Deputies Investigate As Bricks Are Thrown Through Windshields
July 10, 2012
Deputies are looking for the person or persons that have been throwing bricks into the windshields of vehicles in Escambia County.
The latest of six incidents occurred early Monday morning on Highway 297A at Pine Cone Drive, about a mile west of Pine Forest Road. The victim was traveling south on Highway 297A when someone threw a brick at his Jeep Grand Cherokee. The brick bounced off the hood and through his windshield, sending shattered glass all over the vehicle.
The man was not seriously injured. He drove to a nearby Circle K at Pine Forest and Nine Mile roads and called for help.
Anyone with information about the brick attacks is asked to call Escambia County Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Pictured: A brick attack early Monday morning is under investigation. A brick was thrown into this Jeep Grand Cherokee. Photos by WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Deputies Seek Suspect Known To Frequent Cantonment
July 10, 2012
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating a suspect known to frequent the Cantonment area.
Joseph Logan Banks is wanted for dealing in stolen property and obstruction of justice by tampering with, or harassing, a witness, according to the Sheriff’s Office. He often goes by his middle name “Logan”, deputies said.
Banks is six-feet tall and weighs 165 pounds.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Florida Takes Lead In Congressional Hearing On Crimes Against Homeless
July 10, 2012
Florida is both a model and a cautionary tale for other states grappling with violent crimes against homeless people, and on Tuesday it will play a lead role at a congressional hearing on the subject.
A model: Florida passed a law in 2010 making violence against the homeless a hate crime, including a corresponding increase in penalties. It was the second state to do so.
A cautionary tale: Florida led the nation in violence against homeless people last year and drew national headlines in late May because of the bizarre “face-eating” attack on a homeless man in Miami.
Broward Sheriff’s Capt. Rick Wierzbicki will testify Tuesday, urging the U.S. House of Representatives to adopt legislation to track assaults on the homeless nationwide. He and Broward Sheriff Al Lamberti, having overseen a series of gruesome crimes against homeless people in their jurisdiction, led the BSO in becoming the first Florida law enforcement agency to back protective legislation.
Among the crimes they oversaw was a 2006 cluster of attacks by teens using baseball bats. One assault was captured on video, and three of the teens were convicted. The skull of another victim, 45-year-old Norris Gaynor, a homeless veteran, was split as he slept on a park bench.
“Unfortunately, in Florida a lot of homeless like to live outside,” said Wierzbicki. “They’re much more vulnerable.”
As to the cannibalistic attack in May, the Broward Sheriff’s Office noted, “It seems the recent savage attack that left a Miami homeless man with his face disfigured may be the impetus for the renewed interest in curbing such violence on the national level.”
That may be, but most people see it as an isolated incident, said Tom Pierce, who heads the state Office of Homelessness at the Department of Children and Families.
Wierzbicki said he thinks violence against Florida’s homeless has lessened since the 2010 hate-crimes law, but both he and Pierce said the numbers of homeless people are vastly under-estimated – as are the crimes against them.
That’s partly because only residents of homeless shelters and identifiable street locations are counted by the federal government. People who are “doubled up” – living with relatives or friends – are not counted. Neither are those in the woods or other encampments.
So while the 2012 federal point-in-time survey showed 54,300 homeless Floridians, Pierce said, state school districts reported 56,000 homeless children for the 2010-2011 academic year. And where there are homeless children, he said, there are homeless parents.
Many are frightened of the authorities, which makes counting them – or helping them – more difficult.
“Homeless families with children make it difficult to find them,” said Pierce. “They’re fearful that the government will take their children away because they can’t support an environment for them.”
According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, one of the co-sponsors of Tuesday’s hearing, the numbers of homeless families and children are growing – to one in three of the total homeless population. Veterans make up more than one in 10 homeless people.
“We have no idea how many homeless people there are,” said Neil Donovan, the coalition’s executive director. “And you can’t dedicate resources appropriately when you are lacking information.”
That’s why Wierzbicki, who tracks national as well as Florida crimes, said a law to simply count the crimes is the first step in curbing them. In other states, he added, violence against the homeless is increasing.
“You read almost every day about a homeless person who was the victim of a homicide or a sexual battery,” he said. “We had one report where a person was degutted.”
Donovan said he doesn’t expect legislation to track violence against the homeless will result from Tuesday’s hearing. “If it passes, great,” he said. “But it’s a very difficult climate…Our goal is to make inroads at the state level.”
By The News Service of Florida
Blue Wahoos Win 6-3 For Seventh Straight Series
July 10, 2012
Blue Wahoos third baseman David Vidal homered for the second time in as many days, while starting pitcher Daniel Corcino earned his fourth consecutive victory at home as Pensacola topped the Mobile BayBears 6-3 to win their seventh straight series on Tuesday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
The win moves the Fish to a 12-7 record in the second half, and are assured of at least a tie at the top of the Southern League’s South Division, pending the outcome of Montgomery’s contest against Jackson tonight. The loss dropped Mobile to an 8-11 mark since the league’s All-Star Break. The team has now won each of their last seven series dating back to their four-game sweep of Birmingham between June 7-10.
