Escambia Animal Shelter Offers $10 Cat Adoption Rate; Cats Moved Here Due To Hurricane Laura
September 3, 2020
The Escambia County Animal Shelter is now housing cats from shelters and welfare organizations in Louisiana impacted by Hurricane Laura, and they are offering a special $10 adoption rate.
All cat adoptions are now just $10, plus an $11 fee for a required county tag. Due to the pandemic, appointments are still required for all adoptions. To make an appointment to meet or adopt a pet, call (850) 595-3075 or email animalshelter@myescambia.com.
Tthe Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals transported 33 cats from Terrebonne Parrish Animal Shelter and 25 cats from Louisiana SPCA to the Escambia County Animal Shelter. Several cats have also been placed with the Pensacola Humane Society.
All recently transported animals belonged to Louisiana animal shelters and were available for adoption at the time Hurricane Laura made landfall. They are not animals that have been separated from their owners by the storm. The transported animals were taken out of Louisiana shelters in order to make room for incoming animals who were displaced by the storm, giving those displaced animals an opportunity to be easily reunited with their owners by remaining nearby.
Animal Services Manager John Robinson said using the Escambia County Animal Shelter to rehome these cats will provide a better opportunity for displaced storm animals in Louisiana shelters to receive the proper care and attention they need, without experiencing an overcrowding situation alongside the existing shelter animals. All cats were given a thorough medical exam and checkup upon arrival to the Escambia County shelter.
“Escambia County Animal Services is happy to lend a hand to our neighboring Louisiana shelters,” Robinson said. “We were able to collaborate with the Pensacola Humane Society and a few other local partner organizations, and we are looking forward to finding loving homes for the animals we took in this week.”
FHP Collecting Donations For Louisiana Hurricane Laura Victims
September 3, 2020
The Florida Highway Patrol is asking for donations to assist Louisiana residents following Hurricane Laura.
FHP is requesting items like non-perishable food, water, Gatorade, plastic containers, cleaning supplies and board games for kids.
The items are being collected at the Florida Highway Patrol station at 150 West Stumpfield Road in Pensaccola through 5 p.m. on September 18, For more information, call (850) 484-5000.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Cat Country 98.7’s Brent And Candy Nominated For CMA Personalities Of The Year
September 3, 2020
Local radio personalities Brent Lane and Candy Cullerton from Cat Country 98.7 have been nominated by the County Music Association (CMA) for Radio Personalities of the Year for their Cat Pak Morning Show.
This is the third nomination for the national award; the morning duo was also nominated in 2017 and 2018.
Brent and Candy are on the air each weekday from 5 a.m. until 10 a.m. with their local morning show.
Last year, Cat Country 98.7 was named the CMA Station of the Year.
The CMA Awards will air on WEAR ABC 3 on November 11 at 7 p.m.
FHP Issues Arrest Warrant For Driver That Killed Bicyclist In Palafox Street Hit And Run
September 2, 2020
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of man troopers said killed a bicyclist in a hit and run on August 27.
Patrick Dale Taber, 50, was riding his bicycle north on Palafox Street just north of Johnson Avenue when he was hit by a Chevrolet Cruze that fled the scene. Taber was pronounced deceased on the scene.
The Florida Highway Patrol said they have found the vehicle, and an arrest warrant has been issued for the driver. He is identified as 22-year old Isiah Pierre Reynolds.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Reynolds is asked to call troopers at *FHP or (850) 424-5000, or call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Reported Wrong-Way Driver Killed In Fiery Highway 29 Crash
September 2, 2020
A reported wrong-way driver was killed in a horrific crash on Highway 29 in Molino Tuesday night.
The crash happened in the southbound lanes of Highway 29 near Morgan Cemetery Road about 9:50 p.m. A passenger car was reportedly northbound in the southbound lane when it crashed head-on into a southbound vehicle. The vehicle traveling in the wrong direction burst into flames, claiming the life of the driver.
The driver of the southbound vehicle was airlifted by MedStar helicopter to a Pensacola hospital in critical condition.
Witnesses told NorthEscambia.com that the vehicle was traveling the wrong direction at least as far south as Jimmy’s Grill, about four miles away.
The Florida Highway Patrol no longer releases the names of traffic crash victims.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Century Agrees To Sell Industrial Building And 40 Acres For ‘Project Fusion’, Again Rejects Local Cotton Gin
September 2, 2020
The Century Town Council Tuesday night approved selling a building and 40 acres in the town’s industrial park to a company described as using an agricultural product to manufacture plastic alternatives. They council also rejected a new proposal from West Florida Gin to purchase the building and just five acres for about 10 percent less money.
Council members expressed more interested in the company known by the codename “Project Fusion” because their offer came with the promise of more jobs.
