Donald Ray Helton
August 3, 2018
Mr. Donald Ray Helton, age 79, passed away on Thursday, August 2, 2018 in Pensacola, Florida.
Mr. Helton was a native of Huxford, AL, former resident of the Atmore area and has resided in Cantonment, FL since 1965. He was a Elder in the Remnant Church of Latter-Day Saints, a 1962 graduate of the University of Alabama with a Bachelors Degree in Finance, a 7th grade Science Teacher at Ransom Middle School. His passions were Alabama Football and Fishing.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Patsy Helton of Cantonment, FL; a son Michael and husband Eric O’Briant of Kennesaw, GA; one brother, Gary Helton (Companion Lola Alverson) of Atmore, AL; one sister, Glenda & Alan Rundall of Lillian, AL; niece, Sheron Rundall of Lillian, AL and aunt, Ruth Vickery of Atmore, AL.
Funeral services will be Sunday, August 5, 2018 at 2:00 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Evangelist Les Kelly and Evangelist Dick Dour officiating.
Burial will follow at the Oak Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be Sunday, August 5, 2018 from 12 Noon until service time at 2:00 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Lamar Wiggins, Rick Wiggins, Curtis Wiggins, Alan Odom, Rick Brooks and Glen Helton.
Escambia Trio Sentenced On Federal Drug Trafficking, Money Laundering Charges
August 3, 2018
Aaron M. Booker, 27, Joseph F. Booker Jr., 29, and Kaishawndra Lyons, 25, all of Escambia County, and Uy Nguyen, 35, of Vallejo, California, have been sentenced for charges arising from a multi-state drug and money laundering conspiracy.
Joseph Booker was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison on July 31, and Aaron Booker was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison Thursday. Nguyen was sentenced to 84 months in prison on July 2. Lyons was sentenced to four years in federal prison on July 31.
Nguyen and the Booker brothers pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. All four defendants pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. In addition to the money laundering conspiracy, Lyons also pleaded guilty to making false statements to federal agents.
Since 2015, federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies have been investigating a multi-state drug trafficking and money laundering organization operating in Pensacola, Northern California, and elsewhere. The investigation disclosed that between February 2015, and December 2017, Nguyen shipped packages of cocaine and marijuana from California to the Booker brothers in Pensacola. Nguyen sent his co-conspirators photographs of drug invoices and pictures of packages of cocaine and marijuana that he was shipping from California to Pensacola.
Postal records show that the Booker brothers and Lyons mailed more than two dozen currency-filled packages to Nguyen as payment for the drugs. During the course of the investigation, law enforcement officers intercepted multiple packages of drugs that Nguyen shipped to his co-conspirators. Bank records revealed that the Booker brothers and Lyons laundered drug money by depositing proceeds from the sale of the marijuana and cocaine into bank accounts Nguyen opened in California.
In December 2017, law enforcement officers searched Nguyen’s residence and vehicle in northern California and located multiple kilograms of marijuana and a receipt for a newly mailed parcel heading to Pensacola. This parcel was intercepted by law enforcement officers and contained multiple pounds of marijuana. The search of the Lyons/Booker residence in Pensacola revealed over $300,000 in United States currency as well as over $300,000 in jewelry and high-end clothing.
Based upon the drug invoices, law enforcement officers determined this conspiracy involved 250 kilograms of marijuana and more than 5 kilograms of cocaine. The conspirators laundered over $250,000 through bank accounts and jewelry stores between Pensacola, Northern California, and other locations in the United States.
This case resulted from an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Pensacola Police Department, the State Attorney’s Office – First Judicial Circuit, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program.
Wahoos Edge Biscuits 5-4 In Series Opener
August 3, 2018
Pensacola earned their fourth straight win in Thursday’s series opener against the Montgomery Biscuits at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Seth Varner (W, 6-2) enjoyed a nice bounce-back start while earning his sixth win of the year. The southpaw pitched seven innings and punched out six and allowed one walk. His only mistake came in the top of the third inning when Jake Cronenworth hit a three-run homer to give the Biscuits a 3-0 lead.
Pensacola trailed 3-0 heading into the bottom of the fifth inning and only had one hit against Montgomery’s starter Brock Burke (L 2-1). He struck out six of the first eight batters he faced. However, the Wahoos would find their luck in the fifth inning. With only one out, Luis Gonzalez hit an RBI ground-rule double to score Gavin LaValley to cut the deficit 3-1. Jose Siri followed with a two-run triple into the left corner that scored Chris Okey and Gonzalez to tie the game 3-3.
The Wahoos took the lead in the bottom of the sixth when Mitch Nay crushed a two-run shot into the water past left field which made it 5-3.
The Biscuits attempted to steal the game in the final inning. With runners on the corner, Thomas Milone grounded out to Alex Powers (S, 13) that scored Dalton Kelly to make the score 5-4. With two outs, Powers struck out Nathan Lukes to get the save and secure the win for the Wahoos.
The series continues Friday night as right-hander Vladimir Gutierrez (8-9, 4.33) takes the mound for Pensacola, and RHP Sam McWilliams (4-6, 4.87) will take the hill for Montgomery.
One Injured, Utility Pole Snapped In Highway 29 Wreck
August 2, 2018
A utility pole was snapped in a single vehicle wreck that injured one person Thursday morning on Highway 29 at West Roberts Road Tuesday morning.
The injured person was transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital.
Gulf Power report eight customers in the immediate area without power after the crash.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Body Of Cantonment Man Recovered From Escambia Bay
August 2, 2018
The body of a 79-year old Cantonment man was recovered Thursday from Escambia Bay.
Donald Helton apparently fell overboard from a 17-foot boat where he was fishing with a teenager. His body was recovered in about eight feet of water.
Escambia Search and Rescue and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission took part in the search, including an helicopter from FWC.
Helton was a retired Ransom Middle School educator.
His name was released after next of kin were notified.
Escambia Deputies Take Part In Realistic Active Shooter Training
August 2, 2018
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies and school resource officers are continually training to keep schools in the county safe.
An active shooter training was held recently at Tate High School with instructors working to make the scenarios as realistic and stressful as possible.
“It just helps them to become more effective in their initial response. Which ultimately the faster we can get in, the faster we can access and address that threat, the more effect and the more lives we can save,” Sgt. Josh Hendershott said.
Year round active shooter training for Escambia County deputies also includes live fire exercises at their firing range in Cantonment.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Alabama Woman Claims $223K Prize For Walnut Hill Lottery Ticket
August 2, 2018
The owner of a winning ticket sold last week in Walnut Hill has claimed her prize.
The Florida Lottery says the July 28 Fantasy 5 ticket worth $223,639.27 was sold to Georgia M. Callier of Mobile. She purchased the ticket at the Grey Goose at 11330 Highway 97. The Quick Pick ticket was the only winning ticket sold for the drawing.
The 324 tickets matching four numbers won $111 each. Another 10,171 tickets matching three numbers are worth $9.50 each, and 99,458 ticket holders won a Quick Pick ticket for picking two numbers.
The winning numbers were 07-12-18-25-34.
Summer Reading Program Wrap Up Party Held At The Library
August 2, 2018
A West Florida Library Summer Reading Program Wrap Up Party was held Wednesday at the Century Branch Library. Participants played games, received prizes, made slime, painted rocks and more to celebrate the end of the summer reading program.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Driver Stops Just Short Of Plunging Pickup Into West Kingsfield Ravine
August 2, 2018
A driver barely missed plunging into a deep ravine on West Kingsfield Road Wednesday.
The driver failed to property negotiate one of several curves on West Kingsfield between South Highway 97 and Beulah Road, with his pickup truck coming just short of the ravine. Area residents estimated that the ravine is about 15-feet deep.
There were no injuries reported in Wednesday’s crash.
Photos by Elizabeth Westmark for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Showers Continue, Flash Flood Watch Canceled
August 2, 2018
A flash flood watch for today has been canceled. Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Today: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. South wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. East wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Calm wind.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
Pictured top: Rain and minor flooding Wednesday morning on Nine Mile Road at Campus Drive. Pictured below: Flash flooding in downtown Atmore Wednesday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
