Dr. Thomas A. Rice, Jr.
November 25, 2009
Dr. Thomas A. Rice, Jr., 53, passed away on Saturday, November 21, 2009 in Atmore, AL.
Dr. Rice was a native of Ft. Rucker, AL, a former resident of Enterprise, AL, and a resident of Atmore, AL for the past 27 years. He was the owner of Thomas A. Rice Family Dentistry of Atmore, a member of the American Dental Association and the Tennessee Walking Horse Association and attended the Brook’s Memorial Baptist Church. Preceded in death by his Father, Thomas Alvin Rice, Sr.
Survivors Include: his wife Karen Daw Rice of Atmore, AL; his Mother, Emma Gay Rice of Enterprise, AL; a Son, Alex Rice of Atmore, AL; a Daughter, Jordayn Rice of Atmore, AL; two Sisters, Jo and Phil Marsom of Greensboro, NC and Tammy and Mike Kirkland of Douglasville, GA; and a number of Nieces and Nephews.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 2:00 P.M. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. James Boyd officiating.
Burial followed at Sardis Cemetery.
Visitation was held Wednesday, November 25, 2009 from 12:30 P.M. until funeral time at the Petty-Eastside Chapel.
Pallbearers were Phil Marsom, Mike Kirkland, Zack Kirkland, David Daw, Joshua Daw, and Cody Mooney.
Want To Advertise On NorthEscambia.com? Check Out Our Black Friday Sale
November 25, 2009
If you want advertise on NorthEscambia.com, we’ve got some good news for you.
We are opening up many more advertising slots on the area’s most popular local news source, and we are going to put those advertising opportunities on sale Friday morning.
Retailers have their big after Thanksgiving “Black Friday” sales, and we thought it would be a good thing for NorthEscambia.com to do.
If you are interested in advertising on NorthEscambia.com, make sure you check the site Friday morning from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. details on our “Black Friday” sale.
Three Vehicle Highway 29, Molino Road Crash (Updated With Names)
November 25, 2009
(Updated) Five people escaped injury in a three vehicle wreck at Molino Road and Highway 29 just after 11 Wednesday morning.
The Florida Highway Patrol says Scottie Grant, 22, of Molino, was turning east onto Molino Road from Highway 29 in his 2000 Ford Explorer when he traveled into the path of a 2004 Nissan Murano driven by Luke K. Schick, 16, of Gulf Breeze. Schick attempted to swerve to miss the Explorer, but struck the rear corner of the vehicle. Schick then continued forward where he struck the rear driver’s side of a 2009 Toyota Yaris driven by Richard L. Nicholson, 69, of Gulf Breeze.
There were two passengers in Schick’s vehicle: Donald A. Schick, 45, and Michelle L. Schick, 41, both of Gulf Breeze.
Everyone involved in the accident refused medical treatment.
Grant was charged with violation of right of way, turning left in front of approaching traffic.
Molino’s Engine 1819, Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS responded the crash.
The accident was investigated by the by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Pictured above: There were no injuries in this three vehicle accident Wednesday morning at Molino Road and Highway 29. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Juvenile Sentenced To Almost One Year In Jail For Shooting Donkey
November 25, 2009
The Cantonment juvenile who shot and killed a donkey near Jacks Branch Road back in May has been sentenced to almost a year in the county jail.
Kyle Mason Driver, 17, was charged as an adult with felony animal cruelty or death, using a weapon during the commission of a felony and possession of a firearm by a minor. Driver was sentenced to 11 months and 15 days in the Escambia County Jail and three years probation in connection with the case. Judge Kenneth L. Williams gave Driver until January 8, 2010, to report to the county jail to begin his sentence.
Driver must also pay restitution to Panhandle Equine Rescue of $440.38. Under the terms of his probation, he must not own any livestock.
Escambia County deputies said Driver has confessed to shooting a donkey on River Annex Road near Jacks Branch Road late the night of May 2. The female donkey shot by Driver gave birth moments before or after being shot to J.B. a white donkey that became a local media celebrity of sorts.
Driver turned himself in at the county jail on May 6, about two hours after NorthEscambia.com published his photo and a plea for the public’s help in locating him from the sheriff’s department.
‘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.