Two Facing Charges After Failed Drug, Phone Drop Over Century Prison Fence
May 29, 2020
Two people are facing charges after a failed attempt to deliver drugs and phones over the fence to an inmate at Century Correctional Institution.
Robert Perry Hunt-Wilson, age 31 of Inverness, Florida, and Stephanie Norrell Clayborn, age 33 of Hernando, FL, were charged with felony possession of of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a suspicious vehicle complaint in the 600 block of Elsie Davis. They located a silver Nissan with Hunt-Wilson getting out of the driver’s seat. He told deputies that he and Clayborn had been walking a trail, and she walked off when they returned.
Inside the car, deputies found two large bundles wrapped in black electrical tape in the floorboard. Inside the first bundle, deputies found what appeared to be a bag of marijuana and five cell phones. Inside the second bundle, they found four phones, a pack of Newport cigarettes and ear buds. There were several clear plastic baggies in the glove compartment, and a smoking pipe and a bag of marijuana in the center console. Deputies also found a pair of night vision goggles in the backseat.
Hunt- Wilson told deputies he was along for the ride with Clayborn in an attempt to make $400 for delivering the bundles. He said he overheard Clayborn on the phone with a Century Correctional Institution inmate named “Bud” about dropping off the phones.
After being located in the woods, Clayborn told deputies they drove from south Florida to make a drop at the Century prison for inmate “Bud Thorn”. She said Hunt-Wilson attempted the drop by got scared when he heard a guard say he was about to do a perimeter check. She said the drop would have involved throwing the two bundles over the fence at a predetermined location.
Both had outstanding warrants in other states that would not extradite them from Florida.
Hunt-Wilson remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $5,500 and Clayborn was jailed with bond set at $6,000.
Former Cantonment Fire Chief Honored
May 29, 2020
A firefighter walked down the long driveway playing bagpipes. He stopped short of a golf cart on the lawn, as firefighters walked over with a white helmet.
They were there to honor Johnell Smith who served with the Cantonment Volunteer Fire Department from 1995 to 2008, including a couple of years as department chief. He was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer a few months ago.
“As a token of appreciation for your years of service and the dedication that you put in for the fire service…we’d like to give you a token of our appreciation,” Molino District Chief Anthony Manning said as he presented a white chief’s hat to Smith. “We thank you for your service, sir. We thank your for all that you have done.”
“Thank you,” a tearful Smith said.
“…Everything that you have done for your community and the time that you have put in,” Manning continued.
The chief’s helmet presentation was made on behalf of the Florida Fire Chief’s Association, Escambia County Chief’s Association, Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry, the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners and Escambia Fire Rescue.
Last Sunday, the community threw an early Father’s Day parade for Smith.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour and Haley Smith, click to enlarge.
Tragic Four-Wheeler Accident Claims Life Of Young Boy In Flomaton
May 29, 2020
A tragic four-wheeler accident claimed the life of a young boy Thursday evening in Flomaton.
The four-wheeler reportedly overturned into pond or muddy area. The 6-year old boy was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.
Additional details have not been released as the investigation continues.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Century’s Permanent System Interconnect To Century Prison Getting More Expensive
May 29, 2020
Water is now flowing through a permanent system interconnect under Tedder Road to the Century Correctional Institution.
The permanent interconnect from Central Water Works to the Century water system was completed on Wednesday to provide a dependable water supply to the prison. The prison is no longer receiving water through an emergency fire hose connection across Tedder Road.
The fire hose remained in place through Friday morning as a precautionary measure.
“The system appears to be working correctly and Century, Central Water and D.O.C. staff will monitor the operating conditions going forward,” Century Interim Town Manager Vernon Prather said in an email to NorthEscambia.com. Additional testing will be required on the prison’s water system in order to rescind an existing precautionary boil water notice.
Earlier in May, the town’s water well that was the sole water supply for the prison failed.
An emergency interconnect using two, two-inch fire hoses was made from Central Water Works fire hydrant on the south side of Tedder Road to the prison on the north side of the road.
Last week, a temporary submersible electric pump was installed in Century’s well.
On May 10, the Florida Department of Corrections transferred at least 190 close custody inmates about of the Century prison due to the water situation. FDC has not said if they have been returned.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
John Reading Prefiles For Escambia Commission District 5 Seat
May 29, 2020
A Cantonment man that served on the Escambia County Commission more than two decades ago is seeking his old seat back.
