Updated: Ernest Ward Middle Placed On Brief Lockdown After Alarm System Malfunction
May 21, 2024
Ernest Ward Middle School was placed into a lockdown today out of an “abundance of caution” after an alarm system malfunctioned and a “code red” alert was activated.
Escambia County Fire Rescue responded to a fire alarm that originated in the school gym Tuesday after a ball struck a pull station. According to Davis Wood, county public safety public information officer, the fire department determined that there was no smoke or fire.
The alarm system sounded additional times a bit later. During repair of the alarm system, the “code red” alert was inadvertently activated.
“It’s a malfunction of the automated alarm system, but law enforcement is searching the school in an abundance of caution,” Cody Strother, Escambia County Public School spokesman said during the “code red” lockdown.
By 1:10 p.m., the all-clear was given and the school returned to a normal day.
Tate High School Names 2024 Valedictorian, Salutatorian And Top 10% Graduates
May 21, 2024
Tate High School has named their Class of 2024 valedictorian, salutatorian and Top 10% graduates.
They are valedictorian Hannah Michelle Williams (pictured left) and Caroline Elizabeth Armstrong salutatorian.
The Top 10% graduates, in order of rank, are:
- Hannah Michelle Williams
- Caroline Elizabeth Armstrong
- Tin Nhut Tran
- Synoma Grace Perea
- Alyssa Le Moodie
- Riley Peyton Robbins
- Lauren Elizabeth Durham
- Ashlyn Elizabeth Greeson
- Chloe Brianne Biggs
- Eva Elizabeth Grissom
- Megan Anh-Phuong Truong
- Allison Kaye Russo
- Tyler Scott Byrd
- Lillianne Elise DeLay
- Aidan Caleb McLellan
- Alyssa Nicole Nunez
- Olivia Rose Kontek
- Seth Thomas Ray
- Benjamin Francis Cherry
- Sidney Chase Gray
- Addison Sarah Mary Miller
- Damian Kane Cullen
- Abigail Grace Arnette
- Lauren Elizabeth Bryan
- Brayden Jackson Touchstone
- Addyson Nicole Chinchar
- Brianna Jade Kaizer
- Madison Renee Lassitter
- Payton Layne Garrett
- Ian Alexander Swanson
- Anna Grace McKee
- Andrew James Walker
- Magdalin Pearl Zipparo
- Madison Michelle Alcott
- Benjamin Allen Kendrick
- Abiola Opeyemil Adigun
- Emery Jane Hay
- Makenzie Leighann Cummings
- Ryan Jacob Grace
- Cora Gail Helmig
- Kallan Lydea Powell
- Anessa Gallegos
- Carter Wells Killingsworth
- Hanbing Wu
- Courtney Ann Ellsworth
- Alyssa Layne Roye
- Alex-Marie Novena Tartarilla
- Shepard Lee Turner
- Nathan Russell Lyons
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
This Is Who Claimed A $66K Fantasy 5 Ticket Sold In Davisville
May 21, 2024
We now know who had a winning $104,000 Florida Lottery Fantasy 5 ticket worth over $66,000 sold in Davisville in February
The quick pick ticket sold at the State Line Gift Shop next to the Piggly Wiggly on Highway 97 was one of two winning tickets in the February 24 evening drawing and is worth $66,372.08. The other winning ticket was sold in Clearwater.
According to the Florida Lottery, the cash option on the winning ticket was claimed by Sylvester Lee Carpenter of Columbus, Georgia.
The winning numbers were 3-6-22-26-28.
FDC: For The Second Time, Inmate Assaults Officer At Century Correctional
May 21, 2024
An inmate is accused of assaulting officers at Century Correctional Institution twice in a month.
FDC said inmate Daurell Dorsett assaulted a correctional officer in an incident captured on camera.
A few days prior, Dorsett also assault a correctional officer by pushing the officer, the Department of Corrections said. The incident was also captured on camera.
Dorsett was serving a 25-year sentence following a Miami-Dade conviction for robbery with a deadly weapon, attempted felony murder, burglary of an occupied dwelling, armed burglary along with additional burglary and attempted murder charges. He remains incarcerated at Century Correctional Institution.
Area’s Jobless Rate Drops To 3.3%
May 21, 2024
The Escambia County unemployment rate fell last month, according to newly released data from FloridaCommerce.
The unemployment rate in Escambia County was 3.3% in April, down from 3.6% in March. That represented 5,162 people out of work out of a county workforce of 154,274. One year ago, Escambia County’s unemployment rate was 2.4%, or 3,742 people.
The Pensacola metro area labor force increased by 2,475, a 1.0 percent increase over the year in April 2024. The area’s private sector employment increased by 1.6 percent (+2,700 jobs). The Pensacola area’s unemployment rate was 3.2 percent in April 2024, a 0.8 percentage point increase from the April 2023 rate of 2.4 percent.
The industry gaining the most jobs over the year was education and health services, increasing by 1,100 jobs.
Tate High’s Ward O’Brien Commits To University Of Memphis Track And Field
May 21, 2024
Tate High Schools’ Ward O’Brien has committed to University of Memphis Track And Field. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No License, No Seat Belts In Crash That Injured Four Teens Saturday Night, FHP Says
May 20, 2024
The Florida Highway Patrol says teens injured in a crash Saturday night in Century were not wearing seat belts, and the driver did not have a driver’s license.
