Woman Cited After Rear-ending School Bus With 14 Students On Board
January 18, 2020
A woman was cited by troopers after rear-ending a school bus in Escambia County Friday.
The Escambia County school bus was stopped with red lights flashing and stop sign deployed on Tower Ridge Road when it was rear-ended by a 2007 Buick Lucerne driven by 59-year old Donna Edwards, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The Buick became pinned under the bus, but Edwards was not injured.
The driver of the bus, Brittaney Gay of Walnut Hill, and the 14 students on board were also not injured.
Edwards was cited for careless driving and knowingly operating a motor vehicle with suspended or revoked license.
Tate Varsity Cheerleaders Take Regionals, Advance To State Finals
January 18, 2020
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The Tate High School varsity cheerleaders won their third consecutive FHSAA Region 1 championship Friday night. This year, they competed in the Medium Varsity division at Oakleaf High School in Orange Park.
With the win, the Tate cheerleaders advance to the finals at the FHSAA state competition January 31-February 1 in Gainesville.
Last season, the Tate varsity cheerleaders won the state championship and placed fifth in the nation.
Pictured are (front, L-R) coaches and seniors Morgan White (coach), Madelyn Ray, Trista King, Kensley Foley, Shelby Fleming (captain), Bailey Carter (captain), Kyndal Milsted, Abigail Manoso, Keaden Martin, Annie Wiggins (assistant coach), (back, L-R) Briana Ragan, Alana Polk, Emily McNair, Kyndell Ammons, Erin Johnson, Morgan Warrington, Ashlyn NeSmith, Angelena Tamoria, Hagyn Helton, Ashlie Houdashelt, Paige McKinney, Emma Romero and Landry Bellard. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Registration Underway At Molino Ballpark, Northwest Escambia
January 18, 2020
Molino Ballpark
Molino Ballpark spring registration is underway though next Saturday online only.
Register for tee ball, baseball and softball through 11:59 .m. on January 25 at www.molinoballpark.com. Further information and costs can be found on the website.
Northwest Escambia
Registration is underway from Northwest Escambia tee ball, baseball and softball. Registration is open online at www.nwebaseball.com through January 31. Additional information is available on the website.
In-person registration will also be held from 9 a.m. until noon on January 25 and February 1 at the Bradberry Park Fieldhouse.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jury Selected In Case Of Man Accused Of Murdering Three Family Members Four Years Ago
January 18, 2020
A jury has been seated for the trial of an Escambia County man accused of the murder of three family members over four years ago.
Jury selection wrapped up Friday and opening statements will begin Tuesday morning in the case against Donald Hartung. He is facing three counts of first degree premeditated murder in the death of his mother and two half-brothers, Voncile Smith, John Smith, and Richard Smith. State Attorney Bill Eddins said prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty.
All three bodies were found on July 31, 2015, in their home on Deerfield Drive. All three were beaten with a claw hammer and their throats slit, and Richard Smith was also shot in the head.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office investigation first found witchcraft may have been involved in the killings. But further investigation revealed the motive may have been more financially motivated.
Milestone Boulevard To Be Closed At Nine Mile Road Next Week
January 17, 2020
Milestone Boulevard will be closed at the intersection of Nine Mile Road in Escambia County the week of Tuesday, January 21, following the reopening of Littleton Street.
The closure will allow crews to perform drainage work, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. The work is anticipated to take seven to 10 days to complete. Traffic will be detoured to Littleton Street and Oldenburg Boulevard. Signs and variable message boards will be in place to alert drivers of the temporary closure and alternate route.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Cantonment Man Charged In Cottage Hill Drive By Shooting
January 17, 2020
A drive-by shooting suspect that crashed his pickup into a tree in Cottage Hill last November has been arrested.
Kenneth Brandon Caughey, 34, was charged this week with three counts of felony aggravated assault, five counts of firing deadly missiles, discharging a firearm from a vehicle, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and criminal mischief in connection with the drive-by shooting about 3:40 a.m. on Saturday, November 30, 2019. No one was hit or injured by the gunfire.
A resident of Handy Road told deputies that someone in a black pickup stopped in front of her house and opened fire, taking some 6-10 shots at her home before speeding off towards McKenzie Road. Deputies found three bullet holes in the exterior of the home and numerous .40 caliber shell casings in front.
Caughey crashed his pickup into a tree in the area of a Handy Road and Williams Ditch Road. He and a juvenile passenger were transported to an area hospital in serious condition. Deputies said a .40 caliber Glock semi-automatic pistol was in plain sight where Caughey had been sitting in the vehicle.
Caughey remained in the Escambia County Jail Friday morning with bond set at $156,000.
The juvenile has also be charged in connection with the drive-by shooting.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Add NAS Pensacola Memorial Patch To Uniforms
January 17, 2020
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos will take the field in 2020 with their city over their hearts.
The team announced on Thursday that the Blue Wahoos will wear “We Have The Watch-NAS Pensacola” patches on their uniforms in 2020 to honor the victims of the tragic shooting at Naval Air Station Pensacola on December 6th, 2019, and the brave military members, police officers, and first responders who protect the citizens of Pensacola.
“The brave military members at Naval Air Station Pensacola keep our city and our nation safe, and it’s an honor for us to pay tribute to the victims of this tragic event and to the strength of the city of Pensacola as we collectively recover as a community,” team president Jonathan Griffith said.
The patches, designed by Marcus Pointe Baptist Church Media Director Robbie Harvey and pressed and embroidered by Wings & Things Monogramming on South Navy Boulevard, will be worn over the heart, directly above the Blue Wahoos logo on the team’s home uniforms.
The same patches are worn on the uniforms of local military members at Naval Air Station Pensacola and first responders across Pensacola.
Cantonment Man Charged With Fleeing From Traffic Stop
January 17, 2020
A Cantonment man is facing a felony charge after allegedly fleeing from deputies attempting a traffic stop.
Kaderus Antonio Williams, 29, was charged with felony fleeing and eluding a law enforcement office and driving with a suspended or revoked license.
An Escambia County deputy on routine patrol activated his emergency lights to conduct a traffic stop after spotting a Chevrolet Malibu with no headlights traveling north on Pace Boulevard. The vehicle fled at a high rate of speed, and the deputy lost visual contact.
A short time later,police located the vehicle at the address on the tag registration. A female at that location advised she had loaned the vehicle to Williams. He was also observed on surveillance video parking it and running after the attempted traffic stop, according to an arrest report.
Williams was released from the Escambia County Jail on $11,000 bond.
Tate High School Names Students Of The Month
January 17, 2020
Tate High School has named students of the month. They are Tanner Rutherford and Trinity Lentz, pictured with Principal Rick Shackle. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Accused Of Kidnapping, Robbing And Shooting His Former Coworker
January 17, 2020
An Escambia County man was allegedly kidnapped from his home, robbed and a shot by a former coworker.
On Wednesday, Escambia County deputies were made aware that suspect Robert Robert Rodriguez, 40, had shot a man in Baldwin County and was thought to be returning to Escambia County.
Rodriguez then drove the victim to Champion Mill Road in Seminole, Alabama, shooting him in the chest and leaving him in a ditch, according to the ECSO.
Deputies later located Rodriguez’s car traveling westbound on Michigan Avenue and attempted a traffic stop. Rodriguez fled and deputies pursued. The pursuit came to an end when a “PIT” maneuver was conducted on Fairfield Drive near Chesterfield Road.
Rodriguez was taken to a local hospital for treatment. He is charged with kidnapping, grand theft of a motor vehicle, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer at a high rate of speed. He is also expected to face charges in Baldwin County.
The condition of the victim has not been made available.