Ernest Ward Students May Attend Northview Parade (With Guidelines)
November 3, 2011
Northview High School’s homecoming parade is Friday afternoon at 1:00 in Bratt.
According to Ernest Ward Principal Nancy Perry, EWMS students may attend the parade if properly checked out. The school will not provide bus transportation to the parade.
The school has issued the following guidelines:
Students at EWMS may check out of school from 12:00 PM until 12:30 PM to attend the NHS Homecoming Parade at Bratt. Check outs will take place in the EWMS media center during this time. Parents may enter through the front door of the media center where the check out process will be completed as quickly as possible. Students are not required to attend this parade. There is no penalty for students who choose to remain at school. This is a privilege that is provided to students and parents to promote school spirit in the community.
Please remember that the only people who may check out students are the persons whose names are listed on the blue registration card. Picture ID of the person checking out a student must be shown to school personnel. These are district guidelines that were emphasized in documents that were sent home the first day of school.
Salvation Army Red Kettle Program Ready To Begin
November 3, 2011
The 2011 Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign kicked off Wednesday morning outside Cordova Mall.
“The Salvation Army is a great organization that truly makes a difference in our community,” said Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward as he helped kick off the campaign. “The Red Kettle Campaign is a hallmark of the holiday season that provides The Salvation Army with the means to provide its invaluable services throughout the year.”
The 45 red kettles in Escambia County won’t officially be out until November 12, but the Salvation Army held the kick off event Wednesday to highlight the need for volunteers to staff them.
The Red Kettle Campaign is The Salvation Army’s most prominent fundraiser. Held each year during the holiday season, the campaign enables The Salvation Army to provide food, toys, and clothing to people in need.
Pictured: The Red Kettle Campaign kickoff Wednesday at Cordova Mall in Pensacola. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Elementary Releases First Nine Weeks Honor Roll
November 3, 2011
The following students were named to the first nine weeks honor roll at Byrneville Elementary School:
Kindergarten: Mrs. Barberree
All Satisfactory:
- Adrianna Atallah
- Wyatt Everly
- Nolin Godwin
- Hank Grant
- Jakyia Newton
- Reygan Steadham
- Tyler Riggs
- Dalton Wolfe
Kindergarten: Mrs. Rogers
All Satisfactory:
- Ethan Bingham
- Alexa Castro
- Riley Dawson
- Caitlyn Dortch
- Madalyn Grimes
- Bobbie-Sue Jarrel
- Meredith Johnston
First Grade: Mrs. Dawson
All A’s:
- Leah Anderson
- Kayla Johnson
- Emily Levins
- Kaden Odom
- Aubrey Stuckey
A’s and B’s:
- Josh Diamond
- Aloysia Dortch
- Audrey Goetter
- Chase Hampton
- Johnnie Howell
- Aleigh Thornton
First Grade: Mrs. Thornton
A’s and B’s:
- Hunter Barnes
- C.J. Bell
- Drake Allen Driskell
- Briana Dunsford
- Emily Lambeth
- Jessica Loftis
- Grace Long
- D.J. Pugh
Second Grade: Mrs. Weaver
All A’s:
- Shelby Cotita
- Torka Mills
- Dillon Spears
A’s and B’s:
- Hunter Borelli
- Tessa Flowers
- Kaitlyn Gafford
- Jace Gifford
- Taylor Levins
- James Loftis
- Lillie McCall
- Harley Walker
Third Grade: Mrs. Dunsford
All A’s:
- Sopia Cotita
- Maille Kilcrease
- Ty Rolin
A’s and B’s:
- Travon Brown
- Logan Bryan
- Alyssa Goldenpenny
- Heather Knowles
- Abigail Levins
- De’Janique Lowery
- Tyler Merchant
- Cash Wilson
Fourth Grade: Mrs. Gilmore
All A’s:
- Alex Glidewell
- Cloe Smith
A’s and B’s:
- Skyler Busbee
- Savannah Steadham
- Samantha Walston
- Olivia Watson
- Hannah Merchant
Fourth grade: Mrs. Sellers
All A’s:
- Ian Gifford
- Nicky Trump
A’s and B’s:
- Alexis Lee
- Kelli Merchant
- Lea Nall
Fifth grade: Mrs. Johnston
All A’s:
- Austin Adams
- Rebecca Diamond
- Paige Killam
- Seth Killam
- Tanner Levins
- Alex McMinn
- Courtney Payne
- Destiny Payne
A’s and B’s:
- Jacob Borelli
- Matthew Caine
- Patton Goetter
- Colby Graham
- Gracie Johnson
- Keyana Macks
- Sarah Nelson
- Hunter Moseley
- Peyton Newsome
- Faith Watters
Linda Faye Morris Ard
November 3, 2011
Mrs. Linda Faye Morris Ard, 64, passed away on Wednesday, November 2, 2011, in Century.
