Arrested Century Man Charged With Taking Cocaine Into County Jail
December 21, 2016
A Century man busted for a traffic offense was arrested on additional charges for taking cocaine into the county jail.
An Escambia County deputy familiar with 48-year old Aubrey Sebastian Phifer recognized him driving without a license on North Century Boulevard and West Highway 4. The deputy caught up with him and conducted a traffic stop on Jefferson Avenue.
Phifer was arrested on a felony charge for driving while license suspended as a habitual traffic offender. The arresting deputy transported him to the Tom Thumb in Molino where another deputy took custody of Phifer and transported him to the county jail. When questioned, Phifer told the deputy that he did not have anything illegal on his person, according to an arrest report.
Detention deputies inside the jail reported finding a clear plastic bag containing cocaine inside Phifer’s sock. He was charged with possession of a controlled substance and introduction of contraband into a dentition facility.
Two Charged With Craigslist Deal Robbery
December 21, 2016
Two 18-year olds have been arrested for robbing a woman during a Craigslist deal.
The victim told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that she was contacted by De’Shaun O’Neil Allen and Thomas Lee Wright about a necklace she had listed for sale on Craigslist. The suspects went to the victims home to view the necklace then Wright snatched it without paying, according to deputies.
The fled in a 2003 red Dodge neon which they later wrecked before fleeing into a wooded area. They were caught hiding in the woods by a deputy and his K-9.
Both were arrested and charged with felony robbery by sudden snatching without a firearm or weapon and booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $5,000.
Escambia Legislative Delegation To Hold Public Hearing
December 21, 2016
State Representative Clay Ingram, chairman of the Escambia County State Legislative Delegation, has announced that a public hearing will be held on Wednesday, January 4, 2017, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio, located at 1000 College Boulevard in Pensacola.
Delegation members will consider local bills, hear presentations from government entities and take public testimony on proposals for the 2017 Legislative Session. Any member of the public is welcomed to attend and participate, but those who wish to make a presentation or provide testimony should complete a Meeting Participation Form and email it to Ingram’s office at Jessi.McDonald@myfloridahouse.gov no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, January 2.
Local bill submissions, including (1) a brief summary of the proposal, (2) a draft of the proposed bill, and (3) an Economic Impact Statement Form, must be received by Ingram’s district office via email no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, January 2.
The Escambia County State Legislative Delegation includes Senator Doug Broxson, Representative Clay Ingram, and Representative Frank White.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
December 21, 2016
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending December 9 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer McHenry has been monitoring a baited area in the Perdido River Wildlife Management Area (WMA) for the last couple of weeks. He issued a notice to appear to a subject he found deer hunting over the bait this week.
Officer McHenry and Captain Rondeau worked an area in the Perdido River WMA that has been damaged by people using their vehicles mudding and intentionally damaging the parking areas and roadways. After being in the area a short while, they observed a vehicle enter the area and the driver perform several donuts in one of the main parking areas. They stopped the driver and issued him a notice to appear citation for destruction of state lands. He was also cited for possession of alcohol in a closed area.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Hutchinson was patrolling the Blackwater River when he saw a vessel traveling at a high rate of speed in a no wake zone. The vessel pulled up to a dock behind a residence and a female subject disembarked carrying a dip net containing nine speckled trout. After making contact with both subjects and asking about the size of the fish, the female subject made the comment that one of them may be close to the minimum size. After further inspection of the fish, three of the fish were undersized. After questioning both subjects, the female subject admitting to catching and keeping the three undersized fish. She was issued a notice to appear for possession of undersized spotted sea trout. She was issued a written warning for a fishing license violation and the male subject was issued a written warning for the violation of the restricted zone.
FWC officers assisted FWC’s Hunting and Game Management staff in putting together another successful Blackwater Family Hunt. Forty-nine quota permits were used and approximately 64 young people participated in the hunt. Donated prizes from the community were presented to several lucky kids, including tree stands, blinds, and even two youth model shotguns. Great weather provided some exciting hunting opportunities for the families participating. Fifteen deer were taken during the hunt and some of the youth were able to take their first deer.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
State Debt Drops After Bonds Refinanced
December 21, 2016
State debt declined by $1.6 billion during the past year, although the head of the state Division of Bond Finance warned that rising interest rates could present more financial challenges in the coming year.
In a preliminary report, reviewed by aides to Gov. Rick Scott and state Cabinet members, Ben Watkins said Florida’s overall debt declined to $24.1 billion in the fiscal year that ended June 30. That was a drop from the prior year’s debt level of $25.7 billion and reflected a six-year decline of $4.1 billion.
State debt has declined since reaching a peak of $28.2 billion in 2010 due to several factors. Since taking office in 2011, Scott has remained largely opposed to borrowing money or issuing bonds.
The debt has also declined because state officials, taking advantage of low interest rates, have aggressively refinanced older bonds, replacing higher rates with more-favorable rates.
In the last year alone, the Division of Bond Finance oversaw 13 refinancings totaling about $3 billion in debt that resulted in $619 million in savings. Over the last six-and-a-half years, 82 refinancings have been executed, resulting in nearly $2.5 billion in debt savings, the new report shows.
But Watkins, who presented his report to Scott and the Cabinet, said the municipal bond market is undergoing fairly dramatic changes, calling a recent upward tick in interest rates “a bigger move than has happened any time in the last three years.”
Watkins said money is flowing out of the municipal bond market into other areas, including a rising stock market. He said that trend “creates dynamics that are unfavorable for selling (municipal) bonds and puts upward pressure on rates.”
Higher rates could curb Florida’s ability to refinance older debt and increase the state’s reluctance to borrow new money during the next year.
In August, state officials reversed a five-year trend and agreed to borrow $285 million over the next few years to build and maintain facilities for state universities, colleges and public schools. The initial borrowing was in the range of $52 million for what are known as Public Education Capital Outlay bonds.
Heading into a 2017 legislative session, where a minimal budget surplus has been projected, lawmakers could again look to borrowing for education construction projects.
Also, Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, has advanced a proposal to issue bonds to pay for the state’s share of acquiring 60,000 acres south of Lake Okeechobee. The proposal, which also would rely on federal money, is part of an effort to store and clean water and reduce releases from Lake Okeechobee into the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries.
Scott and Cabinet members are keeping an eye on rising debt for the state university system, with a report from the Division of Bond Finance in October showing university debt had risen by $1.1 billion over the last five years, while the state’s overall debt had declined.
Most of the university debt is tied to borrowing by “direct support organizations,” university-based entities that have borrowed money for health-care facilities, student housing, parking garages, fitness-wellness centers and athletic facilities.
The university system’s Board of Governors and the boards of trustees at the 12 universities have approved new procedures to make sure borrowing proposals face rigorous scrutiny.
Florida made $2.1 billion in debt payments in the last year, the new report shows. The debt payments are expected to rise in 2017 and 2018 due to financing related to the “I-4 Ultimate Project,” a public-private partnership that is adding lanes to a 21-mile section of the interstate highway in Orange and Seminoles counties.
Florida’s debt payments, as a percentage of state revenues, were at 5.46 percent in the last year, under a benchmark of 6 percent, the report shows. Florida’s debt, on a per-capita basis, ranked seventh among the 11 largest states at $1,085 of tax-supported debt per resident, compared to $4,141 in New Jersey, the highest, and $298 in Texas, the lowest.
by Lloyd Dunkelberger, The News Service of Florida
Deputy Fires Weapon At Suspect That Pulled Gun
December 21, 2016
An Escambia County deputy fired his weapon at a suspect Tuesday afternoon about 3:30 near W Street and Truman Avenue.
A patrol deputy attempted to pull over a vehicle, but the driver would not stop. The deputy discontinued the traffic stop, and the unidentified suspect wrecked his vehicle nearby.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Major Andrew Hobbs said the driver got out of the vehicle and pointed his firearm at the deputy as the officer drove towards him. The deputy then shot at, but did not hit, the suspect.
The suspect then threw his gun down, got down on the ground and complied with the deputy. He was taken into custody and transported to the Escambia County Jail. The identity of the suspect has not yet been released.
Pictured: An Escambia County deputy shot at a suspect that pulled a weapon Tuesday afternoon. Top photo courtesy Hudson Miller/WEAR 3. Bottom photos NorthEscambia.com reader submitted by Cor’Darious Jones, click to enlarge.
Census Bureau: Florida Among Fastest Growing States
December 21, 2016
Florida trailed only Texas among the 50 states in attracting newcomers over the last year, as the Sunshine State placed fourth in the nation in its percentage growth rate, the U.S. Census Bureau reported Tuesday.
Florida had an estimated 20.6 million residents as of July 1, compared to California’s 39.3 million people and Texas’ population of 27.9 million.
Florida’s gain of 367,525 new residents topped California’s growth of 256,077 new residents; Texas led the nation with a gain of 432,957 people.
Meanwhile, Florida led the 10 largest states with a 1.82 percent annual growth rate, and ranked behind Utah (2.03 percent), Nevada (1.95 percent) and Idaho (1.83 percent) among all states.
Nationally, the population growth rate was 0.7 percent. Regionally, the West had the fastest annual growth rate at 1.08 percent, followed by the South at 1.06 percent. Midwestern states had a 0.15 percent growth rate, while the Northeast had only a 0.04 percent increase.
Florida remained the nation’s third-largest state and increased its population edge over fourth-ranked New York, with a margin of 867,150 residents in 2016 compared to 497,731 a year earlier.
by The News Service of Florida
Escambia Man Gets Life For 2013 Stabbing Death
December 21, 2016
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to life in prison for a 2013 stabbing death.
Anthony Paul Peoples, Jr., was found guilty in a judge trial before Judge Thomas Dannheisser of the second degree murder of 19-year old Tyquon James Prim. Dannheisser immediately sentenced Peoples to life in state prison.
On October 26, 2013, Prim collapsed in front of the Hotel Liquidation on Mobile Highway with a stab wound to the chest. A bystander chased the defendant from the scene to his grandmother’s house a few blocks away. Peoples was arrested at that location shortly thereafter.
Prim subsequently died as a result of the stab wound.
Molino Woman Charged With Stealing Wedding Rings, Coins From Grandfather
December 20, 2016
A Molino woman is accused of stealing wedding rings and collectible coins from her grandfather and then pawning them.
Valerie Leigh Sanderson, 29, was charged with grand theft and dealing in stolen property, both felonies.
Investigators said she unlawfully entered her grandfather’s home on Molino Road to take the jewelry and coins. An arrest report notes that she would normally have access to her grandfather’s home, but did not reside there and had no permission to remove any property.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said she stole and later pawned or sold two 14K yellow gold wedding rings, 230 silver war nickels and one American Gold Eagle Coin.
The wedding rings were not recovered; they were pawned for their weight in gold. The grandfather was able to remover the coins after they were sold to another dealer in Louisiana.
FWC: Go ‘Wild’ With Your Christmas Shopping
December 20, 2016
It’s fun and easy to help Florida fish and wildlife, and the wild places they live, when you shop this holiday season. Did you know the proceeds from some gifts directly fund conservation? There are gifts to show your support of wildlife, and gifts that help you carry on the tradition of spending time with family and friends on Florida’s beautiful beaches, waterways and wildlife management areas. Check out our shopping list, because the holidays are almost here!
- Purchase a Florida fishing or hunting license (you can even buy a gift card!) by visiting GoOutdoorsFlorida.com, calling 888-347-4356 or stopping by a participating retailer. There are licenses for residents and visitors including a Youth Gold Sportsman’s License, which is good until a child turns 17. This license locks in the price, and gives a young person bragging rights as a card-carrying sportsman. Hunters and those who enjoy target shooting continue to be an important force in funding wildlife restoration and management. Through the super successful Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, which was passed in 1937, every time hunters and target shooters buy firearms, ammunition and archery equipment, a percentage of that money is designated for conservation. Wildlife Restoration Program dollars are then allocated to state fish and wildlife agencies (such as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) for projects that restore, conserve and improve wildlife and their habitats. Giving a license as a gift is a great way to support conservation while putting a smile on the face of an outdoor lover.
- Fishing and boating gifts will not only please anglers on your list, but contribute to fisheries conservation as well! Funds from the purchases of fishing equipment and some boating items are collected and apportioned by the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund and help manage America’s fishery resources.
- Florida wildlife T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, art and other gifts are available at WildlifeFlorida.com. Strut apparel featuring your favorite species while supporting the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida at the same time!
- If there’s a hunter in your life who uses a tree stand or other elevated stand, give the gift of safety. Put a big red bow on a full-body fall arrest harness system to protect that hunter from a fall. Learn about tree stand safety and more by taking a Florida hunter safety course.
- For the bird watcher or bird watcher-to-be, check out binoculars, Florida birding guides, T-shirts and the patch which promotes native birds and the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail.
- If you give or get a kayak, canoe or paddleboard, make it look extra cool with colorful FWC manatee decals and sea turtle decals. The decals also look great on bikes, backpacks, guitar cases or computers. Available for a $5 donation at county tax collectors’ offices, with more options to order at MyFWC.com/Manatee or MyFWC.com/SeaTurtle.
- Vehicle license plates supporting Florida wildlife and habitats, including “Protect the Panther,” “Conserve Wildlife,” “Helping Sea Turtles Survive,” “Save the Manatee,” “Go Fishing” and “IHUNT” are available at county tax collectors’ offices or at BuyaPlate.com.
- Buy “Planting a Refuge for Wildlife,” the beautifully illustrated booklet that helps people entice butterflies, hummingbirds and other animals into their backyards.
- A personal floatation device, also known as a life jacket, can give someone you care about a safe boating experience. A newer model, such as an inflatable belt pack or suspender-style life jacket, could replace an older, bulkier life jacket.
- Registration of a family member or friend with TrophyCatchFlorida.com, along with the gift of a scale to weigh fish, makes that person eligible for a drawing for a bass boat. And any time a photo of an 8 pound or larger bass is submitted it to TrophyCatch following the rules, the angler contributes valuable conservation information and could be eligible for other prizes.
The purchase of most of these gifts contributes to the research, conservation, management and educational efforts that support Florida fish and wildlife as well as the wild places they live, including wildlife management areas throughout the state. WMAs are great places to visit for wildlife viewing and other recreational activities, including fishing, hunting and hiking, during the holidays and all year-round.