Escambia Man Charged With Attempted Murder For Allegedly Choking Cab Driver
December 7, 2022
An Escambia County man is facing multiple charges after allegedly attacking a female cab driver and other individuals at a Highway 29 hotel on Monday.
Rickey Allen Wiggins, 42, was charged with attempted murder, two counts of felony battery, two counts of misdemeanor battery, resisting an officer with violence and felony battery on a law enforcement officer.
Wiggins was a guest at the Hotel Del Sol. He became involved in an argument with a manager and started kicking on a door before before grabbing the victim by the neck, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report.
Wiggins got into a Lucky Cab that had arrived for another customer. The driver told him to exit the vehicle and wait for another cab. That caused him to become upset, grab her around the neck and choke her, according to the report. She broke free with Wiggins giving chase and tackling her as she fled.
The ECSO seized a camera from the cab that was recording during the incident.
An ECSO deputy said that when he arrived on scene, Wiggins was trying to kill a woman by choking her. Wiggins allegedly grabbed the deputy’s leg and would not comply when ordered to release his grip.
Wiggins remained in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
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Molino Woman Charged With Battery Of A Man Over Age 65
December 7, 2022
A Molino woman allegedly struck a 70-year old man in the face in his home.
Jessica Anne Lewis, 40, was charged with felony battery on a person age 65 or older in a domestic violence situation. She remained in the Escambia County Jail Wednesday with bond set at $2,500.
The victim told Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies that Lewis came over to his property and wanted to see her kids. After a discussion in the yard, Lewis followed him inside and demanded to take a shower, an arrest report states.
The victim told Lewis to leave because she was high on drugs, but she hit him in the nose with an open hand, according to the report.
A deputy made contact with Lewis as she was walking down Cedartown Road, and she was placed under arrest.
According to the sheriff’s office, she had been trespass warned from the property in 2019.
The exact domestic relationship between Lewis and the victim was not specified in the redacted arrest report.
FPL Completes Day Of Caring Project At Jim Allen Elementary
December 7, 2022
The United Way Day of Caring happened a little later this year at Jim Allen Elementary School.
On the originally scheduled Day of Caring in October, Florida Power & Light team members were in south Florida supporting Hurricane Ian restoration efforts. Instead of canceling, FPL team members rescheduled and completed their Day of Caring just recently.
FPL team members assembled workbook pages to take the load off Jim Allen teachers.
“Jim Allen Elementary appreciates the FPL team making time in their schedules to come and complete our project,” Jim Allen Elementary Assistant Principal Susan Dorman said.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
First Two Red Bulbs In Keep The Wreath Green Safety Campaign
December 7, 2022
On Tuesday, Escambia County Fire Rescue placed the first two red bulbs in the “Keep the Wreath Green” safety campaign following two residential fires.
At 12:38 a.m. Tuesday, ECFR responded to a residential structure fire on West Jackson Street. A small fire was located at the electrical meter along the outside of the home and a smoldering fire on the inside. Both fires were quickly extinguished, and there were no injuries. One occupant was temporarily displaced until power could be restored.
A second residential kitchen fire was reported at 10:05 a.m. on Georgia Drive. The cooking fire was quickly extinguished, and damage was limited to the kitchen area in the single story home. There were no injuries.
Each time firefighters respond to a residential fire with damage, a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one in wreaths at fire stations across the county to remind citizens of the dangers posed by fires in homes.
Matt Gaetz Files Bill To Allow NAS Pensacola Terrorist Attack Victims Sue Saudi Arabia
December 6, 2022
Tuesday morning, on the third anniversary of the terrorist attack at NAS Pensacola, Rep. Matt Gaetz filed a fill to allow victims to sue Saudi Arabia.
Gaetz introduced the “Saudi Arabia December 6, 2019, Anti-Terror and Accountability Act.”.
“Three years ago today, a Saudi Arabian terrorist shot and killed three U.S. Navy sailors at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola in Florida’s First Congressional District. The terrorist was a combatant participating in a Pentagon-sponsored training program, which granted him access to NAS Pensacola. This bill will hold the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia accountable for aiding and abetting terrorist attacks within the United States while financially supporting the victims of the NAS Pensacola Terrorist Attack,” Gaetz stated in a release.
