FHP: 6-Year Old Drove, Crashed In Highway 29 Parking Lot As Mother Shopped In Store
May 4, 2019
An Escambia County mother that left her three children in a vehicle while she shopped in a Highway 29 store was charged after her 6-year old drove and crashed the vehicle in the parking lot.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 27-year Cassidy Nicole Ellis was charged with child neglect and leaving children in a vehicle unattended.
According to the FHP, Ellis left her three children -ages six, four and two – in a Dodge Durango Friday night while she went inside the Dollar Tree on Pensacola Boulevard. Her 6-year old backed the vehicle out of parking space, drove the vehicle forward, and collided with a Dodge Charger before the vehicle came to rest on a tree in the parking lot.
The children were not injured.
Ellis remained in the Escambia County Jail Saturday morning with bond set $5,000.
Navy Federal Updates Offer To $4.2 Million, 300 New Jobs For OLF 8 Acreage
May 4, 2019
Navy Federal has submitted an updated offer of just under $4.2 million and is promising 300 new jobs for 96 acres of the OLF 8 property owned by Escambia County on Nine Mile Road.
The $4.192million purchase offer is based upon $47,500 per acre for 88 acres and $1,500 per acre for eight acres of wetlands. The $47,500 per acre is based upon the average of two recent appraisals.
Navy Federal’s non-binding offer expires on July 31.
In January Escambia County acquired the 636 acre OLF-8 in a land swap with the U.S. Navy for property in Santa Rosa County.
The land exchange provided Escambia County with property that can accommodate a wide variety of residential and light industrial development options, that will benefit the citizens and improve the county tax base. In return, the Navy gains a new, fully functional helicopter OLF, that meets current helicopter flight training requirements and is closer to NAS Whiting Field.
Escambia County has received an unsolicited offer of $18 million for about 530 acres of the property not being acquired by Navy Federal and $1.1 million for 15 acres with frontage on Nine Mile Road to construct a commercial center with a mix of retail, small offices and restaurants.
The county would legally required to declare excess acreage as surplus and sell to the highest bidder.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Barrineau Park Historical Society Awards Four Scholarships
May 4, 2019
Friday evening, the Barrineau Park Historical Society presented four deserving high school seniors with college scholarships. The scholarships were presented to Lexxi Baggett, Northview High School; Kaylin Glenn, West Florida High School; Jordana Jernigan, Tate High School; and Brett Fillingim, Tate High School. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview’s Laughlin Signs College Football Scholarship
May 4, 2019
Northview High School senior Lance McLaughlin signed a football scholarship Friday afternoon with Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas.
McLaughlin has a 3.77 weighted GPA is in the top 25 of his class in Northview. He had 162 tackles this past season for the Chiefs, possibly a school record. He also had two forced fumble recoveries and two interceptions.
“Lance is going to be around the football,” Northview Head Coach Derek Marshman said. “He is a role model. I think he is going to do great things. I think the best things for Lance are yet to come.”
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Gracie Brasch Named Tate FFA Rodeo Queen
May 4, 2019
The Tate High School FFA Alumni Association has named Gracie Brasch as their 2019 Rodeo Queen.
Brasch and first runner-up Jayme Smith are both juniors at Northview High School. Other contestants were Hannah Merchant, Kenzie Ricardy, Emily Boutwell and Destiny Cleckler.
The 28th Annual Tate FFA Alumni Foundation Rodeo was held Friday and Saturday nights.
Pictured above: First runner-up Jayme Smith and Tate Rodeo Queen Gracie Brasch. Pictured below (L-R): Contestants Jayme Smith, Hannah Merchant, Gracie Brasch, Kenzie Ricardy, Emily Boutwell and Destiny Cleckler. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High Basketball’s Moftaqir Signs With Lawson State
May 4, 2019
Tate High School senior Yaseen Moftaqir signed Friday afternoon with Lawson State Community College in Birmingham.. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
DeSantis Signs Firefighter Cancer Benefits Into Law
May 4, 2019
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed a measure into law providing cancer benefits for firefighters. With the signing of this legislation, Florida joins 45 other states that provide a cancer benefit to these first responders.
