Overturned Concrete Mixer Truck Snarls Traffic For Hours
April 5, 2016
An overturned concrete mixer truck snarled traffic for hours on Davis Highway and I-110 in Pensacola Monday afternoon.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 57-year old Arnold Prisco of Summerdale, AL, exited I-10 at Davis Highway. When he turned his 2001 model concrete mixed truck to the right and attempted to change lanes, he swerved to avoid traffic, causing the dump truck to overturn.
The overturned truck blocked two lanes of traffic, and additional lanes were blocked as a crane was used to right the wreckage.
Prisco was cited for violation of a traffic control device, according to the FHP.
4-H Members Plant First Pines At Molino Outdoor Education Center
April 5, 2016
Escambia County 4-H members recently planted the first pine trees as part of the 4-H Outdoor Education Center in Molino. Eventually, 10 acres of loblolly, long leaf and slash pine will be used for forestry demonstration on the property. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
UPDATE: Missing Girl Found Safe, Returned Home
April 4, 2016
UPDATE: THIS MISSING PERSON HAS BEEN FOUND SAFE IS BACK HOME.
Previous story:
Authorities are searching for a 12-year old girl missing from Schifko Road in the Barrineau Park area.
Faith Smith was last seen about 9 p.m. Friday. She left home with her black mini Schnauzer/poodle mix named “Shirley” and her laptop. She was last seen wearing a black hoodie and a carrying a white backpack with polka dots and her name “Faith” embroidered on it.
She is five-foot, four-inches tall, weighs 140 pounds and has a medium build with brown, shoulder length wavy hair and a fair complexion. Family members say she is in need of daily medication.
Smith is listed as a missing person by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call deputies at (850) 436-9620.
One Arrested In Murder Of Atmore Man
April 4, 2016
An Atmore man was shot and killed Friday, and one person has been charged with his murder.
About 11:15 Friday night, deputies responded to the 5800 block of Ross Road near Holman Prison where they found a man identified as 45-year old Waylon Daryl Mothershed on the ground, deceased from an apparent gunshot wound. The alleged shooter, 49-year old Jonathan Black Rager of Jackson, AL, was found by deputies sitting on the ground near the victim and a firearm.
According to the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office, the two men got into an argument, and witnesses said Rager shot Mothershed.
Rager was charged with an open count of murder and booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton.
Old Century High School To Be Demolished Due To Tornado Damage
April 4, 2016
The former Century High School and the football stadium on Hecker Road will be demolished due to tornado damage.
During the EF-3 tornado that struck Century on February 15, the main potion of the old high school was heavily damaged, with windows broken and window frames pushed inward. The football stadium, including the press box, was also structurally damaged.
Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said the district’s self insurance would likely pay for the demolition; however, the school district is negotiating with their insurance company on the damage to the football stadium and press box.
While windows have been removed from the main school building, which was constructed in 1937, a timetable for the complete demolition has not been set.
Pictured: The former Century High School on Hecker Road. NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flood Warning Continues For Escambia River
April 4, 2016
The flood warning for the Escambia River has been extended until Wednesday morning. Early Monday, the stage was 18.2 feet. Minor flooding was occurring; the flood stage is 17 feet. At 17 feet, considerable flooding of lowlands occurs; at 13 feet flooding of lowlands in the area occurs. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Tate High School Chaparrals Headed To Nationals This Week
April 4, 2016
The Tate High School Chaparrals recently competed in the WGI Southeastern Winter Guard Championships in Orlando.
There were a total of 65 color guards competing; 32 in Tate’s class.
The Chaparrals finished 14th in their class. The group includes seven juniors and seven underclassmen, but continues to compete alongside units from all over the country. They will compete in the WGI World Championships in Dayton, OH, on Thursday.
Members of the Tate High School Chaparrals are:
Caroline Bruns
Katie Dupre
Elizabeth Durazo
Celina Dyess
Breanna Langley
Carly Lawrence
Megan Leonard
Kendall Lombardo
Katy Luebke – Captain
Kayla Overbey
Madison Philley
Brenn Repine
Kelsey Strength
Makayla Tainter
Savannah VonStein
For Orlando performance photos, courtesy of Salle Dupre , click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview High Earns National Yearbook Design Recognition
April 4, 2016
Northview High School’s yearbook, Tribal Spirit, has been recognized for excellence and featured in the 2016 Jostens Look Book, celebrating the best-of-the-best in yearbook design and coverage. The Jostens Look Book is a collection of spreads and photos from outstanding yearbooks and their creative themes, cool covers, dazzling designs, relevant coverage, storytelling copy and action-packed photography.
Along with design excellence, the annually published Look Book honors the important role well-crafted yearbooks play in helping schools chronicle the experiences, stories and achievements most relevant to students and that academic year.
The Tribal Spirit was created by Co-Editors Jessica McCullough and Kamryn Brock along with staff members Bethany Reynolds, Jessica Amerson, Jordan Taylor, Bradley Van Pelt, David Weber, Destiny Watson, Elisabeth Amerson, Celeste North, and Haylee Weaver under the direction of Alison Robinson, Northview High School yearbook
The NHS Tribal Spirit yearbook was one of only 494 yearbooks selected from approximately 3,000. The 2016 panel of judges, comprised of nationally recognized scholastic journalism professionals and award-winning yearbook advisers, selected the best examples of yearbook spreads and covers to make up the 320-page 2016 Look Book.
“Yearbooks are unique, limited edition books created by students to capture the stories and events for all of the school’s students and Jostens is proud to celebrate the yearbook tradition and the 494 yearbooks selected for the 2016 Jostens Look Book, said Gary Lundgren, editor. “Today’s yearbooks are very sophisticated in terms of visual presentation and the relevant and inclusive content that is featured.”
Robinson and her yearbook staff received a copy of the 2016 Jostens Look Book and certificate from Jostens to recognize their outstanding achievement.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Public Meeting Scheduled For I-110 Master Plan
April 4, 2016
The Florida Department of Transportation will host a public kick-off meeting concerning the I-110 Master Plan from U.S. 98 (East Chase Street) to I-10 in Escambia County. The meeting will be held Tuesday, April 5, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Pensacola Grand at 200 East Gregory Street.
The purpose of this meeting is to present project information, outline the master planning process and present the project schedule. Maps, drawings, and other information will be on display. There will be no formal presentation; however, FDOT representatives will be available to discuss proposed improvements, answer questions, and receive comments.
Scott Signs Gas Pump Skimmer Bill, Cough Medicine Age Limit
April 4, 2016
A proposal to crack down on people using electronic “skimmers” to steal credit-card or debit-card information at gas pumps was among 14 bills signed into law Friday by Gov. Rick Scott.
Another bill will prohibit the sale of a number of over-the-counter cough medicines to youths under age 18.
The skimmer measure (SB 912), backed by Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and the Florida Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association, will increase penalties for people holding counterfeit credit-card information starting Oct. 1.
“Increasing the penalties against individuals involved in the theft of fuel and requiring gasoline pumps to install advance security measures will assist in deterring this criminal activity that raises costs for all consumers,” Sen. Anitere Flores, R-Miami, said in a prepared statement.
Ned Bowman, executive director of the Florida Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association, said the new law will protect “all of us from being victims of gas pump skimmer fraud.”
The proposal, sponsored in the House by Majority Leader Dana Young, R-Tampa, requires gas-station owners to use additional security measures on self-service pumps. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services may also prohibit the use of fuel pumps until such security measures are installed.
Putnam’s office has noted that more than 190 skimmers have been found statewide since the beginning of 2015.
“Approximately 100 consumers are victimized by each skimmer, resulting in $1,000 stolen from each victim on average,” Putnam’s office said after the House approved the bill March 8. “Each skimmer represents an estimated $100,000 threat to consumers.”
Another new law Scott signed Friday puts an age restriction on products that include dextromethorphan, a cough suppressant sold without a prescription under brand names such as Robitussin, Coricidin, and Vicks.
The proposal (SB 938), sponsored by Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Fort Myers, and Rep. Doug Broxson, R-Gulf Breeze, was proposed after reports of teenagers using cough medicine to get cheap highs. Side effects of such intoxication, according to a Senate staff analysis, include loss of coordination, slurred speech, sweating, hypertension and involuntary spasmodic movement of the eyeballs.
The American Association of Poison Control Centers reported six deaths in 2014 related to dextromethorphan use.
The law, which will go into effect July 1, 2017, won’t require stores to alter placement of the products but will prevent local governments from imposing their own restrictions.
Also signed into law Friday was a measure (SB 666), sponsored by Sen. John Legg, R-Trinity, that will allow people to use Florida concealed-weapon licenses or Veteran Health Identification Cards issued by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as valid identification when registering to vote or when voting at polling places.
Another measure signed by Scott (SB 1044) will place additional restrictions on the seizure of property in criminal cases. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg.
“The notion that police officers can take cash or other property from people never charged with any criminal wrongdoing and keeping any profits from the sale of seized property doesn’t sit well with the public,” said Bill Piper, senior director of national affairs for the Drug Policy Alliance, which backed the bill. “Voters want action on civil asset forfeiture, and it was smart politics for Gov. Scott to sign off on this.”
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida