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.
Five Northview Seniors Play All-Star Volleyball
November 25, 2013
Five Northview High School seniors were named to the Florida Class 1A All-Star Volleyball team. They had the chance to play this weekend in St. Petersburg in front of college coaches for the opportunity to gain scholarships.. They were (picture, L-R) Lily Townson, Lana Clayton, Danielle Steadham, Rebecca Grim and Tiffani Pritchett. The five players also recently played as members of the 2013 Subway All-Star High School Volleyball West team in Pensacola. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Northview At Cottondale
November 25, 2013
The Northview Chiefs fell to the Cottondale Hornets Friday night in Cottondale.
For the photo gallery, click here.
For a game action story, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Let The Miracle League Fry Your Turkey
November 25, 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. And there is still time to make an appointment.
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.
Search Warrant Uncovers ‘One Pot’ Meth Lab
November 24, 2013
Investigators located a “one pot” meth lab when they executed a search warrant Thursday night at home just south of 10 Mile Road.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotic Unit executed the search warrant in the 1000 block of Cobblestone Drive, off Guidy Lane. Deputies reported finding a “one pot” meth lab, marijuana, pills and a long list of items commonly used and associated with meth labs.
A resident of the home, 37-year old Alex Thomas Johnson, was charged three counts of possession of a listed chemical, producing methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance and driving while license suspended. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $25,000.
The Escambia County Rapid Response United responded to clear the home of hazardous materials.
At least one additional arrest is expected in the case, according to a Sheriff’s Office report.
FSA Advises Producers To Anticipate Payment Reductions
November 24, 2013
USDA’s Farm Service Agency is reminding farmers and ranchers who participate in FSA programs to plan accordingly in FY2014 for automatic spending reductions known as sequestration. The Budget Control Act of 2011 (BCA) mandates that federal agencies implement automatic, annual reductions to discretionary and mandatory spending limits. For mandatory programs, the sequestration rate for FY2014 is 7.2%.
Accordingly, FSA is implementing sequestration for the following programs:
- Dairy Indemnity Payment Program;
- Marketing Assistance Loans;
- Loan Deficiency Payments;
- Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program;
- Tobacco Transition Payment Program;
- 2013 Direct and Counter-Cyclical Payments;
- 2013 Average Crop Revenue Election Program;
- 2011 and 2012 Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program;
- Storage, handling; and
- Economic Adjustment Assistance for Upland Cotton.
Conservation Reserve Program payments are specifically exempt by statute from sequestration, so these payments will not be reduced.
“These sequester percentages reflect current law estimates; however with the continuing budget uncertainty, Congress still may adjust the exact percentage reduction. Today’s announcement intends to help producers plan for the impact of sequestration cuts in FY2014,” said FSA Administrator Juan M. Garcia. “At this time, FSA is required to implement the sequester reductions. Due to the expiration of the Farm Bill on September 30, FSA does not have the flexibility to cover these payment reductions in the same manner as in FY13. FSA will provide notification as early as practicable on the specific payment reductions. ”
For information about FSA programs, visit your county USDA Service Center or go to www.fsa.usda.gov.
Tate’s Showband Of The South To Perform in 2014 Philadelphia Thanksgiving Parade
November 24, 2013
The Tate High School Showband of the South has been selected to perform in the 2014 Dunkin’ Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia. Aired on WPVI TV in Philadelphia, the parade is also seen nationally on ABC’s Good Morning America. The parade is billed as the oldest Thanksgiving Day parade in the United States.
Plans call for the Tate Showband to spend time in both Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. when they make the trip next year.
Pictured: The 2013-2014 Tate High Showband of the South. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Brothers In Communications
November 24, 2013
“We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.” This William Shakespeare quote is literally true for two sets of brothers in Escambia County’s 146th Expeditionary Signal Battalion.
Brothers Spc. Micaiah Glover and 1st Lt. Elijah Glover; and Sgt. Brandon Corey McAlpin and Sgt. Richard Kyle McAlpin provide communication and signal support for the 31st Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Brigade, of Alabama and the 4th Military Police Brigade, of Michigan for Vibrant Response 13-2. Vibrant Response, a major field training exercise, is conducted by U.S. Northern Command and led by U.S. Army North.
Approximately 5,700 service members and civilians from the military and other federal and state agencies are training to respond to a catastrophic domestic incident. As a component of U.S. Northern Command, U.S. Army North, coordinates timely federal military response to disasters in the homeland to help the American people in time of need.
Elijah Glover, the unit’s executive officer and acting commander at Vibrant Response, treats his twin brother in a professional manner. Micaiah addresses Elijah as sir, and Elijah addresses Micaiah as Glover. Elijah leaves it up to the non-commissioned officer to counsel his brother if it is needed.
Micaiah said if he needs something for the field, he uses his chain of command like any other soldier in the unit would. He doesn’t go directly to his brother.
“We still joke around and talk about family matters every once in while if we have time during lunch or before formation,” said Micaiah, a 25B — an information technology specialist. Adding they focus on the mission while on duty.
Micaiah installs, operates and performs unit maintenance on multi-functional/multi-user information processing systems and peripheral equipment and auxiliary devices. He’s mostly in charge of the internet networks inside a building.
Elijah said it takes people a while to figure out that he and Micaiah are brothers because of their professionalism.
The other set of brothers are a little different.
Unlike the Glovers, they are not twins. And they call each other by their middle names — Corey and Kyle.
“NCOs are allowed to call each other by their first name if they know each other and are the same rank,” Elijah said.
“We work off each other’s strengths,” said Kyle. “There’s some stuff I know better, and there’s some stuff he knows better. We work really well as a team.”
Corey, a 25S — satellite communication systems operator-maintainer, is responsible for lines of communication. He works mostly with line-of-site communications. It’s a truck that has an external wire that connects to a 15- to 30-foot antenna. The line-of-site communications is mostly there in case the satellite goes out, but also to help clear disruption in communication.
Kyle, a 25Q — multichannel transmission systems operator-maintainer, works directly on equipment that communicate through more than one channel. He mostly works with the Satellite Transport Terminal. As a civilian mechanic, Kyle also is able to fix some of the unit’s equipment when it goes down — like the generator.
“Soldiers describe Corey as the ‘City Mouse’ and Kyle as the ‘Country Mouse’,” said Elijah. “You’ll be able to decipher the monikers in quick conversation. Kyle has a distinct Southern accent and parables life in well-drawn tales. While Corey prefers the tall silent persona.”
Elijah, describing the McAlpin brothers, said “The Brothers Mac work well on and off the proverbial grid; with one another, their leaders and fellow NCOs and with their subordinates. These gentlemen command a respect due any professional of their caliber.”
Elijah added one final thought to describe the two sets of brothers: “During duty hours professionalism with a mission focus is the personal creed of all members of the 146th ESB family and the standard holds no exceptions for those of blood relation.”
Story by Spc. Alfonso Corral, 318th Public Affairs Operations Center
Pictured top: Spc. Micaiah Glover and his brother 1st Lt. Elijah Glover; and Sgt. Brandon Corey McAlpin and his brother Sgt. Richard Kyle McAlpin, all members of the 146th Expeditionary Signal Battalion from Pensacola, provide a Satellite Transportable Terminal for use during U.S. Army North (Fifth Army) led Exercise Vibrant Response 13-2. Spc. Micaiah Glover and Sgt. Brandon Corey McAlpin of the 146th Expeditionary Signal Battalion of Escambia County troubleshoot internet problems and perform maintenance on a Satellite Transportable Terminal during the exercise. Photos by Sgt. Alfonso Corral, 318 Press Camp, for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.