Murder Trial Delayed For Man Charged With Shooting Woman In Her Bedroom

June 26, 2012

Trial has been delayed for an Atmore man facing capital murder charges in Escambia County, Ala.

The jury trial of Cedric Jerome Floyd was expected to get underway this week, but a continuance has been granted in the case.

Floyd is accused of shooting Tina Roshell Jones, 43, inside her 5th Avenue residence in Atmore.  Jones called 911 at 12:46 Sunday morning, January 2 to report that Floyd was breaking into her home. Two minutes later, Atmore Police officers arrived and found Jones lying in the floor of the home with what appeared to be several gunshot wounds, according to Atmore Police. She was transported to Atmore Community Hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

“Witnesses at the scene said they were asleep, but were waken by Floyd demanding keys to a vehicle.  After several moments, Floyd fled the scene on foot,” said Jason Dean, Atmore Police chief, said shortly after the crime.

“While officers were at the residence, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from Cedric Jerome Floyd, 28 years of age,  the boyfriend of Jones, stating he wanted to turn himself in.  Deputies responded to Freemanville Drive where Floyd met officers.  Floyd was then taken into custody,” said Dean.

Police said Floyd made forcible entry into the home through Jones’ bedroom window in the rear of the home.

Tate Grad Jayce Boyd Signs With The NY Mets

June 26, 2012

Tate High School grad Jayce Boyd signed Monday evening with the New York Met’s Class A Brooklyn Cyclones.

Boyd, the sixth-round draft pick for the Mets, will receive a $150,000 bonus for the signing the contract at his family’s Cantonment home.

He is leaving the Florida State Seminoles early. For the Noles, he had a .349 career batting average, and a .395 this season.

Boyd was a four-sport star at Tate High School, playing four years of baseball and football, two years of basketball and a year of golf.  He is the son of David and Cyndi Boyd.

Photo Gallery: Tropical Storm Debby’s Surf At Pensacola Beach

June 26, 2012

Tropical Storm Debby pounded Pensacola Beach with heavy surf. For a photo gallery, click here.

Pictured: Pensacola Beach on Sunday as Tropical Story Debby churned in the Gulf of Mexico. Photos by DonaJean Heist for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.


Deputies Seek Burglary, Credit Card Fraud Suspect

June 26, 2012

Authorities are asking for the public’s help in identifying a woman that used a credit card stolen during a vehicle burglary.

The vehicle burglary happened May 18 in the parking lot of the Lowe’s on Highway 90 in Pace. The suspect stole the victim’s wallet, credit cards and an iPhone. The suspect then made purchases at a Raceway gas station on Pensacola Boulevard and a Shell Oil on W Street in Pensacola.

The suspect later attempted to use the victim’s debit card twice at Pen Air Credit Union in Pace, but the transactions were denied due to an improper PIN code.

The suspect’s vehicle was described as an older four-door car, unknown make or model.

Anyone with information about the identity of the suspect is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at (850) 437-STOP.

Chattanooga Edges Blue Wahoos 3-2 In Series Finale

June 26, 2012

Chattanooga right fielder Blake Smith blasted what turned out to the game-winning home run in the fourth and also threw out a pair of Blue Wahoos base runners at the plate in the seventh, while Pensacola right fielder Josh Fellhauer recorded four hits, as the Lookouts won the series finale 3-2 on Monday night at AT&T Field in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Despite the loss, the Fish won the series thanks to their 8-7 series-clinching victory on Sunday afternoon, though Monday’s defeat drops their overall record this year to an even 37-37. The victory improved Chattanooga to a 34-39 record overall in 2012 and also snapped Pensacola’s three-game winning streak.

Chattanooga started the scoring in the second frame, plating a tally without recording a hit. SS Jake Lemmerman drew a two-out walk and then advanced to second and third on free passes, before coming across on a wild pitch to give the Lookouts the early 1-0 lead.

