FHP Searching For Driver That Crashed Through Utility Pole, Fence, Landed In Pond
August 5, 2014
A driver hit a utility pole, crashed through a fence and landed in a retention pond Tuesday morning, leaving numerous homes and businesses without power for several hours.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the driver of a 1998 Lincoln Navigator failed to negotiate a curve on Kenmore Road near Palafox Street, causing the accident. The driver and any passengers in the vehicle fled the scene before first responders arrived.
There was no physical description of the driver available. Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call Trooper Kitchen at (850) 484-5000 ext. 347. The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol, with charges pending against the driver.
NorthEscambia.com reader submitted photo by Alan Thedford, click to enlarge.
Prison K-9 Team Rescues Lost Child
August 5, 2014
When a two-year old child went missing from her family’s home off Munson Highway in Santa Rosa County Saturday, the Santa Rosa Correctional Institution’s K-9 team jumped into action to quickly find the little girl and return her safely to her family.
The Santa Rosa Correctional Institution K-9 search team consisted of Sergeant Robert Lenzo, Officer Christopher Gilbert, Officer Joshua Chandler and K-9 Luke. Despite the young girl having been missing for two hours, temperatures in the high 90’s and the area crowded with friends, family and volunteers trying to locate her, the K-9 team established her track and found where she had left the residence. They followed the track through the woods and located her approximately one-half mile behind her home in a thick patch of thorns and vines. Sergeant Lenzo crawled into the thicket and freed her from the vines.
The child was quickly turned over to the Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office deputies who reunited her with her parents.
“I am proud of the brave men and women of the Department of Corrections who serve their communities daily through their public service, including by committing acts of heroism and bravery such as this rescue,” said DOC Secretary Michael Crews. “Ensuring the safety of Florida families is a priority of the Department of Corrections, and the Santa Rosa C.I. K-9 team is a stellar example of that commitment.”
The little girl was playing in her family’s backyard and ran into the woods as her mom stepped inside briefly to get her water.
The Florida Department of Corrections has 38 K-9 programs statewide which are used to support other law enforcement agencies with felon apprehension, searching for missing persons and locating and providing aid to persons in distress. In addition to the team at Santa Rosa C.I., a K-9 team is also located at the Century Correctional Institution.
Pictured top: A little girl that went missing on Saturday meets K-9 Luke. Pictured inset: Ofc. Christopher Gilbert and Ofc. Joshua Chandler after Saturday’s rescue. Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Missing Alabama Man Found In Escambia County By Florida Ag Cops
August 5, 2014
A missing man from Alabama was located Monday morning in Escambia County by agricultural law enforcement officers with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
David Cain of Semmes, Ala, was the subject of a Silver Alert issued on Sunday.
“I’m proud of my department’s agricultural law enforcement officers, who stepped up to help a family in need today,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “Thanks to their diligence, David Cain was reunited with his family safely.”
Cain stopped at the agriculture interdiction station on Interstate 10 in Pensacola around 8 a.m. Monday. Agricultural Law Enforcement Officer John Riley spoke with Cain, who appeared confused and said he was trying to find his way back home to Alabama.
Riley requested Cain’s documentation and ran his identification through the system, which turned up the Silver Alert. A Silver Alert is a national public notification system that broadcasts information about missing individuals, especially those with dementia, developmental disabilities or other health concerns. Public information generally consists of the name and description of the missing person and the missing person’s car and license number.
Cain was reported missing from Semmes, about 75 miles from Pensacola, when he left church on Sunday morning and did not make it to his house. O’Riley contacted Cain’s family, who reunited with him at the interdiction station shortly after they were contacted.
Molino Man Convicted Of Stealing Copper Wire, Now Facing Federal Charge
August 5, 2014
A Molino man was convicted Monday of selling copper wiring stolen from a private contractor working aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola and breaking into a Molino area home. And he’s now facing a federal charge in connection with the crime.
Calvin Antwane Smith, age 28 of Cedartown Road, was sentenced in Escambia Count Circuit Court Monday by Judge Gary Bergosh to 36 months probation on charges of felony fraud providing a false statement verifying ownership of regulated metals, and felony dealing in stolen property. According to investigators, he sold two spools of copper wire to two recycling companies after the wire was stolen from his private contractor employer at NAS Pensacola.
He is now facing a federal charge of larceny within a special maritime jurisdiction for stealing the wire, which was valued at less than $1,000. Arrested by federal authorities, Smith was released on his own recognizance pending a September federal court date.
Two More, Including Air Force Captain, Arrested In Operation Blue Guardian
August 5, 2014
Two more people — including an Air Force captain — have been arrested as part of an undercover sex sting. Five people were previously arrested in Operation Blue Guardian, which focused on adults soliciting and traveling to meeting minor to engage in sexual activity.
