Police Now Say Pensacola Teen Is A Runaway
June 7, 2017
An investigation has determined there is no indication teenager Nakisha Hawkins, who failed to return home Tuesday, is endangered or that foul play is involved in her disappearance. This is no longer a missing person case. However, she is still considered a runaway. Hawkins, 17, was last seen around 7:40 a.m. Tuesday in the area of Steak ‘n Shake, 2057 Airport Blvd. Her mother – Felice Caldwell, 39, of Pensacola – notified police around 9:10 p.m. Tuesday and said it was unusual for her daughter not to have returned home.
Anyone having information on Hawkins’ location is asked to contact the Pensacola Police Department at (850)435-1900.
Arrest Made In 2013 Murder
June 7, 2017
An Escambia Conunty man has been charged in connection with a homicide that occurred in 2013.
Warren Mygel Hetherington Sr., 42, was charged with first-degree murder. The homicide occurred around 11:30 p.m. February 23, 2013 in the driveway of 465 South L St., Pensacola. The victim – Alexia Rochelle Baggett, 29, of 34 Patton Dr.,
Pensacola – was shot while she was outside, said Detective Lisa Alverson.
The case had remained under investigation since 2013, and Alverson recently received information that led to Hetherington’s arrest. During the investigation, Alverson learned Baggett and Hetherington had been in a relationship for several years and had broken up just prior to the shooting.
Century Seeking Legal Help To Establish Community Redevelopment Area
June 7, 2017
The Century Town Council has taken the next step in establishing a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), voting to use the services of an attorney to review documents.
Upon declaration of an area as blighted, the CRA works to improve conditions. As property tax values rise, most of the increase is funneled back into the redevelopment area for further improvements.
The Century Town Council voted in mid-May to move forward with developing a legal description of the 510 acre area depicted in a preliminary map. Town consultant Debbie Nickles returned to the council this week, requesting permission to have the documents reviewed by an attorney for legal sufficiency.
The area is bounded by Jefferson Avenue to the south, Jefferson Avenue to the east, State Road 4 to the north and the centerline of North Century Boulevard to the west. It also extends north on the east side of North Century Boulevard to include commercial properties up to, and including, the former Burger King.
Essentially, CRAs use redevelopment funds within a deteriorating area to transform it into one that again contributes to the overall health of a community. The money can roll over year to year, up a 40-year life for a CRA.
CRA funds can be used for a variety of public purposes, including items specified in the agency’s redevelopment plan, planning and surveys, acquisition of real property, affordable housing development and community policing innovations.
There are currently nine other redevelopment districts in Escambia County — Atwood, Barrancas, Brownsville, Cantonment, Englewood, Ensley, Oakfield, Palafox and Warrington — and three within the City of Pensacola.
Atmore Man Shot During Home Invasion Robbery
June 7, 2017
An Atmore man was shot after a home invasion near Brewton, just before being jailed for the crime.
The Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported home invasion, robbery and shooting at 3270 Foshee Road about 2:30 p.m. on June 5. The resident told deputies that multiple black males had entered his residence, pulled a gun on him, struck him in the head with the gun and robbed him before fleeing in a dark blue SUV.
The victim exited his residence with a single barrel shotgun and fired one shot in the direction of the suspects, striking their vehicle. The driver of the vehicle was struck in the shoulder and alongside the cheek with what appeared to be buck shot, according to deputies.
The group fled the scene and headed back to the Brewton area where two of the suspects left the vehicle and the other one drove to a residence where he was taken to a local hospital.
The driver, identified as 24-year old Mikeal Starks of Atmore, was charged with first degree robbery and first degree burglary. Authorities said additional arrests in the case. are anticipated.
Anyone with any information on the incident is asked to contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (251) 809-2145.
Scott Signs Bill Creating Dozier Memorials
June 7, 2017
A measure that calls for creating a pair of memorials to boys who were abused at a notorious state reform school, and directs the reburial of remains of unidentified victims, was signed into law.
The bill (HB 7115) provides $1.2 million to cover the costs of the reburials and memorials for youngsters who suffered physical and sexual abuse at the now-shuttered Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys in Marianna. It was among 33 bills signed into law by Gov. Rick Scott.
“Today’s signing, coupled with an official apology led by the House earlier this year, will hopefully bring some closure and healing to all those affected directly or indirectly by the atrocities that occurred at the Arthur Dozier School for Boys,” House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land `O Lakes, said in a prepared statement.
The Dozier issue drew widespread attention during the legislative session that ended May 8. As lawmakers took action on the bill, they were watched by men who had been sent as children to the school.
The Dozier memorials will be placed at the Capitol complex in Tallahassee and in Jackson County, the site of the reform school.
The legislation also provides for the reburial of unidentified remains from Dozier at a cemetery in Tallahassee. Victims of a 1914 dormitory fire at the reform school would be reburied at the Boot Hill cemetery on the Dozier property.
The remains were uncovered by University of South Florida forensic anthropologists who found 55 graves at the school, which operated from 1900 to 2011. The legislation also directs the state Department of Environmental Protection to investigate the 1,400-acre Dozier site for additional unmarked graves.
Pictured top: A trench dug in the search for human remains at the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys in Marianna. Pictured inset: The remains of George Owen Smith were positively identified. NorthEscambia.com file photos.
Molino Park Elementary Presents Third To Fifth Grade Awards
June 7, 2017
Molino Park Elementary School presented the following year-end awards to students in grades third through fifth:
THIRD GRADE
A Honor Roll
- Ayden Crabtree
- Lily Driver
A/B Honor Roll
- Destiny Abrams
- Alyssa Brooks
- Garrett Crabtree
- Kamryn Gibbs
- John Hatch
- Raegan Holley
- Austin Jackson
- Macy Miller
- Mary Oliver
- Aryanna Smith
- Sophia St. Cyr
- Layton Woodward
Good Citizenship
- Destiny Abrams
- Clover Bingham
- Jack Boutwell
- Alyssa Brooks
- Ayden Crabtree
- Lily Driver
- Kamryn Gibbs
- Kelsey Hiatt
- John Hatch
- Raegan Holley
- Austin Jackson
- Gus Leatherberry
- Macy Miller
- Mary Oliver
- Alexia Olson
- Aryanna Smith
- Sopjia St.Cyr
- Llekenzie Thomas
- Layton Woodward
Perfect Attendance
- Cameron Bodiford
- Kaiden Harris
FOURTH GRADE
A Honor Roll
- Aubree Jordan
- Logan Shoffner
A/B Honor Roll
- Emma Benson
- Alysia Enfinger
- Jericha Finlay
- Abbie Bertran
- Kenzie Blazek
- Kaylen Fore
- Tyler Gilmore
- Noah Goslee
- Aiden Harris
- Kristopher Kelley
- Joshua Kennedy
- Emma Lamont
- Emma Nigam
- Lauren Pardue
- Olivia Phillips
- Lacey Sapp
- Gabriel Staneart
Good Citizenship
- Gabriella Burklund
- Kameron Cole
- Olivia Franks
- Noah Goslee
- Aiden Harris
- Brooke Lytton
- Logan Madden
- Hunter Manning
- Grayden Sheffield
- Aubree Jordan
- Kristopher Kelley
- Joshua Kennedy
- Morgan Salmon
- Logan Shoffner
- Brooke Wilson
Perfect Attendance
- Kambrie Faircloth
Most Improved Reading
- Nolan Goetter
- Emma Nigam
Most Improved Math
- Trae Ardeneaux
- Delina Garcia
- Tyler Gilmore
- Elizabeth LeDuc
Sons of the American Revolution
- Blakely Campbell
- Jericha Finlay
- Tyler Gilmore
- Aiden Harris
- Logan Madden
- Moran Salmon
FIFTH GRADE
Good Citizenship
- Darius Abrams
- Grace Allen
- Kendall Alvare
- Hunter Andrews
- Doria Beach
- Jarrett Bodiford
- Kelsey Boykin
- Alexa Castro
- Riley Crites
- Harley Edmonson
- Caleb Germany
- Makayla Golson
- Kylie Grantham
- Lillian Hatch
- Bobbie-Sue Jarrell
- Samantha Kimmons
- Tommy Leatherberry
- Logan Mace
- Austin Manning
- Leila Mason
- Chance McElhannon
- Anna McKee
- Alyse McKillion
- Addison Pawless
- Evin Pedicord
- Mariyah Pettway
- Dylan Settle
- Dequan Shabazz
- Brier Thompson
- Bailee Wiley
- Dylan Wood
A Honor Roll
- Alexa Castro
- Lillian Hatch
- Leila Mason
- Anna McKee
A/B Honor Roll
- Kendall Alvare
- Doria Beach
- Kelsey Boykin
- Nathan Caston
- Niko Champagne
- Riley Crites
- Harley Edmonson
- Skielah Gaskey
- Kylie Grantham
- Bobbie-Sue Jarrell
- Logan Mace
- Austin Manning
- Chance McElhannon
- Alyse McKillion
- Evin Pedicord
- Mariyah Pettway
- Dylan Settle
- Dylan Wood
Perfect Attendance
- Caleb Germany
Excellent Attendance
- Jayden Franklin
- Tommy Leatherberry
Sons of the American Revolution
- Lillian Hatch
- Nate Caston
- Harley Edmonson
- Even Pedicord
- Kendall Alvare
- Dylan Settle
Ana L Vidak Award for Academic Excellence
- Anna McKee
Student of the Year
- Dylan Wood
Shining Star
- Brier Thompson
Hero Award
- Ella Kizer
Spelling Bee Winner
- Chloe Ragsdale
Moby Max Math Awards
- Tommy Leatherberry
- Alyse McKillion
- Mariyah Pettway
- Jarrett Bodiford
- Liilian Hatch
Sunshine Math Awards
- Participation:
- Jarrett Bodiford
- Robert Bodiford
- Alexa Castro
- Riley Crites
- Sunshine Math Team:
- Lillian Hatch
- Anna McKee
- Kylie Grantham
- Skielah Gaskey
- Julius St. Louis
- Logan Mace
- Mariyah Pettway
- Keley Boykin
- Sunshine Math-Most Points:
- Mariyah Pettway
Most Accelerated Reader points
- Lillian Hatch (Gilmore)
- Bobbie-Sue Jarrell (Brown)
- Austin Manning (Hatch)
Hands Across The Border: Florida, Alabama Officers Cracking Down On Unsafe Drivers
June 7, 2017
Law enforcement agencies from Florida and Alabama are once again joining forces for “Hands Across the Border,” an annual traffic safety campaign. Law enforcement officers will crack down on unsafe driving through saturation patrols and checkpoints throughout the summer months.
Officers from both states gathered at the Alabama and Florida welcome center on I-10 to pledge to work together this summer to ensure drivers are maintaining safe speeds, not drinking and driving and always using their safety belts.
In 2016, there were nearly 1,000 alcohol related fatalities across Florida.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Check Out The Summer Reading Program At The Library
June 7, 2017
Summer Reading Club 2017 is in full swing at West Florida Public Libraries locations with a new adult Summer Reading Club running in conjunction with the traditional children’s program.
Parents wanting to sign up their children can do so at any library location through July 31. Children will get reading logs to keep track of every 15 minutes they read. After 12.5 hours of reading, they get a free book and a bonus reading log to be entered for additional prizes.
Prizes include books, tool sets, Lego sets, Keva planks, Duplo sets, bicycles, a fire truck pedal car, a drift trike, waterproof solar chargers, a Fujifilm camera and fire truck rides to school for a few lucky students.
Summer Reading Club programs include Pensacola MESS Hall, Reno’s Reptiles, Tampa Taiko, Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, The Noiseguy Charlie Williams and The Magic of Reading with Russell Davis.
The schedule is as follows:
Summer Reading
Summer STEAM: Trebuchets & Catapults
- Wednesday, June 7, 10:30 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
- Friday, June 9, 10:30 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library
- Tuesday, June 13, 2 p.m. – Century Branch Library
- Wednesday, June 14, 10:30 a.m. – Tryon Branch Library
- Thursday, June 15, 2 p.m. – Westside Branch Library
Are historical war weapons your secret fascination? Do you want to try your hand at a fun, crafty application of physics and engineering? Join West Florida Public Libraries for a day of medieval mischief.
Reno’s Reptiles
- Wednesday, June 7, 11 a.m. – Century Branch Library
- Wednesday, June 7, 3 p.m. – Pensacola Library
- Thursday, June 8, 11 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
- Thursday, June 8, 3 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library
Kick off Summer Reading with the exciting animals of Reno’s Reptiles.
Tampa Taiko
- Thursday, June 8, 11 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library (Held at Big Lagoon State Park, 12301 Gulf Beach Highway)
- Thursday, June 8, 3 p.m. – Molino Branch Library
- Friday, June 9, 7 p.m. – Pensacola Library
- Saturday, June 10, 10:30 a.m. – Century Branch Library
- Saturday, June 10, 2 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library
Learn about the exciting traditional Japanese performing art of Taiko drumming and see big Taiko drums. This program is presented by Ron Collins of Tampa Taiko.
Pensacola MESS Hall presents “Block by Block”
- Tuesday, June 13, 11 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library (Held at Big Lagoon State Park, 12301 Gulf Beach Highway)
- Wednesday, June 14, 11 a.m. – Century Branch Library
- Wednesday, June 14, 3 p.m. – Pensacola Library
- Thursday, June 15, 11 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
- Thursday, June 15, 3 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library
A young girl outsmarts the king in this adaptation of “One Grain of Rice” using Legos®. Students get a concrete sense of exponential growth as they discover how quickly the Legos® multiply. This science show brought to you by Pensacola MESS Hall.
Summer STEAM: Different Ways of Flying
- Tuesday, June 20, 10:30 a.m. – Pensacola Library
- Wednesday, June 21, 10:30 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
- Thursday, June 22, 10:30 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library
- Tuesday, June 27, 2 p.m. – Century Branch Library
- Wednesday, June 28, 10:30 a.m. – Tryon Branch Library
- Thursday, June 29, 2 p.m. – Westside Branch Library
Don’t have wings? Not lighter than air? No worries; there are lots of ways to fly. Come make paper airplanes that don’t come down (as long as the power is on…), balloons that are solar powered (kind of), and other wonky ways of using science, technology, engineering arts and math to wing it!
Pensacola MESS Hall presents “Intro to Engineering”
- Tuesday, June 20, 11 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library (Sign-up is requested due to space limitations.)
- Wednesday, June 21, 11 a.m. – Century Branch Library
- Wednesday, June 21, 3 p.m. – Pensacola Library
- Thursday, June 22, 11 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
- Thursday, June 22, 3 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library
Pensacola MESS Hall will give a 15-minute interactive presentation about engineering principles for young engineers followed by open build time with our imagination playground.
Pensacola Symphony Orchestra Instrument Petting Zoo
- Tuesday, June 27, 11 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library (Held at Big Lagoon State Park)
- Wednesday, June 28, 11 a.m. – Century Branch Library
- Wednesday, June 28 , 3 p.m. – Pensacola Library
- Thursday, June 29, 11 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
- Thursday, June 29, 3 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library
Animals aren’t the only things that can make sounds. Come see, hear and touch different musical instruments. Don’t worry, they won’t bite.
Rain Finally Coming To An End
June 7, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers before 1pm. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 86. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. North wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 88. North wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 87. North wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 85.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86.
Karl Jernigan Named New Tate Aggie Baseball Coach
June 7, 2017
Former Pace High School assistant coach and Florida State standout Karl Jernigan has been named head baseball coach for the Tate Aggies, replacing the retiring Greg Blackmon.
Jernigan was a four-year starter for the Florida State Seminoles in center field. He recorded career-highs with a .332 batting average and 15 stolen bases in 2000 and was regarded as one of the top defensive center fielders in the country. he was responsible for one of the most memorable victories in FUS history. His three-run homer in the bottom of the 11th inning gave FSU a 14-11 win over Stanford in the 1999 College World Series and a spot in the national title game.
Jernigan was drafted by the Oakland A’s, playing pro ball for three years. He spent the last 12 years as an assistant coach — at Milton for two years and then at Pace for the past 10 years.
Blackmon played on the UWF Baseball team from 1989 to 1990 under head coach Jim Spooner as a top first baseman. He holds the UWF career record for top batting average (.375) and is second in on-base percentage (.461). He is listed as third in slugging percentage (.570) and sixth in homeruns (13). In 1989, Blackmon was named to the All-Tournament team for his performance in the 1989 NAIA College World Series. By 1990, Blackmon held the second best single-season batting average (.472), slugging percentage (.624) and on-base percentage (.543). In 1990, he hit 11 homeruns as a third all-time record in the single season records.
Upon graduating from UWF, Blackmon continued to compete in the game as the head baseball coach at Tate High School in Cantonment, Florida for eight years. He led the high school team to two state championships in 1998 and in 2005 and posted a 202-42 record in eight seasons, leading them to five 6A Final Four appearances. Under his leadership, the Tate High School baseball team was crowned district and regional champions five times, as Blackmon was named the 6A Coach of the Year in 1998 and a six-time District I Florida Athletic Coaches Association Coach of the Year. He later received the Fred Waters Award in 1999 for his exceptional community contributions and devotion to the game of baseball.
Blackmon retired after the 2005 season to seek his master’s degree. He returned to the Aggie program six years later. His last two teams finished one win shy of a return to the state final four.