Moultrie Named Chairwoman Of Escambia School Board
November 20, 2013
Linda Moultrie has been elected as the next chair of the Escambia County School Board. The unanimous election of the District 3 member Tuesday marks the first time in the 143 year history of the board that an African-American woman has led the five member board.
Moultrie was elected to the school board in 2008 and has prefiled for re-election.
District 4 member Patty Hightower was name the vice-chairwoman of the board.
Northview Cross Country Team Members Honored
November 20, 2013
The Northview High School Cross Country team honored their outstanding member Tuesday night during their annual banquet.
Award winners included:
Fastest Boy: Brandon Korinchak
Fastest Girl: Morah McGahan
Jim Ross Memorial Award: Dakota Craft
Junmi Ross Award: Jessica Brown
Coach’s Award: Jessica Barrows
Coach’s Award: Joshua Borelli
Most Improved: Jessica Barrow
Pictured top: Fastest boy Brandon Korinchak and Fastest girl Moriah McGahan. Pictured inset: Jim Ross Memorial Award winner Dakota Craft. Pictured below: Coach’s Award winners Joshua Borelli and Jessica Barrow. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Scroll down for more award winner photos.
East Tops West In All-Star High School Volleyball
November 20, 2013
The East Team — from Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties — won the 2013 Subway All-Star High School Volleyball game in straight matches Tuesday at the University of West Florida Field House.
The East defeated the West 25-12, 25-22, 25-16, 25-20 in a best of a seven. West Florida High School’s Maddy Lopez was named East MVP.
The West team, representing Escambia County, was coached by Northview High School’s Barbara Luker and David Bryant from West Florida High School.
Members of the West Team were: Lauren Merts (Tate), Lily Townson, Danielle Steadham, Rebecca Grim, Tiffani Pritchett, and Lana Clayton (Northview), Cara McDaniel and Mallory Herrmann (Catholic), Jennifer Werner (Washington); Maddy Lopez, Rachel George, Casey Melvin, and Amanda Davis (West Florida High), Allison Palmer, Megan Kirst, and Brittany Delone (Pine Forest), Yenny Wu Ho (Pensacola High) and Tyaina Colston (Escambia).
Members of the East Team were: Sydney Lowery (Jay), Lauren Gordon (Laurel Hill); Caroline Lathi (Fort Walton Beach High), Clair Gunter (Rocky Bayou Christian School); Jasmine Middelton and Brittany Pase (Crestview); Kiera Foster (Navarre); Hana Wadsworth and Alex Roy (Baker), Keren Haygood (Milton), Emili Jordan, Brooklynn Roberts and Claire Pierson (Pace); Shannon McDonald (Choctaw); Sage Dunne and Alex Karcher (Gulf Breeze); Arielle Harris and Adrienne Harris (Central); Bailey Noon (Niceville).
Pictured top: Members of the West All-Start Team included (L-R) Lauren Merts from Tate High; Lily Townson, Rebecca Grim, Lana Clayton, Tiffani Pritchett and Danielle Steadham from Northview High. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Deputies Tase Domestic Violence Suspect
November 19, 2013
An Escambia County deputy was forced to tase a Century man in order to subdue him following an alleged domestic violence incident Saturday night.
Emanuel Rabun Bethea, 27, was charged with domestic violence related battery, kidnapping-false imprisonment and resisting an officer with violence following the incident on Jack Smith Road, off Highway 168 outside Century.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy was first to arrive in his marked patrol vehicle after a disturbance call in the 7500 block of Jack Smith Road. He watched as someone attempted to flee as he approached, spinning tires in a circular driveway, accelerating and running over a tree stump. Bethea exited the vehicle and ran, fell in the gravel driveway, got up and ran again despite multiple verbal commands from the deputy to stop. When Bethea fell again, he was tackled by the deputy.
According to an arrest report, Bethea refused to place his hands behind his back as ordered, instead he tried to reach his pocket multiple times. The deputy, not knowing what Bethea was trying to retrieve from his pocket, ordered him to stop or be tased. He refused to comply and was tased once before the deputy managed to handcuff one hand. Bethea continued to resist and another deputy arrived on scene and assisted in handcuffing him, according to the report.
During the struggle, Bethea reported told the deputy “just shoot me” multiple times. After Bethea was taken into custody, a folding pocket knife was located next to his leg. Bethea continued to fight deputies as he was placed in a patrol vehicle, the report states.
The female victim told deputies that she and Bethea live together at the Jack Smith Road address and that they have a child together. She said Bethea refused to allow her to leave the residence, grabbed her and took her cell phone while he prevented her from using the couple’s only vehicle.
Bethea was transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital before being booked into the Escambia County Jail. The arresting deputy noted that Bethea was cooperative, polite and apologetic at the hospital. He remained in the Escambia County Jail early Tuesday morning with bond set at $7,500.
Despite Protest, Century Moves Ahead With Barnyard Animal Ban
November 19, 2013
Despite a small public protest, the Century Town Council took the first step toward a new barnyard animal control ordinance Monday night.
Residents against regulating animals such as horses, goats and donkeys protested alongside North Century Boulevard and sat in the council chamber with signs…”Barnyard Ban is a Joke.” “You want to change Century change the drugs…the speeders. Leave our animals alone.”
Under the ordinance, it will be illegal to keep a horse, mule, donkey, goat, sheep, or cow within the town limits except in areas that are zoned agricultural or rural residential. Hogs are already prohibited in all areas of the town.
