Tragic Wreck Claims Life Of Byrneville Elementary First Grader
November 25, 2019
A tragic accident in Evergreen, Alabama, Sunday claimed the life a Byrneville Elementary School first grader.
Daniel Stewart, 7, was a passenger in a 2007 Chevrolet Colorado driven by his mother, 30-year old April Graham of Byrneville. Their vehicle was hit by a 2017 Jeep Wrangler driven by 20-year old William Farris of Pensacola on I-65 at the 96.4 mile marker, according to the Alabama State Troopers.
Stewart was transported to Evergreen Medical Center where he passed away from his injuries. Graham was uninjured.
Farris was transported to Evergreen Medical Center for treatment of his injuries.
A 2017 Chrysler Pacifica driven by 66-year old Philippe Abrigo of Orange Park FL. and a 2013 Ford F-250 driven by 55-year old Michael Callens, of Birmingham received minor damage in the crash. Abrigo and Callens were not injured.
Troopers are continuing their investigation and have not released any additional information.
Pictured: Seven-year old Daniel Graham in photo with Santa taken last Friday at Byrneville Elementary School. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Woman Charged With Assaulting Brother With Rake, Kicking Deputy In The Crotch
November 25, 2019
A Century woman is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly attempting to hit her brother with a rake and kicking a deputy in the crotch.
Shirley Ann Knight, 64, was charged aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and two counts of battery of a law enforcement officer.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a disturbance on Henry Street in Century where the victim told deputies that Knight had a water hose pulled to her property to steal water. That prompted an argument, and Knight soon came over swinging a metal yard rake and stating that she was going to kill him, according to an arrest report.
Knight began to complain of a medical issue after being placed into custody in the back of a deputy’s cruiser, and an ambulance was called. After being medically cleared, deputies attempted to place Knight back in the cruiser. She began to yell and cuss before spitting on two deputies and kicking one of them in the crotch, the arrest report states.
Knight remained in the Escambia County Jail Monday with bond set at $15,000.
Area Fire Departments Respond To Smoke Call At Davisville Home
November 25, 2019
Firefighters responded to smoke in a house on Highway 97 in Davisville late Sunday afternoon.
The source of the smoke was traced to an air handler unit. There was no fire damage reported, and no injuries.
The Walnut Hill, McDavid and Century stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Atmore Fire Department and Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department were initially dispatched to the home just south of Highway 4.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
A Few Appointments Available For The Miracle League To Fry Your Thanksgiving Turkey
November 25, 2019
Volunteers from the Miracle League of Pensacola will fry your turkey for you this Wednesday for Thanksgiving, saving you the time and trouble while benefiting the charity. And there are still a few appointment slots available.
Completely thaw your turkey, removing all of the inside packaging and giblets. Write down exactly how much your turkey weighs so it is fried perfectly and take it to the Miracle League Park at 555 East Nine Mile Road from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27. For a monetary donation to Miracle League, the volunteers will fry your turkey to perfection. A minimum of $20 per turkey is necessary to help cover costs, and any additional donation will benefit the Miracle League of Pensacola.
Call (850)516-7124 with questions or to schedule your time (leave a message if no answer). Walk-ups are welcome, but reservations should be made early as the number of time slots is limited and appointments take priority.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Retired Tate Showband Director Joe Hooten Inducted Into Bandmasters Hall Of Fame
November 25, 2019
Retired Tate High School Showband of the South Director Joe Hooten was inducted into the Florida Bandmasters Association Hall of Fame Sunday afternoon.
Hooten was named the Showband’s director of bands in 1987, a position he held until his retirement in 2011.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High’s Avery Beauchaine Signs With Pensacola State College
November 25, 2019
Tate High School senior Avery Beauchaine has signed to continued to education and softball career with Pensacola State College. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Dead, One Jailed After Stabbing In Escambia County
November 25, 2019
One man is dead and another behind bars following stabbing in Escambia County on Sunday.
