Cantonment Man Charged With Battery, Strangulation Of Family Member
October 5, 2022
A Cantonment man is charged with the battery of a close family member.
Lorenzo McNeal, Jr., 47, was charged with battery and battery by strangulation, both domestic violence related.
McNeal allegedly struck a close relative in the head utilizing his knee and strangling the victim until he was losing his ability to breath, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The victim and McNeal become involved in a physical altercation over a phone and money that had been stolen. according to an arrest report. The victim suffered multiple abrasions and a hematoma on his head.
McNeal also allegedly used a metal pipe to bust the passenger side windows out of a Dodge Avenger, but the owner of the vehicle did not press charges.
He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $12,000 bond.
Escambia, AL, Teacher Wins $100,000 From Harbor Freight Tools For Schools
October 5, 2022
Jason Blackwell, a high school industrial maintenance teacher at Escambia Career Readiness Center in Brewton, Alabama, has been named a grand prize winner of the 2022 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence, winning $30,000 for himself and $70,000 for his program.
“It means a lo not only to me to but to my school and my community,” he said. “Sometimes we don’t have a lot of home around here, and this is going to bring a whole lot of home and dreams to fruition.
It’s a great feeling to see one of our teachers from the Escambia County Public Schools, get this award,” said Escambia County (AL) School Superintendent Michele McClung. “And we’re very appreciative of Harbor Freight Tools for Schools for seeking out those outstanding teachers and especially in a non-traditional school setting to come to a career readiness center and award a career technical education teacher for their excellence and teaching is outstanding.”
His experience in the skilled trades began when his father, a tradesman, told him, “if you listen to me, I’ll teach you everything I know.” Blackwell did just that, learning and following in his father’s footsteps. But in 2012, Blackwell was in a wreck that changed his life – he could no longer do much of his trade work that required intense physical labor. However, he was soon approached with an opportunity to teach, and he decided he wanted to share with others the knowledge his father had shared with him. With 20 years of experience and certifications across multiple trades, Blackwell has taught several different courses in his nine years in the classroom – all with the same goal to empower and support his students.
Blackwell encourages his students to take ownership of their learning and work collaboratively to solve problems. First-year students partner with more experienced students, and all take on leadership roles throughout the year. There are group competitions within their student-run company, and Blackwell teaches financial and project management, with students in charge of estimating costs, procuring materials, planning the schedule, and performing and evaluating the work.
Blackwell also works to ensure his students have opportunities beyond his program. He partners with community colleges to provide pathways for dual enrollment and last year established a career route into a nationally-recognized, certified apprenticeship program in industrial maintenance. His class also helped create the first competency-based apprenticeship for commercial drivers in Alabama. His program is an example throughout the state, with a 100%pass rate for the class and an 80% pass rate for National Center for Construction Education and Research and Manufacturing Skill Standards Council certifications. His students also have a 70% completion rate from 2-year college. His classes won the SkillsUSA Chapter of Distinction Gold and Silver in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022.
Beyond teaching them technical skills, Blackwell strives to support his students in all their endeavors. In his rural area, many students come from challenging backgrounds. Blackwell attends their sports games and takes them to meet industry partners for breakfast. He connects with each student individually and mentors them across all aspects of life. In Blackwell’s program, they have an opportunity to complete school improvement projects and participate in various community service events after school and on the weekends. He and his students work together to make a positive impact in and out of the classroom.
Blackwell has a bachelor’s degree in Career and Technical Education from Athens State and is currently pursuing a master’s in Education from the University of Alabama. He won the SkillsUSA Alabama High School Advisor of the Year in 2020 and 2021.
Photos courtesy Harbor Freight Tools for Schools for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Dry Trend Continues; Lows In The 50s, Highs In The 80s
October 5, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 54. Calm wind.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 57. Calm wind.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph after midnight.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 53. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 81.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 52.
Columbus Day: Sunny, with a high near 83.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 84.
Dozens Receive License, Registration Services In Century On ‘FLOW’ Bus
October 5, 2022
Florida Licensing On Wheels (FLOW) mobile office was back in Century on Tuesday.
According to Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford, the FLOW unit served 28 customers, including eight with driver’s license transactions and 15 with registration transactions.
The event was a partnership between Lunsford and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles at the Billy G. Ward Courthouse on North Century Boulevard.
The FLOW office in Century on Tuesday was a smaller bus than residents have normally seen; the usual bus was in Fort Myers helping with Hurricane Ian recovery, Lunsford remarked.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Convicted Sex Offender Arrested On Multiple Child Porn Charges After Raid
October 5, 2022
A convicted sex offender in Escambia County was arrested by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on multiple child pornography charges Tuesday.
FDLE charged 43-year old Gary Alan Grimm with five counts of promoting the sexual performance of a child and five counts of possession of child sexual abuse material, both felonies.
The investigation began in August when agents discovered a device sharing images of child sexual abuse material online. Investigators tracked the device’s IP address to a Pensacola residence shared by multiple registered sexual offenders.
