Bicyclist, 77, Killed On Escambia Roadway
December 19, 2019
A 77-year old bicyclist lost his life on an Escambia county roadway Thursday morning.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Luvenia Boyd, 54, was traveling east on Fairfield Drive near Mission Road when bicyclist Willie Gaines entered the roadway directly in her path. Gaines was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The FHP said no charges were filed.
One Airlifted After Highway 29 Crash In Cantonment
December 19, 2019
One person was airlifted to the hospital following a Thursday afternoon crash on Highway 29 at Well Line Road in Cantonment.
The crash involved a SUV pulling a utility trailer and a pickup truck. The southbound lanes of Highway 29 were closed due to the accident.
The wreck is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Cantonment, Ensley and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue were dispatched, along with Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Man Gets Life In Prison Without Parole For Murder Of Beulah Convenience Store Clerk
December 19, 2019
An Escambia County jury sentenced a man to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the for the death of a Beulah convenience store during a robbery last year.
Effidarius Bryant was found guilty of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit robbery for the February 19 death of f Govardhan “Reddy” Kotha, a clerk at the Quick Fill gas station located at 7144 Mobile Highway. Kotha was killed the day before he planned to leave town to attend his daughter’s wedding.
Two other people are also charged in connection with the robbery.
Keandra Martez Smith is charged with murder and robber with a firearm; he is scheduled to appear in court in February. Crystal Clausell is charged with robbery with a firearm and is scheduled to appear on January 3.
A customer that entered the store the night of February 19 called authorities because he did not see a clerk in the store and the register drawer was open.
On the surveillance video, deputies watched as Smith entered the store in a gray hoodie. He purchased sunflower seeds and left the store. Then Bryant entered the store wearing mask, brandishing a 9mm semi-automatic automatic handgun at Kotha. A short time later, he lifted the cash register draw and fired two shots at Kotha, hitting him in the upper chest and head, according to a report.
Smith, according to the report, left the store without taking any cash.
By early morning, surveillance images were posted on social media and news media, including NorthEscambia.com. A tipster came forward an identified one of the suspects as Smith to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Smith was taken into custody and transported to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, wearing the same hoodie as in the surveillance video. A police report notes he was distraught and crying hysterically.
At no point did Smith attempt to render first aid to Kotha, contact emergency medical services or reach out to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the report revealed.
Smith provided his DNA to authorities, according to the report.
Clausell and Bryant were dating, the investigation revealed.
Study To Determine If Century To Raise Water And Sewer Rates Again
December 19, 2019
The Town of Century is undertaking a study to determine if water and sewer rates should be increased on the heels of increases the last three years.
The rate study will be conducted as a no cost benefit to the town by the Florida Rural Water Association, and any increases will go before the town council for approval before consumers see higher rates on their bills. The study will look ta the rates paid by residential and commercial customers, including the Florida Department of Corrections for the prison.
The last increase was implemented over a three year period following a 2017 rate study.
Before the last rate increase, the average family of four customer using 5,000 gallons of water per month paid $18.65 for water and $13.00 for wastewater, for a total monthly bill of $31.65. After the three-year incremental rate increase, Century water and sewer customers pay 21.36 for 5,000 gallons of water and $27.59 for wastewater, for a total bill of $48.95.
The last step of the water and sewer rate increase was implemented in July 2019.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
People Trusted This Cantonment Man To Fix Their Cars. He Sold Them For Scrap. Now He’s Facing 135 Years In Prison.
December 19, 2019
A Cantonment man that owned an Escambia County automotive repair business is facing up to 135 years in prison for defrauding customers.
Harley Brian Palmer, owner of Harley’s Automotive & Performance, entered a plea to racketeering, organized fraud (more than $20,000 but less than $50,000), four counts of dealing in stolen property, and six counts of grand theft (more than $300 but less than $5,000).
Between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2018, Palmer committed multiple counts of theft and dealing in stolen property in a systematic and ongoing course of conduct against multiple victims. Victims took their vehicles to Harley’s Automotive with the expectation that their vehicles would be repaired. Money was exchanged but the repairs were never completed, according to State Attorney Bill Eddins.
Palmer continued to use Harley’s Automotive to take in additional vehicles without completing repairs. Ultimately, he sold several of the vehicles without the permission or consent of the vehicle owners. Several of these vehicles ended up at a recycling company and were destroyed.
Palmer’s record includes convictions for worthless checks, petit theft, burglary, possession of burglary tools and more.
