Friday Traffic: Lane Closures In Two Locations On Highway 97
March 5, 2010
There will be two areas with lane closures on Friday along Highway 97.
The first will be just north of White Ash Road, and the second will be just north of Highway 164. At both locations, crews from Panhandle Grading and Paving will be working to replace guardrails as part of a Highway 97 resurfacing project.
“We are doing our best to hold the closures to as little time as necessary to complete the work,” said Shawn Joseph, project administrator. “We appreciate everyone’s patience and apologize for the inconvenience.”
If possible, the lane closures are being restricted until after 8 a.m. to allow as much work and school traffic as possible to pass without delays.
Man Charged With Stealing $2,000 In Alabama Hours Before He Was Robbed In Century
March 5, 2010
The 18-year old victim in a gunpoint robbery last week in Century is now facing charges in Alabama for stealing the money that was later stolen from him.
Devante Aaaron Knight, 18, of Hecker Road, Century, was arrested is being held in the Escambia County (Fla.) Jail awaiting extradition back to Escambia County (Ala.) to face larceny charges stemming from a purse snatching incident.
An Escambia County, Ala., warrant was issued Wednesday for Knight’s arrest after he allegedly snatched a purse containing $2,000 in cash from an 85-year old woman last week.
The day after the purse snatching, Knight was himself the victim of a robbery where the $2,000 was stolen.
Knight told Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office deputies that he was in the yard of home in the 100 block of Zion Street talking to another Century man. That’s when the suspect asked to borrow a dollar from the Knight, and the Knight agreed. The suspect then reportedly walked into a trailer, returned outside and told the Knight “Give it up”.
Knight said that he remembered being hit in the head with the gun and hearing gunfire, but he did not think he had been shot. The victim them walked to the nearby Dollar General store on nearby North Century Boulevard. That’s where Knight located his aunt. The aunt transported the Knight to his home in the 200 block of East Hecker Road and called 911. Knight was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital for treatment of a head injury.
The suspect was able to steal the entire $2,000 allegedly taken from the 85-year old woman.
According to the sheriff’s office incident report, Knight was treated for a laceration to his head that was not the result of being shot.
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of the suspect for aggravated battery using a deadly weapon and robbery with a firearm.
Coming This Weekend: Helping Haiti
March 5, 2010
Join NorthEscambia.com beginning Saturday morning for a three-part series “North Escambia: Helping Haiti”. We will take you to Haiti through the eyes of two area men that just returned from a disaster relief mission.
We will hear about their work in Haiti in their own words, and we’ll see the country through their eyes via their photographs. We will also look at how you can be a part of the effort to provide relief in the earthquake ravaged country.
“North Escambia: Helping Haiti” begins Saturday morning here on NorthEscambia.com.
Escambia Calls On State To Help With Logjams On Escambia River
March 5, 2010
Escambia County is asking the state to remove logjams along the Escambia River to decrease the risk of flooding.
Substantial quantities of logs, vessels and other debris have obstructed water flow and safe navigation on Escambia River. Thursday night, the county commission passed a resolution asking the state to take immediate action remove to the logjams from river, which is under the jurisdiction and ownership of the State of Florida.
According to the commission’s resolution, the logjams threaten the safety and welfare of citizens. In addition to causing navigational problems, the logjams aggravate flooding of lands and bridges along the river “endangering the property and jeopardizing the safety and welfare of Florida’s citizens and visitors”.
Pictured top: A logjam at Escambia River Bridge on Highway 4. Pictured below: The road to Fischer Landing in Century underwater. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Is Your Dog Sick? County Officials Say Canine Respiratory Disease On The Rise
March 5, 2010
Escambia County officials said Thursday that there is an increase in canine respiratory infections within the animal shelter — and likely throughout the county.
Because the animal shelter has contact with a broad variety of animals from vast medical histories and backgrounds, community illness trends commonly occur in shelter environments prior to the public noticing the signs, said a county news release.
“Pet owners should look for signs similar to a cold; runny nose, sneezing, lethargy or coughing,” said Dr. Cliff Owen, staff veterinarian. “These signs can be early indicators of many different illnesses. Should these symptoms become apparent, contact your veterinarian.”
Although the exact cause of the illness has not been detected, Escambia County Animal Services is working with Schering-Plough Animal Health with vaccinations as well as testing. As a precaution the animal shelter has strongly increased their infectious control techniques, as well as vaccinations on advice of the shelter veterinarians. Shelter officials are advising residents to ensure all pet vaccinations are current.
Gladys Wise Frazier
March 4, 2010
Gladys Wise Frazier, 91, passed away on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 in Atmore, AL.
Mrs. Frazier was a native of McCullough, AL, a lifelong resident of Atmore, AL, and attended the First Baptist Church. She was an employee of Vanity Fair Mills during the war, an employee of the Tot Shop for over 35 years and a Pink Lady at Atmore Community Hospital. Preceded in death by her Husband of 69 years, Cliff Frazier, and a Daughter, Marilyn Frazier Weir.
Survivors include: two Sons, Charles and Patsy Frazier of Evergreen, AL, and Gary Michael and Paula Frazier of Weehawken, N.J.; 8 Grandchildren, Steven Weir, Sandra Yacavonne, Darren Frazier, Kimberly Newman, Charles Christopher Frazier, Mason Frazier, Martha Frazier, and Jill Mize; 14 Great-Grandchildren; and a devoted Caregiver, Toni Diane Boutwell.
