Century Considers Giving Fischer Landing Away, But Opts To Clean It Up Instead
August 12, 2020
The Town of Century has had more than its share of difficulties in maintaining Fischer Landing, a boat ramp off Highway 4 along the Escambia River. The problems have even led to the town council exploring the possibility of finding a new owner.
Council President Ann Brooks recently told the council that she has received multiple complaints about the lack of maintenance at Fischer Landing. She inquired if it could be given to Escambia County so that it would be properly maintained.
After discussion, the town council decided not to take any immediate action.
Now, the Town of Century has scheduled two days — Thursday and Friday, August 13-14 — to close access to the landing on the Escambia River in order to clean it up.
NorthEscambia.com stopped by Fischer Landing on a recent Saturday afternoon. A couple of local anglers told us that the boat ramp is filled with sand, making it very difficult to launch a boat. Another man said he has been picking up the trash every few days because the town does not.
For a photo gallery, click here.
We found that the grass was overgrown, the boardwalk next to the boat launch was buried in sand and unusable, and very large holes filled with water made the entry road hard to navigate in a midsize car.
It should be noted that when the Escambia River rises to near flood stage, the entire landing, parking lot and a long section of the access road are underwater. The resulting shifting sand makes maintenance difficult at best for the town. Mayor Henry Hawkins has noted before that the town lacks the equipment needed to keep the landing in top condition.
But, under their grant agreement with Florida Communities Trust, the town is bound to maintain the site to set standards. Annual reports, management plans and more must be done.
The agreement also specifies several items that don’t seem to exist at Fischer Landing. It states that nature trails, boardwalks and interpretive displays shall be provided…none of which can be found (except for the small boardwalk by the landing that was buried in sand). If the nature trails exist, they are either unmarked or overgrown, or both.
In 1999, the West Florida Regional Planning Council prepared a Preservation 2000 Grant application in order to purchase the five acre parcel from James Campbell, and the sale was completed on December 19, 2000. The grant award states that “any transfer of the project site shall be subject to the approval of the Florida Communities Trust and the Florida Communities Trust shall enter into a new agreement with the transferee, containing such covenants, clauses, or other restrictions as are sufficient to protect the interest of the people of Florida”. That means that in the event the town should choose to transfer ownership of Fischer Landing to Escambia County in the future, it would require approval of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, formerly known as the Florida Communities Trust as a non-regulatory agency within the Florida Department of Community Affairs.
Fischer Landing was dedicated in October 2008 (pictured below). It was named for former town council member Jerry Fischer who worked to make the boat ramp a reality both while he was on the council and afterwards.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FBI, Sheriff’s Deputies Arrested Escambia (AL) Jail Corrections Officer
August 12, 2020
The FBI and Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office have a arrested a corrections officer on contraband charges, and the sheriff said more charge are anticipated
Sheriff’s investigators and FBI agents arrested Escambia County (AL) Detention Center corrections officer Lakerdra Shanta Snowden on Tuesday. She is charged with one count of promoting prison contraband first degree and one count of use of official position for personal gain, an ethics violation. She was booked into jail without bond awaiting a bond appearance.
“Today’s arrest stems from a joint operation between ECSO and the FBI into the smuggling of contraband into the detention facility,” Sheriff Heath Jackson said. He immediately terminated Snowden’s employment.
“This is still an ongoing investigation and more charges are anticipated. We will continue to arrest and prosecute anyone who is involved with bringing contraband to the detention facility,” Jackson said.
Ascend Donates Advanced Acteev Face Masks To The Arc Gateway
August 12, 2020
Employees of Ascend Performance Materials in Cantonment donated 800 of their Acteev Protect face masks to The Arc Gateway adult learning program on Tuesday.
The Acteev masks are made in a nanofiber and a microfiber nonwoven version and a one-two punch of antiviral properties plus top-level barrier protection against microbes, harmful airborne particles and fluid splatter, according to the company.
The material that goes into the mask material is made locally at the Ascend plant on Old Chemstrand Road.
The masks, donated through the Ascend Cares program, will help The Arc with the threat of COVID-19.
