Florida’s Population Grown Among Nation’s Highest
December 22, 2011
There were 256,000 new people that called Florida home during a 15-month period ending July 1, 2011, the U.S. Census Bureau reported Wednesday in the first post-2010 Census population update.
Florida had the third highest numeric gain during the period, following Texas (529,000) and California (438,000). Overall, the nation grew at its slowest rate since the mid-1940s, adding 2.8 million over the 15-month period, to 311.6 million. Its growth of 0.92 percent between April 1, 2010, and July 1, 2011. Only three states, Rhode Island, Michigan, Maine, lost population during the period.
If the population growth continues, Florida could pass New York as the most populous state in a few years.
Home For Christmas: Northview Grad Among Last Troops Out Of Iraq
December 21, 2011
A Northview High School grad was one of the last U.S. Army soldiers to cross the border last weekend as the war in Iraq ended. And this weekend, he’s hoping to be back home for Christmas.
SPC Andrew Bolen is a member of the U.S. Army’s 1st Cavalry Squadron, 82nd Airborne. He was deployed April 17 with a tour expected to last 12-18 months, but the end of the Iraqi war has cut that deployment short.
“It’s an honor to say we got to finish something that great soldiers before us started, giving closure to our fallen comrades” Bolen told NorthEscambia.com in an exclusive interview from Kuwait Tuesday as he awaited a long flight back to the United States. So far, there was no word on what day that flight will be. He will return first to his home in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, for Christmas, with plans to soon visit his hometown of Byrneville.
“I’m very happy he’s coming home; you just don’t know how happy I am,” his mother, Ruth Bolen, said. “He’s my Christmas present.”
Bolen and his wife Meghan have two children — 18-month old Gabriel and Gracelyn who was born July 29, in the midst of his deployment. The 2007 Northview graduate is the son of Ruth and Rae Bolen of Byrneville.
Gulf Power Customer To See Slight Decrease In Bills Next Month
December 21, 2011
Gulf Power customers will see a decrease in their electric bill beginning in January, according to Jeff Rogers, company spokesman.
The Florida Public Service Commission has approved a decrease in electricity bills due to lower coal and natural gas prices.
Currently, the electric bill for an average home using 1,000 kilowatt-hours is $127.16. At the beginning of 2012, the same amount of electricity will cost $125.80, a decrease of $1.36.
“The FPSC adjusts our prices each year based on the cost of the fuel used to make electricity, power bought from other utilities and providers, environmental compliance expenses and the cost of energy efficiency programs for customers, said Rogers. “Through prudent planning of our generation needs, we are able to optimize our fuel purchases and environmental compliance expenses which will result in a net decrease to our customers in January 2012.”
Gulf Power monitors its fuel mix to use the most cost-effective generation available during a 24 period, allowing the company take advantage of lower fuel prices for coal and natural gas, Rogers said.
Man Who Tried To Kidnap Wife, Pulled Shotgun On Mother-in-law Pleads Guilty
December 21, 2011
A 47-year-old truck driver from Atmore pleaded guilty this week in Baldwin County to attempting to kidnap his estranged wife — who was pregnant with another man’s child, struggling with the wife’s new boyfriend over a sawed-off shotgun, and a string of other offenses a December 2010 incident.
“Troy Barton of Atmore went to his mother-in-law’s house in Baldwin County with the intent to kidnap his estranged wife, Tammy Barton,” said Baldwin County Assistant District Attorney Megan Doggett, who prosecuted the case. “He brought with him a short-barrel shotgun and a duffle bag filled with pillowcases, zip ties, duct tape and various medications, intending to tie up the mother-in-law and her husband and take his wife by force if she was unwilling to come with him.”
Barton’s wife was not at the Bay Minette home of her mother, Linda Allen, but his wife’s new boyfriend, Leroy Taggert, was, Doggett said. “They struggled to gain control of the shotgun and it discharged. The mother called 911 and he was arrested there.”
