Flomaton Police Seek Suspect In Early Morning Assault
January 30, 2015
The Flomaton Police Department is looking for a suspect in an assault early this morning at Flomaton Woods Apartments.
Jamie Gafford, 40, is wanted on outstanding warrants for burglary in the first degree and assault in the second degree, according to Flomaton Police Chief Brian Davis.
Police say Gafford has local connections and may be in the Century or Flomaton area. If you have any information on his whereabouts, contact the Flomaton Police Department at (251) 296-5811 or your local law enforcement agency.
More details on the assault are expected to be released later today.
Pedestrian Struck And Killed On Highway 29 In Ensley
January 30, 2015
A pedestrian in a wheelchair was pronounced deceased after being struck by a vehicle on Highway 29, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The accident occurred about 11:56 p.m. Thursday on Highway 29 (Pensacola Boulevard) near West Devane Street — that’s near Pensacola Pools just south of the Ensley Station of Escambia Fire Rescue.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 58-year old Walter Gonzalez Coto was northbound on Highway 29 in a 2004 Audi when he struck a person in a wheelchair. The FHP said the 49-year old victim was not in any crosswalk or intersection at the time of the crash.
The pedestrian was pronounced deceased on the scene. The name of the victim and other details in the crash have not yet been released by the Florida Highway Patrol pending notification of next of kin.
No charges were filed in the crash.
Jay Man Charged With Sex Crimes After Being Caught With Student On Campus
January 30, 2015
A Jay man has been charged with multiple felony sex offenses after using allegedly using a phone app to contact a local student and sneaking onto the Jay High School campus to meet the juvenile.
Curtis Joshua Cannon, age 27 of the 13000 block of Highway 89, was charged with two counts lewd and lascivious battery on a victim age 12 to 16, lewd and lascivious molestation with a victim age 12 to 16, solicitation of a minor, and transmission of harmful material to a minor. He was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail without bond.
The alleged relationship between the victim and Cannon came to light after they were seen kissing and hugging in the school parking lot by a teacher who told a school resource officer.
The resulting investigation revealed the pair would meet on a trail by a barn before school hours, and Cannon tried to get the teen to skip gym class and leave the campus with him. The victim told the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office investigator about multiple sexual contact incidents that occurred, with many of the incidents occurring while both were clothed.
The pair communicated through the smartphone app “Kik”, according to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. A search of the victim’s phone found where Cannon had allegedly sent inappropriate photos, encouraged meetings and contacts, and even discussed love and marriage using the Kik app.
According to an arrest report. Cannon told deputies that his lawyer had advised him not to speak to anyone about the allegations.
Due to Florida law, the victim’s age and gender were not released by the Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office.
Cool Photos: Our NorthEscambia.com Walnut Hill Eagle
January 30, 2015
This is our “resident” NorthEscambia.com eagle, seen high in a tree outside our NorthEscambia.com office in Walnut Hill enjoying the week’s blue skies and warmer weather before flying off. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Shots Fired Disturbance: Gunfire Hits Century Home
January 30, 2015
Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a shots fired disturbance in the 6000 block of Jefferson Avenue Thursday afternoon. Upon arrival, they discovered that an unknown suspect had fired one round into the side of a home.
During the investigation, 29-year old Cassious Lett was detained for questioning. He was arrested for marijuana possession and on an outstanding failure to appear warrant, but was not charged with the shooting incident. Lett was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $2,500.
“There was insufficient probable cause to arrest anyone on gun related charges at this time,” Sena Maddison, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, said.
There were no injuries in the incident.
Photos: Installation Of 54 Ton Beams Cause Delays On I-10
January 30, 2015
Drivers have dealt with nighttime delays this week on I-10 in Escambia County as crews positioned large beams for a new Scenic Highway overpass. The beams are about 102 feet long and weigh 57 tons each (114,000 pounds). Because of the massive size and weight of the beams, a 200 ton crane was required to lift and place them.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Anything But Perfidious: Escambia’s Best Spellers Take On The Bee
January 30, 2015
The 2015 Sandy Sansing Spelling Bee wrapped up Thursday night with the crowning of the very best student spellers in Escambia County.
At the high school level, winners were:
1st Place — James Henderson, 9th grade, Pensacola High/IB Program
2nd Place — Dawn Van Iderstine, 11th grade, West Florida Home School
3rd Place — Malik Blankenship, 10th grade, Booker T. Washington High School
Other North Escambia area students that took part in Thursday night’s round were: Morgan Myrick, 10th, Northview; McKenzie Fleming, 10th, Tate; Jessica Amerson, 11th, Northview; and Matthew Chavers, 12th, Northview.
