Woman Gets Probation For Shooting At Deputy
October 8, 2011
An Escambia County woman has received three years probation for shooting at a Sheriff’s deputy.
Alucia Dykes, 63, was also ordered to surrender her gun and receive mental health counseling after pleading no contest to a charge of aggravated assault.
Deputies responded to her home on Walters court after she called 911 and mumbled incoherently on Octoboer 13, 2010. Dykes told the responding deputy that she would “blow his brains out” after he knocked at the door. Deputy Stephen Schaff took cover behind a tree and did not return fire as she shot at him from a window.
She surrendered without further incident.
Photos: Bratt Elementary Students Learn Fire Saftey
October 8, 2011
Students at Bratt Elementary School learned all about fire safety Friday morning from members of the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured above: Robert Stewart explains a fire engine and firefighting to a class at Bratt Elementary School Friday morning. Pictured below: Diann Stewart explains fire safety. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Elderly Woman Injured In Bratt Traffic Crash
October 7, 2011
An elderly female was injured in a single vehicle crash Friday afternoon in Bratt.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 82-year old Margaret Mauldin of Century lost control while southbound on North Highway 99 just north of West Highway 4 about 4:40 p.m. The FHP said she suffered from a unspecified medical condition and ran off the roadway, traveling a short distance in a ditch before striking large rocks at a driveway with her 2003 Lincoln Town Car. She was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital in serious condition.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Atmore Ambulance also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Air Unit Responsible For Smell Of Smoke At Ernest Ward Middle
October 7, 2011
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to Ernest Ward Middle School Friday morning after school officials reported a strong smell of smoke in the gym. Firefighters and school maintenance personnel determined that the smell originated with a burned belt in an air handling unit. There were no injuries. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Central High Makes History In Cross Country Meet
October 7, 2011
Central High School set a school record Thursday during a cross country meet at Baker as Beth Smith became the first girl to win a meet in school history with the girls team picking up their first-ever win.
Smith was followed by Kennedy Fuller in third and Erica Waters in fourth as Central defeated Baker, Laurel Hill, Paxton, Walton County and Rocky Bayou.
The Central boys placed second, with top school finisher Kyle Fuller coming in fourth.
County Hopeful For $500,000 Grant To Furnish Molino Library
October 7, 2011
Escambia County is ranked number two for a half million dollar state grant for books and furnishings for the new Molino Branch Library, but there’s a chance that might not be good news.
The county has applied for the grant for several years and has been ranked in the top three for the cash before, but the Florida Legislature has not appropriated any funding for the state library construction grants.
Escambia County will provide a $512,000 match from existing Local Option Sales Tax funds for furniture, fixtures, equipment, computers and books if the $500,000 grant materializes during the next fiscal year.
“It is subject to funding by the legislature. The resubmission was encouraged by State Division of Libraries who believes the legislature may provide some funding this year,” Escambia County Administrator Randy Oliver said Thursday. “This is a great opportunity to make a valuable resource better.”
In the event the state does not come through with the half million dollar grant, Oliver said the county has identified some existing furniture, fixtures and equipment for the Molino Branch Library.
Ten projects have been ranked for $4,997,000 in public library construction grant applications, if the legislature provides funding for fiscal year 2012-2013. A $500,000 request from Gilchrist County is ranked number one, followed by the $500,000 for the Molino Branch Library at number two.
A $2.95 million project was recently awarded to Birkshire Johnstone, LLC to renovate the old Molino School into a community center, museum and library, and to construct a new building to house offices for the tax collector and property appraiser.
Pictured top: A conceptual drawing of the Molino School after renovation. This end of the old Molino School will be converted into a library. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Over 1,000 Registered To Vote In Next Week’s Century Election
October 7, 2011
Century’s general election for mayor and two council seats is next Tuesday, with just over 1,000 people registered to vote.
According to Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford, there are 1,026 qualified voters in for Century’s town elections — down slightly from 1,082 registered voters for a 2010 primary for three council seats.
Demographics for Century’s registered voters are as follows:
- 425 white, 570 black, 5 Hispanic, 26 other
- 611 female, 415 male, 1 unspecified
- 285 are 18-35, 440 are 36-65, 301 are 66 or older
During the 2010 Century primary election, there was a 29.6 percent turnout with 318 votes cast.
Photos: Volleyball Digs Pink
October 7, 2011
The Northview Lady Chiefs and the Flomaton Hurricanes took part in a Dig Pink volleyball match Thursday evening to raise breast cancer awareness.
In varsity action, Northview fell to Flomaton 15-25, 27-25, 12-25, 20-25. JuniorMisty Doran had seven kills, one assist, two blocks and a dig for the Lady Chiefs as sophomore Lily Townson added one ace, three assists and a dig. Morgan Payne had two aces and a two kills, while Shelly Mothershed posted two aces, one kill and four assists. NHS is 4-14 overall, 3-3 in the district.
In junior varsity action, Northview defeated Flomaton 9-25, 25-12, 15-12. Rebecca Grim recorded one ace and two kills, and Hannah Fiellin contributed six aces and two assists. Tiffani Pritchett had six aces, one kill and four assists, and Kyndall Hall had four aces and three kills. The JV Lady Chiefs are 8-7 overall, 3-1 in the district.
Northview will travel to Baker on Tuesday, October 13. The JV takes to the court at 5 p.m. and the varsity plays at 6 p.m.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured: Dig Pink volleyball action Thursday night as Northview hosted Flomaton. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sheriff’s Office Seeks Clues In Cantonment Murder Cold Case
October 7, 2011
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public for help to solve a cold case murder at a Cantonment gas station 31 years ago.
On the afternoon on October 4, 1980, a a 24-year-old white male identified as Kenneth Wayne Wheeler was found dead at the Cantonment Elco Service Station on Highway 29. Wheeler was employed at the gas and convenience store as the station operator. He lived in the Cantonment community.
An investigation determined that Wheeler was the victim of murder.
This case has not yet been solved, and the person or persons involved in the death of Wheeler is not known. Anyone who has any information at all regarding what might have happened to Wheeler, anyone who was familiar with Wheeler during the time frame leading up to October 4, 1980, is asked to contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office’s Major Crimes Unit at (850) 436-9580 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Charges Pending After State Officer Collides With Motorcycle In Molino
October 7, 2011
(Updated 10:45 a.m.) Charges are pending after a state law enforcement officer collided with a motorcycle on Highway 29 at Highway 97 Thursday afternoon.
The Florida Highway Patrol says officer Randolph Johnson, age 59 of Milton, was traveling north on Highway 29 about 4:35 p.m. when he attempted to make a U-turn to travel back south on Highway 29 when he failed to see a 2010 Harley driven by 43-year old Brian Cumpton of Molino. The right front bumper of the cruiser struck the left rear of the motorcycle, causing Crumpton to be ejected from the motorcycle.
Crumpton was transported by ambulance to Jay Hospital with minor injuries; Johnson was not injured.
Charges are pending in the accident, according to a FHP report.
Pictured: The state law enforcement officer driver of this cruiser (above) collided with a motorcycle (below) in Molino Thursday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
