Century Man Arrested Yet Again, Ordered Held Without Bond
October 7, 2012
A Century man with a lengthy arrest history was arrested again Friday morning, but this time he will remain behind bars.
Ronald Berlan Newton, 51, was charged with felony stalking — his third arrest in the past month.
Friday afternoon, Judge Gary Bergosh granted a request by the State Attorney’s Office to revoke Newton’s bond and hold him until a further court order is issued.
Newton was released from state prison on April 2 after serving a 22 month sentence for aggravated stalking, stalking and violation of an injunction against repeated violence charges. On September 12, Newton was released from jail on a $25,000 bond after allegedly attacking his brother with a steak knife.
While out on bond, Newton was arrested again for aggravated stalking one of the same victims from the 2009 case that sent him to prison.
In the latest case that landed Newton behind bars Friday morning, the victim reported that she found a Whitney Houston CD case on the windshield on her vehicle. Inside, she found $50 in cash along with a torn piece of paper with the name “Ronald Newton-Marcy Project”. The victim has a domestic violence injunction that stipulates Newton must stay at least 100 feet away from her vehicle. According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Newton’s fingerprints were on the CD case.
His arrests since 2007, according to court records, included a long list of charges that were dropped or dismissed including aggravated assault, criminal mischief, battery, lewd and lascivious behavior victim under 18, indecent exposure, disorderly conduct and contempt of court.
Portion Of Nine Mile Road To Be Closed This Week
October 7, 2012
Nine Mile Road will close late this week at the railroad crossing just east of Highway 29.
Nine Mile Road will be closed at the CSX railroad between Old Palafox and Chemstrand Road from 8 p.m. Friday, October 12 through 7 a.m. Monday, October 15. East and westbound traffic will be detoured using Chemstrand Road, East Ten Mile Road and Highway 29.
The work is part of a Nine Mile Road resurfacing project between Pine Cone Drive and the Escambia River Bridge. Panhandle Grading and Paving began work on the 8.4 mile project in June. Improvements include resurfacing the roadway, Americans with Disabilities Act and sidewalk upgrades, guardrail and safety improvements, minor drainage improvements and bridge joint repair.
Results And Photos: Third Annual Chief Challenge 5K Run/Walk
October 7, 2012
Over 100 runners and walkers took part in the third annual Chief Challenge 5K Saturday morning at Northview High School.
The overall fastest male for the second straight year was Northview’s Isaac McGahan with a time of 19:44. The fastest overall female runner was middle school student Savanna Brown from Jay at 23:39. There were 107 finishers in Saturday’s event, which was sponsored by Atmore Pepsi, Lee Veterinary Clinic, EREC, Living Water Fire Protection, Century Care Center, House of Prayer, Scott’s Pharmacy and Northescambia.com.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Chief Challenge 5K results were as follows:
Elementary Female
- Shelby Rice, Bratt
- Audrey Goetter, Walnut Hill Christian
Elementary Male
- Brandon Sheldt, Molino Park
- Ronnie Plenkers, Molino Park
- Keaton Brown, Bratt
Middle School Female
- Savanna Brown, Jay
- Victoria Amerson, Ernest Ward
- Lydia Smith, Ernest Ward
- Lexi Baggett, Ernest Ward
- Cailee Wilburn, Ernest Ward
- Ellie Amerson, Ernest Ward
Middle School Male
- Heath Sheldt, Ernest Ward
- Patton Goetter, Walnut Hill Christian
- Adrian King, Ernest Ward
- Aaron Dees, Ernest Ward
- Dawson Brown, Ernest Ward
- Logan Calloway, Ernest Ward
High School Female
- Georgia Goetter, Northview
- Natalie Goetter, Homeschool
- Zacarra Davis, Northview
- Ashley Joiner, Northview
- Jazzlyn Franklin, Northview
- Moriah McGahan, Northview
High School Male
- Isaac McGahan, Northview
- Joe Funk, Washington
- Trey Johnson, Northview
- Josh Borelli, Northview
- Dakota Craft, Northview
- Zach Calloway, Northview
Adult Female (Ages 18-29)
- Angela Thompson
- Brandy, White
- Amy Greshman
Adult Male (Ages 18-29)
- Aaron Thompson
- Jeffery Huber
- Thaddeus Jones
Adult Female (Ages 30-39)
- Kristy Gibson
- Melissa Ward
- Emily Tullis
Adult Male (Ages 30-39)
- Eric Johnson
- Chris Brown
- Kevin McGhee
Adul Female Master(Ages 40-55)
- Michelle Peebles
- Dale Ash
- Regina Hare
Adult Male Master(Ages 40-55)
- Alan Ash
- Keith Peebles & Ricky Hart
- Greg McGahan
Grandmaster Male (Ages 56+)
- Glenn Goetter
For a photo gallery, click here.
Other event supporters were Mr. & Mrs. Sharpless, Jay Sharpless, First National Bank, Audio Plus, Dr. G. West Dentistry, Photos by Mandie, Cash 4 Cans, Thirdreport.com, Mr. & Mrs. Borelli, Empowerment Tabernacle Christian Center, Christine Franklin, Eye Candy Photography, Vicki Godwin, Marion Cooper, Walnut Hill Fire Department and Officer Ronnie Gill. Northview supporters were the school’s cheerleaders, cross country, drum line, FBLA, FFA, NJROTC, volleyball, Mrs. Welch, Ms. Cathy and Ms. Kim.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Several Injured In Multiple Saturday Wrecks
October 7, 2012
Three different accidents in the North Escambia area on Saturday sent several people to area hospitals.
There were no serious injuries in an accident about 4:55 Saturday afternoon at Old Chemstrand Road and Highway 29. Three people were reported to be injured in the crash.
One person was injured and transported to Jay Hospital following a single vehicle crash Saturday afternoon on Highway 29 near Whirlpool Road.
And one person was injured in a single vehicle rollover accident Saturday night on Jacks Branch Road. The accident happened about 9:20 p.m. just north of Perdido Lake Road. The adult male driver of a Pontiac Grand Prix apparently lost control and overturned; his vehicle came to rest upright. He was trapped in the vehicle for a brief period while first responders worked to free him. He was airlifted by LifeFlight to a Pensacola hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
All of the accidents were investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details have not been released.
Pictured top and inset: One person was injured in this single vehicle rollover accident on Jacks Branch Road Saturday night. NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge. Pictured below: An accident just before 5 p.m. Saturday at Old Chemstrand Road and Highway 29 in Gonzalez. Reader submitted photo by Emily Gudell for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Teen Arrested For Pointing Laser At LifeFlight Helicopter
October 7, 2012
An Escambia County teen was arrested after he allegedly pointed a laser light at a landing LifeFlight helicopter.
Nicholas Padilla, 14, was charged with public order crimes – pointing a laser at a driver or pilot, a third degree felony.
Escambia Count Sheriff’s deputies working an attempted suicide were waiting for Lifeflight to land and transport the attempted suicide victim when the Lifelight crew informed them that they would have to abort their landing and circle the area due to someone pointing a laser at the helicopter. Once they were able to land safely, a member of the flight crew and a firefighter questioned neighbors about the laser and where it originated. The crew member was able to locate Padilla and the fire department stayed with him until deputies could arrive.
Deputies said Padilla admitted to pointing the laser at the helicopters and apologized for his actions.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Tate Freshmen Take Third In Volleyball Tourney
October 7, 2012
Thousands Attend Jay Peanut Festival
October 7, 2012
The annual Jay Peanut Festival attracted thousands to the Gabbert Farm Saturday and Sunday.
For more than 20 years, The Jay Peanut Festival at the Gabbert Farm has been a fall tradition on the Gulf Coast, showcasing the history, agriculture, food and fun of Santa Rosa County. What started as a chance for local kids and farmers to show off their best of the season has become an annual event covering 15 acres and drawing about 70,000 people to the Gabbert farm over two days.
The event included tours of the 1930s Farm Museum, food booths, dozens of arts and crafts vendors, pony rides, games and fun. The Jay Peanut Festival was also a chance to try all varieties of peanuts – boiled, green, fried, candied and more.
Jury Convicts Molino Pharmacy ‘Underwear’ Armed Robber
October 6, 2012
A Molino man accused that robbed a local pharmacy in 2010 while wearing underwear on his head was convicted Friday.
The jury trial of Joseph Daniel Flowers, now 58, got underway Wednesday on multiple charges including robbery with a firearm and several drug possession charges for the September 20, 2010, holdup of Scott’s Pharmacy on Highway 29.
Flowers robbed the pharmacy at gunpoint while wearing a blue bathrobe, slippers, yellow kitchen gloves and underwear on his head. He was still recognized by pharmacy employees as a longtime customer.
He will be sentenced in November by Circuit Judge Gary Bergosh.
