Volleyball: Jay, Flomaton Split
October 5, 2011
The Jay Royals and the Flomaton Hurricanes split varsity and junior varsity volleyball Tuesday.
In varsity action, the Flomaton Lady Hurricanes beat the Jay Lady Royals 11-25, 26-24, 25-21, 25-17.
In junior varsity action, Jay beat Flomaton, 25-16, 22-25, 15-10.
Two Convicted, Face Life For Home Depot Drug Deal
October 5, 2011
Two Escambia County men have been convicted of carjacking and robbery in connection with a May drug deal in the parking lot of Home Depot on Nine Mile Road.
Otis Charles Foster, Jr., was convicted of principal to carjacking with a firearm, robbery with a firearm, and armed kidnapping with a weapon. Co-defendant Tevin Akeem Nettles was also convicted of carjacking with a firearm, robbery with a firearm, and armed kidnapping with a weapon. A third defendant, Andre Cookm is scheduled for trial on November 21.
According to State Attorney Bill Eddins, the victim was set to meet Foster to buy drugs in the parking lot of Home Depot on Nine Mile Road. All three defendants arrived in the same car. Nettles and Cook got in the victim’s car, with Nettles holding the victim at gunpoint while Foster and Cook took the victim’s money, iPod, CD player, cell phone and speakers.
The victim called authorities, and all three defendants were found within one mile of the robbery. Otis Foster was found on a front porch within arm’s reach of the stolen items, according to testimony. Nettles was found in a car which contained the stolen cd player.
Judge Joel Boles scheduled sentencing for November 3. Both Foster and Nettles face a maximum of life in state prison.
Two Escambia High Coaches Arrested
October 4, 2011
Two Escambia High School coaches have been arrested, charged with obstruction of justice.
Head Coach Scott Anderson (pictured) and Assistant Coach Timothy Jansky turned themselves in this morning at the Escambia County Jail on the misdemeanor charge.
The charges stem from a September 19th incident where one student struck another student. According to the report and witnesses, both Anderson and Jansky approached the victim
of the battery on separate occasions and told him that if he pursued charges against the suspect, they could not guarantee his safety and the student would not play football.
According to an arrest report, Escambia Principal Michael Sherrill, told Anderson that he was “to stay out of the matter and allow law enforcement to do their job”.
Anderson and Jansky were released on their own recognizance. Both are on paid administrative leave from the school.
Editor’s note: The Sheriff’s Office did not release Jansky’s mugshot. His arrest report lists him as a “law enforcement official, former, spouse, or child of LEO”.
Century Woman Caught Dealing Lortab From Lakeview Center Van
October 4, 2011
Police say they arrested two people in a van from Lakeview Center in Century for dealing prescription narcotics Monday morning.
“We received information that Lortabs were being sold from the Lakeview van,” said Flomaton Police Chief Geoff McGraw.
McGraw performed a traffic stop on a van registered to Lakeview Center, Inc. at a Highway 29 gas station in Flomaton about 10:30 Monday morning. Driver Carol Brown, age 46 of Murphy Street Brewton, and passenger Sue Johnson, age 47 of Highway 4 Century, were taken into custody at the time of the traffic stop.
McGraw said officers discovered that Brown, an employee of Lakeview Center, had picked up Johnson in Century and transported her to Flomaton to sell Lortabs. In Flomaton, Johnson met with an unnamed subject and sold an undisclosed number of Lortab, according to police. After the sale was completed, Johnson and Brown began to travel back toward Century before being stopped by police.
Johnson was charged with unlawful distribution of a controlled substance and two counts of possession of a controlled substance. Brown was charged with conspiracy to commit a controlled substance crime. Both were booked in the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton.
McCraw said Brown had 38 Lortab pills in her possession at the time of the traffic stop.
The investigation was a joint operation of the Flomaton Police Department and the Brewton Police Department Narcotics Division.
Health Officials Warn Of Syphilis Outbreak In Escambia County
October 4, 2011
There is an outbreak of syphilis cases in Escambia County, according to the Escambia County Health Department.
So far this year, 69 cases of syphilis have been reported — a number equivalent to last year’s total. Before this outbreak began, the county averaged 25 cases a year. Local health officials are consulting with Florida regional and state health officials to combat the increase of syphilis infections.
