Cantonment Man Dies In Single Vehicle Crash
July 21, 2010
A 27-year old Cantonment man died in single vehicle accident Tuesday night.
Andrew Crosby, 27, was pronounced dead at the scene of the 8:55 p.m. crash on County Road 97 south of Sherrilane Drive in Cantonment.
The Florida Highway Patrol says Crosby was southbound on County Road 97 when he ran off the road for an unknown reason. He over-corrected and traveled back across the roadway into a tree. The top of his 2007 Ford pickup struck the tree, according to the accident report.
Crosby was not wearing a seat belt, according to the FHP.
The Cantonment, Ensley, Brent and Bellview stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the crash along with Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
For a photo gallery from the scene, click here.
Pictured above and below: A 27-year old Cantonment man died in this single vehicle crash Tuesday night in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
McDavid Man Accused In Sexual Battery Of 14-Year Old Female Runaway
July 21, 2010
A 19-year old McDavid man has been charged with the sexual battery a 14-year old girl.
Nathan Arron Mack, 19, of Railroad Street, McDavid, remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $55,000. He is charged with lewd and lascivious battery on a person 12-16 and interference with custody.
The victim’s stepfather told Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies that the 14-year old, who had been reported as a runaway, was at Mack’s residence on Railroad Street. When deputies arrived at the residence, they found Mack and the teen girl.
According to the Sheriff’s Office arrest report, Mack admitted to having intercourse multiple times with the 14-year old. He admitted that he had picked up the Pensacola girl at the Winn Dixie on Nine Mile Road because he knew the victim’s mother would not allow the two to be together. The young girl corroborated Mack’s story, according to the report.
When deputies contacted the victim’s mother, she advised that she wanted to pursue criminal charges against Mack. The mother stated that she had retrieved her daughter from Mack at the McDavid Mini Mart the week prior and had forbidden him from having any contact with her daughter.
Lister Found Guilty Of Stealing $1.43 Million From Sheriff’s Office
July 21, 2010
A former Escambia County Sheriff’s Office employee has been found guilty of stealing $1.43 million from the department.
Cathy Lister, 58, a former accountant who allegedly stole the funds over a long career with the Sheriff’s Office, was found guilty Tuesday afternoon of one count of aggravated white collar crime and 11 counts of money laundering.
She is schedule to be sentenced in August; she faces at least 30 years in prison under state sentencing guidelines.
Lister was first charged in February with stealing $130,000 from the sheriff’s office, but further investigation determined that well over $1 million more was missing. The money was taken over a 10 year period from monies seized as part of investigations that was placed in the department’s Evidence Trust Fund. She testified in court that she paid bills and sometimes supported other family members with the money.
Lister was a 32-year employee of the department who retired from the finance division just six days before her arrest.
Nokomis Habitat Home Dedicated
July 21, 2010
In just two months, an army of volunteers constructed Escambia County Habitat for Humanity’s 17th home.
Construction workers, teachers, bankers, business owners, high school students, ordinary people — over 100 people from all walks of life volunteered their time and skills to make Jennifer Dorriety’s dream of home ownership a reality.
“It’s a dream come true,” Dorriety said recently.
“It’s fun to help and advance the Kingdom of God,” said volunteer Shinora Redmond from Alto Products, one of Habitat’s sponsors for the Nokomis home, as she worked on the first construction weekend back in May.
Many of the volunteers, like Brittany Thompson, 16, had never had in part in building a house.
“I’m here because I wanted to help the people,” said Thompson, one of 14 students from Northview High School that spent part of a May Saturday working on the two bedroom home. “They never had a home of their own, and the home they are living in now is falling apart.”
Dorriety’s new home, which was dedicated Sunday, will continue to save her money for years to come, said Escambia County Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Alecia Glaize. It incorporates many “green” and sustainable features, like Hardiplank siding, a composite concrete and wood fiber board; bamboo flooring and a long list of energy efficiency features.
Houses constructed by the non-profit Habitat group are not free for recipients like Dorriety. The homes are sold to families at cost — there’s no profit for Habitat. The 20 year mortgages are at zero percent interest, providing much needed savings for those are unable to afford a conventional mortgage. And new homeowners are required to invest 400 “sweat equity” hours working for Habitat.
