Three Charged With Air Conditioning Thefts Causing $100,000 In Damages
November 17, 2011
A four month investigation has ended with the arrests of three people believed responsible for causing more than $100,000 worth of damages to air-conditioning units
in Pensacola.
“This is the successful culmination of investigations involving officers from Uniform Patrol, Neighborhood Services and Crime Scene with Criminal Investigations Detectives Dylan
Stackpole and James Reese leading the investigations,” said Pensacola Police Deparment Lt. Doug Baldwin.
Between mid-July and mid-October, Reese and Stackpole investigated approximately 50 cases of air-conditioning thefts and thefts of air-conditioning parts from churches, schools,
businesses, and unoccupied homes, said Sgt. Jim Andrews.
Andrews said the thefts primarily occurred between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. in a concentrated area of Palafox Street east to Ninth Avenue and from Fairfield Drive south to Gonzalez Street.
The suspects and their latest charges are:
- Chrissie Marie McMillan, 30, of 1804 N. Hayne St., Pensacola. Charged with nine counts of fraud/false statement, two counts of grand theft; and nine counts of dealing in stolen property.
- Michael Edward Howard Jr., 33, of 504 E. Yonge St., Pensacola. Charged with 13 counts of grand theft damage over $1,000, 11 counts of dealing in stolen property, and four counts of burglary.
- James Wells, 55, of 200 E. Lakeview, Pensacola. Charged with two counts of fraud/false statement and two counts of dealing in stolen property.
Stackpole and Reese said Howard and McMillan were selling air-conditioning components to support drug habits, while Wells was involved to earn money for personal
expenses.
“Although the damage and replacement costs were over $100,000, the suspects received just under $2,900 selling the parts,” Andrews said.
Interviews, crime scene evidence and scrap records led to the arrests, said Andrews.
McMillan was initially arrested October 18 and charged with four counts of fraud/false statement, four counts of grand theft damage over $1,000, and three counts of dealing in stolen
property; Howard was initially arrested October 19 and charged with four counts of grand theft damage over $1,000 and two counts of dealing in stolen property; and Wells was initially arrested October 20 and charged with one count each of fraud/false statement and dealing in stolen property.
All three suspects had been in the Escambia County Jail since their arrests last month. The additional charges were served Tuesday.
McMillan was on probation for a similar charge after she was arrested by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in April.
No charges will be filed on the four local businesses that accepted the air-conditioner parts because they complied with state law, which states sellers are required to sign a form
saying they are the rightful owner of the property and also present their identification at the time of transaction. In addition, the companies photographed the suspects as well as the items.
At this time, additional charges are not pending on the suspects, Andrews said.
Escambia Schools Collect Food For Manna Food Pantries
November 17, 2011
Escambia County schools have been busy collecting food for Manna Food Pantries through the “Help Feed Your Neighbor” program.
On Thursday, school buses will deliver the food donated by students, staff and teachers to Manna’s warehouse.
The effort will help support the more than one-third of Manna’s clients that are under 18-years old.
With 39% of the people we serve being under the age of 18, food drives through schools and the district means students and school personnel are making a difference in the lives of other children,” said DeDe Flounlacker, Manna executive director.
Manna operates six pantries in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, and distributed 786,092 pounds of food in the last 12 months to 38,825 people. All services are offered free of charge to those in need. In addition, Manna also operates a Gardens Program that is dedicated to helping people learn more about how to be self-sufficient in growing their own food. The Gardens Program supports 18 gardens in schools throughout Escambia County.
Greg Evers Subpoenaed By Grand Jury In Tree-Cutting Case
November 17, 2011
Sen. Greg Evers, who represents northern Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, has been subpoenaed to testify before a Tallahassee grand jury that is investigating claims that he used his position as chairman of the House Transportation Committee to help a Santa Rosa County billboard company avoid state tree cutting regulations.
The SaintPetersBlog first reported the story, saying Wednesday that Citizens for a Scenic Florida alleges that Evers convinced then-Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Stephanie Kopelousos to cut down over 2,000 trees along I-10 so Bill Salter Advertising could erect billboards without paying fees to the state.
Being subpoenaed does not indicate that Evers is being accused of a crime; it could mean that he is a witness to be interviewed in the secret grand jury investigation.
New Alabama Football Classifications Announced With Escambia County, Flomaton
November 17, 2011
Escambia County High School in Atmore and Flomaton High School will remain in the same football classes next year, according to the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s new classifications announced Wednesday.
Escambia County will remain in 4A Region 1. Teams in the region include:
- Escambia County (Atmore)
- Saint Paul Episcopal (moved down from 5A)
- Monroe County
- Wilcox Central (moved down from 5A)
- UMS-Wright
- Thomasville
- Hillcrest-Evergreen (moved from 4A Region 2)
- Clarke County (moved up from 3A)
Flomaton remains in 2A Region 1, which is comprised of:
- Flomaton
- Leroy
- Southern Choctaw
- Mobile Christian
- Washington County (moved down from 3A)
- Millry
- Sweet Water (moved up from 1A)
The reclassification alignment was approved by the AHSAA Central Board of Control at its fall meeting Wednesday. The process is implemented every two years to in order to consider the changing enrollments of schools, school consolidations and closings, new schools and association members and current member schools adding sports to their interscholastic program.
