Atmore Man Arrested On Child Sex Abuse Charges
September 20, 2017
An Atmore man has been arrested on child sex abuse charges.
Ricky Terrell Pratt, age 19 of Liberty Street, was charged with enticing a child and sexual abuse of a child under 12. He was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center with bond set at $250,000.
The Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office said Pratt lured a child under the age of 12 into a room “for the purpose of lewd and lascivious behavior” and subjected the child to sexual abuse. Investigators said the child later disclosed the sexual abuse.
The Child Advocacy Center and the Department of Human Resources assisted the Sheriff’s Office with their investigation.
Town Rents Century Business Center Office To Attorney
September 20, 2017
The Town of Century is renting space at the Century Business Center to a Pensacola attorney.
The “main office” of the center will be rented to Gerald McKenzie for $100 per month, plus $7.50 in sales tax, and he will be responsible for the electric bill, according to Century Mayor Henry Hawkins. Hawkins said the non-profit Northwest Florida Legal Services will continue to use the office to periodically meet with clients.
The Century Business Center on Pond Street is a former school that was converted into a business incubator known as the “Habitat for Opportunity Building” until being renamed in 2015.
McKenzie recently told Century Chamber of Commerce members that he looks forward to becoming actively involved in the Century community. He said his office in Century will be staffed a few days each month; he will retain his main office and staff in Pensacola.
Pictured top: This corner of the Century Business Center contains restrooms (foreground) and a small office that will be rented to a Pensacola attorney. Pictured below: The Century Business Center on Pond Street. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Volleyball Loses To Central In Three, Tate Beats Fort Walton
September 20, 2017
The Central Jaguars defeated the Northview Chiefs Tuesday night in Bratt 3-1.
The Chiefs dropped the first set by a score of 18-25 before losing the second set 19-25. Northview turned the tables on Central, bouncing back to win the third set 25-18. The Chiefs could not find success in the fourth and final set, falling 15-25.
Teriana Redmond led the Chiefs with seven blocks and 13 digs, while Natasha Walker recorded six serving aces.
The Northview Chiefs will travel to Jay on Thursday.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Tate 3, Fort Walton 0
The Tate High School Lady Aggies defeated the Fort Walton Beach Lady Vikings Tuesday 3-0. The Aggies won straight sets at home in Cantonment 25-17, 25-21, 25-23. The Lady Aggies will be at Pensacola High School on September 26
Tate 2, Fort Walton 0 (JV)
In junior varsity action, the Tate Lady Aggies beat Fort Walton’s Lady Vikings 2-0. The Aggies won the first set 25-13 before beating Fort Walton 25-15 in the second set.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Portion Of Stefani Road To Close Friday Morning
September 20, 2017
The closure of Stefani Road between Nine Mile Road and 9 1/2 Mile Road in Cantonment has been rescheduled. The segment will now experience closures and detours beginning Friday at 7 a.m. Construction will consist of the installation of a sanitary sewer manhole.
The roadway closure is expected to remain in effect for approximately two weeks. Every effort will be made to expedite construction efforts to reopen the road on or before Friday, October 6. If other lane or roadway closures are necessary beyond the anticipated time period, another notice will be issued.
Florida Tourism Marketing To Ramp Up After Irma
September 20, 2017
Florida will begin a post-Hurricane Irma marketing plan to lure tourists back to the Sunshine State.
Gov. Rick Scott announced Tuesday that the public-private agency Visit Florida will lead a marketing campaign. Scott’s office said the campaign will be “multi-phased and include digital, social, broadcast and traditional components in both domestic and international markets.”
The state, which before Irma was on pace to top last year’s 113 million visitors, has yet to calculate the potential economic impact the storm had on the tourism industry. Irma made landfall Sept. 10 in Monroe and Collier counties and traveled up the state. The announcement Tuesday didn’t put a price tag on the post-storm marketing.
In a prepared statement, Visit Florida President and CEO Ken Lawson described the marketing plan as one that will showcase “sunshine, blue skies and good times.”
House Speaker Richard Corcoran, who has questioned the use of tax dollars for Visit Florida, said Tuesday the Legislature could support post-disaster marketing. “In 1996, (Visit Florida) was created and the concept was, when you have an oil spill, when you have a 9/11, and people are afraid to travel to big places like Disney World, because they think that’s the next terrorist attack,” Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, said. “That was the point in ‘96, to give an entity some funding to go out there in those type of situations and say, `Look, there isn’t a single tar ball on our beaches, Disney World is the safest place to be, our beaches are fine and our communities are together, come visit.’”
During the 2017 legislative session, Scott and the Senate maintained $76 million in state funding for Visit Florida after battling with House leaders.
by The News Service of Florida
Cantonment Man Facing Drug, Burglary Tool Possession Charges
September 19, 2017
A Cantonment man was arrested on multiple felony charges after deputies found him in the early morning hours on a street that had recently been hit by a rash of car burglaries.
Escambia County deputies reported finding 36-year old Jeffrey Scott Walker in a Nissan Altima parked next to a privacy fence on private property off Wasatch Range Loop, east of the Mobile Highway intersection.
After deputies observed the ripped-off corner of a plastic baggie next to the driver’s door of Walker’s car, a K-9 was called and alerted on the vehicle.
