Police: Century Man Facing Charges After Running From Arranged Drug Deal In Flomaton
August 7, 2024
A Century man is facing drug charges after meeting an undercover cop in Flomaton buy drugs, according to the Atmore Police Department.
Brandon Jackson, 38, was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and attempting to elude an officer.
Atmore Police Department Sgt. Darrell McMann said an undercover agent contacted Jackson to arrange to purchase narcotics, and they agreed to meet in Flomaton.
McMann said Jackson fled when police exited their vehicle in uniform. He was taken into custody and was in possession of over five grams of methamphetamine and a digital scale, APD said.
Jackson was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton without bond.
Waterfront Rescue Mission Opening Shelter Program For Homeless Women
August 7, 2024
The Waterfront Rescue Mission in Pensacola is opening “Hope for Her,” a shelter program dedicated to supporting homeless women in Escambia County.
The facility will provide overnight shelter for up to 49 single women each night, including access to restrooms, showers, clean clothing, laundry services, warm beds, meals, and support from chaplains and other Mission personnel.
“Hope for Her,” is a dedicated program to support homeless women in Escambia County.
“The need for dedicated services for homeless women in Escambia County has never been more urgent,” said Clay Romano, President of Waterfront Rescue Mission. “With ‘Hope for Her,’ we aim to provide the shelter, care, and resources these women desperately need. Most importantly, the women who stay at Waterfront will be safe and secure from the dangers of sleeping on the streets.”
In recent years, the issue of homelessness among women in Escambia County has grown significantly. According to the Florida Council on Homelessness Annual Report, the number of homeless individuals in Escambia County surged by 61% from 2022 to 2023. Women, who make up an average of 29% of the homeless population nationally, are particularly vulnerable due to factors such as economic instability, domestic violence, and the lack of affordable housing.
“This marks a monumental step forward for our community. The opening of the overnight women’s shelter by the Waterfront Rescue Mission is a testament to their unwavering commitment to compassion and service. This shelter is desperately needed, offering safety and support to those who have faced unimaginable challenges. The community is grateful to the Waterfront Rescue Mission for their dedication to making our community a place where
everyone can find hope and refuge,” added. Florida District 1 Rep. Michelle Salzman.
Friday Night: Meet The Chiefs; Tate Crimson And Gray Football & Fish Fry
August 7, 2024
High school football is returning, with special events this Friday night at both Northview at Tate high schools.
Tate High School
It’s good food, good friends and good football with the Tate Aggies Crimson and Gray game and fish fry is this Friday at 6:30 p.m.
It’s $15 for a fish plate with all the fixing and admission; $10 for a fish plate only, $7 for admission with no fish plate, or $3 for a student entrance only ticket.
Tickets can be purchased through EventBrite for this event only by clicking here. Regular season game tickets will once again be sold on GoFan.
Northview High School
The annual Northview High School will be at 6 p.m. Friday in Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium. It’s free admission to meet the Northview Chiefs football players, coaches, cheerleaders, and band. Local youth football players and cheerleaders will also be introduced.
Admission is free.
Wahoos Beat M-Braves 7-3
August 7, 2024
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos picked up right where they left off on Tuesday night, following last week’s offensive outburst in Chattanooga with a 7-3 win over the Mississippi Braves in the opener of a six-game series.
Braves knuckleballer David Fletcher (L, 1-4) wasn’t fooling anyone in his fourth start against the Blue Wahoos in the span of two months. The converted position player surrendered 14 hits and six runs over 5.0 innings while striking out only one batter.
14 of Pensacola’s 16 hits on the night were singles. One notable exception was Jacob Berry’s two-run homer in the second inning, giving the Blue Wahoos a quick 3-0 lead.
Additional RBI singles from Graham Pauley, Cody Morissette and Joe Mack helped provide cushion for Patrick Monteverde (W, 2-2), who allowed three runs, two earned, over 5.1 innings while striking out eight batters.
Mississippi’s only damage came in the second, as an infield error opened the door for an RBI double from Keshawn Ogans and two-run single from Bryson Horne. Monteverde ran into more trouble in the sixth, but Adam Laskey stranded two runners and contributed 2.2 scoreless innings of relief before Matt Pushard shut the door in the ninth.
The Blue Wahoos kept pace behind the first-place Biloxi Shuckers, who won 6-3 in Montgomery to maintain a 3.0-game lead in the South Division with 35 games remaining in the regular season.
The series in Mississippi continues on Wednesday. First pitch from Trustmark Park is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. CT
Updated: Report Details Child Neglect, Cruelty Charges Against Fired Deputy
August 6, 2024
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report details the allegations against an ECSO deputy that was fired after he and his wife were arrested on child neglect charges.
Christopher George Turney, 40, and Leandra Childers Turney, 39, were each charged with two counts of felony child neglect without great bodily harm and two counts of misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a minor by failing to require school attendance, Christopher Turney was also charged with one felony count of cruelty toward a child.
The alleged abuse occurred between May 2022 and August 1, 2024.
Christopher Turney was released from jail on a $17,000 bond, and Leandra Turney was released on a $14,000 bond. Both mugshots were exempt from release by Florida law (F.S.S. 119.071).
The following allegations were made, according to an ECSO arrest report obtained Tuesday by NorthEscambia.com:
The investigation began after the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to Beulah Baptist Church were one of the children had threatened self-harm due to physical and mental abuse at the hands of the Turneys.
The child told deputies that Christopher Turney is historically physically abusive to him and has punched him in the face, causing bruising. He stated that he was fearful of telling his story because he thought “no one would believe me because (he) is a cop.” The child stated that he started walking to Beulah Baptist Church and finally told a preacher of the abuse of was afraid to return home.
The child stated that he had not had formal education since his adoption in 2017 and made money by mowing about 20 lawns a month and earns $20-$0 each. He stated that all of the money earned is immediately taken by Christopher Turney who uses it to purchase groceries.
Both children were forensically interviewed at the Gulf Coast Kid’s House.
The female child stated that she moved to Florida from Alabama in 2019, and that they are homeschooled, working on school assignments about one or two hours per day. She said she reads books, tells what it was about and receives a passing grade. She stated that she was unaware what grade level she was in. The child stated that Leandra Turney was responsible for school assignments and oversight, but she is often out of town on business and not able to provide the supervision.
The female child stated she does not have a primary care physician and has only seen a doctor when sick. She denied ever witnessing abuse in the home.
The deputy not that the decay on her front teeth was obvious, with photographs depicting four front teeth that are black from decay and a large pit on one tooth.
She said “she doesn’t brush her teen because she does not have toothbrush. (She) said (redacted) Christopher was ’saving up money’ to get a new toothbrush and fix her teeth,” a deputy wrote in the report.
The male child told deputies that he would rather be “homeless” than return home, and that he suffers abuse weekly. He said Christopher Turney “choked him out” as recently as July 27, 2024, and he was unable to breathe. He said he took photos of the bruising and skin irritation and provided four photographs of what appeared to be discoloration and bruising of his face and chest.
He stated that he enjoys reading but does not do so as an educational assignment.
During an interview with an ECOS investigator, Christopher Turney, accompanied by a defense attorney, stated that he was ultimately responsible for the children’s care and hygiene. He stated that the female had an upcoming dental appointment in Alabama this September, and that a relative is a dental provider and has provided the family with dental care in the past. The family member told the ECSO that he works as a dental hygienist but has not provided or assisted with any dental care since 2018, which was before one child was born in 2019. She stated she has provided the family with toothbrushes, toothpaste, and basic supplies for daily care.
Christopher Turney stated that Leandra Turney is often out of town, and while she is the primary contact for the children’s homeschooling, he often assists the children with their work assignments.
