Lock Your Car: Multiple Vehicle Burglaries Reported In Beulah
December 31, 2013
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is reminding residents to lock their vehicle doors after several car burglaries were reported Monday morning in the Beulah area.
“There were several cars opened and rummaged through in the area of Fort Deposit Drive and Bridlewood Road,” Sena Madison, spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office said. “(There was) very little taken, but it’s always good to remind people at any time to lock their doors and not leave valuables in their vehicles.”
Anyone with information about the burglaries is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Manhunt For Suspect After Driver Clips FHP Trooper
December 31, 2013
A suspect reportedly clipped a Florida Highway Patrol trooper as he fled a traffic stop Monday night near Pensacola Christian College, leading to a manhunt in the area.
The trooper had stopped a Mitsubishi Eclipse on Brent Lane. The driver sped off, clipping the trooper, who was not injured. A short distance away, the suspect flattened a couple of tires when he collided with a curb on East Brent Lane, a small side street that runs parallel to Brent Lane. The man fled the vehicle on foot, leading troopers and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office on a manhunt that involved a K-9.
There was no word or any arrests or further suspect information from law enforcement as of late Monday night.
Evers Files Warning Shot Bill
December 31, 2013
A second measure that would grant immunity to people who show guns or fire warning shots in self-defense has been filed in the Senate, and it will get a hearing next week.
Sponsored by Sen. Greg Evers, R-Baker, the “Threatened Use of Force” bill will come up Jan. 8 in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee, which Evers chairs. It’s identical to a proposal (HB 89) by Rep. Neil Combee, R-Polk City, that would amend the “stand your ground” self-defense law. And it’s closely related to a bill (SB 438) filed by Sen. Thad Altman, R-Viera, called the “Defense of Life, Home, or Property” bill, which says, in part, that it is the “intent of the Legislature that a person be immunized from prosecution if he or she acts in such a manner as to protect life, home, or property from an imminent or actual unlawful activity.”
Combee’s bill passed the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee in November as a committee substitute, which is now being reviewed.
A similar measure by Combee failed to advance during the 2013 legislative session. The prior attempt sought to amend the state’s 10-20-Life sentencing law. Under the 10-20-Life law, possessing a gun while committing certain crimes is punishable by at least 10 years in prison, discharging a gun while committing those crimes is punishable by at least 20 years in prison, and hurting or killing someone during those crimes is punishable by 25 years to life in prison.
Now, with Combee’s bill seeking to amend the “stand your ground” law instead of 10-20-Life, it has gained the support of the Florida Public Defender Association.
by The News Service of Florida
2013 In Photos: March
December 31, 2013
All this week, we are looking back at the photos that were in the news in 2013. Today, we are featuring photos from March.
LifeFlight prepares to transport a Century stabbing victim.
The Northwest Florida Water Management District intended to burn about 338 acres within the Perdido River Water Management Area.
The Florida Special Olympics Torch Run began in Century during March.
Sodbuster radish grows in a field near Highway 97 and Highway 29 in Molino.
The Escambia County Equestrian Center was dedicated as the “James C. Robinson Escambia County Equestrian Center”.
The Bigfoot monster truck visited Alto Products in Atmore.
A track meet at Northview High School.
The Chiefs beat Jay 2-1 during a March game.
Firefighters responded to the smell of smoke in the Molino Fire Station.
Marty “Margaret” White of WXBM with Confederate Railroad at Beulahfest.
Greg Litton, former major league player for the San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners and the Boston Red Sox. tossed the first pitch of the year for the Cantonment baseball program.
March also brought Opening Day for NWE in Walnut Hill.
Food for America from the Northview High FFA introduced over 1,100 local students to agriculture.
Two time Super Bowl champ Anthony Pleasant addresses the Northview Chiefs during their annual football banquet.
Volunteer firefighters underwent hands 0n LifeFlight training in Walnut Hill.
Northview beat Jay in softball.
Firefighters battle a garage fire in Cantonment.
A 53-year old Century driver hit the local post office.
