Deputies Seek Two Suspects In Drive-By Shooting Near Molino
February 14, 2017
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for two people in connection with a drive-by shooting January 29 near Molino.
Daquan Damian Jones and Javoris Knight, both 18-years old, are wanted by deputies.
The Sheriff’s Office said the drive-by shooting occurred on Cedartown Road. There was no one injured in the incident.
Anyone that knows the whereabouts of Jones or Knight is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620. Authorities said Jones and Knight should be considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached.
Pictured top: Daquan Damian Jones (left) and Javoris Knight. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Kayla Crocker Laid To Rest; Community Benefit Set For Saturday
February 14, 2017
Funeral services were held Monday for 28-year old Kayla Maylee Crocker, the Beulah mother of two that was shot during a home invasion robbery last week.
Crocker was the final victim of William “Billy” Boyette, who later took his own life when surrounded by law enforcement in Georgia, His accomplice, Mary Rice, is facing a first degreee murder charge for Crocker’s death.
Visitation and funeral services for the 2006 Tate High School graduate were held Monday evening at Beulah Baptist Church. Family members said Crocker was an organ and tissue donor, allowing her to help others. And despite rumors, they said she was not pregnant.
The Beulah community has planned a memorial and fundraising event for her two children Saturday from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Beulah Park at 7820 Mobile Highway. All first responders with identification will be able to eat for free.
A BBQ combo with a sandwich, drink and a bag of chips will be $6. A cake walk will be held during the event for several donated cakes, and there will be entertainment.
There will also be a raffle for prizes that includes: a year’s worth of cleaning services by Melissa’s Custom Clean ($1,000 value), Spray Tan sessions, home décor, jewelry and gift cards/certificates donated by several local restaurants and retail shops with many more items being donated daily.
All money collected will be place into an account in the childrens’ names at Navy Federal Credit Union.
Rolling Hills Land Clearing Debris Disposal Area Fire
February 14, 2017
Escambia County Waste Services, Environmental Code Enforcement, Public Safety, Fire Rescue and the Florida Forest Service are responding to a fire at the Rolling Hills Landfill located at 6990 Rolling Hills Road. Emergency communications received a called at 5:28 p.m. reporting a fire in the general location of the closed landfill. After investigating, the source of the fire is estimated to have impacted five acres in a large mound of land clearing debris located in the southeast area of the property designated for land clearing debris disposal. The fire is not in the C&D area of the landfill currently being remediated by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
The fire appears to be contained. It currently poses no risk to surrounding homes beyond the nuisance smoke. Because the fire is not in the C&D area of the landfill, the hydrogen sulfide gas levels, or H2S, in the Wedgewood Community should not be impacted by the fire. Residents can view values of the gas online at http://myescambia.com/community/air-quality-monitoring.
Since revoking Rolling Hills Landfill’s permit in 2014, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection was able to get court approval to close the landfill. Working with state contractors, surveyors and landfill closure experts, they developed a comprehensive closure design based on current site conditions and the contractor began work in the fall of 2016. A vast majority of the onsite work has been completed. However, weather has caused some delays and the project is expected to be completed at the end of this month.
Northview School Advisory Council Meeting Rescheduled
February 14, 2017
A Northview High School Advisory Council meeting that was scheduled for February 9 has been rescheduled for Thursday, February 16 at 3:45 p.m. in the school’s media center. Parents, school s supporters and the public are invited to attend.
Atmore Native Sworn In As Alabama’s Attorney General
February 14, 2017
An Atmore native was sworn in Monday as Alabama’s next attorney general.
Governor Robert J. Bentley appointed Marshall County District Attorney, Steve Marshall, to serve as the 50th Attorney General of Alabama. Former Attorney General Luther Strange was appointed to the United States Senate following Senator Jeff Sessions’ appointment and confirmation as Attorney General of the United States.
Following his appointment, Mr. Marshall said, “It is a great honor to be named Attorney General and I am thankful to Governor Bentley for the opportunity to serve the people of Alabama. The time spent working alongside law enforcement for the last 20 years has been a remarkable privilege. As Attorney General, I will continue to support their efforts to keep Alabamians safe and free from violent crime.”
Marshall was born October 26, 1964, in Atmore, Alabama, the only child of the late Conrad and Mary Jo Marshall. Conrad Marshall was a representative for a sporting goods manufacturer and Mary Jo Marshall was a secretary.
father’s job caused the family to move quite a bit during Steve’s childhood. When he was 3-years-old, Steve moved with his family to Mobile, where they stayed until the end of his first grade year. From there, they lived in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. Despite leaving Alabama in first grade and living in several Southern states, Steve knew Alabama was his home and returned to attend the University of Alabama School of Law.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
February 14, 2017
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending February 9 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Allgood checked a fisherman as he returned to Sherman’s Cove and discovered the man was in possession of red snapper fillets. Red snapper season is currently closed and it is a violation to clean the fish before it is landed. The individual was issued a notice to appear citation for the violations.
Lieutenant Allen and Officer Guy received a call from a local landowner stating that he had witnessed two suspects illegally hunting on his property. While the officers were en route, the landowner called back stating the suspects had gone and he provided their vehicle description. The officers canvased the area and located the vehicle pulling into a residence. One of the suspects was in the vehicle and initially denied that he had been hunting that morning. After further questioning, the suspect admitted to hunting and dropping the second suspect off at his residence. Officers Burkhead and Little responded to assist with the investigation and went to the second suspect’s residence, where they saw a whitetail doe carcass in the yard. A records check showed that this suspect was a convicted felon. This suspect admitted to being on the landowner’s property but denied having a gun. Upon further investigation and interviews, the suspect admitted that he did have a gun and also admitted to hiding three guns in a wooded area behind his residence prior to the officers arriving. Armed trespass charges were direct filed against both suspects. One of the suspects was also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of an antlerless deer during the closed season.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Hutchinson received information about a hunter who used a high-powered rifle to shoot a deer while hunting the Escambia River WMA during muzzle loading season. While driving towards the boat ramp where the subject’s vehicle was parked, he saw the subject’s vehicle travelling towards him. As the vehicle passed by, he observed a whitetail deer lying in the boat that was being towed by the subject’s vehicle. During a subsequent traffic stop, the subject claimed he shot the deer with a muzzle loader rifle. Officer Hutchinson discovered that he was in possession of only a muzzle loader, but after further questioning and inspection of the deer, the subject admitted to shooting the deer with a high-powered rifle. The subject called a friend to bring him a muzzle loader after he shot the deer. Once the friend arrived at his location, they swapped guns and the subject took possession of the muzzle loader and gave his friend the high-powered rifle to take back with him. Officer Hutchinson issued the subject a notice to appear citation for the violation of illegal method of taking game. The firearm and the deer were seized as evidence.
Officers Hutchinson and Arnette were informed by Lieutenant Golloher and Officer Tolbert about a vehicle that was travelling along several back roads while shining a spotlight into the fields and into tree lines. The officers drove to the area where the subject was seen and Officer Hutchinson saw the vehicle parked at a field while shining a spotlight into the field in a manner capable of disclosing the presence of deer. He conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and discovered a loaded a 12‑gauge shotgun in the front seat. While conducting a search of the vehicle, he also discovered an open container of alcoholic beverage in the front console. The subject was issued a notice to appear citation for possession of a firearm while shining a light in a manner capable of disclosing the presence of deer. He was also issued a citation for possession of an open container of alcohol in the vehicle. The firearm was seized as evidence.
While working a night-hunting detail, officers observed a truck driving in a suspicious manner. The driver was shining a light in specific areas where deer are often seen. Officer Hutchinson approached the truck and watched him shining a light into a field. He stopped the vehicle and discovered a loaded, 12‑gauge shotgun in the front seat as well as an open beer in the front console. The man was issued a notice to appear for night hunting and a traffic citation for possession of an open container of alcohol in the vehicle.
FWC officers teamed up with staff from the Division of Hunting and Game Management to assist with the Blackwater Hutton Unit Mobility Impaired Hunts. Working with several volunteers including family and friends of FWC staff, as well as retired officers, they provided lunch each day for the hunters and their guests. Several local businesses donated everything from food and drinks to hunting equipment for prizes to be given away. The hunters had an enjoyable time in the field and were very appreciative of the time and effort put into the events.
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.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Tim Anderson
February 14, 2017
Mr. Tim Anderson, age 58 of Evergreen, passed away at his residence after a brief illness, Tuesday, February 14, 2017.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am., Thursday, February 16, 2017 at the Evergreen Baptist Church. Rev. Jim Collins will officiate. Mrs. Judy Robbins will provide special music. Interment will follow in the Magnolia Cemetery with Cope-Keahey Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends one hour prior to services at the church.
He is survived by his wife, Sara Margret Cope Anderson of Evergreen; sons, John (Ashley) Anderson of Robertsdale, and Jeremy (Sara) Anderson of Andalusia; daughters, Lisa Anderson, and Laura (Mike) Barnett of Brewton; mother Erlene (step-father George) Williamson of Brewton; mother-in-law, Margarete McInnis Cope of Evergreen; grandchildren, Kaitlyn Barnett, Adria Barnett, Haley Anderson, Emily Anderson, Ava Anderson and Audrey Anderson; brother-in-law, Bill Cope of Evergreen; and sister-in-law, Cathy Cope of Fairhope.
He was proceeded in death by his father, John Anderson.
Mr. Anderson served in the US Army for four years then he served as an Investigator with the Escambia County Sheriff Department for 10 years. He enjoyed hunting and fishing at the Burnt Corn Hunting Club where he served as a board member. He was currently serving as a deacon at the Evergreen Baptist Church.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to Southern Care Hospice of Greenville.
Billy Joe Gibson
February 14, 2017
Mr. Billy Joe Gibson, 70, passed away Friday, February 10, 2017, in Poarch, Alabama.
Mr. Gibson was a native and lifelong resident of Poarch, AL. He was a member and employee with Poarch Band of Creek Indians. He was a collector of antique cars, loving husband, father, grandfather and loved his family and outdoors. He was a member of the Poarch Community Church.
He is survived by his wife, Nadine Gibson of Poarch, AL; two sons, Steve Gibson of Bratt, FL and Kevin Gibson of Montgomery, AL; two daughters, Emily Lee Tullis of Nokomis, FL and Sandy Presley of Nokomis, FL; two step-daughters, Pam Evans of Dothan, AL and Terry Eddins of Atmore, AL; one brother, Earl Smith of Atmore, AL; and 15 grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 15, 2017, at 10 a.m. at the Poarch Community Church with Rev. Johnny Stabler officiating.
Burial will follow at the Judson Creek Indian Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be William Andrew “Drew” Eddins, John Boyette, Rayford Tuberville, Christopher Blackburn, Shane Gibson and Michael McGhee.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
New Three Story, 50 Unit Apartment Complex Under Construction In Century
February 13, 2017
Land clearing is underway for a new 50-unit apartment complex is planned for Century.
“Century Park Apartments” is being constructed on Second Street, which is the entrance to the parking lot of of the Billy G. Ward Courthouse.
Plans call for two, three-story buildings and 125 parking spaces. Sixteen of the apartments will be 984 square feet with two bedrooms and one bath, while 22 will be 1,119 square feet with three bedrooms and two baths. There will also be 12 apartments with 1,291 square feet with four bedrooms and two baths.
Some of the apartments will be reserved for low income residents
NorthEscambia.com graphics and photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Takes Top High School Honors In CyberThon 2017
February 13, 2017
More than 140 local students from dozens of schools across Northwest Florida participated in CyberThon 2017 recently, with Tate High School taking home the top honors in the high school division.
New for CyberThon 2017 was a “capture the flag” style gameplay carried out on the FacebookCTF platform customized specifically for this event. Teams worked to win points on the game board while completing challenges on a computer network that included a simulated online financial system. Dubbed “First Federation Credit Union,” the fully functional banking environment was designed by Premier Sponsor Navy Federal Credit Union. Teams used software tools including Security Onion and Splunk to monitor suspicious network activity and complete gameplay challenges.
Control of the CyberThon leaderboard changed hands multiple times during the two-day competition, with teams from Pensacola State College, Pine Forest High School, Tate High School, and UWF all taking turns in the top spot. In the end, however, teams from UWF and Tate High School emerged as winners in the college and high school divisions.
A Tate High School team led by Kevin Schmidt took the top spot among high schools while scoring more points overall before penalties than any team in the event. Tate High swept both top spots among high schools, with a team led by Michelle Ward claiming second place.
In support of the Department of Homeland Security’s mission statement that “Homeland Security Begins with Hometown Security,” the three-day event also included keynote addresses on cybersecurity trends from leading experts in the cyber industry.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
