Escambia County Names New Fire Chief
November 6, 2012
Patrick T. Grace has been appointed as the new Escambia County Fire Chief by Acting County Administrator Larry M. Newsom.
Grace has served Escambia County as a battalion chief since 2001, gaining extensive fire ground experience and interactions with all personnel in the organization, both volunteer and career.
“I am very excited about Chief Grace’s appointment to fire chief,” said Escambia County Public Safety Director Mike Weaver. “His experience as a career and volunteer firefighter gives him special insight into the needs of both groups.”
Grace was a longtime volunteer in upstate New York before beginning his career with the Milton Fire Department in 1994. During his time in New York he was an active participant in creating a fire department by combining both volunteer and paid personnel. With his personal commitment to the value of both volunteer and career personnel, he was heavily involved in Escambia County’s unification process. Additionally, he volunteers his time as a captain in the Gulf Breeze Fire Department.
According to a county news release, he has high regard and respect for all fire personnel, both paid and volunteer and looks forward to continuing improvement of the department for the betterment of the Escambia County’s fire services.
Bus Driver Charged With Sex Offenses Against Juvenile
November 6, 2012
A former school bus driver has been arrested for alleged sex offenses against a juvenile.
Lee Calvin Pardue, 43, was charged with use of a computer to solicit a child and lewd/lascivious behavior. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $260,000. He will be transferred to the Santa Rosa County Jail.
Pardue was a school bus driver in Santa Rosa County during the 2011-2012 school year. The Department of Children and Family Services alleged that Pardue made flirtatious comments towards a minor on his bus, and later began to communicate with the minor through text messages and Facebook. The conversations became sexual in nature and nude photographs were exchanged, investigators said. Authorities said Pardue met with the minor on three separate occasions in which the minor was provided alcohol and sexually molested.
Anyone with any further information concerning possible illegal activity committed by Pardue is asked to contact the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 983-1100 or Santa Rosa Crime Stoppers at (850) 437-STOP (7867).
Calvin “Pedo” Taylor
November 6, 2012
Mr. Calvin “Pedo” Taylor, 51, passed away on Tuesday, October 30, 2012, in Portland, Oregon.
Mr. Taylor was a native of Atmore and a resident of Portland, Oregon for the past 20 years. His father, Jake Calvin Taylor, preceded him in death.
Survivors include his mother, Shirley Henley Taylor of Atmore; one brother, David Taylor of Flomaton; three sisters, Shelby Caraway of Walnut Hill, Cindy Scruggs of Flomaton and Myrtle Kulhman of Kerrville, TX; nine nieces and four nephews.
Funeral services will be Thursday, November 8, 2012, at 10 a.m.. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. John Coleman officiating.
Visitation will be Thursday, November 8, 2012, from 9 a.m. until funeral time at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes in charge of arrangements.
Man Taken Into Custody After Allegedly Trashing Mobile Home, Starting Fire
November 6, 2012
One person was taken into protective custody Monday night after allegedly trashing a mobile home on Pond Street and attempting to set it on fire.
The incident happened just after 7 p.m. in the 300 block of Pond Street, near Jefferson Avenue. Escambia Fire Rescue was called to the mobile home after the occupant allegedly set fire to a couch or chair inside the home; the small fire was out when firefighters arrived on scene.
The male inside the house had apparently thrown numerous household items out of windows and into the front yard of the mobile home.
The adult male was taken into protective custody by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office under the Baker Act and transported to a Pensacola health care facility. Florida’s Baker Act allows officers to take an individual into custody for an involuntary mental examination when it is believed they are a danger to themselves or others.
Names of individuals involved in Baker Act proceedings are not released.
Pictured above and inset: A man reportedly trashed this Century mobile home Monday night, tossing household items into the yard. Pictured below: The man, whose identity has not been released, was taken into custody as a Baker Act. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
ESCO To Present ‘CarFit’ Event For Senior Drivers
November 6, 2012
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Community Oriented Policing Unit will present Operation CarFit this weekend.
The event will be held Saturday in the back parking lot of Hillcrest Baptist Church on Nine Mile Road and Guidy Lane from 8:00 am until noon.
A unique program geared for senior citizens, CarFit was developed in collaboration with the American Society on Aging, AAA, AARP and the American Occupational Therapy Association. CarFit is the first program to offer older adults the opportunity to check how their personal cars “fit” them.
Trained professionals will lead drivers through a 12-point checklist with their vehicle, recommend car adjustments and adaptations and offer community specific resources and activities that could make their cars “fit” better or enhance their safety. An occupational therapist also will be on hand to provide information to older drivers on how to maintain and strengthen driving health.
The sessions take approximately 20 minutes per driver and vehicle. Advanced scheduling is encouraged. To schedule a CarFit session contact Rhonda Ray at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9553.
Organizers said people over 65 are the fastest-growing population in the United States. By 2030, one in five drivers will be age 65 or older, which means there will be more than 30 million older drivers on our roads. Because of their fragility, seniors have the highest crash death rate of everyone except teenagers.
