Century Man Facing Multiple Drug Charges, Sexual Offender Violation

January 14, 2019

A broken windshield landed a Century man behind bars on multiple drug charges and a sexual offender violation.

While patrolling Front Street, an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy reported seeing 50-year old Daryl Lamar Brown pass in a red Ford Focus with a windshield that was cracked in driver’s view. The deputy made contact with brown at Camellia Gardens Apartments. The deputy reported a strong smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle.

A records check indicated that Brown had an outstanding warrant for a sexual offender registration violation and had a suspended driver’s license. Brown was taken into custody.

A search of his vehicle revealed a black nylon bag that contained four plastic bags that contained marijuana and one that contained spice. One of the plastic bags that contained marijuana had the marijuana individually packed into 15 small baggies for sale, and one plastic bag contained nine individual bags of spice ready for sale, according to an arrest report.

Brown was charged with possession of marijuana more than 20 grams with the intent to distribute, possession of a controlled substance (spice) with the intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, knowingly driving with a suspended license and failing to register as a sex offender.

Brown was convicted of lewd or lascivious exhibition in the presence of an elderly or disabled person in 2014, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement offender registry.

Brown remained in the Escambia County Jail Monday with bond set at $57,000.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Walking Program Every Tuesday Morning At The Molino Library

January 14, 2019

The Molino Branch Library is inviting participants for “Walk This Way at Molino Branch Library” every Tuesday. Groups will walk the track behind the library beginning at 8 a.m.

NorthEcambia.com photo, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts; Where To Expect Delays

January 14, 2019

Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.

· State Road (S.R.) 727 (Fairfield Drive) Drainage Improvements from south of Usher Circle to north of Hestia Place- The south entrance to Usher Circle from Fairfield Drive is closed to traffic to allow for crews to install pipe across the roadway. Once the work is complete the entrance will reopen to traffic. Those seeking access to Usher Circle may utilize the north entrance off Fairfield Drive.
· U.S. 98 (Lillian Highway) Resurfacing from the Perdido Bay Bridge to Dog Track Road– Paving operations continue from the Perdido Bay Bridge to Dog Track Road. Lane closures will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 13 through Sunday, Jan. 20.
· U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement –Lane closures will take place from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 13 through Saturday, Saturday, Jan. 19.
· Interstate 10 Routine Maintenance between Exit 5 (U.S. 90 Alternate) and Exit 17 (U.S. 90/Scenic Highway)- There will be alternating and intermittent east and westbound lane restrictions between U.S. 90A and Scenic Highway from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 13 through Thursday, Jan. 17 as crews repair lighting.
· U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to U.S. 90 (Nine Mile Road)– The following traffic impacts will occur from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 13 through Saturday, Jan. 19.
· U.S. 90 (Mobile Highway) and County Road (C.R.) 99 (Beulah Road) Intersection – Paving operations will require intermittent lane closures near the intersection the week of Monday, Jan. 14 There will be no lane closures allowed from 6 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
· U.S. 29 Shoulder and Driveway Work near West Airport Boulevard– Southbound traffic will encounter lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Jan. 14 through Thursday, Jan. 19 near West Airport Boulevard as crews perform shoulder and driveway construction at the new Allen Turner Hyundia.
· S.R. 10A (E. Cervantes Street) Underground Utility Operations at 9th Avenue and 10th Avenue- The westbound outside lane will be closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15 and Wednesday, Jan. 16 at 9th Avenue and 10th Avenue as crews perform underground utility work.
· Crary Road Bridge Replacement- Crary Road is closed between Tedder Road and Byrneville Road as crews construct a bridge culvert. Motorists will be detoured via C.R. 4 and Byrneville Road.
· Bratt Road Bridge Replacement over Canoe Creek- Bratt Road will continue to be closed near Canoe Creek. Drivers on Bratt Road, west of the bridge, will be detoured to Pine Barren Road and C.R. 4. Drivers east of the bridge will be detoured east on Bratt Road.

- U.S. 98 east and westbound, from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to 2,000-feet east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- North 17th Avenue in Pensacola, between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).

- Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass: Alternating traffic shifts will direct all traffic onto the westbound or eastbound lanes as crews continue construction of the new northbound bridge deck. Nine Mile Road lane restrictions are Sunday through Friday.
- U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road: Drainage and paving operations continue. Drivers can expect alternating lane closures Monday through Saturday.

Santa Rosa County:

S.R. 87 Multilane from Eglin AFB boundary to C.R. 184 (Hickory Hammock Road)–Traffic between Hickory Hammock Road and the Eglin AFB boundary will continue to be restricted to loads less than 11-feet wide. The restriction will be in place until the project is completed.
U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement– Lane closures will take place from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 13 through Saturday, Saturday, Jan. 19.
- U.S. 98 east and westbound, from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to 2,000-feet east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- North 17th Avenue in Pensacola, between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).

All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled 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.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Two Escaped Alabama Inmates Are Back Behind Bars

January 14, 2019

Two inmates that escaped from work release in Brewton are now both back behind bars.

Christopher Ladale Pugh (pictured left), 27, was arrested as he walked along I-65 on Sunday, according to Sheriff Heath Jackson. Christopher Blake Moye (pictured right), 27, was tracked by K-9 teams to Wawbeek where he was taken into custody on Saturday.

Both escaped from the barracks at the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office in Brewon on Friday.

Moye’s arrest came after deputies responded to an attempted burglary in on Whites Lane along the Alabama-Florida state line in the Wawbeek community on Saturday. Nearly seven hours later, a K-9 tracking team took him into custody.

On Sunday, Pugh was spotted along I-65 wearing only boxer shorts. Pugh told the officer “please take me back to jail,” according to Jackson.

Pugh was jailed for violation of probation, receiving stolen property and burglary. Moye was jailed on charges of violation of probation and theft of property. Both are expected to face additional charges for the escape.

The Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office, Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office, Atmore Police Department, Flomaton Police Department, Brewton Police Department, Alabama Department of Corrections K-9 teams, Escambia County (FL) Road Prison K-9 teams, Century Correctional Institution K-9 teams, and the U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Task Force all participated in the hunt for the escapees.

Pictured: About 5:30 p.m. Friday, the manhunt was centered around railroad tracks at Old Fannnie Road and Welka Road, east of Flomaton and about a half mile north of Alabama-Florida state line. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Escambia BOCC Weekly Meeting Schedule

January 14, 2019

Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings scheduled this week:

Monday, Jan. 14

ECAT Trolley Operator Interviews – 8:30 a.m., Escambia County Area Transit,
1515 W. Fairfield Drive

Escambia County Marine Advisory Committee – 5:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place (Agenda)

Northwest District 1 Advisory Committee – 6 p.m., Beulah Middle School, 6001 W. Nine Mile Road

Tuesday, Jan. 15

Board of Electrical Examiners – 9 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place

Pensacola-Escambia Promotion and Development Commission Board of Directors – 10 a.m., 418 W. Garden St.

Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate – 1:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place

Merit System Protection Board – 5 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, 4th Floor Training Room

Escambia County Extension Council – 5:30 p.m., 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment

Wednesday, Jan. 16

Ensley North Neighborhood Cleanup – 7 a.m.

Escambia County Soil & Water Conservation District – 8 a.m., 151 Highway 97, Molino

Board of Adjustment – 8:30 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place

Central Booking and Detention Facility Ceremony – 11 a.m., 1190 W. Leonard St.

Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place

Pensacola & Perdido Bays Estuary Program Technical Committee – 1:30 p.m., City of Gulf Breeze Council Chambers, 1070 Shoreline Drive

Escambia County Disability Awareness Committee – 3 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place

Pensacola & Perdido Bays Estuary Program Policy Board – 3:30 p.m., City of Gulf Breeze Council Chambers, 1070 Shoreline Drive

Thursday, Jan. 17

BCC Committee of the Whole – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers

Saturday, Jan. 19

Arbor Day Tree Giveaway and Public Workshop – 9 a.m., 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment

NorthEscambia.com photo.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

FWC Explains More About Rare Redhorse Fish Found In The Escambia River

January 14, 2019

After we published a story about a rare river redhorse fish being found in the Escambia River, numerous people responded on NorthEscambia.com and our social media with reports of frequently seeing or catching the fish.

