Century Man Claims $8.45 Million Lottery Prize
November 14, 2018
A Century man has claimed a lottery prize of $8.45 million.
Jonathan Wiggins, 47, won a top prize in the $10,000 A Week For Life scratch off game and claimed his prize Monday at Florida Lottery headquarters in Tallahassee.
Wiggins chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump sum payment of $8.45 million. He purchased his winning ticket from Circle K, located at 2020 West Cervantes Street in Pensacola. The retailer will receive a $20,000 bonus commission for selling the winning ticket.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Highway 95A Crash Claims Life Of Cantonment Woman
November 14, 2018
A two vehicle accident Tuesday night claimed the life of a Cantonment woman.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 69-year old Desiree Dawn Mattair of Cantonment was northbound on North Palafox Street near Tower Drive when her 2003 Chevrolet Malibu drifted into the southbound lane about 7:30 p.m.. She collided with a southbound Ford Focus driven by 49-year old Mark E. Gruschow of Prosper, TX. Troopers said he was unable to avoid the collision.
Mattair was pronounced deceased at the scene. Gruschow was transported to West Florida Hospital with minor injuries.
The FHP is continuing their investigation.
File photo.
Asleep At The Wheel: Cantonment Man Arrested On Multiple Drug Charges
November 14, 2018
A Cantonment man that allegedly fell asleep at the wheel while waiting for a redlight to change is facing multiple drug charges.
Cameron Edmond Edgecumbe, 25, was charged with felony possession of a control substance without a prescription, felony dealing in stolen property, marijuana possession and knowingly driving with a suspended license.
Deputies found Edgecumbe asleep at the wheel of his still-running vehicle on Muscogee Road at Highway 29, according to an arrest report. After deputies managed to wake him up, they reported a strong smell of marijuana emanating from the vehicle.
On Edgecumbe’s person, deputies found 28 Alprazolam tables, just over 20 grams of marijuana, an empty Hydrocodone pill bottle, a digital scale, two Visa credits cards in the name of a female, and $1,685 in cash. The credit cards were allegedly stolen during a recent burglary.
He told deputies that he was waiting at the light and it would not change, and he must have fallen asleep, the arrest report states.
Edgecume was released from the Escambia County Jail on an $8,000 bond.
Nine Mile Road At Highway 29 Closure Delayed Until Sunday
November 14, 2018
Due to inclement weather conditions, the temporary road closure of Nine Mile Road at the Highway 29 overpass in Escambia County has been rescheduled for 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 18 and Monday, Nov. 19 for crews to place beams for the new northbound bridge.
Eastbound Nine Mile Road traffic will be reduced to one lane, detoured to Highway South, perform a U-turn at West Hood Drive, and return to Nine Mile Road. Westbound traffic will utilize Highway 29 North, perform a U-turn at West 9 1/2 Mile Road, and return to Nine Mile Road. Traffic control officers will be on-site to help direct traffic.
Highway 29 traffic between Interstate 10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road may experience alternating lane closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to obey the 40-mph speed limit and use caution when traveling through the work zone, especially at night. Drivers should also watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Hours After Triple Shooting Arrest, Atmore Council Yanks Chick-a-Dee Business License
November 14, 2018
Hours after an arrest was made in a triple shooting in Atmore, the Atmore City Council revoked the business license of the Atmore establishment where it all happened this past weekend.
U.S. Marshals arrested 34-year old Anji Lynn Baker of Bay Minette in Escambia County, FL, about midday Tuesday. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond where he was being held as a fugitive from justice. He will be extradited back to Alabama to face three counts of attempted murder and a charge of shooting into an occupied building.
At a scheduled Atmore City Council meeting Tuesday afternoon, Atmore’s police chief asked the council to revoke the license of the Chick-a-Dee/The Assembly Hall on Carver Avenue.
“Due to individuals with a firearm, I am asking you to revoke their business license,” Chief Chuck Brooks told the council.
The council voted unanimously. to revoke the event center’s license to do business in the city.
The triple shooting happened during an event inside business early Sunday morning. Two victims were airlifted to a Mobile hospital where one was listed in critical condition and the other in serious condition. A third gunshot victim was transported by ambulance where he was treated and released. All three victims were adult males.
An Atmore police officer suffered minor injuries when he was struck with a barstool, Brooks said.
