Power Pole Fire Leaves Customers Without Power
October 9, 2009
A pole and transformer fire caused dozens of Escambia River Electric Cooperative customers to lose power Friday afternoon. The fire, reported about 2 p.m., was on a pole on Highway 164 between Highway 97 and Green Village Road. Once EREC arrived and determined there was no power at the pole, the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue quickly extinguished the small fire at the top of the pole. EREC then went to work to repair the damage. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Murder Suspect Arrested In Atmore Without Incident
October 9, 2009
Murder suspect Bruce Edward Day surrendered peacefully to authorities in Atmore Thursday night, ending a two day manhunt across two states.
Day’s father, William Fore, called Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff Grover Smith about 8:30 Thursday night and told the sheriff that he wanted to talk to him “now” at his Atmore residence, according to Chief Deputy Mike Lambert. When the sheriff arrived about 8:45 p.m., Day surrendered without incident.
“He was then cuffed and transported by Sheriff Smith to the Escambia County (Ala.) Detention Center in Brewton,” Lambert said. He was reportedly covered in scratches from running in the woods after fleeing U.S. Marshals Tuesday at the Gulf Power Crist Plant in Pensacola.
Day, 42, is being held in the Brewton jail on an open count of murder. He will have a bond hearing before Judge David Jordon as early as this morning.
A murder warrant for Day’s arrest was issued Monday, accusing him of killing Woodrow “Token” Allen, 25, of Nokomis in 2001. Allen was last seen alive in December 2001, just a short time before he was scheduled to testify against Day in an attempted murder case.
When U.S. Marshals tried to serve the warrant on him Tuesday at the Crist Plant, he took off, prompting a massive manhunt and a campus lockdown of the University of West Florida.
Day was arrested on attempted murder charge for shooting three times into a vehicle on James Road in Nokomis on October 28, 2001. The vehicle was occupied at the time by Allen, 25, and his juvenile niece. Allen’s mother reported him missing on December 17, 2001, claiming that she has last seen her son on December 13, 2001.
Lambert would not say exactly what evidence prompted the Escambia County district attorney to issue the murder warrant on Monday, other than the sheriff’s department presented the DA with “solid evidence”.
“We recently received information that supported that Day committed the murder,” Lambert said. “We presented it to the DA, who felt like it was sold enough to obtain the warrant.” Authorities have not located Allen’s body, Lambert said.
The entire 2001 incident took place in the area of James Road and a trailer park on Nathan Road — the location of another murder on September 24. Two suspects, Clarence Luker, 37, and Lorraine Gray, 50, were arrested within hours of the shooting death of Kenneth Porter, 32. Both are being held in the Escambia County (Ala.) Detention Center on open counts of murder in that case.
Day and at least one of the suspects were known to be acquainted with each other in 2001, but the recent murder and arrests in no way led to the warrants being issued Monday for Day, Lambert said. “It was just the luck of the draw,” he said, that arrests came within two weeks of each other the 2001 and 2009 murders in the same area.
Click here for the related story “Where was murder suspect Bruce Day for the past two days”.
Click here for more details on the 2001 case.
Where Was Murder Suspect Bruce Day For Two Days?
October 9, 2009
(EXCLUSIVE) NorthEscambia.com has learned murder suspect Bruce Day traveled an area spanning over 100 miles during the time period between when he ran from U.S. Marshals in Pensacola Tuesday afternoon and his arrest Thursday night in Atmore.
When U.S. Marshals tried to serve the warrant on him Monday at the Crist Plant, he took off, prompting a massive manhunt and a campus lockdown of the University of West Florida.
Since that time, Escambia County (Ala.) Chief Deputy Mike Lambert said authorities in Alabama and Florida have followed up on dozens of leads and tips from the public. Authorities know of two locations were Day was definitively at over the past two days, Lambert said.
He said security footage from the Tom Thumb at Scenic Highway and Nine Mile Road in Pensacola shows Day buying cigarettes at 5:15 Wednesday morning. He was wearing short pants and leather boots, and he was soaking wet, Lambert said.
“He told the clerk that he had ‘one hell of a night’ in the swamp,” Lambert said. The store is located about a mile and a half from the Crist Plant, almost directly across Nine Mile Road from the Campus Drive entrance to UWF. The area between the Crist Plant and the store is a marshy swamp along the Escambia River.
Day’s next known location was in Alabama, over 100 miles away from that Tom Thumb.
