Escambia County Commission Honors Top K-9 Team
November 18, 2014
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 team recently named one of the best in the country was honored Monday night by the Escambia County Commission for their dedication and many hours of training.
The ECSO team won first place in the four-man team competition at the United States Police Canine Association Police Dog Trials in October in Wilson, NC. Team members are Mark Smith with his K-9 Jeck, Wayne Gulsby with his K-9 Caleb Carlos Lizarraga and his K-9 Saban, and Jason Land with his K-9 Edo. Lizarraga is employed by the Foley Police Department, but trains with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Pictured top: Lt. Jason Potts, Carlos Lizarraga, Wayne Gulsby, Jason Land and Mark Smith. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Possible Vehicle Trade For Crack Cocaine, Dispute Leads To Arrest
November 17, 2014
A dispute over a vehicle that may have been traded for crack cocaine has landed a Century man behind bars.
Jermain Lavelle Smith, 28, was charged with battery and booked into the Escambia County Jail. He remained behind bars Monday morning with bond set at $50,000.
The female victim told deputies that she confronted Smith over allegedly stealing her husbands vehicle and abandoning it with a blown engine in Canoe, AL, where law enforcement had it towed away. She said the confrontation escalated until Smith punched her in the face and in the throat. She refused medical treatment.
The incident was witnessed by about a half dozen people at the Carver Community Center, but all of the witnesses wished to remain anonymous, according to an arrest report.
The victim’s husband told deputies that he had tried to report the vehicle stolen with Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office but had difficulties in doing so. According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report, Smith may have had possession of the vehicle after a possible crack cocaine trade.
The husband also told deputies that he intervened after his wife was attacked and threatened to cut Smith with a box cutter. Smith allegedly left the area while threatening to shoot the man and wife.
Escambia County Establishes Fraud, Waste And Abuse Hotline
November 17, 2014
Escambia County has launched an fraud, waste and abuse hotline that allows residents and employees to anonymously report activity that may be considered unethical or otherwise of concern.
The hotline will be managed by an outside organization, Lighthouse Services, which will monitor incoming reports. Reports may be made 24 hours a day.
In the coming weeks, all County vehicles will be given identification numbers and bumper stickers with the hotline phone number advertising the program.
Examples of major violations:
- Fraudulent financial practices
- Breaking the law
- Verbal and physical threats
How to submit a report:
- Call Lighthouse Services toll free at (844) 640-0008 and an operator will ask the caller a series of questions
- Visit www.lighthouse-services.com/myescambia
- Email reports@lighthouse-services.com and identify Escambia County BCC in the message
- Fax your report to (215) 689-3885 and identify Escambia County BCC in the message
Remember:
- When making a report, please provide thorough and accurate information
- All complaints are within the Sunshine Law and are subject to public record. You are responsible for remaining anonymous if you choose to do so. While you will be asked your name when giving the report, you are not required to disclose yourself.
- County employees should keep in mind that by providing job-specific duties and details you may reveal your identity without actually giving your name
Ransom, Northview Social Studies Teachers Honored
November 17, 2014
The Escambia County School District’s Social Studies Teachers of the Year — Anna Barry from Northview High School and Margie Weiss from Ransom Middle School — were recently recognized during an awards banquet at the State Social Studies Conference.
Lauren Samoszenko, a civics teacher at Ramsom Middle School, was presented with the Warren Tracey Beginning Teacher Award by Michael Galfond, of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. This award, sponsored by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, is to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of social studies teachers new to the field of education, who engage students in meaningful lessons to increase student awareness, who are involved with school and community activities, and who are leaders on behalf of education.
“Lauren Samoszenko is one of those beginning teachers that a principal is so glad to have hired. She is a natural teacher,” said Ransom Middle Principal Brent Brummet.
Pictured top: (L-R) Robin Blalock, Tate High School and FCSS registration chair; Cherie Arnette, social studies specialist and VP FCSS; Lauren Samoszenko, Ransom Middle School; Margie Weiss, Ransom Middle School; Anna Barry, Norhview High School; and Annabelle Pittman, conference presenter from Ransom Middle School. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FFA Smoked Meat, Citrus Sales Underway
November 17, 2014
The annual Northview High School FFA Alumni Smoked Turkey and Boston Butt Sale is now underway, just in time for Thanksgiving. And, the Northview FFA’s Fruit Sale is also underway with delivery before Christmas.
Turkeys And Boston Butts
In the annual fund raiser, you can choose either a seven to nine pound smoked Boston butt or a 10-12 pound smoked turkey for $30 each.
Boston butts will be available for pickup on Monday, November 24, and the the smoked turkeys will be available for pickup on Tuesday, November 25 at either Highland Baptist Church in Molino or the Northview Ag Department.
