Parole Revoked For Murder, Arson Suspect
July 7, 2013
Parole has been revoked for an Atmore murder suspect as he awaits a grand jury hearing into his role in the death of an Atmore woman found in a burning house June 8.
Collis McCaster, 40, is charged with capital murder, first degree arson and first degree sexual abuse in connecttion with the death of 60-year old Mildred Jackson Morris of Atmore. Her remains were found on a living room couch following a house fire about 5:20 a.m. on June 8 at 227 Adams Street. The fire was contained mostly to the living room of the home where Morris’ body was found on the couch where she usually slept. Her hands had been tied behind her back, according to investigators.
McCaster, known to stay at Morris’ home on occasion, was quickly developed as a person of interest. Less than six hours after the fire, he was arrested in Atmore on an outstanding felony warrant from Conecuh County, AL, related to a stolen debit card. That arrest violated his probation in Conecuh County.
McCaster was transported to the Foley (AL) Police Department where he voluntary underwent a polygraph test and answered questioned concerning the fire. After completion of the polygraph test, McCaster met with investigators from the Atmore Police Department in a separate interview and confessed to committing crimes against Morris and causing her death by strangulation, police said.
He confessed to smoking synthetic marijuana, commonly known as “spice” prior to the murder. He told investigators that he provided three rocks of crack that were smoked by Morris, and that she became angry and threw a beer can at him when he could not provide more.
McCaster became angry, investigators said, grabbing Morris by the neck, before throwing a lantern that had been used to heat the crack onto the couch and starting the fire. He did not admit to sexual abusing Morris as investigators said evidence indicated.
McCaster is back behind bars at the Kilby Correctional Facility in Montgomery as he awaits a grand jury hearing on the charges related to Morris’ death.
Pictured top and bottom: A woman found dead following a fire at the Adams Street home in Atmore was murdered. Pictured below: Firemen fill out statements for law enforcement following the blaze. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Hundreds Run, Walk Firecracker 5K (With Results)
July 7, 2013
About 1,000 runners and walkers took part in the annual Firecracker 5K Saturday morning to benefit Pensacola’s Ronald McDonald House.
Preregistration had already raised $38,000 for the RMH prior to the start gun, with last minute registrations and sale of items like $7 Ronald McDonald socks.
Overall male finishers for the 5K were 19-year old Ryan Larson of Pensacola with a time of 17:07, followed by A.J. Ricketts at 17:19 and Jared Moore at 18:09. Top female finisher was 16-year old Rachel Kling of Pace at 19:17, followed by Samantha Gardner at 19:36 at Karen Trittschuh at 20:43.
For complete Firecracker 5K Run results, click here (pdf).
For complete Firecracker 5K Walk results, click here (pdf).
Rick Scott Worth $83.77 Million
July 7, 2013
Gov. Rick Scott was worth $83.77 million as he wrapped up his second year in office, according to a newly posted financial disclosure form. The majority of Scott’s money sits in a blind trust while he earns 12-cents a year as the state’s top executive. The blind trust, which accounts for $72.8 million, made $3.1 million in interest last year, according to the financial disclosure form for 2012 that was posted by the state Commission on Ethics.
Scott, a former health care executive who listed a net worth of $218 million when he ran for office in 2010, submitted his five page disclosure report June 28. Scott reportedly spent more than $70 million of his own money to win the office.
According to the report, Scott’s Naples Gulf View Estates home is worth $9.2 million, and a boat club condominium is worth $99,750. He also holds an IRA account with CL King & Associates worth $468,118. No liabilities are listed.
Wahoos Shut Out in Doubleheader
July 7, 2013
The Jackson Generals pitching staff limited the Pensacola Blue ahoos to a combined three hits in Saturday’s doubleheader, winning game one 3-0 before swiping game two 5-0 at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium in front of a sellout crowd of 5,038, the 18th sellout of the season.