There were reportedly one hundred or more people at the business, which is about two blocks from the Atmore Police Department’s backdoor.
Pictured top: The Assembly Hall on Carver Avenue. Pictured below: Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks asks the Atmore Town Council to revoke the establishment’s business license. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
It’s Operation Christmas Child Collection Week At First Baptist Bratt
November 14, 2018
Volunteers are busy this week at the First Baptist Church of Bratt during “National Collection Week” for Operation Christmas Child. For the 24th year, the simple, gift-filled shoe boxes will bring Christmas joy and evangelistic materials to children in over 130 countries across the world.
National Collection Week for OCC continues through November 19. The First Baptist Church of Bratt is the official drop-off location/OCC Relay Center for the north end of Escambia County, FL.
Pastor Tim Hawsey, Relay Center coordinator, said the shoe boxes are distributed by trained local pastors and volunteers around the world…right where the children live. The children that receive the box are invited to participate in a twelve step bible study called The Greatest Journey translated into their native language and taught by local people the children know.
Collection hours at the First Baptist Church of Bratt will be:
- Wednesday, Nov. 14, 5-8 p.m.
- Thursday, Nov. 15, 4-6 p.m.
- Friday, Nov. 16, 9 a.m.-noon
- Saturday, Nov. 17, 9-11 a.m.
- Sunday, Nov. 18, 1-3 p.m, 5 p.m.-7 p.m.
- Monday, Nov. 19, 8-10 a.m.
“This is about being a blessing and bringing God’s love and hope to children in poverty around the world that would not receive it otherwise. We have gone through the intense process of been approved as a church to be a Relay Center to collect the boxes from individuals, families, and churches of our area, document and pack them into special cartons and take them to the next level for Samaritan’s Purse, and we have been blessed to do it for nine years now,” Hawsey said.
Operation Christmas Child boxes should be packed in a specific manner. For more information, call Hawsey at the First Baptist Church of Bratt at (850) 327-6529, visit www.samaritanspurse.org/occ, or call (800) 353-5949. Resources are available for churches that wish to participate.
Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational non-profit organization that has mission’s opportunities all over the world.
Former Newpoint Charter School Owner Gets 20 Years, Fined $5 Million
November 14, 2018
Marcus May, former owner of Charter School Management Company, Newpoint Education Partners, LLC was sentenced Tuesday to 20 years state prison and fined $5 million dollars.
Circuit Judge Thomas Dannheisser sentenced May, and described his conduct as “a shocking pattern of pervasive theft”.
An Escambia County jury convicted May of two counts of racketeering and one count of organized fraud after a four week trial in which prosecutors presented evidence from more than 100 witnesses and dozens of boxes of financial records and documents.
It is one of the first racketeering cases involving a charter schools management company brought in Florida.
Ernest Ward Middle Splits Basketball Games With T.R. Miller
November 14, 2018
The Ernest Ward Middle School boys basketball team defeated T.R. Miller 42-23 Tuesday night in Walnut Hill. In girls action, Miller defeated Ernest Ward 48-8.
Up next, Ernest Ward will travel to Pollard McCall on Thursday at 5 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Atmore Home Damaged By Fire
November 14, 2018
An Atmore home was damaged by fire Tuesday night.
The fire appeared to have started on the second story of the home in the 300 block of North Trammell Street. Preliminary information indicated the fire may have been sparked by a candle being used in a bedroom, but the investigation is continuing.
There were no injuries reported.
The Atmore Fire Department was dispatched to the blaze at 9:20 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Pumpkin Pie At Century Library; Thanksgiving Color Contest At Molino Library
November 14, 2018
North Escambia branches of the West Florida Library are holding a pumpkin pie program and a Thanksgiving coloring contest.
Pumpkin Pie Perfection
- Thursday, Nov. 15, 6 p.m. – Century Branch Library
No, it’s not the man in the moon! Here comes that tasty pie with a spoon.
Thanksgiving Coloring Contest
- Through Saturday, Nov. 17, all day – Molino Branch Library
Children up to age 12 can pick up their coloring sheet and entry form at the Molino Branch starting Monday, November 5. Color the lively Thanksgiving turkey and return him to the Molino Branch by Saturday, November 17, for a chance to win a prize. Winners will be announced on Monday, November 19.