Cantonment Resident Hits Building While Trying To Park
August 22, 2013
A Cantonment resident accidently hit a building while trying park Thursday morning at the Ensley Pharmacy in the 8800 block of North Palafox Street.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 64-year old Juanita Moore Pettigrew attempted to park just west of the building, but failed to stop in time. That caused her 1999 Dodge Ram to collide with a parking post and the building. The truck came to rest against the building.
Pettigrew and her passenger, 35-year old Kimberly Posey of Cantonment, were not injured in the 11:49 a.m. incident.
The FHP cited Pettigrew with careless driving.
Man Charged With Over 300 Littering, Environmental Violations
August 22, 2013
An Escambia County man is jailed on almost 350 environmental and littering charges in connection with the theft of scrap metal.
Anthony Joseph Green, Sr., 62, is believed to have stolen more than $36,000 in scrap metal from KTTTC Investments, Inc., located in the 2100 block of Longleaf Drive in Pensacola.
The arrest stems from a littering complaint that was under investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Division of Law Enforcement and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. During the course of the investigation, Green, who was the former property owner, admitted to recycling metals from the property even after the property was no longer owned by him or his company GFD Construction, according to a press release.
The investigation revealed that approximately 46 recycling loads had been taken to Wise Recycling, LLC between November 9, 2012 and March 29, 2013. Witnesses say Green employed them to deliver the materials and instructed them to have the invoices made out in one of the witnesses’ names. He then paid them out of cash received from the sale.
Green was charged with 173 counts of failure to obtain a DEP permit, one count of a false statement on a DEP document/tampering with device, 173 counts of littering more than 500 pounds, one count of grand theft over $1,000 , and one count of fraudulently obtaining property over $20,000.
He is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Century Looks At $1.8 Million In Improvements Over Five Years
August 22, 2013
The Town of Century has approved a five-year schedule of capital improvements totaling over $1.8 million.
For planning purposes and to meet the town’s Comprehensive Plan requirements, the five-year plan is required. The capital improvement plan is more of a potential roadmap; none of the improvements will happen unless funding is approved each year or the town receive required grants.
Planned improvements in Century over the next five years include $1.o9 in natural gas system improvements. Most of those funds will come from a USDA Rural Development loan to replace a natural gas pipe under Highway 29. The pipe is the source of an on-going natural gas leak under Highway 29 within the Century town limits.
About 6,515 feet of 4-inch steel natural gas line was buried beneath the southbound lanes of Highway 29 when the road was widened to four lanes. Now, over 45 years since the almost 1.25 mile long pipe was put into the ground, the town believes the steel is corroding and leaking somewhere between West Highway 4 and McCurdy Street. A new 4-inch pipe will be placed on the west side of Highway 29, while a new 2-inch pipe will be installed on the east side of the highway, eliminating the need to install pipes under the road to service natural gas customers.
Other five-year improvements include $168,000 for splash pad and other upgrades at the Anthony Pleasant Sports Complex, and $83,000 in playground renovations at Showalter Park. Both park upgrades are contingent upon the town receiving a state grant to cover most of the upgrade costs.
The complete five year schedule of capital improvements is below.
Pictured top: Natural gas is leaking somewhere under Highway 29 in Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
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School Board Honors Northview FFA’s Best In State Program
August 22, 2013
The Northview High School FFA was honored by the Escambia County School Board for having the top Fresh From Florida Food Advocacy Program, formerly known as the Food for America Program, in the entire state.
The Fresh From Florida Advocacy Program is an educational program focusing on agricultural literacy in elementary schools and communities. It is a program developed to assist FFA members and all agricultural education students in leadership skill development as they reach out to youth, peers and their entire communities by sharing the world of agriculture.
Planning began in the fall of 2012 with FFA members setting goals and establishing working committees for the spring 2013 event. Through the efforts of 100 FFA members and community support, approximately 1,000 mostly elementary level students participated in agriculture awareness through hands-on exhibits and activities. Exhibitors included the
Florida Department of Agriculture, Escambia County Extension Agency, Florida Forestry Service and many other outside agencies.
In addition, members of the Northview High School FFA officer team visited several area elementary schools to read agriculture-related books to students.
The Florida FFA Organization has honored Northview High School FFA Food for America program at the state level multiple years.
Pictured: The Northview High School FFA was honored by the Escambia County School Board Tuesday night for having the top “Fresh from Florida” program in the state. Pictured top: Northview FFA President Courtney Solari, 2nd Vice President Haylee Weaver, Vice President Courtney Weekley, Parliamentarian Mitchell Singleton, past-present Jessica Baldwin; Supertindent Malcolm Thomas, NHS FFA sponsor Perry Byars, board member Linda Moultrie, board member Bill Slayton, (back row) board member Jeff Bergosh, board member Gerald Boone and board member Patty Hightower. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New Map Shows Where The Power’s Out
August 22, 2013
Gulf Power has a new online map to provide customers with real-time information on power outages.
