New Ernest Ward Opens: New Traffic Pattern For Drop Off, Pick Up
February 2, 2015
Now that students have moved into the new Ernest Ward Middle School today in Walnut Hill, there is a new traffic patternt for student drop off and pick up.
Parents will enter the campus at the Highway 99A gate at the old blue gym and take an immediate left into the school parking lot. Parents will continue through the parking lot to the drop off/pick up point at the school’s entrance. Then parents will exit the parking lot, turning left and exiting back onto Highway 99A.
Parents entering or exiting the school building (such as to check out a student) will parking the pictured parking lot and use the door marked with the red arrow.
Editor’s note: This traffic pattern for parents and buses will change once the old Ernest Ward building is demolished.
Pictured: The yellow arrows represent the parent line pick up and drop off at the new Ernest Ward Middle School. The entrance and exit to the school is marked with a red arrow. NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge.
Update: Missing Alzheimer’s Patient Located
February 1, 2015
UPDATE: Missing Alzheimer’s patient located safely after a citizen tip. Earlier story:
Authorities are searching for a missing Alzheimer’s patient from Escambia County.
Joaquim Prates, 84, was last seen shortly after 2:00 Sunday afternoon at 941 Spring Creek Circle, just northeast of the Chemstrand Road, East 10 Mile Road intersection.
He is described as a dark skinned white male who is approximately 5′4″ and 140 pounds. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing blue jeans and a dark sweater and was walking a medium-large German shepherd mix dog. Anyone with any information on his whereabouts should contact the Escambia Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Century Man Arrested For Negligent Manslaughter In Fatal Shooting
February 1, 2015
FOR AN UPDATE TO THIS STORY, CLICK HERE.
A Backwoods Road man has been arrested for manslaughter following a fatal shooting Saturday night in Century.
Jaran Britt Myles, 20, was booked into the Escambia County Jail Sunday morning on charges of negligent manslaughter, aggravated assault and kidnapping false imprisonment. He is being held without bond after turning himself in.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, 20-year old Jonathan Wilson was shot inside a home in the 1000 block of Backwoods Road about 8:00 Saturday night. Wilson was pronounced deceased on the scene from an apparent gunshot wound, while Myles fled the scene by forcing two additional victims at gunpoint to give him a ride, according to investigators. Myles was identified as the shooter by witnesses.
Witnesses told investigators that the shooting was the result of the reckless use of a firearm, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies and investigators from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office were on scene for several hours Saturday night, working to identify the victim and figure out exactly what happened. Numerous potential witnesses were transported to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Motorcyclist Injured In Collision With Pickup On Nine Mile Road
February 1, 2015
A motorcyclist was reported to be briefly pinned under a pickup truck after a Saturday crash on Nine Mile Road. The accident occurred at the Nine Mile Road intersection with Chandler Street, just east of North Palafox. The motorcyclist was transported to an area hospital with injuries that were not considered life threatening, while the pickup truck driver was not injured. The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Varsity Cheerleaders Fall Short Of State Title
February 1, 2015
The Tate High School Varsity Cheerleaders took sixth place in the state Saturday in the Class 2A Medium Division of the 2015 FHSAA Competitive Cheerleading State Championships at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee.
The state championship went to Winter Park with 81.88 points, and the Jupiter claimed the runner-up spot with 74.88 points. The Lady Aggies earned 69.50 points. The Lady Aggies earned their trip to stat with a first place win a week ago at the FHSAA Regionals in Marianna.
Team members are Anna Barrow, Sarah Baxter, Nikki Cagle, Jasmine Crabtree, Megan Edgar, Jessica Hedden, Taylor Howey, DeAnna Jernigan, Kirstyn Johnson, Genevieve Leonard, Mia Morris, Taylor Nisewonger, Alie Phillips, Kaitlyn Riddell, Taylor Rouchon, and Brooke Vincent.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Chaparrals Winter Guard Take First In Fairhope
February 1, 2015
The Tate High School Chaparrals winter guard team won first place in the Scholastic Regional “A” Class Saturday at Fairhope High School. Chaparrals members are Katie Dupre, Celina Dyess, Breanna Langley, Megan Leonard, Katy Luebke, Jo Jo O’Steen, Michaela Overbey, Madison Philley, Brenn Repine, Kelsey Strength, Virginia Vaughn and Savannah VonStein.
Photos by Jennifer Repine for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lawmakers Want Review Of ‘Baker Act’
February 1, 2015
Two South Florida lawmakers have filed bills that would require a review of Florida’s “Baker Act,” which allows for the involuntary commitment of people who have mental illnesses and are considered dangers to themselves or others.
The proposals, filed by Sen. Joseph Abruzzo, D-Boynton Beach, and Rep. Lori Berman, D-Lantana, will be considered during the legislative session that starts in March. Under the proposals, the Florida Department of Children and Families would create a workgroup that would study issues such as lengthening the amount of time in conducting initial assessments of people subject to the Baker Act.
Also, the panel would consider issues such as using telemedicine for patient evaluation, case management and ongoing care. Telemedicine involves using the Internet and other technology to provide health-care services remotely. The workgroup, which would include a wide range of members, would be required to submit a final report by Nov. 1.
In a prepared statement Monday, Abruzzo said the proposal is aimed at curbing a cycle of commitment and treatment. “There are far too many people who are caught up in a revolving door of treatment and release with no long-term plan for turning things around,” Abruzzo said. “We need to review and revise the law to offer greater options and better outcomes.”
by The News Service of Florida
Fire Destroys Cedartown Road Home
January 31, 2015
Fire destroyed an unoccupied home in Molino Friday night.
The fire in the 6800 block of Cedartown Road was reported about 6:15 p.m. The wood frame home was fully involved when the first Escambia Fire Rescue firefighters arrived on a scene.
There were no injuries reported.
The exact cause of the blaze in under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price and others, click to enlarge.
Elderly Man Dies In Single Vehicle Crash
January 31, 2015
An elderly Escambia County man died in a single vehicle crash Friday night.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 94-year old Edward Marlowe was traveling east on Prieto Drive when he failed to negotiate a left curve and traveled into the front yard of a residence. His 2010 Kia Forte then struck two large oak trees.
He was pronounced deceased on the scene by Escambia County EMS.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
January 31, 2015
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending January 29 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Pettey received a call from a hunter who heard a shot near the boundary line of his hunting club in McDavid. The hunter explained that he had heard several shots over the last several days and suspected the person might be shooting doe deer. Officer Pettey responded to the area and observed a hunter exiting the woods. The subject had harvested an illegal buck with approximately one inch antlers. Officer Pettey seized the deer as evidence and issued a criminal citation for the violation.
Officer Livesay was working in Perdido River Wildlife Manage Area (WMA), when he observed an individual exit the woods wearing hunter orange and possessing a rifle. The subject claimed he was not hunting and was just walking around. Officer Livesay informed the subject that he was going to look for his stand. The individual then admitted he was hunting and had a stand set up nearby. Officer Livesay walked with the subject to his hunting stand and discovered he had recently scattered corn (bait) in the area. After further questioning, the subject admitted to placing the corn on the ground as bait. The subject was cited for the hunting over bait and no quota permit.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Hutchinson was conducting land patrol in the Blackwater State Forest when he observed a vehicle parked in close proximity to a known baited location. Officer Hutchinson trailed the suspect and observed him sitting in a tree stand overlooking the bait site. Officer Hutchinson made contact with the hunter who admitted to placing the bait on the ground and hunting deer. The subject’s hunting license was expired. The hunter was issued the appropriate citations for hunting over bait and no hunting license.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week;however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC