Local Soldier Killed In Afghanistan
June 13, 2013
The Department of Defense has announced the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Staff Sgt. Jesse L. Thomas Jr., 31, of Pensacola, died June 10, in Helmand, Afghanistan. The incident is under investigation.
He was assigned to the 39th Transportation Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, Kleber Kaserne, Germany.
More details will be posted as they become available.
Escaped Inmate Busted Within 10 Minutes
June 13, 2013
An inmate that escaped from the Escambia County Jail didn’t manage to get very far during his 10 minutes of freedom this morning.
Just after 8:00, inmate worker Michael Eugene Washington, 41, walked away from the Escambia County Jail on “L” Street. He was seen walking down Fairfield Drive and then observed by officers walking toward Pace Boulevard. He climbed onto the roof of a building in the 2800 block of North Pace Boulevard.
The building was surrounded and Washington was taken into custody within 10 minutes of his escape.
A ladder truck from Escambia County Fire Rescue was used to assist in removing Washington from the roof.
Two North Escambia Church Burglaries Under Investigation (Updated)
June 13, 2013
[Updated] Two church burglaries discovered Wednesday are under investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
A burglary was reported Wednesday morning just before 8:00 at the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church on Highway 29 at Thompson Road in Bluff Springs. A powered mixer, two Peavey speakers and a wireless microphone system were stolen (pictured below).
“It is sad that someone would rob a church,” said Pastor Jimmy Wood “My prayer is that whoever did this will return what they have stolen and surrender their life to the Lord.”
Wednesday afternoon, members of the Antioch Springs of Life Church at the corner of North Pineville Road and Jakes Road in Nokomis discovered that their house of worship had been burglarized. Someone stole an air conditioner, speakers, sound equipment, dishes and a few other miscellaneous items, according to church members.
An Antioch Springs member said this was the third burglary at their church in recent years. They believe the latest burglary happened between 6:00 Tuesday night and 4:00 p.m. Wednesday.
There was no immediate indication that the two burglaries were related. Anyone with information on either crime is asked to contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Pictured top: The Antioch Springs of Life Church on Pineville Road in Nokomis. Pictured below: A powered mixer and speakers stolen from the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church on Highway 29 in Bluff Springs. Courtesy images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Animal Control Seizes 18 Dogs Due To ‘Poor Living Conditions’
June 13, 2013
Escambia County Animal Control seized 18 dogs Wednesday afternoon in Century.
Bill Pearson, Escambia County spokesman, said Animal Control was called to the property on Plum Street by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. According to Sena Maddison, a spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office, there was concern about “poor living conditions” for the dogs and puppies on the property. There were no charges filed in the case.
Further details were not available late Wednesday afternoon.
From the roadway, animal control officers and the residents were seen loading dogs into an animal control truck. None of the animals appeared malnourished or injured. Neighbors said they believed the animals were cared for adequately, with separate dogs houses, overhead dog runs and proper food and water. Officials said the animals seized did not have proper licenses and proof of vaccinations.
Pictured above and below: Escambia County Animal Control seized 18 dogs from a property on Plum Street in Century Wednesday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Slithery Summer Reptiles And Reading At The Library
June 13, 2013
Participants in the West Florida Library’s Summer Reading Program had a chance to get up close and personal with some slithery snakes and more Wednesday afternoon. The Reno’s Reptiles program is one of many programs planned for this summer.
The West Florida Public Library will hold a “Dig Into Reading” summer reading club for all children ages preschool and up. The event will include stories, weird noises, shadow puppets, magic and more.
The 2013 Summer Reading Club will be held weekly through August 10. Children can register at any West Florida Public Library.
Century Branch Library
Summer Reading Program – Wednesdays, 3:30 p.m.
Molino Branch Library
Preschool story time — Mondays, 2:45 p.m.
Summer Reading Program - Mondays, 4:00 p.m.
Tryon Branch
Preschool story time — Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.
Summer Reading Program - Tuesdays, 1:30 p.m.
Main Library
Preschool story time — Wednesday, 10:30 a.m.
Summer Reading Program - Mondays, noon.
Southwest Branch
Summer Reading Program – Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.
Westside Branch
Preschool story time — Saturdays, 2:30 p.m.
Summer Reading Program – Tuesdays, 4:30 p.m.
Pictrured: Reno’s Reptiles during the Summer Reading Program Wednesday afternoon at the Century Branch Library. Photos by August Whorff for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Summer Running Begins Monday
June 13, 2013
The annual summer running program begins Monday for any Northview High, home schooled, or Ernest Ward student interested in getting in shape for the upcoming cross country season.
This year, there will be two summer running locations — Northview and Molino.
The Molino group will run at 7 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday off Highway 97. For details and specific location, contact Isaac McGahan at (850) 637-4397.
The Northview group will meet at the Northview ROTC room at 7 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. For more information, contact Coach Natalie Nall at nnelson@escambia.k12.fl.us.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Shootout Lands Man In Prison For 25 Years
June 13, 2013
A shootout last year has resulted in an Escambia County man heading to prison for 25 years.
State Attorney Bill Eddins said Robrico Karnell Newberry was convicted by an Escambia County Jury of aggravated assault with a firearm,possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. After the verdict was returned, Circuit Court Judge Ross Goodman sentenced Newberry to 25 years in state prison with a 20 year mandatory minimum.
On July 7, 2012, Newberry and at least two other men, all armed with firearms, approached victim Brian Taylor while he was in his truck in the parking lot of the U.S. Post Office on Davis Highway. When the men tried to enter Taylor’s truck, he fired his gun at them in self defense.
In the shootout, Taylor was shot from the back in his shoulder. Newberry was also struck in the mid-section. The other perpetrators dropped Newberry off at Sacred Heart Hospital. The gun Newberry used during the commission of the crime was found in a flower bed in front of Sacred Heart Emergency Room. Newberry’s DNA was found on the gun and ballistics testing tied it to the crime scene. Additionally, as Newberry was being treated in the hospital, a box of bullets was recovered from his pocket.
Florida Executes Convicted Murderer
June 13, 2013
Convicted murderer William Van Poyck was pronounced dead at 7:24 p.m. EDT Wednesday after receiving a lethal injection at Florida State Prison near Starke, the Department of Corrections announced.
Van Poyck, 58, was sentenced to death for his role in the 1987 killing of a corrections officer in Palm Beach County. Van Poyck and another man, Frank Valdes, ambushed a prison van in an attempt to free an inmate on his way to an appointment with a dermatologist.
In a last-ditch appeal, Van Poyck argued that he had received ineffective legal counsel and that an affidavit provided newly discovered evidence showing he was not the triggerman in the killing of Officer Fred Griffis.
However, the Florida Supreme Court on June 6 rejected the appeal, writing that his argument “does not negate the fact that Van Poyck instigated the escape attempt and fired numerous shots in their attempt to flee the scene.”
Increased Mosquito Activity in Escambia County Due to Recent Rain
June 13, 2013
Escambia County officials tasked with monitoring mosquitoes are noticing increased activity following our recent rains.
The Escambia County Mosquito Control Division said stagnant water can serve as a danger to people and animals. It is important to be protected as people are cautioned to avoid mosquitoes at this time and throughout the warm months of the year. Animals, such as dogs, cats and horses may be bitten by mosquitoes as well, though these animals may be protected by using vaccines and other methods as prescribed. A veterinarian should be consulted for methods to protect animals from mosquito-borne diseases.
Officials said mosquitoes are active in the predawn and predusk hours. If being outdoors is necessary at those times, cover exposed bare skin with appropriate clothing and use repellents as directed on the product’s label.
Scott Signs Red Light, Mobile Home, Distiller Bills; Vetoes Others
June 13, 2013
Gov. Rick Scott late Wednesday signed four bills, including a measure that would make it tougher for local governments to issue tickets to drivers turning right on red.
An omnibus transportation bill (HB 7125) made the change, which dealt with red-light cameras. It would prevent ticketing motorists as long as vehicles come to a stop, even after crossing the stop line, before making legal right turns on red.
The bill also includes a slew of other changes, including revamping laws that deal with ignition-interlock devices issued to some people convicted of drunken driving and approving new specialty license plates. Among the groups that would receive plates are the American Legion, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Lauren’s Kids, which is a program aimed at preventing sexual abuse of children.
Also, Scott signed a measure (HB 347) that would allow about 20 small craft distillers in Florida that annually produce less than 75,000 gallons of spirits to offer on-site sales. The bill imposes a two-bottle-per-customer annual cap for the purchases.
What’s more, Scott approved a bill (HB 573) allowing residents of mobile homes to get insurance from Citizens Property Insurance Corp. and a measure (HB 7025) specifying that certain condo board election requirements don’t apply to timeshares.
Meanwhile, Scott vetoed three bills, including a measure that would have revamped laws dealing with the competency of mentally ill people charged with crimes. In a veto letter, Scott said he rejected the measure (SB 1420) because it would have led to many types of criminal charges being dismissed after three years if defendants are determined to be incompetent to stand trial. Current law sets that time frame at five years.
Under the bill, the shortened period of time would not have applied to violent crimes such as murder, kidnapping and sexual battery. But Scott wrote that dismissal of charges after three years for people accused of attempting to commit violent crimes “could pose a serious public safety risk.”
Scott also vetoed HB 725, which would have eliminated recording requirements for closed meetings of the State Child Abuse Death Review Committee. He wrote that the recordings are already exempt from disclosure, but that the “careful balance between openness and reasonable confidentiality” would be best met by maintaining the current requirements.
The third veto hit a measure (SB 354) that involved a property-tax exemption on certain housing for active-duty military members. But Scott wrote that an amendment added to the bill could inadvertently impose property taxes on other military housing that already is exempt from property taxes.
By Brandon Larrabee and Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida