Homicide Investigation Underway After Body Found
August 21, 2014
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an apparent homicide in southwest Escambia County.
Shortly after noon Thursday, a deceased male was discovered in the area of Weller Avenue and Bradfield Drive, off Gulf Beach Highway. Deputies have identified the victim as 25-year old Tyler A. Evans of Pensacola.
Investigators are working the case as a homicide. Early indications are that the murder was not a random act, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators are looking for a gold 2000 Toyota Tacoma extended cab with Florida tag J284AZ in connection with the incident. Anyone having any information concerning the crime or the vehicle is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Citing an ongoing investigation, the Sheriff’s Office is not releasing any further information.
Man Gets Jail Time For Stealing Makeup, Drug Possession
August 20, 2014
A Century man has been sentenced to jail for stealing a large quantity of makeup from a Walmart and for drug possession.
Eric James Grimes, age 23 of Highway 168, was convicted of possession of crack cocaine with the intent to sell, manufacture or deliver, methamphetamine possession with intent to sell, manufacture or deliver, and grand theft. He was sentenced to 90 days in the county jail.
In late April, a deputy in the Casino Beach parking lot stopped to assist Grimes, who seemed to be lost. Grimes told the deputy he’d lost his yellow Nissan truck, and began to act nervously, according to an arrest report, telling the deputy that he had an outstanding grand theft warrant for his arrest.
As he was taken into custody, deputies reported that they located plastic bags of crack cocaine and a sandwich bag containing a “significant” quantity of methamphetamine on Grimes’ person.
The grand theft warrant stemmed from a March 5 incident at Walmart on Mobile Highway. Grimes was positively identified from a photo lineup as the man a store loss prevention officer said he observed in the cosmetics department taking large quantities of expensive cosmetics, concealing them in his jacket and exiting the store.
Escambia County Mosquito Borne Illneses Advisory Upgraded To Alert
August 20, 2014
An mosquito-borne illness advisory for Escambia County has been upgraded to an alert.
The change came after the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County received notification of a confirmed case of West Nile virus (WNV) infection in a resident of Escambia County, FL, according to a news release issued Tuesday afternoon. A probable human case in the county was previously reported.
The Escambia County Mosquito Control Division and the health department continue surveillance and prevention efforts. FDOH-Escambia reminds residents and visitors to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and to take basic precautions to help limit exposure to mosquito-borne illnesses.
School Board Honors Molino Park’s Woodward As Principal Of The Year
August 20, 2014
Molino Park Elementary School Principal Alice Woodward was officially recognized Tuesday night by the Escambia County School Board as the Escambia County Principal of the Year.
Following a standing ovation, Superintendent Malcolm Thomas lauded Woodward’s many accomplishment at Molino Park.
“She always finds a way to put students first,” Thomas concluded.
“I am definitely humbled that I was the one chosen to receive the award this year. I work among a very talented and dedicated group of principals,” Woodward said. “I am receiving the principal of the year award not because of the things I do, but because of my staff, the fruits of my staff, my parents, my students, my community continually striving for excellence.”
Just a year ago, Molino Park was recovering from a break-in and the theft of about $60,000 in technology, and the school was rated as a “C” by the Florida Department of Education. Now, Molino Park Elementary is an “A” school with a 95 percent proficiency in math — among the highest scores in the district and state.
“Research says that what people hear last is what they remember most,” Woodward told the school board. ” So I say to you, to God by the glory, for it is from Him all blessings flow.”
Also Tuesday night, Janet Penrose of Belleview Middle School was honored as the Escambia County Assistant Principal of the Year.
For an earlier NorthEscambia.com story about Woodward and her award, click here.
Pictured top: Molino Park Elementary School Principal Alice Woodward was presented the Escambia County Principal of the Year Tuesday evening before the Escambia County School Board. Image for NorthEsambia.com, click to enlarge.
Over 700 Homes, Businesses Lose Power Tuesday Night
August 20, 2014
High winds as thunderstorms moved through the area Tuesday night left over 700 North Escambia area homes and businesses without power for several hours.
About 230 homes were left without power when a tree fell on a line along Highway 97 near Pilgrim Trail about 8:30 p.m. That plunged homes in the Highway 97, White Ash Road, Pine Circle Drive, Chaudron Road and Pilgrim Trail subdivision areas into the dark. The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue was dispatched to the scene due to a grass fire sparked by the power lines. Power was restored in the area by midnight.
Just before 9 p.m., nearly 500 homes and businesses along East Kingfield Road from Highway 29 to Riddle Road lost power. The outage included homes on a portion Tate Road, Pompano Street, Stallion Road, Pine Forest Road, Cricket Ridge Drive. Ryale Road, Filly Road, and Staff Drive. Power was restored in the area by 12:30 a.m.
Northview Grad Baldwin Graduates From Military Basic Training
August 20, 2014
Air Force Airman Arthur Jacob Baldwin graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.
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.
Baldwin is the son of Henry L. Baldwin of Cantonment and Jennifer A. Baldwin of Molino.
He is a 2012 graduate of Northview High School.
Teen Injured In Cedar Tree Lane Crash
August 20, 2014
A teen was seriously injured in a single vehicle crash Tuesday evening in Cantonment. The driver of a Mazda 626 apparently lost control and slammed into a utility pole about 6:45 p.m. on Cedar Tree Lane near Cedar Point Road. The teen was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS. Further details have not been released by the Florida Highway Patrol. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Plans Continue To ‘Reimagine Century’ This September
August 20, 2014
Volunteers met Tuesday night to continue making plans for Reimagine Century — a September 13, 2014, event that will be held at Showalter Park in Century.
Organizer Linda English said the group is on a mission to serve those less fortunate — both their physical and spiritual needs.
Churches and ministry groups will come together “as one as the Body of Christ”, English said, to serve during Reimagine Century.
The event will include a wide variety of activities, including a multi-ton food giveaway, a clothing giveaway, free toys, free diapers, health screenings, AIDS testing, live music, fishing lessons from Mission Fishin’, laundry detergent giveaway, youth and teen activities, haircuts, entertainment, lunch and much more — all free for the community.
Donations of clothing and gently-used toys are currently being accepted during regular business hours at the Century Town Hall.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
AARP: Older Floridians Worried About Finances
August 20, 2014
The senior-advocacy group AARP Florida released a survey Tuesday that found widespread financial concerns among people 50 and older.
The survey of 800 voters, conducted in late June and early July, included retirees and non-retirees who were 50 and older. In all, 59 percent said their incomes were falling behind increased costs of living. That included 64 percent of non-retirees and 80 percent of people whose income was less than $30,000 a year. Also, 55 percent of the non-retirees said they have delayed or expect to delay retirement for financial reasons.
by The News Service of Florida
Century To Update Ordinances In Online, Searchable Format
August 20, 2014
The Town of Century is taking steps to make sure that all of the town’s ordinances are up to date and searchable online.
Back in 2011, the town hired the Municipal Code Corporation to publish ordinances online in a searchable format for the public. Since that time, about nine new ordinances have been passed by the town council.
The council has voted to spend $35 per ordinance to have the ordinances updated in a searchable, cross-referenced format online, plus $35 for each additional ordinance that is passed to keep the latest ordinance information available.
To view Century’s Code of Ordinances (without the updates), click here.
The Municipal Code Corporation is one of the nation’s largest municipal code publication companies. The company currently provides code services for hundreds of governments, including Escambia and Santa Rosa counties and the City of Pensacola.
Pictured: Century Town Clerk Leslie Gonzalez explains the listing of the town’s ordinances on the Municode website. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.