The new interactive map gives you a quick view of the Northwest Florida area and the ability to zoom down to where you live. Small triangles show where the power’s out and if you hover over them with your cursor, a pop-up window provides more information, like the estimated time of when the power will be restored.
The pop-up window tells you how many customers are affected and whether a Gulf Power crew is on the way, or already on location making repairs.
“Studies across the country show customers want this type of information from their utility,” Natalie Smith, Gulf Power spokesperson, said. “This map, which is also accessible via mobile devices, provides estimated times when customer’s power will be restored. It’s an important tool that offers customers a new way to get information about outages, restoring power and storm information as well.
“Customers can see the outages on the map, but you can also report that your power is out or check on the status of restoring your power,” said Smith.
To view the live online map, customers should visit MyGulfPower.com.
Hurricane Season A Bust? Not So Fast
August 22, 2013
Almost halfway finished, the 2013 hurricane season has been a breeze in Florida.
But Craig Fugate, the federal government’s top emergency manager, looks at things a little differently. His question: “Have we started playing college football yet?”
Fugate and Bryan Koon, director of the state Division of Emergency Management, held a news conference Wednesday to reinforce the message that Florida is just entering the thick of hurricane season in late August and September — which, coincidentally is when college football starts.
The folksy Fugate, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, knows what he is talking about. He formerly served as Florida’s top emergency manager, including during the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons, when seven hurricanes plowed into the state.
Despite the memories of those devastating years, Fugate and Koon expressed concerns that Floridians will not take steps such as heeding evacuation orders if a storm comes.
“I think it’s in our DNA — we go through denial,” said Fugate, who started his career as a fire-rescue worker in Alachua County.
Florida has been spared hurricane damage during the past several years and has not been seriously threatened this year. But the emergency managers said late August and September are considered high points of the hurricane season because of warm water temperatures that help fuel the storms.
Koon noted that Saturday is the 21st anniversary of Hurricane Andrew slamming into Miami-Dade County and said it “only takes one” hurricane to cause massive damage. The hurricane season started June 1 and lasts through Nov. 30.
The emergency managers focused heavily on the need for Floridians to follow evacuation orders. Fugate said the public becomes too fixated on the category of the storm — with Categories 1 through 5 delineating strength — and that much of the worst damage often comes from issues such as storm surge and flooding.
“Don’t focus on the number, focus on the impacts,” Fugate said. “The category of a storm does not tell you all the impacts.”
Koon said evacuations and forecasts are not an “exact science” and that sometimes people will be told to leave areas that, in the end, don’t need to be evacuated. But he said emergency officials are focused on saving lives.
Florida also could face increased damage if a hurricane hits this year because of heavy rains that have already saturated many areas. Koon said that could lead to problems such as increased flooding, more trees falling down and roads washing out.
by The News Service of Florida
Change Of Venue Motion On Hold In Atmore Man’s Capital Murder Trial
August 22, 2013
A change of venue request in the capital murder trial of an Atmore man is on hold as jury selection in the case is set to begin next month.
Trial is set for September 16 for Cedric Jerome Floyd in Escambia County, Ala. He is accused of the January 2, 2012, murder of Tina Roshell Jones, 43, inside her 5th Avenue residence in Atmore.
Floyd was in court Wednesday morning in Brewton as Circuit Judge Bert Rice heard a change of venue motion from his attorneys, Charles Johns and Kevin McKinley. The defense attorneys say it’s not possible for Floyd to receive a fair trial in Escambia County, Ala., due to pretrial publicity.
Rice said he believes that it will be possible to seat an impartial jury in Escambia County despite pretrial publicity, and he won’t consider the change of venue motion until a jury is seated. Calling the case “complex litigation”, Rice said a large number of potential jurors will be called “from one end of the county to the other”.
The defense attorneys had subpoenaed several area newspaper publishers for Wednesday’s hearing, but they were dismissed without being called to the stand. Subpoenaed were Kerry Whipple Bean, publisher of The Brewton Standard and former publisher of The Atmore Advance; Joe Thomas, publisher of The Tri-City Ledger in Flomaton, Ala.; William Reynolds, publisher of NorthEscambia.com; and Sherry Digmon, publisher of The Atmore News. Digmon was unable to attend Wednesday’s hearing and had submitted requested information by affidavit.
Wahoos Edge Stars In 11 For Fifth Straight Win
August 22, 2013
Pensacola claimed their fifth straight win by sneaking past the Huntsville Stars 1-0 in 11 innings on Wednesday afternoon at Joe Davis Stadium in Huntsville.
Ryan LaMarre scored on a wild pitch from David Goforth (L, 4-3) with two outs in the top of the 11th for the game winning run. He singled to start the inning, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and moved up to third on a groundout allowing him to score when the pitch to Yorman Rodriguez got away.
