Fed Up School Bus Driver Takes Students To Sheriff’s Office
June 4, 2011
One school bus driver reached his last straw on the last day of school with disruptive students on a bus drove them directly to the Sheriff’s Office.
The Escambia County School bus driver drove the bus to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Century Precinct Friday afternoon after reporting a disruption on the bus.
The driver told dispatchers that they were unable to control the children from Northview High and Ernest Ward Middle that were on the bus. The driver waited for deputies to arrive and restore order before continuing the route.
Further details were not available.
Kids Force Train Into Emergency Stop
June 4, 2011
A CSX freight train was forced into an emergency stop in Century Friday evening by a group of kids.
A CSX Transportation engineer reported that as his train approached, the kids did not clear the railroad tracks near McMurray Park on East Pond Street. He was forced to make an emergency stop just before 7 p.m. as the train neared the group of children.
The train engineer told Escambia County deputies that the kids pelted the train with rocks once it came to a stop.
There were no injuries reported.
Photo Gallery: Century Little League Celebrates Winning Season
June 4, 2011
Century Little League wrapped up a successful season Friday afternoon, celebrating several championships and four undefeated teams.
Century swept the Tri-County League, winning first place in softball, tee ball, minor league baseball and major league baseball. The teams were undefeated on their way to the championships, with the exception of lone loss for the girls’ softball team.
For a photo gallery from the celebration, click here.
The teams celebrated Friday with free pizza, a water slide and closing ceremonies with recognition and trophies for each player.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Names 2011 Honors Graduates
June 4, 2011
The top students in Northview High School’s Class of 2011 have been named.
Sarah Malinda Killam (pictured left) was named valedictorian, and Emily Faith Vickrey (right) was named salutatorian. The complete list of honors graduates, along with the criteria for each rank, is as follows:
Summa Cum Laude
4.00 or higher weighted GPA
Three weighted course credits with a “C” or higher
No grade forgiveness for a grade of “D”
An “F” in any course makes the student ineligible
Completed at least three semesters (six quarters) at the local school by the end of the first semester (second quarter) of the senior year
- Sarah Malinda Killam (Valedictorian)
- Emily Faith Vickrey (Salutatorian)
- Jocelyn Marlese Gould
- Laneicia Dynette Gomez
- James Tyler Garrett
- Ashley Elizabeth Digmon
- Hayley Renee Simpson
- Christina Nicole Sepulveda
- Colton Darryl Sims
- Allyson Michelle Bullard
- Mallory Ann Bell
- Dustin Neal Lewis
- Joshua Clayton Scott
- Hilary Kate Byrd
- Dixie Lynn Picheo
- Allison Ayers Vidak
- Jessynia Christina McCall
- Caitlyn Brianne Brown
Magna Cum Laude
3.85 or higher weighted GPA
Does not meet summa criteria
- Jansen Mathew Bodiford
- Dustin Brooks Yuhasz
- Brianna Renae Roley
- Jamichael Dashawn Carson
- Derek Eugene Lewis
- Katie Marie Wieborg
- David Aaron Lambert, Jr.
- Allie Rebecca Bryan
- Dabney Harrison Langhorne
Cum Laude
3.5 or higher weighted GPA
Does not meet magna or summa criteria
- Trestine Ivie Dean
- Derrick Edward Portis, Jr.
- Megan Juliette Ryan
- Sara Lynn Conner
- Victoria Lynn Childers
- Austin Kyle Arrington
- Stephanie Leann Solari
- Haley May Coleman
Escambia Man Faces Life In Prison For Robbery Outside Mall
June 4, 2011
An Escambia County man is facing a mandatory sentence of life in prison for a robbing a man at Cordova Mall just four days after being released from prison.
State Attorney Bill Eddins said Anthony Rhaney II was convicted of carjacking with a firearm, robbery with a firearm and fleeing to elude a law enforcement officer by an Escambia County jury.
Rhaney was convicted for robbing a man outside of Cordova Mall on September 16, 2010. Rhaney and a second suspect approached Brian Crawford as he exited the mall and was attempting to get into his vehicle. The second suspect held Crawford at gunpoint while Rhaney robbed Crawford of his merchandise, watch, and cell phone. When Crawford did not have any cash to give the men, they decided to take his car.
