No Aggie Fries? Tate Showband Seeks Return Of Stolen Propane Fryer
February 15, 2017
The Tate High School Showband of of the South is still looking for help finding the person(s) that stole their brand new propane fyer.
The fryer was stolen over Thanksgiving break (November 19-27) last fall from the concession stand at Pete Gindl Stadium on the Tate High School campus. The fryer was used to make “Aggie Fries”.
Anyone with information is asked to email ShowBandoftheSouth@gmail.com.
The Showband seeks to get the fryer back — no questions asked.
Boyette 911 Tipster To Receive $16,000 Reward
February 15, 2017
The Georgia caller that reported the whereabouts of killer William “Billy” Boyette and accomplice Mary Rice will now receive a majority of the reward cash that was offered.
The person that spotted their stolen car in the parking lot of a West Point, GA, hotel called 911, which officials first said made them ineligible for over $20,000 in reward cash since they did not call Crime Stoppers.
A portion of the reward is not legally available due to the manner in which the call was received, Crime Stoppers said in a statement Tuesday. But, The Santa Rosa County Crime Stoppers program did not stop there. The program has been actively coordinating and facilitating the large payment of up to $16,000 of the total reward.
“Boyette and Rice remained elusive throughout the fugitive investigation. Their violent and cowardly crimes were abruptly ended because of an alert citizen and the cooperation between all investigative agencies and the success of the Crime Stoppers program,” stated Dominic Guadagnoli, Inspector for the US Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force in Pensacola.
“The pattern of Boyette and Rice on the run made it clear there were likely to be additional murders. We are very grateful that they were apprehended due to the awareness and dedication of a citizen who spotted them and took immediate action to report it. FDLE was informed on February 10 of a person wishing to claim the reward, and we are confident awarding this individual is the right thing to do. This timely tip saved innocent lives,” said Jack Massey special agent in charge at FDLE’s Pensacola Regional Operations Center. $10,000 of the reward money is being provided by FDLE.
“The Santa Rosa Crime Stopper has been facilitating and coordination the payment of the reward dollars from these organizations. We certainly believe the individual who called 911 saved lives and needs to be rewarded for their efforts,” the group said.
Animal Control Investigator Nowlin Named FACA 2017 Officer Of The Year
February 15, 2017
Sgt. Stephanie Nowlin of Escambia County Animal Control was recently named as the 2017 Animal Control Officer of the Year by the Florida Animal Control Association. She received this award for her outstanding achievements in fighting animal cruelty and for modernizing the way that her agency conducts investigations.
Nowlin serves as a field training officer, livestock officer and helps develop policies and protocols for investigating complaints of animal cruelty. Additionally, she is a trainer for the Florida Animal Control Association, helping to certify new officers.
Nowlin often works closely with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Office of the District Attorney and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. She is also the only animal control officer in the history of Escambia County to receive a medal of commendation from the sheriff’s office. The medal was presented to her by Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan on Oct. 6, 2016 for her successful work in investigating some of the largest equine cruelty and dogfighting cases in the county.
Always My Valentine: The Love Story Of Zach And Lauren
February 14, 2017
This is a Valentine’s love story that could have been ripped from script of a Hollywood movie.
Lauren McCall and Zach Barrow were high school sweethearts at Northview High School. She played softball; he played baseball. She was an Auburn girl. He, you guessed it, an Alabama boy. If you can overcome that, they were pretty much that perfect high school couple. They even returned to Northview…Zach as an assistant baseball coach and Lauren as a cheerleading coach.
They planned their perfect lives together, knew what they wanted to be in life and had their plans and goals. It was the perfect relationship.
Then insert life.
Zach was diagnosed with cancer, and Lauren stood by his side. There was a remission, a wedding proposal, wedding plans and another battle with cancer.
