Firefighters Respond To Apartment Fire; No Major Damage
April 3, 2012
Firefighters responded to a reported apartment fire in Atmore Tuesday morning.
The fire at McRae Apartments was mostly confined to a kitchen stove upstairs in the “D” building. Firefighters reported light smoke showing from the apartment as they arrived on scene about 7:30 a.m.
There were no injuries report.
Pictured top: Firefighters responded to a reported kitchen fire at McRae Apartments in Atmore Tuesday morning. Pictured left: The stove was removed from the upstairs apartment. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Burglary Suspect Dies After Being Caught In Cantonment Home
April 2, 2012
A burglary suspect died early Monday morning after being caught by deputies inside a Cantonment home.
Just after midnight, deputies responded to the 100 block of Robinson Street after receiving several calls about a man breaking into houses and acting irrationally. At 124 Robinson Street, deputies found 33-year old Tracy Deshawn Lett on the floor after breaking into the home, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
“Lett met the description that was given to deputies by witnesses. Deputies restrained Lett after he did not comply with deputy’s commands to place his hands behind his back,” according to a sheriff’s office release.
Moments later, Lett showed signs of being in medical distress. He was immediately unrestrained and requested EMS. Lett then stopped breathing and deputies began to administer CPR. After EMS arrived on scene, Lett was taken by LifeFlight to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Sheriff’s investigators are awaiting autopsy results from the Medical Examiner’s Office. Further details have not been released.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Inside Century Correctional Institution
April 2, 2012
Today, we begin our exclusive look inside the Century Correctional Institution with a trip through security and a look at what’s behind the fence. Our series will continue tomorrow with a trip inside the medical unit, the chapel and and more.
No weapons, no drugs. Must have a picture ID. Subject to search. No cell phones, no cameras. No Blackberrys.
No Blackberry? That one seemed a little harsh and hard to swallow. I live with my Blackberry in running NorthEscambia.com — always figured the paramedics would pry it from my hands one day.
Otherwise the briefing on entering the Century Correctional Institution seemed simple enough. The same rules apply to family visiting prisoners on the weekends, but we were getting the all-access pass, far beyond the visitation room and yard.
We were told the “no camera” rule did not apply to us — Tallahassee had pre-approved NorthEscambia.com for the tour. But no photos of locks, guard control rooms or anything else related to security. And no photos that showed the identifiable faces of a prisoner. Seems that the state’s rules say prisoners have a right to privacy behind bars unless they sign a photo release.
“The prisoners will not interact with you,” Col. Joseph Schwarz said before the tour. They are much like children in an elementary school room, he added, often gawking at the strange visitor.
Schwarz is in charge of keeping the prisoners in and the rest of the world out as security boss. A commanding voice, with a bit of an accent, he seemed fit to play himself in a movie giving orders and watching over a Southern prison chain gang.
Standing under the razor wire that surrounds the 40-acre CCI campus, the barbs glistening in the sun look like enough deterrent to keep one on the proper side of the fence.
Then it was through the gate into the sallyport. The gate must close behind those entering before one in front opens. There was no slamming sound like the movies. If you are headed into CCI to begin your life sentence, you’ll miss the gate slamming closed sound that momma warned you about. Just the sound of a chain link fence gate closing. And an electrical hum as a lock is opened and closed from a control room. Still, it’s hard to imagine what the feeling would be like headed in for 10, 20 years or even life.
“They are armed with three different types of weapons,” Schwarz said, motioning with his eyes up toward the guard tower. One of the weapons is a shotgun. Aim is not terribly important with a shotgun…not terribly hard to hit the guy trying to get over the fence.
Standing in the small sallyport, it very much feels and looks the typical preconceived idea of a prison. Surrounding by fence and razor wire — and let’s not forget the guy watching with a shotgun — it feels like the outside is already a world away.
(Article continue below photo)
Stepping through the second gate is a bit of a surprise. A two-lane road, bright freshly painted yellow lines in the middle and sides. Staff walks down the middle, while prisoners must walk outside the yellow lines on the “shoulder”. The grass is freshly trimmed, flowers beds are neat and plentiful around the buildings lining the road.
The flower beds — filled with fresh mulch, pansies, petunias and other little flowering plants like grandma would plant — are everywhere around the sidewalks along neatly painted buildings.
