Anything For A Buck: Claim Your Stolen Goods
November 2, 2011
In a press conference Wednesday, Sheriff David Morgan announced the arrest of 53 defendants on violations related to state illegal firearm possession, drug distribution, and dealing in stolen property following an eight-month undercover investigation by the ECSO and ATF referred to as “Operation Anything for a Buck”.
The operation ran out of an “Anything for a Buck” thrift store in Brownsville. Read more about the operation and see a list of those arrested here.
Morgan said if any citizen has had property stolen and suspects it might have been involved in the investigation, they may go to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Administration Building, 2100 West Leonard Street Thursday on November 10 from 8 a.m. until noonam and 12 noon to identify and reclaim the stolen goods.
Pictured top and below: The “Anything for a Buck” store in Brownsville. Photo courtesy Jacqueline Hince WEAR TV for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Man Jailed After Bratt Manhunt
November 2, 2011
A Tuesday night manhunt in Bratt led to the arrest of a North Escambia man on several charges, including violation of probation.
Justin Dewight Harrison, age 21 of Highway 168, was on the run for just over an hour before deputies nabbed him with the help of a K-9 team from Century Correctional Institution. He was charged on outstanding warrants for violation of probation, failure to appear, resisting an officer and driving with a suspended license.
For more photos from the scene, click here.
Deputy James Gilman was westbound near Northview High School on West Highway 4 at C.W. Caraway Road when he spotted Harrison attempting to drive away from a residence in a Ford Escape. Harrison’s vehicle came to a stop near the highway as he fled on foot with Deputy Gilman giving chase.
Other Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies formed a perimeter around the area as the CCI K-9 team began to search for Harrison. A short time later, a resident on nearby Bratt Road reported that Harrison was spotted at his home.
The K-9 team and Deputy Steve Kay tracked Harrison across a field from Bratt Road near Vaughan Road back toward the original location where he ran from the vehicle on West Highway 4. That’s where Harrison was taken into custody without incident by Deputy Darryl Singleton.
Harrison was evaluated on scene by Escambia County EMS for a possible hand injury and minor cuts and scrapes received while he was on the run. He was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital for treatment.
Harrison was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
For more photos from the scene, click here.
Pictured top: Suspect Justin Dewight Harrison is taken into custody Tuesday night in Bratt. Deputy George Kichler escorts Harrison to an awaiting Escambia County Sheriff’s Office vehicle. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
County Leaders Hold Walnut Hill Town Hall Meeting
November 2, 2011
Escambia County leaders held a town hall meeting Tuesday night in Walnut Hill to give citizens a chance to speak out about county services.
A few dozen area residents attended the meeting at the Walnut Hill Community Center, providing their input and asking questions of panel that included Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Kevin White, Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan and Escambia County Administrator Randy Oliver.
Many of the residents that addressed the panel expressed concerns over various dirt roads that they would like to see paved, along with concerns about county finances, potential county-city consolidation and county projects like the upcoming community center and library in the works for Molino.
Morgan also heard concerns about crime — mostly speeding and property thefts — from the crowd.
Pictured top: Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Kevin White (left) and Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan listen as Escambia County Administrator Randy Oliver answers questions during a town hall meeting Tuesday night in Walnut Hill. Pictured inset: Brett Ward of Walnut Hill speaks during the meeting at the Walnut Hill Community Center. Pictured below: Audience members listen during the town hall meeting. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Woman, 71, Injured In Home Invasion, Granddaughter’s Ashes Stolen
November 2, 2011
A 71-year old Cantonment woman is recovering after being attacked in an early morning home invasion robbery in which the thief stole her granddaughter’s ashes.
An unknown white male suspect busted in to the woman’s home on Bowling Green Way about 4 a.m. Tuesday where the woman was asleep. She told deputies she awoke to a loud noise coming from her front door. She said she yelled out for the intruder to leave while locking herself in her bedroom. The suspect then forced his way into her bedroom and struck the woman on the head and demanded her purse.
She told him that she did not carry a purse, and the suspect told the victim that he had a gun, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office offense report. The victim told the man that she had some money on her dresser. The man took an undisclosed amount of jewelry and money before fleeing.
The woman said that the ashes of her late granddaughter were inside one of the jewelry boxes taken by the suspect.
The victim described the suspect as a tall and skinny white male. She was unable to see the man’s face because he covered it with a shirt and his hoodie.
The 71-year old woman was treated at the scene by Escambia County EMS for lacerations and bruises on her hands that she apparently received while trying to protect her head from the assailant.
A K-9 search for the suspect turned up empty.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Some Gulf Power Customers Victim To Scam Artists
November 2, 2011
Scam artists have victimized residents in Northwest Florida recently by impersonating utility company employees, according to Gulf Power.
