ECSO: Teen Charged After Threatening Students On School Bus With BB Gun
August 27, 2018
A middle school student was charged Monday after he threatened another student with a BB gun.
Christopher Neal, 13, pulled a firearm on a school bus and threatened other students if they told, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Neal was immediately detained.
During a search of Neal’s belongings a BB gun was discovered, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Neal was charged with possession of a weapon on school property and aggravated assault.
Tate High School Band Director Placed On Administrative Leave
August 27, 2018
Tate High School Showband of the South director Roy King has been been placed on administrative leave and is under investigation, according to the local authorities.
Escambia County School District Deputy Superintendent Norm Ross confirmed Monday that King is on administrative leave, but he would not elaborate further.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Major Andrew Hobbs said Monday afternoon that an investigation has been opened involving King after unspecified allegations were made to the ECSO, but he did not provide further details.
“We have a received a complaint, and we are actively investigating,” Hobbs told NorthEscambia.com. “We cannot disclose more because it is an active investigation.”
King has not been charged with any crime.
King was named director of the Showband of the South in July 2017. King served for 18-years at Louisiana State University, most recently as director of LSU’s Tiger Marching Band. King also worked as a high school band director in Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana and at Pine Forest High School in Pensacola.
The Advcoate, a newspaper in Baton Rouge, LA, reported that King was terminated in 2016 from LSU over allegations of “circumventing management directives by awarding scholarships to members of the Golden Girls dance team and flag girls of the color guard without proper approval”.
“LSU also alleged King couldn’t account for more than $5,000 in missing school funds, according an internal audit report released several days after he filed his suit,” the newspaper reported.
In a lawsuit against LSU, King alleged he was fired for not redirecting contributions from the band program to the school’s School of Music.
The lawsuit was later settled.
This story was updated to clarify that the school district’s statement was made by Norm Ross.
Four People Injured, Four Family Pets Killed In Ferry Pass House Fire
August 27, 2018
Four people were injured and four family pets were killed when a house was destroyed by fire Sunday.
Three residents of the home on Banberry Road in Ferry Pass were transported to Sacred Heart Hospital by Escambia County EMS, and the fourth drove himself to the the hospital.
Escambia Fire Rescue arrived within minutes of the 8:26 a.m. call to find heavy fire in the kitchen, living room, attic and garage. They were able to bring the fire under control,but the home was a total loss.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Century Gas Department Can’t Account For 58% Of Their System’s Natural Gas
August 27, 2018
The Town of Century can’t account of 58 percent of the natural gas it purchases for resale and is facing a $188,000 projected loss next fiscal year, council members learned Friday.
The town has allocated an immediate $100,000 to purchase new gas meters for residential and commercial customers and about $4,000 for a new “gate station” meter to measure the quantity of gas purchased to verify the amount billed by their supplier.
“We are billing right now half of what we have purchased,” accountant Robert Hudson said. “If we are making a bold move and do the meters, our gas revenue has go to go up.”
The council decided to keep the gas department’s projected income for the next fiscal year at $400,000 to make it easier to look at financials and see increased income from the new meters.
“We will get the meters in and just watch it trickle to the bottom line,” Hudson said
The gas is not leaking; officials have said it’s either a problem with customer meters, meter reading or a discrepancy between the amount billed by the town’s supplier and the quantity actually delivered. Century will purchase the new meters with $100,000 from a Special Revenue Economic Development Account that has a $122,000 balance.
The Century Gas Department serves about 500 customers.
Wanted Century Counterfeiting Suspect Arrested
August 27, 2018
A wanted Century felon accused of passing counterfeit money was arrested Sunday night after being on the run for the past several weeks.
Antonio Demetrius Ewing, 28, attempted to pass counterfeit money on July 16 at Odom’s Bar on North Century Boulevard and other local businesses in the area, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Ewing is charged with passing counterfeit money, fleeing and eluding law enforcement, driving while license is suspended, resisting arrest and vehicle theft. He was being held without bond.
Montaio Dearies Mitchell, age 25 of Century, was arrested earlier this month for allegedly passing a fake $100 bill at the drive-thru window at Odom’s Bar. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $2,500 bond.
Parents Invited To Local School Open House Events
August 27, 2018
Local schools will hold open house events in the coming days.
High Schools
High schools in Escambia County will hold an open house on Monday at 6 p.m. For additional Northview information, click here.
Middle Schools
Middle School open house events will be Thursday at 6 p.m.
Elementary Schools
Most elementary schools will hold their open house events on September 6 as below.
- Jim Allen Elementary School
- Hellen Caro Elementary School
- Global Learning Academy
- Holm Elementary School
- Lipscomb Elementary School
- Longleaf Elementary School
- Molino Park Elementary SchoolMontclair Elementary School
- Myrtle Grove Elementary School
- Oakcrest Elementary School
- O.J. Semmes Elementary SchoolA.K. Suter Elementary School
- Warrington Elementary School
- C.A. Weis Elementary School
- West Pensacola Elementary School
Additional Elementary Schools September 6:
- 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. — Kingsfield Elementary School
- 6:30 – 6:15 p.m. Grades K-2 — Scenic Heights Elementary School
- 3-5 6:15 p.m.Grades 3-5 — Scenic Heights Elementary School
Polling Location Changes For Six Precincts In Escambia County
August 27, 2018
A number of polling places have changed in Escambia County for Tuesday’s primary election.
All voters impacted by a precinct change were notified by mail with a map to the new polling location. The new polling location information was also included on the sample ballots mailed to voters.