According to Gaetz, the bill:
- Ends support to the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen
- Halts any military officer exchange programs with Saudi Arabia
- Authorizes that the victims of the NAS Pensacola terrorist attack may seek damages from the Saudi Arabian government through 34 USC 20144: Justice for United States Victims of State-Sponsored Terrorism Fund
- Withdraws $1 Billion from U.S. military aid to Ukraine and deposits the same amount to the Justice for United States Victims of State-Sponsored Terrorism Fund
- Makes available any unused funds to all victims of state sponsored terror to include September 11th victims
The attack was carried out by a Saudi Royal Air Force 2nd Lieutenant as he opened fire in Building 633 at NAS Pensacola.
The attack claimed the lives of Ensign Joshua Watson, Naval Aircrewman 3rd Class Mohammed Haitham and Naval Aircrewman 3rd Class Cameron Walters.
Missing North Escambia Area Man Located
December 6, 2022
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office says a missing Century man was safely located Tuesday.
Chuck Aldridge, 69, was last seen Monday, and his truck was later found at the corner of Highway 29 and Brent Lane. He was classified as missing and endangered by authorities.
Family said he is undergoing evaluation at a local hospital.
The ECSO did not say where Aldridge was found.
Pickleball Court, Street Paving, Christmas Decorations — Century Discusses How To Spend ARPA Funds
December 6, 2022
A pickleball court for Century? Well, maybe.
Pickleball is a sport that combines the elements of tennis, ping-pong, and tennis. It’s a fast growing sport, and municipalities across the country are building courts or repurposing old tennis courts for a relatively low cost.
And that’s what Century may do with an unused tennis court at Showalter Park.
Century was awarded over $924,000 American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds from the federal government. Monday night, the town council met in a workshop to discuss some possible uses for the money.
Discussions included the pickleball court and other improvements like scoreboards and new playground equipment for three ballparks.
Other items discussed included:
- Town hall — $71,000 for flooring, furniture, laptops and finally upgrading their Microsoft Office licenses from Office 2010 to Office 2021. (Support for Office 2010 ended in October 2020, per Microsoft.)
- Tablets for workers in the field for use with utility mapping software for about $1,612 for five.
- $15,000 digital sign at the town hall entrance, with the West Florida Libraries contributing half of the cost
- Utility projects
- Street paving
- American flags for utility poles
- New Christmas decorations
The ARPA money is not sufficient to cover a needed bridge repair on Freedom Road. Mayor Ben Boutwell noted that he is looking at other funding sources.
For about $200,000 of the funds, the town already approved the purchase of wastewater equipment including a vacuum trailer, bypass pump, a water pump and a “jetter trailer” with sewer machine and camera system. A jetter trailer uses high pressure water to clear sewage blockages.
Monday night’s meeting was a discussion-only workshop. Any purchases will be approved at future meetings.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Woman Charged In 2019 Century Burglary
December 6, 2022
A Flomaton woman was recently arrested on charges related to a 2019 burglary in Escambia County, Florida.
Amanda Inez Pugh, 36, was charged with burglary, criminal mischief with property damage and grand theft.
She allegedly burglarized a residence on Buck Smith Road near Century by removing a window air conditioner. Once inside, she took a large plastic container filled with about $1,000 in coins, and she damaged an exterior door knob and a pickup truck parked on the property, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report.
Pugh remained in the Escambia County Jail Tuesday morning with bond set at $35,000.
What You Need To Know: Northview State Championship Game, Tickets
December 6, 2022
The Northview Chiefs (13-0) will face Hawthorne (11-0) in the state 1R championship game.
Here’s the info game you need to know:
- When: Saturday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. (EST)
- Where: Gene Cox Stadium, 601 Paul Russell Road, Tallahassee
- Tickets: $14 in advance, $17 the day off, plus convenience fee. $2 cost of parking is included at the ticket. Purchase only at GoFan. Under age 3 is free.
- Weather: Saturday: Sunny, 74. Saturday night: Partly cloudy, low 54. Sunday: Mostly sunny, 20% rain, high 71.
Look for more pre-game coverage this week on NorthEscambia.com, plus post-game coverage beginning Sunday.
Ransom Middle School Names Students Of The Month
December 6, 2022
Ransom Middle School recently announced their Students of the Month for October. They are Tresten Burgans and Lilah Coleman. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.