morgan has reimbursed the ECSO $37.500.
Morgan used $75,000 in taxpayer funds for statues from a New York state company. One was of Morgan in his sheriff’s uniform, complete with Air Force medals, while standing and saluting. The second was of former Escambia County Lt. Jason Potts and his K-9. They were ordered in April 2020, before Morgan left office. Two checks were written to cover the bill, one in April 2020 and the other in August 2020.
Morgan reportedly planned to place his 6-foot-4-inch statue on display near a fallen officer memorial in front of the Sheriff’s Office.
Current Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons said Wednesday that Morgan’s statue will not see the light of day.
“I have no intention of putting the statue of the former sheriff here in front of this building or anywhere in this building,” Simmons said.
You don’t typically make a statue of yourself, and have the taxpayers pay for it,” Simmons added. “I think it’s a bit of a waste of money. That’s why I tried to cancel it whenever I first found it. I think it’s a bit brash. I think it has an air of narcissism to it.”
The name tag has been removed from the statue of Potts will his K-9. With it’s generic appearance as a deputy and K-9, it may still be used somewhere at the ECSO>
But Morgan’s statue will remain in storage.
“Maybe we can melt it down and make use of it. But at this point that statue is not going to be erected here at the Escambia Co. Sheriff’s Office,” Simmons said.
Thursday, Morgan reimbursed ECSO general fund for the cost of his statue using a cashier’s check.
Images via WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com. Click to enlarge.
ECUA Suspends All Bulk Waste Collections For This Week Due To Driver Shortage
August 19, 2021
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority has suspended all bulk waste collections due a driver shortage.
“Like many other organizations across the country, ECUA is experiencing staffing shortages among our sanitation collection crews, maintenance staff, and with our CDL drivers, which have been affecting our operations intermittently,” ECUA Public Information Office Nathalie Bowers said in a news release.
Bulk waste includes items such as couches, mattresses, desks and chairs. The bulk waste collections will remain suspended the rest of the week. ECUA is also not accepting any new extra sanitation pick up orders (above the usual weekly allowable limit) for bulk items until the current extra bulk waste collections are completed.
Collections for garbage, yard waste and recyclables remain on their normal schedules although ECUA said some routes may run behind schedule.
“If any waste collections are missed, it is likely that the truck did not finish its daily route and will complete its route the next day. All collections will be caught up by Saturday, and we appreciate everyone’s understanding as we work through the greater-than-normal collection volumes and staffing issues,” Bowers said.
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Funeral Services Set For Molino’s Coach Donnie Nicholson
August 19, 2021
Funeral services are set for longtime Molino Ballpark softball coach Donnie Nicholson who passed away last Sunday due to COVID-19.
Coach Donnie and his wife Jackie were an integral part of softball at the Molino Ballpark and area travel ball for many years.
Visitation will be held Friday, August 20 from 5-7 p.m. at Faith Chapel North. Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 21 at 10 a.m. at Aldersgate Cemetery (behind Highland Baptist Church).
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to either the girls softball program at the Molino Ballpark or to Aldersgate United Methodist Church.
For the complete obituary, click or tap here.
Molino Man Charge With Trying To Run Over Woman, Fleeing From Deputies
August 19, 2021
A Molino man allegedly assaulted a woman by attempting to run over her before fleeing from sheriff’s deputies.
Brian Lamar Dukes, 41, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment, fleeing and eluding, and resisting arrest without violence.
The incident occurred at the Forest Creek Apartments on Patton Drive. A female called the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and stated that a black male in a dark colored SUV was attempting to murder her.
When deputies arrived, they observed a black 2001 Chevrolet Suburban matching the description of the offending vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. The driver fled at a high rate of speed, and the traffic stop was canceled.
The victim stated she was walking from her apartment to her car when Dukes backed his vehicle up toward her at a high rate of speed. She state, “I just knew he was about to kill me with his car”, according to an arrest report.
A deputy observed Dukes’ SUV on Gulf Beach Highway and attempted a traffic stop, but Dukes fled at a high rate of speed. The pursuit ended when Dukes drove into a ditch in front of the Perdido Bay Emergency Room. He ran, but deputies quickly caught up with him, took him to the ground and placed him under arrest, the reported continues.
The report states he was irate and sweating profusely when he stated that he had consume alcohol, spice and cocaine.
Dukes was released from the Escambia County Jail on an $11,000 bond.
Final Nine Mile Road Paving Work Ongoing Between Beulah Road, Untreiner Avenue
August 19, 2021
Crews are continuing to place the final friction layer of asphalt on Nine Mile Road between Beulah Road and Untreiner Avenue in Escambia County.
Weather permitting, paving crews will continue to work at night, between the hours of 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., to place the remaining asphalt in this section. Crews anticipate finishing paving work later this month.
Pictured: The new friction layer of pavement for the westbound inside travel lane and turn lane near Home Depot. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.