No Serious Injures In Nine Mile, Pine Forest Crash
October 9, 2012
There were no serious injuries in a two vehicle crash just after 10 p.m. Monday near the intersection of Nine Mile Road and Pine Forest Road. Multiple people in a car and Dodge Grand Caravan refused medical treatment following the wreck
The accident was investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Bellview Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded to the accident.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
$2 Million Ensley Sidewalk, Drainage Project Completed
October 9, 2012
Escambia County is marking the completion of a $2 million sidewalk and drainage project on Airway Drive in Ensley.
The mile-long project included sidewalk along both sides of Airway Drive, providing the community with a safe walking route connecting Ensley Elementary School and the John R. Jones Athletic Park.
In addition to the sidewalks, the project also included new drainage structures to help alleviate chronic flooding along Airway Drive.
This project was a collaborative effort between the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners, the Florida Department of Transportation and the Escambia/Santa Rosa Community Traffic Safety Team.
The project was funded with $1.3 million in Local Option Sales Tax funds and a $680,000 grant from the Florida Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School program.
A ribbon cutting ceremony for the project will be held on Wednesday at 10 a.m. in front of Ensley Elementary School, 501 E. Johnson Avenue, in conjunction with Walk Your Child to School Month.
Airway Drive runs south from Nine Mile Road at the John R. Jones Athletic Park to East Johnson Avenue.
Voter Purge Ruling Being Appealed
October 9, 2012
A legal battle about whether Florida can purge possibly ineligible voters from the registration rolls is headed to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta.
Plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit quickly gave notice that they will appeal a U.S. District judge’s ruling that would allow the state to continue its controversial effort to remove non-citizens from the rolls until the November election.
Judge William Zloch rejected arguments that federal law prevents such purges within 90 days of an election. Zloch wrote that Florida Secretary of State Kenneth Detzner “has a compelling interest in ensuring that the voting rights of citizens are not diluted by the casting of votes by non-citizens.”
The plaintiffs, including two individuals, a labor union and other groups, did not provide details in the notice of appeal filed but said they are appealing Zloch’s order.
By The News Service of Florida
NRA Urges Court To Overturn ‘Docs vs Glocks’ Ruling
October 9, 2012
The National Rifle Association is asking the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn a lower court ruling that blocked the state from enforcing a law aimed at restricting doctors from questioning patients about guns.
“The Firearm Owners’ Privacy Act is another reasonable regulation of medical practice,” the NRA said in a brief supporting the state’s appeal of the July ruling. “It exhorts doctors to stick to practicing medicine when examining patients, rather than pushing their own political agendas, and it protects patients from doctors who refuse to do so.”
The case has centered, at least in part, on the free-speech rights of doctors.
In a July ruling, U.S. District Judge Marcia Cooke wrote that the law “aims to restrict a practitioner’s ability to provide truthful, non-misleading information to a patient.” The controversial measure, which the Legislature passed in 2011, has been dubbed the “docs vs. glocks” law.
A coalition of opponents, including the Florida Pediatric Society, filed the lawsuit in Miami and raised First Amendment issues. In the brief, the NRA disputed that the law targets “truthful, non-misleading” speech about firearms safety. “To the contrary, the act targets discrimination against and harassment of individuals who exercise their fundamental right to keep and bear arms, while leaving physicians free to exercise their good faith judgment in discussing firearms safety with patients.”
By The News Service of Florida
Taxi Robber Gets 15 Years
October 9, 2012
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to 15 years in state prison for robbing a taxi driver.
Tyree Desmond Lindsey was sentenced Monday by Judge Terry Terrell to 15 years in state prison for his August conviction of robbery of a taxi driver.
On January 14, 2012, Yellow Cab driver Robert Herbst drove the defendant to the area of Pinestead Road. Before exiting the taxi, Lindsey demanded money from Herbst. A second individual who had been waiting in the area pulled a gun on Herbst. According to prosecutors, Herbst handed a bag of money to Lindsey and then the two robbers fled on foot to a nearby home.
After deputies arrived on the scene, a K-9 tracked the suspects to a nearby home. While searching the home, deputies found Lindsey hiding in a bedroom along with the money and the gun from the robbery.
Lindsey was also sentenced to a 15-year concurrent sentence for three counts of sale of cocaine stemming from Operation Anything for a Buck”.
Escaped Inmate Caught Quickly
October 8, 2012
An Escambia County man’s freedom was short-lived after he escaped from the Escambia County Jail Sunday afternoon.
Patrick Deboard, 33, was an inmate worker inside the jail. Deputies said he was able to get out of the jail’s kitchen area after stealing a set of keys. He then fled the area on foot, shedding his orange jumpsuit and white rubber boots along the way.
After an intense search, deputies caught Deboard near Highway 29 and Brent Lane. He was returned to jail with an escape charge added to his previous charges of burglary, theft, criminal mischief and dealing in stolen property.
