Old Atmore Road Crash Claims Life Of Flomaton Woman
March 16, 2023
A single vehicle crash claimed the life of a Flomaton woman Wednesday night.
The crash happened about 9 p.m. on Old Atmore Road near Community Church road west of Flomaton.
According to the Flomaton Police Department, a 61-year old woman ran off the roadway and struck a tree. She was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Flomaton Police Chief Johnny Wilson said the investigation is continuing.
The Flomaton Police Department, Flomaton Fire Department, MedStar EMS, and the Century Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue responded.
FWC Charges Escambia Man With Multiple Deer Poaching Related Offenses
March 16, 2023
An Escambia County man was charged with poaching related offenses by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Connor Ross Bronkhorst, 20, was charged five counts of unlawful take or killing of doe deer, fawn, or antlerless deer (less than 5 inches during the open season); two counts of statewide annual bag five deer, of which no more than two may be antlerless deer; possession limit, four daily bag as follows provided no person shall take more than two deer per day; and willful wanton waste of wildlife.
FWC said Bronkhorst admitted that he had shot four antlerless deer at night in the Blackwater State Forest.
An FWC officer located the meat from the four recently poached deer in coolers at his residence and part of a fifth antlerless deer the suspect admitted shooting at night earlier in the week. The gun used in the crime, the deer meat and the deer heads were seized and placed into evidence.
NAS Pensacola Will Open To The Public For One Weekend Only
March 16, 2023
NAS Pensacola will open to the public for one weekend, March 25-26 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Public access to NAS Pensacola March 25 and 26 will be available from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. through the West Gate only on Blue Angel Parkway. All guests 18 and older must have a valid state or federal picture ID such as driver’s license or passport. Access will be available depending on available parking at the National Naval Aviation Museum and Pensacola Lighthouse.
Once parking is full, public access will be halted until more parking becomes available. Temporary traffic control points will be located on base to prevent public access to other areas of the installation.
While on the installation, the public will be able to visit the Pensacola Lighthouse, Fort Barrancas and the museum. Access to Barrancas National Cemetery is always available to anyone with family interred at the cemetery through the Visitor Control Center at the Main Gate.
The following restrictions will apply:
- No weapons (firearms/knives) allowed (to include concealed weapon permit holders)
- No backpacks/coolers allowed (diaper bags or medically required bags are acceptable and subject to search)
- No alcoholic beverages allowed
- No drones allowed (countermeasures will be taken)
- Persons with felony convictions are not authorized base access
- All vehicles and personnel are subject to security searches and background checks
Tate Drops Midweek Aggie Classic Game (With Gallery)
March 16, 2023
The Tate Aggies dropped a midweek Aggie Classic game 3-1 to Union, Oklahoma.
Rilee Lowery went six innings for Tate Wednesday night, allowing two hits, two runs, walking one and striking out seven. Colton Swiers pitched one inning in relief, giving up one hit, one run and walking out one.
James Davis led the Aggies at the plate, going 2-3.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Tate will move into bracket play on Thursday against Broken Arrow, OK, at 4 p.m.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Storms For Friday
March 16, 2023
Severe storms will be possible across the area on Friday. The biggest threat will be strong winds in excess of 60 mph and possibly a tornado.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Friday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 75. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 55. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 61.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.
Mary Elizabeth ‘Beth’ Harris
March 16, 2023
On March 13, 2023, Mary Elizabeth “Beth” Harris closed her eyes on this earth and opened them in the glorious presence of her Heavenly Father. She can now attest with assurance that “my ears had heard of You, but now my eyes have seen You” (Job 42:5).
Beth was born to Bob and Patty Tabor on December 30, 1961, in Logan, WV. She was the older sister to Rob, a brother she cherished for a lifetime. At the age of fifteen, Beth committed her life to Jesus and never looked back. In 1990, she married Jim, the love of her life, and spent the early years of marriage teaching third grade at Grace Christian School while serving at Grace Gospel Church and First Baptist Church South Point, Ohio.
In 1997, Jim and Beth relocated to Pensacola, Florida, where Beth began a twenty-three-year career at Olive Baptist Church as Pastor Ted Traylor’s Executive Assistant. Her responsibilities included efficiency and professionalism, of course, but she brought so much more to the position: warmth, energy, and authenticity. While she filled this role fulltime, other opportunities within the church showcased a host of other gifts. For example, Beth was a seasoned Bible teacher; attentive mentor to young women; and innovative Director of Women’s Ministry.
When family and friends think of Beth, they think of so much more than a faithful servant at Olive Baptist. She loved a good joke, a Starbuck’s coffee, and a beautiful beach sunset. Her penmanship was as impeccable as the words she crafted, and there was nothing brighter than that million-dollar smile. For those who knew her even briefly, Beth was a connector of people. One of her greatest joys was in introducing two strangers who were “meant to be friends.” In short, she recognized potential and then helped every walk of life reach it.
Beth loved Jesus. She walked with Him, talked about Him, and exuded His love wherever she went. Memorizing large chunks of scripture was more than a spiritual discipline; it was a balm for difficult moments that needed perspective. Her favorite books of the Bible happened to be the ones she was presently studying—Joshua, Isaiah, and 1 John were recent preferences—and she often quoted them on walks with friends, in social media posts, and in her prayers.
Beth is survived by her husband James P. “Jim” Harris; her brother Robert W. Tabor (Camissa); mother-in-law Athalene H. Harris; sister-in-law Josette H. Hatley (Robert); three nieces Alayna Tabor, Emma Hatley, and Frances Hatley; and two nephews Matthew Tabor and Samuel Hatley. She is preceded in death by her parents Robert E. and Patty J. Tabor and her father-in-law Hargis V. Harris.
