FWC Law Enforcement Report
October 13, 2015
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending October 8 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officers Pettey, Barnard and Livesay were working dove hunting. After hearing multiple shots, the officers found four hunters hunting over a baited field. The hunters were hunting near an active corn feeder and wheat was also spread on the field. The four hunters were charged with hunting migratory birds over bait.
Lieutenant Hahr was patrolling in the Perdido River Wildlife Management Area when he encountered a couple parked on management area property after legal entry hours. When he made contact with them, he observed evidence of drug use. A search revealed cannabis, THC “dabs”, hash oil, methamphetamine, and various drug paraphernalia. The driver of the vehicle admitted to possession of the items and was arrested and transported to the Escambia County Jail. Charges included possession
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
No information submitted for Santa Rosa County.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
Driver Cited, Company Fined For Dump Truck Versus School Bus Wreck
October 13, 2015
An Escambia County company is facing thousands of dollars in penalties and a driver cited on multiple charges for a wreck involving a school bus and Mack dump truck in late August.
The Florida Highway Patrol Bureau Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement conducted a compliance review of G.B. Green Construction Management and Consulting. The review found multiple civil violations that resulted in $14,555 in civil penalties. The driver of the dump truck, Abraham Larry, Jr. was charged with traffic violations for failure to obey a red light and expired registration. He was also issued faulty equipment violations for brakes and tires.
The bus loaded with students from Pensacola High School was hit by the company’s dump truck on August 27.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 16 students were transported to area hospitals, two as “trauma alerts”. The FHP said bus driver Harriet Collins, 27, along with 22 students and a driver’s assistant were westbound on Jordan Street attempting to cross Pace Boulevard.
A Mack dump truck being driven by Larry, Jr., age 33 of Pensacola, was traveling north on Pace Boulevard. The dump truck driven by Larry ran the red light at the intersection of Jordan Street on collided with the left rear side of the school bus. The collision caused the school bus to overturn and strike a utility pole, coming to final rest on its right side.
Tire photos courtesy Andrew McKay, NewsRadio 1620 for NorthEscambia.com. Other photos are NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Learn Quilting For Beginners At The Molino Library
October 13, 2015
Cena Harmon will teach the basics of hand quilting at the Molino Branch Library in a two part series.
In part one at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, October 20, at 6 p.m. participants will discuss how to chose patterns and fabrics, and look at how to use basic tools. In part two of the series on Tuesday, October 27, at 6 p.m., attendees will start piecing together their quilt.
Both classes will be held in Room 123. The Molino Branch Library is located in the Molino Community Center at 6450 Highway 95A. For more information, call the Molino Branch Library at (850) 435-1760 .
Scott Calls For ‘Career In A Year’ Funding
October 13, 2015
Saying he wants to spend $20 million to help technical schools respond quickly to employer needs, Gov. Rick Scott on Monday began what is likely to be a stream of announcements about his upcoming budget proposal.
Scott’s office said 48 technical colleges and centers would be eligible for competitive grants, which would be geared toward programs that could be completed in less than 52 weeks. The “Career in a Year” initiative would include programs like licensed practical nursing, which takes 45 weeks and has 2,361 openings in Florida, and welding, a 39-week program that could offer a path to one of 583 jobs.
“Our technical centers do a great job preparing students for a career in just one year,” Scott said in a statement issued by his office. “We know the workers of tomorrow are in our classrooms today — and advanced workforce training at our technical centers will help our students receive the skills they need to be competitive in the global market.”
The governor also promoted the program at stops in Orlando and Miami.
State officials said such a grant program could help lure additional industries and employers to the state. Scott built his initial campaign for governor five years ago on his ability to bring jobs to Florida and has since focused heavily on that purpose — sometimes to the extent of ignoring other responsibilities, critics say.
“The rapid response grant will enable the technical centers to respond quickly with technical training in support of new and emerging occupations which are a direct result of the governor’s efforts to grow and diversify the industries in Florida,” said Marsan Carr, executive director of the Florida Association for Career and Technical Education, in a statement issued through Scott’s office.
Scott recently has pushed for lawmakers to eliminate the sales tax on manufacturing equipment, following a three-year moratorium that the Legislature approved in 2013. The tax is scheduled to return in 2017. Scott last year projected that companies would have to pay $142.5 million annually if the tax is again collected. Also, he has pushed for legislators to give more funding for economic-development incentives.
