Overall Crime Rate Falls in Escambia County
December 21, 2019
The overall crime index in Escambia County dropped 2.1% during the first six months of 2019 compared to the previous year, according to data just released by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
While the overall crime rate decreased, crime such as murders, robberies, aggravated assaults, burglaries and vehicle thefts increased. Rapes and larcenies decreased.
The countywide report covers crimes investigated by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Pensacola Police Department and other agencies like the Florida Highway Patrol, FDLE, University of West Florida Police and the Pensacola State College Police Department.
The number of reported murders during the period increased in Escambia County from 8 to 11, robberies from 146 to 159, aggravated assaults (including aggravated stalking) from 565 to 625, burglaries from 816 to 912, and vehicle thefts from 280 to 290. The number of larcenies dropped from 3,504 to 3,222 and rapes from 106 to 91.
During the first half of 2019, 33.2% of crimes in Escambia County were cleared, compare to 32.5% in 2018.
Across the state, Florida’s crime volume dropped 6.1 percent, or 17,079 fewer reported index crimes, compared to the first six months of 2018. The statewide crimes of murder, rape, robbery, burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft were down, while aggravated assault and domestic violence crimes increased slightly.
File photo.
Four Lanes Of Nine Mile Road Now Open From I-10 To Navy Federal Way
December 21, 2019
All four lanes of Nine Mile road between I-10 and Navy Federal Way opened to traffic on Friday. Work further west on Nine Mile Road will require westbound drivers in the outside lane to turn right at Navy Federal Way. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
‘Shop With A Cop’ Makes Christmas Brighter For Local Kids
December 21, 2019
Christmas is a little brighter in Escambia County thanks to Shop With a Cop.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and Escambia County School District partnered to help 66 children-in-need shop for their families this Christmas.
Children were identified by the Escambia County School District. Each child was given a $200 Walmart gift card that allowed them to purchase Christmas gifts for themselves or their family. Escambia County deputies volunteered their time to help find the perfect gifts.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Santa Visits The Century Branch Library
December 21, 2019
Santa Claus recently paid a special visit to the Century Branch Library, where he heard Christmas wishes from good little boys and girls.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Let The Tate Band Do All Of Your Gift Wrapping
December 21, 2019
The Tate Showband of the South will be wrapping gifts for donations at Walmart on Highway 29 in Ensley through Christmas Eve.
The schedule is as follows:
- Monday from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m.
- Christmas Eve from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Inmates Work Toward Their CDL Behind Bars
December 21, 2019
Inmates behind bars at one area prison are working toward heir commercial driver’s licenses.
A graduation ceremony was held Friday for 45 inmates who have completed the Santa Rosa Correctional Institution Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Program. Graduates have shown proficiency in vehicle safety, vehicle operating regulations, trip planning and have demonstrated vehicle driving skills through the use of on-site simulators.
Through the CDL program at Santa Rosa Correctional Institution, inmates earn industry-recognized certifications through coursework and driving simulators. This training assists them in obtaining a commercial vehicle operator license upon release. Upon release, inmates are paired with potential employers to assist with employment opportunities.
Florida Department of Corrections Secretary Mark Inch took part in the graduation event Friday.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECSO: Former Employee Robbed Piggly Wiggly At Gunpoint
December 20, 2019
More details have been released in the armed robbery of the Piggly Wiggly in Davisville.
Former Piggly Wiggly employee Maurice Montraye Ervin, 26, is facing charges of robbery with a firearm and first degree felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He is also charged with felony grand theft for an earlier incident caught on camera. He remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $130,000.
Ervin allegedly entered the Piggly Wiggly December 4 at 9:51 p.m., just before the store closed. He was armed with a small silver and black semi-automatic handgun, according to an arrest report. He approached the clerk and pointed the gun at a female employee as he ordered her not to move or talk.
He took $6,686.66 from the safe before fleeing the store, according to investigators. The victim told deputies that she recognized the voice of the robber as Ervin, but she did not see his face because he was wearing a mask.
Shortly after the robbery, Ervin was located in the 300 block of Sunset Drive in Atmore and taken into custody by Atmore Police on an outstanding failure to appear warrant. Atmore Police found a firearm matching the exact description of the one used in the robbery inside the 12-foot travel trailer in which Ervin was living.
After interviewing Ervin at the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton, investigators from the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office and the Atmore Police Department searched an old shed with no doors near Ervin’s camper. Cash money totaling $81.00 was located on the ground inside the shed.
A witness told investigators that Ervin asked for a ride to the Piggly Wiggly to see someone, and he was dropped off on the north end of the shopping center. He said Ervin told him to go buy scratch off lottery tickets, so he drove to the Davisville Marathon store. It was closed so the witness drove back to the Grey Goose to buy the lottery tickets. He said Ervin then called him saying he was ready to be picked up. The man told deputies Ervin had a bag full of money, and he freaked out and did not know what to do. The man drove Ervin back to Atmore and dropped him off at his camper.
Ervin was also charged with grand theft for allegedly taking $941.91 from the Piggly Wiggly on October 29. Erwin was an employee at the time he was seen on video taking the cash from store’s office, according to an arrest report.
