Authorities Searching For Missing Woman
December 10, 2013
Authorities are asking for the public’s help in locating an Atmore woman that’s been missing for almost a week.
The Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office said 42-year old Marcie Brewton Morgan of Atmore last spoke to a family member on December 3 and was believed to be in the Saraland, AL, area at the time.
She is described as a Caucasian woman with an olive complexion, wavy dark brown hair, blue eyes, about 5-feet 4-inches tall, 150 pounds with a medium build. She may be driving a blue metallic 2001 Lincoln Town Car with a gray vinyl top and Alabama personalized license plate “ECB”.
Foul play is not suspected in her disappearance, investigators said, but the case is under investigation.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Marcie Brewton Morgan is asked to contact the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office at (251) 809-2154, your local law enforcement agency or 911.
No Injuries In Minor School Bus Accident
December 9, 2013
There were no injuries when a school bus driver turned into another vehicle this morning near Pine Forest High School.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 49-year old Regina Lynn Barnes of Cantonment was eastbound on Longleaf Drive in a 2009 school bus when she turned too sharp, colliding with a 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by 26-year old Heather Nichole Fuller of Pensacola.
Damage to both vehicles was very minor, and there were no injuries.
The FHP cited Barnes with making an improper left turn.
Two Charged In Lottery Scheme; Store Owner Says He’s Out $70,000
December 9, 2013
Two people have been charged in connection with a lottery scheme that a Davisville store owner says has left him out of $70,000.
Deldon Ray McGhee, age 51 of Atmore, and Tracey Lynn McGhee, age 40 of Atmore, were each charged with one count of felony grand theft between $20,000 and $100,000. Both posted a $20,000 bond immediately after being booked into the Escambia County Jail. Officials said there is no known immediate family relationship between the McGhees.
Both were employed by the Grey Goose Lounge and Package on Highway 97 at the Florida/Alabama state line. During a four month period, they are accused of taking books of Florida Lottery scratch-off tickets, manipulating them in the lottery computer systems and redeeming winning tickets for cash.
The owner of the Grey Goose told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that he recorded a net loss of $70,000.
The Florida Lottery Commission provided evidence on the crime, including records on lottery ticket books, activation, redemption and redemption locations. Investigators also reviewed hours of video surveillance over a 10 day period in which the thefts can be seen, according to an arrest report.
Both told deputies that they did activate and redeem lottery tickets for cash and that other employees were also involved in fixing cash drawers that were short due to lottery ticket thefts. Both McGhees said they did not believe the amount taken by each could have exceeded $10,000, according to the report.
Deldon McGhee said he contacted the business owner and said he would pay back what was taken when received his birthday check in January from the Poarch Band of Creek Indians if he would not file charges, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report states.
Governor Drops Congratulatory Note To Northview High
December 9, 2013
Northview High School received a short, handwritten congratulatory message from Gov. Rick Scott last week.
The “Great Job! Gov. Rick Scott” was written on a school data sheet showing the school’s improving rank in the state. Among Title I schools in Florida, Northview is now ranked number 22 of 1,648 schools school satisfactory or higher in math, 40 of 1,649 schools scoring satisfactory or higher in science, and 74 of 1,628 schools improving math performance during the last couple of school years.
Escambia County State Legislative Delegation To Hold Public Hearing
December 9, 2013
The local legislative delegation will meet next month to discuss issues related to the upcoming Legislative session.
State Representative Clay Ingram, chairman of the Escambia County State Legislative Delegation, has announced that a public hearing will be held on Tuesday, January 21, 2014, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio, located at 1000 College Boulevard in Pensacola.
Delegation members will consider local bills, hear presentations from government entities and take public testimony on proposals for the 2014 Legislative Session. If you would like to be placed on the agenda, contact Ingram’s Office at (850) 494-7330 no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 17.
Any member of the public is welcomed to attend and participate. Local bill proposals (including all supporting materials) must be submitted to Ingram’s District Office by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 10.
The Escambia County State Legislative Delegation includes Senator Greg Evers, Representative Clay Ingram and Representative Mike Hill.
Sheriff’s Office Teen Explorers Receive Awards
December 9, 2013
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Explorers Post 117 recently held their annual Christmas and award banquet.
Numerous awards were presented, including Explorer of the Year to Morgan Smith and Crista Pope of Molino.
The Explorers program, for members age 13-21, works to educate and involve young people in law enforcement operations whether or not they choose to enter a career in law enforcement. Members gain a working knowledge of police work and have the opportunity to serve their community.
Explorers receive training in patrol procedure, first aid, honor guard, criminal law, crime prevention, finger-printing, arrest techniques, drug abuse prevention, firearms safety, crime scene techniques and more.
For more information on the Explorers program, call (850) 436-9496.
Numerous awards were presented during the recent banquet, including Explorer of the year to Morgan Smith and Crista Pope of Molino.
