Cantonment Man Charged With Robbing Same Store Twice
February 27, 2019
A Cantonment man has now been judged mentally competent to stand trial for robbing a convenience store, and now he’s facing additional charges for allegedly robbing the same store in 2016.
Napoleon Bonaport Grandison, 46, was arrested Monday for robbery with a firearm and battery for the armed robbery of a Circle K on Mobile Highway in July 2016. He entered the store wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, told the clerk he had a gun and demanded money, according to arrest report. He allegedly pushed the clerk down, punched him in his side and grabbed the cash register containing about $50. He dropped the cash register on his way out of the store and fled on a bicycle.
Grandison was identified by DNA evidence.
Grandison was previously arrested for robbery of the same store in October 2016. He is facing charges of two counts of battery on a law enforcement officer, robbery with a firearm, battery of a police dog, resisting an officer with violence and giving a false name to law enforcement. When deputies caught up with him a short distance away, he allegedly pushed two deputies off him as they attempted to detain him. He was also accused of kicking and striking a third deputy and physically placing his arm around the neck of and choking Escambia County K-9 Alek.
In early 2017, Grandison was found mentally incompetent to stand trial in that case, but now he’s been judged competent enough to stand trial with his next court date set for March.
Grandison is being held in jail with bond set at $378,000.
Jim Allen Elementary Names February Students Of The Month
February 27, 2019
Jim Allen Elementary School has named Students of the Month for February. They are Max Hall and Olivia Dunlap. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Fall In Regional Semifinals At Tallahassee
February 27, 2019
The Tate Aggies’ run toward state ended Tuesday night with a 74-41 loss at Tallahassee Lincoln in the Region 1-8A semifinal.
Love Bettis had 16 points., and Caleb Young added nine to lead Tate.
This season, the Tate Aggies won their first district title since 2010 and a 21-9 record.
Pictured: Tate beat Tallahassee Chiles February 21 in a 59-58 thriller. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Baseball, Softball: Tate, Northview, West Florida
February 27, 2019
Here are high school softball and baseball scores from Tuesday:
BASEBALL
Tate 6, West Florida 6
Tate an West Florida played to a 6-6 tie in the 10th Tuesday night.
The game was tied at two in the top of the fourth when Raymond Lafleur hit a three-run homer to put the Aggies up 5-2 over the Jags.
Darrien McDowell led the Aggies at the plate going 4-6, with a double and run. Jackson Penton was 2-4 with a run, and Hunter McClean was 1-5 with two runs.
For West Florida, Dylan Reeves, Graham Hollan, Taylor Meacham, Austin Rider and John Leland recorded hits.
Tate will hit the road on Thursday for the Border War Tournament in Valdosta, GA.
(scores continue below photo)
Northview 7, W.S. Neal 1
The Northview Chiefs defeated W.S. Neal Tuesday in Bratt by the score of 7-1. The Chiefs will be at Milton Thursday at 6 p.m.
SOFTBALL
Tate 7, Pace 0
Tate 7, Pace 0 (JV)
Beauchanie threw a complete game shutout Tuesday night as the Tate Lady Aggies beat the Pace Patriots 7-0 in Pace.
Beauchaine allowed just two hits and walked three while striking out 13 for the Aggies. She was 1-4 at the plate.
For Tate – Amber Decoux, 1-3, 2R, RBI; Ryleigh Cawby 2-4, R, 2RBI; Madison Cawby 1-4, 2R; Gabby Locke 1-3, R; Cam Wolfenden 2-4, 2 RBI; Hannah Halfacre 2-2, R, RBI.
Tate will take part in the Panama City Tournament March 1-2.
Northview 4, T.R. Miller 3
Northview 7, T.R. Miller 4 (JV)
Northview’s varsity and junior varsity defeated T.R. Miller on Tuesday in Bratt. Up next, Northview varsity and junior varsity will be at Excel, AL, on Thursday.
West Florida 3, Milton 2
Both teams were strong in the circle Tuesday, but West Florida Jags Varsity defeated Milton High School 3-2. West Florida Jags Varsity pitchers allowed just four hits to Milton High School.
Prasad got the win for West Florida Jags Varsity. She surrendered two runs on four hits over six innings, striking out 10. Hudson took the loss for Milton High School. She allowed five hits and three runs over six and two-thirds innings, striking out one.
Wiley, Morgan, Klemm, Prasad, and Watson each collected one hit to lead the Jags. Kent scored on a passed ball in the 7th for the win. C Warrell led Milton High School with two hits in three at bats.
Pictured: Raymond Lafleur homers for the Tate Aggies Tuesday night at West Florida Tech. Images courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Eight Arrested, Most On Drug Charges, During Atmore Traffic Crackdown
February 27, 2019
A traffic crackdown in Atmore netted eight arrests.
