Atmore Police Honor Officer And Sergeant Of The Month
December 18, 2019
The Atmore Police Department is recognizing two of their own for their professionalism and dedication.
Officer Logan Weber (pictured above) was named Officer of the Month for November, and Sgt. James Beasley (pictured below) was named Sergeant of the Month. The awards, presented by Lt. Ken Sessions, are given for “providing outstanding police services to the citizens of Atmore with the highest order of integrity and dependability and in a manner that exemplifies the goals of the department”.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECUA Board Seat Empty For 10 Months Is Now Filled
December 18, 2019
After a 10-month vacancy, a vacant seat on the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority Board has now been officially filled.
Dr. Cedric Alexander was sworn in as the District 3 member during a Tuesday board meeting.
“I feel privileged to have this opportunity to serve the residents of District 3,” said Alexander, “and to carry on for Mr. McCorvey, who accomplished so much during his many years on the ECUA Board.”
On November 26, Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Alexander to the District 3 seat that was left empty after the death of board member Elvin McCorvey on January 20.
Alexander, a Pensacola native, is a retired law enforcement executive. He began his career as a deputy with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office in 1977. He served as a police officer and detective in Orlando and Miami, as deputy chief and chief of police of the Rochester Police Department in New York and as federal security director with the United States Department of Homeland Security overseeing the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
In 2013, he was appointed chief of police for DeKalb County, Georgia and later transitioned to deputy chief operating officer/public safety director for the department. He served as deputy mayor for the City of Rochester. He earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology and his master’s degree in family therapy from St. Thomas University and his doctorate in clinical psychology from Wright State University.
Lots Of Deliveries On The Road This Christmas Season. This Was Probably The Biggest.
December 17, 2019
There are a lot of deliveries on the road this Christmas season. This might just be the biggest in Escambia County. And it’s not going to fit under the tree.
Traffic on Highway 29 was backed up Tuesday morning as the super-oversized load traveled north on Highway 29. Escorted by the Florida Highway Patrol, the truck stopped at every intersection to make sure it would fit under the traffic lights.
There’s no word on what the delivery is or where it was headed. (So sorry if we ruined your Christmas surprise. And good luck on the wrapping.)
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Missing, Endangered Adult Last Seen At Molino Tom Thumb
December 17, 2019
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is searching for missing and endangered adult last seen at the Tom Thumb at Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino.
Collin Dewayne Book was last seen on Monday, December 16. He was wearing khaki shorts, and unknown color t-shirt, a brown leather vest with a satin back, and tennis shoes. He was also carrying a baby blue color backpack. Authorities said he may be in need of medical attention.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Collin Dewayne Book is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Police: Beulah Woman’s Tumblr Account Contained Over 700 Child Porn Images
December 17, 2019
A Beulah woman was charged after over 700 child porn images were found on a popular online social media and blogging service.
Katie Nicole Gibbons, 20, was charged with 10 counts of possession of child pornography. Her bond was set at $250,000.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children provided cybertips to Pensacola Police about a Tumblr user that had allegedly posted what appeared to be child pornography. Police obtained a search warrant for the Tumbler account and discovered 732 images that appeared to be child pornography.
According to arrest report, Gibbons was the person behind that Tumblr account with images that showed both prepubescent girls and boys engaged in numerous sexual acts with other children or adults.
Pensacola Police investigators determined the IP address associated with the Tumblr account was from Gibbons’ home on Stiller Lake Road in Beulah, and the investigation then was then handed over to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. A search warrant was served at the home by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Pensacola Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security.
Authorities seized 34 digital devices from the residence. No child pornography was found on any of the items seized, but some of the devices contained “deviant pornography” including beastiality, the arrest report states. Investigators noted that additional search warrants are forthcoming as the the activity occurred primarily in the cloud and was most likely not stored on the devices.
Gibbons’ statements after her arrest were redacted from the report.
The arrest report states of the 732 images, 51 are of kown children that have been rescued by law enforcement, 253 have been reported before but the children are likely still in the care and custody of their abusers, and 428 of the images are new and have never been seen before because they are yet unseen victims or the computer files have been altered from their original forms. There is no indication in the arrest report that any of the victims are local.
Century Hires Vernon Prather As Interim City Manager; Councilman Says He’s Not Their Savior
December 17, 2019
Over strong objections for one council member, the Century town council voted 4-1 Monday night to hire Vernon Prather as interim town manager.
“All the sudden he’s now wanting to be our savior. No thanks, I don’t need you,” council member James Smith told Prather during a Monday night council meeting before casting dissenting vote.
Prather began working for the town on a consulting basis as part of a $35 an hour package deal when now Interim City Manager Buz Eddy came on board in July. Prather later moved into the position of interim gas department manager.
The town advertised for a city manager but had only five applicants, including Prather. Eddy did not apply, telling the town council that he would stick around until a replacement could be hired. Eddy then recommended that the applications be scrapped and Prather be hired as interim city manager under an 11 month contract that begins January 1.
“You are trying to mini-mafia people,” Smith said Monday night. “You guys want to do things completely the wrong way.
Prather will be paid $40 an hour for 30 hours per week, or $1,200 per week as an independent contractor. He will have complete control over his work schedule and hours worked. If he exceeds 30 hours per week, he will not be paid overtime but will be allowed to take comp time off at his discretion. He will also receive a $600 per month vehicle allowance, but will not receive employee benefits such as vacation, retirement or insurance.
“We are still getting robbed, and I don’t like it. I got a huge problem with it,” Smith said.” We do not need a city manager, especially for this price. This is Century. How in the world are we going to support this budget? It just doesn’t make sense to me. Let’s get three more employees. Let’s hire three more people in the town of Century to help move Century forward…I’m not comfortable with this at all. For anybody to sit here and think it is ok, it’s a problem.”
Council president Ann Brooks said the town needs Prather right now, especially to oversee their gas, water and wastewater systems.
Prather served Gulf Breeze in various positions from 2006 to 2017, including director of public services, operations consultant and assistant city manager. He also hold wastewater and water system certifications.
Council member Sandra McMurray Jackson said she believes Prather will be worth his high price tag.
“You have to pay. If you take the cheap route out, you are going to get just what you get. Everything is costly now,” Jackson said. “You can hire 20 people but if they can’t do what needs to be done here, we are still right back where we started from. This man has not only the education background, he has the work experience that is very important, very important…Vernon is what we have. We gonna take what we have and we are going to work with it.”
The council will have the right to suspend Prather with full pay and benefits at anytime if the council and Prather mutually agree, or if the council votes to suspend him for just cause after he’s been given 10 days notice.
If the council terminates Prather before the expiration of the contract, they will owe him a lump sum cash payment of six weeks salary. Prather can be terminated for cause including criminal conviction. If Prather resigns, he will provide 45 days advance notice, unless all parties agree otherwise.
Pictured top: Vernon Prather addresses the Century Town Council Monday night. Pictured top inset; Councilman James Smith. Pictured lower inset: Council member Sandra McMurray Jackson. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FBI: Over 500 Interviews Completed In 24/7 NAS Pensacola Shooting Investigation
December 17, 2019
Over 500 interviews have been completed in connection with the deadly shootings on NAS Pensacola.
The FBI says with help from law enforcement partners included NCIS and ICE, the investigation is continuing 24 hours a day, seven days a week “to ensure we have a comprehensive understanding of the attacker’s motivations and any possible network of associates”.
Joshua K. Watson, Mohammed S. Haitham and Cameron S. Walters died in the shootings, while eight others have now been released from the hospital.
Gunman Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani, a Saudi flight student, was shot and killed by law enforcement.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Shakedown At Escambia (AL) Jail Finds Little Contraband. It Was Much Different In February.
December 17, 2019
Another shakedown was conducted Monday at the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton, the second under Sheriff Heath Jackson.
More than 40 Escambia County (AL) deputies and correctional officers along with correctional officers from Baldwin County secured and searched the entire jail.
Officers found a small amount of fermented fruit, a small amount of tobacco and two small handmade weapons, according to Jackson. No cellphones were located.
It was much different back in February when the same type search was conducted and officers located four homemade knives, 13 cellphones, six phone chargers, a quantity of tobacco, a bag of spice, four cigarette lighters, six books with hidden compartments and one tattoo gun. Seven inmates were charged with promoting prison contraband.
“Although a few small items were located, I am proud of the overall lack of contraband found,” Jackson said after Monday’s search as his praised his officers and command staff. “The search shows that even though there is still work to be done, we are on the right track. Our corrections officers are working hard to keep illegal items out of our jail and to keep it safe. I am very proud that in the last 10 months, the officers have been able to change the way business was being conducted.”
Pictured: A February shakedown at the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NWE Chiefs Play Redzone Games On Falcons Field In Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium
December 17, 2019
The freshmen and junior Northwest Escambia football teams had a chance to play Sunday on the Atlanta Falcons Field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, and NWE cheerleaders were able to perform midfield.
The freshmen Chiefs were (3-1) in the 2-minutes Redzone games, and the junior Chiefs were (2-1-1).
The freshmen and junor NWE teams both won league championships this year, and the freshmen won a Turkey Bowl Championship.
Pictured top: NWE freshmen football at the Atlanta Falcons field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Pictured below in descending order: NWE juniors, junior cheerleaders, freshmen cheerleaders. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
UWF’s NCAA Football Championship Tickets Now On Sale
December 17, 2019
In just four years of the program’s existence, the University of West Florida Argonauts will head to the national title game for the second time.
Tickets for the 2019 Division II Football Championship National Championship game featuring UWF against Minnesota State this Saturday at McKinney ISD Stadium in McKinney, Texas are currently on sale.
Tickets are available for purchase now! UWF has access to 2,000 reserved and general admission tickets, with all tickets being located in prime locations directly behind their bench on the visitors side. Reserved seats are chairback and $25 each. General Admission seats are bench seating and $20. Children 2 years old and younger will be admitted free of charge.
Click here and look for UWF sections to purchase your tickets online. If you wish to select specific seats directly behind the UWF bench, click the ‘Buy on Map’ link and use the promo code ‘VISITOR’ to access those seats. When purchasing tickets, note that the Argonauts will be on the visitor’s side of the field.
For seating questions, contact Shannon Frazier with McKinney ISD at 469-302-4186
Gates will open at 12:30 Central Time. McKinney ISD Stadium ticket offices are located on both the east and west sides of the stadium. Both ticket offices will open at 12:30 CT. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:05 CT.
There is a $10 parking fee at McKinney ISD Stadium.
MISD STADIUM REGULATIONS
- West side of the stadium is home seating and the east side is visitor seating. Tickets must be purchased for your team’s side only.
- No re-entry to stadium without the purchase of a new ticket.
- No outside food or drink is allowed.
- Only vendors with prior approval may distribute information/merchandise at MISD stadium.
- No pets and/or live mascots will be allowed.
- All MISD policies regarding banned substances such as tobacco, alcohol and e-cigs will be strictly enforced.
- All spectators must be appropriately clothed. Administrators reserve the right to eject anyone wearing offensive items.
MISD stadium has a no-bag policy beginning fall of 2018.
EVENT COVERAGE: The championship game will be televised on ESPNU. Radio coverage can also be heard live on the UWF Sports Network, ESPN Pensacola 1330 AM/99.1 FM Live stats will be available at GoArgos.com.
Photo Morgan Givens/ UWF Athletics for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.