Zach passed away February 8, less than a week ago. NorthEscambia.com had planned this special Valentines feature on Zach and Lauren, and with much thought, decided with Lauren to move forward to share her love story. And, at the bottom of the story, you’ll find one last love letter that she penned to Zach for Valentine’s Day.
After Zach’s death, Lauren’s sister-in-law Kirsten McCall summed up Zach and Lauren’s relationship in a post on her Facebook wall:
“Talk about a power couple. These two have faced every obstacle known to man, yet they still always wore a smile on their faces. They adore each other the way you see those absolutely adorable couples in movies adore one another, but their love is so much greater. Because it wasn’t acted out like on the movie screens, it was real. It was admirable. The way Zach looked at Lauren was enough to melt anyone’s heart. And mine was basically a gooey mess on the floor while taking these photos of them. There was no denying their love for each other. God put them together because he knew their story would touch hundreds, thousands of people’s hearts. Like it did mine. And yours. God knew their testimony would make believers out of people. Would turn an unsure heart right into the eyes of our Lord. The struggles this family has faced in the past few years is quite frankly unimaginable…struggles that could have turned their faithful hearts away. But I haven’t met many who have more faith then them, Zach and Lauren, the Barrow family.”
February 13, 2017 — the day before this article, five days after Zach’s death, the day before Valentines and just a month and a half before Zach and Lauren’s planned wedding day. Lauren reflected on why she stood by her high school sweetheart instead of slipping away.
“Zach was God’s will for me. The Lord put a love in my heart for Zach, and I never once felt the urge to leave. Not once even through two cancers and six years together. I was placed here to be a help to him, I truly believe that,” Lauren said.
I love looking at this picture. We had no worries, no plan, just me and you.
“One year ago today, we got told Zach Barrow was cancer free. I couldn’t be more proud to be yours. I love going through this life with you, and serving the God who brought us through tough trials. Thank you for always being my smile.” — October 5, 2015.
On October 17, 2015, Zach popped the question. Without a doubt, Lauren said yes.
“A year ago today, you asked me to be your wife. We promised to love each other through all of the good and especially the bad.. I’m so thankful to be yours and can’t wait to be Mrs. Barrow,” Lauren wrote on October 17, 2016.
“The goal is… to laugh with you forever,” she wrote in October.
In the fall, they were making wedding plans, purchasing land for the future Barrow home and celebrating Zach’s birthday in early December. On the cancer front, the news was good, with Zach’s tumor shrinking.
“You know how people say when certain people come into your life, they are either a lesson or a blessing. I think the best people-are both. Zach has taught me how to love God more than I ever have.. how to love someone unconditionally.. and how to love myself. I don’t deserve a man like him, but God’s grace is more than I can describe, and certainly can’t describe it without crying. And of course, God brings blessings upon blessings to both of us. Even during the hardest days for him, he chooses to make me smile, laugh or just fix my heartache. He is my biggest blessing and lesson. I love you forever and a day after.”
Just a few short days before Christmas, Zach was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery due to a tumor on his spine.
“Friends, I have never wanted anything more in my life than to see my fiancé healthy and cancer free. Please join me in prayer for a complete healing for him. Also, for the people who do not have Christ as their savior… I ask you… please don’t wait until you get a phone call that could change your life. Get it settled now, so that you know if something ever did happen to you… you’d have an eternal home in Heaven,” Lauren wrote.
Christmas…in the hospital.
New Year’s Eve…still in the hospital. Not exactly the thing dreams are made of.
“If I had to sit here and tell people 2016 has been easy, I’d be lying. I thought it was going to be filled with wedding planning, going on random adventures with Zachary because he was healthy, working in a new job, and getting ready to move in with my future husband! Instead God saw fit to change our lives once again. This year has been stressful beyond imagination, but as I sat next to Zachary this morning and we prayed together before his first physical therapy, he thanked the Lord for this trial he set before us. It’s very hard for me to thank the Lord for putting us through this, but I know there a reason behind it. Life hit us with something unexpected this year, but I am so incredibly thankful for a man who leads me closer and closer to Christ and is a fighter through and through! I truly believe God will bless Zachary and me, so until then… we’ll keep pushing and fighting.”
