Byrneville Second Graders Visit Roy Hyatt Environmental Center
September 13, 2019
Byrneville Elementary School second graders got up close with nature this week at the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center in Cantonment. The students met Simon the bearded dragon and Ozzie the diamondback terrapin, and they compared and contrasted reptiles, amphibians, fish, birds and mammals as part of their visit. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Gets 30 Years After Impersonating Parole Officer
September 13, 2019
An Escambia County man is headed to prison for impersonating a parole officer.
Circuit Judge Gary Bergosh sentenced Benny Jay Burrell to 30 years in state prison. Burrell entered a plea of no contest to home invasion robbery with a weapon, grand theft auto, grand theft, false imprisonment, fraudulent use of a credit card, and harassing a witness, victim or informant involving a first degree felony.
On September 19, 2018, Burrell knocked on the victim’s door claiming to be a parole officer looking for a parolee. After the victim declined to let Burrell enter her residence, he forced his way inside and tied her to chair before taking her credit card, car keys, cell phone and various other items. He then stole her vehicle and left.
Shortly after fleeing the scene, Burrell used her credit card at a gas station off Cervantes Street. Law enforcement responded and apprehended Burrell who was in possession of the victim’s vehicle and other items. The victim was transported to the gas station and identified Burrell.
After he was apprehended, the victim received a threatening letter with Burrell’s DNA on the envelope.
No Injuries In Early Morning Highway 29 Rollover Crash
September 12, 2019
A driver was cited for leaving the scene of an accident following a single vehicle rollover crash sometime early Thursday morning on Highway 29 in McDavid.
The vehicle was found about daybreak on its roof in the median one mile north of Highway 164. There was no one in or around the vehicle when first responders arrived on scene. Hours after the crash, driver and vehicle occupants made contact with a concerned citizen who transported them to a nearby store.
The driver was northbound on Highway 29, ran off the roadway onto the shoulder and crossed back over to the median before overturning.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The McDavid and Century stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Gas Superintendent Quits; Pensacola Extends Helping Hand To Century
September 12, 2019
Century’s gas superintendent abruptly quit this week, and City of Pensacola is extending a helping hand to their neighbors to the north.
Kellett Resigns
Wally Kellett notified the town on Tuesday that Thursday would be his last day, according to interim Century City Manager Buz Eddy. He said Kellett has accepted another job in Sunrise, Fla.
The Century Town Council has asked “Where’s Wally?” several times this year after Kellett was a no-show for council meetings despite being instructed to attend.
The council requested Kellett keep them updated on the progress of new meter installations, back billing issues with the prison and other issues concerning the department. But with few updates, the town’s governing body has been in the dark on their natural gas department.
“Our gas superintendent won’t come to these meetings. We need this vital information,” council President Ann Brooks said at a July meeting.
Kellett worked as gas superintendent from June 2015 to May 2016 before leaving for another job. He returned to Century’s payroll in July 2018.
City of Pensacola Helping Hand
The City of Pensacola is offering to help Century with gas department and financial issues. The initial offer was made prior to Kellett announcing his departure.
“I think it’s critically important for local governments throughout our region to work together as a team, so I am committed to assisting the Town of Century in creating a strategic plan that will help resolve some of their existing issues,” Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson said. “While the City of Pensacola cannot commit to solving these problems, we want to help Century assess their needs and create a plan to address them in a way that benefits their residents and moves the town forward.”
Pensacola Energy has not committed any staff to install meters in Century, but will be assessing the scope of work this week to make a recommendation to the Town of Century. Pensacola staff is helping Century assess what their next steps should be and prepare a strategic plan, specifically related to the town’s gas service and financial issues.
Pictured top: Century Gas Department Superintendent Wally Kellett addresses to the Century Town Council earlier this summer. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Man Critically Injured In Molino ATV Accident
September 12, 2019
An adult male was seriously injured in a rollover all-terrain vehicle accident in Molino Wednesday night.
The man, reportedly in his 50s, was injured about 7:35 p.m. in the 6800 block of North Highway 95A, near Kemala Avenue. He was transported by Escambia County EMS to the Molino Fire Station and airlifted as a “trauma alert” to an area hospital. An update on his condition was not available.
Further details have not been released.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
First Responders Dedicate New Library Flagpole On 9-11
September 12, 2019
A new American flag and flagpole were dedicated Wednesday at the Flomaton Public Library by local first responders honoring 9-11. Both were donated by Modern Woodmen. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Elementary Halts Multi-Million Dollar Construction Plans
September 12, 2019
Byrneville Elementary School’s board of directors officially decided Wednesday afternoon to halt plans for a multi-million dollar construction project, instead opting to look at renovations and upgrades on the current campus.
At one time the charter school’s board of directors discussed $7.7 million for a new building with 10 classrooms, a 1,000 square foot multipurpose room and associated spaces, and a new cafetorium with a serving kitchen. The board’s banker told them earlier this year that the school can afford a loan of just $2.185 million with an enrollment of 205 students. Byrneville’s current enrollment stands at 185.
“We have to have more students to build the whole thing,” board chair Melanie Killam said Wednesday. “We could modify it to fit what we have.” She mentioned that perhaps a four classroom building could be constructed, but that would force the board to take ownership of the property from the Escambia County School District and assume responsibility for all facility repairs.
“We are back to square one. If we start building, we have to start paying for all the insurance and all that has to be done,” Killam said.
“We know that we don’t have the money to build what we were going to do. We need to update,” said board member Brandy Carter. “Spruce it up.”
The board decided to meet again with their architect and explore renovation and upgrade options.
Byrneville Elementary’s main building was constructed in 1941, and many classrooms and the school’s library are located in aging portables.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Two Sentenced For Murder During Fake Cash Marijuana Deal
September 12, 2019
Two Escambia County women have been sentenced for a murder during a marijuana deal gone wrong over counterfeit cash.
Shauntareeya Jones and Shalen Yeldon were sentenced for the June 20, 2018, shooting death of Jaquan Berry.
Jones was sentenced to 15 years in tate prison for manslaughter with a weapon. Yeldon was sentenced to 48 months in prison for accessory after the fact to second degree murder.
The investigation showed that Yeldon contacted Berry via social media in an effort to buy marijuana. The defendants tried to pay Berry with a counterfeit $100. Berry attempted to get his marijuana back after realizing the money was counterfeit. There was a struggle and Jones shot Berry four times in the upper chest. Berry was pronounced deceased at the scene.
After the shooting, Yeldon and a third co-defendant, Deon Nettles, helped to clean the car of broken glass and shell casings. Nettles has was previously sentenced to 96 months in pison for his role in the crime.
McArthur Elementary And PTA Honored As National School Of Excellence
September 12, 2019
McArthur Elementary School and their PTA have been recognized by the National PTA as a School of Excellence.
National PTA School of Excellence is a recognition program that supports and celebrates partnerships between PTAs and schools to enrich the educational experience and overall well-being for all students.
Schools and their PTA’s must decide to team up and enroll in this eight step, year-long, program. They then deploy a baseline survey, set objectives, follow a “Roadmap to Excellence,” and conduct a second survey as parts of their action plan for school improvement. Their plan must also incorporate the PTA National’s Standards for Family-School Partnerships. Their improvement is tracked and when successful, a school and PTA team can earn the designation of a School of Excellence.
“I wanted to take a minute to thank everyone for your support that makes this award possible. It is an honor to work for a school district that supports our students, families and staff. This award is possible because of everyone’s dedication for excellence and I am glad to be a part of this organization,” McArthur Principal Dr. Tama Vaughn said when she shared the news with Escambia County School District leaders.
No other school in Escambia or Santa Rosa counties received the designation.
Tate High Boys Golf Off To Strong Start
September 12, 2019
The Tate High School boys golf team is off to a great strong start to the 2019 season. The team has wins in its first three matches posting team scores of 180, 168 and 179. This week, the team finished fifth in a 17 team match. Ethan Beaver posted the lowest score shooting a 76 during the 18 hole event.
Other team members are Jackson Penton, JT Semple, Trent Callahan, Jace Anthony and Peyton Caslow.