The winning word was “perfidious”, an adjective that means deceitful and untrustworthy.
Other grade level winners were:
Middle School
1st Place – Amber Lee – Jim C. Bailey (7th grade)
2nd Place - Kneia Williams – Warrington (6th grade)
3rd Place – Justin Witter – PCA (7th grade)
5th grade
1st Place – Connor Barton – Helen Caro
2nd Place – Lauren Bisson – St. Paul
3rd Place – Colin Gold – EDS
6th Grade
1st Place – Christina Wooten – Home School
2nd Place – Kneia Williams – Warrington
3rd Place – Jeffrey Bates – Jim C. Bailey
7th Grade
1st Place – Justin Witter – PCA
2nd Place – Anna Huynh – Ransom
3rd Place – Amber Lee – Jim C. Bailey
8th Grade
1st Place – Rebecca Woodcock – GBMS
2nd Place – Andrew VanIderstine – Home School
3rd Place – Cassilyn Owens – PCA
Pictured top: Sandy Sansing Spelling Bee high school winners: (L-R first place James Henderson, 9th grade, Pensacola High/IB Program; third place Malik Blankenship, 10th grade, Booker T. Washington High School; second place Dawn Van Iderstine, 11th grade, West Florida Home School, and sponsor Sandy Sansing. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cat Country 98.7 Nominated For ACM Radio Station Of The Year
January 30, 2015
Escambia County’s locally owned country radio station, Cat Country 98.7, has been nominated for Radio Station of the Year by the Academy of Country Music.
Winners will be announced during the 50th Annual ACM Awards Show live from Dallas on CBS on Sunday, April 19.
“Our team is passionate about our community and country music, this is a great honor,” said station owner Dave Hoxeng.
This is the seventh time Cat Country 98.7 has been nominated for the prestigious award in the last 11 years. Cat Country was name ACM Radio Station of the Year in 2006, 2009 and 2011.
Northview Students Place In Cooperative Education Club Events
January 30, 2015
Several Northview High School students recently place in District Cooperative Education Clubs of Florida (CECF) events:
- Raymond Clark – Fourth place in Automotive Technician
- Savanna Roux – First place in Business Communications
- Iyanna Davidson – Third place in Business Communications
- Hannah Gibson – First place in Customer Service
- Kortney Reid – Fourth place in Customer Service
- Austin Adams – Third place in Hospitality
- Grady Rigby – Fourth place in Hospitality
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Nadie Lee Campbell Griswold
January 30, 2015
Nadie Lee Campbell Griswold, age 91, passed to her heavenly home on January 27, 2015. She was born in Pensacola on February 16, 1923, to Bob and Sally Slade Campbell. She attended school at Pensacola Catholic until her middle teens when her family moved to Chumuckla, where she completed her schooling. Being widowed at age 50, she followed her dream of going to college and later retiring from the Santa Rosa County school system. She was a faithful member of Pine Level Baptist Church for 60 plus years.
Nadie is preceded in death by her husband, Jack Tony (J.T.) Griswold; their first born son, James Samuel Griswold; and her parents, Bob and Sally Campbell. She was also preceded in death by her brothers, Edward (Buddy) Campbell, Ira (son) Campbell, and Franklin Campbell; sisters, Anna Elizabeth Campbell, Mildred Smith, and Willie Vera Spicer.
She is survived by daughters and sons-in-law, Linda (Paul) Council of Milton, Carolyn (Ronnie) Champion of Atmore; son and daughter-in-law, Tony (Tammy) Griswold of Jay; five grandchildren, Kimberly Council (Stevie) Fretwell of Jay, Joseph Council of Milton, Deidre Champion (Jimmy) Peak of Pace, Derek Champion of Florence, Mississippi and Kandace Griswold of Jay; eight great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren; four sisters, Betty (Burt) Larson, Jewel Driskell, Lois Simmons, and Catherine Simmons, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held on Friday, January 30, 2015, at Pine Level Baptist Church in Jay with Chaplain Don Berry officiating.
Burial was at Pine Level Baptist Church cemetery.
Pallbearers were Roy Griswold, Ray White, Hunter Hughes, Stevie Fretwell, Jimmy Peck, and Derek Champion.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Pruitt Health and Covenant Hospice for their loving care and services.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.