Century Library Still Closed For Remodel; Some Services Available On Saturdays
February 13, 2021
The Century Branch Library is currently closed for an extensive interior remodel, but there are a few services available on Saturdays.
The remodel will feature an expansion of the children’s area by reducing on-site storage. There will also be improvements to the public service desk for increased accessibility, an improved adult reading area, new carpet, new paint, new lighting and new furnishings.
An additional sidewalk, benches, bicycle area and tables have already been added outside the library.
While the library will be closed, Feeding the Gulf Coast youth meals will be available for the week each Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Library materials that have been reserved through the library’s website will also be available each Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Borrowed items can be returned during the closure by using the outdoor book drop on the south side of the building.
Pictured: Some of the outside improvements at the Century Branch Library. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Jay High’s Kaden Roberson Signs With Huntingdon College
February 13, 2021
Jay High School’s Kaden Roberson has signed a football scholarship with Huntingdon College. Roberson is pictured with his family. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Code Enforcement Officer Threatens Woman, Holds Her Against Her Will, SRSO Says
February 13, 2021
An Escambia County Code Enforcement officer has been charged in Santa Rosa County for allegedly threatening a woman and holding her against her will in Milton.
Ethan Lee Brown is charged with simple assault and kidnapping false imprisonment.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office responded to a domestic disturbance and found Brown standing in the front yard, smelling of alcohol and with an empty gun holster on his hip, according to an arrest report. A woman told deputies Brown threw a mirror and nightstand, and punched a hole in a door, the report states.
The woman tells deputies she told Brown he frightened her and asked him to leave when he held her down on the bed with his body weight, the report says. When she tried to leave, Brown stood between her and the front door.
When deputies arrived, they found the damaged items and two firearms on the coffee table and couch. The report states Brown made choking motions close to the woman’s head like he was about to commit the act.
Under Florida law, Brown’s mugshot was not available due to his status as a code enforcement officer.
An Escambia County spokesperson said Brown has worked as a code enforcement officer with Escambia County since 2019.
Chumuckla Tom Thumb Temporarily Closed Due To COVID-19
February 13, 2021
Tom Thumb said Friday that they closed their store at 9393 Chumuckla Highway after a team member informed them of a positive COVID-19 test.
The store was closed to be cleaned and sanitized by an industrial cleaning crew. The store will reopen in the next few days.
“We are grateful to all our customers for your patience and understanding during this time,” Tom Thumb said. “We are making every effort to provide the affected Team Member and our broader team with the necessary resources and support.”
File photo.
Molino Homeowner Holds Burglary Suspects At Gunpoint
February 12, 2021
A Molino homeowner held two burglar suspects on the ground at gunpoint until deputies arrived.
Deputies arrived in the 4000 block of Molino Road to find the homeowner holding Franklin and Liechty at gunpoint on the ground in his backyard.
Franklin told deputies that he and Liechty tried to push-start their Honda Civic when it broke down, and they had coasted into the victim’s yard. The vehicle was about 40 yards behind the house near the wood line. An arrest report states a bolt-action rifle and a revolver were found in the Honda Civic. Both weapons were loaded.
The victim told deputies he arrived at home to find the duo and believed they were breaking into his home. Je pulled out his handgun and ordered them to the ground as his wife dialed 911.
They are also accused in the burglary of a 2006 Dodge truck at a neighboring residence. The vehicle owner provided video allegedly showing the duo breaking into his truck and taking a backpack containing numerous hunting items worth about $900. The backpack was discovered in the suspects’ Honda Civic. According to the ECSO, Liechty was wearing a hat and sunglasses taken during the vehicle burglary at the time of his arrest.
As Franklin stepped out of the deputy’s vehicle at the jail, a clear bag containing methamphetamine was discovered. When Franklin was searched, four old coins and pearls were discovered on his person, according to the report.
Both suspects remained in the Escambia County Jail Friday afternoon. Franklin’s bond was set at $56,000, and Liechty’s bond was set $46,000.
Fire Destroys Barn In Beulah
February 12, 2021
Fire destroyed a barn in Beulah late Thursday night.
Escambia Fire Rescue discovered a heavily involved barn fire when they arrived on scene in the 7000 block of Bridle Pines Lane shortly before midnight.
Escambia Fire Rescue determined he cause of the fire to be an accidental electrical malfunction. There were no injuries reported.