The Atmore Police Department and the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office conducted a one-day citywide traffic enforcement detail last Friday.
Police reported the following arrests:
- Joshua Hall- trafficking codeine, marijuana 1st, possession of controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia
- Roy Sanders – warrant from Baldwin County
- Frank Gulley – two warrants through Escambia County (AL)
- Aaron Lambeth – trafficking methamphetamine
- Jerrell Johnson – possession of controlled substance (meth), possession of drug paraphernalia
- Bethany Brooke Dumas – possession of controlled substance (meth), possession of drug paraphernalia
- William K. Cheeks – possession of controlled substance (kratom)
Christopher Moore – possession of marijuana
Additional officers on the streets of Atmore also performed numerous traffic stops for speeding, equipment violations and other moving violations.
Ten Big Issues To Watch During Florida Legislative Session
February 27, 2019
Florida lawmakers will gather March 5 in the House chamber to hear Gov. Ron DeSantis give his first State of the State address, the traditional start of the 60-day legislative session.
Led by Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, and House Speaker Jose Oliva, R-Miami Lakes, lawmakers this year will deal with myriad issues, ranging from passing a state budget to deciding whether to allow patients to smoke medical marijuana.
Here are 10 big issues to watch during the session:
BUDGET: DeSantis has proposed a $91.3 billion budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1, as he seeks to increase money for education and water-quality projects and trim taxes. But the DeSantis proposal is only a starting point for lawmakers, who will have their own priorities for state funding. Lawmakers also will grapple with recovery costs from Hurricane Michael, which devastated parts of Northwest Florida in October.
ENVIRONMENT: After algae and red tide fouled waterways and coastal areas in Southeast Florida and Southwest Florida last year, DeSantis is making a priority of addressing water-quality issues. DeSantis has proposed a $625 million package that addresses Everglades restoration and other water-related issues. Lawmakers also are pushing bills that would deal with problems such as cleaning up the Indian River Lagoon.
HEALTH CARE: Oliva and other House Republican leaders want to reduce regulations in the health-care industry, arguing that taking more of a free-market approach would help hold down costs. The House is targeting a variety of issues, such as “certificate of need” regulations that help determine whether hospitals and other types of facilities can be built. DeSantis has touted a proposal aimed at allowing lower-cost prescription drugs to be imported from Canada.
HURRICANE MICHAEL: Lawmakers face costly decisions as they look to help Northwest Florida recover from Hurricane Michael. Galvano said the state has already spent $1.13 billion responding to the October hurricane, and the total could go as high as $2.7 billion. The federal government is expected to reimburse many costs, but that will take time. The state also faces issues such as helping the region’s severely damaged timber industry.
INSURANCE: The insurance industry and business groups are lobbying heavily to make changes in the controversial insurance practice known as assignment of benefits, which involves policyholders signing over benefits to contractors. Insurers argue abuse and litigation are driving up property-insurance rates, while AOB supporters say the practice helps make sure insurers properly pay claims. A key part of the debate focuses on limiting attorney fees.
MEDICAL MARIJUANA: Facing heavy pressure from DeSantis, lawmakers appear likely to end a ban on smoking medical marijuana. The ban, included in a 2017 medical-marijuana law, was found unconstitutional by a circuit judge, and DeSantis has threatened to drop an appeal if the Legislature does not eliminate the ban. It is less clear, however, whether lawmakers will address other medical-marijuana regulatory issues that have led to lawsuits.
SCHOOL CHOICE: DeSantis and Senate leaders have outlined proposals that could lead to a major expansion of school choice, including the creation of a voucher-type program that would be directly funded with tax dollars. The House has long supported such programs, as has new Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran. Democrats and teachers unions will fight the expansion, but Republicans control both legislative chambers and the governor’s office.
SCHOOL SAFETY: Just past the one-year anniversary of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, lawmakers will look again at revamping laws to boost school safety. The most-controversial issue will be a proposal to expand the school “guardian” program to allow trained classroom teachers to be armed. A state commission created last year recommended allowing armed teachers.
SUPREME COURT: After taking office last month, DeSantis made three appointments that created a solid conservative majority on the Florida Supreme Court. The change could embolden the GOP-controlled Legislature, which in the past clashed with a more-liberal Supreme Court. As examples, lawmakers could expand taxpayer-funded school vouchers and cap attorney fees in workers’ compensation insurance cases — issues that previously ran into Supreme Court roadblocks.
