Tate’s Cole Fryman Signs With Samford University
November 15, 2019
Tate High School’s Cole Fryman has signed Thursday to play baseball and continue his academic career with Samford University. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Thieves Target Twice The Ice Machines Across County
November 15, 2019
At least four Twice The Ice machines in Escambia County have been targeted by thieves over the past two weeks, including one on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
The Twice The Ice location in the 5500 block of Saufley Field Road was reported burglarized on November 2, followed by a location in the 13000 block of Johnson Beach Road on Perdido Key on November 9, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Locations in the 12200 block of Lillian Highway and the 200 block of South Highway 29, across the from paper mill, were discovered burglarized on Thursday, November 14.
In each incident, money was reported taken from the machine, according to Amber Southard, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Anyone with information on the burglaries is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Cantonment Woman Called Deputies To File A Report; They Charged Her With DUI
November 15, 2019
A Molino woman was driving under the influence when she met deputies at a convenience store to file a complaint, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Lori Ann Hobbs, 45, blew samples of .199 and .192 on a breathalyzer test over two times the legal limit of .08, according to the ECSO.
She called for deputies to meet her a gas station in the 700 block of North Highway 29 so she could file a harassing communications complaint. An arrest report states that while deputies did not see Hobbs drive to the gas station, they did watch as she drove her vehicle around the building from one parking space to another.
A responding deputy reported smelling the distinct odor of alcohol coming from Hobbs as she told him she drove from her home to the gas station. She failed a field sobriety test, according to the report.
Hobbs was charged with DUI and later released from the Escambia County Jail on a $1,000 bond.
The arrest report does not specify any details about the harassment complaint or if deputies took a report from Hobbs.
20-Year Old High School Student Charged With Lewd Act With Teen Girl During School Lunch
November 14, 2019
A 20-year old high school student has been charged with a committing a sexual act with 14-year old girl in a school lunchroom.
Kenneth Tyrese Lowery of Century was charged with second degree felony lewd or lascivious molestation on a person under 16 years of age.
The report does not specify the school in Escambia County where the incident took place, but it does list Lowery as a student at Northview High School.
Multiple students witnessed the incident between Lowery, who is also known as “Ty” and the 14-year old girl, according to an arrest report. The victim told a deputy that Lowery covered his lap with a green jacket before she performed the sexual act on him, but she stopped after about five minutes when she realized other students were watching.
During the investigation, Lowery went to the school resource officer and asked to discuss a rumor that circulating around the school. The deputy informed Lowery that he was already aware of the incident. The deputy had reviewed surveillance video which showed Lowery and the victim sitting together during third lunch period, the report states. Lowery covered his lap with a green jacket before someone approached the table and Lowery uncovered his lap area. The quality of the video did not provide further details.
Lowery was held without bond in the Escambia County Jail.
Cantonment Man Arrested On Child Porn Charges After ‘Large Amount’ Of Child Porn Found On His Phone
November 14, 2019
[UPDATED] – A Cantonment man was arrested on child pornography charges after authorities executed a search warrant at his residence on Wednesday and found a “large amount” of child porn on his phone.
Matthew Christopher McClammy, 26, was charged with 10 counts of possession of child pornography with intent to promote. He remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $150,000.
According to an arrest report, McClammy had in his possession more than 10 files containing photographs and videos depicting children that appeared to be between 8 and 13-years old engaged in sexual activity with adults and other children.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office received a cybertip that child sexual abuse images were being obtained and shared via a Twitter account belonging to McClammy.
Investigators found McClammy at McDonald’s in Cantonment Wednesday morning and advised him to return to his residence in the 800 block of Jacks Branch Road for an interview. He voluntarily provided his phone to investigators, along with his passcode. He then voluntarily drove back to the residence where he was interviewed.
McClammy’s statements to investigators were redacted from the arrest report.
When investigators reviewed the direct messages on McClammy’s Twitter, they located messages that indicated possible sexual abuse between him and an underage girl, according to the ECSO.
A Homeland Security agent taking part in the search of the phone found a large amount of child pornography in the Dropbox application, the arrest report states. The phone was seized as evidence.
Pictured: A search warrant was executed Wednesday at this home in the 800 block of Jacks Branch Road. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
The Applications Are In: Five Apply To Be Century’s Town Manager
November 14, 2019
Five people have applied for the town manager position in Century, including the person currently working as the town’s gas supervisor.
The town started taking applications for the job back in mid-September, describing the ideal candidate as “qualified and highly motivated” and requiring a bachelor’s degree in public administration or a related field, plus five years of experience in local government administration of a senior management position.
Interim City Manager Buz Eddy, who did not apply, has expressed a belief that the town did not have more applicants because the city manager position is not specifically established by the town charter. Intead, the town used a provision that allows the council to create or establish departments as deemed necessary and the mayor to hire employees with the council’s approval.
