Highway 29 Accident Leads To McDavid Manhunt; Driver Charged With DUI
December 19, 2007
(Updated Wednesday, 8:15 pm)
An accident involving a Toyota SUV and a log truck on Highway 29 at 7:13 Tuesday night led to a manhunt for the driver of the SUV. The accident happened about a mile south of Bogia Road.
The driver of the Toyota has been identified by the Florida Highway Patrol as William Ryan Pouncey, 24, of Cantonment. Pouncey was charged with driving under the influence with property damage, leaving the scene of an accident, resisting arrest without violence, and violation of probation, according to troopers.
The driver side of the fully loaded 18-wheel log truck collided with the passenger side of the Toyota SUV driven by Pouncey when the SUV crossed the center line, according to a Florida Highway Patrol trooper. The Toyota came to rest just off Highway 29; the log truck was able to stop about 150 yards away. The side of Toyota was literally peeled away in the collision.
When firefighters from the McDavid Volunteer Fire Department arrived on the scene, they were unable to locate the driver of the SUV. Firefighters feared the driver had been ejected and began a search. Lifeflight was called to the scene.
Pouncey was spotted under a trailer home dozens of yards away, but then reportedly ran into nearby woods. Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies began a search for the driver. The sheriff’s department helicopter and K-9 dogs were called to the scene to search.
Pouncey (pictured left) was taken into custody by deputies off Highway 29 after traveling on foot from the trailer home back toward the wrecked SUV. He was turned over to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The driver of the log truck, a 55 year old from Milton, was not injured in the crash. Pouncey sustained minor injuries, according the the FHP.
Pictured top: The side of this Toyota SUV was peeled away in an accident Tuesday night on Highway 29. Pictured below: The front of this log truck was damaged, including damage to the fuel tank and several wheels, in Tuesday night’s crash. Click any picture on this page to enlarge.
Exclusive photos by NorthEscambia.com
Miracle on Main Street At First Baptist of Bratt
December 19, 2007
The Preschool and Children’s Choirs of the First Baptist Church of Bratt presented “Miracle on Main Street” Wednesday night.
For a complete photo gallery from the performance, click here.
Bratt’s Youth Choir will present “Yo! Christmas Tree” Sunday night at 6:00.
Many other area churches have special Christmas services and events planned. Click here for more.
Soil and Water Board Honors Locals
December 19, 2007
The Escambia County Soil and Water Conservation District honored several local people at the board’s meeting Wednesday in Molino. Dan Cain was honored as “Conservation Farmer of the Year” Dan and his wife Kathy own a Molino area Angus farm. Pictured above, from the left: Dan Cain, Jeff Hester and Richard Freisinger from the Escambia Soil and Water Conservation District.
Area Supervisor for the Division of Forestry Elton Gilmore (above, left) accepted an award of appreciation on behalf of the Division of Forestry Molino Work Center from Hester and Freisinger.
Escambia County Extension Agent Lamar Christenberry was present a “Lifetime Service Award”, “in sincere appreciation for over 20 years of dedicated service to the citizens of Escambia County and the Soil and Water Conservation District”. Christenberry will soon be retiring. Pictured left to right are Christenberry, Josh McElhaney from the Natural Resources Conservation Service Molino office and Freisinger.
Charles Woodward was presented a plaque in appreciate of “over 29 years of dedicated service to Escambia County Producers as County Executive Director”. Pictured, left to right, are McElhaney, Woodward and Freisinger.
Empty House Burns in McDavid
December 19, 2007
An unoccupied wood frame house in McDavid burned Wednesday afternoon. Firefighters from McDavid, Century, Walnut Hill, and Molino responded to the fire about 12:10 Wednesday afternoon in the 100 block of Highway 164.
The house was fully involved when firefighters arrived on scene; it was a total loss. There were no injuries reported.
Pictured above and below: Firefighters enter a burning house Wednesday afternoon in the 100 block of Highway 164 in McDavid.
School Board Votes To Fence Ernest Ward; Takes Other Local Actions
December 18, 2007
The Escambia County School Board voted to purchase fencing for Ernest Ward Middle School at the board’s monthly meeting Tuesday night.
The board also voted not to fire former Woodham teacher Benny Washington, and they voted to accept his resignation. He was arrested earlier this year in Century on drug charges. Click here to read more.
The board also voted to enter into part one of a lighting and electrical upgrade for the Northview High School stage. Problems with the stage lightning led to a Veterans Day program at the school being postponed last month.
The school board approved final payments related to the replacement of the media center at Bratt Elementary School. The school’s media center was destroyed during Hurricane Ivan.
In other actions involving schools in North Escambia, the school board:
- voted to hire Sharon Kostelecky as a teacher at Carver/Century effective 10/15/07.
- voted to transfer Bratt Elementary third grade teacher Barbara Luker to Northview High School effective 1/07/08.
- appointed Lisa Johnsen as a food service assistant at Northview High School.
