Divers Recover Body Of Drowning Victim In Bluff Springs (With Photo Gallery)
May 4, 2011
Tuesday night, divers recovered the body of a Century man that drowned in a lake south of Century.
Friends and family members identified the man as Joseph “Jo Jo” Walter Kimmons, 47. Campers along the lake in a remote are near the Escambia River off Bluff Springs Road reported that Kimmons went under the water sometime before 5 p.m. but did not resurface. They told authorities that Kimmons was attempting to recover a small paddle boat that drifted away from the campsite when, for unknown reasons, he went below the surface. A bystander said he attempted unsuccessfully to save Kimmons.
Shortly after the drowning was reported, first responders from the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue searched as much of the wooded shoreline as possible, while a LifeFlight helicopter crew scanned the area from above. There was no sign of Kimmons.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office dive team used sonar to search the area of the lake where Kimmons was reported to have disappeared. As friends and family members comforted one another on the shore, divers were able to recover Kimmons’ body about 8:15 p.m. He was found in about 12 feet of water.
The drowning is under investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies said preliminary information did not indicate foul play.
Escambia County EMS and Escambia Search and Rescue also responded to the call.
For a photo gallery from the search and recovery effort, click here.
Pictured: Authorities searched this lake near Bluff Springs for a drowning victim Tuesday evening. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Good Economic News For Flomaton, Century: McDonald’s Opens
May 4, 2011
A new McDonald’s opened in Flomaton Tuesday morning, and local leaders say it will be a much needed economic shot in the arm.
The 24-hour location is what McDonald’s calls a “small-town retail store”. The location choice was not based upon the local population and demographics; rather, the store will depend on a high traffic count to be successful.
Flomaton Mayor Dewey Bondurant said recently that the expansion of Highway 113 — a joint Alabama and Florida project — is improving the economic outlook in his town, which, in turn, will help Century. He said that his town was excited about the opening of the new McDonald’s restaurant at Highway 113 and Highway 31 — a business that employees Century residents among the 60 hired for the new store.
Bondurant said he believes the four lane expansion of Highway 113 will eventually lead to more business growth in Flomaton.
“I loved it; it was really nice on the inside. They should get a lot of business being in the spot they chose,” said Bondurant. “I really enjoyed them and their service.”
Pictured top: A new McDonald’s opened Thursday at Highway 113 and Highway 29 in Flomaton. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Law Approved That Targets Underage Drinking, Open House Parties
May 4, 2011
The Florida Senate passed a bill Tuesday that will increase penalties on adults who illegally serve alcohol to minors at an open house party. Senate Bill 746/House Bill 105 passed the Senate on a 38-1 Floor vote.
Sponsored by Senator Thad Altman (R – Rockledge) and Representative Tom Goodson (R – Rockledge) the legislation stiffens criminal penalties especially if the minor who was served alcohol is killed or seriously injured. SB 746 increases the penalty from a second degree misdemeanor to a first degree misdemeanor, which carries a fine not to exceed $1,000 and a term of imprisonment not to exceed one year.
“Ultimately, we are trying to protect our youth and help make Florida a safer place for them,” said Senator Altman. “We need to hold adults who illegally serve alcohol to minors accountable for such poor and dangerous decisions. There are tragic outcomes to underage drinking, and Florida is fortunate to have a strong coalition of advocates statewide who have supported this bill.”
House Bill 105 will now go to Gov. Rick Scott for his signature.
Jay Falls In 2A Regional Quarterfinal
May 4, 2011
The Jay High School Royals came up short in the 2A Regional Quarterfinals Tuesday night. The Royals lost on the Road to Deane Bozeman High of Panama City 7-3.
In other 2A Quarterfinal action, Freeport High beat Vernon 6-3. Bozeman and Freeport will face off in the Regional Semifinals on Friday.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Parole Denied For Nokomis Men In 1993 Murder Of Woman And Girl, 12
May 4, 2011
Parole was denied Tuesday for two Nokomis men behind bars for the 1993 murder of a woman and 12-year old girl.
Shannon Dean Barlow, 33, and Franklin Lee Barlow, Jr., 37, are both serving life sentences in the with the possibility of parole for the murders of Kathy Victor Hall Barlow and Angel Marie Hall. Shannon Barlow was sentenced to three consecutive life terms, and Franklin Barlow was sentenced to two life sentences. With the denial Tuesday from the Alabama Board of Pardon and Parole, the brothers will not be eligible for parole again until 2016.
“”We are so relieved! The outcome is great and we have actually learned a little more about our justice system and how it is works. It truly has been a good day. The parole board members and staff made us feel confident and we know more about what to expect when the next hearing comes in five years,” said Marsha Maher, Kathy Barlow’s niece.
On October 10, 1993, the Barlow brothers went out with Albert Ganoe “Rocky” Beasley, consuming alcohol and smoking marijuana. They then went to the home of Kathy Barlow in Perdido, Ala., shooting her in the head with a .410-gauge shotgun when she opened the door. According to testimony, he then went to the room of Angel Hall, 12, raped her and shot her in the face. Their bodies were found in Florida the the following day, buried in Bluff Springs.
“We want to send out a very special thanks to all of those who sent emails and signed petitions. This tragedy has touched so many lives other than our family’s. Kathy and Angel are sadly missed,” said Kathy Barlow’s sister Janie Criswell.
