McDavid Man Accused Of Two Counts Of Aggravated Assault With A Deadly Weapon
May 10, 2022
A McDavid man is accused of ramming a vehicle with three occupants.
Jimmy Robert Wiggins, Jr., 43, was charged with two counts of felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and one count of criminal mischief. He was released on a $9,000 bond.
The incident occurred April 4, and Wiggins was just recently arrested on an outstanding warrant.
Wiggins was driving a 2008 red Dodge Ram when he allegedly began to follow a SUV on Rigby Road near Bratt. Three individuals inside the SUV told deputies the same details, according to an arrest report.
The incident stemmed from an alleged relationship that one of the female SUV occupants was having with another man, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report.
There were no injuries in the incident, and the SUV had about $300 in damages to the passenger side of the rear bumper.
One of the three SUV occupants declined to press charges.
Barrineau Park Historical Society Awards Scholarships To Tate, Northview Seniors
May 10, 2022
The Barrineau Park Historical Society recently awarded two academic scholarships.
Northview High School senior Ethan Kilburn was awarded a $1,000 academic scholarship. He plans to attend the University of West Florida in the fall to pursue a degree in cybersecurity.
Tate High School senior Alyssa Daniels was awarded a $1,000 Stephen Jogan academic scholarship. She will attend the University of Florida in the fall and major in sports management.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Otto Hill Recreation Area Closed For Renovations
May 10, 2022
The Otto Hill Recreation Area along the Perdido River is closed for renovations, according to the Northwest Florida Water Management District. No timeframe has been announced for reopening.
The Otto Hill Recreation Area is located at 2401 Jacks Branch Road, just south of Fillingim Landing. It has a pavilion, portable toilet and reservation only campsite in addition to river access.
There are several short hiking trails — one of which leads to a picturesque sandbar approximately 100 yards from the main camp site. Under normal conditions, the river is shallow enough in this area to provide a fantastic swimming spot for children, according to the water district.
A short swim or paddle across the river leads visitors to another sandbar and more sunbathing opportunities.
Pictured: The Otto Hill Recreation Area on the Perdido River off Jacks Branch Road. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
For The 11th Year, Navy Federal Recognized As Fortune 100 Best Company To Work For
May 10, 2022
For the 11th straight year, Navy Federal Credit Union has been named one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For by Great Place to Work and Fortune, remaining the only credit union to be recognized on this annual list. With over 8,000 employees at its Greater Pensacola Operations, Navy Federal also remains the largest private sector employer in Northwest Florida.
“Our team members are what make up Navy Federal’s award-winning culture,” said Kara Cardona, executive vice president of Greater Pensacola & Contact Center Operations at Navy Federal Credit Union. “Whether it’s guiding a member on the frontline or executing on big ideas that improve our employee experience, they always fulfill the mission and so it’s only right we take care of them with that same commitment.”
Rankings are based on company data and confidential employee feedback from surveys that assess how well the company is creating a great employee experience that cuts across race, gender, age, disability status, or any aspect of who employees are or what their role is.
Navy Federal was No. 76 on the list. Fortune also noted that:
- 96% of employees consider the employee benefits offered to be special and unique.
- 95% of Navy Federal employees are proud to tell others where they work.
- 94% of employees feel good about the ways Navy Federal contributes to the community.
- 91% of employees feel treated as an equal employee, regardless of position level.
“We’re proud of our team and their dedication to outstanding service,” said Britton Bloch, vice president of talent acquisition strategy and recruiting of Navy Federal. “We believe when employees feel valued and taken care of well, they experience more joy at work and are highly engaged in serving our members and our mission.”
In addition to the Fortune 100 selection, Navy Federal is regularly recognized for its quality work environment that allows employees to develop professionally through various offered trainings while prioritizing our members and our mission. The credit union ranked #7 among large organizations on IDG’s Insider Pro and Computerworld 2021 Best Plac
2022 Escambia County Disaster Guide Now Available For Download
May 10, 2022
The 2022 Escambia County Disaster Guide is now available for digital download and will soon be available in print.
The guide includes need-to-know local information on hurricanes and other hazards including flooding, tornadoes, extreme temperatures, fires, terrorism, pandemics, earthquakes, nuclear explosions and more.
To download the guide (pdf, 54 MB), click or tap here.
Century Courthouse Getting New Roof, Repairs For $311,710
May 10, 2022
The Billy G. Ward Century Courthouse is getting a new roof and repairs.
The Escambia County Commission recently approved a $311,710 contract with Centennial Roofing for the project. There was one other vendor submittal for the project from E. Cornell Malone Corporation, but the company did not submit required documentation at the time the bids were received, according to the county.
