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.
FHP: Second Man Dies From Blue Angel Crash; Cantonment Resident Injured On Beach
October 8, 2012
A second person has died as the result ofa traffic crash over the weekend in southwest Escambia County, while a Cantonment resident was injured in an unrelated accident on the beach.
Blue Angel Fatalities
Brisden C. Grassman, age 20 of Pensacola, lost control on Blue Angel Parkway south of Southbay Drive, left the roadway and struck a tree. Grassman was thrown 89 feet from the point of impact into a heavily wooded area, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. He was pronounced deceased at the scene by Escambia Count EMS.
A passenger in Grassman’s 2001 Chevrolet, 21-year old Kristopher Canning of Pensacola, was airlifted to Baptist Hospital in critical condition where he later died, the FHP said Monday afternoon.
Beach Crash
The Florida Highway Patrol said 19-year old Rena Michelle Stackpole of Pensacola was traveling west on Fort Pickens Road in a 2008 Nissan Altima when she lost control and collided head-on with a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am driven by 22-year John M. Gresla of Berne, IN, at 11:17 a.m. Sunday.
Stackpole and her passenger, 18-year old Alexis Danielle Brown of Cantonment, were transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries. Gresla was transported to Navy Hospital, also with minor injuries.
Stackpole was cited for careless driving and no seat belt.
Northview Chiefs Name New Head Baseball Coach
October 8, 2012
Northview High School has named a new head baseball coach for the upcoming season.
Martin “Marty” Lister will bring an extensive baseball background to the field for the Chiefs, replacing Sid Wheatley who stepped down from the baseball program.
Lister was drafted in the seventh round by the Cincinnati Reds in the 1992 MLB June Amateur Draft from Jefferson Davis Community College in Brewton. He has pitched for the Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros and Arizona Diamondbacks organizations.
Lister taught at Escambia High School in Pensacola for five years before coming to Northview to teach drafting and construction technology. He coached varsity baseball for four years at Escambia, along with freshmen football, running back coach for varsity football and boys weightlifting. He also was an assistant baseball and pitching coach at Pensacola State College.
Escambia County Students Of The Month Named
October 8, 2012
Students of the month for September have been named in Escambia County. The awards are presented monthly to two or three students from participating schools.
The following students were named from participating North Escambia area schools:
- Bratt: Da’Merion Findley, third grade; Amber Whitehurst, kindergarten.
- Jim Allen : Ravyn Sierra Brown, fifth grade; Jacob Paul Leger, fifth grade.
- Molino Park : Gabriel Gregory Hamm, fifth grade; Kayla Marie Mckillion, fifth grade.
- Ernest Ward : Zachary Scott Hilton, sixth grade; Clayton Chandler Findley, seventh grade; Trenton Dewayne Martin, eighth grade.
- Ransom : David Wayne Oglesby, eighth grade; Linda Dianne Bryant, eighth grade.
- Northview : Ashton Brooke Gibbs, 12th grade; Justin Lance Halteman, 12th grade.
- Pine Forest : Thomas Claude Bacon, 12th grade; Pine Forest : Annie Leah Shank, 12th grade.
- Tate: Taylor West; Logan Thirtyacre.
Here is the complete list from across Escambia County from participating schools:
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
- Bellview : Tytiona Marie Brown, fifth grade; Sac’ve’on Lawon Rogers, kindergarten.
- Beulah : Sydney Grace Englehart, fifth grade; Johnathan Donald Jacques, fifth grade.
- Blue Angels : Quarmaun Jakar Middleton, fifth grade; Kaylen Diem Khanh Bui, fifth grade.
- Bratt: Da’Merion Findley, third grade; Amber Whitehurst, kindergarten.
- Cordova Park : Zaniah K Heath, fifth grade; Quinjayvious Demonta Smith, fifth grade.
- Ensley : Lafaye Di Angela Grandison, first grade; Makayla Alexis Benjamin, second grade.
- Ferry Pass : Terrence Robert Darga, fifth grade; Kiplin Elizabeth Smith, fifth grade.
- Hellen Caro : Aidan Joshua Sherrill, fifth grade; Victoria Grace Long, fourth grade.
- Jim Allen : Ravyn Sierra Brown, fifth grade; Jacob Paul Leger, fifth grade.
- Lipscomb : Allana Marie Davis, first grade.
- McArthur : Amiyah Jai Green, fifth grade; Kyndal Julia Milsted, fifth grade.
- Molino Park : Gabriel Gregory Hamm, fifth grade; Kayla Marie Mckillion, fifth grade.
- Myrtle Grove : Lito Lee Cabuyao, fifth grade; Raven Mae Brown, fifth grade.
- Navy Point : Talan Hunter Knight, first grade; Kimora Dominique Swift, kindergarten.
- Pleasant Grove : Matthew William Halloran, kindergarten; Isaiah Joseph Tyree, kindergarten.
