Body Of Kidnapped Man Found
December 27, 2012
The body of a man kidnapped from his residence early Monday morning has been found. The man has been identified as Torrance L. Hackworth, 32, of the 1300 block of North J Street, Pensacola.
Pensacola Police Department Captain David Alexander said police responded to a wooded lot in the 1600 block of North S Street around 5:45 Wednesday night after receiving an anonymous tip that the body was there. Alexander said an autopsy will be done to determine cause of death.
Meanwhile, detectives continue pursuing leads on a suspect(s) involved in Hackworth’s abduction, which occurred around 2:45 a.m. Monday at his apartment. Although a motive for the home invasion/kidnapping remains under investigation, it is believed to have been drug related, Alexander said.
A 36-year-old woman told police she was sleeping in bed when four to five unknown males entered her apartment. The woman, who was awakened by people yelling, said all of the
men were wearing dark clothes and were holding guns. One of the men was pointing a gun in her face when she awoke.
The woman and four of her children – ranging in age from four to 10 – were ordered into the living room at gunpoint. She said she saw Hackworth – her boyfriend – tied up, lying on the
living room floor and bleeding. The woman told police the men ransacked the apartment, took some items – including her car keys – and then carried Hackworth, who had duct tape over his mouth, out to her car where they put him into the trunk and drove off with the car.
The vehicle was later found submerged at Sanders Beach in the 900 block of South I Street, but Hackworth was not found in the trunk.
Alexander said the Gun Crime Response Team has been activated and is assisting with the investigation. Anyone having information on the incident is asked to contact the Pensacola Police Department at (850) 435-1900.
Man Wanted For Stealing iPads, Mac Notebooks From School
December 27, 2012
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a man that they say stole thousands of dollars worth of computers and iPads from an Escambia County school.
A warrant has been issued for the arrest for 37-year old Zethaniah Alexander Faulk for the burglary of Brentwood Elementary School sometime on December 19 or 20. Investigators said he took over $22,000 worth of iPads and Apple Mac notebooks during the burglary.
He allegedly gained access to the building by smashing a window. Once inside, deputies said Faulk ransacked multiple classrooms, taking the iPads and Mac notebooks.
Investigators say that physical evidence left at the scene helped identify Faulk as the suspect. Faulk is wanted for burglary, grand theft, trespassing on school grounds and criminal mischief.
Anyone with information on Faulk’s whereabouts is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
2012 In Photos: January, February
December 27, 2012
All this week, we are looking back at the photos that were in the news in 2012. Today, we are featuring photos from January and February.
Republican Mitt Romney brought his presidential campaign to Escambia County in January.
An early morning fire destroyed this home on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill. There were no injuries.
Dozens of Century area residents attended a Martin Luther King, Jr. program.
Miss Northview was named: First Runner-up Anna Fischer, Miss NHS 2012 Charleigh McPherson, Second Runner-up Lauren McCall.
The Republican Presidential Primary was held on January 31.
Boy Scout Pack 430 held an old fashioned pinewood derby at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino.
Newly refurbished firetrucks were placed in service at several North Escambia stations, saving the county $1.5 million over buying new.
Fire destroyed hay worth thousands of dollars near Walnut Hill.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Florida State Attorney’s Office announced an investigation into the Flomaton (Ala.) Police Department.
Alabama won the BCS National Championship in New Orleans.
Work was progressing in January on new tax collector and property appraiser offices and the renovation of the old Molino school.
Navy Federal offered $3.6 million for the Langley Bell-H Center property in Beulah.
Black History Month was celebrated at Northview High School.
The Escambia County School Board approved the construction of a new $16.5 million Ernest Ward Middle School.
Kellie Gindl (center) of Barrineau Park plays a cowbell on stage with The Springs’ lead singer Stewart Halcomb (left) and guitarist Steven Pettry Saturday night during the Northview FFA Alumni Blue Jacket Jamboree in Bratt.
