Arrest Made In Early Morning Beach Murder
June 18, 2013
An arrest has been made in an early Tuesday morning Pensacola Beach homicide.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has charged 20-year old Damarcus “Smiling Gangsta” Jenkins with second degree murder in the shooting death of 34-year old Michael Leslie Harris of Milton.
At about 3:45 a.m. the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shots fired disturbance at Casino Beach. Investigators said Harris was shot multiple times by Jenkins, including at least once after he fell to the ground. The shooting happened after Jenkins witnessed Harris fighting with a female believed to be his girlfriend, but they say the shooting was after the fight was over.
Deputies found Harris not far from the iconic beach ball water tower, dead with gunshot wounds to his upper torso. Investigators spent the next several hours combing the beach for clues.
Tuesday afternoon, investigators said they were seeking four persons of interest for questioning in the shooting. Jenkins was one of those four people. The other three persons were located and questioned, but were not charged with any crime as of Tuesday night.
Anyone with any information regarding the shooting is asked to contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9630 or Gulf Coast Crimestoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Commissioner Looking For Non-Profits That Need Space In Century
June 18, 2013
Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry is reaching out to the Century Town Council and the Century community in an attempt to put empty county real estate to good use for area non-profits.
One half of the old county health department building on Church Street in Century was left empty when a dental provider pulled out of town; the other half of the building is occupied by the non-profit faith based Health and Hope Clinic. Barry told the Century town council Monday night that Escambia Community Clinics may be able to provide dental services in the building, if not the space is available.
Next door, the former 1,664 square foot post office building is owned by the county and is also available space.
“I want to see these taxpayer assets utilized,” Barry said. “I want to see some non-profit in there that’s doing some good for this community.”
The space cannot be leased to any for-profit business.
Anyone wishing to make suggestions on how the buildings can be utilized can do so in the comment section below, or call Barry’s office at (850) 595-4950.
Slowpokes Should Get Out Of The Left Lane
June 18, 2013
A massive transportation bill signed by Gov. Rick Scott will require slow drivers to move out of the left lane or face potential fines. The bill bars left-lane drivers from going more than 10 mph below the speed limit if they know they are being overtaken from behind by faster-moving vehicles. The bill includes exceptions, such as when drivers are preparing to turn left at intersections. Violators of the new requirement could face a $60 fine.
Santa Rosa Teacher Arrested For Soliciting Former Student
June 18, 2013
A Santa Rosa County middle school teacher is being held on a $1 million bond for allegedly using Facebook and text messaging to solicit sex from a former student.
Robert Todd Crutchfield, a sixth grade social studies teacher at King Middle School in Milton, was charged with using a computer to seduce a child and traveling after use of a computer to lure a child.
The investigation by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office found Crutchfield contacted a former student on Facebook. After the 14-year old female accepted a friend request from 41-year old Crutchfield, a conversation began. The conversation later continued via text messaging.
During the course of the texting, the conversation became sexual in nature. An adult who was affiliated with the juvenile was contacted who then notified the Sheriff’s Office. Investigators were able to continue the conversation with Crutchfield where he ultimately told the juvenile he was interested in meeting in person.
Along with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, investigators arranged for Crutchfield to meet them at a specific time and location, thinking he was meeting the teenager. Instead, he met law enforcement officers that placed him under arrest. A search warrant was executed at his residence where additional items were taken into evidence.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office is continuing this investigation. If anyone has any information related to this case, they are urged to contact the Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes unit at (850) 983-1230 or CrimeStoppers at (850) 437-STOP.
Expect Delays Escambia Bay Bridge, Pensacola Bay Bridge
June 18, 2013
Drivers can expect delays on the I-10 Escambia Bay Bridge and the Highway 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge the next few days, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
Crews will perform maintenance work on the I-10 Escambia Bay Bridge located from 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 18 to 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 19. The eastbound outside and middle lanes will be closed. Traffic may encounter minor delays.
Crews will perform sign maintenance and debris pickup on the Pensacola Bay Bridge located on U.S. 98 from 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 19 to 2 a.m. Thursday, June 20. Traffic may encounter minor delays.
FHP Looks For Clues In Jay Hit And Run Wreck
June 18, 2013
The Florida Highway Patrol is looking for a man they say became aggressive and fled the scene of a wreck Monday afternoon in Jay.
The FHP said the driver of a full sized pickup truck was westbound on Highway 4 approaching Booker Lane about 3:30 p.m. when he failed to stop before he rear-ended a 1997 Ford 250 waiting to make a left turn.
The driver of the first truck became verbally aggressive before fleeing the scene, according to FHP. The truck was described as a 1990’s, light brown, full sized Chevrolet type pickup. The truck has front end damage. The grill and headlight were popped out at impact, but stayed connected to the vehicle. The driver was described as a white male, 5-foot 7 inches, white male with a star tattoo around his navel.
Anyone with information on the man’s identity is asked to call Trooper J.M. Tucker at (850) 484-5000 ext 330 or email JoshuaTucker@flhsmv.gov.
The driver of the pickup that was rear-ended, 52-year old Zane B. Burkhead of Jay, was not seriously injured in the crash.
George Touart Applies For County Administrator Job
June 18, 2013
Interim County Administrator George Touart is one of 63 applicants that want to become Escambia County’s permanent administrator.
Touart was hired temporarily in November and took the post December 1 after the county commission fired Randy Oliver. Touart served as county administrator for five years, resigning amid ethics questions in 2007. All formal ethics complaints against him were dismissed.
“This would be nothing less than temporary until we could find a qualified, permanent, top shelf, class act replacement,” Commissioner Gene Valentino said as he made a motion
A five-person citizen committee has been named by the Escambia County Commission to review each of the applications and select finalists for the job.
Warm, Scattered Showers
June 18, 2013
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tuesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Wednesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Wednesday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Thursday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Thursday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Friday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Friday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Saturday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Saturday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Sunday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Sunday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Monday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Pictured: Monday evening’s sunset, as seen from the intersection of Highway 4 and Highway 99 in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Reptiles Invade The Molino Library; The Noise Guy Heads To Other Libraries
June 18, 2013
Participants in the West Florida Library’s Summer Reading Program had a chance to get up close and personal with some slithery snakes and more Monday afternoon at the Molino Branch Library.
The Summer Reading Program continues the rest of the week and throws out that old saying about being quiet in the library with Charlie “The Noise Guy” Williams. Programs will be held:
Monday: Main Library noon
Tuesday: Tryon Branch 1:30, Westside Branch 4:30
Wednesday: Century Branch 3:30
The 2013 Summer Reading Club will be held weekly through August 10. Children can register at any West Florida Public Library.
Pictured: A reptile demonstration at the Molino Library Monday afternoon. Submitted photos by Heather Murphy for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One BAD Stomach Ache: Local 4-H Member Wins National Title
June 18, 2013
Izzy Kent, 10, represented Escambia County and her Barrineau Park 4-H Club at the 2013 ABGA National Boer Goat Show in West Monroe Louisiana by competing in the public speaking event.
Kent won 1st place in the Junior Division (ages 9-14) bringing home the National Public Speaking Champion title. Her topic was “One BAD Stomach Ache”, dealing with bloat among goats.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
