Purse Snatcher Busted After High Speed Chase
December 12, 2015
An Atmore purse snatcher is behind bars after a high speed chase, thanks to the efforts of both police and two Walnut Hill men.
A man — later identified as Joel Andrew White of Shelby, Ala. — allegedly grabbed a purse from a female in the parking lot of the Ramey’s grocery store on Lindberg Avenue in Atmore. He ran toward his getaway car, with the victim giving chase on foot and attempting to retrieve the purse. White sped away, throwing the victim to the ground causing injuries to her head, side and arms. White then fled down South Presley Street and crossed into Florida on Highway 97
Witnesses at the scene followed White several miles into Florida, but lost sight of his Toyota due to him driving recklessly at a high rate of speed. Several minutes later, the witnesses spotted White again – this time headed back into Alabama. Atmore Police spotted the vehicle and gave chase, but called off the pursuit due to public safety concerns.
White was then spotted westbound on Highway 31, traveling at a high rate of speed. The witnesses lost sight of the vehicle, but later found it parked at a residence off West Road in Atmore.
Atmore Police responded to the residence and immediately set up a perimeter. Officers observed White flee the residence on foot and gave chase. After a short foot pursuit, White was arrested without incident.
White was charged with third degree robbery, second degree theft of property and third degree assault. The vehicle he was driving was found to be stolen out of Shelby County, Ala.
Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks offered his thanks to Austin Eicher and Jake McCall of Walnut Hill for their assistance in the capture of White.
One Injured In Highway 29, Barrineau Park Road Crash
December 12, 2015
One person was injured in a two-vehicle crash about 5:45 Friday night at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 196. Their injuries were not considered life threatening. Further details have not been released by the Florida Highway Patrol. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
SWAT, Narcotics Teams Arrest Man On Drug And Weapons Charges
December 12, 2015
An Escambia County man was arrested on weapons and drug charges after the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team and Special Investigations/Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant at a home in the Montclair neighborhood.
The search of 46-year old Jimmy Gilliams’ Cheyenne Circle residence produced quantities of cocaine, prescription pills, heroin and marijuana.Two firearms were recovered, one of which was identified as having been stolen.
Gilliams was charged with possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, grand theft of a firearm, larceny, possession of cocaine with intent to sell, possession of heroin with intent to sell and possession of marijuana with intent to sell.
At the time of his arrest Gilliams was out on bond for previous narcotics and weapons related charges, according to the Sheriff’s Office. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $70,000.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
December 12, 2015
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
- Nine Mile Road from west of I-10 to Heritage Oaks Drive, Escambia County – East and westbound traffic on Nine Mile Road will encounter lane closures west of Interstate 10, near Heritage Oaks Drive, in Escambia County from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Friday, Dec. 11 through Sunday, Dec. 13 as crews perform construction activities. If temperatures fall below 50 degrees during nighttime hours, paving operations will take place from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12 and Sunday December 13.
- S.R. 289 (9th Avenue), Escambia County- Crews will pave between Bayou Boulevard and Creighton Road. Lane closures will be in effect from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. for approximately two to three weeks. Motorists traveling between Bayou Boulevard and Cervantes Street will also encounter intermittent and alternating daytime lane closures as crews adjust manholes and valves.
- I-110 Bridge Painting, Escambia County – Drivers may encounter intermittent daytime restrictions on city streets under I-110 between Maxwell and Garden Streets as crews clean the bridges. The $2.6 million rehabilitation project is anticipated to be complete summer 2016.
- I-110- Alternating north and southbound lane restrictions from 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15 as crews make overhead signs repairs.
- 1-110- Routine bridge maintenance work will be performed at the following locations from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Dec. 14 through Thursday, Dec. 17.
- Cervantes Street on and off ramp
- Garden Street off ramp
- Chase Street on ramp
- I-110 north and southbound from Cervantes Street to Chase Street
- I-10 – East and westbound alternating lane closures from west of State Road (S.R.) 297 (Pine Forest Road /Exit7) to just west of west of U.S. 90 ( Scenic Highway/Exit 17) from 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15 to as crews make overhead signs repairs along the corridor
Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone. All planned construction activities are weather dependent and may be re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather.
$100K Donated To Escambia School District For Computer Science Programs
December 12, 2015
The Sansing Foundation is giving $100,000 to the Escambia County School District to increase computer science instruction in classes in all grade levels over the next two calendar years.
“As a business owner,” explained Sandy Sansing, “I am keenly aware of the importance of technology in the success of my employees and business. Every local student should have a chance to learn about computer science and technology. By starting early, students will have a foundation for success in any 21st century career.”
