Escaped Inmate From Atmore Prison Remains On The Run Over Two Weeks Later
June 29, 2022
An inmate that escaped from the Fountain prison in Atmore has now been on the run for over two weeks.
Inmate Edward Williams, 41, escaped from the Fountain Correctional Facility about 9:20 a.m. Sunday, June 12, according to the Alabama Department of Corrections.
He is described as a black male, six-feet one-inch tall, 143 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a tan colored state inmate uniform. He was serving a 999 year, 99 month and 99 day sentence for multiple 2004 first degree robbery convictions in Jefferson County, according to ADOC records.
Williams was one of three inmates reported as having escaped from Fountain within the last month. One was recaptured a few hours later by U.S. Marshals. Another inmate, Corey Daniel Gable, was reported as escaped and then recaptured, but NorthEscambia.com found that he had actually been released by mistake.
González Goes Deep In Wahoos 10-5 Loss to Biscuits
June 29, 2022
Norel González went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run, but the Pensacola Blue Wahoos couldn’t slow down the Montgomery Biscuits in a 10-5 loss on Tuesday night.
González, who hadn’t had a multi-hit effort in his first 13 games in Pensacola, now has six hits in his past two games.
Pensacola took an early 2-0 lead on González’s two-run homer in the second, but that was all they could manage against Biscuits starter Jayden Murray (W, 5-2). Montgomery took the lead for good in the third, scoring four runs on five hits and a pair of errors behind starter A.J. Ladwig (L, 2-2).
Former Blue Wahoo Kameron Misner highlighted the four-run frame with a two-run double, and later added an RBI single in a 2-for-5 night. Garrett Hiott lined a two-run homer off Ladwig in the fifth to extend the Montgomery lead to 6-2.
After two Biscuits runs in the seventh against Josh Simpson, the Blue Wahoos got three runs back in the bottom half of the inning to draw the game to 8-5. J.D. Orr hit an RBI double, then scored on consecutive wild pitches as the momentum briefly shifted to the home team.
Montgomery, however, answered in the eighth with a two-out RBI double from Greg Jones to extend their lead to 10-5. Pensacola couldn’t manage any runs in the final two innings as they dropped the first game of the second half.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Montgomery Biscuits on Wednesday.
Escambia Man Charged In June 23 Shooting Death
June 28, 2022
An arrest has been made in connection with a shooting death last week.
Andre Martell Tarlton, 36, was charged with murder. Jail records show he had been in jail since June 23 on other charges including theft, larceny, fraud and dealing in stolen property.
On June 23, deputies responded to the 3700 block of James Street where a man was found dead from apparent gunshot wounds.
Additional information has not been released.
Dump Truck, Car Collide On Highway 29
June 28, 2022
A passenger car and a dump collided on Highway 29 midday Tuesday.
The crash happened on Highway 29 northbound just north of 9 1/2 Mile Road. At least one person was reportedly transported to the hospital.
Further information was not available as the Florida Highway Patrol continued their investigation.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Felon Charged With Cocaine Trafficking, Weapons Offenses After Threatening Sister
June 28, 2022
Kendrick Jamar Washington was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, trafficking in cocaine, possession of cocaine, possession of crack cocaine, possession marijuana, two counts of possession of a weapon and ammunition by a convicted felon, and carrying a concealed unlicensed firearm. He remained in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Washington allegedly pointed “an assault rifle” at his sister and threatened to kill her, according to an arrest report. She headed to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Century Precinct to file a report.
During the investigation, deputies were alerted of an armed disturbance on Ashford Alley off Jefferson Avenue and detained Washington. A .38 Special revolver and a Del-Ton rifle were recovered from Washington, along with a .223 round in the chamber, 13 rounds in the magazine of the rifle and five rounds in his pocket, according to an arrest report.
Deputies also found a plastic bag with 91.7 grams of powdered cocaine, 18.9 grams of crack cocaine and 1.6 grams of marijuana, the report states. A total of $4,642 in currency was found on Washington’s person, deputies said.
Beulah Middle, Tate High, Northview High FFA Chapters Awarded At State Convention
June 28, 2022
FFA chapters and members from Beulah Middle School, Northview High School and Tate High School were recently honored at the 94th Florida FFA State Convention at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Tate High School received the Florida FFA Premier Chapter Award. The award was initiated to recognize superior achievement by chapters in agricultural education and the FFA. To be eligible for this award, a chapter must be proficient in several areas, which include alumni and community partnerships, financial planning, public relations, recruitment and other FFA activities.
Beulah Middle and Tate High were selected among Florida’s Finest FFA Chapters. The selection of these chapters is based upon the completion of the National Chapter Award program application. These chapters have excelled in the areas of growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture and have worked hard to fulfill the mission and vision of the FFA.
