Muscogee Road Damaged By Water Main Break; Boil Water Notice Lifted
July 6, 2019
Part of the westbound lane of Muscogee Road at Mintz Lane was closed due to a water main break Thursday. Early Friday evening, drivers reported that the roadway collapse was expanding, prompting the barricaded area to be enlarged.
The water main broke Thursday afternoon and was repair Friday night. A boil water notice in the area was lifted Saturday morning.
- Muscogee Road, between Pace Parkway and Highway 29
- 102-126 Mintz Lane. (west side of the street only)
- Becks Lake Road, between Highway 29 and 325 Becks Lake Road
- Stone Boulevard
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Escambia Businessmen Convicted On Federal Spice Charges
July 6, 2019
Benjamin Galecki, former Pensacon CEO, and Burton Ritchie, former owner of The Psychedelic Shack in Pensacola, were convicted in federal court in Nevada on 24 counts related to manufacture of synthetic cannabinoids, commonly known as “spice”.
According to the evidence presented during the 10 day trial, Ritchie, 48, of now Park City, Utah, and Galecki, 44, of Pensacola, committed these crimes in the District of Nevada, from March 21 to July 25, 2012. The evidence showed that Ritchie and Galecki were the owners and managers of Zencense Incenseworks, a company that manufactured smokable synthethic spice and marketed their products as “potpourri,” “incense,” and “aromatherapy.”
They were convicted by a federal jury of operating a continuing criminal enterprise, manufacturing and possessing with the intent to distribute a controlled substance and controlled substance analogues, money laundering, mail and wire fraud, and related charges.
Ritchie and Galcki rented a warehouse in Las Vegas for the sole purpose of manufacturing spice products which contained the dangerous chemical XLR-11, which the jury found to be a controlled substance analogue. Ritchie and Galecki ordered XLR-11 from chemical suppliers in China and Hong Kong. At the Las Vegas warehouse, a Zencense employee mixed the XLR-11 with acetone, liquid flavoring and applied the chemical mixture to dried plant material. The warehouse employee mailed the compounded spice in draw string garbage bags to Ritchie and Galecki in Pensacola, Florida, where other workers placed the spice into small retail bags. The defendants sold their products with suggestive brand names including, “Bizarro,” “Orgazmo,” “Headhunter,” and “Defcon 5 Total Annihilation,” to smoke shops across the United States. From June 1 to July 25, 2012, Ritchie and Galecki were responsible for manufacturing and distributing approximately 4,000 pounds of spice and grossed more than $1.6 million dollars in sales.
The minimum penalty for a continuing criminal enterprise is 20 years’ imprisonment and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. The penalties for the controlled substance analogue, wire fraud, mail fraud, and six money laundering counts each carry a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment.
Hundreds In Molino Left Without Power Friday Afternoon
July 6, 2019
Several hundred Molino residents spent up to an hour without air conditioning due to a power outage Friday afternoon. About 4:05 p.m., a power line fell on Molino Road just east of Highway 95. That left just over 300 Gulf Power customers without power as repairs were made, according to the utility. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Start Fast, But Surging Barons Continue Winning Ways
July 6, 2019
The Birmingham Barons staggered into the first half season break with the Southern League’s worst record.
But they are far different team two weeks into the second half, as the Pensacola Blue Wahoos can attest.
The Barons (27-42 overall first half, 11-5 now), produced a four-run rally in the sixth inning Friday night in winning for the ninth time in 10 games, including the first two games of this series, with a 7-3 victory against the Blue Wahoos at Regions Field in Birmingham.
A crowd of 6,347 watched the Barons, affiliate of Chicago White Sox, fall behind in the fourth inning before turning the game in their favor to continue their best performance stretch this season.
The Blue Wahoos (47-39 overall, 9-7) got their three runs in the top of the fourth on two swings. Alex Kirilloff led off the inning with a homer over the right field wall, his third as a Blue Wahoos players. Mark Contreras followed four batters later with a two-run shot, scoring catcher Ben Rortvedt, who was hit a pitch after Kirilloff’s homer.
Those two blasts, however, were among only four Blue Wahoos hits in the game. They had only two baserunners the rest of the game.
Birmingham relievers Vince Arobio and Kodi Medeiros combined to allow just one hit and one walk in the final four innings of the game.
Bryan Sammons started for the Blue Wahoos, his first since June 25 before going on the injured list. He faced the minimum nine batters in the first three innings, yielding only a walk.
But in the fourth inning, the Barons’ gifted outfielder Luis Robert led off with a solo homer, his eight of the season to trim the deficit.
In the fifth inning, Ti’Quan Forbes walked. The Barons’ Luis Gonzalez tripled to score Forbes. With Sammons coming off an injury and having a pitch limit, the Blue Wahoos went to Andro Cutura with two outs in the fourth.
Cutura gave up a double to Ramon Torres to score Gonzalez and tie the game.
In the sixth inning, the Barons scored four runs on three hits against Cutura.
