Honoring Our Veterans: Walnut Hill
November 11, 2010
On this Veterans Day, hundreds of flags line the fence around Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill. The flag were placed by the EWMS Student Government Association.
The annual Ernest Ward Middle School Veteran Program will be held Friday at 9:30 a.m. in the school gym.
The program will include special music, a drama performance, student presentations and more. The program will also include student-led interviews with area veterans about their wartime service, giving them an opportunity to tell their story “in their own words”. Plans also call for the Coast Guard to land a helicopter at the end of the program and to honor them for their service in catastrophes such as Hurricane Katrina and the oil spill.
All veterans are invited to attend. Refreshments will follow the program.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
By The Numbers: Century General Election, Absentee Votes
November 11, 2010
The percentage of voter turnout in Tuesday’s Century general election was much higher than countywide turnout for the 2010 primaries.
There were 318 votes cast in Tuesday’s general election in Century out of 1,081 registered voters — a 29.4 percent turnout. That virtually mirrored the turnout for the October primary when 321 votes were cast — a 29.6 percent turnout. In the August primaries across Escambia County, the voter turnout was 12.6 percent.
Of the 318 votes in Tuesday’s general election, 34 percent (108) were absentee In Escambia County’s August primary, 36.8 percent of ballots were absentee.
The number of absentee ballots “were not unusual at all”, according to Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford.
There were 81 absentee ballots cast Tuesday for winner Jacke Johnston and 27 for Henry Hawkins. Johnston was the Century Town Council Seat 3 winner with 174 votes (54.72%) while Henry Hawkins received 144 votes (45.28%)
For more on Tuesday’s general election in Century, including candidate reaction, click here for previous story.
One Felony Charge Dropped Against Former Fireman; Still Faces Sex Abuse, Misdemeanor Charges
November 11, 2010
A felony grand theft charge against a former Century volunteer fireman has been dropped in a case involving the abandonment of three dogs.
Dustin Ryan Burkett, 28, of Century, still faces one felony count of lewd and lascivious battery on a victim 12 to 15 years of age and misdemeanor charges of abandonment of animals and obstruction of justice. He has pleaded not guilty on all charges.
Burkett’s sexual abuse charge stems from a 2009 incident in which a 15 year old girl told deputies she had intercourse with Burkett at Lake Stone Campground in Century. The encounter, according to the victim, took place on or about March 28, 2009. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office received information on April 13, 2009, that the relationship had taken place, and the victim was interviewed at her school on April 28, 2009.
Burkett retained an attorney and refused to meet with the Sheriff’s Office investigators, according to the warrant affidavit.
In an unrelated incident, Burkett was charged with allegedly abandoning three dogs that were reported to be “rescued” by the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue in August.
The Century Station of Escambia-Rescue responded to a reported motor vehicle accident on Sunday, August 22 on North Century Boulevard just south of Tedder Road. They discovered that there was no accident; rather, a motorist had stopped after seeing the three dogs nearly in the road. Both the fire department and the Sheriff’s Office requested that Escambia County Animal Control respond, but the agency refused stating that it did not meet their call-out criteria.
Rather than leave the dogs beside the road, they were taken back to the Century firehouse as firefighters worked to determine what to do with the canines. According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office incident report, the Burkett told his follow firefighters to, “Put them in my truck. I have a pen at my house”.
A Century Volunteer Fire Department officer emailed NorthEscambia.com that night, providing photographs of the dogs and asking for help in find the dogs’ owner. NorthEscambia.com published that story Monday, August 23.
After the article was published on NorthEscambia.com, the dogs’ owner contacted the fire department. According to the ECSO, the owner confronted Burkett at the Century fire station the next evening and asked the whereabouts of his dogs. Burkett according to the incident report, “refused to respond and acted like he didn’t know what (the victim) was talking about”.
The dogs’ owner then went to the Burkett’s residence on Highway 4A and spoke with the suspect’s father. The father was helpful but said that he did not see the dogs or know where his son had put them, the victim told deputies.
