Pedestrian Struck And Killed On New Chemstrand
May 7, 2010
A pedestrian was struck and killed late Thursday night in Pensacola. He was hit by three vehicles.
The Florida Highway Patrol says Billy G. Beck, 23, of Pensacola, was walking northbound on the paved portion of New Chemstrand Road just south of 10 Mile Road when he was struck by a northbound vehicle. That vehicle fled the scene.
Beck was then struck by the front undercarriage of vehicle driven by Devin J. Poe, 18, of Cantonment. Poe and passenger in his vehicle, Joshua F. Valentine, 18, of Pensacola, were not injured.
A third vehicle, driven by Julian J. Donato, 24, of Pace, then struck Beck.
Charges are pending the outcome of the investigation, according to the FHP.
The FHP said they have no information or description of the vehicle that fled the scene. Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Cpl. Michael J. Tucker at the Florida Highway Patrol Station in Pensacola, (850) 484-5000 ext.331.
Barrineau Park Music Night Tonight
May 7, 2010
There will be plenty of good entertainment on stage tonight in Barrineau Park — and it’s free. The monthly Barrineau Park Music Night will be tonight at the Barrineau Park Community Center. The featured local groups tonight are High Cotton and Rolling Tide.
The singing starts at 7 p.m. Food and refreshments will also be available beginning at 6 p.m.
The event is family-friendly — no alcohol is permitted on the property, and no smoking is allowed in or near the building.
For more information, call (850) 587-5575.
The Barrineau Park Community Center is located on Barrineau Park School road, about three miles west of Molino.
Pictured: High Cotton (above) and Rolling Tide (below) will perform tonight during the monthly Barrineau Park Music Night. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Students Pass Pills; Two Sent To Hospital
May 7, 2010
Authorities are investigating an incident Thursday at Ernest Ward Middle School in which prescription drugs were passed between students, sending two of them to the hospital.
The school’s resource officer, James Gill, was advised by the school nurse that a 15-year old student in the clinic had admitted to taking Xanax, Adderall and Tylenol. The student, who was reported to be “extremely lethargic” was transported by Atmore Ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital.
The girl’s mother told deputies that she did have those prescription medications hidden in her household. She later told deputies that some of the medications were missing from her purse.
According to Deputy Gill’s report, another student was taken to the hospital by his father because he appeared to be under the influence of some substance. A third student was evaluated after admitting to taking one-half of a Xanax pill.
Several students were interviewed about the incident, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office incident report. One reported that he saw one student get a “blue pill” from another student and then give it to a third student.
Another student reported seeing another take five blue pills. Xanax are sometimes blue in color, according to the incident report.
The Sheriff’s Office investigation into the incident is continuing. No charges had been filed in the case as of Thursday night. The incident was also reported to the Florida Abuse Hotline.
Suspect Steals Car, Wants To Kill Cops; Says “Living Is Hard And Dying Is Easy”
May 7, 2010
Out of jail for just two days, a Cantonment man is back in the Escambia County Jail without bond after he stole a car, tried to lure deputies into a wooded area while threatening to kill them, and making statements that “living is hard and dying is easy” and that he would “kill the police”, according to deputies.
Jimmie Bradley, Sr., 54, of Hazard Lane, Cantonment, is charged with grand theft of a vehicle, resisting an officer without violence/obstruction of justice, domestic violence battery, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and driving with a suspended license.
The incident involving Bradley began about 10 a.m. Wednesday when Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Thomas Joyner responded to a vehicle theft in progress call at the intersection of Highway 29 and Airport Boulevard. He was advised by dispatchers that the suspect was traveling north on Highway 29 in a blue 1994 Toyota Corolla occupied by Bradley.
When deputies located the victim on Highway 29, she told them she had driven Bradley, who is her ex-husband, to the Escambia County Clinic on Palafox Street for a doctor’s appointment. On the return trip, Bradley became very irate and angry “stating that he was going to get everyone including his son’s people in Alabama, (the victim) and police”. While northbound on Highway 29, Bradley pulled the keys out of the car, causing the victim to run off the road. He then allegedly tried to pull her out of the car before getting into the driver’s seat.
That’s when, according to the arrest report, he “stated that he wanted the police to come to Hazard Lane and said he knows he can get at least four cops then he’ll pull their cars down into his yard”.
Bradley was located by deputies in a wooded area off Quintette Road about a quarter mile from Highway 29. He was given numerous orders by deputies to get down on the ground, but he failed to comply for at least five minutes. According to the report, Bradley eventually complied and was taken into custody after making several attempts to lure deputies into a wooded area visible from Highway 29. He also reportedly made numerous statements that he would “kill the police”.
