Talk Show Host Becomes Homeless
November 19, 2010
A Pensacola radio station host lived among the chronically homeless last weekend to get a better understanding of homelessness in Pensacola.
With nothing more than a backpack, bicycle and sleeping bag, Branden Rathert, host of “Pensacola Right Now” on NewsRadio 1620, set out to interview and live among the homeless people. His goal was to learn what it is like to be homeless in the Pensacola area and bring the story and reality to the community during National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.
“It was one of the most insightful experiences in my entire life, and I am excited to bring the story to the rest of the community,” Rather will share that story Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. on NewsRadio 1620 AM.
Following his weekend in a homeless camp by an area railroad track and eating with the homeless, Rathert said the stories of a great number of homeless people are the polar opposite of stereotypes.
“I did this because there are nearly 1,000 homeless people in our community largely ignored. I wanted to find out why they live the way they do and what factors led them to their lifestyle. I couldn’t just report on the story to bring it accurately to the community, I wanted to live it,” he said.
Rathert’s project was in conjunction with the EscaRosa Homeless Coalition.
Pictured: A composite photograph of radio host Randen Rathert as normal afternoon talk show host (left) and homeless man (right). Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Goes For Quarterfinal Playoff Win
November 19, 2010
The Escambia County Blue Devils will take on Bibb County tonight in Atmore in the quarterfinals of the state playoffs.
Escambia County is coming off a come from behind 22-21 win over Jackson last Friday night in the Alabama 4A playoffs. It was the come front behind story of the year for the Blue Devils as they recovered from a 21-0 deficit for the win. Rico Stallworth was the comeback king for ECHS as he ran for a touchdown and passed for another before throwing the game-winning 2-point conversion in the fourth.
The game kicks off at 7p.m. at Herbert Barnes Stadium in Atmore as first-year Head Coach Mark Heaton leads his Blue Devils against the Choctaws.
Lady Royals Beat Central 42-39 In OT
November 19, 2010
The Jay Lady Royals defeated Central High School Thursday in overtime, 42-39.
The Lady Royals will be in action again Friday at home against Rocky Bayou.
World Ford Fire Ruled Arson
November 18, 2010
The early Wednesday morning fire at World Ford in Pensacola has been ruled arson.
The Florida State Fire Marshal’s office said Thursday afternoon that they believe the fire was intentionally set, and they are looking for assistance in finding the person or persons responsible for the fire in “Car City”.
The State Fire Marshal’s Pensacola Office of the Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations (BFAI), along with the local Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) were called by local fire authorities and are currently working the fire investigation. Anyone who may have been in the vicinity of the fire between 4:30 and 5:00 am Wednesday or who may have received information about the fire, is encouraged to call the BFAI’s Pensacola Office at (850) 453-7803.
The fire was reported just before 5 a.m. at World Ford in “Car City” on Pensacola Boulevard. Fire departments from as far north as Molino were dispatched after heavy smoke was reported to be pouring from the dealership’s service area and showroom. Both were heavily damaged by the fire, which was reported to be under control in about 20 minutes.
From the North Escambia area, the Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue was dispatched to stand by for additional calls, and the Cantonment station was among the area fire departments that responded to the blaze.
Tipsters that provide information to the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office may qualify for a reward if the information leads to the arrest and conviction of an arsonist. he Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigation will accept anonymous calls.
For more photos from the scene, click here.
Pictured top: Firefighters work to extinguish an early morning fire at World Ford in Pensacola. Pictured inset: Smoke billows from service bays at the dealership. Pictured below: The interior of the facility was heavily damaged by the blaze. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Federal Agents Find New Mexico Man That Fled To Atmore With Son
November 18, 2010
A man that fled New Mexico with his 6-year old son earlier this week has been located in Atmore with the assistance of federal agents.
Jacob Heath Sells, 27, and his son, Damien Sells, 6, were located Wednesday afternoon in Atmore by the U.S. Marshals Service, according to Dan Trujillon, public information officer with the Las Cruces (NM) Police Department.
Trujillo told NorthEscambia.com that Sells left New Mexico with his son after being served with a summons establishing a physical custody and visitation agreement with his ex-girlfriend. Las Cruces Police detectives learned that sometime between Sunday and Tuesday Jacob Sells quit his job at a Las Cruces hospital and informed his son’s school that boy wouldn’t be attending classes because of an illness.
The search for Sells and the 6-year old focused on the Atmore area where Sells has relatives, the New Mexico policeman said.
A New Mexico judge had approved an emergency motion that granted Sells’ ex-girlfriend with temporary custody of their son, and a warrant was issued for the arrest of Jacob Sells.
