Ernest Ward’s Deputy Ronnie Gill Receives Sheriff’s Meritorious Service Medal
September 24, 2016
Senior Deputy Ronnie Gill, school resource officer at Ernest Ward Middle School, has been awarded the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Meritorious Service Medal for the crucial role he plays in breaking down the barriers between law enforcement and youth.
In July, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Florida Association of School Resource Officers Monday named the Gill the 2016 School Resource Officer of the Year.
His law enforcement career spans nearly 40 years. He joined the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in 2002 and joined the school resource officer program over 12 years ago.
Senior Deputy Gill not only works hard protecting the students and faculty within Ernest Ward, he also gives selflessly of his time to mentor and help students in need. Whether it is counseling students, leading the Ernest Ward “Teens for Christ” group, or showing up at community sporting events on his own time, Gill has built a reputation within the student population as not just a law enforcement officer, but a person they can look up to and approach.
Gill also gives selflessly of his finances. He has opened his own lunch account with the school and now transfers money into needy student’s accounts on a regular basis. He has been known to provide funds for students that cannot afford trip fees and club dues. He has also taken students shopping for Christmas and has even paid a high school senior’s graduation fees. Whenever there is a need that has been identified, Senior Deputy Gill steps up and fulfills that need.
Pictured: Senior Deputy Ronnie Gill (left) was presented the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Meritorious Service Medal by Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Taking A Bite Out Of Hunger: Peanut Butter Drive Underway
September 24, 2016
In an effort to boost the supply of the most requested food pantry item, peanut butter, UF IFAS Escambia County Extension is teaming up again with the Florida Peanut Producers Association to help “Take a Bite out of Hunger” by participating in a local peanut butter drive.
Residents are asked to help meet the challenge of collecting 1,000 pounds of the versatile food by donating unopened jars of peanut butter at one of five locations now through Wednesday, November 23. All peanut butter collected will be donated to local food pantries in December.
Drop-off locations:
- Escambia County Administration, 221 Palafox Place, 4th Floor
- Escambia County Extension Office, 3740 Stefani Road
- Escambia County Farm Bureau,153 Highway 97, Molino
- Escambia County Public Safety, 6575 North W Street
- Gilmore Services, 31 East Fairfield Drive
Many families in our community experience food insecurities. They rely upon food pantries to supplement their family’s meals and reduce worries about running out of food. To help meet the need of providing healthy options for our residents in need, this is the fourth year UF IFAS Escambia County Extension has participated in the peanut butter drive.
Last year, more than 2,800 jars of peanut butter were donated to local food pantries.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia Attorney Indicted On Federal Tax Charges
September 24, 2016
An Escambia County attorney has been indicted on federal income tax charges.
James R.J. Scheltema, 56, of Pensacola, made an initial appearance Friday in the U.S. District Court in Pensacola after a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging him with filing false tax returns and tax evasion. The indictment was announced by Christopher P. Canova, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
The indictment alleges that Scheltema filed false tax returns, claiming a total tax of $18 for 2011 and $1,369 for 2012, when he knew his total tax exceeded that amount. The indictment further alleges that Scheltema attempted to evade paying tax on his taxable income of $598,291 for the calendar year 2013 by failing to file a timely income tax return and later filing a false tax return.
The arraignment is scheduled for September 28. The case resulted from an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service—Criminal Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg is prosecuting the case.
Northview Beats Vancleave
September 24, 2016
The Northview Chiefs beat the Vancleave (MS) Bulldogs Friday night on the road, 25-3.
“It was a great four quarter game from our guys,” Northview Head Coach Dereck Marshman said. “We preached all week about how physical Vancleave was. Our guys responded and dominated physically for four quarters.”
“I felt it was by far our most complete game. Couldn’t be more proud about how we imposed our will to win tonight,” Marshman added.
The Chiefs were first on the scoreboard of the Mississippi school with a Luke Ward touchdown with 3:30 on the clock in the first. A missed extra point, and Northview was up 6-0. Just seconds before the half, Ward was in for another TD, 13-0.
With 6:41 in the third, the Bulldogs kicked a 39-yard field goal to make the score 13-3. The Chiefs struck again with 1:14 left in the third, Ward scored his third touchdown of the night, 19-3.
Seconds into the fourth quarter, Northview added another touchdown, this time from Hunter Edwards to make it 25-3.
With his three touchdowns, Ward had 18 carries for 125 yards. He also had 58 yards in the air. Edwards had a rushing touchdown, while Jeremiah Woods had 14 carries for 54 yards.
Defensively, Edwards recorded nine tackles, one QB sack and an interception. Jared Aliff had six tackles and two sacks. Neikel Robinson had an interception and two punt returns for 65 yards. Ward also had one punt return for 45 yards.
The Chiefs are on the road again next Friday night, this time to Maplesville, AL, about 30 miles north of Selma.
Look for a photo gallery by Monday on NorthEscambia.com
NorthEscambia.com photos by Gary Amerson, click to enlarge.
Niceville Tops Tate
September 24, 2016
The last time the Tate Aggies played Niceville, it ended with a 21-20 Aggie win that put Tate in the Final Four. But Friday night was a different story, as Niceville powered to a surprising 39-3 win over Tate.
Tate’s only score of the night came on a 40-yard field goal from with 1:30 to go in the first to make it 14-3.
Next Friday night, the Aggies head to Washington High School at 7:30 p.m.
A photo gallery will be posted by Monday.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Pleads Guilty In Federal ISIS Investigation
September 24, 2016
An Escambia County man has pleaded guilty to federal investigators in an ISIS related investigation.
Robert Blake Jackson, 31, of Pensacola, pleaded guilty Friday to making materially false statements in a federal investigation.
In October 2014, Jackson’s Facebook profile contained comments, photos, and videos expressing support for extremist terrorist groups such as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS). In January 2015, a Pensacola telemarketing corporation reported they recently fired Jackson for viewing ISIL-related and other terrorist-related websites and videos on his work computer.
In June 2015, during an interview with the FBI, Jackson stated that he never posted any pro-ISIL or violent content and that he only used the internet at work to search news sites. At his plea hearing, Jackson admitted that these statements were false.
Jackson faces a maximum of five years in prison. Jackson is currently in federal custody at the Santa Rosa County Jail. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 12 at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola.
This case resulted from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the other members of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg is prosecuting the case.
High School Football Finals
September 24, 2016
Here’s a look at Friday night’s high school football final scores:
FLORIDA
Northview 25, VanCleave MS 3
Niceville 39, Tate 3
Graceville 50, Jay 7
West Florida 42, Gulf Breeze 33
Pine Forest 23, Milton 20 OT
Catholic 35, PHS 34
L.C. Columbia 40, Escambia 20
Navarre 48, Fort Walton Beach 6
Bay 28, Washington 12
Baker 56 Rocky Bayou 6
ALABAMA
Resurrection Catholic MS 21, Escambia Academy 20 OT
Escambia County (Atmore) 34, Hillcrest Evergreen 14
T.R. Miller 34, Tallassee 27
Carroll 21, W.S. Neal 0
Flomaton – OFF
Boil Water Notice Lifted For East Nine Mile Road, Holsberry Road Area
September 23, 2016
The affected area included:
- E. Nine Mile Road, from Palafox St. to Chemstrand Road
- Holsberry Road
- Nims Ln.,
- Holsberry Ln.,
- Tulsa Dr.,
- Sprague Dr.,
- Craft St.,
- Saleta St.,
- Strandview Dr.
- Holsberry Pl.
- Edith Ln.
- Allison Ln.
Results of two independent bacteriological samples have both returned as clear. PBWNs are issued as a part of the standard protocol following any loss of water pressure, whether as a result of planned maintenance activities or unscheduled repairs.Pediatric Dental Clinic Opens Next Month In Century
September 23, 2016
Pediatric dental services will be available in Century beginning next month.
Escambia Community Clinics will open their new ECC Century Pediatric Dental Clinic at 501 Church Street on October 10.
The clinic will provide important oral health care services for children 0 to 20 years of age, and will provide dental exams, dental x-rays, dental cleanings/dental hygiene, dental extractions, fillings and tooth restorations, dental sealants and fluoride varnish, and oral health education.
The ECC Century Pediatric Dental Clinic is now accepting calls for appointments Monday through Friday during business hours at (850) 724-4054. The child-friendly clinic will be open every Monday and Tuesday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Once open, same day appointments may be available, depending on clinic schedule.
ECC said all children should see the dentist for a dental exam by the time they are 1 year old to help them start off a lifetime of healthy teeth, and tooth brushing should begin by the time the first baby tooth erupts.
ECC Century Pediatric Dental Clinic accepts children covered by Florida Medicaid ages 0-20, children with DentaQuest dental insurance, children with no insurance (parents must complete ECC financial eligibility paperwork and receive approval for ECC charity/sliding fee program), and the clinic also accepts some private dental insurances.
Organizers said Escambia Community Clinics plans to add a medical clinic at the same Century location in early 2017 as well as a pediatric medical site in the old Winn Dixie in Cantonment.
Since 1992, the mission of Escambia Community Clinics has been to provide comprehensive primary and preventive health care to the citizens of Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties and surrounding areas, with a special focus on access to care for the under-insured, uninsured, working poor and medically needy. ECC currently provides a wide range of services for both children and adults at eleven locations in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. During 2015, ECC provided over 98,500 patient visits to 32,622 individuals.
ECC locations include a satellite medical location at 748 Highway 29 in Cantonment.
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Supreme Court Clears Hunter On Muzzleloader Charge
September 23, 2016
Christopher Weeks donned camouflage and an orange vest and went hunting in February 2012 with a muzzleloader rifle that had been a Christmas gift from his wife.
Then the problems started: A state wildlife officer saw Weeks’ pickup truck parked along a road in the Blackwater Wildlife Management Area in Santa Rosa County. And it turned out that Weeks had been convicted of a felony in the past, which led the officer to charge him with violating a law that bars convicted felons from possessing guns.
But more than four years later, the Florida Supreme Court gave Weeks a reprieve Thursday.
In a 5-2 decision, justices cleared Weeks on the gun-possession charge because state law treats antique firearms — and their replicas — different from other guns. The ruling said lawmakers exempted firearms manufactured in or before 1918 and their replicas from the prohibition on felons possessing guns.
The majority opinion, written by Justice Barbara Pariente, delved into the details about what could be considered a replica weapon and, in a key issue, rejected arguments that Weeks’ rifle didn’t qualify because it also included a scope.
“In this case, Weeks wanted to go hunting and, with his wife and his father, researched the law and determined that sections (of state law) allowed him to possess a replica of a 1918 black powder muzzleloader rifle with a percussion cap ignition system. … His rifle was modified only with respect to the attached scope,” said Pariente’s opinion, joined fully by Chief Justice Jorge Labarga and justices Ricky Polston and James E.C. Perry. “When the felon-in-possession statute is construed in the light most favorable to the defendant, Weeks’ rifle’s attached scope did not remove his firearm from the statutory exemption.”
Justice Charles Canady wrote a concurring opinion that was joined by Labarga and Polston.
But Justice R. Fred Lewis, in a dissenting opinion joined by Justice Peggy Quince, wrote that scope disqualified the rifle from being considered a replica.
“Although the firearm may have relied upon an ignition mechanism used by similar firearms before 1918, it also featured a scope that was not found on weapons that were available in 1918,” Lewis wrote. “In my view, such a firearm cannot constitute an antique firearm as defined by Florida law.”
Weeks, whose father is a retired law-enforcement firearms instructor, pleaded no contest to the charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and was sentenced to three years of probation, the majority opinion said. Despite the plea, he appealed based on arguments that the part of the law dealing with replica firearms was unconstitutionally vague.
The 1st District Court of Appeal ruled in Weeks’ favor on the constitutional issue, spurring prosecutors to take the case to the Supreme Court. In her opinion Thursday, Pariente said it was unnecessary to rule on the constitutional issue because the case could be decided by interpreting the definitions and wording in state law.
In a brief filed last year, Weeks’ attorney wrote that the muzzleloader, which was purchased at a Bass Pro Shop, was similar to a gun from the Civil War era.
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.