Bomb Squad Disposes Of Military Mine Found At Bratt Home
October 8, 2012
The bomb squad was called to dispose of a military anti-personnel mine found Sunday in Bratt.
Gary Gibson said he found what appeared to be a military-style metal ammunition box under some items on the edge of his property on Hall Road, just north of Breastworks Road. Unable to open the box, he took it back to his shed and proceeded to “beat it open” with a hammer. What he found inside surprised him.
“It said ‘Front Toward Enemy’ on it,” he said. “I got out of there and called for help.”
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and a member of the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Bomb Squad responded to the scene, while the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue was put on a precautionary standby.
Bomb Technician Patrick Roush was quickly able to determine that the mine was inert — rendered incapable of exploding. He said it was perhaps a training device.
Roush took custody of the mine for disposal, and Gibson was left with the ammo box and a story to tell.
“I don’t think I’ll ever beat a box like that open with a hammer again,” he said.
The type of mine found Sunday in Bratt was first used in the 1960’s and is still currently in us by the U.S. military. The age and origin of the Bratt mine were not known.
Pictured top: The Florida State Fire Marshal’s Bomb Squad responded to a Bratt home Sunday morning after the resident discovered a mine. Pictured inset: Resident Gary Gibson speaks with Bomb Technician Patrick Roush. Pictured below: Gibson said he found the mine in this box, which he “beat” open with a hammer. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
A Champion For Century: Rev. Willie H. Carter Passes Away
October 8, 2012
A champion for the town of Century and youth across the area, retired educator Rev. Willie H. Carter of Century passed away this weekend.
“Turn off the TV” — anyone that ever knew Rev. Carter knows that piece of advice.
Rev. Carter always preached a good sermon as pastor of Pilgrim Lodge Baptist Church, one of the oldest churches in North Escambia with a 130 year history. He had a passion for his Lord, and a passion for youth, including the dozens of youth in his church. But he always preached more than just the Gospel to young people in Century area.
“After you watch TV for an hour, close your eyes and see what you got out of that,” Rev. Carter said to a group of youth a couple of years ago. He never missed the opportunity to tell young people to turn off the television. “Then read a book, close your eyes and see what you learned.”
“Your life is in your hands,” the reverend said. “You can make it anything you want it to be.”
Rev. Carter spent many years as a counselor at schools in Century, and he never stopped preaching the value of self-worth and education to youngsters.
“I can remember when it was not easy for someone to even make it to the eighth grade,” Rev. Carter told the final class of graduating eighth graders at Carver/Century K-8 School holding his Century diploma from May 22, 1936, in his hand. “Tonight, we have to think of it as a beginning.”
“Nobody’s going to ask you if came out of a little town like Century, but if you can do the job,” he said.
His involvement in the Century community extended beyond church and education. No matter what the cause for the good of Century or to unite Century, the Rev. Carter was there. He was vocal and persistent in efforts to keep the Carver/Century K-8 school open, and served on a Century Blue Ribbon Committee that explored the possibility of a charter school in Century.
He supported youth across the area as well. In 2010, he represented Century as one of the Grand Marshals of the Northview High School Homecoming Parade, and he was part of the 2010 Northview Baccalaureate service.
A World War II veteran, Rev. Carter took part in the ninth and final Emerald Coast Honor Flight to Washington in 2011.
He was previously named a NorthEscambia.com Person of the Year.
Funeral arrangement for Rev. Willie H. Carter are incomplete at this time.
Pictured top: Graduation exercises at Carver/Century K-8 School. Pictured top inset: Rev. Willie Carter with his 1936 Century diploma in hand. Pictured bottom inset: Rev. Carter returns from the final Emerald Coast Honor Flight to Washington in 2011. Pictured below: Rev. Carter prays with Century Mayor Freddie McCall. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Family Honored As Tate Aggie Heroes, Scholarship Announced
October 8, 2012
The Tate Heroes Scholarship in honor of Dillon Roberson was announced Friday night at Tate High School as his family was honored.
Dillon was a 2009 graduate of Tate, where he played football and was more commonly known by the nickname “Robo”. He passed away in May after fighting a year and a half battle with lymphoma.
His parents, Warren and Renee Roberson, and brother, Tanner Roberson, were recognized with the “Aggie Hero Award” during Friday night’s football game. The Tate Heroes Scholarship will be presented to a senior who exemplifies honor, courage and character.
Pictured top: The family of Dillon Roberson (L-R) father Warren Roberston, brother Tanner Roberson and mother Renee Roberson are honored with the Tate Heroes award presented by Escambia County Superintendent Malcolm Thomas (far right). NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Student Art Gallery To Feature Tate High ‘Canstruction’ Exhibit
October 8, 2012
Digital Now will host a Student Art Gallery at 270 N Palafox Street October 19 from 5-9 p.m.
Artwork will be on display from several public schools, including a Canstruction exhibit from Tate High School.
Donations are encouraged and the money raised will be given to one art teacher in a random drawing to purchase art supplies for their classroom.