Bank Robbery Suspect From Century Extradited Back To Alabama
May 14, 2012
A Century woman has been extradited back to Alabama to face charges for her alleged role in the February 17 robbery of the Bank of Brewton.
Robin Ann Godwin, 42, was arrested April 12 by FBI agents at a travel trailer on Bluff Springs Road just south of Century. She was booked into Escambia County as a fugitive from justice. In Escambia County Circuit Court, Godwin waived extradition back to Escambia County, Ala., to face a first degree robbery charge.
As FBI agents arrested Godwin in Florida, additional agents converged on a home on Pine Road in Escambia County, Ala. and arrested her father, 75-year old Norman Alvin Godwin, on charges of conspiracy to commit robbery and first degree robbery. He was booked into the Escambia County (Ala.) Detention Center in Brewton.
As they executed search warrants, FBI agents recovered evidence at a both locations, including cash allegedly taken during the Brewton robbery.
On February 17, 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. FBI agents, who were just off camera, would not allow their photographs to be taken. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Helicopter Makes Emergency Landing
May 14, 2012
There were no injuries when a military helicopter made a precautionary emergency landing in a field near Barrineau Park Sunday afternoon.
The helicopter from Training Air Wing Five (TAW-5) at NAS Whiting Field made the landing in the field on Highway 196 just north of Barrineau Park School Road after indications of a possible mechanical problem. The downtime gave the residents around the landing site the opportunity to visit with the crew and even pose for pictures with the aircraft.
Pictured above: An exciting Sunday afternoon for Judson Conatser, Taylor Conatser and Julie Ann Keith as they had a chance to visit with the helicopter crew (pictured below). Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Sweep Barons In Double Header
May 14, 2012
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos were victorious over the Birmingham Barons in both games of their double header on Sunday afternoon at Pensacola’s multi-use stadium, winning the first game 8-0 before taking the subsequent contest 4-2 in front of another sellout crowd of 5,038.
Five Pensacola pitchers combined to shut out the Barons offense in the twin bill’s opener, which was the conclusion of Saturday night’s suspended game. RHP Kyle Lotzkar (6.1 IP, 2 H, 5 BB, 6 SO) earning the win after tossing 6.1 innings of two-hit ball, while also failing to yield a base knock in his first 5.2 frames. Birmingham LHP Nestor Molina (6.2 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 7 SO) suffered the loss in the first game after allowing six earned runs on ten hits in 6.2 innings pitched.
The sixth through eight hitters in the Blue Wahoos lineup led the charge, hitting 8-for-10 in the contest with five runs, three doubles, a homer and three RBI. C Koyie Hill (3-3, 3 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 BB) provided the longball with a solo shot to left field in the fourth inning and also collected three hits, while OF P.J. Phillips (3-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI) also recorded a three-hit effort. In addition, 2B Brodie Greene (2-5, 2 RBI) and RF Josh Fellhauer (2-3, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB) each tallied a pair of base knocks in the first contest.
Pensacola provided more power in the second game, with Fellhauer leaving the yard for his first roundtripper of the season in the opening frame to give the Blue Wahoos the early 2-0 advantage. The Barons however answered back with single tallies in the second and third frames thanks to 1B Seth Loman, who homered in the second before bringing home a score with an RBI single.
Both offenses would be silent until the sixth frame, when the Blue Wahoos made history with their first back-to-back home runs in the franchise’s history. After 3B Cody Puckett launched his team-leading sixth longball of the year, 1B Yordanys Perez followed with his first career roundtripper to put Pensacola ahead 4-2.
Blue Wahoos starter Mark Serrano (5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 SO) did not receive a decision despite allowing just two earned runs on four hits in five frames, while relievers Curtis Partch and Donnie Joseph were perfect in the final two innings in support of Serrano. Partch (1.0 IP) earned the win to improve to 1-2 with Pensacola and Joseph (1.0 IP, 2 SO) notched his sixth save of the year, fanning two in the last frame. Birmingham reliever Santos Rodriguez (3.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 0-2 after yielding two earned runs in the final three innings.
The Blue Wahoos and Barons are slated to meet again Monday night, as Pensacola looks to clinch the series with a victory. RHP Daniel Corcino is expected to take the mound for the Blue Wahoos, while Birmingham is expected to send LHP Pedro Hernandez to toe the rubber. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 pm at the bayfront stadium.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: C Koyie Hill went 3-3 with a HR in the first game of Pensacola’s twin bill sweep. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Waterspout, Tornado Skip Through Escambia County
May 13, 2012
An apparent tornado skipped about a portion of southwest Escambia County Saturday evening.
There were no reports of any serious damage and no injuries reported.
A strong storm sparked a waterspout south of Johnson’s Beach, becoming a tornado as it moved onshore. That prompted a tornado warning for the southern portion of the county from about 7:45 until 8:30 p.m.
Members of the public, first responders and Navy personnel aboard NAS Pensacola reported seeing the apparent twister as it touched down and lifted numerous time over about a 10 minute period as it moved north at about 10 mph.
Brief touchdowns were reported during that period, with the only reported damage to a fence and mailbox at a home on Fenceline Road.
Pictured: Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com of an apparent waterspout and tornado Saturday night in Escambia County.
Leroy Dashes Flomaton’s Championship Dreams
May 13, 2012
The Flomaton Hurricane’s hopes for a state championship were dashed by Leroy Saturday as they completed a best two out of three series at Hurricane Park.
The Leroy Bears beat the ‘Canes 16-6 Saturday to advance to the Class 2A championship game. Friday afternoon, Flomaton beat Leroy 2-1, while Leroy turned around to beat Flomaton 2-1 in the nightcap.
The game was tied 6-6 at the end of four, but the Bears jumped out with five in the fifth, three in the sixth and another two in the seventh for the win.
Leroy plays a best two of three for the state championship Wednesday and, if necessary, Thursday in Montgomery against Mars Hill.
For more photos from both Friday and Saturday play, click here.
Pictured top: Leroy defeated Flomaton Saturday. Submitted photo by Alisa Hart for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Mother’s Day Times 5: Tate Juniors Were Florida’s First Quintuplets
May 13, 2012
Mona Baker went from no children to mother of five in about 90 seconds back in 1995. Now, on this Mother’s Day, she’s still facing the trials and the joys of being the mom of Florida’s first surviving quintuplets.
“It’s expensive,” was Baker’s first answer about being what it’s like being the mother of quintuplets. It’s also very time consuming. Our interview was scheduled at her first free time of the day — 10:30 p.m., just before she headed out from the family home near Cantonment to Walmart for a late night grocery run.
Marcus, Ian, Elizabeth, Tristan and Evan Baker were born January 30, 1995, about 10 weeks premature, at Sacred Heart Hospital. The first few weeks of life were rough for some of the quints, including Elizabeth, born at 1 pound, 12 ounces. She was the last to leave the hospital nearly six months later.
Now, the five are juniors at Tate High School, where they all just recently attended their prom. Prom costs times five — there was that expensive comment again. The five kids did raise about half the money needed for prom doing odd jobs like babysitting and yard work.
The early years were filled with all the usual expenses and parenting jobs like diapers, multiplied by five.
“But the challenges now are more intellectual, where they used to be more physical,” Baker, a single mom for the past 11 years, said. “They are at five different stages of learning.”
There’s homework most nights from five different math books and five different math courses, ranging from integrated math to calculus. There’s homework from five different courses, and the challenges of making sure each has ample driving practice time behind the wheel.
The five get along remarkably well, Baker said. And the four brothers are protective of their sister.
“Elizabeth says she is so special that God sent her four bodyguards and four servants to take care of her,” she said. “But seriously, they are all very loving, very affectionate children.”
Baker said she owes a lot of their church, Lathram Chapel in Barrineau Park. “They have really done a lot for us over the years.”
On this Mother’s Day, Baker said she is proud to be the mother of one of just few sets of quintuplets in the entire state.
She’s also facing a senior year, and the realization that her five children could fly away from the nest next year after graduating Tate. But she anticipates that she won’t be alone, with at least a couple of the children considering local college options.
Despite the challenges, Baker said she would have changed only one thing about having quintuplets — she would have wanted them all born on time and without the health problems associated with being weeks premature.
Other than that, she’s a proud mom of five.
“I’ve never known anything different,” she said. “I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
Pictured top: All dressed up for the recent Tate High School prom are the Baker Quints — (L-R) Marcus Baker, Ian Baker, Elizabeth Baker, Tristan Baker and Evan Baker. Pictured top inset: Mom Mona Baket with the quints. Pictured bottom inset: The Bakers were the first surviving quintuplets in Florida. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: A Dancing Circus
May 13, 2012
Young dancers from across the North Escambia area took to the stage Saturday afternoon at Flomaton High School.
“A Dancing Circus” was the annual spring recital for Heather Leonard’s Danceworks.
The recital marked the culmination of months of practice each week at the Byrneville Community Center.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the recital, click here.
Pictured: “A Dancing Circus” Saturday at Flomaton High School. NorthEscambia.comp photos, click to enlarge.
Pedestrian Signal Improvements Coming To 23 Intersections
May 13, 2012
Pedestrian signal improvements will be made at 23 intersections in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Work begins this week at five of the locations:
- Chemstrand Road at Kingsfield Road
- Hwy 95A at Hood Drive
- Hwy 29 at Hood Drive
- Hwy 95A at Ensley Street
- Hwy 29 at Detroit Boulevard
Improvements will include one or more of the following: pedestrian signals, pushbuttons, sidewalk, curb ramps and crosswalks. The projects will create minor traffic delays due to lane closures and speed reductions.
Leroy Takes Playoff Series From Flomaton, 2 Games To 1
May 12, 2012
The Flomaton Hurricanes and the Leroy Bears split a doubleheader Friday in Flomaton, setting up a winner takes all third game Saturday morning a in the Class 2A baseball playoffs. Leroy took the series with a Saturday win, 16-6 over the Hurricanes.
Flomaton 2 — Leroy 1 (Game 1)
In game one, Zack Watson pitched his 10th complete game of the season, striking out seven, to lead the Flomaton Hurricanes to a 2-1 win over the Leroy Bears.
Watson allowed just four hits in the game at Flomaton’s Hurricane Park.
A single from Nick Sutton drove in Jacob Newton and Cody Nolan in the second for Flomaton (30-5). Leroy managed to score one in the fourth.
Leroy 2 — Flomaton 1 (Game 2)
In game two, Leroy turned the tables on Flomaton with a 2-1 Bears victory.
Leroy scored two times in the fourth inning with back too back singles, while the Hurricanes scored once in the inning.
Leroy 16 – Flomaton 6 (Game 3)
Leroy took Saturday’s deciding game 16-6 over Flomaton. Game details will be published Sunday morning.
Pictured: Flomaton takes on Leroy Friday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos by Alisa Hart, click to enlarge.
One Injured In Highway 29 Crash Near Molino
May 12, 2012
One person was injured in a two vehicle crash Saturday morning on Highway 29 near Barth Road north of Molino.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 20-year old Connor McDonald of Pensacola was northbound in a 1996 Honda when he crossed the median and struck a Ford F350 pulling a cattle trailer, causing the truck and trailer to jackknife.
McDonald was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola in serious condition. Charges against McDonald are pending, according to FHP.
The driver of the pickup, 66-year old Denis Snodgrass, and passenger, 66-year old Jo Ann Snodgrass, both of Clopton, Ala., received only minor injuries.
Escambia County EMS, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