Election day is Tuesday, and the polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts – Where To Expect Delays
August 27, 2018
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to U.S. 90 (Nine Mile Road) – Drivers traveling U.S. 29 and Nine Mile Road will encounter the following traffic pattern changes from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 26 through Thursday, Aug. 30.
- Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass: North and southbound traffic is reduced to one lane in each direction. Alternating traffic shifts will direct all traffic onto the westbound or eastbound lanes as crews continue construction of the new center bridge deck. Nine Mile Road lane restrictions are Sunday through Thursday.
- U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road: Drainage and paving operations continue. Drivers can expect alternating lane closures Monday through Thursday.
- U.S. 29 Resurfacing between U.S. 90 and Muscogee Road – Paving operations continue between Muscogee Road and West 9 ½ Mile Road. Lane closures will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 26 through Thursday, Aug. 30.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) / U.S. 29 Interchange Improvements Phase I – The following traffic impacts are planned on I-10 and U.S. 29 near the interchange (Exit 10):
- From 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Friday, Aug. 24 and Saturday, Aug. 25
- Alternating east and westbound I-10 nearing U.S 29 interchange (Exit 10) as crews perform striping operations.
- From 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 26 through Thursday, Aug. 30:
- Alternating east and westbound I-10 and north and southbound U.S. 29 lane closures.
- The U.S. 29 on-ramps to I-10 eastbound will be intermittently closed. Traffic will be detoured on U.S. 29 to access I-10 eastbound.
- Alternating lane closures on the I-10 westbound exit ramp to U.S. 29 north and south (Exit 10).
- U.S. 29 Routine Maintenance from Alabama State line to north of McCall Road- Intermittent lane closures from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28 at the following locations as crews make repairs to the roadway.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Construction activities continue. Drivers will encounteralternating lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 26 through Thursday, Aug. 30.
- State Road (S.R.) 750 (Airport Boulevard) from S.R. 291 (Davis Highway) to S.R. 289 (9th Avenue) – There will be alternating lane closures, between Davis Highway and 9th Avenue from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 26 through Thursday, Aug. 30 as crews perform paving operations.
- S.R. 295 (Navy Boulevard) Routine Maintenance at intersection of W. Street- East and westbound lane closures at the intersection of W. Street from 8 p.m. to midnight Tuesday, Aug. 28 as crew make repairs to the roadway.
- U.S. 29 Routine Maintenance from Alabama State line to north of McCall Road- Intermittent lane closures from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28 at the following locations as crews make repairs to the roadway.
- U.S. 29 at the Florida/Alabama State line.
- U.S. 29 just north of S.R. 4.
- U.S. 29 north of McCall Road.
Santa Rosa County:
- I-10 Widening from Escambia Bay Bridge to S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard/Exit 22) – Drivers traveling I-10 and Avalon Boulevard will encounter the following traffic impacts from 8 a.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 26 through Thursday, Aug. 30:
- Alternating lane closures on I-10, from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of Avalon Boulevard as crews widen the roadway.
- Alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard, near the I-10 interchange, as crews reconstruct the travel lanes.
- Drivers will encounter new traffic pattern(s) on I-10 east and westbound as crews reconstruct the inside and outside shoulders. This work will continue throughout the summer.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Construction activities continue. Drivers will encounteralternating lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 26 through Thursday, Aug. 30.
- S.R. 87 Widening from the Eglin AFB Boundary to two miles south of the Yellow River Bridge- New travel lanes on S.R. 87, from the Eglin AFB boundary to two miles south of the Yellow River Bridge are open and the speed limit has been raised to 65 mph. Drivers are reminded the speed limit may be temporarily reduced to 45 mph should any lane closures be needed to complete final construction activities. Weather permitting, all work on this 5.3-mile segment is scheduled for completion later this month.
- S.R. 87 Multilane from Eglin AFB boundary to County Road 184 (Hickory Hammock Road) – Traffic between Hickory Hammock Road and the Eglin AFB boundary will continue to be restricted to loads less than 11-feet wide. The restriction will be in place until the project is completed.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Pictured: Workers place the first layer of asphalt for future eastbound travel lanes on Nine Mile Road. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gas Prices Decline Headed Toward Labor Day
August 27, 2018
Gas prices are declining as Americans prepare for the final holiday of the summer travel season.
“Pump prices are 40-50 cents higher than a year ago, but that spread will be erased by Labor Day,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Holiday travelers will find pump prices at around the same level as last year. In 2017, gas prices spiked before Labor Day, after Hurricane Harvey struck the Gulf Coast. This year, motorists should benefit from a relatively quiet hurricane season along the east coast. Although pump prices may fluctuate with surging holiday demand, AAA does not forecast a significant hike, unless there is an unexpected disruption in supply.”
Gas prices in Florida dropped 4 cents last week. The state average declined for the 16th consecutive day on Sunday, for a total of 9 cents. Sunday’s state average of $2.73 per gallon is 42 cents more than this time last year.
The average price per gallon in Escambia Count was $2.71, down from $2.78 one month ago.
Florida’s state average currently sits just 4 cents above last year’s average price on Labor Day.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Three Candidates On Primary Ballot For One Century Council Seat
August 27, 2018
Three people will face each other on the ballot during Tuesday’s primary election for a seat on the Century Town Council.
Mary Hudson Bourgeois, Brian Johnston and James Smith, Jr. are seeking Seat 4, currently held by Gary Riley. If no candidate receives one vote more than 50 percent, there will be a runoff in November.
Incumbent Gary Riley tearfully announced in May that he would not seek re-election to the seat he has held for 20 years.
Incumbent Ben Boutwell will face challenger Amanuel Onell Dubose on the general election ballot on November 6.