Man Charged In Century Drive-by Shooting
May 29, 2015
A Century man was arrested Thursday night in connection with a drive-by shooting earlier this month in Century.
Jermain Lavelle Smith, 29, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, firing into a dwelling, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, criminal mischief with property damage and resiting arrest with violence. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $1,355,000.
A resident of Archie Street called the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office on May 18 to report that they had found bullet holes in their home. One bullet hole through a front window was easily visible from the street as deputies and a crime scene technician conducted their investigation.
There were no injuries reported.
Pictured top: A bullet hole through the window of an Archie Street home in Century. Pictured below: The May 18 investigation into a reported drive-by shooting in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Unpaid Property Taxes Due Today
May 29, 2015
All 2014 unpaid real estate taxes must be paid today to avoid a tax certificate being issued, which is a first lien against the property. Over 11,000 accounts totaling $10 million remain unpaid at last report from Tax Collector Janet Holley.
Payments must be received and processed by close of business on Friday, May 29:
- in person at one of three branch offices;
- online at www.escambiataxcollector.com; or
- through the phone service center (850) 438-6500 ext. 3252.
Late payments will be returned for additional fees.
Drive thru service and drop boxes are available at all locations:
- Downtown, 213 Palafox Place
- Molino, 6440 Highway 95A, Suite A
- Marcus Pointe, 6451 North W Street
Taxpayers may check the status of their taxes online at www.escambiataxcollector.com or call (850) 438-6500 ext. 3252 for more information.
Fire Damages Cantonment Apartment
May 29, 2015
There were no major injuries reported in an apartment fire Thursday night in Cantonment. The kitchen fire was reported about 8:30 p.m. at the Grantwood Apartments in the 1700 block of Batson Lane. The fire was mostly out when the first fire units arrived on scene, and was contained to one apartment. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Two Now Charged With Jay Burglaries
May 29, 2015
Two people have now been charged with a multiple business burglary spree in Jay.
During the overnight hours of May 20, several businesses including the Farmer’s Country Market, Exprezit and Jack’s Vapor Store were burglarized. Two individuals were observed on store surveillance breaking into the businesses and taking items.
Witnesses reported seeing merchandise from the stores in a nearby wooded area and reported it to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.
Joshua Ryder Gay, 18, and Jonathan Richard Hill, 25, are accused of stealing over $3,000 worth of merchandise while causing over $5,000 in property damage during the break-ins. They are both charged with burglary, larceny and criminal mischief with property damage. Their bonds were set at $81,250 each.
Tate High Names Top Graduates, Presents Senior Awards
May 29, 2015
Tate High School has named their top graduates and presented senior awards Thursday night for the Class of 2015.
Hannah Erin Philips was named valedictorian with a final GPA of 5.075. This year, she was president of the National Honor Society, the Mu Alpha Theta secretary, and the Science Honor Society treasurer. She is an active member of the Marcus Pointe Baptist youth group and has participated in several missionary trips. Hannah is a National Merit Finalist and has received a full ride scholarship to Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. She plans to major in biomedical science and will pursue a career in dentistry.
Sarah Ashley Colburn was name salutatorian with a final GPA of 4.9765. She was the Rho Kappa president, National Science Honor Society president, the National Honor Society secretary, and the Mu Alpha Theta treasurer. She is a four year varsity tennis player, and was the district runner up her junior year. She also is a four-year volunteer at Scenic Heights Elementary. She will attend the University of Florida and study chemical engineering.