The stabbing happened at Big Lagoon State Park. The victim was airlifted to the hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. His name has not yet been released.
Bryan Francis Swift, 30, was charged with homicide in connection with the stabbing and booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond. He is reportedly the brother of the victim’s girlfriend.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is continuing their investigation.
Pilot Dies In Airplane Crash In Santa Rosa County
November 25, 2019
A pilot was killed when his single engine plane crashed in Santa Rosa County Sunday.
The crash occurred at the Peter Prince Airport in Milton and claimed the life of 38-year old Matthew P. Platt, a former resident of Navarre.
First responders found the single engine aircraft down on airport property. Platt was the only occupant.
The crash is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board and FAA are investigating.
Pictured: Peter Prince Airport in Milton. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
AAA: Gas Prices Could Rise Up To 10 Cents By The Weekend
November 25, 2019
AAA says drivers could see an increase at the pump of 5-10 cents this week, just in time for Thanksgiving weekend travel.
“Even if gas prices do rise this week, a 5-10 cent increase is not likely to cause Floridians to cancel their travel plans,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “If the state average returns to $2.45 per gallon, it’d be the same price motorists paid during last year’s holiday. Additionally, it’s nearly the same price Floridians paid a month ago - when most people were finalizing their travel plans. However, if the state average remains less than $2.45, Thanksgiving travelers in Florida would be paying the lowest gas prices for the holiday in three years.”
Florida drivers are currently paying an average of $2.36 per gallon. In Escambia County, the average price per gallon was a bit higher at $2.39 a gallon. In North Escambia, one Cantonment station was at $2.28 Sunday night.
Former Ernest Ward Middle School Teacher One Of Seven Arrested For Allegedly Soliciting Kids For Sex
November 24, 2019
One of the men arrested in a sting last week that targeted the online solicitation of underage teens for sexual activity is a former teacher at a North Escambia school.
NorthEscambia.com has learned 34-year old James David McAllister of Cantonment was the band and chorus director at Ernest Ward Middle School. McAllister led the music departments at the school in Walnut Hill during the 2015-16 and 2016-17 school years.
He reportedly interned or completed his student teaching at Bailey Middle School prior to his tenure at Ernest Ward.
McAllister was one of seven men arrested during an undercover operation dubbed “Operation Rotten Pumpkin” announced Friday by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
McAllister is charged with using a computer to seduce, solicit or lure a child; traveling to meet after use of a computer to lure child; using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony and sexual battery on a victim 12 years less than 18 years by a person 18 years or older. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Sunday with bond set at $115,000.
None of the charges are in any manner connected to his employment at Ernest Ward Middle School.
Investigators used social media or websites like Craigslist and Skip the Games to pose as 18 or 19 year olds to engage persons in conversation. Then the investigators told the individuals that they were really 13 or 14 years old, according to ECSO Chief Deputy Chip Simmons.
“Hundreds of people were engaged, but the majority backed out quickly when they realized it was a 13 or 14 year old boy or girl,” Simmons said. The seven charged and another dozen or more continued the conversations and in some cases exchanged pictures.
Those charged drove to a predetermined location under the pretense of a sexual meeting with the underage children but were instead met with deputies and the SWAT team, according to Simmons. The investigation into other individuals continues.
In additon to McAllister, the others charged were:
- James Patrick Dibble, 20, Pensacola
- Kevin Gerald Dailey, 25, Pensacola
- Benjamin Larry Marshall, 33, Pensacola
- Ronaldo Castro Bautista, 54, Orange Beach
- Michael Dawayne Gulley, 23, Prichard
- Patrick John Bradt, 47, Crestview
Pictured above and below: James McAllister leads the Ernest Ward Middle School band and chorus during a Christmas program December 16, 2016. Pictured bottom: McAllister leads the entire Ernest Ward Middle School student body in Christmas carols on December 16, 2016. NorthEscambia.com chose to blur student faces from our original photos because the students are unrelated to “Operation Rotten Pumpkin”. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
