Century Man Receives Probation In Shots Fired Incident
July 28, 2019
A Century man has received probation in a shots fired incident earlier this year in Century.
Johnny Lee Biggs, 42, was charged with felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Circuit Judge Stephen Pitre withheld adjudication and sentenced Biggs to 14 months probation and fines. He was also ordered to undergo a substance abuse evaluation and to not possess any firearms during his probation. Withholding adjudication which means Biggs will not have felony record if he successfully completes the terms of the sentence.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrived at a shots fired call the night of February 10 at the intersection of West Pond Street and West Highway 4 to find the victim on top of Biggs.
The victim said he was at his Pond Street home when Biggs came to the home uninvited. He said a verbal altercation followed, and Biggs pulled a firearm from his pocket and fired. A witness said the victim tackled Biggs to the ground, according to an arrest report.
Biggs told deputies a different story. He said he was dropped off at the victim’s home, and the two got into an argument over a woman. Biggs said the victim retrieved a firearm and threw it at Bigg’s feet, stating “pick the gun up and shoot me if you think you’re tough,” the arrest report states. Biggs said the victim lunged at him, and the firearm accidentally discharged.
The victim was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital for treatment of an injury he received during the fight. He was not hit by gunfire.
Cleaning Up The Aggie House…And Remembering Sean Banks’ Legacy
July 28, 2019
The Tate Aggie family gathered Saturday to clean up their house and remember a lost teammate.
Volunteers worked to get Pete Gindl Stadium shining with Aggie pride before the upcoming football season. And they also installed a stadium sign remembering Aggie Sean Banks.
“I’ve done a lot of hard things in my life but hanging this particular sign today got to this old man,” said Billy Glenn Howard, Jr., “especially when I turned around and saw our Tate Aggie football team watching this being installed.”
“As the freshman Aggies watched on, they were reminded that every time they put on that uniform and step on that field,” the Tate Quarterback Club wrote on social media, “that they are DOING IT FOR SEAN! They may not have known him but we are all one AGGIE FAMILY and Sean’s legacy will forever live on in this program!
Sean Banks and his sister Antoinette McCoy — his biggest fan — were killed in a tragic car crash in January when their vehicle was hit by an alleged DUI driver on East Kingsfield Road.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Turner Completes Basic Military Training
July 28, 2019
U.S. Air Force Airman Clayton N. Turner graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training also earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
He is a 2017 graduate of Flomaton High School.
Summer Reading Club Wrap-up Parties This Week At The Library
July 28, 2019
The West Florida Library will hold Summer Reading Club wrap-up parties this week.
Parties will be held as follows:
• Tuesday, July 30, 11 a.m. – Southwest Branch(at Big Lagoon Park)
• Tuesday, July 30, 3 p.m. Tryon Branch Library
• Wednesday, July 31, 11 a.m. – Century Branch Library
• Wednesday, July 31, 3 p.m. – Pensacola Library
• Thursday, Aug. 1, 11 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
• Friday, Aug. 2, 11 a.m. – Tryon Branch Library
Children are invited to share the end of the program with games snacks and fun.
Pictured: The Mashed Potato Players at the Molino Branch Library last week. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Youth Employment Program Prepares Future Workforce
July 28, 2019
Escambia County’s Youth Employment Program gave 89 local youth the opportunity to gain paid work experience over the summer in various county departments.
The Youth Employment Program gave 16 to 24-year-olds the opportunity to get paid work experience in various county departments, including Public Works, Public Safety, Escambia County Area Transit, West Florida Public Libraries and more.
Through the program, youth worked up to 30 hours a week at minimum wage, gaining valuable experience all summer while learning workforce etiquette such as professional dress, timeliness and respect.
Youth Employment Program participants also received job readiness training and post-employment briefings, which provided them feedback about their job performance. The youth workers were recognized by District 3 Commissioner Lumon May and Neighborhood & Human Services staff at a ceremony Friday, July 26.