In Baldwin County Circuit Court, Barton entered a blind plea, meaning there was no pre-determined agreement with prosecutors on a sentence, to first degree burglary, second degree attempted kidnapping, possession of a short-barrel shotgun, unlawful imprisonment and reckless endangerment.
Baldwin County District Attorney Hallie Dixon praised Sgt. Daniel Steelman and the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office for their work on the case and testimony that led to concurrent sentences for Barton of 20 years (split to serve five) on the burglary, 10 years (split to serve three) on the attempted kidnapping, and one year each on the other charges.
According to Escambia County (Fla.) court records, Barton is a former resident of Molino.
20,000 Kids Around The World To Receive Christmas Gifts From Escambia Area
December 21, 2011
Over 20,000 children around the world will receive a small box of hope this Christmas, thanks to dozens of Escambia area churches.
The churches and individuals donated a total of 20,057 simple, gift-filled shoe boxes as part of the 17th year of Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child. The First Baptist Church of Bratt served as an official “relay center” for North Escambia while also accepting boxes from Escambia County, Ala.
The Christmas boxes collected at FBC Bratt will be delivered to children in Panama, Ukraine, Macedonia, Bahamas, Uganda, Lebanon, Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, Seychelles, Togo, Benin, Belize, Ecuador and Madagascar.
“It is so exciting,” student Pastor Tim Hawsey, who coordinated the program at First Baptist Bratt, said. “Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational non-profit organization that has mission’s opportunities all over the world. This is about being a blessing and bringing God’s love and hope to children in poverty around the world that would not receive it otherwise.”
While the collection effort was a success this year, Hawsey hopes to see an increase next year.
“Maybe next year we can double our intake because even with the millions of boxes turned in nationwide, there will still be many children that will not get a box because of the vast number of needy children in the world,” he said.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
100 Mph Chase Near Flomaton Ends With One Jailed
December 21, 2011
A burglary suspect remains behind bars after a high speed chase reached speed over 100 mph near Flomaton.
According to information released Tuesday by the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office, the department received a call of an attempted burglary and theft at a residence on Oil Well Raod. While deputies were on the scene, dispatchers received another call of another theft on nearby Ledcaylynn Drive.
The victims at the second residence told deputies that 21-year old Matthew Brian Kidd had stolen a television valued at about $1,000 and fled in a white Kia. As deputies searched the area, they spotted Kidd’s vehicle at the intersection of Oil Well and Wolf Log roads. As deputies activated lights and sirens for a traffic stop, Kidd fled the area at a high rate of speed.
“He began to travel at a high rate of speed,” the sheriff’s office said in a news release. “Mr. Kidd was driving in a reckless manner that endangered his life and the lives of other innocent drivers on the highway. He had no regard for his life or others and was traveling at speeds greater than 100 mph. He was also driving on the wrong side of the road, meeting traffic head on, and failing to stop at numerous stop signs and intersections.”
Kidd abandoned his vehicle near railroad tracks north of Pollard and fled on foot in the direction of Old Highway 31 and Wolf Log Road.
A K-9 team from Fountain Correctional Facility in Atmore apprehended Kidd a short time later inside the Hillcrest Cemetery on Wolf Log Road.
Kidd was transported to the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton where he was booked on multiple traffic violations, felony theft and misdemeanor charges and violation of parole.
Man Charged With Stealing 54,884 Gallons Of Diesel Fuel
December 21, 2011
A man has been charged with stealing nearly $180,000 worth of diesel fuel over a two year period.
Dennis Lawson, 56, was charged with first degree grand felony theft in connection with the thefts from Florida Rock and Tank Lines. Lawson, a 26-year veteran of the company, allegedly stole about 54,884 gallons of diesel fuel valued at $179,705.
The company 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 released from jail on a $50,000 bond.
Four Arrested In Burglary
December 21, 2011
A citizen’s tip led to the capture of four burglary suspects early Tuesday morning in Atmore.
