Bank Robber Sentenced In Quarter Million Dollar Heist
December 5, 2012
A former teller who pleaded guilty to her role in a quarter million dollar bank holdup has been sentenced to prison.
Pamela Steele pleaded guilty to conspiracy for her part in the robbery of the Bank of Brewton in early 2012. She was sentenced to one year and one day in prison. Once released, she will remain on probation for three years. She was also ordered to pay $124,000 in restitution. Steele had faced a maximum prison sentence of 10 yers.
Her accomplice, 43-year old Robin Ann Godwin (pictured) of Century, has also entered a guilty plea in federal court to bank robbery. She faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine when she is sentenced early next year.
According to federal court documents, Godwin formulated a plan with bank teller Pamela Steele to rob the Bank of Brewton. On February 17, 2012, Godwin entered the Bank of Brewton wearing a blue poncho, a grey fedora, large sunglasses, black face paint, a black Afro wig and body padding. Godwin asked Steele about renting a safe deposit box, and Steele took Godwin into the bank vault.
Once inside the vault, Godwin pulled a large bag out from underneath her poncho and demanded that it be filled with cash. Steele then filled the bag with approximately $255,000 in cash, federal documents state. Steele did not put any bait bills or dye packs in the bag along with the cash. Godwin then fled the bank with the bag full of money.
Godwin was taken into custody April 12 as the FBI raided a small travel trailer located in a campground at 1300 Liahona Trail in Bluff Springs.
“We are executing a search warrant related to a recent bank robbery in Brewton,” James Stewart, a FBI supervisory senior resident agent, told NorthEscambia.com as agents worked to complete their operation.
Nearly a dozen FBI agents from field offices in Mobile and Pensacola spent a couple of hours searching the travel trailer in Bluff Springs Thursday night. Multiple containers of evidence, reportedly including at least part of the $255,000 — were removed by agents and placed into the back of a SUV. Some of the federal agents were wearing shirts identifying them as members of a “FBI Evidence Response Team”. Working undercover, they would not allow their photographs to be taken, by a NorthEscambia.com photographer.
Campground residents were inside neighboring travel trailers as FBI agents finished executing the search warrant. Even a couple of hours after federal agents arrived at the campground, some of the neighbors could be seen periodically peeking out of their doors and windows at the travel trailer in “Lot 2″, with it’s patio crowded with lawn chairs and outdoor decorations. Pink flamingo lawn ornaments and potted plants surrounded the patio — nothing making it look out of place for the quiet area just a few feet from the Escambia River.
Pictured bottom inset and below: FBI agents executed a search warrant related to a Brewton bank robbery at this travel trailer on Bluff Springs Road south of Century in April. FBI agents, who were just off camera, would not allow their photographs to be taken. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Century Refuses To Sign Off On Gas Tax Hike; OK With New Library Tax
December 4, 2012
The Town of Century is refusing to go along with a new four-cent gas tax increase for mass transit approved by the Escambia County Commission, but the town is willing to support a new county property tax dedicated to library funding.
The county has asked Century to sign off on an interlocal agreement that would allocate additional gas taxes collected in Century to the county for mass transit. Town officials contend the new tax is unfair to North Escambia residents and may force the three gas stations in Century to close as they force drivers choosing to purchase lower priced gasoline across the state line in Flomaton.
However, the refusal to play along with the county’s new gas tax, to some degree, really does not matter.
Interim Escambia County Administrator Larry Newsom and Amy Lovoy, the county’s budget chief, both told the Century Town Council Monday night that the county will still receive the additional gas tax proceeds collected in Century because Century will automatically be included if the tax is approved by Pensacola, the largest municipality in the county.
“It appears that if Pensacola adopts this (the gas tax), Century is in by default,” Newsom said.
However, Newsom said Escambia County is sympathetic to Century’s gas station situation, and the county is encouraging Century to lobby state lawmakers for legislation that would allow Century, a business Enterprise Zone, to skip collecting the extra tax.
The Century Town Council is, however, willing to support a new property tax as a dedicated funding source for the county’s library system. Countywide, the tax will generate an estimated $3.7 million for library operations.
Lovoy said the average Century residents would see a property tax increase of $1-7 for libraries.
