Inmate Re-Entry Bill Re-Emerges
December 27, 2012
Many nonviolent felons would be funneled into substance-abuse programs and work re-entry training instead of serving out their sentences behind bars, under a proposal filed Wednesday by Rep. Daphne Campbell, D-Miami.
The bill, HB 69, calls on the Department of Corrections to establish such a diversion program and sets parameters on who could qualify to participate. Lawmakers in recent sessions have been looking for ways to reduce the state’s prison population as part of an effort to save money.
In recent sessions, the legislation has been sponsored by former Sens. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale, and Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland. In the House, former Rep. Ari Porth, D-Coral Springs, joined Campbell in co-sponsoring the proposal in the past.
New House Judiciary Chairman Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, has made it clear he is looking for reforms in the state’s correctional system, a push that has the growing support of business and fiscal-conservative groups seeking to cut costs.
By The News Service of Florida
Police Investigate Christmas Double Shooting; Monday Kidnapping
December 26, 2012
Pensacola Police are continuing their investigation into two shootings that occurred Christmas night on North J Street. Meanwhile, detectives believe the incident may be related to one that occurred Monday in the same area when a man was kidnapped during a home invasion, said Capt. David Alexander.
Tuesday night, an 18-year-old male was shot in the hand and foot after three to four males entered his residence around 9:55 p.m. in the 1300 block of North J Street. During the home invasion, a 22-year-old male who entered the residence also was shot in the stomach during a disturbance. Both males were taken to a local hospital for treatment.
A motive for Tuesday night’s shootings is not yet known.
The investigation also is continuing into a reported home invasion/kidnapping that occurred around 2:45 a.m. Monday in the 1300 block of North J Street.
A 36-year-old woman told police she was sleeping in bed when four to five unknown males entered her apartment. The woman, who was awakened by people yelling, said all of the
men were wearing dark clothes and were holding guns. One of the men was pointing a gun in her face when she awoke.
The woman and four of her children – ranging in age from four to 10 – were ordered into the living room at gunpoint. She said she saw her 32-year-old boyfriend – Torrance Hackworth - was tied up, lying on the living room floor and bleeding.
The woman told police the men ransacked the apartment, took some items – including her car keys – and then carried Hackworth, who had duct tape over his mouth, out to her car
where they put him into the trunk and drove off with the car.
The vehicle was later found submerged at Sanders Beach in the 900 block of South I Street, but Hackworth was not found in the trunk. Although a motive for the home invasion/kidnapping remains under investigation, it is believed to have been drug related.
The Gun Crime Task Force has been activated and is assisting with the investigation, Alexander said.
Anyone having information on either incident is asked to contact the Pensacola Police Department at (850) 435-1900.
Hit And Run Driver Strikes Cantonment Store
December 26, 2012
A hit and run driver struck a Cantonment convenience store Christmas night.
About 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, someone reportedly drove a vehicle into the CMP Convenience Store at Highway 29 and Muscogee Road. The vehicle then fled the scene. There were no injuries reported.
The incident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Arrested With Drugs In Church Parking Lot
December 26, 2012
A traffic stop at a church landed a 28-year old Cantonment man behind bars on drug charges.
Brian David Pryor was charged with marijuana possession and cocaine possession with intent to sell within 1,000 feet of a physical place of worship.
An Escambia County deputy reported observing Pryor driving without a seat belt at the intersection of Highway 29 and Diamond Dairy Road. The deputy initiated a traffic stop, with Pryor coming to a stop in the parking lot of of the St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church. Before the vehicle came to a complete stop, Pryor allegedly tossed a bag containing crack cocaine into the parking lot. Deputies also reported finding marijuana in the vehicle.
Pryor was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $6,000 bond.
Community Mourns NWE, Ernest Ward Volunteer Charles Williams
December 26, 2012
Charles Williams, a former North Escambia Person of the Year, passed away Christmas day.
Williams was an instrumental and driving force behind sports programs for countless youth at Ernest Ward Middle School and the Northwest Escambia leagues. For funeral arrangements, click here.
Here is an earlier story about Mr. Charles Williams being named a North Escambia Person of the Year:
Charles Williams is one of those behind the scenes people that makes the world go round — at least the world of youth sports in Walnut Hill.
From the Ernest Ward Middle School Sports Boosters to Northwest Escambia Football, Williams is always hard at work to make sure the area’s children have the opportunity to take part in sports.
He is sometimes the man on the public address system at NWE and Ernest Ward Middle School football games, but he is always the man behind the scenes. From mowing the grass to working in the concession stand, he’s the model volunteer.
As president of the EWMS Sports Boosters, Williams is quick to point out that the group works to support every boy’s and girl’s sport at the school, not just the county’s only middle school football team. Williams and his army of volunteers make sure that every player of every sport is appreciated, and that every player is fed an appropriate meal or snack before every game.
“I just don’t know what we would do without Charles,” EWMS Principal Nancy Gindl-Perry said at a school sports banquet before presenting Williams with a small token of the school’s appreciation.
Williams accepted the gift quietly and humbly — that’s just the kind of man he is. And hundreds, if not thousands, of youth would tend to agree — he’s just one of those people that influences society quietly, one child a time.
“He’s a true hero,” Perry said.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Video: Tornado Hits Mobile
December 26, 2012
Severe weather pounded the Gulf Coast Tuesday, with several tornado touchdowns. In Mobile, a large tornado hit parts of the city, leaving behind a path of destruction and tens of thousands without power. But there were no reports of any serious injuries.
Damage was reported at Murphy High School and Mobile Infirmary, where windows were blown out as patients rode out the storm in hallways.
The reader video below shows the tornado as it moves through Mobile.
It’s Easy To Recycle Your Wrapping Paper, Boxes In North Escambia
December 26, 2012
You can “go green” with those piles of Christmas wrapping paper and boxes by recycling them at one of several drop-off locations around North Escambia or in your weekly ECUA pickup.
Christmas wrapping paper, along with other household paper, plastics, steel and aluminum can be placed in your recycling container on your normal ECUA pickup day. For complete information on the ECUA recycling program, click here.
The Escambia County Division of Solid Waste Management has drop-off recycling locations in or near each of the larger communities in North Escambia. North of Nine Mile Road, recycling bins are located at:
- Ashton Brosnaham Park, 10370 Ashton Brosnaham Drive
- Billy G. Ward Courthouse, 7500 North Century Blvd., Century
- Escambia County Extension Service, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- John R. Jones Athletic Park, 555 E. Nine Mile Road
- Molino Fire Department, 1459 Molino Road (behind fire station)
- Oak Grove Citizen’s Convenience Center, 745 North Highway 99
- Perdido Landfill, 13009 Beulah Road, Cantonment
- UWF, John Martin Hall, 11000 University
- UWF, ParkwayParking Lot #10, Campus Dr.
Items eligible for recycling at the drop-off locations are aluminum cans, steel cans, glass food and beverage containers, plastic containers (#1-#7), cardboard, junk mail (including Christmas wrapping paper), paper, magazines, and newspapers.
For more information on drop-off recycling in North Escambia, visit EscambiaRecycles.com.
Winning Fantasy 5 Ticket Sold In The Area
December 26, 2012
A winning Fantasy 5 ticket sold in in the area for Tuesday’s night drawing is worth $53,042.34.
The winning ticket, with numbers 01-30-32-33-36 — was sold at the Kangaroo Express at 3225 West Nine Mile Road It was one of three winning tickets sold in the state. The other winning tickets were sold in Tampa and Fort Myers.
The $53,042.34 winning ticket sold on Nine Mile Road was a “Quick Pick”, with the computer generating random numbers when the ticket was purchased.
There were also 227 tickets with four correct numbers worth $113 each, and 6,035 with three of five numbers worth $11.50 each.
Merry Christmas! The Story Of The Greatest Gift Of All
December 25, 2012
Today’s lead story on NorthEscambia.com is a story that happened over 2,000 years ago today — the birth of a boy child.
It is story that was first delivered by an angelic choir. It was the news that changed the world…a Savior had been born in a little town called Bethlehem. It was a humble scene. A little baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
It was the world’s first ever Christmas gift on that very first Christmas morning, the gift of a Savior with the promise of eternal life.
It’s good news for all of us on this Christmas. Good news that Emmanuel, the Lord Jesus, was born. It’s story that was reported by Luke in the New Testament. It’s reprinted below for you to read, and for you to share the Good News with someone you care about this Christmas.
From our NorthEscambia.com family to you and yours, Merry Christmas!
- And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
- (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
- And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
- And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
- To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
- And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
- And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
- And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
- And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
- And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
- For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
- And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
- And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
- Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
- And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
- And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
- And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
- And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
- But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
- And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Christmas Recipes: Red Velvet Cake, Holiday Dips
December 25, 2012
The holidays are a time when a lot of people head into the kitchen to cook for family and friends. You just can’t go wrong with a red velvet cake. We also have a couple of dip recipes just in time for your Christmas entertaining — a black bean dip and a hot cream cheese dip.
Red Velvet Cake
by Shirley Boone
CAKE
- 1 ½ cups oil
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 2 ½ cups cake flour
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp. cocoa
- 1 oz bottle red food coloring
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. cider vinegar
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
Mix oil and sugar together. Add eggs and beat well. Add food coloring. Add vinegar to buttermilk and pour into oil mixture. Add vanilla. In small bowl combine cake flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Mix with other ingredients until well blended. Pour into 9 inch greased and floured pans. Bake at 350 degrees. Two pans bake for 30-35 minutes, three pans bake for 20-25 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes and wrap in plastic wrap until cool.
ICING
- 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1 box confectioners sugar
- 1 stick Parkay margarine, softened
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 tsp. vanilla
Mix all together until creamed. Spread on cooled cake.
Black Bean Dip
by Mona Brown
- 2 cans black beans, drained
- 2 cans shoe peg corn, drained
- ½ bunch green onions, chopped
- Sprinkle of garlic powder
- Mix ½ cup olive oil, ½ cup apple cider vinegar and ½ cup sugar.
Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix together. Marinate for 24 hours. Drain and add 8 ounces of feta cheese. Serve with Scoops.
Hot Cream Cheese Dip
from the Molino Homemakers Club
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 8 oz sour cream
- 1 cup cooked crumbled bacon
- 3 stalks green onion diced
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Mix all ingredients and pour into a 9×9 glass pan or pie plate. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Serve warm with Chicken in a Biscuit crackers.