Escambia County Attempted Murder Suspect Now Behind Bars
January 5, 2020
A wanted attempted murder suspect is now in the Escambia County Jail.
Phillip Isaac Bivins, 18, is also charged with using a firearm during the commission of a felony. He’s was booked into the jail on Saturday where he was being held without bond.
The Pensacola Police Department responded to Bayou Boulevard after a vehicle crashed into a ditch Thursday afternoon. They discovered a person in the car had been shot three times on Tryton Circle in the county.
Bivins and the victim got into an argument over how a blunt — a marijuana cigarette — was rolled, according to the ECSO. They decided to go to Tryton Circle to settle the dispute with a fight, but when the victim arrived, Bivins allegedly shot him.
Tate JV Cheerleaders Named Grand Champions At Chipley Tiger Cheer Challenge
January 5, 2020
The JV Tate Aggie cheerleaders brought home first place and the Grand Champion title Saturday from the Tiger Cheer Challenge at Chipley High School. They also won the title of Strongest Stunt Group in a stunt-off.
The Aggie cheerleaders took to the mat with a recently modified routine with changes that included increased difficulty in stunting.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino And Century Libraries Get Crafty: Sign Making, Learn To Loom
January 5, 2020
Patrons of the Molino and Century branch libraries will have the chance to make a wooden sign, and the Molino Branch Library is offering instruction on basic looming techniques.
Sign Making – with STEAM
- Tuesday, Jan. 7, 6 p.m. – Century Branch Library
- Tuesday, Jan. 21, 6 p.m. – Molino Branch Library
Do you have a favorite saying? Come put it on your own wooden sign. You will design and cut out your saying to make a decorative sign using the Silhouette machines. No prior experience required. Beginners welcome. The library will provide all needed supplies.
Learn to Loom Knit
- Tuesday, Jan. 7, 6 p.m. – Molino Branch Library
- Tuesday, Jan. 14, 6 p.m. – Molino Branch Library
Attendees will learn simple loom knitting techniques to create a fun and warm winter hat. All tools and materials will be provided. Space is limited. Contact Molino Branch Library at (850) 435-1760 to register.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
One Injured In Highway 297A Crash
January 5, 2020
One least one person was injured in a two vehicle crash Saturday afternoon on Highway 297A at Carmody Hill Road in Cantonment.
The injured was transported by Escambia County EMS with non-life threatening injuries after the 12:45 p.m. wreck. Both vehicles came to rest off the roadway.
The Florida Highway Patrol investigated the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
January Is ‘Move Over’ Month In Florida
January 5, 2020
January is Move Over month and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) urges all motorists to move over for emergency and service vehicles stopped along the roadway. Preliminarily in 2019, there were 182 crashes and over 20,000 citations issued for motorists failing to move over. FLHSMV and the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) are partnering with the Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Police Chiefs Association, Florida Sheriffs Association and AAA – The Auto Club Group to ensure all law enforcement, first responders, service and utility workers and Road Rangers Arrive Alive in 2020.
“When a crash occurs, law enforcement and first responders are there. When a disabled vehicle needs assistance, Road Rangers or tow truck drivers are there. When power lines need repairs, utility and service workers are there,” said FLHSMV Executive Director, Terry L. Rhodes. “The Move Over Law is in place to protect those who serve all of us on the roadways, giving them a safe space to do their jobs. Move Over, Florida, and help ensure that these public servants come home safely each day.”
When motorists cannot vacate the lane closest to the emergency or service vehicle, they must slow to a speed that is 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit. Failure to yield or move over puts law enforcement officers, emergency first responders and public service workers in danger while they are on the job protecting and serving the citizens and visitors of Florida.
The Move Over Law was added to Florida law in 2002. The statute, which was originally introduced in 1971, requires motorists to move or yield right-of-way to emergency vehicles and in 2014, utility and sanitation vehicles were added to the Move Over Law. The Move Over Law states that drivers must move over as soon as it is safe to do so for any authorized law enforcement, emergency or service vehicles displaying any visible signals while stopped on the roadside, including Road Rangers, sanitation vehicles and tow trucks.
“The simple act of moving over gives law enforcement, emergency first responders and other service vehicles adequate space to do their jobs and can greatly increase safety on Florida’s roadways,” said Colonel Gene Spaulding, Director of the Florida Highway Patrol. “The Move Over Law was enacted to help protect public service professionals while they protect Florida’s motorists in one of the most dangerous environments: the side of the roadway.”
