Authorities Say Social Media Rumors Of Planned Tate High Shooting Are Unfounded
December 5, 2019
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Escambia County School District are investigating rumored threats of violence Friday at Tate High School. Both say the threats circulating on social media are unfounded, and they are reassuring parents that Tate High will be a safe place on Friday and everyday.
One of the Snapchat images circulating on social media states that some is “gonna shoot up the school”, but does not actually state when or even what school.
“The Escambia County Sheriffs Office is aware of the rumors of a possible school shooting circulating social media. As of now there are no credible threats,” Amber Southard, ECSO spokesperson said. “We are going to continue to work with the Escambia County School District and extra personal will be in place at Tate High School.”
“We are aware of social media posts. Potential threats are evaluated by both school officials and law enforcement,” Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said Thursday night “Any student proven to make threats against a student or school will be charged with a crime and removed from the school.”
The rumored threats of violence at Tate come after the battery of a student on Wednesday. Read more…
NorthEscambia.com photo.
One Teen Arrested, One Wanted In Connection With Tate High Battery
December 5, 2019
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has made one arrest and is looking for another teen in connection with the battery of a student Wednesday at Tate High School.
Lester Cheatham, 17, was arrested on a charge of felony battery Thursday afternoon. The ECSO is looking for 16-year old Ya’Marcus Gross on an outstanding warrant for felony battery.
Videos taken by students show the altercation. The victim falls to the ground after being punched in the face. He can be then be seen on the ground being punched and kicked by at least two other students.
The student was released from the hospital and is now recovering at home, Amber Southard, spokesperson for the ECSO, told NorthEscambia.com Thursday. She said social media rumors that the student died or lost his sight are simply not true.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Gross 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 images.
Area Christmas Events And Parade List: Some Have Been Rescheduled Or Canceled
December 5, 2019
Here is a schedule of area Christmas parades and events. Note that some events have been canceled or rescheduled as noted below.
Century
A Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place at 5 p.m. Friday at the Century Chamber of Commerce. The event was moved from Nadine McCaw Park to the chamber building due to the threat of rain. A chamber open house will begin at 4:30 p.m. Santa will be there for pictures, plus there will be live music and refreshments.
The Century Christmas Parade will be Friday, December 20 at 5 p.m.
Molino
The Molino Christmas Parade is Saturday, December 7 at 11 a.m. from West Crabtree Church Road to the Molino Ballpark. Santa will be at the park after the parade.
Atmore
The Atmore Chamber of Commerce has postponed Thursday night’s planned Jingle Bell Walk due to a death in the community. Jingle Bell Walk has been rescheduled for Thursday, December 12 from 4-7 p.m.
The Atmore Twilight Christmas Parade themed “A Dr. Seuss Christmas” will be Saturday, December 14 beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Flomaton
The Flomaton Christmas Parade will be Saturday, December 7 at 10 a.m. from Flomaton High School through downtown.
Jay
The Joy in Jay celebration is Saturday, December 7, 2019. The Christmas parade from Highway 4 to Commerce Street is at 10 a.m. Santa available for photos after the parade, and there will be vendors on Commerce Street and the Gazebo Park There will be games and rides for the kids to enjoy and caroling horse drawn wagon rides for all. Events end at 5 p.m.
Poarch
The PCI Christmas Parade Scheduled for Friday, December 6 has been canceled.
Pensacola
The Pensacola Christmas parade starts at 5:15 p.m. on Saturday, December 14 at Spring and Garden streets.
Pictured: Last year’s tree lighting ceremony in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Driver Injured In Highway 297A Rollover Crash
December 5, 2019
A driver was injured in a single vehicle rollover accident Wednesday night.
The crash happened about 11:10 p.m. on Highway 297A near Sandicrest Drive. The vehicle came to rest on its side in a ditch, trapping the driver inside.
The adult female was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS. An update on her condition was not available.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Cantonment and Beulah Stations of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Bratt, Jim Allen And Molino Park PATS Classes Provide Christmas Cheer Around The World
December 5, 2019
The Program for Academically Talented Students (PATS) classes at Jim Allen, Molino Park and Bratt Elementary schools made a real difference this holiday season through Operation Christmas Child. They worked hard to fill 42 shoe boxes with school supplies, hygiene necessities and toys. The Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes will to be delivered to children who live in poverty around the world. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
From Tate High To Alabama And Clemson: Woody McCorvey Of Atmore Named To Alabama Sports Hall Of Fame
December 5, 2019
Woody McCorvey of Atmore, a longtime college football coach that began his career at Tate High School, is one of eight people to be inducted into the State of Alabama Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2020.
