Veterans Day Closings
November 11, 2010
The following will be closed Thursday for Veterans Day:
- Escambia and Santa Rosa county schools
- Escambia and Santa Rosa county offices
- Century, Jay, Milton, Pensacola, Atmore, Flomaton city offices
- U.S. Post Office — retail windows closed, no mail delivery or collection, except for Express Mail
- Florida state offices
- Federal offices
- No bus service from ECAT
- West Florida Public Libraries, including Century Branch
- Pensacola State College
- University of West Florida
There will be no change in the ECUA trash pickup. City of Pensacola and City of Milton routes will be collected on Wednesday.
Jay Mighty Mite, Midget Cheerleaders Win Competition
November 11, 2010
Jay Junior League Football Mighty Mite and Midget cheerleaders placed first in the novice division during a weekend competition at Milton High School. Over 40 teams took part in the competition, which was the first for the Jay squads.
Pictured above: The Jay Junior Football Mighty Mite cheerleaders (front, L-R) Makenzie Partrick, Mary Elizabeth Davis, Carlyn Watson , Alayna Lowery, Josie Lowery, Hannah Williams,(middle row) Sierra Hutto, Carly Willis, Jillan Thornton, Hailey Grenier, Mascot Brianna Dunsford, Kristan Watosn, Brianna Hart, Mackenleigh Bledsoe, (back row) Hayden Burkett, Jada Lowery and Brynn Burgess.
Pictured below: The Jay Junior Football League Midget cheerleaders (front, L-R) Haven Tagert, Mascot Lucille Borders Catrina Crandall, Mascot Brooklyn Sorrells, Mascot Jordan Sanders, Kassadi Borders, Haylee Watson, (middle) Meghan Mayo, Taylor Scott, Courtney Williams, Desma Eddins, Maggie Maghee, Santana Guimbellot, Madelyn Godwin, Courtney Walther, Amber Parker, (back) Kameryn Lewis, Rebecca Boutwell, Mia Grandberry, Harley Tagert, and Marisa Kirkland. Not pictured: Maci Holt and Savannah Seevers.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Driver In Fatal Crash Behind Bars After Fleeing Hospital
November 10, 2010
The driver in a fatal crash Tuesday night in Molino is behind bars on unrelated charges after fleeing from the hospital.
Terry Eugene Lee, 41, was arrested by the Florida Highway Patrol on two outstanding out of county warrants and booked into the Escambia County Jail. The FHP has said the warrants are not related to the death of Brandee N. Scott, 41, of Pensacola, but the FHP has not released further information about the charges. Scott was a passenger in Lee’s vehicle in an alcohol related crash on Omega Drive in Molino Tuesday night. [Read more about the crash...].
Lee reportedly walked away from the critical care unit at Sacred Heart Hospital about 6 a.m. Wednesday morning. He was found by an off-duty Pensacola Police Department officer in the parking lot of Cordova Mall and turned back over to the FHP.
Lee was not under arrest at the time he fled the hospital, according to the FHP.
Lee is being held without bond on the outstanding charges. According to the FHP, charges are still pending in Tuesday night’s wreck.
Pictured top: The passenger in this car driven by Terry Eugene Lee died in a Tuesday night wreck on Omega Drive in Molino, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
High School Coach Killed In Head-on Collision
November 10, 2010
An Escambia County High School Coach died in a head-on collision Wednesday morning in northern Baldwin County.
William Casaday, 30, of Summerdale, Ala., died in the accident about 6:30 a.m. on Phillipsville Road near Bay Minette. He was reportedly on his way to the school in Atmore, where he is the head softball coach and a driver’s education teacher. Cassady also coached football and basketball at Perdido Middle School.
Students at ECHS were told of the accident Wedesday morning, and counselors were made available at the school.
Casaday was traveling north in his Hyundai Elantra when he traveled into the southbound lane and hit a pickup truck head-on, according to Baldwin County Coroner Stan Vinson. Casaday was not wearing a seat belt and ejected. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the pickup truck, Timothy Andrew Bush, 17, of Bay Minette, was transported to Baldwin County Infirmary but did not appear to have any serious injuries, according to authorities.
