Dump Truck, Car Collide On Highway 29
June 28, 2022
A passenger car and a dump collided on Highway 29 midday Tuesday.
The crash happened on Highway 29 northbound just north of 9 1/2 Mile Road. At least one person was reportedly transported to the hospital.
Further information was not available as the Florida Highway Patrol continued their investigation.
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Century Felon Charged With Cocaine Trafficking, Weapons Offenses After Threatening Sister
June 28, 2022
Kendrick Jamar Washington was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, trafficking in cocaine, possession of cocaine, possession of crack cocaine, possession marijuana, two counts of possession of a weapon and ammunition by a convicted felon, and carrying a concealed unlicensed firearm. He remained in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Washington allegedly pointed “an assault rifle” at his sister and threatened to kill her, according to an arrest report. She headed to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Century Precinct to file a report.
During the investigation, deputies were alerted of an armed disturbance on Ashford Alley off Jefferson Avenue and detained Washington. A .38 Special revolver and a Del-Ton rifle were recovered from Washington, along with a .223 round in the chamber, 13 rounds in the magazine of the rifle and five rounds in his pocket, according to an arrest report.
Deputies also found a plastic bag with 91.7 grams of powdered cocaine, 18.9 grams of crack cocaine and 1.6 grams of marijuana, the report states. A total of $4,642 in currency was found on Washington’s person, deputies said.
Beulah Middle, Tate High, Northview High FFA Chapters Awarded At State Convention
June 28, 2022
FFA chapters and members from Beulah Middle School, Northview High School and Tate High School were recently honored at the 94th Florida FFA State Convention at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Tate High School received the Florida FFA Premier Chapter Award. The award was initiated to recognize superior achievement by chapters in agricultural education and the FFA. To be eligible for this award, a chapter must be proficient in several areas, which include alumni and community partnerships, financial planning, public relations, recruitment and other FFA activities.
Beulah Middle and Tate High were selected among Florida’s Finest FFA Chapters. The selection of these chapters is based upon the completion of the National Chapter Award program application. These chapters have excelled in the areas of growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture and have worked hard to fulfill the mission and vision of the FFA.
Northview High and Tate High chapters were recognized for 100% membership. In order to receive this award, every student enrolled in agriculture must also be a bona fide FFA member and active with leadership development programs of the FFA Program.
Beulah Middle School’s Leanne Jenkins has been named Florida’s 2022 FFA Advisor of the Year. [Read more...] The award recognizes educators who have made a positive difference in the lives of their students. Individuals nominated must have taught for at least three years and have provided outstanding service to their FFA chapter, agricultural industry, and agricultural education.
The Florida FFA State Degree, the highest degree that the State FFA Association can bestow on a member, was awarded to eight Tate High School FFA members. This degree is awarded annually at the State FFA Convention to those members who have met the minimum qualifications set forth by the National FFA Organization.
The Florida FFA State Degree was awarded to the following Tate FFA members:
- Jiana Dortch
- Kristen Gibbs
- Wiley Griffin
- Tucker Griffin
- Dawson Guy
- Mia Langley
- Jaxson Stafford
- Hanna Swauger
CDE, LDE, Proficiency Winners
Beulah Middle School
- 1st Place State Aquaculture
- 5th State Forestry
- Miller Richards – State High Individual Tool ID
- 5th State Vegetable Judging
- 3rd Parliamentary Procedure
- 1st FFA Suncoast Credit Union Food Drive
Northview High School
- 5th Place Chapter Advocacy Award (Fresh From Florida event)
Tate High School
- Jaxson Stafford State Winner Forage Production Proficiency (advances to nationals)
- Jaxson Stafford Florida FFA State Star Farmer [Read more...]
- 3rd Place State Safe Tractor Operations and Maintenance – Jaxson Stafford
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Paid Work Will Now Count For Bright Futures Scholarship Eligibility
June 28, 2022
Florida high school students applying for the state’s college and vocational school Bright Futures scholarship program will be able to substitute paid work experience for volunteering under a bill signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday.
Students who apply for the Bright Futures program starting in the next school year will be able to fulfill the volunteer requirement by working 100 hours. During a bill signing ceremony at Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, DeSantis said the change will help low-income families whose teenagers need to work.
This expansion will allow students who work after school jobs to apply their paid work contributions to their communities to substitute service hour requirements. The legislation allows students the opportunity to receive Bright Futures Scholarships who might not otherwise have been able to meet the requirements for a scholarship, the governor said.
“Florida students should not lose the opportunity to receive a Bright Futures Scholarship because they have to work to help their families make ends meet,” said DeSantis. “After school jobs teach our students valuable life lessons, much like community service hours do. I am glad to sign this bill and will continue to make sure higher education remains affordable in Florida.”
“Bright Futures has provided a pathway to success for nearly one million students,” said Education Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr. “With today’s changes to Bright Futures eligibility requirements, no student will be forced to choose between supporting their family and meeting the volunteer hours necessary to earn a scholarship. I’m proud to join Governor DeSantis today as we expand access to postsecondary education for all students.”
The bill modifies the eligibility requirements for the Bright Futures Scholarship Program to include an option for students to use paid work hours to qualify for the scholarship. Paid work hours must meet the requirements for volunteer hours and there must be documentation of the hours.