In addition to written petitions in area businesses, the family turned to Facebook to ask friends and neighbors to oppose the parole. After a NorthEscambia.com article was published last Saturday, readers flooded the Alabama Pardon and Parole Board with emails, creating email problems for the state agency.
“”Thanks to all of you who helped us,” said Jesse Hall, Kathy Barlow’s son and brother of Angel Hall.
Pictured: This undated photograph shows murder victims Kathy Barlow and 12-year old Angel Hall. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
House Against Getting Drivers Out Of The Left Lane
May 4, 2011
An effort by Rep. Scott Clemens, D-West Palm Beach, to bring up legislation that would require drivers holding up traffic in the left lane to move over to the slow lane, was run off the road Tuesday.
The House was considering a catch-all highway safety bill (SB 1150) with several items related to the Department of Highway of Motor Vehicles, when Clemens tried to introduce the proposal, noting that it passed the House in 2005.
Clemens listed the names of several Republicans who voted for it then, including current House Speaker Dean Cannon. But the sponsor of the bill, Rep. Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, raised a point of order that the language was the part of another bill (HB 177) which has failed to get even one committee hearing this year.
Clemens then withdrew the amendment, leaving the left lane requirement appearing unlikely to pass this year.
Trial Begins For Santa Rosa Man Accused Of Killing Brewton Teen
May 4, 2011
Opening testimony got underway Tuesday in the trial of the Santa Rosa County man accused in the February 2010 shooting death of an 18-year old Brewton man in the Berrydale community of north Santa Rosa county.
Robert Franklin Floyd, now 22, is charged with second degree murder with a firearm and one count of shooting into an occupied vehicle in connection with the death of Getyron Lopez Benjamin.
Benjamin was allegedly shot after four people from Brewton arrived at a party at Floyd’s home on Country Mill Road. Floyd allegedly fired at their vehicle as they were leaving the residence following an altercation.
Floyd’s trial is expected to take up to two weeks.
Cox Inspirational Heroes Named
May 4, 2011
A student from Escambia Escambia County School has been named an inspirational hero.
When Tammie Brown started her high school career in 2006 at Northview High, she was a young mother of a little boy. In that same year, the family suffered a devastating fire in which they lost almost everything.
Despite her hardships, Tammie has always striven to do her very best, maintained the best possible grades while working a job through the school’s DCT program. She will graduate this year and has been accepted to Bishop State College.
Tammie was named an inspirational hero by Cox Gulf Coast during their 17th annual Inspirational Student Hero Celebration Tuesday night. The event honors students that have faced significant challenges, including the loss of their parents, physical illness, handicaps and language barriers.
Other North Escambia area students that received the Cox Inspirational Hero award were:
- Latoya Williams – Jim Allen Elementary
- Haven Rae Shores – Bratt Elementary
- Anna Belle Barberee – Byrneville Elementary
- Nicolas Parrish – Molino Park Elementary
- Lauren Brianna Barnes – Ernest Ward Middle
- Serena Schwerdfeger – Ransom Middle
- Tammie Renea Brown – Northview High
- William Thomas Gilbert – JM Tate High
The award was also presented to:
- William Betchy – Jim Bailey Middle
- Dwayne Louis Jr – Bellview Middle
- Jacob James – Blue Angels Elementary
- Tyrone, Tydreka and Tyronaisa Walker – Brentwood Elementary
- Sam Barker – Brown Barge Middle
- Michele Orkisz – Hellen Caro Elementary
- Jeremiah Lin – NB Cook Elementary
- Miranda Jennings – Cordova Park Elementary
- Trinnon Maurice Wright – Ensley Elementary
- Heather Yasment – Escambia High
- Skye Cogan – Ferry Pass Elementary
- Rahkeem D Cox – Ferry Pass Middle
- Jaylen Moore – Hallmark Elementary
- Destiny Thornton – Holm Elementary
- Tavares Nichols – Lincoln Park Elementary
- Daniel Erick Dillard – RC Lipscomb Elementary
- Aman Hussain – Longleaf Elementary
- Jaylen Smith – Myrtle Grove Elementary
- Nakiya Holmes – Oakcrest Elementary
- Sam Waz – Pensacola High
- Matthew Money – Pine Meadow Elementary
- Olivia Christine Whatley – Pleasant Grove Elementary
- Makayla Rankins – Scenic Heights Elementary
- A’Darius Adams – Sherwood Elementary
- Forest Skyler McCormick – Warrington Middle
- Tennessee Lewis – Booker T Washington High
- Lindasha Williams – CA Weis Elementary
- Jonathan Bish – West Florida High
- Tyler Lee Hamilton – West Pensacola High
- Justin McKenzie – Woodham Middle
- Alec Crumpler – Workman Middle
- Justin Cassels – Allie Yniestra Elementary
Pictured top: Northview High School’s Cox Inspirational Hero Tammie Brown. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Low Near 40 For Tonight
May 4, 2011
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Clear, with a low around 40. North wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 79. North wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 43. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
- Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 52. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph.
- Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
Tate Student Florida FFA’s Best Tractor Operator
May 4, 2011
A Tate High student really knows how to operate a tractor.
Jeff Hansford of Tate High School won first place in the recent Florida FFA 2011 State Tractor Operations Event held in Polk County. He competed against 12 other FFA members from across Florida.
The purpose of the FFA Tractor Operations Career Development Event (CDE) is to stimulate student interest and allow students to demonstrate their knowledge and ability related to the maintenance and safe operation of tractors.
