Walnut Hill Man Charged With Allegedly Hitting Juvenile Girl With A Rubber Hose
April 4, 2023
A Walnut Hill man has been charged with allegedly beating a juvenile female with a rubber hose.
Matthew Connor Williams, 32, was charged with felony child abuse without great bodily harm domestic violence related. He was released from the Escambia County Jail Tuesday night on a $15,000 bond.
The victim told deputies that she became angry during an argument with her mother over attending a gender reveal party, and the victim said she punched a hole in the wall of her room, according to an arrest report. The victim said she heard Williams enter the residence slamming doors, at which time she knew he on his way to her. She stated that she sat on her bed with a knife in her hand for protection but at no time did she threaten Williams with the knife, the report continues. Before Williams entered her room, she started recording a video with her phone that was hidden under her pillow.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the video did not show anything that took place, but it had audio with a girl screaming and “what sounded like her being hit with an object”. A male voice then said “let go of the hose and ‘I will beat you every day’,” the arrest report states.
Williams told deputies that the girl had been arguing with her mother and punched holes in her wall. She stated that Williams entered her room to find her holding a knife, at which time he struck multiple times with a rubber hose because of the knife.
Deputies noted multiple bruises and welts on the girl’s legs and one on her wrist, ranging from four to eight inches long and consistent with being struck by a rubber hose, ECSO said.
Deputies located the hose, which the girl confirmed was the one used in the alleged beating, and it was seized as evidence.
Fields of Faith: Community Worship Service Wednesday Night At Northview
April 4, 2023
Northview High School’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes will host their Fields of Faith at Northview High School Wednesday night at 6:30 in Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium.
Admission is free; the public is encouraged to attend.
Fields of Faith is a national student-led initiative. “Students invite, pray for, share with, and challenge their peers to read the Bible and follow Jesus Christ. An athletic field provides a neutral, rally point where a community can come together,” according to national organizers.
Pictured: Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Elementary School Names Students Of The Month
April 4, 2023
Byrneville Elementary School recently named their February Students of the Month.
They are:
- Kindergarten: Grace Woods and Rebecca Cooley
- 1st Grade: Kennedi Lett
- 2nd Grade: Marley Schoonover and Chaplin Grassia
- 3rd Grade: Myles Sellers and Adri’Yanna Elliott
- 4th Grade: Patton Amos and Kaisen Robbins
- 5th Grade: Dean Marks and Layla Schoonover
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Man Sentenced For Stealing Motorcycle From Molino Store
April 4, 2023
A Century man has been sentenced to nearly a year in jail for stealing a motorcycle from the Molino Tom Thumb.
David Allen Cormany, 56, was convicted by an Escambia County jury of grand theft of a motor vehicle. He was sentenced to 11 months and 15 days in the county jail followed by 24 months probation.
In February 2022, the victim told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that his 2021 Harley-Davidson motorcycle broke down at the Tom Thumb at Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino. He said he locked the forks, left it in gear and took the key.
A deputy immediately recognized Cormany on surveillance video. Cormany and an unidentified man allegedly picked up and loaded the motorcycle on a utility trailer behind Cormany’s Jeep, according to an arrest report. The deputy had seen Cormany driving a jeep of the same color pulling a utility trailer about a week before the incident.
Tate Defeats South Warren, Kentucky, 6-5
April 4, 2023
The Tate Aggies defeated South Warren, Kentucky, 6-5 Monday night at Tate.
Kate Balagbagan went five and a third innings for Tate, allowing four runs and eight hits while striking out one. Jordan Smith was in for one and two-thirds of an inning in relief, giving up two hits and one run while striking out three.
Kara Wine went 3-3 for the Aggies including a home run in the third. Lacy Wilson was 3-3, Blakely Campbell was 2-3, and Olivea Latner added a hit for Tate.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Deputies Arrest Man For Allegedly Stabbing Woman Multiple Times
April 3, 2023
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrested an attempted homicide suspect Monday morning.