The Beulah, Bellview, Cantonment Ensley, Ferry Pass, Osceola fire stations were dispatched to the fire.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Behind The Scenes Emails Lead To Strife In Plan Selection For Beulah’s OLF-8 Development
February 12, 2021
A possible plan selection for the OLF-8 project in Beulah was on the agenda Thursday for the Escambia County Commission. The discussion quickly changed due to a series of emails between stakeholders that came to light this week with an apparent behind the scenes push previously unknown to commissioners.
In January 2019, Escambia County acquired OLF-8 in a land swap with the U.S. Navy for property in Santa Rosa County. The county hired DPZ CoDesign to develop the best plan for OLF-8, and the firm presented four plans ranging from a commerce park based concept to designs with a mix of commerce, residential and green space on the 500 plus acre site along Nine Mile Road in Beulah.
Commissioner Jeff Bergosh, who represents the Beulah area, has long been a proponent of using the land for a commerce park without any residential development.
“My district does not want any more housing,” Bergosh said. “There’s a small vocal minority that does, but what we see from these emails, they are being coached. The majority of District 1 wants no more residential to be built period, and especially on that field we spent $18 million to acquire for jobs.”
DPZ presented four plans to the public in late 2020 and solicited public input. There were only 271 votes received, with the “Village Plan” receiving the most votes with its mix of village center with shops, offices and housing (pictured above).
“I will stand with the people of Beulah,” Commissioner Doug Underhill said. “The Village Plan had the most support from the people of Beulah, and I will not be casting a vote for any plan that does not have the overwhelming support of the people of Beulah.”
Navy Federal had already purchase about 100 acres of the original parcel and is set reimburse the county for the work done by DPZ.
This week, inWeekly’s Rick Outzen obtained a number of emails between DPZ, Navy Federal employees and a citizens group called “The Beulah Coalition.” The emails paint a clear picture of a push against a commerce park only design for OLF-8.
“I am going to go through each and every one of these emails,” Bergosh said at Thursday’s commission meeting. “I’m not even sure I want to keep DPZ, that’s how upset I am. I encourage everyone to read these emails.”
Bergosh said he is considering a move to seek reimbursement for the funds spent with DPZ and the termination of their contract.
Commissioners were also upset to learn that county’s OLF-8 project manager was asked by DPZ to not attend at least two meetings.
“I don’t know that anybody from the county staff would have such a menacing presence that their pure attendance would preclude people from being candid, based on the comments that we get in publicly taped meetings,” Commissioner Steven Barry said.
DPZ partner and designer Marina Khoury said that’s not unusual so stakeholders will speak openly about their ideas without feeling pressure from a client like the county.
“We respect the fact that it is entirely your decision — our job is to offer you our best recommendations for the land. That is what we were hired to do,” she said. “We have not gone behind your back to Navy Federal. Some groups want to be engaged; others simply will not engage with us. Navy Federal has maintained impartiality and they worked very hard to try not to influence this process.”
“We never wanted to undermine the process. It’s to our benefit to give you what we believe has been a very transparent and fair set of plans. We’ve given you a lot of options that we think are rooted in some good data,” Khoury said. “We are not trying to predispose the outcome. Look, we have the community furious with us that we are not promoting the Village Plan. We’ve unfortunately just managed to just piss everybody off.”
Escambia County is making a request for all of the emails regarding OLF-8 from DPZ, and the discussion will continue at the commission’s next meeting on February 18.
Three Indicted On Murder, Battery Charges In Century Shooting; Charges Dropped Against Fourth Suspect
February 12, 2021
Three people have been indicted by an Escambia County grand jury on murder and battery charges for a November shooting that left one man dead and two others injured. Meanwhile, charges against a fourth person have been dropped.
Jaran Britt Myles, Tacorius Cordale Stallworth and Emonee Demontae Long were each indicted on one count 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. All remain in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
A fourth suspect, Kiauna Shane Grice of Century, was arrested in connection with shooting, but the State Attorney’s Office has dropped all charges against her.
“The initial evidence showed that she may have been involved,” Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille told NorthEscambia.com Thursday afternoon. “Once the facts of the matter were further reviewed, it was determined that there was insufficient evidence beyond a reasonable doubt against her.”
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the shooting about 11:35 p.m. Monday, November 30 in the 8200 block of Alger Road, just off North Century Boulevard.
Arrest reports obtained by NorthEscambia.com offer insight into the fatal triple shooting:
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 lamp. The items were in a state of disarray with the lamp glass shattered.
Two other adult males, Xavier Demarquese Walker and Lavor Chante Johnson, were sitting near the mobile home when deputies arrived; both had been shot. They were transported by Escambia County EMS and Flomaton MedStar ambulance to a Pensacola hospital for treatment.
