Man Shot By Mother Of His Child Sentenced For Battery
November 26, 2013
A Cantonment man shot last June by the mother of his child has been convicted of battery.
Casey Lee Leopard was found guilty by Judge Michael Allen and sentenced to 12 months community control followed by 24 months probation.
The female victim told deputies that Leopard, the father of her child, came to her residence on Benjulyn Road holding their 2-year old child. She said he forced his way inside when she opened the door. He searched for and found the woman’s phone in an attempt to determine where she had been the previous night, according to an arrest report.
The woman retrieved a firearm, located ammunition for it and attempted to leave the residence. Leopard then allegedly thew her to the floor and choked her. She escaped his hold and loaded the gun. As Leopard approached her again in her hallway, she shot him in the knee, the report states, because he was coming toward her and she feared being attacked again.
Leopard fled the residence and was later located at Victory Assembly of God Church on Highway 29, the report states, and was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital for his injuries.
Woman Charged With Bomb Threats Against Gulf Power
November 26, 2013
A Santa Rosa County woman was arrested Monday on federal charges for allegedly making bomb threats against Gulf Power.
Eboni Parker, age 33, of Milton, was charged with two counts of maliciously conveying false information of a bomb threat, according to United States Attorney Pamela C. Marsh, Northern District of Florida.
A two-count federal indictment alleges that on January 30 and February 20, Parker used a cell phone to make the false bomb threats to the Milton office of Gulf Power.
Parker was in federal court Monday for her initial appearance and arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Timothy at the U.S. District Court in Pensacola. Parker pleaded not guilty to the charges and her trial is scheduled for January 6, 2014, before Senior United States District Judge Lacey Collier.
Parker is facing a maximum sentence of ten years and a $250,000 fine on each count.
Citrus Canker Discovered In Santa Rosa County
November 26, 2013
Citrus canker is a serious disease of citrus trees that was recently confirmed for the first time in Santa Rosa County.
Citrus canker has been a major pest of citrus in south and central Florida. It is economically damaging to the commercial industry and is also problematic to homeowners because it causes premature fruit drop, discolored fruit, and eventually causes the tree to become unproductive.
Canker, caused by the bacterial pathogen Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri, was first introduced in 1912 into Florida and was declared eradicated in 1933.
The disease was found again in the Tampa area on citrus in 1986. It was declared eradicated in 1994, but once again was found in 1995 in Miami.
This time, the disease was not successfully eradicated in part because hurricanes made the disease too widespread to control.
Despite its prevalence in south and central Florida, this disease has not been known in the Panhandle. The University of Florida and the Florida Department of of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Division of Plant Industry will be assessing the extent of the disease in Santa Rosa County in the coming months.
One of the best indicators of canker is presence of lesions, diseased spots, on the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves. The lesions will be raised and have a rough surface and will be surrounded by yellow halos. Similar lesions may be present on the fruit and stems as well.
The disease is highly contagious to citrus only and spreads rapidly through wind, rain and via people on their hands, clothes, and tools.
Do not transport any plant material that shows symptoms of canker. Decontamination practices should be used when going from one citrus tree to the next. Hand washing with soap and water for 20 seconds or more to eliminate bacterium on the skin should be practiced as well as using alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Pruning tools or other tools that come into contact with citrus should be disinfected by a fresh solution of 1 ounce of household bleach to 1 gallon of water. An old or dirty bleach solution is not able to disinfect because the chemical is no longer active.
Grapefruit, Navel orange, early orange varieties, lemon and lime are most susceptible citrus to canker infection. Hamlins and tangelos are less susceptible. Valencia, some hybrids and Satsuma and other tangerines are the most resistant to the disease. However, all citrus is vulnerable to some extent.
In order reduce the likelihood of citrus canker choose the most resistant varieties of citrus, practice proper sanitation procedures, and purchase only certified citrus from registered nurseries within the state of Florida. It is unlawful to purchase citrus trees from another state and bring them into Florida unless the proper permitting is in place.
If you suspect that your citrus trees may have citrus canker please contact the Division of Plant Industry’s Helpline Center at 1-888-397-1517 before taking any action to reduce accidental spread of this disease.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Names November Students Of The Month
November 26, 2013
Ernest Ward Middle School has named their November Students of the Month. They are (pictured L-R) Isaac Armstrong, seventh grade; Jarrod Davison, eighth grade; and Brandon Berry, sixth grade. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Chiefs Open Basketball Season With Win Over Escambia Gators
November 26, 2013
The Northview Chiefs beat the Escambia Gators 82-58 in high school basketball action Monday night. Delayed by football playoffs, the game was the season opener for the Chiefs.
Leading scorers for the Chiefs were Tony McAroy with 35 and Neino Robinson with 26. Other scorers were: Trent Howard, 12; Eric Williams, 4; Cameron Newsome, 3; Keondrae Lett, 2; and Nick Lambert, 2.
The Chiefs were to be on the road Tuesday afternoon against T.R. Miller, but that matchup has been canceled and rescheduled for December 16 in Bratt.
The junior varsity girls will play a game December 3 at 5:30 against Flomaton at home; otherwise, the Chiefs won’t play another home game in Bratt until December 13.
Road Construction, Land Closures Suspended For Long Holiday Period
November 26, 2013
State transportation departments in Florida and Alabama announced Monday that most road construction and lane closures will be suspended for the long Thanksgiving weekend.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District Three office is suspending highway construction projects on major roadways across Northwest Florida. There will be no work on state roads requiring lane restrictions from Thursday, November 28 through Sunday, December 1. All major roads will be open to normal traffic.
Although no construction closures are scheduled over the holiday weekend, existing state highway work zones will remain in effect. Motorists are reminded to use caution while traveling through work zones around barricades and equipment.
FDOT is encouraging drivers to allow extra travel time and to use extra caution in existing work zones along state highways. Drivers are urged to make sure they buckle up, along with their passengers. FDOT and other safety agencies also ask drivers to obey speed limits, get adequate rest before traveling, avoid distractions and never drink and drive.
Drivers also are urged to be prepared for unscheduled highway closures due to accidents, disabled vehicles or other events. Motorists should be alert to changing weather conditions while traveling.
The Alabama Department of Transportation said there will be no temporary lane closures on Alabama interstates after noon, Wednesday, November 27, through midnight on Sunday, December 1.
Bills: Double Texting In School Zone Fines
November 26, 2013
Rep. Richard Stark, D-Weston, wants to increase the penalty for motorists who text while behind the wheel in school zones. Stark has proposed a measure (HB 333) that would double fines for texting while driving in legally posted school zones or designated school crossings.
The state’s new texting-while-driving ban went into effect October 1 and carries a penalty of $30 and court costs for first-time offenders. The law only allows enforcement as what is known as a “secondary offense.” That means motorists can only be cited for texting while driving if they are pulled over for other reasons.
Last month, Sen. Maria Sachs, D-Delray Beach, filed a measure (SB 322) that would allow police to stop motorists for texting while driving as a primary offense.
by The News Service of Florida
Suspect Shot During Altercation With Escambia Deputies
November 25, 2013
A robbery suspect was shot this morning during an altercation with Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies.
Deputies made contact with Tyrone Michael Odom, 21, in the 3200 block of Tarragona Street. As deputies attempted to take the Odom into custody, a physical altercation followed as the he resisted arrest, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
A firearm that the suspect had on his person discharged, hitting him. Odom was transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital with an injury that was not considered life threatening. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail after being treated and released.
Odom was charged with fleeing/eluding police, aggravated assault, robbery with a firearm, battery of an LEO, aggravated assault on an LEO and resisting with violence.
Farm Bureau: Cost Of Classic Thanksgiving Dinner Down For 2013
November 25, 2013
The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 28th annual informal price survey of classic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table indicates the average cost of this year’s feast for 10 is $49.04, a 44-cent price decrease from last year’s average of $49.48.
“The cost of this year’s meal, at less than $5 per serving, remains an excellent value for consumers,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman, a rice and cattle producer from Texas. “America’s farm and ranch families are honored to produce the food from our nation’s land for family Thanksgiving celebrations,” he said. “During this holiday season, many farmers and ranchers will be reaching out to consumers in-person or through social media, to answer questions about the food that they grow or the poultry and livestock they raise,” he added.
The AFBF survey shopping list includes turkey, bread stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, a relish tray of carrots and celery, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, and beverages of coffee and milk, all in quantities sufficient to serve a family of 10. There is also plenty for leftovers.
The big ticket item—a 16-pound turkey—came in at $21.76 this year. That was roughly $1.36 per pound, a decrease of about 3 cents per pound, or a total of 47 cents per whole turkey, compared to 2012. The whole bird was the biggest contributor to the final total, showing the largest price decrease compared to last year.
“This year we can be thankful that Thanksgiving Dinner, a special meal many of us look forward to all year, will not take a bigger bite out of our wallets,” said John Anderson, AFBF’s deputy chief economist. “Most Americans will pay about the same as last year at the grocery store for a turkey and all the trimmings. Slightly higher turkey production for much of the year coupled with an increase in birds in cold storage may be responsible for the moderate price decrease our shoppers reported,” he said.
Strategic shoppers may pay even less for frozen tom turkey compared to AFBF’s 167 volunteer shoppers who checked prices at grocery stores in 34 states.
“Special sales and promotions on turkey and other holiday food items will continue right up to Thanksgiving,” Anderson explained. “If you have the patience to wait until the last minute to buy a turkey you might come home with an exceptional bargain,” he said.
In addition to the turkey, other items that declined in price included a dozen brown-n-serve rolls, $2.18; one pound of green peas, $1.54; a 14-ounce package of cubed bread stuffing, $2.67; fresh cranberries, $2.42; a half pint of whipping cream, $1.85; and two nine-inch pie shells, $2.49.
Items that showed a moderate price increase from last year included three pounds of sweet potatoes, $3.36; one gallon of whole milk, $3.66; and a 30-ounce can of pumpkin pie mix, $3.10.
In addition, a combined group of miscellaneous items, including coffee and ingredients necessary to prepare the meal (onions, eggs, sugar, flour, evaporated milk and butter) increased to $3.20. A one-pound relish tray of carrots and celery increased to 81 cents.
The average cost of the dinner has remained around $49 since 2011. Further, Anderson noted that despite retail price increases during the last year or so, American consumers have enjoyed relatively stable food costs in general over the years, particularly when adjusted for inflation.
The stable average price reported this year by Farm Bureau for a classic Thanksgiving dinner tracks closely with the government’s Consumer Price Index for food eaten at home, which indicates a 1 percent increase compared to a year ago.
Farm Bureau volunteer shoppers are asked to look for the best possible prices, without taking advantage of special promotional coupons or purchase deals, such as spending $50 and receiving a free turkey. Shoppers with an eye for bargains in all areas of the country should be able to purchase individual menu items at prices comparable to the Farm Bureau survey averages. Another option for busy families without a lot of time to cook is ready-to-eat Thanksgiving meals for up to 10 people, with all the trimmings, which are available at many supermarkets and take-out restaurants for around $50 to $75.
The AFBF survey was first conducted in 1986. While Farm Bureau does not make any scientific claims about the data, it is an informal gauge of price trends around the nation. Farm Bureau’s survey menu has remained unchanged since 1986 to allow for consistent price comparisons.
Two Killed In Escambia Crash
November 25, 2013
Two 20-year olds from Pensacola were killed in a single vehicle accident wreck Sunday in Escambia County.
The accident occurred about 1:25 a.m. Sunday on Olive Road at Windodee Road. According to the Florida Highway Patrol 20-year old Roman Hernandez Carnenas was eastbound on Olive Road when he traveled off the shoulder and struck a guardrail. His 1996 Ford Explorer continued northeasterly until it overturned onto a utility pole. The vehicle came to rest on its side partially submerged in water.
Carnenas and his passenger, Javier Hernandez Velazquez, were pronounced deceased following the crash.
The accident remains under investigation by the FHP.