One Injured In Traffic Crash At Atmore Church
September 23, 2012
One person was injured in a two vehicle crash at an Atmore church this morning.
The accident happened about 11:40 a.m. in front of Grace Fellowship on Highway 31 just east of Atmore. One person was transported by Atmore Ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital with minor injuries.
The Atmore Police Department and the Atmore Fire Department also responded to the crash.
Pictured: One person was injured in a Sunday morning wreck at Grace Fellowship in Atmore. Submitted photos by Raja Atallah, click to enlarge.
6 People Involved In Bridge Wreck, No Serious Injuries
September 23, 2012
There were no serious injuries among six people in a single vehicle crash versus a bridge Sunday morning in McDavid.
The accident happened on Highway 29 at Mitchell Creek, just north of the McDavid Fire Station, about 9:25 a.m. The driver of a GMC Yukon was southbound on Highway 29 and apparently ran off the shoulder of the road and over-corrected. The vehicle apparently rotated, striking a concrete bridge railing and a guardrail.
A 9-year old child was transported by Escambia County EMS to Jay Hospital in good condition. Two other children and three adults were not injured in the crash.
Further details have not been released by the Florida Highway Patrol. The McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Child’s Death Leads To Charges That Woman Beat Four Children Severely
September 23, 2012
An Escambia County woman was jailed after one of her children died, leading police to discover that four of her children had been severely beaten.
Nicole Renee Henderson, 27, was arrested on four counts of aggravated child abuse after an investigation determined that she severely beat four children with a belt.
The investigation began after 3-year old Markevion Hixon was taken by ambulance to Baptist Hospital Thursday night after he choked on a hot dog. Markevion died just after 7 p.m.
Henderson was Hixon’s legal guardian because his father, Demarcus Hixon, is in jail and his mother is deceased. Pensacola Police Department Detective Shannan Fortenberry said Henderson had been Markevion’s primary caregiver since September 3 when his father was arrested.
During an autopsy on Friday, a number of injuries unrelated to his death were found on Markevion’s body. The injuries were at various points of healing and were consistent with him being whipped with a belt or a cord, Fortenberry said.
Fortenberry said Markevion had injuries on his abdomen, legs, arms, chest, and back in addition to recent injuries on his backside that appeared to be friction type burns on both buttocks.
During an investigation Friday, it was determined three of four other children who live with Henderson also had been beaten and had similar injuries to those found on Markevion. Henderson said she used a belt when disciplining the children.
Four children – ages two, four, five, and six – have been removed from the home by the Department of Children and Family Services. Police said the investigation is continuing, and more charges are possible.
Henderson remained in the Escambia County Jail Sunday without bond.
Burglary, Purse Theft Suspect Targeting The Elderly Arrested In Georgia
September 23, 2012
An alleged purse thief that targeted elderly females, maybe even praying her way into a Molino home, is behind bars in Georgia.
Rebecca Jean Smith, 44, is being held in Walton County, Georgia, awaiting extradition on warrants from Santa Rosa County. She is also expected to face charges from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Pensacola Police Department.
Smith was identified after surveillance photos of her were published by NorthEscambia and other media. Three different individuals contacted the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office and identified her. A truck in the surveillance photo was also identified as the same truck Smith had been driving for the last several months.
At least four times in August, Smith either stole an elderly female purse when the victim was outside working, or has stopped at an elderly female’s residence, stating that her “puppy is lost”, asking for a drink of water, and engaging in conversation before grabbing and running with a purse. She then immediately used the credit cards inside the purse at a local convenience store or retail business, according to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.
The Santa Rosa County victims were 43, 77, 78 and 91 years old. In Santa Rosa County, she will face four felony counts of illegal use of credit cards to obtain over $300, five counts of felony larceny grand theft, two counts felony burglary of a dwelling, one count felony larceny over $300 from a person over 65, two counts of misdemeanor petit theft and two violation of probation charges.
Escambia County: Molino And Cantonment
Authorities said Smith may also be their suspect in similar crimes in Escambia County.
A resident of Ridgecrest Lane told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that she invited a lady into her home to pray with her because she was under the impression that the stranger was from a local church. The Sheriff’s Office said the woman’s purse was stolen, and her Navy Federal card used to make purchases at two Cantonment businesses. Few other details have been officially released as the Sheriff’s Office continues their investigation.
But family members told NorthEscambia.com that the 92-year old woman was approached at her home by a woman that said she was from the Beulah Baptist Church and would like to go inside her home to pray with her.
The suspect stayed and prayed with the woman for about 15 minutes. As the suspect started to leave the home, she told the elderly victim that she had left her cell phone behind on the sofa. After going back to get her phone, the female suspect left.
The victim later discovered that her purse was missing — including her keys with a Navy Federal financial card attached.
Family said the victim’s card was then used for $10 at Gee Willie’s convenience store on Highway 29 in Cantonment, and then to make two separate purchases totaling over $300 at the nearby Cantonment Dollar General store.
NorthEscambia.com was alerted to another incident involving someone making their way into the home of an elderly resident. A police report was not filed in the second incident.
And an elderly resident on Bet Raines Road said a woman came to her backdoor and started a conversation. The elderly woman was led to believe that the female was from a local church and invited her inside for a cold drink. The female then asked to use the restroom. And some point, the resident became uncomfortable with the situation and tried to call relatives. The suspicious woman then left.
Nothing was reported missing in the Bet Raines Road incident.
Criminal History
In 2006-2007, Smith was arrested or convicted of committing multiple offenses of burglary, theft, credit card fraud, forgery, and uttering forged instrument offenses. Authorities said many of her previous offenses matched the same method of operation as the current local cases.
When arrested on the Santa Rosa County warrants, Georgia authorities also charged Smith with at least one purse theft and two fraudulent use of credit cards offenses.
Smith will be extradited to Florida after her Georgia charges are disposed.
Century To Hold Final Public Hearing On $2.9 Million Budget
September 23, 2012
The Town of Century will hold a public hearing Monday afternoon before adopting a $2.9 million budget and setting the tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year.
The proposed 2012-2013 budget is $2,889,827. Last year’s $5,032,816 budget was unusually large for Century due to grant income and expenditures of $1,913,000. There will be no increase in ad valorem taxes this year to meet the budget for fiscal year 2012-2013, which begins October 1.
The budget hearing will be held at 5:01 p.m. Monday at the Century Town Hall, 7995 North Century Boulevard.
To view a summary of the budget in pdf format, click here.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Photos: Classic Cars And Pinewood Speedsters
September 23, 2012
Highland Baptist Church in Molino held an Open Car Show and a Pinewood Derby Saturday.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Northview NJROTC, Cheerleaders, Band And Dance Team
September 23, 2012
For a photo gallery with the Northview NJROTC, cheerleaders, band and dance team from Friday night, click here.
For a game summary and action photos, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Forecast: Cooler For Sunday Night
September 23, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 52. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 84. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 52. Calm wind.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 87. East wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 87.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63.
- Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
- Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.
- Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 84.
Mamie Barlow Walther
September 23, 2012
Mamie Barlow Walther, 93, of Cantonment passed away Thursday, September 20, 2012. Mrs. Walther was born in Owassa, AL and resided in the Cantonment area for the past 83 years. She was a member of Allen Memorial United Methodist Church and an active member of the Senior Center in Cantonment. Mrs. Walther loved caring for people and worked at University Hospital for ten years. She had a special place in her heart for children and took in foster children for many years.
Survivors include her children, Betty Collins (William), James G. Walther (Kay) and Dennis Wayne Walther (Susan); sister, Lorena Champitto; ten grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, September 24, 2012 at Pensacola Memorial Gardens Funeral Home with Reverends Van Carpenter and Ann Sprague officiating.
For those who wish, memorials may be made the Alzheimers Association.
The family wishes to express their heart felt thank you to the staff of Santa Rosa Health and Rehabilitation Center for the love and care they showed Mrs. Walther.
Photos: Tate Homecoming, Showband Of The South
September 23, 2012
Friday night was homecoming at Tate High School.
For a submitted photo gallery of homecoming events and the Tate High Showband of the South, click here.
For game photos, click here.
Submitted photos by Kristi Smith for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
