12.5 Pounds Of Pot Found During Raid, Two Charged
September 15, 2012
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office seized 12.5 pounds of marijuana as they executed a search warrant Friday.
“Once all was said and done, 12.5 pounds of marijuana, crack and powder cocaine and prescription drugs were seized and taken off the streets of Escambia County,” said Matt Baxter, spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office, about the raid in the 7100 block of Glendora Street.
Stefan Casanova, 26, and Artic Pryor, 23, both of Pensacola, were arrested during the raid and are facing multiple drug related charges.
Sneads Pirates Take 19-14 Win From The Jay Royals
September 15, 2012
The Jay Royals lost to the Sneads Pirates in Jay Friday night, 19-14.
Sneads took the lead with two and quarter minutes to go in the first quarter. The Pirates held on to the their 7-0 advantage until the Royals tied it up 7-7 with three and half minutes in the half with a pass from QB Tate Upton to Ashton Dennington.
The Royals were pumped as the second half began, scoring on play number two of the third quarter with a 64-yarder from Upton to Hunter Dillawhaw, 14-7 Jay. Sneads quickly fought back but missed a kick for Jay to retain the lead 14-13.
Sneads sealed the win on a 75-yarder for a 19-14 win.
The Jay Royals will sit out next week with an open date before hitting the road to South Walton on September 28.
Pictured: The Jay Royals at home Friday night with a loss to Sneads. NorthEscambia.com photos by Michelle Gibbs, click to enlarge.
Escambia County’s Justin Gatlin, Team USA Honored At White House
September 15, 2012
Escambia County Olympian Justin Gatlin and the rest of Team USA were welcomed to the White House Friday to honor their participation and success in this year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games in London.
At an event on the South Lawn, Mrs. Obama told the athletes that she was impressed not only by the 200-plus medals they brought home, but also by their dedication and hard work leading up to the games.
“I want you to know how inspired we are by all of you — your passion, your dedication, your courage,” First Lady Michelle Obama said the during the event on the South Lawn.
President Barack Obama — who shared that he was able to catch some of the Olympic events thanks to mastering his DVR — told the athletes that they “could not have been better ambassadors and better representatives for the United States and what we stand for”.
During the 2012 Olympics Gatlin won the bronze in the men’s 100m dash and, along with his team, took the silver in the men’s 4×100 meter relay.
“I went out there to challenge a mountain,” Gatlin said after winning the bronze. “I went out there to challenge the odds.”
Pictured top: Escambia County Olympian Justin Gatlin (far left) and Team USA were welcome to the White House Friday. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Teen Struck, Killed By Vehicle
September 14, 2012
A teen was struck and killed by a vehicle Thursday night in Ensley.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 13-year old Jonathan Wright was running across the southbound lanes of Highway 29 at Barber Street at 10:30 p.m. when he was struck by a 2006 Dodge driven by 69-year old Frankie J. Brown of Pensacola. Wright was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital where he was pronounced deceased a short time later.
Brown and his passenger, 65-year old Shirley Brown of Pensacola, were not injured. Any charges are pending completion of a traffic homicide investigation.
Wright was a seventh grade student at Woodham Middle School.
No Tag Light Lands Two In Jail On Drug Charges
September 14, 2012
A non-working tag light landed two people in the Escambia County Jail on drug charges.
An Escambia County deputy stopped a Toyota at the intersection of Well Line Road and Coulter Road in Cantonment for the tag light. Deputies reported that the driver, 49-year old Kirby Brian Smith of Molino, had prescription medications containing oxycodone and hydrocodone in his front pants pocket.
The passenger, 31-year old Nicole Danielle Jones of Pensacola, had a pack of cigarettes containing half of an oxycodone in her possession, according to an arrest report. In her pink purse inside the vehicle, deputies reported finding marijuana and medications containing oxycodone and hydrocodone. Also in the purse, deputies said they found a black digital scale.
Jones said the half oxycodone pill belonged to her mother, and she was holding it so her mother would not over-medicate. She claimed the scales were used for her son’s boy scouts. She told deputies that none of the other pills or the marijuana belonged to her.
Smith told deputies that he had a prescription for the pills in his pocket, but he did not have the prescription with him.
Smith was charged with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and given a warning for the defective tag light. Kirby was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $15,000 bond.
