Two Burglary Suspects Arrested After Brief Bratt Manhunt
September 18, 2013
Two burglary suspects were arrested after a brief manhunt in Bratt Wednesday morning.
About 9:45, a resident in the 4700 block of Highway 168 called deputies to report that a shed behind their home was being burglarized. The elderly resident and her caregiver said they heard noise from a chain on the shed and observed an individual pushing a 4-wheeler out of the shed. When the caregiver went outside and yelled, a black and white male ran in opposite directions from the shed.
As deputies responded, they observed an individual fitting the description of on of the suspects. They took 25-year old Michael Vernon Carnley of Century into custody just east of the residence. After a K-9 team from Century Correctional Institution responded to the scene, the second suspect, identified as 46-year old Johnnie Jones, Jr., of Stockton, Ala., walked out of a wooded area west of the residence and surrendered.
Carnley was charged with burglary, attempted theft and trespassing after warning. Jones was charged with trespassing and attempted burglary.
Pictured: Deputies search for a burglary suspect along Highway 168 in Bratt Wednesday morning. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Suspect Arrested After Gun Theft Puts Flomaton Schools On Lockdown
September 18, 2013
Flomaton schools were place on lockdown Wednesday morning after a man reportedly allegedly stole a rifle out of a vehicle at a nearby business location.
Kedarius Dailey, 18, reportedly stole the gun from an unlocked vehicle parked in front of Buckshot’s ATV and Tires. Dailey fled on foot, prompting a massive manhunt involving multiple law enforcement agencies that included the Flomaton Police Department, Atmore Police Department, Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office, Poarch Police Department, Alabama State Troopers, Alabama Probation and Parole, Century Correctional K-9 team and the Escambia County (Fla.) Road Prison K-9 team.
Dailey was taken into custody several blocks from the school on Palafox Street, but the school remained on lockdown for a short time period as a precaution as law enforcement worked to recover to the weapon.
The weapon was eventually recovered on Titi Street, about a block from Flomaton High School, after search by a K-9 unit from the Century Correctional Institution and other agencies, and school lockdown was lifted about 11 a.m.. There were no injuries reported, and there was no indication that the suspect ever entered a school campus.
Dailey was booked into the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton on charges of theft of property first degree, breaking and entering of a vehicle and attempting to elude.
Pictured top: Law enforcement searches for a suspect Wednesday morning in Flomaton. Reader submitted photo by Ashely Griffith. Pictured below: Authorities search for the stolen rifle. Photo by Chris Johnson, WEAR 3, for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Found Shot To Death In Ensley Street
September 18, 2013
A man was found shot to death in an Ensley street Tuesday night.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was called to Lengo Street near Hayworth Avenue about 10:20 p.m. The victim, 31-year old Houston Hale Parker of Pensacola, was found dead in the street.
Investigators spent several hours combing the area and the neighborhood for clues late Tuesday night. The case is being treated as a homicide.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Authorities: Two State Burglary Ring Busted
September 18, 2013
Alabama authorities say they have busted four men responsible for a burglary ring in Alabama plus over dozen vehicle burglaries in Florida.
The four — 18-year old Darrell J. Smith of Brewton, 27-year old Brandon D. Smith of Brewton, 19-year old Jalen J. Harrod of Andalusia and 18-year old Anthony C. Strength of Flomaton — are charged in connection with residential burglaries in the Appleton area of Escambia County, Ala.
The Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office said the four targeted homes where the residents were at work. So far, investigators have recovered 16 firearms, two televisions, laptop computers and other stolen property.
Other evidence seized by investigators led to a joint investigation with Brewton and East Brewton Police Departments and resulted in solving several burglaries in those cities.
A joint investigation with the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office also solved 15 vehicle burglaries in Florida. And other evidence seized by investigators led to a joint investigation with Brewton and East Brewton Police Departments and resulted in solving several burglaries in those cities.
Authorities said more arrests or indictments are anticipated. Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff Grover Smith praised the other law enforcement agencies for their cooperation in the case.
Salvation Army Accepting Applications For Christmas Assistance
September 18, 2013
The Salvation Army is currently accepting applications for Christmas assistance in Escambia County.
The applications will be accepted at the Salvation Army office at 1501 North Q Street in Pensacola. Several items are need to apply, including a photo identification or driver’s license for all persons 18 and older, birth certificates for those under 17, social security cards, proof of income and more. For a complete checklist, click here.
Applications will be accepted September 16-20 and September 23-27 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. There will be a special registration period available for working parents only on Monday, September 23 from 5-7 p.m.
The Christmas toys will be distributed December 18-19 at the Salvation Army office.
