Molino Park Fifth Graders Visited Environmental Center. And Met A Big Snake.
December 11, 2019
Fifth grade students from Molino Park Elementary School visited the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center Tuesday. They entered the planetarium “blasting off” into space studying the solar system. They also used microscopes to study the flow of energy through an aquatic ecosystem observing a microscopic food chain in a drop of pond water. And they met Todd the Florida king snake. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FCA Challenger Awards Presented To Area High School Football Players
December 11, 2019
Area high school football players were honored this week at the 51st Annual Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ Challenger Award Banquet at the First Baptist Church of Pensacola.
Guest speaker for the event was Pat Nix, former Auburn quarterback and father of current AU quarterback Box Nix.
Challenger award winners were:
- Dean Hatcher, Tate High
- Trent Peebles, Northview High
- Chris Buddy Page, West Florida High
- Tucker Mandell ,Jay High School
- Khazyren McWilliams, Pine Forest High
- Robert Sherlock, Washington High
- Gabe Johnson, Escambia High
- Calvin McCreary, Pensacola High
- CJ Davis, Catholic High
- Carter Lees, Milton High
- Blake Bullock, Pace High
- Trevor Pugh, Gulf Breeze High
- Matt Morgan, T.R. Miller High
One Challenger Award is presented per team, chosen by a secret ballot with all players voting. The player must exemplify Christian values, sportsmanship and academic achievement.
Pictured top: With former Auburn quarterback Bo Nix are Trent Peebles from Northview High School (left) and Dean Hatcher from Tate High School (right). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
American Heroes: Navy Posthumously Awards Wings of Gold to NAS Pensacola Shooting Victims
December 10, 2019
The Navy posthumously awarded Wings of Gold Tuesday to all three Sailors killed during the Dec. 6 shooting at Naval Aviation Schools Command aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola.
Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas B. Modly proclaimed Ensign Joshua K. Watson as a naval aviator, and Airman Mohammed S. Haitham and Airman Apprentice Cameron S. Walters as naval aircrewmen, Dec. 10.
“It is my honor today to present the Wings of Gold to the families of these three American heroes who were among the first to respond to horrific attacks upon our own naval family and tragically, were also our Sailors who made the ultimate sacrifice in protecting their brothers and sisters in arms,” said Modly. “Although this authorization pales in comparison to their immense bravery in the line of fire, this winging represents the symbolic achievement of the coveted goal that all three came to Pensacola to accomplish: to join the long line of naval aviators, flight officers, and aircrewmen who have served the cause of freedom so valiantly for over a century. Airman Haitham, Airman Walters, and Ensign Watson represent the highest virtues of naval aviation, and undoubtedly belong in that great fraternity of selfless service to our Navy, our Department, and our Nation.”
Chief of Naval Air Training Rear Adm. Daniel Dwyer oversees all undergraduate Naval Aviation training and is the designation authority for all naval aviators.
“The selfless acts of heroism displayed by these young Sailors the morning of Dec. 6 are nothing short of incredible,” Dwyer said. “They each embody the warrior ethos we expect and require of all wingmen. There is no doubt in my mind they each would have led the charge in their respective Naval Aviation careers. We are deeply saddened by this tragedy and our hearts are truly with the families and friends of our Shipmates.”
Commander, Naval Air Forces Vice Adm. DeWolfe H. Miller III is responsible for all Naval Aviation units. He expressed his condolences to the families of the Sailors and spoke of their bravery in the face of mortal danger.
“Ensign Watson, Airman Haitham and Airman Apprentice Walters are heroes,” Miller said. “Their actions and sacrifice embodied the competence, courage and character of those who wear Naval Aviation Wings of Gold. These wings were presented in honor of their brave actions and in everlasting memory of their sacrifice.”
Student naval aviators are selected based on their aptitude for flight training. A recent U.S. Naval Academy graduate, Watson possessed the education, skills, and tenacity required of naval aviators and was set to begin the rigorous training toward earning his coveted Wings of Gold. Naval aircrewmen, often said to be the Navy’s “guardian angels,” undergo some of the Navy’s most physically challenging training. Candidates must be comfortable in the water, and pass demanding physical fitness standards. Both Haitham and Walters possessed the strength, skill, and determination required of the Navy’s aircrewmen.
Navy Suspends Flight Training For Saudi Students Following NAS Pensacola Shooting
December 10, 2019
The U.S. Navy has temporarily suspended flight training for over 300 Saudi Arabian students following last week’s deadly shooting at NAS Pensacola.
Saudi Flight student Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani shot and killed three sailors and injured eight others Friday morning.
The order impacts about 140 students at NAS Pensacola, 35 at nearby Whiting Field and nearly 130 at NAS Mayport.
Navy Commander Clay Doss says classroom training is starting this week, and flight training for other students will resume. He says it’s not clear how long the flight stand-down for the Saudi students will continue
Saudi Defense Attaché Meets With Saudi Students At NAS Pensacola
December 10, 2019
On Monday, Saudi Arabia Defense Attaché Major General Fawaz Al Fawaz (second from right) met with the Saudi students who remain restricted to the NAS Pensacola base by their Saudi commanding officer.
“The FBI and our partners appreciate the continued cooperation by the Saudi government as our investigation continues,” the FBI said in a statement.
