FDOT Reimburses Escambia County Over $1.5 Million For New Dawson Road Bridge
May 31, 2024
Escambia County has received reimbursements totaling over $1.5 million from the state after replacing a bridge on Dawson Road near Century.
Temporary repairs were made in 2016 to the structurally deficient timber bridge over Pritchell Mill Branch that was constructed in 1965.
It has now been replaced with a 76-foot long concrete structure. The project also included replacement of about 270 feet of roadway, curb and gutter, guardrail improvements and ditch grading. The new bridge opened in January.
The total project cost was about $1.7 million, and the Florida Department of Transportation has now reimbursed the county $1,577,272 under Florida Department of Transportation Local Agency Partnership Agreement (FDOT/LAP) approved in 2017.
Escambia County will put the money back into Local Option Sales Tax budgets to fund other bridge replacement projects.
Pictured: A new bridge on Dawson Road as seen January 22, 2024. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Additional Murder, Firearms Charges For Atmore Man After Ballistics Testing
May 31, 2024
The Atmore Police Department said Thursday that 22-year-old Isiah Finney has been charged with attempted murder and two counts of discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling for shootings in September 2023 and April 2024.
On April 18, the U.S. Marshal’s Service located and arrested Finney age 22 in reference to several active felony warrants in reference to incidents that occurred in in Atmore in September and November of 2023. Finney left the Atmore area and was tracked by the marshals as he made his way back to Atmore, police said.
The Atmore Police Department develop Finney as their suspect for shooting at an occupied vehicle before fleeing. APD said they recovered firearms from his vehicle along with other evidence.
In April, he was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center on outstanding warrants for discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle, certain persons forbidden to possess firearms, attempting to elude a police officer, and possession of marijuana second degree. An additional new charge of possession of a firearm by a violent felon was added at the time of his arrest.
He remains jailed without bond.
Marsee Mashes Wahoos To Wild Win Over Shuckers
May 31, 2024
written by Erik Bremer
Amid flaring tempers and rewritten record books, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos beat the Biloxi Shuckers 7-3 on Thursday night for their third straight win.
Jakob Marsee was 2-for-5 with a go-ahead solo homer in the fifth and a two-run triple in the sixth to help the Wahoos clinch a winning month of May and send the Shuckers to a franchise-record 10th straight loss.
The victory helped the Blue Wahoos climb to within 1.0 game of first-place Montgomery with 21 games to play in the first half. The Biscuits split a doubleheader against the Braves in Mississippi, losing game one but winning game two.
Evan Fitterer (W, 4-3) turned in a quality start, allowing three runs over 6.0 innings. In working scoreless baseball until the fourth, he helped the Pensacola pitching staff set a team record with 23.0 consecutive scoreless innings dating back to Sunday’s homestand finale against Tennessee.
The Wahoos jumped out to a 2-0 lead against Brewers top prospect Jacob Misiorowski, bringing home the game’s first run on a wild pitch in the second inning and adding to their lead with a Harrison Spohn RBI single in the fourth.
Fitterer ran into trouble in the bottom of the fourth, loading the bases on two walks and a hit batsman before Eric Brown Jr. tied the game 2-2 with a two-out, two-run double. A dispute over balls and strikes in the inning also led to Pensacola manager Kevin Randel’s ejection, the first in his four-season career at the helm of the Blue Wahoos.
Marsee quickly put Pensacola back in front in the fifth, homering on the first pitch he saw from reliever Kaleb Bowman (L, 2-1). A Bowman throwing error in the sixth inning opened the door for Marsee’s two-run triple, highlighting a four-run frame that gave the Blue Wahoos added insurance.
After 2.0 hitless innings of relief from Patrick Murphy, Zach McCambley loaded the bases with walks in the ninth before snaring a Carlos Rodriguez comebacker to lock down the win.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series in Biloxi on Friday. First pitch from Shuckers Ballpark is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
Man, 19, Arrested In Double Stabbing At Atmore Tractor Supply
May 30, 2024
A 19-year-old has been charged in connection with an April double stabbing at Tractor Supply in Atmore.
Luke Still was arrested after being released from the medical center where he was being treated for his injuries. He is charged with first degree assault, third degree assault, burglary, criminal mischief, and theft. He was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton without bond.
The incident happened about 12:20 p.m. in the parking lot of the Tractor Supply on Lindberg Avenue. Atmore Police Department officers arrived to find two people that had been stabbed.