But Monday’s announcement marked the first new initiative for Scott’s proposed budget, which will be considered by lawmakers during the 2016 legislative session.
The announcement is one of several that Scott is likely to make before unveiling his full spending plan for the budget year that begins July 1. The final announcement is expected before the annual session starts in January.
Scott could float another proposal Wednesday, when he is set to meet with editors and reporters from across the state at an annual event hosted by the Associated Press. The governor has sometimes used the gathering to reveal his entire budget proposal, but this year’s event comes earlier than usual because lawmakers will begin the session in January instead of the traditional March start date.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Camp Fire Kids Learn Fire Safety From Escambia Fire Rescue
October 13, 2015
The crew of Engine 519 from the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue recently stopped by the Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center. The children learned about fire safety, what to do if there is a fire at their home, and what a fireman looks like in full gear. They also had the chance to get up close with a fire truck and sit inside. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate, PCA Top Cross Meet With Northview, Flomaton, EWMS, Jay, PHS, Miller
October 13, 2015
Tate High and Pensacola Christian topped a recent cross county meet at Northview High School.
Schools in attendance were Central, Ernest Ward, Flomaton, Jay, Northview, Pensacola Christian Academy, Pensacola High, Tate and TR Miller. There were 150 total runners.
150 Total Runners
Fastest Girl- Kaitlyn Boschman from PCA 19:46
Fastest boy- Hunter Stewart from PCA 17:41
Girls Overall Teams
- Tate
- TR Miller
- Pensacola Christian Academy
- Jay
- Pensacola High
- Northview
- Central
- Ernest Ward
Boys Overall Teams
- Pensacola Christian Academy
- TR Miller
- Flomaton
- Tate
- Pensacola High
- Northview
- Central
- Ernest Ward
Top 5 Runners for each School
Northview Girls
- Moriah McGahan 24:11
- Bethany Reynolds 29:28
- Rebekah Amerson 29:55
- Lexxi Baggett 29:59
- Hannah McGahan 31:17
Northview Boys
- Brandon Korinchak 18:35
- Tanner Levins 21:02
- Oscar Rodriguez 21:30
- Adrian King 23:25
- James Ates 23:53
Tate Girls
- Avery Royer 21:28
- Carley Pope 21:29
- Hannah Wellen Kemp21:30
- McKenna Royer 21:33
- Emma Shows 22:43
Tate Boys
- Travis Carlson 18:39
- Micah Flores 19:12
- Andrew Pollite 19:33
- Tailand Mitchell 19:51
- Tanner McDaniel 19:57
Pensacola High Girls
- Olivia Spine 23:39
- Ashley Burrough 24:49
- May Longborne 25:49
- Genevieve Green 25:50
- Melanie Cook 28:19
Pensacola High Boys
- Justin Polk 20:10
- River Loggen 20:12
- Keegan 21:20
- AJ Pompanen 22:24
- Elliott Springer 22:25
Central Girls
- Camryn Gillard 24:49
- Christine Clark 25:19
- Alexis Clark 27:07
- Elizabeth Singleton 39:35
- Sam Singleton 40:37
Central Boys
- Daniel Griswald 20:40
- Dalton Lewis 20:50
- Sean Taylor 25:50
- Logan O’Berry 26:42
- Ben Paul 29:05
Jay Girls
- Hannah White 22:24
- Jillian Thornton 23:27
- Grace Gillman 25:41
- Laryn Kimmons 25:50
- Katie Stanford 28:26
Clear, 49 Tonight
October 13, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 49. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 50. Calm wind.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 53. Calm wind.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 56. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 76. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 51. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 73.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 73.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 54.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.
Atmore Home Heavily Damaged By Fire
October 12, 2015
Fire heavily damaged a home in the 200 block of Liberty Street in Atmore this morning. There were no injuries. NorthEscambia.com photo.
State Agency Wants Century’s Last Doctor Out Of Old Hospital
October 12, 2015
A State of Florida agency has ordered the last doctor in Century out of a former hospital he’s leased since early 2006.
In a letter dated August 26, Century Health Care Access (CHCA) and Dr. Christian Bachman, president of CHCA and physician for Mayo Street Medical, were ordered to vacate the old Century Hospital facility by the end of September by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, current owners of 25,000 square foot building on Mayo Street.
“I don’t understand why they (DEP) have done this. We had a 50 year lease on the building, and received a 30 day notice to vacate. Even if we wanted to leave, we couldn’t do it in that amount of time. With the Hope and Health Clinic just closing in Century, and no other doctor in town, CHCA and Mayo Street Medical can’t depart without leaving hundreds of people without vital medical care. This is wrong.” Located just across the street, the non-profit Health and Hope Clinic shut down on October 1 due to a lack of funding.
While Bachman is the only doctor that practices in town on a regular basis, Baptist Medical Group, formally Century Medical Center, operates a primary care facility in Century that is staffed by nurse practitioner Georgia W. Agrait, GNP.
In the letter to Bachman, Cheryl C. McCall, chief of the Bureau of Public Land Administration Division of State Lands for DEP, wrote that the eviction was due to a violation of lease terms due to violations of Florida Life Safety Code and National Fire Protection Code.
In addition, DEP’s letter said CHCA had violated other terms of the lease, including:
- Purpose — the leased premises shall only be used for the establishment and operation of a health care facility
- Unauthorized Use — the lessee shall prevent the unauthorized use the leased premises or any use in violation of the lease
- Right of Inspection — the state or representatives have the right to inspect the leased premises
- Insurance Requirements – the lessee must maintain fire, extended risk and liability insurance naming the State of Florida as co-insured.
- Maintenance of Improvements — the lessee must maintain the property and an improvements in good condition.
Century Health Care Access acquired the lease for the Old Century Hospital in 2006 when a concerned group of citizens from Century formed a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing medical care to the community of Century and surrounding areas. They now host Mayo Street Medical, a family medical clinic which opened in late 2014 with Dr. Bachman at the helm, and previously hosted Century Family Practice, which closed in late 2013.
Bachman said the practice now provides primary medical services for hundreds of patients throughout Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. He has a reputation for seeing patients regardless of their ability to pay, and he’s even known for making house calls.
“We have had a very difficult time,” said CHCA Office manager, Mary Gilson. “It is hard to run a medical clinic in an area where many people have Medicaid or are uninsured. We are struggling anyway, and if we lose the building we lose our ability to stay open. We can’t afford to move locations even if we had another location to move to – and we don’t. The people of Century desperately need us because many simply can’t afford to go elsewhere. I understand that the government has rules, regulations, and procedures, but evicting us now is madness.”
The letter from DEP gave CHCA until noon on September 30 to vacate the building. Now that the deadline has passed, there’s no concrete answer from DEP as to what their next step may be.
“The department is determining its next step,” Lori Elliot, press secretary for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection told NorthEscambia.com in an email on Friday.
“They will have to send in the sheriff to drag us out of here. We have a commitment to our community and to our patients,” Allison Mills, Bachman’s director of nursing said.
Pictured top: The former Century Hospital, constructed in 1965, on Mayo Street in Century. Pictured inset: Dr.Christian Bachman at his desk in the medical center. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Man Wanted For Attempted Murder Following Bar Shooting
October 12, 2015
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is seeking a Century man on an attempted murder charge follow a late Sunday night shooting at a Century bar.
Deputies and Escambia County EMS were called to Odom’s Bar on North Century Boulevard at the Alabama state line about 11:50 p.m.
According to witnesses, Kendrick Jamar Washington shot David Darnell McCall following an argument over Washington’s girlfriend. McCall was transported first by private vehicle to D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton and later to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola where he was treated for a gunshot wound to his head.
Washington is a 27-year-old black male who is approximately 5-foot, 10-inches and 190 pounds. He has black hair, brown eyes, gold teeth and numerous tattoos. He sometimes goes by the alias of Cortez Washington and has several nicknames including “Candyman”, “Trap Star”, and “Gold Mouth”. He is wanted for attempted homicide and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and has a bond of $750,000.
His last known address is 6711 Jefferson Avenue in Century, but he is known to frequent his girlfriend’s home in Foley. Investigators said he may be in the company of his girlfriend, Lauren Ashley Rose New. New is a 20-year-old white female who is approximately 5-foot, 5-inches and 137 pounds. She is wanted for questioning only in connection with the incident.
Investigators would also like to question 30-year-old D’Antonio Keith Warren of Pensacola in connection with the incident. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said it is important to note that New and Warren are wanted for questioning only and are not suspected of any crime at the present.
Anyone with the knowledge of the whereabouts of the three individuals or the incident should call Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.