Tanker Truck Wrecks, Burns On I-65 Near Atmore
June 19, 2012
A tanker truck carrying fuel burst into flames Tuesday in wreck on I-65 south of Atmore, sending a black cloud of smoke that could be seen for miles billowing into the evening sky.
Just before 7 p.m., the truck driver ran off southbound I-65 at about the 51 mile marker — about 3 miles south of the Poarch/Jacks Springs Road Exit.
The truck driver suffered only minor injuries, according to Alabama State Troopers. There were no other injuries in the single vehicle crash.
For about five hours after the crash, southbound interstate traffic was detoured along Highway 31 between Atmore and the Perdido exit. I-65 was reported to be open again by 12:14 a.m.
Further details, including the name of the driver, were not immediately released.
Pictured: A fuel tanker truck burns on I-65 south of Atmore Tuesday evening. Reader submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Man Charged With Drug Possession, Battery On Deputy
June 19, 2012
A Century man is facing multiple charges including drug possession and battery on a police officer after an incident Friday night in Century.
Escambia County deputies reported that they were on patrol near Pond Street and Jefferson Avenue when they observed several black males sitting around a table at the edge of the road. When deputies made contact with the men, they noticed a small baggie of marijuana on the ground. They obtained consent from the men for a pat-down search.
As deputies were searching 42-year old John Calvin Carter, they located what was believed to be narcotics in Carter’s sock. He was ordered to turn around and place his hands behind his back, but Carter instead shoved a deputy in the chest, knocking him to the ground. Carter then ran east on Pond Street, according to an arrest report.
Deputies gave chase and observed Carter remove the item from sock and drop it as he ran. When deputies caught up with Carter, he “reached into his pocket with his left hand as though he was attempting to remove something else that I believed to be a weapon”, the deputy wrote in the arrest report. Another deputy gave Carter numerous orders to remove his hands from his pocket before firing his taser at Carter.
After Carter hit the ground, deputies attempted to take him into custody but he continued to try to get to his pocket, the report states. Deputies tased him a second time and took him into custody.
The item Carter allegedly dropped was determined to be crack cocaine, according to the arrest report.
Carter was booked into the Escambia County Jail on charges of possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest with violence. He was later released from jail on a $7,500 bond.
Century Approves $871 Installation Of Device To ‘Recycle’ Electricity
June 19, 2012
The Town of Century is moving forward with the installation of an energy savings box that a salesperson promised would save the town money on electric bills by “recycling and reusing” electricity.
Two weeks ago, the town voted to purchase the device, and Monday night the town council approved spending $871 for Paul Patrick Electric of Milton to install the “Peak Energy Saver”.
Don Statam of Peak Energy Technology told the council that the Peak Energy Saver would save the town about $300 per month if installed at a water tower that serves the Century Correctional Institution.
The “power factor correction unit” works by storing electricity in capacitors until it is needed for the excess starting load created by electric motors.
The town will pay $750 up front for the device for a 90 day trial period. If the town is satisfied that the Peak Energy Saver actually saves money, the town will pay an additional $750 to complete the $1,500 purchase price. In the event the town is not happy within the 90 day period, Statam said the company will provide a full refund, minus installation costs.
“That electricity just goes back out the wire,” Statam said two weeks ago as he demonstrated a Peak Energy Saver for the Century Town Council. “They (the power company) just sells it to you over and over again….Gulf Power themselves capture it to use again.”
Picture top: Don Statam of Peak Energy Technology demonstrates a “Peak Energy Saver 200″ for the Century Town Council on June 4. Pictured inset: A closeup of the device. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Park 5th Grade Awards
June 19, 2012
Award days were recently held at Molino Park Elementary School.
The following awards were presented to fifth grade students at Molino Park:
For Pre-K to first grade awards, click here for a previous story.
For second to fourth grade awards, click here for a previous story.
