People Trusted This Cantonment Man To Fix Their Cars. He Sold Them For Scrap. Now He’s Facing 135 Years In Prison.
December 19, 2019
A Cantonment man that owned an Escambia County automotive repair business is facing up to 135 years in prison for defrauding customers.
Harley Brian Palmer, owner of Harley’s Automotive & Performance, entered a plea to racketeering, organized fraud (more than $20,000 but less than $50,000), four counts of dealing in stolen property, and six counts of grand theft (more than $300 but less than $5,000).
Between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2018, Palmer committed multiple counts of theft and dealing in stolen property in a systematic and ongoing course of conduct against multiple victims. Victims took their vehicles to Harley’s Automotive with the expectation that their vehicles would be repaired. Money was exchanged but the repairs were never completed, according to State Attorney Bill Eddins.
Palmer continued to use Harley’s Automotive to take in additional vehicles without completing repairs. Ultimately, he sold several of the vehicles without the permission or consent of the vehicle owners. Several of these vehicles ended up at a recycling company and were destroyed.
Palmer’s record includes convictions for worthless checks, petit theft, burglary, possession of burglary tools and more.
Giving Back: Georgia Pastor Holds Christmas Toy Giveaway In Century (Photo Gallery)
December 19, 2019
A Georgia pastor pulled into Century Tuesday with a truck load of toys and household items to make the Christmas a bit brighter in the town he once called home.
Century native Rev. Dr. Vincent Dortch now lives in Atlanta and is pastor of Antioch Baptist Church is Carrollton, Georgia. He conducted the giveaway in honor of his late grandmother, Jennie V. Dortch of Century.
Families lined up at the Century Community Center on West Highway 4 for the event. They were able to get toys for Christmas, along with a few household essentials like toilet paper.
“I always had a desire to come back home and be a blessing to my people,” Dortch said. “I’m doing it all in the honor of my grandmother, who is deceased, because she always taught us as grandkids and kids as the Lord blesses you, give back to your people.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
“Lord we pray that everything that’s been received that you get the glory to honor, and that you bless these families as they go through this holiday,” he prayed at the conclusion of the event. “…and Lord that we remember most of all that is not about the toys but it’s about your son Jesus Christ and so we say thank you. And Lord bless Century as a whole and each and everyone in the surrounding areas.”
The Dortch family in Century suffered a tragic loss this year when 4-year old Kamerius Dortch was struck and killed by a car in mid-April.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FHP Responds To Crash With Injuries On Quintette Road
December 19, 2019
At least one person was injured in a two vehicle crash last Wednesday afternoon on Quintette Road at Frank Ard Road. The injuries were not considered life threatening.
The crash is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Escambia County EMS and the Cantonment Station of Escambia Rescue also responded.
Additional details were not available.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Bad Wooden Support Fixed Under Highway 4 Bridge
December 19, 2019
A compromised timber support under a county bridge on Highway 4 has been repaired, and a narrowed lane restriction on the bridge should be lifted soon.
On December 11, multiple barrels were placed adjacent to the guardrail on the eastbound side of the Highway 4 bridge over Canoe Creek to prevent drivers from traveling over the bad support.
County officials said Wednesday afternoon that repairs have been made, and the barrels should be removed by Friday after the work is inspected. Until then, electronic warning signs will remain both approaches to the bridge warning of the narrowed bridge and reduced speed limits.
The bridge is located along Highway 4 between Bratt and Byrneville.
Pictured: The Highway 4 bridge over Canoe Creek was narrowed Decmber 11 after compromised timber support was located. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate High Aggie Soccer Defeats Pine Forest 9-0
December 19, 2019
Tate High soccer beat Pine Forest Wednesday night and fell to Navarre Monday night.
Tate 9, Pine Forest 0
Wednesday night, the Tate Aggies defeated Pine Forest 9-0.
For Tate: Junior Owen Jacobs 2 goals, 1 assist; junior Logan Tyree 1 goal, 1 assist; senior Gustavo Pineda 2 goals, 2 assists; sophomore Sam Megginson 1 goal; junior Nathan Bailey 1 goal and 1 assist; senior Braedon Ladd 2 goals; and junior Calenj Arnevik 1 assist.
Up next, Tate Senior Night is this Friday versus Milton High at Ashton Brosnaham Stadium.
Navarre 4, Tate 1
Monday night, Tate lost to Navarre 4-1.
The lone goal was shot by Junior Nathan Bailey with the assist from Junior Logan Tyree.
NorthEscambia.com file photo by Mitch Arnevik, click to enlarge.
Rubio, Scott Joined By Colleagues In Honoring Victims of NAS Pensacola Tragedy
December 19, 2019
U.S. Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio were joined Wednesday by Senators David Perdue (R-GA), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Richard Shelby (R-AL), and Doug Jones (D-AL) in passing a resolution honoring the victims of the tragic shooting at NAS Pensacola on December 6.