Awards presented at the recent banquet were:
Promotions
1st Lieutenant – Luis Mendoza
Lieutenant – Quinton Watts
Sergeant – Mi’kalah Newsome
Corporal-Karen Rodriguez
Corporal – Vivian Odom
Community Service Award
Allya Eggleton
Crista Pope
Elliot Williams
Karen Rodiquez
Luis Mendoza
Mi’kalah Newsome
Morgan Smith
Quinton Watts
Richard Greene
Most Improved Award
Kyle Mcarthur
Vivian Odom
Explorer Of The Year Award
Crista Pope
Morgan Smith
Tenure Award
Aliya Eggelton
Crista Pope
Luis Mendoza
Mi’kalah Newsome
Karen Rodriguez
Morgan Smith
Quinton Watts
Vivian Odom
Perfect Attendance Award
Karen Rodriquez
Kyle Mcarthur
Crime Prevention Award
Luis Mendoza
Mi’kalah Newsome
Pictured top: Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Post 117. Pictured inset: Deputy Robert Greene with Explorer Richard Green. Pictured below: The annual Explorer Christmas party and awards banquet. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Green Industries Best Management Practice Workshop Scheduled
December 9, 2013
As part of the Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program, University of Florida IFAS Extension will host a Green Industries Best Management Practices (GI-BMP) Workshop, teaching environmentally safe landscaping practices that help conserve and protect Florida’s ground and surface waters.
The Workshop will be held on Wednesday, December 11, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Escambia County Extension Office, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment.
Florida Statute 482.1562 states that all commercial fertilizer applicators must have a license from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) by January 1, 2014. To get this license, each Green Industry worker must be trained in the GI-BMPs and receive a certificate of completion from UF/IFAS and Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
The workshop includes lunch and four pesticide Continuing Education Units at a cost of $30. To register online, visit http://bit.ly/1g3drsJ.
For more information, please contact Carrie Stevenson, Escambia County Extension at (850) 475-5230 or ctsteven@ufl.edu.
Molino’s Joseph Snow Is Named Escambia Employee Of The Year
December 8, 2013
Joseph C. Snow of Molino has been name Escambia County’s Employee of the Year.
Snow, a road corrections officer with the Road Prison Division of the Corrections Department, began his employment with the county in 1997. He was previously selected as am Employee of the Month.
“Thank the Lord,” Snow told the Escambia County Commissioner after receiving his hnor and recognizing his superiors. “And I’ve got a whole Road Prison here behind me. They inspire. I’d just like to say thank you to all of you.”
As a corrections officer, Snow and the inmates under his control are assigned to support and assist with the grounds keeping at numerous county office buildings and assist with special county events.
Snow was honored with a county proclamation and a $500 bonus.
Pictured top: Corrections Officer Joe Snow (center, with frame photo)
Deepwater Horizon Funding Includes Millions For Escambia County
December 8, 2013
Florida is in line for $88 million in restoration projects along the state’s oil spill-affected Gulf Coast. The money was the latest proposed by the trustees for the Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment as part of a $627 million draft plan announced Friday for the Gulf Coast states.
Five Escambia County specific projects and four regional projects impacting the county are on the list, totaling a potential $45 million investment.
Escambia County specific projects include:
- Big Lagoon State Park Boat Ramp Improvement Project – $1,483,990
- Bob Sikes Pier, Parking and Trail Restoration Project – $1,023,990
- Florida Gulf Coast Marine Fisheries Hatchery/Enhancement Center Project – $18,793,500
- Perdido Key Dune Restoration Project – $611,234
- Perdido Key State Park Beach Boardwalk Improvement Project – $588,500
Regional projects impacting Escambia County include:
- Florida Artificial Reef Creation and Restoration Project – $11,463,587
- Florida Oyster Cultch Placement Project – $5,370,596
- Florida Seagrass Recovery Project – $2,691,867
- Scallop Enhancement for Increased Recreational Fishing Opportunity in the Florida Panhandle Project – $2,890,250
Before any of the proposed projects are finalized the projects will go through a 60-day public comment period that runs through February 4. Included in the comment period are two public meetings in Florida; one in Pensacola on Tuesday, January 28, and Wednesday, January 29, in Panama City.
“The Deepwater Horizon spill was a defining moment for Escambia County and we are still working to restore our critical ecosystems,” said Grover C. Robinson, IV, District 4 Commissioner and Gulf Coast Consortium Chairman. “We could not have done this without the joint efforts of the federal government, Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Governor Rick Scott.”
Fire Destroys Atmore Motel
December 8, 2013
Fire destroyed the Southland Motel on Highway 31 in Atmore Saturday afternoon.
The fire raced quickly from room to room through the attic of the concrete block building. It was not immediately known how many guests were staying at the motel. About dozen people gathered outside said they were now homeless because they called the motel their home.
Fire departments from Atmore, Flomaton, Poarch, Nokomis and the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia (FL) Fire Rescue worked for hours to bring the fire under control.
There were no injuries reported, and there was cause of the fire was not immediately known.
By 2:45 Sunday morning, the fire had reignited, and the building was reported to be fully involved. The Atmore, Poarch, Nokomis and Walnut Hill fire departments returned to battle the blaze once again.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