The Arc Gateway, Inc. serves children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the greater Pensacola area. The Arc offers full time, part time and relief employment.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
U.S. Marshals Offer $5,000 Reward For Escaped Alabama Inmate That May Be In NW Florida
August 12, 2020
The U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the capture of a man who escaped from an Alabama jail July 31.
Larry Dewayne Gaither, 43, was one of two men who escaped from the Calhoun County Jail. The Marshals arrested the other man, Bryant Deandre Johnson, August 3 in the Atlanta metro area.
Gaither was being housed in the Calhoun County Jail pursuant to a state probation violation related to drug and weapons charges. State law enforcement personnel became interested in Gaither due to an ongoing investigation by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
A search of Gaither’s residence led to the discovery of an AR style assault rifle in his bedroom. Gaither’s criminal history includes a previous weapons charge for which he served time in the federal system.
Gaither’s state probation was revoked and ALEA’s investigation continued. ATF has taken custody of the recovered assault rifle.
Members of the GCRFTF have spoken to ALEA investigators who expect Gaither to be charged with at least one count each of production and distribution of child pornography.
On August 3, members of the GCRFTF interviewed an associate who admitted to transporting Gaither the afternoon of his escape to a Love’s Truck Stop located in the 17000 block of Highway Drive South in Mossy Head, Florida. This is Gaither’s last known location.
Anyone with information regarding Gaither’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact the nearest USMS District Office, the U.S. Marshals Service Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102, or submit a tip using USMS Tips.
Train Caboose Moved From School To Heritage Park In Atmore
August 12, 2020
A caboose that was outside an Atmore school for years has a new home in a local park.
The Burlington Northern caboose was recently moved from Rachel Patterson Elementary School to Heritage Park on Main Street at West Craig Street.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Chamber Launching ‘Re-Employ EscaRosa Campaign’
August 12, 2020
The Greater Pensacola Chamber is kicking off a campaign aimed at getting local people back to work.
The chamber is partnering with FloridaWest, CareerSource EscaRosa, The Gulf Coast Minority Chamber, and the Santa Rosa County Chamber of Commerce to host the first “Re-Employ EscaRosa Campaign”. The campaign will take place during the month of September and will include a variety of virtual job fairs, in-person job fairs, and virtual professional development opportunities.
Registration will be available on the Greater Pensacola Chamber’s website for both employers and applicants for the September 3 virtual job fair.
Here is a list of scheduled events:
September 3, – Virtual Job Fair (There will be locations across the region designated for those who may not be able to access the opportunity from the comfort of their own home.)
September 10 – Virtual Job Fair
September 17 – Santa Rosa County Job Fair
September 24 – Virtual Job Fair
2020 Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show On NAS Pensacola Is Canceled
August 11, 2020
The 2020 Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show on NAS Pensacola has officially been canceled.
The Navy said the decision to canceled the October 16-17 show was made after considering all possible options, but was fundamentally a decision to ensure the health and safety personnel and the greater community.
“We know how important the Air Show is to the community and the Navy, but after considering every possibility, we felt that in this challenging COVID-19 environment that this was the most responsible course of action to protect the health and safety of the community and our NAS Pensacola personnel,” said Capt. Tim Kinsella, commanding officer, NAS Pensacola.
“The Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show is a special and unique event that we look forward to every year. We love to highlight the amazing people of Naval Aviation and share a spectacular Air Show with our friends, families and community. This was an extremely difficult decision in challenging times, but in the end, we must remember that our top priority is to ensure the safety of our community,” Kinsella continued.
The annual two-day air show attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to NAS Pensacola; the 2019 air show had an approximate attendance of 180,000.
The 2021 Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show is currently scheduled for November 5-6, 2021, and will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Blue Angels.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Perry Doggrell, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Energy Acquiring Okaloosa Gas Customers In Molino, Cantonment, Cottage Hill
August 11, 2020
Pensacola Energy is in the process of acquiring Okaloosa Gas natural gas customers in Escambia County.
