Man Gets Life In Prison For Murdering A Former Molino Fire Chief
October 28, 2021
An Escambia County man was sentenced Thursday afternoon to life in prison for the murder of a former Molino fire chief.
Jared Cordel Clakley, 31, entered a plea of no contest to the charges against him last month. He was sentenced to life in prison on a charge of second degree murder with a firearm and 15 years consecutively for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon for the shooting death of Gary Diamond.
When Judge Coleman Robinson handed down the sentence, Clakley turned around an yelled at Diamond’s family members.
“I’m glad I killed that bitch,” Clakley screamed. “I’m glad I killed him.” Clakley was then forcibly removed from the courtroom by bailiffs.
He faced a minimum sentence of 25 years in station prison, but sentenced to the maximum by Robinson
Diamond was shot and killed outside his Molino Road home shortly after 3:30 a.m. on December 26, 2020.
Three witnesses told deputies that Clakley fired four or five shots at Diamond before fleeing in his vehicle. Deputies found the vehicle wrecked near Highway 95A and Molino Road, but Clakley had fled. A K-9 unit was deployed to track him down. He was later located at a family member’s home near Holsberry Place.
Pictured: The scene of the murder in the 400 block of Molino Road early in the morning on December 26, 2020. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Contract Awarded To Design Replacement Bridge On Gibson Road In Molino
October 28, 2021
The Escambia County Commission recently awarded a contract to design a replacement bridge for Gibson Road over Alligator Creek in Molino.
The $167,178 contract was awarded to Mott MacDonald of Florida.
The Gibson Road over Alligator Creek 78-foot wood-supported bridge was constructed in 1959 and is currently beyond its designed service life. It’s also listed as being structural deficient, and there is history of the creek overtopping the bridge. In August 2020, the eastbound lane of the bridge was closed after a failed Florida Department of Transportation inspection.
The roadway and bridge will be designed with an increased elevation to prevent overtopping. Mott MacDonald is allowed under their contract to utilize a design that includes a prefabricated steel or precast concrete structure.
The bid opportunity was sent to 444 emails, with just four responses.
Gibson Road runs between Highway 97 and Crabtree Church Road. There’s no word on when a construction contract will be awarded and construction will begin.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Cantonment Rotary Honors Mary Holley-Lewis For ‘Service Above Self’
October 28, 2021
Thursday, the Cantonment Rotary Club honored Mary Holley-Lewis with the “Service Above Self Award”.
The Jim Allen Elementary School third grade teacher not only selflessly gives of her time to the school, but also volunteers with the Cantonment Improvement Committee and other organizations.
She was a driving force behind CIC food distributions that began early in the COVID-19 pandemic during March 2020 and continue each Tuesday at Carver Park in Cantonment.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Elementary School Names Students Of The Month
October 28, 2021
Byrneville Elementary School has named Students of the Month for September.
They are:
- Kindergarten-Chris James and BJ Cooley
- 1st-Parker Jones and Makayla Wise
- 2nd-Ryan Hoomes and Gracelynn Grant
- 3rd-Wy’Naejah Thomas and Paisley Rogers
- 4th-Ember Henry and Kyle Lowery
- 5th-Natalie Rogers and Bryce Miller
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Volunteers Sought For ECUA Citizens’ Advisory Committee
October 28, 2021
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) is seeking candidates interested in an at-large appointment to the ECUA Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CAC).
Any resident of Escambia County who desires to be appointed as a citizen member may submit an application to ECUA Executive Director Bruce Woody outlining their relevant experience, education and qualifications. The CAC serves in an advisory capacity, formulating and presenting recommendations to the ECUA Board.
All CAC members serve a one year term of office and attend one meeting per month, which is usually held on the third Tuesday of the month. The CAC meets at 3 p.m. in the ECUA Boardroom located in the Ellyson Industrial Park. No travel is involved unless the committee members decide to visit an existing or proposed ECUA site for informational purposes. Financial disclosure is required.
Escambia County residents interested in being considered for a possible appointment to the ECUA’s CAC, beginning December 2021, are asked to submit a resumé and letter indicating their desire to serve by close of business on November 8, 2021. Letters and resumés should be submitted to Shakeva Simmons, 9255 Sturdevant Street, Pensacola, FL 32514; or emailed to Shakeva.simmons@ecua.fl.gov.
Escambia (AL) School Mask Mandate Is Expiring
October 28, 2021
The school mask mandate in Escambia County, Alabama, is expiring and won’t be reinstated for now.
The Escambia County (AL) Board of Education implemented a mask mandate in August requiring masks for all students, visitors and staff. The mandate expires at the end of the school day Friday. Masks will be recommended, but not required, beginning Monday, November 1.
Masks will remain a requirement on school buses in the county due to federal transportation regulations.
Woman Killed In Hit And Run Crash, FHP Searching For Driver
October 28, 2021
A pedestrian was struck and killed in a hit and run Wednesday evening in Escambia County.
At 6:35 p.m., an unknown vehicle struck a 34-year old Escambia County woman as she was crossing Pace Boulevard south of West Lee Street. While she was lying in the roadway, she was hit again by a sedan driven by a 51-year old Pensacola man. He was not injured.
The woman was transported by Escambia County EMS to Baptist Hospital where she passed away a short time later.
The Florida Highway said the vehicle that fled may have been a gray Dodge Caravan with damage to the front of the vehicle and the front windshield.
Anyone with information on the crash is asked to contact Corporal Whipple at (850) 294-6804, Trooper Van Pelt at (850) 245-1402, or *FHP.
Farmers Work To Beat The Rain
October 28, 2021
Farmers across the North Escambia area worked Wednesday afternoon to harvest crops before overnight rain. Pictured: Peanut harvest in Bratt Wednesday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Woman Killed In Highway 29, Quintette Road Crash With Semi Truck
October 27, 2021
A 48-year old Cantonment woman was killed in wreck with a semi truck Wednesday morning on Highway 29 at Quintette Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the woman was traveling west on Quintette Road and failed to stop, entering the path of a semi truck and trailer driven by a 71-year old Mississippi man about 9:15 a.m. Troopers said the semi driver attempted to avoid the collision and swerved.
The SUV was pushed along Highway 29 and began to overturn, partially ejecting the woman who was not wearing a seat belt, according to FHP.
The SUV came to rest on its roof partially on Highway 29 northbound following the 9:15 a.m. crash. The female was pronounced deceased on the scene by Escambia County EMS. The semi drier was not injured.
Highway 29 northbound was closed and traffic diverted onto Quintette Road following the crash.
FHP no longer releases the names of traffic crash victims.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Seeks Volunteer for Planning Board Appointment
October 27, 2021
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking Escambia County residents interested in volunteering to be considered for an at-large appointment to the Escambia County Planning Board.
At-large members serve a two-year term of office and attend one meeting per month (generally the first Tuesday of the month). Meetings are generally from 8:30 a.m. to no later than noon; however, occasionally may go beyond noon depending upon the agenda. No travel is involved unless the Planning Board members decide to view a particular property for informational purposes. Financial disclosure is required.
Escambia County residents interested in being considered for a possible appointment to the Escambia County Planning Board to begin serving in January are asked to submit a resume and letter indicating their desire to serve by close of business on Wednesday, November. 10. Letters and resumes should be submitted to Rachel Whitmire; 3363 West Park Place; Pensacola, FL 32505; or emailed to rwhitmire@myescambia.com.