By the middle of January, that nesting syndrome that every bride to be gets had set in. Zach was in the hospital, where romantic dinners consisted of strawberries, Jack cheese cubes from a bag, and crackers. Anything beats hospital food.
“Help please! Zach and I are wanting to build a metal barn/home on our new land. I wanted to see if anyone knew of reputable contractors that may could help us, any ideas?”
A few days later, in a flashback to their carefree days as high school sweethearts, Lauren posted a photo taken on the Northview baseball field:
Lord, take me back to this day…please.
In January, Zach was back in the hospital, his mother Joanna Barrow battling cancer in the room next door. She passed away January 30.
“I sit and look at Zachary and I’m just so overwhelmed with the love God has placed in my heart for this man,” Lauren said at the time “It’s more love than I could have imagined I could feel for another person. Honestly, there is bad in the world-our family seems to be surrounded with it. But today, I don’t want to be angry or bitter. I’m choosing to just love God, Zach and my family just like I’ve been doing. God has so much planned for Zach and I, we’re just patiently waiting to see what that is, and when God shows us… I can only imagine how awesome it’ll be.”
Nine days after his mother Joanna lost her battle to cancer, her middle son, Zach, joined his mother in heaven. He was 23.
February 8th, 10:48 a.m. A day that is one of the worst/greatest days of my life. My best friend, my soul mate, my smile and my superman left this earth to be with our Savior in paradise where he is no longer hurting, sick, sad or longing for anything. My heart hurts, but to have the peace of knowing where the love of my life is makes it easier. “I’ll love you forever and a day after.” He will forever be my forever and always my sunshine on a cloudy day.
Lauren has written an open Valentine’s letter to Zach:
“To my Superman and my Sunshine, This is my thank you to you and a few others. First, I want to thank your mom and dad. Two beautiful people, who you admired so much. Your dad, a man that taught you how to play ball, how to love a woman and how to serve the Lord like a Christian should. Your precious mother, a woman sent straight from God it seemed like. She was a warrior just like you were. She taught you how to fight a good fight and win it. I also want to thank your brothers. These two men fought, argued and played in the yard with you almost every day of your life. Men that have promised to take care of me for the rest of mine now that you’re gone. Men that are now my brothers.
My sweetheart, I want to thank you for just being you. You were the man that me and my parents prayed for every day since I was born. Your walk with the Lord inspired me to be a better person and a better wife for you. Thank you for loving me more than I deserve. A man is supposed to love their wife like Christ loved the church, and sweetheart you did just that. You loved with every ounce in you. I did not deserve you, but God’s grace is more than I can describe. He sent you to me almost six years ago, and put us through a fair share of trials. Cancer. Not once, but twice. The thought of cancer terrifies me and shakes me to my core, but you Zach, you took cancer by the horns and just rolled with it. Even with cancer, you led me just as a Godly man should’ve. Cancer did not beat you my love. Cancer was a huge part of your testimony. I don’t know why the Lord decided to choose you to carry this burden, I don’t want to and will not question God’s choices. You were and are the strongest person I’ve ever known. Zach, you have fought your fight, and you have finished your course. I’m sure when you met the Lord, he met you with a smile and a “Well Done.”
Thank you for letting me be a part of your wonderful life, because you will always be a part of mine. I will carry your testimony however long the Lord allows me to. There are not enough words to describe how much my heart longs to be with the Lord and you where grief and sadness is nonexistent. Until that day, I have a job to do down here, but I will see your beautiful face again.
Thank you for being my sunshine.
Thank you for being my superman.
Thank you for leading me.
Thank you for being Zachary Thomas Barrow.