Notable awards presented to the Tate High Class of 2015 Thursday night included:
Scholarships Awarded
- Fortis Institute
- Pensacola State College
- University of West Florida
- Troy University
- University of Southern Mississippi
- Auburn University
- University of Alabama
National Merit Finalist – Hannah Philips
National Merit Commended Scholar – Paxton Metcalf
Community Scholarships
- Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis, & Overholtz Champions of Justice $1000 Scholarhsip – Jenna Loomis
- First United Methodist Church of Pensacola Scholarship – Chad Ratliff
- Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union Scholarship – Steven Jennings
- Pensacola Civitan Club Citizenship Scholarship – Arah Hans Majors & Ethan Millet
- Poarch Band of Creek Indians Scholarship (Full tuition) – Sayra Mauldin
- Take Stock in Children Program Scholarship – Alex Richards & Hangnga Suon
- John E. Frenkel, Sr. Educational $1,000 Grant – Tristan Fromm & Carissa Carroll
Local Donors & Memorial Scholarships
- GRIT $1,000 Scholarship Sponsored by Jeff & Tammy Barnhill – James Wright
- The Bob Hemme Scholarship Sponsored by the PSRA – Jennifer Clyde
- The Michele W. Hill Foundation Scholarship – Jacob Howard
- Chris Williams $1000 History Memorial Scholarship – Emily Washler
- The Dillon Roberson Aggie Hero Award $500 Sponsored by Cantonment Grocery Advantage – Carissa Carroll
- The Michael D. Varner Memorial Science Scholarship $1000 – Jamie Hendren
The Top Ten Percent of the Tate High School Class of 2015 is as follows:
- Hannah Erin Philips – Valedictorian
- Sarah Ashley Colburn – Salutatorian
- Emily Rose Washler
- Chandler Weathers Cotton
- Taylor Arden Ertel
- Kayla Jaymes Dixon
- Hannah Bethany Hargett
- Brandon Lee Launstein
- Jamie Leigh Hendren
- Casey Ann McCrackin
- Paxton Murray Metcalf
- Marissa Sue Jackson
- Jacob Colin Howard
- Natalie Lauren Wright
- Alexis Kay Dixon
- Sarah Elizabeth Baxter
- Elizabeth Joan Werdann
- Emily Ann McAfee
- Taylor McKenzie Wynn
- Jonathan David Compton
- James Mercado Craft
- Gaylyn April Workman
- Elyse Kelalani Locke
- Jacob E. Richards
- Myranda Sue Kervin
- Justin Thomas Baker
- Valerie Louise Kennedy
- Steffany Louise Brown
- Julie Ann Menah
- Lauren Taylor Brennan
- Carolyn Maria Pearce
- Jenna Naveen Loomis
- Shakira Luqua Phillips
- Kristin Lea Wheeler
- Sarah Marie Rowzee
- Kathryn Lorraine Howard
- Sarah Marie Howard
- Marie Nicole McElveen
- Asia Rae McLeod
- Relashia Sharde’ Nicholson
- Nicholas Andrew Krostag
- Victoria Lynn VanScyoc
Jay Doctors Cleared Four Years After Federal, State Investigation Began
May 29, 2015
Two Jay doctors say they have been cleared of any wrongdoing, four years after their medical practice became the focus of a federal and state investigation and they were forced to surrender their licenses to prescribe narcotics.
Back in July 2011, the FBI, federal Drug Enforcement Agency, the Attorney General’s Office, the Florida Department of Health and Florida Department of Law Enforcement raided the Jay Medical Clinic Thursday as Florida Highway Patrol troopers stood guard outside the complex, which is located next to Jay Hospital. Federal and state agents seized patient records from Dr. C. David Smith and his son Dr. J. S. Michael Smith.
Now, Dr. David Smith says they have been cleared by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He also said the pair will soon be able to get back their licenses to prescribe narcotics from the DEA.
Pictured top: Federal and state agents were conducting a search at the Jay Medical Center during July 2011. Pictured top inset: A Florida Department of Law Enforcement officer questions a patient outside the complex. ictured below: Florida State Trooper Todd St. Clair turns away a Jay Medical Center patient during the 2011 raid. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Schools To Live Video Stream Graduations, Beginning With Northview
May 29, 2015
The Escambia County School District will be live streaming high school graduations this year, beginning Saturday with Northview High School.
Escambia County School District will be offering a chance to view seven 2015 high school graduations via live stream on the district’s home page.
“We are excited to offer this to our students’ family members who may not be able to travel to Pensacola for these milestone events,” said Malcolm Thomas, ECSD Superintendent. “This is the first time we have tried this and we plan to start the feed for each event about 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time to allow everyone time to access the feed from their computers at home, or from out of town.”
“We are especially proud to try this for military family members who are stationed overseas or forward deployed,” Thomas added.
The link to each graduation live stream can be found by clicking here. The video can be watched for free on almost any computer, smart phone, smart TV and many other devices.
