Murder Suspect Captured, Released Days Prior To Cantonment Shooting
July 26, 2016
An Escambia County man was captured after a manhunt in Cantonment just days before he allegedly murdered a man Saturday night also in Cantonment, NorthEscambia.com has learned.
Marquis Derrell Bryant, 19, is wanted for homicide in connection with the shooting death of 29-year old Alphonso Leon Griffin. Griffin suffered a gunshot wound and was found in the yard of a residence in the 200 block of Sheppard Street in Cantonment just after 9 p.m. Saturday. He was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital where he later passed away.
Bryant was captured by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office just five days before the shooting, but not placed under arrest.
On Sunday, July 17, Bryant allegedly stole a classic Ford Mustang. On Monday, July 18, deputies spotted Bryant in the stolen 1965 Mustang at 3:47 p.m. near Hicks Street and Muscogee Road, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. When a deputy attempted a traffic stop, Bryant refused.
The deputy followed the vehicle, not exceeding the speed limit. Bryant opened the driver’s side door while the vehicle was still in motion. He then jumped from the vehicle and fled on foot.
The Sheriff’s Office said Bryant was located by a K-9 a short time later.
Sgt. Andrew Hobbs, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said deputies suspected that Bryant ingested some type of narcotics before being captured. He was transported to a local hospital for medical care. Hobbs declined to say which day Bryant was released from the hospital, citing medical privacy laws.
Hobbs said deputies submitted a grand theft auto warrant for judicial review. At the time of the murder, the warrant had not yet been signed by a judge.
Bryant now has an outstanding homicide warrant. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
FHP: Jay Man Driving The Only Vehicle To Strike, Kill Pedestrian
July 26, 2016
A Jay man was the driver of the only vehicle that struck a pedestrian in a fatal crash early Sunday morning, the Florida Highway Patrol said Monday.
Tyler Watson Shook, 18, was westbound on Willard Norris Road near Emerald Forest Road when he struck a pedestrian identified as 36-year old Rodney Ross Cropper II of Jay. Cropper was pronounced deceased on the scene.
On Sunday, the FHP originally issued a media release in which they said Shook was driving the second vehicle to strike Cropper. However, on Monday the FHP said that after a forensic review, it was determined that Shook’s Ford Bronco was the only vehicle to hit Cropper.
Any charges against Shook are pending the outcome of a Florida Highway Patrol investigation.
Operation Lifesaver 40 City Anniversary Tour Visits Atmore
July 26, 2016
“If we can save just one life, it’s worth all the effort.”
Those were the words of Nancy Hudson, Operation Lifesaver Alabama Executive Director. Operation Lifesaver is a nonprofit public safety education and awareness organization dedicated to reducing collisions, fatalities and injuries at highway-rail crossings and trespassing on or near railroad tracks.
This year is the 40th anniversary of the program in Alabama, and Operation Lifesaver is on a 40-city tour across the state to spread their safety message. Monday, the tour stopped in Atmore where the group presented a program to senior citizens, public safety employees and the media. The Atmore City Council also heard from Hudson and Stephen Curlee, manager of community affairs and safety for CSX as they proclaimed Monday as “Rail Safety Tour Day” in Atmore.
“We want everyone to think train when they see tracks and be careful,” Hudson said.
Pictured top: Operation Lifesaver Alabama Executive Director Nancy Hudson addresses the Atmore City Council Monday afternoon. Pictured inset: CSX Manager of Community Affairs and Safety Stephen Curlee explains crossing safety to the council. Pictured below: Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks, Fire Chief Ronald Peebles, Curlee, Mayor Jim Staff and Hudson address the media about Operation Lifesaver’s 40-city anniversary tour. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Bernie Sanders Lauds Hillary Clinton As Convention Opens
July 26, 2016
PHILADELPHIA — After last week’s raucous and divisive Republican National Convention, Democrats opened their convention Monday looking to present a striking contrast in unity as they prepare to nominate former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for president.
There’s always Day 2.
