Motorcylist Injured In Roberts Road Crash
August 26, 2013
A motorcyclist was seriously injured when the driver of a car turned in front of him Monday morning in Cantonment.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 73-year old William L. Rosich of Smyrna, GA, turned his 2006 Ford Taurus into the path of a motorcycle about 10:38 a.m. on West Roberts Road near Tate Road. The motorcyclist, 74-year old William A. Jennings, Jr. of Pensacola, struck the side of the Taurus with his 2004 Yamaha motorcycle.
Jennings was transported Sacred Heart Hospital in serious condition; Rosich was not injured.
Rosich was cited for turning left in front of approaching traffic by the FHP.
105 Cases Cleared Through Burglary Investigation
August 26, 2013
Escambia investigators say they have busted a burglary ring responsible for over 100 burglaries in Escambia and Santa Rosa County involving stolen goods valued at $120,000.
Timothy Godwin, Henry Birchmore and Jason Godwin, broke into homes since April 2013 that were vacant, for sale, for rent, in renovation or in foreclosure, stealing major appliances including stoves, refrigerators and air conditioning units, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation included a total of 88 reported burglaries or thefts in Escambia County. Warrants were prepared or arrests were made in 66 of those cases. Santa Rosa County had 18 additional cases in which they obtained seven warrants. In addition to the burglary and theft cases, officers worked 10 additional spin-off cases for other crimes.
Officers have recovered several of the major appliances and air conditioners and are still trying to identify and locate more of the property.
On July 14, Timothy Godwin was arrested on an outstanding warrant from one of the initial cases related to this investigation, and Birchmore was arrested on outstanding warrants unrelated to the case and narcotics violations. Both have been incarcerated since that time. Birchmore and Timothy Godwin have already been charged in eight cases.
Jason Godwin, Timothy’s brother, has outstanding warrants on six cases.
On August 23, 128 warrants were sent to the court for judicial review. A total of 105 cases have been cleared through this investigation according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Pit Bill Attack Victim Returns Home
August 26, 2013
The Nokomis woman who was viciously attacked and mauled by two pit bulls at her home July 18 is now back at home.
Sandra Lambert, 63, was transferred earlier this month from the USA Medical Center in Mobile to the West Florida Rehabilitation Institute in Pensacola, where she worked to learn to live without her dominant right arm. Her arm was amputated at the shoulder following the dog attack. She has now been released from the rehab center and is now staying at a relative’s home.
The two pit bulls that attacked Lambert at her home were euthanized at the Escambia County Animal Shelter. Animal Control’s investigation determined that Lambert’s family had been taking care of the two animals for at least 10 months, making the family the legal owners of the dogs, according to Escambia County officials. Family members signed custody of the dogs over to animal control with the understanding that the animals would be put down.
Lambert had taken both pit bulls out for a walk behind her home on in the 8000 block of Jakes Road. Molly, the female dog, was on a leash and lunged at some chickens in the yard. Lambert yelled “No, Molly” to the dog and pulled on her leash. The dog quickly turned on her and attacked, with the male dog, Rosco, joining in.
She was airlifted to the USA Medical Center in Mobile where she underwent several surgeries.
An account to help Lambert with medical expenses has been established. Donations can be made to the “Benefit Account for Sandra Lambert” at any branch of United Bank. Donations can be mailed to United Bank, P.O. Box 8, Atmore, AL 36504.
A benefit car wash for Lambert will be held on Saturday, September 14 at O’Reilly Auto Parts on South Main Street in Atmore from 9 a.m. until.
Pictured top: An Escambia County Animal Control officer removed a tranquilized pit bull from an enclosed porch at the home of Sandra Lambert. Pictured below: Molly, one of the dogs involved in the July 18 attack, after being tranquilized. Pictured bottom: The attack happened at a mobile home in Nokomis, FL. Lambert was airlifted to the USA Medical Center in Mobile. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
No Rain Chance, Slightly Cooler Air
August 26, 2013
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 89. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east in the afternoon.
- Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming northeast after midnight.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 92. North wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 93.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
- Saturday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Saturday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Sunday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Century’s McCants Graduates From Basic Combat Training
August 26, 2013
Army Pfc. Arron P. McCants has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.
