Escambia Man Gets 10 Year For Copper Thefts
September 11, 2012
An Escambia Count y man has been sentenced to a decade in state prison for stealing copper and aluminum from multiple businesses and churches.
Michael Edward Howard, Jr., was sentenced by Judge Terry Terrell to 10 years in prison to be followed by 30 years probation for multiple charges of burglary, grand theft and dealing in stolen property.
The State Attorney’s Office said Howard was part of a copper theft ring that, during the spring and summer of 2011, would steal from churches and businesses. They would dismantle the A/C units, taking the copper and aluminum parts to be sold at recycling centers. Howard’s fingerprints and DNA were found at several of the locations.
Damages to the churches and businesses exceeded $45,000, according to prosecutors.
JV Football: Escambia County Slips Past Northview (With Gallery)
September 11, 2012
The junior varsity Escambia County Blue Devils slipped past the JV Northview Chiefs Monday evening in Atmore, 8-6.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Blue Devils took an 8-0 lead in the first quarter, while the JV Chiefs answered in the second. Northview’s Isaiah Bivans was in for the touchdown on a pass from Keondre Lett.
The junior varsity Northview Chiefs will next host Baker at 6 p.m. on Thursday, September 20. The Blue Devils will host Faith Academy in Atmore on Monday, September 17 at 6 p.m.
Atmore Remembers 9/11
September 11, 2012
The Woodman of the World Lodge 1872 presented an American flag to the city of Atmore Tuesday morning to honor those who lost the lives on September 11, 2001. Pictured are Atmore Police Chief Jason Dean, Mayor Howard Shell and Samantha Bennett, Woodman of the World Lodge 1872 secretary. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Honors Area First Responders On 9/11
September 11, 2012
A breakfast Tuesday morning at the Little Escambia Baptist Church in Flomaton remembered 9/11 and honored first responders from Escambia counties in Alabama and Florida.
The Friendship Learning Lodge, a Flomaton preschool, recently made a sign for the nearby Friendship Volunteer Fire Department to thank them and all first responders on 9/11. The was presented to the department today. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Volleyball: Northview Beats Pensacola High; Tate Over Central
September 11, 2012
The Northview Lady Chiefs defeated Pensacola High School Monday in both varsity and junior varsity volleyball action.
Northview Varsity
The Northview’s varsity defeated PHS 23-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-21.
Misty Doran had seven aces and dozen kills, while Morgan Payne had nine kill. Danielle Steadham contributed five aces and three kills, and Shelley Mothershed had three aces, three kills and 15 assists. Lily Townson had nine assists.
Northview Junior Varsity
In junior varsity action, Northview beat PHS 25-11, 23-25, 15-8.
Kyndall Hall had six aces and four assists, and McKenzie Nasser had four kills. Shelby Nielsen added three aces and three kills for the JV Lady Chiefs.
The Northview Lady Chiefs will travel to Baker Tuesday.
Tate Varsity
The Tate Aggies defeated Central Monday night, 25-14, 25-15, 25-21.
Lauren Merts had 21 assists for the Lady Aggies, while Brooke White had eight kills. Brooke White added eight kills, six blocks and two assists.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Now Seven Confirmed West Nile Cases In Escambia County
September 11, 2012
Two additional human cases of West Nile Virus have been confirmed in Escambia County, bringing the total number of diagnosed West Nile Virus cases to seven for 2012.
“The risk of additional persons becoming infected with West Nile Virus from mosquito bites remains very high,” according to the Escambia County Health Department.
“One preventable risk factor is going outdoors, for even short periods of time, unprotected. Persons making short outdoor trips to put out the trash, get the mail, or use tobacco should take the same protective precautions as persons who spend longer periods of time outdoors,” said Dr. John Lanza, director of the Escambia Count Health Department.
Mosquitoes infected with West Nile Virus can bite and infect humans. About one in 150 people infected with WNV will develop serious illness. Symptoms of infection can range from mild to severe, including development of diseases such as meningitis or encephalitis. People with weakened immune systems and individuals over 50 may be at higher risk of the most severe form of the infection, according to the health department.
Teen Dead, One Injured After Being Hit By Deputy’s Cruiser
September 10, 2012
One teen pedestrian is dead and another injured after being struck by an Escambia County deputy’s cruiser early Monday morning in Pensacola.
Deputy Ty Brewton, 41, was westbound on Mobile Highway at the New Warrington Road overpass at 4:10 a.m. as two pedestrians were walking side-by-side in the inside westbound lane with their backs facing traffic, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Brewton “approaching the pedestrians from the rear was not able to recognize the pedestrians in the roadway in sufficient time to take evasive action,” according to a FHP report. The left front of his 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe collided with 16-year old Aaliyah S. Howard of Pensacola. She was pronounced deceased on the scene.
Louise Johnson, 16, was struck by the vehicle’s left side mirror; she was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital for minor injuries.
Brewton, who has been a deputy since 2006, was placed on paid administrative leave.
No charges were filed Monday morning in connection with the accident; the FHP said the crash is still under investigation.
Missing Children’s Day: Search Continues In North Escambia Case
September 10, 2012
A Tate High School student last seen 11 years ago in North Escambia was among those remembered Monday on the 14th annual Florida Missing Children’s Day.
Danielle Arion Bell, 14, was last seen at a party in September 2001 in the 500 block of Cedar Tree Lane, between Highway 29 and Highway 95A in Cantonment.
Witnesses told authorities that Bell left a party with a man that was in his mid-twenties at the time. Escambia County deputies later questioned that man and searched his home, but he was never charged in connection with the case.
During the summer of 2007, Alfredo Gomez Sanchez, Jr. was charged with providing law enforcement with false information about his whereabouts at the time Bell disappeared. He was not implicated in her disappearance.
In October 2010, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Unit served a search warrant at the home. As part of that search warrant, a septic tank behind the residence was 
pumped out, and dogs from Escambia County Search and Rescue were also used to search the area. Investigators said nothing was found, and they would not say what new information might have led to the search.
According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Danielle has a scar on her right forearm and blue eyes. She had brown hair at the time of her disappearance. She would now be 24 years old. Danielle, whose nickname was “Dani”, was a member of the Tate Aggies cheerleading squad. The popular teen enjoyed dancing and drawing.
Anyone with information about Bell is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (850) 436-9580 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Pictured top: Investigators pumped and searched a septic tank at this home on Cedar Tree Lane in Cantonment in October 2010 in the case of missing teen Danielle Arion Bell. Pictured below: A search and rescue K-9 team was also on site. Pictured bottom: A septic tank company employee prepares to pump a septic tank at the home. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Teen Charged After Hit And Run Pedestrian Death
September 10, 2012
A 16-year old is facing charges after a hit and run in a Santa Rosa County accident that claimed the life of a 20-year old pedestrian.
Ricky Shane Weldon was walking north in the center of the northbound lane of Farm Life Road about 8:15 Friday night when he was struck by a 1985 Ford F150 driven by Robert William Chapman, 16. Chapman then fled the scene, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Weldon was knocked into the southbound lane where he was struck by a southbound 2001 GMC Sierra driven by 21-year old Courtney Renee Fleming.
Champman turned himself in to the Santa Rosa Count Sheriff’s Office and the FHP about two hours later. He was charged with leaving the scene with death and transported to the Juvenile Justice Center in Pensacola.
The accident investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol is continuing.
Perdido Couple Dies In Bay Minette Murder Suicide
September 10, 2012
A Perdido, Ala., couple died a in murder-suicide Sunday morning in Bay Minette as their trailer burned in Nokomis, Ala.
The Bay Minette Police Department responded to a BP gas station at Highway 59 and I-65 at 8:25 Sunday morning. An investigation determined that 41-year old Linda Diane Milstid, working as the store clerk, pressed a panic alarm as she saw her husband approach. Mark Anthony Milstid, 41, entered the business with a sawed-off shotgun, shooting and killing Linda Milstid. He then shot himself.
Linda Milstid was pronounced dead on the scene. Mark Milstid was transported to North Baldwin Hospital where he later died.
Police said the couple had an ongoing domestic dispute.
As the shooting was happening at the gas station, the Nokomis (Ala.) Fire Department was dispatched to Coleman Road in Perdido where a trailer belonging to the Milstids was fully engulfed in flames.