FWC Files 28 Charges Against Bratt Man For Selling Deer Meat
September 14, 2018
A Bratt man is facing over two dozen charges after he allegedly sold illegal deer meat to an undercover Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer.
Hunter Anthony Chavers, 23, was arrested this week on eight felony counts of selling an illegally taken deer, four counts of possession of freshly killed deer out of season, eight counts of not possessing evidence of a deer’s gender and eight counts of failing to tag deer meat.
On January 29, Chavers met an undercover FWC officer in the parking lot of the Tom Thumb in Molino. He sold the officer meat from two deer for $120 cash, and the transaction was witnessed by a second FWC officer from a nearby location, according to a warrant affidavit.
On February 13, Chavers contacted the undercover FWC officer, met him at the Tom Thumb and again sold him the meat from two deer, court documents state.
Investigators said Chavers sold them the meat from another deer on February 23, and three additional deer on March 15. Deer season in Florida closed on February 25.
On March 22, FWC officers said they were conducting surveillance on Chaver’s vehicle when he walked to the bed of a pickup truck, opened a cooler and removed the head of a freshly killed buck. He placed the head on the ground and took several photographs with his phone, officers said.
The FWC said Chavers illegally possessed and delivered eight deer, three of which were out of hunting season, to an undercover FWC investigator.
Chavers did not have a hunting license or deer permit from the FWC. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Friday with bond set at $28,000.
Additional charges in the case are possible.
Much of the deer meat was donated to the Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida.
Attorney: Century Not Required To Advertise For Bids
September 14, 2018
Century is not required to advertise for bids before making a purchase, and the town council — or citizens — have the power to start the process of amending the town’s charter, according to the town attorney.
Council present Ann Brooks raised questions about purchasing procedures and the charter in an email to attorney Matt Dannehisser.
The town charter states:
“The council shall request and receive bids and award contracts involving expenditures of Five-Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or more. Except in emergencies, the council must approve the expenditure of amounts greater than One Hundred Ninety-Nine Dollars ($199.00) and less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), prior to the expenditure.”
Dannheisser said in his email that while the town charter must be followed, the charter does not require that the town “advertise for bids” before awarding a contract. Because there is not requirement for advertising, written proposals or competitive sections, he said the town could receive bids “thought simplistic processes such as calling vendors on the phone and receiving oral proposals.”
“That can be accomplished through simplistic processes such as calling vendors on the phone and receiving oral proposals,” he wrote, adding that the town council “may use its discretion whatever procedure it deems to be in the Town’s best interest”.
He said it appears the town could use a state or county bid list for expenditures, or create their own bid list.
Brooks also inquired if the town could amend its charter.
Dannheisser said it could be amended under home rule by ordinance or by a petition signed by 10 percent of registered voters — both of which would require a vote during the next election or a special election.
Ernest Middle Defeats W.S. Neal 28-0
September 14, 2018
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles opened their season Thursday night with a 28-0 win over W.S. Neal in East Brewton.
The remainder of the EWMS football season looks like this:
- 9/20 Summerdale at EWMS, 6 p.m.
- 9/25 EWMS at Saraland 6 p.m.
- 10/4 W.S. Neal at EWMS, 6 p.m.
- 10/11 Escambia Cty. Middle (Atmore) at EWMS, 6 p.m.
- 10/18 EWMS at Summerdale, 6 p.m.
Ernest Ward has the only middle school football team in Escambia, FL.
High School Football Finals
September 14, 2018
Here are tonight’s high school football game in the North Escambia area:
FLORIDA
- Pensacola High 21, Tate 7
- Blountstown 35, 19
- Jay 30, Wewahitchka 22
- Pine Forest 27, Gulf Breeze 15
- Escambia 49, West Park 0
- Pensacola Catholic 17, Milton 13
- Pace 58, Booker T. Washington 33
- Navarre 53 Choctaw 7
- Lynn Haven Mosley 13, West Florida 10 (Thursday)
ALABAMA
- Escambia Academy 35, Patrician 7
- Hillcrest 26, Escambia County (Atmore) 0
- Flomaton 35, Excel 12
- Clarke County 46, W.S. Neal 13
- T.R. Miller 40, St. Michael Catholic 0 (Thursday)
Escambia BOCC Declares September As Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
September 14, 2018
The Escambia County Commission recently proclaiming the month of September 2018 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The BOCC also commended and thanked the Rally Foundation and other community supporters for all they do to educate the public about childhood cancer. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Splits V-Ball With Flomaton; Tate Wins Golf Match
September 14, 2018
Northview Volleyball
The Northview Lady Chiefs split volleyball games with Flomaton Thursday. The Northview JV defeated Flomaton 25-15, 25-27, 15-9, and the Flomaton varsity topped Northview 25-17, 25-27, 25-22, 25-18. The Lady Chiefs are on the road Monday at Lighthouse Christian and Tuesday at Jay before returning home to host Central on Thursday.
Tate Golf
In high school golf Thursday, Tate came out on top with a score of 194, followed by Washington with 212 and Pensacola High with 224. Individual medalists were JT Semple from Tate with 40, Jett Zhang of PHS with 45 and Jace Anthony from Washington with 46.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Billings Murder Mastermind Appeal Rejected
September 14, 2018
The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously turned down an appeal by death row inmate Leonard Patrick Gonzalez Jr. He convicted of killing Byrd and Melanie Billings during a July 2009 home-invasion robbery that drew national attention.
Justices rejected arguments raised by Gonzalez, who was convicted of first degree murder in the slayings.
