Two Accused Of Stealing Tools From Their Employer
February 1, 2023
Two men are accused of stealing tools from their employer.
Russell Chase Helton, age 21 of Walnut Hill, and Hunter Thomas Lee, age 22 of Pensacola, were both charged with burglary and two counts of grand theft, all felonies.
Helton and Lee were both working for Eager Beaver Electrical but failed to show up for work on December 30. According to the company, tools were discovered missing from the their assigned work van and three other vans. The owner of the company told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that both suspects were seen on video taking the tools, according to an arrest report.
The tools, valued at $2,289, included a DeWalt saw and bag, and Milwaukee drills, impact driver and drill bits, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Helton and Lee were released on $15,000 bond each.
Three Northview FFA Students Place At District Competition
February 1, 2023
Three Northview High School FFA students placed at district competitions on Tuesday.
Wyatt Ramsey placed first in extemporaneous public speech. Josh Nichols placed second at safe tractor operations, and Leila Sanders placed second at the district discussion meet. Ramsey will advance to the state competition in June.
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Byrneville Elementary Holds Science Night With Pensacola MESS Hall (Photo Gallery)
February 1, 2023
Byrneville Elementary School teamed up with the Pensacola MESS Hall for a Family Science Night Tuesday at the school.
Students took part in fun STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activities included a wind tube, optical illusions, electricity, shells, a secret message challenge and more.
The Northview High School NJROTC assisted with the activities.
For more photos, click or tap here.
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Tate Aggies Baseball Teams Named
February 1, 2023
Tate High School Baseball has named their 2023 teams. They are:
Varsity
- Neal Croom III
- Jay Davis
- Javin Floyd
- Conner Hassell
- Cade Kelly
- Ketch King
- Madox Land
- Rilee Lowery
- Tristin Lynn
- Ethan McAnally
- Cole McNair
- Brayden Noble
- Nathan J Ozuna
- Cam Partrick
- Gabe Patterson
- Jackson Perreyclear
- Kaleb Posta
- Clif Quiggins
- Frank Randall
- Drew Reaves
- Trey Rebber
- Jamil Sadar
- Michael Sardar
- Colton Swiers
- Bray Touchstone
Junior Varsity
- Brayden Beck
- Kaydon Biggs
- Taite Davis
- Sheppard Edgar
- Trevor Land
- Josh Murph
- Aamir Sardar
- Brady Smith
- Brayden Walker
- Zane Warrington
Freshmen
- Keelan Beasley
- Aiden Bramblett
- Conner Clemmons
- Nathan Connors
- Eugene Ham
- Bryton McLellan
- Tristan Pack
- Jackson Peterson
- Logan Robbins
- Cohen Rush
- Nolan Satterwhite
- Brady Smith
- Evan Taylor
- Caleb Thomas
- Grayson Walker
Tabitha Tedder Sentenced To Prison In Century Family Child Neglect, Sexual Battery Case
January 31, 2023
Another member of a Century family has been sentenced to eight years in prison after several children that had been sexually abused were found living in squalor in two campers.
Last week, Tabitha Ann Tedder was sentenced to four years concurrently on three counts of child neglect without great bodily harm, and four additional years on a felony charge of failure to report child abuse. An additional charge of tampering in a felony first degree proceeding was dismissed.
Tabitha Tedder’s husband Norman Tracy Tedder was found incompetent to stand trial and ordered to Lakeview for competency training. He is due back in court in April.
In October, Michael Tracy Tedder was sentenced to 30 years in state prison for child sexual battery and designated as a lifetime sexual offender after he pleaded to multiple counts of sexual battery by a person in familian authority and lewd and lascivious exhibition in the presence of a minor.
Michael Tracy Tedder’s wife Elizabeth Mae Dennis was previously convicted of two counts of child neglect and sentenced to 19.5 months in state prison, with credit for 116 days served, to be followed by 18 months probation.
Some readers may find the following details disturbing. Reader discretion is advised.
On October 20, 2021, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a local elementary school after a victim disclosed sexual abuse to a school counselor. The victim disclosed at school that she had been raped by Tedder. She stated that it hurt, and about the time she healed, he would do it again. The abuse occurred between January 1, 2020, and October 20, 2021.
During the course of the investigation, it was determined that Michael Tracy Tedder had sexually abused additional victims between January 1, 2020, and October 20, 2021. He was the only family member charged with a sexual offense.
“This defendant preyed on children that should have been able to trust him,” Carrie Gilmer, prosecuting attorney, said.
When the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office went to Tedder’s home to investigate the sexual battery allegations, deputies found Tedder and three others living in squalor with six children in two campers.
One camper was “extremely dirty”, with “raw sewage coming from the back side of the camper and flowing underneath the camper causing an unbearable foul odor”, and “hundreds of roaches”, according to an arrest report. The roaches were in the food cabinet, running over the food, on the stove, on the sink and on the counter.
