Santa Rosa Deputy Involved In Fatal Century Crash Was Taking Meal Break
October 11, 2014
That Santa Rosa County deputy involved in a fatal crash early last Sunday morning in Century was in Escambia County for a meal break, according to information released Friday.
“Sheriff [Wendell] Hall recognizes the area of the north end of the county is very rural. During after hours, there often are no facilities open for a meal break. It is a common and acceptable practice for deputies to travel the short drive to Century to eat,” said Deputy Rich Aloy, public information office for the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.. “Our deputy was on his way to Century when a call came out. The deputy turned around and was headed back to Santa Rosa County when the accident took place.”
The nature of the emergency call in Jay has not been released.
Santa Rosa County Deputy James L. Miller, 38, was driving a marked patrol car in “emergency mode” at 12:45 a.m. on East Highway 4 near Freedom Road in Century when the left front of his vehicle collided with an eastbound bicyclist in the center of the roadway “for unknown reasons”, according to the FHP.
The bicyclist, 26-year old Paul Martin Upton, was transported as a trauma alert by Escambia County EMS to the McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and transferred to LifeFlight. Due to the Upton’s condition, he was then airlifted to Jay Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. Miller received only minor injuries.
Any charges in the crash will depend on the outcome of an ongoing Florida Highway Patrol traffic homicide investigation. Lt. Steve Preston, spokesman for the Florida Highway Patrol, said the results of the crash investigation will be released at a later date.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office is also conducting an administrative investigation into the incident, the results of which will be made public “after a thorough review”, the department said.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office have a mutual aid agreement in place where one may assist the other in their county when needed.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Tate Beats Washington (With Photo Gallery)
October 11, 2014
Fans at Pete Gindl Stadium in Cantonment got their money’s worth of excitement Friday as the Tate Aggies beat the Washington Wildcats 35-28.
Things rolled right along for the Aggies in the first quarter. On the second play of the game, Alondo Thompkins had an 86-yard touchdown run, followed by an Alonte Thompson touchdown run with about five minutes to go in the first for a 14-0 Tate lead.
But then the Wildcats began to roar with two touchdowns for a 14-14 tie at the half.
In the second half, the Aggies added three touchdowns. The first was a 6-yard quarterback keeper from Sawyer Smith. the second on a 27-yard pass from Smith to Reggie Payne and the third from Alondo Thompkins from 44-yards out.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Tate High School Aggies (5-2,0-1) will host Crestview (2-5, 0-0) next Friday at 7:30.
Pictured top: The Wildcats attempt to stop the Tate Aggies Friday night at Pete Gindl Stadium in Cantonment. Pictured inset: Tate’s Alondo Thompkins (#23) gained 189 yards for the Aggies Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photos by Keith Garrison, click to enlarge.
Volunteers Lend A Hand During Day Of Caring
October 11, 2014
Over 1,230 volunteers from nearly 100 companies were hard at work Friday across Escambia County as part of the United Way’s annual Day of Caring on 54 projects at nonprofit agencies and 30 schools.
In the North Escambia area, volunteers from Gulf Power Company read books to students, and painted a recently repaired gazebo at Bratt Elementary School. Students at Northview High School volunteered to rebuild the school’s bird houses.
At Escambia Westgate School in Cantonment, volunteers from Ascend worked to repair a shed at the school and landscape a nature trail, while at Lipscomb Elementary volunteers from ECUA pressure washed the school, planted flower beds and completed projects for teachers.
Volunteers from TJ Maxx were at Jim Allen Elementary School, working to tear out and sort kindergarten workbook pages.
And in Century, volunteers from the Boys and Girls Club worked tirelessly to paint the gymnasium being used as a classroom at the Camp Fire USA Century Youth Learning Center.
Pictured top: Volunteers from Gulf Power paint a gazebo at Bratt Elementary Friday morning. Pictured inset: Volunteers from the Boys and Girls Club worked to paint the Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Century gym. Pictured below: Volunteers from Ascend Performance Materials volunteer at Escambia Westgate in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com and submitted photos, click to enlarge.
New Head Start Program In Molino Celebrates Grand Opening
October 11, 2014
The Community Action Program celebrated the opening of their newest Head Start location Friday in the Molino Community Complex on Highway 95A.
The Head Start program renovated a 3,755 building that was part of the former Molino Elementary School and next to the current Molino Branch Library. The program moved from it’s previous home in the old Ransom Middle School on Muscogee Road in Cantonment to the Molino location.
