Bloody Woman Screaming In Local Street Leads To Human Trafficking Arrest
December 16, 2020
A bloody woman screaming on a Flomaton street led to a human trafficking arrest last month, the Flomaton Police Department said on Monday.
Flomaton Police responded after receiving a call that the woman was standing in Dr. Van Avenue on November 1. Officers arrived on scene to find the female has already been picked up by a man driving a white car.
During their investigation, Flomaton Police were able to identify the vehicle and its owner. Alabama State Troopers located the vehicle on I-65 near Montgomery. The woman was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Troopers identified the driver as LaShawn Maurice Owens and charged him with human trafficking. Troopers said Owens trafficked the victim between Alabama, Florida and Georgia.
Salzman Drafting Bill To Implement ECUA Term Limits, Oversight Commission
December 15, 2020
State Rep. Michelle Salzman is drafting a bill that would bring term limits and an oversight committions to the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority.
ECUA was created as a local governmental body with elected board members as the Escambia County Utilities Authority by an act of the Florida Legislature back in 1981 with control over water and wastewater services in Escambia County, Sanitation services were added in 1992.
Salzman wants to rewrite that legislative act that gives ECUA its authority after a 2018 grand jury investigation that was not made public until September 2020.
“I’m not trying to create a political issue or red tape, but we just need to make sure we don’t make those mistakes again. If we don’t see a positive change, we can do more or consider dissolving the entity altogether if that is best for the citizens,” Salzman said. “The current way the special act is written, there is no authority over the five board members, no way to hold them accountable for how they operate.”
She said term limits, likely three terms or 12 years, are needed. While she did not specifically mention him, Larry Walker served on the ECUA board representing District 5 for nearly three decades – from 1988 to 2000 and 2004 until his defeat by political newcomer Kevin Stephens in 2020.
Fresh into her first term in the Florida House, Salzman is calling for an oversight commission as an ECUA budgetary watchdog. There is currently a Citizens Advisory Committee that is appointed by the five-member ECUA board, but it has no real authority.
She wants the oversight commission to be appointed by the Escambia County Commission and the Pensacola City Council, but does not want those bodies to serve as the committee. She wants the oversight commission to have direct input on the ECUA budget.
“I want them to suggest changes, and if the ECUA board does not implement the suggestions, then maybe require a super majority vote. That gives the commission the authority of say ‘you should look at this’,” she said.
And also wants to make sure ECUA follows the state bidding process not using the single bidding process.
Salzman said she is working with Sen. Doug Broxson on the local bill and anticipates support from the local legislative delegation to make changes at ECUA. In January, the local delegation will hold a public meeting on local issues.
“We don’t need to remove the whole reason ECUA is there; we don’t need to take all of their authority away from them,” she added.
Monday Night Fire Was A Very Close Call For Flomaton Coffee House
December 15, 2020
A fire Monday night was a very close call for the American Coffee House on Highway 31 in Flomaton.
A trailer parked in the parking lot of the business was destroyed by fire, just a few feet away from the front porch of the business.
Fire departments including Flomaton and the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue were able to keep the blaze from causing any significant damage to the coffee house.
The trailer reprtedly contained household items. There was no word on the cause of the fire about 8 p.m., and no injuries were reported.
Pictured top: Fire destroyed this trailer just feet from the American Coffee House in Flomaton Monday night. Photo by John Fowler for NorthEscambia.com. Pictured below: Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
A Tale Of Two Lost R̶e̶i̶n̶d̶e̶e̶r Donkeys From Bratt On The Auction Block At Christmastime
December 15, 2020
Two little donkeys were found by North Highway 99 in a lot.
Like every person down in North Escambia, they liked Christmas a lot.
They loved Christmas. Every bit of the season.
But somehow they were lost, and no one knew the reason.
In November, they were found not far from the Bratt caution light.
They had tried to find their way home, but was it left or was it right?
Someone saw them on the road and made that 911 call.
And they were picked up by the sheriff’s office before nightfall.
The Escambia Sheriff’s Office searched for clues,
and the donkeys were on NorthEscambia.com, with lots of views.
But no one called to claim them and get them out of town.
Christmas was coming, and hope for Christmas was looking down.
They knew Sheriff Morgan would soon hold a Molino auction sale.
Not the best way to find a home, but they’d soon be out of donkey jail.
They tried to make a jailbreak, impersonating Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.
They failed, badly failed. And the sheriff’s auction was set for the Thursday near.
I’ll be home for Christmas, one was caught humming,
I’ll have a family, another sang, Christmas is coming!
If you’d like to give the donkey duo a Christmas home,
The auction is at 10 am Thursday, set a reminder on your phone.
The sheriff’s sale is at the Molino Sheriff’s Office parking lot,
You’ll need cash to buy them, sold on the spot.
