Escambia Students: Kindergarten, New Students Register Now
August 12, 2014
Kindergarten and new student registration is going on this week for Escambia County students. New students enrolling in the Escambia County School District may register at the school which serves their residential area during the regular school year.
To find your child’s school, visit the Escambia County School District’s website and click on the “Find Your School” link.
Students who will be five -years old on or before September 1, 2014, are eligible to register for kindergarten for the 2014-2015 school year.
At the time of registration, parents/guardians need to bring the following documents:
- Child’s birth certificate
- Child’s social security card
- Proof of residence, such as an electric bill or rent receipt (please note that telephone and cable bills are not acceptable)
- Immunization Record (also known as the Florida Blue Card, which is provided by the Health Department or family physician)
- Physical form completed by family physician (must be presented to the school by the first day)
School begins Monday, August 18 in Escambia County.
PSC Student Tiffany Daniels Missing For One Year
August 12, 2014
Tuesday marked one year since 25-year old Tiffany Daniels went missing, last seen leaving Pensacola State College where she worked as a theater technician.
Her 1999 Toyota 4Runner was found August 20, 2013, in a parking lot of Park West, near Ft. Pickens, on Pensacola beach. Her bicycle and phone were in the vehicle. Extensive searches were conducted in the area near where her vehicle was found.
“It’s like she literally vanished,” her mother Cindy Daniels said.
Daniels is 5-feet 7-inches tall with blond hair and blue eyes. She has tattoos of plants growing from seeds on the top of both feet. Anyone who may have information on Daniels’ location, or her activities before, during and after her disappearance are asked to contact Detective Danny Harnett at (850) 435- 1979 or the Pensacola Police Department at (850)435-1900.
A candlelight commemoration service was held Tuesday night at Hawkshaw Lagoon Memorial Park to Missing Children, across from Veteran’s Park on Bayfront Parkway in downtown Pensacola.
Pictured above and below. Search and rescue volunteers prepare to search Pensacola Beach near Fort Pickens for Tiffany Daniels last August. File photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Names, Details Released In Friday Night’s 56 Mile Police Chase
August 11, 2014
Authorities have released the names of two people involved in a 56 mile police chase Friday.
Antoine Lamar Goldsmith, 37 was charged with felony fleeing/eluding, habitual felony driving while suspended and one count of assault on an officer. Delana Roberts Phillips, 51, was charged with driving under the influence, felony fleeing/eluding and four counts of a assault on an officer. Both are in the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton on Alabama charges and will eventually be extradited back to Santa Rosa County.
The pursuit began when a Santa Rosa County deputy conducted a traffic stop for a seat belt violation at Hamilton Bridge Road and Windham Road. As the deputy approached the vehicle, the Goldsmith sped off. The deputy was forced to take evasive action to avoid being struck by the vehicle.
Goldsmith switched to the passenger seat, and Phillips moved into the driver’s seat along Hamilton Bridge Road, the deputy stated.
The pursuit headed north through Santa Rosa County and crossed the Escambia River on Highway 4 into Century. The driver of the truck turned north on Highway 29 and crossed into Flomaton, Ala., and then headed west on Highway 31 out of Flomaton. Phillips continued with deputies in pursuit toward Atmore. Along the way, the truck ran though several stops signs and traffic signals and ran several vehicles off the road.
The Santa Rosa deputies decided to call off the pursuit as they approached Atmore because they were getting out of range of their radio system, and they were unable to clearly communicate with their dispatcher. They continued to follow the vehicle without emergency lights and sirens.
According to witnesses, when the westbound driver spotted approaching Atmore Police Department officers, the suspect made a u-turn through a motel parking lot near Buster’s Restaurant and headed back east on Highway 31 straight toward the Santa Rosa deputies, forcing them to take evasive action.
Phillips then turnednorth on 18th Avenue just outside Atmore. She lost control and ran into a ditch and the end of 18th Avenue at the intersection of Carver Avenue. Phillips and Goldsmith were taken into custody at gunpoint without further incident.
Goldsmith and Phillips were both arrested earlier this month on narcotics charges by the Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office following a traffic stop.
Pictured top and bottom: The scene near Atmore moments after the end of a police chase that started 50 miles away in Milton. NorthEscambia.com exclusive reader photos by Waylon Jones. Pictured inset and below: Two people in this Ford F150 were taken into custody following the chase. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Update: Yard Sale Bible Headed Back To Family Of Deceased Military Member
August 11, 2014
Update: After this NorthEscambia.com story was posted on Sunday, a family member was found and the Bible will be returned to the family on Tuesday.
An Alabama woman is looking to return the a Bible to the family of a deceased military member likely to be from the Atmore or Walnut Hill area.
Johnnie Smith of Monroeville found the Bible in box of old books and magazine purchased at a yard sale in Atmore. Inside the Bible, the dedication page says the Bible was presented in remembrance of Edwin Smith by the American Legion Post in Atmore on May 16, 2007. The King James Version Bible was in a wooded box presented “in recognition of you loved one’s service to our country”.
“I cant imagine why a family member would want to sell it in a box of old books and magazines,” Johnnie Smith said.
If you know how to reach the family of Edwin Smith, email news@northescambia.com with the details and your contact information; we will pass the information along to Johnnie Smith.
Driver Slams SUV Into Cow On Highway 97
August 11, 2014
The driver of a SUV was not injured when she slammed into a cow Sunday night on Highway 97 south of Walnut Hill.