The Blue Wahoos got the scoring started in the second inning with two early scores. 2B Brodie Greene led off the inning with a double to center and moved over the third on a groundout before coming home on C Tucker Barnhart’s run-scoring single to left-center to make it 1-0. Vidal drew a free pass in the frame before eventually being plated on a BayBears throwing error to push the advantage to two.
Pensacola would then bring home four additional tallies in the sixth to extend the margin to six. 1B Beau Mills and RF Josh Fellhauer each reached with a base hit prior to LF Bryson Smith’s RBI base knock to left. Vidal and Fellhauer subsequently scored on Vidal’s three-run shot to left-center, his fourth of the year and second in as many games.
Mobile would make things interesting in the seventh, narrowing their deficit to three. 3B Matt Davidson began the frame with a single and moved to second and third on back-to-back walks drawn by 1B Marc Krauss and 2B David Nick, before coming plateward on a groundout. Krauss would eventually score on a sacrifice fly to right by RF Wladimir Sutil, while Nick went home on C Rossmel Perez’s run-scoring infield single.
Fish starting pitcher Daniel Corcino (6.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO) earned the win victory to improve to 6-4 after yielding just two earned runs on three hits in his six frames, while closer Justin Freeman (2.1 IP, 3 SO) tossed the final 2.1 perfect frames to notch his eighth save. Mobile starter Derek Eitel (6.0 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO) suffered the defeat to fall to 6-7 after allowing six runs (five earned) on eight hits in six innings.
Pensacola has Tuesday off and will travel to Chattanooga for a three game series with the Lookouts, the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, with the opening contest scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET on Wednesday night. RHP Tim Crabbe is expected to take the mound for the Fish, while RHP Matt Magill is slated to toe the rubber for the Lookouts.
By Andrew Green
Pictured top: Daniel Corcino earned his fourth straight win at home in the Wahoos’ 6-3 win Monday. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Weather Radios Back After Lightning Strike, Weather Radar Still Down
July 10, 2012
NOAA weather radio service has returned after a lightning strike Monday at the National Weather Service Office in Mobile, but weather radarremains down.
All seven NOAA weather radio transmitters, including those that serve Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, were out of service for a day, leaving local citizens unable to rely on their weather radios for weather warnings.
The estimated time of repair for the weather radio system is unknown, and the NWS says the weather radar from Mobile (which is local radar for the Pensacola/Escambia County area) remains out of service until further notice.
Obama, Republicans Clash Over Tax Proposal
July 10, 2012
President Barack Obama on Monday called on Congress to approve a one year extension of Bush-era tax cuts for people making less than $250,000 per year, a proposal that has been rejected by congressional Republicans and likely Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney.
Obama’s challenge to Congress came as Republicans seek an extension of all cuts for middle and upper-income Americans made under Obama’s predecessor George W. Bush.
As Obama campaigns for reelection, he is emphasizing what he says are the benefits of his policies and fairness for the middle class – contrasting his proposals with those of former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.
Obama seeks to portray Romney as the protector of the wealthy who would enact $5 trillion of new tax cuts in addition to the Bush-era reductions that have been the subject of partisan debate with Congress for the past three years.
Saying the tax issue reflects the political stalemate in Washington and basic differences in vision for the country, Obama said his proposal would help strengthen the middle class.
“I am not proposing anything radical here. I just believe that anybody making over $250,000 a year should go back to the income tax rates we were paying under Bill Clinton – back when our economy created nearly 23 million new jobs, the biggest budget surplus in history and plenty of millionaires to boot,” Obama said.
In a compromise with congressional Republicans in 2010, Obama agreed to a two year extension of Bush-era tax cuts, but said he would not agree to another extension.
If Congress does not act before the end of this year, rates for all Americans will increase. Economists warn of a potential double punch to the economy from this and automatic mandatory spending cuts beginning at the same time.
Republicans rejected Obama’s proposal in advance. House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner said Obama is “doubling down” on tax increases that would harm small businesses. A Romney campaign statement accused Obama of responding to recent bad economic news with a “massive tax increase,” saying the president “doesn’t have a clue how to get America working again and help the middle class.”
The exchanges over tax policy follow recent government economic reports, showing unemployment remaining at 8.2 percent with only 80,000 jobs created in the month of June.
President Obama is facing opposition from some in his own Democratic Party, who advocate extending tax rate reductions for everyone earning up to $1 million a year.
The exchanges on taxes come as Obama and the Romney campaign further shape their positions on the economy with about four months until the presidential election.
Pictured: President Barack Obama delivers remarks on a tax proposal Monday at the White House. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
[VOA]
Fire Damages Atmore Home
July 9, 2012
Fire and smoke heavily damaged a home in Atmore Monday morning, displacing a family. It was the third house fire in Atmore within the past week, including a fire July 3 that killed a preteen girl.
