Century Man Sentenced After Drug Raid; Mother And Brother Await Trial
July 30, 2012
A young Century man has been sentenced in connection with a drug raid that landed him behind bars along with his mother and brother.
Nakeetric Devonte Davison, 20, pleaded no contest and adjudication was withheld on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was sentenced by Judge Gary Bergosh to 180 days in the county jail, with credit for three days served to be followed by 180 days probation.
He was arrested when the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant in February 2012 at a mobile home in the 100 block of West Highway 4, near the Century Care Center nursing home.
Davison’s mother, 44-year old Karen Louise Quinley was charged with possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia and destruction of evidence. She was released from jail on a $26,000 bond. His brother, 19- year old Cortez Rasheen Davison, was charged with cocaine possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released from jail on $10,500 bond. Both are awaiting trial later this year.
After gaining entry to the mobile home, deputies reported finding Quinley in her bedroom. Quinley told deputies that she had tried to throw crack cocaine out of her bedroom window when she heard them at the door, but she was unable to get a window to open.
Nakeetric Davison told deputies that everything in his bedroom belonged to him, including the marijuana located by deputies. When asked by deputies if he sells marijuana, Nakeetric Davison replied “Yeah, I don’t have a job”, according to an arrest report.
In Nakeetric Davison’s room, narcotics officers reported finding items that included 417.6 grams pre-packaged marijuana under his bed in a Pringles can, a cookie jar and a plastic container, cash and “owe sheets” on the floor.
Cortez Davison, according to his arrest report, identified his bedroom but refused to answer further questions, instead asking for an attorney.
The February 2012 raid was not the first time the Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit targeted alleged drug activity at the trailer. No one was home as officers executed a search warrant at the same mobile home in June 2010, finding a stem of marijuana in a bedroom, crack cocaine on the kitchen table, a razor blade with cocaine residue, a marijuana cigarette and digital scales during their search, according to a Sheriff’s Office report.
Quinley was arrested on multiple charges following the 2010 search, but charges against her were later dropped due to insufficient evidence since she was not at home at the time of the raid.
Pictured above: The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit executed a drug-related search warrant at a mobile home in the 100 block of West Highway 4 in Century last February. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Driver Hits Burger King
July 30, 2012
There were no serious injuries Sunday morning when a driver collided with a pole and the Century Burger King.
The accident happened just before 10:30 a.m. when the driver of a Toyota Tacoma reportedly struck a small pole in the parking lot and then the restaurant building.
The driver suffered minor injuries in the crash; there was no damage to the Burger King building.
The accident was investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details, including the cause and driver’s name, have not been released.
The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia Count EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
Northview Schedules Freshmen Orientation, 10-12 Grade Schedule Pickups
July 30, 2012
Northview High School will hold a freshmen orientation and schedule pickup for other classes next month.
Sophomores, juniors and seniors may pickup textbooks, schedules and obtain lockers as follows on Wednesday, August 15:
- 8:30 a.m. — Seniors
- 10 a.m. — Juniors
- 1:30 p.m. — Sophomores
Orientation for incoming Northview High School freshmen will be held on Thursday, August 16 at 9 a.m. in the school theater. Students will tour the school, and receive schedules and locker assignments.
The first day of school is Monday, August 20.
Fire Destroys Cantonment Mobile Home
July 30, 2012
A family was left homeless after fire destroyed a mobile home in Cantonment Sunday afternoon.
Firefighters were called to the double-wide trailer in the 700 block of Robinson Street about 4:30 p.m. They arrived to discover that the mobile home on the narrow dirt lane had already burned to the ground before the fire was reported.
There were no injuries reported.
The cause of the blaze is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office. The Cantonment, Molino, Beulah and Ensley stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the blaze, along with Escambia County EMS.
The American Red Cross was called to provide temporary assistance to those left homeless by the fire.
Pictured: A mobile home in Cantonment burned to the ground before firefighters were called Sunday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com reader submitted photo, click to enlarge.
Olympics: Men’s Cycling (With NorthEscambia Photo Gallery)
July 30, 2012
In the men’s cycling road race at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Team USA’s Taylor Phinney (Boulder, Colo.) narrowly missed a podium finish as he place fourth.
A Molino family living in England was there for the men’s cycling road race with photos for NorthEscambia.com. To view the photo gallery, click here.
The gold medal went to Alexandr Vinokurov of Kazakhstan, who out-duelled Rogoberto Uran Uran of Colombia after the two had broken away from the lead pack in the final few kilometers. Alexander Kristoff of Norway edged Phinney at the front of the lead pack to win the bronze medal.
Tyler Farrar (Wenatchee, Wash.) finished 32nd, while Timmy Duggan (Nederland, Colo.) faded from second place earlier in the race to finish 87th. Chris Horner (San Diego, Calif.) ended up in 92nd place.
