‘Resolution’ Expected Soon In Molino Home Invasion Attack Cases
November 25, 2009
Sheriff’s investigators may be close to solving the case of two Molino home invasion attacks on cheerleaders.
“It still an active, ongoing investigation,” Sgt. Ted Roy, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department said. “We should know something soon; we are closing in on a resolution.”
Two investigators were back in Molino Tuesday working on the investigation and questioning some of those involved with the two cases, Roy told NorthEscambia.com late Tuesday afternoon.
A 13-year old Ernest Ward Middle School cheerleader reported that she was attacked by a knife-wielding intruder while she was home alone the night of October 31 at her home in the 7000 block of Highway 95A. The girl told deputies that a man entered the home through a window, and one tried to attack her with a knife. The middle school student was cut multiple times on her hands in an apparent attempt to fight off her attacker as she was pinned on a bed, but she was not otherwise injured. Her injuries were not considered serious.
A 16-year old told investigators that a tall, slender white male had entered her home on Nancy Lane through a utility room window the morning of November 3. She told authorities that she fought back — throwing drinking glasses at her attacker and dousing him with pepper spray. She then fled the home, running to nearby Highland Baptist Church for help. She described her attacker as wearing a black ski mask, a long black shirt and black pants.
To read previous stories, click a link below:
- Cheerleader Home Invasion Victim: “I Was Scared”
- Sheriff’s Report Details Friday Night’s Home Invasion
- Another Cheerleader Attacked In Second Molino Home Invasion
- Are The Two Cheerleader Home Invasion Attacks Related
- Molino Remains On High Alert After Attacks
- Home Invasion In Molino: Young Teen Cut Multiple Times With Knife
Pictured top: The attacker in the November 3 home invasion in Molino entered this Nancy Lane home through this utility room window. Pictured top inset: The October 31 suspect reportedly entered a home on Highway 95A through this window. Pictured below: The victim in the Nancy Lane attack ran to nearby Highland Baptist Church for help. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Elementary Tops $800 Honor Flight Goal
November 25, 2009
Byrneville Elementary School has reached its goal of $800 for the Emerald Coast Honor Flight Program.
With a “Camo Day” fundraiser Tuesday that allowed students to dress in camouflage, the school added to previous fundraisers that included teachers dressing like Smurfs.
The Emerald Coast Honor Flight flies World War II veterans to Washington to see the War War II Memorial. It costs about $800 per veteran for the chartered flight.
Pictured top and bottom: Students at Byrneville Elementary School took part in “Camo Day” Tuesday to raise funds for the Emerald Coast Honor Fligth. Kindergarten through second grade students are show practicing Tuesday morning for their upcoming Christmas play. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Approves New Charter Government
November 25, 2009
Voters in Pensacola approved a new form of government during a mail-in vote that ended Tuesday.
About 55 percent (7,762) voted for the new city charter, while about 45 percent (6,308) voted to keep Pensacola’s current governmental structure.
Under the new strong-boss mayor charter, the mayor in Pensacola will be able to set budgets, hire and fire, and exercise veto power. The city council will have to agree with the mayor to hire department heads and the city attorney, but the mayor will be able to fire them at will.
The nine-member council will be cut to seven members, eliminating two at-large seats.
Three four-year term limits will be imposed on both the council and mayor.
Portions of the new charter go into effect January 1, but the sections related to the election of the council and mayor won’t be in effect until the November 2010 election.
Pensacola’s vote for a new charter form of government is unrelated to Escambia County Consolidation Study Commission that is developing a plan to consolidate the governments of Century, Pensacola and Escambia County into one.
Authorities Looking For Escapee
November 25, 2009
Authorities in the area on the lookout an escapee.
In Santa Rosa County, Brandy Hawk of Pace absconded from the sheriff’s office GPS program. During preparation for Hurricane Ida, all subjects that were being monitored by the Santa Rosa County Sheriffs Office GPS program were taken into custody to ensure their whereabouts in case of mass power outages or phone outages.All of the GPS program participants had turned themselves in at the required time except for Brandy Hawk who cut her anklet and has not been seen since. Hawk was on the court ordered GPS program for grand theft. Hawk currently has three outstanding felony warrants — two for failure to appear for court, and one for a conditional release violation.