Monday morning’s fire was reported just after 10 a.m. in the 100 block of Short Street, just off Jack Springs Road. The fire heavily damaged the interior of the concrete block home.
There was no immediate word of any injuries, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The Atmore, Poarch and Nokomis fire departments responded to the blaze.
Pictured top: Firefighters quickly extinguished a Monday morning blaze inside this Atmore home. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Wardens To Change This Week At Century Correctional Institution
July 9, 2012
There will be change in wardens at Century Correctional Institution this week, one of the North Escambia area’s largest employers.
Warden Ricard Comerford’s last day at Century CI will be Friday; he is being transferred by the Florida Department of Corrections to the warden position at Santa Rosa Correctional Institution in Milton.
John Whitehurst will be promoted from Walton Correctional Institution to the warden at Century CI, effective Friday.
“This move for me is advancement and will bring new and different challenges due to the size and missions of Santa Rosa CI. I leave with mixed emotions in that my family and I have grown to love Century and the surrounding area. This community has made us feel welcomed from the first day we were here, and we will leave a piece of us when we go,” Comerford said.
He has served as Century CI’s warden for 16 months.
Comerford said he has personally known Whitehurst for over 20 years, and he expects him to continue a tradition of positive leadership and Century Ci, as well as maintain community relationships with the prison’s work program. Under the program, Century CI inmate work crews assist local governmental agencies, including the the towns and cities of Century, Jay and Gulf Breeze, Santa Rosa County, the Florida Department of Transportation, and North Escambia area schools. In 2011, Century Work Camp staff and inmates performed over 52,000 hours of work, saving taxpayers about $800,000.
“I have been proud to serve with the great staff here at Century CI. They hold public safety in the highest regard, while at the same constantly giving back to others and the community. I am proud our work squads, partnerships, and programs have been able to give back to our schools, parks, and fellow agencies,” Comerford said. “It is a testament to the hard working men and women of Century CI and the Florida Department of Corrections.”
According to the Florida Department of Corrections, there are 394 people employed at Century CI.
Pictured top: Century Correctional Institution Warden Richard Comerford speaks at a recent GED graduation ceremony inside the prison’s chapel. Pictured inset and below: Views inside the Century Correctional Institution. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
NWE 16U Girls Win Babe Ruth State Championship
July 9, 2012
Northwest Escambia brought home the state title Sunday from the 16A State Babe Ruth Softball Tournament in Brewton — the first ever softball state championship for NWE.
NWE defeated Brewton 11-5 for the state championship Sunday afternoon. On the way to the state crown, NWE defeated Brewton Friday night 11-6 and knocked off Atmore 20-2 Saturday night.
Members of NWE’s 16u softball team are: Cheyenne Schoonover, Kristen Byrd, Courtney Peebles, Penny Banda, Addy Lee, Danielle Steadham , Kyndall Hall, Kendal Cobb, Liberty Peebles, Peyton Dortch; Ally Edwards, coachesJill Lee and Jarod Peebles, and manager is Ronald Peebles.
NWE 11, Brewton 5
Courtney Peebles pitched seven with five strikeouts while allowing one walk. Runs included: Byrd 2, L. Peebles 1, C.Peebles 1, Schoonover 1, Banda 1, Lee 1, Dortch 1, Cobb 1, Steadham 1 and Hall 1.
NWE 20, Atmore 2
Courtney Peebles pitched five innings with four strikeouts and two walks. Runs included: Steadham 3, Hall 3, Lee 3, Schoonover 3, Banda 2, Cobb 2, Peebles 2, Dortch 1, Byrd 1.
NWE 11, Brewton 6
Courtney Peebles allowed one walk in seven innings. Runs included: Byrd 3, Banda 2, C.Peebles 2, Lee 1, Steadham 1, Cobb 1, and Dortch 1.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Farmer’s Market In The Running For America’s Favorite
July 9, 2012
A Cantonment farmer’s market is in the running to be named one of the America’s Favorite Farmer’s Markets.
The Market at St. Monica’s is one of the contestants in the 2012 competition hosted by the American Farmland Trust. Winners will be featured on the food website Epicurious.com and will be honored at local celebrations with a prize package.
Market shoppers can cast their vote in support of their region’s farmers, community and market. To vote for The Market at St. Monica’s, click here and select the market. After voting, American Farmland Trust will solicit a donation to protect American farmland, but donations are not required to vote.
The Market at St. Monica’s is open on the first and third Saturdays of each month from 8 a.m. until noon with a variety of locally grown produce and other merchandise at St. Monica’s Episcopal Church at 699 County Road 95-A South in Cantonment.
The market will be open again on July 21.
For more photos, click to enlarge.
Pictured: Scenes from the last Market at St. Monica’s this past Saturday. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.