Santa Rosa Man Gets Federal Prison For Facebook Child Porn
August 27, 2016
A Santa Rosa County man was sentenced Friday on federal child pornography charges.
Winston D. Foster, 40, was sentenced to 210 months in federal prison, after pleading guilty in April 2016 to production and distribution of child pornography.
In January 2016, law enforcement agents became aware that Foster was communicating via Facebook with a 12-year-old child. These communications included Foster requesting the child perform and photograph sexually explicit acts and then send him the images. Foster also sent many sexually explicit images of himself to the child. In February 2016, a search warrant was executed at Foster’s residence, and agents seized his computers and cellular telephone. A forensic review of Foster’s electronic media revealed approximately 46 images of child pornography, of which approximately 33 were of the victim.
The case was investigated by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Walton County Sheriff’s Office, and the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Wahoos Take Home Series Over Mobile With 3-2 Win
August 27, 2016
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos bats sprung back to life at just the right time in the bottom of the ninth inning.
After scoring one run on three hits in the first inning, Pensacola got just one more hit and trailed, 2-1, in their last at bat of the game.
But with two outs Blue Wahoos left fielder Phillip Ervin blistered a ground ball down the third base line to drive in Jeff Gelalich with the second run of the ninth inning for a 3-2 victory Friday over the Mobile BayBears in front of 4,299 fans at Blue Wahoos Stadium. Pensacola extended its franchise record to 11 walk-offs this season.
Pensacola tied the game, 2-2, when Pensacola center fielder Jeff Gelalich hit a grounder to second base that forced out Blue Wahoos catcher Joe Hudson at second for the second out. But Gelalich hustled to first and beat the throw and allowed Taylor Sparks to score the tying run.
With two out, it was Pensacola second baseman Alex Blandino, who extended the inning with a bloop single to left field, allowing Ervin to be the hero Friday.
“I was just trying to keep it going and give us a chance,” Blandino said. “We battled back today and all year we’ve shown resilience, which is a lot of fun for the fans and a lot of fun for us.”
The victory was a big one for Pensacola with just 10 games left in the season. Not only did they win the series to improve to 11-2 in series at home this season, but they remained just three games behind Southern League South Division leader Mississippi Braves, which has lost 10 of its last 14 games.
The Braves are 33-25, while Pensacola, the first half champions, are 31-29. The BayBears dropped to 30-29.
“That’s the way we played all year,” said Pensacola manager Pat Kelly. “We’re very gritty down to the last out and we’ve gotten clutch hits.”
Going into the end of the season, all of the players at the top of the Pensacola order are on a tear.
Blandino, the leadoff hitter, is hitting .316 in August after struggling all year. Ervin is hitting .294 over the last 10 games with a homer and three RBIs. No. 3 hitter and right fielder Sebastian Elizalde has a 12-game hit streak and is hitting .442 (23-52). Center fielder Brandon Dixon, hitting in the cleanup spot, has his own six game hit streak and is batting .459 in the last 10 games with six RBIs. And finally shortstop Zach Vincej has been one of the hottest hitters in the Southern League in the second half, hitting .370 in July and .285 since the All-Star break.
“We’re solid one through five every day,” Kelly said. “We have to just keep playing and giving someone a day off every day.”
Blandino said the team is taking a positive approach to the final two series of the season.
“We’re already in the playoffs but it definitely would have been a blow to lost that game and lose that series.”
Pensacola scored first when Vincej stepped to the plate with the bases loaded in the bottom of the first inning and lifted a fly ball to short right field. But the speedy Ervin snuck past the catcher and threw his left hand back to touch home plate for the 1-0 Blue Wahoos lead.
John Omahen made his first start for Mobile since June 30 after spending July and August with Triple-A Reno. He gave up three hits and a run in the first and then retired 11 of the next 12 through the fourth inning and did not give up another hit or run.
The BayBears righty worked five innings and did walk three batters and strike out five in his outing.
The Mobile bullpen then kept Pensacola off the bases until the ninth.
Meanwhile, Nick Travieso worked five innings, too, as Pensacola’s starting pitcher. He gave up two runs in the fifth inning that put Mobile ahead, 2-1, when BayBears shortstop Domingo Leyba clobbered a two-run homer into the Hill-Kelly Dodge Hill also bringing home center fielder Evan Marzilli who leadoff with a walk. Travieso ended up giving two hits, four walks and striking out four.
The homer by Leyba gave Mobile its 100th home run of the season, which leads the Southern League.
Century Resident Jailed After Threatening To Kill Man With A Toy Gun
August 26, 2016
A Century man was jailed after allegedly threatening to kill another man with toy gun.
James Mitchell, 68, was charged with aggravated assault with the intent to commit a felony. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on bond.
The victim told deputies he was walking on Jefferson Avenue in front of Mitchell’s residence when Mitchell confronted him, pointed a black handgun and told the victim that he would kill him, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report.
When deputies made contact with Mitchell at his residence, they reported finding an empty firearm magazine in his pocket. Mitchell then became upset and accused the victim of stealing his air compressor. Mitchell told deputies that a firearm was in his residence “but anybody could have put it there”, an arrest report states.
Mitchell gave deputies consent to search his residence, which was condemned by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office after a January fire. A toy replica handgun was located in a bedroom dresser drawer.
Pictured above: James Mitchell. Pictured below: Mitchell’s residence was condemned after a January fire. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Scott Plans DC Trip To Urge Zika Funding
August 26, 2016
Gov. Rick Scott will travel to Washington, D.C. in early September, when Congress returns from its summer recess, to seek funding to fight the mosquito-borne Zika virus.
“During Congress’ vacation, we have identified 43 cases of locally acquired Zika in four Florida counties,” Scott said in a prepared statement Thursday. “The Zika virus demands immediate federal action and I will impress upon our congressional members the urgency to protect our residents and visitors.”
Scott intends to meet Sept. 6 with members of Congress, which is in a seven-week recess.
President Barack Obama early this year proposed spending $1.9 billion to address the Zika issue, but Congress could not agree on funding.
The Florida Department of Health on Thursday reported that in addition to the locally transmitted cases, there are 534 travel-related cases of Zika in the state. Travel-related cases stem from people bringing the disease into the state after being infected elsewhere. The state reported 11 new travel-related cases Thursday, with three in Miami-Dade County, two in Alachua County, two in Orange County, and one each in Duval, Monroe, Osceola and Polk counties.
Florida also has a total of 70 cases involving pregnant women. The virus is particularly dangerous to pregnant women because it can cause severe birth defects. Much of the state’s focus on local transmissions have been on Miami’s Wynwood area and on an area in Miami Beach. However, this week cases of locally transmitted Zika were reported in Pinellas and Palm Beach counties.
by The News Service of Florida
Thursday Night Football Scores; Friday Night Lights Schedule
August 26, 2016
Here’s a look at Thursday night football scores and Friday night’s football schedule.
For live updates from select games tonight, follow @northescambia on Twitter, or like the NorthEscambia.com Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/northescambia/.
And if you have football photos from any of the games, email news@northescambia.com on send on the social media pages above.
THURSDAY NIGHT
West Florida 28, Escambia 27
Baker 20, Northview 6 (JV)
Jay 34, Ernest Ward Middle School 8
FRIDAY NIGHT:
Northview at Crestview, 7 p.m.
Flomaton at Jay, 7 p.m.
Tate at Biloxi, 7 p.m.
Pensacola at Pine Forest, 7:30 p.m.
Milton at Washington, 7:30 p.m.
Escambia County (Atmore) at Wilcox Central, 7 p.m.
Escambia Academy (off week)
Opp at T.R. Miller
W.S. Neal at Tallassee (AL)
File photo.
Putting It On The Line – Lineworker Appreciation Day
August 26, 2016
Friday, Gulf Power and the State of Florida recognized the contributions and dedication of lineworkers during Lineworker Appreciation Day, a day set-aside by the state Legislature in 2012.
Gulf Power paid special tribute to almost 200 employees that work on the company’s 9,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines between Pensacola and Panama City, which serves more than 450,000 customers.
Over the past few years, the Pensacola area has endured an ice storm, a 500-year flood and most recently, severely damaging tornados. While most people seek shelter during these storms, Gulf Power lineworkers venture out into the dangerous elements, putting it all on the line to restore power, and hope.
Despite numerous safety precautions, these workers face dangerous conditions on a daily basis. It’s a job that, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is one of the deadliest and most dangerous in the United States.
Yet, with all the known hazards of working with electricity, lineworkers are committed to keeping the energy flowing safely to homes and businesses no matter the conditions or weather.
One of those lineworkers, Demetric Washington, has worked seven years at Gulf Power as a distribution service and line technician.
Washington started working at Gulf Power in 2009 after having worked for Solutia for 10 years as a carpet operator. His first position with the energy company was working as a utility person.
After seven long years of training and preparation, he completed the apprentice phase in May and is now working as a journeyman.
Washington points out how seriously safety is taken in his line of work.
“In the work that we do everyday, it’s very necessary to be your brother’s and sister’s keeper,” Washington said. “You could easily have an accident. I don’t ever want that on my conscious.”
In this extremely hazardous line of work, a family-oriented atmosphere seems to come with the job. It’s common to hear most lineworkers talk fondly about their teammates.
“I love the people I work with. Sometimes you’re working with them for 12 hours straight, and we have to travel together to help other utilities with major outages,” he said. “They become like extended family.”
Gulf Power crews have traveled more than 30 times since 2008 to help other utilities restore power to their customers.
Washington says he enjoys getting the call to help people, though. “When I’ve traveled to other areas in the country where people have been experiencing longer outages, and you can see on their faces how stressed out and miserable they are. I get to help those people.”
The worst damage Washington remembers seeing was the 2011 tornado in Tuscaloosa. “It basically looked like a scene out of a movie. I can remember booming up in the bucket and actually seeing the path that the tornado took. It was something I’ve never seen before in my life.”
Despite all the dangers and hardships, Washington says he wants to do this for a long time.
“The dangers of my job are always in the back of my mind, but the training I have been through the past seven years prepares me for what obstacles I may come across,” he said.
Washington’s wife Amanda, and their four children look forward to him returning home safely each and every day.
Volleyball: Northview Takes On Pensacola Christian (With Gallery)
August 26, 2016
Pensacola Christian Academy defeated Northview High School 3-2 in high school volleyball action Thursday evening in Bratt.
The varsity Chiefs won the first set 25-15, lost the second and third sets 19-25 and 23-25, and bounced back 25-14 in the fourth set. The Chiefs lost the final set 9-15.
In junior varsity action. Northview beat Pensacola Christian in two straight, 26-24, 25-16.
Up next, the Northview Chiefs will host Pensacola High School on Monday before traveling to Central on Tuesday.
For more photos from the JV game, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview High Seeks School Advisory Council Members
August 26, 2016
Northview High School is seeking volunteers for their 2016-2017 School Advisory Council. The council meets four times each year after school. Any interested parents and community members are asked to call (850) 327-6681 ext. 221 and let the school know of your interest to serve.
FWC Bowhunting Course Offered In Escambia County
August 26, 2016
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering a free bowhunting course in Escambia County.
All classroom materials are provided free of charge. Students should bring a pen or pencil, paper and all bowhunting equipment they have. An adult must accompany children younger than 16 at all times.
Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, must pass an approved hunter safety course and have a hunting license to hunt alone (unsupervised). The FWC course satisfies bowhunter safety training requirements for all other states and Canadian provinces.