To comply with the Move Over Law drivers must:
Multi-Lane Roadway:
- Vacate the lane closest to the stationary emergency vehicle, sanitation vehicle, utility service vehicle, Road Ranger or wrecker and always signal the intention to change lanes.
- Slow down to a speed of 20 mph below the posted speed limit if a driver cannot move over safely.
- Be prepared to allow those who are attempting to move over into the next lane.
Two-Lane Roadway:
- Slow down to a speed of 20 mph below the posted speed limit.
- Travel at 5 mph if the speed limit is 20 mph or less.
The public is encouraged to report aggressive drivers by dialing *FHP (*347). For more information on the Move Over Law, visit: https://www.flhsmv.gov/safety-center/driving-safety/move-over/.
Bratt Convenience Store Burglary Under Investigation
January 4, 2020
A burglary at a Bratt convenience store is under investigation.
The store clerk arrived at the Crossroads Store shortly before 7 a.m. Saturday to find that someone had broken the glass out of a front door. The exact time of the crime was not known; it happened sometime after closing Friday night.
The burglar took an undisclosed amount of cash, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, from the small country store located at what is known as the “Bratt Crossroads” at the intersection of North Highway 99 and Highway 4.
Anyone with information on the burglary is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fire Destroys Travel Trailer At Lake Stone Campground, Leaving Man Without A Home
January 4, 2020
A fire early Saturday morning at Lake Stone in Century left a man without a home.
Fire destroyed a 30-foot travel trailer in the Lake Stone Campground about 3:45 a.m. The camper was fully involved when firefighters arrived.
A man in his 80s was able to escape the fire with only the clothes on his back. He was not injured and refused transport to the hospital . The victim considered the travel trailer as his primary residence, and he is now being assisted by the American Red Cross.
Preliminary information indicated the fire was caused by a space heater.
The Century, McDavid and Walnut Hill stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, the Flomaton Fire Department, Jay Fire Department and Escambia County EMS also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century’s Gas Department Makes A Profit. Well, For A Month On Paper Anyway.
January 4, 2020
The Town of Century’s financially troubled gas department showed a profit on paper.
According to a balance sheet for November, the gas department had a profit of $9,162, much better than the 2 cents (that’s right, 2 cents) profit projected in the town’s budget.
But a closer look at the balance sheet shows the beleaguered department’s bottom line was boosted by $10,000 from the water department and $5,000 from the garbage department. Without the transfers, the gas department would have lost $5,837.27 for the month.
The transfer caused the garbage fund to show a $281.10 negative balance for the month. The water and sewer fund had an income amount of $11,207.16 after the $10,000 transfer to gas.
Century’s gas department ended the last fiscal year with a $222,304.75 loss for the 12 months ending September 30.
Former Baptist Hospital Nurse Charged With Sexually Assaulting Patient
January 4, 2020
A former Baptist Hospital nurse charged Friday with performing a lewd act on a patient.
James Bemis, 71, is charged with sexual assault and indecent exposure. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $71,000.
Bemis allegedly performed a lewd act on a male patient while he was awake in March 2019. Pensacola Police obtained a warrant and made the arrest Friday after getting DNA test results back from a laboratory.
PPD says Bemis was employed by Baptist Hospital for 46 years. He was placed on administrative leave when the the hospital learned of the allegations, and he was fired in April, according to Baptist.
Escambia Man Gets Another 40 Years To Go With His Life Sentence For Murder
January 4, 2020
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to life in prison for a 2017 murder was sentenced Friday to an additional 40 years.
Antjuan Sanders, 19, received the additional 40 years to run consecutively with the life sentence for additional convictions for home burglary, burglary of a vehicle and multiple grand thefts and criminal mischiefs occuring in 2016 and 2017.
In November, Circuit Judge Jeffrey Burns sentenced 19-year old Antjuan Sanders to life in state prison for the first degree murder of Susan Midyett. Because Sanders was 17 at the time of murder, he is entitled to a review of his sentence after 25 years.
On February 23, 2017, Susan Midyett was found deceased at her home on Statler Avenue.
Deputies first believed her death to be accidental, but further investigation determined that Midyett was strangled to death and her house was burglarized. Investigators said DNA evidence collected at the scene revealed Midyett had been sexually assaulted and led to the arrest of Sanders.