“Here in Florida, we look after our first responders and I am honored to sign this bill to help ensure our firefighters who are battling cancer have the tools and benefits they need,” said DeSantis. “These men and women are true heroes, who often are the first on scene and the last to leave during an emergency.”
“This marks an enormous victory for these brave men and women in their fight against cancer,” said Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis. “Today, Florida tells every firefighter battling cancer, every firefighter afraid of getting cancer, and every child who dreams of being a firefighter that we are in their corner. I’m proud that we can now add Florida to the list of states that provides this essential benefit for firefighters.”
While treatment for cancer is often covered already existing health plans, the new law requires the firefighter’s employer to cover out-of-pocket expenses such as copays and deductibles.
The Florida League of Cities called the law an “unfunded mandate” in a letter to DeSantis.
“In theory, it sounds like a worthwhile initiative, which is why it was met with great fanfare during Legislative Session. However, when you dig into the details, this is a significant unfunded mandate with widespread negative impact on property taxpayers,” the League said in the letter.
Escambia 4-H Team Places Second In State Meat Judging Contest
May 4, 2019
The Escambia County 4-H senior meat judging team placed second at the state 4-H Meat Judging Contest at the University of West Florida’s Meat Processing Center.
Participants had to identify 50 retail cuts, place eight retail, primal or carcass classes, answer questions relating to the meat industry, and give two sets of oral reasons on why and how they placed a class.
The senior team comprised of youth ages 14-18 included Jessica Conti, Hannah Schnupp, Ethan Thorne and Hannah Thorne. When the individual scores were tallied, Conti was the high individual and top meat judging 4-H member in Florida. Other individual results were Thorne placing seventh, Schnupp 10th and Schnupp 11th.
The senior 4-H meat judging team will now have the opportunity to compete at the Western National Roundup meat judging contest in Denver as part of the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in early January 2020.
The 4-H meat judging program develops life skills through activities related to the processing of beef, pork, and lamb, including retail identification, factors relating to meat quality, and cooking methods. Participants developed an understanding and appreciation of the basic scientific principles involved in eating and cooking quality, nutritional value, and consumer appeal of meat. 4-H members on the team also learned life skills such as effective decision-making, critical thinking, goal setting, and teamwork.
Fire Heavily Damages Home In Cantonment
May 3, 2019
Fire heavily damaged a home in Cantonment Friday afternoon.
The fire was reported about 12:45 p.m. in the 3000 block of Woodbury Circle. The fire was reported to be heavily involved in the garage area of the 3,000 square foot brick home.
There were no injuries reported, and the cause of the blaze is under investigation.
Multiple stations from Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Firefighter Trainee Allegedly Steals Truck From Walnut Hill Fire Station, Facing Multiple Alabama Charges
May 3, 2019
A former volunteer firefighter trainee behind bars in Alabama will be charged with stealing a brush truck from the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue.
Lawrence Eathan Coon, 22, was taken into custody in Escambia County, AL, on unrelated charges of tampering with physical evidence, carrying a concealed pistol without a permit, third degree criminal mischief, third degree reckless endangerment, interference with a domestic violence emergency call, stalking, third degree theft of property, first degree criminal mischief and second degree theft of property.
According to Escambia County (AL) Sheriff Heath Jackson, his department responded to domestic disturbance involving Coon and his ex-girlfriend on Ross Gate Road north of Atmore. Coon was in a vehicle blocking the roadway that sped away as the deputy approached, Jackson said, and the deputy stopped the vehicle on Butler Street. A pistol belonging to Coon was in the glovebox of the vehicle, the sheriff said, adding that Coon had allegedly ran his ex-girlfriend off the road before deputies were called.
He faces extradition back to Escambia County, FL, on a charge of vehicle theft, a third degree felony.
Coon had access to the Walnut Hill Fire Station as a volunteer. He allegedly entered the fire station and took a brush truck late the night of April 14 and drove around for more than hour, including crossing the state line to Flomaton before returning the truck.
Officials say as a trainee he was not authorized to drive any fire department vehicle. Coon resigned from the volunteer fire service when confronted with the allegations.
We are still awaiting details on what led to Coon’s charges in Alabama.