Convicted Molino Federal Drug Offender Sentenced On State Charges
February 4, 2012
A Molino man already sentenced to federal prison on drug charges has been sentenced to eight years prison time on state charges.
Matthew Micheal Ramsey, age 39 of Duxbury Avenue was sentenced last year to 20 years in federal prison for conspiring to obtain pseudoephedrine in order to manufacture methamphetamine, obtaining pseudoephedrine in order to manufacture methamphetamine and conspiring to manufacture the methamphetamine itself. He was among a dozen people indicted in a federal undercover operation dubbed “Operation Blister Pack”.
Ramsey was back in court this week on state drug charges where he received an eight year prison sentence from Judge Michael Allen. The sentence will run concurrent to Ramsey’s federal prison time, according to court records.
Ramsey was one of three people arrested on state charges after deputies discovered a meth lab at a home in Cantonment back in February 2011.
Deputies found Ramsey with an active methamphetamine lab inside a residence at 1115 Muscogee Road. He was charged with possession of methamphetamines with intent to sell, trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of listed chemicals with the intent to manufacture a control substance.
Ramsey is currently in the Escambia County Jail awaiting transfer to a federal facility.
Mobile Officer Fatally Stabbed; Suspect Killed, Second Officer Wounded
February 4, 2012
A Mobile police officer was fatally wounded and another officer was shot Friday afternoon in an incident that began at the Mobile Metro Jail. The suspect was later shot and killed by police after a standoff.
Officer Steven Green, 36, was stabbed by 24-year old robbery suspect Lawrence Wallace, Jr. in the sally port of the Mobile Metro Jail. Wallace then took Green’s patrol car and crashed through a sally port door before abandoning the car on Dauphin Island Parkway and hiding under a house.
Green, a husband and father of three small children, was transported to the USA Medical Center where he later died. He had been an officer with the Mobile Police Department since May 2010.
“It is a sad day for the Mobile Police Force and for law enforcement. Our sympathy certainly goes to Officer Green’s wife and family,” Mobile Police Chief Michael Williams said Friday night.
A second officer was wounded in the standoff with Wallace on Daytona Drive. He was treated and released from the hospital Friday.
Wallace was shot and killed Friday evening on Daytona Drive after refusing to surrender to police. He had been arrested earlier in the day after attempting to rob a Dollar General store. He approached the store’s checkout counter, demanded money and cigarettes, then lit the counter on fire after spraying it with lighter fluid. He was tackled by an off duty officer shopping in the store.
Enter Now: Northview DCT Sponsoring Coed Softball Tournament
February 4, 2012
The Northview High School DCT will sponsor a coed softball tournament in March.
The DCT Coed Softball Tournament will be held beginning at 9 a.m. on March 3 at Northwest Escambia’s Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill. Fee is $100 per 9-12 member team. Team members must be 14-years of age or older, and there must be three females on the field at all times.
For more information, call (850) 327-6681 or (251) 294-1947.
The concession stand will be open the day of the event.
Finalists Announced For Escambia County Teacher Of The Year
February 4, 2012
Escambia County Teacher of the Year finalists have been announced.
The finalists are:
- Fran Cook, Hellen Caro Elementary
- Terri Pernia, N.B. Cook Elementary
- Jeffrey Pribble, Escambia High School
- Catherine Rudd, Scenic Heights Elementary
- Marjie Stradley, West Florida High School
The Escambia County Teacher of the Year will be announced February 23 at the Golden Apple Awards in Pensacola.
Semifinalists for the award were:
- Jim Allen Elementary – Laura Jackson
- Alternative Education – Debra Haynes
- AMI Kids – Angelica Brooks
- Judy Andrews Center – Jesse Wolfe
- Bailey Middle – Ruth Lynn
- Bellview Elementary – Alicia Dougan
- Bellview Middle – Barbara Jacobs
- Beulah Academy of Science – Betty Flemate-Yanez
- Beulah Elementary – Kimberly Aiken
- Blue Angels Elementary – Jennifer Butts 1
- Bratt Elementary – Pamela Trice
- Brentwood Elementary – Angie Harris
- Brown Barge Middle – Leah Smith
- Byrneville Elementary – Stephanie Gilmore
- Hellen Caro Elementary – Fran Cook
- Cook Elem. School of the Arts – Terri Pernia
- Cordova Park Elementary – Mandy Stevens
- Ensley Elementary – Anne Getty
- Ernest Ward Middle – Chett Truett
- Escambia High – Jeff Pribble
- Escambia Westgate – Susann Fehl
- Ferry Pass Elementary – Mary Witty
- Ferry Pass Middle – Deborah Richmond
- Global Learning Academy – Eugenia Pope
- Holm Elementary – Mary Wright
- Lakeview School – Sherry King
- Lincoln Park Elementary – Debra Smart
- Lipscomb Elementary – Carolyn Kinne
- Longleaf Elementary – Qwaytisha Hendricks
- McArthur Elementary – Nelda Sanders
- McMillan Pre-K – Soi Tran (Ms.)