A deputy further described the camper as having roaches inside the shower and toilet area, pots with old food in them on the kitchen counter, a sink filled with dirty dishes and a refrigerator he called “extremely nasty”. There was one full size bed, a let-down bed with roaches crawling on it, and a baby crib in the camper. Two cats and two dogs were inside, and there were power cords running through the camper and by the kitchen sink, the report states.
“The camper had a foul odor inside and out that was unbearable,” the deputy wrote in his report.
The other camper, described as being “extremely small,” was also roach infested, dirty and piled full of clothes and other items making it impossible to enter, the report states.
According to the ECSO, there was no electrical service on the property; the campers were powered by numerous electrical cords strung together to a nearby home. Some of the cords had bare wires in places and junctions exposed to the weather.
“The parents smelled as if they had not bathed in several days,” a deputy wrote in his report.
The Department of Children and Families removed the children.
Hurricane Sally Repairs Begin Under Highway 196 Bridge
January 31, 2023
Hurricane Sally damage repairs are now underway on the Highway 196 bridge over Penasula Creek, just north of the Jacks Branch Road intersection.
The $129,647 project funded by FEMA will repair damage by placing about 138 tons of bedding stone and riprap at each abutment beneath the bridge near Barrineau Park. Nine trees will also be removed.
Only temporary lane closures are allowed for delivery of materials and equipment.
Contractor DEK Marine Services is set to substantially complete the project by March 11 with a final completion no later than April 10.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
DeSantis Proposes $162 Million For Six Laning I-10, Diverging Diamond At Nine Mile Exit
January 31, 2023
Monday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the Moving Florida Forward initiative to expedite transportation projects over the next four years.
The initiative includes $162 million to widen I-10 to six lanes from the eastbound weigh station to Nine Mile. Road. It would also reconstruct the interchange at Nine Mile Road as a diverging diamond.
If passed by the legislature, the proposal would invest $4 billion of general revenue, redirect an average of $131 million annually to the State Transportation Work Program, and leverage additional funding over the next four years for a total of $7 billion to strengthen Florida’s transportation infrastructure to accommodate the growing number of people that rely on Florida’s roadways.
What is a diverging diamond interchange?
According to the Federal Highway Administration, a diverging diamond interchange is a simple design innovation that improves safety and mobility, often at a much lower cost, compared to conventional interchange designs. The key to what makes a DDI work so well is how left turns are handled.
The DDI resembles a conventional diamond interchange, which is the most common form in the United States. Drivers make right turns at a DDI just as they would at a regular diamond interchange.
The crossover intersections are what make DDIs different, and they are very intuitive for the driver. The crossovers gently transition – or diverge – traffic from the right side of the road to the left side of the road and then back again. Because traffic is on the left hand side between the crossovers, all left turns occur without having to cross opposing traffic. The road geometry, signs, and pavement markings all work together to make this very simple. In cities where DDIs have been built, drivers say they don’t even notice the crossover intersections. according to the Federal Highway Administration.
Florida Lawmaker Proposes Bill To Allow Concealed Carry Without A Permit
January 31, 2023
Monday, Florida House Speaker Paul Renner unveiled legislation that would allow residents to carry a concealed weapon without a license.
Dubbed “Constitutional Carry’, the bill would allow Floridians who are currently qualified to obtain and maintain a CWL to carry a concealed handgun or weapon without a license.
“Floridians shouldn’t need a government permission slip to exercise their constitutional rights,” said Renner. “House Bill 543 will ensure Florida will remain a beacon of freedom. Florida was the pioneer in the modern carry movement in America and this historic legislation continues our proud tradition.”
A person carrying concealed without a license will still be required to obey existing laws prohibiting carrying in such places as schools, athletic events, and correctional facilities. The bill does not affect laws relating to the purchase of a firearm and will not allow anyone prohibited from possessing a firearm to carry concealed.
Local Rep. Michelle Salzman is a co-sponsor of the bill.
Florida would become the 26th state, including Alabama, to allow citizens to carry weapons without a permit.
Reminder: Wednesday Is An Early Release Day For Escambia Schools
January 31, 2023
Wednesday, February 1, is an early release day for public schools in Escambia County.
All schools will serve breakfast and lunch to students on the early release day. Regular modes of student transportation will be provided.
There is one other early release day this school year scheduled for the lsat day of school on May 23.
Early release days provide teachers and staff regular opportunities for professional development.
For additional information, contact your child’s school.
Melanie Johnson Is Kingsfield Elementary School Teacher Of The Year
January 31, 2023
Melanie Johnson was named Kingsfield Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year.
Johnson has taught for 29 years and is currently a third grade teacher.
NorthEscambia.com is continuing to spotlight Teachers of the Year from the North Escambia area during January.
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