Agents executed a search warrant at the residence Tuesday and located a device that contained child sexual abuse material in Grimm’s sleeping area. Another device, also containing child sexual abuse material, was discovered hidden inside a trash bag elsewhere in the home by K9 Maple, one of FDLE’s Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) canine officers.
Additional charges for other registered sex offenders living at the address may follow pending further forensic analysis of electronic devices seized at the residence, according to FDLE.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI, and Homeland Security Investigations assisted FDLE with executing the search warrant.
Grimm was booked into the Escambia County Jail and ordered held without bond pending first appearance. The case will be prosecuted by the State Attorney’s Office, First Judicial Circuit
Volleyball: Flomaton Defeats Northview (With Photo Gallery)
October 5, 2022
The Flomaton Hurricanes defeated the Northview Chiefs 3-2 in high school volleyball action Tuesday evening in Flomaton.
Northview will host the Pine Forest Eagles at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in their final home game of the regular season.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Atmore Police Arrest Man For Catalytic Converter, Aluminum Thefts
October 5, 2022
An Atmore man is facing charges after allegedly cutting aluminum from coolers as a soft drink bottler and stealing catalytic converters from a local business.
Dalton Harrison, 26, was charged with two counts of theft of property first degree, unlawful breaking and entering a motor vehicle, criminal mischief first degree, criminal trespassing third degree, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
He is accused of damaging 26 cooling units at the Pepsi Bottling Company of Atmore in May as the aluminum evaporators were cut out.
In June, he allegedly cut catalytic converters out of several vehicles at Lee’s Collision Center.
Recently, Atmore Police responded to a criminal trespassing complaint and took Harrison into custody on an outstanding violation of probation warrant. As he was being searched, police said they located a clear glass pipe with a residue that tested positive for methamphetamine.
According to police, he could possibly face additional charges in the Pepsi Bottling and Lee Collision thefts in addition to other thefts under active investigation.
Man Shot And Killed After Opening Fire On Escambia Deputies
October 4, 2022
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies returned fire killing a man that shot at them Tuesday morning.
The ECSO responded to the 100 block of Payne Road in Navy Point about 4:10 a.m. A woman told deputies that 36-year old Colin Merrill West was inside with a gun and had threatened her.
West first refused commands as deputies surrounded the home. Just over an hour later, he exited the door with a handgun and opened fire at deputies who returned fire, Sheriff Chip Simmons said.
“Here’s the deal. When you come outside with a gun in your hands, start shooting at us, you get what you get and that’s dead. When someone shoots you, there’s not much time for dialogue. There’s not much time for diagnosis. We tried that. We tried that for about an hour and he refused to come out,” Simmons said.
He said eight deputies fired at West. None were injured.
“This is not the way we wanted it to end. We gave him plenty of opportunities; he chose not to take those opportunities.”
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is conducting an independent investigation, and the deputies involved have been placed on administrative leave, as is standard procedure in an officer-involved shooting.
The ECSO was already applying for felony warrants on West, and he was a convicted felon on probation for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon domestic violence, and false imprisonment (kidnapping) convictions out of Santa Rosa County in 2019.
FLOW Licensing Bus Today In Century
October 4, 2022
UPDATE: The FLOW vehicle experienced equipment problems in Pensacola Tuesday morning. It was expected to open about 10 a.m. in Century.
The Florida Licensing On Wheels (FLOW) mobile office will return to Century on Tuesday.
FLOW is a standalone mobile office with technology to provide most motorists’ needs. The mobile unit provides a convenient method to renew a driver license, obtain a replacement driver license, conversion/reciprocation of out-of-state license, change a name or address on a current driver license or identification card, and get a first-time identification card. In addition to licensing services, the mobile unit also provides an opportunity to renew or replace a vehicle registration and apply, renew or replace disabled parking placards. Written and driving tests are not available from the FLOW unit.
Vehicle registrations can be renewed up to three months and driver licenses up to 18 months in advance of expiration.
The FLOW mobile office will be at the Billy G. Ward Century Courthouse, 7500 North Century Boulevard on Tuesday, October 4 from 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.
Citizens using the FLOW services are encouraged to visit EscambiaTaxCollector.com and click the “What Do I Bring” button for information on what is needed for these services. Staff from the tax collector’s office will be on hand to answer all FLOW service questions and questions concerning all other tax collector services such as property tax, business tax receipts, concealed weapons licensing, etc.
Pictured: The Florida Licensing On Wheels (FLOW) mobile office at the courthouse in Century in June 2022. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Cancels Budget, Tax Hearing Due To Public Notice Error
October 4, 2022
Century’s new fiscal year started October 1, but they have not yet approved a budget or tax rate.
A final public hearing on the budget and millage rate set for Monday night was called off due to a public notice error. According to Town Clerk Leslie Howington, the numbers in a budget summary did not match the numbers in a public notice for the meeting.
The meeting will be rescheduled, but as of Monday night a new date and time had not been announced.
Pictured: No member of the general public attended the first of two required Century budget public hearings on September 27. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.