Cottage Hill Resident Hit With Bat During Home Invasion
August 30, 2017
A Cottage Hill man told deputies that he was hit with a baseball bat during a home invasion Tuesday afternoon.
The incident happened on Williams Ditch Road near Wishbone Road.
The victim told deputies that after he was hit with the bat, the suspect fled the home. Deputies and a K-9 unit were used to search for the suspect. The suspect was a white male, but not other details were known, according to Amber Southard, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. At last report, he was still on the run.
The victim was transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Cantonment Sex Offender Arrested For Registration Violation
August 30, 2017
A Cantonment sex offender has been arrested for failing to register as required by law.
Marquis Lamar Meriweather , 35, was booked into the Escambia County Jail on a felony sex offender violation.
Meriweather of 311 Booth Avenue was released from jail on a $25,000 bond.
According to Florida Department of Law Enforcement records, Meriweather was convicted in Hawaii in 2009 of two counts of assault of a child under 16 and two counts of an indecent act on a child 12-15 years old.
Advance Tickets On Sale For Escambia Academy At Northview
August 30, 2017
The Northview Chiefs will host the Escambia Academy Cougars Friday night in Bratt, and presale tickets are available now.
Advance tickets are $5 for adults or students, $1 for elementary students and are available in the Northview office during school hours.
For more information, call Teresa Johnson at (850) 327-6627 ext. 225
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Top FHP Official Resigns Amid Ticket Quota Questions
August 30, 2017
The second-highest ranking officer in the Florida Highway Patrol is stepping down after acknowledging he wrote an email in May encouraging troopers to write at least two tickets per hour.
In the latest fallout from an ongoing investigation into whether troopers were told to meet a traffic-ticket quota, Lt. Col. Michael Thomas, a 30-year veteran and deputy director for the FHP, submitted a letter of resignation on Monday, indicating his last work day will be Friday.
In reviewing emails, Thomas said he found a May 31 email referring to a special program, known as the Statewide Overtime Action Response, aimed at curbing speeders. The email said, in part, “so we can encourage our members to maintain our 2.0 citations per hour ratio, as we attempt to provide a safer driving environment for Floridians.”
“In hindsight, I can see how this memo sent to the chiefs (regional commanders) could have been interpreted as an order for their supervisors to ask for 2.0 citations per hour,” Thomas said in his resignation letter. “This was a grave error on my behalf and should not be considered a negative reflection on the chiefs or other members of command that may have sent similar emails.”
“I made this mistake and take responsibility for my actions,” he added.
Thomas’ resignation came after Maj. Mark Welch, a troop commander who oversees eight counties near Tallahassee, announced his resignation earlier this month, after acknowledging he sent a July 28 memo to troopers that they interpreted as a mandate for a ticket quota, which is illegal under state law.
“The patrol wants to see two citations each hour,” Welch wrote. “This is not a quota; it is what we are asking you to do to support this important initiative.”
After Welch’s memo was brought to the attention of Terry Rhodes, executive director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, which oversees the FHP, she directed the agency’s staff to review whether there had been any other directives that could be viewed as a quota.
“You have my commitment here today that no quotas will be tolerated within the Florida Highway Patrol,” Rhodes told Gov. Rick Scott and Cabinet members, who oversee her agency, during an Aug. 16 meeting.
The subsequent review turned up Thomas’ May 31 email, which was sent without the authorization of Col. Gene Spaulding, director of the FHP.
“Although Lt. Col. Thomas’ emails were sent with the intention of ensuring accountability of our members and providing enhanced public safety, it was inappropriate to request a specific number of citations from our members,” Spaulding said in a statement.
“FHP does not set quotas as part of its mission, therefore I have accepted Lt. Col. Thomas’ request for early retirement,” he said.
Spaulding noted Thomas’ “dedication and commitment” to FHP during his 30-year career, saying it “will not be forgotten.”
The FHP’s review of directives that could involve ticket quotas is continuing, with agency officials saying any further personnel decisions will be made on a “case by case” basis.
Tate Grad Garrett Announces Bid For State House Seat
August 30, 2017
Democrat Vikki Garrett has announced her bid for the Florida House of Representatives District 1 open seat.
“I am working hard to earn the trust, support, and votes of the community,” Garrett, a Pensacola native, said.
