Jay Falls In State Championship Game
May 10, 2014
The Jay Royals fell to Chiefland, 9-2, in the 1A state championship game in Vero Beach this morning.
The Lady Royals have finished as state runner-ups two of the last three years. They finished their season with a 24-4 record.
Northview FFA Names Chapter Officers
May 10, 2014
The Northview High School FFA has named chapter offers for the upcoming school year.
New officers are:
- President-Haylee Weaver
- Vice-President-Bethany Reynolds
- Secretary- Courtney Weekley
- Treasurer- Moriah MaGhan
- Reporter- Tiffani Cruce
- Sentinel- Tabitha Chavers
- Public Relations- Mitchell Singleton
- Parliamentarian- Hunter Kite
- Historian- Kaitlyn Klinatland
- Chaplain – Cody Kite
- Photographer- Tamara Barrows
The new officers will be installed during the annual Northview FFA banquet on May 16.
The Northview High School FFA has been recognized as one of the top FFA chapters in the state and nation.
Pictured top: Northview FFA officers (L-R) Mitchell Singleton, Haylee Weaver and Courtney Weekley serve breakfast during a recent event at the school. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Man Jumps From Moving Vehicle On Highway 97
May 10, 2014
One person was injured after reportedly jumping from a moving vehicle south of Walnut Hill Friday night.
The incident involved a male about 19-20 years old that was a passenger in a vehicle being driven by a 31-year old female. The two were reportedly involved in a domestic dispute when the male jumped from the car while it was traveling about 50 mph. The female returned to the scene and waived down passing vehicles for help, one of which was driven a Walnut Hill volunteer fireman responding to a nearby medical call.
The male’s injuries were not considered life threatening. He was transported to a West Florida Hospital by ambulance. His name has not been released.
The incident happened on Highway 97 just south of Tungoil Road about 10:10 p.m. An investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is underway.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Chiropractor Sentenced For Fraud
May 10, 2014
An Escambia County chiropractor, has been sentenced after he was caught urging an undercover officer posing as a patient to exaggerate injuries in order to receive a large insurance settlement, according to Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater.
Dr. Russell Dominick, 54, was convicted of racketeering and grand theft and sentenced to six years in prison and 10 years probation. He was the owner of the Dominick Chiropractic Clinic on Pine Forest Road, just south of I-10..
The undercover investigation began when the Department of Financial Services’ Division of Insurance Fraud received a complaint about Dr. Dominick. Patients who were subsequently interviewed about Dr. Dominick reported receiving similar advice about exaggerating injuries.
Dominick was arrested by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, while the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Department of Health assisted with the investigation. The State Attorney’s Office for the First Judicial Circuit prosecuted the case.
Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive Is Today
May 10, 2014
The 22nd annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is today — the day you place a sturdy (perhaps watertight) bag of food at your mailbox for your letter carrier to pick up.
Non-perishable foods are needed, such as canned soup, canned vegetables, pasta, rice or cereal. Items should be placed next to your mailbox prior to regular mail delivery on Saturday. Donations may also be dropped off at any U.S. Post Office or Publix Store now through Monday, May 12.
Escambia and Santa Rosa County letter carriers will collect food donations for five local organizations including: Manna Food Pantries, Warrington Emergency Aid, Bay Area Food Bank in Pace and Milton, Acts Ministries in Gulf Breeze and We Care Ministries of Navarre United Methodist Church.
Orso Gets Life In 2012 Lottery Store Robbery, Murder
May 10, 2014
Michael Brad Orso, the third suspect to face trial for the November 2012 shooting death of a Davisville lottery store owner was found guilty Friday afternoon of first degree murder sentenced to life in prison.
Orso, age 28 of Atmore, was convicted for his role in the attempted robbery and killing of Thomas Kroll, the owner and operator of the O’Yes Lotto store on Highway 97 in Davisville at the Florida/Alabama line.
Witnesses at trial testified that Orso suggested the lottery store as the target for the robbery, participated in the planning of the robbery, and provided the weapon to be used in the
robbery.
Malcolm “TJ” McGhee was convicted in September 2013 for his role as the shooter and was sentenced to Life in prison. Brent Lambeth, who entered the store with McGhee, entered a plea and provided testimony in the trials of McGhee and Orso. Lambeth is currently awaiting sentencing.
NorthEscambia.com file photos.