The vehicle crashed into a tree just before 10 p.m. in the 1100 block of Fannie Road, just north of Campbell Road.
Troopers said Monday afternoon that a red 2010 Dodge Charger was traveling south on Fannie Road when the driver failed to maintain control of the vehicle, collided with a guardrail. Subsequently, the vehicle bounced off the guardrail and traveled southbound in the northbound lane until colliding with a tree on the northbound shoulder.
The driver was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital by Escambia County EMS. The front right passenger and the rear left passenger were flown to Sacred Heart Hospital by two separate helicopters. The other passenger
remained on scene and was turned over to a parent.
FHP said all four occupants were not wearing their seatbelt during the collision.
“Originally, the driver and front passenger gave false official statements to Troopers but then told the truth,” FHP said, adding that the driver, a 16-year-old, female rom Perdido, Alabama, did not have a driver’s license.
The driver was issued citations for driving without a valid license and not wearing a seatbelt and careless driving. The front passenger was also cited for not wearing a seatbelt.
The passengers in the vehicle were two 16-year-old males from Flomaton and a 15-year-old male from Century.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Atmore Splash Pad Now Open
May 20, 2024
The City of Atmore Splash pad opened for the summer on Monday. It will be open daily from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m.
The Atmore Splash Pad is located at 600 South Trammell Street.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Recognizes National Public Works Week
May 20, 2024
Escambia County is recognizing National Public Works Week May 19-24, celebrating the hardworking men and women who make up Escambia County’s Public Works Department.
Monday, the county commissioners adopted a proclamation for the week, recognizing staff for their contributions to Escambia County.
National Public Works Week is celebrated each year on the third full week of May. This year’s theme is “Advancing Quality of Life for All,” emphasizing Public Works’ role in maintaining and improving infrastructure and services that are vitally important in providing a high quality of life for Escambia County residents.
The Escambia County Public Works team works diligently every day to maintain the county’s network of roads and stormwater drainage systems, including right of way mowing, road resurfacing, street sweeping, holding pond mowing and maintenance, sidewalk maintenance, dirt road grading, tree trimming and removal, pothole patching, ditch cleaning, sign maintenance, and the repair and construction of drainage infrastructure. Public Works often responds to calls after hours and on weekends, including natural disaster events such as hurricanes and our recent severe weather.
In addition, Escambia County Public Works includes the Pensacola Beach Public Works and Fleet Maintenance Divisions. Pensacola Beach Public Works maintains the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk and supports the many events that take place on the beach, such as Bands on the Beach and the Pensacola Beach Air Show featuring the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, working countless hours to clean the beach and ensure it is free of trash and debris. The Fleet Maintenance Division assists county departments in vehicle and equipment acquisition, manages the GPS monitoring program for all departments, oversees fuel distribution for county vehicles, and is also responsible for the county’s surplus vehicle and equipment program.
“I’m excited to take this week to recognize our department,” said Public Works Director James Higdon. “Our Public Works team is a great group of folks who work hard to maintain and improve Escambia County’s infrastructure. They dedicate each day to bettering the lives of our residents, from patching potholes and trimming trees to keeping Pensacola Beach clean. We’re grateful to the board and County Administration for the recognition and support in our mission.”
Bratt Woman Charged With Animal Cruelty For Horses That Allegedly Had No Food Or Water
May 20, 2024
A Bratt woman is facing animal cruelty charges for the alleged mistreatment of horses, one of which was euthanized last year.
Lois Adams Hall, 63, was charged with misdemeanor unlawful confinement or abandonment of animals and felony causing cruel death, pain or suffering of animals. She was released on a $15,000 bond after surrendering at the Escambia County Jail.
On September 26, 2023, Escambia County Animal Control spoke to the property owner who stated that his ex-daughter-in-law owned two of the horses and his granddaughter owned the third, according to investigative reports. The horses were being kept in a fenced yard on the back side of the property.
“The field that they’re being kept in has no grass,” the Animal Control sergeant wrote in her report. “It is nothing but dirt. Water trough is empty.”
“I expressed my concern about these horses being in the Fence line in the back of this property with no grazable land. No shelter for the animals to get under. Fence is tore up and animals have been loose recently.”
“This family was asked several times to take these horses to the Veterinarian to be checked out. They avoided doing anything to help the animals. Horse known as Ajax was euthanized on October 23, 2023 at 9:06am. Ajax was so emaciated that when he went down he could not pick his body back up. We did not want him to suffer any more so we ordered to have him Euthanized,” the report states.
On October 2, Animal Control returned to Still Road where they contacted the owner’s daughter, who was very argumentative, according to the report. The daughter claimed one horse was 40 years old, not 30.
“I don’t think the horse is near 40. I asked for the horse to be taken care of by a veterinarian. She stated that she’s told her mom to do this multiple times and her mom hasn’t done it, I explained to her that it needs to be done by this Friday or animal control will step in and remove the horse,” the sergeant wrote.
On October 10, a neighbor told Animal Control that they had been feeding and watering the horses. The sergeant called Hall, who thanked her for removing the horses. Hall’s other comments were redacted from the report.
As she awaits trial, Judge Simon has ordered that Hall cannot own, care for, or be in the custody of any animals.