On the way to jail, Bradley reportedly told deputies that, “If I make bond, someone’s going to die”. Deputies found 59 .22 caliber bullets and one spent 410 shotgun shell in his possession.
According to Sheriff’s Office reports, this was not the first incident in which Bradley threatened to kill officers. In late March, he allegedly robbed a man and then committed battery on an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy before telling them that he would kill them and another man when he gets out of jail. [Read that story here.] The battery on an officer charge in that case was dropped. He was released from jail May 3 on $20,000 bond in connection with that incident.
Rotary Club Honors Academic All-Stars
May 7, 2010
The Atmore Rotary Club recognized an outstanding group of area high school students as Academic All-Stars Thursday night, including about two dozen Northview High School students.
The Academic All-Star program is open to students who attend Northview High School, Atmore Christian School, Escambia County High School or Escambia Academy. To be named an Academic All-Star, a student must have maintained at least a B average in every subject for each grading period of the school year, with at least one A for each grading period.
Those who have maintained this status from the 9th through the 12th grades, were honored as Four-Year Academic All-Stars: Kaitlyn Nicole Caraway, Clinton Eugene Davis, Mark Allen Shipps Jr. from Northview High School; Savannah Brown, Austin Heller and Sarah Ziglar from Atmore Christian School; Jon Dean, Robert Johnson, Perry Jones and Jake Wasdin from Escambia Academy; and Tyler Wade Boatwright, Devante Cottrell Brown, Sheena-Marie Currie*, Shar’Nell Wyneisha Flavors, Joslin Mona’ Frye, Michaela Ta’Mill Norman and Kimberly Marie Rolin.
The following students were recognized Thursday night as Atmore Rotary Academic All-Stars:
Northview High School
9th Grade
Jazzlyn Shanece Franklin, La’Derious Ty’Shon Franklin, Kaitlyn Brooke Gunn, Justin Lance Halteman, Marcus Trey Johnson, Zachary Sean Johnson, Skyler Ashton Macks and Tyler Dewayne Roley
10th Grade
Holly Nicole Dickson, Amber Dianne Francis, Alexander Dewayne Payne, Tyler Lindsay Randolph and Joel Nathaniel Wetzel
11th Grade
Mallory Ann Bell, Ashley Elizabeth Digmon, Laneicia Dynette Gomez, Sarah Malinda Killam, Hayley Renee Simpson and Emily Faith Vickrey
12th Grade
Kaitlyn Nicole Caraway, Kolbi Shae Cobb, Clinton Eugene Davis, Bradley James Lowery, Amber Nicole McMillan and Mark Allen Shipps Jr.
Atmore Christian School
9th Grade
Jacinda Stahly, Narisa Wiggins and Hannah Ziglar
10th Grade
Tessa de Jongh, Frisco Gehman and Mary Maud Meacham
11th Grade
Dallas Brown, Cody Mize and Deidre Smith
12th Grade
Savannah Brown, Mallorie Dunsford, Austin Heller, Zack Miller and Sarah Ziglar
Escambia Academy
9th Grade
Paige Allen, Paul Arnold, Caitlyn Bruley, Selina Dukes, Page Lancaster, Blake Quimby and Sarah Wooten
10th Grade
Jenna Brown, Miranda Caraway, Katelyn Chastang, James Dean and Brandon Goddard
11th Grade
Amber Huskey, Keaton Maher and Bailey Vaughn
12th Grade
Jon Dean, Robert Johnson, Perry Jones and Jake Wasdin
Escambia County High School
9th Grade
Jake Austin Caraway, Krista Anna Choate, Kianna Simone Clark, Shalonda Trenee Howard, Janay Louise Hunt, Scarlet Olivia Martin, La’Derian De’Andreas Peoples, Samantha Leigh Richard, Chelsie Elizabeth Schell, Heather Ann Taylor and Bria Nicole Willis
10th Grade
Jazmine Nicole Adams, Quinston Jamaine Ephraim Jr., Taylor Rainy January, Ashley Nichole McKenzie, Roger Lucas Miller, Jamieka Bessie Marie North, Mary LaRose Powell and Sarah Jessica Powell
11th Grade
Jasmine Danielle Chafin, Jordan Allene Colbert, Kristen Anne Gehman, Corleia Charzet McGinnis, Morgan Elise Nichols and Brooke Elizabeth Woolard
12th Grade
Tyler Wade Boatwright, Danitra Monique Brown, Devante Cottrell Brown, Leslie Rene Cummings, Sheena-Marie Currie, Tikeshia Latrice Dailey, Lillian Victoria Dennis, Shar’Nell Wyneisha Flavors, Joslin Mona’ Frye, Heather Sarah Hall, Whitney Vona Johnson, Kirsten Danielle Morris, Michaela Ta’Mill Norman, Karshella Jabrae Purifoy, Kimberly Marie Rolin and Jasmine Tysheike Tolbert
Pictured top: Seniors from Northview High School that were honored as Atmore Rotary Club Academic All-Stars Thursday night. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Valentino Enters Not Guilty Plea
May 7, 2010
Escambia County Commissioner Gene Valentino entered a not guilty plea Thursday in Escambia County Circuit Court. He’s charged with the solicitation of a political contribution in a building owned by a governmental agency.