The Health and Hope Clinic opened in Century, offering health care to the needy.
Lloyd Barrow Field was dedicated in Century in February in honor of longtime Little League coach Lloyd Barrow.
Valentine’s Dance at Ernest Ward Middle School.
Three people were arrested after the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant in Century.
A bright, moonlit sky over North Escambia in February.
Northview High School’s NJROTC Annual Inspection was held in February.
A suspected “one pot” meth lab bursts into flames as it is being neutralized by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Rapid Response team after a traffic stop in Century.
Farm and agricultural producers rallied in an attempt to keep the Molino FSA office open.
Inmate Re-Entry Bill Re-Emerges
December 27, 2012
Many nonviolent felons would be funneled into substance-abuse programs and work re-entry training instead of serving out their sentences behind bars, under a proposal filed Wednesday by Rep. Daphne Campbell, D-Miami.
The bill, HB 69, calls on the Department of Corrections to establish such a diversion program and sets parameters on who could qualify to participate. Lawmakers in recent sessions have been looking for ways to reduce the state’s prison population as part of an effort to save money.
In recent sessions, the legislation has been sponsored by former Sens. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale, and Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland. In the House, former Rep. Ari Porth, D-Coral Springs, joined Campbell in co-sponsoring the proposal in the past.
New House Judiciary Chairman Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, has made it clear he is looking for reforms in the state’s correctional system, a push that has the growing support of business and fiscal-conservative groups seeking to cut costs.
By The News Service of Florida
Police Investigate Christmas Double Shooting; Monday Kidnapping
December 26, 2012
Pensacola Police are continuing their investigation into two shootings that occurred Christmas night on North J Street. Meanwhile, detectives believe the incident may be related to one that occurred Monday in the same area when a man was kidnapped during a home invasion, said Capt. David Alexander.
Tuesday night, an 18-year-old male was shot in the hand and foot after three to four males entered his residence around 9:55 p.m. in the 1300 block of North J Street. During the home invasion, a 22-year-old male who entered the residence also was shot in the stomach during a disturbance. Both males were taken to a local hospital for treatment.
A motive for Tuesday night’s shootings is not yet known.
The investigation also is continuing into a reported home invasion/kidnapping that occurred around 2:45 a.m. Monday in the 1300 block of North J Street.
A 36-year-old woman told police she was sleeping in bed when four to five unknown males entered her apartment. The woman, who was awakened by people yelling, said all of the
men were wearing dark clothes and were holding guns. One of the men was pointing a gun in her face when she awoke.
The woman and four of her children – ranging in age from four to 10 – were ordered into the living room at gunpoint. She said she saw her 32-year-old boyfriend – Torrance Hackworth - was tied up, lying on the living room floor and bleeding.
The woman told police the men ransacked the apartment, took some items – including her car keys – and then carried Hackworth, who had duct tape over his mouth, out to her car
where they put him into the trunk and drove off with the car.
The vehicle was later found submerged at Sanders Beach in the 900 block of South I Street, but Hackworth was not found in the trunk. Although a motive for the home invasion/kidnapping remains under investigation, it is believed to have been drug related.
The Gun Crime Task Force has been activated and is assisting with the investigation, Alexander said.
Anyone having information on either incident is asked to contact the Pensacola Police Department at (850) 435-1900.
Hit And Run Driver Strikes Cantonment Store
December 26, 2012
A hit and run driver struck a Cantonment convenience store Christmas night.
About 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, someone reportedly drove a vehicle into the CMP Convenience Store at Highway 29 and Muscogee Road. The vehicle then fled the scene. There were no injuries reported.
The incident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Arrested With Drugs In Church Parking Lot
December 26, 2012
A traffic stop at a church landed a 28-year old Cantonment man behind bars on drug charges.
Brian David Pryor was charged with marijuana possession and cocaine possession with intent to sell within 1,000 feet of a physical place of worship.