The Blue Wahoos would counter in the fourth to draw the game even at 1-1, when 1B Beau Mills reached base on a single and then was brought home on an RBI double to center by C Brian Peacock. The home team however, would then grab the lead back in the following frame with the longball. After CF Nick Buss drew a base-on-balls, Smith subsequently homered over the right-center field wall for his eighth big fly of the year.

Pensacola then narrowed the margin to one in the seventh, though they were left desiring more in the frame. Peacock began the inning with a base knock, moved all the way to third on an error and tagged up on LF Andrew Means’ fly ball to right, but was thrown out at the plate by the right fielder Smith to keep the Fish off the board at that time.

Fellhauer would follow with a single and pinch hitter Stephen Hunt drew a free pass before a base hit by CF Ryan LaMarre loaded the bases for SS Didi Gregorius, who drove a single to right to score Fellhauer. Hunt also tried to score on the play, but Smith again foiled the Blue Wahoos by throwing out Hunt at home for his second outfield assist of the inning.

It was the second time this month Fellhauer (4-4, 1 R, 1 2B) recorded four hits in a game, while Peacock (2-4, 1 RBI) and LaMarre (2-5) also recorded multi-hit efforts in the victory. Peacock extended his hitting streak with the Blue Wahoos to nine straight games dating back to April 25, which has been paused and then continued twice due to stints with Triple-A Louisville.

Chattanooga reliever Wes Roemer (3.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 SO) earned the win after giving up just one earned run on three hits in his three frames, while Lookouts closer Steve Ames (1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 SO) notched his fifth save of the season. Pensacola starter J.C. Sulbaran (5.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 8 BB, 7 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 5-5 in 2012 after struggling with his command at times, yielding eight walks along with three earned runs on two hits, though he did fan seven in the defeat.

The Blue Wahoos now return to Pensacola to host the Jackson Generals, the Double-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, in their first homestand of the second half, with first pitch scheduled for 7:00 pm at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. The Generals are expected to send RHP Steve Garrison to the mound, while RHP Tim Crabbe is slated to toe the rubber for the Fish.

TS Debby: Gulf Power Crews To Help Restore Power In St. Pete

June 26, 2012

This morning, 69 Gulf Power personnel left Pensacola Tuesday for the St. Petersburg area to help restore power after Tropical Storm Debby. The 51 linemen and 18 support personnel will assist Progress Energy crews for up to a week. Afterwards, they may be moved to other areas as power is restored across Progress Energy’s service territory. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Cottage Hill Water Works Boil Water Notice Lifted

June 26, 2012

Effective immediately, the precautionary boil water notice (PBWN) issued for Cottage Hill Water Works Inc. customers in the Cottage Hill community residing on Cooley Road and the 1200 block, 1300 block and 1420 Phalrose, is no longer in effect.

Rick Scott Declares Statewide Emergency

June 25, 2012

Florida Gov. Rick Scott declared a statewide emergency Monday as Tropical Store Debby drenches portions of the state with heavy rains and knocked out power for thousands.

Debby is being blamed for at least two deaths — one person killed by a tornado in central Florida and a South Carolina that is believed to have drowned in heavy surf near Orange Beach, Alabama.

“Because of the broad impact of Tropical Storm Debby, virtually every county in Florida could be affected. Some communities are already grappling with flooding, wind damage and electrical outages,” Scott said. “This executive order allows the State Emergency Response Team to quickly and effectively coordinate the response and ensure needed resources are available.”

Photos: TS Debby Kicks Up Surf On Pensacola Beach

June 25, 2012

Tropical Storm Debby kicked up 11 foot swells on Pensacola Beach Sunday — great for the surfers but keeping everyone else out of the water.

To find out if the surfer above wows the crowd or wipes out, visit our Facebook page and become a Fan for a photo gallery.

NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.

Forbes Names Area One Of The Country’s Best Places To Retire

June 25, 2012

Forbes magazine has named the Pensacola area as one of the top 25 Best Places to Retire in the Nation.

The magazine cites the  area’s overall good weather, average home prices at $134,000, an above average number of doctors and cost of living as reasons to retire in around Pensacola. But the threat of hurricanes and high crime are listed as negatives for the area.

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