Deputies reported finding multiple baggies of crystal methamphetamine with a combined weight of 18.4 grams, multiple baggies of powder cocaine with a total weight of 2.2 grams, 30 amphetamine tables, a digital scale and two burnt glass pipes with residue. Walker was also in possession of a “daily log” notebook which is often used to record drug transactions, according to an arrest report. In the trunk of the vehicle, deputies found a large bag containing “slim jims” and metal lock picking tools in a bag labeled “vehicle lock picking tools”.
Walker was charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance, possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, loitering and prowling, and possession of burglary tools with intent to use.
Walker was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $66,000 bond. His vehicle, $129 in cash and the lock picking kit were seized by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Town Denies Donation For Autism Walk, Votes To Donate To Local School
September 19, 2017
The Century Town Council has denied an autistic resident’s request to sponsor a fundraising walk for autism this weekend, instead opting to support autism education locally in the town.
Jake Livingston, known to many North Escambia residents as “Northview’ Biggest Fan”, addressed the council Monday night, asking them to sponsor the Steps for Autism walk in an amount from $100 to $10,000. Livingston said the monies raised by the walk Saturday morning at Wahoos Stadium would be used by Autism Pensacola for local programs in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
When council members learned that they had zero available donation dollars in their budget for the current fiscal year ending on September 30, they voted to donate $500 next month from their next fiscal year’s budget to the Century Academy. The private non-profit K-12 school is in it second year of operation in Century.
Century Academy specializes in teaching children diagnosed with autism and other related learning disabilities. It is a subsidiary of East Hill Academy in Pensacola.
The council noted that the school would be made aware that the donation was being as a result of Livingston’s efforts for autism awareness..
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cross Country Results: Northview, Flomaton, Ernest Ward (With Gallery)
September 19, 2017
Results from a cross country meet held Monday afternoon at Northview High School are below.
For a photo gallery of most finishers, click here.
Boys Team Placement
- Northview High School
- Flomaton High School
- Ernest Ward
Girls Team Placement
- Northview & Ernest Ward (tied)
Flomaton did not field girls team.
Boys Individual
- Kevin Meeks/Flomaton — 21:28
- Tanner Levins/Northview — 21:46
- Oscar Rodriguez/Northview — 22:13
- Logan Doremus/Northview — 24:22
- Will Rollin/Flomaton — 25:51
Girls Individual
- Kara Santorelli/Ernest Ward — 24:45
- Cheyanne Johnson/Northview — 27:29
- Julianna Money/Ernest Ward — 27:43
- Addison Albritton/Northview — 33:51
- Aurora McCann/Northview — 34:24
Northview — Top 5 Boys
- Tanner Levins 21:46
- Oscar Rodriguez 22:13
- Logan Doremus 24:22
- Samm Bradley 26:44
- John Chivington 27:21
Northview — Top 5 Girls
- Cheyanne Johnson 27:29
- Addison Albritton 33:51
- Aurora McCann 34:24
- Allie Carter 39:05
- Rebekah Amerson 39:06
Flomaton — Top 5 Boys
- Kevin Meeks 21:48
- Will Rollin 25:51
- Wyatt Kent 29:00
- Dustin Martin 29:05
- Jacob Strehl 33:50
Ernest Ward — Top 5 Boys
- Kole Stewart 25:59
- James McElhaney 30:55
- Anthony Weaver 31:05
- Bryson Sanders 31:26
- Jacob Daw 31:24
Ernest Ward — Top 5 Girls
- Kara Santorelli 24:45
- Julianna Money 27:43
- Emily Levins 36:46
- Ava Gurganus 36:51
- Adrianne Shanks 43:44
Pictured top: Top boy finisher Kevin Meeks from Flomaton High School and top girl finisher Kara Santorelli from Ernest Ward Middle School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Gold Ribbons: Council Marks Childhood Cancer Month
September 19, 2017
The Century Town Council marked September as Childhood Cancer Month during their meeting Monday night. Council members and guests were presented with gold-color awareness ribbon stress toys and lapel pins in honor of Bryant Thomas Cooper who passed away last November at age 19 after battling cancer. His mother, former Tri-City Ledger managing editor Janet Cooper, became and outspoken advocate for childhood cancer awareness. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Gets 15 Years For $20 Drug Deal
September 19, 2017
Lloyd Demetrius Grice, age 41, was convicted by an Escambia County j ury on for the sale, manufacture and delivery of cocaine and for trespass on property other than a structure after warning. Immediately following the verdict, Circuit Judge Gary Bergosh sentenced Grice, as a habitual felony offender, to 15 years in state prison. Since there is no parole in Florida, Grice will be required to serve 85 percent of his prison sentence.
On May 20, 2016, the Pensacola Police Departments Vice and Narcotics Unit conducted an undercover operation at Tom Ann and Buddy’s located on West Cervantes Street. The detective made contact with Grice and asked if he had any “hard”, which means cocaine.
Bell asked to purchase a “$20 piece”. Grice walked over to an SUV and then walked back to Detective Bell and handed him the cocaine, according to prosecutors. After the transaction, Grice then walked to Tom Ann & Buddy’s, which had previously trespass warned Grice from the premises indefinitely.
Grice has a criminal history that includes throwing a deadly missile, burglary, false imprisonment, aggravated assault, carrying a concealed weapon, felony battery, assault, possession of marijuana possession of drug paraphernalia, and
improper exhibition of a firearm.