Man Critically Injured In Nokomis Crash, His Dog Uninjured
August 29, 2019
A Bay Minette man was critically injured in a single vehicle crash Thursday afternoon in extreme northwestern Escambia County just south of the Alabama-Florida state line.
Melvin Leonce Carpenter, 74, was northbound on North Pineville Road through a canopy of trees when for an unknown reason he traveled off the southbound shoulder and struck multiple trees, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Carpenter was transported by Escambia County EMS to Atmore Community Hospital, transferred to a medical helicopter and airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital. It was not known if he was wearing his seat belt.
Carpenter’s dog was also inside the vehicle and appeared not to be injured.
First responders from Escambia Fire Rescue, the Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department and Atmore Fire Department also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Three Charged With Stealing 31 Guns, 100 Knives
August 29, 2019
Three people have been charged in connection with a burglary on Pinoak Lane in Cantonment in which 31 firearms were stolen, along with a approximately 100 knives, two chainsaws, a Suzuki ATV and assorted camouflage clothing items. The items were collectively valued at $20,000.
Martin Joseph Shaughnessy, 35; Dawn Cheree Brooks, 39; and Charles Kettering, 42, were each charged with 15 counts of felony grand theft of a firearm and one count of burglary. In addition, Shaughnessy was charged with felony resisting an officer with violence, misdemeanor resisting an officer without violence and violation of probation, and Brooks was charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle.
When the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant in reference to the burglary on Escambia Avenue in Cantonment, they reported finding Shaughnessy hiding in area cluttered with boxes stacked about four feet high. He refused commands to show his hands, and he struck a deputy in the chest area, according to an arrest report.
Shaughnessy is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond. Brooks remained jailed Thursday morning with bond set at $185,000, and Kettering was released on a $35,000 bond.
One Injured In Ransom Middle Car Rider Line Crash
August 29, 2019
At least one person was injured in a crash Wednesday in the car rider line at Ransom Middle School on West Kingsfield Road.
One vehicle occupant was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital by Escambia County EMS, according to an Escambia County spokesperson.
The crash occurred on the school campus, not near or on the roadway. Witnesses said the driver of car rear-ended another vehicle.
The Florida Highway Patrol investigated and has not released any additional information.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Grand Opening Held For Health Care Expansion In Century
August 29, 2019
A grand opening was held Wednesday for the new expanded Century location of Community Health Northwest Florida.
The nearly 5,000 square foot expansion includes five medical exam rooms, a new dental suite, and expanded lobby and additional parking in the rear of the building located in the Century Industrial Park.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The expansion adds capacity for about 5,000 additional medical visits and 1,600 new dental visits per year. And it opens the door to possible new services in the future.
“So if we need to look at women’s health services or expanding medical services, that’s certainly now an option,” Community Health Northwest Florida Executive Director Chandra Smiley said. “This is a one stop shop.
Community Health Northwest Florida is a non-profit community health center that strives to provide quality, comprehensive healthcare services to the medically underserved residents of the Pensacola area and surrounding regions of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, including locations in Century and Cantonment.
“We look forward to more of our citizens come and utilize the facility,” Century Mayor Henry Hawkins said.
The Escambia County Health Facilities Authority made a $2 million contribution to expand the facility. The Escambia County Health Facilities Authority is a special purpose public corporation which provides capital financing for non-profit health care organizations. The authority was established by the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners, which appoints the Authority’s five board members. The Authority is self-supporting and receives no federal, state or local governmental funding.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: Century Mayor Henry Hawkins, Community Health Northwest Florida Executive Director Chandra Smiley and President and CEO of Lakeview Center Allison Hill address attendees Wednesday afternoon at the grand opening of the new expanded Century location of Community Health Northwest Florida. Pictured below: The grand opening of the new facility in the Century Industrial Park. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey Declares $2.1 Billion I-10 Toll Bridge Project Is Dead
August 29, 2019
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said the proposed high-toll I-10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project is “dead”. Her statement came after the I-10 project was removed from the short term plans of the Eastern Shore Metropolitan Planning Organization.
Upon hearing that the local delegation failed to move the project forward, Gov. Ivey released a statement.
“With the action taken today, there is no pathway forward, and this project is dead. Moreover, without a project, there is no need for a meeting on October 7. I am thereby cancelling the Toll Road, Bridge and Tunnel Authority meeting.
Alabama Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth is asking the Alabama Department of Transportation to go back to the drawing board and come back with a scaled back proposal that will relieve traffic congestion but not require a toll.
The Alabama Department of Transportation had proposed a $6 one-way toll or a $90 monthly pass for unlimited trips across the $2.1 billion bridge.
Escambia Man Convicted Of Conspiracy To Traffic Meth
August 29, 2019
Darrius Howard was convicted of conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine 200 grams or more.
During an undercover operation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics unit, an informant arrange to purchase a kilo of methamphetamine from co-defendant James Brown. Once the informant arrived at the buy location, hit was learned that Brown was in touch with two other men, including Howard, who supplied him with the meth. The bust was made once the drug transaction was complete.
Howard will be sentenced on September 3. He facing a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years up to a maximum of 30 years.
Brown was previously convicted of conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine 200 grams or more and sentenced to 15 years in state prison.
Cat Country Nominated For CMA Station Of The Year
August 29, 2019
Cat Country 98.7 has been nominated again for the CMA Station of the Year Award. The locally owned station won the prestigious award in 2017.
