Man Wanted In Connection With Multiple Catalytic Converter Thefts
March 21, 2021
UPDATE: THIS SUSPECT HAS BEEN ARRESTED. CLICK FOR DETAILS.
Authorities are searching for a man in connection with several catalytic converter thefts.
Brett Andrew Bass, 33, is wanted for criminal mischief, burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, possession with burglary tools with intent to use and grand theft. Bass is about 5-foot, 6-inches tall, 140 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes.
Any with information on his whereabouts is asked to call Santa Rosa County Crime Stoppers at (850) 437-STOP.
“While our Investigators are working hard to get these cases solved, this arrest would get a big piece of the puzzle off the street,” the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office said.
Molino 4-H Member Falls In Love With An Animal. And A Way Of Life.
March 21, 2021
submitted by Scott Angle, UF/IFAS
An 1,100-pound heifer can be a little intimidating even if you’re not a 60-pound fourth-grader. Fear was no match for Tucker Padgett’s fascination, though, when the middle-schooler tending to the animal invited her to jump into the pen to help.
Tucker was at a Santa Rosa County Fair 4-H prep meeting with her goats. UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County 4-H agent Aly Schortinghouse had a hunch that Tucker would find interest in cows, so she had arranged for Tucker’s visit to the pen.
It went way beyond interest. Tucker, who’s now a seventh-grader who lives in Molino, says she fell in love that day, with an animal and a way of life. The Black Angus named Blake Shelton kissed her. Tucker reciprocated with a fistful of Jolly Ranchers. That night she went home and told her parents she wanted a calf.
The next test was faith. Tucker sold 40 goats and many of her chicks to raise the money to buy a calf from Barnes Feed Store. For a 10-year-old, that’s betting the farm.
She named the heifer Baby and worked for months to grow her. She brushed, cleaned, halter-trained and arranged for veterinary checkups. Tucker and Baby went to 14 competitions in Florida and Alabama—county fairs and jackpot shows. Baby herself turned out to be a jackpot, as she and Tucker earned nearly $5,000 in premiums
Tucker is now a 13-year-old with eight cows and intends to breed them to grow the herd. While she’s still fond of Baby, she’s not sentimental. Baby’s not a pet, she’s a producer. Tucker is learning about artificial insemination, selecting the bulls to breed her heifers, and arranging for professional techs to impregnate the animals.
The growing herd got the attention of neighbors who moved into Tucker’s neighborhood in Molino a year ago. Hunter, 14, started asking questions and developing an interest in beef cattle. His sister Morgan, 12, wants to know more about dairy cows.
Hunter and Morgan haven’t committed to an animal yet, but they’re learning from a young master, showing up at the barn at 6 p.m. every night where Tucker is teaching them to wash, brush, treat for hair growth, clip, tie and walk the animals.
Tucker is a member of the JFCA and the Northwest Florida Cattlemen’s Association. She has addressed meetings of both associations to share her story.
It’s a classic UF/IFAS Extension 4-H story. It’s how a 4-H agent put opportunity in front of a kid, changed her life, and set her on a course to become a leader. The early signs are there in the hours Tucker now spends daily not only tending to her animals but extending that opportunity to others of her generation.
Pictured top: Tucker Padgett with J. Scott Angle, the University of Florida’s vice president for agriculture and natural resources, during the UF/IFAS leader’s visit to the area in December 2020. Pictured inset: Tucker Padgett with her calf, Baby. The pair has gone to 14 competitions in Florida and Alabama, earning nearly $5,000 in premiums. Photos UF?IFAS for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Scott Angle is the University of Florida’s Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources and leader of the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).
Here Are The Road Construction Trouble Spots For The Week
March 21, 2021
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Mobile Highway (State Road (S.R.) 10A) Utility Operations East of Beulah Road (S.R. 99) – Motorists can expect intermittent lane restrictions east of Beulah Road from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Monday, March 22 as crews perform utility operations.
- U.S. 98 (S.R. 30) Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement - The intersection of North 17th Avenue and Bayfront Parkway will remain closed until spring 2021 as construction continues for the new 17th Avenue interchange. The Visitor’s Center and adjacent boat launch remains accessible from 17th Avenue. Also, the ramp from 17th Avenue to East Gregory Street remains open. Eastbound drivers on Bayfront Parkway should use North 14th Avenue and Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) as a detour route. The bridge remains closed.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures and shifts, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., on U.S. 29, between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road, and on Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass.
- North Ninth Avenue (S.R. 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- The north and southbound left lanes of Ninth Avenue over Carpenters Creek will be closed as bridge replacement work begins. The right lanes will remain open. Traffic is expected to continue in this configuration through late April.