Nick Madrigal doubled to start the rally. Blake Rutherford singled to score Madrigal. Gavin Sheets reached on a fielding error. Both runners were moved on a sacrifice bunt. Cutura issued an intentional walk to load the bases.
Laz Rivera produced a squeeze play bunt to score Rutherford and keep the bases load. With two out, Ramon Torres worked a walk against Cutura to score another run. Robert was then hit by a pitch to force in the fourth run of the inning.
Unlike previous games of their six-game winning streak that ended Thursday, the Blue Wahoos could not get baserunners in the final five innings to set up a potential rally.
Travis Blankenhorn, Kirilloff, Contreras and Joe Cronin had the Blue Wahoos four hits.
The teams will play the third game of a six-game series on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with the Blue Wahoos’ Randy Dobnak (4-0, 2.54 ERA) going against the Barons’ Tanner Banks (1-5, 3.43 ERA).
The Blue Wahoos’ Adam Bray pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Cutura.
Oldest Living Poarch Creek Indian, Alabama WWII Vet Passes Away
July 5, 2019
The oldest living member of the Poarch Creek Indians and the oldest living World War II veteran in Alabama has passed away.
Carl ‘Buster’ McGhee, 102, passed away this week in Atmore
McGhee was born in Huxford, Alabama, and was formerly of Walnut Hill. He served in the United States Marine Corps during WWII.
Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. from the Atmore Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. James Boyd and Bro. Rowdy Boyte officiating. Burial will follow in Walnut Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.
He is survived by his children Gilbert (Mary) McGhee of Walnut Hill, FL; Carl Farron “Fay” McGhee of Poarch, AL; Robert (Annette) McGhee of Saraland, AL; Glenn (Billie) McGhee of Pensacola, FL; Larry E. McGhee of Poarch, AL; Harold (Lynna) McGhee of Brewton, AL and Sandra (Larue) Chunn of Theodore, AL. One sister Thelma Henson of Frost Proof, FL; sixteen grandchildren; twenty-three great grandchildren; ten great- great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
For the complete obituary, click here.
Century Still Seeking Charter Review Committee Applicants; Little Interest So Far
July 5, 2019
The Town of Century is continuing to accept applicants for a Charter Review Committee, but so far they’ve had little interest expressed by local residents.
Applicants must reside within the town limits and submit an application by 3 p.m. on Thursday, July 25. As of early this week, only two applications had been received.
If the town council goes forward, the committee will explore the town charter — the document that establishes the town, outlines its powers and spells out how it should operate. The current Century charter has not been updated in almost 40 years.
The town council held a workshop in May with Lynn Tipton of the Florida League of Cities explained to the council that municipal governments in Florida often review and update their charters to meet the ever-changing landscape of government.
The Century town charter was adopted on November 27, 1979, and ratified by referendum on January 8, 1980. It has been unchanged since.
Tipton said the first step toward possible changes to Century’s charter would be the formation of a charter revision committee. The committee would hold several public forums and would work to involve local citizens every step of the way in a process that could easily take a year.
“The role of citizens in this process is crucial,” Tipton said.” Representation of the public, ability to weigh issues and to understand the charter’s importance of the city’s governing foundation.”
The number of council members, the length of their terms and how the mayor is selected could all be changed through an updated charter.
To download an application (PDF), click here.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Rolling Hills Landfill Being Closed Permanently
July 5, 2019
The Rolling Hills Landfill will be permanently closed. It has been site of fires that have burned for days.
Closure construction work should be completed within four months. Following completion of construction activities, the site will be closely monitored for several weeks to confirm site stabilization and adherence to the engineered design.
FDEP revoked the permit for the landfill in 2014, which resulted in an issuance of a Final Order of Permit Revocation in May 2015. The closure of the facility was ultimately due to permit compliance issues including failure to apply soil cover, elevated levels of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) emanating from the facility, impacts to ground-water and surface water and disposal of unauthorized waste.
“I’m glad to see that FDEP is taking final step in the remediation of the Rolling Hills landfill. It is my hope that the Wedgewood community may begin the process of healing,” said State Representative Alex Andrade.
FDEP says that residents may notice increased activity at the site, but contractors were instructed to “make every effort to minimize any inconveniences or disruptions to the community over the next few months”.
The Rolling Hill Landfill is located on Rolling Hills Road, just southwest of the I-10 and Highway 29 intersection.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Largest Catfish In Florida History Caught In Santa Rosa County
July 5, 2019
It’s not a fish tale but a real record — the largest catfish in the state of Florida was caught recently in Santa Rosa County.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) fisheries biologists certified a new state record flathead catfish weighing 69.3 pounds, measuring 47 inches long, with a girth of 34.25 inches, caught by angler Marvin Griffin from Santa Rosa County. Griffin caught his flathead catfish on rod and reel using live bait in the Yellow River.
“I wasn’t expecting to catch a state record when I started fishing that day with John Babb,” said Griffin. “But, it was the first and only fish we caught that day. I never would have been able to bring the fish into the boat without his help.”