Sheriff’s deputies from Monroe, Conecuh and Butler counties converged on an area near were the three Alabama counties intersect late Thursday after Day was spotted in a pickup truck with another man. Escambia County (Ala.) deputies were en route to that location Thursday night when Day surrendered at his father’s house in Atmore to Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff Grover Smith.
Authorities were unsure how Day got from Pensacola to Monroe County, Ala. — a distance of about 100 miles. They were also not immediately sure how he made it to Atmore from Monroe County.
Sheriff’s deputies and U.S. Marshals worked almost non-stop over the two days that Day was on the run, following up a large number of leads from the public, Lambert said.
One such lead called into Escambia County (Ala.) authorities was from someone that though they spotted Day in North Escambia. The person saw someone entering the woods on Rockaway Creek Road just south of the Alabama state line. When an Atmore Police officer found the man, he was fishing. “He looked a lot like Day,” Lambert said, “but it wasn’t him.”
“The very lead that didn’t follow up on would be the one were we missed him; so we checked them all,” Lambert said. “The public’s help can be very important in a case like this.”
Click here for a related story about Day’s arrest.
Preview: NHS Chiefs Vs. Holmes County; Can You Spell Yuhasz?
October 9, 2009
Northview (3-1, 2-1) is still in the running for a playoff berth in District 1-1A, and the Chiefs plan to keep it that way with another district win on the road tonight against Holmes County (1-3, 1-3).
The Holmes County Blue Devils have had a couple of almost-good games this year, but they have been unable to keep their momentum going for an entire game. They are coming off a 37-27 loss last week to South Walton. South Walton is the only team to beat Northview this year, with a 14-6 win over the Chiefs back on 9/11.
There are two undefeated teams in District 1-1 — South Walton (5-0, 4-0) and Freeport (3-1, 3-0). But that will change tonight; the two teams square off in Freeport. The Chiefs will have a go at Freeport next week in Bratt.
The Chiefs are coming off a 34-14 win over Baker last week with 209 yards.
Can You Spell Yuhasz?
Holmes County is expected to learn how to spell Yuhasz tonight; The Chiefs have led on the ground this year by #4 Dustin Yuhasz with 49 rushes for 357 yards and four touchdowns. Jeremy Jackson is also expected to be strong against Holmes County; he has picked up 228 yards on 41 runs this year for three TD’s. One other NHS player, La’Mikal Kyles, has topped 100 yards this season; Kyles has two touchdowns and 165 yards on the ground on 23 carries. He also has completed one pass for another 20 yards.
The Chiefs have not had a huge passing game this season, completing four of 18 attempts for 69 yards. Brad Lowery has completed 3 of 14 (21.4%) for 52 yards. Brandon Sheets has completed 1 of 4 (25%) passing attempts for 17 yards.
On the defensive side, Holmes County will have to face a half dozen Chiefs with double digit tackles so far this season: Steven Long with 17; Shawn Knight with 13; Devin Moorer with 12; KaDaris Grice, Taylor Martin, Levi Gideons and Anthony Pierce with 10 tackles each.
Our prediction: The long trip home from Bonifay will be sweet for the Chiefs; Northview moves closer to the playoffs, 27-18 over Holmes County.
Pictured top: Dustin Yuhasz (#4) is flanked by Ka’Daris Grice (#3) and Brad Lowery (#12). Pictured inset: Yuhasz watches a recent game from the sidelines. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
County Set To Approve Longevity Pay For Volunteer Firefighters
October 9, 2009
Escambia County volunteer firefighters will likely receive a retention bonus, despite longevity pay having been cut for county employees.
Fire Chief Frank Edwards asked the Escambia County Commission at a Committee of the Whole meeting Thursday morning for the longevity pay that would provide $200 to $1,200 bonuses on five-year anniversary dates. Commissioners gave a unanimous nod to the plan; the commission’s final vote on the proposal will be next Thursday.
“We need to approve this because it’s part of the retention element of trying to keep our volunteers,” District 5 Commissioner Kevin White said.
Commissioner Grover Robinson said the longevity pay for volunteers is much more affordable than hiring paid firefighters in the county.
“While we are trying to get rid of longevity pay, this is a little different with volunteers who are not getting paid, Robinson said. The county recently cut longevity pay for the county’s paid employees.
If the commission gives final approval to the pay plan next week, volunteers firefighters that meet the county’s requirements will receive $200 after five years, $400 after 10 years, $600 after 15 years, $900 after 20 years, and $1,200 after 25 years.
In order to qualify for the retention incentive, volunteer firefighters must complete 96 hours of fire services training per calendar year and participate in 25 percent of their department’s total calls for the year, including credits for duty crews and special details. The payments will be made annual in the first quarter of the county’s fiscal year.
Volunteers, while classified as unpaid by the county, do receive a monthly stipend for their services if they attend training meetings and respond to a specified percentage of their department’s calls.
A Firefighter Trainee receives $100 per month, if he or she has completed a 12 hour orientation course and obtains Firefighter I within one year of joining Escambia Fire-Rescue.
A certified Firefighter I or II receives $300 per month. A certified lieutenant receives $350 per month, and a captain receives $400 per month. An assistant district chief’s stipend is $450 per month, and a district chief receives $550.
First Swine Flu Vaccine Arrives In Escambia County
October 9, 2009
The first swine flu vaccine shipments arrived in Escambia County on Thursday, with 3,200 doses delivered. The first dozes of the nasal mist, intended for children ages 2 to 18, will go to area pediatricians.
Escambia was one of just two counties in the state to get the first shipments, but the three thousand plus doses are not nearly enough for those the health department says are on the priority list. The Escambia County Health Department says 135,000 people are on Escambia’s priority list, which includes children, health care workers and pregnant women.
Additional nasal mist swine flu vaccine doses for children and shots for adults should arrive in Escambia County over the next few weeks. Florida is expected to receive 11 million doses by January of next year.
Escambia is one of 48 counties in the state that plans to make the H1N1 vaccine available in schools. Parents will be required to grant permission for the vaccine to be administered at their child’s school. Permission forms will be sent home with students once the vaccine is available.
If you have a child, you can contact your child’s pediatrician to see if they have the vaccine available and schedule an appointment.
NHS Takes On Baker In High School Volleyball
October 9, 2009
The Northview Lady Chiefs hit the road Thursday afternoon to take on Baker on the volleyball court.
Northview Vs Baker – Varsity
19-25, 12-25, 19-25
**Baker Winning**
Shawna Montgomery 11 M Kills-3, Aces-2, Blocks-1
Caitlin Hall 12 Setter Assists–10,Kills-1 Blocks -1,Aces-7
Angela Rodriguez 12 LS/Middle Kills-2, Aces-1
Shaniqua Jones 11 Middle Kills –3 , Aces-1, -Blocks-1
Record – Overall – 4 -13; District 2 -4
Northview Vs Baker – JV
14-25, 22-25
**Baker Winning**
Trestine Dean 11 Setter Assists – 2, Digs-1
Morgan Payne 09 Middle/Setter Aces –2, Kills -4 Blocks-1
Brittanie Poston 11 Middle /R Aces -2
Green Thumb Jamboree Scheduled Saturday With Master Gardners
October 9, 2009
The public is invited to join Escambia County master gardeners and extension agents at the Green Thumb Jamboree on Saturday.
The event will feature a class from the Victory Garden Series on preparing garden beds. Throughout the morning, extension agents and master gardeners will provide information and instruction on backyard aquaponics, whimsy gardens, nutrition and involving youth in 4-H. Daffodil bulbs and fall perennials will be available for purchase.
Vegetable garden seeds will be given to all visitors who bring a pet food donation to support the dogs and cats at the Escambia County Animal Shelter. For more information, visit www.myescambia.com or contact Beth Bolles at 475-5230.
The Green Thumb Jamboree will be held from 8 a.m. to noon at the Escambia County Extension Office, 3740 Stefani Road.
Gospel Concert Tonight In Molino
October 9, 2009
There will a special gospel concert tonight in Molino featuring traditional and Southern gospel music.
The concert will feature The Hendersons, Endless Praise and Lookin’ Up, at 7 p.m. at Victory Assembly of God on Highway 29 in Molino. There is no admission fee; a love offering will be received. For more information, call (850) 587-2295.
Pictured: The Hendersons, submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Big Fun: Talent Show Tonight At Ernest Ward
October 9, 2009
The Drama Club at Ernest Ward Middle School will host a Talent Show at 7:00 tonight.
There will be a variety of acts including singing, dancing, playing instruments and even a couple of comedy routines. The audience will be allowed to participate in the voting. Audience members can purchase votes for 50 cents.
Tickets for the talent show can be purchased at the school today for $3, or $4 at the door.