Anyone with information concerning the location of Hawk is asked to contact Santa Rosa County Crime Stoppers at 437-STOP, or the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office at 983-1190.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Atmore Man Arrested For Failure To Appear In Court
November 25, 2009
An Atmore man wanted since May for failing to appear in court was arrested Tuesday in Escambia County, Florida.
Anterrio Sincla Montgomery, 26, of Brown Street, Atmore, was arrested by Escambia County deputies and booked into the Escambia County Jail Tuesday night on felony failure to appear charge. Montgomery was first arrested September 20, 2008, on a misdemeanor battery charge.
He was due in court on May 20, but he did not appear, according to court records. Judge Joyce Williams issued a felony warrant for Montgomery’s arrest at that time.
Montgomery is being held in the Escambia County Jail in lieu of a $10,000 cash bond.
Pictured above: Anterrio Sincla Montgomery’s booking photo from the Escambia County Jail. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FHP Out In Force Beginning For Long Thanksgiving Weekend
November 25, 2009
The Florida Highway Patrol will be out in full force this long Thanksgiving holiday weekend, aggressively enforcing traffic laws.
The FHP will increase its presence on the state’s highways from Wednesday throught Sunday. All sworn FHP personnel, including those typically assigned to administrative duties, will patrol Florida’s high volume roadways during the five-day period. Auxiliary and Reserve troopers will volunteer to augment the Patrol.
Troopers will direct their enforcement efforts toward impaired driving, speeding, following too closely and other aggressive driving behavior. In addition, troopers will strictly enforce safety belt and child restraint laws, which now authorize law enforcement officers to stop motorists who fail to buckle up.
“The Florida Highway Patrol is committed to making Florida’s highways safe, and we plan to do that by bolstering our forces to reduce the number and severity of crashes,” said FHP Director, Colonel John Czernis. “I encourage motorists to do their part by complying with all traffic laws and making sure everyone in their vehicle is buckled up.”
The Florida Highway Patrol offers safety tips to help you and your family arrive at your destination safely:
- Get plenty of rest before setting out on a long trip
- Observe and obey all speed limits
- Allow plenty of time to reach your destinations
- Drive sober, and only sober
- Buckle up!
- Eliminate distractions: Texting, talking on the phone, eating, adjusting the stereo – these are all examples of things that can take your eyes off the road, which is exactly what you want to avoid.
- Prepare your vehicle: Check fluids for proper levels, i.e.
The Florida Highway Patrol is also reminding motorists of Florida’s Move Over Law. The law requires drivers who approach an emergency vehicle or tow truck stopped roadside with flashing lights to change lanes away from the emergency vehicles if able to do so safely and if not, slow down to 20 mph below the speed limit.
Call *FHP (*347) to report intoxicated or aggressive drivers, or if your vehicle breaks down and you need assistance. To request immediate emergency services, dial 911.
Photos: Camp Fire Kids Celebrate With Thanksgiving Feast
November 25, 2009
Camp Fire USA Century held a Thanksgiving feast Tuesday for children and their parents. The daycare’s children, many dressed as Pilgrims or Native Americans, enjoyed a full Thanksgiving meal and learned about the Pilgrims and their trip to the New World — including the fact that they did not take a bath for over nine weeks.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured above: Children enjoy a Thanksgiving feast Tuesday at Camp Fire USA in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
$2.4 Million Water Project, Including New Water Tower, In Walnut Hill
November 24, 2009
A new water tower is under construction in Walnut Hill, part of $2.4 million in improvements by Walnut Hill Water Works.
