Jay Man Gets Life In Prison For Sexual Battery Of 8-Year Old Stepdaughter
August 8, 2023
Michael George Rasmussen, age 42 of Cobbtown Road, was charged with sexual battery by a suspect over 18 on a victim under 12, a capital felony.
A Jay man has been sentenced to life in prison for the sexual abuse of his 8-year old stepdaughter in 2018.
Circuit Court Judge Clifton Drake sentenced Michael George Rasmussen of Cobbtown Road to life in prison on a charge of sexual battery on a victim under age 12 by a defendant over age 18.
The girl was left in the care of Rasmussen, her stepfather, while her mother worked. After a day at the beach, Rasmussen carried the victim from the car and placed her on a bed where he sexually assaulted her, according to prosecutors. She later told a Santa Rosa Kids House investigator that she did not tell her mom because she was scared but eventually told a friend during the sleepover.
It took a jury 23 minutes to return a guilty verdict against Rasmussen.
Jay Man Charged With Sexual Battery In Escambia County
August 8, 2023
A Jay man has been charged in Escambia County for an alleged violent sexual assault.
Jared Michael Morris, 22, was charged with sexual battery, aggravated battery, false imprisonment and criminal mischief.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to West Florida Hospital where the victim was being treated for several injuries to her face and back.
She said Morris held her against her will for about four hours in an incident that began with a celebration over placing a downpayment for rent. He became intoxicated, punched holes in the walls and screamed at her, she told deputies.
When she attempted to leave, he grabbed her by the arms and began to sling her around the room and into a wall, according to an arrest report. He began to hold her down and tell her that she enjoyed being raped and attempted to sexually assault her, the report continues.
Morris cut himself on the neck and hands with a knife before wiping blood on the victim’s face and mouth, the report states. “She stated that he wanted her to kill him and that he wanted to die.”
The victim said she was unable to call for help because Morris took and broke her iPhone, but she was able to escape when Morris decided to go find drugs.
Morris was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $23,500 bond.
Man Hit His Neighbor, Age 72, With A Shovel And Threatened To Kill Him, ECSO Says
August 8, 2023
An Escambia County man has been charged with hitting a man in his 70s and threatening to kill him with a shovel.
Richard Patrick Erie, 54, was charged with one count each of battery on a person 65 years or older and aggravated assault on a person 65 years or older.
The 72-year old victim told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office he was working in his garden when Erie walked up and grabbed a shovel. Erie shoved the victim to the ground using the shovel handle, then applied force on the victim’s neck with the shovel while threatening to kill him, according to an ECSO arrest report. The victim said Erie was intoxicated.
According to the report, Erie and the victim are nextdoor neighbors.
Erie requested a lawyer and would not speak with deputies following the incident.
Erie was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $20,000 bond.
Century Failed To Properly Test Drinking Water For Lead, Copper For A Full Year
August 8, 2023
Century has notified utility customers that they failed to test drinking water for lead and copper for an entire year as required by the state.
From July 2022 through June 2023, the town “failed to take all of our required samples from our water distribution system” for lead and copper, according to a notice recently sent to customers. “Results of regular monitoring are an indicator of whether or not our drinking water meets health standards.”
“This puts us in violation of our requirement,” the town said.
The notice continued to say there is no action needed from customers at this time.
“You may continue to drink the water…If the situation ever arises where the water is no longer safe to drink, we will notify you within 24 hours.”
The notice states that “Infants and children who drink water containing lead in excess of the action level could experience delays in their physical or mental development. Children could show slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities. Adults who drink this water over many years could develop kidney problems or high blood pressure.”
In addition, the town’s notice continues to say that “some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over a relatively short amount of time could experience gastrointestinal distress. Some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over many years could suffer liver or kidney damage.”
Century Utilities said they planned to sample the water system again in July and amend procedures to ensure required sampling is conducted.
In July, NorthEscambia.com reported that Century failed to properly test drinking water for lead and copper during 2022 while failing to test for the inorganic contaminants nitrate and nitrite.
Scammers Are Posing As The Animal Shelter Saying They Have People’s Lost Pets
August 8, 2023
Someone is calling Escambia County residents with lost pets claiming to be the animal shelter and asking for $1,500 to retrieve the animal.
The Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare says they have received reports of fraudulent phone calls to the public from persons claiming to represent animal welfare staff. These calls are being targeted to citizens with lost pets, claiming their pet has been brought to the shelter and asking for $1,500 to be sent via Venmo in order to retrieve the pet.
“These calls are not legitimate and are not associated with Escambia County and the Department of Animal Welfare,” a release stated. “The persons calling have “’spoofed’ the animal shelter’s phone number, causing the caller ID to show the shelter’s phone number.
Animal Welfare staff will never ask for funds to be sent via Venmo. If a lost pet is at the shelter, redemption fees will be calculated at the time of redemption. A list of animal welfare service fees is available here.
