Santa Rosa Schools Placed On Lockdown After Suspect Flees From Deputies
September 17, 2018
UPDATE: The suspect was taken into custody at 10:49 a.m. with the assistance of FWC and FDOC, including a K-9 team from Century Correctional.
The search for a suspect placed several Santa Rosa County school into lockdown this morning.
At 8:30 a.m., deputies with the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office located a stolen vehicle driving in the area of Pace Patriot Boulevard and Norris Road. The vehicle did not stop, with the driver then fleeing on foot.
Nearby Sims Middle School and SS Dixon Intermediate School were placed on lockdown, and outdoor activities at Pace High School and Dixon Primary were canceled.
Santa Road County deputies, school resource officer and a FWC helicopter were used in the search.
Additional deputies were deployed near school areas, and the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office asked that parents and family members not go to the school.
At about 10 a.m., the schools were placed on a “soft” lockdown.
Further details will be posted as they are are released.
Photo courtesy Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. Officer faces were removed from the photo by SRSO.
School Bus Driver Cited After Wreck; No Students Injured
September 17, 2018
A school bus driver was ticketed after morning crash with no injuries just south of Nine Mile Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol said bus driver Erica Godwin, 25, was stopped at a stop sign on Warning Road at Bush Street when she turned her school bus into a Dodge Avenger driven by 57-year old Angela Lord of Pensacola. The front of the bus collided with the side of the car.
There were 15 students on the bus that were not injured. Lord and her two passengers, one of which was a 4-year old child, were also not injured.
Godwin was cited for failing to yield the right of way by the FHP.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Two Morning Crashes On Highway 29
September 17, 2018
At least one person was injured in a two vehicle accident on northbound Highway 29 near Kingsfield Road Monday morning (pictured above and immediately below), and there were no injuries in a second crash on southbound Highway 29 in the same area (one vehicle pictured bottom). Both accident area under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Battery Of Six People, Including Pregnant Woman
September 17, 2018
A Cantonment man was charged with the battery of six people, including a woman that was pregnant.
James Lee Grandison, 38, was charged with aggravated battery on a pregnant woman, five addition counts of battery and criminal mischief property damage.
Grandison allegedly went to the home of a former girlfriend to pick up personal property. He became involved in an altercation with his ex-girlfriend, her mother, her daughter, her sisters and another man, according to an arrest report. He also broke a television and other items in the home, the report states. One of the sisters was pregnant.
Two people, including the pregnant woman, were transportedto the hospital by Escambia County EMS.
Grandison was also charged with two counts of violating probation in previous battery and traffic cases. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Monday without bond.
FHP: Two Injured When Driver Crashes Into Parked Car
September 17, 2018
A Cantonment man is accused of driving under the influence and injuring two people as he crashed into a parked car early Sunday morning.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 28-year Stephen Neil Rigsby was traveling south on Pursley Avenue at 1:13 a.m. in a Nissan Altima when he hit a Chevy Corvette that was parked off the roadway.
Two people were attempting to get into the Corvette at the time of the crash and were injured. Julie Ann Gould, 47, was critically injured and transported as a trauma alert to Baptist Hospital. Patrick Daniel Gould received minor injures.
Rigsby was transported to Baptist Hospital with non-life threatening injuries and then booked into the Escambia County Jail. He was released on a $17,500 bond. Rigsby was charged with DUI causing serious bodily injury, leaving the scene of a crash and reckless driving causing serious bodily injury
It’s Ransom Middle Spirit Week
September 17, 2018
Students will be dressing as their favorite characters this week for Ransom Middle School Spirit Week.
The schedule for Spirit Week dress-up days is as follows:
Monday: Character Day
Tuesday: Mathletes vs. Athletes
Wednesday: Meme Day
Thursday: RMS Spirit Day and Pep Rally
Friday: Preppy/Frat Day
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts – Where To Expect Delays
September 17, 2018
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to U.S. 90 (Nine Mile Road) – The following traffic impacts will take place from Friday, Sept. 14 through Saturday, Sept. 22. Work requiring lane restrictions will take place from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Broad Street will be closed on the east side of the U.S. 29 intersection in Escambia County from 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14 through 6 a.m. Monday, Sept. 17 as workers widen the intersection. Motorists may use Pittman Avenue and Detroit Boulevard as an alternate route. Detour signs and Variable Message Boards are in place to alert drivers about the temporary road closure and detour route.
- Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass: North and southbound traffic is reduced to one lane in each direction. Alternating traffic shifts will direct all traffic onto the westbound or eastbound lanes as crews continue construction of the new center bridge deck. Nine Mile Road lane restrictions are Sunday through Thursday.
- U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road: Drainage and paving operations continue. Drivers can expect alternating lane closures Monday through Saturday.U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Routine Bridge Maintenance- Crews will repair overhead lighting on the bridge Sunday, Sept. 16 through Thursday, Sept. 20. East and westbound lane closures will take place from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Construction activities continue. Drivers will encounteralternating lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 16 through Sunday, Sept. 23.
- State Road (S.R.) 750 (Airport Boulevard) from S.R. 291 (Davis Highway) to S.R. 289 (9th Avenue) – Paving operations continue between Davis Highway and 9th Avenue. Lane closures will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 16 through Thursday, Sept. 20.
- U.S. 98 (Lillian Highway) Resurfacing from the Perdido Bay Bridge to Dog Track Road– Paving operations continue from the Perdido Bay Bridge to Dog Track Road. Lane closures will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 16 through Sunday, Sept. 20.
- S.R.10/U.S. 90A (Nine Mile Road) Widening from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road – The Nine Mile Road westbound short on-ramp to I-10 eastbound will be shifted to the shoulder from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 17 and Tuesday, Sept. 18. as crews install underdrain beneath the ramp. Traffic flaggers will be on site.
