Three Northview High Weightlifters Place At Regionals
February 1, 2020
The Northview High School weightlifters placed in the Girls Weightlifting Regionals Friday.
Naudia Carach placed third, and De’Janique Lowery and Taylor McMinn both placed fifth in their individual classes.
Pictured above: (L-R) De’Janique Lowery, Taylor McMinn and Naudia Carach. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
State Seeks To Reimpose Patrick Gonzalez Death For Deaths Of Byrd And Melanie Billings
January 31, 2020
Friday, the State Attorney’s Office filed a motion to reinstate the death penalty for Leonard Patrick Gonzalez, Jr. for the 2009 deaths of Byrd and Melanie Billings.
Gonzalez was sentenced to death back in 2011, but the Supreme Court later struck down Florida’s death penalty process in 2016. That ruling found that a jury must be unanimous in finding that aggravated factors existed and be unanimous in their decision for impose the death penalty.
The Gonzalez jury was unanimous in finding that there were aggravating factors in the Beulah couple’s death, but they split 10-2 on the vote for the death penalty. He petitioned the court and was granted a resentencing hearing late this year where jurors will revote on the death penalty.
But with a new Supreme Court ruling that allows the judge reinstate the death penalty, Eddins believes a judge could sentence Gonzalez to death without a jury.
“The new decision…makes it clear that the constitutional requirements were fulfilled in the Gonzalez case,” the motion filed Friday states. “A jury made the instant, unanimous findings of the existence of aggravated circumstances.” The court, “carefully considering the evidence, made a constitutionally proper section decision in imposing a death sentence.”
Gonzalez and four other men entered the home to steal a safe that they thought contained $13 million, according to court records. Byrd and Melanie Billings died after each being shot multiple times. The couple was known for adopting special needs children.
Cantonment Man Sentenced To Prison For Two Cottage Hill Shots Fired Incidents
January 31, 2020
Thursday, a Cantonment man was sentenced to state prison for two shots fired incidents in Cantonment last year.
James Peter Tipton, 39, was found guilty of discharging a firearm from a vehicle, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and criminal mischief. He was sentenced to four years in state prison with credit for 34 days served. He must pay $1,000 in restitution to the victim along with court costs and fines. Once released, he will be on probation for three years.
On July 13, 2019, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 1800 block of Williams Ditch Road about 4 a.m. The victim reported that as he exited his vehicle someone driving a dark colored SUV fired two shots at him. About 7 a.m. deputies responded to another shots fired disturbance a short distance away in the 1400 block of Highway 95A. Tipton’s uncle reported that Tipton drove into his yard and entered his garage. The uncle observed Tipton removing guns from his SUV and placing them into the bed of the uncle’s truck. The victim also stated that Tipton fired two shots from a rifle into the woods.
A photo obtained NorthEscambia.com shows a bullet hole in the driver’s door of the reported victim’s pickup.
Tipton was taken into custody without incident. There were no injuries reported.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New $1.9 Million Highway 168 Bridge In Bratt Set To Open Saturday
January 31, 2020
Work on a new bridge on Highway 168 just east of North Highway 99 in Bratt is complete, and the bridge over an unnamed branch is set to open to traffic sometime on Saturday, weather permitting.
The $1.9 million Florida Department of Transportation project includes two, 12-foot travel lanes with 6-foot shoulders and a concrete barrier wall. The project also included resurfacing the bridge approaches, new guardrail, drainage improvements, new pavement markings, and enhanced signage.
Work on the project began in mid-April 2019 to replace a structural deficient bridge with wooden supports that was constructed in 1967.
Once the new bridge is open, crews will begin removing a temporary bridge that was in place during construction. During that process, drivers are reminded to use caution and watch for workers and heavy trucks entering and exiting the roadway.
Editor’s note: The opening date has been updated to Saturday, February 1. It was originally set for Friday.
Pictured above and below: Work to complete a new bridge on Highway 168 in Bratt was coming to a close late Thursday afternoon. Pictured second below: A temporary bridge in place during construct will be removed. Pictured bottom: The new bridge replaces a structurally deficient bridge that was constructed in 1967. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Woman Gets 24 Years For Double Fatal Easter Sunday Wreck
January 31, 2020
An Escambia County woman was sentenced to 24 years in prison for a double fatal Easter Sunday wreck that claimed the life of a father and son.
State Attorney Bill Eddins said Marie Ann Simpkins previously pleaded no contest and accepted responsibility for two counts of DUI manslaughter, DUI causing property damage, DUI With a minor in the vehicle, and possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana.
Simpkins caused a traffic crash April 21, 2019, in the intersection of Fairfield Drive and W Street in Pensacola which claimed the lives of 49-year old Randy Riley and his son, 22-year old Nelson Riley. Simpkins’ vehicle also hit a Nissan Murano drive by Gladys Taylor, who suffered minor injuries. Two passengers in Simpkins’ car, 19-year old Jobe Simpkins and a 4-year old, were also transported to the hospital with minor injuries.
Prior to the crash, concerned motorists observed Simpkins driving in an unpredictable and reckless manner on Fairfield Drive The motorists had called 911 to report their concerns when the defendant ran the red light at the intersection at W Street causing the collision.
Simpkins’ son and 2-year-old grandson were occupants of her vehicle at the time of the crash. A small amount of cannabis was found in her belongings. A legal blood draw revealed Simpkins was under the influence of hydrocodone, citalopram, trazodone and tramadol at the time of the crash.
Tate High School Names Students Of The Month
January 31, 2020
Tate High School recently named students of the month for December They are Anna Moulds and David Wells, pictured with Principal Rick Shackle. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cybercrime Costs Nearly Double In Florida. Here’s Help To Stay Safe.
January 31, 2020
Cybercrime costs in Florida nearly doubled between 2015 and 2018, according to a new Florida Atlantic University analysis of FBI data.
With international criminals taking advantage of the global nature of the Internet, researchers report that cyberscams cost Florida victims more than $7400 on average in 2018, with total losses exceeding $178 million.
The best defense against these borderless criminals is getting educated on their methods and how to avoid falling victim to their scams, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. For more on online risks, email scams, cybersecurity, and ways to help keep you and your family safe from digital delinquents, visit www.secureflorida.org.
Overturned Log Truck Trailer Downs Power Lines On Muscogee Road
January 30, 2020
An single vehicle crash involving a log truck brought down power lines and shut down Muscogee Road Thursday night.
The truck traveled off Muscogee Road near Madrid Road about 6:15 p.m. and struck a power pole. The power pole was snapped and power lines came down in the area. The truck driver was not injured.
Muscogee Road was closed while Gulf Power worked to make repairs. Gulf Power reported 15 customers on Rittenberry Road lost power.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Cantonment and Beulah stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
FHP Names Man Killed In W Street Crash That Critically Injured Century Man, Pensacola Woman
January 30, 2020
Thursday, the Florida Highway Patrol identified the Escambia County man killed in a January 23 wreck on W Street at Marcus Pointe Boulevard.
Tyrone Deonta Wilkins, 27, was pronounced deceased at the scene. He was a passenger in a Toyota van driven by 36-year old Ava Stoudemire of Pensacola. She attempted to turn her Toyota van onto Marcus Pointe Boulevard but failed to negotiate the turn and collided with a semi-truck before rotating into a box truck, both of which were traveling south on North W Street.
Stoudemire and the front seat passenger, 34-year old Gregory Matthews of Century, were transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition. The drivers of the trucks were not injured.
Any charges in the crash are pending the outcome of the FHP investigation.
ECSO: Drug Deal Goes Bad; Molino Man Drags Girl With His Pickup Truck
January 30, 2020
A $30 drug deal gone bad ended with a Molino man in jail after he allegedly dragged a girl with his pickup truck.
Trevor Hayes Ross, 20, was booked into the Escambia County Jail on charges of aggravated child abuse and robbery by sudden snatching.
The underage female met with Ross after arranging by phone to purchase marijuana from Ross. After they met, Ross handed her a cigarillo packet that she presumed contained the agreed upon quantity of marijuana. But when she opened the package, she found it to be empty, according to an arrest report.
Ross reached out of his truck and snatched $30 in cash from the girl. She tried get the cash back, but Ross started to drive away as she hung onto his GMC Sierra pickup, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report.
She told deputies she was unable to let go and was dragged as he continued to accelerate, the report states. During the incident, she dropped her iPhone inside the cab of the truck. She then lost her grip and rolled on asphalt, sustaining multiple injuries. She was transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital for treatment.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was able to locate the truck at the Family Dollar at Blue Angel Parkway and Pine Forest Road by using the Find My Iphone app. The ECSO also received a call about the truck driving erratically. They were able to located the truck and take Ross into custody. The girl’s iPhone was located inside the truck.
Ross remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday with bond set at $52,500.