“When officers arrived on the scene, one of the male subjects was laying just inside the Tractor Supply entry doors bleeding profusely. Officers and employees provided first aid and applied a tourniquet to slow the blood loss. The second male subject was found seriously injured in the parking lot,” Atmore PD Sgt. Darrell McMann said.
The officers encountered two male individuals in the parking lot who had a large amount of blood on their clothing but were not injured and were detained by the officers. The two people who were injured were transported by ambulances to Atmore Community Hospital and then were flown to different trauma centers.
Investigators interviewed several witnesses at the scene. The two people who were detained were transported to the Atmore Police Department where they were questioned and released.
“Due to the medical conditions of the two individuals who were stabbed, investigators were not able to interview them for several days,” McMann said. “Meanwhile, investigators were able to view camera feed which clearly showed who was involved and their actions. The statements coupled with the video footage provided a clear picture of the incident.”
“The injured party found in Tractor Supply has also had multiple surgeries and has a long road to recovery,” he added.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fourth Family Member, Norman Tedder, Gets Prison Time In Century Child Abuse Case
May 30, 2024
A Century man previously found incompetent to stand trial has been sentenced to state prison on child abuse and robbery charges. He is the fourth member of a Century family sentenced to prison in connection with a 2021 child abuse case in which several children that had been sexually abused were found living in squalor in two campers.
Under a plea agreement, Tedder pleaded no contest and was convicted of two counts of child neglect without great bodily harm and one count of robbery with a firearm. He faced a maximum of life in prison if he had been convicted as charged.
He was sentenced to 60 months in state prison, with credit for 290 days time served while awaiting trial.
The robbery charge stemmed from a 2022 incident in which Tedder allegedly shot at a man at Tedder’s home and took several items from him. The incident happened outside Tedder’s home on old Flomaton Road, and authorities said he had the opportunity to leave the situation without firing a weapon.
Child Abuse Charges
The child abuse charges were from a 2021 case that has already sent three of Tedder’s family members to prison.
Noman Tedder’s wife, Tabitha Ann Tedder, was sentenced to four years concurrently on three counts of child neglect without great bodily harm, and four additional years on a felony charge of failure to report child abuse. An additional charge of tampering in a felony first degree proceeding was dismissed.
Michael Tracy Tedder was sentenced to 30 years in state prison for child sexual battery and designated as a lifetime sexual offender after he pleaded to multiple counts of sexual battery by a person in familial authority and lewd and lascivious exhibition in the presence of a minor.
Michael Tracy Tedder’s wife Elizabeth Mae Dennis was previously convicted of two counts of child neglect and sentenced to 19.5 months in state prison, with credit for 116 days served, to be followed by 18 months probation.
Some readers may find the following details disturbing. Reader discretion is advised.
On October 20, 2021, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a local elementary school after a victim disclosed sexual abuse to a school counselor. The victim disclosed at school that she had been raped by Tedder. She stated that it hurt, and about the time she healed, he would do it again. The abuse occurred between January 1, 2020, and October 20, 2021.
During the course of the investigation, it was determined that Michael Tracy Tedder had sexually abused additional victims between January 1, 2020, and October 20, 2021. He was the only family member charged with a sexual offense.
“This defendant preyed on children that should have been able to trust him,” Carrie Gilmer, prosecuting attorney, said.
When the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office went to Tedder’s home to investigate the sexual battery allegations, deputies found Tedder and three others living in squalor with six children in two campers.
One camper was “extremely dirty”, with “raw sewage coming from the back side of the camper and flowing underneath the camper causing an unbearable foul odor”, and “hundreds of roaches”, according to an arrest report. The roaches were in the food cabinet, running over the food, on the stove, on the sink and on the counter.
A deputy further described the camper as having roaches inside the shower and toilet area, pots with old food in them on the kitchen counter, a sink filled with dirty dishes and a refrigerator he called “extremely nasty”. There was one full size bed, a let-down bed with roaches crawling on it, and a baby crib in the camper. Two cats and two dogs were inside, and there were power cords running through the camper and by the kitchen sink.
“The camper had a foul odor inside and out that was unbearable,” the deputy wrote in his report.
The other camper, described as being “extremely small,” was also roach infested, dirty and piled full of clothes and other items making it impossible to enter, the report states.
According to the ECSO, there was no electrical service on the property; the campers were powered by numerous electrical cords strung together to a nearby home. Some of the cords had bare wires in places and junctions exposed to the weather.
“The parents smelled as if they had not bathed in several days,” a deputy wrote in his report.
The Florida Department of Children and Families removed the children.
