Molino Park Burglary Suspects Appear In Court
December 12, 2013
The two adult suspects in the burglary and vandalism of Molino Park Elementary School were in court Wednesday. During the August 9 burglary, over $60,000 in property was stolen, and the school sustained another $7,000 in damages. Most of the stolen items — including computers and iPads– were burned by the suspects.
Tatanya Zahna Blackmon, a 19-year old female from the 2400 block of North Highway 29 in Cantonment, and Rodriques Ricardo Young, a 19-year old male from the 1300 block of Barth Road in Molino appeared before Judge Gary Bergosh Wednesday morning for what was due to be a docket hearing prior to jury trials later this month.
Both had their trials delayed until mid-February – Blackmon at the request of the defense and Young at the request of prosecutors. Both have pleaded not guilty.
Blackmon and Young are charged with grand theft, larceny, criminal mischief with property damage, destroying evidence and three counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Both remain in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $90,000.
Three juveniles are also awaiting trial for the incident. Tracy Deshawn Lett, 14, Jacob Lett, 11, and Vashawn Lamond Brown, 13, were charged with grand theft, larceny and criminal mischief. The suspects were identified by Sheriff’s investigators with the assistance and cooperation of the Escambia County School District.
Thousands of dollars worth of electronics were stolen from throughout the school, including Apple computers, iPads, Wii gaming systems, cameras used by the school’s student-operated closed circuit TV station, along with other items. Portions of the school were also vandalized during the break-in. Ceiling tiles were damaged or destroyed throughout the campus, and holes were punched in walls. A vending machine was also toppled and burglarized.
Pictured below: Three Apple computers were stolen from this desk in a computer lab. Pictured below: Surveillance video shows two people running through the school at 9:17 p.m. on August 9. Pictured inset: An overturned and burglarized vending machine in the school. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia High Teacher Arrested On Child Porn Charges
December 12, 2013
An Escambia High School teacher was arrested Wednesday on federal child pornography charges.
Jeffrey Bruce Richards, 63, was charged with the distribution, receipt and possession of child pornography. He made is initial appearance in federal court Wednesday.
According to a criminal complaint sworn to a FBI special agent, Richards used peer-to-peer software between December 2012 and December 2013 to share hundreds of images of child pornography online.
The complaint was a result of a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of investigation, the Department of Homeland Security, the Pensacola Police Department and other members of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David L. Goldberg.
Information released Wednesday by the U.S. Attorney’s Office does not indicate if Richards allegedly used any school district computers to trade pornography.
Beer Can ‘Festivus’ Pole Now Stands In Florida’s Capitol
December 12, 2013
Festivus, the sitcom-created holiday,” went on display Wednesday in the first floor of the Florida Capitol through a state-approved pole comprised of beer cans. South Florida political blogger Chaz Stevens delivered his 6-foot-tall “Festivus” pole — made of Pabst Blue Ribbon cans.
The pole is a not-so-subtle protest to a Christian nativity scene that was put up December 3 by the Florida Prayer Network. Stevens, an atheist and member of the American Civil Liberties Union, wants to make a political statement on the need for the separation of church and state.
“When I asked to put this up, I hoped that I could make a circus out of this whole thing, to make it ridiculous,” Stevens said. “It’s six feet of beer cans … the government doesn’t belong here.”
Festivus, celebrated Dec. 23, is a “holiday” created for the TV sitcom “Seinfeld” as a non-commercial festival “for the rest of us” in the Christmas and year-end holiday season. A symbol of the holiday is an unadorned aluminum pole.
Pam Olsen, president of the Florida Prayer Network, attended the non-ceremonial standing of the pole Wednesday morning. “I’m not shaking and my God’s not afraid either,” said Olsen, who had a brief exchange with Stevens. “We’re all in the Capitol exercising our freedom of religion.”
The pole stands next to a banner from the Madison, Wis.-based Freedom From Religion Foundation. The state Department of Management Services, which oversees displays in the Capitol, continued Wednesday to review additional requests for seasonal banner space in the Capitol’s entry rotunda. Those requests were by the American Atheists Florida Regional Directors, the Tallahassee Atheists and the Satanic Temple of Tallahassee.
The Festivus pole is approved for display until January 3.
‘American Pickers’ Coming To North Escambia Area
December 12, 2013
The American Pickers from the History Channel are coming to the North Escambia – Pensacola area in January and they are looking for people with barns, warehouses, buildings full of odd, unique, and interesting collections. They also love to explore the history of the locations tied to the items.
Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz, are longtime “pickers” or as they call themselves “modern archaeologists”. They drive the back roads of America knocking on doors, digging through barns and basements, and sifting through junkyards and warehouses. The dirty, rusty treasures and antiques they pull out of these places are not just given a new life; they’re saved for future generations to appreciate. Along the way the guys meet the amazing people and interesting places that make America great.