Pictured above and inset: The men’s cycling road race as seen from The Mall outside Buckingham Palace during the London 2012 Olympic Games. Pictured below: Team USA’s vehicle. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Powered By Chocolate Milk: Run Across Four States For Pensacola Lighthouse
July 30, 2012
A New Orleans man — powered by chocolate milk — has completed a run from New Orleans to Pensacola to raise money for the Pensacola Lighthouse.
Billed as the ‘Krewe du Shoe’ Run, long distance runner George Melichar averaged 60 miles per day to cover the 230 mile distance in four days. Along the way, he could be seen refueling with chocolate milk — one of his run sponsors.
In addition to raising money for the restoration of the Pensacola Lighthouse, Melichars run honored the children attending the Salvation Center School in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
“My passion for running in New Orleans has lead me to serve my community by aiding in recovery.” says Melichar, “As I have traveled the world running marathons, I have come to appreciate the city landmarks, the neighborhoods I run through, and the residents’ enthusiasm as I run pass.”
While the final tally was not immediately available, Melichars goal was to raise $800,000 needed to repoint or restore the weathered masonry in this historical lighthouse tower to ensure it is around for future generations.
“I also hope that by helping to preserve this historical landmark with my four-state run I will also generate attention to the beauty and tourism opportunities available to Gulf Coast visitors.”
To donate or learn more about the Pensacola lighthouse, visit www.pensacolalighthouse.org.
Pictured top: Long distance runner George Melichar on Pensacola NAS near the lighthouse. Pictured inset: Melichar’s run was fueled by chocolate milk. Pictured below: Melichar reaches the Pensacola Lighthouse. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enalrge.
Warrington Tax Office Reopens
July 30, 2012
The Escambia County Tax Collector office reopens on Monday on North Navy Boulevard. The branch was closed since June 11 due to flooding.
After the Warrington office closed, the Cantonment tax collector office on Highway 29 was closed and moved to Molino.
The Warrington tax collector office is located at 507 North Navy Boulevard, while the Molino office is located at 6440 Highway 95A. Both offices are open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
Man Sentenced For Stealing 54,884 Gallons Of Diesel Fuel
July 30, 2012
A man accused of stealing 54,884 gallons of diesel fuel over a two year period from his employer has been sentenced.
Dennis Lawson pleaded no contest to a charge of grand theft for stealing the fuel, valued at an estimated $179,705. He was sentenced to three years probation, mandatory anti-theft counseling, 100 hours of community service and restitution.
Florida Rock and Tank Lines hired a private investigator after they noticed discrepancies and then turned their information over to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff’s investigators later observed Lawson pump two 55-gallon drums of diesel fuel that he transported to a self-storage unit to be sold at a lower cost to others.
Lawson was a 26-year employee of the company.
Report: Florida Trailing Most States In Kids’ Health, Education
July 30, 2012
A new report shows Florida trailing most other states in the health and education of its children – with an especially low ranking in economic well-being.
The effects are harmful and could be long-term – not just for the children but for the state, advocates say.
The annual Kids Count report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation ranks Florida 44th in the economic well-being of its children, 38th in their health outcomes and 35th in their educational performance.
The state ranks 38th overall.
The number of Florida children living in poverty is up 28 percent from 2005 to 2010, the last year for which data were included in the study. That measurement considers such factors as whether the parents have secure employment or the ability to cover their housing costs.
Ted Granger, president of the United Way of Florida, said he wasn’t surprised by the ranking given the need local agencies are seeing.
Economic instability is “having a huge and dramatic effect on children,” Granger said. “The largest group of new homeless are single parents with children. These children, whether or not homeless or in poverty, are part of a group that statistically we know have worse health care outcomes [and] lack the educational opportunities to realize their full potential.”
In 2010, 23 percent of Florida children were living in poverty. The parents of 34 percent lacked secure employment, up from 28 percent in 2008. Nearly half of Florida households – 49 percent – saw their housing costs grow to 30 percent or more, up from 42 percent in 2005. The number of teens who were neither in school nor working was 10 percent, the same as in 2008.
In all these categories, Florida’s stats were worse than the national average.
“I think it’s a ticking time bomb,” said Roy Miller, president of the Children’s Campaign in Florida. “Children are exposed now in much larger numbers to poverty and all of its ill effects. So what’s going to happen to those children five years, 10 years, [or] 15 years down the road? We don’t know.”
Susan Weitzel, Florida Kids Count director, said the state’s children are growing up with risk factors that predict they will not succeed in Florida’s future economy.
“When children are going to school hungry and do not know if they have a place to sleep at night, how can they be successful in the classroom?” she asked in a statement about the report.
David Wilkins, secretary of the Florida Department of Children and Families, agreed that his agency is seeing poor children at risk for future difficulties.
“When you see children in poverty over time, you may see them in other parts of the system, such as [the Department of Juvenile Justice] system or child welfare system,” he said. “That’s what we always have to be careful about and watch.
