Byrneville Elementary May Forgo Multi-Million Dollar Construction Project, At Least For Now
August 8, 2019
Byrneville Elementary School may put the brakes on a multi-million construction project, at least for now.
“I am ready to table it,” Principal Dee Wolfe-Sullivan told the school’s board of directors Wednesday afternoon. “Let’s look at what we have…and do what we can to make it better.” Sullivan citing rising employee costs and costs associated with mandated school safety measures that might make a mortgage payment harder.
During meetings with bankers and financial experts, the board learned in recent months that financing their desired multi-million dollar project would be tight.
Board chairperson Melanie Killam expressed Wednesday that she would be willing to look at cutting a planned 10 classroom building down to a half dozen classrooms with expansion capabilities.
Without a quorum present, the board was unable to take an official vote to table the building project Wednesday afternoon.
In June, a banker told the board that the charter school does not have the enrollment or funds needed for a $7.7 million building project they have been considering for over a year.
The board had discussed $7.7 million for a new building with 10 classrooms, a 1,000 square foot multipurpose room and associated spaces, and a new cafetorium with a serving kitchen. United Bank Vice President Chris Walker said the school can afford a loan of just $2.185 million with an enrollment of 205 students. Wednesday, just days before the start of the 2019 school year, Byrneville’ enrollment stood at 185.
Mike Marshall of the firm Sam Marshall Architects told the board two months ago that they could cut their costs by constructing a six classroom building, reducing amenities and using a metal building instead of masonry.
Byrneville Elementary’s main building was constructed in 1941, and many classrooms and the school’s library are located in aging portables.
Pictured: Byrneville Elementary School Principal Dee Wolfe-Sullivan explains rising costs to board of directors members Melanie Killam and Brandy Carter Wednesday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Guns, Drugs Seized From Escambia County Home
August 8, 2019
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office seized multiple weapons and a quantity of drugs when they arrested a man on outstanding failure to appear warrants this week.
Deputies arrested Patrick Riley Brown for failure to appear, fleeing and eluding and carrying a concealed firearm.
Inside his home, deputies confiscated 14 guns including AR-15’s, pistols and other firearms; meth, fentanyl, heroin, oxycontin, marijuana and other narcotics.
Brown was charged with firearms and weapons offenses. He’s being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Two Top Escambia EMS Administrators Have Resigned
August 8, 2019
Two administrators have resigned from Escambia County EMS.
Interim Emergency Medical Services Manager Leon Salter and EMS Captain Jim Bonoyer have submitted their resignations, according to Escambia County.
EMS Supervisor Jimmy Maddrey has been named interim EMS operations manager as of Thursday morning.
Back To School: After School Child Care Registration Information
August 8, 2019
The first day of school in Escambia County is August 12. As parents get ready for the kids to return to school, many also need to make their arrangements for after-school child care. Some of the schools offer their own program on-site, while many others work with Campfire, Childhood Dreams, Creative School Age Child Care, or YMCA. Registration for all on-site child care begins Friday, August 2, 2019.
Contact numbers for each child care program are listed below.
District-Operated Programs (school and POC):
Bellview Elementary School, Jodi Hicks, 850-941-6064
Bratt Elementary School, Brandy Pierce, 850-761-6200
Ensley Elementary School, Sylvia Purifoy-Herbert, 850-474-5336
Global Learning Center, Adrianne Johnson, 850-430-7594
McArthur Elementary School, Angela James, 850-494-5628
Contracted Sites:
Camp Fire Gulf Winds: 850-476-1760
Longleaf Elementary School and Scenic Heights Elementary School.
Childhood Dreams: 850-572-1131
Brentwood Elementary School, Myrtle Grove Elementary School, and Pleasant Grove Elementary School.
Creative School Age Child Care: 850-479-7814
Jim Allen Elementary School, Beulah Elementary School, Blue Angels Elementary School, Cordova Park Elementary School, Hellen Caro Elementary School, Lipscomb Elementary School, Molino Park Elementary School, Pine Meadow Elementary School, A.K. Suter Elementary School, Kingsfield Elementary, and N.B. Cook Elementary School.
YMCA: 850-478-1222
Ferry Pass Elementary School, Holm Elementary School, Sherwood Elementary School, West Pensacola Elementary, Bellview Middle School, Brown Barge Middle School, Ferry Pass Middle School, Ransom Middle School, Beulah Middle School, and Workman Middle School.
Update: Fifth Suspect Arrested In Ensley Shooting
August 8, 2019
The fifth suspect has been arrested in an Ensley home invasion shooting.
