Florida Executes Man For 1990 Rape And Murder
May 30, 2013
Convicted murderer Elmer Leon Carroll was pronounced dead at 6:12 p.m. Wednesday after receiving a lethal injection at Florida State Prison near Starke, the Department of Corrections announced.
Earlier in the day the U.S. Supreme Court had rejected a last-ditch attempt for a stay of the death warrant that had been signed April 17 by Gov. Rick Scott. Carroll, 56, was convicted in the 1990 rape and murder of 10-year-old Christine McGowan after breaking into her Apopka home.
He was the first of three death row inmates in Florida – William Van Poyck and Marshall Lee Gore are the others – scheduled for lethal injection within the next six weeks.
Wahoos Split Twin Bill
May 30, 2013
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos were held scoreless by the Jacksonville Suns through the first 12 innings of Wednesday’s doubleheader, but strung together a pair of doubles in the last of the sixth in game two of the twin-bill and hung on for a 1-0 win at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
Bryson Smith led off the last of the sixth with a double down the left field line and came around to score a batter later on David Vidal’s double to left. The run snapped a 15-inning scoreless streak for Pensacola and gave the Wahoos their second win in the first three games of the series.
Lee Hyde (2-4) picked up the win with a scoreless inning of relief of spot starter Shaun Ellis. In his first career start in affiliated baseball, Ellis tossed four scoreless frames while fanning a career-high four batters. Drew Hayes pitched out of a bases loaded jam in the top of the seventh to nail down his second save.
Jacksonville took game one, 1-0, to snap its five-game losing streak. The Suns lone run was unearned as Noah Perio reached on a leadoff error by Brodie Greene and scored on a two-out single by Major League rehabber Logan Morrison in the third inning. The error was the first blunder of the season by the Wahoos second baseman.
Pensacola had numerous chances to win the game as the Wahoos left 10 runners on base in the seven-inning contest. Pensacola had runners on second and third with one out in the fifth, bases loaded with two outs in the sixth, and the bags packed with one out in the seventh but couldn’t push across a run. Pensacola was 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position, but runners were held at third on both base hits.
Ryan Dennick dropped to a hard-luck 2-5 despite yielding just an unearned run on two hits in five frames. Sam Dyson (2-4) fired five two-hit innings for the win for Jacksonville while Michael Brady picked up his 10th save of the year by putting out the fire in the seventh with a pop out and a strikeout.
The series continues on Thursday night with a 7:00 p.m. first pitch. Daniel Renken (1-3, 4.03) gets the start for the Wahoos while the Suns will counter with Robert Morey (1-1, 3.59).
story by Kevin Burke
Cantonment Couple Accused Of Child Neglect
May 29, 2013
A Cantonment couple is behind bars, accused of allowing their children to live in squalor with no electricity or running water.
Sheena Renee Goins, 30, and Bruce Christopher Forste, 35, were both charged with three counts of felony child neglect. They remained in the Escambia County Jail early Wednesday morning with bond set at $30,000 each.
The children were allegedly living in a home in the 1300 block of Woodfield Drive in Cantonment with no electricity and no running water. Neighbors said the children would cross the street to get water from a house that’s currently up for sale. Deputies said the house was in a mess and covered in animal feces. The only food in the house was reportedly canned beans, rice and coffee grounds.
The kids, ages 9, 11 and 13, are in the care of a local pastor.
Suspicious Fire Destroys Mobile Home And Travel Trailer
May 29, 2013
A suspicious Fire destroyed a travel trailer and mobile home Tuesday night near Bratt. It did not immediately appear that either of the structures in the 3400 block of Highway 168 were occupied or had electric power.
