Man Gets Prison Time After Wild Santa Rosa Police Pursuit
November 20, 2013
A Navarre man is headed to prison for 14 years for a wild police pursuit that traveled for miles last January through Santa Rosa County, ending outside Jay with wrecked patrol cars and injured deputies.
Dominic Turner received the 14 year sentence from Circuit Judge David Rimmer after his plea to charges of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, fleeing or attempting to elude, felony battery, battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence, leaving the scene of a crash with injuries, reckless driving, tampering with a witness, resisting an officer without violence and assault.
On the night of January 24, 2013, Dominic Turner led deputies with the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office on a chase through Santa Rosa County. The incident began when officers were called to a domestic disturbance at Turner’s home in Navarre earlier that evening. Turner left the residence as deputies arrived, and a BOLO was issued for him.
Turner was later located on Highway 90 in Pace, but as the deputy attempted to stop him, Turner accelerated and fled. At times Turner drove into the oncoming lanes of traffic as he tried to avoid the pursuit. Sergeant Randy Counts had placed spike strips in the road to disable Turner’s car; however, Turner drove off the highway and struck Sergeant Counts with his car.
Turner’s vehicle went approximately 30 feet off the roadway at Highway 90 and Pond Creek, striking the deputy and a large tree. Despite significant damage to his Lexus, Turner was able to flee from deputies once again. Turner also hit another deputy’s vehicle during the chase.
During the pursuit, Turner attempted to strike several patrol cars and ultimately rammed a deputy’s vehicle in north Santa Rosa County.
The pursuit continued north of Highway 87 and came to an end near Pleasant Grove Road after the Lexus was unable to continue. Turner refused to comply with deputies trying to take him into custody and actively fought with officers.
A K-9 was then deployed, which was able to overtake the suspect. Turner continued to fight and resist arrest. Turner was then taken into custody and transported to Santa Rosa Hospital. He was treated for lacerations from the K-9 apprehension, then released and transported to the Santa Rosa County Jail.
The deputy that was struck by Turner was also taken to Santa Rosa Hospital where it was determined that he sprained his knee and had numerous cuts and bruises. He was treated and released. During the struggle with Turner, another deputy suffered multiple fractures to his finger.
Walnut Hill Man Gets Four Years In Prison For Burglary
November 20, 2013
A Walnut Hill man has been sentenced to four years in state prison after burglarizing an Enon residence.
William Arbon Gilly, age 21 of South Pineville Road, was convicted of armed burglary of a dwelling, unarmed burglary of unoccupied structure, grand theft, and theft of a firearm. He was sentenced as a youthful offender by Judge Jan Shackleford to four years in prison to be followed by two years probation. He was also ordered to perform 50 hours of community service.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Gilly drove to a single family home on Dan Hall Road, and twice over a three day period in March he entered the residence without permission. He was accused of taking firearms, jewelery, coins and electronics valued at approximately $6,000. Deputies said he also removed a utility trailer, a motor, boat, a boat trailer from a shed.
After the burglaries, Gilly utilized numerous online methods to sell the stolen items, deputies said. When interviewed by deputies, “Gilly admitted to taking all of the property and indicated he needed money bad and was sorry for what he did,” according to an arrest report.
Gilly cooperated with deputies, the report states, allowing Sheriff’s investigators to recover almost all of the property that was stolen.
Get Your Turkey Fried For A Donation To The Miracle League
November 20, 2013
Want a fried turkey but afraid to try it yourself? Volunteers from the Miracle League of Pensacola will fry your turkey for you on Wednesday, November 27, saving you the time and trouble while benefiting the charity.
Completely thaw your turkey, removing all of the inside packaging and giblets. Write down exactly how much your turkey weighs so it is fried perfectly and take it to the Miracle League Park at 555 East Nine Mile Road from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Wednesday. For a monetary donation to Miracle League, the volunteers will fry your turkey to perfection. A minimum of $20 per turkey is necessary to help cover costs.
