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.
Sheriff-Elect Simmons Names Retiring PPD Chief Tommi Lyter As ECSO Chief Deputy
December 16, 2020
Sheriff-elect Chip Simmons has named retiring Pensacola Police Chief Tommi Lyter chief deputy at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Lyter announced his retirement Wednesday from the Pensacola Police Department. He has more than 30-years of law enforcement experience, a master’s degree in public administration and is a graduate from the FBI Academy. During his time at the Pensacola Police Department he served on the K9 team, SWAT team, street crimes and investigation units, he was a field training officer, and a member of the dive team. In 2015, Lyter served as the assistant Pensacola police chief. In May of 2017, he was appointed chief of police by then Pensacola mayor Ashton Hayward.
“Sheriff-Elect Chip Simmons has been my mentor throughout my entire law enforcement career, so this opportunity was one I couldn’t pass up. I understand Sheriff-Elect Simmons’ vision and I look forward to assisting him in bringing community engagement on a larger scale and addressing violent crimes in our community. I have worked alongside the men and women who serve at the ECSO for more than 30 years and I have the upmost respect for them. I can’t wait to be a part of the team,” Lyter said.
“We continue to look for ways to improve our service to the citizens of Escambia County. When you have an opportunity to bring in someone of Lyter’s ability and experience, you take it. I have worked with Lyter for many years. He and I share a commitment to the highest levels of enforcement and engagement,” said Simmons, who was serving in the chief deputy position at the time of his election in November.
Lyter will take over the roll of chief deputy on January 5.
Lyter’s last day with the Pensacola Police Department will be December 27, at which time Deputy Chief Kevin Christman will be named the interim Chief of Police.
Fourth Suspect Arrested In Fatal Triple Shooting In Century
December 16, 2020
The fourth suspect in a fatal triple shooting November 30 in Century was arrested Tuesday night.
E’monee Long, 18, was taken into custody and booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton. He was awaiting extradition to Escambia County, Florida, to face charges of premeditated first degree homicide, conspiracy to commit home invasion robbery, aggravated battery and home invasion robbery.
Three other people were charged in the days immediately following the shooting:
— Kiaunna Shane Grice, age 30 of Century, was booked into the Escambia County Jail December 3 for first degree homicide, home invasion robbery, aggravated battery and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
— Tacorius Cordale Stallworth, 22, was arrested December 2 for first degree homicide, home invasion robbery, and aggravated battery.
— Jaran Britt Myles, 26, was taken into custody December 1 at the Liquor Cabinet on Highway 29 at Old Chemstrand Road. He was jailed without bond on charges including first degree homicide, home invasion robbery, aggravated battery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of marijuana, possession of cocaine, three counts of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and possession of drug paraphernalia.
RELATED STORY: Myles Was Recently Released From Prison For 2015 Manslaughter
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the shooting about 11:35 p.m. Monday, November 30 in the 8200 block of Alger Road, just off North Century Boulevard.
Arrest reports obtained by NorthEscambia.com offer insight into the fatal triple shooting:
The victim, Joseph Christopher Smith, was found shot to death outside a shed near the mobile home. Multiple shell casings were found near the body, in the shed and leading away from the body. The inside of the shed had a couch, several chairs, tables and lamp. The items were in a state of disarray with the lamp glass shattered.
Two other adult males, Xavier Demarquese Walker and Lavor Chante Johnson were sitting near the mobile home when deputies arrived; both had been shot. They were transported by Escambia County EMS and Flomaton Medstar ambulance to a Pensacola hospital for treatment.
Walker stated he was seated in his vehicle when three people approached him, pointed guns at him and told him to get out of the vehicle. He said they “slapped him down” and put in a gun in face, saying “Don’t say nuthin, don’t make a noise”, according to the arrest report. Walker told investigators that he told them that he did not have “nuthin”. He told investigators that he recognized “Run-Run”, the street name used by Myles, and Stallworth, but did not recognize the third person.
Walker said the gunmen walked him over to the shed and told him to knock on the door and say “It’s Xa”. Walker stated that when the door opened, the three suspects pushed past him and went inside. Walker said he “freaked out”, the report states, and jumped on the ground where he was shot in the leg by Stallworth.
The suspects took Smith outside the shed before shooting him multiple time because of money, Walker stated.
Johnson told investigators that he was walking back from the store when he was picked up in a vehicle driven by Smith. He said he went inside the shed with Smith when someone knocked on the door and said “it’s Xa”. Smith opened the door, and the three male suspects entered the shed.
The report states Johnson said one of the men pointed a gun directly at his head and then shot him in the leg. They then started shooting in all directions inside the shed, striking Walker in the leg.
One of the suspect said “Where’s the money” to Smith, who replied “Ain’t no money. Johnson stated that the suspects took Smith outside, and he heard numerous gunshots.
Johnson told deputies that after the suspects shot Smith, they began celebrating by firing their guns and yelling, “Yeah, we caught that [expletives] slackin” before fleeing the scene.
After receiving a tip Tuesday night, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office caught up with Myles as he walked out of the Liquor Cabinet on Highway 29 at Old Chemstrand Road in Gonzalez. Deputies gave him loud verbal commands, but he turned and walked back inside the store. The deputies drew their service weapons, entered the store and continued to give loud verbal commands. Myles entered one of the aisles and made movements near products on the shelf before placing his hands and surrendering, an arrest report states.
After and ECSO K-9 alerted on the vehicle, a search produced 24 MDMA pills, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, Alprazolam pills and suspected fentanyl.
A firearm was located inside the Liquor Cabinet.
Pictured: Deputies look for evidence at the scene of a of a triple shooting in Century as seen early Tuesday morning on Alger Road. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Ascension Sacred Heart Opens New ER On Nine Mile Road
December 16, 2020
Ascension Sacred Heart’s new emergency center opened Tuesday on Nine Mile Road.
The freestanding ER includes 13 treatment rooms and two trauma rooms staffed by emergency medicine physicians, nurses and respiratory therapists. The center also will include a lab, CT scanner and x-ray imaging.
“Our new Emergency Center will be open 24 hours a day and will include separate areas for treatment of children and adults,” said Dawn Rudolph, president of Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola. “This is part of our ongoing efforts to extend our outpatient services into the community and provide high-quality care at a time and place convenient to patients.”
The new ER, located at 1501 West Nine Mile Road by Stefani Road, will create approximately 50 new jobs. The freestanding center that will be supported by the Level II Trauma Center located at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. Pediatric emergency services at the new facility will be supported by the Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Ascension Sacred Heart.
“We are excited to bring specialized pediatric emergency care closer to the communities we serve,” said Will Condon, presidents of the Studer Family Children’s Hospital. “The new ER is an extension of our pediatric emergency department on the main campus of our Children’s Hospital and our pediatric subspecialists stand ready to assist with any condition that may walk into our new ER on 9 Mile Road.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Police Holding ‘Fill The Cruiser’ Toy Drive On Friday
December 16, 2020
The Flomaton Police Department will hold a “Fill the Cruiser” toy drive on Friday.
Gift donations for children ages 1-13 can be placed in the Flomaton police cruiser that will be parked outside the police department at 2125 Ringold Street. Gifts should be unwrapped so they can better organized.
The gifts will be distributed to local children in need. Any families in the Flomaton Police Department jusrdiction that may need the gifts, or anyone that knows of a family in need, can call the Flomaton Police Department at (251) 296-5811 and ask for the chief of police.