Vernon Prather of Molino was one of the applicants. He began working for the town on a consulting basis as part of a package deal when now Eddy came on board in July.
The town has not yet taken action to hire a permanent city manager.
The applicants for Century Town Manager, in alphabetical order, are:
Timothy Day
Cape Coral, Florida
- Day Properties, property management 2017-present
- Town manager in Melbourne Beach 2015-2017
- Town manager in Greenville, FL, 2016
- Community Manager, Fort Myers 201
- Director, South West Florida Public Service Academy, Fort Myers 2002-2012
- Former or current property manager, community association manager
- BA degree Rhode Island College, AS degree in administration from Roger William University, certified police officer Rhode Island and Florida
Elmon Lee Garner
Chattahoochee, Florida
- Interim city manager, Palatka, FL, July 2019 to present
- City manager, Chattahoochee, FL, June 1997 to September 2018
- AA management, Georgia Military College
- BS management, Limestone College (SC)
- MPA public administration, Brenau University (GA)
Steve Neratko
East Dover, Vermont
- Director of community and economic development, Town of Dover, Vermont 2017-current
- Director City of Allentown (PA) planning and zoning, chief planner City of Allentown, 2015-2017
- City of Dunkirk (NY) director of planning and economic development 2012-2015
- Cayuga County planner Auburn, NY 2008-2011
- AS math and science, Jamestown (NY) Community College, BA political science SUNY Fredonia (NY).
Vernon Prather
Molino, Florida
- Assistant city manager, City of Gulf Breeze, FL 2017-2019
- Director of public services, City of Gulf Breeze, FL 2017
- Operations consultant, City Gulf Breeze 2016-2017
- Director of public services, City of Gulf Breeze 2006-2017
- Holds water and wastewater treatment plant operator certifications
- Appointed board member Santa Rosa Island Authority 2004-20012
- Operations of water, wastewater treatment plant certificates, Pensacola Junior College and California State University
- Certificate of Drafting Pensacola Junior College
- Molino Utilities board of director 2000-present
Tracie Watson
Brewton, Alabama
- GED instructor, Pensacola State College, August 2019-present
- Substitute teacher on-call, Brewton City Schools 2018-2019
- Staff Associate to director Office of Institutional Research 2017-2018
- Academic coordinator to department head, Florida A&M University, 2015-2016
- Administrative assistant, Leon County (FL) School Board, 2013-2015
- Volunteer, CERT trainer AmeriCorps VISTA 2012-2013
- Event manager, Global Trace Enterprises 2009-2012
- Administrative Assistant, Leon County (FL) School board, 2013-2015
- BS human resources management Faulkner University, Montgomery, AL
- Masters education personnel administrative University of West Florida
Editor’s note: Information for each candidate is a brief summary of experience and education taken from more complete resumes/applications. Work experience greater than 10 years ago was not highlighted.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Cat Country Receives Station Of The Year Award During CMA Show
November 14, 2019
Cat Country 98.7 received the Country Music Association’s Small Market Station of the Year Award during the annual CMA Awards in Nashville Wednesday.
Stations are judged by a panel of broadcast professionals on aircheck, ratings, community involvement and format leadership.
Cat Country 98.7 was named CMA Station Of The Year once before in 2017. The station is locally owned by ADX Communications.
Pictured (center) Cat Country morning hosts Brent Lane and Candy Cullerton and (outside) ADX Communications owners Dave and Mary Hoxeng. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No Driver Found After Molino Wreck
November 14, 2019
A driver was nowhere to be found when first responders arrived at a rollover accident in Molino Wednesday night.
Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS were dispatched to a Toyota Corolla discovered in a ditch on McKinnonville Road between Molino and Brickyard road about 9:30 p.m. They discovered the vehicle was only slightly warm had been there for some period of time. The vehicle was reportedly in park, and the keys were missing.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
FFA Smoked Turkey, Boston Butt Sale Underway
November 14, 2019
The annual Northview High School FFA Alumni Smoked Turkey and Boston Butt Sale is now underway, just in time for Thanksgiving.
In the annual fundraiser, you can choose either a seven to nine 7-9 pound smoked Boston butt or a 10-12 pound smoked turkey for $30 each.
Boston butts will be available for pickup on Monday, November 25, and the the smoked turkeys will be available for pickup on Tuesday, November 26 at either Highland Baptist Church in Molino or the Northview Ag Department (complete pickup details are on the order form).
Proceeds from the sale will go to benefit the Northview High School FFA Scholarship Fund. The sale is sponsored by Archie’s Catering Smokehouse in Molino. For a printable order form, click here. Orders must be placed by Tuesday, November 19.
Jim Allen Elementary Names October Students Of The Month
November 14, 2019
Jim Allen Elementary School has named Students of the Month for October. They are JaDora Linzy (pictured left) and Ella Sherbrook. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.