Sons of the American Revolution for Citizenship
- Braden Garrett
- Deanna Gulsby
- TarynJanes
- Keegun Johnson
- Meredith Morgan
- Austin Smith
Cox Hero Award
- Crystalyn Daly
Student of the Year
- Savannah Hart
Shining Star
- Dalton Brown
Highest AR Points
- Hannah McGahan
Ann Vidak Award for highest GPA
- Jenna Hassebrock
Michael Pierce Award
- Sierra Slay
Most Improved Math
- Deanna Gulsby
Most Improved Overall
- Raven Childers
Perfect Attendance
- Cade Allen
- Joseph Kidd
- Tori Herrington
- Morgan Lathan
- Chase O’Connor
- Ryan Sconiers
- July Solchenberger
- Travis Sutton
- Nicholas Venable
Straight A Honor Roll
- Jenna Hassebrock
- Meredith Morgan
- KyrhaShisk
- Austin Smith
A/B Honor Roll
- Cade Allen
- Kennedy Bellard
- Dalton Brown
- Nikoal Creamer
- Hannah Ellis
- Kendall Enfinger
- Kaylin Glenn
- TarynJanes
- Keegun Johnson
- Morgan Lathan
- Aubree Love
- Hannah McGahan
- Chase O’Connor
- Chelsey Skidmore
- July Solchenberger
- Spencer St. Cyr
- Christian Taylor
- Hayley Walker
Good Citizenship
- Kennedy Bellard
- Marissa Skye Bullington
- Nickoal Creamer
- Crystalyn Daly
- Carson Daniels
- Hannah Ellis
- Faith Evans
- Emma Fennell
- Braden Garrett
- Kaylin Glenn
- Savannah Hart
- Jenna Hassebrock
- Tori Herrington
- TarynJanes
- Shelby Kizer
- Morgan Lathan
- Aubree Love
- ElyssaMcQuaid
- Meredith Morgan
- Chase O’Connor
- Kayla Phillips
- Claire Roberson
- Brandon Santos
- KyrhaShisk
- Chelsey Skidmore
- Austin Smith
- Courtney Smith
- Julie Stanton
- Spencer St. Cyr
- Christian Taylor
- Hayley Walker
Cantonment, Molino Fall In 6U World Series
June 19, 2012
The Cantonment 6U All Stars fell Monday night 21-4 to PARA (Pace) at the Tee Ball World Series at Gospel Projects in Milton. With a 3-2 record in tournament play, the Cantonment 6U All Stars came away third overall in the tournament.
Also Monday night, Crestview defeated the Molino 6U All Stars 39-28 in the consolation bracket.
Pictured above and below: The Cantonment 6U All Stars Monday night in Milton. The team is coached by (L-R, top) Travis Peacock, Luke Hassell, Harry Green Jr., and head coach Robert Bodiford. Photos by Katie Mayo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Suspect Named In Shooting Of Two On Davis Highway
June 19, 2012
Two people are hospitalized in serious condition after being shot while sitting in a vehicle on Davis Highway Monday afternoon.
The incident happened about 4 p.m. in the 220 block of North Davis Highway, according to Pensacola Police Department Capt. David Alexander. After a male and female were shot, the injured female drove the pair to a local hospital for treatment.
Vernon Stewart Polk has been named by Pensacola Police as a suspect in the shootings. He is 6-foot, 2-inches tall, about 155 pounds and has black hair and brown eyes. He is wanted for attempted murder, aggravated battery and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Police said he should be considered armed and dangerous.
Anyone that knows where to find Polk is asked to call the Pensacola Police Department at (850) 435-1900.
Man Shot Monday Evening In Escambia County
June 19, 2012
A man was shot just after 6:30 Monday night at the Oakwood Terrace Apartments on Truman Avenue.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said the 37-year old man was shot while he was on the apartment complex’s basketball court. He was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. Further details surrounding the shooting have not been released.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP (7867) or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Residents Invited To Brickyard Road Improvement Public Meeting
June 19, 2012
The Florida Department of Transportation will hold a public information meeting Thursday regarding proposed improvements to Brickyard Road over an unnamed branch.
The project involves replacing an existing bridge on Brickyard Road, repaving the approaches, new guardrail, minor drainage improvements, sodding and placement of new pavement markings. The project is approximately 700 feet in length with construction scheduled to begin in the summer of 2014. During construction, the roadway will be closed and traffic diverted. Additional right-of-way will be required for the bridge and roadway improvements.
The public meeting will be held Thursday from 5:30 until 6:30 p.m. at Highland Baptist Church at 6240 Highway 95A in Molino.
Representatives from FDOT will be available to explain the proposed improvements and answer questions.
Pictured: This graphic, provided by the project engineering firm, shows the location of a planned project on Brickyard Road, click to enlarge.
Wanted Suspect Arrested After Lengthy Standoff With Santa Rosa SWAT
June 19, 2012
A wanted suspect was arrested after a lengthy standoff with the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team.
About 9:30 Sunday night, deputies responded to Stanley Circle in reference to a welfare check. They found that 35-year old Benjamin Shehane was inside the residence, yelling and breaking glass. Shehane had outstanding warrants for his arrest for simple assault, burglary with assault or battery and for cutting off his court ordered ankle monitor.
“Shehane replied to deputies that he was armed, and ‘if you want me, come in and get me’,” according to Sgt. Scott Haines, spokesperson for the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. “Shehane was ordered out of the trailer by deputies, and he responded, ‘You will have to kill me’.”
About 25 deputies and the SWAT team surrounded the trailer as Shehane barricaded himself inside.
After negotiations failed, “large amounts” of teargas were deployed inside the residence beginning at about 12:22 a.m. Monday . Shehane eventually surrendered about 2 a.m. Monday. He was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail without bond.
Juvenile Justice: A Move Away From Detention For Some
June 19, 2012
Florida law enforcement and criminal justice officials say the use of civil citations for troubled youth, rather than a lock-up, is slashing costs, and giving kids a better chance of a turn-around, and they want the practice to become more widespread.
But civil citations also represent a new way of doing business that threatens contracts for more traditional providers – mainly those who run detention facilities.
A civil citation is offered in lieu of an arrest only kids who commit misdemeanors. They get one chance to avoid a criminal record that can affect their future educational, professional or military lives – what amounts to a lifelong punishment for an offense such as trespassing or fighting at school.
“We don’t want [youth] to go deeper into the criminal justice system, because it’s detrimental to them and it’s very expensive,” said Steve Casey, executive director of the Florida Sheriffs Association.
Roughly 40 programs statewide offer civil citations, which seek to target the roots of their delinquency through family counseling and substance abuse and mental health treatment.
Miami-Dade public defender Carlos Martinez, who has worked with civil citations for seven years, calls them “one of the most important innovations we’ve had in juvenile justice in the last decade” in his jurisdiction.
“It’s a critical issue in Florida,” he said, where – unlike most other states – if young people are arrested, they get fingerprinted – and their prints are forever on file at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
“Children as young as five or six have been arrested, said Martinez, “and that information follows them for life, even if the case is dismissed in Florida, even if this person doesn’t have any future problems.”
What’s more, said David Utter, policy director at the Southern Poverty Law Center, often juveniles are arrested and then the charges evaporate, leaving them with criminal records. In 2010, he said, 11,300 young Floridians were arrested at school only to have their cases dismissed or diverted.
In Florida, criminal records are public records, so a youthful arrest – even if ultimately dismissed – can affect getting an apartment, not to mention a job.
“Future employers will look at it,” agreed Nancy Daniels, public defender for the Second Judicial Circuit and president of the Florida Public Defender Association.
According to a 2011 study by the Florida TaxWatch Center for Smart Justice, civil citation programs save taxpayers between $44 million and $139 million annually and reduce the number of youth in the juvenile justice system by 40 percent – 30,153 youngsters between 8 and 17. The study also showed reduced recidivism and the redirection of time and money to more pressing public safety concerns.
The state Department of Juvenile Justice is strongly behind civil citations, and its research shows that seven percent of youth who receive them go on to re-offend within a year, compared to nine percent of youth who re-offend after participating in prevention programs. Fully 99 percent of those who receive civil citations complete the programs, officials say.
“Eighty-six percent of the children are not violent,” said DJJ Secretary Wansley Walters, “and most are not even serious offenders.”
But while DJJ is working to get stakeholders on board, different jurisdictions have different approaches – teen courts, law enforcement agencies or private providers – to deal with juvenile delinquency.
“We have teen court because it’s so good,” said Scott Wilder, spokesman for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Wilder said the teen court program, which uses peer review to decide an offender’s punishment, also eliminates his or her arrest record. “That goes away for them.”
The FSA’s Casey said smaller counties with fewer resources aren’t able to do much in the way of youth diversion. “But DJJ can help, and they are helping,” he said.
Some say the stakeholders have a tendency to guard their turf, at least at first.
In Miami-Dade, said Martinez, there were “lots of challenges” when civil citations came in, “mainly because it was a brand new thing, mainly because it required law enforcement to give up some of the control over the prosecution of cases.
“You had to get everyone at the table discussing it – and actually, they had to see some successes – before pretty much all the police departments bought into civil citation,” he said.
“You’ve got to have buy-in from law enforcement,” agreed Daniels. Civil citations work “very well” in her circuit, she added, because “law enforcement was acclimated to it.”
Joe Clark, executive director of the Eckerd Family Foundation, said it takes at least a year for a new jurisdiction to figure out the civil citation system. However, he said, civil citations are working well in jurisdictions with mature programs.
“People are seeing it as a resource,” said Casey, “and more and more are availing themselves of it.”
By The News Service of Florida