Jones was charged with marijuana possession, drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.She was released from jail on a $7,000 bond.
Stepfather Gets 15 Years For Abuse Of Disabled Daughter
September 14, 2012
An Escambia County man is headed to prison for making his mentally disabled daughter parade around a backyard with heavy chains holding a signboard that read “I am a liar and a theif” (sic) around her neck.
Rondal Floyd Hale, 60, was sentenced by Judge Michael Allen to 15 years state prison followed by 15 years probation upon his conviction of four counts of aggravated abuse of a disabled adult.
Law enforcement discovered on April 12, 2012, that the woman had been forced to wear the sign and repeatedly walk the perimeter of a backyard pool allegedly as punishment for “stealing” candy from the defendant’s collection of food he claimed was for the homeless.
The sign was made of two pieces of wet plywood, approximately 3-foot squared, being held around her neck with two heavy metal chains. Deputies asked the girl to kneel down and were able to remove the signs, which were estimated to weigh about 40 pounds. Due to the weight of the signs the chain had slightly embedded into the victim’s neck, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The woman had also suffered a lacerated scalp which had been stitched closed with a common sewing needle and thread. Further investigation into the woman’s treatment revealed that during the previous 12 months, she had been forced to stay outside 24 hours a day for days on in and deprived of adequate shelter, food and medical attention, according to the State Attorney’s Office.
Co-defendant Clinton Michael Carr has pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated abuse of a disabled adult and battery. He is scheduled to be sentenced on October 5, 2012. Co-defendant Deeann Marie Hale, the victim’s adoptive mother, remains set for trial.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
DCF: Drug Testing Public Assistance Recipients Makes Sense
September 14, 2012
The head of the state welfare agency is asking a court to throw out a challenge to the state law requiring drug testing of public assistance recipients, which could allow the program to restart.
Children and Families Secretary David Wilkins has filed a motion in U.S. District Court in Orlando seeking a summary judgment in favor of the agency in a case over the legality of the drug testing program. The testing is on hold following a lower court judge’s decision last year in favor of the man challenging the law, Luis Lebron.
Lawmakers passed a measure requiring recipients of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families pass a drug test. Wilkins argues in the motion for summary judgment that the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program isn’t aimed at simply providing cash for participants, but at helping them find a job.
The program by statute is aimed at ending “the dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work and marriage,” Wilkins argues.Part of being ready for work would be being drug free, the agency argues.
“In short, TANF’s purpose is not merely to give money to those falling below a certain economic threshold—it is to ‘help move people from welfare to work,’” the motion says. “Any amount of drug use can interfere with obtaining and maintaining employment.”
By The News Service of Florida
Cross County: Jay, Northview, Ernest Ward, Central, East Hill
September 14, 2012
Jay, Central, Ernest Ward, East Hill Christian and Northview took part in a middle and high school cross country meeting Thursday afternoon at Northview.
In girls varsity, Jay took first, followed by Central and Northview. In varsity boys, Central took first followed by Northview in second. Among middle school girls, Jay took first with Ernest Ward Middle second.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Here are complete results:
Varsity Girl Teams
- 1st – Jay
- 2nd – Central
- 3rd- Northview
Top 3 Varsity Girls-
- Jessica Thornton 21:48 (Jay)
- Jorja Agrait 22:40 (Jay)
- Savannah Brown 23:06 (Jay)
Top 5 Jay Varsity Girls
- Jessica Thornton 21:48
- Jorja Agrait 22:40
- Savannah Brown 23:06
- Carsen Arrant 25:08
- Jenna Thornton 26:04
Top 5 Central Varsity Girls
- Beth Hopkins
- Beth Smith
- Erica Waters
- Brandi Bradley
- Kennedy Fuller
Top 5 Northview Varsity Girls
- Georgia Goetter 25:20
- Jazzlyn Franklin 28:18
- Zacarra Davis 28:38
- Bethany Reynolds 29:41
- Ashley Joiner 29:42
East Hill Christian Girls
- Teya Longuist 30:18
- Victoria Jones 30:24
- Olivia Jones 36:25
Middle School Girl Teams
- 1st – Jay 158 Points
- 2nd – Ernest Ward Middle School 164 Points
Top 5 Middle School Jay Girls
- Carly Sanders 30:25
- Ally Ashworth 30:47
- Brandy Jackson 32:02
- Haven Tagert 32:11
- Jennifer Lowry 32:56
Top 5 Ernest Ward Middle School Girls
- Victoria Amerson 34:00
- Lydia Smith 37:56
- Cailee Wilburn 37:57
- Lexxi Baggett 42:04
- Rebekah Amerson 44:56
Varsity Boys Teams
- 1st Central 34 Points
- 2nd Northview 71 Points
Top 3 Varsity Boys
- Micah Kemp 18:05 (Jay)
- Isaac McGahan 20:56 (Northview)
- Kyle Fuller 21:43 (Cental)
Top 5 Central Varsity Boys
- Kyle Fuller 21:43
- Keirer Boyett 23:05
- Morgan Givens 23:10
- Nick Pooley
- Lee Henning
Top 5 Northview Varsity Boys
- Isaac McGahan 20:56
- Joshua Borelli 24:50
- Jonathon Moretz 27:46
- Zachary Calloway 30:31
- Aaron Rausch 30:46
Jay Varsity Boys
- Micah Kemp 18:05
- Joey Belanger 24:21
- Mark Foley 24:26
- Austin Gonzalez 26:17
East Hill Varsity Boys
- Daniel Offord 21:48
- Devin Denney 25:59
Ernest Ward Middle School Boys
- Heath Sheldt 23:54
- Adrian King 26:02
- Logan Purvis 31:38
- Jimi Brooks 33:49
- Dawson Brown 34:57
Man Gets 30 Years For Drive-by
September 14, 2012
An Escambia County man was sentenced to 30 years in prison for a drive-by shooting earlier this year.
James Brazile, Jr. received the sentence after being convicted at trial of multiple counts of aggravated assault and discharging a firearm from a vehicle during a January 2012 drive-by.
On January 8, 2012, Brazile was in the passenger seat of a silver Pontiac Grand Prix traveling on Tomlinson Road in West Pensacola. Law enforcement had been called to the area to investigate suspicious activity associated with that vehicle. When they arrived, they located the vehicle in the distance and while approaching the vehicle, they saw the passenger’s arm extend out the window and fire multiple shots at four men standing in front of a house.
At that point, law enforcement officers initiated a pursuit with their lights and sirens activated. During the course of the chase, shots were fired from the defendant’s vehicle at the pursuing officers. Eventually the vehicle crashed and the defendant fled and was ultimately apprehended. Multiple firearms were recovered along the route where the defendant and driver fled.
Ready To Ride: Panhandle Equine Rescue Receives ASPCA Grant
September 14, 2012
Panhandle Equine Rescue in Cantonment has received a $1,500 grant from ASPCA to assist their efforts in preparing rescued horses to be ridden by their new owners.
“With the current economic downturn, more horses are in need of rescue than ever before,” said Diane Lowery, president and co-founder of Panhandle Equine Rescue. “Horseback riders are looking for a good, sound, riding horse for a reasonable price. Many people don’t realize that you can find that perfect horse by adopting one. With this grant money, we hope to help potential horse owners realize that these animals are ready to ride, and waiting for their forever home.”
The grant will allow three rescued horses with riding potential to start working with a natural horsemanship trainer, which will help them be safe for humans to handle and ride. Once training is complete, the rescue horse becomes more adoptable to those looking for a ‘ready to ride’ horse. Te grant will encourage riders to adopt rescue horses and allow PER to find permanent, loving homes for more rescue horses, according to the group.
The only horse rescue in Escambia County, Panhandle Equine Rescue was founded by a small group of concerned citizens and became incorporated on February 1, 2005 as a non-profit organization. Shortly thereafter, PER became authorized by the county court system to investigate reports of equines in trouble. PER’s mission is to “rescue, rehabilitate and provide adoption services for abused, neglected and abandoned equines”.
PER currently has two investigators to take reports about violations of state laws for the purpose of protecting animals or preventing any act of cruelty to animals. PER then investigates the reports and to verify if there is a problem or violation.
Once the investigator confirms a violation, PER works to educate owners to enable them to resolve the problem so they can take full responsibility for their horses. Many owners
voluntarily surrender their horses, some horses are seized by Panhandle Equine Rescue or PER is awarded custody in a civil case.
Panhandle Equine Rescue is run entirely by volunteers with no paid staff or board members. For more information, visit www.panhandleequinerescue.org.