Authorities Searching For Shooting Suspect
October 2, 2013
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Marshal’s are looking for an Escambia County man in connection with a shooting September 17 in the 4400 block of Chantilly Way.
Emanuel Gracia, 34, is wanted for aggravated battery with a firearm and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon for the shooting of 34-year old Christopher Bryant Dortch. Dortch was injured in the 1:15 p.m. incident but survived.
Anyone with information on Gracia’s whereabouts is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
House Rejects Partial U.S. Government Restart
October 2, 2013
The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday rejected three separate measures that would have funded parts of the federal government shut down since midnight Monday.
The Republican-proposed bills to reopen national parks and museums, fund veterans’ services and the city of Washington, DC failed to get the required two-thirds support.
Even if they had passed, the White House said it would veto any partial government reopening, with spokesman Jay Carney saying attempts to fund some operations while leaving others closed shows an utter lack of seriousness.
House Democrats criticized Republicans for worrying about parks instead of programs feeding children. Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi likened it to kidnappers freeing just one hostage at a time.
The government started closing down all but essential services at midnight Monday. The Democratic-controlled Senate rejected spending bills by the Republican-led House that would have delayed or killed President Barack Obama’s signature health care program, the Affordable Care Act.
Obama said Republicans are on an “ideological crusade” to kill the measure, known as Obamacare, and criticized their “reckless demands” to deny affordable health insurance to millions of Americans.
He said that closing down the government accomplished nothing because Obamacare is the law of the land, passed by Congress, supported by voters and upheld by the Supreme Court.
Republican opponents of Obamacare say it forces people, including small businesses, to buy expensive insurance policies against their will, hurting the economy.
About 800,000 federal workers are now on furlough. Other federal workers are staying on the job with no guarantee when they will be paid. The U.S. military will remain on duty, and ongoing military operations like those in Afghanistan will continue.
Experts say a shutdown of more than two weeks is likely to slow the U.S. economy because of reduced tourism and furloughed federal workers cutting back on their spending.
[VOA]
PCA Tops In Northview Cross Country Meet (With Photo Gallery)
October 2, 2013
Pensacola Christian took the top spots for both and girls Tuesday at a cross country meet at Northview High School.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
Team results were as follows:
GIRLS
1. Pensacola Christian
2. Jay High
3. T.R. Miller
4. Pensacola High
5. Tate
6. Northview
7. Flomaton
8. Ernest Ward Middle
BOYS
1. Pensacola Christian
2. T.R. Miller
3. Pensacola High
4. Jay
5. Tate
6. Northview
7. Flomaton
8. Ernest Ward
INDIVIDUAL RESULTS:
Editor’s note: Individual names and time results are as provided by each school’s coach.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
U.S. Marshals Florida Task Force Apprehends Alabama Sexual Assault Suspect
October 2, 2013
The U.S. Marshal’s Florida Regional Task Force captured a wanted Escambia County, AL, man Tuesday that was living at his girlfriend’s house in Escambia County, FL.
On August 2, 2012, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in Alabama issued a warrant for Quavardis Lavarica Russell charging him with sexual abuse first degree and attempted rape first degree. Investigators believed that 21 year-old Russell had originally fled to Flomaton then made his way to Pensacola where he supposedly had family.
The Task Force began searching for Russell early Tuesday morning when they discovered that he may be staying with his pregnant girlfriend in a trailer park located off of Glass Avenue.
While Task Force members from the Marshals, Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office, Okaloosa Sheriff’s Office, Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office and Walton Sheriff’s Office, along with FBI were attempting to locate Russell in an apartment complex off of “W” Street; others were conducting surveillance at the trailer park.
At around 9:30 Tuesday morning Russell and the woman believed to be his girlfriend left the trailer park on foot and went into a convenient store that sits at the corner of Glass and Michigan Avenues. The Task Force arrested Russell inside the store without incident.