Until the recent discovery, the river redhorse had not been documented in the Escambia River since 1976, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

NorthEscambia.com reached out to the FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute for more information. Here is their response:

The river redhorse is a species that may easily be confused with other commonly found fish – in particular, the spotted sucker and the blacktail redhorse.

The river redhorse is only found in the Escambia River, whereas the spotted sucker occurs in every river in the panhandle and the blacktail redhorse occurs in all drainages in Florida west of the Apalachicola River.

Ways you can tell them apart- a blacktail redhorse has a black strip that occurs in the tail, and the spotted sucker has noticeable spots on its scales.

Researchers captured a river redhorse during a night trawl. In Florida, the river redhorse is listed as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need.

The fish prefers large, clean rivers with sand or gravel bottoms and swift currents. The river redhorse was implanted with an acoustic tag and released. The movement of the fish will be monitored to estimate site occupancy and assess population trend, according to the FWC. The fish was found as freshwater biologists were working on imperiled species trawl survey in the Escambia River.

Pictured top: The rare river redhorse fish documented in the Escambia River for the first time since 1976. Other fish that look similar are below, courtesy of FWC and the Florida Museum. Each photo is labeled. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Above: Spotted Sucker

Above: Blacktail redhorse

Above: River redhorse

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News

Driver Rolls Pickup Into Guardrail

January 13, 2019

There were no serious injuries reported when a pickup truck crashed and rolled over onto a guardrail early Sunday morning at the North Palafox Street overpass above I-10. The Florida Highway Patrol has not released any details in the 1:20 a.m. crash. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Tate Aggies Football Banquet Honors Student Athlete Killed In Crash; Mom Addresses Attendees

January 13, 2019

“God’s got this.”

The mother of Sean Banks, Davisa Banks, addressed players, coaches and families Saturday night during the annual Tate High School football banquet.

She said she taught her children to do things the right way the first time and offered comfort to the Aggie family.

The Tate High School football program paused to honor Banks Saturday night during the football banquet. Banks was killed, along with his older sister Antoinette McCoy in an alleged DUI crash early Saturday morning.

“He was a special young man,” Tate Aggies Head Coach Jay Lindsey said during the banquet at Hillcrest Baptist Church. He said no other player will wear Sean’s #53 jersey. The number has been retired.

The jersey and Sean’s photo were at the front of the room, just off stage right, in memorial.

One by one, players hugged mom Davisa Banks and offered their support.

The Tate Quarterback Club released the following statement:

“Our hearts are broken to learn that Sean Banks, star varsity football player #53, and his sister Antoinette McCoy, died from injuries sustained in a car crash in the early morning hours of January 12th. This young man will forever live in our hearts. Sean was a hardworking student (3.91 GPA) with an enthusiastic view on life, and his smile was as bright as the sun. He was also a basketball and baseball player at Tate High School.

“Antoinette was Sean’s oldest sister, and his biggest fan! She was a sweet, thoughtful girl, full of life and light; she touched the lives of everyone she met.

“May God look down upon this family, and bless them during this time of grief and sorrow. Keep them in your prayers.”

Sean Banks also played basketball and baseball, was a member of the Tate Academic Team and was recently named a Tate Student of the Month.

Two Killed In East Kingsfield Crash; Cantonment Man Charged With DUI Manslaughter

Grief Counselors Available Monday For Students, Staff At Tate High School

Pictured top: A memorial for Sean Banks Saturday night at the Tate High School football banquet. Pictured top inset: Sean Banks’ mother Davisa Banks addresses the attendees. Below: Players hugged Davis Banks and offered their support. Pictured bottom: Head coach Jay Lindsey looks toward Banks as he spoke Saturday night. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Drivers Runs Off Highway 29, Hits Mobile Homes

January 13, 2019

The driver of a pickup truck ran off the roadway and struck two mobile homes in Cantonment Saturday afternoon.

The vehicle was apparently northbound when the driver crossed the median, struck several mailboxes, hit a utility pole, struck the corner of a mobile home before the truck came to rest under a second mobile home.

The driver was transported by Escambia County EMS with non-life threatening injuries. No one in the mobile home was injured.

The crash is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.

NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.