Sneak Peek: Color Scheme Inside The New Ernest Ward Middle
September 18, 2013
There’s not even a foundation in place for the new Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill, but we have a sneak peek at the color scheme for the new school. The interior of the school will feature a variety of earth tone colors, the school colors of blue and gold. The building will have a light-colored aluminum roof.
The color scheme has been approved by a school staff committee, and the School Advisory Council signed off on the colors during a meeting Tuesday morning.
Pictured top: The cafeteria design and color scheme for the new Ernest Ward Middle School. Pictured below: The color scheme of a standard classroom. Pictured bottom: the complete color scheme for the new Ernest Ward Middle School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Army Pvt. Seth A. Long Gradutes From Basic Combat Training
September 18, 2013
Army Pvt. Seth A. Long has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.
Long is the son of Amy Forcheaux and stepson of James Clemmons, both of Arthur Brown Road, Walnut Hill.
He is a 2013 graduate of Northview High School.
Free Wi-Fi Now Offered At North Escambia Community Centers
September 18, 2013
Three community centers in the North Escambia area now offering free wireless internet access.
The Wi-Fi access is available for use by those renting the Byrneville, Davisville and Walnut Hill community center for parties, reunions or other events. A password to access the wireless internet is available at the time the rental contract is signed.
“We hope the free Wi-Fi will encourage more use of the community centers, especially for meetings where the internet access is needed,” District 5 Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry said.
The county is using a Verizon hotspot to provide the internet service at 3G or 4G speeds, depending on location. Free high speed Wi-Fi was already available at the Molino Community Center.
Century Approves Olive Baptist Gift Of Windows To Local Charity
September 18, 2013
The donation and installation of windows for Carver Community Center on Jefferson Avenue in Century is moving forward after go ahead from the Century Town Council.
The Ministry Village at Olive Baptist Church was set to install new insulated vinyl windows for the facility to replace wooden single-pane windows that have been in place since the 7,200 square foot building was constructed in 1945.
The building is owned by the non-profit Carver Community Center Association, Inc; the Town of Century has no ownership or interest in the building or the programs conducted there. The non-profit serves hundreds of children each year.
On September 6, the window replacement had received blessings of the Century Architectural Review Board– required because the building is within the Alger-Sullivan Historical District.
The Century Town Council was set to ratify that decision on September 9.. The council first questioned if installing fewer replacement windows than are currently in the building would “look right”. And the council questioned if Carver Director Marilyn Robinson had agreed to accept the window donation.
This past Monday night, September 16, the Century Town Council ratified the Architectural Review Board’s approval for the project after announcing that the Carver Community Center Association board of directors had voted unanimously to accept the gift.
The Ministry Village was originally set to provide and replace 18 windows at the Carver Community Center, but a contractor’s mistake will end up benefiting the center. The contractor for the new Pensacola Bay Baptist Health and Hope Clinic building in Pensacola ordered beige windows, but they arrived white. The Olive Ministry Village will purchase the 23 white windows at the contractor’s cost, saving about $200 per window.
Completely funded by donations, the non-profit Carver Community Center provides a safe place for children to go after school and during the summer as the center provides meals for 150 to 200 children daily. The center also offers tutoring services for children year round. The center was one of 12 causes in need highlighted by the Florida Department of Children and Families during their statewide “Operation Santa Cause” campaign last Christmas, leading to numerous donations of time and services.
This is not the first time the Ministry Village at Olive Baptist Church has reached out to the Carver Community Center. Earlier this year, Ministry Village volunteers joined several other agencies and non-profit groups in painting the interior of the building.
Pictured top: The Ministry Village at Olive Baptist will donate new windows for the aging Carver Community Center on Jefferson Avenue in Century. Pictured inset: Volunteers from several groups painted the interior of the building back in January. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Gas Prices Over $3 For 1,000th Day
September 18, 2013
The national average price of gasoline surpassed $3 per gallon for 1,000 consecutive day on Tuesday according to AAA. The current streak began on December 23, 2010. AAA forecasts the national average will remain above $3 per gallon for at least another thousand days barring a major economic recession.
“Paying less than $3 per gallon for gasoline may be automotive history for most Americans, like using 8-track tapes or going to a drive-in movie,” said Bob Darbelnet, President and CEO of AAA. “The reality is that expensive gas is here to stay, which is tough on millions of people who need a car to live their lives. While a few lucky drivers may occasionally pay less than $3.00 per gallon, the national average is likely to remain more costly into the future.”
Tuesday’s national average price was $3.52, while the average price in Escambia County was $3.34.
Pictured: Gas prices below $3, like at this Davisville station in 2010, are likely a thing of the past. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.