Valentino is accused of accepting a campaign donation at his county office from Pensacola developer Dan Gilmore on November 5, 2009.
The charge is a first degree misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in the county jail and a $1,000 fine. Valentino is due back in court for a jury trial in late June.
Fallen Officers Honored; One Sheriff Killed In North Escambia’s Past
May 7, 2010
Law enforcement officers who have died in the line duty were honored Thursday morning by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Fraternal Order of Police.
Over 25 law enforcement officers have died in the line of duty in Escambia County, including a sheriff shot to death in North Escambia.
Since 1923, 11 Escambia County deputies have died in the line of duty. Another 13 Pensacola Police Department Officers have been killed since 1889 and one constable was killed on duty in 1955.
An Escambia County, Alabama, sheriff was shot and killed in North Escambia near Bluff Springs on July 3, 1895.
Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff E.S. McMillan was shot and killed as he and a posse searched for the notorious train robber nicknamed “Railroad Bill.” In 1893, Railroad Bill had shot and wounded a deputy sheriff who confronted him at a Bluff Springs home about not paying taxes on his weapon. He then fled and spent the next two years illegally riding Alabama freighters, robbing trains, and engaging in gun fights with lawmen.
In July of 1895, Sheriff McMillan (pictured) received a tip that Railroad Bill was hiding out in Bluff Springs, Florida, and went with a posse to arrest him. As Sheriff McMillan walked along the railroad tracks, the suspect, who was hiding behind a tree, opened fire with a Winchester rifle. Sheriff McMillan was struck and succumbed to his wounds a short time later. Railroad Bill was later gunned down by a host of law enforcement officers.
McMillan is the only officer from Escambia County, Alabama, to ever die in the line of duty.
Pictured top: Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan (right) addresses a group Thursday morning gathered to honor fallen law enforcement officers. Pictured top inset: A wreath at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Fallen Officers Memorial. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No Oil Onshore, But Business Is Already Hurting
May 7, 2010
Florida remains the white-sand wonder that has attracted tourists for decades, but even the threat of oil soaked beaches or the waters that sculpt them is costing Florida businesses millions, representatives of Florida hospitality industry said Thursday.
Faced with a bump in cancellations brought on by fears that a BP oil spill will make landfall along Florida’s Panhandle, motel owners, charter fishing captains and restaurateurs called on tourists to keep their vacation plans intact while calling on government officials to keep the pressure on the company to make due on earlier promises to pay “all legitimate claims.”
What’s unclear is what “all legitimate claims” means.
“It’s easy for a hotel to say this is how many rooms canceled, but how does a cleaning company estimate how many clients they didn’t get because of this,” said Meg Peltier, President of the Gulf Breeze Chamber of Commerce.
Of more immediate concern, however, is what to do about economic bleeding that has already occurred. Imprecise media reports and popular misconceptions are making matters worse for the state’s top industry that will suffer regardless of whether oil meets the shore.
Kevin Begos, a seafood industry spokesman in Apalachicola, said the spill has definitely affected the marketplace, even though there’s no oil anywhere nearby yet. He said seafood dealers in his area have seen orders drop considerably.
“Right now, it’s mostly fear, because oil hasn’t come here yet,” Begos said. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t being felt in the wallets of fishermen, oystermen and shrimpers who work the Apalachicola Bay.
“The question becomes would BP pay for if it impacts your business even if oil doesn’t come here,” said Begos, who is the director of the Franklin County Oyster & Seafood Task Force.