Pictured top: Interim Escambia County Administrator Larry Newsom addresses the Century Town Council Monday night. Pictured below: Two of Century’s three gas stations at the intersection of East Highway 4 and Highway 29. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Toyz For Kidz Ride Saturday To Help Those In Need
December 4, 2012
Santa will have some very special helpers on Saturday as the LA Bikers roll across the area to make sure needy kids get a Christmas present.
The 12th Annual Toyz for Kidz Bike Ride will raise funds for the program and distribute toys to families in need.
The event begins at David’s Catfish on South Main Street in Atmore with registration from 9-10 a.m. The ride will begin at 10, and it will end back in Atmore with lunch and a prize drawing.
All proceeds go yo the LA Bikers Toyz for Kidz program. For more information, call (251) 747-7030. or (251) 294-0708.
ictured top: Santa Claus helps unwrap presents last year in Bratt from the LA Bikers Toyz for Kidz program. Pictured inset: Santa helps with a quick test drive on a new bicycle. Pictured below: Santa wheels into Bratt Elementary. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Area Football Players Honored With Challenger Awards
December 4, 2012
Several North Escambia area high school football players were among those honored Monday night at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ Challenger Award Banquet.
Area Challenger Award recipients included Logan Weber from Northview, Tanner Robertson from Tate, Kyle Harrison from West Florida and Jeremy Gibbs from Jay. One Challenger Award is presented per team, chosen by a secret ballot with all players voting. The player must exemplify Christian values, sportsmanship and academic achievement.
The 43rd annual event, held at the Pensacola Civic Center, hosted members of football teams from across South Alabama and Northwest Florida. Guest speaker was former Cleveland Browns running back William Green.
Pictured top: Challenger Award winner Jeremy Gibbs from Jay High School. Pictured inset: Former Cleveland Browns running back William Green addresses the FCA banquet Monday night at the Pensacola Civic Center. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Additional Human West Nile Virus Case Confirmed In Escambia County
December 4, 2012
One additional human case of the West Nile virus has been confirmed in Escambia County, and the health department is continuing a mosquito-borne illness alert
The identification of this new case brings the total number of diagnosed West Nile cases to 13 this year. There is still some risk that additional persons could become infected with West Nile from mosquito bites, according to the Escambia County Health Department.
Mosquitoes infected with Wwest 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.
The abnormally high number of confirmed cases reaffirms the increased risk of contracting West Nile for everyone in Escambia County, the health department said. Since most people who contract the disease have mild or no symptoms, there are most likely numerous undiagnosed cases throughout the area. All Escambia County residents and visitors should take precautions to limit their exposure to mosquitoes.
“With the continuation of the recent cooler fall weather, we expect less mosquito activity in our area and anticipate diagnosing fewer new cases of West Nile Virus in Escambia County, Florida. However, residents should continue to take precautions against mosquito bites until the alert is lifted for the county,” said Dr. John Lanza, Escambia County Health Department Director.
Two Men Wanted After Convenience Store Shooting
December 4, 2012
Authorities are searching for two suspects following a shooting Monday afternoon outside an Escambia County store.
Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies said the suspects approached the victim and a witness outside the Save A Penny store on W Street about 1:50 p.m., shooting one of them. The gunshot victim was transported to an area hospital by private vehicle and was in unknown condition.
Deputies have identified the suspects as 25-year old Roderick T. Foster and 24-year old Deavis N. Saulsberry. Following the shooting, they fled on foot toward the Oakwood Terrace Apartments. Investigators said the incident was narcotics related.
Foster and Saulsberry should be considered armed and dangerous, deputies said. Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Tate, Ransom Band Students Perform With The Dallas Brass
December 4, 2012
The internationally acclaimed Dallas Brass performed Monday night at Hillcrest Baptist Church with band students from Tate High and Ransom Middle schools. The American Musical Journey concert included music from the time of George Washington to the present day.
The Dallas Brass has become one of America’s foremost musical ensembles. The ensemble has appeared with several major symphony orchestras nationwide, including performances at Carnegie Hall and the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington. They have played for presidents and their music has been used numerous times on national television.
Pictured: The Tate High and Ransom Middle School bands performed with the Dallas Brass Monday night at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Pensacola. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Scott On Colombian Trade Mission
December 4, 2012
Gov. Rick Scott on Monday began a trade mission to Florida’s second largest trading partner and planned a visit Tuesday with Colombian President Juan Manual Santos.