Adam Craig Kendrick, 40, was charged with obscene communication using a computer to lure a child for sex, and obscene communication using a two-way device.
Kenneth D. Lebay, 31, was charged with obscene communication using a computer to lure a child for sex, and obscene communication using a two-way device. According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Lebay is an active duty Air Force captain. He allegedly traveled to a local business to meet what he believed was a juvenile female but was actually an undercover investigator.
For more information on Operation Blue Guardian and previous arrests, click here for an earlier story. The operation was a joint operation between the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Pensacola Police Department and additional state, federal and local agencies.
Georgia Pacific Announces $375 Million Investment In Brewton Mill
August 5, 2014
Georgia-Pacific has announced an investment of more than $375 million in an energy improvement project at its Brewton, Ala., mill. All permits are in place for construction to begin in the next few months, and the project is expected to take approximately 24 months to complete.
“Georgia-Pacific has a track record of investing back into our business to help continuously improve our operations and meet the long-term needs of our customers, our company, our communities and our employees,” said Jim Hannan, CEO and president, Georgia-Pacific. “This investment in our Brewton facility reflects our confidence in the Brewton team to continue to improve the competitiveness of this facility.”
“I’m proud of Georgia-Pacific’s investment to improve the mill in Brewton. This shows the company’s commitment to their employees and the state of Alabama,” said Alabama Governor Robert Bentley. “This major investment will provide long-term and immediate benefits for Escambia County. During the construction phase hundreds of workers are projected to be on site daily which will have a positive impact on the local economy.”
The energy improvement project modernizes and streamlines the current mix of equipment in the mill’s recovery boiler system, which will contribute to more efficient processes and operations.
“We will become self-sufficient in terms of the energy needed for our processes,” said Jeff Joyce, vice president and general manager, Brewton mill. “This will improve our competitive advantage and enhance the long-term viability of the mill.”
Among other benefits of the energy improvement project:
- Improved reliability and energy efficiency
- Workforce influx of approximately 600 (at peak) for construction
- Positive short-term economic benefits to the surrounding community, particularly in the form of retail sales and lodging revenues from contractors
“While we are now gearing up for construction, our teams have been planning and preparing for this project since 2013, including ordering equipment and pre-constructing some components,” said Joyce. “We are very appreciative of the work of those teams and the support we have received from our community and local leaders in securing this project for our mill. We are proud to be here.”
Brewton Mayor Yank Lovelace, Sr., said, “We are thrilled to have Georgia-Pacific in our city, and this investment in Brewton affirms the company’s commitment to our community. We have worked hard to support local industry and welcome economic growth that is the result.”
Escambia County (Ala.) Commission Chairman David Stokes, added, “This will make the Brewton mill competitive for generations to come, giving our people the opportunity to make a good living and raise their families here in Brewton.”
Teams at the Brewton mill produce white-top linerboard and solid bleached cartonboard. The mill is the largest employer in Brewton, with approximately 450 employees. Many of those employees live in the North Escambia area.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Feds Looking For Sex Offender Possibly Hiding In Alabama Or Florida
August 5, 2014
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is asking for the public’s help in locating a convicted sex offender that believe may be hiding in Alabama or Florida.
Matthew C. Harbin, 28, of Arab, Ala., is wanted on a federal arrest warrant issued in June for receipt of child pornography in the Northern District of Alabama. He pleaded guilty in 2009 to state charges of transmitting obscene material to a minor.
HSI special agents have reason to believe Harbin may be hiding somewhere in northern or southern Alabama, or Florida, in an attempt to elude law enforcement. HSI also believes Harbin may pose a threat to others or may attempt to flee the country to avoid capture.
Harbin is 6 feet, 2 inches tall, weighs 200 pounds and has brown hair and brown eyes.
HSI requests that anyone with information about this person contact the agency immediately by calling the 24-hour HSI Tip line at 1-866-DHS-2ICE or their local law enforcement agency at 911.
Police: Escambia Man Stole Jewelry To Pay His Federal Probation Costs
August 5, 2014
Police say an Escambia County man stole about $140,000 worth items during residential burglaries and sold them in order to pay his federal probation costs.
Michael Collins, 31, was charged with 11 counts of burglary, eight counts of grand theft, three counts of criminal mischief and two counts of petit theft.
The Pensacola Police Department said Collins entered unlocked doors and stole mostly jewelery, along with cash, a laptop and medication, during a series of residential burglaries between June 29 and August 1.
The approximately $140,000 worth of property was mostly sold at the T&W Flea Market, according to police, with Collins using the proceed to pay for his probation costs. He is on federal probation for a bank robbery.
Up to $15,000 worth of stolen items have been recovered by Pensacola Police.
