FHP: Jay Wreck Causes Minor Injuries
August 21, 2010
A Friday afternoon wreck in Jay left two people with only minor injuries.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Roy D. Kelley, 66, of Brewton turned into the path of a 1999 Ford driven by Durlyn Y. Farish, 59, of Jay. Kelley, who was northbound, was attempting to turn across traffic onto Alabama Street, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Kelley and Farish received only minor injuries in the crash. Kelly was charged with an improper turn, according to the FHP.
Church Seeks Copy Paper Donations For Molino Park
August 21, 2010
Highland Baptist Church is collecting paper for Molino Park Elementary School.
The church, a Molino Park Elementary Partner in Education, is accepting donations of reams of white copy paper.
“Due to budget cuts, they are in great need of donations,” said Pastor Brian Calhoun. The church will also hold a special worship service at 10:45 a.m., Sunday, August 22 to pray for school staff members and students as they prepare for the new school year.
Early Voting Continues Through Saturday
August 20, 2010
Early voting ends Saturday in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties for the August primaries.
There have been 4,847 early voters as of Thursday in Escambia County, while 3,529 had voted in Santa Rosa County.
There are four early voting locations in Escambia County:
- Supervisor of Elections Main Office, 213 Palafox Place 2nd Floor
- Supervisor of Elections Annex, 292 Muscogee Road, Cantonment
- Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway
- West Florida Genealogy Library (former Tryon Branch Library), 5740 North 9th Avenue
And there are two early voting locations for Santa Rosa County residents:
- Elections Office (behind McDonalds on U.S. 90, Milton), 6495 Caroline St., Suite F
- South Service Center (one block east of the zoo on U.S. 98), 5841 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze.
Early voting hours are 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. in both counties on Saturday.
Two Injured In Highway 4 Crash; One Airlifted
August 20, 2010
Two people were injured in a single vehicle accident east of Jay Friday morning.
Regina Bradshaw, 30, of Milton, was westbound on Highway 4 about 7:25 a.m. when she fell asleep and lost control near Pitnic Road, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Her vehicle left the roadway, clipped a utility pole, hit a culvert, and traveled over a driveway before striking a ditch embankment. The distance from where she left the roadway to where her 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe came to rest was almost 400 feet, according to the FHP. Troopers said the vehicle overturned two complete times, ejecting Bradshaw.
Bradshaw was airlifted by LifeFlight helicopter to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola in serious condition. Her passenger, Kevin Nelson, 19. of Pace, was transported to the hospital by ambulance with serious injuries.
The accident is still under investigation by the FHP. Troopers said charges area pending against Bradshaw.
Pictured above and below: Two people were injured in this single vehicle accident east of Jay Friday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Delays $12.5 Million Radio System Purchase Following Media, Safety Concerns
August 20, 2010
The Escambia County Commission was set Thursday night to approve a $12.5 million replacement of its current radio communications system, but the decision has been delayed until September over issues raised by several local media outlets and possible safety concerns.
Commissioner Grover Robinson said he wanted more time to ensure that there were no safety risks with the system to firefighters in areas where the system might provide a weaker signal.
Robinson and Commissioner Kevin White also called for a delay on the purchase due to concerns raised by media outlets, including NorthEscambia.com.
Under the proposal presented to the county by Motorola, all radio channels operated by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office would be encrypted, preventing the public or the media from listening to the department’s transmissions.
“All broadcast and newspapers with active newsrooms…monitor these channels to learn about breaking news, fires and traffic issues,” said Dave Hoxeng, owner of CatCountry 98.7 and NewsRadio 1620, in a letter to commissioners.
Hoxeng’s radio stations were joined by NorthEscambia.com and WEAR-TV3 in asking the commission to delay a decision on the communications system until the issue with the Sheriff’s Office encryption could be addressed.
NorthEscambia.com is not opposed to the Sherriff’s Office using encryption on their channels, according to a statement released Thursday.