Russell was transported to the Escambia County Jail in Pensacola. Although his warrant has a $250,000 bond, he will be held as a fugitive from justice pending his extradition back to Alabama.
Editor’s note: Due to the takeover of the Escambia County Jail this week from the Sheriff’s Office, some mugshots like Russell’s are temporarily unavailable.
Grand Jury To Review ECSO Shootings Of Roy Middleton, James McGlothin
October 2, 2013
The State Attorney’s Office said Tuesday that it has complete its review of the FDLE’s investigative reports into the shooting death of James McGlothlin and the shooting of Roy Middleton. Both were shot in recent months by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The shootings will be presented to an Escambia County Grand Jury beginning the week of October 7.
Roy Middleton
In July, an unarmed Roy Middleton was searching for a cigarette in his mother’s car when he was shot by deputies that had responded to a theft in progress call. Escambia County Sheriff’s David Morgan was Middleton was not compliant with his officers’ orders to get out of the car and put his hands up. Instead, the sheriff said, Middleton exited the car quickly with a lunging motion with one hand raised with something in it. Deputies then fired 15 rounds at Middleton. Morgan attributed the number of shots to “officer anxiety”.
Middleton and his family told a different story. Middleton said he at first thought the flashlights were those of his neighbors playing a trick on him. He said he followed the orders given by deputies and raised his hands, holding his car keys with metal flashlight. When he turned to face the deputies, they opened fire.
The incident has received national media attention.
James Wyman McGlothin
James Wyman McGlothin was shot and killed by an Escambia County Deputy in early July at the Lago Vista Apartments in the 400 block of South 72nd Avenue.
McGlothlin was reportedly driving a small red Honda vehicle when he ran off the road and became stuck in a flooded ditch off 72nd Avenue. He then ran into the apartment complex where a K-9 tracked him to a shed. Area residents reported hearing dozens of gunshots as deputies entered the shed.
According to a list released by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, McGlothlin was responsible for a long list of crimes in the area between June 21 and his death on July 5 including grand theft, vehicle theft, aggravated battery and the robbery of at least two businesses.
Baker Sweeps Northview (With Photo Gallery)
October 2, 2013
The Baker Gators defeated the Northview Chiefs in straight sets Tuesday at Northview High School in Bratt.
In junior varsity action, Baker defeated Northview 25-10, 25-7. And in varsity play, the Gators defeated the Chiefs 25-14, 25-21, 25-20.
Northview will play Chipley in a varsity-only matchup at 4 p.m. Thursday at Northview.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from Tuesday’s varsity action, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Bill Would Block Electronic Cigarettes For Minors
October 2, 2013
Florida Senate Majority Leader Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Fort Myers, filed a bill this week that would ban the sales of electronic cigarettes to minors.
The electronic devices, which deliver nicotine and simulate cigarette smoking, would be added to part of state law that prohibits the sale of tobacco products to people under age 18. The bill (SB 224), which was filed Monday, also would make it illegal for minors to possess electronic cigarettes.
The proposal is filed for the 2014 legislative session.
“Gallery Night” Held In Century
October 2, 2013
A “Gallery Night” was held recently in Century.
The Century Care Center hosted the first-ever event for the town, featuring artistic creations by Century Care residents. Staff and family members were also encouraged to bring their own artistic creations for display.
Items on display included paintings, colorings, handcrafted items, pottery and more.
Pictured above and below: Gallery Night at the Century Care Center. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Federal Government Shuts Down As Congress Fails To Approve Spending Bill
October 1, 2013
The U.S. government has entered a partial shutdown after a politically-deadlocked Congress could not pass a bill to extend funding. Lawmakers worked late into the night but could not overcome a partisan split over President Barack Obama’s signature health care law, a major component of which is being implemented Tuesday.