WWE Superstar Wrestler ‘Jimmy Uso’ Found Not Guilty Of Cantonment DUI
December 20, 2019
WWE superstar wrestler Jonathan Solofa Fatu of Cantonment, whose ring name is Jimmy Uso, has been found not guilty of driving under the influence.
Fatu was arrested on a DUI in July on Highway 297A An Escambia County deputy parked at Publix said observed a vehicle turn from Pine Forest Road onto Highway 297A, rapidly accelerate, and come very close to another vehicle. The vehicle’s speed was verified by radar at 86 mph in a 45 mph zone.
At 1:53 a.m., the deputy conducted a traffic stop on 33-year old Fatu in the area of Highway 297A and Brockwood Place, just south of Kingsfield Road in Cantonment. Fatu never took a sobriety test. He did not refuse but asked that his lawyer be present.
It took an Escambia County jury an hour to find Fatu not guilty.
“And that is what the jury system is for. A cop cannot convict you. A cop can arrest you but they cannot convict you and that’s why we took it to the next level and plead not guilty and set out for a case trial,,” Futu’s attorney Greg Whibbs said.
A speeding ticket Fatu received will stand.
Memorial Held For NAS Pensacola Victims, Their Families
December 20, 2019
The Navy held a memorial service Thursday for the three Sailors killed in the Dec. 6 shooting at Naval Aviation Schools Command (NASC) onboard NAS Pensacola, presenting posthumous awards to the fallen service members for their service.
Family members received the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for heroism on behalf of Naval Aircrewman (Mechanical) 3rd Class Mohammed S. Haitham, 19, from St. Petersburg, Florida; Naval Aircrewman (Mechanical) 3rd Class Cameron S. Walters, 21, from Richmond Hill, Georgia; and Ensign Joshua K. Watson, 23, from Enterprise, Alabama. Haitham and Walters also were awarded the Good Conduct Medal, a recognition for enlisted Sailors. All three Sailors were serving as students at NASC.
Families, friends, NASC staff and students, shipmates, senior Navy leaders and local government officials came together for the service at the National Naval Aviation Museum onboard NAS Pensacola where Adm. Chris Grady, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, presided over the ceremony.
“We can never know what will be demanded of us on any given day, and no one could have foreseen what would be demanded on December 6th, but these men answered the call,” Grady said. “Through their heroic acts, they saved lives by sacrificing their own and for that, we are forever grateful.”
The memorial service allowed the Navy to honor and pay respect to the victims and their families. The service included remarks from Capt. Vincent Segars, commanding officer of NASC, and a four-ship missing man flyover by the U.S. Navy’s flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels.
With NAS Pensacola known as “the cradle of naval aviation,” Segars described it as a special place where all naval aviators and aircrewmen start living their dreams of flying in service to their nation. Segars encouraged NASC students and shipmates of the fallen to always remember Dec. 6.
“One common theme from these heroic Sailors is their infectious spirit that sought to motivate and bring out the best in all they served with,” Segars said. “Let us honor their memory by achieving our dreams in earning the wings of gold, and wear them proudly as we assume the watch.”
On Dec. 10, Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly proclaimed Haitham and Walters as naval aircrewmen by awarding them their wings of gold. They were posthumously advanced to naval aircrewman mechanical 3rd class. Modly also proclaimed Watson as a naval aviator, and awarded him wings of gold as well.
“We owe them a debt that can never be repaid, and it is one that we will never forget,” said Grady. “These men have rightly been described as heroes, and that is how we will remember them.”
Pictured: The U.S. Navy Blue Angels in a missing man formation over NAS Pensacola Thursday to honor the victims of the December 6 shooting on the base. U.S. Navy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
1979 Ernest Ward High School State Championship Football Team Holds Reunion
December 20, 2019
The 1979 Ernest Ward High School state championship football team recently held their 40 year reunion. The reunion was held in the gymnasium of what is now Ernest Ward Middle School.
Under the leadership of head coach Steve McCord, the Ernest Ward Golden Eagles won the 1979 Class A state title with a 13-6 upset of the No. 1 ranked Benjamin High School Bucs of Palm Beach Gardens at Booster Stadium in Ocala.
The 1979 Ernest Ward-Benjamin game still holds the state record for the fewest two-team turnovers during a state final. Both teams were turnover free. The 1979 Golden Eagles were the only team in state football history to knock off three No. 1 ranked teams in the same season.
Ernest Ward High School and Century High School were combined to create Northview High School, which won the Class 1A state crown in 2012. The Century Blackcats with head coach Joe Cardwell fell short of a title by just one point back in 1986 with a 8-7 loss at home to Glades Day High of Belle Glade.
Pictured top: The 1979 Ernest Ward High School state championship football team (front, L-R) Tommy Van Pelt, Marion Cooper, Eric Sanders, Mike Dignam, David Bell, Byron Vaughn, Todd Wiggins, Bill Smith and Perry Byars; (back) Coach Steve McCord, Kevin Beck, Scott Ward, David Beck, Mike Solomon, Mark Hanks, Kenny Bryan, Todd Linam, Phillip Robbins, Glen Sharpless and Kevin Morgan. Pictured below: The 1979 Ernest Ward High School state championship football team. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