Mrs. Ard was a native and lifelong resident of Century. She was a retired employee from Vanity Fair Mills and attended Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Winston Troy Ard.
Survivors include her son, Bryon Ard of McDavid; three grandchildren, Sydney Ard, Troy Ard and Kendal Ard; and a brother, Larry Morris of McDavid.
Funeral services will be Saturday, November 5, 2011, at 10 a.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Nathan Brown officiating.
Burial will follow at Ray’s Chapel Cemetery.
Visitation will be Friday, November 4, 2011, from 6-9 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Escambia Drive-by Shooting Leaves Three Injured
November 2, 2011
Three men were shot in a drive-by shooting Wednesday night near a store West Pensacola before driving to a crowded shopping center.
The three were shot about 7:35 p.m. at the corner of Cerny and Muldoon roads at the Fast Link Groceries store. Two other people in the vehicle were not injured as gunfire shattered the car’s windows.
Two 19-year old victims were shot in the hand, while a male about 19-years old was hit in the head.
The victims drove their Pontiac a couple of miles away to the parking lot of Planet Fitness near Publix on Mobile Highway. All three were transported to Sacred Heart Hospital by ambulance where they were treated for injuries that were not considered life threatening.
There have been no arrests in the case. As of last report, no suspects have been identified. Further details, including the names of the victims, have not yet been made available.
The shooting remains under investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Pictured top: Three men shot in a drive-by shooting drove themselves to this Publix store on Mobile Highway Wednesday night. Pictured inset: Two men in the vehicle were no injured. Pictured below: Escambia County Sheriff’s Office crime scene processes the vehicle. Photos courtesy WEAR TV for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Anything For A Buck: 75 Arrested On Weapons, Drug Charges
November 2, 2011
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday afternoon that 75 Escambia and Santa Rosa residents have been charged with firearm, drug distribution and related offenses as the result of the undercover investigation “Operation Anything for a Buck”.
There were 22 federal indictments unsealed Wednesday in federal court, charging 22 separate defendants with federal firearm violations. In addition, 53 other defendants were charged by state authorities on violations related to state illegal firearm possession, drug distribution, and dealing in stolen property. The federal and state charges follow an eight-month undercover investigation.
In February 2011, the United States Attorney’s Office, the State Attorney’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and the Pensacola Police Department initiated “Operation Anything for a Buck” when they opened a secondhand thrift store in Brownsville. Word spread that the store would buy anything as undercover ATF agents and Escambia County investigators posed as individuals interested in purchasing firearms, illegal drugs and stolen property.
“The residents of Escambia County and communities across the state can feel a little safer today thanks to the tireless efforts of the brave law enforcement officers and agents who took part in this effort,” said U.S. Attorney Pamela C. Marsh. “We know from experience that gun violence goes hand-in-hand with gangs and drugs. Our law enforcement officers worked incredibly hard, in the heat of a Florida summer, to take these guns and drugs out of our community. They deserve all the credit for this successful joint effort. I assure you we will not stop here and together we will continue to do what it takes to rid our streets of criminal activity.”
During the operation, undercover agents and investigators purchased 270 firearms, including handguns, rifles, assault rifles and sawed-off shotguns, and more than 2,600 rounds of ammunition. In over 100 individual drug deals, they also obtained illegal drugs, including cocaine, marijuana, heroin, hydrocodone, xanax, and oxycodone.
For information on claiming stolen property that you believe may belong to you, click here.
“This undercover operation was very successful because of the excellent cooperation that occurred between all the agencies,” said State Attorney William “Bill” Eddins. The tremendous allocation of manpower and resources necessary to conduct such an operation would not have been possible without assignment of personnel from the various agencies. Our office has assigned Special Prosecutors to handle these cases who have worked closely with the various agencies during this operation. Each defendant arrested as a result of this investigation will be vigorously prosecuted.”
“This is the kind of creative and collaborative law enforcement initiative that has a direct impact on local communities,” said FDLE Commissioner Gerald Bailey. “We commend the agencies involved for their proactive work to take firearms out of the hands of dangerous felons.”
“The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is honored to have been a partner with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and other local and federal agencies during the recent ‘Operation Anything for a Buck’,” said Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan. “It has been, to say the least, a phenomenal success. The citizens of Escambia County can be proud of the collective efforts of all the men and women involved. It has been my distinct honor to have been a part of making our community a safer place to work, worship and play.”
Following numerous arrests Wednesday morning, initial appearances for many of the federally indicted defendants will be held in United States District Court in Pensacola on Thursday.
A list of those arrested is below.
Federal Defendants Charged:
- Lavonta Omar Beasley, 19, Pensacola
- Jesse Leon Chesser, 47, Pensacola
- James Collins, Jr., 23, Pensacola
- Maurice Finklea, 30, Pensacola
- Erick Anthony Fluker, 24, Pensacola
- Jacobi Franciscus Foster, 28, Pensacola
- Corval Markuess Franklin, 23, Pensacola
- Ferronta Lavon Jackson, 27, Pensacola
- Roderick Delano Jones, 33, Pensacola
- Anthony Lewis Jr., 22, Pensacola
- Robert Charles Moeckel, 28, Pensacola
- Jeremy Lee Norris, 23, Pace
- Warren Phillips, 22, Pensacola
- Eudolph Tyra Porter, 28, Pensacola
- Orlance Jonathan Sangster, 20, Pensacola
- Glenn Edward Williams, 49, Pensacola
State Defendants Charged:
- Lavonta Omar Beasley, 19, Pensacola
- Dureco Konne Brown, 22, Pensacola
- Curry Chestnut, III, 20, Pensacola
- James Collins, Jr., 23, Pensacola
- Vontricia Sherial Dale, 25, Pensacola
- Tonjas Dixon, 19, Pensacola
- Jamal Ladariur Dortch, Jr., 21, Pensacola
- Richard Dumas, Jr., 21, Pensacola
- Deondre Raynard Fluker, 20, Pensacola
- Eric Anthony Fluker, 24, Pensacola
- Brandon Keith Fore, 33, Pace
- Jacobi Franciscus Foster, 28, Pensacola
- Stephen Lawrence Grimsley, 23, Pensacola
- Muriel Shundell Holland, 40, Pensacola
- Dell C. Howard, 32, Pensacola
- Ferronta Lavon Jackson, 27, Pensacola
- Myron Demetrius James, 35, Pensacola
- Cedric Corrsell Jones, 24, Pensacola
- Roderick Delano Jones, 32, Pensacola
- Peter Ricky Kemp, 20, Pensacola
- Anthony Lewis, Jr., 22, Pensacola
- Kazadius Taheen McQueen, 21, Pensacola
- Quandriguez Duvonta Mosley, 18, Pensacola
- Jacobia Ladraina Newberry, 20, Pensacola
- Steven Joseph Owens, 36, Pensacola
- Warren Phillips, 22, Pensacola
- Michael Everett Plant, Jr., 36, Pace
- Maurice Lamont Rembert, 36, Pensacola
- Orlance Jonathan Sangster, 20, Pensacola
- Dustin Michael Scheibe, 31, Pace
- Kevin Allen Sealey, 41, Pensacola
- Kyle Allen Sealey, 20, Pensacola
- Daniel Demetris Sigmen, 23, Pensacola
- Jeffery Lovell Stanton, 42, Pensacola
- Dominique Roger Warren, 22, Pensacola
- Darrel Williams, 45, Pensacola
- Darrell Williams, Jr., 20, Pensacola
- Glenn Edward Williams, 49, Pensacola
Pictured: “Operation Anything for a Buck” is announced Wednesday afternoon during a joint press conference at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Anything For A Buck: Claim Your Stolen Goods
November 2, 2011
In a press conference Wednesday, Sheriff David Morgan announced the arrest of 53 defendants on violations related to state illegal firearm possession, drug distribution, and dealing in stolen property following an eight-month undercover investigation by the ECSO and ATF referred to as “Operation Anything for a Buck”.
