Middle School Volleyball: Ernest Ward Beats Ferry Pass (With Photo Gallery)
February 11, 2022
The Ernest Ward Middle School Golden Eagles defeated the Eagles of Ferry Pass Middle School Thursday night in Walnut Hill.
The EWMS junior varsity defeated FPMS 25-13, 21-25, 15-5. Ernest Ward JV is 8-2 on the season, tops in the district.
In varsity play, Ernest Ward (7-3) defeated Ferry Pass 25-16, 21-25, 16-14.
Ernest Ward will host Brown Barge on February 14 and Beulah Middle School on February 17. Junior varsity action begins at 5:30, followed by varsity.
For a photo gallery from varsity and JV action, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Woman Charged In Walnut Hill ‘Honor System’ Farmer Burglary
February 10, 2022
A Cantonment woman has been charged with the November 2021 burglary of a Walnut Hill “honor system” farmer on November 29, 2021.
Kayla Shea Caperton, 28, was charged with burglary, criminal mischief and petit theft. She remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday morning with bond set at $21,000.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Caperton and an unidentified suspect vandalized a vending machine valued at $7,000 and stole items worth $124, including ice from an ice machine, corn that was being sold on the honor system, and a 100 quart cooler.
The entire incident was caught on video, showing the suspects arriving in a SUV later identified as Caperton’s 2004 Nissan Xterra.
After the story and video were published on NorthEscambia.com, investigators received numerous calls from persons identifying the vehicle as belonging to Caperton.
Deputies obtained her phone number, and she agreed to meet in a parking lot at Nine Mile Road and Pine Forest Road. According to an arrest report, she immediately acknowledged that she received phone calls that her vehicle was in the news story. Caperton told the investigator that she had parked her car at the Dollar General on South County Road 97 in Cantonment and then rode around with a friend during the time of the burglary. She stated that someone must have stolen her vehicle from the Dollar General and returned it to the same spot.
Caperton stated she was the only person with a key to the vehicle, and it was determined that the vehicle was never parked at the Dollar General overnight, the arrest report states.
During the late November 2021 incident, two people wearing ski masks spent about 11 minutes attempting to break into a drink vending machine outside Eicher Farms on South Highway 99 in Walnut Hill. Surveillance video from the incident is below.
They arrived about 2:35 a.m. Monday in a SUV. The vehicle’s headlights were off as they pulled behind the barn and went to work on the vending machine with a crowbar. At one point, the only cash in the machine fell to the ground, unnoticed by the duo as they continued their efforts. Eicher said there was only $2 or $3 in the machine, but thousands of dollars in damage was done.
After a lengthy battle with the vending machine, the suspects then took several bags of ice, the cooler and several bags of corn from the business that sells deer corn, peanuts and other products on the honor system.
“It’s extremely tough in today’s economy when people are stealing from you,” Eicher told NorthEscambia.com following the theft. “It makes it especially tough. I don’t know why they want to come out and target this place for a few dollars and they don’t even see when the money hits the ground.”
Three other individuals were charged with theft for stealing bags of deer corn, peanuts and ear corn from the same farm just days before.
Anyone with information on the burglary is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
NorthEscambia.com screen grabs and photos, click to enlarge.
Sheriff’s Office Investigating Two ‘Suspicious Activity’ Incidents Involving Minors
February 10, 2022
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has received two different reports about suspicious activity involving minor children
The first was in the area of Flagler Drive and Richard Road. A juvenile reported a suspicious vehicle that followed them home.
The second was in the 10800-block of Lillian Highway. A young child reported an unknown male approached them while playing in their front yard.
ECSO said they are working to verify the circumstances of both cases and their investigation is continuing.
Get Free Reblended Paint From Escambia County On Thursdays
February 10, 2022
Escambia County offers free reblended paint in five gallon buckets.
The paint is available every Thursday from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Perdido Landfill. It is offered to the public for free in exchange for a new five gallon bucket with a lid (available at local hardware stores). Available colors may include beige, black, blue, brown, green, gray, orange, pink, purple, red, yellow and white.
Citizens can also dispose of up to 20 gallons of latex and oil-based paint at a time at the landfill at no charge. Latex paint is screened twice, reblended and put into new five-gallon buckets.
Call (850) 937-2160 for additional information and color availability.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Educators Invited To Apply For Free Florida Forestry Teachers Tour
February 10, 2022
The Florida Forest Service is inviting educators statewide to apply for an exciting opportunity this summer, the Florida Forestry Teachers Tour. The annual tour brings educators from throughout the state to Northeast Florida for an inside look at the state’s largest agricultural commodity. The tour is scheduled for June 21 – 24, 2022. Applications will be accepted through March 11.
Florida’s forests are critical to the state’s infrastructure and workforce, producing $25.1 billion in revenue each year and representing more than 124,000 jobs. The Florida Forestry Teachers Tour is designed to provide educators with an opportunity to learn how the industry meets the needs of the state’s communities and environment, from clean air and water to home goods and other wood products.
“The Florida Forestry Teachers Tour is one of the best tools we have to make the next generation aware of the importance of Florida’s forests and the career opportunities they provide,” said Erin Albury, State Forester and Director of the Florida Forest Service.
