One Day Only – Save 27% On Past Due Traffic Tickets, Court Costs, Fines, Fees
March 31, 2015
If you have unpaid traffic tickets, court costs, fines, or fees, Pam Childers, the Escambia County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, is giving you a break by putting the brakes on collection fees – for one day only.
The Clerk’s office is offering convenient Saturday hours and opening to the public for “Operation Green Light” on April 18. This special program allows anyone with unpaid traffic tickets, or misdemeanor or felony court costs, fines, or fees to make payment in full without paying the 27 percent collections surcharge. You will also be able to restore your driving privileges which may have been suspended for non-payment once all outstanding traffic tickets, court costs, fines, and fees are paid.
There are thousands of people in Escambia County who have unpaid traffic tickets, court costs, fines, and fees. As a result, many are driving with suspended licenses. Operation Green Light is a chance for people to pay their traffic tickets, court costs, fines, and fees without paying the 27 percent collections surcharge and restore their driving privileges. By opening on a Saturday, we’re making it convenient for those who need it.
Late fees will not be waived, but anyone paying traffic tickets, court costs, fines, and fees during Operation Green Light won’t have to pay collections surcharges. That’s a savings of $55.62 on a $206 ticket.
Operation Green Light is scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, at the main courthouse at: M. C. Blanchard Judicial Building, 190 West Government Street, Pensacola.
Payments in full will be accepted by cash, personal or cashier’s check, money order, or credit card.
Walnut Hill Man Charged With Dealing In Stolen Property
March 31, 2015
A Walnut Hill man has been charged with dealing in stolen property after an east Alabama man just happen to spot his stolen trailer in a yard as traveled along Highway 97.
The victim contacted the Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Office in Alabama to reported that he had found his stolen utility trailer valued at $2,000 at a home in the 7000 block of Highway 97. After the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office investigated, it was determined that Tucker was also in possession of a 1990 Yamaha Rhino and a pressure washer that were also reported stolen in Alabama, according to an arrest report.
Tucker told deputies that he had paperwork concerning ownership, but those documents were never provided, the report states.
Tucker was charged with second degree felony dealing in stolen property. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $7,5000 bond.
ECUA Opens Cantonment’s First Residential Cooking Oil, Grease Disposal Station
March 31, 2015
Cantonment area residents can now dispose of their FOG — fats, oils and grease — for free in Cantonment.
Monday, ECUA installed a new residential cooking oil and grease disposal station at the Grocery Advantage, 736 North Highway 29. The station provides easy access and allows residents to dispose of their household cooking oil and grease in an environmentally safe and effective manner.
A majority of all sanitary sewage overflows are caused by the improper disposal of residential cooking fats, oils, and grease (FOG). These overflows are not just public health issues; they can potentially cause serious damage to the environment and pollute the water supply, according to ECUA.
ECUA Vice-Board Chairman (District Five) Dr. Larry Walker said, “The free empty container can be picked-up, filled and exchanged for another empty one, ready to repeat the process. Once the cooking oil or grease is collected it’s then recycled as biodiesel fuel.” The free containers are available in a variety of sizes.
To reduce the amount of FOG, homeowners and businesses are asked to adhere to the following methods when disposing of fats, oils and grease:
- Never pour FOG down the drain, sink or garbage disposal.
- Pour FOG into jars, cans, and plastic tubs. Let contents cool and solidify. When the container is full, throw away with your trash.
- Mix cooking oil with an absorbent material such as cat litter or coffee grounds, place in a container (lid securely fastened) for disposal with your trash.
- For greasy pans, pour off the grease into a container, and use a paper towel to wipe out the remaining grease in the pan prior to washing.
- Store the container in the freezer, which will keep the grease solid, and pull it out whenever you have fats, oils and grease to dispose of. When it gets full, dump the whole container into the trash.
For more information on the ECUA FOG program and to locate other disposal stations, visit www.ecua.fl.gov or contact ECUA customer service at (850) 476-0480.
Pictured: Cantonment’s first cooking oil disposal station. (L-R) ECUA FOG Inspector Kenny Lyons, Grocery Advantage Store Manager Wayne Wright, and ECUA FOG Inspector Kenyore Edwards. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Motorcyclist Dead After Falling Off I-110 Bridge
March 31, 2015
A Navarre man was killed when he flipped his motorcycle off a downtown I-110 bridge near the civic center Monday evening.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 20-year old Timothy Ryan Davey was southbound on I-110 exceeding the posted speed limit. He failed to maintain control of his 2015 Suzuki GSXR as it entered a downhill curve. He struck a sound barrier wall and was ejected off the bridge while his motorcycle continue in an upright position around the curve and into a grassy median at the Gregory Street exit.
Davey was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Singleton Places At District Level In Veterans Essay Contest
March 31, 2015
Northview High School sophomore Mitchell Singleton has earned third place at the district level for his essay in the Voice of Democracy competition, sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Ladies Auxiliary.
Singleton won first place in the competition at Northview. Judged on originality, delivery, and content, Singleton and the other competitors wrote about “Why Veterans Are Important to Our Nation’s History and Future.” The top three winners at Northview won cash awards, with Singleton’s essay advancing to the district competition. Second place winner at Northview was Alyssa Borelli, and third place was Alyssa Bell. All three of Northview’s top winners are in Vicki Baggett’s Honors English class.
The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9 -12, who are enrolled in public, private or parochial high school or home study programs.
