Bond Set For Zimmerman
April 21, 2012
A Seminole County circuit judge on Friday set bail at $150,000 for George Zimmerman during a hearing in which the accused shooter of Trayvon Martin told the boy’s family he was sorry for their loss.
Jail officials haven’t said when Zimmerman could be released from custody under the arrangement which includes electronic monitoring.
“I wanted to say I am sorry for the loss of your son,” Zimmerman, 28, said from the stand during the hearing as the family sat in the courtroom. “I did not know how old he was. I thought he was a little bit younger than I am. And I did not know if he was armed or not.”
Zimmerman could face a life sentence on the second degree murder charge.
Martin, who was 17, lived in Miami but had been suspended from school and was spending the time with his father in Sanford. He was unarmed when Zimmerman shot him, telling police he looked suspicious.
Zimmerman has claimed self defense.
By The News Service of Florida
Northview’s Farrow Places In State Weightlifting Finals
April 21, 2012
Northview High School senior Andrew Farrow finished 10th in the state Friday during the Florida High School Athletic Association’s state 1A weightlifting championships in Kissimmee. Farrow’s total lift in the 210 pound weight class was at 575 pounds with a best bench of 305 and a best clean & jerk of 270.
Pictured: Northview High School’s Andrew Farrow lifts during the state 1A weightlifting finals Friday afternoon in Kissimmee, Florida. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local Numbers Improve, Florida Unemployment Biggest Drop In 20 Years
April 21, 2012
The latest job numbers released Friday showed good news in the three-county North Escambia area — as Florida’s unemployment rate made its biggest monthly decline in nearly two decades as the state’s jobless rate fell to 9 percent in March.
Escambia County’s unemployment dropped from 9.1 percent in February to 8.2 percent in March. There were 1,051 fewer reported unemployed during the period, for a total Escambia County unemployment of 11,251 people. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 10.4 percent.
Santa Rosa County unemployment slipped from 8.6 percent in February to 8.4 percent in March. Santa Rosa County had a total of 6,073 persons still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 8.8 percent.
In Escambia County, Alabama, unemployment dropped from 9.4 percent in February to 8.4 percent in March. That represented 1,234 people unemployed in the county during the month.
Florida’s 9 percent unemployment rate was 0.4 percentage points lower than February and 1.7 points lower than the 10.7 percent recorded in March 2012. It was the largest monthly drop since October 1992.
Alabama’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate at 7.3 percent in March, was down from February’s rate of 7.5 percent and was below the year-ago rate of 9.3 percent.
Tate Wins Softball District; Aggies Baseball Falls In Last Regular Season Game
April 21, 2012
The Tate Lady Aggies won the girls District 1-6A district championship Friday night with a 2-1 win over the Escambia Gators. The Lady Aggies will next face Mosley (Lynn Haven) next Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Pitching the win for Tate was Heather Schaff (11-7; 7 IP, 1 R, 9 H, 1 ER, 1 K, 0 BB).
Tate hitters included: Rachel Dunsford 1-2, RBI; Marina Cobbs 1-3, run; Heather Schaff 1-3, RBI; Kimberly Baker 1-3; Bailey Burk 1-2, run.
BASEBALL
Rutherford 8 — Tate 1
Rutherford defeated the Tate Aggies 8-1 Friday night at Tate. With the loss, the Aggies finished the regular season at 20-4.
Next up for the Aggies is the district tournament next week.
Flomaton Wins Playoff Round One (With Photo Gallery)
April 21, 2012
The Flomaton Hurricanes defeated Zion Chapel in a double header Friday to advance to the second round of the Class 2A playoffs.
The Hurricanes won the first game 6-3. Joseph Parker (8-1) earned the win for the Hurricanes, and Ethan Lott took the loss for Zion Chapel. The Hurricanes won the second game 10-1. Zack Watson (8-2) took the win while Justin Lee took the loss.
In round two, Flomaton will host the winner of Cottage Hill Christian at Samson Friday, April 27 at 4:30 and 7:30 with a Saturday game at noon, if necessary.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery as Flomaton beat Zion Chapel Friday, click here.
