Driver Charged With DUI Following Bratt Road Crash
January 13, 2015
The driver in a single vehicle crash Monday night on Bratt Road was arrested for driving under the influence.
Debra Lee Lukkar, age 51 of Century, lost control of her vehicle, with her Jeep overturning coming to rest across both lanes of Bratt Road just east of Vaughn Road about 10:30 p.m.. Lukkar was briefly trapped in the vehicle but quickly extricated by firefighters. She refused medical treatment at the scene.
According to jail records, Lukkar was charged by the Florida Highway Patrol with DUI and resisting an officer without violence. She was booked into the Escambia County Jail early Tuesday morning with bond set at $2,500.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Atmore Ambulance, the Walnut Hill and Century stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
Pictured top and bottom: An overturned vehicle Monday night on Bratt Road. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Man Gets 17 Years For Attacking Escambia Woman
January 13, 2015
A Mississippi man is headed to prison for attacking an Escambia County woman.
Gregory McGee, 53, entered a plea to two counts of sexual battery with a weapon, one county of armed kidnapping with a weapon and one count of battery. Under a plea agreement, he was sentenced by Judge Gary Bergosh to 17 years in state prison and designated as a sexual offender.
McGee’s charged stemmed from an event in early June. The victim met McGee that day and offered him a place to stay because he was homeless. Soon after arriving at her home, an argument ensued and McGee punched the victim in the face. He later grabbed a knife from the victim’s kitchen and sexually battered her at knife point.
McGee repeated that act later, before she was able to convince him to let her leave to check on a nearby relative. She immediately contacted law enforcement, which arrived to find McGee still at the residence. The investigation found a broken
window, blood on the victim’s clothing, and injuries to the victim.
School Parking Lot Vehicle Burglar Nabbed Thanks To Citizens’ Tips
January 13, 2015
The man believed to be responsible for vehicle burglaries in the Flomaton High School parking lot last week was arrested Monday, thanks to tips from local citizens.
Michael Paul Baggett, 32, of Repton, AL, was arrested at his residence on Highway 84 in Conecuh County, AL, by officers from the Repton and Flomaton police departments. He was charged with two counts of unlawful breaking and entering in a motor vehicle and two counts of theft of property third degree.
According to Flomaton Police, Baggett allegedly entered the student parking at Flomaton High while school was in session last Wednesday and stole two Yeti brand coolers from two different vehicles.
Flomaton Police Chief Brian Davis said 10 different people called his department after seeing a story posted by NorthEscambia.com and the Brewton Standard.
“The media should be given credit for getting the suspect and the suspect’s vehicle out to the public, and the citizens should be given credit for calling in and alerting police,” Davis said Monday. “I am thankful for the citizens that continue to stand up against crime.”
Davis said the Flomaton Police Department is still looking for a LIT brand cooler, which is similar to a YETI. The department is also looking to speak to anyone that may have purchase Costa sunglasses, or YETI or LIT coolers from Baggett. Anyone with information should contact the Flomaton Police Department at (251) 296-5811 or their local law enforcement agency.
The Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office School Resource Division and the Conecuh County Sheriff’s Department also assisted in the investigation.
Pictured: Surveillance images from the Flomaton High School parking lot showing an alleged burglar and his vehicle. Images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
$900K Volunteer Florida Grant To Support Local Flood Recovery
January 13, 2015
Volunteer Florida has announced the approval of an over $905,000 FEMA grant to provide disaster case management services and assist victims of the spring 2014 flooding in the Florida Panhandle. The grant will fund disaster case managers in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties that will work with Panhandle residents to identify needs, develop recovery plans, and navigate requirements for assistance.
“Continuing to aid in the Panhandle’s recovery from April’s floods is a top priority, and I would like to thank everyone who has worked hard to help Panhandle families. Our work is not done until every family in the Panhandle has fully recovered from this disaster, and we will continue to work to find ways to accomplish this goal,” Gov. Rick Scott said.
In addition to the FEMA grant,Scott and Volunteer Florida activated the Florida Disaster Fund in May 2014 following the flooding. Working closely with partners in impacted counties, including representatives from county governments and volunteers from community and faith-based organizations, the Volunteer Florida Foundation raised and distributed $250,000 in grants to local organizations to aid affected Panhandle families with long-term recovery efforts.
“Governor Scott’s and Volunteer Florida’s persistence and commitment to assisting citizens in the Florida Panhandle have paid off. We are grateful for the support and look forward to helping families get back on their feet,” said Sen. Greg Evers.
“The grant will help Floridians develop outcome-oriented plans and identify ways to meet recovery goals. We are grateful for Governor Scott and Volunteer Florida’s advocacy in our long-term recovery efforts,” added Rep. Clay Ingram.
Free Longleaf Pine Seedlings Wednesday In Walnut Hill And Century
January 13, 2015
Free pine seedlings and a little expert advice will be available today n Walnut Hill and Century.
The Florida Forest Service will sponsor two Arbor Day events on Wednesday. New Escambia County Forester Cathy Hardin will distribute free longleaf pine seedlings at the Walnut Hill Substation in the morning and at the Century Chamber of Commerce in the afternoon. Information will be available on services provided by the county forester and the Florida Forest Service for private landowners.
From 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., the Hardin will be in Walnut Hill at the UF-IFAS substation located at 7850 Highway 97, just north of Ernest Ward Middle School and in front of the Ruritan Building. Hardin will be at the Century Chamber of Commerce from 1 to 3 p.m. at 7811 North Century Boulevard.
