Atmore Man Dead After Having Medical Emergency, Crashing Truck Into Building Near Marianna
April 7, 2021
A truck driver from Atmore was pronounced deceased after a vehicle crash in Jackson County, Florida.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the 52-year old man was driving a tractor-trailer rig in a rock mine on Vermont Road south of Marianna.
Troopers said he suffered a medical emergency and collided with a building.
The Florida Highway Patrol no longer releases names of those involved in traffic incidents.
Northview Gets Two Wins Over W.S. Neal (With Photo Galleries); Tate Shuts Out Escambia
April 7, 2021
Northview 10, W.S. Neal 3
Northview 5, W.S. Neal 4 (JV)
The Northview Chiefs varsity beat the W.S. Neal Eagles 10-3 in Bratt Tuesday night.
The game was tied up at three in the bottom of the fifth when Northview’s Emma Gilmore tripled on a 1-0 count, scoring two runs.
Aubrey Stuckey started on the mound for Northview, surrendering three runs on four hits over five innings and striking out three. Gilmore closed the final two innings, allowing two hits, no runs and striking out one.
Gilmore led Northview at the plate, going 3-4 with two runs and four RBIs. Payton Gilchrist and Nevaeh Brown added one each for the Chiefs.
For a varsity photo album, click here.
For a JV photo gallery, click here.
Tate 10, Escambia 0
Abbie Burks threw a complete-game shutout as the Tate Lady Aggies defeated the Escambia Lady Gators Tuesday night.
Burks allowed three hits and no runs in five innings, striking out one and walking one.
Madison Holland and Christina Mason both went 2-3 to lead the Aggies in hits. Hannah Halfacre, Cam Wolfenden, Kennedy Turner, Sophia Jones, Courtney Adams and Courtney Lundquist each tallied one hit.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
‘Protect Your Children And Pets’ – Mayor Warns About Wildlife From Century Lumber Mill Cleanup Site
April 7, 2021
<The Town of Century recently warned some residents about wildlife that might escape into their neighborhoods during the cleanup of an old industrial site.
The tornado ravaged Alger Sullivan Lumber Mill property was recently purchased by Creighton Sounds, a Pensacola company, and they have been working on demolition and cleanup.
“This process may involve movement of wildlife that is currently on the site, such as, but not limited to, raccoons, possums,rodents, snakes, foxes, etc., a flyer on town letterhead from Mayor Ben Boutwell stated.
“Please take care to protect your children and pets while this work is underway.”
The Alger Sullivan property is bordered by railroad tracks and a wooded area to the north, Front Street to the east, Jefferson Avenue and the town’s wastewater treatment plant to the south and East Pond Street to the west. The buildings on the former lumber mill site are as close as about 115 feet to residences on Front Street.
According to Creighton Sounds, the demolition and cleanup of the Alger Sullivan property will take up to about 180 days.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Florida Prisons Increase Inmate Intakes From County Jails As COVID-19 Restrictions Relax
April 7, 2021
The Florida Department of Corrections has increased the number of inmates received each week from Florida counties.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, FDC limited the number of inmates received into state prisons from county facilities after their convictions. The modification to policy allows FDC to increase the number of intakes from county facilities each week and directly addresses the growing backlog of individuals with felony convictions awaiting transfer to prison from county jails.
Escambia County spokesperson Laura Coale said Escambia County will be able to transport about 14 inmates to state prisons per week.
“We recognize the need is present to increase the number of intakes from county jails to prisons as courts begin to work through the case back log. This is an important step to fulfilling our public safety mission statewide,” said FDC Secretary Mark Inch. “We have developed safety protocols and appreciate our partners at the detention facilities and the sheriff’s offices for their collaboration and adherence. Together we have been able to take a measured and safe approach that prioritizes the well-being of our inmates and staff.”
“Sheriffs appreciate the efforts of the Florida Department of Corrections to return to Pre-COVID levels of intake,” said Florida Sheriffs Association President and Gilchrist County Sheriff Bobby Shultz. “Sheriffs have worked closely with the Department during this pandemic and corrections staff have developed appropriate safety protocols which allow for a safe return to normal intake procedures.”
DC’s intake procedure requires a documented negative county-administered rapid COVID-19 test result within 48 hours of transfer, heightened medical screening by FDC health personnel, and a second negative FDC-administered rapid COVID-19 test result upon receipt at the institution. If all requirements are fulfilled, the inmate will be processed and integrated into the general population. If any one of the requirements is not fulfilled, the inmate and all inmates who traveled to reception center with them will be returned to the originating county facility.