Deputies Seek Pair For Using Fraudulent Debit Card At Beulah Grocery Store
June 28, 2022
Deputies are looking for two people they say were caught on a camera using a fraudulent debit card.
The man and woman used the debit card to make a purchase at the Publix in Beulah, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. They were seen leaving in a newer model white Dodge Ram with a toolbox attached to the bed of the truck.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
Update: Roberts Circle Mobile Home Fire Cause Determined
June 28, 2022
Investigators have determined that a mobile home fire Saturday night was caused by a dryer vent.
The vent was “restricted” according to Escambia Fire Rescue in the mobile home in the 2000 block of Roberts Circle. When firefighters arrived about 9 p.m., smoke was visible from outside of the home.
“The home suffered significant damages but can be reoccupied after repairs,” ECFR stated.
The American Red Cross provided lodging for those that were displaced. There were no injuries.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Double Murder Suspect Turns Himself In At Escambia Jail
June 27, 2022
UPDATE: Suspect Tavarras Vondhay Thomas turned himself in at the Escambia County Jail Tuesday evening.
The Pensacola Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating a man wanted for two counts of first degree premeditated murder.
Tavarras Vonshay Thomas, 42, is wanted in the shooting deaths of 24-year old Cieric Parker and 18-year old Dominique Bullard on June 22 in Attucks Court.
PPD said Thomas is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or 911.
8-Year Old Accidentally Shoots And Kills 1-Year Old, Injures 2-Year Old; 14-Time Convicted Felon Charged
June 27, 2022
1-Year Old Shot And Killed, 2-Year Old Injured; 14-Time Convicted Felon Charged
A one-year old was shot and killed by another child early Sunday morning in Escambia County with a gun from a 14-time convicted felon.
The incident happened in the early morning hours Sunday at the Lion’s Motel on Dr. Martin Luther King Drive.
According to Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons, 45-year old Roderick Dwayne Randall left his sleeping girlfriend and the young children in a motel room. Randall’s 8-year old found the gun in a closet and fired a shot. The bullet struck and killed a 1-year old girl and injured a 2-year old girl.
The 1-year old was pronounced deceased at the scene by Escambia County EMS. The 2-year old was taken to a local hospital and is expected to recover. Randall is not a parent to either child, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Randall returned to the scene and took the weapon and what was believed to be an amount of drugs, the sheriff said. “And he leaves the scene before returning back to the scene.”
“This is not how we treat our children,” Simmons said. “Our hearts go out to the rest of the families. This is ridiculous. These are two babies that are shot.”
Randall was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, two counts of culpable negligence, tampering with physical evidence, and failing to store or leave firearm in a required manner. He remained in he Escambia County Jail with bond set at $41,000.
The sheriff said he has 129 pages of criminal history, 28 previous felony charges and 14 felony convictions.
Two Charged In Multiple Cantonment, Gonzalez Vehicle Burglaries
June 27, 2022
Two Cantonment men have been charged in connection with multiple vehicle burglaries recently in Cantonment and Gonzalez.
Anthony Jared Norman (pictured left), 20, and Mason Cole Zimmerman, 18, were charged with multiple counts including burglary of an occupied dwelling, burglary of a conveyance, petit theft, grand theft of a firearm and credit card fraud.
Two vehicles were unlocked inside a garage, and the resident forgot to close the garage door at their home on Bucyrus Lane off Chemstrand Road, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The resident discovered several items missing from one vehicle, including a credit card.
The card was reported stolen, and a transaction at the Valero station in the 200 block of South Highway 29 was declined.
Surveillance video from the store showed a red four-door car that matched a car seen in other surveillance video from several vehicle burglaries that occurred in he area, an ECSO report states.
Two individuals, later identified as Norman and Zimmerman, entered the store wearing clothing that was later recovered, investigators said. They attempted multiple credit card transactions, some of which were successful.
Deputies said Zimmerman was later located at his girlfriend’s residence on Condor Drive, and several items reported stolen in several vehicle burglaries were recovered in the room. The girlfriend, who was not charged, told deputies that Zimmerman brough the items to her room after Zimmerman was out with an individual known as “AJ” or “Anthony”.
Clothing items matching that seen in surveillance videos from the vehicle burglaries and the Valero station were recovered from Norman’s residence on Virecent Road.
Zimmerman also had an outstanding warrant for two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for allegedly pointing a gun at two individuals in a vehicle and threatening them on Camaree Place off East 10 Mile Road last April.
Norman remained in the Escambia County Jail Monday with bond set at $41,000, while Zimmerman was jailed with bond set at $98,000.
Escambia Man Gets 30 Years For Stabbing Woman In The Eye With A Car Key
June 27, 2022
An Escambia County Man has been sentenced to 30 years in state prison for stabbing a woman in the eye.
Judge John F. Simon designated Clinton Cooper as a habitual felony offender and a prison releasee reoffender after he was convicted of aggravated battery with great bodily harm. He will be required to serve 15 years of his 30 year sentence day for day as a mandatory minimum sentence.
Cooper stabbed the victim in her eye with a car key and caused multiple injuries to her face following an argument over the victim’s intention to end their relationship.