Arrest Made In Recent Escambia County Homicide
February 11, 2020
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest in a recent murder.
Larry Raymond Moore, 27, is charged with the homicide of Jeremy Beebe, 35.
On February 2, the ECSO responded to the 3500 block of Mobile Highway where they found Beebe with lacerations to his face and bruising on his body. Beebe told deputies he had been in a physical altercation with an unknown group of males. He was transported to a local hospital where he passed away on February 7.
During the investigation, surveillance video was retrieved and several interviews were conducted, according to the ECSO, leading to Moore’s arrest.
Cantonment Woman Begins Jail Sentence For Defrauding State Of $352K In Daycare Scheme
February 11, 2020
A Cantonment woman has reported to the Escambia County Jail to begin a six month sentence for a scheme involving a daycare that defrauded the state out of more than $350,000.
Eboni Moorer Singer, 38, was convicted last month on three counts of public assistance fraud. In total, the Florida Department of Financial Services said Singer and Roletta Shelton fraudulently accepted $352,622.09 in public assistance funds. She will be on probation for 15 years following her release and was ordered to pay restitution.
The state says the two women knowingly conspired for Shelton to act as the owner of the business actually owned by Singer and falsified state contracts, bank accounts and other documentation in order to conceal the identity of the true owner.
In June 2011, Singer, doing business as Legendary Pre-School was disqualified by the USDA Food Program for seven years due to submitted false claims to the Department of Health for Child Care Food Program funds. In June 2012, her contract with the Early Learning Coalition (ELC) of Escambia County was terminated due to her USDA disqualification.
Singer then transferred to the business to her husband who renamed the business Legendary Kids Pre-School. His contract with the ELC was terminated in 2014 and his eligibility was revoked for five years.
Investigators said that in response to being in eligible to received state funds for their daycare, Singer and her husband recruited Shelton to act as owner of the business for them. Shelton renamed the business Legendary Christian Pre-School. Shelton then signed numerous agreements with the ELC to provide subsidized Voluntary Pre-K and childcare services.
According to investigators, Singer leased the school’s location on West Fairfield Drive, and Singer and her husband owned both of the preschool’s vans. In addition, the business bank account was joint between Shelton and Singer, and Singer made transfers to and from her personal bank account.
Shelton was sentenced to five years probation but not did not receive any time in jail. Both were ordered to make restitution and are barred from participating in any childcare facility that bills any government agency.
Register To Vote Soon: Florida’s Deadline Is One Week Away For Primaries
February 11, 2020
Florida residents who are not registered to vote have a week remaining to register to vote in order cast a ballot in the March presidential primary election.
The voter registration deadline for the March 17 presidential primary is Tuesday, February 18.
Florida has closed primaries. If you want to vote in a party’s primary, you must be registered in that party by the registration deadline.
Voters can register online or register in person or by mail. For information on any of the registration methods, change parties or check your registration, visit escambiavotes.com.
College Street Railroad Crossing In Flomaton Closed
February 11, 2020
College Street at the railroad crossing will be closed until Wednesday for repairs by the railroad. NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Longtime Walnut Hill Volunteer Firefighter, County Supervisor Dennis Rigby Passes Away
February 11, 2020
Longtime Escambia County employee and volunteer firefighter Dennis Rigby, 60, of Oak Grove passed away Monday after an 18-month battle with pancreatic cancer.
During his 32-year career with the county, he most recently worked as fleet maintenance supervisor for Escambia County Solid Waste before his retirement last October. In 2018, he was honored by the Escambia County Commission for his long career.
Next month would have marked 40 years for Rigby as a volunteer for Walnut Hill Volunteer Department, and he also served as the department chief from 1988 to 1989. In 2012, he was named Officer of the Year (pictured below) and honored for his decades of service to the department.
“I am so sorry for the large contingent of family and friends that Dennis leaves behind,” Escambia County Commission Chairman Steven Barry said. “Dennis was a tremendous public servant, who served his community for many decades, with over 30 years with Escambia County, and 40 years with the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department. We should all aspire to have the positive impact on our neighbors that Dennis had on his.”
Rigby is survived by his wife of 41 years, Sherri Rigby; two children, Chad Rigby and Kristi Rigby Hughes; and two grandchildren, Devin and Dakota Hughes.
