Molino Man Sentenced To 15 Years For Burglary, Grand Theft
November 10, 2012
A Molino man has been sentenced to 15 years in station prison as a habitual felony offender on charges including burglary and grand theft.
Troy Edward Massey, 48, of Barth Lane, was convicted by an Escambia County jury of burglary of a dwelling, grand theft, resisting an officer without violence and criminal mischief.
He was arrested in September 2011 after brief manhunt and foot chase following a burglary on Fairway Drive in Pensacola. A man and wife came home to discover Massey in their apartment, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report. He fled on foot, leaving behind two suitcases that he had packed full of silver platters, silver utensils, silver drinking cups, a fur coat, currency and a gold bracelet. He had also allegedly packed another bag with a .22 caliber rifle and 13 bottles of alcohol.
At the time of his arrest for the Pensacola burglary, Massey had outstanding warrants for home invasion robbery, aggravated assault and petty theft.
On August 20, deputies responded to Bamer Holley Lane in Molino where a resident reported Massey barged into her home armed with a paring knife just after 10 p.m., yelling “You have to hide me” and “You have to save me”. The resident reported Massey looked through her cabinets and purse before fleeing on foot. A short time later on nearby Brickyard Road, another resident reported a person matching Massey’s description had attempted to enter their home while saying that he was being followed.
Earlier this year, Massey was convicted of aggravated assault in connection with the Molino incident and sentenced to 14.4 months in prison with credit for 249 days served.
Massey previously served prison time in Florida for offenses including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, child abuse, trafficking in stolen property, grand theft and providing false information to a pawnbroker, according to Department of Corrections records.
FHP To Target Tickets For Aggressive Drivers
November 10, 2012
Beginning Monday, the Florida Highway Patrol will kick off a campaign targeting aggressive cars and trucks.
The program, called TACT or Ticketing Aggressive Cars and Trucks, is aimed at reducing commercial motor vehicle related crashes, injuries and fatalities by combining outreach and education with targeted enforcement activities to raise awareness among car and truck drivers about safe driving behaviors.
“The Florida Highway Patrol is committed to reducing the number of commercial vehicle related crashes,” said Col. David Brierton, director of the Florida Highway Patrol. “Crash reduction can be achieved if we all share the highway with each other and avoid aggressive driving behaviors.”
Troopers will be on the lookout for violations attributed to aggressive driving such as following too closely,unsafe lane change and speeding.
“Safety on Florida‘s roadways is a cooperative effort by cars and trucks alike. As an industry, safety is at the top of our minds—it matters above all else,” said Florida Trucking Association President and CEO, Mary Lou Rajchel. “We are pleased with the opportunity to take our No Zone message about safe driving behaviors around big rigs on the road with the Florida Highway Patrol. Pairing the big trucks equal big blind spots message with the opportunity to see what our drivers see‘ through community education is a unique approach that we believe
will promote responsible driving for everyone.”
Court Upholds Convictions In Billings Murders
November 10, 2012
The First District Court of Appeals has upheld the conviction and life sentence of Donnie Ray Stallworth, Jr. for the first degree murder of Byrd and Melanie Billings in July 2009.
At the time of the murders, Stallworth was assigned to the 1st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Hurlburt Field. The 1999 T.R. Miller High School graduate is a Brewton native
Previously, the court affirmed the conviction and sentence imposed against Wayne Coldiron for his involvement in the Billings murders.
The Florida Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments in an appeal by Leonard Patrick Gonzalez, Jr. on December 5. He was sentenced to death as the mastermind behind the plan kill the Beulah couple at the their home.
Pictured: Donnie Ray Stallworth, Jr.
West Florida Downs Northview
November 10, 2012
Two state championship hopefuls met Friday night in Bratt, with the Northview Chiefs, ranked No. 4 in the state in 1A, more than holding their own against a much larger West Florida, ranked No. 4 in Florida in 5A. In the end, the Jaguars prevailed, 41-28.
“We had a couple of early turnovers that really hurt us,” said Northview head coach Sid Wheatley. “But basically from that point on basically every time we scored with good ball control, running the clock offense.”
“Two good football teams played tonight,” Wheatley said after the loss. “I thought out kids fought hard tonight.”