Giving Back: Georgia Pastor Holds Christmas Toy Giveaway In Century (Photo Gallery)
December 19, 2019
A Georgia pastor pulled into Century Tuesday with a truck load of toys and household items to make the Christmas a bit brighter in the town he once called home.
Century native Rev. Dr. Vincent Dortch now lives in Atlanta and is pastor of Antioch Baptist Church is Carrollton, Georgia. He conducted the giveaway in honor of his late grandmother, Jennie V. Dortch of Century.
Families lined up at the Century Community Center on West Highway 4 for the event. They were able to get toys for Christmas, along with a few household essentials like toilet paper.
“I always had a desire to come back home and be a blessing to my people,” Dortch said. “I’m doing it all in the honor of my grandmother, who is deceased, because she always taught us as grandkids and kids as the Lord blesses you, give back to your people.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
“Lord we pray that everything that’s been received that you get the glory to honor, and that you bless these families as they go through this holiday,” he prayed at the conclusion of the event. “…and Lord that we remember most of all that is not about the toys but it’s about your son Jesus Christ and so we say thank you. And Lord bless Century as a whole and each and everyone in the surrounding areas.”
The Dortch family in Century suffered a tragic loss this year when 4-year old Kamerius Dortch was struck and killed by a car in mid-April.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FHP Responds To Crash With Injuries On Quintette Road
December 19, 2019
At least one person was injured in a two vehicle crash last Wednesday afternoon on Quintette Road at Frank Ard Road. The injuries were not considered life threatening.
The crash is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Escambia County EMS and the Cantonment Station of Escambia Rescue also responded.
Additional details were not available.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Bad Wooden Support Fixed Under Highway 4 Bridge
December 19, 2019
A compromised timber support under a county bridge on Highway 4 has been repaired, and a narrowed lane restriction on the bridge should be lifted soon.
On December 11, multiple barrels were placed adjacent to the guardrail on the eastbound side of the Highway 4 bridge over Canoe Creek to prevent drivers from traveling over the bad support.
County officials said Wednesday afternoon that repairs have been made, and the barrels should be removed by Friday after the work is inspected. Until then, electronic warning signs will remain both approaches to the bridge warning of the narrowed bridge and reduced speed limits.
The bridge is located along Highway 4 between Bratt and Byrneville.
Pictured: The Highway 4 bridge over Canoe Creek was narrowed Decmber 11 after compromised timber support was located. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate High Aggie Soccer Defeats Pine Forest 9-0
December 19, 2019
Tate High soccer beat Pine Forest Wednesday night and fell to Navarre Monday night.
Tate 9, Pine Forest 0
Wednesday night, the Tate Aggies defeated Pine Forest 9-0.
For Tate: Junior Owen Jacobs 2 goals, 1 assist; junior Logan Tyree 1 goal, 1 assist; senior Gustavo Pineda 2 goals, 2 assists; sophomore Sam Megginson 1 goal; junior Nathan Bailey 1 goal and 1 assist; senior Braedon Ladd 2 goals; and junior Calenj Arnevik 1 assist.
Up next, Tate Senior Night is this Friday versus Milton High at Ashton Brosnaham Stadium.
Navarre 4, Tate 1
Monday night, Tate lost to Navarre 4-1.
The lone goal was shot by Junior Nathan Bailey with the assist from Junior Logan Tyree.
NorthEscambia.com file photo by Mitch Arnevik, click to enlarge.
Rubio, Scott Joined By Colleagues In Honoring Victims of NAS Pensacola Tragedy
December 19, 2019
U.S. Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio were joined Wednesday by Senators David Perdue (R-GA), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Richard Shelby (R-AL), and Doug Jones (D-AL) in passing a resolution honoring the victims of the tragic shooting at NAS Pensacola on December 6.
“Pensacola is one of Florida’s hidden gems. The Navy and Marines are part of the identity, fabric, and culture of the city,” Rubio said. “This terrorist attack was not just an attack on the Naval Air Station, it was an attack on the very heart and soul of Pensacola.”
Rubio said he was “in awe of the bravery of so many, including the first responders who made their way to harm’s way. “The stories of heroism in the face of evil remind us that those who volunteer to serve our country personify the very ideals of what makes this the greatest nation on earth.”
“Our sailors and law enforcement officials showed heroism and bravery in the face of evil as they ran towards the shooter that day, saving lives,” Scott said on the Senate floor. “And our first responders, who came to the swift aid of those in need, thank you.”
Ensign Joshua Kaleb Watson, 23, Airman Mohammed Sameh Haitham, 19, and Airman Apprentice Cameron Scott Walters, 21, were killed in the attack. Eight others were injured.