Pictured top: The Flomaton Hurricanes in action last September. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Escarosa Dove Hunt To Be Held Saturday
November 17, 2011
The Escarosa Young Farmers & Ranchers Fall Dove Hunt will be held Saturday.
The event begins with breakfast at 5:30 a.m. at the Van Pelt Farm (Brett Ward’s barn) on Highway 97 just north of Pelt Road. The cost is $35 per gun; children under 16 are free with paying chaperone. The cost includes breakfast and your limit.
All applicable permits must be obtained prior to the event.
To reserve your spot, call Trent Matthews (850) 686-5511 or email tmath35@aol.com.
Cantonment Cowboys To Continue Youth Playoff Action
November 17, 2011
The Cantonment Cowboys are headed to round two of the Gulf Coast Youth Alliance football playoffs on Saturday.
Coming off a 30-0 first round defeat of Gulf Breeze, Cantonment’s Mighty Mights will face Bellview at 9:10 Saturday, and the Cowboy Mini Mites will play Milton Gold at 11:15 Saturday after last weekend’s 30-0 shutout of Milton Black.
Members of the Cantonment Mighty Mights are:
Bryson Summerlin, Jalen Floyd, Javin Floyd, Marzarious Toler, Rilee Lowery, Wyatt Scruggs, Jarrett Bodiford, Stevie Robertson, Zach Myrick, Evan O’Brien, Dre Burno, Junebug Quiggins, Zane Repine, Zyrell Clay-Simmons, Bryson Whelan, Aiden Byrd, Jaydon Luster, Dylan Porter and Seth Wilcoxon. Head coach is Brian Summerlin, and assistant coaches are Clif Quiggins, David Summerlin, Larry Clay, Mike Repine, Robby Lowery,Brian Byrd, Chris Whelan and Wonder Purifoy.
Pictured above: The Cantonment Mighty Mights. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Front Bringing Colder Weather
November 16, 2011
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Becoming mostly cloudy early this evening then partly cloudy late. Lows 52 to 57. Inland…southwest winds 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest 10 to 15 mph after midnight. Along the coast…southwest winds 10 to 15 mph becoming northwest 15 to 20 mph after midnight.
- Thursday: Sunny. Highs 66 to 71. North winds 15 to 20 mph.
- Thursday night: Much colder. Mostly clear. Lows 31 to 36 inland…36 to 41 along the coast. North winds 5 to 10 mph inland…northeast 10 to 15 mph along the coast.
- Friday: Sunny. Highs in the mid 60s. Inland…east winds 10 to 15 mph. Along the coast…northeast winds 15 to 20 mph becoming east 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. East wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 70. East wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Saturday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. East wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Sunday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. East wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Sunday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 77.
- Monday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Tuesday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
FFA Smoked Turkey, Boston Butt Sale Extended Through Friday, Citrus Sales Continue
November 16, 2011
The annual Northview High School FFA Alumni Smoked Turkey and Boston Butt Sale has been extended until Friday, just in time to order for Thanksgiving. And, the Northview FFA’s Fruit Sale is also underway.
Turkeys And Boston Butts
In the annual fund raiser, you can choose either a seven to nine pound smoked Boston butt or a 10-12 pound smoked turkey for $28 each.
Boston butts will be available for pickup on Monday, November 21, and the the smoked turkeys will be available for pickup on Tuesday, November 22.
Proceeds from the sale will go to benefit the Northview High School FFA Scholarship Fund. The sale is sponsored by Archie’s Catering Smokehouse in Molino. For a printable order form, click here. Orders must be placed by Friday, November 18 (this is an extension of the date on the downloadable order form).
Fruit Sale
The NHS FFA is selling citrus in attractive 2/5, 1/2 or 4/5 bushel boxes perfect for gift wrapping. The Florida citrus is from RiverBrite in Vero Beach.
Orders must be made by Tuesday, November 29. The delivery date is Tuesday, December 13.
For an order form click here. Order forms and payment can be returned to Northview by mail (the address is on the order form), or dropped off at the school office. Fruits available include red apples, grapefruit, navel oranges, tangelos and Hamlin oranges. Mixed trio half bushels are also available.
For more information, call (850) 327-6681, ext. 248.
FHP Searching Ford Ford Explorer Involved In Hwy 29 Wreck
November 16, 2011
The Florida Highway Patrol said Wednesday that they are searching for a Ford Explorer involved in a Highway 29 wreck on Monday.
According to the FHP, 33-year old Kristy Michelle Freeman was stopped for traffic on Highway 29 northbound approaching Old Chemstrand road when she was rear-ended by SUV that fled the scene. Freeman, who was uninjured, was able to follow the vehicle for a short distance but was unable to get a tag number.
The vehicle was described as a black 1992 or 1993 two-door Ford Explorer, possibly with a “DirecTV Installer” sign on the rear. It was driven by a white male.
Anyone with information on the vehicle or the driver is asked to call the Florida Highway Patrol at (850) 484-5000 or *FHP from a mobile phone.
Tornado Watch Today
November 16, 2011
There is a tornado watch in effect for the entire North Escambia area today.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Today: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. South wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Tonight: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. South wind 5 to 15 mph becoming north.
- Thursday: Partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 65. North wind between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
- Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 34. North wind around 5 mph.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 67. East wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. East wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 70. East wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. East wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56.
- Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 77.
- Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56.
- Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 76.