Escambia Murder: Body Of Missing Woman Found
February 23, 2011
Investigators with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office have identified the body of a local woman found in a wooded area near the intersection of Twin Oaks Drive and Prieto Drive in unincorporated Pensacola, just off New Warrington Road.
The body of Catherine Angelica Lindsey, 22, was discovered at around 2:25 p.m. Wednesday afternoon in the wooded area behind the Twin Oaks Villas Apartments.
“Lindsey had been reported missing on February 18,” said Sheriff’s spokesman Deputy Chris Welborn. “Investigators were searching the area for evidence in that missing person case when they discovered her body in a shallow grave.”
Investigators have classified Lindsey’s death as a homicide.
“Even though we are in the very early stages of a homicide investigation,” said Welborn, “we have developed a person of interest, and he has been brought in for questioning.”
The Sheriff’s Office would not release any further details concerning the investigation.
U.S. Marshals Nab Suspect Hiding In Car Trunk
February 23, 2011
The U.S. Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested a Pensacola man yesterday after they found him hiding in the trunk of a car.
Henry Dewayne Watson was wanted by the U.S. Marshals in Pensacola on a federal warrant for failure to appear on a convicted felon in possession of a firearm charge. Watson also has a Santa Rosa County warrant for aggravated stalking.
The U.S. Marshals along with the ATF had been working together on Watson’s capture for two weeks when they finally caught a break last Friday when they discovered a house where Watson may be hiding out. After hours of surveillance, Watson was finally spotted walking near that home on the 200 Block of Craft Street just north of 9 Mile Road in Pensacola around 2 p.m. Tuesday.
Watson then disappeared and task force officers weren’t sure if he actually went into that house. About two hours later a vehicle driven by an unidentified woman drove up to the house, entered the garage momentarily then emerged and took off down the road.
Task Force Officers assisted by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Gang Unit pulled the car over not far away as it pulled into a fast food restaurant. After the driver was asked to exit the car; Task Force Officers found what appeared to be an empty car.
However, they were suspicious and used the remote to open the trunk where they found the 32-year old Watson hiding. Watson was arrested without further incident and booked into the Escambia County Jail and will see a federal magistrate judge on Wednesday. There are also additional warrants pending in Santa Rosa County. On the federal charges alone he is most likely facing a minimum of fifteen years behind bars.
Brush Fire Damages Walnut Hill Mobile Home
February 23, 2011
A Wednesday morning brush fire caused minor damage to a Walnut Hill mobile home.
A burn pile reportedly got out of control on Garrett Road just after 11 a.m., spreading to a couple of large grassy yards and a wooded area. The fire spread under a mobile home, sparking a minor fire inside an exterior wall of the home. Firefighters were able to quickly bring the fire in the wall under control.
The Walnut Hill and Century stations of Escambia Fire Rescue battled the brush fire, along with the Florida Division of Forestry.
Pictured above: An out of control brush fire caused minor damaged to a mobile home in Walnut Hill Wednesday morning. Pictured inset: A firefighter surveys the damage to an exterior wall of the mobile home. Pictured below: A Forestry bulldozer moves into the woods to plow a line around the brush fire. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
One Seriously Injured In Palafox Crash
February 23, 2011
A Milton man was seriously injured in a traffic crash Wednesday morning at Palafox Street and 10 Mile Road.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Justin Wise, 27, of Pensacola was southbound on Palafox Street in a 2007 International truck when he turned into the path of a 1997 Jeep driven by Jerry Hendrix, 53, of Milton at about 6:55 Wednesday morning.
Hendrix was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola in critical condition. Wise was not injured.
Charges are pending against Wise, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Chambers Name Businesses, Citizens And Students Of The Year
February 23, 2011
Citizen, business and students of the year were named Tuesday night at the Flomaton and Century Joint Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Banquet.
The Century Chamber of Commerce named:
Student of the Year – Sarah Killam, Northview High
Business of the Year – Escambia River Electric Cooperative
Citizen of the Year — Edsol Smith
The Flomaton Chamber of Commerce named:
Student of the Year – Anthony “AJ” Odom, Flomaton High
Business of the Year — Weaver’s Monuments
Citizen of the Year — Joe Thomas
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured top: (Front, L-R) Flomaton Student of the Year Anthony “AJ” Odom, Northview Student of the Year Sarah Killam, (back, L-R) Frank Weaver of Flomaton Business of the Year Weaver’s Monuments, Flomaton Citizen of the Year Joe Thomas, Century Citizen of the Year Edsol Smith and Sabrina Owens of Century Business of the Year Escambia River Electric Cooperative. Submitted photos by Cesar Gonzalez for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Septic Tank Inspection Repeal Advances
February 23, 2011
The Senate Health Regulation Committee approved a bill Tuesday that would repeal new septic-tank inspection requirements, despite questions about whether the repeal goes too far.