McCorvey is currently the Clemson Associate Athletic Director of Football Administration.
“It’s very humbling,” McCorvey said. “For me, it’s very special for having grown up in that state. To be a part of a special recognition like being the in Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, it took a lot of people with me going back to my mom and my my dad, the support of my family — my wife, my son, Marlon, my daughter-in-law, Brooke, my grandson, Beau — but on top of that, the players. That’s why I got into this business. This recognition is really for them because I’m standing on those guys.
“The other thing that’s important to me is the staffs that I’ve worked with all down through the years, all the way going back to the kids I coached in high school and every stop that I’ve made and everybody here at Clemson. Clemson has been a big part of what I’ve been able to do, and it’s really special to be part of a great group of other honorees I’m going into the Hall with.”
Among those McCorvey will join in the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame is Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney, who was inducted as part of the Class of 2018.
“I’m just so excited for Coach McCorvey,” Swinney said. “He’s so deserving of this honor. He’s in the Atmore Hall of Fame, and now to know that he’s going into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, I just think it’s something that’s so deserving.
“And for he and Sylvester Croom to be going in together I think is just beautiful. Obviously, Sylvester was the head coach at Mississippi State and Woody was the offensive coordinator. I think Sylvester was the first African-American head coach in the SEC and Woody was the first African-American offensive coordinator at Alabama, and I just think about their journeys and the lives that they’ve impacted. I can just tell you, I’m not where I am today if it’s not for Woody McCorvey. I know this, there’s nobody more deserving than Coach McCorvey. I’m super proud, super happy, and I can’t wait to be a part of the celebration.”
Born September 30, 1950 in Grove Hill, Alabama, McCorvey played quarterback at Alabama State from 1968-1971. After starting his coaching career in the high school ranks, he began his collegiate coaching career in 1978 with NC Central. He has held positions at the University of Alabama, Alabama A&M, Clemson, Mississippi State, South Carolina, and Tennessee. During his 26 plus years in college football, McCorvey has been a part of five national championship teams and 31 bowl games.
A 42-year veteran of college football as a coach or administration, McCorvey returned to Clemson for the 2009 season, Head Coach Dabo Swinney’s first full year. He has worked with four national championship head coaches and three coaches who earned induction in the College Football Hall of Fame.
McCorvey serves as the primary liaison between Swinney and the athletic and IPTAY administrations. He also oversees the management of the football administrative offices. He supervises the football budget and works with the academic staff that has helped Clemson earn NCAA Academic Performance Public Recognition Awards in eight out of the last nine years.
McCorvey coached at the Division I level for 26 years and went to a bowl game in 17 of those seasons. He coached or signed 36 players who went on to a professional football career as well. From 1990-2008, he coached in the SEC every year, including each of the last five at Mississippi State, where he served as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator in addition to coaching the quarterbacks.
McCorvey coached at Tennessee for five years from 1999-03. With him heading the running game, the Volunteers had a 46-14 record. He helped guide Tennessee to the 2000 Fiesta Bowl, 2001 Cotton Bowl, 2002 Citrus Bowl, and 2002 and 2003 Peach Bowls. Tennessee won three consecutive New Year’s Day Bowl games from 2000-02 as well.
Prior to joining the staff at Tennessee, McCorvey worked one season at South Carolina, where he served as the wide receivers coach in 1998 under former Tiger assistant coach Brad Scott. McCorvey took the South Carolina job following an eight-year stay at Alabama from 1990-97. He served seven seasons as its wide receivers coach and the 1996 campaign as offensive coordinator. He was the assistant head coach in 1997 as well.
Alabama had five top-25 final rankings in his tenure, including three seasons in the top five. The Crimson Tide won the 1992 national title with McCorvey serving as wide receivers coach and Swinney as one of his student-athletes. That season culminated with a 34-13 win over heavily-favored Miami (Fla.) in the Sugar Bowl. During the 1990-96 era, Alabama posted a 70-16-1 record and played in six bowl games. With McCorvey at the controls of the offense in 1996, Alabama finished 10-3, including a win over Michigan in the Outback Bowl.