- Semmes : Jacob Ryan Elliott, fifth grade; Ja’cobie Ta’lacy Mcqueen, fifth grade.
- Suter : Armoni Giavanna May, fifth grade.
- Weis : Da’drick Devine Warren, pre-kindergarten; Ja’niah Janeise Bonner, pre-kindergarten.
- West Pensacola : Aubrey Rain Sanderson, kindergarten; Anthony Thomas Smith, kindergarten.
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
- Bailey : Abigail Butts, sixth grade; Hunter Lombardozzi; Zuniga Marisol .
- Bellview : Terrace Vidaja Golston, eighth grade; Aaron Joseph Dean, eighth grade.
- Brown Barge : Priscilla Alden Deng, sixth grade; Wesley James Delware, sixth grade.
- Ernest Ward : Zachary Scott Hilton, sixth grade; Clayton Chandler Findley, seventh grade; Trenton Dewayne Martin, eighth grade.
- Ransom : David Wayne Oglesby, eighth grade; Linda Dianne Bryant, eighth grade.
- Warrington : Brookelyn Sallie Mcneal, sixth grade; Christopher Lindsay Colvin, seventh grade.
- Woodham : Denali Elisabeth Netzer, sixth grade; Sarah Marie Cooper, eighth grade; Workman : Cordeiro Edward Moye, eighth grade.
HIGH SCHOOLS
- Northview : Ashton Brooke Gibbs, 12th grade; Justin Lance Halteman, 12th grade.
- Pine Forest : Thomas Claude Bacon, 12th grade; Pine Forest : Annie Leah Shank, 12th grade.
- Tate: Taylor West; Logan Thirtyacre.
ACADEMIES, SPECIAL CENTERS
- George Stone Vocational: Shakeirra Alicia Freeman, third grade.
- Escambia Westgate : Cameron James Green, sixth grade; Cody Shawn Contreras, 12th grade; Chelsea Brienne Carreola, 12th grade; Hannah Brooke Schneider, kindergarten; James Holden Mcclean, third grade; Raydecia Paradise Fields, eighth grade.
- Beulah Academy : Malcolm Donnell Rivers, sixth grade; Kamryn Alexis Mcginty, eighth grade.
- Pats Center : Colleen Doherty, fifth grade; Turner Friday, fifth grade; Audrey Mahon, eighth grade; Thien-An Uc, seventh grade.
Pictured top: Ernest Ward Middle School students of the month for September: Clayton Findley, seventh grade; Trenton Martin, eighth grade; and Zachary Hilton, sixth grade. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Firefighters Respond To Vehicle, Brush Fire On Highway 29
October 7, 2012
Firefighters responded to a vehicle fire and a resulting small brush fire on Highway 29 just north of Molino Sunday afternoon. There were no injuries reported. The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the fires. Reader submitted photo by Kari Doyle, click to enlarge.
Century Man Arrested Yet Again, Ordered Held Without Bond
October 7, 2012
A Century man with a lengthy arrest history was arrested again Friday morning, but this time he will remain behind bars.
Ronald Berlan Newton, 51, was charged with felony stalking — his third arrest in the past month.
Friday afternoon, Judge Gary Bergosh granted a request by the State Attorney’s Office to revoke Newton’s bond and hold him until a further court order is issued.
Newton was released from state prison on April 2 after serving a 22 month sentence for aggravated stalking, stalking and violation of an injunction against repeated violence charges. On September 12, Newton was released from jail on a $25,000 bond after allegedly attacking his brother with a steak knife.
While out on bond, Newton was arrested again for aggravated stalking one of the same victims from the 2009 case that sent him to prison.
In the latest case that landed Newton behind bars Friday morning, the victim reported that she found a Whitney Houston CD case on the windshield on her vehicle. Inside, she found $50 in cash along with a torn piece of paper with the name “Ronald Newton-Marcy Project”. The victim has a domestic violence injunction that stipulates Newton must stay at least 100 feet away from her vehicle. According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Newton’s fingerprints were on the CD case.
His arrests since 2007, according to court records, included a long list of charges that were dropped or dismissed including aggravated assault, criminal mischief, battery, lewd and lascivious behavior victim under 18, indecent exposure, disorderly conduct and contempt of court.
Portion Of Nine Mile Road To Be Closed This Week
October 7, 2012
Nine Mile Road will close late this week at the railroad crossing just east of Highway 29.
Nine Mile Road will be closed at the CSX railroad between Old Palafox and Chemstrand Road from 8 p.m. Friday, October 12 through 7 a.m. Monday, October 15. East and westbound traffic will be detoured using Chemstrand Road, East Ten Mile Road and Highway 29.
The work is part of a Nine Mile Road resurfacing project between Pine Cone Drive and the Escambia River Bridge. Panhandle Grading and Paving began work on the 8.4 mile project in June. Improvements include resurfacing the roadway, Americans with Disabilities Act and sidewalk upgrades, guardrail and safety improvements, minor drainage improvements and bridge joint repair.