Cantonment Man Charged With Felony Child Abuse
May 10, 2023
A Cantonment man is charged with abusing two children.
Billy Ray Constantine, 26, was charged with two felony counts of child abuse without great bodily harm. He remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $150,000.
Two children reportedly suffered multiple bruises caused by Constantine. The Florida Department of Children and Families Child Protective Investigator launched an investigation after receiving a DCF report that minors were at risk for domestic violence and environmental hazards.
One of the children said he smokes around her “but not from normal smelling cigarettes” and she sometimes “sees him eat baby powder off a spoon”. The child had bruises on her body and told investigators that they were from Constantine hitting her, according to an arrest report. A child with a bruise on her face said it was from Constantine hitting and kicking her the night before, the report continues, addinging that one of the children was currently wearing a brace after her arm was “stomped”.
Constantine also allegedly told an adult not to report the alleged abuse or he would “shoot up her house”, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report states.
DCF placed the children in other homes due to the allegations, and the investigation is continuing, the report notes.
New Members Inducted Into Northview High Beta Club
May 10, 2023
Thirteen students were inducted into the National Beta Club at Northview High School this week.
The students are:
- Brooke Lytton
- Jayden White
- Brianna Reynolds
- Anna Kunkel
- Elizabeth Coleman
- Talaysha Curry
- Wade Bailey
- Braylan Shelly
- Jackson Simmons
- Savannah Hudson
- Kayleigh Young
- Liam Simonson
- Maurice Dixon
The National Beta Club’s purpose is “to promote the ideals of academic achievement, character, leadership and service among elementary and secondary school students”.
Pictured: New Beta Club members at Northview High School. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Contract Awarded For Hurricane Sally Repairs At Molino Community Center
May 10, 2023
Escambia County has awarded a contract for Hurricane Sally repairs at the Molino Community Center.
The $141,503.23 contract, funded by FEMA, was awarded to JNB Contracting of Daleville, Alabama, for damage repairs for the community center , the adjacent cafeteria building and the Molino Head Start building.
Most of the work involves scraping and painting ceilings, drywall replacement, and other painting.
Hurricane Sally made landfall near Gulf Shores on September 16, 2020.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Afternoon Storm Brings Gusty Winds, Small Hail
May 10, 2023
A Tuesday afternoon storm brought gusty winds and small hail to a portion of the North Escambia area.
Pea size hail was reported in Atmore and across the Davisville and Bratt areas about 5:45 p.m.
Following the storm, a shed was seen in a ditch on Greenland Road.
Submitted photo by Raymond Clark for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Elementary Names Students Of The Month
May 10, 2023
Byrneville Elementary School recently recognized their April Students of the Month.
They are:
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fitterer Fantastic Again As Blue Wahoos Beat Barons
May 10, 2023
Evan Fitterer turned in yet another dominant start as the Pensacola Blue Wahoos opened up their road series in Birmingham with a 4-2 win over the Barons on Tuesday night.
Fitterer (W, 3-0), who began his Double-A career with 11.0 scoreless innings, saw his streak come to a close but still allowed only two runs over 6.0 innings as the Blue Wahoos won their third in a row and 11th in their past 12 games.
The Blue Wahoos jumped out to an early lead against Garrett Davila (L, 0-3) in the first inning on a Dane Myers RBI single. The Barons briefly reclaimed the lead at 2-1 on a two-run homer from Alsander Womack in the third, but Pensacola charged back in the fourth to take the edge for good.
Cody Morissette started the rally with a one-out single before Victor Mesa Jr. was hit by a pitch. Will Banfield tied the game with an RBI double before Griffin Conine laced a two-run single to right that put Pensacola ahead 4-2.
Fitterer worked out of jams in the fifth and sixth, departing with his second quality start in a Blue Wahoos uniform. Brady Puckett and Zack Leban wriggled out of similar trouble in the seventh and eighth before handing the ball to Sean Reynolds (S, 5) for a scoreless ninth.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Barons on Wednesday morning at Regions Field.
by Erik Bremer
Slayton Discusses His Political Future, Superintendent’s Future, Sales Tax At Town Hall
May 9, 2023
Escambia County School Board District 5 member Bill Slayton and Superintendent Dr. Tim Smith held a town hall Monday night at Tate High School.
Slayton discussed his political future, the future of the superintendent, sales tax and enrollment capacity during the meeting.
Slayton said since 2008, the district has spent about $90 million in half cent monies in District 5 for improvements and new construction, including the current Ernest Ward Middle School and Kingsfield Elementary.
“That school is running approximately 900 elementary students, so the question is what are we going to do next,” he said about Kingsfield Elementary. “We are looking; we are talking. We are seeing what we have to do.”
“Tate High School is closed for students to transfer into. They began the year at almost 2,200,” he said. The only pending upgrade for Tate he mentioned was covers for an outdoor eating space by the cafeteria to increase student use.
An audience member questioned if Slayton, who was first elected in 2008, will seek another term in 2024.
“That’s a question that my wife and I have discussed. I can’t give you the concrete answer tonight. Hang on until it’s election time,” he said. “I’ll let you know.”
He was a bit more decisive when asked about his continued support to retain Smith.
“I believe that you have to give people time to do the job. Nobody can walk in and do it, and turn everything around immediately,” he said. “You have to learn as you go, and you are learning on the job. There’s no other way to learn as a superintendent except become a superintendent…As long as I am in office, my intentions are to keep supporting the superintendent because that is what the team ought to be doing and that’s what the school board voted to do. ”
Images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FHP: Jay Woman Drives Her Mini Cooper Into UPS Store
May 9, 2023
A 60-year old woman from Jay drove her Mini Cooper through the front of the UPS Store in Pace, injuring a woman inside, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
FHP said a 35-year old Pace woman inside the store suffered minor injuries from glass and debris.
Prior to this crash, FHP said the Mini Cooper driver and a 37-year-old woman driving a van backed into each other in the parking lot. The driver of the Mini Cooper put her vehicle in gear and pressed on the accelerator causing it to travel over the parking curb into the front of the UPS Store.
Escambia County Commission Cancels COW Meeting Again
May 9, 2023
The Escambia County Commission has canceled Thursday’s planned Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting.
The COW is a workshop type meeting held for commission discussion, but no votes are taken.
The meeting has been canceled for the last several months.
Molino Tax Collector Office In Running For Donate Life Display Contest Award
May 9, 2023
The Escambia County Tax Collector Molino Office is in the running in the Donate Life Florida Make a Splash Display – Small Offices contest.
The staff worked to spread awareness and raise funds for organ donor education throughout the month of April.
Driver license offices across Florida participated in the National Donate Life Month campaign, “Make A Splash For Donation!”
As a part of the campaign, offices across the state created wall displays inspired by the frog and lily Donate Life Month Theme in an effort to increase awareness for Donate Life, while also fundraising for organ and tissue donation education.
The winning offices will be announced later this month.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.