Smoke Forces Temporary Closure, Evacuation Of Century Whataburger
December 16, 2011
Fire departments from across the area responded to Whataburger in Century late Thursday night after employees reported that smoke was filling the building.
The first firefighters on scene reported light smoke showing about 11 p.m. Firefighters were able to narrow the source of the smoke down to a burned up motor in an appliance used to mix soft drinks. Other than the appliance motor, there was no other damage reported.
Employees and customers were evacuated from the restaurant in the 8000 block of North Century Boulevard after the fire alarm activated. The restaurant was closed into the early morning hours as maintenance personnel worked to repair the equipment.
The Century and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Flomaton Fire Department responded to the call.
Pictured above and below: Firefighters responded to Whataburger in Century after smoke began to fill the building late Thursday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Deputy Shooting Suspect Dies
December 16, 2011
The man accused of shooting a deputy last week in Santa Rosa County died Thursday night.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office said 34-year old David Christopher Lewis (pictured) died at 8:40 p.m. Thursday as a result of injuries he received during the shooting incident.
Investigator Steve Hough of Fort Walton Beach was working as part of the US Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force serving a warrant in the 5400 block of Camille Gardens Circle near Milton when he was shot about 1:59 p.m. Friday. He was shot once in the face and twice in the leg when authorities say Lewis came out of a home shooting.
Hough remains in fair condition at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
Lewis had active warrants for failure to appear, resisting an officer without violence, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, display of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. Lewis was known by officers to be violent, armed with firearm, and had made threats towards law enforcement.
The incident remains under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
The Big Move Begins Into The New Jay High School
December 16, 2011
The big move began Thursday at Jay High School as students, teachers and staff began the transition into a new $7.5 million school building.
Personnel will continue the move during the Christmas break, with students returning to class January 2 in the new school.
The idea of a new school for Jay began shortly after Hurricane Dennis in the summer of 2005 as cracks began to appear in the interior and exterior walls. Temporary repairs were made the make the buildings safe as plans got underway for the new building.
It took over three years to build the new school, which includes 24 classrooms plus computer labs, art rooms, a new media center and an administrative wing.
The process will soon begin to demolish the old school building. The next phase of the project will include a new cafeteria, a music and band room and possible more classrooms.
Man That Opened Fire Because Business Was Out Of Crawfish Gets Prison Time
December 16, 2011
A man who fired an AK-47 into an Escambia County seafood business because they were out of crawfish was sentenced to prison Thursday.
Larry Wayne Kelly was sentenced to 146.5 months in state prison by Circuit Court Judge Jan Shackelford. Kelly had entered a straight up plea to 11 counts of shooting into a building, one count of shooting from a vehicle, and one count of fleeing to elude a law enforcement officer at high speed.
On May 29, 2011, Kelly called L&Ts Seafood about picking up an order of crawfish. Upon being informed that L&Ts did not have any crawfish to sell that day, Kelly became irrate – cursing at the employee and calling back 10 times in a matter of minutes. After the business closed Kelly traveled to the business on Highway 29 in Ensley and fire 11 AK-47 rounds into the building. The shots were fired at around 6:30 p.m. on a Sunday evening.
Multiple 911 calls from motorists and business owners up and down Highway 29 provided law enforcement with a description of Kelly and the truck he was driving.
When Kelly was located by law enforcement a short distance away he fled in his vehicle. During the pursuit Kelly rounded a corner in the wrong lane and had a head-on collision with another vehicle. Four firearms and approximately 200 additional rounds of ammunition were recovered in the vehicle.
Photo Gallery: Molino Park Presents Jingle Bell Jukebox
December 16, 2011
The second graders at Molino Park Elementary School present “Jingle Bell Jukebox” twice on Thursday — once in the afternoon for the entire school and again in the evening for parents.
For a Northescambia.com photo gallery from the musical, click here.
Picture: Molino Park Elementary School second graders perform “Jingle Bell Jukebox” Thursday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man One Of 48 Child Predators Busted In FDLE Operation
December 16, 2011
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement says a Cantonment man was among 48 child predators arrested as part of a six-month investigation dubbed Operation Amalgamate that was announced Thursday.
Gene Hamilton Brown, 50, was charged with three counts of child pornography, according to FDLE.
The FDLE investigation began in July after Attorney General Pam Bondi and FDLE merged the FDLE’s Computer Crime Center and the AG’s Child Predator Cybercrime Unit to more effectively investigate online child exploitation.
“The arrests in Operation Amalgamate show the strength of what has become one team with one goal – to find and arrest internet predators attempting to victimize our children,” said FDLE Commissioner Gerald Bailey.
Operation Amalgamate investigators found child sex predators in chat rooms, utilizing instant messaging, texting, dating sites, social networks and even online classified ads. FDLE agents in partnership with local law enforcement agencies arrested 48 suspects in 17 Florida counties.
“We are committed to protecting our children from cybercrimes, and I commend the law enforcement community for their continued dedication to stopping these criminals from exploiting our children,” Bondi said.
Photo Gallery: Santa Visits Century Branch Library
December 16, 2011
The Century Branch Library held their annual Christmas event Thursday afternoon. Dozens of children had a chance to presents for everyone and a personal visit with Santa Claus.
From dolls to iPads to computers, Santa heard all kinds of Christmas wishes from the children.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured: Santa paid a special visit to the Century Branch Library Thursday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Bills Address Mandatory Septic Tank Inspections
December 15, 2011
A new bill filed this week in the Florida House would repeal a state requirement for inspections of the state’s 2.6 million septic tanks, but allow counties to utilize their own inspection programs.
But don’t look for Escambia County to require inspections any time soon ; the Escambia County Commission has adopted a position against septic tank inspections. The county’s 2012 Legislative Requests included opposition to “any attempt that requires regular, mandatory inspections of septic tanks and/or the septic tank evaluation program.”
A requirement that septic tanks be inspected every five years at the owner’s expense technically became state law in July after being approved in the last legislative session. But language was inserted into a budget bill that prohibits the Department of Health from spending a dime on the inspections without the approval of the Legislative Budget Commission — essentially putting the program on hold.
The septic tank inspection program has been unpopular with a number of rural lawmakers who say the costs are too high.
The North Escambia area’s senator, Greg Evers, R-Baker, filed a bill back in August to to repeal altogether the bill requiring septic tank inspections.
“I will focus all of my resources and efforts on accomplishing a full repeal,” Evers said recently. “Economic times are as hard as they come right now and there is no scientific need for inspections to occur every 5 years that will only put additional hardship on our residents who are struggling enough as it is.”
Backers of the law said it was necessary to protect springs and other waterways from pollution, but opponents argued it would drive up costs for homeowners. Opponents believe that tests — the financial responsibility of the property owner — could cost up to $500 for each of Florida’s 2.6 million septic tanks.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.
State Attorney Clears Escambia County Tourism Group, Commissioner
December 15, 2011
A report released Wednesday by the State Attorney’s Office said the Escambia County Tourist Development Council did not violate the state’s Sunshine Law governing open meetings.
But the report by Chief Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille did point out actions by the council that should be avoided in the future.
“While we find that no violation of the Sunshine Law occurred, we are concerned with members of the same board attending meetings where matters are discussed that may foreseeably come before that board. This type of action clearly raises concerns with the general public and violates the spirit of the law. Such behavior should be strongly discouraged,” Marcille wrote.
Several allegations were made that TDC member may have violated the Sunshine Law. These allegations primarily involved Escambia County Commission Grover Robinson, TDC Chairman Denis McKinnon, and member Nash Patel.
One allegation involved the real estate business relationship between Robinson and McKinnon. Robinson was working as independent contractor with McKinnon’s real estate office. Both testified that they were seldom in the office at the same time and never discussed TDC business outside of a public meeting. That State Attorney’s Office found that no Sunshine Law violation occurred.
Robinson’s term on the TDC ended November 27.
Another allegation involved a series of hotel owner meetings about the use of bed tax dollars attended by McKinnon and Patel. The two determined that one would leave the meetings if any TDC matters were discussed. Evidence confirmed that Patel never spoke at the meetings, the State Attorney’s Office report stated.
Brewton PD Makes Several Narcotics Related Arrests
December 15, 2011
Since the beginning of December, officers with the Brewton Police Department have made several drug related arrests, according to a news release from the department.
Those charged were:
- Natasha Bell, 31, of Prattville was arrested on December 3 for unlawful possession of a controlled substance (crack/cocaine) and possession of drug paraphernalia following an investigation at the Colonial Manor Hotel by Officers Russell Pintado and William Mosley.
- Katrina Gillis, 46, of East Brewton, was arrested on December 3 for unlawful possession of a controlled substance (crack/cocaine), possession of drug paraphernalia and false identity to obstruct justice following an investigation at the Colonial Manor Hotel by Officers Russell Pintado and William Mosley.
- Christopher L. Thomas, 36, of Brewton, was arrested on December 7 for unlawful possession of marijuana in the first degree after a traffic stop by Officer Nicholas Stanley.
- Alberta J. Johns, 51, of Bagdad as arrested on December 9 for unlawful possession of a controlled substance (Lortab), possession of marijuana in the second degree and possession of drug paraphernalia after a traffic stop by Officer Nicholas Stanley.
- Timothy Ray Scott, 36, of Brewton was arrested on December 11 for unlawful possession of marijuana in the second degree following a traffic stop by Officer Nicholas Stanley.