Century Driver Charged After Traffic Stop With Rolling Meth Labs
July 10, 2015
Charges have now been filed against the driver of a pickup stopped by deputies in Century last month with two “one pot” meth labs.
Ansel D. Lovett, age 47 of Century, was booked into the Escambia County Thursday on felony charges of methamphetamine production and trafficking in amphetamine. His bond was set at $200,000.
The incident began when patrol deputies conducted a traffic stop on an older model Ford F250 truck on Front Street at Highway 29 in Century about 3 p.m. on June 18. The traffic stop occurred after a deputy observed a refrigerator and other objects protruding from a pickup truck with no tailgate, and after the deputy observed driver Lovett tossing cigarette butt from the truck’s window.
According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report, deputies were familiar with Lovett and the passenger, 43-year old William Burr Milliron of Century, as convicted felons that were already under investigation for the possible use and manufacture of methamphetamines.
The deputies discovered two apparent “one pot” meth labs in a bag that was located in bed of the pickup. A .22 caliber revolver was also located. About 30 minutes into the investigation, Milliron ran from the area of the truck as deputies attempted to handcuff him.
Millron reportedly told deputies that he was not going back to prison before fleeing. He lunged at a deputy and was tased before being wrestled to the ground by a deputy that was later airlifted to a Pensacola hospital suffering from breathing difficulties. Milliron continued to wrestle and fight both deputies and was tased a second time. After he was taken into custody, deputies discovered ammunition for the firearm in his pocket, according to an arrest report.
Members of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics responded to the scene. They were observed removing two plastic soft drink bottles containing the suspected meth labs from a camouflage bag. The bag also contained several items known to commonly be used in the manufacture of methamphetamine, including drain cleaner.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Rapid Response Unit responded with a hazardous materials team that neutralized the meth labs in buckets that were then filled with concrete. After being rendered inert, the buckets and concrete are later disposed of at the county landfill.
Milliron was charged with methamphetamine production, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a listed chemical, battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and possession of a weapon or ammo by a convicted felon.
Milliron remained in the Escambia County early Friday morning with bond set at $395,000. The deputy airlifted to the hospital with breathing difficulties has since recovered.
For a photo gallery, click here. (Editor’s note: In some images, the face of an undercover deputy has been hidden to protect the safety of the officer.)
NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Two Suspects Arrested For Burglary Of Molino Tax Collector’s Office
July 10, 2015
Two additional suspects have been arrested in connection with the October 2014 burglary of the Escambia County Tax Collector’s Office in Molino.
Markett Devon Simpkins, age 43 of Cantonment, and Johnnie Lee, age 55 of Pensacola were charged with burglary and criminal mischief property damage for their alleged roles in the Molino burglary. They were both also charged in connection with the burglary of auto repair shop on Pace Boulevard. Lee was being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond, while Simpkins was being held with bond set at $776,000.
Bruce Lovon Purifoy, 43, and Duriel Vidle Armour, 38, both of Pensacola, were charged back in February with first degree felony burglary and felony criminal mischief with property damage for the October 4, 2014, tax collector burglary in Molino that was caught on surveillance video.
During the break-in, the suspects allegedly attempted to disable the alarm system and used long pry bars to break open the doors of the Tax Collector’s Office in the Molino Community Complex on North Highway 95A. according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report. Both the building and ATM suffered extensive damage.
Scott Orders Additional Prison Reforms
July 10, 2015
Gov. Rick Scott issued an executive order Thursday that furthers prison-reform measures being put in place by Department of Corrections Secretary Julie Jones.
Scott’s order requires an independent audit of the agency’s operations and creates a partnership between the Department of Corrections, the Department of Juvenile Justice and the Department of Children and Families to establish “best management practices” regarding mental health services.
“This executive order empowers Secretary Jones to improve safety in our correctional facilities, enhance services to reduce recidivism, and address the growing needs of inmates that require additional mental health services,” Scott said in a release tied to the signing. The order follows an executive action taken by Scott in May, after lawmakers failed to agree on prison reforms during the regular legislative session.
The reforms come amid increased scrutiny of Florida’s prisons in the wake of reports of inmate deaths at the hands of abusive prison guards, cover-ups involving inmate deaths and allegations of retaliation against whistleblowers.
Scott’s order in May requires the department to track use-of-force incidents. The May order also requires each prison to keep track of the use of chemical agents as well as the disposal of expired, used or damaged canisters of gas, adds a fourth administrative region to the Department of Corrections, requires regional directors to make at least two surprise visits each quarter to prisons within their areas and requires Jones to establish a policy to protect employees from retaliation for reporting wrongdoing.
by The News Service of Florida
Occupants Run From Ensley Crash; FHP Seeks Info
July 10, 2015
The Florida Highway Patrol is seeing information about a traffic crash in Ensley Thursday in which three people fled on foot.
According to the FHP, a 2005 Ford Expedition was traveling west of Johnson Avenue east of Chisholm Road, near Ensley Elementary School. The driver changed lanes to pass a vehicle, pulling into the path of a 2012 Toyota Camry driven by 19-year old Michelle R. Delacruz of Pensacola.
Three people — two black males and a child about five years old — fled the scene on foot from the Ford Expedition. Troopers said the Expedition belonged to a Lisa Beasley who is deceased.
Anyone with information is asked to call (850) 484-5000 Ext. 335 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Northview Notes: Summer End Of Course Algebra Exam Testing
July 10, 2015
From Northview High School:
Florida high school students are required to score proficient on the Algebra I End-of-Course exam to meet graduation requirements. Students who have not passed the exam will have opportunities to meet this requirement beginning Monday, July 13th.
Though not required, any student wishing to take the math Postsecondary Education Readiness Test (PERT) can report to Ernest Ward Middle School on Monday, July 13th at 7:45 a.m. If the student scores high enough, the score from the PERT can be used to meet the Algebra I graduation requirement. The student will know the score of the PERT before they leave following the test.
If the student does not score high enough on the PERT they will return to Ernest Ward on Tuesday, July 14th at 7:45 a.m. to take the Florida Standards Assessment (FSA). Students will take both sessions of the test on the same day so they should bring a lunch or snacks with them. Students who first took the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards Algebra I exam will return Wednesday, July 15th for another opportunity. Informational letters have been mailed to the address on file at the school if your child needs to take these tests. Parents will also receive a school messenger call to the phone number on record at the school. If you have questions please contact the school at (850) 327-6681.
Driver Hits Parked Escambia Corrections Transport Van
July 10, 2015
A driver lost control while trying to stop at the red light at Highway 29 and Nine and One-Half Mile Road Thursday afternoon, plowing into an empty Escambia County Corrections van. The van was legally parked in the parking lot of a tire store. Photos by Andrew McKay, NewsRadio 1620 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Powerball Odds To Increase In Search Of Bigger Jackpots
July 10, 2015
With bigger payouts typically drawing more players, the multi-state Powerball lottery game is increasing the odds to win jackpots.
Starting with the Octobrt 7 drawing, the odds of matching the numbers on a single $2 ticket with the numbers on the drawn balls will grow from 1 in 175,223,510 to 1 in 292,201,338.
Florida Lottery Secretary Cynthia O’Connell said in an email that since the state joined the game in 2009 there has been a push for larger jackpots.
“Over time, the standard for what is considered a ‘big jackpot’ has changed and we must respond to that,” O’Connell said in the email. “Our sales prove that more Powerball tickets are sold when the jackpot is bigger, and sales decline significantly when jackpots are at lower levels.”
While winning jackpots will be tougher, odds are being eased for smaller payouts. Also starting Octobrt 7, the odds of hitting four correct numbers will go from the current 1 in 111 to 1 in 92. The odds changes are being made by altering the sets of numbers on tickets. The changes come as sales of Powerball nationally have dipped 19 percent in the past year due to a lack of large jackpots.
Powerball, the highest-generating terminal game in the Florida Lottery’s arsenal, accounted for $375 million of the state agency’s record-setting $5.58 billion in sales during the fiscal year that ended June 30. However, the number was well off the $469 million generated a year earlier.
by The News Service of Florida
Pictured: The nation’s only winning $80 million Powerball ticket was sold at the State Line Gift Shop on Highway 97 in NorthEscambia.com. The winner, 60-year old Alice Dawson of Frisco City, AL, chose to receive the winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $53,440,213.76. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Seeks Appointees For Health Facilities, Housing Finance Authorities
July 10, 2015
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking Escambia County residents interested in volunteering for specialized/layperson appointments to County Boards and Committees which have vacancies. Appointees serve without compensation and some appointments require filing of Financial Disclosure Forms.