An often-quoted passage that Beth shared with friends feels even more significant since her homegoing. It is in these truths that she took great comfort, and so do we: “For our momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (II Corinthians 4:17-18).
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to The Ministry Village at Olive, Inc. https://ministryvillage.org, 1716 E. Olive Road, Pensacola, FL 32514.
Live stream of funeral service will be available Saturday, March 18, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. Central Time, at http://www.olivebaptist.org/funeral
Man Dies In Industrial Plant Cement Mixer Accident In Cantonment
March 15, 2023
A man died in an industrial accident in Cantonment Wednesday afternoon.
The man was reportedly working inside or fell inside an industrial plant cement mixing machine when it was turned on at a plant on Highway 95A north of Quintette Road about 4:30 p.m.
The man was pronounced deceased at the scene of the accident at Foley Products, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The ECSO investigation is continuing.
Pictured: First responders arrive at the scene of an industrial fatality Wednesday afternoon in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Two Candidates Could Get To ‘Judge’ Upcoming Century Special Election
March 15, 2023
Century has a special election for two town council seats on March 28. And in an almost preposterous twist created by the town charter, it appears that two of the four candidates may get to judge the election.
In a typical Florida election, a group composed of the county supervisor of elections, the chair of the county commission and a county court judge serve as what is called the “canvassing board”. And there are provisions to replace them with alternates if they are seeking, or they support someone seeking, election.
But in the Century charter — the document that establishes and governs the town — there is one line that’s causing a dispute prior to the special election.
“The council shall be the judge of the election…”
A canvassing board certifies the voting equipment. Reviews, and can reject, the signatures on vote by mail ballots. Reviews poorly marked ballots and reviews provision ballots — and decides if those votes should count. Recounts, certifying the election — those are all canvassing board duties.
But does “judge of the election” mean the town council will serve as a de facto canvassing board? That one candidate could determine that a vote for her opponent is valid or invalid?
Yes, according to emails from Century’s attorney Matt Dannheisser.
“The advisability of an existing councilmember being a judge of his or her own election notwithstanding, we nevertheless are constrained by the terms of the Town’s Charter,” Dannheisser wrote in an email to Town Clerk Leslie Howington. “Until the language is changed, we have no choice but to adhere to its terms.”
Two candidates — Shelisa McCall and Alicia Johnson — are currently serving as appointed interim town council members. Each is facing opposition from another candidate. At a recent council meeting, all four candidates and the three other council members agreed that “judging” the election by two candidates is just wrong.
A 2007 interlocal agreement signed by then-mayor Evelyn Hammond between the town and county says the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections will conduct elections in Century, at the town’s expense.
“There appears to be a disagreement between the Town and my attorney as to the makeup of the canvassing board for the special election,” Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford told NorthEscambia.com “We have an interlocal agreement in place which we intend to follow. The first canvassing board activity will be the public testing of the voting equipment, which will occur on the Thursday before the election. It is my hope and expectation that some resolution will be reached prior to that time.
In a March 6 email from Assistant County Attorney to Dannheisser, Assistant County Attorney Christi Hankins stated that she contacted the Florida Department of State Division of Elections for guidance. The email was copied to Mayor Ben Boutwell and Town Clerk Leslie Howington, among others, but was not included in 12 pages of related emails provided to the council at their March 7 meeting.
Hankins continues that the phrase “judge of the election” appears in similar form in both the Florida Constitution and in Florida statutes.
“It is a statement the council will not delegate its powers to settle election challenges,” Hankins wrote.
“The appointment of the county canvassing board would not be a delegation of duty based on the language of multiple court opinions interpreting the Constitutional provision and the Florida Statutes. The understanding of the phrase comports with the Interlocal Agreement and the lack of need to address the county canvassing board issue in the agreement.”
The Century Town Council has voted to reach out to the Florida Attorney General’s Office for an opinion on the matter.
We will continue to follow this story and provide updates.
Escambia Schools Look To Hire More Security Officers
March 15, 2023
The Escambia County School District is looking to hire more campus security officers for the next school year in advance of a July class.
“Campus Security Officers are ECPS employees trained by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office whose sole mission is to protect students and staff in our public schools across Escambia County,” said Protection Services Director Kyle Kinser. “All personnel are put through rigorous screening.”
Ideal candidates should have prior law enforcement and/or military experience and must have a passion for working with children, according to the district.
Successful applicants will go through an extensive paid training curriculum with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Selected candidates begin with a starting salary of $33,309 for 10 months of employment. Once the training process has been completed, candidates are eligible for a variety of benefits.
Man Gets Life In Prison For Chemstrand Road Home Invasion, Rape, Kidnapping
March 15, 2023
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to life in prison for Chemstrand Road home invasion robbery that led to the kidnapping and rape of the victim.
Billy Ray Smith, Jr., was convicted of burglary of a dwelling with a battery, sexual battery with a deadly weapon, armed kidnapping, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, grand theft auto, theft of a credit card, fraudulent use of a credit card, petit theft, and battery.
On August 19, 2021, Smith entered the victim’s home on Chemstrand Road while she was asleep on the couch, according to prosecutors. He put a gun to her head, threatened her, demanded money, and ransacked her home.
He then put the victim in the trunk of her car and drove to a vacant lot, where he raped her at knifepoint. He then used the victim’s debit card and withdrew money from an ATM in the area, and then stole the victim’s car, and ultimately left the victim duct taped to a chair in her bathroom.
Smith was seen on surveillance video driving the victim’s car, using her debit card, and hiding her property behind a dumpster. Fingerprint evidence linking him was also located.