Click here for a photo gallery. (Cheerleader and dance team photos will be published Sunday, along with Northview Senior Night pictures. Band photos will be published Monday.)
The Jags took an early 7-0 lead with 9:53 to go in the first on a one-yard run from Joey Baker. Northview tied it up in with 7:41 in the second on a three yard touchdown run from La’Mikal Kyles, 7-7. Baker added another touchdown run with 5:29 in the second, and it was 14-7 at the half.
West Florida scored again with 9:31 to go in the third on a 27-yard pass from Baker to Daylan Abrams, 21-7.
But Northview wasn’t going down without a fight. Brannon Freeman scored on a 10-yard touchdown run for the Chiefs, 21-14 with 7:07 in the third. About five minutes later, a two-yard touchdown from Kyles tied it up 21-21.
West Florida pulled ahead less than a minute later with a 46-yard touchdown from Chris Mitchell on a pass from Baker, 28-21 headed into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth, Kyles scored again on a two yard run with 10:08 to go, 28-28. West Florida scored again on a one-yard run from Baker and a 23-yard run by AJ McMillion for a 41-28 final.
Kyles had 161 yards and three touchdowns for the Chiefs.
Both teams head into round one of the state playoffs next week. The Northview Chiefs, District 1-1A champions, will be at home against District 2-1A runner-up Cottondale. West Florida (10-0), the District 1-5A champs, will host District 2-5A runner-up Tallahassee Godby.
“I know Cottondale has some good athletes that are going to come over here and play real hard. So we are going to go work early Monday morning and go full blast on Cottondale,” Wheatley said. “We will be fully focused on Cottondale next week.”
Click here for a photo gallery. (Band, cheerleader and dance team photos will be published Sunday, along with Northview Senior Night pictures.)
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Prep Football Scores
November 10, 2012
Here is a look at Friday night’s area prep football final scores.
FLORIDA
- West Florida 41, Northview 28 [Read more, photos...]
- Jay 50, Munroe 22 [Read more, photos...]
- Catholic 41, Washington 3
- Navarre 28, Gulf Breeze 14
- Wakulla 24, Escambia 8
- Open — Tate, Pace, PHS, Milton
ALABAMA PLAYOFFS
- T.R. Miller 55 Abbeville 20
- W.S. Neal 66 Slocomb 24
Jay Ends Season With 50-22 Win Over Munroe
November 10, 2012
The Jay Royals ended their season on a high note Friday night, beating the Munroe Bobcats of Quincy 50-22.
For the Royals, Brandon Cross had touchdowns of 25 and a yard, while Brandon Boutwell had couple of TD’s including a four-yarder.. Hunter Dillashaw also had a couple of touchdowns, one 50-yard kickoff return and one an 80-yard punt return. Ricky Cofield also had a Royal touchdown, a 59-yarder early in the first quarter.
The Royals ended the season at 4-6.
Photos by Michele Gibbs for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Pushes Gas Tax Hike To Fund Public Transit
November 9, 2012
Escambia County residents may pay more at the pump in order to fund the ECAT bus system.
The Escambia County Commission voted 4-0, with Commissioner Kevin White absent, to schedule a public hearing next week on a 4-cent per gallon increase to the county gas tax.
The item was not on the planned agenda for the commission’s Thursday morning meeting, but it was brought forward by outgoing Commissioner Marie Young, who did not seek re-election.
Commissioners recognized that they were purposefully considering the gas tax increase just hours before two new commissioners — Steven Barry in District 5 and Lumon May in District 3 — are sworn into office on November 20. Commissioner Wilson Robertson.
If approved, the increased gas tax is expected to net the county about $4 million when it takes effect no earlier than January 2014. It currently costs the county about $3.2 million to fund the Escambia County Area Transit System, plus about $3.7 million from grants from the state and federal governments.
Escambia County currently collects 10-cents in tax per gallon — a direct 7-cent levy plus a 3-cent levy collected by the state and returned to the county.
The public hearing on the proposed gas tax increase is set for Monday, November 19 at 10:30 a.m.
Pictured: Gas prices in Davisville. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Atmore Man Gets 20 Years For Century Shotgun Shooting
November 9, 2012
A 56-year old man will spend the next two decades behind bars for shooting another man as he ran across busy North Century Boulevard last December.
