Update: FHP Releases Details In Molino Wrong-Way Crash
February 20, 2018
The Florida Highway Patrol has released details in a wrong-way driver crash on Highway 29 in Molino that injured multiple people Sunday night.
The FHP said 58-year old Mark Adams of Jacksonville, AL, was traveling north in the southbound lanes of Highway 29 near Barrineau Park Road. His Kia struck a Ford SUV, causing the Ford to overturn. Four people in the Ford SUV were injured, including an infant.
The Kia collided with a Jeep Cherokee driven by 36-year old Thomas Harris of Evergreen and a Ford Explorer driven by 26-year old Alan Noel of Gulf Breeze.
A Ford Focus operated by Walter Ross of Pensacola collided with debris in the roadway. The crash scene was spread over a considerable distance.
The 9:53 p.m. wreck closed Highway 29 until 1:06 a.m. Monday for the crash investigation, vehicle removal and debris cleanup.
Adams was taken to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition. Four occupants of the Jeep were were transported to an area hospital, but friends and family tell NorthEscambia.com that they have been released.
Adams was cited for driving on the wrong site of the road. The Florida Highway Patrol said it is “unknown” if alcohol was a factor in the crash.
The Molino and Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Century Man Arrested For Armed Home Invasion
February 20, 2018
A Century man has been charged in connection with a local home invasion robbery with a firearm.
Kendrick Jamar Washington is accused of stealing about $1,500 in cash and an unknown quantity of drugs after forcing his way into a home in the 9500 block of Ivey Street.
Washington allegedly knocked on the female victim’s door about 4 a.m. while dressed in a dark colored hoodie and camouflage pants. As she was closing the door, he pulled the door back and shoved the female backwards, according to an arrest report. He then allegedly pulled a gun and pointed it the victim’s face while demanding money.
The victim told deputies she had about $1,500 in her purse because she had just cashed her paycheck at her employer and not yet deposited it into the bank.
Washington is being held without bond in the Escambia County Jail.
Northview High Makes Security Changes, New Drop-off Rules
February 20, 2018
Changes are in place effective today at Northview High School, with one set of entrance doors now locked during school hours for better security.
“While we at Northview have as a top priority to make sure each of our students and staff have a safe and secure place to learn and to work each day, we realize that there are other measures that we can take to enhance our school safety even more,” Northview Principal Gayle Weaver said in a phone message.
To “assure more control over unauthorized entry into Northview”, the east entrance door (to the faculty parking lot) will be secured at the first bell each day (8:45 a.m.).
Students that drive to school and arriving after the tardy bell should enter the building via the “commons” sidewalk between the classroom wings, as has been current practice. Parents that drop tardy students off, or are checking in a student late, should drop those students off at the bus loop (southern) entrance doors.
Any visitor to Northview should now enter through the bus loop entrance doors, including parents, visitors and deliveries.
“The restriction of the flow of people arriving on our campus and entering our building should help parents to feel confident about our commitment to their student’s safety,” Weaver said.
The security changes will not close either gate entrance (bus look or main parking lot) off Highway 4.
“We are also evaluating all of our other safety and security measures,” the principal added.
No Threat Via Social Media Against Flomaton High School
February 20, 2018
Rumors were rampant on social media last Monday that a student was threatening to take weapons to Flomaton High School today.
Authorites investigated and “didn’t find any threat” made on social media.
“We will have officers around school tomorrow,” Flomaton Police Chief Bryan Davis said Monday night, in order to reassure parents. He said parents should feel confident that their students are safe at the Flomaton schools.
“The Flomaton Police Department will have an increased presence today at Flomaton Schools. This should not be an alarm to parents but a reassurance with the rumors circulating on social media last night. We have confidence in the school resource officer, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, school administration, along with our department to deter any type of activity,” the department posted on their Facebook page.
Social media rumors indicated that a student had threatened online to take a gun and knife to the school.
Last week, a 19-year was arrested on murder charges in a mass shooting that claimed 17 lives last week at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.
Century Council Holds Moment Of Silence, Prayer For School Shooting Victims
February 20, 2018
The Century Town Council held a moment of silence Monday to honor the 17 students killed last week during a mass school shooting in Parkland, FL.
Following the moment of silence, Council member Gary Riley remembered the Parkland victim’s during the council’s traditional opening prayer.
“Oh God, I know we had silent prayer, but we ask you in the name of Jesus to look over those victims of south Florida,” the council member said, “in Jesus name we pray, amen.”
