Sheriff’s Office, Other Groups Sweep Cottage Hill Clean
January 17, 2014
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office held a Clean Sweep operation Thursday morning in the Cottage Hill area.
The focus of “Operation Clean Sweep” was to work with the Cottage Hill Neighborhood Watch group, residents, churches and business owners to control and prevent the damaging effects of criminal activity, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Volunteers from the U.S. Navy also worked throughout the day to clean trash and debris from alongside neighborhoods streets.
During Thursday’s event, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office served one arrest warrant, making a total of two arrests. There were 55 safety violations issued, plus eight safety violations issued to Florida DOT during three safety inspections. There were citations written for 30 code violations and 15 tons of debris removed the area. The Sheriff’s Office also verified five sex offender addresses.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: A driver stops at a vehicle checkpoint on Highway 95A at Williams Ditch Road in Cottage Hill Thursday morning. Pictured inset: Volunteers pick up trash along Williams Ditch Road. Pictured below: A pickup truck is searched after a drug dog alerted on the vehicle. Pictured bottom: A traffic stop along Highway 95A. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Man Gets 30 Years For Robbery With A Hammer
January 17, 2014
An Escambia County man that was armed with a hammer during the robbery of an ATM is headed to prison.
Everly Scott Lippwe, 22, was convicted Thursday by an Escambia County Jury of attempted robbery with a weapon while wearing a mask. Following the verdict, Circuit Judge Linda Nobles sentenced Lippwe to 30 years in state prison.
On April 13, 2012, at the Circle K located on Gulf Beach Highway, Darrell Wickson was working in the back of the store when he heard a loud noise up front. When he went out front to see what caused the noise he saw Lippwe and his co-defendant, Joseph Cameron, enter the store wearing hooded sweatshirts, their faces covered with masks and both armed with hammers.
They ordered Wickson to the back of the store where he was forced to lie on the ground while Lippwe attempted to break into the ATM machine. After the failed attempt, both defendants fled the store. Cameron was later found and confessed to the robbery. He also stated that Everly Lippwe was the second robber.
Lippwe was previously sentenced in Santa Rosa County to 40 years in prison on his conviction of multiple counts of burglary, theft and dealing in stolen property. The sentence imposed by Judge Nobles will run consecutive to the 40 years state prison sentence he is currently serving.
Northview Remains Undefeated With Win Over Holmes County
January 17, 2014
The undefeated Northview Chiefs continued to dominate Thursday night as they earned another big district win 51-20 over Holmes County.
With the win, the Chiefs improved to 12-0 overall , 4-0 in the district. Scoring for the Chiefs were Cameron Newsome 22, Tony Mcaroy 17, Eric Williams 5, Nick Lambert 5, and Keondrae Lett 2.
For a photo gallery, click here.
In girls varsity action Thursday, Holmes County defeated Northview. The Lady Chiefs were down 34-7 at the half when Coach Derek Marshman decided to play all freshmen in the second half for a 55-32 final. Danielle Steadham led with 7 points. Jada Tucker added 3, Mallarie Rigby, Abbie Johnson, De’Asia Fountain each scored 2 points. Emily Heard had 1.
The Chiefs will face Chipley in another big district game on road tonight. JV boys play at 4:00, varsity girls at 6:00 and varsity boys at 7:30 in Chipley.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Correctional Helps Byrneville Elementary Celebrate Literacy
January 17, 2014
Byrneville Elementary School took part in “Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida!” this week with a little help from Century Correctional Institution.
Several Century Correctional staff members volunteered their own time to read to the students this week because they realize that reading to young children is a great activity to stimulate language and cognitive skills while building motivation for reading, curiosity and memory.
The CCI staff members stressed the importance of learning to read and good education to the Byrneville students.
Pictured top: Assistant Warden Hutchins with Byrneville Elementary students. Pictured below: Warden Doug Sloan reads to students. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Interim County Administrator Touart Submits Retirement
January 17, 2014
Escambia County Interim Administrator George Touart has announced his retirement, effective February 3.
“I would like to thank the Board of County Commissioners for the opportunity to serve the citizens of Escambia County,” said Touart, who became interim administrator December 1, 2012.
In retirement letter, Tourt said he was proud of accomplishments that included the transition of the Escambia County Jail and the library system, the four-cent gas tax for mass transit and a 3 percent across the board employee pay raise.