- Routine Bridge Maintenance in Pensacola – Traffic will encounter lane closures from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. at the following locations on the following dates:
- Westbound intermittent lane closures on I-10 over Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) Wednesday, March 24
- Northbound intermittent lane closures on County Road 95 over I-10 Thursday, March 25
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive- Early construction activities are beginning in preparation for the widening and improvements of the 4.25-mile section of U.S. 98 from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive. These activities include utility relocations, clearing, excavation, and drainage improvements. As part of the upgraded drainage system, the project includes the construction of five stormwater ponds. Clearing and excavating of areas for the stormwater ponds are currently underway. There are no traffic impacts associated with the construction of the ponds, but nearby residents and businesses may experience some noise. Access to residences and businesses will be maintained at all times. Major roadway construction activities on the $70.4 million project are anticipated to begin in summer 2021.
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – The bridge remains closed.
- U.S. 98 Tree Trimming from Gulf Breeze to the beginning of National Seashore and to the beginning of Bob Sikes Bridge – Motorists will continue to encounter intermittent east and westbound lane closures from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. until Friday, March 26 as crews trim trees over the roadways and in medians. Operations will begin on the east end working westward toward Gulf Breeze.
- S.R. 89 North, S.R. 87 North, and S.R. 89 Bypass Roadway Maintenance Operations- Drivers may encounter intermittent lane restrictions through Sunday, April 25 as crews perform roadway maintenance activities along the corridors. Off-duty law enforcement will be on-site to assist with traffic control.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Deputy Justified In Fatal Shooting Of Suspect In Cottage Hill, Investigation Finds
March 20, 2021
The fatal shooting of a man in Cottage Hill last November by a deputy has been ruled justified by the State Attorney’s Office.
Jacob Joseph Settle, 40, was killed in the November 14, 2020, incident.
Two deputies attempted to serve a warrant at 2242 Handy Road on Settle for driving with a suspended license and a felony warrant on his wife, Sophronia Whitehead, for failure to appear. One of the deputies fired two rounds from his weapon, striking Settle in the left shoulder, right chest and right shoulder. Settle was pronounced deceased at the scene, and the deputy received an abrasion to his left leg.
Deputies found Settle and Whitehead inside a truck in the backyard of the home. Settle shouted obscenities at the deputies. Settle put the truck in reverse, almost hitting a deputy, before putting it in drive and trying to run over another deputy, according to a Florida Department of Law Enforcement report obtained by NorthEscambia.com.
The second deputy told FDLE he did not shoot from the passenger side of the vehicle because he did want to risk Whitehead’s life and it would have been crossfire on the other deputy.
Deputies continued lifesaving efforts until additional units arrived on scene and Settle was pronounced deceased.
The deputy that fired his weapon told FDLE that he was trapped due to a porch and items in the backyard a the vehicle drove toward him.
“I did not have any means of escape,” the deputy told investigators, adding that was in fear for his life.
Whitehead told FDLE that she was sleeping inside the residence when Settle tapped on the window and wanted her to come outside and ride with him in his truck. She stated that she did not like riding with Settle because she didn’t like him “running from the law,” the report states.
She said they attempted to hide in the truck when they saw the deputies approaching.
“Jake fired the [expletive] truck up, I don’t know why” and put the truck in gear, Whitehead said. She claimed that Settle never moved the truck, and the deputies shot Settle.
“We have determined that the facts do not establish probable cause to believe that (the deputy) committed a criminal violation and therefore no further action will be taken by this office,” Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille wrote in his findings.
Pictured: The scene on Handy Road following an officer involved shooting. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit Earns Awards
March 20, 2021
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit competed with multiple agencies during the K-9 Trials held by the Pensacola Police Department this week. Friday, they were presented with the following awards:
2020 Cases in Quarter Award:
- Deputy Matt Beaty and K-9 Maddox
- Deputy Corey Smith and K-9 Cairo
- Deputy Casey Bowling and K-9 Nero
- Deputy Larry Richardson and K-9 Eso
- Deputy Thomas Bortner and K-9 Zeek
- Deputy Matt Howell and K-9 Tebow
4th in Overall (Patrol Dog):
- Deputy James Freeman and K-9 Shane
5th Overall (Patrol Dog):
- Deputy Wayne Gulsby and K-9 Enzo
13th in Overall (Patrol Dog):
- Deputy Matthew Housam and K-9 Axel
17th in Overall (Patrol Dog):
- Deputy Corey Smith and K-9 Cairo
4th in Agility:
- Deputy James Freeman and K-9 Shane
3rd in Two-Man Narcotics:
- Deputy James Freeman and K-9 Shane
- Deputy Matthew Housam and K-9 Axel
4th in Narcotics Indoor Detection:
- Deputy Larry Richardson and K-9 Eso
4th in Two-Man Narcotics Detection:
- Deputy Larry Richardson and K-9 Eso
- Deputy Matt Beaty and K-9 Maddox
Two-Man Intra-department:
- Deputy Thomas Bortner and K-9 Zeek
- Deputy T. White (Gulf Breeze Police Department)
Top Dual Dog:
- Deputy Matthew Housam and K-9 Axel
High School All-Star Basketball Teams Announced
March 20, 2021
Pensacola Sports has announced the rosters for its High School All-Star Basketball Game.