Willie James Floyd of Atmore was charged with attempted first degree murder, but last month it took a jury just over four hours to find him guilty of the lesser charge of aggravated battery using a deadly weapon. Thursday, he was sentenced to a 20 year minimum mandatory prison term by Judge Michael Allen.
Floyd shot 30-year old Deririck Medlock of Hoover, Ala., December 6, 2011, as he ran across the 8100 block of North Century Boulevard.
Medlock told deputies he was traveling north on North Century Boulevard (Hwy. 29) about 3:50 p.m. when a white four-door vehicle swerved in front of him, cutting him off. Medlock said he pulled into the Century Quick Stop at 8130 North Century Boulevard to calm down after the near-accident.
Medlock said he was outside his vehicle talking on his cellphone when Floyd then pulled into the parking lot and confronted the him, according to an arrest report. Floyd then retrieved a shotgun from his car and fired into Medlock’s car, striking it with birdshot at the roof line above the rear passenger door (pictured left).
The victim then ran across North Century Boulevard when Floyd fired again, striking the victim in the leg with birdshot. Birdshot was also lodged in his wallet in his back pants pocket. Medlock hid behind a tree across North Century Boulevard from the store, where he watched Floyd drive away. Medlock then drove to the Southern Panhandle Restaurant just north of the store and called 911. He was evaluated there by Escambia County EMS, and he refused transport to the hospital.
Other witnesses confirmed the details given by the victim, and at the shooting was captured on the store’s surveillance video.
For more photos from the scene, click here.
Pictured top: Deririck Medlock of Hoover, Ala., explains how an Atmore man shot him with shotgun December 6, 2011, in Century as Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Frank Way listens. Pictured inset: Damage to the victim’s car. Pictured below: The shooting incident began in this parking lot. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Search Continues For Woman Last Seen At Nine Mile Road Bar
November 9, 2012
Investigators are still looking for 55-year old Nancy Jean Craycraft of Pensacola who has been missing since October 19.
Craycraft was last seen at Chan’s Bar on Nine Mile Rd in the company of Archie Hauck, who has been interviewed, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Both the Escambia and Baldwin County sheriff’s offices are investigating her disappearance. Her car was found in Baldwin County two days after her disappearance.
Authorities and family members have not had any contact with Craycraft since before October 19 and are concerned about her safety.
Investigators and family have not had any contact with raycraft since before she went missing and are concerned about her safety.
Craycraft is described as a white female, 5-foot 4 inches, 110 pounds, with blondish-brown hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information about here whereabouts is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Ernest Ward Middle Honors Veterans (With Gallery)
November 9, 2012
An emotional program honored veterans Thursday morning at Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill.
Much of the program centered around the story of Albert Hunninghake of Walnut Hill. Appearing in a video produced by the school, Hunninghake provided a firsthand account of the attack on Pearl Harbor days after he enlisted in the Navy. He told of being stranded afloat in a life raft in the Pacific for 28 days, an ordeal he survived by thinking of being back on the family farm.
Hunninghake also watched nuclear tests at Bikini Atoll, and watched from a neighboring ship through long binoculars on September 2, 1945, as Japan surrendered aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay.
The program included a slideshow of students’ and faculty members’ family members that have served in the armed forces, along with music from the EWMS band and choir.
Each branch of the armed forces was recognized in a solemn hat ceremony as members of the Patriot Guard and the Northivew High School NJROTC stood at attention.
Many wiped tears from their eyes as the students prepared a small, white table with a place setting for one in front of an empty black chair. The ceremony represented the never-ending hope for the return of MIA soldiers.
The annual Veterans Day program at Ernest Ward is a longstanding community tradition, held annually for about the last 20 years.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: Seth Killam, Ian Schneider, Zach Sheldon, Mitchell Singleton and Triston Long take part in a hat ceremony honored the branches of the military Thursday morning at Ernest Ward Middle School. Pictured top inset: Scores of local veterans attended the program. Pictured bottom inset: A table set during a ceremony to remember MIA soldiers. Pictured below: The Ernest Ward choir performs a patriotic selection. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