A list of wanted items the American Pickers sent NorthEscambia.com is below. They are looking for the items in Florida only.
Police Investigate Double Shooting
December 12, 2013
Police are investigating a double shooting that occurred Tuesday night.
The incident occurred around 10:45 p.m. at 711 Underwood Avenue. Upon arrival, Pensacola Police officers found an 18-year-old male in a parking lot with a gunshot wound near his left elbow and a bullet hole in his pants near his right hip.
The male told police he was randomly shot while walking through the apartment complex. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment. The second male also was taken to a local hospital for treatment of a gunshot to his buttocks.
While a motive for the incident remains under investigation, investigators say it may have been drug related.
Anyone having information on the incident is asked to contact the Pensacola Police Department at (850) 435-1900.
Your Photos: Santa Visits Friendship Kids
December 12, 2013
Santa Claus visited with the children of the Friendship Learning Lodge on Wednesday.
Have a Christmas photo to share? Email news@northescambia.com.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Moves Toward Electronic Proof Of Insurance For Motorists
December 11, 2013
Motorists might soon be able to use their cell phones or other electronic devices to show proof of insurance when they are pulled over by police.
Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet — Attorney General Pam Bondi, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam — approved without comment a request Tuesday from the state Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to allow people to display electronic copies of their motor-vehicle insurance through cell phones, tablets or other electronic devices.
The use of electronic copies is in state law, but the department’s administrative rule currently requires motorists to carry “3 1/2 inches × 2 1/4 inches” identification cards that list personal-injury protection benefits and property-damage liability insurance providers and policy numbers, along with the vehicle year, make and vehicle-identification number. The rule has been on the books since 1989.
Pedestrian Critical After Being Hit By Car
December 11, 2013
A pedestrian is in critical condition after being struck by a car Tuesday night on Davis Highway south of Northcross Lane.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 52-year old Jeffery Kucinski of Pensacola was attempting to cross Davis Highway about 6:55 p.m. when he walked into the path of a 2002 Cadillac driven by 66-year old Christina Smith of Gulf Breeze.
After being hit by the vehicle, Kucinski was thrown forward about 60 feet. He was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition.
Smith was not charged.
Cantonment Man Honored By Governor For Dedication To Teaching
December 11, 2013
A Cantonment man honored Tuesday by Gov. Rick Scott as he recognized two educators who have made outstanding contributions to their schools and students with the Governor’s Shine Award. The Shine Award is presented to Floridians who have helped children through education.
John Huber lives in Cantonment and teaches at Oakcrest Elementary School, and Luis Espinosa is from Broward County.
“It is an honor to thank Luis Espinosa and John Herber for their contributions both in and outside the classroom. The work they do today provides our students with the foundation for future success in college and careers. Great teachers like Luis and John are critical to ensuring Florida has a world-class education system and I thank them for their continued service,” Scott said Tuesday.
Huber was featured back in October on NorthEscambia.com after he received one of the People Teacher of the Year Awards and was featured in People magazine. That awards honors extraordinary educators who are changing the lives of their students and paving the way for a new generation of American leaders. He received $4,000 for the school and $1,000 personally.
Herber began teaching in Escambia County 15 years ago after graduating from the University of West Florida. Before he started teaching at Oakcrest Elementary School seven years ago, only 16 percent of the school’s fifth graders were considered proficient in science. Last year, 59 percent passed the test, more than the state or district average.
Herber has formed school-community partnerships to help enrich his classes, often bringing in experts to teach the children.
Off duty, he volunteers as a football and basketball coach so that kids who don’t qualify for varsity teams have the chance to play. His blue 2008 Subaru often serves as the “team bus”.
Herber’s wife Sammi is also involved in Escambia County education. She has worked as a speech pathologist for about 13 years, primarily in North Escambia schools.
Pictured top: Cantonment resident John Herber (green shirt) with Gov. Rick Scott and the members of the Florida Cabinet Tuesday in Tallahassee. Pictured inset and below: Herber hard at work at Oakcrest Elementary School. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bid Opening Next Week For New Northview High Weight Training Facility
December 11, 2013
Bids will be opened next Tuesday to choose contractor for a new weight training facility for Northview High School.
The Escambia County School Board approved the weight training facility back at their January 22, 2013, meeting, letting a $69,913 contract with DAG Architects in Pensacola for architectural and engineering services.
The new building will be about 3,500 square feet. The building will include one weight room, coaches’ offices, storage and accompanying restrooms. The construction budget is set at $490,000, to be funded with local option sales tax monies.
The new weight training facility will be constructed near the main building where outdoor basketball courts are currently located. There is no timetable in place for the completion of the project.
Updated 6:00 a.m. to reflect that the district is now calling the building a “Weight Training Facility”, not a field house.
Pictured: The basic floor plan for a planned Northview High School field house. NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge.