Teen Facing Charges For Multiple Vehicle Thefts, Burglaries In Cantonment
July 18, 2018
A teen is facing charges in connection with multiple vehicle thefts and vehicle burglaries in the Cantonment area.
Leon Benjamin, 16, is facing two counts of grand theft auto, 15 counts of vehicle burglary and multiple counts of petit theft, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The vehicle burglaries occurred on Southern Oaks Drive, Bur Oak Drive, Towhee Canyon Drive and Broken Arrow Lane, with a vehicle theft on both Bur Oak and Broken Arrow.
While investigating the vehicle burglaries, patrol deputies spotted a suspicious vehicle near Bur Oak Drive and got out with it on Winn Dixie on Highway 29. ECSO Investigator Brett McCormick said Benjamin was a passenger in that vehicle and had the keys to two stolen vehicles. He had sent a text message telling a friend that he had stolen three vehicles, but deputies have not located a third stolen vehicle.
“This was an example of patrol deputies and investigators working together,” Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Major Andrew Hobbs said.
McCormick said the ECSO has obtained security camera video of the vehicle crimes, and they are encouraging everyone in the area to check their security cameras for footage from Tuesday, July 10.
Anyone with video or other information is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9630.
Pictured: The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office recovered a vehicle near Tate High School that had been stolen from the Bentley Oaks Subdivison. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Former Local Resident With No Arms Charged With Stabbing Man
July 18, 2018
An Atmore native and former McDavid resident with no arms has been charged with stabbing a tourist in Miami Beach in a case that has made international news.
According to Miami-Dade Corrections records, 46-year old Jonathan Dale Crenshaw remains jailed on an aggravated battery charge with bond set at $7,500.
Crenshaw had spent the last few years painting with his feet for Miami Beach tourists, according to the Miami Herald. But last week, police say he held a pair of scissors with his feet as he stabbed a 22-year old tourist from Chicago.
Crenshaw, who is homeless, told police he was lying down when the tourist punched him in the head. The armless man then stabbed the tourist with scissors and walked away, the Miami Herald reported. The tourist suffered an injury to his arm and was transported a local hospital. He told police he stopped to ask for directions before Crenshaw jumped up and stabbed him.
Records indicate Crenshaw was born in Atmore in 1971 and was living in McDavid when he was arrested by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in 2004. He was convicted of improper exhibition of a firearm after he pulled a gun on someone, according to Escambia County court records.
In a 2016 feature story, he told the Miami New Times that he was born without arms, his mother fed him rat poison, and the government drilled his sharp teeth in half. He also told the newspaper the he had fathered 200 children with music superstar Gloria Estefan.
Showers Becoming Likely
July 18, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Heat index values as high as 105. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 76. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
Pictured: Sunflowers at the Jackson Farm in Cantonment. Photo by Jean Jackson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Crews Work To Restripe West Highway 4
July 18, 2018
Pictured: Crews worked Tuesday to restripe West Highway 4 between Byrneville and Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Kids Create Music During Summer STEAM Program At Century Library
July 18, 2018
Kids learned to make their own musical instruments during a Summer STEAM — Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics — program Tuesday at the Century Branch Library.
Using boxes, pencils and rubber bands, attendees created a guitar-like string instrument.
A Summer STEAM program will be held Wednesday, July 18 at 10:30 a.m. at the Molino Branch Library. During the hands-on program, kids will learn to code robots to complete tasks.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Baseball Needs Coed Softball Tournament Teams
July 18, 2018
The Northview High School baseball team will hold a coed softball tournament Saturday at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill.
Registration is $200 per team with a three girl minimum using modified USSSA rules.
For more information, call Coach Greenwell at (850) 712-6354 or Coach Lowery at (850) 232-3205.
File photo.
UWF Historic Artifacts Could Find A Home In Century
July 18, 2018
Artifacts from the University of West Florida Historic Trust could find a home in a Century.
The Trust is looking for secure, climate controlled space to store a large quantify of historic items and antiquities, according to an email from Brice Harris, a UWF assistance vice president . They are repurposing much of their downtown storage space into workable classrooms and labs.
Harris emailed Century Town Planner Debbie Nickles seeking possible space in the Century Business Center on Pond Street or another location. She said UWF is looking for three to 10 thousand square feet.
Mayor Henry Hawkins said much of the space at the Century Business Center is in use. Council member Ben Boutwell suggested the empty Helicopter Technology Building in the town’s industrial park might work.
Hawkins told the Century Town Council that the building could not be rented due to issues with the fire sprinkler system. A November 2017 violation notice from the Escambia County Fire Rescue Office of Fire Prevention found the sprinkler and fire systems were in need of an inspection.
The former Helicopter Technology building is a 40,000 square foot office/warehouse building with full climate control, sprinkler system, new HVAC and new energy efficient lighting. The town re-acquired the industrial building at public auction for less than $1 out of pocket back in August 2009, following the town’s foreclosure judgment against the now defunct Helicopter Technology.
In 2017, the building was appraised for $550,000 with a fair market rent of $80,000 per year ($6,667 per month).
Hawkins said he will contact Harris to discuss any possible building locations.
Schools Honored For Fire Life Safety Improvements
July 18, 2018
The Escambia County School Board recognized several schools for meeting fire and life safety goals.
Certificates of Excellence were presented to nine schools for a decrease in overall deficiencies by at least 50 percent. They were: Blue Angels Elementary, Global Learning Academy, Holm Elementary, Pleasant Grove Elementary, Bellview Middle, Ferry Pass Middle, Workman Middle, Pensacola High and Tate High School.
In addition, seven schools were honored for having 10 or less total deficiencies for their entire facility. They were: A.K. Suter Elementary, Bratt Elementary, Brentwood Elementary, Ferry Pass Elementary, Jim Allen Elementary, Molino Park Elementary and Brown Barge Middle School.
The certificates were presented during a Tuesday meeting of the Escambia County School Board.
Pictured: City of Pensacola Fire Inspector John Bartholomew (left) and Escambia County Fire Marshal Joe Quinn (middle) with Molino Park Elementary Principal Lisa Arnold (top)and Bratt Elementary Principal Karen Hall (below). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
David Dewayne Barnett
July 18, 2018
David Dewayne Barnett, 58 of Atmore, Al. passed away Sunday July 15, 2018, in Atmore. He was a Pharmacist with Walmart, a graduate of Auburn University, born in Atmore, AL. on January 21, 1960 to Kenneth and Nancy Jones Barnett. He attended Grace Fellowship.
He is preceded in death by His Father, Kenneth Barnett.
He is survived by his wife Denean Everette Barnett; mother Nancy Barnett, daughter Carson Barnett, brother Mike Barnett, sister Kim (Ron) Tatum all of Atmore, AL.
Graveside services will be Friday July 20, 2018, at 10 a.m. from Oak Hill Cemetery
Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Walter Clifford West
July 18, 2018
Walter Clifford West, 66, Floral City, FL passed away July 15, 2018 under the loving care of his wife and Hospice of Citrus and the Nature Coast. Clifford was bon in Lancaster, PA on November 23, 1951 to Wilford and Rubie Smith West and moved to Citrus County from Wawbeek, AL and Bratt, Florida.. He retired from the Ridgway Roof Truss Company in Gainesville, FL as a truss designer. He was a member of the First Assembly of God Church in Inverness where he served as a Sunday School Teacher and on the Board of Deacons. Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 38 years, Jean Skelton West; 2 children, Jeremy West and his wife Marnie, Rockford, IL; Juanita Sanders, Inverness; 2 brothers, Jeffrey West and his wife, Dee, Brooksville; Jay West and his wife, Cindy, Fairbanks, AK; 1 sister, Jeanie Love and her husband, David of Concord, NC; his parents, Wilford and Rubie West, both of Brooksville, FL; 6 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Pamela Vosburgh. Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, July 18th at 12:00 Noon from the First Assembly of God Church of Inverness with Rev. Dairold Rushing officiating. Additional services will be conducted from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Atmore, AL. Saturday July 21, 2018 at 12:00 Noon. Burial will be in Bratt- Godwin Cemetery in Bratt, Florida. Family will receive friends, Saturday July 21, 2018 at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 11:00AM until Service time at 12:00 Noon. Friends may call at the First Assembly of God Church from 11:00 AM until the hour of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials are being accepted by the family for final expenses.