Barber Calvin Dawson Has Passed Away. He Cut Hair In Cantonment For 65 Years.
May 4, 2021
A longtime Cantonment barber has passed away.
Calvin Dawson passed away at his home on April 29 at age 96.
After military service in the Navy and Army National Guard, he moved to Cantonment and purchased his barbershop in 1955. He sold Dawson’s Barbershop in 2002, but continued to work at the renamed Cantonment Barber Shop until January 2020. That’s 65 years.
Visitation and a funeral service will be held on May 13. For the complete obituary, click here.
Pictured above: Barber Calvin Dawson. Pictured below: Calvin Dawson in an update photograph with his wife, Voncille Miller Dawson. They were married in 1946 and had one daughter and three sons. She passed away in 1999. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Three Shootings With Four Total Victims In One Week In Atmore
May 4, 2021
The third shooting in a week is under investigation in Atmore.
A 16-year old male was shot while watching a basketball game at Houston Avery Park about 8:45 Friday night, according to details released Monday by Atmore Police.
Police Chief Chuck Brooks said a lone gunman discharged a weapon and the victim was truck once. The teen was transported by ambulance from the park off Martin Luther King Avenue to Atmore Community Hospital before being airlifted to another undisclosed hospital for treatment.
April 27 Shooting
Brooks said there have been no arrests. Atmore Police are continuing to investigate. Anyone with information is asked to call APD at (251) 368-9141.
On April 27, the Atmore Police Department responded to 200 block of 4th Avenue where male stated he had been shot.
“According to a witness at the scene, the male victim left his residence for a short time, and when he returned, he told the witness he had been shot,” Brooks said. The victim was transported to Atmore Community Hospital for treatment.
There have been no arrests in the incident.
April 25 Shooting
On Sunday, April 25, 28-year old Scottie Dale Robinson of Atmore allegedly shot his brother and another man in the 100 block of 6th Avenue. He was arrested Tuesday afternoon after leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase from Cantonment to I-65 near Evergreen, Alabama, where he crashed.
Robinson is facing attempted murder charges for shooting 33-year old Gregory Lavon Robinson, and 19-year old Oneius Cotz White.
RELATED STORY: Attempted Murder Suspect Leads High Speed Chase Across Two States
Pictured below: Attempted murder suspect Scottie Dale Robinson of Atmore crashed on I-65 near Evergreen, Alabama, Tuesday afternoon following a high-speed chase that started in Escambia County, Florida. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Your Relative Probably Has Not Been Kidnapped: ECSO Warns Of New Scam
May 4, 2021
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is warning of a new scam.
The ECSO said a scammer recently called the potential victim and claimed to have kidnapped a family member or to be holding a person they knew against their will. The scammer said they would only let the person go if money was transferred to the kidnapper. The potential victims immediately contacted the ECSO and the person being said to have been taken against their will was fine and knew nothing about the phone call or scam.
The sheriff’s office is anyone receiving such a call to contact them at (850) 436-9620, and do not send any money or provide personal or financial information.
Multiple variations of the scam have been reported, investigators said.
DeSantis Suspends All Local COVID-19 Emergency Orders In Florida
May 3, 2021
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday issued an executive order immediately suspending all local COVID-19 emergency orders.
“I think that’s the evidence-based thing to do,” said DeSantis during a news conference in St. Petersburg. “I think folks that are saying they need to be policing people at this point, if you’re saying that, then you’re really saying you don’t believe in the vaccines.”
The governor also signed a bill that goes into July 1 that would limit future local emergency orders to 42 days . It also gives the governor authority to overrule cities and counties and any time, and city and county commissions will have the power to overrule mayors. It also give the legislature authority to overrule the any mandates or restrictions by the governor.
The law also bans so-called vaccine passports.
Pictured: Gov. Ron DeSantis during a Monday press conference in St. Petersburg. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Three Charged After Ongoing Family Feud Erupts Into Chaotic Fight, At Least Two Injured
May 3, 2021
Three people are charged in connection with a wild melee in the Quintette area that left at least two people injured. It was a scene on Tyler Lane and East Chipper Road that deputies described as “chaotic” in an ongoing family feud that exploded after one man decided to mow the grass.
The three arrested in the days following the April 25 incident are:
- Brandon William Tyler, 27, charged with aggravated battery, aggravated assault and criminal mischief. He was released on a $36,000 bond.
- William Norman Tyler, 63, charged with two counts of aggravated battery and two counts of affray. He was released on a $42,000 bond.
- Joseph Danuel Summerlin, 50, charged with aggravated battery, affray, felony criminal mischief, petit theft and disorderly conduct. He was released on a $30,000 bond.