John Reading prefiled Thursday as a Republican for the District 5 seat on the Escambia County Commission. He served one term as the District 5 Escambia County commissioner before losing re-election in 1996.
Incumbent Steven Barry and Megan Walters are also seeking the seat as Republicans. Democrat Barbara Goins prefiled, but withdrew this week. Qualifying official ends at noon on June 12.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday Is Underway. Here’s The Tax Free List.
May 29, 2020
Floridians can purchase qualifying disaster preparedness supplies exempt from tax during the 2020 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday. Passed by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the sales tax holiday begins Friday, May 29 and extends through Thursday, June 4.
The following items will be tax free:
For the complete, detailed information from the Florida Department of Revenue, click or tap here.
Man Charged With Manslaughter For Escambia County (FL) Woman’s Death In South Alabama Wreck
May 28, 2020
A Milton man has been charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of an Escambia County woman in a single vehicle crash early Wednesday morning in Alabama.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency troopers responded to a single vehicle crash about 1:15 a.m.. near the 53 mile marker in I-10 in Baldwin County.
Hunter Andrew Richey, age 20 of Milton, was traveling west in a 2013 Dodge Dart when his vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree.
A passenger in the vehicle, 26-year old Brittany Johnson Hans of Pensacola, was ejected and sustained fatal injuries. Troopers said she was not wearing a seat belt.
Alabama troopers have not provided details on the reason for the manslaughter charge.
Nine Mile Road Traffic Shifted Between Allegheny And Leisure Lakes
May 28, 2020
Construction crews have shifted Nine Mile Road travel lanes between Allegheny Avenue and the Leisure Lakes RV park to the newly constructed eastbound roadway.
The traffic shift will allow the construction of the new westbound travel lanes. Crews will also be preparing for another traffic shift between Pine Cone Drive and Pine Forest Road in the coming weeks.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia COVID-19 Cases Increase By Eight On Thursday
May 28, 2020
The number of COVID-19 cases in Escambia County increased by eight on Thursday, according to the Florida Department of Health.
The number of cases in Escambia County is at 784, and Santa Rosa County is unchanged at 237.
Of the 29 deaths in Escambia County, 22 have been long-term care facility residents or staff. There have been eight deaths in Santa Rosa County, seven of those at the Blackwater River Correctional Facility and none in long-term care facilities.
Statewide, there were 53,285 cases including 51,918 Florida residents. There have been 9,795 hospitalizations and 2,364 deaths.
Individual location results below are from Wednesday. The Thursday numbers had not been released at the time of this story.
Escambia County cases:
- Total cases — 784 (+8 since Wednesday)
- Pensacola — 566
- Cantonment — 48
- Bellview — 6
- Perdido Key — 1
- McDavid/Walnut Hill — 1
- Molino – 6
- Century — 2
- Hospitalizations: 64*
- Deaths — 29
- Male — 264
- Female — 375
- Youngest — 0
- Oldest — 105
Santa Rosa County cases:
- Total cases — 237 (+0 Wednesday)
- Milton — 149
- Navarre — 38
- Gulf Breeze — 28
- Pace — 16
- Jay — 2
- Residents: 129
- Nonresidents — 1
- Hospitalizations — 23*
- Deaths — 9
- Male — 171
- Female — 63
- Youngest — 2 months
- Oldest — 94
Florida cases:
- Total cases — 53,285
- Florida residents — 51,918
- Deaths — 2,364
- Hospitalizations — 9,795*
*“Hospitalizations” is a count of all laboratory confirmed cases in which an inpatient hospitalization occurred at any time during the course of illness. These people may no longer be hospitalized. This number does not represent the number of COVID-19 positive persons currently hospitalized. The FDOH does not provide a count of patients currently hospitalized.
Escambia, Santa Rosa Lift Burn Bans
May 28, 2020
Escambia and Santa Rosa counties are lifting their burn bans.
The burn bans in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties have been lifted.
“We appreciate the public’s diligence during the burn ban to keep our community safe,” Interim Fire Chief Paul Williams said. ”It is very important to follow the outdoor burning regulations that have been in place to prevent a fire from getting out of control. Please do not hesitate to call the fire department if you have any questions. We are happy to help.”
The Florida Forest Service will begin re-issuing burn permits on Friday. Under a city ordinance, open burning is not allowed within the Pensacola city limits, regardless of weather conditions.