Missing Century Child Found At Neighbor’s Home
July 13, 2015
A 5-year old reported missing in Century late Sunday morning was located safe and sound a short time later.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the missing child report on Campbell Road just off East Highway 4 shortly before noon. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the child was located at a nearby relative’s home.
Escambia Search and Rescue was called to Century to assist in the search for the child, but the child was found before ESAR arrived.
The Sheriff’s Office said there was no criminal wrongdoing in the case.
Court: Defendants Face Burden In ‘Stand Your Ground’ Case
July 13, 2015
In a case that started with a tourist brandishing a gun during a traffic dispute, the Florida Supreme Court said people who use the state’s controversial “stand your ground” legal defense have the burden of proving they should be shielded from prosecution.
The 5-2 ruling dealt with a key part of the way the state has carried out the “stand your ground” law, which in part provides immunity to people who use justifiable force in self-defense.
In “stand your ground” cases, pre-trial evidentiary hearings are held to determine whether defendants are immune from prosecution because of the law. The Supreme Court ruling centered on who should have the burden of proof during those hearings — defendants or prosecutors.
Justices sided with lower courts that have required defendants to prove that they should be protected from prosecution by the self-defense law. The majority opinion, written by Justice Barbara Pariente, said immunity in the “stand your ground” law “is not a blanket immunity, but rather, requires the establishment that the use of force was legally justified.”
“We conclude that placing the burden of proof on the defendant to establish entitlement to Stand Your Ground immunity by a preponderance of the evidence at the pretrial evidentiary hearing, rather than on the state to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant’s use of force was not justified, is consistent with this court’s precedent and gives effect to the legislative intent,” said the majority opinion, which was joined by Chief Justice Jorge Labarga and justices Peggy Quince and James E.C. Perry.
Justice R. Fred Lewis concurred in the outcome, though he did not sign on to the majority opinion.
In a dissenting opinion, Justice Charles Canady wrote that the majority ruling “substantially curtails the benefit of the immunity from trial conferred by the Legislature under the Stand Your Ground law.”
“The factual question raised by the assertion of Stand Your Ground immunity in a pretrial evidentiary hearing is the same as the factual question raised by a Stand Your Ground defense presented at trial: whether the evidence establishes beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant’s conduct was not justified under the governing statutory standard,” Canady wrote in the dissent, which was joined by Justice Ricky Polston.
The ruling came in a case that started in 2011 with a dispute on Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway in Osceola County. Jared Bretherick, a tourist from Indiana, was a backseat passenger in a vehicle driven by his father that was almost side-swiped by a truck, according to a summary in the Supreme Court opinion.
The driver of the truck, identified in court documents as Derek Dunning, then abruptly stopped in front of the Bretherick vehicle. Dunning, who was unarmed, got out of his truck and approached the vehicle. Bretherick’s father held up a holstered gun, which led Dunning to return to his truck.
Bretherick subsequently got out of the vehicle and approached the truck while pointing the handgun at Dunning, the court opinion said. He later went back to the family’s vehicle and continued pointing the gun at Dunning. Police arrived after receiving 911 calls, and Bretherick was charged with aggravated assault with a firearm.
After an evidentiary hearing, a circuit judge ruled that Bretherick was not entitled to immunity from prosecution under the “stand your ground” law. The judge pointed to Dunning’s retreat to his truck after Bretherick’s father showed the handgun, ruling that the “threat was no longer imminent, and in fact, the possible volatile situation had been diffused. The defendant’s subjective fear was no longer reasonable.”
The National Rifle Association and another gun-rights group, Florida Carry Inc. filed briefs in the Supreme Court supporting Bretherick. But the Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association backed the state’s position on the burden-of-proof issue.
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
Registration Today For Danceworks Classes
July 13, 2015
Registration is underway for Heather Leonard’s Danceworks, and a registration event will be held today in Byrneville.
The registration will be from 5 until 7 p.m. Monday, July 13 at the Byrneville Community Center.
Ballet, tap and jazz classes will be taught by Heather Leonard beginning the week of August 10 for girls ages 3 and up. This year, classes for ages 3-8 will be based on age, while classes for dancers over age 9 will be based upon level. Leonard has taught dance to hundreds of girls from North Escambia and surrounding areas. She is also the coach for the Northview High School Dance Team.
For the class schedule, click here. For further information or questions email hldanceworks@gmail.com.
Pictured: The Heather Leonard’s Danceworks Spring 2015 recital at Northview High School. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Blue Angels Announce 2016 Team Members
July 13, 2015
The U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels, announced the officers selected for the 2016 team, July 10.
The squadron selected two F/A-18 demonstration pilots, one C-130 demonstration pilot, a maintenance officer, and a public affairs officer to join a pre-selected commanding officer on the 2016 team.
Many highly-qualified Navy and Marine Corps officers submit applications to join the Blue Angels each year.
“Selecting team members is always a difficult process, but once again I am confident we have picked the best, most qualified individuals for our team,” said Capt. Tom Frosch, the current flight leader and commanding officer for the 2015 team. “The 2016 team members were chosen from an exceptionally competitive talent pool, and we are excited to have them join our team.”
The Blue Angels select finalists to interview at the Blue Angels’ home base at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, during the week of the Pensacola Beach Air Show. The team makes selections at the conclusion of the interview week.
“All of our extremely qualified applicants went through a rigorous screening and interview process,” said Lt. Ryan Chamberlain, opposing solo pilot and the applications officer for the 2016 team selection. “The individuals selected are some of the finest Navy and Marine Corps officers in the fleet today, and we look forward to serving with them.”
The newly-selected 2016 team members include:
F/A-18 Demonstration Pilots:
Navy Lt. Lance Benson, 32, of McPherson, Kansas, is an F/A-18 Super Hornet pilot currently assigned to “The Eagles” of Training Squadron (VT) 7. He is a 2006 graduate of Kansas State University, Salina, Kansas.
Navy Lt. Tyler Davies, 33, of Kennesaw, Georgia, is an F/A-18 pilot currently assigned to the “Gladiators” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106. He is a 2007 graduate of the University of La Verne, La Verne, California.
C-130 Demonstration Pilot:
Marine Maj. Mark Montgomery, 36, of Cartersville, Georgia, is a KC-130 Aircraft Commander currently assigned to USMC Manpower Management/Officer Assignments. He is a 2001 graduate of the University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia.
Maintenance Officer:
Navy Lt. Samuel Rose, 35, of Whitehouse, Texas, is a maintenance officer currently assigned to the Fleet Readiness Center, Detachment Jacksonville, Florida. He was commissioned through the Limited Duty Officer Program in 2011.
Public Affairs Officer:
Navy Lt. Joe Hontz, 37, of Longmont, Colorado, is a public affairs officer currently assigned to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Bahrain. He is a 2006 graduate of the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Pre-selected to join the 2016 team was:
Commanding Officer, Flight Leader:
Navy Cmdr. Ryan Bernacchi, 42, of Mountain View, California.
Expected to return for the 2016 season are:
F/A-18 Demonstration Pilots:
Navy Lt. Matt Suyderhoud, 32, of Honolulu.
Navy Lt. Andrew Talbott, 32, of Sedan, Kansas.
Navy Lt. Ryan Chamberlain, 30, of Bloomington, Illinois.
Marine Capt. Jeff Kuss, 31, of Durango, Colorado.
Events Coordination Officer:
Marine Capt. Corrie Mays, 35, of Marstons Mills, Massachusetts.
Executive Officer:
Navy Cmdr. Bob Flynn, 46, of Moorestown, New Jersey.
C-130 Demonstration Pilots:
Marine Maj. Mark Hamilton, 37, of Becker, Minnesota.
Marine Capt. Katie Higgins, 28, of Annapolis, Maryland.