The BOCC is currently in the process of hiring a new permanent administrator from a short list of five candidates that did not include Touart. Although he applied for the job, the board had voted to exclude him from the final selection process.
Touart has been on sick leave since December 26 as he battles cancer, with Assistant County Administrator Larry Newsom handling his duties.
Forestry Responds To Cantonment Grass Fire
January 16, 2014
The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Florida Division of Forestry responded to a grass fire early Thursday afternoon. The fire was reported to be small in size but quickly grew larger in an orchard and around farm equipment and structures in the 1000 block of Pine Top Lane.
There were no injuries reported.
Pictured: The Florida Division of Forestry arrives at an out of control grass fire on Pine Top Lane in Cantonment. Pictured below: Light smoke could be seen from Pine Top Lane. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Animal Cruelty Charges Filed Against Three People
January 16, 2014
Felony animal cruelty charges brought directly by the State Attorney’s Office have been filed against three people.
For an update to this story, click here.
Robert Earl Simmons, age 54 of McDavid, and 36-year old Feather Lynn McGlothren of Century are each facing two counts of confinement of animals (dogs) without sufficient food or water, and four counts of cruelty to animals. The same charges were filed against a third person, but that person has since died.
Simmons was arrested on the charges against him Tuesday afternoon. He is being held without bond due to a probation violation in a 2012 grand theft and trespassing case.
Arrest warrants have been issued for McGlothern and are still outstanding, according to the State Attorney’s Office. Anyone knowing her whereabouts is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
The State Attorney’s Office has not yet released any specific information about the alleged animal cruelty in the case, other than dogs were involved.
Sexual Battery Suspect Arrested
January 16, 2014
An Escambia County man wanted in connection with a sexual battery on a child has been arrested.
Russell Adam Cannon, a.k.a. “Adam” Cannon, 31, of Pensacola was arrested Tuesday night and charged with sexual battery on a victim under 12 years of age. The incident occurred in October. Police were contacted after the four-year-old girl told a relative Cannon had put his hand inside her panties.
Cannon also was arrested in 1999 for having sex with a 12 year old female. At this time, police have not identified any additional victims.
He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $10,o00 bond.
Miller Appoints New Military Advisor
January 16, 2014
Congressman Jeff Miller has announced that he will appoint James E. Zumwalt to serve as his Military Legislative Assistant (MLA) in his Congressional office. As MLA, Zumwalt will oversee National Security and Military policy in Miller’s Washington office.
“I am excited to welcome James as the newest member of my team, and I look forward to working with him as my military advisor,” said Miller. “James brings a wealth of knowledge and firsthand experience with him and I am pleased to have such a talented and experienced individual join my team.”
Zumwalt most recently worked as a Technical Forensics Analyst contractor for the U.S. Army. Prior to that, Zumwalt was a Platoon Commander while assigned to the Navy EOD Mobile Unit Two, having received his training at the Navy School Explosive Ordinance Disposal located on Eglin Air Force Base.
Zumwalt has deep family roots in the U.S. Military and he is the fourth generation of his family to receive the Bronze Star His great-grandfather was awarded the Bronze Star during World War II for his actions as an Army doctor when Nazi labor camps were being liberated. His grandfather, the late Admiral Elmo Russell “Bud” Zumwalt, Jr. was the youngest man to serve as Chief of Naval Operations. The United States Navy’s DD(X) Guided Missile Destroyer program has been named the Zumwalt class in honor of the Admiral, and its lead ship will bear his name USS Zumwalt by Navy tradition. His uncle, Lt. Elmo R. Zumwalt III, was awarded the Bronze Star for his actions as a Navy swift-boat commander in Vietnam. His father is retired Marine Lt. Col. James G. Zumwalt, who served in Vietnam and during the first Gulf War.
James E. Zumwalt received the medal for “exceptionally meritorious service” in Iraq in 2010 with a Navy explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team.
Zumwalt received his bachelor’s degree from Tulane University in New Orleans. He currently resides in Arlington, Virginia.
Northview Grad Dixon Completes Military Basic Training
January 16, 2014
Air Force Airman Quadry D. Dixon graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Dixon is the son of Bonnie Ewing of Flomaton and Jimmy Dixon of Brewton.
He is a 2012 graduate of Northview High School.