Bank Robbery Suspects Remain Behind Bars

April 14, 2012

Father and daughter bank robbery suspects — nabbed by federal agents in Bluff Springs and Brewton — remain behind bars this morning charged with a February 17 bank robbery in Brewton, Ala.

Robin Ann Godwin, age 42 of Century, was arrested by FBI agents Thursday night at a travel trailer on Bluff Springs Road just south of Century. She remains in the Escambia County, Fla., jail without bond as a fugitive from justice as she awaits extradition back to Alabama to face a first degree robbery charge.

As FBI agents arrested her in Florida, additional agents converged on a home on Pine Road in Escambia County, Ala. and arrested Norman Alvin Godwin, age 75, on charges of conspiracy to commit robbery and first degree robbery. He remains in the Escambia County (Ala.) Detention Center in Brewton with bond set at $90,000.

As they executed search warrants, FBI agents recovered evidence at a both locations, including cash allegedly taken during the Brewton robbery.

NorthEscambia.com was there Thursday night  in Bluff Springs as FBI agents searched the travel trailer of Robin Ann Godwin. For more on that search, click here for an earlier story.

A single suspect (pictured left) walked into the bank through a public boardwalk entrance at the rear of the building and demanded cash and fled out the same door. Authorities said at the time that they were not sure exactly how the bandit left the area following the robbery, but a few days later they said the bandit may have headed to Florida.

Pictured top and bottom: FBI agents executed a search warrant related to a Brewton bank robbery at this travel trailer on Bluff Springs Road south of Century Thursday night. FBI agents, who were just off camera, would not allow their photographs to be taken. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.

Tweedie Files For ECUA Seat

April 14, 2012

Republican Barry Tweedie has filed for the ECUA District 5 board seat currently held by Larry Walker.

Tweedie ran unsuccessfully for the office in 2000, 2004 and 2008. He has previously served on the ECUA Citizens Advisory Committee. Tweedie is a retired Navy flight officer.

Walker, a Republican, is seeking his sixth term on the ECUA board. He was first elected to the ECUA board in 1988 and served until he ran unsuccessfully for the Escambia County Commission in 2000. He has was re-elected to the ECUA board in 2004 and 2008.

Charlou Williams of Cantonment prefiled to seek the ECUA post in December.

No Injuries When Log Truck Overturns On Hwy 95A

April 14, 2012

There were no injuries when a log truck overturned Friday afternoon on Highway 95A just south of  Quintette Road. The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.

Six Homeless After Escambia Mobile Home Fire

April 14, 2012

Six people were left homeless after a mobile home fire in Ensley Friday night.

A double-wide mobile home near the intersection of Sonnyboy Lane and Action Street was reported to be nearly fully involved in flames when firefighters arrived about 11 p.m.. There were no injuries; no one was home at the time of the blaze.

The American Red Cross was called to provide temporary assistance to six people, ages 33, 13, 12, 9, 8 and 7.

The cause of the blaze is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Forestry Service: No Weekend Burning

April 14, 2012

Officials with Florida Forest Service’s Blackwater Forestry Center are preparing for what could be a busy weekend, and they are advising residents to a avoid outdoor burning.

Several weather factors contribute to fire potential – wind, humidity and fuel moisture being the key elements. Portions of our area will see high winds (15-20 mph) and moderate humidity (less than 50%) at some point over the next three days. Combine those factors with a lack of rainfall over the past week and there is a potential for increased fire activity both in terms of number of fire and intensity of fires that we might see, according to a Forestry Service news release.

In response, the Forest Service is ensuring proper staffing of strategic locations throughout Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties, restricting burn authorizations and will coordinate with key cooperating agencies throughout the weekend.

Residents are urged not to burn yard waste during periods of high winds and should follow local burn laws and restrictions

Deputy Runs Stop Sign, Hits Vehicle

April 14, 2012

Charges are pending after an Escambia County deputy ran a stop sign and ran into another vehicle Friday in Ensley.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Deputy Michael Carter was responding to a call in his marked patrol car when he ran a stop sign at the intersection of Ashland Avenue and Detroit Boulevard, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Carter’s patrol vehicle collided with a 2012 Mazda driven by 25-year old Andre Cook of Pensacola.

According to the FHP, Carter was distracted, checking his in-vehicle computer for call information and did not see the stop sign. His patrol car came to rest on its side in a drainage ditch.

There were no serious injuries reported by FHP.

Northview Baseball: Senior Night Versus W.S. Neal

April 14, 2012

The Northview Chiefs lost a close one to W.S. Neal Friday night in Bratt, 4-3.

It was Senior Night for the Chiefs, as they recognized senior players Zach Barrow, Tanner Brooks, Brian Ross, Jamie Gafford and Tyler Hester.