Florida educators of all subjects and grade levels are encouraged to apply. All lodging, meals and tour transportation are provided at no cost to teachers through the support of private partners and sponsors, including the Florida Forestry Association, Project Learning Tree of Florida and Friends of Florida State Forests. The four-day event earns Florida teachers 30 Continuing Education Units.
To learn more and to apply for the Florida Forestry Teachers Tour, visit FloridaStateForests.org/TeachersTour.
CSX Crossing Closures: Quintette Road, Several In Cottage Hill Set To Close Thursday And Friday
February 10, 2022
[Updated 2/10/22] Here’s the latest update on the CSX rail crossing closures in North Escambia.
Quintette Road, Stacey Road, Williams Ditch Road and Cottage Hill Road are all set to be closed on Thursday and Friday.
There are also a small number of private roads that cross the tracks in the area. These residents will be notified when their road will be closed by a person knocking on their door or leaving a door hanger.
CSX is replacing tracks through the area and replacing the roadway at each crossing. A previously announced schedule was delayed due to weather.
Pictured: Previous work last week at the crossing on North Barth Road. NorthEscambia.com photo click to enlarge.
Tate High’s Shaun Wheeler Commits To Huntingdon College
February 10, 2022
Tate High School’s Shaun Wheeler has committed to play football at Huntingdon College. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Atmore Man Gets Five Years In Federal Prison For Sawed-Off Rifle
February 10, 2022
An Atmore man was sentenced to five years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a sawed-off rifle.
According to court documents, 28-year old Cedric Jarrell Pierce was arrested on November 24, 2020, after he refused to stop for a speeding violation and led sheriff’s deputies on a 13-mile high-speed chase that began in Robertsdale and headed north in Baldwin County.
The chase ended in Bay Minette after deputies used a spike strip to disable Pierce’s car. Deputies arrested Pierce and searched the car. Under the passenger seat, deputies found a Remington .22-caliber rifle with a 14-inch barrel, which is less than the barrel length of 16 inches required by federal law. After recovering the rifle, deputies spoke with Pierce, who admitted that he ran from law enforcement because he knew he had the rifle and was not allowed to possess it as a convicted felon.
Chief United States District Judge Jeffrey U. Beaverstock ordered Pierce to serve a three-year term of supervised release upon his release from prison, during which time he will undergo drug testing and treatment. The court did not impose a fine, but Judge Beaverstock ordered Pierce to pay $100 in special assessments.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
West Florida High Emergency Academy Has New Ambulance Simulator
February 10, 2022
The Critical Care and Emergency Medicine (CCEM) Academy at West Florida High School recently added a SimRig in-class ambulance simulator.
The simulator allows students to be completely immersed in scenarios and controlled emergent situations prior to exposure to the actual incidents in real-world situations.
Realistic equipment such as working suction, oxygen administration, and physical attributes such as patient loading and unloading, confined quarters, and various distractors, allow the instructor to build and present patient care scenarios which test the students’ ability to apply critical thinking skills to a variety of ever-changing trauma and medical care problems.
“During the pandemic as our off-campus training options have been limited,” said Escambia County School District ETC Specialist Aish Adkison. “Having simulators and specific training equipment in our secondary Health Academy classrooms has been very helpful as teachers have continued to develop hands-on training scenarios for students.”
The purchase was funded by a CARES Act Governor’s Emergency Education Relief grant.
Cantonment Man Charged With Sexual Battery Of Young Girls, Producing Child Porn Of Them
February 9, 2022
A Cantonment man was arrested Wednesday for allegedly sexually molesting two young girls, producing child phonography of them and show them other adult and child pornography.
Steven Marie Spurlock, age 64 of Frank Ard Road, was charged with capital sexual battery, use of a child in a sexual performance, four counts of lewd and lascivious molestation, and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Two sisters told investigators that Spurlock had frequently touched them in an inappropriate sexual manner over the last six months, primarily when they are in his hot tub, according to the arrest report.
On girl stated Spurlock frequently shows her child pornography as well as adult phonographic material, and he had exposed himself, the report continues. The victim stated Spurlock told her “you know I have guns and if you tell anyone about this I will seriously hurt you and your sister,” the report states.
The other sister told investigators about being touched frequently in an inappropriate manner over the past six months, and that Spurlock takes photos of them while they are changing clothes.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Spurlock agreed to allow a deputy to search a tablet that both girls stated was used to show them pornography and photos of them while naked. He provided the tablet and provided the passcode. But when the deputy advised he would take the tablet to a forensic analyst to potentially recover deleted items, Spurlock requested that a search warrant be obtained, the ECSO said. The tablet was seized as a search warrant was obtained.
There were 10 images of child sexual abuse material and 10 other child pornography images recovered from the device, per the arrest report, and the images included the victims allegedly abused by Spurlock.
One child, investigators said, was under the age of seven.
“Furthermore, post-Miranda statements from Steven Spurlock indicated he possessed a sexual interest in children,” the arrest report states.
The relationship between Spurlock and the victims was redacted from the arrest report, but it indicates the children would stay at his home as their caretaker worked overnight.