Christopher Turney admitted that he “spanked” a child about seven years ago with no physical discipline of any kind since then, instead opting to “talk things out” with the child. He denied causing any marks or bruising, claiming his worst form of reaction is to yell.
The report states that the Turney’s have not provided documentation or proof of compliance with state statutes of homeschooling children.
The male child often breaks things at home, Christopher Turney said, and the lawn care money is used to replace the items.
Resurfacing Project Nearing Completion On Highway 196
August 6, 2024
A resurfacing project on a portion of Highway 196 near Molino is nearing completion.
The roadway is being resurfaced over about two miles from Highway 29 to Country Road 95A.
According to Escambia County, crews are expected to finish the paving operation as early as Tuesday, weather permitting.
There will be incidental work performed in the days to follow, such as shoulder work to seed and sod, concrete driveways to finish and final striping after pavement cure time.
Pictured: Highway 196 between Highway 29 and Highway 95A as seen on Saturday, August 3. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Updated: Escambia School Orientations Begin Wednesday
August 6, 2024
Updated: The Escambia County School District provided erroneous information to us on school orientation dates and times for several middle schools. We have updated times and dates as below for middle schools, according to school websites or social media. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the district’s misinformation.
Orientations for public schools in Escambia County begin on Wednesday.
The first day of school in Escambia County is Monday, August 12.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Escambia County elementary schools will hold orientations on Wednesday, August 7 at 9 .m. At most schools, students will be able to meet their teachers, drop off supplies and see their classrooms.
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
Sixth grade and new student orientations:
Ransom Middle — Wednesday, August 7 — 10 a.m. – noon
Ernest Ward — Thursday, August 8 — 9:30 – 11 a.m.
Beulah — Thursday, August 8 — 10 a.m. – noon
Bailey — Wednesday, August 7 — 1-2:30 p.m
Bellview — Thursday, August 8 — 1-2:30 p.m.
Brown-Barge — Friday, August 9 — 10 a.m. – noon
Ferry Pass — Wednesday, August 7 — 1-2:30 p.m.
Workman — Wednesday, August 7 — 10-11:30 a.m.
HIGH SCHOOLS
Ninth grade and new student orientations:
Northview — Thursday, August 8 — 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Tate — Thursday, August 8 — 1 – 3 p.m.
West Florida — Saturday, August 10 — 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Pine Forest — Saturday, August 10 — 9 a.m. – noon
Pensacola — Tuesday, August 6 — 9 a.m.
Washington — Monday, August 5 — 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Escambia — (Was held Thursday, August 1)
Orientation dates and times provided by the Escambia County School District.
Amateur Radio Operators In Escambia County Provide Assistance During Hurricane Debby
August 6, 2024
As Hurricane Debby impacted the Big Bend area of Florida Monday, the Five Flags Amateur Radio Association stood by ready to offer emergency communication services from the Escambia County Public Safety facility on W Street.
The group maintained constant with other emergency ham operators in Tallahassee and Jacksonville. Ham operators have the distinct ability to establish emergency communications without outside assistance.
Escambia County said their role is crucial during an emergency response due to their abilities to maintain constant communication when other services are lost.
The team planned to remain on-air until assistance was no longer needed.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NWE Football Needs More Players Ages 5 Or 6; Registration Is Free
August 6, 2024
NWE Football in Walnut Hill needs a few more football players ages 5 or 6.
NWE is offering free registration for the five who want to play.
For more information, contact NWE Football on Facebook.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Shed Fire Was Caused By Lightning, ECFR Says
August 6, 2024
A lightning strike has been determined to be the cause of a shed fire north of East Kingsfield Road Saturday night.
The Cantonment and Ensley stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue were dispatched to the fire in the 1400 block of Templemore Drive about 7 p.m.
They arrived to find the shed engulfed in flames in the backyard of a home. The fire was brought under control in minutes, and firefighters were able to prevent the fire from spreading to another structure.
ECFR conducted the investigation and determined the fire was caused by a lightning strike.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
