Death Sentence For 2010 Fatal Beating And Burning Of Escambia Woman
September 29, 2012
An Escambia County woman has been sentenced to death for the 2010 fatal beating and burning of a 19-year old woman.
Tina Lasonya Brown, 42, was convicted in June for the death of Audreanna Zimmerman, 19, in March 2010. Zimmerman was beaten and burned in an Ensley field; she died 16 days after the attack.
Judge Gary Bergosh sentenced Brown to death. In June, it took a jury only about an hour to return a first degree murder conviction against Brown and recommend the death penalty.
Brown’s 19-year old daughter, Britnee Miller, has also pleaded guilty to first degree murder and is awaiting sentencing. Miller was a minor at the time of the murder cannot be sentenced to life in prison under a recent ruling from the Supreme Court.
Heather Lee, another co-defendant, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for her part in Zimmerman’s murder.
Student On Bicycle Hit By Truck, Driver Flees
September 29, 2012
The Florida Highway Patrol is searching for a hit and run driver that struck a bicyclist Friday in Escambia County.
The FHP said a pickup was eastbound on Parazine Street near Ferry Pass Middle School when the driver struck the rear tire of a bicycle on the shoulder of the road. The 11-year old girl on the bicycle received minor injuries when the bicycle flipped and she was thrown off. She was treated and released at West Florida Hospital.
The pickup truck left the scene, according to troopers. The pickup was described as white or silver with chrome around the wheel well and a “Go Gator” bumper sticker on the upper portion of the tailgate.
Anyone with information on the vehicle is asked to call the Florida Highway Patrol at (850) 484-5000.
Jay Beats South Walton
September 29, 2012
The Jay Royals defeated the South Walton Seahawks Friday night, 29-6. The Royals will travel down Highway 4 next Friday night to take on the Northview Chiefs in Bratt in a district game. Submitted photos by Michelle Gibbs for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Vehicle Destroyed By Fire
September 28, 2012
Fire destroyed a vehicle on Highway 4 in Bratt Friday afternoon. The Toyota Camry was off the roadway near Still Road and fully involved when firefighters arrived. There were no injuries. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Rabid Raccoon Found Near Atmore
September 28, 2012
A raccoon in Escambia County, Ala., has tested positive for rabies.
The discovery of the rabid raccoon in Escambia County has prompted health department officials to warn area residents to have their pets immunized and to avoid handling wildlife and stray animals.
“Vaccination of domestic dogs and cats against rabies remains the best method of providing a protective buffer between wildlife rabies and humans. State law requires that dogs and cats three months of age and older be vaccinated for rabies annually,” said Environmentalist Jason Gurganus of the Escambia County (Ala.) Health Department.
The health department said rccoons, bats, foxes and skunks are most often responsible for transmitting the virus to domesticated animals and humans. The public should report any known or suspected exposure to wildlife to the Escambia County (Ala.) Health Department at (251) 368-9188.
Freshmen Football: Tate Aggies Shut Out The Pine Forest Eagles
September 28, 2012
In freshmen football action Thursday night, the Tate High School freshmen shut out the Pine Forest Eagles 12-0.
The freshmen Aggies cross the Bay to take on the Milton High Panthers next Thursday at 5:00 before their last home ame on October 18 against the Pace Patriots.
Photos by Hope Bonucchi for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECUA Approves Water, Sewer Rate Hike
September 28, 2012
ECUA has formally approved a 4.25 percent rate increase Thursday for water and sewer customers.
The average water and sewer customer will see an increase of $2.39 per month. The average customer with only water service from ECUA will pay an extra $1.08 per month. Average large commercial customers will see a rate increase of $17.23 per month.
Voting against the proposal were Dale Perkins and Lois Benson.
The rate increase was the final part of a three-year rate hike plan approved in 2010. Rates were originally set to increase 8 percent this year, but the ECUA board cut that hike nearly in half.
The increase, in part, will be used for infrastructure repairs and improvements.
The rate hike does not impact customers of smaller water companies in the North Escambia area, nor does it impact residents of the Town of Century.
State Farm Raising Rates
September 28, 2012
State Farm Florida received approval this week to increase property-insurance rates for homeowners by an average of 6.4 percent — though the increases are lower than the company wanted, according to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation.
The increases are expected to take effect in early 2013. State Farm sought an average 14.2 percent hike in homeowners’ rates. Regulators also approved a 6 percent increase in renters’ policies and a 5 percent decrease in condominium coverage.
Huckabee To Campaign For Romney In Escambia County
September 28, 2012
Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee will make a campaign stop in Pensacola Saturday on behalf of Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney.
The Romney-Ryan “Victory Meet and Greet” with Huckabee and the Republican team will be held at the Marcus Pointe Baptist Church at 6105 North W Street. Doors open at 4:30 p.m.; the event begins at 5 p.m.
Molino Shooting Suspect Appears In Court
September 28, 2012
A man accused of shooting at an occupied mobile home in Molino on August 22 was in court Thursday and pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
Sharrieff Amin Shabazz, age 19 of Molino, was charged with three counts of aggravated assault by threat with firearm, discharging a firearm in public, shooting into an occupied dwelling, possession of cocaine, and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription. He remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $71,000.
Thursday, judge Jan Shackelford set Shabazz’s jury trial to begin December 3.
The victim, 21-year old Kristi Gulsby, told deputies she was arguing with Shabazz over $6 he had loaned her about three months ago for cigarettes. Gulsby said she had paid him back twice.
Gulsby told deputies that Shabazz began cussing her out and screaming that he wanted his money. She said he then reached into his pants pocket and pulled a gun. As he began walking toward the road, Shabazz opened fire on the mobile home with Gulsby and her two juvenile children, one and four years old, nearby, an arrest report states.
No one was struck by the gunfire.
Shabazz was taken into custody a few hours after the shooting during a traffic stop at the intersection of Fairground Road and Jahaza Street in Molino. As the vehicle pulled over for Escambia County deputies, an ATF special agent working the case witnessed a silver handgun and two pill bottles being thrown out of the backseat, which was occupied by Shabazz. Deputies recovered a .380 caliber handgun outside the vehicle along with pill bottles containing 18 Lortab and cocaine. Inside the vehicle’s trunk, authorities reported finding marijuana in a Mason jar and plastic bags.
Pictured above and below: Gunfire rang out at this mobile home on Ayers Street in Molino August 22. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