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.
In the appeal decided Thursday, Gonzalez raised arguments including that he had received “ineffective assistance” from his attorney before being convicted. In part, Gonzalez contended that his attorney didn’t adequately argue for a change of venue because of publicity surrounding the case.
Also, Gonzalez contended that the attorney did not adequately determine during jury selection whether jurors could be impartial.
But the Supreme Court, in a nine-page opinion, upheld the convictions.
“The record before this (Supreme) Court demonstrates that trial counsel provided prospective jurors with a questionnaire inquiring, among other things, about their exposure to pretrial publicity,” the opinion said. “Members of the (potential jury) who responded that they were familiar with the publicity were asked if they could set it aside and consider only the evidence presented during the trial.
Two prospective jurors who indicated they could not set aside what they had heard or read were excused for cause. Once the jury selections were completed, Gonzalez was asked personally if he was satisfied with the jury as selected and he replied affirmatively.
Accordingly, the record reflects that Gonzalez was able to select a fair and impartial jury and the trial court would not likely have granted a renewed motion for change of venue at that time.”
Justices Barbara Pariente, Peggy Quince, Ricky Polston, Jorge Labarga and Alan Lawson concurred in the opinion. Chief Justice Charles Canady and Justice R. Fred Lewis agreed with the outcome but did not fully sign on to the opinion.
Byrd and Melanie Billings died after each being shot multiple times.
“In the case of Mr. Billings, Gonzalez shot him in one leg, repeated the request for money, and then shot him in the other leg when Mr. Billings was still not forthcoming about the money,” earlier court documents said. “Gonzalez then placed Mr. Billings in a headlock and dragged him into the master bedroom where he shot him in the side of the face. Only after Mr. Billings was terrorized and endured repeated non-fatal shootings did Gonzalez finally shoot him in the head. As to Mrs. Billings, although her actual shooting and death occurred fairly quickly, she was aware of her impending death and probably fearful of suffering multiple gunshot wounds, having witnessed her husband being shot and suffer. She was then shot in the face, while looking at her attacker and knowing that her children were probably also in grave danger.”
by The News Service of Florida with contribution from NorthEscambia.com
GED Classes Available At The Molino Community Center
September 14, 2018
Fall 2018 GED classes have started at the Molino Community Center and meet every Monday and Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. This is an open enrollment program, so students may enroll anytime during the semester.
Classes are actively taught by certified teachers and personalized instruction is given based on each individual student’s academic level. Tuition is $30 per semester.
For more information, click here.
New students must complete an online application at www.georgestonecenter.com.
Gulf Power Prepares Storm Team For Hurricane Florence Help
September 13, 2018
A 76-person Gulf Power storm team was released on Thursday, shortly after beginning their trip to the Carolinas to assist with restoration following Hurricane Florence.
“With the hurricane weakening slightly as it approaches, the anticipated crew levels needed are being adjusted,” said Gordon Paulus, Gulf Power spokesperson. “However, there is a chance we could be picked up by another utility between now and Monday.”
The storm is forecast to be a tropical storm as late as Saturday night in South Carolina.
The unpredictability of tropical storms means planning is constantly shifting. Gulf Power is part of the Mutual Assistance group of the Southeastern Electric Exchange, which coordinates the placement of utility restoration teams with the host utilities that might need them.
“Once the utilities in North and South Carolina assess how much damage there is from the winds of Hurricane Florence and the flooding, we could very well be called to assist one of them,” Paulus said. “We are ready to help.”
Gulf Power has a strong history of restoring power — both at home and away assisting other utilities. Crews have deployed nearly 40 times since 2008 to help other energy companies restore power to their customers, most recently to Puerto Rico, to help rebuild the energy grid following Hurricane Maria.
Pictured: Corey Ness, a line technician out of the Pensacola Pine Forest office, packs some gear into a bucket truck in preparation for the storm restoration trip to the Carolina. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Woman Accused Of Shooting At Her Son’s Friend In Drug Money Dispute
September 13, 2018
A Molino woman is accused of firing a gun at her son’s high school friend in a dispute over drug money in an incident that played out on the roads of Bratt.
Crystal Lorraine Holliday, 36, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, discharging a firearm from a vehicle and robbery with a firearm. She was released from the Escambia County Jail Wednesday morning on a $7,500 bond.
The victim told deputies that he was given $200 to go buy “weed” for the dad of another student he knew from school. But instead of purchasing marijuana, the victim decided to keep the cash.
He received text messages from a number he did not recognize asking him to meet at a convenience store at the corner of North Highway 99 and Highway 4 in Bratt. When he arrived at the store, he saw the man get out of his car and start to approach him. The victim became scared and drove away.
The student’s dad pulled up next to the victim’s car as they traveled on Breastworks Road. The student’s mother, later identified as Holliday, fired a shot at the victim, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report. The victim stopped his car and put his hands up as Holliday pointed the gun at him and demanded the $200, the report states.
The victim told investigators that he had already spend part of the $200, so Holliday took a compound bow valued at $900 and his $600 iPhone at gunpoint and told him he could get his phone back for $90. The victim drove to a residence on Pine Barren Road and called deputies.
The father told deputies that there was never a gun involved in the incident, and Holliday owns a .380 caliber weapon that she keeps in another vehicle, according to the report. The father also said the money was for a cell phone that the victim did not give his son, so they chased him, taking his phone and bow until the victim could pay back the money.
Holliday’s statements to deputies were redacted from the arrest report.
The bow and iPhone were returned to the victim by the ECSO.