Northview High and Tate High chapters were recognized for 100% membership. In order to receive this award, every student enrolled in agriculture must also be a bona fide FFA member and active with leadership development programs of the FFA Program.
Beulah Middle School’s Leanne Jenkins has been named Florida’s 2022 FFA Advisor of the Year. [Read more...] The award recognizes educators who have made a positive difference in the lives of their students. Individuals nominated must have taught for at least three years and have provided outstanding service to their FFA chapter, agricultural industry, and agricultural education.
The Florida FFA State Degree, the highest degree that the State FFA Association can bestow on a member, was awarded to eight Tate High School FFA members. This degree is awarded annually at the State FFA Convention to those members who have met the minimum qualifications set forth by the National FFA Organization.
The Florida FFA State Degree was awarded to the following Tate FFA members:
- Jiana Dortch
- Kristen Gibbs
- Wiley Griffin
- Tucker Griffin
- Dawson Guy
- Mia Langley
- Jaxson Stafford
- Hanna Swauger
CDE, LDE, Proficiency Winners
Beulah Middle School
- 1st Place State Aquaculture
- 5th State Forestry
- Miller Richards – State High Individual Tool ID
- 5th State Vegetable Judging
- 3rd Parliamentary Procedure
- 1st FFA Suncoast Credit Union Food Drive
Northview High School
- 5th Place Chapter Advocacy Award (Fresh From Florida event)
Tate High School
- Jaxson Stafford State Winner Forage Production Proficiency (advances to nationals)
- Jaxson Stafford Florida FFA State Star Farmer [Read more...]
- 3rd Place State Safe Tractor Operations and Maintenance – Jaxson Stafford
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Paid Work Will Now Count For Bright Futures Scholarship Eligibility
June 28, 2022
Florida high school students applying for the state’s college and vocational school Bright Futures scholarship program will be able to substitute paid work experience for volunteering under a bill signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday.
Students who apply for the Bright Futures program starting in the next school year will be able to fulfill the volunteer requirement by working 100 hours. During a bill signing ceremony at Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, DeSantis said the change will help low-income families whose teenagers need to work.
This expansion will allow students who work after school jobs to apply their paid work contributions to their communities to substitute service hour requirements. The legislation allows students the opportunity to receive Bright Futures Scholarships who might not otherwise have been able to meet the requirements for a scholarship, the governor said.
“Florida students should not lose the opportunity to receive a Bright Futures Scholarship because they have to work to help their families make ends meet,” said DeSantis. “After school jobs teach our students valuable life lessons, much like community service hours do. I am glad to sign this bill and will continue to make sure higher education remains affordable in Florida.”
“Bright Futures has provided a pathway to success for nearly one million students,” said Education Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr. “With today’s changes to Bright Futures eligibility requirements, no student will be forced to choose between supporting their family and meeting the volunteer hours necessary to earn a scholarship. I’m proud to join Governor DeSantis today as we expand access to postsecondary education for all students.”
The bill modifies the eligibility requirements for the Bright Futures Scholarship Program to include an option for students to use paid work hours to qualify for the scholarship. Paid work hours must meet the requirements for volunteer hours and there must be documentation of the hours.
Deputies Seek Pair For Using Fraudulent Debit Card At Beulah Grocery Store
June 28, 2022
Deputies are looking for two people they say were caught on a camera using a fraudulent debit card.
The man and woman used the debit card to make a purchase at the Publix in Beulah, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. They were seen leaving in a newer model white Dodge Ram with a toolbox attached to the bed of the truck.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
Update: Roberts Circle Mobile Home Fire Cause Determined
June 28, 2022
Investigators have determined that a mobile home fire Saturday night was caused by a dryer vent.
The vent was “restricted” according to Escambia Fire Rescue in the mobile home in the 2000 block of Roberts Circle. When firefighters arrived about 9 p.m., smoke was visible from outside of the home.
“The home suffered significant damages but can be reoccupied after repairs,” ECFR stated.
The American Red Cross provided lodging for those that were displaced. There were no injuries.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Double Murder Suspect Turns Himself In At Escambia Jail
June 27, 2022
UPDATE: Suspect Tavarras Vondhay Thomas turned himself in at the Escambia County Jail Tuesday evening.
The Pensacola Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating a man wanted for two counts of first degree premeditated murder.
Tavarras Vonshay Thomas, 42, is wanted in the shooting deaths of 24-year old Cieric Parker and 18-year old Dominique Bullard on June 22 in Attucks Court.
PPD said Thomas is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or 911.