Tate High School Names Students Of The Month
December 18, 2020
Tate High School has named their Students of the Month for November. They are Oliver Alvarez and Courtney Adams. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Caught At Pensacola Airport Sentenced For Plan To Smuggle Generator To Iran
December 18, 2020
A citizen of the United Kingdom that was arrested at the Pensacola airport has been sentenced for a plan to smuggle a turbine motor to Iran.
Colin Fisher, a citizen of the United Kingdom, was sentenced to two and a half years in federal prison on charges related to his attempt to export power generating equipment to Iran. He was also fined $5,000.
Fisher was arrested by federal agents earlier this year when he arrived at the Pensacola airport from the United Arab Emirates in order to complete the illegal transaction and obtain equipment for a buyer in Iran.
Fisher pled guilty in September to violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”) and attempted smuggling. Between 2017 and the time of his arrest in August, Fisher, 45, worked to violate the Iranian embargo by attempting to export a Solar Mars 90 S turbine core engine and parts from the United States for delivery to an end user in Iran. This included participating in fraudulent invoicing and using coded language with conspirators to communicate about the illegal transactions. Despite these efforts, law enforcement authorities discovered the plan and were able to seize the turbine before its transatlantic journey to the end user, a conspirator in Iran who is linked to an Iranian energy company. The turbine, which was valued at half a million dollars, could have been used to provide energy to the oil fields of Iran.
“The Iranian embargo is directly related to the national security of the United States, and by attempting to evade that embargo Fisher and his fellow conspirators placed this nation directly at risk,” U.S. Attorney Lawrence Keefe said. “It’s appalling to think that someone would place personal financial gain above the safety of the nation, but this case shows we will pursue and punish those who try.”
When Fisher was arrested on August 7, 2020, he had arrived at the Pensacola International Airport to meet with individuals he believed would help him finalize the illicit transaction. Instead, he was met by agents from the U.S. Department of Commerce and the FBI, who took him into custody. When he completes his prison sentence, Fisher will be removed from the United States.
James Meharg, CEO and president of Turbine Resources International, LLC, in Pensacola, was previously convicted of conspiring with Fisher to export the turbine and parts from the United States to an Iranian recipient, in violation of the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations. Meharg is currently serving a 31⁄2-year sentence in federal prison.
Alabama Police Chase Ends With Crash Across State Line In Florida
December 17, 2020
An Alabama police chase ended with a vehicle crash across the state line in Florida Thursday afternoon near Bratt.
The Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office was pursuing the vehicle south on Florida Highway when the driver wrecked, according to Escambia County (AL) Sheriff Heath Jackson.
Jackson said occupants in the vehicle were burglary suspects, and he confirmed that a handgun was found in the vehicle following the crash. No one was transported to the hospital, but at least one suspect was likely being transported to jail.
The wreck happened when the driver attempted to turn onto Old Bratt Road while being pursued and lost control. The Hyundai Sonata crossed over the centerline into Florida and hit into a power pole before the vehicle came to rest in a field in Florida. (The first photo below shows the scene just moments after the crash.)
The wreck downed Escambia River Electric Cooperative lines across North Highway 99 in Florida.
Further details on this developing story were not available as the investigations continued.
The Atmore Police Department, ASAP Ambulance, Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office and Alabama State Troopers also responded to the incident. Alabama troopers were working the traffic crash since the driver lost control in Alabama before the vehicle entered Florida.
The road on which the driver lost control sits on the state line. The westbound lane of the roadway is named Old Bratt Road and is considered to be in Alabama, while the eastbound lane is considered to be in Florida and is named State Line Road.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
‘Carl Madison Field’ – School Board Considers Renaming Tate Football Field For Legendary Coach
December 17, 2020
The Escambia County School Board will consider a proposal next month to name the football field at Tate High School as the “Carl Madison Field” in honor of the legendary coach that led the Aggies to a 1980 state championship and is one of the all-time winningest high school coaches in the nation.
Madison, who will turn 90 next month, sits at number two on Florida’s all-time football coaching victories list with a 326-129-7 record.
In addition to winning a state title at Tate, he took the Pine Forest Eagles to two state championships in 1987 and 1988. The 1988 Eagle team was named as national champions by USA Today, and Madison earned the title of the National High School Football Coach of the Year. All in all, he coached at five different Florida High Schools including Ernest Ward, plus three out of state schools.
His football days began early at Escambia County High School in Atmore where he played tailback under Coach Herbert Barnes from 1945 to 1947, making him one of Atmore’s semi-famous “Barnes Boys” with 30 straight wins. After a stint in the Army, from 1950 to 1952, Madison played college ball for Texas Tech and Troy State Teachers College in the mid-1950’s.
Fresh out of college, Madison coached for four years beginning in 1957 at Ernest Ward High School in Walnut Hill. He moved to Milton High in 1961, coaching them to a state championship and 34 straight victories. He then took a coaching job at a Georgia High School, losing a state championship game in 1968.
Madison joined the coaching staff at Tate in 1971 on his way to winning that 1980 state championship. He left Tate in 1983, heading to Pensacola High for a couple of years. Then it was off to Pine Forest and those back-to-back state championships. He coached at an Albany, Georgia, school, another 10 years at Milton High and another short period at PHS during the period from 1989 until 2002.
