Sheriff’s Office Clean Sweep Today In Cottage Hill
May 21, 2015
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a Clean Sweep in the Cottage Hill area this morning.
The Clean Sweep will begin at the Cottage Hill Baptist Church at 230 Williams Ditch Road and concentrate on the area east of Highway 95, McKenzie Road, Williams Ditch Road and Eden Lane.
The focus of “Operation Clean Sweep” is to work with Neighborhood Watch groups, residents, churches and business owners to control and prevent the damaging effects of criminal activity, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Northview Grad Robinson Signs Pensacola State Basketball Scholarship
May 21, 2015
Neino Robinson, a 2014 graduate of Northview High School, signed a basketball scholarship Wednesday with Pensacola State College.
The Florida Association of Basketball Coaches named Robinson to the 2013-2014 Boys Class 1A All-State first team.
Robinson, was the only public school player from Escambia County named to any of the associations’ all-state teams in an classification. Players were selected based on in-person evaluations, a review of all-area teams selected by media from around the state, and recognition from the Florida Association of Basketball Coaches.
The Florida Association of Basketball Coaches includes coaches from the high school, junior college and four-year college levels.
One Charged In Jay Burglaries
May 21, 2015
One person has been charged after three nearby businesses were burglarized on Commerce Street in Jay.
Joshua Gay was arrested Wednesday evening in connection with the smash and grab type burglaries. He was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail with bond set at $76,250.
The glass front door of “Jack’s Vapor” was smashed, and the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office said Gay was also responsible for burglaries at the Farmer’s Country Market and a convenience store. Investigators said groceries, soda and a roll of pennies were stolen.
Kim Vansant
May 21, 2015
Kim Vansant, born May 20,1958, was a loving mother to Sandy Rainwater and partner in life with Gary Rainwater.
After serving her community in Rome, GA for many years as a nurse she moved to Christian Home, FL and spent her days serving her family and raising her daughter, of whom she was extremely proud. Watching Nascar races and working to support Northview High School filled Kim’s days with excitement. Marveling at her talented daughter twirling flaming batons filled many Friday nights while she waited on the sidelines eager to douse the flame.
Her own flame diminished too quickly on May 18,2015, for those that loved her, but the residual heat from her loving nature will be felt for years to come. A woman who valued friends and family, she was loved by many and will be truly missed.
Kim is survived by her daughter, Sandy Rainwater and life partner, Gary Rainwater; brothers, Tony and Mark Vansant; and a slew of nieces and nephews.
Kim was proceeded in death by her brother, Jerry Vansant, along with her parents.
A service celebrating Kim’s life will be held Saturday, May 23, 2015 at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Bratt.
Mississippi Downs Pensacola
May 21, 2015
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Mississippi Braves played five games that all went down to the wire at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
If you didn’t care who won, it was entertaining baseball. Die hard Blue Wahoos fans, though, left disappointed.
This time the Braves scored four runs on four hits in the top of the ninth inning to go ahead and win, 5-2, in front of 3,207 fans Wednesday. Mississippi took the series, 3-2.
The first three games between the two teams were all decided by one run.
“We’ve played some really good ball games,” said Pensacola Manager Pat Kelly of his team that fell to 17-23 and remain in fourth place in the Southern League South Division. “We had a chance to win all five. Mississippi is a good ball club and we stayed even with them.”
Pensacola center fielder Beau Amaral lined what looked like the game-winning, solo home run just over the right field wall in the seventh inning that put the Blue Wahoos ahead, 2-1. Amaral went 3-5 on the night with a stolen base, his fourth of the season.
However, Mississippi chased Pensacola reliever Zack Weiss in the ninth when first baseman Corban Joseph singled to drive in two runs to put the Braves up, 3-2. Then center fielder Mallex Smith singled to drive in two more with two out, making the final score, 5-2.
Mississippi scored first in the second inning with two out when starting Pensacola pitcher Wandy Peralta walked two and then gave up a single to second baseman Eric Garcia that drove in third baseman Rio Ruiz to go ahead, 1-0.
Blue Wahoos catcher Yovan Gonzalez scored in the third inning to tie the game, 1-1, on second baseman Ryan Wright’s single to center.
Peralta threw six innings of two-hit ball and gave up just one run but he walked six batters.
“When he continues to control his emotions he can stay in the ball game,” Kelly said. “Earlier this season, if he threw nine straight balls, he never would have finished that inning.”
Escambia Holds Hurricane Drill
May 21, 2015
A hurricane drill was held Wednesday at the Escambia County Emergency Operations Center, giving local officials a chance to practice their response to a hurricane slamming into the Escambia County. Hurricane season begins June 1. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Republican Congressmen Call For LIP Extension
May 21, 2015
A dozen Republicans in Florida’s congressional delegation — including Jeff Miller — sent a letter this week to President Barack Obama calling for continuation of the Low Income Pool health-funding program. The letter from U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and 11 U.S. House members took issue with efforts by the federal Department of Health and Human Services to link funding for the LIP program with an expansion of Medicaid in Florida.
The $2.2 billion Low Income Pool program, which is scheduled to expire June 30, sends additional money to hospitals and other providers that care for large numbers of uninsured patients.
Uncertainty about the future of the so-called LIP program has played a key role in a budget impasse in the state Legislature.
In the letter to Obama, the congressional Republicans described linking LIP to Medicaid expansion as an “inappropriate overreach” and listed major hospitals that would be hit hard by a loss of LIP money.
“The well-being of Florida’s low-income families will remain in jeopardy until your administration approves funding for these vital health services,” said the letter from Rubio and congressmen Vern Buchanan, Jeff Miller, John Mica, Dennis Ross, Gus Bilirakis, Ron DeSantis, Ted Yoho, Rich Nugent, Mario Diaz-Balart, Carlos Curbelo and Tom Rooney.
by The News Service of Florida
Jeffrey L. Slade
May 21, 2015
Jeffrey L. Slade, age 53, of Jay, passed away on May 19, 2015, after a lengthy illness. He was a member of Jay United Methodist Church and was very active in church fellowship and activities. He was a loving husband, father, brother, and friend to those he met.
He is preceded in death by his parents, John Rupert and Marlene Slade.
Jeffrey is survived by his wife of 29 years, Marybeth Slade; daughters, Ashley Slade, Trinity Slade, and Linda Slade; brothers, Randy (Michelle) Slade and Gary Slade; father-in-law, Wallace Diamond; brother-in-law, Ed (Margaret) Diamond; sister-in-law, Amanda (Douglas) Ard; niece, Kristen Slade; two nephews, Cory Slade and Will Diamond; and close friends we consider as family, Wanda and Billy Boutwell and Johnny and Beverly Johnson.
A visitation will be held on Sunday, May 24, 2015, from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. at Jay United Methodist Church.
Funeral services will begin at 3 p.m. with Pastor Ebb Hagen and Pastor Laura Weant officiating.
Burial will follow at Cora Baptist Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Cory Slade, Bryan Ellis, Devin Thompson, Will Diamond, Allen McLeod, and JD Diamond.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Bond Set For Century Homicide Suspect; Trial Continued
May 20, 2015
A Century man accused in a January 31 shooting death in Century was due to appear in court Tuesday, but his trial has now been continued and a bond amount has been set.
Jaran Britt Myles, 20, remains jailed on charges of negligent manslaughter and aggravated assault for the shooting death 20-year old Jonathan Wilson. Two counts of kidnapping originally filed against Myles have been dropped. His bond is now set at $260,000; he was previously being held without bond.
Myles is due to appear in court again in mid-July.
One witness told deputies that “Run Run”, later identified as Myles, pulled out a gun and asked him if he was scared of it before taking the magazine out of the weapon and pointing it him. Myles then pulled the trigger of the gun, without the magazine, but it “dry fired”, he said.
The witness said Myles then pointed the gun to Wilson’s head after loading the magazine back into the gun. Wilson then adjusted the height of the gun to his head, “correcting the placement of the gun pointed at him,” an arrest report states. The witness said when Wilson let go of the gun, Myles pulled the trigger and shot Wilson in the head.
Witness first told investigators that Myles then stuck the gun in a witness’ ribs then pointed it at a second witness, ordering the witness to drive him home. But that part of the witness’ story did not occur, Assistant State Attorney James Parker said, leading prosecutors to drop the kidnapping charges. The two witnesses did drive Myles away from the shooting scene to his nearby residence on Backwoods Road, but Myles never pointed a gun at them or forced them, Parker said.
The State Attorney’s Office reached its conclusion after further interviews with witnesses, Parker said. At this point, there are no plans to file any charges against the witnesses.
Myles has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Scattered Daily Rain Continues
May 20, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. West wind around 5 mph.
Thursday
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Friday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Saturday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southeast wind around 5 mph
Sunday
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88.
Sunday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Memorial Day
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87.
Monday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Tuesday
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86.