TRANSPORTATION: Galvano has made clear that one of his top priorities will be highway projects that he says would help rural areas. The Senate president wants to extend the Suncoast Parkway toll road to go from the Tampa Bay region to the Georgia border; create a multi-use corridor, including a highway, from Polk County to Collier County; and extend the Florida Turnpike west from where it currently ends at Interstate 75.
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
Century And Flomaton Chambers Hand Out Annual Awards At Banquet
February 27, 2019
The annual Flomaton and Century Joint Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet was held Tuesday night in Flomaton. Awards were presented as follows:
- Century Outstanding Student of the Year – Chloe Smith
- Century Outstanding Business of the Year – Squeegee Stitch Graphix
- Century Outstanding Citizens of the Year – Debbie Nickles
- Flomaton Outstanding Student of the Year – Mitchell Faulk
- Flomaton Outstanding Business of the Year – Jeff’s Feed and Seed
- Flomaton Outstanding Citizen of the Year – Cathryn Jeter
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECSO: Atmore Man Burglarized Beulah Home, Stealing Property And The Family Dog
February 26, 2019
An Atmore man has been arrested for allegedly stealing items including a family’s dog during a Beulah burglary.
Devin Adrielle Backus, 22, was charged with burglary, grand theft and grand theft of a firearm.
Backus allegedly burglarized a home on John David Drive, taking a safe, jewelry, electronics, three firearms and a dog. The items were valued at $15,400.
The burglary occurred on October 9, 2018. This month, deputies were made aware of a handwritten note received by the homeowner in which he was asked to contact “Devin” at a phone number. The homeowner called, and Backus told him the dog was with a friend in Fort Walton, according to a report. He also allegedly said the safe was at a house in Atmore, but he was unable to open it.
The homeowner told deputies he knows Backus as a previous tenant in his rental home.
On February 23, Backus was identified as the suspect from fingerprints found on a television.
Backus remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $20,000.
Alleged MS-13 Gang Member Arrested Near Mall
February 26, 2019
An alleged MS-13 gang member was arrested near Cordova Mall
David Ernesto Nolasco Soriano, 31, of El Salvador, was taken into custody by the FBI and Pensacola Police Department.
Nolasco Soriano was working in Pensacola and Destin and has a Pensacola mailing address. United States Magistrate Judge Charles J. Kahn Jr. detained Nolasco Soriano and ordered the U.S. Marshals to transport him back to Maryland to await trial.
The District of Maryland charged Nolasco Soriano with conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise; conspiracy to murder, maim, assault with a dangerous weapon, and assault resulting in serious bodily injury in aid of racketeering; and attempted murder, maiming, and assault with a dangerous weapon resulting in serious bodily injury in aid of racketeering.
Details Released On Escambia County Wheelchair Ramp Program For Needy Residents
February 26, 2019
Escambia County is partnering with local nonprofit agencies for a wheelchair ramp pilot partnership program that aims to help county residents maintain independence and improve wheelchair accessibility to their homes.
The Escambia Board of County Commissioners approved funding for the program in December. Under the pilot program, the county will work with nonprofit agencies to build the ramps, with the agencies providing volunteer labor for construction and the county providing funding for materials.
Local agencies including Pensacola Civitan Club, Council on Aging of West Florida Inc., Pensacola Habitat for Humanity Inc. and Ray of Hope of Northwest Florida Inc. will participate in the program to provide volunteer construction of ramps, but are often limited in the number of ramps that can be built due to a shortage of volunteers and funding for materials and supplies.
These agencies are looking for handy volunteers to support their ramp building initiatives. For volunteer opportunities, please contact the agencies below:
- Pensacola Civitan Club: (850) 255-9796
- Council on Aging of West Florida: (850) 266-2518
- Pensacola Habitat for Humanity: (850) 434-5456
- Ray of Hope of Northwest Florida: (850) 995-0007
Aid will be targeted to owner occupants residing in Escambia County whose income is at or below 80 percent of area median income. Consideration may be given to non-owner occupied properties on a case-by-case basis. Applicants must be current on property taxes and not have any outstanding county liens to participate. Assistance is provided as a grant with no payback requirements. Escambia County Neighborhood Enterprise Division will accept referrals from participating agencies and will screen applicants for eligibility.
For general information or for organizations interested in participating in the program, contact Meredith Reeves in the Neighborhood Enterprise Division at (850) 595-4968.
Homeowners interested in applying for assistance may contact the Escambia County Neighborhood Enterprise Division at (850) 595-0022 or ned@myescambia.com.
Pictured: A wheelchair ramp recently installed by the Pensacola Civitan Club. Materials for similar ramps may be funded by Escambia County through the wheelchair ramp pilot program. Photos for NorthEcambia.com, click to enlarge.