Godwins Named Santa Rosa County Farm Family Of The Year
May 30, 2024
Steven Godwin and family of Jay have been the 2024 Santa Rosa County Outstanding Farm Family.
Steven and wife Rachael have three daughters: Laryn, Kylei, and Valarie. Laryn, 22, works as a CNA. Kylei, 14 is in the ninth grade at Jay High School. Valarie, 24, currently attends Florida State University.
Steven has been farming since 1995. He has a family history in farming, acquired his skills from his father and grandfather.
Today, he runs a 1,000-acre farm with the help of three family members. The Godwin family actively contributes to the community, supporting Jay High School programs and holding memberships in associations like the Florida Peanut Producers Association and Florida Farm Bureau.
Steven’s focus on cultivating quality crops, particularly peanuts, cotton, and soybeans, spans almost 30 years. He aims to expand the farm while embracing new management techniques.
Pictured: Steven Godwin and wife Rachael were presented with the 2024 Santa Rosa County Outstanding Farm Family award during the recent Santa Rosa County 57th Annual Farm Tour. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Grand Opening Set For North Escambia Stork Stock, Providing Free Essentials For Ages 0-2
May 30, 2024
The Escambia County Healthy Coalition, a local non-profit for pregnant women, new mothers, fathers, and children ages 0-2, is excited to announce the grand opening of its newest resource center for North Escambia.
The new resource center, “North Escambia Stork Stock,” will be located inside the Community Health Northwest Florida-Century Pediatrics office. it will officially open on June 11.
The North Escambia Stork Stock is a result of the partnership between the Healthy Start Coalition and the Community Health NWFL-Century Pediatrics site where many local parents of young children come looking for quality health care and resources to care for their families.
“Healthy Start is so grateful to Community Health Northwest Florida/Century Pediatrics for their critical support and partnership in the launch of our North Escambia Stork Stock,” said Allyson Anderson, executive director of the Coalition. “We look forward to serving our neighbors in North Escambia so that these families enjoy the same access to critical baby supplies and life-saving equipment as those in the Greater Pensacola area, to ensure that every baby has a healthy start.”
The North Escambia Stork Stock is fit to provide families with essential baby gear including diapers, wipes, clothing, diapers, diaper bags, pack and plays for safe sleep, breastmilk storage bags for breastfeeding mothers, and baby strollers. The North Escambia Stork Stock will have the same operating hours as the Century Pediatrics office. Clients can access the center Monday through Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Fridays from 8 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., with appointments strongly preferred. The site is open to Florida residents in North Escambia or established Century Pediatrics patients.
“Our commitment to North Escambia is for the long-haul and we look forward to bringing vital resources to the community for years to come.” saaid Anderson.
ECSO Commander Mark Jackson Retires After 30 Years
May 30, 2024
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Commander Mark Jackson has retired.
Jackson, a North Escambia resident, started his career with the ECSO in June of 1994 and has served in various capacities, including narcotics, street crimes, patrol, investigations, and SWAT.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Animal Shelter Free Cat And Dog Adoptions Extended Through May 31
May 30, 2024
The animal shelter in Escambia County has extended free cat and dog adoptions through the end of the month.
Adoptions are free for cats and dogs one year or older through Friday, May 31. Puppies are available for $50 and kittens are$25. An $11 licensing fee will be applied to all adoptions for Escambia County residents.
“We recently partnered with Bissell Pet Foundation to offer free adoptions, but we want to give our community second chance to participate in the adoption special for the rest of the month,” said John Robinson, director for the Department of Animal Welfare. “We have over 100 dogs and nearly two dozen cats ready to go home with you today. Adopting is a great way to give a pet a new home while also making space at the Animal Welfare and Adoption Center for other animals in need.”
View all adoptable pets at the Animal Welfare and Adoption Center on 24petconnect.com.
The Escambia County Animal Welfare and Adoption Center is located at 200 W. Fairfield Drive. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 12-5 p.m., and Saturday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
ECSO Investigating Shots Fired Incident In Century
May 30, 2024
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate a shots fired incident Wednesday night in Century.
Deputies responded to a report of gunfire in the 200 block of Hilltop Road. A resident told deputies that they heard four to six shots outside their home and heard someone yell “where you at”. Deputies found four 9mm shell casings in the driveway at a nearby residence, and a cell phone was also located at the wood line in the backyard.
The ECSO discovered the front door on a nearby trailer was not closed all the way and cleared the residence, finding no one inside.
Deputies were unable to locate bullet holes in the trailer. A check of area hospitals did not locate a victim.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or call Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.