The little donkeys from Bratt will have a home with Christmas cheer,
And happiness for all North Escambia folks far and near.
And when the donkeys have a home, all the North Escambia Whos down in Wooville
will be happy from Bratt, Molino, Walnut Hill, Cantonment and to Byrneville.
Poem by NorthEscambia.com with our apologies to Dr. Seuss. Reindeer donkey Photoshop photo alteration by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
No One Has Claimed $40K For Winning Lottery Ticket Sold In Jay Seven Months Ago
December 15, 2020
No one has claimed a winning Florida Lottery Fantasy 5 ticket sold seven months ago in Jay.
The ticket sold at the Farmers Country Market on Highway is worth $40,351.08 after matching all five numbers in the May 15 Fantasy 5 drawing. The winner numbers were 5-9-11-26-29.
Another winning ticket sold at the Milton Exxon on Caroline Street in Milton has been claimed by Mack L. Dixon of Bagdad.
Correctional Officers In Century Assaulted In Two Separate Incidents
December 15, 2020
Correctional officers in Century were recently assaulted by inmates in two separate incidents, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
Inmate Jamaal Dunbar assaulted an officer by striking them in the face.
Inmate Aaron Reyna assaulted an officer by striking them. The correctional officer was injured and evaluated by medical staff.
In both cases, FDC said staff responded appropriately, and the inmate was subdued.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Old Chemstrand Closed Near Pauline Street Due To Water Main Break
December 14, 2020
A portion of Old Chemstrand Road near is closed near Gonzalez Baptist Church due to a water main break Monday afternoon.
Old Chemstrand is closed between Pauline Street (near the railroad tracks) and 2nd Avenue (near the post office).
Motorist are being detoured on Pauline Street, 2nd Avenue and Bradley Boulevard. The detour is expected to remain in place for at least two days while Gonzalez Utilities works to repair the water main break.
Second Suspect Arrested For Attempted Homicide In June Drive-by Shooting
December 14, 2020
A second suspect has been arrested for attempted homicide in connection with an Ensley shooting in June.
Kei’yhaun DyWane Irby, 20, is now charged with attempted homicide, firing a weapon in a residential area, firing a weapon into a vehicle, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and using a weapon in the commission of a felony. He is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
The shooting incident ended on Untreiner Avenue about 6:55 p.m. on June 16. It started on Aaron Drive when gunfire was exchanged between two vehicles. The vehicles chased each other, with one flipping over on Untreiner Avenue. One person was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds inside the overturned vehicle and was transported to a local hospital.
The second suspect, 20-year old Kerrick Van Teamer, 20, was charged in June with attempted homicide, firing a weapon into a vehicle, firing a weapon in public, and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
80% Of Escambia County Remote Learners Failing To Make Adequate Progress, Should Return To Campus
December 14, 2020
A majority of Escambia County School District students enrolled in online learning are failing to make adequate progress, and the district is reaching out to inform parents that the students should return to traditional on-campus school.
Of the 9,475 students enrolled in remote learning in Escambia County, 7,541 (80%) are not making adequate academic progress, according to the school district.
Parents and guardians of those students are receiving letters and automated phone calls. Each letter will explain the principal’s concerns regarding the student’s lack of academic progress. Criteria utilized to determine “not making adequate academic progress” includes grades, assessments, attendance, and for high school students, GPA and graduation requirements.
Parents who choose not to return their students to face-to-face learning are required to sign and return the letter to the school district. In signing the letter, parents also agree to participate in a required Child Study Team meeting to discuss the academic risks associated with remaining in a remote learning model, as well as appropriate interventions available to help students.
“Most educators agree that face-to-face instruction is the best instructional model. We want to be sure every student has the best chance for success this year,” Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Steve Marcanio said.
Data from the Escambia County School District shows 82% of elementary, 89% of middle, and 70% of high school remote learners are failing to make adequate progress.
Florida Department of Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran issued as executive order requiring school districts to communicate with the parents or guardians of any student failing to make adequate academic progress as defined by the state.
Apartment Fire Damages Two Units
December 14, 2020
An apartment fire in Escambia County Sunday left two families without a home.
The fire was reported about 1:55 p.m. at the Dogwood Place Apartments in the 1700 block of Dogwood Place, not far from the New Warrington Spur and Mobile Highway. Two units were damaged in the fire that is now under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
The two apartments did not have smoke detectors, according to officials. Escambia County Residents can get a free smoke detector installed by calling (850) 595-HERO.
The fire is represented by the third and fourth red bulbs in Escambia County’s Keep the Wreath Green fire safety campaign.
Each time firefighters respond to a residential fire with damage in Escambia County, a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by fires in residential homes.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.