Proceeds from the sale will go to benefit the Northview High School FFA Scholarship Fund. The sale is sponsored by Archie’s Catering Smokehouse in Molino. For a printable order form, click here. Orders must be placed by Thursday, November 20.
Fruit Sale
The NHS FFA is selling citrus in attractive 2/5, 1/2 or 4/5 bushel boxes perfect for gift wrapping. The Florida citrus is from RiverBrite in Vero Beach.
Orders must be made by Monday, December1. The delivery date is Wednesday, December 17.
For an order form click here. Order forms and payment can be returned to Northview by mail (the address is on the order form), or dropped off at the school office. Fruits available include red apples, grapefruit, navel oranges, tangelos and Hamlin oranges. Mixed trio half bushels are also available.
For more information, call (850) 327-6681, ext. 248.
Housing Rehabilitation Funds Available For Century Homeowners
November 17, 2014
On December 1, the Town of Century will begin accepting applications to assist 15 very low and low income homeowners in the rehabilitation of their homes.
Funding will be available in amounts from $2,000 to $5,000 for rehabilitation activities that will contribute to the overall health, safety and well being of the homeowner. Applicants must reside within the town limits, own their single family detached home (no mobile homes) and meet income guidelines based upon family size.
The town will set up and maintain a housing assistance waiting list for this program only. To apply, homeowners should call the Century Town Hall at (850) 256-3208 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. beginning December 1. Callers prior to December 1 will not be placed on the waiting list.
The program is funded though USDA Rural Development Housing Services. Applications will be funded on a first come, first served basis.
Watercolors On Display This Month At Molino Branch Library
November 17, 2014
The art of Patsy Pennington is on display this month at the Molino Branch Library.
Pennington’s favorite subjects are usually found in nature which she depicts in an almost abstract manner for the full advantage of the transparency and flow of the watercolors. Her works have earned her membership in numerous watercolor societies throughout the nation and innumerable awards.
She has illustrated four books for Peter Pauper Press – “Friends Make the Difference, “GIft of Friendship”, “Friends Make the Best Presents” and “Teachers Make a Difference”.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Overall Crime Down In Escambia County, Across Florida
November 16, 2014
Crime was down across the board in the first half of 2014, according to data released Friday by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
In Escambia County, overall crime was down 11-.5 percent during the first six months of the year. All major crime categories saw a decrease in the county from the same period last year.
The number of murders dropped from 10 to 7, rapes were down from 84 to 29, robberies dropped from 243 to 167, aggravated assaults fell from 818 to 753, burglaries from 1,559 to 1,384, larcenies went from 4,752 to 4,285, and motor vehicle thefts dropped from 400 t 296 during the first half of 2014.
The Escambia County data includes crimes investigated not only the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, but also the Pensacola Police Department, University of West Florida Police, Florida Highway Patrol and other agencies.
During the first six months of the year, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office cleared 26.8 percent of cases, while the Pensacola Police Department cleared 44.7 percent.
Overall crime was down 18.8 percent during the first six months of this year in Santa Rosa County.
Across Florida, the crime volume dropped 2.4 percent or 8,133 fewer crimes committed compared to the first six months of 2013.
“Florida is on a path to a 44 year crime low, which is great news for Florida families, communities and visitors. It is thanks to the hard work of our brave law enforcement officials that Florida is reaching these historic crime lows, and we’ll continue working to keep Florida a great and safe place to find opportunities, raise a family and live the American dream,” Gov. Rick Scott said.
While crime was down overall in Florida, violent crime was up slightly, 0.1 percent. Nonviolent crime was down 2.8 percent. Index crimes including robbery, burglary and larceny all fell statewide during this reporting period while murder, forcible sex offenses, aggravated assault and motor vehicle thefts increased.
Four Shot, One Dead, Saturday In Escambia County
November 16, 2014
Four people were reportedly shot Saturday in Escambia County in two separate incidents.
Three people were shot Saturday night in southwest Escambia County off San Jose Drive near Kathryn Drive. One of the three victims died on the way to the hospital, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The suspect was one of the three injured and was taken into custody in the apparently drug related shooting, deputies said.
In an unrelated incident, one person was shot on Yonge Street. The victim was taken to an area hospital for treatment. No suspects or persons of interest were named in the shooting
Further details, including the names of those involved, have not been released in either incident by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Anyone with information on either shooting is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Pictured top: The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office on the scene of a triple shooting Saturday night on San Jose Drive. Pictured top: One person was shot Saturday morning on Yonge Street. Photos courtesy WEAR for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High Varsity Cheerleaders Tops At Battle At The Beach
November 16, 2014
The Tate High School Aggie Varsity Cheerleaders won first place and overall champions Saturday during the Battle at the Beach competition in Fort Walton Beach. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.