Former Pensacola NAS Commander Named New Navy Federal Boss In Pensacola
March 23, 2019
Navy Federal Credit Union president/CEO Mary McDuffie announced today that Keith Hoskins has been hired to serve as senior vice president of the credit union’s Greater Pensacola Operations.
Captain Hoskins (USN Retired) has a distinguished military career, serving 27 years in the United States Navy. Hoskins’ military experience includes serving as the commanding officer of Naval Air Station Pensacola; member of the Navy’s flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels; and commanding officer of Strike Force Squadron 15. Most recently, Hoskins served as the general manager of Gulf Power’s western district.
“Keith is a talented and committed leader,” said Mary McDuffie, president/CEO of Navy Federal. “He understands our mission of serving members. He also understands that the mission begins with supporting our employees, providing those with the tools they need to grow their careers and empowering them to improve our operations.”
Hoskins will lead an operation site of more than 7,500 team members. Navy Federal is on track to reach its commitment of employing 10,000 people in the Pensacola/Escambia County community by 2026.
“I have been a Navy Federal member for 21 years and I am proud and humbled to now have the opportunity to serve as the lead executive for Navy Federal’s Pensacola campus,” Hoskins said. “We have a talented team who is committed to helping our members and making a positive difference in the Pensacola community. I look forward to continue to build upon the foundation of success that Debbie Calder and the entire team have built.”
Hoskins replaces Debbie Calder, who oversaw the growth of Greater Pensacola Operations for 12 years before being promoted to Chief Operating Officer and relocating to Navy Federal’s headquarters in Northern Virginia in January.
Mobile Bank Robbery Suspect Captured After Pursuit Ends Near Highway 29
March 23, 2019
A Mobile bank robbery suspect was arrested after a chase that ended in just off Highway 29 in Escambia County.
About 10:58 p.m. Thursday the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office alerted the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that they were pursuing a vehicle occupied by a bank robbery suspect. The vehicle exited I-10 at Nine Mile Road.
The driver of the vehicle, identified as Karen Riley, drove across Highway 29 to a dead end on East 9 1/2 Mile Road where the two suspects left the car and tried to flee on foot. They were captured by Baldwin County deputies.
Both Samuel Dickey and Riley were charged by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office with destruction of evidence and resisting arrest without violence. Riley was charged with fleeing and eluding.
Dickey is expected to face charges for the robbery of the Woodforest Bank inside a Walmart store at I-65 in Mobile on Thursday.
Man Accused Of DUI Manslaughter In Deaths Of Siblings Wants Lower Bond
March 23, 2019
The man accused of killing two siblings in a driving under the influence crash is trying to get his bond reduced because his family can’t afford it.
Hunter Black is accused of killing 15-year-old Sean Banks and 22-year-old Antoinette McCoy in January in an early morning crash on Kingsfield Road.
Black is currently facing two of vehicular manslaughter and two counts of DUI manslaughter.
He’s being held in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $1 million. A Florida Department of Law Enforcement report showed there was no alcohol found in Black’s system, but it was positive for Xanax and chemicals that can be linked to THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.
In a court filing this week, Black’s attorney says he lacks the financial means to post the bond. The attorney also said Black lives in Cantonment “with his family and has resided in the area for his entire life,” and other grounds will argued orally.
A hearing date on the motion has not yet been set.
Escambia Man Faces Life Sentence For Attempted Murder Of Three Deputies
March 23, 2019
An Escambia County man is facing life in prison for attempted murder of three Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies.
Demetric Denario Carter was convicted of three counts of attempted first degree premeditated murder with a firearm on a law enforcement officer. A jury also found Carter to be in actual possession of a firearm and that he discharged the firearm. The conviction carries a mandatory life sentence. The case was tried in front of Circuit Judge Jeff Burns and sentencing is currently set for April 17.
On October 27, 2017, Carter entered the Warrington Bank on Barrancas Avenue. He approached one of the tellers and told her to call the police. He then stated he did not want to take it out on them and to tell the police to meet him behind the bank. Law enforcement responded and made contact with Carter and it was discovered he had a firearm in his back pocket. After repeatedly telling Carter to get on the ground and to keep his hands visible, a taser was displayed. when carter reached and grabbed the firearm, the taser was deployed. carter then fired several shots in the direction of three deputies who returned fire.