Visitation will be held Thursday, February 13 from 6-8 p.m. at Atmore Memorial Chapel. Funeral services will be Friday, February 14 at 11 a.m. at Atmore Memorial Chapel with a graveside service to follow at Oak Grove Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department.
For the complete obituary, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos.
Tate High School Baseball Concession Stand Burglarized
February 11, 2020
Someone broke into the Tate High School baseball concession stand over the weekend.
A large brick was thrown through a window, and about $300 worth of food and drink were stolen, according to the baseball booster club.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Coach Karl Jernigan or Principal Rick Shackle at the school at (850) 937-2300.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Rain Possible Tuesday, Possible Severe Storms Late Wednesday
February 11, 2020
There is slight risk of severe storms Wednesday evening into late Wednesday night. The biggest threat will be damaging winds and a possibly a brief tornado.
A dense fog advisory is in effect for tonight.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before midnight. Areas of dense fog after 3am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 62. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Areas of dense fog before 9am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 77. South wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.
Wednesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 60. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Thursday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before noon, then a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. North wind around 10 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 57. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 36. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 62. East wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68.
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56.
Washington’s Birthday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61.
Tuesday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 75.
Northview High School Names Students Of The Month
February 11, 2020
Northview High School has named Students of the Month for January. They are Jason Gurganus (left) and Chunqi Yang. They pictured with Principal Mike Sherrill. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lucas Randall Courtney
February 11, 2020
Lucas Randall Courtney, 24, of Cantonment, FL, passed away Sunday, February 9, 2020.
He was born in Pensacola, FL, attended Tate High School and was employed at the Boyd Plumbing Company as a service plumber.
Lucas enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time outdoors. He loved to sing karaoke and was happy to show off his singing talent from Pensacola all the way to Camden, AL. He was happiest when he was with friends and family. He loved being an uncle to Kash and was happy to teach him all sorts of bad habits.
He is preceded in death by his grandfathers, Larry Strickland and Bill Courtney; uncle, Ernie Courtney and his special friend and mentor, Sheila Binion.
Lucas is survived by his parents, Luke and Marla Courtney; sister and brother-in-law, Ashton and Kasi Calvin and nephew, Kash Calvin all of Cantonment, FL; grandmothers, Cora Strickland, of Greenwood, FL and Elaine Lambeth, of Brewton, AL; grandfather, Tony Winget, of Ashford AL; aunts and uncles, Michael Courtney (Lou) and Janna Boyd, of Pensacola, FL, Tammy McCray (David), of Woodford, VA, Brenda Yaqub (Talha), of Chantilly, VA, Cindy Courtney of Brewton, AL, Phil Winget (Crystal), of Bascom, FL, Brad Winget (Chrissy), of Wasilla, AK, Jonathan Strickland (Kim), of Marianna FL, Jason Strickland (Dani), of Lynn Haven, FL; as well as, numerous cousins and special friends, Brett Johnson, Travis Poole, Caleb Girdner, Taylor Hughes and Ariel Holland.
A memorial visitation will be held 1:00pm until a memorial service begins at 2:00pm Thursday, February 13, 2020 at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church with Pastor Gordon Godfrey officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the National Wild Turkey Federation, P.O. Box 530, Edgefield, SC 29824-0530.
Application Deadline Extended For West Florida Public Library Board of Governance
February 11, 2020
The application deadline has been extended for county residents interested in volunteering to be considered for an appointment to the West Florida Public Library Board of Governance.
The duties of the board include establishing policy and overseeing the management of Escambia County library services and making recommendations to the BCC regarding the annual budget according to the purposes and authority set forth in resolutions, interlocal agreements and other agreements, as well as state and federal laws. These duties also include establishing an annual plan of service and the long-range strategic planning of library services.
West Florida Public Libraries provides service to all of Escambia County, with the board typically meeting on the fourth Monday of the month from 4-6:30 p.m.
Residents interested in serving on the board are asked to submit a resume and letter indicating their desire to serve by close of business on Friday, February 14. Resumes should be submitted to Todd J. Humble, Director, West Florida Public Libraries, 239 N. Spring St., Pensacola, FL, 32502 or by email to tjhumble@mywfpl.com.