Syphilis is spread by intimate contact with an infected partner. Left untreated, it can lead to severe disease and even death. Studies indicate a two to five times increased risk for transmission of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, in the presence of syphilis. Syphilis may also be transmitted from an infected pregnant woman to her baby. These infants are at risk of lifelong disabilities and death.
The Escambia County Health Department is encouraging inviduals to be aware of the signs and symptoms of syphilis. In the initial stage, a sore might be visible in the genital area or the mouth (usually painless). In the second stage, a rash on the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet, moist lesions in the mouth, and/or unexplained hair loss may develop. When sores and lesions are present, they are extremely infectious, and intimate contact with them should be avoided. Early syphilis can include periods of “latency” with no outward signs or symptoms. Individuals experiencing these symptoms, or who have experienced them in the past should see their physician or local clinic for testing and treatment.
The best way to prevent syphilis is not to have sex with an infected partner. The health department said it is important to know your partner’s syphilis status. Proper use of a latex condom can help protect against acquired HIV, syphilis and a number of other sexually transmitted diseases.
Syphilis can be detected through a simple blood test at a physician’s office or clinic. Several local clinics provide free or low cost screening, diagnosis and treatment services. The Escambia County Health Department also provides these services.
For more information on local low cost clinics or for the Escambia County Health Department’s STD clinic hours and fees, visit www.escambiahealth.com or call (850) 595-6532.
FHP Releases Name Of Motorcycle Fatality
October 4, 2011
Monday, the Florida Highway Patrol released the name of a 55-year old woman that died September 27 when she was thrown from her motorcycle off an interstate ramp to the highway 30 feet below.
Roberta Lee Williams of Pensacola was northbound on I-110 headed for eastbound I-10 at 5:27 p.m. when she failed to negotiate the curve for the ramp and struck a barrier wall. She was ejected over the concrete wall, falling 30 feet to the emergency lane of eastbound I-10.
Williams was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
The FHP delayed releasing Williams’ name while they worked to locate her next of kin.
Century Approves Business Tax Rate, Bills In The Mail
October 4, 2011
The Town of Century has given final approval to the same business tax rate charged by Escambia County, backing down on plans to effectively double rate.
Century failed to update their business license regulations and fees as required by the state by 2008, forcing the town to backtrack and fix the error. Under state law, Century could adopt the fee schedule of another Florida government. The town had settled on the Fellsmere, Fla., fee schedule, which would have increased average business tax receipt — the permit required to conduct business in the town — from the current $25 to $55 or more. Under the Fellsmere plan, some businesses such pharmacies, entertainment establishments and factories would have paid $100 or more per year.
Monday night, the Century Town Council gave final approval to the business tax receipt rate of $26.25 per year charged by Escambia County. The tax bills were to be printed and mailed Tuesday. The tax is normally due on October 1.
In 1971, the responsibility of issuing building licenses in Florida shifted from the state to local governments. Century adopted a business license schedule in 1981. But following the 2005 to 2006 Florida hurricanes, Florida mandated that the business licenses should no longer be called a “license”, but rather a “tax”, such as the “business tax receipt” in Escambia County.
At last report, there were 56 companies and individuals that held a businesses license in Century, generating only about $1,400 per year in revenue.
Pictured: The Century Town Council in session Monday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Registration Continues For Chief Challenge 5k Run/Walk; Students Handcraft Awards
October 4, 2011
The Second Annual Chief Challenge 5K Run/Walk is coming up Saturday morning at Northview High School.
This week, Northview’s Materials and Processes Class students are making the awards for first through third place in each category. The students designed the award tomahawks in the class that has a focus on mass production techniques and use of materials.
The event will be held Saturday, October 8 at 8:30 a.m. at the school campus in Bratt.
Awards will be broken down to each grade level for males and females, as well as awards for adult, master and grand master. For a registration form and more details, click here.
Over 140 runners and walkers took part in last year’s Chief Challenge.
The Chief Challenge 5K Run/Walk is sponsored in part by NorthEscambia.com, Pepsi and Atmore Family Medicine.