The fire was reported about 10:30 p.m. by a passerby. Both trailers are located several hundred feet off the roadway through a wooded area . When firefighters arrived, the mobile home and travel trailer has already burned to the ground and sparked a brush fire.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the fires.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary Presents K-2 Academic Awards
May 29, 2013
Bratt Elementary School has presented the following academic awards to students in grades K-2:
KINDERGARTEN
Outstanding Citizenship Award
Noah Faulkner
Colton Criswell
Kylie Davis
Aaliyah Fountain
Ally Richardson
Progress Award
Landon Etheridge
Reece Starns
Justin Kinley
Brayden Reaves
Payton Daw
Jaquorious Burt
Markavia Johnson
Zakyla Smith
Outstanding Attendance
DeMonte Ewing
Zi’don Smith
Hezekiah Elliott
Mary Catherine Hughes
Colby Pugh
Chris Weber
P.E. Award
Noah Faulkner
Jamison Gilman
Grant Wise
Ally Richardson
Music Award
Crista Kinley
Laura Laborde
Shelby Ward
Kaya Mason
Art Award
Ja’mya Thomas
Amber Whitehurst
Callie Davis
Ashlynn Cabral
Art Show
Ally Richardson
Jacee Dortch
Kayla McCall
Kaya Mason
FIRST & SECOND GRADES
Honor Roll A’s & B’s
Sara Amerson
Leah Berry
Riley Blackwell
Kyle Blanton
Malachi Bolen
Allie Brantley
Macie Buford
Paris Burt
Landon Chavers
Irmani Dixon
Kaden Dove
Tyteanna Dubose
Gage Eicher
Alexis Evans
Jamyla Feagin
Kailey Fisher
Kohle Harigel
Summer Harrell
Tatum Hasting
Joshlynn Helton
Jacob Hughes
Ji’Keir Hudson
Trent Knighten
Sarah Long
Houston Lowry
Tobias Madison
Braeden McGhee
Megan Mcghee
Landon Mooney
Blaize Parrish
Carter Sigafoose
Arquavian Smith
Alyssa Stabler
Jaimee Taylor
Raycer Watson
T’ahna Wesley
Connor Wolfe
Academic Achievement All A’s
Rabekah Abbott
Raegan Abbott
Erich Amerson
Sarah Bailey
Brody Black
Olivia Boatwright
Sarah Branch
Luke Bridges
Aiden Broadhead
Abbie Buford
Emilee Cabral
Kadence Calvert
Carsyn Dortch
Ryan Dove
Scotty Elliott
Zykuria Fountain
Caitlyn Gibson
David Gilley
J.P.Gilman
Emma Gilmore
Maggie Godwin
Ava Gurganus
Berklee Hall
Tucker Hall
Leah Hetrick
Hunter Johnson
Allyson Jones
Gage Lambert
Kennedy Long
Bailie Merchant
Angel Schoonover
Mckenna Simmons
Aubrey Stuckey
Bentley Van Pelt
Clay Wilson
Kendall Wise
Progress Award
Denise Andrews
Kyle Blanton
Anastasia Bryan
Kyra Bryan
Nathaniel Crenshaw
Malonie Curry
Makayla Dove
Gage Eicher
Daelyn Fine
Devon Lambert
Caden Peterson
Jacob Reid
Allison Rogalski
Bryson Sanders
Anna Spence
Jayda Walker
John Michael Ward
Da’Mius Wesley
Outstanding Attendance
Rabekah Abbott
Raegan Abbott
Riley Blackwell
Kyle Blanton
Sarah Branch
Anastasia Bryan
Malonie Curry
Irmani Dixon
Tatyanna Findley
Kohle Harigel
A’laysha Huff
Allyson Jones
Jaquez Moorer
Allison Rogalski
Bryson Sanders
Kameron Spears
David Stokes
Outstanding Citizenship Award
Drew Albritton
Sarah Bailey
Abbie Buford
Rosa Carter
Berklee Hall
Tucker Hall
Ji’keir Hudson
Jaquez Moorer
Angel Schoonover
Aubrey Stuckey
Bentley Van Pelt
P.E. Award
Rabekah Abbott
Chloe Criswell
Carsyn Dortch
Emma Gilmore
Berklee Hall
Tucker Hall
Kohle Harigel
Ji’keir Hudson
McKenna Simmons
Music Award
Drew Albritton
Riley Blackwell
Paris Burt
Hunter Johnson
Jaquez Moorer
Mandell Smith
Vivyan Smith
So’Lae Trotter
Connor Wolfe
Art Award
Brody Black
Luke Bridges
Emilee Cabral
Kadence Calvert
Mayson Edwards
Alexis Evans
Zykuria Fountain
Jacob Hughes
Devon Lambert
Art Show
Elijah Amerson
Sophia Bailey
Makayla Dove
Mayson Edwards
Jamyla Feagin
Kailey Fisher
Zykuria Fountain
Kohle Harigel
Jacob Hughes
Allyson Jones
Trent Knighten
Torian Richardson
Aubrey Stuckey
Kendall Wise
Northview Honors Baseball Standouts
May 29, 2013
The Northview High School Chiefs honored their varsity and junior varsity baseball teams Tuesday night during their annual banquet at Lake Stone in Century.
Individual awards were presented by Coach Marty Lister as follows:
- Offensive Player Award — Brannon Freeman
- Defensive Player Award — Jody Bonner
- Chief Award — Ryan Lambert
- Spiritual Leadership Award — Chad Smith
- Pitching Award — Daulton Tullus
- Rookie Award — Thomas Moore
- Rookie Award — Chasen Freeman
- Most Valuable Player Award — Kevin Vaughan
The eight graduating seniors from the varsity team were presented with a gift and their jerseys. And the Tommy Weaver Scholarship was presented to Winston Riley by Northview Principal Gayle Weaver.
Pictured top: Jody Bonner, Kevin Vaughan and Daulton Tullis. Pictured below: Chason Freeman, Thomas Moore and Brannon Freeman. Pictured inset: Tommy Weaver Scholarship winner Winston Riley with Northview Principal Gayle Weaver. Pictured bottom: Scenes from the Northview High School Baseball Banquet Tuesday night at Lake Stone in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Northview’s Kevin Vaughan Signs With Wallace Community College
May 29, 2013
Northview Chiefs senior shortstop and pitcher Kevin Vaughan signed a baseball scholarship Tuesday night with Wallace Community College in Selma, AL.
During his high school career, Vaughan was selected to the West All-star team for Escambia County and was recognized by NHS Coach Marty Lister as the Chiefs’ MVP for his leadership skills.
Pictured top: Kevin Vaughan (center) signs a baseball scholarship Tuesday night as his parents (seated) Tricia and Byron Vaughan look on, along with Coach Matt Reynold, Northview Coach Marty Lister, Principal Gayle Weaver and his teammates. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Scott Signs Florida Texting While Driving Ban Into Law
May 29, 2013
Texting while driving on Florida roads will be illegal in beginning this fall. Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill Tuesday that will allow motorists to be ticketed for texting while driving if they are pulled over for other traffic infractions.
The texting law, which has been years in the making, makes it illegal to read or type texts or emails while driving.
“Texting while driving is an issue we see on our roads every day, and the distractions it causes has negatively affected too many Floridians,” Senate bill sponsor Nancy Detert, R-Venice, said in a news release after attending the signing with Scott at Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Senior High School in Miami.
Florida joins 38 states and the District of Columbia that have anti-texting and driving laws on the books for all motorists. Three other states have laws against texting by motorists who are under 21 years old or have learners’ permits.
“As a father and a grandfather, texting while driving is something that concerns me when my loved ones are on the road. The 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day are known as the deadliest days on the road for teenagers. We must do everything we can at the state level to keep our teenagers and everyone on our roads safe. I cannot think of a better time to officially sign this bill into law,” Scott said.
Brenda Smith, AAA motor club manager in Tallahassee, said motorists regardless of age will have to adjust to not texting, similar to the reluctance some had to putting on seat belts after their use became law.
“As time went on you saw how seat belts actually saved lives, the first thing we’ve learned to do is to buckle up,” Smith said. “It will take some time about the texting, because so many people are in the habit of doing that. But once you don’t do that you’ll find out that you really don’t have the need to do that while you’re driving.”
The law, which becomes effective Oct. 1, comes with a number of caveats.
A ticket, worth $30 plus court costs, can only be issued for what is known as a secondary offense — if the motorist had been pulled over for another infraction. When determining whether violations have occurred, billing records for wireless devices can only be accessed in the event of crashes that result in death or personal injury.
Also, the measure provides exceptions for use of GPS devices, talk-to-text technology and for reporting criminal behavior. It also allows texting while stopped, such as at red lights.
The News Service Florida contributed to this report.
Pictured top: Gov. Rick Scott signs a new law banning texting while driving Tuesday at the Mourning Senior High School in North Miami. Pictured inset: Scott signs a pledge not to text and drive. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Shot Walnut Hill Burglary Suspect Facing More Charges In Alabama
May 29, 2013
A an alleged burglar shot by a Walnut Hill homeowner is now back behind bars in Brewton, charged with an unrelated burglary in Alabama.
Ricky Dewayne Taylor, age 33 of Front Street, Century, has been extradited to the Escambia County (Ala.) Detention Center in Brewton. He is being held on charges of burglary third and theft second.
According to Escambia County (Ala.) Chief Deputy Mike Lambert, Taylor was charged in connection with a burglary and theft on Canoe Road, between Atmore and Flomaton. He is accused of stealing items that included chainsaws and extension cords from a business. Taylor confessed to the crime, Lambert said.
Taylor was extradited from Escambia County (FL) Jail where he was held on charges of burglary, larceny, criminal mischief property damage and battery in connection with an alleged burglary gone bad on May 17 in Walnut Hill.
According to newly released information, the Rockaway Creek Road burglar victim said he received a call from Teresa Sunday who said Taylor, her cousin, wanted to play pool with the victim at a bar. As the victim drove to toward the bar at the appointed time, he changed his mind and returned home to find a strange car pulling around to the rear of his home. The victim entered his residence through a side door, heard someone else inside the home and retrieved his .38 caliber revolver.
In the living room, the victim was confronted by Taylor and Sunday, an arrest report states. The duo was allegedly removed a plastic jug containing $110 in pennies and carried it outside. The victim ordered the pair back inside the house and to cease their criminal activity. Taylor and Sunday sat on the couch, held at gunpoint. The victim was on the phone with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office when a fight broke out between him and Taylor. Taylor reportedly began grabbing for the gun.
The victim told deputies that he feared for his life and fired one round. The round struck Taylor in the left knee, exited and grazed Sunday on the cheek. Taylor ceased fighting and awaited the arrival of deputes, the report states.
Sunday told deputies “she messed up”, and she knew the burglary was wrong. She said Taylor picked her up, drove the victim’s residence and kicked in the back door before she and Taylor removed the jug of pennies from the residence.
Taylor told deputies that Sunday said the victim’s house was unoccupied and had valuables inside that he could steal. Taylor told deputies he kicked in the back door and removed the pennies with Sunday’s help before being caught in the act.
Taylor was airlifted by LifeFlight to to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola. After his release, he fled to Alabama and was arrested the evening of May 21 in Escambia County, AL, was then extricated to Florida to face charges.
The female suspect, 35-year old Teresa Dianne Sunday, received a minor injury on her face from a ricochet; she was taken into custody at the scene and charged with burglary of a residence and grand theft. She remained in the Escambia County Jail early Wednesday morning with bond set at $12,500.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Snap Skid, Beat The Suns 2-0
May 29, 2013
Chad Rogers was again dominant and the Pensacola offense provided just enough support in a 2-0 shutout win over the Jacksonville Suns on Tuesday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. The win ended the Blue Wahoos’ losing streak at nine games and sent Jacksonville to its fifth straight setback.
Rogers (3-2) continued his strong 2013 season with another spectacular start. The righthander fired six shutout frames, yielding just two hits while striking out three and walking three. Rogers has not allowed an earned run 18.2 innings and lowered his ERA to 1.73, the second-best mark in the league.
The Wahoos jumped out on top in the second inning as Devin Lohman laced a two-out single up the middle to score Travis Mattair from second base. The RBI was Lohman’s team-leading 22nd of the season.
Jacksonville starter Jay Jackson then cruised through the next couple innings before running into trouble in the fifth. Pensacola loaded the bases with one out, but was only able to score one run on a bases-loaded walk to Travis Mattair.
That was enough though for Pensacola as Rogers, Lee Hyde, and Loek Van Mil combined on a three-hit shutout, Pensacola’s fourth blanking of an opponent this season.
The two teams now prepare for a doubleheader on Wednesday with game one starting at 5:30 p.m. Ryan Dennick (2-4, 2.82) gets the call for the Wahoos in game one against the Suns’ Sam Dyson (1-4, 3.07). In game two, Shaun Ellis (0-1, 5.56) will make a spot start for Pensacola while Rob Waite (0-0, 0.00) gets the call for Jacksonville.