“The other thing that’s in our state that a lot of other states aren’t facing to anywhere the same level is the substance abuse and prescription drug problem,” Wilkins added. “That’s also crossing across that same demographic.”
But while Wilkins said he wasn’t surprised by the findings, he pointed out that the report’s 2010 economic data don’t include Gov. Rick Scott’s job-creating efforts. Scott was inaugurated in January 2011.
“The issue of poverty in the state is driven almost entirely by the economic situation of jobs and the housing market,” Wilkins said. “That’s why the citizens elected this governor…In the past year, we’ve reduced unemployment in Florida another two percentage points.
“So I think we’re heading in the right direction.”
And the Kids Count report did have some good news for Florida. The number of uninsured children has dropped slightly, to half a million. Students are doing a bit better in reading and math, although still below the national average.
According to the Kids Count findings, while Florida ranked 44th among the states in terms of economic well-being, it was 38th overall, with better outcomes in four other areas.
The state ranked 35th in education. The number of Florida children not attending preschool in 2008-2010 was 51 percent, compared to 52 percent in 2005-2007. The number of high school students not graduating on time was 31 percent in 2008-2009, an improvement from 36 percent in 2005-2006. In two categories with 2011 data, 65 percent of fourth graders were not proficient in reading, compared to 70 percent in 2005, and 72 percent of eighth graders were not proficient in math, a slight improvement from 74 percent in 2005.
In children’s health, Florida ranked 38th. In 2010, I3 percent of Florida kids lacked health insurance, compared to 18 percent in 2008 – although still below the national average of 8 percent. In 2009, child and teen deaths slowed to 29 per 100,000, down from 37 percent in 2005. The numbers of teens abusing alcohol and drugs dropped from 8 percent in 2005-2006 to 7 percent in 2008-2009. The number of low birth-weight babies stayed at 8.7 percent over the same period, compared to the national average of 8.2 percent.
Florida ranked 35th in the family and community category, with 39 percent of children living in single-parent families in 2010 – up from 36 percent in 2005. Between 2000 and 2010, the number of children living in high-poverty neighborhoods grew from 7 to 8 percent. Teen births per 1,000 dropped from 42 in 2005 to 39 in 2009. Between 2005 and 2010, the number of children in families where the head of household lacked a high school diploma dropped from 15 to 14 percent.
For children’s advocate Miller, the improvements are welcome but frustrating, since they show where the state has invested money successfully.
“And I think that’s the frustration of the child advocacy community,” he said. “Why don’t we make the investments in all the areas that need help, so that we see investments across the board?…We’re seeing investments save money and improve lives. Why aren’t we making better choices?”
But the United Way’s Granger said the Legislature is “between a rock and a hard place” when it comes to investing in children.
“We’ve underfunded these services for decades – probably forever,” he said. “We’re in a situation where we’ve got these crises, and we have to fund the crises. So it’s really a difficult balance [lawmakers] have to determine, ‘Do we fund the crisis of the moment, or do we fund something that’s going to give us results in five, six, 15, 20 years?’
“And unfortunately, the crises are such that they compel many of us to say we’ve got to fund the crisis.”
By The News Service of Florida
Drought Means Pain At The Grocery Checkout
July 29, 2012
Economists say food prices are likely to rise in the coming months in the wake of record-breaking temperatures and drought in the major corn and soybean producing regions of the U.S.
Despite early predictions of a record corn crop, estimates have plummeted after a string of record-high temperature days and dry conditions stretching across the Midwestern farm states.
The USDA is predicting that meat prices will rise, with beef and veal expected to increase in price 3.5 to 4.5 percent during the remainder of the year. Beef prices are currently 6.9 percent higher than this time last year, with steak prices up 8.1 percent and ground beef prices up 7.3 percent. In the short term, beef prices are forecast to actually fall a bit, as increased feed prices force producers to decrease herd sizes and, in turn, increase the beef supply.
The USDA is forecasting an increase of 3.5 to 4.5 percent in chicken and turkey prices, also due to higher feed prices.
Consumers can expect to pay more for cheese and milk, with dairy prices seeing an anticipated 3.5 to 4.5 percent jump. Eggs are forecast to rise about 2 percent in price.
Cooking and vegetable oil, with soybeans as the main ingredient, are forecast by the USDA to rise 4 to 5 percent in price in 2012.
There’s one bright spot in the consumer price forecast from the USDA. Since last year at this time, fresh vegetable prices are down 3.6 percent, with potato prices down 3.4 percent, lettuce prices down 6.4 percent, tomato prices down 6.9 percent, and other fresh vegetable prices down 1.8 percent
“We need rain, and it doesn’t look like we’re going to get it,” says Iowa State University economist Dermot Hayes.
Pork and chicken prices will go up, as well as beef, milk and eggs, because corn and soybeans are key ingredients in animal feed.
Pictured top: Corn in Walnut Hill suffers the effects of drought earlier this year. The area has since received significant rainfall. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.