- Molino Park Elementary – Twinette McDonald
- Montclair Elementary – Kathryn Lovely
- Myrtle Grove Elementary – Laurie Myers
- Navy Point Elementary – Benita Gooden
- Northview High – Sammy Day
- Oakcrest Elementary – Peggie Bosso
- PATS Center – Barbara Martin
- Pensacola High – Michael Mincy
- Pine Forest High – Scott MacMurray
- Pine Meadow Elementary – Patricia Crosby
- Pleasant Grove Elementary – Carrie Wood
- Ransom Middle – Karen McRae
- Scenic Heights Elementary – Catherine Rudd
- Semmes Elementary – Angie Esco
- Sherwood Elementary – Candyce Cooper
- George Stone Technical Center – Annie Gilmore
- Suter Elementary – Cynthia Thoede
- Tate High – Alan Culp
- Title 1 – Ed Seitz
- Warrington Elementary – Carrie Young
- Warrington Middle – Nicole Owens-Wilson
- Washington High – Marcus Wells
- Weis Elementary – Janie Hayes
- West Florida High – Marjorie Stradley
- West Pensacola Elementary – Lisa Deale
- Woodham Middle – Stephanie Elliot
- Workman Middle – Brittany Mraz
Locals Learn How To Share In $50 Million Of Gulf Restoration Funds
February 4, 2012
A meeting was held Friday in Walnut Hill for landowners and producers in the area to learn about how they can share in $50 million in funding from a Gulf Coast restoration effort.
The $50 million will be spent over three years in conservation assistance to farmers and ranchers in priority areas along seven major rivers in five states that drain into the Gulf.
In Escambia counties in both Florida and Alabama, funds will be focused on the Canoe Creek watershed and the Sandy Hollow-Pine Barren Creek watershed in the Escambia River basin. Also, in North Escambia, funds will provide conservation assistance in the Little Pine Barren Creek Watershed in the Escambia River Basin. (Click map to enlarge.)
“This locally-led effort to improve the health of the Gulf Coast region will benefit Florida citizens by producing cleaner water, more abundant wildlife, and healthier fisheries,” said Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Carlos Suarez.
Financial assistance is available to help producers apply sustainable agricultural and wildlife habitat management systems that will focus on reducing soil erosion, improving water quality, and improving wildlife habitat on cropland, pastureland, and forestland.
Practices may include:
- Installing grade control structures to stabilize eroding gullies
- Implementing precision agriculture to reduce chemical application overlap and protect sensitive environmental areas
- Increasing adoption of residue and tillage management, cover crops, and conservation crop rotations to reduce sheet and rill erosion and improve soil organic matter, which will result in cleaner runoff and improved water quality
- Planting grass and trees to stabilize eroding areas
- Installing cross-fences and watering facilities to facilitate grazing distribution
- Controlling cattle access to streams to improve water quality and stream bank stability
- Planting and managing native plant species to improve wildlife habitat and to assist with restoration of a multitude of declining species
- Promoting energy conservation by eliminating the need for annual mechanical removal of sediment from split ditches
- Implementing grazing management
- Installing heavy-use area protection pads
The $50 million Gulf Coast restoration initiative was announced by the Obama administration.
For information on how to apply for the funding, contact the NRCS Molino Service Center at (850) 587-5345 or the Brewton NRCS Service Center at (251) 867-3185. Application cutoff date for GoMI 2012 funds is March 1, 2012.
Pictured: This map shows the areas eligible for a portion of $50 million in Gulf Coast restoration funding, click to enlarge.
Escambia Extension Offering Free Gardening Programs
February 4, 2012
The Escambia County Extension Service is offering hands-on gardening programs featuring local plants, gardening practices, and highlighting the Escambia County Demonstration Garden.
All sessions are free and will be held at the Escambia County Extension Office, 3740 Stefani Road in Cantonment. Preregistration is required and registration closes three days before each event.
The first session, Pruning Lessons for Backyard Plants, demonstrates pruning techniques for roses, hydrangeas, Indian hawthorn, and other common landscape plants.
Participants will also learn how to save some branches, for air layering, to have new starts of their favorite plants.
Participants can attend either Friday, February 17th, or Saturday, February 18th, from 9:30 until 11:30 a.m. The second session, Propagation by Cutting and Division,
features easy propagation techniques for many ornamental greases, perennials, and the care of plants throughout the remainder of the growing season. Participants can attend either Friday, March 9th, or Saturday, March 10th, from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m.
Participants should dress for outdoor weather, bring water, and may bring a lawn chair if needed.
For more information or to register for a specific day, contact Beth Bolles at bbolles@ufl.edu or by phone at (850) 475-5230.
Five Arrested In Joint Undercover Drug Operation
February 4, 2012
The results of a joint drug operation that ended with the arrest of five people were announced Friday afternoon.
The arrests were made Thursday by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Pensacola Police Department and other agencies. The arrests were the result of a joint drug operation conducted throughout Escambia County, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Additional arrests were made on federal charges; a complete list of those arrested on federal charges has not yet been made available.
The following Escambia County residents were arrested on state drug charges:
- Darryl McCall, 32, was charged with one count of possession of marijuana with intent to sell.