Three times, the Republican-led House of Representatives voted to undermine the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, as a condition of funding federal operations. Three times, the Democratic-controlled Senate rejected the measures. With Congress unable to agree on an extension of federal spending authority, non-essential U.S. government operations halted early Tuesday.
Democratic Senator Richard Durbin was incredulous over the turn of events.
“Shutting down the government of the United States of America? When you hear about this happening in foreign countries, you think, ‘It is a shame they are not as stable and strong as our great democracy’. And yet here we are,” said Durbin.
The Senate passed its own spending bill free of partisan stipulations about Obamacare or any other matter, but Republican leaders in the House declined to bring that measure to the floor for a vote. Representative Michele Bachmann belongs to a core group of House Republicans that refuses to abandon the fight against Obamacare.
“I have gotten literally hundreds and hundreds of phone calls to my office today, and people have said, ‘Keep fighting. Stand strong’. They want us to stand and fight. They do not want us to give up,” said Bachman.
In the final hour before the shutdown began, House Republicans suggested a negotiation to resolve differences between the two chambers, but Senator Reid immediately rejected the idea. Similarly, House Speaker John Boehner ruled out a vote on the Senate funding-only bill.
And so, with no resolution passed, the U.S. government’s authority to spend money expired as the clock struck midnight in Washington. Hours earlier, at the White House, President Obama voiced frustration and disappointment over Congress’ inability to act.
“”You don’t get to extract a ransom for doing your job,” Obama said to the House GOP.
Some government services will continue — social security checks, postal service, operations related to national security or public safety. Monday night, Obama signed the Pay Our Military Act, which provides continuing appropriations for pay and allowances for members of the Armed Forces during the government shutdown.
Later on Tuesday, the president will tout provisions of Obamacare that are being activated despite the shutdown. Many Americans of modest means who lack healthcare insurance will be able to sign up for subsidized policies on newly-created insurance exchanges.
[VOA]
Pictured top: resident Barack Obama delivers remarks on the budget negotiations from the White House Monday. Pictured bottom inset: Monday night, Obama signed the Pay Our Military Act, which provides continuing appropriations for pay and allowances for members of the Armed Forces during the government shutdown. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
DEP Holds Meeting On State Land Sales, Including Cottage Hill Forest
October 1, 2013
The Florida Florida Department of Environmental Protection held the first of four statewide meetings in Pensacola last night on the proposed sale of thousands of acres of state lands.
In Escambia County, the state may look to sell the Cottage Hill State Forest and 3.4 acres of the Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park. In Santa Rosa County, and 4.8 acres of the Blackwater Heritage State Trail and the 20 acre Gillis Road Track could be put on the market.
There are 4,235 acres still up for potential sale at 47 sites across the state. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection will hold additional workshops in Fort Myers (Oct. 3), Viera (Oct. 
and Orlando (Oct. 9) as the state looks to sell some parcels of publicly held land to raise up to $50 million for future land-conservation efforts. The money from any sale will be combined with $20 million that lawmakers included in the budget for the purchase of land to protect springs, water quality, water quantity or to serve as buffers for military bases.
In North Escambia, the Cottage Hill State Forest is located in the Cottage Hill Community north of Cantonment. The forest has no public road frontage, but is in the area bounded by McKenzie Road, Chavers Road, Williams Ditch Road and Highway 95A. About 24 acres of the site is uplands, while 4.7 acres is flood plain and wetlands.
University of Florida/IFAS Extension Dean Nick Place made a three-part final recommendation in July for Escambia County 4-H. Following the sale of the Langley Bell 4-H Center to Navy Federal Credit Union, Place was tasked with deciding a future location or locations for the 4-H program. His proposal included the Cottage Hill State Forest for environmental and horticultural sciences, outdoor education, forestry and other 4-H activities. [Read more...] According to a task force report, the state was willing to deed the property to Escambia County at no cost, while the state would continue to maintain fire breaks on the property.
Pictured: The Cottage Hill State Forest as shown on a Florida DEP map.