Griffin brought his catch to the FWC’s Blackwater Hatchery near Holt, where biologists weighed it on a certified scale.
Griffin’s family has been fishing the Yellow River for years and have historically caught exceptionally large catfish there. Griffin’s uncle, James Auston Jr., caught a state record flathead catfish in the Yellow River and held the record from 2011 until 2016.
“I have always wanted to catch a state record,” said Griffin. “After my uncle caught his, I made it a mission of mine to catch my own.”
The former state record weighed 63.8 pounds and was caught on the Chattahoochee River in Jackson County in 2016.
“A state record catch is an amazing angling accomplishment,” said Chris Paxton, FWC’s Northwest Regional Fisheries Administrator. “With Griffin’s family history of state record catches, it seems that this family takes advantage of their quality time spent on the water. We are proud to award this state record to such an avid outdoor enthusiast.”
Flathead catfish are a non-native fish found in many Northwest Florida panhandle river systems. Flatheads prefer long, slow-flowing, moderately turbid rivers. Their solitary lifestyle makes them more difficult to catch than other catfish. Adult flathead catfish feed primarily on live fish, crawfish, freshwater clams and mussels.
AAA: Record-Breaking 2.6 Million Floridians Traveling This Holiday Weekend
July 5, 2019
AAA says a record number of Floridians are hitting the road during this long holiday weekend.
More Americans than ever recorded by AAA are making plans to honor the red, white and blue with an Independence Day getaway this year. An estimated 48.9 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more for the holiday weekend; 2.6 million of those will be Floridians, according to AAA.
An estimated 2.3 million Florida residents will travel by automobile, and about 200,000 are expected to take the skies.
In addition to lower gas prices than last summer, broader economic fundamentals remain strong. Low unemployment, robust consumer spending, and rising disposable incomes are all encouraging more consumers to spend their hard-earned money on travel this summer.
“This Independence Day will be a big boom for the travel industry, as a record number of Americans prepare to travel for the holiday,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Florida’s attractions, airports, hotels and beaches will see large crowds of both Floridians and those traveling from out of state.”
Federal Judge Rules Sheriff Must Participate In ‘Sex Ring’ Lawsuit Deposition (With Video)
July 4, 2019
[UPDATED} A federal judge Wednesday afternoon denied a motion by Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan not to be deposed in a federal lawsuit that alleges he was involved in a sex ring and then took steps to halt an internal affairs investigation.
Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth M. Timothy’s order means Morgan will be required to attend a deposition Friday afternoon at 1:00.
Leah and Doug Manning were convicted in state court for sexual activities that included their own underage twin daughters. Escambia County deputy Walter Thomas was also convicted. All three were sentenced to 25 years or more in prison.
Now legal age adults, the twin daughters are suing Morgan. The lawsuits allege Morgan “tolerated the sexual activities” with deputies and other ECSO employees “because of his friendship and personal relationship with mother (Leah Manning).”
Morgan is denying the allegations, and Wednesday afternoon held joint press conference and meeting with all personnel not on active duty protecting the public.
It is that press conference that led in part to the federal judge’s order. (Watch the entire press conference below.)
“A final point bears mention. At approximately 1:15 p.m., on July 3, 2019, Defendant Morgan held a press conference during which he addressed this case, and in particular some of the sensitive matters discussed in the instant filings. His willingness to voluntarily appear and publically answer questions (identical or similar to those Plaintiff’s counsel wishes to ask of him at his deposition) undermines any claim that his deposition testimony should be sealed. It likewise undermines his claim that as a high ranking public official he should not be compelled to testify, as he voluntarily appeared on air and voluntarily answered questions about this case posed to him by the media,” the judge wrote in her order.
Morgan’s attorneys had argued that he should not required to give a deposition in the lawsuits.
“Plaintiffs have failed to establish any reason why the deposition of the Sheriff is required, except for the purpose of a fishing expedition for irrelevant information. All of their claims against the Sheriff are in his official capacity regarding the policies and practices of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Such information can be obtained through other discovery and/or the depositions of lesser ranking officials,” court filings say.
Leah Manning claimed, according to a court document, that she had sex with Morgan on about five occasions, and that there is video that shows a half-naked Morgan in a hotel bed. She also claims the family dog was named “David” after the sheriff.
Morgan said he has never had contact with the Mannings and he had no supervision or influence on the investigation. The case was not directly investigated by the ECSO; it was handled by the State Attorney’s Office.
“I haven’t met someone, how can I have sex with them?” the sheriff said Wednesday. He also denied the video claim, and denied that he ever had any contact with the Mannings. The alleged video has not been made available.
During the investigation, phone numbers of a number of deputies were found in Leah Manning’s phone, including a number for Morgan.
Morgan said Thursday that the number in the Manning’s phone was his official cell number, not his personal cell or a landline. He said the investigation revealed that none of these numbers had contact with Manning’s phone.
“This whole case is fueled by rumors and innuendos and Facebook postings,” the sheriff said, “where a lie repeated often enough becomes the truth.”