Atmore Police Continue To Investigate Murder; No Arrests Made
July 11, 2020
The Atmore Police Department is continuing to investigate a June 29 shooting as a homicide.
Demarkus Wanya Lawson, age 19 of Atmore, was shot the night of June 29 and passed away as a result of his injuries of July 4, according to Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks.
About 9:17 p.m. on June 29, the Atmore Police Department responded to a 911 report of a person shot at 102 White Street. Atmore Police officers arrived at the residence and observed a car leaving the area with emergency flashers on. A witness told a responding officer the injured victim was loaded into a personal vehicle and was being transported to Atmore Community Hospital. The officer then followed the vehicle to the hospital while other officers secured the scene on White Street.
Brooks said Lawson sustained a single gunshot wound. He was later airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola where he passed away on July 4.
“APD Investigators are now investigating this case as a homicide. Investigators have interviewed several people who were present during the shooting but no arrest have been made as of this date,” Brooks said Friday.
Anyone with information about the murder is asked to call the Atmore Police Department at (251) 368-9141.
Escambia County Temporarily Closing All Recycling Locations Due To COVID-19 Impacts
July 11, 2020
Escambia County is closing all public recycling locations effect Monday due to impacts from COVID-19.
Inmate crews from Escambia County Corrections are used to manage mess from illegal dumping at the sites. Those inmate road crew program was suspended Thursday after an inmate at the Escambia County Work Annex (formerly known as the road prison) tested positive for COVID-19.
“With the loss of labor crews from Escambia County Corrections, the county will not have manpower to manage illegal dumping at the sites. There have been multiple complaints about illegal dumping from neighbors and businesses around each site. Do not leave any materials at the drop-off recycling sites,” the county said in a press release Friday afternoon.
The following Escambia County recycling locations are closed until further notice:
- UF/IFAS Extension Office: 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- Molino Fire Station: 1459 Molino Rd, Molino
- Oak Grove Convenience Center: 745 County Road 99, McDavid
- Perdido Landfill: 13009 Beulah Road, Cantonment
- Baars Softball Field: 12950 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola
- ECUA Ellyson Campus (between the old airplane hangar and the ECUA Water Quality Laboratory): 9255 Sturdevant Street, Pensacola
- Escambia High School: 1310 N. 65th Avenue, Pensacola
- Ever’Man Natural Foods Cooperative Grocery (rear parking lot): 315 W. Garden Street, Pensacola
- Ferry Pass Fire Station: 2331 E. Johnson Avenue, Pensacola
A recycling site that was located at the John R. Jones Ballpark on Nine Mile Road was previously closed on June 15 due to a problem with illegal dumping.
ECUA residential sanitation customers can get a free recycling as part of their service. Call ECUA at (850) 476-0480 Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Seven Vehicle Wreck Closes Highway 29 In Cantonment; Witnesses Reported Reckless Driver Just Before Crash
July 10, 2020
A seven vehicle crash closed Highway 29 at Muscogee Road Friday evening.
Multiple people reported a yellow Chevrolet Corvette traveling recklessly at a high rate of speed on Highway 29 just before the crash about 6:30 p.m.
There were injuries in the wreck, none of which were considered life threatening. An exact number of injuries was not available as the Florida Highway Patrol continued their investigation.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
One Death, 153 New COVID-19 Cases Reported Friday In Escambia County
July 10, 2020
THIS STORY IS OUTDATED. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST.
Another COVID-19 death and 153 new positive cases were reported in Escambia County Friday by the Florida Department of Health.
The Escambia County fatality was an 88-year old male that was not a long-term care facility resident.
Escambia County cases increased to 3,485 and Santa Rosa cases were up by 52 to 1,085.
As of Friday morning, there were 137 COVID-19 patients currently hospitalized in Escambia County.
Of the 1,216 test results returned on Thursday, 10.8% were positive in Escambia County and 9% were positive from 524 tests in Santa Rosa County.
Of the 53 deaths in Escambia County, 38 have been long-term care facility residents or staff. There have been 10 deaths in Santa Rosa County, seven of those at the Blackwater River Correctional Facility and none in long-term care facilities.
Statewide, there were 244,151 cases including 240,710 Florida residents. There have been 17,602 hospitalizations* and 4,102 deaths. The Florida Department of Health does not have a clear standard or definition of “recovered” and does not report a number of recovered individuals.
Escambia County cases:
Total cases — 3,485 (+153 since Thursday)
Non-Florida residents — 511
Pensacola — 2,623 (+120)
Cantonment — 223 (+10)
Molino— 38 (+1)
Century — 18
Bellview — 7
McDavid — 13
Walnut Hill — 4
Perdido Key — 3
Current hospitalizations: 137 (not cumulative)
Deaths — 53 (+1)
Male — 1,290
Female — 1,549
Youngest — 0
Oldest — 105
Median Age — 37
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases — 1,085 (+52 since Thursday)
Non-Florida residents — 9
Milton — 450 (+19)
Gulf Breeze — 218 (+14)
Navarre — 173 (+8)
Pace — 109 (+3)
Jay — 33 (+1)
Bagdad — 1
Hospitalizations — 65* (+4)
Deaths — 10
Male — 541
Female — 495
Youngest — 2 months
Oldest — 99
Median Age — 34
Florida cases:
Total cases — 244,151
Florida residents — 240,710
Deaths — 4,102
Hospitalizations — 17,602
*“Hospitalizations” in the statewide and Santa Rosa County totals is a count of all laboratory confirmed cases in which an inpatient hospitalization occurred at any time during the course of illness. These people may no longer be hospitalized. This number does not represent the number of COVID-19 positive persons currently hospitalized. The FDOH does not provide a count of patients currently hospitalized. The Escambia County number is current data compiled each day from the local hospitals.
Ex-Employee Gets 10 Years For Robbing Davisville Piggly Wiggly Store Twice, Accomplice Awaiting Trial
July 10, 2020
An ex-employee of the Piggly Wiggly on Highway 97 in Davisville has been sentenced for robbing the store twice.
Maurice Montraye Ervin, age 27 of Atmore, was sentenced to a minimum mandatory 10 years in state prison followed by 36 months probation after pleading guilty to robbery with a firearm, aggravated assault and grand theft.
Ervin will have to serve the 10 years in prison day for day with no reduction in the sentence, according to State Attorney Bill Eddins. Ervin, who had no prior criminal record, will be required to repay the Piggly Wiggly as a condition of his probation.
Ervin was a Piggly Wiggly employee when he stole $941.91 from one of the registers on October 29, 2019. He fled the store when confronted by the manager. The incident was captured on video.
Ervin entered the Piggly Wiggly just before it closed on December 4, 2019. He approached the clerk and pointed the gun at a female employee as he ordered her not to move or talk. He took $6,686.66 from the safe before fleeing the store, according to an arrest report. The clerk told deputies that she recognized the voice of the robber as Ervin, but she did not see his face because he was wearing a mask.
Shortly after the robbery, Ervin was located in the 300 block of Sunset Drive in Atmore and taken into custody by Atmore Police on an outstanding failure to appear warrant. Atmore Police found a firearm matching the exact description of the one used in the robbery inside the 12-foot travel trailer in which Ervin was living.
After interviewing Ervin at the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton, investigators from the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office and the Atmore Police Department searched an old shed with no doors near Ervin’s camper. Cash money totaling $81.00 was located on the ground inside the shed.
Johnny Cecil Patterson, age 46 of Atmore, is awaiting trial on charges of first degree accessory after the fact robbery with a firearm and grand theft. Patterson allegedly drove Ervin to the Piggly Wiggly and served as the getaway driver.
Patterson picked Ervin up immediately after the robbery and drove to Ervin’s residence on West Sunset Drive in Atmore, about six miles away, the report states. Patterson also provided Ervin with Ziploc bags to use when dividing the money. Investigators don’t know the amounts of the division.
When interviewed by deputies, Patterson completed a sworn written statement that he was called by Ervin, and he did drop him off and pick him up at the Piggly Wiggly. He said he had no conversation at all with Ervin in the vehicle, and he refused to get the hidden money when Ervin called from the jail.
90 Escambia County Inmates Positive For COVID-19; First Road Prison Case Reported
July 10, 2020
At least 90 Escambia County inmates housed at three different locations have tested positive for COVID-19.
As of Thursday, 132 inmates have been tested at the Escambia County jail for COVID-19. There are 71 positive cases, 12 negative cases and 49 pending results. There are 18 Escambia County inmates housed at the Walton County Jail who also tested positive for COVID-19.
And on Thursday, the first positive case was reported at the road prison, which is now official named the Escambia County Work Annex.
Temperatures are taken as road crews depart and return to the facility each day. This inmate was identified with a temperature upon return earlier this weekand immediately was isolated away from others, according to a statement from Escambia County. As a result of contact tracing, two additional inmates and a correctional officer are being tested.
The county has suspended road crew operations that provide services throughout the county. The suspended services include include road crews , groundskeeping throughout the county and support to the landfill, animal services, code enforcement and fleet maintenance.
“The action to suspend operations of the road crews is taken to protect the inmates, the correctional officers, other county employees that supervise inmate details, as well as the citizens that are in and around some of the operations where we provide services,” Escambia County Corrections Chief Rich Powell said. “The inmate population will remain under observation for a period of 14 days to identify if any other inmates have become infected or present any medical concerns. Fortunately, medical staff advises that no inmates are presenting medical concerns at this time. We are continuing to clean more frequently to try to prevent further spread of COVID-19, and masks continue to be available for all inmates.”
Individuals can call the Escambia County Jail at (850) 436-9650 with questions about inmates.
Selection Committee Picks Their Top 10 Candidates For Escambia County Superintendent
July 10, 2020
The list of candidates to be the next Escambia County School superintendent was narrowed from 27 to 10 favorites Thursday night by the Superintendent Search Citizens Advisory Committee .
The 10, in the order in which they submitted their applications, are:
- Marques L. Stewart
- Dr. Earl Johnson
- Dr. John Millay
- Keith C. Rittel
- Dr. Timothy A. Smith
- Keith Leonard
- Dr. BrianT. Binggeli
- Dr. Vincent F. Cotter
- Dr. Robert E. Schiller
- Christopher N. Ruszkowski
Click or tap any applicant’s name to load their resume.