About 3 a.m., a caller reported to the Atmore Police Department that they witnessed four people get out of a vehicle on Crow Street and run across the street to a vacant house.
Officers surrounded the house and apprehended 18-year old Nathaniel Scott Fernandez of Atmore, 18-year old Judd Keith Arnold of Atmore, 27-year old Noah Joshua Lee of Flomaton and a juvenile. All four were charged with burglary first degree.
The three adults were booked into the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton, while the juvenile was transported to the Juvenile Detention Center in Bay Minette.
Jay Competition Cheerleaders Place 3rd In Regionals
December 21, 2011
The Jay High School Competition Cheerleaders recently placed third in the FHSAA Region 1 competition in Orange Park
Jay was only nine points away from the first place defending state champions. There were 14 total teams in the competition. The JHS Competition team will advance to the FHSAA state series in Orlando during the first week of February with coaches Junia Fischer and Mindy Jordan.
Pictured: Members of the Jay High School Competition Cheerleading Team are: (L-R, back) Kendra Wells, Alisha Roberts, Brittani Ashworth, Kayla Flowers, Meredith Owens, Crystal Brown, Jody Paramore, Carly Owens, Hannah Roberts, Abby Raney, Sha Kinder, Tori Reid, Tessa Hendricks, Katy Bodiford, Kaitlyn Aguirre, Morgin Mitchem and (L-R, front) alternates Makenzie Bray, Brittany Tegenkamp, and Brook Tegenkamp. Submitted photo by Jania Fischer for NorthEscambia.com click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill Woman Allegedly Abandons Five Kids At Bratt Park, Drives Under Influence To Atmore
December 20, 2011
A Walnut Hill woman is facing charges in two states after allegedly abandoning five young children at a Bratt Park and driving under the influence to an Atmore business with another child in her vehicle.
Amber Rose Ryals, age 25 of North Pine Barren Road, is charged in Alabama with driving under the influence of narcotics, theft of property and endangering the welfare of a child in Alabama. She is also wanted on an outstanding warrant and is expected to face additional charges in Florida.
Five children were found alone at the Lcp. Travis M. Nelson Park near Northview High School about noon Monday. A concerned citizen had noticed that the children, believed to range in age from 3 to 6, were alone in the park. She called the Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office and reported the situation.
Meanwhile in Atmore, employees at Burke’s Outlet on Lindberg Avenue reported to the Atmore Police Department that Ryals was in a vehicle directly in front of their store. They told police that they witnesses Ryals take a bottle of medication and numerous pills to the point where she was incoherent and confused.
Police said there was as small child about one year old in the backseat of the vehicle. Officers also discovered that she had taken several items from a nearby Fred’s store without paying for them. Ryals told Atmore Police that she could not remember how she got to Burke’s.
Ryals was transported by ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital for evaluation before being booked into jail.
Ryals told Atmore Police that she was extremely distraught over a lack of money to purchase Christmas presents for her children and her nieces and nephews. She told police that she had left the five children alone in the park “near the high school” while she drove to Burkes, apparently to get gifts for the children. Atmore Police first searched the Tom Byrne Park in Atmore, which is near Burkes and close to Escambia County School, but they were unable to locate the children.
The Alabama Department of Human Resources and the Florida Department of Children of Families are both investigating the incident.
According to Escambia County (Fla.) Circuit Court records, an active failure to appear warrant for Ryals’ arrest was issued December 9 when she failed to appear in court for violating her probation in a March 2010 driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident case. She is also expected to face charges in Florida for abandoning the children.
Four of the six children involved in the incident belonged to Ryals, police said, while two were nieces or nephews. None of the children were injured. They were released into the custody of a relative.
Pictured top: A Walnut Hill woman is transported by ambulance from Burkes Outlet in Atmore Monday afternoon after allegedly abandoning five children in a Bratt Park. Pictured bottom inset: The store manager at a nearby business comforts a child that was in the vehicle with Amber Rose Ryals. Pictured below: Ryals vehicle is searched by Atmore Police. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