Between suspected Russian hackers and renegade delegates committed to U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia often looked at least as rowdy as last week’s proceedings in Cleveland.
The soon-to-be nominee’s name drew boos on the convention floor. The outgoing Democratic Party chairwoman was jeered in front of her home-state delegation, leading to a late decision to strike her from the main program to avoid a repeat in front of a larger audience. At least one delegate had taken a “Stronger Together” sign, scratched out the last word and wrote in its place: “with Bernie.”
All of that was bracketed by complaints about logistics that undermined Democrats’ attempt to be the steady convention.
Not that they didn’t try. Sanders himself touted Clinton twice in the space of a day — once during a boisterous event with his delegates and again before the full convention. In his late-night speech at the Wells Fargo Center, Sanders gave perhaps his most full-throated endorsement of Clinton so far.
He noted how this year’s Democratic platform was, in his view, the most progressive the party has ever produced.
“Our job now is to see that strong Democratic platform implemented by a Democratically-controlled Senate, by a Democratic House and a Hillary Clinton presidency. … Hillary Clinton will make an outstanding president, and I am proud to stand with her tonight,” Sanders said.
Even before he took the stage, Sanders was pushing his supporters to line up behind Clinton. In an email to delegates after some of the booing early in the day, Sanders scolded those who had taken part.
“The political revolution is not about one election or one candidate. … Our credibility as a movement will be damaged by booing, turning of backs, walking out or other similar displays. That’s what the corporate media wants. That’s what Donald Trump wants,” he wrote.
But even Sanders drew boos on some of the occasions when he praised Clinton.
Sanders had also told a group of supporters earlier in the day that supporting Clinton was important in her November election against the Republican nominee Trump.
“We have got to elect Hillary Clinton and (vice presidential candidate) Tim Kaine,” he said as some delegates cheered and many booed. “This is the real world that we live in.”
The party also rolled out other popular or Sanders-friendly public figures to try to patch over differences between Clinton and the opponent she defeated in the primaries after a grueling, months-long battle.
Paul Simon played “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Sarah Silverman, a comedian who backed Sanders in the primary, put the message most succinctly and most bluntly.
“To the ‘Bernie or Bust’ people: You’re being ridiculous,” she said.
First Lady Michelle Obama, who is wildly popular among the Democratic base, also implicitly drew a comparison between diehard Sanders delegates and Clinton, who responded to a primary loss to President Barack Obama in 2008 by joining his Cabinet.
“Hillary did not pack up and go home, because as a true public servant, Hillary knows that this is so much bigger than her own desires and disappointments,” Michelle Obama said.
The day started out on a discordant note; outgoing Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, someone viewed with disdain by Sanders supporters, was jeered at a breakfast for delegates from Florida, where she serves as a congresswoman.
“It is so wonderful to be able to be here with my home state,” Wasserman Schultz said, as a cascade of boos and heckling began. “All right, everybody. Now, settle down.”
The appearance came less than 24 hours after Wasserman Schultz announced she would step down as chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee at the conclusion of this week’s convention.
Wasserman Schultz was tripped up after leaked internal party emails raised questions about her impartiality in the presidential primary between Clinton and Sanders. The emails are believed to have been obtained by Russian hackers.
Some Sanders supporters Monday shouted “Shame on you!” at Wasserman Schultz, while her supporters chanted her first name. The congresswoman tried to put a brave face on the intense interest surrounding her decision to resign as party chair, reportedly under pressure.
Despite his overtures to Clinton, though, Sanders showed no signs of sadness Monday about Wasserman Schultz’s departure. At a rally for his delegates, the crowd roared when Sanders brought up Wasserman Schultz’s departure.
“Her resignation opens up the possibility of new leadership at the top of the Democratic Party that will stand with working people and that will open the doors of the party to those people who want real change,” Sanders said.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Thomas: Escambia Schools Need To Aim Higher
July 26, 2016
Educators must change their mindset to move forward, rather than falling further behind.
