Silver Alert Canceled: Missing Cantonment Woman Found
December 27, 2014
A missing Cantonment woman was located safely late Saturday night, just over 24 hours after she was reported missing.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement issued a Silver Alert for 74-year Vera Inez Corley. She was last seen about 8:30 Friday night in the area of the 100 block of Cooper Road, just off Muscogee Road. The Silver Alert was canceled after she was reportedly located and pulled over by law enforcement in Taylor County Florida.
A “Silver Alert” is an alert for missing seniors similar to an “Amber Alert” issued for missing children.
Two Injured, One Critically, In Morning House Fire
December 27, 2014
Two people were hospitalized after an early morning fire in Escambia County.
The fire was reported about 2 a.m. Saturday in the 8200 block of Chellie Road, that’s off Pine Forest Road just south of I-10. A man and women were transported by ambulance to an area hospital. The 42-year old man, according to an Escambia County spokesperson, was transported as a trauma alert.
No further information on their conditions has been made available.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Arrest Made In ‘Brutal Homicide’ Near Munson
December 27, 2014
An 18-year old woman was arrested Friday night in connection with the early Friday morning shooting death of a man at a home near Munson.
Aubrey Dewayne Cooley, 40, was found deceased from a gunshot wound at a home at 2305 Dale Hall Road about 12:50 a.m. Friday. Taylor Lynn Crongeyer was charged with an open count of homicide and booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail Friday night without bond.
Santa Rosa County deputies responded to the home just off Munson Highway south of Highway 4 in reference to a welfare check. When they arrived on scene, Crongeyer exited the residence with a large amount of blood on her clothing, according to an arrest report.
When deputies walked through the residence, they found blood spots on the floor, a bedroom mattress and outside on the front and back porch areas. They also found a rifle on the floor at the foot of a bed in the master bedroom. Outside the rear of the home, deputies reported finding Cooley tied to the trailer hitch of a pickup truck with a rope around his ankles. He was deceased from a gunshot wound to the head.
Cooley is Crongeyer’s stepfather, according to reports.
Deputy Rich Aloy, public information officer for the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, said detectives, crime scene units and members of the State Attorney’s Office worked throughout the day Friday collecting sufficient evidence to charge Crongeyer with what he termed a “brutal homicide”.
Escambia To Hold Special Community Redevelopment Area Meeting
December 27, 2014
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, January 20, at 9 a.m. to discuss the functions, funding and future of the Community Redevelopment Areas.
There are seven community redevelopment areas in Escambia County, including portions of the Cantonment, Barrancas, Brownsville,, Englewood, Palafox, and Warrington communities.
This meeting will take place in the Ernie Lee Magaha Government building, Board Chambers, first floor, 221 Palafox Place, Pensacola.
School Principals Could Register Students To Vote
December 27, 2014
A Central Florida House member has filed an elections bill that would include allowing high school principals to accept voter registration applications from students during the school year.
The bill filed by Rep. Bob Cortes, R-Altamonte Springs, will be considered during the legislative session that starts in March. It would add high-school principals’ offices to a list of places where voter-registration applications are accepted, such as the offices of elections supervisors.
Among other things, the bill also would allow concealed-weapon permits to be accepted as voter identification at polling places.
by The News Service of Florida
Report Points To Healthy Workers Comp Market
December 27, 2014
State regulators have released a report touting Florida’s competitive workers-compensation insurance market, though it also raised the possibility of lawmakers taking steps to reduce the system’s medical costs. The Office of Insurance Regulation provides an annual report on the workers-compensation market to legislative leaders.
The report released Tuesday said Florida has a large number of workers-compensation insurers and that none of the carriers has enough market share to drive prices.
“There are no significant barriers for the entry and exit of insurers into the Florida workers’ compensation market and based on the record of new entrants and voluntary withdrawals with no market disruptions, the Florida workers’ compensation market is competitive, well capitalized and robust,” the report said.
Rates in the workers-compensation system plummeted after lawmakers passed a wide-ranging overhaul in 2003.
The report said rates, as of January 2015, will be 58.3 percent below what they were before the 2003 changes. But it also raises the possibility that lawmakers could reduce rates further by addressing certain types of health-care costs in the system.
“Medical cost drivers, particularly in the areas of drugs, hospital inpatient, hospital outpatient and ambulatory surgical centers … are noticeably higher in Florida than a countrywide average,” the report said. “Legislative reform in the reimbursement of these services could produce substantial savings for Florida employers.”
by The News Service of Florida
2014 In Photos: January
December 27, 2014
Today, we begin a look back at the year 2014 in photos with a look at January:
A record ice storm struck Escambia County in January, bring almost everything to a complete standstill.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office held a Clean Sweep in Cottage Hill, arrested two, issuing 55 violations and removing 15 tons of trash and debris.
