Asleep At The Wheel: FHP Arrests Century Man On Drug Charges
January 6, 2012
A Century man is behind bars on drug charges after authorities found him asleep behind the wheel at a red light on Fairfield Drive in Pensacola.
Akino Jama Jackson, 19, was charged with felony drug possession without a prescription, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving without a valid license by the Florida Highway Patrol.
According to an arrest report, a Circle K clerk alerted the FHP that a vehicle had sat through several green cycles of a stop light on Fairfield Drive without moving. A trooper discovered Jackson and his passenger asleep with the car in drive and Jackson’s foot on the brake. The trooper shook him to wake him up, at which time Jackson said he had taken two doses of NyQuil prior to leaving Century. As Jackson stood up, an alprazolam fell onto the ground from his lap, the arrest report states.
A K-9 was called to the scene to search and quickly alerted on the vehicle. Authorities located a scale with cocaine residue.
Jackson remained in the Escambia County Jail early Friday morning with bond set at $4,500.
Warmer Weekend
January 6, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers. Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. South wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. South wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Patchy fog after 9pm. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. South wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. South wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. South wind around 5 mph.
- Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. South wind around 5 mph.
- Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 70. Southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny and breezy, with a high near 61.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58.
Tate’s Rho Kappa Sends Care Packages To Deployed Alumini
January 6, 2012
Tate High School’s history honor society Rho Kappa recently sent care packages to deployed Tate High alumni. The packages included a variety of personal care items and non-perishable foods.
For more photos, click here.
Pictured above: Tate’s Rho Kappa history honor society recently collected items for care packages for deployed Tate graduates. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
AAA Pushes Texting Ban, Booster Seat Bill
January 6, 2012
A ban on texting while driving and a booster seat law for older children too big for car seats top the legislative wish list for the auto club AAA in Florida.
Florida is one of three states that don’t require older children to ride in a booster seat after age 4; Bills filed in the Legislature would require booster seats for older children.
AAA also is pushing for a ban on texting while driving, which is the subject of bills filed in both chambers.
AAA said Thursday it also will urge lawmakers not to use any money from the state Transportation Trust Fund for other purposes. The fund is filled mainly by state fuel taxes and goes to improve roads and build new ones. In past years, lawmakers have raided the trust fund to balance the budget.
By The News Service of Florida
Wish List: Century Wants New Christmas Lights, Nativity Scene
January 6, 2012
The Town of Century is looking to make Christmas a little brighter next year with new decorations.
“I think ours are looking very sad,” Council President Ann Brooks said of the town’s current decorations.
Brooks said she also wants to see a nativity scene returned to the town hall lawn. A nativity scene has been displayed there for the past several years. The scene was displayed for a few days during the past Christmas season, but basically fell apart due to age.
Many of the town’s decorations, including those displayed at Century’s Roadside Park at North Century Boulevard and Hecker Road, were donated to the town by Pensacola several years ago. Mayor Freddie McCall said it has been labor intensive for town employees to keep the decorations functioning.
McCall said it would cost the town about $150 per utility pole for wiring to Gulf Power standards for electrically lighted pole decorations. He said the town could look at decorations that would reflect light from existing streetlights.
Town Council member Annie Savage said she thinks the town should price decorations with solar powered lights.
Pictured: Some of the Town of Century’s Christmas decorations on display at Roadside Park in December. The aging decorations were donated by Pensacola several years ago. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Deadline Approaching For Groups To Apply For $50,000 In IP Grant Money
January 6, 2012
International Paper Pensacola Mill (IP) will award $50,000 in Foundation Grants in 2012. The deadline for all 2012 grant applications is Friday, January 13.
Grants are awarded by the IP Foundation in Memphis, Tenn., which focuses on environmental education, literacy, employee involvement, and critical community needs. Applicants must be a registered 501c3 non-profit organization, school, or qualifying government entity to apply.
For more information about the Foundation or to apply online, interested applicants should visit www.ipgiving.com.
Escambia Man Gets Life For Sexual Assault Of Minor
January 6, 2012
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to life in prison for sexually assaulting a child.
State Attorney Bill Eddins said Jose Hernandez was found guilty by an Escambia County jury of two counts of sexual battery on a victim under 12 years of age. Immediately following the trial, Judge Frank Bell sentenced him to life in prison.
In August 2010, Hernandez engaged in sexual activity with a child family member.
The investigation and arrest were conducted by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Escambia Names New Assistant Superintendent
January 6, 2012
Superintendent Malcolm Thomas has named Steve Marcanio, presently the director of Middle School Education, to the position of Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction.
Marcanio has served the district for 26 years, including principal of Yniestra Elementary, Bellview and Brown Barge Middle Schools, and Washington High School as well as the assistant principal of Sherwood Elementary School.
Thomas said Marcanio “will move the Curriculum and Instruction Department to the next level, while building on the successes attained during Mr. Fetsko’s tenure.” Mr. Marcanio will be replacing Paul Fetsko who is retiring January 31. He will begin his new assignment on February 1.
Marcanio is subject to school board approval at their next meeting on January 17.
New Direction Announced For Port
January 6, 2012
Pensacola’s mayor has announced his plans for the Port of Pensacola, including a focus on the high-tech offshore service industry.
“The Port of Pensacola has suffered for decades because of competitive disadvantages,” Mayor Ashton Hayward said. “There are those who feel the time has come to close the Port and sell the land to the highest bidder. Others feel we should invest in marketing the port and improving its facilities. One thing is clear – the status quo is no longer sustainable.”
Hayward said his administration would re-examine leases with Cemex and other firms storing aggregate material at the Port.
“Aggregate storage is incompatible with our adjacent downtown and historic districts,” Hayward said. “We’re going to support the expansion of high-tech offshore service industry at the Port. This sector has a lesser impact on the Port’s neighbors and has considerable private-sector growth potential. The Port may never be an enterprise which puts millions into the City treasury, but what it can be is an engine for economic growth and private-sector job creation. It’s time to pursue new industry and capitalize on the opportunities those industries offer.”
Hayward developed his policy after studying a report from his Port Advisory Committee, a panel of business leaders formed last year to examine port operations and make policy recommendations.
“This plan will begin to transition the Port from an aggregate and cement-driven enterprise to a Port that’s better suited for our waterfront and better positioned to cater to sectors with high job growth,” he said, adding that city will look at state and federal grant opportunities along with available economic development funds stemming from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
“I believe these changes provide a clear direction for the port,” Hayward said. “We can create the opportunity for sustainable, private-sector job growth and make Pensacola a viable, competitive port option for 21st-century industries.”
Pictured top: Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward announces his plans Thursday for the Port of Pensacola. Pictured below: Two vessels docked at the port. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Facing Federal Arson Charge For Abortion Clinic Fire
January 5, 2012
An Alabama man has been arrested for arson in connection with a New Year’s Day fire at a Pensacola abortion clinic.
Bobby Joe Rogers of Tuscaloosa is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond, charged in a federal complain with one count of damaging a building by fire or explosive.
United States Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Timothy issued an arrest warrant based on the complaint and supporting affidavit filed today, which charges Rogers, 41, with the arson of the American Family Planning Clinic at 6770 North 9th Avenue in Pensacola on January 1. If subsequently indicted by a grand jury and convicted at trial, Rogers faces a possible 20 year prison term.
Shortly before noon Thursday, Rogers appeared before Magistrate Judge Timothy, who appointed a federal public defender to represent him. Rogers waived his right to a detention hearing and a preliminary hearing and is being held without bond pending further action by the court.
According to a federal affidavit, Rogers admitted to setting the fire that damaged the clinic due to his strong disbelief in abortion. He told investigators that he made an incendiary device using a 32-ounced beer bottle filled with gasoline and a wick made from an old shirt. After tossing the device and watching it burst into flames on the back of the clinic, he went across the street to an abandoned car wash to make fire was going. He then returned to an old shed behind Sonny’s Real Pit Bar-B-Q where he would sleep at a night.
According to court records, Rogers’ criminal history included arrests in Florida, Alabama and seven other states, plus felony convictions in Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee for burglary, and in Mississippi for grand larceny.
Rogers was arrested after a joint investigation involving the Division of State Fire Marshal’s Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations (BFAI) and other members of the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF). The investigation determined that Rogers set fire to a clinic, causing approximately $300,000 in damage.
“We are thankful that no one was injured during this incident and for the collaboration between all of the law enforcement agencies involved in this case,” said Florida CFO Jeff Atwater, who also serves as State Fire Marshal. “I would like to also thank members of the Pensacola community for providing the critical information needed to promptly resolve this case.”
On January 1, 2012, the Pensacola Fire Department responded to a fire at the American Family Planning Clinic located at 6770 N. 9th Avenue in Pensacola and requested the assistance of the BFAI to investigate the cause of the fire. The investigation determined that the fire was intentionally set.
The details surrounding this fire initiated the response of members of the Joint Terrorism Task Force. The JTTF is composed of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies whose primary work is to identify and disrupt terrorist activity. The following agencies cooperated in this investigation; the Florida State Fire Marshal Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations, the Pensacola Fire Department, the Pensacola Police Department, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Internal Revenue Service.
“This arrest demonstrates the strategic value of the Joint Terrorism Task Force and the high level of cooperation among the numerous agencies involved,” said Julius Halas, director of the Division of State Fire Marshal.