From 1979-82, he served as an assistant coach at Alabama A&M and helped that program to the No. 6 rushing offense in Division II in 1981 after finishing 11th in the nation in scoring offense in 1980. McCorvey began his college coaching career at North Carolina Central in 1978.
McCorvey began his coaching career with a six-year stint (1972-77) at Tate High School. A quarterback at Alabama State from 1968-71, McCorvey earned his bachelor’s degree from Alabama State in 1972 and a master’s degree from West Florida in 1977.
He was the recipient of the 2015 AFCA Outstanding Achievement Award for his contributions to college football. In 2010, the native of Atmore, Ala. was inducted into the Atmore Hall of Fame.
Other inductees in the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2020 are Ronnie Brown, Sylvester Croom, Doug Kennedy, Q.V. Lowe, Jorge Posada, Duane Reboul and Steve Shaw.Starting with the first class in 1969, this will be the 52nd Class inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. The eight newly elected inductees will bring the total number of inductees to 369.
The 52nd Annual Induction Banquet and Ceremony will be held in Birmingham on May 2, 2020.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FDLE Charges Escambia Man With 30 Counts Of Possession Of Child Porn
December 5, 2019
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested an Escambia County man on child porn charges Wednesday.
Alexander Macalpine Vicha, 33, of 408 Pou Station Road, was charged with 30 counts of possession of child pornography.
FDLE agents initiated an investigation in October 2019 when child pornography activity was identified on the internet. Agents executed a search warrant at Vicha’s residence Wednesday. While on scene, computer forensic examiners conducted forensic previews on a computer belonging to Vicha and located 30 images containing child pornography, FDLE said. These images depicted children as young as two years old.
Vicha was booked into the Escambia County Jail. He could face additional charges upon completion of forensic exams, according to FDLE.
Escambia Woman Pleads No Contest In Double Fatal Easter Sunday Wreck
December 5, 2019
An Escambia County woman has pleaded on two counts of DUI manslaughter in connection with an Easter Sunday wreck.
State Attorney Bill Eddins said Marie Ann Simpkins pleaded no contest and accepted responsibility for two counts of DUI manslaughter, DUI causing property damage, DUI With a minor in the vehicle, and possession of less Than 20 grams of marijuana before Judge Jan Shackelford on Wednesday.
The charges stem from a traffic crash which occurred on April 21, 2019, in the intersection of Fairfield Drive and W Street in Pensacola which claimed the lives of 49-year old Randy Riley and his son, 22-year old Nelson Riley. Simpkins’ vehicle also hit a Nissan Murano drive by Gladys Taylor, who suffered minor injuries. Two passengers in Simpkins’ car, 19-year old Jobe Simpkins and a 4-year old, were also transported to the hospital with minor injuries.
Prior to the crash, concerned motorists observed Simpkins driving in an unpredictable and reckless manner on Fairfield Drive The motorists had called 911 to report their concerns when the defendant ran the red light at the intersection at W Street causing the collision.
Simpkins’ son and 2-year-old grandson were occupants of her vehicle at the time of the crash. A small amount of cannabis was
found in her belongings. A legal blood draw revealed Simpkins was under the influence of hydrocodone, citalopram, trazodone and tramadol at the time of the crash.
Simpkins will be sentenced on January 8.
She Said It Was Over. He Thought They Were Getting Married. He’s Now Charged With Stalking.
December 5, 2019
A Cantonment man has been charged with the ongoing stalking of his ex-girlfriend along with her father and daughterr because he believed they were getting married, even though she left him months ago.
Ted Dean Spivey, 59, was charged with three counts of stalking. He was later released on a $6,000 bond.
The victim stated she had broken up with Spivey about four months ago after an “off and on” relationship that lasted about three years.
On multiple occasions, Spivey allegedly stood outside a residence where the woman was present for over an hour calling her name, giggling and throwing rocks at the window, according to an arrest report. He also allegedly has threatened her and her family, battered her, and harassed her father and daughter.
Spivey also allegedly “constantly” messages one of the victims on Facebook in an attempt to reach the woman, according to deputies.
When arrested, Spivey told a deputy that he was not aware the victim had broken up with him, and he “believed they would be getting married, despite him not seeing or speaking to her for around one month,” according to an arrest report.