Crime Rate Increases In Escambia And Santa Rosa
November 5, 2012
Overall crime was up in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties during the first six months of 2012, according to a report just released by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
In Escambia County, the crime rate jumped 12.3 percent, with an increase in every major crime category except robberies. In Santa Rosa County, the crime rate was up 5.9 percent, with a increase in all categories except burglaries.
Here are the latest numbers from the FDLE’s Semi-Annual Crime in Florida Report:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
- Overall Crime: Increased from 7,679 to 8,620 (+12.3%)
- Murder: Increased from 3 to 9
- Forcible Rape: Increased from 83 t0 98
- Robbery: Decreased from 264 to 242
- Aggravated Assault: Increased from 665 to 894
- Burglary: Increased from 1,590 to 1,798
- Larceny: Increased from 4,752 to 5,222
- Motor Vehicle Theft: Increased from 322 to 357
- Percent Cleared: Increased from 25.2 to 26.8
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
- Overall Crime Increased from 256 to 271 (+5.9%)
- Murder: No change, 0 to 0
- Robbery: Increased from 0 to 2
- Aggravated Assault: Increased from 2 to 11
- Burglary: Decreased from 64 to 49
- Larceny: Increased from 187 to 202
- Motor Vehicle Theft: Increased from 3 to 7
- Percent Cleared: Dropped from 25.4 to 17.3
Rain, Turning Cooler
November 5, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- This Afternoon: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- Tonight: Showers. Low around 50. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
- Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers before noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 37. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 66. North wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 40. Calm wind.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 71. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the morning.
- Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 74.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 49.
- Veterans Day: Partly sunny, with a high near 74.
Election Day Tips For Escambia Voters
November 5, 2012
Supervisor of Elections David H. Stafford is offering Escambia County voters some tips to prepare for tomorrow’s Election Day:
- Confirm the location of your polling place prior to Election Day: check your sample ballot, voter information card, EscambiaVotes.com, or call 595-3900.
- Several precincts and polling places have changed due to redistricting and precinct consolidation, so be sure to know where to vote on Election Day.
- If you are unsure of your registration status, check EscambiaVotes.com, e-mail us at soe@escambiavotes.com, or call 595-3900.
- If you need to update your address, contact us prior to Election Day so you can be directed to your proper polling location.
- Photo and signature ID is required for all voters – if you do not present an approved form of ID, you may vote a provisional ballot.
- The ballot for the General Election is a multi-page, multi-sheet ballot, and includes 11 constitutional amendments and a referendum for city voters.
- Be sure to review your sample ballot prior to Election Day in order to familiarize yourself with all of the contests. A sample ballot was mailed to voters, and you can view your sample ballot online at EscambiaVotes.com.
- Voters are encouraged to study and mark their sample ballot and bring it with them to the polls to expedite the voting process.
- Registration books closed on October 9 – new registrations for this election may not be made at the polls.
- You may not return your voted absentee ballot to your precinct on Election Day – it must be returned to the Elections Office by 7:00 p.m.
- If you requested an absentee ballot but chose not to return it and wish to vote at your polling place instead, please bring your ballot with you so it can be cancelled.
- Early voting ended Saturday – if you have not yet voted or did not request an absentee ballot by October 31, you must go to your designated precinct on Election Day.
- Busiest times at the polls tend to be 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m., during lunch, and 4:30 p.m. until the polls close at 7:00 p.m.
For further information, call 850) 595-3900, email soe@escambiavotes.com or visit EscambiaVotes.com.
Firemen Praised As Heroes For Rescuing Child From Treetop
November 5, 2012
A local mom is singing the praises of first responders after they rescued her young child from the a tree top Sunday morning.
The Hughes family of Atmore was outside playing before getting ready for church when mom Ashley walked inside for just a moment to get the children something to drink. When she returned outside, Caden Hughes was near the top of the tree. Ashely called her husband at work at the Atmore Fire Department.
Firemen quickly responded, and Atmore Fire Chief Gerry McGhee climbed all the way up tree in order to rescue Caden.
“He didn’t want to waste time waiting on the ladder. It was a relief just knowing that Chief had him in his arms. It was a great team effort between all of the firemen,” Ashley Hughes said. “Praise the Lord for Angels on assignment and the quick response of the Atmore Fire Department. Thank you Chief McGhee for climbing the tree to keep my baby safe.”
Hughes also offered her thanks to her husband Chris and his fellow firemen Brandon Barber and Eugene Edwards.
As for Caden, he won’t be climbing the trees around the Hughes home again.
“I don’t think I will ever have to worry about Caden climbing another tree. My husband immediately got the chainsaw and cut down every branch within arms reach,” she said.
