Bonds Set, Details Released In Convenience Store Clerk Murder
February 22, 2019
The three suspects in the deadly robbery armed robbery of the Quickfill on Mobile Highway appeared in court Thursday where a judge set their bond. Meanwhile, more information has been released about the crime that has the community in mourning.
Govardhan Kotha, known as “Reddy”, was shot and killed at the QuickFill on Mobile Highway.
Bond for Keandra Martez Smith was set at $2.5 million for each of two counts. Crystal Elaine Clausel;’s bond was set at $100,000 Efidarius Gemeateus Bryant will be back in court after he gets a public defender, but until then he is being held without bond.
Smith and Bryant are charged with murder and armed robbery, and Clausell is charged with conspiracy to commit robbery.
A customer that entered the store Tuesday night called authorities because he did not see a clerk in the store and the register drawer was open. Deputies arrived to find that Kotha, 50, was shot in the head and chest.
On the surveillance video, deputies watched as Smith entered the store in a gray hoodie. He purchased sunflower seeds and left the store. Then Bryant entered the store wearing mask, brandishing a 9mm semi-automatic automatic handgun at Kotha. A short time later, he lifted the cash register draw and fired two shots at Kotha, hitting him in the upper chest and head, according to a report.
Smith, according to the report, left the store without taking any cash.
By early morning, surveillance images were posted on social media and news media, including NorthEscambia.com. A tipster came forward an identified one of the suspects as Smith to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Smith was taken into custody and transported to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, wearing the same hoodie as in the surveillance video. A police report notes he was distraught and crying hysterically.
At no point did Smith attempt to render first aid to Kotha, contact emergency medical services or reach out to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the report revealed.
Smith provided his DNA to Crime Scene, according to the report.
Clausell and Bryant were dating, the investigation revealed.
Northview Beats Flomaton, West Florida Gets Shutout In Softball; Tate Baseball Beats Escambia
February 22, 2019
Softball
Northview 4, Flomaton 0
The Northview Chiefs beat Flomaton 4-0 Thursday night in Bratt. Tori Herrington pitched the win for the Chiefs, striking out nine while going 1-3 with one RBI. Aubree Love, Kailin Watson and Valen Shelley were all 1-3 at bat, while Heather Knowles was 1-4. Love, Watson, Kendall Enfinger and Maykala Jeneske each had a RBI. Up next, the Chiefs are on the road Friday at Crestview.
Northview 13, Flomaton 3 (JV)
Northview’s junior varsity earned a run-rule win in just three innings Thursday over Flomaton by the score of 13-3.
West Florida 1, Niceville 0
Jeya Prasad didn’t allow a single run against Niceville, throwing a complete game shutout and leading West Florida Jags Varsity to a 1-0 victory in the circle and at the plate with a RBI single to score Kiauna Watson in the top of the 6th. She surrendered zero runs on two hits over seven innings, striking out 11 and walking zero. Hampton took the loss for Niceville. She went five innings, allowing one run on six hits, striking out two and walking one. Watson went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead West Florida Jags Varsity in hits, one in which included a triple in the top of the 6th.
Preseason Baseball
Tate 10, Escambia 0
Pictured top: Gracie Godwin pitches against Flomaton Thursday at Northview in JV softball. Pictured below: The final out as Northview’s JV run-rules Flomaton, and action as West Florida blanks Niceville. NorthEscambia.com and courtesy photos, click to enlarge.
FHP Cracking Down On Hit And Run Drivers; Woman Wanted For Fleeing Crash
February 22, 2019
The Florida Highway Patrol held a press conference Thursday to send a message about the problem with hit and run crashes in the Panhandle.
The FHP said troopers, a long with other agencies that include the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and Pensacola Police, are cracking down on hit and run drivers.
“One hit and run is one too many,” Cpt. Rich Warden said.
In Escambia County, there were 1,704 hit and run crashes in the last year with four fatalities.
Warden said drivers should remain at the scene if they are ever involved in a crash. And he encouraged anyone witnessing a hit and run to stop and render aid, while calling authorities quickly with information about the hit and run driver and vehicle.
Also Thursday, the FHP highlighted the hit and run case of a Pensacola woman wanted for hitting a pedestrian with her car and driving away.
Troopers said suspect 42-year-old Cherie Renee Wallace was involved in an alleged burglary on Fairfield Drive. She backed her black Toyota Celica into 56-year-old Mark Booth while she was trying to flee the scene, according to the FHP.
Wallace is former resident of Molino, according to police reports.
Anyone with information on here whereabouts is asked to contact the FHP at (850) 484-5000.
Food Trucks In Century? Town To Discuss Regulations And Fees
February 21, 2019
The Town of Century will hold a workshop next month to discuss regulations on food trucks in the town.
Workshop topics will include permit requirements, restrictions and the use of water and sewer. Town Planner Debbie Nickles said the Century Land Development Code (LDC) needs to be amended to allow food truck operation, and fees should be discussed.
When a “permanent food truck” was installed late last year behind Odom’s Bar in Century, town official discovered that food trucks were not directly addressed in the LDC. Odom’s agreed to comply with town direction and obtain separate water and sewer taps for the food business.
While there are no traditional mobile food trucks currently operating in Century, Nickles and town council members noted that food trucks often set up at special events in town, such as the Fourth of July fireworks show.
