Flomaton Band Director Terminated For Gun On Campus
July 24, 2012
The Flomaton High School band director was terminated Monday for having a gun on the school campus last school year.
John Lambert was fired by the Escambia County (Ala.) School Board on a 5-1 vote, with board member Cindy Jackson voting against the termination recommendation by Superintendent Randall Little.
Last May, custodian Rita Folmar reported to school officials that she had found a handgun inside a closed bag in Lambert’s locked band room office. Lambert and the band were on a school sponsored trip to Atlanta at the time of the discovery.
Shortly after the gun was found, Lambert first submitted his resignation, but then rescinded it.
Lambert and Folmar were both placed on suspension with pay pending the outcome of the school district’s investigation. A hearing for Folmar was scheduled for Monday but was continued to a later date.
Past and present band members rallied behind Lambert, writing letters and organizing a Facebook movement in support of Lambert retaining his position.
Pictured: Former Flomaton High School Band Director John Lambert marches with the Hurricane Band in the 2011 Flomaton Christmas Parade. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Mother Gets 25 Years For Fire Deaths Of Three Atmore Children
July 23, 2012
One of the twin sisters from Atmore accused of murder after their three young children died home alone in a house fire last year is headed to prison.
Akeevia Lajoseia Abner entered a plea of guilty to three counts of reckless murder and was sentenced to 25 years on each count, to be served concurrently. She had asked the court for youthful offender status in the case, but her petition was denied. As an adult, she had faced up to life in prison on each count.
Her sister, Tekeevia Lajoseialan Abner, is still facing three reckless murder charges in the case.
The sisters were charged in connection with the deaths of 3-year olds Aniyia Abner and Takia Abner, and 22-month old Michael Coleman in house fire last November on 1st Street in Atmore.
A State Fire Marshal’s investigation determined the fire was caused by an unattended stove. Authorities say the mothers had left the children home alone while they were elsewhere in the neighborhood.
“They showed an extreme indifference to these children’s lives and created a grave risk of death to the children by leaving them home alone on November 2, 2011,” the Escambia County (Ala.) District Attorney’s Office said in a prepared statement following the arrests.
Two of the children were found dead in a hallway while the third was found in a bedroom. And prosecutors said that a mattress was blocking the living room door.
Forensics evidence determined that three young children died from smoke inhalation, authorities said.
Pictured top: Three young children were killed in an Atmore house fire in November 2011. Pictured below: This photo shows the oven door propped open inside the kitchen of a home were three children died in a house fire. Pictured below: The scene of the fire the night of November 2, 2011. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Final Candidates Set For Atmore City Elections, Longtime Mayor Out
July 23, 2012
The final field of candidates is set for Atmore’s city elections, and the candidates will explain their platforms at a political forum next week.
After a total of more than two decades in office, Mayor Howard Shell (pictured) won’t seek re-election. He was first elected to the Atmore City Council 1984 before being appointed mayor after the death of then-Mayor Patricia McKenzie. After winning the mayor’s race twice, he remained in office until being beaten in 1996 by Rodney Owens, an Atmore chiropractor. He returned to office in 2000 and is serving his third term since returning to office.
In District 4, incumbent John Garrard is not running for re-election, while in District 5, incumbent Jim Staff has tossed his name into the mayor’s race. In District 3, there are no challengers for incumbent Chris Walker.
Qualified candidates are as follows:
- Mayor — Lloyd Albritton, Bernard Bishop, Jim Staff
- District 1 – Webb Nall (incumbent), Chad Thrower
- District 2 – Cornell Torrence (incumbent), Thomas S. “Teddy” McNeal
- District 3 – Chris Walker (incumbent)
- District 4 – Larry Houck, Phil Johnson, Susan Smith
- District 5 – Gregg Akins, Michael Arnold, Sandra Gray, Chris Harrison
The Leadership Atmore Alumni Association, a non-partisan group, will hold a candidate forum on Thursday, August 2 at 5:30 p.m. at The Club, 1927 Highway 21 in Atmore.