Jackson starter Roenis Elias shut down Pensacola’s offense in game one, limiting the Wahoos to two hits over six innings, striking out eight and walking just one. He carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning of the seven-inning contest before Travis Mattair led off the frame with a single. Elias improved to 5-7 with his 12th quality outing of the season.
The Generals provided all the offense they would need in the second inning against Pensacola starter Tim Crabbe. Jackson loaded the bases with nobody out against Crabbe and took a 1-0 lead on a John Hicks sacrifice fly. Denny Almonte followed with an RBI double before Gabriel Noriega made it 3-0 with another sacrifice fly to center.
Crabbe took the loss, falling to 3-7 by allowing three runs on four hits in five innings. Brian Pearl and Chris Manno tossed scoreless innings of relief out of the bullpen.
Pensacola never put multiple runners on in any inning, and never had a runner move into scoring position. Carson Smith picked up his ninth save of the year with a 1-2-3 seventh.
The story was more of the same in Jackson’s 5-0 win in game two. The Generals jumped on top with two runs in the top of the first against Wahoos starter Ryan Dennick with RBI base knocks coming from Steven Proscia and Ramon Morla. An inning later, Jack Marder scored on a wild pitch to put Jackson on top 3-0.
In the fourth inning, the Generals added to their lead against Dennick. With the bases loaded and one out, Proscia brought home a run with a sacrifice fly to make it 4-0. Morla followed with a single to left that Donald Lutz mishandled, allowing Chris Taylor to come around and score the fifth run of the game.
Dennick dropped to 4-10 on the year while going a season-low four innings. The southpaw allowed five runs, four earned, on 10 hits with four strikeouts and a walk.
Anthony Vasquez dominated the Wahoos again, much like Elias in the first game. Vasquez carried a no-hitter into the fourth inning before Marquez Smith singled to break up the no-hit bid. Vasquez picked up his first win in three starts with the Generals, allowing just one hit in six innings.
Combined in 14 innings, the Wahoos offense managed just three hits, five walks and never had a runner move past first base.
The series continues with the fourth game of five on Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. Daniel Renken (2-6, 3.87) will toe the rubber for Pensacola against Jackson southpaw James Gilheeney (3-3, 3.63).
story by Kevin Burke
Two Jay Residents Seriously Injured In Early Morning Crash
July 6, 2013
Two Jay residents were seriously injured in a single vehicle crash early Saturday morning.
Westly Lynn Mote, 26, was northbound on Chumuckla Highway near 10 Mile Road about 12:30 a.m. when she drifted off the road onto the east shoulder, over corrected, crossed both lanes of the highway, ran off the west shoulder, and hit a tree, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Mote was critically injured and was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. A passenger in the 1998 Chevrolet S10, 26-year old Natalie Raye Mote, was seriously injured and also transported to Sacred Heart. Neither occupant was wearing a seat belt, the FHP said.
Charges against driver Westly Mote are pending, according to FHP.
Local Gas Prices Up This Independence Day Weekend
July 6, 2013
Travel for the Fourth of July weekend is hitting the pocketbook a little harder this year, but the overall number of travelers on the road was expected to be up.
Escambia County’s average gas price on Independence Day was $3.37 for a gallon of regular unleaded —higher than $3.09 last Fourth of July.
A round trip from North Escambia to Atlanta would cost about $121.60 in fuel in a new Chevrolet Impala this year. Last year, that trip would have cost a little less at $111.24.
AAA Travel projects 40.8 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home during the Independence Day holiday, a 0.8 percent decrease from the 41.1 million people who traveled last year. The anticipated decline in holiday travel is predominantly due to a shorter holiday period. Independence Day lands on a Thursday this year, returning to the standard five-day holiday, compared to the six-day period in 2012 when the holiday fell on a Wednesday. The Independence Day holiday travel period is defined as Wednesday, July 3 to Sunday, July 7.
“Nearly 41 million Americans plan to travel during the Independence Day holiday weekend. Although the travel numbers are about the same as last year’s, numerous surveys show more people plan to vacation this summer than last. It may just be that they are taking their trips at other times throughout the summer,” said Jessica Brady, AAA spokeswoman, The Auto Club Group. “The Independence Day holiday tends to be the busiest summer holiday with more travelers than Memorial Day or Labor Day. About six million more people are expected to travel during the upcoming holiday, than this past Memorial Day weekend.”