But now criminal charges in New Mexico against Sells are expected to be dropped after Las Cruces Police investigators received information Wednesday that a court in Alabama had previously established a child custody plan.
“That warrant is expected to be quashed and the matter now appears to be a civil case,” Trujillo said.
Las Cruces is a town of about 90,000 about 45 miles of El Paso, Texas.
Fire Damages Home On State Line
November 18, 2010
An overnight fire damaged a home on the state line west of Flomaton.
The fire was reported just after midnight in the 500 block of Bridlepath Lane.
The first firefighters on scene reported heavy smoke pouring from the single story residential structure. The fire was brought under control by about 12:30 a.m.
There were no injuries reported. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The Flomaton, Friendship, Lambeth, Wawbeek, Century and McDavid fire departments responded to the blaze.
Bridlepath Lane is located directly on the Alabama-Florida line, west of Flomaton and just north of Byrneville.
Mark Your Calendar: Plans Underway For Molino Christmas Parade
November 18, 2010
Plans are being made now for the 8th Annual Molino Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 4.
The parade begins at 1 p.m. and will travel from the west end of Crabtree Church Road to the Molino Ballpark, where there will be a bake sale and Santa will visit with the children.
Entries are being accepted now for the parade; pre-register at Fran’s Diner, or register the day of the parade. Parade line-up will be at 12:15. Entry fees are $15 for floats or vehicles, and motorcycles, golf carts and horses are $5 each. Go karts and 4-wheelers are not allowed.
For more information, contact Jayson Ging at (850) 587-2825, Fran’s Diner at (850) 587-2803 or Darrell Wilson at (850) 516-6652.
All proceeds from the parade benefit Molino area children in need during the Christmas season. Donations of toys and non-perishable food items are also being accepted at Fran’s Diner.
In the event of rain, the parade will be rescheduled for Sunday, December 5 at 2 p.m.
Former Pastor Sentenced For Passing Fake Prescriptions
November 18, 2010
A former Alabama pastor accused of passing fake prescriptions at a Century pharmacy has been sentenced
Bertha Y. Wright, 44, was sentenced Wednesday to 18 months community control on multiple drug-related charges for attempting to fill fake prescriptions at Century Pharmacy on Mayo Street in March, the pharmacist suspected that they were fraudulent. Julie Moran called the doctor that allegedly issued the prescriptions, Dr. David Smith in Jay, and determined they were indeed fraudulent, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office incident report.
The first prescription was written for Phenergan and codeine. The second was for 180 methadone tablets, and the third was for 120 Soma tablets. All three were dated March 3, 2010. Deputy David Bashore contacted Dr. Smith by phone, and he advised that he last saw Wright in February and had written no new prescriptions for Wright.
Inside Wright’s purse, Bashore located an unlabeled prescription bottle containing methadone, a bottle with generic Lorcet and generic Soma mixed together, and a third bottle with methadone.
When deputies Michael Coburn and Tod Day searched Wright’s vehicle across the street from the pharmacy, they discovered a variety of medications — the sheriff’s office incident report lists about a dozen other medications by their identification numbers. The report identified 127 hydrocodone tablets and the muscle relaxer Carisoprodol. An ice-filled cooler in the vehicle also contained three bottles of an unknown substance, according to deputies. The vehicle and the medications were seized as evidence by the sheriff’s department.
Wright was reportedly a pastor at a Mt. Vernon, Alabama, church.
Deputies Name 3 Men Wanted For Questioning In Escambia Murder
November 18, 2010
Three people are wanted for questioning by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in connection with a November 6 homicide.
Investigators said they want to question the three men in connection with the murder of Joel Harris, 20, who died in a drive-by shooting on Texar Drive near the Escambia County School District’s Hall Center.
Darius Devon Williams, 19, was arrested Wednesday night on charges of two counts of failure to appear, contempt of court and aggravated assault without intent to kill. He is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond. All of the charges are unrelated to the murder.
Deputies are also looking for Kendell Jamal Cushon, 20; and Anthony Martiz Whitehurst, 20. Cushon and Whitehurst have not been charged with any crime.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Whitehurst or Cushon is asked to contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Jr. Miss, Miss Jay Named
November 18, 2010
The Jr. Miss Jay and Miss Jay were named recently in an event sponsored by the Jay High School FCCLA to support chapter projects and attend a February educational program.
Pictured above are the Jr. Miss Jay winners (L-R) Morgan Nelson, 3rd; Savannah Dubose, 1st; Launa Burkhead, Queen; and Danielle Harrington, 2nd.
Pictured below are the Miss Jay winners (L-R) Morgan Lewis, 1st; Leely Trevino, Queen; and Crystal Brown, 2nd.
Submitted photos from Junia Fischer, Photo by Fischer, for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