Committee members voted 8-4 to approve the bill which stemmed from a law passed last year requiring inspections of septic tanks every five years.
Backers of the law said it was necessary to protect springs and other waterways from pollution, but opponents argued it would drive up costs for homeowners.
Lawmakers delayed the start of the inspection program during a November special session. That gave time to address the issue again during this year’s regular session. Questions from panel members on Tuesday centered on whether the the law should be totally repealed, with Sen. Eleanor Sobel, D-Hollywood, calling the bill “extreme.” But Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, said last year’s law overreached.
The bill next goes to the Senate Environmental Preservation Committee.
Northview Celebrates National FFA Week
February 23, 2011
FFA members at Northview High School are celebrating National FFA Week with a variety of events.
Tuesday, the FFA officers and members prepared a homestyle breakfast for teachers, staff and invited guests that support the FFA program. On Monday, students prepared refreshments for bus drivers.
For a photo gallery from both events, click here.
FFA week activites include:
Monday: Bus Driver Refreshment/ FFA T-Shirts
FFA members prepared refreshments for all bus drivers to give to them in the morning as they arrived at school.
Tuesday: Teacher Breakfast
All teachers, staff and invited guests were invited to eat a home cooked breakfast before school started that was prepared by FFA officers and members.
Wednesday / Ag Olympics
All agricultural classes will participate the Ag Olympics program with several events.
Thursday / Coke Float Day
Members are invited to have a coke float in the Agriculture department during the student’s lunch.
Friday / Dirty Truck Contest
All students of Northview High School, FFA members or not, will be allowed to participate in the Dirty Truck Contest.
Saturday: Ruritan Farm Equipment Auction
FFA members will assist with the Walnut Hill Ruritan Farm Equipment Auction Saturday as a community service project.
Gov. Scott Pulls Funding For Splash Pad, Walking Trail, More At Park
February 23, 2011
There’s some bad news out of Tallahassee for the Town of Century’s plans for enhancements at the Anthony Pleasant Sports Complex.
The town voted last September to apply for a $200,000 grant from the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to fund the park improvements.
“I’ve got some sad news on that,” Mayor Freddie McCall said. “The governor has pulled all the money we were going for.”
Without the state grant, Century will be forced to shelve plans for a splash pad water feature, lighting for the football field, a walking trail about one mile in length that would connect to Showalter Park, and improved handicap parking.
Pictured top: The Anthony Pleasant Sports Complex is to the right of the wooded area in this aerial photos. Showalter Park (with the softball/baseball fields) is to the left. Courtesy Google. Pictured inset: Century little league football action at Anthony Pleasant Park. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Thousands Of 8th Graders Take Career Expo Field Trip
February 23, 2011
About 2,000 eighth graders attended the first annual SkillsUSA Worlds of Possibilities Career Expo Tuesday and Wednesday at Pensacola State College.
About 50 Ernest Ward Middle School students attended the expo. “It’s a great opportunity for them,” said Gayle Hanks, EWMS guidance counselor.
The goal was to engage students with hands-on, interactive experiences in the worlds of energy, construction, information technology and communication, hospitality and tourism, health care, aviation, public service and safety.
The event was presented by Pensacola State College, the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, Visit Pensacola, TEAM Santa Rosa, Gulf Power Co., Associated General Contractors and local school districts.
The Florida SkillsUSA state competition will be held in Pensacola in 2012 and 2013.
Bills Aimed At Reducing High School Athlete Head Injuries
February 23, 2011
A coalition advocating for efforts to reduce brain injuries – including traumatic brain injury survivors – is backing legislation in Florida to boost education of athletes, coaches and parents about the warning signs of concussion. The bill would also require doctors to check out players with head injuries before they can go back in a game.
Bills sponsored by Sen. Anitere Flores and Rep. Ronald “Doc” Renuart would require the Florida High School Athletic Association to adopt policies keeping youth athletes suspected of sustaining a concussion in a game or practice out until they get cleared by a medical professional to return to action.