Wahoos Fall In Series Finale
August 5, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (17-28, 48-67) fell in the series finale, 3-2, to the Tennessee Smokies (23-22, 56-58). With the victory, the Smokies took the series over the Wahoos 3-2.
The Wahoos got out to an early lead in the first inning after a Yorman Rodriguez triple and a Ryan Wright RBI single. Pensacola extended their lead to two in the fourth inning and again it was the top of the order that came through for the Wahoos. Wright walked to start the inning and moved to second on a Chris Berset groundout. With two outs in the inning, Kyle Waldrop produced an RBI single.
The Smokies responded with a run in the top of the fifth inning and it was catcher Taylor Davis’ two-run double in the sixth inning that proved to be the difference in the game. RHP Tim Adleman replaced starter Michael Lorenzen in the fifth and took the loss for the Wahoos. Lorenzen went 4.0 innings and allowed 1 R/ER on three hits. Adleman went 1.2 innings and allowed two runs on three hits.
Smokies starter Eduardo Figueroa got the no-decision and went 5.0 innings, allowing two runs on five hits. Figueroa struck out six batters and only walked one. Reliever Lendy Castillo earned his first win of the season out of the bullpen; he went 1.0 innings and struck out two batters.
The Wahoos threatened in the top of the ninth and loaded the bases with two outs, but Frank Batista got Travis Mattair to fly out to end the contest. It was Batista’s ninth save of the season.
Pensacola is off Tuesday and returns to Pensacola Bayfront Stadium for a 10-game home stand on Wednesday at 6:30 pm against the Jackson Generals. RHP Ben Lively (1-5, 3.48) will make the start in the series opener and he’ll be opposed by LHP Cam Hobson (6-9, 4.14) of the Generals.
by Joey Truncale
Plans For Florida Legislative Special Session Begin To Take Shape
August 5, 2014
Legislative leaders Monday laid out the fullest blueprint yet for a special session aimed at crafting new congressional districts, even as they continued a push for a Leon County judge to limit the impact of his ruling on this year’s elections.
House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, and Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, announced that the Legislature would return to Tallahassee and begin the session at noon Thursday, little more than a week before an Aug. 15 deadline to submit a redrawn map to Circuit Judge Terry Lewis.
Specially formed House and Senate committees will meet later Thursday and on Friday to try to come up with a plan that would answer Lewis’ initial ruling, issued last month, that struck down two districts Lewis said were drawn to help the ruling Republican Party.
Lewis said the districts violated the anti-gerrymandering Fair Districts amendments that voters approved in 2010.
At issue are Congressional District 5, which is represented by Democratic Congresswoman Corrine Brown and winds from Jacksonville to Orlando, and Congressional District 10, which is represented by Republican Congressman Dan Webster and is in the Orlando area.
District 5 consolidates pockets of black voters, which critics say makes it easier to elect Republicans in neighboring districts. In District 10, Lewis said an “appendage” of white voters added to the seat was meant to help Webster.
In a statement following the announcement of the initial schedule for the session, Gaetz made it clear that lawmakers intended to do as little as possible to answer Lewis’ complaints.
“Because the court held intact 25 of the state’s 27 congressional districts as the Legislature drew them, I believe we can and should meet the court’s requirements with minimal impact on the rest of the state,” he said.
One of the groups that brought a lawsuit challenging the congressional districts said that, at least for the moment, it was waiting to see what lawmakers come up with.
Deirdre Macnab, president of the League of Women Voters of Florida, said lawmakers had taken a first step by convening the special session.
“It remains to be seen whether they will decide to produce a map that meets the constitutional requirements,” she said.
However, in a filing with Lewis last month, critics of the Legislature’s original map seemed to indicate that small changes wouldn’t satisfy them.
“And (lawmakers) have signaled their intent only to make minor adjustments to the affected districts in the 2012 Congressional Plan under an unduly narrow, self-serving interpretation of this court’s ruling, leaving plaintiffs to bring yet another challenge,” the filing says.
GOP legislators are continuing to push for Lewis to hold off on implementing a new map. The judge has said he’s not sure about whether to allow primaries to go forward this month, with the general election following in November, or hold special elections later in the affected districts.
Legislative leaders say it wouldn’t be fair to overseas voters, and even some in-state voters, who have already returned absentee ballots.
“My primary concern is that we count every vote that has already been counted,” Senate Appropriations Chairman Joe Negron, R-Stuart, said at an event in South Florida with Gov. Rick Scott. ” … Around the state, the overseas votes, thousands of overseas votes have been cast, so that’s one of my main goals is to try to accomplish what needs to be done without interfering with any existing elections that are ongoing.”
Asked if there was concern that the need to redraw maps could hinder ballots already cast and mailed out, Scott said he expects the lawmakers will create a constitutionally compliant map as required by the court.
“I think between the Legislature and the courts, they’re going to make sure the right thing happens,” Scott said.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida