Dogs, Cats Seized After Report Of Dog Remains In Freezer
September 26, 2012
Almost a dozen cats and dogs were seized from a Walnut Hill home Tuesday morning after officials received a report that the remains of a dog were in a freezer.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and Escambia County Animal Control responded to the apparently abandoned home that had no power in the 8000 block of Occie Phillips Road.
A spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office confirmed that a freezer was found outside the home on a back porch. However, there was no confirmation that any animal remains were in the freezer, and there was no criminal case opened.
Escambia County Animal Control said eight cats and kittens and three young dogs were removed from the property. All were reported to be in good health due to being fed by neighbors. Animal control said the department had previously responded to the home and posted a notice on the front door about the animals.
Neighbors said the residents of the home had moved out a few weeks ago.
Pictured above and below: Escambia County Animal Control works to remove dogs and cats from an abandoned home in Walnut Hill Tuesday morning. Pictured: One of kittens removed from the property. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
DOD Awards $1.35 Million To Four Escambia Schools
September 26, 2012
The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Educational Partnership has awarded the Escambia County School District a $1.35 million dollar grant to serve the following four schools that have a large military dependent student enrollment:
- Navy Point Elementary
- Jim C. Bailey Middle
- Escambia High School
- West Florida High School of Advanced Technology
These schools will focus on infusing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematic (STEM) principles throughout the curriculum for the 2012-13, 2013-14, and 2015-16 school years. This three-year grant which serves students from grades K-12 will increase student success, provide professional development for teachers, implement practices that minimize the impact of transitions and deployment, and provide access to rigorous educational opportunities.
In 2010, the District received its first DoDEA grant of $1.27 million dollars to serve Hellen Caro, Blue Angels, and Pleasant Grove Elementary Schools. DoDEA awarded more than $35 million in grants this year. The grants were awarded to 26 military-connected public school districts to strengthen family-school-community relationships and enhance student achievement for military connected students. Although funding levels are related to military student enrollment, the proposed programs will serve all students at the target schools.
Community Mourns Loss Of Scott Nelson, Father Of Fallen Marine
September 26, 2012
The North Escambia area is mourning the loss of Scott Nelson of Bratt who passed away Monday.
Scott Nelson was the father of LCpl Travis Nelson who was killed in action August 18, 2011, in Afghanistan. Scott and his wife Beckie could not stand the thought of spending their first Christmas at home without their Marine. They decided to give back to the communities that had supported them so much following their tragic loss.
The Nelson family, along with a small army of volunteers, prepared and delivered about 125 meals on Christmas day for elderly, shut-in and needy people in the Bratt, Atmore and surrounding areas. It was all to honor the memory of Travis.
“He really was our hero,” Scott Nelson said just before Christmas.
Scott and the Nelson family established a scholarship in their son’s name to benefit outstanding seniors involved in either the Northview or Pace High School ROTC program or in the Young Marines of Pensacola. They family also worked to purchase a memorial that stands in honor of their fallen Marine at the LCpl. Travis M. Nelson Park in Bratt.
Scott Nelson and the Nelson family were named NorthEscambia.com Persons of the Year for their unselfish sacrifices.
On May 3, Nelson took part in a National Day of Prayer observance held in Century.
“I pray for the safe return of our troops,” said Nelson as he prayed for the military and local law enforcement, firefighters and EMT’s. “And for the families…only You can provide comfort in the their hearts.”
The following day, he received the diagnosis that he had cancer.
Funeral services for Scott Nelson were held Wednesday at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home in Atmore.
For the complete obituary, click here.
Pictured: Scott and Beckie Nelson remember their son, LCpl Travis Nelson, shortly after he was killed in action in August 2011. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
University: Florida Consumer Confidence At Post-Recession High
September 26, 2012
Florida consumers are emerging from the post recession doldrums and are more optimistic than at anytime since the crash, the University of Florida reported Tuesday.
UF’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research found that consumer confidence rose in September to a post-recession high of 79 compared to the revised August reading of 76. The improved ranking was across the board as all five categories tracked by the monthly survey showed improvement over the previous month.
Brightening expectation were led by a three point surge in the national economic outlook over the next two years. More Floridians said they planned to make a major purchase and more felt their personal finances were improving.
“The last time Florida consumer confidence hit 79 was in October, 2007,” said Chris McCarty, the Survey Director. “
Gov. Rick Scott cited the report as an indication that Florida continues its trek back to economic vitality. “The fact that Florida’s consumer confidence is at a five-year high is more good news and evidence that our state is moving in the right direction,” Scott said in a statement.
By The News Service of Florida
Wednesday: See You At The Pole
September 25, 2012
The annual See You at the Pole rally will be held Wednesday morning at several North Escambia area schools.