The price of gasoline is another factor expected to play a role in spurring intentions to travel this Independence Day holiday period. On April 6, motorists experienced a year-to-date peak average price of $3.94 per gallon for regular gasoline. The current national average price of regular gasoline is $3.50 per gallon, 44 cents lower than the April peak and 16 cents less than this time last year.
Suspect Killed In Deputy Involved Shooting
July 6, 2013
One person is dead following a deputy involved shooting Friday afternoon in West Pensacola.
Friday night, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect as 39-year old James Wyman McGlothin of Pensacola. He was pronounced deceased at the scene of the shooting about 2:30 p.m. at the Lago Vista Apartments in the 400 block of South 72nd Avenue. There were no deputies injured.
As is standard with all law enforcement involved shootings, the deputy will be placed on administrative leave. The shooting is under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Other than the suspect’s name, the Sheriff’s Office declined to release any further information Friday night.
Corrections Officer Facing Drug Charges
July 6, 2013
An Escambia County (Ala.) corrections officer has been charged with smuggling contraband into the county jail to sell to inmates.
Jane Rogers Johnson, 58, was charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance, one count of drug trafficking and a violation of Alabama’s ethics law. She allegedly introduced pills, cocaine and other contraband into the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton, and then sold the items to inmates.
Her arrest came after a unrelated joint investigation by the Alabama Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Marshal’s Service. As investigators interview inmates about a person possibly impersonating an attorney to gain access to inmates, they discovered Johnson’s alleged activities.
For her own safe Johnson is being held in the Baldwin County Jail in Bay Minette rather than Escambia County, Ala.. She is being held without bond. . She may face federal charges from the U.S. Marshals because the Brewton jail also houses federal inmates under contract.
Nurse Stole Morphine From Elderly Patient
July 6, 2013
A nurse was convicted this week of diluting morphine meant for elderly patients while stealing the drug for herself.
Lisa Macan was convicted by a Santa Rosa County jury of neglect of an elderly person, possession of a controlled substance, and petit theft. Circuit Judge Marci Goodman remanded the 47-year old nurse into cstody in the county jail and set her sentencing for July 31, 2013. She faces a maximum of 10 years state prison.
While Macan was working as a LPN at a Gulf Breeze nursing home, one of her elderly 92 year-old hospice patients received several doses of diluted morphine that failed to abate the patient’s pain. Another nurse had noticed the prescription was not working and thought the prescription appeared to be watered down. The nursing home administration notified the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. A pharmacist tested the morphine and found it had been diluted.
Prosecutors said Macan admitted to taking the patient’s morphine, a controlled substance, for her own use and adding water to the bottle, so that her theft would go undetected. Macan acknowledged to her employer upon her termination that diluting the medication meant that the hospice patient would receive the diluted medication.
Tri-County 12U Team Wins State Championship, Headed To World Series
July 6, 2013
The Tri-County 12-U All Star softball team is headed to the World Series after winning the Alabama State Babe Ruth softball championship.
The girls beat Covington County 14-5, Flomaton/East Brewton 13-5, Opp 25-14 and Poarch Creek 2-1 to make the state championship game. They brought home the title by defeating Andalusia 14-2.
The World Series is in Alachua, FL, August 1-7. The “Tri-County 12U Softball/Alabama State Champs account” has been established at the Santa Rosa Federal Credit Union for donations to help the team cover tournament fees, hotels, travel and food.
Pictured: (front, L-R) Haylee Watson, Avarie Jackson, Kendall Barrow, Kassadi Borders, (middle) Kolbi Bray, Malarie Foster, Katlynn Hobbs, (back) Coach Stephen Jackson, Kennedy Cato, Olivia Cook, Alyssa Baxley, Manager Stuart Baxley and Coach Kavin Borders. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.