Pictured top: 2019 Summer Youth Employment Program participant Michelle Tinker. Pictured below: Participants Hillary Lewis, Mischel Johnson and Michael Thompson. Pictured bottom: Youth Employment Program participants Michelle Tinker, Gabby Ruiz, District 3 Commissioner and Chairman Lumon May, Hillary Lewis, Mischel Johnson and Michael Thompson. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia School District Proposes Increased Budget, Lower Property Tax Rate
July 28, 2019
The Escambia County School District is proposing a lower property tax millage rate while increasing their budget for the next fiscal year.
The district is proposing a millage rate of 6.043 for 2019-20, down from 6.325 in 2018-19. Due to increase property values, the district expects to collect $1.17 million in property taxes in 2019-2020.
The school district is proposing a $364 million general fund budget.
The Escambia County School Board will meet to adopt the tentative millage and tentative budget during a public hearing scheduled for on Tuesday, July 30, 2019, at 5:01 p.m., in Room 160 of the J.E. Hall Center.
“For ten years, the District and the School Board have worked together to increase measurable results, such as our graduation rate, while increasing
school security and responding to budget modifications out of our control, like a shift in state assessments from FCAT to FSA tests. We are very proud to say we have done this without a cost increase to our taxpayers,” Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said in a written statement.
Escambia Deputy Charged With Capital Sexual Battery On Child
July 27, 2019
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy has been charged with a capital child sexual offense.
According to jail records, 33-year old Jerome Zaid was booked into the Escambia County Jail at 5:42 p.m. Friday on a capital felony charge of sexual battery on a victim under 12-years old, and a third degree felony charge of battery of a child under 18.
“We were made aware of allegations and turned it over to FDLE who did the investigation and arrest,” Maj. Andrew Hobbs of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said. “We are in the process of terminating his employment.”
Zaid is being held without bond. His mugshot is exempt from release under Florida law because he is a law enforcement officer.
If convicted of capital sexual battery, Zaid would face a mandatory life sentence.
Further details have not yet been released.
Snake Bites Person In Cantonment
July 27, 2019
A person was bitten by a snake Friday afternoon in Cantonment.
Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia EMS responded to a snakebite victim in the 600 block of Greenberry Drive at 2:05 p.m. The adult patient was transported non-emergency to West Florida Hospital, according to an Escambia County spokesperson.
The snake was dead on the scene, but the type of snake was not available from the county.
Further details have not been released.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Pensacola Bay Bridge Traffic Shift Delayed
July 27, 2019
The traffic shift for U.S. 98 eastbound traffic (Pensacola to Gulf Breeze) to the new Pensacola Bay Bridge has been rescheduled for Sunday evening, Aug. 4 and U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) on Thursday, Aug. 8.
From 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4 to 6 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 8, 17th Avenue will be closed to through traffic between Gregory Street and the CSX Railroad overpass. Drivers will be detoured using Ninth Avenue and Cervantes Street (U.S. 90). Access to the visitor’s center, boat ramp, and the Pensacola Bay Fishing Pier will be maintained for local traffic via 17th Avenue.
The temporary configuration for the new bridge will provide two lanes of east and two lanes of westbound traffic, along with a center-lane reserved for emergency vehicles. A multiuse path for pedestrians and bicyclists is expected to be operational approximately two-months after the traffic shift.
With all traffic shifted to the new bridge, construction crews will demolish the current bridge, complete the new westbound structure, and reconstruct the 17th Avenue interchange. All work is currently estimated for completion in mid-2021.
The planned construction activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Ag Teacher, FFA Sponsor Perry Byars Retires
July 27, 2019
A retirement celebration was held Friday at Northview High School for longtime agriculture teacher and FFA advisor Perry Byars.
Under Byar’s two decades of leadership, the Northview FFA program has received numerous state and national awards
Allie (Vidak) Eubanks had been named the school’s new agricultural teacher and FFA advisor. Eubanks is a 2011 Northview graduate, and Byars was her FFA advisor.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