Walker stated he was seated in his vehicle when three people approached him, pointed guns at him and told him to get out of the vehicle. He said they “slapped him down” and put in a gun in face, saying “Don’t say nuthin, don’t make a noise,” according to the arrest report. Walker told investigators that he told them that he did not have “nuthin.” He told investigators that he recognized “Run-Run,” the street name used by Myles, and Stallworth, but did not recognize the third person.
Walker said the gunmen walked him over to the shed and told him to knock on the door and say “It’s Xa.” Walker stated that when the door opened, the three suspects pushed past him and went inside. Walker said he “freaked out,” the report states, and jumped on the ground where he was shot in the leg by Stallworth.
The suspects took Smith outside the shed before shooting him multiple time because of money, Walker stated.
Johnson told investigators that he was walking back from the store when he was picked up in a vehicle driven by Smith. He said he went inside the shed with Smith when someone knocked on the door and said “it’s Xa.” Smith opened the door, and the three male suspects entered the shed.
The report states Johnson said one of the men pointed a gun directly at his head and then shot him in the leg. They then started shooting in all directions inside the shed, striking Walker in the leg.
One of the suspect said “Where’s the money” to Smith, who replied “Ain’t no money.” Johnson stated that the suspects took Smith outside, and he heard numerous gunshots.
Johnson told deputies that after the suspects shot Smith, they began celebrating by firing their guns and yelling, “Yeah, we caught that [expletives] slackin” before fleeing the scene.
After receiving a tip, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office caught up with Myles as he walked out of the Liquor Cabinet on Highway 29 at Old Chemstrand Road in Gonzalez. Deputies gave him loud verbal commands, but he turned and walked back inside the store. The deputies drew their service weapons, entered the store and continued to give loud verbal commands. Myles entered one of the aisles and made movements near products on the shelf before placing his hands and surrendering, an arrest report states.
After and ECSO K-9 alerted on the vehicle, a search produced 24 MDMA pills, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, Alprazolam pills and suspected fentanyl.
A firearm was located inside the Liquor Cabinet.
Pictured: Deputies look for evidence at the scene of a of a triple shooting on Alger Road Century. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Man Gets 30 Years In Prison For Shooting Mother, Daughter
February 12, 2021
A Molino man has been sentenced to 30 years in state prison for the shooting that seriously injured a mother and her daughter on New Year’s Day 2020.
Justin Demartre Young, 23, was sentenced to 30 years in state prison by Circuit Judge W. Joel Boles. Young was convicted in October 2020 of two counts of attempted first degree premeditated murder with a firearm.
On January 1, 2020, Young shot and seriously injured a mother and daughter in their home on Barth Road in Molino. The women lived in the home with on of Young’s relatives, and Young had been living in the home for several weeks before the shooting.
Young arrived home and sat in the living room with the women for several minutes before complaining and challenging them about someone having been in his car.
The women claimed no one had been in his car; but shortly thereafter Young shot the eldest in the back as she crossed the room to get to the bathroom. Her daughter was shot in the head during her struggle to protect her mother and gain control of the gun. Young then shot the mother again in the abdomen. Both women were seriously injured but able to run to the neighbor’s house for assistance after Young fled
As part of Young’s 30 year sentence, he must serve 25 years as a mandatory minimum requirement under Florida’s 10-20-Life law, meaning those years must be served day-for-day, without any gain-time credit.
County Seeking Applications for Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
February 12, 2021
Escambia County is accepting applications for an open position on the Escambia-Pensacola Affordable Housing Advisory Committee to fill a member’s unexpired term through September 30, 2021.
The committee was established for the purpose of reviewing affordable housing incentives available within the county and to make recommendations concerning those incentives to the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners and Pensacola City Council.
The board is seeking to fill one slot from one of the following specializations:
- One citizen who is a representative of those areas of labor actively engaged in home building in connection with affordable housing;
- One citizen who is a representative of a not for profit provider of affordable housing;
- One citizen who is actively engaged as a real estate professional in connection with affordable housing; OR
- One citizen who represents essential services personnel, as defined in the local housing assistance plan
The committee meets quarterly with more frequent meetings while reviewing the Local Housing Assistance Plan and affordable housing incentives. Positions will be recommended to the board for approval in February.
Citizens interested in serving should complete an application available online here, or request a form via email at NED@myescambia.com. Completed applications should be forwarded to Neighborhood Enterprise Division/AHAC, 221 Palafox Place, Suite 200, Pensacola, FL,32502. All applications must be received no later than February 19 for consideration.