“We already have laws that work. We just need to enforce them,” Century resident Maggie Waters said. “For us that do maintain our property….we are responsible and our neighbors don’t complain,” Century resident Maggie Waters said, standing with her young son Aiden, who also addressed the council. “If my little boy’s miniature horse were to pass away and we could not replace it, how would I explain that to him?”
The ordinance set minimum lot sizes in the agricultural and rural residential areas in order to keep livestock. A minimum lot size of one acre per horse or donkey will be required, and a minimum lot size of one-half acre per goat will also be required.
Structures for livestock, such as barns, feed lots and stables, shall not be located within 200 feet of a dwelling belonging to another individual or within 200 feet of property that is zoned residential. In addition, all barnyard animals and livestock must be kept at least 200 feet from any property line.
“If you’ve got one acre, there’s no way you can have a horse. Is that your purpose? The law is making it if you have the requisite acre, there’s no way you can keep an animal on it,” resident Tom Warta said. He said that in a few months, his steer will be headed to his freezer. And he because it would be illegal to replace it, the Century Town Council would essentially keep some residents from feeding themselves.
Before the ordinance becomes law, it must have a formal second reading and public hearing at a 7 p.m., December 2 council meeting.. At that time, the council will consider an amended ordinance that will allow animals currently in the town limits to be grandfathered in. The grandfather exemption would apply to the life of an animal; once the animal dies or is sold, the grandfather provision would no longer apply.
“If they died, or you ate them, or you sold them, you can’t replace them,” Council President Ann Brooks said of animals grandfathered until the proposed ordinance.
“I know some of the people in here, and I don’t think you have enough land to have the animals you have now,” council member Jacke Johnston said. “I do not think when I drive through the Town of Century I should see animals everywhere.”
Pictured top: A small group of protestors hold signs against a proposed barnyard animal ordinance during a Century Town Council meeting Monday night. Pictured inset: Maggie Waters and her young son Aiden address the Century Town Council in opposition to the ordinance. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Deputies Seek Man For Questioning In Homicide
November 19, 2013
Investigators from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office are looking for Jalen Lawrence Foster for questioning only in reference to an ongoing homicide investigation.
The Sheriff’s Office has not said which homicide Foster may have information about. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call (850) 436-9620 or (850) 436-9643.
Escambia Man Gets Life In Prison For Attempting To Kill Deputy
November 19, 2013
An Escambia County man was sentenced Monday to life in prison for the attempted murder of an Escambia County deputy.
Ryan Lewis Toler was sentenced to life in prison for aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and a concurrent 15 years for aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. He was previously convicted on November 1 by an Escambia County jury.
The incident took place on May 20, 2013, inside the Oakwood Terrace Apartment complex at approximately 9:00 a.m. Escambia County Deputy Michael Runge was in the process of contacting Toler on the property when the defendant fled on foot. Deputy Runge gave chase and during the chase Toler withdrew a pistol and pointed it at Runge and pulled the
trigger. The firearm did not discharge due to a faulty magazine.
Toler was apprehended shortly thereafter and the firearm was recovered on Market Street.
Register Now For Third Annual NWE Flag Football Tournament
November 19, 2013
Now is the time to register for the 3rd Annual NWE Flag Football Tournament.
The tournament is scheduled for February 1, 2014, (Super Bowl Saturday) at Ernest Ward Middle School. Registrations are being accepted now. Call (850) 449-3185 to register a team.
There are no age limits. The registration fee is $150 per team. All proceeds will benefit the Northwest Escambia 2014 Youth football season.
Alger-Sullivan Society Honors Old 100 Train Restoration Volunteers
November 19, 2013
The Alger-Sullivan Historical Society recently held a fish supper honoring the volunteers who worked tirelessly to restore their Old 100 engine.
The steam locomotive, a Baldwin 2-6-2, was built in 1919 and purchased by the Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company in 1923, was a fixture in the town of Century from the mid-1930s until 1954 when it was retired.
There were several Alger-Sullivan members and non-members alike who gave of their time, resources and skills to accomplish what has turned into an apt memorial to the memory of the glory days of the mill, the town and its residents.
Pictured top: The crew responsible for the restoration of the Alger-Sullivan Historical Society’s Old 100 train (L-R) Jewel Warren, Margaret Collier, Jerry Fischer, Harold Warren, Bobby Warren and Jed Warren. Not pictured: T.C. Jordan. Courtesy photo. Pictured below: The Old 100 sits at the Alger-Sullivan Historical Park on Jefferson Avenue in Century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Police Searching For Theft Suspects, Vehicle
November 19, 2013
The Flomaton Police Department is looking for two theft suspects believed to be from the local area.
The victim reported that her billfold was stolen from her vehicle at a local gas station on November 6. Flomaton Police were able to locate surveillance video of the alleged suspects , and they are asking for the public’s help in locating the two suspects.
The suspects were driving what was believed to be a newer model Dodge Charger that was yellow or light orange in color with chrome wheels, sunroof and a prominent black stripe on the sides. Flomaton Police believe the suspects are from Escambia County in Alabama or Florida.
Additional unreleased surveillance video reportedly shows the suspects using the victim’s information to make purchases at other stores in the area the night of the theft.
Anyone with information on the identity of the suspects is asked to call the Flomaton Police Department at (251) 296-5811. Callers can remain anonymous.
