Century Man Charged With Armed Robbery; Victim Suffers Injured Pinkie Finger
September 21, 2019
A Century man has been charged with an armed robbery that resulted in an injury to the victim’s pinkie finger.
Maurice Austin, 30, was charged with first degree felony robbery with a firearm and petit theft.
Investigators said Austin solicited a ride from his friend to take him to Monroeville, AL, to look at a vehicle to purchase, and they met at Century Boulevard and Pond Street. The friend picked up Austin, along with an unidentified girl and a 13-year old boy.
Austin asked him to pull over at a car wash on North Century Boulevard so he could talk to someone. That’s where investigators said Austin got out of the vehicle and confronted the victim. A struggle over the gun ensued, injuring the victim’s right pinkie finger. Austin took $91 in cash, a credit card and identification from the victim, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Austin got back in the truck and stated “Drive and don’t ask any questions,” an arrest report states. They turned on State Line Road and then Highway 4A before turning on Hilltop Road. Austin got out of the vehicle on Hilltop Road, leaving the other passengers behind. The friend let the passengers out on Elm Street before driving home to Alabama.
When investigators located the friend, he stated he had received a phone call at the time they stopped at the car wash, and he was not paying attention to what Austin did outside the vehicle.
The friend and the other two passengers have not been charged.
Austin remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $53,000.
Northview Beats Holmes County (With Photo Gallery)
September 21, 2019
The Northview Chiefs hit the road Friday night and knocked off the Holmes County Blue Devils 34-22.
The Chiefs were up 14-7 by halftime in Bonifay.
Northview expanded their lead to 22-7 on a 2-yard touchdown and a good two point conversion by Jayden Jackson with about nine minutes remaining in the third quarter.
Holmes County answered with a TD and a two point conversion late in the third; Northview was on top 22-15.
Jackson was in the endzone from midfield. A missed try at two, and Northview led 28-15.
Trent Peebles powered into the endzone from 3 yards out, giving Northview a 34-15 advantage as the third quarter came to a close. The Blue Devils managed on more TD in the fourth on a 55-yard pass.
Northview (2-2, 1-1) is on the road again next Friday night to Panama City to take on North Bay Haven Academy (2-2, 0-2). The game will not be played at the school; it will be at Tommy Oliver Stadium, 351 East 13th Street in Panama City.
Photos by Lexi Kittrell for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Crestview Stops Tate 47-7 (With Photo Gallery)
September 21, 2019
The Crestview Bulldogs defeated the Tate Aggies 47-7 Friday night at Pete Gindl Stadium.
Crestview dominated the scoring during the first two quarters with a 40-0 lead at halftime. The Aggies’ only touchdown of the night came with 10:45 remaining in the fourth quarter on a 6-yard run from Gavin Grace.
Tate (1-4, 0-3) is off next Friday night. The Aggies will return to action October 4 as they host Navarre (currently 3-2, 0-1).
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
Photos: The Tin Man And Toto Welcome Fall In Barrineau Park
September 21, 2019
It’s time for those fall decorations, and they’ve really stepped up the game at one North Escambia home.
The Tin Man is in the 4800 block of Highway 196, just west of Barrineau Park School Road. And if you look closely at the photos, you’ll see the family dog Buzzy making a special appearance as Toto.
The Tin Man is the creation of Kelly Griffith and Darenda Etheridge.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Case Dropped Against Man Charged With Abuse Of Wheelchair Bound Amputee
September 21, 2019
A case has been dropped against a Cantonment man charged with attacking a wheelchair bound amputee.
Brian Christopher Holtman, 34, was charged with felony abuse of an elderly or disabled person in March 2019. According to court documents, the charge was dropped because the victim declined to prosecute.
According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report, the victim said he was arguing with Holtman over financial issues when Holtman became upset and physically attacked him as they traveled along Plantation Road. The victim refused medical treatment.
Friday Night Finals
September 21, 2019
Here is tonight’s North Escambia area high school football schedule:
FLORIDA
- Northview 34, Holmes County 22 [Photos, details...]
- Crestview 47, Tate 7 [Photos, details...]
- Escambia Academy 38, Jay 20
- Pine Forest 24, Navarre 6
- Catholic 35, Pensacola High 12
- Washington 34, Mosley 27
- Escambia 42, Gulf Breeze 0
- Pace 17, Fort Walton Beach 3
- Milton, 37 Choctawhatchee 21
- West Florida – OPEN
ALABAMA
- Escambia Academy 38 Jay 20
- W.S. Neal 27, Escambia Co. 7
- Bayside Academy 30, T.R. Miller 29
- Flomaton 53, St. Michael 21 (Thursday – click for details)
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Applications Accepted For Florida Urban and Community Forestry Grant Programs
September 21, 2019
The Florida Forest Service is accepting applications for the 2019 Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program and the 2019 Managing Community Forests Grant Program. Both programs are supported through the U.S. Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program which provides funding to local governments, educational institutions, Native American tribal governments and nonprofit groups for urban forestry projects within their communities.
“Urban forestry accounts for over 80,000 jobs and contributes more than $8 billion to Florida’s economy,” said Commissioner Nikki Fried. “Now is the time for our cities and towns to take advantage of these opportunities to more actively manage the urban forests in their communities.”
“Urban forests provide a multitude of environmental and health benefits,” said Jim Karels, state forester and director of the Florida Forest Service. “Restoring and sustaining these forests is vital to protecting and improving the livability of Florida’s communities and the quality of life of our residents.”
The Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program is part of Florida’s ongoing initiative to increase and protect existing tree canopies in developed areas. The program is offered for projects implemented on public lands in all Florida counties. This year, projects will focus on promoting storm preparedness and storm recovery assistance. Qualified participants may apply for up to $20,000. Applications for this program will be accepted until Oct. 25, 2019.
The Managing Community Forests Grant Program is a new opportunity aiming to help communities develop an urban forestry management program. The program includes funding up to $55,000 for three projects over a three-year period and is designed for communities with a population between 10,000 and 100,000. Applications for this program will be accepted until Oct. 24, 2019.
To submit a proposal or learn more in Escambia County, contact Escambia County Forester Cathy Hardin at (850) 587-5237 or Cathy.Hardin@FDACS.gov.
Murder Suspect Arrested; Second Man Wanted For Questioning
September 20, 2019
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a homicide suspect and is looking for a second person for questioning in a murder Friday afternoon in Brownsville.
Gregory Wayne Clark (pictured below) was arrested in connection with a homicide that took place on Mobile Highway at Shoemaker Street about 2 p.m. Friday. He is charged with homicide and aggravated assault with the intent to commit a felony.
The ECSO is still searching for Tony Darius Goodwin (pictured above) for questioning only in the case. Deputies said he should not be approached; anyone that knows his whereabouts should call 911 immediately.
The victim was found a short distance from the shooting location at Trisha’s One Stop on Mobile Highway and Green Street. The ECSO released the surveillance photo below from near the scene. They believe Clark and Goodwin were in the truck.
Health Advisory For Pensacola Beach Near Pier: Stay Out Of The Water Due To Bacteria
September 20, 2019
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County has issued a health advisory for Casino Beach near the Pensacola Beach Pier advising people to stay out of the water to avoid getting sick.
The warning was issued after testing showed a high level of enterococci bacteria.
“Enterococci bacteria are naturally present in the intestines of people and animals,” says Escambia CHD Director Dr. John Lanza. “Water samples gathered at these sites had a levels of enterococci bacteria which exceeds the recommended threshold. We advise against engaging in water-related activities at these sites until further notice.”3
The bacteriological sampling occurred during water quality monitoring activities, and the level of bacteria has exceeded the level established by state guidelines.
The health department will lift the advisory only when additional testing shows the water to be safe.
Fire Destroys Storage Shed, Damages Mobile Home
September 20, 2019
Fire destroyed a storage shed and damaged the exterior of a mobile home on Quintette Road Friday afternoon.
Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the blaze shortly after 1:00 in the 200 block of West Quintette Road to find the shed fully involved in fire. The heat from the fire melted siding on the side of a nearby mobile home, but quick action by firefighters prevented further damage to the residence.
There was no word on the cause of the fire, and no injuries were reported.
The Cantonment, Molino Ensley, Beulah and Belleview stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the fire, along with Escambia County EMS.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
