DNA Evidence On Cigarette Butt Lands Duo In Jail
September 27, 2013
DNA evidence from a cigarette butt has landed two local residents behind bars on burglary and other charges.
Fred Carlton Ward, age 45 of Hanks Road in Century, and Phyllis Ann Ward, age 49 of Rigby Road in Walnut Hill, were both charged with felony grand theft, burglary of an unoccupied dwelling and criminal mischief with property damage after they were implicated in an August 2012 business burglary.
An employee of Green Tree Services at 2461 West Highway 4 reported a burglary from business property, which was vacant and in foreclosure. The employee reported the front door of the building had been kicked in and the central heating and air unit and air handler worth $8,000 had been stolen. Investigators determined that the exterior air unit had been dismantled, and a cigarette butt was found next to the remains of the unit.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office submitted the cigarette butt to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for a DNA profile test. A laboratory report from FDLE matched DNA profiles on the cigarette butt to both Phyllis and Fred Ward.
The business employee told deputies neither Ward had even been employed by Green Tree Services and had never had a reason to be on the property. Both Wards were also reported to have sold air conditioning parts to Advanced Environmental Recycling in Flomaton in August 2012, just days after the reported burglary. And both Wards, according to an arrest report, have prior histories involving burglaries and recycling stolen air conditioning parts and copper.
Phyllis Ward was arrested for the crime in early July. She was released from jail on a $17,500 bond, pleaded not guilty on August 8 and is awaiting an October trial date. Fred Ward was arrested Wednesday and remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $22,500.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office did not specify the relationship, if any, between Fred Ward and Phyllis Ward.
ECUA Sanitation Rate Hike Slashed; Increase Now Just 14 Cents
September 27, 2013
The rate for residential sanitation service from ECUA will still increase next week, but not at much as originally anticipated.
ECUA had previously approved a 3.7 percent increase to cover a tipping fee increase at the Perdido Landfill and anticipated increases in costs related to the recycling program. But Thursday, the ECUA board slashed the increase amount to just 1.2 percent. That equates to a 14 cent increase per month for a residential customer.
The rate increase is to offset a 3.5 percent disposal rate increase ECUA will pay effective October 1 at the Escambia County owned and operated Perdido Landfill.
An additional 2.5 percent increase had been approved in August to offset anticipated costs of hauling and processing of recyclables, should West Florida Recycling , the regions sole processor of recyclables, not be able to provide the service.
In recent months, West Florida Recycling has experienced operational challenges and the ECUA Board was preparing for possible problems with the company. Recent improvements in West Florida Recycling’s operations have significantly changed the ECUA Board’s outlook, ECUA said.
“It seems that WFR is taking their issues in hand quite well, with the acquisition of their stormwater permit and the ongoing clean-up operation of their facility,” said ECUA Board Chairman, Dr. Larry N. Walker. “We are happy to see that progress and to see our recycling program continue to thrive.”
ECUA water and sewer rates will also increase on October 1 as follows:
Water:
- Current residential rate is $10.48 for the base rate; this goes up to $10.68. Volume charge (per 1000 gals. Consumption) goes from $2.14 to $2.18.
- Current Lifeline rate (low income senior): Current base rate is $9.03; goes up to $9.20 (includes 6,000 gals. Consumption).
Wastewater:
- Current residential rate: $11.93 for the base rate (includes 2,000 gals. Consumption); goes up to $12.16; volume charge is currently $6.50, goes to $6.63.
- Current Lifeline Rate: $11.62 base, goes to $11.84 (includes 6,000 gals. Consumption).
The increased water and sewer revenues would go toward infrastructure improvements.
No Charges In DOC Van Wreck That Killed Inmate From Escambia County
September 27, 2013
Lawrence Houze, 50, was killed when the Department of Corrections van he was riding in flipped into a ditch in Okaloosa County on the way to a scheduled work detail in Milton.
The crash occurred when the van was turning from P.J. Adams Road from Highway 85 and a vehicle driven by Joshua Meseke pulled in front of the van, causing the van to lose control and flip over into a ditch on July 12. The driver of the van was a Department of Corrections officer and six inmates were on board. The officer and five remaining inmates were transported to North Okaloosa Medical Center where they were treated and released. All were wearing their seat belts.
The State Attorney’s Office said there is not enough evidence in the case against Meseke to prove vehicular homicide.
The driver of the van was a Department of Corrections officer and six inmates were on board. The officer and five remaining inmates were transported to North Okaloosa Medical Center were they were treated and released. All were wearing their seat belts.
Houze was a minimum security inmate at the Okaloosa Work Camp in Crestview. He was scheduled for release in August 2014.
Over Escambia County: Really Big Blimp Explores Scientific Secrets For TV Show
September 27, 2013
The Cloud Lab blimp was spotted hovering over Escambia Bay and Ferry Pass Thursday. On board, a team of scientists worked in the world’s largest airship for one of television’s most ambitious experiments on the atmosphere.
Flying from coast to coast across the United States, in a month-long expedition for the BBC television series Cloud Lab (working title), the team of British scientists will scrutinize insect life, the relationship between life and weather, as well as how hurricanes form. The trip began Tuesday in Orlando.
The team, which includes an entomologist, meteorologist and professional explorer, is also hoping to shed light on the creation of clouds and the relationship between diverse ecosystems and weather.