The next day Pensacola Police Officer Bruce Harris saw the car driving south on 9th Avenue by the mall. He and another officer got behind the vehicle and attempted to pull it over. Rhaney, who was driving the stolen car, led officers on a ten minute pursuit through Pensacola. Eventually officers ended the pursuit by an excecuting a “PIT” maneuver on the car and were able to take Rhaney into custody. Rhaney was then identified as one of the robbers by Crawford.
Anthony Rhaney will be sentenced on July 13 before Judge Nickolas P. Geeker. He faces a mandatory life sentence based on his prior record.
Rhaney committed this crime just four days after being released from prison.
Scott Signs Bill To Crack Down On Pill Mills
June 4, 2011
Gov. Rick Scott signed a high-profile bill Friday to try to root out Florida’s illicit — and deadly — trade in prescription painkillers.
“I am proud to sign this bill which cracks down on the criminal abuse of prescription drugs,” Scott said in a prepared statement as he visited Fort Lauderdale, Tampa and Orlando for bill-signing ceremonies. “This legislation will save lives in our state, and it marks the beginning of the end of Florida’s infamous role as the nation’s pill mill capital.”
After weeks of sometimes-contentious debate, lawmakers passed the 98-page bill May 6, the final day of the spring legislative session. In part, it would ban most doctors from dispensing two categories of controlled substances in their offices or clinics.
Also, it takes steps such as increasing penalties against doctors involved in wrongdoing and requiring a new permitting process for pharmacies that dispense controlled substances. That permitting process is designed to prevent fly-by-night pharmacies from acting as suppliers.
The bill also keeps in place a plan to use a prescription-drug database to help track dispensing of controlled substances. That issue touched off a brouhaha early in the legislative session, as Scott and some House leaders called for scrapping the database because of privacy concerns.
Attorney General Pam Bondi, who helped broker passage of the bill, issued a statement Friday that alluded to Florida’s national reputation as a magnet for prescription-drug abusers and traffickers. Pain clinics have popped up throughout the state in recent years, drawing drug purchasers from as far away as Kentucky and Ohio.
“Not a day goes by that I don’t hear a story of someone who has lost a family member or friend to prescription drug abuse,” Bondi said. “This legislation will make significant strides in ridding Florida of unscrupulous doctors and pill mills, making our state a safer place to live and raise our families.”
Lawmakers also passed wide-ranging bills in 2009 and 2010 to try to shut down shady clinics and reduce abuse of painkillers such as oxycontin. But problems have persisted in many parts of the state — as evidenced by two lawmakers standing up on the House floor this spring to discuss family members who have prescription-drug problems.
While state leaders praised the new bill Friday, Paul Sloan, president of the Florida Society of Pain Management Providers, expressed skepticism.
Sloan said the “most troubling fact” is that the best way to deal with the drug problems is by addressing addiction issues that drive demand. Instead, he said in an e-mail that such laws are an attempt to “arrest our way out of the predicament.”
By Jim Saunders
The News Service of Florida
Bluegrass Sounds: Barrineau Park Music Night
June 4, 2011
The Aubie Fillingim Auditorium at the Barrineau Park Community Center was filled with the bluegrass sounds of The Chestang Family and The Rowell Bluegrass Band Friday night. It was the June installment of the monthly Barrineau Park Music Night, a free event held the first Friday night of each month.
The family-friendly event will not be held in July, but will return at 6:30 p.m. on August 5.
Pictured above: The Chestang Family performs Friday night at the Barrineau Park Music Night. Pictured below: A crowd enjoys the traditional bluegrass music. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Florida Department Of Corrections Cuts 190 Jobs
June 4, 2011
The Department of Corrections notified 190 temporary trainee employees that they won’t be hired permanently as part of the agency’s effort to reduce costs.
The move will produce $8.8 million in savings, department spokeswoman Gretl Plessinger said. The agency notified the trainees that because of legislatively mandated consolidation of some DOC facilities and extensive privatization also required by the new budget that will go into effect July 1.
The trainees’ employment was terminated Friday, the department said.