The food truck workshop will be held Monday, March 18 at 5:30 p.m. at the Century Town Hall.
Pictured: A “permanent food truck” behind Odom’s Bar in Century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Farm Auction Is Saturday
February 21, 2019
The annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Club Farm Equipment Auction will be held this Saturday, February 23, beginning at 9:30 a.m.
The auction includes not only farm equipment, but also household items like tools and small equipment, lawn and garden items, antiques and more. Items will be received on Thursday and Friday.
Concessions will be available all day Saturday from the Ruritan Club. The sale will be located at the Walnut Hill Community Center on Highway 97 just north of Ernest Ward Middle School.
For more information or consignments, call (850) 327-4479 or (850) 327-4318.
For complete information, click here.
Pictured: Hundreds attended the annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Club farm equipment auction last year in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
‘Golden Cow Dung Award’ Presented To Ernest Ward Middle School Nurse During FFA Breakfast
February 21, 2019
Ernest Ward Middle School nurse Phyllis Malone received the 11th annual “Golden Cow Dung Award” from members of the Ernest Ward FFA Wednesday. The award presented during a FFA appreciation breakfast features a large piece of cow dung, painted a golden color and mounted on a board painted in school colors.
Malone received the award as a “thank you” for supporting FFA during National FFA Week.
(Cow dung, in case you did not know, is what you are probably thinking it is. It’s that natural byproduct that cows drop in the field. The award is 100 percent real dung spray painted a golden color. The golden piece presented Wednesday is actually the original award piece created and painted in 2009.)
Pictured: The Ernest Ward Middle School FFA Golden Cow Dung Award presentation to Phyllis Malone Wednesday morning Also pictured: The EWMS FFA Appreciation Breakfast. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Update Your Contacts: Northview High School Has A New Phone Number
February 21, 2019
Northview High School has a new phone number. The school can now be reached at (850) 761-6000.
The school’s old number will continue to be active for a short period of time, according to Interim Principal Gerry Pippins, but anyone needing to reach the school is encouraged to update the number in their phone contacts.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Tate High School Names Students Of The Month
February 21, 2019
Tate High School has named their Students of the Month for January. They are Carter Pitts and Jordan Baker-Williams. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Rep. Bradley Byrne Announces Candidacy For U.S. Senate
February 21, 2019
Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL) announced his candidacy Wednesday night at a downtown Mobile restaurant, just down the street from where he grew up.
In announcing his candidacy, Bradley said his campaign will focus on his record as a fighter for Alabama’s values.
The fight for America’s future is too important to sit on the sidelines. I am running for the United States Senate to defend the values important to Alabama. We need a Senator who will fight with President Trump “to defend the Constitution, build the wall, stand up for the unborn, push for lower taxes, make health care more affordable, and protect the Second Amendment. I will fight every day to bring Alabama’s conservative values to Washington,” he said.
Pictured top: Congressman Bradley Byrne during a town hall meeting last year in Atmore (NorthEscambia.com photo). Pictured below: Byrne announces his candidacy for U.S. Senate Tuesday night in Mobile.
DeSantis Looks To Allow Floridians To Purchase Approved Drugs From Canada
February 21, 2019
Pointing to the high costs of health care, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday announced plans to create a program that would allow Floridians to have access to FDA-approved drugs from Canada.
Appearing at The Villages, DeSantis said he will work with President Donald Trump on creation of the program, which would require approval from the Trump administration.
“I spoke personally to President Trump on both Sunday and Monday about this,” DeSantis told a crowd at the huge Central Florida retirement community. “He’s not only supportive, he’s enthusiastic.”
DeSantis said his administration is working on keeping regulations — and taxes — down for Florida businesses.
“Now the biggest hurdle is paying for the health insurance,” he said. “And a lot of it is … because of the prescription drugs.”
The governor’s office didn’t release a detailed plan. But DeSantis said the program would be possible under the federal Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003.
The law allows imports from Canada of prescription drugs for personal use and eliminated a prohibition against manufacturers entering into agreements to prevent the sale or distribution of imported products.
But a program cannot be created unless the secretary of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services certifies to Congress that the imports don’t threaten the health and safety of the American public and would reduce costs. Such a certification has not happened.
“Sixteen years this has been on the books, and yet it has never been put into practice,” DeSantis said.
DeSantis said the changes would also help reduce the amount of money the state spends on drugs for prisoners. A federal judge in November ordered the Florida Department of Corrections to begin treating all prison inmates who test positive for hepatitis C virus with next-generation medications.
It’s estimated that between 20 to 40 percent of the 100,000 people in Florida state prisons have the hepatitis C virus. Treatment can cost $20,000.
The governor was accompanied in The Villages by House Speaker Jose Oliva, R-Miami Lakes, and Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Mary Mayhew.
Oliva has made lowering health-care costs a top priority for the next two years. He has taken aim at Florida hospitals for being the primary drivers of increased costs and has pushed to eliminate regulations that he says give hospitals an unfair advantage over other health-care facilities, such as ambulatory surgical centers.
“There are tremendous efforts on behalf of interest groups to keep things as they are,” Oliva said. “And it takes the courage of the people that you all send up to Tallahassee to make a difference. So I can finally say, ‘We are all here and we’re going to make a difference.’ ”
by Christine Sexton, The News Service of Florida