Assistant Escambia County Administrator Larry Newsom Resigns
November 6, 2014
Escambia County Assistant County Administrator Larry Newsom has resigned, according to county officials.
Newsom tendered his resignation “in order to pursue other opportunities,” county spokesman Bill Pearson said. Amy Lovoy, the county’s Management and Budget Services department director, has been named as the county’s interim assistant county administrator.
During his tenure at Escambia County, Newsom served as interim county administrator in 2010 after the non-renewal of Bob McLaughlin’s county, after the firing of Administrator Randy Oliver in 2012, and beginning in December 2013 until the resignation and then passing of George Touart until current Administrator Jack Brown was hired in April 2014.
When not serving in an administrator position, Newsom worked as the manger of the Transportation and Traffic Division.
Pictured top: Larry Newsom (left) speaks during a public forum in Molino as District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry (right) listens. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Woman Charged With Stealing $4,000 Pet Store Puppy
November 6, 2014
A woman has been arrested in connection with a stolen dog — a $4,000 stolen dog — taken from a local pet store late last month.
Christine R. Frasure, 33, was charged with grand theft.
The French bulldog was located Thursday morning after police received an anonymous time via CrimeStoppers. She was spotted with the dog by two Pensacola Police detectives and taken into custody. The dog, according to police, was in good condition and was returned to Petland.
Back on October 28, the woman asked to see the dog at Petland. The employee then brought the dog to a petting room and handed it to the suspect. After a couple of minutes, the employee left the pet enclosure to go to another part of the store Once he returned, he realized the suspect and three-month old puppy were gone.
Jacks Branch Road Wreck Claims Life Of Cantonment Man
November 6, 2014
An Cantonment man passed away Thursday morning from injuries he received in a single vehicle accident.
Robert Elanson Walker, 73, was southbound on Jacks Branch Board near River Annex Road about 9 a.m. when he crossed over the center line, ran off the road and struck a utility pole. He was airlifted to West Florida Hospital where he succumbed to the injuries he received in the crash, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Carjacking, Sexual Assault Suspect Enters Not Guilty Plea
November 6, 2014
A Cantonment carjacking and sexual assault suspect has entered a plea of not guilty in Escambia County Circuit Court.
Eddie Lee Atkins, age 27 of 622 Muscogee Road, was charged with attempted sexual assault with force and carjacking without a firearm or weapon for two separate incidents on September 18. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said DNS evidence linked Atkins to both crimes.
At approximately 8:15 a.m. on September 18, a carjacking was reported at the Raceway gas station at Highway 29 and Muscogee Road. The 55-year old victim went inside the store to make a purchase and pay for gasoline. After she pumped her gas, she found that Atkins had allegedly entered her unlocked vehicle and concealed himself in the backseat. The victim did not see Atkins and drove away from the store with him in the vehicle.
Atkins reportedly confronted the victim once the vehicle was moving. He told her that he had a knife and to keep driving or he would “stick” her. She drove around randomly and eventually drove to a neighbor’s residence. Once there she honked the car’s horn in distress to get someone’s attention. Atkins then punched her in the face and pushed her from the vehicle, according to investigators.
Atkins then left in the car, heading back towards Highway 29, deputies said. The victim was treated at the scene for minor injuries. Shortly afterward, the vehicle was located on Pine Street.
A little more than 15 minutes later, the attempted sexual battery of a female jogger was reported on Rocky Avenue. The victim reported that as she was jogging when an unknown black male suspect grabbed her from behind and dragged her into awooded area. Once there he struck her in the face and attempted to remove her clothing but the victim fought back and was able to escape.
Both women were able to identify Atkins from a photo lineup, according to arrest reports.
Atkins remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond. According to official records, Atkins has a criminal history that includes five felony and four misdemeanor convictions, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, robbery with a firearm, possession of a weapon or ammo by a convicted felon, larceny, aggravated assault and possession of marijuana.
Driver Three Times Over Legal Limit Charged With DUI Manslaughter
November 6, 2014
An Escambia County man has been charged with DUI manslaughter for a blood alcohol level over three times the legal limit during a wreck that killed a woman.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 26-year old Michael Brian Nielson ran a light on Airport Boulevard at 11:30 a.m. on Airport Boulevard at I-110 on July 31. His 2007 Nissan Sentra collided with a Honda Accord drive by 55-year Maria Victoria Fontainilla of Pensacola. A passenger in that vehicle, 77-year old Ofelia Gonzalez Johnson passed away from her injuries on August 26.
The FHP said Nielson had a blood alcohol level of .283 at the time of the crash. He is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Two Century Residents Being Relocated Due To Black Mold
November 6, 2014
Two Century families set to have their homes repaired under a federal grant program are being moved out of their homes early due to black mold.
The homeowners have been approved for repair using Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding award to the Town of Century. It will likely be January before construction project bids are awarded and construction begins. The grant stipulates relocation expenses be provided at the point, but according to grant administrator Robin Phillips, the residents are current experiencing severe health problems due to black mold.
Acting on a recommendation from Phillips, the Century council has approved using grant funds to pay relocation expenses now for the residents due to the severe condition of their homes and their health issues.
Once construction begins, it will take about three months to make necessary repairs. The residents will be assisted with a temporary rental or funds to say with friends or family until that point.
One of the homes is located in the 7000 block of Pleasant Hill Road; the other is located on Jefferson Street.
Pictured: Two Century homes set to be replaced by federal grant funds are located on Pleasant Hill Road (top) and Jefferson Street (below). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill VFD Fish Fry Is Saturday
November 6, 2014
The Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department’s 45th Annual Fish Fry will be held Saturday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Walnut Hill Fire Station on Highway 97.
Plates will be $7 each with your choice of catfish fillets or grilled chicken, plus baked beans, cole slaw, hush puppies, homemade bread and cake. There will also be drawing for door prizes beginning at 1 p.m. and a live auction.
Funds raised by the event area used to help fire victims.
The Northwest Florida Blood Center Bloodmobile will also be on hand for a blood drive.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Photo: A Politician Sweeps Around His Own Door
November 6, 2014
A photo we first published Tuesday on Facebook only went viral on a local scale, so we wanted to share it here on NorthEscambia.com.
On election day, we actually found a politician that sweeps around his own door — literally. Our camera caught Atmore, AL, Mayor Jim Staff sweeping outside the main entrance to the Atmore City Hall. Amidst all the negative flip-flopping of the all those TV election ads, we thought it was a bright moment in politics.
Staff explained that his momma taught him how to use a broom, and he’s not a afraid of a little work. He was not on Tuesday’s ballot.
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NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
International Paper To Hold Grant Application Info Meeting
November 6, 2014
International Paper (IP) Pensacola Mill will award $50,000 in Foundation Grants in 2015 and is hosting a one-hour meeting Friday, November 21 at 10:30 a.m. to review the application process with qualifying non-profit organizations, schools and state and local government entities.
The meeting will take place at the mill’s Employee Development Center, located at 375 Muscogee Road in Cantonment and will focus on eligibility, criteria and restrictions. Grant committee members will be available for questions.
The deadline for all 2015 grant applications is Monday, January 12, 2015. Grants are awarded by the IP Foundation in Memphis, TN, and will focus on environmental education, literacy, employee involvement and critical community needs. Applicants must be a registered 501c3 non-profit organization, school, or qualifying government entity to apply.
For more information about the Foundation, visit www.ipgiving.com. To reserve a seat at the workshop, contact Janice Cooper Holmes, communications manager, by email janice.holmes@ipaper.com or call (850) 968-4203. Reservations to attend the meeting are required as space is limited, however; attendance is not mandatory to apply.
2015 Tate High Chaparrals Named
November 6, 2014
The 12 members of the 2015 Tate High School Chaparrals winter guard have been named.
They 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.
The Chaparrals are the oldest competitive scholastic winter guard in the nation and former world champions. They begin competing in late January and conclude their season on March 28.
Pictured: The 2015 Tate High School Chaparrals are (front, kneeling, L-R) Madison Philley, Celina Dyess, Jo Jo O’Steen, Virginia Vaughn, (back, standing) Breanna Langley, Michaela Overbey, Megan Leonard, Savannah VonStein, Katy Luebke, Kelsey Strength and Brenn Repine. Not pictured is Katie Dupre. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.