School Bus In Hit And Run; Nine Students Injured
September 30, 2010
Nine students were injured when a school bus driven by a Century woman was rear-ended by a vehicle that fled the scene this morning in Pensacola.
The incident happened about 8:15 a.m. at Pine Forest Road and Longleaf Drive. The Florida Highway Patrol says the 1999 Escambia County school bus driven Cynthia Lambert, 54, of Century was struck in the rear by a late model sliver Chrysler four door sedan. The car left the scene traveling south on Pine Forest Road.
A total of nine students on the bus, which was headed to Pine Forest and West Florida high schools, were injured. Their injuries were considered minor. Lambert was not injured.
The accident is still under investigation by the FHP.
Third Person In Motel 6 Room During Shooting Named
September 30, 2010
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has released the name of the third person at the time of the shootout Wednesday between an Escambia County deputy and a Pensacola man.
The female on the room was identified as Stromie Z. Felber, 18. She was in the room with Michael Scott Lee, 21, when he opened fire on Deputy Jason Ates. Ates returned fire, killing Lee. A third man, Eric James Sherbutt, 30, was also in the room at the Motel 6 on Pensacola Boulevard. Deputy Ates was shot in the upper thigh.
Sherbutt and Felber have not been charged with any crimes at this time. Once evidence is processed and results come back charges could be filed according to investigators.
For more on this story, click here.
Radio Station Personality Gets 10 Years In Child Sex Abuse Case
September 30, 2010
A former local radio personality has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for sexually abusing a child under 12.
Walter John Bowen, 68, received the sentence after pleading guilty Wednesday morning in Baldwin County Circuit Court. Bowen was sentenced under a plea bargain in which prosecutors dropped another charge involving the sexual abuse of another child under 12-years old.
Bowen, who was owner of WNSI AM in Robertsdale and WNSI FM in Atmore, had remained in jail since his arrest during the radio station’s morning show last December. He was known to listeners on the station’s morning show as “Walter Jay”.
He will be required to register as a sex offender once released from prison.
Jay Outpaces Northview In Girls’ Cross Country
September 30, 2010
The Jay Royals outpaced the Northview Chiefs in a cross country meet hosted by Jay High School, with every runner for Jay setting a personal record or season’s best time.
The top ten runners for the meet were:
- Leely Trevino Jay (22:03) season best
- Robin Blackman Jay (22:18) personal record
- Allison Blair Jay (22:25) season best
- Jessica Thornton Jay (22:50) season best
- Georgia Goetter Northview (23:08)
- Caristyn Golden Jay (23:26) season best
- Jorjia Agrait Jay (24:41) personal record
- Crystal Brown Jay (25:43) season best
- Ally Settle Jay (25:52) personal record
- Jenna Thornton (27:20) personal record
Other runners from Jay who were not in the top ten but did set personal records were Elizabeth Meads, Samantha Cerqueira, Riley Andrews and Savannah Brown.
The Royals will host the JD Mac Invitational at the Jay City Park on October 30.
Pictured: Cross country team members from Jay and Northview high schools prepare to run. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Volunteer Fireman Pleads Not Guilty To Abusing Underage Girl, Abandoning Dog
September 30, 2010
A Century volunteer fireman has pleaded not guilty to charges that he sexually abused an underage girl and abandoning dogs rescued by the department.
Dustin Ryan Burkett, 28, was due to appear at an arraignment hearing Thursday morning on one felony count of lewd and lascivious battery on a victim 12 to 15 years of age, one felony count of grand theft, and misdemeanor charges of abandonment of animals and obstruction of justice.
But Burkett waived arraignment through his lawyer and pleaded not guilty to all charges. No trail date has been set, according to court records.
Burkett is accused of sexually abusing a 15-year old girl at Lake Stone Campground in 2009. In a separate incident, he allegedly abandoned three dogs that were reported to be “rescued” by the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue in August.
For an earlier story, click here.