If your pet is missing, check 24petconnect.com under your zip code and the “Escambia County Florida Animal Services” location. Visit the shelter in person to identify your missing pet. The shelter is located at 200 West Fairfield Drive and open Monday-Friday, 12-5 p.m., and Saturdays from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Pictured: A sampling of the found animals in the Escambia animal shelter as of Monday night. NorthEscambia.com image.
Heat Advisory, High Around 95 Tuesday
August 8, 2023
A heat advisory is in effect for Tuesday.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 110. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 109. Light southwest wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 78. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 79. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 78. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97.
Here Are The 10 Cars And Trucks Stolen Most Often In Florida
August 8, 2023
The vehicle with the highest theft rate in Florida last year was a pickup truck.
That was the findings in a recent analysis of the most stolen vehicles in each state conducted by the National Insurance Crime Bureau or NICB.
Full size Ford pickup trucks topped the list in Florida.
Here were Florida’s top 10 stolen vehicles in 2022 according to NICB, listed with the most frequent vehicle year stolen and the number of thefts:
- Ford pickup (full size) – 2006 – 2,030
- Honda Accord – 2021 – 1,003
- Nissan Altima – 2015 – 1,000
- Chevrolet pickup (full size) – 2021- 992
- Toyota Camry – 2021 – 898
- Toyota Corolla – 2021 – 887
- Honda Civic – 2020 – 772
- Dodge Charger – 2021 – 639
- Honda CR-V – 2021 – 580
- Hyundai Sonata – 2013 – 577
Nationally, the top 10 stolen vehicles and model year most often stolen were:
- Chevrolet pickup (full size), 2004
- Ford pickup (full size) 2006
- Honda Civic, 2000
- Honda Accord, 1997
- Hyundai Sonata, 2013
- Hyundai Elantra, 2017
- Kia Optima, 2015
- Toyota Camry, 2021
- GMC pickup (full size), 2005
- Honda CR-V, 2001
More than 85 percent of passenger vehicles reported stolen in 2022 were subsequently recovered by law enforcement or other means, with 34 percent recovered within a day of the vehicle being reported stolen, NICB said.
Vehicle theft rates for sedans, including Honda, Hyundai and Kia, followed those of full-size pickups, with recovery rates for Hyundais and Kias between 87 and 95 percent. Social media trends were a likely factor in their high theft rankings in 2022.
Dennis Griffis
August 8, 2023
Mr., age 60, passed away, Monday, August 7, 2023, at his home in McDavid, FL; surrounded by his loving family. He was born, January 12, 1963, in Century, FL; and has resided most of his life in McDavid, FL. He worked construction for many years.
He enjoyed all the family get togethers. He always stayed with family and friends through out their sicknesses and their stays in the hospital. He enjoyed paying practical jokes on people. He enjoyed watching movies, football games and working on electronics.
He is preceded in death by his parents, J D (Ruby Johnson) Griffis, two brothers, Wayne (Mary) Griffis, Gary Griffis, one sister, Annette Lambeth, two nephews, David Griffis, Chad Hanks, and one great-nephew, Dalton, Hanks.
He is survived by his one Godson, Jon Jon (Karissa) Griffis, of Flomaton, AL; one Goddaughter, Bailee Griffis, of Flomaton, AL; two brothers, Danny Griffis, of McDavid, FL; Tony Griffis, of McDavid, FL; two sisters, Patsy Griffis, of McDavid, FL; Brenda Hanks, (Rocky Coffey) of Century, FL; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held Friday, August 11, 2023, at 10 a.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Tim Floyd officiating.
Burial will follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Jay, FL.
Visitation will be held Thursday, August 10, 2023, from 6-9 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Johnny Griffis, Jon Jon Griffis, Bud Campbell, James Emmons, Jr. Emmons, and Mark Henington.
Honorary pallbearers will be Logan Hanks, Sammy Portwood, and Jase Portwood.
Linda L. Hunt
August 8, 2023
Linda L. Hunt, age 76, of Cantonment, Florida, passed away Monday, July 24, 2023. She was born April 13, 1947 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Linda was married to Jesse F. Hunt for 36 years. She worked in administration for Ecuatoriana Airlines for 18 years. Linda also volunteered at Council on Aging for 7 years. Linda loved animals, plants, nature and the beach.
Linda is preceded in death by her father, William F. Radcliffe; mother, Ruth L. Radcliffe; and brother, William Lee Radcliffe.
Linda is survived by her husband, Jesse F. Hunt; daughter, Tracy Morehouse; stepdaughter, Jennifer Hunt; stepdaughter, Anitra Potts; stepdaughter, Hanna Snyder; and stepdaughter, Sandra Santana.
There will be a Memorial Visitation Saturday August 12, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North.
Ernest Ward Middle’s Perry Retires, Boulanger Named New Principal
August 7, 2023
Nancy Gindl-Perry recently retired as principal at Ernest Ward Middle School, and Tyvanna Boulanger has been promoted from assistant principal to principal.
Located in Walnut Hill, Ernest Ward is the northernmost middle school in Escambia County, serving around 500 students from Barrineau Park and Molino north through Walnut Hill and Century to the Alabama line. The school’s roots can be traced to a one-room log schoolhouse constructed somewhere around 1886. A 1940s era building was replaced with the current school building in 2015.