McCants is the son of Rex McCants of Clancy Way, Century.
He is a 2012 graduate of Northview High School.
Molino Park PTA Seeks Donations To Replace Stolen Technology Items
August 26, 2013
The Molino Park Elementary School PTA is turning to the community with a grassroots drive to raise money to replace computers and technology items stolen from the school.
Thousands of dollars worth of electronics were stolen from throughout the school including Apple computers, iPads, Wii gaming systems, and cameras used by the school’s student-operated closed circuit TV station, along with other items. The theft and associated vandalism of the school happened the night of August 9, just before teachers returned to class on the following Monday.
“Molino Park PTA is collecting donations to assist in replacing our losses in technology,” said PTA President Rachel Bradley. “We would like to make sure we are prepared for the days and weeks ahead as students return to school and need these resources for a quality education.”
Donations can be made at Jimmy’s Grill on Highway 29 Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m., Highland Baptist Church on Highway 95A Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. until 3 pm. or Friday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., Aldersgate United Methodist Church, or at Molino Park Elementary School Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.
All donations will be put into a special fund to purchase technology items for the school.
For an earlier story about the burglary and surveillance video, click here.
Pictured top: An empty spot marks the locations of a stolen Apple computer from a Molino Park Elementary School classroom. Pictured inset: Suspects caught on surveillance video. Pictured below: Three Apple computers were stolen from this desk in a computer lab. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Gulf Power Warning Customers About Telephone Scam
August 26, 2013
Gulf Power reports a scam is still making the rounds where a person calls, impersonating a utility company employee.
Utility customers receive a phone call with someone pretending to be a Gulf Power employee. The person then says your electric bill is past due and that electricity will be cut off if you don’t provide a credit card payment immediately. The card numbers are then used to make fraudulent purchases.
To prevent this from happening to you, Gulf Power says:
- Gulf Power employees will never call a customer at home seeking any personal information including credit card numbers.
- Gulf Power representatives will never ask a customer for money when they visit a residence.
- All Gulf Power representatives carry badges with picture identification that includes the employee’s name and the company’s name and logo.
Customers should call Gulf Power at 1-800-225-5797 if they have any questions about the identity of anyone representing Gulf Power.
Searchers Comb Beach Looking For Missing Theater Tech
August 26, 2013
Monday marks two weeks since 25-year old theater technician Tiffany Daniels was seen leaving her job at Pensacola State College. But friends, loved ones and volunteers have not given up hope that she will be found.
Dozens of search and rescue team members from KlassKids, Escambia Search and Rescue and other groups joined friends and family Sunday to search Pensacola Beach near Fort Pickens. Her 1999 Toyota Forerunner was found last Tuesday in a parking lot of Park West on Pensacola Beach. Her bicycle and phone were with the vehicle.
At this point, police have said they have no reason to suspect foul play in Daniels’ disappearance.
Daniels is 5-feet 7-inches tall with blond hair and blue eyes. She has tattoos of plants growing from seeds on the top of both feet. Anyone who may have information on Daniels’ location, or her activities before, during and after her disappearance are asked to contact Detective Danny Harnett at (850) 435- 1979 or the Pensacola Police Department at (850)435-1900.
Pictured above and below: Search and rescue volunteers prepare to search Pensacola Beach near Fort Pickens Sunday morning for Tiffany Daniels. Photos courtesy Escambia Search and Rescue and KlassKIDS for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
30 New Law Enforcement Officers Sworn In
August 26, 2013
There were 30 new law enforcement officers and four parking enforcement specialists sworn in last week by Sheriff David Morgan.
The law enforcement officers included 18 Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies, 10 detention deputies and two Pensacola Police officers.
“We are fortunate in Escambia County to have a positive working relationship with the Pensacola Police Department,” Morgan said. “The reason that we swear in officers from PPD during these ceremonies is so that we can continue to foster that relationship, with the understanding that we are all one community and as such we should continue to work together to achieve a better quality of life for all.”
Pictured: New officers are sworn in last week. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Home Run: She Said Yes!
August 26, 2013
Jake Clayton of Molino proposed to his girlfriend Jenna Peoples of Milton during a weekend Pensacola Blue Wahoos game…and she said “yes”. Photo by Michael Spooneybarger/Pensacola Blue Wahoos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.