Only one of the two local candidates remains on the search committee’s original list. Keith Leonard of Cantonment is the current assistant superintendent of Human Resource Services and spent 13 years as the Escambia County School District director of Human Resource Services.
The other local candidate, Claudia Williams of Pensacola, did not make the committee’s list. She worked for the Escambia County School District for about 32 years and is currently a guidance counselor at Judy Andrews/Success Academy. She is a former District 3 board member and campaigned unsuccessfully for superintendent in 2004, 2008 and 2012.
Next up, the committee with further explore the work history, accomplishments and references for each of the 10 in preparation for their next meeting.
Technically, all 27 candidates remain until the Escambia County School Board officially cuts it to a list of finalists. They could overrule the actions of the advisory committee.
Walnut Hill Woman Thankful Tree Stopped Pickup Before It Hit Her Granddaughter’s Bedroom
July 10, 2020
A Walnut Hill woman is thankful that a driver is okay after slamming into a tree in her yard, and thankful the tree stopped the vehicle before it crashed into her home.
About 4:45 a.m. Thursday, a pickup truck left Highway 97 near Arthur Brown Road, traveled across a yard and slammed into an oak tree and a car parked in Luanne Henderson’s yard. Just feet away in the direction the vehicle was traveling is her house. The pickup truck wrapped around the tree and was deflected away from the house.
Her granddaughter, who turned 11 Friday, was asleep in the bedroom.
“I have so much to be thankful for, but this morning I am thankful for that tree, and the fact that the gentleman involved walked away! God is good…everyday,” Henderson said.
The driver of the pickup truck refused transport to the hospital following the crash. The Florida Highway Patrol investigated.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Council To Discuss Confederate Monument, Lee Square. Here’s How To Provide Input.
July 10, 2020
<On Tuesday July 14, 2020, the Pensacola City Council will hold a special meeting regarding the Confederate Monument located at Lee Square as well as the renaming of Lee Square.
The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. with all public participation taking place remotely. The meeting will be live streamed at cityofpensacola.com/video.
The city provided the following information on how the public can take part:
There are several options to provide comments and participate in the meeting:
Speak during the meeting: Those wishing to participate can access the request to speak form here at https://www.cityofpensacola.com/ccinput, submissions will be accepted from 12:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. on July 14th . Those requesting to speak will then be called via the telephone number they provide; in the order the requests are received. You are asked to state your name and address for the record, and you will have two minutes to speak.
Send an email to City Council: Another option is to express your thoughts and have your voice be heard by emailing the Council Members or to Don Kraher at dkraher@cityofpensacola.com who will share your thoughts with all Council Members. These emails will be made part of the record of the meeting. Please be aware that all emails become public records and are subject to disclosure.
Send comments to be read during the meeting: A final option is to send your thoughts in written form to Don Kraher at dkraher@cityofpensacola.com and request those thoughts be read into the record at the meeting. Comments will be read as submitted, however no obscenities or curse words will be read. The reading into the record will be relegated to the same two minute time limit in place for the call-in speakers.
Blue Wahoos Stadium Named America’s Best Double-A Ballpark
July 10, 2020
Pensacola’s Blue Wahoos Stadium has been named the 2020 Ballpark Digest “Best of the Ballparks” champion at the Double-A level, earning the title through a national fan vote that attracted over 80,000 votes. The five-round competition featured all 30 Double-A Minor League Stadiums in a single-elimination bracket decided by fans. Pensacola won the title of Best Ballpark by besting “Hodgetown”, the ballpark of the Amarillo Sod Poodles, an affiliate of the San Diego Padres and the 2019 Best of the Ballparks champion, in the championship round.
“We’re very excited to bring the title of Best Ballpark back to Pensacola,” team president Jonathan Griffith said. “Our mission as an organization is to improve the quality of life in our community, so it’s an honor for us to bring this recognition to our city. While we’re proud to have a great ballpark, we’re even more proud to have such incredible fans who voted us to the title.”
Pensacola’s road to the title included a win over Bowie’s Prince George Stadium in the opening round, victories against Biloxi’s MGM Park and Montgomery’s Riverwalk Stadium, both Southern League opponents, in the second and third rounds, a tightly contest win against Corpus Christi’s Whataburger Field in the semi-finals, and a resounding 54%-46% win in the championship against Hodgetown.
“Despite all the bad news, the Blue Wahoos ownership and management have responded with verve and imagination, refusing to let down their fans,” Ballpark Digest publisher Kevin Reichard said in a release by the publication. “The win in the fan vote against such a tough foe really shows how loved the Blue Wahoos are in the community.
Built in 2012, Blue Wahoos Stadium has established itself as one of the nation’s premier facilities over the past decade, winning three Southern League Ballpark of the Year Awards and previously winning the Ballpark Digest Best of the Ballparks contest in 2016. A multi-use community ballpark, the stadium hosts over 200 events each year including Blue Wahoos games and University of West Florida football games.