Molino Man Charged With Home Invasion
February 13, 2024
A Molino man has been charged with home invasion after allegedly forcing his way into his ex-girlfriend’s home.
Gregory DeWayne Thames, 53, was booked into the Escambia County Jail on charges of home invasion robbery, petit theft, criminal mischief, aggravated stalking and hindering communications to law enforcement. He also had an outstanding warrant for grand theft of a motor vehicle. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Monday with bond set at $43,000.
Thames allegedly forced his way into his ex-girlfriend’s home on Cedartown Road, busting through the front door and a bedroom door. He then snatched the victim’s cell phone, according to an arrest report. The victim was able to run next door and call 911.
Thames returned to the residence as deputies were leaving, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and he was placed under arrest.
Deputies said the victim had applied for a domestic violence injunction against Thames, but it had not been served at the time of the alleged home invasion.
Century Responds To Records Request On Urban Development Center’s Loan Repayment
February 13, 2024
The Town of Century on Monday responded to a February 7 public records request regarding a payment that the CEO of the Urban Development Center said she made toward what started as an unsecured $61,925 loan for the YouthFirst Century program that suffered a complete funding cut by the Escambia County Children’s Trust (ECT).
Last Tuesday, Jessca Griffen told the Century Town Council by phone that she had made a $20,000 payment to the town. Our public records request to the town for any proof of the payment (such as a copy of the check or deposit slip) remained ignored until February 12.
Monday, Town Clerk Leslie Howington provided copy of a $20,000 cashier’s payable to the Town of Century from The Urban Development Center.
Last year, Escambia Children’s Trust (ECT) awarded a contract to the Pensacola non-profit Urban Development Center for “YouthFirst Century” to serve 750 youth ages 11-18 over a three-year period at a total cost of $1.2 million. In reality, they only reached 30 children in their targeted ages of 11-18. They requested to lower their target age group to just 5-years old, but that was also denied by ECT.
The Town of Century fronted an unsecured $61,925 loan to UDC to purchase items like computers and workbooks. Previously, Griffen stated another $20,000 was previously repaid to the town, according to audio from a council meeting. However, public records requests by both NorthEscambia.com and Rick’s Blog to the town produced no documentation of the payment.
Griffen had proposed that the remaining $41,295 be repaid by December 31, 2023, but that deadline was missed. She requested an extension to March 31, 2024.
UDC has been reimbursed $164,903.50 by ECT through October, according to records from the taxpayer funded Escambia Children’s Trust, but those funds were not used to fully repay the Town of Century.
UDC has requested a $189,256.70 reimbursement for their first year of operation, despite reaching just 56 children, with less than 30 of those in the target age range. That equals $6,308 per targeted child in the 11-18 age group.
Pictured top: A copy of a $20,000 loan payment from The Urban Development Center. The account numbers were redacted by NorthEscambai.com. The Urban Development Center’s Dr. Jessica Griffen introduces YouthFirst Century to a group at the Pilgrim Lodge Baptist Church in Century in February 2023. NorthEscambia.com file photo. click to enlarge.
Woman Charged In 9 1/2 Mile Hit And Run That Killed Man On A Scooter
February 12, 2024
The Florida Highway Patrol has made an arrest in a fatal hit and run that claimed the life of a 34-year old male on an electric scooter on January 26.
Sarah Rachel Nowlin was booked into the Escambia County Jail on a charge of leaving the scene of a crash involving death.
Trooper said Nowlin was driving a 2008 Toyota Prius that was traveling west on 9 1/2 Mile Road about 9:30 p.m. when it struck a 34-year old male on an electric scooter. Nowlin slowed the vehicle then sped off, traveling westbound while leaving the scene, FHP said. The on scene investigation identified the vehicle and the information was disseminated on NorthEscambia.com and other media outlets..
On January 27, a bystander located the vehicle abandoned behind the trees on a vacant property. The bystander contacted the Florida Highway Patrol and the vehicle was impounded.
Nowlin remained inthe Escambia County Jail with no bond pending first appearance for the charges.
Jay Man Charged With First Degree Murder After Buried Skeletal Remains Located
February 12, 2024
A Jay man was charged with murder after skeletal remains were found buried Saturday south of Jay.
Jeffrey Scott Bostwick, 53 was charged with first degree murder without premeditation and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
Friday, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office received information that a Milton resident was missing and believed to have been killed in the 2900 block of Cobbtown Road in Jay and that the suspect has numerous firearms.
The SRSO obtained a search warrant and found multiple firearms in Bostwick’s possession. They also received information that the missing person was buried at another location in the same block of Cobbtown Road.
A warrant was obtained to search that area, and the reported grave was identified. Major Crimes Investigators, SRSO Crime Scene, and the District One Medical Examiner’s Office excavated the grave and recovered skeletal remains.
The victim’s name has not yet been released.
“Currently our investigators have been able to presumptively identify the remains, however this has not yet been officially confirmed through DNA testing,” Jillian Durkin, Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office public information officer, said.
Bostwick remained in the Santa Rosa County Jail Monday morning without bond.
Escambia County Program Will Provide Bus Or Plane Tickets To Get Homeless Out
February 12, 2024
Escambia County has launched a new program to offer free transportation assistance to individuals experiencing homelessness who are seeking to reunite with their family, friends, or other support networks.
“Real Change Project Reconnect” is a completely voluntary program that aims to reduce homelessness in Escambia County, while offering resources to those wanting to travel to locations where they have a better support system to help them get back on their feet.
Through the program, eligible individuals and families will be provided with a bus or plane ticket to their chosen destination, provided they can demonstrate that family, a job, or support network is in place for them.
The Real Change Project Reconnect program is already seeing early success, helping two brothers who were experiencing homelessness and living on the streets of downtown Pensacola for several months. The Pensacola Police Department’s Community Outreach Division was able to connect the brothers with Project Reconnect, which gave them free bus tickets to be reunited with their father in Alabama, where they had housing, family support, and potential job opportunities waiting for them. Although the brothers had previously been offered assistance, they did not express an interest in accepting help until they heard about Real Change Project Reconnect and the opportunity it provided them to reconnect with family support.
he following individuals and families may be eligible for Real Change Project Reconnect:
- Individuals and families seeking family reunification and housing with their family or other support system.
- Individuals and families who have identified employment and need only short-term social service support to facilitate their transition to the arrival community.
- Individuals and families who have affordable permanent housing or other shelter options awaiting them in a community where they have family or social supports.
- Escambia County is working with community partners to facilitate the program, which includes an application and screening process to help ensure the travel assistance is provided to individuals who will benefit the most from the program. During the application process, travel options will be evaluated and coordinated with applicants to determine whether bus or plane tickets are the most economical option for their destination.
This program is just one part of Escambia County’s ongoing efforts to reduce homelessness in the community, and the county is continuing to work with community partners to strategize additional solutions for those experiencing homelessness.
In order to help assess the level of interest in the program, a new question was added to the annual Point in Time Count and Survey in Escambia County, which took place in January 2024. The new survey question asked participants whether they would be interested in transportation assistance for family reunification and/or support.
Of the participants who answered the relocation question, approximately 30% indicated that they are interested in transportation assistance. Data from the surveys will help Escambia County connect with those individuals who have expressed an interest in participating in the program.
For more information about Project Reconnect and other Escambia County Real Change programs and resources, visit MyEscambia.com/realchange or email homelessness@myescambia.com.
Limited funding available. Program participation is subject to funding availability and eligibility requirements. Completing an application does not guarantee transportation assistance.
Motorcylist Killed In Crash Near Atmore
February 12, 2024
A motorcyclist from Texas was killed in a crash Sunday afternoon on I-65 near Atmore.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said 54-year-old Marvin Haynes of San Antonio was fatally injured when the 2022 Harley-Davidson motorcycle he was operating left I-65and struck a tree about 12:22 p.m. Sunday at the 49 mile marker, about five miles south of the Jack Springs Road exit.
He was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division is continuing.
Ernest Ward Middle FFA Horse Judging Team Places Eighth In The State
February 12, 2024
The Ernest Ward Middle School FFA horse Judging Team placed eighth in the state this past weekend in Tampa.
The program encourages FFA members to explore the equine industry, through evaluating horses at halter and horsemanship through equitation, plus learning about breeds, coloring, markings and tack used in the industry.
Photos for NorthEscambaia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Rent And Utility Assistance Applications Closed
February 12, 2024
The Escambia County Community Block Development Grant-Coronavirus – Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance Program is no longer accepting applications. Due to the high volume of applications submitted, the county Neighborhood and Human Services department has committed all available grant funding.
Residents who have already submitted applications and are waiting for a response will have their requests reviewed for eligibility, however, there is no guarantee that applications can be funded due to limited remaining funds.
Anyone in need of rent or utility assistance may call United Way of West Florida at 2-1-1 for referrals to other agencies.
Reminder: District 5 Town Hall Today In Cantonment
February 12, 2024
Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry will host a town hall meeting on Monday, February 12 at 5 p.m. at the Langley Bell 4-H Center.
This is an open forum event and residents of District 5 are invited and encouraged to attend. County staff will be in attendance to address any additional questions or concerns from residents.
The Langley Bell 4-H Center is located at 3730 Stefani Road in Cantonment.
Pictured: Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry held a town hall meeting in April 2023 at the Langley Bell 4-H Center in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
New Traffic Signal Set To Be Activated Today At Mobile Highway, Klondike Road
February 12, 2024
The Florida Department of Transportation plans to activate a new traffic signal at the intersection of Mobile Highway and Klondike Road Monday.
The new signal was placed into flash mode on Monday, February 5.
The activation is weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Pictured: A new traffic signal at the intersection of Mobile Highway and Klondike Road shortly after installation. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.