As the moment of silence was held, simultaneous vigils were being held across Florida.
Pictured: Century Town Council members during a moment of silence Monday night for mass school shooting victims last week at a Parkland high school. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Tate High Marks National FFA Week By Hosting Breakfast
February 20, 2018
It’s National FFA week, and Monday morning member of the Tate High School FFA served breakfast to faculty and staff members.
National FFA Week is a time for FFA members to host activities that raise awareness about the role the National FFA Organization plays in the development of agriculture’s future leaders and the importance of agricultural education.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Speed Limit Lowered, Lane Closures Planned On Highway 29 Near Cantonment
February 20, 2018
The speed limit on Highway 29 has been lowered to 45 mph or less on a portion of Highway 29 from Gonzalez to Cantonment — between North Tate School Road and the paper mill. The speed reduction is due to construction.
“The speed limit reduction is in relation to the resurfacing project currently underway on U.S. 29,” Tanya Branton, public information specialist for the Florida Department of Transportation, said. “It is not permanent.”
Through Saturday, motorists can expect alternating lane closures on Highway 29 north and southbound from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m. from West 9 1/2 Mile Road to Muscogee Road as crews pave the roadway.
“Motorists are to be reminded that speeding fines do double in construction zones when workers are present,” Branton added.
Pictured: Highway 29 and Old Chemstrand Road. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Wife, Kids In Dispute Over Sen. Greg Evers Retirement Money
February 20, 2018
Nearly six months after former Sen. Greg Evers died in a traffic accident, the State Board of Administration has filed a court document that said his wife and children are in a dispute about who should receive his state retirement money.
The State Board of Administration filed what is known as a “complaint of interpleader” in Leon County circuit court that indicated Evers’ wife, Lori Weems Evers, and his children, Jennifer J. Evers, Robert S. Evers and Stephanie E. Barlow, are battling about Evers’ Florida Investment Plan account.
Greg Evers named his wife as beneficiary but then subsequently named his children as beneficiaries, with each child to receive an equal third share, the document said. The State Board of Administration, which administers the retirement system, said it can continue to hold the money if directed by a judge while the dispute plays out.
“Each defendant (Lori Weems Evers and the children) has demanded the plaintiff (the State Board of Administration) pay the entire FRS Investment Plan account to her/them,” the document said. “Plaintiff has no interest in the FRS Investment Plan account and did not cause the conflicting claims between defendants. Plaintiff cannot determine which defendant is entitled to the FRS Investment Plan account and runs the risk of paying the account twice if it decides between defendants.”
Greg Evers, a 62-year-old Republican who served in the state House and Senate, died Aug. 22 when his truck ran off a road near his home in Baker in Northwest Florida. The court document did not indicate how much money is in the retirement account, only that the amount is more than $15,000.
by The News Service of Florida
Pictured: Sen. Greg Evers works to remove debris from Front Street in Century two years ago in the days following and EF-3 tornado. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Blackwater CI Counselor Arrested For Smuggling Contraband Cellphone In Her Underwear
February 20, 2018
A substance abuse counselor at the Blackwater Correctional Facility in Santa Rosa County has been charged with smuggling contraband into the facility by the Office of Inspector General of the Florida Department of Corrections.
An arrest affidavit states 29-year old Patrice LaFaye Ealy had a cellular phone wrapped in black electrical tape and six bundles of loose tobacco in her bra and underwear as she was entering the prison for work last Friday. The facility was conducting “an enhanced search operation of all employees entering the facility”.
Ealy was released from the Santa Rosa County Jail on a $5,000 bond.
Weekend visitations were canceled at Blackweater CI, the Century Work Camp and four other facilities in the state due to contraband discoveries.
Ashley Cook, press secretary for the Florida Department of Corrections, said the contraband discovery at the Century Work Camp is under investigation by the Florida Department of Corrections Inspector General’s Office. There have been no arrests reported at the Century Work Camp.
Driver Crashes On Highway 97 Sunday Night
February 19, 2018
A driver was not seriously injured in a crash on Highway 97 south of Walnut Hill Sunday night.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Joseph Christopher Raines, age 31 of Atmore, was southbound on Highway 97 past the intersection of Tungoil Road when he lost control of his Fiat 500, struck a guardrail, left the roadway and and overturned against struck a tree just before 10 p.m.
The FHP cited Raines for careless driving, operating a motor vehicle with an expired registration and failure to provide proof of insurance.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