“Mr. Sandy Sansing has been a longtime friend of the Escambia County School District. His desire to see our children and our community prosper, by partnering with us to increase educational experiences for our students and teachers, is evidenced today,” Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said.
The first $50,000 of the grant funds will allow the district to do the following in 2016:
● Provide all elementary schools with materials to support participation in Science Olympiad, with EV3 Mindstorm core sets, and LabView Programming Software.
● Send seven district instructors to the Computer Science Teachers’ Association Conference next July.
● Provide the Robotics Academy at Pine Forest High School with Arduinos Microcontroller kits (kits for building digital devices and interactive objects that can sense and control objects in the physical world).
● Bring AP Computer Science courses in selected high schools by training teachers for implementation during the next school year.
● Cover the cost for web development training for teachers from Tate, Washington, Pensacola, West Florida and Pine Forest High Schools to obtain certification this summer to teach HTML next year.
● And, cover the cost for web development training for teachers from Tate, Washington, Pensacola, West Florida and Pine Forest High Schools to obtain certification this summer to teach OCA: Java Script Programmer next year.
A second $50,000 grant donation will allow the district to build on these programs in 2017. The grant will be managed by the ECSD Workforce Education Department.
“Our Workforce instructors use their own training and technical certifications to prepare students to attain their computer science certifications,” said Dr. Michelle Taylor, ECSD’s director of Workforce Education. “We know that certifications help our graduates obtain employment, begin careers, and advance their education. The Sansing Foundation has been a catalyst for our district to take a big step forward in preparing students for STEM jobs in computer technology beginning at the elementary level and through increased rigor and opportunity at the high school level.”
All-Star Football Game Roster Released
December 12, 2015
On Friday, December 18, the best seniors from Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa Counties will play in the 12th Annual SUBWAY High School All-Star Football Game at Fort Walton Beach High School at 7 p.m. This year’s rosters and coaches were announced Friday
West Team (Escambia County)
Head coach: Mike Davis, Escambia
- Noah Simpson, Catholic
- Jakevis Wright, Catholic
- Billy Harris, Catholic
- Jabir Frye, Escambia
- Austin Travis, Escambia
- Jerrell Butler, Escambia
- Dajonte Donaldson, Escambia
- Corey Roberts, Escambia
- Emilio Maldonado, Escambia
- Gavin Grant, Northview
- Austin Whitehead, Northview
- Zach Holland, Northview
- Sed Smith, Pensacola
- Torrance Hackworth, Pensacola
- Calif Gossett, Pensacola
- De’Andre Norman, Pensacola
- Gage Miller, Pensacola
- Ty Saulisberry, Pensacola
- Brandon Bell, Pensacola
- James Mallory, Pensacola
- Airon Carmack, Pine Forest
- Jamarqus Miller, Pine Forest
- Keshawn Showers, Pine Forest
- Sawyer Smith, Tate
- Reggie Payne, Tate
- Gavin McNally, Tate
- Alonte Thompson, Tate
- Dee Thompson, Tate
- Dallas Ditto, Tate
- Monty Brown, Tate
- Tyree Jackson, Washington
- Jay’Veon Bryant, Washington
- Josh Settimio, Washington
- Corey Montgomery, Washington
- Adarius Purifoy, West Florida
- Javen Jackson, West Florida
- Braden Richardson, West Florida
- Victor Hill, West Florida
- Ricky Richardson, West Florida
- Shedrick Robinson, West Florida
- Tino Espinoza, West Florida
East Team (Okaloosa and Santa Rosa County)
Head coach: Chris Nemith, Gulf Breeze
- Jon Beck, Baker
- Montae Barto, Baker
- Dakota Blackburn, Baker
- Leonard Ellis, Baker
- Austin Davis, Baker
- Jake Fairly, Choctaw
- Kholbe Dorsey, Choctaw
- Gabe Estes, Choctaw
- Richard Grant, Choctaw
- Marcus Flavors, Crestview
- Marcus Mobley, Crestview
- Antonio Marshall, Fort Walton Beach
- Jaquille Merriel, Fort Walton Beach
- Ricky Alexander, Gulf Breeze
- Chase Blake, Gulf Breeze
- T.J. Brbaker, Gulf Breeze
- Braden Cross, Jay
- Victor Mishoe, Jay
- Shemar Henderson, Milton
- Kobi Floyd, Milton
- Jordan Rich, Milton
- Ben Coulter, Milton
- Hassan Williams, Navarre
- Brent Short, Navarre
- Corey Capenia, Navarre
- Nathan McMaster, Navarre
- Anthony Miller, Navarre
- Jay Klosinski, Navarre
- Tommy Leggett, Navarre
- Ryan Diamco, Navarre
- Kini Makaneole, Niceville
- Gavin Green, Niceville
- Chandler Weeks, Niceville
- Scott Armfield, Niceville
- Ty Oxford, Pace
- Logan Guerrero, Pace
- Will Bercot, Pace
- Chandler Hines, Pace
- A.J. Nash, Pace
- David Mareno, Rocky Bayou
- Ian Hall, Rocky Bayou
Pictured top: Northview quarterback Gavin Grant. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Guns Targeted In Domestic Violence, Stalking Cases
December 12, 2015
A House Democrat on Friday proposed a bill that would require people under injunctions for domestic violence, stalking or cyberstalking to quickly give up their guns. The bill would add to requirements in a law that already makes it a misdemeanor for people to have guns if injunctions are issued against them because of domestic violence, stalking or cyberstalking.
The bill, filed for the 2016 legislative session by Rep. Alan Williams, D-Tallahassee, would allow police officers to immediately require the relinquishment of guns when serving protective orders in such cases. If police officers don’t make such requests, the bill would require guns to be turned over within 24 hours to law-enforcement agencies or federally licensed firearms dealers. The guns would be returned or face disposal after protective orders expire.
by The News Service of Florida
Earnestine Gunn
December 12, 2015
Mrs. Earnestine Gunn, age 80, passed away on December 11, 2015, in Walnut Hill.
Mrs. Earnestine was a native of Atmore. Mrs. Gunn was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a member of the Christian Home Church. She is preceded in death by her husband, Walter Eugene Gunn; and son, Carl E. Gunn.
She is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Gunn Turner of Walnut Hill; and son, William Mark Gunn of Walnut Hill; two brothers, Hubert Brown and Jerry Brown; six grandchildren, Crystal Gunn, Travis Gunn, Amber Ryder, Abbie Hockett, Corporal USMC Seth A. Turner and Garrett Turner; three great-grandchildren, John William Justic, Cableaux Gunn, and Mason Nahkala.
Funeral services will be Monday, December 14, 2015, at 10 a.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Ricky Peebles officiating.
Burial will follow at the Oak Grove Cemetery.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes in charge of all arrangements.
Alma Adelaide Everette (Smith) Miles
December 12, 2015
Alma Adelaide Everette (Smith) Miles, 94 of Atmore, passed away on December 9, 2015, in Jay. She was a sewing supervisor for Escambia Vanity Fair Mills for many years, then worked as quality control supervisor for Vanity Fair Mills in Graceville, FL until her retirement, where she returned to Atmore to reside. She was born in Finchburg, AL (Monroe County) to the late Jessie E. and Georgia Mae Turberville Everette, Sr. She loved to quilt and was a member of a local quilting club for several years. She was a member of Brooks Memorial Baptist church and she loved attending Sunday School with Mr. Carlton Sharpless as her teacher.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Gene Miles; her son, Bobby Gene Smith; grandson-in-law, Rich Dykes; two sisters, Quida E. Calendar and Bobbie Spain; five brothers, Joe P. Everette, Willard O. Everette, Jessie E. Everette, Jr., Samuel Smith Everette, and Grover Everette.
Survivors include her daughter-in-law, Katie W. Smith of Atmore; two granddaughters, Donna S. Dykes of Trusseville, AL and Kathy S. (Steve) Reid of Atmore; six great-grandchildren, Blake, Sara Beth, Anna Claire, Kolten, Chase and Kortney; two great-great-grandchildren, Ryder and Harper; one brother, Gordon E. (Jettie) Everette of Daphne; and nieces and nephews.
Graveside services were held Friday, December 11, 2015, in Oak Hill Cemetery with Rev. Robert Heard and Bro. David Taylor officiating.
Interment was in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Mattie Likolehua Kittrell
December 12, 2015
Mattie Likolehua Kittrell, age 80, passed away on Friday, December 11, 2015, surrounded by her family. She was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. She was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who made sure to pass down her Hawaiian heritage to all of them. Mattie was of Catholic faith. She enjoyed gardening and singing.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Omer and Zenobia Littrell; and her brother, Omer Littrell, Jr.
She is survived by her sons, John (Theresa) Kittrell Jr. and Kelvin Kittrell; daughter, Charna (Jack) Rainey; grandsons, John Kittrell, III and Weston Nelson; granddaughters, Kattie Kittrell Rule, Natasha Nelson, Kimberly Kittrell Fuqua, Leilani Kittrell and Lehua Kittrell; and six great-grandchildren. She was deeply loved by all and will be truly missed.
The family will receive friends from 12 p.m. until 1 p.m. on Wednesday, December 16, 2015, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North. Services will follow at 1 p.m.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.