Driver Flees After River Annex Crash
July 23, 2012
The driver of a pickup truck fled after a rollover accident Sunday evening near Cantonment.
The accident happened shortly after 6 p.m. on River Annex Road. The driver of the Ford pickup truck apparently lost control, struck several trees and overturned. The driver had fled the scene before first responders arrived on scene.
The Florida Highway Patrol and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the crash. The Cantonment and Beulah stations of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded.
Pictured: The driver of this pickup fled an accident scene Sunday afternoon on River Annex Road next Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Shooting Under Investigation
July 23, 2012
Pensacola Police are investigating after someone opened fire at a neighborhood football game under an I-110 overpass.
Lt. Steve Ordonia said a group of males were playing football about 6 p.m. near the intersection of Hayne and Hernandez streets. A 24-year-old male, who was with the group playing football, said another group of people was nearby and began arguing when someone in that group pulled out a gun and started firing.
The 24-year-old male was struck in the hand by a stray bullet and taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Additional details have not been released. Anyone having information on the incident is asked to contact the Pensacola Police Department at (850) 435-1900.
Accused Colorado Massacre Suspect Makes First Court Appearance
July 23, 2012
The man accused of killing 12 people and wounding 58 others in a Colorado movie theater made his first court appearance Monday, as investigators continue to piece together the events leading up to the shooting.
James Holmes, his hair dyed bright orange, appeared disoriented and unemotional in Monday’s appearance, staring at the floor or straight ahead as the judge told him there was probable cause to charge him with first-degree murder.
The judge then ordered that Holmes be held in detention until next Monday, when he is due back in court to be formally charged. The prosecutor’s office says it is considering pursuing the death penalty.
Holmes has been held in solitary confinement since police arrested him early Friday outside the theater in Aurora, Colorado, near Denver. Authorities say he is refusing to talk about what prompted him to open fire on a crowd watching the film The Dark Night Rises.
[VOA]
Pine Forest’s Brown Sets School Pole Vault Record
July 23, 2012
A Pine Forest High School senior set a new school pole volt record Saturday during a street competition in Mobile.
Kelly Brown set the record of 13.9 feet during the 1st Annual Dauphin St. Street Vault event.
“I am happy to be doing so well and would like to eventually surpass 15 feet before the end of this school year,’ said Brown, who hopes to earn a track scholarship to the University of South Alabama.
Over 70 athletes took part in Saturday’s pole vault event in downtown Mobile in front of a crowd of several hundred people.
Pictured top: Pine Forest’s Kelly Brown prepares for a pole vault jump Saturday during a pole vault event on Dauphin Street in Mobile. Pictured inset: Brown’s winning vault. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Deputy Shooting Suspect Arrested
July 23, 2012
A man wanted in connection with the July 11 shooting of an Escambia County deputy was arrested Sunday.
Antonio Emmanuel Moorer, age 27 of Pensacola, was taken into custody by the Pensacola Police Department following a traffic stop at “J” and Brainerd streets. He is charged with attempted first degree murder, vehicle theft and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to the Sheriff’s Office. He is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Deputy Ryan Robinson, 32, was shot as he worked in the Oakwood Terrace Apartments on Truman Avenue.
A shot was fired into Robinson’s stomach, but his bulletproof vest stopped the round. He was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital where he was treated and released.
The incident happened about 10:45 p.m. July 11 as three members of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Tactical Anti-Crime Unit, also known as TAC unit, were conducting “proactive police work” in the apartment complex. Deputy Robinson gave chase, and one of the men fired at him.
Deputies quickly surrounded one apartment and removed four people, one of which they believed to be the shooter. In the meantime, someone stole an unmarked TAC Unit vehicle that was found abandoned a short time later a few blocks away at the intersection of Coons and Norris avenues. A manhunt followed in the area for the suspect with numerous officers, K-9 units and the department’s helicopter.
The Sheriff’s Office said Moorer had fled the scene that night. But a warrant was issued for his arrest when the investigation concluded.