“We understand that the encryption will allow the Sheriff’s Office to be more effective in its daily operations and will provide an extra level of safety and security for the department’s officers,” said NorthEscambia.com Publisher William Reynolds. “However, there are methods by which the radio channels could be securely monitored by the media so that we can continue to inform the citizens of the county about the breaking news, traffic information and other stories that they are accustomed to us providing in a timely manner.”
Hoxeng’s letter to commissioners called for the county to provide two radios capable of decoding the Sheriff’s Office frequencies to each media outlet operating a staffed newsroom in the Pensacola area. That, according to his letter, would include the Pensacola News Journal, the Independent News, NorthEscambia.com, WEAR-TV3, WCOA-AM, CatCountry 98.7 and NewsRadio 1620.
Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan told commissioners Thursday morning that he had a lengthy conversation Wednesday with Reynolds about the media’s concerns. He said his primary goals were the safety of the public and the ability to fight crime, as well as the life safety of his officers. Morgan said that could be best accomplished with an encrypted radio system.
However, Morgan said he would work with the media to ensure access to dispatch information, perhaps expanding an Internet website to provide complete, live call information.
Mike Weaver, interim chief of the Escambia County Public Safety Bureau, said the county’s fire and EMS channels would not be encrypted, allowing the media and public to continue to listen to radio traffic on those channels.
The Escambia County Commission will next address the radio system purchase on September 2. A mandate from the Federal Communications Commission requires systems like that currently used by Escambia County meet certain standards. Escambia County’s current radio system is considered outdated by the FCC.
The system will be funded as follows:
Local Fire Department Wins FOX 10 ‘Extra Mile Award’
August 20, 2010
The Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department received this week’s Chris Myers “Extra Mile Award” from WALA FOX 10.
The award recognizes groups along the Gulf Coast that have gone the “extra mile” to help their community. The fire department was nominated by Shirley Hazley, who credited the Walnut Hill volunteers with saving the life of her son after a car accident a few years ago.
The Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department received $500 from Chris Myers Nissan for winning the award.
Pictured top: Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department Chief Chris Brown and Shirley Hazley. Courtesy WALA FOX 10 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Deputies Investigate Ballpark Burglary
August 20, 2010
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an attempted burglary at a local ballpark.
Someone tried but failed to make entry into the concession stand at the Cantonment Cowboys’ park in the 600 block of Well Line Road. The botched burglary was reported Thursday morning.
The suspects painted over a security camera and tried to take out screws and Plexiglass to gain entry. The bandits were successful in making entry to the park’s press box. Only moderate damage was reported, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
The incident is still under investigation. Anyone with information about the attempted burglary is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
School Board Approves North Escambia School Personnel
August 20, 2010
The Escambia County School Board has approved numerous North Escambia teacher and staff transfers, resignations, and rehires.
The following changes below were made this month:
Instructional/Professional Appointments
Atkins, Gail V., teacher, Tate High
Bedford, Payden, teacher, Tate High
Burkett, Erika D., teacher, Tate High
Chamberlain, Rachel, teacher, Tate High
Dossett, Regena G., teacher, Tate High
Fugate, Arthur H., teacher, Tate High
Guy, Victoria P., teacher, Tate High
MercadoDiaz, Joalex, teacher, Northview High
Schlaegel, Samantha L., teacher, Tate High
Skaggs, Scotty A., teacher, Tate High
Smyth-Chandler, Samantha, teacher, Tate High
Wells, Kelly A., teacher, Tate High
Wisdom, Rachel R., teacher, Tate High
Zanca, Tamra L., teacher, Tate High
Reappointments, Annual
Fowler, Leal D., guidance counselor, Tate High
Newsome, Angelia M., teacher, Jim Allen Elementary
Salon, Heather M., teacher, Jim Allen Elementary
Reappointments, Professional
Reeves, Cynthia V., teacher, Tate High
Ruckman, Erin K., teacher, Tate High
Transfers
Barton, Tammy A., Ransom Middle math to Hall Center
Bordelon, Juanita L., Tate High to Washington High
Johnson, Jr., Arthur H., George Stone Center to Ernest Ward Middle
Ryland, Amanda N., Blue Angels Elementary to Jim Allen Elementary
Resignations, Retirements, Other
Howell, Brian L., teacher, Tate High
Rivers, Sr., Jeffery, custodial worker, Ransom Middle
Ruckman, Stephen A., teacher, Tate High
Educational Support Appointments
Hairston, Robert, food service assistant, Tate High
Hall, Leslie, food service assistant, Tate High
Willette, Timothy, custodial worker, Tate High
Editor’s note: The preceding personnel changes by the Escambia County School Board do not include changes made at prior board meetings or that might be made at a future date. The list only includes personnel changes that were made at the August board meeting.