Escambia County Hires Four New Department Directors
December 5, 2019
Escambia County has hired four new department directors in recent weeks.
The are:
- Laura Coale — Director of Communications and Public Information
- Tonya Ellis — Director of Mass Transit
- Bart Siders — Director of Information Technology
- Jana Still — Director of Human Resources
Biographical information for each is below.
Laura Coale, Director of Communications and Public Information
Tuesday, Nov. 19 marked Coale’s first day with the county as the director of communications and public information.
“I’m honored to work with such a talented team and look forward to an exciting career serving the people of Escambia County,” Coale said.
Coale brings 20 years of communications experience in private and public organizations to Escambia County. Most recently, she served as executive director of strategic communications at Northwest Florida State College and Aims Community College in Colorado. Coale also served as the media relations director at Denver International Airport, communications director at the city and county of Denver’s Office of Strategic Partnerships and public information officer at Gainesville Florida Fire Rescue. Coale developed and implemented many award-winning strategic communications campaigns, including recognition for outstanding achievement in design and communication at community and technical colleges.
Coale graduated magna cum laude with a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from Kent State University. She also earned her bachelor’s degree in speech communication from Miami University.
Tonya Ellis, Director of Mass Transit
Tonya Ellis was approved and promoted on Tuesday, Nov. 19 as the new mass transit director for Escambia County Area Transit.
“I am truly excited about this opportunity, and I am looking forward to collaborating with our elected officials, community leaders, stakeholders, customers and employees to improve ECAT and paratransit’s overall operating efficiency,” Ellis said. “I feel that mass transit in Escambia County has the potential to be transformed to be the best transit system for this community.”
Ellis has worked in the transportation industry for more than 15 years where she has shown leadership skills with the ability to involve, motivate, and empower employees by building rapport and providing excellent customer service. Under her leadership she has developed connections with a variety of regional governmental entities to providing technical planning assistance to local and state governments. The Mass Transit operation provides more than 1.4 million ECAT public transit trips and 95,000 paratransit services in the Escambia County area.
For 13 years, Ellis served in the United States Army Reserve as E-5 Sergeant in Multi-Channel Radio Operations as a member of the 842nd Signal Company, United States Army Reserve. In 2000, she was awarded Unit Soldier of the Year.
Ellis obtained a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of West Florida. She is very active in numerous community outreach activities as well as professional organizations such as serving as a board member for the Florida Public Transportation Association and a member of the Technical Coordinating Committee of the Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organization.
Bart Siders, Director of Information Technology
William Bart Siders joined Escambia County on Monday, Oct. 21 as the director of information technology.
“I am very excited about joining the IT team who currently provides quality IT products and services to the employees of Escambia County,” Siders said. “I look forward to building on the team’s current success by establishing a culture of innovation and collaboration.”
Siders most recently served as Gulf Power IT technology leader with NextEra Energy. He directed and managed the planning, development, implementation, maintenance, and operation of all end-user environments for Gulf Power, Mississippi Power, APC-Mobile Division and Sequent Energy Houston. He also served as a coastal workplace support manager, regional IT manager, applications services manager, CSS lead analyst and corporate systems analyst at Southern Company Services from 1988 to 2018.
Siders obtained a bachelor’s degree in system science from the University of West Florida. He has been a member of the IT Technical Advisory Board for George Stone Vocational School, the Cyberthon Planning Committee, UWF Code-A-Thon Planning Committee and the Gulf Power Technology Innovation Team.
Jana Still, Director of Human Resources
Wednesday, Nov. 6, marked Jana Still’s first day as director of human resources.
“I am very excited about the opportunities I see for growth and change that can positively impact all employees as well as Escambia County as a whole,” Still said. “I feel that the current county administration is very progressive and open to change, so I am looking forward to working with everyone. I think as a team we can accomplish great things.”
Most recently, Still served as senior personnel classification and assessment specialist at the Mobile County Personnel Board, where she advised city and county municipalities concerning personnel selection, leadership, EEOC compliance, organizational development, employee relations and retention. She has also worked as a consultant for some private sector organizations. Still is currently an adjunct professor at the University of South Alabama where she teaches industrial/organizational psychology, behavioral neuroscience and general psychology.
Still earned a master’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology from the University of West Florida and bachelor’s degrees in psychology and sociology from the University of South Alabama.