“Pensacola is one of Florida’s hidden gems. The Navy and Marines are part of the identity, fabric, and culture of the city,” Rubio said. “This terrorist attack was not just an attack on the Naval Air Station, it was an attack on the very heart and soul of Pensacola.”
Rubio said he was “in awe of the bravery of so many, including the first responders who made their way to harm’s way. “The stories of heroism in the face of evil remind us that those who volunteer to serve our country personify the very ideals of what makes this the greatest nation on earth.”
“Our sailors and law enforcement officials showed heroism and bravery in the face of evil as they ran towards the shooter that day, saving lives,” Scott said on the Senate floor. “And our first responders, who came to the swift aid of those in need, thank you.”
Ensign Joshua Kaleb Watson, 23, Airman Mohammed Sameh Haitham, 19, and Airman Apprentice Cameron Scott Walters, 21, were killed in the attack. Eight others were injured.
Flomaton’s Da’Quan Johnson Signs With The Duke Blue Devils
December 18, 2019
Flomaton High School senior football star Da’Quan “Money” Johnson signed with the Duke Blue Devils Wednesday morning on National Signing Day.
Johnson decommitted from Troy State Sunday night. He received a scholarship offer and took an official visit to Duke earlier this month.
Johnson led the Flomaton Hurricanes to the 3A station championship last season, playing mostly quarterback. He was named Alabama’s 3A Back of the Year. In the championship game against Piedmont, Johnson carried the ball 43 times — a Super 7 record — and was named MVP. He also made 37 tackles on defense last season and had four interceptions.
Flomaton Coach Doug Vickery said in August Johnson picked Troy over South Alabama, Southern Miss, UAB, Tulane, Army, Florida Atlantic and others.
Pictured: Flomaton’s Da”quan “Money” Johnson signs with Duke, surrounded by his mom Tiffany Johnson, brother Devonta Johnson and Flomaton coaches. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Nine Mile Road Set To Open Friday With Four Lanes Between I-10 And Navy Federal Way
December 18, 2019
Crews plan to open Nine Mile Road to four travel lanes between Interstate 10 and Navy Federal Way beginning Friday.. Work further west on Nine Mile Road will require westbound drivers in the outside lane to turn right at Navy Federal Way.
All construction activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Pictured: Looking west over Nine Mile Road from the I-10 eastbound bridge. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Gets 15 Years On Long List Of Charges In Cantonment Drug Case
December 18, 2019
A has been sentenced in Cantonment drug case.
Derrow Peterson, Sr. to 15 years in state prison. He must serve the full sentence as a minimum mandatory.
Peterson, 49, entered a plea on October 7 to the charges of trafficking in cocaine (400 grams or more but less than 150 kilograms), trafficking in hydrocodone, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of alprazolam with intent to sell, possession of clonazepam with intent to sell, possession of diazepam with intent to sell, possession of tramadol with intent to sell, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
On July 18, 2018, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office narcotics investigators served a search warrant at a residence on Horsemens Path as part of an ongoing narcotics investigation.
Peterson, his girlfriend, and two of their children were located in the residence. Peterson was located in the master bathroom, and all of the narcotics were found in the master bathroom. he admitted possession of the narcotics and also the firearm, located in the master bedroom. Peterson is a convicted felon and has a criminal history that includes prior convictions for possession of controlled substances with intent to sell.
Portion Of Highway 29 To Be Dedicated To FHP Trooper Killed 30 Years Ago In Cantonment
December 18, 2019
A portion of Highway 29 will be dedicated Friday to the memory of a fallen Florida Highway Patrol trooper killed in wreck in Cantonment.
Highway 29 from Neal Road to Nine Mile Road will be designated as the “Trooper Milan D. Hendrix Memorial Highway”.
Hendrix was on routine patrol duty about 10 p.m. on the night of June 1, 1989, when he was involved in an accident with a log truck on Highway 29.
He was southbound in front of the paper mill in Cantonment as an empty log truck turned onto Highway 29. The patrol vehicle went under the trailer. Witnesses said he may have been in a pursuit at the time.
“Trooper Hendrix served the residents of our state with great honor as a Florida Highway Patrol Trooper” said Major Warren Fast, Florida Highway Patrol, Troop A Commander. “His service and dedication will forever be remembered.”
At the time of his death, Trooper Hendrix was 37 years old and had served the residents of Florida with the Florida Highway Patrol for nine years. Milan Hendrix’s brother, Marque Hendrix, was also a FHP trooper that patrolled North Escambia county. He has since retired after 30 years on the force.
A formal dedication ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at the Pensacola FHP station at 150 Stumpfield Road.