Pictured: The scene at the Oakwood Terrace Apartments on Truman Avenue off W Street after an officer was shot Wednesday night. Photo courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No Injuries In Herbicide Semi Truck Rollover
July 23, 2012
There were no injuries when an 18-wheeler hauling dry herbicide rolled over on I-10 near Scenic Highway about 1:30 a.m. Monday.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 31-year old Robert Maurice Kline of Ponchatoula, LA, was eastbound on I-10 when be began to fall asleep and lost control of the 2012 Peterbuilt semi. He veered onto the shoulder where the vehicle overturned.
Kline was not injured. He was citied for careless driving by the FHP.
An Escambia County Fire Rescue Hazmat team was called to the scene as a precaution.
Pictured above and below: There were no injuries when an 18-wheeler hauling dry herbicide rolled over on I-10 near Scenic Highway early Monday morning. Photos by Kevin Winingar for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Blue Wahoos Shut Out BayBears 1-0 To Take Series
July 23, 2012
Five Blue Wahoos pitchers combined to bewilder BayBears batters to just two hits, while right fielder Josh Fellhauer drove home shortstop Billy Hamilton from first in the eighth for the game’s only tally of the contest as Pensacola shut out Mobile 1-0 on Sunday afternoon at Hank Aaron Stadium in Mobile, Alabama.
The win improved the Fish’s second half record to 18-12 to guarantee at least a share of first place in the Southern League’s South Division with the Montgomery Biscuits. Mobile fell to 13-17 since the Southern League’s All-Star Break. The win gave the Blue Wahoos their ninth series victory in their last ten series dating back June 7-10 at Birmingham and their ninth shutout victory of the year.
Both teams were held scoreless until the eighth, when Pensacola plated the only score of the contest. Hamilton reached on an infield single, his third base knock of the contest, before coming around to score from first on Fellhauer’s double down the right field line.
After yielding just three hits last night, the Fish held BayBears batters to just two base hits in the series finale. Pensacola starter Wirfin Obispo (5.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 6 SO) allowed just three base runners, including only one hit while striking out six in his scoreless five frames in his second start of the year.
Blue Wahoos relievers Wilkin De La Rosa (0.1 IP, 1 BB, 1 SO), Drew Hayes (0.2 IP, 2 SO), Brian Pearl (1.0 IP, 1 H) and Curtis Partch followed Obispo by combining for the final scoreless innings. Pearl earned the victory to bump his record to 1-1 this year, while Partch notched his sixth save in as many opportunities by tossing the last two frames.
BayBears starter Derek Eitel (6.0 IP, 5 H, 1 BB, 3 SO) also did not factor in the decision after giving up five hits in his six scoreless frames, while LHP Eury De La Rosa (2.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 3-2 after allowing the game’s only run.
Mobile’s biggest threats to score came in the first and sixth frames, when the BayBears stranded a runner at third. CF Evan Fry led off with a walk and moved to third on a groundout, before RF Alfredo Marte was retired to end the frame. Fry again walked in the sixth and stole both second and third, but Hayes came on and struck out the next two hitters to end the potential peril.
Hamilton (3-4, 1 R, 1 2B) recorded a game-high three hits in the victory, while CF Ryan LaMarre (2-4) and 2B Brodie Greene (2-4) also collected multi-hit efforts in the win. Hamilton has now reached base in all 11 of his contests with Pensacola, tallying hits in all but two of those games, while Greene finished the four-game series with a .500 average (8-16) versus Mobile.
Following an off day Monday, the Blue Wahoos will return to action on Tuesday night to begin a five-game series with the Huntsville Stars, the Double-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at the bayfront stadium, with both teams’ starters not yet announced for the series opener.
Fans attending Tuesday night’s contest are asked to wear red to the ballpark in honor of Pensacola’s affiliation with the Cincinnati Reds. Several Reds top front office members are also expected to be attendance, including General Manager Walt Jocketty, while the Blue Wahoos will be wearing authentic Reds uniforms.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: Wirfin Obispo fanned six and allowed just one hit in his five solid frames Sunday. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.