Pictured top: Atmore Fire Chief Gerry McGhee (in the red shirt) climbs a tree Sunday morning to rescue a young boy about 35-feet off the ground. Pictured inset: Young Caden Hughes can bee seen in this photo near the top of the visible tree trunk. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary Releases First Nine Weeks Honor Roll
November 5, 2012
Bratt Elementary School has released their honor roll for the first nine weeks.
All A’s
- Rabekah Abbott
- Raegan Abbott
- Anna Adams
- Erich Amerson
- Maggie Amerson
- Sarah Bailey
- John Bashore
- Zoe Bergfield
- Leah Berry
- Brody Black
- Olivia Boatwright
- Sarah Branch
- Luke Bridges
- Aiden Broadhead
- Keaton Brown
- Abbie Buford
- Paris Burt
- Conner Byrne
- Emilee Cabral
- Kadence Calvert
- Tyler Cloud
- Shelby Cotita
- Sophia Cotita
- Sheyenne Dillon
- Savannah Doremus
- Carsyn Dortch
- Kaden Dove
- Ryan Dove
- Mayson Edwards
- Scotty Elliott
- Alexis Evans
- Jason Fayard
- Zykuria Fountain
- Amanda Franklin
- Gabby Franklin
- Caitlyn Gibson
- David Gilley
- Amber Gilman
- J.P. Gilman
- Emma Gilmore
- Maggie Godwin
- Shelby Godwin
- Ava Gurganus
- Zane Gurganus
- Berklee Hall
- Bryce Hall
- Tucker Hall
- Ashlan Harigel
- Tatum Hasting
- Kara Hawkins
- Leah Hetrick
- Sarah Margaret Hetrick
- Hannah Hughes
- Jacob Hughes
- April Johnson
- Hunter Johnson
- Allyson Jones
- Anna King
- Gage Lambert
- Kennedy Long
- Braeden McGhee
- Bailie Merchant
- Jaquez Moorer
- Colby Morris
- Mary Paige Nassar
- Bailey Van Pelt
- Bentley Van Pelt
- Madison Peterson
- Libby Pugh
- Kinzie Rackard
- Kenna Redmond
- Teriana Redmond
- Shelby Rice
- Angel Schoonover
- McKenna Simmons
- Arquavian Smith
- Savannah Spence
- Alyssa Stabler
- Mia Starns
- Aubrey Stuckey
- Autumn Williams
- Clay Wilson
- Kendall Wise
- Ty Wise
- Connor Wolfe
All A’s and B’s
- Addison Albritton
- Elijah Amerson
- Sara Amerson
- Sophia Bailey
- Adyn Barrow
- Bryuana Bivins
- Riley Blackwell
- Kyle Blanton
- Malachi Bolen
- Tanner Boone
- Cassidy Boutwell
- LJ Bradley
- Allie Brantley
- Lexi Broadhead
- Juliana Bryan
- Macie Buford
- Kadence Burklund
- Anyis Cabral
- Kayla Campbell
- Cadynce Chason
- Landon Chavers
- Ashton Cloud
- Noah Condrey
- Jacob Conley
- Chloe Criswell
- Karlee Criswell
- Cassie Davis
- Franki Daw
- Waylon Dillon
- Irmani Dixon
- Colton Dockens
- Tyteanna Dubose
- JT Dunson
- Cody Edwards
- Jackson Edwards
- Gage Eicher
- Ahmad Elliott
- Jamyla Feagin
- Cameron Findley
- Jacob Findley
- Neionni Findley
- Daelyn Fine
- Breyedn Freeman
- Makayla Garrett
- Jakob Gibson
- Raleigh Gibson
- Gracie Godwin
- Shane Hardin
- Kohle Harigel
- Summer Harrell
- A.J. Hasty
- Joshlynn Helton
- Gabe Henderson
- Ji’keir Hudson
- Trent Knighten
- Anna Lee
- Sarah Long
- Houston Lowry
- Blake Macks
- Kaleigh Macks
- Tobias Madison
- Ansleigh Maholovich
- Reid McCall
- Megan McGhee
- Angel Merchant
- Michael Merchant
- Landon Mooney
- Cassie Mullins
- Abigail Nelson
- Travis Nelson
- Chris Nordman
- Jaylon North
- Audrey Odom
- Joseph Parker
- Taviana Parker
- Blaize Parrish
- Rebecca Peebles
- Adam Peterson
- Ethan Pickern
- Dennis Pittman
- Dallon Rackard
- Mary Grace Rice
- Dariontae Richardson
- Savannah Roley
- Paige Ross
- Bryson Sanders
- Nicholi Sanderson
- Kasen Sawyer
- Kaylee Sawyer
- Adrianne Shanks
- Carter Sigafoose
- Jarvis Skanes
- David Stokes
- Jaimee Taylor
- Cody Thomas
- So’Lae Trotter
- John Michael Ward
- Summer Waters
- Raycer Watson
- Kiara Wesley
- Tahna Wesley
- Addison White
- Cassidy White
- Ben Wilson
- Cash Wilson
- Lane Wilson
- Wyatt Windham