The airship is a unique platform for exploring the atmosphere. It can maintain a stationary position, so the team is able to watch weather phenomena develop, and then maneuver to get the best vantage point. It flies slowly and is exceptionally stable, making it the ideal base from which to conduct scientific experiments.
Cloud Lab series producer, James Van Der Pool, explains: “The 100 kilometers or so of air above our heads is all that separates us from space. It’s in every breath we take and makes Earth habitable. Yet for all its centrality to the health of the planet there’s a lot we still don’t know about the atmosphere. For instance, at what altitude does life cease? What type of air is most likely to cause rain? With Cloud Lab we’ve a rare and exciting opportunity to address some of these questions head on.”
Skimming the ocean’s surface and drifting with the wind allows the team to explore the physics that control the creation and destruction of cumulus cloud as well as using the Cloud Lab’s sophisticated technology to examine a growing cloud’s internal anatomy.
Through sampling different types of air, from sea, and desert to city, while simultaneously measuring cloud cover, the team will attempt to understand what types of air produce the most cloud.
During the trip, the entomologist will use the airship as a sampling platform to produce a unique survey of the insect life that lives above the USA. Bats will also be filmed using a range of technology, revealing how they have learned to exploit these insect superhighways.
Other experiments include researching the role of plants in maintaining the balance of the atmosphere through measuring the amount of oxygen produced by a forest. The team will also be looking into the causes of wildfires – the recent spate of which have claimed so many lives.
BBC executive producer of Cloud Lab, Jonathan Renouf, explains: “Flying across the entire North American continent by airship is ambitious in every conceivable way. As far as we know, no one has done this for two decades. It’s incredibly exciting because we will get to explore the atmosphere in a way that’s never been done before, as well as seeing America from a unique vantage point.”
The series will air next year in Britain; there’s no word yet if the series will air in the United States.
Pictured top: The Cloud Lab blimp, the world’s largest airship, over Pensacola Thursday, reader photo by Kevin Winingar for NorthEscambia.com). Pictured below: Cloud Lab pilots watch the weather radar on the map (next to the dashboard) as they travel over the Florida Panhandle Thursday, photo courtesy BBC for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
JV Football: Northview Chiefs Host The Escambia Gators (With Photo Gallery)
September 27, 2013
The freshman Escambia High School Gators defeated the junior varsity Northview Chiefs 15-0 Thursday in Bratt.
The JV Chiefs will continue their season October 3 as they host the Jaguars of West Florida High School and October 17 as they host the Baker Gators. Both games kick off at 6 p.m. in Bratt.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: The Northview Chiefs hosted the Escambia Gators Thursday in Bratt. Cheerleader photos by Delaney Reynolds. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Man Arrested on Child Porn Charges
September 27, 2013
An Escambia County man was arrested Thursday on child pornography charges after investigators determined he had downloaded sexually explicit pictures and movies of children
from the internet onto his home computer.
Calvin Louis Bridges, 28, of 2126 Schwab Court was charged with 14 counts of possession of obscene material/child pornography. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail on a $28,000 bond.
Bridges was arrested at his home after agents with the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force initiated a search warrant at his residence Thursday after he was identified via the internet as downloading child pornography.
Additional charges are possible, and the investigation is continuing to determine if he transmitted files and/or downloaded additional child pornography, authorities said.
Task force members from the Office of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Walton County Sheriff’s Department assisted the Pensacola Police Department with this investigation.
Ernest Ward Beats Excel (With Photo Gallery)
September 27, 2013
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles beat the Panthers of Excel Thursday night, 42-30.
Ernest Ward will travel to Foley on October 8 before ending their season with a 6 p.m. home game in Walnut Hill against T.R. Miller.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: Ernest Ward Middle School beat the Excel Panthers Thursday night. Cheerleader photos by Delaney Reynolds. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Lady Chiefs Earn District Win Over Freeport
September 27, 2013
The Northview Lady Chiefs earned another district volleyball win Thursday over Freeport.
Meeting on neutral ground in Jay, Northview beat Freeport 25-18, 14-25, 25-14, 15-25, 15-7. Lily Townson had two kills, 13 assists and 15 digs. Danielle Steadham had one ace, eight kills, five blocks and 18 digs.
The Lady Chiefs will host Baker at home on Tuesday.
West Florida JV Defeats Catholic
September 27, 2013
The junior varsity West Florida Jaguars beat Catholic’s Crusaders Thursday evening. Pictured: West Florida Quarterback Gavin Grant of Walnut Hill throws a pass for Jaguars touchdown. Submitted cell phone photo by Nancy Thomas, click to enlarge.
Sheriff’s Office Unveils ‘Take Back Your Streets’ Video
September 27, 2013
“Take Back Your Streets” is the title of a new public outreach campaign launched Thursday by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in response to ongoing acts of gun violence in the county. The campaign is aimed at encouraging community involvement in reporting crimes and combating gun violence.
Sheriff David Morgan, School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas, FBI Resident Agent in Charge James Stewart, Pensacola Police Department Chief Chip Simmons, Mayor Ashton Hayward, ATF Resident Agent in Charge Randy Beach,Commissioner Lumon May and Pastor Rodney Jones presented the first of three public service announcements at Thursday’s meeting. Two more videos will follow over the coming months.
The videos encourage members of the community to work actively with law enforcement to solve and prevent crime.