Pensacola Sailor Honored In Memorial Service On USS Ronald Reagan
November 28, 2017
A memorial service in honor of the life and service of Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Apprentice Bryan Grosso of Pensacola and two other sailors was held held aboard the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan.
Grosso graduated in 2017 from West Florida High School and then reported to Naval Station Great Lakes for recruit training. After graduating boot camp, he attended “A” school in Pensacola, Florida, and received orders to Ronald Reagan. He arrived at CFAY and checked in to Reagan Ranch on November 7 to begin his preparations to join his first ship underway.
Also killed in the crash were Lt. Steven Combs, from Florida, Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) Airman Matthew Chialastri, from Louisiana.
There were 11 crew and passengers aboard a C-2A Greyhound of VRC-30 when it crashed into the ocean approximately 500 nautical miles southeast of Okinawa, Nov. 22. Eight were immediately recovered. The aircraft was conducting a routine transport flight carrying passengers and cargo from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, to Ronald Reagan.
“The loss of these crew members hits across the entire ship with great significance,” said Capt. Buzz Donnelly, Ronald Reagan’s commanding officer. “On behalf of the entire crew of USS Ronald Reagan, I extend heartfelt prayers and sincere condolences to the families and friends of the three shipmates we lost.”
The memorial service included remarks by Donnelly and Capt. Michael Wosje, commander, CVW-5; a presentation of biographies of the lost Sailors by chaplains assigned to Ronald Reagan and CVW-5; personal reflections by Sailors who knew the deceased; and performances of Amazing Grace and Taps.
“AOAA Bryan Grosso was someone who was not only a shipmate, but a good friend to me and many other members of our class from the Reagan Ranch,” said Ship’s Serviceman Seaman Apprentice Byron Arndt, a Sailor who reported to Reagan Ranch around the same time as Grosso. “What I like about Bryan was that he’s an outgoing, kind, and caring person, always willing to be there for his friends and shipmates. Even if he didn’t know too much about the topic of discussion, Bryan would always listen and pay attention to what we had to say. Then if he had anything to say about it, he would offer his advice and opinion. I really respected that.”
Two Crashes Involving Four Vehicles On Highway 29 In Molino
November 27, 2017
There were no serious injuries reported in a two different accidents involving four vehicles Monday evening on Highway 29 at Omega Drive, near the Escambia Sheriff’s Office Substation in Molino.
One accident occurred when the driver of a pickup truck rear-ended a Nissan Altima on northbound Highway 29 about 5:30 p.m.. One person was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries.
The second accident was a minor fender-bender when the trailer-hitch on a pickup truck and a car collided. The were no injuries and only minor damage to the car.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Note With ‘Threatening Statement’ Found Inside Molino Head Start Center
November 27, 2017
Authorities investigating a note making a “threatening statement” discovered Monday inside the Molino Head Start Center.
The note was left in an area of the building and and in a manner in which it was not clear if threat was against a child or an adult, according to Maj. Andrew Hobbs, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The wording on the note has not been divulged.
There were no signs of forcible entry into the building or any damage, but a window had been left open during the long holiday weekend, Hobbs said.
The Molino Head Start Center is located next to the library in separate building at the Molino Community Complex on Molino Road.
Pictured: Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies and a crime scene unit on scene Monday at the Molino Head Start Center in the Molino Community Complex. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Man Charged With Using Fake Money To Buy Gaming System, Stealing Games From Walmart
November 27, 2017
A Cantonment man has been charged with passing fake “movie money” $100 bills to purchase a gaming system and stealing hundreds of dollars worth of video games from Walmart.
Cedric Levon White, Jr., 26, is facing multiple felony counts after the two unrelated incidents.
White allegedly responded to a Facebook Marketplace ad for a Wii U gaming system with four games for sale. When he met the woman selling the gaming system, he handed what she told deputies looked like two $100 bills folded up. After White waked off with the Wii, the woman reported that she unfolded the money to find that it was marked “For Motion Picture Use Only”.