Pictured: Ernest Ward Middle School (file photo).
Teacher Arrested In Century Allowed to Resign
December 18, 2007
The Escambia County School Board voted not to accept Superintendent recommendation that James “Benny” Washington, former coach of the Woodham High School basketball program, be fired. Instead, they voted to accept his resignation Tuesday night.
Washington was arrested March 8 in Century on drug possession charges; he later agreed to enter a pretrial intervention program.
District 5 School Board Member Pete Gindhl and Board Chairwoman Patty Hightower were on the losing side of the vote to fire Washington and the vote to accept his resignation. Both motions failed 3-2.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Deputy Ellis Smallwood found a small piece of powder cocaine, a marijuana cigarette and rolling papers during a traffic stop on North Century Boulevard near Ranch Road, according to court papers.
Washington was clocked by Smallwood on radar at 41 mph in a 35 mph zone. Washington then pulled into the parking lot of the Century Burger King, before entering the highway again and being stopped by the deputy, according to testimony. Smallwood testified that he smelled a strong odor of burnt marijuana and air freshener upon making the traffic stop, prompting the search.
Washington’s attorney, Barry Beroset, argued that the traffic stop and resulting search were illegal. Circuit Judge Michael Allen did not agree, and refused to throw out the charges back in September.
The Escambia County School Board suspended Washington without pay from his teaching position at Woodham after his arrest. He was fired as Woodham’s basketall coach after being suspended by the Florida High School Athletic Association after allegedly making a racist remark toward black official. He publicly denied that claim. He had served as basketball coach for the Titans for 18 years. Woodham has since became a middle school.
The one felony and two misdemeanor charges against Washington will be dropped by state prosecutors if he completes the yearlong program of community service, random drug test and substance abuse counseling.
Pictured above: Washington, with his sons at his side, addresses the Escambia County School Board Tuesday night.
Walnut Hill Baptist Introduces Custom Ornament
December 18, 2007
Walnut Hill Baptist Church is selling a collectible Christmas ornament this year to benefit the church’s building fund.
The blue ball ornament is decorated with a picture of the church and “In the beginning was the Word…” from John 1 :1a. It also has “Walnut Hill Baptist Church” and “2007″ on it. The ornament is the first in a series that will continue next year with a different verse in a different color.
Lee Middleton had the ornament designed at Mo’ Money Associates in Pensacola from a Ramona Gay photo.
The ornaments sell for $10 each. Call the church office at 327-4595 for more information.
Submitted photo by Ramona Gay.
Red Hat Ladies Meet At Fran’s In Molino
December 18, 2007
The ladies of the Red Hat Society held a luncheon Monday at Fran’s Diner in Molino, complete with dancing, laughter and more laughter.
The Red Hat Ladies are the ladies seen meeting together in red hats…there are often pink hats too. The red hats are for ladies over 50; the Pink Hatters are ladies that have not reached “the birthday” of 50. The purpose of the Red Hat Society, according to their web site, is to have fun.
“Little girls grow up, but they’re never too old to play dress-up and have tea parties,” the web site says.
From the “Dazzling Divas” to the “Fairhope Floozies”, everyone had their fair share of fun Monday at Frans. Ladies that ranged from 65 to 90 danced the “Electric Slide” and the “Cha-Cha Shuffle”.
Nan Johnson, a Fran’s regular, headed up Monday’s show. She, along with her group the “Dazzling Divas”, hosted the luncheon. It included skits, giveaways, singing from Nan’s daughter Jennifer and a lot of laughter.
The ladies had a variety of advice on how to have a long, happy life. Suggestions made Monday included to live, laugh, love often and eat at Fran’s diner where the food is great and the service is better.
Click here for a photo gallery from the Red Hat Ladies luncheon at Fran’s Diner in Molino.
Photos and story submitted by Tina Pendleton.
Highland Baptist Presents Christmas Production
December 17, 2007
Highland Baptist Church in Molino presented “The Glory of Christmas” Saturday and Sunday nights. The production, under the leadership of Phil Jones, featured a cast and crew of about 85 people.
The lively Christmas event featured some songs not traditionally found in a church Christmas production. It included “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” , “Blue Christmas” and “Jingle Bell Rock” in a number entitled “A 50’s Christmas”.
It also included more traditional church Christmas songs such as “O Holy Night”, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and “Joy to the World”.
There was also drama in the program and even 50’s style dancing. The church constructed a set that included a complete new stage.
Century Home Destroyed By Fire Sunday Night
December 16, 2007
Fire destroyed a home in the 900 block of Backwoods Road near Century just before 6:00 Sunday night.
Three people — a man, his wife an an infant — escaped without injury. Witnesses reported flames over the treetops as the fire began; the home was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived on the scene. Firefighters believe the fire was started by an electrical short circuit.
Firefighters from Century, Walnut Hill, McDavid, Molino and Flomaton responded to the fire.