Dog Blamed For Fatal Cantonment Crash
January 14, 2013
A dog is being blamed after a van ran over and killed a Cantonment man in a driveway Monday morning.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 56-year old Iris Fortner was attempting to back into property near a residence on Desoto Road in Cantonment about 10:20 a.m. Passenger James. W Campbell, age 68 of Cantonment, had exited the passenger side of the 1995 Chevrolet van to open double metal gates at the residence. Fortner had also opened the driver’s door to look for Campbell and see what side of the double gate he was standing on.
While Fortner’s door was open, her large Boxer dog ran from their current address on Desoto Road and jumped into the driver’s compartment, resulting in the accelerator being depressed, the FHP report states. The van backed into the double metal gate and Campbell despite Fortner’s attempts to stop.
The van came to rest with Campbell trapped underneath. He was pronounced deceased on the scene by Escambia County paramedics. Fortner was taken to West Florida Hospital with minor injuries.
The Florida Highway Patrol is continuing their investigation into the incident.
The Cantonment and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the accident.
Arbor Day Trees Given Away
January 14, 2013
Hundreds of trees were given away Monday morning in Walnut Hill in celebration of Florida’s Arbor Day.
The tree giveaway was sponsored by Escambia County, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Science (UF/IFAS) Extension, and the Florida Forestry Service (FFS). A total of 4,000 trees were available for giveaway Monday morning in Walnut Hill and at an event in Warrington on Friday.
Species included crabapple, mayhaw, cherrybark oak, river birch, wax myrtle and bald cypress. Participants received two tree seedlings of their choice, and experts were on hand to offer planting and placement advice.
Pictured: Residents receive free trees during an Arbor Day tree giveaway Monday morning in Walnut Hill. Pictured inset: The line for the free trees stretched into the parking lot of the Walnut Hill Community Center. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Warrant Issued For Man In Last Week’s Belair Road Shootings
January 14, 2013
An arrest warrant has been issued for 22-year old Kwamane Q. Silas of Pensacola in connect with last week’s triple shooting on Belair Road in Escambia County.
Last week Silas was listed by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office as wanted for questioning, but now a felony warrant is active for his arrest. Deputies say Silas should be considered armed and dangerous.
If you have any information on the whereabouts of Silas, you are asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Freddie Dayshen Fountain III, 23, was arrested last week in connection with the shootings. He was charged with two counts of attempted homicide, a weapons offense of firing missiles into a dwelling, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $190,000.
About 10:10 p.m. on January 10, deputies responded to a shots fired disturbance in the 700 block of Belair Road in the Montclair area. Deputies found Aquarius Devaughn dead, and both Durall Sumler and Shawn Jordan suffering from gunshot wounds. Sumler and Jordan remained in Baptist Hospital at last report.
Century Traffic Stop Lands Woman In Jail On Meth Charges
January 14, 2013
A traffic stop in Century landed a Brewton woman in jail on multiple drug charges.
Keisha Lee Odom, 26, was charged with two felony counts of possession of methamphetamine and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy stopped Odom on Hecker Street in Century due to having no tag light. After Odom consented to a vehicle search, deputies reported finding a long list of drug paraphernalia, including coffee filters that tested positive for meth residue and burnt glass bongs.
After she was placed under arrest, deputies reporting finding a cigarette box in her pants pocket that contained a bag with a substance that field tested positive for methamphetamines.
Odom told deputies, according to an arrest report, that she had no knowledge of the meth or methamphetamine because the vehicle belonged to her cousin and the cousin had just given her the cigarette box in which the meth was located.
Deputies also located a 12 gauge Winchester in the vehicle that had been reported stolen out of Harris County, Georgia, in 1985. Odom was not charged in connection with the weapon theft because she was not born until 1986. She told deputies the gun had been handed down in her family for years.