Graduations with live video streams will be held as follows:
- Northview High School — May 30, 2015, 4:00 p.m., Northview High Gym
- Booker T. Washington High School – Jun 1, 2015, 11 a.m. — Pensacola Bay Center
- Pensacola High School – June 1, 2:30 p.m. — Pensacola Bay Center
- Escambia High School – June 1, 6 p.m. — Pensacola Bay Center
- Pine Forest High School – June 2, 11 a.m. — Pensacola Bay Center
- West Florida High School — June 2, 2:30 p.m. — Pensacola Bay Center
- Tate High School — June 2, 6 p.m. — Pensacola Bay Center
Pictured: Northview Class of 2014 graduates at Northview High School. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Northview High Names 2015 Honors Graduates
May 29, 2015
Northview High School named their honors graduates during Thursday night’s 2015 Senior Awards Night.
Valedictorian of the Class of 2015 is Kyndall Lauren Hall, and salutatorian is Samantha Elizabeth Sharpless. A total of 29 students were named honors graduates with a final GPA of 3.5 or above.
The Northview High School Class of 2015 graduates at 4 p.m. Saturday in the school gym.
(Scroll down to see all honors graduate photos and names)
Summa Cum Laude (4.0 GPA and above) are:
1. Kyndall Lauren Hall -Valedictorian
2. Samantha Elizabeth Sharpless – Salutatorian
3. Matthew Ryan Chavers
4. Mallory Mason Ryan
5. Tristan Taylor Brown
6. Julie Beth Hester
7. Jessica Leigh McCullough
8. Megan Paige Bryan
9. Austin Blake Cunningham
10. Aaron Thomas McDonald
11. Tristan Hunter Portwood
12. Kendal Brooke Cobb
13. Desiree Nicole Elliard
14. Kristen Renae Byrd
Magna Cum Laude graduates (3.85 or higher) are:
15. Kelton Joe Wooten
16. Charmayne Mishanna Fountain
17. Joshua Joseph Borelli
18. Kamryn Denise Brock
19. Hannah Elizabeth Gibson
Cum Laude (3.5 and above) graduates are:
20. Shania Lynn Ward
21. Penny Nicole Banda
22. Adriann Dawn Lee
23. Jaylen Malik Parker
24. Morgan Maxine Ward
25. Rachel Caroline Sepulveda
26. Rickey Heath Smith
27. E’layzha Rikiah Bates
28. Madison Ma’clay McGhee
29. Holly Merlice Cofield
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Chiefs Schedule Summer Baseball Camp
May 29, 2015
The Northview Chiefs have scheduled a Summer Baseball Camp .
The camp will be held June 1-4 and June 8-11 from 9 a.m. until noon. The cost is $150 for the two-week camp.
For more information and to register, click here.
Braves Beat The Wahoos
May 29, 2015
Mississippi Braves pitcher Tyrell Jenkins loaded the bases in the first two innings against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos in Thursday’s game at Trustmark Park.
But the Atlanta Braves No. 9 prospect according to MLB.Pipeline.com got out of both jams by allowing just two runs and the Braves went on to win the game, 4-2, ending Pensacola’s two game winning streak.
Jenkins loaded the bases by walking the first three Blue Wahoos he faced. Seth Mejias-Brean singled with one out to right field to score Zach Vincej to put Pensacola ahead, 1-0.
In the second inning, he loaded them again on singles by Pensacola catcher Cam Maron and center fielder Beau Amaral and a walk.
However, Jenkins benefited from a double play on a sacrifice fly by Zach Vincej that scored Maron, putting Pensacola up, 2-0.
Mississippi scored all of four of its runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to improve Jenkins’ record to 4-2 on the year with a 3.00 ERA. The tall righty from Texas pitched five innings, allowing four hits, two runs, five walks and five strikeouts, including top Pensacola hitter Kyle Waldrop with the bases loaded in the first.
The Braves loaded the bases in the fifth and right fielder David Rohm drove in two with a one-out single to center, which tied the game 2-2. Then with two out, second baseman Corban Joseph doubled to left field to score two more and give Mississippi a 4-2 lead.
Amaral led the Blue Wahoos lineup, going 2-4 and is now 3-9 in the first two games of the five-game series with Mississippi with a run scored and his fifth stolen base of the year.
Pensacola fell to 21-26 on the year, while Mississippi improved to 25-21 in the Southern League South Division.
Ryan Wright pinch hit in the eighth inning and flied out to end his hitting streak at 10 games. Wright batted .326 (15-46) with eight RBIs and two doubles during his streak.
Mejias-Brean is hitting .361 (22-61) in the past 16 games after going 1-4, and knocking in his 20th run of the season.