Walnut Hill Felon Charged With Weapon Possession
September 30, 2010
A convicted felon from Walnut Hill is facing charges after he was found armed with a handgun on a local street.
Edward Charles Redmond, 55, was charged with possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and carrying a concealed weapon.
Deputies found Redmond leaning into a pickup truck occupied by two people while on the shoulder of Cypress Street. At the time he was questioned by deputies, Redmond had a .38 caliber Smith & Wesson handgun in his back pocket, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report.
Redmond told deputies that he had just consumed a full bottle of vodka and that his mother had just passed away. Due to his physical and mental state, according to the report, deputies did not place him under arrest at that time. The gun was seized, and a warrant was later issued for his arrest.
Redmond was released from the Escambia County Jail on $7,500 bond.
Business Tax Receipts Due By Today
September 30, 2010
It’s time for business owners and practicing professionals to renew business tax receipts. The deadline for renewing without a penalty is Thursday, September 30, according to Escambia County Tax Collector Janet Holley.
Renewals are encouraged online at www.escambiataxcollector.com. Other methods are available, such as payment by mail, by phone (convenience fee may apply), and in person at any of the four convenient tax collector offices.
Applications and information for business tax receipts are available at www.escambiataxcollector.com. If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment, call the tax collector’s office at (850) 438‑6500, Ext. 252. (TTY users for the hearing impaired call (850) 472‑0031.)
Financial Help Available To Weatherize Your Home
September 30, 2010
The Community Action Program Committee will accept applications in Century on Friday for weatherization assistance.
The CAPC will be at the Century Town Hall from 1-3 p.m. For information on income requirements and necessary documentation, click here.
Ernest Ward Photo Gallery: That’s Just Tacky!
September 30, 2010
Wednesday was Tacky Day at Ernest Ward Middle Middle, part of Spirit Week for the Eagles.
Several other special dress days are planned:
- Thursday — Team Day
- Friday — Camo Day
- Monday — Twin Day
- Tuesday — Blue and Gold Day
For more Tacky Day photos, click here.
Pictured above and below: Some the tacky dress Wednesday for Tacky Day at Ernest Ward Middle School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
High School Volleyball: Northview Versus Flomaton
September 30, 2010
Here are complete scores and stats from Tuesday night’s Dig Pink matchups between Flomaton and Northview.
For photos and more about Dig Pink, click here.
Northview vs Flomaton (Varsity)
The Northview Chiefs fell to the Flomaton Hurricanes, 24-26, 25-27, 25-19.
“Our varsity has really done a great job stepping up and playing every ball until the end,” said Head Coach Betty Heaton. “However, we really need to improve our serving and serve receive. If we pick those two areas up we have every chance of going into the playoffs.”
Shawn Montgomery – Kills-7, Aces-4, Blocks-6 Digs-3
Ashley Digmon – Assists – 4, Digs – 2
Sarah Killam – Assists -3, Digs-1, Block -1
Varsity Record – Overall 5 –11; District 3-1
Northview vs Flomaton (J.V.)
In junior varsity action, the Northview Chiefs defeated Flomaton 25-13.
“The JV did a great job. They played hard though out the match,” Heaton said.
Lana Clayton – Kills – 5, Aces -6
Madison Arrington – Assists – 4, Aces – 3
Danielle Steadham – Kills – 4, Aces -1
Rebecca Masaitis – Assists – 6
JV Record – Overall 3-7
Northview vs Flomaton (9th Grade)
The Northview 9tjh grade team defeated Flomaton 25- 19, 25-14.
“Our 9th grade team had some difficulty finding their rhythm, but they did a good job coming together at the end,” according to Heaton.
Mallory Wiggins – Assists – 6, Aces-2
Paeton Hadley – Assists – 4, Aces – 8, Kills-2
Ali Martin – Aces -7, Kills -2
Shelby Nielson – Kills – 5, Aces -2
9th Grade Record – Overall 2-0
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.