- Shaun Hartsfield, 28, was charged with 2 counts possession of marijuana with intent to sell within 1000 feet of school, worship, or business, two counts of possession of marijuana over 20 grams, one count marijuana trafficking/conspiracy.
- Demarcus Kyles, 23, was charged with one count of cocaine possession with intent to sell within a 1000 feet of school, worship, or business, one count cocaine possession, three counts marijuana possession with intent to sell within 1000 feet of school, worship, or business, four counts possession of marijuana over 20 grams, one count marijuana trafficking/conspiracy.
- David Pickett, 27, was charged with one count possession of marijuana with intent to sell within 1000 feetof school, worship, or business, one count marijuana trafficking/conspiracy, one count possession of marijuana over 20 grams.
- Olabisi Allen, 27, was charged with one count marijuana possession with intent to sell within 1000 feet of school, worship, or business, one count possession of marijuana over 20 grams, one count marijuana trafficking/conspiracy.
Cantonment Man Charged With DUI After Interstate Crash
February 3, 2012
A Cantonment man was charged with DUI after an early Friday morning wreck on I-110 in Pensacola.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 23-year old Dustin Michael Mason was traveling north on I-110 just south of Maxwell Street when he ran his 1995 Chrevrolet S-10 pickup into the rear of a trailer on dump truck driven by 60-year odd Morgan Blackmon, Jr. of Pensacola. He also collided with a 2009 sweeper being operated by 52-year old Jeffrey Hedenberg of Pensacola. The dump truck and sweeper were operating on the west shoulder of the interstate at the time of the crash.
Mason was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries; Blackmon and Hedenberg were not injured.
According to the FHP, Mason was charged with careless driving and DUI with property damage following the 3:29 a.m. wreck.
Ernest Ward Middle School To Be Rebuilt; New $16.5 Million Facility Planned
February 3, 2012
A brand new $16.5 million facility is in the works for Ernest Ward Middle School that could open as early as 2013. The new facility will replace the entire Ernest Ward campus, with the exception of the current gymnasium and football stadium.
The Ernest Ward rebuild is part of a sales tax funding plan to be presented to the Escambia County School Board in February. The plan also includes $21.5 million to rebuild A.K. Suter Elementary School and $5 million for projects at every other school in the district. (Click here to read about the other projects.)
In 2010, the school board approved $480,000 for a new Ernest Ward cafeteria that will also be included in the new school facility.
“Suter and Ernest Ward are the oldest facilities in the county,” Escambia School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said. “With the Ernest Ward rebuild, you will have high performing schools with very adequate facilities across the north end of the county.”
The oldest buildings at Ernest Ward, including the main classroom wing, were constructed in 1945.
For a photo gallery from the current EWMS campus, click here.
“It’s about time,” Escambia County School Board District 5 member Bill Slayton said. “The superintendent and I have talked about the need since we were elected. This has been my number one priority once the funding was in place. Since we are using sales tax money, this is a case of money being raised in Escambia County and being put right back into Escambia County.”
Architectural design work on the new Ernest Ward facility will begin after the project gets a final go ahead from the school board in late February. The new school, Thomas said, will be completely state of the art, including smart boards and related electronics in each classroom.
In February 2010, the school board approved $480,000 for a new Ernest Ward cafeteria. Design on the cafeteria is currently underway in such a way that it will be part of the new school campus.
Students will be on site during the construction of the new school; it will be built either in front of or behind the current facility. Once the new building is complete, the current building will be torn down, and portables and modular buildings currently on the campus will be removed.
Most of project work in 2012 will include the design and permitting stages. Construction, Thomas said, will likely be underway by 2013. Students could be attending classes in the new building by the 2013-2014 school year in a best-case scenario, Thomas said, but that could easily be postponed to 2014-2015 by any permitting or construction delays.
“This will be a win-win for the community,” Slayton said. “This will pump millions into the economy and save jobs in Escambia County. It’s long overdue.”
For a photo gallery from the current EWMS campus, click here.
Pictured: Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
$48 Million In Construction Projects Planned; Improvements At Every Escambia School
February 3, 2012
Over$48 million in construction projects are planned for the Escambia County School District. Major rebuild projects are planned for Ernest Ward Middle School and A.K. Suter Elementary.
(Click here to read more about the Ernest Ward $16.5 million project.)
Another $5 million is sales tax funding is expected to be allocated for construction and improvement projects at every other school in the district.
Projects planned for North Escambia area schools include:
- Bratt Elementary will receive $75,000 for general renovations to include casework in classrooms (bookshelves and cabinets)
- Jim Allen Elementary will receive $100,000 for general renovations including the replacement of windows in the cafeteria
- Molino Park Elementary will receive $100,000 for sitework, including a 6-foot wide asphalt walking trail
- Ernest Ward Middle will be rebuilt for $16,500,000.
- Ransom Middle School will receive $90,000 for general renovations including updated video and audio for the cafeteria stage
- Northview High School will receive $100,000 for new construction to include a storage facility
- Tate High School will receive $100,000 for general renovations to include the old gym
- West Florida High School will receive $100,000 for sitework, including additional paved parking
All of the projects are subject to approval by the Escambia County School Board. That approval is expected to come in late February.