Boil Water Notice For Tate Road, Including Tate High
June 3, 2011
Effective immediately, a precautionary boil water notice has been issued for ECUA customers residing on Tate Road, from East Kingsfield Road to Tate School Road, including Tate High School.
This notice is being issued following a water main break. Residents are advised to boil water for one minute at a rolling boil, or to use 6 drops of regular unscented household bleach per gallon of water for water to be used for drinking of cooking purposes.
Bacteriological sampling is underway and the advisory will be lifted as soon as possible.
ECUA crews have repaired the main, and are flushing out the lines. Residents are advised that there is a possibility of discolored water as a result of the break and flushing, and to flush their home’s plumbing by running their taps for a few minutes. If problems persist, customers are asked to contact ECUA Customer Service at 850-476-0480 for assistance, or see precautionary boil water notice guidelines on the ECUA website at www.ecua.org.
Over 1,500 Acres Burn In Massive Wildfires (With Photo Gallery)
June 3, 2011
Four raging wildfires burned about 1,500 acres in Escambia County, Alabama, Thursday as well over 100 firefighters from 20 fire departments battled the flames.
Friday morning, firefighters were back in the area, extinguishing remaining hotspots to keep smoke off area roadways.
Thursday, the fires were so massive at one point that firefighters were unable to fight back, resorting instead to defending individual homes, according to David Adams, Emergency Management Director for Escambia County (Ala.). All of the homes were saved.
For a gallery of reader submitted photos, click here.
A few firefighters exhibited signs of heat exhaustion during the afternoon, but all were treated and the scene and none were transported to the hospital. There were no other injuries reported.
“All of the firefighters did an outstanding job,” Adams said about 10:30 Thursday as a command center at Hall Creek Road and Sardine Road was shut down for the night. “I just can’t commend all of the responders enough.”
Official believe the fires started just after 1 p.m. as a truck with mechanical problems traveled south on Butler Street to Highway 113, throwing sparks that ignited at least four small fires that quickly exploded into four wildfires of up to about 400 acres each.
By late afternoon, flames shot 40 to 50 feet above the tree tops at times, as entire pine trees burned in just moments. Smoke from the fires could be seen from over 20 miles away.
The fires burned in an area bounded approximately by I-65 to the north, Highway 113 to the west, Wolf Log Road to the south and Upper Creek Road to the east — an area north of, and between Atmore and Flomaton. Many of the roadways, including Highway 113, were closed due to heavy smoke.
The 20 fire departments from Escambia, Baldwin and Monroe counties in Alabama, and Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida, worked into the night to contain the fires. By 6 p.m. the fire had jumped across roadways and several fire lines plowed by the Alabama Forestry Commission. As the sun set and the humidity begin to rise, firefighters were able to bring two of the four fires under control. At 9:10 p.m., the dozens of firefighters that responded from North Escambia were able to return to Florida.
By 10 p.m., the remaining two fires were “contained” — still burning by surrounded by already burned areas, preventing their spread. A small contingent of firefighters and forestry officials remained in the area throughout the night to monitor the situation. A smoke advisory was issued for the area as heavy smoke created problems for motorists.
From the North Escambia area, firefighters from the Century, McDavid, Molino, Walnut Hill and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to Flomaton. Fire crews and equipment from the Cantonment, Ensley and Ferry Pass stations were moved into North Escambia to provide coverage in the event of a fire.
Firefighters from Walnut Hill, Cantonment and Ensley did responded to small brush fire in the area of Crary and Thompson Roads about 8:15. There were no structures damaged in that blaze.
For a gallery of reader submitted photos, click here. (Photos submitted by Amy Lambeth, Alisa Hart, Katie Fowler, Brooke Mixon, Brandi Golden and others for NorthEscambia.com)
Pictured top: A massive wildfire rages Thursday afternoon in Escambia County, Ala. Pictured top inset: Over 100 firefighters responded to the fires. Pictured middle inset: Entire pine trees were consumed by the blaze in just moments. Pictured bottom inset: A huge plume of smoke from the fires as seen from miles away. Pictured bottom: Heavy smoke closed Highway 113 between Flomaton and I-65. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