In May 2019, West Florida Gin made a lease-to-own offer on the town-owned building that has been empty for 12 years. They offered $4,000 per month for five years, an $8,000 deposit and to pay for any upgrades with an option to purchase it at $100 at the end of the lease. The council rejected the proposal.
The town advertised the building for lease this year and received just one offer — $6,000 per month for five years with an option to renew the contract for an additional five years from West Florida Gin. As the town council was set to vote on the cotton proposal that promised six jobs, they received a last minute offer through Pensacola real estate company Beck Partners for Project Fusion at $879,000 for the building and 30 acres. They came with a promise of employing 30 or more people within a couple of years.
The council tabled a vote on the lease proposal from West Florida Gin in Walnut Hill in order to negotiate with the Project Fusion company.
During the next week, the Project Fusion offer decreased by $119,000 as their project increased by 10 acres, and West Florida Gin made a cash offer to purchase the 40,390 square foot “Helicopter Technology” building.
West Florida Gin’s Rejected Offer
West Florida Gin offered $700,000 for the building and lot, a total of about five acres and has already made a $50,000 earnest deposit. It would have been a cash sale at closing with no actions required from the town. The town would have paid title insurance at closing and no broker compensation.
Project Fusion’s Accepted Offer
Project Fusion offered $760,000 for the building and the lot upon which it sits, plus seven other lots in the industrial park for a total of about 41 acres. The sale will be contingent upon a clear Phase I environmental assessment at the town’s expense (estimated at $2,500 to $6,000) and a determination at the town’s expense (cost unknown) that none of the property is wetlands.
Project Fusion has offered $50,000 in earnest money (not yet received), and the town will be required to offer owner-financing of 80% of the purchase price ($680,000) at a 4.5% interest rate on a 20-year amortization with a seven-year balloon payment. That equates to monthly payments of $3,847 with a lump sum balloon at seven years for $453,667.
The town will also be required to provide fiber optic connectivity and phone access to the lot with the building at the additional lots with 60 days, pay closing costs that include half of the title insurance (estimated $1,900), doc stamps (about $5,320), and a 3% broker fee ($22,800) to Beck Partners.
The company also requested security at the Century Industrial Park with a daily document log by a patrol officer and a waiver of all future impact fees. Both were sticking points for the council and their attorney. The town will instead request daily patrols and logs from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. And they won’t waive water and sewer impact fees because that will violate provisions of grant agreements that encumber water and sewer revenues.
The council approved the Project Fusion Offer on a 3-2 vote, with council President Ann Brooks and member Brenda Spencer voting against.
NorthEscambia.com will continue to follow this developing story.
NorthEscambia.com photos.
Escambia School Board Votes To Hire Dr. Timothy Smith As Next Superintendent
September 2, 2020
The Escambia County School Board voted 3-2 Tuesday evening to hire Dr. Timothy Smith as the next school superintendent.
Smith is an executive area director of high schools in Orange County, Florida, which has 212,000 students. His direct responsibility is for 10 high schools with a combined student population of 30,000 students. There are about 40,000 students in the entire Escambia County district.
Smith has served as a teacher and a principal at the middle and high school levels.
Board members Bill Slayton, Paul Fetsko and Patty Hightower voted in favor of Smith on a motion made by Slayton. The vote came after failed motion by board member Kevin Adams to hire Keith Leonard, who is currently assistant superintendent of human resources in Escambia County. Only Adams and Fetsko voted for Leonard.
If the district successfully negotiates an employment contact with Smith, it will be set for a board vote on September 15.
In November 2018, Escambia County citizens voted to move from an elected to an appointed superintendent. Malcolm Thomas, the current elected superintendent, will retire in November.
Man Arrested At Pensacola Airport Pleads Guilty To Attempting To Smuggle Equipment To Iran
September 2, 2020
Colin Fisher, a citizen of the United Kingdom, pleaded guilty to federal charges of violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”) and attempted smuggling in relation to exporting power generating equipment to Iran.
Fisher was arrested by federal agents when he arrived in Pensacola from the United Arab Emirates earlier this month to consummate the illegal transaction and get equipment for a buyer in Iran.
Fisher, 45, admitted in United States District Court in Pensacola that from October 1, 2017, to August 7, 2020, he worked to violate the Iranian embargo by attempting to export a Solar Mars 90 S turbine core engine and parts from the United States for delivery to an end user in Iran. This included participating in fraudulent invoicing and using coded language with conspirators to communicate about the illegal transactions.
Despite these efforts, law enforcement authorities discovered the plan and were able to seize the turbine before its transatlantic journey to the end user in Iran, a conspirator in Iran who is linked to an Iranian energy company. The intercepted turbine, which was valued at half a million dollars, could be used to provide needed energy to the oil fields of Iran.