Pensacola Energy is offering $427,748 plus the assumption of assumed liabilities for about 186 customers, an amount determined by a consulting company hired by the city. The customers are located in six small areas in Molino, Cottage Hill and in part of Cantonment including small sections of Jacks Branch Road, West Kingsfield Road and Neal Road.
Pensacola Energy and Okaloosa Gas District both provide service in the area, “creating the likelihood of customer confusion concerning the appropriate service provider for emergencies and routine service requests,” RBC Resources found.
Okaloosa Gas District does not hold a franchise within Escambia County to provide utility service. New homes and businesses in the area could not be served by Okaloosa Gas District and unless infrastructure was duplicated, residents would go without essential utility services.
“Pensacola Energy’s existing assets in the vicinity will facilitate safe and reliable public services that will be enhanced through shorter response times for emergencies and other requirements,” according to RBC.
At the time of RBC report to Pensacola Energy in early March, Okaloosa Gas had 167 residential and eight small commercial customers with active accounts that generated approximately $67,641 in annual revenue. From public data available, the consulting company also determined that annual operating and maintenance expense for these customers was approximately $13,520. A 10-year net revenue calculation, including an allowance for growth, was the $427,478 purchase price.
If Pensacola Energy duplicated service in the area, it would cost an estimated $532,763.
Impacted customers will receive a letter from Okaloosa Gas explaining a six-month transition process.
“Details are still being worked out, but Okaloosa customers should not see a significant change in their billing.,” Pensacola spokesperson Kaycee Lagarde told NorthEscambia.com.
Okaloosa Gas customers with questions can contact the company at (850) 729-4700.
Click map below to enlarge.
Escambia County 4-H Meat Judging Teams Win State Title
August 11, 2020
The Escambia County 4-H Meat Judging Team won the senior division state championship.
Team members are Jessica Conti, Hannah Thorne, Ethan Thorne and Chad Sasser. They are coached by Brian Estevez.
As state champions, Escambia County team earned the right to represent Florida in the National 4-H Meat Judging Contest, still on schedule at this time at the American Royal Association in Kansas City, Missouri. in October.
Conti was also the over high scoring individual with three teams and 11 individuals competing in the virtual state competition held last Saturday.
Other top placing individuals included Hannah Thorne in second, Ethan Thorne in third and Sasser in 10th place.
Escambia County also brought home the state championship in the intermediate division of the contest as the sole competing team.
SRSO: Man Brutally Killed His Girlfriend, Kept Her Body In His Home For Two Days
August 11, 2020
A Santa Rosa County man killed his girlfriend and kept her body inside his house for two days, according to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.
Jerry Geisler Odum was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail without bond on a charge of first degree premeditated murder for the death of 59-year old Vicky May Edge.
An arrest report released Monday reveals details about the murder.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office responded to 5646 Vendome Court in Milton for a welfare check. When deputies tried to make contact with Odum at his front door, he started to exit the home through garage door. Deputies walked into the garage and asked him where to find Edge.
“She is inside, but I have to tell you something first,” Odum said, according to arrest report. Deputies asked how she died, and he responded, “I’d rather not say without a lawyer.”
Edge’s body was found inside the home, where deputies believed she had been for two days.
When interviewed later by deputies, Odum said he told Edge around 10:30 a.m. Thursday that he had a “surprise for her” and a blanket was placed over her head.
Much what Odum said is redacted from the arrest report, but it implies that Edge was beaten with a baseball bat. Edge told investigators that he purchased the baseball bat “in the middle of the week last week”, which the report states was the first week of August.
Odum said Edge had been at his residence for about two weeks. He stated he gave her a $15,000 check for their planned wedding, but he knew he did not have enough money in the bank, the report state.
After the incident, Odum said he took their dog and rode around for a while before returning to the residence where he dropped off the dog and left for Crestview to stay the night in a hotel room, according to the report. Odum stated that he got up on Friday morning and drove from the motel room back to his residence to “check on her”. He stated that he did not know what else to do. He let the dog out and visited with neighbors.
According to the arrest report, Odum also told deputies that he removed the license plate from Edge’s vehicle because he did not want anyone to see because he was not ready to tell anyone yet.