Hundreds of people attended the annual Blue Jacket Jamboree sponsored by the Northview FFA Alumni.
A woman survived after flipping her vehicle of a bridge near Atmore into a creek below.
The track and field portion of the Escambia County Specials Olympics was held at Tate High School.
The Tate Lady Aggies went 3-14 in the North Florida Classic in Tallahassee.
Century Correctional Institution Officer Tony deGraaf (in hat) and Assistant Warden Robert Flores read to a kindergarten class at Jay Elementary School as part of Read Across America Day.
The Blue Angels practiced for their upcoming season in March, unsure of their future due to budget cuts.
A dance group performs during the annual talent show at Northview High School.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team conducted a training exercise with an Escambia County school bus.
A wildfire destroyed a house in Byrneville.
This bridge on Highway 164 between Walnut Hill and McDavid was closed for repairs.
Nine tons of free food was distributed in Century.
The Poarch Creek Indians donated to four Escambia County, FL, schools.
Pictured top inset: Melinda Wall McGhee’s mother Ouida and her sister, Lisa Wooten, sit quietly behind pictures of McGhee during a press conference marking the 10th anniversary of her disappearance.
2013’s Most Irritating: ‘Do Not Call’ Violations
December 31, 2013
Gripes about violations of the state’s “Do Not Call” list easily dominated the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ top complaints for 2013.
The state agency reported Monday that 18,862, or nearly 40 percent, of the 47,226 complaints lodged between Jan. 1 and Dec. 20 involved telemarketers and other telephone sales operators dialing numbers on the “Do Not Call” list.
In second place were 3,626 complaints about telemarketers in general.
The complete list:
- Do Not Call – 18,862
- Telemarketing – 3,626
- Fuel – 2,708
- Communications – 2,339
- Landlord/Tenant – 1,719
- Real Estate Broker/Salesperson – 1,572
- Cable – 1,483
- Credit/Banking – 1,482
- Motor Vehicle Sales/Accessories – 1,466
- Travel/Vacation Plans – 1436
Complaints about violators of Do Not Call has topped the list for four consecutive years. The increase in complaints is consistent with the increase in subscribers to the Florida Do Not Call List.
For complaints filed against businesses regulated by the department, trained staff work to resolve the dispute through mediation and evaluate the business for compliance with statutory provisions. As a result of the department’s efforts, more than $3,477,000 was recovered on behalf of Florida consumers this year.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is the state’s clearinghouse for consumer complaints, protection and information. The consumer assistance center is staffed with trained analysts who are able to file complaints on behalf of the consumer, respond to questions about programs and regulations under the department’s purview, provide information on a wide variety of topics or direct callers to the appropriate government agency.
The department’s consumer assistance center answered nearly 200,000 calls and more than 7,300 emails in 2013. In addition, the consumer assistance center analysts responded to nearly 7,000 online chats through the department’s online chat option available at www.freshfromflorida.com.
Consumers who believe fraud has taken place can contact the department’s consumer protection and information hotline at 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) or, for Spanish speakers, 1-800-FL-AYUDA (352-9832).
Cantonment Shooting Under Investigation
December 31, 2013
A shooting Monday afternoon in Cantonment is under investigation.
The incident happened about 3:30 p.m. on Sheppard Street, just off Booker Street. The male victim reported that he had been shot in the upper thigh. His injury was believed to be non-life threatening.
Further details have not yet been released as the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office continues their investigation.
Jay Man Killed In Wreck Near Alabama/Florida Line
December 30, 2013
A Jay man was killed in an accident near the Alabama/Florida line in Santa Rosa County Sunday night.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 39-year old Shannon M. Williams was northbound on Highway 87 northeast of Jay near Pogue Thompson Road…near where Highway 87 crosses into Alabama and becomes Highway 41 south of Brewton. For unknown reasons, he drifted off the paved portion of the roadway onto the shoulder. His 1999 Toyota truck then struck a culvert, overturned several times and struck a utility pole.
Williams, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected. There were no passengers in the vehicle.
Almost $1.4 Million: Escambia County To Pave Shoulders Along Crabtree Church Road
December 30, 2013
Escambia County has received almost $1.4 million in state funds to construct and inspect paved shoulders along Crabtree Church Road in Molino from Highway 97 to Sunshine Hill Road.
The county will enter into an agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation for Transportation Enhancement Program funding of up to $1,388,244. The county was previously awarded $138,824 to design the paved shoulders back in 2011.
The paved shoulders will extend the highway by an additional five feet from the center line on both sides of the 2.5 mile segment of roadway.
Pictured top: The Molino Christmas parade travels down Crabtree Church Road. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
New Year’s Holiday Closures, Trash Pickup Changes
December 30, 2013
Here are New Year’s holiday closures in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Closed December 31 and January 1:
- Escambia County Board of County Commissioners
- Escambia County Property Appraiser
- Escambia County Supervisor of Elections
- West Florida Public Library System
Closed January 1:
- Escambia County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller
- Escambia County Tax Collector
Closed January 1:
- The Perdido Landfill
ECUA
- Residential: Tuesday pickups on Tuesday. Wednesday pickups will be on Thursday; Thursday pickups will be on Friday and Friday pickups will be on Saturday. Commercial (dumpsters): No change.
- ECUA offices will be closed on Tuesday, December 24, Wednesday, December 25 and Wednesday, January 1.
Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) Schedule Changes:
- ECAT busses will not run January 1
- UWF Trolleys will resume service January 5
CENTURY, JAY AND PENSACOLA
All city offices in Century, Jay and Pensacola will be closed January 1.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Closed January 1
- Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners, including the library system, animal shelter and landfill
- Santa Rosa County Clerk of the Court
- Santa Rosa County Property Appraiser
- Santa Rosa County Supervisor of Elections
- Santa Rosa County Tax Collector
2013 In Photos: January And February
December 30, 2013
All this week, we are looking back at the photos that were in the news in 2013. Today, we are featuring photos from January and February.
Thousands of dollars worth of items were stolen or damaged during a burglary at a Century-owned industrial building.
A new playground was installed at the Molino Community Complex.
Ariel Holland (center) was crowned Miss Northview High School for 2013. First Runner-Up was Ashley Cunningham (right), and Second Runner-Up was Kendal Cobb.
New “Welcome to Century” signs constructed with inmate labor from Century Correctional Institution were dedicated.
A country music video for Dusty Sanderson’s single “Chuggin’ Along” was filmed in Bluff Springs.
A small army of volunteers organized by Americorps worked on the National Day of Service to paint the Carver Community Center.
The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was honored during a MLK Day program in Century.
Atmore honored Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a parade.
High, thin cirrus clouds led to a halo around the moon one late January night.
The Cove Landfill in Ensley burned for days, causing problems for Ensley residents and area schools.
Students at Byrneville Elementary School celebrated National Literacy Week.
A January sunset as seen in a rear view mirror traveling along Highway 4 near Canoe Creek.
Hundreds of free trees were given away at the Walnut Hill Community Center for Arbor Day.
Major upgrades to the electrical system were made in the Walnut Hill area, including new lines and a new substation.
A wind-driven fire rages through a Bratt field.
The Ernest Ward Middle School FFA presented their Golden Cow Dung Award to faculty member Betty Coon.
An early morning fire destroyed a mobile home on Brickton Road in Molino.
A cool February 2013 sunset.
Hundreds of people attended the annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Club Farm Equipment Auction.
A missing student was located by a K-9 team in Walnut Hill, about three hours after she ran away from a school campus.
Four people were left homeless after a Century house fire.
The Northview Lady Chiefs opened their season with a win over Pensacola Catholic.
LifeFlight lifts off during the early morning hours in Bratt following a wreck.
A February rainbow over Atmore.
Northview High School’s NJROTC Annual Inspection was held with cadets undergoing face to face scrutiny.
Miss Ernest Ward Middle School winners: First Runner-up Nikoal Creamer, Miss EWMS 2013 Alyssa Borelli, and Second Runner-up Morgan Myrick.