Students will gather as school begins to pray in the non-denominational event. See You at the Pole is a student-initiated, student organized, and student-led event. Students typically pray for their school, friends teachers, government and the nation — often meeting at their school’s flagpole.
Local See You at the Pole events include:
- Northview High School: 7:30 a.m.
- West Florida High School: 7:45 a.m.
- Tate High School: 7:45 a.m.
- Jay High School; 7:15 a.m.
- Pace High School: 8:30 a.m.
- Ransom Middle School: 8:30 a.m.
- Ernest Ward Middle School: 8:45 a.m.
- Molino Park Elementary: 7 a.m.
- Beulah Academy of Science: 7 a.m.
Pictured: Students gather last year for See You at the Pole at Northview High (top), Ernest Ward Middle (below) and West Florida High School (inset). NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Downed Power Line Sparks Small Fire; Cuts Power About 3 Hours
September 25, 2012
A downed power line left many Gulf Power customers in the dark for about three hours Tuesday morning in the Cantonment and Gonzelez areas.
The power line was reported down alongside Highway 29 near Faith Chapel North in Cantonment about 4:25 a.m. A small grass fire caused by the power line was out before the Ensley Station of Escambia Fire Rescue arrived on scene.
Power was reported out from the area of the downed line south to Roberts Road until about 7:25 a.m. As many as 2,400 Gulf Power customers lost power.
“Gulf Power reminds customers to always stay clear of downed power lines and report them immediately by calling 911,” said Jeff Rogers, spokesman for Gulf Power.
Pictured: This cellphone photo shows a small grass fire sparked by a downed power line in Cantonment Tuesday morning. Submitted photo by Gordon Godfrey for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Motel Death Of Former Cantonment Resident Under Investigation
September 25, 2012
An investigation is continuing after the body of a former Cantonment resident was found Sunday in a Pensacola motel room.
The body of 26-year old Meghan Leigh Satterfield was found in a room at the Palm Court Inn and Suites at 6911 Pensacola Boulevard Sunday morning. She was discovered by motel employees when she failed to check out on time, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators are awaiting autopsy results from the medical examiner for the cause of death.
Anyone with any information on the case is being asked to the call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Molino Man Facing Drug Charge After Dog Shot By Deputies
September 25, 2012
A Molino man has been arrested after the shooting of a pit bull by a sheriff’s deputy led to the discovery of marijuana growing in his backyard.
John Roland Oswald, 30, was charged with one felony count of producing marijuana. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $1,000 bond.
Deputies discovered five marijuana plants in Oswald’s backyard Friday morning when they attempted to contact the alleged owners of a pit bull that was shot with a shotgun when it attempted to attack two deputies.
After deputies received consent to search Oswald’s property near the Camp of the Pines in the 10000 block of Highway 29, they located four marijuana plants up to five feet tall and one plant growing in a bucket, according to an arrest report.
Oswald met with a narcotics investigator and admitted that the marijuana plants belonged to him, the arrest report states. “He admitted to having a pill problem prior to being involved in marijuana and that he had started growing marijuana for personal use,” the investigator wrote in his report.
Escambia County deputies had first responded to a complaint about an aggressive pit bull about 9 a.m. Friday at a residence on Highway 29 near Cotton Lake Road. The dog was loose in the victim’s yard and had attacked and killed her dog.
When deputies attempted to contact the alleged owner of the dog at a nearby home on Highway 29 across from the Camp Of the Pines, animal control located several other pit bulls in varying stages of distress. Escambia County Animal Control officers took possession of the dogs for further investigation. Charges are expected for the mistreated dogs, according to Melissa Rawson, spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office. As of Monday, Oswald had not been charged or officially named as a suspect in the animal cruelty case.
Code Enforcement also responded to the home and opened a separate investigation for various code violations, Rawson said.
Great Weather Continues
September 25, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 60. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 87. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Calm wind.
- Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
- Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
- Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
- Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84.
- Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65.
- Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 83.
- Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63.
- Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 83.
Molino Man Charged With DUI After Wreck Near Highway 29, Highway 97
September 25, 2012
A Molino man was jailed for DUI following a mid-afternoon wreck Monday at the Tom Thumb in Molino.
Willie Dave McQueen, age 58 of Cedartown Road, was charged by the Florida Highway Patrol with DUI with property damage. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Monday night with bond set at $1,000.
McQueen was the driver of a Buick Park Avenue that apparently pulled into the path of a Honda in front of the Tom Thumb near the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97. The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol; their full report has not yet been released.
Escambia County EMS, the Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the 2:15 p.m. crash.
Pictured top: An Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy stands by with Willie Dave McQueen (left) Monday afternoon awaiting the arrival of the Florida Highway Patrol to a wreck in Molino. Pictured below: McQueen’s Buick Park Avenue collided with this Honda at the Tom Thumb in Molino. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