Odom was booked into the Escambia County Jail and later released on a $6,000 bond. The Dodge Durango she was driving was seized by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
School District Dumps Sprint/Nextel, Moves To Verizon Wireless
January 14, 2013
The Escambia County School Board is terminating wireless service with Sprint/Nextel and moving to Verizon Wireless.
In a December letter, the school district notified Sprint/Nextel that their service contract will be terminated on January 22 due to a “lack of service coverage within Escambia County”.
The county has moved its wireless communications to Verizon. The district currently uses about 340 radio/cell phone units, with most departments using the radio feature for continuous communications with service and maintenance crews throughout the district. The contract also includes GPS data service for 424 school buses, and emergency telecommunications backup during disasters.
The annual contract with Verizon Wireless is expected to cost the district $123,000 through the end of 2013.
Blood Drive This Morning At Walnut Hill VFD
January 14, 2013
A blood drive will take place today in Walnut Hill. The Northwest Florida Blood Services Bloodmobile will be at Walnut Hill Fire Department at 7760 Highway 97 from 8 a.m. until noon.
The graphic below, provided by Northwest Florida Blood Services, shows some of the benefits of donating blood.
Man Pleads To Lesser Charge In Barn Massage Case
January 14, 2013
A Century man that was charged with felony sexual assault for alleged improper conduct while performing a massage on a female in his barn has pleaded no contest to a lesser charge.
Judge Terry Terrell withheld adjudication on a misdemeanor charge of battery against William Haynes Gandy, 68. He was sentenced to one year probation and 25 hours of community service.
The victim told deputies that she met Gandy about a year ago because “he is a well known certified massage therapist”, and she had gone through massage therapy school and was told Gandy might be able to help her find a job. The victim later stopped pursuing a job, but Gandy did give her a few free massages associated with her pregnancy, the arrest report states.
After giving birth to her child, the victim told deputies that she began to ignore Gandy’s phone calls until he told her to come over, bring her resume and get a free massage and “see what he could do about getting her a job”, the report states.
The victim said Gandy took her to a barn outside his home where he keeps his massage table and equipment. She was partially unclothed and covered by a sheet, the arrest report states, when she claimed Gandy began to touch her inappropriately and against her will.
Gandy told deputies that at no time did he inappropriately touch the victim.
Public Meeting Wednesday To Discuss Libraries
January 14, 2013
The West Florida Public Library will host a public meeting Wednesday to provide a format for public discussion and input regarding the future direction of the library system. The meeting will be held from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Escambia County Extension Services Office, 3740 Stephani Road in Cantonment.
The public is encouraged to attend and participate in a discussion of the future of libraries in general and how the West Florida Public Library services, collections and facility can continue to meet the future needs of library patrons. No preparation or expertise on public libraries is required, and no registration is required.
For more information contact Dondie Roper at (850) 436-5037, or droper@cityofpensacola.com.
Rainy Start To Week
January 14, 2013
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- This Afternoon: A 30 percent chance of showers. Areas of fog. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 65. South wind around 5 mph.
- Tonight: A 40 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 53. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 67. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
- Tuesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 50. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight.
- Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 62. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 44. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Thursday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 52. North wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 56. North wind around 10 mph.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.
Ripley Named President Of Century Chamber Of Commerce
January 14, 2013
Don Ripley has been named the new president of the Century Chamber of Commerce, taking over for outgoing president Benny Barnes.
“I’m proud to do what I can for Century as I’ve come to love the people here,” Ripley said. “I’d like to see more people active in the chamber. That would allow us to implement new ideas and garner suggestions to improve our employment opportunities. Ideally, we would like to create an environment that allows our kids to stay in the area after their education is complete.”
Ripley has served as administrator of the Century Care Center since 1999. He has served on the Century Chamber of Commerce Board for 13 years, including two previous years as president and vice president for about 10 years.
Barnes will remain on the all-volunteer chamber’s board of directors.
Pictured: Outgoing Century Chamber of Commerce President Benny Barnes (left) passes the gavel to new President Don Ripley. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.