Tate Beats West Florida; Freshmen Play To A Tie (With Gallery)
April 7, 2021
Tate 4, West Florida 2
The Tate Aggies defeated West Florida 4-2 Tuesday night.
Tanner Rouchon went four innings, allowing one run on two hits, striking out seven and walking zero for the Aggies. Riley Lowery, Drew Reaves and Jaydon Fryman closed out the game for Tate collectively allowing one hit, one run and striking out six.
Fryman led the Aggies at the plate, going 2-3 with a run and an RBI. Dylan Godwin, Zak Licastro, Dalton Bowen and Jordan Jarman each had one hit.
For a photo gallery from both games, click here.
Tate 7, West Florida 7 (Freshman)
The Tate and West Florida freshmen played to a 7-7 tie Tuesday.
Gabe Patterson pitched four innings, giving up five runs on four hits and striking out three. Hayden St. Amant and Neal Croom
Conner Hassell and Neal Croom had two hits each to lead the Aggies.
Photos by Laura Glodfelter for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Five In A Row: Tate Girls Tennis Beats Navarre
April 7, 2021
With a come from behind singles victory from junior Kaylee Foshee and a dominant 8-1 match from senior Gwen Ward, the Tate Aggies Girls tennis team extended their winning streak to five in row with a 6-1 win over Navarre on Tuesday. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Charged, One Wanted For Murder Of Teen Whose Body Was Found In Blackwater State Forest
April 6, 2021
One person has been arrested and warrants have been issued for a second for the murder of a 14-year old whose body was found March 28 in the Blackwater State Forest near Munson.
The remains were identified as Cody Walker of Pace. He was last seen on March 14 and reported missing on March 19. Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson said evidence indicates he died the morning of March 15. His remains were found in a wooded area off Sandy Forest Road, south of the intersection of Highway 4 and Munson Highway.
Isaiah Jordan McCullers, 18, is charged with first degree murder during the commission of a robbery. He is being held in the Santa Rosa County Jail without bond. Isaac Cameron Daniels, 19, is wanted on an outstanding warrant for first degree murder during the commission of a robbery
Johnson said they are suspects in two other robberies, so more charges are pending.
State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden said McCullers and Daniels, if convicted, will face a sentence of life without parole or a death sentence.
Thursday morning, Johnson said he could not release a motive or the circumstances around the murder until the second arrest is made and the investigation is complete.
Anyone with information is asked to call Santa Rosa Crime Stoppers at (850) 437-STOP.
Alabama Man Charged With Boarding Train, Tampering With Controls. And Meth Possession.
April 6, 2021
An Alabama man has been charge with allegedly boarding a train near Flomaton, tampering with the controls, and meth possession.
The Flomaton Police Department responded to a report of an unauthorized person on a CSX locomotive near Hollywood Drive.
Randal Wayne Shugart, of Mountain Brook, Alabama, entered the locomotive and began to tamper with the controls, according to Flomaton Police. That caused an emergency code that locked down the engine. Police said he also caused damage to the locomotive.
Flomaton Police also reported finding him with methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia at the time.
Shugart, 45, was charged with unlawful breaking and entering of a vehicle (train), criminal mischief first degree, possess of methamphetamine, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
CSX Police are continuing their investigation into the incident.
Construction Work Continues Nightly On Highway 29 From Cantonment To Molino
April 6, 2021
Construction work is continuing nightly on Highway 29 between Cantonment and Molino.
According to the Florida Department of Transportation, drivers can expect intermittent north and southbound lane closures between Muscogee Road and Highway 97 from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m. for paving operations.This will include work at Muscogee and Becks Lake roads and Morris Avenue intersections, as well as the CSX railroad crossing.
Pictured: Construction work on Highway 29 at Becks Lake Road/Muscogee Road in Cantonment Monday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Unusual Century Council Meeting With No Action Items; CRA Meeting Called Off Due To No-Show Members
April 6, 2021
Monday night’s Century Town Council meeting was a bit unusual in that the council did not vote on anything, except ordinary acts to pay the bills and approve previous minutes.
The council heard updates on items including the Community Action Program and the Charter Review Committee during a meeting that lasted well over an hour, but there were no action items on the regular agenda.
The council barely had a quorum with two members absent; Leonard White and Sanda McMurray-Jackson did not attend. Mayor Ben Boutwell took part in the meeting by Zoom call due to an illness.
Earlier in the evening, the town council was to sit as the Community Redevelopment Agency. With only Luis Gomez and James Smith present, the meeting was called off due to a lack of a quorum. Council members Jackson, White and Dynette Lewis were no-shows.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.