West Florida HS Teacher Suspended, Charged With Aggravated Assault
May 10, 2023
A West Florida High School social students teacher has been suspended following his arrest on a felony charge Tuesday night.
Jerrod Wade Novotny, 44, was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
The alleged incident happened last Thursday. A woman told Pensacola Police that he was drunk when he arrived at a track meet being held at Washington High School. According to a report, that made her angry and she would not allow him to go to dinner at Olive Garden.
But, he arrived at the restaurant “belligerent and drunk”, the report states.
Later that night, she woke up to Novotny standing over her, pointing a handgun at her before hiding the gun behind his back, the report continues.
The victim provided Pensacola Police with a text message sent the following day:
“I want to let you know something, no need to discuss or anything. I was truly heartbroken about what you did for dinner. Absolutely broken. I then called your mom so that there can be no going back, The Gun was to shoot myself. I was going to do It, And you woke up. I thought I would never fall In love. And I am sorry. I understand you want to leave for however long. Chill. I am Not asking you back. I think separation is right. I am sorry I failed to”.
The Escambia County Public Schools issued the following statement:
“This is a law enforcement matter. ECPS will continue to cooperate with our local law enforcement partners. We will abide by Florida law related to the appropriate employment actions required of us. This individual is currently suspended, per these statutory requirements.”
Large Part Of Cantonment, Gonzalez Lose Power After Lines Downed On Highway 29
May 10, 2023
A large portion of Cantonment and Gonzalez were left without power early Wednesday morning after an incident on Highway 29.
Power lines were downed on Highway 29 just south of Muscogee Road near International Paper. It appeared that multiple vehicles may have struck the downed wires or a pole, but exactly what happened was not immediately clear.
Power lines were downed on both sides of Highway 29, and power was out south of Muscogee Road to at least Archer Road.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
FDOT To Evaluate Safety Of Nine Mile Road, Beulah Road Intersection
May 10, 2023
The Florida Department of Transportation is evaluating the safety of the Nine Mile Road and Beulah Road intersection.
Following a fatal crash April 28, Escambia County requested FDOT conduct the comprehensive evaluation, citing ongoing citizen complaints and the number of wrecks.
In an email to the state, Escambia County cited two NorthEscambia.com stories — the April crash that killed an Alabama woman and a November two-vehicle wreck that injured five people. Both crashes, according to Escambia County, were due to eastbound drivers that were turning left that traveled into the path of a westbound driver, perhaps due to limited sight distance.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, there have been 44 crashes in the area of the intersection in the last couple of years.
FDOT is expected to review and take other steps including a look at signal timing and lane alignment.
Both Nine Mile Road and Beulah Road are state maintained roads and outside county control. In 2019, the county approved a road swap, trading part of the county’s Beulah Road to the state for part of Perdido Key Drive.
Escambia County gave 2.5 miles of Beulah Road from Mobile Highway to Isaacs Lane to the Florida Department of Transportation. In turn, FDOT gave Escambia County 6.2 miles of Perdido Key Drive from the Alabama state line to Gongora Drive.
An April 28 crash at the intersection of Nine Mile Road and Beulah Road claimed the life of an Alabama woman. NorthEscambia.com reader submitted photos and photos courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Felony Child Abuse
May 10, 2023
A Cantonment man is charged with abusing two children.
Billy Ray Constantine, 26, was charged with two felony counts of child abuse without great bodily harm. He remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $150,000.
Two children reportedly suffered multiple bruises caused by Constantine. The Florida Department of Children and Families Child Protective Investigator launched an investigation after receiving a DCF report that minors were at risk for domestic violence and environmental hazards.
One of the children said he smokes around her “but not from normal smelling cigarettes” and she sometimes “sees him eat baby powder off a spoon”. The child had bruises on her body and told investigators that they were from Constantine hitting her, according to an arrest report. A child with a bruise on her face said it was from Constantine hitting and kicking her the night before, the report continues, addinging that one of the children was currently wearing a brace after her arm was “stomped”.
Constantine also allegedly told an adult not to report the alleged abuse or he would “shoot up her house”, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report states.
DCF placed the children in other homes due to the allegations, and the investigation is continuing, the report notes.
New Members Inducted Into Northview High Beta Club
May 10, 2023
Thirteen students were inducted into the National Beta Club at Northview High School this week.
