Jernigan Road To Close
January 10, 2013
Jernigan Road between Nine Mile Road and Ramblewoods Drive will be closed next week.
Due to work on a pipe crossing, Jernigan Road will be closed from 7 a.m. on Tuesday, January 15 to 7 a.m. on Tuesday, January 16.
Escambia Man Gets Life In $5 Million Cocaine Conspiracy
January 10, 2013
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to life in prison on federal drug charges.
Clinton Williams, Jr. was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Lacey A. Collier to life in prison for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Williams was also sentenced to a concurrent 360-month term for possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.
The testimony at trial established that Williams was a leader in a multi-state cocaine distribution operation extending from Texas to Florida. The group was responsible for distributing approximately 150 kilograms of cocaine beginning around August 1, 2011, with a wholesale value exceeding $5 million dollars.
Throughout the prosecution, Williams continually told the court he was a “sovereign citizen” and had no “ownership interest” in the name Clinton Williams. He said he believed the charges against him were “only civil disputes” that he wished “to settle” with the “claimant.” He challenged the authority of Senior District Judge Collier to preside over the case.
The conspiracy was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, assisted by the Pensacola Police Department and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. This on-going investigation has resulted in the federal convictions of several other individuals.
The investigation has also resulted in the seizure of multiple kilograms of cocaine, over $100,000 in illegal drug proceeds, vehicles, and other assets connected with this conspiracy.
Murry L. Easley
January 10, 2013
Retired Navy Chief Murry L. Easley, 85, of Atmore, passed away January 9, 2013, at his residence. Murry was born October 2, 1927, to the late Charlie and Minnie Easley. Upon graduation from high school he joined the United States Navy where he served for over 22 years. On his retirement from the Navy he was employed at NASA in 1971 to work for the Federal Aviation Administration until his retirement in 1990.
He leaves behind his devoted wife, Georgette Easley; four sons, Russell, Stephen, Kenneth and Michael; one daughter, Cynthia and two step-sons Billy and Gary Mims.
Murry was a member of the Fleet Reserve Association for over 35 years. He served as the Southeast Regional President and upon formation of the South Central Region he was elected as its first regional president.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, January 12, 2013, at 10 a.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Doug Odom officiating. A private interment will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola at a later date.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to a charity of your choice.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Missing Molino Toddler Found Safe After Search
January 9, 2013
A missing toddler was found uninjured after a search in Molino Wednesday afternoon.
The toddler was located about an hour after the search began and was “safe and sound”, according to Sgt. Mike Ward, spokesman for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The 3-year old was reported missing just before 3 p.m. from a home in the 2000 block of Chance Road between Lark Road and Chestnut Road. Over a dozen Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies and a K-9 team from the Escambia County Road Prison participated in the search.
Pedestrian Struck, Killed By Two Vehicles
January 9, 2013
A pedestrian died after being hit by two vehicles Tuesday night on Mobile Highway.
The accident was reported about 10:15 p.m. in front of the Happy China Restaurant on Mobile Highway at Towawanda Drive, near Walmart.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the pedestrian attempted to cross Mobile Highway and was struck by a 2009 Chevrolet pickup truck driven by Joel Williams of Cantonment and a 2003 Ford car driven by Leslie Hall of Pensacola. The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene by Escambia County EMS.
No charges were filed against either driver, according to the FHP.
The name of the pedestrian has not yet been released pending notification of next of kin.
Dense Fog Advisory Issued
January 9, 2013
A dense fog advisory is in effect until noon Thursday for much of the area. Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Fog. A chance of drizzle. Cloudy, with a low around 61. East wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 72. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 62. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph.
- Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. South wind around 10 mph.
- Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 71.
- Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59.
- Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71.
- Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51.
- Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. Breezy.
Humane Society Seeks Owner Of Shot In Santa Rosa, Monetary Help
January 9, 2013
[Updated] The Humane Society of Escambia County (Ala.) in Flomaton is looking for the owner of a dog found shot in northern Santa Rosa County on Monday.
The dog is a male husky or malamute and appears to be a family pet. He was found on Highway 87 in Santa Rosa County and picked up by a good Samaritan that took him to a veterinarian in Brewton. The veterinarian was unwilling to treat him because there was no one to handle the cost, according to the Humane Society’s Facebook page.
The Humane Society later arranged for a medical assessment of the dog.
“X-rays reveal a small caliber bullet that has shattered the spine. He will be getting steroid injections for a couple of days to see how things go,” said Renee Jones, Humane Society director.
Anyone with information about the dog’s owner is asked to call the Humane Society of Escambia County (Ala.) at (251) 296-2275. After hours, call the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office at (251) 809-0741 and tell the operator that you need to speak to Renee as soon as possible about the injured husky dog.
Donations are being accepted to help with dog’s care. Click here and look for the “Donate Now” button near the bottom of the right column.
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 11 a.m. on January 9 to reflect new information that the dog had been shot. It was originally believed that he had been hit by a car until an X-ray and examination revealed the true nature of the injury.
Pictured: This dog, now in the care of the Humane Society in Flomaton, was found shot Monday in northern Santa Rosa County. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
South Alabama District Providing Armed Officers For Schools
January 9, 2013
An area school system is stepping up security following the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut that left 20 children and six adults dead.
Brewton, Ala., Police Chief Monte McGougin announced Tuesday that his department will provide armed officers to each school in the Brewton City School system.
“This is in no way a response to any local problem,” McGougin said. “This is strictly as a result of concerns raised by national events and is a preventive measure locally.”
McGougin said Brewton officer Sgt. Hal Parker has been providing security on campus at T.R. Miller High for more than two years, and will continue there. Officer Heath Madison will begin duty at Brewton Middle School and Capt. James Hicks will be assigned to Brewton Elementary. McGougin said the officers will be present “anytime school is in session”, Monday through Friday, and will be present from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Officials said the city and school system will share the cost of providing the security officers.
Community Gardens Offer Free Food For Needy
January 9, 2013
Three community gardens are offering free turnip greens to anyone in need that is willing to pick their own.
One of the three gardens is full of turnips that are now ready to be picked; it’s located on Main Street in McDavid just west of the McDavid United Methodist Church and the post office. Anyone is welcome to stop by and pick what they need.
A garden in Bratt will be ready for picking in about two weeks, and a third turnip patch in Walnut Hill be ready in about six weeks. Those locations will be announced here on NorthEscambia.com when the turnips are ready.
The gardens are a joint project of the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club, the McDavid United Methodist Church, the Northview High School FFA and the Ernest Ward Middle School FFA.
“We wanted to do something for the community,” said Perry Byars, Ruritan member and Northview FFA sonsor. “The idea was to help make sure nobody goes hungry.”
Pictured: Free turnips for those in need can be picked from this garden on Main Street in McDavid, near the McDavid United Methodist Church. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Friday Is Deadline To Apply For $50,000 In IP Grants
January 9, 2013
International Paper Pensacola Mill will award $50,000 in Foundation Grants in 2013.
The deadline for all 2013 grant applications is Friday, Jan. 11, 2013.
Grants are awarded by the IP Foundation in Memphis, Tenn., which focuses on environmental education, literacy, employee involvement, and critical community needs. Applicants must be a registered 501c3 non-profit organization, school, or qualifying government entity to apply.
For more information about the Foundation or to apply online, interested applicants should visit www.ipgiving.com. For more information on the grant process, contact Janice Holmes, communications manager, at 850-968-4203 or e-mail janice.holmes@ipaper.com.