I love you and will miss you always,
Lauren McCall Barrow”
A benefit “Breakfast for the Barrows”, which was planned prior to Zach’s passing, will be held this Friday evening at the First Baptist Church of Bratt beginning at 6:00. Tickets are available in advance at Byrneville Elementary School or at the door. The meal includes pancakes, sausage and drink.
Showers, Thunderstorms Tonight
February 14, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after midnight. Low around 60. South wind 5 to 15 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9am, then a slight chance of showers between 9am and noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 64. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 62. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 38. Calm wind.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 66. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. South wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. East wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 53.
Washington’s Birthday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.
Gun Bills Line Up In Legislature
February 14, 2017
A measure that would reduce the penalty for people who briefly display a firearm in public and make it a non-criminal offense has been filed in the House.
The proposal (HB 779), filed Friday by Rep. Neil Combee, R-Polk City, is identical to a bill (SB 646) filed by Senate Judiciary Chairman Greg Steube, R-Sarasota. Steube recently turned an omnibus 
measure (SB 140) into a series of bills.
Combee said his proposal would apply to people with concealed-weapons licenses. The proposal would change what is currently a second-degree misdemeanor charge — carrying a fine up to $500 and 60 days in jail — into a $25 noncriminal violation that can be paid to a county clerk of the court.
The proposal also would allow members of the state Cabinet — the attorney general, chief financial officer and agriculture commissioner — to carry concealed weapons when unaccompanied by full-time Florida Department of Law Enforcement security.
As with the majority of other stand-alone gun-related measures by Steube, the proposal has yet to be scheduled to appear before a House or Senate committee.
On Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, Steube filed nine bills tied to gun ownership rights after telling reporters of his plan to separate the broader bill.
“Just from feeling the tea leaves, it’s probably better to attack it piece by piece,” Steube said at the time.
The Florida Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence has called Steube’s “flurry” of bills “dangerous.”
“The sheer breadth of his call to allow citizens to arm themselves in public, including at schools and airports, would extend legal gun carry opportunities to unprecedented levels in the state of Florida,” the coalition — whose members include the League of Women Voters of Florida, the Florida PTA, Equality Florida and Doctors for America — said in a release.
Florida Carry attorney Eric Friday said Monday that the Second Amendment advocacy group supports Steube’s effort, either as a single bill or as a series of proposals.
“Sen. Steube is fighting to restore the right of people to defend themselves,” Friday said in an email.
Among Steube’s other bills is a proposal (SB 610) that could lead to businesses being held liable if they prevent concealed-carry permit holders from bringing firearms onto their property and the permit holders get injured by other people or animals.
Among the more prominent of Steube’s revised efforts is a bill that would allow people with concealed-weapons licenses to openly carry handguns (SB 644) and to carry firearms on college and university campuses (SB 622).
Both proposals stalled in the Senate Judiciary Committee last year, but the former chairman of the committee, Republican Miguel Diaz de la Portilla of Miami, is no longer in the Legislature.
Other proposals by Steube include a measure (SB 618) that would allow people to carry guns in airport terminals; a measure (SB 620) that would allow people to carry guns at legislative meetings; a measure (SB 626) that would allow people to carry guns at local-government meetings; a measure (SB 640) that would allow people to carry guns at career centers; and a measure that would allow concealed firearms licensees to temporarily surrender firearms at courthouse security.
The airport terminal proposal is identical to a measure (HB 6001) filed in November by Rep. Jake Raburn, R-Lithia.
In December, Rep. Scott Plakon, R-Longwood, introduced a House version of the campus-carry measure (HB 6005).
The campus-carry proposal faces opposition by university and college leaders, campus law- enforcement officials and faculty members. The Florida Sheriffs Association has opposed efforts to allow open-carry in Florida.