Patrick Henderson stabbed a female victim and told her “I am going to kill you” during an argument on Sunday, according to the ECSO.
Deputies responded to a gas station in the 4500 block of North W Street in reference to a reported cutting. They found the victim there suffering from multiple stab wounds.
Henderson and the victim got into an argument at a nearby residence and she went to the gas station to call 911, according to investigators She was transported by Escambia County EMS to a local hospital for treatment.
After searching all night, ECSO deputies located Henderson Monday morning in the area of Biggs Lane and Palafox.
Driver Killed In Wreck On UWF Campus
April 3, 2023
A Pace man was killed in a single vehicle traffic crash early Monday morning on the campus of the University of West Florida.
Troppers said the 21-year old was traveling west on Campus Drive at a high rate of speed approaching a curve when he failed to maintain control of his vehicle. The vehicle crossed over the grassy median and sideswiped a tree, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The man was pronounced deceased at the scene of the 2:13 a.m. wreck on Camps Drive near Campus Lane.
UWF said the man was not a student or affiliated with the university in any other way.
DeSantis Signs Bill To Allow Carrying Of Concealed Weapons Without A Permit
April 3, 2023
Monday morning, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB-543, touted as the “Constitutional Carry ” bill.
The bill allows Floridians to carry concealed weapons without a government issued permit. The bill will go into effect on July 1, 2023, making Florida the 26th state to enact constitutional carry legislation.
It will end the need to obtain any government permit to concealed carry a gun; however, it does not allow for open carry.
Escambia County Considers $1 Million FEMA Drainage Project In Century Town Limits
April 3, 2023
Escambia County is set to award a contract worth nearly $1 million for a drainage project in the town of Century, and it is expected that most of the cost will be covered by FEMA. If not, the county will be on the hook for nearly three-quarters of a million dollars.
During Hurricane Sally in 2020, flooding “supercharged” the existing drainage system in Century, overtopping Front Street at flooding yards on Front Street and Jefferson Avenue, according to the county. An existing 18-inch concrete pipe cracked, and an existing six-inch cast iron pipe became plugged with debris.
The Front Street Drainage Repairs FEMA Project is designed to replace and improve a failing stormwater drainage outfall system located on private property by routing around it. Improvements consist of a new stormwater system, roadway improvements, concrete curbs, valley gutters, and ditch-bottom inlets.
The lowest and responsible bid received for the project was $993,312.98, to Chavers Construction.
FEMA obligated $242,809.60 for this project in November 2021. The current approved amount makes it a large FEMA project, which allows for the current obligated amount to be adjusted to cover all documented costs incurred (actual costs).
According to Escambia County, it is anticipated that $943,647.33 (95%) of the entire cost, will be reimbursed by FEMA and the State of Florida, and Escambia County would be responsible for the remaining 5% of the entire cost, or $49,665.65.
But if FEMA determines the additional costs to be ineligible, Escambia County would be responsible for the remaining amount of $750,503.38.
Escambia County will consider awarding the contract at a regular meeting on Thursday. If approved, construction is expected to begin in May 2023 with a completion by February 2024.
Pictured: This map, provided by Escambia County, shows a proposed FEMA drainage improvement project in Century. Image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New Security Screenings Begin At Courthouse In Escambia, Alabama
April 3, 2023
New security procedures are in place at the Escambia County (AL) Courthouse in Brewton.
All visitors to the courthouse will be required to go through security screening at the front entrance. All persons, purses and bags will be searched and screened for prohibited items.
According to the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office, prohibited items include guns, knives, bats, nunchucks, brass knuckles, ammunition, swords, lighters, pepper spray, or any other item that would be deemed dangerous.
“We are sorry for any inconvenience but your safety while visiting an Escambia County facility is our top priority,” the sheriff’s office said. “Please plan accordingly and if you have court, arrive early. The Sheriff’s Office does not issue tardy notes and can’t excuse you from being late.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.