One Killed In Friday Night Wreck In Santa Rosa County
May 14, 2011
One person is dead following single vehicle traffic crash Friday night in Santa Rosa County.
Charles W. Ferguson, 24, of Milton, died when he lost control of his 2006 Chevrolet on Hamilton Bridge Road. The Florida Highway Patrol says he was speeding when he lost control in a curve, over corrected and hit several trees in a wooded area. He was pronounced dead at the scene of the 6 p.m. accident.
A passenger in the vehicle, 20-year old Raven N. Pitts of Pace, was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Man Gets 87 Months For Stealing Credit Card Numbers
May 14, 2011
A New York man was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to steal and use the credit and debit card information of more than 600 victims, many of them in Escambia County.
Federal prosecutors said Gaspar Bishop, 20, of Brooklyn, New York, induced his co-defendant, Elizabeth Lail-Caldare, to use her position as a waitress at Famous Dave’s restaurant in Pensacola to steal the credit and debit card information of the restaurant’s customers. Bishop provided Lail-Caldare with a skimming device that enabled her to capture the names, account numbers, and other information from credit and debit cards of approximately 60 customers.
Bishop routinely met with Lail-Caldare to retrieve the skimmer and o download the information she had stolen. He then used the stolen information to create counterfeit cards that he and confederates used to obtain money and merchandise from businesses in Florida, Alabama, Pennsylvania, and New York.
The conspiracy involved not only the theft of account information from Famous Dave’s customers, but thefts from other victims as well. At the conclusion of a sentencing hearing held yesterday in federal district court in Tallahassee, the court found Bishop was involved in the theft of identifying information of more than 600 victims. As part of the sentence, the court ordered Bishop to pay $38,454 in restitution.
Both Bishop and Lail-Caldare pled guilty earlier this year to conspiracy, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft arising from their involvement in the identity theft scheme.
Lail-Caldare’s sentencing is scheduled for June 22, 2011. The trial of their co-defendant, Trevor Hubbard, is scheduled for June 6, 2011.
Photo Gallery: Molino Park Celebrates The Arts
May 14, 2011
Molino Park Elementary School held its annual Arts Day on Friday, with the students spending the day immersed in a variety of arts.
The students enjoyed a wide range of arts, from pottery to photography to cake decorating. They had the opportunity to get “hands on” with many activities. The day ended with the “Molino Park Arts Day Roundup”, a live concert series in the school cafeteria. Artists appearing in the concert had local ties to Molino Park.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured top: A student checks out a dragster during the annual Arts Day at Molino Park Elementary School. Pictured inset: Photographer Candy McGahan explains her work to students. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
No Injuries In Hwy 97 Wreck
May 13, 2011
There were no injuries in a single vehicle rollover accident this afternoon on Highway 97 just south of Meadows Road in Davisville Friday afternoon.
The driver of a Chevrolet Suburban lost control while southbound on Highway 97 and rolled over into home’s yard about 4 p.m.. He refused medical treatment at the scene.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, the Atmore Fire Department, Atmore Ambulance, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Highway Patrol responded to the crash.
There were no injuries in this single vehicle accident on Highway 97 south of the state line in Davisville Friday afternoon. Northescambia.com photo. Click to enlarge.
Dust Storm Before The Rain; Drivers Blinded, Power Lines, Trees Downed
May 13, 2011
A dust storm of sorts struck in portions of North Escambia Friday afternoon as strong southerly winds picked up large amounts of dust from newly plowed fields. The strong winds before approaching rain also downed power lines and trees.
In Walnut Hill, the winds created thick dust clouds the cut visibility on Highway 97 to near zero around fields for a short period.
The strong winds also downed trees and power lines in the 100 block of Byrneville Road, near Highway 29. The roadway was blocked by a downed tree about 2:35 p.m. and was cleared by about 4 p.m.
A tree was also reported down (photo below) across Highway 31 just west of Flomaton.
Pictured above: This photo shows a large dust devil spinning through a Walnut Hill field. Pictured below: This photo (courtesy Katie Fowler) shows a tree downed on Highway 31 near Old Atmore Road west of Flomaton. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Highway 29 Pedestrian Pushing Wheelchair Dies
May 13, 2011
A pedestrian pushing another man in wheelchair died after an early Friday morning accident near Walmart in Pensacola.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 50-year old McNoel Davis was pushing another person in a wheelchair across Highway 29 just north of Hood Drive. About 12:24 a.m., a 1993 Oldsmobile driven by 54-year old Arthur Merle Eliason struck the McNoel. McNoel was taken to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition where he later died.
The occupant of the wheelchair, Edward Robinson, 51, of Pensacola was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries.
The Florida Highway Patrol originally stated in a news release that McNoel was from Cantonment; however, an update stated that the man was from Pensacola.
Man Guilty In DUI Manslaughter Of Cantonment Motorcyclist
May 13, 2011
A Pace man has been found guilty in the death a Cantonment motorcyclist last year and now faces up to 45 years in state prison.
Ronnie Lamar Henley was found guilty of DUI manslaughter, leaving the scene of a crash involving death and possession of less than 20 grams of cannabis by a Santa Rosa County Jury.
On April 5, 2010, Henley was driving on Highway 90 in Pace with a blood alcohol level of .24 when he abruptly turned in front of a motorcycle driven by Matthew Christopher Harrison, 29, of Cantonment.
Henley struck and killed Harrison before fleeing the scene. Two witnesses, including an off-duty Santa Rosa County deputy, followed Henley until he was apprehended by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.
Henley will be sentenced by Judge David Rimmer on June 14.
Cantonment Man Killed When His Truck Crashes Into Escambia Bay
May 13, 2011
A Cantonment man was killed when a pickup truck crashed into Escambia Bay Thursday night in Santa Rosa County.
Rodney W. Faircloth, 25, was pronounced dead following the crash at about 8:15 p.m. at the Highway 90 bridge over the Escambia River. The Florida Highway Patrol said Faircloth was westbound on Highway 90 in a 1994 Ford pickup. when he ran into the median and partial into the eastbound side of the roadway. He attempted to correct the vehicle and traveled westbound in the median before striking a guardrail and overturning into the bay.
The vehicle was completely submerged when first responders from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties arrived on scene. Emergency crews searched for hours for any other victims, using a helicopter, numerous boats and a dive team. No other victims were found; Faircloth is believed to have been alone in the vehicle.
Pictured above and below: A 25-year old Cantonment died in this crash on Highway 90 Thursday night when his vehicle plunged into Escambia Bay. Photos courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Overnight House Fire Under Investigation
May 13, 2011
An overnight fire that destroyed a Cantonment home is under investigation.
Fire ripped though the home at 1500 Britt Road just west of County Road 97 about 11:30 p.m. Thursday. Firefighters were called back to the home about 7:30 Friday morning to extinguish a few spots that had rekindled.
The home was reported to be abandoned; there were no injuries reported.
The cause of the blaze is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office. The Cantonment, Molino, Ensley, Ferry Pass and Ensley stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the fire.
Pictured top: Firefighters returned to this home on Britt Road in Cantonment to extinguish a few hot spots that had rekindled after the overnight blaze. Pictured below: An investigator with the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office watches as firefighters sift through the debris. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Florida Senator Views Osama Photos; ‘No Doubt’ He’s Dead
May 13, 2011
Florida U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson says that he has viewed the classified photos of Osama bin Laden and there’s no doubt that he’s dead.
While supporting the decision to keep the photos of bin Laden’s body classified for now, Nelson called for them eventually to be released to the public.
As a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Nelson, a Democrat, was one of the members of Congress shown the photos at the Central Intelligence Agency.
“There is no doubt in my mind – nor should there be in anyone else’s – that we got the terrorist who orchestrated the insane and murderous acts that took place on September 11, 2001,” Nelson said. “I’ve said already that I agree with President Obama’s decision not to release these pictures right now. Satisfying skeptics and conspiracy theorists isn’t worth inflaming radicals or putting our troops in even more danger. Still, I personally believe the free flow of information is tantamount to our democracy. Thus, these pictures should eventually be made part of the public record.”