The getaway car driver in the robbery, Krystal Lynn Collins, was previously found guilty of armed robbery with a firearm and a half dozen felony drug charges. She was sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Pictured top: Joseph Daniel Flowers is detained by an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office shortly after the robbery of Scott’s Pharmacy in Molino. Pictured below: Scott’s Pharmacy in Molino was robbed September 20, 2010. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Former Flomaton Police Chiefs Pleads In Century Unauthorized Arrest Case
October 6, 2012
The former Flomaton police chief arrested on a felony kidnapping charge has pleaded no contest to a lesser charge for making an unauthorized arrest across the state line in Century.
Geoffrey Ashley McGraw, 30, entered the no contest plea Thursday to a misdemeanor battery charge. Friday, Judge Michael Allen withheld adjudication again McGraw, and ordered him to pay $625 in court costs and $1,500 in restitution to victim Ronald Adam Barrow.
Prosecutors did not offer a sentence recommendation Friday in Escambia County Circuit Court. Instead, the prosecution pointed out that as a chief law enforcement officer, it was a “serious violation”, according to Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille. The sentence was left to the discretion of the court.
Escambia County (Ala.) District Attorney Steven Billy, Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff Grover Smith and Escambia County (Ala.) Chief Deputy Mike Lambert appeared in the Pensacola courtroom Friday, testifying as character witnesses on behalf of McGraw.
McGraw’s arrest stemmed from a joint operation by the Florida 1st Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
FDLE obtained the warrant for McGraw’s arrest for an August 14, 2011, incident in which Barrow was arrested by McGraw at a home on Old Flomaton Road in Century — 0.177 miles from the Alabama state line. The FDLE said McGraw, without jurisdiction,took Barrow into custody in Florida on an outstanding Escambia County (Ala.) failure to appear warrant in a misdemeanor case. Barrow was then transported back across the state line into Alabama.
McGraw was placed on leave by the Flomaton Town Council on February 27, 2012, and subsequently fired on March 12. Prior to being named the Flomaton police chief in January 2011, McGraw was a member of the 21st Judicial Drug Task Force.
McGraw will be able to retain his law enforcement certification under Alabama law.
Chiefs Destroy Jay In 1-1A District Opener (With Gallery)
October 6, 2012
The Northview Chiefs destroyed the Jay Royals 62-14 in the 1-1A district opener for both schools.
“I thought it was big that we were able to get a touchdown right before the half knowing that we would get the football first in the second half,” Northview head coach Sid Wheatley said. “And then the momentum was clearly in our favor.”
For a game action photo gallery, click here.
The Royals opened the scoring Friday night in Bratt with a 39-yard touchdown pass from Tate Upton to Hunter Dillashaw, 7-0 Royals. Northview tied it up with a four-yard touchdown dash from senior LaMikal Kyles, 7-7 headed into quarter two.
With 5:43 to go in the second quarter, Upton found Ashten Dennington with a 35-yard touchdown pass, 14-7 Royals. That was it on scoring from Jay, but the Chiefs were just getting the party started.
Neino Robinson returned the TD kickoff 60-yards, and with a good kick, the game was tied 14-14.
With 3:55 in the second, Kyles was in again with a 44-yard touchdown, 21-14. But that was not good enough for Kyles, who hit the end zone again from one yard out with 32 seconds in the half, 28-14 Northview.
By the third quarter, the Chiefs were on fire. Sophomore Ladarius Thomas scored on a two-yard run with 10:36 on the clock, 35-14. Northview’ Chad Smith recovered a quick off fumble by Jay’s Ricky Cofield setting up another Northview touchdown just 20 seconds later. Kevin Vaughn hit Neino Robinson with a 30-yard TD pass, 49-14.
With the mercy rule, the game went to a running clock, and the Chiefs, ranked fifth in the state, switched mostly to reserves.
Just to round out the third quarter, junior Daulton Tullis completed a 23-yard touchdown pass to Jaron Myles, 56-14 to end the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Thomas rounded out the scoring on a 31-yard touchdown run, 62-14 Chiefs.
“I thought the defense, particularly after the first two touchdowns, played extremely well,” Wheatley said. “And the offense — anytime they put up 62 points with reserves in as well, that’s good.”
The Chiefs (4-2, 1-0) are off next Friday night before traveling to district opponent Freeport on October 19. Freeport defeated Baker 41-34 Friday night, putting the Chiefs and Freeport in the district lead.
“Freeport is always very well coached,” Wheatley said. “Those guys play extremely hard. Some of them play 48 minutes without taking a single play off. We have to go there, and we know it’s always a tough place to win over there. So we’ve got to really prepare and use those two weeks to our benefit.”
The Royals will host Cottondale next Friday night for homecoming.
For a game action photo gallery, click here. A photo gallery will cheerleaders and bands from both schools will be published Sunday.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