Appointments are encouraged. Call (850) 476-1650 to schedule your time.
Flomaton Man Charged With Florida Stalking, Aggravated Assault
November 20, 2013
A local man is now behind bars in the Escambia County Jail on charges of felony aggravated stalking and criminal mischief against his former live-in girlfriend.
The Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office said 27-year old Reginald Lee Williams of Flomaton continually called and texted the victim, harassed her at her job and broke out the windows in her residence in Escambia County, FL.
On October 24, deputies responded to a shots fired call in the 6900 block of Ludlow Street. The victim said Williams knocked on her door, which she did not answer. She said she then heard what she believed to be two noises that she thought was gunfire as her windows broke out. Deputies were unable to find any evidence that shots were fired.
On November 13, the Flomaton Police Department was contacted by the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office for assistance in locating Williams on the outstanding Florida warrant.
Officers from the Flomaton Police Department, Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office and the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office went to Williams’ residence on Washington Court in Flomaton. Officers could hear Williams inside the residence, but he would not answer the door. After about 20 minutes, officers were able to make telephone contact with Williams, but he first refused to come out of the house. After about five minutes on the phone, Williams peacefully surrendered to a Flomaton Police officer.
He was transported to the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton and extradited to the Escambia County (FL) Jail Monday night. He is being held without bond.
State BOE Changes To Common Core, Standards Ready By Spring
November 20, 2013
The State Board of Education could consider changes to the state’s standards for student learning as soon as February, Education Commissioner Pam Stewart said Tuesday.
The changes could also result in a re-branding of sorts for what have until now been known as the “Common Core State Standards” — part of a nationwide movement to set common education benchmarks that have angered conservative activists.
Stewart told the board at its meeting in Gainesville that nearly 19,000 comments had been received since Gov. Rick Scott ordered a fresh review of the standards in September. As part of that effort, three public hearings were held across Florida, and the state accepted comments online.
The Department of Education is working to reach an agreement with a Florida-based researcher to analyze the results of that outreach, with a report on the comments being released in January.
“I think that as we consider moving forward in rule development … this will provide us the opportunity [so] that we can be moving along that direction with the public having the information available to them from those 19,000 comments,” she said.
Common Core has become a political flashpoint in recent months, with tea party activists and others arguing that the standards amount to a federal intrusion in education, despite the fact that the development of the standards was spearheaded by governors and education officials.
The standards have been adopted in some form by almost four dozen states.
Stewart said a final draft of the benchmarks should be in front of the board by the spring, in February or March.
The new standards might also have a new name, said Joe Follick, a spokesman for the department. Given the input that the state has taken and the changes that are likely to be made, “it would be disingenuous to call them common core standards,” he said.
Some supporters of the emerging benchmarks have begun referring to them as the “Florida standards.”
But there is still resistance to the idea of any major overhaul of the guidelines, a pet project of former Gov. Jeb Bush. Kathleen Shanahan, a board member with close ties to Bush, pushed the board to consider teacher comments more heavily as it continues its review of Common Core.
Teachers at the public hearings were generally more support of the standards.
“Parents will be subjective, because they should be,” said Shanahan, who is leaving the board at the end of the year. “Teachers will be objective because that’s their role.”
Former Gov. Charlie Crist, a onetime Republican running for his old job as a Democrat, told reporters Tuesday that he stands behind Common Core, which supporters say will allow greater comparison among states.
“I think in order to be able to have an opportunity on behalf of our children to see how we’re doing, I think that those standards are appropriate,” Crist said. ” … And I think this is a real opportunity where we can start moving together as a country and as a state.”
Meanwhile, the Florida Association of District School Superintendents is pushing the state to delay the full implementation of the standards by up to three years. Currently, Common Core is only fully implemented in kindergarten, first and second grade, but is expected to be taught to all students next year after having been phased in.
Volusia County Superintendent Margaret Smith told the board going forward with a new test based on the standards, and then grading schools based on that test, was unfair — particularly given the uncertainty currently surrounding them.
“It is not realistic to expect that we can fully have a full and quality implementation in all K-12 grade levels by next year,” she said.
by The News Service of Florida
Moultrie Named Chairwoman Of Escambia School Board
November 20, 2013
Linda Moultrie has been elected as the next chair of the Escambia County School Board. The unanimous election of the District 3 member Tuesday marks the first time in the 143 year history of the board that an African-American woman has led the five member board.
Moultrie was elected to the school board in 2008 and has prefiled for re-election.
District 4 member Patty Hightower was name the vice-chairwoman of the board.
Northview Cross Country Team Members Honored
November 20, 2013
The Northview High School Cross Country team honored their outstanding member Tuesday night during their annual banquet.
Award winners included:
Fastest Boy: Brandon Korinchak
Fastest Girl: Morah McGahan
Jim Ross Memorial Award: Dakota Craft
Junmi Ross Award: Jessica Brown
Coach’s Award: Jessica Barrows
Coach’s Award: Joshua Borelli
Most Improved: Jessica Barrow
Pictured top: Fastest boy Brandon Korinchak and Fastest girl Moriah McGahan. Pictured inset: Jim Ross Memorial Award winner Dakota Craft. Pictured below: Coach’s Award winners Joshua Borelli and Jessica Barrow. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Scroll down for more award winner photos.
East Tops West In All-Star High School Volleyball
November 20, 2013
The East Team — from Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties — won the 2013 Subway All-Star High School Volleyball game in straight matches Tuesday at the University of West Florida Field House.
The East defeated the West 25-12, 25-22, 25-16, 25-20 in a best of a seven. West Florida High School’s Maddy Lopez was named East MVP.
The West team, representing Escambia County, was coached by Northview High School’s Barbara Luker and David Bryant from West Florida High School.
Members of the West Team were: Lauren Merts (Tate), Lily Townson, Danielle Steadham, Rebecca Grim, Tiffani Pritchett, and Lana Clayton (Northview), Cara McDaniel and Mallory Herrmann (Catholic), Jennifer Werner (Washington); Maddy Lopez, Rachel George, Casey Melvin, and Amanda Davis (West Florida High), Allison Palmer, Megan Kirst, and Brittany Delone (Pine Forest), Yenny Wu Ho (Pensacola High) and Tyaina Colston (Escambia).
Members of the East Team were: Sydney Lowery (Jay), Lauren Gordon (Laurel Hill); Caroline Lathi (Fort Walton Beach High), Clair Gunter (Rocky Bayou Christian School); Jasmine Middelton and Brittany Pase (Crestview); Kiera Foster (Navarre); Hana Wadsworth and Alex Roy (Baker), Keren Haygood (Milton), Emili Jordan, Brooklynn Roberts and Claire Pierson (Pace); Shannon McDonald (Choctaw); Sage Dunne and Alex Karcher (Gulf Breeze); Arielle Harris and Adrienne Harris (Central); Bailey Noon (Niceville).
Pictured top: Members of the West All-Start Team included (L-R) Lauren Merts from Tate High; Lily Townson, Rebecca Grim, Lana Clayton, Tiffani Pritchett and Danielle Steadham from Northview High. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Deputies Tase Domestic Violence Suspect
November 19, 2013
An Escambia County deputy was forced to tase a Century man in order to subdue him following an alleged domestic violence incident Saturday night.
Emanuel Rabun Bethea, 27, was charged with domestic violence related battery, kidnapping-false imprisonment and resisting an officer with violence following the incident on Jack Smith Road, off Highway 168 outside Century.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy was first to arrive in his marked patrol vehicle after a disturbance call in the 7500 block of Jack Smith Road. He watched as someone attempted to flee as he approached, spinning tires in a circular driveway, accelerating and running over a tree stump. Bethea exited the vehicle and ran, fell in the gravel driveway, got up and ran again despite multiple verbal commands from the deputy to stop. When Bethea fell again, he was tackled by the deputy.
According to an arrest report, Bethea refused to place his hands behind his back as ordered, instead he tried to reach his pocket multiple times. The deputy, not knowing what Bethea was trying to retrieve from his pocket, ordered him to stop or be tased. He refused to comply and was tased once before the deputy managed to handcuff one hand. Bethea continued to resist and another deputy arrived on scene and assisted in handcuffing him, according to the report.
During the struggle, Bethea reported told the deputy “just shoot me” multiple times. After Bethea was taken into custody, a folding pocket knife was located next to his leg. Bethea continued to fight deputies as he was placed in a patrol vehicle, the report states.
The female victim told deputies that she and Bethea live together at the Jack Smith Road address and that they have a child together. She said Bethea refused to allow her to leave the residence, grabbed her and took her cell phone while he prevented her from using the couple’s only vehicle.
Bethea was transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital before being booked into the Escambia County Jail. The arresting deputy noted that Bethea was cooperative, polite and apologetic at the hospital. He remained in the Escambia County Jail early Tuesday morning with bond set at $7,500.
Despite Protest, Century Moves Ahead With Barnyard Animal Ban
November 19, 2013
Despite a small public protest, the Century Town Council took the first step toward a new barnyard animal control ordinance Monday night.
Residents against regulating animals such as horses, goats and donkeys protested alongside North Century Boulevard and sat in the council chamber with signs…”Barnyard Ban is a Joke.” “You want to change Century change the drugs…the speeders. Leave our animals alone.”
Under the ordinance, it will be illegal to keep a horse, mule, donkey, goat, sheep, or cow within the town limits except in areas that are zoned agricultural or rural residential. Hogs are already prohibited in all areas of the town.
“We already have laws that work. We just need to enforce them,” Century resident Maggie Waters said. “For us that do maintain our property….we are responsible and our neighbors don’t complain,” Century resident Maggie Waters said, standing with her young son Aiden, who also addressed the council. “If my little boy’s miniature horse were to pass away and we could not replace it, how would I explain that to him?”
The ordinance set minimum lot sizes in the agricultural and rural residential areas in order to keep livestock. A minimum lot size of one acre per horse or donkey will be required, and a minimum lot size of one-half acre per goat will also be required.
Structures for livestock, such as barns, feed lots and stables, shall not be located within 200 feet of a dwelling belonging to another individual or within 200 feet of property that is zoned residential. In addition, all barnyard animals and livestock must be kept at least 200 feet from any property line.
“If you’ve got one acre, there’s no way you can have a horse. Is that your purpose? The law is making it if you have the requisite acre, there’s no way you can keep an animal on it,” resident Tom Warta said. He said that in a few months, his steer will be headed to his freezer. And he because it would be illegal to replace it, the Century Town Council would essentially keep some residents from feeding themselves.
Before the ordinance becomes law, it must have a formal second reading and public hearing at a 7 p.m., December 2 council meeting.. At that time, the council will consider an amended ordinance that will allow animals currently in the town limits to be grandfathered in. The grandfather exemption would apply to the life of an animal; once the animal dies or is sold, the grandfather provision would no longer apply.
“If they died, or you ate them, or you sold them, you can’t replace them,” Council President Ann Brooks said of animals grandfathered until the proposed ordinance.
“I know some of the people in here, and I don’t think you have enough land to have the animals you have now,” council member Jacke Johnston said. “I do not think when I drive through the Town of Century I should see animals everywhere.”
Pictured top: A small group of protestors hold signs against a proposed barnyard animal ordinance during a Century Town Council meeting Monday night. Pictured inset: Maggie Waters and her young son Aiden address the Century Town Council in opposition to the ordinance. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.