A candlelight vigil was held Wednesday night at Escambia County High School’s football field as students, coworkers and friend gathered to remember the beloved coach.
Funeral services for William Casaday were Saturday at Mack Funeral Home in Robertsdale. Graveside services followed in Reeltown.
James R. Morris
November 10, 2010
James R. Morris, 68, of Molino went to be with the Lord Sunday, November 7, 2010.
He was born December 6, 1941, in Jay to Louie Morris and Leona Boyette Morris. He loved his wife and family and was a man of his word. He loved fishing, hunting, raising tropical fish and spending time with his family.
Mr. Morris is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 43 years, Donna Fields Morris; daughters, Laura Lee Morris Davidson, Jacqueline Victoria Morris Duncan, Angela Janine Morris Harley, and Melissa Wynn Morris Jennings; grandchildren, Tanner Lee Davidson, Anthony Cain, Cassie Anne Jennings Wallace, Gavin Tate Jennings, Emily Rose Linenbrink and Ashley Brianna Harley.
James R. Morris will be laid to rest on Friday, November 12, 2010, at Eastern Gate Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home with Rev. James Baker as celebrant.
The family will receive friends from noon to 1:00 p.m. for visitation with funeral services following.
Eastern Gate Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home at 1985 West Nine Mile Road in charge of arrangements.
Man Charged With DUI Manslaughter After Fatal Molino Crash
November 10, 2010
A Navarre man has been charged with DUI manslaughter following a single vehicle crash in Molino that claimed the life of a Pensacola woman Tuesday night.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, driver Terry E. Lee, 41, of Navarre was traveling on Omega Drive about 6:15 p.m. when his Toyota car left the roadway, traveled through a wooden fence and across a pasture before hitting another fence and a tree.
Lee’s passenger, Brandee N. Scott, 49, of Pensacola, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.She was reportedly impaled by a wooden board from the fence.
Lee was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital by LifeFlight with what the FHP report termed minor injuries. EMS officials had called a “trauma alert” on Scott at the scene.
Wednesday afternoon, the Florida Highway Patrol charged Lee with DUI manslaughter, DUI property damage, no driver’s license, driving with license suspended resulting in death, and three counts of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription.
Wednesday morning, Lee was arrested by the FHP on two Santa Rosa County warrants for violation of probation for driving while license suspended and narcotics violations after he reportedly walked away from the critical care unit at Sacred Heart Hospital about 5:30 a.m. Wednesday morning. He was found by an off-duty Pensacola Police Department officer in the parking lot of Cordova Mall and turned back over to the FHP. Lee was not under arrest at the time he fled the hospital, according to the FHP.
Lee’s bond was set at $106,000 on the traffic fatality related charges and no bond on the Santa Rosa County charges.
For more photos from the scene, click here.
Pictured above: One person died in this single vehicle crash Tuesday evening in Molino. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Jacke Johnston Defeats Incumbent Century Councilman Hawkins
November 10, 2010
Political newcomer Jacke Johnston defeated incumbent Henry Hawkins for Century Town Council Seat 3 in Tuesday’s runoff election.
Complete but unofficial election returns show Johnston received 174 votes (55%) to Hawkins 144 votes (45%).
“I am really exited,” Johnston said Tuesday night. “I can’t wait to get in there in January and work toward getting Century back on track.”
Johnston will be one of two new members on the Century Town Council come January.
Sandra McMurray Jackson was elected to Seat 5 on the council currently held by Sharon Scott, who did not seek re-election, during the October general election. Jackson is the owner of Jackson-McMurray Funeral Services in Century. She defeated retired insurance agent Annie Carter Savage by just eight votes — 164 to 156. The narrow margin, according to Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford, was not great enough to trigger an automatic recount.
Hawkins and Johnston were forced into a runoff for the council’s Seat 3 after neither received a majority of the votes during the October general election.