Pictured: Instructor Bill Welch and Northview’s Materials and Processes Class students Wayne Bolton (left) and Trevis Redmond (right) worth to create awards for Saturday’s Chief Challenge 5K Run/Walk. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Woman That Tossed Her Dead Toddler In Trash Can Gets 15 Years
October 4, 2011
An Escambia County woman that tossed her dead toddler into a trash can and left her other two children home alone while she reported them missing has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Christian Rochelle Woods, 23, received the 15-year prison sentence and 30 years probation Monday afternoon on an aggravated manslaughter charged.
Woods left her two children, ages 18-months and two years, home alone for two days in a home with no power or water. The children were left with only a few cups of Jello to eat.
Authorities said that the little girl who was found dead in a trashcan, Myleahya Woods (pictured left), weighed just 11 pounds. Prosecutors say she starved to death. The other two children found in the home, Myleahya ’s twin sister, Mykayhala (pictured right) and Jaterius Woods, 2, were also severely malnourished. When deputies found Mykayhala under a bed in the filthy Escambia County home, she was in a coma. Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan said deputies first thought Mykayhala was dead until her eyes fluttered.
Woods called deputies to report that her children were missing. But deputies became suspicious. They found Jaterius and arrested Woods on child neglect charges because he showed what they said was obvious signs of abuse. About 12 hours after her arrest, Woods admitted that Myleahya was dead in a trashcan on the back porch of her home.
Prosecutors said Woods’ family members had no idea what was going on with the children, and that she never asked for help.
Some Law Enforcement Against Caylee’s Law Proposals
October 4, 2011
Proposals to strengthen penalties against parents for not reporting a missing child right away could have disastrous consequences, according to several law enforcement officials who testified Monday at a Senate panel charged with examining “Caylee’s Law” bills.
The Select Committee on Protecting Florida’s Children was convened in the aftermath of the much-publicized Casey Anthony murder trial this summer. The Orlando woman was charged with murdering her two-year-old daughter but was found not guilty by a jury, sparking outrage and a cry for legislative reform.
In reaction to the acquittal, several Florida lawmakers filed bills that would make it a felony to not report a child missing within a certain time frame, with proposals ranging from 12 hours to 48 hours. The committee is trying to determine if there is a need for a Caylee’s Law bill. There is no similar committee in the House.
But law enforcement officials invited to testify before the Senate committee said instilling a strict time limit to report a child missing could actually have the opposite of the intended effect.
One Senate proposal that requires parents to report a child missing within 48 hours could be confusing, said Connie Shingledecker, a major with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office who oversees child abuse and death cases.
“It could have the unintended consequence of confusing parents and having them feel they have to wait 48 hours to report,” Shingledecker said. “Any time you put a time frame on situations like this it can be confusing.”
Already, law enforcement officials say many parents delay reporting their children missing because they are under the mistaken assumption they have to wait 24 hours to do so. Adding another requirement into law would only confuse parents further, said representatives from several sheriffs’ offices.
And just because a parent calls 911, that doesn’t mean a law enforcement officer has been notified, adding another wrinkle to the proposed law that could unintentionally cause some parents to violate the law.
Instead, law enforcement officers pressed the committee to consider strengthening penalties for lying to law enforcement officers during an investigation of a missing, endangered, or murdered child.
“We’d like another tool in our toolbox,” said Sheriff Jeffrey Dawsy with Citrus County.
Anthony was found guilty of providing false information to a law enforcement officer, a misdemeanor. Law enforcement officials say they would like to see the penalty increased from a misdemeanor to a second-degree felony, which carries with it the potential for more prison time than a misdemeanor would.
Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, the chairman of the committee, pressed law enforcement officials for details on how common it is for a parent to not report a child missing for an extensive period of time. One criticism of Caylee’s Law proposals is that the bills may address a non-existent problem based on the rare example of Casey Anthony.
“We do have parents who fail to report their children as missing and usually it is because they have some culpability,” Shingledecker said. “They are impaired and have left kids with folks they don’t even know.”
But she acknowledged that instances like the Casey Anthony case, where two-year-old Caylee Anthony was not reported missing for a month and a body wasn’t found until nearly six months later, are “very rare.”
Negron said the committee will likely meet one more time before developing recommendations on whether a Caylee’s Law was needed and if so, what it should contain.
By Lilly Rockwell
The News Service of Florida