The Nokomis Habitat build was a change for the group that has constructed 16 homes in Brewton. It’s the first outside of Brewton, the first in a rural area, the first on a raised foundation, and the first on the future homeowner’s land. But it won’t be the last; plans are underway for an additional home near Atmore.
Pictured top: (L-R) Jennifer Dorriety, her daughter Kaylee and Escambia County Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Alecia Glaize at the dedication for Dorriety’s new home in Nokomis. Pictured top inset: Dorriety at Habitat dedication as an army of volunteers and supports (seen in a reflection in the glass) look on. Pictured bottom inset: Volunteers work during the first weekend of construction. Pictured bottom: A group of Northview High School students volunteered to help build the home. NorthEscambia.com and courtesy photos, click to enlarge.
Individual Student FCAT Scores Available Soon
July 21, 2010
FCAT scores for individual students will be available next week in Escambia County.
The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test score letters have arrived at individual schools. Parents and guardians should receive an automated phone call on Thursday advising them when they can pick up scores at their child’s school.
Parents are asked not to stop by their child’s school for the scores until the date that will be provided during the automated phone call.
Escambia Academy Cheerleaders Win Top Honors
July 21, 2010
The Escambia Academy varsity and junior varsity cheerleaders recently won top honors at the Universal Cheerleaders Association camp in Montgomery.
The varsity cheerleaders were named the Alabama Independent School Association state champions for small varsity squads, and the junior varsity cheerleaders were named as runner-ups for the AISA in the small squad junior varsity division.
The varsity squad won first place in Home Pom and Cheer, second place in Extreme Routine. They also received a Leadership Award.
The EA junior varsity cheerleaders were runner-ups in Home Pom and Extreme Routine.
Nycole Thompson and Niki Bryan were named UCA All-American Varsity Cheerleaders. They will have the opportunity to dance in the New Year’s Day parade in London, England.
Natalie Lassiter and Anna Catherine Sasser were named UCA All-American JV Cheerleaders. They will have the opportunity to march in the Walt Disney World Thanksgiving Day Parade in Orlando this fall.
Bailey Vaughn was named an AISA All-Star; she will cheer at the AISA All-Star football and basketball games.
Escambia Academy also had three girls recognized for their leadership through the Pin It Forward Program that exemplifies why America needs cheerleaders. They were Amber Huskey, Page Lancaster and Anna Catherine Sasser.
Members of the Escambia Academy varsity squad are: captain Rachel Fuller, co-captain Bailey Vaughn, Amber Huskey, Samantha Lee, Nycole Thompson, Niki Bryan, Caitlyn Bruley and Page Lancaster. JV squad members are: Sarah Weatherford, Claire Dawe, Jessica Glick, Sissy Jeter, Natalie Lassiter, Anna Catherine Sasser, Kricket White and Hannah Boothe.
Pictured top: The Escambia Academy varsity cheerleaders: (front, L-R) captain Rachel Fuller, co-captain Bailey Vaughn, (middle, L-R) Samantha Lee, Caitlyn Bruley, Amber Huskey, Niki Bryan, Page Lancaster,, Nycole Thompson, (back, L-R) Cyndi Vaughn, varsity cheer sponsor. Pictured inset: UCA All American Cheerleaders (L-R) Natalie Lassiter, Niki Bryan, Anna Catherine Sasser and Nycole Thompson. Pictured below: The Escambia Academy junior varsity cheerleaders: (front, L-R) Kricket White, Anna Catherine Sasser, (middle, L-R) Natalie Lassiter, Sarah Weatherford, (back, L-R) Jessica Glick, Claire Dawe, Sissy Jeter and Hannah Boothe. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida House Adjourns With No Vote On Drilling Amendment
July 20, 2010
The House gaveled in for a special session just after 11 a.m. central time, but will adjourn sine die without taking up Gov. Charlie Crist’s proposed constitutional amendment on drilling, House Speaker Larry Cretul says.
He called Crist’s special session call “a terrible way to propose constitutional changes.” Cretul said he was setting up working groups to look at the effects of the spill and come up with solutions. “We were called here today because of politics,” Cretul said. He said lawmakers could consider next year a proposal to put the drilling ban before voters in the 2012 election. “We are instituting a serious approach,” Cretul said.