A redevelopment plan was approved by the Escambia County Commission for blighted areas of Cantonment.
The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King was honored with a program in Century, including a performance by the Pilgrim Lodge Baptist Church Youth Choir.
A new four-cent tax went into effect in January in Escambia County for mass transit.
Over 100 gallons of crude oil was spilled into the Escambia River from Quantum Resource Management’s processing facility near Jay.
In Atmore, residents held their annual MLK Day Parade.
Century began a series of community meetings leading up to the creation of an economic development plan later in the year.
Escambia County cut several large oak trees in order to pave Enon School Road, sparking protest from a few area residents.
A CSX train derailed during an ice storm, with 23 cars coming off the tracks behind the McDavid Sawmill. A health alert was issued for Fletcher Creek as a massive cleanup effort began.
Retired NFL player Leigh Torrence spoke to students about healthy exercise at Tate High School.
After a community meeting at the McDavid United Methodist Church, it was announced that the McDavid Post Office would remain open, but with reduced service hours.
A grand opening was held for the new Molino Museum inside the Molino Community Center.
The annual Miss Ernest Ward Middle School pageant was held. Second Runner-up and Appearance Award winner was Ashlan Kaile Harigel, Jr. Miss EWMS and Physical Fitness Ward winner was Jerni Lee Crabtree, People’s Choice winner was Kally Lee White and First Runner-up and Miss Congeniality was Gabrielle Faith Nichole Kline.
Arbor Day was celebrated in January, with area residents receiving free trees at the Molino Community Center.
Interim County Administrator George Touart passed away. Flags at county buildings, such as the Molino offices of the Escambia County tax collector and property appraiser, were lowered to half staff in his honor.
An armed robbery at the Family Dollar store in Davisville left the clerk with minor injuries.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Lifetime Florida Sportsman’s Licenses On Sale
December 27, 2014
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is offering Lifetime Sportsman’s Licenses for Florida children and young adults at a greatly reduced cost for just a few more days. The license now costs up to $1,000 but through December 31, 2014, the price will be reduced to $500 for Florida residents who are 21-years-old and younger.
The lifetime license covers saltwater and freshwater recreational fishing, hunting and most associated permits.
“Our state’s natural treasures give families wonderful opportunities for both fishing and hunting from the Panhandle to the Keys. This Lifetime Sportsman’s License will provide Florida’s youth with the opportunity to spend time outdoors with their families. Fishing and hunting are time-honored traditions in our state, and I encourage all Floridians to spend some time enjoying the great outdoors,” Gov, Rick Scott said after signing the executive order that lowered the cost.
A Lifetime Sportsman’s License allows fishing and hunting in Florida for the rest of the license holder’s life, even if that person is no longer a resident of the state.
The license may be purchased at all Florida county tax collectors’ offices, online at License.MyFWC.com and by calling toll-free 888-FISH-FLORIDA (888-347-4356). Residency must be verified. For more information about a Lifetime Sportsman’s License and this limited time offer, visit http://myfwc.com/license/recreational/lifetime-licenses/.
In addition to all Escambia County Tax Collector Offices including Molino, licenses are also available at the Clerk of the Court office in the Billy G. Ward Courthouse in Century.
Airman Brianna White Graduates From Basic Military Training
December 27, 2014
Air Force Reserve Airman Brianna D. White graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, TX.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
White is the daughter of Margaret A. White of Atmore.
She is a 2013 graduate of Escambia County High School, Atmore.
Gas Prices Continue Downward Spiral
December 26, 2014
Gas prices are continuing to fall across the Escambia and Santa Rosa county area, with one station reportedly dropping below $2 per gallon on Christmas day.
The Gas Stop at 8720 Pensacola Boulevard was at $1.99 per gallon Thursday, according to GasBuddy.com. A couple of other stations were at about $2.09, but most were still at $2.18 per gallon or higher.
In North Escambia, the Century Food Mart’s price for regular unleaded was $2.27, as was the Tom Thumb in Cantonment. The Molino Tom Thumb was at $2.29 Thursday, which was down from $2.32 on Monday.
The metro area average for Thursday was $2.29, down from $2.40 a week ago, $2.68 a month ago and $3.22 last Christmas.
Editor’s note: The Pensacola Boulevard station was at $1.99 for just a few hours on Thursday, as reported by GasBuddy.com, but the station had returned to $2.18 by Friday.
Pictured: The Tom Thumb in Molino was at $2.32 per gallon of regular unleaded on Monday, but that price had fallen to $2.29 by Thursday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.