Escambia Schools Release 2010-2011 Bus Routes
August 20, 2010
The first day of school is Monday, and the Escambia County School District released bus routes for the 2010-2011 school year.
For current routes, click a school file name below. (North Escambia area schools appear in bold.)
Elementary Schools
Bellview Elem.pdf
Beulah Elem.pdf
Blue Angels Elem.pdf
Bratt Elem.pdf
Brentwood Elem.pdf
Cook Elem.pdf
Cordova Park Elem.pdf
Ensley Elem.pdf
Ferry Pass Elem.pdf
Hallmark Elem.pdf
Hellen Caro Elem.pdf
Holm Elem.pdf
Jim Allen Elem.pdf
Lincoln Park Elem.pdf
Lipscomb Elem.pdf
Longleaf Elem.pdf
McArthur Elem.pdf
Molino Park Elem.pdf
Montclair Elem.pdf
Myrtle Grove Elem.pdf
Navy Point Elem.pdf
Oakcrest Elem.pdf
Pine Meadow Elem.pdf
Pleasant Grove Elem.pdf
Scenic Heights Elem.pdf
Semmes Elem.pdf
Sherwood Elem.pdf
Spencer Bibbs Elem.pdf
Suter Elem.pdf
Warrington Elem.pdf
Weis Elem.pdf
West Pensacola Elem.pdf
Yniestra Elem.pdf
Middle Schools
Bailey Mid.pdf
Bellview Mid.pdf
Brown Barge Mid.pdf
Ernestward Mid.pdf
Ferry Pass Mid.pdf
Gulf Breeze Mid.pdf
Ransom Mid.pdf
Warrington Mid.pdf
Woodham Mid.pdf
Workman Mid.pdf
High Schools
Escambia High.pdf
Gulf Breeze High.pdf
Northview High.pdf
Pensacola High C2C.pdf
Pensacola High.pdf
Pine Forest High.pdf
Tate High.pdf
Washington High.pdf
West Florida High.pdf
Other Routes
For more information, visit escambiayellow.com.
Molino Pair Busted For Burglary
August 20, 2010
Two young Molino men are facing felony charges after burglarizing a Molino garage.
James Oliver Ard, 19, of Wildwood Road, and William Houston Faberman, 18, of Barrineau Lane, are both charged with burglary, grand theft and grand theft of a firearm. Both are being held in the Escambia County Jail on $16,000 bond.
On August 9, a Molino Road resident reported that his garage had been burglarized, and items that included a string trimmer and a chainsaw had been stolen. Later that day, a third party implicated Ard in the burglary, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report.
Ard and Faberman “admitted that they had been doing drugs and alcohol over the weekend along with several of their friends and began burglarizing several people’s properties,” the arrest report states. “They stated several times that they had become extremely intoxicated and they could not remember several details about the burglaries.”
Faberman provided the stolen string trimmer and chainsaw to a deputy, who returned it to the victim. The victim told deputies that he did not want to press charges, if his other stolen property was returned.
On August 12, the victim reported that a 20-gauge shotgun was missing from the corner of the garage. Ard told deputies that he had hidden a side grinder taken from the garage, but it had been taken by unknown suspects. Faberman’s stepfather provided deputies with a stolen shotgun that had been recovered from Faberman, according to the ECSO report.
Warrants were then prepared for both Ard and Faberman. They were taken into custody on Wednesday, August 18.