Trick-Or-Treat Safety: Most Sex Offenders Can Give Out Candy
October 31, 2014
There are lots of ways to make trick-or-treating safer for children, including a quick check for sex offenders in the neighborhood.
According to the FDLE database, there are 23 sex offenders and predators in the Century area, six in the Walnut Hill/McDavid area, 15 near Molino and 60 in the Cantonment area. The numbers per zip code generally only increase further south in more populated areas in Escambia County. For instance, there are 162 registered offenders in the 32505 zip code.
Most Florida sex offenders and predators are legally allowed to hand out candy to children in their neighborhoods as long as they are no longer on supervised probation, according to law enforcement officials.
The Florida Department of Corrections will work in conjunction with local law enforcement agencies to keep the streets safe by ensuring sex offenders under felony supervision do not take part in any Halloween activities involving minors, the DOC said Thursday afternoon. Community Corrections officers will be making personal contact and conducting surveillance during trick-or-treat hours in local communities. Safety efforts will also include surprise visits by probation officers, multiple residence drive-bys, and increased surveillance at motels and treatment facilities that sex offenders use.
Authorities say that parents can turn to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s sexual offender database to find the address of registered sex offenders that may be in an area where their children will trick-or-treat. In addition to addresses, the FDLE database also offers photos and descriptions of offenders along with information about their crimes.
Sex offenders that are sill under supervised probation are not allowed to give out candy or treats, are required to turn off their porch lights and close blinds, have no outside decorations, are not allowed to dress in a costume or mask, and are not allowed to answer their doors for trick-or-treaters.
“Offenders who do not remain in compliance with the terms of their supervision will be subject to immediate arrest,” according to the DOC.
To search the FDLE sex offender database, click here. To check the Alabama sex offender database, click here.
In addition to checking the FDLE database, officials said parents should make sure trick-or-treaters are accompanied by an adult, have a flashlight and cellphone.
There are also several community fall festivals and events planned across the area tonight, offering a “safe” alternative to the traditional door to door trick-or-treating. For a list of many of those events, click here.
A Spooky Museum Visit, Trunk Or Treats And Fall Festivals Tonight
October 31, 2014
Several events are planned for this evening, from a spooky night at the Molino Museum to family friendly Halloween alternative trunk or treats and fall festivals.
Editor’s note: There are no official trick or treat times in Escambia County, FL.
Molino Community Fall Festival
A community wide fall festival will be held on Friday, October 31, at Victory Assembly of God church in Molino from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. There will be lots of food, fun, games, trunk-or treat, and a hayride. The event is sponsored by Highland Baptist Church, Victory Assemby of God, Crossfaith Church and Molino First Assembly of God. The event is free and everyone is invited.
First Baptist Cantonment Trunk or Treat
The First Baptist Church of Cantonment will hold a Trunk or Treat on Morris Avenue from 6-8 p.m. The public is welcome.
Pine Forest Assembly/Cantonment Fall Festival
The Pine Forest Assembly of God Church at 3125 Pine Forest Road in Cantonment will hold a Fall Festival from 6-8 p.m. with free food, games, prizes and lots of fun.
Heritage Baptist Chruch Fall Festival
The annual Fall Festival/Trunk or Treat will be held from 6-8 p.m. at Heritage Baptist Church at 3065 Hwy. 297-A in Cantonment, Ponies, mechanical bull, Reno’s Reptiles, Tumble Jungle Bus, train, bounce house, games, lots of candy, and food. Everything is free.
St. Monica’s Fall Festival/Cantonment
The annual Fall Festival at St. Monica’s Episcopal Church in Cantonment will be held from 6-8 p.m at 699 Highway 95A, Cantonment.
Bratt Assembly Fall Festival
A Fall Festival will be held at Bratt Assembly of God beginning at 6 p.m.
Molino Branch Library Halloween
The Molino Branch Library will present “It Happened One Night at the Molino Museum” at 6 p.m. Kids and enjoy a night of skits, spooky stories and trick or treating — and visit the spooky Molino Museum if they dare.
Dogwood Park Baptist Peanut Boil/Fall Festival (Saturday)
Dogwood Park Baptist Church at 3301 Highway 97, Molino, will hold its annual Peanut Boil and Fall Festival on Saturday, November 1 from 1-5 p.m. There will be games, face painting, food and entertainment by the country, gospel and bluegrass group Rollin Tide. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Northview, Baker Battle It Out Tonight For District Title
October 31, 2014
The District 1-1A championship is on the line this Halloween night as the Northview Chiefs hit Highway 4 and travel to Baker.
The Gators are unbeaten at 8-0 and ranked third in the state, while the Chiefs are ranked fifth and are 6-1 against a much tougher schedule against larger schools.The Chiefs have taken down 4A teams Marrianna and Walton and gave Choctaw, the top team is 2-6A, a serious run.
The Chiefs won the 1A state championship back in 2012, but Baker beat Northview in Bratt last year 24-20 to earn a district title for the Gators. Tonight, the Northview Chiefs are looking to take their experience and put an end to the Baker Gator’s 19-game regular season winning streak and prevent a repeat of last year.
Northview Coach Sid Wheatley said the Gators will be a formidable opponent, standing behind their quarterback John Beck who comes in well over six-feet. “Their defense plays extremely hard; the have a big offensive line.”
“I think they are better up front; I think their backs are very physical. They’ve got the Newsome and the Lett kid,” Matt Brunson, Baker head coach told WEAR. “They are great on defense. I think it will be a great high school football game.
Cameron Newsome is averaging 7.9 yards per carry this season, with 601 yards rushing and five touchdowns. He also has nine receptions for 89 yards. “The Lett Kid” — Keondrae Lett — may be Baker’s Halloween nightmare. He leads the Chiefs with 1188 rushing yards, 1,431 total yards with 16 touchdowns.
Northview will treat Baker to several more names tonight from their trick or treat bag. Quarterback Gavin Grant is 29 of 47 for 420 yards and eight touchdowns. On the defense, Hunter Sherouse has 70 tackles, Tydre Bradley has 57, and Jaylen Parker has 50. Plus fourother Chiefs are at about 40 tackles each this season — Jacob Weaver, Zach Payne, Nick Lambert and Toney Harrison. Harrison is also looking forward to getting to know Baker’s quarterback; Harrison has a team leading five sacks.
“It’s going to be fun; it’s going to be exiting. Our kids are anxious,” Wheatley said. “I think our kids know exactly what is at stake. Some of these guys were here last year when Baker came over and beat us and won the district championship. What we’ve got to do is execute and not have turnovers. We need to just play clean football, but I believe we’ll be ready.”
NorthEscambia.com will live score the game on our Facebook page and on Twitter.
Pictured: 1A Northview beat 4A Walton 35-28 last Friday night in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Colder Tonight, Windy Friday
October 30, 2014
Here is your official North Escambia are forecast:
- Thursday Night Clear, with a low around 43. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Friday Sunny, with a high near 75. Breezy, with a north wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.
- Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 37. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph.
- Saturday Sunny, with a high near 60. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
- Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 36. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.
- Sunday Sunny, with a high near 66. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. East wind around 5 mph.
- Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.
- Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 48.
- Tuesday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 75.
- Tuesday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55.
- Wednesday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 75.
Jay Chamber Trick Or Treat On Commerce Street Tonight
October 30, 2014
The Jay Area Chamber of Commerce will present Jay’s Trick or Treat on Commerce Street from 5:00 until 8:00 tonight. There will be costume contest at 6:00, trick or treat booths and more.
Deputies Seek Suspect, Possible Witness In Double Shooting
October 29, 2014
FOR AN UPDATE TO THIS STORY, CLICK HERE.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a suspect and a possible witness in a Monday double shooting.
Jamaal Ervin Williams, 18, is wanted on two counts of attempted homicide in connection with the shootings in the 1200 block of Rio Grande Circle. One gunshot victim was found in a yard, and the other was inside a vehicle.
The Sheriff’s Office said 16-year old Marquis Tyreek Weathers is wanted for questioning only as a possible witness in the case.
Anyone with information as to the whereabouts or Williams or Weathers or with any information on this incident is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Rain Possible, Turning Colder
October 29, 2014
Rain is possible tonight in the North Escambia area, and cooler temperatures are on the way. Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm, then a slight chance of showers between 7pm and 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. North wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Thursday Sunny, with a high near 72. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 43. North wind around 5 mph.
- Friday Sunny, with a high near 75. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 40. North wind around 10 mph.
- Saturday Sunny, with a high near 60. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 36. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
- Sunday Sunny, with a high near 66. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.
- Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.
- Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 48.
- Tuesday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 75.
Wednesday Is Deadline To Request A Mailed Absentee Ballot
October 28, 2014
Wednesday is the deadline for voters who wish to be mailed an absentee ballot for the November 4 General Election to make their request, according to Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford.
Voters can make their request by contacting the Supervisor of Elections by mail, phone (850-595-3900), fax (850-595-3914), e-mail (absentee@escambiavotes.com), or by using the online form at EscambiaVotes.com. Requests must include the voter’s date of birth and address. Absentee voters may track the status of their ballot by clicking Track My Ballot at EscambiaVotes.com.
After Wednesday, a voter may still pick up an absentee ballot in person from the Elections
Office through Monday, November 3. Voted absentee ballots must be received in the Elections
Office (not at a polling location) no later than 7:00 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, November 4.
In addition, early voting is being offered daily through Saturday at seven area locations:
- Molino Community Center, 6450 Highway 95A North, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Escambia County Extension Service, 3740 Stefani Road, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Genealogy Branch Library, 5740 N. 9th Avenue, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Main Library, 239 N. Spring Street, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Bellview/Saufley Early Vote Site, 4607 Saufley Field Road, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Supervisor of Elections Main Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
A third option for voters is to cast a ballot at their precinct on Election Day – polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Voters are encouraged to be sure to know where to vote on Election Day by checking their Voter Information Card, sample ballot, the precinct finder at EscambiaVotes.com, or by contacting the Supervisor of Elections Office by phone or email prior to Election Day. Voters who need to change their address should contact the elections office prior to Election Day.
Libraries Offer Spooky Fun, Other Halloween And Fall Events Scheduled
October 28, 2014
The Molino Branch Library will offer a little spooky fun this week, as will the Century Health and Rehab Center. And local churches will hold fall festivals, including events in Cantonment and Molino.
Molino Branch Library
The Molino Branch Library will present “It Happened One Night at the Molino Museum” at 6 p.m. Friday. Kids and enjoy a night of skits, spooky stories and trick or treating — and visit the spooky Molino Museum if they dare.
Century Halloween Carnival And Haunted House
The Century Health and Rehab Center at 6020 Industrial Blvd in Century, will hold a Halloween Carnival and Haunted House, Thursday, October 30, from 3 until 5 p.m. for a scary kids program and 5 until 7 p.m. for a terrifying kids program. Lots of food, games and prizes. Call (850) 256-1540 for more information.
Pine Forest Assembly/Cantonment Fall Festival
The Pine Forest Assembly of God Church at 3125 Pine Forest Road in Cantonment will hold a Fall Festival on Friday from 6-8 p.m. with free food, games, prizes and lots of fun.
Molino Community Fall Festival
A community wide fall festival will be held Friday at Victory Assembly of God church in Molino from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. There will be lots of food, fun, games, trunk-or treat, and a hayride. The event is sponsored by Highland Baptist Church, Victory Assemby of God, Crossfaith Church and Molino First Assembly of God. The event is free and everyone is invited.
Bratt Assembly Fall Festival
A Fall Festival will be held at Bratt Assembly of God on Friday beginning at 6 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Authorites Seek Son-In-Law In Shooting Of Alabama Pastor
October 27, 2014
THE SUSPECT IN THIS INCIDENT HAS BEEN ARRESTED. CLICK FOR AN UPDATE.
Authorities are searching for a man in connection with a murder of a pastor this morning in Escambia County, AL.
The shooting occurred a the Book of Acts Holiness Church on Jimmy Sellers Road, just north of the Florida line about 15 miles northwest of Munson, FL. Responding deputies found 69-year old Paul Phillips suffering from a gunshot wound from a shotgun. He passed away a short time later. Phillips was reportedly the pastor of the small church
A warrant for an open count of murder has been issued for the arrest of Phillips’ son-in-law, 46-year old Brett Richard Yeiter, a resident of nearby Little Paul Lane in Santa Rosa County. Authorities said he may be driving a white, mid 90’s Eddie Bauer Edition Ford F150 regular cab truck with no license plate.
Escambia County (AL) Chief Deputy asked that residents of the area be alert for Yeiter, adding that it was unknown if his direction of travel was into Florida or in Alabama. He especially asked that hunters be alert for the possibility that he could be hiding out in a wooded area such as the Blackwater State Forest which surrounds Yeiter’s residence on three sides.
Anyone with information on Yeiter’s whereabouts is asked to contact their local law enforcement agency, 911 or the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office at (251) 809-0741.