Atmore Man Charged With Three Counts Of Attempted Murder
June 20, 2018
An Atmore man has been charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting into a vehicle occupied by three people, including a child, on North Main Street.
Labrandon Sharp, 34, was charged with three counts of attempted murder and shooting into an occupied vehicle.
On June 14, Atmore Police responded to report of a subject discharging a weapon into a vehicle. They discovered shots had been fired into a vehicle occupied by two adults and a 7-year old at the intersection of North Main Street and Liberty Street. They were not injured.
The victims told officers that Sharp fired into the vehicle after a brief verbal altercation between one of the victims and Sharp.
Atmore Police learned that Sharp fled the scene in a gold colored Chevrolet Malibu. Minutes later, the suspect vehicle was spotted on South Canoe Road. Atmore Police and the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and identified the driver as Kendra Monick Williams, 37.
Williams told officers that she had just swapped vehicles with Sharp prior to being stopped. Williams was taken into custody and charged with assisting the alleged offender, Sharp, with the attempted murder of the three occupants.
Sharp turned himself in on Monday and remained in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton early Wednesday morning.
New Candidate In Race For Ingram’s House Seat; Jay Woman Files For Williamson’s Seat
June 20, 2018
The race for an open seat in nearby House District 1 drew a late candidate Monday, when Republican Lisa Doss of Milton opened a campaign account, according to the Division of Elections website. The Escambia County seat is open because Rep. Clay Ingram, R-Pensacola, faces term limits.
Five candidates have opened campaign accounts, with two — Republican Rebekah Bydlak and Democrat Vikki Garrett — listed on the state website as having qualified as of early Tuesday afternoon. The qualifying period started Monday and will last until noon Friday.
Meanwhile, it appears Rep. Jayer Williamson, R-Pace, won’t receive a free pass back to the Florida House. Bobbi Sue Osborne, a Jay resident running without party affiliation, opened a campaign account Tuesday to challenge Williamson in House District 3, which is made up of parts of Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties, according to the state Division of Elections website.
Williamson, who formally qualified for the race Monday, had been running unopposed. He had raised $100,750 for his re-election bid as of May 31.
by The News Service of Florida with contribution from NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
United Way Announces $850K In Community Grants
June 20, 2018
United Way of Escambia County announced $850,000 in grants Tuesday for 42 local nonprofit programs through their community investment process. These programs provide critical services to individuals and families throughout the area.
Over the past year, 266 companies and nearly 7,000 individual donors contributed to United Way for health, education and financial stability programs.
TOP 5 WORKPLACE CAMPAIGNS
1. Gulf Power Company
2. Publix Super Markets, Inc.
3. Ascend Performance Materials
4. Navy Federal Credit Union
5. Regions Bank
Health Awards:
2018-19 Health Awards: $116,264
1. Access to Care2 – Health and Hope Clinic
2. Child Abuse Prevention Education – Gulf Coast Kid’s House
3. Epilepsy Services and Resource Center – Epilepsy Foundation of Florida
4. Healthy Seniors Food Program – Manna Food Pantries, Inc.
5. Kids for Camp Summer Learning Lab – Autism Pensacola
6. Lakeview Center Victim Services – Lakeview Center
7. Mobile Outreach Program – OASIS Florida
8. The Salvation Army Emergency Shelter, Sally’s House – The Salvation Army
9. VIP Children’s Program – Independence for the Blind
2-3 Year Committed Health Awards: $260,962
1. Essential Life Skills – Capstone Adaptive Learning and Therapy Centers, Inc.
2. Family Advocacy – Gulf Coast Kid’s House
3. Healthy Lifestyles – Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast
4. Nutrition Program – Council on Aging of West Florida
5. Older Blind Program – Independence for the Blind
6. Pearl Nelson Child Development Center/Pediatric Therapy – The Arc Gateway, Inc.
7. Senior Companion Program – Council on Aging of West Florida
8. Sexual/Physical Abuse Treatment Program – Lutheran Services of Florida
9. Youth Development – YMCA of Northwest Florida
Education Awards:
2018-19 Education Awards: $129,682
1. Big Brothers Big Sisters Community Based Program – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida
2. Every Adult Achieves Self-Sufficiency – Pathways for Change
3. GED Program – AMIkids Pensacola
4. Girls Earning Diplomas (GED) Program – PACE Center for Girls
5. Milk & Honey Afterschool Program – Milk & Honey Outreach Ministry
6. ReadingPals – Every Child A Reader Escambia (ECARE)
7. School to Work – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida
8. Service Learning and Leadership Development – Chain Reaction
9. Workforce Development: Providing a Path to Self-Sufficiency – Waterfront Rescue Mission, Inc.
2-3 Year Committed Education Awards: $258,093
1. Academic Success – Boys and Girls Club of the Emerald Coast
2. Capstone Academy – Capstone Adaptive Learning and Therapy Centers, Inc.
3. Heritage Oaks Affordable Housing – Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies (BRACE)
4. Independence for Dependent and Homeless Youth – Legal Services of
North Florida
5. Pearl Nelson Child Development Center/Early Intervention Services – The Arc Gateway, Inc.
6. School Readiness Program – Early Learning Coalition of Escambia County
7. Teenspace – Children’s Home Society of Florida
8. Transition Program – Independence for the Blind
9. Veterans Legal Assistance – Legal Services of North Florida
Financial Stability Awards:
2018-19 Financial Stability Awards: $67,500
1. Child Care – YMCA of Northwest Florida
2. Emergency Assistance – Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida
3. Moving Escambia County from Hunger to Hope – Manna Food Pantries, Inc.
4. Social Services – Basic Needs – The Salvation Army
5. The Mobile Pantry Program – Feeding the Gulf Coast
2-3 Year Committed Financial Stability Awards: $17,500
1. Domestic Violence Shelter – FavorHouse of Northwest Florida, Inc.
Jay Honors Former Town Clerk By Renaming Community Center
June 20, 2018
Tuesday evening, the Jay Community Center was renamed the Linda Carden Community Center in honor of longtime town clerk Linda Carden.
Carden retired after serving the community for 40 years. She started working for the Town of Jay in 1976 as the assistant to Town Clerk Theda Bray. She worked under three mayors – J.D. Bray, Jackie Ard and Kurvin Qualls.
While serving as town clerk, Carden earned the Master Municipal Clerk designation from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks. She retired in October 2016.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
George Stone Has A New Name – George Stone Technical College
June 20, 2018
George Stone Area Vocational–Technical Center has been renamed George Stone Technical College.
Officials hope the new name will better identify its mission so that more parents of high school graduates will realize the opportunities the institution provides for career preparation after high school.
“These technical colleges saw a five to fifteen percent enrollment increase in the first year after changing their names,” said TJ Rollins, GSTC principal.
Vandals Strike Century’s Parks; Mayor Pushes For Security Cameras
June 20, 2018
Vandals are causing damage to Century’s parks, and Mayor Henry Hawkins wants to send the message that there are consequences for actions.
Hawkins said every park in town has been vandalized recently. A few days ago, someone busted locks at Anthony Pleasant Park and broke bathroom fixtures and a water fountain.
Now Hawkins is pushing for town council approval for security cameras.
“We need to move quickly on cameras, because we are going to go broke with nickel and dime repairs,” Hawkins said. He said he wants the vandals arrested and an example made of them to send the message that “if you are caught, you will pay the price.”
About a month ago, Hawkins told the council that he wants to install security cameras at several town properties.
Hawkins presented the town council with a proposal from Security Center USA in Jacksonville for about $700 per month under a 36 month lease purchase with a $1 buyout.
The proposal included eight HD cameras at town hall and the Nadine McCaw Park, seven HD cameras at maintenance shop on Alger Road and Showalter Park, and three HD cameras at the water treatment plant. Installation, video recorders, streaming, accessories and monitoring were included.
The council took no action on the proposal. Hawkins said this week he plans to obtain an additional proposal.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
O.C. Phillips Road Bridge Reopens
June 20, 2018
A bridge over Brushy Creek Bridge on O.C. Phillips Road has reopened. The bridge was closed by the Florida Department of Transportation last November due to a failed inspection, leading to a lengthy detour for some residents. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Voters May Decide Between Elected Or Appointed School Superintendent
June 20, 2018
Should the Escambia County school superintendent be elected or appointed?
That’s a question that voters may see on this year’s general election ballot.
The Escambia County County Commission will hold a public hearing at 5:31 p.m. on June 21 to consider an ordinance authorizing a countywide referendum to be held on the November 6 ballot concerning the appointment of the school superintendent in Escambia County. The superintendent would be appointed by the school board.
The county is considering the referendum at the request of Superintendent Malcolm Thomas. The Escambia County School Board approved a resolution in support of the request on April 17.
FHP Looking For Hit And Run Honda Involved In Nine Mile, Hwy 29 Crash
June 19, 2018
The Florida Highway Patrol is looking for a driver involved in a hit and run crash Tuesday afternoon on the entrance ramp from Nine Mile Road to southbound Highway 29.
The FHP said a gold-colored Honda with a Texas license plate made an improper lane change and struck a Chevrolet pickup truck and several construction barrels. The Honda then left the scene.
There were no injuries to any of the five people in the pickup.
Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call the Trooper J. Vennell at (850) 484-5000 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Driver Seriously Injured, Airlifted After Early Morning Wreck On Highway 97
June 19, 2018
One person was seriously injured and airlifted to the hospital after an early morning wreck on Highway 97 south of Walnut Hill.
The driver of a passenger car was northbound on Highway 97 just north of Tungoil Road about 1 a.m. when the vehicle left the roadway, hit a culvert and went airborne before coming to rest near the woodline.
The adult male driver was transported by Escambia County EMS to the Molino Fire Station and then airlifted to a Pensacola hospital. His injuries were not considered life threatening.
The accident is being investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Molino, Walnut Hill and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.