Burkett told a fire department officer that he had found a good home for the dogs in Walnut Hill, and the officer contact NorthEscambia.com with the information. Based on that information from the fire department, a followup story was published by NorthEscambia.com on Thursday, August 26, reporting that a home had been found for the dogs.
On Thursday, deputies met with both Burkett and his father. Burkett told deputies, according to their report, that he had given the dogs to a man he met. He told a deputy that he did not know how to contact the man and that the deputy should call his friend. The friend told the deputy by phone that “he did not want to be involved and that he was not going to tell a lie to keep (the suspect) out of trouble”. He said that Burkett contacted him Sunday night and “asked him to cover for him if asked the whereabouts of the missing dogs”. The friend told the deputy that Burkett told him that he took the dogs and dropped them off at the intersection of North Pine Barren Road and Highway 168.
When contacted by phone, the deputy said Burkett admitted to putting the dogs out of his vehicle on Pine Barren Road on Wednesday. About 30 minutes later, Burkett called the suspect again to advise him that he was going to face charges over the dogs. “He advised me that he didn’t kill them or sell them and that he put them out on Sunday,” Deputy David Bashore wrote in his report.
The dogs were found a few days later on Highway 4, not far from Northview High School. They were determined to be in good condition by a veterinarian and returned the owner.
Burkett has been suspended from Escambia Fire Rescue. He is the son of the Century District Fire Chief Reggie Burkett, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Pictured top: Former Century firefighter Dustin Ryan Burkett. Pictured top inset: These cellphone photos show three dogs found the evening of August 22 on North Century Boulevard just south of Tedder Road. The firefighter partially in the photograph is not suspected of any wrongdoing. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
What Was All The Smoke In The Jacks Branch Road Area?
November 11, 2010
There was lots of thick smoke — an even some falling ash — Wednesday night in the Jacks Branch Road area of Escambia County.
According to Sonya Daniel, public information manager for Escambia County, the smoke was from a 300 acre control burn Wednesday west of Jacks Branch Road. Cooler night temperatures and calm wind kept the smoke closer to the ground.
Events Planned For Veterans Day
November 11, 2010
Several programs, parades and events will honor veterans today and Friday in the North Escambia area.
Thursday, November 11
Blue Angels homecoming air show Thursday through Saturday at Pensacola Naval Air Station. Performances begin at 9:30 a.m. with the Blue Angels flying at 2 p.m. each day. There will also be an evening show beginning at 4:30 p.m. Thursday. Gates open at 8 a.m. each day. (850) 453-2389.
Friday, November 12
The Byrneville Elementary School Veterans Program will be held in the Northview High School Theater at 9 a.m. on Friday, November 12.
The annual Ernest Ward Middle School Veteran Program will be held Friday, November 12 at 9:30 a.m. in the school gym. The program will include special music, a drama performance, student presentations and more. The program will also include student-led interviews with area veterans about their wartime service, giving them an opportunity to tell their story “in their own words”. Plans also call for the Coast Guard to land a helicopter at the end of the program and to honor them for their service in catastrophes such as Hurricane Katrina and the oil spill. All veterans are invited to attend. Refreshments will follow the program.
Honoring Our Veterans: Northview High Holds Annual Program
November 11, 2010
Northview High School honored those that have served in America’s armed forces during the school’s annual Veterans Day program Wednesday morning at the school. During the program, a flag was presented to Joel Day of Atmore, a veteran of World War II that fought in the Battle of the Bulge. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Veterans Day Closings
November 11, 2010
The following will be closed Thursday for Veterans Day:
- Escambia and Santa Rosa county schools
- Escambia and Santa Rosa county offices
- Century, Jay, Milton, Pensacola, Atmore, Flomaton city offices
- U.S. Post Office — retail windows closed, no mail delivery or collection, except for Express Mail
- Florida state offices
- Federal offices
- No bus service from ECAT
- West Florida Public Libraries, including Century Branch
- Pensacola State College
- University of West Florida
There will be no change in the ECUA trash pickup. City of Pensacola and City of Milton routes will be collected on Wednesday.