The women will play Wednesday, March 24 and the men will play Thursday, March 25. Both games will be held at Catholic High School at 7 p.m.
Due to COVID-19 capacity restrictions, limited tickets will be available. Tickets will be made available to the players families first. Any remaining tickets will be made available to the public at pensacolasports.org/hsallstars.
Rosters are as follows:
WEST BOYS TEAMS
Tate — Jordan Williams — Point Guard/Shooting Guard
Tate — Skyler Bryant — Forward
Pensacola Catholic — Austin Burkette — Forward
Washington — Kaimarcus Johnson — WING
Washington — Jordan Carmona — Guard
West Florida — Jalen King — point
West Florida — Ashton Hudgins — small forward
West Florida — Adriane Simmons — shooting guard
Escambia — Marcus White — Forward
Escambia — Algie Stallworth — Point Guard
Escambia — Darrius Sanders — SG/SF
Escambia — Jarruis Hunter — PF
Escambia — Ta’darius Padgett — Center
Pensacola High — Isaiah Gaines — Power Forward
Pensacola High — Tywan Thomas — PG
Pensacola High — Emanuel McDuffie — Shooting Guard
Pensacola High — Ty’darius Gulley — Center
Pine Forest — Kenny Cotton — PG
Pine Forest — Quan Calbert — F
Northview — Johnny Wyndham — Power Forward
The head coach for the West Boys team is Jeff Gill from Catholic High School
EAST BOYS TEAM
Choctaw — Jamil Bowles — PG
Choctaw — Ezra McKenna — SF
Choctaw — Isaiah Bledsoe — G
Milton — Kemontre Current — SF
Laurel Hill — Trey Williams — Forward
Fort Walton Beach — Bishop Taylor — PG
Fort Walton Beach — Shelton Wilder — SF
Pace — Micah Dietrich — PG
Pace — Rickey Stacey — SG
Pace — Logan Donohoe — SG
Rocky Bayou — Drew Wagenschutz — Guard
Crestview — Shakur Cobb — Forward
Jay — Brody Johnson — Forward
Gulf Breeze — Weston Smith — Guard
Navarre — Tim Brewer — Forward
Central — Trenton Moye — PG
Central — A.J. Hof — SG
Central — Tristan Wright — Center
Niceville — Kendell Mosley — Small Forward
Niceville — Marcus Linnen — Point Guard
The head coach for the East Boys team is Cameron Belden from Milton High School.
WEST GIRLS TEAM
West Florida — Ja’Vina Jackson — Guard
West Florida — Tia Whittaker — Guard
Pensacola — Swan Fails — Shooting Guard
Pine Forest — Danielle Luckey — Center/ Power Forward
Pine Forest — Joniya Perry — shooting guard and point guard
Pine Forest — Danielle Luckey — Center/ Power Forward
Catholic — Allysa Parungao — Guard
Catholic — Tontiana Lawson — Forward
Catholic — Kinsey King — Guard
Tate — Davia Jones — Guard
Tate — Destiny Wolfe — G
Washington — Jamiyah Bryant — Forward
Washington — Teresa Stallworth — Forward/Center
Pace — Riley Poggi — C
Pace — Shay Crooks — G
Pace — Laikyn Burklow — G
Gulf Breeze — Morgan Taylor — PG/G
Gulf Breeze — McKaylie Uhl — C/PF
Gulf Breeze — Ashley Denny — PF
Northview — Heather Knowles — Point Guard
EAST GIRLS TEAM
Navarre — Olivia Warren — Guard
Navarre — Tailor Ernst — Guard
Navarre — Skylar Burleson — Point Guard
Rocky Bayou — Maddie Athearn — SG
Milton — Madison Leathers — PF
Choctaw — Alexis Becker — pg/2g
Choctaw — Keyosha Warren — pg/2g
Choctaw — Dejah Pettway — SF
Laurel Hill — Kaitlyn Southard — Center
Laurel Hill — Kacy Taylor — Point guard
Central — Faith Bush — Shooting Guard
Jay — Madison Mathis — Center
Jay — Jillian Thorton — Guard
Jay — Carsyn Seib — Forward
Niceville — Nakerra Brown — PG/SG
Crestview — Savana Barry — shooting guard
Crestview — Jaida Reese — 2 guard
Ft. Walton — Madison Seiuli — Forward
Ft. Walton — Tamia Cooper — Guard
Baker — Lauren Adams — Forward
The head coach for the East Boys team is Cameron Belden from Milton High School.