Hawkins, a retired Air Force staff sergeant and GED instructor for Pensacola Junior College, received 44.55 percent of the October vote — shy of the 50 percent needed for a win. Johnston, a teacher at Byrneville Elementary School, received 32.71 percent of the vote in October, while Robert Lasher, an Edward D. Jones financial adviser, finished third with 22.74 percent.
Gary Riley, who is retired from Gulf Power, ran unopposed and was re-elected to Seat 4.
Tuesday night, Johnston thanked her volunteers and supporters for her win. “I am really thankful for the help of all those that supported me,” the 10-year Century resident said.
Area Students Take Part In All-County Choral Gala
November 10, 2010
The 2010 All-County Choral Gala was held Tuesday night at Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola with several North Escambia area schools participating.
An audience of about 1,500 was on hand for the 23rd annual event which featured elementary, middle and high school All-County groups.
Students from Bratt, Molino Park and Jim Allen elementary schools and Ernest Ward and Ransom Middle schools were among the dozens of students selected to participate in the program that featured music ranging from classic to contemporary.
North Escambia area students participating included:
Jim Allen Elementary: Demerie Caro, Kayla Guilford, Paige Owen, Emily Rohde, Alexya Taylor. Greg Sexton and John McDonald, educators.
Bratt Elementary: Alayna Brown, Taniya Fletcher, Logan Hall, Haven Shores. Emily Pollard, educator.
Molino Park Elementary: Tapanga Johnson, Trista Lorenzana, Seth Parker, Evan Till. Twinette McDonald, educator.
Ernest Ward Middle School: Penny Banda, Amy Branch, Diamonique Brown, Breanna Campbell, Holly Cofield, Aaliyah Creamer, Sarah Dutton, Desiree Elliard, Nathan Hawthorne, Haley Maddox, Amy Murph, Ashley Rainbolt, Elizabeth Sanders, Brittany Victor, Jasmine Walker, Shania Ward, Joselynn Wiedel, Hadley Woodfin. Charles Tucker, educator.
Ransom Middle School: Matthew Baillie, Shelby Becker, Lindsey Beckham, Tiffany Butler, Hannah Carpenter, Allison Cramer, Tyler Debord, Harlie Diamond, Cherry Eddy, Tayler Garciano, Jamie Hendren, Miranda Holt, Kimberly Howard, Coles Johnson, Tori Kent, Olivia Martin, Shelby Penton, Courtney Sonnier, Jordan Summerlin, Victoria Teague, Alley Vansoyc, Paul Vinson, Landon Williamson, Kayla Winters. Sharon Godwin and Malinda Hawks, educators.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Busted On Drug Charges After Shopping For 5 Hours At Dollar General
November 10, 2010
An area man was arrested on drug charges after he spent five hours shopping inside a Dollar General store.
Robby Edward Brown, 26, of Wilson Avenue, was booked into the Baldwin County Jail on charges of possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, public intoxication and third degree theft of property.
Deputies responded to the Dollar General in Perdido in north Baldwin County after Brown had been in the store for five hours. According to the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, Brown thought he had only been in the store for a short time period.
Brown remained in the Baldwin County Jail early Wednesday morning with bond set at $8,041.
Deputy Jeremy Cassady’s Condition Improves Following Shooting
November 10, 2010
There has been some improvement in the condition of Escambia County Deputy Jeremy Cassady who was shot during a hostage situation in Pensacola.
Family members say Cassady is sitting up and talking. He has undergone numerous surgeries, including one to remove a bullet from his side. Cassady had been in a medically induced coma.
Cassady, 36, remains Sacred Heart Hospital in stable condition after being shot by Phillip Monier, 47. Monier remains in the Escambia County Jail on $2 million bond.
Cassady was shot by Monier at the Bayview Circle home of his ex-girlfriend Jackie Rosenbloom on October 29. Cassady was struck in the side. Deputy Sam Parker was hit in the chest, and Deputy Chad Brown was hit in the arm. Parker and Brown were treated and released.
Rosenbloom, who was shot in the legs and pelvis, has been released from Sacred Heart Hospital.
Court documents show the incident begain when Monier forced his way into the home and demanded that a ring be returned.