In addition to tree seedlings, there will be brochures on services for both urban and rural land owners including the current Cogongrass grass treatment program.
Man Sentenced In ‘Large Scale’ Local Cocaine Trafficking Ring
January 13, 2015
Another member of what federal prosecutors called a “large scale” local cocaine trafficking organization has been sentenced to federal prison.
Victor Darnell Rome, age 36 of Escambia County, was sentenced by Chief United State District Judge M. Casey Rodger to 280 months in federal prison and 10 years of supervised probation following his release.
Rome’s indictment was part of a continuing investigation into a large scale distribution network that involved the transportation of cocaine from Texas into the Northern District of Florida. Rome’s co-conspirators Coneil T. Wilkins and Ricky L. Blankenship were sentenced last year. Wilkins was sentenced to 35 years in federal prison for his role in the distribution of approximately $20 million worth of cocaine in Pensacola, and Blankenship was sentenced to life imprisonment for related drug trafficking offenses.
United States Attorney Marsh praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Pensacola Police Department, and the State Attorney’s Office for the 1st Judicial Circuit, whose joint investigation led to the indictments.
“I commend our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners for their commitment to public service and community safety,” said United States Attorney Marsh. “This teamwork has resulted in the dismantling of a multi-year criminal conspiracy and demonstrates how the collaboration of all levels of government helps to protect the Northern District of Florida from dangerous drugs.”
ECUA: 97% Of New Santa Rosa Customers Now Have Their Cans
January 13, 2015
After getting off to a rough start, the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority reported Monday that cans have now been delivered to most of their new customers in northern Santa Rosa County.
Can delivery to new residential sanitation customers in the north end of Santa Rosa County reached the 97% level, following a continued non-stop delivery schedule by ECUA’s contractor, ECUA crews, and the assistance of a second can delivery contractor.
“Today’s deliveries are focused on customers who signed up for service last Thursday, Friday, or Saturday, and as such, curbside collection of bags is now discontinued,” ECUA public information officer, Nathalie Bowers, ECUA public information officer, said. “All customers who signed up before January 9 should have their cans, barring an error in the account set-up or delivery process. If not, we are asking these customers to please call our Customer Service Center at 476-0480 and advise us of their status.”
ECUA took over most residential trash pickup in Santa Rosa county north of the Yellow River on January 1. Residents that have not yet signed up for the service may do so by calling ECUA at (850) 416-0480.
Flu Impacting Blood Donations; Healthy People Urged To Donate Now
January 13, 2015
Officials say the flu is staring to impact the local blood supply.
The blood center is experiencing fewer donors at various organizations that hold blood drives and are told many of the people who usually donate are out sick with the flu.
Blood donors who are battling the influenza virus are not able to donate until they are well. The blood center is urging all blood donors who are healthy to please donate now while they are feeling well.
While all blood types are needed, there is an increased need for O Negative type blood. Anyone with O Negative blood is encouraged to donate as soon as they can. O Negative is the universal blood type which means it can be given to any patient regardless of the recipients’ blood type. Trauma patient, cancer patients and premature babies are primary recipients of O Negative blood.
Generally healthy people age 16 or older who weigh 110 pounds can donate blood. All blood donors will receive a wellness checkup of blood pressure, pulse, temperature, iron count and a cholesterol screening.
Suspect Arrested After Manhunt North Of Atmore
January 12, 2015
A manhunt north of Atmore Monday morning for a burglary suspect ended with the capture of one suspect.
Escambia County (AL) Chief Deputy Mike Lambert said someone broke into the Wayside Grocery, just over a mile north of the G.K. Fountain Correctional Facility. Upon arrival the arrival of deputies, the suspect fled on foot.
A manhunt followed, involving officers from the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office, the Poarch Creek Tribal Police Department and a K-9 team from Fountain Correctional. The man was taken into custody later Monday morning without any additional incident.
Further details, including the name of the suspect, were not available.
Building People: Tate Senior Millet Earns Eagle Scout Rank
January 12, 2015
Tate High School senior Ethan Millet has obtained the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America, and was honored with a proclamation recently from the Escambia County Commission.
For his Eagle Scout project, Ethan wanted to do something different while giving back to the community. After considering numerous project ideas, he reached back into his experiences at “Joe’s Place”, the Pensacola United Methodist Community Ministries, at his family’s church, St. Luke United Methodist, and decided to distribute personal hygiene kits to needy person in the community.
“We always think about Eagle Scout projects as building something, stepping out and building some tangible thing,” Escambia County Commissioner Doug Underhill said upon presenting the resolution to Ethan. “Ethan’s project was a little unique in that he chose to build people.”
The care kits included a small bag with essential hygiene items, tissue paper, canned foods and water. He set out to make 100 of the kits, but thanks to generous donations was able to distribute just over 200.
“Seeing the joy on their face was probably my favorite part of it,” he said about the care kit distribution. “I remember one man. He grabbed his bag ‘yes, I got it’….he was just so joyous about it; it really made my day to see that.”
Ethan first joined Pack 415 as a Tiger Cub when he was in first grade back in 2003. He earned 32 individual merit badges on his way to becoming an Eagle Scout.
Pictured: Escambia Commissioner Doug Underhill presents a proclamation to Eagle Scout Ethan Millet. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.