The students are:
- Brooke Lytton
- Jayden White
- Brianna Reynolds
- Anna Kunkel
- Elizabeth Coleman
- Talaysha Curry
- Wade Bailey
- Braylan Shelly
- Jackson Simmons
- Savannah Hudson
- Kayleigh Young
- Liam Simonson
- Maurice Dixon
The National Beta Club’s purpose is “to promote the ideals of academic achievement, character, leadership and service among elementary and secondary school students”.
Pictured: New Beta Club members at Northview High School. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Contract Awarded For Hurricane Sally Repairs At Molino Community Center
May 10, 2023
Escambia County has awarded a contract for Hurricane Sally repairs at the Molino Community Center.
The $141,503.23 contract, funded by FEMA, was awarded to JNB Contracting of Daleville, Alabama, for damage repairs for the community center , the adjacent cafeteria building and the Molino Head Start building.
Most of the work involves scraping and painting ceilings, drywall replacement, and other painting.
Hurricane Sally made landfall near Gulf Shores on September 16, 2020.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Afternoon Storm Brings Gusty Winds, Small Hail
May 10, 2023
A Tuesday afternoon storm brought gusty winds and small hail to a portion of the North Escambia area.
Pea size hail was reported in Atmore and across the Davisville and Bratt areas about 5:45 p.m.
Following the storm, a shed was seen in a ditch on Greenland Road.
Submitted photo by Raymond Clark for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Elementary Names Students Of The Month
May 10, 2023
Byrneville Elementary School recently recognized their April Students of the Month.
They are:
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fitterer Fantastic Again As Blue Wahoos Beat Barons
May 10, 2023
Evan Fitterer turned in yet another dominant start as the Pensacola Blue Wahoos opened up their road series in Birmingham with a 4-2 win over the Barons on Tuesday night.
Fitterer (W, 3-0), who began his Double-A career with 11.0 scoreless innings, saw his streak come to a close but still allowed only two runs over 6.0 innings as the Blue Wahoos won their third in a row and 11th in their past 12 games.
The Blue Wahoos jumped out to an early lead against Garrett Davila (L, 0-3) in the first inning on a Dane Myers RBI single. The Barons briefly reclaimed the lead at 2-1 on a two-run homer from Alsander Womack in the third, but Pensacola charged back in the fourth to take the edge for good.
Cody Morissette started the rally with a one-out single before Victor Mesa Jr. was hit by a pitch. Will Banfield tied the game with an RBI double before Griffin Conine laced a two-run single to right that put Pensacola ahead 4-2.
Fitterer worked out of jams in the fifth and sixth, departing with his second quality start in a Blue Wahoos uniform. Brady Puckett and Zack Leban wriggled out of similar trouble in the seventh and eighth before handing the ball to Sean Reynolds (S, 5) for a scoreless ninth.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Barons on Wednesday morning at Regions Field.
by Erik Bremer
Slayton Discusses His Political Future, Superintendent’s Future, Sales Tax At Town Hall
May 9, 2023
Escambia County School Board District 5 member Bill Slayton and Superintendent Dr. Tim Smith held a town hall Monday night at Tate High School.
Slayton discussed his political future, the future of the superintendent, sales tax and enrollment capacity during the meeting.
Slayton said since 2008, the district has spent about $90 million in half cent monies in District 5 for improvements and new construction, including the current Ernest Ward Middle School and Kingsfield Elementary.
“That school is running approximately 900 elementary students, so the question is what are we going to do next,” he said about Kingsfield Elementary. “We are looking; we are talking. We are seeing what we have to do.”
“Tate High School is closed for students to transfer into. They began the year at almost 2,200,” he said. The only pending upgrade for Tate he mentioned was covers for an outdoor eating space by the cafeteria to increase student use.
An audience member questioned if Slayton, who was first elected in 2008, will seek another term in 2024.
“That’s a question that my wife and I have discussed. I can’t give you the concrete answer tonight. Hang on until it’s election time,” he said. “I’ll let you know.”
He was a bit more decisive when asked about his continued support to retain Smith.
“I believe that you have to give people time to do the job. Nobody can walk in and do it, and turn everything around immediately,” he said. “You have to learn as you go, and you are learning on the job. There’s no other way to learn as a superintendent except become a superintendent…As long as I am in office, my intentions are to keep supporting the superintendent because that is what the team ought to be doing and that’s what the school board voted to do. ”
Images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