The building was originally slated to be razed when the rest of the community center was refurbished, District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said, because the county did not have the funds for the renovation.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Head Start and Early Head Start Programs provide comprehensive, developmental services for low-income pre-school children ages birth to five and support services for their families. The purpose of the Head Start programs is to promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of health, educational, nutritional, social and other services. The cornerstone of the program is parent and community development.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
October 11, 2014
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending October 9.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Hutchinson was working water patrol on Yellow River when he observed a vessel tied up to the bank of the Yellow River Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Officer Hutchinson observed a bag of corn on the ground in the WMA and two individuals in the area. One individual admitted to placing the corn on the ground when he observed Officer Hutchinson. The individual stated he intended on baiting up hogs with the corn to hunt during archery season. The subject was issued a citation for placing bait on a wildlife management area.
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.
Hundreds Enjoy Annual Molino Park Elementary Fall Carnival (With Gallery)
October 11, 2014
Hundreds attended the annual Molino Park Elementary School Fall Carnival Friday evening at the school. The event featured games, food, entertainment and lots of great family fun.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Bethany Reynolds, click to enlarge.
High School Football Finals
October 11, 2014
Here’s a look at final football scores from around the North Escambia area tonight:
FLORIDA
- Tate 35 Washington 28 [Read more...]
- Jay 26, Graceville 17
- West Florida 44, Rutherford 7
- Escambia 35, Leon 28
- Pine Forest 33, Crestview 7
- Mosley 34, Gulf Breeze 28
- Catholic 35, Milton 26
- Niceville 35, Navarre 21
- Baker 34 North Bay Haven 7
- OPEN: Northview, PHS
ALABAMA
- Flomaton 28, Mobile Christian 14
- T.R. Miller 17, Geneva 0
- W.S. Neal 41, Thomasville 7
- Williamson 34, Escambia County (Atmore) 6
- Escambia Academy 51, Morgan Academy 0
Northview Volleyball Celebrates Senior Night, Takes On Jay
October 10, 2014
The Northview Lady Chiefs honored their seniors during Senior Night Thursday before taking on the Jay Royals.
Senior Northview volleyball players honored were E’Layzha Bates, Penny Banda, Kyndall Hall, McKenzie Nasser and Shania Ward.
The Chiefs lost to Jay 15-25, 25-18, 8-25, 12-25.
Pictured top: Senior E’Layzha Bates. Pictured below, upper to lower photo: Penny Banda, Kyndall Hall, McKenzie Nasser and Shania Ward. Each girl was escorted by her parents. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Child Contracts Enterovirus D68; Child Attends Santa Rosa School
October 10, 2014
The Florida Department of Health has received confirmation of the presence of Enterovirus D68 infection in an 8-year old boy who lives in Escambia County And now the department is advising parents, childcare workers, and healthcare professionals to be vigilant for respiratory virus infections such as enterovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and influenza (flu).
The Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County has confirmed the student that resides in Escambia County attends school in Santa Rosa County. The health department said the student has recovered from the illness and is no longer contagious.
In a news release, Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said the child is not a student in the Escambia County School District. School officials said they are not aware of any student or staff member in the Escambia County School District being exposed to the virus.
All schools in the district have been informed to take extra precautions by following the advice of the Florida Department of Health’s instructions. Students and staff are being asked to increase the use of soap and water by washing their hands thoroughly as hand sanitizer has not proven effective against this contagious virus.
Enterovirus D68 can cause difficulty breathing in infants and young children. Like RSV and the flu, EV-D68, is highly contagious and spreads through droplets in coughs or sneezes, or when someone touches a contaminated surface like a countertop or doorknob. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers and disinfectants have not been found to be effective against EV-D68. Frequent hand washing and the use of non-alcohol surface disinfectants are recommended.
Enterovirus D68 has signs and symptoms that are similar to the common cold, the flu, or RSV. Adults and older children might have only mild signs such as a cough, stuffy nose, and low-grade fever. People with asthma, particularly children, are at increased risk for severe presentations of EV-D68 infection. In rare cases, EV infections may become serious enough to require hospitalization.
Other prevention measures include:
- Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow;
- Avoiding sharing cups and eating utensils;
- Refraining from kissing others, especially those with symptoms;
- Frequently cleaning potentially contaminated surfaces (doorknobs, countertops, tables, toys, etc.) using a bleach solution (1 part bleach and 9 parts water).
Call your doctor if you or your child has any of these symptoms:
- wheezing
- trouble breathing
- high fever with ill appearance
- thick nasal discharge
- signs of dehydration
Ernest Ward High School Alumni’s Final Walk Through School
October 10, 2014
It was a stroll down memory lane Thursday afternoon for many Ernest Ward High School graduates as they roamed the hall of their old school for what might be the final time. The old high school, now Ernest Ward Middle School, will be demolished early next year as students move into an entirely new facility.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
