Deputies Nab Car Burglary Suspects
March 5, 2014
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two people they say are responsible for a series of vehicle burglaries in the 300 and 500 blocks of East Nine Mile Road, the 60 block of East Olive Road and the 7800 block of North Davis Highway.
In at least two instances, witnesses observed a white van in the areas at the time of the burglaries. A deputy spotted a van matching the description and located stolen items inside.
Tyler Ray Payne, 17, and William Chad Hurley, 32, were arrested and charged with burglary of a vehicle, possession of burglary tools, damage to property criminal mischief and larceny.
Free Hunter Safety Class Offered In Escambia County
March 5, 2014
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering a free hunter safety course in Escambia County.
The class will be held at Booker T. Washington High School, 6000 College Parkway, Pensacola. Instruction is from 6-9 p.m. March 11, 13, 25 and 27. The range portion of the class is March 29 from 7 to 10 a.m.
An adult must accompany children under the age of 16 at all times. Students should bring a pencil and paper with them to take notes.
Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, must pass an approved hunter safety course and have a hunting license to hunt alone (unsupervised). The FWC course satisfies hunter-safety training requirements for all other states and Canadian provinces.
People interested in attending this course can register online and obtain information about future hunter safety classes at MyFWC.com/HunterSafety or by calling Hunter Safety Coordinator George Warthen at the FWC’s regional office in Panama City at (850) 265-3676.
Peggy Gibson Fowler
March 5, 2014
Mrs. Peggy Gibson Fowler, 74, passed away on Tuesday, March 4, 2014, in Pensacola.
Mrs. Fowler was a native of Walnut Hill and a resident of Bratt since 1962. Mrs. Fowler was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She attended the Bratt First Baptist Church. Two sons, Pat Fowler and Tim Fowler, parents, O.D. and Ruby Gibson and one brother, Otis Gibson, precede her in death.
She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Dewey Fowler of Brat; one son, Harvey (Marie) Fowler of Monroeville, AL; one daughter, Tammy Fowler (Jeremy) Raybon of Excel, AL; daughter-in-law, Sue Kitzinger (Mike) of Camden, AL; four brothers, Leo (Janice) Gibson of Caldwell, OH, Billy (Sue) Gibson of Pace, Leon Gibson of McCullough, AL and Gary Gibson of McCullough, AL; five sisters, Audrey (Joe) Ward of Gonzalez, Nola (James) Burnham of Mossey Head, FL, Linda (Ronnie) Hickman of Caldwell, OH, Julia Foster of McCullough, AL and Joyce Neuss of Huntsville, AL; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Friday, March 7, 2014 at 2 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. C.L. Langford officiating.
Visitation will be Thursday, March 6, 2014, from 6-9 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Tim Wyatt, Sam Stewart, Dewayne Glick, Wayne Harrison, Todd Wiggins, Jeremy “Bobo” Fowler and Sean Bayles.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Joseph Colvin Davis
March 5, 2014
Joseph Colvin Davis, 79 of Bratt, passed away Wednesday, March 5, 2014, in Pensacola. He retired from Monsanto-Solutia as a fireman. He loved farming, was an avid hunter fisherman and was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Bratt. He was born in Atmore on October 03, 1934, to the late Joseph Lee and Agnes Myrtle Merritt Davis.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Elton Davis.
He is survived his wife of 59 yrs, Lavelle Faircloth Davis of Bratt; daughter, Debbie Hester of Bratt; son, Tommy (Maria) Davis of Enon; three grandsons, Hunter (Mandy) Davis, Chase (Kelly) Davis and Cory Hester; great-grandson, Hudson Davis; sister, Carolyn (Aaron) Steele; and many nieces and nephews, church family and friends.
Family will receive friends Thursday, March 6, 2014, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be held Friday, March 7, 2013, at 10 a.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Delbert Redditt and Rev. Tim Hawsey officiating.
Burial will follow in Godwin Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Edward Gilman, James Amerson, Romeo Coleman, Fred Moore, Robert Gilman, and Terry Blanton.
Honorary pallbearers will be Jessie Wood, Howard Hanks, Jim Bolerjack, Leroy White, Clark Ziglar, Jerry Haynie and John (Junior) Spence.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.
Possible Attempted Kidnapping At Bus Stop Under Investigation
March 5, 2014
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday afternoon that they are investigating a possible attempted kidnapping at a bus stop that occurred last Thursday. The incident occurred on Champion Oaks Drive in the Bellview area.
The 10-year old female victim told investigators that she had gotten off of her school bus and started walking towards her home when she noticed a gray car drive past her. She said the car stopped ahead of her, and a white male got out and started walking towards the rear of his car. The victim said she stopped and started walking backwards away from him. She said the man began running towards her and she turned and ran to her friend’s house for help.
The suspect has been described as a man in his 50’s with a thin build and short, and salt and pepper colored hair. At the time of the incident, the suspect was wearing a white t-shirt, light-colored blue jeans and black boots or high-top tennis shoes. He had no visible tattoos or distinguishing facial features.
The vehicle was a 1980’s LTD Crown Victoria in very good condition, medium to dark gray in color, four-doors, bearing a regular Florida tag. The mirrors on both doors and the antenna were missing. The passenger-side headlight was broken. Additionally, the vehicle had very dark, tinted windows and regular-sized, silver rims.
Anyone with information on the man or the vehicle should contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9426 or (850) 436-9620.
Samuel Carl Turk
March 5, 2014
Mr. Samuel Carl Turk, age 79, of Hurley, MS passed away on Wednesday, March 5, 2014, at George County Regional Hospital in Lucedale, MS.
Mr. Turk was a native of Flomaton, but had been a resident of Hurley for the past seven years coming from Gautier, MS. He is preceded in death by his grandson, Trevor Kitchens of Hurley, MS; and daughter, Judy Smith of Flomaton.
He is survived by his sons, John L. Turk of Hurley, MS, Jesse L. Turk of Flomaton and Jimmy L. (Tessa) Turk of Van Cleave, MS; daughter, Joana Turk of Hurley, MS; 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2014, at 11 a.m. at Magnolia Cemetery in the Stanley Cross Roads Community with Rev. Carl Wilson officiating.
Flomaton Funeral Home is directing.
Four Arrested In Home Invasion Near 10 Mile Road
March 4, 2014
Four people were arrested in a home invasion robbery just off 10 Mile Road Monday night.
About 5 p.m., deputies responded to the 1000 block of Senegal Drive where the victims reported several males kicked in their front door and pointed guns at them. One victim was hit with a stick. The suspects fled the scene prior to the arrival of deputies.
Deputies observed several individuals running north on nearby railroad tracks. One was taken into custody by a deputy. His backpack contained a large quantity of marijuana, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. A stolen firearm was found in a trash can along the path the suspect took during their escape. The other three were soon captured by deputies.
Century Gets Preview Of Haas Center Economic Development Plan
March 4, 2014
The Haas Center is well on the way to completing an Economic Development Strategic Plan for the Town of Century.
Monday night, Brice Harris from the Haas Center, the research and consulting arm of the University of West Florida, updated on the town council on their work over the past five months.
In addition to research, the Haas Center has solicited input from area businesses, residents and other economic development agencies in the region in developing the plan, funded by a $25,000 a Community Planning Technical Assistance Grant from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
Under the grant requirements, the Haas Center is developing an economic and demographic profile report, local and regional market area analysis, accepted input from local and regional stakeholders and soliciting input from a steering committee.
During March, the Haas Center will work to identify challenges and opportunities for economic development that exist in the local and regional market area. That report will be presented to the town by March 30.
The center will continue to work closely with the steering committee during March and April to develop strategies aimed at achieving their goals and and objectives. An additional meeting will be scheduled with area residents to solicit input on the plan’s vision, mission, strategic goals and objectives as identified by the steering committee.
The final draft of the strategic plan is due to the town by April 30, with an implementation plan and funding matrix to be submitted by May 30.
The proposed plan includes the following:
Vision: The Town of Century will be the model for rural economic redevelopment, excelling in cultivating its workforce, facilitating the growth of regional industry, and enhancing the quality of life for its residents and the surrounding communities.
Mission: The Town of Century will act as a regional hub for interstate commerce that is sustained and cultivated through collaboration with its surrounding communities to become a transformative force for regional economic development
Goals:
- Lead the region in rural economic competitiveness.
- Lead the region in rural community revitalization.
- Lead the region in the development and delivery of innovative and relevant workforce training programs.
Objectives:
- Cultivate and support sustainable employment opportunities for the residents of Century.
- Create an environment that is conducive for business/industry recruitment, retention, and expansion.
- Increase Century’s attractiveness to workers, residents, and visitors.
- Foster and support an entrepreneurial environment.
- Restore Century’s sense of civic pride.
- Promote Century’s cultural, historical, and recreational assets.
Pictured top: Brice Harris of the Haas Center updates the Century Town Council Monday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Spring On Hold: Rain And Cold
March 4, 2014
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Showers. Low around 38. North wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
- Wednesday: A chance of rain before noon, then a slight chance of showers after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 59. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Wednesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 47. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Thursday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 58. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 39. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming northeast after midnight.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. Light and variable wind becoming southeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
- Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. South wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
- Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 70.
- Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49.
- Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71.
- Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 51.
- Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72.
Police Search For Bank Robber
March 4, 2014
Authorities are searching for an Escambia County bank robber.
A white male entered the BB&T on North 12th Avenue just before 11 a.m. and handed a note demanding money to the teller. No weapon was shown, and the man did not claim to have one.
He was described as being about six feet tall, in his mid 40’s wearing a long-sleeved shirt and blue fabric over his mouth. The man fled the band in an unknown direction with an undisclosed amount of cash.
Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to call the Pensacola Police Department at (850) 435-1900.