No Serious Injuries In Cantonment Crash
July 18, 2018
There were no serious injuries reported in a two vehicle crash about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon on Muscogee Road at Jacks Branch Road. The accident involving a Dodge Ram 1500 pickup and a Dodge Caravan is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Teen Facing Charges For Multiple Vehicle Thefts, Burglaries In Cantonment
July 18, 2018
A teen is facing charges in connection with multiple vehicle thefts and vehicle burglaries in the Cantonment area.
Leon Benjamin, 16, is facing two counts of grand theft auto, 15 counts of vehicle burglary and multiple counts of petit theft, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The vehicle burglaries occurred on Southern Oaks Drive, Bur Oak Drive, Towhee Canyon Drive and Broken Arrow Lane, with a vehicle theft on both Bur Oak and Broken Arrow.
While investigating the vehicle burglaries, patrol deputies spotted a suspicious vehicle near Bur Oak Drive and got out with it on Winn Dixie on Highway 29. ECSO Investigator Brett McCormick said Benjamin was a passenger in that vehicle and had the keys to two stolen vehicles. He had sent a text message telling a friend that he had stolen three vehicles, but deputies have not located a third stolen vehicle.
“This was an example of patrol deputies and investigators working together,” Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Major Andrew Hobbs said.
McCormick said the ECSO has obtained security camera video of the vehicle crimes, and they are encouraging everyone in the area to check their security cameras for footage from Tuesday, July 10.
Anyone with video or other information is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9630.
Pictured: The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office recovered a vehicle near Tate High School that had been stolen from the Bentley Oaks Subdivison. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Former Local Resident With No Arms Charged With Stabbing Man
July 18, 2018
An Atmore native and former McDavid resident with no arms has been charged with stabbing a tourist in Miami Beach in a case that has made international news.
According to Miami-Dade Corrections records, 46-year old Jonathan Dale Crenshaw remains jailed on an aggravated battery charge with bond set at $7,500.
Crenshaw had spent the last few years painting with his feet for Miami Beach tourists, according to the Miami Herald. But last week, police say he held a pair of scissors with his feet as he stabbed a 22-year old tourist from Chicago.
Crenshaw, who is homeless, told police he was lying down when the tourist punched him in the head. The armless man then stabbed the tourist with scissors and walked away, the Miami Herald reported. The tourist suffered an injury to his arm and was transported a local hospital. He told police he stopped to ask for directions before Crenshaw jumped up and stabbed him.
Records indicate Crenshaw was born in Atmore in 1971 and was living in McDavid when he was arrested by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in 2004. He was convicted of improper exhibition of a firearm after he pulled a gun on someone, according to Escambia County court records.
In a 2016 feature story, he told the Miami New Times that he was born without arms, his mother fed him rat poison, and the government drilled his sharp teeth in half. He also told the newspaper the he had fathered 200 children with music superstar Gloria Estefan.
Crews Work To Restripe West Highway 4
July 18, 2018
Pictured: Crews worked Tuesday to restripe West Highway 4 between Byrneville and Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Kids Create Music During Summer STEAM Program At Century Library
July 18, 2018
Kids learned to make their own musical instruments during a Summer STEAM — Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics — program Tuesday at the Century Branch Library.
Using boxes, pencils and rubber bands, attendees created a guitar-like string instrument.
A Summer STEAM program will be held Wednesday, July 18 at 10:30 a.m. at the Molino Branch Library. During the hands-on program, kids will learn to code robots to complete tasks.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Baseball Needs Coed Softball Tournament Teams
July 18, 2018
The Northview High School baseball team will hold a coed softball tournament Saturday at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill.
Registration is $200 per team with a three girl minimum using modified USSSA rules.
For more information, call Coach Greenwell at (850) 712-6354 or Coach Lowery at (850) 232-3205.
File photo.
UWF Historic Artifacts Could Find A Home In Century
July 18, 2018
Artifacts from the University of West Florida Historic Trust could find a home in a Century.