Library. Chapel. Security. — neat, hand lettered signs are above the doors of each building. A “Town of Century” water tower close behind the buildings. It really looks more like small town USA than a prison. If you overlook the bars on the windows. Especially on the Chapel.
But at the far end of CCI small town, USA, there’s another fence, razor wire and another guard tower. Beyond those are the dorms — the home of up to 1,400 inmates.
Our series “Inside Century Correctional Institution” continues tomorrow on NorthEscambia.com.
Pictured: Century Correctional Institution. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Stand Your Ground Remains Under Fire
April 2, 2012
The National Rifle Association has long been a powerful force in Tallahassee. But as the Sanford shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin continues to create a national furor, NRA lobbyist Marion Hammer and her legislative allies face growing pressure to revamp the state’s “stand your ground” law.
“There’s a critical and urgent need to look at the law, and at least clarify it, or explain it,” said Rep. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg.
Some black lawmakers have called for holding a special legislative session to deal with the law. While that appears unlikely, Rep. Dennis Baxley, an Ocala Republican who was an original sponsor of stand your ground in 2005, acknowledged that it might need to be clarified.
“There’s nothing in the statute that provides for any kind of aggressive action, in terms of pursuit and confront,” Baxley said. “So I think that’s been some misapplication of this statute. If anything could come out of this very tragic circumstance, it could be some clarification of when this applies and how.”
Stand your ground, which was backed by the NRA, has drawn widespread attention since neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman shot and killed Martin last month. Zimmerman, who has not been charged in the death, contends that he fired in self-defense.
The law allows people who feel threatened in public to stand their ground and use force to defend themselves, eliminating a prior responsibility to try to retreat. Questions in the Martin case center, at least in part, on whether Zimmerman pursued the teen before shooting him.
Gov. Rick Scott wants to wait until the conclusion of the Martin investigation before addressing the stand-your-ground law. He has appointed an outside prosecutor, Angela Corey, to head the investigation and also has announced that a task force will later look at issues such as stand your ground.
“We still don’t know the effect the stand-your-ground law might have in this case, so it would be premature to begin evaluating facts when more facts are yet to emerge,” Scott spokesman Lane Wright said. “Gov. Scott believes we need to be thoughtful and thorough as we deal with this awful tragedy, and for those reasons he will not interfere with the investigation or prematurely expedite the work of the task force.”
By the News Service of Florida
New Senate Maps Submitted To Feds
April 2, 2012
The second draft of new maps for the state Senate have been submitted to the U.S. Justice Department for “pre-clearance” under the Voting Rights Act.
In a memo contained with the filing, the state argued that the plan easily complies with the act.
“There cannot be any serious issue concerning discriminatory purpose in the covered counties,” the memo says. “The minority districts there largely followed the districts recommended by civil-rights groups and materially preserved the ability of minority voters in those counties to elect their preferred candidates.”
The submission should give the Justice Department the full 60 days it has under the Voting Rights Act to review the proposal before candidate qualifying begins. Any changes to Florida elections law must be considered by the federal agency or a federal court before going into effect in five counties with a history of racial discrimination.
Maps for the House were submitted March 13.
Baseball: Wins For Tate, Flomaton
April 2, 2012
Here’s a recap of Friday night baseball action across the area.
Tate 10 — Washington 5 (JV)
Tate 6 — Washington 5
The Tate Aggies swept a JV/varsity doubleheader from the Washington Wildcats at Tate. The JV won 10-5.
In the night cap, Cody Palmer picked up his sixth victory in relief. Hunter Black had the game winning hit again in the bottom of the 7th inning scoring pinch runner Cole Commander.
Matt Rickard 2-4, 2B
Austin Quina 2-2, RBI
Mac Seibert 1-2, 2B, 3RBI
The Aggies, now with a 15-1 record, hit the road this week traveling to Escambia, Pine Forest and Pace.
Flomaton 4 –Mobile Christian 3
Flomaton 12 — Mobile Christian 0
Flomaton Hurricanes beat Mobile Christian both times in their doubleheader Friday night, 4-3 and 12-0. The Hurricanes are currently ranked No. 4 in the state in 2A.
In the first game, Zack Watson allowed four hits and two earned runs while striking out 6. Watson’s record improved 6-1. In the second game, Joseph Parker was had 10 strikeouts while allowing only two hits.