Funeral services will he held Monday, March 8, 2010 at 12:00 Noon at the First Baptist Church with the Rev. Arnold Hendrix officiating.
Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Monday, March 8, 2010 from 11:00 A.M. until funeral time at the First Baptist Church.
Pallbearers will be Darren Frazier, Chris Frazier, Mason Frazier, Carl Anderson, Mike Newman, Adam Newman, Henry Lowery, Nicholas Yacavonne, Steven Weir, and Walter Baudier.
Gladys Wise Frazier
March 4, 2010
Mrs. Gladys Wise Frazier, 91, passed away on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 in Atmore, AL.
Mrs. Frazier was a native of McCullough, AL, a lifelong resident of Atmore, AL, and attended the First Baptist Church. She was an employee of Vanity Fair Mills during the war, an employee of the Tot Shop for over 35 years and a Pink Lady at Atmore Community Hospital. Preceded in death by her Husband of 69 years, Cliff Frazier, and a Daughter, Marilyn Frazier Weir.
Survivors include: two Sons, Charles and Patsy Frazier of Evergreen, AL, and Gary Michael and Paula Frazier of Weehawken, N.J.; 8 Grandchildren, Steven Weir, Sandra Yacavonne, Darren Frazier, Kimberly Newman, Charles Christopher Frazier, Mason Frazier, Martha Frazier, and Jill Mize; 16 Great-Grandchildren; and a devoted Caregiver, Toni Diane Boutwell.
Funeral services will he held Monday, March 8, 2010 at 12:00 Noon at the First Baptist Church with the Rev. Arnold Hendrix officiating.
Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Monday, March 8, 2010 from 11:00 A.M. until funeral time at the First Baptist Church.
Pallbearers will be Darren Frazier, Chris Frazier, Mason Frazier, Carl Anderson, Mike Newman, Adam Newman, Henry Lowery, Nicholas Yacavonne, Steven Weir, and Walter Baudier.
Escambia Detention Deputy Arrested
March 4, 2010
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Detention Deputy Kristopher Wade for smuggling contraband into a detention facility and for unlawfully accepting compensation for official behavior.
Wade has been released from the Escambia County Jail on a $10,000 bond.
On February 15, 2010, detention deputies conducting a routine cell search discovered a cell phone charger in a cell at the Main Jail. After a subsequent search of the prisoners in the housing unit, a cell phone was discovered.
Following an investigation of how the cell phone was introduced into the jail, investigators determined that an inmate conspired with Wade to smuggle the cell phone into the housing unit.
On February 11, Wade met with the girlfriend of the inmate and obtained the contraband cell phone, a cell phone charger, and cigarettes. Wade was also given $25 in exchange for smuggling the contraband phone to the inmate, according to the arrest report.
According to the arrest report, on March 2 Wade was interviewed by investigators and admitted to picking up the contraband cell phone and delivering it to the inmate. At this time, Wade has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the completion of the investigation. Wade has been employed with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office since 2008 and was assigned to the Main Jail.
Traffic Watch: Highway 97 One Lane In Walnut Hill
March 4, 2010
Highway 97 is restricted to one lane in Walnut Hill today for a guardrail replacement.
The lane restriction is between Highway 99 North (at the Walnut Hill Mennonite Church) and Arthur Brown Road (at Ernest Ward Middle School).
Delays are short as workers allow one lane of traffic at a time to pass through the construction area.
Funeral Services Held For Brewton Teen Shot Near Jay
March 4, 2010
Funeral services were held today for the Brewton teen that died after being shot at a weekend party in Berrydale near Jay, as his accused shooter remains in the Santa Rosa County Jail.
Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon for Getyron Lopez Benjamin, 18, at Second Saint Siloam Baptist Church with Elder Robert McWilliams officiating. Burial followed at Piney Grove Cemetery. Benjamin was a 2009 graduate of T.R. Miller High School where he played football and ran track. He was also a first year student at Jefferson Davis Community College.
The man accused in his death, Robert Franklin Floyd, 21, is being held without bond on an open court of murder.
Benjamin was reportedly shot early Saturday morning at a party being held at Floyd’s residence on Country Mill Road in the Berrydale community. Benjamin, who is black arrived at the party with another black male and two white individuals, according to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. Floyd then requested that the four leave the party because they were uninvited, at which time he allegedly pushed one of the black males, according to information released by the Sheriff’s Office.
“Floyd alleges that at that time, the black male which he pushed pulled out a handgun. Floyd then ran to his truck which was parked nearby. Floyd then retrieved a rifle from his truck and stated that he heard gunshots being fired from the area in which the black male subject’s vehicle was located. Floyd also alleges that he saw a muzzle flash coming from their direction. Floyd then fired multiple shots from his rifle towards the direction of the vehicle as it was leaving. The vehicle left the scene and Floyd returned the rifle to his truck,” according to Sgt. Scott Haines, spokesperson for the Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office. Floyd reportedly fired five times at the vehicle.
The occupants of the vehicle told authorities that no one had a weapon, and there was reportedly no evidence that a weapon had been fired from the victim’s vehicle, deputies said. No weapon was found in the vehicle.
Benjamin, according to police reports, was shot in the back by a bullet that passed through the trunk of the vehicle. He was driven to D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton where he was pronounced dead in the emergency room.
For our Saturday story on the incident, click here.