The Trust is looking for secure, climate controlled space to store a large quantify of historic items and antiquities, according to an email from Brice Harris, a UWF assistance vice president . They are repurposing much of their downtown storage space into workable classrooms and labs.
Harris emailed Century Town Planner Debbie Nickles seeking possible space in the Century Business Center on Pond Street or another location. She said UWF is looking for three to 10 thousand square feet.
Mayor Henry Hawkins said much of the space at the Century Business Center is in use. Council member Ben Boutwell suggested the empty Helicopter Technology Building in the town’s industrial park might work.
Hawkins told the Century Town Council that the building could not be rented due to issues with the fire sprinkler system. A November 2017 violation notice from the Escambia County Fire Rescue Office of Fire Prevention found the sprinkler and fire systems were in need of an inspection.
The former Helicopter Technology building is a 40,000 square foot office/warehouse building with full climate control, sprinkler system, new HVAC and new energy efficient lighting. The town re-acquired the industrial building at public auction for less than $1 out of pocket back in August 2009, following the town’s foreclosure judgment against the now defunct Helicopter Technology.
In 2017, the building was appraised for $550,000 with a fair market rent of $80,000 per year ($6,667 per month).
Hawkins said he will contact Harris to discuss any possible building locations.
Schools Honored For Fire Life Safety Improvements
July 18, 2018
The Escambia County School Board recognized several schools for meeting fire and life safety goals.
Certificates of Excellence were presented to nine schools for a decrease in overall deficiencies by at least 50 percent. They were: Blue Angels Elementary, Global Learning Academy, Holm Elementary, Pleasant Grove Elementary, Bellview Middle, Ferry Pass Middle, Workman Middle, Pensacola High and Tate High School.
In addition, seven schools were honored for having 10 or less total deficiencies for their entire facility. They were: A.K. Suter Elementary, Bratt Elementary, Brentwood Elementary, Ferry Pass Elementary, Jim Allen Elementary, Molino Park Elementary and Brown Barge Middle School.
The certificates were presented during a Tuesday meeting of the Escambia County School Board.
Pictured: City of Pensacola Fire Inspector John Bartholomew (left) and Escambia County Fire Marshal Joe Quinn (middle) with Molino Park Elementary Principal Lisa Arnold (top)and Bratt Elementary Principal Karen Hall (below). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECSO: Two Women Fight It Out In Century Store, One Hit In Head With 12 Pack Of Beer
July 17, 2018
Two Century women have been charged after allegedly getting into two fights inside a local convenience store — one hitting the other with a 12-pack of beer and the other returning for a blow with a single can of beer.
Jalisa Faye Jackson, 25, was charged with affray and disorderly conduct, and Crystal Christine Ellis, 27, was charged with disorderly conduct.
Ellis was inside the Century Food Mart on North Century Boulevard buying cigarettes when Jackson hit her in the back of the head with the 12-pack, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office
Surveillance video showed Jackson was leaving the counter with the 12-pack as Ellis approached the clerk to pay for her items, the report states. After the attack, both women got into a fight until being separated by store customers. Once broken apart, the video showed Ellis pick up what appeared to be a beer can and hit Jackson with it before both women began fighting again until separated a second time by customers.
Jackson told deputies that she may have hit Ellis with the 12-pack unknowingly, not realizing it was still in her hand, the report states.
Jackson was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $1,500 bond. Ellis is being held without bond after her bond was revoked in a pending child neglect case.
Cantonment Man Gets Jail Time For Nightclub Burglary
July 17, 2018
A Cantonment man has been sentenced to time in the county jail for burglarizing a nightclub.
River Sewell was sentenced to 120 days for criminal mischief, burglary of an unoccupied structure and petit theft.
Sewell burglarized the Red Baron Lounge across from Walmart on Pensacola Boulevard, according to prosecutors. He entered the business using force by pulling on the front door until the locks failed, causing $50 in damage. He then pulled the business’s alarm off a wall before stealing liquor, tobacco and other products worth $100.
The burglary was captured on video.