Body Of Missing Autistic Boy Found
May 19, 2013
The body of a missing 7-year old autistic boy was located in the water off Perdido Key Sunday afternoon.
“A citizen in Perdido Key observed him in the water washing toward shore. An immediate response has determined that he succumbed to drowning. There are no indications of foul play; however the standard investigative and medical examiners protocols will apply,” Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan said. “We ask for the community and nation’s prayers for this family in mourning and our thanks are again extended to all law enforcement, military, state and federal agencies as well as the hundreds of volunteers who responded to Owen’s call.”
Saturday and Sunday, hundreds of volunteers joined multiple law enforcement agencies and search and rescue teams on Perdido Key looking for Owen Elliot Black.
He was last seen Friday afternoon on Perdido Key Drive in the vicinity of the Needle Rush condos. Black was on vacation with his mother, but wandered away on his own. Authorities had hoped that Black was simply hiding, avoiding strangers like he was taught.
Saturday’s major search ended at dark, but a small group searched into the night, riding through neighborhoods and with flashlights. The full scale land, air and sea search began again at daybreak Sunday.
Pictured below: Escambia Search and Rescue K-9 “Neko” searches from boat near Perdido Key. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Splits Two Spring Jamboree Games (With Photo Gallery)
May 19, 2013
The Florida 1A state champion Northview Chiefs took on a couple of Alabama teams in spring football games Saturday afternoon in East Brewton, Ala.
The Chiefs defeated Andalusia High School 12-6 in a two-quarter game before losing 22-12 to Hillcrest of Evergreen (Ala.).
For a photo gallery from Northview vs. Andalusia, click here.
For a photo gallery from Northview vs. Evergreen, click here.
For Northview Coach Sid Wheatley, Saturday was a chance to check out the strengths — and weaknesses — of a team that’s full of new, young faces with 24 seniors graduating. There were three ninth graders starting for the Chiefs Saturday.
“We’re talking about fundamentals…we’ve got to get better as blockers and tacklers,” Wheatley said after Northview’s 1-1 jamboree performance. “Our young offensive linemen are going to keep getting better and better because we are going to coach them up. We are kind of struggling right there at this moment…this was kind of a landmark to see where we are at and were we will progress from here.”
Summer will bring long days at practice and new plans for the Chiefs.
“We will evolve our offensive package during the summer,” Wheatley said. “I did not want to throw too much at the young faces during the spring.”
For a photo gallery from Northview vs. Andalusia, click here.
For a photo gallery from Northview vs. Evergreen, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Powerball Frenzy Fairly Tame In North Escambia; One Florida Ticket Wins All
May 19, 2013
The frenzy over Saturday’s $600 million Powerball drawing wasn’t much more than a stir in North Escambia during the early evening hours.
A billboard displaying the $600 million estimated prize lured drivers across the state line from Atmore. Just feet into Florida, the parking lot at the Grey Goose lounge was full of mostly Alabama tags as a short line formed outside the building. Just down Highway 97 at the Davisville BP, the parking lot — and, at times, the side of Highway 97, was full of wannabe millionaires.
Saturday night’s drawing was winner takes all, with one winning ticket sold at a Publix supermarket in Zephyrhills.
The winning Powerball numbers drawn late Saturday were 10, 13, 14, 22, 52 with Powerball number 11.
Pictured top: A small line for Powerball tickets forms outside the Grey Goose lounge, just feet from the Alabama state line. Pictured inset: Atmore drivers were tempted by this $600 million billboard located on the state line. Pictured below: Millionaire hopefuls fill the parking lot of the Davisville BP Saturday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: ARTmore Celebrates The Arts With Gallery Night
May 19, 2013
A few dozen artists from South Alabama and Northwest Florida took part in the inaugural “ARTmore” gallery night event in Atmore Saturday evening. The event gathered artists, photographers, potters, crafters, musicians and more on the streets of Atmore.
For NorthEscambia.com ARTmore photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: Saturday evening’s “ARTmore” gallery night in downtown Atmore. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill Homeowner Shoots Burglar
May 18, 2013
A burglar was shot by a homeowner Friday afternoon in Walnut Hill.
About 4 p.m., the resident of the 3900 block of Rockaway Creek Road reported a burglary in progress at his home. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said he arrived home to find two intruders inside of the residence.
The homeowner held the suspects at gunpoint while he called the Sheriff’s Office. As he was speaking with dispatchers, one of the suspects, identified at 33-year old Ricky Dewayne Taylor, lunged toward him. The homeowner fired a .38 caliber revolver, striking Taylor in the leg. Taylor was alert and conscious when he was transferred to LifeFlight to be airlifted to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola. His injuries did not appear life threatening.
The female suspect, identified as 35-year old Teresa Dianne Sunday, received a minor injury on her face from a ricochet; she was taken into custody at the scene by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Taylor and Sunday were charged with burglary of a residence and grand theft of a dwelling. Sunday was being held with bond set at $12,500 Saturday night in the Escambia County Jail, while Taylor remained hospitalized.
The homeowner was not injured, and no charges have been filed against him.
Pictured top: Burglary suspect Ricky Taylor, shot in the leg, is loaded into an ambulance on Rockaway Creek Road Friday afternoon. Pictured inset and bottom: Taylor is transferred to LifeFlight. Pictured below: The scene of an alleged burglary that ended with the suspect being shot Friday afternoon in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