Separately, Sen. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, on Monday filed his own measure (SB 908) that would allow the 1.7 million concealed weapons permit-holders in Florida to carry at the state’s 15 seaports. The proposal also would delete provisions in state law that bar carrying concealed weapons at police and sheriff’s stations, jails, courthouses, polling places, colleges, professional sporting events and establishments where alcohol is sold for consumption on site. The measure also would delete a provision that prohibits people from carrying firearms in places prohibited by federal law.
Baxley also filed a pair of measures (SB 912 and SJR 910) on Monday that would ask voters in November 2018 or in an earlier special election to amend the state Constitution to exempt law enforcement officers and “qualified” retired officers from having to wait three days to purchase handguns.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Deputies Seek Two Suspects In Drive-By Shooting Near Molino
February 14, 2017
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for two people in connection with a drive-by shooting January 29 near Molino.
Daquan Damian Jones and Javoris Knight, both 18-years old, are wanted by deputies.
The Sheriff’s Office said the drive-by shooting occurred on Cedartown Road. There was no one injured in the incident.
Anyone that knows the whereabouts of Jones or Knight is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620. Authorities said Jones and Knight should be considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached.
Pictured top: Daquan Damian Jones (left) and Javoris Knight. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Kayla Crocker Laid To Rest; Community Benefit Set For Saturday
February 14, 2017
Funeral services were held Monday for 28-year old Kayla Maylee Crocker, the Beulah mother of two that was shot during a home invasion robbery last week.
Crocker was the final victim of William “Billy” Boyette, who later took his own life when surrounded by law enforcement in Georgia, His accomplice, Mary Rice, is facing a first degreee murder charge for Crocker’s death.
Visitation and funeral services for the 2006 Tate High School graduate were held Monday evening at Beulah Baptist Church. Family members said Crocker was an organ and tissue donor, allowing her to help others. And despite rumors, they said she was not pregnant.
The Beulah community has planned a memorial and fundraising event for her two children Saturday from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Beulah Park at 7820 Mobile Highway. All first responders with identification will be able to eat for free.
A BBQ combo with a sandwich, drink and a bag of chips will be $6. A cake walk will be held during the event for several donated cakes, and there will be entertainment.
There will also be a raffle for prizes that includes: a year’s worth of cleaning services by Melissa’s Custom Clean ($1,000 value), Spray Tan sessions, home décor, jewelry and gift cards/certificates donated by several local restaurants and retail shops with many more items being donated daily.
All money collected will be place into an account in the childrens’ names at Navy Federal Credit Union.
Rolling Hills Land Clearing Debris Disposal Area Fire
February 14, 2017
Escambia County Waste Services, Environmental Code Enforcement, Public Safety, Fire Rescue and the Florida Forest Service are responding to a fire at the Rolling Hills Landfill located at 6990 Rolling Hills Road. Emergency communications received a called at 5:28 p.m. reporting a fire in the general location of the closed landfill. After investigating, the source of the fire is estimated to have impacted five acres in a large mound of land clearing debris located in the southeast area of the property designated for land clearing debris disposal. The fire is not in the C&D area of the landfill currently being remediated by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
The fire appears to be contained. It currently poses no risk to surrounding homes beyond the nuisance smoke. Because the fire is not in the C&D area of the landfill, the hydrogen sulfide gas levels, or H2S, in the Wedgewood Community should not be impacted by the fire. Residents can view values of the gas online at http://myescambia.com/community/air-quality-monitoring.
Since revoking Rolling Hills Landfill’s permit in 2014, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection was able to get court approval to close the landfill. Working with state contractors, surveyors and landfill closure experts, they developed a comprehensive closure design based on current site conditions and the contractor began work in the fall of 2016. A vast majority of the onsite work has been completed. However, weather has caused some delays and the project is expected to be completed at the end of this month.
Northview School Advisory Council Meeting Rescheduled
February 14, 2017
A Northview High School Advisory Council meeting that was scheduled for February 9 has been rescheduled for Thursday, February 16 at 3:45 p.m. in the school’s media center. Parents, school s supporters and the public are invited to attend.