Northview’s Newsome Signs In Football, Track With Iowa School
March 31, 2015
Cameron Newsome is set to continue his athletic career as a dual-sport athlete at Waldorf College in Forest City, IA. Newsome, a senior at Northview High School, has signed a letter of intent play football and compete in track and field for the Warriors.
“He’s got a good future because of his athleticism and the skill set he has,” Waldorf football coach Kent Anderson said.
At Northview, Newsome was a four-year varsity letter winner in both sports.
A four-year starter on the gridiron, the 6-foot-2, 175-pound wide receiver helped the Chiefs win the 2012 Class 1A state championship. Northview won back-to-back district and regional titles in 2011 and 2012. As a senior, Newsome was selected to the Pensacola Sports Association (PSA) All-Star Game.
“He’s a talented wide receiver,” Anderson said. “He’s got nice reach, tracks the ball well and does a lot of good things naturally. We’re expecting him to compete.”
Newsome also saw time as a defensive back, kick returner and punt returner for the Chiefs, who reached the state playoffs the past four seasons.
A track and field standout, Newsome owns Northview school records in both the high jump and triple jump. He qualified for regional competition in the high jump as a junior, setting a new school mark at 6 feet, 4 inches.
Joining the Warriors, Newsome has the ability to contend with the best jumpers in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).
“Cameron is a very talented athlete that is currently capable of meeting an NAIA national-qualifying mark,” Waldorf track and field coach Kendrick Clay said.
Waldorf is currently competing in its inaugural track and field season. The addition of Newsome helps elevate the program.
“As we begin our 2015-16 seasons, he will most likely be able to help Waldorf College establish a presence not just at the regional level, but potentially the national level as well,” Clay said. “We are excited to bring aboard any committed athlete that is capable of helping our program progress.”
Newsome was also active in basketball at Northview, where he was a three-year letter winner. He guided the Chiefs to the playoffs in his final two seasons and was named to the PSA All-Star Game as a senior.
The son of Vivian Morel, Newsome is still weighing his options as he decides on a college major. He’s excited to continue his education and athletic career at Waldorf.
“It is truly a blessing,” Newsome said. “It means the world to me and it is something I have worked towards since I was a kid. It is just a dream come true.”
Newsome said those who pushed and motivated him along the way have greatly influenced the success he’s enjoyed throughout his career.
“I would like to thank all of my coaches for making me into the great player I am today and my mom for staying on me day in and day out to do what I love and to pursue my dreams,” Newsome said.
Pictured top: Cameron Newsome ties his Northview school record high jump at 6 feet, 4 inches at a March 11 meet.
Spring Break: Free Blue Angel Practice Shows This Week
March 31, 2015
The Blue Angels will hold two more practices this week at the National Naval Aviation Museum. Practices are set for 10 a.m. on Wednesday and 11:30 a.m. on Thursday. The Blues will sign autographs following the Wednesday practice inside the museum. All events are free.
Pictured: The Blue Angels soar over Pensacola Beach Sunday afternoon. Photos by Diann Tagert for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
29 Arrested On Meth Warrants, 19 More Still Wanted
March 30, 2015
Monday, deputies with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit, Patrol Division, Gun Crime Task Force, and Hazmat Teams participated in an arrest warrant round-up targeting several local residents believed to be involved in the manufacturing of methamphetamine.
This event was the culmination of a year-long narcotics investigation that targeted numerous individuals throughout the Brownsville, Beach Haven, and Perdido Key areas of Escambia County.
The methamphetamine manufacturing process utilized by several of these individuals is a very hazardous and dangerous technique that involves the obtaining and mixing of hazardous and flammable materials that unfortunately often results in fire and/or injury to citizens and the environment.
There have been 29 individuals arrested, with 19 other suspects still at large. Anyone having any information concerning the whereabouts of any at-large suspect is asked to notify the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
The arrested and wanted individuals and mugshots are below as provided by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
ARRESTED:
WANTED
Alabama Attempted Murder Suspect Jailed In Escambia, FL
March 30, 2015
An Alabama attempted murder suspect is now behind bars in Escambia County, FL.
Walter Lee Hodges, 43, was allegedly driving southbound on Highway 31 near Brewton, AL, on March 22 when he met a vehicle occupied by his ex-wife and her relative. He allegedly ran the vehicle off the road after giving chase, and then rammed his vehicle into the one occupied by his ex-wife multiple times. Authorities said the actions were no accident, that Hodges was acting in a purposeful manner intent on harming his ex-wife.
Hodges fled the scene, with warrants issued for his arrest for attempted murder. His ex-wife and her cousin suffered non-life threatening injuries.
Hodges is being held in the Escambia County (FL) Jail without bond as he awaits extradition back to Alabama. He is also be held on a Florida charge of failing to appear for a misdemeanor charge. Court records show he failed to appear on a 1998 charge of operating a motor vehicle with a suspending license.
What Is Your Church Doing For Easter? Share With Our Readers
March 30, 2015
What is your church doing for Easter?
NorthEscambia.com will provide free promotion for churches in North Escambia or North Santa Rosa counties in Florida, or Atmore or Flomaton in Alabama. If your church is having a special Good Friday and/or Easter service, or any other special service or event, let us know!
We will share your information with thousands of readers across the area. We will list the services on our Events page free of charge. Please try to keep your announcement for our events page to 100 words or less.
Send your announcement to news@northescambia.com or click here for our contact page. We will also be happy to publish photos after your event; email them to news@northescambia.com.
Pictured top and below: A morning “Sonrise Service” at Pensacola’s Maritime Stadium last year. Pictured inset: The sign last Easter at Poplar Dell Baptist Church sums up the Easter story in simple terms. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.