Celebrating The Incredible Kids Of Camp Fire Century (And A Big Birthday)
March 20, 2021
The children a the Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center recently celebrated Camp Fire’s 111th Birthday and Absolutely Incredible Kids Day.
Parents and staff wrote a letter to each child telling them how they are an absolutely incredible kid. They also celebrated with ice cream, ice cream sandwiches and chocolate chip cookies.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
DeSantis Appoints Final Five Members To Escambia Children’s Trust Board Of Directors
March 20, 2021
On Friday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of five people to the Escambia Children’s Trust Board of Directors. They are Stephanie White, Rex Northrup, Lonnie Wesley, Tori Woods and David Peaden.
Last November, voters approved the formation of the Children’s Trust to be funded by an increase in ad valorem taxes of up to a maximum of 0.5 mil that will cost the average Escambia County property owner $40 per year beginning in 2022. The tax is expected to generate $8 million or more each year, enabling the trust to provide early childhood education, safety, developmental, preventative, health, and well-being services, including after school and summer enrichment programs.
Five members were appointed to the board to fill positions as mandated by state law — Escambia County School Board member Patty Hightower, Department of Children and Families Northwest Region Managing Director Walter Sachs, Circuit Judge Jennifer Frydrychowicz, Escambia County Commissioner Lumon May and Escambia County School District Superintendent Dr. Tim Smith.
Escambia County nominated 17 people to fill the five remaining seats on the council.
NEW BOARD MEMBERS
Stephanie White
White, of Pensacola, is an attorney focusing on adoption and foster care. She is a member of the University of West Florida Board of Trustees and has been involved with the Florida Adoption Council and the Northwest Chapter of the Florida Association of Women Lawyers. White earned her bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University and her juris doctor from Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law.
Rex Northrup
Northrup, of Pensacola, is a retired medical doctor with over 35 years of experience in pediatrics, child health and well-being. He served in a number of positions at Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital and Children’s Medical Services over the course of his career. Northrup has been a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Society of Critical Care Medicine and the Florida Medical Association. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of West Florida and his medical degree from the University of South Florida.
Lonnie Wesley
Wesley, of Pensacola, is the Pastor at Greater Little Rock Baptist Church. Previously, he preached at Greater Fairview Baptist Church and Terry Grove Baptist Church. Prior to his time in ministry, Wesley spent time interning in the public relations offices of the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Alabama State University, his master’s degree from Selma University and his doctor of ministry in biblical preaching from Anderson University.
Tori Woods
Woods, of Pensacola, is a licensed practical nurse currently working in marketing for Centene. Previously, she held positions at Humana, Ascension Sacred Heart, NurseFinders and the Department of Children and Families. She is a past president of the Escambia County Junior League. Woods earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.
David Peaden
Peaden, of Pensacola, is the Executive Director of the Home Builders Association of West Florida. He has been involved with the Pensacola North Rotary Club, Gulf Coast Kid’s House, United Way of Escambia County and the University of West Florida Foundation. Peaden earned his bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Alabama.
Silver Alert Canceled After Missing 74-Year Old Found Safe
March 19, 2021
UPDATE 1:20 PM — Linda Chong has been safely located, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has issued a Silver Alert for a missing 74-year old woman.
Linda Chong was last seen at the BJ’s Wholesale Club on Davis Highway on March 16 around 4 p.m. She was not reported missing until the following day.
Linda was driving a white Hyundai Azera with handicap Florida tag number Z7YWY.
Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Update: Missing Gonzalez Teen Found Safe
March 19, 2021
UPDATE: Kassidy Leigh Brantley has been safely located.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a missing teen from Gonzalez.
Kassidy Leigh Brantley, 14, was last seen Thursday, March 18 about 11 p.m. in the 700 block of Rusty Lane off Pauline Street. She is described as 5-feet, 6-inches tall and about 125 pounds. A clothing description was unknown.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.