Photo for Northescambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High School Now Off Lockdown; Suspect Manhunt In Area
December 10, 2019
Tate High School was placed a precautionary lockdown Tuesday morning, but that lockdown has now been lifted.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was attempting to serve a battery domestic violence arrest warrant on an individual in the area near the campus when the suspect fled, according to ECSO Maj. Andrew Hobbs. The suspect did not run onto the campus.
The Tate campus was put on a “code yellow” lockdown.
A description of the suspect was not immediately available, and there was no word on his capture.
Pictured: An Escambia County deputy on the perimeter of a manhunt area Tuesday morning. NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
FBI: Saudi National NAS Shooter Was Able To Legally Purchase Gun; ABC Reports It Was Sold In Escambia County
December 10, 2019
The FBI is explaining more about how the Saudi national NAS Pensacola shooter was able to legally purchase a gun in Florida, and a national news agency is reporting it was bought from and Escambia County dealer.
Shooter Mohammed Alshamrani, 21, a second lieutenant in the Royal Saudi Air Force, purchased the Glock Model 45 9mm handgun on July 20, 2019, from a federal firearms licensed dealer in Florida, FBI Public Affairs Office Amanda Videll said late Tuesday morning. “The preliminary investigation into the firearm purchase has not revealed any information to suggest that the sale was unlawful.”
ABC News is reporting the gun was purchased at Uber’s Lock and Gun located on West Fairfield Drive near 57th Avenue. The FBI has confirmed the gun was purchased in Florida, but has not confirmed the exact location.
“The exception under which (Alshamrani) qualified to purchase a firearm was a valid Florida hunting license, but he may have qualified under other exceptions as well,” Videll said. “Under federal law, an alien who is admitted to the US under a nonimmigrant visa is prohibited from having a gun and ammo unless the alien falls within one of the exceptions provided.”
Alshamrani opened fire Friday morning in a classroom building on NAS Pensacola, killing three sailors – Ensign Joshua Kaleb Watson, 21; Airman Mohammed Sameh Haitham, 19; and Airmen Apprentice Cameron Scott Walters, 21. Eight others were wounded before Alshamrani was shot and killed by law enforcement.
Picture: Uber’s Lock & Gun on West Fairfield Drive. Photos courtesy Chorus Nylander/WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century’s Garbage Fund Made A $50K Profit Last Year. Now They Want To Raise Rates.
December 10, 2019
The Century council will hold a special meeting Wednesday to consider hiking garbage rates despite their garbage fund showing a profit over $50,000 last year.
The town’s garbage fund posted a 33 percent profit on the books during the fiscal year ending September 30. Most of that profit was siphoned away to to help bail out a troubled gas fund that still lost $222,304.
The town currently pays Republic Services $14 per resident per month for a single 95 gallon can pick up per week, plus varying fees for commercial customers. Century currently charges residential customers $23.19 for garbage and debris service.
Republic is exercising a provision of their contact that allows them to increase the rates they charged the town by 3.1% to match the Consumer Price Index.
Last fiscal year, the garbage fund billed $148,998.99 and spent $98,111.66. Of the $50,927.33 profit remaining in the garbage fund, the town transferred out $41,000 to the gas fund, according to year end financial documents. That left a positive balance of $9,927.33 in the gas fund at the end of the fiscal year.
The special council meeting to consider the garbage service rate increase will be at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, December 11.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Gets 15 Years For Strangulation, Aggravated Battery
December 10, 2019
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to 15 years in state prison for a violent attack on a woman.
Larry Lydell Saulsberry, Jr., 40, entered a plea to tampering with a witness involving the prosecution of a second degree felony, aggravated battery with great bodily harm, domestic battery by strangulation, false imprisonment, and grand theft auto.
On July 15, 2018, the victim was leaving work when the Saulsberry called her to come pick him up. After the victim picked him up, the two returned home. Once in the house, Saulsberryt began to ask the victim for the keys to her vehicle. The victim refused to give him the keys. This caused Saulsberry to begin repeatedly punching the victim with a closed fist in the head.
During this time, the victim attempted to call law enforcement, but the Saulsberry forcefully took her phone away from her and forced her to remain in the residence. He then proceeded to grab the victim by her throat and began to apply force so great it restricted the victim’s ability to breathe.
Saulsberry then hit the victim again in the face, causing her to lose consciousness. After the victim lost consciousness, Saulsberry fled the scene at a high rate of speed in the victim’s vehicle. The victim suffered permanent scarring above her left eye, as well as permanent damage to her vision from the attack.
Saulsberry’s prior criminal history includes an aggravated assault on law enforcement officer with firearm, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, grand theft auto, sell, manufacture, or deliver cocaine, wearing a bulletproof vest while committing certain offenses, resisting an officer with violence, and resisting an officer without violence.
Firefighters Provide Helping Hand To Family Of Six That Lost Their Home To Fire
December 10, 2019
The volunteers of the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue recently gave a little help to a family of six that lost their house to fire last month.
They presented a gift card to the family to help them with essentials. The department raises funds throughout the year to support their effort to help fire victims.
The fire in 1000 block of Backwoods Road was reported just after 1 a.m. on November 21 and took about 40 minutes to bring under control. There were no injuries.
A GoFundMe account has also been established for the family. Click khere to donate. (The GoFundMe account is not affiliated with the fire department or NorthEscambia.com.)
Pictured. Century Assistant District Chief Chris Barrow presents a gift card to a local family that lost their home to fire. Photo for NorthEscambia.com. Pictured below: Their home was heavily damaged by fire November 21. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
