Committee Recommends California Doctor As New Medical Examiner
August 16, 2019
The Medical Examiner’s Search Committee has recommended Dr. Scott Luzi as the new First District medical examiner.
Luzi is a Forensic Pathologist currently working in California. The committee reviewed Luzi’s background including his experience, education, and references.
The counties in the First District, including Escambia and Santa Rosa will need to reach an agreement on his contract and salary before his name can be submitted to Gov. Ron DeSantis for appointment, according to State Attorney Bill Eddins. All parties involved will discuss the issue and it is hoped that a decision will be made within 30 days.
Luzi is the medical director and manager of Anatomic, Clinical, and Forensic Pathology Services in Escondido, California.
Atmore Wreck Claims The Life Of Elderly Woman
August 16, 2019
A traffic crash Thursday evening claimed the life of an elderly Atmore woman.
The two vehicle wreck occurred at 6:38 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 31 and Wilson Avenue, near downtown Atmore.
Active Shooter Situation At Grocery Store Ends With Suspect Shot By Escambia Deputy
August 15, 2019
FOR AN UPDATE TO THIS STORY, CLICK HERE.
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An active shooter situation inside an Escambia County grocery store came to an end Thursday afternoon when the suspect was shot by an Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy.
The man walked into the Grocery Advantage on Lillian Highway at New Warrington Road with a handgun and then opened fire, according to Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan. He said the suspect was the only person injured; no civilians or deputies were hurt.
Chief Deputy Chip Simmons said three deputies were on scene quickly, and “they started to pursue the gunman through the store”. He said the suspect ran into the back warehouse area of the store and was hiding behind boxes of produce.
“The deputies challenged him there. He produced a firearm, and he was shot,” Simmons said. He described the gun as a small caliber handgun.
Morgan said the suspect’s motive is not known at this time. His name has not been released.
The suspect was transported to an area hospital.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will investigate the officer involved shooting.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
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Driver Cited After Colliding With School Bus
August 15, 2019
An Escambia County driver was cited after he collided with a school bus Thursday morning.
Christopher Callaway, 33, crossed into the same lane as a school bus at Alexandria Drive and Edison Drive, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The bumper of the bus collided with the side of his Nissan Altima.
Callaway and the 15 passengers on the bus were not injured. Callaway was cited for driving on the wrong side of the road.
File photo.
Former Inmate Crushed By Tree Files Suit Against Town Of Century, Florida Dept. Of Corrections
August 15, 2019
A former state prison inmate has filed a negligence lawsuit against the Town of Century and the Florida Department of Corrections claiming he was crushed by a tree while on a work release program.
Cheyenne Nelson was participating in an inmate work release program on Jefferson Avenue in Century on March 27, 2018, under the direct supervision of two Town of Century utility workers. According to the lawsuit filed this month, Nelson was assigned the task of using an 18-inch chainsaw while about 40 feet of the ground in a boom truck bucket.
Nelson was not provided with a protective hard hat, gear, glasses of or safety roping to control falling limbs or pieces of the cut tree, his attorney claims.
A large portion of the cut tree fell on top of Nelson “crushing and pinning him inside the bucket causing serious and permanent bodily injury”, the lawsuit states.
The suit claims the Town of Century “recklessly” disregarded Nelson’s safetyby not taking measures to prevent injury, not providing safety gear, failing to properly train town employees and failing to supervise those employees.
He claims the Florida Department of Corrections was negligent by assigning him work release duties with the Town of Century knowing that the work would be detrimental to his physical well being.
Nelson is seeking an unspecified damage award from the town and FDC.
Nelson was released from prison on April 25, 2019, after serving three years on a grand theft conviction in Escambia County, according to Florida Department of Corrections records.
Barry Raises About $60K For Commission Campaign, Challenger Goins Raises $0
August 15, 2019
In the 2020 race for Escambia County Commission District 5, incumbent Republican Steven Barry has raised nearly $60,000 for his campaign, while his Democratic challenger has not raised a dime.
According to the most recent campaign finance reports filed with the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections, Barry has brought in $59,800, while Barbara Goins has collected no contributions whatsoever.
All of Barry’s contributions have been cash except a $2,000 in-kind contribution to himself and $1,950 in food for campaign events.
Man Charged With Homicide After Body Found Behind Hair Salon
August 15, 2019
A man has been charged with homicide in connection with a body found behind an Escambia County business Wednesday morning.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrested Donald Gene Barbee, 49, for homicide. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail at 5:09 p.m. Wednesday.
A body was located behind a hair salon in the 100 block of Beverly Parkway shortly before 8 a.m. Information about the victim and the cause of death have not been released as the investigation continues.
Anyone with information on the case is to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Photos: Escambia County Sheriff’s Office
Photos: Hornet Nest In ‘Shocking’ Location Near Lake Stone
August 15, 2019
A hornet nest is located under a power transformer at the entrance to Lake Stone on Highway 4 west of Century.
Escambia River Electric Cooperative has noted the location so their lineworkers are aware of the nest in the event they need to make repairs around the pole.
Such a nest usually contains 400-500 hornets, according to the UF/IFAS Extension Service. They will all die off except for the queen this winter. The queen will nest through the winter in another location, and she will establish a new colony next year. The old nest will not be reused.
Hornets typically do not sting unless threatened, according to UF/IFAS.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Florida Bar Finds ‘No Probable Cause’ That Gaetz Tweet Violated Rules Of Conduct
August 15, 2019
The Florida Bar has found “no probable cause” that U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz violated their rules of conduct in a tweet earlier this year about Michael Cohen.
In the February tweet (pictured below), Gaetz accused Michael Cohen of infidelity just before President Donald Trump’s former attorney testified before Congress. Gaetz said at the time that the complaint to the Florida Bar was “frivolous”.
“The Florida Bar has informed me that the Grievance Committee found “No Probable Cause” that I violated the rules of my profession., Gaetz said in a tweet Wednesday afternoon. “they are taking no disciplinary action against me & are sending a letter of advice. I thank the Bar committee members for their sound judgment.”
The Florida Bar will officially issue a “letter of advice” to Gaetz on Friday. The contents of the letter will not be public record until that time.
Tate Helmets Sporting New Logo Decals For Friday Night’s Kickoff Classic
August 15, 2019
The Tate Aggies will be sporting helmets with fresh new logo decals under the Friday night lights this season.
Robin Foster, Kevin Wilson and Shannon Wilson worked to place the new decals on the helmets before the start of the season.
The Aggies head to Pace Friday night for a kickoff classic game against the Pace Patriots.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