“We have fulfilled our constitutional obligation.”
from The News Service Florida
Truck Crashes Into Tom Thumb, Propane Tanks
July 20, 2010
A pickup truck crashed into a Highway 29 Tom Thumb Tuesday morning, leaving the truck resting on the store’s case of propane tanks.
The Florida Highway Patrol says Mamie Gregg, 67, of Cantonment, was attempting to park her 2001 Chevrolet pickup truck in the parking lot of the Tom Thumb at West Roberts Road. At about 9:35 a.m., she hit a concrete post and storage box containing propane tanks outside the store. The truck came to rest on top of the propane tank storage box. There was no fire or explosion. The store’s building sustained only minor damage.
The store and the immediate area were evacuated while emergency crews worked to ensure the truck was safely removed.
Gregg was not injured. She was charged with careless driving, according to the FHP.
For a photo gallery from the scene, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Rep. Greg Evers Files Arizona-Like Immigration Bill
July 20, 2010
Rep Greg Evers today filed legislation Monday for this week’s special session that mirrors the Arizona law on immigration
While the Governor’s call of the special session is solely for consideration of a proposed constitutional amendment banning offshore drilling, Evers filed this legislation should the call of the Special Session be expanded.
Evers said he believes that immigration, job growth and job preservation are intertwined in Florida, and especially in Northwest Florida where many workers are searching for employment as a result of the Deepwater Horizon tragedy. He said protecting and creating Northwest Florida jobs for Northwest Floridians is of the utmost importance and is of the utmost urgency.
“Our area has taken an unprecedented economic hit because of the Deepwater Horizon tragedy, and I believe that we need to make recovery and economic revival a number one priority. The Arizona law, which I have followed directly in drafting this Florida legislation, accomplishes not only a crackdown on illegal immigration but also stimulation of the economy by making sure that American jobs go to American workers,” said Evers. “While this Special Session may not be expanded to other issues, I am committed to making sure that this critical issue remains our high priority and is addressed at the earliest opportunity possible. I will keep filing this legislation until we can pass it. It’s just that important to me personally and to the future of all Floridians.”
The 33-page bill, among other things, creates Chapter 820 in Florida Statutes entitled “Illegal Immigration,” prohibits state or local government policies that limit or restrict the enforcement of federal immigration laws to less than the full extent permitted by federal law; requires that when lawful contact is made with a person by a law enforcement officer and reasonable suspicion exists that the person is an alien who is unlawfully present in the United States, a reasonable attempt shall be made to determine the person’s immigration status; requires transfer of unlawfully present persons convicted of offenses to custody of the United States upon discharge from imprisonment or assessment of fine; and permits warrantless arrests of certain aliens.
$30 Million Biofuel Plant Could Locate In Jay
July 20, 2010
An Orlando company wants to build a $30 million bio-fuels plant near Jay, but the Santa Rosa County Commission wants more information before revenue bonds are issued in their name.
The Integrated Energy Partners, Inc. facility near Jay would use agricultural products to create biodiesel fuel, kerosene, propane and electricity. The plant would provide about 30 jobs and eventually employee about 50 people in five years.
Santa Rosa County would not be financially responsible for the bonds, but would issue them on behalf of the energy company. Since the county’s name would be used obtain financing for the company. Commissioner Chairman Gordon Goodwin he wanted more information before making a decision about a project using the county’s name. A principal in Integrated Energy Partners, Rodney Higgins, said he should be able to provide that information to the commission by a workshop meeting on August 9.
According to documentation provided by Integrated Energy Partners, the company would use seeds from the Camelina plant in the winter and other traditional year-round crops, including cotton seed, to produce their biofuels. In addition, municipal and other waste products would be used as fuel.
The company said it has secured purchase agreements with farmers involving about 10,000 acres in the Florida Panhandle and has an “in principle” agreement with a municipality for their waste.
At startup, the company plans to have a 5-12 megawatt electricity generation capacity. They would be able to produce, according to documents provided to the commission, a yearly output of 3 million gallons of biodiesel, 9 million gallons of kerosene, 353 thousand gallons of cellulosic alcohol, 437 thousand gallons of propane and 47.8 MWH of electricity.