According to multiple Escambia County Sheriff’s Office reports:
Deputies arrived to find William Tyler walking back and forth near his lawn mower in the middle of the road, and an injured woman was in the roadway.
William Tyler told deputies he was cutting grass on the right of way near Summerlin’s residence. Summerlin came outside and told him to leave, throwing nails under his mower and throwing a brick at it. William Tyler rode his lawn mower toward his home, but said he decided he was not going to let Summerlin keep him from mowing the grass. He only had the grass to finish on Tyler Lane and was not going back toward Summerlin’s residence on Chipper Road.
William Tyler said Summerlin came walking down the road and began swinging a wooden stick. Summerlin then hit and damaged the top of the lawn mower and stole the mower key. William Tyler said his phone, valued at $1,400, was “completely broken” in the incident. Deputies noted William Tyler’s head was bleeding in several places.
William’s Tyler’s brother told deputies that he and his mother were not telling the truth, and both had been in ongoing conflict with years with Summerlin. He said at one point, William Tyler provoked the incident, hitting another witness with a metal pole and striking Summerlin in the head.
Meanwhile on Chipper Road, witnesses said William Tyler turned his mower around in the Summerlin yard. Summerlin told him to get off the property and threw a handful of nails on the right of way. Witnesses recounted various different accounts of the incident involving the pole and stick assaults.
Witnesses said William Tyler’s son, Brandon Tyler, pulled up in the front yard of Summerlin’s home. Brandon Tyler then hit Summerlin with his vehicle two times, doing donuts and spinning out, and hitting a fence. Summerlin said Brandon Tyler was yelling “I’m going to kill you” during the incident.
William Tyler’s 93-year old mother complained of extreme pain in her leg and hip area from injuries she received during the melee. She was airlifted to an area hospital. A member of the Summerlin family was also transported to the hospital for treatment.
Pictured: The scene in the area of East Chipper Road and Tyler Lane after an apparent family feud erupted into a melee. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview High Names April Students Of The Month
May 3, 2021
Northview High has named Olivia Bush and Brandon Odom as Students of the Month for April. Also pictured is Northview Principal Michael Sherrill. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Approvals: New Dollar General, Seafood Market, Bigger Grocery Parking Lot And Mexican Food
May 3, 2021
Development review approval was granted over the last month for several projects in Century:
Dollar General — As we first reported two months ago, a new Dollar General is planned for Century in the 7000 block of North Century Boulevard, on the west side of the road between Highway 4A and West Hecker Road. According to plans for the proposed store, it will be 9,291 square feet on about 1.5 acres. It will have 31 total parking space, with entrances from North Century Boulevard and West Hecker Road. The developer has told the town that they will remove 17 trees from the property. They plan to replant those 17 trees at the site, along with five flowering trees and 15 shade trees in the Nadine McCaw Park on North Century Boulevard, just northeast of the planned store. The town has now approved the plans.
Seafood Market — The town has approved an application for reuse of a commercial building at 11 East Highway 4 (at the railroad crossing) for a new seafood market.
Vallarta Mexican Restaurant — Work started in January on a new Vallarta Mexican Restaurant at the location of the former Becky’s Mini Mart at 9010 North Century Boulevard. The town has now approved the upgrade of electric wiring, outlets and light fixtures, and the installation of a new LED sign.
Food Giant Parking — The town has also approved the expansion of the parking lot at the Food Giant at 9501 North Century Boulevard. A house just to the south of the existing parking lot has already been demolished to make way.
In some cases, projects must also be approved by Escambia County Development Review, and the necessary permits must be issued before work begins.
NorthEscambia.com photos/graphics, click to enlarge.
Escambia Youth Ages 16-24 Can Apply Now For County Employment Program
May 3, 2021
Escambia County is seek applicants for the Escambia County Youth Employment Program.
The county is seeking youth ages 16-24 who are interested in an opportunity to get paid work experience this summer; applications are due by Friday, May 21 at 3 p.m.
Qualified youth who are accepted into the programwill be able to work up to 30 hours a week, with positions available in various county departments along with the Escambia County School District, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector’s Office and Supervisor of Elections Office. Participants will also receive job readiness training prior to job placement as well as post-employment briefings.
Last summer, 100 youth participated in the program, working in county departments including Public Works, Public Safety, Escambia County Area Transit, West Florida Public Libraries and more.
Limited positions are available. Applicants must be age 16-24, and they must live in Escambia County.
Click here to download an application. Submit completed applications via email to cflong@myescambia.com.
Applications can also be picked up during normal business hours at Escambia County Neighborhood and Human Services Department, 221 Palafox Place or the Brownsville Community Center, 3200 West Desoto Street. Incomplete application packets will not be accepted.