With the wins, t
he Hurricanes improve their record to 16-3 and on a 15 game winning streak. The Hurricanes host the Northview Chiefs Monday night, with the JV at 4:00 and the varsity at 6:00.
First Game: Batting
Andrew Cash 2-4 2 1B, 1 run
Hunter Bonds 2-4 1B, 2B, RBI SB
Zack Watson 2-4 1B, 2B 1 run
Jacob Newton 2-2 2 1B, RBI, 2 SB
Tyler Dove 1 run
Joseph Parker 1-2 1 run
Pitching
Zack Watson 7IP 6K 1W 2ER 4 hits allowed CG
Second Game: Batting
Andrew Cash 1-2 1B 2 runs
Hunter Bonds 2-3 1B, 2B RBI 2 runs
James Dean 2-3 2 1B, 2 RBI, 3 runs, SB
Zack Watson 1-3 1B 1 run
Trey Weeks RBI 1 run
Jacob Newton 2-3 1B, 2B 3 RBI SB
Tristan McAnally 1-4 1B RBI
Joseph Parker 1-1 HR RBI 2 runs
Tyler Dove 1 run
Pitching
Joseph Parker 5IP 10K 3W 2 hits allowed W
Tyler Harris 1IP 2K S
School Board Approves North Escambia School Personnel Changes
April 2, 2012
The Escambia County School Board approved several North Escambia teacher and staff transfers, resignations, and retirements during March.
The school board made the following changes among teachers and staff at schools across North Escambia:
Instructional/Professional Appointments
- Vickie R. Grant, teacher, Ernest Ward Middle
Instructional/Professional Transfers
Patricia M Barker, from Warrington to Ransom Middle
Instructional/Professional Retirements
- Kathleen A. Varner, teacher, Tate High
Educational Support – Appointments
- Gladys M Dykes, custodial worker II, Molino Park
Educational Support – Retirements/Resignations
- David J. Knott, Sr., custodial worker, Ernest Ward Middle (retired)
- Jourdan A. Robertson, teacher assistant, Ransom Middle
- Patricia Stepherson, data specialist II, Ransom Middle
Child, Adult Injured In Molino ATV Crash
April 1, 2012
Two people were injured in an ATV accident Saturday night in Molino.
An 11-year old female and a 29-year old female were transported by ambulance to West Florida Hospital in stable condition following the crash.
First responders were called to the 4000 block of White Ash Road east of Highway 97 about 9 p.m. for the accident. Complete circumstances surrounding the crash were not immediately available.
The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the accident.
Pictured: Two people were injured in an ATV crash Saturday night in Molino. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Play Ball! Opening Day For Molino Ballpark (With Photo Gallery)
April 1, 2012
Saturday was Opening Day for Molino Recreation Association and the Molino Ballpark.
A steady rain fell for most of the Opening Day activities, but the skies began to clear as the first teams took to the field.\
For photo galleries, click the links below:
Gallery 1 — T-ball
Gallery 2 — Coach pitch softball
Gallery 3 — Baseball 1
Gallery 4 — Baseball 2
Gallery 5 — Softball
Gallery 6 — Opening Day
Pictured above and below: Opening Day action at Molino Ballpark. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Four Injured In Hwy 97 Crash Caused By Cigarette
April 1, 2012
Four people were injured in a single car crash caused by a cigarette Saturday afternoon on Highway 97 in Molino.
The accident happened about 2 p.m. near Gibson Road.
The driver of a 2012 Chevrolet Impala, 56-year old Donald Taylor of Las Vegas, was southbound on Highway 97 approaching Gibson Road. Taylor told troopers that he dropped his cigarette inside the car. As he leaned over to pick it up, he ran off the roadway. As the car traveled on the shoulder, it struck a tree, tearing the right front tire off the vehicle. As the car continued along the shoulder, it hit a second tree, tearing off the left front tire and ripping the driver’s door off the vehicle.
Taylor and his passengers, 68-year old Alice Taylor of Las Vegas, 50-year old Michael Braham of Atmore and 51-year old Jennie Braham of Atmore, were all transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
The accident shut down Highway 97 for about 30 minutes, backing up traffic in both directions.
The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the call.
Pictured above and below: Three people were injured in this crash Saturday afternoon on Highway 97 in Molino. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