An Escambia County deputy reported observing Pryor driving without a seat belt at the intersection of Highway 29 and Diamond Dairy Road. The deputy initiated a traffic stop, with Pryor coming to a stop in the parking lot of of the St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church. Before the vehicle came to a complete stop, Pryor allegedly tossed a bag containing crack cocaine into the parking lot. Deputies also reported finding marijuana in the vehicle.
Pryor was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $6,000 bond.
Community Mourns NWE, Ernest Ward Volunteer Charles Williams
December 26, 2012
Charles Williams, a former North Escambia Person of the Year, passed away Christmas day.
Williams was an instrumental and driving force behind sports programs for countless youth at Ernest Ward Middle School and the Northwest Escambia leagues. For funeral arrangements, click here.
Here is an earlier story about Mr. Charles Williams being named a North Escambia Person of the Year:
Charles Williams is one of those behind the scenes people that makes the world go round — at least the world of youth sports in Walnut Hill.
From the Ernest Ward Middle School Sports Boosters to Northwest Escambia Football, Williams is always hard at work to make sure the area’s children have the opportunity to take part in sports.
He is sometimes the man on the public address system at NWE and Ernest Ward Middle School football games, but he is always the man behind the scenes. From mowing the grass to working in the concession stand, he’s the model volunteer.
As president of the EWMS Sports Boosters, Williams is quick to point out that the group works to support every boy’s and girl’s sport at the school, not just the county’s only middle school football team. Williams and his army of volunteers make sure that every player of every sport is appreciated, and that every player is fed an appropriate meal or snack before every game.
“I just don’t know what we would do without Charles,” EWMS Principal Nancy Gindl-Perry said at a school sports banquet before presenting Williams with a small token of the school’s appreciation.
Williams accepted the gift quietly and humbly — that’s just the kind of man he is. And hundreds, if not thousands, of youth would tend to agree — he’s just one of those people that influences society quietly, one child a time.
“He’s a true hero,” Perry said.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Video: Tornado Hits Mobile
December 26, 2012
Severe weather pounded the Gulf Coast Tuesday, with several tornado touchdowns. In Mobile, a large tornado hit parts of the city, leaving behind a path of destruction and tens of thousands without power. But there were no reports of any serious injuries.
Damage was reported at Murphy High School and Mobile Infirmary, where windows were blown out as patients rode out the storm in hallways.
The reader video below shows the tornado as it moves through Mobile.
It’s Easy To Recycle Your Wrapping Paper, Boxes In North Escambia
December 26, 2012
You can “go green” with those piles of Christmas wrapping paper and boxes by recycling them at one of several drop-off locations around North Escambia or in your weekly ECUA pickup.
Christmas wrapping paper, along with other household paper, plastics, steel and aluminum can be placed in your recycling container on your normal ECUA pickup day. For complete information on the ECUA recycling program, click here.
The Escambia County Division of Solid Waste Management has drop-off recycling locations in or near each of the larger communities in North Escambia. North of Nine Mile Road, recycling bins are located at:
- Ashton Brosnaham Park, 10370 Ashton Brosnaham Drive
- Billy G. Ward Courthouse, 7500 North Century Blvd., Century
- Escambia County Extension Service, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- John R. Jones Athletic Park, 555 E. Nine Mile Road
- Molino Fire Department, 1459 Molino Road (behind fire station)
- Oak Grove Citizen’s Convenience Center, 745 North Highway 99
- Perdido Landfill, 13009 Beulah Road, Cantonment
- UWF, John Martin Hall, 11000 University
- UWF, ParkwayParking Lot #10, Campus Dr.
Items eligible for recycling at the drop-off locations are aluminum cans, steel cans, glass food and beverage containers, plastic containers (#1-#7), cardboard, junk mail (including Christmas wrapping paper), paper, magazines, and newspapers.
For more information on drop-off recycling in North Escambia, visit EscambiaRecycles.com.