The Escambia County Health Facilities Authority was established in accordance with Florida Statutes. The Authority’s duties are to assist health facilities in acquisition, construction, financing and refinancing of projects. Knowledge of finance and/or health care administration required. Authority members serve a four-year term of office. Financial Disclosure Required.
Requirements:
- An Authority Board member must be a resident of Escambia County. An appointee must be able to attend monthly board meetings during regular business hours and to travel out of town. This requires the Board Member to have an employer and/or occupation which provides flexibility to engage in volunteer community service activities.
- Under its current annual meeting schedule the Authority meets once a month on the third Tuesday at 4 p.m., except for the months of April and September when the Board and Staff attend educational conferences related to current topics in tax exempt capital financing for healthcare organizations. Monthly time commitments generally range from three to five hours per month, depending on business matters under consideration. For educational conferences the Board members are out of town for up to four days twice a year.
- Board members must have reasonable computer skills; access to a computer running Windows 7 or higher, with the current version of Adobe Reader, Microsoft Word and Excel, and with high speed internet access to receive email with attachments, and to download large PDF files containing meeting agendas and backup materials. A new Board member will spend three to five hours for the initial orientation and training on Authority operations.
- Board members must be able and willing to learn about (1) tax exempt bond financing and federal regulations related to municipal bond financing; (2) rules and regulations for municipal bond issuers; (3) current capital financing options and techniques for non-profit healthcare organizations; and (4) Florida laws related to local government operations and finance.
The Escambia County Housing Finance Authority was established in accordance with Florida Law. The Authority’s duties are to assist in eliminating shortages of adequate housing; stop reoccurrence of slum conditions; and stimulate employment and commerce. Knowledge in the area of labor, finance or commerce required. Authority members serve a four-year term of office. Financial Disclosure Required.
Requirements:
- The Authority’s regular meetings are held the second Tuesday of every month and typically last between one to two hours (i.e. 24 hours annually). Board members are also required to attend special meetings that are occasionally called on an “as needed” basis in connection with proposed multi- and single-family financings.
- Board members must review various documents (official statements, trust statements, loan agreements, etc.) prior to each monthly meeting. Preparation time generally ranges from one hour for a normal meeting, to four to six hours if there is a substantial item on the agenda.
- Board members are also required to be available for any bond issue closings that occur during the year and to also make time during the month to consult with the Executive Director (and/or be available to sign documents, checks, etc.) as needed in connection with routine Authority business.
- Board members are also strongly encouraged to participate in various educational workshops and conferences sponsored by the National and Florida Associations of Local Housing Finance Authorities (approximately two a year) in an effort to stay abreast of emerging trends and changes to all the various laws and regulations in the housing finance and municipal finance industries (i.e. such as their due diligence responsibilities before approving a bond issue, SEC/MSRB regulations, disclosure responsibilities, etc.) that impact the Authority’s mission of providing safe, decent and affordable housing.
Escambia residents interested in serving on either the Escambia County Health Facilities Authority or the Escambia County Housing Finance Authority are asked to submit a resume and letter indicating the Board on which they wish to serve by the close of business on Wednesday, July 22, 2015. Resumes should be submitted to Judy Witterstaeter, Program Coordinator, Board of County Commissioners, P.O. Box 1591, Pensacola, Florida 32502.
Photos: The Blue Angels Take To The Skies
July 10, 2015
The Blue Angels took the skies for a practice show at Pensacola Beach Thursday.
On Friday, the Blues will rehearse with the military and civilian acts that also perform in the Saturday air show. The rehearsal begins at noon, and the Blue Angels fly at 2 p.m. The official 2015 Blue Angels Pensacola Beach Air Show begins at noon Saturday, with the Blues taking to the skies at 2 p.m.
Photos by Perry Doggrell for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Central High Teen Dies After Alabama Wreck; Three Others Injured
July 10, 2015
A Central High School student has passed away from injuries he received in an Alabama traffic crash, and three other Central students are recovering.
According to Alabama State Troopers, 17-year old Christopher J. Free of Milton was ejected from a pickup truck on I-10 about 10 miles west of Mobile about 6:30 Tuesday. He later later died from his injuries at the University of South Alabama Medical Center.
Free was one of three passengers in a 1990 Mazda pickup driven by another 17-year old that left interstate, over turned and struck a tree. Free was not wearing a seat belt, according to troopers. The three other teens were transported to area hospitals for treatment. Their identities have not yet been released by authorities.
Grief counselors were on hand at Central School Friday for students and community members.