The base bid of $231,420 will remove the existing built-up roof and replace it with a new TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin membrane) roof, as well as make minor interior repairs. Another $35,290 will replace the fascia metal and gutters around the building, and another $45,000 will repair a sagging beam between the two outer columns on a porch.
The building houses offices for the Escambia County Clerk of the Court, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and a small courtroom.
The structure at 7500 North Century Boulevard is concrete masonry and brick veneer. It will built in 1976 and was renovated and expanded in 1997. The original structure is 2,750 square feet with the expansion adding an additional 2,120 square feet plus attached carport, for a total roof area of approximately 6,910 square feet.
Pictured: The Billy G. Ward Century Courthouse. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Acetylene Tank Catches Fire In Construction Area At Tate High School
May 9, 2022
Firefighters responded to Tate High School Monday afternoon for a reported acetylene tank fire.
The tank for an acetylene torch caught fire in the construction zone for the new Agriscience Building in front of the Fryman Gym.
“Since we cannot turn off the tank (due) to the burned-off valve, we’re waiting for the fire to burn out,” Escambia County Fire Rescue spokesperson Davis Wood said just after 3 p.m. “We have two units and a battalion chief standing by monitoring the situation.”
The fire was reported to be extinguished just before 4 p.m.
There were no structures threatened and no injuries reported. Everyone was evacuated from the immediate area.
Common construction uses for an acetylene torch include heating, cutting and welding.
Pictured: An acetylene tank fire Monday afternoon at Tate High School. Firefighters were unable to turn off the tank because the valve burned off before they were called. But they were able to remove a second tank (pictured below). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Two Teens Charged After Vehicle Stolen During Armed Robbery Is Wrecked In Cantonment Yard
May 9, 2022
Two teens have been arrested for an armed robbery Saturday afternoon in Brownsville that ended with the car wrecked in the front yard of a home on Highway 297A in Cantonment.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 1200 block of Z Street about 2:10 p.m. after a woman reported she was being robbed in front of her home at gunpoint.
Investigators said surveillance video from outside the home showed the incident as Zacharias Jackson-Holley and Shawn Albert, both aged 17, took the victim’s wallet and phone while displaying what appeared to be an “AR-style” rifle . The suspects then took her 2020 Dodge Charger out of her driveway.
The ECSO later received reports of the Dodge Charger being driven recklessly in the area of Pine Forest Road and Highway 297A.
Responding deputies arrived shortly after the stolen vehicle hit a tree and flipped into the yard of a home on Highway 297A and Sandicrest Lane, near the Heritage Baptist Church. Southard said deputies had not pursued the vehicle prior to the crash.
Albert was found lying next to the upside-down stolen Dodge Charger, according to deputies, and the gun was also found. It was determined to be a BB gun.
For more photos, click or tap here.
The suspects were taken into custody and then transported to area hospitals for their injuries.
Jackson-Holley, who was previously adjudicated as an adult was charged with armed carjacking and criminal mischief. Albert was charged with sudden snatching, armed carjacking and criminal mischief. The sheriff’s office is recommending Albert to be tried as an adult.
Jackson-Holley (pictured) remained in the Escambia County Jail Monday afternoon with bond set at $105,000. Information on Albert’s status was not available.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the vehicle crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
State Investigators Charge Two After Disabled Elderly Man’s IRS Check Is Stolen
May 9, 2022
State investigators have charged two women after the theft of a local disabled elderly man’s $5,142.19 check from the IRS.
Kayla Shyanne Macks, age 33 of Walnut Hill, was charged with felony exploitation of an elderly adult, uttering a forged instrument and grand theft. She was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $7,500 bond.
Kayla Ann Otto, age 18 of Century, was charged with uttering a forged instrument. She was released from the Santa Rosa County Jail on a $5,000 bond.
The victim told a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) investigator that he was hospitalized and on a ventilator due to COVID-19 when the check arrived. He said he was dependent on the check and had no other income while hospitalized.
FDACS said Macks stole the check, and Otto deposited it into her credit union in Pace.
The relationship between Macks, Otto and the victim was not evident from a highly redacted arrest report.
Pictured: Kayla Shyanne Macks (left) and Kayla Ann Otto (right).
Expect Lanes Closures Tuesday On Highway 4 Escambia River Bridge
May 9, 2022
Drivers can expect possible delays on the Highway 4 Escambia River Bridge between Century and Jay on Tuesday.
According to the Florida Department of Transportation, motorists will encounter intermittent east and westbound inside lane closures from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday as crews perform routine bridge maintenance.
Pictured: The eastbound approach from Century to the Highway 4 Escambia River Bridge. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.