Carter has several prior convictions including convictions for aggravated assault by threat with a firearm, domestic battery by strangulation, fleeing or attempting to elude a leo in an agency vehicle with siren and lights activated, sell, manufacture, deliver or possess a controlled substance with intent, possession of controlled substance (over 20 grams of cannabis), possession of drug paraphernalia, driving with no valid driver’s license, possession of prescription drugs without prescription, resisting an officer without violence, battery, and possession of a controlled substance (less than 20 grams of cannabis). He had just been released from prison 10 months prior to this incident.
Proposed Blue Angels License Plate Officially Unveiled
March 23, 2019
A proposed Blue Angels license plate was unveiled during a ceremony Friday at NAS Pensacola.
Sen. Doug Broxson has filed a bill to create a new Blue Angels specialty license plate.
If the bill become law, the license plate will include the words “Home of the Blue Angels” at the bottom. The annual fees generated by the plate will benefit the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation, including the Naval Aviation Museum and the National Flight Academy in Pensacola.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Chloe Channell Added To Spring Jam Lineup
March 23, 2019
American Idol contestant Chloe Channell has been added to the lineup for CatCountry 98.7’s second annual Spring Jam concert on Sunday.
The concert will feature Michael Ray with special guests Jimmie Allen, Everette and Chloe Channell with Billy Dean.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at CatCountry987.com. Ticket prices will be $20 the day of the show. The show for all ages will be held on the beach behind Juanas Pagodas and Sailors Grill. Doors will open at 3:30 p.m. and the show will start at 6 p.m. Bring a beach towel, but no chairs are allowed.
Proceeds will benefit the Santa Rosa Kids House.
Two Sheds Burn, Blaze Spreads Into Wildfire
March 22, 2019
Two sheds were destroyed by fire Friday in Beulah, and the fire spread into about 1.5 acres of grass, threatening homes.
Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the 9900 block of Rebel Road about 12:30 and found the sheds already on the ground.
The fire was sparked by a debris fire that got out of control. There were no injuries reported.
Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Kingsfield Road Crash Claims Life Of Pedestrian
March 22, 2019
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A pedestrian was killed in a crash Thursday night on East Kingsfield Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 39-year old Jason Fleming of Cantonment was traveling east on East Kingsfield about 8 p.m. approaching the intersection of Joel Street in a 2003 Honda Accent. A pedestrian was walking east on the white outside line of Kingsfield approaching the same intersection.
“The pedestrian failed to walk on the shoulder and due to being too close to passing traffic was struck,” according to the FHP. The name of the pedestrian has not been released awaiting notification of next of kin.
Any charges against Fleming are pending the outcome of the FHP investigation.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Santa Rosa Man Sentenced To Death For Murder Of Alabama Pastor
March 22, 2019
A Jay man has been sentenced to death for a 2014 murder of a pastor in Escambia County, AL.
Brett Richard Yeiter, age 51 of Little Paul Lane, will die by lethal injection for the shooting death of his father-in-law Paul Phillips.
The shooting occurred Monday, October 27, 2014 at 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 the pastor of the small church.
Yeiter shot Phillips after a dispute outside the church.
Yeiter was arrested a few days after the shooting by a Texas state trooper near Amarillo. At the time of his arrest, he was still driving the same truck with no tag that authorities said he used to flee the murder scene. Texas authorities said Yeter also used his credit card in western Oklahoma.
Pictured top: Brett Richard Yeiter was booked into the Carson County, TX jail after his arrest on October 30, 2014. Courtesy image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Sentenced To Prison On Animal Cruelty Charges
March 22, 2019
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to prison for aggravated animal cruelty, cruelty to animals and contributing to the delinquency of a child.
Circuit Judge Kinsey sentenced 25-year old David Wick to four years in state prison followed by three years of supervision with conditions including that Wick not own any animals.On June 28, 2018, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call for service at the home of Wick and deputies discovered several dogs in distress. Deputies immediately contacted Escambia County Animal Control to investigate and remove the animals.
Eleven animals were removed from the premises and two dogs passed away as a result of their malnourishment and lack of veterinary care. Wick’s small child was ultimately removed based on the conditions of the home.