Jay Mighty Mite, Midget Cheerleaders Win Competition
November 11, 2010
Jay Junior League Football Mighty Mite and Midget cheerleaders placed first in the novice division during a weekend competition at Milton High School. Over 40 teams took part in the competition, which was the first for the Jay squads.
Pictured above: The Jay Junior Football Mighty Mite cheerleaders (front, L-R) Makenzie Partrick, Mary Elizabeth Davis, Carlyn Watson , Alayna Lowery, Josie Lowery, Hannah Williams,(middle row) Sierra Hutto, Carly Willis, Jillan Thornton, Hailey Grenier, Mascot Brianna Dunsford, Kristan Watosn, Brianna Hart, Mackenleigh Bledsoe, (back row) Hayden Burkett, Jada Lowery and Brynn Burgess.
Pictured below: The Jay Junior Football League Midget cheerleaders (front, L-R) Haven Tagert, Mascot Lucille Borders Catrina Crandall, Mascot Brooklyn Sorrells, Mascot Jordan Sanders, Kassadi Borders, Haylee Watson, (middle) Meghan Mayo, Taylor Scott, Courtney Williams, Desma Eddins, Maggie Maghee, Santana Guimbellot, Madelyn Godwin, Courtney Walther, Amber Parker, (back) Kameryn Lewis, Rebecca Boutwell, Mia Grandberry, Harley Tagert, and Marisa Kirkland. Not pictured: Maci Holt and Savannah Seevers.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Driver In Fatal Crash Behind Bars After Fleeing Hospital
November 10, 2010
The driver in a fatal crash Tuesday night in Molino is behind bars on unrelated charges after fleeing from the hospital.
Terry Eugene Lee, 41, was arrested by the Florida Highway Patrol on two outstanding out of county warrants and booked into the Escambia County Jail. The FHP has said the warrants are not related to the death of Brandee N. Scott, 41, of Pensacola, but the FHP has not released further information about the charges. Scott was a passenger in Lee’s vehicle in an alcohol related crash on Omega Drive in Molino Tuesday night. [Read more about the crash...].
Lee reportedly walked away from the critical care unit at Sacred Heart Hospital about 6 a.m. Wednesday morning. He was found by an off-duty Pensacola Police Department officer in the parking lot of Cordova Mall and turned back over to the FHP.
Lee was not under arrest at the time he fled the hospital, according to the FHP.
Lee is being held without bond on the outstanding charges. According to the FHP, charges are still pending in Tuesday night’s wreck.
Pictured top: The passenger in this car driven by Terry Eugene Lee died in a Tuesday night wreck on Omega Drive in Molino, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
High School Coach Killed In Head-on Collision
November 10, 2010
An Escambia County High School Coach died in a head-on collision Wednesday morning in northern Baldwin County.
William Casaday, 30, of Summerdale, Ala., died in the accident about 6:30 a.m. on Phillipsville Road near Bay Minette. He was reportedly on his way to the school in Atmore, where he is the head softball coach and a driver’s education teacher. Cassady also coached football and basketball at Perdido Middle School.
Students at ECHS were told of the accident Wedesday morning, and counselors were made available at the school.
Casaday was traveling north in his Hyundai Elantra when he traveled into the southbound lane and hit a pickup truck head-on, according to Baldwin County Coroner Stan Vinson. Casaday was not wearing a seat belt and ejected. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the pickup truck, Timothy Andrew Bush, 17, of Bay Minette, was transported to Baldwin County Infirmary but did not appear to have any serious injuries, according to authorities.
A candlelight vigil was held Wednesday night at Escambia County High School’s football field as students, coworkers and friend gathered to remember the beloved coach.
Funeral services for William Casaday were Saturday at Mack Funeral Home in Robertsdale. Graveside services followed in Reeltown.