Trade between Florida and the South American nation amounted to more than $9 billion last year, with Florida exporting about $5.3 billion in goods and services and importing about $3.8 billion in Colombian items. Colombia is second only to Brazil as a Florida trading partner.
Colombian imports were up 20 percent in 2011 from the previous year, according to Enterprise Florida, the state’s economic development and trade organization. Exports rose more than 18 percent during the same period.
Among Florida’s leading exports to Colombia are telecommunications equipment, civilian aircraft parts, office machines, data processing equipment and fertilizer. Colombia in turn, is a major supplier of petroleum products, precious metals and, of course, coffee.
Given a new trade agreement between Colombia and the U.S., Florida’s proximity and ongoing improvements to Florida port facilities, Scott said in a statement Sunday that he hopes the Colombian ties will only strengthen.
“With the recent ratification of the Free Trade Agreements, I am convinced that Florida and Colombia’s growing relationship will expand even more,” Scott said.
Scott is leading an entourage of 190 government officials and representatives of 114 Florida companies. Scott is expected to meet with Colombian trade officials, U.S. Ambassador P. Michael McKinley and U.S. trade representatives. Scott is scheduled to return Wednesday.
Colombia is the latest stop in what has been an aggressive overseas marketing effort for Scott, who has also visited England, Spain, Israel, Brazil, Canada and Panama since he took office in 2010.
Scott had been scheduled to meet Monday with Santos, but the meeting was postponed.
By The News Service of Florida
Federal Health Care Law Touches Off Florida Brouhaha
December 4, 2012
The first meeting of a Senate select committee on the federal Affordable Care Act turned raucous Monday, with a group of speakers saying the state should not carry out the law — and jeering Senate Minority Leader Chris Smith after he defended the role of the federal government.
Members of the group, including “tea-party” activists, said the law known as “Obamacare” is an unconstitutional overreach by Washington. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld most of the law in June, which has led to state lawmakers considering whether to carry out portions such as an expansion of Medicaid eligibility and creation of a health-insurance exchange.
KrisAnne Hall, a north Florida lawyer who was a chief spokeswoman for the group, described the federal law as a “trainwreck.”
“You have to stand now in defense of the constitution, in honor of your oath,” she told members of the Senate Select Committee on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
But a short time later, Smith, a Fort Lauderdale Democrat, offered a different view of the federal government’s role, saying, “It’s hard to sit here and be silent and listen to some of this.”
Smith said, for example, the federal government had to play a large role in the past on issues such as integrating schools. Also, he pointed to part of the U.S. Constitution that originally treated black people as less than white people for representation purposes.
“The federal government had to step in because our constitution is an imperfect document,” Smith said, drawing boos from the health-law opponents. “If it was perfect, you would not have amendments to it.”
Committee Chairman Joe Negron, R-Stuart, tried to stem the booing.
“I would ask everyone, show courteousness and decorum,” Negron said.
Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, formed the select committee to make recommendations about issues confronting the state, as major pieces of the federal health law get ready to take effect in January 2014. Florida Republican leaders fought the law in the courts and politically for more than two years, but now are grappling with the realization that the Affordable Care Act likely will take full effect after the Supreme Court decision and President Obama’s re-election in November.
Negron said he is not sure when the committee will make recommendations and that Monday’s meeting was largely about starting to gather information. He said his priorities include protecting individual choice in health-care matters, limiting regulations on businesses that are subject to the law and promoting competition and value as Floridians make decisions about buying coverage.
One important piece of the law — increasing payments to primary-care physicians who treat Medicaid patients — appears likely to take effect Jan. 1. The federal government would pay the full cost of the increase in 2013 and 2014, though Florida would have to pick up part of the tab in later years if it decides to keep the increase in place.
The health law requires the physician-payment increase, and Negron said lawmakers are looking at how the increase can take effect Jan. 1 without the Legislature having to act on it. The increase would reimburse physicians at rates paid in the Medicare program, which are higher than the rates paid by Florida Medicaid.
But the more-contentious issues center on whether to expand Medicaid eligibility to include more Floridians and whether to set up a state health-insurance exchange, a type of online marketplace that federal officials see as an important part of trying to help people get coverage. If Florida does not set up an exchange, the Obama administration will do it for the state — though Florida also could enter into a partnership with the federal government.
Another issue facing lawmakers is whether the state will offer health coverage to employees who work in what are considered temporary positions. Some workers stay in the jobs — known as “other personal services” jobs — for long periods of time. Under the law, the state could be forced to pay financial penalties if it doesn’t offer coverage to them.
Members of the committee listened to the staff presentations on such issues Monday and gave little indication about how they want to move forward. But Sen. Eleanor Sobel, D-Hollywood, said Florida has one of the highest rates of uninsured people in the country, which she said needs to be “reckoned with.”
“We have to abide by the law and do what’s best for the people of Florida in terms of their health care,” Sobel said.
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
Library Branches Extend Hours After Funding Reprieve
December 3, 2012
After funding problems were ironed out for the West Florida Library, the library hours are being extended at all branches except the Main Library.
Escambia County provides about 70 percent of the funding for the library system, while the City of Pensacola acts as library administrator. With the passage of a fiscal year 2012-2013 budget, Escambia County cut their library contribution by 5-percent or $165,000 from the previous year.
The West Florida Library responded by cutting operational hours by one-third, reducing part-time employees by 30 percent, subscriptions by 15 percent and book purchases by 85 percent. The new Molino Branch, now set to early next year, was set to be staffed by personnel from the Century Library, while the Century Library had hours cut by 40 percent.
Escambia County responded by cutting their contribution to the library system even further to allow the county to keep branches in the county — including Century and Molino — open the same number hours as those in Pensacola.
The City of Pensacola was then able to find $355,000 in its budget for the library system for this fiscal year, allowing hours to be restored.
“We are proud that our city and county leaders were able to find funding in support of the library.” said Darlene Howell, acting library administrator. “WFPL is committed to inspiring lifelong learning, advancing knowledge, and strengthening our community. Our new extended hours will allow us to fulfill this mission.”
In the future, the city and the county are set to consider a MSTU — a tax dedicated to funding the library system.
New library hours by location are as follows:
WFPL CENTURY BRANCH LIBRARY — 7991 N. Century Boulevard
Sunday CLOSED
Monday CLOSED
Tuesday 12pm – 8pm
Wednesday 10am – 6pm
Thursday 12pm – 8pm
Friday 10am – 6pm
Saturday 10am – 6pm
MOLINO BRANCH LIBRARY — 6450 Highway 95A
(Opening Early 2013)
Sunday CLOSED
Monday 10am – 8pm
Tuesday 10am – 8pm
Wednesday 10am – 8pm
Thursday 10am – 8pm
Friday 10am – 4pm
Saturday 10am – 4pm
MAIN LIBRARY — 200 W. Gregory Street
*Due to construction, Main Library hours will be effective January 2013
Sunday 12pm – 4pm
Monday 10am – 8pm
Tuesday 10am – 8pm
Wednesday 10am – 8pm
Thursday 10am – 8pm
Friday 10am – 4pm
Saturday 10am – 4pm
TRYON BRANCH LIBRARY — 1200 Langley Avenue
Sunday CLOSED
Monday 10am – 8pm
Tuesday 10am – 8pm
Wednesday 10am – 8pm
Thursday 10am – 8pm
Friday 10am – 4pm
Saturday 10am – 4pm
WFPL SOUTHWEST BRANCH LIBRARY — 12248 Gulf Beach Highway
Sunday CLOSED
Monday 10am – 8pm
Tuesday 10am – 8pm
Wednesday 10am – 8pm
Thursday 10am – 8pm
Friday 10am – 4pm
Saturday 10am – 4pm
WESTSIDE BRANCH LIBRARY — 1580 W. Cervantes Street
Sunday CLOSED
Monday 10am – 8pm
Tuesday 10am – 8pm
Wednesday 10am – 8pm
Thursday 10am – 8pm
Friday 10am – 4pm
Saturday 10am – 4pm
WFPL GENEALOGY BRANCH LIBRARY / 5740 North 9th Avenue / Pensacola, FL 32504
Sunday CLOSED
Monday CLOSED
Tuesday 10am – 6pm
Wednesday 10am – 6pm
Thursday 10am – 6pm
Friday 10am – 6pm
Saturday 10am – 6pm