The new 200,000 gallon Walnut Hill Water Works elevated storage tank is being located next to the Escambia River Electric Cooperative office on Highway 99-A, across the road from the Ernest Ward Middle School gym. This tank is in addition to a current water tower nearby at the intersection of Arthur Brown Road and Highway 97, according to Escambia Riever Electric Cooperative. EREC owns the Walnut Hill Water Works.
The new elevated storage tank will replace a Walnut Hill Water Works elevated tank currently located in Enon.
The $2.4 million project will include the tank, plus repairs to existing well houses and operating equipment and the replacement and looping of existing lines to increase water pressure. The water system, which serves 699 connections, has received a $866,000 grant toward the project. The remaining $1,621,000 will come from a USDA Rural Development loan.
In 2005, the water system began to experience problems when the well at Arthur Brown Road and Highway 97 began to fail. That well house and the one at another well located on Highway 97 just north of Wiggins Lake Road are both in need of physical and mechanical repairs, according to EREC. They say the system operates with a 19 percent loss due to leaks and inefficiencies.
Pictured top: A new 200,000 gallon elevated water tank under construction in Walnut Hill next to Ernest Ward Middle School. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Three Drivers Charged After Weekend Wrecks; One Faces Felony Charges
November 24, 2009
Three drivers were charged following weekend accidents in North Escambia, including one facing felony charges for driving with a suspended license.
Jewitt W. Noland, 47, of Mary Ester, Florida, was charged with driving with a suspended license, a third degree felony, following a crash late Friday afternoon in Century. The Florida Highway Patrol said the wreck that sent four people to the hospital was not Noland’s fault but his license was suspended.
Ryan D. Rodarte, 23, of Madison, Alabama, was charged with running a stop sign in connection with the accident. The Florida Highway Patrol says Rodarte ran a stop sign while traveling south on Old Flomaton Road. His Nissan was T-boned by Noland’s pickup, sending the car about 85 feet into a ditch.
Rodarte and three passengers in the car were transported by ambulance to Jay Hospital. The Florida Highway Patrol identified the passengers as Jessica J. Imholz, 17, of Blythewood, South Carolina; Demario Jordain, 18, of Columbia, South Carolina; and Heather Dorner, 19, of Madison, Alabama. Imholz’s injuries were classified as severe; she was transferred by LifeFlight from Jay Hospital to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola.
Noland was treated on the scene and then charged with driving with a suspended license and transported to the Escambia County Jail. He was released on $1,000 bond.
For more details on the accident, click here.
One Charged In Highway 97 Crash
After an early Sunday morning accident that closed Highway 97 for four hours, a Bay Minette man was also charged by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Anthony McWilliams, 22, of Bay Minette, was charged with careless driving after he lost control of his 1977 Ford Thunderbird while traveling north on Highway 97 at Highway 164. McWilliams’ car traveled about 250 feet on the side on the highway before striking a power pole. The impact broke the pole, and sent power lines down across Highway 97 and Highway 164. He told troopers that he fell asleep.
McWilliams and his passenger, William Lewis, 22, of Bay Minette, were transported by ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital with minor injuries.
The accident left an unknown number of Escambia River Electric Cooperative customers without power for four hours. For more photos and details from the accident, click here.
Pictured top: Four people were injured in the this Nissan in a two vehicle accident late Friday afternoon in Century. Pictured inset: The driver of this GMC truck was not injured. One person was injured in this single vehicle accident on Highway 97 Sunday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Annual Northview FFA Citrus Sale Going On Now
November 24, 2009
There is still time to place your order in the annual Northview High School FFA citrus sale.
The NHS FFA is selling citrus in attractive 2/5 or 4/5 bushel boxes perfect for gift wrapping. The Florida citrus is from RiverBrite in Vero Beach.
Orders must be made by Tuesday December 1. The delivery date is Tuesday, December 15.
For an order form click here. Order forms and payment can be returned to Northview by mail (the address is on the order form), or dropped off at the school office.
Fruits available include red apples, grapefruit, navel oranges, tangelos and Hamlin oranges. Mixed trio half bushels are also available.
For more information, call 327-6681, ext. 248.