Flash Flood Watch Continues: Heavy Rain Possible
May 10, 2014
A flash flood watch continues through Sunday morning.
According to the National Weather Service, additional numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop again Saturday, potentially continuing into Saturday night. Storm total rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches will be likely, with localized totals of 6 to 8 inches possible where thunderstorms repeatedly move over the same area. Ground conditions over many locations in the watch area remain saturated from recent significant rainfall increasing the potential for flooding and flash flooding.
Here is your official NorthEscambia area forecast:
- Saturday Cloudy. Chance of showers and slight chance of thunderstorms. Highs around 80. South winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation 50 percent.
- Saturday Night A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Sunday Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 80s. East winds 5 to 10 mph becoming south 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation 40 percent.
- Sunday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Monday Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph.
- Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Tuesday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. South wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Night A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Southwest wind around 10 mph becoming north after midnight.
- Wednesday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.
- Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 54.
- Thursday Sunny, with a high near 83.
- Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 58.
- Friday Sunny, with a high near 84.
Fire Marshal Confirms Jail Explosion Was From Natural Gas
May 10, 2014
The Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has confirmed that their on-scene investigation into the the April 30 explosion at the Escambia County Jail “determined that the explosion was the result of a natural gas release into the facility”.
“The on-scene phase of our investigation may be complete, but there is still much to be learned,” said Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jeff Atwater. “Our investigators will continue to work day and night with the ATF and the State Attorney’s Office to uncover all of the answers victims and their families deserve to know.”
The State Fire Marshal’s Office and the ATF will continue their investigation along with the State Attorney’s Office to answer the many remaining questions related to the events preceding the explosion. Further details have not been released, but a full reported will be released at the conclusion of the investigation.
Meanwhile, Fire Marshal has returned control of the Escambia County Central Booking and Detention Center to the county.
The Fire Marshal’s Office and the ATF took control of the property following an April 30th explosion that killed two inmates and injured 184 inmates and corrections staff.
Fire Marshal Investigator Joseph Steadham said in a letter to the Escambia County Commission that the building is continuing to deteriorate, reaching a point that it’s no longer safe for investigators to go inside. However, Steadham noted that the investigation into the cause of the explosion is continuing.
A fence is being constructed around the building to keep people out.
Flooding: Project Outreach Sites Opening Directly In Impacted Areas
May 10, 2014
Escambia County has launched Project Outreach, a disaster relief program that uses field teams to provide aid to the most heavily impacted areas within Escambia County. These sites will be operational from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. tomorrow, May 10, and Sunday, May 11. The field teams have set up tents at the following eight locations:
- Bristol Park*, 10100 Bristol Park Rd
- Crescent Lake*, 6105 Fairview Drive
- Damascus Road Mission Baptist Church, 8198 Untreiner Avenue
- Innerarity Point, Perdido Bay United Methodist Church, 13600 Innerarity Point Road, across from Ace Hardware
- Lake Charlene*, Corner of 6815 Kitty Hawk Circle
- Legion Field, 1301 West Gregory Street
- Piedmont Area*, Roger Scott Tennis Center, 2130 Summit Boulevard
- Wedgewood Community Center*, 6405 Wagner Road
*FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Team (DSAT) will be on site Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Each location also has free tarps for flood victims.
The Escambia County Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) opens Sunday, May 11, at the Brownsville Community Center, 3100 West Desoto Street, Pensacola. Applicants may go to a Disaster Recovery Center for information about FEMA or other disaster assistance, or for questions related to your case.
The hours of operations are:
- Sundays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Mondays – Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Free Food Distribution Today At Ransom Middle For Flooding Victims
May 10, 2014
In response to the local flooding that has impacted Escambia County, Farm Share and State Rep. Clay Ingram will host a free food distribution today from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ransom Middle School, 1000 West Kingsfield Road, Cantonment.
District 5 Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry, State Sen. Greg Evers, Superintendent Malcolm Thomas and District 5 School Board Member Bill Slayton will join the volunteer efforts to distribute food to assist families in need.
Families will be provided with Farm Share food bags free of charge with a variety of fresh, in season produce along with water, blankets and other needed goods.
Farm Share is a nonprofit organization working to alleviate hunger and malnutrition by recovering fresh, nutritious food and distributing it to those who need it across Florida.
Pictured: The Farm Share truck arrived early this morning at Ransom Middle School. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.