Both teams had opportunities to score earlier in the game. Corey Wimberly was thrown out at home in the third inning when he tried to score on a throw to first base behind LaMarre who had just singled. That was the second out of the inning, but LaMarre was stranded at second. Huntsville looked like they had a run in the seventh, on what seemed to be a sacrifice fly. With the bases loaded and one out, Hector Gomez flew out to LaMarre in deep left-center field, appearing to score Jason Rogers from third, but the throw to third was in time to get Shawn Zarraga trying to advance from second, and the plate umpire ruled that the out at third was before Rogers crossed home from third base.
Both starting pitchers were outstanding. For Pensacola, Josh Smith fired 6.1 shutout innings with four strikeouts and only one walk in a no decision. Ariel Pena also took a no decision for Huntsville. He worked seven scoreless with eight strikeouts. The Blue Wahoos bullpen preserved the shutout between 2.2 innings from Jaime Walczak, a scoreless 10th inning from Drew Hayes (W, 4-3) and a scoreless 11th from Trevor Bell (S, 16).
Hayes earned the win two strikeouts in the 10th before Bell tied a Blue Wahoos record with his 16th save of the season. The Wahoos closer worked around a two-out single to match Justin Freeman’s record of 16 saves from 2012. The 11th was Goforth’s only inning of work in the losing effort.
The Blue Wahoos will keep an eye on the Jacksonville-Chattanooga game in Chattanooga, Tenn. later Wednesday night. With a Suns loss, Pensacola will only be 3.5 games out of first place.
The Blue Wahoos will go for the series sweep on Thursday night in Huntsville. Pensacola will turn to RHP Robert Stephenson (0-1, 3.00) for his second Double-A start against RHP Books Hall (2-4, 4.53). First pitch is slated for 6:43 p.m. in Huntsville.
Need A Job? One Of The Area’s Largest Jobs Fairs Is Thursday
August 21, 2013
The Fleet and Family Support Center at Naval Air Station Whiting Field will host its 24th annual Job Fair on Thursday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. The annual event will be held in Sikes Hall onboard Naval Air Station Whiting Field.
More than 70 local, regional and national businesses will be seeking prospective employees on site. The job fair is free and open to the public.Job seekers attending this event are encouraged to bring several copies of their resume with them to this event.
Job Fairs provide a unique opportunity for the employer and those seeking employment to actually discuss the job possibilities available. More than 1,000 prospective employees attended the 2012 fair with greater than 600 interviews and 110 hires occurring during the day. The event is regularly lauded by businesses as one of the largest and best organized in Northwest Florida.
Employers who have confirmed for the event include: Florida Highway Patrol, FlightSafety International, Federal Bureau of Prisons, Colonial Life, Gulf Power, Home Depot, Ingalls Shipbuilding, Navy Federal Credit Union, SECORP Industries, Wells Fargo, Ropella Group, Pep Boys Auto, Lowes, UT Aerospace Systems, and many more.
Trio Charged With Having Phony Money, Real Drugs
August 21, 2013
A Cantonment man and two Pensacola residents are accused of passing phony money and having real drugs in their vehicle when they were arrested.
Scott Thomas Toto, age 44 of Cantonment, Dexter Jermor Campbell, 27, and Jessica Tera Tipton, 26, were each charged with uttering a counterfeit Federal Reserve note, possession of ten or more counterfeit Federal Reserve notes, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of crack and powder cocaine.
Deputies were tipped off by the Barnes Dollar Store on Pace Boulevard after Toto allegedly tried to spend a fake $10 bill. When the clerk realized the bill was phony, Toto took it back and fled the store. The store clerk was able to provide a description of the vehicle, along with a partial tag number.
Less than an hour later, deputies conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle on Hollywood Boulevard near Hernandez Street. Campbell, the driver, and Toto were detained right away, but Tipton reportedly refused commands from the deputy. She began to fight with the deputy, hitting him at least twice, before fleeing on foot. She was later taken into custody after a manhunt utilizing a K-9 unit.
A K-9 alerted to the presence of drugs in the vehicle. Inside the car, deputies reported finding crack and powdered cocaine and numerous drug paraphernalia items. Deputies also reported Tipton dropped a cigarette package during the struggle with the deputy; inside the package they found crack cocaine and marijuana.
Also in the vehicle, deputies reported finding a package of paper consistent with the type used to print counterfeit money, a copier-printer and other items used to allegedly make the fake cash. Deputies also found receipts from multiple stores were items were recently purchased.
Campbell was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $16,000 bond, while Toto remained in jail early Wednesday with bond set at $51,000.
Tipton was also charged with resisting a law enforcement officer with violence, battery on a law enforcement officer, possession of marijuana and trespassing. She is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond due to an outstanding warrant for violating her probation in a grand theft auto case.