The Escambia County class will be held August 27 from 8 a.m. until noon at 7201 Sparshott Drive in Pensacola.
Those interested in attending this course can register online and obtain information about future hunter safety classes at MyFWC.com/HunterSafety or by calling the FWC’s regional office in Panama City at 850-265-3676.
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
BayBears Top Wahoos 5-3
August 26, 2016
Pensacola Blue Wahoos reliever Abel De Los Santos is human after all.
The Mobile BayBears scored three runs on three hits in the eighth inning off of De Los Santos, who had not allowed an earned run since joining the Blue Wahoos on July 13. The inning allowed the BayBears to pull out a 5-3 victory Thursday over Pensacola in front of 4,278 fans at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The Mobile win also tied the series, 2-2, with the final game of the five-game series scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Friday.
The come-from-behind win also pulled Mobile within three games of South Division-leading Mississippi, which fell to 33-25 on the season. The BayBears are 30-28, while Pensacola dropped to third at 30-29.
De Los Santos, who was making his third appearance this series, hadn’t given up an earned run in 17 innings over 13 appearances but Mobile shortstop Dawel Lugo tripled in third baseman Travis Denker and left fielder Rudy Flores and Lugo scored when center fielder Gabriel Guerrero hit a sacrifice fly to left field. It gave Mobile a two-run lead that they clung to.
“Lugo kept fighting off the breaking balls until he got a pitch he liked and drove it to left field,” said Pensacola manager Pat Kelly. “It came down to executing some pitches.”
Pensacola had led before the Mobile rally. Blue Wahoos right fielder Sebastian Elizalde extended his hit streak to 11 games when he drilled a three-run homer into the Hill Kelly Dodge Hill area in the fourth inning to give Pensacola a 3-1 lead.
Elizalde’s fifth homer of the season and 46 RBIs came after Blue Wahoos center fielder Jeff Gelalich hit a leadoff single down the first base line to break up Mobile starter Edgar Garcia’s perfect game to that point. Pensacola left fielder Phillip Ervin followed Gelalich in the order with a walk — giving him 58 on the season which ties him for fourth in the Southern League.
Elizalde is now hitting 21-48 or .438 during his hit streak, going 1-4 Thursday. His career-high hitting streak is 14 games at High-A Daytona Tortugas last season between April 22 and May 6. He had 20 hits and batted .345 then.
“We weren’t really doing much with Garcia,” Kelly said. “He was pitching well with three days rest. Elizalde smoked that ball to right field. You don’t see a lot of home runs to right field here.”
Also leading Pensacola at the plate was second baseman Brandon Dixon. Hehas hit in 12 of his last 13 games, going 21-49 or .429 with nine RBIs, six doubles, six runs scored and six multi-hit games. He was 3-4 with his 25th multi-hit game on the year.
Meanwhile, Blue Wahoos starter Sal Romano turned in his second strong performance throwing 91 pitches in six innings, scattering seven hits and a walk, giving up two earned runs and striking out seven. The flame-throwing Romano increased his strikeouts to 134 this season, which is second in the Southern League.
The righty, who is the Cincinnati Reds No. 17 prospect, entered the game coming off of his longest outing of the season, going eight scoreless innings, giving up four hits and striking out eight. In his last three games, he has thrown 20.1 innings, giving up four runs and striking out 18 for a 1.77 ERA.
“He fought his way through and turned it over to the bullpen,” Kelly said. “The biggest difference in the second half is he has been able to control his emotions. He realizes he has good enough stuff to get out of a lot of jams.”
Garcia was a last minute fill in for scheduled starting pitcher Vincente Campos, who was called up to the Arizona Diamondbacks. A spot starter for Mobile, Garcia has pitched five innings in each of his last three starts, giving up 21 hits, seven runs, five walks and 17 Ks for a 4.20 ERA.
However, he left the game after the fourth inning when Pensacola took the lead, allowing three hits, one walk and striking out four.