The female driver hit the black cow in the roadway in a dark wooded area on Highway 97 south of Tungoil Road about 11:15 p.m. She was evaluated at the scene by Atmore Ambulance but refused medical treatment. The adult female cow did not survive the collision with the Toyota Land Cruiser.
The accident was investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Election Watch: 7,300 Absentee Ballots Returned So Far
August 11, 2014
The Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office will begin counting absentee ballots today for the August 26 primary election. As of the weekend, 7,300 absentee ballots had been submitted in Escambia County; that’s about 22 percent returned of those issued.
All absentee ballots must be received in the Supervisor of Elections Office no later than 7 p.m. on August 26.
Brickyard Bridge Replacement To Begin This Week In Molino
August 11, 2014
The Florida Department of Transportation will replace the existing two-lane bridge on Brickyard Road over an unnamed branch in Molino beginning this week.
Brickyard Road will be closed to traffic during the construction process. Motorists should use Molino Road, Highway 95A and Brickton Road as a detour route, according to FDOT, while the new bridge is under construction.
The $746,853 project is anticipated to be complete in late 2014. The wooden support bridge, which is considered structurally deficient, was constructed in 1960.
No Injuries In Molino Pickup Crash
August 11, 2014
The driver of a pickup that overturned south of Molino Sunday night received only minor injuries.
The 23-year male lost control about 11 p.m. near the intersection of Highway 196 and Highway 95A, left the roadway and overturned the truck into the edge of a wooded area. The driver was briefly trapped in the vehicle before being freed by first responders.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Molino and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
Pictured: First responders work to free the driver of a pickup that overturned near Molino Sunday night. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
FHP Child Safety Awareness Month: Be Aware While Backing
August 11, 2014
The Florida Highway Patrol has designated August as Child Safety Awareness Month. The FHP is offering tips for safety around vehicles and preventing children from being hit when a vehicle is backing:
Blind Zones
- All vehicles have blind zones/blind spots.
- Get to know a vehicle’s blind spots.
- Typically, the larger the vehicle, the larger the blind zone; blind zones are often larger for shorter drivers.
- Blind zones can be affected by the size and shape of vehicle mirrors and windows, elevation of driver’s seat, and slope of driveway.
- Keep your windows and mirrors clean. Never back a vehicle when the rear windows or any mirrors are covered with dirt or any other substances.
Backing Out
- When backing in and out of a driveway, make sure all children are safe and accounted for.
- Walk around and check behind your vehicle before you get in.
- Whenever possible use a person outside the vehicle to help you back up.
- Check your rearview and side mirrors. Roll down your windows to listen for children/pedestrians.
- Keep your foot on the brake until after you put the vehicle into reverse.
- Place your right arm on the back of the seat and turn around so that you can look directly through the rear window.
- Back slowly and check the path repeatedly.
- Bicyclists often ride on sidewalks so look both ways before backing over a sidewalk.
- Children on bicycles can be unpredictable and can make sudden changes in direction. Be especially careful when children are present (school zones and residential areas).
- Florida Law states (f.s. 316.1985): The driver of a vehicle shall not back the same unless such movement can be made with safety and without interfering with other traffic.
- Prevention of backing crashes is what it’s about, so TAKE A SECOND LOOK, if you have any doubt!
Driveway Safety
- Discourage children from playing in driveways and designate safe play areas away from vehicles.
- If children play in the driveway, have an adult supervise at all times.
- Teach children to never play inside, on, around, or under vehicles.
- Keep vehicles in driveways/garages locked and store keys out of child’s reach.
- Keep toys, bicycles, etc. off the driveway.
Wahoos Win Slugfest 9-8
August 11, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (20-30, 51-69) defeated the Jackson Generals (22-27, 53-65) 9-8 in the series finale at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. With the victory, the Wahoos won their second series since the All-Star break.
For the second straight game, the Generals took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first. Pat Kivlehan rocked a two-run home run to deep left field to get the Generals started. Pensacola responded with a big first inning of their own; Travis Mattair had a three-run home run and Juan Duran followed him with a two-run homer.
It didn’t take long for the Generals to respond, scoring four runs in the top of the third. The runs came off the bat of Kivlehan again as his three-RBI double cleared the bases. Pensacola and Jackson traded runs in the fourth and fifth innings and the Generals led 7-6 after the top of the sixth.
The Wahoos exploded for three runs in the bottom of the sixth. They loaded the bases for Brodie Greene, who hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield to score Duran. Ray Chang and Yorman Rodriguez both made the heads up play and moved up to second and third respectively on the sac fly. Chris Berset brought them home with a two-run two-RBI single to give the Wahoos a 9-7 lead after six innings.
Neither starting pitcher would account for a decision. RHP Michael Lorenzen allowed six runs on four hits over 3.0 innings while Jackson’s Tyler Pike lasted just 0.2 innings while allowing five runs. LHP Fabian Williamson earned the win and pitched extremely well in relief for Pensacola. The lefty tied his season high with four strikeouts and didn’t allow a hit over 2.2 innings of work.
Jackson’s Moises Hernandez took the loss; he allowed three runs on four hits over 1.2 innings pitched. RHP Shane Dyer set down the Generals in order in the ninth and earned his 16th save of the season.
The Wahoos scored at least five runs, so use promo code WAHOOS on PapaJohns.com Monday for 50% off pizza.
The Wahoos are off Monday and begin a five-game home set against the Mobile BayBears on Tuesday night. Gulf Breeze native Ben Lively (1-6, 3.96) will make the start for Pensacola.
by Tommy Thrall