We recently sat down with Perry and Boulanger to talk about the past and future of EWMS, and its importance in North Escambia.
“I asked my husband for 23 years for a career,” Perry said. “He’s been my rock and beside me for 23 years, and now it’s time for us.”
Perry said she was totally at ease with Boulanger transitioning into the principal position because she is already vested in the community and loves the children.
Except one little thing..she needs to learn to put her hair in a ponytail. That’s an inside joke that pretty much every EWMS student during the Perry era will appreciate.
The ponytail goes back to Perry’s early teaching days and came to symbolize that she was in a serious, go-getter mood.
“Even when I was teaching, the kids would say her hair is in a ponytail, you better not do anything wrong. It just followed me. So when I wanted the kids to really behave, I’d just put my hair in a ponytail. They don’t cross you; even teachers stay out of your way. There was really zero truth to it, but I thought, let’s just buy into it.”
Education has been Perry’s life, and she admits the transition to retirement will be a bit different.
“It’s the first time since I was 16 that I didn’t have a job. I’m going to do some new things. I’m not going to do an alarm clock, which is going to feel great. I’m not going to answer to anybody,” Perry said. Husband Foy is building her a she-shed. She is now into arranging flowers and has taken a couple of floral classes and wants to take a photography class.
“That’s kind of where I am. My whole life has been about education.” And her “babies”.
One of Perry’s favorite memories include their first football team. And that improved in the second year when they actually won a game.
And the new school building.
“That was bittersweet because you were tearing down the historical,” she said.
“We’ve had great teachers. We’ve been lucky with teachers that have invested themselves in Ernest Ward. Their heart and soul,” Perry said. “We still have some, but some of it you are losing. This younger generation, it’s different. The work ethic is different, and I’m not saying that in a bad way. It’s computerized now. Education is so much on a computer now, and I feel like we are losing so much of the fundamentals.”
Boulanger said she has felt welcome at EWMS from day one.
“This community is so welcoming. Hospitality has kind of died off in town; it’s no longer a thing. But out here – being hospitable, being kind, making people feel welcome. It’s still a thing here. Those are good characteristics for a person to have.”
But then there were the “peeeee-nuts”, she said. Imagine the biggest, longest, twangiest southernest drawl you can. “Peeee-nuts.”
“Peanut season. I didn’t know that was a thing. So I’m walking to the buses, and it smells terrible. I put my shirt over my face, and I’m like what’s that smell? Does anybody smell this? And the kids are like that’s ‘peeee-nuts’,” she said. “And I’m like pine nuts, oh y’all grow pine nuts out here? I love pine nuts on my salad. But they were like ‘peeeee-nuts’. ‘Peeee-nuts’ in a shell, and I was like, oh peanuts! We farm peanuts out here. Yes we do.”
Perry says Boulanger has even picked up on some of that southern drawl.
“People used to tell me that I have a very southern accent, and was like I do? Then I came out here,” Boulanger said. “Then I was like you ain’t seen nothing yet. It’s a wonderful place.”
“Mrs Perry has a beautiful program that is rooted in tradition. At Ernest Ward, we have a leg up because I was an assistant principal here, and I moved up. I already know how Mrs. Perry has managed and ran this school for so long. Many of the things we have in place will continue.”
“There are just so many things that are Ernest Ward traditions,” Boulanger said with a pause, trying not to become emotional. “Mrs. Perry has done a great job, and the school has been the pillar of the community for a long time. We want that to continue.”
But there will be subtle changes in line with keeping EWMS a pillar of a modernizing community.
“There are things that we need to modernize to keep the momentum going with the fantastic stuff that’s already in place. I’d love to try to get young people in the community teaching here. When I first came here, we had qite a few teachers that lived in the community, quite a few more than we have now because they have retired, they’ve moved. I think if there’s any secondary school in the district that can cultivate a positive climate and culture, and cultivate and develop a faculty that’s truly all-in as a team, a school family, it’s Ernest Ward.”
Looking back at her long career, Perry does have one big regret.
“Probably my biggest regret is my mom and dad didn’t get to see the new school,” Perry said, her voice trailing off as tears formed. Then silence.
“I know they did in spirit. Before my mom died, I asked her three or four times, will you come? She was coming to see it, but she passed away before she did.”
“It’ll be great. I’m sad about Mrs. Perry leaving, but I’m looking forward to what’s next,” Boulanger said.
Perry stopped her.
“You’ve got this. It’s Ernest Ward. It’s going to be great.”
Pictured top: Retired Ernest Ward Middle principal Nancy Gindl-Perry (left and new EWMS Principal Tyvanna Boulanger. Pictured below: In 2009. Perry was named Escambia County’s Principal of the Year, and she received the school’s first-ever “Golden Cow Dung Award” from the school’s FFA. Pictured bottom inset: Ribbon cutting for the current Ernest Ward Middle School in October 2015. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