The operation ran out of an “Anything for a Buck” thrift store in Brownsville. Read more about the operation and see a list of those arrested here.
Morgan said if any citizen has had property stolen and suspects it might have been involved in the investigation, they may go to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Administration Building, 2100 West Leonard Street Thursday on November 10 from 8 a.m. until noonam and 12 noon to identify and reclaim the stolen goods.
Pictured top and below: The “Anything for a Buck” store in Brownsville. Photo courtesy Jacqueline Hince WEAR TV for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Man Jailed After Bratt Manhunt
November 2, 2011
A Tuesday night manhunt in Bratt led to the arrest of a North Escambia man on several charges, including violation of probation.
Justin Dewight Harrison, age 21 of Highway 168, was on the run for just over an hour before deputies nabbed him with the help of a K-9 team from Century Correctional Institution. He was charged on outstanding warrants for violation of probation, failure to appear, resisting an officer and driving with a suspended license.
For more photos from the scene, click here.
Deputy James Gilman was westbound near Northview High School on West Highway 4 at C.W. Caraway Road when he spotted Harrison attempting to drive away from a residence in a Ford Escape. Harrison’s vehicle came to a stop near the highway as he fled on foot with Deputy Gilman giving chase.
Other Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies formed a perimeter around the area as the CCI K-9 team began to search for Harrison. A short time later, a resident on nearby Bratt Road reported that Harrison was spotted at his home.
The K-9 team and Deputy Steve Kay tracked Harrison across a field from Bratt Road near Vaughan Road back toward the original location where he ran from the vehicle on West Highway 4. That’s where Harrison was taken into custody without incident by Deputy Darryl Singleton.
Harrison was evaluated on scene by Escambia County EMS for a possible hand injury and minor cuts and scrapes received while he was on the run. He was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital for treatment.
Harrison was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
For more photos from the scene, click here.
Pictured top: Suspect Justin Dewight Harrison is taken into custody Tuesday night in Bratt. Deputy George Kichler escorts Harrison to an awaiting Escambia County Sheriff’s Office vehicle. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
County Leaders Hold Walnut Hill Town Hall Meeting
November 2, 2011
Escambia County leaders held a town hall meeting Tuesday night in Walnut Hill to give citizens a chance to speak out about county services.
A few dozen area residents attended the meeting at the Walnut Hill Community Center, providing their input and asking questions of panel that included Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Kevin White, Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan and Escambia County Administrator Randy Oliver.
Many of the residents that addressed the panel expressed concerns over various dirt roads that they would like to see paved, along with concerns about county finances, potential county-city consolidation and county projects like the upcoming community center and library in the works for Molino.
Morgan also heard concerns about crime — mostly speeding and property thefts — from the crowd.
Pictured top: Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Kevin White (left) and Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan listen as Escambia County Administrator Randy Oliver answers questions during a town hall meeting Tuesday night in Walnut Hill. Pictured inset: Brett Ward of Walnut Hill speaks during the meeting at the Walnut Hill Community Center. Pictured below: Audience members listen during the town hall meeting. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Woman, 71, Injured In Home Invasion, Granddaughter’s Ashes Stolen
November 2, 2011
A 71-year old Cantonment woman is recovering after being attacked in an early morning home invasion robbery in which the thief stole her granddaughter’s ashes.
An unknown white male suspect busted in to the woman’s home on Bowling Green Way about 4 a.m. Tuesday where the woman was asleep. She told deputies she awoke to a loud noise coming from her front door. She said she yelled out for the intruder to leave while locking herself in her bedroom. The suspect then forced his way into her bedroom and struck the woman on the head and demanded her purse.
She told him that she did not carry a purse, and the suspect told the victim that he had a gun, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office offense report. The victim told the man that she had some money on her dresser. The man took an undisclosed amount of jewelry and money before fleeing.
The woman said that the ashes of her late granddaughter were inside one of the jewelry boxes taken by the suspect.
The victim described the suspect as a tall and skinny white male. She was unable to see the man’s face because he covered it with a shirt and his hoodie.
The 71-year old woman was treated at the scene by Escambia County EMS for lacerations and bruises on her hands that she apparently received while trying to protect her head from the assailant.
A K-9 search for the suspect turned up empty.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.