In 2002, he took the head coach job at the small Jackson Academy in Alabama. The then 71-year old took over a team that had gone 0-10 prior to his arrival. He lost his first two games at Jackson, but he went on to win the state championship. The following year, Jackson was undefeated and won another state championship.
In 2009, Madison briefly came out of retirement to once again take to the field at Tate, this time as an offensive consultant.
The Escambia County School Board will consider a resolution at their January 19, 2021, meeting to name the Tate High football field as “Carl Madison Field”. The stadium will continue to be known as the Pete Gindl Stadium.
Voters Approved The Escambia Children’s Trust. Now You Can Apply To Be A Member.
December 17, 2020
Escambia County is seeking applications from county residents to serve on the Children’s Services Council (CSC).
In November, voters approved the creation of the Children Services Council to be funded by an increase in ad valorem taxes of up to a maximum of 0.5 mil. The Children’s Trust of Escambia County will provide early childhood education, safety, developmental, preventative, health, and well-being services, including after school and summer enrichment programs.
Once members are appointed to the CSC, the newly formed government body is responsible for assessing the needs of the children in the county and developing a strategic plan for addressing unmet needs which must then be submitted to the Escambia County Commission. The CSC, like the county, must also go through the process of adopting a millage rate and budget in accordance with Florida’s Truth In Millage (TRIM) Act, and the CSC must submit an annual report to the board as required by Florida law.
To be considered for the CSC, Florida Statute criteria include the requirement that nominees have been residents of Escambia County for the previous 24-month period and are willing to submit an annual statement of financial interests form. Florida law also requests that gubernatorial appointments are representative of the demographic diversity of the county’s population.
After the application deadline of Jan. 30 has past, the eligible applications will be compiled for the BOCC’s consideration during the Feb. 18 meeting. In order to narrow down the pool of applicants to the 15 nominations that will be submitted to the governor, each commissioner will nominate two applicants and the full board nominates five additional applicants.
The governor will have 45 days to make a selection or request a new list of candidates.
Resumes and both applications may also be submitted via email to boardapply@myescambia.com or by mail to:
Shamara Jernigan, Program Coordinator
Escambia County Board of County Commissioners
P.O. Box 1591
Pensacola, FL 32502
Cantonment Man Facing Multiple Charges For Stealing Electronics From Target, Walmart Stores
December 17, 2020
A Cantonment man is facing list of charges for allegedly stealing electronics from multiple Target and Walmart stores in Escambia County.
Terry Maurus Jackson, 38, is charged with two counts of felony grand theft, three counts of felony petit theft, three misdemeanor counts of petit theft, and two counts of felony fraud.
He allegedly took items including earbuds, big screen televisions and wireless headphones from the stores without paying, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report.
In one incident, a Walmart loss prevention employee reporting finding Jackson selling several 58-inch televisions on the “Let It Go” app. She created an account and contacted Jackson about the televisions.
Jackson has prior petit theft convictions from 2017, according to the report. Due a probation violation, he was being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
The arrest report notes the possible involvement of a female in some of the thefts, but she has not yet been charged.
Byrneville Elementary Principal Wrapped Up After Big School Fundraiser
December 17, 2020
The Byrneville Elementary School PTO far exceeded its fundraising goal on Wednesday, and Principal Dee Wolfe-Sullivan was all wrapped up in the excitement.
Literally wrapped up. As in Christmas wrap. With a bow on top.
The PTO at the small school had set a modest goal of $250 to see the principal gift-wrapped, but the finally tally from the event was $2,050.
Since the school topped their goal, Mrs. Sullivan kept her promise of being wrapped from head to toe in Christmas wrapping paper.
The top students were able to help wrap their principal, while the remainder of the students watched live video in their room or at home for virtual students.
Escambia Collects 4 Million Cubic Feet Of Hurricane Sally Debris
December 17, 2020
Contractors are continuing to pick up Hurricane Sally debris in Escambia County with a goal of completing the job by Christmas.
As of December 14, contractors had hauled 79,453 loads equivalent to 4,080,286 cubic yards collected. That is enough debris to fill 88% of the Superdome in New Orleans.
Ineligible piles are being marked orange. Indelible debris includes items from landscaping, land cleaning, garage cleaning, illegal dumping, debris located on private property and debris generated by businesses. The resident or business will be responsible for removal. More information is in the graphic on this page.
Second Person Shot And Killed In Less Than 24 Hours In Escambia County
December 16, 2020
The second fatal shooting in less than 24 hours in Escambia County is under investigation.
The man was shot and killed about 2 p.m. Wednesday in the 100 block of Concordia Boulevard, near Massachusetts Avenue. The man was pronounced deceased from an apparent gunshot wound.
The shooting remains under investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
A man was killed and another injured in a shooting about 11:15 p.m Tuesday in Bellview.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
One Man Dead, One Injured In Escambia County Shooting
December 16, 2020
One person is dead and another injured after shooting late Tuesday night in Escambia County.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 2100 block of Dover Avenue near Buckingham Road in the Bellview area about 11:15 p.m.
Deputies found one man dead on the scene. A second man was found with multiple gunshot wounds to his back and legs. He was transported to an area hospital for treatment.
The names of the victims have not been released.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is continuing their investigation and has not publically named a suspect.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
File photo.