“Thi is is truly an honor and is shared with our Cat Country family,” morning host Brent Lane said.
The CMA Awards will air locally November 13 on WEAR 3.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Portion Of Hilltop Road In Century To Be Closed Friday
August 29, 2019
Hilltop Road in Century will be closed from North Century Boulevard (Highway 29) to Alger Road beginning at 9 a.m. Friday for maintenance, according the Town of Century. A reopening timetable was not provided. NorthEscambia.com graphic.
ECUA Approves Rate Hike For Water, Sewer And Garbage
August 28, 2019
The Emerald Coast Utility Authority approved a rate increases for water, sewer and sanitation customers effective October 1.
Tuesday, the ECUA board approved a 2.3% rate increase for water and sewer, which ECUA said translates to just a few cents for the average customer.
“For the single-family residential, it means an increase of .28 on the base rate and an increase on the volume charge of .06. In total, the proposed increase to a household with an average consumption of 6,000 gallons would be an increase of .64 per month,” ECUA Public Information Office Nathalie Bowers said about water rates.
For sewer, the base rate increase equates to 33 cents plus 17 center thousand gallons, or $1.01 for the average residential customer.
Following a motion by District 5 board member Larry Walker, the motion to increase water and sewer rates pass unanimously.
The board also approved a sanitation rate increase on a 3-1 vote, with District 1 member Vicki Campbell dissenting.
Base sanitation collection rates will increase 5%, but a disposal fee on sanitation bills will remain constant. For single family residential customers with one 90-gallon or smaller container, the sanitation rate will increase 91 cents from $23.25 to $24.16.
The water, sewer and sanitation rate increases also includes commercial accounts.
Trial Begins For Private Investigator Murder Suspect
August 28, 2019
Tuesday was the first full day of testimony in the case of a former crime scene investigator accused of murdering a woman for money and burying her body in Cantonment.
Ashley McArthur is charged with shooting and killing private investigator and former police officer Taylor Wright over $34,000. Earlier this year, she was sentenced to seven years in state prison for racketeering and organized fraud in an unrelated case.
On September 14, 2017, Wright’s girlfriend reported that she was missing. The girlfriend gave a sworn statement to Pensacola Police that Wright had not been seen or heard from since September 8. Prior to her disappearance, Wright had told her girlfriend that she had placed a large amount of money in a safe deposit box that belonged to McArthur, her friend. Wright said she had tried to get her money back from McArthur several times with no success. Wright was trying to get the money back from McArthur for court proceedings related to Wright’s pending divorce.
On September 8, Wright and McArthur met so Wright could get her money. Wright and the girlfriend communicated back and forth via text until about 11:20 a.m. When the girlfriend did not hear back from Wright after numerous texts, she called McArthur. McArthur answered and said Wright could not come to the phone because she was riding a horse.
The girlfriend continued to try to communicate with Wright with no success until 7:58 p.m. when she received a text from Wright’s phone stating that she needed time to think and get her life on track.
On September 18, McArthur met with a Pensacola Police detective. She told the detective that she had picked Wright up on the morning of September 8 and they drove to various locations during the day before going to McArthur’s family property in East Milton to ride horses. She said they were there for about an hour before heading back to McArthur’s residence in the Pensacola city limits about 4:45 p.m. McArthur claimed that she went inside her house, and when came back out shortly, Wright was gone.
During the investigation, McArthur’s bank records and cell phone records were obtained. Bank records show that on August 16, McArthur deposited a cashier’s check in Wright’s name for the amount of $34,000 into McArthur’s personal checking account. The money has since been spent.
On September 14, Wright’s girlfriend reported that she was missing. The girlfriend gave a sworn statement to Pensacola Police that Wright had not been seen or heard from since September 8. Prior to her disappearance, Wright had told her girlfriend that she had placed a large amount of money in a safe deposit box that belonged to McArthur, her friend. Wright said she had tried to get her money back from McArthur several times with no success. Wright was trying to get the money back from McArthur for court proceedings related to Wright’s pending divorce.
On September 8, Wright and McArthur met so Wright could get her money. Wright and the girlfriend communicated back and forth via text until about 11:20 a.m. When the girlfriend did not hear back from Wright after numerous texts, she called McArthur. McArthur answered and said Wright could not come to the phone because she was riding a horse.
The girlfriend continued to try to communicate with Wright with no success until 7:58 p.m. when she received a text from Wright’s phone stating that she needed time to think and get her life on track.
On September 18, McArthur met with a Pensacola Police detective. She told the detective that she had picked Wright up on the morning of September 8 and they drove to various locations during the day before going to McArthur’s family property in East Milton to ride horses. She said they were there for about an hour before heading back to McArthur’s residence in the Pensacola city limits about 4:45 p.m. McArthur claimed that she went inside her house, and when came back out shortly, Wright was gone.
During the investigation, McArthur’s bank records and cell phone records were obtained. Bank records show that on August 16, McArthur deposited a cashier’s check in Wright’s name for the amount of $34,000 into McArthur’s personal checking account. They money has since been spent.
McArthur’s phone records never showed her in the area of the family property in East Milton, instead her phone showed her in the area of Beulah on September 8 from 11:52 a.m. until 1:44 p.m. and again from 2:40 p.m. until 3:33 p.m. Police discovered that McArthur’s family has property at 2201 Britt Road, in the same area as her phone indicated.
Pictured top: Taylor Wright. Pictured mugshot, inset: Ashley McArthur.