Man Charged With Three Counts Of Child Abuse
January 26, 2023
A Flomaton man is accused of abusing three children following an investigation that began in Escambia County, Florida.
Anthony Williams, 56, was charged with three counts of felony willful child abuse.
“Allegations were made that…Anthony Williams was abusing them. It was later discovered through this investigation that these incidents occurred in Flomaton,” Flomaton Police Chief Johnny Wilson said. The alleged abuse occurred between November 2022 and January 2023, Wilson stated.
According to Flomaton Police, the case began with the Florida Department of Children and Families interviewing three children. The case was transferred to the Alabama Department of Human Resources and the Flomaton Police Department because the investigation involving four children who lived in the Flomaton jurisdiction, according to FPD.
Further information on the allegations was not released.
Williams was being held in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center without bond.
Inmate Accused Of Assaulting, Injuring Century Correctional Institution Officer
January 26, 2023
Inmate Lincoln Woods assaulted an officer at Century Correctional Institution, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
“Staff responded appropriately, and the inmate was subdued,” FDC said.
Woods was sentenced to 25 years in 2011 on multiple Volusia County convictions, including carjacking, kidnapping, fleeing law enforcement, burglary, selling cocaine, and grand theft motor vehicle.
Tate FFA, Ag Students Take Part In Literacy Week At Jim Allen Elementary
January 26, 2023
The Tate High School FFA chapter helped kick off Literacy Week at Jim Allen Elementary school.
Tate FFA officers, students from the agriculture communications class, ag teachers and FFA advisors partnered with Jim Allen Elementary to introduce the agriculture literacy program through Ag in the Classroom.
Agriculture students and FFA members shared a part of Florida agriculture with the first grade classes. Students read and shared the book “The Cattle Tale”. Students learned about Florida cattle ranch history and production practices highlighting the past, present and future industry trends. Students also worked on group activities with first graders centered around the book.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pen Air Plans New Branch In Beulah
January 26, 2023
Pen Air Credit Union will break ground Thursday on a new location in Beulah.
The 1,200 square foot branch will be located on a one acre lot near the southeast corner of 9 Mile Road and Beulah Road, next door to McDonalds amd in front of Publix. Plans show a two-lane drive-thru behind the main building.
The plans have not yet been approved by the Escambia County Development Review Committee.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Volunteer Wanted For West Florida Public Library Board of Governance
January 26, 2023
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking county residents interested in volunteering to be considered for an appointment to the West Florida Public Library Board of Governance.
The duties of the board include establishing policy and overseeing the management of Escambia County library services and making recommendations to the BCC regarding the annual budget according to the purposes and authority set forth in resolutions, interlocal agreements and other agreements, as well as state and federal laws. These duties also include establishing an annual plan of service and the long-range strategic planning of library services.
West Florida Public Libraries provides service to all of Escambia County, with the board typically meeting on the fourth Monday of the month from 4-6:30 p.m.
Residents interested in serving on the board are asked to submit a resume and letter indicating their desire to serve by 5 p.m. on Thursday, February 9. Resumes should be submitted to Todd J. Humble, Director, West Florida Public Libraries, 239 N. Spring St., Pensacola, FL, 32502 or by email to tjhumble@mywfpl.com.
Resumes submitted to a BCC agenda for consideration will become part of the official minutes and are subject to public records requests.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Three Airlifted After Multi-Vehicle Crash On Highway 97 In Molino
January 25, 2023
Three people were airlifted to an area hospital with critical injuries following a multi-vehicle crash Monday afternoon on Highway 97 in Molino.
The crash happened about 3 p.m. on Highway 97 just north of Sunshine Hill Road.
Three people were declared “trauma alerts” and flown to the hospital by three different medical helicopter services — LifeFlight, Medstar Air Care, and Shandscair — from a landing zone set up at Molino Park Elementary School. At least two of the victims were males in their 60s, according to reports.