- S.R. 10A (Cervantes Street) Driveway Work east of 12th Avenue- The eastbound outside, right lane east of 12th Avenue will be closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 17 and Tuesday, Sept. 18 as crews remove the existing driveway connection and restore the right of way with curb and gutter and sidewalk.
- S.R. 727 (Fairfield Drive) Safety and Drainage Improvements between Usher Circle and Hestia Place- Construction activities on Fairfield Drive from south of Usher Circle to north of Hestia Place in the Myrtle Grove area are anticipated to begin the week of Monday, Sept. 17. Lane closures will be in effect from 8:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. The project will be complete spring 2019.
- S.R. 291 (Davis Highway) Routine Maintenance south of Northcross Lane- Southbound drivers will encounter intermittent lane restriction from 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20 to 5 a.m. Friday, Sept. 21 as crews install lighting to an overhead sign.
Santa Rosa County:
- I-10 Widening from the Escambia Bay Bridge to S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard/Exit 22) – Drivers traveling I-10 and Avalon Boulevard will encounter the following traffic impacts from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 16 through Thursday, Sept. 20:
- Northbound traffic on Avalon Boulevard will be shifted to the east near I-10 Sunday, Sept. 16 as crews begin constructing new median traffic separators. The shift is expected to be in place into the month of October.
- Alternating lane closures on I-10 from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of Avalon Boulevard as crews widen the roadway.
- Drivers will encounter new traffic patterns on I-10 east and westbound as crews reconstruct the inside and outside shoulders. This work will continue throughout the fall.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Construction activities continue. Drivers will encounteralternating lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 16 through Sunday, Sept. 23.
- S.R. 87 Multilane from Eglin AFB boundary to C.R 184 (Hickory Hammock Road) – Traffic between Hickory Hammock Road and the Eglin AFB boundary will continue to be restricted to loads less than 11-feet wide. The restriction will be in place until the project is completed.
Escambia BOCC Weekly Meeting Schedule
September 17, 2018
Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings for the week of September 17-21:
Monday, Sept. 17
Benefits Committee Meeting – 10:30 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, HR Training Room
Second Budget Public Hearing - 5:31 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers
Tuesday, Sept. 18
Board of Electrical Examiners – 9 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Benefits Committee Meeting – 10:30 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, HR Training Room
Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate – 1:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place, Room 104
Wednesday, Sept. 19
Escambia Soil & Water Conservation – 8 a.m., 151 Highway 97, Molino
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Small Business and Veterans Expo – 6-8:30 p.m., Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. De Soto St.
Thursday, Sept. 20
Community Redevelopment Agency – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers
Board of County Commissioners Agenda Review – 9:15 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers
BCC Public Forum – 4:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers
BCC Regular Meeting – 4:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers
FWC Law Enforcement Report
September 17, 2018
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending August 23 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Allgood made several saltwater fisheries cases. He issued notice to appear citations for undersized triggerfish and spotted sea trout. He also cited a different subject for possession of red snapper during a closed season.
Officers Allgood and Long were on a vessel stop when they noticed a vessel dock at a residence. Officer Allgood knew who lived at the residence and did not recognize the vessel or individuals as the owner of the property. As they approached the vessel, two of the occupants got out of the vessel and quickly walked away. After confirming with the residents that the individuals were trespassing, Officer Allgood exited the vessel and confronted the individuals. One of the individuals was compliant but the other refused to identify himself and walked away. Officer Allgood gave loud verbal commands to stop and the subject refused. The officer then attempted to place the subject in handcuffs. The subject resisted and both Officer Allgood and the subject ended up on the ground. Officer Allgood gained control of the subject after a short struggle. Officer Allgood arrested the subject and charged him with resisting an officer with violence, possession of a concealed weapon, armed trespass, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Officer Long arrested the second subject on an active warrant out of Arkansas.
As Officer Allgood was driving to a commercial fisheries offload inspection, he noticed a vehicle swerving out of its lane and off the road. He stopped the vehicle and spoke to the driver. The driver showed several signs of impairment and was asked to perform several field sobriety exercises. He did poorly on the exercises and was arrested for DUI. A breath sample was given, and the results were .175 blood alcohol content. The driver was booked into the Escambia County Jail.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Wilkenson was on vessel patrol in Santa Rosa Sound near the Navarre Beach Boat Ramp. The officer saw a PWC being operated in Santa Rosa Sound by an individual that appeared to under the age of 14 years old with a passenger onboard. A vessel stop was conducted to determine the age of the operator. Officer Wilkenson saw the PWC kill-switch attached to the operator and he was the only person whose hands were on the handle/steering column. The officer determined the operator was 12 years old. The minimum age to operate a PWC is 14 years old. Further, the operator did not have a boater safety card. The PWC was a private vessel and owned by the parents of the operator. It was determined the mother allowed her underage son to operate the PWC. The parent was issued a notice to appear citation.
Officer Hutchinson was patrolling in the Escambia River Wildlife Management Area when he saw a vessel from his position at Keyser Landing. As he watched, the two men worked bush hooks and a trotline, and while doing so, they baited the lines with live bream. When they returned to the ramp, Officer Hutchison contacted them and they admitted to using bream for bait on the lines. Both men were cited for using bream for bait
This report represents some events the FWC handled; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Annie Jones UMC Donates School Supplies To Ernest Ward Middle
September 17, 2018
Annie Jones United Methodist Church in Walnut Hill recently presented a wagon full of school supplies to Ernest Ward Middle School. Pictured: Ernest Ward Dean Byran Hicks, Principal Nancy Perry and Annie Jones UMC Pastor Lee Bateman. Photos of NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