The Northview Chiefs will host Flomaton on Monday, with the junior varsity playing at 4:00 and the varsity at 6:00.

For a photo gallery from Friday night’s game, click here.

Pictured top: Northview seniors (L-R)  Zach Barrow, Tanner Brooks, Brian Ross, Jamie Gafford and Tyler Hester. Pictured inset: Action as Northview hosted W.S. Neal Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photos by Taylor Rigby, click to enlarge.

Sports: Tate, Northview Baseball; Northview, EA, Jay Softball

April 14, 2012

Here is a look at a prep baseball and softball action in the area Friday:

Milton 10 — Tate 5

Milton pounded out 14 hits including two home runs to beat the Tate Aggies Friday night, 10-5. With the loss, Tate fell to 19-3 overall. The next game for the Aggies is Thursday at West Florida.

Tate 6 — Milton 1 (JV)

Tate 3 — Milton 2 (Freshmen)

W.S. Neal 4 — Northview 3

For details of W.S. Neal at Northview and photos, click here.

SOFTBALL

Northview 6 — Escambia Academy 5

The Northview Chiefs traveled to Canoe Friday afternoon and beat the Escambia Academy Cougars 6-5. It was the final regular season game for the Lady Chiefs; the district tournament begins next week at Baker High School. The Lady Chiefs will face Chipley at 4 p.m. Monday.

Jay 8 — W.S. Neal 2

The Lady Royals recognized Becca Calloway and Tessa Hendricks Friday for Senior Night before defeating  W.S. Neal 8-2.  Jay finished at first place in district action, earning a bye in the district tourney until 4 p.m. Tuesday when they will play the winner of Monday’s Northview vs Chipley game.

Pensacola Blue Wahoos Lose To Mobile 6-5

April 14, 2012

The BayBears beat the Pensacola Blue Wahoos 6-5 on Friday night in Mobile. It was the second walk-off win of the series for Mobile.

Both teams took advantage of errors to score key runs in the ninth inning. The BayBears committed two in the top of the inning to give the Blue Wahoos a chance to tie it, while the Blue Wahoos committed an error with two outs that allowed the winning run to score in the bottom of the frame.

Didi Gregorius delivered a two-run single in the top of the ninth to tie the game after the BayBears committed two errors with two outs to keep the inning alive. The winning run came on an error at third base on a ball hit by Alfredo Marte which scored Matt Davidson from second.

The two teams battled in a seesaw match all game after the BayBears took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third. The Blue Wahoos came back with two more runs in the top of the fourth inning to take a brief lead. The first run crossed home on a wild pitch before P.J. Phillips singled home Joel Guzman to put the Blue Wahoos in front.

Each team would score a single run in each of the following three half innings resulting in a 3-3 tie until Wladimir Sutil provided a pinch-hit two-run single in the bottom of the eighth inning giving the BayBears a 5-3 advantage.

Neither starter recorded a decision. Patrick Corbin work seven innings for the BayBears and was charged with three runs, two earned. He walked three and fanned six. Tim Crabbe was finished after four for the Blue Wahoos. He allowed a pair of runs, both earned, on two hits, four walks and six strikeouts. Justin Freeman allowed the winning run in the ninth inning to take the loss. Evan Marshall blew the save in the ninth for the BayBears but picked up the win after giving up the two unearned runs in the ninth.

The two teams will wrap up the series on Saturday night in Mobile. Right hander J.C. Sulbaran will oppose BayBears lefty Tyler Skaggs. First pitch is set for 7:05 and Hank Aaron Stadium.

By Tommy Thrall

Pictured: The Blue Wahoo’s Cody Puckett. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Motorcyclist Critically Injured In Byrneville Crash

April 13, 2012

A 24-year old male was critically injured in a motorcycle wreck this afternoon in Byrneville.

The accident happened about 2:10 p.m on West Highway 4 just east of Byrneville Road. The male apparently lost control while eastbound on Highway 4 and ran off onto the shoulder. The rider was thrown from the motorcycle, which traveled a considerable distance after leaving the roadway, leaving debris scattered over hundreds of feet of a ditch.

The motorcyclist, who was wearing a helmet, was reported to be found unconscious by a witness. He was airlifted as a “trauma alert” to a Pensacola hospital.

Further details have not been released; the accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.

Escambia County EMS, Escambia County Fire-Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.

Pictured top: A motorcyclist was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital following a wreck in Byrneville Friday afternoon. Pictured below: The motorcycle broke apart in the crash. Pictured below: Debris was scattered over a long stretch of the roadway. The motorcycle can be seen behind and to the right of the ambulance in this photo. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

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