The graduate of Tate High School earned a softball scholarship to Pensacola Junior College (now Pensacola State College) where she received an Associate of Arts degree. She continued her education at the University of West Florida where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Management and a Master of Public Administration degree.
Garrett brings over 20 years of experience in both the public and private sectors. Public agencies she has worked for include the Florida Department of Transportation, Escambia County Engineering Department, and the West Florida Regional Planning Council.
She states, “I have a proven track record of bringing resources back to the community.”
One of the many projects Garrett is currently working on is the restoration of passenger rail service to Pensacola. She was appointed by the Federal Railroad Administration to serve on the Gulf Coast Rail Service Working Group. She hopes to continue those efforts as a State Representative in Tallahassee.
Garrett said in a press release Tuesday that her priority is “Putting People First”.
Police Continue Search For Couple’s Killer
August 29, 2017
There have been no arrests in the case of a Flomaton couple shot to death in their home, but a very active investigation is continuing.
About 2:30 p.m. on August 12, the bodies of 50-year old Timothy Adams and 61-year old Susan Adams were found with multiple gunshot wounds inside their mobile home at 1455 College Street in Flomaton. They were last seen alive earlier that morning. Investigators believe they were murdered before noon that day.
“We have several persons of interest at this time,” Flomaton Police Chief Bryan Davis said late Monday afternoon. “We are continuing to issue search warrants and continuing to get new tips.”
Davis is asking any person or business in the College Street and Highway 31 area to review their video footage for the period 9 a.m. until noon on August 12 and call the Flomaton Police Department.
“Someone out there knows something, or has heard someone talk,” Davis said. He encouraged anyone with any tip, no matter how seemingly insignificant, to call (251) 296-5811.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Donations Making New Vet Station Possible For Panhandle Equine Rescue
August 29, 2017
Panhandle Equine Rescue is well on their way to a new “Vet Station” at their Cantonment facility, thanks to the generosity of several donors.
Ready Mix USA of Pensacola donated nine yards of concrete that was poured Monday. Lee’s Concrete provided discounted labor. The Escambia County 4-H Horse Club has arranged to have a stock built as a member donation.
The Vet Station will also have a hot/cold wash rack and a scale.
“We are so grateful to our community for their support,” said Pandhandle Equine President Diane Lowery.
The non-profit Panhandle Equine Rescue relies on public donations and volunteers to rescue, rehabilitate and provide adoption services for abused, neglected and abandoned equines in Escambia County.
Pictured: Concrete is poured Monday for a new Vet Station for Panhandle Equine Rescue in Cantonment. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Officers Assisting With Harvey Disaster Response Efforts in Texas
August 29, 2017
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers are actively assisting with disaster response efforts in the Houston area. Governor Rick Scott directed the deployment of FWC officers and resources in response to Texas’ request for emergency assistance.
Currently, 37 FWC officers and 21 boats are in route to Houston to support ongoing response efforts. More than 60 officers and nearly 20 boats were deployed Monday. This weekend, 25 FWC officers, 17 high water vehicles, two Mobile Command Centers, eight shallow draft vessels and four patrol boats arrived in Houston after being deployed Saturday night.
Pictured A Florida FWC officer on patrol in the Houston area on Monday. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Train Blocks Access To Molino Neighborhood For Hours
August 29, 2017
A stopped CSX train had residents of one Molino neighborhood stuck with no way out late Monday afternoon.
Residents said the Fairground and Daffin Road crossings were blocked for a couple of hours just after 4 p.m. Monday. Until the train moved again about 6:40, residents of Daffin Road, Fairground Road, River Bend Road and Yuhasz Road were unable to get out of the their neighborhood.
Reader submitted photo by Jamie Caston for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Chiefs Name Players Of The Week
August 29, 2017
Northview High School has named players of the week from their 14-7 win over the J.U. Blacksher Bulldogs.
Trent Peebles (#25 above) was named Dominator of the Week. He broke six tackles and carried two defenders 14 yards on a game-clinching run.
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Lance McLaughlin (#52 above) was named Defensive Player of the Week with 10 tackles, two tackles for a loss and one sack.
Aunterio Minor (#1 above) was named the Offensive Player of the Week with 17 rushes for 121 yards.
Hunter Spence (above) was named Special Teams Player of the Week with three punts and zero return yards.
Also, Hunter Breedlove was named the Scout Team Player of the Week.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.