Other marine-based businesses are seeing the same thing. Capt. John Rivers, owner of Mega Bites Inshore Charter in Gulf Breeze, said earlier this week that all of his bookings for June have already canceled despite the fact that he doesn’t take his charters within 100 miles of the affected area. In the charter business, word travels fast and in this case that’s not helping matters.
“This could easily cost me all the rest of my of 2010 business,” Rivers said. “If the oil damages the nurseries, 2011 won’t be any better. I’m already looking for work.”
Meeting in Pensacola Beach Thursday, hospitality industry officials said they’re doing all they can to bring skeptical travelers back while assuring others to keep their Florida plans.
Some timeshare and beach rental companies are waiving the customary 14-day deadline vacationers need to cancel reservations without losing their deposits. Some are also now posting daily photos to show potential clients how the beaches look each day. The strategies appear to have reduced the rate of cancellations.
“Being honest with our customers is working,” said Park Brady, CEO, ResortQuest, a booking agency with thousands of listing in the Panhandle.
Lawmakers say the spill is having an impact on areas not immediately affected by the oil spill.
Foreign tourists, especially, are skittish because of the time and expense of international travel.
Also, to tourists not familiar with Florida geography, what happens in the Panhandle may be indiscernible from what happens in Orlando, though the two destination are more than 400 miles apart.
“For foreign tourists, when they hear something is happening in Florida, it’s happening in Florida,” said Rep. Rich Kriseman, D-St. Petersburg. “It’s not happening just in the Panhandle or just in southwest Florida.”
Anticipating further job losses, Gov. Charlie Crist on Thursday requested $50 million in federal funds to pay unemployment claims brought on by the oil spill. Though BP is ultimately responsible, Crist urged President Barack Obama to approve the measure so the state can help assist affected workers while it waits for the company to reimburse.
“Such engagement is urgently needed to ensure a comprehensive state and federal response,” Crist wrote in his request for federal aid.
by Michael Peltier, The News Service Florida
Bryneville To Present ‘The Ever After’ Musical Tonight
May 7, 2010
The musical “The Ever After” will be presented by the Byrneville Relay for Life team tonight at the Century Community Center. The evening begins with a dinner at 6:30. Tickets are available for $10 at Byrneville Elementary School.
In the play, a cheesy, and arrogant, talk show host invites traditional fairy tale characters who have been estranged for 20 years to reconcile on live television. From Snow White and the Evil Queen to Cinderella and her middle-aged Ugly Stepsisters, this TV show parody asks the question, “Can’t we all just get along”? The talk show is punctuated by questions from obnoxious studio audience members and hilarious infomercials for fairy tale related products. Even Jiminy Cricket, now an occupational therapist and author of “My Life as Your Conscience”, makes a guest appearance to lend his professional opinion. Complete with a trash-talking clairvoyant mirror, an unfortunate prince who is turning slowly back into a frog and many other wacky fractured fairy tale bits, this talk show will keep the audience laughing.
Cast members include:
- Sally, The Host:Jacke Johnston
- Stepsister 1: Krystal McDaniel
- Stepsister 2: Candi Thornton
- Cinderella: Tina Digmon
- Snow White: Dee Wolfe-Sullivan
- Queen:Jessi Hall
- Mirror: Joy Walker
- Jiminy Cricket: Deana Weaver
- Emmett Mantella: Sharon Lambeth
- Pat: Amanda Dawson
- Beth: Brittany Rogers
- Sam: Susan Diamond
- Airhead: Stephanie Gilmore
- Loudmouth: Tame Dunsford
- Old Lady 1: Judy Parham
- Old Lady 2: Tracy Barberree
- Director: Elaine Holk
Pictured: The cast of the musical “The Ever After” to be presented Friday night by Byrneville Relay for Life team. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Santa Rosa Deputy Fired Over Abuse Allegations
May 7, 2010
Santa Rosa County Sheriff Wendell Hall has terminated the department lieutenant accused of sexually molesting two young girls.
John Mitchell Tomlinson, 46, had been on administrative leave since his arrest in March. He has pleaded not guilty to three counts of capital sexual battery on a child less than 12 years old and three counts of sexual battery by a custodial authority.
Tomlinson was arrested by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on March 9 and charged with 120 counts of sexual battery on two girls between the ages of 12 and 18. One of the girls alleged abuse from when she was age nine to age 18. Over 100 of the charges were later dropped.
At the time of his arrest, Tomlinson was a Lieutenant with the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. He remains in the Walton County Jail, but will be transferred back to Santa Rosa County one week prior to his trial.
He is due back in court on July 12. If convicted, he could face up to life in prison.