Mothers Arrested For Murder In Fire Deaths Of 3 Kids; Funeral Services Announced
November 8, 2011
The mothers of three children killed in an Atmore house fire last week were arrested Monday for murder.
The twin sisters, Akeevia Lajoseia Abner and Tekeevia Lajoseialan Abner, both 18, were arrested Monday for three counts of the reckless murder of 3-year old Aniyia Abner, 3-year old Takia Abner and 22-month old Michael Coleman. The arrest followed an investigation by the Alabama State Fire Marshal, Atmore Fire Department and the Atmore Police Department.
“They showed an extreme indifference to these children’s lives and created a grave risk of death to the children by leaving them home alone on November 2, 2011,” according to a press release from Escambia County (Ala.) District Attorney Steve Billy.
They perished in a fire which was apparently caused from leaving a stove unattended, according to a preliminary fire marshal report.
They were taken into custody by the State Fire Marshal and booked into the Escambia County Detention Center Monday without bond, pending a bond hearing.
Funeral services for the children will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the New Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church, 1712 M.L. King Avenue in Atmore. The Rev. Dr. Harold Askew will be officiating.
For earlier stories about the fire, including photos from the aftermath of the fire Wednesday night, click here and click here.
Pictured below: This photo shows the oven door propped open inside the kitchen of a home were three children died in a house fire Wednesday night.
McDonald Named Molino Park Elementary Teacher Of Year
November 8, 2011
Twinette McDonald has been named Teacher of the Year at Molino Park Elementary School. She is the school’s music educator.
Pictured: Teacher of Year Twinette McDonald leads students recently at Molino Park Elementary School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Monday Night Fire Destroys Bluff Springs Road Home
November 8, 2011
Fire destroyed a small single family home in the Bluff Springs community Monday night.
The home on Bluff Springs Road just east of Highway 29 was fully involved when the first fighters arrived on scene about 9:45 p.m. Authorities said a family had recently rented the home and and had the power turned on in the past few days.
There were no injuries. The cause of the blaze remains investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s office.
The Century, McDavid, Walnut Hill and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, the Flomaton Fire Department, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the fire.
Pictured: Fire destroyed this home on Bluff Springs Road Monday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
West Florida Wins District 1-5A Title In 3-Way Shootout
November 8, 2011
The West Florida Jaguars emerged from a 3-way shootout Monday night as District 1-5A champions.
West Florida, Panama City Arnold and Gulf Breeze were all 3-1 in the district headed into the showdown on the Jag’s home turf at Woodham Middle School.
In the first 12-minute quarter, Gulf Breeze beat Arnold 3-0.
In the second 12-minute game for the district title, West Florida beat Gulf Breeze 7-0. Things were off to a rough start for the Dolphins, as they fumbled the ball away on their very first possession of the night. West Florida drove all the way down to the Dolphin one before missing a field goal attempt.
The Jaguars scored with 1:06 to go in the game with a 40-yard touchdown pass from Kyle Faxlanger to Lawrence Lee.
On November 18, the West Florida Jaguars will host Tallahassee Godby in the Class 5A regional quarterfinals.
The Jaguars will host the 1A Northview Chiefs in a regular season ending game Thursday at 7 p.m. at Woodham Middle School.
Students To Take Part in Choral Gala Tonight
November 8, 2011
The 2011 All-County Choral Gala featuring students from across the Escambia County School District will be held tonight.
Approximately 400 selected elementary, middle, and high school honor choral students will perform a variety of music from the classics to contemporary during the event at 7 p.m. at Olive Baptist Church, 1838 Olive Road.
Gala conductors this year will be Sandy Rosengren, retired music teacher from Bay County, directing the Elementary All-County Honor Chorus; Eric Doney, jazz artist, conducting the Middle School Honor Chorus; and Leo Day, Olive Baptist Church and the University of West Florida, conducting the High School Honor Chorus.
The concert is free and the public is invited to attend.
Changes Coming To Cordova Mall
November 8, 2011
Big changes are on the way to Cordova Mall in Pensacola.
Dillard’s will no longer operate a separate Men’s Store, moving their men’s products into their main 230,000 square foot store. At the same time, Belk will close its University Mall Store and consolidate with the Cordova Mall store located in the two-story Dillard’s Men’s Store. The new Belk store will be in place by fall of 2012.
A new store for the Pensacola area, Dick’s Sporting Goods, will move into current Cordova Belk location by mid-2013.
Evers: Keep Tabs On Teen Drivers For Just $5
November 8, 2011
Parents wanting to know more than their teenage drivers want them to could pay a little to keep tabs on their young motorists under a bill introduce Monday by Sen. Greg Evers, R-Baker.
The measure would allow parents of under 18-year-old drivers to pay $5 to be electronically notified if junior gets in an accident or gets a ticket. The measure would also inform parents of revocations and suspensions in case their teen “forgets” to let them know.
Political Watch: Blackburn Running For Sheriff; Taylor Collects Petitions For Commission
November 8, 2011
Monday, Rex Blackburn of Cantonment became the fourth candidate to prefile for Escambia County Sheriff in the 2012 general election.
Blackburn, who ran unsuccessful for Escambia County School Board District 5 in 2000, is running with no party affiliation, as is Bill Chavers. Incumbent David Morgan and John Powell are both running as Republicans.
Also Monday, Jim Taylor announced that he became the first candidate to meeting the petition requirement to qualify for August 14, 2012, Republican primary for the District 5 seat on the Escambia County Commission.
Fire Destroys Cotton Picker (With Photo Gallery)
November 7, 2011
Fire destroyed a cotton picker Monday afternoon in Bratt.
The fire was reported in a field south of Hanks Road west of Pine Barren Road just before 3 p.m.; it was declared under control about 3:50 p.m. The John Deere 9970 cotton picker was a total loss.
There were no injuries reported. The exact cause of the fire was not immediately known.
The Walnut Hill, McDavid and Century stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded the blaze.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: A cotton picker burns in a field in Bratt Monday afternoon. Pictured below: Firefighters begin their attack on the blaze. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
18 Hour SWAT Standoff Ends With Arrest
November 7, 2011
Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Richard Howard Jr., 21, of Pensacola, about 7:00 Monday morning following an 18 hour standoff. Howard was taken into custody without incident by members of the Pensacola Police Department SWAT team.
Around 1:00 Sunday afternoon, deputies responded to reports of Howard standing on his roof in his underwear yelling at neighbors and threatening suicide. When deputies arrived, Howard jumped from the roof and barricaded himself inside his residence. The Escambia County SWAT team was then activated to establish a perimeter and negotiations were conducted with Howard.
During the course of the stand-off, SWAT team members entered the residence to find that Howard was in the attic of his home. When Howard saw the deputies, he fired rounds at the deputies, but no one was injured. SWAT team members utilized gas agents as a means to get Howard out of the house, but the gas had no effect on Howard. Due to the extended period of time, Escambia County SWAT team members were relieved by the Pensacola Police SWAT team.
After 18 hours, SWAT team members from the Pensacola Police Department entered the attic of the residence and took Howard into custody without incident. Howard was taken to a local hospital for evaluation prior to being booked into the Escambia County Jail on an aggravated assault charge.
Pictured. Escambia County Sheriff’s Office SWAT. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.