That was the message Monday from Escambia County Superintendent Malcolm Thomas as he addressed school administrators and some of the district’s teachers Monday at Washington High School.
Citing the book “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” from author Carol Dweck, Thomas said a fixed mindset is unacceptable when compared to a growth mindset.
“There are fixed mindsets that believe that there is going to be no change, that children will have a certain IQ just because of their zip code. But we need a growth mindset, that we can develop the mind and achieve acceptable results,” Thomas told NorthEscambia.com after the speech.
“Our problem isn’t that we are arming too high and missing the mark,” Thomas said, referencing and paraphrasing a quote from Michelangelo. “Our problem is that we are aiming too low, and we are successful.”
“There are teachers in the system that have been there a long time, and they teach like they have always taught. A shift has to be made toward the growth mindset,” he said.
Escambia County’s district grade from the state dropped this last school year from a B to a C, and many individual schools also experience a drop in their school grade. Thomas said he does not care about test scores if children are learning at the level they need to learn, but he said that is not happening overall.
“We are obsessed with tests and standards. We need to be teaching every day and making sure the kids are learning at the right level.”
Students return to class in Escambia County on August 10.
Pictured top: Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas addresses administrators and faculty Monday at Washington High School. Pictured below: Administrators and faculty listen to Thomas, including (foreground, L-R) Northview High Assistant Principal Gerry Pippins, Northview High Principal Gayle Weaver, Ernest Ward Middle teacher Laura Chavers, Ernest Ward Principal Nancy Gindl Perry and Ernest Ward Assistant Principal Virkeisha Palmer. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Powerball Jackpot Soars To $422 Million For Wednesday’s Drawing
July 26, 2016
The Powerball jackpot has soared to an to an estimated $422 million for Wednesday night’s drawing. The Powerball jackpot has rolled 22 times since the May 11 drawing.
Jackpot prizes are paid in 30 annual installments or as a one-time, lump-sum payment. Jackpot prizes must be claimed within 60 days after the draw to receive the cash option of an estimated $291 million. Winners have 180 days from the applicable drawing to claim their prize.
Pictured: A billboard on North Century Boulevard in Century teases drivers Monday a fternoon with a $422 million Powerball drawing set for Saturday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
ECSO ‘Clean Sweeps’ 9½ Mile Road Area
July 26, 2016
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has released the results of an Operation Clean Sweep last week in the 9½ Mile Road area.
Monday, the Sheriff’s Office said they attempted to serve five warrants, three arrests were made, 10 traffic citations were issued, the addresses of seven sex offenders were verified and Escambia County Code Enforcement issued 20 citations.
The next Operation Clean Sweep will be held in the Montclair Neighborhood on August 18.
Pictured: An Operation Clean Sweep conduction by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in 9½ Mile Road area. the Courtesy images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Overturned 18 Wheeler Injures One; Shuts Down Highway 29 For Seven Hours
July 26, 2016
The driver of an 18-wheeler was airlifted to the hospital after a single vehicle accident on Highway 29 just south of Bluff Springs Road just before noon Monday.
The overturned truck kept Highway 29 northbound closed until about 7 p.m. The truck was loaded with ceramic tile.
The driver, a 51-year old female, was transported by LifeFlight helicopter to a Pensacola hospital.
Further details have not yet been released by the Florida Highway Patrol as they continue their investigation.
NorthEscambia.com photos.
Barry Discusses Issues At District 5 Town Hall Meeting
July 26, 2016
Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry held a town hall meeting Monday evening at the Langley Bell 4-H Center in Cantonment. Barry discussed growth, traffic, drainage and more with citizens. Pictured above: Barry’s addresses residents during hall meeting Monday evening in Cantonment. Pictured inset: Barry discusses issues with local residents. Pictured below: Citizens discuss issues with Public Works Director Wes Moreno and Administrator Jack Brown. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggie Jake Henry Commits To Appalachian State
July 26, 2016
Tate High School Aggie wide receiver Jake Henry has committed to play for Appalachian State of the Sunbelt Conference. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.