A few days later, Walmart on Mobile Highway reported that a man later identified as White entered the store and selected two black backpacks valued at $15 each. He emptied the bags of all packing material. White then placed about 30 video games valued at $643 in shopping cart and then concealed them inside the two backpacks. He the used a fire exit to leave the store, Walmart reported.
White was charged with petit theft, felony passing a counterfeited bank note and felony grand theft. He was later released from the Escambia County Jail on a $2,000 bond.
Pictured below: An example of “for motion picture use only” money. NorthEscambia.com image, click to enlarge.
Lathram Chapel UMC Says Goodbye To Pastor Of 14 Years
November 27, 2017
Pastor Pam Avery presented her last sermon Sunday at Lathram Chapel United Methodist Church on Jack’s Branch Road. After nearly 14 years at Lathram Chapel, Avery has been appointed the assistant pastor at Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church. Avery is pictured top and inset. Pictured below: Avery’s last meeting with the Lathram Chapel Tuesday Morning Bible Study group. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Teen Uninjured In Highway 4 Rollover Accident
November 27, 2017
A teen driver escaped injury Sunday night in a single vehicle wreck between Century and Bratt.
The driver apparently lost control in a Highway 4 curve between the two bridges at Canoe Creek, left the roadway, struck a pine tree and then overturned. She refused medical treatment on scene from Escambia County EMS.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Teen Arrested In Connection With Weekend Shooting
November 27, 2017
An teen has been arrested in connection with a weekend shooting in Escambia County.
Jallen Jamijah McGee, 18, was jailed in connection with the shooting early Sunday morning in the 2900 block of Michael Drive. He was being held on charges of aggravated battery, carrying a concealed weapon and improper exhibition of a firearm.
Additional details have not been released.
Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Limited Services This Week For Escambia Building, Development And Code Enforcement
November 27, 2017
Escambia County Building Services, Development Services and Code Enforcement staff will attend software training this week, changing the hours some services are available Monday, Nov. 27 through Friday, Dec. 1:
Building Services (permitting and inspections) – will be open from 8 a.m. to noon only
Development Services (planning & zoning) – staff will be available to answer questions and receive application information 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but payments can only be processed 8 a.m. to noon.
Code Enforcement – no changes in hours of operations, but services may be limited
Escambia County is replacing the current citizen portal where citizens apply, search and manage limited permit, inspection, code and planning information to a new software system, MyGovernmentOnline. MyGovernmentOnline is more user-friendly for staff, businesses and citizens, with features including online permit applications, payments, inspection requests, submittal of files, downloading of reports, status reports, contractor and business license management, submitting documents for review and more.
Escambia BOCC Weekly Meeting Schedule
November 26, 2017
Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings for the week of November 27 to December 1:
Tuesday, Nov. 28
Inspection Fund Advisory Board - 9 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place (Agenda)
Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate – 1:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place (Agenda)
Wednesday, Nov. 29
Escambia County Housing Finance Authority Public Hearing – 10 a.m., 700 S. Palafox St.
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Thursday, Nov. 30
Community Redevelopment Agency – 9 a.m. , Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers, 1st Floor
BCC Agenda Review – 9:15 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers, 1st Floor (Agenda)
BCC Public Forum – 4:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers, 1st Floor
BCC Regular Meeting – 5:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers, 1st Floor (Agenda)
Cantonment Man Charged With Attack On Man, His Kids
November 26, 2017
A Cantonment man was jailed on three felony counts of aggravated assault, three weapon offense charges, one count of battery and damage property.
According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, the victim left his two girls, ages 6 and 10, for a couple of hours at a friend’s house on Ellington Street. When he returned to pickup the children, 42-year old Herbert Williams, the woman’s ex-boyfriend, attacked him, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report.
Williams allegedly punched him in the face and body. When the victim fought back, Williams left and returned with a machete.
Witnesses say Williams began hitting the truck with the knife and then threw bricks at the vehicle. He jumped in the bed of the truck, the report states, and began banging in the roof.
One witness said he was trying to kill the victim and his two daughters.
Williams remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday morning with bond set at $81,500.