No Injuries In Truck Wreck
December 27, 2012
There were no apparent injuries in a single vehicle crash near Bratt Thursday afternoon.
The driver of a refrigerated seafood truck apparently ran off the road, lost control and overturned on North Pine Barren Road just south of Highway 168. The driver had fled the scene before first responders arrived.
The 12:03 p.m. accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Atmore Ambulance and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Christmas Eve Arson
December 27, 2012
A Cantonment man was arrested after a Christmas Eve manhunt and charged with arson for setting a fire following an argument.
Deputies responded to a reported disturbance in the 500 block of Robinson Street where they found a widow air conditioner burning on the ground below the bedroom of a trailer. The victim told deputies he had been arguing with 65-year old Donnie Ivory Padgett. He said Padgett left the home, and a short time later he could smell smoke and kerosene. The victim said he found his bedroom window smoldering and the A/C unit on fire. Padgett, the victim said, then fled into a wooded area.
A K-9 unit was called to scene to search for Padgett. During the resulting manhunt, Padgett was found lying on his stomach in the woods and taken into custody without incident. Padgett was charged with second degree felony arson and criminal mischief with property damage. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday with bond set at $10,500.
While being transported to jail, Padgett told an Escambia deputy that he was going to kill the fire victim with a 9mm pistol or cut his head off, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report.
Rain For Friday, Saturday
December 27, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:check
- Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 34. Calm wind.
- Friday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Friday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Saturday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 54. North wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 60.
- Monday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- New Year’s Day: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Tuesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 60.
Christmas Wishes Come True For Carver Community Center
December 27, 2012
Christmas wishes do come true, even when the need is for a community center that serves hundreds of children each year.
The Carver Community Center on Jefferson Street in Century was one of 12 causes in need highlighted by the Florida Department of Children and Families during their statewide “Operation Santa Cause” campaign.
The Center’s needs included internet service (about $100 per month) and at least 15 computers to replace current computers that are old, slow and sometimes non-functioning. After a story was published on NorthEscambia.com, those needs were met.
A man in St. Petersburg has volunteered to cover the internet service for one year, according to DCF. And the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is donating 20 refurbished computers for the children.
Completely funded by donations, the non-profit Carver Community Center provides a safe place for children to go after school and during the summer as the center provides meals for 150 to 200 children daily. The center also offers tutoring services for children year round.
“We work with what we have,” Carver Community Center Association board member Henry Hawkins said. “Where there’s a need in the community, we try to reach out.”
Pictured top: The sun sets recently on the Carver Community Center on Jefferson Avenue in Century. Pictured inset: One of the classrooms inside the aging building. Pictured below: Carver Community Center Association board member Henry Hawkins tries to demonstrate reading software used by the center to teach children, but the aging computer malfunctioned. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Body Of Kidnapped Man Found
December 27, 2012
The body of a man kidnapped from his residence early Monday morning has been found. The man has been identified as Torrance L. Hackworth, 32, of the 1300 block of North J Street, Pensacola.
Pensacola Police Department Captain David Alexander said police responded to a wooded lot in the 1600 block of North S Street around 5:45 Wednesday night after receiving an anonymous tip that the body was there. Alexander said an autopsy will be done to determine cause of death.
Meanwhile, detectives continue pursuing leads on a suspect(s) involved in Hackworth’s abduction, which occurred around 2:45 a.m. Monday at his apartment. Although a motive for the home invasion/kidnapping remains under investigation, it is believed to have been drug related, Alexander said.
A 36-year-old woman told police she was sleeping in bed when four to five unknown males entered her apartment. The woman, who was awakened by people yelling, said all of the
men were wearing dark clothes and were holding guns. One of the men was pointing a gun in her face when she awoke.
The woman and four of her children – ranging in age from four to 10 – were ordered into the living room at gunpoint. She said she saw Hackworth – her boyfriend – tied up, lying on the
living room floor and bleeding. The woman told police the men ransacked the apartment, took some items – including her car keys – and then carried Hackworth, who had duct tape over his mouth, out to her car where they put him into the trunk and drove off with the car.
The vehicle was later found submerged at Sanders Beach in the 900 block of South I Street, but Hackworth was not found in the trunk.
Alexander said the Gun Crime Response Team has been activated and is assisting with the investigation. Anyone having information on the incident is asked to contact the Pensacola Police Department at (850) 435-1900.
Man Wanted For Stealing iPads, Mac Notebooks From School
December 27, 2012
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a man that they say stole thousands of dollars worth of computers and iPads from an Escambia County school.
A warrant has been issued for the arrest for 37-year old Zethaniah Alexander Faulk for the burglary of Brentwood Elementary School sometime on December 19 or 20. Investigators said he took over $22,000 worth of iPads and Apple Mac notebooks during the burglary.
He allegedly gained access to the building by smashing a window. Once inside, deputies said Faulk ransacked multiple classrooms, taking the iPads and Mac notebooks.
Investigators say that physical evidence left at the scene helped identify Faulk as the suspect. Faulk is wanted for burglary, grand theft, trespassing on school grounds and criminal mischief.
Anyone with information on Faulk’s whereabouts is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
2012 In Photos: January, February
December 27, 2012
All this week, we are looking back at the photos that were in the news in 2012. Today, we are featuring photos from January and February.
Republican Mitt Romney brought his presidential campaign to Escambia County in January.
An early morning fire destroyed this home on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill. There were no injuries.
Dozens of Century area residents attended a Martin Luther King, Jr. program.
Miss Northview was named: First Runner-up Anna Fischer, Miss NHS 2012 Charleigh McPherson, Second Runner-up Lauren McCall.
The Republican Presidential Primary was held on January 31.
Boy Scout Pack 430 held an old fashioned pinewood derby at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino.
Newly refurbished firetrucks were placed in service at several North Escambia stations, saving the county $1.5 million over buying new.
Fire destroyed hay worth thousands of dollars near Walnut Hill.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Florida State Attorney’s Office announced an investigation into the Flomaton (Ala.) Police Department.
Alabama won the BCS National Championship in New Orleans.
Work was progressing in January on new tax collector and property appraiser offices and the renovation of the old Molino school.
Navy Federal offered $3.6 million for the Langley Bell-H Center property in Beulah.
Black History Month was celebrated at Northview High School.
The Escambia County School Board approved the construction of a new $16.5 million Ernest Ward Middle School.
Kellie Gindl (center) of Barrineau Park plays a cowbell on stage with The Springs’ lead singer Stewart Halcomb (left) and guitarist Steven Pettry Saturday night during the Northview FFA Alumni Blue Jacket Jamboree in Bratt.
The Health and Hope Clinic opened in Century, offering health care to the needy.
Lloyd Barrow Field was dedicated in Century in February in honor of longtime Little League coach Lloyd Barrow.
Valentine’s Dance at Ernest Ward Middle School.
Three people were arrested after the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant in Century.
A bright, moonlit sky over North Escambia in February.
Northview High School’s NJROTC Annual Inspection was held in February.
A suspected “one pot” meth lab bursts into flames as it is being neutralized by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Rapid Response team after a traffic stop in Century.
Farm and agricultural producers rallied in an attempt to keep the Molino FSA office open.
Inmate Re-Entry Bill Re-Emerges
December 27, 2012
Many nonviolent felons would be funneled into substance-abuse programs and work re-entry training instead of serving out their sentences behind bars, under a proposal filed Wednesday by Rep. Daphne Campbell, D-Miami.
The bill, HB 69, calls on the Department of Corrections to establish such a diversion program and sets parameters on who could qualify to participate. Lawmakers in recent sessions have been looking for ways to reduce the state’s prison population as part of an effort to save money.
In recent sessions, the legislation has been sponsored by former Sens. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale, and Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland. In the House, former Rep. Ari Porth, D-Coral Springs, joined Campbell in co-sponsoring the proposal in the past.
New House Judiciary Chairman Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, has made it clear he is looking for reforms in the state’s correctional system, a push that has the growing support of business and fiscal-conservative groups seeking to cut costs.
By The News Service of Florida
Police Investigate Christmas Double Shooting; Monday Kidnapping
December 26, 2012
Pensacola Police are continuing their investigation into two shootings that occurred Christmas night on North J Street. Meanwhile, detectives believe the incident may be related to one that occurred Monday in the same area when a man was kidnapped during a home invasion, said Capt. David Alexander.
Tuesday night, an 18-year-old male was shot in the hand and foot after three to four males entered his residence around 9:55 p.m. in the 1300 block of North J Street. During the home invasion, a 22-year-old male who entered the residence also was shot in the stomach during a disturbance. Both males were taken to a local hospital for treatment.
A motive for Tuesday night’s shootings is not yet known.
The investigation also is continuing into a reported home invasion/kidnapping that occurred around 2:45 a.m. Monday in the 1300 block of North J Street.
A 36-year-old woman told police she was sleeping in bed when four to five unknown males entered her apartment. The woman, who was awakened by people yelling, said all of the
men were wearing dark clothes and were holding guns. One of the men was pointing a gun in her face when she awoke.
The woman and four of her children – ranging in age from four to 10 – were ordered into the living room at gunpoint. She said she saw her 32-year-old boyfriend – Torrance Hackworth - was tied up, lying on the living room floor and bleeding.
The woman told police the men ransacked the apartment, took some items – including her car keys – and then carried Hackworth, who had duct tape over his mouth, out to her car
where they put him into the trunk and drove off with the car.
The vehicle was later found submerged at Sanders Beach in the 900 block of South I Street, but Hackworth was not found in the trunk. Although a motive for the home invasion/kidnapping remains under investigation, it is believed to have been drug related.
The Gun Crime Task Force has been activated and is assisting with the investigation, Alexander said.
Anyone having information on either incident is asked to contact the Pensacola Police Department at (850) 435-1900.
Hit And Run Driver Strikes Cantonment Store
December 26, 2012
A hit and run driver struck a Cantonment convenience store Christmas night.
About 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, someone reportedly drove a vehicle into the CMP Convenience Store at Highway 29 and Muscogee Road. The vehicle then fled the scene. There were no injuries reported.
The incident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.