For additional information, call Clara Long, director of Neighborhood & Human Services Department at (850) 595-3596.
File photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Slip A Penny On Average
May 3, 2021
Florida gas prices slipped lower by a penny on average last week, according to AAA. The state average is at $2.78 a gallon, the lowest average daily price in eight weeks.
The state average is now the same price as it was this time two years ago.
The lowest price in North Escambia Sunday night was $2.65 at a Muscogee Road station. In Pensacola, one of the warehouse clubs was at $2.63 per gallon.
“Gas prices have mostly declined for six consecutive weeks, as refinery activity recovered from power outages earlier this year,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “That downward trend is now in jeopardy. Crude and gasoline futures prices rebounded last week, after positive U.S. economic data increased market optimism about summer demand.”
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Former Tate High Homecoming Queen Will Now Be Tried As Adult In Vote Scandal
May 2, 2021
A Tate High School homecoming queen accused in a vote scandal is now charged as an adult, and a misdemeanor charge against her and her mother has been upgraded to a felony.
Emily Rose Grover was 17-year old juvenile at the time of her arrest in April by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. She turned 18 just a few days later, and will now be tried as an adult.
Grover and her mother Laura Carroll, former assistant principal at Bellview Elementary School, were charged by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement with one count each of felony offenses against users of computers, computer systems, computer networks, and electronic devices; felony unlawful use of a two-way communications device, felony criminal use of personally identifiable information, and conspiracy to commit these offenses. The misdemeanor conspiracy charge against both has been upgraded by prosecutors to a felony count.
Carroll remains free on a $6,000 bond. Grover was booked into the Escambia County Jail last week and released on a $2,000 bond.
Grover was named Tate High School’s 2020 homecoming queen..
The investigation began in November 2020 when the Escambia County School District contacted FDLE to report unauthorized access into hundreds of student accounts. The investigation found that Carroll, an assistant principal at Bellview Elementary School, and Grover, a student at Tate High School, had accessed student FOCUS accounts. Carroll had district level access of the school board’s FOCUS program which is the school district’s student information system. FOCUS users are required to change their password every 45 days and Carroll’s annual training for the “Staff Responsible Use of Guidelines for Technology” was up to date.
In October 2020, hundreds of votes for Tate High School’s Homecoming Court voting were flagged as fraudulent, with 117 votes originating from the same IP address within a short period of time. Agents uncovered evidence of unauthorized access to FOCUS linked to Carroll’s cellphone as well as computers associated with their residence, with a total of 246 votes cast for the homecoming court. Multiple students reported that the Grover described using her mother’s FOCUS account to cast votes. The investigation also found that beginning August 2019, Carroll’s FOCUS account accessed 372 high school records and 339 of those were of Tate High School students.
Arrest affidavits obtained by NorthEscambia.com provide more details into the allegations.
When two FDLE special agents responded to Carroll and Grover’s residence in Cantonment to interview them, Carroll immediately stated that she would defer any questions to her attorney, FDLE said.
FDLE received nine statements from students and a teacher that all stated Grover spoke about accessing Carroll’s FOCUS account or they have seen her access it for almost four years.
“I have known that Emily Grover logs into her moms school account in order to access grades and test scores since freshman year when we became friends,” one student said in a statement to FDLE. “She has looked up [redacted] student ID before to [redacted]. She also knows that if she logs into her moms account at Tate it will ping that Laura Grover signed in at Tate High School. She looks up all of our group of friends grades and makes comments about how she can find out our test scores all of the time.”
“When Emily Grover was a sophomore [redacted] class, I recall times that she logged onto her moms focus account and openly shared information, grades, schedules, etc. with others. She did not seem like logging in was a big deal and was very comfortable with doing so,” another statement written by a witness said.
According to FDLE, the Escambia County School District FOCUS program contains grades, medical history, test scores, attendance, disciplinary actions, personnel information, emergency contacts, schedules, exceptional student education (ESE) information, student picture and student identification number. Teachers and staff members are able to view student profiles or more depending on access level.
The school district uses an application called Election Runner to perform activities such as homecoming court voting. FDLE was notified that Election Runner contacted the school district regarding over 100 flagged votes and an ethics complaint involving the Tate High School homecoming voting.
Carroll contested Grover’s expulsion from Tate High School that stemmed from the incident. An administrative hearing was held, and Grover’s expulsion was upheld.
Pictured above and below: Laura Rose Carroll, Bellview Elementary Facebook and Escambia County Jail; Emily Rose Grover, Tate High School’s 2020 homecoming queen, NorthEscambia.com photos.