Wahoos Open Road Trip With 5-3 Win
April 21, 2012
After a three-run second inning, the Blue Wahoos cruised to victory over the Montgomery Biscuits 5-3 in Montgomery, AL on Friday night to open up the 10-game road trip. Pedro Villarreal (W, 1-1) turned in the longest start by a Blue Wahoos starter this season, and earned his first win of the season after going 6.2 innings.
The Blue Wahoos took advantage of three straight walks to begin the second inning by Biscuits starter Jim Paduch (L, 0-2). After the Blue Wahoos got their first run on double play ball, Mark Fleury doubled down the right field line to score Josh Fellhauer from third, one of two runs he would score in the game. Fleury came home a batter later on a Ryan LaMarre single.
Montgomery pulled within a run when Michael Sheridan hit his first home run of the season, a two-run shot, in the fourth inning. Pensacola created some breathing room with another pair of runs in the sixth inning. Miguel Rojas singled home Fellhauer right before Fleury executed a perfect bunt on a suicide squeeze to plate Cody Puckett from third. The Biscuits added another run in the seventh against Villarreal, but the bullpen held the rest of the way to give the Blue Wahoos the win.
Fellhauer led the way offensively for the Blue Wahoos in his first game back from the disabled list. The right fielder went 3-for-3 with a walk and a pair of runs scored. LaMarre also had a pair of hits in the contest.
Villarreal allowed all three Biscuits runs on five hits, he walked just one and struck out five in the winning effort. Paduch was tagged with the loss after giving up three runs on five hits over four innings. Donnie Joseph recorded the final four outs for the Blue Wahoos to earn his fourth save of the season.
The series continues on Saturday with the Blue Wahoos sending right-hander Curtis Partch (0-1, 6.92) to the mound against Biscuits righty Shane Dyer (1-1, 3.75). First pitch is set for 7:05 from Montgomery’s Riverwalk Stadium.
By Tommy Thrall
Mail Truck Fire?
April 20, 2012
The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded Friday afternoon after the U.S. Mail truck seen in this photo was reported to be on fire as it traveled along Highway 29. Multiple people reported that the trailer of the truck was on fire. When the vehicle stopped and firefighters caught up with it, they discovered the excessive smoke was an engine issue, not a fire. Reader photo by Bradd Gibbs for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Teen Injured In Bratt Wreck
April 20, 2012
A Bratt teen was injured in a single vehicle crash Thursday night in Bratt.
Authorities said 16-year old Brannon Freeman was westbound on Breastworks Road near Perdue Road about 10:30 p.m. when he attempted to avoid a deer, ran off the roadway, over-corrected and left the roadway again. His Chevrolet pickup truck then struck a culvert while traveling sideways and went airborne across a driveway and flipped into a wooded area. The vehicle came to rest upside down.
Freeman was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. His condition was unavailable.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Atmore Ambulance also responded to the crash.
Pictured top: A Bratt teen’s pickup truck came to rest upside down deep in a wooded area in a Thursday night wreck. Pictured below: The truck after it was pulled from the wooded area. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Resident Becomes Escambia’s Newest Judge
April 20, 2012
A Molino resident became Escambia County’s newest judge Friday.
Darlene F. Dickey, 41, had served as the general counsel for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office since 2006. Previously, she practiced with Bozeman, Jenkins and Matthews P.A. from 2003 to 2005 after three years as an assistant state attorney with the First Judicial Circuit.
After completing a bachelor’s degree, she served five years as a law enforcement officer, first with the University of West Florida Police Department, and later as a field training officer with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Dickey received a bachelor’s degree from the University of West Florida and a law degree from Florida State University.
“Throughout Darlene’s career, she has gained valuable experience listening to all sides of the issues in order to gain the understanding needed to resolve conflicts, “Gov. Rick Scott said. “Her willingness and ability to apply sound and restrained legal analysis will serve the people of Escambia County well.”
Dickey filled the vacancy created by the appointment of Judge John F. Simon to the First Judicial Circuit.
Escambia Wreck Claims Life Of 26-Year Old
April 20, 2012
A motorcyclist was killed in an early morning crash on a Pensacola interstate.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Preston Lee Wallace, age 26 of Pensacola, was pronounced dead at the scene of the 1:25 a.m. high-speed crash on an eastbound ramp at the I-10 and I-110 intersection.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.