Toddler Dies, Daycare Owner To Face Second Degree Murder Charge
October 30, 2014
A toddler died Wednesday after allegedly being abused by a daycare owner, and the State Attorney’s Office is filing a second degree murder charge in teh case.
According to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office the 15-month old was taken to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola with traumatic injuries consistent with shaken baby syndrome. Investigators said the injuries to the child occurred under the care of 55-year old Thelma Denise Lowery, who runs a daycare business from her home at 4738 Ward Basin Road in Milton.
The toddler died Wednesday at Sacred Heart Hospital , according to the State Attorney’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Office said investigators obtained sufficient probable cause to believe Lowery was the person responsible for inflicting the injuries on the toddler. She was charged with aggravated child abuse prior to the child’s death, but will be arraigned on the second degree murder charge on Friday afternoon.
A Santa Rosa Grand Jury will be scheduled to hear evidence and determine whether sufficient evidence is present for a first degree felony murder indictment. A first degree murder indictment can only be charged by a Grand Jury in Florida.
The Department of Children and Families has revoked Lowery’s license to operate her home daycare. Lowery remains in the Santa Rosa County Jail without bond.
Alabama Pastor Murder Suspect Arrested In Texas
October 30, 2014
The Santa Rosa County man wanted for the murder of a pastor Monday morning in Escambia County, AL, has been arrested this afternoon along I-40 in Amarillo, TX.
Brett Richard Yeiter, age 46 of Little Paul Lane in Santa Rosa County, was taken into custody without incident by U.S. Marshals and local Texas law enforcement. He was still driving the same truck in which he allegedly fled the murder scene, according to Escambia County (AL) Chief Deputy Mike Lambert. He will be held in Texas awaiting extradition back to Escambia County, AL, to face an open count of murder.
The shooting occurred a the Book of Acts Holiness Church on Jimmy Sellers Road, just north of the Florida line about 15 miles northwest of Munson, FL. Responding deputies found 69-year old Paul Phillips suffering from a gunshot wound from a shotgun. He passed away a short time later. Phillips was reportedly the pastor of the small church.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, Amarillo authorities received a tip about 3 p.m. that Yeiter was traveling east through the Texas Panhandle on I-40. A Texas trooper in the area spotted the vehicle a short time later and conducted a traffic stop.
Authorities possibly located Yeiter because he used his credit card in western Oklahoma, a Texas DPS spokesman told the Amarillo Globe-News.
Yeiter was Phillips’ son-in-law, Lambert said. The only known motive for the murder, Lambert said, was an ongoing domestic dispute.
Pictured: Brett Richard Yeiter was booked into the Carson County, Texas, jail after his arrest. Courtesy image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Poll: Independents Giving Crist A Slight Lead Over Scott
October 30, 2014
Pointing to support from independent voters, a poll released Thursday gives Democrat Charlie Crist a slight edge over Republican Gov. Rick Scott as they head into the frantic final days of this year’s campaign.
Crist has the support of 43 percent of likely voters, while Scott has 40 percent and Libertarian candidate Adrian Wyllie is at 8 percent, according to the Quinnipiac University poll.
But the race remains a virtual toss-up as Floridians cast early ballots or prepare to vote Tuesday: The poll’s margin of error was 3.4 percentage points. Also, it said 9 percent of voters were undecided.
“Crist, who always has sought to portray himself as a pragmatist rather than an ideologue, seems to have sold that message to independents who historically have favored problem-solvers who are less politicaI,” Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll, said in comments released early Thursday with the survey results.
A Quinnipiac poll released Oct. 22 showed Scott and Crist tied at 42 percent, with Wyllie getting 7 percent. Other recent polls also have shown the contest as too close to call.
Brown said Crist, a former Republican governor running as a Democrat this year, might have received a late boost because of his performance in three debates. One of the debates drew widespread attention because of Scott’s initial absence from the stage amid a dispute about an electric fan used by Crist.
“It would be a reasonable hypothesis that the candidates’ debates made a big difference in this race,” Brown said. “Scott was ahead going into them and behind after them. It could be a coincidence, but it would be a pretty large coincidence. Crist has long been thought of as an excellent campaigner and he used those skills to his advantage.”
The poll found that independent voters support Crist over Scott by a margin of 47 percent to 29 percent, with Wyllie getting 16 percent. That contrasts with the Oct. 22 poll, which showed Crist ahead of Scott among independents by margin of 41 percent to 38 percent.
Among other groups, Scott held a 10-point lead over Crist among men, while the Democrat held a 14-point lead among women.
The Connecticut-based Quinnipiac frequently conducts polls in Florida and other states. The new poll surveyed voters from October. 22 to Monday.
Teens Charged With Attempted Homicide In Double Shooting
October 30, 2014
Two teens have been charged with a Monday double shooting.
Jamaal Ervin Williams, 18, and Marquis Tyreek Weathers, 16, are each charged with two counts of attempted homicide and two counts of aggravated battery in connection with the Monday shootings in the 1200 block of Rio Grande Circle. One gunshot victim was found in a yard, and the other was inside a vehicle. Both were transported to a local hospital for treatment of their injuries.
Northview High’s FFA Honored As One Of America’s Best Chapters
October 30, 2014
The Northview High School FFA chapter was awarded one of the highest national honors presented by the National FFA Thursday afternoon in Louisville, KY.
Northview’s FFA received the Three Star Chapter award on live national television during the 87th National FFA Convention & Expo. About 60,000 FFA members and advisors are attending the convention through Saturday, including five Northview FFA officers and their advisor Perry Byars.
This was the second consecutive year that Northiew’s FFA has been honored as one of America’s best chapters.
In addition to the national honors presented Thursday, the Northview High FFA chapter was recently honored for having the top Fresh From Florida Food Advocacy Program, formerly known as the Food for America Program, in the entire state.
The Fresh From Florida Advocacy Program is an educational program focusing on agricultural literacy in elementary schools and communities. It is a program developed to assist FFA members and all agricultural education students in leadership skill development as they reach out to youth, peers and their entire communities by sharing the world of agriculture.
Planning began in the fall of 2013 with FFA members setting goals and establishing working committees for the spring 2014 event. Through the efforts of 100 FFA members and community support, approximately 1,000 mostly elementary level students participated in agriculture awareness through hands-on exhibits and activities.
In addition, members of the Northview High School FFA officer team visited several area elementary schools to read agriculture-related books to students.
The Florida FFA Organization has honored Northview High School FFA Food for America program at the state level multiple years.
Pictured top: On behalf of the Northview FFA, President Haylee Weaver (right) and Vice President Bethany Reynolds (center) receive the Three Star Chapter award on live national television during the National FFA Convention in Louisville, KY, Thursday afternoon. Pictured below: In attendance at the Naitonal FFA Convention this week in Kentucky are Northview FFA Secretary Courtney Weekley, President Haylee Weaver, Vice President Bethany Reynolds, Historian Kaitlyn Klinatland and Public Relations Rep Mitchell Singleton. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Register Now For Century’s Land To Lake Lighted Boat Christmas Parade
October 30, 2014
The Century Christmas Land To Lake Lighted Boat Parade will be held again this year.
The event is scheduled for Saturday, December 6 with line-up at 5 p.m. and floats rolling out at dark from Industrial Boulevard to Lake Stone. The entry fee is $10 per boat or float, with checks made payable to the Century Area Chamber of Commerce. For more information and a printable registration form, click here.
The parade is sponsored in part by NorthEscambia.com.
Pictured above: One of the floats/boats in last year’s Century Christmas Land To Lake Lighted Boat Parade. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
International Paper Announces $90 Million Reinvestment In Cantonment Mill
October 30, 2014
International Paper has announced plans to reinvest more than $90 million over the next five years in their mill in Cantonment in order to increase energy efficiencies, support and enhance the work environment and strengthen its competitive position.
The Pensacola Containerboard Mill, located in Cantonment, employs more than 400 people. The mill has been a foundation in the Greater Pensacola Region since 1941 and was acquired by IP in 2000. IP’s Pensacola Mill – which is part of the company’s industrial packaging group – produces lightweight containerboard and specialty fluff pulp. From Pensacola, the mill’s containerboard products are sent to container facilities to create corrugated brown boxes. The fluff pulp is distributed to customers for diapers and other hygiene products.
“Northwest Florida’s business-friendly environment and initiatives continue to attract strong, innovative businesses,” said Florida Senate President Don Gaetz. “Just last year, International Paper’s Pensacola Mill had a local economic impact of nearly $330 million. I am confident this multi-year investment will continue to help our communities thrive and our region’s economy to grow.”
The IP Pensacola Mill is vitally important to the local, regional and statewide economy, with the company’s local annual average wages representing more than 200 percent of the Escambia County average wage of $37,360. According to an analysis by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, the manufacturing industry sector directly contributed more than 14,500 jobs in the Northwest Florida region, with an additional gain of more than 9,700 jobs for local businesses.
The company’s commitment to Escambia County will be supported by approximately $5,000,000 in grants and infrastructure improvements.
“The Escambia County Board of Commissioners supports fostering the growth of our existing industry base. The Board’s commitment of tax incentives and investments in county-wide infrastructure, such as the proposed project at Muscogee Road and US-29, not only serves the logistic needs of one of our most established local companies, but it also benefits IP’s more than 400 employees and the citizens of Escambia County,” said Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry.
Dixie Group Issues Earnings Report, Continues Atmore Masland Changes
October 30, 2014
The Dixie Group has issued its third quarter earnings report as the company continues to make changes at its Masland plant in Atmore. The company announced an overall loss Wednesday despite increased sales.
During the quarter, the company shutdown both the yard and carpet dyeing operations in Atmore and transferred those products to a combination of internal operations and external suppliers. The company will also continue to decommission a waste water treatment plant in Atmore.
For the quarter, the Company had sales of $109,359,000 and a loss from continuing operations of $166,000, or $0.01 per diluted share, compared with sales of $90,210,000 and income from continuing operations of $1,432,000, or $0.11 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2013. Income from continuing operations, excluding manufacturing integration, facility consolidation, equipment impairment, and acquisition related expenses, after-tax, was $1,326,000 (non-GAAP adjusted income from continuing operations), or $0.08 per diluted share for the period. The Company had $2,579,000 in facility consolidation, equipment impairment and acquisition related expenses during the period as it implements its previously announced plans to expand capacity, integrate acquisitions and streamline operations.
Molino’s Cunningham Shows Champion Steer At Fair
October 30, 2014
Austin Cunningham of Molino showed his champion steer last week at the Pensacola Interstate Fair, winning several awards. He was awarded Reserve Grand Champion, FFA Grand Champion, and Grand Champion for a homegrown steer. The Northview High School senior also received second in Senior Showmanship. Cunningham sold his 1,250 pound steer “Heisenberg” to Dave Howell Tires for $5.50 per pound, or $6,875. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
State To Offer More Citizens Insurance Policies To Private Firms
October 30, 2014
More than 182,000 policies now in the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. will be available to be picked up by nine private carriers after the start of the new year.
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation announced Wednesday that up to 2,527 commercial residential policies will be made available on January 6, and a week later 180,040 personal residential policies will become available. Typically the number of policies actually moved in the “takeout” process is far smaller than what is offered to the private firms. The private companies are able to cherry-pick the least-risky policies and often go after many of the same customers. Policyholders targeted for takeout also have the option to remain covered by Citizens.
For 2014, the state insurance office approved 1.1 million policies for private “takeout,” yet as of September 18, the number moved out of Citizens was 127,550. Citizens, which two years ago had 1.47 million policies, was down to 930,385 policies as of September 30.