Supply Officer:
Navy Lt. Gregory Bollinger, Jr., 32, of Carbondale, Illinois.
The mission of the Blue Angels is to showcase the pride and professionalism of the United States Navy and Marine Corps by inspiring a culture of excellence and service to country through flight demonstrations and community outreach.
In 2016, the Blue Angels will celebrate their 70th anniversary. Since 1946, the Blue Angels have performed for more than 484 million fans.
Wahoos Win Record Tying Five In A Row
July 13, 2015
Power has surged through Pensacola Blue Wahoos catcher Kyle Skipworth’s swing recently. The 25-year-old’s solo home run deep to right field in the fourth inning against the Montgomery Biscuits put the Blue Wahoos ahead, 3-0, at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
Pensacola tied its franchise record by winning its fifth game in a row over Montgomery, 4-1, Sunday in front of 4,168 fans. It is now 10-7 in the second half of the Southern League season and 35-50 overall. The Biscuits fell to 8-8 and 42-42 and now have lost eight straight games on the road.
A bolt of lightning knocked out the score board Sunday and 1.5 inches of rain in about 45 minutes flooded downtown streets and delayed the start of the game from 4:05 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
It was Skipworth’s second dinger in two days and third in five games. His homer on Friday jump started a five-run inning. Skipworth now has five home runs on the season, tying him with Blue Wahoos right fielder Jesse Winker for the team lead.
“I just had to kick myself in the butt,” Skipworth said. “Sometimes I don’t bare down mentally enough. When I do bare down I get a good approach and get better at bats.”
Skipworth has also been a force behind the plate especially this series. He ended a Blue Wahoos victory Thursday by throwing out a runner trying to steal. He also received a Juan Duran throw to get a runner out at the plate against Montgomery.
He tore a ligament May 27 and was out of the lineup for a month and the Blue Wahoos went into a tail spin, going 4-18. In addition, the team’s ERA wen from 3.61 (third in the Southern League) to 3.86 (seventh).
Skipworth said the pitchers have just improved.
“A lot of it is just them,” he said. “They understand what they do well and what they don’t do well. They’re hitting their mid-season form.”
Pensacola starter Daniel Wright threw another strong game, using his fastball to get ahead in the count and then relying on his slider and changeup. He improved to 5-7 with a 4.87 ERA. He pitched seven innings, giving up five hits, two walks and striking out five. Wright gave up the run and three hits by the Biscuits in the seventh with right fielder Johnny Field Jr. scoring on a single by third baseman Patrick Leonard.
Wright has now completed seven innings in four of his last six starts, going 3-1 with a 1.29 ERA in those games. He blanked the Jacksonville Suns July 2 over seven innings.
Pensacola scored first in the second inning when third baseman Marquez Smith, who hit his third triple of the year, put the Blue Wahoos up, 1-0. He crossed the plate when Montgomery first baseman Cameron Seitzer couldn’t hold on to a throw by pitcher Ryne Stanek to get the charging Pensacola first baseman Seth Mejias-Brean out.
Blue Wahoos second baseman Ray Chang scored in the second inning when Smith knocked him in with a single to right field to put Pensacola up, 2-0.
Skipworth smacked his homer in the fourth and Pensacola tacked on another run in the sixth when center fielder Beau Amaral singled to score shortstop Juan Perez for a 4-0 lead. Amaral was 1-3 with a single and RBI and is now 5-8 or .625 in his last three games after entering the series against Montgomery in a 1-16 slump.
Pensacola manager Pat Kelly said he sat Amaral a few games to work on his hitting.
“He looks more aggressive at the plate to me,” Kelly said. “He has got to be aggressive, not tentative.”
The final game of the five-game series is scheduled at 6:35 p.m. Monday with the Tampa Bay Rays Double-A affiliate Montgomery Biscuits. RHP Timothy Adleman (5-6, 2.00) takes the mound for the Wahoos and is scheduled to be opposed by a Biscuits RHP Austin Pruitt (5-4, 2.99).
Martin Andrew Stephens
July 13, 2015
Martin Andrew Stephens, 36, passed away on Thursday, July 9, 2015.
Martin, an avid Auburn fan, was born on August 13, 1978, in Pensacola. He was a member of the Woodham High School baseball team and graduated in 1996. He was enrolled at Pensacola State College and the University of West Florida as a full-time student. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force where he faithfully served his country for 12 years. During that time, he deployed overseas nine times which included, Djibouti, Africa, Afghanistan, and Iraq. He was stationed at Hurlburt Air Force Base with the Special Operations Unit. He was placed on temporary medical retirement as a TSgt because of his next battle, bone cancer. Martin was a four year cancer survivor. In April 2014 his family faced yet another battle. Their home was destroyed by the floods and they had to be rescued by boat. Despite all the battles he faced, he remained a humble, loving, father, son and friend to all. His greatest loves were his family, Jenny, who was his high school sweetheart and wife, and their two sons, Ethan and Henry. Martin was the type of man who would help others before himself. His kind and gentle spirit will be missed forever.
He is survived by his wife, Jenny; their two sons, Ethan and Henry; his loving mother, Pamela Martin (Keith) Waters all of Pensacola; his father, Michael (Miriam) Stephens of Kinston, AL; and his loving sister, Fielding (Collin) Ryder also of Pensacola. Martin also will be lovingly remembered by his aunts, uncles, cousins, step-brothers and step-sisters, nieces, and nephews. He also leaves behind his best friends, Zach Fleming, Travis Shaw and Allen Miller.
Even though he was faced with many battles throughout his life, he remained steadfast in his Christian faith. He has no more battles and he is finally at peace.
Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15, 2015, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Pastor Darren McClellan officiating.
Burial will follow at 2 p.m. at Barrancas National Cemetery with military honors.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, July 14, 2015, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Faith Chapel North Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project.
Slight Chance Of More Rain Tonight
July 12, 2015
There is a heat advisory in effect for this afternoon. The combined effect of the heat and humidity will make it feel like a heat index up to 108 degrees.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Heat index values as high as 105. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming clear, with a low around 75. West wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Heat index values as high as 107. West wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 96. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 75. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96.al North Escambia area forecast:
Century Home Damaged By Fire
July 12, 2015
A Century residence was damaged by fire Saturday night, leaving an unknown number of people without a home.
The fire was reported just after 8 p.m. on George Avenue, off West Pond Street and Highway 29. Officials said the fire was contained mostly to a bedroom and living room, with smoke and water damage throughout the home. Reports indicated the fire may have been accidentally started in a bedroom by children.
All occupants of the home were able to escape the fire without injuries.
The Century, McDavid, Molino and Walnut Hill stations of Escambia Fire Rescue were dispatched to the blaze, along with the Flomaton Fire Department, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Pictured: Fire damaged a home on George Avenue in Century Saturday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Blues Dazzle Huge Crowds (With Photo Gallery)
July 12, 2015
Perhaps the largest crowd ever packed onto Pensacola Beach Saturday for the annual Pensacola Beach Air Show featuring the Blue Angels. Official attendance numbers were not available by Sunday morning, but officials said people were arriving on the beach by the hundreds, and by the thousands, by daylight Saturday. The main parking lot at Casino Beach was full by 6:30 a.m., according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Ditto Gorme, click to enlarge.
One Injured In Bratt Rollover Crash
July 12, 2015
One person was injured in a single vehicle accident near Bratt early Saturday evening.
The accident was reported about 6 p.m. on North Highway 99 just south of Breastworks Road. Driver Wendy D. Waller of Century lost control of her 2003 Honda Element after rounding two sharp curves, left the roadway and overturned multiple times into a fence. Waller was transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital with injuries that were considered minor.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Charges against Waller are pending, according to FHP.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