At least one other person was transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital with injuries that were not considered critical.
The vehicles involved in the wreck included a GMC Hummer, a pickup truck and a passenger car.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released the cause of the crash, which closed down Highway 97 and detoured drivers.
The Molino, McDavid and Cantonment stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue responded, along with multiple Escambia County EMS units and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Photos by Melody Johnson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lane Closures Planned For Two Highway 29 Bridges Between McDavid And Century
January 25, 2023
Delays are possible on two North Escambia Highway 29 bridges the next few days for routine bridge maintenance.
According to the Florida Department of Transportation, motorists may encounter intermittent land closures on the Highway 29 bridge over Mitchell Creek between 8 p.m. Wednesday and 4 a.m. Thursday. The bridge is located just north of Highway 164 and the McDavid Fire Department.
There will also be intermittent lane closures on the Highway 29 bridge over Canoe Creek between 8 p.m. Thursday and 4 a.m. Friday. The bridge is just north of Roach Road.
Bratt Elementary Cuts The Ribbon On A New Book Vending Machine
January 25, 2023
Bratt Elementary School kicked off Celebrate Literacy week by cutting the ribbon on a new book vending machine.
Students will read to earn tokens that can be used to “purchase” books. Monday, top accelerated reader scorers in each grade level were the first to use the new book vending machine.
“A love for books is one of the greatest ways we can instill in our children a lifelong desire to learn and grow,” Principal Amy McCrory said. “We want their world to be enlarged even after they leave our school by this love for books that was first planted in their minds here at Bratt Elementary . It is our hope that this book vending machine will be an innovative tool to spark this love.”
The vending machine was funded by the Bratt Elementary School PTA and the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
After 15 Months, Escambia Emergency Rental Assistance Program Closes
January 25, 2023
After accepting applications for 15 months, the Escambia County Emergency Rental Assistance Program has officially closed.
The application portal opened on October 18, 2021, to assist eligible low-income Escambia County residents and families facing financial hardship due to COVID-19.
Residents who have already submitted an application or an additional funding request for emergency rental assistance before January 24, 2023, will continue to have their application or request reviewed.
“However, there is no guarantee applications will be funded due to a lack of funds,” the county said. For more information, contact the ERAP help desk at 850-403-6044 or email erap@myescambia.zendesk.com.
Emergency rental assistance was available to eligible low-income Escambia County residents and families who:
- Were financially impacted by COVID-19;
- Had total household income at or below 80% Area Median Income;
- Were at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and
- Had received any other rental assistance for the requested months.
Both the renter and the landlord were required to submit an application, and reimbursements were paid directly to the landlord or utility provider. The program provided for up to 12 months of overdue or late rent and utility bills for households in Escambia County.
Santa Rosa School Resource Officer Charged With Lewd and Lascivious Behavior
January 25, 2023
A school resource officer in Santa Rosa County was arrested Tuesday for lewd and lascivious behavior.
The arrest of Santa Rosa County Deputy David Daniels came after an official report of misconduct was made to the Department of Children and Families.
Immediately after receiving the report, the SRCO Major Crimes detectives began to investigate the reported incident. Due to the nature of the claim and Daniels’ position as a SRO at High Road School of Santa Rosa, he was immediately removed from his position at the school and replaced with another deputy.
According to SRSO, the incident happened in January 2016.
“Due to this information, and other details of our investigation, we have no reason to believe that any misconduct occurred while Daniels was on duty or school premises,” Jillian Durkin, SRSO public information officer, said.
Daniels was placed on administrative leave and was ultimately released from his employment with the SRSO upon his arrest.
“Unfortunately, today we had to arrest one of our own. This is another case of an individual that has tarnished the badge. Once we were made aware of it, we responded appropriately, arrested him, and terminated his employment. At the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, we put our citizens first and any deputy who breaks the law will be immediately held accountable,” Sheriff Bob Johnson said.
Daniels’ mugshot was exempt from release under Florida law.