“Exporting technology to Iran is prohibited for a very good reason, yet this defendant chose to put his own self-interest above global and national security,” U.S. Attorney Keefe said. “This case should send a clear signal that the United States cannot and will not look the other way when persons endanger the safety of our nation and its people. We will enforce these laws, which are vital to our national security, against those both within the United States and abroad.”
James Meharg, CEO and president of Turbine Resources International, LLC, in Pensacola, was previously convicted of conspiring with Fisher to export a large turbine and parts from the United States to an Iranian recipient in violation of the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations. Meharg is currently serving a 40-month sentence in federal prison.
“The commitment of the Bureau of Industry and Security to protect our nation’s security against terrorist procurement networks in State Sponsors of Terrorism countries such as Iran remains unwavering,” said P. Lee Smith, Performing the Non-exclusive Functions and Duties of the Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement in the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security. “These continued efforts to bring all conspirators to justice are demonstrated in this most recent guilty plea.”
Animal Control: Cantonment Woman Gave Injections To Kitten That Died; Collected Dead Animals
September 2, 2020
A Cantonment woman has been charged with animal cruelty after allegedly performing injections on cats and collecting dead animals.
Selena Dunlap, 21, was charged with felony unlicensed practice of veterinary medicine and cruelty to animals.
Escambia County Animal Control responded to a home in the 1300 block of Tate Road after receiving a reported that Dunlap was “injecting cats with food”.
An animal control officer reported that she could see a couple of cats and dogs inside the home. When she asked about a kitten, Dunlap and her roommates said it was inside the trailer. Eddins asked Dunlap to show her what they were injecting the cat with when Dunlap brought out a bottle of sodium chloride.
When the officer was invited inside to see a kitten, she noted that the home was filled with old food, trash, cigarette butts and a dog kennel covered in blankets. Dunlap was holding the kitten, according to an arrest report, and said she had been giving it sugar water, watered down milk and antibotics.
Dunlap showed the animal control officer a needle she said she bought online, and the officer observed a magazine on a table with the title “Secrets To Being a Vet Tech”.
The officer said the kitten was not able to hold its head up. It was taken to the Escambia County Animal Shelter for care. It later died.
The report adds back in October 2019, Dunlap’s dad contacted animal control stating she was living in a tent in the woods and collected dead animals and had live animals as well. When animal control responded to Dunlap’s tent, she stated she had seven dogs and eight cats. Puppies were found covered in fleas.
Animal control removed 12 animals from Dunlap and ordered her to bury the dead animals.
Dunlap remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $6,000.
Florida Lifting Ban On Nursing Home Visits, But There Will Still Be Restrictions
September 2, 2020
The Florida Division of Emergency Management has issued an emergency order that lifts restrictions for visitation to nursing homes, assisted living facilities (ALFs), adult family-care homes, adult group homes and other long-term care facilities.
The emergency order requires all visitors to wear PPE following to the most recent CDC guidelines, and those not making physical contact still must wear a mask. To accept general visitors the facility must meet the following:
- No new facility-onset of resident COVID-19 cases within 14 days other than in a dedicated wing or unit that accepts COVID-19 cases from the community;
- If a staff member tests positive for COVID-19, the facility must immediately cease all indoor and outdoor visitation in the event that staff person was in the facility in the 10 days prior to the positive test;
- Sufficient staff to support management of visitors;
- Adequate PPE for facility staff;
- Adequate cleaning and disinfecting supplies; and
- Adequate capacity at referral hospitals for the facility.
Every facility must continue to prohibit the entry of any individual to the facility except in the following circumstances:
- Family members, friends and individuals visiting residents in end-of-life situations;
- Hospice or palliative care workers caring for residents in end-of-life situations;
- Any individual or providers giving necessary health care to a resident, provided that such individuals or providers comply with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for PPE, are screened for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 prior to entry and comply with all infection control requirements of the CDC and the facility;
- Facility staff and residents;
- Attorneys of Record for a resident in an Adult Mental Health and Treatment Facility or forensic facility for court related matters if virtual or telephonic means are unavailable;
- Public Guardians, Professional Guardians and their professional staff as defined in Florida Statue 744;
- Representatives of the federal or state government seeking entry as part of their official duties;
- Essential caregivers and compassionate care visitors; and
- General visitors under specific criteria set forth under the Emergency Order.
The order directs all facilities to ensure visitors are not quarantining, positive for COVID-19 or symptomatic. It also requires facilities to screen visitors, establish limits on the number of visitors allowed, schedule visitation ahead of time, clean and disinfect visiting areas between visitors and other protective measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
General visitors will need to be 18 years of age or older, wear a face mask, sign a consent form indicating they understand the facility’s visitation policies, comply with facility-provided COVID-19 testing if offered and maintain social distance of at least six feet with staff and residents.
This order will be implemented in the upcoming days as long-term care facilities begin to put new procedures in place to comply with the Emergency Order.