Dominique Roger Warren Sr. was booked into the Escambia County Jail at 2:12 p.m. Thursday.
Chief Deputy Chip Simmons said Dominique Roger Warren Sr., Tequan Devontae Warren, and Katron Shawn Long broke into a Gardenia Circle home early Monday morning, ambushed a woman as she was sleeping and shot her. Her son heard the commotion and shot at the intruders, hitting Tequan Warren who drove himself to the hospital. Tequan and Long were later arrested.
The son also suffered a gunshot wound.
Bianca Richelle Lutley and Jonathan Nikos Butler were also charged. Lutley was allegedly the getaway driver.
All five face aggravated battery and home invasion charges.
Pictured top: (top row, L-R) Tequan Warren, (second row) Katron Long, Bianca Lutley, Jonathan Butler, (lower inset) Dominique Warren Sr.
Cantonment Convicted Felon Charged With Battery, Theft After Target Shoplifting Attempt
August 7, 2019
A Cantonment man with a long list of prior convictions was charged with battery on a Target employee as he allegedly shoplifted several items.
John Lydell Satterwhite, age 50 of Cantonment, was charged with felony battery, second degree petit theft third or subsequent offense and resisting a merchant in the recovery of stolen property for the incident at the Target on Nine Mile Road. He was released on an $11,000 bond.
Satterwhite allegedly purchased an item in the electronics section of the store and place numerous other items in the bag as he moved around the store, including a Timex watch ($42.99), short pants ($19.99) sunglasses ($24.99) and cordless inflator ($67.99). His actions were caught on video, a Target loss prevention officer told the Sheriff’s Office.
Satterwhite was approached by the loss prevention officer that attempted to detain him as he exited the store without paying for the items, but he dropped the plastic bag and attempted to run out of the store. Satterwhite then used his hands to push the Target employee and exit the store, an arrest report states.
Satterwhite has 13 felony and 16 misdemeanor convictions in Florida for numerous charges, including multiple grand theft and petit theft charges, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Dozens Receive Driver’s License Services In Century, Mobile Unit Returning Quarterly
August 7, 2019
Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford was pleased with the turnout for the Florida Licensing On Wheels (FLOW) mobile office in Century on Tuesday.
There were 40 people that took advantage of the available of the mobile services at an event that was a partnership between Lunsford and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles at the Billy G. Ward Courthouse on North Century Boulevard.
There were 18 registration renewals, 10 driver’s license transactions and seven identification cards issued.
The mobile united is slated to return to Century the first week of November.
FLOW is a stand-alone mobile office with technology to provide most motorists’ needs. The mobile unit provides a convenient method to renew a driver’s license, obtain a replacement driver’s license, conversion or reciprocation of out-of-state license, change a name or address on a current driver’s license or identification card, and get a first-time identification card. In addition to licensing services, the mobile unit also provides an opportunity to renew or replace a vehicle registration and apply, renew or replace disabled parking placards. Written and driving tests are not available from the FLOW unit.
Pictured: Florida Licensing On Wheels (FLOW) provided motorist services such as driver’s license renewals in Century Tuesday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Flags Remain At Half Staff For Mass Shooting Victims
August 7, 2019
Flags remain at half staff by order of President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in remembrance of the victims of mass shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio. Flags will return to full staff at sunset on Thursday, August 8. Pictured: The flag at half staff Tuesday at the Century post office. NorthEscambia.com photo.
Bond Set At Half Million Each For Atmore Party Shooting Murder Suspects
August 7, 2019
Bond has been set at a half million dollars each for two Atmore men charged with murder in connection with a shooting incident that left one man dead and eight others injured at a party.
Michael Lashan Weaver Jr., 21, and Michael Bernard Pettway, 22, have each been charged with one count of murder for the death of Chirshawn Jermaine Westry.
About 2 a.m. on May 18, Atmore Police responded to a shots fired report in the 100 block of Martin Luther King Drive in Atmore. “The location was formally the Escambia County Middle School but had recently served as a community center for after school students,” according to Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks in a written statement.
Brooks said police arrived to hear gunshots around the property as they worked to assist the victims and restore order. Westry was found deceased in the building’s cafeteria.
The arrests have not closed the case as Atmore Police are continuing to investigate the eight injuries.
Five Escape Injury In Highway 297A, Kingsfield Crash
August 7, 2019
Five people escaped injured in a two vehicle crash Monday night at the intersection of Highway 297A and Kingsfield Road in Cantonment. Two adults and three minors refused transport to the hospital by Escambia County EMS. The 9:17 p.m. crash was investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