The company has received calls in the past few weeks from customers being contacted by someone posing as a Gulf Power employee. The caller tells the victim that their electricity bill is past due and that electricity will be cut off if the customer does not provide a credit card payment immediately. The card numbers are then used to make fraudulent purchases.
According to Gulf Power:
- Gulf Power employees will never call a customer at home seeking any personal information including credit card numbers.
- Gulf Power representatives will never ask a customer for money when they visit a residence.
- All Gulf Power representatives carry badges with picture identification that includes the employee’s name and the company’s name and logo.
Customers should call Gulf Power at (800) 225-5797 with questions about the identity of anyone representing Gulf Power.
Gulf Power is working with local law enforcement agencies to identify the callers. Anyone that has received a call asking for personal information about a Gulf Power account should call local law enforcement and Gulf Power at (800) 225-5797.
Cantonment Woman Sentenced For August DUI Crash
November 2, 2011
A 22-year old Cantonment woman has been sentenced for driving under the influence in an August 19 drunk driving crash.
Keara Marie Duncan was sentenced to 12 months probation and 50 hours of community service, and her driver’s license was suspended for 12 months.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Duncan was northbound on Pine Forest Road in a 2002 Dodge Caravan when she apparently passed out while making a turn onto 9½ Mile Road about 3:20 a.m. August 19, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. She collided with a 2002 Chrysler stopped at a stop sign. The driver of that Chrysler, 32-year old Larry D. Simmons II of Pensacola, was not injured.
Duncan’s blood alcohol level was .125, according to the FHP.
Peanut Butter Prices Headed Up
November 2, 2011
That peanut butter and jelly sandwich is going to cost you more after the next time you pick up peanut butter at the local grocery store.
Some peanut butter brands expect to raised prices by as much as 40 percent due to a short supply of peanuts. Drought across the nation cut peanut production by about 13 percent, according to the USDA.
Pictured above: The sun sets in the distance behind a dust cloud created by a recent peanut harvest at Gobbler Road and Highway 97 near Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Atmore, Flomaton, Brewton Received $1.25 Million Sewer Grants
November 2, 2011
Atmore, Flomaton and Brewton have been awarded grants totaling $1.25 million to repair damaged sewer lines.
Community Development Block Grants of $450,000 each to Atmore and Brewton and $350,000 to Flomaton will enable the rehabilitation of sections of old cracked clay sewer lines that have been the source of frequent sewage leaks.
“Without grant assistance, these vital projects would create a huge burden for strained local budgets,” Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley said. “I am pleased we can help Atmore, Brewton and Flomaton improve the quality of life for their residents.”
Over the years, the clay pipes have developed many cracks which allow frequent sewage leaks in residents’ yards. A new lining will be placed inside the old pipes to cover the cracks and eliminate leaks. The liners will be installed by robotic equipment controlled by workers using video cameras.
Atmore will rehabilitate sections of sewer line along Wilson Avenue, benefiting 144 people. The project in Brewton will re-line sewer pipes in the Alco neighborhood, benefiting 448 people. In Flomaton, sewer repairs will be made in an area of downtown bordered on the north by U.S. Highway 31 and Roosevelt Street, on the south by College Street, on the east by U.S. Highway 29 and on the west by Ringold Avenue. The project will benefit 154 people.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs will administer the grants from funds made available to the state by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Santa Rosa Teacher Faces Possible Elections Law Fine
November 2, 2011
A Santa Rosa County teacher faces what may be the first fine for someone for violating the new election law requirements related to registering voters.
Dawn Quarles faces a potential $1,000 fine for turning in voter resgistration applications for students more than 48 hours after they were signed, a violation of the new elections requirement passed earlier this year by the Legislature. Quarles teaches government at Pace High School, in Santa Rosa County. The old time limit was 10 days.
The Associated Press reported that Secretary of State Kurt Browning wrote a letter asking Attorney General Pam Bondi to seek the civil fine against Quarles. One reason the state is going after Quarles for the violation is that she has at least one violation in the past, when the time limit was 10 days. Quarles told the AP that because of that, she made sure this year to get the applications in within 10 days – not knowing the time limit had changed.
By The News Service of Florida
Public Meeting: Crabtree Church Road Widening Plan
November 2, 2011
A public meeting will be held next week concerning a proposal to pave the shoulders along Crabtree Church Road between Highway 97 and Sunshine Hill Road in Molino.
Escambia County has received funding from the Florida Department of Transportation Rural Work Program for the design and construction of five-foot asphalt shoulders on the 2.5 mile segment of roadway.
The public meeting to receive input from property owners and stakeholders will be held from 5:30 until 6:30 on Tuesday, November 8 at Molino Park Elementary School at 899 Highway 97.